Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

I just love this book. It is a marvelous first novel by Helen Simonson. It is about a retired English major, Major Pettigrew, who lives in Edgecombe St. Mary, a small English village. He is widowed and is becoming close friends with Mrs. Ali, a Pakistani woman who owns the local grocery shop in the village. The book is so much more than that though. It involves prejudices, the new versus the old beliefs in life, and a thoroughly engaging protagonist who learns as much about himself as he does about his son and his village friends. This is a great book that I'm reluctant to finish since this is Ms. Simonson's first novel. I'm hoping she comes back with another one real soon.

Small Hawk

Small hawk swaying in the wind atop a tree.

Spring?

I spent last week-end with my son at his university for Mothers' Week-end. The weather was lovely, and the trees were all in bloom. Today in Chicagoland, it is rainy, windy, and cool; however, the trees are starting to bud, and some spring flowers are blooming. I hope to be able to get some good pictures in the next few days. I have not posted for so long. I hope to get back to posting in a more routine manner. Work has been busy, and I am tired when I get home from work. I do enjoy reading all the great postings from my blog friends however.


This friendly little squirrel came up very close to me. I think he's used to being fed by the university students. I was taking an early morning walk and didn't have any squirrel treats with me.