EVAN DAVID FISHER Gets Baptized

 

Sunday the day after Evan Fisher's baptism; he played the piano at the baptism on Saturday: I love to see the temple.  On Sunday, the day of this picture, he gave the opening prayer; he was nervous.  Such a great family.  

Houston Texas for the baptism of Evan David Fisher.  After the baptism on Saturday night, the adults went to a place to do country and western dancing.  It was the first time in 8 years that the adults got together without kids.  According to my sources, it was a lot of fun.

The Magnolia Palace

 Three Stars.

Told in two time periods, this story revolves around a true art museum started by  Henry Clay Frick.  Frick collected art and had an extensive collection.  His daughter hired a lady to be her personal secretary.  The lady had no prior experience, and had been, in fact, a model for famous statues in and around New York.  Her hiring was a fluke, but she established herself in the home of Frick.  Frick, in poor health, is murdered, and the mystery is not solved until the end of the book.

The 2nd time period is years later and involves a model who, through no fault of her own, becomes locked in the Frick museum.  It's a rather silly story, but she and a docent at the museum figure out clues which leads to the solution of the murder of Frick many years before.

I was just glad it was over.

A VERY Rare EVENT - SNOW in Houston, Texas

So fun, especially when you have it so rarely.

January 2025; just in time for Evan's 8th birthday and baptism!  
 

Abide With Me by Elizabeth Strout

 

What a downer book!

The story is of a minister, his two daughters, and his unhappy wife, who commits suicide shortly after the death of her second daughter.

It's also about some of the members of the congregation who have had sordid sins going on in their lives; a man who has a relationship with a woman (described quite descriptively and disgustingly in the book - totally unnecessary!), his housekeeper who confesses she murdered two old ladies in a nursing home to relive them of their terrible lives, and a school teacher who thought his daughter was pure evil.  It's so dark and gloomy and unhappy and LONG. 

I finally made my way thru the book wondering why I hadn't give up on it, but I didn't.  And, boy, was I glad when it was over.  

I give it .5 stars.  And, even that is a gift.

I"m so hoping the next book is better.   YIKES!  

SO many good books, how did I ever come across this one.

STILL AT IT..

 after all these years; since 2012 according to Josh at the gym he owns.

I often wonder what my life and body would be like if I hasn't gone all these years.  

Has it made a difference?  Does my body care?  And, why do I have an earache right now in my right ear?

The Diamond Eye

 Exceedingly long book based on a real person - a lady from Russia who was a trained sniper during WWII.  She killed over 300 Nazi's and was very proud of her achievements.  

She became a hero for Russia and had a stamp issued for her.

She also was a friend of Eleanor Roosevelt.

For me, the book went on and on for far too long.  I was SO GLAD when it was over, but it gets lots of good reviews.  I give it 2 stars.  I just really couldn't get into it.  It does show the horrors of war and the brutality of the men and women who fight in it.

I need a light-hearted book about now.

A Surprise Visit

 As old people, we don't get many young people coming to see us.  So, it was a BIG surprise when two young returned missionaries from our ward, came to visit us briefly on a Sunday afternoon.

Thank you Nate Wade and Cameron Pedersen for the spontaneous surprise visit.  It was so fun to share some time with you.  

The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West

 

Interesting book based on actual events.  About a competition flight from California to Hawaii.  

The story is told in two time frames.  Olivia in 1927 wants to fly - more than anything.  1980 (something) Wren has inherited some property in Hawaii from a great aunt. 

Olivia gets to be the navigator on a flight from California to Hawaii in a competition.   While on the flight, the pilot, Felix, passes out so Olivia takes over the flight.  The plane lands safely after a very tumultuous flight.  

Years later, Olivia is living in a nursing home when she meets Wren and tells her the story of the plane, flight, and her life in Hawaii with her husband, Heath, who had been in the competition also.  

I give it 3 stars.  Although many readers give it much higher reviews.  I'm not sure why it didn't appeal to me more as it did to others.