purposeful ponderings
Five Stars Louise Penny is one of my favorite authors. I wait with anticipation for her books about Inspector Gamache to be released in August and often pre-order. Her mystery writing is unique because it is character-driven. Most mysteries rely on the plot, and the characters seem inconsequential. Louise Penny weaves a backstory that causes […]
On this last day of January, I am reviewing my goals for the month. What has been completed? What still needs to be done? What ought to be reevaluated? What needs to be crossed out? Not because it’s done, but because I know it’s not going to happen. At least, not yet. And then there […]
Complete this thought: “I wish an alarm would notify me whenever…” “I wish an alarm would notify me whenever…” I am about to experience social fatigue. Sometimes I can anticipate–based on my schedule, the activity, or the group–whether I am going to be energized or exhausted after social interaction. I know that there are times […]
Five Stars The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson was one of my favorite reads of 2019. Set in the Kentucky during the Depression, this story tells of a woman of a different color–blue. But, not only is Cussy Mary a unique individual, she is one of few willing to brave the […]
When I was in third grade, I wrote my first poem–a haiku about the color yellow. I’m certain I did not choose the theme color of my poem because yellow has never been my favorite color. I remember struggling with yellow things I liked and words that fit the 5-7-5 syllable form of a haiku. […]
What color do you feel like today? As I consider this question, snow is falling outside. My weekly cleaning is done. I have accomplished many of my goals for the week ahead of schedule. But, the pantry and refrigerator require restocking, and I should gather donations from the ramshackle basement. I would say I’m some […]
Five Stars Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann chronicles the fascinating, horrific true-life account about the mass killings of Osage Native Americans in Oklahoma during the 1920s. In an effort to assist in the corrupted investigation, the government brought in their own form of law enforcement commonly known today as the FBI. Told […]
I recently learned in my side-interest about typology that four animals have been attributed to the four main sleep patterns. Although it was easy to distinguish who the animal characters are in my family, I think seeing these distinctions helped me to once again understand my family habits and routines in a new way. This […]
Sometimes my sons bring up complicated topics when I am getting ready to head off to bed. Such was the case recently as one of my sons and I were talking about scenarios in specific social situations when a small thing becomes a big problem. At certain times, I find it easier to explain complicated […]
Five Stars I loved the intricacy of detail within Richard Powers’ Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel The Overstory. The layering and connecting of characters throughout this book is akin to the age-rings of a tree. These are timeless stories that crisscross eras with the symbolic idealism and realism that has shaped America’s roots. It is a book to […]
