Books I Want to Read in 2013

Books I Want to Read in 2013!

2011 Books

You may (or may not) remember a post I did two years ago (really??? Has it been two years?) about books I intended to read in 2011.

  You'll notice two that I had planned to read that year are in this year's stack.  No, I never read them.     I feel a bit guilty that I haven't read them, so I'm going to give it another go.  Many of the books in THIS stack  are for our family video chat book club.    Plus there's a few that I'm just itching to read; just because.  So, we'll see how I do.  There's also a few books that are scheduled for our book club that aren't pictured.  I intend to get them from the library in the month we're reading them.    So, I think there's a total of 24 books.  That's two a month.  Doable, right?  

   Very few things make me happier than a delicious stack of books, waiting to be read!

The Duck

It's fun to finally be the keepers of the duck at our house. The Gabrielsen Family - my side- has an annual (recently changed to bi-annual) golf tournament called "The Gabrielsen Open."  It started in 1986.  My mom bought this duck to serve as the tournament's pass around trophy.  Last summer, Ken won it for the first time, so it's at our house.  It doesn't fit our decor very well. but I still proudly display it in our home.   It has more meaning to me than a duck, or a golf tournament.  It lists all the men in my family- since all have won it- some several times.  That list includes my Dad who won it in 1991.  That's special to me.  

Hal giving his "What the duck means to me" speech at the last reunion.

Hal relinquishing the duck to Ken.

Ken giving his "I don't deserve the duck" speech.

Congratulations, Ken!

.P.S. He's gonna hate this post.

The House on Mango Street

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Nope. I didn't like this one. I am slightly tempted to give it two stars because the writing style is poetic and unique. But, I didn't care for it, even though I see it's literary value. I felt it detracted from rather than furthering the story. And I didn't care for the content. It took me where I didn't want to go. Simply put: I didn't like it.



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Out of the Best Books, Volume Four

Out of the Best Books, Volume 4 by Bruce Budge Clark

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I've now finished Volume Four of this series of collections of great literature compiled for The Church of Jesus Christ's Relief Society Cultural Refinement lessons in the 1960's. As I've done in the reviews of volumes 1-3, I'd like to mention some of my favorite selections from this book.
The Death of Socrates, written by Plato was powerful. First, I hadn't realized that we have no writings from Socrates himself. Everything we have came from Plato, his student, writing it down. Plato was present at Socrates' death. He was put to death by poison because he wouldn't retract things he said. He gave a speech and willingly drank the poison. The speech was powerful emphasizing integrity and obedience to principle.
I was also mesmerized by Balzac's "Christ in Flanders Field." First of all, I've always wondered who Balzac was. I was in the musical "The Music Man" in high school. I played the part of one of the Pick-a-little-talk-a-little ladies. Our characters were critical of Marion, the librarian because she advocated "dirty books," including Balzac. Well, there was nothing "dirty" about this Balzac selection. It was an allegory on the people of this world and how our only hope of being saved is Christ.
These books each have a few selected paintings in them. I love one called "Lady Jean" by George Bellows. I would love a print of it for my kitchen, as the colors are perfect. I love her sweet face and the vibrant colors.
A poem called "Ars Poetica" had a powerful, ponderable ending:
" A poem should not mean
But be."
A poem's meaning maybe skips the mind, and, as a beautiful piece of music does, goes straight to the soul.
A selection by Mark Twain called "Learning the River" was fascinating to me.
Maybe the best part of this volume was a selection of great speeches and writings at the end of the book. It included selections from men (and one woman) who the authors felt achieved serenity in this life. There were speeches by Martin Luther, Gandhi, Churchill, Kennedy (probably wouldn't be included in a similar book printed today as evidence now suggests that Kennedy did not achieve serenity in his life- but quite the opposite! But he did have great speech writers!) and my favorite of all- Abraham Lincoln. It, of course included the Gettysburg address. A lesser-known selection of Lincoln's just thrilled me. It was a letter written to John Johnston. Google it. It was a response from Lincoln to Johnston when the latter wrote to Lincoln asking for a loan. Lincoln's response was genius. I have to wonder if this was the basis for our current federal grant system?? I'm sure a collection of this kind written today would include selections from Ronald Reagan.
I'm sad there is only one more volume of this series left for me to read, as I'm enjoying them so much. Maybe I'll have to start over when I get through volume Five!



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Christmas at our House

Keynote concert at the tabernacle on Sunday night.  Considering half of us had colds, it went pretty well.

Christmas eve program

Christmas eve nativity

The wise man brings gifts.  That is one colorful wise man!

Santa reading to Joseph

Singing

Bucking donkey. "Walk, walk, trot, trot, gallopy, gallopy, gallopy."  "Again!"  I love how he clings with his little feet.

Christmas morning

Ride em cowgirl!

Lily girl

My Favorite Things : The Fitbit

Can something that is only 2" long rule a mature adult's life.  Yes, yes it can.  Let me introduce you to my fitbit.  My sister Joan introduced me to him about a year ago.  He's ruled my life since.  I do posts about my favorite things, and I'm including this among those.  It's one of my favorite things; but it's also one of my least favorite things.  I think they call that a love/hate relationship.  This little device is a despot. It is a taskmaster.   It counts my steps each day and when I push it's button, it says "I like you" and "Ready to rumble?" and such.  It records each and every step, and if I'm good I can make the flower grow.  It really motivates me to move.  

It tells me the time.

It tells me how many miles I've walked today.

It tells me how many calories I've burned . . .

, , , and how many flights of stairs I've climbed.

And most important of all, how many steps I've taken today.

Through GPS, it records and keeps track of all my data on my computer.  Once a week I get a report card.  That's motivation! Each morning, I clip it on me and go. Actually, in the interest of full disclosure, I sleep with this little guy- just in case I get up in the night.  Hey!  I want credit for every step!    This has been somewhat of a challenge in the pool, as it is not waterproof.  I've figured out a way:

I put it in a ziplock bag and attach it to my glasses.  People stare and suppress smiles when they see me.  They think I don't see, but I do.  One day, when I went to water aerobics class, I could see a group of ladies on the other side of the pool clustered together, looking at me and talking.  Finally, one of them swam over and asked me what that was hanging from my glasses.  I explained.  She said they'd been guessing and that she had thought it must be a music device.  "I know she sings in a group," she'd told the others.  "Do you have no pride?" you're asking.  I guess not.  Yes, I really go to the pool looking just like this- disheveled hair, no make up, with a bag hanging from my glasses.

I learned one day how completely I've let this little guy rule my life.  I was shopping at Costco.  Costco is a BIG store, and I always get lots of steps on Costco days.  I was about half-way through my shopping and, to motivate me to keep going, I went to check my fitibt, only to discover I had forgotten to put it on!  AHHHHHHH!  I nearly melted in a puddle right there on the Costco floor.  "I'm taking all these steps for NOTHING????"  I was devastated.  Somehow I sucked it up and resignedly finished my shopping trip.  When Ken got home that evening, he found me sitting in a chair, hitting the fitbit, trying to get it to think I was taking steps.  It didn't work.  But then I came up with a brilliant idea.  He was planning to go on a  walk (he often goes on a de-stress/ exercise walk right after getting home from work)  Lightbulb!   I clipped the fitbit on him as he left for his walk, and so HIS steps counted on MY fitbit.  The little devil (the fitbit; not Ken) never knew the trick we played on him.  And I'm pretty sure Ken got more steps on his walk than I did at Costco.  Brilliant!  But then my grandson, Nathan, got me back.

When the kids were here visiting, I got worn out.  I just didn't feel like exercising.  It was extremely hot outside.   Nathan, who is ALWAYS full of energy seemed like the perfect solution. I clipped the fitbit on his shirt and told him to run around the house.

   Each time he came around, I  gave him ice water. 

                                    

  Then, he said he was just too tired.  "Grandma, you go!  You do it!  YOU run and I''LL take pictures of you"  Only for Nathan would I run around the house in 110 degree heat.  I clipped it on and started.

Pretty soon that little boy who was "just too tired" ran up to me, giggling about the trick he'd played on me.

Pretty proud of himself!

  

So, I introduce you to one of my favorite/ least favorite things- the fitbit!

Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith

Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved reading about this great prophet. I really, really liked him. His personality seemed a lot like President Hinckley's. This is my favorite book of the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church series, so far.



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Lark Rise to Candleford

Lark Rise to Candleford: a Trilogy by Flora Thompson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I finally finished this book. It's actually three books- a trilogy- in one. Because my husband and I LOVED the BBC series "Lark Rise to Candleford," I just had to read the book/books. A page-turner it was not, but it was well-written and very enjoyable. There is no plot. It's well-written autobiographical memories of Laura and her life in Lark Rise and then in Candleford. She describes her English hamlet and village in great detail, including the residents. It's chock full of anectodes of her growing up years and the people among whom she lived. The creators/ writers of the series had obviously read and studied this book, and with great vision, created the BBC series. Every scene, character and relationship in the series has real-life base in the book. That makes me like the television series even more. There really was someone as crazy as Twister in real life? Yes, he was probably even MORE crazy in real life. There really was a Queenie, Dorcas, Edmond,Zillah, and all the others. Do I recommend the book? Yes, but, even more, I recommend the BBC series. This is one of only two books/movies that I actually liked the movie better. (The other being "Sarah, Plain and Tall") It is delightful entertainment.



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I was sick, but I'm better now, and there's work to be done.

Mantras.  Remember I was supposed to be writing about mantras?  My post box is full of mantra drafts.  But I haven't actually published one since  October.   New Year's Resolution:   "Do mantra posts.  Convince yourself they don't have to be perfect and just publish them. One a month.  Twelve this year!"  That's one of my resolutions for 2013.  Ah, now I have to DO it!   For some reason, I  have a hard time putting my stamp of approval on these mantra posts and  publishing them.  So they just sit there in my post drafts box- for months on end.
    So, I thought this mantra borrowed from  Kurt Vonnegut(though I'm not a great fan of him, he did have a great mantra!) would be a great one to start out the new year.  I love this mantra.  You know how you feel when you just got off -track and wasted a lot of time or when you just ate foods you vowed you weren't going to eat any more or when you said something to someone that you wish with all your heart you hadn't said or when you've procrastinated something for a really long time?   I hope I'm not the only one that's had that devastating and paralyzing guilt.  This mantra has really helped me.  "I was sick, but I'm better now and there's work to be done."  Forgive yourself for misdeeds or undone deeds, and just move on.  Get to work.  Don't let past mistakes and laziness affect what could be done today.  Love it.   So there's a mantra for you to consider.  If you'd like to read other mantras, click here.  Read the comments as well, as several friends have shared their great mantras.

Enticement

This is the new playground at the park behind our house.  I post it as enticement for my grandchildren to come. They've been working on it for several months.  It opened just before Christmas.  So, come to me grandchildren!  Come to me!   It's really fun!!!

Uncle Ron's Funeral

Behind in blogging?  Ah, yes!  Christmas (and after Christmas Keynote and Choir prep.) does that to a person.  But, poco a poco . . . I'll catch up.    The Wednesday after Thanksgiving we got a call saying that my Uncle Ron had passed away in Boise and that the funeral would be Saturday.  So we took a very quick trip up to Boise for the funeral.   We left on Friday and met up with Patty, Pam, and Roger for lunch in Provo.  Joan and Tom graciously let us break and enter their home and stay there, even though they were still in North Carolina with family.  We attended the viewing on Friday night, then my siblings and spouses  (minus Tom and Joan, of course) went to dinner at Jaker's and literally closed the place down. It was so nice to visit and catch up- especially with John and Cindy who we don't see very much.   The funeral the next day was a beautiful tribute to a fine man and father.  Each of his children spoke and did a marvelous job.  The music was beautiful, too.  It was so nice to see many of my cousins.   It's difficult to describe that feeling of family.  It is a joyous thing and we all felt it, I could tell.  I think I visited with every cousin and spouse except for one of the wives.   Good, good people.   We picked up Tom from the airport on Saturday night and then attended his ward at 9am before our long trek back.  We got to take Patty home, so enjoyed her company as far as Elk Ridge.  Family- it's really what it's all about!

Me with sisters Patty, Cindy, and Pam.  We missed you ,Joan!

Aunt Gary and the cousin in that family that is my age: David

Most of the cousins that were there with the three surviving members of  my Dad's generation in the front: Aunt Grace, Aunt Gary, and Dad's sister, Aunt Nedra.
Back row:  David, Todd, Joe, Scott, Me, John Eric
2nd Row: Pam, Christy, Randee, Skp, Diane, Patty
Alex and Carol were there, too, but not pictured.
There are a lot of good people in this picture.

John, Scott (the new speaker of the house in Idaho!) and dear Aunt Nedra