The Sheepish Scribe

Look Before You Leap

2012-02-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

Daisy crowded to the back of the flock, her wooly rump smashed against the hay feeder. The banging and scraping gave way to brilliant beams of sunlight as the barn door slid open. Joy scuttled through the flock like clouds on a windy day. The storm had passed and unmarked snow lay beyond the door.

EweNika, the flock matriarch, snorted and stamped a front hoof. The shepherd moved to the side, one hand still on the door. EweNika lowered her head and charged. A shovel fell sideways across the open doorway but the large ewe leaped over it with ease. Dance and Mingle followed a half-step behind, leaping the shovel handle just before the shepherd pulled it back out of the way.

Queen and Lilly skidded to a halt, eyes wide, ears pitched forward. Lily cast one nervous glance at the shepherd before the lure of sunshine overrode her fear. She leaped through the doorway with Queen on her heels.

Daisy rolled her eyes at the doorway. The other young ewes crowded behind her, pushing her into the unwelcome lead position. A gust of sweet air blew into the stale barn and she couldn’t hold back any longer. Head high and hooves scarcely touching the ground, she bolted for the opening, leaping through and wheeling around as soon as she was clear of the doorway.

“What a bunch of loonies!” Tam, the black and white Border Collie, snickered outside the door. “What did you think you were leaping over?”

“Everyone leaped through the door.”

“The first three leaped over the shovel handle, but it was gone long before you came through. You leaped for nothing!”

Daisy watched the shepherd open the gate, shovel in one hand, and whistle for Tam to follow. The dog slipped through the gate and then sat with her nose pressed between with fence wires.

“Didn’t your mother ever tell you to look before you leap?”

“My mother leaped and so did I.”

“If you had a brain, you’d be dangerous.” The dog snorted and trotted off behind the shepherd.

Daisy took a step back, her ears swiveling back and forth. She pawed through the snow to find some dried grass beneath. The dog’s silent laughter rang in her sheepish ears.

This post is part of Christian Writers’ February Blog Chain on the topic, “Leap.” Check out the other Quest posts by clicking the links at right.

The Vengeance Squad

2012-02-08T09:30:00.000-05:00

The Vengeance Squad by Sidney W. Frost

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Chris McCowan's fiancee is murdered right in front of him and he swears off of God and on to vengeance. With his unlikely trio of helpers, he sets out to find her killers.

I had a hard time getting into this story. The first person narrative and more action than emotion made it hard for me to connect with Chris, the main character. I'm glad I stuck with it because the plot unfolds in several nice twists and turns. The second half of the book picks up nicely and the story plays out to a very satisfying ending. No spoilers here - you'll have to read it yourself! Sidney Frost left the door open for a sequel, I think, and I'll gladly read it if he comes through.

Snot and Sin

2012-02-05T09:30:00.002-05:00

The amount of disgusting material a human body can contain is amazing. You know this is true if you’ve ever had a sinus infection or prepped for a colonoscopy. These things are not for the faint of heart!

I recently suffered three weeks under the mother-of-all sinus infections. It finally broke up amid hot compresses, antibiotics the size of suppositories, and enough hot tea to hose down a fleet of UPS trucks. As the bacteria withered under this onslaught, I began to blow snot like rodeo bull. I found the storage capacity of my sinuses alarming. If they made industrial strength Kleenex, I would have bought a case.

Another disgusting material our bodies contain isn’t as readily visible, yet sin permeates the very fabric of our being. No hot compress will ease its pressure. No antibiotic will kill it off. No hot tea will wash it away. No amount of Kleenex will wipe it up. The only cure for sin is Jesus Christ and His cleansing blood.

I can mop up the results of one sneeze and stay clean until the next snot-rocketing blow, but this only works until the Kleenex runs out. Thankfully, Christ’s love and forgiveness never runs out! When sin blows through our spiritual Kleenex, Christ is there to wipe us clean when we repent and ask His forgiveness. Dealing with our sin without Christ is like cleaning up after a sinus infection without Kleenex – only messier.

Gods and Generals

2012-02-02T09:30:00.000-05:00

Wow. This one rivals his father's book, "The Killer Angels". If you like Civil War history at all, if you enjoy historical fiction at all, if you just like a good book... read this one!

The story centers around four main characters; Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, and Winfield Hancock. I've read several biographies of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson and I believe Jeff Shaara did a fantastic job of capturing the personalities of these men. While fiction (because we don't know their exact conversations and emotions during these times), this book presents the reader with a very credible look into the experiences leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg. The places, the timelines, the people, are all real history.

"Gods and Generals" starts before the Civil War and explores the reasons why individuals chose one side or the other to support. The pain of those decisions, the uncertainty, the repercussions are all well presented. Old friendships broken apart, families separated, local allegiances tested and tried, all good grist for the story and all the more heartbreaking because it was true.

It's easy to read this book and get sucked into the characters to the point of forgetting that these were real people, faced with real situations that we cannot honestly imagine in this day and age. I will read this book again, and read the other novels in order to complete the series. I read them out of order the first time but still enjoyed each one.

Liebster Blog Award

2012-01-31T09:30:00.002-05:00

A fellow writer from Christianwriters.com, Carol Peterson, has awarded me the coveted Liebster Blog Award (for blogs with under 200 members). Carol's blog is From Carol's Quill - Words of Encouragement; Words of Faith. Thank you, Carol!

Now it's my privilege to point out five more fun and encouraging blogs. If you haven't visited them, you should! Here is my list:

If I had to list just one blog as a favorite, I'd have to give the nod to Colonial Quills, the joint effort of several writers of Christian colonial fiction. Everything colonial from recipes to wagons, blacksmithing to ladies' fashions and some good book reviews in there too.

For deep thinkers, Dead Man Writing by writer Scott Fields is a meaty blog. Scott finds insights and pulls meaning out of the most interesting places.

For poetry it's Wordsculptures - Words and Pictures Reflecting Life and Faith by poet Keith Wallis. It's worth a visit for his wonderful photography alone.

Carrie Pagel's blog, Overcoming Through Time - With God's Help, is full of book reviews and interesting author interviews. I've read several books as a result of visiting this one!

For a hodgepodge of always interesting creative thoughts and ideas, take a peek at The Call of the Creator by writer and artist Becky Minor.

The Quest

2012-01-25T09:00:00.003-05:00

“What are you doing?”

“I’m on a quest.”

“What’s a quest?”

“It means I’m searching for something important.”

Milly looked around the barn’s dim interior. Feeble sunlight funneled through cracks and painted random patterns on the dark walls. She cocked her head and focused on Dance who continued to paw through the deep bedding.

“What can you find in the straw that’s important?”

“The right place.”

Milly perked her ears and moved closer but the older ewe walked away and began the pawing in a new spot. Poking her nose in the straw, Milly sniffed and shook her head. It was just bedding, the same as it had been for the past month since the shepherd shut the barn door against the howling winds and blowing snow. She lifted a hind hoof and scratched behind her ear.

“You look troubled.”

“I don’t understand, Mama. Dance says she’s on a quest but she’s just digging in the straw.”

Mingle nodded and stood shoulder to shoulder with her yearling daughter.

“She is. Her time draws near.”

“Her time for what?”

“Her time to give birth.”

“Why can’t she give birth anywhere? The barn is big, there is plenty of room.”

“She searches for a place where the cold drafts don’t reach, a place where the bedding is deep and soft, a place that smells welcoming to her newborns.”

“How will she know the right place?”

“She will know it when she finds it. Some things are hard to explain. When that happens we must rely on what we know inside. Next year, when your time comes, you will know too.”

“How will I know?”

“The Creator of the universe gave you what you need to be who you are. The quests you must make in this life have answers. Trust that He will guide you to what you need when you need it.”

Milly watched as Dance shook herself and bent her knees, folding down onto the straw with a sigh. She tipped her head back and burped up a cud of hay to chew, her eyes half closed, ears relaxed.

“When you’re in the right place, doing the right thing, you will have that level of contentment as well.” Mingle looked at Milly and nodded. “Time spent searching is worth the reward of finding the right answer.”

This post is part of Christian Writers’ January Blog Chain on the topic, “Quest.” Check out the other Quest posts by clicking the links at right.

More Than Just a Birthday Cake

2012-01-17T15:48:00.004-05:00

Every family has special birthday traditions and almost all of them involve cake. Our family is no exception. My darling husband does his best to spoil me in every way on my birthday. He knows that my favorite cake is angel food. Not that nasty box mix stuff or some sticky imitation from the store, I love mine made from scratch. The very thought freshens my salivary glands.

My husband has a different reaction…he starts to sweat. Once a year, homemade angel food cake takes on the proportions of Mount Rushmore for him. The idea of separating a dozen eggs whites from both their yolks and their shells looms as the most daunting of challenges. The recipe card printed with “folding” and “stiff peaks” and something as foreign as “cream of tartar” trembles in his calloused hand.

But he does it. He worries and fusses and leaves more fallout in the kitchen than a small nuclear bomb, but he does it. Why? Because it matters. It matters more to him than it does to me because it’s an expression of his love for me.

Stepping outside our comfort zone for the sake of a loved one is a risk. We risk failure and looking foolish. We risk disappointing the one we want to please and impress. Oh, but the rewards we stand to gain!

If we fail, our loved one will appreciate the effort and the love behind our actions. If we look foolish we can share a moment to laugh together. Both scenarios are good for the growth of the relationship. If we achieve our goal we make our loved one feel special, cared for, and cherished. What price can we put on that?

If we love Christ, we may be called to move outside our comfort zone for Him. Are we willing to step out on faith, putting ourselves in a position to fail or look foolish? If Christ is the One we’re trying to please, to show our love for, then only His reaction to our attempts matter. Opportunities to leave our comfort zone for Him are opportunities to grow the most important relationship we’ll ever have.

I know how adorable my sweetheart is, standing in the kitchen amid a mushroom cloud of flour with powdered sugar on his chin. Imagine how adorable we appear to Christ when we step out on faith to please Him. It might be messy, we might fail, we might look foolish to those around us, but in His eyes…we’re adorable.

Deceptive Promises

2012-01-05T07:59:00.001-05:00

Deceptive Promises (Delaware Brides Series #3) by Amber Stockton

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is the third in the series. Margret Scott is the daughter of Elanna and Madison Scott. She is 14 years old when she meets a colonial spy serving in the British Army. On their second chance meeting, he confides in this young teenager that he is a spy. That strained any believability for me and the whole story fell apart there. The characters muddle through years of secret meetings and sappy correspondence and never seem to mature past the opening. I did finish the book but I can't recommend it.

Quills & Promises

2012-01-05T07:53:00.001-05:00

Quills & Promises by Amber Stockton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The second in the series, Elanna Hanssen is the daughter of Raelene and Gustaf. Elanna meets a handsome soldier just before he leaves to fight in the French and Indian War. Always a writer, Elanna starts a long correspondence with Major Scott. Her faith in him is shaken when a journalist reports the bad behavior of Major Scott. Can her feelings be trusted through the distance and years? A good read with good history tucked inside.

Promises, Promises

2012-01-05T07:48:00.001-05:00

Promises, Promises by Amber Stockton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first in a series this one is also the best. Raelene Strattford finds herself a young woman alone in a new country with a farm to run. Gustaf Hanssen made a promise to her dying father to help her. Raelene resents his help as well as his insistence that she needs to turn back to God. A good story with interesting and believable growth of both characters. I highly recommend this one.

In the Shadow of Evil

2011-12-15T10:59:00.001-05:00

In the Shadow of Evil by Robin Caroll

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a book I almost didn't read because of the cover. The cover looks borderline occult-ish to me and paired with the title - I almost passed it up. But I'm glad I didn't! The story is well worth reading, it's a lively romp with plenty of suspense!

Layla Taylor's life is turned upside down when her award winning building project goes up in smoke. Maddox Bishop is the detective sent to find out why the house was burned... with a body inside. More disaster awaits and casts Layla as a likely suspect, but Maddox can't believe she's guilty when his heart gets involved.

2011-12-14T15:26:00.001-05:00

(Disclaimer: I swiped this from an e-mail and didn't check with Snopes.com first!)

Christmas Cookie Rules...

1. If you eat a Christmas cookie fresh out of the oven, it has no calories because everyone knows that the first cookie is the test and thus calorie free.

2. If you drink a diet soda after eating your second cookie, it also has no calories because the diet soda cancels out the cookie calories.

3. If a friend comes over while you're making your Christmas cookies and needs to sample, you must sample with your friend. Because your friend's first cookie is calories free, (rule #1) yours is also. It would be rude to let your friend sample alone and, being the friend that you are, that makes your cookie calorie free.

4. Any cookie calories consumed while walking around will fall to your feet and eventually fall off as you move. This is due to gravity and the density of the caloric mass.

5. Any calories consumed during the frosting of the Christmas cookies will be used up because it takes many calories to lick excess frosting from a knife without cutting your tongue.

6. Cookies colored red or green have very few calories. Red ones have three and green ones have five - one calorie for each letter. Make more red ones!

7. Cookies eaten while watching "Miracle on 34th Street" have no calories because they are part of the entertainment package and not part of one's personal fuel.

8. As always, cookie pieces contain no calories because the process of breaking causes calorie leakage.

9. Any cookies consumed from someone else's plate have no calories since the calories rightfully belong to the other person and will cling to their plate. We all know how calories like to CLING!

10. Any cookies consumed while feeling stressed have no calories because cookies used for medicinal purposes NEVER have calories. It's a rule!

So, go out and enjoy those Christmas Cookies - we only get them this time of year! Merry Christmas & Happy New year 2012

Threat of Exposure

2011-12-11T17:20:00.001-05:00

Threat of Exposure (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #244)(Texas Ranger Justice, #5). by Lynette Eason

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Brock Martin isn't looking for a female cop in his life. Gisella Hernandez is looking for drug runners, not a handsome DEA agent. They both find more than they bargained for. A good story with enough suspense to keep the pages turning, enough clues to figure out the crime, and enough romantic spark to satisfy the reader's heart. Enjoyable read!

Abigail's New Hope

2011-12-01T18:38:00.001-05:00

Abigail's New Hope by Mary Ellis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I give very few 5 star ratings because I save them for books that I know I'll read again. This is one of them. Not just another "sweet" Amish story, this story deals with some tough issues. What can land an Amish midwife in jail? How will her church district react? What will she find in God's Word for answers? In the background of these heavy issues lurks a touching love story. No spoilers here, but a book I highly recommend!

Fireman Dad

2011-12-01T18:31:00.000-05:00

Fireman Dad by Betsy St. Amant

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A good story about second chances, facing your fears, and letting go of the past. Marissa is a wonderful mother with a heavy load of past baggage. Handsome Jacob Greene offers everything but the security she craves. The characters are real and engaging and the story keeps you turning the pages. Recommended for any age.

More Than Just Hog Fat

2011-11-23T15:25:00.003-05:00

You are responsible for the Thanksgiving dinner pies and you find your cupboard free of lard. What do you do? This happened to me today and I did the logical thing. I pulled a ten-pound package of ground hog fat out of my freezer and rendered a new batch of lard the day before Thanksgiving. You don’t have ground hog fat in your freezer! You need to get out more.

Those of you who are wincing at the whole idea of lard, don’t. It’s all natural, fully digestible, and eco-friendly. And it makes the best pie crust on earth – period. Why do you think Grandma’s pies were so much better than Mom’s? (Please refrain from nodding if you are reading this while seated next to Mom.)

Oh, sure, I could have run to the store, burning up gasoline and polluting the atmosphere, to purchase shortening which is highly processed and only semi-digestible, but I went back to the basics. The result? Fabulous pies to present to my family on Thanksgiving Day.

Instead of reaching for the shortcut, we often get a better result when we go back to the basics. Hebrews 12:2 says we should be “fixing our eyes on Jesus.” That’s the best example of getting back to the basics.

When you reach into your spiritual cupboard and find it lacking, pull your Bible out of the freezer (or wherever you store it these days) and spend time in His Word. By reading, absorbing, and living according to the basics of scripture, we can create something fabulous. And it’s all natural, fully digestible and eco-friendly too.

Surrender the Night

2011-11-23T06:10:00.000-05:00

Surrender the Night by M.L. Tyndall

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A wonderful love story wrapped up in the War of 1812. The division of loyalties makes the attraction between Rose and Alex difficult, to say the least. But he saves her from a dangerous situation and in return, she works to hide him from the American forces. Full of intense situations and daring action, this book will keep you reading!

The Rancher's Reunion

2011-11-23T05:59:00.001-05:00

The Rancher's Reunion by Tina Radcliffe

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With the possibility of a terminal disease hanging over his head, Will Sullivan decides to never marry. But then Annie Harris moves back home. I enjoyed this story and the way it looked at two difficult issues, a heritable disease and trusting God with the future. I enjoyed the characters who displayed both intelligence and humor throughout the story. This one I can recommend for any age.

Torrent

2011-11-05T07:35:00.000-04:00

Torrent by Lisa Tawn Bergren

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The final book in the River of Time trilogy is the best book in the series, but one must read the first two to understand "Torrent". These are not stand-alone novels. The action is griping and the tension palpable. Several ends are wrapped up while a few questions remain unanswered. Perhaps the author intents to revisit these characters and finish those storylines at a later date.

These books are written for 'tween and teenage girls. I can certainly see young girls falling in love with the heroes as well as identifying with the heroines, no matter how far-fetched their actions seem. In fact, one young lady in our church told me she read the second book, "Cascade" in one day! Oh! To have young eyes again!

I highly recommend this series for any church library that is looking for engaging, wholesome books for young adults. While there is no true gospel message in these stories, and the heroine falls short of any conversion to Christ, the seeds are still planted and books are a good read.

Cascade

2011-10-30T09:07:00.001-04:00

Cascade by Lisa Tawn Bergren

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An action packed sequel to "Waterfall", this book continues the story of sisters Gabi and Lia as they travel back to medieval Italy. The girls hopped back to the present at the end of "Waterfall" and return with their mother this time. Once again the girls are in the thick of political intrigue and medieval romance. A less-than-believable series of events (but hey - it's fantasy!) propels them further into the role of true heroines, once again saving the city of Siena before hopping back to the present. There is a wonderful twist at the end of this one!

Tea for Two

2011-10-23T00:53:00.001-04:00

Tea for Two by Trish Perry

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Second chances happen, and sometimes they happen at the right time and for the right reasons. This book highlights that. An enjoyable read about two everyday people who make the right choices. Zack is a single dad with teenagers teetering on rebellion. Tina is a counselor with the ability to help his family. This is a light, feel-good read suitable for any age. The characters are fresh and have a down-to-earth appeal. My favorite character is Milly, the owner of the tea house, who I have named a sheep after. I recommend this one!

Waterfall

2011-10-15T20:03:00.001-04:00

Waterfall by Lisa Tawn Bergren

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An entertaining tale of two modern-day teenage sisters who find themselves transported back into medieval Italy. It strains the bounds of credibility in many places, granted, but it *is* a fantasy. Gabriella finds herself separated from her sister and in the middle of a feudal war. Thankfully she also finds a drop-dead gorgeous knight willing to help her in her search for Evangelia. In the process, she helps him and his family. Once reunited with Evangelia (amidst most of the credibility stretches) they find themselves celebrities who have made enemies. This is the first of a trilogy and it ends with more questions than answers. I look forward to reading the next two in the series to find out how it ends. I'd recommend this one for any age, but I suspect it will appeal most to 'tween and teen girls.

The Map Across Time

2011-10-11T21:00:00.001-04:00

The Map Across Time by C.S. Lakin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A very enjoyable tale with more twists and turns than your small intestine. Okay, that's a little graphic, but you get the picture! A classic fantasy romp through a kingdom - and through time - involving all the usual elements of wizardry, good-vs-evil, men swinging swords, and at least one pretty princess. Some rather unusual elements make their way into this one as well, like a talking pig and a map that pulls the holder through time.

The characters are good and diverse, some an open book, others with an air of mystery. The setting is very well done. The tension is in all the right places and keeps the reader flipping the pages. My only complaint is the overuse of words that mean nothing... in English. There was a glossary in the back but it pulled me out of the story to stop and look them up, so I just ignored them and missed the meaning most of those words.

I highly recommend this one to folks who enjoy a complex tale of daring-do!

Patchwork Dreams

2011-09-30T23:16:00.001-04:00

Patchwork Dreams by Laura V. Hilton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An Amish book with a serious subject matter. Becky Troyer has a child as the result of a date rape. She blames herself and hides the truth of the situation from her parents and her church. She plans to spend the rest of her life unwed, and a single mom, in the Amish church. Then handsome Jacob Miller arrives and her carefully laid plans to protect her heart crumble around her feet. Can she hope to have a normal life? Can Jacob learn the truth and not reject her? A touching look at the healing needed for the victim of such a crime.

2011-09-30T23:04:00.001-04:00

I Shall Not Want by Debbie Viguié

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A rollicking good mystery that kept me guessing to the very end! The second in a series, I nevertheless had no problem picking up the clues from the past and enjoying the present. Oh! And the clues for book three are clearly in place.

Mystery is one genre I rarely seek out, but I enjoyed this story throughout. The characters are fresh and engaging, a little surprising, a little mysterious (would you expect any less in a good mystery?) and easy to identify with. No spoilers here - you have to read to book to find out what's inside!

Maranatha Writers' Conference 2011

2011-09-28T19:11:00.002-04:00

My third year at Maranatha is the first year I've been able to relax. My book is written. My job is done. Whether or not it sees publication, I've done what I felt called to do. What a liberating feeling! This year I gave myself permission to *gasp!* skip a few sessions, to slow down, to enjoy the moment and the people. I've volunteered to go in front of the group - twice - and survived both times.

I wish I could describe the worship here. David Teems employs his God-given talents in this area. Words fail me (pitiful lack of expression for a writer) but my spirit soars. Debbie Taylor Williams pumps life into the morning devotional time. Her gift of encouragement to others is inspiring. Her knowledge of the Person of God dwarfs my meager understanding.

Those behind the scenes, working the bookstore, putting out snacks, running the sound equipment, and performing the many other unseen chores are the unsung heroes of the conference. A hearty thank you to each of them. That they can put up with a wallowing hoard of self-absorbed writers and do so with a smile on their faces gives a new level to the word "gracious".

Next year's dates are September 24 - 28. If you're looking for a Christian writers' conference with a heart, look no more. Mark the date and start plopping your pennies in the conference fund jar today. You won't regret it. Oh - and if you see me muttering to myself and frantically cramming in every session I can find next year - you'll know I'm somewhere in the middle of my next novel.

Trail to Justice

2011-09-24T15:44:00.000-04:00

Trail To Justice by Susan Page Davis

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A nice, easy read. No surprises here, a gentle love story suitable for any age. Loved the setting of Wyoming and the people surrounded by horses... that's always good stuff!

Larkspur Cove

2011-09-20T19:19:00.001-04:00

Larkspur Cove by Lisa Wingate

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A gritty look at what divorce does to a family. Andrea Henderson's marriage is shattered by her husband's behavior. She and her son move into her parent's lake home and try to put their lives back together. Raising a teenager by herself, getting a job, taking control of her life are all overwhelming things. Author Lisa Wingate does a nice job of portraying the turmoil of a woman whose life has been altered by things outside of her control. Handsome Mart McClendon adds another layer of tension and uncertainty to Andrea's life. Both learn to recognize a Power greater than themselves as they wade through the murky waters of Larkspur Cove.

2011-09-14T06:14:00.000-04:00

Where Hearts Are Free by Golden Keyes Parsons

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a good book set in Colonial America. It is build around the historical practices of indentured servants and arranged marriages. It also encompasses the desire and ability of immigrants who came to this country in that time period to blend into the new culture emerging here. The characters are believable and appropriate for the time period. I recommend the book to people who enjoy fiction of this time period.

This is the third in a series and I have not read the first two. The amount of backstory at times was distracting for me. If I had read the books in order, it probably wouldn't have been.

Bridget is the dutiful daughter who desires to please her parents. She agrees to marry an older man she doesn't like because it is the desire of her parents. Her real love, Philippe, is released from his indentured servitude early when her father learns of her attachment. Philippe goes back to work on the family farm and stays there until he learns that Bridget's future husband is selling guns to the Indians. He mounts a rescue attempt to save the woman he belatedly realizes is the love of his life.

The Covering

2011-09-06T07:48:00.001-04:00

The Covering by Dana Pratola

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A sizzling attraction, a touch of spiritual warfare, and characters who intrigue from the first page. What more can you ask for? How about the gospel message and redemption? Yeah, it's got all that. Buy this book. Read this book. Pass it on.

Gunnar is the bad boy, Tessa is the naive girl, the powers of good and evil are tugging at both of them. The instant attraction is compelling and a bit dangerous. Tessa walks a perilous line between her Christian beliefs and her love for a rough but gorgeous biker. Gunnar struggles with demons and his past. Neither wants the relationship they find themselves in. You have to read the book to learn how it all works out. No spoiler here!

This book is Dana Pratola's first novel. I'll be watching for her next one!

My Parents Did Irreparable Damage

2011-09-03T08:32:00.002-04:00

It's true. My parents did irreparable damage to me in my formative years. They didn't mean to. They were acting in what they thought was my best interest. I will spend the rest of my life, however, dealing with the consequences.

This morning I'm canning another nine jars of string beans. I have enough string beans canned this year to see us through the next two winters. And yet our bean plants are still producing. If I was smart, I'd pull the bean plants and stop this wearying cycle. But I can't. Why? Here's where my parents come into the equation. There are starving children in China.

Many of you are nodding your heads now. You know what I mean. As children, we were guilted into not wasting what others were dying for the lack of. And now here I am in my hot and humid kitchen, standing over hot water and scalding steam, preserving string beans no Chinese child will ever see.

But life is good and God is great and soon the snow will fly.

A Stand-Up Guy

2011-08-30T18:25:00.000-04:00

A Stand-Up Guy: A Novel by Michael Snyder

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nobody does a better job of depicting the underdog than Mr. Synder. Amidst the abject realty of the characters in this story, with their faults and foibles, their insecurities and insomnia, glimmers a little beacon of hope. If they can make it, anyone can.

Oliver, the wannabe stand up comic, is the quintessential wimp - in every sense of the word. Layer by layer his story is peeled away until we understand how he came to be who is he. I had a hard time liking him and never really got to the point of admiring him, but I came to understand him.

Mattie, who doesn't wannabe the girlfriend, is another complex character who is also not very likeable. She's something of a mystery and her story unfolds more slowly. She breaks all the molds for "typical" story girlfriend.

Through it all, Mr. Synder lights the reader's imagination with colorful word play while twanging the reader's conscience by revealing the reasons behind the characters. Everyone has a story. When you know it, it's easier to understand and to empathize. Too often in our busy everyday lives, we forget that. We look at the outside, we observe the obvious, and we miss their story.

The Colonel's lady

2011-08-21T20:54:00.001-04:00

The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've become exceedingly stingy with 5 star ratings in recent months... but this book has earned one! I fell in love with both main characters from the start. The book hooked me immediately, held me in its grasp, and never let me wander. What more can you ask of a book?

Roxanna Rowan's life has been difficult. She's not perfect. She's not rich. She's getting "old" and has resigned herself to spinsterhood. She decides to head into the frontier of Kentucky and seek out her soldier father.

Her father, however, has been killed in an accident. Roxie finds herself in an impossible situation for a woman in the late 1700s. She is unmarried, with no family, and virtually trapped in a fort surrounded by hostile Indians and the British commander who is using them.

Colonel Cass McLinn is everything a commander should be. To fulfill her father's dying request, he has become her guardian. He must look after her while looking for his shoulder at the British commander who wants him dead.

A well written story that includes the sights, sounds, and smells of the frontier along with the intrigue of a war which birthed a nation.

Courting Constance

2011-08-09T18:14:00.001-04:00

Courting Constance by Teryl Cartwright

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A delightful romp through the season in Bath with the unpredictable Constance in full pursuit of Sir Geoffrey. Gleefully breaking the bonds of propriety, Constance tries her hand at courting the gentleman in question. Nothing goes smoothly as the story twists and turns through one painful life lesson after another. I highly recommend this book to anyone of any age looking for a fun, light romance.

Grow Old With Me

2011-07-30T18:42:00.005-04:00

Grow Old With Me by Melinda Evaul

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The opening of this book is an instant attention getter. The entire first half was a page turner for me. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the unlikely hero of this story. Melinda Evaul does a great job of creating the characters and peeling back the layers to let us see who they are. She allows them to be exceedingly human, which I find makes them all the more interesting and real. The second half dragged a bit, the ending was obvious and obstacles expected. However, it's still a good "Hallmark" type story with great characters and well worth reading. What I liked best about this story is that it illustrates the value of a person disassociated completely from physical attractiveness or physical abilities. In our culture, we tend to value the physical over the spiritual. Shame on us.

Benjamin carries his scars on his body while Sarah's scars are emotional. Neither are young anymore and change is hard. They both need to learn to trust in each other but more importantly - in God. They struggle with their own demons as they learn and grow. This really would make a good Hallmark movie. Hallmark? Are you listening?

No Safe Haven

2011-07-20T19:58:00.000-04:00

No Safe Haven by Kimberley Woodhouse

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this book. It's written by a mother/daughter team and the two separate voices came through loud and clear. The perspective of the daughter added an extra layer of authenticity to the character of Andie.

The book is set in Alaska, which I have never visited but I have it on my bucket list, and takes place during the winter months. Amid all the ice and snow during a plane trip, Jenna and Andie (another mother/daughter combo) crash into the side of a mountain. To make matters worse, it's not an accident and someone wants them dead.

Layer after layer of tension is added by the mysterious appearance of Cole Maddox, Andie's life threatening health issues, and Jenna's injury from the crash. No spoilers here, you'll have to read the book to find out how their survive all this!

Havah

2011-07-11T20:23:00.001-04:00

Havah: The Story of Eve by Tosca Lee

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed "Havah" and recommend it for adult Christians. It contains enough mature content that I would not recommend it for early or mid-teens. Nothing is offensive, but certainly it ventures into areas meant for a more mature audience.

I am not sure I would recommend it for non-Christians, however, because I think the book explores some darker areas of human nature that might derail someone who is searching for Christ. This is the story of Eve, it has everything to do with why we need Christ, but it doesn't illustrate that need clearly. It is eluded to, but I not sure how many non-Christians would see it.

As a Christian, I found many aspects of the book fascinating. I enjoyed the exploration of what those first moments of life - without birth - might have been like. The time spent in the garden, the majesty of the true communion with God, was very well told. The first years in exile were difficult to read after the beauty of the garden. Some areas mid-book dragged, but it's worth it to read the ending.

Jehovah-Rohi - The Lord is Just

2011-07-05T21:07:00.001-04:00

A shepherd culls out the problem sheep. Culling is the practice of removing an animal from the flock. There are many reasons an animal needs to be removed for the good of the flock. Culled animals wind up at the auction or... in the freezer.

We have a strict policy at Twin Willows Farm. If a ewe doesn't raise her lambs, she doesn't stay in the flock. Mothering skills and milk production are both highly heritable traits. By culling out those who can't or won't raise their lambs, and breeding only those who do, we strengthen the flock. Buyers who come to purchase replacement sheep from us know that they are getting solid genetics to add to their flock.

Many years ago we had a ewe I call the old bigot ewe. The three years I kept and bred her she produced triplets. Each year she gave us two white and one black lamb. Each year she rejected the black lamb. That left a lamb to be raised on the bottle, a time consuming and expensive way to raise a lamb. The old bigot ewe "sprouted wheels" after the third year. (Sprouted wheels = loaded on the truck and headed for the auction.)

We have another strict policy, we don't keep any dangerous animal on the farm. Attitude is another trait that can be linked to heritability. Our breed of sheep is generally pretty even tempered, including the rams. However, I purchased a new ram in the summer of 2010 and he turned meaner than a sore-headed bear. I wouldn't go into the pen with him without a pitchfork in my hand. Then he started charging the pitchfork! Michael came home one day to find him in the garage, skinned and hanging. Don't mess with the shepherd.

Our Shepherd isn't one to be messed with either. Our Lord is just and will do what needs to be done. "He (God the Father) gave Him (Jesus) authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man" John 5:27

The Lord culls out those who are harmful to His church, His flock. He may do that culling in this life, but for sure He'll do it at the end. Many people want to center all their thoughts on "God is love" and He is, but we can't limit Him at that. God is also just and sometimes that love is tough.

Jehovah-Rohi - The Lord Keeps Track of Us

2011-07-03T10:30:00.002-04:00

A shepherd keeps careful count and searches for missing sheep. As stated before, sheep have no natural defenses. They are easy marks for any passing carnivore or mischievous neighborhood delinquent. A good shepherd is vigilant that all are accounted for, and if not, goes in search of those missing.

Not far off the west edge of our property is a swamp that sings. We hear it at night, mostly, after the moon opens up in the sky. It starts as a high-pitched wail not dissimilar to a siren and evolves into multiple high-pitched yappings. We've seen scruffy looking critters slinking in and out of that swamp. A loaded rifle is usually within reach of the kitchen door for just those sightings.

In the spring when the lambs are small I am particularly vigilant about counting heads at least once a day. To date we've yet to lose a lamb to a coyote. God bless the electric fence! We've heard the snap-crack of a wet nose hitting the fence followed by frantic yapping.

We did have a sheep that was missing in pasture a few years ago. I went looking until I found her. She had fallen and injured her back. That case didn't turn out well, but at least we could put her out of her misery.

Our Shepherd keeps track of us. "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10

It's not that the Lord doesn't know where we are, either physically or spiritually. He does - all the time. Those who try to hide from God find that the fig leaves are never big enough. What He seeks is our salvation, our names written in the Lamb's Book of Life. I think He keeps a rifle loaded by the kitchen door too... to keep away those who would tinker with His chosen.

Simple Choices

2011-07-01T21:05:00.000-04:00

Simple Choices by Nancy Mehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fitting ending to the trilogy! I've enjoyed my time in Harmony, Kansas. Nancy Mehl does a good job of bringing this town to life. "Simple Choices" adds some new adventure and wraps up a lot of loose ends from the two previous books. If you've read the first two, you don't want to miss this one!

Jehovah-Rohi - The Lord Brings Us Peace

2011-07-01T10:30:00.002-04:00

A shepherd breaks up fighting among the sheep. In our modern sheep husbandry practices, this means keeping the rams separate from the ewes and lambs. Rams need to be kept in a small enough stall that they can't hurt each other, or in a large enough pasture that they can get away from each other. The term "battering ram" comes from fighting sheep. They can do a lot of damage to each other in a short amount of time.

Back in the old days, a shepherd had to wade in among the flock, swinging his staff and probably calling in the dogs for back-up. Breaking up a pair of fighting rams is a dangerous thing to do. A ram can take out a shepherd's knees in a moment. Once on the ground, the shepherd is pretty much helpless without a good dog.

We've had our share of ram fights out in the ram's paddock. We keep a pair of rams in a paddock of roughly a half acre. Included in that paddock is plenty of brush, a huge rock pile, an old bone pile (don't ask), and a broken-down farm wagon. With all those obstacles, the weaker ram has a good chance to get away from the aggressor. That's the best we can do to keep the peace.

Our Shepherd is all about peace. "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, no let it be fearful." John 14:27

The world may place obstacles in your paddock to keep you from fighting, but the Lord has left you with something more. His peace is here, today. That can be a difficult thing to remember when we're troubled and fearful, but that's when we need to remember it most.

Jehovah-Rohi - The Lord Prunes and Trims

2011-06-29T10:30:00.001-04:00

A shepherd does routine care like hoof trimming, worming, and shearing. These things are necessary for the health and well being of the sheep. Neglect these chores and the flock would be a very sorry sight indeed!

We live in a valley between two large hills. The ground is fertile, a rich black soil that will grow anything. If the dog buries a bone we have to dig it up before we have a whole skeleton. But that type of ground does nothing to wear down sheep hooves. Therefore, I have to pen and catch the sheep several times a year for hoof trimming.

This ritual involves setting the sheep upright on it's rump, securely planted between my two feet, leaned back against my knees, so that all four hooves are dangling out in front of me. Theoretically... this means I can grab one foot after another and trim off the long growth before releasing the animal back into the flock. In reality... it involves me struggling with an animal who may outweigh me, has popped an attitude, and has no interest in cooperating with my endeavor.

Our Shepherd prunes and trims us as well. "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit." John 15:2

How often during the pruning process do we pop an attitude? How often do we have little or no interest in cooperating with His plans? I'm not commenting on the weight issue... not - going - there. :)

Jehovah-Rohi - The Lord Heals and Cares for Us

2011-06-27T10:30:00.001-04:00

A shepherd tends to the sick and wounded animals in his flock. Sheep can find more ways to damage or injure themselves than any other critter the Good Lord ever created. (Perhaps He did that to make a point?) They are forever getting a head stuck in a feeder, a leg stuck in a gate, or eating something never intended to see the inside of a sheep.

I had one ewe who was uncommonly fond of sticking her head through the feeder and getting it stuck. She seemed content to wait for me to come to the rescue, only to resist my best efforts to free her. The more I pushed or pulled, the more she pushed or pulled in the opposite direction. These ovine (look it up!) tug-of-wars would end with her finally free and me bathed in sweat with at least two new scrapes somewhere on my body. Said ewe no longer resides at Twin Willows Farm.

Just because the shepherd knows what the sheep needs, doesn't mean the sheep understands that. Last winter our barn was invaded by a particularly nasty bacteria that causes mastitis. After the infection of one ewe and the infection and death of a second one, I knew we needed the big guns. I use antibiotics sparingly. In fact, I had to go purchase a new bottle as the one I had on hand was five years past date. But sometimes it's needed. Getting the sheep to understand that, however, is not possible. They only know that getting caught five days in a row and jabbed with a needle is not fun.

Our Shepherd cares for us as well. "But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall." Malachi 4:2

Sometimes the medicine is bitter and doesn't go down well. Sometimes the jab of the needle hurts. Sometimes the healing takes longer than we wish. But always He is taking care of us and giving us the strength to see it through... even when we can't see it or understand it.

Jehovah-Rohi - The Lord Provides for Us

2011-06-25T10:30:00.000-04:00

A shepherd must provide certain necessities for his sheep every day. Adequate food, clean water, and shelter are as important for sheep as they are for humans. My fat wooly sausages have obviously received much more than simply adequate food, but I digress.

Food is important for all the obvious reasons, but it goes deeper than that. A good shepherd has to manage the feed intake for the season. Ewes who are pregnant or lactating require much more than a lazy old ram. Growing lambs need more feed than a lazy old ram. Hmm... what does a lazy old ram need anyway? In the fall when it's his season to work - he'll burn plenty of calories too! The shepherd has to provide what is needed when it is appropriate.

Shelter in the summer months consists of just a place to get out of the sun. When winter sets in, it's a whole different picture. The sheep need someplace to get out of the cold wind, a place clear of snow to lie down, and somewhere snug to drop those early spring lambs.

Our Shepherd provides for us as well. "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

The Lord knows when we need what we need. It's so easy to think that He's missed something because we think we need it. Trust the Shepherd.

Jehovah-Rohi - The Lord Protects Us

2011-06-23T14:39:00.005-04:00

My dear friend Claire asked me to do a 5-minute Bible Study on Jehovah-Rohi, the name of God that translates into "The Lord Our Shepherd". No problem... well... except maybe for that 5-minute part. So I decided to post my thoughts here on the blog in 7 installments, thus allowing me to blow that 5-minute restriction out of the water.

The name Jehovah-Rohi (pronounced ro-hee) is attributed to the 23rd Psalm. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want..." we all learned that one before we cut our second set of teeth. I'm going draw some comparisons between being a shepherd and what the scriptures tell us about our Shepherd.

I'll use the pronoun "he" to describe the shepherd, knowing full well that you, the gentle reader, will understand that a shepherd can be and often is, in fact, a "she". I trust my readers not to need a lot of he/she, him/her, his/hers nonsense to get the message.

On with the first installment!

A shepherd guards his flock against danger. There are numerous dangers that face sheep every day. Sheep, by their very nature, have no defenses. They are easy prey for practically anything passing by.

In our neck of the woods, that may be a coyote, a wandering dog, or even a bear. To protect my sheep from these outside invaders, we have invested a lot of time, money, and energy to install and maintain appropriate fencing. There is nothing like the zap of a few thousand volts of electricity to deter any of these dangers. But along with hot wires, we also have the sheep enclosed behind high-tensile woven fence.

Not all dangers come from without. As a shepherd, I also have to watch for things with which the sheep - being sheep - might hurt themselves on. When we first bought this place and fenced in the land, we spent hours and hours walking the pasture and removing bits of wire, odd pieces of metal, plastic trash, and other objects that a sheep might get hurt on.

The Bible tells us that God has put up fences and picked up objects for us as well. "But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." 2 Thessalonians 3:3.

The next time we find ourselves facing evil and feeling tempted, we should take a good look at where we are. Have we kept ourselves behind the God's fence? Or have we wandered off into the wilderness? His fence is still there and He has already cleared it of sin's debris through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Second Chance Ranch

2011-06-13T11:35:00.001-04:00

Second Chance Ranch by Leann Harris

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Leann Harris presents us with a good story of hope and struggle against the odds. Both main characters have their hurdles to climb and working together, they overcome them. It's a good, wholesome story, suitable for any age. Nothing surprising or unexpected, just a good "lawn chair" read for summer. It includes horses and cowboys... what else does one need?

Lydia's Charm

2011-06-09T09:16:00.000-04:00

Lydia's Charm by Wanda E. Brunstetter

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This Amish book takes on more weighty issues than most I have read. It's a melancholy read. Lydia faces so much loss and family angst at such a young age. Even though it has a good ending, it leaves the reader with a bittersweet aftertaste. It harbors a lot of real life within it's pages. I recommend it, it's a good book and carries a good message of hope even amid devastating loss.

I was pulled up short several times by the actions of the children in the story. The level of disobedience tolerated is not something that rang true for me. Living in an Amish community, I can't imagine any of my neighbors allowing their children to behave that way. The children in my neighborhood are incredibly polite and respectful.

Towers of Midnight

2011-06-05T20:28:00.000-04:00

Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. The world Robert Jordan created has been further blessed by the talents of Brandon Sanderson. I marvel at the incredible job Mr. Sanderson is doing of continuing this series after Mr. Jordan's death. The characters are true. The storyline is consistent. The twists and turns are fascinating. And the pace and intensity are much improved.

This one doesn't wrap up the story - there will be a book fourteen - but it does wrap up several loose ends in a very satisfying way. I don't want to put out any spoilers for those who haven't read it yet, all 843 pages. I "saved" this one until I had a week off from work. I've had it on my bookshelf these past four and a half months. There are some books that require sufficient time to truly delve into. This is one of them.

My only disappointment is the amount of grammatical errors and typos in this book. I don't remember any of the previous Wheel of Time books having this many. Perhaps in the rush to get this book into print... someone cut a corner or two too many. The folks at Tor should know better!

Legendary Space Pilgrims

2011-05-31T20:25:00.001-04:00

Legendary Space Pilgrims by Grace Bridges

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was very different from any I have read in a long time. I haven't delved into a true sci-fi book in ages. It's an interesting idea of taking "Pilgrims Progress" into outer space. That's a tall order, to be sure, but Grace Bridges does a nice job of making it all believable. The reader follows the pilgrims from their life of slavery toward what we assume will end in salvation. However, the book ends abruptly - leaving one unsatisfied and with the need to look for the sequel to find the answers. Sometimes I find cliffhangers exciting, but because we know what the outcome should be (if we've read "Pilgrims Progress" anyway), this ending seems to drag out the inevitable.

I had a little trouble getting into the characters in the beginning of the book. They are slaves on a planet that attempts to wipe out all emotion. Since emotion is generally what I connect to with a character, be it good or bad, I struggled to work up much empathy or interest in what was happening to Mario and Caitlin. But I'm glad I stuck with it. The emergence of emotions is slow but steady as this pair breaks free of their emotionless bondage and learns to accept and deal with their feelings.

Simple Deceit

2011-05-19T08:04:00.001-04:00

Simple Deceit by Nancy Mehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nancy Mehl did a wonderful job of pulling the reader back into Harmony in this sequel to "Simple Secrets". With numerous plot twists and turns, she keeps the story moving and the reader guessing. In this sequel, Gracie cuts her ties to the city and moves back to Harmony, only to find an abandoned baby on the church steps, some skulking around her back yard, another dead body, and an arsonist. All of these events unveil more of Sam's background and how that might impact their future together. This one is worth reading! Now I need to find "Simple Choices" to find out how this series ends.

Simple Secrets

2011-05-10T20:20:00.001-04:00

Simple Secrets by Nancy Mehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't know what to expect of a romantic suspense book set in a Mennonite community. What I found was a tale with plenty of twists and turns to keep me happily turning the pages. The characters are interesting and believable. The setting is a quaint little town in Kansas. The heart of the story revolves around a mystery that has gone unanswered for most of a generation. The romance is big city girl meets down-to-earth farm boy. It all comes together in a book I can highly recommend for older teens and adults. I would not recommend this one for younger teens due to some non-offensive but mature content.

Give the Lady a Ride

2011-05-02T11:33:00.001-04:00

Give the Lady a Ride by Linda Yezak

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you want a fun read with snappy dialog and spunky relationships, this is the book for you! Linda Yezak does a great job of combining a love story with a realistic portrayal of life on the ranch. Patricia is a big city girl who inherits a working ranch in Texas. Add her best friend and two good looking cowboys, toss in a few bulls, and you have a lighthearted romp to read through. Woven through the story is Patricia's reawaken faith and trust in God. I highly recommend this one!

A Cousin's Prayer

2011-04-23T19:40:00.000-04:00

A Cousin's Prayer (Indiana Cousins Book 2) by Wanda E. Brunstetter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Indiana Cousins series and it's even better than the first. Katie Miller's struggle to overcome panic attacks and her search for faith come together in a compelling story. As usual, Wanda Brunstetter weaves in a cast of characters full of flaws and strengths who are so very... human. Suitable for any age, this book is an easy one to recommend.

Salt & Pepper Twins

2011-04-23T13:51:00.002-04:00

A nice set of salt & pepper twins born this afternoon to Twin Willows Mingle. These are the first lambs for Mingle to raise and she seems to be doing a good job so far. The black lamb is a ram and the white is a ewe.

A Cousin's Promise

2011-04-20T21:05:00.001-04:00

A Cousin's Promise by Wanda E. Brunstetter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wanda Brunstetter does a very good job in her portrayals of the Amish way of life. This book is no exception. The story begins with an accident that changes the lives of the young people involved. Tragedy strikes and they learn how to pick up the pieces and move on. Well told and believable, a very enjoyable read.

Rosalie of Grand Traverse Bay

2011-04-18T07:55:00.000-04:00

Rosalie of Grand Traverse Bay by Donna Winters

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The mystery of who Cutler Gowan is keeps this story moving along. Rosalie gets caught up in helping her aunt and uncle with their attorney friend, Kenton. A predictable romance ensues that is complicated by things happening at Rosalie's home in North Carolina.

The story is good but I felt as though I should have read the previous books that "Rosalie" was spun off from. There were a many characters and they seemed to have more backstory than this book could account for.

The setting of this story is wonderfully done, the time period is authentic, and if anyone is familiar with the Grand Traverse Bay area, you will feel right at home in this story.

Triplets!

2011-04-13T20:36:00.002-04:00

Even though I fully expected Dance to have triplets this year, due to her size as well as the poorer quality of her wool when I sheared, it was still a thrill to get all three delivered, up and nursing tonight. All three are white, 2 ewe lambs and 1 ram lamb. This is the first one born getting cleaned up.

It's Here...

2011-04-13T10:10:00.003-04:00

Not unexpected, but not welcome either. I predict our feed costs will double, as they did last time gas hit $4/gallon. Look for food prices to skyrocket in the coming year. It'll cost more to raise food, harvest food, and get the food to market.

And I think it's high time I trained at least one of our horses to pull that cart stored in the barn. I need a new harness but as things are now, a good harness will cost me less than a full tank of gas. Mr. Ed's IGA has a nice hitching post behind their store. Sorry Wal-Mart, I don't save money if I have to pay gas to get there!

First Lambs!

2011-04-12T22:11:00.003-04:00

The first Twin Willows Lambs born in 2011 arrived at 8:45pm on April 12. Out of Twin Willows EweNika by Twin Willows Odin. A nice boy and girl pair of twins. Shown here at an hour old.

Lamb Watch

2011-04-12T07:54:00.006-04:00

It's that time of year again! Actually, this the latest we've ever started lambing. Since Jeff aged out of 4-H and we didn't need lambs born in January to be ready for the fair, I've pushed back the start of lambing a little more each year.

I think I've hit upon the perfect formula now. The rams go in the day before deer season; the lambs arrive the middle of April. That's after hypothermia cold and before fly season. Brilliant!

I only kept 6 ewes this winter. There are 3 aged ewes and 3 yearlings out in the barn. I like to see yearlings have a single their first year, but it looks like China might have twins. Queen and Lilly should be carrying singles. The older girls all look good. EweNika and Mingle should have twins and Dance looks like she may be carrying triplets.

Watch here for updates and photos as the 2011 lambs arrive.

The Blacksmith's Bravery

2011-04-06T21:16:00.001-04:00

The Blacksmith's Bravery by Susan Page Davis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

To be honest, I'd put off reading this book fearing it would be the all-too-typical tale of a masculine-light female lead who does it all better than the men of the Old West. Wrong! Susan Page Davis put together a cast of characters who are believable, likable, and find themselves in situations realistic for the time period of the book. Three cheers! This is the third book in a series and it reads fine as a stand alone. I haven't read the first two yet, but I will! I highly recommend this one if you enjoy a good western with a touch of romance. Content wise, it's suitable for teenagers on up. The spiritual message is subtle, not preachy, and woven deftly throughout the book.

Double Identity

2011-04-02T19:08:00.004-04:00

Double Identity by Diane Burke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Likable characters, small town setting, budding romance and - oh yeah - the mob. This is the first Steeple Hill "Love Inspired" book I've read. A grandmother with an addiction to the old Harlequin Romances swore me off book club selections for life. Not anymore! Diane Burke crafts a love story into a strong plot about deception and faith. The theme of reliance on God is woven into the story without being preachy. The story has a very satisfying and believable twist at the end that leaves the reader content. I recommend this one for younger teens on up. A very good read!

Alpha Redemption

2011-04-01T10:44:00.000-04:00

Alpha Redemption by P.A. Baines

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I recommend this book even if you're not much of a sci-fi fan. While the setting is sci-fi, the theme is life and faith and what it takes to have both of those. Brett is as down-and-out as a human being can be, completely divorced from God and heading nowhere. His travels with Jay, a computer who evolves into an almost-human, take us on a journey like no other. The book skips around a lot, going forward and backward in time. This isn't a light read, it takes some paying attention to keep up with the story, but it's worth it.

Witness

2011-03-27T10:00:00.001-04:00

Witness by E. G. Lewis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unique is the best way I can describe this story. Part love story, part historical, and part spiritual, it wraps together to make an intriguing read. The main characters, Rivkah and Shemu'el, are both likable and believable. Mr. Lewis does a wonderful job with the setting, enough information to put you in the scene without slowing down the story. While a wonderful glimpse into the past, both the good and the bad, I wouldn't recommend this book for younger readers. There is quite a bit of adult content, not in an obscene way, but the Roman lifestyle, for instance, is not sugar-coated. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in Mr. Lewis's series.

Why I'm Walking to End Alzheimer's

2011-03-25T13:11:00.005-04:00

My dad is suffering from this disease as did his mother before him.

Yes, I'm feeling a little next in line.

Yes, I want someone to find the cure.

Yes, I need your help.

And so do the 5.4 million people currently dealing with Alzheimer's.

Please donate to my Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Red Ink

2011-03-20T08:44:00.001-04:00

Red Ink by Kathi Macias

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A powerful story and well worth reading. An interesting perspective on how God calls Christians to intercede in prayer as well as how He works through Christians "on the front lines". Some of the front lines are in countries where Christianity is outlawed, and some are found in nice neighborhoods all across the U.S. This book does a great job of showing that evil knows no boundaries.

I had a hard time with the names for the first quarter of the book, just because they are so foreign to me. Kathi Macias provides the pronunciation of each following her acknowledgments, which helps.

This book leaves you with the ultimate question, what are you willing to sacrifice to be obedient to your Lord?

Fayette - A Time to Love

2011-03-17T07:26:00.000-04:00

Fayette: A Time to Love by Donna Winters

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Undoubtedly the best self published book I've read so far. Donna Winters does a wonderful job of telling the story of young Lavinia while giving us insights into the lives and times of upper Michigan in the 1860s. I've been to the ghost town of Fayette and through her writing Mrs. Winters brought the place to life. She told about the pig iron furnaces and life in the shanty cabins without interrupting the flow of the story. She does an exceptional job of combining accurate history with a sweet romance. The character of Lavinia was so accurately portrayed that at times her actions annoyed me, and then I would remember that she was a 16-year old girl. Mrs. Winters did an excellent job of writing that character for her age, social position, and time in history. This is a book suitable for any age with a clear and yet unobtrusive Christian spirit. I highly recommend it.

McKenzie

2011-03-14T07:31:00.001-04:00

McKenzie by Penny Zeller

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

McKenzie is a sweet story with a wonderful character arc for the female lead. McKenzie learns about life, love, and most importantly about the Lord through her adventure to find her sister in 1880s Montana. Zack Sawyer, the rancher who advertises for a mail order bride, reminded me of the male lead in Francine River's "Redeeming Love". He is a man of character, faith, and steadfast in his relationship with the Lord. This book is very appropriate for young teens and still a page turner for adults.

I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars mostly on how it's billed. Whitaker House calls it Fiction/Christian/Historic. It delivers on the first two but misses on historic. Details of the Montana Territory in the early 1880s are sparse and non-specific. The story is set just five years after the Battle of Little Bighorn and there is no mention of the continuing unrest with the non-reservation Indians that ended at Wounded Knee. Montana ranchers in this era were on constant alert to the danger and several forts were constructed during this time to ensure their safety and stability in that area. Starving Indians and rustlers were a constant threat during this time. Okay, so I'm a history geek, but if they're going to bill it "historic", they ought to deliver the history!

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Decision Points

2011-03-12T14:34:00.001-05:00

Decision Points by George W. Bush

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What I liked best was the way this book is laid out. Instead of being written chronologically, it's laid out by topic. I read the book all the way through, but one could just as easily take it topic by topic as desired without losing any of the context.

President Bush's humor shines through in the opening chapters where he talks about his family. I found that the best part of the whole book. The love and reference for his dad is incredible. Oh, that my son would ever write the same way about me some day! I enjoyed that glimpse into his family and was surprised at how comfortable such a powerful figure was/is at sharing it. Good stuff!

I'm very glad this was not a "tell all" type of book with "gotcha" moments against political opponents. There was none of that. I felt there were areas where things were not said, but that's okay. As my mom used to tell me, "If you can't say something nice..." He was frank about some issues and named everyone who was involved in whatever the topic was. He made very few disparaging comments about the actions of others, there were a couple, but only on issues well covered by the media already.

The foreign policy stuff was both fascinating and boring. That's probably sums up foreign policy in a nutshell. I found the players fascinating but struggled to keep an interest up in the more mundane political maneuvering between countries. This may be why I've never been tempted to work in a foreign policy field.

His insights into Iran and Afghanistan were compelling for me, as were his thoughts about our soldiers and the welfare of our country. While I didn't learn anything new, I will look at those situations in a little different light now.

Overall I'm giving this one a 4 star rating. It's well written and worth reading, but not a light or quick read by any means. Read it when you have time to digest a plethora of foreign names and weighty issues.

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Mended Heart

2011-02-20T09:24:00.000-05:00

Mended Heart by Mary Manners

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mended Heart is a sweet story with enough emotion to keep one turning the pages. The story contrasts two people with vastly different backgrounds who must both overcome their upbringing before they can move on with their lives. The characters were engaging and easy to identify with.

I did find the repetitive and sometimes over-the-top descriptions a bit wearing and they had a tendency to pull me out of the story. The author worked too hard to use less common comparisons, which often resulted in me having to stop the storyline and think about her descriptions. And I may have developed an aversion to spearmint gum after reading about it over and over again.

But the writing aside, the story was worth the read, a good take-along book for the beach or on-the-go reading.

Stories Behind the Greatest Hits of Christmas

2011-02-18T16:11:00.000-05:00

Stories Behind The Greatest Hits Of Christmas by Ace Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book! The author did a great job of telling the stories, including the historical perspective and some cultural influences behind these Christmas songs. Both Christian and secular songs are represented. I was amazed how many were written by Jewish authors or scored by Jewish composers!

Bird by Bird

2011-02-07T07:04:00.000-05:00

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This book came highly recommended by a writer I both admire and respect. For that reason, I gave it every chance and read more than half of it before shutting the cover for good last night. I have never read a book or article by Anne Lamott other than this one, I know nothing about her personally, but this book turned me off completely. She talks about God and going to church, yet ridicules evangelicals and snidely refers to the Lord as "she". The book contains vulgar language including taking the Lord's name in vain and the use of the F word.

As far as writing content, I found nothing in here that I haven't found in other books. Anne Lamott believes in seat-of-the-pants style writing. In the first two thirds of the book, there was nothing much except the repeat of "listen to the characters" and how to do that. She uses examples from a class she teaches, usually by mocking the students, and her humor throughout tends to be derogatory in nature.

The book overall is well written and easy to follow, but the content did not appeal to me or encourage me to keep reading. I would have shut the cover much sooner except for the respect I have for the person who recommended it.

American History in Black and White

2011-02-02T20:43:00.001-05:00

Setting the Record Straight: American History in Black & White by David Barton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mr. Barton has an agenda and it comes through from the first pages of this book. He wanted to set the record straight on which political party has furthered the civil rights of Black Americans throughout our history. He did exactly that. The last quarter of this book is footnotes and supporting documentation of what he has put forth in the preceding pages. Mr. Barton does not like what the Democratic Party historically did in regards to civil rights and Mr. Barton is obviously a Christian. If either of those would offend the reader, do not read this book.

I found many aspects of this history fascinating. As a life-long history buff, particularly American history, I found a lot within its pages to keep me reading on. One aspect that I had only a nodding acquaintance with was the extend to which Black Americans were involved in our national government in the years immediately following the Civil War. Men went from slavery to Congress in literally a handful of years. Only in America! And while the southern states were still under Republican majorities, many Black Americans also served in the southern states' legislatures.

One thing I did not know, had never read about or studied, was the extent to which the Democratic Party was involved with the Ku Klux Klan. I knew that some members of the party had been involved in the Klan, but Mr. Barton presents a strong case that the party as a whole was actively involved. I followed a few of his footnotes on this and will follow up some more when I have time.

I also had not realized that during the almost 100 years when lynching was practiced, one quarter of those lynched were white. The whole issue of lynching and the numerous attempts to stop it was very interesting reading. While it seems like ancient history, it really wasn't that long ago.

If you enjoy history and learning more than what your high school textbook included, if you enjoy reading about brave Americans who dared to stand up for what was right, and if you aren't offended by some obvious writer bias... I recommend this book.

The Last Full Measure

2011-01-30T12:02:00.001-05:00

The Last Full Measure by Jeff Shaara

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wish I could give this one a 4 1/2 rating.

The continuation of a story began by his father, "The Last Full Measure" is a very good book. Jeff Shaara did a good job of picking up where his father left off. I enjoyed the story and the history, especially since the last year of the Civil War is not written about as much as the early years. While he falls a little short of his father's story telling genius, it is nevertheless a very good book to read and one I highly recommend. He brought these historical characters to life, gave them breath, and draws the reader into the scenes behind the battles as well as the battles themselves.

Michigan Winter Weather

2011-01-26T08:21:00.003-05:00

Michigan weather can be as fickle as any feline. Warm and wrapping itself around your ankles one minute, hissing and spitting at you the next. A common phrase here is, "If you don't like the weather, wait 24 hours."

For the last week we didn't have temperatures... we had minus temperatures. It would have had to warm up to get cold! It was what we call in these parts, "booger-freezin'". The goal is simply to get from point A to point B with all your digits their original color and your face still flexible enough for speech.

I suit up for morning chores in the dark, before 6:00 a.m., and this morning followed the normal routine of insulated coveralls, wool hat, chore boots, knit gloves and finally leather gloves. Three steps outside the back door and I knew I was overdressed. I opened the hatch to our outdoor wood burner and discovered not only coals, but logs still in there. Yup, it was warm all night. After hanging the grain buckets for the horses, I pulled off the leather gloves. After feeding the sheep, I stuck my wool hat in my pocket. By the time I'd tossed out the horse hay, I had my coverall unzipped by half. Once the dogs were fed and the grain buckets put away, the knit gloves were off and I was on my way back to the house, pulling the coveralls off my shoulders as I went.

How warm was it to cause this change in attire and reduced amount of wood burned? It was 27 degrees. Honestly! But after the preceeding week, it was the warmest 27 degrees I've ever felt. I'm not ready for shorts yet... but maybe next week we'll up to freezing!

The Killer Angels

2011-01-12T20:05:00.000-05:00

The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. Wow. If you're a Civil War or history buff at all, you need to read this book. Wonderfully written to the point where you smelled the gun powder, heard the cannons, and felt the sweat run down your back. The emotional side of the war was very well presented as well as the depiction of the battles. You felt Longstreet's inner turmoil and Chamberlain's growing confidence. Awesome. Read it.

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Hometown Legend

2010-12-23T21:02:00.000-05:00

Hometown Legend by Jerry B. Jenkins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful story about courage and never giving up. Loved it! Some of the "football talk" was over my head (yeah, I know, but I'm not a fan) and that didn't interfere with the story at all. Highly recommended for an inspirational, feel good, Hallmark moment type of story.

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Sarah's Christmas Miracle

2010-12-09T07:57:00.000-05:00

Sarah's Christmas Miracle by Ellis, Mary

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a feel good Christmas story not unlike those Hallmark holiday commercials that leave you warm and satisfied. Christmas can often be hectic and stressful, a story like this is a good way to bring it back in focus. Family, faith, and the true meaning of Christmas come through loud and clear. The conflict resolution is the only weak spot, I'm awarding it four stars.

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Behold the Dawn

2010-12-07T19:37:00.001-05:00

Behold the Dawn by K.M. Weiland

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I tried reading this book awhile ago and couldn't get hooked. My son read it and told me to try again, it was worth it. He was right (but don't tell him I said so!). It does start very slow, I was well into the seventh chapter before I found myself hooked into the story. It finishes much stronger and contains a good love story in the midst. I liked the feel and cadence to the story in the second half, it was less wordy and more lyrical, which lends itself well to the medieval theme of the story and makes it a joy to read. Docked one star for the slow start, but I do highly recommend it as a good read.

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The Healer's Apprentice

2010-12-01T16:27:00.000-05:00

The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thought this was a sweet book with a nice thread of romance through it. I loved the setting of medieval Germany, that was a unique twist on a medieval historical romance. The main character is very believable and the situations she found herself in were engaging. I'm docking it one star only because the ending was so easy to figure out. It's a good ending, but I like a little more twist or surprise at the end. I recommend this to anyone who like historical romance and wants an easy read just for the fun of it.

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Not Our Typical Thankgiving Dinner

2010-11-25T13:41:00.003-05:00

I'm a pretty good cook. No, I'm not bragging, just being honest. I am a pretty good cook. Thanksgiving at our house is typically a satisfying affair. The pies look and taste like Betty Crocker made a house call, the meat both tender and savory, and the sides colorful as well as delicious.

Not this year.

Our homegrown chickens replace the traditional turkey. This year's bird was eight pounds of symmetrical perfection. I stuffed Mr. Chicken and had him properly trussed and nestled in the roasting pan in the oven. I turned my attention to washing and cutting up potatoes. The last chunk of potato hit the pot when the lights flickered for the first time. Then they flickered again. Then they died.

We had no power.

Michael brought out the Trivial Pursuit game and we passed the next hour frustrating ourselves with questions about foreign makes of cars and Polish borders after WWII. I kept looking at the clock and thinking about my uncooked chicken sitting in the cooled oven. I decided to put Mr. Chicken on gas grill to cook. I put him in the middle of the grill and turned the gas on low. I've cooked many chickens on that grill... surely a stuffed bird would do fine.

Or not.

We returned to our game after Mr. Chicken was ensconced on the grill in the garage. After fifteen minutes I checked on the grill only to find our own little towering inferno. Stuffing that tamely resides under the neck skin of a roasting bird in the oven apparently doesn't behave itself on the grill. Flames licked hungrily around the entire bird, blackening the skin as the fat sizzled and popped.

Thanksgiving dinner looked like a burnt offering.

With the flames under control and the bird back in the roasting pan, I returned the Mr. Chicken to the grill, roasting pan and all. Thirty minutes later, two and half hours after it left us, the power winked back on. Mr. Chicken came into the house again, looking worse for wear, and dinner preparation continued in the kitchen.

Mr. Chicken was not presented on a family heirloom platter this year, gracing the center of the table. Instead, I peeled off his charcoal wrapping at the counter, out of sight of the table. I cut up the tender and surprisingly tasty meat underneath. Dinner was salvaged and we have a memory to retell for many years to come.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T07:35:00.006-05:00

Wishing you all a Blessed
Happy Thanksgiving Day.

I hope this finds you surrounded by family
and friends in a warm place with a full plate.

Up From Slavery - Booker T. Washington

2010-11-19T09:08:00.000-05:00

Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow. Very worth reading. Mr. Washington was an incredible man of insights and truly understood human nature. His devotion to education and his understanding that education without labor is counterproductive to society is a lesson more people should pay attention to in our day and age. Much to admire about this man and his life.

I'm choosing just 4 stars because I feel too much of the book was about the Tuskegee Institute and I would have enjoyed learning more about the lifestyle of the country at that time through Mr. Washington's eyes. It falls short of being a great history book in that regard. Still very worth the time to read it.

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Most Commonly Misspelled Words

2010-11-07T08:17:00.002-05:00

At a recent writer's conference I was given a list of the 10 most commonly misspelled words in print today. Let's see how you do! You can Google each word for the correct answer.

10) separate - seperate
9) commited - committed
8) receive - recieve
7) collectible - collectable
6) accommodate - accomodate
5) cemetary - cemetery
4) calendar - calender
3) millenium - millennium
2) lightning - lightening (the type in a storm)
1) judgement - judgment

Heading Home

2010-08-03T08:44:00.003-04:00

John Robinson has a new release out Aug 2nd titled Heading Home. If you like apocalyptic thrillers (think Left Behind - but on steroids) you'll want to check this one out! You can read the first chapter on John's blog.

A Writer's Prayer

2010-07-28T12:10:00.004-04:00

Lord grant me the hope to unwrap this day as the precious gift that it is.
To embrace it with the wide-eyed wonder of a child.
As if it were my last.

Lord give me the wisdom to give this day to others.
To add a moment of warmth or some twist of loving fate.
And not need to be right, or the object of gratitude.
Or even be there when they smile.

Lord deliver strength to accept what is.
If today should be my time to bear the load,
Help me find a way to see burden as grace.
To make a lesson and therefore a blessing out of pain.

Lord grant me the will to walk with purpose.
And sway with neither storms nor winds of change.
To choose a path with mind wide open,
To make the most of every page.

Lord give me the peace that comes with knowing
That despite my frail anonymity You are here.
That if my heart can surrender and remain open,
Then today will hold no limits,
And no fear.

L. Brooks 1999

What a Combo

2010-07-20T15:14:00.002-04:00

There are some combinations that go together like – well – a hand and glove. Things like popcorn and movies, baseball and peanuts, cowboys and Skoal rings are a part of life in these United States. In northern Michigan, some of our combinations are a little outside the norm.

Traveling home last Sunday, idly gazing out to the truck window, it occurred to me that we might have the world’s only combination taxidermy and ice cream shop. Happenstance, rather than entrepreneurship, likely created this situation. The chance of an incorporated chain of taxidermy/ice cream shops popping up across the country defies imagination. On the other hand, where else can you go to get both your head and your stomach stuffed?

This gives a whole new perspective on Moose Tracks ice cream. What sort of odd combination can you find in your area?

Sing a New Song (part seven - the end!)

2010-07-12T19:00:00.001-04:00

Clarence had never seen a dog door before and apparently neither had Singer. It had not occurred to him that the dog wouldn’t know how to use it. He knelt by the covered hole, situated under his picture window, and pushed his arm through a few times; Singer sat and watched. He pulled her toward the door, her toenails digging into the carpet in protest, and pushed her head against the cover, moving it away. She wiggled and fought, whimpering in protest. Clarence rocked back on his heels and pondered what to try next. He heard a noise out by the bird feeder. Rather than get up and look through the window, he pushed the dog door open again, leaning down to peek through. Singer’s head met his at the opening, her nose twitching, and body stiff.

“Get ‘em,” he whispered.

Singer shot through the door in a blur of brown and white. Her loud baying signaled when the squirrel was treed. Once again up Erma B.’s maple tree, it chattered at the dog reared against the new fence.

Clarence pushed the dog door open with his foot and called Singer. She trotted to him, tail arched up over her back. She slipped through the dog door like she’d done it all her life. Clarence gave her a biscuit. She licked up every crumb before jumping onto Lydia’s chair and sat with her tail curled around her, nose pointed out the window.

Clarence sat next to her, reaching over and fingering one soft ear. His head settled against the back of his chair and he grinned. He looked forward to the next squirrel.

Sing a New Song (part six)

2010-07-11T19:00:00.000-04:00

“I see your dog is here again.” Earl said, settling on his stool.

“The workers wouldn’t want her underfoot.”

“What workers?” Betty asked, bringing over the coffeepot.

“The guys installing a chain link fence and a dog door.”

“You fencin’ in your backyard?” Charlie asked.

“Got to keep Singer home, you know.”

“Singer, is that her name?”

“Yup. You should have heard her when she ran that squirrel up a tree yesterday. It was sure music to me.”

“She did chase off a squirrel then? Good!” Betty sat the morning’s burnt offering in front of Clarence.

“Right up Erma B.'s tree.”

“You don’t say?” Charlie leaned closer. “Did the ol’ battleaxe call the cops again?”

“Yup. That’s why the guys are puttin’ in the fence today. I promised I’d get it done quick so I didn’t get a ticket.”

He finished his toast and wrapped the other piece in a napkin.

“That dog is going to have another good effect on you, Clarence.” Charlie said.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re going to lose weight!” He pointed to the napkin wrapped toast.

Clarence rubbed his chin and mumbled something about having to get back home before making his red-faced retreat to the truck.

Sing a New Song (part five)

2010-07-10T19:00:00.000-04:00

“Come on.” Clarence climbed out of his truck. The dog jumped down and picked her way across the gravel drive. Clarence reached for the doorknob when the growl started. He glanced at the little dog, standing stiff beside him, focused on the backyard. A large squirrel perched on his ceramic birdbath. Erma B.’s window was empty. A slow smile spread across Clarence’s face. He whispered a hoarse, “Get ‘em.”

The beagle launched herself into the backyard. In an acrobatic leap, the squirrel twisted and landed six feet short of the maple tree in Erma B.’s yard, racing up the tree one stride in front of its attacker. The dog sang out a noise like nothing Clarence had heard before. Not a bark and not a howl, it wavered long and loud, while the squirrel retreated higher up the tree.

Clarence rubbed his ear and grinned. He walked over and picked up the dragging leash, ignoring Erma B. as she burst through her back door in a blur of fuzzy pink bathrobe and curlers. He gave a light tug on the leash and walked into his house, his new dog at his feet. He could almost feel Erma B.’s glower sink between his shoulder blades. He chuckled.

“Come on… Singer.” He smiled at the name. “You just earned yourself one of those fancy dog biscuits we bought.” After giving Singer her treat, Clarence dropped into his chair. He noticed the half empty bird feeder.

“Singer, do you think you can keep those squirrels away from that?” He asked, pointing out the window.

Before he could stop her, Singer jumped up onto Lydia’s chair. He opened his mouth to scold her, but stopped. She sat perfectly still with her nose pointed at the bird feeder. A small house finch came into the feeder and he watched as Singer’s ears rose and her head cocked to one side. Another finch joined the first and her nose tipped up, as if trying to catch their scent. Clarence spent the rest of the morning with Singer, watching the birds.

Sing a New Song (part four)

2010-07-09T19:00:00.000-04:00

“You really got a dog?” Charlie’s jaw swung loose.

Clarence poked a thumb at his old truck outside the diner. Framed in the window was a brown and white face.

“What kind of dog?” Earl asked.

“Beagle.”

“Did she run off your squirrels?” Betty asked.

“Haven’t turned her loose yet.”

“Why not?”

“I had to bathe her and I couldn’t leave her outside wet. I can’t afford another one if this one gets sick and dies.”

“She slept in your house?” Charlie asked.

“I don’t have a dog house, you know.”

“Why didn’t you leave her in the backyard this morning?” Betty asked. “Those squirrels always come while you’re here having breakfast.” She slid his toast in front of him, black only on the edges this morning.

He took a bite of toast and mumbled, “She needs a decent collar and leash.”

“You’re taking her shopping with you?” Charlie’s eyes threatened to pop.

“How else would I know what size to get?” Clarence stuffed the last bite of toast in his mouth. He wrapped the second piece in a napkin and left.

Sing a New Song (part three)

2010-07-08T19:00:00.000-04:00

“Can I help you?”

Clarence glanced around and mumbled. “I’m here to look at dogs.”

“What?” The girl behind the counter asked.

Clarence sighed and leaned closer, “I want to look at the dogs.”

“Oh! You want a dog.” Clarence winced at her volume.

“Come with me.” She grabbed a set of keys reminiscent of those from a 1950’s jail movie. He followed her swinging ponytail into the next room.

The stench, a noxious combination of dog urine, bleach and unwashed dogs, hit him a beat behind the noise. Barking, whining, and yapping assaulted him from both sides. Hands over his ears, he plunged ahead with grim determination. Something in one of those cages should strike fear in the hearts of the squirrels.

“Sorry for the noise, they’re just happy to see us.” The girl shouted above the din. “We’ll take whichever dogs you like outside.”

Whatever dogs he liked? He didn’t any like dogs. He’d managed to reach the age of seventy-two without owning one.

“Do any of them hunt squirrels?” He yelled.

“We have three beagles. Beagles are hunting dogs.” She grabbed three leashes off a hook and gathered up as many dogs. They stepped outside, cutting off the noise when the metal door shut behind him.

“I’ll let them run.” The girl unsnapped the dogs’ collars and handed him one leash. “Bring back whichever one you like and I’ll take care of the rest.”

He watched her disappear through the same door, hoping she hadn’t locked him out here with the dogs. He looked around the fenced area; half expecting to see it topped with rolled barbed wire and cornered with block surveillance towers.

He didn’t know what to do and thought about making his escape when a cold, wet nose pushed into his hand. He jerked his hand up and looked down. Soft brown eyes stared up at him; one dainty paw rested against his knee. Unsure what to do, Clarence touched its ear. The dog’s tail started clocking back and forth.

“I guess you’re the one, eh?” He clicked the leash on and walked to the door, the little dog trotting at his heels.

Sing a New Song (part two)

2010-07-07T19:00:00.000-04:00

“Did you get ‘em Clarence?” Betty called as she slapped together the makings for a fresh pot of coffee.

“Nope.” He hunched his shoulders and slid onto his customary stool. “They wrecked it.”

“Who wrecked what?” Charlie asked.

“Clarence put out a new trap yesterday.” Betty said.

“Another one?” Charlie’s eyebrows rose along with his rusty voice.

“Yup.” Clarence grumbled.

“I told you,” Charlie took the stool next to Clarence, “you need a good dog.”

“I don’t want a dog.”

“You should listen to Charlie.” Betty nodded and poured their coffee. “Beside, a dog would be good company for you.”

Earl sat down on the other side of Clarence. “You’ve tried everything else.”

“I’m not out of ideas yet.”

“It doesn’t matter how many ideas you have,” Charlie poked Clarence in the ribs, “because none of ‘em work anyhow!”

“The BB gun would have worked,” Clarence said, “if nosy old Erma B. hadn’t called the cops.”

“My favorite was greasing the pole with lard.” Earl wheezed out a laugh. “Every cat in the neighborhood loved that one!”

“Remember the time he chucked the stink bomb out the window at ‘em?” Charlie laughed. “Erma B. had just hung out her sheets. She couldn’t get to the phone fast enough!”

Clarence slouched another inch lower. He hated to admit it but he was starting to think the boys were right. Maybe he did need a dog.

Sing a New Song (part one)

2010-07-06T19:25:00.003-04:00

Clarence slunk along the side of his house, each foot placed carefully. Balancing himself with palms against the wall, he paused and looked over his shoulder. Erma B. Krantz stood at her dining room window, nose inches from the glass. That old busybody probably had one hand on the phone already. He inched closer to the corner of his house, belly pressed against the aluminum siding. Holding his breath, he leaned over and peered into the backyard, hoping to find it strewn with dead bodies.

Nothing. He flung a disgusted look back at Erma B. and ignored her smile of smug satisfaction. Clarence examined his latest fool-proof trap. How had they managed to get around it this time? The bird feeder clung to its post at a drunken angle. He ran a hand across the grass below. Not a hair or a drop of blood. Stomping into the house, he slammed the back door.

The entire morning was a bust. Charlie didn’t show up for breakfast. Earl did, complaining about his bursitis the whole time. And Betty burned his toast again today. He sank into his thread bare chair and scratched the three day stubble on his gray chin. He shouldn’t have told them about this new trap. Dagnabbit. For sure tomorrow they’d ask him about it.

Clarence’s chair sat facing the picture window with a clear view of the mangled bird feeder. Lydia’s empty chair sat next to him. Many hours of enjoyment they had shared, seated here, watching the birds. He still thought of them as Lydia’s birds. Those last months the birds had been her sanctuary, her resting place away from the needles and the chemicals.

The squirrels moved in a month after Lydia died. At first it was just one, occasionally a pair, but soon they began to overrun the place. Clarence suspected Erma B. of enticing them into the neighborhood. It would be just like her, contrary old woman. Clarence tapped his cold pipe against the ashtray and reached for his tobacco pouch. His hands worked preparing his pipe while his mind chewed on the issue of the squirrels and the remnants of his trap swayed in the breeze under the lopsided feeder.

Gorgeous Gray

2010-06-24T14:30:00.002-04:00

I know why older women don’t have natural long hair. You cannot buy bobby pins in gray. They come in black or gold. Not gray. As we age, we are held hostage by an industry that dictates the length and/or the color of our tresses.

I smell a conspiracy! I suspect that Miss Clairol has achieved a coup with a hostile takeover of the bobby pin industry.

Kudos to the brave women out there who dare to defy this type of oppression. Long live your gorgeous gray locks!

Christian Romance

2010-06-05T12:10:00.001-04:00

For a change of pace and a bit of writing fun, I'm trying my hand at writing a Christian romance novel. I've read many romance novels over the years, Christian and secular. I think I understand the basic mechanics of what makes a romance work. So how hard can it be?

On the one hand, it's like any other type of writing.

Step one - position butt in chair
Step two - place fingers on keyboard
Step three - ignore all the other things left unfinished around the house and farm
Step four - let the story flow

Then comes the ticklish part, how to balance "romance" with Christian values. Everyone knows the steamy romance covers gracing today's bookshelves. The scantily clad, buxom woman falling back over the arm of some impossibly handsome man with no chest hair. The Christian romance of today typically includes an Amish buggy and someone wearing a prayer cap.

My goal in writing this book is to find a balance between those two extremes while incorporating some practical, down-to-earth characters women can relate to. Characters with flaws who make mistakes and grow through them while learning to rely on God. Don't look for Miss Perfect or Mister Incredible in my story. They won't be there. But hopefully you'll find my characters believable, real... human.

Brush with Pneumonia

2010-05-17T10:18:00.003-04:00

This year, the first five and half months of it, have proven difficult for me health-wise. Fighting off one virulent germ after another, or so I thought, it appeared I had slain the final dragon... until last Tuesday. Despite my determination to remain healthy, the dreaded germ reared its ugly head once more.

In an unusual move for me, I visited my doctor the next day. Apparently I have been fighting the very same germ over and over without fully conquering it. As a result, it percolated in my lungs and festered into a case of pneumonia.

Ordered to go home and stay there, armed with industrial strength antibiotics and herbal teas, I prepared myself to whip this nuisance in record time. Yeah. I've never had pneumonia before and was woefully uneducated concerning what would follow. I'll spare all the details of expelling noxious bodily fluids and sizzling fevers to mention that the sounds emanating from my chest could only be described as the death throes of an aging bagpipe.

My plans to plant the garden Saturday came and went. Ditto for Sunday. Ditto for today, Monday. But I think I'll be back at work tomorrow and hopefully in my garden by week's end.

The Best Mother's Day Gift

2010-05-09T13:43:00.008-04:00

Jeff, our son, sang "When Momma Prayed" in church this morning for Mother's Day... and for me. It was the best Mother's Day gift ever!

For this mom, it just doesn't get any better than this:
"I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth."
3 John 1:4

Flash Drives are Permanent Press

2010-05-04T20:37:00.002-04:00

I discovered this completely by accident just yesterday. Pulling a load of wet laundry from my washer and heaving it over into the dryer, I heard an unidentifiable clatter in the belly of the dryer. Generally speaking, my laundry doesn't make that sound. I decided to investigate. Pawing through wads of wet shirts, a small object fell out and clattered again at my feet. Stuffing the wet mass back into the dryer I retrieved my flash drive that I had not realized was missing up to this point.

I did the obvious thing first, I went and looked at the place where I keep my flash drive to be sure it wasn't there and that this damp, black plastic bit wasn't an imposter. But no, my flash drive parking spot was empty. Crumbs. I gingerly put the little plastic memory device back in its normal resting place and decided to wait 24 hours for it to dry before slipping it back into my computer. Much to my delight and amazement, 24 hours later there were all my precious files, cleaned, pressed and waiting for me to search them out.

I shall sleep better tonight than I did last night, I'm sure, knowing my digital memory is intact and well - even if my neurological memory isn't. And while I have proven that you can, in fact, clean your flash drive in the washing machine, I do not recommend it. The sleepless night is hardly a fair trade for freshly laundered files. Note to self - do not put the flash drive in your pocket again... ever.

2010-04-09T08:58:00.001-04:00

This old quilt is an example of a greater good. It's made from the scraps of other projects, the leftovers, the parts many people throw away. Those parts, all brought together and arranged in an orderly fashion, become something useful and beautiful.

We're all bits and pieces that God created for a purpose. My purpose is not the same as anyone else's. I am unique. Yet by myself, I can only accomplish that one purpose. When brought together within a fellowship of believers, I can accomplish so much more. When I take my place in the arrangement of my local church, when I fill the spot that needs filling, I become part of a larger whole.

When God looks down on His body of believers, is your scrap, your part, where it should be in His quilt? Do you fill both the purpose He made you for and the spot in the arrangement of His church that He left open for you? It's not always easy and it's not always clear just where our spot is. With prayer and with the help of the church, we can all come together into something useful and beautiful for Him.