ENGL 223

I have to admit, Mrs. S. was right!!!  I was in her English class last fall, and she drug me, almost kicking and screaming (haha) to take her online ENGL 223 class in the spring!!!  So, I did, and I am glad I did.  I did not take much literature classes in high school and did not think I enjoyed reading "literature".  Seemed kinda stuffy to me!!!  I am a strong enough woman to admit when I was wrong.  While there were a few pods that we not liked quite as well as others, I have truly enjoyed this semester and know that it has opened a new world to me.  Sometimes reading the "old" books or stories is much better than some of the new stuff that is out there. 

So..Mrs. S..thank you for opening a new world to me.  I am sure once I am done having to read nursing textbooks and am able to read just for "fun", I will turn to some of these oldies but goodies!

Not A Fan

My husband and I are involved with a bible study group that has been meeting for several years.  We have recently started a study called "Not A Fan".  It was written by a Pastor in Louisville KY.  The premise of the study is to see if you are a "fan" of Jesus (much like we are "fans" of our favorite sporting teams, etc) or are we truly committed to follow Jesus.  I am truly enjoying this study; although, I have to admit my toes have been stepped on a couple of times.   I guess that is the sign of a good study!!!   It is causing me to think deeper about my relationship with Jesus.  I am excited to see how this study will change my relationship with Christ.  As I grow closer to Him, I know I will grow closer to my husband.  I am so thankful and blessed to be involved with a bible study group that loves each other enough to hold us accountable for our actions..not just with each other, our family, friends, etc...but with Christ.

Great Gatsby, Part Two!

I have to admit that I had some difficulty getting in to this story.  I stuck with it, though, finishing it last night.  Thanks to my pronto chat buddies for letting me know when you were going to discuss the end so not to spoil it for me!!  Certainly did not end the way I was anticipating!!!  I had a feeling that the driver of the car that killed Myrtle was going to be Daisy; however, I never expected that Tom would throw Jay under the bus like he did!   It did not surprise me that Daisy (and Tom) thought only of themselves and left.  I certainly did not anticipate that George would come over to kill Jay!!!

One of the blog "suggested" topics Mrs S posted was which character could we see ourselves in.  Here's my little "snippet" of each character:  Jay - trying hard to do whatever he could to win back the love of his life...even things that were not honorable; Nick - a good guy caught up in the craziness of life of those around him and doing his best to "fix" everything; Daisy - very caught up in her own life; very self-centered; Tom - arrogant, born with a silver spoon in his mouth and likes it;
Jordan - keeps getting pulled in to situations, but seems to like the drama a little bit; Myrtle - bored with her marriage and likes the excitement that the affair with Tom brings; George - doesn't have a clue what is going on..until it is too late.

I think maybe I relate a little more with Nick.  He wants to be a good guy.  Wants to do whatever he can to keep everyone happy and seems to get pulled down with the drama.  Towards the end, he begins to see everyone for their true colors and realizes that Jay Gatsby is more than the hype surrounding him.

It is a very good story and one that takes some maturity to read.  High school age readers may not fully understand the meaning behind all the characters.  I think having a little life experience helps one understand this story better.

Thanks to Mrs S for having us read this story!!!

A snowy Monday morning

After getting an automated phone call at 5:40 Monday morning (March 25th) advising me that classes at IUK were cancelled due to inclement weather, I happily rolled over and snuggled back down in my warm bed.  At 7:00 my husband came in to let me know he was going out to plow out the driveway.  After lying in bed for a few minutes, guilt overcame me and I got up and went out to help.  After cleaning our drive and sidewalk, we ventured over to his mother's and cleaned her sidewalks (thankfully we have someone that comes in and plows her drive as it is quite long).  One parent done..over to my parents to do their drive and sidewalks.

Decided after such hard work, I was going to cuddle up with a blanket and read.  Picked up my kindle and started on "The Great Gatsby".  Took me a little while to get caught up in the story.  I did spend the better part of the afternoon reading.  Not quite as far along as I would like; but I have to admit it is becoming quite an interesting story.  Hoping to get it finished by the end of the week and, at least, get one or two "pod activities" completed before Friday night!!!

Poetry

Just finished our poetry pod.  While I know there is much I do not know about poetry, I did find the ones that I read enjoyable.  This "pod" did open my mind to delve deeper into the poetry realm.  Some of the ones I read brought back very fond memories.  I guess that is what reading and literature is supposed to do.  Transport you to either familiar places or take you on new adventures!  Looking forward to a new adventure with the Great Gatsby.  Hoping to get it read this weekend!

Sons Of Encouragement

With the exception of reading textbooks and required readings for English, I don't have much time left over for leisure/recreational reading; however, I do participate in a women's group.  We have just finished Francine Rivers' Sons of Encouragement.  This book gives stories on heroes of the Bible that maybe are not as "well known" such as Aaron, Caleb, Jonathan, Amos and Silas.  It was a wonderful book and gave great insight to these men and how they shaped history.  I have read many of Francine Rivers' books and always look forward to when she has a new one.  My husband knows that Francine Rivers is always a safe bet for Christmas gifts!!  She intwines bibically accurate information into story lines.  I, at least, feel that I am transported back in time and get caught up in the lives of her characters very quickly and deeply.  I am somewhat sad when I finish one of her books.  Feel like I am losing a very good friend!  I guess that is the gift of a truly good author!

If at first you don't succeed....create a new blog!

This is Mrs. S., sitting with Patti in my office.  Blog problems!!!!

We couldn't fix whatever ailed the original blog, so we just scrapped it and created a new one.  We showed them!

So now Patti is ready for blogging and will be very busy adding new posts several times a day, right?

We will make a blogger out of her whether she likes it or not!

Here we go!  She is off and blogging!