Memorial Day

Remember 

"A whole lot of tomorrows were sacrificed 

so  we could enjoy today"

Grand Avenue  May 27, 2012

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

52 Books in 52 Weeks - Book 21: The Double Comfort Safari Club

52 Books in 52 Weeks

Love Alexander McCall Smith's books - all the different series. Just hope he keeps on writing!


Book 21

The Double Comfort Safari Club

by Alexander McCall Smith

2010

Another good read! Oh, those ladies of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency have so many adventures, small and large!

"When the two ladies of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency arrive at the Okavango Delta, their eyes are opened to the natural beauty of their homeland.  But they can't help being drawn into a world filled with rival safari operators, discontented guides, grumpy hippopotamuses.  On top of that, the date has still not been set for Mma Makutsi and Phuti Radiphuti's wedding, and it's safe to say that Mma Makutsi is beginning to grow a bit impatient.  Of course, none of this defeats Precious Ramotswe.  Good sense, kindness, and copious quantities of red bush tea carry the day.  As they always do."

Happy Mothers' Day - and Book 20 - Bob Schieffer's America

Happy Mothers' Day!


Two Beautiful Mothers

My Mother-in-Law
Elsie

My Mother
Lucille

Both lived very long lives: my mother until she was 96 -1/2, and Elsie over 92 years. These photos are both from around the same period : late 1930s or early 1940s. Both loved to read!

52 Books in 52 Weeks

Book 20

Bob Schieffer's America

by Bob Schieffer

2008

A book of short essays on a variety of topics arranged in 12 larger categories, most of which were used as the closing words on Schieffer's CBS weekly show. There is also some new writing and some notes of updated information regarding some of the essay topics.  These are interesting, and especially easy to read in short spurts of reading time since each essay is very short - but pithy.

"No one had done commentaries for CBS since Eric Sevareid's retirement in 1977, when, in April 1994, Bob Schieffer decided his show that week on the death of Richard Nixon needed a few closing words to put the subject into context.  The reaction was overwhelmingly positive, and he had been doing them ever since.  Bob Schieffer's America brings together 168 of his best essays -- from the hard issues of today (2008) to the human stories that show us who we are -- along with a wealth of brand-new material.  These essays speak to us all." 

Food Drive

Letter Carriers Food Drive

Today

A few days ago we found this bag (empty then) in our mailbox!

We've been trying to eat mostly fresh foods, so I didn't have much non-perishable on hand. Of course, we don't eat Lucky Charms or Trix - we eat oatmeal or "healthy" cereal! But I remember how much our children loved those kinds of cereal, so I thought some other families might like to get a box.

Since I managed to tear the bag a bit while trying to fit everything in, I first put the items into another bag & then into the special bag. Now it's in our mailbox waiting for pickup.  I thought it was too heavy to hang on the mailbox.  Luckily we have a pretty big mailbox, so the bag fit inside just fine.  I did have some leftover items - will take them to another food collection tomorrow. 

Years ago the Boy Scouts here used to have a similar food drive. They'd leave a regular brown paper grocery sack on porches or doorsteps one Saturday and then go around to pick up the filled sacks the next Saturday. There was probably a flyer or printing on the sacks explaining the program.  It was a good project, which the local food banks loved.  People who didn't want to - or couldn't - participate just didn't leave the bag outside, so it was simple to operate. Those going around to pick up  could easily spot the bags.  No doorbell ringing needed! I wonder if this Letter Carriers Food Drive took the program over from the Boy Scouts? I'm sure the Food Banks love this too!

In so many cases now, it seems better to give money to the organization.  That could be the case with food banks too, since they would know their specific needs and might have access to lower prices by buying in volume.  But there's something satisfying about filling a bag yourself and thinking it will help out a family in need, even if it's just a small gesture. 

I wonder if this Letter Carriers Food Drive is a nation-wide event?

52 Books in 52 Weeks - Book 19: Cain His Brother

52 Books in 52 Weeks

Cain His Brother

A Novel by Anne Perry

1996

" We have read each other as Cain his brother"

G.K. Chesterton

"Victoria's London was the queen of the universe, a dazzling city from whose magnificent mansions and discreetly luxurious clubs flowed the strategies that built the greatest empire ever known.  Meanwhile, the city's poor suffered and died in hopeless obscurity.  Inspector William Monk believes he knows his city's best and worst -- until the day Genevieve Stonefield comes to plead with him to find her missing husband.  Angus Stonefield had been gentle and loving in his family life; in his relationship with his twin brother, Caleb, a virtual saint.  Now he is missing -- and it appears more than possible that Caleb has murdered him.  As Monk inches toward the truth, he also  moves unwittingly towards the destruction of his good name and livelihood."

Another in the William Monk series, this has several interesting strands, along with the central story of Angus and Caleb.  My husband did not like the ending at all - thought it was too contrived.  I felt the author may have begun with the ending, or at least the premise of the ending, and then figured out how the plot would work. It's always interesting to peek into the world of Victorian London.  It wouldn't have been such a good time for a woman, even a married woman such as Mrs. Stonefield.  While her husband was merely "missing" she could do nothing with or about his business.  She and her children would have become destitute or had to seek the protection of other family members.  As she explained to William Monk, she needed to know if her husband was dead - or still alive somewhere!

About The Author

Anne Perry's other William Monk novels include The Face of a Stranger, A Dangerous Mourning, Defend and Betray, A Sudden, Fearful Death, and The Sins of the Wolf.  She is also the author of fifteen novels, beginning with The Cater Street Hangman, in another Victorian mystery series featuring Inspector Thomas Pitt and his wife Charlotte, the most recent of which is Traitor's Gate.