Best Books of 2024

I try to keep this tradition of the best books that I read in the past year. I so enjoy reading the lists of others and often get ideas .I'm very thankful for my book club which gets me out of my reading ruts. I also enjoy the Literary Life podcast which I try to read along with every book they discuss.

I read 67 books in 2024. I listen to the majority of the books. The total is high because many of the books are fairly short mystery stories which I borrow from the library. I prefer to read a physical copy of non fiction books. 

My favourites that I read this past year are listed.

1. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

I decided to read this book so that I could discuss it with my son who read it as part of a Great Books program. The problem is this. He's burnt out from book discussions! Maybe some day we can discuss it. This book is about families, marriages and faith. The common misconception is that it only tells the story of adultery. It is a much richer story.

2. Being Elizabeth Elliott by Ellen Vaughn

I read the previous book Becoming Elizabeth Elliott also by Ellen Vaugh. This book concerned Elizabeth's later life including the time she spent nursing her ailing husband Addison Leitch, a seminary professor. This was her happiest marriage. There is another biography of Elizabeth Elliott that I would like to read by a different author. I find her life very interesting.

3. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

This was a book club pick. It is very long. I listened to the audio. The primary theme of this book is revenge and justice. The main character Edmond Dantes is wronged and spends the rest of his life in an elaborate scheme to repay those who were responsible. It is a cautionary tale.

4. Tucker by Chadwick Moore

This is a biography of one of my favourite journalists/pundits. J and I used to watch his show every night when it was on Fox News. He is a very interesting person.

5. Hold the Line My Story from the Heart of the Freedom Convoy by Tamara Lich

I had the privileges of meeting Tamara in Victoria this past year at the We Unity Canada conference. She is a hero to me.

6.  In the Lord I Take Refuge by Dane Ortlund

This is a devotional book that I read in the mornings for part of the year. There are only 150 so it doesn't go through the entire year.

7. Beyond Mere Motherhood: Moms are People Too by Cindy Rollins

Cindy is one of the podcast hosts on Literary Life. This book was full of book recommendations. 

8. Our Hearts Were Young and Gay An Unforgettable Comic Chronical of Innocents Abroad in the 1920s. Authors:  Cornelia Otis Skinner, Emily Kimbrough

This was a re read for me. It is a very funny story of two young ladies travelling in Europe. 

I struggle to write reviews. I would like to do more of that in 2025. It helps me to remember books if I write my thoughts out soon after I read the book or while reading. It takes discipline to practice this. I look forward to reading many good books in 2025.

Pin It

Christmas 2024

I love Christmas. I admit it. Almost everything about it. Food, gift giving, wearing Christmas sweaters, sending and receiving Christmas cards, decorating, singing Christmas carols, and pondering the Incarnation. I love my Christmas tree.

I'm so happy to have my boys home for Christmas break. Recently, I saw a sweatshirt that a lady was wearing that said "Life is better with my boys." That sums up how I feel. 

This year I was in a Christmas choir. We sang during worship services on December 15th and 22nd. 

The woman next to me in the gold blouse and black skirt is my friend Jill. We are in the alto section.

We attended the Christmas Eve service at our church. It is held at 4 pm which allows people to still have dinner with their families. I like to take the day off from cooking the day before a big meal.  After church we went to a Chinese stir fry restaurant. It was a good choice. Not too fancy but pretty healthy. 

On Christmas morning we ate the Bacon and Cheese Strata that I made the day before. We then opened presents. It was hard to buy for A since he gave us his list at the last minute. He was very busy this month wrapping up his studies. He is now finished with college.

Here are J's presents:

- from A: a case for his rifle 

- from C: an old Life magazine with Winston Churchill on the cover.

- from me: a DVD of the movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

- a selection of hot sauces

- from A: a steel target

- from me: a gold tie

- from me: a tie clip. J says he has never owned a tie clip before!

- small food gifts 

Here are C's presents:

- a pouch to hold ammunition

- a pro life t shirt

- a collection of specialty bar soaps

- a shoulder strap for his rifle

- a book about history

- a comic book

Here are A's presents. Some of them will be exchanged later for exactly what he wants.

- a new water bottle (Hydro Flask)

- one of his favourite snacks

- a case for holding his cables and equipment

- a hard drive. He needs to have a lot of storage for the videos that he edits.

- a book about a TV show he likes

- a set of DVDs of a TV show

- a gift card to a supplements store

My presents

- pretty tote bags for grocery shopping

- note cards

- 2 jigsaw puzzles. The one on the left is tea cups and the other is Hercule Poirot a fictional character in mysteries by Agatha Christie.

- from A: an ergonomic keyboard for my computer

- a book about literature

- from C: a tin of tea

- from C: a book about tea

- from C: a notebook

- from Jonathan - an anniversary band (ring). Here is a close up photo that C took. The photo makes it look large but it is not. It is a very slim ring. J and I picked it out together on the Saturday before Christmas.

This was our Christmas menu:

- Prime Rib

- Mashed Potatoes

- Spinach Kiwi Strawberry Salad

- Yorkshire Pudding

- Chocolate Cake from Whole Foods

Here's my plate with the food:

I enjoy setting up a fancy table. 

We did the traditional Christmas crackers but I don't have photos of us with our crowns on. The others were getting tired of me taking photos.

When we were getting ready to take a family photo, C took this photo. I think it is sweet.

Pin It

Thanksgiving 2024

This year was a special Thanksgiving for us. Both boys returned from California. Last year A stayed south. This year A was able to spend an entire week with us. He is a senior now and doesn't have many classes. He will be finished with college on December 19th.  C arrived on Tuesday and returned on Sunday. 

C got together with his friends on Wednesday for "Friendsgiving." This is a common event for young people to gather with friends during Thanksgiving week. He was able to see a lot of his friends. Not all of them returned home for Thanksgiving. I did a lot of pre cooking on Wednesday in order to have less to do on Thursday. Wednesday night we went out for dinner as a family to The Keg restaurant.

I enjoy setting a fancy table.

Us:

Here's our Thanksgiving menu:

- Martinellis (sparkling cider)

- Hawaiian rolls

- Cranberry Sauce

- Winter Fruit Salad (A ate the majority of this)

- Mashed Potatoes and gravy

- Dressing/Stuffing

- Green Bean Casserole

- Bacon wrapped Turkey

- Apple Pie and Ice Cream

I bought the apple pie at a craft fair held in early November. I'm not a pie baker. I didn't buy a big enough turkey. It was 10 pounds. I joke that A can eat for three! We didn't have any leftover turkey or mashed potatoes. 

Food:

On Friday, we had our family photo taken outside. I was so thankful that there wasn't any rain on that day. It was cold and sunny. 

On Saturday, J and I had breakfast out with C and a friend of his. Later in the day,  A did some filming for his senior Torrey project on the topic of education. He filmed at his preschool location, his elementary and middle school school, and at his high school. C went along to help him. 

Now, I wait until December 21st when the boy will return by car. 

Pin It

Family Time in September

I typically visit my parents in September. Usually the weather is still nice and both of them have birthdays in September. Last year was the big celebration - their 60th anniversary. 

For September 2024, I picked the date for my visit based on accommodation. I went when I was able to get a room at the B&B where I typically stay. 

I was able to help them with various tasks. On my last day there I took them on a scenic drive along the coast. The views are amazing! I drove as far north as Cattle Point and then came back. We stopped at Willows Beach. I love how close you can park to this beach. I asked a young lady to take our photo. We enjoyed the sunshine for a while.

That evening we had pizza from Willows Pizza as a special treat and then had birthday cake. I bought (from home) a delicious cake from Whole Foods. 

We sang Happy Birthday. Here are the birthday cards that Dad received. 

Great is God's faithfulness to my parents and for sustaining them for so many years!

Pin It

Saying Goodbye and Reconnecting

My uncle Willis died on July 28th. He was my mom's youngest brother. I really wanted to attend his memorial in Arizona. I am happy that the timing worked out for me to go. I had two trips already scheduled when he died - the one to California and one to visit my parents in late September. My fear was that the memorial would fall during one of those trips. 

I left on Friday September 13th. I arrived in the evening. The sun goes down earlier in AZ compared to WA. I had to walk a long way to get the rental car. Once in Tempe, I had trouble seeing the house numbers in the dark and I went to the wrong house at first. Eventually I found Shauna's house. I met Bonnie, Kevin's wife, for the first time. That evening I chatted with Bonnie, Kevin, Matt, and Shauna. It had been 39 years since I had been in Arizona!

On Saturday, my uncle's ashes were scattered near railroad tracks in Skull Valley.  Willis loved trains. His oldest grandson Nick lives in Skull Valley. I rode along with Matt and Shauna in their car.  It is a 2 hour drive north west from Tempe to Skull Valley. I took a few photos from the car.

We stopped in Prescott which is a town with lots of history. Shauna was excited to see a street festival happening but it was just a health fair. There was a car show that we looked at. We went into an antique store. We saw a booth called Vintage Cousins. We thought that applied to Shauna and I. We eventually arrived in Skull Valley. Beth was there. I got a selfie with her.

Doug and Joey were there. They came by car from Alberta. I met Trevor's three daughters and sons in laws and kids. Price relatives as well. A good friend of Trevor also came. 

We went to the train tracks in multiple cars. It was very hot. It wasn't far from Nick's house/ranch.

There was a service there. Trevor sang I Heard That Lonesome Whistle by Hank Williams

I was ridin' number nine

Headin' south from Caroline

I heard that lonesome whistle blow

Got in trouble, had to roam

Left my gal and left my home

I heard that lonesome whistle blow

Just a kid actin' smart

I went and broke my darlin's heart

I guess I was too young to know

They took me off the Georgia Main

Locked me to a ball and chain

I heard that lonesome whistle blow

All alone I bear the shame

I'm a number, not a name

I heard that lonesome whistle blow

All I do is sit and cry

When the evenin' train goes by

I heard that lonesome whistle blow

I'll be locked here in this cell

'Til my body's just a shell

And my hair turns whiter than snow

I'll never see that gal of mine

Lord, I'm in Georgia doin' time

I heard that lonesome whistle blow

as well as Amazing Grace. 

Kevin was master of ceremonies. Willis' great grand son read Psalm 23. He is 6 years old. The dash poem was read by Dylan, Kevins 19 year old son.

It was a favourite of Willis'.

The Dash Poem by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone
from the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth
and spoke the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that they spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved them
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
the cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read,
with your life’s actions to rehash…
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent YOUR dash?

The little kids had bubbles to blow. They understood what was going on. Their parents did a great job explaining it to them.

Shauna spoke. Trevor spoke.

McKayla is next to Shauna. She is Nick's wife

We were given a vial of ashes (if we wanted) and could scatter ashes by the tracks. 

Once multiple people did that (including me), Kevin dumped out the remaining ashes. 

The family posed with the ashes box.

Some flowers near the track.

We returned to Nick's house. We had enchiladas for an early dinner. It was fun to watch the little kids. Andrew Gorman's girl friend was there. We took lots of group photos. Note that Shauna and I have almost matching outfits. That wasn't planned!

Beth with her grandchildren

Beth with the entire family

Beth with her great grand children

Here's a blooper photo.

A candid shot of Nick with Beth.

The millennial generation played some pick up football. I looked at the animals which included a pig. They have horses too but I didn't go there.

Kevin and his family went back to the tracks in hopes of seeing a train go by but that didn't happen. We left at dusk. The drive back was interesting. We stopped at a look out but it was already dark. Kevin was there earlier and got this sunset photo. 

I went into the pool that night at Shauna's. 

Before leaving home I looked online for a PCA church near by. When I told Shauna the name of the church I had chosen to go to, she said my best friend Jill goes there! I went to the 9 am service at New Valley church. I was happy to have someone to sit with. Jill's husband was out of town so she was happy to have someone to sit with. The service was very similar to the one at my church. I felt at home. The church is bigger than ours.

I went back to Shauna's. The family started to gather. Kid were in the pool. I asked Matt for a recommendation for a scenic drive. I went to Lake Saguaro. It was perfect. I took 45 minutes to get there. I stopped a few times along the scenic road. 

When I got to the lake, I just took a few photos and turned around and came back.

It was very hot so my time out of the car was limited. It was 98 degrees. 

I was back to Shauna's in time to change and then leave for the memorial.  Took cousins photo.

We drove to Brentwood, the mobile home community. Once in the clubhouse, Joey and I arranged some flowers. I helped set up the memorial table. 

4 pm was the 1st service for family and friends. Kevin was master of ceremonies. He gave the eulogy. The dash poem was read by a friend of Willis and Beth. Great grand son read some dad jokes. Grand daughter McKenzie gave a tribute. Trevor lead us in 3 songs.

Amazing Grace, The Old Rugged Cross, and I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God. Shauna closed the service with a tribute and then she prayed for the food. It was hot dogs since Willis liked them.  There was also cake and lemonade.

Before and after the services, Beth sat on a higher chair so it was easier for people to come and chat with her. I took video at the memorial services. I didn't take that many photos. The air conditioning wasn't as high as it should be.

5:30 pm was the 2nd service for the residents of Brentwood. The great grandson was super confident with his second round of joke telling. McKenzie didn't cry the second time around. 

I chatted a bit with Dylan - Kevin and Bonnie's son. He is 19 and was recently in Great Britain on a railroad tour. 

The slideshow was shown on a screen. It ran continuously with no music or captions. 

When the last service was over and we tidied up a bit we took flowers and other things to Beth's place. We gathered in her living room. I thought Kevin or Trevor would pray as we dispersed but Beth prayed! That's when I almost cried. She said (among other things) "say hello to Willis, I miss him!"

Went back to Shauna's. Matt picked up pizza for us. We chatted about the challenges of raising adult children. Colin, Kevin, Matt, Shauna and I. 

I could've gone into the pool again but I texted with Jonathan to tell him about my day. 

When I got up on Monday morning, I spent time with Shauna and Colin. Kevin and Bonnie had already left for home.

I drove myself to the airport with plenty of time to go through security and catch the plane. 

I appreciate my Creighton relatives.

Pin It