The Whistling Season

The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This story transports the reader to another time (1910) and place (Montana). It’s Ingalls, MacLachlan, and Stegner all rolled into one. The reader is immersed in the world of the homesteader, the one-room schoolhouse, and the life of a family of a widower raising his three sons. He responds to an ad for a woman housekeeper, and gets much, much more. The narrator, the oldest son, is a genius and child prodigy who tells the story in beautiful, almost poetic language. The book is full of wonderful characters and delightful humor. I read it because someone suggested Doig’s writing reminded them of Wallace Stegner’s. The writing style is wonderful and I will definitely want to read more by this author. As an aside, I loved learning more about the Latin language and Halley’s comet. I would give the book five stars, but the ending troubled me a bit. I can’t say more without giving it away.



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Two Old Women

Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival by Velma Wallis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I just reread this book- one of my favorites- for our book club. It is a powerful affirmation of the strength of the human spirit, the value of the elderly, and the survival instinct. It prompted a gratitude-filled book club discussion on these things and made us all want to learn more about our ancestors and pass on their legends.



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35 Weeks and Still Counting!!!

This poor blog has turned into a book review blog.  It's really hard to blog from an ipad, so I wait until I'm home. I'm home for a few days now.  Shonna is at week 35 in her pregnancy and still doing fine.  Baby Girl Cameron is showing signs of wanting to come, but, so far, so good.  It's been an interesting few months of living in two places and trying to keep both homes up and running.  I am just so grateful that I am in a position that I can help.  I see how the Lord has blessed that little family.  I've loved getting closer to my precious grandchildren.   They are cute and funny and, I'll admit, exasperating at times.  What kids aren't?  But I love them and miss them when I'm home.  Let me see if I can capture the highlights of the last few weeks/ months?  I don't know- however long it's been.

 On Wednesday,  the 9th, Joan came for a nice visit. She left Boise at about 7am.  We met up at the Logan cemetery and decorated my parents graves after the kids got out of Joy School at 11:30am.

Lily, watching for the return of the scary lawnmower.  

  It is such a lovely cemetery.  A young girl was driving a huge ride- on lawnmower while we were there, which frightened little Lily to death.  So I had a barnacle attached to me the whole time we were there.  It was a sweet little barnacle, though. . . and very kissable.  I tell her when I kiss her that I’m leaving a “grandma mark” so now she says it.  “You left a  Grandma mark on me, Grandma.”  She’s impossible to resist.

 Shonna came along for the ride.  I’m afraid it caused contractions that afternoon.  She had been having a lot before, too, so maybe that’s just what her body is doing.  But I felt bad. I just wanted her to have a little outing.  Anyway, Joan followed us to Shonna’s house after, and we had taco salad, quesadillas, strawberries and the traditional scotcharoos for lunch.  Joan is now on the BYU alumni board.  She was on her way to her first meeting in Provo and had to be there by 4:30.  So she left Logan about 2:15.  It was so fun to spend a few minutes with her.  Caleb and Lily loved her.  Ever since, Lily has been pretending she is Aunt Joan and Caleb pretends he is silly Uncle Tom. 

During this bed rest, the Camerons have been finishing their basement, so we've had workers in and out.  It  is all but done. It is just beautiful.  They have set up a fun play room down there that Caleb especially loves.  One afternoon, Caleb was down there a LONG time, so I went to check on him.  He was hiding his little, colorful pom poms and then finding them again- like an easter egg hunt.  I taught the FHE lesson on Monday evening where we did an Easter egg hunt.  He remembered that.  So he was hiding them himself and then finding them.  . . makes for a high success rate in finding them!  So I played a few rounds with him.  He is so cute and loves his play room- especially if he can lock the door and have it to himself.  He is really into door locking, and it’s caused some tense moments.  I’ve become quite proficient at lock picking. . . and I didn’t even have to go to prison to acquire the skill!  Just had to hang with Caleb for awhile!!  Boys like girls with skills.

  He and I had a fun “Grandma date” to the library one afternoon.  He had a fun time, but was so worried that Lily didn’t get to go (she was napping.)  “I wish Lily was here cuz this is fun.” He’d say.   I joked with them a lot about “Grabbing a hamburger and then heading to St. George” whenever we’d get in the car.  Lily was all for the adventure, but Caleb always protested loudly that he didn’t want to go to St. George.  I think he understood better what leaving his parents would be.  The day I left, Lily was all for sneaking in my car and going with me.  She’d come up to me and tell me she wanted to sneak.  She even told Shonna goodbye.  “But I’ll really miss you.”  “I’ll come back tomorrow!”  She teased. One day, when I was buckling her in her car seat, she told me "I'm in heaven."  "Oh, really?  How did you get there?"  "I went to Sam's Club and then to China, and then I got to heaven."  So, there you have it!  You now know how to get to heaven.  

The Litigators

The Litigators by John Grisham

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed this book. The protagonist, David was moral, likable, and even kind of heroic, but a “real” and average guy. I think it not an accident that his name is David as the theme of the book was “David versus Goliath.” I won’t tell you who wins, but if you like Grisham, you’ll probably like this one. The premise of the book, the colorful ensemble of characters, the humor, and limitless supply of ideas for law suits would make a great weekly television series. “Finley and Figg” would make a great title for the series. You’d need a younger Ed Asner -type to play Finley and a younger Danny Levito- type to play Figg. I was picturing it throughout. Remember, you heard it here first!



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Recovering Charles

Recovering Charles by Jason F. Wright

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I listened to this book, read by the author. With Luke, son of an alcoholic, I traveled to New Orleans to search for Luke’s missing alcoholic father in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. I learned much about that horrible disaster and what it was like there then. I liked the characters Luke meets – his father’s friends- and appreciated all Luke learned about forgiveness, love, and the importance of family. I thought it was a well-written and powerful book.



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Chasing Redbird

Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Though it took a while for me to “get into” this book, once in, it soon became an “Is it really 1:30am? I’ve got to go to sleep, but I’ve got to find out what happens” book. The theme is beautifully subtle, but by the end you want to give it to a youth who is struggling with the death of a loved one. . . or to someone who is dealing with a youth who is struggling with the death of a loved one. Everyone deals with grief differently, and Zinny’s way is certainly unique. She is prickly, determined and stubborn, but somehow loveable, too. I sort of miss her now I’m not living with her day to day!



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The Spectator Bird

The Spectator Bird by Wallace Stegner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I have started this review no less than ten times. As in the other three Stegner books I have read, I feel consummately inadequate to review such a fine author. It’s difficult to put into words the poignant emotional journey I take when I read his books. His writing is processed not just with the mind, but with the heart and soul. The Spectator Bird is the story of an old codger who at first seems unlikable, but who I really liked, and his reflections on his life. He reminded me a little of my Dad. The book brought back poignant memories of a talk I had with my Dad in the last year of his life- as he reflected on his life.
I think the timeline of the story is only about three days, but much of the book is flashback (through the reading of a journal) to a trip to Denmark he and his wife took many years before. The book is about aging and life, in general. And, as is true of all of the Stegner books I have read, it is a study of marriage and love, fidelity and devotion. . . and forgiveness. I have read Angle of Repose, Crossing to Safety, The Big Rock Candy Mountain, and now this one. This may be my favorite of all, though I think I have said that about each one. I can say equivocally that Stegner is one of my favorite authors of all time.




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Raising Up a Family to the Lord

Raising Up a Family to the Lord by Gene R Cook

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I’m kind of cheating saying I’ve read this book because I didn’t really read the whole thing. We read it for our family book club, so I thoroughly read my two assigned chapters and reported on them and I read or skim- read the rest. Elder Cook gives lots of good ideas and examples- practical advice. Since he raised his family (as did I) a while ago, some of the examples are outdated, but the principles still apply. The book generated a great discussion for our book club. I didn’t agree with some of the book- especially the chapter on teaching children about work and finances. I guess that illustrates that there is more than one right way to raise a family. Advice: Skip (or skim) Chapter 1. It may discourage you from reading the rest.



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Hey, Diddle Diddle

Close to Famous

Close to Famous by Joan Bauer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


If the beautiful, delicious-looking cupcakes on the cover don’t pull you in, the first page of the story will. Bauer has a gift for creating young, talented, flawed and likable characters. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this young adult novel about a young girl who is a talented baker, but who has problems that she needs help overcoming. Any young reader will relate with her and be inspired by her as she perfects what she’s good at and faces her obstacles and challenges. I loved Bauer’s Hope Was Here, and liked this one almost as much.



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Johnny Tremain

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Esther Forbes captures the excitement and danger, the commitment and courage it took to free this country from English rule. This historical fiction story won the Newberry Award. I recently read the book for the third time and enjoyed it. Johnny Tremain, a gifted silversmith’s apprentice has the world by the tail until he is badly burned. The story is told from his perspective. Though he is a fictional character, the leaders of the revolution are characters in the story. The story makes that period of history come to life and gives the reader an appreciation for all who helped establish our freedom.



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Calico Joe

Calico Joe by John Grisham

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


What? A Grisham novel without a single lawyer in it? That’s Calico Joe. It’s a story of baseball, intermingling fictional characters with those that really played in the 1970’s. But more than that, it’s a story of abuse and forgiveness and transformation. A departure for Grisham, not only because it’s not a law story, but also because it’s short, this is a deeply moving story of forgiveness and repentance. Baseball fans and non -sports fans alike will like this moving book. I only wish my dad was still alive to read it. He loved Grisham’s other non-lawyer story- A Painted House. Being a big Cubs fan, he would have loved this one. I fully expect to watch this story on the big screen someday. It would make a great movie.



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Grandpa Ken Comes for a Visit

Ken came to Logan for a visit last weekend.  Our nephew, Kyler got married in the Rexburg temple, so Ken drove to Logan on Friday and he and I drove to Rexburg on Saturday to attend the wedding and luncheon.  It was so fun to be there.  Kyler and Ashley looked so happy.  I didn't get a great picture, but this is the happy couple emerging from the temple:

Have you ever seen the wind?  I know they say you can't see wind, but, in Rexburg, you can see the wind.  I swear.  All of my pictures outside the Rexburg temple are blurry and I swear it's the wind.  

It was so fun to visit with the Rick Hinton cousins who made the trek en mass to be at the wedding.  Here Ken is telling his Grand Canyon adventures to Travis, Brett, Bryan, and Stacy.  Love these people.  What a great group!

It was so fun to see and enter the Rexburg temple.  I attended school in Rexburg for two years, but, of course, the temple wasn't there then.

After the wedding, Ken drove me around Rexburg so I could see the old stomping grounds.  I hardly recognized a thing.  I did find the apartment building where I lived.  But that was about all.  

It used to be called Village Apartments, but now it's called Rockland and it's now housing for men.  How dare they mess it up?  I swear they shrunk the hill I had to climb from there to get to campus.  It just didn't seem as steep and long as I remember it!!!  Maybe it's because there was no ice being blown in my face.

Sunday was Ken's 60th birthday.  After church, I made him his favorite lemon meringue pie.  It always has fissures.  Oh well, it still tasted wonderful.  

Wishing for another 60 years!

When I was making the pie, I let Caleb lick the filling spoon.  He didn't like the sour taste.  When I asked him what he'd like instead of lemon pie for a treat, he said he'd like a pear.  So he ate his pear while we ate lemon pie.  This kid is THE best eater in the world.  He loves healthy foods.

Lily is also a very good eater, but she LOVED the lemon pie.  

It was plate-lickin' good!!!

The kids were thrilled that Grandpa got lots of yummy treats for his birthday and that Grandpa is a good share boy.

Happy birthday, Ken!  I love you more than that!!!!

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The House on Willow Street

The House on Willow Street: A novel by Cathy Kelly

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I picked this book up at Costco, hoping it would be an enjoyable, easy read. It turned out to be just that. The setting is a quaint , now touristy village in Ireland. This is the story of four of the women of that village. I found it a bit difficult at first to keep track of the characters, but once “into” the book, I found them to be quite distinct from one another, and people I enjoyed spending time with. Though maybe a bit predictable, I loved the happy ending.



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Austenland

Austenland by Shannon Hale





This book is certainly a departure from other Shannon Hale books I’ve read. I picked it up at the library thinking, “I’ve heard of this.” But I couldn’t remember what I’d heard and had no idea what it was about. Though I admire Hale’s writing, I’m not much of a fantasy fan, so this somewhat “real-life” play was refreshing and I was pleasantly surprised at the setting and the premise. It’s a must- read for Austen fans (which I reticently admit I am not.) You can’t help but like the main character, Jane and enjoy her immersion in the English world of yesteryear. It may not be the best book I have ever read, but it kept me entertained and turning the pages. I look forward to the movie, though I’m not sure I should subject my husband to it. He’s a pretty good sport, but this one might be a little much. I just saw on goodreads that there is a sequel to this book. Now I know more what to expect, I just may pursue that.


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Sacred Gifts

I had the privilege of attending the BYU Museum of Art's Exhibition: Sacred Gifts last Saturday.  It was a sacred privilege to view these most beautiful, priceless paintings.  As one of the lenders said in essence- These paintings have never been loaned before and I don't think they ever will be again.  We feel a connection with the people of Utah because they love Christ.

 The app for iphone or ipad is wonderful if you didn't get to go to the exhibit.  It is free and can be found in the itunes store. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sacred-gifts-brigham-young/id723165787?mt=8.  I recommend you download it and listen to the beautiful summaries of each painting and enjoy the exhibit.

Here are some of the famous paintings I got to view:

This one by Hoffman was probably my favorite.  It is President Monson's favorite and he has it hanging on his wall.  I have one by another painter on my wall that my sister, Patty found. Jesus' face looks very similar to this one in that painting.  Hoffman said he didn't want to sell it.  He liked it above his bed where each day he would give an accounting of his actions of the day.

This painting just IS the Sermon on the Mount.  Ever since I was young, this is the picture the teacher would hold up when teaching the sermon on the mount.  I got to see it in real life!!!  Yes, you can touch me.

This is also one I grew up seeing . . . and feeling.

This picture doesn't do it justice, but this was a powerful grouping of actually five paintings.  In the center is Jesus Christ in the red robe with a crown of thorns.  The mobs are represented on the left and right of him.  On the far left is the young virgin Mary.  On the far right, the saddened, older Mary, mother of Jesus.  I wept when I thought what she went through as I viewed her sad eyes and line-worn face.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  This one is worth at least that.  It teaches so powerfully "pride."

Another of Hoffman's- the young Jesus teaching in the temple.  Hoffman's face of Jesus is consistent.  When asked who he used for a model of the Savior, he said he closed his eyes and could just see Him and painted from that image.  

I took with me to this exhibit a young, teen-aged friend who is struggling right now.  I wanted her to feel the love of the Savior by viewing these paintings.  I don't know if it did that for her (I continue to pray for her), but it certainly did that for me.  He is my Joy, my Exampler, my Healer, my Comforter, my Leader, my Redeemer, my Savior, and my Friend. In His name, I testify that He lives.  Amen.

Let It Go!

One word:  WOW!

My Favorite Things- Pickled Beets

Sweet pickled beets have long been one of my favorite things on a salad bar.  I was excited to find these at Costco.  Now I can have them any time I want at home!   They are really yummy on salads or just as a little enhancement to any dinner.
Sweet pickled beets- one of my favorite things.

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Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I just listened to this powerful book on a road trip. I first read it years ago, and couldn't remember the details- only the emotions I felt when I read it. For a girl from Idaho, it was eye-opening to first read the stink of racial prejudice. Hearing it again brought back those feelings and sadness. At the end of the book on the recorded version, Mildred Taylor speaks to the reader, explaining that the stories told in the book were true- That the Logan family was her grandparents' family. She heard all of the stories from her father- one of the children in the book. That makes it even more powerful to me. Though the book deservedly won the Newberry Award for being the most distinguished contribution to children's literature in 1977, I think it's more appropriate reading for a young adult or adult. It may be too much for a sensitive and protected child.



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