Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Book Review: Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis

Book Review:  Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis


The Captive Trail is Book #2 of a six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896.  Although a series, each book can be read on its own.  And I enjoy all the books' historical aspects intertwined with the fictional Morgan family.  Davis is an excellent writer that makes you see the other side of the story as well as the (fictional) emotion involved.




The main character in this book is 20-year-old Taabe and she has been a Comanche captive for so long she has forgotten English, making it hard for her to explain her situation after she ran away from the Comanche and is searching for her white family.  Through many lessons by the nuns that found her and are caring for her, and the patience and understanding that stage coach/mail delivery driver Ned offers, Taabe learns of her true identity.

As Ned searches for Taabe's family the Comanche are hot on the trail, determined to bring Taabe back to the tribe making for a great read.

This review is my own.  Thanks to Moody Publishing for a complimentary copy to review.

Book Review: The In-Between by Jeff Goins

Book Review:  The In-Between by Jeff Goins
Embracing the Tension between Now and the Next Big Thing

I felt this book fell short.  I was expecting MORE:  HOW to embrace the every day ordinary of now until the Next Big Thing happens in our lives as the subtitle states.  The author Jeff Goins told his life stories very well indeed, and I really felt that I had a good glimpse into his life, but I could rarely relate to his life.  I understood the overall concept that Goins was rushing his life.  And missing some of the great parts In Between.  As we all do.  I too recommend that most all people need to slow down and stop grasping for the Next Big Thing.  As the saying goes:  Life's a Journey, enjoy the travel.  But I thought I would get a big ah-ha moment as to HOW to better Embrace the Tension Between Now and the Next Big Thing from Goins book and it just wasn't there for me.

This review is my opinion.  Thanks to Moody Publishing Reviewer's Program for the free copy of this book. 

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

2013 Vacation Day 2







Vacation 2013. Day 2. HORRIFIC storm early this morning. Started raining maybe about 3am but by 5am there were horizontally blowing winds, whirlwinds off the barn we were parked next to, and 3.5 inches of rain all at once. Needless to say, not much sleep was had! When we left, we heard the south route was impassable due to high water so we took the north route on Road 19 and it was underwater in two places. At hwy 166, there was construction and we had to wait for the pilot car. All this within one mile of departure!

In Chetopa, KS heading toward Baxter Springs we see ‘Road Closed’ signs off to the side of the hwy. We thought they were old, no longer valid and headed that way. Yep, bridge washed out. Turned around. Many bridges had water just under their overpass the waters were so high. Headed back to Chetopa, got fuel since we didn’t know how many more impassable areas we would encounter. Went around the washed out bridge. And it was the only one.

Got into Wright City, MO a lot later than expected, about 8:30pm. Uncle Kenneth was kind enough to drive over to see us. We visited with Mom, Dad & Ken then headed over to see Kayla, Danielle, brother Scott and Cindy. Kayla was having a “Final Farewell” party for about 20 of her high school friends before they head out to college in the next few weeks. Left about 11pm. We were all beat tired. And Ken had a hour drive home still!

Laura knit a ruffle scarf using Improv yarn during this day of driving.