If you're reading this on Mother's Day, Poppets, let's hope you've sent the card, gift, or phoned to Mom--the silence, if you haven't can be deafening! Such changeable but, at times, beautiful weather we've been having that it's a good time to sit out on the porch or patio and read a good book, and the choices are many and available at the library, both Fiction and Non-Fiction. There are as many individual-type stories as there are people to read them and this week, in Non-Fiction, we have ladies in the starring roles in two books.

The first one is "Imperfect Endings; A Daughter's Tale of Life and Death", by Zoe Carter and the main theme is a mother who is bright, independent, full of life and spirit--who wants to take her own life because of dreading where her disease, Parkinson's, might possibly take her. The "kicker" in all this is, "unsure how--or when--she will end her life, she is certain of one thing; she wants her three daughters there when she does it." (Isn't this carrying "family togetherness" a bit far?)

Zoe, one of the daughters, is not only stunned by her mother's plans but really is concerned about the legalities of the sisters participating in the suicide and so, of course, tries to persuade her mother to give up the plan. Not a bit of it. Margaret, the mother, calls frequently with questions about the best poison to use, the best month to do it, and should she get help from the Hemlock Society or just arrange it on her own? Well, then the three sisters, in discussing this situation,"their discussions stir up old alliances and animosities, along with memories of a childhood dominated by their elegant mother and philandering father." Really, an interesting, provocative look at an age-old problem and the eternal question--"Who have the right to decide when they'll die and under what circumstances?" Come in and check it out.

This next title, "Oprah", by Kitty Kelley, has enraged Oprah, who keeps a pretty tight check on who and what will be allowed to be printed, and the question is asked; "After a quarter of a century of the Oprah-ization of America, can there be any more secrets left to reveal? Yes, because Oprah has met her match."

This author has investigated and written about such celebrities as Jackie Onassis, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Reagan, the British Royal Family and the Bush family, and for this expose, Kelly has obtained court records, birth certificates, bank statements and tax records "and even copies of Oprah's legendary and punishing confidentiality agreements."

Oprah was "besotted by the Kennedys--she boosted them at every turn--and in 2009, Victoria Kennedy gave Oprah her first interview after the death of her husband, Senator Edward Kennedy." She kept that same Democratic allegiance and added fervor and passion to support Obama and raised millions for him (she only wrote one check, for 2,300) and on the night he was declared the winner she was in Chicago's Grant Park, "with tears streaming down her face she rejoiced, standing on the right side of history and knowing that she just may have had a role in shaping it." She said, "I wanted him elected, and I think I did that." It must be intoxicating to be a king--or,in this case,queen--maker. Interesting book--come read it and tell me your reactions when next I see you, in Liberal, July 10.

Today is an 87 degree day with a 45 m.p.h.wind and irritating to Rufus Cooper, my dog, who hates his fur ruffled!. I feel sorry for people with allergies!

President Obama is a fertile field for authors for many reasons, obvious and not so, and "The Bridge; The Life and Rise of Barack Obama", by David Remnick, has just recently joined the New York Times list for a book that's selling well in stores and online. In this book, says the author,"now, we have a portrait, at once masterly and fresh, nuanced and unexpected, of a young man in search of himself, and of a rising politician determined to become the first African-American president."

And what of the men like Jesse Jackson, John Lewis and Lowrey who were heroes of the "old" civil rights movement who have,in essence, been forced to step aside and try to understand and "go along with" the concepts of the new African-American leaders? I found it interesting, from a personal standpoint, that Michelle had been brought up on Chicago's South Side, 'cause so was I. Barack was from HydePark and I knew where that was -- it's almost like old home week, at this point.

Barack has always had a knack for listening to other sides and "Barack could get people to do things that were against their particular self-interest, and he got people without much in common to stay responsible to the greater project--and he had a very light touch." I got the definite feeling, four months ahead of his election, that the country wanted a change in leadership--in a big way--and so I was not surprised when he became president, but I have held the opinion,personally, that he is "President Obama" not "the first black man in the White House."

This book also explored the idea of General Colin Powell running for president--as many urged him to do in the 1996 convention and many were convinced he'd make an excellent one --but Powell said, after thinking it over for several weeks, "I realized and asked What are you doing? This is not you. It has nothing to do with race. It has to do with who I am, a professional soldier, who really has no instinct or gut passion for political life--and I had to look in the mirror and say 'Is this what you really think you would be good at--and do you really want to do it?' The answer was no." Gee, you could wish every aspiring politician would ask himself the same question!

An interesting book, covers everything from early life up to today and the book begins with the terrible, bloody, awful chapter in our Black history with the peaceful march that "Bloody Sunday" on March 7, 1965 and continues to Obama's inauguration. It was a long, terrible, at times, journey and there were wrongs that one hopes, from now on, will never be repeated. This is a book that should be read.

Here's a switch--"The Complete Encyclopedia of Elves, Goblins, and Other Little Creatures", by Pierre Dubois--the pictures are really artistic, the descriptions, if read with a straight face, are hilarious and, taken on the whole, this book is charming! Of course, one must approach it with a sense of humor/drama but it works, dear readers, it really works. The author wittily narrates "the most famous exploits of no fewer than 88 species of elf and tells about the grotesque H'awouahoua of Algeria, "whose favorite meal is a disobedient child!" Works for me.

Also discussed --and beautifully drawn--in here are 92 of the elves' cousins "from Ireland's legendary Leprechauns to the lesser-known Knockers, whose rhythmic rapping leads lucky miners to the richest lodes." Absolutely charming! The Knockers are 24 inches tall, thin, dark body, stringy and dried-up but muscular limbs, large, gnarled hands and feet and their clothing are rags that other elves have discarded, Their habitat is all working or abandoned quarries and mines and while they gratefully eat what they are given, their preferred food is crepes and sweet waffles. You can see that this book is like--fun! The illustrations fit right in with the descriptions--grotesque, ugly, beautiful, plain--and you find yourself eagerly turning the pages to see what the next "creature" and its appearance and habits will be.

As Carol Burnett used to sing, at the end of her TV show, "I'm so glad we had this time together--" and ignore the wind, work outside or read a good book, have 3 or 4 Hershey kisses, examine the dog or cat's ears to make sure they're not red or infected, decide that this Summer is the Summer you're going to take a course at the College, paint your toenails (only if you're a girl, probably) a bright red to show off your new sandals, and keep firmly in mind that what you're annoyed about now--today--you will not remember in four weeks (unless it's your taxes!) Bye!