I failed to plan...

Day 6




I failed to plan for this week. Not about the blog.  Its about jury duty.  I had the paperwork and knew that I was supposed to be on call for the month of October.  but,  I just didn't think they would actually choose me.


many years ago and in another state I received the letter to come in for jury duty.  I was dismissed the first day.   and all these years have passed and I never got another letter.  Until recently.
I  just figured it would be like last time.  They wouldn't need me.  I'd lose a day get paid for one day and that would be that.  but,

instead,

I was chosen to sit on a jury....for a trial that might last a week or longer.  

I was so glad I took a book with me.  I mean, its nice to get acquainted with new people.  I was open for that.  but, during the down time a book is a must.

I didn't actually get to read that much.  but, I was really glad I had the book with me.  many people walked by and said to me...wish I had thought to bring a book.   funny.  because that is always the first thing I think.  take a book.  might have some time to read.

The book shown above is the one I took with me this morning.


oh and I took this one, too.


I went early this morning to get a good parking place and had time to read a few Psalms before I went inside the courthouse.

I'm always comforted when I read Psalms.




so, I'll take them again in the morning.   they won't let me bring my crochet.  my crochet hook might be dangerous.

books from my childhood

Reading has been my favorite thing since the third grade.  My teacher that year was named Mrs. Hamblen.   I loved her.  She was my all time favorite teacher.

During that school year my mom and dad got divorced.  My mom was a room mother that year and I don't really know how but, Mrs. Hamblen knew about the divorce.  there were many days I went to school feeling sad and confused.  Mrs. Hamblen always seemed to know.  Just a pat on my shoulder, sometimes a kind work,  once in a while a little hug.  She made my days better.




But, not only that.  She read stories out loud to us every day.  For half an hour after lunch every single day of school she read to us.  The very first book she read was Charlotte's Web.  Not only was Mrs. Hamblen a good teacher,  she could also read books using different voices.  All the characters in Charlotte's Web had a voice.  and we were riveted to our chairs as we waited to see what would happen to Wilber, Fern and Charlotte.  I loved that book.  As soon as we finished it in class, I went to the library at school and checked it out.  I took it home and read it every night after supper.







The second book she read to us was Little House on the Prairie.  That book absolutely captivated me.
As soon as she was finished, I went to the library again.  To my great astonishment I found there were more Little House Books.  I was so excited.  All the rest of the third grade I checked out each one of the Little House Books and read every single one of them.  I just couldn't believe my great fortune to find so many stories about Laura and Mary and even one about Almanzo.


I have  read the Little House series many many times.   About every 3rd year I read the whole series all the way through from start to finish.

Later when I had my first child I knew I wanted to read  those same books to her.  From the time she was four years old we read together every night.   Later when we had three more children, I read them again.  Homeschooling involved reading aloud every night.  We have read many more books, but these are my favorites from childhood.  Now my children love them too.   My husband has never read  any of these books.   But, on many nights when I read to the children,  he sat in his comfy chair, pretending to work on something.......I knew he was listening.  Not only was he listening, he began to ask questions.  What happens after.....   I told him he would have to wait til we got to that book.

I wonder if I would have been such a book lover even if Mrs. Hamblen, had not been my teacher.
I think I probably would have....I just can't imagine my life without books. But, just the same
here is a little shout out to Mrs. Hamblen, and all those fabulous teacher out there who inspire us.

I read a book just last week.....

        


Last week I read a book I really liked.  Its called the Wednesday Sisters.  I heard about this book from another blog.  Its been on my list for a while. Anyway, I read it in about three days.  a couple of hours a day.

The setting is California in the late sixties and early seventies.  The main character tells the story of moving to California and making friends with some of the ladies she meets at the park, while her children are playing.   They are very different in many ways, but they find they all have the desire to write.  they begin to write and each week they get together at the park and read each others work.

Over a four year period, many things happen.  they talk about current events, families, and so much more.  Eventually some begin to have their writing published.

This book is written by Meg Waite Clayton.   I remember this time period as a preteen, and enjoyed reading about some of the current events during the story, because I really remember them happening....like    the first moon landing in 1969.

There was plenty of conflict and good friendships were made that lasted many years.
The book was believable and fun to read.


I would like to read more from this Author.

Favorite time of day

my favorite time of day

is

after the dishes are done.

everything quiets down.

I head for the shower.

then feeling all clean and comfy

I go to bed

 to 

READ

I go to bed early

because I want the time to read.

I can read at other times of

the day.

but, over the years as we have been busy with homeschooling

there is always the chance of having to stop reading and do something else.

so the best time has been bedtime.

when the kids were younger I would

have them all tucked into bed.

then the house would be quiet.

if the weather is cold I might take a hot cup of tea or coffee to

bed with me.

once in a while, i might have a secret stash of chocolate

or caramels.

I might take a piece of fruit with me.

in summer the sheets are cool and the ceiling fan

whirs quietly blowing an extra breeze.

in winter I have some soft cuddly blankets to wrap up

and keep warm.

sometimes I am right in the middle of a book

that is so interesting I have

been thinking about it all day.

sometimes, I have a stack of school books

to review and decide which

I want to use.

there may be a stack of craft  books or

recipe books to look through.

to admire the colorful pictures.

once in a while there is a memoir

or a historical biography.

I like to keep up with the books young people are into.

I love to see what is new for younger children.  

I read biographies,  fiction, christian works of all kinds.

there is nearly always a tall stack of books waiting for me at the end of the day.




on my nightstand right now..

they are waiting for me.

little bits

just stuff

Since I'm always curious about the people I read

about,  I decided to share a bit about me.

I'm a daughter, wife, mother,  Jesus follower.

I love books, crafts, cooking and

homeschooling my kids.

I love flowers and plants,

bird watching,

and the color RED

since I also always wonder about 

how old some of the people are

I'm just going to say it outright.

I'm 57 years old.

I've been married to the same man for 39 years.

that makes me sound old.  

but inside I feel young.

I have four kids.

one grown and on her own for a while.

two boys in college.  

one lives on campus. 

one lives at home.

and one daughter still homeschooling

in her Sr. year.

I've loved homeschooling so much.

I'm going to miss it when she is finished.

I love books.

I read all the time.

I carry a book when I go out just in case.

I talk about the books I've read.

a lot.

I have kept long lists of books that I have

used for homeschooling.  

If someone asks me for ideas for homeschooling

I just look at my lists.

If someone wants a good fiction book, 

I look at my lists.

I know my librarian by first name.

One of my sons works part time

in a public library.

so, 

because he knows I love to read,

he brings me more books.

this makes me happy.

I read a large variety of books.  Some I can recommend,

some I can't. 

I like to know whats new, what the young people are reading.

what is new in Kids literature. 

I love to read books that have or will be made into movies.

then I watch the movie.

one of the things we have done in homeschooling is to read

a  book and then watch the movie.  then we talk and compare and

decide which was better.  and why

as I talk about these books,

I might include some spoilers.  

I'm letting you know ahead of time,

and now

one of my favorite photos.

from my library.