"Benjamin Franklin"

 An American Life 

by Walter Isaacson

This book was full of information both historical and biographical and I assume chronicled Benjamin's life of duplicity. This man was a brilliant inventor, scientist, and writer, however, his ethics, come into question. Was he a Christian? Only in the broadest sense of the word. He was a womanizer and his love for his children went by the wayside when others claimed his affection. So without looking at his relationships, you could say he did deserve to be on the $100 bill because of all he did (or didn't do) for the New American States. He did make the lives of people here easier with his inventions and his public projects which to this day are present in our everyday society. As to his absolute claim to fame, as a writer and signer of the Constitution, I am not sure he was even awake most of the time when our founding fathers were preparing it to be made a mandate. Anyway, I read most of it, I really don't care to read a book about someone so disloyal to his family and so large a book again! I welcome any comments. I can say I read a lot of historical information that I did not know before and that is a good thing.

A Snowy Day for Reading.......

Oh my, oh my.
 Just taking this picture has made me shiver. Well I have updated the blog, however I have lost our 2013 and 2012 book lists. I am not sure that I will ever be able to really figure out this blog thing. I just think I have it down and it eludes me. The list for 2014 so far is posted though and that is what I wanted to accomplish. 

I don't think I really enjoy this empty nest thing. I enjoy the times of having children here to mess up the snow forever coming in to warm up and dripping water on my hardwood floor. I love making hot chocolate and seeing the half made snowmen and my favorite scarf pulled around it with a carrot nose. Amiya went to Kacy's house and Beth took her kids to her own house. So, I guess I will keep working on the blog and make some chicken soup for dinner for Corkey and I. "The Memory Project" book is also calling me. I guess this is part of life, change, the part that I really don't like very much.

This was written many years ago. I am trying to blend two blogs together.

"Amazing, Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound"

William Wilberforce became a force of reckoning, with a low physical countenance but a persevering spirt he shaped history with the help of the hand of GOD!

Ladies, we will have a great discussion over dinner about this book by Eric Mataxis. The movie "Amazing Grace" will be a wonderful synopsis for those of us that life has gotten into the way of our reading.  The movie is a great portrayal of this saint-like man of history. See you at 6:00 pm on Monday evening. Come hungry and leave satisfied.

Christmas with Nicole Deese

If you missed last months Christmas Party we are so sorry, as you missed a wonderful time with Nicole and her Mom. We found out that not only is Nicole a writer but a wonderful pianist as well. I enjoyed her playing my seldom used piano. Kacy Gourley (my daughter in love), her Mom, Wendy Plueard and her Nana, Janet Broadsword were here as well. 

Come to find out Nicole's Mom is an musician too. Nicole had a book-signing and her Mom ( I can't remember her name, my bad) played a blue grass concert at Domaine Meriwether (a winery) in Veneta a couple of days after our party.

Nicole shared about her adventures in writing, her relationship with Amazon's publishing company, accomplishments and her future books. We are excited to see God use her gifts as she continues to excel as a writer.