Persephowhat?

So for February, we are reading Seeking Persephone by Sarah Eden.  We will meet the First Thursday which is February 7th at 8pm at my house.  It's a cute little Love Story.  I already finished it and it's a cute one.  Nice, easy, sweet, cute~ What better story for this month!  Until then, Happy Reading.

time and time again

This last book nook meeting we read The Time Machine by Mitch Albom.  It was a nice short read about...Time.  In the beginning there was a man who measured time and he later became Father Time.  To save himself from this sentence that he created, he is to to save two people on earth who he will be guided to.  Basically that is the crux of the story.  But the sideline story of time held so much more interest to me.  Time, is there ever enough?  Or too much?  What do we do with our time?  To better serve this story I will give a few quotes from the book.

Dor: "There is a reason God limits our days"
Victor: "Why?"
Dor: "To make each one precious"

It is never too late or too soon, the old man had said, it is when it is supposed to be.

But you grab the moment or you let it pass.

Consider the word time.  We use so many phrases with it.  Pass time.  Waste time.  Kill time.  Lose time.  In good time.  About time.  Take your time.  Save time.  A long time.  Right on time.  Out of time.  Mind the time.  Be on time.  Spare time.  Keep time.  Stall for time.  There are many expressions with time as there are minutes in a day.  But once, there was no word for it at all.  Because no one was counting.  Then Dor began and everything changed.

So, overall, I think we liked it.  Not so much the story-that was a little weak.  However, the idea of what we do and how we value time was interesting to discuss.  Could you imagine life with no time keeping whatsoever?  Are you so busy that time passes you by?  Are you living or watching time fly by?  Is every minute measured?  How do you spend that time?

Anyhoo-that's us.  Until then, Happy Reading!

Time

Is there ever enough?  This month we are reading The Time Keeper by Mitch Album.  We will meet at my house at 8 on January 10th.  Until then, Happy Reading!

Christmas

Christmas has come and gone.   And now begins a new year.  But, the stories we shared this last book nook meeting have lingered with me.  The Spirit and Joy of Christmas can be a constant star, a guide in our lives throughout the New Year.  So here is a sampling of those sweet sweet stories.  Marie shared The Handkerchief from the December Ensign.  I love this.  A young daughter questioning her mother as to why a handkerchief was always given to the oldest daughter every year for Christmas. Wasn't that old fashioned-out of date?  But then the mother lets the story unfold. She a new mother to a family, tried to get by on what little they had and to provide a Christmas that would be meek and humble at best.  The parents both had jobs but paid little and the oldest daughter Ann went to work and saved her money for the boys.  She had skipped meals even to help save more money.  With Ann's help they were able to buy a little something for everyone in the family.  The mother had embroidered a handkerchief for Ann, and she loved it, but somehow it got thrown out in the Christmas wrappings.  Each year as a reminder of Ann's sacrifice and hard work the mother got her a new handkerchief.  Beautiful.  Brenda shared a story of The Christmas Oranges.  I love this too.  It's about a young girl Rose who was in an orphanage where the young children were treated fair and kind.  They didn't have much but they were loved.  Then, Ms. Hartley the woman who cares for the children dies and Rose is sent to a new orphanage.  There are many rules and it is very strict and sad and not as loving as her old home.  But, Rose makes friends and tries to learn her duties.  Christmas comes and a local man gives all the children a beloved orange for their treat.  Rose has never had one and the anticipation from the other children's description is almost too much.  She however loses the privilege of having one because she snuck out at night to see the Christmas tree.  Sent to her room on Christmas day, she is alone and sad, but the other children plot a beautiful surprise for her.  They all come back to the room after breakfast to share their joy of christmas oranges with Rose.  Pure delight.  Laura shared a story that I loved.  It is of a young girl and father who did not have much.  The young girl got a bright idea to use all the wrapping to wrap a gift for her father.  The anticipation brought her joy.  Her father not so much.  He wasn't happy that she used all the wrapping for one present.  Christmas came, she gave him the gift.  He opened it to find nothing.  He yelled at her.  Don't you know there is supposed to be something inside?  She broke down and said that she had filled the box with kisses she had blown into it and they were all for him.  He realized his mistake and begged for forgiveness. A short time later the little girl died in an accident.  The father had kept the box close by so when he felt discouraged he remember the love of his child.  Wonderful.  I shared a story about a woman who bought a dollhouse and didn't know why.  She was guided to do it, but she had no reason.  Kids grown and no family near by she didn't understand, but she knew she had to do it.  Husband and friends thought it peculiar also, but she got the giant dollhouse anyway.  She diligently searched for a family in need and nothing came up until she got a call about the house.  The dollhouse ended up going to a family of 5 girls who could use the Christmas cheer.  Sweet.  
I love these stories.  They were guided to my heart this season.