in the thicket

Multiplied...

This past week, I read the beautiful story, "Miss Rumphius" by Barbara Cooney, with my girls. Miss Rumphius is known as the "Lupine Lady" since she walked across Maine sowing five bushels of lupine seeds in an effort to keep her promise to her grandfather to "do something to make the world more beautiful."

(Lupines in Main, image found here)

I hate how ugliness and sin (including my own) can spread throughout the world, but I'm encouraged by how God also designed beautiful things to spread easily and naturally. Miss Rumphius first discovered that the lupines were spreading after a season of illness when she was bedridden. She had planted them in her garden, but they spread beyond. Inspired, she then went across the land, spreading the seeds which then spread even further. She threw the seeds everywhere, and just trusted that they would bloom and spread. At first everyone thought she was crazy.

Sometimes it doesn't feel real that God's redeeming love can change both individuals like me and families like mine and communities... from families, to neighborhoods, villages and churches. But through Jesus, it can and will. This is the power of the gospel, and His will for us.

May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

                                                                                                                2 Peter 1:2

What I've been reading and (mostly) loving

Recently a facebook friend lamented that she had to turn in "Maise Dobbs" because she couldn't renew it, but was tempted to keep it a few days extra to finish reading. I immediately wanted to know more, that is the kind of book recommendation that I appreciate! Thanks to that comment, I've discovered Jacqueline Winspear's "mystery" series featuring Maise Dobbs. These books are a bit hard to categorize, but I would say they are psychological mystery novels. Each book does have one or two investigations that the insightful private detective Maise Dobbs is engaged with, but there is a great deal of character development and backstory packed into these relatively slim little books. The setting is England after the First World War, which is a time that I am fairly ignorant of so I have really been enjoying that as well. (Another similar series that I like, but not as much, is by mother/son writing team Charles Todd- it also features an independent young woman investigating things, but she currently a nurse during the war during the course of the stories- the Bess Crawford series, also worth checking out though!) There is a bit of "spiritualism" and a sort of new-age vibe in some of Winspear's books, but I think that reflects the time period as well. (She likes to sit in a room shortly after a crime was committed and make observations and try to sense what the spirit/personality/mood of the person involved had been.) So far, I've read the first book, "Maise Dobbs", "Pardonable Lies", and then going backwards, I'm currently reading "Birds of a Feather".

The next book I've finished recently qualifies me for a "I can't believe I read the WHOLE THING!" award. If there isn't such an award, I hearby make it up and give it to myself. "Fall of Giants", by Ken Follett. I read and really enjoyed the other two historical books he wrote ("The Pillars of the Earth" and "World Without End"). I had some concerns about starting this book, because I had started it as an audio book and didn't get very far. It is definitely a book that I needed to be able to read on my own. There were certain parts/story lines that really drew me in, and others not so much. This is book one of the Century Triology, covering the time leading up to the first World War (I can't say WWI, since at the time they obviously didn't know about the second one to come, thank goodness!) I really enjoyed most of the storylines, though there were really some unlikeable characters, though no villians per say. (Unlike Pillars of the Earth in particular, which had characters I loved to hate.) I've described Ken Follett's writing style to my husband as excessively detailed at times- in terms of actions (building a cathedral, but a good kind of detailed), relationships, and ummm intimate bedroom scenes. Almost more like a man describing a detailed battle (which he does quite a bit) except he is describing a more intimate encounter- almost a dry, clinical, detached description at times. One positive is that really there was a bit less of the latter in Fall of Giants than in his other two books, which as a mom who is often reading while watching her kids at the park or taking care of them generally, I do appreciate. I hate to be a kill-joy but some things are best left inferred, don't necessarily need a word picture!

That leads me nicely into a book which I also truly loved, and was quite an undertaking for me to read. "When Christ and His Saints Slept" by Sharon Penman. This was a wonderful historical novel about Empress or Queen Maud and her cousin Stephen, and their bloody decades-long battle over England's throne. I had some curiousity about this time period because of "Pillars of the Earth" by Follet (same time period), and also because of the history readings we have done for my daughter's homeschool. I felt this author had a wonderful writing style, character development and told a darn good tale that spanned decades and countries. And thankfully, the bedroom scenes were very tastefully done and appropriate. I am excited that I enjoyed this book so much, because this author has been quite prolific so I have a lot of good books to look forward to! Next up is "Time and Chance" which picks up with Henry II's marriage to Eleanor of Acquitaine. Between Penman's books and the Winspear series, I will have plenty of good "curl up and read" books to keep me occupied this winter!

Oh, but how could I forget- I'm also getting current on old favorite, Father Tim! I have "In the Company of Others" by Jan Karon in my reading pile as well. It will be nice to pick that up if I am feeling overwhelmed by all the historical fiction I'm reading!

 

 

 

Why did I wait so long?

I think that sometimes there are books or movies that are so popular that the rebellious side of my hesitates to jump onboard, so to speak. (Maybe it's a form of snobbery on my part?) Harry Potter fell into that category for me. Which is really too bad, for me! I could have been enjoying it along with everyone else!

I did read the first book, years ago, but for some reason it did not grab me. Maybe I was too loyal to the favorite authors of my youth (Madeline L'Engle in particular) that I didn't want to let myself get drawn in? Who knows! I remember when I was in graduate school, I was shocked when a classmate of mine spent a week or so heading over to Borders (the "flagship store" in downtown Ann Arbor) to read the entire series. She loved it and seemed surprised when I said I didn't find it that interesting. I should have listened to her!

We've been going through Harry Potter as a family for the past year. Our 7 year old was immediately a huge fan! I was amazed at how much she loved it. My husband or I (mostly my husband) read it out loud to her. Then I would sneak and read what I missed. I had also seen the movies through book 4 at my in-laws. Finally, I started reading them ahead of my daughter, so I could gauge when she'd be ready for the more intense later books. I read Book 5 over a couple of weeks, then read Book 6 over a week or so and then... I couldn't help it... started Book 7 two days ago and finished it up today! It's been a while since I've had a late-night reading marathon, but I really just could not stop reading. Love when that happens!

I'm pretty sure that everyone else I know has really read them. But just in case anyone stumbles across this who hasn't read them, then please, reconsider and start reading immediately! They really ARE as good as everyone says. Now I have that disappointing sense of let-down that happens when you finish a really wonderful story.

I think I'll still have to wait on the last two (three?) movies, though... I can't figure out a way to see them without my 7 year old knowing, and she would NOT like it if I saw the movies before her, but we have a family rule that you read the book before the movie. Oh well, something to look forward to!

Blowing the dust off and making some changes!

After considering what my blogging goals are, I've decided to make some changes! I have just created a blog where I will post specifically about homeschooling and family life, located at Dogwood Homeschool. Homeschooling is an important part of my life and certainly occupies a lot of my thoughts, time and energy. It is not my only interest, however, so I hope that this blog will become a place where I can write about my own personal interests... books, home arts (decorating, cooking, celebrations), Christianity, my quest to take better care of myself, parenting issues that don't specifically pertain to homeschooling, and maybe even some photography and digital scrapbooking again if I can fit that into my life!

So, if you are specifically interested in my homeschooling posts, you might want to follow my new blog. I'm writing for myself here, not any specific audience, and I anticipate that some months I might write a lot about books and other months I might blog about home decorating projects. Some days I might have the occassional deep thought or two that I want to get down in written form. Who knows! I just need a place where I can explore my own interests and passions that are not necessarily "child-centered" (though so much of my life really is, it's just the season!)

I will be "cleaning up" this blog shortly and I hope to update the header and overall look. I will leave all my posts here for the current time (including homeschooling posts) until I can figure out if it's possible to move them or not. Otherwise, I will just move forward with posts on this blog and hope that I will have a chance to write here regularly.

 

Slipping into fiction again

I can't quite articulate why, but I have had a really hard time getting into a groove of regularly reading fiction since I have had children. I've read non-fiction, stacks and stacks of non-fiction, about parenting, faith, food, politics, knitting, home organization, and any other random topics that catch my eye. But because of the chaotic nature of my days, it's hard for me to read fiction since I so often need to pick up/put down my book. And I used to be someone who for years and years read an average of 4-5 novels a week. A WEEK. That does not include required reading for school. Classic, trashy or trendy, I probably read it!

So I'm very thankful that I've recently been able to slip into reading fiction. It is something I have missed so much. Unlike my time on the computer, which often leaves me feeling blah or down or unmotivated (idly checking my email, facebook, messageboards, blogs, and now twitter), reading fiction seems to energize me and lift my mood. I'm now able to read a few chapters, put my book down and then be productive for a while, and the urge to see where the story goes is a positive motivator for me. I'm finding time to read during the day while waiting for my kids to do something, while watching them play outside, or just those random downtime's throughout the day. I think I'm doing a pretty good job not letting it get out of hand, but it is really nice to take 15 minutes and do something that is just refreshing for me. Unless I get started with something at night- I have had a few late nights just because I had to finish a book!

I do wonder why spending time online leaves me feeling so drained. I've been mulling over two possibilities, both are probably true. The first is Information overload. My time online bounces from place to place, and I read a wide variety of short snippets of things, and a few more indepth things. But usually on different topics. There is no cohesion, no thread for me to follow. Sometimes I read good things, other times I stumble upon negative stories or rants or depressing news. Rabbit trails everywhere.

The second possibility is emotional connection. As crazy as it sounds, I am emotionally connected to people I "know" online. Some of whom I'm blessed to actually be close to in real life, while others I have met a handful of times, while still others I have just "known" forever online. I am an extremely empathetic person, and as much as I love keeping up with what is going on in the lives of my friends, near and far, through this amazing thing called the internet that we all take for granted now, I do find that if I don't guard myself it overwhelms me. Sometimes I make a misstep myself, and don't "read" someone well. Sometimes my heart aches so much for someone who is struggling and the distance between us overwhelms me because I can't actually help physically, and my virtual hugs seem, well, lame. I also struggle with my tendency to "keep track" of everyone's views that I know of and try to accommodate them in my words as not to offend, or I make the wrong assumption that they can handle my "honest" words and end up hurting instead of helping or communicating appropriately. Sometimes it's a virtual landmine.

The reason I keep coming back, though, is because I do value my relationships, and I do feel that I find information that is of value to me as I live my life that is more accessible than elsewhere. I know that some people find it is better to take a "fast" from the internet for a time when the balance between time spent online and their life obligations gets out of whack, or just when they are too busy to find the time to be online for a season. I admit that I have not always looked favorably upon that strategy, because the positives of internet have always loomed large in my mind. Yet I still have to acknowledge the physical, mental and emotional toll it *can* take on me.

Because of this, I'm glad that I'm finally able to add a steady diet of fiction back into my life. Reading fiction also greatly enriches my life, gives me new thoughts and insights, distracts me from minor annoyances, refreshes me and I think because I find it so compelling adds a natural balance to the time I spend online. It's a strong pull for me too, which I think I needed, especially since I have greatly cut back on my other "passion"- digital scrapbooking. I do hope to pick that up again, but it definitely doesn't do as much good for me as reading fiction does. I love stories. Sometimes I do wonder whether I just love reading people's stories online. I'm amazed at how vulnerable and transparent and real some of my online friends are. And I love that they trust me to share, and I'm amazed at what people will put on blogs. (Like I'm doing here, but I doubt many will read this!) But with fiction, I can follow the stories while not feeling the emotional burden of caring about someone. I do feel that as a Christian I am called to care for and love others, but I also know that I have limits and need to keep it real, so to speak, and to make sure that I stay refreshed so that I can love those I'm in daily contact with.

When I sat down to write this, I actually thought I was going to do a quick overview of some of the books I've read recently... but I think I'm hitting a wall, so I'll save that for another post!