A Big Little Life

 A Memoir of a joyful dog named Trixie by Dean Koontz. 2009

Dean Koontz and his wife Gerda were the caretakers of a golden retriever who had been trained to be a service dog for a wheelchair bound young woman. Early in her career Trixie suffered an injury to her leg that required surgery. Unable to support a wheelchair bound individual Trixie had to be retired. Longtime supporters of Canine Companions for Independence, Dean and Gerda Koontz apply for a retired dog. First time dog owners, the Koontz soon realized they were now blessed to be the owners of a special dog. Trixie won their hearts by her unique skills and loving personality, Koontz even going as far to say she possessed Angel qualities. 

The Correspondent

 By Virginia Evans. 2025 Read this for book group. We were to read a book recommendation. A friend wrote in her Christmas card that this was her favorite book for 2025. Apparently she is not alone in that thinking. It was a good choice for me. I'm 74 and vision impaired due to macular degeneration. I bought the large print edition. My mother and I kept up a long season of writing back and forth. It only stoped when I moved about 40 miles from her here In Ohio. Sometimes I think we only present the better parts of ourselves when we write letters. I certainly love getting letters still, but the cell phones make it easier to call and to text. 

The Correspondent  is the story of one woman's life told through letters. She is 73 and about to make some changes in her life that increase her ability to become more aware of others. She writes to many people, ie. her daughter, her brother, past colleagues, authors of books she has read, etc. I think it helps the reader to contemplate their own life, if only to think, I should write more letters. How many times have I wanted to write to an author to say, I love how you expressed the life of your characters.