Life & Family

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah-Book Club

 

Book Club treats and The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

 

I’m so happy to be part of a book club. I can say with 100 percent certainty that I would not have picked up a book this fall had it not been for book club.  I know there’s no pressure for anyone in my group to actually read the book – my book club crew is very low-key. And no one would be bothered if I showed up just for wine and snacks, but I’m a rule follower. I must do what is expected and what I set out to do.

So I read and thoroughly enjoyed The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. If I’m being totally honest, I cram read this novel a week prior to our set meeting time. This was not entirely easy seeing it was a 440 page book of World War II historical fiction. But it was very well-written and held my interest from beginning to end.

The Synoposis (available at Goodreads)

Despite their differences, sisters Vianne and Isabelle have always been close. Younger, bolder Isabelle lives in Paris while Vianne is content with life in the French countryside with her husband Antoine and their daughter. But when the Second World War strikes, Antoine is sent off to fight and Vianne finds herself isolated so Isabelle is sent by their father to help her.

As the war progresses, the sisters’ relationship and strength are tested. With life changing in unbelievably horrific ways, Vianne and Isabelle will find themselves facing frightening situations and responding in ways they never thought possible as bravery and resistance take different forms in each of their actions.

The Review

Book club unanimously rated The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah a great read. We concurred that Hannah weaved a beautiful tale of family and romantic drama.  Set at a time when picture perfect Paris was overrun with Nazis and atrocities, Hannah managed to balance the ugly and difficult images of war with tender, personal moments of emotion, truth and reality.

If you are looking for a truly authentic depiction of WWII Germany and France, this interpretation may have some holes. If you are like me, however, someone who doesn’t typically read the historical fiction genre, The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah tells a compelling story. One that is told from a Parisian perspective and paints a picture about the struggle of life outside of concentration camps. The complexities of family, friendship and love were highlighted revealing how each was cherished and compromised in the face of danger and duress.

I particularly liked Hannah’s imagery throughout the book.  She was adequately and eloquently descriptive without being overdone. When it came to the violent images we’ve come to expect from a WWII novel, she gave just enough to make it real, but shielded the reader from too much excruciating detail which, personally, I would have had trouble reading.

If you’re a reader like me who leans to lighter content, The Nightingale is a nice step toward more substantive reading without being overladen with historical specifics.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah now makes two for two good, club-worthy books – the first being Diane Chamberlain’s The Silent Sister.

Next up in January…

A Man Called Ove by Frederik Backman.

Read along and share your thoughts!

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Life & Family

Caring for a Diabetic Dog – Sweet Oscar the Rescue

my schnauzer oscar sitting in the yard

This blog could easily be a dog blog given how much I like to talk about my Schnauzer, Oscar.  Just last week I was talking to a colleague and mentioned Oscar several times. Bewildered, my colleague asked “Who’s Oscar?” I was so embarrassed. He is so the center of my universe, I forget not everyone knows him. The truth is, since he was diagnosed with diabetes a little over a year ago, his care is so much a part of my day that my sweet diabetic dog is always on my mind.

Adopting a Rescue

When you adopt an older dog, you automatically resign yourself to the possibility of health problems. Yes, because health issues come with age, but also because the dog’s medical history and previous care are likely unknown.

Oscar will be eleven in February and we rescued him when he was seven. At that time, he was in good health, but a little “portly” according to the rescue organization. I did a lot of research on Schnauzers before signing Oscar’s adoption papers, so I knew he was prone to certain conditions such as canine diabetes.

Right away, I got him on a daily exercise routine and fed him just the right amount of a specialty dog food. As structured as I tried to be, my entire household had a tough time saying no to his constant begging and adorable face. Little by little our table scrap indiscretions added up. Of course, there were times when his overeating was unintentional – on our part anyway. Like the time he ate a full bag of bagels we accidentally left on a bench low enough for him to reach. And then there was Christmas when he unwrapped a box of Godiva chocolates and powered back every single one.

Never underestimate the nose of a food-crazed dog.

Canine Diabetes: The Diagnosis & Treatment

Needless to say, in summer 2015 when he began drinking excessively and refusing his daily walk, I suspected diabetes right away. Others said, “It’s hot – he’s just thirsty and lazy.” While that might’ve been true, I knew something was different.

treatment for diabetic dog
Novolin N Insulin and syringes

I wasted no time taking him to our local animal hospital, Bulger Veterinary Hospital, where we confirmed that, indeed, he had canine diabetes.  I was so upset and nervous when I learned he’d require two insulin shots a day. Thankfully, the veterinarian who diagnosed Oscar, and is now our regular vet, was comforting, calm and conservative in her treatment plan. She assured me that having a diabetic dog was very manageable and Oscar would be fine once we got his glucose levels back on track. Dr. Julie Haller, DVM treated both Oscar and me with such kindness and patience that we were on the road to in-home care right away. While scary at first, canine diabetes is not a death sentence. The fact that Dr. Haller offered her email so we could easily stay in touch while monitoring Oscar’s progress gave me so much comfort as I learned the new routine at home. Even now, Dr. Haller is available and responsive on email whenever I have a concern.

As anyone who has a sick pet knows, it’s challenging. For a diabetic dog, a strict feeding schedule is very important. At set times every day, Oscar needs an insulin shot with each of his two meals. Many people are surprised when I share this and ensuring that someone is home at just the right time is not easy.

We’ve had to make some adjustments and going away is trickier than it used to be, but we manage and I’m happy to say he’s doing great.

Tips for caring for a diabetic dog

  • Find a veterinarian you trust. While many are good at what they do, you also want to feel comfortable with them. What I love about Dr. Haller is that she doesn’t jump to unnecessary tests or treatments that would likely be overwhelming for Oscar and definitely overwhelming for my wallet.
  • Seek out the best and most cost-effective outlets for medication. I buy Oscar’s insulin from Walmart at 1/5 the cost of pharmacies nearby. It’s not as convenient, but well worth the savings.
  • Monitor your pet closely before jumping to invasive tests or procedures. If they are acting well (eating, peeing, pooping, sleeping, walking) avoid unnecessary treatments. I always say, I’ll know something is really wrong when Oscar skips a meal. That has never happened, even on his worst diabetic day.
  • Don’t assume every odd behavior suggests something is wrong. They are dogs after all, odd is what they do best.

And don’t forget…

  • Be aware of the conditions your dog is prone to and keep an eye out for symptoms. Knowing that Schnauzers are predisposed to canine diabetes was helpful in catching it quickly.
  • Feed your dog a healthy dog diet. While I loved sharing all my yummy food with Oscar, I regret the contribution it had to the onset of his diabetes. I feel guilty about it to this day.
  • And, of course love them, pay attention to them and always treat them kindly.
my diabetic dog oscar playing outside
Oh happy day!

 

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Life & Family

Early Retirement – Can We Do That?

Early retirement -kick up your heels

A friend of ours recently retired. No, he’s not in his sixties and yes, retirement is a word that’s been popping up a lot more than I ever thought it would before turning 50.  Our friend’s exit from the working world was an early retirement and well deserved. The mere thought of it had me realizing that standard early retirement age, 62, is not as far off as it feels. Here’s more on Retirement Age.

Truth told, I laughed when I heard our friend was “retiring.” “You can’t retire,” I said. “You’ll be bored out of your mind.” I went on to pepper him with questions about what he’d do with his time and let him know that I had a full-time chef and chauffeur position open for the taking.

Jokes aside, I was surprised when my young retiree friend said he just wanted to sit back and enjoy his life for a while. Of course that made sense, but we’re still young with so much left to contribute. But his rat race to success had reached its end and he was now ready to reap the benefits of his years of hard work.

I get that and while it certainly did seem enviable, I first thought; Wow! You can really do that? And then I thought; If you could, would you really want to?

Tony and I are at an interesting point where he has put blood, sweat and tears into his tax consulting business and I have put the same (I would say more) into raising the girls while writing on the side.

Now that the girls are teens, I have been more focused on my writing career and Tony has been much more focused on golf, thanks to his solid team at the office.  While he seems to be winding down, I feel like I’m ramping up. I have grand ideas for 3 Olives & a Twist and I am hopeful that my book will soon catch the interest of a publisher. As my mind spins out of control with possibilities for my personal career goals, I periodically catch myself thinking, how much is too much?  Yes, I want to continue writing, but many of my ideas are elaborate and would require the tenacity of a hungry twenty-something to create the level of success I envision. Do I have it in me? I think about the video I included in my Crossroads post suggesting that 50 is the new 20 when it comes to career aspirations.

Here’s where my mind begins drifting. In just five years, both of my girls will be in college. Excuse me a moment while a dry my tears. Thank God Tony’s expertise in financial planning has put us in a place where, hopefully, we won’t be destitute after one tuition payment. And girls, dear girls, academic scholarships are never a bad thing – get your nose in those books!

While I don’t have the kind of “job” that Tony does; the idea of early retirement is just as appealing. I am not going to lie; now, in our mid – OK let’s say mid to late forties, we are tired. We’ve crammed in a lot up to this point and the idea of travel, freedom, relaxation, reading, dining out and simply living life at a slower pace sounds pretty fabulous.  At the same time, I cannot fathom having a full day entirely to myself. What the heck would I do?

For me, early retirement is a dream, a nice one to have, but a dream nonetheless. I just keep wondering, if we were so blessed, would early retirement be enough to sustain our zest for success?  Are Tony and I really ready to kick up our heels and settle in for the next phase of life? Or would we be bored?

Are you retired? What’s it like? Are you happy in retirement?

If given the chance, would you retire early?

Here are some sites with points to consider about early retirement, retirement portfolios, investment portfolios, retirement income, cost of living, debt reduction, retirement budget and early retirement strategies. All good things to know if early retirement in on your radar.

Forbes – 7 Simple Strategies to Retire Early

Market Watch – How to Retire Early: A 5-Step Plan

Bank Rate – 6 Signs That You Are Ready to Retire Early

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Life & Family

Columbus Day – What to do?

Columbus Day - statue

 

Happy Columbus Day! This is the first year in a long time that my weekend has not been consumed by a soccer tournament or some other kid activity.  Not going to lie – it’s been pretty great.

Today is the official Columbus Day holiday and, of course, it got me thinking about this lovely day off. If you’re not so fortunate to have the day to yourself, I wish you the opportunity to knock off early and do something enjoyable.

So Columbus Day – the day in 1492 when Christopher Columbus “discovered” America. There’s lots to be said about the history of this day.  Here are a few sites that shed light in far more an articulate manner than I ever could…

http://www.history.com/topics/exploration/columbus-day

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/10/11/why-is-columbus-day-still-a-u-s-federal-holiday/

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/why-we-celebrate-columbus-day

http://usafederalholidays.com/columbus-day/

OK, now that we’ve brushed up on all things Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria I have to figure out what I’ m going to do this quiet Monday.

Here’s what I’m thinking:

  1. Gardening – I really need to get outside and spruce up. A few seasonal mums and some pumpkins should do the trick. This may be a little ambitious though.
  2. How about a Hike? – This really seems a perfect thing to do after yesterday’s washout and what better time than fall to walk among the trees.
  3. Newburyport Fall Festival – I’m always up for a ride to Newburyport and today I’m even more intrigued with live music in Market Square from 1-4 pm and the 15th Annual Scarecrow Concert. http://newenglandfallevents.com/home/calendar/event/104
  4. Sales – Did someone say shopping? Check out Business Insider’s Columbus Day Sales not to miss. http://www.businessinsider.com/columbus-day-sales-deals-2016-10. Not bad!
  5. Topsfield Fair – Today’s the last day. If you’re a fan of fairs – now’s your last chance.
  6. LEGO Lovers Look Out– The Wenham Museum is featuring LEGOs at Large. http://www.wenhammuseum.org/exhibits/
  7. Boston – the Fenway Alliance presents Opening Our Doors – Boston’s largest free day of arts, cultural and educational events. Check out everything the Fenway Cultural District has to offer. For more to do in Boston, go to Boston-Discovery-Guide.com
  8. And last but never least in my agenda book: Nothing, do absolutely nothing. Just enjoy a lazy day at home and re-charge for whatever comes next in your life.

Number eight is sounding pretty good right about now! What fun things are you up to this Columbus Day?

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Life & Family

College Life Part 2 – A Student’s Perspective

College life-lecture hall
Huge lectures -intimidating much?

College Life: The Transition

I often wonder who’ll be more nervous going off to college – the parent or the child. When Julia goes, it will definitely be me. Sure, it depends on who you are dealing with, but I think Monday’s post offered a good look at a parent who didn’t expect to be as affected by their child’s new life and period of adjustment.

So what leads some kids to struggle with the transition to college life more than others?  Some parents I’ve spoken to believe their child was so happy and content at home – who wouldn’t miss that? Another friend mentioned her daughter found the party scene to be intimidating because she was stressed ensuring her safety in this world of constant warnings – cover your drink, don’t walk alone, be careful on social media. And what about the kids whose lives have been so structured in sports, school and activities? They are on their own now.

Today, I bring you the student perspective of college…those first few weeks. Go back to Monday’s post if you haven’t had the chance to read the interview with this student’s parent.

The Interview

Before leaving for college, what did you expect? I envisioned it to be a mixture of carefree fun and also incredibly difficult academics that I would struggle with. I thought I would fit in right away, be independent, and not miss home at all.

How close has your college experience come to your expectation? So far, my actual experience has only partially met my expectations. Academically speaking, it’s as much work as I expected, but I did not realize how many resources the college has to help with a heavy coursework, how nice the majority of the professors would be, and how much time I would have to get everything done. All in all, I feel better about the academics than I did coming in. On the other hand, I did not realize how homesick I would be. Every day I realize how much I miss my friends, family, and neighbors, and simple things about life at home. I talk to my mom and dad much more than I was planning on. At first I felt a shock that I was all alone here, but in time I’ve met some great friends and they make the transition much easier. I also found out that college is a lot more fun than I expected, in a party/social sense.

Do you like college life? I definitely do like it here. I sort of feel like I was thrown into a new life where I need to figure everything out on my own, but I also realize that once I do figure out how to successfully live on my own, it will be for my own good. I like being in control of when I study, hang out with friends, eat, and do things for myself. I have already ventured off campus twice; both times I was blown away by how much I love where my school is.

What has the adjustment to college life been like? The adjustment at first was difficult, but over time it got better. Everyone I have met has been friendly for the most part, but it took some time to find good friends and people to hang out with. Once I did, it got a lot better.

What has been the biggest challenge/stress? My biggest stress right now is doing well in my classes and managing how much work I have to do. The classes have been manageable so far, except I have not had any tests or essays due, so I am very nervous for those deadlines to come up.

What has been the biggest surprise of college living? The biggest surprise is how good the food is. I expected college food to be gross, but it is far from it. I have also had fun trying places near my campus.

On a scale of 1 to 10, where do you rate your college experience so far? I would rate it a 7.

Not bad! I think a seven is a great start. These answers made me laugh and cry and made me realize that most kids, in time, will find their way and be stronger for it. Both the social and academic pressure of college life can be overwhelming – it’s no wonder it takes time to adjust.

I can’t thank the parent and student who took the time to share their experience on college living. It sheds light for those of us who will soon be going through it and, possibly, offer comfort for those already in it.

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