by Laura DeNooyer | Sep 3, 2024 | Book Reviews
After my kids grew up and left home, I discovered a newfound sense of freedom and a way to keep feeling young: take a solo road trip. Leaving the nest for a while was a great way to overcome any empty nest doldrums. It also renews friendships and inspires stories....
by Laura DeNooyer | Aug 20, 2024 | Book Reviews
Madeline Island is a hidden treasure tucked up north in the western end of Lake Superior. It’s the biggest of the 22 Apostle Islands, reachable by a twenty-minute ferry ride from Bayfield, Wisconsin (estimated 6474 yearly ferry trips). Cars allowed. With numerous...
by Laura DeNooyer | Aug 6, 2024 | Book Reviews
Lately I’ve read two two books set during the time of World War I—also known as the Great War—both by Naomi Musch. The Deepest Sigh is set in rural northern Wisconsin as war looms in Europe, while the U.S. is being drawn in. Her other book, Polly, also takes...
by Laura DeNooyer | Jul 16, 2024 | Book Reviews
As a kid in the 1960s, I had great respect for my grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles. So did my friends. Overall, grandparents and their wisdom were valued. I enjoyed hearing their stories. I asked questions, wanting to learn from them. I always figured...
by Laura DeNooyer | Jul 2, 2024 | Book Reviews
Have you ever heard a grandparent’s or older person’s story and thought it should be written as a memoir or a novel? I have. And so has Gretchen Carlson, author of More Than Grit. It’s based on an event in her grandmother’s life—one her grandma kept secret for...
by Laura DeNooyer | Jun 18, 2024 | Book Reviews
We all have our favorite family recipes with the memories and nostalgia they stir in us (pun intended). I especially value the recipes my mom and grandma wrote by hand. With the world wide web and dozens of cooking websites, do people even hand write recipes on...
