Books That I Couldn't Put Down

 I've had an urge to really get reading again. Here's a few that I enjoyed recently....

Menno Moto-A Journey Across the Americas in Search of my Mennonite Identity 

by Cameron Dueck

Received this book from a friend who knows I am of Mennonite stock.

What an adventure this guy takes! Cameron purchases a Kawasaki KLR650 and drives from Canada to Argentina in search of Mennonites and their history. He comes across many surprises along the way--some good, some not-so-good. Great read!

Growing Pains

by Emily Carr

In August of 2021, I visited The Emily Carr House in Victoria BC and picked up a couple of the artist's books while I was there. This biography tells us what shaped her as an artist and writer. Her work was inspired by the Indigenous of the Pacific Northwest Coast but she didn't get much recognition until she changed her paintings from Aboriginal to forest-type themes. Really good read as well!

The Warsaw Orphan

by Kelly Rimmer

This was an intense read for me but anything to do with 1940's Germany and the Nazi regime gets my blood boiling. The lives of a young girl on the "right" side of the wall, and a Jewish boy in the ghetto, entwine and this turns into a lovely but heart-breaking story. The story was inspired by a real-life heroine who saved thousands of Jewish children during World War 2. 

I have several books on my reading list and always adding more. My lists on Amazon, Kobo and my phone keep growing too. Not sure when or how I'm going to manage to read them all but I'm going to do my best! 

DYB DYB DYB DYB (Do Your Best!) as they say in Cub Scouts :)

Wud Up 2021?

 Okay, so that was a weird year.

I had a lot of good times anyway. 

In the beginning of the year I got on with MaxWell Devonshire Realty as a real estate associate. I learned so many new things, I can't believe that my head didn't explode. 

My daughter, our youngest, graduated from highschool in the spring. Grandma came out from Penticton, BC and big brother Brody (far left, next to Coleson) flew out from Sudbury, ON to help celebrate. I can't explain what a good time that was! Despite restrictions, although some had been loosened, we were able to have dinner in the Water Tower, friendly game of bowling and take pictures at Henderson Park. 

In the summer, Mike, Raelynn and I flew to Victoria, BC and stayed for five days. What a beautiful city! We went with the original intention to visit family but unfortunately that didn't quite work out the way we had planned. Left to our own devices most of the time, we still had a great little holiday and kept busy the entire time we were there. Thanks to Mike's Aunt Diana and Larry, we were able to stay where we had a great view ALL THE TIME!

We were able to visit Mike's Aunt Pauline and Uncle Norm in the nearby Cowichan Valley. I can't tell you what a good day that was!

I now cannot eat fish and chips anywhere else. 

I kept going with whatever I possibly could as a volunteer with the 14th Scouting Group, as restrictions held us back with many of our regular events and activities. Hopefully next year we can organize more events where we can invite families of the members again. 

14th McKillop's booth at Whoop-Up Days

I visited with my local friends whenever I could. One of my favourite things to do with them is trying out coffee shops...even the ones I've been to before. I like to make sure they still have good coffee. :)

When not working, local hikes, warm summer evenings, wine, propane campfires, and good books kept me content throughout the year.

We had old Tootles, the cat, for a few months. She was a feline who's original owner moved into a nursing home and after bouncing around to a few homes, finally found her place. Tootles didn't play well with others so needed to be an only pet. Daffodil and Wasabi have war wounds to back me up. Her name is Harley Quinn now and she's living her best life in Calgary with Allan.

We seem to both have a larger left eye

In the fall, Mike tearfully sold the quad and his motorcycle -- and THEN purchased an even better motorcycle! The neighbours were tearful anyway, as he used the quad mainly to clear the sidewalks on our court the last few winters. I was a little sad too as gifts of booze, preservatives and homemade treats came to a complete halt. ( "Thank you's" from our neighbours for not making them risk heart attacks.)

At Christmas time, Mike and I ventured through the snowy Rocky Mountains to visit with his mom, sister and her awesome family. It was a small gathering but it was so so fun! 

But wait! There were other motives! Mike had to pick up his new motorcycle as he had purchased it from someone in Kelowna. Mike's sister, Sue and her husband Lawrence were kind enough to pick it up and nestled it in their snuggly garage in Penticton until we arrived.  

So that explains my 2021. Now that I'm looking back at it, it's not as bad as I thought it was. Maybe it was all the wine I drank, but I had a really nice time and laughed a lot.

I can't wait to see what 2022 brings to the party!