I was so excited back in the spring to hear about her book coming out, and when I read about it in WORLD magazine, I saw that her co-author would be a woman about Sarah’s age named Lynn Vincent. She’s a feature’s editor at WORLD (fabulous news magazine we get monthly and use for our kids for current events, etc.)

Anyhoo…I was terribly curious to know more about Lynn because if Sarah chose her to handle such a huge writing responsibility – and such a personal trust – I’m thinking Lynn has to be a very gifted and exceptional lady.

The first thing I did was order Lynn’s best selling Same Kind of Different As Me (Thomas Nelson, 2006). It’s a true, particularly moving story that I couldn’t put down and highly recommend. Seriously.

Well I heard Sarah’s book was originally slated for release in spring of 2010 – but Sarah can’t be stopped and she knew better – it had to be NOW!

I was about to write Costco and chastise them for not touting the book in their monthly mag in October or November. The WWW (whole wide world) knew it was about to be delivered, pre-sales were going crazy and I kept wondering, “are they ‘politely’ ignoring all the buzz?” I was getting ticked.

They had space to give Albert ‘Gory’ Gore the flashy cover story but no room inside for Sarah Palin, the one who has left Gore waaaayyy back there in the dust somewhere with all the other paltry public figures. Go figure. (Perhaps they believe he did invent the internet…or, are they partial to his global warming theories?) I gave them the benefit of the doubt for a couple of months. (Perhaps their mag issues were put to bed months in advance and when she stepped up the publication date, she threw them? hmmm.)

At last…they made room to advertise her book in the December issue. I get goosebumps every time I check the headlines and the multitudes are lining up from sea to shining sea just to get a glimpse of this gal and grab her signature. I just love this lady.

PULEeeezzze pray for the Palins! From the media feeding frenzy over the past year or so, one can imagine the tactics abounding to try to discourage this family.

It appears that Providence has plucked her from the multitudes for such a time as this. I watched her Barbara Walters and Oprah interviews and I was so proud of her. She radiated and stood her ground so gracefully. What a woman.

Happy reading!

As you can see I’m surrounded by my stuff and swimming in paperwork as I tackle a deadline for a magazine article. I told my husband I’ll be in my cave this week until the words are ’singing’ – right now I’m not hearing any music :-0 but I do think the instruments are tuning up…all prayers are welcome! Enjoy your week…

After trying several times to get through this mammoth novel by brilliant author/historian David McCullough (my husband consumed this book more than 3 times quite easily – loved it)…I’m finally really enjoying it since viewing the 7-set DVD series recently produced, based on the book.  I LOVE this story and Mr. McCullough gives us a wonderfully detailed account of this critical portion of American history and the main characters of that time period.

My husband Gregory is working his way through this ‘phonebook’ size novel.  I asked him if he liked it and he replied, “it’s history!”  He has an endless appetite for history and has read an impressive amount – there’s rarely a time when he doesn’t have a history book he’s ‘in the middle of’, next to his bed.  He is also a constant and valuable source of historical facts for all of us Miras!

Our 16 year-old son is devouring this 3rd volume in The Inheritance series (Eragon and Eldest were book 1 and 2 – all 3 are phone book thickness which hasn’t hurt sales!) by homeschooled author Christopher Paolini, who began this series when he was 15 years old.  Levi rode his bike with furious speed down to Borders to pick up a copy yesterday – the day of its release.  He’s been stuck in it ever since…

  13 year-old Seth Daniel has been enjoying this biography of C.S. Lewis, one of our family’s favorite authors.  This is one of a series of biographies about men who have had an impact on society for good, by Terry Glaspey…

Good books are good fun!

…lived up to our sad expectations during our 16 year-old’s first week on campus (thankfully very part-time).  While sitting in the school parking lot waiting for our son to exit his class, my husband became incensed as he pondered our tax dollars at work in subsidizing the scene before his eyes.   As the herd of apparently lost and/or indiscreet, mostly young people meandered about,  he grieved at how far our nation has fallen below an acceptable standard of morality, purity, self-respect and self-restraint. 

Levi sized up one of his ‘professors-with-a-liberal-agenda’ with such keen insight and attributed his sharp awareness of the classroom in part to a book he’s fallen in love with, Letters To A Young Conservative, by Dinesh D’Souza (see cover above).  He said he needs to read a chapter daily to strengthen his resolve against the sly spirit of his extremely liberal professor.   I’m thankful for such a tool for our family arsenal as we wage war in our current circumstances.  Trying to decide if we’ll drop the class and learn online or weather this quarter’s classroom storm…

…and every dollar it will cost you, even at its $59.99 retail price.  This 7-part video series chronicles the extraordinary life journey of one of the primary shapers of our independence and government, whose legacy has often been eclipsed by more flamboyant contemporaries like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin. Set against the backdrop of a nation’s stormy birth, this sweeping miniseries is a moving love story, a gripping narrative, and a fascinating study of human nature.  Based on the Pulitzer prize winning biography by brilliant historian/writer David McCullough.

Just released for purchase this week.  What a prize for Dad on Father’s Day.  The kids will love it, too.  We were riveted.

Trust me on this one.  

(Qualifier: Some mature content – view with small children at your discretion)

 EASY…HEALTHY…DELICIOUS!

Chinese Chicken Salad.  I promised you some great new recipes for health.  Throw a bag of broccoli slaw (available at any supermarket), chopped chicken breast (we used leftover grilled breasts), fresh cilantro leaves and  raw sliced almonds in a bowl.  Toss with Newman’s Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger salad dressing (improvise with another brand if you want).  Four ingredients.  The kids love it.  Daddy loves it.  Our bodies thrive on raw veggies and raw almonds – I go light on the chicken and dressing FYI.  For work:  toss everything but the dressing ahead and keep in the fridge – add the dressing at lunchtime.  Let me know how you like it! 

How many boring, painful, missionary biography books have you made your kids read?!  Me, too.  The lives and adventures these heroes of the faith lived were anything but dull, however, the ‘reporting’ of their life stories is often dreary and lifeless.  Well, this is one book that you and your kids are gonna find to be a real page-turner, not to mention, life-changing!  It’s relevant, recent history and will capture your attention.

  Everyone in the Mira house has or will be reading this and fyi, Daddy couldn’t put it down!  (Let me know how you like it.  I’d love to hear from you!)