Some nonfiction books that I enjoyed: All the Way Home: Building a Family in a Falling-Down House by David Giffels --really liked this book. About a young couple who bought an old and very dilapidated fixer upper in Ohio. Aside from the obvious appeal to anyone who reads this board :), it was a tender and thoughtful look at becoming a family. The Motion of the Ocean: 1 Small Boat, 2 Average Lovers, and a Woman's Search for the Meaning of Wife by Janna Cawrse Esarey -- for anyone who has ever dreamed of or dreaded the idea of setting sail on the high seas, another good book on several levels. The author dishes about lots of the real details of doing that kind of adventure but there is, as with my first recommendation, a very heartfelt look at finding one's true love, getting married and discovering what marriage means. About Alice by Calvin Trillin -- one of the sweetest, most loving books I've ever read by a fabulous writer, about the love of his life, his late wife Alice. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls -- this was a bestseller and deservedly so. A portrait of an almost mythically dysfunctional set of parents by one of the kids who grew up in the direst poverty, but survived to become a journalist and now author. Wonderful book. When Skateboards Will Be Free: A Memoir of a Political Childhood by Sa Sayrafiezadeh -- another growing up memoir. The author's parents, though divorced, were both staunch socialists/communists and his tale of growing up in America through that filter is engrossing. Girlbomb: A Halfway Homeless Memoir and Have You Found Her both by Janice Erlbaum -- I advise reading these in order; the first is the true story of a girl growing up in NYC who ends up in a homeless shelter, the second is a follow up from the same woman, now grown, who befriends a runaway while volunteering at the same shelter. Great writing style, excellent books. Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant: Confessions of Cooking for One and Dining Alone by Jenni Ferrari-Adler --a set of essays on just what the title says! Very enjoyable light reading. Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon-And the Journey of a Generation by Sheila Weller -- this one resonated with me because all three artists are of my generation, and I grew up listening and loving their music. A very entertaining read; lots of insider tidbits about the 60s-70s-80s music scene. Helping Me Help Myself: One Skeptic, Ten Self-Help Gurus, and a Year on the Brink of the Comfort Zone by Beth Lisick -- very funny book about a series of adventures undertaken by the author. A slimdown cruise with Richard Simmons, now THERE'S a concept! And many more hilarious experiences. Money Changes Everything: Twenty-Two Writers Tackle the Last Taboo with Tales of Sudden Windfalls, Staggering Debts, and Other Surprising Turns of Fortune by Jenny Offill and Elissa Schappell -- pretty much just what the title says! Very easy read too, would be a good airport companion. Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping by Judith Levine -- thought provoking book about a woman who quit buying. Makes you wonder...could YOU go a year without shopping?! OK, enough for now! Happy page-turning, Ann

This evening I didn't cook, but my sons came to see me and together we went to see my parents. That is reason enough for them to come to town and spend time with me and my parents, but we planned to go to a new Thai restaurant for dinner and they serve sushi, which they were looking forward to having. But as plans go, the new place was closed for 3 days over the July 4th holiday, so we had to go to Plan B. I said that we would drive by another Thai place to see if they also had sushi and if not, then Plan C, yet another Asian Bistro place that served Thai dishes. Well, what luck! We were approaching the restaurant (second Thai place) and a couple of employees were there holding open the door inviting us into their Open House! Food and wine/beer, etc. all FREE! They did indeed have sushi also! We had lots of selections to choose from on their small buffet and enjoyed our meal very much. We had good service, a very hospitable staff and really nice decor. Their former place was just two doors down, but they decided it was much too big, so they had just re-opened at a smaller spot with a new name. Of course, we each left a large tip but we were able to try many dishes from their menu! What a treat!

You Ain't Much Fun Since I Quit Drinkin'- Toby Keith

Gosh-just a quick look over my shelves produces (excluding already mentioned): Bel Canto Ann Patchett The "Phryne Fisher" series by Kerry Greenwood (Australian author) Olive Kitteridge Elizabeth Strout ...and Ladies of the Club Helen Hooven Santmyer In This House of Brede Rumer Godden The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Muriel Spark Barbara Pym's books The Agatha Christie "Miss Marple" and "Tommy and Tuppence" mysteries