More about All Saints

I started to change the post I wrote about the books I've been reading, but then I realized that someone who read that already wouldn't go back and re-read it... just in case anyone is reading my blog these days. So I thought I'd just write a little more about it here. What I wanted to say was about All Saints...I learn something every day from reading about the lives of these amazing people. It makes me look at the people around me differently, too -- so many of the people in this book were ordinary people who did extraordinary things in their everyday lives. One of my favorites is Brother Lawrence (January 11). He lived in the 17th century, a lay brother at a Carmelite monastery in Paris. He worked in the monastery kitchen; he had little or no formal education. But he had a beautiful spirit; here is a quote from the passage about him in All Saints:

His method was to cultivate at all times a consciousness of the presence of God. According to Brother Lawrence, wherever we might find ourselves, whatever the task at hand, we should perform our duties with a consciousness of God's loving presence. With such an awareness all our activities were hallowed; we would thus find ourselves in a state of continuous prayer or conversation with God....It was well to construct an oratory in one's heart, in which to return and dwell. "Our sanctification," he believed, "did not depend upon changing our works, but in doing for God's sake that which we commonly do for our own."

I know this is not a new idea. But what more wonderful way to spend one's life, no matter what one's station or circumstances!

I was going to write some more, but I think this is enough for now. Sweet dreams!

more about books...

I don't have enough room to put all the books I have loved on the little list in my profile, and besides, whoever looks there anyhow? So I'm thinking I might post from time to time on books I have enjoyed. I listed a few in my last post, but there are lots of others... just now, looking for other things, I came across a link I made to the website for an author whose book I loved when I read it a few years ago. The book is Learning to Fall: The Blessings of an Imperfect Life, and it's by Philip Simmons. I loved this book because it helped me to see things in a different way, helped me to look at my life in a different way than I had before. Phil Simmons said the blessing of his illness (he suffered from ALS) was that “a fuller consciousness of my own mortality has been my best guide to being more fully alive”.

Another book that came to mind this morning is Nurse Matilda, by Christianna Brand. I read this one with my kids (I think mostly Emily) and we loved it, and the sequel to it, whose name I can't remember at the moment. There is a new movie out that is loosely based on the Nurse Matilda books, Nanny McPhee. Emma Thompson did the adaptation and stars in the movie. I read a review of it and a story about Thompson writing the screenplay in this morning's paper. Sounds good, though there are several major departures from the book...

I'm interested in knowing what books you-all have enjoyed, too.
Gotta run! Lots to do today and time's getting away from me...

January blues

Here it is, almost the end of January, and I haven't written in my blog but once. How can I expect regular readers if I am such an irregular poster?!
It's been a month of a lot of work and a lot of things to think about and work on, besides my usual employment. And I did get the little Christmas tree dismantled and out to the trash, a few days ago. I'm trying not to get back into the mode of leaving the tree up indefinitely as I used to do. I was going to take a photo of it before I took it down and then forgot. Sorry. But it was pretty, thanks to some expert decorating by my dear niece and nephews...

So I haven't had any brilliant or even very interesting (to me) thoughts lately, thus I haven't posted. One of the slogans I learned from a wise friend many years back was "Do the Next Right Thing", and that's been my m.o. lately. I have felt so overwhelmed at times that it is all I can do to figure out what the Next Right Thing is, and then do it. Not much brainstorming going on.

Let's see, I have made lots of trips to the library; I could tell about some of the interesting books I have been reading, and some of the good music I have been listening to...
I just finished The Nudist on the Late Shift, by Po Bronson, and that was great! It's all about Silicon Valley culture in the late 90's or so, written in chapters all about different aspects of the computer software business. In each chapter the author interviews and/or shadows several individuals and tells of his experiences in that particular realm. There were places that I just laughed out loud, it was so crazy! (The title story in particular is quite amusing.) I learned a lot about how lots of things work (in business etc.) It also gave me a window into a culture that I will be visiting from time to time in the coming years. I originally found a copy at Book Buyers, then found another copy on the book sale table at the library and snarfed it up so I'd have one to share, and not have to give up my copy. Now I want to read Bronson's other books....
Just for fun I have started reading a Terry Pratchett book, Color of Magic, that a friend gave me awhile back, It's the first book in the Discworld series. It is very good so far but I am not far into it. (I ought to be reading that now instead of blogging, as then I might have some chance of falling back asleep! It's 3:14 a.m.)
I got several diet books out of the library to help me stay motivated on trying to eat healthier... one of them is Dr. Shapiro's picture perfect weight loss : the visual program for permanent weight loss by Howard M. Shapiro; it was suggested by a good friend who lost a lot of weight using this plan some years ago. It is a book that gives great inspiration for eating better, just from looking at the pictures!
I'm also reading 10 Habits that Mess Up a Woman's Diet, by Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D. It's another good motivator, very sensible, and an interesting read. I'm reading it slowly so I can work on one thing at a time and not get so overwhelmed by new ideas that I give up.

One other book I am reading very slowly is All Saints, by Robert Ellsberg. It has a short piece about one saint for each day of the year, but here's the unusual thing: not all of the people in it are canonized saints! They are all very interesting, though -- people from all different periods of history and quite varied cultures and areas of the world. The author must have done an unbelievable amount of research: each piece is followed by a reference (usually a book or two) about that individual. I'm reading one piece a day, so this is a book that ought to last me all year.

Oh -- music -- just one quick one before I sign off. I've been listening to some Putamayo cd's, one that Liz gave me for Christmas, "American Blues", and another, from the library, "South Pacific Islands". Both are wonderful. Then throw in some Chick Corea and Ella Fitzgerald, with a sprinkling of various Irish music, among other things, and you have what I'm listening to at the moment.

Well, it's about time to get back to bed. I'll try to write again soon!

My love to all!

more about Veggie Revolution

Just an update about my friend Sally's book, Veggie Revolution... There was a great write-up in the Observer on Christmas Day about the book (click here for the link) and I wrote a proper review of the book on Amazon.com (click here and scroll way down.)
Or you can just click on the title of this post and go to Sally's blog; she has links to all the above and much more.

p.s. Still working on those Christmas cards. My tree is still up (and much more decorated!) and yesterday on Prairie Home Companion G. K. said that in Sweden they celebrate Christmas season until January 13...I'll go along with that! :-)
For you skeptics out there -- here's a quote from a book review of Swedish Christmas: "....the Swedish Christmas season, beginning with the First of Advent in early December and continuing through to Hilarymas on January 13th, when the festivities conclude with a bitter-sweet farewell dance around the Christmas tree...."
These are my kind of people!!!