Easter: Last week we hosted dinner for a few folks, including our grandson and his cousin, both under two. Both of the little guys were so stinkin' cute. Ian had his first Easter egg hunt and he was so serious about it. We hid empty plastic eggs and he seriously collected them into his little basket, worried only if the eggs popped open or if the puppy, Bingley, grabbed one in his mouth and ran off. Ian didn't care that the eggs were empty. The hunt was the goal and we had to re-hide the eggs several times so he could find them again and again.
Dedicated: The week before I was in Eugene with my mom and sister. My dad was honored by the Wesley Center at UO for his past support of many, many years of this ministry by having a library room named for him. A dedication ceremony was hosted by the campus minister and his team and mom invited many friends from church or who also had connections to campus ministry. It was such fun to be involved in the ceremony and to take a stroll down memory lane as Dad's history of involvement was highlighted. His life was such a blessing to many people.
Bronchitis: On my way home from Eugene I started to feel badly and by the time I got home congestion had settled into my chest. Over the next few days it developed into a mild case of bronchitis and has now bloomed into a full sinus event. Two weeks and counting. Ugh.
Sadness in the world: The senseless attacks in Sri Lanka, the attacks on the synagogues in New Zealand and San Diego, the fires set on black churches in the South. Yesterday a Korean shop owner was killed after handing over the contents of her cash register. She lived and worked a block from our church. My heart is breaking. Such anger and sadness around the world.
 |
| Tulip field 2018 |
Though sick, I have been reading this month, mostly as part of the 'My Own Books' Reading challenge (click on the hyperlinks for reviews, if available):
- Gilead by Marilynne Robinson---print; 'My Own Books' and Pulitzer challenges; finished April 3rd.
- On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan---print; 'My Own Books' and Mini-book book; finished April 5th.
- The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur---ebook; poetry; finished April 7th.
- Redeployment by Phil klay---print; 'My Own Books' reading challenge; read-along with Heather S.; short stories; finished April 9th.
- Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson---print from library; memoir written in verse; finished April 10th.
- My Brother's Book by Maurice Sendak---print from the library; children's book; poetry; finished April 10th.
- The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka---print and audiobook; 'My Own Books' and My Personal National Book Award challenges; finished April 12th.
- The Four Things that Matter Most by Ira Byock, M.D.---print and audiobook; 'My Own Books' reading challenge; nonfiction; recommended by my mother; finished April 15th.
- The Thing About Luck by Cynthia Kadohata---audiobook from the library; My Personal National Book Award Reading Challenge; Middle grade, coming-of-age tale; finished April 16th.
- Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc by David Elliott---print from the library; poetry; finished April 17th.
- A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen---print; 'My Own Books' challenge; memoir; finished April 19th.
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates---audiobook from the library; My Personal National Book Award Challenge; letter from father to son; finished April 23rd.
- The Confession of Fitzwilliam Darcy by Mary Street---print; 'My Own Books' challenge; romance; the Pride and Prejudice story from Mr. Darcy's POA; finished April 24th.
Currently reading:
- The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai---audiobook from the library; novel about the AIDS epidemic; 45%.
- Small Wonder essays by Barbara Kingsolver---print; 'My Own Books'; essays; 17%.
- East of Eden by John Steinbeck---print; Classics Club Spin book; 2%.
 |
| Ian and Dylan, cousins or baby models? |
