Four Spirits by Sena Jeter Naslund

This is the third book I've read by Naslund.  The first, Ahab's Wife, was definitely my favorite, but this one was a  close second.  It is set in Birmingham, Alabama, during the early 1960's, the site of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing on September 15, 1963.  The church was an African-American church, and four young African-American girls were killed in the bombing.  The book follows several fictional characters through this violent time in our history; blacks and whites, men and women, racists and civil rights advocates.  I enjoyed the book and rate it 4 out of 5.

The Keep by Jennifer Egan (Audio Book)

We listened to this audio book on our way home from our visit to our son a couple of weeks ago.  From Amazon:

In Jennifer Egan's deliciously creepy new novel, two cousins reunite twenty years after a childhood prank gone wrong changed their lives and sent them on their separate ways. "Cousin Howie," the formerly uncool, strange, and pasty ("he looked like a guy the sun wouldn't touch") cousin has become a blond, tan, and married millionaire with a generous spirit. He invites his cousin Danny (who as an insecure teenager left him hurt and helpless in a cave for three days) to help him renovate an old castle in Germany. To reveal too much would ruin the story, just know that The Keep is a wonderfully weird read--a touch experimental in terms of narrative, with a hefty dose of gothic tension and mystery--balanced by an intimate and mesmerizing look at how the past haunts us in different ways. --Daphne Durham

I enjoyed the book and rate it 4 out of 5.

B Is For Beer by Tom Robbins (Audio Book)

Our son gave us this audio book for Christmas since he knows we often listen to audio books when we travel.  We visited him recently, so that seemed the perfect time to listen to it.  It was short (just 2 CDs) and very quirky.  It is described as "A Children's Book for Grown-ups" and "A Grown-up Book for Children."  It was read by Laura Silverman and was very enjoyable to listen to.  I rate it 4 out of 5.

Letter Love: Whimsey Grid

I really liked doing this one! Flowers are watercolor; background is pan pastels.

Letter Love - Play

I signed up for another lettering class, and this is one of my first assignments. I think it's going to be fun.

Sketchbook Challenge - Flowers

It was a warm (80 degrees) sunny day, and our peach tree has been blooming for several days, so I sat outside and sketched this afternoon. When I came inside to add the title, for some reason I wrote pear tree instead of peach tree, even though I knew it was a peach tree. And there wasn't room to change the R into a CH. LOL!!

I sketched this for March's Sketchbook Challenge theme, Flowers.

Sideboard

I was quite impressed with this built-in sideboard in my son and daughter-in-law's new apartment. I've blurred part of the address for privacy.

Read Along with Book Club Girl

I'm joining a read along hosted by Book Club Girl of A Duty to the Dead by Charles Todd.  It will qualify for my WWI Reading Challenge, and it's available as an e-book for just $1.99.  So I'll be reading it on my iPad, which I've never done.

Mandala

For lesson 1 of Watercolor Pencil Workshop with Dion Dior at Joggles. In Strathmore Visual Journal - Mixed Media.

Fabric Inspiration

For Watercolor Pencil Workshop with Dion Dior at Joggles. In Strathmore Visual Journal - Mixed Media.

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

Stevens, a very proper English butler, takes a holiday near the end of his career of working at Darlington Hall.  He spends much of his holiday looking back over his years of service, reassuring himself that he served a "great gentleman" with "dignity."  He reminded me of Mr. Carson from Downton Abbey, only even more so.  While I don't remember much about the movie version, I do remember that his part was played by Anthony Hopkins, who was the perfect actor for the part.  Now I want to see the movie again.  I really enjoyed the book and rated it 4 out of 5.