The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman

FINALLY I can say this: I just LOVED this book!

I have been thinking recently about the fact that I can’t find the right words to express my disappointment in the books I’ve been reading. The irony that I can’t articulate any better than the novel I am criticizing, ha! But, here we are - book eleven since I started recording, and I can finally post that I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The author is young, it’s his debut novel, and I found it on Entertainment Weekly’s Top Ten Books of 2010. The writing is so clever - each chapter almost its’ own short story, new characters and experiences each time, with the occasional reference to each other skillfully woven in. It’s amusing, captivating and poignant all at the same time. 10/10!

Bryony - Ten Months Old

These pictures are harder and harder to take the older she gets. Because Bryony won't sit still! She is a wriggle-bottom. Her teachers tell me that she eats the most but works it all off because she moves the most. She is actually quite close to, gulp, walking! She is everywhere and we had to get the baby-gate back out because I caught her climbing our wood staircase twice already.

just got this - it's both a walker and a ride-on, she is thrilled with it

9/11

Today is the tenth anniversary of September 11th, 2001. Ten years! And yet that morning feels like yesterday - I remember one of my first emotions being that all flights are grounded and I won't be able to fly home if a war breaks out (I was not yet married or in the least bit settled, just living a carefree life in Santa Barbara 6000 miles from my family). It was the only day I've ever lived here that I've panicked that I may not get home. I couldn't even get through on the phone most of that day.

Of course, I got off lucky; that day was so much harder on most others. A day we will one day try to explain to our daughters. But not yet, while they couldn't possibly fathom acts of terrorism. I'm still not sure I can. Friday night's Dateline special episode had me bawling. Which was why it was so inspiring to watch New York Says Thank You last night. What an amazing way to grow something great out of the tragedy of Sep 11th. If you didn't see it, watch it online as soon as you can. And get yourself one of these badges by joining Action America. All the cool kids are doing it, ha ha. But, seriously, we can all find a way to Pay It Forward! I know I will this year.

California

We took our summer trip to California later this year, mostly because of the move. We went for Labour Day weekend and, being that little bit later in the year, we had less time at the beach as it wasn't really beach weather. More time inland, in Ojai, where you can always be guaranteed that the ocean fog has dissipated and it is clear, bright and gloriously warm. Here we are at the park:

And at the beach in jackets:

with Jess, Eli, Corey & Nick

Tayten pushing Bryony

Boccali's Pizza

cousin Morgan looking about 7!

first attempt to get a picture of all 3 of them

second attempt - ha!