Tempo Primo
For the first time ever I:
had a blog at Thanksgiving
forgot to post a Thanksgiving message on my blog
woke up ridiculously early the day after Thanksgiving to go shopping
have my very own nativity, Christmas tree, stockings, wreaths, etc. (at good prices, too—a result of the ridiculously early shopping trip)
We have so much to be thankful for this year—God’s blessing and protection, a new house, a wonderful church family, great friends (including some new ones in Croatia, which is always a blessing), and so on. We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We did.
The Power of the Written Word
I was supposed to have done this months ago, but alas, life went on as these questions remained quietly tucked away in the “someday I’ll get to it” file folder. And since I can think of little of worth to write about today, the somewhat neglected little file has been opened. Anyway, isn’t is amazing how books can do all of these things?
1. One book that changed your life: The Bible. While going through very difficult days several years ago, I read this book and found out why life is worth living. Truly, it changed everything about me. I’m not copping out on this answer. There is not a more life-changing book.
2. One book that you’ve read more than once: Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
3. One book you’d want on a desert island: This one. Otherwise I might starve.
4. One book that made you laugh: The Fellowship of the Ring. How can one not laugh at Merry? He is the funniest hobbit ever!
5. One book that made you cry: In the Presence of My Enemies by Gracia Burnham. I cannot even imagine . . .
6. One book that you wish had been written: Accounts of life as a US Marine in the South Pacific during World War II, written by my grandfather. A few years ago I read what could have been the first chapter. If only he had written more; but it was too painful.
7. One book you wish had never been written: Starship Troopers. Suffice it to say that it’s terrible.
8. One book you’re currently reading: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. As much as I do not care to admit it, J.K. Rowling has really come up with a charming set of stories. However, I am not giving my wholehearted support. More on this subject yet to come.
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: Honestly, just one?! Ok then. The Europeans by Henry James.
Dry Springs
Sorry for the lack of posting. Life just seems to be a little “droughty” lately.
Satisfaction
Months in the planning (and procrastinating) . . . days in the staining . . .
. . . hours in the putting together . . . minutes in the hanging. My fall project is finally done.
I have begun taking orders 
Life
What does one do with long, cold (and sometimes rainy) afternoons at home while her floor is covered in sawdust from a recent woodworking project, her rear window is leaking because the people who built her house somehow managed to get away without installing flashing around the windows, and her computer is making strange humming sounds that border on a method of cruel and unusual torture?
Post stories such as this one and zip through the Harry Potter series faster than a Seeker can catch the Snitch. (Some of you may wonder why I am reading these books. My answer—1) because the bandwagon seems to have passed and 2) because people ask me what, as a Christian, I think about Potter, and without having read the books, I cannot speak intelligently about the subject.)
Oh, and I knew that Kat would get the quotation question from my last post right. She knows me too well.
Now I just need to go find something that is actually worth writing about . . .
