Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The day begins cool and wet with light rain, 61 degrees, and 94% humidity.  Yesterday I moved this planter of bright yellow marigolds to just outside my living room window.  It looks very nice as seen through my blue glass connection.

An early walk in the garden reveals a dead leaf strewn path, a harbinger of the coming fall season.

The pond is close to overflowing due to a couple days of light rain.

This beaten down rose bud looks so forlorn but it is still beautiful.

Back inside for 20 minutes and 3.6 miles on my exercycle and then breakfast.

I have finished reading "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and her niece Annie Barrows, published by Dial Press.

I had idly picked up this book from a table at the bookstore and being a little put off by the title, put it back.  A woman standing next to me said, "Oh no, you should read it.  It is very good.

Mary Ann Shaffer was an editor and a librarian.  This was her first book and when the book's editor asked for some changes, Ms. Shaffer was too ill to make the substantial changes so she asked her niece Annie Barrows to finish the book.  She passed away shortly thereafter.

The novel tells of the struggles of the residents of Guernsey Island in the English Channel during the occupation by Nazi soldiers.  It sounds grim and some parts of the novel are heartbreakingly sad but it is beautifully written and it is a delight to read.

The story is told in the form of short letters to and from the characters involved.  At the very first this device seems a little odd but you quickly become hooked and look forward with anticipation to the next letter.

I highly recommend this book.

I am bored with the Republican debate so I am taking my crossword puzzle and going to bed.