For Everything a Season: Simple Musings on Living Well

by Philip Gulley

Filled with a cast of lovable, quirky characters, punctuated with simple wonders, the everyday truths found in this book offer much needed clarity to our own befuddled world. No matter where you live, no matter what your season, come along for the journey. When Philip Gulley began writing newsletter essays for the twelve members of his Quaker meeting in Indiana, he had no idea one of them would find its way to radio commentator Paul Harvey Jr. and be read on the air to 24 million people. Fourteen books later, with more than a million books in print, Gulley still entertains as well as inspires from his small-town front porch.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Essays, Spirituality, Faith, Humor, Short Stories

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Philip Gulley has become the voice of small-town American life. Along with writing Front Porch Tales, Hometown Tales, and For Everything a Season, Gulley is the author of the Harmony series of novels, as well as If Grace Is True and If God Is Love, which are coauthored with James Mulholland.

He hosts "Porch Talk with Phil Gulley" on the Indiana PBS affiliate WFYI television's flagship show Across Indiana.

Gulley lives in Indiana with his wife, Joan, and their sons, Spencer and Sam—in a rambling old house with Gulley’s eclectic chair collection (64 at last count) and a welcoming back porch.

Gulley is also the Pastor at Fairfield Friends Meeting House in Camby, Indiana. If you find yourself in Camby, you're invited to attend a sermon.

Reviews

[Book Concierge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subtitle: Simple Musings on Living Well

This is a collection of essays written by Philip Gulley, a Quaker minister; they are organized according to the Bible verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; etc.

I love Gulley’s writings, and particularly like his novels featuring Sam Gardner, pastor of a Quaker meeting house in small town Indiana.

In these essays he waxes poetic on gardening, birth stories, the advantages of front porches and stone patios, a child’s joy in exploring the woods, the pitfalls of gossip, the loyalty of neighbors and the joys of love. There is a nostalgia to his descriptions that recalls my own childhood and just brings a smile to my face (and to my heart). Gulley can get a little preachy at times, but that’s to be expected, as ministry is his life, and his personal reflections on the meaning of that life are bound to come out in his essays. There is still plenty or room for humor, however.

Having just lost a dear friend in the past two weeks, this was the perfect read at this time of my life. Gulley’s writings give me great comfort and a sense of peace.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and will be searching out the previous four books in the Porch Talk series by Philip Gulley. This book is a series of essays about life, neighbours, values and morals all told from the viewpoint of a Quaker Pastor. This book takes the well know biblical verses: For Everything, a Season: Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 and posts 28 essays using the verses: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; etc. I loved his common sense observations and his stories that share so many wonderful, wholesome, honest ideas about living life. Some of the topics he covers are gardening, birth stories, the advantages of front porches and stone patios, a child’s joy in exploring the woods, the pitfalls of gossip, the loyalty of neighbors and the joys of love. I loved the stories he shared about his own childhood and that of his family. Being retired, I am looking for a slower life, a kinder life and as the title says, Living Well and this book gave that to me. It made me think and reflect on my own life, as well as to decide how I want to live the rest of my life. I recommend this book for anyone who is looking to maybe make some changes in life, reflect on how they want to live and to laugh and enjoy short essays on life in a small town.

[Deborah Bausmith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hadn’t come across this author b/4, but seems that 1.5 million of his books are in print. I had nothing to lose since this was in a share-&-swap bookshelf in a break room @ work.

I thought oh-oh since early in the book he states he had been a Quaker pastor; “this could get preachy”. But his discourses about Life, his family, neighbors & living in a small town are sweet & appreciated. As a guide for the book, he follows Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, “for everything there is a season. . .” And I see the humanness of this man through his telling. Yeah, at the end of each chapter he might write a paragraph or two, a little homily that relates to that section of Ecclesiastics. Sometimes it’s a stretch, but sometimes it’s very apropos; it’s painless

The chapter of “The Harvest” he says, “there is a wonderful harmony to harvest and autumn. The sweet corn dies just as the neighbors tire of our leaving it on their doorstep. Sweet corn has the good sense to know when enough is enough. Zucchini is just the opposite. It is a profoundly stupid vegetable, always wearing out its welcome. One year we planted a row of zucchini and were reduced to leaving sacks of it in the unlocked cars at church. That never happens with sweet corn.”

It’s a pleasant, fast read.

[Lghiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although For Everything a Season is written by a Quaker pastor, this book is not a devotional or a Bible study. It is relatively short and could be devoured in one sitting or, as I preferred, by reading a chapter or two every few evenings or so. It is calming, soothing, and yet humorous. The kind of humor that makes you nod and smile and occasionally let a laugh bubble over. It is filled with anecdotes about people the author knows, about the way things used to be, and his own responses to life. Gulley is the kind of person you would like to converse with as he sits in the porch rocker and you gently sway on the swing and reminisce.

[Vicki Martin]

This book of Philip Gulley's just slightly disappointed me. It was just a tad irreverent. But I'll share the good - I liked reading it in the evenings as it was humorous and simple - a good book to wind down the day.

[Teri Pre · Rating 5 out of 5]

In these days of such division and strife in my country, it's refreshing to read a book that makes us think about Ecclesiastes 3 (or The Byrds song) which explores the times in our lives...from the time to be born and the time to die.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My absolute favorite Philip Gulley book. I have read it several times.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was written in 1999 by a Quaker minister and it is full of little vignettes based on Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8. It's full of warm, good advice.

[Deann Doolittle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

[Mishon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a charming little book and I loved the idea of an essay on each verse of the passage from Ecclesiastes

[JLS10 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short nibbles of wisdom, humor, and truths. Gulley is my kind of storyteller. This one will stay by the bedside for quick little tidbits of text to ponder while falling to sleep.

[Maureen Hobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a reader at my brother's Funeral in November and I did the reading from Eclesiastés, which is the theme of this book. Very meaningful and a lot of good things to think about.

[Dawn]

Beyond wonderful !!! Philip is such a wonderful writer !!!

[Tammy Durm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gently funny book about Philip’s simple lifestyle.

[Killian]

Philip Gulley displays his insightful and wise outlook on life and the world in this book. Compiled of memories of his life, he recalls a season for every "important" event in life..from birth to death. It is a really refreshing work that is not hard to read, but is also full of knowledge. I would highly recommend it!

[Sarah]

Very good book. I enjoy all his books. They are simple goodness brought home to small town Indiana that you can relate to easily. Feels like your neighbor or friends when your reading the characters. You know your rooting for them and the good to win in the end of this wonderful story. Short but engaging read.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author Philip Gulley started writing by doing newsletter essays for his twelve member Quaker congregation in Indiana. Much to his surprise one found its way to radio commentator Paul Harvey Jr., and was read on the air to 24 million listeners. Now he has fourteen books in print including this collection of his newsletter essays.

[Stephen J Dorer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read





The author with grace and good humor advocates for values that are rich and timeless. This is a great book for anyone with the sense to have a front porch and takes time to use it.

[Lorinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reflection on small town anecdotes and how they relate to Ecclesiates. A quick, easy read.

[Cws]

242

[Carel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been so nice to find an author who still has wholesome values and can write about them in such a captivating way! He's wonderfully good and sweet and squeaky clean.

[Lorna Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful read on one of my favorite scriptures.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book you want to share!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book full of insightful musings. I really liked this author and would like to read more from him.

[Lynette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simple musings of a good life. Nothing really new in this book. No solid story line, just living life.

[Aldafan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friend gave me this book by a well-known Quaker minister. With simple stories and humor, we are reminded that God is always with us.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many fun tidbits. Not one I would have picked up but read with book club. Now to enjoy my Pennsylvania blue stone patio.

[Caprice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and thoughtful stories by a Quaker pacifist are soothing to the soul. Great interpretation of Ecclesiastes and Proverbs!

[Diana Petty-stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Philip Gulley offers up a heartwarming selection of short stories with interesting characters and life lessons.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

You'll love this one too!!