Going Rogue

Going Rogue is Sarah Palin's memoir. Although scrutinized and criticized to the nth degree, I enjoyed the book. I wasn't looking for the errors, exaggerations, and "gotcha" moments I'd heard so much about from mainstream media since the book was published. I was looking for the story of the ordinary woman who became the 2008 vice presidential candidate. The woman who believes in many of the same things I do.

I wasn't disappointed. I learned a lot about how the people and situations in her life led to that momentous event. I also learned a lot about Alaska, a state at the opposite end of the spectrum from my state of Florida. And, I enjoyed the stories and the photographs inviting me into her life.

The parts that talk about the campaign and the events since losing the election that have been so vehemently attacked in the media did not appear to be vindictive to this reader. They were written from her perspective so of course they are subjective to her perception of reality. Isn't that how we all see things? From our own reality.

Conservatives and even many independents will enjoy this look into Sarah Palin's life. Liberals will continue to be outraged.

Saint (audio book)

Sometimes a great idea turns into a not-so-great reality. I thought buying an audio version of Ted Dekker's book, Saint,would be ideal for a multitasking fanatic like me. Wrong.

The first time I listened to the audio my mind began to wonder after about three minutes and I stopped hearing the words. The second attempt ended in frustration when I realized the book was in the middle of the second chapter and I had no idea what it was about. Finally, I decided to give the audio book the same attention I give to reading a book so I popped in the CD, settled back, and listened for several minutes before I fell asleep.

Although I can read a book for hours and hours, I quickly learned that listening to an audio book is not for me so I'll be reading this one in the future.

Unexpected Visitor

Living in the interior of Florida with an assortment of animals is always an adventure. The blackbirds, blue jays, cardinals, doves, green and yellow vireos, pigeons, mockingbirds, swallows, thrushes and wrens give enjoyment to those who take the time to watch. And, the squirrels chatter and climb in a never-ending search for food providing amusement to the onlooker. How awesome it is when egrets, herons, ibis, hawks, kites and majestic bald eagles make their appearance in and around a dead tree left in place for a bird's eye view of the pond below. What an unexpected thrill to see a bald eagle perched high in the tree and then swoop towards the pond to collect a fish.

Along with the birds and squirrels, visits from giant bugs and spiders, lizards, raccoons, panthers, snakes, turtles and wild hogs, as well as, occasional horses and cows that escape neighborhood fences, should be an expected part of life. Yet, these visits are always startling and make the hair stand on end and the senses react. Such was the case the other day when an alligator made an appearance. The first thought was the safety of my little dog and a mental note to add "gator" to the list of animals to scan the horizon for before going outside. The second thought was "get the camera".

Funny how a sudden encounter with the unexpected can change perspective. Alligators are part of the landscape, but since they hadn't made an appearance until the other day no thought was given to their presence. Now, however, they are in the forefront of thoughts each time the door is opened. I wonder if that is how it is with God sometimes - using the unexpected ... hardship, illness, loss, tragedy ... to bring Him to the forefront of our thoughts instead of life's routines.