books – Me, Myself and I

Ready for an Adventure?

While working in one of the grocery stores this past year, I was stopped by a custom wanting to locate an item she could not find. I had only been in this grocery store for a couple of weeks, and it was much larger than the one I came from. When asked if I could help her I responded, “Sure, I have recently transferred to this store and I am not sure I know exactly where it is. Let’s go on an adventure and find it together.” She chuckled and said, “Sure.” I knew the category the item was in, so I knew which aisle to look on. Soon we found her item. As the customer was thanking me for my assistance and fun, the store manager walked up. The manager asked if everything was ok, and the customer responded with a smile, “Yes, we just finished an adventure.” Manager gave us a funny look. The customer went on the tell how I had assisted in finding the item she was looking for and the fun we had in locating the item. The manager was not sure of the response, but was glad the customer was happy.

There was nothing extra ordinary about this journey of looking for a can of food on the shelf, other than the perspective. A simple word changed looking for a common item to an adventure that was fun.

When we are younger we dream of different adventures. Going on a search for lost treasure. Visiting the seven wonders of the world or another country. A trip to space or climbing a tall mountain. Parachuting or bungie jumping. The list can be endless. But when we start living our lives, we are hampered by time at work, family responsibilities, and sometimes just living life. Those old adventures become a bucket list.

One of my favorite places to visit for an adventure is the local nurseries. I love plants and flowers. I do not go there to purchase, but see what wonderous blooms are now available for our climate. Spring is always the best time to see and learn of new plants at the nursery.

Visiting other places and countries was a dream I had when younger, but my finances do not allow for trips of that nature. But there is a way I can still see those places, most obvious is through the internet. My favorite way of visiting those places is via the local libraries. With so many resources available through electronic devices, even our phones, libraries are not thought of much. But they hold a world of information in books. Big picture books of places to see and things to learn. Perhaps a new author to read the works of, or learning how to do a new hobby. Resources can be found in a library. In our area, libraries are the places to go to learn the history of the area. Not just the history of events, but of the families who settled the area. Where they came from, what they did and the accomplishments of them and their offspring can be searched through the library genealogy sections.

Adventures start with us stepping out of our comfortable routines and exploring something new. There are times, my husband and I just drive a different longer path back home from the store, just to see new things, mostly new homes, but all the same a different view.

Take a moment to ponder the possibilities of a new adventure in 2025. What would you like to learn? Do you know of all the parks close to your home? What local shop or museum have you not seen? Is there a new food truck you have not tasted the cuisine of? Have you taken a moment to see the stars or watch the birds.

A new year has arrived, what adventure could be waiting for you to discover?

Amtolle

Books and Books

Bloganuary dailly prompt #10: What book has changed your life?

I love books, the smell, texture and endless possibilities of what lies within. I have read books for learning. Books about animals has always been a favorite. History and historical novels are a favorite. Learning new skills in gardening or cooking peak my interest. There have been a few self-help books, one of my favorites is ‘Who moved the cheese?’. Sometimes just some place to go, much different from my own to relax.

I can not there is one or several books that changed my life, but different things in books influenced my thinking and sometimes the way I chose to do things. There is one book that changed my activity as a mother, ‘Farmer Boy’ by Laura Ingalls Wilder. My oldest son was in the third grade, and not reading so well. He really wanted to read ‘Farmer Boy’, but those reading the book were in a much higher reading level group. His teacher called me in for a conference to discuss that my son really wanted to read the book and we were trying to encourage him to want to read. His teacher and I both agreed to let him join the higher reading level group, and I would read the book with him at home. That started a process of reading books with my children that they were required to read in school. Reading the same books gave us something else to talk about and discuss. I followed through with reading books my other three children were reading as well. I did a lot of reading.

Today, my children and I still read and share books we enjoyed reading with each other. What started out as helping my oldest son to enjoy reading and learn to read, became an activity we share still today. Along with my children and I sharing books, my children read books with their children and participate in discussions. Sometimes if it is a book I have read, my grandchildren and I will talk about the book.

Recently, two of my granddaughters requested books for Christmas gifts. I was happy to buy the books as gifts and send them. One granddaughter requested Sherlock Holmes books. I found a set of seven books. I had read two of the books and thought it would be nice to read the other five. I will have more to talk about with my granddaughter.

Books, I have books, love books and enjoy reading. I have passed the love of books forward to my children, they to their children.

amtolle

Book Relaxation

In the evenings, after dinner and chores are completed, my husband and I watch a television series. We find a series we enjoy watching, we watch all the seasons and episodes, and have to find another series. It is frustrating as we are not into the reality shows, our lives have enough reality. We do not care for drama, horror or blood and guts, as this is a time to relax and share relaxing conversation. There is always the dread at the end of a series to find another series to watch.

Our series ended yesterday, the series we started watching tonight was not so great. I think he likes the noise of the television to relax. Where I like to take my mind off my daily job, yet keep the mind active in a different direction.

My husband goes to be much earlier than I do. He gets up earlier. Also I can only lay down for a limited number of hours due to back pain. So there are hours of time when he is in bed, and I am awake. House work is not an option as I make too much noise cleaning, or so I have been told. I find some way to quietly relax.

During the first year of Covid-19, a group of women I rode horses with, decided since we could not meet in person for dinner and other activities, we would read a book and then discuss the book through texting. It was an interesting concept, I had not read for pleasure for several years. The activity was a way to do something together, yet not be together.

I rediscovered my love for reading. The first book I read was “Fire Blossom” by Sarah Lark. “Fire Blossom” is a the first book of a trilogy, so the next two books were the continuation of the trilogy. The trilogy is historical novels of New Zealand, the historical events are true, but the names of the people are different, and some family histories have been combined into one family. I found the trilogy to be interesting and relaxing. I even did further research on a few of the historical events that had occured, especially the events concerning the Pink and White Terraces, the eighth wonder of the world.

As a child, I read books constantly. I enjoyed reading. The book took me on adventures and away from the happenings at home. In high school reading books brought knowledge of subjects I enjoyed. As a young adult and mother, books helped me traverse the pathway of single motherhood and being a parent. Then I stopped reading. I became too busy working and raising children, I did not have time for the adventure of someone’s words.

Two years ago, I rediscovered the enjoyment and relaxation of reading. Today, I have a reading list, something I have not had before. A reading list is exciting, something to look forward to when one book is finished, another adventure can start. Currently, I am reading a self help book. Next is a book of poetry. Then on to another novel.

Along with rediscovering reading, I have learned I can have conversation with my family members. My children and their spouses read or listen to audio books. What started out as an activity to do during Covid-19 has turned into an enjoyable family adventure.

amtolle