DAISY JONES & THE SIX – Amy’s Book Pick of the Week

Hi, friends! Since my favorite aspect of working at my local library is helping patrons discover new books, I thought I’d take this readers advisory service to cyber patrons like YOU! This week’s pick is Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Synopsis Everyone knows Daisy Jones & The Six: The band came to define the rock ‘n’ roll era of the late seventies. But no one knows the reason behind the group’s sudden split the night after a concert at Chicago Stadium on July 12, 1979. Daisy is a girl coming of age in L.A. in the late sixties, sneaking into clubs on the Sunset Strip, sleeping […]

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NEW EVERY MORNING

The other day my husband and I looked at each other across the table and said “good riddance” to 2019. It was a difficult year filled with almost insurmountable heartbreak. Sadly, we had to go back to 2006 to find a year we were sad to see end. Still, we never completely gave up hope. Each of those years also brought joys beyond measure. We’re grandparents four times over. We adopted our little schnoodle, Fitzgerald (“Fitzenheimer” to his friends), and we had success in our careers. My first book came out in 2006, followed by a long string of other writing projects. In 2019 I had the privilege of working […]

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Gratitude Day 1 – Coffee

A couple years ago when I was going through a painful season in my life, a dear friend suggested I write something I was grateful for each day. Nearly every day for a year, I posted a gratitude challenge on my social media sites. It helped me appreciate the simple things despite my circumstances. Well, I’m in the same place again, so here we go. When I sold yellow pages advertising back in the day, I called on a new coffee house. Mind you, this was way back before you could find one on every corner. The proprietor was busy when I arrived, so she offered to make me something […]

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Vikings Super Fan

Yesterday the Minnesota Vikings won a nail biter against the Dallas Cowboys. A lot of fans were excited about the victory, but none more than Glen Raisanen, a longtime friend of ours. He is a unique guy filled with personality and enthusiasm. Now a video of him cheering has gone viral. If this video (below his photo) doesn’t make you smile, you are a curmudgeon. https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2019/10/15/friends-say-dancing-vikings-fan-glen-raisanen-has-always-been-full-of-team-spirit/ Until next time, Amy

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JUST ONE LIFE

I don’t believe in reincarnation… who would want to do this all over again? No, I have just one shot at making the most of my life. I want to live this life accepting my imperfections and recognizing that even though not everyone will be my biggest fan; I have surrounded myself with people who think I’m pretty great. I don’t have all the answers, but hopefully everything will become clear when I step into eternity. In the meantime, I will stand in faith and do the best I can with the gifts God gave me and love others without judgement or reservation. While I like most of this quote, we […]

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THE BROKEN TREE

On my way into town I often take a shortcut through the countryside. On the south side of the road stood three trees, strong and proud, and oh so beautiful. The other day I drove past the property again and found this heartbreaking sight. I had to pull over to the side of the road because my tears were obstructing my vision. This fallen tree reminded me of my own brokenness. It also reminded me that I am not alone in my pain. In Psalm 34:18, David wrote these words: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. I felt closer to God that day […]

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BOOK REVIEW: EDUCATED

  In 1986, Tara Westover was born into a Mormon survivalist family in the mountains of Idaho. She prepared for the end of the world by stockpiling home-canned peaches and sleeping with her “head-for-the-hills” bag. In the summer she stewed herbs for her mother, a midwife and healer, and in the winter she salvaged metal in her father’s junkyard. Her father distrusted the medical establishment, so Tara never saw a doctor or nurse. Gashes and concussions, even burns from explosions, were all treated at home with herbalism. The family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one […]

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JUICY FRUIT AND SNOOSE

My Grandpa Art, God rest his soul, was a proud and sturdy Norwegian—a farmer from the plains of North Dakota. He passed away on this day in 2001. The terrorist attacks took place the following day, so traveling to his funeral was challenging for many. When I think of my grandpa, the word epic comes to mind. His was a life that could easily inspire a Hollywood film. He was a true pioneer, whose youth was filled with adventures I can only imagine. When he was a wee boy of eight, his mother died and his father gave him to another family to raise because the children were too difficult […]

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Still in the Miracle Business

In 2006 I interviewed Tricia and Melissa Brock, the sister team behind the Christian pop band, Superchic[k] for my book, God Unplugged. I was astonished by the way God showed up in their young lives. Melissa One day, my mom and I were driving to my grandpa’s house to celebrate his birthday. She needed to stop at her seamstress’ house on the way. When we arrived, my mom parked the car in the driveway that was at an upward incline. She said she’d be just a second and told me to sit there and wait. Well, being four years old, I didn’t “just wait.” I decided to mess with things in […]

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