"Martha's Vineyard--Isle of Dreams" and 7 Other Books I've Enjoyed Recently.

“I am so loving this book!” When those words came out of my mouth this week they even surprised me, as I'm a picky reader and seldom rave about a title. But Martha's Vineyard by Susan Branch is not your normal hardback. Don't believe me? Maybe this photo will help:

Every page of text is intermingled with either photos, little sketches, recipes, quotes, and delicate borders, something unlike any autobiography I've ever seen and clearly reflects Susan Branch's personality and skill.

For those unfamiliar with the name, Susan Branch is an artist, best known for her pastel renderings found on stationery, calendars, scrap booking accessories, and in her books. Often she paints subjects among her surroundings at home on the island: flowers, picket fences, vases she collects, her three cats (Girl Kitty, Man Kitty and Billy), ocean scenes, birds, a vintage stove, and much more.

Back in 1993, I and a good friend, took a ferry ride over to Martha's Vineyard and by day's end I was already longing to return for a longer visit. That never happened, but reading Branch's book made me feel like I was back there again. Her friendly writing style and descriptive passages of life on the island were exactly as I remembered and made it easy to enjoy what she had to say.

The engaging story begins with her spontaneous 3-month-escape to Martha's Vineyard to sort things out about her troubled marriage back in California. But when a tiny cottage on an acre of land turns up she opts to buy it and start life over in a remote place where everyone is a stranger. What follows in the remainder of the book are snippets from the next five years of her life as she recovers from a divorce, continues her work as an artist, becomes a part of the community and beautifies and improves her home and life. Whether you've been to Martha's Vineyard or not it's a delightful read. 368 pages.

OTHER BOOKS THAT GET MY APPROVAL:

Branch's book is not the only title I read recently. I also spent time with an espionage thriller; a revised edition of a title I read, and liked, some twenty years ago; a lighthearted mystery; and four children's books ideal for parents with a child about to start school for the first time.

Will any of these titles pique your interest? I certainly hope so! Let's start with a thriller I finished in two days--a sign right there that it was pretty good read.

The Black Widow by Daniel Silva. As always, Silva has written another espionage thriller that ties in to today's current events. This time the story involves an Israeli female doctor, turned spy, who infiltrates an ISIS cell in Syria to obtain information about a certain leader--the man behind a recent Paris bombing-- and his plans for the next attack. It's an easy and captivating read in which you learn a bit of history while being entertained. Usually Silva's books are free of foul language, but not in this title, though it is very minimal. 544 pages. Audio was terrific. 

Loved Back to Life: How I Found the Courage to Live Free by Sheila Walsh. This is an updated edition of Honestly written by the author (former co-host of The 700 Club) some 20 years ago in which she tells her story of being admitted into a Psychiatric hospital and what transpired in the years following.

When I originally read the book in 1996 two things surprised me about the book: (1) her vulnerability in addressing depression, a subject rarely acknowledged within the Christian church at the time and (2) the book's need for better editing. I'm not 100% certain but I believe this revised edition has removed some of the extraneous material which has made the story move along at a better clip.

While this is not my top choice for a book about depression from a Christian viewpoint I like it and would not hesitate to suggest it to someone who needs to know they are not alone with this illness, that it's nothing to be ashamed of, and that you can rise above, or for some, overcome it. Audio version was a disappointment. Think it would have been better had Sheila narrated the book to convey the emotion and personality within the story, plus her lovely Scottish accent.

State Fair by Earlene Fowler. This is book #14 in the Benni Harper Mystery series which came as a suggestion from Sharon G., one of my blog readers. According to Sharon, “Fowler's books are light, easy reading, but I love trying to solve the mystery.”

I'd never heard of the author so was curious to try one of her novels in audio format. State Fair turned out to be a whimsical read thanks to a quirky character who loved to play sleuth and in the process mess up a murder investigation. Anyone who likes country fairs, quilts, and solving mysteries would definitely enjoy this “easy read” as Sharon so accurately described it. One other bit of trivia: All the titles in the series are named after a quilt pattern! 320 pages.

BOOKS FOR KIDS

Going to school for the first time can be fearful for some children. Here are four titles parents might find helpful in alleviating their son or daughter's fear:

First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg. In this delightful story kids find out they are not the only one who gets scared when the first day of school turns up. So do teachers. But the discovery of who is under the bed-covers and refuses to get dressed for school turns out to be a surprise. The comical and colorful illustrations are great which is also a reason why this has become a bestseller since it's release in 2000. A 32-page fun read for all ages.

Dad's First Day by Mike Wohnutka. This is a 2015 title and certainly reflects our times with more Dad's working from home or making the effort to be more involved with their kids. As summer draws to a close a Dad and his son enjoy a few final fun times together and then prepare for the start of the new school year. But in this case the roles are reversed: Dad is the one afraid and the son is the calm one who must model for the adult all the wonderful, positive things that take place at school. Nice graphics in this 40 page story.

Spot Goes to School by Erik Hill. This is a spin off book from the popular title, Where's Spot. In this title the cute, scared Spot is hesitant to go to school but by day's end, after discovering so many happy things to do and see, he is eager to return. Graphics are simple and colorful, but it's the “lift the flap” feature that makes kids enjoy this series and want to read it again and again. 22 pages.

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. This sweet story is about Chester, an anxious raccoon, who would rather stay home than go to school. His smart Mama tells him about the wonderful new things he'll get to enjoy and reassures him with a family secret: the kissing hand that will make his time at school seem like his cozy days at home. It's a lovely, thoughtful story, especially for any child fearful about going to school or facing a difficult separation. 24 pages.

I'm currently reading a novel, When Crickets Cry and working my way through two non-fiction titles that are challenging my views. I'll tell you about them next month when I recap what's on my nightstand.

Until then, how about you tell me about a book you enjoyed recently, or perhaps suggest a topic for a future blog post. I'm open to your ideas!

Julie

The 2016 Rio Olympics and a 90-year-old-swimmer!

Tomorrow I reach a milestone in my life: turning 70! Birthday plans are up ahead, but for now the celebration will begin with a trip to Baskin Robbins, open a few gifts, read a chapter in a lovely new book I received, and swim laps in the pool! I have Aileen Riggen Soule to thank for that. You probably don't recognize her name, but she's known for a significant accomplishment at age 14. Can you guess what made her famous? I'll give you a hint: it has to do with the Olympics, and not the current 2016 Rio Games.

Need another hint? She won a medal.

Still puzzled? Here's a third clue: Diving.

Can't come up with an answer? Okay, I'll tell you. Aileen was the youngest female athletic in the 1920's Olympics who received a gold medal in Springboard Diving.

The only reason I know about Aileen is due to a 1996 Time magazine article I came across about her quest to be on the USA swim team. Unfortunately, she did not qualify due to her 4' 7” height and 65 pound weight. Instead, she represented our country at the Games in Antwerp in the springboard diving event and brought home a gold medal. Four years later she went to the Games in Paris and garnered two more medals, this time in diving and swimming.

While I enjoyed her Olympic story, what impressed me more was to learn that at age 90, Aileen was still swimming! At the time of the article she lived in Hawaii and active in the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa Swim Club. (Trust me, that is it's official name and not some typo.) and also attended the U.S. Masters Swimming Championships.

Time to relax with a noodle and chat with two good friends: Debby and Linda.

So taken by her example to stay active I saved that article knowing it would inspire me to never give up swimming, a sport I have loved since a child. Other than days when health issues interfered, or thunderclouds appeared above, I've headed to the pool each afternoon with goggles in hand to do laps. Usually a couple of noodles accompany me for water exercises or to simply relax in the refreshing waters on a hot summer day. Often my friend, Debby Alten, joins me in the pool, and frequently speeds by me in her lane with her bright yellow and blue flippers! Where's an Olympic official when you need one.

Last week the USA swim team at the Rio Games captured the world's attention, including mine. Watching world records get broken and hearing the personal stories behind many of the athletes took me back to my own days on a swim team in Vista, California. I was 12 at the time, favoring the freestyle stroke, enjoying competitions and treasuring every win. And, of course, the dream of one day participating in the Olympics was part of my mindset. But then my Dad took a job in another city, requiring a family move to a place far beyond the city limits, where no local pool or swim club existed. As a result, my days of swimming came to an abrupt halt, along with my Olympic dream.

Now, nearly 60 years later, with access to a nearby pool, I find myself swimming daily and wondering: do I have what it takes to even make it the qualifying rounds for the U.S. Masters Swim Competition? Out of curiosity I did a bit of research and discovered this year's event took place in June, but 2017's is slated to be held next April in Riverside, CA--a mere 45-minute drive from where I live. Guess that eliminates the excuse that it's too far away or too costly to attend.

Then I checked the winning freestyle swim times for my age group. Yikes, I'll need a coach for this dream to come true. (Think Michael Phelps would like the job?) It's also going to require dedication, extended practice time, and quite possibly someone with CPR training on the sidelines. Sounds daunting, but I suppose if Aileen can still compete at age 90, surely I'm not too old to try.

Believe me, if I do end up trying out you will be notified and officially invited to be a part of my cheering section. Until then, here's a video clip Debby created from one of our days at the pool last summer to keep you entertained. I'm confident Aileen would love its black/white "vintage" look and have a few suggestions on how I could improve my stroke and times.




Well, now that I've disclosed my age, a long-ago-Olympic dream and future goal ... it's now your turn. You can skip telling me your age, but if you ever aspired to go to the Olympics or had the privilege to attend the Games I'd love to hear about it in the comment box below.

As always, thank you for giving me a bit of your time and somewhere in my words was a thought worth pondering or triggered a smile. 

Julie

2016 Olympics and a 90-year-old-swimmer!

Tomorrow I reach a milestone in my life: turning 70! Birthday plans are up ahead, but for now the celebration will begin with a trip to Baskin Robbins, open a few gifts, read a chapter in a lovely new book I received, and swim laps in the pool! I have Aileen Riggen Soule to thank for that. You probably don't recognize her name, but she's known for a significant accomplishment at age 14. Can you guess what made her famous? I'll give you a hint: it has to do with the Olympics, and not the current 2016 Rio Games.

Need another hint? She won a medal.

Still puzzled? Here's a third clue: Diving.

Can't come up with an answer? Okay, I'll tell you. Aileen was the youngest female athletic in the 1920's Olympics who received a gold medal in Springboard Diving.

The only reason I know about Aileen is due to a 1996 Time magazine article I came across about her quest to be on the USA swim team. Unfortunately, she did not qualify due to her 4' 7” height and 65 pound weight. Instead, she represented our country at the Games in Antwerp in the springboard diving event and brought home a gold medal. Four years later she went to the Games in Paris and garnered two more medals, this time in diving and swimming.

While I enjoyed her Olympic story, what impressed me more was to learn that at age 90, Aileen was still swimming! At the time of the article she lived in Hawaii and active in the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa Swim Club. (Trust me, that is it's official name and not some typo.) and also attended the U.S. Masters Swimming Championships.

Time to relax with a noodle and chat with two good friends: Debby and Linda.

So taken by her example to stay active I saved that article knowing it would inspire me to never give up swimming, a sport I have loved since a child. Other than days when health issues interfered, or thunderclouds appeared above, I've headed to the pool each afternoon with goggles in hand to do laps. Usually a couple of noodles accompany me for water exercises or to simply relax in the refreshing waters on a hot summer day. Often my friend, Debby Alten, joins me in the pool, and frequently speeds by me in her lane with her bright yellow and blue flippers! Where's an Olympic official when you need one.

Last week the USA swim team at the Rio Games captured the world's attention, including mine. Watching world records get broken and hearing the personal stories behind many of the athletes took me back to my own days on a swim team in Vista, California. I was 12 at the time, favoring the freestyle stroke, enjoying competitions and treasuring every win. And, of course, the dream of one day participating in the Olympics was part of my mindset. But then my Dad took a job in another city, requiring a family move to a place far beyond the city limits, where no local pool or swim club existed. As a result, my days of swimming came to an abrupt halt, along with my Olympic dream.

Now, nearly 60 years later, with access to a nearby pool, I find myself swimming daily and wondering: do I have what it takes to even make it the qualifying rounds for the U.S. Masters Swim Competition? Out of curiosity I did a bit of research and discovered this year's event took place in June, but 2017's is slated to be held next April in Riverside, CA--a mere 45-minute drive from where I live. Guess that eliminates the excuse that it's too far away or too costly to attend.

Then I checked the winning freestyle swim times for my age group. Yikes, I'll need a coach for this dream to come true. (Think Michael Phelps would like the job?) It's also going to require dedication, extended practice time, and quite possibly someone with CPR training on the sidelines. Sounds daunting, but I suppose if Aileen can still compete at age 90, surely I'm not too old to try.

Believe me, if I do end up trying out you will be notified and officially invited to be a part of my cheering section. Until then, here's a video clip Debby created from one of our days at the pool last summer to keep you entertained. I'm confident Aileen would love its black/white "vintage" look and have a few suggestions on how I could improve my stroke and times.




Well, now that I've disclosed my age, a long-ago-Olympic dream and future goal ... it's now your turn. You can skip telling me your age, but if you ever aspired to go to the Olympics or had the privilege to attend the Games I'd love to hear about it in the comment box below.

As always, thank you for giving me a bit of your time and somewhere in my words was a thought worth pondering or triggered a smile. 

Julie

How Collecting Vintage Dishes and Green Depression Glass Made Life Fun Again!

Anytime someone says “I'm bored!” my instinct is to offer them a bit of advice that once helped me: get a hobby, volunteer somewhere, or start a collection!

That's what I did years ago when life got boring due to a serious illness that forced me to stop working. Rather than whine or expect others to make my world better I took responsibility and found a way to add a bit of fun back into my life. Here's how it all came about.

One day, in need of a break from the routine, I visited a nearby thrift shop. It didn't cost anything to look and perusing the shelves usually proved entertaining, sometimes bringing back sweet memories from my childhood. On this particular day my eyes spotted a small plate with a familiar looking pattern. “Ooh, that looks like the pattern on my grandma's soup tureen from the 1950's which I have in my kitchen cupboard.” To my surprise the antique piece was priced at only 25 cents! Thrilled with my find I quickly bought the dish and thus began my start in collecting vintage dishes by Vernon Kilns.

Over the years I continued to look for the pottery, and now and then would find a dish, or cup, or bowl at a bargain price. Now days it's rare to find them in thrift shops. Most are in antique stores with much higher prices.

Green depression glass, with a swirl pattern, is something else I sought out for a few years. My interest in it stems from six green goblets I inherited from my other grandmother, along with her china. Two of my favorite pieces are the glass on a pedestal and the tiny dessert dish, the perfect size for my daily scoop of ice cream!

WHAT WOMEN COLLECT

Hearing what others collect always intrigues me as there is usually a story behind the collection. My friend, Candy, has nearly 300 restaurant creamers most of which she displays in old Coke bottle wood crates. When I asked why she chose to collect creamers she told me: “Jim (her husband) said 'Okay, but it has to be something that won't take up a lot of space. No more antique furniture!'”

Another friend, Linda, is into frog figurines! Her yard is full of them, and a few can be found in the house. My sister her small bell collection out on display in a hutch, but also considers many of her Christmas ornaments--momentos from places she and her husband have traveled to over the years--her special collection. Tea cups and saucers, salt and pepper shakers, cookbooks, cookie jars, Precious Moments figurines, and Barbie dolls are also popular collectibles by women.

WHAT MEN COLLECT

Men are also collectors. A July 10, 2016 Parade magazine article educated us about astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and his 120 ties collection, actor Justin Pinchot's love of vintage cars and toy robots and others. My brother is into rare coins and acquiring every one of Louis L'Amour westerns. And I'm sure we all know some guy who has a huge baseball card, watch, or gun collection. 

Some of the best places to spot a male collector is at the office. I had one boss, an art director, who proudly displayed his wide assortment of pencil toppers on a bookshelf for all to enjoy. Very colorful. Other things I can imagine the male gender collecting might be: Bobble heads, fountain pens, old metal signs, sports memorabilia, first edition books, tools, marbles, old cameras, and even lunch pails.

WHY PEOPLE COLLECT THINGS

As for why people collect things . . . there is no one answer. Many do so out of the excitement of the hunt to find a certain item. Others out of a desire to preserve a bit of history which is one of the reasons behind Andre Villa's huge 1950's era collection of Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, etc. He began his hobby at the age of eight which now fills up every room in his house. You can catch a glimpse of his huge collection via this Heartbreak Hotel video. 

A couple other reasons people collect objects is simply for their intrinsic beauty that enriches their world. And many collect for investment reasons, such as Dave, a family friend, who since a child has been saving all his Star Wars memorabilia, often preserving them in their original, unopened cases. He is one serious collector.

MY LATEST FIND

I don't venture out to thrift stores much these days, but awhile back I spent a few minutes in one and came across a vintage "Mary Had a Little Lamb" child's cup for a mere 50 cents. (Later found it selling for $20 on Ebay.) It fits right in with a few other lambs who are part of my bedroom decor.

Antiquing happens now and then, especially when someone wants to join me for a trip to Granny’s Attic in Temecula, CA. This big warehouse full of treasures from years gone by is a great way to reminisce with a friend as you walk the aisles. It’s amazing how much fun you can have simply by looking and remembering things from your past.

So the next time you find yourself bored, take my advice: choose something to collect and go visit your nearby thrift store.

Have fun hunting.

Julie
What do you collect? Would love to hear all about it in the comment box below.