Books in review - March

As I mentioned last month, I'm doing book reviews for Revell Books. In March I only read one book from their program, but I'll mention a few others on my reading list this month.

Miriam's Song

by Jill Eileen Smith

biblical fiction

☆☆☆

Let me start by saying I don't read many books of this type, because I haven't found them too impressive. The ones I have read (with a few exceptions) feel romanticized. To judge a book by its cover, I thought this one would fit the mould. Although it does contain a small amount of romance, it seemed very well researched and biblically accurate. 

What I found most intriguing about this book was that the author chose to use Hatshepsut (female pharaoh of Egypt who reigned circa 1479-1458 BC) as the princess who rescued Moses. I wanted to know how she came to that conclusion, so I contacted the author. Interestingly enough, she replied with an excerpt from one of her sources. (If anyone is as nerdy as me and wants to know full details, I can forward it to you!) Anyway, the time periods do line up, even though Hatshepsut would have been only seven at the time she discovered Moses. 

This book is just as much about Moses as it is about Miriam. I don't find fault with that, since there isn't a lot in the Bible about Miriam, and I found Moses' story just as interesting. 

This is the first book I've read by this author, but she has quite a collection of books on women from the Bible. If anyone is interested in owning Miriam's Song, let me know in the comments below. Again, if several people express interest, I'll do a drawing. 😄

While we're on the topic of biblical fiction, there's another book I highly recommend. I'm currently re-reading it, and it's perfect for the Easter season. 

The Robe

by Lloyd C. Douglas

☆☆☆☆☆

The inspiration for this book came from a letter Lloyd Douglas received. A woman asked this minister and author what he thought happened to Jesus's garment after the crucifixion. This is the story of the soldier who bartered for and won His robe. Every time I read it, I'm impressed with how Jesus is portrayed. His love and kindness is brilliantly depicted. The cruelty of the Roman Empire is well represented too.

Now for some lighter fare. I've been in a bit of a slump with reading lately. Nothing has been too outstanding, so I'm revisiting some of my favorites.

The Help

by Kathryn Stockett

fiction

☆☆☆☆☆

This time around, I listened to the audiobook and it took it to a whole new level! The Help is bursting with warmth and humor. I adore the characters, especially Minnie Jackson and Aibileen Clark. But Hilly? She's a nasty one! If you've read this book, you know about the pie episode. I love how Minnie always refers to it as the "Terrible Awful." I think The Help is near the top of my favorites list!

March book club / hard days

Today was a lovely rainy day perfect for staying at home and not doing much except a bit of wash, napping and reading; also a pleasant hour discussing Flowers for Algernon at book club. 

Flowers for Algernon

By Daniel Keyes

Science fiction 

☆☆☆☆

There were varied reviews on the book, and several said it made them cry. Others felt angry. One person was so mad at the ending she said she wanted to throw the book away. But she couldn't stop thinking about it, and to me, that's exactly why it's a good book! I've come to like the books that don't end happily-ever-after. They leave a deeper impression and seem more relatable. But there's a place for fairy tales, too. When real life is too heavy, a light, dreamy book is needed to counterbalance the weight. 

Laurie chose Roots of Wood and Stone for our next book. It's a new release, published in 2021, and has good reviews.

It was extra nice having a relaxing day at home after a rather stressful one yesterday. I was halfway to work when I got a message from Cliff asking if I didn't need my badge. I immediately knew I had a problem. In my four years at St. Joe's I don't remember ever forgetting my badge, but other people did and usually had to go back to get it. Not knowing what happens at LVHN when you forget your badge, I decided to turn around for it. I could have gotten inside the building without one, but couldn't clock in or enter the pharmacy. To make things worse, I was supposed to start earlier than usual since I was scheduled for the OR satellite pharmacy. Last week I trained there three days, and this was my first day on my own. The satellite is only staffed by 1 pharmacist and 1 technician, so I threw off the whole routine by being late. It was probably more in my head than reality, but it seemed like it messed up the whole day. Also, I don't exactly like the OR pharmacy because there's not much to do and I get bored. So I pretty much felt like crawling in a hole all day long. 

Even though I'm not too keen on the OR pharmacy, I do enjoy being around the activity and getting a glimpse of surgery as I walk past the operating rooms. I got more than a glimpse yesterday when I had to take meds in a room where they were doing a neck operation. After one look I knew I had to focus on what I was doing and block out that image because I would've soon felt light-headed. There's certain body parts that the idea of operating on is more terrifying than others, and I guess the neck is one that makes me cringe! Delivering meds to the children's OR recovery area where several patients were crying made me feel like crying too. It's the same when I go to PICU (pediatric ICU). So much pain and sadness.

I don't want to finish on that note, but like those books I mentioned, there isn't always a happy ending. So I'll conclude with a favorite quote about endings.

the way you sparkle

Time keeps moving along and I've been at my new job two months now. It's a relief to have that behind me! I'm not sure what's wrong with me but the bold truth is I've failed to connect to the new environment. Although I'm confident with what I'm doing and can find my way around what seemed like a maze in the beginning, something still feels foreign. I don't find the work challenging, and often have to look for extra things to do to stay busy. I'm still leaving room for the possibility that I'll view things differently once I'm in the IV room. They say they're short staffed and extremely busy, so that seems a little more my pace. I'm next in line to get trained, but don't know what the time frame is - weeks or months. I am itching to stab some IV's again. 😄 

There's more I could say, but that's probably enough griping for now. It's not all bad, either, but in general I feel like the job doesn't leave me sparkling in the way this quote describes. 

I absolutely love this because it is so true! When someone talks about the things they love, there's a sparkle and shine to their eyes and face. And I also know you can feel when you have that sparkle. Maybe I'm being too idealistic and dreamy, as usual. But I really don't want to settle for mediocre!

It was a lovely warm day today and there's more coming. I feel like a daffodil that's been buried in the cold, dark earth all winter, ready to break out into the sunshine and fresh air of spring!  

Of course, Dickens knew how to describe it perfectly!

dreamers and doubters

Is it a blessing or a curse to be a dreamer? Even though I've learned dreams can be a source of pain when they don't come true, I also believe it's a sign of healing when they begin again. 

I'm a hopeless dreamer. Even when I know it's unrealistic and unlikely to happen, I still take pleasure in dreaming. There's so many thoughts to delight in! Thinking about which flowers to plant this spring is a favorite for this time of year. Other pleasant topics include weekend getaways, travel, job possibilities, my dream house, and ways of improving myself. 

I spend a lot of time in my head. As I've been thinking about this, something started nagging at the edge of my mind. Is all this a way of escaping reality? If so, is there something wrong with that? Life can get monotonous, and going to work day after day can become a drudgery. Cold, dreary days cast gloom over everything. Sometimes life is just too painful and escaping through dreams or books is a way to cope. 

 

Now I'm feeling guilty for being a dreamer. If I suppress the dreamer in me, the cynic will be unleashed. Letting out my inner Scrooge is only going to lead to misery. I prefer dreams! In reality, I'm probably equal parts dreamer and cynic. I certainly don't view the world through rose-colored glasses. And I tend to scoff at the shiny, rainbow colored dreams of youth. There's plenty to be cynical about, so if I'm still able to dream, isn't that a blessing?

Books in review - February

A while ago I signed up to review new books for Revell. They specialize in "inspirational and practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life" (quote from their mission statement). In exchange for receiving print copies or ebooks, I'm required to post and submit a blog reviewing the titles I chose. Following is a short description of the three books I read and my opinion of them. I've also given them a star rating on a 1 - 5 scale. 

The Moonlight School 

by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Historical fiction - contains romance

☆☆☆☆

This novel is set in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky and is based on the real-life story of how Cora Wilson Stewart brought education to illiterate mountain people. 

 

I enjoyed the mountain culture and setting of The Moonlight School. Cora's vision and determination to teach illiterate adults how to read was inspirational. One of the main characters in the story is Lucy Wilson, a second cousin to Cora. From a young age, her life has been overshadowed by her younger sister's mysterious disappearance. When Cora asks Lucy to come work for her, she is forced out of her comfort zone and her eyes are opened to the disadvantages the mountain folk endure. As she assists Cora, she blossoms and finds her purpose.

When Twilight Breaks

by Sarah Sundin

Historical fiction - contains violence, romance

☆☆☆☆

When Twilight Breaks tells the story of Evelyn Brand, an American foreign correspondent stationed in Germany at the beginning of WWII, and Peter Lang, a Harvard PhD candidate teaching in Germany. 

It's a fairly average WWII novel but I enjoyed the characters, especially Evelyn, a "firebrand" reporter in a male dominated profession. She is held to higher standards and her writing is more heavily edited than her fellow correspondents. When she finds out she is three quarters Jewish, things begin taking an ominous turn.

This is a Christian historical romance, but I wasn't overly impressed with the Christian part. It felt like references to God and prayer were thrown in here and there just to make the book fit into that category. It didn't add anything of real value to the story.

Even so, this book held me in suspense and the descriptions of historical events such as Kristallnacht were well written. 

A Dance in Donegal

by Jennifer Deibel

Historical romance 

☆☆☆

A Dance in Donegal is a historical romance involving Boston-born Moira Doherty, who becomes a teacher in a village in Donegal, Ireland, where her mother grew up.

I chose A Dance in Donegal because of its Irish setting, which I love to read about. The author did a wonderful job describing the landscape and culture, making the reader feel as if they were there. Those who enjoy historical romance will probably appreciate this book. Generally I am not a fan of Christian romance, and this book did not change that opinion. I found the main character, Moira Doherty, to be rather annoying. She often frightened easily and made immature mistakes. I liked the supporting characters better, especially the lovable Colm and Peg. 

It was a pleasure reading all of these books. Thanks to the publisher for making them available to me!

I received a free print copy of A Dance in Donegal and would love to pass it on to someone who might enjoy it. If you are interested, leave a comment below. In the event that more than one person expresses interest, I'll do a drawing. Shipping fees apply to non-local delivery.

adulting, work, and book club

My life is once again filled to the brim with work and basic household chores, making it harder to find time for blogging or my favorite leisure activities. On my 21 for 2021 list, I marked February as the month to spend 21 minutes a day doing something I enjoy. Unfortunately it hasn't exactly happened that way. Does sleeping or walking count?? I still like the idea of consciously taking time out of each day for a favorite activity. Maybe I'll have to make more of an effort in a different month. I am happy to report better success (so far 🤞) with other items on my 21 for 2021 list. Making notes and reminders in my planner has helped, and after a while habits start forming and it becomes routine. Amazingly, practicing self-control and discipline in one area has a positive effect in other areas that need it. Because I'm making a point of walking most days right after work, I can also remember to prep for work the next day, floss, and go to bed on time. Adulting is hard, people! 

Speaking of work, it's been much the same as my last post. There's not the same camaraderie I had at my old workplace and overall, it's "just a job." There's not really anything worth complaining about, but also nothing thrilling. I'm still being trained, which is a bore, so maybe I'll enjoy it more when I'm on my own. I'm also hoping once I get in the IV room things will improve. I survived my first weekend (barely). Going in to work at 2:30 pm always has a depressing effect on me. I was finally getting used to the people on first shift, and second shift was a whole new crew I didn't know. Friendly people are in the minority and I felt out of place and stranded. It was a  L O N G  8.5 hours. Another tech who started the same week as I abruptly resigned today. His last day at work he said something to me about it being a dark, negative place. He was also struggling to catch on to things. Some people aren't very patient with those who have a harder time. I'll say it again - starting a new job is no fun. 

We had our book club meeting this week and discussed Before We Were Yours. There were some questions in the back of the book specifically for book clubs, so that helped promote an interesting discussion. It was fun to get together and exchange opinions! Our new book is Flowers for Algernon, chosen by Dani. I'm excited to read a book that wasn't chosen by me! Although I have read this one, it's been a long time and I can't remember all the details.

after two weeks

Today completes the second full week at my new job. I'm still forming impressions and adjusting, but it's beginning to feel more comfortable. Comparing it to my old job, I'd sum it up like this right now: most everything is better except for coworker relationships. My feelings on that may still change, but one huge positive is management. I'm super impressed with how approachable and on the same level they are. They'll say hello and check in with you throughout the day to make sure you're doing ok. I was used to managers who acted like police and were always watching for something they could criticize. Frankly, it was a toxic environment. Tonight I talked with a St. Joe's coworker and it sounds like things have only gotten worse and another person is quitting. It made me thankful for what I have! It is true that your attitude and what you focus on makes all the difference, but sometimes there's glaring issues that can't be ignored. 

Back to my earlier comment on coworker relations - so far I don't sense the camaraderie that we had at St. Joe's. This may be because LVHN pharmacy is such a big department, but I'm finding out that some people don't even know the names of others who work the same shift. It seems there's little groups that know each other well and don't bother with anyone else. They're all reasonably friendly but maybe more reserved than the joking, sarcastic, say-it-like-it-is group I knew at St. Joe's. My trainers have all been nice and did a great job, though.

I've been thinking about first impressions since I've had so many lately. The average time for making a first impression is seven seconds. For me, it might be even less. Appearance and body language project more than words to my subconscious brain. Sometimes I find out later that I was right, and other times I'm proven wrong! 

I had a very interesting revelation today. One of the techs I met on my first day struck me as less worldly, more plain in appearance (no makeup or tattoos, long undyed hair), and of a quiet spirit. Over the next few days she'd usually tell me "good morning" and often offered to help if she saw me looking for something. After hearing her talk, I developed more impressions. There was a slightly Dutchy accent to some of her words. I had the fleeting thought that maybe she's some kind of liberal Mennonite, but didn't think much of it. There was something different about her, though. Today I trained with her for the first time, and she said, "You're not a Mennonite, are you?" When I told her I was, she asked what denomination. I replied I was part of the Church of God in Christ, also known as Holdeman. She said she'd heard of Holdemans, but wondered what conference we were in. She mentioned the names of a few familiar ones in Lancaster County. Then she casually said, "I was raised very conservative as an Eastern Mennonite." REALLY?? How surprising! Immediately things started making sense. The accent, plainer appearance, quiet speech, and general demeanor had all connected with me on some level. She didn't tell me much of her story except that she grew up in Lancaster County (Ephrata), left when she was young, and moved to Allentown. I hope to hear more as we get better acquainted. 

It's good to have two weeks behind me. Hopefully it will be six months before I know it and I'll be fully settled in!

adjustments and benefits

Starting a new job is no fun. I fully expected it, but still, I'm struggling. When I started in the pharmacy at St. Joe's, it was rough because of the steep learning curve. Since they don't have sufficient staff, their new hire training leaves much to be desired. Basically they push you out on your own and you learn by trial and error. I remember being terrified and overwhelmed, near tears sometimes. Seeing someone in tears there was actually not too unusual. I think I've written enough about the hectic pace there, but suffice it to say that time rarely moved slowly and there was always multiple things that needed to be done. Generally, the busier it is, the better I thrive. I've found that I do best at a job that mentally challenges me and physical ACTION is involved. 

In my four days at LVHN, my biggest struggle has been BOREDOM. It's the exact opposite of everything I experienced when starting at St. Joe's. I'm learning new things, but it's mostly different approaches and ways of doing things I'm familiar with. The biggest challenge I've faced is finding my way around. I don't want to be an obnoxious know-it-all, and try to refrain from saying things like, "At St. Joe's we did it this way." Being the new kid on the block firmly reminds me I'm not anyone special. The training at LVHN is much more structured and looks like it will be taken at a slower pace. After four days in one area, I'm quite ready to be on my own or move on to the next thing. From what I've seen, their "busy" is mild compared to a truly busy day at St. Joe's, mostly because they have so many more people. On the plus side, it does seem to be a better managed department. 

I'm telling myself to give it time and things will get better once training is over. I know that's common sense, but there's another voice telling me, "Life's too short to spend ten hours a day at a job that's a drag." I'm trying to let common sense overrule that voice. Knowing I would be gladly welcomed back to St. Joe's makes me feel like I have a back door if I want to bow out. The lead tech there texted me last week and asked if I was ready to come back yet! There's pros and cons to both places, but LVHN has enough pros to keep me there until I've given it a fair try. 

Getting home in time for a walk before dark has helped balance out the hardships. Fresh air and the proven benefits of walking outside (and yes, competition!) have kept me motivated even when a nap or another relaxing activity sounds delicious. I'm hesitant to say I'm making progress in developing a good habit, but can see it happening much easier with a routine schedule, so that's encouraging!

 

word of the year

Along with my "21 for 2021" list, I've been thinking about a word of the year. This is another idea from Gretchen Rubin. She has several blog posts about it, and I found this one from 2015 interesting. Several of my friends do this, and I love hearing their inspirations and ideas! Last year I tried it, and chose the word "strength". I came to that word because of a desire to be a stronger person mentally, emotionally, and physically. I'd like to do a word of the year (WOTY) again, but have more of a plan in place for how to keep myself mindful of it. The only thing I did with my WOTY last year was purchase a sign from my favorite Etsy sign maker, Misty Hollow Studio, and set it on the window sill above my kitchen sink where I saw it all the time.

Check out her lovely WOTY signs here! On a side note, now that my "strength" sign has served its purpose, I'd like to pass it on to someone else. It's just like the ones shown above in white. If you're interested, text me or leave a comment below. If more than one person wants it, I'll do a drawing. 😉

As I mentioned, I get so many great ideas from friends. I asked three friends for suggestions on how to remind myself of my WOTY and make it stick. They also told me some of their past WOTY's and why they chose them. Here's some of their thoughts.

Words of the year: simplify and compassion

My goal is to simplify my life so I can have more time for friends and family. Purging things out of my house and life will also help me mentally.

I wish for more compassion. This year I want to make a conscious effort to be more compassionate to my own children and people in our congregation.

From another friend:  My WOTY last year was "imperfection". I wanted to work against being a perfectionist, but at the same time realize my perfectionist tendencies. I feel like my word ended up making a difference. My word for this year is "start," which is really an extension of last year's word. This is how I define start: Instead of procrastinating, start. Start when you're not ready. Also, a fresh new start.

This friend says: I like words that can be used as different forms - verb, noun, adjective. Some of my past WOTY'S are balance, rest, home. This year it's "quiet." Not only to talk less, but have quiet time. Take walks without my phone. I want to have more of a quiet attitude, as well.

I also made a list of their ideas for ways to be mindful of your WOTY.

• Search for quotes that use your WOTY and write them in your planner so you see them throughout the year.

• Write an essay about why you chose your word, and what it means to you.

• Put your WOTY on your light box/letter board and keep it on all year.

• Set your phone's home and lock screens to a quote that uses your WOTY.

• Put the word and definition on your fridge where you see it all the time.

• If you have a chalkboard wall, write your word and definition on there and leave it all year.

I've decided my WOTY is "happy." I recently read The Happiness Project and it affected me profoundly. I first listened to the book, but now I'm reading a hard copy and highlighting and taking notes of the things that most inspired me. Here's a few sentences that made sense to me.

"I'd wondered whether my happiness project was selfish, because it seemed self-indulgent to concentrate on my own happiness. True, I do make other people happy when I tend to my own happiness. By being happy myself I was better able to try to make other people happier.

Happy people generally are more forgiving, helpful, and charitable, have better self control, and are more tolerant of frustration than unhappy people, while unhappy people are more often withdrawn, defensive, antagonistic, and self-absorbed."

- From The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

first impressions

While it's still fresh, I want to give a quick overview of the first day at my new job. These are only my first impressions so they may not be accurate! 

One of the interns took me on a tour of the hospital but I think it will be a LONG time before I figure out where everything is. Lehigh Valley Health Network's Cedar Crest location is a 7 story building with around 1,000 beds and a brand new 120 bed emergency department. It's a completely different feel from the 200 bed community hospital I worked at. Some of the differences I noticed right away were not necessarily improvements though! St. Joe's has an overall much cleaner facility than LVHN's. Frankly I was surprised how dirty and dingy some places were! Another thing that amazed me is that we are allowed to have drinks at our work areas in the pharmacy. At St. Joe's I never drank enough because we could only drink in the break room and often I was too busy to make a trip back there. Also, the pharmacy doesn't have a color-coded dress policy, so you can't tell who's a tech or who's a pharmacist. There's a vast array of dress styles, which seemed a little unprofessional to me because some tended to look rather scruffy. I realize what I'm saying sounds uncomplimentary, but it's what stood out the most to me! Where I came from there were many stringent policies and rules to follow, and from what I've seen so far, LVHN has a more relaxed approach. 

I spent most of the day doing new hire paperwork and training, but also had the opportunity to label and pull a few meds. It was nice to see those familiar products. But again there were surprises! Some controlled substances were mixed in with regular drugs, not locked in a safe. There are 5 categories of controlled substances. Highest risk drugs are Schedule 1 (Marijuana, heroin, etc. Usually illegal substances.) Schedule 5 drugs have the lowest risk of abuse (example: cough medicine with codeine). At St. Joe’s all controlled substances were kept locked in a safe that only a pharmacist could access. At LVHN, some frequently used schedule 4 drugs are out in the open. I don't know this for sure yet, but it also looks like techs have access to the controlled substances safe. Makes our job easier, I guess! LVHN also has a robot that packages drugs. I see that as an improvement from St. Joe's, where we did it all manually. 

I hope to eventually work in the IV room, but that won't happen right away. I'm sure there will be many differences there too!

In this post I described the pneumatic tube system we use to send drugs throughout the hospital. At St. Joe's everyone tubed things and although it was used all the time, we didn't have someone standing there constantly sending drugs. At LVHN, someone is always at the tube station, and bins of drugs are waiting to be sent. You could spend an entire day doing only that!

A few random impressions...

 

When I figure how much time to allow myself to get to work, I not only need to think of the commute, but also take into consideration the 5 minute walk from the parking lot! That's going to be rough in bad weather. 

It will take me awhile to feel comfortable in the new environment, but it's nice to at least be familiar with the drugs. It's kind of like meeting an old friend in a new place. "Oh, hello, vancomycin 1250 mg! Nice to see you again!" 

My schedule is 6:30 am to 3 pm, and 2:30 - 11 pm every other weekend. A consistent schedule is one of the main reasons I switched jobs. It means getting up at 4:45 am, but I'm going to love getting home when it's still daylight! 

January book club pick

In case anyone is interested in following our book club, I'm planning to blog about the book we read each month. For January, I chose Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate.

Several people recommended this book as one of their favorites, and I recently read it. I wanted to start with something everyone would enjoy, and this seemed to appeal to a variety of interests. In the future, though, I hope everyone feels free to choose a personal favorite, whether or not the whole group appreciates the book. One of the purposes of having a book club is to open your mind to new material, after all!

Before We Were Yours is a story based on the real-life Tennessee Children's Home Society, which existed in Memphis from 1897 to 1950. This orphanage operated under the guise of a respectable institution, supported by high-profile individuals. In reality, many of the children had been kidnapped or stolen from their families, and were sold at a huge profit. To read more of its scandalous history, check out the Wikipedia article here. The characters in Before We Were Yours are fictionalized, but their story is very likely similar to that of many children who suffered from the cruelty of the Society. 

Maybe I'll add more in another post after we gather in February to discuss this book. In the meantime, check it out for yourself!

spa giveaway!

It's time for a giveaway to celebrate 2 years of blogging and promote Natural Glow Shoppe! My fabulous sister-in-law SaraBeth makes these lovely body products and I've chosen some of my favorites for you to try! 

The winner will receive a gift box including the items pictured below. You can also view them on Natural Glow Shoppe's Etsy store by clicking on the blue product name.

• Rose Clay Face Mask
• Lip Scrub
• Eucalyptus Mint Hand and Body Lotion
• Peppermint Lip Balm
• Lavender Whipped Soap

Shout-out to SaraBeth for sponsoring this giveaway! To see more Natural Glow products and place an order, click here. 

To enter the drawing, leave a comment below. If you've already tried Natural Glow products, mention your favorite! The drawing will be held on Wednesday, January 13.

Note: If you are unable to comment using a mobile device, try logging in to www.wanderingsbywendy.blogspot.com from a desktop or laptop computer using Google Chrome browser.

morning musings

Being quarantined from work for three weeks has been wonderful and stressful. Although I was aware of this before, I'm even more conscious of the fact that my job has a huge impact on my life. You only have to look at this blog to see that. When I work full-time, I don't write nearly as often, and the theme is mostly work. In the last three weeks, I've written more frequently and the content has changed. I even feel different! My creative side has time to bloom, and my mind is filled with writing ideas, future goals, and dreams. Having time to walk most days helps my mood, and housework isn't so frustrating since I can keep up with it better. I've had time for some wonderful one-on-one chats with friends. My life feels enriched. Working saps my energy, and sometimes it seems the best part of my self goes to my job. I've found myself dreaming of ways to combine my love for home, reading, and writing into an occupation, but a reality check soon brings me back to earth.

On the other side, I've also realized work is good for me. It gives me a purpose. In the last few months, a short quote has impressed me. I'd heard it so often that it almost had no meaning, but one day it really struck me. "Be the best of whatever you are." Be the best pharmacy technician, if that's your job. Be the best teacher, if that's the place you fill. Be the best stay-at-home mom, if that's your calling in life. That quote is part of a longer poem by Douglas Malloch.

If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill

Be a scrub in the valley - but be

The best little scrub by the side of the rill;

Be a bush if you can't be a tree.

If you can't be a bush be a bit of the grass,

And some highway happier make;

If you can't be a muskie then just be a bass -

But the liveliest bass in the lake!

We can't all be captains, we've got to be crew,

There's something for all of us here.

There's big work to do, and there's lesser to do,

And the task you must do is the near.

If you can't be a highway then just be a trail,

If you can't be the sun be a star;

It isn't by size that you win or you fail -

Be the best of whatever you are!

I think I've just found the content for my April goal - memorize something. 

On another note, it's time for a confession. I've mentioned before that I sometimes question having this blog - it seems selfish and it's brought me reproof, among other things. Being an introvert, trying to make small talk terrifies me and I express myself much better in writing. Putting my thoughts out there has felt risky at times, but usually ends up being rewarding. If I'm going to honestly measure the encouragement I've received against the criticism, encouragement outweighs criticism by far. I don't want to turn away reproof or criticism by saying that, though. I value and will consider it as well. 

With that in mind, I want to say one more thing. As someone who has always loved reading, I want others to know the pleasure a good book can give. Everyone has their own taste when it comes to books, and what I recommend may not be your style, or go against your convictions regarding reading material. The books I read often contain language and/or actions that would not be right for a Christian. When I read those things, I know they're wrong and don't spend a lot of time thinking about it. I might even forget there is such a thing in that book and recommend it to someone else. To me, the good outweighs the bad. Please use your own judgment in deciding whether a book I've mentioned is appropriate for you or your children. 

 

juvenile literature

For a long time I've wanted to write about books for adolescent and school age children. I kept putting it off, hoping to read more in that category, but finally decided to start with what I have and add posts in the future. Many adults, including me, still enjoy children's books. In the last few years I've made it a point to read some classics that I'd always heard of but hadn't read as a child. These included The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, The Tale of Despereaux, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Holes, and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. They were all worth reading and if you haven't read them, go for it!

It's hard for me to know what age group these books are suitable for, but they'd probably be most appropriate for grade 5 and older. Each book is linked to Amazon so if you want to purchase any of them, just click on the blue italicized book title.

I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda

nonfiction

This is an absolute must read for all! In fact, it would be a great one to read out loud to your family. It tells the heartwarming true story of the correspondence and friendship between a white schoolgirl from Pennsylvania and a poor black boy in Uganda. 

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

fiction

A mystery revolving around the will of Samuel W. Westing and sixteen unrelated people who are named in it. Whoever solves the riddle will win a large sum of money. Funny and unpredictable!

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

fiction

Claudia Kincaid and her younger brother Jamie run away from home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. They manage to hide at closing time and spend the night in the Museum.  I was thoroughly wrapped up in their adventures and how they solved a mystery!

Sparrow Hawk Red by Ben Mikaelsen

fiction

This was quite popular when I read it to my 7th & 8th graders, so I recommend it for that age group. I'm not going to leave a review because it's not a personal favorite, but one I know they enjoyed!

goals, plans, and more about books

A new year always gives me a boost of energy and I enjoy giving thought to what I want to accomplish in the next 365 days. Making lists of goals is the fun part, but I haven't been very successful at putting them into action! Last year I made a "20 for 2020" list, and although I made progress, sadly, I couldn't cross any of them off. This idea comes from author/blogger Gretchen Rubin. If you want to know more, you can read about it here. The idea is to make a list of concrete goals you want to accomplish by the end of the year. It can be things you want to start or stop doing, and you can have fun with the year number, such as "walk 20 minutes a day in 2020." I like to include things I know I'll do anyway, so it's not too overwhelming. I also list a few fun things to do, books to read, and so on. This year I want to make my goals more specific, so instead of saying "make time for exercise" my goal is to walk 500 miles in 2021. I'm trying to come up with ways to hold myself accountable too, and asked a friend to compete in the walking challenge with me. Another approach I'm trying is to break down some of the goals by month, instead of resolving to do it all year long and failing. January is the month I chose to start a book club! (So excited! 😊) In February I want to take 21 minutes every day to do something I enjoy. In March I want to read for at least 21 minutes every day from an actual book. (More on that later.)  August is the month for biking the Walkway Over the Hudson because that's already planned. I'm still tweaking the list and thinking of ways to make my goals attainable and specific. 

As I was making my list, it struck me how many of my goals started with "make time for" or "schedule". Clearly, time management is something I need to work on. I have a feeling if I can accomplish #17 on my list,  (come up with a plan to limit phone time) that will go a long way in freeing up more time. I do think I'm slowly learning how to make better use of my time since I found a planner I love and am doing meal planning and grocery shopping ahead of time. The Homemaker's Friend 2021 planner has already given me so much joy!

Among my favorite features are the space for a menu on each day, a place for writing tasks at the beginning of every week, and tabbed sections for tasks, projects, info, and shopping. I keep a running list of menu ideas in the tasks section, grocery list in the shopping section, and random thoughts/blog ideas/21 for 2021 list under "projects". The blank spaces are highly important to me for writing reminders, random ideas, and other things that keep me awake at night. All I have to do is grab my planner, write it down, and move on! 

Since my last post, I've had some questions about where to get some of the books I mentioned and how to listen to audiobooks. I very rarely own any of the books I recommend. I can't even remember when the last time was that I read a hard copy of a book! I'm fairly certain if I didn't listen to books, I'd hardly read at all. There's always other things to be done, but I can listen to a book while I drive, walk, cook, clean, do wash, sew... anytime, anywhere! Now, I understand my situation is different from those with families and it is probably not advisable to go around with earbuds in your ears, listening to a book, while there are children in the house. I'm just saying what works for me! It helps me stay motivated to do tasks I don't really enjoy if I can escape through a book at the same time! As for where I get the audiobooks, I mostly use the apps Overdrive (Libby is similar), hoopla, and LibriVox. With the exception of LibriVox, these apps are through a public library - I do not pay for audiobooks. Because the book has to be purchased by the library, there are a limited amount of titles available, but I can almost always find what I want. Sometimes you might have to put a hold on a popular book and wait awhile until you can borrow it. You can also electronically recommend the library purchase a book you want to read. They may or may not buy it, but if they do, you'll be notified. Another thing you can do if your library doesn't have a wide selection is get a library card from another county (in the same state). For example, I can also borrow from Allentown library, and I suppose there are others I could sign up for. I'd be interested in ideas from others who listen to audiobooks, as well!