Stirring the Writer

I read emily's post yesterday and it made me think about my own list. What books have impacted me the most in my life and writing? It's a risk putting it out there. A friend of mine just had his list of life affirming songs maligned by a reader, so I recognize the danger in this. 

For good or ill, my 10 would look like this (today): 

In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden

:: first published in 1975, Godden tells the story of a business woman who gives it all up for the cloistered life. It gave me a picture of religious life from the outside looking in, and made me appreciate a concept that had been scorned in my childhood.

The Poison Wood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

:: although not a missionary's child, I found my family in this book. My father is a minister and interestingly my older sister and I both read this book at different times, and both told our father he had to read it. 

Anna's Book by Ruth Rendell

:: I love a good mystery and this one is so wonderfully convoluted and filled with familial angst and passion that I've read it numerous times.

John Chancellor Makes Me Cry by Anne Rivers Siddon

:: Siddon is a Southern novelist, but this collection of essays made me realize how much I like the genre. Her collection of memoirs from her life made me realize how the ordinary is extraordinary.

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

:: I don't recall reading this as a child. I read it for a college class on children's literature and was found in the line "When [someone] loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

Keeping House by Margaret Peterson

:: spirituality and housekeeping -- a blending I had been looking for my entire life.

Leaving Church by Barbara Brown Taylor

:: the struggle we all have in blending corporate religion and our own personal relationship with God. It was a revelation to find I was not only not alone, but rather part of a large contingency of Christians.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

:: fiction that I had to read with a pen in hand. So much underlined and starred! I was so intrigued and caught up in the story, that I never saw the truth until it was forced upon me.

Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman

:: the first (and maybe only) book to help me make sense of my PTSD/abuse issues. Perhaps it is the incredibly readable yet totally intellectual writing that pulled me in and gave me comfort.

The Feast by Joshua Graves

:: "To imagine what it would be like for things on earth to be as they are in heaven". Maybe it's radical Christianity, maybe it's just Christianity, but it was such a relief to see it in writing and allow myself to be challenged.

For good or ill, there they are -- with the realization that the list could be altered tomorrow. These are the books that have stirred my longing to write.

How about you?

Free Thinking Friday

Last night Alan and I went to the James Taylor concert. I've been listening to James Taylor since I was about 6 years old. When I realized that, I stopped and did the math. James Taylor is 64 years old!?!
He told a story last night about 1968. That was the year The Beatles signed him to Apple Records. They recorded with him on at least one track. He said when that door opened, it showed him the rest of his life.
How cool is that? To be able to know the exact moment your life altered forever.
He sang my favorite song during the second set "The Secret of Life". Every time I hear that song, it makes me stop and think about my life. I forget sometimes that it's okay to enjoy my life -- to have fun, to love, to relax and enjoy the wonderful people in my life.
So here's my wish for all of you today (even if it is Friday the 13th). Spend some time with the people you love. Enjoy the passage of time. And smile while you're doing it.
Peace.

The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time 

Any fool can do it 

There ain't nothing to it 

Nobody knows how we got to 

The top of the hill 

But since we're on our way down 

We might as well enjoy the ride 

The secret of love is in opening up your heart 

It's okay to feel afraid 

But don't let that stand in your way 

'cause anyone knows that love is the only road 

And since we're only here for a while 

Might as well show some style 

Give us a smile 

Isn't it a lovely ride 

Sliding down 

Gliding down 

Try not to try too hard 

It's just a lovely ride 

Now the thing about time is that time 

Isn't really real 

It's just your point of view 

How does it feel for you 

Einstein said he could never understand it all 

Planets spinning through space 

The smile upon your face 

Welcome to the human race 

Some kind of lovely ride 

I'll be sliding down 

I'll be gliding down 

Try not to try too hard 

It's just a lovely ride 

Isn't it a lovely ride 

Sliding down 

Gliding down 

Try not to try too hard 

It's just a lovely ride 

Now the secret of life is enjoying the passage of time

Thankful Thursday, #26

"Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin' 

Into the future"

This is the song that came to mind this morning as I sat down to write. 

Today is July 12th -- over a third of July has been completed, and it feels as if July just started!

The speed with which time passes is directly proportional to my age. I know that. I've watched time move faster and faster as I've aged, but every now and then I am awed once again by the pace.

The passage of time is an excellent reminder to stop and take the time to be grateful.

I like the term grateful better than thankful. Thankful means "conscious of benefit received". Grateful, on the other hand, means "appreciative of benefits received." I want to be appreciative, not just conscious of my blessings. I may be splitting hairs here, but that's nothing new with me!

So for today I'm going to work on being grateful for:

-- another rainy day, which we desperately need

-- having so many people underfoot in the house (and remembering this the next time I'm feeling lonely)

-- having too much stuff

-- good friends who won't complain tomorrow night when the house isn't perfectly clean

So what are grateful for today?

Blessings!

join Laurie at Women Taking a Stand for TT

Wordless Wednesday -- Post Drought Beginnings

for more images go to Wordless Wednesday

Summertime Fun -- Blog Style

Saw these questions on This Is Not Your Blog, and decided to steal them and play along. Share your answers in the comments, on your blog, FB, or via email (or not at all, but where's the fun in that!?!)

1- What are your five favorite movies?

Chocolat, Practical Magic, The King and I, How to Train Your Dragon, Sabrina
2- (since I'm asking all females) Would you rather go without makeup for a year, or without shaving your legs for a year?

makeup, hands down!
3- What book have you read recently that you really loved?

Life of Pi by Yann Martel
4- What book have you read recently that you really hated?

Dingley Falls by Michael Malone
5- If you had to eat one food for one meal every day for a year, which would you choose?

yogurt for breakfast
6- What was the best part of your senior year of high school?

I really don't remember. Maybe I've blocked it out, so lets go with graduating.
7- What piece of electronic equipment do you think you could easily live without?

iPod
8- Do you prefer your beverages through a straw, from a bottle or from another container?

just a glass -- a real glass
9- Would you rather have glow in the dark skin or squishy teeth?

without a doubt, glow in the dark skin. I have that recurring dream where all my teeth crumble and fall out -- ick! Plus, I'm afraid of the dark.
10- Who would win in a fight between Gandalf and Dumbledore?

Gandalf (sorry, Dumbledore)
11- Do you consider pushup bras to be a form of dishonesty?

I used to, but I also considered hair coloring dishonesty. Now I've decided I have better things to worry about!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . July 10, 2012

Outside my window . . . it is cloudy with sprinkles and 75*. Thank heavens for the rain. We have been dry for so long!


I am thinking . . . that keeping up with 4 adult schedules is rather grueling at times.


I am thankful . . . for my son and the recognition and celebration of his birthday yesterday.


In the kitchen . . . still lots of grilling and salads. I picked up some pineapple and bacon chicken sausages yesterday that we are going to have tonight.

I am wearing . . . a big white t-shirt and a Mexican pareo.

I am creating . . . still afghans, but so difficult to work on in the 100+ heat. I think I might do a small, cotton project just to get more "into" it.

I am going . . . to run a few errands and do a little housework.

I am wondering . . . how to find writing time for the remainder of the summer. It's been very difficult to find "alone" time with my kids and the neighborhood kids in and out of the house all day (and night).

I am reading . . . The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey (The Mysterious Benedict Society #2) by Trenton Lee Stewart

I am looking forward to . . . The James Taylor concert on Thursday night!

I am hearing . . . my son setting up his new portable hammock.

Around the house . . . things are continuing to improve. Dh worked on the carport last weekend and made lots of headway.


I am pondering . . . a schedule -- again. Have you noticed that this is a recurring theme here?

One of my favorite things . . . cake! It's also one of the most dangerous things. It's like crack for me. We currently have iced cookies and birthday cake in the house. Ice cream, too, but I don't like this flavor. Time to call in the neighborhood boys!


A few plans for the rest of the week . . . JT concert and a birthday party on Friday for a friend who's turning the big 5-0!


Here is a picture for thought I am sharing . . . 

cookies and ice cream and cake, oh my!

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

Skipping Church

I didn't go to church yesterday. I'm not sick. No one in my house is sick. I just didn't go.
I love our minister and our congregation. I love that we are a socially aware community that reaches out to our neighborhood and around the world.
Our minister has been doing a series lately called "Can I Get a Witness?"
It's been really good and eye-opening, but I just couldn't handle yesterday's message especially following the past couple of weeks.
Yesterday's message was Where Were You in April 1994? -- a discussion with a Rwandan minister who was there during the genocide.
I just didn't think I could take the stress.
Instead I stayed home. I did my Bible study. I talked with my husband. I watched Wimbledon. I rested.
I didn't think about mass murder. I didn't think about universal suffering.
I talked with my family about being kinder to each other -- about being compassionate to those we are closest to, and therefore most likely to take advantage of.
I didn't feel guilty for not going to church.
I listened for God and I heard Him say, "Rest, worship, relax. Honor yourself while honoring Me."
I like relational Christianity much more than rules driven Christianity.

Blessings.