I have read poignant messages about the sacrifices made by our service men and women this Memorial Day. At this time they account for only 7% of the USA population. They serve for old-fashioned patriotic values like honor and country. My father served in WW2, as did almost all the father’s of my friends. My youngest brother served for more than twenty years in the Marines. Our oldest grandson served four years in the Marines. We currently have another fine grandson in the Air Force in Japan. Obviously our family has a higher percentage of service than many families — which may influence my belief that those in the military should be honored every day, one day a year does not cut it with me. We need to show respect when we meet those in uniform, maybe buy a coke or a cup of coffee for a soldier next time you are delayed at an airport, bus depot or train station.
And then there’s Mothers Day, celebrated May 8th this year. As a mother, I appreciate the day of honor, but honestly, haven’t most Mothers earned a bit more than one day a year?! If you still have a mother, take time to honor her with regular visits and phone calls. You won’t regret it. My mother has been gone for six years now and I still miss her dearly. A few days ago over breakfast, my husband looked at me thoughtfully and said, “You’re looking more like your mother everyday.” I smiled, and answered, “I know. First thing every morning I see her when I look in the mirror.” Yikes!
I have read fewer books this month because I’ve been busy planting flowers, etc. It’s that time of year. Also lots of school concerts, spring plays, recitals, soccer games and track meets to attend for the granddaughters. Each event has been exceptional, just like the granddaughters we go to admire!
Books I have enjoyed this month are:
‘The Hit’ by David Baldacci. Fiction. Two government assassins form an unlikely alliance to stop anarchy plot to overthrow the U.S. government. Exciting!
‘After You’ by JoJo Moyes. Ficiton. A good sequel to ‘Me Before You’, though a bit exasperating at times. Especially at the beginning.
‘City of Women’ by David R. Gillham. Fiction. A story of women behind the lines in Berlin, 1943. The protagonist joins the underground to help save as many Jews as she can form being sent to the camps. A thriller!
‘A Lesson Before Dying’ by Ernest J. Gaines. Historical Fiction. Haunting story of racial tension in a small Cajun community in the late1940’s leads to the execution of a falsely accused young man. A rich sense of place and time, with well developed characters and plot.
‘The Gilded Cage’ by Judy Alter. Historical fiction. Early Chicago and the people who made it what it is. The Chicago fire, the early labor movement, and great wealth in the hands of a few. You don’t have to be a Chicagoan to love this book!
‘The Accidental Tourist’, ‘Breathing Lessons’ and ‘Searching for Caleb’, all by Anne Tyler. Fiction. I love her books! They are in a class by themselves. She received the Pulitzer Prize for ‘Breathing Lessons’ in 1989, it was made into a Hallmark movie starring Joanne Woodward and James Garner. ‘Accidental Tourist’ was made into an Oscar winning movie starring Geena Davis and William Hurt. I watched those movies years ago and decided I wanted to read the books, a good decision. Both were much better than the movies which were wonderful!
We watched only one movie worth mentioning, ‘Grace of Monaco’, starring Nicole Kidman. It was excellent. Portrayal of the struggles the Princess with the perfect life dealt with to achieve happily ever after. We ordered it from Netflicks.
My review of ‘All Waiting is Long’ by Barbara J. Taylor, for WPSU’s BookMark can be read or listened to at:
http://radio.wpsu.org/post/bookmark-all-waiting-long-barbara-j-taylor
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Till next time, keep reading my friends.
Ann