'Go Ahead & Like It' by Jacqueline Suskin

As far as Jacqueline Suskin's book Go Ahead & Like It goes, I'd have to say that I'm on the fence about it.  I like the idea of her book, but have some issues with it.  I did enjoy reading it and getting to inspired think about the things around me.  Figured our kids might think it was clever, when smack, there's the profanity.  Now, realizing the world today is different than I was younger, seeing/reading certain words still surprises me.  I didn't like the book so much anymore.  Actually pasted a picture on top of the list that offended me.  Guess I used it for what I figured it was originally intended by reading the description, thinking it was more of an interactive scrapbook sort of thing.  

Still, to give Suskin credit, the book is appealing in a way.  Retro-style photographs with a look of seventies-style pictures.  A variety of torn out lists written on old envelopes, cards and odd pieces of paper.  Nicely arranged.

But sadly the ever-common profanity stole my fun.  It wasn't near as enjoyable to read after that page.

(i received this book free to review from bloggingforbooks)

Books

Took middle daughter to the bookstore before dinner, but we had to wait until a pretty amazing wind/rainstorm blew through.  Gary had us stay outside on the front porch during the worst bits.  Our twenty-five year old Oak in the front yard actually twisted in the wind, but wasn't harmed.  He had us on the porch to get us as far away as possible from our Oak in the backyard.  It's over sixty years old and looms over the back of the house.  During storms we gravitate away from it.  We're smart that way.

Anyway, I was able to get another used Faulkner at the bookstore I didn't have--this one is Absalom, Absalom!  I still get all excited to read my Faulkners at bedtime.  For some odd reason, he's such a comfort.  I know what to expect even when I'm not expecting it.  He draws a line with awful characters, writing in a way to suggest situations rather than spelling them out.  I've said this before.  Even in the one I'm reading now, The Reivers, one man runs a brothel here in downtown Memphis and at first he seems harmless, but is just plain mean.  With few words, but carefully chosen ones, Faulkner gives the reader a perfect depiction of this man's lack of character.  

I got a used paperback by Lin Yutang as well.  I'm always noting his quotes I find, not realizing he wrote books I could actually buy.  This one is The Importance of Living.  The subtitle is The Classic Bestseller That Introduced Millions to the Nobel Art of Leaving Things Undone.  Isn't that appealing?  And it originally was published in 1937, so his way of dealing with the topic of women, for instance, is more old-fashioned than the world accepts these days.  

Speaking of women, here's a quote from The Reivers:  "Because women are wonderful.  They can bear anything because they are wise enough to know that all you have to do with grief and trouble is just go on through them and come out on the other side.  I think they can do this because they not only decline to dignify physical pain by taking it seriously, they have no sense of shame at the idea of being knocked out."  For some reason, I just love that quote.  Just wish I could live up to it.

Take care.

Monday night

There's something wonderful about getting things done and out of the way and loving how it frees my mind.  My mom's got her groceries in, bed changed, bathroom cleaned, kitchen tidied and counters wiped down.  She's in high cotton until Friday when our youngest son stays the day with her.

And tonight I used the weedeater on the yard and Gary mowed a bit, including the vacant house next door.  Youngest son will finish tomorrow the cutting and the girls will sweep.  Gary's still quite sore from the accident, but as I've said, he won't stop doing.

Chores done, at least on my part.

* * *

Some friends from church called this morning, said they'd given something up to prayer, and offered us their 2004 Ford van to have.  To have.  At that time we'd not heard from the insurance company, so I said we'd pray.  She sent me information about the van via text and it looks wonderful.  She said they'd been given it awhile back, had used it and now have something else.  Later this afternoon we heard about the settlement and it's modest, but at the same time, generous, especially considering we had a 1989 Suburban.  So, now we're not sure what to do.  I'd love to have a ride again (especially if Gary could get something for work later), and truth is, if we accept it, we'll offer them something for it.  Gary needs something for work he can haul things in, but he's not sure a minivan is the ticket.  So, we're praying.  Sort of amazed at their offer.  We shall see.

Tea tomorrow morning.  Quiet.  Reading in bed.  Painting trim in the kitchen.  Turning off noises that mess up my head.  And one more day with no sugar.  So far, so good.  I have to look at my health one-day-at-a-time, like everything else.  As I clean one tiny bit at a time in the house, the same routine will, hopefully, pay off with my physical well-being.

Saturday at home

Nat'l Guard son called me last night.  He'd been at camp down in Mississippi for over two weeks, so it was wonderful to hear from him.  He got an expected promotion and unexpected commendation from his superior officers as well.  As hard as Basic Training was last year, he's grown from it, so it was all for good.  And he came by tonight, unexpectedly, as we were eating, and he had a plate with us.  Feeling blessed.

Also, second son called me from California this afternoon while I was out.  Sat in Fresh Market's parking lot (ate a delicious chicken salad sandwich) and talked for 45 minutes.  Another blessing.  He's a bit torn up about a girl he was interested in---she told him last week she didn't want to pursue a relationship, but he said she let him down very sweetly.  Doesn't make it any easier.  I told him I believed if God is over a situation like that, that you don't have to anguish over making it work. Not that it'll be pain-free, but a couple who belong together sort of meld.  I believe that.  From the start she was so hesitant, and he had to work so hard to keep her interested.  She was almost fearful.  But happily, he'll be coming for a two-week visit in September.  We're all over the moon.  His job there ends in early November and he'll be here (I believe he said) over the winter and may go back next spring.  Don't know and don't have to think that far.

Why am I telling you all of this?  Guess to set up a level playing field.  I'm so proud of my kids who are trying, really trying.  Balances out the ones who cause us to wrestle.  

* * *

Hot here.  So hot.  The poor chickens pant and hold their wings away from their little bodies.  We put frozen soda bottles underneath their roosting perch at night, and they actually seem excited to bed down at night.  I figure the cold air rises and cools their lizard-like feet.  At least that's the idea.

This is the heat that causes Southerners to go a bit mad.  Maybe that's why writers from here are all a bit strange.  All of them.  My favorite wonderful Faulkner as well.  Story has it he refused to have an air conditioner in his house, and the day after he died, his wife had one installed.  That's what we were told.  It's still there in the house.

Hoping the rest of the weekend is restful.  Gary's having some back pain which we're attributing to the accident.  He's not seriously hurting, but he just needs to chill.  We told him to stay at home from church tomorrow.  Sleep in.  Sounds healing.  Our sensibilities are so worn, we could all do with some idle time.  Easy to get ruffled with this and that, but for the weekend we're good.

Nosy neighbors

My husband says it's more totalitarianism, yet here in a mild way.  It's odd to me what presses folks' buttons anymore.  Our neighborhood association, which we used to be members of before they got so controlling---has begun (according to our oldest daughter who reads their FB page) to post photos of houses in the neighborhood which show wise landscaping choices.  The aim being to thwart crime, and let me tell you, folks are paranoid.  The thing is, every photo shows little marshmallow bushes and lots of space.  We don't comply, so won't have our photo up.  We're the example of what not to do.  

Used to, you could landscape and have a pretty yard, and be left alone.  Now seems folks want to have a hand in your business, which for me, is a new thing.  I'm used to living way under the radar, in all areas.  (Maybe being homeschoolers, that's been a necessary choice in my opinion.)  We landscaped so we could sit on the front porch and not be watched, being the houses are so close together.  It's a nice hideaway.  But porch sitting in our neighborhood is a long gone pass-time.  Nobody much does it, sadly enough.  Guess they're staying inside by the windows watching out, being fearful.

Personally I think home should be all about sanctuary and feeling safe.  Not having to judge our actions on whether anyone else approves.  Gosh, that's not inviting.  The biggest laugh, however, came when the president of the association was cited by the city recently when they toured the neighborhood, looking for violations.  She got hit with five citations.  Her house is neat and tidy, but they have motorcycles they're working on and some construction that's been long-going.  Apparently that's a no-no.

Justice is sweet, even when I'm just watching from the sidelines. Behind the bushes.

'Jesus Was an Airborne Ranger' by John McDougall, Chaplain, US Army Rangers

The first draw to me in reading Chaplain John McDougall's book Jesus Was and Airborne Ranger came as a result of having a son in the military.  The references and style of writing was very crisp and to-the-point, just as you'd expect from someone in the service.

And considering what I know about the worldliness and harshness (from my son's experience) of the military life, I so appreciate McDougall's book.  He speaks plain and with conviction.  No frills, but truth.

He shares how we've made Christ into a very weak and ineffective sort of God.  Tolerant of the most deviant behavior and more on the sidelines than truly interested in our lives in a personal way.  

He says:  "I don't know about you, but the meek Messiah is far too timid to confront the pressing realities of evil that I, my family, and my fighting men face every day.  He's much too tolerant to stand up for what's right and true and noble and good.  If we follow the wrong Jesus, then we will become like flavorless salt or a hidden candle---completely useless." (Matthew 5:13, 15) 

I hope this book is an encouragement especially to the men and women in the armed forces who daily face discouragement and harsh realities.  He is able.

(i received this book free to review from bloggingforbooks)

'Annunciation' by Ron Teachworth

It seems to me by reading other reviews of Ron Teachworth's book called Annunciation that they were so taken with his information on frescoes and Renaissance art that they overlooked one main issue:  Mr. Teachworth has no command of dialogue at all.  His characters have very wooden conversations, and while he does make an effort, the end result is very plain and unemotional.

To give him credit, he's done his research on Fra Angelico's work in Italy and also da Vinci.  There were a few inconsistencies, but none that affected the book like his dialogue.  

The story opens with American Catholic students going to Italy to repair frescoes that needed cleaning and with others help, restoration.  So far, so good.  There's some drama, a mystery involving some work of Leonardo da Vinci's that had been hidden for centuries, a romance and a plot to kill then-Pope John Paul II.  Sounds appealing and shows promise.  I enjoy Catholic fiction and truly love art history, so I figured this book would fill many interests.  Well, the story does hold together, even with some hiccups.  My recommendation is to stick with the storyline, but make the characters more human and realistic.  Give their words emotion, and make them actually believable.

(i received this e-book free to review from booklookbloggers)