Friday, July 07, 2006

Reading List, etc.

I realize that it's been a while since I've posted anything... I guess time flies when you're having fun! To fill in the gap, here's a quick synopsis of what I've been up to:

  • My brother was in town from The Big Apple for almost a week. He has many crazy stories of work schedules, co-workers, and life in the big city. It's an exciting life, but one that I prefer to enjoy in short snippets (and, conveniently, I can by visiting him!).
  • We drove through the Beartooths on Saturday -- that's always such a beautiful drive, and this was the first time we'd seen the highway since it reopened. Not much wildlife, but lots of motorcycles.
  • I was sicker than I think I've ever been on Sunday morning. Still, I didn't want to miss out on the familiy's trip to the cabin, so I laid in the back of the Suburban (fending off 3 panting dogs) for the three-hour drive on Sunday afternoon. I was back to about 80% by Monday, thank God!
  • In the last two weeks, I've had two evenings that to me just epitomize Summer -- one was sitting on the edge of my parents' pool with two families, watching their kids play in the water, while the adults sat and talked for several lazy hours. The other was sitting on a patio about 30 feet from the Yellowstone River, again, enjoying friends, family, food, (mosquitos,) watching their dogs play and not being in a rush to go anywhere or do anything. These are the moments that Ray Bradbury talks about bottling up (in the form of dandelion wine) and saving them for a dreary winter day. They can't be saved, but they can be savored.
  • For his first birthday, Migo got a shock collar! It's pretty cute how he jumps when he gets zapped (humanely, of course). No more pretending he can't hear me :)
  • I've been plodding my way through Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged. I was inspired to buy it because Amazon said this about it: "Atlas Shrugged is the "second most influential book for Americans today" after the Bible, according to a joint survey conducted by the Library of Congress and the Book of the Month Club ." The only reason that I doubt that this statement is true is because most Americans don't have the patience to read a book this thick unless it's a Harry Potter book. While I inched my way through this book at the cabin, my brother soared through no less than six other books. Disgusting.

    Anyway, Atlas Shrugged is compelling enough that I keep turning the pages. I want to know what happens! (i.e. is there any "redemption"? any relief? do the 'good guys' win?) And, I'm trying to figure out her worldview in the process. Has anybody read it, so I can digest it with you?
  • Finally, I've added a few books to my wishlist, based on Baker's new releases for the summer of 2006 and a few other things:
    - Through the Bible, Through the Year, by John Stott
    - Pig in a Taxi and Other African Adventures, by Suzanne Crocker
    - Spanish Grammar for Independent Learners
    - The Peacemaking Pastor, by Alfred Poirier. This has been on my list for a while, and I've gotten to read pieces of it, but I'm looking forward to being able to recommend it liberally to friends and people at work.

Now, here's to another (almost) weekend!

2 comments:

goodnight moon said...

ohhhh, nice design! i read atlas shrugged probably almost 10 years ago now (wow). it was really interesting, and i've sort of been fascinated with ayn rand ever since (sort of along the lines of my fascination with che guevara...people who are dedicated to a radical ideal). would be interested in your thoughts.

L.Bo Marie said...

Suzanne Crocker is one of the MOST amazing people I've ever met! YOU MUST read that book! it'll kill you with laughter...