bits of sunshine

what is in my book stack

In the stack:

The Teenage Brain by Frances E. Jensen, MD

I am slogging through this one.  I read an excerpt from it that resonated with me, so I ordered it.  I am about halfway through it.  And I am determined to finish it.

Best take-aways so far are a reminder of how much sleep teens need and an explanation why and the concept that teens need non-judgmental reminders a lot.  Like loads of non-judgmental reminders.  And we parents need to remember that when our teens forget something, it isn't out of spite or disrespect.  It is that they simply forgot.  (More on this in another post.  Because I am learning.  And because our interactions matter.  So. Much.)  

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

I have not watched the movie yet, but want to.  And when I found this book at The Last Book Store, I purchased it, and will read it before I see the movie.    

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

Found on the free book shelf in our community college library.  It sounds like it might be a lovely read.  I will let you know!

The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

Go find this one and read it!  I loved this book so much!  Just a touch of magic woven through the weaving together of the characters' lives.  I read this in just a few days.  (I also found this book at The Last Book Store.)

Us Against You by Frederik Backman  (And not pictured, Beartown by Frederik Backman)

These two stories are so real and raw and poignant.  I borrowed Beartown from my friend Shanna and read it in just a few days, and then Shanna sent Us Against You to my house, so I could read the next part of the story.  I love the way F. Backman writes.  I feel like I am reading my own thoughts.  

Excerpt:  All adults have days when we feel completely drained.  When we no longer know quite what we spend so much time fighting for, when reality and everyday worries overwhelm us and we wonder how much longer we're going to be able to carry on.  The wonderful thing is,that we can all live through far more days like that without breaking than we think. 

He addresses the hard parts of life and the beautiful parts of life and weaves truth into story.  I'm a big fan.  

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Have you read any of these?  If you have, what did you think?

Any other recommendations for my book stack?
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This post was inspired by Erin and her book stacks - find her blog at imaginarybookstack.com

 

writing

this morning, i wrote a note to a friend in minnesota:  it is already 7:30 at your house . . .6:30 at mine, and dark, and freezing rain outside - freezing rain that i just drove through to drop isaac at driver's ed.  now, i'm sipping some coffee and bumping about home, about to get ready for the day.  i hope your thursday has lots and lots of wonderful moments in it.  

later this morning, i wrote a note to my youngest brother.  it is his thirty-second birthday today.  32 seems like a long time ago to me!  he has some full and busy and amazing years ahead of him.  eight years ago . . . i went on a little wander in my mind . . . maddie was eight years old, isaac had just turned seven.  we were home together most days - doing homeschool and babysitting some tiny kiddos and playing outside and building with legos and reading together - making so many memories.  but there was also an undercurrent of so much being so hard.  in the last eight years, oh the places we've been and gone, oh the things we've done and accomplished, oh the tears we've cried and the laughter that has bubbled over, oh how fiercely we have loved and lived.  for my little brother, i hope for so. much. good in his relationships and his work, in his heart and his mind, for this year and in the next eight.  

i wrote a few paragraphs in my journal.

i wrote a letter and some emails for projects that i am currently working on.

and, now, this bit of a blog post.  

go gently, love fiercely, and be wonderful, my friends. 

love,e

12.20.19

sometimes you have to stick up for yourself.  don't let that person put you down over and over again.  point out what it is they do or say.  and then tell them what you expect in the future.  clear is kind.  unclear is unkind.  and you deserve clarity.  go with strength; speak with clarity; be wonderful.  

12.16.19

breathe - so many times in a day i remind myself to breathe.

when i step outside - breathe deep - and feel-taste the air.  lately, it has been breathes of cool, damp air.

when i have been sitting for a while - working at my computer - a deep breath - filling my lungs all the way to the bottom.

when i am standing up to stretch - breathing deep into all my muscles.

when i think about the list of work to-dos and meetings this week - a breath to remind myself that even though the calendar is full, i can take a moment to breathe, to drink coffee, to look out the window, to walk the long way, to connect with people.

when i take a moment to read some thoughts about advent, about christmas, about joy and light - a deep breath to invite the merry and bright, the good news into the core of my being.  

when i count gratitudes - a deep breath - gratitude for breath and life and health.

when i wish that i could spend days during this season with some far-away family and friends - a deep breath to remind myself that i will send my love, i will make the phone calls, i will text the pictures, i will connect in the ways that i can this year.  

when i am with ben and maddie and isaac - a breath to remind myself to savor the moments, to mark the goodness and make memories.

and when i lie down at night, a deep breath to settle in, to invite rest. 

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here's to deep breaths and joy and merry and bright, my friends.

go gently, love fiercely, and be wonderful.

love, e

12.11.19

nourish - 3 lists

nourish myself
a walk
sweet potatoes (all ways – baked, roasted, mashed, cubed, fried, etc)
music (listened to, played, or sung)
writing and reading (good words)
sleep and rest (enough of each)

nourish others
homemade cookies (or apple pie bars)
coffee or tea or hot chocolate
listening ear
kind words
providing for rest

nourish as a concept
care for
hold up – support (with encouragement)
nudging (gently) (sometimes shoving)
sharing food and water (giving nutrients)
edify (joyful encouragement)

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i just gave myself 15 minutes to sit with this word, this idea, this way of being - nourish -

i hope that you, my friend, will give yourself 15 minutes to take some deep breaths and think or just rest. 

also - this post is full of ideas for rest and nourishment in this season of busy days.

go gently, love fiercely, and be wonderful.

love, e

12.10.19

peace - this morning - in my office 
christmas music playing
heater humming
knowing our days are held in His hands
knowing that His peace passes all understanding
reminding myself to breathe peace all through myself – no matter what today may bring

12.5.19

tonight, remembering the feeling of room temperature fluid running cold into my arm through an iv.  feeling so very grateful that that was long ago, that i am home, in my own house, that i get to sleep in my own bed.  praying peace and healing for my friends who are in hospital beds, who don’t know when next they will sleep in their own beds.  
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i will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone O Lord make me to dwell in safety  ..... psalm 4:8

12.4.19

gifts today: 

kyla not being able to wait to give me my christmas gift - beautiful earrings from girl ran away with the spoon

a few extra minutes to sit in my backyard in the sun in the fresh air

a coffee meeting with a co-worker who is also a friend 

all four pattens doing the grocery shopping together

conversation that helped isaac and ben and i understand each other better 

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listing #justfivethings with michelle 

12.3.19

Sometimes you need to sit lonely on the floor in a quiet room in order to hear your own voice and not let it drown in the noise of others.~ Charlotte Eriksson ~

some days are like that.  time to sit on the floor.  with moments for quiet, for alone. 

and sometimes i sit in the living room, on the couch, while my family sits at the table, my son making crazy music - sort of a hum, sort of a trumpet, sort of an elk call . . .my daughter laughing and laughing . . . my husband tying flies and finding his own quiet in the midst of the joyful cacophony of teenage music and talking and laughing and riotous story telling.  

yesterday, i took about ten minutes for myself, in the sunlight, in my backyard, just me.  breathing and feeling the warmth through my jacket, sitting quietly and listing gratitudes.  

today, i did not take time for listing.  but i did take time for tea with a lovely girl.  and i took time to sit at the table and eat supper with my husband.  and i am writing this post, here on the couch, with my family bumping all around me. 

tomorrow, i will look for some moments to take for myself, for quiet, just a few.  

 

 

12.2.19

violets bloom in east-facing windows, and only when they feel at home.  so far, so good on staying awhile.  the violets and i agree we should stay awhile, and then longer still.  

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{in the spirit of the _habit_ posts i used to love on flickr} {one image with 32 words or less}