the one that brings me back.

I was reading EAARth by Bill McKibben aloud to Maren when I realized that was a little too depressing and morbid for my baby's first book. I know she can't actually understand the words. Thank God. Bill McKibben paints a pretty dismal picture for the future of our young ones, global warming and all.

Anyways, I switched it up.  Honestly, it was a little too dismal for me.  And so, I'm going backwards and re-reading the Little House series. It has the perfect length chapters to get me started with this read aloud gig. Brings back so many memories: the sugar snow, when cousin Charley is naughty and gets stung by the bees, Laura's doll Charlotte. Is it just me or are parts of the book just a little racist?

Little House is also on the Hallmark Channel A LOT. I'm realizing just how often as I nurse little M here at home. I guess I prefer the books. On to the Prairie . . .

the timely one.

My Stillwater Book Club chose the book Gift from The Sea.  Unbeknownst to me.  I was busy at the time having a baby in the hospital when they selected the book.  Ironically though, the name Maren (MAH RIN) translates to "gift from the sea."  What a lovely coincidence.
 
Matt and I chose the name Maren for several reasons. 
One: It's Norwegian. 
Two: We thought it wasn't so tricky and would be a good match for Prestegaard.  Hah!  Apparently in MN the name Maren is not so common.  My Dad has given up on the pronunciation and is calling her Matilda instead.
Three: Personally, the name reminds me of my favorite place in the entire world.  Marin County CA (different pronunciation but same happy reminder).

Back to the point though. 

Anne Morrow Lindbergh wrote a reflective piece called Gift from the Sea way back in 1955. The book still has a lot of meaning for women today.  It talks about ideas such as solitude, simplicity, marriage, growth, etc.  I'm not feeling particularly insightful today so I'll offer a quote from the book instead:

"The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too inpatient.  To dig for treasures shows not only impatience or greed but lack of faith.  Patience, patience, patience is what the sea teaches.  Patience and faith.  One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach - waiting for a gift from the sea.

I have been waiting for little Maren most of my life.  I get frustrated every day as we learn each other's temperaments and find a way to trust.  I need to remember that the greatest gift my little Maren will teach me is patience and peace in not knowing.

the one that should just be.

News from the book publishing world.  JK Rowling may not be finished with Harry yet.

"I could definitely write an eighth, ninth, 10th [book]," author J.K. Rowling tells Oprah Winfrey in an interview airing Friday.

For now, Rowling is content with leaving the characters for now.

"I'm not going to say I won't. I don't think I will ... I feel I am done, but you never know," the British author added, saying that she is "in a new phase."

Honestly, some things should just be left alone.  Brett Favre, Sex and the City and Harry Potter . . . may we relish in memories of your greatness.

But go away already.