It’s National Novel Writing Month! (Or NaNoWriMo) There are a couple of websites where you can attempt to write a novel in just 30 days… or, seeing that I’m so tardy in telling you about this, in 24 days. I’m going to http://ywp.nanowrimo.org to write my story & you can find my profile and some information on my book by looking up ramblinrose506 on that site. Please drop by if you care to and maybe even give it a go yourself! I have two buddies so far, and I’d love to have more!
A Blog Around the Corner Tuesday, Nov 3 2009
Book reviews/purchases and Misc 1:39 pm
A very dear friend of mine has just started a blog about books, and I would encourage you to drop by and follow her! I’m hoping to do a guest post (or two or three) over the life of the blog… we’ll see how that goes. Anyhow, please leave her a comment and don’t forget to visit again!
Every Promise Monday, Nov 2 2009
Misc and My Life and Uncategorized 10:44 am
This is a song that I first heard at camp and I have been thinking about it a lot. It was written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. I don’t agree with their music standards, but many of their lyrics are powerful. Here is Every Promise (also known as From the Breaking of the Dawn):
From the breaking of the dawn
to the setting of the sun
I will stand on every promise of Your word
Words of power, strong to save,
that will never pass away;
I will stand of every promise of Your word
For Your covenant is sure
and on this I am secure
I can stand on every promise of Your word
When I stumble and I sin, condemnation pressing in,
I will stand on every promise of Your word
You are faithful to forgive,
that in freedom I might live
So I stand on every promise of Your word
Guilt to innocence restored;
You remember sins no more
So I’ll stand on every promise of Your word
When I’m faced with anguished choice,
I will listen for Your voice
and I’ll stand on every promise of Your Word
Through this dark and troubled land,
You will guide me with Your hand
as I stand on every promise of Your Word.
And You’ve promised to complete every work begun in me.
So I’ll stand on every promise of Your word
Hope that lifts me from despair; Love that casts out every fear
as I stand on every promise of Your word.
Not forsaken, not alone
for the Comforter has come;
And I stand on every promise of Your word.
Grace sufficient, grace for me;
Grace for all who will believe.
We will stand on every promise of Your word.
The Thing About History Thursday, Oct 15 2009
Misc and School classic literature, history, inventions 12:20 pm
I have always been a readaholic, reading and rereading books until I’d memorized some passages. Although reading is a good thing, my Mom recognized that I was taking it to an unhealthy level. Mystery was my obsession, and I was caught reading the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew when I should be doing school. Secret of the Golden Cowrie was confiscated when I failed to set the table for supper. Mystery of the Missing Stamp had to be given up for a week because I was found with a flashlight under my blanket, reading into the wee hours of the morning. And the American Adventure series? I dove into those so whole-heartedly that my Mom put a restriction on me: I was only allowed to read for 1 hour every day. TORTURE! At another time, I had to take all of my books into my mom’s room so that she knew what I was reading and when I was reading it. I’d trek in early in the morning and ask for Twig the Collie, read a few chapters, and return it to her before breakfast. So went my early life.
When I turned 13, however, Mom came up with a new idea. I must say it was rather brilliant, though I did NOT think so at the time. She told me that for one whole long month, I could not read any fiction. Her goal in doing this (I think) was to have my “must-be-reading” nature turn me towards biographies and autobiographies of missionaries and other more worthy heroes. I imagine that she didn’t want me trying to turn into a Nancy Drew, getting kidnapped every few months and being incommunicado for days on end during a case. (LOL Like that would ever happen!) Anyhow… I didn’t see the sense of her idea, so I resolved that if I couldn’t read fiction, I wouldn’t read anything. I lasted for THREE DAYS, people. Yeah. It’s an obsession. The first thing I picked up was a biography about Jim Elliot. I don’t remember which one it was, but I do remember reading it and thinking, “You know, this is kinda cool.” And then someone suggested that I read about Anne Frank. I wish I knew who it was who gave me this suggestion, because they opened a new chapter in my life. You see, my library didn’t have any books about Anne Frank that weren’t checked out. But they DID have dozens of other World War Two and Holocaust books. Memoirs, autobiographies, timelines, histories. I checked out a few in desperation: I felt that I just had to be reading! As I read, I started wanting more. These were REAL people, things that REALLY happened! I read about concentration camps and battlefields, then one memoir mentioned a pilot… so I read about him, then I had to read about airplanes. Planes can take off from onboard ships, so then I read about ships. Then I checked out books on secret codes. And the process just went on and on. It was at this time that I discovered the classics, as well. In one of the many biographies I read, I found that a girl loved Jane Austen and George Eliot. So when my month was up, I read Jane Austen. And George Eliot. Charles Dickens. Elizabeth Gaskell. Arthur Conan Doyle. Lloyd Douglas. Alexander Dumas. etc etc etc. My fiction addiction leveled off a bit, but my obsession with the written word reached a feverish all-time high. I decided to break my mystery habit in my own writing and wrote my first historical fiction. I don’t know if I’ll ever love any of my writings as much as I love that book. The story takes place during the Holocaust, and it involves finding new life at the end of tragedy. I had found a new life for myself in the world of the past. The things that really happened are often just as (or more) exciting than what authors come up with.
So here’s the thing about history: It opens your eyes. I found links from the past that explain some of my world today. I discovered just how amazing things are – things that I just take for granted. What went into the radio? The light bulb? Airplanes and cars? The people who invented these things are honored in our society today, but in their own world, they were thought of as total jerks. I’ve just written about 750 words to say something that could be said in a mere five words: “Don’t be afraid to expand” Try something new! As unwilling as I was to enter the “real world” of non-fiction, I found it to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Don’t get stuck in your little corner, ’cause another thing about history is this: people who stay in their own cozy little corners don’t make a difference.
Youtube Tuesday Tuesday, Oct 13 2009
A lot of people… okay, three people… that I’m subscribed to have been posting youtube videos rather frequently with either a favorite song, movie scene, or just something funny. So since I’m TRYING to get back into blogging, and I’m tired of just staring at this blank white space… I think I’ll join the crowd (or shall I say group?) and just post a video. Don’t worry, though! I won’t make youtube the majority of my posts. I don’t think. =D
It seems as though this one has been full circle, but I never know what my readers may or may not have seen, so here’s a little humor for the day:
Thoughts… Monday, Apr 6 2009
Hard Things and Misc 8:49 pm
Here’s something to think about. I was thinking to myself, “Here I have a four-year-old brother: this rings so true for me!” When I realized something… I was looking at it all wrong! Yes, it’s very important to set a good example for little ones, but we should be shining Christ’s light – and love – everywhere!
St. Patrick’s Day Post Tuesday, Mar 17 2009
Misc 7:31 am
Here’s my post for St. Patrick’s day. I hadn’t really planned on doing one, so I’m just referring you to other St. Patricks’ day posts I enjoyed. 
First I’ll recommend that you go here , and then here’s a video of St. Patrick’s Day. (I’m not a big Veggie Tales fan, but oh, well… I’ll send you here anyhow.)
P.S. If anyone can tell me how to embed a video into my posts, I’d be much obliged! Thanks!
It never ceases to amaze me… Friday, Mar 13 2009
Misc Apple, iPod nano, iPod shuffle 7:52 am
iPods are pretty awesome, and I am continually thinking that there’s no way that they could be improved on. Yet Apple is always there to prove me wrong. I thought that my third-generation iPod nano was about as good as it could get (except for the backside scratching so easily) — but lo and behold, Apple threw out the fourth generation. It blows my mind! But… would you just look at this??? It’s tiny! But it fits a lot of music! And… the controls are incredible! Wouldn’t people from hundreds of years ago be amazed? Actually, I’m amazed!
(P.S. The incredibleness of this doesn’t make me want one. I still think my nano is better. I mean, you can’t watch movies on a shuffle!)
Help me spend my money… Tuesday, Mar 10 2009
Misc 7:49 am
One of my very good friends gave me a Borders gift card for my birthday, and I need to decide what to spend it on. So I thought I’d ask for any input ya’ll might have.
Also, please let me know if you have any suggestions of books I shouldn’t miss! I’m also considering three titles by Eric Wilson… if I mention his co-authors, you’ll probably be able to name the titles without any help: Alex and Stephen Kendrick. =D I’ve heard that the books are as good as the movies!
Judge for Yourselves… Tuesday, Mar 3 2009
Misc 8:35 am
Something that I think is really strange is when people tell me that I look like someone famous. The really stupid thing? Random people keep telling me that I look like this one person — how they land on the same one, I have no idea. But right now I’m going to show you a picture of me and a picture of this person, and let you judge for yourselves:
So… I don’t get it. I mean, I even took my glasses off to try looking a little more like her, and I still don’t see it. One of the major differences???? Look at this:
Anne Hathaway doesn’t have my nose. I know that’s an old picture, but I still haven’t grown into it! Anyhow… judge for yourselves.
[Through some unflattering pictures of myself, I now breathe a sigh of relief... I have posted this week!]
