Ten Things Saving My Life Right Now

Each year this week Anne Bogel on her blog Modern Mrs. Darcy invites readers to share ten things that have helped them make it through winter. She calls it " Ten Things Saving My Life Right Now." It is halfway through the winter season. The days are moving a bit slower and visions of spring days are dancing in our heads . She also invites her readers to share their lists which allows us to create a community to support each other through the rest of winter with an interesting variety of lists. 

Here is my list:

A crackling fire in my fireplace.: When it is icy, cold, or foggy outside there is nothing like a fire to warm the house and warm my heart.

Wordle: Having a puzzle to look forward to every day that challenges my mind is perfect.

Hot beverages: When the weather is below zero there is nothing better than hot coffee or hot chocolate. I have always loved coffee in the morning, but this winter hot chocolate has been another comfort beverage. I was gifted a variety of  hot chocolate mixes for Christmas so when I need a lift in the afternoon after shoveling snow in the backyard, hot chocolate with cinnamon toast hits the spot.

Homemade soup: Warm soup is such a comfort food in winter. I enjoy making a big pot of chili, vegetable soup, or chicken noodle soup and freezing leftovers for later meals.

Amaryllis:  There is no better way to brighten your house in winter than with amaryllis plants. I try to start them early enough in the fall so they are blooming in January. This year my blooms have been bigger, the colors have been more vivid, and each bulb has produced at least two complete flowers. They are beauty from a bulb.

Seed and plant catalogs:  When I go to check my mail and realize the temperature is frigid I just want to run back inside and wrap up in a blanket. Then I reach inside the mailbox and pull out seed catalogs. Ahhh.... a sign that spring is around the corner. Just the pictures on the covers are enough to cheer up my day.

Sunsets:  Winter sunsets are stunning. The varied colors are blended together into a sky of beauty. I follow sunsets with my camera when Riley and I take our afternoon runs. 

Connecting with friends and family: Phone calls, texts, messages, letters, cards, and in person visits make any winter day warmer. I love hearing from the special people in my life and there is nothing better than grabbing a cup of coffee and a lap blanket and having a long visit with a friend or family member.

Riley: My dog Riley makes every day of winter better. He entertains me with his morning routine waiting for the mail lady and the UPS driver. He clowns around with his toys and makes me laugh. He  gives me a reason to go out and get fresh air and exercise during our daily trip to a favorite outdoor spot. He also is a perfect snuggler when we come in and need to warm up.  

Surrounding myself with books, books, and more books: This winter I have spent more time reading books to broaden my knowledge of writing, creativity, and gardening. I have also enjoyed book club selections, books on my pile I have waited until winter to read, and cookbooks.

What things help you get through winter? 

I want to give a shout out to Anne Bogel, known on her website as Modern Mrs. Darcy. The link to the post I referred to in the opening is above. Here is the link to her blog: https://modernmrsdarcy.com 

Her website contains a list of the books she has written, information on her podcasts, and her blog. She shares book titles all the time, runs a book club, and posts informative and entertaining writing almost every day. Every year she does a summer reading list, and gives links to ebook deals!  Check her out.

Road Trip to Independent Bookstores

 I love rainy days. Today was a day to reorganize bookshelves, decide if I need to part with any titles ( so hard for me to do), and reminisce about visiting an actual brick and mortar independent bookstore. I love bookstores and during the pandemic I just haven't visited independent bookstores in the Pacific Northwesr. My favorite bookstores are ones that offer both new and used books, or a bookstore that is just used books. My dream road trip would be to visit bookstores and plant nurseries all over the northwest. Today I am going to focus on favorite bookstores:

Powell's City of Books , Portland, Oregon. This is the best of the best. New books, used books, coffee shop, genres organized by color rooms, and a million books. I could spend three days there without seeing all the books. I have missed traveling there.

Aunties Bookstore, Spokane, Washington. I first loved this bookstore when it was called The Book and Game Company at the Flour Mill. Just when I relocated to northeastern Washington a bigger store opened in downtown Spokane. I love it for the mix of new and used, the staff picks display, the helpful staff, the authors that visit, the book clubs they promote, and the environment of the store.

Elliot Bay Bookstore, Seattle, Washington I haven't been here in years, but when I was there I loved it. I am pleased to see it is still open and I better add it to my list for the tour.

BookPeople, Moscow Idaho. This bookstore opened the year I was a freshman in college at University of Idaho and it is a place I visit most times when I return to Moscow. Excellent selection of books, knowledgeable staff, and great events.

Brused Books, Pullman, Washington I could spend a whole day here. 90,000 used books and they still use a card file for patron requests. I remember once spending two hours just in the cookbook section. I am always surprised at books I find here.

2nd Look Books, Spokane, Washington This bookstore has been located on the South Hill for thirty-five years. You can get great coffee at Forza Coffee next store and browse two levels, enjoy the reading room in the lower level and find great selections of books.

Well-Read Moose, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho  This is a close bookstore for me. I love it because it has a great selection of books, fun gifts, coffee, and goodies. What more do you need?

This is just a sampling of bookstores I love. Thrift stores are also an excellent place to find used books. What is your favorite independent bookstore?

Happy National Read a Book Day

 

I love that there is a day set aside to celebrate reading a book.When I read about this special day it is simply a day designated to relax and read a book. I carved out some time today. This is what I read:

I borrowed this cookbook from my brother today. When we had a Mediterranean family dinner a few weeks ago I loved all the healthy recipes. This cookbook is full of those healthy recipes.

Instead of family dinner this week we did "bring your own family lunch" today. After catching up on the news of the week, events, and travel plans Paul and Carol stayed and did some garden planning with me. I have an area in the back corner of the yard that needs a makeover, there is a corner by  the table that needs a bit more TLC and we moved the ladder shelves Everett had built to a more efficient place. I dusted off my favorite gardening book and starting reading about landscaping.

I am continuing to read this book I wrote about last week on this blog. As I begin planning for seed purchases and flower beds for next year, this book is an inspiration. 

Most of us don't need a special day to relax and read a book, but in case you haven't carved out time lately to do it, stop, grab a book, and read.

Women Who Inspire Me: Erin Benzakein

 

This is my third installment of my series Women Who Inspire Me. In 2017 I was in a gardening section of a bookstore and her book "Cut Flower Garden" jumped out at me. Imagine that! Erin Benzakein is the founder of Floret Flower Farm and is one of the nation's leading "farmer florists". I was also excited to see that her farm was in the Skagit Valley of Washington State. 

Her path to becoming a nationally recognized flower farmer didn't come easy. She started out growing flowers in her garden and made bouquets with her extra flowers and gave them to neighbors and friends. She always heard heartfelt stories about how gardening and flowers held special memories for these people. It struck a chord with her.

A farm florist is a farmer that grows flowers and fillers that are in season and creates bouquets using the bounty from the garden all four seasons. Her newest book "A Year in Flowers" guides readers how to do just that. I am reading it now and already making plans for my garden plots for next year.

When I started seeing ads for the new Discovery+ streaming service I saw her advertising a launch for Magnolia Network.  I got a free subscription through Verizon. As soon as I checked out the new Magnolia Network, there was Erin. I just watched season one of "Growing Floret". It is a series that starts at the beginning of what she wanted to do when she grew up to how she has made a huge business that includes workshops, a blog, an Instagram account, three books, and a seed company. She has thousands and thousands of fellow gardeners that follow her on social media.

She inspires me because she never gave up. She kept researching, learning, leaning on others for help, and persisted. I want to be Erin when I grow up. Even if you are not a flower farmer or don't like to garden, her story is worth watching and reading about.

I am just sad about one thing. Her gardens are not open to the public for tours. Since it is her own home she doesn't feel comfortable having people walking around the property, plus her team of employees are always busy. 

You can find out more about Erin on social media:

Her website: https://www.floretflowers.com/

Her blog:https://www.floretflowers.com/blog/

Her Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/floretflower/

Her series on Magnolia Network, Discovery+ Growing Floret has four episodes.

This is her third book:

During the winter months when you are dreaming of spring and gardening, visit these sites or check out her books. She could convince anybody to raise flowers!  Now I am ready to purchase her seeds for next year. 

Are You Still Wasting Money On......?

 

Yes I am!

It seems like every time I scroll through social media  or read headlines on news feeds there are always articles about how to save money. "Ten Things You Can Give Up To Get Rich". " Are You Wasting Your Money On...."

I am not rich. I do have money though for miscellaneous items every month.

 Yes, I am still wasting money on fancy coffee drinks. I know I can make coffee at home and take it with me in the car, but it doesn't taste as good. I know I could just drink water, but I don't want to. If I am driving out of town I want a latte with a favorite syrup hot. Hey... I do save money sometimes and get the daily special. Life is too short to drink lukewarm coffee from home in the car. Besides, I thought we were supposed to support local businesses.

Here is one of my favorites. Are you really going to buy gas in Kellogg when you can save money by  going thirty-five miles, taking the Fourth Street exit, and using cash at that Exxon station ?  Trying not to roll my eyes I reply,"Yes, I am."

My mom always tried to save a dime. We called her Bargain Betty. She read the ads, she cut coupons, she would drive six miles to Pinehurst if eggs were ten cents cheaper. Here is how it went with us. "Hi Mom, I am going to the store. Do you need anything? I am picking up a whole chicken for Family Dinner." "Be sure you get the chicken at IGA and use the double coupon and if you go to the clearance bin it might be cheaper. Oh wait, let me get the ads," Mom replied. Rustling of papers, more rustling of papers as she scanned the ads. " If you have enough time the best buy is at Super I in CdA, but only if you get there today. " Maybe bologna sandwiches would be better for Sunday Dinner.

Yes, I am still wasting money on books. I do use the library, but sometimes I want the book for more than three weeks. Sometimes I want to mark up the book. Sometimes I just like to see the book on the shelf! I know, I know I am not going to get rich.

One classic tip for saving money is to use leftovers. I do use leftovers, or at I least try to. After eating crock pot chicken surprise for five days straight and noticing it is looking a bit fuzzy and green, that is when I have to " splurge" and open a box of Kraft Mac and Cheese for dinner. I think I did save a dollar that week.

While standing in line at the plant nursery there is always that wise gardener behind me that leans over, examines my cart, frowns, then says, Are you really buying all those plants for yourself?" I smile and calmly answer," No.... I am heading to Farmer's Market to sell them for twice the price." wink

One tip said to eliminate unplanned shopping sprees. When is a shopping spree ever unplanned? If you are in the car, you have a purse, you see a store calling to you to stop and shop, that to me is planned.It is necessary. I know, I am still not getting rich.

The last tip I had a hard time understanding. It said, "Separate your needs from your wants." By the time I figure out if I really want it or really need it, all the purses on the clearance table are gone. Not sound advice for me.

I am sure many of you have good tips on how I can get rich. Just don't make them hard. I am going to go get a coffee drink, put gas in my car in Kellogg, head to a bookstore to buy a book, and buy a whole chicken without a coupon. I know, I am living in the fast lane. 

A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.
– John Ruskin

Today is National Book Lovers Day: My Lists

 I like that there is a special day to honor those of us that love books. Recently I saw a poll that asked readers to choose the best book they have ever read. Who could ever decide? I have a hard enough time narrowing down a list to ten. 

 I have a list of books I share with people looking for book recommendations. I call it:

If You Haven't Read This Book , Add It to Your "To Read List" . You Won't Be Sorry!

(of course, strictly my opinion)

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

Just Mercy by Brian Stevenson

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The Outsiders by S,E, Hinton

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Educated by Tara Westover

Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place by Terry Tempest Williams

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer ( all titles by him)

Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

My next list is books people have recommended to me and I have not yet read , but are on my "To Read" list:

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer

The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom

Deep Creek: Finding Hope in the High Country by Pam Houston

Crazy Brave by Joy Harjo

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

Between Two Worlds by Ta-Nehisi Coates

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

anything by Michael Lewis

The Big Burn and others by Timothy Egan

What books would you add to either list?

A Good Mood

 

Don't you always want to be in a good mood? 

Sometimes when it is 105 degrees outside it is hard.

When you are learning to live alone without your dear, sweet husband, it is hard.

When you realize you have used the last ice cube in the whole freezer and you want to make a cold drink, that is really hard.

I thought a lot about good moods and bad moods today.  It was hot, I sat in the dentist chair for two painful  hours, I forgot to turn on the AC while I was gone.  All this could have put me in a bad mood. Instead I made a list of what puts me in a good mood. Here is the list:

Getting personal letters. I love getting a note, a letter, or thank you from friends or family by snail mail. It just lightens the mood of the day.

Getting a refund. Even if it isn't that much, isn't it always fun to go to a business and have them say, "Oh... we have a refund for you? We overcharged you. " Yes!

Riley. That is all I have to say. My dog can bring me out of any mood that isn't positive just by being with me. He makes me smile, he makes me laugh, he makes every day worth living.

Discovering a plant has returned. I love it when I think a plant has died in the garden, then I go out and there between the leaves of some other plants it is back. It is peeking through ready to bloom and brighten my day.

Locating something that was lost. Lately for some reason I have lost many things around my house. I am always immediately in a good mood when I open a drawer, look in a cupboard, or check under a chair and there it is! Found at last.

Learning there is a new book by a favorite author. I love it when I get a notification email or see a post on social media that a favorite author has a new book out. Then there is the decision... do I order it on Kindle, do I get on the list at the library, or do I wait until it comes out in paperbackto purchase it. 

What puts you in a good mood?

What Do I Want To Be When I Grow Up?

When I was in school I had teachers pose this question often. As I teacher myself I probably asked the same question to my students. I am almost grown up and my main profession for over thirty years was teaching. 

When I was a child I wanted to be a nurse. I had the book pictured above and Mom would read it me and I would study all the pictures before I could read. I don't know when I decided I didn't want to be a nurse. Maybe someone got sick and I gagged or I saw blood after a household accident and realized I couldn't stomach it. 

By the end of high school I wanted to be a high school teacher. After taking an education class that required working with kindergarten students, I changed my mind. I got a degree in Elementary Education.

Recently someone asked, "If you could have done any other profession, what would it have been?"

Because of my love for books I always wanted to work in a bookstore. Being surrounded by books and people that love books seemed like a dream job. I also dreamed of owning a bookstore. I pictured a cute little shop with a cafe that served coffee drinks, homemade cookies, and other delicious pastries. It would be full of new and used books, comfy chairs, plants, a resident dog or cat, and soft music playing in the background. Now I just visit favorite bookstores, sip coffee and eat a homemade cookie.

My love of books also led me to wanting to be a librarian. I spent many hours in the library growing up and I loved the quiet surroundings, the unlimited amount of books to read, and the kind librarians. I was able to fulfill this dream when I returned to my hometown after retirement. I worked part time in the same library where I enjoyed books in childhood. For personal reasons I had to give the job up, but I sure loved it.

I also wanted to work in a florist shop. I love to grow flowers and arrange them in bouquets.Being surrounded by flowers and bringing joy to customers with my arrangements was another dream job. Along this same vein, I would be in seventh heaven if  I could work in a plant nursery. It would be so fun to help gardeners pick plants and answer gardening questions. 

What I want to be when I grow up?

I want to own a bookstore with a cafe, a corner full of flowers to arrange for customers, a resident dog, a plant nursery out back, and a writing corner for me to get all my thoughts down each day while sipping a latte and eating a homemade cookie. I would beam as each customer would leave with a bag of books, a bouquet of flowers, some plants for their garden, and a pastry for later. Now that is amazing dream! 

If you could choose another profession, what would it be?

This is Alabama Booksmith bookstore in Homeword, Alabama.

The Shed Notebook: National Poetry Month: " An Afternoon In The Stacks"

I think the best way to spend an afternoon is in the stacks.

An Afternoon In The Stacks by Mary Oliver

Closing the book, I find I have left my head
inside. It is dark in here, but the chapters open
their beautiful spaces and give a rustling sound,
words adjusting themselves to their meaning.
Long passages open at successive pages. An echo,
continuous from the title onward, hums
behind me. From in here, the world looms,
a jungle redeemed by these linked sentences
carved out when an author traveled and a reader
kept the way open. When this book ends
I will pull it inside-out like a sock
and throw it back in the library. But the rumor
of it will haunt all that follows in my life.
A candleflame in Tibet leans when I move.

The Shed Notebook: National Poetry Week: Honoring My Brother

Yestesday was National Sibling Day and I honored my sister with a poem. Today I will honor my brother. There were many times we sat side by side reading a book. My brother taught me how to read. I think we must have read  The Cat in the Hat together fifty times. We are still moving through "the ten thousand acts that will encumber the rest of our days." I am pleased I will enjoy those acts with him as my next door neighbor and won't have to travel far when "another laughter sounds back."

Two Set Out on Their Journey
by Galway Kinnell

We sit side by side,
brother and sister, and read
the book of what will be, while a breeze
blows the pages over—
desolate odd, cheerful even,
and otherwise. When we come
to our own story, the happy beginning,
the ending we don’t know yet,
the ten thousand acts
encumbering the days between,
we will read every page of it.
If an ancestor has pressed
a love-flower for us, it will lie hidden
between pages of the slow going,
where only those who adore the story
ever read. When the time comes
to shut the book and set out,
we will take childhood’s laughter
as far as we can into the days to come,
until another laughter sounds back
from the place where our next bodies
will have risen and will be telling
tales of what seemed deadly serious once,
offering to us oldening wayfarers
the light heart, now made of time
and sorrow, that we started with.

The Shed Notebook: Ten Things That Make Me Feel Happy All The Time

"The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest 

in all the details of daily life." William Morris

This quote really spoke to me today. When I am feeling down or overwhelmed, it is the details of daily life that fill me with happiness. I am not a fan of expensive jewelery, exotic trips, or fancy cars. I don't know what I would do with a closet full of Jimmy Choos and Gucci bags. I don't even have the closet space. Nope, the things that make me feel happy are the things I surround myself with in my daily life. Here is the list:

1. Everett. My husband takes the details of daily life and makes them special any day of the year.

2. My dogs. My dogs bring me pleasure when they jump up to tell me to get out of bed, when they lay at my feet when I am sad, or when they look at me like I am the most important person in the world.

3. My camera. Recently I reviewed over 20,000 pictures I have taken since I had digital cameras. Now that made me happy. So many images, so many memories.
4. Our cats. Each cat is unique in personality and looks, but they make evenings special at our house.

5. Fresh flowers. There is nothing like a pretty bouquet to add happiness to a day.

6. My gardens.  Seeing roses, sunflowers, marigolds, cosmos, and more come to life in the summer is pure happiness.
7. Books. Whether it is my Bible, a new novel from the library, a cookbook, or a how-to book it is happiness.
8. Friends. Childhood friends or recent friends, they all bring me happiness.

9. Family. Each of them adds to the true secret of happiness.
10. My little house. My little green house with the red trim is my ultimate happy place. I view beautiful sunsets from the front porch. I can sit by a warm fire in the winter. I stand in the kitchen and look out at beautiful gardens three seasons out of the year, and I can provide meals to nourish the souls of family and friends.

Sibling Assignment #206: I Want to Write a Book!

Sister Carol gave Sibling Assignment #206: "What is something you have never done but hope to do or hope to have accomplished in the next five years?" You will find Bill's here and Carol's here.
I have never published a book. I want to.
I don't want to publish a book to make money.
I don't want to publish a book to become famous.
I don't want to publish a book to go on the speaking circuit.

I want to publish a book to preserve my ideas into a form for keeping. I want to publish a book to spark conversation among other readers and wriers. I have a list of ideas of what I want the book to be about, but I am keeping those ideas to myself. I have taught writing, I have participated in writing retreats, I have written blog posts, journal entries, and newspaper articles. I want to take this a step further. I want to challenge myself.

Sister Carol said in the next five years. I hope to do it before then. What do I need to do? Make writing a part of my daily routine. Not many authors sit down on a Saturday and write a book. They work bit by bit day by day to create a manuscript. They reread, revise, edit, do it again, and finally come up with a completed book. 

I guess I better get started!

The Shed Notebook: Hey Marie Kondo: Bookshelves Full of Books Can Spark Joy!

 When I read Marie Kondo's book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up right after it came out, I did what any thoughtful reader does. I took the information that mattered to me and used it. Kondo's method emerged in popularity again recently when her series began its run on Netflix. Her philosphy is this: if something sparks joy in your life, consider keeping it. If not, get rid of it. I haven't watched the series yet, but I have seen lots of photos on social media of people motivated to organize shelves, closets, and junk drawers.
One area of decluttering that hit a nerve with book collectors was her section on discarding books. Many book lovers went into panic mode online about paring down their book collections to thirty books. "I love my books. How can I get rid of them?"  "A library of books brings me comfort". "Why thirty books?"

part of my writing resource collection

I reread her section on getting rid of books. She said she would only keep thirty books. Besides, if Marie Kondo suggests you get rid of books, it is a suggestion. Keep those books you book collectors, The Spark Joy police is not coming to your house any time soon. I have more than forty cookbooks alone and I have pared down that collection. The ones I kept spark joy, If The Boxcar Children brings you joy by remembering your first grade teacher reading it to you, keep it! The photo at the top of the post are all books I saved from my mother's home library. Each of them brought her joy. Will I reread them?  Maybe not, but I love having them close.

part of my poetry collection

Now I didn't take all my books and put them in a pile like she suggested. Mine are spread all over the house and in the She Shed.  I did revisit my book shelves and found books that no longer sparked joy.  I had books I had read, but didn't need to keep. Also there were books that were outdated, worn out, or damaged, Did I throw all of them away? No. Did I tear out the pages that had parts I liked? No. I gave them away or donated them.

part of my cookbook collection

I am not a minimalist. I like books to surround me. I have books I use for reference, cookbooks I read and use all the time, a collection of poetry books I reread often, and books that have sentimental value. I also have the pile of books I plan to read soon or someday. Today I did revisit the shelves knowing I am going to the thrift store tomorrow. I found some titles that weren't sparking that Marie Kondo joy anymore. Another reader can enjoy them.

Her philosophy makes sense, but each person is unique in how they declutter. What sparks joy with one person may not with another. I do recommend her book and hope to watch the series, but I am still keeping my books. Every single one of them.

Do you have books you want to donate? This list has some good ideas. https://www.moneycrashers.com/where-donate-used-books/

Sibling Assignment #203: The Corner Book Club: Lasting Happiness

Brother Bill gave the last sibling assignment of 2018.

"Write about a discovery you made in 2018 that brought you temporary or lasting happiness and, if is has, how this discovery helped change your thinking or our feelings about something in your life". Brother Bill's is here and siter Carol's is here.

Before I moved back to Kellogg I had been involved in two different adult book clubs, I led online book clubs for educators, book clubs as part of staff development at school, and book clubs with students. I really like to the idea of getting a group of people together for purpose of discussing the same book.  It is stimulating to get ideas, themes, opinions, and new thinking through this format of book reading and sharing.

When I decided to start The Corner Book Club in 2018 it was for many reasons, One reason was I wanted to open myself up to books that I might not normally read and genres that had been left unread. Also, I love being involved in discussion about a book that may stay just with the book, but may open up dialogue about life experiences, other books, and world events. I  also like to have a purpose for reading. I keep a notebook and take notes so I can remember quotes and ideas to bring up in discussion. Another reason for a book club is to swap book titles so your list of books to read before you die get longer and longer.

I wanted The Corner Book Club to be easy, not fussy. I wanted the club to be flexible so it worked for the members and their schedules. We meet in public places around the Silver Valley. Most of the time we meet for lunch.  We try to choose books that are available at the library or inexpensive to purchase. People are welcome when they can come, but we are trying now to have it a certain time each month so people can plan accordingly. We encourage members to come even if they haven't had time to complete the book.

I keep an ongoing list of books that we may want to read. Members of the group suggest books also. This group has brought me lasting happiness because I discovered that readers from completely different backgrounds and belief systems can come together and find common ground in a book discussion.

Here is the list of books we have read this year:
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance
Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
book of choice with discussion
A Cry from the Dust by Carrie Stuart Parks
Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik
Educated by Tara Westover
Refuge by Terry Tempest Williams
Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford
The Baker's Secret by Stephen Kiernan
Gift of the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindberg

We read nonfiction, memoir, travel,historical fiction, and essays. Some of us traveled to Moscow, Idaho in September to hear Tara Westover speak. Carrie Stuart Parks is a local author and she spoke at our gathering the month we read her book. I can't wait for next year dbooksiving into the books we choose. I know I will continue to experience lasting happiness.