Reflections on the Columbia River, September 2018…
September was both a busy reading month and a busy family month! At the first of the month, I happily joined the Readers Imbibing Peril XIII challenge, hosted by Heather (@Capricious Reader) and Andi (@Estella’s Revenge) and got right to the job of reading from the list of genres that make up the focus of this challenge. It continues until the end of October, which is great because I’m really enjoying reading the books I chose.
I took a reading and blogging break in the middle of the month to travel to Salt Lake City for my mother’s Celebration of Life. It was a beautiful celebration of a life well-lived. My husband and I enjoyed the road trip, being with family, and spending time in the beautiful Rose Garden at Red Butte Garden where we have my parents’ memorial bench. Both my parents donated their bodies to the University of Utah Medical School, so the Garden and the bench are extra special to us, and the bench is a cherished place we visit a often as we can. The bench itself sits in the Rose Garden surrounded by beautiful roses, which they both loved, and is a happy, peaceful place for us to spend time.
My reading has been a great solace to me in the last two months. My extra hour of reading in the afternoon, dedicated to my Mom, has been wonderful! So despite the long-distance road trip, and all the planning that took up so much time, I was able to enjoy 7 books in September. It really should be 8 books, because I am almost finished with Rosamunde Pilcher’s, September, but, unfortunately, I won’t finish it before midnight tonight.
My September reads:
A Fondness For Reading 
Very nice, Robin! I read SEPTEMBER a long time ago. I ought to try it again soon.
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Kay, I’m enjoying September, but it’s a little slow for me this time. Not like The Shell Seekers, which I can’t put down once I start reading it.
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So glad you were able to find comfort in books. And, what a lovely place for your parents’ memorial bench.
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Thank you, Iliana!
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I’m so glad that your reading hasn’t suffered since your mom’s passing. She would be happy to know that you are spending your extra time enjoy your books in her honor.
I read September quite a long time ago and may read it again, but I really want to read The Shell Seekers again first. I adored that book when I read it back in the late 80s.
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Les, my grieving is very different this time. I remember when my Dad passed away that it was difficult to focus on my reading. With my Mom’s passing, however, there’s a renewed focus. For me, devoting some time to read during those silent times is a great way to deal with her loss and brings her close to me in so many ways!
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