Reading Your Way Across America

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books across america

Since June I have been in a reading slump.  My favorite authors haven’t published anything recently and the books I’ve started I can’t seem to get into.  This feels something similar to worse case of writer’s block a person could have.  I tried reading through first novels but got hung up on a really bad first novel from a Kentucky author.  There is restlessness in my soul that is a longing to be taken away to another time and place by a novelist’s ability to make today disappear and paint pictures of places I’ve never been.   I want to become friends with the hero and get frustrated with the villain.  You know the feeling when you finish a good book and the next day you are wondering what the characters are up to only to realize they are gone.

I found this list that intrigued me.  This is a list of books that are set in each state.  Many of these books I have already read; others I think I may try just to scratch this itch.  It’s important for writers to read.  Really, it’s important for everyone to read.

Who is your favorite author?  Any suggestions?

Missing a good read,

 

KK

Digging Spiritual Stuff

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Gardeners understand the connection between humans, nature and our Creator.  Didn’t make it to church for worship fall gardenthis morning but found myself with free time for the garden this afternoon.  The collision of digging in the dirt, cleaning out weeds, good music, and sunshine created in me a joyful and thankful heart.  It is continually amazing how connected humans are to the world created for them.

Feeling a good kind of tired,

KK

Thought Provoking…

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“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

― Benjamin Franklin

 

There are those individuals who in their 20’s after graduating college are true go-getters.  They work hard, get involved and are all about their upwardly mobile status.  But somewhere along the way they slow down and begin to cruise; maybe they gain a little market knowledge and begin to think they know a little something.  They get into their routines of life, work, family, children — all very important.  But in doing so, they don’t get involved, they just fill their time being busy — or rather they let their time GET filled with stuff.  But are they continuing to learn and expand their mind and life-experiences.  Are they watching life go by on their television screens or are they engaging in interesting and meaningful activities? Are you an active participant in life?  This quote from Benjamin Franklin made me wonder…

There is a line from the movie Shawshank Redemption, “You either get busy living or get busy dying.”

So, what are you doing today?  Are you expanding your experiences and knowledge of life, love and all there is in this great big world?  What are you doing?

Happy Friday,

KK

Sniffin’ It Out

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Most of the time these days we are on sensory overload.  The sights, sounds, new tastes (however made up the flavors sound) and smells can overwhelm our senses.  Consider one of them for a moment: the sense of smell.  Smells can be a powerful leader sense that can tell a cautionary tale, stir up other senses (smell a lemon and your mouth will water), or transport us to another time and place (the smell of paste).  Below is a list of items (feel free to add to the list in a comment) that could have powerful memories, or create some other sensory response.  What do you think?

  1. Box of Crayons
  2. Pencils
  3. Markers
  4. Books
  5. Fraternity house
  6. Tequila
  7. Roses (what color do you picture when you think of the aroma?)
  8. A church building
  9. A school
  10. A locker room
  11. Grandmother
  12. Grandfather
  13. A bathroom
  14. A puppy
  15. A baby

Look forward to hearing from you.

KK

Consider the Weather…

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Outside my window right now is a thunderstorm.  It’s one of those that come from a cold front and warm front colliding and the laws of nature duel.   The thunder rumbles through your soul.  Searching the sky for the next strike of lightning can be unnerving – no way to predict.

Weather can be planned for, but no man can control it.  How refreshing to experience something that we don’t have to control or schedule.  Even planning for what a meteorologist predicts is rarely completely accurate.  They do their best, but weather isn’t something God calls profits to.  How wonderful it is it to experiencing something completely surrendered to God’s hand as weather?

After the storm passes, many times the morning brings a calm spirit among nature and clean air settles in.  Whatever damage has been left behind, may cause grief and pain, but also provides the opportunity for a fresh start.

duck 2Consider our friends Canadian Geese – I love the fact that the population has invaded their waterways and land and they just go about their business.  They take full advantage of our gardens to bed down a nest, puddles and drainage ditches full from rain or even traffic doesn’t bother their daily routine.  Love it!  They have no sense of time what they need to do to fulfill their needs of the day.

To have such focus on the important things.

Think about it,
KK

What Will You Complain About Today?

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 You’ve heard me share about how exhausting high-drama people can be.  UUUGGGHHH.  But recently, I’ve imagesCAP8EZ81wondered more about whiny people – complainers. Why are these people so discontent?  Why is nothing ever good enough?  The next question in my mind is, it they had the opportunity to design their day’s activities, weather and interactions to their liking, would they really like it?  Or would they not even know how to survive such a day?

Just a thought…

KK

Unplugged Action…

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You would hate to think that what I’m about to share is unusual; but in this day it is.  The Saint James Art Show is a great place to people watch or at least notice a variety of people types.  Unlike walking down the streets of the city or through the mall, I noticed a st. james courtphenomenon that swept the show.  No one was distracted from the art checking their phones…

Show attenders were enjoying a sunny eighty degree October day by taking in the sites of the art show.  It was wonderful.  No one almost ran into me while checking a text.  There were no crazy ring tones binging and singing.  There was a buzz of conversation and a periodic squeal of friends uniting among crowded isles.

Art viewers were completely in the moment and engaged; how refreshing.  People’s faces were alive and curiously looking at the art mediums.

Sometimes it’s wonderful to just unplug – disconnect.  As long as a cell phone, ipad or computer is on or at hand, we are ON – distracted.

Find the opportunity to unplug for a while.  At first you may feel like you are walking around naked, but I promise before long the peace that transcends understanding will encompass your soul.

Do you dare unplug?  Go ahead put the technology down and walk away and experience something new.

KK

Being Crafty

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craft itemsA couple of weeks ago I went to a well-known craft store (the mecca of crafters in the Louisville area).  I am not a crafter, but I recognize the value of this store.  We needed a piece of black photo matting and spray adhesive for a project my son was working on.

As I walked in a whoosh of the aroma of glue sticks, paint and artificial flowers overcame me.  Having shopped in this store I knew the direct path to the photo/framing area.   A sales lady greeted me and wanted to help me quickly (20 minutes to closing).  There was little chit-chat.  She understood what I was looking for, but kept trying to sell me far more of the mat board than I wanted.  This would have saved her from having to custom cut a piece.  Nonetheless, she finally relented and understood that for my purposes, a custom piece was the best buy.  She went to make the cuts.

Prior to her exit, I asked where I could find spray adhesive.  Remember I’m a stranger in this land of craft supplies.  Her answer taught me just how much I didn’t know about where I was.   She said, “Follow this aisle at the back of the store past the craft items; it will be down the aisle on the left.”   While I listened to all of the directions, when I turned to follow the back aisle, it occurred to me that in my inexperienced mind, ALL of the aisles were craft items.  I didn’t realize there were sub-categories of craft items.  I had to wonder, are there other things I needed to know, like the language and crafting etiquette? Watch your manners…

Having only five minutes left in store hours according to the overhead speaker, I began the journey looking down EVERY aisle.  Before I got too far off the one aisle I knew would lead me back to my custom cut board, a friendly clerk asked to help and led me directly to adhesive spray and even made a suggestion.craft items 2

True confession:  going to a craft supply store makes me want to buy, take up a craft and create something.

Store was closing – whew – bought only what I needed and left.  No new hobbies.  To my friends who are crafters, you have my admiration and appreciation for your talents.

What are your hobbies?

All the best,

KK

A Child Being Mistreated

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sad childOk, what would you do? I was sitting in a fast food drive-thru, had paid for my food and was waiting. Just as they passed in front of me the “mother” grabbed the little girl by the back of her head and yanked her hair clearly mad at her for something. The little girl screamed and began to cry. I almost came out of my car to grab the mother’s hair to see how she liked it. The scene hurt me to the core. The mother let go and went into the restaurant with the “grandmother” and the son. I still wanted to go after the mother, but decided all that would do would cause a fight with the woman not resolving her heart issue.

I said a prayer of protection over the children and for God to deal with the mother. I watched as the father comforted the child and she settled down. As they walked in I noticed on the girl’s t-shirt the saying, “God is on our side.” May she always know that saying as true.

What would you have done?

KK

Patience or Permission

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hand of god

Don’t mistake God’s patience for permission.

I don’t know who said this, but it made me think.  Where does it take you?

All the best,

KK