The book 7 by Jen Hatmaker is a life changer. It's the kind of book that I want to lend to everyone, yet won't let it out of my sight. The subtitle is, "an experimental mutiny against excess."
This young pastor's wife decided to spend a year examining the excesses in her life. "7 will be an exercise in simplicity with one goal: to create space for God's kingdom to break through." (p.4) The book is hilariously entertaining, as the author is crazy honest during her months of self discovery and self denial. Yet the message is serious, and I found myself shifting a bit in my chair as she got awfully close to some of my personal habits.
Read it. It's one of a kind.
I put it on par with Fresh Brewed Life by Nicole Johnson, All the Way to Heaven by Elizabeth Sherrill, and One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Books to savor and keep on the closest shelf.
Enjoy!
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
2.04.2012
12.27.2009
Decedent Day
Yesterday was decedent.
I finally just sorta did what I wanted. No agenda. No schedule. No rush. No need to pick up and tidy. Nothing to wrap. Long sigh - JUST what the doctor ordered.
Most of the day was spent reading - pleasure reading. It felt so wonderful - reading something just for the sheer enjoyment of it - not an assignment, not work...just fun. What delight is to be found in the world of words. In reading we can leave our own small plane for a few hours and live the life of another - seeing what he sees, knowing what he thinks, smelling his smells - it's an expansion of life. Reading is a gift. A good book is a treasure. Oh to have a good book every time I want to read. THAT is the tricky part.
Actually, the day started on the 25th, when what to my wondering eyes should appear - no, not the jolly old elf and eight tiny reindeer - but two pieces of paper wrapped and under the tree. E-tickets. To Paris. Frank and I are going to Paris on April 26th. Since he travels a lot, he saved up miles to go to a foreign destination in honor of our 25th wedding anniversary. I picked Paris.
In anticipation of this gift, I had purchased a couple of novels by John Baxter - A Paris Christmas and We'll Always Have Paris. For Christmas we each gave each other a Paris travel guide, and Frank gifted me with the wee Moleskin travel planner and diary for Paris - includes maps and metro station information. So yesterday, as I lounged with MANY cups tea and lemon, the ottoman held all things Paris, and I sampled from each of them throughout the day. Putter in the sweetest sense of the word. Just plain decedent. My Moleskine travel journal has it's first notes, such as where to find the best baguette, which cemetery has the lovely statue of the woman weeping, and which cafe is a favorite - a hole in the wall kind of place. What fun it will be to research over these next few months and make notes in the tiny book. Just my sort of thing!
A Paris Christmas: Immoveable Feast, is fabulously written. Here's the back cover description: A witty cultural and culinary education, Immoveable Feast is the charming, funny, and improbable tale of how a man who was raised on white bread - and didn't speak a word of French - unexpectedly ended up with the sacred duty of preparing the annual Christmas dinner for a venerable Parisian family... Baxter's memoir of his yearlong quest takes readers along his misadventures and delicious triumphs as he visits the farthest corners of France in search of the country's best recipes and ingredients. Irresistible and fascinating, Immoveable Feast is a warmhearted tale of good food, romance, family, and the Christmas spirit, Parisian style."
Just now curling up for my Sunday afternoon, and about to crack open John Baxter's We'll always have Paris. Pencil in hand, tea on the side table, feet up and blanket surrounding...I'll soon be napping and reading the afternoon away. Still under the weather with a plague in my lungs, but today...it's not such a bad plight.
Bonne après-midi tout le monde! (Happy afternoon to everyone!)
8.16.2009
On blogging...
Nowadays anyone with a crap laptop and Internet access can sound their barbaric yawp, whatever it may be. But the surprise is that for every person who's got something to say, it seems there are at least a few people who are interested. Some of them aren't even related. ... There's a dangerous, confessional thrill to opening up your eminently fascinating life and brain to the world at large, and the Internet makes it all so much faster and more breathless and exciting. ... the blog readers - I was beginning to think of them as my "bleaders"... Here, I took my anger and despair and rage and transformed it with my alchemy into hope and ecstatic mania. Here, I took a crap laptop and some words that popped into my head at seven in the morning, and I turned them into something people wanted, maybe even needed.
These quotes are from Julie and Julia by Julie Powell. The book is based loosely on Julie's real life experience of needing something new and fun in her life, and deciding to cook through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in one year and blogging about it.
The blog part is fun to read. That thrill of having bleaders.
The next day I got thirty-six hits. I know I got thirty-six hits because I went online to check twelve times that day at work. Each hit represented another person reading what I'd written. Just like that! At the bottom of the entry there was a spot where people could make comments, and someone I'd never even heard of said they liked how I wrote! I was going to eat lots of French food, and write about it, and get compliments from total strangers about it. Eric was right. This was going to be brilliant!
I loved the movie. I'm savoring the book. I love food, I love blogging, I love Julia Child, and I love the amazing love stories in both Julie and Julia's lives. So, my dear bleaders, I give it all two thumbs up. (with the caveat that there is a lot of swearing in the book!)
PS Comments feed bloggers. Please say hello.
8.09.2009
Julie and Julia
Packing light was a high priority this trip, as I did not want to check a bag. One of my packing downfalls is *books* - they are heavy but necessary on a vacation. I decided to try my new ipod touch and bring along an e-book.
Yes, yes, I know. That screen is small. But I thought I should give it a try...
I downloaded Barnes & Noble's free e reader, which came with a few free books and a dictionary. There are a lot of screen settings, so I set the font to very large and it seemed doable. I have great eyes, but did not want to work hard at pleasure reading...
Next I downloaded Julie and Julia for $9.95. Not as economical as the library, but not as pricey as the brand new paperback in the store...
And once on the plane...I powered up and...read. Verdict? I LOVE it. Truly. It's tiny and compact, easily portable, and while I have to touch the screen often to turn the page, it was not annoying at all. You can highlight a word to mark, you can bookmark pages, and you can tap a word to look it up in the dictionary. (Except that the words that I did not know were beyond the scope of this particular abbreviated free dictionary...)
My brother and I went to "Chapters" last night, (Canada's Borders or B & N) and I was not tempted to buy the next read because I will download one if necessary. (all I need is a wireless hotspot) This is sort of freeing. I don't know about you, but sometimes (always) I can have a backlog of books that I don't quite get to...but looked so good...
Another reading application is called "Stanza," and I downloaded that app for free as well. It has a "library" function. Haven't checked it out, but maybe you can rent a title for a shorter amount of time for a small (or no) fee? I'll need to spend some time there.
The book is FUN, written in a chatty casual style. I found myself chortling out loud on the plane, but thankfully the guy next to me was a sound sleeper... Can't we all relate to cooking disasters?
Yesterday Jon and I went to the movie - second day it was out - two thumbs up - way up. Fun food adventure and poignant love story. We cried at the same parts... an emotional movie for sure.
Today's paper features JULIA, of course, and Jonnie and I are going to rummage through some used book stores to try and find an old copy of the cook book that will soon be all the rage. (Chapters was OUT of it last night, but we were assured that A LOT more are on order) One funny line from this editorial is, as the editor was testing the beef bourguignon recipe, " ...when all is said and done, it is a glorified beef stew. It is very good. But it takes all day to make. By the time my guests arrived, I hated them..." Ha.
This trip will go down in my memory as the Julie and Julia vacation. Jon and I might even try to make Boeuf bourguignon at his place one day... (although there are a million steps to that recipe...)
Au Revoir, and Bon Appetit!
3.08.2009
The Garden of Grace
This week before class I went to the bookstore at Elmbrook Church, and this book caught my eye and ended up mine. I will admit: I like the title.
What a little gem. Evidently it is the third in a series, so I'll need to look for the others. Simply about quiet times with God, she tells of the rich sweet irreplaceable times available daily with our Savior. Delightful light read with plenty to ponder. Jill Briscoe has a lovely way of writing.
A few quotes that I underlined so far:
When I began, the little red book in my hand was just a little red book. But when I'd finished, the course of my life was set. The secret was mine. The words had become "God's Gold" to me. All that now remained was a lifetime of sitting on the Steps with Him and learning the art of true devotion. p. 12
These were all on one page: page 30:
Jesus didn't do ministry from a distance. He didn't send an angel to redeem the race. He came - IMMANUEL - God with us.
"Our God contracted in a span - incomprehensibly made man." -Charles Wesley.
"God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ." 2 Cor 5:19
"I just had to come," He said. And He came. Our ministry has to be the same. A ministry of presence.
11.16.2008
Grace
Yesterday I read a book. Cover to cover. Start to finish. Grace by Richard Paul Evans. I love a light read now and then, and well...I must admit a fondness for the title.
Sweet story. A look inside the adolescent male mind as the main character, Eric, experiences a relationship with a young female for the first time. I won't tell you the story line, but will tell you that the style is simple - an easy holiday read. But the plot? Nothing simple, nothing easy. It tore my heart out.
Do I recommend the book? Yes, but with the caveat that it becomes a heart rending read about a very difficult topic. In my opinion, it is difficult to marry a light holiday read with a real life issue of this magnitude. It sort of left me stunned...not knowing what had hit, and then it was over. Although it is fiction, the author is doing something about the issue in real time and at his very real expense...a noble and worthy effort.
My jury is out. Has anyone else read it?
Sweet story. A look inside the adolescent male mind as the main character, Eric, experiences a relationship with a young female for the first time. I won't tell you the story line, but will tell you that the style is simple - an easy holiday read. But the plot? Nothing simple, nothing easy. It tore my heart out.
Do I recommend the book? Yes, but with the caveat that it becomes a heart rending read about a very difficult topic. In my opinion, it is difficult to marry a light holiday read with a real life issue of this magnitude. It sort of left me stunned...not knowing what had hit, and then it was over. Although it is fiction, the author is doing something about the issue in real time and at his very real expense...a noble and worthy effort.
My jury is out. Has anyone else read it?
10.29.2008
Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral
What a gift to have a fabulous read on such a stressful day. As I awaited my CT (1.5 hours of wait) and then later at the hospital while my father had surgery (he is recovering well) I was thoroughly engrossed in this wonderful novel by Kris Radish.
The story line is that an extraordinary woman dies and four of her closest friends are thrown together to spread her ashes far and wide on a trip that is completely preplanned by the deceased.
I have two notecards of quotes I loved...I always read with a pencil in hand, but since this book is from the library I wrote on notecards rather than in the margins!
A quote that seemed so appropriate for today is on page 148: "Annie's death on top of what happened with your mom, that's a lot.""What's a lot though?""Whatever you can or can't handle I suppose....Everyone has a different level of 'what's a lot.'"
Today was a lot: a lot of emotionally charged activity. But God got me through it. So many friends texted and emailed to say they were praying for me, and that's what got me through.
That and an amazing read.
The story line is that an extraordinary woman dies and four of her closest friends are thrown together to spread her ashes far and wide on a trip that is completely preplanned by the deceased.
I have two notecards of quotes I loved...I always read with a pencil in hand, but since this book is from the library I wrote on notecards rather than in the margins!
A quote that seemed so appropriate for today is on page 148: "Annie's death on top of what happened with your mom, that's a lot.""What's a lot though?""Whatever you can or can't handle I suppose....Everyone has a different level of 'what's a lot.'"
Today was a lot: a lot of emotionally charged activity. But God got me through it. So many friends texted and emailed to say they were praying for me, and that's what got me through.
That and an amazing read.
5.11.2008
The New York Times
For the second week in a row I've picked up the Sunday NY Times. Truth be known I get it for the crossword puzzle, but it's actually quite interesting to peruse.
"Book Review" is a great section, even if just to see the lists of Best Sellers and read short synopses of recent releases. I was surprised to see Friday Night Knitting Club as the number four paperback in "Trade Fiction." (don't know what "trade fiction" designates...) Loving Frank is number 9. In my humble opinion there is no comparison in the writing of these two books...Frank being one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read.
One review really irritates me. In fact the book title irritates me: The Ten-Year Nap. The premise appears to be that now that main character Amy has a ten year old, and since she has given up her career to stay home for ten years, she is at loose ends. The review describes the book as asking the question "...what is the proper role for a postindustrial, post second-wave-of-feminism woman at midlife?"
Hmmmm. The main character is 41 -- is there not plenty of time left for career? (she's a lawyer!) The child is ten -- does he not still need a lot of care and direction? And GOOD GRIEF...raising this son is described as a "nap?" That is so offensive that I'm blogging about a book I'll never read! A woman, Penelope Green, wrote the book. Does she have children? A nap? As in life is on hold while I rest up for ten years? A nap?!?!
Ok...whew...I'll move on...
I enjoyed receiving my NYTimes today: at the drive through window at Starbucks. Ha. It doesn't get lazier than that. Did you know the Sunday Times is 5 bucks? You better believe I'll look through ALL the sections...
Some *might* suggest that I have a purse obsession, (which actually would make a great blog post some day), but my bag investment looks like small potatoes when compared with those featured in the "The New York Times Magazine." (the same section that contains the Sunday crossword) The Dior bag in "Style" comes in at $8,990. whew. And I thought I was splurging on Coach...
The "Travel" section highlights Morocco today, a destination as likely for me as the Dior store...
"Sunday Styles" points us to a blog on "Mad Pride," "A movement about mental illness in the style of gay pride." Hmmmm. Is that not an offensive comparison? Hmmmm. "Just as gay-rights activists reclaimed the word queer as a badge of honor rather than a slur, these advocates proudly call themselves mad; they say their conditions do not preclude them from productive lives." Queer is a badge of honor? Who knew? "A Bonkersfest in London ...drew 3,000 participants." Wow. Just when I think I've heard it all...
Obama is featured on the front page, as well as in "Week in Review," with both sections featuring photos of him and him alone on the front cover. Hmmmmm.
So anyhow, you'll likely begin to notice that I'm becoming *much* more cultured and knowledgeable as I read the Sunday Times.
Actually, I really just like the crossword puzzle...
"Book Review" is a great section, even if just to see the lists of Best Sellers and read short synopses of recent releases. I was surprised to see Friday Night Knitting Club as the number four paperback in "Trade Fiction." (don't know what "trade fiction" designates...) Loving Frank is number 9. In my humble opinion there is no comparison in the writing of these two books...Frank being one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read.
One review really irritates me. In fact the book title irritates me: The Ten-Year Nap. The premise appears to be that now that main character Amy has a ten year old, and since she has given up her career to stay home for ten years, she is at loose ends. The review describes the book as asking the question "...what is the proper role for a postindustrial, post second-wave-of-feminism woman at midlife?"
Hmmmm. The main character is 41 -- is there not plenty of time left for career? (she's a lawyer!) The child is ten -- does he not still need a lot of care and direction? And GOOD GRIEF...raising this son is described as a "nap?" That is so offensive that I'm blogging about a book I'll never read! A woman, Penelope Green, wrote the book. Does she have children? A nap? As in life is on hold while I rest up for ten years? A nap?!?!
Ok...whew...I'll move on...
I enjoyed receiving my NYTimes today: at the drive through window at Starbucks. Ha. It doesn't get lazier than that. Did you know the Sunday Times is 5 bucks? You better believe I'll look through ALL the sections...
Some *might* suggest that I have a purse obsession, (which actually would make a great blog post some day), but my bag investment looks like small potatoes when compared with those featured in the "The New York Times Magazine." (the same section that contains the Sunday crossword) The Dior bag in "Style" comes in at $8,990. whew. And I thought I was splurging on Coach...
The "Travel" section highlights Morocco today, a destination as likely for me as the Dior store...
"Sunday Styles" points us to a blog on "Mad Pride," "A movement about mental illness in the style of gay pride." Hmmmm. Is that not an offensive comparison? Hmmmm. "Just as gay-rights activists reclaimed the word queer as a badge of honor rather than a slur, these advocates proudly call themselves mad; they say their conditions do not preclude them from productive lives." Queer is a badge of honor? Who knew? "A Bonkersfest in London ...drew 3,000 participants." Wow. Just when I think I've heard it all...
Obama is featured on the front page, as well as in "Week in Review," with both sections featuring photos of him and him alone on the front cover. Hmmmmm.
So anyhow, you'll likely begin to notice that I'm becoming *much* more cultured and knowledgeable as I read the Sunday Times.
Actually, I really just like the crossword puzzle...
5.10.2008
Loving Frank
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
It is hard to overstate how compelling this book was for me to read. Loving Frank appealed to me on many levels, fascinated me, and shredded me. As it ends I am mourning.
The architectural accounts are moving. To read of Frank Lloyd Wright’s creativity, his drive, his ambition, and his consuming passions was to taste his genius. My appetite is whetted. I want to drive to Oak Park and to Taliesin to study his buildings, and also read his autobiography. His character and his work fascinate me though prior to the read I knew relatively little about the man.
The love story is nothing short of riveting. This affair was not about physical passion, but about soul mate love. Each had a love that pushed the other to greatness; a love where each became interested in that which fascinated the beloved. In this love each of the participants flourished, yet the story relates raw pain and gut wrenching truth as it reveals the collision of two passionate souls. It is not a romanticized tale: the fall out of their extramarital affair is great.
Mamah’s translations of feminist writings give voice to women’s issues. While I see flaws in the thinking, the flaws of that day’s society are also evident. When Mamah discovered the writings, as well as her own voice, her character grew. The translation work seemingly saved her from very dark days. It tore into my mother’s heart to read that her affair and her writing left two small children to find their own way. Her tender motherhood combined with her seemingly impossible situation brings both compassion and outrage. Part of me rejects her choices, and part of me understands.
The love of nature is a theme which resonates throughout the story. The details and the vivid accounts are breathtakingly beautiful.
The book details a love which breaks promises to both God and man. Yet it moves not to condemnation, but rather to compassion. It relates the story of the human condition. The affair takes Mamah quite by surprise – sweeps over her, and it’s as if her life can never be the same after meeting him. Life is changed. Her choices leave much about which to debate.
This is not a book for the faint hearted. It is well written, passionate, compelling and tragic. That this is the author’s first novel is astonishing. I read it with pencil in hand, underlining phrases and lines that gave me pause. I will go back to savor these words.
Finishing this book is like the end of a relationship. I miss Mamah. I miss their great love and synchronous genius. I miss reading of how the children are faring. I miss the fields, the fireplace, the house built into the rock. The story is gripping and haunting, and not soon to be forgotten. I am changed.
It is hard to overstate how compelling this book was for me to read. Loving Frank appealed to me on many levels, fascinated me, and shredded me. As it ends I am mourning.
The architectural accounts are moving. To read of Frank Lloyd Wright’s creativity, his drive, his ambition, and his consuming passions was to taste his genius. My appetite is whetted. I want to drive to Oak Park and to Taliesin to study his buildings, and also read his autobiography. His character and his work fascinate me though prior to the read I knew relatively little about the man.
The love story is nothing short of riveting. This affair was not about physical passion, but about soul mate love. Each had a love that pushed the other to greatness; a love where each became interested in that which fascinated the beloved. In this love each of the participants flourished, yet the story relates raw pain and gut wrenching truth as it reveals the collision of two passionate souls. It is not a romanticized tale: the fall out of their extramarital affair is great.
Mamah’s translations of feminist writings give voice to women’s issues. While I see flaws in the thinking, the flaws of that day’s society are also evident. When Mamah discovered the writings, as well as her own voice, her character grew. The translation work seemingly saved her from very dark days. It tore into my mother’s heart to read that her affair and her writing left two small children to find their own way. Her tender motherhood combined with her seemingly impossible situation brings both compassion and outrage. Part of me rejects her choices, and part of me understands.
The love of nature is a theme which resonates throughout the story. The details and the vivid accounts are breathtakingly beautiful.
The book details a love which breaks promises to both God and man. Yet it moves not to condemnation, but rather to compassion. It relates the story of the human condition. The affair takes Mamah quite by surprise – sweeps over her, and it’s as if her life can never be the same after meeting him. Life is changed. Her choices leave much about which to debate.
This is not a book for the faint hearted. It is well written, passionate, compelling and tragic. That this is the author’s first novel is astonishing. I read it with pencil in hand, underlining phrases and lines that gave me pause. I will go back to savor these words.
Finishing this book is like the end of a relationship. I miss Mamah. I miss their great love and synchronous genius. I miss reading of how the children are faring. I miss the fields, the fireplace, the house built into the rock. The story is gripping and haunting, and not soon to be forgotten. I am changed.
4.05.2008
Sunshine
Having found the "queen chair" (a folding sling back beach chair with just the right angles and a puffy pillow that just fits my neck when I lean way back...) and dragged it to the patio, I am lounging in the bright warm sun, drinking a cranberry lemonade and reading Mrs. Whaley and Her Charleston Garden by Emily Whaley. Actually, I'm holding the aforementioned book, but mostly just sitting with my head against the pillow and soaking in my old friend -- sunshine. I'm basking.
The first warm spring day in Wisconsin is something to experience. This year it is so long awaited that it has taken on almost a reverence. As I type I can still see pockets of snow in the woods, but soon the long four straight months of snowy white will be just a memory. A long long wet cold memory.
So, here's the quote that pried me in from my perch to log on and type:
Though there are other ways to finance your gardening, one successful way is to choose carefully whom you marry. A good and generous man is needed, one who knows how to make money and enjoys sharing it, one who is himself not interested in the actual pursuit of gardening but likes to be proud of the premises.
The book is written by an 82 year old opinionated, enthusiastic gardener in Charleston, South Carolina. Little life lessons are woven into a rambling narrative about her lush garden and outspoken joie de vivre.
Happy Spring!
The first warm spring day in Wisconsin is something to experience. This year it is so long awaited that it has taken on almost a reverence. As I type I can still see pockets of snow in the woods, but soon the long four straight months of snowy white will be just a memory. A long long wet cold memory.
So, here's the quote that pried me in from my perch to log on and type:
Though there are other ways to finance your gardening, one successful way is to choose carefully whom you marry. A good and generous man is needed, one who knows how to make money and enjoys sharing it, one who is himself not interested in the actual pursuit of gardening but likes to be proud of the premises.
The book is written by an 82 year old opinionated, enthusiastic gardener in Charleston, South Carolina. Little life lessons are woven into a rambling narrative about her lush garden and outspoken joie de vivre.
Happy Spring!
2.10.2008
Storms
Recently the midwinter blahs have collided with one of the worst viruses of my life, and that lovely combo has intersected with an emotionally charged time. The result has been ugly. Although I'm generally described as a positive person, the last few weeks I have been positively negative. Under attack. My little boat is sinking, and more rough water lies ahead. Oh...did I mention that I have a 12 and 15 year old? Throw the unconditional love and support of hormonal teens into the mix...and...let's just say it's truly been a rough spell.
Thankfully I eventually remember to cry out to God when I am down and blue. This down and blue period pushed a little deeper...I couldn't see the way out or an end to the issues. (Poor health decreases my ability to cope) But of course God was still there, and although I'm still in the boat, and the sea is still rough, He has given me an attitude adjustment: Praise.
Our new ladies Bible study begins tomorrow night -- the one on developing a quiet time. The second chapter is entitled "The Principle of Adoration," and contains seven days of learning to adore the Lord. (Week one was the "Principle of Pursuit.")
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!" Psalm 150:6
Last week I felt well enough to begin puttering in our bedroom...it had definitely fallen into disarray, which just further discouraged me. The room is not quite "settled," and my books, especially, have not found their permanent spots. (I have a multiplying book problem, but that's fodder for another blog) In the chaos I came across the book, "The Prayer that Changes Everything" by Stormie O'Martian.
The book is about the power of praise. She relates that at times we go through hard seasons and we need ONLY to praise our Maker and think about Him and not ourselves. Just Him.
When God orchestrates things so that I get the same message from various directions I eventually stop and listen. Thus praise has become my lifeline. (That sounds so complete, but actually I've just begun to scratch the surface of the concept...)
Stormie's book is really blessing me. Let me share a little bit here:
The point was that God wanted me to take our relationship personally. I thought I had been doing that, but He wanted more. ... God wanted to have such free reign in my heart that I would allow Him to break it, pummel it, grind it into sand, and then make something new. That's because He wanted to do something new. ...When God has a hold of you, it's best to not resist.
She is so honest about her pain and the struggle she went through, even though she was strong in Christ even at the beginning of her dark days. The book contains 15 prayers for times "when praise is crucial," which are prayers of scripture woven together, as well as "15 Reasons to Praise God Now." I highly recommend the book...it's great to pray her prayers and look up the Scriptures for further meditation.
In addition to the study and the book, today at church our sermon was entitled "What to do in a storm." Isn't God incredible? It was my moment of Godlight for sure: Without a doubt God is caring for me and my pain from many directions. The storm is indeed here, but I'm not alone in the boat! (You can hear the sermon here along with other great sermons too from our pastor at New Day Church. )
Our worship team introduced a new song today. "Still" Here are the words:
VERSE 1:
Hide me now
Under Your wings
Cover me
Within Your mighty hand.
CHORUS:
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God. I will be still and know You are God.
VERSE 2:
Find rest, my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust.
I'm starting to get the message. :) I'm a slow learner, but not totally hopeless.
Over a number of upcoming posts I will list some names and attributes of God, along with Scriptural references. It will be based on the list Stormie (what a name!) shares in her book.
And so, I go to bed encouraged. I've been reminded of the greatest love of all for this Valentine's week, and I'm going to not only pursue Him, I'm going to adore Him as well.
Thankfully I eventually remember to cry out to God when I am down and blue. This down and blue period pushed a little deeper...I couldn't see the way out or an end to the issues. (Poor health decreases my ability to cope) But of course God was still there, and although I'm still in the boat, and the sea is still rough, He has given me an attitude adjustment: Praise.
Our new ladies Bible study begins tomorrow night -- the one on developing a quiet time. The second chapter is entitled "The Principle of Adoration," and contains seven days of learning to adore the Lord. (Week one was the "Principle of Pursuit.")
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!" Psalm 150:6
Last week I felt well enough to begin puttering in our bedroom...it had definitely fallen into disarray, which just further discouraged me. The room is not quite "settled," and my books, especially, have not found their permanent spots. (I have a multiplying book problem, but that's fodder for another blog) In the chaos I came across the book, "The Prayer that Changes Everything" by Stormie O'Martian.
The book is about the power of praise. She relates that at times we go through hard seasons and we need ONLY to praise our Maker and think about Him and not ourselves. Just Him.
When God orchestrates things so that I get the same message from various directions I eventually stop and listen. Thus praise has become my lifeline. (That sounds so complete, but actually I've just begun to scratch the surface of the concept...)
Stormie's book is really blessing me. Let me share a little bit here:
The point was that God wanted me to take our relationship personally. I thought I had been doing that, but He wanted more. ... God wanted to have such free reign in my heart that I would allow Him to break it, pummel it, grind it into sand, and then make something new. That's because He wanted to do something new. ...When God has a hold of you, it's best to not resist.
She is so honest about her pain and the struggle she went through, even though she was strong in Christ even at the beginning of her dark days. The book contains 15 prayers for times "when praise is crucial," which are prayers of scripture woven together, as well as "15 Reasons to Praise God Now." I highly recommend the book...it's great to pray her prayers and look up the Scriptures for further meditation.
In addition to the study and the book, today at church our sermon was entitled "What to do in a storm." Isn't God incredible? It was my moment of Godlight for sure: Without a doubt God is caring for me and my pain from many directions. The storm is indeed here, but I'm not alone in the boat! (You can hear the sermon here along with other great sermons too from our pastor at New Day Church. )
Our worship team introduced a new song today. "Still" Here are the words:
VERSE 1:
Hide me now
Under Your wings
Cover me
Within Your mighty hand.
CHORUS:
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God. I will be still and know You are God.
VERSE 2:
Find rest, my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust.
I'm starting to get the message. :) I'm a slow learner, but not totally hopeless.
Over a number of upcoming posts I will list some names and attributes of God, along with Scriptural references. It will be based on the list Stormie (what a name!) shares in her book.
And so, I go to bed encouraged. I've been reminded of the greatest love of all for this Valentine's week, and I'm going to not only pursue Him, I'm going to adore Him as well.
1.21.2008
The Life You've Always Wanted
New book alert. This one's not a novel though -- it's a self helper. oh oh...here we go. The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg. Subtitle: (I'm truly a sucker for sub titles) spiritual disciplines for ordinary people.
I'm about 5 pages into it. Ha. But I'm already writing away in the margins...
I am called to become the person God had in mind when he originally designed me. That is what is behind Kierkegaard's wonderful prayer, "And now Lord, with your help I shall become myself." This book is about spiritual growth...We are called by God to live as our uniquely created selves--our temperament, our gene pool, our history. But to grow spiritually means to live increasingly as Jesus would in our unique place -- to perceive what Jesus would perceive if he looked through our eyes, to think what he would think, to feel what he would feel, and therefore to do what he would do. So far so good, eh? And it sounds SO like the quote from eat pray love that I quoted on 1.14.08. Such different sources, and yet the themes are oddly connected.
It's snowing again. Truly lovely out there. Except the neighbor's dog is loose, so Hank keeps trudging by...so there are pathways all through the loveliness. (that's ok...we love Hank and Georgine -- a very pleasant addition to the list of things we love about our new home) Boomer is next to me snoring on his sheepskin atop an ottoman. Jake is downstairs JAMMIN on his electric guitar. In a stroke of genius I asked him if he'd like to set up a guitar *studio* in Joey's room while Joey's at school (Joey leaves nothing in the room except a futon) and Jake jumped at it. Now the jammin' is downstairs. [I've learned a few tricks from the first three kids, eh? ] Anna is on the computer down there, likely instant messaging with the whole freshman class. Emily is out at John's house, who she insists is JUST A FRIEND. Hmmmm. Frank is snowed in in Fond du Lac...decided not to try the "1.5 hour on a good day commute " tonight...which was wise as we might get 7 inches. And so...I'm a blogging, reading, and finishing a glass of sirah. Soon, very soon, I will become wonder woman and put away the soup, rice, load the dishwasher, put the whites in the dryer and the darks in the washer, and then go downstairs to the *dreadmill* for 30 minutes while I watch Gilmore Girls. (I'm about half way through season two. Delightfully light, perfect for the dreadmill kinda chick flick dvd's) Then a shower and I'll be in bed with colin cowie. Don't worry, I'm thinking he's gay. (for those of you who didn't read yesterday's blog...he wrote a book on home and life management...)
By the way, colin did inspire me to empty my walk in closet, buy some hanging canvas sweater and shoe shelves, and spend 4 hours putting it all back together on Saturday. We each have a walk in closet in the master *suite* (oooooo...doesn't that sound decadent?) and while I've loved and adored mine since day one, I had not really "gracied" it. Now it is ready for photos. The clothes poles and the one permanent stack of shelving were already there, but I added clear boxes to organize and divide the shelves, and the new canvas shelves, and it is so divine now. The one drawer has a blue velvet divided jewelry storage unit...so even my jewelry is organized. The closet is big enough to dress in (and I do) and now it is so "colin cowie chic" (CCC) I might have to add a chair so I can just sit in there and admire it. Oh...and I took a large, very large, overflowing box of clothes to Goodwill on Sunday. (dance of joy) Even some purses. (I collect purses...that's a nice way to describe my addiction) Anyhow, colin is a good inspiring man, even if he did write a chapter on hiring household help which left me feel underprivileged and overworked...
Enough rambling. Off to clean up the kitchen. Oh...by the way...the four butter sticks are soft now. I haven't made the chocolate chip cookies yet...but I will...
I'm about 5 pages into it. Ha. But I'm already writing away in the margins...
I am called to become the person God had in mind when he originally designed me. That is what is behind Kierkegaard's wonderful prayer, "And now Lord, with your help I shall become myself." This book is about spiritual growth...We are called by God to live as our uniquely created selves--our temperament, our gene pool, our history. But to grow spiritually means to live increasingly as Jesus would in our unique place -- to perceive what Jesus would perceive if he looked through our eyes, to think what he would think, to feel what he would feel, and therefore to do what he would do. So far so good, eh? And it sounds SO like the quote from eat pray love that I quoted on 1.14.08. Such different sources, and yet the themes are oddly connected.
It's snowing again. Truly lovely out there. Except the neighbor's dog is loose, so Hank keeps trudging by...so there are pathways all through the loveliness. (that's ok...we love Hank and Georgine -- a very pleasant addition to the list of things we love about our new home) Boomer is next to me snoring on his sheepskin atop an ottoman. Jake is downstairs JAMMIN on his electric guitar. In a stroke of genius I asked him if he'd like to set up a guitar *studio* in Joey's room while Joey's at school (Joey leaves nothing in the room except a futon) and Jake jumped at it. Now the jammin' is downstairs. [I've learned a few tricks from the first three kids, eh? ] Anna is on the computer down there, likely instant messaging with the whole freshman class. Emily is out at John's house, who she insists is JUST A FRIEND. Hmmmm. Frank is snowed in in Fond du Lac...decided not to try the "1.5 hour on a good day commute " tonight...which was wise as we might get 7 inches. And so...I'm a blogging, reading, and finishing a glass of sirah. Soon, very soon, I will become wonder woman and put away the soup, rice, load the dishwasher, put the whites in the dryer and the darks in the washer, and then go downstairs to the *dreadmill* for 30 minutes while I watch Gilmore Girls. (I'm about half way through season two. Delightfully light, perfect for the dreadmill kinda chick flick dvd's) Then a shower and I'll be in bed with colin cowie. Don't worry, I'm thinking he's gay. (for those of you who didn't read yesterday's blog...he wrote a book on home and life management...)
By the way, colin did inspire me to empty my walk in closet, buy some hanging canvas sweater and shoe shelves, and spend 4 hours putting it all back together on Saturday. We each have a walk in closet in the master *suite* (oooooo...doesn't that sound decadent?) and while I've loved and adored mine since day one, I had not really "gracied" it. Now it is ready for photos. The clothes poles and the one permanent stack of shelving were already there, but I added clear boxes to organize and divide the shelves, and the new canvas shelves, and it is so divine now. The one drawer has a blue velvet divided jewelry storage unit...so even my jewelry is organized. The closet is big enough to dress in (and I do) and now it is so "colin cowie chic" (CCC) I might have to add a chair so I can just sit in there and admire it. Oh...and I took a large, very large, overflowing box of clothes to Goodwill on Sunday. (dance of joy) Even some purses. (I collect purses...that's a nice way to describe my addiction) Anyhow, colin is a good inspiring man, even if he did write a chapter on hiring household help which left me feel underprivileged and overworked...
Enough rambling. Off to clean up the kitchen. Oh...by the way...the four butter sticks are soft now. I haven't made the chocolate chip cookies yet...but I will...
1.20.2008
glimmers of grace
People magazine had an interesting cover last week, so I bought it to read on the plane."Half their Size" is the title, and the issue highlights 15 success stories of no surgery weight loss. I've been sitting here reading it...pretty good reading. In addition to the 15, they review stories from previous years, and also have a first ever weight loss contest with 8 people in Mississippi. My favorite story, though, is one entitled "Bloggin away 166 lbs." HA. Now THAT has me interested. I had no idea that typing burned so many calories! "Lynn Bering tracked her three-year weight-loss journey online, from her first Thanksgiving on a diet to finally being able to wear a sleeveless top." She had reached 296 pounds and now she is 130. WHEW. Way to go Lynn! She did it through the Weight Watchers online program. Her story is here. And from there you can link her blog which is truly interesting because now she is famous and on CNN and meeting Oprah...all due to being newly thin. And she's a new grandma, and that's good reading too. You know, on a cold day (a *really* cold day --4 degrees currently, with windchill in the negative twenties) in Wisconsin, this blogging world could really keep me happily reading right here snuggled up on the couch. It's fascinating to get into an ordinary person's life and read the mundane and especially to see the humor one can find in a plain old day...
Two other books have joined me on the couch, just in case my eyes get tired of the screen. colin cowie chic was found in Saratoga Springs at Borders, but I just bought it yesterday, partly because I wanted to use a 30% coupon, and partly because I didn't want to haul one more thing on the plane. The book is by one of the most "sought after event planners in the world." The subtitle is "the guide to life as it should be" which grabbed me. I loved the introduction, which includes, "Whether I'm at home, in the office, or traveling, I always go that extra mile to treat myself and the people around me with the same amount of generosity, courtesy, and mindfulness that I'd like to receive from them. Style is all about being conscious: of yourself, of your surroundings, and especially of the people in your life, both friends and strangers." The hard cover book is full of lists, pictures, hints, on how to have a less stressful life, from how to host a dinner party, how to pack a carry on bag, what to stock in your bar, etc. Just interesting reading. I have quite a selection of "nesting" books as I call them. I love organization, I love home, I love the thought of a personal style, which, actually, I think I have a good start on... anyhow, books like this encourage me to tackle a mess, and then there's one less mess tomorrow... In fact, I'm going to go get butter out to soften, because (a) the kids will love homemade chocolate chip cookies in their lunches, and (b) the kitchen sink area is grimy, and while the cookies bake I'll get some graciered styling going in there. Ha. Scrubbed, things in place, and functional beauty...that's my style. (with a lot of leather, quilts, plants, books and baskets thrown in along the way...) Now, the trick is to combine baking chocolate chip cookies with the willpower to lose some weight (no, I don't need to lose enough that I'll qualify to meet Oprah -- thank you Jesus!)
Also at Borders yesterday I found glimmers of grace: sparkling reminders to encourage you. Since I love my name and love to collect "grace" things, I had to pick that up too. Plus it's a Women of Faith gift book, and promises to contain some lovely thoughts. One blurb on the back states. "Given or received, grace is an act of generosity, a thoughtful note, a kind word. Most of all , grace is God's gift of love to us and, in turn, one of the nicest gifts we can give to others."
So, that's what I'm up to on this frigid Sunday afternoon/evening. This afternoon the couch was splashed with sun (glorious wall of southern exposure windows in the living room) so I napped in a sun puddle, very toasty warm. Very decadent and luscious. Now it's quiet, the tea will soon be brewed, and while the butter softens I'll putter in my world of reading.
Two other books have joined me on the couch, just in case my eyes get tired of the screen. colin cowie chic was found in Saratoga Springs at Borders, but I just bought it yesterday, partly because I wanted to use a 30% coupon, and partly because I didn't want to haul one more thing on the plane. The book is by one of the most "sought after event planners in the world." The subtitle is "the guide to life as it should be" which grabbed me. I loved the introduction, which includes, "Whether I'm at home, in the office, or traveling, I always go that extra mile to treat myself and the people around me with the same amount of generosity, courtesy, and mindfulness that I'd like to receive from them. Style is all about being conscious: of yourself, of your surroundings, and especially of the people in your life, both friends and strangers." The hard cover book is full of lists, pictures, hints, on how to have a less stressful life, from how to host a dinner party, how to pack a carry on bag, what to stock in your bar, etc. Just interesting reading. I have quite a selection of "nesting" books as I call them. I love organization, I love home, I love the thought of a personal style, which, actually, I think I have a good start on... anyhow, books like this encourage me to tackle a mess, and then there's one less mess tomorrow... In fact, I'm going to go get butter out to soften, because (a) the kids will love homemade chocolate chip cookies in their lunches, and (b) the kitchen sink area is grimy, and while the cookies bake I'll get some graciered styling going in there. Ha. Scrubbed, things in place, and functional beauty...that's my style. (with a lot of leather, quilts, plants, books and baskets thrown in along the way...) Now, the trick is to combine baking chocolate chip cookies with the willpower to lose some weight (no, I don't need to lose enough that I'll qualify to meet Oprah -- thank you Jesus!)
Also at Borders yesterday I found glimmers of grace: sparkling reminders to encourage you. Since I love my name and love to collect "grace" things, I had to pick that up too. Plus it's a Women of Faith gift book, and promises to contain some lovely thoughts. One blurb on the back states. "Given or received, grace is an act of generosity, a thoughtful note, a kind word. Most of all , grace is God's gift of love to us and, in turn, one of the nicest gifts we can give to others."
So, that's what I'm up to on this frigid Sunday afternoon/evening. This afternoon the couch was splashed with sun (glorious wall of southern exposure windows in the living room) so I napped in a sun puddle, very toasty warm. Very decadent and luscious. Now it's quiet, the tea will soon be brewed, and while the butter softens I'll putter in my world of reading.
1.17.2008
it's snowing...
Snow has never mesmerized me like it has this year. Perhaps I'm becoming a winter person. January is such a relief as a "breather" month. The busyness of the holidays is abruptly over, there's not a lot going on socially, and the yard and garden aren't demanding any of my time. This year I am perched in a new spot in the world, in our new home, just in time to enjoy the snow on the trees. At work today the huge white flakes were falling again, and while others were moaning, I couldn't wait to get home to soak in the beauty. One night I was out in my robe at midnight taking photos as the snow fell. (this photo is what you see out the livingroom window...little twinkle lights on the picket fence and shrubbery, with the dark expanse of the woods further out) It's weird to suddenly love snow. Cross country skiing might be fun, as I could take off right out our kitchen patio door...I'm currently sitting right next to a roaring (though gas) fire. Our fireplace is next to the dining room table, so I'm on the floor, back up against a leather ottoman that has been dragged from the living room. The arrangement is my fault. This end of the room used to be the living room, and the dining room was the southern end with its wall of windows. I couldn't imagine not sitting and staring out, so we put a ceiling fan where the chandelier had been, and had the electrician cut in a chandelier for the new dining room. (both are in one long rectangular room) So...I sit on the floor by the fire. Or at the dining room table, which is often my morning spot. Fire versus view of nature is my daily dilemma. I am blessed. But tonight my spot on the couch was too cold, even with a blanket and Boomer, so here I am.
I just finished eat pray love. I loved 2/3 of the book. I had the hardest time with "love" which is set in Bali. It got a little too crass for me, and also just lost some of its interest. But overall, I loved the book. The beginning chronicles the end of a horrible marriage, followed by the author eating her way through Italy (and gaining 24 pounds...at least it's honest!), followed by 4 months in an Indian Ashram studying with a guru, and then finally to Bali to experience ...laziness I guess. She just lounges about. She does fall in love with prince charming, who is 17 years older than her and Brazilian, (sigh), and the postlude says the next book, due out in 2009, will chronicle their intercontinental courtship and marriage. Traveling vicariously is great: I learned a ton about other cultures and religions. I also appreciated her chatty narrative. Let's see...maybe a 3.5 out of 5. A week ago it would have been a 4.9...oh well.
So...now I've finished "24 " (season one) and the book...WHEW. Life may resume as normal. :)
Normal? What's that? I have no idea! Ha. I am off for the next 3.5 days, so I'm hoping that a burst of energy hits me and I whip things back into order. (my disorder is never so bad, but it still feels like disorder to me!)
And so, good night. Without the distraction of a never ending TV series or a great read, I might actually get a good night's sleep. That is, if I can pull myself away from the fire...
1.14.2008
Do the Next Thing
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home. Frank had spent a lot of time preparing for my homecoming, having the place cleaner than I left it, with the Christmas tree down. (I had not been ready to take it down...it was so beautiful...but I'm thankful to have it done)
The washer is humming, Boomer and I are here on the couch, and I am contemplating what to do first and how to tackle the day. There are days where the to-do list appears unending, and overwhelmed is the best description...today's one of those. But, in the words of my early mentor, Elisabeth Elliott, just "do the next thing." Those are great words of advice. Perhaps it is a hormonal thing for a woman...some days the list seems longer, even though in reality it isn't.
Where to begin the blog is another dilemma. I have so many words to share.
What did I come home with? Renewed determination to make some changes. Inputs to this thought cycle include a few books I leisurely browsed through at Saratoga Springs Borders, (waking to 3 pm Sunday were close to perfection...more on that later), a lot of thoughts from eat pray love, the impact of the funeral and the reality of the death of a 51 year old wife and mother, thinking about the gift of good health, and wondering why I am so easily distracted and prone to do stupid things like stay up late watching "24" rather than sleeping. (!!) (certainly lack of sleep contributes to overwhelmed!) A great old hymn includes the words, "prone to wander, Lord I feel it..." Indeed!
And so, I will make a to do list, on the computer, with long term, mid term and daily goals, and see if getting it all off my mind at least helps! And it will, because that's how I'm wired. And the biggest help, as always, will be to dive in and do something! 1. Unpack my suitcase. 2. Begin to put away the heap of ornaments currently on the dining room table...
I'll close with a quote from eat pray love, a book which is shooting quickly to the top of my list, and a book that could fuel a month of blogging...
God dwells within you, as you.
If there is one holy truth of the Yoga, that line encapsulates it. God dwells within you as you yourself, exactly the way you are. God isn't interested in watching you enact some performance of personality in order to comply with some crackpot notion you have about how a spiritual person looks or behaves. We all seem to get this idea that, in order to be sacred, we have to make some massive, dramatic change of character, that we have to renounce our individuality....To know God, you need only to renounce one thing - your sense of division from God. Otherwise, just stay as you were made, within your natural character....The reality is it's a little sad for me to admit that I will never be ...these wraith-like, delicate souls. Always wanted to be the quiet girl. Probably precisely because I'm not. It's the same reason I think that thick, dark hair is so beautiful -- precisely because I don't have it, because I can't have it. But at some point you have to make peace with what you were given and if God wanted me to be a shy girl with thick, dark hair, He would have made me that way, but He didn't. Useful then, might be to accept how I was made and embody myself fully therein. (emphasis mine) (pages 191-192)
Inner struggles. This fascinating book is about one woman's passionate quest to quiet some of her internal struggles. Some far out theology as she seeks God in India, but actually I'm surprised at how many of her conclusions line up with Evangelical Christianity. The human condition is the human condition. We long to know God, and we long to make peace with ourselves and the life we've been given. Elizabeth Gilbert put her quest into words to which this fine-haired blonde not quiet person can relate . I'm savoring this book. I'm processing the funeral. I'm looking at my life and realizing that there are a few struggles that I need to give up, a few positive changes that I have to force myself to make, and so many blessings to count.
Stay tuned!
The washer is humming, Boomer and I are here on the couch, and I am contemplating what to do first and how to tackle the day. There are days where the to-do list appears unending, and overwhelmed is the best description...today's one of those. But, in the words of my early mentor, Elisabeth Elliott, just "do the next thing." Those are great words of advice. Perhaps it is a hormonal thing for a woman...some days the list seems longer, even though in reality it isn't.
Where to begin the blog is another dilemma. I have so many words to share.
What did I come home with? Renewed determination to make some changes. Inputs to this thought cycle include a few books I leisurely browsed through at Saratoga Springs Borders, (waking to 3 pm Sunday were close to perfection...more on that later), a lot of thoughts from eat pray love, the impact of the funeral and the reality of the death of a 51 year old wife and mother, thinking about the gift of good health, and wondering why I am so easily distracted and prone to do stupid things like stay up late watching "24" rather than sleeping. (!!) (certainly lack of sleep contributes to overwhelmed!) A great old hymn includes the words, "prone to wander, Lord I feel it..." Indeed!
And so, I will make a to do list, on the computer, with long term, mid term and daily goals, and see if getting it all off my mind at least helps! And it will, because that's how I'm wired. And the biggest help, as always, will be to dive in and do something! 1. Unpack my suitcase. 2. Begin to put away the heap of ornaments currently on the dining room table...
I'll close with a quote from eat pray love, a book which is shooting quickly to the top of my list, and a book that could fuel a month of blogging...
God dwells within you, as you.
If there is one holy truth of the Yoga, that line encapsulates it. God dwells within you as you yourself, exactly the way you are. God isn't interested in watching you enact some performance of personality in order to comply with some crackpot notion you have about how a spiritual person looks or behaves. We all seem to get this idea that, in order to be sacred, we have to make some massive, dramatic change of character, that we have to renounce our individuality....To know God, you need only to renounce one thing - your sense of division from God. Otherwise, just stay as you were made, within your natural character....The reality is it's a little sad for me to admit that I will never be ...these wraith-like, delicate souls. Always wanted to be the quiet girl. Probably precisely because I'm not. It's the same reason I think that thick, dark hair is so beautiful -- precisely because I don't have it, because I can't have it. But at some point you have to make peace with what you were given and if God wanted me to be a shy girl with thick, dark hair, He would have made me that way, but He didn't. Useful then, might be to accept how I was made and embody myself fully therein. (emphasis mine) (pages 191-192)
Inner struggles. This fascinating book is about one woman's passionate quest to quiet some of her internal struggles. Some far out theology as she seeks God in India, but actually I'm surprised at how many of her conclusions line up with Evangelical Christianity. The human condition is the human condition. We long to know God, and we long to make peace with ourselves and the life we've been given. Elizabeth Gilbert put her quest into words to which this fine-haired blonde not quiet person can relate . I'm savoring this book. I'm processing the funeral. I'm looking at my life and realizing that there are a few struggles that I need to give up, a few positive changes that I have to force myself to make, and so many blessings to count.
Stay tuned!
1.11.2008
Saratoga Springs
I'm finally here. And within minutes of arriving at the Hilton, my red jammied/black slippered self was at the computer blogging, sipping decaf and listening to the bathtub fill. To a forty something mom of four, it is magical to consider a hotel room to myself. Whew.
I have so many blogs to write I don't know where to start! So, since I've been on the road or practicing or at the wake for 13 hours straight, I'm just going to whet the blog appetite with subjects on which to expound. It's been an amazing day.
Video: "24" My boss loaned me season one, and I'm through hour 4...what an addicting show! I watched "3 am to 4 am" in the Milwaukee airport, on my laptop. Whew.
Book: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert I read this on the plane, and on the layover, and I'll be reading it again soon amid the bubbles. A kindred spirit gave it to me for Christmas, saying she couldn't wait to discuss it. WHAT a book. I want to eat it up, and yet never have it end. Hmmmm. I actually read it with a pencil in my hand, and there are exclamation points, smiley faces and stars all through the margins. I'm done with Eat, (Italy) and I'm currently reading of Pray (set in India). While I am a conservative Christian through and through, I am LOVING reading about the yoga, the meditation, the guru, the Ashram... I will blog and blog...it is just such readable writing, like I'm sitting with Elizabeth and she is breathlessly recounting her story. Sue, WHEN will we have our book review?? Let's have it in Italy...
Family: Each time I met a family member (the widower has 3 siblings) there were tears. I'm a little incredulous as to the impact of my singing at the widower's parents' funerals. Another whew. I've been adopted right in. I was met in Albany by Carol, who had also just flown in from Wisconsin, and she and her husband (Frank!) drove to the train station where we picked up their son, daughter in law and granddaughter; and their daughter and her boyfriend. We all packed into a mini van, with our luggage, and yakked all the way to Saratoga Springs. There was mention of a wedding in Austria (the daughter in law is from Austria, but they only had a civil wedding, quite recently, and they want a ceremony in Austria) They asked if I'd be willing to fly THERE to sing, and I said "I'm in!" Whew. (there were a lot of whews today)(And no, I don't really think they'll fly me to Austria...)
Music: I'll have to blog about walking into the nondescript church and hearing the viola (Oberlin School of Music) and the cello (Julliard) practicing Pachelbel's Canon. WWHHEEWW.
Lynn: My accompaniest is from near NYCity, speaks with a Brooklyn accent, has mounds of dark curly hair, and is in every way stereotypical New York. We were immediately fast friends, and ate together, went to the wake together, and then to Dunkin Donuts for our decafs while we discussed how we hope we're young enough to stay awake to actually enjoy the decadence of rooms at the Hilton to ourselves. Ha.
The bubbles are popping, the water is cooling, my feet are aching, and my book is calling. So, good night for now.
Hey...someone leave a comment. I know some of you are reading, since you've told me, but I'd love it if you just said "hi" now and then! You don't have to log in...when you're in the comments area, scroll down and use the "anonymous" button. Are there other tricks? One friend said it didn't work...
Sweet dreams!
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