Ramblings-n-Writings

Archive for April, 2009

Today, at 3:30 p.m. (EST), we have our “continued” mediation to hopefully settle the Farmer’s workers compensation case. Again, like a couple of weeks ago, we’re praying it will finally be over. If we don’t settle, our next important date is June 30 for the final hearing before the judge. (If you’re new to Ramblings-n-Writings, you might want to read this post for a little background.)

Would you keep us in mind as you go about your day? Ask God to give us wisdom and peace about what is put before us. We need His guidance, yet we know that He alone can supply all our needs above what we ask or think.

Two little blessings from this morning…

I skimmed over my Twitter feed, and clicked on a video that @judithbailey shared. The words to Praise Him in the Storm (Casting Crowns) were words I needed to hear…

And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm

And at the end of the Proverbs 31 devotional for today was Isaiah 26:3…

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” (NIV)

Imagine my surprise when the Farmer walked in tonight with Buttons in his arms!

Buttons had been missing for 3 weeks to the day, and we assumed she had met up with some local predators.

The Farmer was out on the front porch when he heard a cat meowing. Way across the road, coming down the hill behind the chicken coop, was a black speck that looked like a furball. It was Buttons! And, yes, she is very vocal, and yes, you can hear her meowing a mile away.

Needless to say, we’re quite excited to have one of our furbabies back. Just last week, I wrote about our two missing furbabies, Winks and Buttons.

P.S. – Buttons isn’t allowed outside for a very, very, very long time.

Honey, our cinnamon Chow mix, doesn’t visit Ramblings-n-Writings very often since Mandy, Sadie, and Spot (a.k.a. the Puppy Pack) arrived on the farm. However, I wanted to show you what a beautiful dog Honey is …

Isn’t she gorgeous? Those photos are untouched too. This year, her fur is incredibly thick after the winter making her all the fluffier. I don’t have an actual current photo of her except for these …

She showed up on the front porch looking like that. To get the true effect, you should really click on the photos to see them bigger.

All, I repeat all, of her fur is caked with dry mud. Actually, I’m not even sure that the word “caked” covers it. More like drenched. The Farmer said it reminded him of dreadlocks.

Yep, she isn’t so soft and fluffy now. And she didn’t exactly want to cooperate with the camera either.

Best we can figure she wanted to cool down in the unseasonable heat, and instead of wading in the creek, she found a mudhole. Thankfully, the mud wasn’t mixed with cow manure.

We tried using the hose on her. Brown, very brown, water. But I think we only got rid of .01% of the dirt. Needless to say, she isn’t allowed inside at night til she’s a lot cleaner.

I’m thinking a swim in the farm pond might be good on Honey’s to-do list for tomorrow…

In A Vote of Confidence, the stage is set for some intriguing insight into what it was like during 1915 to be a woman in a “man’s world.”

Guinevere “Gwen” Arlington is a beautiful young woman determined to remain in charge of her own life. For seven years, Gwen has carved out a full life in the bustling town of Bethlehem Springs, Idaho, where she teaches piano and writes for the local newspaper. Her passion for the town, its people, and the surrounding land prompt Gwen to run for mayor. After all, who says a woman can’t do a man’s job?

But stepping outside the boundaries of convention can get messy. A shady lawyer backs Gwen, believing he can control her once she’s in office. A wealthy newcomer throws his hat into the ring in an effort to overcome opposition to the health resort he’s building north of town. When the opponents fall in love, everything changes, forcing Gwen to face what she may have to lose in order to win.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Vote Of Confidence, go HERE

MY THOUGHTS:

I can’t think of any other way to describe A Vote of Confidence but “a fun love story.” Gwen Arlington is filled with spunk and spirit and isn’t afraid to be independent in a time when women were expected to be submissive, not part of the limelight.

The current candidate for mayor is the local drunk, not exactly an ideal candidate. Gwen places her name on the ballot only to find out that the handsome newcomer Morgan McKinley also joined the race. As you can imagine, Morgan and Gwen battle wits, but after reaching a truce, fall in love. However, that’s not the end of the story especially when Morgan pulls out “the big guns” and gains support…

Robin Lee Hatcher writes a wonderful love story full of twists and turns. I’m eagerly looking forward to book #2 in The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs series in Fall 2009.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction (Whispers from Yesterday), the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance (Patterns of Love and The Shepherd’s Voice), two RT Career Achievement Awards (Americana Romance and Inspirational Fiction), and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 50 novels, including Catching Katie, named one of the Best Books of 2004 by the Library Journal.

Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She is passionate about the theater, and several nights every summer, she can be found at the outdoor amphitheater of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, enjoying Shakespeare under the stars. She makes her home outside of Boise, sharing it with Poppet the high-maintenance Papillon.

As you can tell by the number of book reviews this past month, I’ve started reading a lot more books for review. I love being exposed to new authors and new stories. And I enjoy sharing my insight and opinions about the books.

I try to set aside time each day to do a little reading. Sometimes, even with the best of intentions, life just gets in the way, and my reading time disappears. If I miss a day or two, I know I have to make up that time by spending a morning or afternoon reading.

Once I finish a book, I often let the book germinate in my mind. I don’t write my review right away. Usually there’s one aspect of the book that stands out to me and that’s what I like to write about in my review. For some books, it’s the characters, others it’s the theme/message, and others it’s the storyline. When I initially finish a book, it’s hard to separate the wheat from the chaff, so I let the book germinate. In 2 or 3 days, the idea I remember from the book is what I emphasize in my review.

My favorite books are those that teach me something as an individual. Not teaching in a preachy way, but through example. When an author creates a character that I can identify with and then throws that character into a situation that causes an inner struggle that I’ve been through or am going through, I love it. (Yipes, that’s a wordy sentence.) Personally, I believe every book should teach something.

Okay, so that last paragraph is a rabbit trail…Going back to my finding time to read…

At times it is hard to keep up with my book schedule (publishers like book reviews posted during certain time frames). Sometimes I’m a couple of books ahead; other times I finish a book on the day of its tour. I try to not overwhelm myself with books, but the inevitable tends to happen.

I say all that to say that any book that is featured on Ramblings-n-Writings has been read by me. I know some book bloggers post the promotional material without reading the books. I’m not comfortable doing that. Personally, I’ve purchased and read books based on other blog reviews, and I’d like for my blog readers to know they can trust the books features here. If I don’t agree with a book or am uncomfortable recommending it, my review will say so. I believe in honesty and integrity. If you see the promotional material for a book without a review from me, consider the book recommended (life probably got in the way of my review).