Parchment Paths

  I enjoyed this book much more than the first of the series, as the plot finally "thickens" as the old saying goes. Not only were the main characters fleshed out so were new ones, such as the invading forces. Over all, it was a much better read, a quicker pace, and a deeper insight into both plot and people. The last lines of the book especially left me eager for the next book. "You know how you said people would follow met to he gates of hell? .... you'd better find them; that's where we're going."  

A few days ago, I got to see the newest play at Sight and Sound Theaters in PA.  The much anticipated play was Moses.  What I love about their plays is their ability to stay true to the Biblical story while adding just enough to allow even the audience, whether they know the Bible or not to personally identify with the characters.  Of course the gorgeous sets, costumes, music, and animals are wonderful to see as well. As with all the plays, their are little things that stand out. For instance, I never made the connection of how hard it must have been for Mose to go from being an Egyptian noble to a shepherd. I'm not just talking about the work and poverty, I'm talking about the cultural hatred ancient Egyptians had toward shepherds due to an invasion of a shepherding people years in Egypt's past. Another amazing part of the play is how after each plague a statue of the god the plague had mocked would shatter; after the frogs came , for instance, the fertility frog ...

This past weekend my friend and I visited The Anthracite Heritage Museum .   I had been there once before for an elementary field trip, but have wanted to go back. I love museums and am fortunate that my local area has a few.   I was surprised how much was inside. I expected the obvious, coal cars, miner's hats, documents, but there was so much more. There was a whole wing about the local textile industry.  And another detailing the lives of  miners and their families. A miner's home miner's church      Their were also displays detailing the variety  of immigrants that made up the mining community.  Irish history book It was a fascinating look into the industry that shaped the local community. Several of the ethnic groups still thrive in the area and it was all thanks to the coal .  

This book by   Diane Duane was a lot of fun to read. The friend who gave it to me described it as "literary junk food", meaning that while it's not particularly deep, it's a quick, delightful read that leaves you wanting more. While, I believe those who enjoy Harry Potter will also enjoy this, they're are some differences. The children have only occasional guidance in using their new found magic, which rather than being an inborn trait, is a choice and a promise they make to protect the universe by assisting nature and energy.  Their defeat of a terrible dark power is exciting, but seems like a great deal of beginners luck, unless other books reveal Nita and Kit to be super wizards. The concept of machines and space anomalies having  lives and the ability to communicate was a bit strange, but after a few chapters I was used to it. Overall, it's a cute, fun book.         

  Overall, I loved the plot of this futuristic, Christian society of planets and the slow, subtle infiltration of enemy forces into the the most remote planet. The author took great care in creating the government and society, but somehow the characters seemed rather flat. At first I thought this was because they lived in a sinless society and therefore had no flaws I could relate to, but even after I kept reading I still didn't warm up to any one. Also, the few lighthearted scenes in the book seemed a bit awkward and forced when they were supposed to be humorous. I will be reading the rest of the series, but for once its for the plot not for the people. I also had trouble deciphering some of the definitions of "Sin". The society in the book is so perfect that somethings they clarify as sin are not called so by even the most strict Christians of the real world, such as a ambi...

As an adult, I can be a bit ambiguous about snow; I love how pretty is and I hate driving in it. However, a few days ago, I got to enjoy it like I did as a kid, no worries about driving, about losing power. No, I just went sledding, something I haven't done since I was around 13.  The neat thing was I went with a friend of my aunt's who wanted to go to celebrate her birthday, I'm guessing  she's around 60. It was neat seeing an older lady doing something childish just for the sake of having fun. I had a great time too, racing down the ice packed snow hill, the snow spraying in my face, the cows at the end of the pasture thinking we were insane. Actually, the cows may not have even noticed us; it's hard to tell. Anyway, get out, enjoy the snow since it's not going away for a long time.

Well, winter is in full swing, along with cold and snow that comes with it. I don't mind the snow it's the extreme cold that gets me.  Brrrrr, well no use complaining about it, but none the less, I'd like to go out and enjoy the snow without  freezing or worrying about my car not starting or my pipes freezing.  But, all that being said, there are some advantages to the cold. Snuggling under blankets and watching a good movie, or reading a good book, lighting candles, baking cookies, hot chocolate!  Being so cold outside, give us all a good excuse to create as much warmth as possible. So, here's to being cozy.