Time has really flown!

Wow!  I knew I had been busy, but revisiting my blog to discover it has been five months since I last even logged in has me shaking my head.

My resolution:  Among all the other things I plan to tackle in 2015, I will be sure to not neglect my blog!

Keep checking in for updates as 2015 promises to bring great happenings!

Refreshing My Spirit

We just returned from our (mostly) annual family trip to Twin Lakes just outside Bridgeport, California.  It is a trip I look forward to all year for many reasons, mostly because it is simply one of the most beautiful, awe-inspiring places I have ever been.

The High Sierras are, after all, the land that Ansel Adams fell in love with and photographed extensively.  It's no wonder he became captivated with my beloved Sierra Mountain range.  The topography is simultaneously beautiful and fearsome with thrusting mountain peaks extending beyond the tree line and valleys nestling crystal-clear blue lakes.  The forest is lush and healthy and the wildlife abundant.  It's unspoiled nature--and "civilization" is only a few miles away.


We've traipsed through the eastern side of the Sierras visiting Sequoia National Park, but Twin Lakes's Annett's Mono Village is our favorite campground.

This year was marked by some interesting afternoon weather.  Raindrops greeted us as we walked the campground to find just the perfect spot for the seven families we vacationed with.  It was refreshing and beautiful, subtly cleansing.  Each afternoon of our eight-day stay we had afternoon showers, with a whopper of a thunderstorm one day.  However, even though we were frustrated by the thunder and lightning that limited our lake play, we welcomed the rain because of the severe drought conditions the Sierras have been experiencing.

In truth, this year, the mountains were a sad reminder of the drought our state is enduring.  The snow pack, which we can usually see so clearly, was severely diminished with only a few small glaciers still in sight.  So, the rain was a blessing.

The cooler rainy conditions also invited more wildlife into the campgrounds.  Deer always stroll through the campgrounds, but this year we even had daytime bear visitors.  No, bears are not the cuddly, cute things we think they are.  They are ferocious and intimidating, even the smallest ones.  One afternoon we were entertained by a young cinnamon-colored bear that went from camp to camp tearing through coolers, trash bags, and even ripped a neighbor's tent in search of a snack.

Everyone in our group enjoyed playing in the water in the canoe, inner tubes, SeaDoos, the boat, and splashing around throwing toys for Kevin, Paisley, and Cosie.

And the kids played some raucous volleyball and ladder golf:

Nights were somewhat subdued as we were not allowed campfires--no flying embers to catch the gorgeous forest afire.  Charcoal fires were permitted, but for food preparation purposes only.  However, the final night we enjoyed Chuck's famous "biscuits-on-a-stick" stuffed with Nutella, apple pie filling, whipped cream, and anything else we could think of.  

Mom Brown and I even (finally) went into Bridgeport Sunday morning to the Infant of Prague Catholic Church for mass.  Now that we finally know what time mass is, I will be looking forward to celebrating mass there again next year.

There were no accidental trips to Lake Tahoe, no near-choking, no lost car keys.  There was only one bear incident that I'm sure Chuck won't soon forget.  Mostly, there are lots of memories with new and old friends.

Most of all, though, I was so thankful for another safe family trip that refreshed my spirit.  It's so incredibly difficult to be in this beautiful place and think that this part of creation is not evidence of God's existence and goodness.  Until next year...

Book Review: The Leaves Are Falling: A Novel by Lucy Beckett

Book Review:  The Leaves Are Falling:  A Novel by Lucy Beckett

I have read numerous novels and nonfiction works about World War II.  It is a fascinating period in world history and marks the end of the Modern movement in the arts.  It is simultaneously heartbreaking because of the the lows human beings sank to and awe-inspiring because of the selflessness and sacrifice of so many men, women, and children.  It is, in truth, one period of history with which I am fascinated, and I have devoured as many stories as I can—fictional and nonfictional—about humans confronted with some of the worst situations we can create in this era.  Yet, as much as I have read about World War II, I find I have always focused on the Allied forces vs. Germany, but there is so much more to this era. 

So, it was with appreciation, excitement, and a visceral cringe that I approached The Leaves Are Falling by Lucy Beckett, published by Ignatius Press.  And, it is with indebtedness, relief, and questions that I have finished this novel about the impact of the Poland-German-Russia-Lithuania component of World War II. 

Beckett writes the novel in two parts, with two prologues, to introduce the stories of two men of the Halpern family—the son’s first and the father’s second.  The stories these men, Polish Jews, recount is of the tenuous existence of not only European Jews, but of the country of Poland itself.  Linking the two seemingly separate stories is the bridge story of the temporally brief, but rich relationship between a writer and the son, Joseph Halpern.

Joseph’s story of being orphaned—truly his whole family is eradicated—is filled with neglected history.  In fact, his story often contradicts the story told by the victors about which country, ruler, or commander perpetrated which massacre.  Joseph seeks to set the story straight, to seek truth in historical accounts, so that his experiences and his family members’ deaths are validated.

The second half of the story is the story of Dr. Jacob Halpern’s imprisonment by the Russians, fictionalized by the unnamed writer at Joseph’s request, to provide for Joseph some idea of what his father endured and ultimately how he met his end at the hands of the Russians.  

Things I Love:

1.  Quest for Truth:  Both through the men’s stories and through Dr. Halpern’s conversations with fellow prisoners about faith, this story is concerned with Truth (capital “T”), with dignity, and with the reality that individuals matter.  This is really the cornerstone of the entire novel and I appreciate the rawness of this aspect of the story.

2.  Characterization:  Beckett creates unique voices for Joseph and the unnamed writer, as well as for Dr. Halpern, his interrogator, and the rabbi.  Joseph’s speech patterns in particular caused me to hear his voice as the narrator throughout more than half the novel.  Such rich and moving attention to detail through Beckett’s careful characterization is endearing.

3.  History:  I hear the echo Winston Churchill saying “History is written by the victors” throughout this novel.  The winners are ignored.  Those who are pawns in the bigger game are ignored.  There is so much history in this novel of which I was only in the most cursory way aware that has caused me to become so much more curious about the things I don’t know:  the ways history has been manipulated to represent the “truth” (small “t”) we come to know and the ways the victors attempt to minimize their parts in their less savory deeds.

4.  Values:  Joseph and Jacob Halpern are only two of Beckett’s characters who exhibit values their moms and grandmothers would be proud of.  Even in the face of outrageous events, they never resort to vengeance or hatred.  However, they are not the only ones to exhibit courage, selflessness, charity, and honor.

5.  Appreciation of Intellect:  Beckett emphasizes appreciating intellectual activities, especially difficult intellectual questions, that I find incredibly appealing.  She doesn’t back down from serious conversations and, especially with Jacob Halpern, tackles the existential dilemma of the Modern man:  the existence of God.  Beckett allows several characters to wrestle with their position in the universe and the science vs. religion binary people still wrestle with.  Observing the characters engaging in this struggle is beautiful and Beckett boldly captured this element of humanity.

6.  Language:  Beckett builds a beautiful interrogation of language—etiquette, bigotry, expectations—that I see echoed in how she uses language to create her characters.  This is especially true in Joseph’s half of the story.

7.  Nods to Russian authors and works:  Mention of The Brothers Karamazov and War and Peace and Anton Chekhov’s works thrilled me.  Many of these works I had read; some are still on my to-read list.  Now, I am reinvigorated to visit these works.

8.  Contemporary political tie-in:  The final conversation between the writer and Joseph stunned me for its contemporary references and insights.  Especially in light of the recent happenings between Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Iran, I am intrigued by how many of these conflicts have roots in unresolved issues stemming from World War II. 

Things I Like Less:

1.  Title Significance:  I felt I didn’t have a good grasp on the significance of the title until the last few pages, at which point it became clear to me.  I am concerned that the subtlety of the title’s significance causes the richness of the metaphor it creates to become lost.  I would appreciate a better building of the title’s significance throughout the text and I think there is plenty of room in which to do this through both Jacob’s and Joseph’s stories.

2.  Incompleteness of Joseph’s story:  Although we do find out more about Joseph’s story, I feel somewhat let down that we don’t learn more of Joseph’s story after his marriage.  This left me feeling incomplete, but perhaps that was intentional.

After having finished this novel, I find myself musing about the characters somewhat more than after finishing other novels.  I keep asking myself, “what if…” and “what about…,” questions which I cannot find answers for.  I keep wanting a happier ending for Jacob, and for Joseph, too.  However, Beckett gave Joseph the happiest of endings he thought he could possibly receive and, while it was a fictional truth, Joseph found Truth in the homage rising from the contemptuous situation Jacob was placed in. 

Although filled with a lot of traditionally historical dates and places, at the heart of the story—both men’s stories—is the quest for the truth, and it is this heart of the story that compels me to rank this book among my favorites in historical fiction dealing with World War II. 

 Source:

Beckett, Lucy.  The Falling of Leaves.  San Francisco:  Ignatius Press, 2014.  eBook.

The Best, Greatest, Newest is...Boring??

You've seen or heard it, I'm sure, but have you noticed it?  Everyone is talking about or promoting the "best," the "most," the "newest," the "craziest," etc., often using different phrases to communicate the same idea.   We seem to have a never-ending desire to one-up.  Our collective quest for the next "-est" consumes a lot of our conscious time, but it simultaneously is limiting the richness of our lives.

What do I mean by this?

Like so many other things in our lives, this is a little bit complicated.

These superlatives—words indicating the "highest quality," "supreme," or "extreme" of something—abound in our day-to-day language, both verbal and written.  They're so ubiquitous, in fact, that we don't notice how often we hear or use these words.  It's kind of like Californians’ use of the word "like":  to Californians, it's not noticeable at all, just part of how we talk, while to those from outside the Golden State, it's obnoxious.

Because these words have become so overused, we've developed new words and phrases to help us one-up the old superlatives.  So, we now have phrases like "to the fullest" or "to the extreme" or "so amazing" or "just fabulous."  The problem isn't with the words themselves.  They, like all other words in our language, have an appropriate time and place for use.  The problem that I have noticed is that people are using these words when they can't think of anything more profound or interesting to say.  We say things like "I like to live life to the fullest" instead of something like "I like to savor every moment of the life I have been given, sucking  the juice of life from every fiber of everything I do" or "I like to live my life spending as much time with my family (or insert nature, friends, music--whatever) as I can so that I will build a life of meaningful memories" or some other fresher, more accurate, more meaningful phrase.  Part of this is that we live in a sound-bite culture in which we perceive brevity as more desirable; part of this also is that we are losing the richness of the intricate language we have developed.  As a result, our contemporary language has become cliché, and we, when we use these words without thinking more deeply about what it is we're saying, have become boring.

Further, when we seek only the best or most of something, we fail to acknowledge or appreciate the shades of gray created by those things that don't rise to the level of the best or most.  There are a lot of wonderful things going on that are not of the highest quality in the strictest of senses, but nonetheless provide enormous enjoyment, insight, and enrichment for many people.  Our appreciation of those goings-on should not be limited because they haven't risen to the level of best or most; we shouldn't ignore these events or people just because they don't rise to the level of best or most.  

What we identify as best or most is incredibly subjective anyway.  What I think is fantastic someone else (who may or may not have more knowledge or experience) may think is awful.  The criteria we use to distinguish the good from the bad is subjective, too, again often depending on experience or knowledge of the event, person, or object.  As a writer and as the daughter of an artist, I can recognize that there is a certain amount of objectivity we can use to assess or judge the merits of anything.  I can talk about diction, flow, story arc, characterization, and the artist can talk about composition, color choice, shading and lighting. Virtually anything we assess has fairly concrete, identifiable characteristics or hallmarks.  However, the ultimate goal of the written word and art and music and performance—indeed anything humans create—is the emotion and memories they evoke, the push and pull of feelings they provoke, the excitement they elicit, the insights they procure.  

I am not espousing an appreciation of mediocrity.  I am suggesting we become more discerning about what deserves the superlatives, what deserves our attention and applause, and what deserves better language than we have used to describe it.  Thoughtfulness is what I'm after.  Freshness of description is what I seek.  A renewed interest in the purposeful, meaningful use of our communication tools is what I want.

While I don't for one minute expect people to walk around in 2014 speaking to one another like Shakespeare or George Eliot or Charlotte Brontë or Charles Dickens (although that would be WONDERFUL), I would revel in originality of descriptive speech that is more appropriate and attuned to the discussions created by that language about the things we discuss or describe.  Clichés are initially interesting because we recognize them, but they are cliché because they are boring.  Let's not be boring; let's appreciate the whole gamut of possibilities and avoid—whenever possible—the one-up game.                                                            Illustration by Peter Schrenk

Source:  

"Plus ça Change? Not Quite." The Economist. The Economist Newspaper, 11 Aug. 2007. Web. 03 July 2014.

Book Review: Tobit's Dog by Michael Nicholas Richard

Book Review:  Tobit's Dog by Michael Nicholas Richard

Although I am familiar with writers such as Flannery O'Connor, whose work is infused with and informed by her Catholicism, but is not overtly Catholic, I was only moderately aware of a growing genre of writing for Catholic audiences by Catholic writers that is more overtly Catholic.  So, it has been an extremely happy opportunity to read and review Tobit's Dog by Michael Nicholas Richard for Ignatius Press.

Tobit's Dog parallels the biblical Book of Tobit, a book commonly excluded from non-Catholic Bibles as non-canonical. The Book of Tobit offers a parallel story of Sarah, a young woman whose fiancés each mysteriously die, labeling her a cursed woman, and Tobit's son Tobiah, who is sent to collect a debt owed to his father.  Catholics consider the Book of Tobit a precursor to the wisdom books, and support for the Church's teachings of the purity of marriage and the intercession of angels (809).

Set in the Jim-Crow south, Tobit's Dog chronicles the Messager family's experiences through the patriarch Tobit and his sole son Tobias as they attempt to seek justice for a brutally murdered boy from their community.  Okra, Tobit's rescued dog companion, accompanies both men as they do their parts in pursuing justice for Jamie.  Police corruption, domestic violence, homophobia, and racism provide the backdrop, which allows faith, hope, and love to ultimately transcend and lead to a modicum of justice for Jamie, but also for Tobias, Tobit, the deputy sheriff Del, and the mechanic Crafty.  

Things I Loved:

1.  Layering the ugliness in with the beauty of this world:  As Catholics, we know that the things of our earthly world are not ultimately worthwhile or lasting.  We know that our earthly world is neither fair, nor kind.  We know that justice often is skewed during our lifetimes. However, we also know that our God has given us beautiful, awe-inspiring moments in our lives. We know that the beautiful things are ways we can see God's presence.  We also know that the ugliness is evidence of man's sinfulness, our choices to turn our back on Him.  There are so many beautiful moments in this story and they are juxtaposed against a story of brutal degradation, and, like our real lives, these beautiful moments are invitations to see God's work in our lives not as a puppet-master, but as our loving Father providing a shoulder to lean on in the hard times.  Although we work hard to make our world better, we also must acknowledge that our world will never be perfect, and Richard's novel gets at the heart of this paradox.

2.  Unapologetically Catholic moments:  Discussions of the outward signs of our faith abound in this novel.  Holy water, incense, mass, Eucharist, burial of the dead, and angels are all integral components of the story. Emphasizing these outward signs is the understanding we Catholics have that we are imperfect in everything we do, but we persevere in our love for our God and, through Him, our love for our fellow man.  What I think is wonderful about this element is that these concepts are not fully explained in this text; it is not a teaching text after all but a novel.  However, if a non-Catholic reads this novel, he or she will become intrigued by the mention of these things, hopefully interested enough to ask questions and not rest in uninformed presumptions, to investigate further the beauty of our Catholic faith.  And, Catholics who read this novel will be reminded of the beautiful elements of our faith that we too often take for granted.

3.  Tobit's willingness to do the right thing:  From the beginning, when Tobit rescues Okra and his siblings from drowning, Tobit exhibits strength of character that is inspiring.  Tobit faces significant challenges--a crooked sheriff, blindness, persecution, and incarceration--and never opts for the easy way out.  Tobit's prayers remind us that God is not a wish granter, but we can rely on God to walk with us in our troubles.  This reminds me what I have always told my children:  the right thing to do is often the most difficult thing to do, and that is how you know it is the right thing to do.  Tobit's humanity shows through, too.  He is a man of faith, but he is also a man.  He wishes his blindness would go away; he wishes his son did not have to leave him; he wishes the white deputy sheriff had more backbone.  He doesn't doubt God's presence or justice; more correctly, he questions other men's actions.  Tobit's actions throughout the story are a constant reminder that "Thy will be done" even though he never once iterates that phrase.  

4.  Infusing of biblical narrative into contemporary fiction:  One of my favorite subgenres is novels that take on the stories of Biblical characters, especially lesser-known characters, and fill in their backstories or provide new perspectives on the events in their story.  Tobit's Dog reminds me of a class I took at CSUSM by Dr. Madeline Marshall (The Bible as Literature) for which I wrote a paper about the women "missing" in the narratives of the Bible. The women are mentioned, but we rarely hear directly from them, and I always want to know more about them.  Although Tobit's Dog does not attempt to retell the Biblical story of Tobit, Tobias, and Sarah, it does use those characters and elements of the Biblical story to create a new narrative infused with the model of the Book of Tobit.  Additionally, the nominal focus on Tobit’s dog (Okra) provides something for dog-loving America to connect with.  This all combines to create an interesting, engaging original narrative.

One Thing I Liked Less:

Not enough of the title character:  Okra is a wonderful character, but there is simply not enough of him in the story.  Perhaps it is my recent rereading of The Art of Racing in the Rain and my familiarity with Marley and Me that have led me to expect more from a dog in a story.  However, Okra is a great character, but his role is too limited.  I would have loved to see more of Okra as an agent of action, especially given that he is the title character, but perhaps that would be imposing an element of “untruth” that Richard did not want to play with.  True, there is an element of realism in Okra as he is, and there is a beautiful homage to Okra at the end when Tobias reminisces that Okra's eyes were always a reminder of his father's (Tobit's, but also God the heavenly father) presence.  I can’t help but feel that developing Okra's presence in the novel more throughout the text would have reinforced and enriched a beautiful message.

Tobit’s Dog is a moving look at how a man’s faith sustains him.  Tobit’s Dog reminds us that in an era of blatant racism, there are those who ignore the social customs and pursue decency in spite of the repercussions.  Tobit’s Dog also shows that a just man’s involvement is justified in helping to see that a young boy’s cruelly motivated murder.  Despite the sadness surrounding the story, there is an incredible light that emanates from the story, and this truly does imitate many of our own personal stories, making this novel a very good read.

Sources:

Richard, Michael Nicholas.  Tobit's Dog.  San Francisco:  Ignatius Press, 2014.  eBook.
Tobit.  New American Bible.  Revised Version.  United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Ed.  Harper Collins Publishers, 2012.  eBook. 

Book Review: The Dead Shall Not Rest by Tessa Harris

Book Review:  The Dead Shall Not Rest by Tessa Harris

Historical fiction is one of my absolutely favorite genres of literature, and Tessa Harris does not disappoint in this novel set in pre-industrial, pre-American Revolution London.  Harris fictionalizes the life and death of Charles Byrne, an 8-foot-plus giant from Ireland juxtaposed against the dwarf Count Josef Boruwlaski and mixes in classical composer Josef Haydn and burgeoning anatomist Dr. John Hunter in a tale of justice and duplicity.

This novel surprised me in its tender treatment of Charles and Emily's developing and selfless love played against the backdrop of the brutal and uncaring nature of grave robbery and anatomical butchery in the name of the advancement of science for physicians.

The novel's gruesome exploration of what we now take for granted in the field of medicine is a stark reminder of what it took for medical scientists to accumulate the healing knowledge we now enjoy in the 21st century.  As with so many emerging scientific understandings, the journey is paved with pain, suffering, sacrifice, and sometimes even insanity.

Things I Loved:
1.  This is book one of a series:  I am overjoyed to find a new series to explore.  Dr. Silkstone, the grounded anatomist from the uppity Colonies, serves as a trustworthy protagonist with a sense of ethics not shared by most of his anatomist peers.  This initial book in the series sets  Dr. Silkstone up against some formidable adversaries that he is not even aware exist yet and whets my appetite for more of his discoveries.

2.  Tenderness vs. Tawdriness:  Harris understands the difficult balance many people struggle to attain between their baser natures and their self-control.  The ugly side of London reveals itself in many of the lesser characters, but also in the presumed nobility who, as history has shown us time and time again, bear that distinction in title only as their actions are often anything but noble.

3.  Boldness:  Harris is a bold storyteller, not shying away from the brutality of the anatomist's professional discipline and not making apologies for the profession's methods.  The procurement and the treatment of corpses is an unpleasant yet necessary part of the now-respectable trade of the physician.  Harris breaks open the underbelly of this profession and shows us how, like Dr. Frankenstein, even those with good intent can go too far in their pursuits.

4.  Background information:  Learning about the castrati and reaffirming the duality of the barber-surgeon provided me with a learning opportunity.  Man's attempts to modify the body to meet certain aesthetics is nothing new, but it always astounds me the roads we are willing to travel in the name of art.

Things I Liked Less:
1.  Charles Byrnes's end:  Without giving too much away (I truly hate spoilers!), the end that befalls Charles Byrne is heartbreaking, especially in light of his devotion to justice and his friends' efforts to secure him. However, Harris's narration of this final scene is exquisitely nightmarish, not a scene I will forget in the near future.

2.  Lady Lydia's desperate actions:  I'm eternally frustrated by a seemingly strong woman who gives in to weakness.  Although her plight is representative of the plight of many women from whom autonomy was unmercifully stripped, I wanted her to be stronger, to fight the bastards who hunt her like a delicious quarry.

For those who love realistic historical fiction,  Harris does not disappoint.  For those who love series comprised of novels that could be stand-alones, the Dr. Silkstone mysteries does not disappoint.  I am thankful for this find.  Although I cringe at the brutal truth Harris reveals, I am nonetheless hooked .

"I'm not gonna lie..."

This post is going to sound a bit like a "those darned kids" or a "when I was a kid..." rant, and I apologize up front for that unfortunate situation, but I also embrace the fact that said rant represents where I am at this point in the semester.  So, commence rant...

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
― Benjamin Franklin

When I was a college student (which really isn't that long ago), I would never have entertained even a casual thought to show up to a class unprepared.  Okay, maybe that's not entirely true.  Perhaps a handful of times I showed up to a class without having fully read an assignment, but I always (yes, always!) read enough of the assignment or skimmed it enough that I had a working relationship with and understanding of the assigned content I was expected to prepare.  I made an attempt and a good faith attempt at that. 

While I understand that time is tight for everyone, especially for working college students, I also recognize the concept of preparation contributing to respect:  my preparedness shows respect for my instructors, respect for the institution of higher learning, and mostly respect for myself.  After all, if I was spending my own hard-earned money to attend college classes, I should do whatever I could do to get the most out of it.  Why on earth would I sign up to torture myself with lectures, homework, assignments, and tuition with an academic challenge if I didn't fully intend to make the most of it?  Though this question seems rhetorical, it warrants further scrutiny based on the lack of preparedness I encounter in my classes on what seems a daily basis.

Each semester I prepare a course calendar--a task that is decidedly challenging for my not-so-linear brain--listing the assignments (both written and reading) that I expect students to prepare prior to arriving in class.  I am incredibly sensitive to and mindful of not assigning "too much" for my students, most of whom I recognize are working adults and parents.  I carefully monitor the assignments to make sure the students and I are "on the same page" about what is expected to be prepared for the next class.  And, since I primarily teach composition, it is important that students arrive to class with their writing assignments completed so that we can engage in workshop activities focused on improving their writing. 

However, approximately half (not an exaggeration here!) of my students consistently arrive to class unprepared and apologetic, claiming all of the usual excuses.  I've heard them all, and they're usually prefaced with "I'm not gonna lie..." 

Frankly, I wish they would lie.  And, frankly I wish I could channel the stern face of the legendary professors to ask students to leave the class until such time as they are able to attend fully prepared for the class.  Alas, my kindly, nurturing nature kicks in and asks why the assignment isn't prepared.  I allow students to stay in class, but my reprimand remains at the level of reminding them about the calendar, about time management, and about the fact that they're not going to get as much from the class as they could if they had arrived prepared.  I provide these students encouragement and the handouts, and allow them to remain in class to engage in discussions and provide feedback to their peers. But, inevitably I find I am muttering to myself about the fact that I would never have had the gall to ... catching myself before I let the muttering become audible and I sound like the crazy old woman pushing a shopping cart.  And, also inevitably, I find myself bracing for the questions about (non-existent) extra credit I am now fielding at the end of the semester.

“If you believe you can accomplish everything by 'cramming' at the eleventh hour, by all means, don't lift a finger now. But you may think twice about beginning to build your ark once it has already started raining”
― Max Brooks, The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead

There is definitely a different work ethic at play here.  I don't count myself among the most diligent and studious of students, but I respected the educational process and my role in it.  I recognized that I was not going to pass my classes because the instructor "liked" me (as one student once accused/insulted me) but because I exhibited the skills and knowledge the classes I took required.  I acknowledged that I was only going to get out of the class valuable skills and knowledge commensurate with the effort I expended.  I trusted that if a professor was asking me to do something, there was a sound academic reason behind it.  I knew that if I wanted to grow, it was going to require me to be uncomfortable, to leave my comfort zone and push my limits.  In short, I believed in the process and value of edcuation. 

I think some of the shift in work ethic is a direct result of a loss of belief:  Many students no longer believe in the educational process as worthwhile or as an authentic experience, but see it instead as another chore, another labor devoid of real meaning that they must check off from their to-do lists.  Many students no longer believe in pursuing the greater goals of education, goals like developing empathy and meaningful self-awareness and discovering purpose.  Many students no longer believe in the mystery of edcuation, awaiting that a-ha! moment when things start to become clear, only to become more murky again as they encounter new concepts.  Many students have not developed and do not believe they need to develop the soft skills of time management and prioritization that allow them to engage fully in their education.  Many students no longer believe in delayed gratification, that hard work is worth it in the end. 

To be sure, this is not an indictment of all students; I have the distinct pleasure and honor of having at least one or two students who still believe, but I'm not gonna lie...I wish there were more.

Sources:


Brooks, Max.  "Quotes about Preparation."  N.p.: n.p., n.d.  Goodreads.  Web.  13 May 2014.
Franklin, Benjamin.  "Quotes about Preparedness."  N.p.: n.p, n.d.  Goodreads.  Web.  13 May 2014.

Book Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

BOOK REVIEW:  The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

After putting it off for years, I have finally read this delightful YA novel by Mark Haddon and must confess I LOVE THIS STORY!  Having assigned it as a novel option for a literature circles project, I needed to read it.  Beside that, though, it has come highly recommended by colleagues and by friends who have or work with children with autism.

Mark Haddon's Christopher Boone is a delightful character, one I will not forget anytime soon and for a variety of reasons.

Three Things I Love:
1.  Christopher Boone:  What an interesting, multi-dimensional character!  Since I'm a fan of The Big Bang Theory, I could not help but see elements of Sheldon Cooper's character as he might have been when he was a young boy (aside from the fact Sheldon is from Texas while Christopher resides in England).  Insightful, self-aware (even though not other-aware) and stubborn, Christopher stole my heart from the moment he held Wellington to his chest to comfort both himself and Wellington.

2.  Insights into some of what life is like for a child with autism:  Although the autism spectrum is broad and children (and adults) with autism have a wide range of challenges, Haddon beautifully masters Christopher's descriptions of his experiences of life and living with other people.  The voice of this 15-year-old boy is at once filled with childlike innocence and adult cynicism, making for an interestingly complex character description.

3.  Human spirit:  Haddon infuses Christopher with the kind of determination many can relate to and Christopher's unique sense of right and wrong underlies every choice he makes.  His determination not to lie, but to "get to the bottom" of the mysteries people are shielding him from infuses me with the understanding that some people cannot be held back, no matter the obstacles they encounter.  Further, Christopher's determination to take his Maths Level A exams is truly endearing.

Three Things I Dislike:
1.  The title:  Although I understand why the book is titled as it is, I don't think the title fully encapsulates the richness of this book.  In fact, the title alone is one of the reasons I avoided reading the book for so long; it just didn't pique my interest!

2.  The "other people" in the story:  Almost everyone Christopher encounters in his story are just jerks!  Even the ones who know Christopher is "special" are great big jerks to him.  With the exception of Siobhan, Christopher's teacher, even his parents are jerks.  While I'm at least willing to cut his parents some slack, as dealing with Christopher's issues I'm sure can be an exhausting endeavor, the neighbors and strangers are just rude, self-centered, impatient jerks.

3.  Deceit:  It's a great plot strategy to have Christopher uncover the various lies that have been constructed by those closest to him in an effort to protect him, but I side with Christopher in his abhorrence of lies.  Deceit and duplicity are cruel, and, no matter how well-meaning, the truth is always the best course of action.

Overall, I really enjoyed Haddon's novel.  Christopher's quirkiness will linger with me for quite some time.  I strongly recommend this novel to those with children or those working with children with autism.  I also recommend this novel for those who like an original, interesting, authentic voice in a narrator.

Entertain Me...

Every once in a while, one of my students utters a thought that makes me shudder.  Today I had such a moment.

In an argumentative essay addressing the perils or perks of television, this student profoundly (or at least he thought so) proclaimed that "entertainment is what we live for in life" and that "life is incomplete without television." 

Hmmmmm....

After my first incredulous cringe, I reread the phrases--and cringed again.  Is that what we have really become--a nation of fools whose only reason for being is to be titillated, to be thrilled, to be entertained? Forgive me, but it sounds as though we are aspiring to be Jordan Belfort, of recent Wolf of Wall Street fame, reveling in as much debauchery as we can command, narcissistically thinking of only ourselves, only of what we can take.

If entertainment is what we live for, it would explain an awful  lot, though.  For example, it would explain why the entire world was enraptured with the birth of celebrity babies with bizarre names rather than the efforts of Malala Yousafzai, a young Pakistani woman shot in the head for trying to bring education to all people of her homeland.  This preoccupation with being amused would elucidate why the multitude of inane and absurd reality television shows continue to proliferate despite the fact that they serve only to show people at their worst moments.  It would also illuminate our desire to take beautiful, meaningful, life-enhancing narratives and turn them into sensory eye candy by stripping the narratives of the very parts that make them beautiful, meaningful, and life-enhancing and replacing them with explosions, blood, and gratuitous skin.


This fixation on being entertained has dulled our senses to the beauty--and real sorrows--that this world has to offer from which we can learn more about what it means to live a human existence.  Our ability to have empathy is tragically dwindling, reducing us to slavering chucklebunnies immune to the real substance of our existence--our ability to connect with one another, to learn patience, love, and compassion, to develop the qualities that bring out the best in us, not allow us to sink in the mire.

My essay's sentences would be so very different.  Yet, these are the honest thoughts of a young person who has pondered an essay topic for at least three weeks, discussing, rethinking, challenging, exploring.  Alas, this was not my essay to write.  However, if it were, I would enlist as support a wise American writer/poet/philosopher:  

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Where did we go so wrong?

BOOK REVIEW: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

BOOK REVIEW:  Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

This is the seventh book of Clare's work I have read so far, having read first the Mortal Instruments series (up through the fifth installment).  I am so glad I read the Mortal Instruments series first because, although I was lukewarm about Clockwork Angel, I absolutely love Clockwork Prince.  It's going to be hard to complete the "dislike" list, so I will make a slight adjustment to the lists's title.

Three Things I Love:
1.  Setting = London:  I'm an admitted Anglophile and am drawn to any novel set in London, and Victorian London is even better.  The soot and dust covered streets and buildings, the hovels and destitute of Whitechapel, the grandeur of the churches and Parliament buildings calls to me through these stories and creates in me a longing to return to London and really explore.

2.  Richly constructed characters:  I wasn't sure I was going to even like Tessa in Clockwork Angel; however, she has turned into an independent, well-rounded character with integrity and honor despite those who attempt to lure her away or trick her.  In contrast, I loved Will Herondale from the first moment he was introduced in Clockwork Angel and he does not disappoint in Clockwork Prince.  He's a tortured soul, self-sacrificing and complex, rich in irony and conflict.  Equally endearing are Jem (the demon-venom addicted co-protagonist--I can't bring myself to call him a minor character or even a sidekick--who provides a really nice foil for Will, but at the same time refuses to shrink into the shadows) and Charlotte (the independent, no-nonsense mother figure).

3.  Plot nuggets:  Clare makes excellent use of the plot development of planting seeds that promise to germinate, grow, and blossom throughout the Infernal Devices series.  Despite the fact that some of these seem a bit obvious (i.e., ascendancy and demon pox--haha!), I have an inkling that some of the more subtle (and not-so-subtle) plot elements will also take root and flower into amazing creations.  Tessa's origins, for example, is intriguing, keeping not only the reader, but the characters guessing.  It makes for not only entertaining but fascinating reading.  More, please...

Three Things I Loved Less:
1.  Will's "trick":  I don't want to give too much away, but this "trick" was really obvious.  This plot point was frustrating because of being so obvious and took so long to resolve.  That being said, it was also a necessary part of the story, so I don't "dislike" it...I just loved it less.

2.  Cecily:  I have an icky feeling that Cecily is going to turn out to be an evil character, somewhat akin to Nate.  I'm hoping I'm wrong, but her introduction into the story struck me as ominous and her appearance at the end caused my hackles to rise.  I'd hate to see Will further tortured...

3.  Jessamine:  Okay, part of me likes Jessamine and understands where she is coming from.  She doesn't want the life her parents ran away from...she wants a "simpler" life...but honestly, she's a dingbat!  She doesn't trust, she doesn't think, and she's an entitled, self-righteous brat.  She has elements that make her less annoying, too, though, like when she bought Tessa new clothing in Clockwork Angel and when she...no...she's just annoying!

Overall, Clare has won me over with Clockwork Prince.  I'm going to get Clockwork Princess today!  I need to see how Jem and Tessa and Will and Charlotte and Henry continue.

"I Didn't Mean It Like That..."

Browsing interesting articles is a primary benefit of having Internet access.  Even better is when, instead of browsing myself (often due to a lack of "free time" to do so), I have friends and colleagues who come across worthwhile texts and then share them on Facebook, where I happily can quickly find them at a convenient moment.

Twice in the past month (or so), I have come across articles about microaggressions, a term coined in the 1970s to describe intentionally or unintentionally inflicted phrases, behaviors, or other insults or humiliations directed usually toward people of color.  This definition has grown over the last several decades to include insults aimed at gender and sexual orientation and has garnered increasing attention lately because of the subtleties of the offenses.   However, the effects of this behavior exhibit ignorance at best and blatant -isms at worst.

The most  recent article showcases the experiences of students at Oxford University.  Although I cannot recall the first article I read about this current cultural phenomenon, I am struck by the audacity exhibited in these similar articles, which consist of numerous students of color holding dry erase boards exhibiting messages they have been the recipients of during their educational experiences at top-notch universities.

At first glance, the messages may seem benign, harmless little verbal indiscretions.  However, comments like "But...what is your African name?" and "Is that your real hair?" or "You do know they accepted you because you're black" say more about the speaker than about the recipient.  Such comments exhibit something truly more derisive, divisive, and harmful than a complete disregard for and lack of awareness of the dignity of the person. These comments, often uttered under the guise of feigned innocence, exhibit the thoughtlessness with which many people go through their lives, a shallowness all too often excused by caveats like "I didn't mean it like that" or "It was just a joke."

The term microaggression is telling, too.  Those on the receiving end of these acts of stupidity (for that is what they truly are) feel attacked, belittled, insulted.  And, they have started and joined campaigns to increase awareness of these behaviors arising from ignorant attitudes in forums like The Microaggressions Project.

So, if it isn't already obvious, what do I make of this?  Mostly, I am disappointed and even angered that there still exists an incredible amount of stupidity mascarading as ignorance, which in turn breeds intolerance and excuses.  Are people really still so naive as to think that what they say to others isn't important anymore? (A rhetorical question, but I guess the answer is apparently "yes.")  Although actions speak louder than words, it is also true that what we say is in itself an action.  Additionally, our actions (and words) DO have implications and consequences. What ever happened to the Golden Rule?  What ever happened to "speaking the truth in love"?  Thoughtlessness ought not be tolerated any more than stupidity should...and my closest friends and family know how I feel about stupidity.

SOURCE:

Edds, Robin. "65 Students of Color Share Their Experiences of Life at Oxford University."BuzzFeed. BuzzFeed, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2014.

Book Review: The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde

Book Review:  The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde

I have read two other Jasper Fforde novels, both from his Thursday Next series. Although I liked those books and found Fforde's wit endearing and unique, I honestly think I prefer the Nursery Crime series better.  Fforde has a wonderful wickedness in how he uses nursery rhymes in this series, and his main character, Jack Spratt, is both endearing and principled in contrast to other characters who are cynical and power-hungry as he attempts to solve the apparent murder of Humpty Dumpty.  With lots of unanticipated plot twists and complications, the story was enjoyable, silly and inane at times, but clever and exceptional.

Three Things I Liked:
1.  Absurdity:  I heard Fforde's writing described as absurd and even more than in the Thursday Next series, this is true of this Nursery Crime novel.  In fact, toward the end, as the various plot complications resolve, I found myself giggling at his absurd sense of humor and crazy logic.  The logic of the story is in itself remarkable at times, and downright bizarre, but actually works in a way one could only expect of a nursery rhyme crime drama.

2.  Chapter epigraphs in the form of press releases:  The epigraphs that introduce each chapter actually provide interesting back stories for the events transpiring in the course of the novel.  This is an interesting narrative technique as it doesn't make the story run away on a tangent, but provides important insights.  They add to the absurdity of the story at times and most importantly provide interesting commentary on society's infatuation with the drama of the famous and infamous.

3.  Transformation of flat, stock characters into round, multidimensional characters:  Mary Mary (of the Quite Contrary rhyme) and Jack Spratt are transformed from one-dimensional characters in this novel, which includes other unlikely characters as Prometheus of Greek myth fame, the depressed, womanizing Humpty Dumpty, the insomniac Wee Willie Winkie, and the murderous Tom Thomm (the piper's son). Although some of these characters don't undergo dramatic transformation, most have a seedier side in Fforde's imagination and they become more than they appear in their nursery rhymes (and myths).

Three Things I Liked Less:
1.  Incredulity of some plot complications:  Some of Fforde's plot complications seemed unnecessary and even inane at times, but I think this might be in keeping with the absurdity he was striving for.  Without any spoilers, did that really need to happen to Humpty?  Couldn't it just have been a bullet???

2.  Aliens??:  Yes, one of the minor characters is an alien from another planet.   Seemed gratuitous and unnecessary to me, but what do I know?

3.  Backhanded charges against Jack Spratt of "racism":  Jack Spratt is constantly accused of racism by his peers and the media jury who keeps trying to hang him out to dry.  It seemed at times the newspaper media were as duplicitous as the antagonist, but I'm hoping to retain an open mind for when I delve into the next Nursery Crime novel in the series.

Overall, I enjoyed The Big Over Easy and as I was looking for a quick read at the time, this one fit the bill for me.  I am really interested in the next novels as I'm genuinely interested in what happens to Mary Mary and Jack Spratt as they continue to fight Nursery Rhyme Crime and the corrupt police force that is beholden to the media (yes, complete social commentary here) for their "success."  Despite the absurd approach, Fforde seems to have something scathing to say about the criminal justice system and society's infatuation with the infamous.

SOURCE:
Fforde, Jasper.  The Big Over Easy:  A Nursery Crime.  New York:  Viking, 2005.  Print.

Perfection

I've been inundated lately with my composition students asking me how to do some writing task or some aspect of the general process of writing to perfection:

"How do I write the perfect thesis?" 

"How can I write a perfect essay?"

"How do I read with perfect understanding?"

Part of me is amused by these questions, while another part of me is perplexed, and yet another part of me is saddened that they believe any human endeavor can result in perfection.

My amusement stems from the naïve impression many have that they MUST be perfect, that they MUST achieve perfection, that their participation in one class is going to cause them to no longer have any flaws in their thinking or writing.  This part of me chuckles each time I hear the questions they ask with frustrated desperation.  I once had an instructor tell our art history class that because Michaelangelo himself was not perfect (as she invoked the example of the "out-of-proportion" hands on his David sculpture), no one in the class could earn an A, which implied perfection.  Sheesh!  I'm not that looney!  To me, an A does not signify perfection; it signifies a level of excellence has been achieved--excellence, not perfection--and that is to be commended.

“Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it.”  ― Salvador Dalí

Another part of me is mystified that young people think that perfection is even possible.  I try to explain to them that perfection is nonexistent, especially in writing, because our thought process is not perfect, i.e., "entirely without any flaws, defects or shortcomings" as per Dictionary.com.  The key word here is entirely, and while we can strive for perfection in our thoughts and in our writing, it is not an achievable goal.  Realistically, we can hope to lay claim to a spectrum of effectiveness in our thinking and writing.  This is in part because we often don't have all of the possible information; we are not all-knowing.  It is also in part because we tend to be ego-centered, happily planted in our own little sphere of knowledge and experiences. 

“If you look for perfection, you'll never be content.”  ― Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

Then there is the other part of me that is saddened.  I am dismayed that as a society we have somehow told a generation of young people that they must achieve perfection or that they are not worthy of our notice.  I am troubled that we have a generation of young people who clearly believe that our humanness is capable of perfection.  I am even frustrated that, somehow, we forgot to tell our youth that humans are a constant work-in-progress, which implies imperfection.  This all doesn't mean that we can't reach for that pinnacle; it just means we shouldn't set ourselves up for so lofty a goal that it stifles our ability to even TRY.

“I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business.”   ― Michael J. Fox

Not coincidentally, a young lady this evening approached me and said she was on the verge of a panic attack because she had an assignment due and had been unable to complete it because she was anxious that it wouldn't be perfect...after some coaching, I believe she is rethinking her position about perfection.  At least, I hope so.

SOURCES:
"Perfect." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. n.d.  Web.  12 Feb. 2014.

"Quotes about Perfection." Goodreads. Goodreads, Inc., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014.

Keeping the Plates Spinning

Some time late last year, I came across a pin in Pinterest that got my attention in a way that made me truly pause and reflect on what I am up to on a daily basis.

Often, people ask me "How are you?" and I reply "Really busy, but good."  The truth is that I am really busy, and I believe the things I am busy with are worthwhile, empowering, and for the greater good--or I wouldn't bother with them.  But, on reflecting on the Pinterest pin, I realized that busy for busyness's sake may not doing anybody any good.  

The pin arose from a blog written by Melissa Ramos, an acupuncturist and nutritionist, published in The Huffington Post on November 19, 2013.  The post was titled, "Let's Stop the Glorification of Busy" and this was, not coincidentally, the verbiage of the Pinterest pin I encountered.  Ramos's point is that we cannot continue to lead truly fulfilling lives if we are so busy with incessant minutiae that we fail to live our lives in significant and important ways.  

The Pinterest pin also reminded me of a tongue-in-cheek comment my mother made several years ago about ensuring she had so many projects to do so that she couldn't die until she had completed them all.  I laughed at the time mom made the comment, but have found myself adopting this philosophy (again, somewhat tongue-in-cheek) to justify the myriad projects I embroil myself in. 

I often lament that I need about 36 hours in each day to accomplish all that I need to do.  I remember, somewhat awestruck, the period of my life when I survived for six months on three hours of sleep every night due to an over-committed schedule while I finished my student teaching and credential.  I chastise myself for missing appointments I "forgot" that I really ended up missing because I couldn't make my schedule mesh the way I needed it to.

The truth is that I feel the need to be busy so much that I find myself feeling a bit lost and confused when I don't have "enough" to do.  I almost crave a hectic schedule.  When I'm all "caught up," I wander around wondering which of my remaining projects I should start on and find it difficult to make a decision about which project to tackle next.  So, I find myself over-scheduling yet again so I can have the pressure of the impending deadline to comfort me.  And, I do really good work under that pressure.  

Is this over-scheduling exhausting?  Yes.  Do I sometimes wish I could unwind?  Of course.  Are parts of my life suffering from my busyness?  Maybe...  Do I really need to change anything?  Um...not sure.  Do I find fulfillment in the projects I engage?  ABSOLUTELY--why else would I do this to myself?  

I'm not really sure that being busy is a bad thing, but the Pinterest pin nags at the back of my mind anyway. This is good because that nagging has allowed me to begin to do some things just to recharge my spirit and reconnect with the reasons I commit myself to the projects I do.  The truth is that I have become, like many 21st century moms, a really good plate spinner.  

An Old Dog Learning New Tricks

Nothing makes me feel more like that "old dog" trying to learn new tricks than trying to learn to play the guitar.

Don't misunderstand me:  I LOVE music and LOVE trying new things and LOVE my patient, wonderfully understanding and talented teacher.  And, learning to play the guitar has always been on my list of things I want to accomplish.  However, I don't pick things up as easily as I once used to and I lack the free time learning to play properly requires.

As a former violinist (12 years classical training and one season with the San Diego Youth Symphony) and as a writing instructor, I appreciate the discipline required to achieve proficiency in any complex skill.  And I appreciate the dedication to practice this endeavor also requires.  I cringe when I come to the end of each week realizing that I was only able to practice one time for 30 minutes.  Or, even worse, not at all.

With that being said, I have been learning to play Kansas's "Dust in the Wind" for over a year now.  It's coming along, but I fear that it will never sound as good as the original one does--I'm too slow and not as agile as I'd like to think I should be.  However, at the slower tempo I play it, it doesn't sound bad and is even recognizable.  I'm elated at my ability to muddle through the entire song and have actually memorized it.  (It's a really long song, especially played at my slower speed!)  I've even managed to learn how to play a simple version of Carrie Underwood's "Two Black Cadillacs" with some level of proficiency.

With all of this said, I'm astounded at the rapid learning rate my two youngest children have in learning to play bass and guitar.  My daughter has mastered more songs much more quickly than I have and is even attempting some crazy bar chords that I don't think I could ever get the hang of.  And, my son has blasted through learning about seven songs on his bass guitar--he's getting good!  I love their fearlessness and that they embrace the learning curve.  Even when things get tough, they don't quit.  And, even though I have to nag them to remember to practice, they are getting better and running circles around my learning curve.

I'm not jealous of their successes...but I do think I'm a bit envious of their youth and agility and the attitude that they can conquer anything, things that seem to have been beaten down in me lately.  I do still believe in myself, but with middle age creeping up on me, I'm sometimes more aware of the time behind me than the time ahead of me.  I believe in being a lifelong learner and--darn it--if it takes the rest of my life, I promise to myself I will learn to play proficiently songs that make me happy and provide a level of peace to my harried life.

Maybe I need someone to nag me...

Moving from Consumer to Producer

I've been contemplating a lot lately how much of a consumer I am, especially a consumer of books, TV and movie media.  In truth, some of this introspection renders me a happy, happy mama as I dread what my state of mind would be without my books!  However, I am also concerned and disappointed at times in my own “need to be entertained.”   

I don’t just want to talk a good game about what good writing looks like; I desperately want to be a producer, not just a consumer, a desire that has become more pressing over roughly the last five years.  But, I want what I produce to be “quality,” something worth the time others will spend consuming and perhaps something that will inspire the next consumer-turned-producer. 

With this in mind, I am thrilled that my best friend and I are finally embarking on a project we have talked about doing for some years now. We have finally scheduled—in pen—time once a week to get together to write.  We will be focusing on writing songs for the time being, but I imagine this will branch out—as creative projects often do—into other genres.  Our first meeting was a wonderfully messy attempt to focus our creative energies and come up with a plan.  This all strikes me as laughably ironic:  planning a creative endeavor seems akin to choreographing a tornado. 

In any event, we not only planned some, we created some, too, and it is through the simple result—that we penned at least ¾ of a halfway promising song—that I find contentment.  As we find our rhythm, as we find and blend our voices and visions, beautiful and messy things will happen.  

Making Lemonade

It's not always easy to put on a smile when life becomes sour.

A recent situation my eldest son faced this week made this lesson very clear to us.  It's difficult, even under the best of circumstances, to remain consistently optimistic, and when you're 22 and trying to take huge steps into the uncharted waters of adulthood, it's natural to become apprehensive.  However, when life just kicks you straight in the teeth, what then?

The first, most natural response, of course, is to become angry.  He's angry, my husband is angry, I'm angry. But anger doesn't get you very far.  In fact, anger is often counterproductive.  But, it's a real, visceral response to betrayal, especially when you've been wronged and can do nothing about the situation except let it happen. The result is a feeling of powerlessness.

Letting go of the anger, now that's powerful.  In letting go of the anger, you actually take control of the situation because, while you can't control the situation itself, you can control how you respond to the situation. You cease being acted upon and become the agent of action.  You are no longer the victim, but emerge from the situation wiser, perhaps a little more cautious, and certainly better prepared to make lemonade the next time life hands you a bushel of lemons.

But, try telling that to a 22-year-old.

Book Review: Intermezzo by Melinda Morgan

Book Review:  Intermezzo by Melinda Morgan

Intermezzo, the second installment of the Birthright Legacy, picks up where Etude left off, with Beth Arrington inhabiting the body of Eleanor Hastings during the Civil War period.  Without giving too much away, as Beth awaits her return to her own time period and body, we learn some of the backstory about the Intruders and Bailey, as well as Jonathan and Grace.

This book is interesting also in that while it is a YA novel, there is an element of sophistication that was less present in Etude.  This is, of course, not to say that YA novels cannot be and are not sophisticated.  In fact, most of the better YA novels carry a level of sophistication that allows them to appeal to a much wider audience than those intended, and it is in this realm that I would also place Intermezzo.

Three Things I Like:
1.  Two characters in one:  One of the things I found hugely interesting is the juxtaposition of Beth's 21st century voice against the expectations of Eleanor's 19th century cultural refinement.  Beth is constantly aware that she is interfering with Eleanor's life, and the fact that these two women coexist in the same body is an interesting feature of the story.  How they communicate with one another and with those around them provides some intense and often comical moments.

2.  Reinterpretation of story:  As with Etude, I enjoy the reinvention and reinterpretation of story, specifically the Biblical Adam and Eve story.  I don't want to give too much away.  Although it takes a while to get there, Intermezzo picks up where Etude left off with this reinterpretation and it is one of the more attractive features (for me) of the story.

3.  Complex relationships:  The relationships between Eleanor and her father, Eleanor and her mother, and  Eleanor and Beth are real.  They exhibit the intensity and muddiness of all relationships that are real.  Father's drawings and "secret" past and Mother's reticence were beautifully handled and crafted parts of the story.

Three Things I Liked Less:
1.  Beth seems a bit whiny:  In Intermezzo Beth comes across as a bit whiny about not being able to be with Jonathan.  True, she is stuck in a seemingly impossible and implausible situation and has little hope of being able to right it all by herself.  However, I would have liked more "conversations" with Eleanor and fewer pouts.

2.  Delay of Bailey's entrance:  Bailey is hinted at a few times throughout most of the book, but when he finally makes his grand entrance, I was thoroughly excited.  This part of the novel was dark and murky and sinister; I loved every minute of it and wanted more.  Is Bailey the Grey Ghost?  Is Bailey more of a factor in the war itself?  What happened to the people from the camp?  I felt like this was such a rich part of the book and truly was anxiety-provoking--in a really wonderful way--and I wanted more of it and I wanted it earlier.

3.  The third book is not yet finished!  There were so many nuggets dropped for the last novel that I feel like I'm clawing at the end of the rope--What's the deal with Jonathan's brother?  What happens when Beth returns to the 21st century?  What's Bailey's ultimate goal?  When's the next one coming???

All in all, I recommend Intermezzo to YA readers young and old. I'm anxiously awaiting the third installment, wondering what's in store for Beth and Jonathan.  Come on, Mindy:  I need the finale!

Source:
Morgan, Melinda.  Intermezzo.  Ogden:  WindRiver Publishing, 2013.  Print.

Who Needs New Year's Resolutions?

“For last year's words belong to last year's language And next year's words await another voice.” ― T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets 

As 2013 came to an altogether-too-rapid end, I blinked...and it became 2014.  Customary or not, I am not in the habit of setting resolutions for myself, although I all too well recognize the need to redouble my efforts at health and fitness goals (among many other goals) that have escaped me.

I do, however, really like the idea of long-range planning, and so it was with a lot of optimism that three years ago I met the 101 in 1001 list.  

This project is known as the Day Zero Project.  Here is a blurb copied from their website:

The Challenge:  Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days [2 years and eight-ish months].

The Criteria:  Tasks must be specific (i.e., no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined.  Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (i.e., represent some amount of work on your part).

Source:  Green, Michael.  Day Zero Project.  1 Aug. 2012.  Web.  2 January 2014. Day Zero Project

I admired my friend/colleague Colette’s list three years ago; this year, I revisit my mediocre first attempt and rise to the challenge renewed and refocused.  I started with the same baseline of Colette’s initial list from three years ago and adjusted/revised/edited according to my life and goals.  Colette had a great list on which to build.  

In reviewing my initial list, I was disheartened to realize I let so many good, solid goals slip away from me; or rather, I let the three years slip away from me without accomplishing the things I wanted to do.  This year, I am reviewing that list and thinking, "So, are these things I really, truly want to accomplish?  Or, are they just things that sound nice, in-a-perfect-world type things to think about?"  I want my list to be meaningful to me.  I want my list to be a challenge, but a reachable one.  I want my list to help me develop in the directions I truly want to grow in.  

But, despite my optimism, some part of me is also a realist.  I don't for even one minute think that a simple list is going to really help me grow.  I know that growth and development is going to have to come from me, from the seed of desire, the moment of realizing I have not become what I know I can become.  I feel that seed trying to sprout; in truth, I have always felt that seed trying to sprout, and I want to pull the weeds that are preventing it from sprouting like I know it can and will.  

So, who needs New Year's Resolutions?  Well, apparently I do.  I'm just going to approach it from a "lifestyle-change" point of view.