IWSG MARCH 2022: Conflict, Books, A Message, and News

 

Thank you, Alex J. Cavanaugh, for leading this group!

Sign up Here.

The awesome co-hosts for the March 2 posting of the IWSG are Janet Alcorn, Pat Garcia, Natalie Aguirre, and Shannon Lawrence!

IWSG AND WRITING

OPTIONAL March 2 question - Have you ever been conflicted about writing a story or adding a scene to a story? How did you decide to write it or not?

In short: Yes. 

How did I decide to write it or not? I journaled about it. I wrote a sample starter of the scene/story, and then I decided.

I'm keeping today's post fairly short because I know we're all stretched for time and energy these days, plus, if you want to hang out with me longer, just consider lifting some prayers up for world peace. I'll be doing the same from my corner of the world - so we'll be praying together. 

NEWS

I've been pouring a bit more into my newsletter these days. If you want to check it out, go here:

Tyrean's Tales Newsletter.

My theme for this month was courage:

A MESSAGE 

Way back a bit, the Pastor of my church asked several people to give messages at worship. I said yes and gave a message on February 13 entitled: Hold On, Trust God, Consider Jesus. If you really want to see it, you can. FYI: I'm not a fan of my current health and look, but I am working on it at the gym and I need to step out of my shell if I'm going to change. 

Hold On, Trust God, Consider Jesus at Vimeo.

Publication:

I had five short pieces published by Nail Polish Stories: A Tiny and Colorful Literary Journal in January. Read them here, starting with "My Pointe Exactly."

Ongoing Series

Dark Blade: Forged is an ongoing series for Kindle Vella. I had a bit of an oops week one week in February. My mom went to the ER again. Lots of life stuff going on, but I keep coming back to it so if you miss an episode, please come back. 

Music

I finished a full acapella song for worship at my church and Pastor Peter Churness put some guitar chords to it. It's something I plan to record and produce. Still figuring this all out, so it might be a bit. 

Rayatana, Book 3? What happened here?

I have it on my desk and I have editing notes on it, but... I let it slide a bit. It will probably be six months more before it's truly ready for the world. 

Podcast(s)

I'll be podcasting with my church again and our new podcast series is starting today for Lent.

I plan to start a podcast of my own, but it's not all ready yet. 

And Health/Wellness News:

My health is improving slowly but steadily in a turtle-like fashion. My docs (plural) are still trying to figure out the best medication level for my thyroid problem (it keeps changing). 

I joined a gym. I decided to opt for some coaching and strength training, along with 10,000 steps a day and other on-my-own exercises. I'm stronger and more energetic than I was five-six weeks ago, but I have a long, long ways to go. One step at a time.

 Have any news to share?

Patricia Lynne's Gorgeous New Book Covers! And a #101DaysGratitude

AUTHOR AND DESIGNER SHOUT OUT

Patricia never set out to become a writer, and in fact, she never considered it an option during high school and college. She was more of an art and band geek. Some stories are meant to be told, and now she can't stop writing. Her young adult stories often have a paranormal, fantasy or sci-fi twist.

Patricia lives with her husband in Michigan, hopes one day to have what will resemble a small petting zoo, and has a fondness for dying her hair the colors of the rainbow. She also writes New Adult Urban Fantasy and Sci-Fi Romance under the name Patricia Josephine.

Links:

• Website: -http://www.patriciajosephine.com

• Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/635444.Patricia_Lynne
• Amazon Author Pagee – https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01EM6YLAW
• Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/pattyauthor07
• Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/paranormalpeeps/

 

Links to Books:

• Being Human – https://www.patriciajosephine.com/being-human.html
• Snapshots – https://www.patriciajosephine.com/snapshots.html
• Leaves of Fall – https://www.patriciajosephine.com/leaves-of-fall.html

A Quick Bite – https://www.patriciajosephine.com/aquickbite.html

Being Human

Tommy forgot his human life when he became a vampire...but it didn’t forget him. 

Like all vampires, Tommy must do one thing: survive. With no memory of his life before death, his only connection to humanity is his twin brother. When Tommy rescues a young girl, he learns not all monsters are undead. After returning her to her family, Tommy struggles to understand why he felt so protective of her when she has no connection to him. 

As the years pass, and with his twin’s help, Tommy moves on with his ‘life’ but never forgets the young girl or the monster who hurt her. When she re-enters his life as a teenager, Tommy struggles with his vampire need to survive and his desire to protect her. He will be forced to decide which part of him is stronger: The vampire? Or the human? The answer may destroy him.

Buy link: https://books2read.com/b/being-human

Leaves of Fall

Armory was raised to hate nature, but not all trees wanted a war.

Armory was born in a world torn apart by the war between man and nature. The threat of another attack looms over Armory and the survivors hidden in the remains of New York City. When Armory is kidnapped, a tree nymph is her unlikely savior.

Birch claims he can return Armory safely home. Can she trust a tree? If she wants to see her home again, she has no choice. As they travel across the wasteland of America, Armory meets both humans and trees who want the fighting to stop. 

But the hatred between man and nature may be too deep of a wound to heal. In a world destroyed by hate, can Armory and Birch’s friendship change minds and forge peace? Birch has a plan to make it happen. He’s just not sure he’ll survive.

Buy link: https://books2read.com/b/leaves-of-fall

Snapshots

Cyclop can see other people’s futures, but his own is clouded by a past he can’t escape and a man he calls Master. 

It’s not Cyclop’s albino skin and mismatched eyes that make him stand out, but his ability to see the future and a dark past he escaped. Only those close to him know his secrets, and with their help, he has carved out a normal life. But his past refuses to let him go, and when the man he calls Master finds him, he is forced to return to his old life.

Imprisoned, Cyclop clings to the hope of freedom. To do so, he must break Master’s control over him. Will he find the strength to become the master of his own life? Or is his past destined to be his future?

Buy link: https://books2read.com/b/snapshots

And, if you haven't joined yet, please consider joining in on my #101DaysGratitude Challenge. 

I'm doing this because I feel a need to encourage myself and others by seeking the treasures of beauty, joy, and gratitude each day for the rest of 2020 and for the first day of 2021. 

Challenge dates: 9/23/2020 through 1/1/2021.

Join in when you can.

Celebrations!

This week, I'm celebrating:

1. Good books from the library that are inspiring me to write. :)

2. Family cuddle time.

3. Wonderful IWSG!

4. IWSG's new, free book!!!

At: Nook   Smashwords   Amazon    Kobo

5, #fridayfreebie = "Seedling" 

Dunnie has a secret: a power inside him that's gone wrong in the past. When it's time to introduce himself to a new teacher, what will he say? And, will his classmates ever accept the truth? 

What are you celebrating this week?

Sick Day Reviews

The last few days I've had that stuffy head, sore throat, coughy, dizzy feeling which has been awful. My house is a mess. However, I allowed myself some reading time yesterday . . . actually several hours worth of reading time, in between sleeping on the couch moments. I still have a pile of books I want to read, but I had a bunch of uninterrupted reading time yesterday. Here are my reviews for some  of those books, plus one movie.

Rising Book 1: Resistance by Larua JosephsenLaura Josephsen made my day yesterday. I stumbled across a recommendation for this at Alex. J. Cavanaugh's blog, and out of idle curiosity and interest I went to take a look at the sample chapters at amazon.com. Hooked from the beginning, I decided to splurge and buy it for my Kindle. I finished it last night. I loved this book, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series. The main character, Alphonse, is a scholar on vacation when he is thrown into intrigue and chased by enemies of his country disguised as soldiers. I'm afraid to say more, because I would probably ruin the plotline. I highly suggest checking out those sample chapters at amazon.com.

Cassafire by Alex J. Cavanaugh is out! I thought I had to wait until the 28th, but I found it yesterday and purchased the Kindle edition. I'm only 40% into this book, and since I am back to health I don't have a good excuse for sitting and reading all day . . .but I am hooked by Alex's imagination, and the relationships of his characters. Byron may attempt to be aloof and alone, but he is drawn into relationship with a challenging female pilot and a very young linguist who needs his brotherly friendship. Alex's joy-filled descriptions of flight are awesome. Since the Catch Fire celebration of CassaFire is coming on the 28th, I suggest being prepared by getting this book today. I know I sound like a bad advertisement on TV, but seriously, it's a good book and Alex is one of the nicest bloggers I know. Here's the link to Cassafire at amazon.com.

"On her seventeenth birthday, Cassia meets her Match. Society dictates he is her perfect partner for life. Except he's not. In Cassia's society, Officials decide who people love. How many children they have. Where they work. When they die. But, as Cassia finds herself falling in love with another boy, she is determined to make some choices of her own. And that's when her whole world begins to unravel..." - Blurb and pic by amazon.com
Matched by Ally Condie is a dystopian romance adventure that my oldest daughter picked up at the library on Tuesday. Romance is usually not the main genre in our household - everyone prefers adventure, scifi and fantasy, but this book caught her eye and now there are three of us reading it at the same time . . .well, there are three bookmarks in it anyway. I haven't had my hands on this book since Tuesday (when we picked it up) and we are all vying for turns with it. Well-written and intense, the part that truly drives the story forward is Cassia, the intelligent, determined protaganist in love with words and saddened by her Grandfather's death.


In movies . . . well, I actually went to see Journey 2 The Mysterious Island with my family.

And we liked it . . . because we were prepared for a departure from reality, for some fun, and for some laughter. I still noticed that the helicopter scenes lacked realism (my dad used to have a pilot's license and trained me to look for details in movies) and the part with the flying bees made my husband groan a little (how did they "pilot" the bees exactly?) but we still enjoyed this romp through Verne book on film, Hollywood style. My daughters mainly noticed that the directors didn't do much to segue from this movie from the first one . . .we would have liked a line or two about his uncle, or something to tie into the first movie. What happened to all those diamonds? Why is his stepdad footing the bill? Anyway, apart from that it was a fun ride 2 The Mysterious Island. BTW, the best actor in this movie is . . .Josh Hutcherson, just like in the first one even with Michael Caine and Dwayne Johnson making quips at each other. One reason my family is looking forward to The Hunger Games movie is that we know at least the actor playing Peeta can act well, so we are hopeful that the movie will be good. 

(photo from IMDB)

So, I know I'm off schedule this week - posting on M, T, and Th instead of M,W,F. I'm not sure what my schedule looks like tomorrow - I may be skiing and going to see Brandon Heath in concert at a local church, or I might be driving to Portland to visit our neice and the biggest bookstore in the world (not that I need any more reading material).

Next week: Evil Genius, and Catch Fire!!!

365 Days of Blessings, Day 287 Super Blessed!

Today I just feel super blessed! Maybe it's because I've been keeping track of my blessings all day . . .but here are just a few.

1. Winnie the Pooh.

2. My hubby is feeling better, although still feverish, he is maintaining a 100 degree farenheit temp instead of 102.

3. How many people does it take to replace my hubby as a tech man at worship on a Sunday morning? Umm, at least 7, or at least that's how many I counted around the soundboard trying to figure out which wire hooked where, and all that. I am very thankful for all the amazing help, talent and thoughtfulness of the guys and gals who subbed for my hubby today at worship.

4. This awesome poem Pooh Friend at Rainy Day Poetry. Check it out.

5. In worship today, many people prayed for Japan. We keep praying, and I am thankful for prayer, and the comfort and peace found in prayer.

6. A friend and mentor of mine spoke today at worship. She has such a loving heart, and loving wisdom. She is a "small town girl" who took her relational ministry to South Africa, following a clear call from the Lord.

7. Reflections on the Death of a Friend a poem by CD Sinex at Every Day Poets that moved me.

8. Remembering Hamlet's "Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio . . ." from a high school drama day.

Book Blessing:
9. Hamlet

Writing Blessing:
10. Screenwriting Tips for Novelists is a great post at Writing at High Altitude.

Scripture Blessings:
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"
Matthew 25:37-40

365 Days of Blessings, Day 285

Today I'm giving thanks and praise for these blessings:

Writing Blessings:
1. I am a writing ninja! Actually, I'm a revising writing ninja, or a NiNoReMo participant, which is really cool. See my sidebar, or follow this link here Ali Cross, Dojo

2. I'm looking forward to participating in Write On Con, an online conference. Again, see the sidebar, or follow this link Write On Con

3. I'm recommitting myself as a writer today. Sure, I've been writing, but I feel like I've been going through the motions. Commitment means dedication.

4. I wrote a really rough beginning of a new project: Diary of a Moth. I plan on putting it on the back burner while I get back to revising The Crystal Sword, but I like writing something totally different now and then. It gives me a new perspective and passion for the revision of my "old" story.

5. And then, there is this story, "The Feathered Prince"/"The Swan Prince"/"The Sky Prince" that is in the back of my head off and on . . . not very together, but still there. I may just give myself permission to write on that a bit today.

6. Yesterday I received a request for a revision of my "Octoupus Rising" poem,and today, after 15 revisions of a five line poem, I think I might be ready to re-submit it. Maybe.

Book Blessings: (This is part of that 100 Book list that I'm slowly continuing)

7. Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George is an amazing, and wonderful fantasy adventure that turns our expectations of heroines upside down. I love this book.

8. Starlight Animal Rescue: Runaway by Dandi Daley Mackall is a book that my youngest daughter picked up at the age of seven, when she couldn't seem to find anything at her reading level. Well, within the first few pages, I wasn't sure she was old enough for the book, so we read it together. We both loved this book, and feel that it is not only the best of the series, but the best book we've read by Dandi Daley Mackall. There is some heavy hitting subject matter, but yet, it is handled in really well, in a background of newly awakened faith.

9. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is not a huge favorite of mine, but yet I feel that it is a must read, the beginning of many themes that are seen in science fiction, fantasy and mainstream books today. Can man create a better version of mankind? Is it the way we are put together or the way that we are treated that determines our actions? Read the book, and see what you think.

Blessings from general life:

10. I had time this morning to think, read, write, and pray.

Scripture Blessings:

"Listen to my words, LORD,
consider my lament.
Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
with you, evil people are not welcome.
The arrogant cannot stand
in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
you, LORD, detest.
But I, by your great love,
can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
toward your holy temple.

Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness
because of my enemies—
make your way straight before me.
Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;
with their tongues they tell lies.
Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.
But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield."
Psalm 5

365 Days of Blessing, Day 284

1. Great blogging advice posts like Blog Baby from Karen Lange.

2. Visiting our niece, J, who lives in Portland, and chatting.

3. J’s laughter. I love how each of us has a unique laugh, and I love the sound of hers especially.

4. My husband’s love of video editing.

5. Powell’s City of Books, in Portland, OR – especially the Rose room, and the Red room.

6. Homeschooling on a long car drive.

7. Talking with my husband and daughters on a long car drive.

8. French Fries at Burgerville, cooked in canola oil so my girls and I can eat them, and they taste great.

Books:
9. Fire in Fiction by Donald Maas.
10. Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse.

Scripture Blessings:

"For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

365 Days of Blessings, Days 273 thru 278, and some books again

Sunday 273
1. My daughters had a fun time at a friends house.
2. Set up for worship has been taken off my shoulders by another group.
3. My husband is training two young men to take on some of the media and sound needs for worship.
4. We sang old songs and new ones for worship today.
5. I had time to plan for my classes, and catch up with the work I procrastinated during our mid-winter break.
6. Oldest Dolphin at the Dolphin Research Center a little old, but still good about Teresa, the oldest dolphin at the Dolphin Research Center – she's somewhere in her 50's.
Books:
7. Five Love Languages
8. Five Love Languages for Parents
9. My Utmost for His Highest
10. Luther’s Small Catechism

Monday 274
1. An awesome day at homeschool cooperative.
2. Haiku poetry.
3. Tanka poetry.
4. Onomatopoeia
5. Taming of the Shrew, Act 4.
6. Getting grades done.
7. Chatting with someone about Shakespeare, C.S. Lewis, and the revolutionary war, and just enjoying being a parent-teacher.
8. My oldest daughter danced for the first time in four weeks.
9. Excitement for our daughters' first dance competition of the year, coming up this weekend.
10. Hearing that a young man we’ve been praying for has “clear” blood test results.

Tuesday 275

1. We started our day late, but we were able to get some homeschool lessons done.
2. An hour long conversation with a friend that was much needed.
3. We have a friend who’s going to help us with our downstairs bathroom ceiling and wall water damaged areas soon.
4. So many welcoming, kind faces at our dance studio.
5. Realizing I’ve been a crabby patty, and then doing something about it.
6. Having an awesome hubby who gave me some time alone by being with the girls at dance class.
7. Taking some time to just relax.
8. Our dog broke her “cone of shame/healing” but the vet said she is healing despite that.
9. Heart to Heart An amazing post about God's amazing grace.
10. Drunk With the Holy Spirit See this post about Living With JOY!

Wednesday 276
1. Time - God's gift of Time.
2. Time to pray.
3. Time to heal.
4. Time to talk.
5. Time to enjoy silence.
6. Time to sing.
7. Time to dance.
8. Time to write.
9. Time to cuddle.
10. Time to hug.

Thursday 277
1. There is a mirror in our upstairs bathroom now, above the sink. Maybe I’ll have better hair days now. ;-)
2. Only one more thing to do and then our upstairs bathroom will be complete.
3. Edward, a fluffy friend from Harbor Hope Cat Rescue, was adopted into a forever home.
4. Homemade smoothies.
5. Smoothies from recipes.
6. Smoothies from our own imaginations.
7. Smoothies from the grocery store.
8. Smoothies from Marlene’s Health Food Market.
9. Getting a few things done for Ash Wednesday planning.
10. Imagination Will Be the Death of Me Check out Melissa's funny, but true post about how our imaginations can sometimes get the best of us.

Friday 278
1. Dr. Seuss, the Master a post honoring Dr. Seuss.

Books:
2.My Favorite Dr. Seuss book: The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins

3. Red Fish, Blue Fish
4. The Cat in the Hat
5. The Cat in the Hat Comes Back
6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
7. Horton Hears a Who

Regular Blessings:
8. My daughter's exclamation, "Now I know what it means to go swimming in soft powder." - Skiing was fun, but challenging today.
9. Going over jumps in the small terrain park.
10. Bowling with a fun group from our church.

Scripture Blessings:
"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

365 Days of Blessings, Days 268 and 269, Books and stuff

Giving Thanks and Praise for these blessings:

In Books (Continuing my top 100):
From my Junior High Years . . . and a few beyond that.

1. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien was a trilogy I longed to read in elementary school after I had read The Hobbit about three times, but the books were always checked out of the school library, so I read the first one, and then waited two years before I purchased the trilogy in seventh grade and eighth grade. How many times have I read it since then? I've lost count, but I know it is somwhere under The Hobbit (at least a dozen reads) and more than any romance novel I've ever read (usually just once). Tolkien was a master storyteller, and a great linguist.

2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a book that I can't quite place in my timeline of favorites. Did I read it first in late elementary school, or early junior high? I'm not sure. I had seen the movie many times before I read it, and then I read my mom's copy over and over until if fell apart. It is one of my all time favorites, and again, something I think that should be read, and watched, and discussed. Great literature, timeless story.

3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte was handed to me by my mom when I was in seventh grade. I read it, and found parts I liked, but overall wasn't sure until I read it again in ninth grade, then I loved it, wept over it, ached for Jane and her difficulties. Unfortunately, I read it again in college and was forced to do a Freudian psychological critique of it. Ugh! Nothing ruins a good book like that. After several years, I was able to read it again and enjoy it.

4. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas is an intense read, and is definitely more adult than any movie version I've ever seen of it. I loved the book, even though the heroes are all seriously flawed. Dumas doesn't let us hero worship for more than a minute.

5. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls is usually read in elementary school, but I didn't read it until junior high. I had already bawled over and dog-eared my copy of Old Yeller. However, the best quality, best written, cry-your-eyes-out story about a boy and a pair of hounds is this one. If you are going to read two books like that, then both are good.

6. The Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter is a sequel to Freckles, and one that draws us even deeper into the beauty of the forest, and all those who care for it, and each other.

7. Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare is my all time favorite Shakespeare play, for reading, viewing on screen, or viewing in person. I experienced it the first time in junior high at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and if you want to watch an excellent screen version, check out the version starring Kenneth Branagh.

8. A Spell for Chameleon, The Source of Magic, and Castle Roogna by Piers Anthony were some of my common reading fodder in junior high, and they definitely had an impact on my love of fantasy fiction. They are incredibly chauvinistic, but humorous, and filled with odd, unexpected quirks that keep the pages turning. Surprisingly I was able to forgive the chauvinism for the delightfully different adventures, and loved the spider in Castle Roogna, and considering I don't like spiders that's saying something. The rest of the series gets more male fantasy orientated, and is . . . well, not worth reading in my opinion.

9. Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs intrigued me in elementary school, and the series continued to be interesting while I was into junior high reading. Later, I wasn't sure I liked those books and I don't own them anymore. However, they were an important part of my reading and imagination journey as a kid and as a young teen.

10. The Diary of Anne Frank as a novel, and as a play, were strong influences on me in eighth grade. This, true, real, raw story hit me hard, and made me want to be a better writer.

11. If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing In the Pits? by Erma Bombeck moved from my mom's bookshelf to mine, and I loved the bitter humor in the stories within that book, and read them aloud to friends and classmates.

In other Blessings:
12. My oldest daughter is taking a safe sitter course through the fire department, loving it and learning lots.

13. My youngest spent three hours making her sister a present today, just to say, "I Love You," and not for any other reason.

14. My dog has gone three days without pulling out any stitches. (She had surgery, and pulled the stitches out twice, while wearing a cone of shame)

15. Homeschool friends doing art, science, writing, and Latin together.

16. Hanging out with church friends on a Wednesday night.

17. A pink car.

18. Sunshine and snow flurries.

19. We have unlimited texting, which my daughter is making good use of on a daily basis.

20. Tanka poetry, fun stuff.

Scripture Blessings:
"Jesus wept." John 11:35 - The shortest verse in the Bible, but both heart-wrenching and comforting to know how deeply Jesus loved his friend Lazarus, and how deeply he loves us.

365 Days of Blessings, Day 266, Christian Books

In addition to the Bible, (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) I'm giving thanks and praise for these awesome Christian books that have been a blessing in my life:

1. In addition to the many "regular" books that I read growing up, where faith came as part of the story because the author couldn't imagine it any other way (Green Dolphin Street, Little House in the Big Woods, etc), Rainbow Garden by Patricia St. John was my first Christian fiction book. The first one I knew was a Christian fiction book before I read it. A wonderful story about a girl and a secret garden at the end of a rainbow, I read it many times until it fell apart.

2. The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris is not for the faint of heart, but it is an inspiring look at the inner journey of an intellectual poet's journey of faith. Non-fiction, and sometimes painfully honest and humble, Kathleen Norris takes us from secular life to a monastary, where she served as an oblate.

3. Beyond the Summerland by L.B. Graham is the beginning of the Binding of the Blade Series, and I enjoyed this new take on Christian epic fantasy. The ending of the first book is a painful surprise (that's all the spoiler I'll give) but the rest of the series flows easily from one book to the next.

4. Run With the Horses by Eugene H. Peterson is a book I've quoted extensively last year, and I have to include it as my favorite study guide to Jeremiah.

5. Dragonspell and the Dragonkeeper Chronicles by Donita K. Paul is another excellent start to a strong series of compelling characters and a new world of fantastical Christian adventure. I've mentioned it before too, but it deserves many mentions.

6. The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren is an excellent guide to life and ministry. I may not have the same take on every issue that Warren does, but I found the book interesting and thought-provoking.

7. Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell is, like The Cloister Walk, not for the faint of heart or for those who can't bear to be shocked while reading a Christian book. Rob Bell takes a close look at what it means to be a follower of Christ in our times, and for all time. He references scripture and other Christian books so often that I found myself reading his book simultaneously with different parts of scripture and doing a great deal of research. Again, I may not agree with every aspect of his book, but it definitely provokes thought, scripture reading, and prayer.

8. The Aedyn Chronicles by Alister E. McGrath is a book for young to middle readers that I read just recently. I read it in about two hours, and at first, just thought it was a simple, fun Christian fantasy read. But then, I kept thinking about the Biblical principles that were intertwined in the adventure . . . and decided to read it again.

9. The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel is a very good read, and they've made a pretty good DVD version of it as well. It is an investigation into the evidence for Jesus, and also tells some of the true story of Strobel's personal search for faith in Christ.

10. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is a must read if you have any interest in apologetics. Wow! If you want a better understanding of that Deep Law of Magic mentioned in the Narnia books, Mere Christianity definitely details Lewis' belief that there is a moral law, or a sense of goodness that underlies all the laws of mankind, and of course that law, that moral standard of goodness comes from God.

Scripture Blessings:
"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:5-7

365 Days of Blessings, Day 265, More Books

Giving thanks and praise for more books today - this theme may last awhile, but today I only have time for a short list with little explanation:

1. Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Dectective by Donald J. Sobol.

2. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

3. The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

4. Freckles by Gene Stratton Porter.

5. Here Comes Snoopy by Charles M. Schulz is one of my favorite of the old paperback Peanuts collection. I bought most of the collection from second hand stores for a quarter each, in elementary school. These books made me laugh, and think.

6. Two in the Wilderness by Mary Wolfe Thompson.

7. Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers

8. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

9. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

10. Andersen's Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen.

Scripture Blessings:

"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'
They answered him, 'We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?'
Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it for ever.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'"
John 8:31-36

365 Days of Blessings, Day 264, Books

Today I'm giving thanks and praise for a few more books that have been blessings in my life:

1. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. I read it at age 10, and wasn't sure I liked it, but I felt the truth of Dicken's work in the story, the authenticity of the world he both experienced and created with his characters.

2. Henry the IV, Part 1 by William Shakespeare was the first Shakespeare play I saw, in Ashland, OR when I was ten. I read it shortly afterwards, and decided I liked it better as a play than a book. However, the timeless characteristics of Falstaff and young Hal, have influenced my reading ever since. They are in many ways, much like Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins of Treasure Island, at least in the way that I see them.

3. Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman is a family favorite. My grandmother, mother and Aunts all have loved this book, and I have as well. Gritty, painful adventure, and love, all intertwined in a story of a lifetime.

4. Green Dolphin Street by Elizabeth Goudge was another book I found on my Grandmother's book shelf, and which has been beloved by many in our family. It is old fashioned, but yet portrays characters that are timeless. The sisters love for the same man create a bitter triangle that eventually ends in love, and peace. Marguerite's faith in the Lord is one of the biggest blessings in this book, and shows how each of us can deal with unexpected disappointment with grace.

5. The Trixie Belden mystery series. Forget Nancy Drew, I found Trixie on my Grandmother's shelves, and decided she was the sleuth for me, wearing jeans and going on adventures. I think I read most of this series between 4th and 6th grade, and enjoyed it all. I have to admit that I'm not sure I still like these books, but they fit in my life at that time.

6. At this same time, when I was reading the books off my Grandmother's shelves, I started reading Westerns. I found they were much like fantasy books, but set in a different time and real places, with characters that were larger than life. Zane Grey's Spirit of the Border was a favorite of mine. I'm not sure it would be today, but I remember the flow of words of that book, the descriptions of places I know are real.

7. In that same vein, I also started reading Louis L'Amour books at age 10. Why? Because my Dad worked for an airline, and the only readable books in the airport bookstores were Louis L'Amour's westerns . . . unless I wanted to read romance, which I didn't at age 10, 11, 12, or even older. If you haven't read a Western before, I highly suggest Louis L'Amour or Zane Grey. They are fairly fun books, with a strong sense of place.

8. Big Red by Jim Kjelgaard was a book I remember checking out repeatedly from the school library. The adventures of a boy and his Irish Red Setter were wonderful to me, since I had a few adventures with my german shepherd.

9. The Call of the Wild by Jack London is a must read kind of book. It shows a time, a series of places, and the strenght of a growing bond of trust between man and wolf. It's one of those books that make me cry, but I like it anyway.

10. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein is another must read kind of book. This is one of my all time favorite fantasy books, and all time favorite books of my life. My first copy came from a cousin. It didn't have a cover, and already showed wear and tear. I read it over and over again until it fell apart. Then I kept the pieces together and read it again. Finally, I purchased a "pretty" copy of it, and I've read it a number of times as well. Bilbo is my favorite reluctant hero, and I like reluctant heroes.

11. The NIV Study Bible, old NIV translation. I know I've mentioned the Bible before, but every translation that I've read is a blessing to me. My old NIV was given to me by my parents at my high school graduation, and I have read it many, many times.

Scripture Blessings:
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

365 Days of Blessings, Days 262 and 263, Book Blessings

Today and for the next few days, I'm giving thanks and praise for books that have been a blessing in my life:

1. The Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. One of my favorite books from my childhood. I loved putting my fingers on the holes that go through the food, and I loved the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly at the end. I've read this book to my kids, and to Sunday School kids.

2. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. Another favorite from my childhood. I checked this book out from the library again and again, even after I was reading "older" books. Maurice Sendak painted this picture of an imaginary world in such a way that I could take it even further in my own imagination. I never got the whole "psycho-babble" junk that they threw in the movie about it. I just loved the idea of escape into a wild world of wonder, knowing full well that I could return to a warm supper and a loving home at any moment.

3. Young Years: Best Loved Stories and Poems for Little Children edited by Augusta Baker, 1971 Copyright Parent's Magazine Enterprises. I don't know exactly when I started reading this book, or when my mom started reading it to me. I just know that the book is barely holding together after many, many years of use. I've also read parts of it to my kids. It has nursery rhymes, Aesop's fables, and stories like the original Beauty and the Beast, as well as Goldilocks. I memorized most of the nursery rhymes because I read them so many times over while growing up.

4. Children's Illustrated Bible I'm not sure this was the exact title, but I received it when I was five or six, and read it within a year, then read it again and again until I was about ten years old, when I "moved up" to the King James translation. I couldn't figure out why the Sunday School teachers thought the stories they taught me were new to me, when I had already read them in my Bible. Since then, I've realized as a friend recently remarked, "Kid's Bibles are like Cliffnote versions." It's true. If you want to get to know your basic Bible stories, pick up a kids' illustrated or picture Bible, and read it aloud again and again, night after night, until you've memorized it. My kids story Bibles have grounded them in Bible stories, and reminded me of my basics. My youngest still wants me to read from hers every night, and my oldest likes hearing me read the "regular" Bible these days.

5. The King James Bible had a huge impact on my life growing up. My mom read it to me as I went to sleep each night, and when I was ten she gave me her old copy of it. I started in Psalms. They were short, and I could tackle the language easier there. I'm not sure I would recommend the old King James Bible to most ten year olds, but I liked it, especially the sense of history I felt, having my mom's first Bible.

6. The Tasha Tudor Book of Fairy Talesselected, edited, and illustrated by Tasha Tudor is a beautiful fairy tale book that I read, and re-read many times from early childhood through my adult years. I still pick it up every once in a while. My favorite in the book has to be "Thumbelina." The illustration on the first page made me want to step into the story myself.



7. Serendipity by Stephen Cosgrove is one of the many "Serendipity" books that held my attention and imagination as a child. The main character in Serendipity is a pink sea serpent with beautiful blue eyes who wants to know who, and what she is, and what purpose she has in life. With the help of two friends, she discovers that she is herself, and she finds a purpose in cleaning up the waters of the world's oceans. I have to admit, my strongest feelings about responsibility for our environment probably stem from a love of this book, and a love of the Creation story in the Bible.

8. The Muffin Muncher by Stephen Cosgrove is another awesome "Serendipity" book about a muffin munching dragon and a King who bakes muffins. It still makes me smile.

9. Morgan and Me by Stephen Cosgrove is a "Serendipity" book about a young girl who likes to put off her work so she can daydream. She figures she can always do things "a little later." This gets her in a bit of trouble with a new friend, a unicorn.

10. Jake O'Shawnasey is an Irish green seagull who is afraid to fly, but who is determined to get to the top of a cliff face. My mom read this story to me over and over again, and referenced in many conversations with me while I was growing up. The moral of this particular Stephen Cosgrove book is "If you believe in yourself, you can do anything."

11. The Wheedle on the Needle in the original version by Stephen Cosgrove, is a Seattle Centered tale of the Wheedle who keeps the light on top of the Space Needle glowing with his red nose. For a kid born in Seattle, and raised in a cow-town an hour drive from the Space Needle, this one had to be one of my favorites. Seattle seemed like a magical place to me, and the Space Needle is still a place I like to visit now and then, Wheedle or not.

12. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson had an early impact on me, while riding in the car on long road trips. As one of our only books on tape, I heard the shortened version of this story many times over, and loved it. The version we had included singing, "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me," which I liked to sing loudly in the back seat. Later, when I read the story, I felt for Jim and for that old scalawag, Long John Silver. I know piracy in reality is not a nice practice, but the stories and make believe were a great deal of fun.

13. The Wizard of Oz series by Frank L. Baum. I read the entire series in third and fourth grade and loved being transported to that magical place, Oz. The Patchwork Girl stands out in my mind today, but I can't remember why . . . I'll have to look for it at my library.

14. The Black Stallion series by Walter Farley happened to be another group of books I devoured between third and fifth grade. I loved the horses, and the dilemmas the characters faced. My kids haven't liked them, which saddens me, but I know that if they are meant to stand the test of time, then they will.

15. Anne of Green Gables has been a family favorite for three generations, my grandmother, my mother, and I. My daughters, sadly, don't like the series much, or even the first book. I have to admit, when I read it aloud to my oldest daugther a few years ago, I didn't like it as much as I had as a kid. However, this book has been a blessing to me in many ways. If you've known me for a while, you might know why I found the story of her green hair fiasco so wonderful. Anne's imagination gets her into scrapes and out of them throughout the series, and I enjoyed her as a character because I often have had the same kind of experiences with that.

16. The Narnia series as a whole by C.S. Lewis has been a blessing to me many times over. I don't know if I could say enough about this series. My first introduction started with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I loved entering that fantastical world at Lucy's side, and meeting Tumnus for the first time.

17. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis, from the Narnia series, had a great deal of meaning for me as a kid and the Christian symbolism within it has blown me away again and again even as an adult. It was the second Narnia book I read as a kid.

18. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is my all time favorite from the Narnia series. I love the redemption story of Eustace, the temptation that each character faces, and the wild variety of characters like Dufflepuds, and the mermaid hunting party. The Christian symbolism, especially when Eustace is cleansed, convicts me, and renews me every time I read it.

19. The Silver Chair stood out to me as a kid, partly because it was one of the four Narnia books I owned, and partly because of Puddlegum's gloomy optimism.

20. The Last Battle was the toughest Narnia book for me to read. I struggled all the way to the end, and then I fell in love with Lewis' story that has no end. For me, this book was a blessing when I was younger because I read it and discussed it with a beloved mentor name Larice. She lent me the Narnia books I didn't own, and talked with me through the whole series. After her death, I gave up playing the organ, but I kept my love of the Narnia books.

21. The Lord fills us.

Scripture Blessings:
“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.”
Psalm 107:8-9

More book blessings coming tomorrow.

365 Days of Blessings, Day 261 and Lists of Books

Today I'm giving thanks and praise for these random blessings:

1. Waking up to see a vase of a dozen roses! I received them last night, but I'm enjoying them even more this morning.

2. Dusky red, on deep green.

3. Salt water gargles for a sore throat - they actually mostly work.

4. Time to talk to my husband in the morning about inconsequential things.

5. Any moment alone with my husband feels like a date.

6. Caribener clips. They're handy.

7. A room with a view. For me this just means being able to see the horizon in the distance.

8. Old dollhouses.

9. The affectionate rubbing of my cat.

10. Lists (see below this list for another list adventure).

11. Jesus offers us living water.

Scripture Blessings:
"On the last day of the fest, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 'If anyone is thirsty, let hiim come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as the Scripture has aid, streams of living water will flow from within him.'" John 7:37

Lists of books you "should" read. . . who makes them?
This is the question I've asked myself every time I've seen this particular list that's gone around on facebook, and which was recently featured at Kelly's Compositions. It's a list of classic books, and according to BBC most people have only read 6 of the 100 listed. The first time I saw this, I thought, ok, I'm going to break their record. And I did. But then . . . I wondered, should it matter? Some of these books are books I don't particularly like, but I've read them. For what reason? For class, to impress, to expand my literary horizons. Are those good reasons to read a book? I'm not so sure that they are.

Someone has decided that these books have literary and/or cultural importance to us as people. Again, I'm not so sure. So, I've decided to play the game, but with my own variation. 2 stars = finished, 1 star = started but never finished, no stars = haven't read, and smiley faces are for the books I actually liked or found meaningful.

Anyway- take a look at the list and see how many of these 100 book you have read, and then decide if it matters to you, really.



1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen ** :)
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien ** :)
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte ** :-)
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling ** :)
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee ** :)
6 The Bible ** :) :) :) :) :)
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell ** :)
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens ** :)
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott ** :) (read three times before I liked, Little Men is way more fun to read)
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare ** :) (a few I don't like)
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien ** :) :)
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger **
19 The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell *
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald ** - can't remember if meaningful
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens **
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams ** :) mostly like this one
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck ** :) meaningful
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll **
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame **
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy ** - hated it, threw it across room twice
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens ** :) Depressing, but I liked it.
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis ** :) :) loved this series
34 Emma - Jane Austen ** :)
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis ** :)
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden ** :) wouldn't recommend to kids
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne ** Every little bit of it is wonderful.
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell **
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery ** :)
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood ** (horrifyingly depressing)
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding ** strongly disliked but meaningful
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert ** :)
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen ** :) (liked it on the 3rd read)
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens ** :)
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck ** :) meaningful
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas ** :)
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville * haven't finished it yet
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens ** :)
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker **
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett ** :) :)
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson ** :)
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens ** :)
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker ** meaningful
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazu Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White ** (liked it)
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle **
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad ** (hated it, and had to read it for class)
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery ** :) read it at age 9
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams **
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas ** :)
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare ** :)
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl ** :)
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo ** :) meaningful

Scarily, I read most of the "literary" ones before graduating from high school. I started reading Dickens at age 10, and read all of Alexandre Dumas' work for a high school paper. I started Les Miserables in French and finished it in English. I was a Shakespeare fan from age 10 to age 25, and still like most of his works. I read like it is water, or bread. However, I wouldn't recommend all of these books. In fact, some of them are probably better left unread.

So, tomorrow, I plan to make my own list. A list of meaningful favorites. I don't think it will make a BBC special, or become a list of "must reads" or "should" reads. And it won't stay static, because I keep reading, and reading, and reading, like I think everyone "should." ;)

365 Days of Blessings, Days 238 and 239

Sunday Blessings:

1. Farworld: Water Keep by J. Scott Savage swept me into an adventure for three days, even when I shouldn't have been reading it. Yesterday, on a wonderful, relaxing afternoon (after a whirlwind sleepover birthday party from my oldest) I finished it. I am recommending it to friends, and family as a great fantasy adventure read. True, it's meant for middle grade readers, and I am a "grown up" but I love younger books. I think if a book is as well-written as this one, it is for everyone.

2. Thanks to Shannon at Book Dreaming for reviewing and recommending Farworld on her blog!

3. The website for Farworld is fun!

4. More time to read blogs. I had twenty extra minutes this morning, and used it for catching up on some reading. I have been missing the wonderful, inspiring, and sometimes quirky stuff I get to read in everyone's posts. I am so thankful for blogs, and bloggers.

5. A wonderful worship that felt like a retreat into peace and hope.

6. Fun on a rope sing!

7. The way the Lord's Spirit moves us, even when we least expect it.

8. Making a commitment to a task that only God's strength will allow me to do. I feel suspended in a moment of free fall, like the moment when I grabbed the rope swing rope, looked out to the horizon and jumped.

9. Awesome people.

10. When I uttered doubt about taking on this task, my youngest daughter said, "Mom, you know the Holy Spirit called you, because there is no way you would have taken that otherwise." And then my oldest daughter and my husband chimed in with encouragement, support, and a faith in the one who guides in all things.

Monday Blessings:

1. Still taking this moment to the Lord in prayer, and getting support from friends and family.

2. Mystery skit writing with my writer's workshop adventure class. We had fun today.

3. A few funny videos to close our our Macbeth unit in Shakespeare Class. Most notably BBC's Bitesized Macbeth which made me laugh.

4. Flocabulary's Macbeth Rap actually summarizes the play in a semi-serious way.

5. Starting in on The Taming of the Shrew - one of Shakespeare's most controversial plays. Is it serious, light-hearted, a sad look at abusive spousal behavior? Did Shakespeare really mean for Kate to be taken seriously in her last speech? We'll be debating that.

6. Writing is awesome.

7. Co-op friends are fun!

8. Chemistry class starts in 20 minutes . . . I get to facilitate, set up science experiments, have fun, and be impressed by mom who teaches the class. I should be taking notes on teaching in that class. She speaks quietly to get their attention, and they are riveted in their seats for an hour.

9. Dance class tonight - preparing for the show on Friday!

10. God is in charge!!!! Yay! Not me!

Scripture Blessings:

"After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 'Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’'
Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, 'Why are you untying the colt?'

They replied, 'The Lord needs it.'

They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

'Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!'

'Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!'

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, 'Teacher, rebuke your disciples!'

'I tell you,' he replied, 'if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.'"
Luke 19:28-40

365 Days of Blessings, Days 213 and 214

5th and 6th Days of Christmas

Giving Thanks for:

1. The friskiness of our Beagle as he comes in from the snow.

2. Our older Rhodesian Ridgeback's return to puppyhood to snuffle her nose in the snow, and jump into frost covered bracken, nosing around for scents.

3. Brisks walks with Biblical conversations.

4. Grocery stores . . . really, how awesome is it that we can find so much healthful variety so quickly?! In the midst of running every day/weekly errands I forget to be thankful for the abundant blessings that surround us.

5. Library visits with a trip down vacation aisle . . . err, non-fiction books on travel.

6. Books about Hawaii.

7. Planning for a trip to Hawaii! Wow!

8. My oldest daughter wants to go on a shark swim . . . I'm actually not sure I'm thankful for that, but I am glad that she is passionate about her first favorite fish. She's been into sharks since her first visit to Pt. Defiance Zoo and Aquarium's shark exhibit . . . when she was two. She's read library books, listened to shark talks, and memorized shark facts without realizing it.

9. Wonderful place names like . . . Waikiki, Malaekahana, Hanauma Bay, Maui, Big Island, Hilo, Kealakekua . . . and more . . .it all sounds so wonderful.

10. The only things I remember about my first Hawaii trip, when I was five are: the little girl who lived down the hall from my Grandpa in his condo, it rained in Hawaii and I thought it wasn't supposed to rain there, the parade in Chinatown. My parents have pictures of none of these things . . . but they are still what I remember.

11. My husband's experiences traveling to Oa'hu, and Maui with a Navy E.O.D. unit. He definitely had a different view of the islands than most travelers get.

12. Four months to anticipate, get fit (lose weight), and get even more excited.

13. One more day to prep for the New Year.

14. Looking forward to skiing on New Year's Day.

15. Having a conversation with my dad about miniature car race tracks, and radio controlled cars, planes and helicopters . . . fun stuff.

16. Reading Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George, an interesting re-telling of Cinderella.

17. Reading five books in five days . . . aah, the wonderful downtime in the week after Christmas.

18. Soft, fuzzy slippers.

19. Vanilla Chai decaf tea.

20. The Lord gives us rest and renewal.

Scripture Blessings:

"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

365 Days of Blessings, Day 212, 4th Day of Christmas

4th Day of Christmas:
"On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, four calling/collie birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree."

Whether you sing this song because it is silly nonsense celebrating the 12 feast days of Christmas enjoying the imagery of a pie made with blackbirds (collie birds) and dancing milkmaids, or if you like to read religious meaning into it with the four collie birds representing the four gospel writers, I think this song is just something that fits with the 12 days of Christmas in the Western World. Can you think of 12 Days of Christmas, without thinking of this song?

There are so many versions, both serious and humorous, some tasteful, and some not. I invite you to sing it, laugh at it, ponder over it, enjoy it, let it be a reminder to fill up all 12 Days of Christmas with joy and celebration.

Blessings on the 4th Day of Christmas:

1. Reading a new book called poemcrazy by Susan Goldsmith Woolridge.
"For me, poetry is related to walking. Words and images fill me when I wander alone."

2. Reading my Christmas present, Ranger's Apprentice: Halt's Peril
all in one day, and thoroughly enjoying all of it. I might re-read the series again soon.

3. Having so much to read, from the library, from our recent book browse with gift cards at Borders . . . aah, books.

4. The first half of The Silver Sword by Angela Elwell Hunt.

5. Teaser Tuesday Quote from The Silver Sword by Angela Elwell Hunt: "They had not eaten since leaving Chlum, and she was as hungry as a nun on the last day of Lent. With the others, she spurred her horse into an easy canter, and watched the castle rise up before her."

6. I read C.S. Lewis' book, The Great Divorce. Although there are parts I like, I am impressed more by his essay writing and his Narnia series. I am thankful that I have had some time to do this reading now, and make decisions regarding the book-reading of my class on C.S. Lewis life, writing and faith that I plan to teach next year.

7. Finally putting the finishing touches on essay question options for my Shakespeare Class. Sometimes I think writing and researching those questions is the equivalent of writing all those essays. I'm just glad that it is done, and my 11 year old thought they sounded tough, but not too tough . . . so 13 and up teens should be able to tackle them.

8. Having days of rest, after the amazing fun-filled days of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the Day after Christmas. I loved every one of those days, but somehow I just didn't get enough sleep, and yesterday I spent the day somewhere between a book, a doze, and a daydream. I am thankful that I can have that kind of rest now and then.

9. Reading the Gospel of Luke in three different translations. I feel so blessed when I get to read the nuances of the wording.

10. God is in charge!!!

Scripture Blessings:
"At once the man stood up in front of everyone. He picked up his mat and went home, giving thanks to God. Everyone was amazed and praised God. What they saw surprised them, and they said, 'We have seen a great miracle today!'" Luke 5:25-26 CEV

"Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, 'We have seen remarkable things today.'” Luke 5:25-26 NIV

"Without a moment's hesitation, he did it—got up, took his blanket, and left for home, giving glory to God all the way. The people rubbed their eyes, incredulous—and then also gave glory to God. Awestruck, they said, 'We've never seen anything like that!'" Luke 5:25-26 Message

"And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, 'We have seen amazing things today!'” Luke 5:25-26 New Living Translation

"And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day." Luke 5:25-26 King James Version

365 Days of Blessings, Days 200 and 201

Double Blessings! Today I'm giving thanks for:

1. The joy of picking up an old book and re-reading the stories like old friends.

2. The short story, "My Princess," by Elizabeth Moon is so wonderfully detailed and rich, describing the loyalty of a horseboy to his warrior princess, who is pulled away from command and forced into a betrothal. Thanks to the loyalty of those under her command, she regains her freedom.

3. The short story, "The Little Landmaid," by Sara Young is an excellent mermaid tale that is both chilling and warming. One young mermaid must stop the ocean from overtaking the land, and killing her adopted land family, even though she loves the pull of the sea.

4. "Strays" by Megan Lindholm still makes me cry after ten years. A young girl befriends another, the queen of stray cats, and is changed by their friendship and by the other girl's courage in the face of a losing battle. Set in urban America, it's a grim, gritty story that doesn't gloss over the painful reality of living in the wrong city neighborhood. Catwoman never had this kind of depth, or poignancy.

5. Fantasy can hold truths up to a new light that sometimes enables us to see them clearly.

6. We are on our second cleaning of the girls' closets today, and we are finding even more to either give away or use for a yard sale benefiting their dance studio.

7. I love taking reading breaks like some people love taking coffee breaks. Of course, I read with a cup of tea close by my side.

8. A beautiful crisp morning with frost on the ground.

9. Walking briskly in fresh air.

10. Seeing friends on the road.

11. Greeting walkers/runners/bikers on the road with warm smiles and big hellos.

12. My cat is a super clean cat, which is wonderful. Of course, I think it's funny too, when she "must" wash after being petted.

13. Laughing at "Sonny With a Chance" with my daughters.

14. Teddy Bears.

15. A bunny stuffed animal in a Christmas dress.

16. Salt.

17. Pepper.

18. Italian seasoning in a huge jar.

19. Dried onions.

20. Immanuel.

Scripture Blessings:

Matthew 1:23
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

365 Days of Blessings, Day 192

Giving Thanks and Praise for these blessings today:

1. Waking up slowly.

2. Reading the Word of God with my family.

3. Reading about the life of Amy Charmichael, a missionary.

4. Reading a fantastical, and inspirational short story at Mindflights this morning.
If you like fantasy with inspirational meaning packed into it, check out Tower of Heaven, Sword of Night

5. A colorful rainbow with glitter glue dots.

6. My oldest daughter's depiction of the Trojan horse.

7. The Gospel of Mark.

8. A well-made sword. (I have a picture of one for my novel collage that just popped up on my screen as I mulled over my blessings list)

9. Our beagles likes to sit under the Christmas tree . . . I guess he thinks he is the only present we need.

10. Jesus heals us.

Scripture Blessings:
"They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, 'Do you see anything?'

He looked up and said, 'I see people; they look like trees walking around.'

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly."
Mark 8:22-25


From Amy Charmichael: A Life Abandoned to God
"Children were being rescued at the rate of one a month. The family totaled more than fifty now. Sometimes Amy laughed as she remembered her naive expectations. Never had she envisioned that instead of evangelizing, her mission would be to trim thousands of tiny toenails and fingernails."

Sometimes, we are called to the every day tasks.

365 Days of Blessings, Day 190

Giving Thanks and Praise for these simple blessings today:

1. The amazing talent of my writing class.

2. One of my writing students taking a chance on publishing. He sent out his story to a prospective on-line magazine publisher just last week. I'm gladdened by his confidence and praying that his story is accepted. He is a ten year old boy who hated writing until he started taking my class. He is now writing between 2-5 pages a week, and looks forward to hearing feedback!!! I don't know if I will ever forget my favorite description in his first story. "Lime green lamborghini" is a memorable phrase.

3. My writing class has been asked to write "Dear Santa" letters for the co-op newsletter.

4. Two of my Shakespeare students are so intrigued by Macbeth that they asked me permission to read ahead . . . maybe even the whole play this week. Wow!

5. Shakespeare uses plenty of Biblical imagery in Macbeth, and it is fun to study.

6. There are students interested in taking my Writers Workshop and my C.S. Lewis classes next year at co-op.

7. My youngest daughter may be sick, but she has an active imagination.

8. My youngest has already written the sequel to Rick Riordan's The Lost Hero in her head. She knows exactly what she wants to have happen. Too bad we won't find out for six more months. I know these aren't Christian books, but we are all reading them simultaneously and then discussing them. (arguing over whose turn it is to read is a normal activity in our household)

9. Books that capture our imaginations and help us soar creatively.

10. God Came Near by Max Lucado. Gripping, descriptive, loving and thought-provoking book that lifts me up when I read it.

11. God came near, really, literally, as a baby in a manger who grew into a man who saved us from our sins.

Scripture Blessings:

"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." Luke 2:1-7


From God Came Near
"Majesty in the midst of the mundane. Holiness in the filth of sheep manure and sweat. Divinity entering the world through the womb of a teenager and in the presence of a carpenter.

This baby has overlooked the universe. These rags keeping him warm were the robes of eternity. His golden throne room has been abandoned in favor of a dirty sheep pen. And worshiping angels had been replaced with kind but bewildered shepherds.

Meanwhile, the city hums. The merchants are unaware that God has visited their planet. The innkeeper would never believe that he had just sent God into the cold. And the people would scoff at anyone who told them the Messiah lay in the arms of a teenager on the outskirts of their village. They were all too busy to consider the possibility.

Those who missed his Majesty's arrival that night missed it not because of evil acts or malice; no, they missed it because they simply weren't looking.

Little has changed in two thousand years, has it?"by Max Lucado, in God Came Near