What I am Reading

When I take take time to dream (while I am awake, that kind), I like to dream of Tuscany. Why Tuscany, you say? Well, a few years ago I saw a movie called "Under the Tuscan Sun" and fell in love with it, as did millions of others. Ever since then, I have dreamed of eating my way through the Tuscany region of Italy. I have read every book I could find on this part of the world, and each description makes me want to go there more. On a recent trip to Boston, I walked into a cozy little travel bookstore in the freezing cold, and found this book with the most enticing cover that made me feel like I was there. It tells the story of Americans that move to Italy and buy a falling down, ancient friary, convert it to a house, and plant a vineyard. What a fun story that involves unimaginable labors of love. But it makes me feel as if I was there. Hopefully I will be someday! So I come back 20 pounds heavier, so what? The experience will be worth all of the extra exercise!

Name of book: "A Vineyard in Tuscany"

Author: Ferenc Mate

Welcome to South Carolina! BRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Who says that it does not get cold in South Carolina? Here is a picture from outside our Amenities Center in our community. It was a balmy 20 degrees last night and is expected to break records tonight, into the TEENS! I thought I moved away from this! Oh well, when I get to deep into my pity party, I turn on the news and look at what is going on in Minnesota, where it is 30 below! How easy it is to complain when we know good and well, that we really have things GOOD, I mean, really GOOD! The temps are already warming with the goodness of the sun. How much like our lives, when we complain at the slightest indication of discomfort, knowing that it is temporary and all will be well before you know it. When we compare our trivial and temporary concerns with what others are experiencing, it should bring a conviction that we just need to walk in someone else's shoes, perhaps somone in a colder climate with no heat, or warm clothes, or even a place to live. I need to remind myself of this frequently..so if you hear me whining.....please do me a favor, and remind me!

Bridget loves to read!

On a recent trip to Boston, I got to spend some time with my oldest son, Terry and his wife, Amy, along with grandchildren Kiernan and Bridget. What a neat family! It was a wonderful time for me, getting to know the grandkids a little better, and to have them get to know me, living so far away. One of the highlights of my visit was sharing a love of reading with my grandaughter. Bridget has a love of books that I hope never leaves her. Having been a bookworm all of my life, I love being able to spend time reading with grandchildren especially when I can see their eyes light up while taking in new words, sounds and characters. I must have read 30 or 40 little books with Bridget in the time that I was there and I enjoyed it every bit as much as her! I can only hope that her love of reading stays with her always. Her parents are readers and encourage her to do the same, so I am sure that she is well on her way to bibliophilia!
"Book-love...never flags or fails, but, like Beauty itself, is a joy forever"....Holbrook Jackson
from the book, "The Little Guide toYour Well-Read Life" by Steve Leveen

The Awe Factor of God

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ya12I036lg

A video by Francis Chan, author of the book "Crazy Love".....I don't need to say a thing, just take a look......God is bigger and greater than our little minds can ever imagine...

Back from the Tundra!

Well, the Amazing Race has nothing on me! In 11 days, I:

• Drove with Tom to Ocean City, Md., to see kids and grandkids-3 days and cool


• Drove with Tom to Lancaster, PA to see kids and grandkids-3 days and COLD


• Drove with Tom to DC to board a plane to Boston to see kids and Grandkids-2 1/2 days and cold and snowy


• Flew home to SC to kiss the tarmac after feeling the balmy 70-ish temps-PRICELESS!

What a great whirlwind trip I had seeing family. I wish I could have seen them all, but ran out of time. Only family would cause me to leave South Carolina in December to return to the weather that I love to hate. But the time with the kids was SO worth it. To see my kids raising their kids is hard to describe. I am so blessed to see what wonderful parents they are. Their homes are filled with love and all are well and healthy. Playing games, putting together puzzles, eating good food, walking in the snow, browsing in Cambridge, eating pork and sauerkraut on New Year's Day, playing Wii bowling, reading to grandkids and so much more will make for wonderful Chrismas memories. The trip was so worth it, and look forward to doing it again, but in warmer weather!

A Curious Christmas

Well, here it is, Christmas Day. And it really is a different kind of Christmas. For one thing, it is warm, very warm for Christmas (no complaints here!). Gotta love South Carolina in December. Secondly, no kids. Sad, really, that they are so far away. But it helps to know that they are having a good day, a really good day, opening gifts and enjoying all that Christmas has to offer in the eyes of a child. No worries for them about the economy, or having to go back to work, nothing that would diminish the excitement of the day. No gifts under the tree. We had decided last month that some cosmetic work to the kitchen would be our gift to each other, we both complied...no gifts. Sort of sad, really. Quiet day, laid back, kind of nice, but something missing. But then I begin, in the quiet, to think about the real, I mean the REAL, meaning of Christmas and enjoy the ability to think about what I really do have that all of the hustle and bustle of the "normal" Christmas would have taken away. I have the simplicity of knowing that I have the greatest gift of all. I have the presence of an almighty God that came to earth as one of us....I can almost hear the clip-clop of camels, smell the fragrance of the gifts, feel the rough surface of the manger, hear Mary softly singing a lullaby. There is something to be said for such a curious Christmas. One that takes me to the Word and to the Christmas story. I will soon be seeing the kids, sharing their excitement and complaining about the cold weather. I love Christmas and all that it brings, but I

give thanks this year, to God, that is is just Him and me, unwrapping the Greatest Gift of All...

More Pictures of Mepkin Abbey-Enjoy!