Dancing at the Rascal Fair

I taught a lesson in Relief Society several weeks ago about Connecting Ourselves to Our Ancestors.

And I might have told some stories.

And I might have included some pictures.

It was recommended to me after the lesson to read this book: 

(thanks, Amara)

I wasn't sure about it...but after seeing all of the 5 star reviews, I purchased this book.

The story takes place in Montana.  

It is about two best friends--Angus and Rob--who come from Scotland in the early part of the 20th Century to America, settle in the West, and become sheep herders.

It isn't an easy book to read.  It took me quite a while to get into this book.

I actually put it down and read another book.  But I came back to it.

I'm glad I did.

The book was written in 1987, so it's not a new release.

The writing is full and deep.  Not complicated.  Just thick with meaning.

A favorite phrase late in the book...

"We count by years, but we live by days.  Rightfully, we should do both by seasons." p. 221

or 

"Where the bevels of the valleys met, the creek ran in ripples and rested in Beaver ponds. A curlew made deft evasive flight across the slope below us as if revealing curlicues in the air." p. 80

Isn't it just beautiful?  so descriptive.  Paragraph after paragraph of poetic prose.

I felt, as I read this book that I could fully imagine the Montana countryside in all its seasons.

The characters were equally well developed.

The plot didn't go the way that I wanted or expected.  It was almost frustrating.

But, sometimes that is how good stories go.

I think that this book would be great for a book club.

A lot of reviewers recommended listening to the story.

*Amara, this one is for you....Did I ever tell you about when I used to workout with the lead singer from 3 Doors Down?  True story.  I used to go to the YMCA in Flowood, MS with Sierra almost every morning between 8 to 11 am.  (that's when they had childcare)  So, we were pretty regular.  You know how you get to know people's faces when you see them day after day.  I had  no idea that one of those faces was Brad Arnold--lead singer for 3 Doors Down.  I wasn't a huge fan, but I knew who they were.

Super nice guy.  Polite as can be (they're Southern, of course!).

And they did a lot of fundraising and charity around Mississippi and Alabama after Hurricane Katrina, as the entire band is from Mississippi.  So, you gotta love 'em for their Humanitarian hearts.  Just thought you'd want to know another rock star story.