"Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants."
---Kevin James
I want to take some time to reassure our readers from other countries that we are all doing fine. I know we have subscribers/readers in England, France, Germany and India. If I missed your country, please write and tell us where you are from. We love our diverse readership!
As I read the news I am struck with the feeling that America is going topsy-turvy, but really...we are not. We must remain vigilant in our country, as in all countries, and protect the rights of all people. Things are uncomfortable for many of us, but we will forge through as Americans always do, and soon a Kardashian will do something outrageous and our media will focus on something other than this crazy election cycle and results.
I am focusing on Thanksgiving, my very favorite time of the year. The house starts smelling like the holidays the week before that wonderful Thursday, because the older I get the more time I need to prep. Arthur spent today preparing a dozen ears of corn into his magical corn purée. I will add some into my stuffing to cut down on butter, and some in my vegetarian offering...Southwestern Quinoa and Black Bean Casserole...and the rest will go wonderfully under a fish fillet at some other time. My cornbread sits in the freezer along with savory muffins, and each day will add more yummy blocks onto the building that will be Thanksgiving.
Of course the food is second on my list of bests this holiday season. Mike always comes in the Saturday before Thanksgiving and stays until the Monday or Tuesday after. Nephew Jonathan always comes too, and this year he is bringing new hubby Nick. Nick is a great addition to our crazy family, and I am looking forward to an additional male mouth to feed (not that Mike, son-in-law Jimmy, nephew Jonathan and nephew-in-law Robert don't keep us cooking until the wee hours). Beth and Niece Becky always bring fabulous goodies to add to the table, so all-in-all, family and food are at their finest this time of year. With my dad taking pictures, and the laughter of the little ones tinkling through the house, worries dissipate as Arthur and I sit back with Judy and Allan and realize how very much we have to be thankful for every single day of the year.
I am also thankful for all of you who read and comment on my blog. I appreciate your emails and suggestions, and am always happy to hear from authors who stumble upon the site. When I left teaching several years ago, I felt at odds. Although it was great living without school bells, I knew I needed something to keep my mind going, and I love the semi-structure that this site lends to my life and the on-line friends I have met through it.
With the next holiday season right around the corner, my first book this week is a perfect gift for the cat lovers in your life. Lessons From Stanley the Cat by Jennifer Freed, Ph.D. Dr. Freed believes her pet, Stanley, taught her most of the lessons she needs in life, and she is sharing these lessons with us in this cheerful little book. The lessons are worthwhile and the illustrations cute. Fun to read and share.
One of the more interesting books that I have read recently is Death in the Mind's Eye by Rick Acker. Imagine a combination of machines and a brilliant psychologist who knows how to manipulate them to read a subject's mind. Dr. Johanna Anderson invented this system, and now she is being sued because of it. Was Senator Bell's son, Seth, really a victim of Dr. Anderson or was his death the suicide that it seemed to be? There is the requisite good guy Lawyer and the evil big corporation to contend with, and a story that definitely keeps the reader's attention.
As always complete reviews on both books follow this blog.
Happy reading,
- Beverly
---Kevin James
I want to take some time to reassure our readers from other countries that we are all doing fine. I know we have subscribers/readers in England, France, Germany and India. If I missed your country, please write and tell us where you are from. We love our diverse readership!
As I read the news I am struck with the feeling that America is going topsy-turvy, but really...we are not. We must remain vigilant in our country, as in all countries, and protect the rights of all people. Things are uncomfortable for many of us, but we will forge through as Americans always do, and soon a Kardashian will do something outrageous and our media will focus on something other than this crazy election cycle and results.
I am focusing on Thanksgiving, my very favorite time of the year. The house starts smelling like the holidays the week before that wonderful Thursday, because the older I get the more time I need to prep. Arthur spent today preparing a dozen ears of corn into his magical corn purée. I will add some into my stuffing to cut down on butter, and some in my vegetarian offering...Southwestern Quinoa and Black Bean Casserole...and the rest will go wonderfully under a fish fillet at some other time. My cornbread sits in the freezer along with savory muffins, and each day will add more yummy blocks onto the building that will be Thanksgiving.
Of course the food is second on my list of bests this holiday season. Mike always comes in the Saturday before Thanksgiving and stays until the Monday or Tuesday after. Nephew Jonathan always comes too, and this year he is bringing new hubby Nick. Nick is a great addition to our crazy family, and I am looking forward to an additional male mouth to feed (not that Mike, son-in-law Jimmy, nephew Jonathan and nephew-in-law Robert don't keep us cooking until the wee hours). Beth and Niece Becky always bring fabulous goodies to add to the table, so all-in-all, family and food are at their finest this time of year. With my dad taking pictures, and the laughter of the little ones tinkling through the house, worries dissipate as Arthur and I sit back with Judy and Allan and realize how very much we have to be thankful for every single day of the year.
I am also thankful for all of you who read and comment on my blog. I appreciate your emails and suggestions, and am always happy to hear from authors who stumble upon the site. When I left teaching several years ago, I felt at odds. Although it was great living without school bells, I knew I needed something to keep my mind going, and I love the semi-structure that this site lends to my life and the on-line friends I have met through it.
With the next holiday season right around the corner, my first book this week is a perfect gift for the cat lovers in your life. Lessons From Stanley the Cat by Jennifer Freed, Ph.D. Dr. Freed believes her pet, Stanley, taught her most of the lessons she needs in life, and she is sharing these lessons with us in this cheerful little book. The lessons are worthwhile and the illustrations cute. Fun to read and share.
One of the more interesting books that I have read recently is Death in the Mind's Eye by Rick Acker. Imagine a combination of machines and a brilliant psychologist who knows how to manipulate them to read a subject's mind. Dr. Johanna Anderson invented this system, and now she is being sued because of it. Was Senator Bell's son, Seth, really a victim of Dr. Anderson or was his death the suicide that it seemed to be? There is the requisite good guy Lawyer and the evil big corporation to contend with, and a story that definitely keeps the reader's attention.
As always complete reviews on both books follow this blog.
Happy reading,
- Beverly
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