A Day at the Fair: Something for Everyone

The distinct, tantalizing smell of the fair drifted to the parking lot. Smoking ribs, sizzling sausages and swirling cotton candy assaulted the senses. There is nothing quite like fair food ... overpriced, high in calories, fat and all things unhealthy, yet, irresistible.

As a child, the rides were the reason for the tingle of excitement tinged with fear and little tolerance for food, games, and looking at farm animals.

The teenager sought out the rides for a thrill and the games for impressing friends, tolerated the food, and ignored the farm animals. The adult wanted to take it all in ... watching the children ride the "kiddie" rides, riding with them on the "big" rides, playing games, enjoying the food and looking at the farm animals.

As time passes the rides and the games lose their appeal, but the food and the farm animals still delight the senses. Alas, something for everyone.

Deck the Halls and Santa Cruise

Deck the Halls and Santa Cruise written by the mother-daughter team of Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark were both fun reads for the holidays.

Deck the Halls is about the holiday kidnapping of Luke Reilly, a funeral director and the husband of a famous mystery writer, and his chauffeur, Rosita. When his daughter, Regan, a private investigator, accidentally meets Alvirah, a famous lottery winner turned amateur detective, the adventure begins.



Santa Cruise takes place on refurbished cruise ship's maiden voyage where Regan, her new husband Jack, and Alvirah unravel the mystery of two missing Santa suits, strange ghost sightings, and the attempted murder of a passenger in the mist of a storm.

Book Review: Bamboo & Lace

Bamboo & Lace by Lori Wick is a light romantic novel, an enjoyable read with a message, and a fun vacation. Who doesn't want to occasionally escape to Hawaii?

After being raised in a remote Asian village, the main character, Lily, finds herself in an exciting yet overwhelming world when she arrives on the island of Oahu. Watching Lily discover kitchen appliances, modern conveniences, and the grocery store for the first time gave me cause to reflect on the many things we take for granted and how much joy we miss when we rush through our multitasking lives.

A look into the Asian culture and the subservient status of women was both disturbing and thought provoking and again brought me back to the realization of how fortunate we are to live in a democracy.

As Lily struggles with choosing family honor or true love, the book shows in a masterful way how God can break through stubborn pride, change hearts, and move mountains.