Educated by Tara Westover
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a Book Club assignment. It was very hard for me to relate to the reality of this woman's life. In fact, after about 50 pages I thought I might give it up. Tara seemed to be a character in a book not a real living person. Her situation seemed unreal and she didn't seem motivated to do anything about it. Even when she had people supporting her and advising her to move away; she refused to leave. However, she is a real person that has lived through, what to me, is a nightmare. I am utterly amazed that she was able to overcome her childhood and family to the extent that she did.  

I started pulling for her after pages 242 and 243. I saw hope when her professor give her this advice.

"You act like someone who is impersonating someone else. And it's as if you think your life depends on it." Dr. Kerry page 242

He continues on page 243: "The most powerful determinant of who you are is inside you," he said. "Professor Steinberg says this is Pygmalion. Think of the story, Tara." He paused, his eyes fierce his voice piercing. "She was just a cockney in a nice dress. Until she believed in herself. Then it didn't matter what dress she wore." 

Tara did not disappoint. I think this was a turning point for her. It certainly wasn't the end. There was much more to come, but she persevered and won in the end. Recommend.

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DAY TRIPPING TO HEBER SPRINGS, ARKANSAS AUGUST 23, 2019

MEMORIES OF TIMES BEFORE BEING SHELTERED-IN

We headed to Heber Springs and the Ruland Junction Toy Train Museum. We had seen it on 'Exploring Arkansas' with Chuck Dovish. We grew up traveling on 'real' trains'. We love trains. I especially love cabooses. My husband had a Lionel Train set. (Unfortunately, his mother cleaned out the attic and gave it away.) 

Luckily we had my phone and GPS or we would have never found the museum. It is in a neighborhood next to the Ruland home. He built the Depot structure to house his collection of toy trains and memorabilia. There is a main floor and a balcony full of trains. How many I do not know. Daniel Hipp is the Trainmaster and Docent. He described what we were going to see and some history of the collection.

Then, he went into action. On the first floor he had at least three trains going at the same time. He was at the controls. Then, we went to the balcony and he let lose about nine trains. All were in motion. It was amazing.

After the train museum, we headed to one of our favorite diners, Mack's Seafood and Steaks. They always have a pot of pinto beans and great cornbread. It goes great with chicken fingers. We had catfish this day-the beans went good with it, too.

We came home through Conway and the back way to Hot Springs to get a picture of a church that Chuck wants to paint. What a great find!

A great 'Day Trip'. 

We always say: "We ought to do this more often."

Escape from Sheltered-In

Yea! Freedom...perfect place...we escaped to the woods. 

A 'trail walk' was perfect for our get-away!

We wore our masks. We met a few people and were able to stay six feet away. They stopped and stepped away or we did. 

It's great to breathe the fresh air and get a little exercise. 

Highly recommended!