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

Off and flying! 2014

   Into the new year already!  The holidays were enjoyable!  On 20-DEC, I traveled to Wichita, KS to start my holiday in my new house.  One down-side was that our kids weren't there.
   Steve and I spent Christmas alone, together.  Sounds romantic, I know.  But Steve only got Christmas Day off of work so there wasn't much to do. I made a late breakfast, we watched movies while drinking adult beverages and eating popcorn, cheese and crackers, and generally just treasured our time together and counting our blessings.
   Steve and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary on 30-DEC.  That's a long time!
   On New Year's Eve day we journeyed north to the paternal home in Le Mars, IA.  There we were joined by all 3 kids and their guests/family.  Jeff and Marie brought our grandson, Samuel.  Geoff's guest was his girlfriend, Jenna M.and Lynne brought along her boyfriend, David O.  We were house guests of Steve's brother Doug. (A BIG THANKS to Doug for hosting 9 people and 3 dogs for 4 days!!!!)
   We rang in the New Year at a Reiter family gathering held at Steve's sister Mary Beth and her husband, Tom's house.It was GREAT to see family members again!  Some of them I hadn't seen in person for over 6 months!
   Thanks, Tom, for making the good chili to share. Other family members brought goodies to eat too. Of course, there was way too much food to eat.  In fact, enough for lunch the next day.  BTW, I brought "Pride of Iowa" cookies that I made in KS that day before.
   My sister, Tina S-R, stopped by on NY'sD to see her grand-nephew Sam.  She took pictures and had a gift for Sam. Samuel, by the way, is already 9 months old!  Even though I'm his Oma, he is one good-looking boy!
   As always, time flies too quickly when you're with family.  On Saturday, Steve and I were the last house guests to leave Le Mars.  We returned to KS to finish out the holiday break.
   The weather on Monday was evil.  So very cold over all the Midwest US.  Many schools and activities were cancelled.  I returned to Iowa on Tuesday, 07-JAN.  Back to work!

MY NEW YEAR RESOLUTION:  I'm going to update this blog at least once a week. I resolve to do so.

Happy 2014 to all of you!
Theresa