Nearer Still Nearer

Near....Close by....Almost......Similar

I have to admit that as I write this piece that I'm feeling downcast in my heart... and I know that much of it is that I'm tired and feeling daunted by the road ahead, feeling like, for now, that all I'll ever feel is nauseated for the rest of my life.  I KNOW I KNOW... an exaggeration I am sure, but for now, that's how I feel.   In reality it will probably be only 4-5 months if I am fortunate.  Maybe a year or so on the outside (going from my quick research).  But right now I don't feel very full of hope.  It's nice that the doc knows what is wrong with me and is working to alleviate some of the symptoms of how this is presenting in my body.  ('cause my body is a bit of an odd duck at the best of times).

Anyways, the word for the week is Near... and that's been playing in the back of my head for the past ...oh.. almost 12 hours now.  :)  

Review: Santa's Magic Key

We have NEVER done Santa in this house, I didn't grow up with Santa in my formative years and always thought it was a bit silly to believe in him, or to encourage children to do so. I deliberately chose to exclude Santa from stories with the lad when he was little as I remember my mom saying "don't lie on purpose to your children, if they do, they just might wonder what else you are lying to them about."

That said, every once in a while though I run into a Santa based Christmas Story that I just enjoy, and that I then share with my lad, and when we are done I ask him "what do you think the truth is in that story?" Today I want to tell you about Santa's Magic Key.  This is honestly, just a lovely book.  :)   I am looking forward to, when this review is over, putting it in the Christmas box for the local gifts for the needy.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: A Tale of Two Sisters

 ³⁸ Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴² but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”  (Luke 10:38-42)

Art Book: Duct Tape Engineer

I know you have already gotten a bit of a preview of the fact that my boy likes to build with duct tape. I KNOW I have shown you pictures of his knight's outfit.  He is my duct tape engineer!   So when the chance came to review "Duct Tape Engineer" I thought WOW...this is a book made for me and my lad.

The Duct Tape Engineer: The Book of Big, Bigger and Epic Duct Tape Projects is filled with things that the lad and I want to build, even dad poked his head in and said "neat idea".  We haven't, at this point, actually built any of the items in the book to their full size, but we did build some mini versions of them.  :)

Review: The Magnificent Book of Dinosaurs

Who doesn't like dinosaurs, those magnificent creatures that once roamed the earth?   Don't they just fill your mind with questions, letting your imagination source as you ponder how something so large once covered our planet?  The Magnificent Book of Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Creatures is a superb book about... well obviously.. Dinosaurs.  If you have a child interested in dinosaurs, this book will hit the spot.

 Rudolph Farkas does a great job as he uses a two page spread to bring each dinosaur to life.  From the mighty T-rex to the middlin Velociraptor and the unusual utahraptor.  Each dinosaur is shown in colour, and feathering or furring.

Tabs Open in My Browser

So, you know how it's so easy to have all kinds of tabs open in your browser?  Well, I've got a few to share with you today.

Hymn Study: All Hail the Power of Jesus Name

 This was a hymn sung in church this morning I thought I'd share with you. :)

Lyrics

All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!

The "familiars" of my life

Familiar

I'm reading a book right now where two of the characters in it have "bond" animals.  These animals helped them do their jobs and were an intregal part of their lives.  They brought comfort and companionship.  A familiar part of their lives if you will.  :)

So when I looked at the word familiar I thought hmm...that would be a different take on this word wouldn't it?   To talk about "familiars"...those animals that are a distinct part of our lives.  You can think of them in witchy terms, or on fantasy terms, or you can think like I do.  Animals that are part of our lives that make a difference to how we live. 

Review: The Big Earth Book

You know what?  I love Lonely Planet Kids books.  I find them to be well made and very interesting.  The Big Earth Book is no different. You are invited to discover how earth, air, fire and water shaped the world that we live ... take a tour to discover the past, the present and the future of our world. 

Writing ... is it your Identity?

On Being a Writer asks me this question:
What is my identity?   Do I identify myself as a writer?

I have to admit, I find that a hard question to answer.  

Review: Writing Radar

I freely admit that I have not read this book.  I have read bits and pieces of it, but predominately this was read by my 12 year.  He'll be giving a report on it later in this post.  I'll be giving the factual details about it like chapters, length, interesting features etc.

That Mad, Monkish Architect!

This is Gaudi  is a book I reviewed about Antoni Gaudi, people either loved him or hated him, and in this tome we learn why.  :)  Author Mollie Claypool walks us through his life, his formation of ideas, and the work that he did. 

I found it a bit different that this biography had no table of contents, it dove right into telling us about Gaudi, and continued to just walk us through his life.

Think of the Weaker, Part two

I started this passage yesterday, and so want to continue looking at it.  Romans 15:1-7

 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ² Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. ³ For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” ⁴ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. ⁵ May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, ⁶ that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁷ Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Review: I'm Not a Scaredy-Cat

I have loved the writing of Max Lucado for a very long time now.  At one point I had all his books, but alas, I can't keep up.  :)   I admittedly was somewhat skeptical when he branched out into picture books, but have found them all to be very lovely.  Therefore, when given an opportunity to review "I'm Not A Scaredy-Cat" I lept at the chance.

Blue Ribbon Winners 2017

It's that time of the year again, time to vote for this years best review products from the Homeschool Review Crew.

Think of the Weaker

Did you know that being sick sucks!   Means you get terribly behind on things... including things like doing devotions.  I've been starting to feel a bit away from the Lord and realized I really need to get back to spending time with the Lord.

So getting back to Romans, today it's chapter 15:1-7.

Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim

I didn't know what song to do today, so reached for my hymnbook, this is song 27 for me.   The tune we sing it to is Hanover, but there are other tunes.  I shared what I am most familar with to be honest.

This hymn was written by Charles Webster.  If you want to know more about the Wesley brothers, I found this page interesting.  Charles Webster wrote a song the reminds us of who we are and who God is.  What our job is and God's gloriousness. 

Review: Animals at Night

Animals at Night is a rather cool book if you have a darkroom.  What you want to do read the story on a given page, letting the light hit the picture as you read, and then slip into a darkened room and let the page turn to life right under your eyes.

Excuse, a Poem

Today, in the midst of a busy day, following up two weeks of not having a lot of fun with my body, when I saw the word excuse these words came to mind.   The lad and I are going through the heidelberg catechism right now and this morning we were reminded on God's command to love others as much as we love ourselves.  Not always such as easy thing to do.  To put the care of others to the same measure as yourself. So easy to make the excuses, or shift the thoughts to yourself.

The word is excuse, 

The word for the day.

I wonder I wonder

What I'll have to say.

Book Study Choices

So here's the scoop, you know how I went to a writers' conference?  Had fun, bit overwhelming, but overall it was FUN!  And.... I've recently finished reading A Pearl Seeker and have been wondering what my next book project should be.  

I picked up a writing book there (Writing Tools) and  recently Raincoast sent me a book called "Pep Talks for Writers" and then I have a book that I got called On Being a Writer.  I looking through these books I thought, hey...might be fun to do a series on writing.