After Sundown Book Review

Posted on February 16, 2025February 16, 2025 by Econogal

Sela Gordon is the main character in After Sundown. Most of the writing is from her point of view. A divorcee, she is content to interact with customers and her family. She sees no need to chase companionship. Ben is one of her customers. Interactions have been quick and quiet, typical for two introverts.

However, both are born leaders. So, they are thrust out of their comfort zones during this emergency. Sela supports and then stands in for her aunt as a De-facto leader of Wears Valley. Gradually, Ben is drawn in to help the inhabitants of the valley as well.

Naturally, life is different without electricity. Especially after sundown. The relationship between Sela and Ben becomes deeply personal. And the scenes are explicit. If you are averse to spicy romances, you can easily skip over these parts as they do not take up a majority of the book.

Furthermore, the authors include a lot of common-sense ideas for dealing with no electricity. Yet, the novel is at heart a story of love and validation. The prepping hints do not interfere with the plot.

The Next Mrs. Parrish Book Review

Posted on February 11, 2025February 11, 2025 by Econogal

I found The Next Mrs. Parrish difficult to read. It was the theme, not the writing. Even though the sister duo writing as Liv Constantine excel with their creation of characters, I find manipulation off-putting. And two of the characters are the epitome of manipulators. Plus, there was one small plot flaw that needs addressing.

Additionally, this is the third book featuring Amber Patterson Parrish. A master of evading punishment, one wonders if there will be yet a fourth novel featuring this con artist. Characters people love to hate, tend to re-appear.

In addition to Amber, Daphne Parrish (the first Mrs. Parrish), Jackson Parrish and Daisy Ann Briscoe all have pivotal roles and their own chapters/point of views. This approach connects the readers with the individual characters. Since the characters all have human flaws, misdirection by Constantine keeps the reader guessing as to how the story will unravel.

This technique could have been extended to Mason Briscoe. The one piece of the plot that did not make sense to me was the 180° turn by Mason concerning Daisy Ann’s quest to bring her father’s killer to justice. Most of the novel he was dead set against her actions. Then in the final pages he was by her side. An explanation was needed for this reader.

The novel is characterized as a psychological thriller. With a few exceptions, action scenes and physical violence are absent. Thus, focus is on the tremendous damage that can be inflicted through manipulation and lies. Perhaps this is why reading The Next Mrs. Parrish was so difficult.

Manipulators are everywhere. Most are not as evil as Amber Patterson Parrish. Many just want to have their own way. The phrase had her cake and ate it too comes to mind. Yet, everyday manipulation creates a rippling effect across lives. So, this novel seems so much more plausible and that is scary.

January 2025 Wrap-Up

Posted on January 31, 2025January 31, 2025 by Econogal

My part of the world experienced cold and snow in January 2025. But that is normal for the High Plains. The surprising weather is the snow and cold in the south which many of my family members experienced. While snow is not unheard of in places like Houston and the beaches of northern Florida, this month’s amounts rival those seen here on the plains.

Fortunately, the end of the month and the forecast for February paint a different picture. This will alter my activities. Much of January was spent indoors either quilting, reading or researching.

I bundled up on the warmer afternoons for a walk around the neighborhood, but there was no action in the garden. So, the pruning of the grape vines is still on the list of winter garden chores. New varieties of seeds were ordered after browsing seed catalogues and this was the only garden-related accomplishment.

Currently I am piecing a king size quilt with almost 3300 pieces. The pattern is from More Twist-and-Turn Bargello Quilts reviewed here. The baby quilt made in this style was quite easy. However, the size and pattern of the current one is challenging. Once the quilt top is pieced, I will share a photo. My goal is to finish the piecing by the end of February.

Quilt fabric navy blue background with large floral motif in pastels-pink, blue, yellow and green. — Fabric for both baby quilts.

Two more quilts are planned for this spring. Both are baby quilts for cousins to be. Pattern books have been part of the reading with nothing picked out yet, except for one of the fabrics. Since the two cousins are expected just weeks apart and their respective parents live about five miles apart, I have picked one key fabric to use in both quilts. But the coordinating fabrics for each will reflect the different genders. I am a bit of a traditionalist in that sense.

The very cold weather in January 2025 yielded much reading. In addition to Slow Dance and The Grey Wolf, the latest Janet Evanovich-Stephanie Plum book was greatly enjoyed. Additionally, After Sundown, The Next Mrs. Parrish and Identity Unknown have been read. Look for the reviews throughout February.

In addition to reading novels, I spent time in January 2025 reading family history including original documents written by family members. Of particular interest was two months of a diary from 1922 detailing passage from Kobe, Japan to the East Coast of the United States. Stops included two of the Hawaiian Islands, San Francisco, the Panama Canal and Cuba. The diary stopped at the canal but photos show pictures of Cuba. A search for more of the diary will be made.

Much of what I read is material saved at the last moment when emptying out my father’s house after his unexpected death. My youngest made room for a box labeled with a great-uncle’s name. Since he had no offspring, the historical artifacts made their way to the historian in the family-my dad.

Among things saved from my youngest’s insistence that I go through all photos was a booklet of drawings made by the mother-in-law of the diary keeper. Her artwork is exquisite, and I have treasured her oil paintings since I was a child. The scrapbook spurred a thought about writing a biography. Hence the research.

Much was accomplished in January even though I watched more television than usual. In addition to the funeral service for Former President Carter I watched the inauguration. President Trump became the second president to hold office a non-consecutive term. The first was Grover Cleveland.

I think it is important to have a smooth transition of power between the opposing parties. This distinguishes the United State of America from countries with other forms of government. The balance of power between Congress, the Supreme Court, and the administration led by the President is key. My hope is that every leader in Washington, D.C. remembers this importance.

Wishing you a productive month in February.

Slow Dance Book Review

Posted on January 23, 2025January 23, 2025 by Econogal

Shiloh, Cary and Mikey were fast friends in high school. Even though everyone, including Mikey, thought Shiloh and Cary were more than friends, they weren’t. At least not in high school. Since the theme of Slow Dance is one of star-crossed lovers, there was one hook-up during the “before.”

After parting as teenagers, each went their separate ways. Shiloh fell into a failed marriage and Cary dedicated himself to the Navy. The latter a barrier to the free-spirited Shiloh from a philosophical stand.

This is the first book by Rowell that I have read. I found it compelling and entertaining. I am so thankful for my local library as it was on the “NEW” table that I seek out every time I enter. If your library does not have a copy, it is certainly worth finding online or in a bookstore.

Slow Dance is perfect for book clubs and young adults. Romance fans like me may read it in one sitting as I did. There are many authors, and Rainbow Rowell is a very talented one. Another winner from the heartland.

The Grey Wolf Book Review

Posted on January 15, 2025January 15, 2025 by Econogal

Louise Penny’s The Grey Wolf released in 2024 looks at the possibility of bioterrorism. At the same time, the many layers of the Catholic Church also play a part in the murder mystery. Long-time fans will love this book a part of the series featuring Armand Gamache. Furthermore, newcomers should not worry about missing previous stories. The Grey Wolf not only does a good job of standing alone, but it also has the reader anxiously looking for the follow-up 2025 release-The Black Wolf.

Although quite a few of the minor characters are from previous books, Penny does an excellent job of weaving enough clues and background information into the story. This allows the occasional reader of her work and even a first timer to enjoy the developing plot. For this occasional reader, not remembering one key character was actually helpful. And in The Grey Wolf, the plodding Gamache did not lose my interest as did the last book read a year or two before the pandemic.

Misdirection is still part of the author’s writing skill. Dying words kept this reader guessing as to who would be disclosed as traitors. I was wrong.

Trust is the overarching theme of the book. Penny does an excellent job of demonstrating the importance of trust on both a personal level and a community/governmental level. Multiple characters in the story experience the question of who to trust. Furthermore, the inability to trust leads to self-doubt and second guessing. Naturally, this plays into the hands of the villains.

Key scenes emphasize the dangers of distrust including the one located in Washington, D.C. The author is clearly sending a message. One that is important to heed.

The Dignity of James Earl Carter

Posted on January 9, 2025January 9, 2025 by Econogal

Carter was one of the candidates in the first election I was eligible to vote in. I lived on campus in the heartland of the country. The university centered between the two large cities in the state. A majority of the population lived in these metropolitan areas and the rest of the state was rural and sparsely populated. The campus reflected these demographics.

Then First Lady Rosalyn Carter made a final campaign stop on campus just prior to election night. My roommate and I attended. Most of our fellow resident hall companions did not. Political apathy existed even then. And Carter was unpopular in 1979.

As history correctly indicates, Carter became a one-term president. Yet, his dignity allowed a country to see failure to attain a second term did not equate to failure as a person. A lesson for all of us. The presidency did not define who Jimmy Carter was.

Just a few years after leaving the White House, Carter began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. The organization was founded in Americus, Georgia, just ten miles down the road from the Carter’s hometown of Plains. This work was in addition to founding The Carter Center. The two non-profits shared similar values.

For forty years, Carter spent untold hours helping build thousands of houses across the United States of America. He did not rest on Presidential Laurels, he grabbed a hammer and contributed to society with both physical labor and dignity.

In 2017, one of the twenty states visited was Georgia. My destination was Plains. I specifically went out of my way to see the place Jimmy Carter called home. The side trip did add a few hours to the last day of a long road trip. But it was worth it. People were friendly, helpful and willing to give insight into the former president without violating his privacy. (He had taught Sunday School the previous week.)

Peanut farms were as prolific as the wheat farms of the Great Plains. The downtown benefits from tourists. Even those just making a quick stop. I loved the peanut butter shake as well as the bag of peanuts bought along Main Street. Best of all, I appreciated the directions for a back way to the Georgia-Florida Highway so I could skip Americus and take a more direct route to the Sunshine State.

Planning The 2025 Garden

Posted on January 6, 2025January 6, 2025 by Econogal

First, a review of the failures and successes of the 2024 plantings. This past year was much better than 2023 although not as productive as 2020. The sweet potatoes produced a nice yield for the two of us. More than enough to get us through the winter months and a few to start new slips with. The 2024 crop came from just two slips which were grown from the 2023 harvest. However, not enough to share with neighbors and families.

The tomato crop also improved from the year before. Two reasons for this. Fewer plants were placed in the big garden. I was trying to increase the space between the plants so diseases would not pass as easily between the tomatoes. Tomato wilt has been a problem. Additionally, I changed the varieties planted. Crop rotation is ongoing.

Spinach grew in pots- and nowhere else. So, in planning the 2025 Garden, I plan to plant in one of the metal rings that usually grow potatoes.

The lettuces were great, so no changes there. But the brassicas need an earlier indoor start. Finally, the cucumbers also enjoyed less competition under and on the trellises.

Keeping the future in mind is an important second step in planning the 2025 Garden. So far on the calendar are the births of two babies, two weddings, and a combined 80^th Birthday celebration for an aunt and uncle. And it is just the first week of January.

So, a garden which will survive my travelling now and again is important. Crops that take all season to mature may find spots in the garden when they were left out last year. Peanuts come to mind in addition to sweet potatoes. And winter squash. Furthermore, this is probably not a good year for experiments or adding new plantings.

I like to use diagrams when planning. The Big Garden and side garden each get a page at the minimum. The raised boxes are usually placed front and back on a single page. The herb gardens also get plotted out. Since many are perennials, the planning is not as complicated.

Using a scale is helpful for creating diagrams. Tomatoes like Cherokee Purple need more space than Romas. Vining crops such as melons can take up a third of the row. Fortunately, favorite veggies, such as onions, can pop in almost everywhere.

The last step in planning the 2025 Garden is calculating when to start the seeds. One will need to know the average last frost. Then figure the amount of time a seed will need to germinate and transform into a plant before setting outside. Using a calendar, count back the number of weeks for indoor growth from the average last freeze. Then mark that date in your calendar. Plants vary greatly from germination to reaching the size ready to grow. One final caution- certain plants need warm ground in addition to frost-free temperatures. I often add a month to the last frost date for veggies such as eggplant and melons.

December 2024 Wrap-Up

Posted on December 30, 2024December 30, 2024 by Econogal

Not many posts uploaded on Econogal.com this December 2024. Yet it was a very productive and enjoyable month. Gifts were completed or bought and then wrapped and given. Time was spent with young and old, even older than me.

Football rivaled classic Christmas movies on the television and entertaining filled the days and evenings. Gingerbread house construction, hiking in the Colorado mountains, and buying a new car kept the activities rolling. Plus, time to read. In addition to reviewing The Unwedding and The Promise of Unbroken Straw, I enjoyed the latest Janet Evanovich and Lorena McCartney books. Both offer the chance to lose myself in imaginary places with favorite characters for a few hours.

The usual dishes were made throughout December 2024. Candy cane cheesecake and fudge, chili and cornbread, and all the fixin’s for Christmas Dinner. We hosted a smaller crowd than usual this year. But older cousins could reminisce about bygone days and younger cousins played and played.

The star dessert was a box mix of lemon cake with a raspberry filling and drizzled dark chocolate for the topping. I need to make it more often. For those of you who can whip things up without detailed instructions:

One cake made from a box of lemon cake mix

One jar of Smucker’s Red Raspberry Jelly, heated then spread between layers

½ cup Hershey’s Dark Cocoa Powder, ½ cup sugar or powdered sugar, cream or half and half- mix to a pourable consistency

If you have left-over jelly, spread it on top either above or below the chocolate

After much research, I decided to swap my Subaru Outback for an updated version. My understanding is the model will have a new look next year. Because I am partial to the old look and the 2020 vehicle had been driven all over the country, I decided to buy a new one.

Over the years, I have bought vehicles during the Christmas car sale season. Maybe advertising works. December 2024 was the busiest of the three times. The showroom was packed and there was a wait-time for the test drive. It will be interesting to see if the economic data released next month matches my experience.

Econogal’s Top Ten Books of 2024

Posted on December 13, 2024December 13, 2024 by Econogal

Most of the non-fiction I read is categorized as self-help or do-it-yourself. Perhaps I read too many biographies as a child and too many research and theory books during my career. Regardless of the reason, most of what I read is either home improvement or self-improvement. This year follows the trend. So, there are no top ten books of 2024 in this category. But here are three with merit.

Survive and Thrive: How to Prepare for any Disaster Without Ammo, Camo, or Eating Your Neighbor by Bill Fulton and Jeanne Chilton Devon is excellent. Anyone who has experienced a natural disaster knows the importance of preparedness. In addition to reading and owning this book, visit www.ready.gov.

Early in the year, I read Hidden Potential. Adam Grant presents anecdotes outlining theories and then follows with constructive steps to reach goals. For the most part, reading is straightforward. However, there are parts where one must diligently slog through. Nothing worth doing is easy.

Finally, Ageless Aging: A Woman’s Guide to Increasing Healthspan, Brainspan, and Lifespan by Maddy Dychtwald with Kate Hanley is a book I am gifting. While geared toward women my current age, I wish I had read it decades ago. Especially the part concerning finances.

As always, determining the order of the top ten books of 2024 was difficult. Click on the title to reach each review. This helps determine if the book will be a good gift for your holiday shopping. The tones vary from light-hearted to deep suspense.

The Promise of Unbroken Straw by Ken Steele
Crow Talk by Eileen Garvin
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen
The Museum of Lost Quilts by Jennifer Chiaverini
The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin
The Women by Kristen Hannah
Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron
The Unwedding by Ally Condie
Fake Famous by Dana L. Davis

The Promise of Unbroken Straw

Posted on December 10, 2024December 10, 2024 by Econogal

The Promise of Unbroken Straw, a debut novel by Ken Steele blew me away much like the fictional tornado in the story. This book rivals Crow Talk for the best of 2024. Since this is the first book penned by Steele, it may get the edge to the top. The author offers depth, commentary and historical reflection. Furthermore, The Promise of Unbroken Straw reminds the readers death is final and the time to make amends is short.

The story opens in 1986 and then travels back in time a few decades. Thus, a tale of historical fiction. The setting is rural Oklahoma in an area probably not much changed to this day. Wheat fields provide income as well as hope. And small towns gather under Friday night lights. A star football player and his younger brother are raised by a father and grandfather. The tornado and accompanying hail destroyed a crop needed to keep the land from foreclosure during World War II. Only a small area of unbroken straw remains. Yet there is hope in those stalks. Just as there is biblical hope in rainbows.

Then oil comes to the rescue.

Paul, the younger brother, is the protagonist. His brother Tim is a star athlete drawing notice while just a sophomore. Their mother died while they were still young. Paul only has vague memories. Jake Landrum presents as a father without emotion. Yet he provides a home with values, including strong ties to the church.

In contrast, is Paul’s best friend Teddy. Both parents are alive. The father, an alcoholic, beats both Teddy and Teddy’s mom on a regular basis. As the story unfolds, other women were victims too. The late 1930s and early 1940s offered little recourse for such behavior. This backstory is pivotal for the growth of the protagonist.

Paul is the opposite of his brother as he is without any athleticism. After the family’s fortune changes and they move to the big city of Tulsa, Paul has his own talents recognized but the move is not an easy one.

When tragedy strikes, Paul blames himself for an accidental death just as his father blamed himself for his wife’s deadly illness. The many parallels in the story provide complexity for the readers.

Familial relationships stand out. Steele offers comparisons throughout the story. First among farm families and then in the city. Parenting is critically examined as are bonds between brothers.

Of note is how wisdom is passed down through the generations. And how families sacrifice for one another. Most importantly the author creates division in the family in allowing young Paul to reach maturity. Estrangement shows his weaknesses. However, the willingness to return to his hometown indicates the strength of his upbringing.

I highly recommend The Promise of Unbroken Straw. Ethics and reliance on faith through the church are a large part of the story. But familial love is even stronger. The importance of making amends and forgiveness is ever present without explicit statements. And forgiveness of oneself is key.

New authors reaching publication is one accomplishment. Then they face the arduous task of finding a spot amongst the already known. Ken Steele may find this even harder as his name is somewhat common with “other” successful Ken Steele’s including an author and a series character in the United States.

Yet, The Promise of Unbroken Straw is a great gift from the author. Top on my list for 2024. I wish him great success and hopefully other novels to follow. Buy a copy or find a copy at your local library. This story is tremendous and deserves acknowledgement. Kudos to the Ken Steele formerly of Oklahoma and now a resident of Colorado.

The Unwedding Book Review

Posted on December 7, 2024December 7, 2024 by Econogal

The novel functions on multiple levels. Nuances abound in the various relationships, both old and new. Well intentioned acts end up haunting multiple characters. The author successfully shows how both actions and words can greatly alter events. Accidental death can lead to murder.

Furthermore, Condie shows how complex relationships between more than two people can impact each subsection of the group. And how secrets kept from one member of the group can impact others.

The Unwedding earns a place on Econogal’s Top Ten Books of 2024 list. The depth of the characters, the surprise twists, and the perseverance of the protagonist create a great novel. Readers looking for a magical happy ending will not find one. Instead, the novel offers hope.

Since I have not read any of Ally Condie’s other books, I do not know if this depth is a standard. If so, her YA novels should offer teenagers great contemporary books to read, enjoy and even analyze inside the classroom.

As an adult author, Condie’s first release is outstanding. I hope she will write more for this target audience. I love her writing and highly recommend The Unwedding.

November 2024 Wrap-Up

Posted on November 30, 2024November 30, 2024 by Econogal

Life is returning to normal for me and November 2024 is a significant part of that. A year of positive surprises makes up for the multi-year, “other shoe is about to drop” feeling that has influenced my life since 2019. Perhaps it is the calm after a bitter election campaign. I give credit to the Democrats for that.

Perhaps the reasoning is closer to home. We are expecting two new grandchildren (at least) to arrive in 2025. The circle of life continues, and the spirit is uplifting.

My one trip this month was to a favorite location, Lexington, Kentucky. The weather was quite warm in early November (in contrast to the snow the television showed there on this last day of the month.) Short sleeves felt a bit strange with the beautiful foliage. Babies have been weaned from their mothers, and the paddocks no longer have little ones frolicking around the mares. Now, horses are grouped by age or perhaps by breeding status. Warm sun rays filtered through the colorful leaves.

Leaf Man Book Review

Posted on November 27, 2024November 27, 2024 by Econogal

Two artistic effects make Leaf Man stand apart. First, leaves and other pieces of nature create the illustrations. Lois Ehlert combines various leaves, acorns, seed pods and even gumballs from the Sweetgum tree to create Leaf Man, turtles, chickens and turkeys among other creatures identified in the text.

The second special effect is the shape of the pages. The upper edges are unique and create patterns of mountains overall, while picturing prairies, lakes and streams on individual pages. The technique produces a stunning effect.

Leaf Man is geared toward the pre-school to early grade school crowd. Yet, the page shapes make the book stand out. Thus, it is best suited once children learn to turn the pages carefully. Or for an adult to read to a group of children at an arm-length.

The story explores the travel of a leaf that has blown away in the wind. As Leaf Man travels across the countryside, he passes farm animals as well as wildlife. Each page depicts the animals from a collage of leaves. Children love to spot the shapes illustrated by the leaves.

This classic is still available for purchase from both Barnes & Noble and Amazon. It is very likely available in your nearest bricks and mortar bookstore. I checked out a copy from my local library. It was a recent gift from the local Rotary Club. I missed the release due to my youngest being almost double digits when published. Kindergarteners should be able to identify sight words. First and second graders will enjoy sounding out the words with occasional help with a few words of advanced vocabulary. All kids will enjoy spotting the creatures shaped from leaves.

Many of my favorite children’s books were written by Lois Ehlert. Leaf Man is now a member of that group. If you have not read this book, find a copy. Better yet, buy a copy.

The Night We Lost Him

Posted on November 20, 2024November 20, 2024 by Econogal

Laura Dave explores the complexities of families in The Night We Lost Him. Liam Samuel Noone is only alive during the prologue. But his life is the impetus of the story. Three wives and three children. Yet the love of his life for over fifty years refused to marry him. His sudden death brings two of his children together.

Nora and Sam are half-siblings. Sam’s twin Tommy plays only a minor role in the novel. Most of The Night We Lost Him focuses on the lack of closeness among the three growing up. And the bond created between Nora and Sam as they investigate the unusual death of their father.

Most of the story is told through the eyes of Nora. Yet there is also a thread of flashbacks focusing on Liam and Cory. The flashbacks give insight into the couple and why they never married.

Nora is used as a parallel to her father. She is torn between the love of her life and a former romantic interest-a man close to her father. Her determination to discover her father’s cause of death and his secrets separates her from her fiancé.

Her strengthening relationship with her brother Sam brings stability into her life at a time when both need someone to trust. Nora, having previously lost her mother, is a loner due to the unusual compartmentalization of Liam Noone’s multiple families.

The Book Woman’s Daughter Book Review

Posted on November 8, 2024November 8, 2024 by Econogal

Richardson opens her story with Honey Lovett and her parents saying their goodbyes. The elder Lovetts are about to surrender to the sheriff. They have been charged with violating miscegenation laws. Cussy Mary Lovett suffers from methemoglobinemia. So, her skin is blue and the laws in Kentucky forbade marriage between a person of white skin with any other colored skin.

As a minor, if found, Honey will be sent to a home or even worse, a work camp until she is twenty-one. Thus, Honey and Junia, the cantankerous mule, flee to Troublesome Creek. Once there, Honey faces a variety of problems mostly stemming from her gender. Old friends and new, support her in efforts to gain emancipation.

The Book Woman’s Daughter focuses on the plight of women in the 1950s. After World War II, women were expected to leave the workforce to the men. Richardson depicts this with female characters working as fire spotters and coal miners. These secondary characters encounter even more difficulties than Honey, who has taken her mom’s rural library delivery route.

While single women in the workforce are targeted by several male characters, they are not the only victims. A married woman ends up losing her life. Fortunately, the author includes several strong men as characters. This keeps The Book Woman’s Daughter from being a diatribe against males.

While a sequel, this novel can be read as a stand-alone with just a few unexplained references to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. Honey Lovett is a compelling character. And the secondary characters are well developed. The antagonist gets his due. Thus, the factors lead to a satisfying ending.

The Book Woman’s Daughter was released in 2022. But my local library did not acquire a copy until September 2024. The story is both entertaining and meaningful. I highly recommend it!

October 2024 Wrap-Up

Posted on October 31, 2024October 31, 2024 by Econogal

This month has been a beautiful one from a weather standpoint with the first freeze this morning. Just in time to put the frost on the pumpkins for the Trick-or-Treaters. In our small town civic minded organizations hand out candy early in the evening. Then kids wander around the neighborhoods.

The garden has been put to bed with the last of the roses tightly packed into a vase on the kitchen table. One pepper plant now resides in the basement under the grow lights. The benefit of having part of the garden in patio pots.

Books are piled up on bedside tables with yet another small quilt in the living room, keeping hands busy while watching television. It feels like the calm before the storm.

All through October 2024 I expected to see candidate signs pop-up across town. However, signs have been few and far between. One could wish the same could be said for the political advertisements on radio and T.V. This lack of identification with a candidate is very interesting to me. Especially in a town that tends to have close to 90% of the population lean toward the same political organization.

Twice during the month, I drove through town looking for yard signs. Less than two dozen for the main party and only two for the minority party. It will be interesting to see how the voters turn out.

Regardless of your political beliefs, I hope you vote on election day-it is just around the corner.

One-Slip Sweet Potatoes

Posted on October 29, 2024October 29, 2024 by Econogal

Videos and blogs suggest growing sweet potato slips as easy. My experience is mixed. The 2023 crop of sweet potato slips were plentiful. The year before I ordered two dozen because the slips are shipped to Colorado in late June, right along with the first of the hot weather. Survival rate from the shipping is less than 50%. So, I wanted to increase the odds.

After shipping, transplanting can be a tricky business. Placing the slips in a vase of water for a couple of days before placing them in the ground is helpful. Unlike seedlings, slips are planted bare-rooted. 2023 was my first year of planting home grown sweet potato slips. This avoided the shipping damage. Through the winter of 2022-23, I kept vines in water and grew vines in a planting medium. About eight slips were produced.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the winter of 2023-24. Only one slip made it to June. This slip was planted in a fire ring planter.

The yield this year was naturally smaller in number. But the sweet potatoes are of a good size. Interestingly enough, a vine with newly sprouted leaves was mixed in with the maturing leaves. I have placed it in a vase and roots are already developing.

There were 2 small tubers. One I planted into soil. No signs of life so far. The other is propped in a small jar with toothpicks. It also has developing roots.

As for the sweet potatoes, the true test will come once they are cooked. Currently they are curing as I was not patient enough to wait for the first frost. My experience is sweet potatoes can be harvested after a light freeze if dug the morning after.

Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS and Mid-October Musings

Posted on October 23, 2024October 23, 2024 by Econogal

The highlight through Mid- October is finally seeing Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS. Closely following is the over one inch of rain in one weekend. Of course, the latter delayed the former! Cloudy and rainy skies during prime viewing of the comet and of the Orionid meteor shower put a bit of a damper on my favorite time of year.

Fortunately, the skies cleared enough on the 22^nd for a brief but wonderful view of the comet. I live far enough north that the tail disappears into the horizon after a short time. Photos from south and west of here from the same date give views of the comet and the milky way.

My favorite meteor shower is the Orionids. Multiple reasons can be given. First, the showers stem from Halley’s Comet. Then, the timing. October has cool but not cold frigid nights. So, unlike the Geminid meteor shower of December, one can comfortably enjoy stargazing with perhaps a sweater or light blanket.

Plus, the shower bursts from the constellation Orion. This constellation is so bright city dwellers can identify the position. So, growing up in cities, I learned to spot the constellation early. Of course, out here on the Great Plains the stars are incredible. Worthy of a vacation for those unable to see the Milky Way due to the light pollution.

All through the 1990s, moisture from Mid-October forward appeared as snow. Many Halloweens meant kids wearing snow boots and once the mayor even cancelled Trick-or-Treat due to the blizzard earlier in the week. Now the first snow may not fall until Christmas. Farmers and ranchers know the climate is changing. It is the blame game that creates arguments.

Regardless of the form, the moisture was much needed and measured over an inch on my garden rain gauge. Digging the fall root crops should be easier now.

Leaves are turning yellow, gold and orange with a small sprinkling of red. Not enough sugar trees in this part of the world. I miss the glorious colors of New England along with the afternoon football games. The closest experience in recent years was the trip to Canada in 2018. Click here for beautiful fall pictures.

However, each region has its’ own fall beauty. The tawny colors of the fields bring to mind lyrics. Amber waves of grain truly make for a Beautiful America. We need to remember we are one country, indivisible, regardless of the contentious rhetoric of late fall campaigns.

Mid-October also means Election Day is just weeks away. Early voting has started in some states. I have been studying the blue book sent out by the state concerning the many amendments and propositions posited by the legislature and citizens. There are many.

Since I am not affiliated with any political party, I weigh each candidate and each proposal before making my determination. Apologies to both my father and paternal grandfather. They tried to get me to vote straight tickets. And thanks to my mom who instilled in me that the absolute best thing about the United States of America was the right to vote privately.

Pollsters may know what they are talking about. Then again, maybe not. Regardless of who your favorite candidate is, I encourage you to go out and vote. Voting is a privilege many do not have in this wide world we have.

The Women Book Review

Posted on October 7, 2024October 7, 2024 by Econogal

Kristen Hannah has outdone herself with her penning of The Women. The author known for her historical fiction from various eras including World War II, turns to Vietnam with her 2024 release. The novel is provocative. Those born after the war will find a glimpse of history.

However, readers like myself will have the anguish of those years brought fresh as if David Brinkley reported the weekly deaths just yesterday. Pretty sobering that the death counts are among my first memories of television. Furthermore, the stigma of having a military Dad in the late 1970s returns. The public turned against the soldiers. Thankfully, that is no longer the case, most likely due to 9/11.

Hannah brings all these emotions into play.

One by one the women return home. But they are not greeted warmly as sentiment against the war now includes those in service. For Frankie, the return and the attitude of her parents and society is her undoing. Hospitals don’t respect the skills developed in the triage of battle. She is forced to prove herself as if she was still the young teenager.

Furthermore, the VA does not recognize her service and like many of the women returning, she is denied counselling services. She spirals downward. It is painful to read the fiction that reflects reality.

The Vietnam Vets were not welcomed home, not seen as heroes for the most part. Many became addicted to drugs and alcohol. Many became homeless. Kristen Hannah is outstanding with this portrayal of the men and women who served.

Once again, Hannah is atop various bestsellers lists and The Women will certainly make Econogal’s top books of 2024 list. Ninety-five percent of the book moved me. I cried throughout the book remembering the divided country of the 1960s and 70s. The almost happy ending jarred a bit. And I’ll reflect upon that in the final paragraph of this review. Overall, it was outstanding and a must-read type of book. Great perspective on the Vietnam War and those who survived.

Furthermore, I recommend the reading of The Women as a way to remember the past. Too many individuals identifying as political extremists and calling for a civil war need to understand war is not good. There are no winners in any war. Certainly not within a nation.

As I have repeatedly stated. This nation, undivided after 9/11, is under attack by propaganda. Our enemies understand a divided house cannot stand. We need to recognize internal unrest is a threat. For those never exposed to the horrors of war, you need to read books such as The Women. And accounts of the Civil War. Divided nations suffer greatly and in the 1860s, brothers did fight against one another. Regardless of the voting outcome in November 2024, Americans must not turn against each other. Instead, if unpleased by the results-start planning for the 2028 elections and consider running for office yourself.

Pitch Dark Book Review

Posted on October 3, 2024October 3, 2024 by Econogal

I spotted Paul Doiron’s Pitch Dark on the new release table at the library. This latest in the Mike Bowditch series offers intense action through the Maine woods adjacent to the Canadian Border. Bowditch is a game warden with topnotch investigative skills.

Doiron overlaps story lines between the protagonist’s home and work life. The opening scene foreshadows the key dilemma of the book, protecting one’s family at all costs. Yet, the story goes even deeper. What determines personalities? Nurture or nature, or something else?

Bowditch responds to a missing person call. “Hammond Pratt” disappeared in the muddy backwoods after asking many questions about a father and daughter temporarily living off grid while building a cabin. Online searches of both parties return zero, adding to the mystery.

Before Pratt can be found, Bowditch crosses paths with Mark Redmond and his daughter, Cady. Things go downhill quickly as the pair are living under assumed names. Then, murder and mayhem strike. This leads to a chase through the dense forest at pitch dark night with multiple side characters creating difficulties for the investigator.

The Mike Bowditch series is a favorite because Doiron combines action with moral dilemma. Sometimes his characters can be categorized as good or evil. But that is not the case in Pitch Dark. The layers of the many characters are unpeeled, allowing the reader to see the flaws of the individuals. Yes, no one is perfect. This is an overarching theme of the series.

Pitch Dark is great for those loving complex mysteries. I highly recommend for individuals as well as book clubs.

September 2024 Wrap-Up

Posted on September 30, 2024September 30, 2024 by Econogal

The September 2024 calendar was filled with travelling, canning, reading and writing. Warm daytime temperatures and cool nights make this one of my favorite months. Add in the beauty of the turning leaves and the ripening of vine fruits and you have just about everything one could ask for.

Unfortunately for those not living on the High Plains and within driving distance of the Rockies, the weather may not have been as pleasant. Plus, my heart goes out to those residing in the Southeast part of the country. Hurricane season is not to be taken lightly.

The mountains of Central Colorado are at peak fall color. So, I tagged along on a business trip to Vail Valley. In addition to Vail, I spent time in Silverthorne with a dear friend. We had a delicious lunch at Enza’s Delicatessen and Market, sitting outside along the creek.

Dinner in Vail the first night was also along a creek-Gore Creek at Mountain Standard. The restaurant hosts a hearty menu of various meats. We try to eat here every time we are in Vail.

The second night we wandered through the village for an hour before finding a pizza place. Pazzo’s Pizza had the Thursday Night football game on. Now that these games are streamed for pay, it was nice to find a spot with a subscription. On top of that, our pizza earned Pazzo’s a rank among the top in pizzeria’s west of the Mississippi.

Social media continues to baffle me. Searching for first-hand accounts of Hurricane Helene yields bitter political discourse. Also, there are a variety of conspiracy theories regarding the weather. No common sense and very little compassion and understanding.

Fortunately, in-person conversations continue to uplift. One recent encounter at a C-Store on an interstate provided much joy. Little Daisy Mae in her side car is a service dog with excellent training and great behavior. Her owner was tickled with recent awards at a car show in Goodland, Kansas. Our conversation ended because vehicles were waiting for their turn at the pump. I need more of this in my life! Real people and real experiences.

Updating The GO Bags

Posted on September 27, 2024September 27, 2024 by Econogal

Within the GO Bags, another one-gallon storage bag is chock full of hand selected items to make life a little better if I must evacuate. A combination of wants and needs as follows:

Wash Cloth Bandana Toothbrush and toothpaste Floss Feminine Products Comb

Toilet Paper Band Aids and Tape Kleenex Cotton swabs Nail file Head Band

Cotton Rounds Hand Sanitizer Shampoo Deodorant

I use quart and gallon sized bags, clearly labeled for everything except the clothes. A drawstring bag holds the clothes in a tight bundle. Then the bundle and most of the other containers go inside a waterproof zipped storage bag. This zipped bag was recycled from some purchase long ago. The Food Storage bag is kept separate.

Since space is still available in the side pockets, other items such as spare reading glasses, a map, a sheet of paper with contact phone numbers, extra shoelaces and a belt are added. The last two items are a small hand sewing kit with buttons and a small fabric bag with cash in mixed denominations. Just beware of the overall weight. Mine weighs about twelve pounds. This falls into the guidelines of staying between ten and twenty percent of my body weight.

Hopefully, I will never need to use a Go Bag. But if a natural disaster heads my way…I am ready to go.

Out of Nowhere Book Review

Posted on September 16, 2024September 16, 2024 by Econogal

The author cleverly hides the identification of the shooter while still giving the character space with a point of view. However, Brown drops clues so that true sleuths may deduce the name. Others such as this one may have a “that makes sense” moment.

The shooter’s revealed identity and actions prove evil comes in many forms. Unfortunately, a case is made for the connection between severe mental health problems and mass shootings. Out of Nowhere highlights a problem existing in this world.

Sandra Brown is a master storyteller. I have read a few of her books over the years and they contain much suspense, violence and hardcore love scenes. I enjoyed Out of Nowhere even though the premise is so heartbreaking. But Ms. Brown treats the topic with care. Survivors need to take time to heal. Then they need to go on living even with tremendous loss.

Furthermore, the author addresses the issue of instable individuals. Mental health needs attention. A major flaw is one of blaming others for anything going downhill in life. Perhaps it is as easy as going back to keeping score in children’s games. We all will have wins and losses in life. It is important to learn how to deal with the losses. Win-win situations are few and far between.

Out of Nowhere has depth. I highly recommend this novel.

A Bad Day for Sunshine Book Review

Posted on September 8, 2024September 8, 2024 by Econogal

Del Sol, New Mexico is a fictional town in the northern part of the state, up the road from Sante Fe but not quite to Colorado. The region is sprinkled with small towns where everyone knows everything and everybody. Secrets are hard to keep. And town folk tend to rally around their own.

Five minutes from one end of town to the other. The kind of town where parents receive phone calls about kids skipping school before the truants can even get to where they are going. Strangers are noticed instantaneously and newcomers…well, it helps to marry into the community if one’s not fortunate enough to be born there.

A new sheriff is in town. Widow Sunshine Vicram left Del Sol without looking back with infant Auri in tow. Through the years she has made a name for herself in law enforcement in the bigger cities of New Mexico. Then, unbeknownst to her, she manages to win an election, so now she is Sheriff Vicram.

Auri is a teenager. Facing a new high school mid-year is treacherous as the busted New Year’s Eve party resulted in a confiscated keg. Fellow students think she was the narc. To make matters worse, the only friend made during said party is missing. As in abducted. Thus, Auri is anxious to help her mom find Sybil.

Author Jones weaves many backstories in this introduction to a new series. The multitude of characters makes it tough for the reader to determine the “bad” guy. And there are multiple threads requiring police investigation, including the cold case of a long-ago abduction.

Secondary characters pepper the story. And the most complicated of all is Levi Ravinder. Naturally, Sunshine gravitates toward him just as in their youth. But he may prove even more dangerous now. The skill of the writing brings all the cast to life.

A Bad Day for Sunshine was checked out from the library since it was the start of a series, all with catchy titles. The page turner was read in one sitting with nary a break except to eat. Also checked out was the second in the series A Good Day for Chardonnay, and the library has the third title as well. The Sunshine Vicram series will most likely be devoured by this reader much like The Boxcar Children and The Happy Hollisters from years gone by.

If you have not discovered this series and enjoy suspense tempered with humor, look for Darynda Jones books at your library or favorite bookstore. Well-written with only one (necessary?) plot glitch—NO PARENT would leave the side of a newly found abductee- this series is one to put on your radar.

2034 Book Review

Posted on September 4, 2024September 4, 2024 by Econogal

The plot of the novel is realistic. The Chinese push back on the Americans trolling of the South China Sea. In real life, and in the book, the status of Taiwan sits as a sharp thorn in the middle of the ocean. Many parallels exist between fiction and life.

2034 posits that the Americans have lost the edge with respect to stealth and cyber defense. Furthermore, the authors create a situation where a cat-and-mouse game gets out of hand due to actions of third-party alliances. This escalates into war.

The story is told with multiple points of view. Always tricky, but well written by Ackerman and Stavridis. Interesting enough, the main Iranian character comes across as the most relatable. At least to this reader.

A few real-life individuals are alluded to in the story. But not the ones I expected. And women have a large role in the fight. As usual, rogue characters create havoc. Most interesting was the diversity of the characters and their relative points of view. Thus, 2034 is very global.

At first, the novel strikes one as very technical. Only toward the end do the personalities of each highlighted character come through. Divergent themes are also present. First is the idea that the United States of America is slipping a notch in technology-and doesn’t realize it. Second, expressed mostly through the Indian-American character of Dr. Sandeep “Sandy” Chowdhury, is the thought that the ideal of America is not necessarily bound by borders.

Perhaps the most lasting impression for me is the knowledge of the warriors who tire of war and seek peace in nature and family. The dichotomy of destruction and nurture is best told through the American naval officer Sarah Hunt and the Iranian hero Qassem Farshad. Both seek quietude in the aftermath of war.

Finally, wars produce more losers than winners. They also realign world order. This was true after World War II and true of the fictional war of 2034. Readers may be surprised at the change in power and influence.

Duo Authors

Protagonist

After Sundown

Bad Guys, Good Guys and In Between

Recommendation for After Sundown

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Master Manipulator

Multiple Characters and Points of View

Psychology and The Next Mrs. Parrish

Recommendation for The Next Mrs. Parrish

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Cold and Snow

January 2025 Quilting

Reading in January 2025

January 2025 Wrap-Up

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Flashbacks

Star-crossed Lovers

Communication in Slow Dance

Importance of Family

Slow Dance Recommendation

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Bioterrorism

Friends and Foes

Overarching Theme: Trust

The Grey Wolf

Not Just Quebec

Recommendation for The Grey Wolf

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President James Earl Carter: October 1, 1924- December 29, 2024

Personal Remembrances

Dignity in Life’s Work

A Visit to Plains, Georgia

Final Thoughts-Jimmy Carter A Man of Dignity

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January is Planning Time

Steps to Planning the 2025 Garden

Second Step

Making a Diagram

Starting Seeds

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Another Year In the Books

December 2024 In the Kitchen

Gingerbread Houses

December 2024 Car Buying

Resolutions for 2025

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2024

Non-Fiction

Fiction: Top Ten Books of 2024

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Debut Novel

Coming of Age

Depth of The Promise of Unbroken Straw

Conciliation

Recommendation

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Veteran Author, New Audience

Plot

Angst Pervades The Unwedding

Recommendation

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Normalcy

Productivity

Travel in November 2024

Second Astronaut Quilt

Baby Quilt For Great Nephew

Christmas Quilt for Grandson

Final Thoughts