For the want of anything of value – let me ramble on about nothing. Maybe something will gel, fall out and bounce off the floor. Then if it does, I can pick it up and run with it.
Conversations yesterday with my fabulous family and friends netted some tiny fragments of ideas that could be twisted and misaligned into possible entertaining anecdotes for your perusal.
The idea for a deaconess cart was brought up at church – it quickly went downhill from there and now the entire deaconess committee is hoping to get a golf cart aka the deac-mobil to transport communion supplies back and forth. Yes, I agree. This is a sad picture of American Christianity. But did that stop me from participating in the banter? And I am not going to enter the debate or conversation regarding the title – deaconess. Let me just say that our denomination does not use pom-poms or lead cheers.
Speaking of gluttony – served with three full meals yesterday. And as my insane F and F are wont to do, we found a different twist on the whole “a starving child in a ____________ (insert third-world country here) would love to have what’s on your plate” guilt trip. One location served a tweak on the traditional ham…corned beef. A teen person left a chunk on her plate. Her father said. “Hey, there’s a starving Irishman who’d love to have that.” (Said person was Irish – so it’s okay to share – no comments about unfair comments).
Finally, conversation turned serious and even a little sinister as a cousin shared a recent hunt for art. His hair-stylist has great paintings on his walls. Cousin asked where they’d come from. The stylist looked both ways, leaned in close, and whispered. “I’ll tell you sometime.”
Weeks – maybe even months (I wasn’t paying close enough attention to the real details) my cousin received a cryptic phone call. “This is Agent X, (okay, it was really the stylist’s name – but it was still weird) meet me at the unmarked warehouse on the waterfront. Park in the alley, walk around front.” They found the unmarked building and a man standing outside, he held six different leashed of six dogs who were in various stages of doing their doggy duty. The guy jerked his head toward the building…so they entered.
My cousin left with some sweet deals on original art, and the instructions to tell no one the location of the building.
Hey, I warned you.
If I don’t get targeted by Agent X – I’ll be seeing you around.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Friday, April 06, 2007
Serials and Scenarios - In High Places
In High Places : http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764203460
Tom Morrissey: http://www.tommorrisey.com/
The Review:
I didn't know what to expect when I cracked open "In High Places."
Would it be a traditional action-packed guy type of read, or would I find something to take with me?
The cover hinted that I might find some richness, and depth, so I took a deep breath and opened it.
From the first paragraph I was pulled into a world of stark beauty and unforgiving landscape. I didn't expect to get as involved with the characters in this novel as I did, and I'm glad I invested the time and heart into their story.
This is not a plot-driven, adrenaline-adventure as much as a character study. Yet it is a fast-paced read because of the constant tension. There was no place that I wanted to set the book down, and I ended up reading late into the night several nights in a row.
From the detailed teaching, and interweaving of mountain climbing techniques and tools, to the richness of relationships, to the agony and ecstasy of the human condition, I was sucked in.
This is a novel for readers who want to savor story.
Tom Morrissey took me to mountaintops and taught me things I never knew I wanted to know.
I'm not into techie stuff, most of it leaves me cold, but Morrissey has done an amazing job of throwing in enough technical jargon and details to make his story crackle with intensity and foreshadowing.
Some might be frustrated with the slightly slower pace of the literary style. If you hate literary, you might not enjoy this book, but then again, you might. Some will be disappointed at the reality of life and how it taints our hopes and expectations. If so, you may want to avoid reading this book that doesn't follow sit-com formatting.
If you want a beautifully penned, powerful story of redemption, one full of sadness, reality, pain and heart breaking starkness, then I believe this book will touch your soul.
I am a new fan. I intend to find his other novels and read them.
Tom Morrissey: http://www.tommorrisey.com/
The Review:
I didn't know what to expect when I cracked open "In High Places."
Would it be a traditional action-packed guy type of read, or would I find something to take with me?
The cover hinted that I might find some richness, and depth, so I took a deep breath and opened it.
From the first paragraph I was pulled into a world of stark beauty and unforgiving landscape. I didn't expect to get as involved with the characters in this novel as I did, and I'm glad I invested the time and heart into their story.
This is not a plot-driven, adrenaline-adventure as much as a character study. Yet it is a fast-paced read because of the constant tension. There was no place that I wanted to set the book down, and I ended up reading late into the night several nights in a row.
From the detailed teaching, and interweaving of mountain climbing techniques and tools, to the richness of relationships, to the agony and ecstasy of the human condition, I was sucked in.
This is a novel for readers who want to savor story.
Tom Morrissey took me to mountaintops and taught me things I never knew I wanted to know.
I'm not into techie stuff, most of it leaves me cold, but Morrissey has done an amazing job of throwing in enough technical jargon and details to make his story crackle with intensity and foreshadowing.
Some might be frustrated with the slightly slower pace of the literary style. If you hate literary, you might not enjoy this book, but then again, you might. Some will be disappointed at the reality of life and how it taints our hopes and expectations. If so, you may want to avoid reading this book that doesn't follow sit-com formatting.
If you want a beautifully penned, powerful story of redemption, one full of sadness, reality, pain and heart breaking starkness, then I believe this book will touch your soul.
I am a new fan. I intend to find his other novels and read them.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Scribbles and Scrambles - Throwing Hair
A random thought occurred to me around 7:10 a.m. this morning.
This is a near miracle in itself. Rarely, am I awake enough at 7:10 a.m. to experience anything resembling a clear epiphany.
Would I go so far to call this an epiphany? Ha.
That would be a “no” for the uninitiated to the way my gray matter ebbs and flows.
Ready?
You sure? Because not only is it rich, it is pre-coffee.
Porcupines must really throw their quills. I believe this because I have been victimized by the art of small hair throwing mammals.
As I struggled to consciousness this morning, nearly twenty minutes after getting dressed and smearing makeup in the proper spots, I realized the calico had made a mattress of my body.
I wore black. Had the creature on my lap been black, I wouldn’t have coaxed it gently off of me. But calico is yet another story. Carefully, I pushed and prodded, hoping not to startle it as one would hope to avoid startling a skunk. With a yawn, and dirty look such as only a cat can muster, she stretched and jumped to the floor.
There, in the brief airborne split-second, she released a cloud of orange and white hairs which beelined for my black and immediately wove themselves into the fiber of my clothing. Did I see a single black cat hair? No.
See what I mean?
And we call them dumb animals!
Beware of small creatures throwing anything. Our local zoo houses a gorilla that amuses itself by throwing …ugh…never mind.
This is a near miracle in itself. Rarely, am I awake enough at 7:10 a.m. to experience anything resembling a clear epiphany.
Would I go so far to call this an epiphany? Ha.
That would be a “no” for the uninitiated to the way my gray matter ebbs and flows.
Ready?
You sure? Because not only is it rich, it is pre-coffee.
Porcupines must really throw their quills. I believe this because I have been victimized by the art of small hair throwing mammals.
As I struggled to consciousness this morning, nearly twenty minutes after getting dressed and smearing makeup in the proper spots, I realized the calico had made a mattress of my body.
I wore black. Had the creature on my lap been black, I wouldn’t have coaxed it gently off of me. But calico is yet another story. Carefully, I pushed and prodded, hoping not to startle it as one would hope to avoid startling a skunk. With a yawn, and dirty look such as only a cat can muster, she stretched and jumped to the floor.
There, in the brief airborne split-second, she released a cloud of orange and white hairs which beelined for my black and immediately wove themselves into the fiber of my clothing. Did I see a single black cat hair? No.
See what I mean?
And we call them dumb animals!
Beware of small creatures throwing anything. Our local zoo houses a gorilla that amuses itself by throwing …ugh…never mind.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Scribbles and Scrambles - Trivial Tuesday
Tuesday greetings with a few random comments for your perusal.
I've been busy writing an article on the Pulitzer Prize. You may want to check it out by visiting NovelJourney.
http://www.noveljourney.blogspot.com/ April 3rd post - The Pulitzer Prize
And a person near and dear to me posted one of the funniest posts I've read in awhile. I think it's his masterpiece. Of course, the fact that I know him well and can picture this event is screamingly funny. Some day I may share some of his early driving experiences. Let's just say the garage has never been the same. And he may or may not share a genetic bond with a certain Pat. http://jordanius.blogspot.com/index.html Me, My Wife and the Wii - March 27th post.
I'll be reviewing "In High Places" later this week. Alas, no interview yet. But a powerful novel.
I've spent some time in Nannyland recently. Nothing like spending time with small children to help get your priorities straight, and to infuse you with simple pleasures in life.
When was the last time you squealed and clapped your hands?
Try it. If nothing else, it will buy you plenty of space as others recoil and walk on the other side of the street to avoid you.
Parent teacher conferences. Gotta love them. And that's all I'm going to say.
I'm thrilled I'm not a teenager, and grateful that most of us do grow up.
I've been busy writing an article on the Pulitzer Prize. You may want to check it out by visiting NovelJourney.
http://www.noveljourney.blogspot.com/ April 3rd post - The Pulitzer Prize
And a person near and dear to me posted one of the funniest posts I've read in awhile. I think it's his masterpiece. Of course, the fact that I know him well and can picture this event is screamingly funny. Some day I may share some of his early driving experiences. Let's just say the garage has never been the same. And he may or may not share a genetic bond with a certain Pat. http://jordanius.blogspot.com/index.html Me, My Wife and the Wii - March 27th post.
I'll be reviewing "In High Places" later this week. Alas, no interview yet. But a powerful novel.
I've spent some time in Nannyland recently. Nothing like spending time with small children to help get your priorities straight, and to infuse you with simple pleasures in life.
When was the last time you squealed and clapped your hands?
Try it. If nothing else, it will buy you plenty of space as others recoil and walk on the other side of the street to avoid you.
Parent teacher conferences. Gotta love them. And that's all I'm going to say.
I'm thrilled I'm not a teenager, and grateful that most of us do grow up.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Serials and Scenarios - What's Up With Susan May Warren
Susan May Warren boldly answers the questions you were dying to ask.
Some out there in writing land have strange rituals. Share yours.
I am the queen of procrastination – I’ve been known to even do laundry instead of writing a scene! And I’m very strange – my favorite place to write is on my bed – even though I have a nice office. I also have to have my research books within reach so I can grab them at a moment’s notice. Finally – during heightened moments of stress, I have to eat crunchy foods…like Apple Jacks!
If you were assured of writing a best-seller, what genre would it be? Give us a sliver of information, a characteristic or glimpse of a scene.
I love romantic suspense, but with great lighthearted scenes as well, so I’d write a book that has both suspense and comedy in it – something that makes us laugh between the moments of stress. I like to balance a book – have equal parts romance and suspense – for example, I love it when characters have a crazy fight right before they have to do something stressful – it relieves their stress and bonds us with the characters.
What period of history intrigues you the most?
World War 2. The heroism and sacrifice of that era really calls to my spirit.
What makes you feel alive?
Worship music, walking on the beach during a summer day (I have a beautiful rocky beach near my house), laughing with my children during dinner, seeing a passage of scripture in a new and transforming way.
How does something worm its way into your heart? Through tears, truth, humor or other?
Humor – I love to laugh, and humor is such a brilliant way to bring truth into a person’s life. I think humor really helps truths to take hold.
Book, music, person, food you would take with you on a very long trip.
I would take the Bible, some good worship music, or maybe my Brad Paisley CD collection, my husband, and cheetos. *g*
Where would you most like to travel ----- moon, north pole, deep seas, deserted island, the holy land or back to a place from your childhood, somewhere else? – and why.
I’d love to visit the Holy Land, but my husband has always wanted to go to the deep seas, and I would love to go there with him, just to see his joy.
Favorite season and why?
Fall – because I love football and the changing of the seasons, the crunch of leaves beneath my feet, and the anticipation of winter.
Favorite book setting and why?
I love to write books set in Russia because it is so rich in flavor and smells and characters, and of course, because I miss it and it brings me back to a land I love.
Which compliment related to your writing has meant the most and why?
I recently received a letter from a reader who told me that reading my books was like reading an applied bible study. She said she loved learning more about scripture and the truths that transform my characters lives. I was really blessed by that because my desire is to weave scripture and spiritual truths into a story in such a way that the reader takes away encouragement in their own walk of faith.
What would you do today if you knew you had only a week to live?
I’d pack up my family, go down to the Caribbean and find a secluded beach and soak in every moment of laughter and stories and relaxation with the people I love.
What is your favorite word?
Sosheea. It’s a made up word in our family that means...enough! My oldest son made it up when he was five.
Super power you'd love to borrow for awhile?
Flying, of course.
Thanks, Susan.
Happy Weekend, everyone.
Some out there in writing land have strange rituals. Share yours.
I am the queen of procrastination – I’ve been known to even do laundry instead of writing a scene! And I’m very strange – my favorite place to write is on my bed – even though I have a nice office. I also have to have my research books within reach so I can grab them at a moment’s notice. Finally – during heightened moments of stress, I have to eat crunchy foods…like Apple Jacks!
If you were assured of writing a best-seller, what genre would it be? Give us a sliver of information, a characteristic or glimpse of a scene.
I love romantic suspense, but with great lighthearted scenes as well, so I’d write a book that has both suspense and comedy in it – something that makes us laugh between the moments of stress. I like to balance a book – have equal parts romance and suspense – for example, I love it when characters have a crazy fight right before they have to do something stressful – it relieves their stress and bonds us with the characters.
What period of history intrigues you the most?
World War 2. The heroism and sacrifice of that era really calls to my spirit.
What makes you feel alive?
Worship music, walking on the beach during a summer day (I have a beautiful rocky beach near my house), laughing with my children during dinner, seeing a passage of scripture in a new and transforming way.
How does something worm its way into your heart? Through tears, truth, humor or other?
Humor – I love to laugh, and humor is such a brilliant way to bring truth into a person’s life. I think humor really helps truths to take hold.
Book, music, person, food you would take with you on a very long trip.
I would take the Bible, some good worship music, or maybe my Brad Paisley CD collection, my husband, and cheetos. *g*
Where would you most like to travel ----- moon, north pole, deep seas, deserted island, the holy land or back to a place from your childhood, somewhere else? – and why.
I’d love to visit the Holy Land, but my husband has always wanted to go to the deep seas, and I would love to go there with him, just to see his joy.
Favorite season and why?
Fall – because I love football and the changing of the seasons, the crunch of leaves beneath my feet, and the anticipation of winter.
Favorite book setting and why?
I love to write books set in Russia because it is so rich in flavor and smells and characters, and of course, because I miss it and it brings me back to a land I love.
Which compliment related to your writing has meant the most and why?
I recently received a letter from a reader who told me that reading my books was like reading an applied bible study. She said she loved learning more about scripture and the truths that transform my characters lives. I was really blessed by that because my desire is to weave scripture and spiritual truths into a story in such a way that the reader takes away encouragement in their own walk of faith.
What would you do today if you knew you had only a week to live?
I’d pack up my family, go down to the Caribbean and find a secluded beach and soak in every moment of laughter and stories and relaxation with the people I love.
What is your favorite word?
Sosheea. It’s a made up word in our family that means...enough! My oldest son made it up when he was five.
Super power you'd love to borrow for awhile?
Flying, of course.
Thanks, Susan.
Happy Weekend, everyone.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Serials and Scenarios - Reclaiming Nick
The book:http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/141431017X
The Author: www.susanmaywarren.com
The Review:
Susan May Warren excels in writing men. I didn't warm up to her main heroine until several chapters into the book, but Nick grabbed me right away.
Warren has a way with words. Bursts of beautiful prose fill "Reclaiming Nick."
Tragedy marks each major character, and as I read, I began to root for them, hoping they'd find what they needed.
A touch of mystery added to the read. Enough detail was provided that the conclusion didn't shock me, so those of you who don't do well with intense suspense should be able to read it with ease.
The underlying spiritual themes of redemption, forgiveness and God's sovereignty were thoughtfully written. Christianese was not overdone, but the spiritual truths were strong.
The relationships covered in the book were handled well, also. "Reclaiming Nick" didn't feel sitcom surreal (perfect resolution in seventeen and a half minutes.)
Warren stuck to her genre guidelines and crafted mostly believable, almost real characters. I will finish the series.
The interview: Come back tomorrow.
The Author: www.susanmaywarren.com
The Review:
Susan May Warren excels in writing men. I didn't warm up to her main heroine until several chapters into the book, but Nick grabbed me right away.
Warren has a way with words. Bursts of beautiful prose fill "Reclaiming Nick."
Tragedy marks each major character, and as I read, I began to root for them, hoping they'd find what they needed.
A touch of mystery added to the read. Enough detail was provided that the conclusion didn't shock me, so those of you who don't do well with intense suspense should be able to read it with ease.
The underlying spiritual themes of redemption, forgiveness and God's sovereignty were thoughtfully written. Christianese was not overdone, but the spiritual truths were strong.
The relationships covered in the book were handled well, also. "Reclaiming Nick" didn't feel sitcom surreal (perfect resolution in seventeen and a half minutes.)
Warren stuck to her genre guidelines and crafted mostly believable, almost real characters. I will finish the series.
The interview: Come back tomorrow.
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