Not reading? Here's something fantastic to watch.

From last months world championships.  This amazing French team won with the highest score ever in ice dance.
Now.  About the music.  I first heard this song while watching Friday Night Lights.
It was played when Jason aka Six was on a boat in Mexico with Lila and Tim Riggins.  Lila and Tim were trying to convince Jason NOT to get the dangerous surgery.  While Tim and Lila are not looking,  Jason falls overboard (on purpose).  And this music comes on. (sobbing begins)
Jason floats downward to this music and your heart breaks.  It's very emotional.
And so this song will always be more than beautiful to me, it will stir strong emotions.

(To build a home by Cinematic Orchestra)

So you can understand why watching this remarkable ice dance makes me weep.

Anyway.

I hope you love it as much as I do.

***  I have tagged Book Club on my book club post.
I will be watching every day to see if anyone else comments.
Please don't feel like you missed the boat.

The Summer Before the War is such a funny, pleasant read.
Enjoy!


Encourage one another,
Donna

The Summer before the War. Part One

Bloggy-book-club

Welcome friends and readers.

Part one of our bloggy book club will cover the first of three sections in the Summer Before the War.

I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am.  I love the abundance of dialogue.

I googled 1914, England, Teacher.  I wanted to see what Beatrice would wear.

Rye Sussex.

Rye Sussex England

This woman looks like the Queen Mum but I don't think it is.

My favorite part of this book so far is the humor.

I like Beatrice and Hugh and Agatha and John.  David is a snot but he adds to the fun.

I am a little annoyed by the descriptions of the clothes.  What do you think? Do you welcome them?

For some reason they bog me down.

I do however love the weather descriptions.

"As the heat slipped from the day..."

Some have speculated that Mr Tillingham is based on Henry James, what do you think?

Who is your favorite character and why?

Why do you think Agatha favored Daniel over Hugh?

I find the comments about women writers and a young woman Latin teacher so interesting.  Perhaps because they are being said to Beatrice, and I am so sympathetic to her, they make me cringe at the ignorance and meanness.  (So I think Helen is doing a great job writing this because it's not really new but I am seeing it as directed at me in a way.)

What do you think of Lucy?

Is she just a playing a game? Is she arrogant and manipulative?

I didn't like the white feather threat.

Please feel welcome and free to share in the comments.  

I look forward to hearing your observations and impressions.  

If you would like to talk about something I am happy to add it to this post.

Just let me know :o)

Tibi Splendet Focus

Donna

Incredible story. Book Club announcement.

Amazing grace.




****

Dear readers and friends!

We are going to do this!  I asked Jep to help me as she is a great reader and thinker and librarian.

She has lead many book groups in the past so I knew she could help me.

Jep finished the book and took it back to her library already...but she was so kind and came up with information for me to share with all of you. She sent me loads of questions and answered my pesky questions. She even wrote the author!!!

Jep found a interview with Helen Simonson where Helen stated that the book is set up in three sections.

I won't tell you all three sections at this point because then you will know what is coming...

But the first section is; 

1. The village of Rye; welcoming or not.  Beatrice and the activities and oddities of the villagers.

I want to make next Monday the start but am afraid that is too soon.  Are you all fast readers?

But for now it's Monday for the first discussion.

(Mondays were for Downton discussion....it just seems right)

Please let me know in the comments.

And jot down your favorite quotes.

I have already jotted down a new word.

One thing I can bring up now....

"Helen Simonson says she uses the word "oleaginous" at least once in every novel."

See if you can find it :o)

Happy Reading!

Love

Donna

Want to read a book?

A few years ago I read a great book by a new author named Helen Simonson.
It was called Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. I just loved it and have waited for her second book.
The Summer Before the War is Helen's new book!

Isn't the cover cute?

I bought mine right away but haven't really started reading.  

Jep wrote me last week and told me that she was reading it too!

And Susan, our Swiss Miss, got this cute copy in Europe!!

I would be happy to hear who is reading this, wondering if you would like to join us in reading it...

Maybe Jep can lead a discussion of sorts?

Discuss.

Donna

They made it.

Final stop in India.

Now home to the babies.

George and Charlotte.

I am sure they were missed tremendously.

Safe travels home.

xoxo

William And Catherine on tour in India

Catherine really is sporty spice.  She always looks like she is having the most fun when she is playing some sport.  

So happy.

The coat dress.  My favorite look.

I think this one is my favorite of William and Catherine as a couple.

Hi!  

Oh man!

Very pretty.

"I like you."

My favorite print, I think.

Aren't they nice?  They seem just so nice.

This gal did not get the memo.  No touching royals. 

I'm glad.

Do you like the plain dresses or the boldly colored ones?

I love this dress.

Very nice.

I am waiting for the Taj Mahal pictures....

Diana went alone.  Charles was poopy to her.

But Wills and Catherine seem to be so in love.

Hooray!

XOXO

Donna

oh look....i just found a few more wonderful pictures!

lovelovelove these!!!

Silly is good.

Hi friends,
Thank you for such sweet comments on the blog yesterday. I was so happy to hear from so many of you.  Both Di and Karen saw the prayer request so that makes me so glad that they know their loved ones are being prayed for.

***

Last December when I was taking out the Christmas decorations I came across the following pictures.  I don't know what prompted me to do it but I put them in the living room.
They are old friends, these funny pictures.

Our parents would have these drawn when they were on their yearly trip to Acapulco.

Isn't she the cutest?

His hair is perfection :o)

I love these silly pictures!

Encourage one another,

Donna

This and that

Since we last met....

La'Porsha did not win American Idol.  Trent won.
I have read that both have gotten record contracts.  So that's good.

***

Our good friend Di's son (Rex) fell off a cliff and was injured terribly.
He had surgery on his hand yesterday and he has a very injured spleen.
Di posted a video of him walking with a nurse and he looked amazing.
He is on the mend and everyone is so thankful.
I know Di and her son would love all the prayers you can muster.
Thank you.


***

My calendar is full.
Volleyball party tonight.
Drivers test Thursday. Heaven help me.
Work on Friday.

AND a mystery on Wednesday.

Here is what is on my calendar.

5:00 regherth
or
5:00 veghroth

I have no idea what I am suppose to do tomorrow at 5:00.

Do you?

***

I hope our Texas friends are okay.  Man! I saw some big hail on the news this morning.


***

The polar vortex has arrived in April this year. It is welcome to go away now.


***


Ginny had her vet appointment and she lost nine pounds.  She had her nails clipped for the first time in her life.   I could hear the tech in the other room telling her to sit over and over...and then it was quiet.  When she brought Ginny back to me she said Ginny should teach other dogs how to get their nails clipped, she was so good.   I'm so proud of what a nice girl Ginny is.

***

Speaking of Ginny, my friend Karen F, has a momma named Ginny.  She is in the hospital with pneumonia.  Karen has been by her side and I know that she would like healing prayers for her mom.

Thank you dear friends!


Now if only you could figure out where I need to go at 5:00 tomorrow!


Encourage one another,
Donna

American Idol Final Finale.

How sad I will be to see this show go away.  It's funny to think it has been a part of my evenings for 15 years.  Many times I have not been super impressed with the 'idols' and many times I have been wowed.

This year there is a woman named La'Porsha Renae.  I am blown away by her gorgeous voice, her poise, her stage presence.  I honestly think she is the best 'idol' ever.  I put her voice in the category of Barbra Streisand and Aretha Franklin.  She is that good.

Here are two songs she sang last night.









I just love her!!!


Tonight the winner is chosen.
Trent is talented (other finalist) but La'Porsha is special.
The specialist.

(I think she was having little voice issues last night..no one mentioned it..but I heard a bit of rasp that is not usually there.)

And because I like to cast things....

La'Porsha needs to star in the Broadway play OPRAH.


XOXO
Donna

Fling off thy sadness

Awake, thou wintry earth-
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness

~Thomas Blackburn


XO
Donna Elsie

Humble times two.

I stumbled upon this documentary on Netflix over the weekend.
It's wonderful.

Meet Bill Cunningham.
Photographer. Witness to fashion. New Yorker.
Tireless. Humble.

So interesting.

***

And speaking of humble.

Enjoy this song...




Tim McGraw
Always stay humble and kind.


Happy Monday!


Encourage one another,
Donna

As I see it

“Extraordinary magic is woven through ordinary life. Look around!” 
~Amy Mercree


If you want only one thing too much, it’s likely to turn out a disappointment.  The only healthy way to live, as I see it, is to learn to like all the little everyday things.”
~Lonesome Dove



Encourage one another,
Donna