Book 6 and sunshine

I often read more then one book at a time. Usually one is nonfiction or short stories. I like to pick it up when I just have a few moments to read. It takes me much longer to read them this way but I like having a little change of pace sometimes. I just finished David Sedaris's When You are Engulfed in Flames, I have read this before but as I ate my lunch one day I picked it up and started reading. It became my lunch book for a while then my breakfast book. I kept it downstairs so I read it when my other book wasn't near.

I also know I said I was going to start Turpentine by Spring Warren but it has been pushed back a bit. I traveled to visit my sister in Moorhead and as a bed present I got The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris. I have been looking for this for a while! I had just had a conversation with one of my nieces about how much I hate E readers and once I picked up this book and felt its weight the texture of its paper I declared "No e-reader can compare!" I am head over heels in love with this book! Not only its content, the early years of Theodore Roosevelt's life but also its whole being. I feel silly to admit this but I find myself stroking the pages loving how they feel in my hand. I have already bent several pages marking interesting facts or phrases. I hate to think books will not mean the same to my young nieces and nephews.

About half my siblings are readers wavering between avid and occasionally. As I have said before I had fallen into the "occasional reader"category but am determined to immerse myself again this year. A couple of my siblings read no books at all only a magazine once and a while. My Father was not a reader until he retired then he would read a book a day almost. During my trip to Moorhead my brother and I discussed our love of books. He said there were really no books in our house when he was a kid. My mom got the readers digest but that was it. Because my family is so large the older siblings often have a different experience, I can remember shelves of books in the living room. Of course many were the Readers Digest Compilations but at some point my mom must of joined a book club she got hardcover books in the mail. I remember sneaking North Dallas Forty off the shelf to read the naughty parts. I still lived with my parents when my Father began his veracious reading. Maybe it was my older siblings who were off to college that got my Mom reading.

I do hope to always have access to books and am lucky that my brothers have books stores. I have watched several bookstores close including my beloved Hungry Mind aka Ruminator. Currently I go to Common Good Bookstore which is owned by Garrison Keillor. Mostly from my brother though and never NEVER EVER AMAZON OR BARNES N NOBLE! I will gladly give you my rant about them anytime in person but spare you this now.

Read On!

Keep Smiling!

reservations recommended...

I would have reservations about recommending the 5th book in my quest to 50 Reservations Recommended by Eric Kraft
While I loved his book Herb and Lorna I did not love this it did not seem to have enough....hhmmm I think "kindness" is the word. The main character is Matthew is a reviewer of restaurants in addition to his career as a toymaker. He is recently divorced and trying to remake himself into someone his x would come back too. He points out how insufferable he finds other diners but seems blind to the fact that he is exactly like them. Krafts writing is really good and easy to read thus helpful to getting through the book. I suppose the fact that he can write well enough to get me invested in disliking Matthew is a plus but overall the story was not appealing to me. I may reread Herb and Lorna just to help push this one out of my head.

Next up is a book called Turpentine by Spring Warren. I picked it up initially because of the cover featuring a buffalo drew me in, now I have noticed the authors name and am trying not to be prejudiced by it. This is her first novel and she is compared to Larry McMurtry in the cover reviews. This could be a good thing but also mean that its a lame attempt at a cowboy book. Guess I will find out soon enough!

Keep Smiling!

Family

I am thankful that I have such an amazing family.

Sunday was my fathers birthday, we lost him in 2007 and still miss him very much. We all have our way of honoring him whether it be pancakes for breaffast (yes i meant breaf not break), cherry pie, or a shot of crappy Canadian whiskey. I was lucky to get to see a lot of my siblings because we had a baby shower for my niece Z! This will be our third grand niece! Medora and her lovely partner have adorable twin girls!

Being among my brothers and sisters I can see so much of my Father. His humor - I think most of us at one time or another sing silly made up songs. His integrity - We all strive to be good people. His love of family- There were 3 generations at this baby shower all interacting with each other.

I know I can call anyone of my 8 siblings at anytime, for that matter anyone of my wonderful nieces or nephews. I wish that all the grandkids had gotten to know him better but I believe that older ones will share stories as well as us siblings. He was very important to all of us and taught us so much about being a good person.

Though each year it gets a little easier, I still find myself hit by this loss at unique times. Occasionally its watching my nieces or nephews do something or seeing him in my brothers as they talk. I was hit deeply by losing my Mother and my Fathers passing came too soon after. I count myself lucky to have had such wonderful parents and that they created this marvelous crazy family. I have 14 nieces and nephews and soon 3 great nieces, 8 siblings, 6 in laws and many cousins and friends!

My Father rarely was without a smile. He was the one who inspires me to Keep Smiling!

Keep Smiling!

Year of books..

I have decided to try an dread 50 books this year, spurred on by my librarian nice Madeline. I have always liked to read but the last few years I do it in streaks. It sort of is one of those things like workouts that you have to just schedule doing. The more you do it the more you want to do it.
My brother Greg probably easily reads 50 books a year. He is a voracious reader and loves to collect books. Aside from visiting my family my next favorite thing to do when I go to Fargo Moorhead is look at his book collection. He is extremely generous with his books and often loans special ones to me. He also sells books (a rarity now a days) so he often gets books from publishers. I try my best to but books from him whenever I visit. Since we no longer have the great Hungry Mind (Ruminator) in St Paul I go to the Common good bookstore(G Keillor owner). I will never order a book from Amazon and I will never use a e reader. I love the feel of books in my hand. You can't write in the margins of ebooks or fold back pages to mark great passages.

I am already a bit behind but I just finished my 4th book.
1 Absolutely true Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Sherman Alexie illustrated by Ellen Forney
Loved this book! Sherman is a great story teller and the comics added to the humor. Though the book does have some tough moments it is a hopeful and uplifting tale.

2 Empire Falls Richard Russo
The book is a Pulitzer Prize winner. While it is a good book it really never drew me in til the last couple chapters. I didn't connect with any of the characters and found them too passive. I was glad to finish it.

3.Red convertible Louise Erdich
Short stories Overall this was good and I like mixing in a book of short stories once in a while. I have a love hate relationship with Louise Erdich. There were a couple stories that just stuck in my head with their colorful strangeness and a few others that I couldn't wait to finish. Most of the stories had been published previously in magazines or collections.

4. Stolen Horses Dan Obrien
Dan is a friend of mine and I have always loved his books, most of which are nonfiction. This book takes place in a small Nebraska town that has evolved from a shrinking ranch town to a growing boutique town of transplanted west coasters. I enjoyed this book because of the detailed descriptions of the land and elements. I am a huge fan of hunting dogs and there are several passages describing one working a field. I felt like Dan portrayed the beauty of a dog doing what it loves.

I have pulled a book from my shelf to read next its older and I have had it for a while. Reservations Recommended by Eric Kraft who wrote an old favorite Herb n'Lorna.

Feel free to give me some recommendations.

Keep Smilin'

Happy 4th of July

Miss the kids!
Enjoyed camping!
Legs ache and it gives me satisfaction. Trying not to have expectations for fireworks...doubt they can even come close to "the" fireworks.
Enjoying lazy day.
tomorrow something new...a new book, mow the lawn ride my bike?

Keep Smiling

Ride that wave...

Doing my best to stay on the wave of positivity that has hit. The sunshine is helpful! I had fun tuesday hanging with my nephews and cute little niece. I am always rewarded with their antics and love.

Monday Monday!

There is something to be said for pretending Monday is Sunday. Thats what I did today I slept in, made a big breakfast and took my time reading the paper then I switched to a Monday. I got my errands done then went hardcore with yard work! Mowed, edged, pruned and pulled weeds! It was nice to be physical and have a sunny day.
I enjoyed a beautiful actual Sunday yesterday, though I did not do the regular routine. I got up early and golfed surrounded by fluffy white clouds trimmed with brilliant blue sky and lush green fairways. I golfed my best score of the year thanks to a fabulous back nine. Felt good to be active and was the first day that my mouth wasn't forefront in my mind. I feel good continuing the activity with my yard work and an awkward bike ride. It was awkward because I am out of shape and haven't rode a bike in a couple years. But its just like riding a bike....heehee.

I have no doubt I will be sore tomorrow -price I am willing to pay to feel as good as I do right now.

Keep Smiling.