The book "Holding Fast - The Untold Story of the Mount Hood Tragedy" by Karen James was written in memory of her husband, an adventurous soul who embraced life with gusto and who faced death with dignity after he was marooned in a snow cave on the face of Mt. Hood near Portland, Oregon, in December of 2006.

Although married just over six years, Karen and Kelly shared a loving and faith-filled commitment that transcended tragedy as we watch their heart-wrenching tale unfold. Because we know how this story ends, we savor every word and examine each decision made by Kelly on what would be his final journey. We want to alert him, tell him to “wait”, “go this way”, and “don’t do that”. And as we listen to Karen’s soulful mourning and feel her endless pain, we want to hug and comfort her as she struggles with her loss and faces the future without her Kelly.

She turns to her faith for that comfort – a faith that was strengthened during her time with Kelly – and, with this as her basis, she gradually finds peace and purpose in her life. Ultimately, Kelly’s final moments as he lay dying in his snow cave offered Karen an unmistakable signal that his last thoughts were with her and his children. Carefully selected photos and poems make this a love story worth reading and re-reading.


The Noticer, a slim volume of common sense advice by best-selling author Andy Andrews, explores the importance of being or having a “noticer” – specifically, someone who is able step back and view a situation with a wider perspective and offer suggestions on how to approach the problem.

We are introduced to Andy’s “noticer,” an elderly gentleman named Jones, who appears at the most opportune time to dispense answers to prayers are often not even expressed consciously. Jones seems to also possess the ability to live longer than most, with sightings and visits to his benefactors that seem to span decades. His physical appearance, too, seems to change according to the needs of those to whom he speaks.

Sometimes Jones offers a word or two of advice but, more often, he spends hours talking and listening, lending books to read, or dispensing almost hypnotic suggestions on how to make one’s life better, heal a failing marriage, bring hope to those with a lost dream or questionable future.

This is a heart-warming story with an ending that does not surprise the reader but, rather, confirms something that we already know…our actions affect those around us and that we all can become a “noticer.”


What's Age Got To Do With It? Living Your Healthiest and Happiest Life is a self-help, self-improvement book by Robin McGraw that only illustrates the differences in the average working woman in her fifties (like me) and the exclusive Hollywood-type (ie.actresses, celebrities, etc.) women with too much time on their well manicured hands and too much money in their Gucci bags (like Ms. McGraw).

Should I be concerned about my health, my skin, my figure? Well, of course! My health is a constant concern...with my friends and coworkers developing all sorts of maladies relating to our advancing age...it would be idiotic to ignore the state of our health. My skin? Well, my skin seems to be aging well, in spite of my daily regiment of Irish Spring soap-lathering in the shower. And my figure? Yes, that could use some attention, but my husband takes care of that department. Who knows what my future holds? That's the big question. Overall, it all relates to self esteem and personal happiness. Am I - to answer Ms. McGraw's question: "Living Your Healthiest and Happiest Life"? Yep. I am. But, then, I think I have a different standard than Ms. McGraw to measure health and a happy life.


Max Lucado chose the title "Fearless" for his book that explores how we can, in fact, be fearless. Can we truly be fearless? Wouldn't that just mean we are reckless in the face of the daily struggles and nameless things we anxiously dread? Those moments when the phone rings at 2 a.m. or when your doctor begins a sentence with "I am sorry to tell you this..." or when you are called into the boss's office for a "talk". Fear can grip you in the stomach, make your appetite vanish; bring tears to your eyes and a cold sweat to your brow. With fear in our hearts, can we really believe the doctor when he says, "I've never had a patient with your symptoms who has been diagnosed with cancer." With that fear, we only rationalize that it's our turn. I will be that first one who has cancer. It will be me.

But, more than likely, those test results will come back normal, that 2 a.m. phone call will be a wrong number, and your boss just wants to give you an "atta boy" on a job well done. Mr. Lucado reminds us that fear, although it is a constant in everyone's life, can become less debilitating - that we can experience relief from the grip of fear that we have all become accustomed to.