New friends

One of my new friends is a wonderful author who Keegan introduced me to last Spring. I love it when people share great books with me.

While I have read several of her books (Ok more like 15 now), it is the books about the Old Testament kings which has impacted me the most. Have you ever read the stories about David and his descendants and all those kings? For me, they are hard to keep track of, and to orient the other people in them. Just who were they?

Lynn Austin takes a large chunk of that history and turns it into 5 novels. Much of the stories are completely ficitonal, with much true history woven in, and it becomes a fuller and more memorable set of stories to me.

Besides which, she writes well, and has a worldview which is solid and beautiful.

Stealing Home by Allison Pittman is an interesting tale of living against the tide of tradition, existing under (and fighting against) blame, regret and excuses. It is fiction, set in the great days of baseball in the early days of the 20th century. The plot revolves around four main characters, a baseball star in need of peace and quiet, a woman scorned by her small town and living in isolation among them, a negro boy who works doing odd jobs but whom is practically invisible because of his status, and a man who watches and waits for his chance at his dreams. The characters converge in a situation which could free each one of them or could become dangerous. The story is well written and was easy to finish. The tag line is "A larger-than-life hero and the small town that awakens his soul". It was a good description, but other three characters drew me more than the baseball star. It was their emergence from isolation which satisfied me.

This is no picture perfect ending. It has its share of surprising trials, and yet each character stays true to himself while growing and changing. I think that quality is what I liked best about the book: Progress in character's lives while staying true to the character's voice.

Long lost blogging...

I've got so very many things I wanted to blog about over the last month or two, but haven't.

Now, for some unknowable reason, I feel like going back and hitting the high points.
This is my good friend Tammy above, right who came to visit me in April. We met up with some other knitters from the St. Louis area while they attended The Loopy Ewe's Spring Fling. While chatting there, Tammy ran into Wendy Johnson while she was knitting one of Wendy's new patterns. Wendy was funny, making jokes while I was taking the photo.
We also ran into Ms. Loopy herself, while she ran by, and got out the camera quickly while she graciously allowed us to detain her for this photo.

Tammy's LYS now carries Malabrigo sock yarn and she brought me some! The colors in this blue one are gorgeous. She also brought me another Malabrigo Sock yarn in Boticelli Red. It is gorgeous. (Did I ever mention that bloggers and knitters are generous! )

Upon agreeing to Knit-along (KAL) together for a great Jarod Flood pattern Girasole, she got right on it and sent me more of that gorgeous Boticelli Red which I can't get here. It already came! Now I have three.


On to books,
I read David Copperfield last week and found it to be so very fun. The iconic Uriah Heap with his "humble" maliciousness, the distraught and loving Mr. Pegoody and his sister the loyal Peggody were all so beautifully depicted by Dickens. The mean-spirited caricatures which graced Oliver Twist were not here; in Copperfield the characters were sometimes painted with a broad stroke, but never in a way which repulses. Em'ly who falls from grace with foolish choices and Agnes who was shown mercy in similar choices are able to minister to eachother, with a resolution most satisfying to each, without losing the ring of truth. Dicken's depcition of Mr. Micawber was hilarious, and Mrs. Micawber as well. How earnest and silly and noble they were, all at once! David himself seems to me to almost a minor character in the book, although he is at the center of action all the time and he received attention from everyone as being very important in their lives. I could go on, but I won't. Bottom line: What characters! I loved them.

Joker One

Donovan Campbell's book, Joker One, subtitled A Marine Platoon's Story of Courage, Leadership, and Brotherhood is a first-hand account of a marine platoon in Ramadi at the beginning of a local Jihad there in 2004. It was the first time I read any book about our work in Iraq and it was gripping, insightful and revealing. Not knowing much about soldier's lives and work, I found myself admiring these men greatly. their job, after arriving in Iraq was to befriend and protect the city dwellers, but to put down any active insurgents who might harm the people or the platoon. This proved nigh impossible because the insurgents and the rest of the population appeared the same. It was impossible to tell the difference between the two at a casual glance, or even a careful look...the only different is the rocket suddenly hoisted onto the shoulders of a man and launched at the men.
Danovan Campbell himself is revealed as an articulate young man, untried and unsure, but sharp, and carefully honed to his task of leadership. The devotion of his men staggered me. I was unprepared for their willingness to put themselves in danger for their leader. My admiration for them rose.
The difficult decisions a leader needs to make here stateside can be heart-wrenching, but the decisions made in the middle of a firefight can be devastating...and Donovan Campbell made them and his men followed him without hesitation....following the course of honor and protection of the innocent. They put themselves at great risk for a people who might be targeting them. It was terrifyingly sublime.
The platoon was named Joker One because someone higher up named them so. The supplies for the platoon were not always adequate, and the leadership from headquarters was not always viable or wise, but the perseverance of these men under harrowing conditions was a story I was honored to read. The reality of war in the modern world is one more thing I am trying to grapple to understand. This book is well worth the read.

Grappling with the World

I often struggle to understand the world around me. I cannot be everywhere and understand everything. What must it be like to live under Islamic law as a woman in Saudi? What is really going on with Tibet and China? Why does the gov't in Cambodia evict people with no recompense? I really have no clue. But I want to know.

Books are a good way to get an idea of something previously unfathomable.


"The Translator" gives a good idea of Darfur. It is written by Daoud Hari and is subtitled, "A Memoir ". It is the story of one man whose village was burned and killed and what he did after that. Because he was schooled in English and Arabic, he was able to be of use to journalists and researchers as a translator.

The picture which began for me as a blurry and confusing situation was focused with this book. I certainly don't understand all the situation, but I have a clue now. The book was a very easy read, exciting and engrossing.
The introduction by the author begins,

"If God must break your leg He will at least teach you to limp" - so it is said in Africa. This book is my poor limping, a modest account that cannot tell every story that deserves telling. I have seen and heard many things in Darfur that have broken my heart. I bring the stories to you because I know most people want other to have goo lives and, when they understand the situaiton, they will do what they can to steer the world back toward kindness. This is when human beings, I believe, are most admirable.

His purpose in writing is clear.

I like the way Daoud (David in English) brings us into an understanding of his world. He says of an airplane trip home to Darfur after a stay in jail in Egypt,

Altitude itself is a powerful thing. When travelers are in space, looking at our small planet from a distance where borders and flags cannot be seen or imagined..... ...... bends one toward a peaceful view. That is what I wanted, really, just peace. I was sad and anxious for my poeple but not angry. I didn't want to kill any human person. I didn't even hate the man who was organizing all these crimes, the president of Sudan, though I wished deeply to take him for a long walk through the villages of my childhood and perhaps change his way of thinking about how best to serve the people, which is surely his job.

Well, Daoud took me for walks through his village and other villages as well. It was sobering. I am glad I went, just as he hoped the reader would be.

Of the great Sahara desert crossing, he speaks of how to know directions.

All trails are erased with each wind. You can note the stars at night, if it is clear, or see where the sun rises or sets, also if it is clear, but it is not always clear and the tilted horizon provided by the great dunes disorients you even under a cloudless sky. ....
....You are modern and think your compass and your GPS will keep you from trouble. But the batteries will give out in your GPS, or the sand will ruin it. Your compass may break or become lost as you try to put away your bedding one morning in a hard sandstorm. So yo will want to know the ways that have worked for thousand of years...
...Be careful: some people die because they look to a distant mountain as their guide, but the wind moves these mountains around; you might travel in circles until your eyes close and your heart withers.
It says everything about this land to know that even the mountains are not to be trusted, and that the crunching sound under your camel's hooves are usually human bones, hidden and revealed as the wind pleases.

I love the way he speaks to the Western reader:

Everyone knows the family of everyone else among the Zaghawa [his people group]. If you live in a small town, you know a great deal about the families who live there. If your town had no television or other things to take you away from visiting all the time, your town could be very large and you would still know something about everyone. So it is like that.

Often we read those words, "It is like that". Daoud paints good word pictures.

The Translator is not readily available. If you want to read it and cannot get a hold of it, comment here and I will email you and send it to you.
**editted to add: It is readily available, although it has a different subtitle. still....I'll send it to you...!

This is one good yarn.

Anna Karenina

Tolstoy is one of those authors whose books literally weigh so much that many prospective readers will not even attempt his novels. So many characters dwell within those pages that many who attempt to read them are put off by remembering them, as well as all the permutations of those names. For instance, Princess Darya Alexandrovna may be referred to as Dolly, as Darya, as Princess, or many other ways....and you have to get used to that.

Those difficulties set aside, Tolstoy is so easy to read! His novels may be long, but they are easy reads, in sentence structure and in content. The action is easy to follow and the characters are very human.

Anna Karenina is a delight. It is set in the Russian Nobility during the second half of the nineteenth century. The main characters are contrasted in pairs. Both couples are sympathetically drawn, with strengths and weaknesses revealed in each individual. One of Tolstoy's critics describe his style as one of being able to make us feel the humanity of each character, sympathizing with each one. In these pairs, so much potential for their lives is clear...for their benefit or to their detriment.

Morality is a theme that is so engrossing in Anna Karenina. Tolstoy asks from whence comes morality? If it comes through a cultural set of values which is traditional and not heartfelt, then it is meaningless to those within the system. If morality is adopted as a result of faith, then it is meaningful and worth following. Morality ignored can lead to great suffering, which can lead to faith and adoption of morality. Requiring those around you to conform to your idea of morality without them first adopting the faith...leads to rebellion.

In Anna Karenina, the characters search for good things: lack of conflict, beauty, love, peace, faith, family, good reputation, faithful landownership, profitable landownership, reconciliation and forgiveness.

We find, through the trials and errors of the characters that these things, without the moral compass can go awry. Even selflessness itself can fail...as with Levin and his workers and with Vronsky's willingness to die to help his love, and even seen with Levin's association with his dying brother. It is only through faith (and faith in a Sovereign God) that these desires for selfless giving can become a success.

Another thing which interested me are the questions the characters face which are still worth asking today. For example Levin, a landowner, asks himself these things: How do you get employees to care about the work they do for you? Does giving them a share in the profits help? How can you get them to trust you? How can you be trustworthy? If you want to be a trustworthy employer, you have to understand their situation, their education and their desires. But how? Is education the answer? How could education as a gentleman be undesirable for the workers? desirable? What benefit is there for the wealthy to work alongside the workers? Does is breed contempt for the employer? Is it worthwhile even so?...it is clearly good for the employer to get out and do physical labor.
There are no simple answers. And each set of people are different, but the questions should be asked.

Is Anna Karenina a book worth reading for today's casual readers of Oprah book recommendations? Yes! If you like modern literature, try Anna too. (Just make sure you write down the various names of each character!

ETA: I just found out it is actually on Oprah's book club. Interesting!

Peace Like A River

I have long wanted to share a book with you: Peace Like a River by Leif Enger.
It was recommended by John Piper; so I read it.

While Peace Like a River is fiction, it is important in ways that fiction should be. Many classic works have this same quality, both engrossing and readable, but spine-tingling important. This is one of them for me.

I have been trying to write this post for three weeks, but just can't seem to do it justice. I'll try.

The setting is 1962 Minnesota, small town. The narrator is an 11-yr old boy, Reuben Land. He reminds me of Scout Finch. The language has a poetic, earthy quality to it, one of small town America. His words sometimes are funny, youthful and sincere....and his sister's words are overly dramatic as only a young girl's can be.

Trouble is about to enter the lives of Reuben, his father Jeremiah, his older brother Davy and sister Swede, but it isn't the plot which drives the story. It is the characters and how they dealt with each other and the plot which remain with me, now several weeks after reading the book. While the father, Jeremiah, is uncompromising,he is fascinating. He leads his children as no father I know; he seems both smaller and larger than life..... I wish I'd met him. I think he'd see me, really see me and...I'd want to follow his instruction.

The narrative begins with Reuben's birth;

From my first breath in this world, all I wanted was a good set of lungs and the air to fill them with....think about your own first gasp: a shocking wind roweling so easily down your throat, and you will slipping around in the doctor's hands.....

..."He isn't breathing Mrs. Land."...

...."nothing could be done; perhaps it was for the best."...

I was lying uncovered on a metal table across the room.

Dad lifted me gently. I was very clean from all that rubbing, and I was gray and beginning to cool. A little clay boy is what I was.

"Breathe," Dad said."

I lay in his arms.

Dr. Nokes said, "Jeremiah, it has been twelve minutes."

"Breathe!" The picture I see is of Dad, brown hair short and wild, giving this order as if he expected nothing but obedience.

Dr. Nokes approached him. "Jeremiah. There would be brain damage now. His lungs can't fill." Dad leaned down, laid me back on the table, took off his jacket and wrapped me in it - a black canvas jacket with a quilted lining, I have it still. He left my face uncovered.
"Sometimes," said Dr. Nokes, "there is something unworkable in one of the organs. A ventricle that won't pump correctly. A liver that poisons the blood." Dr Nokes was a kindly and reasonable man. "Lungs that can't expand to take in air. In these cases," said Dr.Nokes, "we must trust in the Almighty to do what is best." At which Dad stepped across and smote Dr. Nokes with a right hand, so that the doctor went down and lay on his side with his pupils unfocused. As Mother cried out, Dad turned back to me, a clay child wrapped in a canvas coat, and said in a normal voice, "Reuben Land, in the name of the living God, I am telling you to breathe."

......It made Dad my hero, as you might expect, won him my forgiveness for anything that he might do forever; but until later events it didn't occur to me to wonder just why I was allowed, after all, to breathe and keep breathing.

The answer, it seems to me now, lies in the miracles.

Let me say something about that word: miracle. For too long it's been used to characterize things or events that, though pleasant, are entirely normal. Peeping chicks at Easter time, spring generally, a clear sunrise after an overcast week - a miracle, people say, as if they've been educated from greeting cards. I'm sorry, but nope. Such things are worth our notice every day of the week, but to call them miracles evaporates the strength of the word.

Real miracles bother people, like strange sudden pains unknown in medical literature. It's true: they rebut every rule all we good citizens take comfort in. Lazarus obeying orders and climbing up out of the grave - now there's a miracle, and you can bet it upset a lot of folks who were standing around at the time. When a person dies, the earth is generally unwilling to cough him back up. A miracle contradicts the will of the earth.

I wish I could go on and share the whole book. I myself think Spring and babies are miracles...but I get the point!

Let me say this: Peace Like a River is about life, full of trials and family and hope and work. It helps cut to the chase of life, winnowing away all the chaff that we see in our ordinary days and think of as life.

More Books, and Noro Envy Socks

Here's my take on the book everyone seems to be reading:

It is a new look at some things that many people were too bored too look at, and many of us see every day, but could always use a fresh perspective on. The thing which is too mundane for many? God.
In "The Shack", William Young wanted to tell his children about God, with his worldview and biases, of course, in the mix. Most people who have "heard the Good News" and found it somewhat lacking might just open their eyes anew at this picture of Mr. Young's God. That is indeed good news. For them I say, read on...and find Him. You are introduced in this book to the Lord of all Creation, and the Lord of relationship (a word the author is quite fond of) and He is not misrepresented here in any way you need to fear. So begin the journey of knowing Him. Seek Him. He is there.
Nevertheless, people who have already turned to God have spent time learning about him through the bible, as well as experience with relationship with Him. Those people are wary that the God they know might be misrepresented by this new perspective. This is a healthy thing, for God is not to be put into a box of our own making. Young's perspective of God as relationship is true, and one which we people find hard to grasp within the Trinity and especially with the Holy Spirit. In the same way that Frank Peretti revealed a picture of the spirit world in "This Present Darkness" many years ago, "The Shack" reveals a picture of the trinity. For both, inaccuracies by be present but the picture is one which is broadening and having much truth. This is good.
The casual nature of God is very important to the author, who clearly has had some issues with the "establishments" of the church here on earth. Many of us do, because the church is made of people. People are sinful. However much they may want to lead and gather together in perfect harmony and purity...they are marked by sin and selfishness and by mixed motives. These things are the reality of church on earth. It makes us long for release from sin in heaven.
However, the church is indeed the bride of Christ. We cannot worship and fellowship and be in Young's "relationship" without do so in conjunction with others. In the same way that our earthy marriages hone us into better individuals through the rubbing against each other, perhaps we as members of the body will hone each other through such chafing. In this, William Young and I disagree.
Lastly, do all roads lead to God? No. Does the book really say that? I'm not so sure.

What do you think?

Here's what I am calling my Noro Envy Socks. It is made with Noro Kureyon Sock yarn, and the green is the color of Envy. I just made up that color, but those who have seen the Noro yarns know of which I speak....the green color embodies the green of envy.
I got the yarn a few months ago at Imagiknits in San Francisco. I am knitting them two at a time, toe-up:

I don't think the camera is able to pick up the colors very well, but you can see the one needle I am using to knit these. I have two balls of yarn, knitting with one ball for each sock.

I am using the magic loop method.

And these white stripes show my after-thought heel markers. When I am done with the socks up to the cuff, I go back to the heel, where the white stripe is and take out that white yarn, putting the socks back on the needles with live stitches. Then I knit the heels. Never done it before, but I think two at a time is good.

I've got some!

I've got TWO WHOLE SKEINS of that Wollmeise. Tammy snagged several skeins and decided to share them with her "good yarns" friend. Look how beautiful...

My next step will be to completely ignore this yarn for the rest of my life, knowing that any pattern I find could never be just right for it.
Please, ....Help me to actually use this yarn. You can browbeat me and mock me all you want....just keep me from stashing it away forever.


I read the book Forsaken which just came out in the stores Oct 1, and decided it would be a fun read, although I am wary of those which are published in the Christian book market. It would be a quick read because the book was compared to the pacing of the show "24" which is like a roller coaster ride. I found it to be quick indeed and not terribly memorable except one thing: the author sets a character into an incredibly intriguing situation:
The character is the modern-day Billy Graham type...known worldwide as the face of evangelical Christianity, and his daughter is kidnapped. What the kidnappers want is for him to renounce Christianity at the biggest rally of his life so far....and the kidnappers tell all the newspapers that this is their request...or they will kill his daughter. So now...should he do it? Would you? Renounce Christianity? I think not...! But what if everyone knew you didn't mean it? Certainly Christ would know you didn't mean it...but no one else would believe it either. Hmm. This question has raised some theological questions for me. New ones. I am still thinking about it. What do you think?


The published actually sent me the book, Forsaken and also, the publisher of the Yarn Harlot's new book sent me a free copy of this one above, too. Those publishers like reviewers and me...I like books. Good arrangement, huh! This one just came in the mail yesterday so I don't have a review yet. But I can say that I like this book better than the last two she's written.

Another look:
It feels amazing. The colors are completely un-photograph able.

"Home Girl"

"Home Girl: Building a Dream House on Lawless Street" is a non-fiction book by Judith Matloff, a US foreign correspondent of many years who comes home (the most foreign place of all for her lately) and tries to settle down in the US. While her husband is still on assignment somewhere else in the world, Judith falls in love with a decrepit old house in a colorful neighborhood, suitable for one familiar with the flavors of the "hot spots" of the world news. The only trouble...well the subtitle should give you a clue.

This was an interesting read. Having been interested in international lives of US citizens, I was intrigued with how re-entry into American life might be. As the story progressed, I realized that Judith re-entry will likely be nothing like mine if ever I should leave and come back to the US. Her story still remained fascinating to me, for the events of this chapter of her life are quite outside my normal suburban life, although they could happen to anyone living in a big US city. I loved the idea living courageously within a new situation, and not demonizing people who are dangerously living (or even living in a way which makes it dangerous for me). On the other hand, courageously living in a dangerous situation should be for a greater purpose than an arbitrary love of a new house....a purpose really worthwhile.

Three Great Books

"A Daughter of the Land" is a book I read because my mother, down from my grandmother, passed this book on to me. I received it way back in my teenage years and I read it then. I found it harsh and depressing...the story of the 12th child, a daughter, who was expected to slave at home for her family while the other children received many comforts and wealth from their austere, but abundant farming family. Yuk.
I picked it up again when I was about thirty and re-read it, thinking maybe I had misjudged it. No, it was Yuk.
At a conference in 2006 the author of this book (Gene Stratton-Porter) was highly recommended for other works, which I then read... and ...LOVED. Her books now inspire my high recommendations and comments. Soo...I gave "A Daughter of the Land" another chance. It was humbling to realize that the book wasn't at fault before, it was me who hadn't yet grown up enough. Suffering was indeed still a theme, but so was hope and humbleness and loving in spite of disappointment. It was about forethought and wisdom and about the consequences of following foolishness, but it was not preachy. "Daughter" is not like her other works. It has a humanity which is more pronounced, and yet the nobility seems the richer for it. Read this book. Tell me what you think.

"Three Cups of Tea" is no sweet English fable. It is the true and mesmerizing story of a man who has lived through many recent events in the world. It gave me a feel for the mountains of Pakistan and the people who live there. It gave me a feel for how to work within a new community and culture. It was terrifying when the Taliban captured Greg and when they put a jihad against him. It mostly brought the people in Pakistan to my mind, and brought them to my mind in a human way. Again, the humanity of this book is what got me. Have you read it?

"Hinds Feet" is an old one for me. I felt like I needed to read it again. It was written in the mid-century while the author was in the Swiss Alps and is allegorical to the life of a Christian in the same way as "The Pilgrims Progress". It is definitely a book for those seeking the Lord.

Well, that's it for recommendations. These books have shaped me and I wanted to share them with you.

Books and Dirt

This series by Jennifer Chiaverini is a fun read. It begins about 8 books ago. Some books are set in the past (like arriving in America 200 years ago and also in the underground railroad) and some are set all over the country. But all of them revolve around quilts and quilt-making and have certain core set of characters. I am so inspired by all the quilt making in the books that I even bought some stuff, but haven't really gotten in to it, yet...

I also just finished reading "The Bronze Bow" by Elizabeth George Speare to the kids for part of our Ancient Rome for history. It was very good, but not as good as I had hoped. Those high hopes seem to make even good thing seem...well, disappointing.

I have also been reading "The Narrated Bible" which is written in timeline formation. I really like it.

I also read the kids "The Children's Story Bible" by Vos. It's wonderful. Do you read that one, too?
Here's some pictures of how the bikes look after the ride:
the first one is the bag that hangs down from my husband's seat, the next is his bike, from the handlebars down...

The last is the #1's dirt.

Faithful women and Yard Waste:

What in the world is that...a yard waste can?

Why does the DH want me to see inside...maybe a dead rodent or gross mold?



Nope, but I guess we are recycling the kids?!!!!!




This book was a quick read and perfect for inspiration.
Noel Piper, the wife of John Piper, is the author. She tells the story of several women who inspire her. I has previous knowledge of two of them, but the others were wonderful to learn about. I recommend this book because it is challenging to read of those who came before, those whose footsteps I would follow if I dare...


Foliage is done. It took only about three or four hours. fun, and I love the colors being so rich!

Moby Dick Almost Killed me

(I can't believe I never finished this post!!!! I just found it in my drafts folder from 11/15/07 - oops)

Yes, Moby Dick did almost kill me. It was NOT a joyous addition to my literary education. It was a knock-down drag-out war just to finish the weighty tome. Really. I would fight with myself just to convince myself to get through every page.

WHY?????? Why would I do this to myself? Well, it didn't start out that way. I picked it up with the thought of investing a little in the beginning, you know - pushing into the beginning a bit until the story really got going. So I pushed a little. It was fun at first, with plot furthering itself fairly quickly. Then it got bad; stupid. So I pushed some more. It was ponderous, with many long, hulking discussions of whales in general and whaling in general and many inane ideas and descriptions. So why didn't I stop????? WHY??? Silly me, I thought I had invested so much by then (half-way through!) that I couldn't stop. I started skimming the longest descriptive portions. Sue me. But I persevered. I did finish it. I emerged out of the watery depths with the famous whale and rejoiced in the killing of Ahab. At least his death meant the book was over. Thankfully.

Oh, and did you SEE the blog level I reached up there at the top of this post??? I was intrigued by Donna's Quiet Life when she posted about her blog's reading level. I thought it was so funny. She writes so very well.

When I received the reading level of genius, I laughed. I did actually test as genius when I was young, but I can't think very well , or remember anything of value anymore. I am actually the best joke around the house. It is sad, but true.

Anyway, I decided to make this post sound like it had a genius reading level. How'd I do?

Oh, and don't pick up Moby Dick. You'll be sorry...

Splendid Indeed

In a world with so many good books, I read for so very many reasons. This one I read because I wanted to know about Afghanistan.



I read the author's "The Kite Runner" and was deeply moved by the pathos of the city under several regimes and skirmishes. With class society and betrayal as themes, it was a dramatic book, grim and worthwhile.

A Thousand Splendid Suns is twice a illuminating to me. The author, Kahled Hosseini, has been living here in California since the 1980's but grew up on Afghanistan. He obviously has some knowledge of the situation in Kabul after he left. I was engrossed, following the political situation more clearly than I had before (I always have a hard time with straight info...a plot always seems to engage my mind more fully). There are two very different protagonists, both female. They reveal so many beautiful and terrible things about the Afghan culture as they negotiate the relationships they are confronted with. There is brutality but also loving sacriface. The burqa is both a repressive tool and a comfort. I recommend this book, although it is not for the faint of heart. I'd say his second book is the more Splendid of the two.



On to knitting: I stayed up late last night to finish my embossed leaves socks:



I still hate photographing my own feet. It is hard enough to keep the momentum when dieting...but with THAT kind of discouragment, ugh!

Tammy and I are looking to reading "The Robe" next I think. By Lloyd C. Douglas.

Books for us!

I found some more room in our bookcase last week. All I had to do is move 35 books or so UP.

Yes, on top of the bookcase is plenty of unused, although dusty, space. Now I have more room for the long overdue knitting book purchases. Major Bonus!

You can see, at right a small section of books that have made the move, and look at all that room in the shelves themselves now. I even added a small SECTION now for the knitting books.


The UPS man has been busy coming to our house. Not only did I get three knitting books, but I also got some great titles for our household as well. "My Side Of The Mountain" by Jean Craighead George is one we've yet to try as a family, and I hope we get to reading it soon. Also received lately were two George MacDonald books, "Diary of An Old Soul" and "Sir Gibbie". I am in heaven.