Thursday, October 16, 2008

ATTITUDE

Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home.

The remarkable think is, we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.

(**I found this on a restaurant menu. I do not know who wrote it, but I thought it was worth sharing.**)

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

"Walking Across Egypt"

At first I thought “Walking Across Egypt” was going to be a sleeper, but the more I read, the more I enjoyed it.
Mattie is a strong Christian woman who we can all learn from. She opens her door with kindness and the smell of something good cookin’ in the kitchen. While reading this book I had a strong urge to bake a pound cake. I think her need to feed people was a way for her to bring comfort to everyone and let them know her home was always open for them.
My Aunt Lottie was my Mattie in my life. She always had a cake baked, homemade soups and a kind word around her kitchen table. She was the constant in my life.
I think that the lack of grandchildren from Robert and Elaine was the reason Mattie pursued Wesley. It was her last chance at influencing a young person’s life in a positive way. I believe that getting the dog for Wesley would teach him responsibility and make him feel needed (especially if Mattie passed on). Her mention of marriage was a sign of confusion to me and a hint that maybe Wesley would be taking care of her instead of the other way around. She really didn’t want to be a burden to her children. This book could continue on in many ways.
I don’t think this book would keep the interest of teens today. It does have the teenage delinquent, but the story revolves around Mattie, an aging Christian woman. My opinion is that teens want to read action or fantasy.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

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If only I could look this cute!!
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Sunday, October 7, 2007

Porgy Part II

Questions to consider about Porgy DuBose Heyward was a white man looking into Charleston's world of color. Do you think he portrayed that world in Catfish Row with any degree of accuracy?I want to think he did, but I really don't know the history of Catfish Row in the eyes of a black man. Does Heyward romanticze life in Catfish Row?Porgy always seems to be waiting for something. What do you think it is he's waiting for?
What impact does the goat have on Porgy's "philosophy" of begging?
Do you find it difficult to read the Gullah dialect as written by Heyward? Yes, I actually bought a pocket dictionary to carry with me to look up words.What do you think of Heyward's ability to tell a story? Is his writing organized and to the point, or is it sprawling? I did not find Heyward's writing sprawling at all, it was very much to the point. He has a wonderful ability to tell a story, at times I felt like I was right there feeling the emotions of his characters.Do you like this book?I liked the book very much. Once I got into it I felt I really knew the characters and was anxious to find out what was going to happen.

Porgy

I have taken the plunge to read our first book assigned for the Southern Writers Online. I would like to have met DuBose Heyward. He must have been a very intelligent man, or the style of writing and words used during his time were far different than I am used to. I am only half way through this novel and I have had to look up at least thirty words that I did not know the meaning to. I am also finding that I have to read aloud the parts in Gullah dialect to get the real meaning.
I am thoroughly enjoying the story, but Prudence, this is work!
(I have moved this from the Southern Writers Online blog)

Monday, September 10, 2007

Southern Writers Online

September - Porgy - DuBose Heyward

I have started the first of the many books chosen for the Southern Writers Online and cannot wait to share comments with other participants as I complete Porgy.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Library 2.1

Ready, set, go! It's time to start using the gray matter again. I am looking forward to the challenge.