A Must Read

This is the first novel of Kathryn Stockett, and already being made into a movie to be out in mid August!  I am only half way through, but know this a a book I can highly recommend!  Karen M., you will love it!  Based on history, this fiction takes place in the 1960's highly racial South, basically told from the perspective of 'the Help'.  In other words, the black maids working for and raising the children of the white snobs for less than minimum wage, while their own families have to raise themselves.  Excellent reading!



Little Books

While browsing my bookshelves the other day, I came upon some childrens' books that have such wonderful illustrations that I thought I would pass it on to those of you who have young 'uns around yet.  Our library carries them, and maybe yours does, too.

Jill Barklem has created this series of books, known as Brambly Hedge. Especially for those who enjoy miniature things, I believe the pictures will enchant you :-}

Current Reads

I generally do not read more than one book at a time.  That works best for me in order to keep the contents straight in my mind.  That said, I currently have four books in progress.  I had five going, but finished The Gospel of Ruth by Carolyn Custis James last week. It was a fast and interesting read of the authors perspective of both Naomi and Ruth's roles in the societal culture of the time.   

Thin Places: a memoir is author Mary DeMuth's own story of her troubled childhood and her subsequent struggle to take life lessons from it and move forward with the grace of God.  Though she is an overcomer, it is a very sad reminder of the horrors that far too many children suffer in our world.

These autobiographies of George and Laura Bush are likewise interesting.  Laura's writing is very detailed and paints excellent pictures in one's mind's eye, but can get a bit long at times.  I am getting a better idea of the hugeness of the state of Texas, and the closeness in the smaller communities, such as Midland, where both she and George hail from.   G.W. is not the best of writers, but it is fascinating to read the 'behind the scenes' of the decisions he had to make as the President.

The other book I am somewhat determined to forge my way through is Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.  I am not particularly enjoying the voyage, but I hear he writes from a 'God's Grace' point of view, and that one of  the two brothers portrays God's grace while the other portrays legalism.

So what have YOU been reading lately?

Tranquility

I was bird watching and enjoying the flowers on the deck a while back, before this month long seige of rainy weather hit.

My Summer Book Stack (so far)

A nice variety, I think ;o)

I just finished this biography of George S. Patton.  Most interesting.  If you are at all interested in WWII history, I recommend this book.  I have a whole new admiration for this WWII General, as well as a whole new disgust with him.  I think he really was quite off-balanced in his brain, as well as a pompous, egotistical jerk at times.  However it was these things that made him the great captain/general that he was.  Without him the war would have likely lingered on for a longer period.

Darrell and I also watched Band of Brothers during the month of June.  If you haven't seen this DVD series on the 506th Army, 101st Airborne Easy Company, then you need to.  Whether or not you are interested in WWII.  You will come away with a whole new appreciation for those who sacrificed for our country and the freedoms we yet have (even if they may be quickly disappearing these days!).

“God of our fathers, who by land and sea have ever lead us to victory, please continue your inspiring guidance in this the greatest of all conflicts. Strengthen my soul so that the weakening instinct of self-preservation, which besets all of us in battle, shall not blind me to my duty to my own manhood, to the glory of my calling, and to my responsibility to my fellow soldiers. Grant to our armed forces that disciplined valor and mutual confidence which insures success in war. Let me not mourn for the men who have died fighting, but rather let me be glad that such heroes have lived. If it be my lot to die, let me do so with courage and honor in a manner which will bring the greatest harm to the enemy, and please, oh Lord, protect and guide those I shall leave behind. Give us the victory, Lord.”

~General George S. Patton

Summer Read

A fun, colorful book, this is a quick entertaining read for all you summertime bookworms!  CeeCee is a young girl who's mother suffers from a mental illness, which causes her father to stay away from the home as much as possible.  When her mother is killed in an accident while adorning herself in her long-past Miss Vidalia gown and tiara, what will happen to CeeCee?  Find out in this first novel by author Beth Hoffman!

Lazin' in the Sun

Mixed messages here........ 

.....but mostly we all are wearing big smiles :o}

Book-sharing is the hit this vacation.  We all brought a book or two, and are pushing our way through them while we lay around the pool.

Well, okay then.  Some of us our pushing our way through the books.  Others?  Dreaming their way through  ;-)

Right now I am thoroughly enjoying one of Bethany Lynn's books.  It is engaging, witty, bittersweet, and full of tantalizing foods being prepared at the cooking school.  The students are very human, each with their own story of their journey in life thus far.  I highly recommend this book for any of you that are lovers of the written word.

Gift of Friendship

What a fun surprise to find a brown paper-wrapped package in the mailbox on this cold afternoon! The return address told me that it was from my dear friend in California. Not my birthday; too early to be a Christmas gift........ a 'just because' gift!

These are but a few of the wonderful photos contained in this unique cookbook full of different recipes from all cultures around the world! She reads my blog and now thinks I am a gourmet cook! Silly girl! But I will have fun trying out some of the terrific recipes! Bon appetít!

Thank you, my Friend!

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. ~Author Unknown

Pumpkin Butter

I love the big orange pumpkin on the front of DeeDee Stovel's Pumpkin Cookbook! This is where I get many of the pumpkin recipes I cook up. I think I have a thing for cooking with pumpkins this fall...... it must be my new comfort food ;-)


Monday night's creation was Pumpkin Butter. Something a bit off the norm to top your toast with, for a break from jam or cinnamon :-)

Very pretty while it is cooking.......

Serve over waffles, pancakes, on toast, oatmeal, yogurt, frozen yogurt, or whatever you please!

Ducklings Sighting

A children's classic, Robert McCloskey's Make Way for Ducklings has been a favorite of mine for years. I read it to my children when they were young. In reality, though, I thought the likelihood of ever seeing such a sight on a busy road was next to nothing.

I love how this book is printed on heavy paper with brown, antique-looking ink. Here is the part in the book where Mrs. Mallard escorts her ducklings across a busy street with the aid of a policeman.

Imagine my surprise this morning when I was traveling down Highway 203, and I had to put on my brakes and stop for Mrs. Wood Duck and her pile of adorable, fluffy ducklings as they crossed from the pond on one side of the highway to the field on the opposite side! Cars coming in the opposite direction slowed down when they saw me stopped, so all were able to safely make the trek across the highway without getting creamed. I wish I had taken a photo, but I didn't think I was in a safe spot to rifle through my purse for my point and shoot and take the time to snap a picture. I regret that, now.

Wood Ducks are common in wetland areas, which abound aplenty in our area. At first I thought it was a mallard, but the female mallard does not have the color in her wing, as does the Wood Duck. Look at the gorgeous male Wood Duck!

Here is a female Wood Duck. Notice the pretty blue, teal and green in her wing feathers.

My own ducklings will be shipped out to me this coming Monday, I should receive a call from the post office early Tuesday or Wednesday, telling me to come down and pick up my 'live animal' package. I can't wait!

Make Way for Ducklings! ~Robert McCloskey quote

Children's Books

Today I spent some time finding shelf space for, and organizing my much-loved children's picture books. Dusted them, too. Yikes! Amazing how much dust they can collect. Though I have bought new books for the kids over the years, most of my collection spawns from either Goodwill-type stores or from the library discard sales. On the catwalk shelf are the paperback books and the Dr. Seuss books, as well as a few over-sized hardcover books.

In the loft library I made space on the game shelves for the hardcover books. I noticed I am missing a few of my favorites. Who knows where they have gone to? If you have any of them, please return them :-)

I had a comforting day, spending it with some well-loved friends!

A library is a hospital for the mind. ~Unknown

Poetry

These are a few of the Literature books my granddaughter brought along with her school books in February when she visited. She likes poetry. Never was my favorite style to read, but I find comfort in the thought of poetry. Does that make any sense? I do admire those who can actually read the poems with ease and understanding. It must be the more 'creative' minds that can immerse themselves in such literature. I like my words straight up and clear, thank you.....

Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash.
~Leonard Cohen

A Favorite Childhood Author

The quote on yesterday's blog is attributed to C.W. Anderson, who grew up in Nebraska and studied at the Art Institute of Chicago before moving to New York City. There he developed his keen interest in horses that was to dominate his life as artist and sportsman. His drawings and paintings of horses, with their exquisite detail and characterization, made him the foremost horse portraitist in his day. In 1936 his first book, Billy and Blaze, was published. It was the start of a well-loved series of easy-to-read picture-storybooks.

Mr. Anderson also wrote and illustrated many horse stories for older readers, such as Another Man o' War, Twenty Gallant Horses and the Complete Book of Horses and Horsemanship.

My Children loved them. I have fond memories of visiting the North Bend Library on a weekly basis in order for my middle son to check out another Billy and Blaze book......... searching the shelves, full of wonder and excitement.......the smell of old library books that knows no description........ mmmmm

Conundrums

Main Entry: co·nun·drum
Pronunciation: \kə-ˈnən-drəm\
Function: noun
Etymology: origin unknown

Date: 1645

1: a riddle whose answer is or involves a pun

2 a: a question or problem having only a conjectural answer b: an intricate and difficult problem

I like the way this word rolls around the tongue! Here is an example of one type of a conundrum:

The master of a country house called his servants by their title, i.e., butler, maid, cook, etc. and not politely by their first name, which was standard practice in society in the Victorian era.

One day a maid took matters into her own hands and said to her master, "Sir, I demand, I am a maid named Iris."

What was rather peculiar about that statement?

I will give the answer to this later this week. Meantime, let's see how many of you can figure the correct answer out!

Amazing Tales!

Friday and Saturday my husband and I went to MissionsFest Seattle. Always an inspiring time of listening to great speakers and visiting booths of more than 100 mission organizations. Joanne Shetler spoke Saturday afternoon at the plenary session. Here is a courageous woman who in 1962 went to live in the far outback of the Philippines in order to learn the language of the Balangaos, a fierce tribe of head hunters. What an amazing story God wove her life into as she lived among these people, learned their language, created a written language for them and then translated the New Testament of the Bible for them!

We purchased a copy of her book that shares this incredible story with the reader. After she spoke we were able to meet her personally. What a humble woman she is! She was gracious enough to sign her book for me, too! (Sorry, but the photo wouldn't upload in the right direction).
In case you are curious as to what John 15:16 says, it is Jesus speaking to his disciples: You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give you.

It was an honor and a privilege to hear how she lived out this verse. It was also a challenge.

God always answers the prayer we make, if it will bring glory to God. ~ Jo Shetler

Recent and Not-So-Recent Reads

I read Searching Heart, Testing Mind by Kevin and Leslie Kerrigan a month or so ago. It is the story of how they met in Ecuador, she being an RN helping missionaries, and he being there during his internship to be a doctor. It was a fun read, both in content and style! They hope to write more books about their years as medical missionaries in Ecuador and Kenya. Thomas Hale wrote these next two books. I read them in the early 1990's. He, also, is a doctor working at a mission in Nepal. He relates different stories/experiences, some which are hysterically funny, and others that bring a tear to the eye.
I highly recommend these books to anyone, but especially if you are in the medical field!
All that mankind has done, thought, gained or been: it is lying as in magic preservation in the pages of books. ~ Carlyle

Recent Reads........

I love to hear, read or otherwise obtain life stories from just about anyone. I find what makes others' lives what they are, fascinating. These last few evenings I have been reading Stolen Innocence, by Elissa Wall, the story of one of the FLDS Cult young woman's childhood, forced marriage at age 14, and all of the mental brainwashing and abuse that went on. I already know that she escapes out from it, but so far in the book, she is still trapped under the wicked, evil power-hungry, egotistical lustful men in the cult, as well as her own crippled, brainwashed mind, and it has my sense of justice riled beyond comfort! I lay awake most of the nights after setting the book aside and turning the lights out, writhing and fuming. I know there are good, loving men out in the world who truly follow God and not themselves, but this book opens my thoughts a bit more to the power that men wield over women in the societies of the world, INCLUDING the U.S. of A. This book holds clout in my mind, as it is written by an ex-member of the sect itself, and not some outsider who simply gets riled at conservative values. Read it if you wish to discover something more about this cult than what has recently been all over the Media with the Texas scandal involving Warren Jeffs. On the other end of the scale, I recently finished 90 Minutes in Heaven, by Don Piper. Here is an always mind tickling account of one man's 90 minutes spent in heaven after he is declared dead at the site of an accident in which an 18 wheeler truck runs over his car, severing his left arm and leg from his body (dangling by skin), with entire sections of bone never found from his thigh. After he is returned to his body, he then recounts his long journey back to live a 'normal' life for him again, all the daily struggles and pain, what God has and is continually teaching him, and his immense comfort in knowing what awaits him for his final trip home to heaven!

I want to share one more that I finished on the flight to Hawaii with you, but will save it for another day.......... meanwhile, if you are living in the Northwest, crawl up in front of the blazing fire, grab a cup of cocoa and marshmellows and enjoy one of these books :-) (Eat your heart of those of you in the heat wave of California ;-)
(My fire today, June 18)