Shirley Whitney's Blog
September 15, 2017
Skipping Christmas
by John Grisham 2001
I don't like this book, not because it isn't well written. It is. I don't like this book because of what it says about our celebrations and traditions. It makes me embarrassed for our culture. We are filled with pride. We are stubborn and independent and selfish. We don't stop to think about the "why" of what we do or the results of our actions on others. Grisham writes of a neighborhood where everyone gossips, has their own priorities and agendas, and uses many different types of manipulations for their own ends. Toward the end of the book there is some "goodwill toward men" which gives some hope for the future.
The book does leave you with a question. Just who is Marty!?!?!
Even though I don't like this book, I recommend that you read it. As you read it ask:
Am I like that? Do I want to be like that?
What is the reason I do "celebration" things?
What do I expect as the outcome of my "celebrations"?
What needs to change in my relationships with others?
I could add -
What is it I really want to get or accomplish with my $?
-but we all know Amazon, Costco, and Walmart too well. :-)
Read SKIPPING CHRISTMAS, and I pray it makes you weep and repent!
I don't like this book, not because it isn't well written. It is. I don't like this book because of what it says about our celebrations and traditions. It makes me embarrassed for our culture. We are filled with pride. We are stubborn and independent and selfish. We don't stop to think about the "why" of what we do or the results of our actions on others. Grisham writes of a neighborhood where everyone gossips, has their own priorities and agendas, and uses many different types of manipulations for their own ends. Toward the end of the book there is some "goodwill toward men" which gives some hope for the future.
The book does leave you with a question. Just who is Marty!?!?!
Even though I don't like this book, I recommend that you read it. As you read it ask:
Am I like that? Do I want to be like that?
What is the reason I do "celebration" things?
What do I expect as the outcome of my "celebrations"?
What needs to change in my relationships with others?
I could add -
What is it I really want to get or accomplish with my $?
-but we all know Amazon, Costco, and Walmart too well. :-)
Read SKIPPING CHRISTMAS, and I pray it makes you weep and repent!
July 23, 2017
Seniors and Children's Books
I had a wonderful surprise today. I took my latest book to my husband's parents. They have always been encouraging over my books, but today they were enthralled. They are living in a care home because of Mom's dementia. Neither Mom nor Dad have great eyesight, but they were pouring over the book, looking to find all the letters in the pictures, counting them, and enjoying the rhymes. Perhaps the best thing about this is that Mom can enjoy the book all over again tomorrow because she won't remember much of what she saw today. Based on this experience, I would encourage the use of children's books with seniors. The care home where Mom and Dad are has been a part of the program of music memory for seniors with dementia. Children's books might be another way to stimulate the mind and memories!
