Georgie Porgie puddin and pie

George MacDonald is eminently quotable.For some reason, which escapes me, his works are marketed as some sort of ancient romance literature. I think this is a great crime.
He is a master of storytelling, and he possessed the rare ability to frame beautiful prose. It is not at all uncommon for me to underline unusual phrasing within his narratives, either because the language is elegant, or the truth profound.

Consider the following quotes from The Highlander's Last Song.

"He was rich, and no more fertile soil exists for growing a good opinion of one's self than that."

"....a woman with many autumnal reminders of spring about her..."

"Doubtless humanity is better company than a bare hillside. But it all depends on how near we come to humanity, and how near we come to the hill."

The last book I read was an overrated travesty by the popular author Danielle Steele. She should not be allowed to use the English language, and her publisher should be imprisoned for life. Does that sound harsh? Then you've not had the misfortune of enduring one of her novels.

Writing is serious business, and it ought to be undertaken with a particular sense of responsibility. Bloggers notwithstanding.

So, all I'm saying is, read George MacDonald. He wrote a lovely group of children's stories, in addition to the writing he did for those of us advanced in years. If you can find a copy unmolested by those who would dumb him down, so much the better. If not, read anyway. You know you want to.

Books and teenagers

I began reading a book by Anne Lamott, and I can see already that I'm going to like it very much. She has a random sense of humor that makes me laugh unexpectedly, and a rambling style that conveys truth indirectly.
Do you suppose people are more real in their writing? Which is to ask, can you really know a person just by reading them? Pen pals develop relationship all the time, but I wonder if the face-to-face is the same? I would think not.
When I do a satisfactory job of putting my thoughts on paper, so to speak, you and I can both see what my thoughts have been. But, it doesn't look much like the me who does laundry and barks at my kids. Life is not really lived in theory, but in the mundane. The theory has everything to do with how we approach the mundane, of course. I wonder if I'd like Anne Lamott, if we were to spend an afternoon together? I think about this with authors. Or with bloggers, for that matter.

I'm still reading the book World Without End, by Ken Follet. I'm almost done, and it's mind-blowing. It's very very long, but I just know that I'm going to grieve when it's over. These characters have become quite real to me. Which is nice, because I have very little time for real relationship lately. This way, I can visit with my imaginary friends just before I doze off to sleep, and I feel like I have some variety to my social life.

Last night I actually saw two real life friends, Kara and Celise. They were attending a class that I went to. It was just like being a real person with a life, instead of a working mom who needs some sleep.

This working mom needs to get some housework done. I can sleep, or I can clean, but I can't really do both. There are two disaster-causers living here with me, so I am fighting a rather formidible battle. My eldest has a thing with Apricot Jam. It's homemade, see, and so delicious. He'll spoon heaps and heaps on his toast, and then dribble it all over the house. There's jam on the doorknobs, the floor, the sink....everywhere. Mostly, he is quiet hapless in this way with every possible mess. The kid leaves a trail, I tell you. Then he puts an arm around my shoulder and says, "I love you mommy! You're beautiful and slender." Since he is nearly 14, I find this little speech is enough to melt my irritation, and he finds that he has the key to stay out of trouble.

I'm off the topic again.

Back to Anne Lamott.....Have you read this gal? I'll keep you posted.

Have Patience, Grasshopper

My large personality and I are reading the new Ken Follet book in our spare time. If you have never read Pillars of the Earth, I recommend that you do yourself a favor, and go get it. The one I am reading is a sequel.
The reading is escapism, you know. But it's also rather a vain attempt at escapism. I don't have sufficient time to lose myself for long.
I am also reading one called En Tanglement, which deals with quantum mechanics. I am fascinated by this topic, which is surprising given my lack of actual education, and the fact that I am a silly blond. I suppose that physics is a less detrimental habit than some I could foster.
I am learning a thing or two, beyond quarks, and so forth.
I am learning to appreciate the moment, and to keep from getting ahead of myself. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that I am aware of how impatient I am, and am therefore trying to be otherwise.
This is my struggle with so many areas, but it's currently noticeable in the dating experience. Dating has it's perks, but I find myself straining ahead to what's next. I like the whole romance thing as much as any woman, but I find myself interested in getting on with life. Dating can seem very transitional, and more than a little devoid of various and sundry benefits of marriage.
It's funny, though, as I have grown aware of my own impatience, I've begun to appreciate the process. I expect this dating relationship is going in the right direction. And that frees me up to enjoy this particular time. Honestly, If I marry this man, I will look back on the courtship with fondness. That is an incentive to do it well. The memories we are making here become quite important when viewed as a stepping stone to a permanent relationship. Plus, I have come to see this time as being very unique. If things go well, I would never find myself courting ever again. That's reason to savor this.
I like the friendship I have with Tim. It's funny that I am often aware that we do not argue. That's remarkable to me. I've been dating him for 4 months, and we've never even had a tense conversation, much less gone to guns. Because of our friendship prior to dating, we are each aware of quirks and idiosyncrasies in one another. For some reason, we 'get' each other, and seem very able to flex on issues of importance. I've never really had a relationship where we didn't fight. There's no childish tug-of-war here, and we always seem to be able to deal with what we've got.
Yes, he does have faults, just so you know. I don't mind them so much. He knows mine, too. I think he's got the short-end-of-the-stick, if you want to know the truth. He's way good-looking, smart and wise and funny. I'm, you know, just me.
I had read that in a well-matched couple, each will think that they have gotten a good deal. He's still around, and showering me with affection. I'm still pinching myself at my good fortune.
It would seem that God has a Hand in this. Love is way more mysterious than quantum mechanics any day of the week.

Book Review for Robin

I finished the book Twilight in a day.
You must realize that I am a sci-fi/fantasy junky. I was born with this tendency, and I like to tell people that it's because of my superior intellect. That way, they think twice before condemning me. If they don't appreciate such imaginative storytelling, perhaps they are not as smart as me.

I very much enjoyed this book.

It's a love story, and a vampire tale.
The main character, Bella, is a 17-year-old who has just moved in with her father, after her mother remarries. The story takes place in a little town on the Puget Sound in Washington, and since I am in love with that area, I appreciate that the story lets me live there in my imagination.

These vampires are good guys. They have become what they are thru no fault of their own, and they fight against the tendencies to be evil. There's a bit of a moral in that. They rise above their situation to become better, um, vampires.

The love story is filled with tension and passion. It's also very pure, so far. There are three other books in the series, which I have yet to read, so I am not sure if the purity continues. I am currently all in love, myself, so I enjoyed the romance here.

The characters in the book have strong family loyalty, both humans and vampires. There is a struggle in Bella as she begins to assert her Independence from her own parents, but at her age, I thought this was appropriate.

The book is an easy read, and I will definitely continue thru the series. I am planing to see the movie when it comes out, also.
Let me know what you think of it.

Democrates, and Republicans, and Vampires...Oh My!

What election?
I have been reading a book, for heaven's sake, and I'm utterly useless. It's the one vampire book that every one's talking about. It's riveting. I am currently wondering if perhaps Tim is a romantic and passionate vampire. That could add a new dynamic to our relationship, eh?
It's called Twilight; have you read it? I think the intended audience is 15 and female, so say whatever you want. Who cares if I'm immature and mellow dramatic? I needed a little distraction from real life. I can't put it down.

Don't worry about my vote, I went this morning and made my mark on this fine democratic process. My cousin went and cancelled my vote with hers, though. Meanie.
I am actually quite proud of her. This was her first foray into the American privilege of voting.
Who's going to win, do you think?

I was reading out to my children from the latest Eragon sequel. Great book, that. But now that I'm into my own book, I've abandoned that endeavor. In truth, I figure the faster I get through the one I'm reading, the sooner I can get back to my children. Of course the book I'm reading has several sequels, too.

In case you were wondering, I was a Pirate for Halloween. I like costumes a lot.

Although it's nice chatting with you, I need to go get back to my book.
Are you reading anything interesting?

On the subject of Time

Where do you spend your time; the past, the present, or the future?
This was a question put to the main character from The Shack. I'm still thinking about that book. Have you read it yet?


My mind is spent most often in the Future. I am always getting ahead of myself. Either I am wishing for the future, or worrying about it. I am ever missing out on the moment, because of straining ahead to uncertainty.

One of my friends indicated that she gets stuck in her past. This had not really occurred to me as an option. My past is fascinating, and I enjoy the stories, but I don't ever feel like dwelling there. I can see how the past could hold one captive, though. It's a strong restraint.

Neither of those options is productive, really. We ought to be living fully in the present. The past is already set in stone, and the future is an indefinite fog. Exerting our force in either area is a waste of energy, which depletes and distracts us.

It's like wresting with Granite, or wrestling with Mist.

Both scenarios have me fighting against something that doesn't fight back. It's a lonely battle, and quite silly.

But to engage today!
This moment is a viable reality. My energy applied here can make an impact which resounds through the ages, past and present! Yesterday's regrets can be transformed into powerful motivators, and dynamic tools. Tomorrow's possibilities can help focus my choices and determination.

The Granite becomes a monument to beauty. You see, even those painful regrets become an alter on which we can sacrifice our failure to the One Who spins all into His Ultimate Plan. Your regret is not your shame, it is your very effectiveness.

The Mist becomes Brigadoon, a wonderland beyond your wildest dreams. Those indefinite fears dissipate, as the Master Storyteller reveals your tomorrows in His Own Timeline. When today is fully embraced, tomorrow is a natural spinning out of it. My choices today, have everything to do with who I will be tomorrow.

I shall remember yesterday,
so that I can apply what I've leaned, to be more effective today,
so My tomorrow will be all the more submitted
to He Who Holds the Ages in the Palm of His Hand.
Amen?

I have no witty title

It's a sad day in our home, because our dog died this morning. We were planning it, but that doesn't make it easier. We had to put him down. M' is particularly sad, as this was his dog.

You can't really get away from death. Unfortunately, it's very interwoven into our lives.
Which makes me lively company today. Don't I sound cheery and uplifting?

I am still thinking on the book I read. There are all of these provocative concepts rolling about in my limited brain. One which struck me, is that God doesn't get disappointed with me, as I understand disappointment, because He doesn't expect me to be different than I am. This sure flies in the face of the guilt I so often cloak myself with, for being less than perfect.
I so often try to be polite and appropriate with God. Like a hypocritical propriety. It's quite ridiculous, really. God is neither surprised, nor shocked, at who I am. Sometimes I try so hard to hide myself from others, or to hide from myself....but to hide from God seems so bizarre. I suppose it's what they tried to do back in the garden of Eden. It didn't work for them, either.

Now, the kids are going to go watch a movie, and I am going to take a nap. I love naps. Do you think we'll have nap time in Heaven?

More on The Shack

Yep, I'm with Yvonne on this one. Go read it.
I finished this morning. I read last night until my tears were too blinding, and I gave up the pursuit. This morning, I read quickly to finish.

Who is this author? This person has a very insightful way of expressing difficult spiritual questions and answers. Take, for example, these: Doesn't God get irritated with me being such a slow learner? Why does God allow evil? Why did God create poisonous plants and harmful animals? How can I understand the concept of the Trinity?

This is a powerful book because it tackles enormous questions in a creative way. It will blow your mind. Plus, you will cry a lot. It will be on my mind for a long time.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

The Shack. A book review

"Read it," Yvonne said. "I can't tell you about it, just read it."

If it had been anyone else, I would have smiled, and said something polite. But I wouldn't have gone off and bought it. Yvonne is wise about books, if you don't count the Midford ennui. She is wise about many things, and I listen when she makes a recommendation.

I bought it.

Now I am half way through, and I only took a break because I needed to assuage my thoughts with a keyboard massage; writing is so often how I think.

I don't know if you'll like the book.
I don't know if I like it.
The first few chapters collapsed that part in me where grief abides. Grief never goes away, once you've taken her in, she merely retreats into a dark hollow near the region of your stomach. Her emergence is implosion.

The book begins with a tragedy, and spins off into a dream. I kept crying, in the first chapters, but I seem to be better now. I am not one of those women who welcomes an opportunity to weep.
Tragedy so often hits blindside. There you are, minding your own business. Suddenly, your world changes, and you are never the same again. If you don't know what I mean, just a wait a bit, and you will. Life is like that, and that is the grip of the first few chapters of this book.
The Shack is very disturbing, and quite compelling. All that, and I'm only half way through!
After the initial need for Kleenex in the opening pages, the book takes a provocative turn. I'm thinking now, and it seems that there is much fodder for contemplation. It's got me thinking about how I think of God. Who is God really? How has my religious paradigm been wrong? What assumptions of mine need to be cut loose? What, among my theology, is not Biblical?
The description of God was hard for me to take at first, too much of an assault on my traditional beliefs. I am beginning to like it, somehow. It's got a ring of freshness and truth, that really resonates in me.

I guess I'll have to get back to you on how the book turns out. I'm sure I'll finish it tonight, unless I exercise some Herculean restraint, by putting it down, and going to sleep. In which case, I'll update you tomorrow.

And, Yvonne, I'm sorry I didn't like the Midford story. I tried really hard. But, I love you very much, indeed.