Mom & Me & Mom

Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou

Love heals. Heals and liberates. I use the word love, not meaning sentimentality, but a condition so strong that it may be that which holds the stars in their heavenly positions and that which causes the blood to flow orderly in our veins.

This book has been written to examine some of the ways love heals and helps a person to climb impossible heights and rise from immeasurable depths.

Maya Angelou's lyrical writing doesn't disappoint in this memoir about her complicated relationship with her mother. As always, Miss Angelou captures the reader's emotions and most personal feelings.

Beautiful. Tender. Moving.

Clara and Mr. Tiffany

I am so happy to share this riveting book, Clara and Mr. Tiffany,by Susan Vreeland. Ms. Vreeland imparts fascinating history and details about daily life in New York City at the end of the 19th century in the most beguiling way via the protagonist, Clara Driscoll. Clara is not a fictional character, but the designer of 30+ Tiffany lamps and the director of the design department of "Tiffany girls". The author deftly combines the zeitgeist of the political and social climate addressing working conditions, immigration, and squalid tenements with the evolving role of women in American life. The boarding house, where Clara lives among artists, actors, and socialists, gives depth and richness to the stories of that time. The quality of the writing and the I-can't-put-it-down nature of the story makes this a must read for those who enjoy historical fiction.

He tugged at his beard. "It's brilliant! An entirely new product. We'll be the first on the market. And not just peacock featherth. Flowerth too!" Excitement overtook his struggle to control his lisp, which surfaced only when he spoke with passion. 

I opened the beveled-glass door under the sign announcing Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company in ornate bronze. A new sign with a new name. Fine. I felt new too. In the ground-floor showroom of the five-story building, stained-glass windows hung from the high ceiling, and large mosaic panels leaned against the walls. Despite the urgency of my business, I couldn't resist taking a quick look at the free-form vases, bronze desk sets, pendulum clocks, and art nouveau candelabras. It was the oil lamps that bothered me. Their blown-glass shades sat above squat, bulbous bases too earthbound to be elegant. Mr. Tiffany was capable of more grace than that. 

Would you keep reading? 

Garment of Shadows

http://www.rosecityreader.com/2013/04/book-beginnings-journal-of-my-broken.html

 "Share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name."
These are the opening lines from the Preface of Garment of Shadows by Laurie R. King:

The big man had the brains of a tortoise, but even he was beginning to look alarmed.

Sherlock Holmes drew a calming breath. Then another.

It had seemed such a simple arrangement: If Mary Russell chose to submit to the whimsy of Fflytte Films as it finished its current moving picture,that was fine and good, but there was no cause for her husband to be tied down by her eccentricities-not with an entirely new country at his feet.

 : : : : :

The Friday 56 is a bookish meme sponsored by Freda's Voice. It is easy to participate. Just grab a book and turn to page 56. Find a sentence that grabs you and post it.
Here's a sentence from page 56 of Garment of Shadows by Laurie R. King:

The man's face gave a little twist of chagrin, that he had been distracted into a premature revelation of the tale's denouement, but Holmes did not give him the chance to regain the floor.

 : : : : :

This book is one in the series about Sherlock Holmes and his wife, Mary Russell.

Lap Robe

I was asked to make some lap robes in colors suitable for men for our Prayer Shawl ministry at church. Since I had two balls of James Brett Marble in stash, I decided to crochet this simple "Spicy Delights" pattern. You can get pattern info here. I used a size K hook as specified, but now realize that I could have used a larger size for a more open look in the pattern.

My neighbor gave me some vintage Bucilla "Melody" 50-50 mohair/acrylic yarn that had been in her sister's stash. I used a bit of it to finish this lap robe with a scallop edge. While the pattern calls for fringe, I am not a fringe fan, so I substituted this edging. I pray that this small blanket will bless and comfort the recipient.

                                                                         

True Believers

                                                                                     

I have just started reading True Believers by Kurt Anderson, so I'm not very far into it. The novelty, of sorts, is that the male author is writing in first person female voice. Here's the first paragraph in the first chapter:

My publishers signed me up a year ago to write a book, but not this book. 'A candid and inspirational memoir by one of the most accomplished leaders and thinkers of our times,' their press release promised. They think they're getting a slightly irreverent fleshing out of my curriculum vitae, a plainspoken, self-congratulatory chronicle of A Worthy Life in the Law and Modern Triumph of Women, which they're publishing, ho-hum premise not withstanding, because I've written a couple of best sellers and appear on TV a lot.

Would you continue reading?  

Secret of the Stone

Secret of the Stone by Barbara Delinsky
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

If you enjoy soap opera, you will probably enjoy this book.

View all my reviews

Miss Zukas

Turn to page 56 of your current read. Blog a sentence or two from that page. Share your blog post at http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com .

"Would it kill you to give out just a teensy bit of information, like is the guy dead or alive?" She stopped when she saw Helma. "So how is he?"

Hmmmm, I wonder? How is he any way? I know I'll read on! Would you?

Murder on the Cote d'Azur

  

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader

 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you.

*Post it on your blog.
*Add the URL of your post it at http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/

From Murder on the Cote d'Azur by Susan Kiernan-Lewis:

Over the garden wall, she could see the Mediterranean Sea, just a patch of it but enough to fill her with delight. The air was fragrant with the scent of lemons and roses.

Does this description engage your senses? 

George Wier

First Paragraph Tuesday Intro, where we share the first paragraph or two of a book we are reading or thinking about reading soon.  Care to join us? Feel free to grab the image and link your post.

What's an Austin boy (transplanted from deep East Texas, can you say Amen?) supposed to do when he finds himself deep inside a maximum security prison in Huntsville, Texas in an interview room with a kid who is facing one turned-down appeal after another before they put a series of needles into his arm that will finally do what no amount of legal deterrence could do before--stop him for good? What's he supposed to do when this kid nonchalantly drops a little tidbit of information that he shouldn't know, couldn't know unless what he says is true? And it's information that may very well bring down a Governor. Bring him down, that is, only if someone like me is willing to push it.

The powerful, and long, first sentence packs quite a wallop as part of an information laden initial paragraph. The gritty opening gave me pause, but of course I was pulled in by curiosity about the governor.  Despite the toughness of the opening, this writer adds just enough Texas humor to elicit chuckles and smiles from the reader.

Would you keep reading? Why or why not?

To participate in Teaser Tuesday, post two sentences from a random page in your current read. Share your post and enjoy those posted by others. Join in!

p. 71:  I parked down the block and fed a couple of quarters into a parking meter. The meter maids were trained to take no prisoners.

Hoping you'll leave a comment and say hello!

Happy Reading! 

Liebster Award

Thanks so much to Funky Mom for the delightful Leibster button!! What a lovely surprise!! The Leibster Award is a way to show that we value and appreciate other bloggers. What a lovely thing to do! Be sure to visit her at http://funkybugsknits.blogspot.com.au/

• After you receive the award from a fellow blogger, you then answer 11 questions sent with the award.
• Select 11 of your favorite bloggers with less than 200 followers and create your list of 11 questions for them to answer.
• Leave a message on their blog telling them about the award from you. Direct them to your blog for the award and their list of questions.
• Urge them to pass the award along to others.
• Smile all day!!

Here are my responses:

1. Name a place you have visited or would love to visit that is a great inspiration to you.

My visit to Tuscany was very memorable and emotional because of family connections. I treasure  the time I spent there with my sister. The natural light amazed me. It was like a golden haze enveloping the atmosphere in a way I had never seen.

2. Finish this sentence: I create because .......... I can. It's what I do!

3. Tell us something interesting about where you live.

I live in the simply beautiful state of Colorado where the temperate climate and sunny days bless us. The majestic Rocky Mountains cut through the state creating an arid climate to the East and a verdant, lush area to the West. Denver is an exciting city with plenty of activities in sports, the arts, and shopping. Other Colorado cities that I enjoy are Loveland, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, and Steamboat Springs. Have you ever been to our fair state?

4. What are you reading right now?

I always have two or three books going. At the moment, I am reading It's Classified by Nicole Wallace, Farewell, Dorothy Parker by Ellen Meister, and The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin.

5. Finish this sentence: I couldn't live without........... love. The love of God, from my husband and family, and my friends truly sustains and blesses me every day.

6. What do you like to do for laughs?

I like to spend time with my two sons and all the grands for real fun!  :)  I wish I could spend more time with my daughter.

7. Finish this sentence: I can't wait until someone invents a ............... robot to clean up after my cutie Boxer, Lailah. Enough said.

8. What do you love to cook?

My own recipes, for example, a nice piece of pork with thyme, sage, rosemary, mustard, olive oil, ...well, you get the idea!

9. Most fun you've ever had?

I hope it hasn't happened yet!

10. What do you look for in a friend?

Common interests, kindness, compassion, confidence.

11. Do you ever hand write letters and send them off in the mail?

Not any more. I did enjoy "pen pals" in the dim and distant past!

This is the Leibster button that I will post at the bottom of this page and pass on to the following blogs:

http://andallthatyarn.blogspot.com/

http://crochetagain.wordpress.com/

http://mylifeinflipflops.blogspot.com/

http://lilymaycarol-crazy4yarnandneedles.blogspot.com/

http://chalkygilbert.blogspot.com/

http://pompomsponderings.blogspot.com/

And, dear bloggers, here are your questions from me. Can't wait to read your responses!!
 1. What was the deciding factor that led you to start your blog?
 2. How much time do you spend blogging and reading blogs?
 3. What blogs do you read unrelated to knitting or crochet?
 4. Tell us about your use of Facebook and/or Pinterest.
 5. What is your preferred color palette?
 6. Do you enjoy repeating a given pattern or do you like to make it, file it, and move on?
 7. In what way do you multi-task?
 8. What are your go-to sources for yarn purchases?
 9. Do you have a preferred yarn fiber for your projects?
10. What are you currently reading?
11. Are you tired of answering questions?