*MY* Version of Book Club

A couple of weeks ago, after choir practice, a few of the ladies were talking about a book and when the book club should get together to discuss it. Well, I never like to come in on the tail end of a conversation so I asked about it. My friend, Vicki, offered to loan me her copy of The Heretics Daughter. They were going to get back to me on the date for book club. Vicki dropped of that book and another one (which I have just loved, Saving Cece Honeycutt) but since I was busy with other things I didn't start reading right away.

Fast-forward to Monday last week, Vicki called to let me know when the ladies were getting together and that we needed to bring our books. I told her that night didn't work for me AND I probably wouldn't be finished by then anyway. So it was agreed that I would get her back her book. I told her... no problem...

Oops!

There's a problem... I love to read in the bathtub...

This is only the second time this has happened to me in four decades of tub-reading (kind of sounds like palmistry or something, doesn't it?)   But why did it have to happen with a borrowed book? (or my scriptures... they took the first dip in the tub in 1977!)

Doing the only thing possible, I bought Vicki a new copy of her book (I even transferred all of her pencil underlinings) and left it on her doorstep.

So today at church she asks, "Do you need to get back my copy of the book so you can finish?"

I had to confess, "Nope, I got my own copy!" Then I told her why... and we laughed! I also told her about the first time I dropped a book in the tub and how I used my hairdrier to hasten the drying process... I never had to worry about the pages sticking together any more!

Maybe you should stick to your own version of book club... mine's kind of soggy.

Finding a Memory

About 2 weeks ago I wrote about a photo of my Mom taken in 1961. I was reminiscing about her, how she loved to read AND read to me. I mentioned one of my favorite stories, about a boy who turned into a cat, that I only heard once since we'd borrowed the book. Over the years I've looked for that book, but never with any success. My brother-in-law, Wayne, did a quick Google search *boy who turned into a cat* and came up with some information that others remembered this book and were also looking for it. He emailed me and suggested that I do the same.

SO I DID! (Thank you Wayne) I anxiously scanned what others had to say about this book... hoping beyond hope that this might finally be that elusive book I remembered from so long ago. I ordered the book which arrived this week.

AND guess what! Yes!

THE BOOK!

I wanted to read far enough into the book to be sure this was THE ONE! My most distinct memory of Peter, a boy who turns into a cat, was of his killing a rat (dreaded-poisoned-fanged-creatures!). As a totally-cat-crazy little girl this book really caught my imagination... it is so nice to find this old *memory* again.

It was originally published as Abandoned but later published as Jenny (it is written by Paul Gallico, author of Thomasina)

Poor Babies!

Do you ever surprise yourself with your lack of thinking things through? I sure did this time!

For some reason I had it in my little-girl-mind that today, when the bandages came off, my hands would be all better and ready to go!

WHAT WAS I THINKING?

I'VE HAD SURGERIES BEFORE!

I KNOW IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY!

Look at these poor babies!

• I have some numb spots- I knew that would happen.
• My wrists are sore and emaciated- I should have known that would happen after 10 days in boxing gloves!
• The incisions are sore and hard- my scars always go through that stage.
• My bruises hurt- now this one I don't get!  If I had *damage* to my forearms: IE got hit by something I would expect bruises to hurt, but this is just pooled blood from the wrist.  What does THAT hurt?  I don't know!
• My incisions itch like crazy- normal- thank goodness for Vitamin E and Topricin.
• I still have weak hands and have to be very careful how I use them- I SHOULD have know that would be true.

Ah, well... I came home from getting the stitches out, laid down on my bed to read and ended up sleeping for 3 hours!  That's what the trauma of disappointment will do!

Winter Escape

When I was a little girl one of the things I like best was having someone read to me. Now that I'm a big girl... I wish there was someone who did want to read to me besides Jim Dale! But lacking an aloud reader I find much enjoyment reading. I love to curl up on my bed or in my big chair and read the afternoon or evening away. As long as there are good books around I don't think I could ever be bored!

My Daddy used to read to me and one of his favorites was Little Britches by Ralph Moody. I know that I've read a couple of his books in the past, notable Little Britches.

But it wasn't until this time around that it finally hit me WHY my Daddy liked them so much. Daddy was born in 1897 (nope, that's not a typo!) in the Texas panhandle. Ralph Moody (born 1898) moved to rural Colorado when he was 8 and ended up being the Man of the Family by age 10. Although Daddy wasn't left fatherless at a young age he and Ralph Moody (and Ralph's dad, Charlie) had that same sense of resourcefulness! They could fix anything with practically nothing and were always having adventures. AND they loved to relate their adventures to a willing audience.

So this time around reading Ralph Moody's series of books has been just a bit like sitting on Daddy's lap and listening to him. It's been a comfortable feeling.

313- Hunger Games

It is a sickness... that's all I have to say!

Well, maybe not.

The fact is that I love to read, and as with many folks, when I read it tends to take over my life. I'm not so bad that I take it with me when I go out to dinner and read it under the table (I got that off the back of the jacket cover) but I do find myself drawn to my big comfy chair, or better yet, my bed to curl up and read for hours on end.

There is also a definite advantage to jumping on the band-wagon late... I didn't have to wait for years for each of the two successive books to come out. I've burned through them in about a week.



So how do I rate the story? It's a bit violent but seems to be well written and, a big plus, there is NO PROFANITY! What a refreshing change to read an author who doesn't feel compelled to fill her stories with unnecessary profanity.  I've deserted several author for that reason.

I still haven't finished Mockingjay, so until then I will hold off on my final opinion.

260- "Scout, it ain't time to worry yet."

There aren't many books that I will read more than once (except the scripture, which is my daily sustenance!). But this is one of them...

To Kill a Mockingbird



Not only did I read it twice; I read it back-to-back. I love the characters. They were so alive and real to me. I love Atticus' statement, "It's not time to worry yet."

I've pondered how fitting that is in my life. Too often I will get worried about something and chew it over like Harley chews his rubber-squeakie-toys! But you know what? Most of the time... it ain't time to worry yet!

160- Blackie & his Mom

When I was a little girl I had the cutiest little book about three horses: Blackie, Brownie and Whitie! Original names, huh? I loved the wonderful illustrations of them cavorting all over the pasture.

Tonight we went on a little drive up the Left Fork of Hobble Creek Canyon* and saw Blackie and his mommie, Whitie.



Black appears to be quite a young horse colt (male). I can still see his umbilical cord and, well, his boy parts. What a sweet baby!



** BTW if you live up there your address would be: 1118 North Left Fork Hobble Creek Canyon (if you live on the north side of the road and South if you live on the south side of the road... ) What a kick!

075- Porch Sitting

Late this afternoon I went up to friend-Vicki's house to practice some music. She is a marvelously talented musician... you know the kind; it just drips out of her fingers. When she plays the piano it just feeds my soul.

After practicing for the better part of an hour I got ready to leave; we stepped onto her south-facing front porch and into heaven! It was one of those heaven-sent early spring days that almost make you believe it's May 16 not March 16! She has two over-sized rockers that live there and they just begged us to *sit a spell* and visit.



Recently Vicki loaned me a couple of books; the topic quickly turned to Same Kind of Different As Me. (Briefly, it is the true story of Denver Moore, a black man from the *wrong side of the tracks* and Ron & Deborah Hall, devote Christians who are inspired to help the homeless. Denver is blessed with the gift of receiving messages through the Spirit that ends up blessing not only Ron & Deborah but other who are seeking the Lord.)

Since Vicki and I have both experienced difficult losses this was a very poignant story to discuss. Why would Denver receive these prompting on behalf of others? I was reminded again how much the Lord loves his children. The Lord is no respecter of persons. If you are obedient He will bless you. If you "earnestly covet the best gifts" He will "shew unto you a more excellent way." (1 Corinthians 12:31) I just love that language earnestly covet!

This scripture (1 Corinthians 12) is the one that I randomly turned to just after Tony and Amanda's death (just a coincidence? I think not!). It filled me with a longing to be blessed with the gift "of discerning of spirits" (verse 10). Over the years, as I have prayed for this gift, and been obedient to the laws and ordinance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I have been blessed with that gift. No, I've never seen Tony and Amanda with my physical eyes, but I have felt their spirits come to give me comfort. What a rich and wonderful blessing.

Vicki and I sat for a good long spell; we talked, cried and enjoyed the warmth of the sun (Son). I am so blessed to have a dear friend like Vicki.

072- C S Lewis

I'll bet there aren't many people who can honestly say they are related to C S Lewis! But I can!! Shall I introduce you to her? She's pretty tired... she had a busy night!



This is Channing Sophia, Sophie for short. She is #17 grandbaby for us. She arrived at 6:34 this morning. She weighed in at 8lb 6oz and is 21 3/4". Can you tell that she comes from our tall family?

Sophie's mama loves the familiar C S Lewis and his writings, as many of us do. What a wonderful memory for little Sophie. He just might be her favorite author too.

We went to meet her this afternoon and deliver her welcome little Sophie quilt.



I just love the Minkee fabric. It is so soft and comfortable.

069- Ents and Orcs

This is not the first time I've noticed that Sue has an Ent that lives in her front yard. I just love the toes, legs, arms and fingers of the beautiful Ent-olive.

When I commented to Sue, again, that she has Ents she replied, "Yes, and the Orcs are the gardeners!" (How sad! But we do know that Orcs take great delight in destroying the Ents and other green things!)



The Orc-gardeners seem to be very, well, Orc-like! Anything green and bushy must be trimmed to within an inch of its life or drowned with too much water.

Sue writes;
"When you blog about the Ent trees, be sure and mention that the Orc gardeners in my neighborhood think you prune rosebushes with a weed trimmer. That's the way they trim everything, making sure to cut off all new growth so that the flowering bushes never bloom."

Sad, sad, sad.

217- Anne-Girl

Do you have "those" novels that you just love to read again and again? Aren't they just like an old friend that you've missed and it is so pleasant to get back together again?

A few days ago I got the urge to revisit PEI and that Anne-girl. I was first introduced to Anne of Green Gables produced by Sullivan Entertainment as a series on PBS. Rebekah was quite young, maybe 10-12, and we watched it faithfully each week. Being my reader-girl she'd also check the books out of the Palmdale library. I will never forget the angst I felt when the week's installment ended with Gilbert deathly ill. I COULDN'T STAND IT! I got Rebekah's copy determined NOT to wait a week to see what happened to Gil!



It wasn't long before I knew we needed to buy our own copies of the Anne-girl books. As you can see, they are well loved. And where's my favorite place to read any time of year? Yep, curled up on my bed... ahh, I just love the luxury of it!

073- Alien

I sat down to my old-lady-can't-see-up-close-make-up-mirror and was putting on my only make-up (mascara. see... that's a real money-saver to have sensitive skin!) and saw this un-earthy glow around my pupil! EEeee-EEeee-EEeee... (Hear Psycho music!)



I knew no one would believe that I'd been taken over by those aliens from Stephenie Meyer's book if I didn't get photographic proof!! Do you suppose I am safe on the streets with all the humans around! Questionable... definitely questionable!


FONTS- Problem Secretary, CK Cursive, BRUSH- KPertiet_LedgerGrids-9, OVERLAYS- photo texture 2, JB's brick smoke-stack

048- March of the Ents

As many of you know I love to read; but perhaps even more, I love to be read to (well, maybe it's a toss up). I love the classics or what I will refer to as the new classics (Harry Potter is one, but sorry, no classic rating for the Twilight series). I have the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Harry Potter books on CD and have listened to them numerous times. These volumes are comfortable old friends that keep me company when I am busy with my hands, but my mind isn't occupied.

One of the first times I was driving my friend DeLoris I noticed that we have Ents marching up Maple Mountain. They aren't so noticeable in the summer, but in the winter they stand out clearly.


FONTS- Problem Secretary, CK Cursive, BRUSH- KPertiet_LedgerGrids-9, (A2D)_Lomo Action, CoffeeShop Sweet Bakery Glazes Action, Vanilla

The last time I listened to the Lord of the Rings one passage jumped out at me. It is Treebeard, the Ent, speaking of the evil wizard Saruman.

"... his face, as I remember it-- I have not seen it for many a day-- became like windows in a stone wall: windows with shutters inside." [The Two Towers; Book III, p. 76]

I've reflected on that quote since I jotted it down last fall. I've reflected on how our countenance displays who we are and who we represent. Do we see His image in our countenance? Does the Light of Christ shine in our eyes?

I am reminded of a story I heard that is attributed to Abraham Lincoln (who we all know was not a good looking man). Someone was encouraging him to choose a man for his staff and Mr. Lincoln said, "I don't like his face." The other man questioned him on that; how can you not like a man for the way their face looks? The answer was simple; by the time you get to be the age of the man in question you are responsible for how your face looks.

Again, windows in a stone wall: windows with shutters inside or the Light of Christ in our eyes... always our choice.

All Things Harry

So... I have started to read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows over again. I appreciate JK Rowling's writing style, her humor and unexpected plot twists.
As I am reading this again I see all sorts of avenues for her to continue the series or to begin a new series. I certainly hope that this is not the last we hear from her.

Finished HP7

I finished Harry Potter in just 29 hours from the time I purchased it at Wal-Mart at 12:15am on 7-21-07. I have never done this before... read a book this fast! I LOVED it. I stayed up until 5 am both mornings reading. (something else I've never done!)
So for those who haven't read it I won't put any details... but when you fininsh let me know and we can discuss it.