The Awesomeness of Books

"The book fell open in her hands. In the lamplight the fresh, untouched pages lay spread, each exciting with unread words printed upon it in clear, fine type. Straight, thin red lines enclosed each oblong of printing, like the treasure it was, and outside the red lines were the pages' pure margins."
- Laura Ingalls Wilder from 'Little Town on the Prairie'

THIS is why I get so excited about books, especially new books by old friends (or authors). A wonderfully eloquent saying

Sunday Worship

Worship is what YOU bring to it. - T. Miller

Come to a meeting of God's people prepared & ready for God to move & He will. If you don't, then you may not be blessed like God wants to bless you.

*Later*

At church the pastor sang this today & I had listened to it on the way to church. 

I love when God does things like that!

The cry of my heart is to bring You praise

Mudpies

I'll let you in on a secret - I love playing in the dirt.  : D

This is from 3 years ago, but it shows the gist of things.

Getting off work early today was a real blessing. I was able to repot 7 roses, catnip, chives, 3 different kinds of mint (ginger, chocolate & sweet), plus some tomatoes & pineapple sage. Added top dressing to my back flowerbed & my mini roses on the west side of the house.

Right now, I've got dirt caked under my fingernails, in my hair, on my shirt... lots of places.

Sleepy now, but it's a good sort of tiredness.

Had this stuck in my head today.....

Adventures in Fun

Yesterday was an adventure. At work we had another of what I call "Tournament Saturday's" - which basically means we were slammed all afternoon. (Rain slowed us down in the morning.) So much custard that after finishing work I was covered in stickiness.

After work I went out to some very dear friends who were hosting a bonfire and made many memories. 2 of the sweetest boys wanted to play with trains. So we made the trains "eat" my nose, called out the numbers and colors of the train engines; blew dandelion puffs in the field and laughed hysterically.
  C picked wildflowers to give the ladies gathered around the fire and J ran out in the field with his cousin for the sheer joy of it.

S and R (mom and dad to C) had a work day for their kitchen remodel yesterday and I have to say, it's looking good!

Finally, been listening to this lately...

Build Your Kingdom Here

Rend Collective's "Build Your Kingdom Here" is amazing. A young man at church shared this 2 Sundays ago at church and we sang it again at Bible Study this past Sunday (5/5). We truly need Christ Jesus to 'show His mighty hand', 'set His church on fire' , and 'heal our streets & lands'.

Jane of Lantern Hill review

Jane Stuart, the heroine of this particular tale by the beloved author of "Anne of Green Gables", is emphatically unhappy when the story opens. She doesn't know her father at all and it's several chapters into the story before the reader finds out that Jane's parents are divorced.

Young Jane lives with her mother, an elderly aunt and... her grandmother. "Grandmother" is a terrifying character who is acid tongued, bitter and very angry. At times she comes perilously close to being a caricature. But, I have had experience with a very similar type of person when I was younger.

Awkward, timid, very little self confidence are all phrases that can be used to describe Jane at the beginning of her story.

Robin, Jane's mother is a weak character - I mean she's is a bit of a wimp (to use a modern phrase). She has no fortitude to stand up to her bully of a mother. She's pretty and sweet, but not morally strong. As one of  the minor characters said, "She's been under the old lady's thumb too long.....And anyhow, she's a cat of a different breed from Miss Jane."

L.M. Montgomery was so talented at bringing these characters to life, whether they're orphans, mean old women, colorless men and more. Above all they are vitally alive characters that smack of realism.

Jane's father is not perfect either. But the relationship that develops over the course of the book between Jane and her "Dad" is a rich one.

For myself, the biggest kick I get from reading "Jane" is seeing the fun that she has doing chores that I don't ever do. A born cook, housekeeper and gardener, all things I aspire to do. I personally need to work on the housekeeping part!

"Jane of Lantern Hill" is firmly on my favorite book list and will remain there. Find it if you can and read it. It's a treat.

*update 12-19-14*
Reading through again, I just noticed that at one point in the book Jane goes on a walk, after dark, by herself with no fear whatsoever. That is completely different from the mindset nowadays.

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