tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33658377573888426722024-03-13T16:01:41.878-04:00New BeginningsLoving and Living Life After RetirementGammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-3729467532253841322018-03-07T12:21:00.000-05:002018-03-07T12:25:08.407-05:00Reading Goals 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: x-large;">Update: February</span><br />
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This month I chose from my reading goal list: <b>a book whose setting is in a bookshop or library.</b><br />
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<i>The Library at the Edge of the World </i>by Felicity Hayes-McCoy was a perfectly cozy read for February. It was heartwarming to read about the struggles of librarian Hannah Casey, who plots and strategizes to save the library from the clutches of self-serving local politicians and greedy land developers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">image from Google</span></td></tr>
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Hannah has returned home to her mother Mary after a disastrous marriage and has found safety and comfort managing the Lissbeg Library. Besides functioning as chief librarian in the brick and mortar library, Hannah rambles around the fictional Finfarran Peninsula of Ireland (<i><b>oooohhh just love that country</b></i>) as she delivers books in the mobile library van to the far-flung citizens. The scenery is lovely. It's Ireland for goodness's sake! The plot even features an old thatched cottage, complete with peat-burning fireplace set right on the edge of the ocean....<i>just yummy</i>. Let the dreaming begin.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">personal photos from 2002 family trip to Cork and Ring of Kerry</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I</span><span style="font-size: small;">n addition to the Gaelic setting, part of the book's charm is the many quaint characters that populate the peninsula, including an irascible builder (aptly named Mr. Fury), an equally stubborn nun, and a fledgling librarian who gently tries to push Hannah into the technology era. Does Hannah's bruised and battered heart have the strength left to fight the political machine that threatens to destroy the tenuous new life she is making for herself? Can she adapt to even more changes in her life and embrace the techno age? Or will she discover it is easier to concede in the face of superior foes? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I empathized at times with Hannah and felt her fears. It is not too far fetched to envision a time when books are no more, replaced with digital files and fancy e-readers. It is not too unrealistic to think her role as a librarian could become obsolete. This is just one of the many things I pondered as I read <i>The Library at the Edge of the World. </i>I'd love to know what thoughts it made you think about.</span></div>
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HAPPY READING!Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-21146820901087589312018-02-09T17:09:00.001-05:002018-02-09T17:09:37.135-05:00Book Club : February Notes<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">An <i>Extraordinary</i> Beginning</span><br />
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Our newly reorganized book club held its first meeting on February 7th. And our first book of the year was very strange indeed: <i>The Museum of Extraordinary Things</i> by Alice Hoffman.<br />
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The novel is set in Brooklyn around 1911. In addition to other sites, much of the action takes place at the Museum of Extraordinary Things located on Coney Island where freaks of Nature, human and otherwise, were put on display by Coralie's father for the entertainment of the public (and of course for the purpose of filling his bank account). </div>
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We all agreed we enjoyed the book. Each of us was able to find among the oddities populating the pages, something we really loved. Here is a quick bulleted list of some of the things we liked about the book:</div>
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<li>the beautiful use of language by the author, Alice Hoffman - her descriptions were detailed and sensative</li>
<li>the book's historical references were fascinating and led some to do further research on the Shirtwaist Factory fire and the great 1911 fire at Dreamland located across the way from the Museum of the novel</li>
<li>learning that not so very long ago, NYC was not such a concrete jungle - one could actually find wooded unsettled areas and even fish and swim in the Hudson River</li>
<li>the stories of immigrants when they arrived penniless to NYC- their struggles but especially the strength of spirit, the pride, the tenacity of these people</li>
<li>the clever twists in the plot, especially the surprises and connections between characters that were revealed along the way</li>
<li>the view into a world not many of us know - that of people living with abnormalities and how they struggle to live a normal life</li>
<li>the strangeness of it all </li>
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The book provoked a good discussion... then it was on to"What should we read next?"<br />
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We came up with the following potential reads for the March meeting:<br />
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<i>A Tree Grows in Brooklyn</i> by Betty Smith<br />
<i>A Gentleman in Moscow</i> by Amor Towles<br />
<i>Allie and Bea </i>by Cathering Ryan Hyde<br />
<i>Before We Were Yours</i> by Lisa Wingate<br />
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As is our routine, we went home, looked at reviews and voted on our FB groupsite.<br />
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Our March read will be <i>A Gentleman in Moscow.</i>..though I'm sure some of us will read several of the other choices on our own as well!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image from Google</td></tr>
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Hope you are enjoying some great winter reads. I'd love to hear what you are reading...use comment section to share.</div>
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Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-58911758194522451132018-01-30T11:00:00.000-05:002018-01-30T11:01:50.071-05:002018 Reading Goals<h2>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Update: January</span></h2>
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I set out at the beginning of the year, to read twelve types of books in 2018. This month I decided to start by reading a book that has won a prize for excellence.<br />
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A while back Amazon was offering a great deal on a YA book that had won acclaim, and I downloaded it onto my Kindle. It has sat in my Kindle library for quite a while. In scanning my library, I noticed <i>One Crazy Summer </i>by Rita Williams Garcia, had won five literary awards: A Newbery Honor Book, Scott O'Delll Award for Historical Fiction, Coretta Scott King Award, ALA Best Fiction For Young Adults and a National Book Award Finalist - a perfect pick for award-winning book.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image from Amazon</td></tr>
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<i>One Crazy Summer</i> is actually the first in a series of three books about the Gaither sisters: Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern. Delphine, the eldest sister, is the narrator and a very responsible one at that. In true big sister fashion, she takes charge of her siblings as they travel from Brooklyn to Oakland, California to visit their mother who left them soon after Fern, the youngest Gaither sister, was born. Neither Vonetta nor Fern have any memory of their mother, and they have hopes of a tender reunion and visits to glamorous places like Disneyland. Upon arrival they are quickly awoken to reality. Their mother did not ask to have them visit and is anything but welcoming. She shoves them daily out the door to fend for themselves at a Black Panther Day Camp for kids. The year is 1968.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from Google</td></tr>
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FLASHBACK! I soon found myself thinking back to my high school and college days- the age of protests and sit-ins. Back then the Black Panther Party was a scary thing to me. I'm ashamed to admit, I do not know a great deal about it, other than it was not the peaceful Civil Rights movement of Martin Luther King. But <i>One Crazy Summer</i> led me to learn a little more about it's co-founder Huey Newton and some of the workings of the movement. The historical perspective of this book alone is worth the reading, but the endearing Gaither sisters, especially Delphine, make the reading delightful.<br />
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Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-20884120995744591832018-01-10T10:05:00.002-05:002018-01-10T10:05:24.916-05:00Time To Step It Up<h2>
<span style="color: purple;">Stepping Forward</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm not one for making New Year's resolutions. In fact, I gave up on that practice a long time ago. I never kept my resolutions, and who wants to feel like a failure all the time?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, I do like setting goals and trying to achieve them, because then, even if you don't reach your goals, there is progress forward in trying to achieve them. Giving yourself a goal line to shoot for gives your life direction and purpose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, in that spirit, I am setting a goal for myself. Just one. To walk 10,000 steps a day. Years ago, my doctor started a side business on this very principal. Apparently, science discovered that you don't really need an expensive gym membership to get fit. All you really need is what God gave you...your two feet! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was inspired initially when my doctor mentioned this simple fact, but my enthusiasm soon waned when I discovered I didn't walk anything close to 10,000 steps a day. I was still working (at a sedentary job) and was too tired to do much else. Using that lame excuse, my step-counting days soon fell by the wayside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now as I <span style="color: red;">SIT</span> here in retirement, watching my body implode (<i>aging really SUCKS</i>) I feel like it's time (Biggest Understatement Ever) to take charge. Set a goal. Do something. That something will be to walk, and walk, and walk. <i>(Please dear knees don't let me down yet). </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've dug out my Fitbit, charged it up, and strapped it on. I've written this post, to hold myself accountable. Wish me luck. I'll keep you posted on my progress.</span><br />
<br />Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-24371137296074304052017-12-30T10:35:00.001-05:002017-12-30T10:35:38.865-05:00Reading Goals for 2018<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Reading Goals For 2018</span></h2>
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Last year my goal for reading was very general: <i>read more than the year before</i>.<br />
I barely accomplished this. I read 41 books in 2017, which was only two books more than the year before.<br />
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In 2018, I want to be more specific with my reading goals. Not only do I want to increase the number of books I read by at least 1, but I would also like to read specifically and with purpose. So here is a list of the types of books I am going to attempt to read. Maybe you would like to follow along?<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Here is my list (to be read in no particular order):</b></span><br />
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<li>A book published in 2018</li>
<li>A book that is considered a classic that I have not read</li>
<li>A non-fiction book about an American historical figure</li>
<li>A book for spiritual enlightenment</li>
<li>A play by William Shakespeare that I have not yet read</li>
<li>A book by a British author</li>
<li>A book that has won a prize for excellence</li>
<li>A book of poetry</li>
<li>A mystery by Louise Penny</li>
<li>A book set in a bookshop/library</li>
<li>A book that is hot on the YA reading list</li>
<li>A book published the year I was born</li>
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There are twelve categories. I plan to tackle one a month. I will keep you posted about what I've chosen and review the book. </div>
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I think I will start by browsing my own home library and making some selections from books I have not yet read. That way, I can begin one of my other New Year's resolutions - be more financially responsible!</div>
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I hope you make your own reading resolutions for 2018. Use some, or all of my categories, if you like. I'd love to hear from you, and what you are reading. <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Whatever your goals, whatever your choices - Enjoy a wonderful year of reading!</i></span></div>
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Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-58207105932243538052017-12-27T09:24:00.000-05:002017-12-27T09:24:09.166-05:00Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow<h2>
<span style="color: red;">You're Gonna Win The Snow Globe Award!</span></h2>
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Here's to my hometown...Erie PA!!! You are famous yet again. Yes, you have wonderful people. Yes, you have a beautiful Great Lake with a beautiful recreational peninsula which draws thousands every summer. But what you are best at is SNOW!!!!!</div>
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This holiday is one for the record books as you all know as you look out your windows dreading the moment you have to once again shovel out. The average snowfall for Erie, in a year, is 101 inches and Erieland has received more than that just in the month of December...and most of that has fallen since Christmas Day. I remember when I was five we had a record breaking snow like this...it was such fun as a kid. I know it is a beautiful winter wonderland right now, so try to enjoy the beautiful sight, grab a blankie and a hot cup of cocoa and wait it out.</div>
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Scenes from 1956 Erie Blizzard</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A neighboring house. Can you see the hood of the car in foreground?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-5y2t6_QEk/WkOqbldxttI/AAAAAAAABuY/EDiRi5jzz3ArF_JgeUWul69ojVpzLBl_gCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-5y2t6_QEk/WkOqbldxttI/AAAAAAAABuY/EDiRi5jzz3ArF_JgeUWul69ojVpzLBl_gCLcBGAs/s400/FullSizeRender%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our street. That large truck is the National Guard to the rescue!!</td></tr>
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Meanwhile, enjoy this little poem I wrote a while back not knowing a record-breaker was on its way to you. Sending love a good wishes to all of my family and friends back home in Erie. Miss you!</div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-960818ff-983a-debe-f8e9-e8df12b37d7f"><h4 style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Lake Effect Snow Sonnet</span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">You who do not live on a lake</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Will never understand snow.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">You may have seen a soft white flake,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">But you can’t begin to know,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The blinding white that will not stop,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The drifts that pile miles high,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Cars that lie covered to the top,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The roads one can’t get by.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">This snow topples lines and trees,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">It can even crush a roof.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Plows give up and let things freeze.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Do you need any more proof?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">This snow’s a snow that will leave you wheezing.</span></div>
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Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-42475181250350200262017-12-14T19:38:00.000-05:002017-12-14T19:38:08.264-05:00Regarding Reading<h2>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">What To Do On Cold Wintry Days</span></h2>
There is something about winter that makes the reader in me content. When the thermometer dips below freezing (heck even when it goes below 45 degrees) I long to stay indoors and find my fun with a book, a blanket and a mug of rich coffee. Reading seldom fails to lift my spirits, even when the skies are so gray and the trees so bare you feel like you just want to hide until spring.<br />
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Stephen King once wrote:<i> Books are a uniquely portable magic</i>. I couldn't agree more. Within the pages of a book, I can live for awhile in a place I've only imagined, ( a family-owned vineyard in California, for example as in <i>Eight Hundred Grapes </i>by Laura Dave) or be the person I often wished to be, ( a confident, enthusiastic, motivating writer such as Claire Cook in her self-improvement book <i>Never Too Late: Your Roadmap to Reinvention</i>), or lead a life I've only dreamed about ( as Sara does when she opens a bookstore and introduces a community to the joys of reading in <i>The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend </i>by Katarina Bivald) .<br />
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So during these next few wintry months...Indulge. Go places. Try on new identities. Live a dream or two. Browse your bookshelves, download a new title on your Kindle, run to the library if you dare; but for goodness sake...get a book and cuddle up.<br />
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Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-61042978577908524632017-12-05T11:06:00.000-05:002017-12-05T11:10:53.299-05:00Book Club Survives and Thrives<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Book Club Year-End Review</span><br />
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The Maple Glen Book Club, my neighborhood group, has survived another year of reading and discussion. This may sound trivial, but I know that many book clubs do not last for very long. Our group is well into its second year and membership has grown rather than diminished!<br />
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In fact, I think having a neighborhood book club has helped us to understand our neighbors better and to feel more a part of the community. One of the new members was new to the neighborhood, so the book club was a good way for her to meet new people and network with others about the community. Another member, moved to a different neighborhood but continued attending our book club. It provided her with a way to stay connected to a place she had lived in for decades. What a nice feeling it is to see the book club help people navigate life changes.<br />
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The year wasn't without its struggles! The most difficult thing for us is to choose a book we all want to read. After several depressing reads that provoked tons of moaning and groaning, we decided we needed to come up with a few new parameters for choosing books.<br />
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The culprits that created our turmoil:<br />
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<b>January's Choice</b> - <i>Homegoing</i> by Yaa Gyasi<br />
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This story of generations of Africans sweeps through 300 years of struggle from Ghana to America. Though beginning chapters were detailed and well researched, we found latter parts very thin and at times relying on stereotypes.<br />
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<b>February's Choice </b>- <i>They May Not Mean To But They Do</i> by Cathleen Schine<br />
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The group chose this book because it was touted as funny and full of family antics. Ha! It was so depressing to see the suffering and loneliness of aging parents. We found nothing to laugh about.<br />
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<b>March's Choice</b> - <i>Commonwealth</i> by Ann Patchett<br />
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Again this book came with great reviews but our group found this tale of two families blended by divorce even more depressing than Schine's book. Replete with adultery and borderline child neglect, we just couldn't see why the reviews were so glowing.<br />
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<b>April's Choice </b>-<i> Emma </i>by Jane Austen<br />
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So, in desperation we decided to do a classic. Bomb big time! However, there were maybe a couple members (I mean me) who enjoyed the book. To make up to the group for forcing <i>Emma</i> on them, we discussed the book over an English tea compete with lavender bread, scones (with jams and clotted cream) and of course two types of perfectly brewed tea. My hubby graciously played butler and served our tea hot from the pot.<br />
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<b>May's Choice</b> - any book by self-help author Andrew Mathews<br />
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As I look back on our choices this one seems kind of prophetic. Were we searching for help? Many in the group chose the title <i>Being Happy</i>. Well... all I can say is we hadn't found yet how to be happy with our selections.<br />
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<b>June's Choice </b>- <i>Crimes Against the Book Club</i> by Kathy Cooperman<br />
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You just have to love our Freudian choice!!! I think we chose this in a desperate, sarcastic attempt to save the group from mass suicide. But this was a turning point for our selection process. It marked the one-year anniversary of the organization of our group, so we took the occasion to re-visit ways to improve book selection. This is what we came up with:<br />
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<li>no self-help books</li>
<li>nothing political in nature</li>
<li>no misery porn</li>
<li>no celebrity autobiographies </li>
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Additionally, we came up with a new way of selecting the next book. We would decide on four titles as a group. Then we would vote for our favorite on our group Facebook page, assigning a 4 for our favorite choice, down to a 1 for our least favorite choice. Points would be tallied and the title with the most points would be our next read. This gave everyone a chance to look at summaries and reviews and decide which one they liked best. Plus, there was no peer pressure applied because you didn't have to vote with the whole group sitting in front of you. This seemed to work quite well...most of the group enjoyed the remaining reads for the year.<br />
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<b>July's Choice</b> - <i>Station Eleven</i> by Emily St. John Mandel<br />
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An apocalyptic sci-fi novel.<br />
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<b>August's Choice </b>- <i>Lilac Girls</i> by Martha Hall Kelly<br />
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An historical novel set in WW II, that follows the story of three women ( a socialite in America drumming up support for war victims in France, a Polish concentration camp prisoner who endured medical experiments, and a German doctor who conducted those experiments).<br />
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<b>September's Choice</b>- <i>To Kill a Mockingbird</i> by Harper Lee<br />
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Lot's of great discussion about this classic<br />
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<b>October's Choice</b> - <i>The Dream Life of Astronauts</i> by Patrick Ryan<br />
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This was probably the one bomb of our post-revised selection era. The characters were deplorable people with few redeeming qualities...the plot was not what the reviews hyped it to be. Good attempt by us to try different genres and topics ... we'll keep plugging away.<br />
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<b>November's Choice</b> - <i>At Home In Mitford</i>, Jan Karon<br />
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Determined to enter the holiday season with a feel-good read, this book, the first in a series about Mitford, NC, was a sure winner. We had a great time reading it and lots of fun at our discussion meeting. Here are a few pics of the Mitford "goodies" shared at our November meeting.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_NR8otLRm50/WibA0WnkPTI/AAAAAAAABsE/WRp8ODVZVYAGvLRnIwsfvg5yDnzY5ZGhQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_NR8otLRm50/WibA0WnkPTI/AAAAAAAABsE/WRp8ODVZVYAGvLRnIwsfvg5yDnzY5ZGhQCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_2414.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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Esther Bollick's famous orange marmalade cake that sent Fr. Tim into a diabetic swoon.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2MOosuNuzY/WibBTb58SII/AAAAAAAABsQ/MbSmM6GA7CAEqUzuQt_LNIBInwRpzByqACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2MOosuNuzY/WibBTb58SII/AAAAAAAABsQ/MbSmM6GA7CAEqUzuQt_LNIBInwRpzByqACLcBGAs/s200/IMG_2415.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
Puny's cornbread that she made for Fr. Tim.<br />
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<b>December/January's Choice</b> - <i>What Alice Forgot</i>, Lian Moriarity<br />
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We are looking forward to reading this over the holiday!<br />
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Final thoughts...Maple Glen Book Club had quite a reading year. We read quite a diverse group of books, lots of different genres. We overcame a flagging selection process. Made new friends. Kept the old. And celebrated the joy of reading with friends and neighbors.<br />
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Have a great reading year in 2018 everyone!<br />
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<br />Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-81415221461483490242017-04-03T17:51:00.001-04:002017-04-03T17:51:23.714-04:00Quarterly Book Report<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Say It Isn't So</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It's April. That means we are officially one fourth of the way through 2017! Three months gone!! How can that be? I haven't even clearly defined my New Year's Resolutions!!! I know one of my resolutions was to write more blog posts. Yikes. I promise to get going with that one. So, before any more time goes by, I'd like to share with you the books I have read so far in 2017. Since there are a number of them (another resolution - read more) I will not bore you and review them all, just present titles from the best to the worst and give a quick thumbs up or down.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Great Reads</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Language of Flowers</i>, Vanessa Diffenbaugh</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">👍👍👍👍👍 ( <span style="color: magenta;">You gotta read this one</span>)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Book That Matters Most</i>, Ann Hood</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">👍👍👍👍👍</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Never Too Late: Your Roadmap to Reinvention (Without Getting Lost Along the Way),</i> Claire Cook</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">👍👍👍👍</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Nine Women, One Dress</i>, Jane L. Rosen</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">👍👍👍👍</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Coincidence of Coconut Cake</i>, Amy Reichert</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">👍👍👍👍</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The City Baker's Guide to Country Living</i>, Louise Miller 👍👍</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Not So Great Reads</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Commonwealth</i>, Ann Patchett</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">👎👎</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Homegoing</i>,Yaa Gyasi</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">👎👎 </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>They May Not Mean To But They Do</i>, Colleen Schine</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">👎👎👎👎</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: cyan; font-size: large;">May you have a fabulous remainder of 2017. Hope this list gives you some food for thought.</span>Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-4009348389662123112017-02-16T14:41:00.001-05:002017-02-18T07:56:39.283-05:00The Responsibility to Remember<h2>
<span style="color: lime; font-size: x-large;"><i>The Responsibility to Remember</i></span></h2>
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A while back I wrote a post about my neighborhood book club, and how we discussed the topic of everlasting life. One of the things we concluded was that we live on in the lives of our loved ones. I told you in that post, that it made me think of my Aunt Marie, my mom's sister who died very young. I feel we have an obligation to share with the next generation, the stories of the family and friends who have populated our lives, the people who we hold dear, the ones who need to be remembered. And so, this post is dedicated to my Aunt Marie. I write of her because I want my children to know her, to know she was special to the people in her life. She played a big role in my growing up, even though I never met her. Her memory was very much alive in my family.<br />
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I've decided to share my aunt's story in a poem I wrote for her. As a retired person (YAY!!) I am pursuing some of the things I love to do but never had the time, and one of those things is writing. To that end, I joined a poetry group at the Senior Center and have met some very wonderful people. The group is led by a very capable and inspiring poet who is very gracious in sharing her expertise and in encouraging us to write (more about this group in a later post). The following is one of the poem's I wrote for this poetry seminar:</div>
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<b>Dear Aunt Marie</b></div>
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I never met you, </div>
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Yet I know you well.</div>
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I know of your gentle spirit,</div>
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That so washed over a family</div>
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It left them lost and wailing</div>
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In the cold hospital corridor</div>
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When they heard the news</div>
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You were gone.</div>
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I know of the fierce love you inspired.</div>
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Of the mother who carried</div>
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You for blocks to see the latest picture show.</div>
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How she endured the scorn of passers-by,</div>
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Who spat their disapproval such a big girl,</div>
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Wouldn't walk.</div>
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I know of your unwavering faith,</div>
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Revealed in posies written to the Lord,</div>
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In pretty prayers beseeching saints,</div>
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In dozens of parochial girls</div>
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Who wept beside your coffin,</div>
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Knowing an angel was born.</div>
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I never met you,</div>
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Yet I know you well.</div>
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I see you in the sprinkle of freckles</div>
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On my sister's face,</div>
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In the eyes that blink back at me</div>
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From the mirror,</div>
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In the family line of sweet-hearted girls.</div>
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I see you in the cherished vase</div>
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That once belonged to you,</div>
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In the tender way it is handled,</div>
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For the precious story it can tell.</div>
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I never met you,</div>
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Yet</div>
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I know you well.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Karen</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Roseville vase was given to my aunt Marie when she was confined to bed after complications as a result of measles. Her Aunt Thelma gave it to her and it was originally filled with a bouquet of Tootsie Roll Pops. After her death the vase became the symbol of Marie's sweetness and goodness and became a cherished family heirloom.</td></tr>
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<br />Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-49882465954446368122016-12-29T11:20:00.001-05:002016-12-30T08:05:23.709-05:00Favorite Reads of 2016<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">My Top Five Books of 2016</span><br />
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This year I really tried to read at least two books a month. As it turned out, I read 39! It feels good to complete and surpass a goal. There were many books that I really enjoyed, a few that I dropped or just skimmed and one that I threw across the room. But, I won't bore you with an entire list and will just share a bit about the top five that made my favorite list. These are not in order of most to least favorite...that's just too much thinking to do...so here goes in random order:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Persuasion</i></b></span> <span style="font-size: large;">by Jane Austen</span><br />
I think I liked this Austen novel even better than <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>. The unfulfilled longings of both main characters, Anne and Capt. Wentworth, were palpable from page one. Years earlier, Anne had been persuaded to break her engagement to Captain Wentworth because it was deemed an inappropriate match. She eventually finds the courage to stick a finger in the snotty eye of Victorian manners and be true to her feelings. True love finally triumphs...doesn't that always make for a lovely story? And, of course, Austen's language and turn of phrase is simply luxurious.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>The One-In-a-Million Boy</i></b> by Monica Wood</span><br />
Touching and heart-warming. In order to earn a Boy Scout service badge, a young boy does chores for Ona Victus, 104 years of age. They develop a very charming relationship...then one day the boy does not show up. A few days later, the boy's father arrives to finish his son's chores. He learns more about his son and about himself as he too develops an unpredictable relationship with Ona. Don't miss this one!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Where'd You Go Bernadette </i></b>by Maria Semple</span><br />
This book was on my to-read list for a long time. When I finally got around to reading it, I was so glad that I did. It was fun and touching at the same time. Bernadette Fox, the title character, is absent for most of the novel. Instead the bulk of the plot revolves around Bee, Bernadette's 15-year-old daughter, who is trying to find her mother who simply disappears from the cruise ship that is taking them on a tour of Antarctica. Hence...the title. I so enjoyed this book, that I am eager to read Semple's most recent book, <i>Today Will Be Different</i>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Eligible</i></b> by Curtis Sittenfeld</span><br />
OK...so I must confess, I truly do love all things Jane Austen. So, when I saw that <i>Eligible</i> was a modern retelling of <i>Pride and Prejudice, </i>I just had to read it. I must admit, I was anticipating a fairly silly story...how can you transplant those Victorian manners to 2016? But, I was totally delighted by the story. A good story is a good story...great characters transcend time periods. Nuff said!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>The Bookshop on the Corner</i></b> by Jenny Colgan</span><br />
A book about a bookshop? You betcha! What more could a book-lover ask for? How about a book about a mobile bookshop, run by a librarian who has been put out of work because libraries and paper books are being digitally replaced? How about a book set in a secluded village of Scotland where the residents are starving for books? Jenny Colgan has given us book -lovers a book to hug!<br />
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So, that's my top-five list. Hope some of these titles might spark an interest for you. I'd love to hear what you felt were your top reads of the year. Leave a comment. I'm making up a new to-read list for 2017 and could use a few new suggestions! Happy Reading Everyone.Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-65183579426833962232016-12-12T12:40:00.001-05:002016-12-12T12:40:17.018-05:00I Love My Book Club!<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">BOOK CLUBS: Some Thoughts</span><br />
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I am a member of a neighborhood book club, <i>The Maple Glen Book Club</i>, to be exact. It has a total of eight members. Several of the women I had never met before, even though I have lived in this neighborhood for over twenty years and so have they. Several I knew by sight and name, but none were close friends. It's an amazing thing to live in a fairly closed community (there is only one entrance and egress that we all must pass through) and not come to know the people of that community. A big failure on my part, but it appears, this situation was true for most of the women in the group. Food for thought.<br />
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Happily, as we continue to hold our monthly meetings and share and discuss our thoughts about the books we read, we are getting to know one another and appreciate our similarities and differences. Besides the opportunity to read and talk about books, book club, at least our book club, is a place to share some interesting thoughts about life.<br />
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Recently, we read <i>Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore</i> by Robin Sloan.<br />
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The book got <u><b>very</b></u> mixed reviews from our group. I had read it before and had so loved it that I recommended it to the group. It's quirky and weird in many ways, but had enough of a puzzling conflict that I thought it would appeal to most members. Only one other member really and truly liked the book; one couldn't get into it at all and the rest of the group toughed it out and read it any way, even though they did not like it. In our ensuing discussion, we discussed how that is one of the reasons we wanted to be a part of a book club. It forces us to read books we normally wouldn't choose to read. It expands our book boundaries. And...even with books most of us do not like, we manage to find some kernel of truth to plant.<br />
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With <i>Mr. Penumbra </i>that kernel occurred in the message one of our members felt the book was trying to convey. The plot of the book revolves around a rather cliche problem: the search for immortality. Though set in modern day and sprinkled heavily with the techno babble of Silicon Valley, the novel's setting was also very <i>DaVinci Code</i>-like with a secret organization that was trying to decode the meaning of life hidden in some ancient books. I won't give away too much of the plot or the conclusion, just in case you want to read this book, but I do want to share the message our group felt the book exposed: <i>friendship is the key to everlasting life.</i> Love, of friend or family member, promotes lasting memories, memories that are transferred from one generation to the next. We live on in the memories we make in the hearts of others.<br />
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Though some of our group were skeptical that this is the case, for me it rang very true. I immediately thought of my Aunt Marie, my mom's sister who died at the age of 13. Of course, I never met Aunt Marie, but she had a big presence in our family's life. Her story, her personality, her impact on our family was a lasting one that traversed several generations. I will be revealing her story in a future post, but for now, I refer to her as an example of how a simple tidbit of discussion in a book club meeting can spark big ideas. It is also goes to show the power of books. They make you think!<br />
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The Maple Glen Book Club has only been in existence since June, but it has had quite an impact on my life, opening up my world to new friends, new books, and new ideas. Here is a list of what we have read so far:<br />
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<b>July</b>: <i>The Nest</i>, Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney<br />
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<b>August:</b> <i>The Light Between Oceans, </i>M. L. Stedman<br />
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<b>September:</b> <i> Take Me With You, </i>Catherine Ryan Hyde<br />
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<b>October:</b> <i>Vendetta</i>, Elizabeth Flaherty<br />
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<b>November: </b> <i>Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore: A Novel,</i> Robin Sloan<br />
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<b>In December</b>, in deference to the very hectic holiday season, and through the wise suggestion of one of our members, we are reading a short YA novel:<br />
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<i>The Poet's Dog</i>, Patricia MacLachlan<br />
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<b style="color: red;">Happy Reading Everyone!</b><br />
<br />Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-47075940764982073372016-12-06T09:34:00.000-05:002016-12-06T09:34:44.429-05:00In Search of Order<span style="font-size: x-large;">In Search of Order</span><br />
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Being organized is comforting. I feel in control of this crazy thing called life when I have my days and weeks and months somewhat planned out. As a former teacher, I led a very ( and I mean VERY) structured life. Simple things like bathroom breaks and lunchtime had to be planned in advance. I lived by planning things out. You can't just wing-it day after day in a classroom; you would be eaten alive by the little lion cubs! So, when I retired, I continued using a planner to map out all the things I needed to do and wanted to do. I needed to set goals, make lists of places and people to see. I also became the sole meal planner. It soon became apparent I couldn't do all of that in my 5x7 weekly/monthly calendar, so I searched for something better. <br />
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I kept encountering a thing called a bullet journal. At first I thought it was just an unorganized daily, bullet-ed list of what happened in your life; a kind of diary. But as I investigated and looked at examples on Pinterest I discovered it was much more organized than this and could be the exact tool I needed to organize my unstructured life. No one told me that one of the things you need to adjust to and prepare for when you retire is the lack of structure to your days and weeks. At first the lack of structure was liberating, but that soon palled, and I began to panic that I was wasting valuable time by not setting goals and accomplishing them. The bullet journal helped me ease off the panic button. All you need to construct a bullet journal is a notebook, a pen, some colored pencils and a ruler.<br />
I found a journal in the sale bin of Barnes and Nobles and turned it into my bullet journal. P.S. pick a nice pen that won't smudge or bleed through pages. Here is my pick: the pen is a Paper Mate Ink Joy...love it!<br />
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I won't go into too much detail about the set up of a bullet journal because there is so much out there on the Internet that you can investigate for yourself. But, I do want to point out that the beauty of a bullet journal as opposed to a calendar/planner is that you can customize it to fit your needs. For example, I create a two- page spread every Sunday for the following week. I construct space for daily appointments, notices of importance. There is also space for meal planning. <br />
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And one of my favorite spaces on this 2-page spread is the Quote of the Week block. I like to choose a quote that will help me focus on some aspect of life that I want to work on or that will help inspire me in some way.<br />
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In addition to the weekly calendar spread, I use another 2-page spread to create space for listing weekly goals...you know those pipe dreams of "this is what I want and need to get done this week." I turn to this page whenever I'm at a loss during the week and I'm asking myself..."what should I do next?"<br />
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I also use the bullet journal for lists. For example, right now I have a pretty lengthy Christmas list going that is divided into columns for each member of my family. I have a list of books I want to read, a list of places I'd like to visit, and a list of house improvement projects.<br />
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I also use the bullet journal to organize projects that need to get done. For example, presently I am re-doing the en suite bath off of the master bedroom. I listed all of the things that needed to get done to accomplish the task and even some of the "if money were no object, this is what I would do" ideas.<br />
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The bullet journal can also be a motivational tool. I have several sections that I use for personal improvement goals, such as a fitness tracker where I set and record goals for things such as weight loss and steps walked per day, and even a page where I keep track of daily expenditures so that I stay within my budget.<br />
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The final thing I will share about the bullet journal is that it is also a relaxation tool. Not only does it help me organize my life, but it provides an artistic release...I get to color! If you are artistically talented you can really go crazy with this. Me, I'm more of a doodler, so my embellishments are pretty simple. The opportunity to color like a child is relaxing in that you really don't have to think...just choose a color and go.<br />
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For all you retirees out there who might be struggling with that feeling of being unmoored...give a bullet journal a try.<br />
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<br />Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-18308037506679637322016-03-16T14:24:00.000-04:002016-03-16T14:24:01.273-04:00Reading Round-Up: February/March<span style="font-size: large;">February was a slow-reading month for me because I was involved with finishing my reading about the Constitution. I read lot's of primary documents...which I just loved pouring over. I was also slowed by several bad choices that I either dropped or skimmed. But, eventually I settled on a few good reads. Here's the list:</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>The Invention of Wings, </i>Sue Monk Kidd</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was one of the books I disliked. I read the first half and basically skimmed to the end and read the ending. I was disappointed because I really liked <i>The Secret Life of Bees </i>and was expecting another good story. I simply felt the story of the oppressed slave has been told over and over and over and there was not anything new here. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>A Man Called Ove</i>, Fredrik Backman</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was another disappointment. This book was given great reviews and I couldn't wait to get it from the library. I was 26th on the waiting list! So when I got to chapter 5 and realized what was hinted at from page 1 really happened...I threw the book across the room and refused to read the rest! Maybe you will like it though...I just wasn't in the mood...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>The Precious One, </i>Marisa de los Santos </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I truly enjoyed this 2-voice narrative of half-sisters Taisy and Willow. They share a father, Wilson, but have been raised in totally different fashions. Lots of interesting family dynamics revealed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: blue;"><i>How To Write a Novel: A Novel, </i>Melanie Sumner</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cute. Clever. Fun. Aris Thibodeau, the narrator, is 12.5 years old and is writing a novel in 30 days. Her mom is an English teacher; her dad is dead; and the nanny (the single guy next door) is an aging hippie who just happens to be the perfect match for her mother, in Aris's opinion. I loved how the writing process was a part of the telling of the story...so cool for an ex-English teacher like me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>Beach Town</i>, Mary Kay Andrews</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just needed to read a book I knew would be stress-free and relaxing. This fit the bill perfectly. Set in Florida Greer Hennessy, a movie location scout- finds love and her long-estranged father in a run-down, struggling beach town. </span><br />
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<br />Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-52122161824022157332016-03-06T11:51:00.000-05:002016-03-06T11:51:15.072-05:00I Spy Spring!<span style="font-size: large;">So it is 36 degrees out this morning and the skies are gray. Monday the sun will break out and by Wednesday the forecast is for a high of 73 degrees. My husband has plans to warm up at the driving range early in the week; we have a meeting scheduled with our tax man on Wednesday, and on Thursday my husband will hit the links with his best bud for the first time in 2016. What does all this mean? Spring! my friends. Yes, hallelujah... Spring is arriving.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I sit here enjoying my mug of steamy, rich coffee, and the fireplace warms the chilly sun room, I can't help but look forward to the spring days I know are coming (minus the tax man, of course ). </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YVUIc4x2Jew/VtxSYm24W-I/AAAAAAAABig/swbHLzZ8xK4/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%252857%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YVUIc4x2Jew/VtxSYm24W-I/AAAAAAAABig/swbHLzZ8xK4/s320/FullSizeRender%2B%252857%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I long to drag the bikes out of the garage and dust them off, pump up the tires, and oil the moving parts. (Yikes!I need to oil my moving parts too!). The many trails we haven't ridden yet, beckon. Our favorite rides await repeating. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Fresh air. Sunshine. Warmth...warmth...warmth. God's grand symbol of rebirth never fails to invigorate me.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> I marvel at all the signs that announce...I'm here...hang on...I'm returning...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So here is a posy ... close your eyes and picture</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">SPRING!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>I SPIED SPRING</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I spied</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A redwing blackbird</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Three fat robins</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">poked around in the squishiness of the thawing backyard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I spied</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">clumps of tender</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">green snowdrops</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">proudly studding </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">the base of my </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">pole.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My neighbor's little </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">are back at play.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tricycles rev again</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">up and down</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I walk the pups</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">around the loop.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Brisk March winds </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">cause </span><span style="font-size: large;">a few wet tears </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">to form in </span><span style="font-size: large;">the corners </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The softly, surging sun</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">promises to dry them away,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">leaving only flaky</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> salt patches</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> as a reminder...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I spied</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Spring</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-50855941298528668272016-02-11T10:25:00.003-05:002016-02-11T10:25:31.104-05:00We Need George Washington<span style="font-size: large;">The presidential primary season is off and running, and I am praying every day the country makes the right choice (and I'm not even sure who that is). We are teetering on the brink of becoming something so different from what our founding fathers had planned, that this presidential election seems to have the potential to either get us back on track or take us down a different road altogether. It is frightening to think that my grandchildren might not inherit the same country my parents handed to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm revisiting the free Constitution course that Hillsdale College offers and have been reading some of the primary documents our founders wrote. Jefferson, Hamilton, Madison, Adams... these guys were just plain genius. However, the one founder I can't help but admire the most is George Washington. Yes, he was a great general and military leader, but he was so much more than that. His kindness, morality, and genuine love for this country rings clearly through everything he wrote. We need this man now!</span><br />
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Gilbert_Stuart_-_George_Washington_-_Google_Art_Project_(6966745).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Gilbert_Stuart_-_George_Washington_-_Google_Art_Project_(6966745).jpg" width="247" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Portrait of Washington by Gilbert Stuart</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Washington did not seek the office of president, in fact he needed to be persuaded to serve a second term, and downright refused to run for a third. He held the office of the president not out of ambition and personal gain, but out of a sincere desire to see the country he pledged his life for succeed. After 45 years of service to his country, Washington quietly retired to his beloved home, Mount Vernon. But, before he left, he addressed the nation one last time. In his <i>Farewell Address</i> (September 19, 1796) Washington took one last opportunity to give advice to the nation, to we the people, how to keep this grand experiment of government alive and well. And he offered the advice <i>to you my countrymen</i> ( how sweet is that?) not as a smug directive from the Commander in Chief, but as <i>counsels of an old and affectionate friend. </i>Can you just feel the tenderness he felt? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Lansdowne Portrait</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In his address he warned about the vices of political parties. Oh, if we had only listened. Just look at us now, we the people have seriously lost control of things...it is evident that many of us realize this ... just look at the two front runners...not exactly party material! So there is some hope there, but I swear, if after all the smoke has cleared and Hillary and Jeb are the last two standing...we might as well not even vote ever again, because it will mean the parties are in charge and we the people have been replaced.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> In his <i>Farewell Address</i>, George also shared some maxims government should follow in order to remain strong and secure: <i>(I slightly paraphrase here)</i></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">use credit sparingly</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">avoid accumulation of debt</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">save a little frequently to prepare for use of great expenditures later in times of trouble</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">do not let future generations bear the burden of what we ought to bear</span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yikes! We've become George's worst nightmare. The government has violated every one of these maxims and in a major way...someone please...listen to your father!!!!</span><br />
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<i style="font-size: x-large;">Family Painting by Edward Savage</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd like to share just a few more comments from Washington's <i>Farewell</i> that are, I believe, so important to apply to this time in our nation's history. Washington said, <i>of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports</i>. George didn't mean there should be no division or separation between church and state, because that separation must exist. What he did mean was that morality and the morality that religion promotes is a SUPPORT to political prosperity. Let's face it, in a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, the people better be good people. Let's see... when our leaders lie, commit adultery, pad their bank accounts and businesses through their political connections, it becomes apparent that morality has been tucked into the closet along with the Constitution. And the general populace must be moral enough to recognize this is wrong and raise an outcry so loud to send these scoundrels running for cover. We need to seriously think about the extents we have gone to eliminate religion from our institutions (one nation under God remember that?) and the extents we have gone to promote freedom of expression (hey Hollywood set a good example for the young will ya! ). And parents...we do need to lay strong moral foundations for our children... it's part of our job. George concludes, <i>...reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle...'Tis substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.</i> Some powerful words to ponder, don't you think?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Portrait by Charles Wilson Peale</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A final bit of essential advice that Washington shared is about the importance, in a republican form of government, of having an educated populace. After all, the people will be doing the voting, so they better be aware of what's going on. George said, <i>promote then as an object of primary importance, Institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened</i>. How true is that? People need to <b>think</b> for themselves...to really <b>know</b> and not be led by clever political ads and speeches. How can they think for themselves if they are not educated? People need to <b>know</b> our history. People need to <b>know</b> what the Constitution says and means. People need to <b>know </b>how government operates. Governing ourselves is a huge responsibility... we can't leave it up to the politicians, our neighbors, or anyone else.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I repeat...</span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">We need George Washington</span><span style="font-size: large;"> (or at least to listen to the sage advice he left us in his <i>Farewell Address</i>). What a wise and decent man he was!</span><br />
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<b>I'd love to hear your thoughts about this...leave a comment and don't forget to vote in your state's primary...choose wisely my friends</b></div>
Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-66507627295764844172016-01-29T09:32:00.000-05:002016-01-29T20:39:50.224-05:00You Wanna Bake Cookies?<span style="font-size: large;">Before the big snowstorm hit last weekend, I rummaged through my pantry to make sure I had enough staples to last the duration of the storm and it's aftermath. I know, it's crazy...how long could we possibly be trapped in our houses??? But, as I scanned my shelves, I spied an unopened bag of...TaDa!!!...chocolate chips. Of course, the perfect thing to bake to comfort us through the blizzard. Images of warm, chocolate chip cookies, steaming mugs of coffee, and a crackling fire circled my brain. What a find.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I quickly got to work and began whipping up a batch of everyone's favorite cookie. As I struggled to blend the butter and sugars together (I'm not as strong as I use to be ) my mind shifted back to the very first time I saw these cookies being made. I was in 7th grade and visiting my BFF, Sandi. Sandi, her sister Norma and I would often get together to play cards and games like Rack-o and Yahtzee. Remember those games?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course we needed sustenance to wage war on one another (Sandi's the fiercest competitor I know). The next thing I knew, Sandi was competently taking out bowls and baking supplies and whipping up a batch of chocolate chip cookies as though she had done it a hundred times before. I was damned impressed! The most baking I had ever done to that date was assisting my grandmother with the baking of Christmas cookies. I had never made a batch of anything by myself, so you can imagine how blown away I was to see my best friend commanding the kitchen like an expert. By the way, the cookies were yummy. And now, I can never make a batch of chocolate chip cookies, without thinking of that day and my amazing friend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I once received a plaque that read: <i>friends are the chocolate chips in the cookie of life. </i>This is so very true. Sandi is the only one of my high school friends with whom I have maintained a continuous friendship. She lives on the west coast and I live on the east coast, but the distance has not diminished our deep affection for one another. How could I forget the girl who wrote on the chalkboard (to my mortification) for all to see "Karen loves Tiger Lou." Tiger Lou was our class's version of the science nerd, and Sandi thought our classmates would get a little chuckle at my expense... oh, by the way, he went on to be instrumental in the development of fiber optics (sheesh... who could have guessed that! Shout out to Tiger...way to go Tiger!) That's my friend Sandi; she has a great sense of humor and a big heart. Who else but a best friend would traverse the continental United States twice, just to attend my daughters' weddings. Sandi really is a sweet part of the cookie of my life. Thanks for the memories girl!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And so, I guess, the point I'm trying to make is that it is important to take the time to reflect on who is important in your life. Family are easy to love...they're family...ya have ta! But good friends are precious treasures...cherish them. They really are the chocolate chips of life.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I'd love to hear about your thoughts of friendship or your memories of your BFF! Leave a comment</span></b>Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-50142734425971293322016-01-26T17:33:00.000-05:002016-01-26T17:33:10.413-05:00Reading Round-up: January<span style="font-size: large;"><i>January was a great month for curling up in front of the fire with a blanket and a book. The skies may have been gray and the wind may have been chilling, but my spirit was warmed by the stories I read about lovers, orphans, immigrants, and displaced children of war. Here's the list:</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: blue;">The Orphan Train</span></i>,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> by Christina Baker Kline</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was my favorite book this month. I was unaware of the historical event around which this novel revolved: the orphan trains of the 1920's and 30's. To alleviate the awful problem of orphaned and homeless children who populated the large cities like NYC during this era, children's aid societies transported thousands of orphans by train to the Midwest to places like Kansas. There the orphans were put on display like cattle at an auction and given to just about anyone who wanted one, for better or worse! Some people were kind and just wanted to help a child, but others, as you can imagine, were depraved and cruel and simply wanted free labor. One of the main characters of the novel is Vivian, a 91-year-old survivor of an orphan train. She gives a job to Molly, a 17-year -old foster child, who needs to do 50 hours of service to avoid juvie after she stole a book (<i>Jane Eyre, </i>I ask you... how can that be a crime!) from the library.Vivian needs her attic cleaned out, and Molly needs the hours: a perfect match. But the job turns into much more. As each box in the attic is opened, a piece of Vivian's long life is revealed and the two discover much about themselves and each other.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: blue;">Brooklyn</span></i>, by Colm Toibin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This book begins in post-WWII Ireland and follows a bright, young Irish girl, Eilis, as she emigrates to America where she begins a new life in Brooklyn. Her Irish family believe that America can provide a hopeful future for her, a future that she will not be able to find if she stays in Ireland. In America, Eilis blossoms under the strict guidance and generosity of a parish priest and a boarding house "mother." Here, she has been carefully placed through the efforts of her older sister. The priest selects a respectable place for her to work and even assists her in registering for college courses. Of course, life is not all rosy for Eilis as she tries to assimilate into a strange new place. The best thing about this novel is the peek it gives the reader into the flavor of life during this period of American history when Irish and Italian immigrants added to the fabric of our country with their rich and vibrant cultures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><i>The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</i></span><span style="font-size: large;">, by C.S. Lewis</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had never read this classic fantasy, but decided it was time to do so, as I am taking a course on the works of C.S. Lewis. Of course, the story can be read on many levels and by just about any age group...it has such a classic appeal. The setting takes place during the blitzkrieg of London during WWII. Four children are sent from the beleaguered city to the country estate home of a wealthy professor. However, most of the story takes place in the fantasy world of Narnia that the children enter when they step through the depths of a wardrobe which stands in one of the many rooms of the mansion. Here they are faced with the very embodiment of good and evil. Much has been written about the symbolic aspect of the novel and the Narnia series.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>Persuasion</i></span>, </span><span style="font-size: large;">by </span><span style="font-size: large;">Jane Austen</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ahhh...Jane Austen! What else can I say...just divine. I think <i>Persuasion</i> is just as delightful as <i>Pride and Prejudice </i>(must be something about "P" words that bring the best out in Austen). I love the way Jane pokes a finger in the eye of the entitled titled class...what a bunch of shallow baffoons. Thank goodness the heroine in <i>Persuasion</i> is a humble, nice, likable person, because all of her relatives and most of her acquaintances are insufferable. And what better book to read during a series of cold, gray days than one that presents a heart-wrenching love dilemma that is not resolved until the last two pages of the novel. Delightful!</span>Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-29783835696278880722016-01-17T16:22:00.002-05:002016-01-29T07:51:32.383-05:00Where's Waldo<span style="font-size: large;">I've been meaning to write this post for quite some time, but have always kept putting it off in deference to something of more "importance." <i>Where's Waldo</i> is such a silly thing, but then again in times of constant terrorist attacks, a continuing failed economy, self-important politicians who care more about re-election than improving the country, arrogant leaders who ignore the Constitution, and foreign governments who humiliate our military, I guess a little levity is not such a bad thing :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now that I have that off my chest.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meet Lilly:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lilly is one of our four grand-dogs. Lilly lived with us the first two years of her life, and then moved off with her "mommy", our daughter Allison, when Alli started a home of her own. Lilly is a spunky beagle with a huge personality. Lilly is like most beagles:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">she loves to sleep on top of things...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">she loves to eat...this is her <i>please give me some of your food or I will die </i>face...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">and she loves to get into trouble!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've read that beagles are like perpetual toddlers. Imagine chasing after your two-year old, remember the energy that requires? They are always getting into something and they never quit... it's exhausting, but they are also adorable... that's what life with Lilly is like all the time. When she comes to visit, the first thing she does is beg for a peanut butter bone, then once that goal has been achieved , it's on to playing! Sometimes she races outside to play with her friend Sudsy next door; sometimes she grabs the kitchen towel off of the oven door handle and runs around the dining room table hoping you will play chase with her. We always tire of that game before she does. Sometimes she grabs a toy out of her toy basket and brings it to you to play a game of tug or throw and fetch; sometimes she steals dirty laundry out of the bin and races off with you chasing her frantically in tow. By far, my favorite Lilly activity is Where's Waldo. What's that you say? She's a dog so she can't search for Waldo? Well, that is true, but Lilly invented her own version of the puzzle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lilly has a favorite bone (I have to confess she first stole this bone from Sudsy...Lilly, unfortunately is also a thief) that she likes to hide. We didn't notice at first that this was a game, until we began to find the hidden bone by happenstance after her visits. Once we realized this was a game, we would watch her pick the bone out of the toy basket and race off with it. We knew she was going to hide it somewhere; it became our mission to search it out after she left. We have found that bone in just about every corner of our house:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">then for the longest time we couldn't find it... we thought maybe she forgot about it, until... I was stripping the cushion covers from the wicker couch in the sun room the other day ( my grand-dogs got muddy on Christmas day and so did the couch) and...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There it was in all it's beagle-bone glory!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I laughed my you-know-what off... <i>Where's Waldo</i> is alive and well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh...and just so that I don't get into grandmotherly trouble....Here is a look at all of my grand-dogs:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is Lilly in front, with her sister Rexie</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and here are my daughter Suzie's dogs, handsome Radar on the left, and pretty Emma on the right.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Dogs are wonderful people, don't you think! I'd love to hear your dog tales...leave a comment!</span></b></div>
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Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-2244443939968145882016-01-06T10:42:00.001-05:002016-01-06T10:42:37.973-05:00Continued Learning, Key to Happy Retirement<h3>
Keeping Young of Heart</h3>
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In an earlier post I proffered the thought that retirement is the time to do what makes you happy. (see my post: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3365837757388842672#editor/target=post;postID=7857169778012923560;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=6;src=postname" target="_blank">Retirement Means</a> ) One of the things on my happy list was "learning new things." I firmly believe that learning new things and exploring uncharted territory keeps you young of heart and fulfilled. And this is true for all retirees, no matter what shape, age, race, gender, or marital status. Follow your heart...what did you always wish you knew more about? If you like history, do a quick online search of local history spots and jump in the car for a visit, or if time and money allow plan something more elaborate and spend a weekend in Gettysburg or Washington D.C. (see my post: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3365837757388842672#editor/target=post;postID=2358066591821222627;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=7;src=postname" target="_blank">A Walk With History</a>).<br />
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Interested in music? Find a local piano teacher and take some lessons. Curious about backyard birds? Check out some bird books from your local library. Often times as we age, it gets more difficult to get out and about. But this shouldn't stop us from keeping the grey matter from getting some exercise! There are lots of things one can do right from the comfort of an armchair: take an online course, or explore a subject through books. Even your cell phone provides opportunities for learning. Did you ever use the free app <u>Duolingo</u>? I brush up on my French with this free phone app; it brings me back to my high school days and makes me long to read <i>The Paris Wife</i> again.<br />
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The Fear of Nothing to Do</h3>
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Many soon-to-be retirees dread the day they will retire because they feel they will have nothing to do once they have cleaned out every closet and cupboard in the house. Are you one of those? Can't see a full life without work? Believe me when I say that truly is not the case...as long as you take charge of your retired life and make the most of every moment. Retirement can be the best part of the journey we call life. Continuing your learning is key to maintaining a happy healthy retired life. In fact, if you approach your retirement from this perspective, you will find you don't have enough hours in the day to do all those interesting and entertaining things you always dreamed of doing. If you are the procrastinating type, get yourself a planner and schedule in things to do, places to go, people to see...you get the picture? If you put it in writing, it is more likely you will do it!<br />
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Find Your Passion</h3>
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I'm starting my third online course this week since I retired two and a half years ago. I am passionate about many things and would love to learn more about them. For example, I love America and feel that many of our young people today do not know what a great country we have. They just don't know how unique and grand our country is! Hillsdale College (this isn't a paid promo, strictly my opinion) offers free online courses on the Constitution to any and all who are interested. They believe that not enough people really know the founding principles of our nation. So they try to do their little part in educating the country by opening their online courses to the general public. Free! Here is the link if you want to check it out: <a href="https://secure.hillsdale.edu/activate-your-constitution-101-course/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=con101" target="_blank">Constitution 101</a>. You really do not need any advanced computer skills to take this course; it is easy! It is filled with guest lecturers, primary documents and much, much more. There are tests available if you want to see how well you are understanding the material, but you are not required to take the tests ever. What could be better than that? Learning for learning's sake.<br />
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I also took their free course on <i>The Federalist Papers </i>and learned so much more about the wisdom of our Founding Fathers...I am humbled at the brilliance and wisdom of Hamilton, Madison and Jay.<br />
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And now, I've just enrolled in Hillsdale's most recent course offering: <i>An Introduction to C.S. Lewis: Writings and Significance. </i>You can check out the course description at this link: <a href="http://info.hillsdale.edu/cs_lewis?&utm_source=housefile&utm_medium=email&utm_content=imprimis&utm_campaign=cslewis&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8VMiNIYxqm5htXGZ496Af3f7Fvm2djinKim4riYd_5aV0gye6NBRJ47bTDnGxGlMUPQ7ivIG76NlDQl7EivSI8Q7oI_w&_hsmi=23958597" target="_blank">CS Lewis</a> . Lewis is best known for his <i>Chronicles of Narnia</i>, and I must admit, I have not read them all, nor have I ever studied about Lewis himself, so I am quite anxious to plumb the depths of this revered writer and philosopher.<br />
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AND!!! When I finish this, I am going to sign up for <i>Winston Churchill and Statesmanship.</i> Can't wait!!!! I don't earn any credits for these courses, but then at this point in my life, that's not my goal. I just find these subjects fascinating and am following my passions.</div>
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Your Turn</h3>
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Retirement can be an amazing and fascinating experience. However, if you wait for the amazing and fascinating to knock on your door, you are likely to be highly disappointed. As in all things, you must take charge of your days. I strongly recommend you keep on learning new things, follow your passions, and explore areas you never had time to explore while you were working.</div>
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<b>I'd love to here what new things you are learning! What subjects interest you? What explorations are you making in your retirement? Leave a comment. </b></div>
<br />Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-11303941742132183362015-12-31T22:18:00.000-05:002015-12-31T22:18:36.813-05:00Reading Round-up: DecemberDecember was so jam-packed with activity that my reading time suffered. Hence I have only a few titles to share with you, but they were all great reads.<br />
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<i>The Anxiety Disease </i>by David Sheehan </h3>
was first on my list. I have several family members who suffer from anxiety. Some suffer only occasionally, others suffer greatly and frequently. I wanted to learn more about anxiety, so that I could be more understanding and maybe even be of help. Though this book was written in 1983, I found it to be so very insightful and helpful. It looks at anxiety, not as a psychological disorder, but rather as a disease. As such, it can then be treated and controlled. Dr. Sheehan discusses the various stages of the disease, and believe me, he is spot on. He also offers hope and suggestions for dealing with the disease. If you or someone you love is trying to deal with anxiety, I highly recommend you read this book. It gives you insight into the helplessness of the victim, and helps you gain empathy. The disease is not as simple as "just get over it", anxiety is as real as any other disease and should be treated as such.<br />
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<i>Finding Audrey</i> by Sophie Kinsella</h3>
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is also connected to the theme of anxiety. Audrey, the main character, is trying to gain control of her severe anxiety and panic attacks, brought on by severe bullying incidents in school. Audrey is in the midst of recovering through the aid of a good therapist, a very supportive family, and a new accepting friend. Audrey makes a complete break from the hurtful incident and is home for now, but hopes to soon attend a new school. Though she still has setbacks ( she hides from anyone who comes to the door) she is bravely taking steps to re-enter the real world. She wears sunglasses 24/7 in order to feel comfortable around people; she needs this bit of symbolic distance to feel safe. The book provides a great look into the anguish and struggles of one who is dealing with severe anxiety and of the effects it has on those who love her. In this age of social media that seems to promote a callousness brought on by a feeling of anonymity, it is important to remember that words do hurt and can do immense damage.<br />
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<i>Two Across </i>by Jeff Bartsch</h3>
This book made my list this month because I've become intrigued by crossword puzzles. Every morning since we have been retired, Bob complete's the Star Ledger's crossword puzzle as we sip our coffee and munch on some breakfast. I tend to check emails while he works the puzzle but am sometimes called in as back up to use my computer, when when he gets stuck on a stubborn clue. So when I saw this title in the library, I snatched it up. A good choice - a very different plot and engaging characters. Stanley and Vera, two brainiacs, meet at the National Spelling Bee, where they end up as co-winners defeating the list of most challenging words. The two form a somewhat weird bond as they meet again and again at yearly reunions. Their relationship takes a even stranger twist when Stanley talks Vera into a "fake" marriage. The relationship is often tortured by unrequited love and the two spend more time apart than together communicating through complex crossword puzzles they write and which are published in major papers such as the NY Times and Washington Post. Besides the presence of interesting characters and a clever plot, <i>Two Across</i> taught me quite a bit about the construction of crossword puzzles.<br />
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<i>Vintage</i> by David Baker</h3>
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was by far my favorite book this month. This book has much to endear the reader to it:<br />
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<li>a onetime bestselling author who has lost his way</li>
<li>two devoted daughters who adore their father </li>
<li>a father who brings his daughters love and warmth along with the lovely meals he teaches them to prepare</li>
<li>a love for great wine</li>
<li>a scoundrel who indulges in excess of drinking and womanizing </li>
<li>a mystery of a legendary spectacular vintage from 1943, stolen by the Nazis and a frantic search to find it</li>
<li>a search of a lost soul to finally find what is truly important in life (hint - he finds it!)</li>
<li>one of the best endings I've read in a long time</li>
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That's it for this month. <b><i>What books would you recommend for starting off a new year? I'd love to hear some suggestions so I can start a new reading list for 2016! Happy New Year every one. May it be the best one yet.</i></b></div>
Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-2618105303514669692015-12-18T09:42:00.000-05:002015-12-18T09:48:39.500-05:00Keeper of the PastAs you age and enter that lovely winter era of life, when the aches increase along with the wrinkles and white hair, believe it or not there are some perks. One of those perks, in my opinion, is that you become the keeper of your family's history. You are called upon to remember traditions, to remember family members long gone, to keep the family's history from slipping away into oblivion, to pass it on to the next generation. The Christmas season is the perfect time to step up and fulfill this responsibility. Reminiscing is delightful, but also, as you can imagine, a bit bittersweet. <br />
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As our parents died, Bob and I inherited a few items from each family. One of those items was a collection of Christmas ornaments. A few years ago, I decided to dedicate a special tree as the "vintage tree". This tree would be where we placed the ornaments from our parents' trees. <br />
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As we hung the old ornaments, tender memories of Christmas's past were shared between us. Our girls, however, were grown and were not around when we decorated this tree, so they missed many of the stories. So, this year, inspired by a Pinterest post I had seen, I added vintage family photos to the tree. I was hoping these photos of long ago family members, some of whom they never met or even heard of, would inspire the telling of Christmas's past and loved traditions, and the stories of beloved relatives. <br />
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Now, along side some of our favorite ornaments from our childhoods, there are photos of some of our favorite people.<br />
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And even our beloved pets:</div>
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I'm hoping these photos will trigger fresh conversations about our family, rekindle dormant memories, and encourage my girls to cherish that constant, unquestioning love that only comes from family.<br />
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<b>Enjoy the blessings of the season! I'd love to hear about any new traditions you are starting. What ways do you try to honor your family's past?</b><br />
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<br />Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-77474051398331329232015-12-04T10:21:00.002-05:002015-12-04T10:21:24.009-05:00November Reading Round-up"I'm late! I'm late! I'm late for a very important date!" What the heck happened to November? I was just making preparations for Thanksgiving and the next thing I know it's December. YIKES!<br />
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So, I apologize for getting my November reading list out late, but truly, someone must have wiped a week out of my calendar. I'm sure everyone is feeling the same at this time of year. So much to do; so little time to do it all. And to top it all off, half of the books I read this month were duds. Here's my review:<br />
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T<i>he Mapmaker's Children</i> by Sarah McCoy</h3>
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This historical fiction book was one of my favorite reads this month. The story flips back and forth between Civil War era and present day America. It follows the story of Sarah Brown, daughter of John Brown of Harper's Ferry fame. Sarah was a talented artist who painted secret code maps for the Underground Railroad--a little known fact. These maps were thought to sometimes be hidden in the heads of dolls to be carried by the children of escaping slaves. As Sarah's story unfolds, so does the twin plot line of Eden, a modern day woman who is emotionally ravaged by years of failed attempts to conceive a child. Eden and her husband try to restart their life in a new home in West Virginia near Harper's Ferry. This Civil War era house just happens to be the very home where Sarah stayed while her father was executed after his attack on Harper's Ferry. When Eden unearth's a doll in a secret root cellar in the home, the secrets of the house begin to unravel. I loved the coincidences the author creates between the two time periods and how the author shows that the actions of one generation can affect the lives of many generations to follow.<br />
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<i>Bed and Breakfast</i> by Lois Battle</h3>
I chose this book because of the title. I just love bed and breakfast places. Bob and I have a favorite B&B that we patronize whenever we visit Cape May. It's called<i> Inn at the Park</i>, and it is owned and operated by two very lovely people, Jay and MaryAnn. Unfortunately, they just announced their retirement and will no longer be hosting their B&B after January. Just wanted to give them a shout out and to let the blogworld know what truly welcoming and sweet people they are. Here are just a couple of shots of them and their beautiful Victorian home:<br />
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MaryAnn, an avid tennis player at age 70, was dressed for a big tourney that was to take place immediately after breakfast. You go girl!<br />
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The parlor where hors d'oeuvres are served to guests every day at 5:00.<br />
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Back to the book... the setting for <i>Bed and Breakfast</i> is Hilton Head, South Carolina. The main character is Josie, a close-to-seventy-year-old woman who tenaciously runs a B&B that she insisted she and her husband buy after years of nomadic wandering as her husband "Bear" pursued his military career. Josie has been widowed for many years when the story opens and the reader can see how much the B&B gives meaning to her life. The plot is complicated by the sibling rivalries of her three grown daughters. Life is never dull when you have nosy guests, and even nosier friends, not to mention a sister who lives next door. A fun read.<br />
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<i>Ruth's Journey: the Authorized Novel of Mammy from Gone With the Wind</i> by Donald McCaig</h3>
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This sounded like a fascinating story, but was such a disappointment. I couldn't get past the first two chapters. The setting begins in the Caribbean Islands of the slave trade days where the French are unsuccessfully trying to quell a slave uprising. The graphic violence and history book reporting was too much. I wanted to get into the mind of Mammy and hear her thoughts of Tara and the O'Hara's but that never happened...I peaked at the ending (Oh Horrors, yes I did)</div>
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and still didn't see any glimpses of the Mammy of <i>Gone With the Wind.</i> </div>
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<i>Lesson Plans</i> by Suzanne Greenberg</h3>
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This one also made the loser list. I thought I would be so interested in a book whose characters decided to homeschool their children, but the two families who were the focus of the story were so messed up and dysfunctional, I just couldn't stand reading any more about them! The main character was a father who mourned the loss of his liberal, activist lifestyle of his youth after being forced to do the adult thing, like go to work and support his family. So, since wifey made big bucks, he decides to quit the workforce and homeschool his three girls in a completely free environment. Just imagine what that looks like...Montessori in hyper-drive! Kids with no limits, no schedules, no plans!!! Hmmm...no comment. Then there was the other homeschool novice, a mother (recently separated from hubby) who has become so overprotective of her highly allergic and asthmatic daughter that she might as well have put the girl in one of those John Travolta Bubble Boy glass domes. This woman seriously needed help, and hubby just walks out because he can't cope with his wife's phobias. Hello?? there is a child here in need of an education and guidance...Step up man and take charge! I had to leave these guys to muddle to the end of the book alone. I just don't have patience for irresponsible adults. I was especially disappointed because I really think homeschooling can work for many kids and was hoping this book would paint that picture for me...alas not to be.</div>
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That's it for November...gotta get shoppin'...<b>Let me know what you have been reading. Take a stab at reading my two duds, maybe you can change my mind. Any disagreements about my reviews are welcome too.</b><br />
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<br />Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-75508044802958760812015-11-29T21:30:00.000-05:002015-11-29T21:30:36.851-05:00You Want To Change What?!Retirement is all about change. It's much like changing jobs, except the new job isn't really work at all. Many people struggle with change. Change is uncomfortable. My husband, for example, hates change. If I rearrange a room or even a drawer, he grumbles around complaining...<i>things were fine just the way they were.</i> I have to smile because these changes will soon become the familiar and all the newness and strangeness will dissipate. I enjoy change, and I guess I have my mom to thank for that. When we were growing up, we moved thirteen times. One year, I changed school three times! It was a tough year, as I was learning the times tables and every school was in a different place. But, I quickly learned you either go with the flow or be miserable. So, I grew to embrace change.<br />
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Change touches every aspect of our lives, not just as we enter retirement. As the holiday season has begun, I again am faced with opportunities to embrace change. My small 4-person family has now morphed to include two wonderful sons-in-law. Our family traditions at holiday gatherings needed to be adjusted. At Thanksgiving, my youngest daughter and her new husband would not be able to share the main meal with us. So, in order to include them in part of the Thanksgiving dinner I started a new tradition I called The Blessings Jar.<br />
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Instead of going around the table and sharing what we were thankful for, I gave everyone little slips of paper to write down their blessings and then they were to fold them and place them in the mason jar that was the centerpiece on the table. We wouldn't tell what we wrote, at least not yet. When my daughter and her husband arrived for dessert, they were able to jot down their blessings and add them to the jar. I think we will read the blessings on New Year's Day or whenever we are all together at the start of the year and exchange our blessings for New Year Resolutions! Thus a new tradition has begun. See...change can be fun.<br />
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Right on the heels of Thanksgiving is Christmas Tree time. When my girls were little we always had a great time picking out the tree. Sometimes we would go out into the fields of a tree farm and cut our perfect tree down ourselves, and sometimes we found freshly cut ones at the local tree farm up the road. It was always a fun family time. But now that my girls were picking out their own trees, it was time to reinvent the tree ritual...well kind of. We've decided that the weekend of Thanksgiving is the perfect time to get our trees and the perfect way to get them is TOGETHER. My newest son-in-law brings the truck and all six of us meet at the tree farm to choose our trees. <br />
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Of course we give advice freely:) Once the trees are in the back of the truck we start the drop offs. It's nice to see the trees going in the stands and centered and watered. Of course we give advice freely again :)<br />
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I'm thinking next year we need to expand the tradition a bit more. We all didn't get to go to everyone's house because as the trees were dropped off we left that couple behind to start their trimming. Wouldn't it be fun to have a progressive dinner?!!! GENIUS! The first drop off point could be appetizers, the second the main course and finish the drop offs with dessert at the third home. Meanwhile, trees would be in their stands, lights would be on their trees, and fun would be had by all. I love change don't you? I can feel my family's eyes rolling right now. They don't embrace change as happily as I do.<br />
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As the year rushes to its end, it's a good time to think about change and how we greet it when it finds us. I've found it not such a scary prospect if you try to find ways to welcome the changes around you, even if you liked the way things used to be.<br />
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<b>Have a blessed and joyous holiday season as you go about your family traditions. What are your thoughts on change? I'd love to hear other perspectives on the subject.</b>Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365837757388842672.post-57611413282504335152015-11-21T18:36:00.000-05:002015-11-21T18:36:37.828-05:00Saying Goodbye to AutumnI'm pretty certain that there are cold and snowy days right around the corner.<br />
Thanksgiving is next week. November is flying. Christmas is coming up fast. So this past Monday when the weatherman predicted warm and sunny, Bob and I hitched the bikes to the back of the Jeep one last time before we dismantled the bike rack and tucked the bikes into the garage until spring.<br />
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We wanted to try a new venue and settled on Duke Farms, (as in Duke University and Doris Duke). Her estate covers 2,700 acres, and is populated by lush landscapes and nine man-made lakes such as this one we stopped to view along our way:<br />
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JB Duke, Doris's father, made his millions in tobacco as head of the American Tobacco Company. But JB Duke also had a love of nature and a special soft spot for creating dramatic landscapes and using hydro electric power. He had the nine lakes dredged on his vast property and even installed huge waterfalls. As we tooled along the narrow roads that wound through the park-like farm, we spied quite a few of these lakes and even one waterfall. The farm is no longer a private residence but has been opened to the public and is run by a foundation for preserving the pristine land.<br />
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During the Dukes' lifetimes the farm was run by dozens of workers both inside and outside of the mansion. The staff actually had their own residences on the farm. Bob and I passed many of these cottages on our tour. In fact, Bob use to work with a guy who lived in one of them when his friend was a security guard for the Duke property. I sure wanted to get a peak inside one of these sweet looking cottages. Some are still occupied by workers, so I settled for a quick picture from the front lawn. Looks like something out of a fairy tale!<br />
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Some structures have suffered the ravages of time, like the Hay Barn. Only the stone walls were left after a devastating fire, but Doris turned it into a sculpture garden. She loved the arts and we got to reap the benefits of the lovely views she created.<br />
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The most stunning surprise on our adventure was the orchid conservatory. Doris Duke was quite an eccentric lady. Later in her life she became a horticulturist. She was devoted to growing hothouse orchids. Luckily, the greenhouse is open to the public and it put on a spectacular show.<br />
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Inside, the variety of orchids was amazing. Take a look!<br />
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Spanish moss dripped from the branches that housed the potted flowers, and the fragrance was so sweet and intoxicating, I didn't want to leave.<br />
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What a lovely way to end our biking excursions for the season. Bob and I can't wait to return to Duke Farms again in the spring when everything will be blooming and coming to life. I know it will be spectacular and almost an entirely different experience.<br />
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<b>Now the question is....what do we do in the winter? Any suggestions? What do you do for some extra fun when the snow starts? (PS. we don't ski, skate, or snowboard!) We old folks!</b>Gammie Daycarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01576475299302366044noreply@blogger.com0