Sunday, February 18, 2018

The Alphabet Ends With Y

Last night I finished the last book written by my favorite author, Sue Grafton.  If you are not familiar with her books, Sue was the author of the alphabet series featuring private investigator Kinsey Millhone in the fictional city of Santa Teresa, California. Beginning with her first book, "A is for Alibi", Sue captured my interest for a variety of reasons.  First, her main character was a woman in what some considered "a man's occupation".  Second, It was written in a style that gave the reader insight into what the suspect, secondary characters and most importantly into what the main character were thinking and feeling in every situation.  Third, justice is served in the end but not always in the ways we are used to in reading novels such as these.  She also made her main character, Kinsey Malone, not only a knowledgeable, capable private investigator but one with quirks (her peanut butter and pickle sandwiches), emotions (that range from intense anger to fear and sorrow) and self-doubt.

After 2 years of battling cancer, Sue Grafton lost the fight this past December.  Her daughter announced that no ghostwriter could do justice to her mother's work so the alphabet will end with Y.

From the beginning, I have always looked forward to when the next book in her series would come out and it saddens me to think there will be no more after Y.  I think I will just start at A once more and read the series again.  To me, that is the legacy of an excellent author...that their books are read again and again and again.

Thursday, February 15, 2018

February 14, 2018

Thoughts and Prayers To All The Victims of The Mass School Shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida

Monday, February 12, 2018

What Is Your Life Verse?

A “life verse” is a verse, or even a small passage of Scripture, that speaks to your heart directly. It’s one of those verses that you feel was written just for you and jumps off the page whenever you read it.

This is my life verse.  No matter what the circumstances, good or bad, I find myself always going to it.  It gives me comfort, strength, and courage to face anything life throws at me.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me; you restore my strength. You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name. Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage. You set a table before me as my enemies watch; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Only good ness and love will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. Psalm 23:1-6

What is your life verse?

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Lent 2018





On Ash Wednesday I will begin a project that I have done for the past 2 years as my Lenten alms giving.  My project is that I downsize.  Each day during Lent, I clean out a closet, a shelf, a chest, etc. and put an item in a bag/box with the goal being to donate all those items to the St. Vincent de Paul organization after Easter.  This has been a very meaningful way for me to give to others as well as downsize things I have that I don't need or want anymore.  This project has also inspired my husband to do the same downsizing with many of his things.  We also fill a box with non-perishable food items for the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry.

To some, downsizing may not seem like a sacrifice that compares to the one Jesus made for us.  ButI don't believe that Jesus looks at it like that...keeping a running tally on who is sacrificing enough.  I believe that He wants us to acknowledge that part of our life that could use some housecleaning to make room for Him to fill our spirits completely.  A Lenten sacrifice is an individual decision.  Each of us knows what we need to do to make ready for His Resurrection.  Remember Jesus words,  “whatever you did for the least of these, my brothers, you did for Me” (Matt 25:40).

Let us each ask ourselves, "How did I make room for Jesus this Lenten season?"

Friday, February 9, 2018

A Song Out Of The Blue

Have you ever found that for some reason a song has been running thru your head?  You're not sure when it appeared or why but it's there and you find yourself humming it, singing it and just rattling around in the ol brainbox a lot.  Well, that's happened to me this month.  I suddenly found myself humming,singing and just thinking about an old Burt Bacharach song, "What the World Needs Now is Love".  I am not sure why it suddenly came to me.  It could be because it's February and everything is about love or it could be because I am watching the news and everything seems not to be about love.  I don't know but I do know that it seems very appropriate for right now.

What songs come into your head and why do you think they appear?