The Snow Child By EOWYN IVEY - One of a kind story!

It's interesting how my oldest step daughter knows me, Amanda brought over this book, left it on my table and said something like, this is a good book I think you will like it..Boy was she ever right, this book takes you to the very place that is described chapter by chapter. When I was reading this book in bed I would have to put on socks  because my feet would get so cold from feeling the winter chill as it was describe in such great detail. 

The story takes place in Alaska in a cabin in the woods in a very remote village/town. I almost feel like I know this area and have been there a lot! I find it very strange and exciting to be able to say that just from reading a book for pleasure.  

For about a week after I had finished the book I would think about the little girl in the wool blue coat with red mittens and a fur hat, with her friend The Little Fox beside her. I missed them!

I would recommend anyone who reads to read this book, truly it is one of a kind. Amanda thank you so much for knowing I would like this book. It was a real pleasure to consume myself in. 

Happy Reading, Betty Jo 

Found the perfect home for Bamboo!

I have this garden box in the back yard on the east side of our house that has been driving me crazy since the  day we moved into our home. I think whomever built the box there was going to use it as a rose box. Roses are not my thing. A couple of years ago I asked Glenn and Andrew to take out the 2 rose bushes that were getting out of control from the box. Since the roses have been gone, I have played around with what likes to grow in a spot that only gets morning sun and is in a hot spot due to the the house, all with no success.

A group of one gallon Fargesia nitida seedlings



F. nitida in a landscape



pastel blue new culms on F. murielae

Last night Glenn help me come up with a great idea. I have always wanted bamboo in my yard like my son has in the Portland area.  Well guess what there is a bamboo nursery that grows cold climate bamboo and it's right here in Oregon. PERFECT!  I have explored their website, http://www.bamboogarden.com/default.htm, and come spring this is what I will be planting in that problem area of mine.  Bamboo doesn't like afternoon sun, YES, Bamboo takes a lot of water if it's real hot, PERFECT (doesn't get real hot in Central Oregon for to many days in a row), cold climate Bamboo likes cooler night when protected, CHECK!

I am so excited about this and now I have to wait until spring, dang! Check out this book I also ordered today from the above website, who knows maybe I am on to something here in Central Oregon only time will tell. OMG, I hope the deer dislike the taste of bamboo plants:)...two words "Deer Fence"!

Happy Fall,

Betty

Betty's Book Review

I am very sad to say I have finished the book, One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus. 1st of all I find it very amazing how a male author can understand how to write a novel from a woman perspective.

He had it down that is for sure, now if you were to ask me if I thought the story was true? I would still have to say, "it could be" even though in the front of the book under *Author's Note* he says " this book is entirely a work of fiction", OK if you say so.

I will miss being with May Dodd, Gertie and all the other women, white or Cheyenne, who took this journey from Chicago to the Nebraska Territory.

This book is a easy read, I recommend you read this book, you will become a part of their daily life's. Every day was about survival and learning how to co-exist.

Here are some photos I found on Google, about the area:

Buffalo was a huge part of their lives, they relied on them being around for everything from the food they ate to blankets to keep warm during the long winter months.