Category Archives: Thinking

Book crazy (or just plain crazy?)

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19

It’s a new year, a good time to start a new habit. (Once again, I’m bringing oodles of originality to the blogosphere. Wow.)

For those of you unfamiliar with my ways, let me confess to you…

I have a fondness for fiction books. No, fondness isn’t the right word. All-consuming passion is much better. I love reading a good page-turner, I crave good plot like fine chocolate. I must have it; life wouldn’t be the same without literary fiction.

Once I’m drawn into an imaginary world, I don’t leave easily. My real life during that time? I admit it suffers. Cleaning, cooking, all domestic responsibilities – I do the minimal. All home education activities, I do, yet I long to escape into my book, and I hurry the kiddos along, Not good for teaching long division. Interactions with Doc? Also not helped by book lust.

To get myself disciplined in this area, I’ve devised a simple plan.

Monday through Thursday: no fiction books. Since I have no control, and wife/mommy duties are viewed as a hindrance to my reading, I’m banning myself from fiction early in the week. (Books like To Kill a Mockingbird, read in only three days, or A Kite Runner. If memory serves me right, I read that in less than 24 hours. See why I need a schedule?)

A non-fiction doesn’t hold the same mesmerizing power, so it’s permitted. The Bible, obviously, I should be reading everyday. Anything that could begin with “Once upon a time…” is a NO.

Friday through Sunday will be reserved for fiction. I’m giving myself permission to let the kids run naked in the streets because I’m behind on laundry, serve cereal for dinner because I forgot the defrost dinner due to my reading, and basically ignore the world around me. All so I can indulge my love for great fiction. I could seriously read one book a weekend this way, all without feeling like I should’ve done something more productive.

I think it’s a good plan. I do well with routine and as long as I don’t start a new book late on a Sunday night, I should be able to do this.

Do you do need to limit your book reading time or are you more disciplined than I?

Don’t let this bank fail: New Jersey food bank hungry for help

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The statewide Community FoodBank of New Jersey is not a bank we can afford to let fail those that need its assistance. I’m going to get out of the way and let the numbers speak for themselves:

One out of every five New Jersey families does not earn enough to afford the basic necessities – housing, food and child care – although 85 percent of these households have at least one family member who is working.

In New Jersey alone, an estimated 250,000 new clients will be seeking sustenance this year from the state’s food banks

At the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) requests for food have gone up 30 percent, but donations are down by 25 percent.

Warehouse shelves that are typically stocked with food are bare and supplies have gotten so low that, for the first time in its 25 year history, the food bank is developing a rationing mechanism.

Today over 100 New Jersey bloggers pledged to write about the need of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. For more information, or to make a donation, follow this link here. For a list of other blogs participating go here. (All statistics from CFBNJ.)

Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison… ?

How will the Lord reply to you?

I don’t recall praying to practice patience

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12

It’s funny how kids wreck your idea of how things should be.

Two of my children this weekend impressed me with their sudden grown-up like behavior. Another is still young enough to be considered In-Training Mode.

And the last one, old enough to know what is expected?

Disrespectful. Disobedient.

My reaction?

Anger. Frustration. Embarrassment.

And I know what the real problem is… my pride.

I worry how I look in public.

I hate looking like a bad mom.

I despise not having it all together, undone by a Little Person in my own tribe.

Am I the only mother who needs to let go of the idea of perfection and control?

I suspect I’m not.

Related posts:

Be afraid

Dreaming freedom