Several years ago, in an on-line writer's group, I met Darcy Wiley. She co-authored The Yes Effect: Accepting God's Invitation to Transform the World Around You. I subscribed to her blog. At the end of last year, Darcy posted about her Pandemic Prayerbook: A Pray-at-Home Guide for the Coronavirus Crisis. She offered two copies in a giveaway. Anyone who responded to explain what Scripture verses have carried them through this pandemic season received an entry. Yay! I won!
The Pandemic Prayerbook compiles 29 prayers for this specific time. Written by various writers, they cover topics like victims, nurses, physicians, first responders, essential workers, creatives, teachers, e-learners, etc. Each prayer reads like poetry and incorporates Scripture. At the end of the book, Darcy provides writer biographies, along with space to compile your own pandemic prayer. She encourages readers to post their prayer on social media and tag it #pandemicprayerbook.
Want to be a winner, too? If you live in the U.S., you can enter my giveaway for my second copy of the book in three ways: 1) by subscribing to my blog via e-mail (button on the top right), 2) by commenting on this post, or 3) by sending me an e-mail at wendy.hill0596@gmail.com to express your interest. The giveaway will be open for entries until April 15, 2021 (an easy deadline to remember - and, yes, taxes are due that day, no delays this year).
(Darcy's photo to accompany her prayer "As I Wash My Hands")
Bird and her brothers, Cash and Fitch, each respond in their own way to the parental friction within their home. This proves, once again, that parents give their children an enormous gift when they strive to love one another. But family life is often complicated, and this novel will resonate with those who struggle with such difficulties. The book appeals equally to boys, as it outlines the pent-up rage of Fitch and the frustrating failures of Cash as they both try to find their place in the world. Kelly captures the emotions of tweens. She presents historical fiction sure to inspire young readers to reach for the stars.
James A. Garfield went to his party's convention to deliver a rousing speech nominating General Sherman. After many votes, someone introduced Garfield's name to the ballet. He watched in shock as they determined to put him forth as their presidential candidate. He expected his life to alter the day he transformed from common citizen to national leader. What he could not foresee, was the tragic end that lay before him.
When Charles Guiteau fired a gun into the president, he believed he was following a divine directive. Moreover, he was sure that Vice President Chester Arthur would rejoice in this triumph and give Guiteau the foreign office position he coveted. His delusions were monumental. His actions unthinkable. He set in motion a further perplexing tale.
The madman's act may not have killed Garfield had it not been for a power-seeking doctor who took over the care of the president. Dr. Bliss probed the wound with a dirty rod, attempting to find the bullet. With Garfield secure in a tiny White House room, Bliss sent away all other doctors, claiming Garfield and his wife begged for his care. Meanwhile, Alexander Graham Bell worked feverishly to invent a machine to locate the bullet inside the body. It was fascinating to hear how this one act altered the political climate, united a country in mourning, and ushered in medical advancements.
Paul Michael is an outstanding narrator in the audio version of the book. The rich tenor of his voice and his excellent accents bring the story to life. His voice sounded familiar, and I thought I had heard him read another audio book at some point. Despite searching through his profuse list of credits, I couldn't pinpoint where I had heard him before. I will definitely seek more books written by Candice Millard and more books read aloud by Paul Michael.
I'm amazed by the speed at which our solitude is slipping away. Last Friday, two house frames appeared, as if out of nowhere, on the horizon of the plot adjoining our land. Yesterday, I attempted to take photos to show the rapid development. (Sorry, I'm a horrid photographer and it doesn't show how close they feel.) There are now 9 houses in various stages of construction dotting the landscape:
This morning, I went out to take closer images (before the workmen arrive, bringing their cacophony of noise).
I'm sure I wouldn't mind it so much if our house didn't face that spell of land. It is the idea that we will look out our front door to houses backed up onto the edge of our property that is so distressing.
People have already started cutting a path through our meadow to get from the walking trail to the road. Makes me want to build a wall around our house, meadow, woods, and orchards. Doubt that will happen.
Apparently, there was a second book sandwiched between these two. A Moment of Weakness tells the story of Jade and Tanner prior to Halfway to Forever. I don't think I'll look for it, though.
I had several favorite entries: On day 6 - Epiphany - White asserts that, like the wise men, he has received the message to cut an alternative path for home. On day 8, he humorously personifies weather and our relationship to it in "The Scandalous Truth About You and Cold Weather." Of course, I appreciated day 19, "Winter is for Writing." On day 20, he compares shoveling and shaving. While I'm not a big fan of winter (my sister and her husband, who live in Texas, pine for winter and snow as much as Kyle does), these poetic readings warmed my heart and gave meaning to the chill outside.
