A Social Media Overhaul: Facebook

I've been thinking a lot lately about how I use social media. I've made some changes on Facebook, and so far, I'm pleased with the results. 

This isn't a judgement of how you use social media, and I'm not trying to send any hidden messages about individuals and their status with me. This is just what I've been doing and I share it with the sole hope that it might be useful. 

read more

Book Review: Global Mom

Global Mom, by Melissa Dalton-Bradford
Genre: Memoir
Audible Audiobook Narrated by the author
You might like this books if you like books on mothering, travel, life in other countries, or memoirs involving family life.

I listened to the audiobook read by the author.

This was a nice listen to a compelling story that, even though my life is has different challenges from the author's, was relatable to me. It was obvious that she loves words like I do. I don't always get my writing right, but I sure have fun with it, and I felt this author's absolute love of literature and language.

As for her "exciting" life abroad? Every family goes through changes, challenges and heartbreaks, and Mrs. Bradford handles her ups and downs in a down-to-earth yet mindful way. Beyond the layer of what a tourist sees in a foreign land, there is a population of humans living lives that are pretty much like most other human lives. If we haven't lived abroad, I think we tend to infuse life overseas with a movie-like dose of fantasy. The movies don't talk about the confusing grocery shopping, or the exhausted headache that comes at the end of a day of trying to speak a foreign language (I spent one summer in another land, so I know a little). I was glad about her appreciation of the local cultures where she found herself living. I loved that she learned the languages and honored the cultures. I could relate to her passionate mothering and her support of her husband's career. I liked that she found things to do for herself and made a life with personal meaning as she went along, rather than waiting for life to happen in some way. I was sad for her that she experienced depression, loneliness and other hard things. I love that she actively engaged in her surroundings and circumstances. If I'm to be influenced by this book, I would say that I get to do all those things too, and it might be easier for me since I live in the country of my birth. I don't have to copy her life or wish for her life.  I can make living in Suburban Washington DC as interesting as I want it to be.

It's brave to write a book, especially one that isn't made up, but instead is basically the opening up of your journal, your memories and your whole self. I put my personal stuff out there all the time on my blog, so I admire this author's willingness to share what she has experienced. I'm disinclined to criticize a memoir as much as I might fiction, because this is simply what is. Yes, she's lived a life that could induce comparison to my more ordinary-seeming life, but the fact is that she did the same everyday stuff that I do. A dirty diaper is a dirty diaper. Same with a struggling teenager or a car that needs repairs. Being in a foreign country doesn't make all that glamorous. In this book, she really just tells about how she made it all work as best she could. Like me.

Part of the story is centered around a deep and painful loss, after which she still had to keep breathing and moving and working.  I hope that if I ever got the chance to meet this author, that she would feel that I'm on her side. We should all be on each other's side, regardless of what might seem to separate us.

read more

Blueberries and Another Cougar in the House

Can't you just about taste them? Yesterday morning, just as the heat of the day was really rising, but before it was unbearable, my friend and I slowly made our way down her stunning rows of berry bushes, picking and talking, and then she gave all that she gathered to me. Together we picked about 6 quarts of this goodness! I cannot wait to eat some with my very own homemade yogurt. Later, I will put some in the freezer, and others will become a summery dessert or muffins or something.

I will smile again as I enjoy the unique almost-sweetness of blueberries and think of this friend. For years, with few easy chances to see each other and about 30 miles between our homes, the warm embers of friendship have quietly glowed, waiting, perhaps, for this very moment. Always there has been joy at our brief, infrequent reunions, always a sincere hug and a few moments spent catching up. As we've put effort into spending time together recently, we've reconnected more deeply and found timely support and company for the kinds of days we are both having. That matters, to have friends who understand.

After berry picking in the sun, I went home to find Evan catching up on the World Cup. He managed to not know who won on Sunday until he had a chance to watch the game. I love that when he wants to, he can shut off the constant stream of information that bombards him. It's hard to be young in this information-saturated world, and I liked that he decided to keep the Sabbath in the way that mattered to him and then enjoy the game on his own terms. In case you're wondering, he was happy for Germany, and proudly wore his German Fußball jersey the rest of the day, but he admires Lionel Messi and wished that talented Argentinian could have had a happier day.

After that, the two of us began our exploration of the BYU website and got him registered for classes and into a dorm room. He wasn't sure he would go out for school this fall, but instead might go straight out on his mission. In the last few days, he decided to change his own stars and go for Provo. To see him moving forward is a big deal, especially under his own power. He feels good about the plan, and has even received what he feels is a strong spiritual confirmation of his decision. As a parent, I would want nothing else for him but feeling certain about his decisions. It makes such a difference when, instead of feeling blind, you feel guided. A life of faith can do that for a kid (or an adult).

So today, I have blueberries to eat, flights and hotel rooms to arrange, and all of that. On top of a full day of work, both professional and personal. It's all good. Moving forward.

read more

Book Review: The Fault In Our Stars

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
Young Adult Fiction
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kate Rudd
You might like this book if you enjoy quirky romances, stories about teens in uncommon situations, or stories that engage the emotions as well as the intellect. You might also be interested if you liked the movie.

Okay, I have to admit that I really only heard about this book when I started hearing about the movie. There, I said it. But now I'm completely won over.

My favorite part about this book was not the story, though the story is lovely and unexpected yet predictable as soon as you understand what and whom it's about but, in spite of that fact, is completely engaging. It's about kids with cancer, but not in a sticky-sweet, rosy glow kind of way. Its about kids with cancer still living real lives and being mad and funny and brave and cowardly and sad and strong and normal, all at the same time.

It was not the characters, though each one was developed really well and I could imagine them walking and talking in the real world. There was grace and romance and care given to portraying how kids in this situation might truly feel, rather than just pasting teen faces on fake adult characters.

No, my favorite thing was the language and the pacing of the writing. Oh my word was this a wonderful book to listen to. I really want to get the book book so I can see the words and the punctuation and get the flow and word choices into my head in another way. I could see and feel the words telling the story while I listened and that hasn't happened for a while.

Yes, I love the way John Green uses his words. The combination of vocabulary, cadence and structure, well, it moves me. I have been struggling to listen to books lately, and I know it matters which books you listen to, but when I got into this one I realized I just need more words in my life. I need to read more, write more and listen more.  I listened to this almost in one day because I actually didn't want to stop listening.

I have missed words.

Thank you John Green for your beautiful, sad, happy story that reminded me.

read more

Book Review: Wonder

Wonder by RJ Palacio
Grades 3-7
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Diana Steele, Nick Podehl, Kate Rudd.
You might like this book if you enjoy stories about underdogs, people who must overcome challenges, or stories about dealing with disabilities.

My in-person, SSBC (Super Secret Book Club) chose this a couple of months ago and I finally just finished it. It's been a busy time for me.
In spite of how long it took me to listen, I loved it. 100%. Beautiful, touching, comfortingly predictable (it's a good story, I only say predictable because I really do want to believe in the core goodness of people), and well-imagined.

August, known as Augie,  is a boy who, because of a profound facial deformity, has never been to public school. This story tells about what it was like for him to finally go to middle school and have to live through the daily actions and reactions of those around him. The less-understood things we must face in life tend to bring out either the best or the worst in humanity, and this book covers both scenarios.

I think the author does a great job of creating the world of middle school and especially the thoughts and interactions of the young main characters. It's well-worth your time and probably would be a quick, easy read. It's only an 8-hour  audiobook.

Some in my book group were curious about my response because I have a disabled sister. She moves around earth in a wheelchair, and has since she was in her teens. I can't even attempt to say anything from her side of that life, but thinking about things from my side, with memories of watching her all these years, I found the book very touching and I did think of my sis. She is a wonder too. She inspires kindness and inclusion and I admire her greatly, just as you will August and the people closest to him.

read more

When I Become Unrecognizable

Disclaimer: This post will quite possibly read as self-centered and shallow. I know we all have problems, and I'm not writing about big ones here, but they matter to me. Feel free to skip it, but it's what I'm thinking about.

It's inevitable as we age for our appearance to change.

I am mentally aware of this fact. Seeing it unfold before my eyes and become viscerally real is sometimes a challenge.

read more