Fiber Retreat

Just returned from a two day fiber event that our guild puts on every year.  I taught a weaving class on Friday and took a class on Sat. morning.  It is lot of hard work that as in most organizations is done by the few. (Then there are the few who stand back and find fault and always see the glass as half empty). But we had great volunteers this year and pride ourselves in helping our vendors get unloaded and all their "stuff" to the right area.  That was on Thurs afternoon.  Then on Saturday at five pm we reversed it and helped them get it out to their trailers or vans.  But by then everyone is tired, the grippers had of course left early, surprise?) We all stayed in good spirits and enjoyed each others company very much.  It is fun to sit with someone new for a meal and learn from them.  Enjoyed one meal with a lady who is sort of an expert on genealogy and so I really got to pick her brain to learn more as it is something I am wanting to get more involved in.  So it was not fiber related and that is the beauty of it all. Our guest speaker was awesome and I was lucky enough to have gotten in his class the next morning.  He is a cyber expert and taught us how to start up a small business and sell on line and have security at the same time.  This was just meant to be for me as I am right now in the transition of closing one business and starting another.  Have really pondered on if I can roll one into the other or do I have to start from scratch.  Looks like I need to start all over and that might be a good thing, as I find that many people don't realize how their little business links right to their home info, SS number and other accounts that all can be hacked by someone really trying.  Anyway I will try to write about that one of these days and will probably end up with a new Blog site that is not linked to my two current blogs.  But don't worry I will let my personal peeps know how to find me. OK I am off to look at Domain addresses and find if the one I want has been taken.  That is step ONE.
Will end with a picture that I think is so dang cute and Fiber related too.

   

Sept. newspaper column

This should catch me up to date on my column.

Sept 2015: 

Read Again Books in Granby continues to have most books on sale for half price. I have a goal to be able to clear enough books out so that I can remove the last big book case unit in the center of store. That will leave shelving around the walls that I will keep select books. Haven't decided yet how that is going to work yet. I have met some really great people through this little store and I am looking forward to expanding my studio for weaving. So stay tuned.

I am still setting up at the Farmers Market in Neosho, but only every other Saturday. They are getting fall type produce coming in so be sure to come check it out. I am also looking forward to setting up for the Neosho Fall Festival at the Museum just off the square along with the other folks demonstrating some of the older homesteading type crafts.

Also coming up soon will be the Fiber Daze event, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18^th and 19^th in Mount Vernon at the MARC Center. Registration for classes has been going well. Still time to get in there and find a fun class. We will also have at the door registration for classes that still have openings. Go to our web site for more information. www.fiberfolksofswmo.com

I have a couple mystery books to report on this month. I am still in middle of re-reading a series of books by Diane Gabaldon. Book 4 is still my treadmill book, but since I have been a slacker the past couple months it sits there mocking me.

The Keepsake

by

Tess Gerritsen

If you are a fan of the Rizzoli and Isles TV show you would enjoy this book by Gerritsen. She has been writing a series of books with these characters since 2001. A retired physician she has insight into the world of Isles, who is a medical examiner. Gerritsen has written other mystery novels and romance.

In The Keepsake, a “misplaced” mummy in a big museum is found. Isles is called in to observe the X rays and examination of findings, when she sees a modern artifact that indicated this is a recent murder not a centuries-old relic. In steps Rizzoli the homicide detective to help her unravel this mummy murder. Their suspect is a young archaeologist, then he disappears. Modern mummification is part of the plot along with shrunken heads, and more victims. Quite a good read. I will be reading more of her books and now am hooked on watching the reruns of the TV series.

Killer View

by

Ridley Pearson

Many of us choose a book by its cover and this was one for me. Beautiful mountain scene but in dark shades of mystery. Also it said on cover “A gripping page-turner of a novel.” A search and rescue team at Sun Valley respond to a report of a missing skier. In their search one of their team goes missing and is found dead. Then another team member goes missing the next day. The sheriff, Walt Flemming is trying to find the link between the “missing skier” who was never found and the sheriff's team. The story goes back and forth between the mystery killer and his twisted mind and the frantic search for answers by the local officials. It looks like the main suspects are people of great power and wealth who are behind all of this and a possible big government cover up. I recommend this author for a good mystery read.

August newspaper column

OK  I haven't posted my newspaper column for several months, so decided I would just add the last couple months for now, if anyone is interested.  

So here is August:

Wow! What a hot July its been. I have one hill of potatoes planted and I am afraid when I dig them up I will find french fries.

I have been working on the committee getting all the details done for our Fiber Guild annual event in September. Fiber Daze will be Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18^th and 19^th in Mount Vernon at the MARC Center. This has turned out to be a great place to give us room for all the classes that are offered and for the many vendors who set up with all their goodies for you to buy. The event is free of charge to come in and browse. The classes are on line at www.fiberfolksofswmo.com Just click on Fiber Daze then follow to classes. If you are interested in any of them, better not wait because they tend to fill up fast during August. Any questions feel free to call me or come by the store.

As I mentioned last month, I have decided to close out my book store adventure by the end of the year. Not sure why business has been so slow the last 6 months or more, economy, E books, or the fact I have to close from time to time for family illness. What ever the reason I need to be available to my family more and will keep my building as a private weaving studio. Weaving rugs is a very messy business and it will be good to keep it out of the house. I will continue to teach private classes and sell my rugs through local markets. I am looking into learning more about E-commerce and see where that might take me. So this is a good time to come stock up on books.

I love to read books that have been made into movies and not because I often see the movie, but because I feel that it was apparently a very good book for someone to make a movie. Of course I feel the book is always better. I read two books by Lisa Genova and found them to be truly good reads.

Still Alice

by

Lisa Genova

Lisa Genova knows what she is talking about when she wrote this book on Alzheimer's Disease since she is a Harvard trained Neuroscientist and she writes a column for the National Alzheimer's Association. The main character is Alice who has a career as an esteemed psychology professor at Harvard. She attributes her early symptoms of losing things and forgetting things to her stressful life style till she goes out for her morning run and gets lost on streets she has been on many times. She is totally shocked when a medical evaluation gives her the diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's. The book follows what it is like for her to manage day by day with this disease knowing that it will only get worse. She even develops a daily ritual of identifying her family, where she lives and work and when she gets to the point of not remembering any of them she has a plan to end her life. When the time comes she gets so side track that it never happens. Her family are dealing with this too and when she has to quit her job the family pull together to give her a safe place to enjoy the simple things as long as she can. A really wonderful book and recommended to anyone dealing with this disease.

LEFT Neglected

by

Lisa Genova

After reading Still Alice, I was eager to read another of Genova's books. This one is about a very interesting medical condition that I had never heard of during my years of nursing. There truly is a condition called Left neglect. Sarah is a very busy business woman and in an instant her life totally changes as she looks away while distracted with her cell phone and is in a car accident that causes a brain injury. She is now unaware of the whole left side of her body. It is like she doesn't even see that side of herself at all or anything surrounding her on that side. So early on she had great difficulty dressing as it was like that side didn't exist. She had no control over her left arm and leg either. It is similar to a stroke other than not even being able to see anything on that side of body. Like a plate of food is only seen and eaten from on the one side. Sarah must relearn how to do everything and with treatment is able to “find” things that are not in her awareness on that side. She is even able to find humor in her inability to use a public bathroom by herself. Her family come into the picture with a mixture of forgiveness, acceptance and adaptability. Her husband's new role as a caretaker adds to her fear and frustration about her recovery. Overall a very good book about a condition most of us are unaware exists. Makes me wonder what this author will find to write about next.

Snapped

by

Laura Griffin

This is a new author for me. I found her mystery very well written as it kept me intrigued till the end. Sophie walks into a nightmare on a college campus when a sniper starts shooting people. She escapes but 3 people plus the sniper die. Sophie becomes involved with the detective in charge as he works the case. She works for a huge crime lab. There are so many twists and turns and romantic interests in this story as they sort out who the real target of the shooting is and why. She has her theory and if she is right can the law protect her??

WOW

In cleaning out "stuff" from my computer, I checked out my blog sites and was surprised that it had been so long since I posted anything.  I have decided to correct that and make an effort to keep my blogs up to date and maybe do less FB stuff.  We all need to take a vacation from that craziness.  It is so crowed with everyone's daily thoughts and their messages to the world that they copied from someone else.  Not very original don't you think.  A blog should have our own thoughts and ideas so here I am.  I'm baaaaaaaack!

April Column for newspaper



FINAL INSTALLMENT OF DAVID LINCOLN JONES' SHORT STORY

It has been fun to run this three part story written by David Lincoln Jones. It is a story about himself growing up in Granby and Neosho and coming of age when all of a sudden it dawns on him why he can't sleep with his Aunt Mary any more. It has given me a chance to catch up on some reading and actually have a few books ahead to report on. My doctor tells me I am wearing out my thumb joints so I have to look at some of my hobbies and perhaps eliminate the ones that put the most pressure on them. I believe I will be able to continue with my weaving and teaching weaving classes. Of course there is that huge pile of books to be read.

You Can't Sleep with Aunt Mary Anymore:

Last paragraph of installment two:

Other than for that one night, I don’t recall sleeping in that cold, lonely upstairs room.  It would be years before I comprehended those few words closed the door on the innocence of childhood and placed me on the long road to becoming an adult.

Last installment:

As the poet says, “as way leads to way”, other roads opened for me. New interests entered into my life. Baseball became the primary focus.  A ball glove, a Christmas gift, became my constant companion. If there was only one other person with me, we played catch. If there were two or more, some form of a baseball game started. My evenings were spent in front of the radio listening to Harry Carey broadcast the games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Any empty lot became a ball field. Bases could be a tin can, a piece of cardboard, or even dried out cow manure. We made rules as necessary. Hitting the ball too far became an out, rather than a home run.

One Saturday morning I heard the phone ring. Soon Mother called, “David, it’s for you.”

It was a girl from my seventh grade class. I barely knew her. She invited me to come over to her house. Girls existed only on the periphery of my mind. I was puzzled at the invitation, doubting that she even owned a ball glove. Nevertheless, I agreed to the visit..

My ball and glove accompanied me to the way to her house. I played catch with myself. I was adept at throwing the ball high into the air and catching it behind my back. As I turned up the sidewalk to her house, I placed the ball into the pocket of my glove, folded it and placed it under my arm as I knocked on the door.

I scarcely recognized the girl who opened the door. She was dressed in what I assumed were her Sunday clothes. A rouge blush was on her cheeks. A pleasant aroma wafted out the door to caress my nose. Her lips were more full than I’d ever seen them They were outlined  by the red—bright red lipstick.

Dressed in jeans and t-shirt I felt inappropriately dressed for whatever she had in mind.

She reached out, took my hand and pulled me into the house. “Come in, David,” she smiled sweetly.

“Are you having a party? You’re all dressed up.”

“No, it’s just you and me. Do I look all right?”

“Yes, you look very nice. Where are your parents,” I asked looking around, beginning to feel uneasy.

“They’re gone for the day.” Taking my hand she drew me to the couch. “Please, sit down.”

I sat at one end, and assuming she’d sit at the other end, turned in that direction, so we could talk. To my surprise, she sat right beside me.

As she smoothed out her skirt, she looked directly at me and smiled, “Do I look pretty?”

 Blushing, I replied, “Yes, you look very pretty.”

“She leaned over, kissed me on the cheek. “I wanted to look nice for you.”  She took my arm and placed it around her shoulders, then leaned into me and whispered, “Would you like to kiss me?

Something that I did not understand happened at that instant. . A trembling started deep within then spread through my whole body.  It was difficult to breathe.  My heart pounded. Am I having a heart attack?  Nevertheless, for some reason I could not comprehend, I definitely wanted to kiss her. So I did.

A new era of my life commenced the moment our lips touched. If there is a text book on “Kissing,” we skipped the chapter on Kissing Your Sister and went directly to Hello Lover Boy. The symptoms of my heart attack increased. A film of sweat covered my body. I had no knowledge why a heart attack would cause my toes to curl, but they were. My vision blurred. I wanted to cry.  The fear of dying overcame the desire to learn more and I backed away.

Sooner than I wanted, my ball glove was being handed to me. A last kiss on the cheek and I was out the door.

In a daze I started for home. I stumbled a couple of blocks, seemingly drunk from the experience. A sudden, half formed  thought arose and stopped me in my tracks..  It was only an idea, not fully comprehended, but I knew surely as I stood there: What just happened has something to do with why I can’t sleep with Aunt Mary anymore. 

March column



March column

PART TWO OF SHORT STORY BY DAVID LINCOLN JONES

Sometimes we need to do something that is out of your comfort zone. The Fiber Folks of SW Mo that I belong to has a members challenge each year. This year we are to use our chosen fiber and express it in something that will make you see a season in it. For this weaving project I have chosen to do as pattern called Summer/Winter, a form of block weaving using two shuttles. When set up correctly with two colors, one shows on top as the other one shows up on back side. I am practicing the technique now but looking for fabric that will say Fall. If this is to confusing thats OK. Come in the store and I will show you. As I said this is definitely out of my comfort zone. I am set up now to teach weaving classes here in the store and yes I still sell books!

I would like to present the second part of the story by David Jones, who was born here in Granby and raised in Neosho. As I mentioned before he is working on the sequel to High Grade and I just found out the title will be Beyond High Grade. I am looking forward to his new book.

Last paragraph of Installment one:

Upon the return to the house I was ready for the best part of the visit—going to bed with Aunt Mary. We slept in a feather bed, covered by a down comforter.  It was cozy and quickly warm, snuggling into the deepness of the mattress. Aunt Mary would tell me stories until I fell asleep.

Installment number two.

When the stay at their home extended beyond three days, I was allowed to make the long distance call home. The phone, a square wooden box, hung on the wall of the dining room. The speaking apparatus was on the front panel. One side panel held the listening device. The crank was on the other side.

I’d pull a chair to the wall and remove my shoes. While standing tall on the dining chair I’d give the crank three hard turns. A voice spoke in my ear, “Number, please.”

“Neosho, 688,” I’d respond in as deep a voice as I could muster.

“David, are you enjoying the visit with your grandmother?”

 Who was this person? How did she know it was me? My surprise at being called by name by this invisible person was immense.

Mama Jones and Aunt Mary were deeply religious. At every meal and before going to bed, they’d bow their heads and thank the Lord for their blessings. They had little, but it was sufficient and they were happy. On Sunday’s, hand in hand, we’d cross the street to the Methodist Church, attired in our finest clothing. There we’d sing the hymns of praise, again offer up thanks and listen to the minister’s sermon. I’d sit between them, snug as a chick in the nest.

One day, when I was about ten my parents took me to Granby for another short stay. I headed for Aunt Mary’s bedroom to stow my suitcase.. Mama Jones stopped me. “You can’t sleep with Aunt Mary, anymore.”

Stunned, I turned to face her. “Why, did I do something wrong?”

“No, you did nothing wrong, you just can’t sleep with her anymore.”

Again, I struggled to comprehend, asking, “Is she mad at me.?

“No, David, you did nothing wrong and she’s not mad.  Take your suitcase upstairs. You’ll sleep up there from now on.”

Innocent tears of frustration and anger welled in my eyes. I plead, cajoled, cried and begged. I didn’t want to sleep upstairs. I wanted what I’d always done—sleep with Aunt Mary. There was never an explanation given for this edict—from Mama Jones, Aunt Mary or my parents.

 Other than for that one night, I don’t recall sleeping in that cold, lonely upstairs room.  It would be years before I comprehended those few words closed the door on the innocence of childhood and placed me on the long road to becoming an adult.

The last installment will be in my April column.

Thought for the day: To make an end is to make a beginning....TS Elliot

Weaving, (borrowed from a friend)



"My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me. I cannot choose the colors, nor all the pattern see. Sometimes He chooses sorrow and I, in foolish pride, forget He sees the upper and I the underside.

Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly, will He reveal the pattern or tell the reason why. The dark threads are as useful in a weaver's skillful hand, as the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned." (Author unknown)

February Newspaper column



I want to do something a little different this month. I have become friends with an author who lives in Arizona. David Lincoln Jones was born in Granby just over 80 years ago and grew up in Neosho. He is retired and now lives in Arizona. He published his first book in 2012 titled High Grade. It is a fiction that is based on many true stories passed down in his family.

Last fall when an old home on south Main Street here in Granby burned down I sent him the information about it, as I knew it had once belonged to his aunt and he still has relatives living in the area. As a result it prompted him to write this story of himself and things he remembered about this house and his Aunt Mary. I hope you will enjoy his story as much as I did.

I do want to mention that he has given me his permission to print this short story. Also I would like to mention that I still have a couple copies of High Grade here in the book store and that he is wrapping up the sequel to this story. I am anxious to get my copy and will order a few to sell also.

Since the story is rather long, you might want to save your paper as I will be having it printed in 3 installments. Here is number one:

You Can’t Sleep with Aunt Mary Anymore

The century old home of my Grandmother in Granby burned to the ground last week. Following her death and that of my Aunt Mary, it was in a state of disrepair and in the process of being remodeled when the fire started. The volunteer fire department of Granby, unable to control the blaze, received help from the fire departments of the nearby towns of Neosho and Diamond. Their efforts were to prevent damage to neighboring homes. The burning of that home has sparked many memories.

Six sons and a daughter were raised in that home by my Grandmother, a widow. The daughter remained unmarried and stayed at home to care for her mother There were frequents visits by all in the family to that home. It figured prominently in my early years.

The late 1930’s were a peaceful, quiet time in Neosho, Missouri, located in the southwest part of the state—especially if you were five years old, like me. I knew nothing of the Great Depression, which was coming to an end, or the looming clouds of war on the horizon. My main concern in life was crossing the street to play with a friend.

On December 7, 1941, all the family gathered in that home to listen to the news reports on the event that President Roosevelt later referred to as “a day in infamy.”

One of the great joys of my young life was staying for a few days in that home with my Grandmother

and Aunt Mary. I was doted upon by both.

A half a block from their house was a small grocery store. Aunt Mary would give me some change and watch me to walk to that store. A small note pad, its red cover embossed with the profile of an Indian Chief, cost a nickel. A dime purchased a quarter pound of orange slices, my favorite candy. It was a heady experience to spend that much money just for me. I would fill one of those pads with drawings ons on each visit.

Mama Jones had been a widow since about 1915. She'd moved to the current home following the death of her husband. It was said to be the first two story home built in Granby. There were two bedrooms down stairs, and one huge room upstairs. The six boys shared the upstairs room. The house had no inside plumbing. I was entrusted with the chore of getting the water for drinking and cooking. The water pump was outside, just a few steps off the back porch. I'd hook the pail over the spigot and with several strong pumps produce a flow of water.

Even more exciting was using the outhouse. With no running water in the house, the bathroom was a small building set out on the far edge of the property. At night, before retiring, Aunt Mary would take me in hand and with a kerosene lantern lighting the way we'd wend our way past the weed filled garden to the little house out back. Inside the building was a platform with an oval hole to accommodate one's backside. There was a shelf on which the lantern was rested. It also held an old Sears-Roebuck catalog that provide reading material and paper for cleaning. There was not need to flush when through. At night the light of the lantern shone up through a spider's web and projected on the ceiling, an image of a larger than life spider. One night I witnessed a battle between the spider and a moth—a battle of magnificent proportions.

Upon the return to the house I was ready for the best part of the visit—going to bed with Aunt Mary. We slept in a feather bed, covered by a down comforter.  It was cozy and quickly warm, snuggling into the deepness of the mattress. Aunt Mary would tell me stories until I fell asleep.

Next month Installment 2

January drawing to and end

So far January for where I live in So Missouri has been a very good month, weather wise.  Sure can't complain.  Sorry for the folks in the north east who are getting hammered.  But isn't that sort of what winter is like up there?  Glad the weather guys got the roads cleared in preparation for the storm even though it wasn't as bad as they predicted.  Mother Nature is still in charge in case we forget. 

I haven't been around here to post any blogs, just got caught up posting my column for the last 3 months.  I think with FB now and our being connected with that we old timer bloggers sort of let things slid.  I need to go thru and read the folks that I peep in on and see if they are still blogging.  I think since I have had so much going on with family members who are either sick or getting elderly it leaves me not wanting to share the personal stuff going on and as a result I don't seem to have anything to share.

Also I find this blogger site harder to use on my old computer.  It won't let me down load pictures most of the time and I can't go back and correct anything.  So if I don't catch it right away and back space its just there.  Soo  will try one more time to leave a picture of the rug I recently wove on my new loom, which I love.  So till next time, its just me here, the Weaverbird of Mo.

Well dang!  Found I could download from my phone better than from my pictures stored in computer.  Yahoo!


January column



Welcome to 2015! Here at Read Again Books, I wish for all, a great year to remember. Appreciate what you have and hold your loved ones close. My one New Year resolution is to get my Yoga CD out and practice daily with the stretching exercises. The new year is a time to at least try to do something healthy for yourself.

December was a busy month. For the Granby business folks I post a challenge to have you come to the First Tuesday Business Coffee. Each month hosted by a local business. February it will be at my book store on the at 7:30 AM on the 3rd. Come enjoy meeting or catching up on news from your fellow business folks, have a cup of coffee and treat. We have a lot in common so check with Earl at the bank for location if you want to come and get on his e-mail list.

On the 20^th I set up in Webb City Farmers Market and did very well selling rugs. Over Thanksgiving I went to Iowa and bought a nice floor loom from a good friend, so I am excited to be weaving on it. I now have 2 floor looms that are for sale.

On the 21^st the Fiber Folks of SW Mo held their Christmas lunch and we sent our huge box of “warmies” off to be distributed to local shelters and DFS. We did this last year and decided to make it an annual thing that we can work on all year to donate. Hand made caps, scarves, mittens and much more. Anyone wanting to contribute can come by the store to drop off.

I actually got a few books read this month. I am finding that I like reading books that have movie tie-ins. The first is a throw back that I actually read a few years ago.

The Red Tent

by

Anita Diamant

I did a review of this book back in 2011, and commented “What a beautiful book”. I still stand by that as I was able to watch the 3 night mini series recently on TV. In the old testament Dinah is the only daughter of Jacob who also had 11 sons. There is only a brief mention of Dinah in the bible, but Diamant wrote this wonderful fiction about what her life might have been like. The red tent was a tent set aside for the women only, as a place to gather during their monthly menses, birthing, and illness. They formed tight sisterly bonds and were a mystery to the men. It was here that they handed down their wisdom through their story telling. The book tells of Dinah's marriage to the prince of Shechem that resulted in a son and her relationship with her father and brothers. The TV version follows the book very well and so very worth watching if it comes on again. Minnie Driver played the part of Dinah and was very believable. If you can't watch it then please read the book. This one stays in my library.

Gone Girl

by

Gillian Flynn

Ben Affleck stared in this recent movie. There was a lot of hype for it on TV, so when I was able to get the book I figured it would be a good read. Also the setting was in a fictitious town of New Carthage Missouri, supposedly in norther Missouri along a river. As Nick and Amy start the day of their 5^th anniversary, Amy disappears. The story goes from chapter to chapter telling their individual stories at different dates in their relationship. They both seem to be complicated people especially Amy as her expectations of Nick seem over the top. At some point the evidence piles up to cause Nick to be arrested even though a body has not been found. I don't want to be a spoiler so won't tell the ended but I was pretty dumb founded. When it comes out I will have to rent the movie and see if it follows the book. This was a very good book that was hard to put down.

I did read another book but will save it till next month.

My new motto for the new year: Creative clutter is better than idle neatness!

I know all my crafty friends can relate to this.

December Column



Where did November go? Soon we will be saying where did 2014 go. Things have been very busy here at Read Again Books. If you pass by my shop you will see an addition to my store sign. I have added a big sign that says simply WEAVING. I have been able to move a floor loom and another table top loom into my space now. I had my first weaving workshop on the 10^th. I will be doing all day workshops and half days with very flexible scheduling. I still have many books on sale for 50 cents so come stock up for the cold days ahead. I will continue to take books on trade in but limited to just clean books that do not duplicate what I have due to cutting down on my books space.

My reading has suffered the last couple months. Seems if I sit down to read I end up with some handwork to do instead of reading, so I only have a couple to offer up this month.

I have had several customers recommend Amanda Quick to me. I didn't realize until I did a little research on the author that her real name is Jane Ann Krentz. Krentz uses the name Quick for her Victorian novels. So this is a first time read for this author.

The River Knows

By
Amanda Quick

Louisa didn't mean to kill the man who broke into her room. Especially since he was a member of England's nobility and that class protected him from the likes of her. She is a woman alone at a time when many women alone were cast out to fend for themselves or jump off a bridge. But Louisa was different. She had grit and determination as she fled her humble apartment over a little bookstore that she inherited from her father, she is forced to fake her death and take on a new identity. She talked a newspaper into letting her write articles and she becomes a sort of underground sleuth, seeking out ways to expose the exploits of the high society. She finds employment in the home of a society lady who is a rebel also but wealthy. This allows her to mingle with the rich and go unnoticed. Louisa meets up with a man who is investigating the death of his fiancé. The plot thickens as they join forces to uncover who is behind several murders. Of course they develop a romantic relationship. I enjoyed this different type novel and the quick dialogue and humor.

The Time Traveler's Wife

by Audrey Niffenegger

This book seems similar to a TV series I have been watching lately called Forever, about a Dr. who has been around for several hundred years. He is a medical examiner and helps solve crimes. Seems he dies in each segment but pops up in the river with no cloths to be helped back to his home by his “son” who is an old man now. Great show. But now about this book. It is a love story that spans time. The main character is Henry (same as that TV Dr.). He was born with a condition that makes him jump backward and forward in time. He also ends up with no cloths. I guess when you move thru time your cloths can't go with you. As a grown man he has gone back in time and meets his future wife who is only 6. Over the years he manages to pop back into her life and she falls in love with him. They do not meet in “real” time till she is 20 and he is 28. But since at 28 he has not gone back yet to that time when she was 6 he doesn't recognize her. Confused yet? The book keeps you all straight as its told in segments and each one starts out telling you who is “speaking” and their age. It is a beautiful love story with an unusual ending. I saw it advertised recently to be on a movie channel but haven't seen it yet.

I would like to wish everyone a safe and VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

November column



November column

I look around my reading area and realize I have four partially read books. What makes a person start reading another book before finishing the first one? Maybe its because I have so many books that I want to read but lately have been so busy its hard to find time. Bedtime reading makes me fall asleep.

My book store is slowly getting a face lift inside. I have torn out two major shelving units, clearing me about 12 square foot of free space. A good handy man has help me build shelves all along one wall and also in my storage area so I can keep duplicate books there. A little fresh paint and I moved my big floor loom into place. I have two table top looms set up so will be ready to start scheduling classes. So if you are interested in either a short 4 hour class to just weave a rug or an all day class to learn more about the loom and weaving, plus weave a rug. I have gift certificates available for that person who is hard to find a Christmas or birthday gift. Oh, and if you need a pretty good handyman/plumber, I can recommend one to you.

For my book choices this month, I rediscovered a favorite author, Ted Dekker. I have several of his books in my stack and one more is in that stack of partially read books!

THR3E

by

Ted Dekker

No the book title is not a typo. That is how it is spelled on the cover. It was one of those “I can't put down” books. Dekker has a way of mixing good, evil and all that is in between into his books and that really gives them substance. I did learn that it was made into a movie also. When Kevin's cell phone rings and the voice tells him that he has exactly three minutes to confess his sin to the world or the car he is driving will blow up, the caller hangs up. Since he has no idea what to do in three minutes he maneuvers his car to an open area when he escapes just before it blows up. Kevin is a seminary student who lives a quiet life, so how can this be happening to him. But this is the only the first move in a very deadly game. He continues to get phone calls from this man who calls himself Slater who gives him bizarre riddles he has to solve before something tragic happens. With the help of a life long friend he struggles to keep his sanity and solve the riddles. Each test has the number 3 or multiples of 3 in it. As the tale is spun you realize that maybe everyone is not who they seem to be. Especially as bits and pieces of Kevin's childhood come to light. The ending is so unexpected, but true to Dekker style. I am looking forward to finishing the next book.

The Trumpet of the Swan

by

E.B. White

Sometimes I like to read a children's book just for fun. Recently I chose this old classic written in 1970.

Louis is a trumpet swan, a cygnet to be exact, as that is what young swans are called. But he is unlike his brothers and sisters, he can't trumpet. They live with their parents on a beautiful pond. Their mother teaches them what swans need to learn and their father guards and protects them. Then a young boy named Sam comes to their clearing and made friends with Louis. He even took Louis to school with him, where he learned to read and write. As he got older Louis fell in love with Serena a beautiful swan, but he still could not utter a sound. His father got him a trumpet. He became very musical and had many adventures. Of course there is a happy ending as he and Serena returned to the secluded lake to raise their own cygnets.