Happy Birthday, PFCMom!

Today is my 64th birthday.

December birthdays are not fun, especially if they fall after Christmas. Who's in the mood for another party? I think I've had three birthday parties in my whole life. Once as a child, another was a surprise party given by my older sister when I turned 17, and one given by friends when I turned 48 or 49, I can't remember which. I've tried celebrating in April which is a wonderful month with no other family celebrations, but that didn't work out either.

Noble (our daughter) and I are going shopping and out to eat. TopDad is in Iowa working on our house there. He goes whenever he has time off work. It's really cold today, high is forecast to be 26, but not as cold as yesterday (9) or tomorrow (13). So on this balmy day, we're venturing out.

I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Keep the Magic Going Forward

 

Now that Christmas Day has come and gone, let's keep the magic going. Not the visible trapping of the holiday, rather the interior magic of thoughtfulness and kindness, love and forgiveness. Following Jesus should be a daily habit throughout the year. 

November was busier

With increasing strength I was able to do much more in November so I didn't read as much. (Darn!)

1. Neva's Story by Austin McConnell - The author found an unfinished manuscript among his grandmother's effects and set about fleshing out and finishing the story. A valiant effort by a loving grandson, it was a sweet coming of age story. (Book was a gift from my own son.)

2. The Party Crasher by Sophie Kinsella - The latest rom-com from Sophie. She is such a fun writer. This one is a bit too complicated for a one line synopsis, suffice it to say I thoroughly enjoyed the twists.

3. Charity Detox by Robert D. Lupton - the sequel, or follow-up to Toxic Charity that I read in September. Both are so interesting and informative. They have changed how I feel about giving. I'm much more careful now. Highly recommend them both.

3. The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella - An old friend; about a high powered lawyer who seemingly makes a mistake and flees in disgrace to the countryside where she unwittingly becomes a domestic worker. Funny! And witty and delightful.

4. goodbye, things (sic) by Fumio Sasaki - Account of a young Japanese man's transformation to a minimalist. Interesting perspective, though I don't think it aged well (written in 2015) as some of the things he said made me wonder how he was doing through the pandemic lockdowns. A few good points that made me ponder my own situation. 

5. The Story of Silent Night by Paul Gallico - Charming story of the writer and the composer of the most famous Christmas Carol and the circumstances that led to their collaboration.

6. Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella - Can you tell who I was in the mood for? Sophie is one of my favorite writers. She is just so witty and inventive. This one is about a women who decides to marry an old flame while rebounding from a misunderstanding about getting engaged to her current boyfriend. Her sister is the editor of a travel magazine who pulls in favors from airport and hotel staff to prevent the couple from consummating their marriage. It is laugh out loud funny! (I'm not describing it well at all.)

That's it. Just six books finished, although I have several more that are in progress.

Thanksgiving

 We had a quiet Thanksgiving with just three of our children, and one girlfriend here for dinner. I put the hot foods on the side board, and the cold foods on the table.

All of it was delicious and there was PLENTY! I'm still cooking for an army on Thanksgiving and am not sure how to cut down. Maybe next year there will be more of us, as our oldest son has moved his family to a city just two hours from us.

On Saturday Noble, Mr. Movie and I went on a hike at a nearby state park. The day was warmish (43 degrees) and mostly sunny. It felt so good to get outside and stretch my legs and get some fresh air into my lungs. 

PfcMom

Oopsie! The footbridge was out of commission--another was just up the trail a bit.

Ice on the Des Moines river

More Des Moines river

The woods

The prairie

The hike was a good measurement of how far I've recovered from "the plague". I got up the hills by taking short breathers and I felt strong! The whole weekend was good. I'm grateful the weather was so nice.

What I Read in October

October was a month of rest and recuperation for me. I spent three days in the hospital at the end of September with "the plague" (covid) and was so fatigued afterward that all I could do was rest. 

I read a lot!

1. The Runaway Princess by Hester Browne - I love Hester's books because they are clean, charming and witty. This one is about a gardener who meets a minor Prince, without knowing who he is, and the process of becoming a princess, while deciding what is most important to her. 

2. Mercies & Miracles by Sharon Downing Jarvis - Second book in the Fairhaven ward (church congregation) series with the bishop as the main character.

3. Through Cloud & Sunshine by Sharon Downing Jarvis - Third book in the Fairhaven series.

4. A Thorny Path by Sharon Downing Jarvis - Fourth and final book in the Fairhaven series.

5. The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith - Continuing the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

6. The Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith - Another Ladies Detective Agency book.

7. Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith - Another Ladies book.

8. The Gathering Table by Kathryn Springer - About finding family in unexpected places, very good!

9. The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate - Switching back and forth from post Civil War to the 1980's telling the story of freed slaves and plantation owners and their descendants. Very moving story!

10. The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith - #11 in the Ladies Detective Agency series.

11. The Saturday Night Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith - #12

12. The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith - #13

13. The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon by Alexander McCall Smith - Book #14

14. The Handsome Man's DeLuxe Cafe by Alexander McCall Smith - Book #15

15. The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine by Alexander McCall Smith - #16 in the Ladies Detective Agency series.

16. The Finishing Touches by Hester Browne - A delightful tale of a young woman adopted as a baby by the owners of a finishing school, and her search for her real self after her adoptive mother dies.

17. Swept Off Her Feet by Hester Browne - Alternate title is Vintage Girl, about a young woman who works in an antique shop and her adventures at a Scottish castle including learning how to reel. Laugh out loud funny!

I read lots of old friends, only book numbers 8 and 9 were new to me. And they are both keepers!

I highly recommend The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. The main character, Precious Ramotswe is lovable, patient, and wise. The author, Alexander McCall Smith, includes so much wisdom that I underline and highlight my favorite parts. Hester Browne's books are too few. Her last was published in 2014 and she wrote only seven. But they are all delightful, witty and clean.