Wednesday, March 29, 2006

SPRING IS SPRUNG

By Marion Kelley Bullock

Spring is sprung,
The grass is riz,
I wonder where
The birdies is.

No. (I wave away the congratulations) That’s not original with me. If I knew who penned it, I’d ask for permission to use it, because it’s my sentiment exactly. Our grass has riz to an outrageous height, along with a new crop of weeds that failed to die when my husband laboriously sprinkled pre-emergence weed killer and fertilizer on it. He also watered it, because raindrops don’t keep falling on our heads here in West Texas.

Actually, I think the fertilizer must have eclipsed the weed killer, because our weeds are thriving. There are also bluebonnets dotted throughout the yard. I hate for them to get mowed down, but can you imagine maneuvering a lawn mower around each beautiful little plant? I realize you could use clippers, but my husband isn’t crazy about that idea.

As far as the birdies. Our cat knows where each one of them is, perched high in the pecan tree and on the wood fence. We keep her fat and sassy, and hang a bell around her neck, so she poses little danger to our winged friends. In gratitude they sing for us. I never grow tired of the doves’ cooing in our back yard.

God knows where every little bird is, too, and cares for them. How much more does He care for us.

So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31.

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Book Review of Son of Perdition
By Louise M. Gouge

This well-crafted novel is Louise Gouge’s crowning touch to her Ahab’s Legacy series. Louise possesses a knack for weaving historical elements into her story in a natural, entertaining way. Her zeal for the abolitionist movement and issues concerning slavery are inspiring. In this third novel of the series, Timothy Jacobs grows up determined to be as different as night and day from his infamous father, Captain Ahab. He changes his name and aims for perfection. But his arrogance shows through. And when he is terribly wounded during a Civil War sea battle, his wrath toward God threatens to turn him into a replica of the father he swore not to emulate. Will he learn to forgive, so that he can seek the forgiveness and love of his heavenly Father? Will he be able to accept the love of Jemima, his childhood sweetheart? Or will he be forever mired in his overwhelming bitterness?

If you enjoy history, romance, and adventure, read Son of Perdition.