Author: admin
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Regrets. Moving on. Forgiving Self. Sadness. Change. (Nov. 2008)
Good morning! I am needing an entire pot of our legal stimulant this morning to think for you! I hope that you wait until you have a few minutes of quiet to read again today. So much to think about this week as we enter into Thanksgiving week. Many of my friends and some of…
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Prayer defined as opening of tight fist. “With Open Hands” by Henri Nouwen (Oct. 2008)
Good morning! This week one morning I decided to keep the quiet & do what I encourage all of you to do – begin the day with some meaning. Open a book. In only twenty minutes I kept saying, “Oh, goodness, I have to write this on Thursday to all of you!” The first reading…
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Living Remarkably–Daily Choices (The Big Moo by Seth Godin) (October 2008)
Susan’s Thursday morning note October 16, 2008 Living Remarkably – daily choices. The Big Moo by Seth Godin Good morning! I was going to only send you a reminder about our open house & book signing today, but can’t resist writing to you a dialogue that I read this week on one dying man’s lessons to his…
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Death of young daughter…who mother became…feeling alive again. “Hannah’s Gift” by Maria Housden (Sept. 2008)
Susan’s Thursday morning note September 18, 2008 Hannah’s Gift: Lessons from a Life Fully Lived by Maria Housden Death of little daughter…mother going on with life even with intense pain of loss Man Walks Into a Room by Nicole Krauss Loss of all memories – moving forward with loss with no pain of…
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Life Changes and Letting Go “When the Heart Waits” by Sue Monk Kidd (Sept. 2008)
Susan’s Thursday morning note September 11, 2008 When the Heart Waits by Sue Monk Kidd Changes in Life & Letting Go Hi all of you! A cup of marvelous coffee (I thought it tasted good last week because it was cool, it’s even better when it’s rainy & cool!) Two wet cats tossed out…
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Desire for solitude. Creativity. Prayer. “Firstlight” by Sue Monk Kidd (Aug. 2008)
Oh, my goodness – can you believe how beautiful this week has been? The breezes at night – is there anything that beats a cool breeze at night? Even my coffee tastes better when the weather changes to cool – has that been researched? Is this what we’re missing by not living all year long…
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Being Yourself “Just Who Will You Be” by Maria Shriver (Aug. 2008)
Susan’s Thursday morning note August 14, 2008 Being yourself (Maria Shriver’s graduation speech) Good morning!! I am hoping this week that you are reading this from right here in Midwest Nebraska – for it seems almost like fall. Absolutely beautiful – the mornings & evenings. I love to know that God created the changes in…
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Living life fully regardless of circumstances. Impact of poetry on lives. “The Lesson of the Moth” poem by Don Marquis (July 2008)
Susan’s Thursday morning note July 24, 2008 The Lesson of the Moth poem by Don Marquis Life life fully regardless of circumstances. Impact of poetry on lives. Good morning! I can’t resist continuing with last week’s book, Good Poems, selected by Garrison Keillor. There were several poems that I wanted to type for…
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Analysis of Baseball Poem. Garrison Keillor’s “Good Poems: Selected & Introduced by Garrison Keillor” (July 2008)
Susan’s Thursday morning note July 17, 2008 Analysis of Baseball Poem (Garrison Keillor’s Good Poems: Selected & Introduced by Garrison Keillor) Good morning! I hope some of you had the same moon as we did last night. The colors of a “harvest moon” – full and deep auburn – in July. A quiet, thinking moon. …
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Death of who we deeply love. “Letters to Father: Suor Maria Celeste to Galileo 1623-1633” (July 2008)
Letters to Father: Suor Maria Celeste to Galileo, 1623-1633 Everyday life of Galileo’s daughter in a convent. (Death, time, peace) Susan’s Thursday morning note July 10, 2008 Good afternoon! (I’m hoping I don’t have to even change that to good evening eventually – the way this day is going!) This is the first “Good afternoon…
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Beautiful Unstoppable Moments in Creation and Life. (June 2008)
Susan’s Thursday morning note June 19, 2008 Creation. Beautiful, unstoppable moments. Good morning! Have you ever seen a mother bird fly into a birdhouse near you with a berry in her mouth? I did for the first time this week. And, have you ever heard a mother bird lose her mind when a cat…
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Beauty in the moment. In gardens. In what is NOW. Creation. This moment. (June 2008)
Susan’s Thursday Morning Note June 19, 2008 ~ Beauty in the moment. In gardens. In what is NOW. Creation. This moment.~ Eight Ways of Looking at a Garden by Nicole Krauss after traveling to Japan~ Excerpt from The Conde Nast Book of Unforgettable Journeys: Great Writers on Great Places by Klara Glowczewska Good morning! Have…
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Misc. Excerpts from Susan’s Writings (Death. Grief. Sorrow. Depression)
June 28, 2007 Newsletter – Excerpt from Susan (after reading Anne Lindbergh’s journals) Now, go drink your coffee, listen to our birds singing for us, and know – we have to keep feeling, to keep breathing. If you’re in your “Hour of Gold” – ENJOY! If you’re in your “Hour of Lead” – keep breathing. …
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Bibliophilia & Bibliomania – The love of books vs. the excessive-compulsive disorder hoarding books (May 2008)
Susan’s Thursday morning note May 29, 2008 Booknotes Journal 2004 section on “Biliophilia and Biliomania” Good morning! I think I should write on the blues of no sunshine for weeks and rain rain everywhere, but I’ll stick with my original plan instead! My cats are even giving me the “blank stare” look, just ticked that…
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Description of a true home. “A Heap O’Living” Poem by Edgar A. Guest (May 2008)
Good morning out there! Do we say good morning if it’s thundering and lightening? The “aurora” is just now showing her face, barely on the horizon, with no birds daring enough to get out and sing a greeting with her. We have a beautiful little yellow bird that made her presence known yesterday morning. Then…
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Friendships. Vulnerability in Relationships. “Braveheart” by Sharon Hersh (May 2008)
Good morning! No moonlight, but I can see the sky changing – only a matter of minutes until “Aurora” comes. Did you know “Aurora” means dawn in Latin? This e-mail is going to be long. I highly suggest you take the time to read it when you have five minutes. I think you’ll be glad…
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Importance of the written word. “A Book Lover’s Companion” by The Folio Society (May 2008)
Good morning! The last week has been spent going through different book lists from authors I admire and lists I respect so we can expand our book section at the store. I have been reading a book called A Book Lover’s Companion that was published in London by The Folio Society. Stu & I received…
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Quotes on Books – “Book Notes Journal” (May 2008)
Happy Spring! I am typing with dried morel mushrooms in glass jars beside me. They are so ugly they are beautiful!! The small moon this morning isn’t showing light through the window, but the coffee has the perfect filler helping fingers wake up! I was given a beautiful gift this week that I will try…
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Creation. Butterfly & Child (July 2006) Nature helping fight sadness. “Achieving Peace of Heart” by Rev. Irala. (Apr. 2008)
Susan’s Thursday morning note July 27, 2006 Butterflies and Child. Nature fighting sadness. Good morning all of you out there! I wish you could see what I’m watching out in my backyard this morning. About five minutes ago a little 5-year old whosit named Camden stumbled by in his Spiderman PJ shirt, his Cars movie…
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Difficult Times – Bad Luck Good Luck Fable (Apr 2008)
Susan’s Thursday morning note April 10, 2008 Good coming from bad situations. Bad Luck Good Luck Chinese Fable Good miserable, overcast, gloomy, rainy morning! If that sun doesn’t pop out soon our morel mushrooms don’t stand a chance. Rain rain go away, Come again another day! I have been thinking this week about a…
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Personal libraries being mirrors of soul. (Book by Book by John Dirda) (March 2008)
Susan’s Thursday morning note March 27, 2008 Our personal libraries – mirrors of our souls. Good morning! Can’t tell you the birds are singing…it’s SILENT out. So silent you hear the nothing. Does that make sense? Oh, goodness, it’s 6:07 & Camden just said, “Mooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmy.” So much for the 30 seconds of silence as I…
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Creation worshipping God. “The Diver” short story in “Anecdotes of Destiny” by Isak Dinesen (March 2008)
Susan’s Thursday morning note March 20, 2008 Anecdotes of Destiny and Ehrengard by Isak Dinesen Nature worshipping God. Description of the fish. Good morning! Not only did the birds come to sing for me this morning, they even sang away outside my front door for me last night! Spring! Oh, the beautiful word. My cats…
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Being Yourself (Babette’s Feast in Anecdotes of Destiny and Ehrengard by Isak Dinesen) (March 2008)
Susan’s Thursday morning note March 13, 2008 Being Yourself (Babette’s Feast by Isak Dinesen) Hi all of you! It’s so SILENT this morning. Eerily so. No birds singing. The cats aren’t even making noise snoring. They look dead in their funny positions. Just the click of my fingers. Oh – the heater just turned on…
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Susan’s writing on her personal reading. “Why I read. How I choose what I read. How I find time to read.” (Feb. 2008)
Susan’s Thursday morning note February 28, 2008 Susan’s Writing on “How I choose what to read” and “How I find time to read” The Secret Garden by Frances Burnett – moving from intense grief into next “movement of our song” – next part of life story I highly encourage you all to try to read…
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Love – Helen Keller learning the meaning. Poem by Susan on love described (Feb. 2008)
Good morning & Happy Valentine’s Day to you! I know that there are mixed emotions for who I am thinking for this morning. A great day full of fun, a sad day full of overwhelming memories. How do I write for the extremes of all of you what is worth your time to read and…
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Pain of loss because we love. “Necessary Losses” by Judith Viorst. Poem “The Arms of a Child” (Jan. 2008)
Susan’s Thursday morning note January 31, 2008 The Arms of a Child poem by Mary Zachmeyer (LOVE THIS!!) Necessary Losses by Judith Viorst – pain of loss because we love (all through life – the reality of loss) Appreciating children & family Good morning! It is just almost too cold out to try to get…
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Being Yourself. Rope Analogy. Especially as a Mother. Wife. Creator. Thoughts of Anne Lindbergh (Jan. 2008)
Susan’s Thursday morning note January 24, 2008 Journals of Anne Lindbergh. Being yourself with various roles (mother, wife…) Good morning! I almost want to just tell you all that this cold weather has frozen up my brain and I can’t come up with coherent thoughts for you! But, alas, the hot drink chosen this morning…
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Relationships & Death of mothers. (Heaven Reflections on Death of Susan’s Mother) (Jan. 2008)
Good morning! Outside is another perfect blanket from snow last night. I love those blankets when they are still so clean and fresh and bright. We got in 150 boxes on Monday (the UPS man still isn’t making eye contact with me – it takes about a week for him to forgive me after those…
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Letting Children Develop Their Own Loves, Desires – Letting Them Go. “The Little Virtues” by Natalia Ginzburt (Jan. 2008)
Susan’s Thursday morning note January 19, 2008 The Little Virtues by Natalia Ginzburt Arrow Analogy in a Letter from missionary Jim Elliot to his son Helping children find their own passions and loves in life without our influences. Letting go. Good morning! No coffee, but the sun is supposed to shine today. Does that count…
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Poems from Susan’s Childhood (Jan. 2008)
Good morning! I am having a hard time not just heading right over to the warm couch with Camden! I was reading two different books of poetry this week that were referred to often in Anne Lindbergh’s journals. They are both way “over my head” – yet, I was determined to keep plugging, thinking I…
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Aging (I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron) (December 2007)
Susan’s Thursday morning note December 27, 2007 Aging. I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron Good morning! I still haven’t gotten the coffee in me since all are asleep in the house, but somehow still managing think! Are you making it through the ups and downs of your Christmas week? Well, at least…
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Inner stillness. Knowing yourself. Return to the Sea by Anne Johnson (Nov 2007)
Good morning! It’s taking me some very strong coffee to come up with coherent thoughts for you all this morning! I read a new favorite book this week (grin!). I will put it as my top three I loved it so much. It is called Return to the Sea by Anne Johnson, reflecting on the…
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Giving God our burdens. “Lean Hard” poem. (Nov. 2007)
Susan’s Thursday morning note November 8, 2007 “Lean Hard” poem (Giving God our burdens) Good morning! The air and fallen dry leaves outside this morning make me desire solitude. Walking on a path in the North Woods where all you hear are leaves snapping as you step on them. The silence of the woods in…
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Entering God’s Presence. Perspective Changes. “Secret of the Secret Place” (Oct. 2007)
Good morning! Two cats and a sky of beautiful stars. Seems like a dreamlike state I’m in to think for you this morning! This week I am reading a serious book entitled Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge. This book was recommended by a woman that I briefly met years ago, yet left…
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Mourning losses in life compared to phases of the moon. Poem “Shadows in the Light” by Robert Lavery (Oct. 2007)
Susan’s Thursday morning note October 4, 2007 Love Lost by Robert Lavery Shadows in the Light poem on mourning compared to phases of the moon Mourning life losses: children growing, loss of job, loss of youth, loss of health, death Good morning! I haven’t gotten started very early this morning – Camden already off at…
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Mothers “Invisible Women” – Analogy of working with children to building a cathedral. Lifetime investment of time. (Sept. 2007)
Susan’s Thursday morning note September 27, 2007 Invisible Women. Analogy of working with children to building of a cathedral. Lifetime effort where we may not see results Investing time in the lives of children. Good morning! I received a writing this week that I printed to keep with significant readings. The title is Invisible Women…
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Change, Accepting & Growing…Susan’s Analogy to Simmering Pot of Soup (Sept. 2007)
Good morning! I’ve already downed two cups of coffee with an absolutely perfect filler/coffee combination, so think I can organize what I’d like to write for you and have it make sense! This week I was given an incredible book called Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza. I had…
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If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking. Poetry of Emily Dickinson (Aug. 2007)
Susan’s Thursday morning note August 2, 2007 If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking…poetry of Emily Dickinson Good morning! I’ll be honest with you – Chip (the hamster if you’ve forgotten!) has an entirely new perspective on my mornings now that I’ve gotten kittens. He has recently had new words at 5:30 in the…
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Living Life Fully (Anne Lindberg Diaries) (June 2007)
Susan’s Thursday morning note June 28, 2007 Hour of Gold, Hour of Lead: Diaries & Letters of Anne Lindberg 1929-1932 Good morning out there!!! I am on my second cup of coffee and at the frustrated point in my note to you of wanting so much to share with you about Anne Lindberg (from last…
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Develop a Love for Classics “Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy (June 2007)
Susan’s Thurday morning note June 7, 2007 Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy Developing a love for the classics. Good morning! My sliding door is open & the weather is absolutely crisp – perfect for my coffee and my thoughts to develop!!! Now that I’ve set that scene, let me tell you the view…..our 50 year…
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Being Real (Telling Secrets by Frederick Buechner) (May 2007)
Susan’s Thursday morning note May 24, 2007 Being Real (Telling Secrets by Frederick Buechner) Good morning. I’ll be honest, I just erased “Good”, but didn’t know what to appropriately put in it’s place, so put that little descriptive right back at the beginning of my sentence again. I’m trying to straighten my attitude this early…
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Loyalty of Family Dog “Rilla of Ingleside” by L.M. Montgomery (May 2007)
Susan’s Thursday morning note May 17, 2007 Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery Loyalty of Family Pet Dog Good morning! I just typed that out of habit. I’m barely functioning at this point to tell you the truth! Thank you for coming in and giving us business for Mother’s Day gifts even though you…
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Psalms. God’s deep love for us. God using nighttime hours to give us peace. (May 2007)
Good morning. This week I once again realized the power of choosing what we put into our heads, and the power of choosing who we spend our time with. It just never ceases to amaze me the power of my acquaintances in my day in affecting my disposition and outlook of life in general for…
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Susan’s Personal Organizational Issues (grin) (May 2007)
Oh, the smell of brewing coffee – I absolutely love this five minute period of my day!!! Birds are singing outside my door – it’s a great start to another day (probably the only five minute period of normalcy!). You may be interested in a little bit of strange behavior in my life this week. …
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Time. Precious. Beautiful Moments. Taking Time to Appreciate Life in the Present (Apr. 2007)
April 19, 2007 Susan’s Newsletter Time. Precious. The moments. Concentrating on the beauty of our present day, not living for future or living in the past. (Alexander Yelchaninov) Poem Briefly it Enters Briefly it Speaks by Jane Kenyon Good morning! I have had two cups of coffee, but only one eye has willingly opened. Regardless…
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Nature calming restless spirit. Pursuit of stillness. “The Years” by Virginia Woolf (Mar. 2007)
Good morning! I’ve gotten one cup of coffee down, and the house is silent. I love this hour in my day, and wish I could discipline myself to get up this early even if it wasn’t Thursday when I work on this e-mail. I have spent the last two days reading about “the tranquility of…
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Uncertainty. Difficult Times “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers (Mar. 2007)
Susan’s Thursday morning note March 1, 2007 My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers Uncertainty March. What a great word! If I was going to be named a descriptive word, I’d pick March or Spring for my word. It’s difficult to create any type of negative image with those two words! For God to have…
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Description of a Beautiful Person “Neighbor Rosicky” by Willa Cather (Feb. 2007)
It seems like a long time since I’ve sat & typed to all of you!! I have the coffee downed (proving I’m feeling better!) and ready to take on the day! This week we got in all of Willa Cather’s titles again. Have you ever taken the time to go through her books? There are…