To Bee or not to bee...?

It is two days until Christmas, and other than the first half of "A Berenstein Bear's Christmas" that I read to a passle full of hungry children to keep them out of the kitchen at a party the other night, I haven't read a blessed Christmas book this year. But the new year is coming, and that calls for stories of new beginnings, starting over, and hope resurfacing. I need these types of stories to motivate me past sub-zero weather and gloomy gray skies. So, in a pinch, I'm turning to an old book with a new movie, and one of my all time favorites: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (also the author of "The Mermaid Chair" - another excellant new year's book, though currently movie-less).

In October of this year, this story of personal growth and redemption was released on the Big Screen, starring such names as Quenn Latifah, Dakato Fanning, and Paul Bettany. However, since we live in a podunk town, I would wager to guess that most Warsaw-ians won't see it until it comes out on DVD. Which leaves you plently of time to still read the book, if you haven't already, or reread it before seeing the movie! (Because the truth of the matter is that a good movie is only ever the shadow of the book behind it....)

I think I fell in love with this story because it bridges the girl-woman gap. In a hundred and fifty pages or so, Lilly, the stereotypical eleven year old - who loves the memory of her mother, Southern mornings, and the house cook, and who has seemingly learned how to manage her cranky father - sees racism, emotional disabilities, and the bloody intracacies of love in all their vibrant colors through previously blinded eyes. As much as you learn about the South during the 60's, and as interesting as the characters are, it is the story of coming into oneself, and learning the strength of patience through pain.

I'm excited to see the movie - the story line is interesting, and caries the energy of a moutain creek, simultaneously meandering and rushing over scenes and characters. But I doubt they will be able to capture the poetry of Lilly's thoughts, her musings and verbal snap shots of life. (I do have faith, though, that if any child star in Hollywood can be both emo and charming, it is Dakato Fanning!) And this was by far my favorite part of the whole book - Sue Monk Kidd captures the essence of pre-teen feeling - putting into words that time of life, giving it its voice. It runs across the generations, because every woman has been there, and every man has known a girl there (and wondered what was wrong with her!)

I'm much better at opening lines than closing lines, so in conclusion - if you get a chance, read the book, see the movie....let us know what you think!

You'll shoot your eye out kid!

There's no denying that we're fast approaching that time of year again, the smell of pine and the faint sound of bells jingling on the horizon. How do you get into the holiday mood? Decorate the tree with popcorn, bake gingerbread cookies, gift-wrap your dad's car or roast chestnuts on an open fire? Does anyone actually roast chestnuts on an open fire? Another way to get into the holiday spirit is to watch a Christmas movie.

Here are some of my favorites that I try to watch every Christmas.
"It's a Wonderful Life." Whose heart hasn’t melted as neighbors rush in to empty their pockets to help George replace the missing money from Bailey Building and Loan?

Another excellent Christmas movie is "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Who can forget the moment the Grinch realizes the true meaning of the holiday, learning that Christmas is in the heart and not in presents?

Are you in the mood for a Christmas miracle? Well, look no further "Miracle on 34th Street." Kris Kringle is in danger of being committed to an asylum because of his insistence that he is the true Santa Claus. Can Kris’ attorney save Kris and Christmas?

Good grief, who wouldn’t enjoy "A Charlie Brown Christmas"? Everyone remembers how Charlie picks out the most pathetic tree imaginable and his friends pitch in to decorate it and miraculously transform it into a beautiful sight.

The film "A Christmas Story" is everyone’s childhood wrapped into one. All Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder Carbine Action, 200-shot, Range Model Air Rifle, but his hopes of getting one dim as each adult he encounters (even Santa) tells him he’ll shoot his eye out.

Tired of all the old Christmas classics? Why not try "The Polar Express" which is a glorious example of holiday cheer, and rediscovering the pure spirit of a child at Christmas.

And last but not least is Dickens classic tale "A Christmas Carol", with Ebenezer Scrooge transforming from, well, a scrooge, into an affectionate, compassionate person.

There's still plenty of time left to gather the family and snuggle up with your favorite Christmas movie.

Amazing...Grace

There's Chick Lit and there's Chick Lit. Meaning some are just fluff and not worth reading while others are witty, funny, creative and yet manage to have real substance.

This book, Faking Grace, was definitely the latter. I loved the creativity of quick-witted writer, Tamara Leigh, who used a "Dumb Blonde's Guide To Christianity" book (a take-off on the Dummies book line) as part of the romance storyline. This enabled her to give a lot of information on Christianity, but without the preachiness.

Hilarious fun, an out-of-the-box approach, with lots of "Lucille Ball", zany moments. Leigh effectively delivered the message of finding faith and receiving grace in a non-preachy way while delivering a delightful, hard-to-put down storyline. It "delivers spiritual truths among chuckles" as one reviewer put it.

It was well-written with very realistic characters who were shown as imperfect Christians. Both non-Christians and Christians alike should find this novel enjoyable.

He had me at “hello”

I just recently read The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch a professor at the climax of his career who discovers he has pancreatic cancer and has only months to live. This is one of the few books I have read this year that I strongly recommend.

Professor Pausch gives us plenty of amusing but thought-provoking anecdotes, as well as useful advice and inspiration to make the most of life. Instead of wincing and cursing he receives his death sentence with a broken-heart but also with good-humor. He was heart-broken because he knew he had to leave his wife and small children behind, but nevertheless he was good-humored because he was a born optimist and believed there is always a silver lining to any trouble encountered in life.

In the middle of reading this book I realized that it was not written for the reader but rather it’s his legacy to his children. All the life lessons a parent hopes to pass on to their children is captured in this book. Randy Pausch tells it like it needs to be told. He holds back nothing and at times I was moved to tears. Many times in our lives, we know what we should be doing but don’t always do it. The message that Professor Pausch tries to get across is that don’t wait till you receive a terminal diagnosis to start doing the things you always wished you could do, instead do them now. The book doesn't end the way you would assume, with death, but it ends with a life lesson. The lesson is to enjoy your life and fulfill your dreams. Pausch reminds us that we, too, can live our lives and die our deaths with honesty and integrity. After all, we are all dying people. Gandalf the Grey said it best "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." (Randy Pausch passed away on July 25, 2008.)