Reading in the Garden

Granny’s Great Assignment Elsa is seven years old and she’s different. And because she’s different, she’s bullied, teased, threatened, and beaten up on a regular basis.  The one person who connected with her and protected her the most was her Granny who recently died.  Granny understood Elsa because she too was different. She was an eccentric woman who played by her own rules and didn’t care if she was politically correct or not. Now Elsa feels alone and abandoned in an imaginary world Granny created for her. Before she passes away Granny asks Elsa to go on a treasure hunt—“a fairy tale of marvels and a grand adventure.” [1] She sends Elsa to deliver a letter of apology to someone. That leads to more letters, and on her mission she learns more about the people to whom she delivers the letters.  She discovers that people live behind false facades which hide the secrets of their past—including her grandmother.   I liked this book about acceptance and forg...

My Favorite Things Part 2 If you're just joining me, last week I decided to showcase some of my favorite places in Coeur d'Alene, ID along with some of my favorite books in Part 1 of My Favorite Things .  Today we pick up with my last four places/books. 7th Stop.  Gaiwan Tea House  and Moloka’i  by Alan Brennert Gaiwan Tea House. There are many wonderful coffee shops in Coeur d'Alene. But did you know there's also a fabulous tea house? Don’t miss the Gaiwan Tea House in the Midtown area of Coeur d’Alene at 901 N 4 th  St.    If you think tea isn’t your thing, don’t be so sure until you’ve sampled some of the delectable selections of loose teas in Gaiwan’s tranquil setting. This is one of our favorite hangouts. My sisters, daughter, granddaughter, and I like to sit in one of the tea rooms on the seagrass poufs at low tables and share a couple different tea pots. If you prefer outdoor seating, you’ll love walki...