by Bill Bryson
Hennepin County Library audiobook 11 discs
read by Nathan Osgood
genre: humor, travelogue, history
I may need to read Notes From a Small Island. I'm not familiar with Bryson or his other works.
Aging stuff - funny! Hair growing from nose and ears / humor in stroke warnings . . . .
"If you are too stupid to spell disappointed, even approximately correctly, you are not allowed to take part in public discourse at any level." His sharp response to someone's TripAdvisor review that included a word "d-i-s-s-a-p-o-i-n-t-t-e-d" in describing a restaurant that Bryson himself appreciates a good deal.
Some of his wit is very funny, but at times he sounds like a cranky old guy who is a bit too picky. ("dissapointted" is clearly misspelled, but it is approximately correct . . . )
Marks and Spencer's / food hall / "You're an idiot." / H&M /
clothes / I can't read all my notes, but "funny guy, but also kind of a
jerk" is clear.
John Lennon stories / famous people sitings / I like this part.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and spiritualism . . . interesting stuff. I'd forgotten how prevalent this was at that time.
The internet has "no brains and no feelings - just like an I.T. person." Wow. Harsh.
The Greenway - pros and cons / compare to Denver sprawl. Interesting. I'm curious to learn more.
Gilbert White - never heard of him! The Natural History inspired Darwin.
LOTS of literary references! I feel pretty ignorant.
Silbury Hill - I had to Google it . . . again, interesting things I've never heard of before!
Barrows! Made me think of barrow wights and LOTR.
Lots of history! Tresko / marathon / exclusive / cystic fibrosis / his humanity finally shows! / no longer a thing
Penzance / Admiral Benbow - How funny! I recognized the Admiral Benbow from the Bloody Jack stories. And Ann and I just went to see the Pirates of Penzance last week!
Too negative at times / F-bombs . . . really?!
Parts of this are downright boring.
Who is Jeremy Clarkson and why does Bill Bryson hate him so much? (I Googled him, so now I know he's one of the Top Gear guys . . . but I guess I don't really care why BB hates him. It was interesting to find that most people think this book isn't as good as Notes from a Small Island . . . and that he's too "crotchety" in this one.)
Names of people, places, movies, stores, etc. I've never heard of . . . and stories that go nowhere. Did anyone edit this? Or did he just chuck in everything he thought of?
Dodo story - makes me want to learn more . . . did a museum director really put the last known specimen of one in a bonfire? And there are no physical remains of dodos anywhere?
F-bombs . . . a bit disappointing from someone who takes such pride in his excellent use of the English language
taxes . . . this part was funny! Like him putting a tax on people who text while walking
Monday, February 26, 2018
The Sound of Rain
by Sarah Loudin Thomas
Hennepin County Library paperback 326 pages
genre: Christian historical fiction
Judd Markley, coal miner, and Larkin Heyward, daughter of a lumber baron, are clearly destined to be together. They are lovely characters in a pleasant book. I liked it, yet wasn't deeply moved by it and found it quite predictable.
Page 61 - I liked the character of Lill and thought her perspective added a lot to Larkin. Dying of cancer, she commented, "Seems like I was always rushing after something and now I can't think what it was." Ugh! I've spent too much of my life rushing around after nothing important.
Page 114 - "He remembered a time when he was nine or ten years old. Dad had taken the whole family to a tent revival and even now he could remember that young preacher. Tall and thin as a rail, he'd towered over the makeshift pulpit. He'd leaned into the crowd, talking about eternal life and . . . how had he put it, 'the quickening of the Holy Spirit'? Judd had heard plenty of hellfire and brimstone, but that was the first - and maybe the only - time he'd heard that God loved him and wanted to lead him through life. Judd remembered wanting that, too." Then his dad's insistence that he sit down and wait until he was older . . . quashed his conviction. So sad. I hope I haven't discouraged anyone in their faith!
Page 176 - Ben's comment - "Improving people's lives. Giving them a raft to hold on to when they're adrift in a sea of pain." The language here just really struck me. (This was in answer to Judd's question, "What do you see as success?")
Page 205 - I love when Larkin realizes how wonderful indoor plumbing is! I feel that way when we leave the Boundary Waters! Flushing toilets, hot water to wash your hands, showers! What incredible blessings!
Page 206 - "Larkin hadn't paid much attention in the past, but Granny had told her how she always put a candle in her window on Christmas Eve to welcome Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. Larkin laughed, because of course they weren't really coming, but Granny had stilled her with a touch and said, 'Oh, but they are coming.' She tapped her chest. 'And there's always room in my heart.'" I love the grannies in this story!
Page 229 - I like Ben's observation that Larkin's sunny attitude was very helpful to the poor of Kentucky who were independent and didn't "need" her there. "There are a dozen sad stories I know of and probably twice that many I don't. Just having you around for a distraction helps more than you realize."
Page 247 - Title reference! "Larkin's laughter was like the sound of rain on a tin roof at the end of a long, hot day. Judd felt soothed, comforted . . . alive."
Page 322 - It was almost corny how this all worked out. Predictable, yet . . . I enjoyed the story.
Page 325 - For a minute, I thought the author was throwing a major curveball! Nope.
Still, it was an enjoyable book set in 1954. From West Virginia and the coal mines to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, it was a nice story.
Hennepin County Library paperback 326 pages
genre: Christian historical fiction
Judd Markley, coal miner, and Larkin Heyward, daughter of a lumber baron, are clearly destined to be together. They are lovely characters in a pleasant book. I liked it, yet wasn't deeply moved by it and found it quite predictable.
Page 61 - I liked the character of Lill and thought her perspective added a lot to Larkin. Dying of cancer, she commented, "Seems like I was always rushing after something and now I can't think what it was." Ugh! I've spent too much of my life rushing around after nothing important.
Page 114 - "He remembered a time when he was nine or ten years old. Dad had taken the whole family to a tent revival and even now he could remember that young preacher. Tall and thin as a rail, he'd towered over the makeshift pulpit. He'd leaned into the crowd, talking about eternal life and . . . how had he put it, 'the quickening of the Holy Spirit'? Judd had heard plenty of hellfire and brimstone, but that was the first - and maybe the only - time he'd heard that God loved him and wanted to lead him through life. Judd remembered wanting that, too." Then his dad's insistence that he sit down and wait until he was older . . . quashed his conviction. So sad. I hope I haven't discouraged anyone in their faith!
Page 176 - Ben's comment - "Improving people's lives. Giving them a raft to hold on to when they're adrift in a sea of pain." The language here just really struck me. (This was in answer to Judd's question, "What do you see as success?")
Page 205 - I love when Larkin realizes how wonderful indoor plumbing is! I feel that way when we leave the Boundary Waters! Flushing toilets, hot water to wash your hands, showers! What incredible blessings!
Page 206 - "Larkin hadn't paid much attention in the past, but Granny had told her how she always put a candle in her window on Christmas Eve to welcome Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. Larkin laughed, because of course they weren't really coming, but Granny had stilled her with a touch and said, 'Oh, but they are coming.' She tapped her chest. 'And there's always room in my heart.'" I love the grannies in this story!
Page 229 - I like Ben's observation that Larkin's sunny attitude was very helpful to the poor of Kentucky who were independent and didn't "need" her there. "There are a dozen sad stories I know of and probably twice that many I don't. Just having you around for a distraction helps more than you realize."
Page 247 - Title reference! "Larkin's laughter was like the sound of rain on a tin roof at the end of a long, hot day. Judd felt soothed, comforted . . . alive."
Page 322 - It was almost corny how this all worked out. Predictable, yet . . . I enjoyed the story.
Page 325 - For a minute, I thought the author was throwing a major curveball! Nope.
Still, it was an enjoyable book set in 1954. From West Virginia and the coal mines to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, it was a nice story.
Thursday, February 08, 2018
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry
by Fredrik Backman
loaned to me by Mary V, paperback, 370 pages
genre: unbelievably beautiful fiction
I haven't yet read Backman's first book - A Man Called Ove - but I recently got it on audiobook from the library. This book was loaned to me quite a while ago by my dear friend Mary. I loved it! It is so unusual . . . and intriguing. I already want to read it again. Almost-eight-year-old Elsa has an incredibly strong relationship with her granny (mom's mom). Grandma dies and leaves Elsa with a "quest" and a heritage of fairy tales to help her deal with the world.
The characters and events are captivating. It was originally written in Swedish and translated into English by Henning Koch. I haven't read enough Swedish literature to know if this is typical or truly unique. Even the blurb at the end for his book Britt-Marie Was Here made me want to read that one, too, even though I could hardly tolerate her character in this book.
I only marked one page, which is not enough to point out all the thoughts, phrases, scenes, etc. that caught my attention. On page 325, I marked "And if she hadn't changed her mind it's possible that the day wouldn't have ended up as loathsome and terrible as it will soon become. Because when terrible things happen one always thinks, 'If I only hadn't . . . ' " Ugh! Immediately my mind flew back to May 25, 2013 and the cabin. It is horrific to think "What if?" when there's no way to go back, change events, or get a different outcome. Looking ahead and moving on is what's needed.
I decided it was selfish of me to keep Mary's book, especially when I'm trying to de-clutter my home! So I re-read the book when we were up at my sister-in-law's cabin last weekend. I loved it all over again!
Page 15 - "That's what Granny calls lies: 'other versions of the truth.'" This is one of those funny / not funny things . . . when we have a president who has "alternative facts," it hits a little too close to home. For Elsa and her Granny, though, it's a great in-joke.
Page 25 - "'Elvir, though? Are they planning to send him to Mordor to destroy the ring, or what?' (This was soon after Granny had watched all of the Lord of the Rings films with Elsa, because Elsa's mum had expressly told Elsa she wasn't allowed to watch them.)?" This reminded me of my mom . . . doing things specifically because she wasn't supposed to! (Though she was usually respectful of my parenting rules.)
Page 45 - "Having a grandmother is like having an army. This is a grandchild's ultimate privilege: knowing that someone is on your side, always, whatever the details. Even when you are wrong. Especially then, in fact." I look forward to being a grandma someday! I hope to love my grandchildren extravagantly!
Page 48-9 made me laugh! "Elsa learned all about LPs and CDs that afternoon. That was when she worked out why old people seem to have so much free time, because in the olden days until Spotify came along they must have used up almost all their time just changing the track."
Page 53 also made me laugh. When Granny laid in the snow for hours as a snowman so she could scare Britt-Marie . . .
Page 196 - I love when Granny goes on her crusade against the free newspaper folks. Oh my! "Never mess with someone who has more spare time than you do." I love Granny!
Page 198 - "It's easier to get people talking about things they dislike than things they like, Elsa has noticed." She's a very wise little girl!
Page 208 - "There are no 'only' nightmares -- they're living creatures, dark little clouds of insecurity and anguish that come sneaking between the houses when everyone is asleep, trying all the doors and windows to find some place to slip inside and start causing a commotion." I'm so very glad I don't have nightmares, but I remember as a child waking so afraid. I love the language Backman uses to communicate the terror.
Page 228 - Land-of-Almost-Awake Miamas (I love), Miploris (I mourn), Mirevas (I dream), Miaudacas (I dare), Mimovas (I dance), Mibatalos (I fight).
I cried at the end of chapter 29 when the boy cuddles with the woman in the black skirt . . .
Oh my! This is such a lovely book! But now I can return it to Mary and she can share it with another reader!
loaned to me by Mary V, paperback, 370 pages
genre: unbelievably beautiful fiction
I haven't yet read Backman's first book - A Man Called Ove - but I recently got it on audiobook from the library. This book was loaned to me quite a while ago by my dear friend Mary. I loved it! It is so unusual . . . and intriguing. I already want to read it again. Almost-eight-year-old Elsa has an incredibly strong relationship with her granny (mom's mom). Grandma dies and leaves Elsa with a "quest" and a heritage of fairy tales to help her deal with the world.
The characters and events are captivating. It was originally written in Swedish and translated into English by Henning Koch. I haven't read enough Swedish literature to know if this is typical or truly unique. Even the blurb at the end for his book Britt-Marie Was Here made me want to read that one, too, even though I could hardly tolerate her character in this book.
I only marked one page, which is not enough to point out all the thoughts, phrases, scenes, etc. that caught my attention. On page 325, I marked "And if she hadn't changed her mind it's possible that the day wouldn't have ended up as loathsome and terrible as it will soon become. Because when terrible things happen one always thinks, 'If I only hadn't . . . ' " Ugh! Immediately my mind flew back to May 25, 2013 and the cabin. It is horrific to think "What if?" when there's no way to go back, change events, or get a different outcome. Looking ahead and moving on is what's needed.
I decided it was selfish of me to keep Mary's book, especially when I'm trying to de-clutter my home! So I re-read the book when we were up at my sister-in-law's cabin last weekend. I loved it all over again!
Page 15 - "That's what Granny calls lies: 'other versions of the truth.'" This is one of those funny / not funny things . . . when we have a president who has "alternative facts," it hits a little too close to home. For Elsa and her Granny, though, it's a great in-joke.
Page 25 - "'Elvir, though? Are they planning to send him to Mordor to destroy the ring, or what?' (This was soon after Granny had watched all of the Lord of the Rings films with Elsa, because Elsa's mum had expressly told Elsa she wasn't allowed to watch them.)?" This reminded me of my mom . . . doing things specifically because she wasn't supposed to! (Though she was usually respectful of my parenting rules.)
Page 45 - "Having a grandmother is like having an army. This is a grandchild's ultimate privilege: knowing that someone is on your side, always, whatever the details. Even when you are wrong. Especially then, in fact." I look forward to being a grandma someday! I hope to love my grandchildren extravagantly!
Page 48-9 made me laugh! "Elsa learned all about LPs and CDs that afternoon. That was when she worked out why old people seem to have so much free time, because in the olden days until Spotify came along they must have used up almost all their time just changing the track."
Page 53 also made me laugh. When Granny laid in the snow for hours as a snowman so she could scare Britt-Marie . . .
Page 196 - I love when Granny goes on her crusade against the free newspaper folks. Oh my! "Never mess with someone who has more spare time than you do." I love Granny!
Page 198 - "It's easier to get people talking about things they dislike than things they like, Elsa has noticed." She's a very wise little girl!
Page 208 - "There are no 'only' nightmares -- they're living creatures, dark little clouds of insecurity and anguish that come sneaking between the houses when everyone is asleep, trying all the doors and windows to find some place to slip inside and start causing a commotion." I'm so very glad I don't have nightmares, but I remember as a child waking so afraid. I love the language Backman uses to communicate the terror.
Page 228 - Land-of-Almost-Awake Miamas (I love), Miploris (I mourn), Mirevas (I dream), Miaudacas (I dare), Mimovas (I dance), Mibatalos (I fight).
I cried at the end of chapter 29 when the boy cuddles with the woman in the black skirt . . .
Oh my! This is such a lovely book! But now I can return it to Mary and she can share it with another reader!
Wednesday, February 07, 2018
The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Hennepin County Library audiobook 7 CDs
read by Finola Hughes
genre: children's fiction
I haven't read this book in a really, really long time. I had forgotten *why* Mary Lennox was so horrible before the garden transformed her. She was a child in India with parents who didn't want to deal with her. The servants gave her whatever she wanted so that she didn't fuss and cause trouble for them with "Mem-sahib." Consequently, she was a lonely, imperious brat. I love her initial interactions with plain-spoken Martha when she gets to Mistlethwaite Manor!
Hughes did a wonderful job with the voices, but Colin is too realistically whiny and bossy. Yuk! Thank heavens for Dickon and the garden to help with the transformation of these two horrible children! In fact, Susan Sowerby's entire family are the brightest part of the characters who populate this book.
The kids are fully invested in "the magic" of the garden. Susan Sowerby refers to "The Good Big Thing," "Joy Maker," and the fact that the kids were singing the Doxology when she came into the garden. Interesting way to look at creation and healing.
One of the problems with an audiobook as opposed to a print book is trying to capture quotations. "Where you tend a rose, my love, a thistle may not grow." This is what I wrote down. I was pretty close - it's lad, not love, and cannot instead of may not. That's according to SparkNotes . . . ugh. Now I have to find a print copy and look at it more carefully. Also according to SparkNotes, this is part of the Christian Scientology aspect of the book. What?!? Sometimes I just want to enjoy a story as a story.
One other aspect that I had forgotten or gotten wrong after not having read or seen this in ages is the ending. I knew that Archibald Craven found the children in the garden and that there was a happy-ever-after, but I thought that his initial reaction was extreme anger. Perhaps there's a movie version that he yells at the kids? Anyhow, I am glad I revisited this story after so many years. (Though I shouldn't have checked SparkNotes for the spelling of character names . . . sometimes ignorance is bliss.)
<I wrote the above on 2.7.2018 and am adding below on 8.1.2022.>
I really, really liked how Mary didn't put up with Colin's crap. When he was pitching a fit and she screamed at him . . . that was just right. It bugged me again that the "magic" and the beauty of nature were the predominant reasons the children gave for the changes in their health.
This audiobook was on Libby and read by Alison Larkin. Her vocal work was excellent. I got this to listen to at work, since I knew I didn't have to give it my full attention. I enjoyed listening again.
Friday, February 02, 2018
Face to Face with God: The Ultimate Quest to Experience His Presence
by Bill Johnson
Loaned by Kelly from NewDay paperback 220 pages
genre: non-fiction Christian faith
Again, I struggled with reading this . . . am I too weak in my faith? Is it simply not the "right book at the right time" for me? There are lots of pages that I put post-its on, but I don't feel as though I really know how to better draw near to God and experience His presence. (What a contrast with the Experiencing God book!) Johnson's faith and depth of knowledge of God's Word is strong, though, and I want to be stronger in my own faith.
Page 37 - "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD" (Proverbs 18:22) "The implications of this promise go far beyond simply getting married. Many have done that without any increase of God's favor. This promise is given to those who correctly steward the blessing of marriage." I think this caught my eye because I love marriage and I am concerned for loved ones who need this Scriptural wisdom . . .
Page 55 - After relating the story of the woman who poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet . . . "What others thought to be excessive and extreme, God considered reasonable. The only true worship is extreme worship, and only extreme worship brings extreme results - transformation." I love this idea of extreme worship! I don't spend nearly enough of my time (even my devotions / prayer time) simply worshiping God. Perhaps that's part of the reason my faith is weaker than I'd like.
Page 61 - "Relationships are built on trust, communication, common interests, honesty, and time together. It is no different with knowing God. And it is from that place of knowing God that we find our greatest purpose in life." This is so true, and so vital for me to practice!
Page 98 - I think I tagged this because I wanted to find a way to better understand / search Scripture. He basically says that Elizabeth stayed home for five months when she got pregnant with John . . . so that she could protect herself from people's negative comments. How could he know this? Or is he surmising it? Do I care enough to dig deeper?
Page 145 - I loved the entire section on saints! Reading about other believers' lives and work really impacts me. The section on Charles Finney is one that I specifically tagged . . . I love reading about people's personal experiences with the Lord and how transformative those experiences are!
Page 156 - In the story about Smith Wigglesworth (what a name!), I loved this sentence: "Remember that this remarkable experience happened to a most unlikely vessel, and let it encourage you to qualify to receive more of God's Spirit because of your unrestrained hunger for Him." I should make it a sign / reminder for my desk!
Page 157 - "Wigglesworth's ministry was based on four principles: First, read the Word of God. Second, consume the Word of God until it consumes you. Third, believe the Word of God. Fourth, act on the Word of God."
Page 165 - A section on Heidi Baker! Since I had just read her book about Love, I found this very interesting. One fact in particular caught my eye. "Whereas it took them seventeen years to plant four churches before Heidi's encounter with God's face, they have planted over six thousand churches in the eight years since." Powerful!
Page 171-2 - "Much of the present Christian culture has unintentionally fostered ways of life and thought patterns that allow for people to be heavily burdened and discouraged as the norm. That habit often takes us into the stronghold of unbelief. In this mode we are much better at applauding tears over laughter, poverty over wealth, and the endurance of affliction over receiving quick answers and getting breakthroughs." This section is one that I should re-read . . . and discuss with other believers.
Page 188 - "I have heard teaching on the subject of giving to the poor and needy that emphasizes our stewardship instead of compassion. It basically means that you don't want to give to someone who will not use what was given properly." Ooh! I am sometimes guilty of this . . . and I do *not* want to be judgmental or self-righteous! This is where seeking God and spending time with Him helps me to make right decisions with a right attitude! I need You, Jesus!
Loaned by Kelly from NewDay paperback 220 pages
genre: non-fiction Christian faith
Again, I struggled with reading this . . . am I too weak in my faith? Is it simply not the "right book at the right time" for me? There are lots of pages that I put post-its on, but I don't feel as though I really know how to better draw near to God and experience His presence. (What a contrast with the Experiencing God book!) Johnson's faith and depth of knowledge of God's Word is strong, though, and I want to be stronger in my own faith.
Page 37 - "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD" (Proverbs 18:22) "The implications of this promise go far beyond simply getting married. Many have done that without any increase of God's favor. This promise is given to those who correctly steward the blessing of marriage." I think this caught my eye because I love marriage and I am concerned for loved ones who need this Scriptural wisdom . . .
Page 55 - After relating the story of the woman who poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet . . . "What others thought to be excessive and extreme, God considered reasonable. The only true worship is extreme worship, and only extreme worship brings extreme results - transformation." I love this idea of extreme worship! I don't spend nearly enough of my time (even my devotions / prayer time) simply worshiping God. Perhaps that's part of the reason my faith is weaker than I'd like.
Page 61 - "Relationships are built on trust, communication, common interests, honesty, and time together. It is no different with knowing God. And it is from that place of knowing God that we find our greatest purpose in life." This is so true, and so vital for me to practice!
Page 98 - I think I tagged this because I wanted to find a way to better understand / search Scripture. He basically says that Elizabeth stayed home for five months when she got pregnant with John . . . so that she could protect herself from people's negative comments. How could he know this? Or is he surmising it? Do I care enough to dig deeper?
Page 145 - I loved the entire section on saints! Reading about other believers' lives and work really impacts me. The section on Charles Finney is one that I specifically tagged . . . I love reading about people's personal experiences with the Lord and how transformative those experiences are!
Page 156 - In the story about Smith Wigglesworth (what a name!), I loved this sentence: "Remember that this remarkable experience happened to a most unlikely vessel, and let it encourage you to qualify to receive more of God's Spirit because of your unrestrained hunger for Him." I should make it a sign / reminder for my desk!
Page 157 - "Wigglesworth's ministry was based on four principles: First, read the Word of God. Second, consume the Word of God until it consumes you. Third, believe the Word of God. Fourth, act on the Word of God."
Page 165 - A section on Heidi Baker! Since I had just read her book about Love, I found this very interesting. One fact in particular caught my eye. "Whereas it took them seventeen years to plant four churches before Heidi's encounter with God's face, they have planted over six thousand churches in the eight years since." Powerful!
Page 171-2 - "Much of the present Christian culture has unintentionally fostered ways of life and thought patterns that allow for people to be heavily burdened and discouraged as the norm. That habit often takes us into the stronghold of unbelief. In this mode we are much better at applauding tears over laughter, poverty over wealth, and the endurance of affliction over receiving quick answers and getting breakthroughs." This section is one that I should re-read . . . and discuss with other believers.
Page 188 - "I have heard teaching on the subject of giving to the poor and needy that emphasizes our stewardship instead of compassion. It basically means that you don't want to give to someone who will not use what was given properly." Ooh! I am sometimes guilty of this . . . and I do *not* want to be judgmental or self-righteous! This is where seeking God and spending time with Him helps me to make right decisions with a right attitude! I need You, Jesus!
Monday, January 29, 2018
God's Hotel: A Doctor, a Hospital, and a Pilgrimage to the Heart of Medicine
by Victoria Sweet
Hennepin County Library audiobook 11 discs
read by the author
genre: non-fiction
This was interesting and definitely kept my attention. Dr. S worked at Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco for twenty-ish years. (http://lagunahonda.org/) She also was fascinated by Hildegard, a twelfth century nun, and wrote a book called Slow Medicine after writing her master's thesis and her PhD paper about this topic. I'm just going to jot a few notes / reactions to the book below.
Why did pre-modern medicine and Hildegard of Bingen appeal to her so much?!?! I just don't get it.
My lack of compassion concerns me . . . when it comes to people making horrible life choices and killing themselves with drugs, alcohol, etc. . . . I wonder why so many medical professionals, tests, procedures, etc. are spent on them. Ethically, I realize it's not productive to say someone like me should get to determine who gets health care and who doesn't. Our entire health care system (and societal ills) are so complex. I guess it's good that people like Dr. Sweet do all that they can for all patients.
The parts on money, "efficiencies," and bureaucracy . . . ugh. I realize that this is how the world works, but spending more on administration and PR seems counterproductive to saving money!
I couldn't believe she kept referring to a patient's "retarded" daughter . . . not so much the non-PC term as the fact that a medical doctor would use a "no-no" word at all!
The specific patient examples were the most interesting part of the book to me.
Interesting to consider dementia as a polynomial equation with several variables.
Anima / soul / animation - interesting way to look at it.
Too much focus and repetition on the four humours, four symbolically (seasons, elements, etc.). Enough!
Her pilgrimage . . . sounds interesting. But without a spiritual goal, I wonder about her purpose. She shares what she learns in the walk across France and Spain. I like that she and her friend did the trip in three or four different stretches.
She references Scripture and faith, but isn't a believer . . . she has an interesting perspective.
Interesting look at medicine, philosophy, economics, etc. My attitudes and beliefs don't align with the author's, but I learned a lot and thought about my perspective. This was a very worthwhile book to "read."
The title is taken from the French term for charity hospitals - L'Hotel Dieu - God's Hotel.
Hennepin County Library audiobook 11 discs
read by the author
genre: non-fiction
This was interesting and definitely kept my attention. Dr. S worked at Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco for twenty-ish years. (http://lagunahonda.org/) She also was fascinated by Hildegard, a twelfth century nun, and wrote a book called Slow Medicine after writing her master's thesis and her PhD paper about this topic. I'm just going to jot a few notes / reactions to the book below.
Why did pre-modern medicine and Hildegard of Bingen appeal to her so much?!?! I just don't get it.
My lack of compassion concerns me . . . when it comes to people making horrible life choices and killing themselves with drugs, alcohol, etc. . . . I wonder why so many medical professionals, tests, procedures, etc. are spent on them. Ethically, I realize it's not productive to say someone like me should get to determine who gets health care and who doesn't. Our entire health care system (and societal ills) are so complex. I guess it's good that people like Dr. Sweet do all that they can for all patients.
The parts on money, "efficiencies," and bureaucracy . . . ugh. I realize that this is how the world works, but spending more on administration and PR seems counterproductive to saving money!
I couldn't believe she kept referring to a patient's "retarded" daughter . . . not so much the non-PC term as the fact that a medical doctor would use a "no-no" word at all!
The specific patient examples were the most interesting part of the book to me.
Interesting to consider dementia as a polynomial equation with several variables.
Anima / soul / animation - interesting way to look at it.
Too much focus and repetition on the four humours, four symbolically (seasons, elements, etc.). Enough!
Her pilgrimage . . . sounds interesting. But without a spiritual goal, I wonder about her purpose. She shares what she learns in the walk across France and Spain. I like that she and her friend did the trip in three or four different stretches.
She references Scripture and faith, but isn't a believer . . . she has an interesting perspective.
Interesting look at medicine, philosophy, economics, etc. My attitudes and beliefs don't align with the author's, but I learned a lot and thought about my perspective. This was a very worthwhile book to "read."
The title is taken from the French term for charity hospitals - L'Hotel Dieu - God's Hotel.
Perennials
by Julie Cantrell
Scott County Library paperback 338 pages
genre: Christian fiction, relationships
My perspective on this book may change after our discussion tonight. Right now, I'm ambivalent. I almost want to go back to see what I wrote about the author's book The Feathered Bone . . . in my memory, I liked it pretty well. This one, not so much. Lovey / Eva is 45 and living in Arizona. She's pretty New Age, in my opinion. When her parents all but beg her to come home to Mississippi for a few weeks, she makes it happen regardless of the negative implications for her at work.
Dedication - "For my children, and for all children, and for the child in all of us - May you always know the truth: you are loved." I thought this was a wonderful dedication page!
Page 81 - "I needed my family to stand up for me, help me heal. Instead, Bitsy attacked, Chief stayed silent, and Mother told me never to speak of it again." I can't understand a loving family reacting this way to a family member's emotional agony. It just doesn't make sense.
Page 90 - "Half of me wants to hug my father and assure him I wouldn't change a thing. But the wounded half wants to tell him how badly I needed him to stand up for me. How much his silence has hurt me." Tell him!!! One of my biggest frustrations with these books is that people don't talk honestly with one another!
Page 99 - "It's hard to think of my parents aging. Someday holding Mother's hand as she takes her last breath, or waking to the call that my father is no longer with us. My eyes water at the thought, and I push it away. Far away. I can't imagine how hard it is for them to watch their friends fade, one by one." Ugh! This has been too much on my mind lately! I want to live life fully, ready to head to Heaven whenever God calls me! I'm glad I don't have close friends dying yet . . .
Page 155 - I love this conversation that Lovey and Fisher have! "You want me to be honest?" Yes! Thank you, Fisher, for having an honest conversation! Thank you for providing another perspective on Bitsy and Lovey growing up!
Page 183 - Mary Evelyn's birthday tea . . . a group of 16 year olds having an etiquette lesson . . . it's partly very appealing and partly horrifying!
Page 208 - I'm curious about the author's personal beliefs. Christianity is included in the book, but it certainly isn't a main theme. When Lovey does yoga with her mom and dad and ends with "Namaste. The light in me sees the light in you," it just seems counter-intuitive to call this Christian fiction.
Page 213 - Finally! I don't want to add a spoiler here, so I'll just say that one of the things hinted at is stated outright. It wasn't a shocker because I was waiting for it.
Page 231 - "I keep quiet, capturing every subtle gesture and sound Mother makes, determined not to forget a thing." Take photos and videos! Write stories down! I treasure the artifacts of my life with my mother . . . and I cannot get new photos, videos, or memories any more.
Page 278 - I like her timeline. I kept thinking, "What has she done with her life between ages 18 and 45?!" I wish the timeline had been included earlier, but most of the story focuses on her current life and flashbacks to childhood.
Page 286 - I love the conversation that she and Chief have the night of the party. They should have had the conversation a few decades earlier, but . . .
Not sure what page . . . . there was a twist I *didn't* anticipate! Again, don't want to put spoilers here.
Page 310 - "Our body's death is not the tragedy, girls. It's when we waste our time in life feeling dead on the inside. That's the real reason to grieve." Their mom shares this gem of wisdom with Bitsy and Lovey, but it feels like too little, too late. And I still don't get why Bitsy turned into such a nasty human being.
Page 323 - "It's a heavy role, shuttling a soul into the next world, and I feel there's no right way to manage this." Too true . . . sitting with someone on their death bed is a heavy role. I hope to make it easier for my kids by assuring them of my salvation through Jesus Christ. Death is not scary to me (at least, my own death) because of God's Word.
Scott County Library paperback 338 pages
genre: Christian fiction, relationships
My perspective on this book may change after our discussion tonight. Right now, I'm ambivalent. I almost want to go back to see what I wrote about the author's book The Feathered Bone . . . in my memory, I liked it pretty well. This one, not so much. Lovey / Eva is 45 and living in Arizona. She's pretty New Age, in my opinion. When her parents all but beg her to come home to Mississippi for a few weeks, she makes it happen regardless of the negative implications for her at work.
Dedication - "For my children, and for all children, and for the child in all of us - May you always know the truth: you are loved." I thought this was a wonderful dedication page!
Page 81 - "I needed my family to stand up for me, help me heal. Instead, Bitsy attacked, Chief stayed silent, and Mother told me never to speak of it again." I can't understand a loving family reacting this way to a family member's emotional agony. It just doesn't make sense.
Page 90 - "Half of me wants to hug my father and assure him I wouldn't change a thing. But the wounded half wants to tell him how badly I needed him to stand up for me. How much his silence has hurt me." Tell him!!! One of my biggest frustrations with these books is that people don't talk honestly with one another!
Page 99 - "It's hard to think of my parents aging. Someday holding Mother's hand as she takes her last breath, or waking to the call that my father is no longer with us. My eyes water at the thought, and I push it away. Far away. I can't imagine how hard it is for them to watch their friends fade, one by one." Ugh! This has been too much on my mind lately! I want to live life fully, ready to head to Heaven whenever God calls me! I'm glad I don't have close friends dying yet . . .
Page 155 - I love this conversation that Lovey and Fisher have! "You want me to be honest?" Yes! Thank you, Fisher, for having an honest conversation! Thank you for providing another perspective on Bitsy and Lovey growing up!
Page 183 - Mary Evelyn's birthday tea . . . a group of 16 year olds having an etiquette lesson . . . it's partly very appealing and partly horrifying!
Page 208 - I'm curious about the author's personal beliefs. Christianity is included in the book, but it certainly isn't a main theme. When Lovey does yoga with her mom and dad and ends with "Namaste. The light in me sees the light in you," it just seems counter-intuitive to call this Christian fiction.
Page 213 - Finally! I don't want to add a spoiler here, so I'll just say that one of the things hinted at is stated outright. It wasn't a shocker because I was waiting for it.
Page 231 - "I keep quiet, capturing every subtle gesture and sound Mother makes, determined not to forget a thing." Take photos and videos! Write stories down! I treasure the artifacts of my life with my mother . . . and I cannot get new photos, videos, or memories any more.
Page 278 - I like her timeline. I kept thinking, "What has she done with her life between ages 18 and 45?!" I wish the timeline had been included earlier, but most of the story focuses on her current life and flashbacks to childhood.
Page 286 - I love the conversation that she and Chief have the night of the party. They should have had the conversation a few decades earlier, but . . .
Not sure what page . . . . there was a twist I *didn't* anticipate! Again, don't want to put spoilers here.
Page 310 - "Our body's death is not the tragedy, girls. It's when we waste our time in life feeling dead on the inside. That's the real reason to grieve." Their mom shares this gem of wisdom with Bitsy and Lovey, but it feels like too little, too late. And I still don't get why Bitsy turned into such a nasty human being.
Page 323 - "It's a heavy role, shuttling a soul into the next world, and I feel there's no right way to manage this." Too true . . . sitting with someone on their death bed is a heavy role. I hope to make it easier for my kids by assuring them of my salvation through Jesus Christ. Death is not scary to me (at least, my own death) because of God's Word.
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Sting-Ray Afternoons
by Steve Rushin
Hennepin County Library hardcover 319 pages
genre: non-fiction memoir
I really enjoyed reading this book! I'm not sure how much I would have enjoyed it had I not also grown up in Bloomington, MN at the same time as Steve Rushin. Recognizing the landmarks and remembering my own experiences enriched the reading. Steve is a fantastic writer, though, and I'm sure much of the humor and coming-of-age would translate to any city and state in the 1970s.
I don't remember much about Steve (we both graduated from Bloomington Kennedy after having been at Lincoln), but I distinctly remember his brother Tom! Older than us by a year, Tom was cruel and nasty (in my teenage eyes) when I encountered him at Lincoln. Reading this book makes me wish I'd known Steve! I saw him as just a "jock" and didn't realize he loved to read, play with words, and write.
page 28 - I had never heard 3M referred to as "Mickey Mouse Mining" before! The nicknames for Normandale - "Harvard on the Hill" and others - I was familiar with, but the 3M nickname was new to me. (His dad worked for 3M.)
page 33 - In 1970, "Dr. James T. Grace, Jr., has confidently asserted that cancer will be a memory by 1979. 'I predict that we can enter the decade of the '80s without the specter of cancer hanging over our people,' Grace says, a statement that everyone can suddenly affirm with the brand-new sentence starter: 'If they can put a man on the moon, surely they can [fill in the blank with your wildest dream].'" This is so true! The optimism about the future was so powerful at that time! (I was a little kid, too, so what did I know?) But the thought that cancer would still be such a major killer more than forty years later? Unthinkable!
page 44 - Oh! This made me laugh out loud! "Tom's Brillo-pad hair likewise won't lend itself to any form of basement taming. By the time Tom is seven, Bernie the Barber, scissors snipping in one hand, will survey his head from every angle and finally grab a handful of hair in exasperation: 'Your hair,' he will announce, 'belongs on a dog's butt.' The statement is no less cruel - and possibly a great deal more cruel - for being true." (At this point, it was just the humorous way he set up the scene about haircuts that made me laugh, not the unkindness toward his brother. Steve really is a talented writer!)
page 47 - "And so, in three of its 1956 models, Chrysler offered the Highway Hi-Fi, an in-car record player that could play specially manufactured 7-inch discs at 16 2/3 rpm . . . " What?! Playing records in a car?! There were so many places where I was amazing at how Steve incorporated his love of reading and information into his personal memoir.
page 60 - The Romper Room part instantly reminded me of how much I believed that she could see the kids watching her on tv! I wanted so much for her to say my name! Again, Rushin includes some very interesting history about the show that I didn't know about before reading this.
page 191 - Oh! The scene when he goes to the hotel with his friend to get Vikings autographs and after two weeks of wishing to connect with Alan Page . . . he is told that Mr. Page does *not* give autographs so *don't* even ask! I love love love how this turned out! His mom letting him wear his ratty "hillbilly" homemade Page jersey . . . and Alan Page noticing! "So - my chicken chest heaving, and on the brink of hyperventilation - I continue to watch as he pauses at the stairs, turns and looks back at the lobby, evidently having forgotten something at the front desk. But he hasn't forgotten anything. No, Alan Page walks directly toward me, takes the BIC from my trembling hand, and signs his name in one grand flourish in my Mead notebook. He smiles and puts his hand on top of my head, as if palming a grapefruit." I love this! But then, Alan Page is one of my personal heroes, too. But not because of football!
page 216 - The scene where the "Creek Freak" confronts his dad on the Fourth of July! Oh my! This, too, is beautifully written! I'm too lazy to include it (or re-type it) here, but what a great way to honor his dad and paint a vivid, powerful picture!
page 249 - ". . . but my year of reading about California will not go to waste. I am powerless to stop my factual exhibitionism." This made me smile! I love that he read voraciously in preparation for the family trip to California and then regaled his family with what he knew about the places they traveled.
page 257 - When they encountered a bidet in a hotel room . . . "Tom is telling on him now. 'John was trying to drink out of the . . . ' The new French word eludes him, and Tom finally says, 'John was trying to drink out of the butt washer!'" Too funny!
page 286 - Mortality and fear . . . When he worries that his own dad might die young, after a friend's dad of the same age dies of a heart attack. This scene makes me so sad for the young Steve (and so impressed that the adult can write about his young fears and struggles in such a personal and deep way).
page 305 - This was weird. I don't even remember anything about the first day of school at Bloomington Kennedy in the fall of 1982 . . . "A large dead fish will be rotting on the front walk into JFK when we disembark the school bus for our very first day there. Written in fish blood on the concrete: NEWCOMERS DIE." How could I not remember seeing / smelling something like that? Later on that page, "But of course no teacher has seen it yet, and when the first one does - within the hour - the message in fish blood is hosed away, and I'm left to wonder if it was ever there in the first place. Nothing remains but the faint smell of fish." Now I wonder if it really happened.
page 305 - So sad that his mom died so young! Again, he uses words so effectively to memorialize her. "In dying, she allayed my greatest fear - of death. Dying joined shoe tying and coat zipping and bed making on the long list of acts Mom demonstrated for her children, so that we could someday do it for ourselves." This, along with the scene where she substitute teaches at his Catholic school in junior high, are wonderful passages about his mother's impact on his and his siblings' lives.
page 307 - Their last time together (all five siblings) at the house they grew up in . . . I can't believe they emptied the house on their sister's wedding day! Ugh! I'm so glad I didn't grow up with four brothers!
This book is wonderful. I'm glad I read it. I wish I'd known Steve better in high school. He seems like a great guy!
Hennepin County Library hardcover 319 pages
genre: non-fiction memoir
I really enjoyed reading this book! I'm not sure how much I would have enjoyed it had I not also grown up in Bloomington, MN at the same time as Steve Rushin. Recognizing the landmarks and remembering my own experiences enriched the reading. Steve is a fantastic writer, though, and I'm sure much of the humor and coming-of-age would translate to any city and state in the 1970s.
I don't remember much about Steve (we both graduated from Bloomington Kennedy after having been at Lincoln), but I distinctly remember his brother Tom! Older than us by a year, Tom was cruel and nasty (in my teenage eyes) when I encountered him at Lincoln. Reading this book makes me wish I'd known Steve! I saw him as just a "jock" and didn't realize he loved to read, play with words, and write.
page 28 - I had never heard 3M referred to as "Mickey Mouse Mining" before! The nicknames for Normandale - "Harvard on the Hill" and others - I was familiar with, but the 3M nickname was new to me. (His dad worked for 3M.)
page 33 - In 1970, "Dr. James T. Grace, Jr., has confidently asserted that cancer will be a memory by 1979. 'I predict that we can enter the decade of the '80s without the specter of cancer hanging over our people,' Grace says, a statement that everyone can suddenly affirm with the brand-new sentence starter: 'If they can put a man on the moon, surely they can [fill in the blank with your wildest dream].'" This is so true! The optimism about the future was so powerful at that time! (I was a little kid, too, so what did I know?) But the thought that cancer would still be such a major killer more than forty years later? Unthinkable!
page 44 - Oh! This made me laugh out loud! "Tom's Brillo-pad hair likewise won't lend itself to any form of basement taming. By the time Tom is seven, Bernie the Barber, scissors snipping in one hand, will survey his head from every angle and finally grab a handful of hair in exasperation: 'Your hair,' he will announce, 'belongs on a dog's butt.' The statement is no less cruel - and possibly a great deal more cruel - for being true." (At this point, it was just the humorous way he set up the scene about haircuts that made me laugh, not the unkindness toward his brother. Steve really is a talented writer!)
page 47 - "And so, in three of its 1956 models, Chrysler offered the Highway Hi-Fi, an in-car record player that could play specially manufactured 7-inch discs at 16 2/3 rpm . . . " What?! Playing records in a car?! There were so many places where I was amazing at how Steve incorporated his love of reading and information into his personal memoir.
page 60 - The Romper Room part instantly reminded me of how much I believed that she could see the kids watching her on tv! I wanted so much for her to say my name! Again, Rushin includes some very interesting history about the show that I didn't know about before reading this.
page 191 - Oh! The scene when he goes to the hotel with his friend to get Vikings autographs and after two weeks of wishing to connect with Alan Page . . . he is told that Mr. Page does *not* give autographs so *don't* even ask! I love love love how this turned out! His mom letting him wear his ratty "hillbilly" homemade Page jersey . . . and Alan Page noticing! "So - my chicken chest heaving, and on the brink of hyperventilation - I continue to watch as he pauses at the stairs, turns and looks back at the lobby, evidently having forgotten something at the front desk. But he hasn't forgotten anything. No, Alan Page walks directly toward me, takes the BIC from my trembling hand, and signs his name in one grand flourish in my Mead notebook. He smiles and puts his hand on top of my head, as if palming a grapefruit." I love this! But then, Alan Page is one of my personal heroes, too. But not because of football!
page 216 - The scene where the "Creek Freak" confronts his dad on the Fourth of July! Oh my! This, too, is beautifully written! I'm too lazy to include it (or re-type it) here, but what a great way to honor his dad and paint a vivid, powerful picture!
page 249 - ". . . but my year of reading about California will not go to waste. I am powerless to stop my factual exhibitionism." This made me smile! I love that he read voraciously in preparation for the family trip to California and then regaled his family with what he knew about the places they traveled.
page 257 - When they encountered a bidet in a hotel room . . . "Tom is telling on him now. 'John was trying to drink out of the . . . ' The new French word eludes him, and Tom finally says, 'John was trying to drink out of the butt washer!'" Too funny!
page 286 - Mortality and fear . . . When he worries that his own dad might die young, after a friend's dad of the same age dies of a heart attack. This scene makes me so sad for the young Steve (and so impressed that the adult can write about his young fears and struggles in such a personal and deep way).
page 305 - This was weird. I don't even remember anything about the first day of school at Bloomington Kennedy in the fall of 1982 . . . "A large dead fish will be rotting on the front walk into JFK when we disembark the school bus for our very first day there. Written in fish blood on the concrete: NEWCOMERS DIE." How could I not remember seeing / smelling something like that? Later on that page, "But of course no teacher has seen it yet, and when the first one does - within the hour - the message in fish blood is hosed away, and I'm left to wonder if it was ever there in the first place. Nothing remains but the faint smell of fish." Now I wonder if it really happened.
page 305 - So sad that his mom died so young! Again, he uses words so effectively to memorialize her. "In dying, she allayed my greatest fear - of death. Dying joined shoe tying and coat zipping and bed making on the long list of acts Mom demonstrated for her children, so that we could someday do it for ourselves." This, along with the scene where she substitute teaches at his Catholic school in junior high, are wonderful passages about his mother's impact on his and his siblings' lives.
page 307 - Their last time together (all five siblings) at the house they grew up in . . . I can't believe they emptied the house on their sister's wedding day! Ugh! I'm so glad I didn't grow up with four brothers!
This book is wonderful. I'm glad I read it. I wish I'd known Steve better in high school. He seems like a great guy!
Monday, January 22, 2018
Rapture of the Deep
A Bloody Jack adventure
by L.A. Meyer
Scott County Library hardcover 454 pages
genre: YA historical adventure fiction
I liked the skin diving, Jacky's cleverness with retrieving the treasure, Jemimah and her B'rer Rabbit stories, and the taking of the Spanish ship. I'm kind of addicted to these books, the way Jacky can't stop from getting into things!
by L.A. Meyer
Scott County Library hardcover 454 pages
genre: YA historical adventure fiction
I liked the skin diving, Jacky's cleverness with retrieving the treasure, Jemimah and her B'rer Rabbit stories, and the taking of the Spanish ship. I'm kind of addicted to these books, the way Jacky can't stop from getting into things!
Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures
by Kate DiCamillo
Hennepin County Library audiobook, 4 CDs
read by Tara Sands
genre: children's adventure fiction
Although I love DiCamillo, this title just didn't work for me. The reader, Sands, did a fine job with the vocal work. I think it was just too "young" to appeal . . . I try to think of the reader who would love a book. For this one, a smart, imaginative 8-10 year old seems about right.
My reaction as a "reader" was that Flora is an incredible brat. She ignores her mom, is bossy toward her adult neighbor . . . Though her character is developed more fully as the story goes along. This is clearly for younger readers with short chapters and simple sentences (though DiCamillo adds in some challenging vocabulary for those young readers!).
Ah. Her mom is neglectful and unkind; that's why Flora is such a brat toward her.
William Spiver is just plain irritating.
The "Terrible Things Can Happen to You" and the comic books in general were my favorite part.
Hennepin County Library audiobook, 4 CDs
read by Tara Sands
genre: children's adventure fiction
Although I love DiCamillo, this title just didn't work for me. The reader, Sands, did a fine job with the vocal work. I think it was just too "young" to appeal . . . I try to think of the reader who would love a book. For this one, a smart, imaginative 8-10 year old seems about right.
My reaction as a "reader" was that Flora is an incredible brat. She ignores her mom, is bossy toward her adult neighbor . . . Though her character is developed more fully as the story goes along. This is clearly for younger readers with short chapters and simple sentences (though DiCamillo adds in some challenging vocabulary for those young readers!).
Ah. Her mom is neglectful and unkind; that's why Flora is such a brat toward her.
William Spiver is just plain irritating.
The "Terrible Things Can Happen to You" and the comic books in general were my favorite part.
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Ageproof: Living Longer without Running out of Money or Breaking a Hip
by Jean Chatzky, Michael F. Roizen, MD, and Ted Spiker
Scott County Library hardcover 306 pages
genre: non-fiction, self-help, finances, health
I read about this book in the Costco Connection (June 2017) and requested it from the library. The interrelatedness of health and wealth is actually pretty logical - the two intertwine and connect in so many ways. I renewed this book the maximum number of times and thought briefly about buying my own copy. I have many take-aways, but will try to cull out the main ones here.
Their guidelines for a physical fitness AND a financial fitness self-test took me a while to complete . . . until I finally moved on with the intention of going back and completing them. The physical fitness test included fitness (push-ups, curl-ups, mile walk, and "get-up"), perceived stress test, tape test (waist size less than half your height?), grip test (the one that tripped me up - where to find a hand grip meter?), blood pressure, real age test, and professional tests (the battery of tests you get at your annual physical). They also list a bunch of things to talk with your doctor about at that annual appointment.
Fiscal fitness included income level, household expenses, net worth, emergency savings, retirement accounts, credit score, and mirror test. I have lots of notes on paper . . . I'll need to complete the info and put it in my system so I review it at least once per year. I may put it with our budgeting stuff so that Louie and I have conversations about it.
I made a list of "to-do" items. One of the biggies was to automate as much as possible. We already do this with our finances, but not so much with physical good choices. Making substitutions (e.g. veggies instead of chips, a walk instead of time on FB, . . . ) was another big one. Here are some of the other notes I made:
- move more
- use cash
- be aware of stressors, find a healthy response, and practice it
use deep breathing to help calm and focus
I also made a note about some questions to ask and a book to get from the library.
In the last part of the book, the section on your home really resonated for me! I've been working on de-cluttering for most of the last year. I grew up in a packrat household and it can be hard to let go of the excess stuff I've accumulated. These pages are helpful!
Amen! The section below on paper . . . I've made a lot of progress in this area, but can definitely improve.
This passage actually came before the others I've posted. But I like having it as a final thought. Home as sanctuary. Yes!
There are five other pages I took pictures of, but I'm not inspired to include them here now. This book was a pretty good use of my time. A lot of it (especially about a healthy diet and the importance of exercise) was familiar info to me. I liked the book a lot.
Scott County Library hardcover 306 pages
genre: non-fiction, self-help, finances, health
I read about this book in the Costco Connection (June 2017) and requested it from the library. The interrelatedness of health and wealth is actually pretty logical - the two intertwine and connect in so many ways. I renewed this book the maximum number of times and thought briefly about buying my own copy. I have many take-aways, but will try to cull out the main ones here.
Their guidelines for a physical fitness AND a financial fitness self-test took me a while to complete . . . until I finally moved on with the intention of going back and completing them. The physical fitness test included fitness (push-ups, curl-ups, mile walk, and "get-up"), perceived stress test, tape test (waist size less than half your height?), grip test (the one that tripped me up - where to find a hand grip meter?), blood pressure, real age test, and professional tests (the battery of tests you get at your annual physical). They also list a bunch of things to talk with your doctor about at that annual appointment.
Fiscal fitness included income level, household expenses, net worth, emergency savings, retirement accounts, credit score, and mirror test. I have lots of notes on paper . . . I'll need to complete the info and put it in my system so I review it at least once per year. I may put it with our budgeting stuff so that Louie and I have conversations about it.
I made a list of "to-do" items. One of the biggies was to automate as much as possible. We already do this with our finances, but not so much with physical good choices. Making substitutions (e.g. veggies instead of chips, a walk instead of time on FB, . . . ) was another big one. Here are some of the other notes I made:
- move more
- use cash
- be aware of stressors, find a healthy response, and practice it
use deep breathing to help calm and focus
I also made a note about some questions to ask and a book to get from the library.
In the last part of the book, the section on your home really resonated for me! I've been working on de-cluttering for most of the last year. I grew up in a packrat household and it can be hard to let go of the excess stuff I've accumulated. These pages are helpful!
This is a crummy photo, but it perfectly captures the tone of what resonated for me.
There are five other pages I took pictures of, but I'm not inspired to include them here now. This book was a pretty good use of my time. A lot of it (especially about a healthy diet and the importance of exercise) was familiar info to me. I liked the book a lot.
Monday, January 08, 2018
Candy Bomber: The Story of the Berlin Airlift's "Chocolate Pilot"
by Michael O. Tunnell
Hennepin County Library hardcover 104 pages
genre: non-fiction, history
I had never heard of Gail Halvorsen, a pilot who helped with the Berlin supply drops after WWII until Jodi mentioned him to me. This book was wonderful, filled with lots of photographs and sharing the story of this amazing young man! From a casual visit and two sticks of gum, he started a wave of candy donations that blessed the children of Berlin and involved many other pilots, donors, candy companies, etc. The drawings and letters from children are so heartfelt and moving!
Page 67 - "It took me a week to eat that candy bar. I hid it day and night. The chocolate was wonderful, but it wasn't the chocolate that was most important. What it meant was that someone in America cared. That parachute was something more important than candy. It represented hope. Hope that someday we would be free. Without hope the soul dies."
Page 93 - Years later, he helped with similar drops to children in Kosovo. "They had hope because of people in America who . . . knew they were in trouble and promised to stand by them. Hope is still the name of the game."
I love the references to hope. Such a powerful thing it is! This was an amazing true story and I'm glad I read it! Kudos to Halvorsen for sharing his photographs and letters so freely.
Hennepin County Library hardcover 104 pages
genre: non-fiction, history
I had never heard of Gail Halvorsen, a pilot who helped with the Berlin supply drops after WWII until Jodi mentioned him to me. This book was wonderful, filled with lots of photographs and sharing the story of this amazing young man! From a casual visit and two sticks of gum, he started a wave of candy donations that blessed the children of Berlin and involved many other pilots, donors, candy companies, etc. The drawings and letters from children are so heartfelt and moving!
Page 67 - "It took me a week to eat that candy bar. I hid it day and night. The chocolate was wonderful, but it wasn't the chocolate that was most important. What it meant was that someone in America cared. That parachute was something more important than candy. It represented hope. Hope that someday we would be free. Without hope the soul dies."
Page 93 - Years later, he helped with similar drops to children in Kosovo. "They had hope because of people in America who . . . knew they were in trouble and promised to stand by them. Hope is still the name of the game."
I love the references to hope. Such a powerful thing it is! This was an amazing true story and I'm glad I read it! Kudos to Halvorsen for sharing his photographs and letters so freely.
My Bonny Light Horseman
by L.A. Meyer
Hennepin County Library paperback 436 pages
genre: YA historical adventure
I love these Bloody Jack books! In this one, she goes from happily running marble and molasses on the East Coast / Caribbean to being prisoner, spy, and messenger. I loved how she shaped up the French farm boys to be a fighting unit.
I added a post-it note on one page. I'm not sure why this resonated so strongly, but it was interesting to see how her hatred for Bonaparte as Britain's enemy turned to respect when she was in the midst of the French army.
"As I look down my ranks, I see that my own is not the only wet eye here. I know that they love him, no question, and I know why. He has raised up worthy soldiers from the ranks and made them generals. He has set up schools for all children, rich or poor, all across his land - I have found that all of my men, well, at least the young ones born after the Revolution, can read and write. He has built roads and visited factories and shaken hands with common workers."
If this is true about Bonaparte, it raises interesting questions about him as a leader. What did he do that was so bad? What did he do that was good? I think most leaders leave a mixed legacy . . .
I cried at the scene in the army medical tent, but don't want to leave spoilers here. This was a delightful book, and I'm ready to get the next one!
Hennepin County Library paperback 436 pages
genre: YA historical adventure
I love these Bloody Jack books! In this one, she goes from happily running marble and molasses on the East Coast / Caribbean to being prisoner, spy, and messenger. I loved how she shaped up the French farm boys to be a fighting unit.
I added a post-it note on one page. I'm not sure why this resonated so strongly, but it was interesting to see how her hatred for Bonaparte as Britain's enemy turned to respect when she was in the midst of the French army.
"As I look down my ranks, I see that my own is not the only wet eye here. I know that they love him, no question, and I know why. He has raised up worthy soldiers from the ranks and made them generals. He has set up schools for all children, rich or poor, all across his land - I have found that all of my men, well, at least the young ones born after the Revolution, can read and write. He has built roads and visited factories and shaken hands with common workers."
If this is true about Bonaparte, it raises interesting questions about him as a leader. What did he do that was so bad? What did he do that was good? I think most leaders leave a mixed legacy . . .
I cried at the scene in the army medical tent, but don't want to leave spoilers here. This was a delightful book, and I'm ready to get the next one!
Gulliver's Travels: or Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships
by Jonathan Swift
Hennepin County Library audiobook 10 CDs
read by Pamela Garelick
genre: adventure, satire, . . .
I confess . . . I only listened to the first section (out of four). The Lilliputians story made me wonder if I've ever read the full book before, or only abridged and comic strip versions. There was so much more detail than I remember! One thing I thought was "How on earth could the Lilliputians get enough food and water for him? And *why* would they bother?!" That question was addressed (at least the "how" part) later in the story. The logistics of his time in Lilliput were too bizarre for me to contemplate.
I jotted a note "what is it that Swift is satirizing?" Some of it was obvious - the machinations of court and the illogical decrees on things like breaking eggs on the small end vs. the big end. But some of it I'd have to do research to figure out what was going on at that time in history to learn how Swift was mocking it. He was such a clever writer!
I'm not sure why I'm okay with returning it to the library without "reading" the rest of it. It's just not what I want to read right now.
Hennepin County Library audiobook 10 CDs
read by Pamela Garelick
genre: adventure, satire, . . .
I confess . . . I only listened to the first section (out of four). The Lilliputians story made me wonder if I've ever read the full book before, or only abridged and comic strip versions. There was so much more detail than I remember! One thing I thought was "How on earth could the Lilliputians get enough food and water for him? And *why* would they bother?!" That question was addressed (at least the "how" part) later in the story. The logistics of his time in Lilliput were too bizarre for me to contemplate.
I jotted a note "what is it that Swift is satirizing?" Some of it was obvious - the machinations of court and the illogical decrees on things like breaking eggs on the small end vs. the big end. But some of it I'd have to do research to figure out what was going on at that time in history to learn how Swift was mocking it. He was such a clever writer!
I'm not sure why I'm okay with returning it to the library without "reading" the rest of it. It's just not what I want to read right now.
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Being with Henry
by Martha Brooks
PRMS discard, hardcover 216 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction
Laker Wyatt (cool name) is kicked out by his stepfather and mother. He lives homeless for a while, then is taken in by octogenarian Henry, who has recently become a widower. There were parts of this story I liked a lot, but overall it wasn't a strong story. It's heading to a Better World Books donation bin.
PRMS discard, hardcover 216 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction
Laker Wyatt (cool name) is kicked out by his stepfather and mother. He lives homeless for a while, then is taken in by octogenarian Henry, who has recently become a widower. There were parts of this story I liked a lot, but overall it wasn't a strong story. It's heading to a Better World Books donation bin.
Christmas Stories - Children's books with Christ-centered message (various titles)
My pastor asked me to read a children's book for church this Sunday. (Last year, I read Patricia Polacco's Christmas Tapestry, though I summarized some parts so it didn't last over a half hour!) I got the first four books below at the Hennepin County Library but wasn't super excited by any of them. Then I visited the Savage branch of the Scott County Library yesterday and found the last two. Here are my thoughts.
Birthday Party for Jesus by Susan Jones, illustrated by Lee Holland
A bunch of woodland animals are planning a birthday party for Jesus and Little Bunny wonders what he should bring. Toys? Candy? Games? Then he sees that the other animals have wrapped gifts with tags like peace, faith, mercy, kindness, etc. Aha! Now he knows what to bring for Jesus' birthday. Cute art, simple story, great for a younger (preschool) audience.
The Friendly Beasts: An Old English Christmas Carol illustrated by Anna Vojtech
I didn't listen to the CD included (narration and songs by Rebecca St. James), but this is a lovely little story from the animals' points of view. It is simple, with rhyming text and lovely illustrations.
Who Built the Stable? by Ashley Bryan
Gorgeous, vibrant illustrations make this my favorite visually. The simple text rhymes and is very kid-friendly. My favorite two-page spread: "Was Jesus born in Italy, Russia, Spain, Japan? / No! He was born in Bethlehem, a rich and verdant land." (Not that kiddos will know what "verdant" means . . . but I like it!)
Grace at Christmas by Mary Hoffman, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu
This one didn't have a super-strong message, but I liked it all the same. Grace likes Christmas with just her, her mother, and her Nana. But this year, some stranded travelers will join them. Grace doesn't want to share her home and traditions with them, but she learns to open her heart and show compassion. It's a beautiful story, but the acting-out of the nativity scene (and the sharing message) weren't explicit enough for what I wanted to share.
Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
I liked this one, but even the thought of cute little storybook mice make me think of the actual rodents . . . which I do NOT like (or their poops, which they leave everywhere). Mortimer wants a cozier place to stay than his hole in the wall. He finds it, but has to lug and tug some "statues" out of the way first. Every evening, he removes them and curls up in the hay (in the manger) and each day someone puts them back. Then he hears the dad share the Bible story of Jesus' birth. Mortimer is sad, but realizes that the manger is for Jesus, not him. But joy! Someone has put out a gingerbread house - perfect for Mortimer!
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski, illustrated by P.J. Lynch
This is the one I'm reading this year! Toomey has been nicknamed "Gloomy" by the town's children. He's always grumpy, taciturn, stooped . . . even though he's an amazing wood carver. His past unfolds as he works on a project . . . it's so beautiful! I can read it with good pacing in under 18 minutes, but I have to work on reading it without crying. Perfect!
Birthday Party for Jesus by Susan Jones, illustrated by Lee Holland
A bunch of woodland animals are planning a birthday party for Jesus and Little Bunny wonders what he should bring. Toys? Candy? Games? Then he sees that the other animals have wrapped gifts with tags like peace, faith, mercy, kindness, etc. Aha! Now he knows what to bring for Jesus' birthday. Cute art, simple story, great for a younger (preschool) audience.
The Friendly Beasts: An Old English Christmas Carol illustrated by Anna Vojtech
I didn't listen to the CD included (narration and songs by Rebecca St. James), but this is a lovely little story from the animals' points of view. It is simple, with rhyming text and lovely illustrations.
Who Built the Stable? by Ashley Bryan
Gorgeous, vibrant illustrations make this my favorite visually. The simple text rhymes and is very kid-friendly. My favorite two-page spread: "Was Jesus born in Italy, Russia, Spain, Japan? / No! He was born in Bethlehem, a rich and verdant land." (Not that kiddos will know what "verdant" means . . . but I like it!)
Grace at Christmas by Mary Hoffman, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu
This one didn't have a super-strong message, but I liked it all the same. Grace likes Christmas with just her, her mother, and her Nana. But this year, some stranded travelers will join them. Grace doesn't want to share her home and traditions with them, but she learns to open her heart and show compassion. It's a beautiful story, but the acting-out of the nativity scene (and the sharing message) weren't explicit enough for what I wanted to share.
Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
I liked this one, but even the thought of cute little storybook mice make me think of the actual rodents . . . which I do NOT like (or their poops, which they leave everywhere). Mortimer wants a cozier place to stay than his hole in the wall. He finds it, but has to lug and tug some "statues" out of the way first. Every evening, he removes them and curls up in the hay (in the manger) and each day someone puts them back. Then he hears the dad share the Bible story of Jesus' birth. Mortimer is sad, but realizes that the manger is for Jesus, not him. But joy! Someone has put out a gingerbread house - perfect for Mortimer!
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski, illustrated by P.J. Lynch
This is the one I'm reading this year! Toomey has been nicknamed "Gloomy" by the town's children. He's always grumpy, taciturn, stooped . . . even though he's an amazing wood carver. His past unfolds as he works on a project . . . it's so beautiful! I can read it with good pacing in under 18 minutes, but I have to work on reading it without crying. Perfect!
Friday, December 22, 2017
It's Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired, and Get Going!
by Chelsea Clinton
Hennepin County Library audiobook 8 CDs
read by the author
genre: non-fiction, activism
I only listened to two of the CDs. I think I would enjoy the print version better, though Clinton's voice is pleasant. The non-Clinton voice that said the section headings seemed disconcerting and robotic . . . and at times, Clinton's voice took on an almost hypnotic quality.
That said, the content is good. I found the story about her grandma Dorothy (Hilary's mom) fascinating! What a heritage. Clinton is at her best when she talks about her own childhood and experiences.
Her target audience is children and youth. At times, she addresses kids directly or explains complex topics (like GDP) very well. At other times, she doesn't seem to be aware of children's limited grasp of serious topics. She addresses poverty and its causes, homelessness, etc. Perhaps I'm just not in a receptive mood for this info right now. In one section alone, I jotted notes on Read to Feed, Heifer International, Barefoot College, KIVA, three water charities, and Care . . . so perhaps my decision to not finish the book was simply that I felt overwhelmed by the options for helping.
I hope that kids listen and are inspired to help others and make a positive difference in the world. As an adult, I find that having a few causes (or only one!) that you're passionate about makes it easier to focus time, attention, and money in a way that can make a difference. Kudos to Clinton for working to inspire kids to make a difference. I also like that she introduces a topic, explains the different perspectives, and encourages her readers / listeners to make up their own minds about it. What an incredible young woman!
Hennepin County Library audiobook 8 CDs
read by the author
genre: non-fiction, activism
I only listened to two of the CDs. I think I would enjoy the print version better, though Clinton's voice is pleasant. The non-Clinton voice that said the section headings seemed disconcerting and robotic . . . and at times, Clinton's voice took on an almost hypnotic quality.
That said, the content is good. I found the story about her grandma Dorothy (Hilary's mom) fascinating! What a heritage. Clinton is at her best when she talks about her own childhood and experiences.
Her target audience is children and youth. At times, she addresses kids directly or explains complex topics (like GDP) very well. At other times, she doesn't seem to be aware of children's limited grasp of serious topics. She addresses poverty and its causes, homelessness, etc. Perhaps I'm just not in a receptive mood for this info right now. In one section alone, I jotted notes on Read to Feed, Heifer International, Barefoot College, KIVA, three water charities, and Care . . . so perhaps my decision to not finish the book was simply that I felt overwhelmed by the options for helping.
I hope that kids listen and are inspired to help others and make a positive difference in the world. As an adult, I find that having a few causes (or only one!) that you're passionate about makes it easier to focus time, attention, and money in a way that can make a difference. Kudos to Clinton for working to inspire kids to make a difference. I also like that she introduces a topic, explains the different perspectives, and encourages her readers / listeners to make up their own minds about it. What an incredible young woman!
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
The Twelve Dogs of Christmas
by David Rosenfelt
Hennepin County Library audiobook 5 CDs
read by Grover Gardner
genre: realistic murder mystery
Andy Carpenter, Tillman, Caffey, Big Tiny, "Pups" and others made this an interesting story about a dying woman, a murder trial, and big money. I was a bit confused about the senator from South Dakota and the blackmailing, but it all came together.
I'm not a huge fan of courtroom dramas, but there was enough other stuff to make it work. Carpenter is a defense attorney who is working for Martha Boyer, aka "Pups" in a triple murder trial. It's fun to see him follow hunches and unravel what's really going on. I liked the Jewish elderly people who helped him with some computer hacking. I also liked gang leader Big Tiny . . . though he's a thug in his own right.
I enjoyed it, but won't seek out other books by this author. There are so many other things I like so much more.
Hennepin County Library audiobook 5 CDs
read by Grover Gardner
genre: realistic murder mystery
Andy Carpenter, Tillman, Caffey, Big Tiny, "Pups" and others made this an interesting story about a dying woman, a murder trial, and big money. I was a bit confused about the senator from South Dakota and the blackmailing, but it all came together.
I'm not a huge fan of courtroom dramas, but there was enough other stuff to make it work. Carpenter is a defense attorney who is working for Martha Boyer, aka "Pups" in a triple murder trial. It's fun to see him follow hunches and unravel what's really going on. I liked the Jewish elderly people who helped him with some computer hacking. I also liked gang leader Big Tiny . . . though he's a thug in his own right.
I enjoyed it, but won't seek out other books by this author. There are so many other things I like so much more.
Compelled by Love: How to Change the World Through the Simple Power of Love in Action
by Heidi Baker with Shara Pradhan
loaned by Kelly Harvey (via New Day Church), paperback, 151 pages
genre: non-fiction Christian missions
This book blew me away! I have put it in my Amazon cart, because I'd love to own it and read it again. Baker came from a life of privilege, but fell in love with Jesus and has worked as a missionary in several countries. Mozambique is her "home" and favorite place in the world. She is inspired by Mother Teresa and writes about the Beatitudes in this book. Chapters are "Blessed are the Poor in Spirit," "Blessed are Those who Mourn," etc.
page 34: "I did not yet realize that the Sermon on the Mount is God's formula for revival. The Beatitudes are His recipe for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on the earth as it is in heaven." God is so good! He gives us what we need in His Word.
page 35: "Some of you may think ministry is a grand adventure. Ministry, however, is simply about loving the person in front of you." Sometimes we make things more complex than they need to be.
page 88: "These children are my delight as they hunger for more of Jesus. They are my mentors, and they have helped to teach me not to be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion. Sometimes we make things too complicated when we really need to remember that the kingdom belongs to the children!" I love the stories she includes about children who are transformed by God's love. Those individual children have incredible personal testimonies.
page 114 - I had to include the entire page here because so much of it resonated with me. "In trials and tribulations, our enemy will use every possible device to try to get us to focus on the problem." Yep, that's been an issue for me lately. Listening to Satan is *not* a good idea.
page 147: "Ministers should be the most joyful, in-love people on the planet. It is not a competition in misery." This would make for an interesting discussion at a pastors' meeting, yes?
loaned by Kelly Harvey (via New Day Church), paperback, 151 pages
genre: non-fiction Christian missions
This book blew me away! I have put it in my Amazon cart, because I'd love to own it and read it again. Baker came from a life of privilege, but fell in love with Jesus and has worked as a missionary in several countries. Mozambique is her "home" and favorite place in the world. She is inspired by Mother Teresa and writes about the Beatitudes in this book. Chapters are "Blessed are the Poor in Spirit," "Blessed are Those who Mourn," etc.
page 34: "I did not yet realize that the Sermon on the Mount is God's formula for revival. The Beatitudes are His recipe for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on the earth as it is in heaven." God is so good! He gives us what we need in His Word.
page 35: "Some of you may think ministry is a grand adventure. Ministry, however, is simply about loving the person in front of you." Sometimes we make things more complex than they need to be.
page 88: "These children are my delight as they hunger for more of Jesus. They are my mentors, and they have helped to teach me not to be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion. Sometimes we make things too complicated when we really need to remember that the kingdom belongs to the children!" I love the stories she includes about children who are transformed by God's love. Those individual children have incredible personal testimonies.
page 114 - I had to include the entire page here because so much of it resonated with me. "In trials and tribulations, our enemy will use every possible device to try to get us to focus on the problem." Yep, that's been an issue for me lately. Listening to Satan is *not* a good idea.
page 147: "Ministers should be the most joyful, in-love people on the planet. It is not a competition in misery." This would make for an interesting discussion at a pastors' meeting, yes?
Saturday, December 16, 2017
MIssissippi Jack
a Bloody Jack adventure
by L.A. Meyer
Hennepin County Library hardcover 611 pages
genre: YA historical adventure fiction
I'm enjoying these books a bit too much . . . though this one had a couple of places where I had to put it down and walk away. (The ambush on the river when Jacky was bathing . . . )
I marked page 202. Jaimy is frustrated with the American wilderness (in the early 1800s) and writes to Jacky "I have been massaging my swollen jaw and amusing myself by thinking up variations on USA. How about Ubiquitous Swine devoted to Anarchy? No? Then how's this: Unwashed Savages of Abysmal ignorance? I find myself longing for a civilized drawing room in London." It just made me laugh.
Jacky's raucous behavior doesn't overshadow her kind heart. She's a fun protagonist and this adventure is filled with many colorful characters as she travels west, then south on the rivers, in pursuit of Jaimy and safety. (More and more people want to kill her as her adventures go along.)
Riverboat, show boat, Mike Fink, Indians (even Tecumseh!), slavers, . . . this book was crammed full of characters and action.
by L.A. Meyer
Hennepin County Library hardcover 611 pages
genre: YA historical adventure fiction
I'm enjoying these books a bit too much . . . though this one had a couple of places where I had to put it down and walk away. (The ambush on the river when Jacky was bathing . . . )
I marked page 202. Jaimy is frustrated with the American wilderness (in the early 1800s) and writes to Jacky "I have been massaging my swollen jaw and amusing myself by thinking up variations on USA. How about Ubiquitous Swine devoted to Anarchy? No? Then how's this: Unwashed Savages of Abysmal ignorance? I find myself longing for a civilized drawing room in London." It just made me laugh.
Jacky's raucous behavior doesn't overshadow her kind heart. She's a fun protagonist and this adventure is filled with many colorful characters as she travels west, then south on the rivers, in pursuit of Jaimy and safety. (More and more people want to kill her as her adventures go along.)
Riverboat, show boat, Mike Fink, Indians (even Tecumseh!), slavers, . . . this book was crammed full of characters and action.
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