Where did November go?

Here I am on the last day of November and realize that I haven't blogged since the first week in October... Worse yet, I'm not sure I've read a complete book in the last 2 months... I KNOW.... I can't believe it either. I had no idea how busy life would get.

Jonathan has been in the process of moving, I've been spending my free time with Randy as much as possible, going to church in Wichita is a blessing but that takes time, I'm trying to keep up with all of my wonderful friends who stood by me and helped me through the last few years, plus work.... I feel like I am pulled in many directions! I know, I know, I'm whining!

I have enjoyed reading the blogs that I follow and catch myself wondering why they don't have new posts if it's been a day or two since they've shared... Then I realized it's been 2 MONTHS for me.. Man, I have got to get busy! I've thought of doing a blog on getting married in your late 50's but even though I write them in my head, I haven't taken the time to write them down.

So I apologize to those of you who follow my blog. I have read enough books in my life I know I have books to talk about. Now, if I'll just take the time to do it.

A TRIBUTE TO MY DEAR FRIEND, DEBRA

Debra

I've mentioned my Book Club many times. One of my favorite women, Debra, is a book club friend.  She is beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. She is a retired music teacher. Not only does she teach music she is a wonderful mother, a fun grandmother, she's a dedicated Christian, a quilter, a gardener (her gardens are to die for) and she writes. Her words flow as if they are set to music. I have referred my friends to her blog many times.

I've known Debra for 11 years. I met her for the first time at our first book club meeting. She is an avid reader and gained her love of reading from her Dad.

In all this time of being Debra - being a wife to Danny is what has always stood out the most to me.   [Being women] We often talk in book club about our lives. Our loves. Our heartaches. Our frustrations.  In all of this I could always hear the tone of love in Debra's comments - her love for her Danny.

Her Danny soared into heaven this week. A mere 61 years old. - With many plans in mind of enjoying retirement with his beloved Debra.  Now, Danny - a scientist - is singing and praising God.

He is looking at his farmland that he loved from the heavens. He is wanting to hug his Debra and let her know that it's ok - he's better than ever and waiting on her to join him. - To show her all the wonders he has discovered.

This is my tribute to one of the dearest friends I have,

 Debra Blakley -

 beloved wife of Danny.

The month of May and my unending lists

     I had no idea how busy May was until I was looking at my blog and realized I only have 2 posts for this month! I haven't read much either! So I'm not going to do a book review but talk about the notebook I carry in my purse.

     I carry a small spiral notebook. The kind you can get at any discount store. I keep my notes in it! I seem to forget many things - so I try to remember to jot them in my notebook. I have a grocery list, a prayer list, when I listen to books on CD and hear something I want to remember I pull over write it in my notebook, so I also have a list of quotes. I have a list of books I want to blog about and a list of books I want to read. When someone suggests a book to me, I write it in this notebook. There is a list of blogs I want to check out, a list of pictures to take of relatives tombstones at the cemetery - because Randy has been doing my genealogy - this is so interesting. A list of products Heather uses that I can get for her at  State Beauty Supply and a list of all the things I need to do to my house! - Well, anyway, you get the idea!

     Here is a list of some of the books that have been suggested to me and are listed in my notebook:

               "Three Little Words" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
               "Why My 3rd Husband Will be a Dog" by Lisa Scottoline
               "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
               "The Things They Carried" by Tim OBrian
               "The Sweet By and By" by Todd Johnson
               "90 Minutes In Heaven" - I'm reading this one now
               "We Are All Welcome Here" Elizabeth Berg
               "Angle of Repose" by Wallace Stegner
               "Going to Bend" by Diane Hammond
               "Shepherd of the Hills" - I have this one ordered and am going to read it before summer vacation
               "At Home in the Heart of Appalachia" by John OBrian
               "The Dreamgiver"

     This is a few of my suggested books. If you have read any of them and want to tell me your view - please leave a comment. I love to hear what others think about books. That's one reason I enjoy my book club so much - I get so many different views from my friends. And we have such great discussions.

     Reading is such an important part of my life. 

I'm so very blessed to have this "hobby"

If you're not a reader, think you may like to be one 

but don't know where to begin - 

contact me and I would love to give you some interesting suggestions!!

"Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it." P. J. O'Rourke