REVIEW: The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

Connie Goodwin has just spent the last three years in the PhD program at Harvard Grad School. She is now preparing to start the research on her doctorial dissertation in her chosen field, the history of Colonial Life. Her advisor, the esteemed professor Dr. Manning Chilton urges her to look vigorously for new sources telling her an uncovered primary source could really make her in this field.

Meanwhile, Connie's mother, Grace, a free spirit and a healer living in Santa Fe has asked her to get her grandmother's home in Marblehead ready for sale. The house, uninhabited for a couple of decades, lies in near ruin. Connie moves into the house, devoid of any modern conveniences and really knowing she has her job cut out for her. As she picks up a dusty Bible, an old key falls out, attached to the key is a small piece of paper with the words, `Deliverance Dane" which Dr. Chilton tells her could be a name.

As the story evolves, Howe gives readers the story of what's happening to the actual Deliverance Dane in the 17th Century when witch hunts were at their peak, as well as the story of Connie in 1991 Massachusetts. Each of the stories are equally compelling with the reader nearly cursing the writer as she is pulled from one story into another just as the story is getting good. But it speaks to Howe's skill as an author when the reader gets pulled back a forth 300 years and immediately gets into the story again.

The reader will certainly be totally enthralled with the story of Deliverance Dane, a 17th Century healer accused of causing the death of a young child. Just as compelling is the story of Connie in 1991, her friend Liz, a new man in her life, steeplejack, Sam, and the person who is not the friend Connie has thought but instead a person who is out for his own gain, with near tragic consequences.

Howe is a credible writer, a historian of American and New England history herself whose ancestors were accused witches in Salem. It also has another interesting twist, one which is best left up to the reader to discover. This read is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. It has become quite the popular novel of the summer mainly by word of mouth - my favorite way of discovering a new book/author. It is has been my pleasure to pass the word as well.

IT'S TWILIGHT TIME

Two weeks ago we took a quick trip the the ocean, ostensibly so I could view the sunset over the Pacific on the summer solstice as part of my - ahem - 60th binrthday gift to myself. We found a little cabin near the gorgeous Rialto Beach. However being so close to Forks, Washington, where the wildly successful Twilight books are set, we had to take some pictures of the local sites, especially for my friend, Tammy - the ultimate vampire fan! So enjoy the pictures and if you've read the books, you can imagine the setting a little better.

I'm Baaccckkkk!

I was SHOCKED when I saw it had been over five months since I had blogged! I have written plenty of reviews but haven't posted them here. After Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea inspired me I thought I should prioritize and keep up the blog as I so enjoy reading the blogs of others including Les at Lesley's Book Nook, Tammy at Under a Blood Red Sky and Jeanette's Reading Journal. I have received so many review books lately that I need a forum to share these and my other reads. I hope I can do as well as some of my favorite bloggers!

Review: THE MOTION OF THE OCEAN

This book is more than just a memoir, more than a travelogue, it is a story of the beginning of a marriage and all that entails - but instead of beginning it in a home in an up and coming neighborhood as many newlyweds do, Janna and Graeme decide to take a two-year honeymoon from Seattle to the Galapagos and on through the South Pacific islands to Hong Kong. Their journey is threatened by everything from pirates to typhoons, but the real threat to their happiness lies in themselves.

I so enjoyed this story. It was one I truly didn't want to end. Janna tells this very personal story in a way many can relate to, whether their living on land, or following their sailing dreams. I enjoyed finding out how the sailing community works (cruisers often travel somewhat together, arriving at the same port and socializing). The crossing was a lonely one at times, and it was great to see Janna come into her own as a sailor.

I loved her writing and hope that since she and Graeme are living on land now, perhaps she can get that novel published. If this book is any indication of her talents, she has a great writing career ahead of her.

Highly recommended.

REVIEW: Almost Home by Pam Jenoff

As a State Department intelligence officer, Jordan Weiss' job has taken her to dangerous locations all around the world. However, one place she's refused to return to is England and the memories of Cambridge a decade earlier. When her dear friend Sarah, in the final stages of Lou Gehrig's disease, needs her in London, she decides to go be by her side. She requests and receives a transfer to London so she can be with her friend in her time of need, unaware that this new assignment may be one of the most dangerous yet.

Soon after her arrival an old friend, Chris, contacts her. He has some lingering doubts about what happened in Cambridge ten years previously, resulting in the death of Jordan's boyfriend, Jared. Chris convinces Jordan to return to Cambridge where they soon have more questions than answers as they quickly discover Jared's death wasn't the drowning accident they'd been led to believe.

Suspense and intrigue abound as Jordan searches for answers in Pam Jenoff's third novel (after The Kommandant's Girl and The Diplomat's Wife). The novel is full of twists and turns as Jordan comes closer to the truth. Jenoff deftly combines Jordan's story of 10 years ago with the present day in such a way that it will keep the reader glued to the pages as the mystery unravels. I am off to pluck her other two books off my TBR pile; I think I have discovered a new auto-buy author. Highly recommended.

REVIEW: Still Alice by Lisa Genova

I wasn't quite sure how I'd react to reading a novel about Alzheimer's disease. Having a mother who is 89 and suffering from dementia, it might come too close to home. But the rave reviews convinced me to read this. And I am so glad I did.

As a highly-respected cognitive psychology professor at Harvard, Alice Howland deals with the mind and memory all the time and is a much sought after speaker at conferences throughout the world. Her only worries seem to be how she is going to fit everything into her busy day and her younger daughter who seems dedicated to going to acting school instead of college.

When she becomes disoriented one day in an area that should have been very familiar to her, has word finding problems, and a missed period, at age 50, she naturally assumes she must be menopausal and makes an appointment with her doctor for a checkup. However it isn't long before her physician figures her problems may be much more severe. She is referred to a specialist who, after a series of tests, eventually diagnoses her with the devastating diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's dementia. Alice is stunned. How could this be happening to her? She ends up eventually telling her husband and then her children. At first Alice goes about her life as usual, continuing to give her lectures and other daily activities. It isn't long though before she discovers that the disease has taken over and her life will never be the same.

is an amazing novel by first-time author Lisa Genova who has a PhD in neuroscience from Harvard and is an online columnist for the National Alzheimer's Association. Along with the book, The 36-Hour Day, this should be required reading for anyone caring for an Alzheimer's patient or even knowing someone tragically struck with this disease. Genova explains Alzheimer's in a way that is easy to understand and shows it so vividly in the character of Alice. I couldn't put this book down and am recommending it to everyone I know, whether or not they have been personally affected by Alzheimer's.

And the bad times

My oldest son and I have been estranged for almost 10 years. I am trying to work things out to mend the rift in our relationship. But it has been difficult. There have been family functions to which I have not been invited although my older children have. I have mixed feelings about this. At time I feel betrayed. At others I figure at least I can hear about him. He is married (he and his now wife lived with us for several months in the late 90s when their home was ruined in the aftermath of a terrible snowstorm) and last December they had a baby girl. I have never seen her although she does have my middle name (and that of my mother, for whom she is really named). But this picture of little Tea Renee is too precious. As a grandmother I have to embrace this child. It breaks my heart that I have missed so much. She was baptized at our family's old church Friday night and I was not invited. My daughter took this picture beforehand. I pray every day that my son will be able to let the past be behind him and think about the future. For what a legacy is this to this baby?

Pre-Halloween Fun

40 pounds of pumpkins - $24.00

Lunch out with family - $50.00

A day with our granddaughter (and son) - Priceless

Review: Identical Strangers by Paula Bernstein and Elyse Schein

Growing up Stacie (Elyse) Schein felt she was always missing something. When, in her mid 30s she finds she has an identical twin sister she wants to meet her more than anything.

At first it would appear that the two women couldn’t be more different. Stacie (who goes by her middle name, Elyse by this time) lives a bohemian existence in a cramped Paris apartment. Paula is married and has a young daughter. But on closer inspection they are both film critics, both have an older brother (also adopted). It isn’t long after they find out about each other that the two meet – and are stunned.

Although this book says it is a memoir, it is much more than that. The two women discover soon after they meet that the reason they were split up was for an experiment being performed on twins and triplets who were intentionally separated for the study. Told in alternating points of view by both Paula and Elyse, they go into different twin studies, give statistics on twins, and much more.

As they find out more answers, they have more questions, the final one being who was their mother and why were they given up?

I couldn’t put this book done (read on my Kindle). As a mother of twins (even though they are fraternal – boy/girl) I probably had a higher interest in the story than someone who didn’t have twins but this is recommended to all. The rather shocking reasons for the study coupled with the story of their birth mother had me clicking through the book at a feverish pace, wondering how it was all going to turn out.

This book is well-written, interesting, and unputdownable – the perfect read.

Books on the Nightstand

In response to a blog a http://www.booksonthenighstand.com/ I am posting the pictures of what is on my night stand and immediately adjacent to it. Now the pictures on the bottom where those on my night stand and adjacent to it last week before I weeded out some books and moved them into the spare bedroom where they completely filled the right side of a double bookcase! I knew, of course I had a lot of books on the nightstand as I couldn't fit anything else on there, barely the lamp and the radio. In fact, the drawer was pulled out and there were books on it too and I was terrified that they were going to break the drawer in half before too long. Thank goodness for a strong all-wood nightstand! But I never believed I had as many in there as I did. You will also note my beloved Kindle on the night stand. That was supposed to completely replace my book-buying obsession. Ha! And I am not even going to count the number of books in the Kindle, let's just say between samples and actual books, it has now gone to 12 pages. I admit it. I am a bookaholic. (You note I am not taking a picture of the actual library, or all the books stores in boxes).

REVIEW: Schooled by Anisha Lakhani

What Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus did for Nannies and Lauren Weisberger did for the fashion industry, Anisha lakhani has now done for the NYC private school teachers and tutors.

Becoming a teacher over her parents’ objections, recent Columbia grad Anna Taggart is thrilled to land a plumb job as a teacher at a posh Manhattan private school. However, her salary is barely going to cover her rent in a cramped 5th floor walkup let alone her other expenses. However Anna feels teaching is her calling and can’t wait to teach the 7th graders Shakespeare and Lord of the Rings in her own fun way. It’s not long before she discovers she can make literally thousands extra a week “tutoring” wealthy students. The word tutor is a bit of a misnomer. Anna soon discovers she’s not tutoring at all but is expected to actually do the students’ homework for them. She at first doesn’t want to sacrifice her principles but when she discovers “tutoring” can not only pay her rent on a luxury apartment but buy her designer clothing and accessories and a lifestyle she’s only dreamed with, she’s clamoring for even more students.

Based on the author’s own experiences, SCHOOLED may shock those who think the road to Ivy League Schools is paved with the brightest and best. Lakhani exposes a portion of society that feels money can buy anything including good grades for students whose vocabulary and comprehension are at primary school level.

Will Anna come to her senses and realize what is really happening here or will she fall victim to the high-living Manhattan lifestyle her tutoring gives her?
Lakhani is a terrific writer and this book was enjoyable from beginning to end. It flows very smoothly and goes by so fast that the reader is sure to be a bit disappointed to find they’ve come to the end. This is a glorious debut from an author readers will be clamoring to hear more from and it can’t come too soon. Highly recommended,

REVIEW: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I knew right off I would enjoy this book when I read reviews saying it was reminiscent of Helene Hanff’s classic 84 Charing Cross Road, a series of letters between a New York City book lover and a clerk in the London bookstore. A book I loved so much that when in London I sought out its location where only a plaque on a building gives any clue to the former site.

Writer Juliet Ashton is stumped. She has no idea as to the subject of her next book. She is tired of the light-hearted items she wrote to keep her fellow English subjects amused during the war and wants to write something with a bit more substance.

Then she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams, a farmer from Guernsey in the Channel Islands. Dawsey has found her name in a Charles Lamb book she once owned and is wondering if she can help him find more books by the author.

As Juliet exchanges letter with Dawsey and eventually other residents of Guernsey who are members of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society – a group formed in haste as an alibi to the Germans who occupied the island during World War II. As she continues to receive letters, these people whose lives were so changed so drastically during the German Occupation captivate her. She decides a visit to Guernsey is in order. She also is intrigued about the stories of the now-missing Elizabeth McKenna, a much-loved and important member of the community. The letters also include correspondence between Juliet and her publisher as well as her best friend, a young wife and mother in Scotland which helps to lend depth to the novel as she is able to give her first-hand observations of the islanders she has met.

You’ll laugh, cry, and be absolutely charmed by this wonderful epistolary novel. If you love books you’ll enjoy reading Juliet’s observations of booksellers and readers and why she broke up with her fiancé on the eve of her wedding.

Sales of books by and about Charles Lamb are sure to increase as readers of this novel will want to know more about the book that brought Juliet to Guernsey; sales of Jane Austen books as well as those by the Bronte sisters may also be affected.

The Guernsey tourism industry is also sure to benefit – I certainly would love to book a trip to see this quaint island, out of the way of the usual UK tourist trade.

Sadly, we won’t have any more books from Ms. Shaffer who passed away earlier this year; but perhaps there’s a hidden manuscript somewhere. We can only hope. As it is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is going on top of my reading favorites for the year. Highly recommended.

RIP - A Fallen Hero - Andy Palmer

RIP Andrew Jackson Palmer

I didn't know young Andy Palmer, but as a employee of Jefferson Healthcare had met his father, local gynecologist Bob Palmer several times and had spoken with his mother, Janet on the phone. This is a small town, an a tragedy such as this touches the entire community. Andy graduated high school two months ago--who knew that less than two months later his memorial service would be held in the very place where he celebrated his graduation. Having a grandson the same age, made it even more personal for me.

I wanted more people than those in the Pacific Northwest to know about this outstanding young man and so have included the obituary that was shared with the hospital employees as well as a brief story from regarding his memorial service today. A more complete story about Andy can be found at the Port Townsend Leader newspaper.

Andrew Jackson Palmer shared almost nineteen years with us on the Olympic Peninsula. He was born in Port Angeles, WA on September 10, 1989 to Janet and Bob Palmer as their third son.

Andy attended the Children’s Montessori School, Fairview and Franklin Elementary, Roosevelt Middle Schools in Port Angeles and Port Townsend High School. At 6’5” and 240 pounds he was a natural for football and valued being part of the Port Townsend Football Team for four years. Bonfires on the beach, sporting clays, games of urban golf, fugitive, dark, ultimate Frisbee, baseball, weight lifting, reading and spending time with his many friends filled his days. Andy was a devoted Big Brother and has a little brother in our community. He was very proud of his big red Dodge 2500 turbo diesel pickup truck and might be found out bucking hay for local farmers, working at A+ Rentals, Les Schwab or more recently at Auto Works, all in Port Townsend.

Andy is survived by his loving parents, brothers Rob, a firefighter and Henry, a merchant mariner, grandparents Bob and Ina in Sequim, aunt Beverly and cousin Camille in Santa Barbara, aunt Marilyn Acker of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, family in Canada of aunt Cheryl Acker and cousins Gayle in Kamloops, Joyce and Josh in Vancouver, Karen, Grant and Kayla in Iqaluit, and many more.

Andy had an unerring sense of right and wrong since childhood. He will always be remembered as one who held himself to the highest principles of truth, fairness, justice and kindness. He was loyal, honest and trustworthy- loved by all that knew him. He will be missed but we will all be better for having known him. Andy would ask those who survive him to conduct their lives with integrity and compassion for a better world.

Andy died honorably as a firefighter for the National Park Service on the Iron Complex fire in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest near Weaverville, CA on Friday July 25, 2008.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Monday, August 4 at 10 AM at McCurdy Pavilion, Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, Washington. All who knew of Andy are invited.

In lieu of flowers, an Andy Palmer Memorial Scholarship fund has been established through the Port Townsend High School Scholarship Foundation. Donations may be sent to the Foundation at 538 Calhoun Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368.

MEMORIAL

PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. -- The sound of fire engines echoed through Port Townsend streets, as a precession of 100 fire trucks honored a fallen firefighter.

Eighteen-year-old Andy Palmer died while battling a wildfire in California's Shasta Trinity-National Park two weeks ago. He had been a firefighter at Olympic National Park for only one month.

"When he got called to go to California he was just thrilled, just on cloud nine," said family friend Andy Loos.

Representatives from 54 different agencies crowded the memorial service at Fort Worden in Port Townsend. Some flew in from California and Oregon to pay their respects.

"Andy probably would have said 'unbelievable,' " Loos said. "He would have felt this truly amazing, I think."

Friends described Palmer as a "gentle giant." At 6 foot 4 inches and 240 pounds, the Port Townsend High School graduate towered over everybody. His size made him a natural offensive lineman during his high school years.

"Andy loved playing football. I never started a game without a hug from him and a prayer of strength from his favorite movie Boondock Saints," said teammate Christian DuBois.

He added that Palmer never turned down a free plate of food.

Palmer joined the Olympic National Park as a seasonal firefighter. He died on his first assignment when a tree fell on him. Port Townsend High Athletic Director Scott Ricardo said Palmer told a colleague "to tell his mom and dad I love them" as he was being hoisted from the fire lines.

Palmer would have turned 19 in September and planned to major in mechanical engineering at Montana State University in the fall.

A scholarship fund has been set up in his name, for future Port Townsend High students.

Entertainment Weekly - The New Classics: Books - 100 Best Reads from 1983-2008 -

1. The Road , Cormac McCarthy (2006)
2. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, J.K. Rowling (2000)
3. Beloved, Toni Morrison (1987)
4. The Liars' Club, Mary Karr (1995)
5. American Pastoral, Philip Roth (1997)
6. Mystic River, Dennis Lehane (2001)
7. Maus, Art Spiegelman (1986/1991)
8. Selected Stories, Alice Munro (1996)
9. Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier (1997)
10. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Haruki Murakami (1997)
11. Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer (1997)
12. Blindness, José Saramago (1998)
13. Watchmen, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons (1986-87)
14. Black Water, Joyce Carol Oates (1992)
15. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, Dave Eggers (2000)
16. The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood (1986)
17. Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez (1988)
18. Rabbit at Rest, John Updike (1990)
19. On Beauty, Zadie Smith (2005)
20. Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding (1998)
21. On Writing, Stephen King (2000)
22. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Junot Díaz (2007)
23. The Ghost Road, Pat Barker (1996)
24. Lonesome Dove, Larry McMurtry (1985)
25. The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan (1989)
26. Neuromancer, William Gibson (1984)
27. Possession, A.S. Byatt (1990)
28. Naked, David Sedaris (1997)
29. Bel Canto, Anne Patchett (2001)
30. Case Histories, Kate Atkinson (2004)
31. The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien (1990)
32. Parting the Waters, Taylor Branch (1988)
33. The Year of Magical Thinking, Joan Didion (2005)
34. The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold (2002)
35. The Line of Beauty, Alan Hollinghurst (2004)
36. Angela's Ashes, Frank McCourt (1996)
37. Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi (2003)
38. Birds of America, Lorrie Moore (1998)
39. Interpreter of Maladies, Jhumpa Lahiri (2000)
40. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman (1995-2000)
41. The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros (1984)
42. LaBrava, Elmore Leonard (1983)
43. Borrowed Time, Paul Monette (1988)
44. Praying for Sheetrock, Melissa Fay Greene (1991)
45. Eva Luna, Isabel Allende (1988)
46. Sandman, Neil Gaiman (1988-1996)
47. World's Fair, E.L. Doctorow (1985)
48. The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver (1998)
49. Clockers, Richard Price (1992)
50. The Corrections, Jonathan Franzen (2001)
51. The Journalist and the Murderer, Janet Malcom (1990)
52. Waiting to Exhale, Terry McMillan (1992)
53. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, Michael Chabon (2000)
54. Jimmy Corrigan, Chris Ware (2000)
55. The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls (2006)
56. The Night Manager, John le Carré (1993)
57. The Bonfire of the Vanities, Tom Wolfe (1987)
58. Drop City, TC Boyle (2003)
59. Krik? Krak! Edwidge Danticat (1995)
60. Nickel & Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich (2001)
61. Money, Martin Amis (1985)
62. Last Train To Memphis, Peter Guralnick (1994)
63. Pastoralia, George Saunders (2000)
64. Underworld, Don DeLillo (1997)
65. The Giver, Lois Lowry (1993)
66. A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again, David Foster Wallace (1997)
67. The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini (2003)
68. Fun Home, Alison Bechdel (2006)
69. Secret History, Donna Tartt (1992)
70. Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell (2004)
71. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, Ann Fadiman (1997)
72. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mark Haddon (2003)
73. A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving (1989)
74. Friday Night Lights, H.G. Bissinger (1990)
75. Cathedral, Raymond Carver (1983)
76. A Sight for Sore Eyes, Ruth Rendell (1998)
77. The Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro (1989)
78. Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert (2006)
79. The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell (2000)
80. Bright Lights, Big City, Jay McInerney (1984)
81. Backlash, Susan Faludi (1991)
82. Atonement, Ian McEwan (2002)
83. The Stone Diaries, Carol Shields (1994)
84. Holes, Louis Sachar (1998)
85. Gilead, Marilynne Robinson (2004)
86. And the Band Played On, Randy Shilts (1987)
87. The Ruins, Scott Smith (2006)
88. High Fidelity, Nick Hornby (1995)
89. Close Range, Annie Proulx (1999)
90. Comfort Me With Apples, Ruth Reichl (2001)
91. Random Family, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc (2003)
92. Presumed Innocent, Scott Turow (1987)
93. A Thousand Acres, Jane Smiley (1991)
94. Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser (2001)
95. Kaaterskill Falls, Allegra Goodman (1998)
96. The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown (2003)
97. Jesus’ Son, Denis Johnson (1992)
98. The Predators' Ball, Connie Bruck (1988)
99. Practical Magic, Alice Hoffman (1995)
100. America (the Book), Jon Stewart/Daily Show (2004)

Those I own are in blue, those I've read are in red

Early Review: Testimony by Anita Shreve

TESTIMONY
Anita Shreve
October 21, 2008
Little, Brown, and Company
Hachette Book Group
ISBN: 0-316-05986-2
320 pages

Anita Shreve never plays it safe with her books and her latest, Testimony, is no exception.

Avery Academy is a small private school in Vermont. Everyone who attends has been carefully screened and selected to attend. From the rich young freshmen to the athletic seniors tapped for college play; no one attends Avery Academy by chance.

But for Avery Academy, all is not as it seems from outside its gates. Parties, which include alcohol and drugs, still occur and kids still get in trouble. This sets the scene for a horrible sex scandal from which no one will come out unscathed, not the students, not the parents, not the headmaster of the school; and not even the citizens of the town of Avery who don’t even usually pay too much attention to what goes on behind the hallowed gates up on the hill just out of town. Parents find that even though they pay for the best education for their children, send them to the best schools available, they still can’t protect them. Adults find that passionate desires can have far-reaching effects that can change lives forever.

Told from multiple points of view (I counted 20) in less talented hands the narration could get confusing. But with Shreve, it did not. Perhaps that was because with over a dozen of these narrators we only hear from them once or twice.

However the story essentially belongs to three people: Mike, the headmaster of the school who we get to know the best, and Silas and Noelle, the two star-crossed lovers; Silas the basketball star, the local boy made good, son of average farmers from the town of Avery and Noelle, the talented musician destined for Julliard. As the story of the events of that one evening of sex and alcohol unfolds it is becomes clear that Silas stands to lose it all. But what sets in place such behavior uncharacteristic of the normally mild-mannered youth is at the crux of the rest of the story.

A graphic beginning describes the events of that tragic evening; and this is so graphic that it could tend to turn off some readers, readers who may be unfamiliar with Shreve’s work. But those who have come to know and trust Shreve as an author will be compelled to keep reading and be certainly glad they did as the events unfold, a bit at a time, through the voices of not only Mike, Silas, and Noelle, but parents, classmates, and the other students involved in the scandal. We also hear from a reporter who eventually wins the Pulitzer for his reporting of the events.

However as the story develops, readers see that the scandal is only the tip of the iceberg for a greater tragedy that will even more deeply affect those involved.

This is Shreve at her best. She tells a compelling story so eloquently that is one of those deemed “unputdownable” -- be sure to start this one early in the day so you will have plenty of time to finish as once you begin it, you will not be able to stop turning the pages.

Early Review: True Colors by Kristin Hannah

I was privileged to get an early copy of True Colors by Kristin Hannah for review. It doesn't come out until early 2009, but to pique your interest:

TRUE COLORS
By Kristin Hannah
St. Martin’s Press
2009

There are several things readers have come to expect when they read a Kristin Hannah book—that they’ll get an amazing, compelling, emotional story, that they can’t put down once they’ve started. While TRUE COLORS is no exception, there is a degree of depth to this novel that sets it apart from anything the author has written in the past. A degree of depth that won’t simply satisfy her legions of current fans, but I dare say should bring her to the attention of many more.

Spanning nearly 30 years in the lives of the Grey sisters of Water’s Edge, a waterfront ranch on the shores of Washington state’s picturesque Hood Canal, first meet the sisters in 1979 just after the death of their beloved mother. It’s obvious from the beginning that her loss is going to leave an enormous hole in their hearts and have long-lasting effects in the lives of these young girls. But even worse, their grieving father Henry buries his soul when he buries his wife, coping with life by drowning his sorrows in a bottle of hard liquor.

The book quickly fast forwards 13 years where we find oldest sister Winona just beginning her law practice in the nearby town of Oyster Shores, Aurora a young wife and mother of twins, while the youngest the beautiful but fragile Vivi Ann is an expert barrel racer on the western rodeo circuit, living at home, helping her father on the failing ranch that has been in their family for generations. Vivi Ann soon comes up with a plan to save the ranch and resurrects it into a thriving horse arena for lessons and competitions.

Meanwhile Winona, who has been fighting a weight problem all her life, may, at long last, have romance come her way when her childhood crush, veterinarian Luke Connelly returns to town. She is excited that this time their relationship may become more than just friendship—until he is captivated by the beautiful ViviAnn. Although Vivi Ann doesn’t totally return his feelings, they eventually become engaged. Winona has a difficult time hiding her jealousy. All of this causes a rift between the sisters that won’t soon be mended, especially when the new ranch hand and quintessential “bad boy” Dallas Raintree excites Vivi Ann much more than Luke ever can. This sets in place a tragedy that changes the complexion of the sisters’ relationship forever.

This also sets in place events that propel this novel from one of Kristin Hannah’s hallmark “domestic dramas” into one that is part legal drama, a coming of age story of a teenage boy, a story of redemption and forgiveness, and of loyalty and unfailing belief in someone when it really counts.

Kristin Hannah excels in knowing how to pull at the reader’s heartstrings, to touch their emotional sweet spot, and with TRUE COLORS she pulls at those heartstrings and doesn’t let go. TRUE COLORS is Kristin Hannah at her very best – maybe even better than her very best. As usual readers need to keep the hankies handy for the read that is absolutely unputdownable and totally satisfying. As impossible as it seems, Kristin Hannah just gets better and better with each read; I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

Review: Molokai by Alan Brennert

I didn't know when, if ever, a book would ever attempt to overtake Katherine as my favorite book of all time and although Molokai by Alan Brennert hasn't quite succeeded, it has come darn close and I am afraid has taken over the #2 slot from Outlander. When one cries tears of joy and sadness for the last 150 pages of a 388 page book, you know it has touched a chord. Spanning nearly 80 years from the late 19th Century to 1970, it is a story of epic proportions.
Young Rachel Kalama is taken from her home at the tender age of 7 and by age of 8 is interred at Kalaupapa on Molokai, more commonly known as Father Damien's Leper Colony. Apart from an uncle who is already there, she is all alone. Yet even with her sadness, with her little girl sweetness, she quickly charms everyone she comes in contact with and makes several very special friends along the way including two women who takes on motherly roles who couldn’t be more different from one another. From Rachel’s friendships with the other young girls – who are all there as if the were orphaned, to romances, to mischief she gets herself into, Brennert breathes such life into this wonderful character. So much so that when you read historical accounts of Father Damien’s Colony you fully expect to read her name among the former residents.

Rachel quickly gets into the reader's heart in such a special way, taking a hold of it and not letting go, not even after the last page is turned. She will stay with me for a long, long time. The story is one that made me for once glad for my insomnia as I was able to stay up until 3:30AM finishing. Then I couldn’t wait to discuss it with my husband and fellow readers the next day. I simply can’t recommend this book highly enough. If you love a good story with characters that simply stay with you for a long time, if you love the Hawaiian Islands, if you are more interested in reading a bit more about Hansen’s Disease (as leprosy is now more correctly called) or are simply just wanting a good book that you can’t put down than I urge you to give Molokai a try. My only regret is that I didn’t get it to it sooner. It had been recommended to me about four years ago and had been on my TBR pile for nearly three years. Don’t make that mistake. Read this book and have your heart deeply touched.

Review: Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

I usually begin my reviews with a brief synopsis, but in the case of Firefly Lane, I want to get the important stuff out there first: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – Kristin Hannah is at the top of her game with this emotional three hanky read!

Just what is a friend? And what would you do for your best friend? What kind of sacrifices would you make? Many of us will never find this out. But some of us will. Some of us already know. Kristin Hannah shows us with this outstanding novel what friendship really is and how it can endure over the years. She shows us the power of friendship.

Now for the a few details – without revealing so much as to rob readers of discoveries they should make themselves. Kate Mularkey and Tully Hart meet when they are in junior high – both felt they were outsiders. Tully comes into Kate’s life a low point. She is the most beautiful, classiest person she has ever met – and she has moved right across the street. But Tully has a secret, one she hides with a lie. Eventually Kate learns to trust Tully and they become best of friends with a friendship that lasts through college and as their lives take very different paths. But this doesn’t mean everything is always easy between the two. And it doesn’t mean that one isn’t jealous of the other, but it does mean that they are there for one another. Which, as the story evolves, reveals itself in a powerful way.

Those who grew up in the 70s will love the references to the songs as the decades go by. Those who grew up in the Pacific Northwest will enjoy all the references to familiar events and locations that make everything come to life and lend an air of authenticity to the novel.

I have followed Kristin Hannah’s writing career from the beginning. From its start with a romantic hero with the unusual name of Stone Man McKenna to a wonderful time-travel set in the San Juan Islands (Once in Every Life) to the gut-wrenchingly emotional If You Believe to her breakout novel On Mystic Lake and then several bestselling novels that have made her a favorite with readers everywhere. Now with Firefly Lane she has simply reached the summit of the mountain. Make yourself comfortable – set yourself by the fireplace, grab a cup (or two or three) of your favorite beverage, a box of tissues, and put your feet up. You’ll be there for a while because you won’t want to put this book down once you’ve started. Oh – and you’ll probably want to your best friend’s phone number handy for you’ll want to phone her as soon as you finish.

Five Things Meme

I usually don’t do these memes, but came across this on Les’ blog and it looked like fun:

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago:

- Living in a nearly 100 year old house on Bainbridge Island, WA
- Not feeling too much like Christmas having only recently lost my father
- Raising 16 year-old twins who each had their own cars and waiting up late at night waiting for the sound of the cars in the driveway
- Reviewing books and editing Rawhide and Lace Magazine (I was probably on a deadline)
- Still waiting for my ship to come in

5 Things on my To-Do List today:

- Wrap Chrstimas Gifts
- Get rid of clothes in spare bed room
- Order gifts from Heifer international for my brothers
- Finish Christmas cards
- Finish online shopping

5 Things I would do if I were a millionaire:

- Quit work and write that great American novel (and, in a perfect world, babysit my granddaughter)
- Revisit Ireland and Wales
- Move to one of our favorite places (we’d have two homes one in the San Juans and one somewhere warm – probably Kauai they've been our favorite places to visit over the years so why not live there?)
- Buy a boat hahahaha
- Have lap band surgery

5 Things I'll never wear again (or have never worn):

- High heels
- Hot pants
- Pantyhose
- Polyester
- Bikini

5 Favorite Toys:
- iPhone
- Laptop
- iPod
- Anything Kyra’s playing with
- TiVo

Dan Fogelberg 1951-2007

FREE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN TICKETS

No, I'm not giving them away. But I did get them -- in a roundabout way. Last night we went to the local Casino -- not something we do very often but one of my coworkers was "celebrating" her last day of work so a few of us met her there for some fun. I said at the beginning of the evening that all I wanted to do was win enough money to buy Bruce Springsteen tickets. I wanted to go to his March 29th concert so badly but couldn't really afford the tickets (around $220 or so) and they were going on sale the next morning. Now you have to realize, I usually lose the $20 I choose to play. Within 1/2 hour I lost that $20 on the penny slots and then since I had another $20 bill burning a hole in my wallet, I went and and got another slot ticket. I went to a nickle machine near where two coworkers were playing and sat down. It was one I didn't know how to play but I kept hitting the 18 credits. It got down to 40 credits left and I was trying to decide whether I was going to go for another $20 ticket or not. Then the machine started going crazy and giving me free spins. It finally got up to over 5000 credits. I did some quick math and thought - whee - I won over $25.00! I figured I'd take my winnings and go to another machine. I printed out my ticket and it read $271.10!!!!! Enough for my Bruce tickets! I didn't have to be told twice to go cash that baby in. We spent another hour or so at the casino watching everyone else play :-) So this morning my dear husband gets up at 8 AM to go down to the Ticketmaster outlet, stands by the front door for an hour and finds out that they are no longer a Tickemaster site!!! This is the little indy record shop I have always thought so highly of. Anyway, John rushes back home and sets up his own Ticketmaster account on the laptop despite never having tried to get tickets before. What a trooper. Alas I had to come to his rescue. By the time I ended up signing on we ended up with two general admission tickets -- no chairs - ugghhhh. But at least we have tickets. Let's see if these two people who are the same age as Bruce can manage this! Perhaps we can go to Stub Hub later and get better seats if we have to. But the best thing is -- Even when all is said and done, paying for a few drinks last night, I still have the $40 in my wallet I started with and Bruce tickets that I won the money for.

We figured the general admissions and decent seats went within 15 minutes in Seattle. I just went to Stub Hub and the great seats are going for over $1500. Even the GA are going for at least 50% more than what we paid. Darn! John just said we should have thought this through and bought four tickets. As they say hindsight is 20/20. I am really looking forward to this because I love his political diatribes and with the 2008 election coming around you know he is going to have A LOT to say! And the general admission will still be better than when I saw him over 20 years ago in Tacoma from the second to last row of the Tacoma Dome.

Great Bumperstickers

This is a car we saw on a side street as we were leaving our hotel in Olympia, WA a couple of weeks ago. So many times I try to remember the great sayings on the bumperstickers -- this time I actually pulled over and took a picture. Click to enlarge to read them better!

OCTOBER READS

Not a very good month as far as number of books read -- was reading too much reference on Alzheimer's I'm afraid. But I did finish the following:

Lottery - Patricia Wood - A

I was absolutely mesmerized by this gem of a read that tells of the $12 million lottery win by a man who is mentally challenged (NOT retarded but slow ). Plowed through it like mad! It was wonderful to read. First time I think I have ever read a book set in Everett, WA! (a town north of Seattle, not known to be the most, well shall we say, picturesque) - the aroma of the mills is mentioned and that says it all .

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer - A

This was a rare re-read for me. I had to read it again after seeing the movie. This story of Chris McCandless (aka Alexander Supertramp) and his fool-hardy adventures has been fodder for many discussions with my husband. I am sure more are to come as he is reading it now.

Service Included by Phoebe Dramrosch - B+

This was a Book Sense pick and is another in a succession of foodie memoirs I've been addicted to of late. This one is from a server/captain of Per Se restaurant in NYC (owned by Thomas Keller who also owns the famous French Laundry in northern CA). This tells of true gourmet/fine dining. It was very interesting to see how others dine - I doubt I will ever taste many of the foods on the menu at this place but I enjoyed the read.

Concert Review: Iris Dement, Olympia, Washington 10/20/07

Iris Dement is a folk/Americana singer who is probably best known for her song, "Our Town" which was the song played over the closing credits over the last episode of Northern Exposure or as a duet partner for such singers as John Prine. This is a copy of the review I sent to No Time to Cry, the Iris Dement internet discussion list of which I have been a member in some way or another for over 10 years:

Iris was in Olympia, WA October 20th for a fundraiser for both the Foundation for Self-Sufficiency in Central America (the same organization that brought her to Olympia two years ago) and for the Olympia Film Society. One thing I love about Iris - at the end of the show she asked concert-goers to contribute to these organizations whereas the opening act was hawking his CDs and art prints (perhaps he needed the $).

The show was to start at 8PM; we had conflicting reports of when we could pick up our tickets (all were will-call, no Ticketmaster for this show) and when the doors would open (7 or 7:30). We got in line at about 6:25, the box office opened at 6:30, the doors at 7. We went in the right side aisle and then saw the piano over to the left and I thought- aha - that is going to be the best place (special guests already had the first 4-5 rows center) so we found seats on the aisle in the 3rd row on the left side in this auditorium that seats around 600 (and amazingly wasn't sold out!)

There was a rather forgettable, and thankfully short, opening act. After a short intermission, Iris took the stage. I chose not to keep a set list during the evening and instead within half an hour after the show tried to write down the songs that were sung (I had my iPod to jog my memory). I can say she looked better and sounded better, was more self-assured than I have ever seen her.

Other than some strange leopard-print stockings, she was dressed lovely in a velvety skirt with jacket, very nice and even her hair looked very stylish and healthy. That said, it was clear she was still Iris with her sense of humor, her stating that it still felt strange for her to be sitting up on stage with us watching her. She said she likes it, but it's still strange. She said many nice things about her mother ("I may have tired her out,I'm afraid. She'll be 90 in February") in an introduction to Mama Told Her Truth.

Other than the first song and the encore, I have no idea what order the songs were sung - and forgive me for any omissions or errors as this was done by memory:

When My Morning Comes Around - started the show

New Songs:

Mama's Truth

River of Tears - Intro'd as a happy song

Anniversary Song (we have no title, others have called it This Love's Gonna Last, but she called it an anniversary song and since we are celebrating our anniversary on the 24th, I am calling it the Anniversary Song)

How I Learned Now to Pray (I loved this)

Goodbye Party (Great old Cindy Walker song)

That's the Way Love Goes (I had never heard her to this or the above song in concert before and particularly enjoyed this one)

****Another unfamiliar song - Applause was too loud when she announced who wrote/sang it originally

IRIS SONGS:

Mama's Opry

After You're Gone

He Reached Down

No Time to Cry

Let the Mystery Be

Easy's Getting Harder

The Way I Should

Encore:Sweet is the Melody --- and the piano broke - she mentioned earlier how nice it was to have a beautiful piano as it wasn't always the case. When this happened - and truly keys weren't playing - she said,"Looks aren't everything" She tried boldly to go on before switching to the guitar for:

Our Town

Her voice was strong, but as I believe others had mentioned, most of her songs had different arrangements than what we are familiar with on her CDs and previous concerts. I have no idea why that is, but after a bit, and being somewhat prepared, it really didn't make any difference. This was Iris and it was wonderful to be in the moment. She brought me to tears more than once. We had wonderful concert partners, a coworker of mine and his wife (he has been to about as many Iris concerts as I have so is a huge fan and agreed this was huge fan and agreed this was one of the best concerts she's ever done.

My conclusion is that it WAS the best Iris concert ever; if not the best concert I've ever been to. And this is despite the fact she didn't do my favorite, Walking Home. If you haven't seen Iris live, this is her best time. Even if you have, get out to see her again. She is magnificent.

Movie & Book Review: Into the Wild

I first read Into the Wild ten years ago when it first came out after finding out that parts of it are set in Carthage, Miner County, South Dakota pop. 187, a town where my mother has family and where her cousin was once mayor. My great-grandmother is buried in Howard, the Miner county seat. So that was the book and movie’s initial appeal. I mean this town is the true “blink-and-you-miss-it” town. That is, if one would ever even happen to drive through it as it isn’t on a main road. So I wondered, how young Chris McCandless, the subject of the book and movie ended up in Carthage in the first place.

Then I read that Sean Penn was finally making a movie adapted from the book and filming in Carthage. I thought it would be really interesting to see Carthage on the big screen. The first day it was showing in our little theater here in town I Shanghaied my husband (who really isn’t a movie goer, in fact if you ask him, on a scale of 1-10, that he’d suggest going to a movie as a form of entertainment he’d probably tell you –2) into going with me for the matinee. Now John had seen the Oprah show where Sean Penn and Emile Hirsch (who portrays young McCandless in the film) were guests along with author Jon Krakauer and didn’t think too much of McCandless so he was even less excited than usual about seeing this film. If he had known ahead of time that it was 140 minutes long he’d probably had left the theater after his first carton of Milk Duds. But the trooper he is, he persevered for my sake.

The movie adequately told the story of young Christopher McCandless who after graduating from Emory University, took off on a two year road trip, calling himself Alexander Supertramp. Very early on his car was destroyed and he abandoned it, burned what little money he had left and took off on foot. Some one say he was idealist others an adventurer, but others just reckless. Everyone seems to have his or her own opinion. What is clear is that he was found two year later dead in an abandoned bus just north of Denali National Park in Alaska. However his adventures along the way and the people he met tell a very interesting story. And the just how he died is still fodder for speculation although Krakauer does give his theory. Hirsch as McCandless is wonderful – his portrayal deserves an Oscar nomination as does that of Hal Holbrook as Ron Franz, the elderly recluse who befriends him. Told mostly in flashbacks, the movie suffers from uneven editing. I was also disappointed in the cinematography—the Alaskan scenes could have been brilliant but they were just average. That said, the South Dakota prairie was breathtaking. And it was fun to see Carthage. I think the entire town was filmed.

After watching the movie, I was compelled to read the book again. At only 207 pages it’s a fairly quick read. It was even more meaningful after watching the movie. I read many passages out loud to my husband and told him I thought he might change his opinion of McCandless. He is now reading the book. I don’t have the absolutely negative opinion of young Chris as many people have. He was a bit reckless, that’s for sure. But no more than many young men. As Krakauer mentions late in the book, it’s that attribute of daring that contributes to many young men signing up for the military—particularly in times of war. Yes, he did some things wrong. But don’t we all. The only reason that we’re reading about him was that he made some little mistakes that ended up killing him. He was actually a smart kid and I found a lot in him to be admired. It was sad he had to die. Any loss of life is sad. And that is what bothers me the most. That a parent lost a child, that a sister lost a brother, that a world lost a promising young man. There are lessons to be learned here, of course, but was the price too great?

Book Review: I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron

I had heard about this book for quite awhile before I ended up reading it. It wasn’t that it didn’t appeal to me. It did. Very much. I just couldn’t justify paying $20 for a 137-page book. Even after seeing the author on Oprah and laughing out loud several times, I didn’t buy the book. Les’ review almost convinced me though. I still couldn’t see how a millionaire socialite could speak to me. How could I identify with her? Eventually I checked the book out from my local library. I was sorry I hadn’t read it earlier. I found out we were alike in more ways than we were different. She is a little older than me, but I am experiencing some of the same issues she is regarding aging. However it wasn’t the essays on the physical aspects of aging that spoke to me the most. I loved her essays on life and friendships and child raising. But two of my favorite essays were the ones to do with reading --- one had to do with being unable to read, the decline of eyesight and having to place cheater eyeglasses all over the house (oh how I can relate!)

“I can’t read a word on the menu. I can’t read a word in the weekly television listings, I can’t read a word in the cookbook. I can’t do the puzzle. I can’t read a word anything at all unless it’s written in extremely large type, the larger the better. The other day I pulled up something I wrote years ago, and it was written in something so mall I can’t imagine how I wrote the thing in the first place. I used to write in twelve point type; now I am up to sixteen and thinking about going to eighteen or twenty.

And this

“Reading is bliss. But my ability to pick something up and read it—which has gone unchecked all my life up until now—is now entirely dependent on the whereabouts of my reading glasses. I look around. Why aren’t they in this room? I bought six pair of them last week on sale and sprinkled them throughout the house, yet none of them is visible. Where are they?”

My other favorite essay is one titled, On Rapture -- having to do with the spending several days in rapture with reading a book. It was then I knew, that despite her millions, her thinness, her cosmopolitaness, and her fame, that we were soul sisters.

“I have just surfaced from spending several days in a state of rapture—with a book. I loved this book. I loved every second of it. I was transported into its world. I was reminded of all sorts of things in my own life. It was in anguish over the fate of its characters. I felt alive, and engaged, and positively brilliant, bursting with ideas, brimming with memories of other books. I’ve loved. I composed a dozen imaginary letters to the author, letters I’ll never write, much less send. I wrote letters of praise. I wrote letters relating entirely inappropriate personal information about my own experiences with the author’s subject matter. I even wrote a letter of recrimination when one of the characters died and I was grief-stricken. But mostly I wrote letters of gratitude: the state of rapture I experience when I read a wonderful book is one of the main reasons I read, but it doesn’t happen every time or even every other time, and when it does happen, I’m truly beside myself.”

What avid reader hasn’t felt this way??

It was these two essays that convinced me that I had to own this book. No, I still didn’t pay $20 for a copy but I did fine a pristine used copy at Amazon.com so I can read these essays again and again. And enjoy them again and again. Maybe, as I grow even older I will find that I have even more in common with the author. Highly recommended!

Happy Birthday & A Fabulous New Gastronomic Discovery

It is AMAZING to me that after over seven years in Jefferson County and nearly four in Port Townsend we had yet to eat at the highly recommended Wild Coho Restaurant. For some reason this little restaurant in the Uptown District with only 10 tables had intimidated me. Perhaps it was that it seemed so elegant that I was afraid we'd feel out of place. The chef came to Port Townsend via two of the finest Seattle restaurants and we're lucky to have him. I was intimidated despite having been to some of the nicest restaurants in Seattle and other cities. Well tonight was John's birthday and I decided to surprise him with reservations at what proved to be an absolutely delightful and charming restaurant. On this, a Wednesday evening, only half the tables were full so we got the full attention of the server and our service was impeccable. And the meal, it was easily the best meal we'd ever had in Port Townsend. We started with Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brown Butter, Sage and Mascarpone followed by Organic Seasonal Greens, Tomato-Rosemary Vinaigrette, Roasted Tomatoes, Mt. Townsend Trailhead Cheese and Little Garlic Croutons. For our entrees John chose Grilled Lamb Sirloin with Grilled Onion-Artichoke Risotto and Tomato-Mint Relish and I had Grilled Flat Iron Beef Steak with Potato Garlic Gratin, Morel-Roasted Onion. Of course since it was John's birthday we had to top it off with desert and we chose to share the Trio of Custards--Espresso, Crème Brulée, and Cinnamon Plum Tea Custard.

One thing I love about this restaurant is that it uses local foods, from cheeses at the Mount Townsend Creamery to Berries and produce from the great Finnriver Farm, Chimacum and Greens, famous garlic, and potatoes from Corona Farms most every ingredient used is local. This is where I want to spend my money for a delicious meal. Another fun thing about this restaurant is on Thursdays they have their "small plates" where for $5, $6, or $7 diners can choose one or more plates at bargain prices. John and I have decided we're going to do this several times a month.

We have a lot of really great restaurants in this little town by the bay, The Silverwater, The Castle Key at Manresa Castle, T's, and Sweet Laurette's (our favorite for brunch) but it is clear we've found a new favorite. It was a wonderful way to spend a birthday evening.

Musical Review: The Spitfire Grill

After living in this community for over seven years we finally went to a performance by its community playhouse, The Key City Players, last night. The musical, The Spitfire Grill, is based on the movie starring Ellen Burstyn and has been a long-time favorite of mine. When we heard from our next door neighbor that he was going to be one of the performers in this musical, we knew right away that we wanted to go see it. The basic premise is this: Percy Talbott is a young woman who has just been released from prison (for reasons not revealed until much later) and takes a bus to the idyllic small town of Gilead, Wisconsin where she gets a job at the Spitfire Grill run by the crotchety Hannah Ferguson. Hannah, a widow who lost her only child in the Vietnam War, has been trying to sell her little diner (the only one in town) for 10 years without success. Hannah falls, breaking her leg, leaving the running of the diner to Percy and her nephew (Celeb)'s wife Shelby. They do a terrific job of bringing the sleepy little eatery back to life. In the meantime they concoct an idea having a raffle to get rid of the Spitfire Grill and even make a little bit of money. It isn't long before the entries come in by the mailbag loads. There are a lot of light moments as the letters are read (people have many reasons for wanting the Spitfire Grill). But a lot of questions to be answered -- who will win the Spitfire Grill? Who is the mysterious man showing up at the back of the grill every night? Will there ever be true love for Joe and Percy? And the music!!!! How wonderful to use music to give emotion to these wonderful characters. I particularly liked Percy's song "Into the Frying Pan" with sort of a country-western twang. Aimee Kelley Spencer who played Percy did a fabulous job in every aspect of this play. Other songs ranged from operatic-type songs done marvelously by Rowen Matkins to comedic relief by Deena Lien-Richards. Katherine Jensen did a fine job as Hannah Ferguson. The male actors, John Edwards as the villainous Caleb and James Milton as Sheriff Joe were no less sung and acted to perfection. And one mustn't forget the wonderful Mickey McKinney who actually speaks volumes without saying a word. As John and I both commented when we got home, it's marvelous and amazing to find that we have the talent in our small town to find actors who can so perfectly fit these roles. As much as we loved the movie, the musical was even better--the movie having ended tragically and the musical having left us with smiles on our faces. I can only hope we can find time to go see it again. Word is going to get out how marvelous this production is and the little theater only seats 45 people. Should we be selfish and see it again or let someone else have the experience???

September Reads

I had a good reading month -- most of it spent with Ruth Reichl and her foodie memoirs that I read one right after another and enjoyed immensely. If anyone hasn't read these, I would say although it isn't absolutely necessary to have read the first two before enjoying the third, it would really enhance your reading experience if you have a bit more background of Ruth's life. I followed these up with I Feel Back About My Neck by Nora Ephron and despite our vastly different backgrounds I found myself nodding in agreement throughout the book. I ended up with the first fiction in a couple of months, one of Meg Cabot's books for adults, Queen of Babble. I enjoyed the French setting and the fairy-tale feel to this book. It was a fun read.

Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl - 4.5/5
Comfort Me with Apples by Ruth Reichl 4.5/5
Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl 5/5
I Feel Bad About by Neck by Nora Ephron 4.5/5
Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot 4/5

A Date with My Son

It is a rare occurrence when you get to share with one’s offspring something you experienced at almost that exact same age. Last night I was able to relive a concert seen over 30 years ago, at age 27, with my son who will be 27 in April when we went to see the band Jethro Tull at the Paramount Theater in Seattle. This is a band I have loved for years – and hadn’t seen since August 15, 1976 at the L. A. Memorial Coliseum. I bought these tickets in May so have been looking forward to seeing the genius that is Ian Anderson and his band for a long time.

Our evening started out early when I picked Jake up at his home and we took the ferry over to Seattle. Since he’s the chef, he picked out the restaurant, I asked for one that uses local foods. He chose Restaurant Zoe, one the owners of the restaurant where he works as sous chef has been recommending. In fact, the chef-owner of Restaurant Zoe lives on Bainbridge Island and has dined at Jake’s restaurant, The Four Swallows, many times.

We arrived right on time for our 5:30 reservations. I let Jake pick out most of the appetizer and despite the fact I really wanted the foie gras, we had ricotta gnudi which was divine. Jake also chose the wine – and let me see if I can get this right, I did write it down: Podere Ruggeri Corsini 2004 Barbera d’Alba Armujan. One of the perks dining with my son came to light when, on overhearing a conversation our server discovered Jake was “in the industry” and asked him about it. Another appetizer arrived at our table compliment of the kitchen. We did each choose our own entrée: He had a braised short rib dish (it looked yummy) and as per my usual I had scallops. They weren’t as good as Jake does at the Four Swallows but they were unique and delicious. We ended our meal with desert and coffee, having had a wonderful meal with impeccable service.

It was then off to the beautiful Paramount Theater, one of my favorite venues in Seattle. I think the first concert I ever attended there was in late 1972 or early 1973 (Kris Kristofferson). It is a magnificent old structure and the architecture alone is worth a visit. Because I didn’t find out about this concert until tickets had been on sale for a week, our seats were in the third mezzanine, but the hike up three flights of stairs was worth it. Every seat in this venue of around 3000 is a good one and our seats in the first row of the third mezzanine were no exception.

I tried to prepare Jake a bit for the music. I explained to him that while Jethro Tull was a loud band and what we’d call hard rock back in the day, they were quite unique, taking their inspiration from more classical music. And indeed throughout the evening this proved to be the case as they played everything from Bach, to Henry VIII to a song inspired by Shakespeare. Of course they did many of the more well known Jethro Tull hits, Aqualung, Thick as a Brick, Living in the Past. etc. Ian Anderson, is a delightful stage presence, his foot work (prancing on stage like an elf) and this virtuoso flute playing (does anyone do this better?) has not suffered in the 40 years he has been performing. His voice still has the same quality we all remember and is instantly recognizable, albeit perhaps a bit weaker and in a different key, but it is that wonderful, delightful, sexy Ian Anderson all the same.

Unfortunately we had to cut our evening short as I was getting a migraine and Jake was feeling a bit sick to his stomach and we had a ferry to catch – not willing to wait until a much later ferry that would get me home after 2:00 AM.

Dinner at trendy restaurant - $150.

Ferry fare - $35.00

Concert Tickets - $115.00

Spending time with my son - Priceless

Fall Bounty & A Recipe

We feel our first attempt at growing vegetables has been a success! We've eaten over a dozen ears of corn, each one better than the one before. I told John that of all the fresh vegetables from the garden, the corn is what I will miss the most once it's gone. We have more tomatoes than we can possibly eat and I have been taking them to work to share with my coworkers. The cucumbers have been the best I have ever eaten. Next to the corn, the nicest surprise has been the brussel sprouts. Neither of us had even seen brussel sprouts growing before, never knew what they looked like in the garden. I really, really love brussel sprouts and eating them fresh are so delicious. Their test is less cabbage-y -- they seem to have a flavor all their own. I found this simple recipe a few years ago and it has been our favorite method of fixing them ever since:

2 slices bacon

1 clove garlic

1-2 cups brussel sprouts, cleaned and cut in half

Cut up bacon in inch long pieces and place in small frying pan, Add cut up garlic, once you have a bit of bacon grease, add your brussel sprouts and cook until heated through. Enjoy.

San Juan Sojourn Day 3

The Ferry on a "Soft" Day

Pelindaba Lavender Farm

Sunday morning we awoke to rain. Disappointing, but not surprising. We just counted ourselves fortunate to have had two warm, sunny days - two out of three, in mid September, we figured wasn’t bad. Again we had breakfast at the B&B including the wonderful granola. Our hostess, discovering John wasn’t fond of granola, had substituted a fruit plate for him – very thoughtful. Our tablemates were a younger couple from Malibu, California. Both composers, the woman is a native of County Galway, Ireland. We had a nice conversation about Ireland with them, and it brought back found memories of my trip there several years ago. I loved her description of the light drizzle we were having. She said it was a “soft day”. Charming.

During breakfast I asked our hostess about the lovely birdbaths in her front yard. We had admired them when we had arrived and on closer inspection saw they were made of old plates, platters, vases, glasses, and candy dishes. The next day we saw some in town at an artists’ cooperative. Discovering Debbie had made some of those in her yard, I asked if she ever sold any. She then said she hadn’t but she would. I am thrilled to be the owner of the lovely pink and crystal birdbath we had admired on our arrival. I may even try to make some of these myself.

So what to do on a drizzly day? We decided to abandon plans to go to Lopez Island due to both the weather and ferry schedule not allowing us as much time as we knew we’d need to get back to Anacortes by 6:30 to catch the last ferry off Whidbey Island and get home without driving around (ah the trials of being at the mercy of the ferry schedules). We hadn’t been to little Mitchell Bay so decided to drive back to the West side of the island and explore that area further. It was charming and the cabins were right on the beach. We decided to put this area on our list for a future visit. Then it was on to Pelindaba Lavender Farm as it was still raining lightly the majority of our time was spent in the gift shop where we bought a few items before heading back to Friday Harbor to get into the ferry line as it was recommended that we get there by 1:30 for the 5:00 ferry. One can then walk around town, have lunch and shop, just be back by 4:30 or so.

I had one more bookstore to hit, Boardwalk Bookstore. It’s a sweet little store and had changed location since the last time I had visited. I ended up with two books The Place You Love Is Gone: Progress Hits Home by Melissa Holbrook Pierson and in my quest to get off my non-fiction and memoir kick,The Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot. John, who although is a big reader, isn't as big a book buyer as I am actually found two books at this store as well, Dungeness Crabbing by Scott Haugen a book all about how to catch and cook crab including some great recipes and a lovely book called Diving the World, a Guide to the World's Coral Seas by Beth and Shaun Tierney (perhaps ideas for future vacations?). I also ended up buying a nice canvas bookbag to carry my purchases in.

If there is anything good about getting into the ferry line so early, it means we have a decent parking place for downtown Friday Harbor (which otherwise suffers from a lack of parking). By this time it was time for lunch and both John and I were anxious to go to an old favorite, The Front Street Ale House. Perhaps we were spoiled by the truly wonderful meals we’d had the last few days, because it couldn’t be because they were too busy. They were out of the lager I had ordered, the fish and chips were absolutely abysmally horrible including the worst tartar sauce I had in a long time, and John’s burger was horrible was well. Neither of us were able to finish our meal. Everything was so greasy and tasteless. The service was terrible. There was absolutely no excuse for this. We won’t be returning.

This experience and the weather both served to dampen our spirits, so we spent the rest of the time reading in the car. I ended up sleeping from San Juan Island to Lopez Island and was barely awake when we got to Anacortes. We were hungry again by this time, pulled into the Taco Bell drive thru and their computer broke down so we sat in line (again!). When we got to the ferry dock in Keystone, we found that the 7:30 ferry hadn’t arrived yet, so it would be a two-hour wait until our ferry arrived! Not only that, but they added an extra ferry due to the fact that they are on a one-ferry schedule between Whidbey Island and Port Townsend (one of the 1930s era ferries is broken down) so we could have, after all, spent more time in the San Juans. Oh well. We ended up spending over five hours in ferry lines. Next time we may fly up and rent a car.

All in all though, it was a nice little trip, although a bit disappointing to see how the millionaires and billionaires have taken over the island – the shoreline dotted with dozens – no probably hundreds of multi-million dollar mansions. The islands I have dreamed of living in since I first stayed there when I was 15 years old (first visited when I was seven) are now out of reach. And it makes me sad.

San Juan Sojourn - Day 2

The next morning came early and breakfast was served at 9 AM. The Kirk House is famous for its award-winning granola. This was served in a parfait glass topped with vanilla yogurt and strawberries – quite yummy. We were also served coffee, orange juice, apple strudel French toast, and a sausage patty. Our tablemates were a nice couple from Portland, both professors at Portland State University. John isn’t as familiar with the B&B experience as I am (I having stayed at many B&Bs in the UK and Ireland and the last time being in Savannah) and have always enjoyed it. He's preferred boutique hotels and renting cabins but now I think he's coming around to B&Bs with this experience and all the amenities.

After breakfast we were off to some sight-seeing toward the southern end of the island. Our first stop was a very lovely little flower farm called New Day Flower Farm where we found some very sweet little gift items. Then we traveled on to American Camp, a place I remembered from my Washington State History classes over 40 years ago and the famous “Pig War”. We stopped several places along the way to take pictures. At one pull out I saw what appeared to be several whale watching boats, having been a passenger several time I know that when you see the boats in a group, you are likely to see whales. I got out the binoculars. Sure enough, there they were, the magnificent animals – the Orcas. There weren’t a large number of them in this pod, not like two years ago when Quinn and I took PS Express out of Port Townsend and were fortunate to run into a “Superpod” of 3-4 pods and over 30 whales. We found out later that we were very lucky to see whales this day as most of them were out to sea, very few people on land having spotted them.

We traveled on down to Cattle Point, enjoying the lovely day, drove around the island a bit enjoying the luxury of having our car on the island and plenty of time to drive at our leisure without a ferry to catch today. We then drove back into town for a light lunch before embarking on our real adventure, a hike to the McMillin Mausoleum. Yes, the very one that Les had photographed in her blog a few months ago. After seeing her pictures I knew this once a place we just had to see. Despite having visiting the San Juans for over 40 years, I was unaware of this amazing piece of architecture hidden in the woods. No one I have talked to since has ever heard about it either. I was very excited to see it. and it was more amazing than I had ever imagined. The mile round trip hike took us past an century-old cemetery then through the woods on a narrow trail that dropped down to a service road leading to the mausoleum called Afterglow Vista. I wasn’t prepared for the magnificent structure in the middle of nowhere. It was sad to see that it has never been kept up, but that just added to the mystique. John and I had the place all to ourselves for the half an hour or so we spent taking pictures from all sorts of angles. It was unbelievable to me that there weren’t scores of people visiting this structure! In fact, our car was the only one in the parking lot. We only met one man as we were walking to the mausoleum and a couple as we were walking back – and this in the middle of the afternoon on a lovely Saturday summer day.

After our adventure it was time to go back to the B&B to prepare for our dinner. This time we had made reservations at arguably the best restaurant on San Juan Island, Duck Soup Inn. We had heard so much about this restaurant out in the woods, about its chef who uses local food and food from her own garden, sort of the Chez Panisse of the Pacific Northwest, that we made reservations several weeks before our arrival. The rustic décor belied the magnificent gourmet meal we were about to experience. We knew we had chosen the right place when they had free “Peace” bumperstickers to give out to their customers. Again, John had the lamb (he says to compare to the night before) and he said it was even better than the previous night. In fact, the best lamb he has ever had. This is really something coming from him as lamb is his favorite food. It was a difficult decision for me, I almost ordered the scallops again, but decided to have the prawns. I am still in heaven over their wonderful flavor, sautéed as they were in wild blackberries! We had wine, an appetizer (twice baked corn soufflé with goat cheese), soup, salad, and desert. It was a true epicurean experience that took two hours to slowly appreciate. It was almost an orgasmic experience. It is worth a special trip to the San Juans just to go to this restaurant. Be warned though, they are closed for most of the winter, and one needs to make reservations. We saw one couple turned away as we waited for our table. The service was as good as the meal. This was indeed a very special dining experience and we almost hated to leave.

We're All Here Because We're Not All There

Port Townsend residents, like those in many small, liberal towns, like to advertise their feelings on their bumpers, fenders, trunks, and elsewhere on the vehicles they drive. John and I are no exception. The mainstay of the Port Townsend local is the popular, "We're All Here Because We're Not All There" bumpersticker. It's the first bumpersticker I bought when I got my new car. I was able to move my "You may say I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only one" bumpersticker from my other car because I had it taped in the back window. My other stickers include "Obama 2008", "Another Mother for Peace", "PT" (signifying a Port Townsend resident, I noted in Friday Harbor they have SJI), and the simple "Peace" sticker I picked up at Duck Soup Inn on our trip to the San Juans earlier his month. On my old car I had a sticker that said, "He's not MY president" I got a lot of comments on that one (all positive) ranging from simple thumbs up, to several people saying, "He's not my president either." It's all a way of expressing my freedom of speech -- on the highway, in a parking lot, or in my driveway.

San Juan Sojourn - Day 1

Kirk House, the 100 year-old home, now a B&B we stayed at while on San Juan Island















The Madrona Grill at Roche Harbor where we ate Friday for Lunch















A sailboat passing by the ferry (where we wished we were)


A birdbath crafted by our hostess, Debbie -- this is now in our front yard :-)

The Hotel deHaro in Roche Harbor at the NW corner of San Juan Island

We like to get up to the San Juan Islands at least once a year. We can see them in the distance from North Beach, which is less than a mile from our home. Every time I look out to the distance I yearn to be there instead of here. Last year we visited Orcas Island with a brief stopover at Lopez Island. This year we decided to go to the more populated San Juan Island.

Getting there was fairly easy. We took the 8:00 AM ferry - we left the house at 7:20 to be there by 7:30. The ferry took us over to Whidbey Island and we drove up the island and across the Deception Pass Bridge to Anacortes to the ferry dock there in record time, arriving there by 9:30 for our 11:00 ferry which got us in Friday Harbor by noon. The sun was shining and we were so glad to have a nice weekend. Since there were a lot of walk-on passengers we knew the restaurants in town were going to busy and since we couldn’t check into our B&B until 3PM, we decided to drive up to Roche Harbor to have lunch.

We enjoyed a fine lunch overlooking the marina, then walked around the beautiful Roche Harbor resort. Soon it was just about time for us to return to Friday Harbor to check in to our B&B, the lovely Kirk House , a 1907 Craftsman home. Our room was the “Trellis Room” and we couldn’t have been more pleased with our accommodations. Our gracious hostess, Debbie showed us around the lovely home and grounds and even provided us with an afternoon snack. The big king-sized bed was just too inviting and we decided to take a bit of a nap before embarking on a bit of a shopping trip in town.

One of my goals for this trip was to visit all four bookstores in the little town of Friday Harbor. I am proud to say I met my goal. I bought books in three of the stores. My favorite of the three was Griffin Bay Bookstore , a wonderful little store that has all the bestsellers and is a member of Booksense. This store also has a little coffee shop. It also has the good sense to be open until 9PM Friday and Saturday evenings! Here I purchased two books: On Rue Tatin by Susan Herrmann Loomis and The United States of Arugula by David Kamp. Then it was over to The Serendipity Bookstore, the used bookstore in town and what a charming store it is. Housed in a Victorian home it could almost be missed if one wasn’t looking for it. I was specifically looking for a nonfiction book by Laurie Colwin. The proprietor was familiar with the book, checked the inventory and didn’t have a copy, but she showed me where other similar books were and, of course I bought two, MFK Fisher’s The Art of Eating and Let Us Eat Cake by Sharon Boorstin.

Now it was getting on toward dinner time, but as we were looking for somewhere to eat, I saw that there was still an “Open” sign on the wine shop and they were advertising wine tasting. Well, it didn’t take me long to decide where we were going next. The fact that the third bookstore was in close proximity didn’t hurt either. After a bit of wine tasting (and some purchasing) we took the stairs to the third bookstore, The Harbor Bookstore. Now while this is a lovely little bookstore that I have visited several times before, most recently two years ago with my grandson, I couldn’t find anything I wanted this visit. It could be that I had more things on my mind, like dinner. We did get what turned out to be a fabulous recommendation for a restaurant from the clerk at this bookstore when she told us about The Backdoor Kitchen One would never accidentally happen on this gem of a place. Even when we were looking for it, we couldn’t believe there was a restaurant in the back of this warehouse. We were glad we persevered because in spite of the cool weather (without reservations, we had to sit outside on the patio) we had one of the most delicious meals we’d eaten in a long time (John had the lamb, I had the scallops). We returned to our B&B with smiles on our faces knowing we’d found someplace very special that we’d be able to return to often.

THE ONE YOU FEED

Native Wisdom
A Grandfather from the Cherokee Nation was talking with his grandson.
"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves."
"One wolf is evil and ugly: He is anger, envy, war, greed, self-pity, sorrow, regret, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, selfishness and arrogance."
"The other wolf is beautiful and good: He is friendly, joyful, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, justice, fairness, empathy, generosity, true, compassion, gratitude, and deep vision."
"This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other human as well."
The grandson paused in deep reflection because of what his grandfather had just said. Then he finally cried out; "Oyee! Grandfather, which wolf will win?"
The elder Cherokee replied, "The one you feed."

Review: Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl

The title of Gourmet magazine editor Ruth Reichl’s third food memoir comes from TS Eliot’s Four Quartets and is courtesy Ruth’s husband, Michael but the reader doesn’t understand his reasoning for the quote until near the end of this delightful collection of tales of Reichl’s time as food editor of the New York Times.

Filled with stories of her life as a critic, reviews of New York restaurants—well known and some not as well known, as well as recipes, this book is absolutely unputdownable. Imagine, if you will, how Ruth discovers, on a trip to NYC that her photo is plastered on bulletin boards in restaurants all over the city and decides that that she’s not going to be able to go to restaurants as herself and fairly do a critique. Instead she devises a plan. She will go incognito. Ruth enlists an old friend of her mother’s who was an acting coach and with her help she becomes Molly, a middle aged woman from the Midwest; Brenda a vivacious and friendly woman; the sexy Chloe; Betty a plain elderly woman, and even Miriam her own cantankerous mother. As one can well imagine, these women get very different treatment from one another and VERY different treatment from Ruth Reichl, the food critic.

My mouth was watering as I read of Ruth’s experiences in restaurants that I can only dream of eating at in NYC (although I do admit that I will attempt some good sushi again after reading how it is properly eaten) and I know that many a fine eating experience will be enhanced.

I borrowed the three Ruth Reichl books from the library, but will be buying copies of my own for my keeper shelf. I am not sure if I will eventually try any of the recipes, but I sure want to. The only thing that disappointed me was that after reading these three books, one right after another, that there are no more Ruth Reichl books to read. I guess I am going to have to satisfy myself with a subscription to Gourmet magazine and hope she has another book in her future with which to entertain her legions of fans.

We're Eating Them Now

Our Tomatoes are Ready!!!! Not many of them make it to the table though -- many of the cherry tomatoes get eaten directly off the vine. Such sweetness I've rarely tasted. The "Early Girls" are tasty as well. My favorite way to eat them is to toast a piece of bread, butter it lightly, cut it into quarters, then top it with a slice of mozzarella, a slice of tomato, and a basil leaf. Mmmmmmmm.

One of my favorite Artists - Susan Rios

Susan Rios is one of my favorite artists. I have long admired her work and have a print of her "After Breakfast" hanging, appropriately, in my dining area (hopefully it will someday be in a breakfast nook). Check out her work here: http://www.susanriosinc.com/

Book Review: Comfort Me with Apples by Ruth Reichl

Ruth Reichl has done it again -- completely mesmerized me with a book I found hard to put down.

The current editor of Gourmet magazine goes from food critic a New West Magazine to the LA Times in this, the sequel to her first memoir, Tender at the Bone. How she reinvents herself from a hippie living in a commune in Berkeley cooking for her housemates to being one of the most respected food critics in the country is told with her usual candor, intelligence, humor, and poignancy. Her essay toward the end about her struggle with infertility left me weeping. An unbearable heartbreak for Ruth and Michael had me so emotional I had to put the book down at one point. But then an act of extraordinary kindness on the part of some of her dear friends several pages later made me sigh.

Thank goodness I had already read her bio and knew that in the end things turn out well for her, but I was struck by how hard it must have been for her to write about some of these episodes and she addresses this in her acknowledgements at the end of the book.

I enjoyed the stories she shares of how difficult it is for one to open a new restaurant and was particularly interested in the story of Wolfgang Puck's wife Barbara (who we met briefly at her now-defunct Seattle restaurant several years ago).

Another excellent read from Ruth Reichl. Her third book, Garlic and Sapphires is next. I can hardly wait!

Trip to the Book Store

We went to the bookstore yesterday and true to my current memoir kick, checked out the biography/memoir aisles. I had even more books in my hands but sat in the cafe and went over them, deciding what books I just had to have now and what could wait, writing down the titles for later - purchase, library reserve, or paperpback swap request (although one I did check out and then bought from Amazon when I got home). I think we spent at least two hours on a sunny Saturday afternoon in the bookstore. It was uncrowded though and usually one has to fight for a table.

What I bought:

A STRONG WEST WIND by Gail Caldwell
Caldwell is the chief book critic for the Boston Clobe and she won the Pulitzer Prize for Distinguished Criticism in 2001. This book is about growing up in the Texas Panhandle during the 50s and 60s as the liberal daughter of conservative parents (hmm, I wonder why this appealed to me :-))

THE HORIZONTAL WORLD: GROWING UP WILD IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE by Debra Marquart
Marquart grew up in North Dakota in the 60s in a small farming community where her family is descendants of Germans from Russia immigrants who settled there in the late 19th century. As my parents grew up in North Dakota and my father's parents were both first-generation Americans of Germans from Russian heritage this really sounded interesting. I've read a couple of essays already and am anxious to read more.

JAYWALKING WITH THE IRISH by David Monagan
About a man who relocated his family from the US to Cork,Ireland in 2004.

SHE GOT UP OFF THE COUCH by Haven Kimmel
Sequel to a Girl Named Zippy, on my TBR pile for several years and highly recommended.

Guidebooks to The San Juan Islands and Portland, Oregon for upcoming trips

The book I ordered from Amazon is THE GOOD PIG by Sy Montgomery - we nurtured a little piglet runt a couple of years ago and thought this sounded interesting, read some reviews and decided I wanted to read it sooner than later.

Others that look good and titles I made note of for later:

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS by Laura Shaine Cunningham
THE SOUL OF A CHEF by Michale Ruhlman
FEEDING A YEN by Calvin Trillin
TURNING THE TABLES by Steven Shaw

Ah, so many books, so little time. . .

A Painting that Tells a Story

Meeting on the Turret Stairs by Frederick William Burton was painted in 1864 but one would think upon first glance that it was done several centuries earlier. I loved it from the first time I saw it and have a large print hanging in my hallway (the original is in the National Gallery of Ireland). One of my favorite places in the world is County Clare Ireland and I just this evening discovered the artist was born there in 1816.

I have often wondered about the story. It wasn't until tonight that I came across this:


‘The Meeting on the Turret Stairs’
Watercolour, 95.5 x 60.8 cm. (1864)

‘The Meeting on the Turret Stairs’ is one of the better-known works of Frederic William Burton. The theme comes from a medieval Danish ballad which describes how Hellelil fell in love with Hildebrand, Prince of Engelland, one of her twelve personal guards. Her father orders his seven sons to kill him.

They stood at the door with spear and shield:
‘Up Lord Hildebrand! out and yield!’
He kissed me then mine eyes above:-
‘Say never my name, thou darling love’
Out of the door Lord Hildebrand sprang;
Around his head the sword he swang.

Hildebrand kills her father and six brothers before Hellelil intercedes to save the youngest. Hildebrand dies of his wounds and Hellelil herself dies shortly afterwards.

Burton did not choose a violent episode and instead freely interpreted the story, placing their farewell on the turret stairs and leaving the reason for it to the imagination. His invention of the kiss on the woman's outstretched arm and the lack of eye contact adds to the poignancy of the painting.

Where I've Been - Look Carefully for Fiji :-)

Labor Day

It was wonderful to spend the day with my son at his waterfront home. Despite the weather he barbequed -- hand-ground sirloin - and these were gourmet burgers like no other. He had leftovers from the restaurant (he is sous chef at The Four Swallows on Bainbridge Island) consisting of chanterelle mushrooms. I am in LOVE!!! Such gastronomical ecstasy! It was almost a shame to put it on top of a beef and between a bun. Eating them a lone as sauteed to enjoy their full flavor was just a delight. Even more of a delight this day was spending time with my most favorite person in the world, my four-year-old granddaughter Kyra. She is truly grandma's girl and we had such a wonderful time together. I got to bring some of the extra chanterelles home for later; I wish I could have packaged little Kyra and brought her home for a few days as well, we just don't see her enough. But where we are now, seeing her every 4-6 weeks is so much better than it was two years ago when we couldn't see her at all, that I am, if not completely satisfied, grateful.

You Are Teal Green

You are a one of a kind, original person. There's no one even close to being like you. Expressive and creative, you have a knack for making the impossible possible. While you are a bit offbeat, you don't scare people away with your quirks. Your warm personality nicely counteracts and strange habits you may have.

What Color Green Are You?

Book Review: Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at The Table by Ruth Reichl

Why have I been reading so long without knowing there was a subgenre of books called “cooking memoirs”??? Perhaps it was because I didn’t care all that much until my son became a sous chef and then his friend and former coworker became a contestant on the current season of the Emmy-nominated reality TV program, Top Chef, so we began watching it. And, of course, rooting for Brian. I grew up in a small town of parents from the Midwest. Meat and potatoes were their game and meat and potatoes were what sustained our family and my family when I was a young wife and mother. It wasn’t until I acquired the cookbooks of Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins (The Silver Palate and The New Basics) That I began to eat a little differently.

It wasn’t until I met John that I was introduced to more nouveau cuisine in restaurants; I had never been able to afford food like this before. We went to all the nice restaurants in the Seattle area, Portland, and many in Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Southern California, Scottsdale, Arizona and even Hawaii on our trips. But still a lot of the terminology and recipes remained unfamiliar to me.

But I digress. Back to Reichl’s memoir. I hard heard about his genre first when it was mentioned in one of my online book groups. Then I happened to download a wonderful interview with the author done by the CBC onto my iPod. I couldn’t wait to read more of her work. I immediately ordered Tender at the Bone from Paperback Swap but while waiting for it to arrive (and it still hasn’t) ordered it from my local library. I was immediately taken in by the story of this woman who rose to fame by being a restaurant critic for the New York Times and then editor of Gourmet magazine whose mother cooked such horrible meals that she once poisoned the entire guest list of an engagement party. This woman who while a young dissident in Berkeley in the early 70s made meals made primarily of ingredients garnered from Dumpster diving. How in the world did she get to where she is now? I had to know more.

How could one woman have so many colorful characters come into her life? How could she have so many food adventures? An amazing book. I absolutely couldn’t put it down.
Reichl’s candor makes the reader feel like they are almost a voyeur in her life. I love this woman’s writing!!! Where has she been all my life???? I want to know what in the world happens between her and Doug and did she ever remain friends with Serafina? Will we ever find out what happened to Mrs. Peavey? Inquiring minds want to know!!!! I was lucky to have her second memoir, Comfort Me With Apples, Growing Up at the Table here from the library as well and immediately picked it up. Hopefully I will get some of the answers in this second book. Her third, Garlic and Sapphires, is on order.

August Reads

My August reads consisted of one fiction and four memoirs. Through my reading I spent time with Bec in Madison Wisconsin who while caretaking a young woman with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) learned not only how to make scrumptious new dishes but something about herself along the way; I spent time accustoming myself to the countryside with Jeanne and Alex in rural Pennsylvania; Carolyn Jourdan took me on a journey back to her home and her father's rural medical practice in the hills of east Tennessee. Then I went back in time to the Great Depression wtih Mildred Kalish to her farm outside of Garrison, Iowa and to her grandparents' home in Garrison) as I learned how to do everything from making sweetbreads to gathering honey to butchering chickens and making pillows (adding to the enjoyment of this book was the discovery, after I finished, that one of my coworkers is from Garrison, and that her family goes back several generations in this little town) And finally, I spent time with Kate Braestrup in Maine as she ministered to the families of those lost in the wilderness. I saved the best for last as this was by clear favorite read of the month. Complete reviews of all books can be found below and in the August archives. I have also posted reviews at www. amazon.com and urge you to take a look there and if the review is helpful to please say so.

I thought I might get a few more books read this month as I was off for four extra days, but it wasn't to be. It is clear I continue to be on a memoir kick as after Here if You Need Me I have tried to get into fiction but have found myself drawn to yet another memoir to begin September.

You're Not You - Michelle Wildgen - B

Fifty Acres and a Poodle- Jeanne Marie Laskas - B+

Heart in the Right Place - Carolyn Jourdan - A

Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression by Mildred Armstrong Kalish - B-

Here if You Need Me - Kate Braestrup - A

In the end I don't think you can go wrong with any of these books. But if I were to recommend any one book to own, to mark up, to highlight, to refer to for inspiration, to keep on my nightstand for re-reading, it would be Here if You Need Me. I really hope we hear more from this author and her enlightening essays soon.

Happy 62nd Birthday Van!!!

Today I have spent the day listening to one of my favorite singers on the occasion of his 62nd birthday. The CD I chose to listen to was one I downloaded to my iPod last night and is a recording of a recent live show, one I would have given my eye teeth to have gone to, the performance as The Abbey in Glastonbury, England, that mystical place that was has been an inspiration to many of his songs as on his CDs Avalon, Enlightenment, and Common One (songs Haunts of Ancient Peace and Summertime in England being two of my favorite songs from the latter album). A Van Morrison concert is like a grab bag. You never know for sure what songs you're going to get. whether he'll say a few words to the audience or maybe nothing at all. It's pretty certain the evening will end with Brown-Eyed Girl and Gloria (and that the concert will last precisely 90 minutes) but no two concerts are the same. As so wanted to hear him sing Into the Mystic when I saw him in Seattle in October of 2006 and then again in Vancouver, BC in February of 2007 but it wasn't to be. And checking the set lists for ths shows since then, I can't recall that he has had this song in his repertoire. So it was with a sigh that via my friend Pat's review http://patrickmaginty.blogspot.com/2007/08/sun-was-setting-over-avalon.html I found out that he had sung it at Glastonbury August 11th. I was thrilled to get a copy of this show and doubly thrilled that it was of such good quality. One of the best I have heard in a long time. (BTW, check out Patrick's archives for his reviews of his favorite Van Morrison albums - they are wise and intelligent, the best I have ever read).

I own all of Van's commerically-released CDs and dozens of live shows and bootleg CDs and DVDs. I just can't get enough of this voice, the genius of his words that touch me to the very depths of my soul. It matters not to me that he is tempermental or grumpy (to put it mildly) what matters to me is that his words reach me.

Book Review: Here if You Need Me by Kate Braestrup

As a mother of four and wife to Maine State trooper Drew Griffith, Kate Braestrup thought her life was in order as a wife, mother, and writer. Drew’s plans though were to go to school to become a Unitarian minister. Suddenly though, Kate becomes a widow and then decides to pursue Drew’s dream. She becomes a Unitarian minister and begins working with the Maine Game Warden department, mainly ministering to the families of those involved in search and rescue attempts – the hikers, the lost snowmobilers, the swimmers falling over a waterfall, the despondent young women, the lost children.

However this book isn’t, as I had first thought, simply full of anecdotes of Kate’s involvement with search and rescue attempts. Oh no, it is much, much more than that. There, are plenty of interesting anecdotes that’s for sure but it is a story of Kate’s life as a single mother, as a spiritual woman, as a spiritual leader, and as a caring human being. It is a book full of the essays of a talented writer giving her take on life, death, and heaven, all in a gentle way where it is easy to imagine the skill in which she is able to minister to those in need. She does so without judging anyone be they a fundamentalist, atheist, agnostic, or of any other belief.

There is the story of a young suicide victim whose brother she counsels and consoles as he is worried she will be unable to have a Christian burial because of the way she died, there is the story of the parents Kate spends the night consoling with after their daughter goes missing, answering the atheist mother who says, “It’s so cool that the warden service has a chaplain to keep us from freaking out,” by responding,”I’m not really here to keep you from freaking out. I’m here to be with you while you freak out.”

And here is the story of Kate, the mother, helping her four children get over the death of their beloved father, all the while in deep mourning herself. Kate who loved her husband so deeply. So very deeply that she does for her husband what few new widows will ever do in this modern age.

All I can say is WOW. I don’t know when I have been so moved by a book.

The reader will be moved to tears, laugh out loud, begin a spiritual awakening – and keep the book nearby for re-reading of Kate’s essays again and again. You will wish she was your friend, your pastor. You will wish you had the honor of having her wisdom nearby on a daily basis. But since you don’t reading this book will have to suffice. The world would be a better place if there were more Kate Braestrups in it. God bless you Kate and thank you for sharing a part of your world and your wisdom in this magnificent read.

Book Review: Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression by Mildred Kalish

I delved into this book with great anticipation. The author is only a few years younger than my mother and the area she writes about in rural Iowa is just 50 miles east of where my grandfather was born.

There were many things to like in this book that combines anecdotes from the 1930s with recipes and how to do things the old way. I enjoyed the anecdotes and would have enjoyed the book if it had been sprinkled with less of the recipes and more of the stories from the 1930s--stories which ranged from poignant to laugh-out-loud funny. Her stories range from such events as box socials (and giving a complete explanation of what one is for those who may not know) to how to gather honey from bees (and what happens if you do it the wrong way). She tells of how hard work it was it was back in the day, but does recall there was time for a bit of leisure as well.

At once a memoir, a how-to book, and a cookbook, Kalish tells her story with enthusiasm but with a bit of pompousness that was a bit unnecessary. She acts as if she was the only person ever to know how to do some of these things described and that her way was the only way. Heck, I am 25 years younger than she is and I can remember doing many of the same things at my grandparents' farm in North Dakota two decades later, and even do some of these same things today. Although the subtitle mentions "hard times" it is clear that due to help from her grandparents and a self-sufficient farm, Kalish and her siblings never really went without anything on her farm during the depression so anyone who is reading this book and expects it to be a true hardship tale best look elsewhere. It is a great look down memory lane for those from Kalish's generation who I am sure will enjoy reading and reminiscing about another time and place. It seems though that most of the time the author is writing for an audience who hasn't lived through any of these events, remembers none of these times (stoking an old wood fire, splitting wood,making head cheese, butchering a chicken, making May Day baskets). That said, it is quick interesting read but recommended with reservations as although a memoir, how-to book and cookbook, it doesn't completely succeed at any of these.

Click here to listen to: Linda Thompson

: "1. Day After Tomorrow - Linda Thompson "

This is a great anti-war song written by Tom Waits (and his wife, Kathleen Brennan) interpreted beautifully by the amazing Linda Thompson. Here are the lyrics:

I got your letter
Today
An' I miss you oh so much here
I can't wait
To see you all
And I'm counting the days dear
I still believe that there's gold
At the end of the World
An' I'll come home
To Illinois
On the day after tomorrow

It is so hard
And it's cold here
And I'm tired of taking orders
And I miss old Rockford town
Up by the Wisconsin border

What I miss you won't believe
Shovellin' snow,and rakin' leaves

And my plane will touch down
On the day after tomorrow

I close my eyes
Every night
And I dream
That I can hold you

They fill us full of lies
Everyone buys'
Bout what it means
To be a soldier
I still don't know how I'm s'posed to feel'
Bout all the blood that's been spilled

Will God on his throne
Get me back home
On the day after tomorrow?

You can't deny
The other side
Don't wanna die
Any more than we do

What I'm tryin' to say
Is, don't they pray
To the same God
That we do?

Tell me
How does God choose?
Whose prayers does he refuse?
Who turns the wheel
Who throws the dice
On the day after tomorrow?

I am not fighting
For justice
I am not fighting
For freedom
I am fighting
For my life

And another day in the World here
I just do what I've been told
We're just the gravel on the road
And only the lucky
Ones come home
On the day after tomorrow

And the summer
It too will fade
And with it brings
The winter's frost dear

And I know
We too are made
Of all the things
That we have lost here

I'll be twenty - one today
I been savin' all my pay

And my plane
Will touch down
On the day after tomorrow

And my plane
It will touch down
On the day after tomorrow

Click here to listen to: Teddy Thompson

: "1. My Heart Echoes - Teddy Thompson "
This is the song with Iris Dement I like so much -- Simply click on the heading above to be taken to the Rhapsody website and you can hear for yourself this sparse, lovely song.

A CD I'm Loving: Teddy Thompson

I love Linda Thompson, Teddy's mother and I love Teddy's parents Richard and Linda Thompson together (sadly, they're divorced and no longer perform together). After hearing Teddy on the Brokeback Mountain soundtrack, I fell in love with his voice as well. In his new CD, a collection mostly of cover songs by such Nashville (and Bakersfield) legends as George Jones, Ernest Tubb, Dolly Parton, and Merle Haggard Teddy Thompson excels. He has the perfect voice for these country classics. Who knew something like this would come from a singer from the UK? Last year another favorite of mine, the great Van Morrison did a CD of country classics and although very good, I think Teddy has eclipsed him. Of course it doesn't hurt that he employs the fabulous Iris Dement on one cut. Here's the blurb from Teddy's web site http://www.teddythompson.com/

Teddy Thompson's self-produced Up Front & Down Low offers distinctive readings of beloved country classics: George Jones' "She Thinks I Still Care," Ernest Tubb's "Walking the Floor Over You" and Merle Haggard's "(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers." Equally impressive, however, are such lesser-known songs such as Boudleaux Bryant's regretful "Change of Heart," the yearning "Touching Home," Dolly Parton's bittersweet "My Blue Tears," the tongue-in-cheek Bob Luman hit "Let's Think About Living" and the Elvis Presley chestnut "I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone." The album also features a lone Thompson original, "Down Low," whose heart-on-sleeve lyrics take on added resonance in this context.

"As strange as it may seem, country music was the music I was brought up on," says Teddy, whose parents are British folk-rock legends Richard and Linda Thompson. "It's the music that's closest to my heart and the music that speaks to me the most, and it's always been a big influence on my own songwriting. I was obsessed with country music when I was a kid, and it's definitely had a huge influence on the way I write songs. I was always attracted to songs that had a brilliant pun or a clever turn of phrase, but came from a dark, bitter place. As a writer, I've always gravitated towards that feeling." Throughout Up Front & Down Low, the songs are supported by artful, evocative arrangements that often diverge from the material's original country milieu. Six tracks feature distinctive string arrangements by legendary English arranger Robert Kirby, renowned for his groundbreaking work with Nick Drake, while "My Blue Tears" features strings arranged by frequent Thompson cohort Rufus Wainwright.

Up Front & Down Low's compelling blend of melancholy and uplift is consistent with Thompson's prior work. "It was liberating," he adds, "to be making a record of songs I didn't write. I was able to be a bit more detached, and I didn't stress over every little detail as much as I do with my own material. It was easier to concentrate on whether it was a good performance, and not worry so much about whether the snare sound was perfect.Indeed, Up Front & Down Low marks a temporary departure from the London-born, New York-based singer/guitarist's prior recorded work.

Whereas his first two albums Teddy Thompson and Separate Ways showcased his formidable songwriting skills, Up Front & Down Low focuses on Thompson's abilities as an interpreter of outside material. The collection finds him delivering personalized reworkings of a memorable assortment of songs drawn from America's rich country music tradition, all delivered with a level of commitment and musical imagination that consistently cuts to the emotional heart of the material.

Book Review: Heart in the Right Place by Carolyn Jourdan

When Senate Counsel Carolyn Jourdan returns to the mountains of eastern Tennessee from Washington, DC after the sudden illness of her mother, she has no idea how long she’ll be needed to fill in her role as receptionist for her father, the kindly country doctor. She figures at first it will just be two days. But readers can be glad that it wasn’t as in Heart in the Right Place, Jourdan takes the reader on a true journey of the heart to the people of eastern Tennessee and through all the trials and tribulations of a small country one-doctor medical practice. One where he might be paid in even a fox carcass if he charged his patients anything at all.

We meet and learn to love the patients in the practice such as the eccentric Miss Hiawatha and the kindly Mike who doesn’t hardly know he is handicapped. And then there are the two friends Obie and Kermit. You never know what kind of predicament they are going to get themselves into next and what kind of injuries it’s going to cause. Each time they come through the clinic door it’s going to be something totally different. The big question on everyone’s mind is, will Carolyn stay in eastern Tennessee where she earned $0 in one year or return to her high-power, six-figure job in Washington, DC?

It was recommended I get this book via Amazon’s Customers Also Bought feature after I had purchased another book. I clicked on it and read the description. As a long-time medical office employee it sounded right up my alley. But it would appeal to anyone who enjoys sweet stories with quirky characters such as the Mitford series by Jan Karon or anyone who loves the TV series Northern Exposure or Ballykissangel. But these are very real people here, not those from fiction. I laughed and I cried, I read passages out loud to my husband, and I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning two nights in a row to finish it. I can’t recommend this book enough. You will want to buy one for yourself and another as a gift for someone you care about.

Book Review: Fifty Acres and a Poodle by Jeanne Marie Laskas

I had this book on my TBR pile for the last couple of years and I don't know why I had been putting off reading it. I guess the time was just right and I pulled it out and read it this weekend - finishing the last 25 pages on the patio this evening.

Jeanne Laskas was/is writer in Pittsburgh where she lived on the South Side with her cat, Bob and her dog, Betty. She had a perfectly happy life, with a little garden, friends (aka "The Babes") she enjoyed and an interesting writing job. But she had always dreamed of having a farm. Still when she and her psychologist boyfriend, Alex, go out for a drive one fall afternoon they really didn't intend to buy the 50-acre farm an hour south of Pittsburgh. But that's what happened. This book chronicles their first year as farm owners and the characters (animal and human) they encounter. The poodle in the title refers to Alex's dog, Marley ("a standard poodle, not the yappy kind").

This was a simply delightful book! I laughed and I cried. It was all I could do not to double my 15 minute break this afternoon to finish it but I am glad I didn't as that last part was one where I ended up having tears streaming down my face and at one point I could no longer see the pages. I have Laskas' sequel, The Exact Same Moon, Fifty Acres and a Family and I just may have to read that next. I imagine I will end up getting her third book about her raising her two adopted girls from China as I just can't get enough of Jeanne, Alex and their adventures at Sweetwater Farm.

Tomatoes Update

When I came home from work today my husband was very excited. He said he had something to show me. As he was out weeding the garden today he found our youngest tomato plant had tomatoes that were actually beginning to turn RED!!! As you can see they are not quite ready but it won't be long now.

Eating Locally

I know we can't do it too often. But we're going to try to do it every once in awhile. That is eat locally. The first time I was a made of this aware of was with Barbara Kingsolver's latest book, Animal Vegetable Miracle http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/ and then I saw something on the news about the 100 Mile Diet http://100milediet.org/ where in essence one only eats what is grown 100 miles from where they live. Some people do it for a year, some for a month and in our instance we did it for a meal. OK, most of a meal. The olive oil and Grana Padano cheese for the pesto (recipe from my favorite cookbook - The Silver Palate Cookbook) wasn't local - and neither was was the penne pasta. But the spot prawns were from Puget Sound (purchased at New Day Fisheries in Port Townsend), the basil for the pesto was home grown, the salad (buttercrunch and romaine lettuce, zucchini, onion, peppers) were all from our garden, our grilled zucchini - from our garden, the wine - Johannesburg Reisling from Chateau Ste. Michelle across the sound in Woodinville, Washington. It was a wonderful dinner and we're are going to try to do this more often. Everyone has their reasons for participating. They want to reduce the use of fossil fuels by buying foods that aren't shipped cross-country or internationally. They're supporting and getting to know local farmers and businesses. The food is fresher, healthier and better tasting - the latter I can attest to. I couldn't believe how wonderful this all tasted. And it was quite an accomplishment. As my husband remarked, "Did you ever believe you'd be eating this much food from your own garden?" I shook my head no. As we came inside from eating our dinner al fresco (shockingly the weather warmed up just enough for us to be able to do so) I told my husband that I didn't think our garden was big enough. Now that is a real shock coming from someone who couldn't even keep a houseplant alive.

It Happened Overnight

Our corn has silk!!!!! Yesterday it wasn't there. But today I went out to pick some zucchini and lettuce for dinner and looked over and there it was --- silk on the ears of corn. If we can keep the bugs and raccoons away it won't be long now.

Vegetables Just About Ready

These may be the last pictures of a few of these - I think I am going to pick the peppers tonight as well as a couple more zucchini. And check out the tomatoes. How many can you count? I wasn't even trying very hard and counted over two dozen. These are a cherry tomato called Supersweet 100. Not too bad for amateurs, eh?

I Know I'm Not in Iowa, but . . .

They said it couldn't be done. Even my mother, the Master Gardener, never raised corn instead preferring to buy it from Norm at the stand down the road. And while that corn was delicious, I have always wondered what corn might taste like coming right from the garden. I do have memories of having corn at my aunt's farm in South Dakota and remember even as frozen corn it being the best I'd ever tasted. It was those memories and a love for good yellow corn that motivated me to try to grow my own. Here is what it looks like today. If we can just keep the ears free of bugs for a few more weeks. . .

Garden Essay Books I've Enjoyed

(Reviews from Google Books)

FROM THE GROUND UP by Amy Stewart

Amy Stewart had a simple dream. She wanted a garden. When she and her husband finished graduate school, they headed west to Santa Cruz, California. With little money in their pockets, they found a modest seaside cottage with a small backyard. It wasn’t much—a twelve-hundred-square-foot patch of land with a couple of fruit trees and a lot of dirt—but it was a good place to start.From the Ground Up is Stewart's chronicle of the seedlings and weeds, cats and compost, worms and watering that transform a tiny plot of earth into a glorious garden. From planting the seeds her great-grandmother sends to battling snails, gophers, and aphids, Stewart takes us on a tour of her coastal garden and shares the lessons she's learned the hard way. In the process, she brings her California beach town to life—complete with harbor seals, monarch butterfly migrations, and an old-fashioned, seaside amusement park just down the street.Delighting in triumphs and confessing to a multitude of gardening sins, Stewart dishes the dirt for both the novice and experienced gardener. With helpful tips in each chapter, From the Ground Up tells the story of a young woman’s determination to create a garden in which the plants struggle to live up to the gardener’s vision.

THE $64 TOMATO by William Alexander

Bill Alexander had no idea that his simple dream of having a vegetable garden and small orchard in his backyard would lead him into life-and-death battles with groundhogs, webworms, weeds, and weather; midnight expeditions in the dead of winter to dig up fresh thyme; and skirmishes with neighbors who feed the vermin (i.e., deer). Not to mention the vacations that had to be planned around the harvest, the near electrocution of the tree man, the limitations of his own middle-aged body, and the pity of his wife and kids. When Alexander runs (just for fun!) a costbenefit analysis, adding up everything from the live animal trap to the Velcro tomato wraps and then amortizing it over the life of his garden, it comes as quite a shock to learn that it cost him a staggering $64 to grow each one of his beloved Brandywine tomatoes. But as any gardener will tell you, you can't put a price on the unparalleled pleasures of providing fresh food for your family.

Review: You're Not You by Michelle Wildgen

When Bec, a 21-old Madison, Wisconsin college student decides to change her part-time job from bartending at a local greasy spoon restaurant she has no idea how much her life will change or how much her charge will influence her.

Sophisticated 36-year-old Kate Norris has had ALS aka amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease for two years. Happily married she to husband Evan, she is wheelchair-bound and literally unable to do anything for herself. Her speech is even getting so bad that it difficult for her to be understood by anyone other than those very close to her. Bec literally has to do everything for her from bathing her to toileting her to putting her makeup on. As the months go by Kate, a former gourmet cook who is unable to eat by mouth due to her condition, teaches Bec to make the meals she used to love. Meanwhile, Kate’s marriage deteriorates and when she and Evan separate, Bec is called upon to perform even more caretaking duties.

The life of caretaker and patient are vividly portrayed in this novel, by first-time novelist Michelle Wildgen (who has done essays and food writing, editing a couple of books of food related essays). While it is void of a heavy plot, what is at stake here is more gripping than a thrilling page-turner. Bec goes from carefree college student having an affair with a married instructor, to more sophisticated young woman who grows in more ways than one from her experiences with Kate.

This book was a New York Times Editor’s Choice and was selected as one of People Magazines Top 10 books of 2006. And while I was expecting perhaps a bit more, I did end up enjoying the book overall. I give it a solid B and look forward to this author’s next effort.

Concert/Road Trip - Van Morrison in Vancouver - February 2007

Review and story to come

Concert Review: Emmylou Harris - May 3, 2007 - Eugene

I had a wonderful time at the concert at the Hult Center in Eugene. I drove down in a torrential rainstorm --- foreign to me from the land of the rainshadow -- but finally arrived around 5PM. Rested a bit at my friend, Joan's home and then we went to dinner at a little place across the street. The Hult Center is fabulous. The seats plush and the acoustics just outstanding. I would put it all on par -- if not even better - with the Benaroya in Seattle. She was with Kennedy/Rose so the set was similar to what we saw in Seattle in December yet enough different to make each song a surprise.

From what I could read from my messy notes taken in the dark:

Emmylou Eugene Set List

Here I Am
Orphan Girl
Love and Happiness
To Know Him is To Love Him
Red Dirt Girl
To Mother You (Sinead O'Connor) – Beautiful!!!!!!!!
Spanish is a Loving Tongue (Ian and Sylvia Song)
In My Dreams
Strong Hand (for June)
Evangeline
The Boxer
For No OneGo To Sleep Little BabyTo Daddy

Going Back to Harlan

After the Goldrush

The Pearl

Bright Morning Stars are Rising (Spiritual)

Encore:

Boulder to Birmingham

Save the Last Dance for Me

I had just said to Joan that I didn't think I had ever been to a concert where she hadn't done Boulder to Birmingham -- and that was the only song I would have been disappointed if she hadn't done. My friend discovered Emmylou with Wrecking Ball so she didn't miss not hearing a lot of the old songs. Joan is also a big Neil Young fan so enjoyed After the Goldrush. And amazingly, before the concert they were playing Neil Young -- after the concert they were playing Van Morrison as the house music. Pretty amazing. As I told Joan, there are no coincidences.

Concert Review: John Prine - April 19, 2007 - Seattle

This was my third John Prine concert, and although not my favorite, I think the man is incapable of doing a bad concert. We had great seats (sixth row, center) and the only real negative was an obnoxious couple sitting immediately to my right who when they weren't talking to one another, were singing along (loudly), whistling, or walking over me to get (more refreshments, to the bathroom, who knows?) but I digress.

Opening act Mindy Smith did an adequate job. Her song dedicated to the memory of her mother, "One Moment More" was particularly touching.

Here is the set list for the evening - please forgive any mistitled songs:

1) Spanish

) Picture Show

3) Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore

4) Six O'Clock News

5) Souvenirs - before the song he mentioned that his Martin guitar had walked around backstage in the dark and broke its neck so he was using Steve Goodman's guitar -- very fitting

6) Far From Me

7) Grandpa Was a Carpenter

8) Fish and Whistle

9) Glory of True Love

10) Long Monday w/ Mindy Smith

11) Taking a Walk w/ Mindy

12) In Spite of Ourselves w/ Mindy (she is no Iris)

13) Angel from Montgomery w/ Mindy

14) Jesus, The Missing Years

15) Clay Pigeons

16) Dear Abby

17) Sam Stone (you could hear a pin drop except for the couple next to me talking)

18) Take Me Back "In Memory of Hunter Thompson" (This is one I am not sure of the title)

19) Saddle in the Rain

20) Ain't Hurtin' Nobody (Wow!)

21) Hello in There

22) Lake Marie

Encore:

23) People Putting People Down

24) Paradise

I missed hearing Big Ol' Goofy World and That's the Way the World Goes 'Round (or the Happy Enchilada song and story) and other favorites but realize he can't do them all in a two hour show. The consensus from people I talked to after the show was that it was "fantastic" . I was happy I went even though we had a long drive back to Port Townsend on a weeknight -- it was well worth it.

Concert Review: Patty Griffin - Seattle March 19, 2007

We had a wonderful evening in Seattle for my first Patty Griffin concert. We caught an early ferry from Bainbridge Island to Seattle, parking behind the Moore Theater and then walking the two blocks to Lola's one of of our favorite Seattle restaurants, walking back to the theater and our seats in the center section on the aisle, the first row of permanent seats but with four rows of folded chairs in front of us. I have to say her opening act which consisted of her drummer and another percussionist doing a lot of latin-flavored tunes, wasn't really my cuppa. And it took an inordinately looonnnngggg time for the roadies to get things ready so Patty didn't take the stage until after 9PM. But she was well worth waiting for. I know I should have written out the set list but she did start out with Get Yourself Another Fool, went to Stay on the Ride (my husband's favorite song from the new CD) and then Trapeze. She then went on the play the piano, did some songs solo with just her and the guitar, and a BEAUTIFUL Up to the Mountain (MLK Song) accompanied by her guitar player.

What she did do that was different from the set lists from this tour I have seen was including Long Road Home (but not Fly). After her encore, they began to play the house music but after a rousing version of Getting Ready the audience was just not ready to let Patty leave. She came back out, solo, and went over to the piano and did a goose-bump giving J'irai La Voir Un Jour - it brought tears to my eyes. And it wasn't the first time during the evening her singing had brought me to tears.

This was my first Patty Griffin concert and I can assure you it won't be my last. If possible, I came away liking her even more than I did already. She was absolutely outstanding!

The Church of Garrison Keillor

Many years (over 2o) before the movie came out, Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion has been a mainstay of my life. My children were raised on it, I introduced my Midwest-raised parents to it, have seen the show live (albeit in Seattle) and when visiting Minnesota in 2000 and having cousins take us to St. Paul to the Titanic Exhibit the only thing on my mind was getting to see the Fitzgerald Theater! We try to catch it on Saturdays but now it comes on at 3PM instead of 5PM like it did back in the day so we tune in to the broadcast on Sunday mornings. I have even caught my daughter listening to it at the Celtic store she works at on Sunday mornings. Not being church-going people any longer (I was raised in the Lutheran church so I get a lot of the jokes - especially since my dad was German Lutheran, I get both sides of the jokes from the show) and my husband was a PK (preacher's kid) - surprisingly the only church was have joined during our 15 years of marriage has been the Unitarian Church. And while we SHOULD go more often, we prefer the tranquility of the quiet Sunday mornings, a little Guy Noir, a Little from the Hopeful Gospel Quartet, some ads from the Catsup Advisory Board and the Duct Tape Society and the News from Lake Wobegon where as you all know, "WHERE THE WOMEN ARE STRONG, THE MEN ARE GOOD LOOKING, AND ALL OF THE CHILDREN ARE ABOVE AVERAGE®."

Jefferson County Courthouse

Another sound I love is the sound of the clock tolling the time on the hour at the County Courthouse. Built in 1892, it was recently restored and is one of our town's treasures. I love sitting in our backyard in the summer when all is quiet and hearing the gong - Big Ben, it's not, but the sound couldn't be any sweeter to my ears especially when it was out of commission for about a year and we were wondering if it was ever going to be repaired (evidently clock tower repairmen are in short supply these days). But after an over six-figure restoration project, the clock tower is making sweet sounds once again -- and making me smile every time I hear it.

Our Lighthouse

Sitting here this evening (well actually very early AM) listening to the foghorn emanating its low growl from nearby Point Wilson Lighthouse, reminds me of one of the reasons I love living in a seaside community. I am so fortunate to live in a place where so many people only come to visit for a weekend or sometimes longer, that has been written up in all of the travel magazines and is as picturesque as any community you'll ever want to see. It is one of only two Victorian Seaports on the National Historic Register. We either hear the foghorn from the lighthouse on our many foggy nights and mornings or, as the ferries begin running to Whidbey Island on foggy mornings the foghorns in warning coming through the mist. And every hour on the hour, we have the historic clock tower at the Jefferson County Courthouse, just recently restored. But I love the sound of the foghorn for it reminds me I am near the sea and near the sea is where I want to stay.

A Garden Visitor

We get a lot of bees in our lavender so much that if it's quiet we can hear a constant humming. We keep wondering where all that wonderful lavender honey is being made. Today we had an unusual visitor alighting on the lavender, this lovely little butterfly. Click on the image to enlarge it.

Can I Pick Them Yet???

These are yellow peppers - I am dying to pick the biggest one but they aren't supposed to be banana peppers and I think they might get wider. I am afraid they might weigh down the poor little plant and there are lots more blossoms. Does anybody know?

And the baby Brussel sprouts

We didn't even know what to look for with the Brussel sprouts but here they are, growing on the stalk - you might have to look carefully!!!

And Our Corn has Tassels!!!!!!!!!

We're feeling like real farmers now -- Our corn has tassels and we can even see the beginnings of some little baby ears! And they said it couldn't be done in raised beds!!! In the one photo you can see the beginning of our first little ear of corn!

Baby Tomatoes - But When Do They Turn Red???

A Baby Artichoke

I surprised John when he came home the other night with the news, as Coral said to Marlon, "We're going to be parents!" But unlike Coral, I said, "Let's call him Arty." We were surprised because we weren't even trying. Especially since we were told that in the first year our artichokes wouldn't bear fruit. But look for yourself. Here are the first photos! I wonder if all first time vegetable gardeners take as many pictures of their garden as we do?

On the menu tonight: Grilled Zucchini!!!!

We checked the zuuchini vines this morning and it seems we have plenty to grill this evening -- we are thrilled!

Review: Water for Elephants

Practically everyone had been raving about this book but I think the circus setting kept putting me off. My local book group chose it for it's summer selection, so I was forced to read it. I ordered and I was kicking and screaming. Even then I procrastinated. Knowing that our discussion is coming up in a few weeks, I decided I'd better start it and I was feeling guilty about reading everything BUT this book during my breaks and lunch (working with two other members of my book group). Once I started it I COULD'T PUT IT DOWN. I was up two nights past midnight and the third and last night until 1:30 AM finishing the book -- on a weeknight! What a fabulous read. This story of Jacob Jankowski, almost-veterarian who after a tragedy finds a job in this a struggling circus really touched my heart. Perhaps it was because I liked Jacob so much. I really enjoyed the scenes in present day, set in the nursing home where Jacob, now 90 or 93, is living as much as I enjoyed the scenes in the circus. But Rosie the elephant almost steals the show. Since I started reading the book, several others have told me how they have been reluctant to read it because they don't care for circuses. Don't let this stop you. The book is fabulous from beginning to end. I can hardly wait until our book group meets. It's going to be quite the discussion!

Review: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

This book was totally out of my comfort zone -- first of all it was a young adult novel and while I don't totally turn my nose up at these, I usually want a little more "meat" in my books, something a little deeper, if you will. Secondly it is about vampires. Yes, you read it right, vampires. It isn't as if I have never read a vampire book before, over a decade ago I read several in a series of vampire romances by Linda Lael Miller (quite by accident, I had nothing to read in the car but the first book in this series and was stuck in traffic) and found the books quite appealing. That said, I still wasn't crazy about the idea of a novel feature vampires. But I happened to mention online about being in LaPush taking our grandson, Quinn surfing. An online friend (thanks, Tammy!) mentioned that there was this book, Twilight by Stephenie Meyers, that has Quileute Indian legends in it, the Quileute Reservation being in LaPush. I was really surprised and asked where else the book took place and she told me Forks, Washington and said she didn't know whether it was a real place or not. I wrote back that assuring her it was, that we had eaten dinner there the night previously. So I ordered this book and the next book in the series, New Moon. I was ready for a new read and began reading this as soon as it arrived. I was pleasantly surprised at what a fun read it was. There were so many places I recognized and the sexual tension between Edward (the vampire) and Bella (who isn't) was almost palpable. The climactic scene (which takes place in the Phoenix area) was very exciting, so much so I couldn't put the book down. Although I needed to take a break from vampires before reading the next book in the series, I will be reading New Moon soon and plan on buying the third in the series, Eclipse, which comes out the first week in August.

Home Grown Tomatoes

“Home grown tomatoes, home grown tomatoes

What would life be like without homegrown tomatoes

Only two things that money can't buy

That's true love and home grown tomatoes.”

John Denver, 'Home Grown Tomatoes'

(from a song written by Guy Clark)

OK, you may have to look closely -- but there are three tiny green cherry tomatoes in one photo and a small tomato, "Early Girl" variety in another. In the third picture you see six of our seven tomato plants, with dozens of blooms -- we'll have lots of fresh, home-grown tomatoes soon!

Review: What Matters Most by Luanne Rice

I just now finished this fabulous book -- though I must admit I could barely read the last 30 pages I was crying/sobbing so hard!!! Honestly, I couldn't see the pages. I dropped everything else I was reading when this book arrived Thursday but really started reading it voraciously Friday night, read until 2 AM and then have been reading it all day today. This is the story of Sister Bernadette and Tom Kelly from Sandcastles and their trip to Ireland to try to find the son they gave up for adoption 23 years earlier. I will admit to being disappointed by several of Luanne Rice's recent books (although I did enjoy Sandcastles) but this is without a doubt the best Luanne Rice has done in years, even better than the Roses series from a couple years ago. There was a little plot device toward the end that I wish she hadn't used but honestly, I can forgive her for it since the over 330 pages were so fabulous; pulled at the heartstrings so magnificently. Two of the hallmarks of a GREAT book for me --- if it makes me cry/sob and if I can read it straight through without putting it down. This had both. Second only to A Thousand Splendid Suns as the best book I have read all year.

How Does Your Garden Grow????

By Leaps and Bounds!!! Compare these pictures with those taken just two weeks ago. The tomatoes seem to have grown at least another foot! And I am afraid we are cultivating the zucchini that's going to capture Port Townsend - it has already tried to take over the adjacent artichokes, if you look closely you will see a little zucchini at the end of each bud. We've taken out the arugula giving the buttercrunch and romaine more room to grow. As I was taking these pictures I was snacking -- the buttercrunch does melt in your mouth! The corn is waist high and the brussel sprouts are thriving, although not sprouting as yet. The spinach is delicious as well and the basil has made for some wonderful pesto - I plan on making some more for dinner tomorrow night. And I can hardly wait until my peppers mature.

SURF'S UP

Three weeks ago when our 17 year-old grandson, Quinn came up to see us it was the day before he was starting his summer job. He loves surfing and we took him to a new surf shop in the neighboring town of Sequim, surfing becoming quite the popular sport on the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the northern Pacific Coast. He found the exact surfboard he'd been looking for - used at a fraction of the cost it would be new. He was thrilled when the owner said he could put 10% down and pay for it when he got his first paycheck. Well, he got paid this last week and we took him to pick up the surfboard today. He found out the surf was up and the the best place to go today was LaPush/Quileute Indian Reservation. He twisted Grandma and Grandpa's arms and off we went. It was more than worth the 2+ hour drive. The cloudy day in Sequim and Port Townsend made way for beautiful, cloud-free skies and 70 degrees. What an enjoyable afternoon and what a happy young man trying out a new surfboard for his passion of surfing.

A Singer I Can't Seem to Get Enough Of

AMY WINEHOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We can't stop playing her music around our house. This 23-year-old British singer has taken us by storm as she has the rest of the nation. You may have heard her song, "You Think I'm No Good" on Grey's Anatomy. This tattooed, beehived, singer has the greatest set of lungs on her and quite the style. Is it blues? Is it pop? Is it jazz? Probably a mixture of all three. All I know is that two 50-somethings are absolutely enthralled. We were disappointed to find that her upcoming Seattle show is going to be on a Tuesday and we are getting too old to do middle-of-the-week concerts in Seattle and then get up the next morning. Here's a link to her website where you can sample some of her music: http://www.amywinehouse.co.uk/

Where I Sit

I got the sweetest new secretary for the living room - no more using the laptop on my ottoman and doing further damage to my aging back! We have the desktop in the bedroom we use as an office but more often than not I use the laptop as it is handier, has my photos, iPod files, and most of my favorites now. So this is where I usually write from, email from, blog from, and this morning am having a cup of coffee from.

Nothing but Foghorns

Waking up the past few mornings to the sound of the foghorns on the ferry put me in mind of one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite singers, the genius, Van Morrison.

SO QUIET IN HERE by Van Morrison

Foghorns blowing in the night

Salt sea air in the morning breeze

Driving cars all along the coastline

This must be what it's all about

Oh this must be what it's all about

This must be what paradise is like

So quiet in here, so peaceful in here

So quiet in here, so peaceful in here

The warm look of radiance on your face

And your heart beating close to mine

And the evening fading in the candle glow

This must be what it's all about

Oh this must be what it's all about

This must be what paradise is like

So quiet in here. so peaceful in here

So quiet in here, yeah, so peaceful in here

All my struggling in the world

And so many dreams that don't come true

Step back, put it all away

It don't matter, it don't matter anymore

Oh this must be what paradise is like

This must be what paradise is like

It's so quiet in here, so peaceful in here

It's so quiet in here, so peaceful in here

A glass of wine with some friends

Talking into the wee hours of the dawn

Sit back and relax your mind

This must be, this must be, what it's all about

This must be what paradise is like

Oh this must be what paradise is like

So quiet in here, so peaceful in here

So quiet in here, so peaceful in here

Big ships out in the night

And we're floating across the waves

Sailing for some other shore

Where we can be what we wanna be

Oh this must be what paradise is like

This must be what paradise is like

Baby it's so quiet in here, so peaceful in here

So quiet in here, so peaceful in here

So quiet in here, so peaceful in here

So quiet in here, you can hear, it's so quiet

Movie Review - La Vie En Rose

I just got home from the best movie, LA VIE EN ROSE. French with English subtitles, it's the rather tragic story of French singer Edith Piaf (1915-1963). Abandoned by her mother at a young age while her father was fighting in WWI, and then raised in a brothel run by her paternal grandmother, Edith got her start when she was found singing on the streets of Paris to earn money. An incredible talent, it didn't take her long to rise to the top as a huge star, but her alcohol and drug addictions caused her health to suffer and her career was brought to a rather abrupt end. The movie goes back and forth in a rather confusing manner and although the dates are given at the bottom of the screen it is still hard to tell at times what is going on when. That said the story was wonderful and poignant, especially even after a love affair that ends tragically, she says that love is the most important thing in life and that, as the title of one of her most famous songs goes, she has "No Regrets". The actress playing Edith Piaf certainly should be nominated for all sorts of awards -- she is absolutely flawless.

The Fruit (or Vegetables) of our Labor....

We are finally seeing some tiny vegetables coming from our garden! I saw some tiny zucchini this afternoon and then an even tinier cucumber. Later I looked over at one of the pepper plants in the containers and saw a teeny, tiny green pepper (this one will eventually be orange). It was very exciting to actually see vegetables growing!! Did I mention I am a first-time vegetable gardener???? So this is a VERY BIG DEAL!! My mother is going to be very pleased when she visits. I hope she doesn't faint from the shock.

What John's Reading

John has just started Nelson DeMille's The Gold Coast after I found him a rather ratty used copy after hearing it raved about over at WR. He's thoroughly enjoying it. I expect that we will both be getting a lot of reading done over the next couple of days as we are both enjoying our books so much. Little conversation, lots of reading. Until it comes time to water the garden :-) Oh now he says he is just going to set the sprinker up tonight LOL.

What I'm Reading

I chose a book that's been on my TBR pile (er mountain) for years -- The Winthrop Woman by Anya Seton. I've read two of her books, Katherine and Green Darkness and those two books are on my top 10 of all-time favorite reads. At nearly 600 pages this book is going to take me some time to finish. The Winthrop Woman is about John Winthrop's spiritied niece, Elizabeth and begins in England in the early 17th C and then goes to New England. I also brought out a new garden book that I am really loving, You Grow Girl. It describes itself as a "hip, humorous how-to for crafty gals everywhere who are discovering a passion for gardening but lack the know-how to turn their dreams of homegrown tomatoes and fresh-cut flowers into a reality." Along with those two books, for some inspiration I chose Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I just received this from paperbackswap.com and is a book I've been wanting to read for years. Now if I can get off the computer for awhile and get back to my reading . . . .

A Visitor Next Door

Our kitty was making some noise at the fence -- evidently she was trying to make a new friend.... thank goodness we now have tall fences all around -- our garden is safe.

The View from Home

I am catching up on email and my blog out on the patio this afternoon. It's so serene and lovely. As I look up, this is what I see in my back yard, including the pond/water feature adjacent to the patio. The lavender is in full bloom and the bees are busily taking their nourishment from the pollen. We don't even have music playing, instead listening to the soothing sounds generated by the flowing water (that's fairy moss in the pond along with the water lilies). We can hear the ferry sound its horn every once in awhile and there's a rooster nearby that seems to have his mornings and afternoons mixed up. The neighborhood is very quiet, everyone seems to have chosen to take off to the mountains or the beach on this lovely northwest afternoon, whereas we have chosen to just enjoy our little paradise in our own back yard.

The View from Work

I work in a clinic attached to the hospital in Port Townsend. It's a full of caring doctors and nurses and a portion of my work (working as a patient advocate providing prescription medications for patients at little or no cost) is very rewarding. And after a scare a couple of years ago when I didn't know whether I would have a job or not, I am happy to be employed. That said my office has no windows. However my office is MY office and I work alone which means I can play my music, have my own photos and pictures and take breaks and lunch when I want to. In the winter I usually take lunch at my desk. However in the summer I get to take lunch on our clinic's little private patio -- we have a little table with umbrella and four benches. Sometimes I join my coworkers but if I am reading a REALLY good book, I will wait until everyone else is done with lunch and go sit by myself and read. This is my lovely view out Port Townsend Bay where I can watch the ferry come in from Whidbey Island if I am not enthralled in my book. Those are the Cascade Mountains in the background. If I look to the left I can see Mount Baker.

Jake with Kyra

Another picture from Fathers' Day -- Jake with his daughter and pride and joy, Kyra with Bainbridge Island in the background.

Can You Believe They're Twins??

When Jacob and Sarah were born on Easter Sunday in 1981, they weighed 6# 2 oz (Jake) and 5# 5 oz (Sarah). Now that is their heights. Here is a picture taken of the two of them on Fathers Day in the yard of Jake's home on the Poulsbo waterfront near Bainbridge Island.

And John's Pride & Joy - the Pond and Water Feature

John has been working soooo hard on the pond and water feature -- sometimes the raccoons have been getting the upper hand. He's found the pump halfway across the yard (we're on our third) and just when the water lilies were about the bloom, the blooms were destroyed. He's determined not to let the "Terrorist" as he has been dubbed win. So war has been waged. It is lovely and soothing and well worth his efforts. Too bad the pictures don't come with sound.

And we Mustn't Forget the Flowers

More Crops - Tomatoes and Corn and Zucchini - Oh My!

The Lettuce is Growing!!!

Romaine, buttercrunch, and Arugula -- this is a month from the picture below, some of this is a second crop. The blank spot in the argula row is where we're planting more buttercrunch for a fresh crop.

My First Garden

Anyone who knows my mother, a Master Gardener now almost 88 years old, would be amazed to find out that her only daughter has never had a vegetable garden until this year. I have had herb gardens for years but never had the motivation, time, or desire. Last year I did my first major flower garden/landscaping project only to see my work go for naught when we had to move when the landlord decided to sell the house (still vacant after 9 months - there's nothing like Karma). When we found this little cottage, formerly owned by a Master Gardener, the landscaping was complete but in the back yard there were 5 1/2 raised beds - yet at first we had no plans on doing anything with them. The only gardening I thought I would do would be a few containers - herbs and flowers. But then spring came and I saw the seed packets and decided to buy a few. John got the fever and bought a few more and a garden was begun. We now have a flourishing garden where we have been eating salad greens every night (arugula, buttercrunch, romaine, spinach), cucumbers, squash, zucchini, radishes, onions, corn, tomatoes, brussel sprouts, carrots and even artichokes. In containers I have various herbs and basil, peppers, and broccoli.

Book Review: Woman in Red by Eileen Goudge

Rating: B
Setting: San Juan Islands, Present Day and 1940s
Genre: Women's Fiction/Family Drama


I gave this book a B, a 1/2 point off because of the sloppy research about the cardinal being in the San Juans (mentioned more than once) but 1/2 point added due to the setting (a fictionalized Orcas Island, called Gray's Island in the book). Basically it's about Alice Kessler who has just returned to Gray's Island after nine years in prison for attempted murder of the man responsible for the death of her young son. Arriving on the same ferry is Colin McGinty, a 9/11 widower there to settle his grandfather's estate. Alice needs to reconnect with the son she left behind, now a teenager who doesn't seem to want to have much to do with her, and facing ostracization from the community (the man she attempted to murder is now the town's powerful mayor). Interwoven is a poignant story from the 1940s whichjust happens to be about Alice's grandmother and Colin's grandfather.

It's off to Les tomorrow. I think she'll enjoy is as she will be visiting the area soon. But I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys powerful family dramas -- it does get a little melodramatic toward the end and that kept it from being an A read. But overall, I enjoyed it and it was a smooth, quick read and was never dull. Oh and my town even gets a brief mention toward the end!

Concert Review; Norah Jones

Before Norah Jones won her Grammies for her first CD I had tickets to see her at the Moore Theater in Seattle. Unfortunately our link to the rest of the world, The Hood Canal Floating Bridge, malfunctioned that day and was stuck in the open position and I was unable to get to the concert. I was so upset thinking I had missed my chance to ever see her in a small venue again. And while I admit I like her first two CDs and her CD with the Little Willies better than the current CD, when the show for McCaw Hall, which seats around 3000, was announced, I knew I had my chance to see her in an intimate setting.

She sang a variety of songs from all three CDs, and even joined her opening act for several songs. She had a running gag throughout the show at the name of the venue, McCaw hall -- calling out the name like a bird call, Macaw, macaw" several times to the delight of the crowd. She held the crowd in the palm of her hand throughout the 90-minute plus set.

Our group included my husband and three of my co-workers, Elisa, Candace, and Judy. We dined at Palace Kitchen afterwards (and had some yummy strawberry mojitos). We missed the 12:15 ferry so had to take the 1:35 ferry which got us back Port Townsend after 3:00 AM! A very long evening when you consider we left around 4PM. Well worth it though!

I'm Back

After over an over six months absence I have decided it is high time I start blogging again. I enjoy reading so many blogs of my friends and enjoy this way of journaling my reads, reviews and thoughts. So her goes -- let's see if I can keep it up!

Concert Review: Emmylou Harris, Seattle, December 23, 2006

There is only one singer whose career I have been following longer than Emmylou Harris. In the case of Emmylou, I have been following hers pretty much from the beginning and first saw her in concert in 1975. So what a wonderful Holiday gift it was to see her in concert at the fabulous Benaroya Hall in Seattle only two days before Christmas.

As a long-time fan, I started an email group for her at what is now YahooGroups in January of 1999 - a group that now boasts over 600 members. It was wonderful to meet up with several of the members for dinner at the Wild Ginger before the show.

At dinner were John (my dear friend and co-moderator) and his lovely wife Eve (who is just a gem, and it was so wonderful to see her again after many years), Steve who has become an esteemed online friend and his friend the vivacious Linda, and the very friendly and sweet Peggy and my wonderful, kind, fun new buddy Lisa both from the Emmylou list, myself and my husband, John. The dinner was so-so, but the companionship and conversation was first rate.

We walked across the street just in time for the show to start. John scored us the BEST tickets. Linda and Steve sat in front of the rest of us in the second row right in front of Emmylou, the rest of us were in the third row. I all of my years of seeing Emmylou these were the best indoor seats I have ever had. Some concert halls have a space between the front row and the stage. Not so with the Benaroya. If you were in the front row you had limited visability as the stage was just about in your lap. So second and third row were just amazing. Can I say that again? AMAZING!!!

Emmylou was joined by Pam Rose and Mary Ann Kennedy who both did harmony vocals and played various musical instruments as well as David Jacques who played standup bass.

The set list for the evening:

Here I Am
Orphan
Love and Happiness
Red Dirt Girl
Beneath Still Waters
To Know Him Is to Love Him
Strong Hand (for June)
O Evangeline
In My Dreams
Michelangelo
Sweetheart of the Rodeo
Lost Unto this World
Light of the Stable
O Little Town of Bethlehem
First Noel
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem
After the Goldrush
The Pearl
Bright Morning Stars
Encore:
Boulder to Birmingham
Save the Last Dance for Me

I think my favorites wereBeneath Still Waters (didn't think I'd ever hear her sing that inconcert again) and the a cappella verson of The First Noel - it was sung on an acoustic mike at this acoustically perfect venue. This is where the Seattle Symphony plays, after all. I was glad I had readthe set list thanks to having Gmail on my cell phone so I wasn'tobsessing about not hearing Boulder to Birmingham (my #1 favoriteEmmylou song) because I was pretty certain she'd do that as an encore as she had the night before, which she did. I just enjoyed each and every song for their individual qualities that makes them such a pure delight to hear coming from that voice we know and love so much. I did have to comment at the end of the show that I was glad she finally had gotten Spyboy out of her system as I enjoyed this incarnation so much more than the Spyboy years.

I have been seeing Emmylou in concert now for over 30 years (hard tobelieve!) and have lost count at the number of times I have seen her but I believe it to be somewhere between 15 and 20. Each one has been so different from the other. So special in its own way. She never fails to inspire and amaze me after all this time. I never tire of hearing her. She may not have the high energy she did in the years she was playing with the Hot Band but she is such a class act how can one complain? My younger daughter had called me Friday night and I told her what I was doing Saturday and even she remarked on my longevity of being an Emmylou fan. She's 25 so obviously I have been a fan as long as she'sbeen alive. Anyway she thought it was really cool (her words) that I have been going to see one artist for that long. There is only one singer I have been seeing longer (by a couple of years) and that is Kris Kristofferson but since didn't tour for many years I haven't seen him in concert as many times. I don't know when my next Emmylou concert will be but it probably isn't too far off. And to have other fans get together to attend a concert is just the best experience.

Concert Review: Joan Baez - Tacoma, WA - November 18, 2006

What a wonderful concert! We saw Joan Baez at the ~1100-seat Pantages theater in Tacoma, WA. We had great seats, 4th row just to the left. She was accompanied by a bass player and a fellow who played dobro, guitar, mandolin, lap steel and a few other instruments. This was the first time I have had the pleasure of seeing her in concert and I hope it isn't the last. It is the first time I can remember an audience member yelling out a request and then a singer doing that song -- on the spot (Freedom Now).

She told stories and jokes and even recited a recent poem she wrote: Rumpty Dumpty sat on a fall, Rumpty Dumpty had a great fall. She had several comments on the recent elections but that we now have a lot of work to do. All in all she played for nearly 2 hours, and did two encores - although it seemed only one was planned.

I didn't make a set list as we went a long so these songs are from memory and I may be missing some but among those she sang (and I am listing my favorites first):


Scarlet Tide (very nice rendition, although of course not as wonderful as the Emmylou/Elvis Costello version), very nicely received by the audience most of whom I doubt was familiar with the song
Christmastime in Washington
Jerusalem
Carrickfergus
Joe Hill
Deportee
Long Black Veil
Jesse
Diamonds and Rust (second encore)
There But for Fortune
Freedom Now
Sing Me Back Home (told a story about Merle Haggard and how she was wondering about his politics and upon finding he couldn't stand G Bush Sr, said she thought he was a Reagan man, discoverd he said, "that's because he pardoned me"
Caleb Meyer (very nice version of the Gillian Welch song)
Sweet Sir Galahad (told the story of writing this for her sister)
With God on our Side
Wildwood Flower
Lily of the West
Neighbors - a "ditty" she called it written by the aforementioned dobro, etc player in her band
Coconuts - a rather humorous tune

Van Fans - Seattle Meet-Up - November 4, 2006

And a good time was had by all -- Here are some Van Fans meeting at the Pyramid Ale House before the Van Morrison Concert in Seattle. Most are members of an internet mailing list for Van Morrison fans and had planned the gathering via emails. Some had met each other before but others had not. A great way to start the evening!

Concert Review: Van Morrison, Seattle, November 4, 2006

It Was a Wonderful Night for a Moondance

To say I had been anxiously anticipating this evening was a huge understatement. I had been wanting to see the Celtic poet who sings to my soul for many, many years. He was #1 on my list of singers I had never seen in concert. I didn't think he was ever going to come back to Seattle and was thinking I was going to have to travel to San Francisco or somewhere else to go see him. But patience paid off and finally he came to town. My daughter and I had planned to attend together and we had excellent seats -- 9th row, dead center. At the last minute, my husband was able to get tickets as well.

Well let me back up a minute. The evening began with a meet-up of about 20 members of the Van online group at the nearby Pyramid Ale House. We enjoyed two hours of craic (that's Irish for a good time ) with this very enjoyable group of people which included a gal who came all the way from Pensacola, Florida just for the concert. One fellow had an extra ticket which John bought - I was excited that he was able to attend as well. I think Kristin, John and I were the only Van "Virgins" in the group. A very fun moment came when I met two sweet gals from Vancouver Island in the ladies' room. We discovered we were all going to the concert and they shared the fact that they had met Van the night before at Lola's restaurant -- and shook his hand! I invited them upstairs to tell the rest of the group their story and we all had a good laugh. I also shook the hand of the hand that shook Van's hand .

At 6:30 we walked across the street to the new WaMu Theater at Qwest Field, the new venture by billionaire Paul Allen that had opened up the night before. A portable theater, it sits in the Qwest Events Center and we were all curious to see (and hear) how it was going to be put together.

Van is known to be in a perpetual bad mood. He is not known to be friendly and runs a very tight ship on stage. There is a time clock on stage that starts at 90 minutes and runs to zero. That is when the show ends. And it starts precisely on time. Pity the poor people who aren't in their seats (and those sitting next to them) at the appointed time. We did have problem with a b*tch in the 7th row sitting in front of Kristin who wouldn't sit down, even after being asked multiple times. Finally the guy sitting in front of me tapped her on the shoulder and asked her to sit down. Then this b*tch goes up to the front of the stage and talks to a security person who then directs her to another security person. She then comes back and sits down. A few minutes later, a security person comes over and squats down to talk to the guy sitting in front of me, and the aforementioned b*tch says, "He assaulted me!" Everyone around us was shocked and we said she was lying and that wasn't what happened. He said a few more words to the guy in front of me and left. At least the b*tch sat down for most of the rest of the concert. I had better never meet her in a dark alley anywhere. I was ready to trip her with my umbrella on the way out but decided that I had better things to do.

But I digress. The eejit in the 7th row was soon forgotten as the excitement of seeing Van took over. Our seats were soooo good. I recognized most of the songs on about the third note, and screamed and clapped and cried and sighed and had goosebumps. The disappointment of him not doing my two favorite songs (Into the Mystic and Irish Heartbeat) was quickly overcome by him doing Moondance, Crazy Love, I Can't Stop Loving You, Real Real Gone and a powerful, powerful Saint James Infirmary that had the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. He ended with Brown-Eyed Girl and Gloria, as expected and halfway into Gloria we had our purses and coats on and were ready to dash into the aisle to get out of the doors before the crowd. It was an appropriate end to the evening that when we got outside we looked up and saw that there was a full moon.

Set List:

1. Boogie Woogie Country Girl (opening by the band)
2. Back on Top
3. Fame
4, Stop Drinking
5. Beautiful Vision
6. Cleaning Windows
7. There Stands the Glass
8. I'm Not Feeling It
9. I Can't Stop Loving You
10. Moondance
11. St. James
12. Precious Time
13. Crazy Love
14. Playhouse
15. One Irish Rover
16. Real Real Gone
17. Wild Nights
18. Brown Eyed Girl
19. Gloria

This was my first Van Morrison concert -- but I can assure you that it won't be my last. I can tell that seeing him live is going to be like an addiction, once won't be enough. The high one gets is just too great.

Concert Review: Elton John - Seattle, September 22, 2006

We're finally home from a whirlwind evening, leaving home at 4:30,catching the 6:30 ferry to Seattle, rushing to the Seattle Center and fortunately finding decent parking for only $5 less than 3 blocks from the venue for the 8 PM starting time. Elton was prompt - coming onstage within 5 minutes of the stated time, leading to a mad rush for some to get to their seats. Our seats were on the main floor, 14th row. I now remember why I don't enjoy big venues. Immediately everyone on the floor stood, so for the first 5 songs, we had to stand and strain to see (unless we wanted to look at the big screen, but if wanted to watch a concert on a screen I'd rent a DVD). He sang a lot of hits,then six songs from his new CD, then more great hits, for just under three hours! I was amazed. When he came out for his encore, before his band rejoined him, he stood from the stage and signed autographs for about 10 minutes. What a great performer, great man, and great humanitarian.

For those who are interested, here is the set list ofthe songs he performed:
Funeral for a Friend
Love Lies Bleeding
Bennie and the Jets
Philadelphia Freedom
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Believe
Tiny Dancer
I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
Take Me To The Pilot
I Want Love
Someone Saved My Life Tonight
Postcards from Richard
Never Fade Away
The Bridge
Old 67
Captain and The Kid
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
Rocket Man
Levon
Daniel
Crocodile Rock
Bitch is Back
Saturday Night
Encore:
Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
Your Song

The evening was interrupted by people climbing over us to get to and on the concourse) and the chatting of several young women behind me,who also sang along to nearly every song. I wanted to tell them if Ihad wanted to hear THEM sing, I would be paying them $135!!

All in all a VERY memorable evening; even John was impressed and he just went along for the ride basically because he knew how much Iwanted to go.

Book Review: The Devil in the Junior League by Linda Francis Lee

It was very upsetting to me when Olivia Goldsmith passed away several years ago as I had loved her wry sense of humor so. I do believe Linda Francis Lee must be channeling Olivia Goldsmith in this wonderful book, The Devil in the Junior League. She has the same fast pace and quick wit that were the hallmarks of so many of Goldsmith's bestsellers. I just loved this book from beginning to end and could hardly stand to put it down once I started it. It was just too much fun to see Gordon to get what he justly deserved. I hope we see more of Frede Ware (and Sawyer!) in upcoming books by Ms. Lee. I will be chomping at the bit until I can get my hands on another Frede Ware book!

Concert Review: Katie Melua - The Triple Door, Seattle, July 2006

Another singer whose musical style crosses several musical genres. Is she folk? Is she blues? Is she pop? Does it matter? This young woman (she is just 21) who was born in the former Soviet Union state of Georgia, immigrating to Belfast when she was eight, and later to England, has a voice of an angel. Her favorite singer is the late Eva Cassidy and there is a lot of Eva Cassidy to her voice. I have been listening to her first album now for well over a year and when the first couple of familiar notes of the songs from that album would begin, it would give me goosebumps. But that was nothing compared to the tears that were streaming down my cheeks when she sang. "Faraway Voice" her tribute to Eva Cassidy. Another wonderful musical evening.

Concert Review: Bonnie Raitt & Keb' Mo': Chateau Ste Michelle Winery - September 2006

Review to come

Concert Review: Lyle Lovett - Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, July 2006

Review to come

Concert Review: Etta James, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, August 2006

REVIEW TO COME

Concert Review: Janiva Magness - The Upstage, Port Townsend, July 2006

Janiva Magness won the Blues Association Award for Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist this year - beating out such wonderful singers as Susan Tedeschi, how fortunate we were to have her come to Port Townsend! She was absolutely magnificent. A wonderful voice and so wonderfully entertaining. I had one of her CDs already and bought three more during the break. I told her I hoped she wouldn't forget Port Townsend now that she had made it big -- and she said she wouldn't.
Unfortunately we had to leave early as we had a committment to walk in the Relay for Life 24-hour walk to raise funds for a cure for cancer so we are really looking forward to her next visit to town.

Concert Review: Rory Block- The Upstage, Port Townsend, July 2006

We saw Rory Block at the Upstage here in Port Townsend last year and we weren't going to miss the opportunity to see her again. She was absolutely fabulous as we knew she would be. We love this venue, it seats around 115, we have dinner beforehand, and we go there often enough that the waitress knows what we want to drink. Most of the time we're able to seat at our favorite table down on the floor near the performer. I can't say enough good things about Rory Block and hope that she comes back to Port Townsend every year.

Concert Review: James Hunter - Triple Door, Seattle

We had seen James Hunter on Jay Leno one evening and were blown away by this British singer whose type of singing although bluesy, defies categorization into a genre. I immediately checked Pollstar to see if he was playing anywhere nearby anytime soon and was thrilled to see that he was playing the Triple Door in Seattle on May 16th only a few about a week and a half away. Discovering he had toured with Van Morrison in the 90s only made me want to see him more. This venue is one we'd never been to before but had been told about. Seating only 350 guests, it is a supper club where everyone has an excellent view of the stage. We arrived early and got a table in the front row of seats. We ordered dinner and I had excellent pomegranate martinis while waiting for the music to begin. I had been listening to his CD nonstop since I had bought it so I was very familiar with his songs by this time and was anxiously awaiting hearing it live. I was NOT disappointed. He was even better live than he is on CD. A wonderful entertainer and held the audience in the palm of his hand throughout the two hours he was on stage. He was accompanied by a wonderful standup bass player and double saxophones. I didn't want the evening to end! As we were leaving the venue, at the door, there was the star of the show himself standing there to meet the guests as they were leaving. I grabbed my CDs to have him sign them (including the early CD I had to order from the UK) and took a couple of pictures. All in all a wonderful, wonderful evening.

Movie Review: Ladies in Lavender

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED MOVIE -- REVIEW TO COME

Movie Review: In Her Shoes

Loved this movie! Review to come

Book Review: The Madonnas of Leningrad

TITLE/AUTHOR: The MADONNAS OF LENINGRAD by Debra Dean RATING: 5/A GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Fiction/April 2006/228 pages TIME/PLACE: WWII Russia/Present Day San Juan Islands and Seattle CHARACTERS: Marina, Dimitri and their family COMMENTS: What a magnificent read this was! I am resisting the urge to start reading it again right away only because I have so many on my nightstand that I want to read. But this will be one to be read again sooner than later. I found myself spending so much time looking upthe works of art mentioned in the book and the Hermitage Museumwebsite itself - http://www.heritagemuseum.org/ that it took much longer thanit should have to read this 228 page book. It is so beautifully written I found myself reading passages over and over again and marking pages with any scrap of paperI had handy. I see it was tied for #1 Booksense pick for April. A pretty good hallmark of an excellent read. This is an amazing story of a woman with Alzheimer's disease, so many times described as "the long goodbye" and most notable in the following passage, "She is leaving him, not all at once, which would be painful enough, but in a wrenching succession of separations. One moment she is here, and then she is gone again, and each journey takes her a little farther from his reach. He cannot follow her, and he wonders where she goes when she leaves." The only thing a bit off-putting was the naming of an island in theSan Juans "Drake" island when there is no such island (when the author uses so many other real places) but I believe it was actually San Juan Island where I have visited many times, most recently last August.That is such a small quibble. This is such an outstanding book. I only regret I can't afford to buy one to give to everyone I know.

Movie Review: The Boys and Girl from County Clare

Movie #15 The Boys and Girl from County Clare
Category: Drama/Comedy
Rating: B+
Where Seen: Home
Reason for Viewing: Sounded good; felt like a visit back to County Clare and listening to some Irish music
Movie from: Netflix
Setting: 1970s Ireland
BRIEF SYNOPSIS: Brothers, long estranged, meet up after many years at an Irish music festival. Each tries to thwart the others chances at success. There is a romance between Anne, the young fiddle player from the one brother’s band and one of the members of the feuding brother’s band. A romance that is frowned upon by Anne’s mother who has raised her on her own after the disappearance of Anne’s father – a mystery which will also be solved during the movie.
COMMENTS: This was quite an enjoyable movie. The music was great and the setting one of particular interest – although I did find that it was not filmed in County Clare at all but Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man! The movie was produced by Ellen Little whose company was involved with two other favorites of mine, The Secret of Roan Inish and the Waking of Ned Devine and this movie does have some of the flavor of the latter to it. I am a fan of small independent movies – sweet movies that have not had a huge box office success and are more likely to be told of through word of mouth than a trailer on TV or at the movies. I admit that this one caught my eye because of the title and I do recommend it to those who like similar films. If you’re looking for a big blockbuster with a lot of action, you won’t find it here. But if you want a story of relationships and some good Irish music, I recommend you give this one a try.

Book Review: But Enough About Me

BUT ENOUGH ABOUT ME: How a Suburban Jersey Girl Got Behind the VelvetRope Through Shameless Flattery, Disturbingly Meticulous Research, and a Few Other Tricks
By Jancee Dunn
Rating – A
Began: April 7, 2006
Finished: April 11, 2006
Genre/Date Published/# Pages – Memoir – June 2006 – 288 pages
Characters: Jancee Dunn, writer for Rolling Stone, former correspondent for Good Morning America, and former veejay for MTV2, her family and friends.
Setting: New Jersey and Manhattan (primarily)
Where Did Book Come From: Bought from eBay
Reason for Reading: Heard about it and it sounded good, found an ARC on eBay for $2.

BRIEF SUMMARY: Jancee Dunn grew up in a middle-class neighborhood, the eldest of three daughters. During her senior year in college she attends a party and meets a woman who is a writer for Rolling Stone magazine and decided to put in her resume. To her great surprise, she is offeredthe job of an editorial assistant and is soon doing interviewsherself. The book is written in alternating chapters – with a chapter of Dunn's clever tips for interviewing a celebrity and the next chapter telling of her early childhood growing up and/or anecdotes of her life interviewing the rich and famous.

MY COMMENTS:I loved this book! While Dunn is from a different generation, being amusic fan, I still was familiar with most of the celebrities she interviewed including Bono, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, and DollyParton. One of my favorite stories though was how she posed as Ben Affleck's girlfriend shortly after his breakup with Jennifer Lopez, just to "prove a point" about the paparazzi and then was seen in thetabloids as the "mystery woman". After not being able to finish a book in either February or March, I was thrilled to essentially read this book in two days. Whether it was the subject matter, Dunn's easy-going style, or my mood, I am thankful for it and perhaps now I will be able to get into the reading mode again.

Movie Review: March of the Penguins

MARCH OF THE PENGUINS
Date Viewed: March 21, 2006
CATEGORY: Documentary
RATING: B-
WHERE SEEN: Home
REASON FOR VIEWING: Reviews
NETFLIX SYNOPSIS: Award-winning photographer Luc Jacquet takes documentary film to new heights -- and depths -- with his first feature film, a stunning insider's look at the life of the emperor penguin. The product of more than a year of filming in the brutal Antarctic ice, this official Sundance selection presents never-before-captured footage of the penguins' underwater life and explores their steadfast quest for monogamous mates.
COMMENTS: At first I thought I was going to turn this off. It was pretty boring. But for some reason I decided to persevere. It was good, not great. I could however appreciate the great expertise of the filmmaker himself having to film in what had to be excruciating circumstances where the warmest day it was 58 degrees below zero. It was an interesting look into the life of an intriguing bird—a species I used to enjoy seeing at the zoo in Tacoma, Washington as a youngster – Penny, the Penguin was her name and she was my favorite exhibit there for many years. While the film definitely gets a G rating, I think younger children will be bored in the early stages of the movie, delighting in others. An OK movie, am glad to have finally seen it to see what all the fuss was (or wasn’t) about.

Movie Review: The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio

THE PRIZE WINNER OF DEFIANCE OHIO
Date Viewed: March 21, 2006
CATEGORY: Drama – Nonfiction
CAST: Julianne Moore, Woody Harrelson,
RATING: A
WHERE SEEN: Home
REASON FOR VIEWING: Read the book and enjoyed it
SYNOPSIS: Evelyn Ryan, wife of an alcoholic, raises her 10 children by writing jingles and winning contests. COMMENTS: After reading this book I knew that I wanted to see the movie as soon as possible. Unfortunately it has such little theatrical release I never had the opportunity. It was with great pleasure that it came up so quickly on my Netflix queue upon its DVD release. It was only because of a very busy week that I didn’t watch it until nearly a week later. Many times I have been disappointed in movies I have seen after reading the book—they just fail to achieve the expectation I had. I am pleased to say I wasn’t at all disappointed in the movie version of this book. Although I was quite young in the years the movie was set, I do remember these contests. They were found all over the place – in magazines, in the stores, and on television. Obviously Evelyn Ryan had quite a knack for winning these contests both out of talent and necessity. While the book was written as quite the tribute to her mother by Terry “Tuff” Ryan, the movie depicts the family’s way of life, sometimes quite painfully. Somehow Evelyn keeps her family of 10 children together despite her abusive, alcoholic husband whose nightly drinking binges are not as much detailed in the movie as they are in the book but are still disturbing. One of the lighter scenes is when Evelyn finally meets up with a group of other jingle writers with whom she has been corresponding. All in all, a very good movie but I think probably even of more interest to those who have read the book than those who haven’t.

CD Review: This Old Road - Kris Kristofferson

It seems most people I talk to nowadays know Kris Kristofferson as an actor. These days more as a character actor than the leading man/matinee idol from such films as Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and A Star is Born. But I have always thought of him as a songwriter. A songwriter who sang. Actually, if truth be known, more even as a poet than a songwriter as his words always have packed such a powerful punch. Since I first heard him (and I am really dating myself here) in the very early 1970s, then started attending his concerts c. 1972 his music has been an integral part of my life. I used to reward myself every year on my birthday by either attending a concert or, as the years went by and he would appear more and more often on the silver screen, going to see a movie he was starring in. Yet all these years I have been a fan, never a fanatic, respecting the man and his music – but rather personally and silently except even my husband and children know that Kris holds a special place in my heart. And the respecting, is for the most part. There was that one concert at The Universal Amphitheater where he was only able to perform a few songs before cutting the performance short. I am sure it is an evening he’d rather forget – if he even remembers it. He was as happens many times with those so gifted, living hard. So it was with great pleasure to find that on one particular song of this CD, “Thank You For A Life” the penultimate cut, he admits to being so happy.

It’s been said that this CD is his most personal ever. I really don’t know about that. I do know that it is extremely moving. One cut in particular has brought tears to my eyes each time I have heard it. The chorus of that song, “In the News” goes like this:

"Not in my name, not on my ground
I want nothing but the ending of the war
No more killing, or it's over
And the mystery won't matter anymore"

I was lucky enough to see a recent concert in Seattle where he sang this song and the crowd went wild. It was obvious that they shared the same sentiments.
Over the years I have seen a growth in his music that is hard to describe because he writes lyrics that have always held a rare kind of power. But for some reason this CD is a cut above. Different in a way. And perhaps it is because it is more personal as it has been said. All I can say is that it is absolutely wonderful and powerful. And I thank the master of them all for making such a touching CD.

Play #1: Menopause, The Musical

PLAY (MUSICAL) #1 MENOPAUSE, THE MUSICAL
DATE SEEN: March 11, 2006
WHERE SEEN: ACT Theater, Seattle
SEEN WITH: Vicki, Cathi, Judy, Kacie, Carol, Elisa (from work), Diane (Elisa’s mom), Linda and Lori (Cathi’s sisters), Jessica (Judy’s daughter), Donna (former coworker)

COMMENTS: This was such a fun show! We made the trek from Port Townsend to Seattle for a Saturday afternoon matinee. The theater we were in was a very intimate setting allowing for great viewing. There are four characters in the musical - Power Woman, Earth Mother, Movie Star, and Iowa Housewife who all meet in Bloomingdales in NYC and the entire play is set on different floors of the department store. They sing parodies of songs from the 60s and 70s, We went from whooping and hollering to laughing so hard we were crying. And we could each nod with understanding nearly every step of the way. One of my favorites was done to “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” - the one gal was complaining about her husband not wanting to sleep with her and they start this song with the backup singers playing kitchen utensils and singing "She's a b*tch, She's a b*ch, oooooh, etc" and the lead singer singing, "On the couch or in the guest room my husband sleeps at night" Another scene has the characters doing the Staying Alive dance changing the words to “Staying Awake, Staying Awake”. And then there is a Beach Boys Medley "I Wish we Could All be Sane and Normal Girls" to the tune of California Girls and "Thank You Doctor" to the tune of Help Me Rhonda. The parodies were all very clever and when the one gal came out as Tina Turner singing “What’s Love Got to do With It” it nearly brought the house down. I can’t remember laughing so hard. We capped off the evening by a wonderful meal at the Gordon Biersch Brewery at Pacific Place before taking a ferry across Puget Sound and driving home. We had such a good time we’ve decided we’ll definitely have to do this more often!

Movie #13 Nine Lives

Movie #13 --
NINE LIVES
Date Viewed: March 12, 2006
CATEGORY: Drama – Vignettes
CAST: Robin Wright Penn, Sissy Spacek, Glenn Close, Aidan Quinn, Dakota Fanning, Holly Hunter and a host of other talented actors.
RATING: A
WHERE SEEN: Home
REASON FOR VIEWING: Ebert and Roeper Review
Netflix Synopsis: This series of intimate vignettes from writer-director Rodrigo Garcia (Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her) peers into the private lives of nine women, each with a different destiny.

Comments: What a great, stunning, emotional movie! These nine vignettes, each about 12 minutes long, feature very different women from all walks of life, each of them who could be said is stuck in some kind of emotional rut – some more deep than others, some of which they have control of and some they don’t. We start out with Sandra in LA County Jail who is trying her best but whose emotions are right at the surface and a seemingly minor incident spells disaster for her. Then Diana played exquisitely by the fabulous Robin Wright Penn who runs into her old love, Damian, in the supermarket years after their relationship has ended; the one gesture by Damian just broke my heart. Other standouts include Sissy Spacek as the wife of a disabled man (Deadwood’s Ian McShane) who shows up in two of the vignettes and Amy Brenneman as he ex-wife of a man whose wife has just committed suicide. All the stories are so vivid, so intense that I am glad I saw it on DVD instead of in a theater as I found I was forced to take a break in the middle. There were several that moved me to tears. This is really great film making and absolutely highly recommended.

Movie #12 Just Like Heaven

Movie #12
JUST LIKE HEAVEN
Date Viewed: March 12, 2006
CATEGORY: Romantic Comedy
CAST: Reese Witherspoon, Mark Ruffalo
RATING: B
WHERE SEEN: Home
REASON FOR VIEWING: Sounded Good
Netflix Synopsis: Shortly after David Abbott (Mark Ruffalo) moves into his new San Francisco digs, he has an unwelcome visitor on his hands: winsome Elizabeth Mortenson (Reese Witherspoon), who asserts that the apartment is hers -- and promptly vanishes. When she starts appearing and disappearing at will, David thinks she's a ghost, while Elizabeth is convinced she's alive. Their quest for the truth ultimately leads to love in this spectral romantic comedy.

My Comments
From Marc Levy’s book If Only it Were True comes a cute romantic comedy. I really liked it and it had been enjoying it all the way until a rather slapstick scene near the end and a rather miraculous occurrence right after that. That said, I was suspending disbelief enough to belief that Reese Witherspoon’s character was appearing as a spirit, so why shouldn’t I buy into the rest? The ending was a little too abrupt and tied up too quickly though. That said a sweet and altogether satisfying movie with characters you couldn’t help but like. Any easy B rating and a fun way to spend a few hours of time.