June 27, 2026 FREE BIRD

 

Thought we'd surprise my husband with a new bird feeder for Father's Day as ours was literally  hanging by a thread on a broken pole. BUT that's what happens when you have to pay for a wedding-- RIGHT?  Back in the day, the bird feeder/pole came as a unit-- NOT TODAY. Had to buy a bird feeder AND a fancy mounting pole AND some gadget called a SQUIRREL BAFFLE. Got the kids to chip in thinking it would be about $100. WELL--pretty sure my head did a 360 at the register. Let's just say--we won't be eating for a month-- BUT the birds are happy and I'm  pretty sure we FINALLY have a squirrel proof bird feeder--FOR NOW--but I'll give them a week to figure it out. Just finished a novel by one of my favorite writers-- Ann Patchett's Whistler. As this lovely story unfolds, Daphne Fuller and her husband, Jonathan, are wandering around  the Metropolitan Museum of Art when her husband notices that they are being followed by an older gentleman. Jonathan eventually approaches the man only to learn that his name is Eddie Triplett and he was Daphne's step-father when she was nine years old. Although they haven't seen each other in 45 years, Daphne and Eddie are eager to reconnect as they remember each other fondly. The story then goes back and forth in time, when Eddie, a book editor, marries Daphne's mother, Abigail, and is a wonderful step-father to Daphne and her sister, Leda. Soon after, Eddie and Daphne share a traumatic event, Abigail quickly divorces Eddie and then cut off all contact. Find out what  happened all those years ago and what Whistler has to do with the past when you read this quiet novel about love, loss, memory and the power of connections--however brief--on people. Patchett is the master of character studies and this book does not disappoint. 

June 17, 2026 LIVING IN AMERICA

Currently recovering from bike accident number 3. YUP. Think I'd be a bit leery--since I've gone flying over a couple of cars in my younger days?? Crazy. This wasn't your typical bike accident though. I wasn't technically riding at the time. Somehow a calamity of tiny missteps happened and WHAM--I'm face first on the cement--4 stitches, a black eye, slammed  jaw, teeth out of whack--could barely chew for a week. Did I mention the sprained fingers and a bad knee. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. The only thing more frightening than the accident was the 7 hours spent in the hallway at the emergency room. Talk about CRAZY. We were  packed in there like sardines. Bless those ER workers. That is one job that is literally INSANE. Reminded me of the old days back at the court house. Talk about PTSD. I've plowed through many books during my convalescence but one that really sticks with me is Good People by Patmeena Sabit. This debut novel is pretty amazing as it is set up as a series of interviews of friends, family, neighbors, teachers, store keepers-- regarding the Sharaf family after a tragic event.  Rahmat Sharaf, wife Maryam, and their three children left Afghanistan and moved to Northern Virginia in order to escape the war. They come with nothing but after Rahmat finds success, the family lives the American dream--moving to a mansion, private schools for the kids, luxury cars. Money is no object. Cultural differences, however, plague them,  especially when their daughter, Zorah tries to behave more American. The reader only learns about the family and their lives through the interviews as we all become investigators trying to unravel the story. What is interesting is that each interview paints a different picture of the family. Who do we believe? Who really knows? This thought provoking book makes you wonder---how many people make judgements about people based on conversations, social media, stereotypes, cultural differences? How easily are we all manipulated? Find out more about the Sharaf family and judge for yourself what really happened.

June 8, 2026 CHAPEL OF LOVE

 

After many prayers and months of preparation--my daughter finally got married. The weather was glorious-thank God--as the rehearsal dinner and ceremony were outside. A little windy--but I'll take it. It was perfect.  From the officiant --Ali's life-long friend who was amazing--to the band-- the dance floor was jam packed all night--outstanding.  The food & venue--shout out to Haley Mansion--excellent service and food. And an atmosphere so full of love--it was simply divine. I'm so happy for the newlyweds.  The happy couple--my daughter especially-- truly enjoyed every minute too. She made sure that pictures were done in 45 minutes and that they arrived right on time for cocktail hour--signature drinks-- and a night they'll never forget. Cheers. Also managed to squeeze in a novel I think you might enjoy called The Bird Hotel by Joyce Maynard. Irene, the main character of this lovely novel, has had a tramatic childhood. After being shlepped around from one hippie band to another by her mom, Irene eventually moves in with her grandmother in New York after her mom tragically dies. Irene later faces other tragedies that force her to leave the country where she ends up in La Esperanza, somewhere in Central America, at a hotel called La Llorona, that is owned by Leila. After Leila's death, Irene unexpectantly becomes the owner of the hotel where she gets to work renovating, welcoming an array of guests and learning the Mayan culture.  She also meets a great cast of characters including Walter, Elmer, Maria, Luis and Mirabel, who become like family and help her accept the past, forgive and love again.