tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87896302169347484492024-02-18T22:25:27.258-05:00What If God Says No Finding truth, beauty and goodness in life everydayDonnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.comBlogger699125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-60278439621329901602021-10-06T09:48:00.002-04:002022-11-16T18:30:24.118-05:00An Open Book: October 2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5yLY8ae7hhIbP_carZev3eCqQ6GfP8uwX4qKVkCEs4EOhFdlOo3Pze_f_hZ58cNCG71DR0Wyesrc9wS3bD04b8GWffjGlq4N2LCjAzEpCHygrF5bSsQWOe0KkYvFG3hZ_bpwZdyz8AXL/s676/An-Open-Book-800W.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="676" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5yLY8ae7hhIbP_carZev3eCqQ6GfP8uwX4qKVkCEs4EOhFdlOo3Pze_f_hZ58cNCG71DR0Wyesrc9wS3bD04b8GWffjGlq4N2LCjAzEpCHygrF5bSsQWOe0KkYvFG3hZ_bpwZdyz8AXL/s320/An-Open-Book-800W.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />September marked the thirteenth anniversary of my mom's death. It was purely by chance that two of the books I read this month featured main characters who lost their mothers and the grief and feelings that followed.<div><br /></div><div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-6EO6bRlqWqzmjrn2EaaGiaBe0N3HAsIWR7z8q2LPp9QBxVZLiJtOpWE14cC6x_eYYmu9oF5hw1bDNt4lhyWxwW9eM5G2zIuTuzzTG80WYhshWq5kV_ESy9bXvcuolggNJGFjjXh2Lo-/s148/Sunday+Potluck+Club.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="148" data-original-width="100" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-6EO6bRlqWqzmjrn2EaaGiaBe0N3HAsIWR7z8q2LPp9QBxVZLiJtOpWE14cC6x_eYYmu9oF5hw1bDNt4lhyWxwW9eM5G2zIuTuzzTG80WYhshWq5kV_ESy9bXvcuolggNJGFjjXh2Lo-/s0/Sunday+Potluck+Club.jpg" width="100" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">★★★★☆</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52780889-the-sunday-potluck-club" target="_blank">The Sunday Potluck Club</a> by Melissa Storm, four women who became friends by chance meetings in the hospital cafeteria while their parents underwent chemotherapy for their various cancers learn to deal with life after a loss. After the death of the third parent, we see how each of the four women deal, or not, with the grief and sadness that follows. Amy and Bridget each throw themselves into projects, with varying results. </div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Things would never be fine again. They could only become marginally less terrible.</i></div></div></blockquote><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaD6ca8xWTeDuczvh3FxQ6-nDOrHTT0v9brWJwPPn4dxVxLeSpzFOjWanVGlAQI7XLKnsfCu1n5XhbZf1jAdylCxtVW2JIB98ljI30Ym2laKqxM866RhH7XEgzc8vcdLyub-iADENge5F/s150/Lost+and+Found.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="100" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaD6ca8xWTeDuczvh3FxQ6-nDOrHTT0v9brWJwPPn4dxVxLeSpzFOjWanVGlAQI7XLKnsfCu1n5XhbZf1jAdylCxtVW2JIB98ljI30Ym2laKqxM866RhH7XEgzc8vcdLyub-iADENge5F/s0/Lost+and+Found.jpg" width="100" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">★★★☆☆</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div>When Natalie Harper's mother doesn't show up for the party celebrating her new promotion at work, she is disappointed but not surprised. Her mom has been known to be somewhat forgetful and distracted. But when Natalie finds out why her mom wasn't there, she is devastated. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48613318-the-lost-and-found-bookshop?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_27">The Lost and Found Bookshop</a> by Susan Wiggs follows Natalie as she reevaluates her life and makes changes to her priorities and tries for find joy again, something that was missing long before her mother's death.</div><p><br /></p><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>When she was very small, her mother used to tell her that books were alive in a special way. Between the covers, characters were living their lives, enacting their dramas, falling in and out of love, finding trouble, working out their problems. Even sitting closed on a shelf, a book had a life of its own. When someone opened the book, that was when the magic happened. </i></div></div></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><p style="text-align: left;"><i>A book would never betray you or change its mind or make you feel stupid. She took down The Once and Future King and found a marked passage: “The best thing for being sad,” replied Merlyn, beginning to puff and blow, “is to learn something. That is the only thing that never fails.”</i></p></div></blockquote><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Head on over to Carolyn's for more <a href="http://www.carolynastfalk.com/2021/10/06/an-open-book-68/" target="_blank">An Open Book</a>.</span></div><p><b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b></p></div></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-60399785327707667772021-03-03T19:40:00.004-05:002021-03-03T19:40:55.678-05:00An Open Book: March 2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lz-_-aLxVofaGRpHOvmEJZbKAuQO9JIqn859M395ZN0HmYHRGphe4ivJ2f3pC0LWPCePGoZNJEGWyfjxCTEhKOztjOKD5Tvu8r8mWKiSvl8F-o4Me3w7oxzjlviTZZzoNirBpidfMtzq/s676/An-Open-Book-800W.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lz-_-aLxVofaGRpHOvmEJZbKAuQO9JIqn859M395ZN0HmYHRGphe4ivJ2f3pC0LWPCePGoZNJEGWyfjxCTEhKOztjOKD5Tvu8r8mWKiSvl8F-o4Me3w7oxzjlviTZZzoNirBpidfMtzq/s320/An-Open-Book-800W.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9bTT-NAE_pFREBX8wVM5uKxOVSNYxLvd_-MX5BQuA0z6BkT9Ten2HU0oSu4rlCopCwaTvd9WYtWQZG6HcVLDO4RtZQJXie_ij1d3f8ddYKCB2yY_0AVw1Hc9O5bEhNTvk5C8uq51ZurB/s150/For+Eden%2527s+Sake.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9bTT-NAE_pFREBX8wVM5uKxOVSNYxLvd_-MX5BQuA0z6BkT9Ten2HU0oSu4rlCopCwaTvd9WYtWQZG6HcVLDO4RtZQJXie_ij1d3f8ddYKCB2yY_0AVw1Hc9O5bEhNTvk5C8uq51ZurB/s16000/For+Eden%2527s+Sake.jpg" /></a></div>In <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50859293-for-eden-s-sake" target="_blank">For Eden's Sake</a> by T.M. Gaouette, Isaac is working hard at his first job out of college. Having grown up in a rural area, his job in a big city brings both new opportunities and new challenges. When celebrating a work accomplishment with fellow coworkers, Isaac is encouraged by them to drink much more than he is used to. Little did he know that this night of drinking would lead to much more than a bad hangover. The choices he made that evening are life altering. The author masterfully explores the impact that an unplanned pregnancy has on the father of that child. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiW5T0OwLhWxgngUnZQ-LPC7fmJ9OQVW5NiMvu-hXeZLu5Vc2P0-SmY3XZc0yC9RrHME9SJf3Oh464VDyPKvJ-mo_9pepOPTIFRMhpcGL40OIdMgYa0apY7QednO11qo5kb3IG3TWxDTKk/s150/Emma+and+the+Reasons.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiW5T0OwLhWxgngUnZQ-LPC7fmJ9OQVW5NiMvu-hXeZLu5Vc2P0-SmY3XZc0yC9RrHME9SJf3Oh464VDyPKvJ-mo_9pepOPTIFRMhpcGL40OIdMgYa0apY7QednO11qo5kb3IG3TWxDTKk/s0/Emma+and+the+Reasons.jpg" /></a></div>I have been reading <a href="https://natashametzler.com/blog/" target="_blank">Natasha Metzler's</a> blog for a while now, but little did I know she is also an author of quite a number of books. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40910903-emma-and-the-reasons" target="_blank">Emma and the Reasons</a> is the first in the Women of Promise series. Emma and her two roommates are all single and their reasons for being so are as different as they are. The three roommates all attempt to discern God's will for their lives, knowing that it may not be what they had wanted for themselves. When their meddling married friends attempt to intercede in their relationship status, all three learn to deepen their reliance on their faith. This was a well written and delightful read and I look forward Natasha's other books.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18879275-the-orchid-whisperer" target="_blank"></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVxBVTcSAveAq-C16xP4mUkvS3zhsD2U7680ZfWIqnyw8x6tglg7HVmcIvd0kkkp20itjFRDCKX4zpE3S6Pgm0RuPmFz1H4i4toO3ohb19eadOtTfgxlFkHSm9YLH1p_bkyXMoFvPv2DA/s150/Orchid+Whisperer.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVxBVTcSAveAq-C16xP4mUkvS3zhsD2U7680ZfWIqnyw8x6tglg7HVmcIvd0kkkp20itjFRDCKX4zpE3S6Pgm0RuPmFz1H4i4toO3ohb19eadOtTfgxlFkHSm9YLH1p_bkyXMoFvPv2DA/s0/Orchid+Whisperer.jpg" /></a></div><div>A couple of years ago I needed a plant for my Easter decorations, but the grocery store had a limited selection of lilies and other spring flowers that all looked a little worse for wear. Not having time to run to any other store, I grabbed the nearest flowering plant, a yellow specked orchid. And, that, as they, is history. We were hooked. Our orchid collection has grown to over a dozen plants. I decided that I needed to learn more about the care of these beautiful flowers, so I bought a copy of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18879275-the-orchid-whisperer" target="_blank">The Orchid Whisperer: Expert Secrets for Growing Beautiful Orchids</a> by Bruce Rogers. This book provides great information that a novice orchid collector needs. The many parts of the plants are explained, the care needed is detailed, and many varieties are explored.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Head on over to Carolyn's for more <a href="http://www.carolynastfalk.com/2021/03/03/an-open-book-61/" target="_blank">An Open Book</a>.</span></div><p><b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b></p>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-71867152035073966542021-02-07T06:00:00.001-05:002021-02-07T06:00:10.209-05:00Counting Crows<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b> . . . and other birds for that matter.</b></span></p><p>It's no secret that we love our birds around here. In the summer we have a Hummingbird feeder at the edge of the patio. We also have several bird houses placed around the property that were intended to be homes for Blue Birds, but are usually occupied by House Wrens and Sparrows. We don't mind since the Wrens frequently serenade us with their beautiful and joyful songs. </p><p>In the winter, seed and suet on the patio draws in birds of every kind. We laugh at them as there definitely seems to be a pecking order in who gets to eat what. Woodpeckers rule the roost but the Junkos are great at finding every last seed when it looks like there is none left.</p><p>The birds provide me with what I often term <i>my personal air show</i>. They make me smile. They amuse me. And, given the time we spend at home these days, that is much needed and appreciated.</p><p>Next weekend, February 12th-15th, The Cornell Lab and the Audubon Society are once again sponsoring the <a href="https://www.birdcount.org/" target="_blank">Great Backyard Bird Count</a>. People from all over the world will spend a little time recording what birds visit their area. Click on the link for more information. </p><p>Last year I counted fourteen distinct species. I am curious as to what I will see this year. My guess it will be even more. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58JyWS94SlUs3-M2dkrz2G5wFx9DRYKiBfYLPyN6SatPw4iUfQOTZ052Smig3zoE3U2Yp9Ms9GidEhSxc1AAL-lxFjLSrft_UFM3YsN8z9ApjS0hPa7U9_Y2595a_cdQlgIZc1WGw1n6r/s2048/Caroline+Wren+and+Downy+Woodpecker.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58JyWS94SlUs3-M2dkrz2G5wFx9DRYKiBfYLPyN6SatPw4iUfQOTZ052Smig3zoE3U2Yp9Ms9GidEhSxc1AAL-lxFjLSrft_UFM3YsN8z9ApjS0hPa7U9_Y2595a_cdQlgIZc1WGw1n6r/s320/Caroline+Wren+and+Downy+Woodpecker.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolina Wren & Downy Woodpecker</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwYUzq17Dk75BCktu5yMMuqqzOzyhBKn9sPuv4Cg7vgYqE1jby_0Pe3IGpKf89jd-xbOPt_ndfDpQOKJFfDSJqpGeLhVn9oFbT2DqeQ5Po7hb9u5nV7QWq3CH-48QPOiHEaC60WTxN29s/s2048/Hawk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwYUzq17Dk75BCktu5yMMuqqzOzyhBKn9sPuv4Cg7vgYqE1jby_0Pe3IGpKf89jd-xbOPt_ndfDpQOKJFfDSJqpGeLhVn9oFbT2DqeQ5Po7hb9u5nV7QWq3CH-48QPOiHEaC60WTxN29s/s320/Hawk.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Shouldered Hawk<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHShB08ENm8Wqye00Jhea2vYyiSp71tTQQBIlrBl7l-s_ufiPL37IB4DI6bCfDOcNKE-cMmnOBsFSLTaIDr1WLiKRpAxX6wqxhVujDK0th5CFzniajR7YgGo1t5hGU7z5CIUgw3vhWnZu/s2048/Hummingbirds.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHShB08ENm8Wqye00Jhea2vYyiSp71tTQQBIlrBl7l-s_ufiPL37IB4DI6bCfDOcNKE-cMmnOBsFSLTaIDr1WLiKRpAxX6wqxhVujDK0th5CFzniajR7YgGo1t5hGU7z5CIUgw3vhWnZu/s320/Hummingbirds.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hummingbirds</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Sz0mTjG8jvJRwAkxa-CqzokRpYQCy8Q-P3b7YKj8pJDxu2tFJgar8XIbk9OZ7WufyzSSt7ff8rVWaluyhiQkanL4WfnzEl6VdmIa7zFjvYGewXpB3q8aZT3GI9ep2t_U1yjJQ_RvlXGw/s2048/Nuthatch.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Sz0mTjG8jvJRwAkxa-CqzokRpYQCy8Q-P3b7YKj8pJDxu2tFJgar8XIbk9OZ7WufyzSSt7ff8rVWaluyhiQkanL4WfnzEl6VdmIa7zFjvYGewXpB3q8aZT3GI9ep2t_U1yjJQ_RvlXGw/s320/Nuthatch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nuthatch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: medium;"><b><br />The main point of Christianity was this: that Nature is not our mother: Nature is our sister. We can be proud of her beauty, since we have the same father</b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: right;">- <i><a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/130/pg130.txt" target="_blank">Orthodoxy</a></i> by GK Chesterton</p><p><b><i><span style="color: #45818e;">AMDG</span></i></b></p><p><br /></p>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-53195963225426821412021-02-03T11:14:00.000-05:002021-02-03T11:14:09.919-05:00An Open Book: February 2021<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lz-_-aLxVofaGRpHOvmEJZbKAuQO9JIqn859M395ZN0HmYHRGphe4ivJ2f3pC0LWPCePGoZNJEGWyfjxCTEhKOztjOKD5Tvu8r8mWKiSvl8F-o4Me3w7oxzjlviTZZzoNirBpidfMtzq/s676/An-Open-Book-800W.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lz-_-aLxVofaGRpHOvmEJZbKAuQO9JIqn859M395ZN0HmYHRGphe4ivJ2f3pC0LWPCePGoZNJEGWyfjxCTEhKOztjOKD5Tvu8r8mWKiSvl8F-o4Me3w7oxzjlviTZZzoNirBpidfMtzq/s320/An-Open-Book-800W.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>Last year I seemed to have found plenty of time for reading, as the over one hundred and fifty books on my GoodReads 2020 list will attest. But writing, not so much. I think there were things I wanted to write, but not ones I wanted to publish. It's a weird world that we are living in now. It seems like a good time to jump back into the blogsphere and books seem to be a good, and safe, place to start.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j6qKNT-2tae2UZyjlTW_kId41CuAXlRWPb8UzUc1hHP0iWOXZEuXFsMYqW1P4J2Rs2MNhE0nxDN-EQC6FW-ooPf7e0ucios3Dz6BON0ga9i8n8YTC8zUCffaq3PH2oz2-dtO6pwA-zfs/s150/Unstable+Felicity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j6qKNT-2tae2UZyjlTW_kId41CuAXlRWPb8UzUc1hHP0iWOXZEuXFsMYqW1P4J2Rs2MNhE0nxDN-EQC6FW-ooPf7e0ucios3Dz6BON0ga9i8n8YTC8zUCffaq3PH2oz2-dtO6pwA-zfs/s0/Unstable+Felicity.jpg" /></a>In <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55742161-unstable-felicity" target="_blank">Unstable Felicity: A Christmas Novella</a> by <a href="http://darwincatholic.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a> Cat Hodge, Jill is summoned to her small hometown in Ohio. It seems that the family inn is struggling and Jill's accounting skills are needed to help save it from going under. Family drama makes this task even more difficult than it already is. Jill hasn't spoken to her mother since her father's funeral four months prior. Her sisters, an ex-boyfriend, and a local real estate mogul all add to the chaos. This is the author's first novel, which is witty and entertaining. I look forward to reading more of her works.</div></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCh7orcLb3wrTAXkIjtC3swh2dfAWhVO4Wld_LMAfGfXjinVJxirMzcZuOfvDvcYIM-7ZLilD6lObYRZLgyV-R3onHEZ8_3Gg9dO16UpIKzCCiSHCVct3Wcswv9XfqkI5B1mWvL3dvUSlW/s150/First+Wilderness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCh7orcLb3wrTAXkIjtC3swh2dfAWhVO4Wld_LMAfGfXjinVJxirMzcZuOfvDvcYIM-7ZLilD6lObYRZLgyV-R3onHEZ8_3Gg9dO16UpIKzCCiSHCVct3Wcswv9XfqkI5B1mWvL3dvUSlW/s0/First+Wilderness.jpg" /></a></div>A year or so ago I read <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/124718.One_Man_s_Wilderness" target="_blank">One Man's Wilderness</a> by Sam Keith, the story of Richard Proenneke's time spent in the Alaskan wilderness. In <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43159984-first-wilderness-revised-edition" target="_blank">First Wilderness</a> the author recounts his own time in spent in Alaska and how he came to meet Richard. Having served in the Marines during World War 2, Sam went home to New England to get is degree and find a job. Unhappy with the employment he found, he decided to seek adventure in Alaska where he worked as a laborer on the Adak Navy base. His great love nature and the outdoors is clearly evident in his writing. The manuscript was found ten years after Sam's death by his son-in-law, and, along with photos and excerpts from his journals, letters, and notebooks, was compiled into a story of a grand adventure.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFkJ9_7-xPQhKhmFRCMT4tX4fc8hh-gNZ3TflB4qXBv7ZJjauydoiIzHd-zc6RR1He8sItjA6SNTyBiWn66BD6D1T4-_hKws0TTt7x8f1l6D2ZCGzFv4zoXwIKnd_0JBW7_dfstslZjZA/s150/Always+You.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFkJ9_7-xPQhKhmFRCMT4tX4fc8hh-gNZ3TflB4qXBv7ZJjauydoiIzHd-zc6RR1He8sItjA6SNTyBiWn66BD6D1T4-_hKws0TTt7x8f1l6D2ZCGzFv4zoXwIKnd_0JBW7_dfstslZjZA/s0/Always+You.jpg" /></a></div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51031133-always-you" target="_blank">Always You</a> is the first in the Murphy Brothers series by Jennifer Rodewald. Lauren and Matt, each running away from parts of their lives, meet in an messy, unfortunate accident. They strike up a friendship as they help revive a local inn and resort. Their love of God and their promise of respect for each other both helps them navigate their feelings for each other and the situations in which they find themselves. This is a pleasant read for a cold winter's day by the fire.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-i6Rgc6-CWvK3owT1KHc2W3LSPTGE81tTPB6f-3sr9-z-vGqRtma3IRq2PJEx6AdMOdvQSdoK7PltgH68EZJyYVH8xBNgJLsinsUkZdIEr_InXZvEhgUjHmQk9w7Igf4drq2-Ga1jTEU/s150/The+Second+Sister.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-i6Rgc6-CWvK3owT1KHc2W3LSPTGE81tTPB6f-3sr9-z-vGqRtma3IRq2PJEx6AdMOdvQSdoK7PltgH68EZJyYVH8xBNgJLsinsUkZdIEr_InXZvEhgUjHmQk9w7Igf4drq2-Ga1jTEU/s0/The+Second+Sister.jpg" /></a></div></div>I discovered author Marie Bostwick on a PBS episode of <i>Sewing With Nancy</i>. At the end of each show, Nancy Zieman interviews someone whose daily life somehow intersects with sewing. In <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24402824-the-second-sister" target="_blank">The Second Sister</a>, the author tells the story of Lucy Toomey, a political campaigner whose boss is about to be elected to the highest office in the country. The night of the elected, Lucy receives news that her older sister, Alice, has been rushed to the hospital. By the time Lucy makes it from her home in Colorado to her small, Wisconsin hometown of Nilson's Bay, it is too late, her sister has died. Lucy spends time there learning who her sister really was by meeting her diverse group of friends and their sewing circle. <div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Head on over to Carolyn's for more <a href="http://www.carolynastfalk.com/2021/02/03/an-open-book-60/" style="color: #274e13;" target="_blank">An Open Book</a>.</span></div><p><b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b></p></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-61158149685057048922020-09-02T16:05:00.000-04:002020-09-02T16:05:48.615-04:00An Open Book: September 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5yLY8ae7hhIbP_carZev3eCqQ6GfP8uwX4qKVkCEs4EOhFdlOo3Pze_f_hZ58cNCG71DR0Wyesrc9wS3bD04b8GWffjGlq4N2LCjAzEpCHygrF5bSsQWOe0KkYvFG3hZ_bpwZdyz8AXL/s1600/An-Open-Book-800W.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="676" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5yLY8ae7hhIbP_carZev3eCqQ6GfP8uwX4qKVkCEs4EOhFdlOo3Pze_f_hZ58cNCG71DR0Wyesrc9wS3bD04b8GWffjGlq4N2LCjAzEpCHygrF5bSsQWOe0KkYvFG3hZ_bpwZdyz8AXL/s320/An-Open-Book-800W.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Back in May, I read Joseph Pearce's article about <a href="https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2020/05/20/dean-koontz-a-confession/">Dean Koontz</a>. While Pearce is not a fan of current fiction, and that is what I prefer, I did agree whole heartedly with his attitude about what we read in general.<br />
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<i>We only have so many years allotted to us and we know that we will die with a long list of unread books, which would have nourished us had we read them. We need to be selective.</i><br />
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A book that was recommended to Pearce was Dean Koontz's <i>Odd Thomas</i>, the favorite of the author's. Remembering an interview I saw with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSj-mAaZoxU" target="_blank">Koontz</a> on EWTN a number of years ago, I decided it was time to give this author a try and start with his favorite.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAgx02r1uKFgUu-Gcx_l4g9TzalqN2eibWAFS-zZqwsdEUrHfIARl4Omwy5O4NMC2g3e8fj04VwHhCIibw_WK8YVcMB7o3ijxLuCVfXs_dhg68VRNAFWIHhDT8ZggZU8l6LTNgHZo0nE6/s1600/Odd+Thomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="193" data-original-width="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAgx02r1uKFgUu-Gcx_l4g9TzalqN2eibWAFS-zZqwsdEUrHfIARl4Omwy5O4NMC2g3e8fj04VwHhCIibw_WK8YVcMB7o3ijxLuCVfXs_dhg68VRNAFWIHhDT8ZggZU8l6LTNgHZo0nE6/s1600/Odd+Thomas.jpg" /></a></div>
<i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6562912-odd-thomas" target="_blank">Odd Thomas</a></i> is not only the name of the book, but also is the main character's real name. How he came to be named <i>Odd </i>is up for debate, but he does manage to live up to it. Odd is a short-order cook in a small dessert town, Pico Mundo, from which he has never traveled very far. He also sees spirits. They don't talk to him, but still manage to engage his help. When a stranger comes to town, he is accompanied by dark, hyena shaped shadows, which seem to feed off of fear and evil. Odd races against time to thwart an evil that threatens his small town.<br />
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Dean Koontz's has an engaging and challenging writing style which sent me to the dictionary on more than one occasion. His Catholic faith is quietly present in the story.<br />
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<i>Most people desperately desire to believe that they are part of a great mystery, that Creation is a work of grace and glory, not merely the result of random forces colliding. Yet each time that they are given but one reason to doubt, a worm in the apple of the heart makes them turn away from a thousand proofs of the miraculous, whereupon they have a drunkard’s thirst for cynicism, and they feed upon despair as a starving man upon a loaf of bread.</i><br />
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<i>I am an optimist about our species. I assume God is, too, for otherwise He would have scrubbed us off the planet a long time ago and would have started over.</i><br />
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<i>A wonderful poet, now all but forgotten because modern universities teach nothing but self-esteem and toe-sucking.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; display: inline; float: none;">Head on over to Carolyn's for more </span><a href="http://www.carolynastfalk.com/2020/09/02/an-open-book-55/" target="_blank">An Open Book</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; display: inline; float: none;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><i>AMDG</i></b></span>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-34057623855017056092020-04-01T18:52:00.000-04:002020-04-01T18:52:01.317-04:00An Open Book: April 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5yLY8ae7hhIbP_carZev3eCqQ6GfP8uwX4qKVkCEs4EOhFdlOo3Pze_f_hZ58cNCG71DR0Wyesrc9wS3bD04b8GWffjGlq4N2LCjAzEpCHygrF5bSsQWOe0KkYvFG3hZ_bpwZdyz8AXL/s1600/An-Open-Book-800W.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="676" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5yLY8ae7hhIbP_carZev3eCqQ6GfP8uwX4qKVkCEs4EOhFdlOo3Pze_f_hZ58cNCG71DR0Wyesrc9wS3bD04b8GWffjGlq4N2LCjAzEpCHygrF5bSsQWOe0KkYvFG3hZ_bpwZdyz8AXL/s320/An-Open-Book-800W.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have been reading a lot, even before all of "this" hit, and now since I am not driving into work everyday I suddenly have an extra hour or so to fill. Thankfully, with my Kindle in hand, that hasn't been hard to do. What has been even better is finding authors I enjoy that have good, interesting, clean stories with characters that are real. These are just two of my favorites.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkU3rof4tQJSV3w5NZg3-KVjwoxM1L_fZN2lNSL7T4o6Y2smmzN5HLJHC2rCMnAocAisfECnPP7-eh4Xa3mUOt8CIVuiha5iGH2GD1Ky2mqQ4WmDK7jZGnvBNNSI9hQ3sEhIfM2Tjw4uI/s1600/The+Life+I+Dreamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkU3rof4tQJSV3w5NZg3-KVjwoxM1L_fZN2lNSL7T4o6Y2smmzN5HLJHC2rCMnAocAisfECnPP7-eh4Xa3mUOt8CIVuiha5iGH2GD1Ky2mqQ4WmDK7jZGnvBNNSI9hQ3sEhIfM2Tjw4uI/s1600/The+Life+I+Dreamed.jpg" /></a><br />
In <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16155777-the-life-i-dreamed">The Life I Dreamed</a> by Kari Burke, Emmy O’Brien is stressed out. Stay at home mother to four young children, she is overwhelmed by hours chores, child raising, and trying to manage a meager household budget. When her husband insists on helping a sixteen year old young women in their church's youth group, she is at her breaking point. Grudgingly she helps and finds her heart changed as a result. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCQ4RhuJLwbLccrQ7I5GL6UCX7R6fgo-yJZzeqpKhqgJ6NhAcGnyzkA5iyZfWbCYoIthItNGMnYQwvT4fXEwl49AdX4M7tsBkpcM3k9E4VEh2SrazMU2He4yW_56z-syjuK8FFWNA6uXK/s1600/A+Channel+of+You+Peace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCQ4RhuJLwbLccrQ7I5GL6UCX7R6fgo-yJZzeqpKhqgJ6NhAcGnyzkA5iyZfWbCYoIthItNGMnYQwvT4fXEwl49AdX4M7tsBkpcM3k9E4VEh2SrazMU2He4yW_56z-syjuK8FFWNA6uXK/s1600/A+Channel+of+You+Peace.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCQ4RhuJLwbLccrQ7I5GL6UCX7R6fgo-yJZzeqpKhqgJ6NhAcGnyzkA5iyZfWbCYoIthItNGMnYQwvT4fXEwl49AdX4M7tsBkpcM3k9E4VEh2SrazMU2He4yW_56z-syjuK8FFWNA6uXK/s1600/A+Channel+of+You+Peace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
In <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51079646-a-channel-of-your-peace">A Channel of Your Peace</a> Erin Rafferty thought she knew how her life was going to go. Engaged to her fiancé for a number of years, she figured a wedding was in her future. That is until he came home one day to tell her that he was in love with someone else and that he was leaving her. Devastated, she returns to her parents house to pick up the pieces. A chance encounter with Mark is the start of a friendship that could lead to something more. Both Erin and Mark, though, have pasts that they must deal with in order to build a future. This was an enjoyable and captivating read which has me hoping that author Veronica Smallhorn has more books in her writing future.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #444444; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Head on over to Carolyn's for more </span><a href="http://www.carolynastfalk.com/2020/04/01/an-open-book-50/">An Open Book</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #444444; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><i>AMDG</i></b></span>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-1141976511554714052020-03-16T13:02:00.000-04:002020-03-16T13:02:08.818-04:00What will we sacrifice?
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I had so many plans. A vacation to Florida. The local GK Chesterton conference. Training for work out in Washington state. Events at church and the start of baseball season. Dinner out with a friend. March was going to be busy.<br /><div>
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Exactly one of those happened. Everything else has been either cancelled or put on hold.</div>
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Right now it all seems like a grand overreaction to me. Perhaps only time will tell if it is or not. But, at the moment it is all a bit disconcerting. </div>
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Schools are closed along with restaurants and bars, libraries and museums. Sporting events and other entertainment venues have been shuttered. Only six people showed up in the office this morning. The rest are working from home.</div>
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On the drive in to work early this morning, stores that are normally empty at that time of day were teeming with activity. People are hording toilet paper and milk and soup.<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
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I reminds me vaguely of the days after 9/11. Things were quiet. No planes were in the air and few people went to work or school. There was a definite uneasiness. </div>
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The one vivid memory I have of that day was showing up at church for daily mass in the evening. During the week, that mass was held in the chapel. When Tim and I arrived, it was standing room only inside and there was a line out the door. I popped into the sacristy to let Father know of the situation. We subsequently moved into the church and prayed, together. </div>
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When we went to Sunday mass yesterday, there was maybe a third of the usual attendance. I think that is what disturbs me most about this illness and uncertainty. It has us scattered and isolated. It makes many afraid to be part of a community. </div>
<br />People say it is only temporary, however I think some of these changes will be lasting. After all, we gave a little bit of our freedom away after 9/11 in the name of security. What will we sacrifice this time?<br /><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-65365482243760229922020-02-09T15:00:00.000-05:002020-02-09T15:00:07.443-05:00Soup on Sundays: French OnionA number of years ago a friend took us out to dinner at a local French restaurant. It is located in a small house in a cute shopping district. From the outside, the restaurant didn't look like much, but we are still talking about that meal. <br />
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I was too chicken to order the frog legs or Escargot, but Tim had both and said that they were delicious. I decided to start with the French Onion soup, and when I placed my order I asked the waiter if they used beef or veal broth. The look on his face was one of horror. I was told that they made their soup the <i>traditional</i> way, with water. I don't think I am exaggerating when I say that was the best, by far, French Onion soup that I ever had.<br />
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When I decided to try my hand at making it, I searched for a long time to find a traditional recipe. You know how many "traditional" French Onion soups use beef broth? Most of them. It wasn't until I came across <a href="https://ruhlman.com/2011/10/06/french-onion-soup-recipe/">Michael Ruhlman's version</a> that I finally found what I was looking for. <br />
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I made a couple of changes this last time I made it and it turned out terrific. I didn't have sherry or an open bottle of wine, so I skipped both and just used red wine vinegar instead. I hate fighting with a bowl size piece of bread in my soup, so I put made large croutons and used those along with the cheese I had on hand, an Irish cheddar. Yum!<br />
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The big secret to this soup, though, is time. To get the dark, sweet caramelization of the onions, it is going to a couple of hours of slow cooking. <br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Traditional French Onion Soup</b></div>
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<div>
1 tablespoon butter</div>
7 or 8 Spanish onions, thinly sliced<br />Kosher salt<br />Freshly ground black pepper<br />Large croutons<br />Red wine vinegar<br />1/2 to 3/4 pound grated<br /><br />In a large pot over medium heat melt the butter. Add the onions, sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt, cover, and cook until the onions have heated through and started to steam. Uncover, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally. Season with several grinds of pepper.<br /><br />When the onions have completely cooked down, the water has cooked off, and the onions have turned amber, add 6 cups of water. Raise the heat to high and bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. If the soup is too sweet, add some vinegar. <br /><br />Portion the soup into bowls, float the bread on top, cover with the cheese, and broil/grill until the cheese is melted and nicely browned. Serve immediately.<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0kh_0okRBNpXZV3VSuoiv1lLHS4cUI6QWoUQg5iW9npPSaVJGxnb_1t9XSyNI9VjH-QLXhUHeqaiByoMO6FZ6XC0s0AMVgo6aw7MsmhGHEjMlVOSHkd60oYykDs-rhKXSXy1ZHjzOoor/s1600/stages+of+cooking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1589" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0kh_0okRBNpXZV3VSuoiv1lLHS4cUI6QWoUQg5iW9npPSaVJGxnb_1t9XSyNI9VjH-QLXhUHeqaiByoMO6FZ6XC0s0AMVgo6aw7MsmhGHEjMlVOSHkd60oYykDs-rhKXSXy1ZHjzOoor/s320/stages+of+cooking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1DNsxr5Tf-xjIWMDkPKeSHhVNH8QItJfWFLVEHG2uQP6yYxNznutsV1_3TYdfLd5Rv6lgYvJpPjTApgPmwTnhTe8Veh7rb1kj_okKPPSm_fXMMiSmye3Rr67hHKxHq6ZMCt0hcKuxJ3S/s1600/IMG_3553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1DNsxr5Tf-xjIWMDkPKeSHhVNH8QItJfWFLVEHG2uQP6yYxNznutsV1_3TYdfLd5Rv6lgYvJpPjTApgPmwTnhTe8Veh7rb1kj_okKPPSm_fXMMiSmye3Rr67hHKxHq6ZMCt0hcKuxJ3S/s320/IMG_3553.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-84519433760286336772020-02-07T09:14:00.001-05:002020-02-07T16:17:29.222-05:00Living Big and Saying GoodbyeA week ago today we celebrated the funeral mass of my cousin (by marriage). Denise was only 52 years old and left behind six children. To say that it was difficult is an understatement. <br />
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I had seen her just after Christmas and we chatted about my niece, her kids, and the sorrow we both felt at losing our dogs during the previous year. I had no idea that she was ill. A couple weeks later she was admitted to the hospital and never left. Liver failure claimed her life.<br />
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The stories and testaments to her life flooded Facebook. Her greatest joy was her children. She reveled in their accomplishments, suffered with them in their pain, and sought to teach them to be responsible, caring individuals. When the neighbor's dog died, she sent one of the boys over with a shovel to help lay the animal to rest. During his homily, the pastor joked that Denise believed in child labor. It was never more evident when she was in charge of the church's Christmas Giving Tree. They collected over two thousand gifts to be distributed to various families and organizations in the area. All these had to be sorted and wrapped and she had six "volunteers" at the ready. <br />
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She was known as Mama B to her kids' friends and her hugs were famous. She made sure no-one ever left her house hungry. She grew up in an Italian household and food was love. When the neighbors returned from an extended vacation, they come home to find their refrigerator stocked so that grocery shopping wasn't a chore that they had to worry about right away.<br />
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Father also spoke of the demons Denise faced, in particular, alcoholism. It was something she couldn't conquer and ultimately destroyed her health. He reminded her children, though, that however much she was troubled by this, God was there through it all. He was there for her and He would continue to be there for them. <br />
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After the funeral, as we were driving home, Tim and I talked about how beautiful this Mass was. I was surprised, though, by the open acknowledgment of her alcoholism. I never saw it and thought the talk of it was just nasty rumors to disparage her during her divorce from my cousin. That talk had angered me. I had only been privy to the good. <br />
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As we talked, I came to realize that Denise <i>lived big.</i> She lived big in her love for her family and friends and in her generosity to others. But she also lived big in her vices. She had a lot of addictions - alcohol, food, Facebook. Even her eldest son joked about that last one during his eulogy. <br />
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I still don't know what to make of it. Sometimes I wonder if she could have lived and loved bigly without the vices or did it have to be both. But that is a false choice. It is not both or none. It <i>can</i> be one or the other. With no bigger love than God's, we can use his graces to fight our demons and work to live and love greatly.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;">Eternal Rest Eternal rest, grant unto her O Lord </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;">and let perpetual light shine upon her. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;">May she rest in peace. Amen</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7-rLP4-GZ8dirxFqcaMT5lZCOnrt8DFWVbTk206EEZxExW4XXJcRq8U0ajWJ1PzpksEwWHjwrSp3sWN2UtTjIliEWXInB7KMXoG3_M5MvQ8ONHkkMvgXxXnuM8hyV4avSYomqJEaQYSX/s1600/Denise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="348" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7-rLP4-GZ8dirxFqcaMT5lZCOnrt8DFWVbTk206EEZxExW4XXJcRq8U0ajWJ1PzpksEwWHjwrSp3sWN2UtTjIliEWXInB7KMXoG3_M5MvQ8ONHkkMvgXxXnuM8hyV4avSYomqJEaQYSX/s200/Denise.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1967-2020</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-46505469937762101702020-02-05T00:30:00.000-05:002020-02-05T07:05:58.647-05:00An Open Book: Enough<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5yLY8ae7hhIbP_carZev3eCqQ6GfP8uwX4qKVkCEs4EOhFdlOo3Pze_f_hZ58cNCG71DR0Wyesrc9wS3bD04b8GWffjGlq4N2LCjAzEpCHygrF5bSsQWOe0KkYvFG3hZ_bpwZdyz8AXL/s1600/An-Open-Book-800W.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="676" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5yLY8ae7hhIbP_carZev3eCqQ6GfP8uwX4qKVkCEs4EOhFdlOo3Pze_f_hZ58cNCG71DR0Wyesrc9wS3bD04b8GWffjGlq4N2LCjAzEpCHygrF5bSsQWOe0KkYvFG3hZ_bpwZdyz8AXL/s320/An-Open-Book-800W.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Of the over one hundred books I read last year, only two were non-fiction. Both books have something in common - they explore what it means to have enough and live with less <i>stuff</i>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe329dE1sWSoiwEfL4vj5QP5PjjD4gXwGlexbck2ryu0y3yfzVGwFF1WslcSw0eMXU9qfde8ajUDF6IaPuVMihbBgNfj-It-JeSmpjKJcFu9Lgs7b3MPn_lRzi-Y_XwZUG9s55GuV9aiA8/s1600/The+Grace+of+Enough+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe329dE1sWSoiwEfL4vj5QP5PjjD4gXwGlexbck2ryu0y3yfzVGwFF1WslcSw0eMXU9qfde8ajUDF6IaPuVMihbBgNfj-It-JeSmpjKJcFu9Lgs7b3MPn_lRzi-Y_XwZUG9s55GuV9aiA8/s1600/The+Grace+of+Enough+-+Copy.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht87_go54OFVgu3EtD2fLJ6GNzFWWRRRyLJkfkzoB04SwxMW5XAIND28So-iH6WiHqWGXnSvQNbD2x8QoF8i4RGwQrXsynt0yQnI-ba39aqr-0Ud8wxio21Kz2SeItayTj_nRHWoRaogs3/s1600/The+Grace+of+Enough+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40112574-the-grace-of-enough" target="_blank">The Grace of Enough</a>, by Haley Stewart, looks at the spiritual effects that the pursuit of trying to obtain more and more things has on ones life. The time and effort to acquire and maintain these can impact our relationships with family, friends, and, mostly importantly, God. In each chapter she explores ways to live more intentionally, with less, and develop and nurture your relationships. The book was inspired by the year Haley and her family lived on a farm in a 650 square foot apartment with no flush toilet. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGUyBg65SN0dovvnlrnDDQ2TxoYJZE7vpOPbPifjJCyA6D7yI4xRmv340UfuQZd48ThwNrKLgJLd5fNzQYDAatSO-1NQbh3Uans7OHbJWvsweA7lQMT2P8ymG2jkxPKzFYcHWJUW6utrg/s1600/The+Year+of+Less+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGUyBg65SN0dovvnlrnDDQ2TxoYJZE7vpOPbPifjJCyA6D7yI4xRmv340UfuQZd48ThwNrKLgJLd5fNzQYDAatSO-1NQbh3Uans7OHbJWvsweA7lQMT2P8ymG2jkxPKzFYcHWJUW6utrg/s1600/The+Year+of+Less+-+Copy.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisU8nBffY1jxz0wkB065tQs-Trd7BtoqXym2Ntd_J9Vygkp1yV0JBAQEDf2KijmQ90HcdANPKWEAoWAWAsOMwh4i6qPJuBVf6e_SvQuFO82-1mRdAtk290FE5AGFayeZIwcx96ugMY6p0q/s1600/The+Year+of+Less+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36432905-the-year-of-less" target="_blank">The Year of Less</a> by Cait Flanders is the story of the author's year of not buying anything other than consumables - groceries, toiletries, and gas for her car. She was inspired to attempt this when, after getting herself out of consumer debt of over $30,000, she was returning to the same bad habits that got her there in the first place. Her story explores her use of shopping, alcohol and food to deal with emotionally difficult situations. <br />
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Both books are thought provoking and offer insight into a living a life of enough in culture where bigger, newer and more is thought to be the norm and ideal. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Head on over to Carolyn's for more </span><a href="http://www.carolynastfalk.com/2020/02/05/an-open-book-48/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #38761d; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">An Open Book</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-4142860202458180492020-01-01T20:06:00.000-05:002020-01-01T20:06:55.924-05:002020 VisionThey say hindsight is 20/20. It is relatively easy to see what happened and how it went when looking back on events and actions. I say <i>relatively easy</i> because it needs to be viewed objectively, not colored with regrets, idealism or wishful thinking.<br />
<br />In his homily this morning, Fr. Pat spoke of New Year's Day as a time that has a certain feeling. On New Year's Eve we count down. <i>Five, four, three, two, one. Happy New Year! </i>And then comes the "now what?" It's a new year. It leaves you wondering what is ahead.<br /><br /><div>
What if what's in front of you could be 20/20? How do you picture that? I want my year, no my life, to be filled with gratitude and enough.</div>
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A good friend of ours, Socrates, is a theology teacher in a local Catholic high school. He often reminds his students, when discussing or debating a topic, you need to define your terms. I want to use this year to determine what both gratitude and enough look like for me. And, once I figure that out, hopefully I can work on getting better at both.</div>
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What's your 2020 vision?<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-21175102273906741502019-12-26T20:43:00.004-05:002019-12-26T20:44:10.068-05:00Born To Do This<br />
Recently I read the suggestion reading a chapter of the Gospel of Luke each day in December before Christmas. With twenty-four chapters, you finish on Christmas Eve. It sounded like a good idea, and surprising myself, I stuck with it.<br />
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As I got closer to Christmas, the chapters in Luke led up to Christ’s crucifixion and death. <br />
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<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i>Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he
breathed his last.</i> Luke 23:46</div>
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On Christmas Eve, the Gospel recounted Christ’s resurrection, appearance to the apostles and ultimate ascension into heaven.<br />
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<i>They were terrified and bowed
their faces to the ground. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living one
among the dead?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is not here, but he
has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that
the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the
third day.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luke 24:5-7</div>
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A few hours after reading the last chapter, at midnight Mass we heard in the gospel, also from Luke, the story of Jesus’ birth.<br />
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<i>While they were there, the time
came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid
him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.</i></div>
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<i>Now there were shepherds in that region living
in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the
glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.</i></div>
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<i>The angel said to them, “Do not
be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be
for all the people. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For today in the
city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this
will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luke 2:6-12</div>
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The juxtaposition of the stories of the birth and death of Christ struck me as odd, at least until I thought more about it. It made sense once I remembered a quote attributed to St. Joan of Arc.<br />
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<i>I am not afraid... I was born to
do this.</i></div>
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The birth and death of Christ. One without the other is meaningless. Had Christ been born but not suffer, die and been resurrected, he most likely would have been considered a great prophet, not the Son of God he was. Christ had to be born human in order to die for our sins.<br />
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When we celebrate Christmas, we praise more than the birth of a baby two thousand years ago. We glorify the salvation of our souls.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvATfCB_2LHu93JgkGx2LLfxwQs9yxGN02svBAEsgv8LZtw5FDl6vmrZul_5OthSAifCHJtdbV6CqIGdFytiq8qRuvWsY6NdFLmpZHPuosRmGPwt02uxiHkv5CWBn3tzZRiAzkam7pnmqR/s1600/Christmas+church+-+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="1000" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvATfCB_2LHu93JgkGx2LLfxwQs9yxGN02svBAEsgv8LZtw5FDl6vmrZul_5OthSAifCHJtdbV6CqIGdFytiq8qRuvWsY6NdFLmpZHPuosRmGPwt02uxiHkv5CWBn3tzZRiAzkam7pnmqR/s400/Christmas+church+-+sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Merry and Blessed Christmas!<b></b><i></i><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-19144422954122197232019-12-04T17:50:00.000-05:002019-12-04T17:50:04.046-05:00An Open Book: December 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5yLY8ae7hhIbP_carZev3eCqQ6GfP8uwX4qKVkCEs4EOhFdlOo3Pze_f_hZ58cNCG71DR0Wyesrc9wS3bD04b8GWffjGlq4N2LCjAzEpCHygrF5bSsQWOe0KkYvFG3hZ_bpwZdyz8AXL/s1600/An-Open-Book-800W.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="676" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5yLY8ae7hhIbP_carZev3eCqQ6GfP8uwX4qKVkCEs4EOhFdlOo3Pze_f_hZ58cNCG71DR0Wyesrc9wS3bD04b8GWffjGlq4N2LCjAzEpCHygrF5bSsQWOe0KkYvFG3hZ_bpwZdyz8AXL/s320/An-Open-Book-800W.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The cold, darker evenings have made snuggling up with a book my go-to entertainment of choice lately. Some of the more memorable ones are below.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44422464-a-minute-to-midnight">A Minute to Midnight</a> by David Baldacci is the second in the Atlee Pine series. The FBI agent takes some mandated time off from her job to help deal with her unresolved anger at the abduction of her twin sister some thirty years ago. With her assistant, Carol, Atlee heads back to the scene of the crime, a rural small town in Georgia. While investigating the decades old crimes a series of new, ghastly murders take place. Are they related or just coincidence?</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48323287-gifts" target="_blank">Gifts: Visible and Invisible</a> by eight different authors is a collection of short stories that explore the true meaning of the Christmas and holiday season. Each of the stories is entertaining and well written. What a joy to read such positive and uplifting prose!<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42395831-the-christmas-list" target="_blank">The Christmas List</a> by Hillary Ibarra is a sweet story of a poor Tennessee family facing a austere Christmas. Parents Jack and Karen Hoyle barely scrape by living off what they can earn harvesting a variety of items found in the mountain wilderness. When an unexpected event limits their source of income, the holiday appears to be bleaker than anticipated. This is a perfect read for this Advent season for both teens and adults alike.<br />
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Head on over to Carolyn's for more <a href="http://www.carolynastfalk.com/2019/12/04/an-open-book-46/" style="color: #38761d; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">An Open Book</span></a>.</div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b></span><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-51221469617594618412019-12-01T16:39:00.002-05:002019-12-01T16:39:23.538-05:00First Photo - December 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5YD_1rlRq6lrFOmh-Z-vxgb0MXBdg0AhdS11zu0h0ybs0KA-TYJ28FXztFmSJRDKeBvXrjK9Da-zqvhz9qLA2tARSXj1cB7Xgz6aJM0JR85Pay7Nsp2Sgan53h4PDRT7sbWFOwGKQKc-/s1600/12-December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5YD_1rlRq6lrFOmh-Z-vxgb0MXBdg0AhdS11zu0h0ybs0KA-TYJ28FXztFmSJRDKeBvXrjK9Da-zqvhz9qLA2tARSXj1cB7Xgz6aJM0JR85Pay7Nsp2Sgan53h4PDRT7sbWFOwGKQKc-/s400/12-December.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
No profound thoughts today. Not even any mildly pithy ones. I'll leave all that to GKC.<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Any one thinking of the Holy Child as born in December would mean by it exactly what we mean by it; that Christ is not merely a summer sun of the prosperous but a winter fire for the unfortunate.</span></b></i></div>
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– “The Streets of the City,” <a href="https://www.chesterton.org/shop/vol-xx/">The New Jerusalem</a></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-69859497694498553532019-11-06T10:20:00.002-05:002019-11-06T10:20:54.153-05:00An Open Book: November 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lz-_-aLxVofaGRpHOvmEJZbKAuQO9JIqn859M395ZN0HmYHRGphe4ivJ2f3pC0LWPCePGoZNJEGWyfjxCTEhKOztjOKD5Tvu8r8mWKiSvl8F-o4Me3w7oxzjlviTZZzoNirBpidfMtzq/s1600/An-Open-Book-800W.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="676" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lz-_-aLxVofaGRpHOvmEJZbKAuQO9JIqn859M395ZN0HmYHRGphe4ivJ2f3pC0LWPCePGoZNJEGWyfjxCTEhKOztjOKD5Tvu8r8mWKiSvl8F-o4Me3w7oxzjlviTZZzoNirBpidfMtzq/s320/An-Open-Book-800W.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have been reading a lot lately, closing in on doubling my GoodReads goal for the year. Generally, what I have been reading has been entertaining, but, in all honesty, not very memorable. I like mysteries and thrillers and, given that I've read almost ninety books this year, I have perused a lot of them. So it was refreshing to come across a book that is not only interesting and well written, it has kept me thinking about it long after I finished it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fgnTv1MET-IQbvRWco_i_Smhu0fkGLew5BAwaIs58BlywCFb44yjkMdWLbWLo8-jbFQ1TDR4fxV1owGwNbG24hKoajVCqW57x-Dym-gS_XzFgUXcUWkrdqEeDBQINauLXJ-FAKi-Mge6/s1600/All+in+Good+Time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fgnTv1MET-IQbvRWco_i_Smhu0fkGLew5BAwaIs58BlywCFb44yjkMdWLbWLo8-jbFQ1TDR4fxV1owGwNbG24hKoajVCqW57x-Dym-gS_XzFgUXcUWkrdqEeDBQINauLXJ-FAKi-Mge6/s200/All+in+Good+Time.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48556996-all-in-good-time" target="_blank">All in Good Time</a> by our linkup hostess, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14198181.Carolyn_Astfalk" target="_blank">Carolyn Astfalk</a>, is that book. Brian Perella is admittedly a serial dater. Most women don't get past the first date, but those that do rarely develop into a real and serious relationship. He's done with dating and lays it all out before the Lord. When God seems to answer his prayer in an almost literal fashion, he seems to be afraid to believe that single mom Melanie Lombardi might feel the same way about him.<br />
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As Brian slowly pursues his relationship with Melanie he has to come to terms with a vice that has gripped him in the past, and if reignited, could impact their future. This temptation is put to the test when he deals with a serious illness.<br />
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I have to admit, part of the story made me mad. It is something that I <a href="https://whatifgodsaysno.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-tv-show-that-broke-my-heart.html" target="_blank">wrote about</a> once before. Not to give anything away, I won't mention it here, but the main character's family felt the same way. And that is part of the charm of this novel. I was annoyed at Brian, but still felt for him. <br />
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<br /> Head on over to Carolyn's for more <a href="http://www.carolynastfalk.com/2019/11/06/an-open-book-45/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">An Open Book</span></a>.<br /></div>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span><br />
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-83128486177503825662019-11-01T20:40:00.000-04:002019-11-01T20:40:13.309-04:00First Photo - November 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqKNqltBuZm7hllaFsfdTd7MgWATNwfzUDhmFiYS-5R5X_TADa5Ohl219N-J-X5anhOPtYkd0xeTa2UjVYZHTg3UYMSkXcINkGGcV-U2coub4uxg_x2nkI5dJVDEjvOxIfvP3q2Lo7F9F/s1600/11-November.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqKNqltBuZm7hllaFsfdTd7MgWATNwfzUDhmFiYS-5R5X_TADa5Ohl219N-J-X5anhOPtYkd0xeTa2UjVYZHTg3UYMSkXcINkGGcV-U2coub4uxg_x2nkI5dJVDEjvOxIfvP3q2Lo7F9F/s400/11-November.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Well, it's not the best picture I could have taken today, but I managed to remember to take it just before dusk. Things changed quickly this month. Just a few days ago, many, if not most, of the trees had leaves. I supposed the forty to fifty mile per hour winds yesterday may have had something to do with the barrenness.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Every saint is a man before he is a saint; and a saint may be made of every sort or kind of man.</b></span></i></div>
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- GKC</div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-53797539344314589062019-10-28T20:33:00.001-04:002019-10-28T20:33:42.887-04:00Jack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Two weeks ago we had to make the decision that every dog owner fears. When we got home from church that Sunday, it was obvious Jack was in distress. A year or so ago he was diagnosed with esophageal paralysis, but that didn't seem to slow him down. It was, as is with many big dogs, the failure of his hips and back end. We kept him as comfortable as possible until the vet could make his final house call on Tuesday morning. </div>
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It's taken me two weeks to write this and I cry as I do. Jack wasn't my first pet, but he was my first dog. He had a personality as big as his size. He was sweet and loving and attracted both people and other dogs. People, including strangers, would stop their cars and get out to pet and love on him. He was quirky and stubborn and mischievous and low key and lots of energy.</div>
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For twelve and a half years old, Jack entertained us, kept us company, made us get up in the morning and out in the snow. At over a hundred pounds, he often thought he was a lap dog. And who were we to argue? <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
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Jack was our mascot at work. His picture decorates our break room, posing with a baseball cap bearing the company's logo. He didn't much care for Santa but had our friends trained to bring him toys whenever they visitied.</div>
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He loved snow and could lay in it for hours. Rain, not so much. He knew the difference between a <i>ride</i> and a <i>trip</i>. The former was short and usually to the park. The latter meant he would see one of his favorite furry friends, Sarah, down in Tennessee. </div>
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When we told our neighbor across the street of Jack's passing, he gave us each a big hug and told us he understood. He and his wife, both in their sixties, never had children either. Because of that, he said, our pets take a more prominent role in our lives. I think he was on to something with that thought.</div>
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We used to joke that with so many of our conversations revolving around Jack, what would talk about when he was gone. I don't know. It still hurts too much.</div>
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He is very much missed.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4CP-nVCD0x8J4fi5LIOSecLpJSfpflKodelFMdDIXv6Y9AN0NWTc5uNysqWGz_Yiyez76Vnc1NBK4ytvxJ6d58xo-NXGMFUbK3o0caKXqNYcuu_EMjOdgb_d9U8Moa2tSixNl2SDomaH/s1600/IMG_3217a+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4CP-nVCD0x8J4fi5LIOSecLpJSfpflKodelFMdDIXv6Y9AN0NWTc5uNysqWGz_Yiyez76Vnc1NBK4ytvxJ6d58xo-NXGMFUbK3o0caKXqNYcuu_EMjOdgb_d9U8Moa2tSixNl2SDomaH/s400/IMG_3217a+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pet blessing at church with his "cousin" Hershey.</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-61343725338341675312019-10-01T12:07:00.001-04:002019-10-01T12:07:10.383-04:00First Photo - October 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The calendar might say October but the temperature is yelling mid-July, with a forecast of near ninety today. I'm loving every minute of it!<br />
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There was something special about this summer. We enjoyed our property, in many ways. Working in it was theraputic. Relaxing in it was peaceful. Sharing it was joyful. And, for all that, I am grateful.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></em></strong><br />
<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-80576819538729391842019-09-16T07:42:00.001-04:002019-10-30T06:48:59.335-04:00First Photo - September 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yikes this is late! The picture was taken on time, almost, but lazy me just never got around to posting it.<br />
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The dog days of summer may be over, but the froggy days of fall have just started. We have been enjoying the patio and falls more than ever, and it seems the frogs are as well. We have christened our water feature as the <i>Five Frog Falls</i>. See if you can spot all of them in the first photo below.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-72084598200607999642019-08-07T14:31:00.001-04:002019-08-07T20:13:18.699-04:00An Open Book: July 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, I think you can tell it is summer by what I am reading. Since the few television shows that I do watch are just showing reruns, if they are on at all, I seem to have substituted some easy reading in their place. I have been binge reading a favorite author, Kendra Elliot, catching up on a couple of her other series I haven't yet read. And, of course, there's always more Nero Wolfe to be read!<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8488005-not-quite-dead-enough" target="_blank">Not Quite Dead Enough</a> by Rex Stout<br />
Archie Goodwin is now a Major in the Army and they want him to enlist Nero Wolfe's help in finding the murderer of two of their own. While this was a good story, it has probably my least favorite ending of any books in this series. However, as all good Nero stories go, it was plum full of great descriptions and one-liners.<br />
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<i>It was the first time I had ever seen the top mackaroo of United States Army Intelligence. He was in uniform and had two chins and a pair of eyes that wasted neither time nor space.</i><br />
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<i>Then I sat on the step again. I looked at my watch and it was 10:40. An hour later I looked again and it was 10:55.</i><br />
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<i>“Not without Major Goodwin. I use his memory. Also for years I’ve found his presence an irritant which stimulates my cells."</i><br />
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<i>Wolfe was in his chair behind his desk, leaning back with his finger tips meeting at the spot where the ends of no one-yard tape measure would ever meet again.</i><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10640614-the-silent-speaker" target="_blank">The Silent Speaker</a><br />
When a powerful government official, scheduled to speak to a group of millionaires, turns up dead, it is an event worthy of the notice of the great Nero Wolfe. Balancing on the edge of financial ruin, the orchid-loving detective grudgingly accepts the case. Soon a second victim is found bludgeoned to death, a missing stenographer’s tape causes an uproar, and the dead man speaks, after a fashion.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfq_SHjGgO2eiQBo-WIhZiPVxzAdHoH6ETnBnEHty8Xsm6Jxsem4LCDvQw46e98o2ganYa0MmRjNllLkYCyn9wojfm_9PLUiv97N1FbC4nRrR3BOHPHbdBZgl2RohGztkVm-1MHBRkJvmU/s1600/And+Be+a+Villian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfq_SHjGgO2eiQBo-WIhZiPVxzAdHoH6ETnBnEHty8Xsm6Jxsem4LCDvQw46e98o2ganYa0MmRjNllLkYCyn9wojfm_9PLUiv97N1FbC4nRrR3BOHPHbdBZgl2RohGztkVm-1MHBRkJvmU/s1600/And+Be+a+Villian.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10777315-and-be-a-villain" target="_blank">And Be a Villain</a><br />
When a guest on Madeline Fraser's radio talk show drops dead after drinking a glass of the sponsor's beverage, Nero is hired to determine who would want him dead. When everyone connected with the case lies about the circumstances of the event, the detective also needs to determine what secret is worth killing for again.<br />
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<i>As a result the eight o’clock temperature permits him to have his tray on a table near the window without bothering to put on a dressing gown. Seated there, his hair not yet combed, his feet bare, and all the yardage of his yellow pajamas dazzling in the morning sun, he is something to blink at, and it’s too bad that Fritz and I are the only ones who ever have the privilege.</i><br />
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<b>The <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/131514-callahan-mclane" target="_blank">Callahan & McLane</a></i> series </b><br />
Kendra Elliot writes engaging and suspenseful stories that keep the reader guessing as to "who done it" until the very end. Throughout each story the characters and their relationships develop. Unfortunately, it seems each book usually contains a sex scene that comes across as soft core porn and a somewhat liberal use of God's name taken in vain. Because of this, as good as they are, I can never give these books five, or even four, stars on Goodreads.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3dkmYsA-SpKFIWrCbcbYzt2nT9Xrd20WlOhOswQS9OcsH6bbbHsskehV6I-JtMNFs78kCQM3j3nyK2OHrpJ9s15BnPUlIk9QGRFD1PgiIa3PFO1TdYTG4F8miGVPojJWhs9fC_q8XYod/s1600/Vanished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3dkmYsA-SpKFIWrCbcbYzt2nT9Xrd20WlOhOswQS9OcsH6bbbHsskehV6I-JtMNFs78kCQM3j3nyK2OHrpJ9s15BnPUlIk9QGRFD1PgiIa3PFO1TdYTG4F8miGVPojJWhs9fC_q8XYod/s1600/Vanished.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20438825-vanished" target="_blank">Vanished</a><br />
Eleven-year-old Henley is abducted on her way to the school bus stop and the FBI jumps in to lead the search. Local detective Mason Callahan is the ex-husband of the missing girl's step-mother and volunteers to be the spokesperson for the family with the growing media presence. As he works with Special Agent Ava McLane to help the family, he finds himself drawn to the woman.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xbJYJnyxq8teqe1zUvJarNhrGDbklrmNm38Bv39I3cdWFVV1HX84MQ6QPx37Chyphenhyphenbz-X3nG3g5QGdfZC8hBwxNTqDhfoqgY8bzjaAkJDWlVf1X6pkJkj9UhOHICv5qSUCOmVJqn8dq4Nc/s1600/Bridged.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xbJYJnyxq8teqe1zUvJarNhrGDbklrmNm38Bv39I3cdWFVV1HX84MQ6QPx37Chyphenhyphenbz-X3nG3g5QGdfZC8hBwxNTqDhfoqgY8bzjaAkJDWlVf1X6pkJkj9UhOHICv5qSUCOmVJqn8dq4Nc/s1600/Bridged.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40205144-bridged" target="_blank">Bridged</a><br />
When dead bodies are found hanging from area bridges, Mason Callahan and Ava McLane know they are after a serial killer. While in the midst of a tense manhunt, Ava's mentally ill twin spins out of control.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOIOgUBxb_PBbF9yJzGIqDhjf2Y6busi0v8vmptec_bb1Ez-tPYJq33eEDPNfqvY47gSamo970wMrVu3HeQQIPrPr0gtNWp8DzVFAzA5aCvSa3Avlnu-isBEsi05cyri_wt-KjGVpAuty/s1600/Spiraled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOIOgUBxb_PBbF9yJzGIqDhjf2Y6busi0v8vmptec_bb1Ez-tPYJq33eEDPNfqvY47gSamo970wMrVu3HeQQIPrPr0gtNWp8DzVFAzA5aCvSa3Avlnu-isBEsi05cyri_wt-KjGVpAuty/s1600/Spiraled.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24378010-spiraled" target="_blank">Spiraled</a><br />
Ava McLane is used to solving crimes, not being a witness to one. As a series of mass shootings occur in the area, she teams up with her beau, Mason Callahan, to hunt for a reason so many young men are turning to such devastating violence.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Lh1GmJ7yChsidJflZG4YK_KixohYgjaXTn1L9Hh5pm0r9dHGqQuvR8kjacmJS3YOlptMiardtE54hmyZxtTpm7a5JufVzWUQVoY_UQir65w4Z38i2JXxQKzkG_UKbT9cOGUAp4RL6M4r/s1600/Targeted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Lh1GmJ7yChsidJflZG4YK_KixohYgjaXTn1L9Hh5pm0r9dHGqQuvR8kjacmJS3YOlptMiardtE54hmyZxtTpm7a5JufVzWUQVoY_UQir65w4Z38i2JXxQKzkG_UKbT9cOGUAp4RL6M4r/s1600/Targeted.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27804779-targeted" target="_blank">Targeted</a><br />
When Detective Mason Callahan is on a fishing trip with the guys, he wakes p one morning to find his friend and boss murdered outside their cabin. As more law officers are murdered, he and his fiance, Ava, team up to discover what is going on.<br />
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<b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/84391-bone-secrets" target="_blank">Bone Secrets</a> </i>series</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDwCGUB9gDCeIENHqS6XPLo5_ZKQGcvm7R6Vzw01y2WBibSSWhOpwHOI5y2y_ZDE9mfgQQwHLeLQXOA1pYVcSQZg6-8cfu3v3Z_iBEq6jGRmLrJCndDF2WwuxXhkten-UXP3Drv7bLzV8/s1600/Buried.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDwCGUB9gDCeIENHqS6XPLo5_ZKQGcvm7R6Vzw01y2WBibSSWhOpwHOI5y2y_ZDE9mfgQQwHLeLQXOA1pYVcSQZg6-8cfu3v3Z_iBEq6jGRmLrJCndDF2WwuxXhkten-UXP3Drv7bLzV8/s1600/Buried.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17680191-buried" target="_blank">Buried</a><br />
Many years ago a busload of school children vanished. Two years later a sole survivor, Chris Jacobs, walks out of the forest. Eighteen years later the remains of the rest of the children are found and the hunt for the kidnapper resumes.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Head on over to Carolyn's for more </span><a href="http://www.carolynastfalk.com/2019/08/07/an-open-book-42/" target="_blank">An Open Book</a><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><i>AMDG</i></b></span>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-12323936264250701012019-08-02T15:58:00.003-04:002019-08-02T15:58:34.533-04:00First Photo - August 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGtE2IpnF5IYzIgzS7WUz2EqPITVzKRp7yO-tq7-0Iif4L57_XukhKGReVmKaAWL_sip87J1cGrqGnFihlpwQVFQXj7-ZLxNgcPBpwTbMuJqufnmy1XpxvsvUm0mAO_FBnZbrRdx7OaNe/s1600/8-August.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGtE2IpnF5IYzIgzS7WUz2EqPITVzKRp7yO-tq7-0Iif4L57_XukhKGReVmKaAWL_sip87J1cGrqGnFihlpwQVFQXj7-ZLxNgcPBpwTbMuJqufnmy1XpxvsvUm0mAO_FBnZbrRdx7OaNe/s400/8-August.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I guess I'll call this my not-quite-first-photo since it was taken and posted a day late. August snuck up on me. I don't like that it is here already. There is too much talk of back to school and fall like temperatures. I want to yell "<i>It's still summer!</i>" Can't we just enjoy the here and now without planning this month away?<br />
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Take time and enjoy the pretty things!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mckxP3XrN1sV5evdCh84ghfw_PUp63NVOfUYll-7h_UPRphnB33q0ptIcTYDsemyseF22Be8sDrZqFPecQ10Vz154l-qEIhJxhnaUc9qYBXbdkRlKqkhCmcj3UtrKNkBCDd-CyM7bUPe/s1600/8-August+-+pot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mckxP3XrN1sV5evdCh84ghfw_PUp63NVOfUYll-7h_UPRphnB33q0ptIcTYDsemyseF22Be8sDrZqFPecQ10Vz154l-qEIhJxhnaUc9qYBXbdkRlKqkhCmcj3UtrKNkBCDd-CyM7bUPe/s320/8-August+-+pot.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i><b>God is like the sun; you cannot look at it, but without it you cannot look at anything else.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>- GK Chesterton</i></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-8343212581547235992019-07-03T11:29:00.000-04:002019-07-03T11:29:35.559-04:00An Open Book: June 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5yLY8ae7hhIbP_carZev3eCqQ6GfP8uwX4qKVkCEs4EOhFdlOo3Pze_f_hZ58cNCG71DR0Wyesrc9wS3bD04b8GWffjGlq4N2LCjAzEpCHygrF5bSsQWOe0KkYvFG3hZ_bpwZdyz8AXL/s1600/An-Open-Book-800W.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="676" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5yLY8ae7hhIbP_carZev3eCqQ6GfP8uwX4qKVkCEs4EOhFdlOo3Pze_f_hZ58cNCG71DR0Wyesrc9wS3bD04b8GWffjGlq4N2LCjAzEpCHygrF5bSsQWOe0KkYvFG3hZ_bpwZdyz8AXL/s320/An-Open-Book-800W.png" width="320" /></a></div>
As busy as June was, I still found time to read as much as I usually do. I am thankful for that as I find reading very relaxing and calming. If it is not, I am not reading the right books.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsxUM19HwNNiZlFmIC-bmpvJpISpwBuQeiIQAJWu4NH0H1paWk86x5r0YK9kj0MHC0vuOJvoqtdVeVvcNlxkQDd31YKgl5qAFP9sOCIHzn9X_g_a1W_CJcyatK9Qh3YgKa85mzIu0wFZe/s1600/Tortured+Soul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsxUM19HwNNiZlFmIC-bmpvJpISpwBuQeiIQAJWu4NH0H1paWk86x5r0YK9kj0MHC0vuOJvoqtdVeVvcNlxkQDd31YKgl5qAFP9sOCIHzn9X_g_a1W_CJcyatK9Qh3YgKa85mzIu0wFZe/s1600/Tortured+Soul.jpg" /></a></div>
I think someone recommended <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45183955-tortured-soul" target="_blank">Tortured Soul</a> by Theresa Linden in their Open Book post a few months ago. To whomever that was - thank you! Theresa Linden has written a thoroughly engaging novel that I had a hard time putting down.<br />
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Jeannie is forced to leave the only home she has ever known and shares with her brother and his family. Learning to live in a new place and on her own for the first time has its challenges. But when she starts having visits from a tortured soul, her family begins to question her sanity. With the help of a new friend, she faces her fears and learns how she can help her spiritual visitor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6Lc82cCrAc_ts4Cth_t8UzeEj0VsdlThlZxtpO8vbxfpbkbMe-id3bBo_Xqv-h91itNgw908BMnxRZXi2ODStxL7NF3qxPHfhXTtcgtwr-yZ22OUD8PnJ2UHAPeGuW3gfmegcQeZjJai/s1600/Next+Girl+To+Die.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6Lc82cCrAc_ts4Cth_t8UzeEj0VsdlThlZxtpO8vbxfpbkbMe-id3bBo_Xqv-h91itNgw908BMnxRZXi2ODStxL7NF3qxPHfhXTtcgtwr-yZ22OUD8PnJ2UHAPeGuW3gfmegcQeZjJai/s1600/Next+Girl+To+Die.jpg" /></a><br />
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I won <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41584541-next-girl-to-die" target="_blank">Next Girl to Die</a> by Dea Poirier via a First Reads giveaway on the GoodReads website. Detective Claire Calderwood has made a life for herself as a homicide detective in Detroit. When murders similar to her sister's start happening in her hometown, she returns to the small island in Maine in hopes of solving not only the current murders but her sister Rachel's as well. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSMB_WK1I0WAcSDqqyRQ0CkE05X16MxIV96StxyHZyPXRSxMhoACpn0ivJBEdfN1pU0lIOAva8UD7IL_Yjww-sjz7SVI8yY8MVtuk6nl1hz5lZwgSZV976EwKPwGatUxwvv1JOLkDTb8o/s1600/Black+Orchids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSMB_WK1I0WAcSDqqyRQ0CkE05X16MxIV96StxyHZyPXRSxMhoACpn0ivJBEdfN1pU0lIOAva8UD7IL_Yjww-sjz7SVI8yY8MVtuk6nl1hz5lZwgSZV976EwKPwGatUxwvv1JOLkDTb8o/s1600/Black+Orchids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><div>
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No month would be complete without a couple of Nero Wolfe stories. I think this month gave me both my most favorite and least favorite books in the series so far. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSMB_WK1I0WAcSDqqyRQ0CkE05X16MxIV96StxyHZyPXRSxMhoACpn0ivJBEdfN1pU0lIOAva8UD7IL_Yjww-sjz7SVI8yY8MVtuk6nl1hz5lZwgSZV976EwKPwGatUxwvv1JOLkDTb8o/s1600/Black+Orchids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSMB_WK1I0WAcSDqqyRQ0CkE05X16MxIV96StxyHZyPXRSxMhoACpn0ivJBEdfN1pU0lIOAva8UD7IL_Yjww-sjz7SVI8yY8MVtuk6nl1hz5lZwgSZV976EwKPwGatUxwvv1JOLkDTb8o/s1600/Black+Orchids.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8620864-black-orchids" target="_blank">Black Orchids</a> contains two stories in which the title flower plays at least somewhat of a role. The first story has Nero making one of his few expeditions out of his Brownstone house. A new, rare black orchid has piqued his curiosity and he must view it for himself. While at the exposition center where the plant is on display, a murder takes place, seemingly in front of a large number of people without their knowledge. Nero agrees to solve the case, for a price - the black orchids.<div>
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The second story is completely unrelated to the first with the exception of the black orchids making an appearance at the funeral of a party planner that has been murdered after coming to Nero for his assistance in finding who was blackmailing her.</div>
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While the stories were good, they weren't great as I have come to expect from Rex Stout's writing. Even still, he did manage to come up with a few great quotes.</div>
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<i>Fritz’s saucisse minuit would make Gandhi a gourmet. </i></div>
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<i>You bounce, Mr. Huddleston, from wrath to indignation, with amazing agility. </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJiawPBMmWpKdY-fP9ipejGW-3TBYW9anMkE272gkzMhOwzcsRWS0Wf_LXLv_PbMwzcfJxjPwvOSuwsyoiL5H7WOZ0dliPgNgA7Yzi7RSOWdtKlcnAiz2eQQ7Ka6zxx4DjW4l42gAl9as/s1600/Some+Buried+Ceasar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJiawPBMmWpKdY-fP9ipejGW-3TBYW9anMkE272gkzMhOwzcsRWS0Wf_LXLv_PbMwzcfJxjPwvOSuwsyoiL5H7WOZ0dliPgNgA7Yzi7RSOWdtKlcnAiz2eQQ7Ka6zxx4DjW4l42gAl9as/s1600/Some+Buried+Ceasar.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9798142-some-buried-caesar" target="_blank">Some Buried Caesar</a>, on the other hand, was a fun read from start to finish. Once again, Nero's love of orchids has enticed him to leave the sanctuary of his beloved Brownstone in New York. On the way to an expo, the roadster Archie is driving experiences a problem and they come to a crashing halt on a country road. While crossing a pasture to get to the nearest house, Nero and Archie encounter Caesar, a large, prize-winning bull that isn't exactly happy to see them. While waiting for assistance at the farmhouse, someone is found dead in the pasture, looking like Caesar didn't like him either.<br /><br /><i>I like to stay at home, and when I am away I like to get back. </i><div>
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<i><span id="freeTextContainer17031036268583523593">“Confound it. Nothing. Return.” “Nothing at all I can do here?” “No. Come and help me admire stupidity.”</span><br /><br />Not a word of honor. I don’t like the phrase. The word ‘honor’ has been employed too much by objectionable people and has been badly soiled. I give you my word.</i><br /><br /><div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKOV4MzBcO_ZtQTpLnZccICDSMsaYgWyQLjAQjYsG1hPE-or553OWTY4Dy4PuW5ak7NTH0lELKdZPq7K_XjIgiQ4G7XuDiDGU66SqgNuNil7Gye5zbh3037CnS6O5Az6NqQi0jVnpu52m/s1600/Morning+Glory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKOV4MzBcO_ZtQTpLnZccICDSMsaYgWyQLjAQjYsG1hPE-or553OWTY4Dy4PuW5ak7NTH0lELKdZPq7K_XjIgiQ4G7XuDiDGU66SqgNuNil7Gye5zbh3037CnS6O5Az6NqQi0jVnpu52m/s1600/Morning+Glory.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxryHSDe7Wa3RRfkF4Ptj_PTtvcpzkq4DD0KUV-6mpTEljWNWBNKPe8y1V7GUwwY_WtE9jTSXbvtoNFhxbSArWPC3-3_ZXHYCapwrvmFClNqcKims8SVFyScGGTtT80puX7sOjHtATHpzU/s1600/Always.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17838336-morning-glory" target="_blank">Morning Glory</a> and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40605984-always" target="_blank">Always</a>, both by Sarah Jio, are easy, entertaining reads. Both books move seamlessly between the present and the past to give the reader a complete picture. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxryHSDe7Wa3RRfkF4Ptj_PTtvcpzkq4DD0KUV-6mpTEljWNWBNKPe8y1V7GUwwY_WtE9jTSXbvtoNFhxbSArWPC3-3_ZXHYCapwrvmFClNqcKims8SVFyScGGTtT80puX7sOjHtATHpzU/s1600/Always.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxryHSDe7Wa3RRfkF4Ptj_PTtvcpzkq4DD0KUV-6mpTEljWNWBNKPe8y1V7GUwwY_WtE9jTSXbvtoNFhxbSArWPC3-3_ZXHYCapwrvmFClNqcKims8SVFyScGGTtT80puX7sOjHtATHpzU/s1600/Always.jpg" /></a>In <i>Always</i>, Kailey is enjoying a romantic dinner with her fiance at one of Seattle's finest restaurants. As she leaves the restaurant she encounters a homeless man whose identity shocks her. She now has to reconcile her past life with the present, which is much harder than she thought.</div>
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In <i>Morning Glory</i>, Ada rents a houseboat in Seattle, fleeing a tragedy that had occurred back east. When she opens a trunk left behind by a previous tenant, she finds a story she works to uncover. </div>
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Head on over to Carolyn's for more <a href="http://www.carolynastfalk.com/2019/07/03/an-open-book-41/" target="_blank">An Open Book</a>.</div>
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<br /><b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b></div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-62097049008921976962019-07-01T20:56:00.000-04:002019-07-01T20:56:17.891-04:00First Photo: July 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSbjDJTnVBsF-n-u1S6ZltnFHpEeh2GRubVGe0RsSSXikVvhnMGx31gJaMEsyL7ygd_0fIOkOeNWxLNkYzZn1NeLmKJZQmBY3kwPrRtYJIA0XqtY2TqgXegWpxsbNjdEa5gn1d_2H2ugN/s1600/July+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSbjDJTnVBsF-n-u1S6ZltnFHpEeh2GRubVGe0RsSSXikVvhnMGx31gJaMEsyL7ygd_0fIOkOeNWxLNkYzZn1NeLmKJZQmBY3kwPrRtYJIA0XqtY2TqgXegWpxsbNjdEa5gn1d_2H2ugN/s400/July+2019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>Summer has arrived!</i> What more is there to say? It's been bright and shiny and hot and sticky - all things wonderfully summer.<br />
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Life has busy this summer, both in good ways and not so. When it's good, it's great. When it is not so, it has been stressful. Perhaps it is time to enjoy the Adirondack chairs and watch the world go by.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPi1zxJn9XoF8CYXdgm533s8LViCgDgF4O-tYhKEOHQbGg3Rz7AvgiXJeLbDqMZZsvz6ucRYJMNzKRiFtTgTGmOJejS-pRatU_bpIVrZaEOg-GVDkSSPNBWjvGm9ENkrwTcLXdW_KCRDV/s1600/Deer+lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="644" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPi1zxJn9XoF8CYXdgm533s8LViCgDgF4O-tYhKEOHQbGg3Rz7AvgiXJeLbDqMZZsvz6ucRYJMNzKRiFtTgTGmOJejS-pRatU_bpIVrZaEOg-GVDkSSPNBWjvGm9ENkrwTcLXdW_KCRDV/s320/Deer+lunch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-20934582097791369582019-06-23T10:53:00.000-04:002019-06-23T10:53:28.136-04:00100 ThingsA couple weeks ago, Tim was talking to our neighbor across the street. Mike told him that he had come to the conclusion that his “to do” list always had one hundred things on it. He would finish one or two tasks and one or two more would pop up. Since we live in an area where peoples’ properties are somewhat large, anywhere from two acres to ten, that can happen rather easily.<br />
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Mike has been retired almost the entire time we’ve known him, fifteen years, and he’s the kind of old guy that likes his lawn just so. So much so that he’ll mow all five acres twice a week, whether it needs it or not. <br />
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We long ago came to the conclusion that time spent on a loud mower is not something that we enjoy or want to spend our time on. Our “mower guy”, Jim, does a bang-up job. And those four or five hours are better spent elsewhere. Even without the mowing, our list seems to stay steady at those one hundred things.<br />
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Finish the weeding in the front yard? The back needs it now. The roses that were blooming so beautifully last week now need dead-heading. And the tomatoes that I tied up last week have grown a foot and need to be tied up again. A tree that I so lovingly planted a few years ago died and need to be dug out.<br />
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A few years ago, I felt frustrated in the summer that my chores never seemed to be <i>done</i>. Once I started to look at it as always being <i>one hundred things</i>, it has become a joy. Playing in the dirt, watering the too many pots that I planted, or mulching the gardens has become a gift. There is peace and satisfaction to be found in taking care of what has been entrusted to us.<br />
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Perhaps looking at other parts of life, not just yard work and property maintenance, in that way would provide that similar peace and satisfaction. There is always an opportunity to do more. And even if it is never <i>done</i>, there is joy in doing it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iybno-hPS_3hHYmonMs6SGSkfo6lx1efr-nQiu1iI4N8jxqYY2iF9n71ek4jMIn4AzWCX6ZkktWBYjMdBwqVfNQZgbPWh6ld6IUFC45zlQms7Pa_tfk1Nl1Lj-fHQTtiaZqFii-O9kVW/s1600/gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iybno-hPS_3hHYmonMs6SGSkfo6lx1efr-nQiu1iI4N8jxqYY2iF9n71ek4jMIn4AzWCX6ZkktWBYjMdBwqVfNQZgbPWh6ld6IUFC45zlQms7Pa_tfk1Nl1Lj-fHQTtiaZqFii-O9kVW/s400/gate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b><br />
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8789630216934748449.post-65352282363580586142019-06-02T07:56:00.000-04:002019-06-02T07:56:16.622-04:00First Photo: June 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiKrr4O48b1ygdsq6hNcgZDkvPM3crDvnnwF3MV4v_BxBUUmStWcG7_Znns14dxn3Pnp9TnEm3gKlxYsQiuGBdpsrxHh08hnruN3xlHA-YstkGQZ9eoNDihuYNDqmF9gEz8WIhUsEQWJv/s1600/6-June.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiKrr4O48b1ygdsq6hNcgZDkvPM3crDvnnwF3MV4v_BxBUUmStWcG7_Znns14dxn3Pnp9TnEm3gKlxYsQiuGBdpsrxHh08hnruN3xlHA-YstkGQZ9eoNDihuYNDqmF9gEz8WIhUsEQWJv/s400/6-June.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This time of year, we sit on the patio and say "<i>Yeah, God!</i>" Lately, it couldn't be prettier around here, and for that I am oh so grateful. This picture doesn't do it all justice. <br />
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Sun tea brewing on the post. Flowers blooming in pots and in the ground. Birds serenading us in the trees. Water running in the falls.<br />
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What else is there to say, but <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">"</span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Yeah, God!</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">" </span><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">AMDG</span></i></b>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.com1