Old Age

Finally, DeeAnn received her notice that she is old! Since she already has the motorized scooter and bifocals, it looks like she is ready.

Spring Flowers

Some of the flowers we planted last year are coming up. Great to have spring here but that also means the heat of summer.

A few days later, tulips popped open.

Willard Bay

We just returned from our first camping trip of 2010, this time going to Willard Bay State Park. Since DeeAnn is off for the week I took off a couple of hours early on Thursday so we could avoid traffic. We invited Daryl Westbroek (one of the missionaries that taught and baptized DeeAnn) and his family to come and join us for dinner Friday. We were all set up and took a little walk around the campground.

Views of the lake from the trails in the campground.

Harvey resting for the night. We ate dinner and while preparing some potatoes i sliced open by left index finger. After a fast first-aid fix, everything returned to normal.

Friday was a full day. After breakfast we put together a Lego RV,

we took a little longer walk up to Eagle Beach area, the marina and the boat launch area,

Then I started cooking a couple dutch ovens full of ribs. DeeAnn made potato salad and corn on the cob. The Westbroeks brought up a yummy fruit salad and brownies...

...took a break while things were cooking...

...and enjoyed it all.

After dinner we enjoyed a game of It Came to Pass and Disney Scene-It. It was a fun evening and we look forward to the next time we camp and are able to do something with the Westbroeks.

Review - Hunger Games

This morning I finished Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. Wow! Intense and engrossing.

School Library Journal describes the book (paraphrased): In Panem, the country created after the United States collapsed, two representatives from each of the 12 districts are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. The televised games are broadcasted throughout the country as the participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.

I enjoyed the book. There are definitely stories of entertainment versus humanity and government control. There are a number of similarities to The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and The Giver by Lois Lowry. I'd recommend it but only for a more mature young adult reader. The gore is kept to a minimum but there are certainly violent scenes, but they are not described in too much detail. There are two sequels to this title, Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

Next up is In the Kitchen by Monica Ali.