Kontan.

Manic Monday #213

Name 5 of the simple pleasures in your life:

1. A normal work schedule for Djembe.
- When he worked 3-11 our schedules never matched up and it was difficult to find time for each other.

2. Lazy days with the girls.
- As difficult as I find summers to be, I really do like being able to just relax and spend time with the girls.

3. Facebook
- Because of FB I have been able to reconnect with friends and keep in touch. Without it, we would probably not keep in touch at all. It is also encouraging to post a concern and receive support and feedback.

4. Rainy days
- I’m a little odd. I like thunderstorms. The rain is soothing, the lightening and thunder are exciting.

5. My dogs
- They love unconditionally and they just want to please you.

What do you like to do on a rainy day?

Watch it rain, read a book, relax and listen

I deserve a _______.

job ~~~interview THURSDAY!~~~

Manic Monday #212

Another three questions, food for thought…it’s Manic Monday. My favorite summer activity, second only to floating aimlessly in water on a hot day, is reading. When I can combine reading and water, all the better. Manic Monday questions for today are book related.

Has reading a book ever changed your life? Which one and why, if yes?

I don’t know if it changed my life, but When Bad Christians Happen to Good People certainly changed my perspective. I reviewed it and another Dave Burchett book here. Some of the greatest hurts come from the church, and the judgment cast by its members. It changed my perspective because I don’t want to be one of those casting judgment. It is not my place. FaceBook asks for favorite quotes to be added to your profile info. One I stole from a friend, “The greatest opposition to what God is doing today comes from those who are on the cutting edge of what God was doing yesterday.” This quote reminds me of historical actions of the church. All good intentions aside, some are not very loving. It is a book like this that reminds me to serve and to love.

Name one book you had to read but hated, and explain why you hated it.

Just one? Two books I had to read, but hated: Grapes of Wrath and Franny and Zoey. I think I would benefit from reading both again. As a high school senior, I was completely uninterested in both. I’m not certain I finished F&Z. It is possible that I hated them because I had to read them. I found them to be slow and uninteresting. Now, with maturity and historical knowledge, I may find they are delightful reads.

If you could pick a book you’ve read to make into a movie, which one would you choose?

The Amethyst Heart by Penelope Stokes. It is a work of historical fiction with lovable characters and a well written story of personal triumph. Amethyst is determined to keep her home and decides to defend it against her money hungry son. While locked away in the home, waiting for a judge to decide her fate, Amethyst entertains her teenage great grandchild, Little Am, with stories of family history. The stories highlight the importance of family, faith, and friendship. It is a sweet uplifting read and one that would make a great movie.

When all else fails, try a meme! I’ve done this several times before and it is usually enough to get me thinking and typing. The questions are always interesting, even if the answers aren’t.

Manic Monday #211

If you could only see black and white except for one color, what color would you choose to see?

Well, black and white pics are always cool when you highlight the red…so red.

If you could have a room full of any one thing, what would it be?

I’ve seen a lot of good answers here, but I have to pick books. I could keep myself entertained for hours and lose myself in the plot, while befriending the characters in my imagination. This is assuming that all other necessities of life are available.

Imagine you could go back to the age of five and relive the rest of your life, knowing everything that you know now. You will reexperience your entire adolescence with both the cognitive ability of an adult and the memories of everything you’ve learned form having lived your life previously.

Oh my. Adolescence was difficult enough the first time, I would rather not repeat it. However, doing the repeat with all current knowledge my path would not change, but my pursuit would be stronger and more focused. The past has made me who I am and I am not unhappy with the result.

I’m choosing to skip the last question. It is a little too personal.

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