The Next Step and a Challenge For You!

One of the results of my love of books and reading is that I have wanted to write a book. When I retired I thought I would have time to write. Dr. Bob Butkus was an inspiration to me. He was the principal of the Powell River campus of Malaspina University College and my boss. He retired before me and wrote a book.

I found that even in retirement I didn't find time to write my book. But now I do have the time; so I am trying to get started. To help me get going I am working through The 12-Day Plan of Simple Writing Exercises from the Writers Digest online newsletter.

Now I come to my challenge to you and, incidentally, an opportunity to inspire me. The challenge comes from the first day:

Day 1:
Write 10 potential book titles of books you’d like to write.

I added a short description of the story to each title. Here is one of my 10:

1. A Woman For All Seasonings a cook makes meals for the elderly and listens to their stories

Your challenge: to post a title with a short explanation of the story. 

And now is a good time to encourage you to join the Minister's Cat. If you do join then your posts will include your name and I'll know who you are.

The Minister's Cat says, "Bye for now. Meow!"

A Man of the Book?

I am a man pulled in two directions. Ever since I read The Tale of Reddy Fox by Thornton W. Burgess by myself in grade two I have loved books. I can recall the smell of books, the second hand Kipling stories my Mom brought home from Vancouver or the new books my uncle Bill gave me each Christmas. But since my accident I have lost most of my sense of smell.
Also I can no longer turn the pages of a book. As a result I have resorted to my computer to continue my reading passion. How? I'm glad you asked. I'd like to share three ways I do this.

1. I downloaded a Kindle for pc a free program for my sip and puff equipped laptop. I tried the Canadian version but although they said they had free books I could not find them. I found thousands of free Kindle Books some are modern, many are classics. One treasure I found was a series of commentaries by Alexander McLaren covering the whole Bible. Another was several thrillers by H. Rider Haggard, including King Solomons Mine.
2. I also found a free Bible program, http://www.e-sword.net/ Again there are many free resources. For example, although most modern Bible versions must be bought, I find the English Standard Bible ESV to suit me. On the other hand, I did purchase Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words for e-Sword PCs. I have a copy of the New Testament book in my library upstairs (I haven't been up there since my accident). Now I have both the New and Old Testaments and a direct connection to my Bible. I found an article that I really enjoyed about electronic Bibles. Check it out. People of the Nook
3. One of the recurring problems a quad has is periodic infection. At such times I get too tired to read. Then I like to listen to books read aloud. Two online sources of public domain books are http://librivox.org/ which has a large number of titles but is not easy to browse. http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/ has fewer titles but can be browsed by genre.
4. Yes, I know I told you tshat there were 3 ways. I feel like the writer in Proverbs 30:18  Three things are too wonderful for me; four I do not understand: I think I may have written about them before: 1) BC has a wonderful online library of both ebooks and audiobooks. 2) Christian Audio has a free download every month. If you give them your email they send you a notice. I have used this service for years with no problems. 

Finally I leave you with two bookish quotes:
The first from THE BOOK:

 Ecclesiastes 12:12  My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

The second from my favorite essayist, Sir Francis Bacon:

 Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.

Judging from this quote I must be an omnivore. Your Sip n Puff friend says so long. I have a book that needs tasting.
John D.