The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

  This was a fabulous book!  It begins to disturb the reader just as the character's lives are becoming overrun with the difficulties of their own mystery.  It was written in sections as if the people are documenting their experiences surrounding a missing jewel as evidence.  Just as I was getting wrapped into one account it would abruptly end leaving so many questions unanswered.   It was written originally in 1868, but was very readable for that time period and I enjoyed it very much.

Writing Group

  I have a lovely group of ladies in my writing group!  We meet monthly to read each others' material and edit.  I always leave so encouraged and challenged.  I am a fast reader, but sometimes I miss details.  My mind corrects anomalies as I go, inserts a word etc.  I enjoy slowing down and being intentional in the editing process.  I have to challenge myself by asking, "how can I make this better?"  --to give my whole creative self to their work and add value.  It is a journey whose destination is publishing.  You really get an appreciation for the variety & validity of multiple perspectives.

Honesty

     Honesty is much more complicated than it seems.  I am coming to believe that loving honesty withholds hurtful truth.  Is it necessary, is it truthful, is it kind?  After all there is plenty of truth available... how about some kindness?

    

School Libraries

     My mother bear instinct has been aroused... again.  The thrill of getting three kids (one on loan) to two different bus stops in the early morning, after repeated reminders for socks, hair brushing and backpacks is, shall we say, not so thrilling anymore.  It sets the rest of my morning off with panic tainted rush.  Then my ace-reader comes home describing that he wasn't allowed to bring a book home from the library.  I investigate further...

"So what did they say..."
"Uh huh?"

They either said it was too heavy for his backpack... (What in the world?  His backpack only has an empty lunchbox.) or that it was too hard for him... which makes me want to roar.  I try to contain myself, I attempt not to cloud my child's perception that the school authorities are to be unquestioningly obeyed and revered.  But... but!!  This is INSANITY!

They haven't even tested the kids yet, to see what their reading level is, and yet they are making judgement calls.  And I could read it to him--but perhaps it is too hard for me as well!  I can understand for maybe kids who are left to themselves or something, but my kid is an achiever, and they just said--"you can't", "it's too hard!"  I get so incensed about this.  I want to sign a waiver saying my kid can have any book he picks... or call the librarians, or the teacher... or... hmmm?

I try to take a deep breath and think of the chain of command, or of going to the person who has offended you, or staving off the offense and giving the benefit of the doubt, asking questions; seeking to understand before being understood.  But all I can see is red and I feel quite settled on the issue of my child... they are all wrong.

Of course, not so, but I do try to understand the situation and the hint of the learning ceiling resounds like our previous school, but I won't believe it--yet.

Beginning Again!

   Here it is September, and finally I return to my writing spot.  My office is cleared of clutter, the house is clean, all temptations to distraction removed.  I have my cheerful fountain, Rod Stewart's serenade, and the gray sky is parting to peeking blue sky and white clouds.  I love to write.  It will be so delightful to get back to a routine which nurtures me.  Moms often end up giving 99% of the time.  The other 1% we're asleep.
   The summer was eventful, random activities and I learned something about myself.  I really am bad at math.  I took on the budgeting/allocating of funds... and I failed miserably.  NO overdraws, but despite my best intentions my mental rounding is insufficient partner to tightly managed money.  It really baffles me still.  I had a plan, I wrote out the plan... and then life happened and I needed to adjust the plan on the fly.  Anyway, Aaron and I worked on it together and I think we'll keep it that way.

     Listened to Michael Frost yesterday.  He is... a relevant pastor.  Aaron heard him at a conference and brought home CD's for me over a year ago, that I never heard.  He starts with a premise that he didn't feel like he fit in the church, and I have to admit, that is me completely!  I'm not drawn to anything "churchy" even social events.  When I hear a church service offered Saturday night--rock music--come as you are--that is intriguing to me.  I'm unconventional when it comes to "church."  Mr. Frost's solution is hanging out doing something you enjoy as a third place--somewhere you choose to be your community.  It could reinvent the idea of church for me.  'Share meals 3 times a week, bless the people in your community randomly and are spontaneously yourself'.  I really resonate with that.
     So the next step is where do we go--with whom... Because I am not an individual--I am a wife & mother.  I am now a clan leader.  This community has to be for my whole clan.  Something we all enjoy...  More on that as it unfolds.