Charm and Grace

http://www.patconroy.com/the-death-of-santini.php I read the book in 3 days.  I woke up at 2 AM to read the book, went back to sleep, and finished it this morning.  It's great to be on Christmas break! This book is about so much more than Pat's dad, The Great Santini, a distinguished Marine fighter pilot, so well described in his book by that title.  We meet Pat's mother, father siblings, grandmother, grandfather, and others that have touched his life. He writes about the filming of The Great Santini, and how the book and movie heal his family over time. It is a story of mostly forgiveness that I can relate to in this time of my life. Incidently, I discovered that Pat's ancestors come from Sand Mountain in Alabama. I claim the same ancestral locale in Northern Alabama. My Dad has told me many stories of the place so that I understand the poverty that drove his grandmother to flee to Atlanta. I can tell you that this books makes me want to go back and reread Prin...

Little did I realize that the rose that Lauren Ann and I planted together when she was still in high school would be a gift that would be returned to me each year. This is a shot taken from the garage window. I noticed the roses blooming when I pulled into the garage and stepped out of my car.  Memories as fresh as the blooms drew me to my daughter and I sent the photo to her by email saying "I miss you."  Her response, "Just a reminder of how much I love you."

Loves remotes...just like a man! and trains... but, who wouldn't love this train??? The hair cover was almost a deal breaker for Ellie. Lovin' this cow milking thing! Poppy loves it too! Two maids a milking Followed by ice cream

started with my Mom. She held the coordinating shoes and handbag rule as one to never be broken. She made sure that my Easter dress, bonnet, patent leather Red Goose shoes, and patent leather handbag were a coordinated ensemble.  Red Goose Shoes (Not all Red Goose shoes were red. Mine were always white or black.) I enthusiastically adopted my mother's philosophy when in high school. My Christmas wish when in the ninth grade was for a brown leather John Romaine, single strap satchel bag. That bag was followed by a Aigner fish basket shaped bag with leather straps. I actually found the exact bag on a vintage bag website. Now I wish I had kept it! http://www.etsy.com/listing/99936849/vintage-aigner-woven-nantucket-fishing?ref=sr_gallery_2&ga_includes%5B%5D=tags&ga_search_query=fishing+basket+purse&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

These flowers were a gift from my Joyce Crank, my visiting teacher.  I noticed that the light was just right at my kitchen window...