Good stories
Scenes and characters
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“The Pursuit of Goals of the Unruly Ego”
Jane Austen’s classic novel Emma had a birthday; she turned 200 a year ago. A writer for Britain’s The Guardian described the original novel: Its heroine is a self-deluded young woman with the leisure and power to meddle in the lives of her neighbours. The narrative was radically experimental because it was designed to share her delusions. The novel bent narration through the distorting lens of its protagonist’s mind. Emma, has undergone updating by author Alexander McCall Smith. A deliciously clever reincarnation of that “self-deluded young woman” inhabits the pages of this modern retelling. While I haven’t compared the two books side-by-side, I will say that in both cases the story…
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Apples of Gold and the People Who Make It Happen
Creatively serving others Before the leaves start falling, Apples of Gold signals the arrival of Fall. For me and for the rest of the team that comes together to mentor younger women, it’s Apple’s time again. Based on Titus 2, this program is designed for older women to teach younger women. A biblical model. A creative approach. Over a period of 7 weeks Apples of Gold covers these topics: Kindness and Hospitality, Loving Your Husband, Loving Your Children, Submission, and Purity. Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken at the right time. Proverbs 25:11 What Apples does is model aspects of living that can make life rich and full.…
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Hearing Taya Kyle, the American Sniper’s Widow
When I saw the movie American Sniper––unaware of Chris and Taya’s story, other than Bradley Cooper’s portrayal of Texan Chris Kyle that won for Bradley an Academy Award nomination for his performance––I expected another movie about war that my husband would enjoy and I would endure. Taya Kyle, widow of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle, spoke at a dinner our Lubbock family recently attended. Hosted by Trinity Christian School, which 4 of our grandchildren attend, the event was held at City Bank Coliseum on the campus of Texas Tech. Last year, President George W. Bush spoke at this annual event. But frankly, I was not excited about this year’s dinner. On…