The Rose Code

 

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Historical Fiction Audio and Physical book
I’m not a fan of WWll books, well, any war books. But this one was different. It was about three women codebreakers at Bletchley Park in England during WWII. It was fascinating. And it was good. I thought the writing was excellent. I grew to know and understand the characters and was cheering for them throughout. It was suspenseful and exciting. It had it all I followed along in a hard copy while listening to an excellent audio presentation. I will be seeking more of this author’s books. 5 stars.


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This Book Made Me Think of You

 

Modern Fiction   Audiobook

I loved this sweet book.  The theme is grief and it is handled so well.  I loved the characters and the setting, including a book store, of course.  The pages are full of love and caring and community.  5 bright stars!

Prayer (Holland)

 I love this:

Are Physical Books Obsolete?

 This so well expresses how I feel.  I derive so much joy from books.

Front of the Class

 A good movie on Amazon Prime about educating about and living with Tourette's Syndrome.  

9-11

 I remember so well how we united as a nation.  God bless America! was being sung everywhere.  We were humble.  We turned to the God of our nation.  

Ask for Angels

 

Direct Messages

Non Fiction Religious   Physical book

I love this little book.  A friend gave it to me for Christmas last year. It is full of quotes from our prophet and his counselors and the 12 apostles.  Each chapter lists a topic and then has quotes from several on that subject.  I enjoyed reading it cover to cover, but also intend to use it as a resource for talks, lessons, and programs that I write. What a treasure!

                                                   

Family Book Club: The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife

 We recently held our family online book club meeting to discuss The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife.  

We spent the first hour just talking and updating each other on our lives.  How I love this hour.  We did finally get around to discussing this excellent book.  It is one I highly recommend.  We all enjoyed it and loved Fred.  

Next month we will discuss favorite conference talks.

Go Cougars

 We love this season of the year.  The stadium in stripes!

Holy Ghost Mckonkie

 

Sun Chips

 

I was having Sun Chips for lunch and snapped a pictures to text to my granddaughter Brielle because we both love these Garden Salsa Sun Chips.  I wasn't intending to do a my favorite things post about them, but realized I should.  I have been on a Sun Chip streak lately.  I especially like this flavor. They are one of my many favorite things!

Olive Kitteridge

 

Modern Fiction   Physical Book

Oh Olive.  I think that is the title of book two in this series, and it is exactly what I want to say to Olive who I really got to know reading this book.  It is not really a novel, but thirteen short stories in which Olive appears.  The thirteen stories all have plots and characters of their own, but also give us a deep dive into Olive and tell us her story, too.  It really is unique and clever writing.  It is really unlike any other.  It won the Pulitzer Prize.  Who do I think I am trying to review it?  But Olive became personal to me.  At first, I really didn’t like her.  But I came to know her and understand her and even love her.  Like her?  Not really, but I did come to love her.  She became a living, breathing character.  It is powerful, memorable writing.  Now, what to rate it?  Hmmm.  I guess no one cares but me, but I do care.  I want to be fair.  It’s not a 5.  I didn’t like it that much.  But it’s way better than a 3.  I guess that leaves 4 stars. Yes, 4 stars seems right.

Be Kind

 

Be Flexible

This has become one of my mantras for working in the sealing office at the temple.

 

Let Go of the Past

 

Pray for Husbands

 

How Does God Often Meet Our Needs?

 

Just Listen to Those Beautiful High Tones

 

Just Listen to Those Beautiful High Tones

I share this story to illustrate how impactful our words can be on others.  When I was in high school, I was in the Madrigal choir.  I was in the choir as an alto.  One day I was singing for my teacher, Mr. Condon.  He had me sing higher and higher.  He stopped me and said, “I think you might be a soprano, Kay.”  He tested me further and seemed delighted with his discovery.  Shortly thereafter he gave me a soprano solo in one of our songs (Crescent Noon.)  As I sang it for the first time in rehearsal, he said to the group, “Just listen to those beautiful high tones.”  My spirit soared.

Those seven words have made a huge difference in my life.  From then on, I started singing soprano.  His words gave me courage to audition for parts and choirs, and to continue singing.  Singing still brings me so much joy.  It didn’t take much effort for him to say those words, but, to me they have made all the difference.

Use your words to build others.  You may make all the difference in their lives.

Budapest, Hungary

Because the ship could go no further down the Danube because it didn't have enough water, the company offered a bus tour down to Budapest, Hungary.  This was just the day after we joined the ship. Ken went on the tour.  These are pictures he took on that day.

Hero's Square

Vajdahuny Castle

National Library

Hungarian Parliament Building

Taken from the Margaret Bridge looking back at the Parliament Building

Hungarian Academy of Sciences

This is the Man at Work statue back in Bratislavia (these pictures got out of order!)

These are called Mozart balls.  They are little chocolates.  We had each been given one on the flight to Vienna.  Ken found some to buy in Bratislavia.

Back to Budapest: St. Stephen's Basillica

St. Stephen's Basilica

Budapest Eye.  Much like London's eye.

Herend Tree of Life Fountain in Jozsef Nador Square

Another fountain in that square

Buda Castle

First bridge connecting Buda and Pest, creating Budapest

Devin Castle