Sunday Salon...Rainy November

Weather: We experienced what the meteorologist called a, 'atmospheric river' this week, with substantial flooding and 'ponding'. My husband assured me that 'ponding' is not a word, then he went outside to our backyard and looked at the new pond where our lawn stood the day before, and he agreed that there was quite a bit of 'ponding' in our yard.

Van Gogh Immersive Experience: Don and I spent part of Veteran's Day in Seattle at the Van Gogh Experience. What can I say but WOW WOW WOW. (See collage above)

Eugene: Fortunately the atmospheric river was not aimed at Eugene, Oregon since we were once more down there attending a football game. Oddly, and this isn't a good thing, the temperature was in the mid-60s. In November!? It was nice for the game but bad for our climate. Actually I didn't attend the game. My daughter and her husband went in my stead and I stayed back and babysat the grandkids. 

I've Been Busy reading: I've read some really great books since my last Sunday post...

• Completed in the past two weeks:
• The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor -- a YA graphic novel based on Chinese-American folklore.A finalist for the National Book Award for the Youn People's Literature category. Print.
  
• Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson -- I've never read this swashbuckling book before. I really enjoyed it a lot. Audio.
• Transcription by Kate Atkinson -- a book club selection. Set during WWII in Britain, a gal is hired to work as a spy for MI5, domestic intelligence. After the war is over her past activities come back to haunt her. Audio.
  
•  The Family of Man by Edward Steichen -- We had very few books around the house when I was growing up but we had this book. First published in 1955 it is full of black and white photographs chronicling the lives of people all over the world. I must have looked through this book 'a million times' as a kid and was pleased to see it on the coffee table at my mother's house when we visited her. What a gem.
• Children and Their Mothers by Hanns Reich -- This is one of the books that was always around the house as I grew up. My mom recently found it and I had the opportunity to read it on a recent visit. As a kid I just looked at the photos -- all black and white, of mothers and children from around the world -- so it surprised me to notice this time that the book is full of poetry and little sayings about the relationship between the two.  
• The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham -- I've had this short classic hanging around the house for several years. Themes: forgiveness, friendship, and personal growth. Print.
• Hell of a Book by Jason Mott -- So, so profound. I think this book just turned my life upside down. WOW. Here's my review where I was able to isolate three especially profound aspects of the book. Audio.
• Simple Prayers of Hope: Stories to Touch Your Heart and Feed Your Soul by Margaret Feinberg, illustrated by Norman Rockwell -- Not specific prayers but about people who prayed specific prayers and had them answered. Each prayer story is paired with a Norman Rockwell illustration. This is another book I found on my Mother's coffee table. Print.
  
• Currently reading: 
• Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr -- Another National Book Award finalist. I love this author but I confess that the plot is very complicated taking place during three (possibly four) time periods: The fall of Constantinople 1450s; WWII to current days (1940s to 2020s); in the distant future; and a bit during the 400 BC, the age of the Greeks! Don and I are listening to the audiobook and are enjoying it quite a bit. 59%.
• Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre by Brandy Colbert -- a Cybils nominated book for the High School Nonfiction category. Print. 54%.
• Race Against Time: The Untold Story of Scipio Jones and the Race to Save Twelve Innocent Men by Sandra Neil Wallace -- Another Cybils nominated book in the nonfiction category. I'm trying to get a jump on possible reading in the new year when my judging stint starts. Print. 39%.
• Without You, There Is No Us: My Time With the Sons of North Korea's Elite by Suki Kim -- Another nonfiction title, this one has been hanging around the house for several years. We purchased it after we heard the author speak at an event at Seattle Univ. I participating in a read-a-long with Helen@ Helen's Book Blog.
• Matrix by Lauren Groff -- Yet another National Book Award finalist. This one is set during the time of the last Crusades. The main character is an actual historical woman. Audiobook. 58%.

On the lighter side:

 

Required pet photo:

Fred: Big cat, little drawer.

-Anne