Monday, October 20, 2008

Suburban vs. Utility Pole

What do you think the outcome would be? I should have taken a picture. The pole smoked my Suburban. Would you believe that I never even saw the pole? It was in the middle of a parking lot. Kind of a dumb place for a utility pole. I must have hit it going 25 mph. Did you know airbags are packed in a powder that smells hideous. My children were scared enough after the crash, but then the billowing smoke from the airbags sent the screaming for the doors. Poor babies. Several of them have seat belt marks. Otherwise we are all fine.

Now I am driving a nice mini-van that is costing me about $25 a day. Fun.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Literary Adventure

Okay, so, I used to read. Tons. Mostly fiction, but once I became a parent I switched to non-fiction. (If I read fiction, I ignore everything and everyone until I finish the book.) But I haven't read anything new in ages. Oh sure, I've dug out my old copies of Pride and Prejudice and Little Women. In the last 6 months I think I've read the Ann of Green Gables series, most of Austen's novels, and Little Men. Last year I think I read the Harry Potter series at least 3 times, maybe more. I want to read something new. I have lots of books that I haven't read yet, both fiction and non-fiction. The fiction is mostly classics, but I have no desire to read them because they are full of anti-god or anti-social thinking. 19th century American lit is not exactly known for it's uplifting themes.

I went to the library Saturday and browsed the shelves. I had 20 minutes before they closed and it was very hard to pick out the 5 books that I did. A Beverly Lewis novel, a Thoene novel, a dairy-free cookbook, a history book about Alexander the Great, and What Your 4th Grader Needs to Know.

I'd like to start reading 1 book a week. I finished the Lewis novel, The Preacher's Daughter. It was okay. The story was good, but the writing was not that great. We need more modern Jane Austens. I flipped through the 4th grader book and was disappointed. It was less of a checklist and more of a lesson plan. Not what I was expecting. The cookbook looked good. I might find a gem or two in it to add to my repertoire.

I'd love some suggestions for good books. Any genre. Although I won't read fiction if it doesn't reflect Christian morality.