As I look at what I've put out into the world here recently, I see words I don't like staring back at me. Struggle. Disappointment. Discouraged. Stressed. "Where does this restlessness and anxiety come from...Read more
So, the question is faith. I read a post on claywrites.com last week that started with "faith is a weird thing." I commented that I have full confidence in God, but where my faith fails...Read more
At the beginning of May, I went with my sister, BiL, the girls and Grandma (BiL's mother) to visit The Baltimore Aquarium in Maryland. I guess it's actually now called The National Aquarium in Baltimore...Read more
So, here is the last comment/question from averageinsuburbia's post about happiness. She said, "Sometimes we are not made unhappy by HUGE things. Do I say, my life isn’t as bad as Anna Karenina’s therefore I’ll just...Read more
A couple of days ago, Patricia at Today I think... posted a list of ten things that make her happy. I thought it was a wonderful idea, and it really reminded me of the Thankful...Read more
I gaze upon the room,
and lifetimes spent here
shift across my vision.
I cross the creaking
floorboards, hay-covered,
and open spaces gape up
at me like some wide
and toothless grin.
I grope along walls
all newsprint papered,
fingers peeling back
a layer of years,
and...Read more
On Tuesday, I gave you a Leanne teaser. Today I’m giving you the rest!
I was lucky enough to be included on Leanne’s book launch team, so I got an advanced copy of Don’t Lick The Minivan. And it was really great!! I can’t wait for my “real” copy to come in the mail.
You guys! I was so excited to be able to interview Leanne Shirtliffe!
Super excited. You can tell when I laugh my maniacal crazy laugh, which I edited out whenever possible, and the fact that I kept shouting at her. That’s nervous crazy laugh and excited loud talking you’ll be hearing.
Sigh.
Leanne, if you let me interview you for your next book, I almost promise not to be so much like myself.
Anyway, I kept poor Leanne talking for so long, ya’ll, and she was so sweet about not just hanging up on me. She’s cool like that, you know. But since the interview ran longer than I expected, I chopped off this little bit as a kind of teaser.
Here are the questions Leanne’s super fans sent in for me to ask her:
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Listen to the full interview on Thursday! Leanne talks about her new book Don’t Lick The Minivan, her writing process, depression, parenting twins and her upcoming project. I crazy laugh and shout all my questions.
Also!! Renee is giving away a copy of Leanne’s book. Definitely hop over to her site to read her review and find out how you can enter the drawing! RasJacobson.com
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PS: Sorry Stacey for mangling your last name by sounding out every. single. syllable. What can I say? I ain’t right.
Don’t worry, no major plot spoilers here! Just a little talk about theme. And I do love a movie with multiple themes! Give me my money’s worth, filmmakers!
I definitely got my money’s worth with Into Darkness. So much so that I’m gonna go give them some more of my money and watch it again this week.
As for this viewing, this is the quote that jumped right out at me:
Kirk: I have no idea what I’m supposed to do. I only know what I can do. The Enterprise and her crew need someone in that chair who knows what he’s doing. That’s not me. That’s you, Spock.
Have you ever not known what to do in a desperate situation? Were you able to let go of control to someone who could handle it better than you?
In a big way, this is a movie about making choices. Choosing who and what to trust, and whether or not you can trust yourself and your own instincts. Choosing between following the rules and doing what you believe to be right. Choosing between what is moral and ethical versus what will fulfill your own desires. With friendships and love, choosing whether to hold on or let go, whether to go your own way or follow the other person.
Another huge theme is relationships. In the first Star Trek, we saw the characters coming together for the first time. Ok, second I guess, since it takes place on an alternate time line. But it was great to watch those personalities mesh or clash as they navigated their way toward becoming a team. With Into Darkness, it was wonderful to see a smooth continuation between the two movies in how these relationships continue to grow and evolve. Specifically Pike and Kirk, Kirk and Spock, Spock and O’hara. But also the relationship between Captain and crew.
In our relationships, we have to make choices all the time of when to lead and when to follow, when to question and when to trust.
By the end of the movie, each relationship has progressed further, and I’m loving that as an overall series arc. As much as I enjoyed the plotline in Star Trek Into Darkness, I loved witnessing the maturing of the characters and their relationships probably even more.
This book is for everyone who's ever been around kids ever. In the supermarket. On the street. In church. If you've ever so much as thought a strange comment in a kid's direction, then you'll relate.
Undead is a book about living. It's got zombies and Jesus and miracles, oh my! If you've ever felt empty inside, if you've ever thought, "there must be more," then read this book. It's good, ya'll.
"This collection of old-time cures and superstitions offers a unique and lighthearted look at some of the beliefs of ordinary families who lived in the Southern Appalachians."
A comparative analysis of The Hunger Games and Christianity. Because, you know, why not?
