The Storyteller

 

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Historical Fiction Audiobook
Did I finish it? Yes. Do I wish I hadn’t? Yes. I don’t want to read any more books about the Holocaust! I didn’t realize when I chose this one that that is what it is about. Ahh! The story is well-told. I will give it that. Very well told. It sucks you in. I suffered through Auschwitz so that I could find out what happens. And then I hated the ending! Hated it! Because the writing is good, I will give 2 stars instead of the 1 star my heart wants to give it.


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I Have Suspected This Was True!

 

Castle

 We finally made it through all the episodes and seasons of Castle.  We really enjoyed this series on Roku.  It was so nice to know what we were watching in the evenings and not have to hunt for something.  We finished a couple of weeks ago and haven't watched anything since.  We need to figure out what to watch next.  Any suggestions?

A House Guest that Won't Leave

 Meet Hadley Hawk.  She is a Cooper's Hawk that has taken up residence in our backyard.  Most of the time she sits in our bird bath.  She drinks from it and cools herself in it.  If she is not there, she is in a nearby tree.  We used to have a variety of birds that visited our bird bath, but she's pretty much claimed it as her own.  Other birds won't come when she's here.  Except for one bold hooded oriole (gorgeous bird) who scolded Hadley for a good 1/2 hour.  We wonder if Hadley raided her nest?  We find feather evidence of Hadley's taste for dove meat, though we haven't actually seen her kill one.  We wonder how long Hadley will be our house guest?  She is fun to watch.  

Stirring Constantly

 What are the worst possible directions to read in a recipe?  No question.  It's "stirring constantly."  Who wants to stand at a stove, stirring constantly?  Not me.

Hinton Family Reunion 2025: Sunday

 Sunday was the last day of our reunion.  The kids had fun playing card games before church.

William came into our room while I was getting ready to show me he was all ready for church.  Handsome boy.

 We attended church in Michelle and Brian's ward.  We took up two benches.  I snapped a couple of pictures before church started.

Teenager card game

The three youngest playing with the car racetrack.

After church we gathered for a devotional- well, two devotionals (because we missed our Saturday one.)  One taught by Brian and one taught by Kristen.  I wish I could post the video of us singing our theme song, "Building Zion" but blogger won't let me post videos.  Why? IDK

The last thing we did before packing up and leaving was take our family pictures.  I think they turned out great!

We love our family and thanks to our Savior, Jesus Christ, we know that we can be together forever!

Hinton Family Reunion: Saturday- Water Park Day

 On Saturday we went to Summit Splash Water Park in Provo.  We had a fun day.

They don't allow you to bring food into the park, so lunch was a picnic in the parking lot.

On the way home, Ken and I treated everyone to dinner at Costa Vita in Provo.  It was so fun- the highlight of the day for us! As we reminisce, it really was a highlight of the whole reunion.  Everyone was joking and laughing. The best part:  Every kid gobbled their dinner.  No, maybe the best part was little Lisi taking orders and serving as a waitress getting drink refills.  SO cute.  She went back and forth getting people drinks and ice with a huge smile on her face.   Afterward, we went back to Brian and Michelle's and had root beer floats and took turns in the showers. Thank goodness they have two water heaters!
How we love this group!

Hinton Family Reunion 2025: Friday, July 4th

Friday was recovery and hang- out- at- home day.  It started with a delicious breakfast, then the talent show at the church.  The talent show is always a highlight of the reunion.

Breakfast cooked by Brian and Blake

 

Grandpa MCd the talent show and started it off with a bang with his squirmy eye trick.  We discovered that one of our grandchildren has inherited this skill!  We will let her remain unnamed!

Jaron is really getting good at the piano.

Hannah and Shonna played a duet

Kenny sang a beautiful song- a tribute to mothers.  He has a beautiful voice.  He is one talented kid.

William did a hilarious banana dance.  It was so funny.

Brian played a beautiful guitar song.  Was it I Wonder When He Comes Again?  I think so. He played the melody with all the chords.  He is so good.

Kristen sang a spoof that Audrey had written.  It was so clever.  Man, I wish I had written notes.  I don't remember what it was a spoof on.

Shonna has been working hard on the piano and played a beautiful classical piece.  Again, I can't remember.  Was it Bach?

Jake has an amazing mind.  He gets interested in something and studies all about it.  He taught us about pill bugs or roly polies.  It was so interesting.

Lily danced a beautiful dance she had choreographed.

Nathan made meringue cookies for all.  We had for them dessert after lunch.  They were delicious!

When we visited the Camerons in May, Lily was trying to figure out how to do a fouetté.  She asked me.  I didn't know, but we googled it. We tried, but I just didn't have the skill to teach her. I told her Michelle could teach her.  It was just precious watching Michelle teach her how to do it. Michelle is an excellent teacher. It made me tear up.  It takes so much strength to do that move.  Lily really caught on.

What a great group.

Pretty soon, Michelle had several of the girls doing fouettes'

Then, those who wanted to did aerobic dancing.  Kristen, Shonna, and Michelle each took a turn leading a dance to one song. It was so fun.  Ken and I were the appreciative and loving audience.

Lunch was Kristen's chicken nachos.  They were so good.  All of us went home after the reunion and made them for our families.  The recipe is on hungryhintons.blogspot.com 

Michelle and Shonna made Rice Krispie treats.

Fun playing games and, after the rain quit, hanging outside in Michelle and Brian's big backyard.

Gabbi and Lily gave me a pedicure.

Later, we watched fireworks and just visited.  It was a nice, relaxing day.

Hinton Family Reunion 2025: Thursday- Lagoon Day

 Thursday was Lagoon Day!

How's everyone holding up?

Guess was also at Lagoon today?  Stacy Hinton and her family!  Stacy is Rick and Sherrie's daughter.  Michelle and Stacy danced on Folk Dance team at BYU together.  They were there celebrating her husband's birthday.

All tuckered out

Lagoon with cousins is the best!

What a great day with cousins at Lagoon.