Ponder: Noel Diary

My husband and I watched a Christmas movie that we thoroughly enjoyed, most likely because it was not as saccharin as the Hallmark movies we tend to binge on during the season. It was heartwarming, showing triumph over a difficult situation, and not easily predictable. When the credits rolled I learned that the movie was based on a book of the same title, The Noel Diary by Richard Paul Evans ©2017, so I put my name on the library waiting list and checked it out after Christmas when it became available.

Early on in the story, a best selling novelist Jacob Churcher, receives a phone call from a lawyer, breaking the news of the death of his estranged mother. He had struggled through a troubled childhood and had distanced himself from his parents for twenty-plus years so he was surprised he had been bequeathed his childhood home in the will. Although highly successful in his career he could have easily paid a service to clean out the house and put it up for sale, but he elected to do the job himself. It was a physically draining and emotionally difficult undertaking since his mom had become a hoarder and memories that were unearthed were hard to bear. 

Jacob is a quiet, likable loner, somewhat isolated in his young school years; yet he can do well as an adult in social situations. He gets along amicably with people at his book signings. His literary agent likes him and works hard looking out for him. The lawyer encourages him and supports him him carrying his hard task. A neighbor who remembers him child portrays him as a sweet child despite dire circumstances from the past. A mysterious young woman who is somehow connected to him through the house had a similar lacking mother/child relationship. She steps in him to help him sort through the detritus of things and remembrances.  As is my habit, my book description is intentionally vague to avoid revealing any spoilers. I need not be so concerned. I read the book after seeing the movie and was still eager to read on.

I did not realize that Richard Paul Evans is such a prolific, prominent author. A brief bio from the back flap of The Noel Diary lists his many awards and touts his publication of over thirty novels.

I also learned that The Noel Diary is #1 in a four book series called The Noel Collection. I very well may seek out the others. I rate The Noel Diary four stars. It was a simple, pleasurable read, possibly not for those readers wanting more meat and depth, but it certainly appealed to me.

★★★★☆ Really good; maybe only one weak aspect or limited audience

Alex to Lindsay Museum

The holidays truly wreak havoc on any routine. I had written this post up except for a few final comments on the end photos on December 8th and then all progress was lost.

Sunday, November 27th, our regular bowling alley was having a tournament and so open bowling was not an option. Frank was excited because instead we would be going to a model train show, the first in over two years due to COVID. It was held two weekends by the Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society in Walnut Creek, a city about 16 miles and 30 minutes north of Alex's home. The building was nestled in a shady park. We parked and went up to the entrance only to learn the Sunday show had been canceled on short notice due to lack of staffing. Bummer.

To recover, we chose alternatively to visit the nearby Lindsay Wildlife Experience, located just on the other side of the park. It was just a short walk away but we did not know that and Siri on my iPhone did not clarify. We drove over, slightly chagrined at where we wound up. At least we were parked closer than if we had walked. 

Once inside we were impressed with how expansive it was. There was a view of the operating facilities where they care for injured wildlife. No surgeries were in progress while we were there but there was plenty to see. Every hour there were demonstrations with some live animals and other demos with interesting props at a bench area. Next to the benches was a large glassed in enclosure. Alex was fascinated by a large bird of prey that kept swooshing back and forth from one end to the other. Our first show was about color and camouflage. Alex was brave enough to pet a snake... Frank and me, too! The second show was about tarantulas, but we did not hold any of those. We did get to have to a very closeup look at the molted exoskeleton of one of them.

There were charts on the wall of different animals; beneath were doors to open and close with pictures beneath to tell about each critter. Alex liked manipulating the doors and we had a little bit of fun matching pictures. Moving critters are much more interesting. He liked this rat who darted about quickly within his enclosure but when we came to the bunnies he was truly suckered in. He was in seventh [hare] heaven and cared for nothing more.

The downstairs area was mainly for classes with school kids, but the murals on the walls were a "hoot". Alex posed along the hallway images; and Frank and I posed by the guardian of the restroom.

At our last stop, the gift shop, I bought the bowling game of Forest Skittles. Even if we never play, I thought the art work alone was precious, and the glossy wood surfaces were so tactilely appealing. The animals and trees are about 7" tall and the ball about 2 ½ " diameter.

This museum was a far cry from the trains we were anticipating but it was a fun outing and surprisingly more engaging for Alex than we anticipated. We are glad we went. "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

Ponder: The Christmas Spirit

With 1) Christmas decorations to put away, 2) a Christmas letter still to write and mail, and 3) several blog posts about pre-Christmas outings and hosting holiday house guests waiting to be created and published... I was overwhelmed. I just wanted to sit down, relax, read a non-challenging book and perhaps blog about it.  The Christmas Spirit was just what the doctor ordered.

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber ©2022 was a delightful, light, humorous book that I read one afternoon/evening shortly after New Year's. Two close friends – Peter, a local pastor, and Hank, the sole bartender at a family-owned tavern – debate whose job is more difficult, demanding, and exhausting. The longtime friends try switching roles the week before Christmas to settle the debate. Each learns how challenging the other's job can be; the way each fumbles in his new role is cause for huge hilarity. The Christmas Eve service complete with its mini-skirted strippers in attendance and a rambunctious, stubborn mule on the loose, kept me chuckling out loud.

The book was a welcome change from the maudlin, predictable, Hallmark seasonal movies. The story is told from the framework of a grandmother telling it to her 8-yr old grandson Lance and granddaughter 6-yr old granddaughter Lilly. Of course there is a bit of romance sprinkled here and there but it does not dominate the story. It can not because Lance groans, covers up his ears, and demands fair warning if there are any kissing parts. I could relate to the book after having just had my own 10-yr old granddaughter and 7-yr old grandson visiting with their mom, dad and other grandma for ten days during the Christmas time. It was the ideal book to read while resting up after after a joyous, raucous visit. While not preachy, it certainly portrayed a sense of the Christian goal of welcoming and acceptance of others. Short and sweet and funny, it was a treat to read. A bartender and a pastor do share similar skill sets, after all. I upped The Christmas Spirit's rating to 4 stars because, although in no way was it a deep, pondering tome, it did deserve to be graded as better than average.

★★★★☆ Really good; maybe only one weak aspect or limited audience