Culture, geography, history and inspiration – Chinese Immigrants in Canada

From as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by other cultures and eager to know about countries around the world. This fascination has led to traveling, learning about global holidays, attending pow-wows... ...writing to overseas pen pals, learning Scottish Highland dancing, volunteering at a First Nations wilderness camp... ...AND writing about other … Continue reading Culture, geography, history and inspiration – Chinese Immigrants in Canada →

Lonely Lily: a vintage children’s book by Mary L. Code

Lonely Lily or The Shepherd’s Call, a tiny thin book published in the U.K. in 1893, gently tells a sweet but powerful story of faith. It is written for children, but nevertheless fascinated me with its suspenseful telling of the inner journey of hearts, from despair to comfort. I am struck by how much more serious … Continue reading Lonely Lily: a vintage children’s book by Mary L. Code →

Stumbling upon Don Quixote in a German Palace

When I posted my thoughts about the classic novel, Don Quixote, I never dreamed that within one week I would see 17th and 18th century artistic renderings of the story on the walls of a palace! On our summer trip to Germany, my friend and I decided to go to the Charlottenberg Palace in Berlin. This … Continue reading Stumbling upon Don Quixote in a German Palace →

Faulkner’s Favorite – Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes

I regularly recommend this novel as one of the most hilarious books I've ever read. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to the pleasure of this story! Actually, the full title of the novel is El Ingenioso Hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha (The Ingenious Low-Born Noble Don Quixote of La Mancha). And, apparently, … Continue reading Faulkner’s Favorite – Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes →

Summer Reads–Don’t Miss the Greatest Books

If you’re looking for some summer reads, may I recommend this list? The Greatest Books If you haven’t already discovered some of these, you don’t want to miss out on some excellent literature. Many years ago I found a similar list. With a goal of reading one or two from the list each year, I … Continue reading Summer Reads–Don’t Miss the Greatest Books →

What Did Lucy Read?

What literary works have had an effect on you? Who are your favorite writers, and how have they influenced your perspectives or improved your life? Have you ever wondered what literary works influenced your favorite writers? I recently read The Complete Journals of L.M. Montgomery: The PEI Years, 1889-1899, about the woman considered Canada’s most … Continue reading What Did Lucy Read? →

Just As I Am – words of hope and life

My thanksgiving that I am accepted above, just the way I am, prompted by the beloved hymn... J ust as I am, without one plea but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidd’st me come to Thee E ternal Lord, everlasting Father, O Lamb of God, I come S inful, powerless, … Continue reading Just As I Am – words of hope and life →

Review of Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson

When I was in elementary school in Denver, Colorado, there was a book high on the top shelf of the school library that kept catching my eye. The book's title was my name. How intriguing! I saw it year after year, but I couldn't reach it, and anyway it looked too thick and grown-up to … Continue reading Review of Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson →

My Favorite Books of 2017

Here are the books I enjoyed reading the most in the past year. They fall into various categories of fiction and non-fiction, old and new, and are listed in the order that I read them. The only thing they all have in common are that they are generally positive and upbeat! I Remember Nothing by … Continue reading My Favorite Books of 2017 →

Thunder and Lightning and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

While listening to a radio program which mentioned Santa’s reindeer in the song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, something occurred to my mom about Donner and Blitzen. In her native German language, donner means thunder, and blitzen means lightning. We were both curious to know if the creator of the song chose these names because of … Continue reading Thunder and Lightning and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer →