Posted in Book Review

THE FINAL STORM by Jeff Shaara

Posted on by Melissa

Shaara proves again why he should be a top pick on everyone’s list for military reading. He brings a “you are there” feeling to his writing that never once bogs down even while his soldiers are slogging through mud pits, digging foxholes, and facing long rainy nights on alert for the enemy. The Final Storm takes the reader to the Okinawa campaign and the dropping of the atomic bomb in the final stages of WWII. Viewpoints alternate between grunts on the ground and officers on both sides of the campaign. The seamless writing style brings a novelistic feel to the book even while discussing strategies, describing conditions, and explaining mindsets of those involved. Having received this as an unedited advanced free copy as a LibraryThing Early Reviewer book it is now on my list of books to purchase as well as the preceding three in this WWII series.

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Posted in Book Review

MIDDLESEX by Jeffrey Eugenides

Posted on by Melissa

The heart of the book is a coming of age story, an individual’s struggle to understand one’s own evolving self-identity. However, it is not a tale told in a straight forward manner, instead it weaves its way through a multi-layered and multi-generation tapestry. Beginning on Mount Olympus and winding its way to Michigan, this story follows the Stephanides family from their Greek heritage to their new American home. Just as the family itself faces difficulties of assimilating into their new world, so too does the narrator Callie face her own troubles assimilating into adulthood. Callie doesn’t understand why she never feels like she fits in with all the other girls, until Callie discovers she is actually a hermaphrodite and thus begins her transformation into Cal.

Middlesex is fascinating, epic in scope, and difficult to categorize as a particular type of book. Eugenides uses rich descriptions of background settings and historical context that transports the reader exactly where he needs to be at that moment of the timeline. The slow reveal of the secret that sets Cal up for his genetic destiny is tantalizing as well. With prose that is lyrical and often mesmerizing, this book is one that invites the reader to return again and again to its pages.

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Posted in Book Review

MY NAME IS MARY SUTTER by Robin Oliveira

Posted on by Melissa

Great historical novel set during the onset of the Civil War. Mary Sutter is a midwife, as was her mother and her grandmother. Yet she is driven by a greater amibition – to become a physician in a time period in which that was unthinkable for a woman. Against the odds, her mother’s wishes and by sacrificing love and more she follows her dream until she finds the two men who out of necessity begrudgingly take her under their tutelage. Oliveira succeeds in producing a story that reveals both the physical and emotional wounds and scars that the war inflicted not only on the front lines of the battles, but also on the home-front. Vivid and grim descriptions of medical practice in the era highlight the struggles encountered by all. If you are looking for an inspiring story with a strong heroine, then look no further than My Name is Mary Sutter

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Posted in Book Review

FALL OF GIANTS by Ken Follett

Posted on by Melissa

The first of a trilogy, Fall of Giants follows the lives and events of five families during the events leading up to and through the First World War. These families – American, German, Russian, English, and Welsh – cross paths in intriguing, yet believable as written, ways. This cross-section enables Follett to show the war from multiple perspectives and voices spanning from those higher in the social scale who are on the fringes of influencing decision makers to those on the opposite end who are swept up by forces beyond their control. In most of these cases, Follett successfully creates dynamic and well-rounded individuals that evoke pity, sympathy, and disgust when appropriate. Even with so many voices and story lines, the reader is able to follow the action and plot throughout. This book was a wonderful read for me until the last quarter of the book, which seemed to suddenly became plodding and bordering on the boring. With that said, it was enjoyable enough that I do intend to continue with the series.

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Posted in Books

Reading List Updates

Posted on by Melissa

I am finally making some progress on updating my Reading List pages, although I still have a ways to go.  Either I have lost some copies of some of the years or my dog has eaten them.  I am trying to re-create from memory what I have read during those periods as best as I can.  Will continue to work diligently on this part of the blog site.  Additionally, I have a stack of books here at my elbow that are patiently awaiting a written review.  Those too, are soon to be forthcoming.  Now that school has finished I can re-claim some time for my own projects rather than what is assigned to me.  My hope is that my reading lists and reviews will be a useful tool in helping you find interesting and engaging books that will inspire, educate, or amuse depending on what your heart desires. 

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Posted in Poetry

National Poetry Month

Posted on by Melissa

April is National Poetry Month.  I know, I know, for most of you the mere suggestion to read a poem sends chills through your body as if icy fingers have gripped your heart.  Flashbacks of high school English teachers flitter through your mind and you instinctively curl up within yourself  hoping, begging, and praying that you won’t be called upon to explain the meaning of a poem.  I get it.  I have even had that same reaction as an English major in college.  Some poems I read still leave me sitting with a blank expression and able to only say Huh? 

However, I have also had the experience of reading poetry that has touched me in a way that I have felt my soul has been embraced.  And I believe anyone and everyone is capable of having that same experience.  Poetry is language, music, and art all rolled into one.  There is something for everyone.  It is perfectly acceptable to not like a particular poem or even a particular poet, all it means is that style is not for you.  But I promise there are poems out there that once found will become your best friend.

I have placed a link on the left side of the page, Poems for Every Occasion that will take you to a website called Poets.org.  It is a great place to wander around and taste-test different poems and poets until you find what satisfies your palate.  I encourage you to face your fears of poetry and please check it out.  Additionally, in the forthcoming days, weeks, and months I hope to share some of my favorite poems with you as well.

Now – Go Read a Poem !

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Posted in Religion

Ash Wednesday Reflection

Posted on by Melissa

Part of the Lectionary Reading for Ash Wednesday included Psalm 51.  This psalm is a plea for pardon, forgiveness, and renewal and thus makes it a good prayer with which to begin the season of Lent.  In verse 1 the psalmist asks God to “blot out my transgressions” and in verse 9 to “blot out all my iniquity.”  Other verbs are used throughout the psalm as well, such as wash and cleanse; however, the wording blot out reached out to me and grabbed my attention.  The phrase sill implies doing away with or erasing, yet the process involved is a little different. 

One definition in the dictionary states the meaning as “to dry with an absorbing agent (such as blotting paper).”  In the case of our sins and transgressions Jesus serves as the absorbing agent.  He absorbed our sins and took them as his own to the cross.  God doesn’t require us to pay for our sins.  He does require us to search our hearts, acknowledge our failings, and strive to better follow Christ’s example of holy living.  As Christians, that is to be our focus for the next 40 days as we wend our way to the cross of Good Friday and then ultimately, and triumphantly, to the empty grave of Easter.

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Posted in Personal Thoughts, Religion

Creating a New You

Posted on by Melissa

Doubtless, many thoughts on the New Year and resolutions are focused on losing weight (or at least healthier eating) and exercising routines.  And I must confess that I too am planning to get a new start in both of those areas.  These are definitely two important aspects that we should consider and incorporate into our lives.  Yet, the message can’t be repeated enough that it is not the outside of the person that matters the most – it is what is inside that counts.

In Psalm 51:10 David implores, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” 

Predictably, we approach the beginning of a new year with a vision of a new slate, and hope for a fresh start in various aspects of our being.  Like David, we want to start anew with an unsullied past free of past burdens, mistakes, and regrets.  It is appropriate that a popular symbol of the new year is a baby in a diaper.  It’s hard to find anything more pure and sinless than a new baby.  Additionally on the first day of the year, we feel a new charge of energy – a surge of that youthful vigor we remember from our childhood. 

Yet, my exhortation to you this year is to remember this feeling, this hope, this surge of vigor does not have to be relegated only to January 1st of every year.  With David, we can pray for a pure heart and renewed spirit on a daily basis.  Remember every day can be a chance to start over with our failed dreams, missed chances, and words spoken in haste to others.  The sun rises every morning and God waits and stands ready to Forgive, Inspire, and Love.  Take Him up on His offer and then turn and offer the same to others in your life as well.   

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Posted in Personal Thoughts

Greeting a New Year

Posted on by Melissa

I’m sure like many others, I have a love/hate relationship with the idea of making New Year’s Resolutions.  Yes, there is something exciting and fresh about starting anew with a clean slate.  However, along with that comes a lot of pressure and expectation to fulfill the promises you laid out for yourself.  So, with that being said here are my resolutions for 2010:

I resolve to not beat myself up over my mistakes and failures of the previous year.  They are now over and done with and I must move forward.  I will instead only beat myself up over my mistakes and failures of 2010 as the year progresses.  (Hey, if I pretend I’m going to succeed in everything then I’m lying to myself and I don’t think I should start the year off with a lie.)

I resolve to quit yelling, screaming, and cursing at the television set when there is a lying politician and/or a so-called journalist asking idiotic questions.  I will instead calmly change the channel.  I do this if not for the sake of my blood pressure, at least for the sake of my dog’s sanity.  (I’m sorry Rusty, I know I am hard to live with sometimes.)

I resolve to know less about Jon & Kate, Tiger’s mistresses, Sanford’s Argentina lover, and anything else about any celebrity whose actions have no direct bearing on my day to day life.  (Of course, combined with the previous resolution it looks like I might as well resolve to turn the television off completely.)

I resove to send at least one e-mail a week to a Senator or House Member (either federal or state) to voice my opinion on certain matters.  This should be a more constructive and healthy exercise than the afore-mentioned screaming and cursing.

I resolve to spend as many mornings  with a cup of coffee and evenings with a glass of wine as possible relaxing on my new front porch reading a good book or watching the deer and antelope play.  (Okay, maybe just the deer – haven’t seen many antelope here in Cat Square lately.)

I resolve to spend less time wishing I was a writer and more time actually writing.  I’ll never get anything published if I keep it all in my head.  And if I could, I know  none of us want my thoughts to be published unedited and uncensored.

I resolve to spend more time in bible study and prayer.  I have struggled more in school since back-tracking from my plans to go into the ministry and am not sure if the two are directly related or not.  However, if God is still calling me in that direction then He and I have some serious discussions ahead to hash some things out.  It’s not that I have anything against Him directly, but I do have many issues with what is being said and done His name by many church institutions.  If He does want me serving as a mouthpiece for Him and His Word, then I need to work with him to resolve many of my own questions, and He needs to greatly empower and strengthen this weak vessel.

I resolve to tell my loved ones how much I love them as often as I can.  Having worked in the Emergency Department these many years, I know all too well that sometimes that last time you told someone goodbye could very well be the  last goodbye.

Here’s wishing you a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year !!!!

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Posted in Christmas, Religion

Christmas Eve Reflection

Posted on by Melissa

Since the pastor of our church is spending time with his family tonight on Christmas Eve, I volunteered my services to be at the church for a certain time period this evening so that those who needed a brief respite from all the hectic and chaotic stress this time brings could stop in for a spiritual fill-up.  Mom graciously offered to assist me with this as well.  My plan is to have Christmas music playing in the background and just to stay back and let the people spend their time as they see fit in either prayer or meditation.  However, I did write this short piece that I am sharing below in the hope that it will help open their mind and heart to receive whatever message may be awaiting them.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel – which means ‘God with us’.”  Matthew 1:23

 We all struggle with the chore of picking out the right gift for the right person.  Is it what he or she wants?  Is the right size and/or color?  Do they already have it?  Sometimes with certain clothing items you may find a tag that says, “One size fits all” or to decrease the chance of a lawsuit, “One size fits most.”  Oh if only that were true.  If only there was a magical perfect gift that could work for everyone.

 The truth is there is one gift that does fit all.  Regardless of your age, gender, class status, problems, or needs God’s gift to the world of his own Son is that magical perfect gift.

  • Do you need someone you can talk honestly and openly with about your deep dark secrets, your fears, your misgivings, and worries?   Here is a Wonderful Counselor.
  •  Do you feel weak and powerless in some area of your life, unable to take control of a situation?  Here is a Mighty God.
  • Do you need the stability, support structure, comfort, and unconditional love that an earthly family sometimes falls short of providing?  Here is an Everlasting Father (Mother).
  • Do you have strife and discord within your life, whether it be external among others or an internal struggle?  Here is a Prince of Peace.

This Christmas Eve strip away all the bows and wrapping paper that religion (the man-made institution) has dressed the baby Jesus in.  Instead see him as the gift as he was first presented to the world. Immanuel – God with us.  The Creator has become the created to share in all aspects of our life with us.  Our hurts, our sorrows, our joys, our celebrations.  Make an effort to know Him on a personal and intimate level.  Not as the world or even as the church tells you to view Him.  Instead, allow him to reveal Himself to you in the unique way that makes Him the perfect gift for you.

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