Silverthreads89: Thanksgiving

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Thanksgiving

Quote: "We need to be grateful for many things that did not happen." Langenhoven

Every Thanksgiving most of us think or talk about all the things we are thankful for in the past year. I saw this quote today and thought how true it is for most of us. I thought back to when I would travel between Utah and Minnesota several times a year when I was in college. How careless we all were in our over crowded car without seat belts and how blessed to not have anything but minor discomforts during those trips. Look at the news and how many have accidents or are stranded at airports because of various reasons. I know that I, for one, drove too fast over snowy and icy roads several times and was so fortunate not to have to step on the brakes as we would have skidded and crashed for sure. I look at all the sicknesses that so many children have to go through in their young lives and none of mine ever had a serious illness. Look at the children, mothers and fathers who die much too young. The worst thing I ever had when young was a divorce and a child who had trouble being in control. Big deal! In the larger scheme of things, I was so incredible blessed not just by what I had or was able to do for myself and my family but for all the terrible things that could have happened. but did not.

I love the Thanksgiving holiday. I thought I had expressed this sentiment to everyone I know but apparently I missed telling my children. I do love this time of year because I really try to be aware of all my blessings all the time but I take time during November to really focus on the blessings that I may over look. Look at the billions of people who have been born through out the world and I was born to a LDS family in Minnesota, not in Africa, Asia, Mexico, or the projects of huge cities in America. I worked to graduate from college, but at least I was able to do it! I always wanted children and had no trouble or miscarriages with my pregnancies. I have amazing good health for a person my age. My health woes are extremely minor - few meds and no joint replacements or heart troubles. How cool is that! Almost all my friends my age have these problems so I am amazed and incredibly grateful.

My heart is full! My life is full and I am happy!

Happy Thanksgiving 2010.

1 comment:

UnknownNovember 30, 2010 at 3:13 PM
That was awesome! I love seeing things through your eyes.

:)
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The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. Reread this book after seeing the movie, now want to rewatch the movie. About how many white women in Mississippi during the sixties treated their black help. Wonderful book similar to the impact of To Kill a Mockingbird. 5 of 5 stars.

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Rescue, by Anita Shreve. I think this is the 9th or 10th book of hers that I have read. Great story teller, although not a "great" author. I like her take on what could be an ordinary story but she looks at it in an interesting way. This one is about an EMT who helps to rescue a drunk driver in an accident and how they come together. Not my favorite of her books but interesting. 31/2 of 5 stars.

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Birds of a Feather, by Jacqueline Winspear. Reread this book that I read last year. Don't know where I got it last year but it was the abridged book and this was not. This one did not have all the errors in it and had more info, therefore, much more enjoyable to read and a good follow up to the first book which had so much background info in it. 4 of 5 stars.

1776, by David McCullough. This was a read for Independence Day 2011. I have been meaning to read it for 3 years and finally got around to it. Every adult should read it to know what a difficult time it was for the colonies to first declare independence (on July 2, 1776) and then to achieve it. It also took a long time until we were granted independence and the war with England ended. Then perhaps we would be more understanding about those countries we help win their independence. We did not fight alone; we too, had help from other countries helping us fight England. McCullough writes for the average reader to understand and not just history buffs. It is easy to read and understand. 5 of 5 stars.

The Double Comfort Safari Club, by Alexander McCall Smith. The 11th book in my favorite series. Mma Ramotswe solves the problems that are presented to her in a gentle, humane way. She remembers the things she has learned. "Do not complain about your life. Do not blame others for things that you have brought upon yourself. Be content with who you are and where you are, and do whatever you can do to bring others such contentment, and joy, and understanding that you have managed to find yourself." 5 of 5 stars

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith. A great classic that I had never read completely. Not the typical novel as it doesn't have a plot but a great coming of age story. I had thought it was a teen read but it is definitely written for the adult reader. It was originally written as a memoir but changed to a novel. The men are not in general portrayed at strong but the women are so interesting. I loved Francie's mother, Katie, she was a great role model. The friendship and support between brother and sister was amazing. Francie and her family grow from extreme poverty to a very comfortable living situation but her observations of people and places is spot on. 5 of 5 stars

Maisie Dobbs, by Jacqueline Winspear. 1st book in the series. Takes place in England just after WWI, but written about 9 years ago. Very good mystery and background story to set up the series. Maisie is a determined independent young woman who has been mentored by caring people to be able to step out of her class enough to be independent. Women were like possessions and she had few opportunities in that time in England, but with her intelligence and mentors she overcomes many obstacles. 4 0f 5 stars

Strong Poison, by Dorothy L. Sayers. British mystery written in the 30s. Interesting, amusing but dated mystery writing. I found it interesting that the main female was okay with living with a man but wanted nothing to do with marriage - and this in the 30s not 90s. 3 of 5 stars

I Still Dream About You, Fannie Flagg. A delightful novel about "older" ladies, one in particular. Maggie is not happy with the way her life as gone since becoming an adult and comes up with a plan to solve her unhappiness but something keeps interferring with her perfect plan. "[The novel] is equal parts southern charm, murder mystery, and that perfect combination of comedy and old-fashioned wisdom...." 4 of 5 stars

Leaving Home, by Jodi Picoult. Short stories by an excellent story teller. 5 of 5 stars

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, by Stieg Larsson. Very good conclusion to the series. Lisbeth fights for her life on multiple levels and her "friends" fight for her to prove her innocence and expose corruption in the government of Sweden. 4 of 5 stars

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, by Beth Hoffman. Totally charming and moving story of a young girl who is moved from a sadly deplorable life into the southern comfort of her great aunt's home, and how this changes not only her life but who she thinks she is. Great first novel by Hoffman. 5 of 5 stars

The Christmas Gift, by R. William Bennett. A quick entertaining Christmas story that is sentimental but not excessively sugary. It is a lesson we could all do with a reminder to remember more often that things are not always what they seem. 3 of 5 stars.

The Hunger Games Trilogy, by Suzanne Collins. Three good books that you must read together to get to the end. I really enjoyed reading them but didn't think the girl was really 17-18. She just didn't think or behave like one so I had to give her the benefit of the doubt that her society would make her more mature. She seemed more like a woman in her mid twenties to me, as did the men who loved her. But a fun read and good discussion books. I would not recommend to any of my junior high kids, just high school. 4 of 5 stars

Follow the River, by James Alexander Thom. This was a reread for my book club. The novel is based on a real woman and her escape from an Indian tribe who captured her and her two children, after killing her mother and others in their small settlement. She walks over 800 miles in early winter with only a blanket and another old woman who escaped with her. It is really an amazing story and highly recommended reading. 5 of 5 stars.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, by Helen Simonson. Delightful romance about an English widower in his late 60s and a Pakistani widow woman in her late 50s. The English sense of humor took a while for me to understand but when I did I had to go back and reread some to see what I had missed. A charming and happy read. 4 of 5 stars.

A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson. Bill and a friend of his decide to walk most of the 2200 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Along the way he gives the reader an amusing look at the trials they endure and an interesting look at the history, as well as editorial comments on the history and events of his journey. He is a funny writer of the things he observes and writes about. 4 of 5 stars.

The Silence of God, by Gale Sears. An historical novel about the first LDS family in Russia. It takes place during the Russian Civil War when the soviets were taking over and not letting people use churches. Gale is a neighbor and has written other books but this is my favorite. It has enough notes so that I understood the politics of what was going on in Russia during this time. 4 of 5 stars.

Smart Women, by Judy Blume. Yes, that Judy Blume - but this is for adult women not young girls. Interesting story but she is definitely a youth writer. The writing is not very sophisticated (? I think that is the word I want to use.) but the story does ring true for many of the situations. I read it many years ago and just reread it - I will now give it away. 2 0f 5 stars.

Fly Away Home, by Jennifer Weiner. Senator's wife takes off for her childhood vacation home when she finds her husband has cheated on her. While there she evaluates her life, her husband's and daughters'. The three women go through major trials and meet at the oceanside home to reassess their lives. Nothing profound but Weiner is a good story teller though I missed the humor from her other books I have read. 3 of 5 stars.

becoming Kate, by Dixie Owens. Very clever plot idea. A young girl is given a brain transplant from a young mother who died in a car accident. Stirs some very interesting questions. I think the story moved a bit too fast and there were many other problems that could have been hashed out but on the whole it was a great quick read. 3 1/2 stars of 5

Last Night in Twisted River, by John Irving. Covers life of young man 12 years old into his 60s and how he deals with major events and losses during that 5 decade span to the present time. We don't have always have a choice on who comes into and out of our life; we only have a choice on how we deal with them in a positive or negative way to the benefit or detriment of our life and memories. 4 of 5 stars.

A Nun in the Closet, by Dorothy Gilman. I read this for our book club selection. A short, quick mystery read. It is rather dated in many references but that adds a bit of charm. 3 of 5 stars.

The Girl Who Played with Fire, by Stieg Larsson. This is the 2nd of a trilogy. (see below) A good mystery but the author tells too much back story for each and every one of his characters. He could have easily knocked off 150 pages of this book. Liked the story but he goes into way too much detail. 4 of 5 stars

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. This is the 50th year since publication and having read it in the 60s decided it was a great time to reread. It is more impressive now to read than it was when I was a teenager from the far north. It seems more real now, especially with the way people are acting over the illegal immigrant problem. So many of us do not learn from the past or even from the religion we profess to believe in. Maybe this should be required reading for adults rather than teens. This is in the top 5 of books I have read. 5 of 5 stars.

Birds of a Feather, Jacqueline Winspear. A mystery in 1929 London written in 2004 (?). The second in a series of Maisie Dobbs mysteries. Good story but the proof reading was annoying, more errors than I have found in any other books. 4 of 5 stars

Remembering Isaac, by Ben Behunin. An interesting Christian novel. A potter is hired to take over from an old potter who has died with interesting conditions attached. He learns some stories and "lessons" from those in the town who stop by to share a cup of tea and their story. 4 of 5 stars

The Constant Gardener, by John Le Carre. Le Carre is the intellectual mystery writer. The plot is complicated and the words are sophisticated and the story is heart breaking. Not a quick summer read but an excellent mystery. I would say he is the mystery writers' mystery writer. Now I am off to rent the movie, also. 5 of 5 stars

A Lantern in Her Hand, by Bess Streeter Aldrich. Reread this book for the third time. One of the best written examples of what it is like to grow older. Each young person has hopes and dreams for the future that often do not come to fruition because of various circumstances. The next generation does not understand their parents and their choices because they don't seem to know the right questions to ask but family and love holds us all together. 5 of 5 stars

The Book of Awesome, by Neil Pasricha. Have been reading a few pages a day since receiving this for Mother's Day. Just delightful! Even went so far as to mark the pages I totally agreed with, LOL. Then I went to his blog so I could even read more now that I am done with the book. Helps make a positive outlook.
4 of 5

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson. It took me 100 pages to realllly get into this and then I couldn't put it down and stayed up until 4 in the morning trying to finish. Almost 600 pages but a real page turner with 2 mysteries (maybe 3) going on. Excited to get to the next in the series of 3.
4 of 5 stars

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, A Memoir, Laugh out loud funny remembrance of growing up in Iowa in the 50s. It did bring back the memories of growing up in Minnesota also during that time. Have read this twice (I really needed a good laugh) in the last few years and will go get another book of his soon.
5 of 5 stars

Look Again, by Lisa Scottoline. Good very quick read about an mother who adopts her son and then a few years later learns he had been kidnapped as a baby. I would have preferred a different ending but since Scottoline is a mystery writer the ending fit with her genre.
4 of 5 stars

The Shack, by Wm. Paul Young. Not impressed. Nothing new or novel in the book I didn't already think about. I don't get what all the hoopla was about that I was hearing on this book unless it is from people to whom belief in God is new.
3 of 5 stars

The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell. Fascinating book on the psycho/sociological reasons on what starts epidemics of ideas, fashion, products, crime, etc. Written so very easy to read and understand. Great follow up to his book Blink which was also great.
5 of 5 stars

Can't Wait to get to Heaven, by Fannie Flagg. Fun book about an old lady who dies and comes back to life for another year before dying again. The lives she has influenced and the far reaching effects of her kind deeds are gradually revealed. I even made the "heavenly" cake recipe that was included. Have now read this twice in the last couple of years and even baked her cake for my book group.
5 of 5 stars.

Good Hope Road, by Lisa Wingate. Great read about a young woman and an old woman brought together by a tragedy and how they both change and grow to become better people and help those around them. Positive, inspiring story without being sappy. 4 of 5 stars.

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, by Alexander McCall Smith. Love this series and this book is no exception. Precious is aptly named as a character - I love her! 5 of 5 for adults.

Little Bee, by Chris Cleave is quick read but sad read about how countries and individuals treat immigrants without concern about the individual situations involved with their immigration. It made me sad. 4 of 5 stars.

Goose Girl by Shannon Hale is great for the 8-18 but not for me. I totally would have recommended this when I was teaching to the young girls but I can't believe the reading group of over 40 women wanted to read this. I felt it was a waste of time so I listened to it on CD while quilting. 3 of 5 for adult women and 5 of 5 for teens.

Silverthreads89

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Thanksgiving

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