magistramater on Xanga - Weblog - Archives

Weblog » Archives » October 2011

The Gift of Ann Voskamp

She looks like a college student, not the mother of six kids, all spritely in her cute black dress and knee length boots. You expect a high voice, but it is a husky one that begins, "I'm in over my head." I don't have…
Roast Beef and a Recital

Another glorious evening with more nieces and nephews... My sister's famous bread—by it her people are nourished. Mashed potatoes and gravy...can you spell comfort food? It's recital time! Oldest goes fi…
A Lovely Autumnal October Day

The photo above is one of my favorites: three generations of hands helping pick an apple. I love being Aunt Carol to these dears. The point of it all is a good, crisp apple!
Unsuitable for Ladies

My husband: What are you reading? Me: Unsuitable for Ladies Him: Why would you want to read something unsuitable for ladies? Me: It's not the content, it's the title. It's a travel anthology; travel used to be deemed u…
Serendipity Overload

Serendipity is one of my favorite words. My definition: finding something wonderful that you weren't looking for. One of the most splendid serendipitous events of my life took place on Monday night. I was packing for…
A Green Journey

It has been six months since I've read Jon Hassler's charming book, A Green Journey. I had never heard of Jon Hassler, nor of his Staggerford books, before I read the review my friend Hope wrote. I'm so thankful she p…
Love Over Scotland

Alexander McCall Smith's Love Over Scotland is a supremely satisfying read. It is amusing, but not vapid. The characters are so well-drawn that I could see them, hear their voices; I felt like I knew them. I believe I…
A Mario Moment

When the wind is fierce and furious after the rain has drenched the earth, root systems give way. This happened the weekend of my son's wedding near Seattle. Towering trees toppled like toothpicks. A wide swath of citie…