Love, Laughter, and Life

Adventures With a Book Lover


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Book Report: A Vow to Cherish by Deborah Raney

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A Vow to Cherish, 25th Anniversary Edition

Written by Deborah Raney

Raney Day Press, 2019

 

A special thanks goes out to Deborah Raney for gifting me a copy of A Vow to Cherish, 25th Anniversary Edition. I receive her Inspired by Life and Fiction e-newsletter and won a copy by commenting on one of her posts. Thank you, Deb!

Blurb from Amazon:

The battle they face will either ruin them or bring the deepest fulfillment they could ever know.

When his precious wife receives a devastating diagnosis, John Brighton feels his world has fallen apart. As Ellen slips away from him day by day, their love is tested as never before. Desperately needing someone to confide in, John meets Julia Sinclair, a young widow who seems to understand his pain as no one else can. Torn between doing what he knows to be right and what his heart tells him surely can’t be wrong, John soon discovers that the heart cannot be trusted where true love is concerned.

A Vow to Cherish has impacted three generations of readers—first with the book from Bethany House Publishers and then through the World Wide Pictures film inspired by Deborah Raney’s novel. This newest edition of the novel brings home the profound message of the sacredness of marriage and the importance of the commitments we make in marriage.

This novel was originally published in 1996 under the same title.

Why I like this book:

25 is NOT old! I’m more than twice that age, and I think I’m still pretty interesting. Most of the time. Sometimes. Occasionally…

I enjoyed reading A Vow to Cherish. The writing is clean and easy to read. The subject matter was a little harder to digest-facing the loss of a spouse due to health issues. The long, slow health decline is so hard to read about. Part of the reason I had a hard time is my increasing age and the uncertainty of how I’ll continue to age (health wise). But that has nothing to do with the quality of the story and the writing.

As the title suggests, marriage, commitment, vows, promises, and choices play a huge part in this story. Regardless of the emotional events in this tale, life is lived and the characters find a wonderful peaceful resolution. Without giving too much away, marriage vows are a key conflict in A Vow to Cherish. Reminders of the sanctity of marriage vows are skillfully woven throughout this story.

Thank you, Deb, for sharing this beautiful story.

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I’m in Love with My New Portable Standing Desk!

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Everyone who is anyone has read about the dangers of sitting long hours. Not that a numb backside, crinkled shoulders, and achy knees will kill you, but sitting and being sedentary just might steal your health and shorten the days you expect to be around to do anything.

As a writer, well, sitting at a computer desk, coffee table, work table, research desk, or any other writerly space is sort of a job requirement.

The challenge is how to stand and write but also be able to access (ergonomically) the keyboard or laptop, mouse, and assorted resources and supplies.

Living in an RV adds additional space challenges. Where would I store a standing desk? How could I use the tiny dining table if a portable standing desk were in place? What about the bump between the slide and the RV floor? Do I need to stand on the hump to work at a standing desk?

After literally spending years contemplating, researching, and giving up the idea of a table top desk, I finally threw up my hands after a particularly long (sitting) writing day. I did a quick Amazon search, found the perfect portable standing desk, checked for size for my 17″ laptop, and ordered it. All within 5 minutes.

I should have done that ages ago!

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This wonderful office accessory arrived a few days after placing my order. It took me a few minutes to figure out the legs, but after that, I realized what a treat it will be to use my new standing desk.

My 17″ laptop fits securely on top of the adjustable angle table, held in place by a shelf. My mouse and pad rest to the right of my laptop and are also held in place by a softened shelf. If you are looking for one for yourself, this is definitely for a right-handed person. Look to see if a left-handed version is available. Coloring is pretty nondescript, but I’m not in it for looks. Purpose is my main goal. It is neutral in color and is sturdy enough that I don’t worry for the safety of my laptop. It does wiggle as I type, but not the kind of wiggle that tells me it’s going to crash down. I love being able to angle the top of the tray, and my wrists appreciate the easy angle when working.

Storage is not an issue either. This tray folds flat. The two shelves that hold up the computer and mouse are a bit raised on one side, while the folded legs are raised on the back. But I found a perfect spot to rest my new work buddy.

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I now have the option to stand and work or sit and work. Hurray!

What took me so long???

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Details of my portable standing desk: [Large Size] Neetto TB101L Adjustable Laptop Bed Table, Portable Standing Desk, Foldable Sofa Breakfast Tray, Notebook Stand Reading Holder for Couch [Personal Computers]

You’re welcome.


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International Women’s Day #IWD2019

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Happy International Women’s Day!

If you are a woman, be blessed and do not take for granted the gifts, skills, and life you have been given.

If you are a woman, be thankful for your ability to give to and care for others.

If you are a woman, look for opportunities to uphold and support other women who need you.

If you are a woman, be generous with your affections and assistance, energy and engagement.

If you are a woman, acknowledge your capabilities, opportunities, and strengths. Own your faults and take responsibility for your failures. Realize you cannot do it all.

If you are a woman, exude kindness. Treat others as you would have them treat you. Remember you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Be nice even to those who are not.

If you are a woman, embrace relationships, both near and far, with family, friends, and strangers.

If you are a woman, be at peace. Love, accept, strive to improve yourself. Delve deep to learn your faith. Stretch to exercise and grow strong.

If you are a woman, rely on God, do not be afraid to trust. Seek and find.

If you are a woman, live to the fullest. Be present in the day. Give focus and attention to those around you.

If you are a woman, rejoice! To be a woman is a gift.

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Today, I gave blood at the Red Cross. For women, men, children-whoever needs red blood. Regardless of race, education, income, culture, residence. Because we bleed the same. Red.

Loving with red.

How about you? Did you celebrate International Women’s Day?

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Happy Hump Day Haiku Challenge: again

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commence shoveling!

again, or still; nearly spring-

snow falls quietly

 

again by Angie Quantrell

Like Groundhog’s Day (the movie), this winter clutches our neck of the woods with the setting of repeat. Some movies have that choice, did you know? Especially for the younger crowd. I didn’t know winter had the same option.

But I LOVE snow! Even as green-starved as I am, gasping for fresh air and spring flowers, I feel giddy with joy when snowflakes dump steadily the whole day and into the  night. Despite the need for shoveling, I gleefully glance out the window to make sure it’s still coming down in white blankets.

It is! Sheets, comforters, pillowcases, and blankets of the white stuff. Doomed I fear, according to weather reports.

But today. I shovel. Again.

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Poser, A Short Story

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“What are you praying for, dear?”

“Peace.”

“Your pose is truly beautiful.”

She glanced his way, insect eyes missing no detail.

“What are you thinking of, my love?”

“Appearances.”

“You look ferociously fit.”

She flexed her legs, wiggled her wings. Let him move close.

“How are you feeling, gorgeous?”

“Hungry.”

 

Poser by Angie Quantrell

 

I wrote this story in response to Vivian Kirkfield’s #50PreciousWords Writing Contest (50 words total) and a Twitter conversation with @Realistic Poetry about favorite insects. Hop on over to  Vivian’s site to read more short stories.


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Book Report: Delayed Justice by Cara Putman

A special thanks goes to Cara Putman for gifting me this copy of Delayed Justice. Thank you!

Delayed Justice

Written by Cara Putman

Thomas Nelson, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., 2018

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Amazon Blurb:

She had long given up the desire to be loved. Now she only needed to be heard.

Jaime Nichols went to law school to find the voice she never had as a child, and her determination to protect girls and women in the path of harm drives her in ways both spoken and unspoken. As Jaime, now a criminal defense attorney, prepares to press charges against someone who wronged her long ago, she must face not only her demons but also the unimaginable forces that protect the powerful man who tore her childhood apart.

Chandler Bolton, a retired veteran, is tasked with helping a young victim who must testify in court—and along with his therapy dog, Aslan, he’s up for the task. When he first meets Jaime, all brains, beauty, and brashness, he can’t help but be intrigued. As Chandler works to break through the wall Jaime has built around herself, the two of them discover that they may have more to offer one another than they ever could have guessed—and that together, they may be able to help this endangered child.

This thrilling installment of the Hidden Justice series explores the healing power of resolution and the weight of words given voice. And as Jaime pursues delayed justice of her own, she unearths eternal truths that will change the course of her life.

 

Why I liked Delayed Justice:

I enjoyed Cara’s clean writing. I appreciated her handling of icky details (this is after all, a thriller). I knew what had taken place, but didn’t have to read pages filled with horrific scenes to get out the other side. My imagination does quite fine on its own, thank you. I loved watching a relationship develop between Jaime and Chandler. I especially liked learning about therapy dogs and Aslan.

There is plenty of growing tension and deep emotions shared throughout the story. I whipped through this one quite quickly, in a hurry to find out what happens in the end.

Two thumbs up!

Find out more about Cara Putman at:

Cara Putman

Cara Putman on Amazon

Cara Putman on Twitter

Cara Putman on Goodreads

 


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Hey, friends! If you are a writer of picture books and stories for young readers, this writing contest is for you! 50 words to tell a story (beginning, middle, end)? You can do it! Visit Vivian Kirkfield at her blog for details. Best wishes!

via The #50PreciousWords Writing Contest is OPEN: March 2-6


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Happy Hump Day Haiku Challenge: hunter

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pose, prepare to strike

prayer forgotten, prey in

sight; arbor mantis

 

hunter by Angie Quantrell

 

Can you see it? My imagination took flight just as this tree spread its wings in attack mode.

How about you? What do you think about when you hear the word hunter?

 


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Snow Day Part 57

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The title MAY be a bit of an exaggeration. But welcome to the winter that keeps on giving.

Congratulations! You are enjoying the longest February on record. Technically February is the shortest month of the year, in days, but not in the long drawn-out days of snow-ice-locked cold.

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It’s snowing as I type. Skies are heavy gray with a peep of pink along the eastern edge. The landscape is white with bits of black edging from homes, red from the stop sign, and gray-brown from fence posts. White is the dominant theme this winter. Our water resources are sure to be full and overflowing this summer. For that, I am thankful.

I love snow! Really, I do. But. As March edges closer, my thoughts turn to green and bits of yellow and floaty blossoms on trees. Where are you spri-ng? Why can’t I find you? (In my head that sounds like Cindy Lou Who singing “Where Are You Christmas?”)

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But today. We have snow. How about one more snow day’s worth of pictures? Come July and the season of sweat, I will bemoan the lack of lacy white.

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Celebrate the snow with children everywhere who pray for snow days, late starts, snow play, and hot cocoa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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2019 Word of the Year: Treasure (The New Journal Look)

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2019 is looking different than 2018!

Well, February has been looking the same-all WHITE. It has felt like the longest month on record. Which is funny, since it’s the shortest. All of this snow has my brain frozen on repeat, like Groundhog Day (the movie).

I have yet to begin my Word of the Year art project (look here to see last year’s page), but I am adding to my Blessings & Thankfulness Journal. The daily blessings and thankfulness items I add are about my days, but some of the verses and journal decor are about treasure. I think I will add more treasure-themed gleanings and thoughts as I go along.

On the front sides of the pages I’ve been listing the days of the month and then adding things for each day that I feel are blessings or things for which I am thankful.

On the back sides of the pages, I’ve added washi tape and Bible verses. I like the idea of working out my word of the year on the back pages of my blessings and thankful lists. I still want to work on a Word of the Year (Treasure) creative art project, but it is simmering on a back burner, waiting for more time and inspiration.

In the meantime, this is what I’ve done to the cover of my journal. I love the colors! I need to do the back.

Do you have a word of the year? Do you journal? I’d love to see your projects.

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The inside cover