I Read That

I am a book snob. I will not lie about it to you or to anyone. I like to read obscure books, Canadian authors, and the books that the dude in Stratford recommends to Erin; books that pack a gut wrenching punch that won’t let you put it down.

So imagine my surprise when I gave in to read a…romance novel…because most of my books are in storage right now, and I’ve read through my small pile I kept out several times. She said “Just read it, it’s 800 pages and it will keep you occupied.” I took it home, I put it down, I covered it up with papers, sweaters, this and that. I finished the book I was reading, looked down at my pile of books and sighed…I just wanted something different.

I dug out the book. I resigned and crawled into bed. I read the back cover again. Yikes, how far fetched is this?? A woman who travels in time to the 1700s and fall in love with a Scottish Highlander? Well…I had it in my hands and decided to give it a go.

Now, I know that maybe I am just defending myself when I say that this book really is quite well written and researched. I enjoyed it. I liked reading a romance novel. There. I said out loud. (Or, I wrote it out loud??)

BUT NOTE THIS:

1. While I found the hero of the book (a strapping lad, muscles rippling, kilt swishing, heart of gold) enticing, I also thought to myself….Are you kidding??? This guy is nuts!!! He was so desperately in love with the heroine, I’d call him possessive and overbearing. True, it would be delightful to have a handsome man love and care for me, duel for my honour, and rescue me from certain death, I think I’d get fed up with his antics of ‘you are my wife, you are mine, and no one else can look at you/touch you, etc, etc...’ Which, to be fair, I suppose in the 1700s the notion of women’s lib was far from being, well, a notion.

2. As most romance novels are, this book was full of drama and sex. Pardon me, looooooove making. One would assume that the moments of pleasure are those scenes that find their way behind eyelids and into the dreams of reader. Not me. Instead, this fine book gave me nightmares. That is right. I had nightmares of torture. The torture that was inflicted upon the strapping hero. Lashings and burning, searing hot things placed against my skin. And in the background was the heroine of the book, crying out for me.

So. I am reading the sequel right now. And of course the sequel is never as good as the first one. Needless to say, I think this is my lone one night stand with romance novels. Once this second book is wrapped up (uh, I have to finish reading it now, I mean I’ve invested this much time already. It would be a waste not to finish.), I’ve got my next book lined up. From the dude in Stratford. Good business, I tell ya.

I Try to Walk the Line

Patience. Some days I have it, other days I don't. For some situations, my patience is as endless as the drops of water in the ocean, for others, it is as little as a minnow.

Waiting for answers, though, is more the minnow type. I sent through my letter of application to college about 4 weeks ago and am impatiently waiting for the acceptance letter (that's how sure I am that I am getting into this program...I'm saying it right here, right now! I'm in!!). Now, 4 weeks really isn't that long, but in Melissa world, it feels like 4 months!

As each day passes me by, my thoughts are swimming around, wanting to make plans for the future, but are halted by the lack of envelopes in my mailbox. I know I can't really expect for such a prompt reply, but I led myself to believe that the wheels would turn a bit faster for a post-grad program than your regular admissions. Foolish me.

Patience is a virtue. Evidently one that I falter on. I must learn to walk a straighter line...

Tuesday feels like Sunday

1. For the joy other people's children bring me (hehe, thanks Tara!).
2. For the amazing musical talents of Diana Krall.
3. For having terrific friends who do wonderful things for me, just because.
4. For the sweet ride my new car is!!
5. For finally getting the updates prepared for my website.
6. For getting back into my weekly goal setting habit with Julia (thanks Julia!).
7. For spending some time with the Baxter's this past weekend :)

A Slew of Sunday Sevens

Clearly I have been preoccupied. But I'm back on track!!!

1. For being able to reconnect with my grade 1 bf who moved far far away many years ago.
2. For the delightfully warm weather we've been having.
3. For the anticipation of my new car!!!!
4. For Erin making the two hour trek to see me yesterday :)
5. For the walk at the beach today - true I was in my hoodie, vest and scarf, but it was still great!
6. For the friendliness of small towns - I love that so many people smile and say hello to each other.
7. For hearing the wonderfully hilarious things my niece has learned to say, such as "PAY ATTENTION TO ME!!!" hahaha!

Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret

I do make jest of my relationship with the big man upstairs (as is evident by that statement. Well played, Melissa, well played...). The fact of the matter is, though, that while I believe and have very positive feelings about God, Jesus and the gang, I know very little about how it all came about. A little part of me wishes I did, but another part of me is satisfied to keep going the way I have been.

Just last night, sitting around the table, there was an even balance of regular church-goers, and Sunday couch potatoes. Me being the couch potato, I found that I would explain and defend myself and my lackadaisical efforts to the others. And my friend kept asking why do I do that, in not so many words.

It got me thinking.

Am I regretful of what I don't know? Do I feel that I missed out on something? Why must I justify this?

To be sure, I am always impressed with people who have a strong faith. Strike that. I am always impressed with people who have a strong, loving and positive faith. Perhaps I have a twinge of jealousy, knowing that they have such a strong connection and confidence, and I do not. But I don't do anything about it to change it.

Instead, I give my action figure Jesus a high five before bedtime, and stand him back up, should he be knocked down. I smile at him and say thanks. Sometimes I nod my head at him and say "word to your mom." That is how I roll.

I suppose that when I am with someone who is all confident, I feel I need to voice that I am not a heathen. Just to be sure. Just to convince myself.