Old Dog, New Trick

We don't do Valentine's Day, not really. Anniversaries, yes. Valentines Day, Sweetest Day, Hallmark Holidays, No.  So imagine my surprise coming home to this:

My husband of 25 years had to go out of town unexpectedly last week, during the Valentine's Day hoopla. I didn't mind, because, like I said, we don't do this holiday, plus I had to work until 9 anyway. I had to work late the next night too, and he got home before me and left me this very big box of candy on the counter, so it was the first thing I saw when I walked in the door.

Of course I cried. Because, it was unexpected, and I didn't reciprocate, because, like I said, we don't do this holiday, and mostly because, I have a major thing for DeBrand chocolates, hand made with love in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I almost asked him to bring me home some, because I covet them and it's been years since I splurged, but I didn't, mostly because I don't need candy at all in my life right now. I need salad. And a treadmill.

But these candies. Oh my. The PB and J or the strawberry rhubarb cream, the maple cream, or the caramel apple, I can't decide which one is my favorite. They are indescribably unique and yummy.

Of course, it was the day after Valentine's when he was there, so they were buy one get one. This is what's left of the second box. I forgive him, I have to, right? Especially since he bought the ones that nobody really likes but me, so guess who's eaten way too much chocolate this week?

It's nice to be surprised after all these years, and to realize the guy still has some tricks up his sleeve. Sad to learn I can be had for a box or two of chocolates, but hey, at least they were expensive ones, right?

Hope yours was surprisingly sweet too.

Unbroken is Unbelievable

I can't come up with enough superlatives to  describe how much I love this book, it's subject, Louie Zamperini, and the author, Laura Hillenbrand.  Here's the review I posted on Amazon and Librarything, which doesn't begin to do justice. If you've read Unbroken, you know what I mean. If you haven't, trust me, you should.

Unbroken is an amazing work of narrative fiction, and Louis Zamperini's life story is phenomenal and inspirational. From his misspent youth to his Olympic feats, from his World War II service to his survival against all odds adrift at sea, then enslaved and brutalized in POW camps, Louie's spirit, endurance and courage embody the Greatest Generation at its finest. I raced through this book in two days and was amazed that I had never heard of this wonderful man, whose life deserves acknowledgement and celebration.

Laura Hillenbrand writes extremely well, deftly weaving historical facts and figures into the carefully researched and compelling narrative. It is not just the story of one man's journey and survival, it is a fascinating overview of the War effort on the home front and the Pacific theater, as well as a sobering look at the unimaginable plight of prisoners of war. I was moved to chills, tears and cheers repeatedly throughout this book, which I consider one of the best I have read in years. Very highly recommended.

A Small Curse to the Universe

So.

This is my cousin Lee, a photo from childhood that captures everything amazing about her, especially her love of the water. She's pretty amazing in every way and her accomplishments humble me - she's smart, wicked funny, well traveled, bilingual, she's a boat captain, a harbor master, restaurant owner, swimming instructor, women's fire arms safety instructor, a wife, mom, and grandmom. She's 54.

She has early onset Alzheimer's.

Just like our Grandmother. Only sooner.

So.

I said some awful things to the Universe when I got the news yesterday, cursed a little, cried a little. I'm going to be pissed for a very long time, quite likely forever. I'm not going to handle this with the grace Lee has, I just don't have it in me. It's just so fucking unfair.

So.

.