SHELTERED-IN is a Good Thing

I find time to work on my quilt UFO's*

*Unfinished Objects sometimes called WIP-Work in Progress

finish a collage project, 

work on a paint by sticker book that was a Christmas present. 

and even venture into painting with acrylics. 

In between all of that my husband and I work jigsaw puzzles (starting the 22nd one today). Here are some of my favorites:

We go to church on the computer and started our own Bible study to begin each day. We always went to the grocery store, but now are getting back to most of our 'away from home' activities. The result: our priorities reversed. Now our 'at home' activities come first and then we get out and about. Which is a very good thing since we are retired. 

A Painted House

 

A Painted House by John Grisham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a book club selection for me. I had never read a John Grisham book and enjoyed reading it. You will get a true picture of what it was like to make your living by growing and picking cotton. Mr. Grisham did not hold back. It was not an easy life; it was a time when people made their good times with people-family, friends, and neighbors.

This story brought back good childhood memories for me. It takes place in 1952 and is told by a seven-year old boy, Luke. In 1952 I was 12/13 about about 6 years older than Luke. Even at that age I don't remember being as introspective as Luke.  

From 1942 to 1946 when I was closer to Luke's age, I lived on a dairy farm with my Mom and Dad in an unpainted house. These were some really good times for me as a child. Luckily I did not have to work picking cotton like Luke.

I do remember gathering eggs and my MOM killing a chicken to fry for dinner.  She and I picked blackberries to make a pie. I gathered eggs from our chickens and stopped when I put my hand in a box and met up with a black snake.

I had a sandbox, a horse named Red, and a cat with kittens. 

My friends came to

visit. We rode Red.

That's me with Hank

Giles and Dad on 

Red. Then, we had

a wienie roast

 

 

Me on Red.

I got my first dollhouse furniture one Christmas. (That was the Christmas I played detective and discovered that my Mom's handwriting matched Santa's.) I had the measles and they kept me in the dark so my eyes wouldn't be affected. I stayed with Berniece, a black woman who lived up the road, when my Mom had to go to town with my Dad.  I remember riding on a hay baler with my dad and trying to milk a cow.

My Dad and I by unpainted house with my new storybook doll. It looks like we did get a painted screen door.

I started the first grade there and rode the school bus. Then, we moved to the city so I could go to school without having to ride the bus. I was little for my age and my mom thought I might fall off and get hurt. I am not sure, but I think she was like Luke's mom. I can see her smile as we packed up and moved. 

Enough of my memories. I think you will like Luke's story. It takes about three-fourths of the book to develop the scene and characters. Hang in there. All will be revealed in the last fourth of the story. Recommend.

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