July This And That

1.) Now, how many books have I released during The Great Book Purge of 2021? 196. So far, that is. And only while holding, oh, maybe 7 books has my heart felt a sharp pain of good-bye. 

Yet I survived, again, so far.  シ

2.) If you're wondering which books I'm currently planning on keeping until the day before I leave for Heaven, here's a sampling (and of course my Bible is included. Goes without saying). :

The hard to read titles? The Stillmeadow Road, Star-Spangled Summer and Paintbox Summer.

3.) Sometimes you just need Christmas in July, especially these chaotic, evil days. So this dark, rainy morning I re-watched Home Alone. (And ok, that house is a bit dated now, but oh my, still it inspires me.)

Home Alone. Just right.

4.) Speaking of houses, here's one of the nicest, most practical tiny houses I've ever seen (and that's saying lots).

5.) Want to instantly feel wealthy? Stroll around your house with paper and pen (or yeah, some type of note app on your phone) and list every item/person/pet for which you are grateful. 

Keep the list. Recite it aloud, especially during times of stress or discomfort.

6.) Okay, now this was too cool. The Somers family in Alaska gave away their van. All their videos are special, but this one  is a list-topper.

7.) A special day of rest every week is a gift from God and I hope you have one, also. Tom and I have chosen Saturdays for ours and you know? All week we anticipate our 'Saturdates' (as Naomi calls them).

We guard them, let nothing interfere (unless it can't be helped). But mostly? Separately we do what we want during the morning hours, then close the curtains upon that crazy world out there before ordering out for lunch around noon. 

Then we watch favorite tv shows and movies while simply enjoying being together. I highly recommend arranging your life (I prepare on Thursdays and Fridays) so you, also, can take one day off each week. 

Highly. Recommend. It. Sunday arrives and we feel recharged!

8.) You know how some folks say, "I was born the wrong decade"? Well, although I truly believe God made no mistakes in sending us specifically here when He did--in Heaven--I'm thinking whole towns will exist which reflect the eras we'd have enjoyed.

Like, if you believe you'd have loved the 1940's, there'll be towns/houses/people resembling that era, only, of course, a million times lovelier. City-structures, houses, hairstyles, clothing, music, cars, everything resembling the 1940's, filled with folks just like you who either lived in that era or wish they had.

Of course, I don't know all this for certain, but the idea just seems to make much sense. And hey, who says we can't dream about Heaven?

9.) Oh and here was a special blessing--for me, anyway. Far back upon moving to New York in 1993, I discovered the Junior Authors books at our local library. In encyclopedia style, they contained photos and autobiographical stories of many of my favorite authors' lives. 

Being reference books, they couldn't be taken from the library (darn), so guess who, probably every couple years, sat there for hours with those books? Yep, me.

The blessing: some of these Junior Author books are available at OpenLibrary.org and can you imagine my excitement at this discovery?

Now, this fact may not make your heart skip a beat, yet I'm mentioning it so to encourage you to never give up in your search for what you love best. 

Who knows what we'll find if we never cease our search?

10.) Which reminds me: during these difficult days in which we're living, I'm determining to accept challenges as inspiration to excel rather than let them flatten me all pancake-like.

Anyone can become a sad pancake. But God created us and enabled us for much, much more!

"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."   --- Philippians 4:13

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Oh, and here's something extra, especially for those of you who, like me, love Ralph Moody's Little Britches series of books.

What is it? After reading my blog post about Uncle Levi, Ralph Moody's cousin's son contacted me! Wow, color me happy.

In a second email, he even sent an essay he'd written about his early family members.

Always remember that Life can --still in 2021-- be sprinkled with sweet surprises.

"Life is full of surprises and and serendipity. Being open to unexpected turns in the road is an important part of success. If you try to plan every step, you may miss those wonderful twists and turns. Just find your next adventure-do it well, enjoy it-and then, not now, think about what comes next."

Condoleezza Rice

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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

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 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15