Reviewed by Marcia Zimmerman
Love’s Journey is a tender recalling of what it was like to grow up and fall in love in the 1950’s. The author vividly recalls common frustrations for young lovers, such as having phone calls interrupted by a telephone operator warning that three minutes have passed and time is up. It was a simpler time and the lead characters, Allison and Tommy, are larger than life – heroes even.
This model couple struggle to maintain their relationship as their lives are upended by the Korean War. All young men of that era were required to register for the draft and were likely to wind up serving overseas if classified as 1A, which most were. Some never returned. Allison and Tommy’s marriage plans were put on hold when he was drafted and shipped to Korea. Life after Tommy returned home was uncertain, due to his war-sustained injuries that prevented him from pursuing a professional athletic career.
The story embraces a Romeo and Juliet intrigue as these offspring of Dutch (Tommy) and Swedish (Allison) families are expected to marry within their respective churches in the small Iowa town where they grew up. Thus the couple must face off with their stubborn fathers in order to marry.
The rich description of the characters’ thoughts and dialogue keeps readers intrigued. It is easy to imagine being there and enduring all the joys, triumphs and sorrows in the lives of the characters. Love’s Journey is easy to read and uncomplicated – providing an excellent opportunity for younger readers to experience what it was like to grow up in their grandparents’ era. The story provides excellent fodder for a movie script.
Marcia Zimmerman is the best selling author of seven books on health and nutrition.
OK, really this was my very first "Polar Bear" swim! This photo was taken on Jan. 2, 2009 at 11:00 am in 42 degree weather. You can see our BBQ area is all buckled down for the cold, rainy weather..so I'm not making this up! I have always wanted to DO the "Polar Bear" swim at One Mile in Bidwell Park. But over the years, something just seemed to get in the way. This year I stayed up way too late at a friend's New Year's Eve party and NO I was not drinking & hung over. I just ended up sleeping in and when I got up realized I wouldn't have time to get to the park to join the gang for the swim. I was REALLY bummed...but decided I would just have to wait one more year.
But then on the morning of the 2nd before Earl went to the gym, I suddenly thought..I CAN do this right here in my backyard! I don't need all of Chico cheering me on, just myself to prove I can do something new and thrilling just for me! So I told Earl to grab the camera; the kids would never believe I actually did it! So I dove in and did two laps, not knowing what the water temp. was; later we checked it..it was also 42 degrees. But WOW, it really felt GREAT!!! This is something I suggest doing much more often to really get the blood pumping!
So alright....I know I look like a wet DOG! LOL....Anyway, I am looking for anyone who wants to join me for a weekly swim or so in the Park or my pool??? Just call me crazy.......Jeanette Summers 
So who are these adorable 4 year olds and how did they meet? On the left is Carsen Quintero and on the right is Kylie Furgeson. They met because two of your Soroptimist Sisters have become really "good" friends after meeting at Club and having a mutual friend; Florance Soares-Dabalos who is also a Club member! So who is Grama Jay and Nana? See below...
"Nana" is also none as Jennifer O'Rourke and "Grama Jay" is Jeanette Summers. We could hardly wait for these precious grand-daughters of ours to meet. We had each been telling them about the other for months and each had a photo of the other! Carsen was so cute; when I 1st told her about Kylie she asked me if she was already her friend, and I said of course; because you are my friend and I have been telling Kylie all about you and how wonderful you are! Mean while Kylie would ask me about Carsen and how far she lived from her house; I told her it was really close to my house, but she had no clue what that meant! Kylie lives in Orange Co and doesn't yet grasp the concept of how far Chico is; she didn't understand on my visits down there why she couldn't she Carsen!. The day after Thanksgiving the girls finally got to meet and true to Soroptimist style "hit it right off"! We headed over to Emma Wilson School for a few hours of play time. Don't know if we grandma's or the girls had more fun?
Carsen and Kylie look like they will make excellent Soroptimists one day! They have already learned one of the most valuable things in life; no matter who you are, where you come from, what your belief's are ...you can get together can have fun and unite for the betterment of all women and children in the World. I am so proud of these sweet young ladies! And NO, we didn't coach them to hold hands and walk together...they did it all on their own! FRIENDS FOREVER :) Submitted by Jeanette Summers
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