Sunday Salon...Tell the Wolves I'm Home...

I just finished this book.  WOW! it's definitely going on the list for the top ten reads of the year.

 description from Amazon.ca
 1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though it took me way too long to finish it.  I laughed and cried, not necessarily at the same time.  I have Nise to thank for suggesting this wonderful read, Russian Teapot and all...

 Sunday Salon finds me in a reflective mood, if only because, my body is aching from gardening, and the usual household tasks.  I don't normally do gardening or any real gardening until July 1st.  Canada Day.  Historically it's been the first opportunity I've had to get at it, consequently I had planted perennials to show their blooms before then, making it look like I've been slaving away, when in fact I've been busy elsewhere.  But, the weeds didn't get the memo.  So Saturday is a good day to begin the weedin'.And what a lot of weeds have survived this harsh winter.  the plants not so much.  I've lost all my water lilies, and couple of roses and the evergreens look tired.  I managed to clear off the patio weeds, and only dropped one stone on one finger, I won't be flipping anyone off for awhile, it hurts too much.  Today it's on to the rose garden, what's left of it.  Apparently my nursery is open on Canada Day so I'll be heading out to get a few things.  I do have to say that about 5 minutes into the weedin' a red spider bit me, and it hurt like the dickens,  I though I might be radioactive and you could call me Spider Woman, even today it's still a hard spot.  After our major house improvement, (which has only just begun with the roof replacement) I think I may call someone to level my patio, I've already paid Dan for this job, but it's taking too long to get it finished.  NEVER HIRE A RELATIVE.  I'd like to get rid of the ugly pavers and put in some flat field stone,  more my style, it would also blend in quite nicely with the pond surround.  But for today... Let get those weeds out,  I may even crash and read a bit.  

When you reach me...

Well I've finished my first book "read with earbuds".  As you may recall I'm always so nervous about losing the ability to read with my eyes, so I thought I'd better learn to listen to books, on tape or CD was not an issue, but with earbuds, welllllll that's a whole nother ball game.  But, it I did it, it took me forever but I did it. My mother's day gift from my eldest son was and little IPod thingy, so my youngest has started to put some of my books on and I finally finished my first one.  When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead.

This is the story of Miranda a young girl living in New York City with her mom.  Miranda talks about the stuff that happens at school, her relationships with friends and her best friend Sal. Her relationship with Sal takes on a whole new strangeness when Sal gets punched in the stomach by a strange kid.  And then to top it off Miranda starts getting these strange notes.  A Wrinkle in Time is Miranda's favourite book and time travel is discussed in the book.  Not only is Miranda concerned about getting the strange notes, but also a little frightened by their contents.

My thoughts:  This was an enjoyable read, a little predictable but certainly enjoyable. If I were reading for the time travelling challenge this would have applied.