Summer Book Reviews...

After a heavy day

I am keeping it light here

giving a few reviews of some of the books

I read this summer

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for lighter reading... 

"The House at Riverton"

by Kate Morton

I thoroughly enjoy her books

for a time of escape into the past 

these are the books to read

intricately woven story lines

interesting characters

and hidden truths

the perfect escape

these books find a permanent home on my book shelf

I just have to get my hands on 

"The Distant Hours"

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The Wisdom Club pick for the summer was...

"Mutant Messages from Down Under"

by Marlo Morgan

This book causes quite a stir when it came out back in 1991 and the question of it's authenticity was raised.

I am not here to say whether it is fiction or non fiction

what I want to tell you is what I got out of this book.

Right away in the authors note to the reader at the beginning she writes...

"My suggestion is that you taste the message, savour what is right for you and spit out the rest; after all, that is the law of the universe." pg xv

So that is exactly what I did, I looked for my message and found it.

This is a story about an American woman in Australia who ends up on a 4 month walk about with an Aboriginal Tribe in the Out Back. The people call themselves "The Real People" and invite her to take part in their way of life so that she can learn from them and take their message back to the Mutants...us.

"I was found acceptable and worthy of learning the knowledge of the true relation ship of humans to the world we live in, the world beyond, the dimension from which we came, and the dimension where we shall all return. I was going to be exposed to the understanding of my won beingness." pg 45

I enjoyed this easy read right away,

then somewhere in the middle I felt I was reading a child's fairy tale and then towards the end she grabbed me back into the story.

Here are a few of my favourite quotes:

"They showed me how vital it is to accept, be truthful, and love myself so I could do the same with others" pg 64

"In stead of living the truth, Mutants allow circumstances and conditions to bury universal law under the mixture of convenience, materialism and insecurity." pg 77

"All humans are Spirits only visiting this world. All spirits are forever beings. All encounters with other people are experiences and all experiences are forever connections. Real People close the circle of each experience. We do not leave ends frayed as Mutants do. If you walk away with bad feelings in your heart for another person and that circle is not closed, it will be repeated later in your life. You will not suffer once but over and over until you learn. It is good to observe, to learn, and become wiser from what has happened. it is good to give thanks, as you say, to bless it, and walk away in peace." pg 93

"...the only true influence you have on anyone else is by your won life, how you act, what you do." pg 105

"If I simply lived the principles that appeared to be truth for me, I would touch the loves of those I was destined to touch. The doors would be opened. After all "it" was not my message I was merely the messenger." pg 117

I enjoyed this book, Not one of my top choices, but I am glad I read it, and I think I have a space for it on my shelf : )

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My favourite read of the summer...

"A Thousand Sisters"

by Lisa J Shannon

Back in 2005  Lisa Shannon was watching an episode on Oprah that changed her life. The shows topic was about the women in Congo, the worse place on earth to be a woman.

the show stayed with her and before she knew it she was organizing a run to raise money for sponsorship becoming the founder of Run for Congo Women.

But that was not enough for her.

She decided to go to the Congo herself and interview the women and children of this war and this book is her story.

This book touched such a personal place inside me, a place where those I love, from Colombia, live.

Like Ana Maria

I met Ana Maria for the first time almost 5 years ago...a shy quiet beautiful little girl. her mother was one of our first women whom we helped to open her own shop out of her house.

When I was back at the centre this spring Ana Maria was one of my constant companions in the "studio".

Now a beautiful  young teenager...like a diamond in the rough. She holds something precious deep with in her and I wonder if she will ever have the chance  to bring that inner beauty out to the world.

When I sent  gifts down with Jorge in the summer I 

received this one back from Ana...

the most precious gift of all

a hand written note that said:

"You cannot imagine how much I miss you.

The truth is I do miss you and remember you every day.

The few moments that we spent together I realized that you are a super special person. I would like you to stay here forever. The necklace you gave me

I will keep as a treasure and the photo too,

they are a symbol of love

I love and miss you very much.

I will never forget you. I will always have you in my heart."
*
I have no quotes to share from this book as there was just too much to share
too much that mirrored my own heart.
How that no matter how you primp up a poverty stricken country you can not hide the unmistakably mark of generations of poverty.
How most times then not when wanting to share the passion of  your heart for this place, on the other side of the globe, how you want to reach out and make a difference, the person who you are sharing with glazes over and seems miles away from the conversation.
How the stories....how the stories work their way into your heart, how the faces, how the pleading looks in their eyes cause you to never be able to look away again....
and the smiles, the endless smiles in the mist of the misery...
This book is one I highly recommend
to anyone who has the courage to look.
A home on my shelf it finds and a place in my heart.

"A Thousand Sisters"
My Journey in to the worst place on earth to be a Woman
by Lisa J. Shannon
Thank you Lisa
I stand with you

Love and Light

enter my end of summer giveaway here

The Wisdom Club discusses "SnowFlower and the Secret Fan"

This is us

9 of the 12

"The Wisdom Club"

as we gathered  at Debbie's home

to discuss the book she choose for us

"Snow Flower and The Secret Fan"

by Lisa Lee

This is a beautiful novel
taking place in 19th Century China.
It is a story about two girls
named
Lily and SnowFlower.
The girls find themselves in an unlikely pairing
matched together at "laotong"...
also called
"old sames".
This pairing, between girls, is a deep emotional union
that lasts a life time,
a most precious friendship bond.
Often a Laotong relationship would be formed when a marriage was contracted between families who were expecting babies. This was done before the babies were born. If both children turned out female against the hopes of their families, the daughters could be brought together as Laotong.
So was the story between 
SnowFlower and Lily.
Though there were many things that the girls shared which made them a perfect match
the biggest difference was their social class.

The book is written from Lily's point of view and covers the space of her life.
Lisa See writes with unique style.
This story is given in a way of passing on information...
passing on a story of true experience,
not so much based on the typical plot form.
No climax no conclusion...
just a story that is.
One woman's view of her life experience.
and what a life it was...

The topics that got the most talk time was first
the practice of foot binding.
At first when the topic came up 
we all wondered how Mother's could have performed
this act of mutilation 
to their daughter's bodies.
But as the conversation went on 
we realized that in our day and age
woman are still mutilating their bodies
for the sake of beauty
but we don't see it as such because 
it is what fits into our culture for today
as did foot binding in the culture of Chinese yesterday.
If you are unsure what foot binding is
here is a video about it...

The purpose was to make
the foot look as small as possible
and resemble a Lotus Flower.
This showed a woman's value.
The process stared at a young age
and involved 
the breaking 
and
reshaping of the feet.
Through our discussion we were reminded
that perception is truly affected by so many variables.
There may come a time when women of the future wonder about our practice
of nip and tuck
botox shots
and even chemical peals
all in the name of beauty.
*
The other topic that came up was 
the topic of betrayal...
betrayal with no explanation.
Many of the group had experienced this
sort of thing
with another woman in their close circle.
Relationships suddenly ended with
seemingly no reason.
It took us to some old wounds
and also seeing the woman we have become
because of those wounds.

Here are a few of my favourite "out takes"


"Three Obediences"
1 when a girl-obey your father
2 when a wife-obey your husband
3 when a widow-obey your son


"Four Virtues"
be chaste & yielding, calm & upright in attitude
be quiet and agreeable
be restrained and exquisite in movement
be perfect in handiwork & embroidery
pg 24


"buluo fugia-luo means falling, 
like the leaves in autumn 
or
falling in death...
for the rest of my life  I would merely be a guest in my husbands home." pg 112


"I was no longer the little girl who could let river water wash away unpleasant feelings." pg 135


"...sons are the foundations of a woman's self..." pg 151


"Nu Shu (the secret written language between women of those days)...it was to give us a voice..."pg 160
*a personal inspiration to write*


"I had not considered texture, context, and shades of meaning...." pg 242
~this was when Lily reflected on the writings that Snow Flower had sent her which would inevitably sear their union...but upon reflection
as it is with so many things of emotion
she realized she may have taken somethings that were written
out of context.


Another topic was the topic of
subservience...
wow
many of us wondered how we would have survived
such a male dominated world.
We appreciated the "upper roam"
where the women gathered, but the fact that
that room was their only place
got daunting for women as ourselves
who live in so much freedom.
It became clear why so many women committed suicide
during these times.

Ultimately 
this is a story about Sisterhood
and how deep that bound can run between women.
A book I was delighted to read
a book that brought a lively and fulfilling
gathering
a book I am most happy to have
on my book shelf
to stay.


Love and Light 

"Tramp for The Lord"...book review

So I enjoyed this book.

It was a quick easy read

and though my faith differs in some areas from 

Miss Corrie Ten Boom

I found myself inspired by her spirit

and her commitment to her faith.

Here are a few of my favourite "out takes"

"...forgiveness is an act of the will

and the will can function

regardless of the temperature

of the heart." pg 55

~this was a lesson Corrie learned when she came face to face with one of her guards, years after the war. The particular guard showed up at one of her talks. Since the war the once cruel guard had found God and had felt the forgiveness of his Creator for the horrible things he had done. Upon hearing Corrie speak about the very prison he had worked at he wanted to receive her forgiveness verbally to his face. It was something she struggled with in the moment...and in that moment she realized that a forgiveness  of such a magnitude is in need of The Divines assistance. She realized she coudl not do it on her own, that her own flesh still felt the pain and suffering, the loss she face in that concentration camp. But thru her faith and Divine intervention, she was able to fully forgive that man.  It was a transforming moment for both the guard and Corrie.

"I would rather be a trusting child of a rich (heavenly) Father

than a beggar at the door of worldly men" pg 86

~This was Corrie's view on raising funds for her ministry. She preferred to allow God to provide without having to ask for money from anyone

"Our wise Father in heaven knows when you are going to need things too. Today you do not need the strength of a martyr; but as soon as you are called upon for the honour of facing death for Jesus, He will supply the strength you need just in time."

~words from Connie's father to her when she was a little girl wondering if she would ever have what it took to 

work for Jesus.

Just a few little nuggets....

Thanks to my friend Sofia for lending me this book

Corrie Ten Boom tramped around the world for Jesus

tell she was in her 80's

She did what she believed she was called to do

and she stood firm in her Faith.

Whether you follow her particular faith walk or not

I am sure you will find her commitment 

an inspiration.

Love and Light

Living in the Exhale....

(an unexpected photo taken by my husband~me on the back deck in deep reflection)

I'm living in the Exhale...

From deep with in me

A breathe arises

Warm with Wisdom

Wrought with Wounds

Wild with Wonderment

(early morning running companion Coyote hanging out under Eagles nest)

It leaves my body slowly

Expanding as it goes

Who knew?

So much could be inside

One Soul

So much Life

So much Death

It causes me to be still

To sleep

To sit in silence

As I welcome The Rains

For they allow me to stay slow

And as new life is seen

all around

I rest in the knowing...

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~Catherine Beerda-Basso

copyright 2012

I finished The Alchemist this week

ahhhhhh

a beautiful 

simple

fable 

about the Journey of Life.

In the book they call it the Personal Legend.

It is a story about a lowly shepherd who goes in search of a treasure that a king foretold, awaits him in the Egyptian desert.

Along the way he meets many a character who prove to be an intricate part of his own life's web.

It is a Journey of Dreams

a Journey of Faith

a Journey of Love

a Journey of Life.

but mostly

it is about Love

Divine Love

Love that makes up all things.

"This is what we call Love," the boy said, seeing that the wind was close to granting what he requested. "When you are loved, you can do anything in creation. When you are loved, there is no need at all to understand what's happening because everything happens within you, and even men can turn themselves into the wind. As long as the wind helps, of course." pg 148-149

"Because it's not love to be static like the desert, not is it love to roam the world like the wind. And it's not love to see everything from a distance, like you do. Love is the force that transforms and improves the Soul of the World. When I first reached through to it, I thought the Soul of the World was perfect. But later, I could see that it was like other aspects of creation, and had it'w own passions and wars. It is we who nourish the Soul of the World, and the world we live in will be either better or worse, depending on whether we become better or worse. And that's where the power of Love comes in. Because when we love, we always strive to become better than we are." pg 152

I really can't say much else as I think it is a book that ignites personal reflections

personal thought

one that must be read by the individual
to fully appreciate
it is a quick and easy read
like a sweet dessert on a warm summers day
while the breezes kiss your cheeks as you sit in the garden

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as for me

I borrowed this copy from a friend

but upon reading it

I will be purchasing my own 

to put upon my book shelf

where it will stay.

It will be one of the books I will read to my 9 year old this summer...

and a book that I will read again 

but this time 

I will be able to journal in the book

as I go.

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what is touching your souls my lovelies?

Love and Light