Imagine (a book review)

 

Our Bible study group is only half-way through Jennifer Rothschild's latest study (Heaven).  One of her early "Take-away Truths", however, shines brightly in its simplicity:  "Acknowledge life's brevity." 

I think we're all familiar with The Dash.  As you know, it represents what happens to someone between his/her date of birth and their date of death.

Rothschild reminds us, we're all living in the dashes.

  –

So, what does all this have to do with a book I recently called, "remarkable"?

I can't imagine either Rothschild or Nikki Erlick giving a moment's consideration to their books' similarities.  The messages, however, are pretty darn profound.   I'm no accomplished reviewer, so please bear with me.

Having grown bored by my usual genre of books, some time back I impulsively added The Measure to my library's most wanted list. In the months that followed, I totally forgot about it until an e-mail said, "Ready!" -- inviting me to download it to my Libby app.

What's odd?   In order for me to truly enjoy a book, I need to identify on some level with at least one of its characters.  Didn't happen.  Even the plot seemed implausible.

Nevertheless, I'd nothing better to do.  Plus, the author's writing -- neither mind-numbing highbrow or condescending -- sucked me right in.

Long before staying up until nearly 2AM to finish it, I began to note the similarities to "Heaven."   I totally agree with one reviewer who called it, "one of the most life-affirming, poignant, thought-provoking books I have ever read."  Despite the premise (where everyone discovers how long their life will be) it's really about how we want to live our lives; how we're all connected.

I'm usually reluctant to give out 5-stars, but think this book deserved it.  I've never done this before, but while waiting at the doctor's office, I went out on line and purchased my own copy so I can highlight and reabsorb certain parts.

The quote, "live like your string is short" will stay with me.

Tuesday thoughts

 

Strike up the band!
... it's a new day in the hood!

5 hours and 3 cups of coffee later, I'm struggling to rein my thoughts -- re. the new Remarkable book I just finished AND Bible study -- into something both meaningful and concise.
And coming up empty.
(How's that for a poor run-on sentence?)

Bits and pieces of thoughts feel like (what someone said) "a snow globe in the hands of a toddler."

How about I just share a few glimpses of life in and about central Alabama and see where this goes.

After several postponed dates, my son and DIL were able to meet us at Long Horn the other afternoon -- a joint celebration of Lois' and Tom's February birthdays.  For all the yakking, I totally failed to get pictures.   Nevertheless, Lois and I loved our salmon and "double broccoli", while the men enjoyed their beef.  (Real food for Real People!)   In spite of our intentions to treat, my sneaky son even picked up the tab.  How they spoil us old folk!

Later, Tom wanted to stop at Wal-Mart.  I'm like, "We don't need any more towels!" but bless his heart, he has a 'thing' for new kitchen towels.  Gotta pick my battles! 

 

What's is it about manufacturers' including a snow-white one in the middle.  Not once, but twice.  Am I the only one who, no matter what laundry detergent I use, is loathe to wipe my hands on that one?  Does anyone else keep a ratty old one at the ready?   Our kitchen may not be HGTV-ready, but it's lived in.

  

I was sore afraid I'd have to miss yesterday's study.  Amazingly, however, Tom's pain management appointment happened almost on time, allowing me to arrive at fellowship only 10 minutes late.  (Aside: some of you may recognize the sarcastic "only."  Like Terri, I've always subscribed to the theory, "If I'm on time, I'm late.")    After almost 7 years, I still have to pinch myself realizing what a sisterhood we share.  

So, tomorrow Tom turns 83!   We no longer celebrate birthdays in grand fashion, but I'm still waiting for him to tell me what he'd like to eat ... and where.   As long as it doesn't involve a certain fast-food establishment or driving after dark, I'm good.   I'd still like to find a bakery selling his fresh German chocolate cake.

This is the scratch version I made a few years ago.
One and done!

Meanwhile ...
there's rainbow peppers growing old in the crisper.  I'm going to saute the lot of them with yellow onion, chicken broth, Ro-tel and sausage and see what happens.

'Wishing y'all a blessed day!

 

Hugs, Myra

 

Thought for the day?

Mother Nature clearly can't pick a season and stick with it!

Nevertheless, we were fortunate to have dry sunny skies, for our visit to UAB.  All good news, and his cardiologist cleared the way for Tom to undergo hip replacement surgery -- if that's what he decides.

The new-to-me restaurant?  Oh friends, I'd such visions of a steaming bowl of French Onion soup.  In reality, neither of us was "in the mood" and all Tom wanted was a fast-food Whopper.  (I may have a trucker's appetite but draw the line at that particular establishment.)

Thank y'all so much for your condolences on our friends' loss!  Amazing how one little fellow touched so many hearts in his short life; their church building was full -- including several of his nurses who traveled from UAB. 

Thank goodness, I don't make a habit of attending funeral services, but like on Tuesday I'm reminded to tell my loved ones what I'd like ... more importantly, what I don't!  Have you?   (I don't share this to paint a doom-and-gloom scenario.  I always do my best to stay positive.)

🍲

So!  Unlike many who're "sooo done" with Olde Man Winter, I'm relishing what's probably the last few days' opportunity to bundle up and turn on the oven.   Ignore cosmetics; the burgeoning weed population, too.   I'm going to settle down with a good book.   For instance?  Blogger friend Victor's recently published "The Bitten Apple Connection" that prompted me to review: "Ever enjoyable; never predictable.  Our favorite protagonist, Father Ignatius once again takes us where angels fear to tread."

Perhaps it's the season -- but I'm cautiously optimistic my love of reading is slowly coming back around.

This image (from the web) and accompanying post I shared back in 2015.  Some dreams stay the same, y'all.   I still ...

..... Would love to own and operate my own indy bookstore.  Someplace where profits aren't as important as creating an atmosphere where people go to feel welcome. Cloistered.

... accessorized with comfy oversize wing chairs, where fireplaces sputter and a fresh pot of coffee's at the ready.  A gentleman's parlor with cognac, subtly vented to dispel smoke from their pipes.  (Sorry if I sound chauvinistic, but I think some traditions were better left 'as is.')

For example?  A comfort food cafe, where field greens -- and sushi -- are conspicuously absent.   Where servers' eyes reflect sincerity when they ask, "How are you?"

Oh, and where size 6's need not apply (lol).

Who'd like to join me?

☕

I hope you discover a bit of joy today.
I sure appreciate you stopping by!

(Those who watch what I write)

Hugs, Myra

Sunday evening

 

Outside?

Whew, y'all.  Last night was a pretty sobering experience.  Something I saw on FB this morning: "When the Weather Channel comes to town, it isn't good.  Ten minutes of terror and adrenaline."  Yep.

We've experienced a few rolling power outages today, but consider ourselves lucky.  Blessed.

Our Valentine's?

 

Our date entrees were disappointing, at best.  (No, we didn't say anything.)
Lesson learned.

Must admit, our earlier mood was shattered by a Prayer Warriors!!! call-out from Pastor Janet.  Samuel, the "church baby" (aka, miracle boy) inexplicably stopped breathing Friday morning.

Despite having spent the first 6 months of his life at Children's Birmingham, at 15 months Sammy was doing so good.  Kicking *** and taking names.

So here we sat at Olive Garden with tears streaming.  Tom kept saying, "It's not fair."

We'll no doubt attend Sammy's funeral on Tuesday; meanwhile I'm trying to think of something to prepare for our church's meal train.

If you're so inclined, please join me in prayer for my friends.

Speaking of Birmingham, we're taking the ride tomorrow for Tom's semi-annual echo and meet with his doctor.
Already I'm fretting -- not because of the check-up but because of the drive.  I don't know whatever happened to the Me who used to flit this way-and-that about the Country without so much as a GPS or cellular.  Such a whuss I've become!

Hopefully while there we'll feel up to visit a new-to-us restaurant.  I mean, Tom might feel so inclined.  It's not so lady-like, but I'm always hungry.  (*sigh*)

A final thought ...

Don't blink!

Wishing everyone of y'all a blessed new week!

Hugs, Myra

 

Random thoughts ❤️

 

Did anyone else watch the Super Bowl?  Against my better instincts, I watched to the bitter end. 

I thought this year's commercials were a 'tidge better than recent years, but nothing compared to the old blockbusters.
Have they changed, or have I?

If anyone's interested, you can watch the 2025 line-up on the web.  (Apologies for my link not working.) 

No surprise, Budweiser's Clydesdales were voted #1.
My laugh-out-loud moment was actually the WeatherTech girls.  (Watch here)

Road trip, anyone?   

Football games aside, these are my recent winners and losers.

Thumb's up?

Those heartwarming Publix spots!  Two thumbs up.
The "He Gets Us" one, too.

On days an Ozempic or Jardiance commercial airs?
100% forecast I'll sing along, word for word.
I can't help it, y'all ... it makes my mouth happy.

Thumb's down?

Like Linda says, I'm keeping it real.
Tied for last place?   

A certain insurance commercial featuring a "flightless bird" and Doug.

  

or,

The attractive young woman who, looking straight into the camera lens holds up a deodorant and confidently proclaims, "Not just my armpits stink."
(Ya, I practically spit out my coffee.) 

💝

For today?

Tom and I practically define the term "low-key" when it comes to Valentine's.  Nevertheless, I think we're going to Olive Garden for lunch and call it a 'date.'

Oh, I do appreciate those with Hallmark hearts.

For instance, this sentiment found in my grandmother's old jewelry box.

Postmarked 1911!

 

Do you have a special celebration planned tonight?

If not ....

Don't forget!  Come February 15, candy's 50% off and there's no wait at your favorite restaurant!

Hugs, Myra

L is for

 

G'morning from chilly, soggy Elmore County!

In a random act of domesticity, I worked in the kitchen most yesterday.  Now -- had Tom not asked if I had plans to buy a larger refrigerator -- I'm back in my happy place talking to y'all.   

Oh, I'd intentions to copy someone's 'Some Things' meme, but forgot who to credit.  (Mea culpa!)  Instead, 'L is for' what recently I've .....

Loved

Adams Drugs where, when they see me approach, smile and call me by name.
That still blows me away, because honestly I'm not that remarkable.

This little lady who just turned two months old!

 

Our new Bible study, Heaven, by Jennifer Rothschild.

More about that soon!

Learned that

Writing exercises (aka, lists of 100) are lots harder to compose at 70-something than in my 30's.  

What I thought would be a slam dunk ("Food I enjoy") only made it to 47.

Moving on ...

 ... to this, perhaps.

I'm not talking about the ear-worm from 1961 that's been occupying space in my head for 2 months now.

Rather, Songs I Love.

I'm optimistic that number can easily exceed 100.  If not, at least while I'm thinking about that, there's little room for fretting.

Let go of my

Joy Journal

Let's face it, friends, some days it's harder (if not impossible) to find joy.
One of these days I'll relax my expectations to put pen to paper every day ... but for now, it's going to sit in a dresser drawer alongside my 'unmentionables', where I'm not likely to forget.

Looking forward to

Our community's (g-rated) Mardi Gras festival on Saturday.
Quoting former Grand Marshall (and celebrated columnist) Sean Dietrich, "Millbrook, Alabama has been throwing a Mardi Gras parade for 18 years.  This celebration is no small affair. This is the largest Mardi Gras celebration north of the coast.  Southern Living wrote about this parade once and said, quote, "These people are nuts."

Here's a fun factoid to drop in conversation:
Did you know New Orleans is not the birthplace of Mardi Gras?  Nope, that honor belongs to our port city of Mobile.

From the city website:
"Mobile, Alabama is the birthplace of America's original Mardi Gras that originated in 1703.
We've been doing it ever since and we mark the annual occasion with 40 majestic parades, colorful floats

and flying Moon Pies.
Celebrate from February 14 to March 4!"

I'd cherish the opportunity to make room reservations, but that's not in the cards right now.

Instead I'll put out this little fellow

and (try to) let the good times roll!

As ever, thanks for making time to visit!

Hugs, Myra

Hodgepodgery!

 

Welcome back, friends!
... and thank you Joyce for this weekly exercise.  

Putting on what my momma called, "Your thinking cap"! 🤠

What area of your life feels like you're stuck in a Ground's Day loop, doing the same thing over and over?  Does it bother you, or is that just how life is in this particular season?

When I dreamed about retirement, I didn't envision so many doctors' visits, or limited mobility.  Nevertheless, like my friend says, "You gotta play the hand you're dealt."

Something that makes your heart skip a beat?

I don't know if this is what Joyce meant, but these are what immediately popped in my head --

Waiting for the doctor to come in with test results (nothing current, thank goodness)
and/or,
The first few moments when the plane I'm on takes off

Do you wear your heart on your sleeve or are you more of a closed book?

I used to be far more sensitive; my mother could always tell by the expression on my face.
.
Thankfully, two of my long-term workplaces (television and hospitality) compelled me to "put on a happy face" ... to feign being an extrovert.
Nowadays -- depending on the circumstances -- acting 'as if' pretty much comes naturally.

According to Prevention Magazine, these are 25 of the best foods for heart health:

Wild salmon, sardines, liver, walnuts, almonds, chia seeds, oatmeal, blueberries, coffee, red wine, green tea, soy milk, dark chocolate, raisins, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, whole grains, apples, oranges, grapefruit, avocado, avocado oil, olive oil.

Which 5 do you include in your diet most often?

Coffee, broccoli, walnuts, olive oil -- every day!
I'd like to say salmon, but I don't know how to prepare it and Long Horn's not exactly affordable 7 days a week. (lol)

Are there any foods on the list you simply cannot abide?

Liver, dark chocolate, raisins, oranges, sweet potatoes

P.S. - I've never tasted sardines, but I'd like to try!

What was the last piece of furniture you bought?  Is there a piece of furniture you need/want to purchase this year?

A few years ago on a visit to my favorite thrift shop I didn't know I needed this desk.
... and didn't even pause to ask Tom!
He's not a fan -- but unlike my coauthor Macie Ann (shown here), neither does he spend much time in here.

We certainly don't need it -- but I'd love to have something like this chair -- shown here in Max Lucado's study, "Before Amen."

This makes me want to sing , "All I want is a room somewhere ..... with one enormous chair, oh wouldn't it be lover-ly!"

Insert your own random thought here.

In her Sunday sermon, Pastor Janet shared this quote (that) I want to remember

Carpe diem, y'all!

Hugs, Myra