Broken Country

 

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Fiction Physical Book
When I first finished this book I was sorry I had read it. There was too much “spice” in it and two of the main characters had no integrity. They made me angry. Passion ruled their lives. But then, as I thought more about it, I realized that meeting and knowing Frank made this book worth the read. He sacrificed for those he loved and for the innocent, making him a worthy example. So, I guess I’m glad I read it. It sure was a page-turner! 3 stars.


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Before the Coffee Gets Cold

 

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Fantasy Fiction Audiobook
Written and set in Japan, I was excited to read this book and re-immerse myself in Japanese culture. But I had a hard time following it. What I really think the problem was is that I couldn’t remember the foreign names, therefore had a hard time following their story. For me, I think it would be better to read a physical book so that I could see the names in print and learn them. It is a clever premise.


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Worth a Thousand Words

 Some pictures just are . . .

Theo of Golden

 

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Modern Fiction Physical Book
I think I just read my all- time favorite book! I have read a lot of really good books in my lifetime, but I think I love this one the most. It illustrates how one good person can make such a difference in others’ lives and in an entire community. Mr. Theo, you have made a difference in my life! This is a book I want to reread often. If 5 is the maximum stars I can give, I give it 5 ++++++++++++++ stars.


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Rebecca, the 2020 movie

 It's been a while since we watched a movie.  We have watched a series for months and months.  But I wanted to watch this movie as I had just finished reading the book.  It was good, but, as is nearly always the case, not as good as the book.  I felt like they overdramatized many scenes in the book and added unnecessary drama.  The book is classic: understated and moving.  But I'm glad I watched this movie remake.

Bubblegum Hydrojug

 Ken gave me this bubblegum pink hydrojug for Christmas.  I LOVE it.  It keeps a drink cold for well over a day.  If the straw is down, it is completely spillproof.  It is my constant companion throughout the day.  It is one of my favorite things!

The Women

 

The Women by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Historical Fiction Audiobook 3 stars
I was afraid to read this book. I’m a sensitive soul and was afraid it would be too much for me. But I’m glad I read it. I lived through the time of the Vietnamese war but was oblivious to all that went on. This is a sad, but well-written story. 3 ½ stars.


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The Story of Arthur Trulove

 

The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three very different, but all very needy people form an unlikely friendship and even a family. This is a sweet story of grief, caring, self- worth and confidence. Despite our own hardships, we can help others through theirs. Arthur joins my list of literary heroes. Other than some blush-inducing talk of sex and language this would be a 5 star read for me.

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June Book Club: Crucial Conversations

 We recently had our June Google Chat book club.  We discussed a self- help book: Crucial Conversations.  We each took a section of the book and led the discussion on that part.  There is a lot of good information in this book.  The takeaway for me:  Learn to look- tune into how others are feeling as you are in a crucial conversation and then help everyone feel safe in that conversation.

I so enjoy these book club meetings.  We always start with giving updates on our lives.  It is so good to be together- even if it just on the computer!
Our next book is The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters.

My Happy Place

  This is my To-Be-Read bookcase.  It is in our bedroom and it literally makes me smile every time I walk by it.  It fills me with joyous anticipation of all the wonderful books I have to look forward to reading.  It is ever evolving.  As soon as I take a book out to read it, I replace it with a book from my ever-growing stash.  It is truly one of my favorite things.

Which Watch?

 For Ken's birthday we all went together and bought him an apple watch.  He has been very determined that he did not need or want one- his $12.00 Casio watch was just fine.  But we got it for him anyway.  It took him awhile to even get it up and running because we didn't have the right kind of charger, etc.  But he finally got it going.  But he wasn't quite ready to give up his Casio.  So he wore both for quite a while!

I noticed as we were driving up to Logan that he had both on and had to take a picture.

But later in the trip he proudly displayed that he had left his Casio at home.  I'm not sure he's completely adjusted yet, but it will come.

Alarm at 4:00am?

 While we were staying with the Prince kids, I was awakened one morning at 4:00am.  I woke Ken up and we got up to investigate.  
Sure enough, Alexa was sounding a loud alarm from William's room.  We told her to shut up and she did.  William kind of rolled over and went back to sleep.  We were just settled back in when she sounded again.  We went back in his room and she was screaming again.  This time Ken climbed up to where she was and, shall we say, disabled her.

The next morning we asked William why he had set an alarm.  At first he wouldn't tell us but later admitted he had set the alarms to get up and practice basketball.  At 4:00am?  It was black dark.  Funny little dude.

Rebecca

 

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Classic Physical Book
A few months ago, I started a list of my Top Ten Favorite Books of All Time. Adding Rebecca to that list gives me 15 books on the list! It may even need to go to the top of that list. I loved the surprising plot, the characterization, and the setting. I can’t wait to watch the movies (1940 and 2020 versions). This book is the reason I read so much! I loved it. I absolutely loved it! 5+ stars.


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Tooth Troubles

 Our dentist is Blake, our son-in-law up in Logan.  While we were up there we went for our annual cleaning and check-up, and Ken had a new crown put on.  We knew he needed that, but he also had to have a cavity filled.  I thought I was fine.  But not even a week later, I discovered one of my crowns was loose and painful.  We had to go up to SLC the next week to tend the Prince kids.  We went a day early and drove to Logan for Blake to check it.  Yep, it was loose.  So while we were staying with the Princes, I had to drive to Logan one of the days and have the crown removed.  Blake found that the tooth had broken with the crown, so that tooth had to be removed.  So I've been recovering from that and healing. I was so glad when the stitches came out!  I will have an implant where that molar had been. Many challenges come with getting older!

Nathan's Graduation

 Our handsome, amazing grandson just graduated from high school in Colorado.  He graduated summa cum laude.  He will serve a mission to Columbus, Ohio starting in September.  When he returns after serving two years, he will attend BYU and major in mechanical engineering.

At the senior awards night, he found out he won first place in science- engineering- for his capstone project.  He put his heart and soul into that project and many, many hours.  

With his family at graduation

We are so proud of Nathan!!

He is now living with his family in Rexburg, working at Costa Vida and preparing for his mission.  Such a great kid!

All ready for his first day at Costa Vida

The Berry Pickers

 

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Historical Fiction Physical book
Every year an Indian family from Nova Scotia would go to Maine to pick blueberries to supplement their income. While there one year, their four-year-old daughter, Ruthie disappears. This is the story of what happens to her and to her grief-stricken family. It is a well-written and page-turning novel. 4 1/2 stars.  I loved the beautiful cover.


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A Week with the Prince Kids

Brian and Michelle went to a convention of patent attorneys in San Diego.  Ken and I stayed with the kids that week.

Brian and Michelle got there on Saturday and had time to go to Sea World before the convention started.  They texted this picture.

 Gabbi was in a fun musical on Friday and Saturday.  It was so wonderful to be there on Friday evening.  Brian has a nice camera and got some good pictures.

Gabbi singing her solo.  She did a beautiful job.

She was in several scenes.  She was a singer and dancer.

This dance was beautiful.

Curtain call

Our family watching.

Michelle left recipes and ingredients for several dinners that her kids would eat well.  This soup was delicious.  I will post the recipe on Hungryhintons.blogspot.com soon.

One evening we went out for treats

William taught the FHE on spiritual gifts

Jaron loves beans.  He even started a campaign a few years ago for school to be cancelled on National Bean Day.  He had t-shirts made and had a petition.  He even got the principal to sign it!  He made his green beans for us one night.  They are SO good!  Again, I will post the recipe soon on hungry hintons.

For mutual they had a luau with a twist.  Jaron dressed for the occasion.