Friday’s Fave Five

Posted on September 11, 2009 by Barbara Harper

Susanne at Living to Tell the Story hosts a “Friday Fave Five” in which we share our five favorite things from the past week. Click on the button to read more of the details, and you can visit Susanne to see the list of others’ favorites or to join in.

I’m running behind today!! Here are my fave five’s:

1. A day off. We don’t really “celebrate” Labor Day in that we don’t really do anything specifically to commemorate the holiday. But it is nice to have a relaxing day off — I love not setting the alarm clock. Well, it was relaxing for me, anyway. The guys all went to Jason’s to do yard work. Then we ate at Jason and Mittu’s (son and new daughter-in-law). It was nice not to have to think about dinner!

2. Naps. With school starting I get up earlier, and I have been going to bed earlier than I did over the summer, but if I were to get a full eight hours I’d have to go to bed at 9, and that’s just not happening. Most days I can get by without a nap, but two or three times a week I get one in, and it’s a big help.

3. These:

I like to have seasonal decorations, but with a lot of pink in the house, it’s hard to get fall and Christmas decorations that work with pink. Most time I just put them up anyway, but I am delighted when I find pieces that actually coordinate! And these ceramic leaf dishes were on sale half-price at Hobby Lobby. I wasn’t even looking for anything like them but stumbled across them while perusing the autumn decorations just to see what was new. I also found a really cute dish that went with my daughter-in-law’s kitchen colors and theme (black and red with a coffee mug theme), but I forgot to take a picture before I gave it to her.

4. New pillow. This is from several weeks ago, but I forgot to mention it. I had not taken a pillow on our OK trip because I flew out. But driving back with the rest of the family, it was hard to doze off and get comfortable to any degree without a pillow. I found this when we stopped to eat at Cracker Barrel. I love how it goes with the couch and how fluffy it is — love the quilted stitching, too.

5. A Karla Dornacher stationery set. This is a gift from my good friend Carol. I love the note cards and stationery and the neat box they come in!

Bonus:

Book Review: Fatal Illusions

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Barbara Harper

Fatal Illusions is the first novel of Adam Blumer.

Gillian Thayer is a pastor’s wife in Chicago grieving the loss of stillborn twins, trying to keep busy with a calligraphy business and her teen-age daughter, Crystal. When her husband, Marc, is attacked and accused by an out-of-control counselee, Gillian doesn’t know what to think. Reluctantly the family agrees to take a sabbatical in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula until the publicity over Marc’s attack dies down.

Unbeknownst to them, amateur magician Haydon Owens is also taking a sabbatical in the area, but for different reasons. He has committed four murders in Cincinnati and has decided it is time to make a clean break just to be safe, even though the police have almost no leads on the so-called Magician Murderer. He grew up in Michigan’s UP and decides to head back there to lay low for a while…until he discovers that Crystal Thayer has the same blonde hair, blue eyes, and wire-rimmed glasses as his other victims…

Fatal Illusions is a suspenseful, can’t-put-it-down page turner with well-defined, genuine characters. I felt the Thayers could have been from my own home church: their reactions and ways of thinking and reasoning are similar to my own.

I think I am not alone in that, when I read a mystery, I can’t help but try to put the pieces together and figure out how it is going to end, but, though I may experience some satisfaction in doing so, I don’t really want to figure it out. I want to be surprised. Adam doesn’t disappoint on that front: just about the time I thought I knew where things were leading, the next few pages proved my theory wrong. A few scenes that didn’t seem to make sense to me at first became clear in good time.

It wasn’t until I typed the title that I realized there were so many shades of meaning in it as most of the main characters deal with various illusions or misconceptions.

I don’t normally read scary books, at least not since the last one I read left me afraid to be alone at night for a while. But when I heard that Adam Blumer was publishing his first novel, I wanted to read it. I sort-of know Adam from the Sharper Iron site and I have always appreciated his reasonable, articulate voice there. I almost didn’t want to mention that because I didn’t want that knowledge to cause readers to think I wasn’t being objective. I don’t review any book that I don’t feel I can be honest about, and those of you who have been reading here for a while know I don’t hesitate to share what I don’t like as well as what I like about books. But I honestly can’t find fault with this one except for a couple of what seemed to me to be cliched phrases.

And though I would call Fatal Illusions more suspenseful than scary, I would still recommend not reading it while home alone at night…but I do highly recommend it. I can’t wait to see what Adam publishes next.

(This review will be linked to Semicolon‘s Saturday Review of books.)

Another random dozen

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Barbara Harper

Hosted by Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee.

1. What is something that you have changed your mind about either recently or over a number of years?

Although I hate this word because it has been so over-used, I used to be pretty legalistic about a number of issues that I’ve since discovered after studying the Bible are preferences rather than die-hard issues to fight over, and people can love the Lord and differ from me on certain issues. I still think some take that spiritual liberty way too far the other way — I don’t believe liberty means we have no standards at all.

2. Choose either subject, but does your a) church b) job feel more like a dental chair experience or an easy chair (recliner) experience?

Well, my job is being a stay-at-home wife and mom, and I enjoy that. I enjoy my church overall. But I wouldn’t classify either as an easy-chair experience — that to me connotes rest, relaxation, not working, and both involve effort. But neither are nerve-wracking and tortuous, either, though every job or church experience has its downside as well.

How’s that for totally not answering the question? 🙂

3. Kisses or hugs? I actually typed “huts,” which might have been a more interesting question.

I’m not much into either outside my immediate family and close friends, and with anyone except my husband it is hugs rather than kisses.

4. What do you think is the biggest threat to families today?

Wow, that’s a big one. I agree with what Melli said about selfishness. After that I think I would say lack of time together. With such overloaded schedules outside the family and then such access to personal entertainment inside the house, it is too easy not to spend quality time together even when we’re all under the same roof.

5. A day after you grocery shop, you open a perishable item that is horribly spoiled. Do you take your receipt back to the store to be reimbursed or just throw it away and forget about it?

It depends on how expensive it was and whether it would be worth the time and energy to take it back. Sometimes I do take things back so the store will know there is a problem, like one grocery store whose store brand of OJ often had mold around the lid. I don’t buy their OJ any more!!

6. What personality trait (feel free to address good or bad or both) do you notice yourself adopting from your parents?

This one could be a whole blog post in itself. I used to think I didn’t have my dad’s temper, but mine is there and all too active — it’s just not explosive like his. That doesn’t make it better, though. I share my mom’s tendency to overspend. 😳 I think I’m more like my mom in overall personality. She loved to give gifts, and I’ve inherited a portion of that.

7. How many slices of bread do you leave in the bottom of the bag when you throw it away? Two? Three? Just the heel? None? (I really want to know if you eat the heel.)

I don’t eat the heels unless we’re having sandwiches and there wouldn’t be enough bread without using the heels. If the bread has been in there a while I’ll often toss the last few slices away.

8. What mispronunciation or usage error really irritates you?

“Loose” for “lose” and apostrophes where they don’t belong — though I try to be merciful because I slip up sometimes, too.

9. In honor of the uniqueness of today’s date, what does the numeral 9 mean to you? (Any special life moments attached to the 9th? Are you the 9th kid in your family? Can you count by 9s really fast? etc.)

I don’t think there is anything unique in my life associated with a 9 — not that I can think of right now, anyway.

10. Does the general color palette in your closet match the colors you chose to decorate your home with?

It does now, yes, except that I wear darker colors in the winter time, though still in the same color families. I used to buy whatever was on sale or on clearance without regard to color, and it was so depressing. It took me a while to realize color was a factor. Now I look in my closet and sigh with happiness. 😀

11. When you’re hanging out with friends in the kitchen, do you automatically ask to help, or do you sit there and chat until the host asks if you’d like to help? I’m not implying that the 2nd choice stems from rudeness or laziness, just not a first-response like it is for some people.

I usually offer to help. I was raised to do so. In some kitchens there is not much room, or the cook likes things done a certain way. In my mom’s or my close friend’s house, though, I just plunge right in.

12. Let’s end on a pleasant note: What do you enjoy about September the most?

That there are finally some cool days after the sweltering humid summer. It’s back-and-forth for several weeks, but at least there are some cool days of relief here and there.

A Thousand Words In Idioms: The Rosy Version

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Barbara Harper

Jientje at Heaven Is In Belgium hosts A Thousand Words In Idioms on Wednesdays wherein she asks participants to illustrate an idiom with a photo.

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

This is a line taken from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and means that it doesn’t matter what you call a thing, its essence is the same. This photo is from a few years ago and is one of my favorites. It had rained the night before and I noticed this especially dewy rose as I walked up the driveway after taking Jesse to school.

CIMG1112

Everything’s coming up roses.

This means that everything is going really well. This photo is from a year ot two ago as well, a bouquet my son Jason bought for me unexpectedly.

You can see more illustated idioms and even join in the fun at Jientje‘s.

Well, I never…!

Posted on September 7, 2009 by Barbara Harper

I’m having a leisurely, decidedly non-laborious Labor Day so far, though I need to do laundry and some catching-up from last week’s busyness. The guys are all over at Jason and Mittu’s doing some yard work as they have some overgrown areas out behind them and they don’t have any of their own lawn equipment yet. I’m luxuriating in some rare quiet solitude at the moment, but we’ll all get together for dinner later.

I hope you have a pleasant Labor Day as well! It’s kind of sad in that it marks the end of summer. I love autumn but wasn’t quite ready to make the switch yet, but I am getting there.

Some meme or another asked the question recently, “What is something you’ve never done?” We would all probably have multiple answers to that question. I decided to list a few. I should probably let this post sit for a few days before publishing because I am sure I’ll think of more…but since I ain’t got nuthin’ else today, I’m gonna go with this idea!

Things I have never done and have no desire to do:

– had a pedicure or a manicure. The thought of someone messing with my feet is unnerving. And I don’t have full feeling in my feet, so some foot products I’ve seen advise caution anyway.

– been arrested.

– suffered a miscarriage.

– gotten drunk.

– bungee- jumped.

– sky-dived.

– committed a crime — except for one speeding ticket- is that considered a crime?

– gone to car races. Why spend time watching people drive in circles? Or ovals? Horse races, either. Not my thing.

Things I have never done but could be talked into…maybe:

– traveled outside the country. My stomach gets all into knots at even the thought of traveling — I don’t know how I would get through travel that far away. But I can’t say I would never do it. Not likely, though.

– been on a cruise. I’m actually thinking about this one. It seems so many people I know have gone on cruises in the last few years.It sounds calm and peaceful. And I like the idea of traveling in a vessel with access to multiple bathrooms and more room than an airplane.

– taken a trip on a real train. This is something I’d like to try some time.

Things I said I would never do but did:

– teach a class.

– speak publicly.

– sing a solo.

– gone on a tour in an underground cavern.

How about you? What are some of your “nevers?”

Turn your eyes upon Jesus…

Posted on September 6, 2009 by Barbara Harper

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. ~ John 1:29

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

~ Helen H. Lemmel, 1922

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. ~ Hebrews 12:2a

End of an era

Posted on September 5, 2009 by Barbara Harper

My son recently alerted me to the news that PBS’s Reading Rainbow was coming to an end.

Reading Rainbow used to be almost daily fare in our house, but we hadn’t seen it in a while as our children got older. I hadn’t even known Levar Burton had left the show over philosophical differences. Seems the company that bought the show was also the parent company of Sylvan Learning Centers and Hooked on Phonics, which teach how to read, wanted to take the show that direction: teaching the mechanics of reading.

I think that was the wrong approach — at least changing the show over totally that direction was. Teaching mechanics is necessary. But I think kids are more inspired and motivated to learn to read by experiencing great books. And even those who know how to read well and experience great books don’t go on to become book lovers themselves, so a show like that exposed them to a lot more than they would encounter themselves. And those who did love to read would find some good recommendations, like those of us who love to read and peruse other people’s reading lists to get some good ideas.

So even though I am beyond the stage of life of having small children, I am still sad that the show is gone.

When I have grandkids, reading is one of the main activities I want us to do together.

Janet had some great thoughts about teaching and inspiring reading.

I‘ve traveled the world twice over,
Met the famous; saints and sinners,
Poets and artists, kings and queens,
Old stars and hopeful beginners,
I’ve been where no-one’s been before,
Learned secrets from writers and cooks
All with one library ticket
To the wonderful world of books.
~ Author Unknown ~

Books are the legacies that a great genius leaves to
mankind, which are delivered down from generation to
generation as presents to the posterity of those who are yet unborn,
~ Joseph Addison ~

Of all the diversions of life, there is none so proper to fill up
its empty spaces as the reading of useful and entertaining authors.
~ Joseph Addison ~

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
~ Joseph Addison ~

Friday’s Fave Five

Posted on September 4, 2009 by Barbara Harper

1. With the Word by Warren Wiersbe. I forgot who recommended this Bible handbook to me — Susan, maybe? But I had seen this recommended somewhere and asked for it for my birthday and received it. I just started using it several days ago — and I love it. In my reading the Bible through this time around I am slowing down through the epistles and reading them several times over before going on to the next one. I’m in I Timothy and had already read it a few times, but right on the notes for the first chapter there was a key point that I had overlooked that opened up the whole chapter. I had understood the individual verses before, but now the chapter as a whole made sense in a way it hadn’t before.

This isn’t so much an exegetical commentary as it is just Wiersbe’s notes along the way from his own studies, along with a few quotes here and there. There are more detailed commentaries, but for devotional type reading, this is perfect — I can get some additional insight without getting bogged down.

2. Cool mornings and evenings. We’ve just been getting out first touch of fallish weather this week, and I absolutely love it. It’s been cool but not cold, yet still warm in the afternoons.

3. Lights by the driveway and shelves. We (I say we –Jim) had removed them when we he painted a few weeks ago, and we had planned to replace them because the old ones were very hard to get into, but we just hadn’t had a chance to go look for any together. We finally did last weekend, and Jim got them put up. It’s so nice to have light there again. Jim also hung up my embellishment center and a shelf in my craft room. I don’t have my things organized on it yet — I’ll show pictures of the whole room when it’s done.

4. Kielbasa sausage stew for dinner last night. Wonderful! Hadn’t made it in a while. It’s not necessarily an autumn meal, but it seemed just right for this week.

5. A new grandpuppy. Jason and Mittu adopted a chocolate Lab/Weimaraner mix named Spresso. He’s cute.

Spresso

Happy Friday! I have some responsibilities throughout the day, but if you leave a comment I’ll be by to visit you later this evening or in the morning.

Poetry Friday

Posted on September 4, 2009 by Barbara Harper

An explanation of Poetry Friday is here. It’s being hosted today by Crossover.

Yesterday I was looking for a couple of poems that mention September when I came across this stanza that was unfamiliar to me:

The morrow was a bright September morn;
The earth was beautiful as if new-born;
There was that nameless splendor everywhere,
That wild exhilaration in the air,
Which makes the passers in the city street
Congratulate each other as they meet.

That just seemed to capture how a fresh fall breeze makes me feel. I copied a line from the poem to search and see where it came from, and discovered it was from the longer poem“The Falcon of Ser Federigo” which is in turn from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s book of poems titled “Tales of a Wayside Inn.” The “Tales” are told by the landlord and patrons of the Wayside Inn, the first one being the famous Paul Revere’s Ride.

“The Falcon of Ser Federigo” is the tale of a knight who lost his beloved to a rival and now lives in poverty with his dearest treasure, his falcon. He is visited by a young boy who he recognizes immediately as the son of his former love, who is now widowed. One day…

The petted boy grew ill, and day by day
Pined with mysterious malady away.
The mother’s heart would not be comforted;
Her darling seemed to her already dead,
And often, sitting by the sufferer’s side,
“What can I do to comfort thee?” she cried.
At first the silent lips made no reply,
But moved at length by her importunate cry,
“Give me,” he answered, with imploring tone,
“Ser Federigo’s falcon for my own!”
No answer could the astonished mother make;
How could she ask, e’en for her darling’s sake,
Such favor at a luckless lover’s hand,
Well knowing that to ask was to command?
Well knowing, what all falconers confessed,
In all the land that falcon was the best,
The master’s pride and passion and delight,
And the sole pursuivant of this poor knight.
But yet, for her child’s sake, she could no less
Than give assent to soothe his restlessness,
So promised, and then promising to keep
Her promise sacred, saw him fall asleep.

I’ll let you read the rest of the story on your own. 🙂

It contains the line “All things come round to him who will but wait,” which is where I assume the line “Good things come to those who wait” came from.

This really piqued my interest. I haven’t read a lengthy poem in quite a while, but this flowed well and was easy to follow. I found numerous places online that have the full text, but I might see if my library has the book one day.

Random Dozen Meme

Posted on September 3, 2009 by Barbara Harper

I saw at Susanne‘s yesterday that Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee had created a Random Dozem meme that looked like a lot of fun.

1. When you go to Wowmart, what one thing do you get every single time, besides a funky-wheeled squeaking cart full of frustration?

A) More than I need.
B) Hot.
C) Toiletries — they are cheaper there.
D) Diet Pepsi.

2. What is something that people are currently “into” that you just don’t get or appreciate?

A) Twitter. I get it — but who has time to keep up with it when they also blog and do Facebook?
B) Excessive piercings. I don’t even have pierced ears — figured I didn’t need another hole in my head. 😀 I have seen some really cute earrings that have tempted me, but it just seemed so absurd to poke a hole in my body to hang something decorative from — even though I love to decorate blank spaces. I don’t think it is wrong per se — it just never made sense to me personally. And nowadays when there are multiple piercings all over people’s faces and bodies….”shrug”…I just don’t get it.
C) Excessive tattoos.

3. What is something that really hoists your sail that other people might feel “ho-hum” about?

It’s silly, but I really love being the first person to open the peanut butter or tub of margarine. Just one of life’s little pleasures.

4. Favorite song to sing in the shower or car?

Usually hymns — just whatever I’ve been listening to or thinking about, or, in the car, what’s on the radio or tape player.

5. A really great salad must have this ingredient:

Ham and shredded cheddar cheese. I know, I know, that raises the calorie and fat content, and I don’t often take the time to add them, but the best salads have them as toppings.

6. Advice in a nutshell to new bloggers (one or two sentences):

“To have a friend you must be one” applies in blogging as it does in real life. I know some new bloggers can get discouraged because it takes a while to gain readers, but one of the best ways to do so is just to get out and meet the neighbors, so to speak: visit and comment on others’ blogs (in a genuine way, not a self-promoting, just trying to get traffic way). And participating in a meme is a great way to do that. And along the way you find some real treasures and develop some good friends.

I also agree with what Susanne and Linda said.

7. What was the alternate name that your parents almost named you? Do you wish they had chosen it instead of the one they gave you?

Virginia Belle. It was my father’s oldest sister’s name. She passed away at a young age, and while they wanted to honor and remember her, they were afraid that using her name might be too hard for my grandmother. I don’t know if I would have perferred it. Barbara sounds sharp and harsh to me, especially when shortened to Barb (just for me — I know other very sweet Barbs), and I like soft, flowing names, so I might have prefered that. I also could have been named Lora Ann — I was named for my Mom’s sister, Barbara Ann, and my Dad’s sister, Lora Lee, so they could have reversed them. But after 52 years of being Barbara Lee, I really can’t imagine anything else.

8. What in your life are you waiting for?

Grandchildren. 🙂 I’m in no hurry though — I don’t want to rush them. 🙂 They haven’t even been married a month yet. But someday….I am really looking forward to little grandpeople.

9. You get a package in the mail. What is it, and who is it from?

Most likely books from Amazon.com or Christianbook.com that I’ve ordered.

10. Today–what song represents you?

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears.

11. What is one thing that blogging has taught you about yourself?

I would say that I’m too wordy, but I already knew that. That I enjoy writing, at least in this format.

12. How are you going to (or how did you) choose the clothes you’re wearing today? What do they say about you in general or specifically how you’re feeling today?

It was there, it was clean, it was cool (as in lightweight, not as in “hip.”) It’s loose but not baggy. And it’s blue. I guess that says I’m pragmatic, I like comfortable clothes, and it still gets hot during the day, so I’m trying to avoid sweatiness.

If you’d like to do this meme, let Linda know here — she has the code for the cute button at the top there, too. And let me know as well so I can come see your answers.