"thirteen moons" by Charles Frazier

Not too long ago Garrison Keillor's "Writers' Alamanac" mentioned the birthday of Charles Frazier. He made his debut as the author of "Cold Mountain", a book I enjoyed reading despite its graphic descriptions and obscure vocabulary. I thought to myself let me see what else Frazier has written and found "thirteen moons" at the library.

What a disappointment. Don't bother reading it. It's a memoir of a fictional character and it rambles on and on. I stuck with it to the end only by skimming through much of it. I wanted to find out if the main character ever connects with the love of his life again. That point in the story was totally unsatisfactory and since I've told you not to read it I will tell you that the author never lets you know what happens to Claire.

I guess Charles Frazier was a one book wonder.

Decorating for Christmas

All the stores have their Christmas decorations up, so having my Christmas cactus blooming now instead of in December is really not so unusual. It's all part of the early push to the holidays.




All during the summer and early fall I neglect this plant. It sits in the north-facing vestibule and I remember to water it about once a month. Then come October, I notice the buds and I tend it more and when the buds are more developed, in it comes to my great room and a south facing window. Here it is mid-November and it's glorious in its blooms.

See other blooms this month at May Dreams Gardens!

A Feel Good Book

Book Club this month is reading "Outcasts United" by Warren St. John. (Look to the left for the full title.) This is definitely a feel good book. A Lebanese immigrant sees a need and fills it. In this case its a need for an athletic outlet for refugee boys whose families have been resettled in Clarkston, GA. She starts a soccer program and ends up being not just their coach, but their mentor, tutor, and last resort for their families in the tangled web of adjusting to life in the USA. To find out more read the book and visit their website

Last Harvest?

Snow peas enough for dinner on Sunday night in a stir fry.

The frost never happened so there were some more peppers: three kinds.

See other harvest at Daphnes Dandelions