Category Archives for "Blog"

2 Dreams From the Past by J.R. Albrecht: A Review

One might expect a book that weighs in at over 700 pages to be just a tad repetitious or rambling. But I have to say, Dreams from the Past held my interest from start to finish. The author, J.R. Albrecht, does an excellent job of pacing himself.

He takes his time telling the story of modern day (21st century) protagonist, Jack Brandigan, who stumbles into circumstances that ultimately place him in the heart and soul of Civil War era America. The story is rich with conflict, ethical dilemmas, suspense, danger and history.

7 Carol vs Cognitive Testing

Yesterday I had my annual neurological exam, which includes cognitive testing to gauge the extent to which my Parkinson’s disease is affecting brain function. Apparently there is a higher rate of dementia among Parkinson’s patients.

The only reason I mention this is because there were some pretty hilarious moments in the course of the cognitive testing. If there ever was any doubt about my being a right brain kinda gal, these tests cleared that up!

0 When is a Cliché Acceptable?

Clichés have been demonized since the beginning of time. A ‘good writer’ should never and would never use these pariahs of the written word. Right? They are the kiss of death to any budding writing career. Professional suicide. A sin against the gods of all that is holy on the printed page.

But, really, aren’t we taking ourselves just a little bit too seriously?

0 The Rosie Project: Book Review

Don Tillman has his life in order. He is good at his job as Professor of Genetics. In fact, some would describe him as brilliant. He has two friends – Gene, a colleague at the university, and Gene’s wife, Claudia. He is organized and has a daily routine.

But Don feels it is time to take the next step in the progression of his life. He decides he needs a wife.

Enter Rosie who he quickly eliminates as a candidate. She is disorganized, impulsive, and works at a bar. Clearly, she does not meet Don’s high standards. Plus, she is a vegetarian – AND she smokes!

0 Little Free Libraries

I’ve been aware of these Little Free Libraries for awhile now although I’ve yet to see one in person. I’m fascinated with the concept though — that people would go out of their way to share books with total strangers.

Clearly, someone would have to be a real book lover to do this.

0 Lilac Girls: A Novel

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly is an eye-opening account of the medical experimentation that occurred in Ravensbruck concentration camp during World War II.

While I was aware that medical experiments were performed on prisoners at certain camps, I was unaware until now of the plight of these women, who were referred to as ‘rabbits’ due to their role as human laboratory animals.

When American socialite Caroline Ferriday learns of these women who have been virtually abandoned by the post-War Russian controlled Polish government, she fights to bring them to the United States for corrective medical treatment.

0 Love Letters

A genuine, handwritten letter! It was from my cousin in Paris and, I have to confess, my heart skipped a beat at the sight of it. It wasn’t just the novelty of receiving such an unexpected treat.

The sight of that letter with its thin, airmail style envelope transported me into the far distant past. It was like time traveling. I was twenty-one again and half running, half skipping down to the rural type mailbox that sat at the curb of my parents’ house.

0 The Whistler

Memories of my childhood home all begin the same – my Dad with a whistle on his lips. He whistled constantly, always happy, upbeat tunes. In fact, I can’t remember many occasions in which my father wasn’t whistling.

When we were young, we used to love taking walks with Dad in the small Illinois town where he grew up. He’d whistle Big Band tunes as we bounced along beside him and, as we passed the various landmarks, he would share stories of his youthful mischief-making. Rushville’s resident delinquent.

“That’s where we hoisted the Model T into the tree. Was my teacher ever surprised when he came out the next morning to find his pride and joy missing … until he looked up.”

0 Thoughts On Mom

No matter where we come from, whether we’ve had a life of privilege or one of poverty and oppression, we all make choices that affect who we become.

It’s not about where you come from, but what you choose to do with the rest of your life that counts.

My mother was proof that education comes in many forms; and it doesn’t always include a diploma.

0 Thanks For Living Here

With those four simple words, we watched our last-born son exit our home to forge a new life for himself as a married man. The words were whispered to him by his father, who was failing utterly and completely in his efforts to appear stoic.

Tears were shed, but not of sadness. We were happy for him. He had chosen well and we had confidence that his decision was well thought out and planned with the precision of an architect designing his family’s first home. No. Our tears (Yes, I shed a few myself) were of joy, interspersed with a well-rounded measure of sentimentality.