"A Quilt for Christmas" by Melody Carlson

A Quilt for Christmas (Sept. 6, 2022) by Melody Carlson.*

*This is a standalone novella.*

The approaching holiday season doesn’t find Vera Swanson (age 68) full of Christmas cheer. A widow who relocated to Fairview, Oregon, five months before to be near her daughter and her daughter’s family (and they’ve since moved to California), Vera is alone in her condo-for-one, a far cry from her Craftsman home in Western Oregon. With no family in town and no friends made, she isn’t feeling merry and bright, but life takes a turn when four-year-old Fiona Albright knocks on her door. Her mom, Kerry, is sick and needs help getting to the hospital. With the dad, Josh, away during the week for work, Vera helps care for Fiona and her older siblings, Maureen (8) and Nolan (11). When Fiona notices Vera’s Nordic Star patchwork quilt, she is in awe and asks Vera to make “a big patchwork quilt” for her mom in time for Christmas, which is only a few weeks away! Vera knows she can’t make such a large quilt that quickly on her own, so she hangs up flyers and gains volunteers Tasha Ellison (a 35-year-old artist who works in her aunt’s floral shop), Beverly Clark (a delightful 58-year-old woman who loves baking at the holidays) and Eleanor Rasmussen (a 67-year-old newly retired therapist). This colorful group of women are banding together to make Christmas brighter for a family that doesn’t have much. Vera right away likes social Beverly and free-spirited Tasha, but aloof, judgmental Eleanor is a challenge. How will Eleanor handle it when it appears that her son and only child, Evan, hits it off with Tasha, a divorcee who never attended college?

            Jesus is the reason for the season, but Vera’s fallen away from faith since her husband passed. Seeing how He brought Fiona and the Albright family into her life, along with her new friends in the quilt club, readers get to watch as Vera’s faith returns, bringing extra warm fuzzies to a wholesome Christmas novella. The story places emphasis on generosity and connection, showcasing that one can connect with others of any age and a multitude of personalities, knowing that the dynamic will be that much richer for their differences. Young Fiona is energetic, sweet and intelligent, and the quick friendship she forms with Vera is adorable. But for me, what’s most moving is Eleanor’s transformation. This standalone is as delectable as any of Beverly’s treats. For fans of holiday stories and a smidge of burgeoning romance, this cozy tale works well for reading by the fire on a cold night or on the beach on a toasty summer day.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

A Heart in a Body in the World (Sept. 18, 2018) by Deb Caletti.

Can one run away from trauma, from PTSD? No, but Annabelle Agnelli is going to run cross-country across the U.S. It begins on a whim, but she makes the over 2,700-mile run from Seattle to Washington, D.C. She runs through tunnels in mountain passes and passes through specks-of-towns, suburban areas and major cities. She traverses busy highways and lonely roads surrounded by miles and miles of grain fields. Grandpa Ed (nickname: Capitano) is with her across the country, ready with exclamations in Italian and Italian food. She’s supported by her mom, Gina, and younger brother, Malcolm (logistics) and her best friends Olivia (publicity) and Zach (finances). Annabelle and Grandpa Ed meet Dawn Celeste and her grandson, Luke Messenger, from Portland, OR, and they pop up along the journey, too. And surely, Kat Klein and Will MacEvans would be two of her biggest cheerleaders. As if that isn’t enough, she gains the support of thousands thanks to social media. But all of the support is overwhelming, exacerbated by the guilt and shame that Annabelle carries. It’s The Taker who is at fault. She might’ve/could’ve/should’ve done things differently, but there isn’t an undo button for the past. The Taker is the one who took what he shouldn’t have. Things really aren’t Annabelle’s fault, but she can’t believe the truth of that. Will she be able to complete the journey without falling to shambles? Will her run be cathartic? When will she realize that most everyone has felt some form of grief, confusion and powerlessness, that she isn’t the only one?

            Through much of the story, Annabelle, who turns 18 on her run, is very broken. Her journey isn’t only physical, but psychological. Although this story was published in 2018, the theme of violence is, unfortunately, exceedingly current. The story also confronts readers with a character (The Taker) who exults in toxic masculinity. It is a complex story, and it’s sometimes difficult to read, but the story is all the more remarkable for it. The grief is deep and the rage is intense, but hope uplifts and wisdom sustains this ferocious YA novel. Caletti’s prose doesn’t seem overdone, and she maps out her story well with vivid descriptions of Annabelle’s landscapes as she pounds the pavement and the flashbacks that eventually lead to the harrowing tragedy. Although a work of fiction, this tale feels so authentic. It’s got a lot of heart.

My Grandpa: A Poem

One year has passed since I got the call. I'd been expecting to wake up on a Friday morning and hear that my grandpa's surgery had gone well. Instead, the call that came told me to come in and say my goodbyes. This poem is for my grandpa on the anniversary of his death.

Photo by Jessica Lewis Creative via Pexels

My Grandpa

My grandpa was a farmer, a man of the heartland.

He was a veteran for this nation, on which I stand.

My grandpa was a son, a brother, a husband, a dad,

But to me he was grandpa, the best to be had.

Visiting my grandparents down south was always special to me.

I’ll always associate my grandpa with strawberries.

Stops were a must at Checkers and Orange Blossom.

Eating at Leverock’s, too, rounded out the awesome.

Grandpa was exceptional at working with wood.

Crafting clocks, a cradle and more was a subject he understood.

He was also with the stock market impressively adept,

Gauging the market and fluctuations and financial concepts.

Since I was little, I’ve used his mom’s bedroom set,

And this part of his mom’s history he did not forget.

He was tickled pink when he saw it, from his head to his feet,

A big grin and a bounce in his step was too sweet.

Grandpa always wanted to see us succeed,

To be happy and healthy and thriving, indeed.

One year has passed and you are missed, it’s true.

I am sending infinite hugs up to you!

-LK

September 3, 2022

(Written March 31, 2022)

The Positive Page-turner's Challenge: Take 15

It surprises me, too, that I’m already back with my 15^th Page-turner’s Challenge post. I’ve been accumulating these novels long enough that I have managed to read half of them, so I’ll take that victory. What are you reading right now? Any books that you would recommend?

            Like with my most recent Challenges, I donated $5 per book. There are 17 books in this picture, so $85 was donated to my home church. The donation went to the Haiti Fund.

            I normally include an additional piece, whether it’s donating physical items (like to the local Salvation Army at Christmastime) or volunteering with an organization (like participating in food packs) or donating extra money. I wasn’t planning on including an additional piece, but the additional found me! The middle of last week, I was at my parents’ house helping box up donations being sent to Haiti. My dad hauled down two pallets of medical supplies, health kits, baby layette kits and miscellaneous baby clothes. I think he took down more than just what was on the pallets. The donations sent this round included the last two boxes of Ivory bar soap I had in my house. (Total soap sent in pounds is listed in the Comments section below.)

             I’d love to hear what you’re doing. Are you donating of time and/or money and/or tangible goods? With crises going on the world over (that the news may or may not report on and whether the crises are local, national or international), do you find yourself wishing you were doing more or able to do more? What is your passion project, if you have one?

Trondhjem's Pie & Ice Cream UN-Social 2021

Fortunately, Trondhjem's Pie & Ice Cream Social is a go this year. The posters are up, a Social poem was created (see yesterday's post), and pie plotting has begun. Since the Social will happen, I decided to share the UN-Social poem I wrote last year.

Trondhjem’s Pie & Ice Cream UN-Social 2021

Photo by DS stories via Pexels

            

Oh my, oh no, for the second year in a row

There’s no Social at Trondhjem; it’s a no-go.

We remain in a pandemic, so there’s no need to make haste,

Because there are no pies at all to taste.

 

So I’ll dream of the pies that might have been,

Like any sort of berry which we had back when.

I’m fond of those that have a chocolate focus,

Though a top-notch banana cream is not hocus pocus.

 

It’s another year away from Linda’s sloppy joes.

No chance to buy leftovers, so that really blows.

Without a Silent Auction and no baked goods to pick,

It’s just another day, oh fiddlesticks!

 

There was a quilt raffle with more than one quilt,

Giving some normalcy when one felt atilt.

I sure hope TLC will host a Social in ‘22,

For it’s an event that I always look forward to!

 

-LK

September 2021

Trondhjem's Pie & Ice Cream Social 2022

Trondhjem’s Pie & Ice Cream Social 2022

Photo by Guto Macedo via Pexels

Oh glory be! Let happiness resound,

For Trondhjem’s Pie & Ice Cream Social is back around.

On Sunday, Sept. 18, it will commence.

Come right at 5 or when, for you, it makes sense.

Back on the menu are Linda’s sloppy joes.

Then you’ll want pie, though I shouldn’t presuppose.

What sorts of pies will show up this year?

Pies that are expected or one featuring root beer?

Do the berry pies make your taste buds tap?

Or is it banana cream or pecan that makes you clap?

Do pumpkin, lemon meringue or peach have you singing?

Or does chocolate and peanut butter get your taste buds springing?

A bake sale and Silent Auction will feature upstairs.

Watch your bids closely, lest you be caught unawares.

Be sure to stock up at the baked goods table,

Where the goodies come affixed with a set-price label.

WELCA has ready raffle quilts times two.

Please buy up those tickets. Any number will do.

Each raffle ticket will cost you one dollar.

To purchase, please give a Trondhjem member a holler!

We hope to see you on September 18^th for fun,

Food and fellowship for you and everyone.

Our Social is a delight of deliciousness and glee,

So come on over for a sweet and savory spree!

 

-LK

August 20, 2022