On this glorious Easter morning I wanted to pass along my testimony and knowledge of the life, sacrifice and resurrection of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Here are two messages that convey it in words much better than I could.
He is Risen, a short video clip recounting some of the events written in the Gospels
He is Risen-Elder Eyring a brief written message by one of the modern day Twelve Apostles
No matter what you believe, I hope that you will find peace and solace this day in the beginnings of Spring, nature's rebirth, and feel a draw to become re-born yourselves in some small way, to be a little kinder or a little more hopeful, and spread good news to those around you where ever you may be.
Happy Easter!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
a good book (part 2)
Ooops, I just realized I completely skipped over book club this week!
We (appropriately and accidentally) ushered in Passover with a discussion on The Chosen, Judaism, father/son and family relationships, communication, the pluses and perils of small protected communities, religion, beliefs vs knowledge, and more. It was a thought provoking read (and who knew there was a sequel?)
Up next month:
The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin
What are you reading?
We (appropriately and accidentally) ushered in Passover with a discussion on The Chosen, Judaism, father/son and family relationships, communication, the pluses and perils of small protected communities, religion, beliefs vs knowledge, and more. It was a thought provoking read (and who knew there was a sequel?)
Up next month:
The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin
What are you reading?
a good book.
March is Women's History month so I've pulled a few of my favorite biographies (all picture book versions this time around) of women. Many of these are the unsung/relatively unknown variety which is one of the reasons I love picture book so much. You can get a great glimpse of someone's life in just a few pages and be introduced to people and concepts you might never have discovered had they been buried within mass volumes or hundreds of pages. If you need a bit of inspiration or a new hero to admire, look no further than these tales of courage and strength.
The story of an 1800s Native American renaissance woman who was caught between cultures and grew up to advocate for equal rights.
When war comes to Iraq, one librarian will stand against all odds to save the books in her care and use them to provide opportunities for other women and children in her community.
Mrs. Harkness and the Panda
It's 1934 and Mrs. Harkness is on her way to explore China with her husband. When he passes away she is determined to carry on his expedition and bring back a rarely seen panda to inspire generations of wildlife conservationists.
The Daring Miss Quimby
Before Amelia Earhart there was Harriet Quimby, the first woman in the United States to earn her pilot's license.
In the 1950s, artist Clementine Hunter wasn't allowed to attend her own art shows because of segregation laws.
Vinnie and Abraham
A teenage sculptor is given a commission to carve Lincoln's likeness after his assassination. Her work still stands in the Capital rotunda.
Back when most women weren't even allowed to drive Louise threw caution to the wind and became the first female race car driver inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Here are a few others, some familiar names and some lesser known:
Harlem's Little Blackbird (Florence Mills)
Ballet for Martha (Martha Graham)
Talkin' About Bessie (Bessie Coleman)
Sarah Emma Edmonds Was a Great Pretender (Sarah Emma Edmonds)
Bon Appetit! (Julia Child)
Ballots For Belva (Belva Lockwood)
Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors? (Elizabeth Blackwell)
Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World (various)
Lives of Extraordinary Women (various)
Women Daredevils (various)
Women Explorers (various)
Who are some of your favorite female characters throughout history? Who should I discover next?
Thursday, March 28, 2013
coming to a realization.
My life has not always gone the way I’d imagined. I’m a fairly old-fashioned person and while I have a subtle feminist streak in some regards, most of me would be perfectly content to live a 1950s ideal as a stay-at-home mom ala Leave It To Beaver (string of pearls optional.) And yet here I am, nearing 40 and still single. I’ve had to re-imagine my life many times over and while I’ve never been able to get things quite right I’ve had some great adventures along the way. However, that hasn’t stopped me from wishing for that ‘perfect’ relationship and the opportunities for motherhood.
Some days I’m okay with my singlehood and can power through basking in my never having to share my closet and being able to pee without an audience. Some days I’d give anything just to have someone want to take me on a date. And some days I feel like I don’t care who or how but, darnit, I just really want to make out!
And so, against my better judgement, I started online dating. There’s something safe in the pseudo-anonymity of putting things out in the electric ether. (Just ask the billions who share their every move, mood and meltdown on Facebook and Twitter every second.) Plus, there's the hope that the tiny matchmaking fairies who live in the dating database will be able to screen out the bulk of the crazies and use all the information you spent hours filling out to find your perfect match (or at least someone worth going to dinner with!) *sigh* and alas. Not so!
And that is why I spent 2 hours fighting off, well, let's call him Handy McGroperson*, a guy who had seemed nice enough through the safe distance of cyber space and phone waves. (And yes, I'm ashamed to admit that it took me 2 hours to finally finish it.) We'd had quite a few email interactions and a couple of nice phone chats before deciding to meet for drinks (freshly squeezed oj, in my world.) So, I drove into town (something I hate to do), circled frantically looking for a parking space (which is why I hate to drive!) before I finally made my way into a garage only to be told that they were closing in 20 minutes so I'd have to find another one. Garage two was $15 an hour (again, why I hate driving!) but I was already half an hour late so I handed my keys to the valet guy and took off. I should have recognized this whole messy process as a sign from the gods, but I'm not very observant sometimes. Oh, and did I mention it was raining?
Well, after the apologies and waiting while I bought my drink (yep, he didn't even offer!) he lead me down the street to a hotel lobby where he figured we'd have a better chance to get comfortable. The conversation started out nice enough though after the preliminary "tell me about yourself" he wasn't too interested in anything other than existential gobbeldy gook and "seizing the moment" (both fine and good if you know a bit more about a person than their jobs and where they're from!) And then out of nowhere he lunges at my face saying "I've never kissed a Mormon" (when one is from Utah that inevitably gets brought up) while I'm forced to do a back bend to get out of his way and put a hand up to chest telling him "and you're not going to tonight!" He laughed and said he had to take the chance and I figured we were good, but then his hands were in my lap, on my waist, caressing my arm while I'm sitting as far away from him as I can, moving his hands myself and telling him he's going to have to find somewhere else to put them. He'd stop for a bit and we'd chat a bit longer before the process started all over again. Seriously, it was the most exhausting couple of hours I'd ever spent.
Finally I just stood up and told him I had to get home but it was good to meet him (and cross him off the list....this was just said in my head, of course, I'm obviously too nice!) He asked for a kiss goodbye and I flat out told him 'no' but gave him a conciliatory pat on the arm as I started walking away. "We'll be in touch," he called. "Sure," I responded, not even turning around. "We've got each others' numbers!" "Oh, I've got your number, alright!" (This I did say out loud, but under my breath as I raised a hand in triumphant farewell.)
As I collected my keys and my wits I shook my head in disgust at myself and the state of the world in general. Tallies for the evening: Time wasted, 3 hours; parking, $30; orange juice, $8; a moment of realization, priceless!
Conclusion: sometimes I'd just rather be single!
*names have been changed toreflect true character protect the guilty!
And that is why I spent 2 hours fighting off, well, let's call him Handy McGroperson*, a guy who had seemed nice enough through the safe distance of cyber space and phone waves. (And yes, I'm ashamed to admit that it took me 2 hours to finally finish it.) We'd had quite a few email interactions and a couple of nice phone chats before deciding to meet for drinks (freshly squeezed oj, in my world.) So, I drove into town (something I hate to do), circled frantically looking for a parking space (which is why I hate to drive!) before I finally made my way into a garage only to be told that they were closing in 20 minutes so I'd have to find another one. Garage two was $15 an hour (again, why I hate driving!) but I was already half an hour late so I handed my keys to the valet guy and took off. I should have recognized this whole messy process as a sign from the gods, but I'm not very observant sometimes. Oh, and did I mention it was raining?
Well, after the apologies and waiting while I bought my drink (yep, he didn't even offer!) he lead me down the street to a hotel lobby where he figured we'd have a better chance to get comfortable. The conversation started out nice enough though after the preliminary "tell me about yourself" he wasn't too interested in anything other than existential gobbeldy gook and "seizing the moment" (both fine and good if you know a bit more about a person than their jobs and where they're from!) And then out of nowhere he lunges at my face saying "I've never kissed a Mormon" (when one is from Utah that inevitably gets brought up) while I'm forced to do a back bend to get out of his way and put a hand up to chest telling him "and you're not going to tonight!" He laughed and said he had to take the chance and I figured we were good, but then his hands were in my lap, on my waist, caressing my arm while I'm sitting as far away from him as I can, moving his hands myself and telling him he's going to have to find somewhere else to put them. He'd stop for a bit and we'd chat a bit longer before the process started all over again. Seriously, it was the most exhausting couple of hours I'd ever spent.
Finally I just stood up and told him I had to get home but it was good to meet him (and cross him off the list....this was just said in my head, of course, I'm obviously too nice!) He asked for a kiss goodbye and I flat out told him 'no' but gave him a conciliatory pat on the arm as I started walking away. "We'll be in touch," he called. "Sure," I responded, not even turning around. "We've got each others' numbers!" "Oh, I've got your number, alright!" (This I did say out loud, but under my breath as I raised a hand in triumphant farewell.)
As I collected my keys and my wits I shook my head in disgust at myself and the state of the world in general. Tallies for the evening: Time wasted, 3 hours; parking, $30; orange juice, $8; a moment of realization, priceless!
Conclusion: sometimes I'd just rather be single!
*names have been changed to
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
a day wandering the town.
I don't know about the rest of you but I've got Spring fever. And the weather these days just isn't cooperating. In an effort to pretend that I'm not going stir crazy and channeling my inner Jack Nicholson I've forced myself to leave my cocoon of blankets, hot water bottles and peppermint tea and get out on the town.
And finally we stopped in for a quick tour of the headquarters of The Society of the Cincinnati a few blocks over. The oldest patriotic organization in the country, it's a hereditary society committed to promoting the education of and appreciation for the nation's struggle for independence. One of the original founding families bequeathed their home which is now used for events and contains vast collections of art and decor from around the world. It was quite the contrast to the yard sale decor we saw on O Street!
Stop one was the Kennedy Center for their Nordic Cool festival highlighting various arts and performances from Scandinavia.
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| an art installation using hundreds of shirts to form the hull of a ship |
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| simulation of the Northern Lights |
Then there was a trip to the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria for some information on the Masons, and some fabulous views from the top of the tower.
And this past weekend I spent the better part of an afternoon wandering through the Mansion on O Street. Five row houses joined together through a series of cobbled together passages, stairways and hidden doors, it is a truly strange place. The owners are affiliated with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame somehow and use the Mansion as a sort of artist's retreat/school though it's also open for tours, treasure hunts, brunch, and more. There's live music (often a drag show) and various events throughout the year. Everything that decorates the building has been donated and is for sale. It's a wild mish mosh of antiques and collectibles and junk, sort of like a ginormous yard sale.
I read about it in this book and thought it sounded like such a fun and crazy place, I was sure it had been made up. But no! If you've got a few hours to kill, I highly recommend a visit.
I read about it in this book and thought it sounded like such a fun and crazy place, I was sure it had been made up. But no! If you've got a few hours to kill, I highly recommend a visit.
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| yes, that's John Lennon's face---projected on the bathroom floor! |
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| 1 of 20+ hidden doorways connecting the units, we sort of felt like Nancy Drew! Great fun! (plus, they don't tell you where they are so you have to discover them all for yourselves. We found 6 or 7) |
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| just a tiny sample of some of the stuff for sale/decor |
What have you been doing to keep busy? Or should we send out the snowplows?!
Monday, March 25, 2013
a winter wonderland.
This morning I woke up to this view.
Granted, it would have made me a lot happier had this come in oh, January. Or if it had been 75 degrees and a day off. But still, there's something magical about a pristine snowfall and the potential perfection of the day to come.
How was your Monday?
Granted, it would have made me a lot happier had this come in oh, January. Or if it had been 75 degrees and a day off. But still, there's something magical about a pristine snowfall and the potential perfection of the day to come.
How was your Monday?
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
a good book.
The Lions of Little Rock
Author: Kristin Levine
Pages: 298
Age Range: 9-12
Published: 2012
Genre: Historical Fiction
Cover Score: *** (the image on the left isn't the same as the cover I had, but I like this one even less, it's far too generic)
Overall Score: *****
Rating: PG (violence, intense situations)
Marlee's world is changing. Her older brother is off to college, her sister is being shipped off to their grandmother's because the high schools are all closed in protest of integration and she's not sure she’ll be able to handle things on her own. She's basically a selective mute speaking only to her family (mostly her sister) and providing one word answers at school when forced. And then Elizabeth shows up. Liz has a way of pulling the words out of Marlee and making her do things she never thought possible. But when it's discovered that Liz is actually a light-skinned Negro their friendship becomes forbidden. Their world is volatile and the racial tensions in the city are real and life threatening.
When Liz goes back to her school she enlists Marlee to help her learn to be quiet and ignore the comments and slams she receives. The girls sneak around in an effort to see each other and call each other on the phone using fake names. Their efforts lead to more and more trouble until it escalates into an older white boy’s violent actions against Liz’s family and neighbors. But the girls won’t be deterred.
Listening to the lions in the nearby Little Rock zoo roar each night Marlee bolsters her courage (much as the lion in the Wizard of Oz, a movie the girls see together, does as well.) She decides to do what she can to keep the first friend she’s ever had.
Marlee and Liz deal with realistic portrayals of racism, ignorance and bigotry even from members of their own families. There’s a lot of history here with some background information on the NAACP, Emmitt Till, John Carter, the KKK, the Little Rock Nine, lynchings, bombings and more. There’s enough info given to explain the gravity of the situation without dwelling on it all, as befits the target audience.
Marlee is a fantastic character with a great voice and insight into the people around her. Because so much of her dialogue (at least at the beginning of the book) is internal we see her growth and evolution in a very direct way through her thoughts but also the words she chooses to say aloud and those she chooses to say them to.
Here’s a sampling:
You see, to me, people are like things you drink. Some are like a pot of black coffee, no cream, no sugar. They make me so nervous I start to tremble. Others calm me down enough that I can sort through the words in my head and find something to say.
My brother, David, is a glass of sweet iced tea on a hot summer day, when you’ve put your feet up in a hammock and haven’t got a care in the world… (pg 5)
Each new person she comes to interact with is labeled in this way; bubbly sodas, wholesome milk, shots of whiskey. Eventually it all leads to this conclusion near the end of the book:
Summing people up as a cola or a coffee wasn’t really fair. Most people were a whole refrigerator full of different drinks. Trying to force them into one cup or one glass meant I never really got to know them. (pg 271)
Not only does little Marlee find her voice but through her influence the people around her find their voices as well and slowly change begins to come. This is a quietly powerful fictionalization of 'the lost year,' 1958 (the year following the events of the Little Rock Nine) and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in history, the Civil Rights movement, equality or just plain great stories.
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