Dirty Martini by J.A. Konrath; 2007; Hyperion, New York; 292 pages; 978-1-4013-0279-5; 11/24-11/25

Evidently revenge is a dish best served to as many people as possible if your mind is a little warped. Carey Schimmel decides to take revenge against the people of Chicago because he thinks that the police, fire and ambulance response time was responsible for the death of his girlfriend. He does this with a nasty bit of biological warfare all over the city with no regard for whom he is killing. In typical Jack Daniels fashion she solves the crime while battling lust, family problems and her former partner, Harry McGlade. Another excellent adventure of Lt. Jack Daniels and the Chicago police.  RRR

eat, pray, love, one woman’s search for everything across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert; 2006; Penguin Press, New York, NY; 334 pages; 978-0-14-303841-2; 11/13-11/24

Elizabeth travels to Italy to taste great food and experience the lovely language of Italian. Then she travels to India to find the path to god and inner peace. Then she travels to Indonesia to find balance in her life.

Ok that is the bare bones of the book, but what makes this book a joy to read is Liz Gilberts’ voice. She made me want to learn Italian, learn to meditate to get closer to God and find balance in my life. Her adventures are exciting but what is even more exciting are her insights. This book was a joy to read even if I don’t agree with all of Ms. Gilbert’s ideas. RRRr

I am a little late with these wishes. Davids’ birthday was November 13 and he turned 18 years old. Sometimes I think David gets less ink because he is the quiet one, although anyone who knows him would laugh at that.

David is so into so many things although when I first think of David the first things I think of are friends and funny. He has so many friends that he cares deeply about and loves spending time with. I think Nate, Phil, Sol and Kole are lucky to have him as a friend, I do believe that he would do almost anything for them.

David is also one of the funniest people that I have ever met. He can take almost anything and make it funny, I do believe that it has gotten him out of some situations.

I am sure glad that God saw fit to bless us with David. Our lives would have been much duller without him in them. I am glad to call him friend, son and brother in the Lord. I love you David and Happy Belated Birthday.

Holy Superheroes, Exploring Faith & Spirituality in Comic Books by Greg Garrett; 2005; Pinon Press, Colorado Springs, CO; 191 pages; 1-57683-576-6; 11/4-11/12

Greg Garrett, author of The Gospel According To Hollywood, takes a look at faith and spirituality in different comics. He doesn’t restrict himself to just superheroes, but looks at the whole genre of graphic novels. Some of what he points out is fairly obvious, such as the parallels between Jesus and Superman, they are both aliens on earth, the didn’t began their ‘ministry’ until their adult years, and how they act as saviors for the people of earth. He also points to Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Captain American and even lesser known heroes such as Rohrshach and the Watchmen. An interesting concept and well done, but obviously written prior to Hollywood, as his style has improved. RRR

Today I went out on the floor at work, because one of my cashiers came back to tell me there was a class in the store. We have so much kids stuff that we have been giving the kids, teachers and chaperone’s 50% off their purchases. This class had come all the way from Sheridan, which is an hour and 15 minutes west of Portland. So I was telling the teacher and she thanked me and told me that two of the kids were orphans from Liberia. They have just been adopted by a family here, but then she told me something that changed my perspective for the rest of the day, and it all also changed the perspective of those I told of the conversation.

The two kids were brother and sister, somewhere between 8 and 11. They were orphans because of ethnic violence in Liberia. They had both witnessed their parents being beheaded in front of them. I was ashamed of myself for some of the things that I have complained about lately. We are a blessed nation here. This is a conversation that will resonate for a long time.