Just Reading Along...

Here I am again!
  I just finished reading a little novelette that I picked up in a thrift store for 25 cents in Wichita over Christmas vacation.  It's title is "For the Love of St. Nicholas," by Garasamo Maccagnone.  At 44 pages in length it's a quick read.
 In short, the story is about 2 young motherless boys who live with their father, a Navy Commander, on base in Michigan in an old hunter's cabin on Lake Huron. The younger boy, Johnny, is continuously sick and is cared for by the nanny and his older brother, Tiger. The boys' father must leave on a secret mission prior to Christmas. While he is gone, the boys are surprised by a chance encounter that saves a life and reunites a family.  Short of a few typos the story isn't too bad.
  The St. Nicholas in the story isn't Santa Claus.  There is a religious, if not Catholic, overtone to the story which does not subtract from tone implied by the author.  I would tend to guess that other works by this author have religious overtones also. ("The Affliction of Dreams," "The Suburban Dragon," and St. John of the Midfield.")   Interview with Garasamo Maccagnone:
  I'm also currently reading "Old Songs In A New Cafe" by Robert James Waller.  You know, the Iowa author of "The Bridges of Madison County."  Think movie with Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. "Old Songs" is a collection of essays and stories that have appeared in other written volumes or in the "Des Moines Register" (Iowa) plus ones new to this edition.
 I never really read the Bridges book, but I saw the movie. I even have a copy of both.  I traveled to Winterset, IA one summer with my good friend Terri Atkinson to visit the several wooden bridges.  We toured "Francesca's house" and sat by her bathtub. Just like Clint and Meryl.  I think in the past few years vandals set fire in Francesca's house and some of the bridges have also been burned. So sad.
 But getting back to "Old Songs"....  So far, I'm enjoying it. The stories are about people, animals and things that have touch the author's life. They let you inside Robert James Waller's mind and world.  I can relate them.  How cliche'!  But it's true.
  Perhaps I'll move on to his other works, "Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend," "Images," and even "The Bridges of Madison County."    Go here for more on Robert James Waller:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_James_Waller

 It's snowing here in Garner and the wind is supposed to pick up. I might venture out tomorrow.

 Bye for now.  Love you all.
Theresa