Sarah's Key

Sarah's Key, by Tatiana de Rosnay, was one of our book club choices that didn't get picked several months ago.  And I noticed my sister had it on her book shelf the last time I went to visit her.  So I borrowed it of course.  I made it through all of 7 pages before I had to run to the computer and look up the plot spoilers.  I refused to continue reading unless I knew what was going to happen in the end. 

The story begins with the French government round up of Jews in Paris, 1944.  We meet 10 year old Sarah and her family as they are awakened in the night by officers coming to take them away.  Thinking she will return very soon, Sarah hides her 4 year old brother in a secret room and locks the door so he will be safe from the round up.   Can you guess where this is going?

Right then and there, as the girl is whisked away with her parents, I had to know.  What is that fate of that innocent, unknowing 4 year old boy.  He dies of course.  In the cupboard before Sarah can return to him.  The rest of the story describes how Sarah was separated from her parents and sent to the concentration camp for children and how she escapes to eventually return to Paris and discover what she guessed had already happened.

Even though the subject matter is gloomy, the story was well written and engaging.  I would recommend it with an asterisk of course about the little boy.

Day 4 at Disneyland

Bob and a dole whip....pretty much makes a perfect day.

Double Farkle

Uncle William and Aunt Erin always have fun games to play when we come to visit.  This time they brought a dice game called farkle.  It's kind of like Yahtzee but more of a 'gambling' game of chance.   I hope Santa brings it for Christmas!

Playing Farkle

Late Night Fireworks

Almost called it a night before the Disneyland firework show. It was worth staying up for the kids agreed!

Apple hill 2012

This was the only picture I snapped from this year's apple hill trip.

That would be my daughter, wearing her school shirt on a Sunday.  Why? 
"Because I'm proud of my school mom!"
This cannot really be my kid.

Highlights:

I got a new spoon key chain with my initial on it - my sister will be jealous.

There were caramel apples to be eaten - I didn't have it in my sore, broken knee to walk back to the cute old man in the corner of Denver Dan's and get an apple on my thumb....there's always next year I suppose.

There were hand dipped corn dogs at Jack Russell Brewery - they were every bit as tasty as I wanted them to be.

And there are 3 homemade pies chillin' in the freezer now, just waiting for an occasion.

A verse and a pickle

I have competed well;
I have finished the race;
I have kept the faith

(2 Timothy, Chapter 4)

It's been 9 years....we still miss you Pop.

A promise

Of better days ahead

The Tao of Pooh

If you have not guessed by my blog home, I'm kind of a little in love with all things Winnie the Pooh.  Old, original Winnie the Pooh, not the newer Disney version.  Of course.

I came across a random comment on a random facebook post one day about the Tao of Pooh and I realized that I had not known about this book.

I am not anywhere close to a philosophy major but I still enjoy a good purpose of life book every now and again.  It was filled with snippets of original Pooh stories along with what I think is a perfect representation of what it would be like to try to have a conversation with Pooh.  There were interruptions, thoughts of honey, appearances by all the major characters, and in the end the realization that Pooh just IS.

My favorite line from the book:

Those that think that the rewarding things in life are somewhere just beyond the rainbow --
"Burn their toast a lot," said Pooh.

How did he know, I wonder, that I am always burning the toast?