No Room

It's Christ-mas, and I barely have given Him the attention He deserves. Despite the fact that I've been enjoying advent devotions, despite the fact that I pray, despite the fact that I know I can't survive without Him, He hasn't been receiving my full attention.

Truth to be told, I'm about three days behind in The Christ of Christmas, which I'm using for my advent reading. No good excuse, just too busy with a kitchen remodel project and work deadlines.

Normally, I start the day with God, both devotions and prayer. But today I got up early and walked with a friend. I had to be at work by 7:30 and didn't have time for God. My solution was to take my devotional with me, so I could take a moment after getting a meeting room ready. I do know if I don't have God in the day, my heart feels lonely for time with Him, so I decided to "fit" Him in my schedule.

The Bible reading was from Luke 2:4-7, where we hear how it was time for Jesus to be born, but there was no place for Him--no room at the Inn. It hit me then, that this was me. I've been so caught up in the daily grind, that there is "no room" for Him. Oh sure, I know He's there, but I'm fitting Him in my schedule, instead of fitting my schedule to Him. How many more of us are there right now, and maybe even everyday, who have no room for Him. No room for Jesus to transform us into His love?

A paragraph from the devotion for December 16:

We often look for Him in the roar and the trumpet, in the earthquake and the fire. Then we discover that He came to earth in a way that was most beautiful: He walked through our midst in felted fields and whispered to a few people that He was in the neighborhood.

Is that me, I wonder? Do people know God's in my neighborhood? Are my neighbors seeing God made flesh in me? That's what we are, isn't it? We have these human bodies, and God has promised to tabernacle with us, to live in our hearts. Is my flesh reflecting God's glory to my neighbors?

Another paragraph:

Most of Bethlehem didn't know God was in town. Some people there may still not know it or at least not think much of it. Sometimes God comes so quietly, you have to listen closely to know He's even there.

I wonder if people know God is in town when they visit with me?

My wish would be that I become a person that does provide a "room" for everyone who crosses my path, and that they recognize God is living in me. I love the prayer that ends Day 16:

May my life bring Christ quietly into the circle of human need so those who need You will not be frightened by Your presence but enveloped in it.

As good a way to end the day, as to start it!

Fairy Tales Can Still be Good Reading

The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love George MacDonald. I especially like his fairy tale and fantasy books. Like C.S. Lewis, I love the theology in the stories, and I always find something that speaks to me, or causes me to think more deeply. For example, "It is always dangerous to do things you don't know about." What a simple phrase, but how many times don't I rush in to "fix" something without knowing all there is to know about a situation.

But I digress from the story itself, which is the story of how Curdie, a miner's boy, is to go on a quest. He doesn't really know what the quest is when he starts out, but he is to find out as he goes along . . . "you have orders enough to start with, and you will find, as you go on, and as you need to know, what you have to do. But I warn you that perhaps it will not look the least like what you may have been fancying I require of you." That's a nice little piece of theology that most of us can relate to!

Along the way, Curdie is given a gift of discernment. He will be able to discern whether a man is turning into a beast. "Now listen. Since it is always what they do, whether in their minds or their bodies, that makes men go down to be less than men, that is beasts . . . they do not know it of course, for a beast does not know that he is a beast, and the nearer a man gets to being a beast, the less he knows it." So true! It seems like in our society we are always choosing to be less of the men or women God created us to be.

At any rate, I liked this old-fashioned story and the old-fashioned message.

For more grown up fantasy, I highly recommend MacDonald's "Lilith". I think it rivals "Lord of the Rings" in many ways. You can get it free for your kindle :-).

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An African Memoir

Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A quirky title always catches my attention, and this was no exception. This memoir of Bobo (Alexandra) Fuller's life is basically a love story about Africa. Not a romantic love story, but real life love story of hard work and tough times in what can be a hard life, but I love it anyway, love story.

Bobo moves with her family to Africa when she is two years old. She has no memory of life before Africa, so when she does go to England, she is surprised by the things she misses, things she just takes for granted are a part of everyone's lives.

 ". . . her (Africa's) smell; hot, sweet, smoky, salty ,sharp-soft. It is like black tea, cut tobacco, fresh fire, old sweat, young grass." 

Then you have the sounds of Africa

"At dawn there is an explosion of daybirds. . .in the hot, slow time of day. . . the sound of heat. The grasshoppers and crickets sing and whine. Drying grass crackles. Dogs pant. . .And at four o'clock. . . there is the shuffling sound of animals coming back into action to secure themselves for the night. . .The night creatures saw and hum with such persistence that the human brain is forced to translate the song into pulse." Those words gave me a nice picture of her Africa.

I was surprised to learn that the author now lives in Wyoming as her passion for Africa came through so clear in her memoir.

I liked this book well enough to try another. . . either "Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness" or "Scribbling the Cat: Travels with An African Soldier".

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Paris in Love by Eloisa James

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked up "Paris in Love" solely for the title name, and if truth be told, the jacket cover picture. I have never been to Paris, and I knew nothing about Eloisa James. It tickled me to learn that Eloisa is not only a Professor of Shakespeare, but a popular and best selling author of romance novels for HarperCollins. Even though I have given up the sordid romance, I may need to try one of hers - perhaps "The Taming of the Duke", or, "Midnight Pleasures".

I loved Eloisa's writing. I enjoyed her fanciful imagination, and her use of language. It's my understanding that these days, when writing publicity, the guideline is to write for a sixth grade education. It often seems to me that this practice has also been embedded in the novels we read. It was a pleasure to read a book that uses words we don't see so much these days (like insouscience, ignominous and salient). I love words and it's a pleasure to see them used so well.

Her descriptions are lovely:

"Today is rainy, cool, and windy. The sky is silvery gray, like the watered silk skirts of a Victorian lady, long widowed, and still regretful".

 Or consider this fanciful imagining from viewing a Dior window:

"The mannequin came alive in my imagination. I could picture a sleek and gorgeous woman drifting into a drawing room--although she then regarded reproachfully my scuffed shoes and the smudged cuff of my white shirt".

If you have been to Paris, you should read this book for it's descriptions of the city, food and museums. If you haven't been, like me, you will be charmed by the city due to Eloisa's writing.

This memoir is really about family--how she and her husband took a year sabbatical and went to Paris with their children. How this strengthened their family, in part because they only had each other. Not that they didn't have other relationships and friends, they did, but their family unit was their main source of strength and connection.

I started out writing this review by giving "Paris in Love" four stars--but the more I've written, the more I've realized how much I really liked this book, so I'm changing it up to five stars.

Now hmmmm....should I try one of the romances?!

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If You Loved "The Giver". . .

Son by Lois Lowry

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was so excited to see that Lois Lowry had written a conclusion to the "The Giver" series. Of the three prior books written ("The Giver", "Messenger" and Gathering Blue"), Giver has been my favorite. I was eager to see what, if anything would be revisited in "Son".

Son is divided into three "books".

• Book One revisits "The Giver" but from a different perspective.
• Book Two deals with "Water Claire" and has what I thought was a truly shocking ending. Not sure how I managed to go to bed and wait another whole day to read Book Three.
• Book Three brings the quartet to conclusion.

I left feeling unsatisfied with the ending (which is why this review is 4 stars and not 5). Not necessarily with how it ended, but it seemed a little rushed to me. I've still been thinking about it though, so I must like it better than I thought.

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Is This the Hasid Way?

Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book wasn't quite what I expected. For some reason, I was expecting it to be to similar in style to Lauren Winner's "Girl Meets God". In Winner's book, she speaks with such love and regret about leaving some of the Jewish traditions behind. Of course, Lauren was not a Hasidic Jew.

My main impression after reading this book was a feeling of disbelief. How can it be that in America girls and women can live such oppressed lives. How can it be that girls (at least in this particular Hasidic community) are discouraged from speaking and reading in English, and from reaching their full intellectual potential. How can it be that a 17 year old young woman and her husband cannot know how to consummate their marriage?

I am not entirely unfamiliar with Hasidic customs from reading the novels of Chaim Potok. For instance, the custom of married woman having to wear a wig as a head covering. However, Potok's novels seem to deal with Hasidism in a more tender way. He points out the rigidness of this facet of Judaism, but through a lens of kindness. You won't get that feeling from this memoir. In fact, you'll cringe at some of the stories and practices that Deborah shares. She is very frank, particularly as regarding the sexual struggles of her marriage, her desire to be viewed as an independent and worthwhile woman, and her impatience with the restrictions put on her as a Hasidic woman.

I am not a Jewish woman, much less a Hasidic Jewish woman, so I cannot know what it feels like to be a woman living in such a community. It seems like the rules would chafe my independent spirit, but perhaps, if I grew up in the Hasid way, I would have a love and respect for these customs that is escaping me. However, if girls are truly discouraged from reaching their full potential, then I do find that to be oppression.

After finishing the book, and prior to writing this review, I googled Deborah Feldman and found that there are those that are accusing her of lying in her book. Are these attacks against her because she has exposed the Hasidic community, or has she told untruths? I don't know the answer to that question, but I can tell you it was an interesting book, a quick read, and will provide you with some food for thought--particularly if you research other reviews and blogs after (or before) reading.

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Catherine: From Girl to Queen

Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads, I was so excited to win this book, thank you.

Catherine the Great is a fascinating woman and Robert Massie has done a great job capturing the role she played in history.

I didn't know a lot about Catherine when I began reading, but as I learned about her, she became very real and I was eager to continue reading to learn more about her. It is so interesting that this young German princess, who basically self-educated herself, became such a powerful woman. Married to a weak man, who ignored her both sexually and intellectually, she kept her eyes open for opportunities to learn, grow, and gain the respect and admiration of the Russian people. Although she obviously liked power,I still liked her and sympathized with her struggles. I was impressed that although she believed in a monarchy, she still had a hope to change the system of serfdom in her kingdom. It also impressed me that she did not condone the torture of captured enemies. However, she still pretty much turned a blind eye to the murder of her husband so she could gain the throne.

Isn't it interesting, that the games that we play in the world now have been played since the beginning of time? When her husband wouldn't consummate their marriage, she was encouraged to have a sexual relationship in order to conceive a child. How could it not matter that the child was not conceived by royalty when that child would eventually gain the throne?

What I find so interesting though, is that this strong, intellectual woman, who was Queen of Russia, always had to have a "boy toy" around. In total I think she had something like 12 of them throughout her reign (the older she got, the younger they got). So okay, she's the Queen, and she has boy toys, we can cut her a little slack, it's a lonely job, right? But she lets these boy toys, at least some of them, make her second guess her decisions. That's just wrong. I expect more from a strong intellectual woman. She is so nice to these men in her life too. When she's done with them, she doesn't just boot them out, but usually gives them at the very least a home, a title and an allowance.

I was so impressed with Catherine's sense of justice in the beginning stages of her reign. Have you ever noticed how as people get older they get more opinionated and less tolerant? The same thing happens with Catherine. There are of course, scary things happening - Marie Antoinette, for instance, gets beheaded. Catherine certainly doesn't want to fall to the same fate and thus begins squashing down those who advocate for a more permissive society.

Catherine the Great did, overall, create a society that welcomed more intellectuals. She collected a massive art collection. She never stopped learning. She did not allow herself to become defeated by her circumstances. She was politically savvy and expanded the kingdom of Russia. She wasn't snotty. When she gathered her court around her in the evening, she wanted them there as friends and did away with ceremony. She liked to laugh and play. The palace parks were open for everyone (nobles and common people) as long as they were dressed decently. The role she played in history is a large one. If you'd like to learn more about her, this book is a great place to start.

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A Real Page Turner. . .

The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved the book. This was the first time I ever "read" an audio book, and it was a little challenging for me.

From the first chapter I was drawn into Twiss and Mille's lives. I was eager to get back into the story every day, and could hardly stand the fact that I couldn't read ahead to the end, which is a habit I engage in with the written page. In a way, I was a little obsessed with their lives as I wondered, how would it all end?

The reviewers are all over the place, some hating it and some loving it. Like all good stories, I think some bits of it are unbelieve-able, and yet believe-able at the same time. Is it sad, and discouraging sometimes, yes indeeed, but isn't that real life? We all make do with the lives we have,and sometimes we do well and sometimes we don't. In many ways this is a story about being dealt a hard hand in life, but persevering and making do nonetheless.

The other theme in the story is about the unselfishness (some might call it foolishness) of a gentle soul. In our world today, the person who is unselfish, or turns the other cheek, is looked at with sneering and contempt. We don't often acknowledge the beauty in the self-sacrificing act, nor honor the people who choose to live that way. Being meek and humble of heart is not considered a virtue. I personally think it is though, and who knows what rewards will be bestowed on those humble souls.

I love Twiss for her wild waywardness, and her contrariness. Sometimes we hold our emotions too close, and what comes out is not our real self. Twiss is a contrary but interesting and loveable character.

There were times in the story, when I had an inkling of what was going to happen and thought, oh no, not that! And then the "oh no" moment happened, propelling me to the wondering of what will happen next.

In sum, I was drawn into the characters of "The Bird Sisters". I looked forward to my evenings when I could begin listening again, to find out what was going on in their household. I kind of miss them, now that I'm done with the book.

Not sure what I think of an audio book. I will most likely try more books this way as you can multi-task (knit, do dishes, walk) and still be involved in a good story. . .

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Is Life Comprised of "Beautiful Ruins"?

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One of the main reasons I picked up this book was due to the many outstanding reviews it received from other readers. However, if you are a reader who does not like switching between time and place and character, this book may not be for you (there are a number of switches of that sort). If you can stick with it though, those forays into earlier times will lend a deeper understanding of the characters in "Beautiful Ruins".

The book begins with the dramatic title "The Dying Actress",  which lays the groundwork for the entire book, although it will take a few twists and turns before you'll make those connections.

I've heard this book compared to "Bel Cantu", but (I know some of you will find this hard to believe), that was not one of my favorite books, so don't let that sway you to, or away, from "Beautiful Ruins".

Basically, I think this story is about our humanness. We are all human. We have dreams. We have failures. We make choices. Will those choices be for our good and the good of others?

The descriptions of Florence and the tiny towns surrounding, as well as the people of those towns were engaging and add to "Beautiful Ruins" charm.

The last chapter "Beautiful Ruins" ties everything together, and gives a lot of depth to the title. You will ponder the "beautiful ruins" in your own life upon completion of the story.

Upon reading this review over, it's almost like a non-review. I choose not to write about the characters or specific experiences as I don't want to give anything away. There is an interesting twist involving Richard Burton, which gave me a tickle. Overall, I think you will enjoy this book and getting to know the characters in it.

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Lily's Crossing: A Review

Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As I consider what I liked best about this story, I think it is the expression of Lily's contrary feelings. Remember when you were young and you loved your mom, but you disliked her too? When your mom showed you expressions of love, you may have shunned them. Contrary. A perfect expression of those teenage emotions. And stubborn. Too stubborn to give in to those soft feelings.

Lily has those feelings towards her Gram. She feels mad at her dad who is leaving her to serve in the war. She doesn't have a mom, she died long ago. Her best friend Margaret is leaving for the summer too. So Lily tells lies and stories to comfort herself. The only good thing is she is at her beloved home by the ocean in Rockaway. While there Lily has some adventures with a new friend, Albert, who has been orphaned by the war and has his own struggles.

In essence, this story is about Lily's beginning to grow up. To understand that love and life is complicated.

I really enjoy reading teen/young adult fiction. For one, you can read a story in an afternoon, and secondly, it's often better than much of the adult fiction that's out there.

If you read aloud to your children, this would be a good option for your upper elementary student. If you just want a story to while away a few hours, this would fit the bill.

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Libraries, Bookstores and Cats

The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap: A Memoir of Friendship, Community, and the Uncommon Pleasure of a Good Book by Wendy Welch

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Prepare yourself to be charmed by "The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap". I was charmed to win this book from Goodreads (thank you GR!). 

If you love books, old houses, cats, and did I say books, you will enjoy this story about Wendy and her husband Jack. And, just a disclaimer here, there is a cat in the book, but it really won't be mentioned in this review.

Wendy and Jack had a dream of opening a bookstore . . . some day. Little did they know that some day would sneak up on them with the spur of the moment purchase of an Edwardian home in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Wendy and Jack put their hearts and souls into turning their new home into, well a home, and a bookstore. You will laugh with them, and shake their head with them as they make their dream become a reality. In fact, you will shake your head quite a bit, because in a sense their dream became a reality in spite of themselves. It goes to show that heart and determination can lead to success, even without a business plan.

This is what I love about this story. Wendy and Jack's love and acceptance of each other, their adaptability to making their dream become reality, their love of books, their belief that a bookstore is not just a bookstore, but a community gathering place. They didn't realize the stories they would gather as they moved forward in their journey, and how the ripple effect of the bookstore would change not just them, but others as well.

More things I love - the fact that they name book titles throughout, so I (and you) can add books to your read list (mine just gets longer and longer). The lovely quotes at the beginning of each chapter. The description of the bookstore, which sounds a lot like home. I also love the little stories they tell about "book reunions", the moment a browser runs across that great book they read, or had read to them, in their childhood.

The following excerpt will give you an idea of Wendy's love for books:

"I remember as a very young child being warned that libraries and bookstores were quiet places where noise wasn't allowed. Here was yet another thing that adults had gotten wrong, for these book houses pulsed with sounds; they just weren't noisy. The books hummed. The collective noise they made was like riding on a large boat where the motor's steady hum and tickle vibrated below one's sneakers, ignoble until you listened, then omnipresent and relentless, the sound that carried you forward. Each book brimmed with noises it wanted to make inside your head the moment you opened it; only the shut covers prevented it from shouting ideas, impulses, proverbs and plots into that sterile silence. What an enigma (a word my young self wouldn't know for years) that such a false sense of quietude should be imposed on this obviously noisy place."

I especially like the idea of books shouting out ideas, a great description of the feeling I get when I walk inside a bookstore, or spy a book on a friend's table or desk. I just have to pick up those books and take a peek inside. Sometimes it's all I can do to prevent myself from walking off with it.

So, lovers of books, pick up this book for a journey through the celebrations and pitfalls of opening your very own bookstore. Enjoy!

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A Perspicuous Review

The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Recently, I watched the 2011 "Three Musketeers" movie. Since I loved Dumas's "The Count of Monte Cristo", I decided to give the Musketeers a try. It did not disappoint! There were times that I was literally on the edge of my seat, wondering what was going to happen next.

First, let me say, the movie does differ from the book (no surprise there), but the directors/script writers did a nice job of keeping the story line fairly pure. As usual, there was more depth, more action to the book itself.

Other than the fact that I was on the edge of my seat more than a few times, I loved the language in the original book. In fact, I took to highlighting the language that we no longer use in our society today. I have to say it makes me sad. For instance, isn't "ambuscade" much richer than ambush? Doesn't "perambulate" give a much better picture of a walk through the town? The word itself per - am - bu - late is like a stroll through language. Then you have "calumny" (the making of false statements), "exordium" (the beginning or introductory part) and "cabal" (a secret political clique).  I also love "perfidious", which we do find here and there yet today. Somehow it sounds so much worse than just plain deceitful. I think I will promulgate (make widely known) a return to using language in more purposeful ways. I am no "physiognomist" (a person able to judge character from facial characteristics), but I know a love of language can only lead to better things all around.

As you can probably tell, I could go on and on. I'm fascinated by how the words we no longer use are so much, well, better, than the language we use today. Here's another example. Everyone knows a boaster, someone who embellishes events--well the word for boastful talk is "rodomontade". To me this is a word picture of what it means to boast. Okay, one more word, "catarrh". This means an excessive discharge or buildup of mucus in the nose or throat. Don't you think the word captures the sound of mucus in the throat? (Gross, I know).

Anyway, I did love the story and highly recommend it.

As a side note, when reading a print book, I don't take the time stop, put my book down, pick up the dictionary to look up an unfamiliar word, it feels like it interrupts my reading. As with most readers of books, you can have a pretty good idea of the meaning just by what's going on in the story. However, on the kindle, you just touch the word and the dictionary meaning is there. It's a feature I'm loving!

Now to decide, what next? "Prisoner of Zenda" or "Riders of the Purple Sage" . . .



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Living with Napoleon. . .

The Second Empress: A Novel of Napoleon's Court by Michelle Moran

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ahhh, it is so lovely to receive free books in the mail. What a nice way to end your day (thank you goodreads!).

I really enjoyed this book. I started reading it the moment I unwrapped it (very helpful that this was my husbands night to golf). I stayed up reading until 10:30 - very late for me!

The novel is told from the perspective of three people: Maria Lucia, Princess of Austria and Napoleon's future bride, Pauline Bonaporte, Napoleon's sister, Paul Moreau, chamberlain to Pauline. Of those three, Maria Lucia is my favorite, Pauline is just one very strange lady. In the book she wants to reign over Egypt with Napoleon, as his wife. In researching her after finishing the book, it appears that there are those who did believe she Napoleon was one of her lovers. Like I said, strange.

There is enough of history and enough of story to keep your interest. As noted, I was intrigued enough to go online and try to separate the true from the untrue. Maria Lucia is particularly interesting. In the book she appears to be strong, and smart. When Napoleon goes to war, he leaves her in charge. When he is exiled though, she goes on to live her own life, taking their son with her.

Throughout the book, you will see Josephine's hold on Napoleon, mostly through letters Napoleon sent which are shared throughout. What interesting intrigues these people had in the court. It seems no-one was faithful to spouses, and extravagance ruled the day.

If you are a lover of historical fiction, this book is for you. It has nice bits of romance, history, and fact and fabrication to hold your interst.

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Just Send Me Word: A True Story of Love and Survival in the Gulag by Orlando Figes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book on my kindle. I was enticed by a review I read, and presto, I bought it and read it. Gotta love this instant society.

The world that Svetka and Lev lived in was definitely NOT an instant world. Theirs was a world where communication was sporadic, censored, and even dangerous. Despite these odds, they persisted in their love for each other, and continued to devise ways to "speak" through letters, photographs, and the occasional (never more than annually) visit.

Lev and Svetka devised a system of numbering each letter, so communications could be accounted for, and they would know if a letter was missing. Svetka communicated about the outside world to Lev, and Lev shared what life was like in the Gulag to Svetka. Their love, although not often spoken with words (despite all these letters), comes through in their words of encouragement and hope to each other.

Researchers are amazed at these uncensored letters which give a peek into life in the 1940s in both Moscow and the Gulag. Letter writing, and journaling, are becoming a lost art. I wonder if historians will find any depth to the writings they will cull from blogging, tweeting, facebook and the like? It seems that the richness of language diminishes with the more technology that we have. The letters in this book, however, will give you a good picture of who Lev and Svetka are, the lives they led, and admiration for their courage and persistence.

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He Cares About You Affectionately

Lately I've been keep track of two eagle nests via ustream. I've just been fascinated by how the eagle parents are taking care of their babies.

I began watching the first nest some weeks after the babies were born. I'm not sure how old they are, but they have been cracking me up lately. Although they don't fly yet, they've discovered they have wings. It's often very windy up in their nest, and they'll stretch out their wings and let the wind ruffle their under-feathers, then they take a short run and hop up and down with all their might. Practicing I guess, for the big day. I really hope I get to see them take their first flight. I imagine it will be exhilarating for them. I suppose eagles don't really feel, but if you subscribe to any Narnia imaginings at all, I would think they would be first scared, then surprised, and then, oh, such fun!

In the second nest I'm watching, the babies are just born. I saw the parents sitting on the eggs, and then sitting on the babies once they were born. They took turns with the sitting, and it was fascinating to me to see how carefully they maneuvered their talons around the eggs, and then the babies. Then they would hunker down, rocking back and forth, until the eggs/babies were totally protected. The same thing is true for when they are feeding their babies. These huge beaks, powerful enough to tear the flesh off fish, and yet carefully feeding the eaglets tiny bites of their meal.

The interesting thing about the AEF Ustream is that there are different camera views. One of the cameras is positioned above the nest, others are positioned evenly with the nest. I've been loving the view above the nest, and here's why. If you look at the views with the camera even with the nest, it looks like the eaglets are vulnerable and exposed. But, when you look at the view above the nest, you see one or both of the parents watching over them from the edge of the nest. They are constantly looking into the distance and around them, protecting their family.

It's just been reminding me so much of God. How sometimes we feel all alone, and like He's stepped out of our sphere. But He's right there watching over us. We might think He's not there, but we're wrong.

In 1 Peter 5:7 we read this (from the Amplified version): "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." (Italics mine).

 For me, that above the nest camera view is a perfect picture of God watching over me. In my human-ness, I don't always see Him, but that's because I'm not using the eyes of my heart. God has promised that what He says is true, and the eagles remind me that He cares for me.



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Hunger Games

So many of my friends have read the Hunger Games and have pretty much raved about it to me. I knew a bit about the story line. Although the plot wasn't something that would have drawn me to the bookshelves, I decided to give it a try, based on the recommendation of said friends and family. If this is on your to read list, you many not want to read any further.

I was disappointed, and more than disappointed, disturbed that so many people (particularly our upper el/middle school children) loved this book. Not just because of the premise (children killing children), but because of the acceptance of society (wait, not just acceptance, but eagerness of society) to watch the broadcast with all the gory details. Don't bother to tell me it's just a book - a book (at least a good book) will take you outside yourself and make you a part of the story. The very best books make you forget the world you are currently living in and enter another.

The book starts well, with the heroine Katniss, giving up herself to the "games" to save her sister Prim. That is an admirable part of her personality--that and the responsibility she took for her family after her father's death. Once she is in the Capital, and then in the games themselves, she loses her luster for me.

First, she is the most confused heroine I ever met. The things she does that are good, are accidental events, not intentional events. The fact that she is later chosen to be the leader of an uprising, has nothing to do with doing what is right and good, but only to do with getting some selfish desires on her part. These desires are not necessarily bad desires, but, they are not for the greater good, they are for the good of her, her family and her friends. She doesn't really even understand what the uprising is about in any good way. Her friends, Gale and Peeta, have a better understanding of it than she does. I'm a little disgusted with her! I don't want my hero's to be confused - I want them to know the right path and to take it with purpose. I hope, if I ever am called upon to be a hero, that I will do it with rightness and purpose.

Second, you're not too far into the book and you realize it's a story that could have been crafted from a video game. The people that design the games are given the title of Gamemaker. The games are controlled by the gamemakers and might include catastrophes of nature, circumstances that force the children into combat with each other, and the gifts of sponsors that might heal wounds, provide food or water, or provide shelter to give their chosen candidate an advantage over another. Society (excluding the families of the children who participate) is eager to watch blood shed and cheer their chosen candidate on. The candidates may form an alliance with each other while it is convenient, only to kill in the end, as there can be only one survivor.

I know that kids are playing video games like this today. Many of them are ugly games, that in my view are not good past times for kids or really even adults. For a person who is competitive, and who likes challenges, a video game requires a person to use skillful thinking and planning to achieve victory. But why are so many of them killing games? I know my kids would not agree with me, but I do think we become desensitized to the violence, particularly as video games can be so realistic nowadays. They would also say they know the difference between what is real and what is not real (this is actually a line that is used in the last book for a character that can no longer make that distinction), but how long before some cross the line?

If you have read a book like Lord of the Rings, the Narnia series, or even something like Redwall, you are familiar with the good vs evil plot. With the aforementioned books, the bright thread of hope was woven through the story line. In "Hunger Games", I feel there was only despair. Even the "good guys" resorted to evil in the end. There wasn't a clear distinction between right and wrong, and ruined, forlorn lives were not resurrected. I myself, did not feel the ending was a hopeful one, I felt it was mostly sad.

Even more disturbing to me, I came away feeling like we are not too far off from being a Hunger Games society. We may not be participating in these actual games, but we are participating in games with people's lives, whether it's in our politics, our ignorance or willingness to overlook poverty and the havoc it can cause, or our monetary systems. . . are we (am I) participating in endeavors that will keep people everywhere from hope and despair, or am I just watching the news and saying, oh, that's too bad? Worse, are we just indifferent because it has become the norm.

So, "Hunger Games" lovers, I did not like this book, and would not recommend it. If your children want to read it, please do read it first.

Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss

I love this book! I am fortunate to have a copyrighted 1880 hardcover copy that includes a sketch of the author that my mom bought somewhere for 75 cents.

This is a sweet old fashioned story of a young girl, Katy, and her struggles to accept God's love. The circumstances of her life are told in journal format, and her story charmed me.

For me, this book is real - I resonate with her feelings of wanting to be a God honoring person, and my own selfish desires. I struggle with letting go of what I want and leaning into the life that God wants just like Katy. It is clear, as the book continues, that God uses Katy's struggles to mold her into a God honoring, unselfish woman. As she works through life's disappointments, or perhaps I should say just life in general, she becomes a person who can accept with peace the circumstances of her life. Someday, I hope to get to this place myself.

It was through this book that I learned about "The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas a Kempis.

You know, it is not often that I read a book about being a good person, and the fact that it doesn't just happen naturally. It is a struggle to let go of selfishness and take hold of self-lessness. It really cannot happen without, as Katy would say, "flying to God" to tell Him about it and accepting His help. A life for God really does go against what the world is about--self gratification.

Although the book is old-fashioned by the world's standards, it is still so real. I don't know about you, but every day I can get sucked more and more into the world and farther and farther away from God. There is a sweetness in flying to Him, and a strength that comes from spending time with Him. Someone, somewhere, recently said that this world is not our home, but we have a way to visit our home, and it is through prayer. This book is a picture of what it means to journey into being at home with God.

The Tiger's Wife

The Tiger's Wife by Téa Obreht

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tea Obreht writes a very strange story. I started this book months ago and put it down as I couldn't get involved. However, in light of the fact I had nothing to read, and that it was lent to me, and I really need to return it, thought I'd give it another go. If you don't like stories within stories, you may not like this book. In some ways, it reminds me of "Life of Pi", which was also very strange (in my opinion).

This story reads like a dream to me. You know how you can have dreams and they can seem so real, but are yet surreal, and seem so fantastic, and don't always make a lot of sense? That's what this book feels like to me. As I moved forward in the story I became more intrigued about the title and the story within the story. I don't feel like I have a complete understanding of the end, but, like a strange dream that sticks with you, the story is sticking with me. I want to come to terms with it. For this reason, it seems like a good book club pick to me--perhaps if I can talk about it with another reader or group,it will become clearer.

This is a rather nebulous review, so I'll just close with the fact that once again I am reminded of my naivety and innocence as far as my place in this world. What fortunate people we are to live in a country in which we don't live in the chaos and uncertainty of a war torn nation or to come to grips with the facts that the boundaries of our homelands can change as a result of wars and/or treaties. Although our men and women serve, we, in America, have relative security and peace. We can choose not to get involved in the difficulties of getting medicine, food, water even, because we have been blessed to be born here.

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Human Extremes

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Human beings can fall on such extreme ends of the spectrum--cruel and ruthluss, grace-filled and forgiving. You get to experience both in "Unbroken".

I am always amazed, when I read true life stories, how ignorant I am of historical events. I am also amazed at how evil human beings can be.

"Unbroken" started kind of slow for me, but a few chapters in I became intrigued and involved with the story of Louis Zamporini and his experiences as a POW interred in a Japanese camp. I'm intrigued by several things. One, it is so difficult for me to comprehend how people derive pleasure from hurting and demoralizing other people. In so many ways, my brain just cannot grasp this. What sort of sickness drives a person to demand that person eat excretement, or beat a person for really no reason at all.

In fiction from the old days, people were sometimes referred to as souls. I like that. It implies to me, that you see not just a person's body, but their heart, their person. It says, you are a person, you are worthwhile, you are so much more than just a race, or a body. You're real, you have value. I don't know that we see each other like that anymore, and Rudy's experience, as well as the other POW experiences, attest to the fact that they are really, even less than invisible to their captors. In some way, their captors see them as deserving of mistreatment. Truly, I find this so hard to fathom.

And then the "souls", the people whom they are abusing, they have a quality that is also difficult to comprehend. They survive. They have hope. They remain human. Would I be able to hold on to these qualities in similar situations, or would I give in to hopelessness and despair? Would I give up?

Louis's story has a happy ending. He survives. He has angry and bitter years, but, through God's grace, he forgives, he is absolved of the demons of anger, and lives his life. Just that simple statement should be enough to astound us. He's a testament to God's power to change lives. His story humbles me in my small struggles to live a life of grace.

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Your Heart: The Well-Spring of Life.

When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reading is such a great escape from life. While waiting for a book on hold from the library I reread this book by Charles Martin. I really need to try some of his other works as I really love this book.

When Crickets Cry could be categorized as Christian fiction, but, for the most part I think the story would appeal to all. A gifted heart surgeon has run away from his practice due to a tragedy in his life. He runs into an endearing little girl, Annie, who is in need of a new heart. Through a series of circumstances his personal tragedy and her story begin to overlap. It seems only he can heal her heart, and only she can heal his. I liked how the author blended the scientific knowledge of the heart, with the emotional aspect of the heart. I remember I had tears at the end of the story the first time I read it. It fit the bill for this Sunday afternoon.

One of my favorite things in this story is how the main character, Reese, throws in quotes throughout his conversations with Annie. One such quote by Augustine:

"You stir man to take pleasure in praising You because You have made us for Yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in You."

I had to look up this quote: "What the hand dare sieze the fire, and what should and what art, could twist the sinews of the heart? And when thy hart began to beat, what dread hand, and what dread feet? When the starts threw down their spears and water'd heaven with their tears, did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the Lame make thee? (William Blake: The Tiger--a poem I know, but had forgotten)

An example of some of the author's prose that resonated with me:

"There's a gold mine in salvageable wood draped in kudzu, pine needles and acorns is someone is willing to peel back the vines and plane the wood. It's a slow process, and you're bound to uncover a few snakes, but maybe lie is like that--you never know when something that's been hidden is going to rise up and bite you, or glow with a golden hue."

Even though this was a re-read, it still captured my heart and imagination.

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