Eagle
December 30, 2010 | Family,Holidays
We visited my aunt and uncle in Missouri over the holidays. While we were there, we did some sightseeing and saw this eagle.
But do you recall the most famous … automobile?
December 23, 2010 | Holidays,Iowa
See the antlers? It’s a Rudolph car! Merry, merry, everyone!
A moment in time
Words
You know how someone says something that’s simply perfect? Linda Lowen just did that in her post about Elizabeth Edwards, Saying Goodbye to Elizabeth Edwards and Remembering Dana.
Let me just say that some things were simply meant to just … be.
A summer day spent on a beach with two close female friends may be special in and of itself. But we’re unable to retain a sense of the magic of that individual day when we see it as just one of many in a long line of bright, beautiful, shining days ahead of us, the days hanging like pearls on a strand, the years dangling like multiple strands on a necklace. It’s only when we take that one pearl out of context and suspend it on its own chain that we see how rare, how lustrous, and how small a thing it is.
Beautiful. Thank you, Linda.
Posted by Becky @ 6:00 am | 2 Comments
Books: The Mermaid Chair
December 21, 2010 | Books
I read The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd for book club this month. I was a bit annoyed with the main character and the monk … it just seemed as if they tried too hard. But I really enjoyed the story, and the author surprised me, which is always a bonus. The best thing about book club (besides the wine) is getting an explanation for something from another person’s point of view and realizing, wow, that is so true! I don’t like to do spoilers, so I won’t explain in detail. I’ll just say that I got another perspective on the main character’s father … that his act was selfish instead of selfless, as it was portrayed. Brilliant.
What is it about reading books lately about midlife-identity crises? I didn’t even pick this book! In any case, here are a couple of quotes that stuck with me.
The mind is so good at revising reality to suit our needs. I had seen what I wanted. I had reinvented the objectionable, the most indigestible pieces of my life into something just palatable enough to bear. (p. 246)
I can’t explain that, except to say there’s release in knowing the truth no matter how anguishing it is. You come finally to the irreducible thing, and there’s nothing left to do but pick it up and hold it. Then, at least, you can enter the severe mercy of acceptance. (p. 304)
Oh, yeah. I also read the Norwegian version, Havfruestolen, which my friend Else gave to me this summer. The translation was actually very accurate (which isn’t always the case).
Books: Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder
December 20, 2010 | Books,Family,Norway
The kids and I finished reading Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder by Jo Nesbø. He’s one of Norway’s most popular authors, and this is his first children’s book. I read one of his grown-up books (he writes mostly crime novels) in September and thoroughly enjoyed it. We had lots of giggles with the fart powder too.
He’s got another Doctor Proctor book coming out in January. Whee!
It’s the season for lutefisk
December 17, 2010 | Holidays,Norway
I just learned that lutefisk is sold at my local grocery store. Lots of Norsky-Americans in these parts.
Posted by Becky @ 8:00 pm | 2 Comments
Music: Los Lonely Boys, I Never Met a Woman
December 15, 2010 | Los Lonely Boys,Music
I have no idea why this was in a draft, but what the heck. It’s been in there long enough.
