A book I hadn't read in so long...

I teach a Ladies Bible class on Tuesday mornings. I was doing a lesson I called "Nameless Service."

Sometimes when I teach I recall things that apply. I think this is God's way of helping me out.

This time, as we talked about not having to take credit and thanks for everything we do reminded me of a child's book I read when I was young, called "Understood Betsy."

It had been years - perhaps more than 20 - since I read the book, yet I recalled parts of it clearly. I'd read it several times and loved it. I can still see the cover of it in my mind.

Wednesday I did a websearch and to my delight found the book (published in 1917) was available to read. It was as good as I remembered it.

Will my writings be like that for someone? Something they'll remember with pleasure even years after they read it?

I hope so.

By the way, if you want to read the book yourself, you can link to it here.

One Step at a Time...

Those who know me know that this was a stressful summer.

I had seven people living at my house at one point - that's a lot. My youngest was getting ready to go off to college, my oldest was spending his last summer with us (he's getting married next June). Plus there were health issues with a family member.

I was stressed. Something had to give, or I might have cracked.

What gave was Weight Watchers.

I've been on Weight Watchers since October. In July, I'd lost 40 pounds. Not a small thing.

But I quit going to meetings. I quit counting points (in Weight Watchers, food has points). I didn't go hog wild - for example, I didn't consume a whole cheesecake in one sitting - but I wasn't being as rigid as I was.

Last week, I started back. I started counting points again.

Last night, I went back to my first meeting in 8 weeks. I only stayed long enough to weigh in and see how bad the damage was.

Fortuantely, it wasn't as bad as it could have been. In 8 weeks, I'd gained 3.8 pounds.

Next week, I'll stay for the meeting.

One step at a time.

Did you know...

...that September is "Be kind to editors and writers" month?

Find a writer or editor you know and give them a hug!

Governor Palin

The coverage and out and out hostility that has greeted Sarah Palin has been disturbing.

Look, people are entitled to their opinions. No one is required to like the governor as far as I'm concerned. Some people don't agree with her stands. That's a valid argument.

But can I have the same courtesy?

Can I agree with Governor Palin's views without being dismissed as a hick or stupid? Can I disagree with Senator Obama's stands on things without being ignorant?

Can we respect the fact we disagree without acting like we're better than each other?

Or is that just me spinning more fiction?

Don't mess with a writer's copyright...

I've heard of Stephanie Meyer, though I've never read her books.

Looks like her last book will be on hold, thanks to someone ignoring her rights and posting her stuff on the Internet without permission...

Stephanie Meyers drops new book after Web leak.