Sunday, August 22. 2010

Today is Sunday and I am through with the crossword puzzle already at 8:08 a.m. I am going to the park (short time on hot day) with Bev Hickam for Mason Oliver's birthday (Debbie's grandson) and then we are going to the movie (Eat, Love and Pray) and out to dinner. I am taking most of the day off because I CAN.

I caught up on my book and did all I can do until Liz comes tomorrow. When she does, I will be in a world of hurt. I did studying for seminary and I have no assignment this week for I am analyzing Scriptures like mad to get it into my mind. You take the Scripture, find pronouns, comparisons, figures of speech, repetitions, verbs, conjunctions, contrasts and find a much deeper meaning in the words. It truly works although it is a little like being in Miss Henry's grammar class.

Miss Mattie Henry taught me grammar and writing for three years--6, 7, 8 grades in Eugene Field School. She had her ways--when she got mad, one eye turned red and the other turned green but she made a believer out of everyone. There were people who said they were afraid of her and there were people who said they were not. The ones in the second category were, to a person, liars. I met Mark Scully for the first time when he came to visit Miss Henry in the classroom. That was a long time ago but I told the story when I gave the eulogy at Dr. Scully's funeral. I wrote a eulogy for Miss Henry in the Signal when she died. I wish I had a copy so I could read it again.

I will enjoy the day.

The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews

This is an excellent and informative book for children and adults. The author shows dramatically how the work one person does touches that of another and tht we build upon the progress of others who go before us or beside us.

Norman Borlaug, an Iowa farmboy, wondered about the plight of the hungry people in the world and decided that he would share to make a difference. This opportunity came to him when he went to work for Henry Wallace, who had long had a similar interest in plants and wanted to make a difference in the world. Wallace found his strong niche as U. S. Secretary of Agriculture and then later Vice President of the United States. The two men worked together to feed the world's hungry.

George Washington Carver played a major role in this threesome. He had been taught by his adoptive parents that he could make a difference in the world---and he did. Not only did the three men have similar concerns and interests, but they had a physical tie which kept them connected. When Carver went to the University to study, his teacher, there, had a six year old son, named Henry Wallace. Carver began to teach the child what he knew about feeding the hungry.

It all boils down, according to the author, to the Butterfly effect or when one thing happens, it sets all another thing. One never knows what one might be setting off. This effect is validated in the story of these three people who, in the course of their careers, fed two billion people. Very good story.

Let's Do Lunch by Roger Troy Wilson

Maybe I am just a frustrated dieter but I enjoyed the first part of the book more than I did the last part. I was interested in learning more about the idea of the book because of the photographs which showed that the way-of-life certainly worked for the author. And when it comes to losing weight, anything that works, might work for me.

He makes some points that I am now trying to put into my daily life. So that means, that, for me, it was a successful book and plan. His affirming comments from other initialed people also helped make me want to implement the plan.

What was off-putting to me were the last two sections: What Not to Buy lists (which included most everything I normally buy) and failed to tell the reader what TO buy, and the recipe sections. I didn't discount all of them and won't until I try two or three to see if my tastebuds agree with the author's.

All in all, it was a good read. I have implemented some changes in my daily life and I will try this plan for a two week period to see how I feel and what I weigh. Who knows, I may try it even longer. The book has inspired me to check it out further.