Reading in the Garden

Seeing Through Mike May’s World Crashing Through by Robert Kurson is a true account of Mike May’s journey from being blind to gaining his sight as an adult in his forties. Blinded at age three when a jar of chemicals exploded in Mike’s face, he remembered little of the sighted world. But that didn’t stop him from living in it.  With encouragement from his mother Mike experienced life more than some sighted people. He grew into a daredevil and tried everything from soccer, to bike riding, and driving his sister’s car. He was even a downhill speed skier!   Then one day his world was turned upside down when a doctor told Mike that he may be a candidate for stem cell surgery that could restore his vision.  The risks associated with it were enormous, both physical and emotional, both equally as dangerous.  Many things could go wrong. One of the greatest dangers of the operation was the potent immunosuppressive drugs he would have to take afterwards, drugs whose ...

Small But Mighty Christmas is a special time of the year. It can be a sweet and memorable delight, but it can also be a stocking full of extra pressures and demands.  Gifts, store bought and homemade, decorations and preparations, food and traditions; they all take time and money.  At times it can become overwhelming.  It can feel like a frantic ride—kind of like a monkey riding a sheepdog at a rodeo.  It can be crazy. It’s not always easy to squeeze in reading time during this busy season. I was going to review more Christmas books just to get into the spirit, but I find myself short on time and patience.  As Sweet Brown would say, “Ain’t nobody got time for that.” It seems the quest to find a good Christmas book has become an extra stress. I did manage to read one more book with a Christmas setting, and it was cute—but maybe too cute.  In the end it seemed geared toward a much younger audience, and I just couldn’t wholeheartedly recommend it....

Christmas Confection Christmas is around the corner and just in case you don’t get enough of it in advertisements and store decorations, I thought’ I’d review a book or two to get you more in the mood for the holidays.   A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg is a short, feel-good novel that’s as sweet as a candy cane. In this story we meet Oswald T. Campbell, a man who has just been given a year or two to live. As per his doctor’s advice, Oswald leaves cold and dreary Chicago and moves to Lost River, Alabama where the sun is shining even on a winter's day. There he encounters the nicest set of people you’re likely to meet.  The strangers of this small community open their arms and hearts with a great big Southern hug.  In this peaceful and friendly setting Oswald tries to recover his health while making new friends like the neighborly widow Mrs. Celverdon; her colorful-haired sister Mildred; Claude, the master fisherman and mailman who delivers letters by boat; ...

Candy for the Mind O. Henry is pen name of William Sydney Porter, who wrote over 600 short stories in his lifetime. Often funny, sometimes touching, always witty and imaginative, each story ended with a surprising twist. One of his most famous stories is The Gift of the Magi ,   where a young, penniless couple sacrifices something dear to their hearts in order to buy the perfect Christmas present for each other. The ending has a sweet twist to it, kind of like an Oh, Henry! candy bar, which supposedly pays tribute to the beloved author. Read it here: https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/1-the_gift_of_the_magi_0.pdf There is almost an endless selection of books containing his short stories. While there are too many stories to list, below are some of my favorites. Lost on Dress Parade is about a young man who saves his money for ten weeks so he can go out and pretend to be a rich man for one evening.  Outside the restaurant he meets ...