Spectating Is Boring

Indoor track meets are so much more fun when you can participate!  Go away Planter Fasciitis.

Fingers crossed all is good for outdoor!

Two More

I've now read more books in 2019 than I did in 2018.  Sad to say but it is the truth.  I am excited to keep up the reading!

A Serial Killer's Daughter by Kerri Rawson is disturbing.  I just kept wondering how her dad could be a dad and still kill.  This book made me think more about the killer's family.  He not only destroyed the families of those he killed, he destroyed his own family.  The families of criminals do not ask for the suffering.  It is a struggle all the way around.

The book is an easy read.  Kudos to Kerri for persevering and overcoming.  I'm sure everyday there is still some sort of hate to overcome.

We attended a function for the local Indian society.  They handed out the namesake to all the guests.   I enjoyed this novel.  It is filled with all that is involved in moving to a "new" country and building a life.  The family story in this new country is told and I was captivated.  I related to the empty nest and all the emotions felt.  (How did I get to this empty nest?) This book is about love.  The love that grows from a prearranged marriage and love that may or may not persist in "normal" relationship.  It's opened my eyes to cultural differences and the strength of familial bonds.

Ask and You Shall Receive

Years ago, I made up a dozen or so easy bags.  I kept three for myself filling them with different knitting projects.  Peanut associates knitting with me schlepping around one of my bags.  On every trip, there was always a bag at my feet in the car.

Fast forward...his gf wants to learn how to knit.  She got yarn and needles to start making a hat.  Peanut promptly texted me asking if I had another knitting bag.  Wow!  I haven't sewed in years.  I took this opportunity to dig through my limited stash and come up with something.

I was hoping for some fun mix of fabric but did not have enough yardage.  However, it is fitting to use this fabric.  I bought it years ago to make up a bag for my mom.  She was a dedicated tea drinker.  It turns out the gf likes tea too.  As I cut the pieces, I was smiling thinking of my mom.  I did not have my preferred interfacing either.  I ended up punting with what I had.

The end result is by no means perfect, but it will be the perfect bag for the beginning knitter.  I'm glad Peanut requested a bag.  It got my creative juices flowing...I just might have to get my sewing machine tuned up!

The Middle Dog

Who knew when we rescued Jude, she'd become "my" dog.  In the evenings, after dinner, she needs her snuggling time.  She is not happy until she squeezes up on me.  It is very endearing but she weighs 55 pounds!

Last night was no different.  The Big Guy put his head in my lap.  Jude hopped right up and snuggled in.   She was just making sure she was in the middle!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Growing up, we made a few trips across Pennsylvania from Ohio.  There was a restaurant near where we got on the PA Turnpike.  It was a favorite of my dad's.  In their bakery case, they had round smiley face sugar cookies.  Back then, I don't remember ever buying the cookies.  But, after my dad passed away, the cookies always made us smile and think of him.  Over the years, the cookies established a following.  There are some for each holiday.  For Valentine's Day this year, we ordered 200 smiley heart Cookies.  Each guest at the soup kitchen got a heart on their tray.  I sure hope they enjoyed them.  I smiled all day knowing my dad was with us in spirit serving.  It doesn't hurt that the cookies are yummy.  The amount of icing is just right, not too sweet.  Love them and love spreading the love today!

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

One of my goals for 2019 is to read more!  I started off the year listening to the audio book, The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas.  My commute to work is about 40 minutes one way.  It dawned on me. I can experience lots of books driving to/fro the soup kitchen.

Anyway, this book is a bestseller.  One reviewer declared that it was heartbreakingly human.  I could not agree more.  It puts race issues right in your face.  It made me think beyond my comfort zone.  It made me think.  This is a book everyone should read.  It is a young adult but deals with very adult issues.

A few days ago, I realized the book is currently a movie.  I'm going to add it to our must see movie list.

The William J. Clinton Presidential Library

We spent the afternoon on Sunday at The William J. Clinton Presidential Library.  It was a miserably wet day.  We were glad to be inside.  The library is lovely.  It makes me wanna go visit the other presidential libaries.  Great places to learn.

 The area by the library looks wonderful.  We hope to go back in the spring and explore with our bikes.  The drive from home to Little Rock is a flat one with lots of trucks.

 One of the exhibits shows President Clinton's daily schedules throughout his presidency.  Had to find out what he was doing when Peanut was born.

 It looks like The President was in Hawaii when Pumpkin was born!

 We need to do more of this - taking advantage of what's close by.  The day of exploration was just what we needed, even if it was raining!