When the World Came to Town:  9/11 in Gander Newfoundland by Jim Defede

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world came to townSometimes when you least expect it there’s a story that takes you by surprise and captivates you. This book, When the World Came to Town:  9/11 in Gander Newfoundland by Jim Defede did that for me. This story detailed the events that happened in Gander, Newfoundland after the World Trade Center bombing in NYC on 9/11.  Do you remember that the airspace in the US was shut down after that happened?  Many of the planes turned back, others that were very close to the US were diverted to Canada. Others not yet over the ocean were rerouted to Gander.

This story is about the citizens of Gander (population 10,000) and nearby communities and how they stepped up to welcome 38 planes carrying over 6000 people.

Imagine a town of 10,000 finding food, housing, medicine, clothes (suitcases were left onboard the planes) and transportation for over 6000 people? Not only was this effort accomplished, it was done with kindness, friendship and caring.

The book took us away from the smoke and flames and horror of NYC and showed us genuine compassion by strangers in a strange land. Hope was offered in the form of warm meals, hot showers, new underclothes. Friendships were made. Faith in humanity was restored.

Need a reminder about pure goodness? Read this book.

Nice 5 minute story by Tom Brokaw

My Favorite Books: Cuckoo’s Calling

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Over the past few years I’ve had some wonderful books cross my path. Some others were not so good but I finished them anyhow and others never gained my attention and were set aside.

One of the best books I’ve read in a long time is called Cuckoo’s Calling by
Robert Galbraith. It was at the library and looked worthy which is how I decided to check it out. What I found out later was that was written by JK Rowling.

Unlike most of the population, I was not a big Harry Potter fan. I read the first book and was done. So, I don’t know that I would have read this book knowing she had written it. Which is why she used a pen name. Anyway … I’m glad I did.

The story is about a detective named Cormoron Strike who lost his leg in Afghanistan. His business is down to one client, his girlfriend just broke up with him, he’s living in his office and can barely afford to pay for a temp.

Everything looked hopeless and bleak until a client walked in the door and handed him the case of a lifetime.

What I liked about the book was the description of the characters. I have a clear picture of Cormoran with his prosthesis, his wiry hair, his beat up office and the people who come into his life.  If you read it, I’d be interested in your opinion – did you like it? If not, feel free to share.

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Creating a Top Ten Book List

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I just received an email from a friend listing all her favorite books from 2014.

library booksI decided to make a list of my favorites as well. With a new year upon us, it’s time to read 52 books in 52 weeks again. I am usually pretty good about reading unless I come upon a book that bothers me then I walk away and stay away until the feeling passes. Then when I start to read it again, well, there’s that icky feeling. So either I plow through it or set it aside.

If it’s a book for my book club, I often plow through it so I can be part of the group discussion. The members of this group all have their certain likes and dislikes. They all know if it’s a sad or scary book then I won’t like it. I don’t like graphic stories (war, rape, carnage) and have never had success with sci-fi either. Some of my book club friends prefer psychological thrillers but hate romance, love biographies but detest chic lit and on and on.

deep bookshelfWhat amazes me is when I ADORE a book only to find out other members detested it. How can that be? And I was the only one in the group who HATED the book Gone Girl. They all loved it.

Alas, that’s how it is. Some books speak to one person and not others. I loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and some others thought it was BORING. How can that be?

So, stay tuned so I can go over my list of books and decide which I loved the best.

If you have any books to suggest, put it in the comment box.

Now…back to creating my top ten list!

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The New Year is Here … Ready or Not!

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Tic, tock, tic, tock … 2015 is almost here. Can you feel it? Are you ready to embrace it?

Tic, tock, tic, tock … 2014 is slipping away. Are you ready to release it? Have you said your goodbyes? Have you achieved your goals?

live the life you love-It’s been a fun year, hasn’t it? For me it’s been a whirlwind. I’ve visited family, friends and renewed old acquaintances. I’ve read a bunch of books and continue to visit the library on a weekly basis.  I’ve hiked new paths, visited new sights and am ready to see more.

For the New Year I plan to focus on the things that make me feel alive. Reading, learning, moving and growing.  I’ve read so many wonderful books this year and I want to take a bit of time to share them with you and give credit to the author. I visited some pretty places and put myself out there in ways that surprised me. I’ll do more of that and include you along the way.

I hope you make the most of this year and find the time to stoke your passions.

All the best to you – with hugs and warm wishes – Margekatherine

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup
and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

 

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Ma Nature drops a load on Christmas

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Christmas was truly a day of wonder for me in my Northern Colorado city. The cold weather moved in and dumped a load of WHITE on us. If you were bundled up or snuggled up then it was a perfect day.

So, early the next morning, I started taking photos before the sun came up — the ONLY way to get good snow photos  -before others make tracks in the snow. Here are some of the scenes …

I hope you find peace, beauty and joy in the New Year.

With love and friendship — Margekatherine

marge on rock

The Eve of Christmas

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Christmas angel from my tree.

Christmas angel from my tree.

So many things change from one year to the next. One year you are hand in hand, making plans, smiling with a happy heart. The next year you sit in a quiet room contemplating the choices you made.

Last Christmas was filled with promise. This Christmas feels empty.

Next Christmas – ahh, there is always hope. There is time to dream.

What will the year bring, I wonder?

Here are the top things on my list:

Laughter, Friendship, Love.

Travel, Adventure, Learning.

Kindness, Generosity, Hope.

I’ve made room in my stocking for all of them, though the laughter may spill over and into the room!

Abiding Gifts at Christmastide 

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I listened to someone read this lovely poem titled Abiding Gifts last week, She told me her aunt wrote it many, many years before. It made me sit up straight and listen harder so I could hear it.

It was in a small paper book filled with poems written my women of the same congregation. I feel blessed that I can share it with you.

Abiding Gifts

By Rebecca Doughtery Hyatt

Please bring for me this Christmastide Such gifts that will with me abide. I sorely need each priceless thing That I am asking you to bring.Please bring for me this Christmastide
Such gifts that will with me abide.
I sorely need each priceless thing
That I am asking you to bring.
A Christmas tree – the same bright Star
That shines o’er Bethlehem’s fields afar.
So by that Star’s unwavering light.
I’ll follow there on Christmas night.

And may I find beneath that tree
A present marked  – Humility,
And leave there please a cloak for me
Which plainly says for – Charity.
I need Tolerance –and could use
a large package — And if you choose,
I want a magic wand  with which to find
Faith renewed in all mankind.

Bring Understanding, so that each day
Friendships are strengthened on the way.
With other things – I make this plea-
Bring boundless gifts of Sympathy.
Some kindness please, there’s never enough –
A world to soften at its touch.

Make these gifts attractive and apart
Each will be taken to my heart.
Come down my chimney with your pack
Of Peace and Goodwill upon your back;
Please add a stocking filled with Cheer
For useful days through all the year.
Bring these for me to scatter wide
Across the land this Christmastide.

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