October Misc

 October. Let's look at the pictures to see what I did. 

Apparently I trimmed the front bushes. 

There were hints of northern lights. 

Took Rebekah to Columbus, got lunch, and saw the biggest fry ever. 

The Bee got her hair cut: 

The Bee bonding with her horn teacher. 

I voted. It's been a long time. 2012 - so 12 years - since I was excited to vote in an election. 

And I came home from the store one day with this cute little owl. I haven't named him yet, so suggest away. 

October Books

Interesting SciFi read about a library. Two waring people / entities, each thinking the other is the evil savage enemy. The library changes perspectives. It was good. Parts I really liked, but lots of swearing and such. I'm on the fence about whether I'd recommend it or not. 

I thought this was historical fiction based on actual events, but I think it's just historical fiction. Have to admit it's less intriguing being simply a story. The daughter of a holocaust surviver receives a postcard in the mail with all the names of her family who did in the holocaust written on the back. Her daughter (granddaughter to the surviver) goes on a quest to see where the postcard came from. 

Needed something on the lighter side so I re-read Emma. It's a fun one. Not my favorite of hers, but I understood more this time. Maybe I'm getting better at reading....

The story of Bessie Coleman. I knew nothing about her before so it was a historical fiction win. However, there's a lot of sex content that could have been left out - I would have preferred it to be left out.  But the general story was fascinating. 

More Brandon Sanderson. His tales are always not what one expects. Just when you think you know where this is going it goes in a whole other direction. I'm enjoying them. Highly recommendable. 

Second time for this history of Eastern Europe. It's a fascinating listen (lecture series). The general knowledge is Western Europe; so much more to learn about Eastern. 

The beginning years of Washington's presidency. A highly valuable read. So much contention and yet Washington makes it work. It's probably a good thing to remember that our country was never totally peaceful and agreeable in our government system; it's designed to not be so. 

A book about why people succeed. Very interesting read. 

Harry's 6th year. Poor Dumbledor. 

I get was Erik Larson was trying to do, but it didn't quite read as well as say his Dead Wake. But it is about the first days of the Civil War. It's also one of those books that starts with a forward about the storming of the capital (Trump, 2021). My only complaint is I wish historical books were less politically pointing and more - here's the history, make up your own mind. 

I'm using Tolkien (and Andy Serkis for that matter) to cleans my ears every so often. Great books. Great story. Great writing. 

Apocalyptical tale, also set in the UP. It was okay. Nothing wonderful or thought provoking. Or maybe I just need to put more thought into it. 

A book about birds turned into a book about us destroying the planet. Which I'm fine with (reading books about it, not the actual destruction) but I wish the title would be more revealing. Kind of feel like I was expecting a hamburger and got a pizza instead. 

The last one. I had forgotten how much was in this book. Think it's one of my favorites. The first and the third will always be my top picks but for older audience, this one was pretty good. Hate that the author feels the need to throw in the curse word. Definitely not needed. 

Historical fiction about King Henry VIII's first wife. Ironically the whole time she was in England waiting for Arthur I kept thinking, "run away - so not worth it." Then when she's waiting for Henry and being treated so poorly again I think, just go back to Spain! Totally not worth it. So many red flags. But I suppose historical fiction is written that way. Maybe actually history wasn't so easy to predict.

Halloween

Halloween was somewhat different this year. Rebekah couldn't come up with what she wanted to be so she opted for last year's costume again. Then attempts were made to make plans with others but they fell through. It was looking like it was just going to be us this year, until she spoke with this lady during YW's. The girls were painting faces for halloween. Rebekah paired up with Chloe. They get along great together despite a bit of an age difference. Chloe was taking her little brother out for trick or treating and Rebekah was invited to come along. 

This year I bought a Costco bag of candy for the neighborhood. This was what was left. Apparently Snickers is not the candy of choice. 

Although Rebekah went trick or treating, it was way less about the costume (she basically threw on her Hermione cape from last year) and more about the loads of candy. 

The ones closest to the up front edge are the ones she didn't like and said I could have. But she does know they are some of my favorites. 

First Honor's Band Performance

Rebekah's first band concert of the year. She's was promoted to Honor's Band this year; mostly an 8th grade group with some overachiever 7th graders added every so often. While waiting for the concert to start I spy... 

Eventually they went on stage. There she is! 

Playing position: 

The concert went as follows. I'm an overly sentimental mom so I recorded the entire piece. If you're a die-hard fan of the Bee you may want to listen, otherwise feel free to skip ahead. I will say the first piece there's a part that I heard Rebekah practice and hearing the horns play out on that section brought tears to this proud mama's eyes.

Ghost in the Attic

Phantom of the Opera

New Forest March 

I was pleasantly surprised with the honor's band. 

Rebekah leaving. 'Cause I'm that mom. 

Eventually we found each other after the concert and I got one more picture of the Bee and the proud daddy. 

Conference

Always the best way to start October: conference complete with conference sweet rolls. And a cute little girl. 

Such a great conference. And yes, I leave the captions on. 

Also, conference evening session introduced my new favorite picture of Christ.