The Ritual Bath by Faye Kellerman

A rape takes place outside a mikvah in a Los Angeles Jewish Community. In the process of having the crime solved, we learn many interesting things about the yeshiva, and the Jewish Torah life.

For almost as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to the Jewish faith and culture, so that was a great sideline to the book for me.

On the other hand, some of the language was so reprehensible I almost stopped reading the book. I finally realized it's only a couple of characters who consistently use that terrible language and I was sometimes able to skip over it (but not until about halfway through did I figure that out).

On the other hand, the story is gripping, and it is a real thriller (not something I can always handle, but this time I could - barely). I was on the edge of my seat for a lot of the book.

If it weren't for the language, I would recommend the book whole-heartedly. But the language is bad. I'm still wondering if I should have read it. If the language won't bother you, read it. Otherwise, skip it.

Too bad, because it's the first in a series that looks to be great. I just wonder how the language in the next books will be. I've got a big pile to get through in the meantime, so I won't have to worry about that for awhile.

2010 Block of the Month Quilt

I finished my block of the month quilt on Thursday during workday. A few months ago I started to wonder how I would put the whole thing together, and I ran across a post on Cupcakes 'n' Daisies, which can be found here. I saw the Wild Good Chase Sampler and thought that would be a great way to put my quilt together. So, with a few modifications, here is how it turned out:

I'm please with how it turned out. Now I'm ready to move on to the next project in my pile.

Oh yes - I put my label on it right away!

2010 Block of the Month Quilt from Quilts, Etc.
Finished: September 2010
Size: 58 inches by 78 inches

Friday Workday #2

Yesterday Trish and I drove down to Orem for our second Quilting Tutorial with Beth and Debra. They had their strips sewn for their Fence Rail blocks, and had cut strips for their Log Cabin and Nine Patch blocks. We talked about sub-cutting strips and strip sets, and they got down to work.  They sewed together their Fence Rail blocks, then started in on their Nine Patch and Log Cabin blocks.

Their homework was to finish the Log Cabin block and Nine Patch blocks (4). Then they are to cut out their next block - a Postage Stamp Basket. Next week we're working on simple appliqué, and sewing some triangles. 

Of course the best part of all is that someone (usually me, but sometimes Trish) needs to hold Diane and keep her happy while her mom is sewing. It's a sacrifice I'm happy to make.

Beth's Fence Rail

Beth's Nine Patch

Debra's Nine Patch

Debra's Fence Rail

We are loosely following the Sampler Quilt tutorial in the the book Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes. This is the way Trish and I began back in 1993. Let's just say the quilting world has changed some since then, but basic techniques are mostly the same (thus loosely following). Our books are the first edition. I'm not sure how the second edition has been updated, but this is was a good general resource for us when we began.

Milestones, the Next Generation

I remember it like it was yesterday. September 1986, Audrey's first day of school. I took her into the kindergarten classroom and helped her locate her seat. She turned to me and said, "You can go now." I walked out of the classroom, barely holding back the tears. I ran into some friends and quickly composed myself.

When I got home Ray asked if there had been many tears. I said no, that Audrey had done very well. He said, "I wasn't talking about Audrey."

Today Austin started kindergarten. I wasn't there to see him go, but he called me right after school to tell me about his day. He had the time of his life. 

My oldest grandchild, setting out on his own quest for learning. I hope he loves it as much as I did, and still do.

Austin, August 31, 2010

Audrey, Austin, Joseph

Pardon me while I go find some tissue. I feel just like I did when Audrey started school.

By the way - he doesn't attend Wendover High School (although I think he's smart enough to). He catches the bus there - pretty handy, since that's where his dad teaches.

A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff

I just read the library synopsis of this book. I wondered if they read the same book I did. What they felt was the emphasis of the book, I saw as a sideline.

But then, I felt the story meandered around and tried to cover a few too many things. It had some shallow areas that could have used some good development, and some things that should have been left out.

Overall I thought the book was okay. Not a complete waste of time, but I felt teased by its possibilites, and a little let down by its actualities.

I did like the vintage clothing parts. That was interesting information for me.

So here's my endorsement: read it if you want - it's a light read - but don't rush it to the top of your list.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay came out Monday night. I didn't want to be up that late in a madhouse (aka local bookstore), so I went out first thing Tuesday morning to buy it. I needed a read for my trip - and this was perfect timing.

I saw three people coming out of Barnes and Noble with the book as I walked in. I went in, grabbed the book which was conveniently placed right in front, and went to the check out line. The two people in front of me had the book, and two more came behind me with the book. As I left the store, a friend of mine walked in, and went immediately to the rack and picked up the book to buy. Pretty popular. Ray works at Costco, and said they sold out of the book early. Costco does carry a three pack containing all the books in the series, and he said that was nearly gone also.

Warning: very minor spoilers ahead - no specific plot spoilers, but how I felt about the book might inadvertently give some hints as to what happens in the story.

I couldn't wait for to start the book, so I began it Tuesday night, putting off other things I should be doing. Finally it got so intense I had to put it down and shake it off for a few minutes. I decided to wait and read it on the trip.

Mockingjay was not the roller-coaster, hang-on-for-dear-life ride that the other two books were. Well, not from start to finish; there were definitely very exciting parts. Also, I had forgotten how violent the books are. I could never in a million years watch a movie of these books. I had to skim parts of all the books that were too intense and graphic for me.

Collins wraps the story up - which I wanted. I hated the extreme cliff hangers of the other two books. (Although look how fast everyone runs to get the next book.) I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. I think I wanted a happy, fairy tale ending, and didn't really get it. In fact what develops fully in Mockingjay is the statement on war and its effects on our planet and people that Collins makes. The ending is consistent with that theme. I'm anxious to talk with someone about it. I think it will help me process how I really feel about the book.

I have mixed feelings about the book - I liked it, but I'm not yet embracing it unreservedly. I'm still processing it. That's good writing - keeping someone thinking about the book after that final page is turned.

 I reviewed The Hunger Games here and Catching Fire here.

Just Warming Up

My sister Tweeter can shop longer and faster than anyone I know. She lives in Hawaii, and when she comes to the mainland she hits the stores running. My other sister, Cheryl, and I tag team keeping her company because it is exhausting to keep up. And she finds everything on sale.

Tomorrow Tweeter and I both fly into Seattle. It's my dad's 80th birthday, and we are having a celebration on Saturday. Thursday the three sisters are going shopping. Probably all day.

Today I did a preliminary warm-up. I started errands at 9:45 a.m., made seven stops (including buying Mockingjay - after all I'll be sitting in an airport and on a plane - perfect timing), and was home by 11:30 a.m. That was pretty quick. I think I'll be able to handle Thursday, no problem.

I hear Talbot's Outlet store is having an amazing sale this week. You can bet we'll be there.

Another Workday

Trish and I have added another work day. Now we are going down to Debby and Beth's and giving them quilting lessons. It is so fun. You can read about it on Debby's blog here.