52 in 52 Week 45: The Book of Great Books by W. John Campbell

I am done with all 100 books. I was about halfway through the list, but I decided to plow through the rest of them. It seemed heavy on American literature to me. I had rest most of the really great ones already. So, the ones that were left were not that great. I don't know if I would recommend this book to people. Some of the books are "clean" enough for me. I particularly did not enjoy Steppenwolf and Sons and Lovers because of too much sexuality.

The summaries are nice to have. I like the chart that explains how the characters are all related to one another, but I didn't like how it gave away the plot sometimes. So, I usually refrained from reading it until I was done with the book, unless I got really stuck.

The complete list is linked above.  My 2012 goal of finishing this list is now complete. WOOHOOO! 

52 in 52 Week 45: Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

I thought I had read this Shakespearean play and had already checked it off my 100 Great Books List, but when I finished what I thought was my last book this morning (Catch-22), I updated and reviewed my list at http://www.librarything.com/catalog/Carolfoasia and realized that I had only read the Lois Burdett version to my kids and seen the full play on DVD and live. 



Actually that excited me because the last books of my 100 Great Books List were all depressing and more modern. How much better to end my 100 Great Books journey with something funny and early modern! 

This is a delightful comedy. The characters are so funny.  Everyone should have the pleasure of listening to it. This NAXOS audio version is the best! 

Totally forgotten about this famous quote being from this play:

"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them". - (Quote Act II, Scene V).

And here are more:

"Love sought is good, but giv'n unsought is better" . - (Quote Act III, Scene I)

If music be the food of love, play on;
Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting,
The appetite may sicken, and so die.
That strain again! it had a dying fall:
O, it came o’er my ear like the sweet sound 1
That breathes upon a bank of violets,
Stealing and giving odour!
Quote Act i. Scene 1.

Is it a world to hide virtues in? Twelfth Night Quote Act i. Scene 3.

We will draw the curtain and show you the picture. Twelfth Night Quote Act i. Scene 5.

Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty. Twelfth Night Quote Act ii. Scene 3.

He does it with a better grace, but I do it more natural. Twelfth Night Quote Act ii. Scene 3.

This is very midsummer madness. Quote Act iii. Scene 4.

Out of the jaws of death. Quote Twelfth Night. Act iii. Scene 4. 

52 in 52 Week 45: House Made of Dawn by N. Scott Momaday

I didn't really care for this book. It had some beautiful writing. I see this authors strength as a poet, but there is not enough prose in the book to really understand what is going on and the point of it all. Sort of a jumbled mess. 

It did give me a heart for the plight of Native Americans. I wouldn't recommend this book, and I cannot understand why it would be a Pulitzer Prize winning novel. 

52 in 52 Week 45: All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren

1st Edition Cover

I am not a big fan of "Southern Fiction," but this is an exception. Warren was a poet first (former Poet Laureate of the United States), and it comes through in his writing, smooth as butter without the slow southern words that become very tedious for me. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1947 and is worthy of that distinction. The movie doesn't come close to capturing its beauty because the internal thoughts of the narrator, Jack Burden, do not translate onto the screen. 

 This is more than a political novel about a character, Willy Stark (based on a real character, Huey P. Long, governor of Louisiana and U.S. Senator in the 1930's). It is also about the narrator, Jack Burden. There is a story within the story. Very insightful. 

I especially enjoyed the narration by Michael Emerson ("Ben" from the TV show, LOST). He hits all the right notes, not making it so "Southern" that it becomes inaccessible for people outside that region (and culture). 

52 in 52 Week 45: A Separate Peace by John Knowles.

This was on my "100 Great Books List."  Ten pages into the novel, I remember I had read it before. I had a discussion with someone telling them that I thought I had read it and told them a little of what it was about, and they said, "Oh that is not that book."  So, I believed them and included it on my unread list.  I should have looked it up. A short synopsis would have reminded me. I wonder why that person was so adamant about it. I do not even remember who it was, but they were so convincing, I questioned myself. Funny because I had someone adamant about something else recently, but this time I didn't believe them and looked it up. I need to not be so easily convinced. People love to do that sometimes in an effort to make you feel small. I made a choice to reread it anyway, and I am so glad that I did! I have warm feelings this morning because of it. A "separate peace" was hard to find, but I think I have found it. 

In my recollection, this was my first "pleasure reading" novel after high school in the summer of 1977. I was free to read anything, and I read as I lay in the big, brass bed of the family I was staying with after my parents moved away from my hometown. I wonder how much of it went over my head being that the main characters were about the same age as I was in 1977.  It is a coming-of-age novel. I had not learned about "the war within" but was embarking on that journey as I neared my early 20's where finding the equilibrium of "a separate peace" seemed impossible for me to find. That is why it was good to reread this book in retrospect of my life where that "separate peace" is always there now. 

The writing in this book is really simple and beautiful. The backdrop of World War II makes much more sense to me now that I have studied history several times over since then (thank you homeschooling). 

"As I said, this was my sarcastic summer. 

It was only long after that I recognized sarcasm 

as the protest of people who are weak." (p. 29)

This is my favorite line of the book. I detest sarcasm. Maybe I am not weak. I used to be around a group of cultural Christian that used sarcasm for sport at other people's expense. My husband would often have to walk out of the room because it got so bad. One husband of a dear of mine went overboard. I see now that he was just insecure, and he was still in a delayed stage of development much like the 16-17 year olds of the novel. I think her husband is stuck in a perpetual "sarcastic summer," and because he gets laughs, no one will probably encourage him out of it. I do not hang with them anymore (the book club that connected us all had more sarcastic people that I could not stomach anymore).  So, this quote from the book just sums up the problem I have with sarcasm. I feel stuck in high school with people like that. I do not look to people like this for crumbs of spiritual encouragement and find my fellowship with genuine people who do not fall into the mode of sarcasm when they feel insecure. But I digress. 


I recommend this coming-of-age novel. It is deep. As it was my first attempt, as a 17 year old who was also coming-of-age, to let literature take me to places I had never gone, I think I missed so much the first time. That is why it was poignant to read it again as I lay on back in another bed 35 years later.  It is so deep that one might miss what the book is all about, maybe those people committed to sarcasm as a shield to their insecurity wouldn't get it either.

Two thumbs up for this novel. It holds a special place in my heart now because I have "come-of-age." 

Nanowrimo Here We Go and other Freewrite Friday Faire

I have always wanted to do Nanowrimo again, and it is November 2. I want to write a novel based on the history of my grandmother, Wardie, and now is as good a time as ever being that I just went and visited the land of my forefathers. I wish I had OODLES of money so I could hire someone to stay in Pennsylvania and find out how my grandparents met. It will half to piece together a story on that based on flimsy speculation, but that is what historical fiction is all about. Maybe if I ever publish it, someone will come out of the woodwork to tell me that my speculations are wrong, wrong, wrong.

That would be lovely. No one wants to get to the bottom of the twists and turns of my grandparents' story than moi! 

We have guests in 45 minutes, and I am doing everything I can to procrastinate. I do that sometimes. I love having others over, but I am always nervous leading up to anything that smacks of a "party."  Wonder what is up with that. 

Anyway, I love George. He made the Apple Dumplings. I made the Apple Crisp. We made the Chicken Goulash together, but he is doing the Roti Canai because I am lame at it. So, I write. Maybe I should set the table and even put on something other than Yoga pants and a T-Shirt. Feeling like being "casual for Karina" who is Andrew's new fiancee. Looking forward ot meeting her.

Now to setting that table.  

Freewrite Fifteen (plus)

Well-Watered Soul - 

It is well with my soul. I am writing on Romans 9 today, and I am experiencing somewhat of a block. So, I thought I would loosen up my fingers with a freewrite. Where is my timer for this purpose? Couldn't find my Flylady one, but I have my iPhone one.

Well, Romans 9 started out easy. No problem. Then, as I got more into it, I realize why it is controversial. The whole conundrum between free will and God's sovereign choice. Election, predestination, and man's ultimate choices. It is making my head hurt a bit. So, that is why I am freewriting.

Other than that, it is SO well. The things I was working through at the Jubilee Conference on Saturday are not there anymore. It is well.  

Well-Educated Mind

Middlemarch is my 100th book. I had a goal of 100 this year. Therefore, I am going through it as slowly as I want. I have to return the digital copy to the library on 11/15. So, I hope to be done with it by then. I have had it less than a week and am already 40% of the way through. It is one of those books that grabs you. So, I have been listening to it as I shower (the wonders of a Bose Wireless Bluetooth Speaker), walk, stretch, do my back exercises, lift weights, and work around the house). Basically, any spare minutes I have.

IT IS THAT GOOD!

I cannot understand why a certain person, who will remain nameless, several years ago shamed me in front of a group of others for recommending it to her. I know I didn't recommend it to her because I had not read it. Perhaps I told her that George loved it and that I loved the mini-series (because I did!). 

Anyway, now I can recommend it, but she hated it. I think we have very different tastes. She didn't like the Anthony Andrews/Jane Seymour version of The Scarlet Pimpernel either. I have never met ANYONE who hasn't like that! She also thought the John Adams mini-series was too "dark." ?????? Not sure what she meant by that. Suffice it to say that this person is very outspoken and opinionated but obviously has opposite tastes, and that is OK. I just won't let her opinions continue to shame me. Enough said. 

I would recommend Middlemarch to anyone! George Eliot's writing is exquisite and insightful. I find myself pondering her words. It is too bad she rejected Christianity in the end, becoming an agnostic after a fervent evangelical youth.

Well-Adjusted Heart

I alluded earlier that my heart is well after my journaling at Jubilee. Personal stuff, but I think God got to the route of it, and it is well with my heart now. I let it go. It takes two to make peace, and as far as it has depended on me, I have made peace. The residuals from 2 1/2 years ago are not my problem. I have done what God has asked me to do and been great since then. If the other party is not, then they have a responsibility to bring it up to me. So, I am really good. 

Weird how I don't simmer of stuff like this anymore. Growth!

Well-Tuned Strength

I had not had any back pain since my Physical Therapy journey, but I got some Sport Insoles that threw my back out of kilter after just two short walks. I don't think it was the bit of running I did on Monday or my new weight program, but the walks from Tuesday (two in one day). So, I took them out and will get flatter ones (George uses that kind. So money was not wasted. 

(Time is running out. So I am officially going past my fifteen minutes - LOL! As if anyone is even counting!)

All that to say is that I had a Physical Therapy appointment scheduled on the day it was out. Providential timing. She was able to get my hip back in place through some resistance things. I came home and took a muscle relaxant and applied moist heat. Then I didn't move for about 1 1/2 hours. That was the key. Often I won't rest it after I do things. At this point, I only have a trigger point on the left shoulder blade. So, I will wait for my brother in law to check it out when he comes tomorrow night (so convenient - I married will having the best spinal adjuster in Oregon as a relative.). 

Edie was going to "graduate" me (Logan was out taking his Physical Therapy boards for Oregon. He passed!), but when I showed up with it so out of kilter (she had a student observer and explained how out it really was), she decided to not do it until next time. Good plan.

I also have signed up for Snap Fitness for one month to see if I like it. I am doing this due to the distance (.8 of a mile versus twice that long to Timberhill), location (closer to errand locations versus nothing nearby at Timberhill), price (2/3rds the cost), and hours open (24/7/365 versus frequent closures and hours not open when I want it to be). The drawback is no pool, locker rooms, and hot tub (for sore muscles).  I think the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages though. 

November 1st also marks the beginning of a whole month of logging my food. I am terrible at that lately, and I am going to discipline myself to do it everyday now. I am doing great on cardio. Now, I must modify my intake. :)

Well that was way longer than 15, but I am ready to go back to tackling Romans 9 now.

Pressing without proofreading. 

Freewrite Fifteen

How appropriate that I am starting my "Freewrite fifteen" at 5:15 am!

I have no specific agenda for this freewrite. There will be no "Well Update" this Monday Morn. I am excited for it to be Monday because I finally get to go to the doctor to find out about this pelvic pain that I have had for a week. It is a dull ache, but it has slowed me down all this last week, and I would like to check it out. Not to mention that I have not had a Pap Smear in more than a year, and I am afraid to say when the last time was! I do not know where the time goes. 

I am studying Romans 9 right now. I have never studied Romans 9 inductively. I know I have "studied" it with lighter studies though, but I like the Precept Upon Precept best. I am at Romans 9:6-13 where we get into fun Old Testament history.

The Jubilee Conference was lovely. It was nice to have the review of the Peacemaker Principles. I do not feel that I have any huge looming fears however. I enjoyed the hour alone with God, and that is one of the things that I love about Suburban. They have things like this! We meditated on Isaiah 30:8-22:

8Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you,
         And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.
         For the LORD is a God of justice;
         How blessed are all those who long for Him.

19O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you. 20Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. 21Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left. 22And you will defile your graven images overlaid with silver, and your molten images plated with gold. You will scatter them as an impure thing, and say to them, “Be gone!”

It is so encouraging to know that God is gracious and just. He knows what really happens, and He is right there, longing to be gracious and compassionate. 

As I prayed, my heart went to the recent revelation that I was slandered once again by people I thought I had resolved something with 2 1/2 years ago. What is so sad is that even the conflict was based on a false notion of what she thought I said that I, most certainly, did not say. While I could apologize for the misunderstanding, I couldn't apologize for saying something I should not have said because I didn't say it, and the accusation of my motive behind saying what I apparently said was a false one. Unknowingly, my motives had been questioned for months, and I thought I was just caring for and listening to that person's many problems. Her tirade was listened to, all the time telling her I cared and was on her side (and continuing to be told what my motives were like being "territorial" with the women). There was quite a bit of projection. I should have just listened and kept my mouth shut. That was my problem. I was trying to reason with a hurting individual who wants to believe lies about herself and others. Therefore, that person is constantly lonely and depressed. 

There was no winning. I realized that it was a quagmire early on when I was getting a tongue-lashing by the husband who had not even heard the first or follow up conversation (while George heard what I said in the second conversation and thought I handled myself well under the stress of having the other party cry hysterically and tell me off once again - after having told me off in an email). I tried to calm them down by gentle responses, but I continued to get rambling email tirades. It was a no win situation. It was devastating, especially when I was caring for her and praying for her and so concerned about her welfare. To be accused of the opposite and to have my motives questioned was such a blow. 

After months of hurt, I went to the beach and prayed for five days, and the cloud lifted. I forgave and moved on. It wouldn't have bothered me had those people not continued to slander me, but this is the second time in the last year that someone has told me things they said about me. The first one was last December when this person said, "I think it is great that you told that person 'what was what' because I have always wanted to. She complains constantly, but I was afraid to say something. I am glad you said something."  The problem was I had not told that person "what was what"!  It was a new thing I had apparently said when I have been very careful to not say anything. I know they are sensitive. So, when I have seen that person, I try to be positive and loving. So, I am not sure why I was accused of saying anything. 

 So that was somewhat of a blow, but I knew I had not guilty in that instance (even though the person was applauding me for speaking truth). That one didn't affect me. 

This latest slander was back to the original thing that happened. To this person's credit, they know the history and other similar conflicts in their life, so she didn't believe a word of what was said about me. I have always had a good relationship with her but have not moved toward her because one of the accusations leveled against me was that I was "territorial" with the women in terms of mentoring them. I knew this person had been a long-time, "mentoree" of my accuser. So, I have stayed away, but this woman is seeking me out now and my accuser is gone. So, I have felt more comfortable meeting with her. 

What is so weird is that I also thought I was being an older woman in the accusers life (I am 20 years older), but she wanted to mentor the women I was mentoring. So, I backed away from the new women so she could do it.  I have done everything possible to stay out of her way. I am repaid with more slander which flummoxes me. 

All that to say is that we are praying about some "right or left" movements to get out of the firing line. Not sure what God has for us there, but the conversation was opened up on Saturday with God and with George when I came home from the retreat. So, we will wait. 

Even though slandered, I know that God is a good God of justice, and He wants to have compassion on us. 

(Ended up being 30 minutes instead of 15!)

52 in 52 Week 44: Educating Gifted Students in Middle School

I must admit my bias in reviewing this book. I graduated with honors from high school, college, and graduate school without ever having achieved the illustrious title of "gifted" while in middle school. I have a vivid memory of the blonde-haired counselor with the squeaky voice writing different sizes of tanks on the chalk board, explaining that the "gifted" students had bigger tanks in which they could fill. What a bad message to send to the littler tanks! My best friend was one of those people with a bigger tank (the biggest, in fact) and a big "G" next to her name in attendance books (I saw it), and she was constantly treated more special because of her "tank." I went to a school district that had plenty of money to burn (back in the 70's when revenues were not put into a large California tank and distributed equally. Since we had a large oil refinery that paid taxes but furnished no school children, education was abundantly funded). Consequently, there were special programs for gifted students but not for the students who did really well because they worked really hard in spite of their smaller "tanks." I have already told you my outcome. My best friend took a non-academic path in high school and opted for a trade school and community college where she eventually dropped out. She works in customer service in a job that requires no post-secondary education and is very "artsy" with a side business selling scrapbooking items. She was "gifted" in that. The size of your "tank" does not take into account a person's other gifts and abilities. She was happy in the road she took regardless of the size of her "tank"!

So, that is why I take issue with this book. I do not think "gifted" students should be treated any differently from other hard working students. I do not think tests should determine how "gifted" or "smart" someone is because some kids just don't do well on those achievement tests. I believe in equal opportunity for all students, not just the gifted ones. (By the way, I had a high score on the vebal/language portion, but my math always made me not have the "G" next to my name, despite always getting an "A" in math courses.)

The book is clearly written. While it will help teachers, I do not believe it is fair to channel fund's exclusively for "gifted" students, especially when I question the effectiveness of these program. We should reward students who work hard, regardless of the size of their tank. 

52 in 52 Week 44: Prayer Walk by Janet Holm McHenry

I have had this book sitting in my book shelf for over a year as part of the "Early Reviewers" for LibraryThing.  The beauty of cutting back on my schedule is getting things done on my "To-Do" list. I have little"back burner" things like this getting marked off right and left. YIPPEE!

I have been prayer walking since 1980. It was part of what my discipler did with us when we were learning about prayer. We called them "Joshua Walks." Later, I learned personally from Steve Hawthorne about strategic intercessory prayer walking. Eventually, he wrote this all down in a book: Praying Walking: Praying On Site with Insight, and I recommend this one far over the one I am reviewing today.

I heartily recommend prayer walking. When prayer walking, one can look up into the big sky and focus on God's glorious creation (Even if you are in a big city, you can look at the people that He has created and praise Him as Creator!). It leads one into praise and thanksgiving. I have prayed for the "Welfare of the City" (Jeremiah 29:7) in many different cities in the world. Who knew that I could have written a book about this subject? It never would have crossed my mind, even with over 30 years of experience. This woman did it after two. (She didn't continue doing it as she admits in her "ten year anniversary" edition.). 

This book is about baby steps from a neophyte. It is a testimony of her journey after two years. So, it is for beginning exercisers and people who have never had a consistent devotional life, which I am sure are many!  Many people need to be inspired and motivated to find time and motivation. For this, she has found an audience. 

Some people will not need this book though. They can just put on their tennis shoes and start walking and praying. They can find someone who has done it for a while and learn from them. No book needed. It just depends on what kind of person you are. 

Most of the exercise information can be found on the internet for free. The exercise part can be found by googling "Beginners walking program." So, I am really not sure one needs to read this book to prayer walk. 

Learning about prayer can be found in one of the books she quotes in her book, Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home by Richard Foster. One can read this and then just apply the principles while walking.

Most of the book is about how to pray and how to walk. So, what you have left is her wonderful testimony that is very sweet and endearing. She will relate to most working moms who do not know where to start or how to find time in their schedule to pray and exercise. 

For those who want a deeper read in prayer walking. I would recommend the book linked earlier in this review: Prayerwalking: Praying On Site with In Sight by Steve Hawthorne and Graham Kendrick. It is used on Amazon. So, it is much cheaper, and these men are looking at the bigger picture of prayer walking with much more than two years of experience! 

52 in 52 Week 44: Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence

At first, D.H. Lawrence made me want to keep reading. He is an excellent writer. This is a novel from the psychological realism genre, but it got a little too real for me! It was published in 1913 and must have been scandalous for its day. Since reading it, I have read that several of his books were banned.  It is highly sexual in the second half of the book. In fact, it was too sexual, and I ended up really disliking the main character by the end (the son, Paul).

I read that Lawrence's novels "emphasize the liberating effect of sexual love and criticize industrial society for limiting humankind's spiritual, instinctual nature" (The Book of Great Books, p.745). I don't think Paul Morel was in any way "liberated" as a result of expressing his sexuality. He went from a fairly decent human to an animal. YUK!

The first part was so much better. It dealt more with the mother's hard life with an alcoholic husband. It got really dysfunctional in how the mother transferred all her love, hopes, and dreams to her sons.  My interest in reading it was peaked when the author of The Mama's Boy Myth referred to it several times.

Really, the second half was so melodramatic and stupid that I almost put it down. Not my cup of tea. D.H. Lawrence was a man, and maybe he was obsessed with sex in his own life because that is about all the second half contains.  YUK!

The film adaptation was WAAAY too racy for my taste (and ClearPlay didn't have a filter for it since it is an obscure British TV drama). It left a very bad taste in my mouth. I would NOT recommend it!

The Well Update

Well-Watered Soul

Trying to tackle Romans 9 at 9:30 am. I am at Coffee Culture waiting to meet with Lisa at 10 am. I "set up shop" realizing that I should have brought my Precept Upon Precept Study! I know I am not totally getting it, and that would help me immensely. Oh well. I will freewrite for a while and keep observing the chapter.

Listening to ""Hymns 4 Worship Radio" on Pandora, and it is my new favorite station. None of that rock and roll kind of worship music. I can only listen to that for so long. This is beautiful contemporary arrangements of mostly hymns, instrumentals, etc. Love it!

Soul is well-watered with a good balance of communion, fellowship, and ministry. I wonder how my spring is doing? I will have to ask Nancy.

Well-Educated Mind

Listening to Nicomachean Ethics while making my chai tea this morning. I really like it. The whole thing on prodigality was amazing. Greeks would have understood the story of The Prodigal Son if they had read Aristotle, and Luke was written for the Greeks!  (Aristotle lived 300 years before Jesus.) That is amazing and something we don't know unless we read ancient literature. It makes me appreciate and understand the Bible so much better to read these ancients. TRULY!

Next after Aristotle will be Thomas Aquinas. Instead of reading the whole Summa Theologica (3000 pages), I will read A Shorter Summa by Peter Kreeft. I might finish the section on Prayer and Contemplation though. I started that several months ago.

I also might listen to Middlemarch on my iPhone too. I cannot WAIT to read that book. I have always wanted to, but I had other books on my list!

Well-Adjusted Heart

Seeing people from my old church this week has been good. It makes me glad I am in a much healthier environment (for me, maybe it isn't toxic for others like it was for me). My heart finds such freedom in the love and acceptance I have with the people of Suburban. Just a different group of people and a different style of relating. I cannot describe it, but it has been 6 1/2 years ago, and I have not looked back.

Well-Tuned Strength

I have written about this a couple of times last week, and I am just going to say WOW! I am a NEW woman!!!  I cannot believe how much better I feel not having to work around my low-level of back pain.. I am bending and cleaning and doing things I was having my men do! I just am trying to be really diligent at doing my exercises every day (and some of them twice a day).

I also have my BodyBugg back on my arm. I got an iPhone. So, now I have my calorie burn linked to it. So, I know how much I am burning every day. I had quite a few more calories to burn before I hit the sack last night so I danced around the room. :) It is nice to move more.

The biggest thing that always needs to change is my eating! But I am maintaining very well and just have a few more pounds to be at my first goal (story of my life!).  Steve gave a great message about overcoming temptation this last Sunday, and that is my application. No ice cream at night! LOL! My ONE true weakness (not really, but I am quoting Dorcas Lane from Larkrise to Candleford).

Well-Watered Soul Update

Well-Watered Soul

Dead to Sin, Alive to Him!

After an hour and a half of puttering around this morning, I finally get to Romans 6 again. After I wrote the above phrase, I was struck by the Spirit. You really are here. Not just mere emotions. It was a definitely awareness of Your eminent presence here with me. I must record. I must proclaim. Yes, You are very, very real.

Thank You.

That's all that needs to be said about my soul today.

52 in 52 Week 43: Light in August by William Faulkner

I read along with The Oprah Book Club during the "Summer of Faulkner" in 2005. I was excited that her book club had turned to classics, and I had embraced her "Summer of Anna Karenina" with gusto, even getting my 1 second of fame on her website! (I looked for it, but it has been removed from her website.)

I read As I Lay Dying during a 15 year anniversary getaway and thought that was a very bad idea because Faulkner was so depressing. Then, I read The Sound and the Fury during July and was both depressed AND confused. When August came around, I gave up on reading Light in August because I thought I hated Faulkner.

I wish I had kept on reading.

I honestly believe that, if you have to read Faulkner, this is the one you should read. It is a very good story. It moves along. It has twists and turns, and it keeps you reading. It is about racism and Christian symbolism and the South. Now, I finally understand why people who like Faulkner REALLY like Faulkner. I think he is a brilliant writer.

It is good, but it is LONG. It took me a while to get through it (I started in July and didn't finish until the first week of September, but it was cool to read it in August based on the title. Something I had failed to do in August 2005).

Southern fiction is not my favorite, but I had an epiphany when I read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Angelou said that her mother from California talked so fast compared to people in the south. That made me understand why Southern Fiction sort of bugged me. So, I slowed down and read/listened to it like a Southerner; slowly savoring. It helped that August is the "slow" month in our life and ministry. It made it much easier for me.

Here is the poem I wrote while waiting for George to get off of work at OSU:

Summer breeze
Makes me feel fine
Blue sky beyond leaves of green
I look up as a cloud floats
Listening to slow Southern fiction
On the campus lawn
On my back — at Kidder Hall.

Here is what Wikipedia says about the title of the book:

Speaking of his choice of title, Faulkner said,
". . .in August in Mississippi there’s a few days somewhere about the middle of the month when suddenly there’s a foretaste of fall, it’s cool, there’s a lambence, a soft, a luminous quality to the light, as though it came not from just today but from back in the old classic times. It might have fauns and satyrs and the gods and—from Greece, from Olympus in it somewhere. It lasts just for a day or two, then it’s gone. . .the title reminded me of that time, of a luminosity older than our Christian civilization." ^[2] 

Within the novel itself, the title emerges most explicitly whenever Gail Hightower sits at his study window waiting for his vision of Van Dorn's cavalry raid. The vision always occurs in "that instant when all light has failed out of the sky and it would be night save for that faint light which daygranaried leaf and grass blade reluctant suspire, making still a little light on earth though night itself has come." ^[3]In 1998, the Modern Library ranked Light in August 54th on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. Time magazine included the novel in itsTIME 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005.^[4]

Well-Tuned Strength - Back Update

I have a whole new set of PT exercises from LOGAN, and they are so much HARDER, but they are making me so much stronger. He could tell the ones that I had been doing were way to easy for me, but that is the whole point of me going to the PT. The whole building block analogy is so true for me (Did I blog about it in the last "Well-Tuned Strength" entry?)! I have a very basic core strength (probably more than your average 53 year old who doesn't have structural abnormalities), but I keep skipping the intermediate step of strength (and the two trainers I have gone to at the club have too) because the rest of my body can handle heavier weight, but my trunk/back/core cannot. That is why I am concentrating on the intermediate core strength building block now (that I had before I injured my toe and got weak and uneven in the immobilizing boot).  Logan is the person to "add on" as he sees I am able to handle it. 

So, I am doing . . .  

Alternate Arm/Leg Extensions on All-Fours: 



I do three sets of twenty of these one time per day. He is really having me concentrate on keeping my back and hips totally level. It is harder than it looks. 

Bilateral Leg Lowering:



I lower and hover at one inch from the ground and raise it back up. I alternate hovering with letting legs reach the table eight times, one time per day.

Bridging with Straight Leg Raise:



He has modified this one to where I extend my leg first and then raise. It makes it a little more difficult, and I am ready for it after two weeks of doing the other one. I do this twelve time, two times per day.

Side Lunges with Theraband:

I stand with my knees slightly bent, stomach tight. Then, I step to the side with a Theraband around my ankles. I continue sidestepping to a distance of 20 feet (and my hallway is exactly that long!). I repeat it on both sides, two sets, two times a day. 

Then, he has me doing straight leg hamstring stretches, two times on each leg, three times a day for thirty seconds a leg. 

The actual therapy sessions have become KILLERS. He has me doing these stability things on a moving board, Supermans off the end of a table for sixty seconds, two times, Bosu push-up and raising the leg, sidestepping like the Theraband only lifting a 15 pound weight and doing it five times on each side. PLUS the exercises above. Killed me yesterday, but it is what I need to do those intermediate steps back to pain-free living ALL the time (not just when I am not challenging myself). 

I cannot believe how much better I feel! 

Well-Watered Soul Update

What a blessed last two days! I realized this morning that I pretty much took a 2 1/2 month break from the Bible Book Club, and I think that was really healthy for me. The last two days, I have gotten back to it because I will be leading the Romans: Part 2 Precept Upon Precept study starting on November 8, and I wanted to write posts for the Bible Book Club from my Romans: Part 1 study in review.

What a BLESSED time I had yesterday!

I pretty much spent the bulk of the day (after a lovely hour morning walk blessing the OSU campus and listening to my book) in Romans 5 - but also looking back on Romans 1-4 to remember what the "Therefore" in Romans 5:1 is "there for." LOL!  I had my new favorite Pandora station playing (Hymns for Worship - not just hymns but instrumentals and mellow worship song - I cannot handle contemporary Christian radio - sorry) as I meditated on the word PEACE from Romans 5:1.

Peace! What a word.  And what worship through those blessed hours! I cannot explain it. I wish I could, but there is NO DOUBT that God is so real. It makes me sad that James Joyce (currently reading Dubliners) and all those classical authors ( just finished Catch-22) I have read over the last few years did not GET that! UGH. They died in ignorance. SAD SAD SAD to never know their DAD! I wish they could have encountered the REAL JESUS instead of institutional religion. So different. God you are REAL REAL REAL!!!! 

Anyway, I am BACK IN THE BIBLE BOOK CLUB saddle, and I love it!!! Romans is where I need to dwell, and I can dwell there until April 9, 2013 if I need to. LOVE IT!  (I made a decision to skip over the rest of Acts until then - I was stuck there for some reason. God knew I needed the reminder of Romans). 

But the 2 1/2 months were lovely. I really wanted to concentrate on bringing Jesus with me "among the pots and pans" like Brother Lawrence (Practice of the Presence of God).  I brought Him into the remaining books on the 100 Great Books List, and that was good. Hemingway needed the LORD. Man is more than his lusts. So glad I am done with that list, not my favorite one.

I am glad that I will be finishing up my last classical list from Invitation to the Classics. I have 18 more books from that list (many overlap with the other two lists). The thing I love about this list is that it is looking at them from a standpoint of faith. LOVE THAT. The Book of Great Books: A Guide to 100 World Classics was not from this perspective, and I found myself repulsed by some of the selections. The Well-Educated Mind classics list were less so, but I would suggest that she remove some of her selections (at least some of her "suggested poems" by Ginsburg and another female poet whose name escapes me).  Susan Wise-Bauer's book is not necessarily aimed at a faith audience. So, I cannot fault her, even though she is a believer.  But Invitation to the Classics is!

Here is their stated purpose:

. . . to introduce the Western literary masterworks in a clear and simple style that is mature in seriousness and tone and Christian in perspective -- and in doing so, to help reawaken Western people to the vibrant heritage of these classics that are rich in themselves in their two-thousand-year relationship to the Christian faith.

I am so down with that!

Well-Tuned Strength

I am back to no low-level tightness and pain in my back. I think that what was happening was before my tendon guillotine in November 2009, I had built up such a base level of strength that I could always lift and not be injured. Since that time, I had gotten to a base building block, but I needed to add another building block on top of that before going back to a regular weight lifting program. The trainers at Timberhill just are not medical people, and they didn't know what was going on in my body each time they would give impossible programs for me. 

Now I am in that intermediate strengthening stage with these PT trunk stability exercises and SLOWLY adding very light weights. I cannot believe how comfortable I feel. I forgot what it was like to have no low-level pain. I am so peaceful right now and grateful. 

I wish I had done this program many months ago. I think the trainers did more harm than good. I will probably not go back there and do all my lifting at home with our own equipment. The only thing will be if I start training for a triathlon again, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it. I can only say that I am so thankful. 

52 in 52 Week 42: Soldier's Heart by Gary Paulsen

My family listened to this short book on the way to Gettysburg in July, but I forgot to review it here! I am sticking it in the Week 42 "War and Pestilence" novels. How appropriate that I would remember it right now. 

It is short and to the point, but it helps one get a young man's perspective on war and its costs.  It was excellent. It is based on a true story of a 15 year old who enlists in the Civil War. 

It is written for a younger age, but I had a high school literature teacher recommend it to me. I was not disappointed. 

52 in 52 Week 42: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Continuing with the Week 42 "War and Pestilence" theme we have . . . 

catch–22 \-ˌtwen-tē-ˈtü\ noun

plural catch–22’s or catch–22s

often capitalized

[from Catch-22, paradoxical rule in the novel Catch-22 (1961) by Joseph Heller]

(1961)

1 : a problematic situation for which the only solution is denied by a circumstance inherent in the problem or by a rule 〈the show-business catch-22—no work unless you have an agent, no agent unless you’ve worked —Mary Murphy〉; also : the circumstance or rule that denies a solution

2 a : an illogical, unreasonable, or senseless situation

b : a measure or policy whose effect is the opposite of what was intended

c : a situation presenting two equally undesirable alternatives

3 : a hidden difficulty or means of entrapment : catch

 Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.  (10th ed.). 

This is the "Theater of the Absurd" with the backdrop being World War II.  It does not seem to be the place for humor, but Heller makes it funny, tragically so though. He has a point.

Heller manages to write a funny anti-war novel, pointing out the absurdity of war, government, bureaucracy, and even religion.  Heller is brilliant but also bawdy and obscene. I wouldn't recommend this to too many people. I see why it is so lauded, but I couldn't wait to be done. It was too obscene and irreverent for me. It was also written by a man who degrades women at every turn. They are just objects for man's lust and serve no other purpose in this novel. ICKY! Maybe he was pointing out the absurdity of that too, but I find that men like this book much more than women do. 

Regardless of my personal view, this book is indelibly marked into the fabric of our society with the term catch-22 defined above. 

This and That Freewrite

I love today so far. I have five hours (Catch-22) and 50 pages (House Made of Dawn) left on my 100 Great Books Journey, and I will be done. It will be almost one year since I completed my last "List" journey, having completed the Well-Educated Mind Journey on November 2. I almost completed a "mid year" list by completing all the Book Babes books that I missed. I just had The Wake in the Wind to read. Actually, trying to complete that "missed Book Babes" list made me decide to drop out of that book club since most of the books just didn't interest me, and they were more of a chore to get through than anything. There are too many books that I really WANT to read to waste time reading books that are just mediocre but popular. (Again, not all were like that but more than half). 

Actually, these last 100 Great Books are somewhat of a chore, but it helps me to know what society was thinking at the time these books became Pulitzer Prize winning books. So, there is a point to me reading these books. Most (not all) of the books from the Book Babes will be easily forgotten and not books that stand the test of time or bookmark a period in history. Some that I liked, others hated. Another indication that I read for a different reason than some of those ladies. We all can agree that  books like The Hiding Place and Blood Brothers were absolutely timeless. I wanted books that stirred people to action, but I realize most people do not want to be stirred but entertained. That is not why I read. Thus, one of the many reasons why I exited it. I can be quite serious. LOL!

Well, that was enough of a little writing warm up even though I have already taken my morning prayer walk, drank my tea, straightened up the house, and listened to my book. I will now do some calendar assessment to respond to the requests for meeting times. (Something that usually takes a considerable amount of time).  I will spend some time in Romans 5 after that. 

Kim will come at 11:15, and we will pray for about an hour. Then, my pictures should arrive, and I can work on those. Then I will truly be CURRENT in all my pictures. I think they are pictures through September 2012 for the family. The boys still need to sort through their pictures for the year, but I can wait on that until they are free during Christmas break. :)  

After the days duties, a date awaits. I am trying to steer our date nights to Tuesday so that we can take advantage of a $5 movie if we want to see one. There are a few we will want to see in the coming months. So, it is prudent to have that night on Tuesday since the only conflict for now will be George's monthly meeting at church. Oh yes, we will be switching our Jesus Community to Tuesdays after Christmas. Oh well. So much for $5 movies!

Well, I will sign off for now.