Time to Read

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

Summer offers us leisure time in the sunny outdoors without a schedule. It’s a great season to read those titles you jotted down on scraps of paper and torn napkins. Here are some of my favorite reads, listed by genre.

Historical fiction can be a frustrating genre if the author leans more to the fiction side. I’ve developed the habit of reading the endnotes first to learn which characters or accounts are the author’s and which are part of history. I thought these were excellent!

  • Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker, Jennifer Chiaverini
  • Becoming Mrs. Lewis, Patti Callahan
  • The Last Bookshop in London, Madeline Martin

Mysteries—I confess, I love this genre! I didn’t list these above because they’re largely fiction but the historical settings are rich. Though fascinating, I’m thankful to live now, not then.

  • The Lady Darby Mysteries by Anna Lee Huber is my all-time favorite series—I’m on a wait list for #12. They are set in Scotland in the early 1800’s.
  • The Bess Crawford Mysteries by Charles Todd
  • The Inspecter Pitt series by Ann Perry

History—The President and the Freedom Fighter, Brian Kilmeade—an absolute must-read, whatever your preferred genre.

Fun—amusing tales & entertaining characters—You cannot read them without smiling!

  • 84 Charing Cross Road, Helene Hanff
  • The Enchanted April, Elizabeth Von Arnim

Feed your spirit with these:

  • Once Upon a Wardrobe, Patti Callahan (fiction—SO good)
  • Improving with Age, Stuart & Jill Briscoe (I need the reminder!)
  • Rumors of Another World, Philip Yancey (the supernatural is hidden in everyday life)
  • Way of Healing, Hannah Hurnard (a bit challenging but served as a prompt to reread Hinds’ Feet on High Places)

Okay, friends, your turn! Share some of your favorites.

How Would You Caption this Pic?

~ Barbara ~ 5 Comments

Oops! I got so absorbed in a writing project I forgot to blog! Until next week, here’s something on the Light Side.

Yesterday morning we looked out the window and saw this in our back yard! I captioned it and sent the picture to our family but before I tell you what I wrote, what caption would you give it?

Families

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

Everybody has one. They come in all colors and sizes—large, small, and in between. Each is distinct and has its own personality. They share laughter and sorrow, great times and bad, words of encouragement and sometimes anger. When families are good, they’re very, very good. And when they are bad, they’re horrid.

Families need nurturing to be healthy and possess these characteristics.

F — Familiarity. They know your strengths and your weaknesses, your awkward moments and your successes. If you’re close, they know your dreams and disappointments and stand with you in both. Maintain you family relationships.

A — Acceptance. This is a tough one but so vital. We all need one place where we don’t have to prove ourselves or vie for approval, where someone will say, “Oh, that’s how my sister is” and it’s okay. Affirm a sibling today.

M — Moments. So many years, so many moments that define us and make us who we are today. Some of those moments offered challenges to overcome, others strengthened and encouraged us. Make your moments count.

I — Individuality. Each of us is unique in good and bad ways—and we live(d) under one roof. Our personalities and experiences created the package we’ve become. Honor it, value it, accept it.  

L — Loyalty. What is it about family ties? My family is MINE. Nothing changes that—even dysfunctional families will defend their parents and siblings. It’s a matter of belonging, being part of something. Be loyal to those God gave you, even if they disappoint.

Y — Yesterdays. Memories, experiences, adventures, embarrassments, laughter, and tears. Build a memory today that will become part of your yesterday.