The Glass Mountains

 

The Glass Mountains by Cynthia Kadohata
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

My least favorite book genre is fantasy. I especially don’t like to read about dystopian societies. Those novels are unsettling. This book falls into that category. It is well written, but was not my cup of tea. I would rate the first half of the book maybe a 1 ½, but the second half was better- once the romance started. For fantasy lovers, you may enjoy this. For me, I give it 2 ½ stars at best.

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The Secret Book and Scone Society

 

The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a fun read/ listen about a group of women who come together to solve a murder and become close friends in the process. Though some of the details were a bit farfetched, I really liked the characters and their support of one another. This is the first in a series. The ending of the book sets you up for the second book in the series. It sounds interesting . . .

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The Hound of the Baskervilles

 

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed reading this old, classic Sherlock Holmes mystery novel. I listened to the audio version, which was so well done, complete with scary organ music. I could almost feel the cold and see the spooky fog. This novel is said to be the best of the Sherlock Holmes series.

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Encanto

 We love Disney.  This movie was absolutely wonderful and taught such an important lesson.  With or without obvious gifts, we are important.  We highly recommend this one.

Just Between You and Me

 Just between you and me, now, let's keep this between us:  I am a COVID junkie.

That does NOT mean I want Covid.  Just the opposite.  What it means is that I click on and read everything I see about Covid in my newsfeed.  If the headline has the words omicron, covid, virus, mandate, vaccination, mask, coronovirus, delta, WHO, Fauci, CDC, cruise canceled, hospital, death, quarantine, etc, etc, or anything of the like . .. I click on it.  I am a confessed COVID junkie.

I think I must be the minority.  It seems like others must be uninformed or they would not be going on in life as if nothing has changed.  Sometimes I am just amazed at the crowds I see at games, concerts, in restaurants, at church.  Most of them are not masked.  Click on the above words, people.  Information is power! I sure would like to put an end to this craziness! = Rantings of a confessed COVID junkie.  Over and out.

Smoothies

 I decided to post about one of my NOT favorite things- smoothies.  I know, I know.  I am the minority.  In fact, I may stand alone in this.  But I just don't like fruit smoothies.  I think it's the little chunks.  Tiny though they may be, they bother me.  

Smoothies- one of my NOT favorite things!

My Happiness

 Something that brings me true joy is books.  I love to clean off my bookshelf at the first of the year and shelf the books that I plan to read that year.  I add to it as the year progresses, but this is my first of the year bookshelf for 2022.  

I subscribe to SCRIBD as well.  On Scribd, there are audio books, as well as ones you can read.  I am always reading a book and listening to another one.   I read on Scribd as well as "real" books as seen above.  I prefer the "real" books.  I love to hold them, I love to look at them, I love to stroke their covers. I love to smell them, and I love to read them.  I like to see how far into the book I am and how far I have to go. So, a real book is best.  But, if a book I want to read is available on scribd, I will read it or listen to it there. Books truly are my happiness.  Happy reading in 2022!

Temple Update

 We no longer try to take pictures ourselves of our Red Cliffs temple that is being constructed.  There are so many great ones posted on social media.  Here are a couple that show the progress.  We are so excited.

Look at this beautiful one.  It is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

How I Know Ken Loves Me

 How do I know Ken loves me?  I have noticed he shows me in some very specific ways:

1.  He will take a selfie of us whenever I ask, and he never, ever complains.  I love pictures.  He developed great skills at taking selfies of us when we were in Japan.  I ask him frequently when we are traveling.  He always is willing.

2. Shrimp.  Whenever he orders shrimp, he shares one with me.  Sometimes there are only three shrimp, as they are a garnish, but, knowing I love shrimp, he always gives me one.  Unless, of course, I have ordered the same thing.

3. He drops what he is doing and comes running.  He is always willing to interrupt what he is doing and come running when I call him to come help with something or listen to something I have written or whatever.  One exception:  The other night, we were preparing for bed.  He was in the bedroom saying his prayers and I went into the kitchen to get a drink. I misjudged the distance to the counter and the glass full of milk crashed on the floor.  Glass and milk went everywhere, creating a barrier between me and the bedroom.  I was barefoot.  I hadn't turned on the dining room light, so I couldn't even see where the glass was.  I was stuck.  I couldn't move, because I couldn't get across the mess to go and get my shoes.  I started cleaning it up and called for help.  Ken finished his prayer first.  I kept calling.  He finally came.  I guess he puts Heavenly Father before me!  That's good.  But then he cleaned up the mess.
4.  Whenever I need something from the storage room downstairs, he jumps to go get it for me.  He has yet to ever complain.  He just goes.

5.  Last, and best of all the game:  Occasionally when I am sitting in my computer chair blogging or doing family history or whatever, he comes up behind me and rubs my shoulders and back.  I can't even tell you how good that feels.  Love in action, I tell ya!!

These are some ways I have noticed that Ken shows me he loves me.

Living Out Loud

 

Living Out Loud by Anna Quindlen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Before being a novelist, Anna Quindlen wrote a column for the New York Times. This book is a collection of some of those columns. Similar to Ann Patchett’s “These Precious Days,” this style of writing really resonates with me. I think that is because it is the kind of writing I like to do- short essays on a subject. It’s what I do on my blog. Though Ms (and she would like this title) Quindlen is far more liberal than I am, I enjoyed reading her views on different subjects. I mostly appreciated how well written they were. She wrote the column when she was a young mother in her thirties. They reflect her views on subjects young mothers in the 1980s were interested in: babies, child-raising, influence of grandparents, working mothers, feminism, birth control, abortion, etc. It was an enjoyable read. 3 1/2 stars from me.

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A Million Shades of Gray

 

A Million Shades of Gray by Cynthia Kadohata
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A story set in post- war Viet Nam. The Viet Kong come to destroy the village of a young boy who loves his elephant. It is a sad story. It certainly opened my eyes to a people and culture I knew little about. I continue to be amazed at the many settings this author can write about.

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Signed, Sealed, Delivered for Christmas

 We loved this series, but recently watched this Christmas episode of Signed, Sealed, Delivered.  It is really good and has a beautiful Christmas message.  It may not be available right now, but I'm sure will be back next Christmas season.

Las Vegas Temple

 Our plan was to drive to Las Vegas on Friday and spend the night there on our way to Las Angeles to board our cruise ship on Saturday, January 8th.  We got a hotel reservation and set appointments at the temple.  After the cruise was canceled, we decided to still keep our appointments at the temple in Vegas, even though everything said to avoid crowds. I have to admit it was a difficult time for me.  I was worried about the virus and fellow patrons in the temple were not wearing their masks over their noses, though explicitly instructed to do so.  We want so badly to get the temple work done that we need to do, but I'm not sure this is a good time with the virus running rampant.  We have appointments scheduled for Cedar City soon.  I'm not sure we will keep those appointments?  

I always find this approach to the Las Vegas temple such a contrast between the beautiful temple and the stark mountain behind.

It was a beautiful sunny day when we went into the temple.  

It was dark when we came out.

Another Canceled Cruise

 

We were supposed to set out of Las Angeles on a Mexican Riviera Princess cruise on January 8th.  Though it wasn't canceled, CDC guidelines recommended that people not cruise regardless of vaccination status.  We decided we best postpone our cruise.  This is the sixth scheduled cruise canceled due to COVID.  We hope to go on this cruise in a month or so when this omicron variant calms down.  

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year!

William has been sounding out words to spell.  Here is his Happy New Year sign.  He says five are tomatoes and one is a balloon.  One of these things is not like the others. . . Can you guess which one?

 Happy New Year!!!

Each year we hang a traditional New Year wreath from Japan on our door.  Oshiogatsu or New Years is the biggest holiday of the year in Japan.

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day were quiet, peaceful days at our house.  

We were so happy to see life-giving snow on our Pine Valley Mountain.

I took this one later in the day.

This is big, big news!  Ken played a game with me.  Did you hear the news?  Ken played a game with me. Ken is NOT a board game player.  But he actually ordered this one because it is about birds.  It is a beautiful, well -made, complicated, educational and fun game. 

We played it New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and we have played it a few times since.  I guess it's a new leaf for a new year.

Family tradition is that we all make aebelskivers on New Year's morning.  We actually didn't.  But we feasted on our daughters' pictures!

Michelle's kids did chores to prepare for the new year.  Jaron always gets his chores done quickly and early.  Gabbi was struggling getting motivated to get hers done.  Jaron quietly went over and mopped the floor- one of Gabbi's chores.  What a great way to start the new year-serving his sister.

Shonna sent this silly picture of Blake making gluten-free aebelskivers. 

So Brian copied Blake's pose and face.  These guys are funny.  

Happy New Year!!!!!

Read, Read, Read

 Actually, the whole mantra reads:

We heard this mantra on Jared Halvorsen's youtube production- hence the screenshot.  It shouldn't surprise you, if you know me, that I immediately adopted it as a mantra.  I love it.  One of the keys to happy, successful life is to read, work, and pray.  This specifically applies to scripture, but can also apply to all reading.  I love to read and learn, apply what I've read, pray and reread.  I don't know who you medieval alchemists were, but thanks for the great mantra!

My Beloved Pool

 I go to a health club- Summit- near my home. I love to exercise in the pool and have been doing so for years.  The pool has been deteriorating little by little over the years.  Summit announced that they would be repairing and rejuvenating the pool and that it would be closed for several months.

This is what it used to look like:

This is what it looks like now:

I took these pictures from the upstairs windows in the facility from the walking track.  I am trying to go and walk on that track while I wait, but it sure isn't as fun as the pool!!  I can't wait for it to reopen.  I hope they hurry!  I miss my beloved pool!

President Nelson's Suggestions for New Years' Resolutions

Our prophet, President Russell M Nelson recently posted some suggestions for New Years' Resolutions on social media.  I wanted to share them here: 

 I’m sure many of you are setting aside time today to write down your resolutions for the coming year.

May I make a few suggestions?

First, resolve to strengthen your spiritual foundation. This may involve setting a specific time and place to study the
scriptures, praying more often, making temple worship a bigger priority, and letting God prevail in all aspects of your life.

Second, resolve to be kind to others. When the Savior Jesus Christ visited the Americas, as recorded in the Book of Mormon, one of the first things He taught was the need to eliminate contention in our lives. So, please be compassionate, be understanding, be slow to judge, and be quick to forgive.

Third, resolve to be resolute. The Lord loves effort. The Lord loves consistency. The Lord loves steadfastness. While we surely will come up short from time to time, our persistent efforts to hear Him and follow the inspiration He gives us will help us to “wax strong in the Spirit” (Mosiah 18:26).

May God bless you, my dear friends, and may this be a wonderful year of purpose and possibilities for all of us. 

Colorado Fires

 I'm sure you heard about the fires that swept through Colorado neighborhoods and subdivisions, completely destroying over 1,000 homes.  The Mackrorys were very close to having to evacuate.  It was a scary time.  They didn't have to evacuate, but it was close.  The fire was very close to them.

This picture was taken from their front porch.  You can see how close the fires are.

This was taken out Brielle's bedroom window which is in the front of the house.
Being on high alert for possible evacuation, they started preparing.  Each child was asked to gather essentials and their treasures that they would not want to lose.  Kristen sent pictures of each of their piles of treasures.  Ken and I found it so interesting to see what was most important to each child.

Audrey's pile of treasures

Brielle's gathered treasures.  On the bed is her baptism dress and blessing dress.

It doesn't surprise us that Brielle's pile included her favorite books.  Brielle is an avid reader.

This is Jake's pile

Nathan's pile included his 3-D printer he just got for Christmas

This is Sammy's pile of treasures.

These piles might not be interesting to you, but to a grandparent they are very interesting.  They give us insight into their souls.  We expanded the pictures and studied them for quite a while.  We were pleased to see that each included scriptures, baptism books, and picture books Kristen has made for her children with pictures of them growing up.  They love those books.

Kristen didn't include she and Jared's pile, or Elisabeth's, but Kristen told us that her nativity set collection topped the list, along with little dollar store ornaments.  Each year, she has her children paint a dollar store frame ornament in which she puts a picture of them from that year.  She said she would be heartbroken to lose those.

They were blessed that they didn't have to evacuate, and they could just put their treasures away the next day.  But it was a wonderful exercise for each of them to see what they value most.

Our thoughts and prayers have definitely been with those who have lost so much in these fires.

The Heart's Invisible Furies

 WARNING!  Don't read this one!!!!!

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This book came so highly recommended that I was excited to read it. But I simply couldn’t finish it. I got a little over a fourth of the way into it. I kept expecting it to get better. It didn’t. I just kept getting worse. It was all about sex. I finally said, “Enough is enough.” As one of the characters in the book said frequently, “It is not my standards.” I am so relieved to be done with it.

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The Old Man and the Sea

 

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Whether or not Hemmingway intended symbolism in this classic novel, it was a powerful read. I cannot stop thinking about it. It presents such quiet, but powerful messages of endurance, courage, respect, strength, and love. The audio version is so well done.

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A Life Without Water

 

A Life Without Water by Marci Bolden
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

A very dramatic and soapy book. It kept me interested, but not deeply engaged . The themes were:
1) the importance of forgiveness- of one’s self and others.
2) Death
3) Grief
It is the first of a series. I probably won’t read the others.


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Love at First Dance

 This was a cute movie.  We watched in on the Hallmark movie channel.

When We Seek Him

 Our grandson, William is a precious soul.  On Christmas, the Prince family had a talent show for the Prince grandchildren.  William, when he saw the other children participating, wanted to do something, too.   He sang this beautiful song. They were so surprised as they didn't know he knew it so well.

 I have listened to it many times.  The words have really entered my soul and brought me peace.  I am determined to seek Him more.  Thank you, William!

Christmas with the Mackrorys

 Kristen wanted to bring her family and come for a few days before Christmas, but there just wasn't time between Branson and when we left to go to Shonna's. Sweet, dear Kristen was willing! But we enjoyed some time with the Mackrorys via technology.  Here are some wonderful Christmas eve pictures that she sent.

I love this picture.

We Facetimed with them on Christmas day.

Audrey

Sammy showing us one of his presents

Nathan opening a gift from us.

Brielle opening a gift

I didn't get enough pictures, but it was fun to see the Mackrorys and be part of their Christmas.  We love them all so very much.