Working Together

Preston and Josh were so excited to work with grandpa. He mentioned going outside and they began looking for boots, mittens and jackets. We bundled them up and they waited anxiously on the 4 wheeler while grandpa gathered what he needed. Then they rode off to the sugar shack. Their help slowed things down for grandpa but he wouldn't give up the moments together. Preston and Josh each have their own small hammers and boards with roofing nails for practice. Each time the sleigh was filled with wood, the boys had to ride on top of the wood. ....

Today's Book Review

It is like reading about your best friend!

Saving Grace by Fiona McCallum
Saving Grace is a saga reminiscent of Maeve Binchy's tales. As I read the story of Emily's struggles to reinvent herself after a disastrous marriage I found myself caring about whether she realized her dreams. It was like reading the story of a best friend. I could hardly believe that the novel was over and I wanted the story of Emily and her friends to continue. I hope that the author has a sequel in mind as I became attached to the characters. I highly recommend this book. 
I received this book for review purposes  compliments of Netgalley and Harlequin Australia.

I am enjoying the books from Net galley as I have an opportunity to read widely. I hope that you will find these reviews useful.

Book Reviews

Where ever you go, there you are.....

Razed Book One, Foundations Series

Paula Wisman Mindstir Media

Reminiscent of the Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, this novel traces the journey of  Mark and his family to Africa as missionaries. The author portrays a modern Jonah who seems to be using his call to Africa as a means to withdraw from the challenges of building a relationship with his father. Doug, although condemned by Mark for not holding Christian morals, displays virtues of commitment, honesty and love. It will be interesting to follow the characters in the next book in the series. I highly recommend this story.
 I was provided this text by Netgalley and Mindstir Media for review purposes.

Prodigal by Rektok Ross

Stories of Hope and Healing:

This young adult story portrays a boy and girl who find each other but struggle to connect. Lexie, the main character, has to move to a new state for her senior year of high school because of her mother's need for cancer treatment. She is surprised to find a blossoming social life in this new environment. She connects with Ash, a popular athlete, but they find it difficult to forge a relationship based on trust and honesty. Both Lexis and Ash begin to find hope and healing as they deal with the trauma of the death of parents. I found that the story resonated with my experiences of moving during my senior year. The author also captured some of the difficulties adolescents encounter when trying to forge a romantic relationship when they were too hurt to love. I highly recommend this book to young adult readers. The only suggestion I have is that the title more adequately reflect the themes and experiences portrayed. 

Diamonds on the Snow!

The sparkle of the crisp and crunchy snow erase memories of yesterday's storm. Winter can be so beautiful even though the wind and cold can blow away calm and comfort. Last night I tossed and turned fighting the storms of my past which destroy my equilibrium. Preston and I enjoyed three days together, but at times the challenges evoke memories of exhaustion, loneliness and despair from the past. Why is it so hard to leave the past behind. I am always dragging it with me.
"Lay aside every weight and entanglement and fix our eyes ahead...." Hebrews 12: 1,2.
There is another place where it says, "forgetting what lies behind I reach forward to what lies ahead..."Philippians 3:13.
I find it so hard to forget. Instead it seems that there are days when life is beautiful like the fresh snow and sunshine, but my struggles are only temporarily forgotten and ready to be revealed by the next winter storm. Sometimes all it takes is a look, a word, or tiredness which open cracks for the winds to blow through.

On a brighter note, last week Darrell and I went to the movie Les Miserables. A long time ago I saw the live musical. This story depicts the transforming power of grace and mercy. Justice keeps hounding us, pursuing us, like my memories of failures and pain, but only the memory of forgiveness can transform wounds and poverty into love. I see those silver candlesticks freely given to Jean Val Jean as reminders of the extravagant gift of light and hope to be displayed wherever life takes us.

I hope to share some book reviews later this weekend. I am trying to find the balance between reading - living in the stories of others and creating my own stories. This afternoon we will go outside and enjoy the sunshine and snow together.  Go and do the same. 

Today's Book Reviews

As a member of netgalley I try to review the books that I have read. Here are the two latest novels that I have read.
The Pawnbroker by Jerry Hatchett
With the main character running for his life while trying to solve the mysteries surrounding the person he had killed in self defense this book kept me reading for the better part of a day. Unfortunately, the excessive murders detracted from the overall story so I would be reluctant to recommend it to others. It would be nice to see more creative ways of solving the problems. Also, in the initial scene we have two hunters discovering a grisly scene because of the smell, yet at the end of the novel, in the same building none of the characters comment on this smell. The author would do well to check more carefully for inconsistencies in his writing.

Yellow Crocus: A Novel by Laila Ibrahim
Slavery and survival through women's eyes
The story of Mattie and Lisbeth reveals some of the hidden nuances of growing up with slavery. As a slave, Mattie had no rights over her own body or her children and yet was given the responsibility of nourishing and nurturing the child of the plantation owners. Lisbeth shows in her outlook and choices that she has adopted Mattie's values rather than those of her parents. This story creates space for us to understand and touch some of the realities that have shaped the experiences of diverse women. I highly recommend it.

Waiting for Power

The electrician has been here and now we are waiting for Hydro One to come and connect us to the grid. Although we have some warmth, a wood furnace in the basement, and a generator for necessities such as lights and television (and this computer) it is so inconvenient. When it is cold, today it is -20, I often wonder how those people who came before us survived without the amenities that we take for granted. Would a log house, or a tipi, or a lodge of boughs and mud keep out the chilling arctic air? Would lamps of tallow or oil brighten the long nights of winter? What would you add to the stew of fish or moose meat? I am amazed that they could survive and thrive. We should honour those from the past and take time to learn from our elders.

I am not reading today, but rather enjoying the antics of Preston and Josh. Downstairs we were all trying to stand on our heads ( I think that this was Darrell's idea). I took up the challenge and I was doing well until Chip licked my face... so many laughs. Now we are watching Nemo again. They follow the antics of the little clownfish and I reflect again on our search for family and home and the power of love. Right now Dorie is in the net and Nemo is telling all the fish to "swim down together....keep swimming, keep swimming..." As we work together we can overcome the forces which imprison us. Nemo is lying on the bottom and his dad says, "It's ok, daddy's here, daddy's got you." I long for that feeling of protection and unconditional love. I love stories that share the circle of life. Now Nemo is back at school just like in scene one. He has a chance for a new beginning. At any age we need opportunities for new beginnings, time to put into practice the lessons we have learned.

Reflections from the hilltop in Griffith. Bye for now...time to give the boys their bottles and maybe they will nap.