Tag Archives: winter

More Winter Than We Need

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“There seems to be so much more winter than we need this year.”
–  Kathleen Norris

I agree, Kathleen.

Especially today.

As the headline yesterday said, “Blizzard To Pummel State”.  

Well, the pummeling has commenced.

What’s keeping me sane during this Groundhog’s Day snowstorm?

“I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad.”

Today I will shut my shades, sip my coffee, and share some of the things that are saving me right now.

IMG_1987My own little corner in my own little room.

This is where I go to find out what I’m thinking.

I never really know for sure until I pick up a pencil and start writing.

IMG_1988My bullet journal/planner extraordinaire.

New in February: rainbow colors!

IMG_1985Raspberries and blueberries on my cereal.

I can close my eyes and taste summer.

IMG_1990Extra time for reading, studying, and writing on a snowy day.

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.” 1 Timothy 1:17

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Waking up to this cutie every morning.

There’s nothing like the sound of her little voice calling, “Opa! Nonnie!”

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Listening to the “What Should I Read Next?” podcast on my hand-me-down iPod.

And Sandra McCracken’s “Psalms”.

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This is Mark.  Mark the Bookmark. His feet stick out the top of the book I’m reading.

He makes me smile.

I tried to find more Marks to give as Christmas gifts, but not one could be found in the United States of America.

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I saved the best for last.

These guys. Half a dozen grands. How I love these six little people.

They are wild and sweet and irresistible.

These are a few of my favorite things.

Is it still snowing?

Winter Blahs

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snowmanThis is the hard part of winter for me.  Happy Winter starts right after Thanksgiving and stays happy all the way through New Years.  Then Blah Winter moves in.  It’s dreary, cloudy, cold, and snowy.  I need some strategies for staying happy during Blah Winter (that don’t include a tropical island).

My mom used to say that February wasn’t good for anything except for reading a good book.  She would break her usual busy routine in February and spend a few afternoons on the couch with a novel.

I’m more of a non-fiction girl myself.  Almost all the books on my shelves and Kindle are Christian Living/Spiritual Growth/Memoire/Theology.  Maybe it’s because I’ve read a few poorly written novels that fiction doesn’t excite me.  I’m ready to change all that.  February isn’t good for much of anything except for reading a good novel, that’s what I say.

But I need help.  I want a big book with hundreds of pages.  I want beautiful writing that makes me copy parts in my journal.  I want a story that’s compelling, uplifting and inspiring.  I want characters that are so real I think about them all day.  I want to be so swept up that I stay awake past 9:00 p.m. for one more chapter.  I want to cry.  And laugh. I don’t care if it is on the current best seller list, or if it was written a century or two ago.  I don’t want fluff,  predictable storylines or shallow characters.  I don’t want a lot of sex and violence and vulgar language.

I want to remember February 2015 as the month I read a great story.

Am I asking too much?  Is my dream novel out there somewhere?  Help me please!  I’m asking for suggestions!