Words Fitly Spoken

Today I ordered four new books from Amazon.com. They were “The Secret Life of France”, by Lucy Wadham (I gave away my copy to a friend I met while in France, and I wanted another on hand.), “The Secret of the Seven Pillars” by Daniel A. Biddle, P.H.D., “Stepping Heavenward”, by Elizabeth Prentiss and “Laddie” by Gene Stratton Porter.
Yes sir, it’s a red letter day when I get to order books. I love hitting the ye olde 1 click button Amazon offers and seeing the words “this item has been placed in your cart”. I love the day the books arrive and I get to hear the sound of the knife slicing through the packing tape to open the box. And BEST OF ALL, I love the time when I can draw the bath, sink in--ear deep in bubbles--to start a new adventure in my life. I can travel anywhere in the world right from my bathtub. Ahhhhhhhh, Calgon, take me away.
By the way, have I ever told you about my great and long love affair with books? It started at a very tender age, I must say. I was never much of a school student (true story, don’t tell my kids, I have ‘em fooled!!); but for whatever reason, I was a strong reader. Often, my elementary school teacher would call on me (hand and arm stretched to the ceiling and wiggling vigorously) to read something aloud, which gave me great pride. I discovered I had a talent and was actually good at something in school, even though the rest of my formal education passed in a jumbled,  fuzzy haze.
I did not love school, but I loved reading so much, I would regularly go up to my bedroom on the third floor of our semi-detached Lancaster County, Pennsylvania home to practice reading out loud the same book--over and over and over. I worked on inflection, enthusiasm and diction as I read happily away.
The book of choice that became worn out due to my repetitious readings? Ferdinand the Bull, by Munro Leaf. And you know what? It’s still one of my all-time favorite children’s stories. (Little did I know, at the time, the strong Pacifistic themes presented within those child-like innocent pages. But never mind that! Learning to DISCERN and understand themes came later, much later.)

Through the years my passion and fervor for reading has only increased. And, thankfully, I am better at understanding themes and the author’s purpose for writing a particular book nowadays. I don’t remember who suggested it or why, but I do remember being encouraged by some sage person to reach for the classics. This further fueled my desire to understand the underlying themes of the author. I became enthralled with reading these tomes and other good stuff from the written page. I am still on that quest and I long ago realized I would not have time to read all the quality literature, let alone the junk. So, I better not waste my time on trash.
As the years passed, and I became a young married woman and mom, I was lead to a very special book by my old college roommate and now cousin-in- law, Susan Peterson Barley. This one book helped me to begin the journey of discernment when reading quality literature to my children, and it helped me to instill a love of learning in them. Reading aloud was a daily ritual during our homeschool years and I believe it drew us closer and made us more cohesive as a family. Our shared interests in great books were the glue.

Not surprising, today I still come back to that book time and time again called Honey for a Child’s Heart, by Gladys Hunt, now in its 5th edition in paperback. It’s a volume that every Christian mother should have on her shelf. Between its pages I discovered books like Granfa Grig Had a Pig (note to self, buy that again for my grandchildren), Across Five Aprils, The Bronze Bow, The Secret Garden, The Borrowers, Charlotte’s Web, Adam of the Road and the list goes on and on...
Hunt taught me a zillion things but especially that: “words fitly spoken, characters memorable, a theme to challenge the heart—this is what we want for children.” And, it’s still what I want for my children and  grandchildren.
So, if you’re in need of a little reading inspiration-- young or old--just jump onto Amazon, type in “Honey for A Child’s Heart” and hit ye olde 1 click button as soon as possible! You won’t be sorry—promise!

My daughter, Christi, carrying on the legacy of homeschooling and the love of great books. 

 Here, she's pictured with Merideth.

~Enjoy~

My Top New Year's Resolutions for 2010

This year I've decided to post my New Year Resolutions based on my top favorite reads for 2009 and how they've influenced me.

1. Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky-In a blink of an eye our lives could change and with the way it seems our country is headed, this may be a reality sooner than later.  We are seriously desiring to be debt free--whatever it takes.

2. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows-convicted me to want to write more letters, that is, good old fashioned snail mail letters.

3. Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith-Oh, how I want to be like Ma Ramotswe by spending more quality time with friends, preferably over tea.

4. West with the Night,by Beryl Markham-Markham's incredibly adventureous spirit--especially back then, when women barely did such things--makes me want to travel more; but particularly, to become more adventurous and less afraid.

5. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens-I read it almost every year, and it makes me want to give more generously--with NO strings or glory attached.
 
6. Writing Down the Bones-by Natalie Goldberg-I long to be a better writer and, shhhh-- this is top secret--in 2010 I dream of starting to write a modest publication about our life here in these Wallowas!

7. Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt-It's an old read I brought round again after listening to a very good series of lectures on teaching writing given to me by my good friend, Doug Hammerstrom.  So, my resolution is to spend more quality time with my grandchildren, teaching them to love some of the great classics I love!

8. Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury-The burning of books theme makes me want to read more.  Lot's more...

9. Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon-I don't know what made me drag my feet for so long picking up this wonderful series, but I love her stories on Father Tim featuring the joy of Christian community.  I want to be more actively involved in serving and enjoying the great Christians which lovingly surround us.

10. Massacred for Gold by R. Gregory Nokes-This true story reminds me to hate prejudice and to become more serious about studying and knowing more about the amazing valley I am priveleged to live in.

11. The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim-San Salvatore, the setting for this delightful British novel, tells me that my heart could and should be more expansive, ready to burst into bloom like the lush foliage at the Medieval castle four strangers rented together for a month in Italy. I desire in 2010 to have a greater capacity to love and be content with where I am.


What are your New Year's Resolutions?  Please let me know by posting a comment.  Oh!  And Happy, Happy New Year...see you in 2010!

~the end~