tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611460131620046452024-03-19T18:46:54.841-04:00Moseriah WritesThe Forest and the TreesLeigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-3510215403580166242022-09-30T21:01:00.000-04:002022-09-30T21:01:16.413-04:00TRANSCRIPTION- SEPTEMBER 2022 BOOK SELECTION<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #538135; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Kate
Atkinson is the master of this genre. Juliet Armstrong, only eighteen, is
recruited in 1940 during WWII to work for MI5. Atkinson creates with skill the
thoughts and actions of an extremely shallow and naïve Juliet as she tries to
find her way alone in London after the death of her mother.</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">What
at first seems very routine, even boring work, becomes much more. Her job is to
listen as an established MI5 agent recruits and conducts meetings with British collaborators
of the Third Reich and Hitler. Juliet’s job is to secretly listen and
transcribe into minutes the contents of those meetings. The clandestine
meetings take place in an apartment owned by MI5 which is next door to the
meetings. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Soon
she is tapped to assume a new identity and infiltrate the fascist sympathizers.
The real danger is to be discovered by the collaborators.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Interspersed
with these war recollections we find Juliet postwar, ten years later, working
for the BBC and occasionally operating a safe-house for MI5. At this point she
is surprisingly world-weary, laconic and jaded. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Juliet
begins to see several figures from her past. One central one refuses to
acknowledge her. Suspicious and fearful, she attempts to investigate and finds
she cannot escape the past. Surprise ending. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdW7J1SdmvhmfUAyw4EksB4zrB2OwwQf4EkjWYgw38cas9WSsjDK4PQZRgJtTHdbDKTY_t3VFMtgEJTBQZt3-Nmm3KJYiRpnz_zRNNqDJm3nPDwi2FuRY50qKJaAppgjVDoCbRR5bxWagOj-CCe5txw4fz7Jcpti-_HDGADc7RrKJttLxKKkRlT8q/s640/IMG_2044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdW7J1SdmvhmfUAyw4EksB4zrB2OwwQf4EkjWYgw38cas9WSsjDK4PQZRgJtTHdbDKTY_t3VFMtgEJTBQZt3-Nmm3KJYiRpnz_zRNNqDJm3nPDwi2FuRY50qKJaAppgjVDoCbRR5bxWagOj-CCe5txw4fz7Jcpti-_HDGADc7RrKJttLxKKkRlT8q/s320/IMG_2044.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-84488090735388063052022-08-16T16:27:00.000-04:002022-08-16T16:27:36.400-04:00Your Gifts and How You Use Them<p> <span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I
apparently took July 2022 off. But not in a good way. It’s been a challenging
time but it has made me appreciate even more my health and my family. Every
time I sensed dark thoughts about to creep in, I was reminded in no uncertain
terms how fortunate I am. We forget, you see.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">I’ve
thought a lot about my mother and the end-of-life challenges she faced. The
challenges were not pretty, but she faced them all full of grace. She literally
never complained. I have thought of her life, and her gifts which were
significant. But as it turned out, the gift she used the most was in giving and
taking care of other people. Was that enough? Was that okay? Although I was the
recipient of her giving spirit my whole life, I can’t help thinking it was not
okay. Maybe it was the time in which she lived, pre-woman’s lib. Maybe it was
four children. A divorce. Maybe it was just too hard. Circumstances beyond her
control. It makes me weep to think of it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">I’m
trying to reconcile it so that her legacy is something that includes all her
gifts, not just selflessness. She taught me compassion, kindness; she shared her
poet’s eye for loving and appreciating nature, she shared her appreciation of
music and literature. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She loved her
children so much that her final gift was that of learning service. It’s easy to
love and be loved when all is easy and fun. But loving and serving when all is
difficult is a whole other thing. It can be soul-crushing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">They
say we blueprint our parents or reject their choices completely. My wish is for
my children to use all of their gifts. But most essentially to keep something
back for themselves. It’s not just important; it’s critical. Both giving and
keeping are possible.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRyRXJCQNXK2mFT3UEfFDeEfGFWjJLSrzc3lu0JrcF0Ik1-MLbZBgEXDHcgspXye3f3qlamHOMdoRMsC8c_gE_Wr3Th6wIpT5y5PnKUvTpBLogc_PVv0tDGRLCwFP5ZpShnt77HbsWVDTHyKq68P3B9_jZ1zzmFryioQN6lTEa4sQJhbHesCfDyQG/s533/mama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRyRXJCQNXK2mFT3UEfFDeEfGFWjJLSrzc3lu0JrcF0Ik1-MLbZBgEXDHcgspXye3f3qlamHOMdoRMsC8c_gE_Wr3Th6wIpT5y5PnKUvTpBLogc_PVv0tDGRLCwFP5ZpShnt77HbsWVDTHyKq68P3B9_jZ1zzmFryioQN6lTEa4sQJhbHesCfDyQG/s320/mama.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-61129685886579282832022-08-13T18:44:00.000-04:002022-08-13T18:44:24.737-04:00THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD- AUGUST 2022 BOOK SELECTION<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">At
the time this book was originally published in 1937, it was not recognized as
the masterpiece it is today. Zora Neale Hurston has since become recognized as
a voice of her generation and the novel a widely acclaimed classic of the
Harlem Renaissance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">The
story follows Janie, a fair-skinned, black woman in the early 1900’s following
WWI. Navigating two disastrous marriages until meeting the love of her life, we
watch Janie come into her own power and confidence. Janie’s story is a tragic
one, yet does not end as hopeless. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">The
novel, written in a deep southern, black dialect may be somewhat challenging
for some. One solution is the Audible version narrated by the brilliant actor,
Ruby Dee, who makes the patios come alive. With a poet’s eye, Hurston depicts
the black experience in the early 20th century with sensitivity and observed
human nature with a clear eye.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUrm5GR7cwp97UsYX2oNiXbrC-jjewRRh1EU9WDNXBD2JHVn8YS0qcqICJmNtOFgD7eOXbM53i516HGF2ZZEmCGdiiFGxGUsKXa2GrfXDOpBUt3Fp7fg2UlxnbYf4vmS0mMvsBS6x6JAJeQvG8rmthz0GVb4L0agt-VdoQbfhZwupnMlff-B0F1WS/s475/9780060916503-us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUrm5GR7cwp97UsYX2oNiXbrC-jjewRRh1EU9WDNXBD2JHVn8YS0qcqICJmNtOFgD7eOXbM53i516HGF2ZZEmCGdiiFGxGUsKXa2GrfXDOpBUt3Fp7fg2UlxnbYf4vmS0mMvsBS6x6JAJeQvG8rmthz0GVb4L0agt-VdoQbfhZwupnMlff-B0F1WS/s320/9780060916503-us.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span><p></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-19233187984194161072022-08-09T15:06:00.001-04:002022-08-09T15:06:51.433-04:00CLOUD CUCKOO LAND- JULY 2022 BOOK SELECTION<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Anthony
Doerr, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Literature for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All the Light We Cannot See</i>, has written another fascinating novel.
This one depicts four characters spread across time who all have a mystical
connection surrounding the ancient Greek fictional character of </span><span style="background: white; color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aethon. Their lives follow Aethon’s journey, a character
credited to Aristophanes' comedy “The Birds.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">A supreme undertaking which Doerr himself
says he almost abandoned many times, has nevertheless been lauded and
critically acclaimed. I both read and listened to the novel in order to keep
the time shifts and characters straight. Well worth it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTlYOmdkLDsUhieBqWlOMjKpeXydAsGIW6vOo26sBsu5s0hqqKKcRk_CqueHeYnaTbYNJuAdoCb95gSvoIkReMXJRa4Gn6W0j4tKHGjXzqSZWdZf2l-2okso_-NOZrVafOpPvz_nzCYQ8QI8OuXqTWYyoN_s46OZsS40V0f4JWoPcuz_6IfW72djl/s500/9781982168438-us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="331" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTlYOmdkLDsUhieBqWlOMjKpeXydAsGIW6vOo26sBsu5s0hqqKKcRk_CqueHeYnaTbYNJuAdoCb95gSvoIkReMXJRa4Gn6W0j4tKHGjXzqSZWdZf2l-2okso_-NOZrVafOpPvz_nzCYQ8QI8OuXqTWYyoN_s46OZsS40V0f4JWoPcuz_6IfW72djl/s320/9781982168438-us.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><span style="background: white; color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span><p></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-29939821747207554632022-06-29T17:29:00.000-04:002022-06-29T17:29:12.377-04:00Life Force<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #385723; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I’m not sure if I have used this quote before in
my blog, but it bears repeating this month. It’s an invitation not to lose
yourself.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #385723; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #385723; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a
quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is
only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it,
it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world
will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how
valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to
keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #385723; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">— Martha Graham</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn82GtQWgBa0ypUYkPOrwoBRFW7Cay14nKfjtkoESj1_WsGWo3qPJWXQTt5eUDK6NVf45B_tWD0C3H0b_Y1MOM7V_CjFg9ysNOY8ZJ4pYDJXMCGJ0xLPDOt-kn53c-TVZcJroe0ehq-WSovMaUvhcLetkXY1EPC1T_RZOXUAz-NuJgrlRI_h5Npcw6/s600/BE%20YOU,%20The%20World%20Will%20Adjust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn82GtQWgBa0ypUYkPOrwoBRFW7Cay14nKfjtkoESj1_WsGWo3qPJWXQTt5eUDK6NVf45B_tWD0C3H0b_Y1MOM7V_CjFg9ysNOY8ZJ4pYDJXMCGJ0xLPDOt-kn53c-TVZcJroe0ehq-WSovMaUvhcLetkXY1EPC1T_RZOXUAz-NuJgrlRI_h5Npcw6/s320/BE%20YOU,%20The%20World%20Will%20Adjust.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #385723; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="background: white; color: #385723; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span><p></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-69370125296657988422022-06-14T17:53:00.001-04:002022-06-14T17:53:32.444-04:00<p> <b><i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Bewilderment </span></i></b><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">is the latest novel<b><i> </i></b>by
Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Powers. It tells the story of a widower trying to
raise his autistic ten-year-old son in what seems an unforgiving world.
Behavioral problems aside, the boy’s sensitivity is displayed as if he has no
defenses against an environmentally challenged world. He cares so deeply about
the natural world; he goes into intense rages. It’s as if he has no skin, no
barrier to protect him. Both father and son are still profoundly grieving the
loss of the beloved mother. The father, an astrophysicist, grounds his son by
describing fictional other worlds on other planets where life has different
challenges. Both father and son are broken and struggling to stay above water.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">The tragedy
at the center of this beautifully written story offers hope for the son and the
father but ultimately is unyielding. Worth reading but not for the faint of
heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JMwVMbKq0WZtJY_3rplwXoG3piZH3bcfPrNAgaTX_ifQzs7AQslMRO5Y_sbTaXFf0CIcI0gFsFNz9rJLKDfNh3kOUDYevR2I8yDQekS-jMKFJ92jxIPnOYpMbbWEVvZ8Zl-3q9i3O9PNXsJm2GEfyQzCu70aupRI4W6CZm9ZncTs9wRVr59CKyot/s2016/IMG_1921%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JMwVMbKq0WZtJY_3rplwXoG3piZH3bcfPrNAgaTX_ifQzs7AQslMRO5Y_sbTaXFf0CIcI0gFsFNz9rJLKDfNh3kOUDYevR2I8yDQekS-jMKFJ92jxIPnOYpMbbWEVvZ8Zl-3q9i3O9PNXsJm2GEfyQzCu70aupRI4W6CZm9ZncTs9wRVr59CKyot/s320/IMG_1921%20(1).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Queenie</span></i></b><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"> by Candice
Carty-Williams was an Audible selection. Queenie is a millennial trying to
navigate as a black woman in modern-day London. A paralyzing break-up generates
a sequence of events which ultimately lead to a breakdown. Without a past to
support and inform her decisions, she flounders. Her survival instinct kicks in
along with the support of her close friends and the begrudging, support of her
old-school, Haitian extended family. A bright center is the family’s ultimate
growth and support. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Surprising
and touching, we alternately yell in frustration and cheer for Queenie as she
makes her way. Recommend.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj521lJqpawiIw26Uy8GKRFv5d1d4b7BQ4Uq7DVpsULkAjQ2sNBBcUq4IuQKGltHOoJ9jd3XGHPER3SbFj6541Q4gJH8FjLmRuJw7kxFDh44Vpki44C0JSS3bMAHxTQhBadubHJcPBzWMeG9d8QGA-kgFNsI6xt8TdeiEgWYFwcgywJL717i85O1YGd/s310/que.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj521lJqpawiIw26Uy8GKRFv5d1d4b7BQ4Uq7DVpsULkAjQ2sNBBcUq4IuQKGltHOoJ9jd3XGHPER3SbFj6541Q4gJH8FjLmRuJw7kxFDh44Vpki44C0JSS3bMAHxTQhBadubHJcPBzWMeG9d8QGA-kgFNsI6xt8TdeiEgWYFwcgywJL717i85O1YGd/w640-h337/que.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-5610697608875195432022-05-21T13:48:00.000-04:002022-05-21T13:48:26.700-04:00Living Backwards<p> <span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Many
of the books I have read and listened to recently and even podcasts have dealt
with the concepts of being, consciousness, perception, the vastness of the
universe and even quantum physics. Questions are often posed which focus on
state of mind and belief systems. Maybe it is a result of getting older and
pondering what comes after this but these readings seem to keep falling in my
path.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">It
may be a result of the pandemic and losing so many friends to Covid and to
other events and diseases. It may be we attract what we need to hear. One
concept which has fascinated me is the idea of living backwards. Bear with me.
If you know what you know now and could change past events by reliving them,
would you? With age, some wisdom does surface with experience, but would you
change your choices? Would you know which ones to change and which to leave
alone? Because, after all, the “butterfly effect.” is real.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">For
example, what if I had made a different choice of city to move for work after
college? If I had chosen a different profession? Would I know my husband? Would
I have my same children? Would I have children at all? Would I have my lifelong
friendship with Gail? Not have my children. My husband. Not have my friendship?
Unthinkable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">What
I am curious about are the “what if” scenarios. I would love to see a movie
reel of various choice outcomes. Scientists say all of these scenarios exist in
the quantum universe. Do I want to step in? I don’t think so; I just want to be
an observer. I want to watch my various life-choice movies. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">What
I would like, is to know what I know for sure now, and see how my life would play
out. Fun idea, yes? Or no?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1xi18xpumav0zXqBYPnywqoN4MZed3QVZlscd3NEgwYFObll43S2LeHwE1sTCU_eIly6Zcuotkhv-X-dFBKJsx-R1Qg5BktcEPmwnaEEU9C8IkX9dLEHATNJokmRLqlajVFKmXgi3rubAFT2upxjjfn_UeNdvDfx2DSBzPJQfTli1KLJElvIwy_V/s3840/Butterflies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1xi18xpumav0zXqBYPnywqoN4MZed3QVZlscd3NEgwYFObll43S2LeHwE1sTCU_eIly6Zcuotkhv-X-dFBKJsx-R1Qg5BktcEPmwnaEEU9C8IkX9dLEHATNJokmRLqlajVFKmXgi3rubAFT2upxjjfn_UeNdvDfx2DSBzPJQfTli1KLJElvIwy_V/w400-h225/Butterflies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span><p></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-19161899089527959432022-05-19T17:37:00.000-04:002022-05-19T17:37:03.683-04:00HARRY'S TREES- MAY 2022 BOOK SELECTION<p> <span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I
listened to </span><b style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>Harry’s Trees</i></b><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> by Jon Cohen as an audible selection. Harry Crane
suffers an unconscionable and tragic loss. Without seeking it, he becomes
extraordinarily wealthy as a result of the loss. Unable to reconcile himself to
living, he quits his job and plans what he believes to be the only solution.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">This
story follows his journey. A sweet and magical tale, Harry’s only solace
becomes trees and the forest that has always comforted him. Cohen weaves the
story through an encyclopedic knowledge of trees convincing us they have
personalities and intention.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">A
cast of wonderfully quirky and well-drawn characters create a world that sweeps
Harry up and carries him forward. Magical elements which reference things
unseen and unknown are played with a light hand. The synchronicity of events
which follow and can only be unexplained, is wholly satisfying. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Truly
beautiful for lovers of the natural world. Read with an open heart. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisWXDZgcLfwDgX5y0MMCvToS6IsSTLks1XUg_RB4d6jGcgh3DOYXcIRtEFjB9q0uwsslQ3yo2KFw-j_lBFZvRHg3yuJGPOsMxxSGK6mN5w6tdzrP69YUNMJUk75e3ALeP_IljkERWfNaOM3OKwFpvsyoj_C2TbfODePAOcMfGBIdrwLiVWQktONKJG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisWXDZgcLfwDgX5y0MMCvToS6IsSTLks1XUg_RB4d6jGcgh3DOYXcIRtEFjB9q0uwsslQ3yo2KFw-j_lBFZvRHg3yuJGPOsMxxSGK6mN5w6tdzrP69YUNMJUk75e3ALeP_IljkERWfNaOM3OKwFpvsyoj_C2TbfODePAOcMfGBIdrwLiVWQktONKJG=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-81360916977342575052022-04-28T17:50:00.000-04:002022-04-28T17:50:37.512-04:00Reunion 2022<p> <span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">It’s
been three years since we gathered. There are always some missing. This time
three. My sister, her daughter and one of my second
brother’s sons. Still, nineteen made it! A record! The reunions are rare. The
pandemic made it more so. The brief lull last fall was all it took for me to
try to organize it. My family means everything to me. We are spread from
California to Chili to Alabama to Tennessee to South Carolina to Arizona.
Herding cats. But willing cats. My oldest brother chooses not to travel at all,
so we traveled to him. His daughter hosted our get-togethers to avoid too many
public outings.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">I
can’t remember seeing so many beloved faces at one time. It was soul-filling happiness.
Ages ranged from 2 ¾ to 78 years. There was individual time, group time, hikes,
breakfasts, dinners, swimming, games, shopping, dancing, a birthday party, laughter and just a bit of drama.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">For
as long as I am able, I will try to implement these events. I wouldn’t trade
the time for anything. I keep asking myself, “How did I get so lucky?” Then I
spit over both shoulders, as my friend Ellen taught me, to ward off any lurking
mischievous spirits that want to steal our joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of these:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuSkLcnL8Dyu0MLCZ5Vnh0B9-5gR2-qqChBtTeTN1KQgiajkA1uTXpf7tOvEb8Wpx56FxhhAXx1C0nItXi0h-amO5x13jWW08B_L2_tqFpKDqnbJWLMKvj8pHRKqxjmdI0OeHTPMRwpV3ergV9YuD7TldIj19io0XN0MCQho4P4ST3vyOmPxQNHXJ/s1280/Family.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuSkLcnL8Dyu0MLCZ5Vnh0B9-5gR2-qqChBtTeTN1KQgiajkA1uTXpf7tOvEb8Wpx56FxhhAXx1C0nItXi0h-amO5x13jWW08B_L2_tqFpKDqnbJWLMKvj8pHRKqxjmdI0OeHTPMRwpV3ergV9YuD7TldIj19io0XN0MCQho4P4ST3vyOmPxQNHXJ/w400-h300/Family.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>From these:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AKW-x-WsPYdfS7zU19_ISFtns3zrGalyOdvAxYUOE2OjCvcTEuz6LVBJFAoCGe5ba7TRcTgaUpFDNC4CEjm5lLhs2PYsmoqRpqGzEWXyhrh60C6uvQaBKGczIEGPTpAmWiZgVA_dcHl_AJCcGUgoBQ8JsKo3H9iekfICEjTbry1N0jYXIMNrP8Vl/s953/4%20of%20Us.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="856" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AKW-x-WsPYdfS7zU19_ISFtns3zrGalyOdvAxYUOE2OjCvcTEuz6LVBJFAoCGe5ba7TRcTgaUpFDNC4CEjm5lLhs2PYsmoqRpqGzEWXyhrh60C6uvQaBKGczIEGPTpAmWiZgVA_dcHl_AJCcGUgoBQ8JsKo3H9iekfICEjTbry1N0jYXIMNrP8Vl/s320/4%20of%20Us.JPG" width="287" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And Before That:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6JVZKg_MHCE_8_1mWrUIvTXN8vCIks72FAUEVfFPgNdhTQA632a5KEOgHJ_md3_YsD8gDt4JybBZ9CPdVdntKl0TKk7kTHzn782_arpZmCdhs3fAF6gME_GIoD1H04_8AAJ5JHVgPqxYDp5QaqnvOth_MG7OdzAEF3561WMHm13MGDVvLps0lalM/s2048/Daddy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1489" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6JVZKg_MHCE_8_1mWrUIvTXN8vCIks72FAUEVfFPgNdhTQA632a5KEOgHJ_md3_YsD8gDt4JybBZ9CPdVdntKl0TKk7kTHzn782_arpZmCdhs3fAF6gME_GIoD1H04_8AAJ5JHVgPqxYDp5QaqnvOth_MG7OdzAEF3561WMHm13MGDVvLps0lalM/s320/Daddy.JPG" width="233" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03YTdqk4-VfOglw3EzWIVcn_GYRXcoY2GTDFcbix8Et3qedBkwJoIycafKGseibADlw9Wz5yalrZMW7afXstFKP-Yg-1j8v1buSCi4HnhPbg30ZYttSMRsA4R8ImInhNwDY8LGOi2HEI8nn_jqBzmF_eTT9A4EMwOHZK5p7uPumkMLBTiSZtafbme/s774/Mama.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="774" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03YTdqk4-VfOglw3EzWIVcn_GYRXcoY2GTDFcbix8Et3qedBkwJoIycafKGseibADlw9Wz5yalrZMW7afXstFKP-Yg-1j8v1buSCi4HnhPbg30ZYttSMRsA4R8ImInhNwDY8LGOi2HEI8nn_jqBzmF_eTT9A4EMwOHZK5p7uPumkMLBTiSZtafbme/s320/Mama.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></p></div>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-72148437913431113652022-04-22T17:39:00.002-04:002022-04-22T17:39:49.796-04:00BOTH/AND: A LIFE IN MANY WORLDS- APRIL 2022 BOOK SELECTION<p><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">In her memoir, </span><b style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds,</i></b><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Huma Abedin recounts her childhood through the
present. Born in America, Abedin is the daughter of Indian and Pakistani
parents. At age two, she moved with her family to Saudi Arabia. There, as a
Muslim, she and her siblings were raised and educated by very progressive
parents. For college she attended George Washington University and close to
graduation applied for and was accepted as an intern working for Hillary
Clinton during the Clinton administration. When the administration changed,
Abedin remained in numerous and varied capacities working for the former first
lady; through HRC’s two bids for the White House as well as her tenure as
Secretary of State under President Barack Obama.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">A
marriage to the now infamous Anthony Weiner produced one son. Abedin recounts
in great detail her years with Hilary Clinton as well as the devastation of her
unfortunate marriage. This is an informative and fascinating read regarding the
machinations of political life as seen behind the scenes. She also examines the
way scrutiny in the public eye can alter your life irrevocably. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">If
you are interested in one account of political life as well as how the author
navigated a shattering break-up, it is a worthwhile read.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2liRoTA5IAzP9XRVjQeP6prDXaWOXbTxYJQId6kZhea4n0kcPZxm91Wg9f_XVPNUJ0yvyt9bQvd-UTISuDN20P9Tfch2CVuwQsAu4yxnTT-SJqfB9SyA_hdD0FZmiDScf-Zn1F83PtJpPQgzwOl5NtYzcGi05jgueEEHiBtLPEO92f8mFVeMiI7w/s500/Huma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2liRoTA5IAzP9XRVjQeP6prDXaWOXbTxYJQId6kZhea4n0kcPZxm91Wg9f_XVPNUJ0yvyt9bQvd-UTISuDN20P9Tfch2CVuwQsAu4yxnTT-SJqfB9SyA_hdD0FZmiDScf-Zn1F83PtJpPQgzwOl5NtYzcGi05jgueEEHiBtLPEO92f8mFVeMiI7w/s320/Huma.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-49085769033719559292022-03-31T19:30:00.001-04:002022-03-31T19:30:58.999-04:00Yoga Life<p> <span style="color: #385723; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Many years ago while pursuing a degree in counseling, I interned at
a state mental health center as one of my practicums. The format of the center
included individual therapy and group therapy as well as a selection of classes
designed to enrich and augment the therapy process.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">One of the classes I assisted in was yoga. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the first time I was exposed to Hatha
Yoga. I used this ancient practice not only in later counseling treatment but
in my own personal life. It was truly a life-altering. The teacher, Diana Alstad,
received a PhD from Yale and was a professor at Duke University in the
Humanities before changing course to pursue yoga, write, and do workshops full
time. This brief bio doesn’t begin to cover her accomplishments since.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Although I haven’t always been faithful in my practice, it has
remained a constant in my life. I truly believe that continued practice,
whatever your level, can insure better health and a longer life. It has been a
gift and I strongly encourage anyone and everyone to try it at least once. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">In finding a teacher, my recommendation is to rely on
word-of-mouth. If you try one class and the teacher pushes you too far, too fast,
you’re in the wrong place. It is for everyone regardless of their level of
flexibility, age or strength. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Another misconception is that yoga is for the “woo-woo,” hippie
set. Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s for anyone who wants better
health.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJZn9hSJpH4auXU3stBP-F18T3WdfhuTI1DMk-KhYVVsUBi-uttPo3oU7HpnONayqQj_njeUcUoLZM4FWjDkwbV-0X3-QGkvy4w1igWtyT-aqJ_TNMRvouhzqvfOhgHQYcw_PJqllQf7zJGlDeDpu0jmU4W_eWvZNaYN50iYTQVl9TD_J1CoIMP90/s400/Spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="400" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJZn9hSJpH4auXU3stBP-F18T3WdfhuTI1DMk-KhYVVsUBi-uttPo3oU7HpnONayqQj_njeUcUoLZM4FWjDkwbV-0X3-QGkvy4w1igWtyT-aqJ_TNMRvouhzqvfOhgHQYcw_PJqllQf7zJGlDeDpu0jmU4W_eWvZNaYN50iYTQVl9TD_J1CoIMP90/w400-h299/Spring.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span><p></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-71779702580414820222022-03-23T17:13:00.000-04:002022-03-23T17:13:28.556-04:00DRIVE YOUR PLOW OVER THE BONES OF THE DEAD-MARCH 2022 BOOK SELECTION<p> <span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">OlgaTokarczuk-is
a critically acclaimed Polish writer and winner of The Nobel Prize for Literature
and the Booker Prize among others. Her novel, </span><i style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead</i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> is a murder-mystery
which also examines the moral issues of man’s use and misuse of nature.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">The
story focuses on the life of an elderly woman, </span><span style="background: white; color: #385723; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Janina
Duszejko</span>,<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">who
lives in an isolated, rural setting in Poland. The book begins with the
discovery of the death of a disliked neighbor. We learn bit by bit of her
belief in the sanctity of nature and all living things. She spends most of her
time studying astrology and translating the poetry of William Blake.
She also teaches English to young children in the closest town.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Several
deaths follow the first one. All the deaths have one thing in common, all
victims were hunters and abusers of nature. Janina attempts to help the police
by suggesting the men murdered were killed by the animals they abused. Her
explanations are waved away as the rantings of a mad old woman.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Every
character encountered is fully drawn and gives insight into another aspect of
Janina. Wholly original, fascinating story.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6QGCPEsgINcRPTSLQaXULbrk5L5-rmZ9Zvhq0xVvRS8EMqpKoSjGOUogohVRI0D3o5WqKBDhKj8JzCv91oUQlSTPTTQ0LepnA3Jz8sNL7PgThaZmNm-vYnSsB4Svq43cQ7MCfNWAi5PG8nzJ_8rQqqRdHx4Yr28iU9RyTCYDXQn609CKXnUxQfhq/s488/Drive%20Your%20Plow%20Over%20the%20Bones%20of%20the%20Dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="488" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6QGCPEsgINcRPTSLQaXULbrk5L5-rmZ9Zvhq0xVvRS8EMqpKoSjGOUogohVRI0D3o5WqKBDhKj8JzCv91oUQlSTPTTQ0LepnA3Jz8sNL7PgThaZmNm-vYnSsB4Svq43cQ7MCfNWAi5PG8nzJ_8rQqqRdHx4Yr28iU9RyTCYDXQn609CKXnUxQfhq/s320/Drive%20Your%20Plow%20Over%20the%20Bones%20of%20the%20Dead.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span><p></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-44011549084876433002022-02-28T17:50:00.000-05:002022-02-28T17:50:50.344-05:00Moving Forward<p> <span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I was
out in public for the first time in two years last night. Except for hurried, masked
grocery and/or Target runs or a very rare outdoor meal, this was a first. It
was a play performed in a very large, well-ventilated venue. Everyone in the
audience, without exception, was masked. It was exhilarating and exhausting.
When I got home, I felt as if I had been hit by a truck. I saw many, many old
friends, which was wonderful. Everyone was so glad to connect. Truthfully, it
felt odd. Strange. It was a combination of joy and fear.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">It
has been so hard to stay positive for the last two years. Two years. It seemed
so much easier to huddle down and cover your head (metaphorically, and
sometimes literally). I understand people wanted to have their FREEDOM, but we
were trying to protect each other and ourselves. I feel what they gained most
often by not masking and vaccinating, was the FREEDOM to get sick and pass it
on to others. I’ll never understand it. But I digress.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Trying
now to cautiously Move Forward. It’s tempting to stay in the comfort zone, not
take any chances. Just dipped a toe. Frightening but necessary to try to get
outside life back. Like trying to walk a tightrope for the first time. Trying
to move forward. Trying for joy. Joy beats fear, right?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCeTjmWwocn5X2OwDz-cOq_ZjvA4S6TzFny8AmNK0ImF6Wn9On6uSLClrwuG3SYbCr3mFVfC1rf07pGGnXm35gYf2cY4DsQwX-VJEe2kcCSrX18ajDt5wEHkHejs4MGNme1PLWrqeGrQDMOmzOrW8cQgsnRgtulCXh79ldKnoS-yoPlFR0nSDfM0uH=s500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="500" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCeTjmWwocn5X2OwDz-cOq_ZjvA4S6TzFny8AmNK0ImF6Wn9On6uSLClrwuG3SYbCr3mFVfC1rf07pGGnXm35gYf2cY4DsQwX-VJEe2kcCSrX18ajDt5wEHkHejs4MGNme1PLWrqeGrQDMOmzOrW8cQgsnRgtulCXh79ldKnoS-yoPlFR0nSDfM0uH=w400-h265" width="400" /></a></div> Moving Forward.<br /><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span><p></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-25654277389538136222022-02-27T18:31:00.000-05:002022-02-27T18:31:59.810-05:00THE BETRAYAL OF ANNE FRANK: A COLD CASE INVESTIGATION- FEBRUARY 2022 BOOK SELECTION<p> <span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">This
is a non-fiction account of the investigation into the betrayal of the Frank
family near the end of WWII. After successfully hiding for over two years, the
family as well as three others living with them were exposed and arrested.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">All died in concentration camps with the
exception of the father, Otto Frank. This intensive examination was conducted
by a former FBI agent brought out of retirement along with his team of
forensic specialists, geneticists, historians, IT specialists as well as
multiple lay volunteers. Although this work by Rosemary Sullivan could have been dry and hard to
collate, it reads like an expertly written, suspense novel or murder mystery.
Which in fact it was.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">As
well as being an astonishing piece of investigative work, it is a disturbing, extensive
and informative exploration of what human beings are capable of and can endure.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYKtBslwigcQtT2iT_ZkHD-1TLLVLuzvIb6dsfQlofcIxZNkjZzL_RRDspQkTAFrr3T7VRBHPR-m-0NOhqOdpMhuB-FAxrSrHCLiG_RHRIlTcoZjej6EnjperHTNWSnsvfzj3q_WE_QiXMW96hPyXJqoqyfZ6EcKUNlFHCi_sa0_mdeOVZQbDhK04N=s276" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="183" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYKtBslwigcQtT2iT_ZkHD-1TLLVLuzvIb6dsfQlofcIxZNkjZzL_RRDspQkTAFrr3T7VRBHPR-m-0NOhqOdpMhuB-FAxrSrHCLiG_RHRIlTcoZjej6EnjperHTNWSnsvfzj3q_WE_QiXMW96hPyXJqoqyfZ6EcKUNlFHCi_sa0_mdeOVZQbDhK04N=w265-h400" width="265" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span><p></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-3909578490841703852022-02-09T17:06:00.000-05:002022-02-09T17:06:40.068-05:00FAVORITE BOOK OF 2021<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #4f6228; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">This has been another
good year for reading. As usual, more books were read or listened to on tape
than I reviewed, but the ones below made the cut. I decided a while ago that I
was not going to disparage another author’s work. If I don’t like it, I won’t
review it. Although I didn’t love </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #4f6228; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>The Book of Two Ways</i></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #4f6228; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">, it had many
qualities I found fascinating. I mostly enjoyed everything on the list. I
always love </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #4f6228; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>Olive </i></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #4f6228; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">and her unique perspective. I loved the questions we were
forced to consider in </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #4f6228; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>The Midnight Library</i></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #4f6228; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> and </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #4f6228; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>Peace
Like a River</i></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #4f6228; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">January 2021: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Book of Lost Friends-</i></b>Lisa Wingate</span><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">February 2021: <b><i>Troubled
Blood- </i></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Robert
Galbraith<b><i> <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">March 2021: <b><i>The
Sentence is Death- </i></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Anthony Horowitz<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>A Rule Against
Murder</i></b>- Louise Penny<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>The Ruin-</i></b>
Dervla McTiernan</span><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">April 2021: <b><i>Olive,
Again- </i></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Elizabeth
Strout</span></span><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">May 2021: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Forgotten Garden-<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></i></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Kate Morton</span></span><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">June 2021: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Vanishing Half-</i></b> Brit Marling</span><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">July 2021:<i> <b>The
Midnight Library- </b></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Matt Haig<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">August 2021: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Peace
Like a River-</i></b> Leif Enger<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anxious People-</i></b> Fredrik
Backman <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">September 2021: </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="background: white; color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">The Book of Two Ways- </span></i></b><span style="background: white; color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">Jodi
Picoult</span><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">Hamnet- </span></i></b><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">Maggie O’Farrell<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">October 2021: </span><b><i><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Story of Arthur Truluv-</span></i></b><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elizabeth Berg</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Searcher- </span></i></b><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tana French<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">November 2021: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lincoln Highway</i></b>- Amor Towles <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> December 2021: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Gift of Time-</i></b> Jerry Merritt</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">The mystery genre is
typically a favorite and I found a new author to follow with Dervla McTiernan.
I also really enjoyed <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Midnight Library</i></b> by Matt Haig.
Some may feel the outcome was predictable but I loved the premise and the
existential question. Still, if I could only pick one to recommend to a friend,
it would have to be <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hamnet </i></b>by Maggie O’Farrell. Exquisitely written, it captured
and created an imaginary world that may or may not have been Shakespeare’s
reality.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwAbuKDKorxdRGCepGWRM-PvjCbjPjfKuCXtr6Jl-UwHwEk7LhteZVQdlrAumwjrLjE94FcR2W7gKq9rmlgMEdwdKy9eAZ96s-obLiFdhRmfPy4oZJUe6iUJHCNaZjV_ODJGkBJW6SOIFx6zUjJU5CZdObc0ciQrQ_xUJ3LzaTxMd31RkMXtqaqM2a=s2560" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1715" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwAbuKDKorxdRGCepGWRM-PvjCbjPjfKuCXtr6Jl-UwHwEk7LhteZVQdlrAumwjrLjE94FcR2W7gKq9rmlgMEdwdKy9eAZ96s-obLiFdhRmfPy4oZJUe6iUJHCNaZjV_ODJGkBJW6SOIFx6zUjJU5CZdObc0ciQrQ_xUJ3LzaTxMd31RkMXtqaqM2a=s320" width="214" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-45691934335833681322022-01-31T15:44:00.000-05:002022-01-31T15:44:02.389-05:00Words for the New Year 2022<p> <span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Beginning in 2013, instead of making New Year’s Resolutions,
I’ve been choosing words for the New Year. Thanks, Connie! The words themselves
are always written in good faith, and though often remembered, reflected upon
even, do not seem to have any power in and of themselves. Sort of like
resolutions:)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I still love the thought of it, so this, my tenth year, I will
continue the tradition. As I did last year, I will see them as intentions;
Wishes thrown out into the Universe instead of Words to live by.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My Words/Intentions for this new year are shaped by present
thoughts, needs and hopes.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Health</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Family<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Creativity</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May you take the time to find your Word/Wishes/Intentions and
have a healthy, happy, altogether splendid New Year.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6X8GJyQ5-9EY8bQYiTEXFgbghumSmlp1hHoN3GVT2lm3OFk1kU6mfK_yNSlqGBQ5b7zAEF-ElmBw4ZrjPUSJ-f1SkdWOKByinKNTOf-9QHZhTDysxz1dfbOORDYd5BCkQhzcSImM_52dCiGPP3I1PBGYxUTTYxb88aKnEfvBTUoAwmKhVhEFu1fQo=s940" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6X8GJyQ5-9EY8bQYiTEXFgbghumSmlp1hHoN3GVT2lm3OFk1kU6mfK_yNSlqGBQ5b7zAEF-ElmBw4ZrjPUSJ-f1SkdWOKByinKNTOf-9QHZhTDysxz1dfbOORDYd5BCkQhzcSImM_52dCiGPP3I1PBGYxUTTYxb88aKnEfvBTUoAwmKhVhEFu1fQo=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">I liked this so much, I
felt it was worth repeating.</span><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-66446827618274574902022-01-28T16:35:00.000-05:002022-01-28T16:35:24.174-05:00 MOONFLOWER MURDERS- JANUARY 2022 BOOK SELECTION<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Another Anthony Horowitz who-done-it. A </span><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">woman goes missing 10 years after a murder at her family's exclusive hotel. Her parents believe her disappearance and the old crime are connected. They employ an ex-publisher to investigate. Horowitz reincarnates a previous character from his mystery, <i>Magpie Murders </i>and that <i>same ex</i>-publisher who solved the <i>Magpie </i>crime.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlncd90MqiZJ1fK1yEyVTFwnzSgrB4HtR_dc3Dhgrtk8zchiVVRYG-l-BnRZugRQfRO7Qna38bnXHmpd22Aa8zmQEitxq6so7kJT0tDDJ5Y17cxRWFe7IAiDtHSgK-dZlm1YQ0MlnKXnK0GX0y5_ET0QeXs6b-IIaDczvh02ghxwxeiS9rNVzXg5j3=s300" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlncd90MqiZJ1fK1yEyVTFwnzSgrB4HtR_dc3Dhgrtk8zchiVVRYG-l-BnRZugRQfRO7Qna38bnXHmpd22Aa8zmQEitxq6so7kJT0tDDJ5Y17cxRWFe7IAiDtHSgK-dZlm1YQ0MlnKXnK0GX0y5_ET0QeXs6b-IIaDczvh02ghxwxeiS9rNVzXg5j3=w400-h224" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span><p></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-61172935927776661462022-01-28T16:05:00.003-05:002022-01-28T17:07:23.932-05:00A GIFT OF TIME- DECEMBER 2021 BOOK SELECTION<p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-size: large;">An eighty-year-old man meets an alien and is given the gift of
time-travel. He attempts to right tragedies in his past. Interesting premise, fun and thought- provoking read.</span><o:p style="font-size: 14pt;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhteRY1s9LXVBJG730zVyjG8O2T9A6ZB6obTtcXx7VN2Ljh0wQr6kdJkx-4FkwmSdDYmLUISgFrFk2PClBQzoZOq5R30HIV-CSOvluNOKauc4P7rHNBbaniUImBbTwrgGHa8jtwL1FBNeXiEwI9UA8FA4miQ5Z7CymhCwUm0KCyU9vQ6XMMs0HTQxs1=s272" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="185" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhteRY1s9LXVBJG730zVyjG8O2T9A6ZB6obTtcXx7VN2Ljh0wQr6kdJkx-4FkwmSdDYmLUISgFrFk2PClBQzoZOq5R30HIV-CSOvluNOKauc4P7rHNBbaniUImBbTwrgGHa8jtwL1FBNeXiEwI9UA8FA4miQ5Z7CymhCwUm0KCyU9vQ6XMMs0HTQxs1=w272-h400" width="272" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span><p></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-41564506286354320372021-12-31T19:10:00.001-05:002022-01-28T16:58:10.928-05:00Chaos , Comfort & Joy<p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> <span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: large;">Chaos, Surgery, Pain, Exhaustion, Family, Chaos, Joy, Comfort, Love, Children, Sea, Sand, Sun, Beauty, Laughter, Recuperation, Rest, Family, Family, Family.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Garamond; font-size: large;">Happy New Year.</span></p><p><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhD-nipLgZVq4lLbCOW3-q1_mejJ5pNzuC_HJlClAO4h6s4n8An0WHbvpGDH_WT9TR3VPZP6XYQvdR_dZcYsgysi43ExVmjTyDXYnoYoF0p9qd4pL-gTYzRQjrZNcvOofASum1x0XVbMLPEZEE4-4SIAkHPfiLVtC9sNwy15IjPzDeYy_96sTak49nl=s470" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhD-nipLgZVq4lLbCOW3-q1_mejJ5pNzuC_HJlClAO4h6s4n8An0WHbvpGDH_WT9TR3VPZP6XYQvdR_dZcYsgysi43ExVmjTyDXYnoYoF0p9qd4pL-gTYzRQjrZNcvOofASum1x0XVbMLPEZEE4-4SIAkHPfiLVtC9sNwy15IjPzDeYy_96sTak49nl=s320" width="204" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjceT-nAhZSd0XGldrzKfaIe7xndjOcZrhRIOz8PlxA7NItow8O4pFcq-4auI0UY5RQuPyg4ilJcGfAVRtv064KJubb4hKHYGzNCyiXTgfpAGXWP7M-C8jBE-w0S0adHR5nPvRKXdMGsFNJV1NoyAazphqVUz-0qujf0FhYUJf5K2lbQyHd9jrQcDJq=s480" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjceT-nAhZSd0XGldrzKfaIe7xndjOcZrhRIOz8PlxA7NItow8O4pFcq-4auI0UY5RQuPyg4ilJcGfAVRtv064KJubb4hKHYGzNCyiXTgfpAGXWP7M-C8jBE-w0S0adHR5nPvRKXdMGsFNJV1NoyAazphqVUz-0qujf0FhYUJf5K2lbQyHd9jrQcDJq=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">And for 2021, too</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Garamond; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-70420250609833089882021-11-29T22:21:00.000-05:002021-11-29T22:21:27.684-05:00An Embarrassment of Riches<p> <span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">As I
have shopped for my family for this first Christmas together in two years, I
realize there is an embarrassment of riches. Not just physical things, but the
riches of family. We just don’t need the physical stuff. I’m wishing with all
of my heart not to add to the “stuff” that I have tried so hard to purge. I
have failed miserably. One purged drawer. That’s it.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I’m still a work in progress. So here’s
what’s important:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">“There is a
vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you
into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this
expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any
other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your
business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with
other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly,
to keep the channel open.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">
<span style="background: white;">— Martha Graham<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I think she was
talking about the expression of your art but it holds true for all human interaction.
What fills my heart with joy is the prospect of being together, of talking, sharing,
having meals, playing games, singing, being…. The interaction and expression of all of our
disparate personalities, blending in a magical way.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">All the things we have missed with sore
hearts.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIqYK8MlJyEF0IxzfFnBIfyS66ow5xCfQTAJbkk3CnKX3swtvwi3haJxe4Uwayp9dqUOZBhsilZ-JlMfA9m7jRSek6xi6JDuc2_y_u9IKMkewcO14I6UckBb-Uu5m0h6jo0iETilYAnE/s700/Family++of+Illamas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIqYK8MlJyEF0IxzfFnBIfyS66ow5xCfQTAJbkk3CnKX3swtvwi3haJxe4Uwayp9dqUOZBhsilZ-JlMfA9m7jRSek6xi6JDuc2_y_u9IKMkewcO14I6UckBb-Uu5m0h6jo0iETilYAnE/w400-h266/Family++of+Illamas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">The same Everywhere.</span></div><br /><span style="background: white; color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span><p></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-77200606819623156202021-11-17T14:10:00.000-05:002021-11-17T14:10:03.303-05:00THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY- NOVEMBER 2021 BOOK SELECTION<p> <span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Eighteen-year-old
Emmet Watson has just been released from a work farm where he served 15 months
for involuntary manslaughter. With his father’s death and his mother long gone,
he knows he will never be accepted again in his small, Nebraska community.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">He plans to leave home with his little
brother, Billy and make a new start in California. However, his plans are
sidetracked by two stowaway/friends from the work farm. </span><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">They hid themselves in the trunk of the
warden’s car when Emmet was brought home and showed up at this door.</span><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">What
follows is an adventure of epic proportions. Although coming in at almost 600
pages, this hefty novel transports us. Multiple, interwoven narrators tell the
story of riding the rails, racial violence, deceit, a stolen car, stolen money,
being drugged, an orphanage run by nuns, betrayal, joy, loss, miracles,
physical threats. Beautiful, transformative writing, a not-to-be-missed
experience. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Highly
recommend.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KLdXzYiISret9z_hmnllvBS0F_xtIPPlKrWeiaA7ezZsiuOYRDpkTZFSqmrNFOF6ZqTMMztYJ0a8qSuH74h4ns1D5XuMZXu1AYa6ZrNhB6HkMRwlcGZFdy_a4fq7iKSh9cq22kLNDfM/s225/The+Lincoln+Highway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KLdXzYiISret9z_hmnllvBS0F_xtIPPlKrWeiaA7ezZsiuOYRDpkTZFSqmrNFOF6ZqTMMztYJ0a8qSuH74h4ns1D5XuMZXu1AYa6ZrNhB6HkMRwlcGZFdy_a4fq7iKSh9cq22kLNDfM/w400-h400/The+Lincoln+Highway.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span><p></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-88144301130105214972021-10-30T13:53:00.000-04:002021-10-30T13:53:19.042-04:00Intention<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Good to remember in
this unprecedented time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gmolzW5muaXE1Y-JyNEz8j-4D7RbvEtq_eqB5W8pfilAGO2sSvK1eHAYMJKsdKVR5cyChIKbdmdlR0AIUr1pHc0KLhX24gZ1LTUfBflWrmo9FdUBGgdPVAQ6KkFCVga8g8D-wXicX6c/s1440/Beauty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1150" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gmolzW5muaXE1Y-JyNEz8j-4D7RbvEtq_eqB5W8pfilAGO2sSvK1eHAYMJKsdKVR5cyChIKbdmdlR0AIUr1pHc0KLhX24gZ1LTUfBflWrmo9FdUBGgdPVAQ6KkFCVga8g8D-wXicX6c/w320-h400/Beauty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span><p></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-67283579267634528222021-10-25T18:44:00.000-04:002021-10-25T18:44:14.440-04:00THE SEARCHER & THE STORY OF ARTHUR TRULUV- OCTOBER 2021 BOOK SELECTIONS<p><i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">The Searcher</span></i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> by Tana French is her
second standalone novel, the first being <i>The
Witch Elm</i>. Previous novels have centered around numerous characters in the
Dublin Murder Squad. The only similarity here is that the main character, Cal
Hooper, is a former detective, but this time an American from Chicago.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Hooper
relocates after his divorce to a small village in Ireland, hoping for nothing
but peace and quiet. His peace is short-lived when he is implored to help with
a missing persons case. This novel is beautifully written and a slow burn,
building suspense until you are as invested as he is in finding the truth.
French is a master of this genre.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Recommend.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yu9aCjqX8_hsszaOQeBQDioVKmUhwtctJj3Sew7df1J4DxgeO5hjpi8ZgQYz2XW430l8GrWYZtteuLUNJpC9YPCjrY9x8OlvzxVv-i7GFBotvUWbON7HTbXwKeYa57N-V55Ew7Ro_8Y/s344/The+Searcher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="146" data-original-width="344" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yu9aCjqX8_hsszaOQeBQDioVKmUhwtctJj3Sew7df1J4DxgeO5hjpi8ZgQYz2XW430l8GrWYZtteuLUNJpC9YPCjrY9x8OlvzxVv-i7GFBotvUWbON7HTbXwKeYa57N-V55Ew7Ro_8Y/w640-h272/The+Searcher.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">The Story of Arthur
Truluv</span></i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"> by
Elizabeth Berg appears on the surface to be a sweet story of unusual friendships.
This interpretation is as superficial as that assumption. The story is about
loss, loneliness, desperation, depression and the redemptive power of
relationships. The novel is surprisingly moving and profound in its insights. A
widower, Arthur, in his eighties, meets a young woman by chance. Together they
form an unlikely alliance with an initially unpleasant neighbor. All three
could not be more different, but somehow fit. Berg is a superb and satisfying
storyteller. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;">Recommend.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnadyqvXUm2VFY9ks3YQcZvyurBu1bDzKoO9gWNqfR1IrXKsZw2-8Rihyphenhyphen0BTZiybSFVYeloK5V87C8b6lj9ymUQmntTpObVbwKR6Rxoh2OLuWw-Ot4lk670nSSLBw1_7oxxmbcPu72U0/s350/Arthur+Truluv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="233" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnadyqvXUm2VFY9ks3YQcZvyurBu1bDzKoO9gWNqfR1IrXKsZw2-8Rihyphenhyphen0BTZiybSFVYeloK5V87C8b6lj9ymUQmntTpObVbwKR6Rxoh2OLuWw-Ot4lk670nSSLBw1_7oxxmbcPu72U0/s320/Arthur+Truluv.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span><p></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-3224547291910507872021-09-29T17:51:00.000-04:002021-09-29T17:51:15.339-04:00Look<p> <span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I’m
trying to really look again. Really see. So often I move through the day
without. My mother taught me very early to really observe; to see beauty in the
natural world all around me, in faces, everywhere. It was a gift. But you can
forget to turn on your eyes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Some
things this month have been hard to see. The deaths of two more people known to
me. As a result, I saw others I had not seen in decades. It was strange.
Moving. I was embraced by a young man I didn’t even know would remember me. I
still feel it in my heart. His words were so gentle and loving when it was his
heart breaking. My best friend lost another sibling. The second in six months.
I don’t know how she stands it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">The
best of the month was seeing my son. A surprise visit. A risk for him. A joy
for us. That beautiful face. My beautiful boy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">The
worst of the month was fear for my daughter’s children. Real terror. I was not
strong. I surprised myself. Meltdown. Not good. They are okay. The Unimaginable
averted. Fear is a horrifying thing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">I saw
rainbows on the wall this morning when I really didn’t want to get up. I think
it was my mother. Making me use my eyes. Sending me a message. Keep on, my
darling girl, keep on. You, too.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnT9DOxwhglnAqqxKJiURM7OiKqXugCf_x-ckozh8CfcniueOw4L2Lc3ymOJJRmxvvbSSEe4FZdLDjWsVirp8w1tY566k3gSvPM0vcwS-csSMzF-KI8PnbcYVkXLf_HNavWQ8MDv0VAk8/s400/chris+cade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnT9DOxwhglnAqqxKJiURM7OiKqXugCf_x-ckozh8CfcniueOw4L2Lc3ymOJJRmxvvbSSEe4FZdLDjWsVirp8w1tY566k3gSvPM0vcwS-csSMzF-KI8PnbcYVkXLf_HNavWQ8MDv0VAk8/s320/chris+cade.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">She could have written this because she did.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761146013162004645.post-20502211891135109712021-09-26T17:30:00.000-04:002021-09-26T17:30:12.988-04:00HAMNET & THE BOOK OF TWO WAYS- SEPTEMBER 2021 BOOK SELECTIONS<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Two
very dissimilar books highlighted my reading in September. </span><b style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>Hamnet </i></b><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">by Maggie
O’Farrell by far stood out. It is the fictionalized story of the short life of
Shakespeare’s only son, Hamnet. Very little is actually known about the boy or
how he died at age eleven. The story renders in heartbreaking and exquisitely
beautiful detail the author’s depiction of Shakespeare’s early life, his
parents, his marriage, his wife and three children. Told with limited
omniscience, O’Farrell weaves a mesmerizing tale of the events, relationships
and personalities in Shakespeare’s life before and during the plague years in
Europe. In spite of the difficult subject matter, I highly recommend this
novel.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKadIknNXa7ianjFpAXPrRxQL-itS5OimzJG1ST-D7EqbNjcdf57rDQHm52u01shGckknbxd-ri63lRy-owGwbtwogDf_UUyjwYbaPek1aZayKX5bOg68-UAXQsXxbdO199h7MiP1EouI/s2048/Hamnet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1372" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKadIknNXa7ianjFpAXPrRxQL-itS5OimzJG1ST-D7EqbNjcdf57rDQHm52u01shGckknbxd-ri63lRy-owGwbtwogDf_UUyjwYbaPek1aZayKX5bOg68-UAXQsXxbdO199h7MiP1EouI/s320/Hamnet.jpg" width="214" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">The Book of Two Ways</span></i></b><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"> by Jodi Picoult was a
book club pick. I found this novel confusing in its format. The story skips
forward and back so often, the reader doesn’t have a clue which events happened
in which sequence. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">The
Book of Two Ways is an ancient, Egyptian burial tradition which shows two ways,
by land or water, to reach heaven in the afterlife. It tells the story of a
woman who has lived two lives and is faced with choosing how to continue her
story, thus the parallel. The woman has a history as an Egyptologist who
interrupted her studies due to circumstances beyond her control. She never
returned to Egypt and became a death doula.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">For
students of Egyptology as well as Quantum Physics the novel covers these topics
fairly extensively and is interesting information. There are simultaneously two
quite lovely love stories interwoven that make up part of the choice that must
be made.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEn5tQRqdyp_3eElnqimEddS4Dm70fNhkYpx6Z4Nt_kLOycBMVkQ1yiHdZGjNii_ywDsC0lIWnASuL1BwP-3EjGmLoFHPaiMeOJbHc4Md-FdGT92MZ0GcSDBSFuGmJt95T8hUXobcidI/s277/The+Book+of+Two+Ways.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="182" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEn5tQRqdyp_3eElnqimEddS4Dm70fNhkYpx6Z4Nt_kLOycBMVkQ1yiHdZGjNii_ywDsC0lIWnASuL1BwP-3EjGmLoFHPaiMeOJbHc4Md-FdGT92MZ0GcSDBSFuGmJt95T8hUXobcidI/s0/The+Book+of+Two+Ways.jpg" width="182" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #385623; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span><p></p></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #385623; font-family: Garamond, serif;"><br /></span></span></p>Leigh Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09898275593187581325noreply@blogger.com0