Mantua Poppy Fields

Before choir tonight, Becca took me to the Mantua Poppy Fields. When the Danish immigrants first came to the area, they had brought with them the seeds and planted them. With time they spread to become the fields they are now. They are beautiful and abundant. If you ever go, be careful as you walk through them to not trample them. Thanks Becca for taking me!

Orange World

From Amazon:

"From the Pulitzer Finalist and universally beloved author of the New York Times best sellers Swamplandia! and Vampires in the Lemon Grove, a stunning new collection of short fiction that showcases Karen Russell’s extraordinary, irresistible gifts of language and imagination.

 
Karen Russell’s comedic genius and mesmerizing talent for creating outlandish predicaments that uncannily mirror our inner in lives is on full display in these eight exuberant, arrestingly vivid, unforgettable stories.  In“Bog Girl”, a revelatory story about first love, a young man falls in love with a two thousand year old girl that he’s extracted from a mass of peat in a Northern European bog.  In “The Prospectors,” two opportunistic young women fleeing the depression strike out for new territory, and find themselves fighting for their lives.  In the brilliant, hilarious title story, a new mother desperate to ensure her infant’s safety strikes a diabolical deal, agreeing to breastfeed the devil in exchange for his protection. The landscape in which these stories unfold is a feral, slippery, purgatorial space, bracketed by the void—yet within it Russell captures the exquisite beauty and tenderness of ordinary life. Orange World is a miracle of storytelling from a true modern master."

Tonight I had the opportunity to discuss the book Orange World by Karen Russell at the library's book club. Guess what, we actually discussed the book. For those that read this and are wondering what I mean by that, let me give a brief explanation. My mother's side of the family also has a book club (my mom and sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins). Often when we hold book club, the book discussion is very short, sometimes non-existent. I feel it is getting better and in the last couple, we have had some interesting discussions. 

Tonight we discussed themes we saw in the book: relationships with others, finding a sense of belonging; how stories and characters related to other stories within the book and outside the book; ideas we didn't understand (i.e. why did the doctor shy away from his wife and her support for him); and which stories were our favorites and why.

Thanks to the library for hosting and for all that came. It was an interesting and fun evening.

Funk N Dive Karaoke

On June 8, I was able to go to a karaoke night with my coworkers. We were celebrating Rylee's birthday. It was a fun time and we definitely have some hidden talents among us. Thanks Rylee for inviting us! 

Left to Right Front Row: Garrett (Karlie's Boyfriend), Karlie, Rylee, Elizabeth, Rich
Left to Right Back Row: Photo Bombing Girl (She and her date shared their table with us), Me (Cassy), Alli, Colin, And Chris (Rich's Husband)
Not Pictured: Val and Alecia and her Husband

Flowers from my Walk

 

Hair Dye Attempt #?

 Not even sure what number of hair dye attempts I'm on. Here's the most recent. Thanks Sue!

All Shook UP

    On May 19, I was able to go see Box Elder High School's production of All Shook Up Jr. Becca bought tickets for those of us that were up here to go watch. All who came: Rob, Becca, Nathan, Emily, Todd, Halie, Tathan, Kelsey, Kelsey's Mother-In-Law, and myself. It was interesting to watch the Jr. production. They cut out some songs and scenes. They cut out a full scene of Miss Sandra and her solo (the role I played in high school when we did it). I noticed at least another song Miss Sandra was a part of either wasn't there or was shortened and her part wasn't in it. Even with the cuts an changes, I thought they did a fantastic job! I know I giggled through it and so did Kelsey's Mother-In-Law.

Left to Right: Kelsey Pugh Baily, Myself, Becca Gordon, Emily Gordon Judd, Tathan Thacker

After we went and got dinner at the local diner. Not pictured: Todd

Mickey Mouse Pancakes May 21, 2023

The cook who made my breakfast this morning decided I needed some more fun in my life and made me some Micky Mouse pancakes. Thanks for putting a smile on my face this morning!