Thursday, June 28, 2012

Caleb Crossing

Jane Smiley describes it thus: " Caleb’s Crossing” could not be more enlightening and involving. Beautifully written from beginning to end, it reconfirms Geraldine Brooks’s reputation as one of our most supple and insightful writers"


 Geraldine Brooks’s “Caleb’s Crossing", is a compelling read of historical fiction— no kings, no famous events — but a story that feels familiar being set in Marta's Vineyard in the late 1600's - then at Harvard- a pilgrims' progress but freshingly current.. A must read for Brad and Jared for sake of context.

 I enjoyed the pilgrim setting, the issues of race, gender, class, and religion that seem historic and topical. Its interesting to watch the narrator, Bethia, find her voice - but did she in fact lose or find her sole - you be the judge. Not a joyful read but a good read, causing me to reflect again on judging others and placing artificial limits?

 And the deeper questions , also germane to our time, the power and cost of knowledge, and it's necessity.


 Extra pleasure given its downloadable for free from the library.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Birthday

It's great fun to live close enough to family so you can truly celebrate a birthday. Nothing fancy but some great cobbler, great weather, great visits.

 And a first drop in by Lauren and Payton.

 A Happy Birthday Indeed



Friday, June 22, 2012

Naper Nights Concerts




Historically I have written of the Summer Band Concerts in Central Park that are like going to Nikomis for an evening concert. We walk 4 blocks east to a cozy park and listen to the Naperville City Band play every Thursday throughout the summer. This year we have branched out about 4 blocks south just across the river to naper settlement for another type of outdoor concert. Naper NightsThis one a bit more raucous as this Friday night they hosted - American English, a Beatles tribute band.


Its great to live soo close to soo much. And free to boot.



Sunday, June 10, 2012

Twitter and the sabbath


Do you twitter?

Do you know the basics?

Should we all be that connected? that present?

Is having a prayer in your heart at all times a form of twittering?
As one thinks of twittering and its ideal scenario – rapid response to a question from an ever present shared audience – is it too extreme of a jump to consider having a prayer in your heart continually an advanced form of twittering? The ideas share the same core common components?
You have a question
You want input
You bounce the question off of trusted advisory opinions
You hopefully get a response
You do it again

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Brothers

Rindy has two great brothers - Larry and John. Larry visited us awhile back and then Brigham and I visited him a few weeks back. This visit its John coming here, stopping over on his way to a business convention. Not only are Rindy's brother great friends they are incredible workers. If you know Rindy at all, you know she loves a project - one that takes some thinking and some doing. Near  the top of her list are house projects that improve our living space. It makes a formidable combination to have Rindy and one of her brothers focused on a project. Mackey's bathroom is getting a face-lift - thanks to John and Rindy.

John & Rindy walking the river walk

tearing up things



Sisters

One thing that is constant is the constant moving in and moving out of people in a Ward. We are fortunate to be in a wonderful Ward, with more than our fair share of people with whom we relate and connect. A few of the sisters gathered to bid farewell to Kristina and Shari as they move on.











Thursday, June 7, 2012

Great Savings

(a forgotten draft now published)
So Jen's photo of great savings inspired me, in theory and in practice.
I thought people would appreciate a listing of saving bloggs and sites to hunt down the latest and greatest. No endorsements of any but plenty of choices:

(someone teach me how to post a chart)


Cents to Save
FatWallet.com
Mom All Day
GeekMommy's Web Life
Consumer Queen
Dealighted.com
Nickels and Dimes
Mom Advice
Couponing 101
DealDigs.com
That’s Just Nifty Thrifty
The Sensible Sawyer
Daily Dose of Freebies
DealNews.com
Budget Savvy
Freebies for Mom
Frugal Freelancer
Spoofee.com
Frugal favorites
Coupon Dad
Savvy Saving Momma
RetailMeNot.com
The Budget Diva
Free 2 Be Frugal
So Cal Saver
OinkDeal.com
The Budget Babe
Be Cents Able
CouponCabin.com
CheapJoint.com
Boston Moms
Affluent Pauper
Slick Deals
CoolSavings.com
CouponDivas
Domestic Diva
Coupon Mom
MommySavers.com
DivineCaroline
5 minutes from mom
Savvy Sugar
Deal-Crazy.com
The Recessionista
A Dollar Here A Dollar There
Savvy Mommy
DealsPlus.com
Thrift Connection
KeepCash.com
My Deals Blog
UberBargain.com
Frugal Dad
CouponChief.com
DealCatcher.com
TalesoftheTightwad.com
Not Made of Money
DealsofAmerica.com
Bargainist.com
Blunt Money
AoDeal.com
SmartDeals.com
DealHack
Money Smart Life
BargainShare.com
GottaDeal.com
Best Deal Coupon
Mighty Bargain Hunter
BestDeal.com
DealSea.com
FreebieReporter
Frugal for Life Blog
BigBigSavings.com
CouponMountain
BensBargains.net
Coupon Queen
CheapStingyBargains.com
DealComet.com
DealzConnection
Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls
AntiRebate.com
DealHunting.com
CleverMoms.com
Money Saving Mom
BradsDeals.com
Dealigg.com
DealDetectives
The Thrifty Mama
Deals2Buy.com
DealinStyle.com
CurrentCodes.com
Womanly Excellence
DealUnion.com
DealNews.com
WowCoupons
Coupon Geek
DailyZort.com
DealofUS.com
ILuvDeals.com
Operation Thrifty Mama
Direct2Deal.com
DealRow.com
DealsOpolis.com
ShoppingBulletin
Common Sense with Money
DealCoupon.com
DealsOUtlook.com
Dealitem.com
Deal Seeking Mom
DealOne.com
Dealspl.us
GunnsDeal.com
Pinching Your Pennies
eDealInfo.com
DealTake.com
CrazyCoolDealz.com
Frugalous
CrazyTownDeals.com
RedPlum
a2zDeals.com
BeingFrugal.com
AmericanDeals.com Office Deals
DailyeDeals
BargainJack.com
Coupon Cravings
eLiveDeals.com

Monday, June 4, 2012

Our Song

I've never really been into the musical concept of "our song".
You know the one that calls out and identifies the quintessential song that encapsulates a relationship. Usually identified early in a relationship as a defining moment when the two of you knew you were destined to be one. It's tender, it's romantic, it's not me.

I, on the other hand, when I hear a great love song always link it to me and Rindy.
They all become "our song" because when I hear one or any of them I think of us.

 So whether it's a classic early on knowing each other Rick Ashley - never going to give you up

 Or thinking of just the two of us


Or more recently thinking of a theme song for the bog something based in being home is wherever I am with you


These and others all bring me to Rindy.
Cause I guess I love her in so many ways that many a song capture the story behind our love, and the  journey we travel together 
So when I think of OUR SONG - I think of Rindy



as a footnote just had to add this to our song list - moving into eternity

Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day

A time to remember family

your task is to match people to the photo

Tim & Rindy
Blair, Julie , Eden, Dean, June
Brigham, Evan, Mackey
Brad & Mari-Lynn
David, Eliza, Lucy, Adam, Aaron, Levi
Lindsay,Josh, Ella, Adele, Everett
Michael, Marie, Joseph, Andrew
Elizabeth
Laura, Robert, Annie, Peter, Kate, Tyler





The burdens of a blogger

I am not a great writer.
I am not a great photographer.
I realize it bothers some when I say - hey can we gather for a moment for a photo, or look here for a moment, or I click anyway.

But I enjoy chronicling our adventure of life in some form or fashion and this blog is as close as I get. So this is what happens when you try to make it happen.