Fireside Musings

It Gets Good At The End

2012-02-02T20:00:00.000-06:00

my notes on Jonah 4:

"Jonah felt like he deserved God's grace and mercy and love, so he was bitter about it that others who so obviously didn't deserve it were going to get that grace, mercy and love. Don't get to the point where you'd rather die than see others get God.

God doesn't answer Jonah's prayer for death, instead He gives him shade. Talk about gracious and merciful God, who is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and relenting from disaster!

God caused the plant to die so Jonah would get angry, so He could make a point. Jonah cared about life only so long as it benefited and made him happy- God wanted all life saved and to know their right hand from their left hand.

God sure chose an interesting, flawed man to carry a message. And despite it, the message worked and the people repented in sackcloth and ashes! God used someone who didn't really want to be used the whole time. Woah! How much could he do through a willing person? Am I a willing person, or am I a Jonah? How is God trying to use me? Will I let him?"

will you?

When you

2012-02-02T09:09:00.000-06:00

When you find out two and a half days before the exam that its not over the lecture at all- its over the text.

Yeah, that text you havn't been reading.

And suddenly all other plans go out the window.
(and you wish the book could follow ;) )

I'd like to think

2012-01-21T14:22:00.000-06:00

I'd like to think that if I were in a book, I'd fight for the good guys. That I would be loyal no matter what. That even if the bad guys were going to win and there was no hope, I wouldn't surrender, but fight to the end.

I'd like to think I'd do the same in real life.

Knock Knock, Who's There

2012-01-12T22:12:00.000-06:00

England, in pictures

2012-01-11T15:50:00.000-06:00

London, by Brandon Heath

2012-01-07T09:24:00.000-06:00

Anticlimactic

2011-12-25T21:23:00.002-06:00

Every year before opening gifts, my dad reads part of Luke 2, the Christmas story. We had a Christmasy pandora station playing this morning, as we woke up and finished getting breakfast into the oven.

Every once in a while, this station plays movie scores. A dramatic score started up just as my dad found the right page in the huge white Bible. We tried to just ignore the music as dad read, but that didn't work out so well. The music swelled and built up, and in the movie you knew something important would be happening, that you wouldn't be able to peel your eyes away from the screen.

But, in the story we were reading, it seemed anticlimactic. At the point in the movie where the villain would sweep in and attack-- a governor orders a census. When the hero would be sweeping in-- a baby is born. During the huge fight scene-- the baby is put in a manger. When the hero is recuperating, getting ready to attack at just the right time-- shepherds show up.

For the first time, it struck me how particularly odd God's plan was.

And just because the music didn't seem to match up, this was pretty important. There is a subtle difference between 'anticlimactic' and 'a sneak attack'.

Don't Get Distracted

2011-12-14T15:10:00.000-06:00

especially when you know better.
you never know what will happen.

Timewasters

2011-12-06T12:29:00.001-06:00

There are so many things that I do that don't really need done. Even while I'm doing them, I'm rolling my eyes wishing I'd just stop, and do something that actually needs to get done. Because there is a lot that needs to get done- in a week and a half all classes and finals for the semester are over, and its time to careen into Christmas break, my short trip to England (!), and then back for school again. Too much to do.

And yet, here I am, tapping my fingers all annoyed with myself.

Creating new playlists in iTunes, and renaming old ones
Changing the artwork for the music in iTunes to paintings by Renoir and Monet
Making sweet iced tea (ok, this one isn't a timewaster at all. This is perfectly acceptable)
Learning about copyright laws, and the presidents, and whatever else seems interesting at the time
Rewriting everything I have left to do for the semester- over and over and over in different places
Trying to keep five different book lists updated. They are all the same books, just in different places.
And, well, blogging about how I keep wasting my time.

I'd like to say I'm off to do some homework, but in all likelyhood I'll keep changing the artwork on iTunes...

2011-12-05T16:15:00.001-06:00

I've just put in six interlibrary loan requests, and there are only two weeks left until school is out until mid-January.

Now, that wasn't very well planned out, was it?

What are your reading goals for the last month of 2011?

Tunes

2011-11-27T19:44:00.000-06:00

Pre-Christmas music, of course

Amen

2011-11-21T14:26:00.000-06:00

Bob posted this, and I thought I'd share it because it is a prayer of my own, too.

For How Much Have You Been Forgiven?

2011-11-15T07:12:00.000-06:00

I've been living as if I've been forgiven little. Jesus said if you have been forgiven little, you love little; if you're been forgiven much, you love much. You appreciate things more if it costs more, and it impacts your life more.

And I've only been loving God a Little until recently. I've never struggled with what our culture deems 'taboo sins', and I've always felt as if I don't have much of a testimony. God kept me from those sins, sure, but that's not the same (and quite less dramatic) in my mind. I've struggled with a plethera of others, but I've been good about hiding them. They are all small, anyway, right?

But all sin is the same to God- its detestable, intelerable. Even my little sins would cast me into hell if it weren't for Jesus' sacfrifice. Don't forget that.

You need to see you're a slave to sin before Jesus seems like good news to you. 'Cus if your sins aren't quite big enough to push you over the precipice, what do you need Jesus for, anyway?

All Christians have been saved and freed from sin- (so we need to carry them no more with us)- and we've all been forgiven much.

But how much do you perceive you've been forgiven?

Manvember

2011-11-11T12:14:00.000-06:00

or, No-Shave-November. Here's a video advertising the month-long, campus-wide event:

cute, yeah, but... wrong? Yes, I think it is wrong.
Growing a beard doesn't make you a man.
Getting your mancard punched doesn't make you a man.
Asking a girl out doesn't make you a man.
Knowing how to open doors doesn't make you a man.

Well, not according to God's standards anyway.
For Him, and hopefully Christians in general, the things that make you a man are more like
showing respect to all people
defending the widow and orphan (ironic, then, what happens at the beginning of the video)
and using your life to glorify God.

Go ahead and grow the beard, and do all the other things MRL is sponsoring this month, just be sure you don't get fooled into thinking that suddenly, now you're a man. Search the scriptures and find out what is on God's list- what things would God have on the mancard?- and let those define your manhood.

chapel woes

2011-11-04T11:27:00.008-05:00

Everyone's been talking about how great chapel was this week.
But I think they think it was so good because the speaker uses a lot of humor. I like the humor, don't get me wrong- and its satire, even, which can be more fun.
And his messages to us are good, and worth hearing (even if slightly hidden behind all the jokes).
But why is it the students here only seem to talk about the speakers who are funny? Why don't we encourage our friends to come to chapel to hear the speaker tomorrow, because he was so great yesterday,

when the speaker is serious, and convicting, and challenging?

Why??

2011-11-03T11:27:00.000-05:00

I intended to look at some sites for lines of modest clothing to get some ideas and see if there were ways to adapt some of the clothing I have in my closet to make it more modest. Christa Taylor was mentioned in a book I'm reading, so I tried to find her website, but instead I found out that a year ago her store had closed down.

So, I thought I'd just do a Google search for modest clothing for women. Three quarters of the pictures were of fully covered women from the Middle East. The other outfits looked like tent-ish clothes draped carelessly over a girl. Not feminine at all. Is that really what people think of as modest clothing- and thats it?

The next search for professional clothing for women didn't go so well either. After each of these attempts failing, I gave up.

Do you have any suggestions for better search terms? Or, possibly a site that has modest clothes for women? Insight requested!

Frightened

2011-10-25T21:01:00.000-05:00

We watched this video in class today before we learned about students who are emotionally and behaviorally disturbed. Not gonna lie, I cried. Its times like this I don't know if I can stand being a teacher. When I realize how difficult it will be. When I see all the negative parts of the job. I mean, I know how important it is for good teachers to be out there, but sometimes I don't know if I can handle it. It frightens me.

Acrostic

2011-10-22T09:46:00.000-05:00

Psalm 111 is an Acrostic poem, which means the first word of each line starts with the next letter of the alphabet.

And this morning I was in a poetry mood, so I wrote an Acrostic poem and decided to share it with you:

Almighty God
Blessed be your name.
Continually I seek you,
Determined to bring you praise.
Every morning I rise in worship
Fervantly bring my prayers before you.
God, make yourself known to m:
However long I must wait for you
I am willing
Just give me assurance of the answer to my prayer.
Keep me close to you,
Let me wander not far, or
Meander steadily away.
No, instead give me an
Obsessive
Passion to
Quiet my soul before you,
Rest in your presence,
Search your heart, and
Tediously work to live by your Spirit
Until the day I come home to you.
Victorious, God, your
Warriors are victorious over sin, in your Name.
eXpelling sin from their lives and working to bring
Your kingdom to Earth.
Zealous are we, for you.

You Should Carry Your Camera With You, And Actually Stop To Take Pictures

2011-10-21T16:58:00.002-05:00

On campus, along this one path, there is a row of maple trees. In the fall, the leaves red and purple and a little orange. I love walking past them because they seem to be glowing. I left for a long weekend, and when I was back, the trees were bare. The leaves were in dark burgundy lumps on the ground.

I Can't Complain

2011-10-20T11:50:00.001-05:00

It seems that as soon as I start following a blog,

they stop posting.

But, its not like I post frequently

and keep up with my blog, either

Student

2011-10-15T20:40:00.001-05:00

Sometimes I don't want to be a good student. I don't want to read the textbook. I don't want to pay close attention throughout the whole class. I don't want to take good notes. I don't want to study hard for quizzes and exams. I don't want to come to class fully prepared.

But then I realize the irony, because I'm an education major. And of course I will expect my students to do the assigned readings, and pay attention, and take notes, and study, and come to class prepared. So, I end up doing those things because it feels fake to not do them, with the intent of requiring them of others.

But that's not good enough. I should have more of a sense of obligation, no? I should have a better work ethic. We are called to do our best at whatever we do, to try to be the best at our job. And right now, my job is Student. And the type of work I do, shoddy versus exemplary, represents Christ.

Green Thumb

2011-10-05T11:41:00.002-05:00

I have a green thumb.

thats what people say when they are good at growing things.

I don't have a green thumb.

thats what I say about myself.

because batch two of my garden is dying out, and I can't seem to keep those stinkin' plants alive.

maybe I'll try again in the spring, with fresh seeds.

maybe.

motivation

2011-09-21T08:42:00.001-05:00

my mind races
my heart rejoices
I'm eager to see this work
it could work
really- it could!
and it would be wonderful
and life would be better
but I forget about it
later that week
or later that day
or later that hour
and its lost.
and now it wont work.
because I never gave it a chance.

not so simple

2011-09-20T08:40:00.002-05:00

you've got it figured out!
it all makes sense
you understand!

and then in a heart beat
in horror
you realize
you don't

growing (again)

2011-09-19T20:57:00.000-05:00

try two!

because almost all the plants from try one died.
and I'm still not sure why.
Some possibilities:

~there are rocks at the bottom of the pots, and the pots are small. Maybe the roots reached them, and couldn't find dirt and drink and nutrition? there's a parable about that, you know...
~I watered them too much. once, twice, a day. because they're right there, and on my mind. Out of sight out of mind, but when you can see them, you're thinking of them.
~too cold. I mean, the're right next to the air conditioner. And you usually grow plants in the heat of spring and summer.
~not enough light. the only windows we have face north. Which isn't ideal, I've heard. And one of the pots was pretty much without direct lines to sunlight (accident!).
~aaaannndd, I'm finding bugs in the dirt. NOT good.

no idea if any of those are real reasons why my plants died.
but, I'm watering less, and I moved the large pot precariously onto the windowsill. We'll see how long they survive this time!
The seed packets said to expect seedlings in 10-14 days for some, and 14-21 days for others. I must have picked overachieving seeds because they started showing after four days. Should I be worried??

Oh, and I've added daisies! I got two packets from a friend, and just planted them today. I can't wait!

Psalmish Links

2011-09-19T20:35:00.000-05:00

I'm in love with this Psalm.
Read it. I know you are planning just to skim over it, or ignore it all together. Dont. You really should read it.

I've only begun memorizing the beginning, so I've only got links for that. If you've got any links this psalm makes you think of, comment them, and I may add them!

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you;

my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,*

when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth;

they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.

But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

isn't it great???

*anyone know how to get rid of the highlighting?

It Would Be Cool

2011-09-17T21:09:00.001-05:00

to write book reviews in the same style and tone as the book itself had been written

wouldn't it?

eggeshells

2011-09-05T17:20:00.000-05:00

So, the first salad seed I planted was doing great! It was green, and getting (relatively) large. But then yesterday I went to water it, and it was small, and dull, and withered.

I have no sure idea what it was, but I have a hypothesis. A guess.

Remember those eggshell starters?
When I transplanted them to the larger pots, I squished the eggshells and broke them. That'd be enough for the roots to get through- right?
Apparently, not.

I went through all the plants, then, and tried to carefully take them all out of their eggshells and put them back in their pots. I'm hoping I didn't hurt any of them, because most of them are still incredibly small. But, as I pealed the shells off the dirt, I noticed the roots, spiraling around inside, unable to break through these things I had intended as fertilizer. Hopefully its not too late!

Another garden update: there are things growing in all the pots now! The parsley, oregano, chives, different salad types and cilantro all have little green parts coming out of the dirt! Excitement!

Slightly Unrelated, here is a song by Hawk Nelson. I thought of it because of its title...

how to start off the school year rightly

2011-09-03T11:41:00.000-05:00

-attend the campus wide Block Party, play human fusbal, climb the rock climbing wall twice, go on the bungee jumping thing (no idea how else to explain it...), and play the obstacle course twice, each time making it a relay
-bleach shirts with a spray bottle with everyone else in your apartment complex

-buy a neat looking decal for the wall

-cover your couches with sheets so they match the 'color scheme' of your living room

-find a place to put the herb garden you brought

-find a place to put up all your postcards from postcrossing.com

-go to a bonfire

-intend to get a head start on homework

-make a Roommate Bucket List, which includes things such as 'name apartment' (suggestions???), and 'slide down stairs in laundry basket (still not sure if I'm participating in this one...)

-practice speed reading

-read 'Story of an Hour', and 'Killings' for your literature class

-take a nice nap, that was only half as long as you'd thought it would need to be to get the rest you needed

-toss a frisbee around with friends

-watch more movies than you have time for

-watch the class competitions

-water your plants obsessivly, and motherly

-wear a skirt, because its too hot for pants, and shorts aren't allowed on campus before 4:30

-write a letter to your sponsored child

-write 'bout it all on your blog

And It Goes Tick-Tock

2011-08-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

You may remember that last month I said I wanted a necklace clock?

Well, I have one!
It was a beautiful gift, and I intend to wear it as much as possible.

Solution

2011-08-22T12:35:00.001-05:00

In response to a past post.

Those things aren't bad in and of themselves.

Reading, writing, drawing, watching tv, hanging out with friends...

But when they take the place of the other things, thats when there's a problem.

Bible reading, meditation, prayer, accountability, study, sharing the good news, your secret quiet place.

When they become the dominating things in your life, when thats all you do, when those are all you care about, and the things you pine for. Thats when there's a problem.

Start with what God wants in your life, and only that. Take out everything else, and don't expect any of it back. (yikes). Then, in time, see what God gives back to you. Maybe you do read too much, maybe reading less is okay. Maybe you do obsess about your latest writing project too much, and should tone it down and back. Maybe you really are obsessed with that tv show, and it takes too much of your time (not just the watching it, but the always thinking about it).

Maybe, you don't really need those things in your life. Maybe they are trying to fill a spot in you that would actually be filled if you put God things in your life first, and then looked at what else could fit. Woah. Maybe, you don't really need those things in your life. Maybe they are trying to fill a spot in you that would actually be filled if you put God things in your life first, and then looked at what else could fit.

Seeds Grow

2011-08-22T12:07:00.001-05:00

I love gardens.

So, I'm taking one with me to college. I shall find somewhere, I hope, in our apartment, that can be their home.

Some pictures:

My first little lettuce popping up

Chives, transplanted from my mother's

The chives again, several days later, and with most of the dead parts cut out.

The second lettuce growing, after I took out the first one.

This is that first lettuce again, right after moving it to a larger pot.
You can't see all of it, because it is partially hidden in dirt...
You can see white around the plant- its an eggshell!

My eggshell starters for the other plants I'll be growing this semester.
When they start growing, I'll move the whole shell into a larger (but still smallish) plastic pot.
Hopefully they won't outgrow their second homes!
Cilantro, Oregano, Parsley, and Lettuce (assorted kinds)

It takes time for seeds to grow, but they do. If you take care of them right. And even when they're growing, it will be some time before you can harvest them, or see them bloom.

Seeds you plant in your life are the same. The words you speak, the words spoken into you, the things you watch and listen to. What you read, what you think about, what you spend time on. You will see these seeds grow, in time. Some good, some bad. Pull the weeds as soon as you can, and stop planting them. And in their place plant some beautiful seeds that will grow, and whose harvest you wont mind collecting.

Justification

2011-08-17T09:45:00.001-05:00

what is the purpose in reading, and in writing even?

It wont eternally save lives, either of them.

So, why do I bother?

I could be spending the time in other things.

In worthwhile pursuits.

Like Bible study

Like prayer

Like love and encouragement

Like cooking, or cleaning, or spending time with someone who needs it.

Reading takes time.

Writing takes time.

(and I'm not writing an allegory.

or a novel that's explicitly Christian

that could save lives eventually. maybe.

But I'm not)

Time that could have and should have

time that ought to have

been spent doing something worthwhile.

So, how do I justify those things?

And how do you?

thrift store + library =

2011-07-29T18:16:00.000-05:00

I've got a whole new collection of books this week. From both the library and the thrift store, though the ones from the library are only borrowed, not bought.

Library
Modern Homestead by Renee Wilkinson (nonfic)
-It looked interesting, and I think there are things in it that I would like to add into my latest writing project. I've started it, and I'm super excited

The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages (fic)
-I've seen it on the shelves of many libraries, and it always catches my eye. The Greek writing on the cover intrigues me. I finally picked it up, and will read it during vacation.

Inkspell by Cornelia Funke (fic)
-its the sequel to Inkheart, which I read a while ago. I've been meaning to pick up the massive second installment for some time, and I finally did.

Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke (fic)
-the third book in the Inkheart series. I decided to go all in.

The Thief Lord (fic)
-I read this several years ago with my old library's Parent Child Book Club, and I've been meaning to reread it for quite some time because I think I will appreciate it more this read. As a side note, when I brought these books home my sister and I were talking, and she pointed out that they were by the same author- something I hadn't noticed at all! So, I look forward to the totally different types of book styles, read within a week of each other.

Thrift Store
Another sister and I made a beeline for the book section of our thrift store the other day, and we looked through the more recently published books, not finding anything either of us was interested in. Its always a gamble. Then, we moved on to the Shakespeares and classics. For a while, I thought I would be leaving empty handed, and then book titles started jumping out at me. I came home with:

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (fic)
- I actually don't know much about the story, but many people have been astonished that I have not yet read this book, so I picked it up as soon as I saw it

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (fic)
- A Jane Austen- you can't go wrong

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (fic)
- I know a little about the story line, but not much. Again, I've heard the characters are wonderfully written, and I am excited to read it for myself.

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
- Another classic that I have wanted to read, but never have. Once, I bought a copy of it cheap somewhere, only to get home and realize its an abridged version. I don't like reading those, because you cannot really say you've read the book. So, that one has sat on my shelf untouched, but this more recent find will soon be read.

books to movies

2011-07-28T20:05:00.000-05:00

I recently (about ten minutes ago) found out (here, and the GreenBeanTeenQueen's blog) that The Invention of Hugo Cabret (my review) was being turned into a movie- and scheduled to come out at thanksgiving! I am super excited, and couldn't wait to show you the trailer.

how do you feel about the movie, from what you know about the trailer and the book? Do you have any opinions about books made into movies? Have you read Hugo?

book giveaway!

2011-07-28T14:04:00.002-05:00

And here it is, the book give away.

I am giving away a copy of Sharon M. Draper's novel, 'Out of My Mind'!

Its signed, too. An autographed copy- think of that! (NOTE: I didn't have the book with me when I met Sharon M. Draper, so she signed a label that I put in the book.)

And, it could be yours!

You have to do two things to enter to win the book- that's it!

Let me explain before I tell you requirement number one.
When I met Sharon M. Draper, she was our speaker for a writing workshop. One thing she suggested was revise-revise-revise-revise-revise-revise-revise-revise-revise-revise.. Another of her tips was 'specificity'. Keep those in mind both in your future writings and in the following 'challenge'. One of the activities Ms. Draper had us do was to listen to some music, and describe the colors we saw. Later, we added a scene to the music. So, this is your challenge:

1. Pick one of these songs (One, Two, Three) and, in the comment section below, include
-(your name and email address, obviously, in case you win)
-the song you chose
-two colors you see in the first minute of the music

2. You must tell people on your own blog about this book give away, with a link to this post. If you don't have a blog, email me and we'll see what we can come up with (mariedevreis@comcast.net).
-Also, include a link to where you posted about this contest in your comment

This contest ends at 12 o'clock noon Central Time on Saturday August 6th. Make sure you're entered by then! Gook Luck!

UPUDATE::THIS GIVEAWAY HAS BEEN EXTENDED ANOTHER WEEK. IT WILL END ON AUGUST 13TH AT NOON.

(Some fun, rather random, links: here, here, and here)

Sharon M. Draper Interview

2011-07-23T10:54:00.001-05:00

Marie: Are any of the characters in your books based off people you know?

No, I made them up. Sometimes fictional characters can seem so real that the reader might think they are real people, because good fiction is based on reality. But the characters in my books are just that--fictional. I start with a character who grows and develops as the book progresses, so that even to me he or she seems real by the end of the story. But they only exist in the pages of the book.

Marie: Do you listen to music as you write? Why or why not?

No, I need complete silence. I can’t even stand the sound of a fan blowing or a TV in another room. I do, however, incorporate music into everything I write. I use a lot of musical imagery because I think melodies make strong memories in the mind of the reader.

Marie: What do you do when you get a 'mind block'?

I rarely get them. My biggest problem is writing down all the words fast enough. If, on accasion, I get stuck, then I shut down the computer and go shopping! Retail therapy is always effective and fun.

Marie: Time and money aside, what would you rather be doing?

I love what I do. No two days are ever alike. I get to write, travel, read, sleep late, go to the beach, or do nothing at all. I’m blessed.

Marie: If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you bring with you, and why?

I’d bring building tools, the complete works of Shakespeare, and a satellite telephone so I could be rescued!

Marie: What is your favorite genre to write, and why?

I love writing realistic fiction for teens. That seems to be my strength. I like creating charcters that seem so real that the reader wants their phone number so they can call them and talk to them.

Marie: Could you tell us three random things about yourself?

I can’t swim. I love Hagen Daaz ice cream. I’ve met President Obama. I prefer being called Sharon M. Draper. The M is important. Ok, that’s four.

Marie: How long have you been writing?

Tears of a Tiger, my frist novel, was published in 1994. But I’ve been writing all my life.

Marie: In an average week, how much time do you spend working on your writing?

If I’m in a “writing” week, I get up at 4 AM and I write all day. I collapse around seven or eight. Then I get up and do it again the next day. I’ll do this for may two-three weeks solid. I can get the core of a book done in that time. Then I go back and revise and refine.

Marie: Can you tell us anything about a current project you are working on?

I’m working on a new book, as yet untitled. It’s a teen trauma drama., very powerful.

Marie: What is the first thing you do when you get a new story idea?

When I start a new book, as I did this summer, I write down my story plan—names of characters and their general physical descriptions, the setting, the basic plot idea, and the problem that will drive the story. Then I sit down a wait for the words to come. They usually do—in buckets and waves. It's amazing.

Marie: How do you decide if an idea you have for a story is worth keeping?

All ideas are worth saving. Not all ideas will become books, but each idea is valid and important and may come in handy one day.

Marie: What obstacles would you warn beginning authors of?

Thinking you’ll get rich quick. You won’t. Thinking you’ll get a national book tour and you’ll be interviewed by Letterman. You won’t. Thinking the first draft is okay. It isn’t. Neither is the fourth or fifth revision. Quality takes time.

Marie: What cool thing has happened lately?

Out of my Mind is on the New York Times Bestseller List! Incredibly marvelous.

Marie: What question have I not asked that I should, and what is the answer?

One ninth-grade student who was interviewing for the school paper asked me what I thought about the powerful effect my books have on kids all over the country. I told her, "The proper answer is 'It's very gratifying,' but the real answer is 'awesome!’

moments

2011-07-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

that you could, hypothetically, relive certain hours in different time zones

that my sister forgot who Jane Austen was (a sister who performed in this year's cousin camp movie of Pride and Prejudice) and, upon further discussion, did not realize said author was dead.

trying to learn maps of the UK, and London, for my upcoming trip there

realizing how soon it is until school starts again.

turning all the lights off in the house, except for one, and listening to a book, while crocheting
having to drop ever so many stitches each row of the blanket, because I lost my crochet hook, and the one I'm now using is fatter, and its messing up the width of the blanket

late-night walks around a block or two, breathing in the fresh air, talking, gazing at stars or clouds with my sister, and my dad

that moment when a song comes on, and you get excited, and then realize its not the right song, but only one that starts out the same

that moment when a song comes on, and you've been trained to think its the pseudo- song that sounds like that one you like, but really, its the right one.

listening to A History of London

meeting my 1,000 words-a-day- quota for my newest project three days in a row. Yes, the first three days, but you've got to start somewhere

looking at pictures of cousin camp, and only remembering the wonderful, incredible, good moments
waking up early. after going to bed early.

hanging out with college friends- going to a movie, then tubing/skiiing/boating, then sleeping late(ish)

hatching a plan to meet with a second cousin for a movie night, since we havn't gotten together outside of family gatherings since we were kids going to the sci-tech museum

Lois Lowry Interview

2011-07-19T08:00:00.003-05:00

tMarie: Are any of the characters in your books based off people you know?

Lois: None specifically, except for two books…A SUMMER TO DIE and AUTUMN STREET…which are autobiographical. But every fictional character is created out of everyone the writer has known, because that is the knowledge you draw on in creating personalities and idiosyncrasies.

Marie: Do you listen to music as you write? Why or why not?

Lois: Sometimes,. But it has to be undistracting music. I have a collection on iTunes…mostly classical.

Marie: What do you do when you get a 'mind block'?

Lois: I rarely feel that way. But it is important, I think, that the writer stops writing each day at a time when you know what is about to happen, what comes next. That way it is easy to go back to it. And also, I find that during sleep the mind works on the material.

Marie: Time and money aside, what would you rather be doing?

Lois: Restoring and remodeling old houses. I wouldn't be RATHER doing it because I love what I do. But it is a great passion of mine.

Marie: If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you bring with you, and why?

Lois: Friends, books, and food, for obvious reasons.

Marie: What is your favorite genre to write, and why?

Lois: Realistic fiction, I think.

Marie: Could you tell us three random things about yourself?

Lois: I have a dog named Alfie and a cat named Lulu.

I have traveled to all seven continents.

My birthday is the first day of spring.

Marie: How long have you been writing?

Lois: Since I was 8 or 9. Professionally, since I was 35. (I am now 74)

Marie: In an average week, how much time do you spend working on your writing?

Lois: 5-6 hours a day.

Marie: What is your favorite part about being an author?

Lois: The solitude and the act of working with language.

Marie: Can you tell us anything about a current project you are working on?

Lois: I'm finishing up a fourth book which will follow THE GIVER trilogy.

Marie: What is the first thing you do when you get a new story idea?

Lois: I open a new folder on my computer and store ideas there.

Marie: How do you decide if an idea you have for a story is worth keeping?

Lois: If it holds my interest, if I enjoy the writing of it, it is worth keeping.

Marie: What obstacles would you warn beginning authors of?

Lois: Its too easy to spend a lot of time TALKING about writing, and very little time doing it. Sometimes people want to "be a writer" but they can't handle the great solitude and the long hours of work.

cousin camp photos

2011-07-18T20:07:00.000-05:00

cousin camp was a little earlier in the summer, and I'm here to share a gathering of photos with you.
This year's movie is called "First Impressions"- its Pride and Prejudice gone Western.
My cousin posted a synopsis of our movie on her blog, so if you're interested, check it out.

Pa Bennet

Jane Bennet

director

Lydia Bennet

US Marshall Collins

Lydia and Mr. G. F. Wickham

Mary Bennet

Elizabeth Bennet

Jane and Elizabeth Bennet

preparing for the corn husking scene

Doc Bingley's little sister

US Marshall Collins

Darcy's cousin, Chief Fitzwilliam; US Marshall Collins; Mr. Darcy

Chief Fitzwilliam

Anne de Bourgh

Charlotte (Lucas) Collins

Mr. G. F. Wickham; Old Mr. Darcy; George Darcy; Director; actress out of costume

Sheriff Catherine de Bourgh

Jane + Doc Bingley and Darcy + Elizabeth, preparing to ride off into the sunset

Ma Bennet

Mr. and Mrs. Darcy

Mr. Darcy

most of the cast, preparing for the barn dance

hint-hint

2011-07-16T16:58:00.000-05:00

Yes, a shameless add for myself :)
There's some pretty cool stuff coming up!

Some pictures, of course.
Some other posts, like the usual.
An interview with Lois Lowry. (yeah, you read that right)
An interview with Sharon Draper. (you read that one right, too!)
A book giveaway- an autographed copy of Sharon Draper's 'Out of My Mind'.

so, I'm just saying, and I suppose I'm a bit biased, but I think you should make sure you don't miss any of it!

something that goes tick-tock

2011-07-12T21:46:00.000-05:00

for those days when a watch doesn't cut it

Interview with Kara Bartley

2011-07-12T11:49:00.000-05:00

Marie: Are any of the characters in your books based off people you know?

~Yes, many of them actually. With my first novel, ‘The Siamese Mummy’ most of the characters were based on my family and friends. The names were changed but I kept (in most cases) the first letter of my family’s names. For my other three novels including ‘Habock’ I continued to do that, while inserting parts of myself as well. Many of my characteristics and behavioural traits can be found within each female lead. Doing that gave me a closer vantage point—as if I were writing the books from the inside out.

Marie: Do you listen to music as you write? Why or why not?

~Usually I don’t. I find that I get too distracted by music. To me, music is another form of communication—words in the form of notes. And I love music, I’m a pianist. But I find that when I try to listen to music while writing—it’s like someone trying to read to me and I can’t do both. Sadly, I’m not very good at multi-tasking. And yet I can listen to music while doing everything else hmm...I haven’t figured that one out yet....

Marie: What do you do when you get a 'mind block'?

~My ‘blocks’ come in days rather than at certain points of writing. When I sit down to write, I can’t stop. I just keep on going. I have to physically close my computer to stop myself. My ‘blocks’ come to me when I wake up. There are certain days when I open my eyes to the morning and say ‘I just can’t write today’. For whatever reason, those days do happen. Maybe it’s my mind and body telling one another that they need a break. But eventually that passes and I return to my writing.

Marie: Time and money aside, what would you rather be doing?

~If I weren’t writing, I’d be knee deep in dirt and rock. I’d be happily digging up my next fossil. Paleontology is in my blood—that lust for the past will never leave me. It’s what inspired me to write and what keeps me grounded—literally!

Marie: If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you
Bring with you, and why?

~If I were stranded on an island, hopefully it would be off of the coast Costa Rica. Then I could bring my two favourite novels ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘The Lost World’ and use them as guides to finding dinosaurs and paleo-worlds. Thirdly, I would bring as much Coca Cola as possible to make my desertion thoroughly enjoyable.

Marie: What is your favorite genre to write, and why?

~ Up until now, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed writing mystery and thriller as with my first three novels. But with ‘The Moon In Habock’s Mirror’, that changed somewhat. I fell in love with fantasy. There was a creative freedom that came with it. Talking animals, awakening the cosmos—there was something very exhilarating about it. I guess I’m torn now, I love mystery but I also adore fantasy. I’ll stick with those and see where they take me.

Marie: Could you tell us three random things about yourself?

~Hmmm...I guess I’d have to say that— 1. My favourite colour is orange. 2. I have a smiling clown fish named Herbit—he’s not real but adorable just the same. My three Siamese cats won’t allow me to keep any edible pets in the house. He’s made of paper mache and sits in a glass fish bowl, looking happy all the time.  3. I have a brown belt in karate.

Marie: How long have you been writing?

~I used to write little books when I was little, mostly about family pets and whatnot. I remember collaborating with friends in elementary school to write a magazine we called ‘The Hairy Canary’. We had big plans, boy did we ever. We were going to bribe everyone in the school to buy one. But alas, our plans did not work.  Creative writing then disappeared from my life when I went off to school in pursuit of science. The funny thing is, that when I was digging fossils in Kansas in 2002, writing found me again. And definitely when I least expected it. And I’m glad that it did. It seems that my life has always been this strange mix of science and creativity. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Marie: In an average week, how much time do you spend working on your
Writing?

~I’d say about three or four days. I try to get in as much writing as possible. I work full time elsewhere so sometimes that’s difficult. I usually write at night—I’m definitely a night owl. And sometimes those nights turn into days and that’s when I have to stop myself and take a break.

Marie: What is your favorite part about being an author?

~As simple as that question might seem—it’s a hard one to answer for me. There are so many facets to writing and being a Libra and all, I have a hard time choosing just one. I think I might have to say—self-expression. I love so many things about writing but using myself as a portal to the written page would probably be what I like the most. The words are born through my mind, driven through my body and translated through my fingers. The result is a part of me donated to others, in the hopes they might appreciate it.

Marie: Can you tell us anything about a current project you are working on?

~I am currently working on the sequel to my first novel ‘The Siamese Mummy’, and I’m having a lot of fun working on it.

Marie: What is the first thing you do when you get a new story idea?
~I just start writing before I forget it. Sometimes it’s at the beginning and sometimes it’s further in. But as long as I write it down somewhere so that my brain doesn’t accuse my fingers of losing it!

Marie: How do you decide if an idea you have for a story is worth keeping?

~I try to keep all the ideas that I have. If one doesn’t work out a certain way, then I just pluck it out and rewire it to work in another scenario. Usually I can find a home for any idea that I have, I just have to change the neighbourhood sometimes.

Marie: What obstacles would you warn beginning authors of?

~I would warn them of taking too much on. Don’t overwhelm yourself with everything that has to be done. It’ll all get done in time, your time and no one else’s.

Marie: Which scenes did you find the most fun to write?
~For me it would have to be any of the scenes that included dialogue. I love writing dialogue. It could be adventure scenes or emotional scenes, just any part that lets the characters speak out and embrace their external voice.

Marie: What question have I not asked that I should, and what is the answer?

~Maybe, what is your advice to other authors? And my answer to that would be: Do not be afraid to fail. To me, success and failure go hand in hand—each one helps the other improve. They each lend a helping hand to each other.

The Moon in Habock's Mirror by Kara Bartley

2011-07-11T17:55:00.002-05:00

Scarlet lives in Canada with her mom, dad, twin sister 'Gweny', dog Odin, and cat Adonis. Scar is the trouble maker of the family, sneaking out at night to go on dates, missing meals because she was busy hanging out with friends or boys. Her parents don't even know half of what she does, but her twin, Gweny, is fully aware, and keeps her sister's secret.

Life as she knows it changes for Scar when her mom can't handle any more of Scar's nonsense, and grounds her on a Saturday. The other half of her punishment is that she has to clean out the dreaded attic. This tale involves talking cats, time travel, close friends, betrayal, a tragedy during a sixteenth birthday party, and, overall, the moral that, when it comes down to it, all the power and courage one needs can be found within ones' self.

That was one of the things I didn't particularly like about the book; what I saw as the moral. "True power comes from within (210)". Because, as I've found in my own life, and through watching others, when it comes down to it, you just cant do it on your own. Especially something as monumental as saving the world; past, present, and future. Another thing thing that made the story hard to read was that there were several typos that jolted me out of the story, reminded me that it was only a book in my hand. There was also this strange new-age-y undercurrent that made me a little uncomfortable. Also, unfortunately, there was quite a bit of swearing and misusing God's name. And, while noting the good in people, the book failed to also reference the evil that is in all people, as a part of human nature. This is rather hard to do in a novel, I know, but it’s a truth that was neglected.

And there were some phenomenal things that I loved. At one point, Scar is having some trouble with forgiveness, and she wants revenge. She is advised against taking this other person's life because it is not her job- her job is to protect the innocent, and right the wrongs she can right, but not to punish those who are evil. That job falls to someone else. Another plus was that, although it took some time for me to get into the story and care about the characters, after some time I did- I could hardly put the book down. I also liked the few creatures the author created for the story, I really wanted to see one in real life, not just in my imagination! One of the final things that I will mention that I liked about the book was Scar's imagination. Sometimes she would go on tiny rabbit trails of imaginings, only to be brought back to reality by something. I loved that.

Les Mis

2011-06-26T19:25:00.001-05:00

I am just under 600 pages into this epic novel, and not even half way through the book. It is taking me quite a while to get through, but thats not all bad. Some parts do drag on, but other parts are wonderfully described and plenty of background is given so the reader understands what is going on.

Sometimes I think that all the background information is worthless, it is a waste of my time to read it and it will do me no good to read it. However, in retrospect, when those parts have been read and I have gotten to the more interesting parts, it does shed an interesting light on them. I understand them better, and understand those parts of the movie and musicals better.

I am enjoying the book, though, and have not given up on it yet. Its a book you have to think through when you read, and I can't read too much of it at a time or retain none of it. Its slow going, but there is progress.

Interview with Steve DeWinter

2011-06-08T10:52:00.000-05:00

About Steve DeWinter

If you like super-charged thrillers that merge high-tech gadgetry with ancient mythology and pit the outcast against powerful clandestine organizations, you are among friends.

My goal as a writer is to transport you to fresh and exciting worlds that not only take you on a white-knuckle ride but leave you hungry for more when you finally turn that last page and reluctantly slam shut the back cover of the book.

This is my promise to you the reader.

I will continue to satisfy your never-ending desire for more. So keep reading!

When one story ends, another begins.

Steve’s debut thriller is Inherit The Throne. http://www.amazon.com/Inherit-The-Throne-ebook/dp/B004V9GKNW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1307149362&sr=8-2

You can visit his website at www.stevedw.com. Connect with Steve on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/stevedw, on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/mythmakersdw and Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/stevedewinter.

Marie: Are any of the characters in your books based off people you know?

Steve: I sure hope not! As a thriller writer, I look for worst case scenarios and push them to the limits of believability. If any of my friends behaved like the characters in my book, I would be on the phone with the FBI constantly. And I need to write. I don’t have time to be talking to the FBI every day.

Marie: Do you listen to music as you write? Why or why not?

Steve: I have a ton of motion picture soundtrack CD’s that I put on based on the scene I am writing to get me in the mood. I also listen to music with words as they don’t tend to distract me from what I am writing. As an example, if I am pounding out an action scene, Nickelback goes into the CD player. Heck, I’m listening to Donna Lewis right now. Calm and serene for a nice fireside chat like this.

Marie: What do you do when you get a 'mind block'?

Steve: I am a heavy plotter and generally know what happens next with regards to pacing and story as I write each scene. I have never really suffered from writer’s block. Sometimes, I will stall out while writing a scene. But that is not so much a block as my subconscious telling me that I am going about the scene all wrong. A change in the point-of-view character usually results in a much better scene than I had been writing previously. When I get blocked, it’s because the other character in the scene had the more active and interesting point of view for what was happening in that scene, and my brain instinctively knew it long before I did.

Marie: Time and money aside, what would you rather be doing?

Steve: If all my wants and desires were taken care of, what would I do with my time? I would lay around on the beach of a tropical island and watch three sunsets before I would end up right back in front of the computer (or iPod Touch in my case) writing more books. Confucius, China's most famous teacher, philosopher, and political theorist said, “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Marie: If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you bring with you, and why?

Steve: Ahh. I have washed up unexpectedly on the white sandy beach of my tropical desert island from the last question. Fortunately for me, I washed up with my iPod Touch, Apple Keyboard and solar panel power system all in working order. As soon as I am rescued, I will have plenty of books ready to publish.

Marie: What is your favorite genre to write, and why?

Steve: I love writing in the thriller genre. People who operate in the shadows of government and the military are always heavily involved in the thriller genre, and I just love all that spy stuff.

Marie: Could you tell us three random things about yourself?

Steve:

1. I can hear the Magnetostriction (that high pitched hum) from older televisions when they are on, even if they are in another room from the one I am in. It has been nice to switch all the TVs in my house to flat panel displays. No more irritating whine while feeding my Netflix addiction.

2. By my senior year of high school, I was the only one who had been in the marching band all four years. That’s right. One time, at band camp…

3. My last name, DeWinter, is from the book (and subsequent Alfred Hitchcock movie) Rebecca. I had it legally changed in 1998 as it was way cooler than my, then current, last name. The downside? None of my high school classmates will know that they went to school with this great thriller writer.

Marie: How long have you been writing?

Steve: I have been writing off and on since high school, but only recently did I produce any real marketable product, i.e. a complete book. Most of my writing had been sporadic because I was only able to write in spurts. But in 2006 I was laid off and spent the next six weeks crafting a cohesive and exciting book. I finally had something I could bring to market and consider myself a serious writer with a career in fiction.

Marie: In an average week, how much time do you spend working on your writing?

Steve: I try to get in at least a couple hours per day. But that puts me at about ten hours a week when I would much rather put in ten hours per day.

Marie: What is your favorite part about being an author?

Steve: The flexibility it affords me. I can write from anywhere and with how connected we are with the internet, I can publish at any time; from anywhere.

Marie: Can you tell us anything about a current project you are working on?

Steve: My current project is a six book novelette series, titled Hired Guns, which is modeled after the U.K. television serial format. Each novelette follows the adventures of Joe and Kat, two Las Vegas private investigators, just like a television series follows recurring characters. Each episode, or book in my case, is a complete story, but since my primary format for writing is the long-form novel, I have included an overall plotline that will spread across all six novelettes. The question posed in the first book will be answered by the sixth book. I am pleased to announce that Book 1 is already available on Amazon.com.

Marie: What is the first thing you do when you get a new story idea?

Steve: I write it down in my idea log. The ideas come in waves, and if I don’t get them all down, they just might wash away with the tide, most likely never to be seen again.

Marie: How do you decide if an idea you have for a story is worth keeping?

Steve: When I am looking at what idea to pursue next, I do some pretty intense research to see if there are enough “real world” facts I can use to enhance the story. The more I find from history and cultural mythologies that fit with the story, the better chance it has of becoming my next full-time project.

Marie: What obstacles would you warn beginning authors of?

Steve: Albert Einstein said it best. “What a person thinks on his own without being stimulated by the thoughts and experiences of the other people is even in the best case rather paltry and monotonous”. After you have written something, get it in front of others. Have them read it and listen to what they have to say. While you may not use every suggestion, the ones you do use will improve your writing and your story beyond anything you could have done on your own.

Marie: Which scenes did you find the most fun to write?

Steve: The action scenes. I try to write my novels cinematically, and action scenes give me a chance to blow things up, textually of course.

Marie: What question have I not asked that I should, and what is the answer?

Steve: I expect the question I will get most often is, “Why didn’t you just wait for an agent to accept your manuscript rather than become an indie-author?” And the answer is a rather simple one. I like to have fun in what I do. And getting over a hundred rejection letters from agents (and that’s just those who took the time to respond) just wasn’t any fun. Publishing my book and doing the research for my next book is much more fun!

About Inherit The Throne

"Just like "24", only better!" "A female Jason Bourne!" -- Textnovel Readers

Some lines should never be crossed.

Living under a new identity in the tiny Northwestern tourist town at the base of Mount Hood, Melissa thought she had finally escaped her past. That is until an assassin tries to kill her and forces her back into a treacherous shadow world she vowed never to return.

That same night an unmanned robotic SUV slams into the limousine of the Vice President of the United States and detonates with several hundred pounds of explosives. Melissa soon discovers that the attack on the Vice President and the attempt on her own life are related.

And time is running out to find out who wants her dead and why she alone holds the key to saving the President of the United States

RePost

2011-06-05T19:39:00.000-05:00

This poem is by J. M. Roberts, over at AgapeFish

Up or Down

Falling
Can be fun
Falling
Is free and easy
But falling
Leads to landing
Crashing
Which hurts.
Falling
Isn’t good
But landing
Is worse

Climbing
Is hard
Climbing
Takes a lot of work
But climbing
Leads to the top
To rest
Which is good
Climbing
Is not easy
But in the end
It is better

Than crashing
Landing
Falling
Falling is scary
Climbing is too
Because we know we might fall
And falling
Is easier than climbing

Which is better?
That which is easy
That which is hard
We cannot escape
One or the other
Climbing, Falling
Pain and sweat
Falling, Climbing
Living
Where do you want to be in the end?

Summer?

2011-06-02T14:29:00.001-05:00

It may be summer, but it doesn't feel like it.

Between my summer class, work, helping around the house, and keeping my room (mostly) clean, I have no time for things I like to do.

Such as reading, and writing, and drawing, and just hanging out with friends and sisters. There's always Something Else I should be doing.

When will summer be like it used to be, when I was a kid? When I had no cares besides sleeping late, reading, and playing outside? Are those days gone for good?

I hope not. I sincerely hope not.

I want summer, to be Summer, as I remember it from Summers Past.

Zzzzz

2011-05-27T09:06:00.000-05:00

I picked an empty chair in the orthodontist's waiting room. Another check-up (one I did not think was particularly necessary) to make sure that, now that my wisdom teeth are out, have my teeth shifted? and does the retainer still fit? [by the way, everything was fine. She tightened the retainer a little, but I think that was unnecessary ]

I take out my crocheting project and begin. Sometimes the wait is long, and sometimes very short. It all depends. Crocheting is a mindless activity for me now, I don't need to look at what I am doing very often, so I look around. A mom and her daughter, the girl wearing braces. A man and his son, the son without braces (but probably getting them today). A dad and his daughter, looking at a magazine together.

And then there is this other man, sitting a few chairs down for me. He is slouched in his chair, and looks comfortable, but also uncomfortable. I assume one of his kids are getting braces, because that appointment is a long one. And, the man is sleeping. Not laying back with his eyes shut, but sleeping. 'How can you know?', you ask? Well, he was snoring, too.

Every once in a while, he would snore (it was loud) and everyone in the waiting room would look around at each other and laugh to ourselves. He must have had a particularly early morning. I wondered what he would do when he woke up, but my name was called before that, and I stashed my crocheting in my purse and went in the back for my appointment.

Do you have any stories you'd like to share??

Chair Legs

2011-05-21T06:49:00.012-05:00

random, I know, but kinda interesting? maybe?

Pictures

2011-05-20T15:48:00.002-05:00

Code Talker by J. Bruchac

2011-05-12T16:23:00.003-05:00

Bruchac, J. (2005). Code talker. New York, NY. Dial Books. 231 pp (Grade Level: 7th+)

Ned is a Navajo Indian who is sent to a White boarding school. At this cruel institution, the teachers and administrators strip the Native Americans of everything that identifies them as such; including clothing, long hair, their language, and they even give the children new 'White' names. During their schooling, the children are told that nothing good can come of Navajos, and that their language and their identity as a Navajo Indian are useless. When America goes to war with the Japanese when Ned is 16, he wants to help. He wants to serve his country and help the war effort. Eventually he makes it into the Marines, and is given an important, top-secret job.

Code Talker is written in first person, as a grandfather telling a story to his grandchildren. It was a very intriguing read began a curiosity in me about this era. Although it is a war book, the descriptions of the actual wars and battles were low key, only the sorts of details a grandfather would share with his grandchildren were shared. This would make a great read aloud, except for all the Navajo words in the text that were nearly impossible to sound out. This would be a great supplement for a World War Two unit, or even on early American history and the way Americans treated Native Americans. Because it is a relatively long book, and doubtful that the whole class could read it together, I would suggest accumulating an assortment of books that have to do with the era being studied and let the students browse the books and choose which ones they want to read during silent reading time.

Story From My Life

2011-05-10T17:30:00.002-05:00

I don't remember everything, but I'll tell you what I remember. Its a long tale, but its packed with thoughts, descriptions, memories, and what conversations I remember.

The appointment was at 8am. Dad drove me to the doctor's, and I told them who I was, and the receptionist nurse set up a follow up appointment for the next week. I sat down in one of the chairs next to dad. They had given him a PostOp booklet to read, but he set it on the side table. I think he did that for me, knowing there were probably things in there that I wouldn't want to read right before the surgery.

There was bamboo in one of the flower pots. Dad told me bamboo is a grass, not a tree or a shrub. He had learned that just a day or two before in the rain-forest. The ones he had seen were thirty feet tall, and green, and thicker than a coffee mug. We talked about bamboo and his trip with mom to Puerto Rico until the nurse called my name.

I stood up and shouldered my purse to follow.
"Oh, you'll want to leave your purse with your driver." I don't remember much about her, but I'm pretty sure her scrubs were purple.
I turned to dad and smiled, taking my purse off, "ha, you're my 'driver' now"
"Hey now- I'm more than that- I'm your dad!" we both smiled and laughed , and I think the nurse laughed too, but I think she was also a little embarrassed. I followed her to the surgery room.

Honestly, I wasn't nervous about the operation. Wisdom Teeth Removal isn't one of the most dangerous surgery, and there wasn't much risk. I'd panicked a couple times in the past few weeks. But the night before, when I had a small panic attack, I prayed for peace... and suddenly, like in a book or movie, I was at peace, and I could fall asleep.

No, I was most anxious about the IV.

Three or four years ago I yawned my biggest yawn ever- and my jaw slid out of place, locking open. I dislocated my jaw with a yawn (talent- I know). Long story short, I had to go to the ER. My muscles were too tight because I was so tense and anxious and they couldn't slide it back into place. So, they gave me an IV with something in it to relax my muscles. I was scared to death when dad told me what the nurse was going to do- I don't like needles very much. I didn't want the IV, but my mouth was stuck open and I couldn't speak to protest. I bawled, sobbing, holding my dad's hand as he tried to calm me and tell me it would make things better.

I walked into the operation room where two nurses waited. I sat in the beige operation chair. They leaned me back, explaining the monitors they were putting on me- one on each of my wrists, one on my pointer finger, and a blood pressure monitor that seemed to randomly check my blood pressure. Somehow, I remember hearing one nurse read my blood pressure to the other nurse, 120 over 80 I think, and I tried to recall from my gen bio class if that was a good/reasonable number.

Then, one nurse sat down and told me it was time for the IV. I took a deep breath- it was going to be ok.
"This is just going to be sugar water- like lucky charms," She said. I think I smiled.
Don't look at it, self, look away- at that corner where the walls and ceiling meet. Keep breathing normally, its going to be ok, keep breathing. She told me to lay my arm flat on the rest, and to open and squeeze my hand. Self, don't look at the drop drop drop of the sugar water from the IV bag into the tube that lead to my bloodstream. Keep breathing, its going to be ok. Rubbing alchohol. "Hold your fist tight." Remember to let out my breath.

A pinch, a breath, it was over. I could sort of feel the IV in my arm, but it didn't hurt, it was just a little uncomfortable.

"That was the part I was most anxious about," I confided, letting out a breath.
"Aw, it wasn't so bad- it didn't hurt, did it?"
"No, I hardly felt anything," I almost laughed.

They monitored some other things behind me, came in and out of the room, wrote things of pieces of paper paper-clipped to manila envelopes.

One nurse asked me what I had done for mother's day, and I gave her the highlights. Then, she relayed a story or two of her own. Then:

"Ok, we are going to switch you over to the anesthesia in a minute. The doctor is about to come in, do you have any questions for him?"

I didn't, so they switched the IV. I'm not sure how exactly, because, like I said, I wasn't looking in that direction. I could still hear the beep beep beep of the monitors relaying my pulse. Everything got fuzzy, the lines of objects becoming less defined. I was a little dizzy, but not really. Part of me thought this was going awfully fast, and part of me thought it was sure taking a long time. I decided to start saying my memory verse for the week in my head, while I waited. I got to 'Matthew 4:19, And he-' and then I was out.

And just as suddenly I was awake and in pain. I cold see three heads, each wearing one of those whitish blue doctor surgery hats, and I felt a horrible pain in my mouth. I don't exactly remember the pain now, but I remember it really hurt. I wasn't sure what part of the surgery this was, but I guessed it was the end because it felt like dear old doc was putting in the stitches. I'm pretty sure I started shaking, and crying. Then I was out again.

Then I was conscience again. No pain. Nurse telling me to swing my feet over the side of the chair. Helping me stand. Walking me down the hall, into another room. I sat in another big cushioned chair. I don't remember if dad was in the room before me, or if he came in after, but he was in one of the regular chairs. I wasn't sure if I'd imagined the part about waking up, but it never occurred to me to ask. When I walked down the hall with the nurse, and into this other room, I was holding a Kleenex with wet spots on it, so I'm pretty sure it happened.

The doctor came in and said some stuff. I'm sure it was very important stuff, but all I remember is 'No Straws!' A nurse came in and showed me how to change the gauze. Then I was standing again, the nurse helping me, then she handed me over to dad, and she lead us to a side door with a sign over it was was printed off the computer. Dad thought that was the funniest part because it said "Surgical Exit", so that PostOp patients don't scare other patients in the waiting room. Genius.

We were in the car, soon, and driving to McDonalds. Dad told me the operation only took thirty minutes, which I think was pretty good. Then we were home, and I took my special medicine, leaving the malt in the freezer for later, and lay down on my bed and fell asleep.

The View From Saturday by E. Konisgsburg

2011-05-08T04:22:00.001-05:00

Konigsburg, E. L. (1996). The View From Saturday. Scholastic Inc. 160pp. (Grade Level: 5th- 7th)

Mrs. Olinski is not sure how she chose the four members of the Academic Bowl team, but she knows that they are each very intelligent, and work well together, and continue winning even when the odds are against them. Each member is able to look back at their life, the journey that lead them to be a part of the team, and from that past glean the answers to the questions the Quiz Master asks. The four members are interconnected and know each other outside of school, they are such good friends they came to name themselves 'The Souls'. But they did not start out as friends, a certain journey brought them each there.

The format of this book is interesting, and works well with the premise of the book. The first chapter starts off at the beginning of the last Academic Bowl of the season, up until the buzzer sounds when the first student is ready to answer the first question. The next chapter goes into detail describing how this student came to know the answer to the question. The book toggles back and forth like this, between the Academic Bowl, and the lives of the students on Mrs. Olinski's team which are more intertwined than you would think.

This book tells the story of four sixth graders who come to know each other, starting with a tea party at four o'clock. As for diversity in the book, there is one boy with Indian heritage, and even religious diversity. Mrs. Olinski is also a paraplegic, and in a wheel chair because of a car accident that took place before the book started. This book would be good in the classroom as a read-aloud. The chapters can be lengthy, but they are interesting. Each chapter about the student is told from the student's perspective, and in a different tone. Writing tones can be discussed in class, as well as format. The questions asked at the Academic bowls would be interesting to discuss, and the answers are in the back. Students could be asked to write a reflective essay about how they learned about something outside of school, the way the students in the book did.

Can You Do It?

2011-05-03T09:57:00.001-05:00

Saturday was beautiful. This would be the first time I had roller bladed in years. I'm doing pretty well, I think, for someone who hasn't roller bladed in a while. But then, up ahead, I see some small rocks scattered across the paved path. Last minute, I try to avoid them, but my movements were too sudden and I lose my balance. I fall backwards, landing on my hands.

My right hand has it worse, the skin was actually cut open a little. I just have pavement looking bruises on the heal of my left hand. But my right hand hurts, a lot. It stings, and somehow my wrist feels thick when I try to move it. Thick like something is trying to keep it from moving. I make it back to the dorm on the roller blades, and don't risk climbing the stairs with them on. I manage to take them off only using my left hand. I run cold water over my right hand, and elicit help from my roommate and my friend, both of whom are nursing majors.

They buy me a wrap, and ice my wrist. They both say it is sprained, and my RN aunt gives a third opinion that says the same thing. A sprain. In my writing hand. The weekend before finals. My timing is impeccable, no?

I've had to do a lot of things without my right hand, and now I challenge you:

things I dare you to do without using your dominant hand

type

eat

read a book

ride your bike

brush your teeth

eat a banana

turn a key and open a door

Pack

pay for something

use a computer mouse

eat a banana

turn on your car

shift gears in your car

take a bubble test

wash your hair

change your clothes

put on socks

write

tie your shoe

how many were you able to do?

The Book Of Three by L. Alexander

2011-05-03T04:19:00.001-05:00

Alexander, L. (1964). The book of three. Henry Hold and Company. New York, NY. pp. 186. (Grade Level: 4th-6th).

Taran dreams of being a hero, but all he knows is helping around the farm and being the Assistant Pig-Keeper, a title given to him half in jest. When the pig, who can foretell the future and is therefore important, runs away, Taran begins a journey to find and rescue the pig. His task soon becomes greater than he had anticipated and the safety of the entire country of Prydain lies with him and some interesting friends.

This novel provides the perfect opportunity to discuss heroism, and what it truly means. It is a great context for discussing responsibility, and for discussing the battle between good and evil. While the book seemed slightly juvenile to me, I was surprised to see it had been published about fifty years ago; while reading the novel I could not tell it was so seperated from me in time.

The Book of Three qualifies as high fantasy by fulfilling five of the fantasy attributes. There are several characters who can perform magic, as well as a prophesying pig. The story is set in another world called Prydain. There is a strong fight of good versus evil, and the line between the two is clearly drawn. Heroism is a central topic, and qualities of a hero are discussed indirectly. And there are fantastic objects, including a harp whose strings break when its owner stretches the truth, a cursed sword, and an enchanted history of the world called The Book of Three.

Black Ships Before Troy by R. Sutcliff

2011-04-29T04:17:00.001-05:00

Sutcliff, R. (1993). Black ships before Troy. New York, NY. Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group Inc. 125 pp. (Grade Level: 3rd-8th)

This story starts with the wedding where evil Eris starts a conflict between three of the Olympian gods as to which of them is the greatest. Sometime later they take the question to a young man named Paris who decides Aphrodite is the greatest of them, and she grants her promise to give him a wife more beautiful than any other. A few years later Paris hears of Queen Helen and travels to her land to see if she really is as beautiful as everyone says. When he sees that she is, he convinces her to run away with him, and that is where the trouble really begins, for the king of Sparta, Menelaus, Helen's husband, finds out he lays war to Troy, ultimately destroying the city.

This is an incredibly long story, but when it is being read it does not seem tedious or longwinded. The reader is pulled in, the tale woven so beautifully and intricately it is hard to remember it is just a legend. I think this would work as a great read aloud to the entire class; the words are written in such a way that it would suit them to be read aloud. There are morals woven throughout the legend, and some parts could be read as standalones, although I think it has its best effect when read altogether. The pictures are delicate, like the prose, and done in colored pencil, watercolors, or oil; I'm not sure. But oh, the writing of these stories uses such language it draws the reader in and does not let them go.

1001 Nights; Sinbad the Seaman

2011-04-26T04:11:00.001-05:00

1001 Nights: The illustrated fairy tales from one thousand and one nights. (2005). The first voyage of Sinbad the seaman. Berlin, Germany. pp. 62-73. (Grade Level 3-5).

Sinbad started out very rich through family money, but soon lost it all. In order to try to gain it back, he goes on a voyage, but the ship gets shipwrecked through some unforeseen circumstances. He manages to make it alive to an island, where he finds favor with the king. When a ship comes into dock much later with some goods of man the crew thought dead in a shipwreck, Sinbad tries to convince them that the man is he, and that he is not dead.

The text is hard to read because it is so old-fashioned; full of laborious sentences and words we no longer use. The illustrations look like they were made on the computer, and are uninteresting and un detailed. I would not use this in my class. If I could find a different version of the story with better illustrations and more familiar text, I might consider using it to teach about the culture, or have the students create a story of their own that is similar. This story would be in first person and describe a made-up, improbable adventure they were on.

Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by P. Fleischman

2011-04-24T04:07:00.001-05:00

Fleischman, P. (1988). Joyful noise: Poems for two voices. USA. A Charlotte Zolotow Book Harper & Row, Publishers. 44pp. (Grade Level: 6th-8th).

This collection of 14 poems has the common theme of insects. Each is very different, and meant to be read by two readers at once. Sometime the two readers will read at the same time, and only sometimes they say the same words as each other. There are also detailed pencil drawings of insects above the titles of the poems.

Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices would be an interesting book to have in the classroom, but under special circumstances. These poems are meant to be read aloud, and two people are to read simultaneously. This becomes difficult when the two readers must read completely different words. When read smoothly, these poems are interesting and elicit responses different from if it was read by only one person; there is something more awe inspiring about these. The best use I can think of for this book is for two students, who are comfortable reading in front of the class, to practice together several times, and then present.

What Are You?

2011-04-22T11:13:00.002-05:00

When Jesus called Peter and Andrew in Matthew 4:19, he told them 'follow me and I will make you fishers of men.' He did not say he would make them healthy, or prosperous, or lucky or even blessed. He said he would make them fishers of men.

So, if this was Jesus' call, to them and to us, why are we not more focused on making new disciples? Why are we so content with going to church once or twice a week? Or even spending time in prayer and reading? Why aren't our energies targeting those who are not Jesus' followers?

Are you a follower of Jesus, or a fan? *Are you willing to go anywhere he leads? Are you willing and ready to go 'fish for men'? Or a fan who shows up on Sundays, roots passively for Jesus and for missions? Do you, subconsciously even, think that the more services you attend, the better fan you are, the more perks you will get? Jesus never promised Frequent Flier Miles.

We tend to give the Israelites a hard time about crying 'Hosanna, Hosanna!' and worshiping Jesus on 'Palm Sunday', and then crying 'crucify him!' on Friday because he wasn't doing what they thought he should be doing. But, honestly, how different are we? Singing songs and worshiping and gathering in God's name on Sunday, and then crucifying Christ with our words and actions during the week. The Jews did it once- we do it week in and week out. ***

The difference between a fan and a follower, in this case, is that a follower is in it through the thick and thin, and a follower lives and speaks and acts in a way that lures others in.

* I first heard this phrase at my aunt's church. This Link will take you to the text of the first sermon in the series through sermoncentral.com
*** I first heard the ideas presented in this paragraph at Bible Study last week

Simple Machines by T. Monroe

2011-04-22T04:05:00.001-05:00

Monroe, T. (2011). What do you know about simple machines? New York, NY: Rosen Publishing Group Inc. 24pp. (Grade Level: 2-3)

This informational book asks twenty questions about simple machines in everyday life. There are pictures on each page with examples of different versions of each type of machine. Sometimes children are pictured using the machines, but sometime they are adults. The pages are colorful and engaging, and the text is large and easy to read. Important words are in bold, helping students uncover the main concepts. A small index and glossary are included as well.

This book, and the set of books that go with it, would be helpful inclusions to the classroom. They are short and concise, perfect for the few minutes of transition time between subjects, or when students finish early. Also, they are great at curbing student's curiosity without giving them too much information. The pictures also have a description, packed with information. This book is a great place to start students, because it will most likely make them interested in the topic, and from there do more research.

Rosa by N. Giovanni

2011-04-20T04:03:00.002-05:00

Giovanni, N. (2005). Rosa. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company, LLC. 29pp. (Grade Level: 3rd-7th)

Rosa is a biography about Rosa Parks in narrative form. It starts the morning before her infamous refusal to switch seats and her arrest, and ends with the people of Montgomery walking in non-violent protest for almost a year until the Supreme Court ruled that segregation was wrong.

The illustrations by Bryan Collier help make this book come alive to readers. They are collages of drawn pictures, pieces of same-colored paper, patterns, and of photographs of real things. They make the pictures more interesting to readers, causing them to slow down a little when they read and to really soak in the message. This would be a good book to use in the classroom when talking about the segregation laws, Rosa Parks, and even change and how to make change when the way things are is wrong.

Resolutions

2011-04-19T15:57:00.002-05:00

I've realized I tend to make resolutions at certain times of the year.

Not in the winter, because it's so long and cold and dreary.
Not in the middle of something, because it seems too late.
Not on any normal day, because resolutions deserve better.

I tend to make resolutions
at the new year
at the beginning of a new school semester
in the spring
in the summer
on my birthday
before going on a trip or
when getting back from a trip
when I move back home for the summer or
when I move back to school in the fall
at the beginning of a month
on interesting holidays

have you noticed trends in your resolutions?

And If The Moon Could Talk by K. Banks

2011-04-17T04:00:00.002-05:00

Banks, K. (1998). And if the moon could talk. France. Gallimard Jeunesse. 32 pp. (Grade Level: K-2nd)

The story in this tranquil picture book centers on a young girl getting ready for bed. Parallels are drawn between the scene with her at home with her parents and with other bedtime scenes the moon sees around the world. At the end, the little girl falls asleep and dreams, and "the moon murmurs goodnight"(31-32).

The prose was well chosen; words that sooth and calm and predicts stifled yawns. The pictures are an imprecise blur where images and ideas are still perceivable, but aids in inducing sleep. This would be a difficult book to include in the curriculum because it is a bedtime story. However, it could be used when talking about different cultures and people and their nocturnal habits. In one picture, it seems as if a farming community is preparing for bed, and in another it is a nomadic group in the dessert. Discussion focusing on the bedtime rituals of different peoples around the world would be appropriate, and lead into an observation that even the students in the classroom have different bedtime habits although they live in the same area.

The Letter

2011-04-14T21:32:00.001-05:00

Peeking into the tiny window, I see a slant of white. I turn the dial to the left. I pause at the first number, turn right, stop at the second, turn to the left again, stop again- I've had the three numbers memorized for three semesters. I firmly grasp the ridged knob and pull. The small door opens, and I pull out the long white envelope. Is it from a friend? My sister? My grandma? I read my own name, firmly scrawled in the center, symbolizing that I was the center of the author's thoughts- this time, my sister's.

I open it right away, not even waiting for a comfortable chair back in my room. I tear envelope open, slide the folded notebook paper out quickly, impatient. Letters do that to me. The paper is thin, and smooth; the writing is print, and in pencil. I smile at the way my name is written. I skim the first few lines, and my smile widens.

She tells me of many things. Some thoughts, some dreams, some stories. My smile is small now, reminiscent and nostalgic. I read the second page, and the third. I don't want the letter to end, but it does. It is not the kind of end that ends, though, but the sort that begins something else. Rather more like the end of a chapter, than the end of a book.

The next chapter is in my control, so I pull out a college-ruled notebook, and a pen. I date the letter on the top right, and take a deep breath. Now it is my turn to share thoughts, dreams, stories, and ideas. I write in cursive. My thoughts overflow and spill onto the page, I have to pause, because my writing is becoming illegible because of the speed and ferocity with which I am writing. I pause, and think. What to say next?

Eventually, I stop writing. There is more to say, but it will wait for later. There is not sufficient paper to pen all my thoughts. I fold the pages, careful to crease them. I have to fold it extra small, I am out of long envelopes, and am left with only small ones. Tomorrow, when the campus post office finally opens again, I will purchase a forty-four cent stamp, and leave my thoughts, dreams, stories and ideas in the hands of others, until it reaches the hands of my sister. And then I wait, eager to repeat the process.

Our Singing Plant by S. Foresman

2011-04-14T05:30:00.002-05:00

Foresman, S. (1997). Our singing planet. HarperCollins Publishers: Glenview, Ill. pp119 (Grade Level: K-3).

Our Singing Planet is a compilation of short stories, poems and songs written to familiar tunes. There are many topics, but the central themes are singing, music, friendship, and family. Each piece of literature is very different from all the others in the book, and would gain the attention of young listeners/readers very quickly.
Each of the stories have various types of illustrations. Some are in light colors, others in bold colors, some are photos of children, and one looks like a quilt. The variation would help keep the attention of younger children. In the photos of children playing instruments, diversity is shown through different ethnicities shown, and one child is in a wheelchair. This will help show children that just because they look a little different does not mean that they cannot do and play the same things. The last story is about a young Chinese boy who learns some words in Chinese to write a letter for his grandmother. One nice thing about this book is that each story can be read individually whenever the class needs a quick story to settle them down, or as a transition between subjects. The prose is fairly simple, and children will soon know when to chime in with the correct words.

"I'll Wait For You"

2011-04-13T15:50:00.002-05:00

The Sandalwood Tree by E. Newmark

2011-04-07T18:17:00.000-05:00

Newmark, E. (2011) The sandalwood tree. Atrina Books; New York, NY. 357pp. (Adult Fiction, reader discretion advised).

The Sandalwood Tree was published just two days ago, on April 5th.

First off, I adore the cover. It is equal parts bold and clam, gentle and vibrant. My copy has a little more detail than the one pictured- but this one has more focus on the woman standing at the base of the staircase.

The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark is a mix of first person narrative in the late 1940's, and third person narrative and letters in the 1840's-1860's. The main character is called Evie, and she travels to India with her toddler Billy and her husband Martin, who is "writing his Ph.D. thesis on the politics of modern India." After Martin had served in World War 2, their marriage and their relationship had changed drastically, and Evie is hoping that, by getting away from Chicago and into some place 'romantic' like India, they will be able to sort out what is wrong and reunite.

While cleaning their little home, Evie accidentally finds a packet of letters dated almost a hundred years previous. She reads them, and becomes obsessed with the lives of Adela and Felicity who have an interesting connection to the very house Evie and her family now occupy. She begins to unravel their lives, bit by bit, and slowly things begin to make sense. Will the girls from the letters be able to teach Evie anything useful in fixing her family?

I was turned off by all the language. For a book 350 some pages long, there were not too many, but still, there were about 50 mild to strong words used. Martin, Evie's husband, is the one most frequently to use them. Also, I thought it was dumb luck that helped Evie find the different packets of letters in just the right order, and it would have made a stronger story if she had somehow searched for specific ones at specific times, instead of happening upon the separate bundles of letters as she did. Finally, Evie and Martin to not 'wait for marriage', if you know what I mean, and one female character has 'unnatural relations with other women,' which unnecessarily complicates the story. It could have done just fine without that twist, and I assume Newmark added it to appeal to our current culture, not as a vital piece of her plot.

The plot line itself was very interesting, and I read the whole novel in two sittings. The setting is unfamiliar, and mysterious, and intriguing. Maybe it has something to do with myself being in a phase loving history- this time period even. But I also think it has to do with how Newmark transports her readers into Evie's world, and they grow along with Evie. They cheer for her, cry with her, fear with her, and sometimes scold her. But the point is, while reading this book, Evie comes alive.

Picture Poem

2011-04-06T15:56:00.000-05:00

Most of these pictures have been edited on new software I downloaded. But, not all of them. Some of them just turned out spectacularly.

Morning comes. Gently at first.

But then the sun shines full.

Flowers are growing,

their beauty is showing

Shooting up overnight.

Even among last year's dead

Even out of past hurt
Every spring
consistently

Not only new flowers
But animals, too
Little birds
Small and new

Even the trees have begun to bud
Some tiny and brown-green
Some large and vibrant red

All reminders
That we can start anew
Start afresh
Start
From our mistakes and hurts
But, we, like them, need Help.

Have A Blast

2011-03-30T17:04:00.000-05:00

"I bet those guys are really scared."
Yesterday I helped out at a Cub Scouts Troupe Meeting with twelve other students from my school. Our purpose? To teach the rock cycle.

I was assigned to the Igneous Rocks section. A couple groups of four or five Scouts had come to our table so far. We had some rocks (granite, obsideon, diarite, and basalt), and some books with awesome illustrations and pictures.

(this is not the same picture, but a similar one)
Source of Photo

One of the Scouts was looking at one of these books. The full page was covered in a photograph: A volcano spurting orange lava straight into the air, with a helicopter in the foreground watching. Hence his comment "I bet those guys are really scared."

I wanted to let him know that some people are so interested in things like volcanoes that the helicopter in the picture was probably there on purpose, not some random passerby. In conclusion, I told him, "They are probably having a blast!"

I'll give you one guess as to what he did next.

He laughed!

I was very confused, not sure what was so funny... he explained.

"You said 'blast', and the lava is blasting up!"

Blogoshpere

2011-03-29T16:05:00.001-05:00

The Blogoshpere is huge. I mean, seriously- how many hundreds of thousands of blogs are out there?
But sometimes, it shrinks in a way that reminds me of the 'its a small world' song.

I found out that a classmate of mine has a blog!
here, you should check it out.
http://melanietherese.blogspot.com/

My favorite thing about her blog is her 'College Wisdom' that she writes at the end of some posts, listing a few interesting things she's learned. They made me laugh so hard, and I may possibly do something similar. Eventually, anyway. Check out her blog!

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah

2011-03-23T15:13:00.000-05:00

Things Making Me Happy:

the weather

remembering this song from forever ago, that makes me think of weather like most of this week's weather

talking with my cousin over the phone for one hour and fourty five minutes

That most of my homework for the week is finished

poetry

world war two era books

non-fiction books, when they are not assigned but read for fun

that my sister got a signed copy of The Giver for me

taking notes on an unlined piece of paper, and including lots of pictures

my grandparents visiting me at school

my family skyping me so I could be a part of a birthday celebration back home

the prospect of spring coming

seeing shoots of flowers and plants peeking out from dead leaves and dirt

friends

laughing

waking up feeling absolutely refreshed

learning about prayer

finishing crocheting another scarf- even though its not cold out anymore

thinking about this summer

deep breaths

latin being mentioned in books and during lectures, and myself having an idea of what they mean even before it is explained

wearing non-prescription glasses

finding out the vending machine has fruit snacks, and tail mix

being able to tell others about what makes me happy

hearing what is making others happy (hint hint)

Passion & Purity by E. Elliot

2011-03-22T23:18:00.000-05:00

Elliot, E. (1984). Passion and Purity. Revell.Grand Rapids, MI. p 184

Elisabeth Elliot's Passion and Purity is subtitled 'Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ's Control.' It is riddled with excerpts from her journal, from letters written to her, with letters from Jim Elliot, and with scripture. It is a sort of autobiography or memoir of those five years between meeting Jim and marrying him that lets the reader into their life and thoughts.

There were some good points, some quotable parts, and several chapters or paragraphs that hit home. But overall it seemed so distant, so far removed from myself. It seemed I was entering a private book, one I wanted to finish, but didn't necessarily relate with one hundred percent. And the letters from Jim? I was surprised at them, actually. He was rather... forward. Often I felt slightly embarrassed to read them. The story itself is beautiful; two people mutually attracted to each other and in love, but wanting to serve God first and foremost even if it meant being away from each other, or never being married. That story in itself has many lessons to teach us about surrender and trust, lessons that apply in many areas of our lives and not just the love life.

Frindle by A. Clements

2011-03-21T16:25:00.000-05:00

From my Literary Journal in my Children's Literature class:

Clements, A. (1996). Frindle. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. 106 pp.

(Grade Level 3-5).

Nick is entering the fifth grade and he has Language Arts with Mrs. Granger. She was the only fifth grade Language Arts teacher, and she was notorious for loving the dictionary. In class one day, she comments that each and every person makes words mean what they mean by using them and keeping their meanings. The next day, Nick invents the word Frindle, to take the place of the word 'pen', and gets his friends to use it, too, thus creating a new word. The word catches on despite what Mrs. Granger does to prevent it, and it spreads all over the country.

This story was fun and colorful, and would be enjoyed by many middle-schoolers. The characters are interesting, even though some of them are rather flat, and the point of view the author uses pushes the book along very quickly. After the book is read, I think a discussion about 'enemies' in our life would be important (as Nick finds out, Mrs. Granger didn't really dislike him, she was actually rooting for him the whole time) and how we don't always know what other people are thinking. It could also lead into a discussion on the origins of words, and how new words are created, copyrights, what things are important and what things we should just 'let go', and even on how news is made and the process it goes through before it is broadcasted.

The Twelve Clever Brothers and Other Fools

2011-03-19T16:22:00.000-05:00

From my Literary Journal in my Children's Literature class:

Folktales from Russia, adapted by Ginsberg M. (1979). The twelve clever brothers and other fools. New York, NY. J. B. Lippincott. pages 1-19 (Grade Level: 1st-4th).

In this first of fourteen folktales, the twelve brothers decide to go to town for some things they need for themselves and their families. They leave, but do not reach town before nightfall, so they stop at an inn. Thinking themselves clever, they each turn their sleds towards the direction they must continue in the morning, but while they sleep the mischievous innkeeper turns the sleds around. The twelve brothers do not even realize they have been tricked until they reach home again, and one of the brothers' dog comes running up to them.

This is an interesting story that reminds it readers not to think themselves too clever. The brothers thought they were being exceptionally smart, but their plan backfired, and they were, in the end, too dull to notice. This story could be used in the classroom to talk about Russia, transportation in Russia, travels, and of course about pride. I do not like the ending of the story, though, because the brothers do not necessarily realize they were tricked by the innkeeper, also, they decide traveling is too confusing and too much of a hassle, and decide to stay home from then on, and never get the supplies that they needed.

The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook by E. Davis

2011-03-17T16:20:00.001-05:00

From my Literary Journal in my Children's Literature class:

Davis, E. (2009). The secret science alliance and the copycat crook. New York, NY.

Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children's Books. 154 pp. (Grade Level: 3rd-7th)

Julian is excited about moving to a new town because he wants a fresh start, one where he is not the nerd. He tries this at his old school, but does not like it very much, and eventually cracks and lets off how smart he is. This leads to his inclusion in the secret science alliance, where the three members design and create inventions. Until, that is, their notebook full of all their ideas is stolen, and the thief builds their inventions and passes them off as his own.

This graphic novel was fun to read, full of colorful frames and lots of information. Some of the characters spit out facts and history rather often, and they would be easy for students to pick up and remember. I liked that there were a couple twists in the plot, and I also liked the friendship exhibited by the three Secret Science Alliance members. This would be a valuable addition to the classroom because of discussion of friendship, and how we treat each other and ourselves, and it would also be an interesting time to have students create an invention and describe it on paper, and present their blueprints to the class.

Scholastic Link

2011-03-16T14:11:00.000-05:00

Here is a link to the Scholastic website.

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3755506&eml=BNL/e/20110316/email///March_BookUpdate/SIG///////

This link will take you to a page with a list of types of books. This list was created by teachers and for teachers, but that doesn't mean non-teachers cant use it or will have no use for it. Its really interesting, actually.

You click on the link of the type of book you want, and it takes you to another list. This is the list of books the teachers compiled. The title, author, and cover art. Some books even come with quizzes. Check it you, you may find some pretty cool books!

The Vegetable alphabet book by J. Pallotta and B. Thomson

2011-03-15T16:18:00.000-05:00

From my Literary Journal in my Children's Literature class:

Pallotta, J. & Thomson, B. Ill. Stewart, E. (1992). The vegetable alphabet book. Watertown, MA.

Charlsebridge. 30 pp. (Grade Level: K-4th).

The Vegetable Alphabet book travels through the alphabet using vegetables; some common, some uncommon. The authors also try to incorporate some humor, helping take some of the dryness out of the book. It is full of information, not stopping at the name of the vegetable but also giving some details about it.

The illustrations are incredibly lifelike and detailed. I also appreciated that they were multi-cultural. I am not sure that this book would be good for teaching or reenforcing the alphabet to younger children because many of the vegetables are uncommon, and the young learners would not have some prior experience to glean from to help them learn. This would be best for older elementary students, to help learn about vegetables and reinforce the alphabet. Some unusual characteristics include that it uses so many unusual vegetables and could be the basis for deeper learning.

Why, Hello Again

2011-03-14T15:35:00.000-05:00

I'm reading fiction non-school required books again.
The break from them was not nearly as horrible as I had feared.
And that may have been one of the most important things I learned.
That it's ok not to read books all the time; its not the end of the world.
I don't have plans for what to read next. No stack of books waiting to be read.
My TBR list has been growing, but I'm not obsessed over it.
Those books will all get read, its just a matter of when.
I'm in no rush.

:)

10 Minutes 'Till Bedtime, by P. Rathmann

2011-03-11T16:15:00.001-06:00

From my Literary Journal in my Children's Literature class:

Rathmann, P. (1998). 10 minutes till bedtime. New York, NY. G. P. Putnam. 46 pp. (Grade

Level: K-3rd).

The little boy 's father tell him he has 10- minute until bedtime, so he starts getting everything ready. Soon, many hamsters flood into the house for the bedtime tour. The hamsters participate as the boy gets ready for bed, doing what he does and just having a lot of fun. Many more hamsters show up, more than the boy and his pet hamster had planned on, and they are added to the tour. Finally, when they boy is ready for sleep, there are too many excited hamsters, so they boy sends them away, just before his father comes in, and he is able to fall asleep.

The colors are vivid and well chosen. The pages before and after the actual story are also important to the plot progression, showing the boy getting ready for the tour and his pet hamster putting an ad on the internet for hamster 10 minute bedtime tours. The boy's father calls out from the other room every minute how many minutes are left until bedtime. The bold red numbers help the younger readers know its time to shout out a number, and the father says the same thing each time so young readers quickly become familiar with it and can read along outloud. It is also cute that the boy reads a book to the hamsters, and it is the '10 minutes till bedtime' book. At different points in the story, the book is open to a different page- the page the readers are on. Also, there are many other things within the book that young readers can be asked to count, besides the number of minutes before bedtime.

My Father's Dragon by R. S. Gannett

2011-03-08T16:13:00.002-06:00

From my Literary Journal in my Children's Literature class:

Gannett, R. S. (1948). My father's dragon. New York, NY. Random House. 87 pp.(Grade Level:

1st-4th)

My Father's Dragon is the story of the narrator's father's adventure to rescue an imprisoned baby dragon. He has the aid of a cat who, at the beginning of the story, helps him decide what to bring to this island where the lazy wild animals are detaining the dragon. The boy is able to sidetrack each wild animal he comes across in just the right way, and just long enough to get to the dragon.

The pictures are black and white, making them rather boring. But the story itself is lively, unrealistic, and entertaining. This book's unusual characteristics include how the boy gets from place to place on the island, and how precise some of the random facts are. Kids will love the crazy ways the boy is able to distract each of the wild animals. Also, there is a map in the beginning of the book that kids will love to pour over. It not only has the different land masses and names, but labels for random places on the map, and some parts are labeled with different things the boy did in those places.

A Couple Thousand Words

2011-03-07T20:53:00.000-06:00

Miss Nelson Is Missing by H. Allard

2011-03-04T16:11:00.001-06:00

From my Literary Journal in my Children's Literature class:
Allard, H. (1977). Miss Nelson is missing. Ill. Marshall, J. New York, NY. Houghton Mifflin

Company. 32 pp. (Grade Level: 1st-4th Grade).

Miss Nelson teaches in room 207, the room with the naughtiest students in class. One day, she goes missing and horrible Miss Viola Swamp teaches for the week. The students are forced to work hard and have no fun, and they begin to miss Miss Nelson, and try to figure out where she has gone. Eventually she comes back, and the children are so happy to have her back that they behave well, and neither teacher or students will tell what happened to them.

The watercolor pictures are interesting and exaggerated well for a children's book. The colors are a little dull, however, and muted, but it works well with the storyline. The plot is intriguing, and children will be caught up in it quickly. A teacher could use Miss Nelson Is Missing in his/her classroom to talk about proper behavior, or about how sometimes we do not know what we have until it is taken away. As a creativity prompt, and a prediction exercise, halfway through the book when the students are guessing what happened to Miss Nelson, the students could be asked to come up with some possibilities of their own, a few likely ones, and a few unlikely ones. There are other Miss Nelson books that could also be used in the classroom to talk about other topics.

Home by Baker, J.

2011-03-03T16:07:00.000-06:00

From my Literary Journal in my Children's Literature Class:

Baker, J. (2004). Home. Pub. city, state: Greenwillow Books. 28 pp. (Grade Level: K-3).

This picture book looks out Tracy's bedroom window as she grows from baby to a mother herself. From the window the reader sees the street on the other side of the family's yard, and as pages are turned and Tracy grows up, the girl's family, neighbors, and friends begin reclaiming the street. It goes from a rundown street to a garden/park and a wonderful place for children to play and grow.

Baker created this picture book as a collage, and it is aesthetically intriguing. Many things change from page to page, within the room but more-so outside. While this book could be part of a unit on what 'home' is, or even a social studies until about the different places people live, it would be hard to use in the classroom. So much changes from page to page that in order for readers to get the full grasp of what is going on they would need to pour over the pages intently, which would be hard to do with 20-30 young students all at once. It would be better used in a one on one setting, or at a 'station' where only a few students would 'read' it at a time.

Time

2011-03-01T08:58:00.000-06:00

I listened to 'How To Live on 24 Hours a Day' by Arnold Bennett from booksshouldbefree.com

Very interesting book, and I'm trying to implement some of the suggestions. Not all of them are exactly realistic, though, because it was written for an englishman in 1910, not a college student in 2011. But many of the principles are worthwhile.

It made me think of this song, most particularly the second verse. You should listen to it. I even made it easier to get to, by embedding it here.

here are the lyrics:

Every day is a journal page
Every man holds a quill and ink
And there's plenty of room for writing in
All we do is believe and think
So will you compose a curse
Or will today bring the blessing
Fill the page with rhyming verse
Or some random sketching

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
That somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much
Life means so much
Life means so much

Every day is a bank account
And time is our currency
So nobody's rich, nobody's poor
We get 24 hours each
So how are you gonna spend
Will you invest, or squander
Try to get ahead
Or help someone who's under

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
That somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much
Life means so much
Life means so much

Has anybody ever lived who knew the value of a life
And don't you think giving is all
What proves the worth of yours and mine

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
That somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much

Every day is a gift you've been given
Make the most of the time every minute you're living

Out of My Mind By S. Draper

2011-02-28T16:04:00.003-06:00

From my Literary Journal in my Children's Literature Class

Draper, S. (2010). Out of my mind. New York, NY. Athenum Books for Young Readers. 295 pp (Grade Level: 5th-8th)

Melody loves words, and uses them all the time in her head, but her Cerebral Palsy prevents her from saying any of them. People on the most part treat her as if she has no intelligence whatsoever, until she gets a Medi-Talker that allows her to type words and phrases and communicate with people. And even though she has overcome the speaking challenge, and teachers and classmates are beginning to realize how smart she is, there are still plenty of challenges left to overcome.

Out of My Mind is a well written, thoroughly thought out novel. Draper weaves a tale for her readers not only about an intelligent girl whose potential is hidden, but about judging people, about loving people, and about how the small and large things we do make a difference. This is an important read for late elementary and middle school students because it challenges how they think, and encourages them to change. Another way it could be used in the classroom is to ask the students the WizKid questions before and after they have read to see how well they were paying attention, and (especially if they are in 5th grade like Melody is) to show them how smart these WizKid students are. Students could also write autobiographies. This book will open lots of discussion on many topics, necessary discussion about how human beings should be treated.

Savvy by I. Law

2011-02-25T16:02:00.001-06:00

From my Literary Journal in my Children's Lit class:

Law, I. (2008). Savvy. New York, NY: Penguin. 342pp. (Grades 3-8).

"Mibs' special 13th birthday is just around the corner- the day when everyone in her family gets their savvy- their special 'know-how'. Her father gets in a bad accident just before the big day and is taken to a big hospital. Mibs really wants to be there with him, she is convinced she can help, so her and some friends sneak onto a pink school bus that is headed for the town the hospital is in. Only, they end up taking a few detours and, to make things worse, Mibs' savvy comes and she doesn't know how to deal with it.

Savvy is told with a matter-of-fact tone, and it seems as if Mibs is telling the readers all sorts of things from her heart. She is very honest, even with her hopes and fears. The character development was done craftily, helping the readers hold the characters dear. For older students, this would be an opportunity to have them discuss characterization, what they like and dislike about different characters in the story, and what they would think or talk about if they met the characters. I have had the privilege of interviewing this author, and have several short essays or thought blurbs I wrote, and I believe these are resources I ought to take advantage of in my classroom."

(untitled)

2011-02-23T15:31:00.000-06:00

here is a poem sort of thing:

sitting here in silence waiting for class to begin.
Meetings in a corner room, loud suggestions being made.
Student on her laptop typing, typing away.
Professors stride down the hallway from one place to another.
There are enough noises to scare away silence,
but still too few to merit anything but
whispered conversations.

and another:

Cold dreary day.
snowflakes falling in giant soft clumps.
softly
quietly
minding their own business
muffling noises nearby.

A day worthy of 'sound of music' replays in my mind,
A day worthy of tea, and hot chocolate,
A day worthy of hats and mittens.
A day worthy of
A good book,
A good chat,
and a good nap.

Tuesday by D. Weisner

2011-02-22T16:00:00.002-06:00

From my Literary Journal in my Children's Literature class:

Wiesner, D. (1991). Tuesday. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. 29 pp. (Grade Level: K- 2).

"Around eight o'clock at night, on Tuesday, the frogs in the pond begin rising, on their lily pads, into the air. For the next eight hours they fly through the town and even into houses who having sleeping occupants. In the end, the lily pads fall, and the frogs find their way back to the pond, but no one in the town, the next morning, can figure out where all the lily pads came from. The last pages show what happens next Tuesday- pigs fly.

Although I do not necessarily get the point of the book, I can understand why it got the Caldecott award. The pictures are intriguing, and done in cool colors (greens, purples and mostly blues) to indicate night-time. The setting is at night, on Tuesday, at various times. The inside cover says that this is a real story, and it really happened somewhere in the USA. This would be an interesting way to begin a topic, with 'older' students, on research, how to verify facts, and the importance of using facts. "

The Giver by L. Lowry

2011-02-19T15:57:00.003-06:00

From my Literary Journal in my Children's Literature Class

Lowry, L. (1993). The giver. New York, NY: Laurel Leaf Books. 179pp. (Grade Level: 5-8).

Jonas lives in a town that is very well organized and efficient. Once a child turns 12, like Jonas does in the book, they are assigned a job in the town. Jonas is assigned the task of receiving the memories of the world, a daunting task no one has successfully been given in many, many years. Things take a striking turn when Jonas learns about some of the town's secrets, and he along with the Giver, decide to take matters into their own hands to try and change the people and make the town a better place.

I understand why The Giver received a Newbery medal. It is very well written, and takes the reader in for an interesting ride. It is interesting to read memories that Jonas is given for the first time, both the good and the bad, and it would be even more interesting to have students write memories in this way. A discussion topic to use in class would be about how the city is run, and organized, and if students think this is positive or negative and why, and if they would like to live in a place like this. Another thing to talk about would be the lack of color in their world, and what consequences they could think of that would go along with that, and how different life would be. And then there is the ending. I felt that the Lowry left her readers waiting, and that the ending was anticlimactic and not satisfactory. In my classroom, I would have students write their own ending, a sort of epilogue, to what happened to Jonas and his little friend, as well as to all the people back in his home town."

Too Many Books, C. Bauer

2011-02-17T15:57:00.003-06:00

From my Literary Journal for my Children's Literature class:

Bauer, C. Ill. Patterson, D. (1984). Too many books. New York, NY. Frederick Warn Inc. 32 pp. (Grade Level K-2)

" Little MaryLou loves books, always borrowing them from the library and even getting them as gifts. Her collection gets slightly out of hand, soon, and books are stored not only on shelves but also in the tub, refrigerator, and stacked everywhere throughout the house. In the end, MaryLou decides the best thing she can do with her books is to share them, and she leaves s small stack of them everywhere she goes, and really leaves a literary impact on her city. But she doesn't notice, because she is too busy reading.

The short picture book story of MaryLou is a great book for young children. The illustrations are colorful, and fun to look at. I remember borrowing this from the library week after week, even before I could read it to myself. Aside from the positive connotation portrayed of reading that could encourage young students to read expansively, Too Many Books also shows the importance of sharing, and this could be useful in a K-3 classroom. The short book is also repetitive, which is a great for students who are learning to read, or who have yet to learn. The plot is simple, and easy to follow and even predict. The young girl reads all the time, she collects many books, she has too many books, and she shares her books with others. "

Les Mis

2011-02-13T20:07:00.003-06:00

Last night my dad and I watched the last half or so of Les Miserables. It was beautiful. I have no idea which 'version' it was, but I loved it. Most of the time I was not quite sure what was going on, but the music and lyrics were wonderful. I proceeded to buy two of the songs on iTunes: Bring Him Home, and Empty Chairs at Empty Tables (the links are to the versions I found on YouTube, the same version I watched. These are not the iTunes versions) . I can't wait for an opportunity to see the whole thing, even to see it live. And to read it, someday.

talk, talk, talk

2011-02-10T15:22:00.000-06:00

I ordered two books through the interlibrary loan program our campus library has, both about conversations. I've recently wanted to know how to better hold conversations with people. A strange desire, maybe, but interesting.
The books I got were not quite what I was expecting. Very old, bindings falling apart... I took a video of them for you, but I can't find my cord to load it onto my computer, so you'll have to use your imagination ;)

The one in the box was published in 1891, and the binding is falling apart. I've never read a book so cautiously. It is called 'Conversation', and written by J. P. Mahaffy. I love the dedication, which reads 'to my silent friends'. It was a very tiresome read; boring, long, and dry. I read the main points, but none really seemed helpful.

The second one was much more interesting. It is called 'The Art of Conversation: Twelve Golden Rules', by Josephine Turck Baker and published in 1907. This one was, ingeniously, written as a conversation between He and She. They discuss conversations, and a few other topics, coming up with twelve rules. The most helpful of these, in my opinion, are: 1. avoid unnecessary details, 2. do not ask question two until question one has been answered; and do not ask too any questions nor too few, 3. do not interrupt while another is speaking, 5. do not do all the talking, give your listener a chance, and 9. make your speech in harmony with your surroundings.
I would actually recommend this last book if you have an hour, its fun to read, and interesting.

How do you deal with those akward silences? How do you keep a conversation going? Do you have any stories (funny or otherwise) to share? What is the oldest book you've gotten from the library? Any interesting stores about that?

Idols

2011-01-30T19:49:00.000-06:00

I suppose, if we didn't really like our idols, it wouldn't be difficult to give them up.

But thats the problem. The whole issue is that we love them so much, we wonder if we could live without them. So thats why its slightly (ha!) painful for me to think God may have shown me an idol in my life. Something I love so much, and spend so much time with, and think about so much that God's got to compete for my attention and time.

Fiction. Its my weak spot. My Achilles Heal. If I've got a good book, it takes quite a measure of self control to do homework, or laundry, or spend time with friends. Not to mention do my devotions, pray, and spend intentional time with God. So (deep breath) I'm cutting them out.

All fiction. Even the book I'm in the middle of right now. Even the ones I have on hold at the library. Even Shakespeare, and the books I downloaded to listen to on my iPod. I will allow non-fiction, but not liberally. I will allow the books I'm required to read for class, but not allow myself to indulge in them. And in place of that, with all my extra time, I'm going to seek after God with all my heart.

I don't know how long this will be. I don't know when I will pick up fiction again. But I can tell you this: it wont be until I could wait. Until I get to that point where its no longer an issue. How will I know? I'm not sure, honestly. But if I would much rather spend time with God than read, if I would rather sit alone with God and my Bible than sit in a chair in my room with a book, if I would prefer to listen to God than my favorite author's book, then I'm getting close.

Metronome of Life

2011-01-27T16:25:00.001-06:00

by Marie DeVries
January 2011

Metronome of life

my life is like a metronome

back and forth back and forth the same

sometimes faster, sometimes slower

but back and forth all day

wake up. get ready.

don't forget your books.

then go to class, three back to back

then lunch. then study.

homework homework homework.

a break and then more homework.

some time with friends. ready for bed.

off to sleep I go.

my life is like a metronome

back and forth back and forth the same

sometimes slower, more often faster

but back and forth all day.

One More Round

2011-01-25T16:34:00.004-06:00

here is One More Round by Barlow Girl.
Later, I'll share some other songs I've been listening to a lot these past couple weeks, but for now, hear this:

gasp

2011-01-22T13:51:00.000-06:00

that was close.
And I mean, really, really close.

I'm writing the final page of my book, and I almost completely changed the ending.
'What?' you ask? I almost made the main character's best friend... the bad guy! Change his loyalty at the last second, kill her, and take all the magical power for himself.

Actually, and in all honesty... I'm still toying with the idea. I could make it work, adding some scenes and a line here and there. He used the magic earlier in the book for its healing powers, and the two were warned that the magic could start to eat away at him and make him power hungry... But the question is: do I want to? Would it make the book better?
Answer? I really don't know.

Generally, I don't like books like that. With a tragic ending the reader really didn't see coming. But I've read a couple of those recently, so maybe thats why I'm thinking about it so much.

What kind of view does that give? That the good guys don't always win, that the bag guys could be your best friend. Do I want to portray that??

You're not attached to the characters I wrote... so what do you think? Because, the only thing holding me back is that I don't know if I could do that to Marie and Jesse...

A Piansit

2011-01-21T16:16:00.000-06:00

by Marie DeVries
January 2011

A Pianist

she warily tests the keys

to the song she does adore

her first mistake she sees

the first of many more

learning notes and patterns with ease

again and again she tries

hours fly by like a breeze

she feels the strain in her eyes

after a day or two

most of the song is learnt

though there is still much to do

and her fingers have begun to hurt

she attempts it one more time

presses a wrong note accidently

and, as if it were a crime,

she gently slams the keys

it's still not exactly perfect

but she'll soon have it right

and then she'll play it like an addict

her joyful eye full of light

Balance

2011-01-17T16:05:00.000-06:00

Last Sunday, my family and I visited my grandparents. I tried to watch the football game that was on, but I didn't know the teams playing, so there was little to no motivation. I spy the newspaper sitting on the hearth, and pick it up. Its been weeks since I've read a paper, and I've been craving it for some time.

I eventually came to section 4; the arts and entertainment. The first article's title surprises me: "Oprah goes classic: A good idea?" Referring to Oprah's selections for her book club. Read the article here. The author of the piece, Julia Keller, makes the argument that although classics are good books, Oprah should have given a newer book a chance. She should have used her power to bring a new (or newer) book into the lime light.

My first read through the article left me aghast. It seems to me that Keller was advocating leaving the classics in the dust, and picking up the freshly bound freshly written novels. I was thoroughly upset. But, upon my second read just before scrambling this post together, I noticed Keller actually seemed to be advocating the very point I was going to make in this post: balance.

Just because Oprah says to read classics doesn't mean you ought to limit yourself to just those.
Just because So-n-so doesn't like classics doesn't mean you ought to ban them from your reading list.
Even if you yourself hate newer books, or loath seemingly ancient classics, don't bind yourself to the other. Read some of each, and don't give up on one or the other.

Balance makes everything work, and I think we ought to apply it to reading literature. Too much of a good thing is bad, and you don't want to miss out on something exceptional just because you do not like musty classics or stiff-paged newbies. Balance.

I'll end with a quote from Keller. At the very end of her article she says:
"Read new fiction. Pick a book you've never heard of, a book about which the jury is still thrillingly out. Boldly go where few readers have gone before. If it ends up being a dud-and the odds, sadly, suggest that it will be- fear not. 'Great expectations' will still be there."

Couldn't've said it better myself:

2011-01-12T17:02:00.000-06:00

not so much the 'I need to get out' line- I mean, I've been back at school for a whoppin' two days. Its not that crazy chaotic busy (yet).

But the 'stop the world, I need some time with you', couldn't be truer.

Fireside Musings

It Gets Good At The End

When you

I'd like to think

Knock Knock, Who's There

England, in pictures

London, by Brandon Heath

Anticlimactic

Don't Get Distracted

Timewasters

Tunes

Amen

For How Much Have You Been Forgiven?

Manvember

chapel woes

Why??

Frightened

Acrostic

You Should Carry Your Camera With You, And Actually Stop To Take Pictures

I Can't Complain

Student

Green Thumb

motivation

not so simple

growing (again)

Psalmish Links

It Would Be Cool

eggeshells

how to start off the school year rightly

And It Goes Tick-Tock

Solution

Seeds Grow

Justification

thrift store + library =

books to movies

*book giveaway!*

Sharon M. Draper Interview

moments

Lois Lowry Interview

cousin camp photos

hint-hint

something that goes tick-tock

Interview with Kara Bartley

The Moon in Habock's Mirror by Kara Bartley

Les Mis

Interview with Steve DeWinter

RePost

Summer?

Zzzzz

Chair Legs

Pictures

Code Talker by J. Bruchac

Story From My Life

The View From Saturday by E. Konisgsburg

Can You Do It?

The Book Of Three by L. Alexander

Black Ships Before Troy by R. Sutcliff

1001 Nights; Sinbad the Seaman

Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by P. Fleischman

What Are You?

Simple Machines by T. Monroe

Rosa by N. Giovanni

Resolutions

And If The Moon Could Talk by K. Banks

The Letter

Our Singing Plant by S. Foresman

"I'll Wait For You"

The Sandalwood Tree by E. Newmark

Picture Poem

Have A Blast

Blogoshpere

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah

Passion & Purity by E. Elliot

Frindle by A. Clements

The Twelve Clever Brothers and Other Fools

The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook by E. Davis

Scholastic Link

The Vegetable alphabet book by J. Pallotta and B. Thomson

Why, Hello Again

10 Minutes 'Till Bedtime, by P. Rathmann

book giveaway!

gasp