Quiet Kids - Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks - Week 33

For the 33rd week in the Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge, I read Quiet Kids - Help Your Introverted Child Succeed in an Extroverted World by Christine Fonseca.

The ideas and information presented in the book relate both to children and adults who are introverts. However, there are many more suggestions about how to help youth who are introverted at home, in school, and everyday life.

I found the book to have helpful and practical ideas for making children who are introverted more comfortable and successful in the world. I truly wish that a book like this was available to my teachers who would have better understood students who are introverted...like me.

Below are some of the key points that I took away from the book:

When introverted children get overstimulated there are some signs to look for: increased agitation, short temper, emotional outbursts, and excessive withdrawal. To help the child, schedule periods of solitude into the day, learn calming strategies, seek solitude after long periods of social connection, and set good boundaries on their time.

When introverted children are understimulated, they have a tendency towards withdrawal and isolation. To counteract that, schedule periods of activity into the day, and make exercise part of the day.

Introverted children are deep thinkers interested in deep feelings and beliefs. They enjoy learning about other people. Friendships, especially ones with people who will volunteer information and take the lead in conversations, are important to introverts.

Many introverted children develop deep beliefs at an early age that guide them throughout their lives. This is related to their tendency to seek answers from within. As a result, they are often less dependent on external validation and more reliant on their inner strengths.

Many introverts are divergent thinkers, analyzing the world from a highly creative point of view.

There are many aspects of introversion. Some (if not all) can apply to each person who is introverted: deep thinker, highly creative/innovative, works well independently, curious, thinks before taking action, builds deep connections/relationships, may overthink simple thinks, takes a long time to complete tasks, may struggle with collaboration, may resist transitioning to new things, overly cautious, may struggle to form friendships initially.

Introverted children function best in a household that is calm, somewhat free from clutter, and organized. They thrive when things are predictable and routine. They also function best when given their own space – a bedroom or a specific section of a shared bedroom – that they can decorate as they choose. They need a comfortable place where they can unwind and shut the world away, especially if they are involved in a number of social activities or around a lot of people for long periods of time.

Other things that help the introverted child include: predictable routines around bedtime, mornings, homework, etc.; opportunities for solitude; reduced pressure when she is overextended; and meal options that are balanced and have protein and regular intervals. All of these things can help restore an introvert and allow her to function at her best.

The Hula Hoop Technique: imagine there is a hula hoop or some other circle on the ground. Step into the middle of it. Everything outside of the circle is outside of your control. This includes friends, family, school…everything. Except you! Everything inside of the circle you have 100% control over, including your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and actions.

Introverted children are not shy by definition. They are keenly interested in people, often wanting to get to know them at a deep level. However, they are not always comfortable around people, especially larger groups. In these situations, the introvert is often overwhelmed, resulting in withdrawal.

Introverted children are emotionally sensitive. They often hold in their emotions until they explode. At first glance, they may appear to be handling setbacks in stride. More often than not, they are overthinking emotions and bottling them up inside before exploding.

The stress response for the introvert often takes longer to trigger than it does in his or her extroverted peers. However, introverts are more uncomfortable with the feelings associated with a stress response, resulting in a larger, more intense reaction to relatively low levels of anxiety or stress.

There are four key habits to living a healthy and balanced lifestyle:

- Proper rest – introverts require sleep in order to renew their energy stores. Getting eight hours of sleep nightly (at minimum) ensure proper brain functioning and mood stabilization. Consider: turn off electronics and develop a bedtime routine to assist with sleep troubles.

- Eat healthy foods – introverts perform best when they are eating many small meals filled with protein. The protein hits throughout the day help stabilize energy. Consider: When introverts are run down, they will naturally crave simple sugars and refined food. These can make the energy drain happen faster and should be avoided.

- Daily exercise – introverts tend to live in their heads, forgoing activity. But, getting exercise on a daily basis, even small amounts, will assist in recharging dwindling energy supplies and managing stress. Consider: Any type of activity is good for introverts. But be careful about exercising late at night as this can lead to sleep problems.

- Relaxation and connections – introverts need a balance of solitude and connections in order to achieve optimal balance. Take time to help your child both distress and renew, as well as connect on a social level. Consider: If you find your child withdrawing from all social contact or becoming agitated, check their stress levels. Odds are their energy stores have been depleted related to stress. Help them take a little time to decompress and renew.

With regards to stress, introverted children should:
- Focus on healthy habits including appropriate eating, sleeping, and exercise routines.
- Spend time relaxing every day. Don’t allow their energy stores to become too depleted.
- Pay attend to their internal chatter. Redirect negative self-talk.
- Be mindful and realistic in their perspective of situations and guard against perfectionism.
- If they find themselves particularly stressed over a specific event, mentally rehearse the event, focusing on successfully completing the activity.

Creativity is a natural area of competency for most introverted people. This is inclusive of more than the arts and artistic endeavors. This is the ability to move past traditional ideas and thoughts and create something new built from the old – innovation.

The creative process is a natural force, requiring periods of solitude, stillness, and contemplation. Introverts are particularly well-suited to a creative path. All introverts require opportunities for creative contemplation in order to stay balanced.

This list includes daily activities designed to enhance creativity:
- Have your child read something new or unfamiliar, such as book in a new genre or on an unexplored topic, every day.
- Ask the question “what else?” often.
- Have your child come up with five new ways to use familiar objects every day.
- Play creative word games and puzzles often.
- Make a “creation” box filled with any art supplies.
- The next time your child wants a new game, have her make one.
- Look for ways for your child to be creative every day.

101 Days of Summer Fun - Update #11

This week felt more focused on relaxing now that all the county fair projects are in (the 4-H ones in mid-July, and the open class ones in late-July to now). Sophia and Olivia spent a lot of time reading and taking it easy this week. A well-deserved break after working so hard for the summer. I began planning for the upcoming homeschool year.

Saturday, August 2 - While the girls rested, the pets did the same. Aspen and Lucy seem comfortable resting as Aspen has her paws around Lucy's shoulders.

Sunday, August 3 - Sophia wrote her report to the Ann Bancroft Foundation for her adventure trip that she took last month. It was nice to reflect back upon it and look at all the new experiences she gained.

Monday, August 4 - We picked up our projects from the county fair as well as our checks. Stopped at the bank and cashed them and then went to Target where another driver who wasn't paying attention hit our car. Needless to say, that became the focus of the rest of the day.

Tuesday, August 5 - We volunteered at the nursing home by helping with "Fair Games."

The seniors had a lot of fun playing games and winning prizes.

All the seniors won something for their effort.

There was even face painting.

It was a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Wednesday, August 6 - Construction work continued on the bathroom. It's coming along and we're seeing some major changes each day which is nice.

The girls spent time with Mary this afternoon. They went swimming at a nearby park and then went to the library.

Thursday, August 7 - Another day of relaxing for the girls and planning for me. It seems strange to have big blocks of time open and not having anything planned.

Friday, August 8 - Now that the bathroom has been completed, we are done with house repairs for a little while. We used today to put things back where they belonged and continued to catch up with reading that we have wanted to do.

The Poets' Wives - Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks - Week 32

For the 32nd week of the Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge, I picked The Poets' Wives by David Park. This was a randomly-selected book from the library in my search to find a book that began with the letter "P" (the word "the" doesn't count) since I'm doing the challenge alphabetically (e.g., two weeks for each letter of the alphabet).

The novel focuses on three women – Catherine Blake, Nadezhda Mandelstam, and the wife of an imaginary Irish poet. Each woman is dealing with her husband's death in a different way.

Out of the three stories, the first one - about Mrs. Blake - is by far the best. The story revealed how she was not able to read the poet's love letters until he taught her how, who trusted in his visions, and who learned to share her house with divine company only he could see.

Perhaps most insightful for me was reading the following passage that describes how Mrs. Blake feels even when Mr. Blake is alive: "I am alone...because I know there are worlds inside his head that I have no path to and whose very nature and colors seem always beyond my grasp. And that night I see most clearly what I have always known which is that I possess part of him but only part and although I know that he both loves and needs me....I am never to have all that is my full desire."

Towards the end of the story she is reflecting - perhaps dreaming - about the day she was married and then shifts to the focus that she is alone after his death. She flows into the thought that "soon my beloved will come to gather what is finally his and then I too shall be dressed in light and all the infirmities and afflictions of old age shall surely fall away. Such colors then, already spreading in wonder across new worlds, and I shall see the visions that were denied to my mortal eyes, my head and heart freed forever from their earthly [limits], and I shall be as the woman clothes with sun, no longer 'the shadow of delight.'

"He's whispering my name and holding out his hand. His hand that has no stain or mark [from writing poetry with ink]. He's telling me that the pure soul will cut a path into the Heaven of glory, leaving a track of light for men to wonder at .... I can barely raise my arm but I reach out and take his outstretched hand. Then we step into the other room together."

The next story in the book focuses on Osip Mandelstam who was exiled, then sentenced to hard labor for his anti-Stalinist poetry. He died at a transit camp in 1938 and his work was preserved solely in the memory of his wife. This story skipped around to different time periods and was not the most engaging story...at least compared to the story about the Blakes. It was confusing and difficult to follow.

The last section of the book is set in contemporary Northern Ireland, where a wife fulfills the last wishes of a second-rate poet. He clearly is not going to be missed by his family (wife and two daughters) nor the public who was largely unaware of his poetry.

There were so many layers of secrecy, grief, and loss within this story. Yet, it was one that I didn't want to read since there was an equal amount of disrespect in every relationship that centered on the husband and father.

The Poets' Wives, although well-written, is not a book that I would care to read again. I'm hoping the two books that begin with "Q" are a better use of my time.

101 Days of Summer Fun - Update #10

Saturday, July 26 - Today we did a lot of errands: the bank, Houles to get items for the horses, Home Depot to get tile for the bathroom, the grocery store, and post office.

Sunday, July 27 - We worked on decluttering some of the hobby shed today. Since it gets humid and none of us enjoy that type of weather, we tried to get the majority of the work done before noon.

After reading and relaxing in the early afternoon, Sophia and Olivia had equine vaulting in the afternoon.

They spent the first part of the lesson practicing on some skills.

Both are working on standing up on the horse. It takes a lot of balance to stand up while the horse is moving.

At 5:30 p.m., the parents and families came to watch the youth in the class show what they have been working on. They demonstrated practicing on the barrel.

This step is necessary before trying these moves on the back of a horse.

They also showed some of the skills they have been improving at the level that are at. For the girls, they are at the trot level.

The next level up is the canter. It is significantly quicker than the trot.

After the class was done, they posed for a picture.

There will be two additional classes for girls who want to keep doing vaulting.

Monday, July 28 - Olivia got her braces on at 11:10 a.m. We stopped and got some sherbet since her teeth are sore. The girls continued to work on their projects for the fair.

Tuesday, July 29 - We brought the projects to the fair in the late morning. It was a beautiful day - one of the coolest ones compared to some years that we've brought projects in.

In the afternoon, we brought the dogs in for a shot that they need to get before going to the kennel tomorrow.

Wednesday, July 30 - We dropped the dogs off at the kennel so we could spend the day volunteering at the Washington County Fair. The dogs are getting groomed and they are experiencing time in a kennel to see how they do.

We met some of the seniors from the nursing home at the fair around 10:15 a.m. After helping unload them from their van and getting them in wheelchairs (if needed), we took them around to look at different parts of the fair.

After looking at the flowers, one of the first stops they wanted to do was get a malt. 

We looked at another building of exhibits and then they were hungry for lunch. They all enjoyed dining in the 4-H building where we could sit down and have a meal together.

We looked at more exhibits and saw how we placed on our projects. Sophia received quite a few Grand Champion and Reserve Champion ribbons.

Olivia received a Reserve Champion on her etching of a wolf. The display case she is standing by held her project alone which was a nice honor!

We spent some time feeding the animals. The goats were particularly eager to be fed.

There was even a camel that Olivia and Bonnie fed.

After the fair, we went to pick up the dogs. They looked so nice after their baths and brush-outs.

They even had small bows attached to their collars. Cooper had a blue one and Aspen had a pink one.

It was a long, but very fun day.

Thursday, July 31 - Today was a day to relax and take it easy. My sister came over and spent some time talking with Sophia about her trip up north. Both she and Sophia have to write a final report and submit it to the Ann Bancroft Foundation which partially paid for some of the activities that Sophia did.

Friday, August 1 - We spent part of the morning doing a presentation about Australia for the seniors at the nursing home.

Sophia and Olivia worked with the seniors to make pavlova - a meringue topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream.

The seniors enjoyed the special treat.

We also played a DVD that featured beautiful scenes, animals, and information about Australia. Many of the seniors watched that while they were eating.

I did a presentation about Australia and we showed photographs from a trip taken there back in the mid-1990s.

We had things for the seniors to taste, look at, touch (like a ginger root and ginger plant - which is grown in Australia), and smell (like eucalyptus and tea tree oils - oils from two types of trees that grown in Australia).

I was told by the wife of one of the senior residents that it was nice to have such strong scents because the sense of smell is one of the things that goes when a person has Parkinson's Disease. Knowing that, it may be good to explore other strongly-scented activities for those with P.D. who live at the nursing home.

Peaks and Valleys - Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks - Week 31

For the 31st week in the Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge, I chose Peaks and Valleys  by Spencer Johnson.

Basically, the book is a parable about a young man who lives unhappily in a valley. One day he meets an old man who lives on a mountain peak. At first the young man doesn’t realize that he is talking to one of the most peaceful and successful people in the world. However, in the course of additional visits and conversations, the young man understands that he can apply the old man’s remarkable principles and practical tools to his own life to change it for the better.

The author said about using the parable format for this book that he really enjoys learning, but doesn't like to be taught. He feels that many people are like that: they don’t like to be told what to do. With a parable, you pick and choose what you find valuable. What you don’t find valuable, you toss it or ignore. You decide what is true based on your experiences. Parables are much more powerful. What we learn lasts longer in our hearts and minds…and we are more apt to use it.

So, I listened to the book on CD since there wasn't a hard copy of it available at the library. There were many good points that are worth noting that I wish I had the actual book to re-read and fully absorb the message.

That being said, I ended up replaying many sections of the book so I could write down what I wanted to remember. These are the concepts that resonated most with me:

- When people know how to make both good and bad times work for them, they worry less and do better.

- It is natural for everyone to have both peaks and valleys in their lives. It's the highs and lows you feel at work or life. These personal peaks and valleys minutes, months, or longer.

- Peaks and valleys are connected. Who is to say where the highest part of the valley ends and the lowest part of the peak begins.

- The errors you make in today's good times create tomorrow's bad times. And the wise things you do in today's bad times create tomorrow's good times.

- People make things better when they return to basics and concentrate on what matters most which is what creates good times for them later. Too many people fail to manage their good times and do not notice that they are creating their own future bad times. They waste too many resources well and get away from the basics.

- How you experience a valley has a lot to do with how long you are in it.

- Peaks are moments are when you appreciate what you have. Valleys are moments for when you long for what you are missing.

- If you want to have fewer valleys, have fewer comparisons.

- You cannot always control external events, but you can control your personal peaks and valleys but what you think and do.

- Choosing a better belief usually leads you to a much better result.

- Look for the good in a bad situation.

- The path out of the valley appears when you choose to see things differently.

- You can change your valley into a peak when you find and use the good that is hidden in the bad times.

- How you manage your valley will determine when you get to your next peak.

- If you don't learn in a valley, you will become bitter. If you do learn, you will become better.

- A plateau can be a time for you to reflect, rest, and renew

- You can have fewer bad times when you appreciate and manage your good times wisely.

- Those who are unprepared for a peak soon fall from it and experience pain.

- Your ego can make you arrogant on the peak and fearful in the valley. It keeps you from seeing what is real. When you're on a peak, your ego makes you see things as better than they really are. And when you're in a valley, your ego makes you see things as a worse than they really are. It makes you think that a peak will last forever and that a valley will never end.

- The most common reason why you leave a peak too soon is arrogance masquerading as confidence. The most common reason you stay in a valley too long is fear masquerading as comfort.

- Most people think of valleys as times of frustration, hurt, disappointment, anger, and failure. Remember what happens when you find and focus on the good that is hidden there. You can change a valley into a peak. But it takes a remarkable person to truly appreciate and use what is hidden in a valley.

- Getting out of a valley means can be done by creating and following your own sensible vision. A vision of a future peak you want to be on. Something as big as you can envision, but also is realistic.

- The pain in a valley can wake you up a truth you have been ignoring.

- A personal peak is a triumph over fear.

- The good and bad times are truly gifts. Each has great value if they are managed well.

- Humility – helps you stay on your peaks longer.

- A valley is an opportunity to grow – to create something better in life. Look for the gifts in a valley it can bring you to a new and better place. Purpose of the peak is to celebrate life, and the purpose of the valley is to learn about life.

- Our fear keeps us trapped.

- What is the truth in this situation? (Ask this question in both times of the peaks and valleys.)

- Save and invest your increased salary.

- Say less and do more.

- If you replace fear with love you will be more likely to be loved.

- Imagine your better self in every detail (e.g., make a difference in the world, never take for granted the people closest to you). Hold this picture close in your mind and heart.

- Peaks and valleys are opposites. Look at what put you in the valley and do the opposite You’ll get the opposite result.

- Part of the old man was within him and always would be with him.

- To get out of a valley sooner, find and use the hidden good in the time of bad.

- Be of more service at work and loving in life.

- Be humble and grateful.

- Keep making things better.

- Save resources for your upcoming valleys.

- It doesn’t matter where a person lived, but how one lives.

- Wishing leads to new action. Create a sensible vision instead. Envision the vision using all your senses.

- Make reality your friend.

- How is your approach working? If it isn’t working out, then you’re probably not in touch with the truth. You’re living an allusion.

- Is this raising or lowering your energy? If it’s stressful or lowering your energy, then it isn’t the truth. If it’s raising your energy, then you’re living in truth…with integrity.

- Sometimes things are so bad that you can only see the bad – the negative. But if you look for the good, then you will come out in a better place…a place better than you were in before you entered the valley.

- What if we couldn’t do everything we want to do due to a lack of money? What if we just spent time with people doing free things?

- Don’t focus so much on success. Focus more on peace of mind.

- The more grateful you are when you are on a peak, the more you experience a higher energy and the happier you feel. You are almost practicing gratitude on the peak just like when you need gratitude skills when you are in the valley.

- Success is progress towards a worthwhile goal.

101 Days of Summer Fun - Update #9

This week we didn't quite follow the original plan for the 101 Days of Summer Fun that I had hoped we would do. The reality of life and home repairs definitely interfered with what we were able to do. Yet each day was full of things we did - both fun and practical things that are part of real life.

Saturday, July 19 - Since Olivia loves rock climbing, she and I went to Taylors Falls and did the I Can Climb! program that's offered through the DNR. She wanted to do a climb that she tried last year but wasn't able to reach the top. This year she was determined to climb the entire way up.

She stuck with the climb and made it to the very top!

She did another even more ambitious climb that involved climbing around a tree and adjusting the rope around sections of rock that protruded above her.

She did a great job with that climb as well and made it to the top. Rock climbing is definitely her sport!

Sunday, July 20 - Last week when we came back from the trip up north, we noticed a rather significant water stain on the ceiling below the bathroom. The stain on the right is right by the bathtub and the little hole to the left  is below a section of the drain where there's a PVC elbow.

The stain has increased in size and on Monday the bathroom will be gutted and reconstructed.

Until then, we have a quart jar on the dining room table collecting water that is dripping through the ceiling every time someone takes a shower or bath. This can't be good.

Paige took the girls to pick up their projects at the county fair. It was very hot and humid, so although it was fun to see the animals (like the rabbits), it was also nice to get back home to air conditioning.

Monday, July 21 - Today Sophia, Olivia, and I went to the nursing home and helped the seniors play "big bowling." The seniors have a lot of fun doing this, and we are happy to help make this activity happen there.

Although everything is large - the bowling ball and pins - it is still is challenging to get the pins down.

After the seniors were done playing, they wanted to see Sophia, Olivia, Tia (the volunteer director), and I play as well. It was fun...no wonder they enjoy this activity so much!

Tuesday, July 22 - Olivia had an appointment with the orthodontist. This is a follow-up to having braces a couple of years ago and then needing to finish the work once all her adult teeth came in.

We went to the library for a bit, and then came back home. Construction on the bathroom continued.

The walls are being removed, part of the floor, the bathtub, and the tiling on the floor and walls. It's a complete tear-out. It seems like the more that is removed, the more bad things are discovered. At least things will be fixed and up to code once everything is done.

Wednesday, July 23 - In the morning, we attended a funeral for one of  the seniors whom we enjoyed visiting at the nursing home: John Jackson. The girls each wrote a memory they had of John on a card and attached it to a hydrangea from our garden.

One of the employees from the funeral home had the girls place their flowers right up front with the beautiful big bouquets of flowers. He was touched by the fact that they wrote memories of John and said that the family will enjoy reading them.

The girls spent some time in the afternoon with their friend, Mary B. She wanted to see and hear about their projects that they submitted to the fair.

After Mary left, we went to the Scandia Farmers Market today and enjoyed seeing Joanne (a volunteer with the Ann Bancroft Foundation), Pam Arnold, and Ann Bancroft.

We bought a lot of delicious fresh produce that Pam and other farmers grew. It was Wellness Wednesday at the market, so there were samples to taste, music, and activities. Lots of fun!

Thursday, July 24 - This was Aspen's last day of puppy obedience training. She did very well.

She's always so alert at class and is getting more comfortable with the different dogs, people, and activities.

This week there were some basic agility activities for the puppies to try. Plus some different things to do - like putting an item of clothing around the puppy's neck and taking it to a hoop to sit.

The bathroom is coming alone, but we still don't have use of the bathtub yet. However, we are one step closer! The bathtub is in place with its lovely bright blue protective color.

This is a soaking tub so it is taller than the last tub we had, plus has an angled back and arm rests.

Friday, July 25 - Sophia and Olivia worked on their projects for the county fair after we did a cat therapy visit in the morning at the nursing home.

Ice Cream Floats for Seniors

For one of Sophia's 4-H projects this year, she made a variety of ice cream floats for seniors at a nursing home where we volunteer. The seniors enjoyed the variety of flavors of floats since they normally only offer root beer floats at activities there.

The first one that she made came from this pin on Pinterest which led to this site:

Creamsicle Float

2-4 cups vanilla ice cream
1 can (12 ounces) orange soda

In a tall glass, put as much ice cream as you want. Tilt the glass to the side and pour in the soda to reduce the foam and bubbles.

She also made a Cupid Float that was on Eclectically Vintage and this pin:

Cupid Float

2-3 scoops French vanilla ice cream
Cherry 7-Up
Whipped cream
Maraschino cherry

Scoop ice cream into a tall glass. Slowly pour 7-Up over ice cream. Swirl whipped cream on top. Top with a maraschino cherry. (For the floats that Sophia made, she didn't include the whipped cream or cherry since it is easier for the seniors to eat without them plus doesn't pose a choking hazard.)

A float that uses sherbet instead of ice cream provided a different taste. The pin led to Home Cooking Memories:

Lime Sherbet Float

2-3 scoops lime sherbet
1 can of lemon-lime soda

Use a clear glass and fill it with scoops of lime sherbet. If you don’t have clear glasses, you can use any cup or glass you might have, but having clear is nice so you can actually see all the green. You could use a pint-sized canning jar if you don’t have a clear glass.

Pour the lemon-lime soda over the sherbet you just placed in your glass.

A classic float, called the Purple Cow, was the first choice of several seniors. The pin for the recipe led to Simply Kierste:

Purple Cow (Grape Float)

2-4 cups vanilla ice cream
1 can (12 ounces) grape soda

In a tall glass, put as much ice cream as you want. Slowly pour the soda into the glass until you reach the top.

And, of course, we can't forget the standard root beer float as seen on this pin that led to Town and Country Magazine:

Root Beer Float

1 pint vanilla ice cream
2 bottles very cold old-fashioned root beer
Freshly whipped cream, for garnish (optional)

Spoon a few scoops of vanilla ice cream into 2 tall float glasses. Pour the root beer slowly over the ice cream and top with a dollop of whipped cream.

0ne Amazing Thing - Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks - Week 30

For the 30th week in the Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge, I read One Amazing Thing by Chitra Divakaruni.

The premise of the book is that nine people, who are in the passport office in the basement of the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, are yoked together by fate when an earthquakes hits. After stabilizing everyone and the situation as much as possible, one of the people who is trapped suggests that they share stories about themselves. The storytelling is done not only to pass the time, but to distract themselves from the desperateness of their situation.

The purpose of the storytelling was to share "one amazing thing" from one's life. For that reason, I was anticipating a moving and inspiration novel. On the contrary, the stories were not that unique, uplifting, or amazing. In fact, most the stories are just experiences that happened to the characters...they weren't anything that were so moving that I felt changed by reading this book.

Perhaps the author had a reason for choosing ordinary stories for each of the "amazing" things. Maybe the point was that the stories didn't have to be amazing to others. Rather, they were amazing...important...significant in some way to the teller of the story.

And, essentially, that's what any story is in concept. It has meaning for the storyteller, but not necessarily for the listener. The listener may be moved - or not - by the story s/he hears, but it is often times more important for the person telling the story to be able to share it with others.

In the case of One Amazing Thing, as the small group of people trapped in the building comes to realize they may never be rescued, they become almost desperate to tell their stories, to reveal themselves. With some stories, it almost felt like listening to a confessional.

Each of the the stories shared in the book show us that the people were vulnerable and have suffered loss and regret; and they have loved and have hurt. In sharing themselves they could better accept themselves and each other. An angry young man perhaps said it best:

"...having put my story up against others I can see this much: everyone suffers in different ways. Now I don,t feel so alone."

One thing I did enjoy about One Amazing Thing was the rich vocabulary that the author used. There were many words used that are not commonly part of everyday conversation.

Overall, I was intrigued by and attracted to One Amazing Thing by the blurb on the back cover and inner cover. I wanted to enjoy it, but I wasn't that impressed. There have been many other books that I have read this year that have been much more enjoyable and inspiring to read.

101 Days of Summer Fun - Update #8

We are continuing with the 101 Days of Summer Fun. This is what we did:

Saturday, July 12 - Today Olivia and I went rock climbing at Tettegouche State Park along the north shore of Lake Superior.

It was, by far, one of the most challenging mornings of rock climbing that either of us had ever done.

We had done rock climbing at Taylors Falls, but this type of climbing was completely different. You are lowered from the top of the cliff down to where you want to start climbing.

The first climb was very challenging because it was essentially a sheer cliff that you had to make your way up before you got to a section that had more features in it. The features allow you place the tips of your toes or your hands as you make your way up to the top.

Both of us experienced periods on the climb where we thought we couldn't make it. But, we persevered and made it!

It was such a sense of accomplishment when we reached the top of both climbs.

In the afternoon, Sophia, Olivia, and I did some sea kayaking on Lake Superior. The starting point was Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. When we arrived, we changed into wet suits, put on wet shoes, and the girls each wore baseball caps to keep the sun out of their eyes and their heads a bit cooler.

After learning how to put together the paddle and some tips on paddling, we headed out with a group. We went northeast towards the lighthouse and saw a different view of it than we had seen before.

We continued northeast around the cliff and came to a small sea cave.

We kayaked into the sea cave and explored the walls closely and then kayaked back out.

We continued northeast to an area where there was a shipwreck - the Maderia. The ship crashed back in 1905- five years before Split Rock Lighthouse was built. We were able to see large sections from the ship - including a porthole, big pieces of metal with rivets in them, and smaller pieces of the ship.

It was a beautiful and informative kayaking experience that was both relaxing as well as invigorating.

Sunday, July 13 - We drove back home from Two Harbors. We stopped at Tobies in Hinckley for baked goods to bring home.

This was such a wonderful trip and one that was filled with lots of activities and great memories!

Monday, July 14 - The girls relaxed at home and worked on 4-H projects while I visited my mom. I was able to see my brother and two of his children at Culvers where we all enjoyed lunch together.

Tuesday, July 15 - We took Cooper for his weekly agility lesson. He did very well and was focused and excited to be there.

The regular instructor, Diane, wasn't there. So, Sue filled in. She had some great tips and ideas for each of the dogs.

Wednesday, July 16 - The girls entered their 4-H projects in the Chisago County Fair this year - each having over 20 projects.

Each project receives an award that is based on 50% the project itself and 50% the youth's knowledge and interviewing skills.

The girls were pleased with how they did on their projects, and felt relieved when all the interviews were completed.

Thursday, July 17 - Sophia and I went back to the county fair to do two hours of volunteer work in the 4-H cafeteria. This is a requirement for youth who win a trip to the State Fair.

When we arrived, the trips had not yet been announced. So, we came back afterwards and the list was posted. Sophia had qualified to go to the State Fair for many of her projects. Even Olivia won a State Fair trip, but couldn't go since she was too young (next year she will be able to compete at the state level).

Sophia was pleased to see that her display about drying fruit received the Grand Champion award in the food preservation section. She decided to go the State Fair with this project.

Friday, July 18 - Olivia turned 11 1/2 years old today, and we celebrated her half birthday. As requested, I made caramel rolls for breakfast. This is a favorite breakfast of hers on special occasions.

There were gifts to open throughout the day. Lunch time brought a brownie sundae. The brownie is a sea salt and caramel one. Sophia put some ice cream and chocolate syrup on it to make it extra special for Olivia.

After dinner at Olivia's restaurant of choice (Perkins), she opened her final presents at home.

It has been a busy - but very fun - week!