Autumn Beauty

We're enjoying an incredibly gorgeous autumn here in Northern Illinois. I went on a long walk in my neighborhood yesterday and snapped some pictures, and thought I'd share a few here. All of these were taken within blocks of where I live.




Sometimes even the leaves on the ground are beautiful...

And lastly, my son Justin is visiting us for a few days...here we are Saturday morning at what has become our favorite breakfast place, the Stockholm Inn (best Swedish pancakes ever!)

I missed my five-year blogiversary!!!!

I missed a very important milestone while I was away last week...my 5th blogging anniversary!

On October 10th, 2003, I gingerly dipped my toe into the blogospheric ocean with these profound words:

Well...hello.

I guess this is my introduction to the world of blogging....a modern technological wonder that appears to be tailor-made for people like me, who can't seem to stop putting their thoughts on paper (or cyber-paper, as the case may be!)

I think this is going to be fun!

For someone to whom writing is a necessary creative outlet, blogging has been fun. I think I'll keep going for now!

13 things to tell you about...

Happy Thursday Thirteen! It's been a while since I just gave you 13 random thoughts and links. If you're busy surfing Thursday Thirteens, bookmark this one and come back later!

--I never thought I was much of a fantasy fiction fan (apart from the Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings--but Jeffrey Overstreet is one of the authors who have changed my mind on that. I've now finished Overstreet's Cyndere's Midnight, the sequel to his wonderful Auralia's Colors. Wow. Overstreet's beautiful writing and masterful story-spinning kept me turning the pages. Who knew I could care so much about what happens to a beastman?

--Local author makes good: I was happy today to interview Chris Brauns, a local pastor whose book has just been published by Crossway Books. Unpacking Forgiveness is a reader-friendly, engaging and solidly biblical book that tackles a tough subject. Great job, Chris!

--Joe the Plumber--really Joe Wurzelbach of Ohio, mentioned repeatedly during last night's presidential debate--held a news conference today.

--This cremation scam perpetrated by a California family is just creepy...the stuff of horror movies.

--Haven't bought a flat-panel TV yet? That could be good news for you...prices are expected to fall.

--The Love Dare bookwas just a plot device in the box office hit Fireproof until early audiences repeatedly requested copies for themselves. Now, the book has hit #1 on the New York Times Paperback Advice Bestsellers list, and is number 4 on amazon.com.

--Probably my favorite TV show right now? The Biggest Loser.

--Scarcer than hen's teeth? La Shawn Barber blogs about right-leaning celebrities...and goes out on a limb with an election day prediction.

--Curious about the new Star Trek movie? Entertainment Weekly dishes in this article.

--Christian singer Sara Groves wants Christians to get serious about helping victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and violent oppression...and she hopes to spread the word through the Art Music Justice Tour that she's spearheading. Artists on the tour include Brandon Heath, Charlie Peacock, Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken.

Says Groves:

"[Social justice]has been commandeered to mean a political or liberal message. To me it is a Jesus message."

--Actress Janine Turner talks about faith, politics and surgery (hat tip to Thunderstruck.org)

--Author Randy Alcorn really wanted to support Obama, but finds he can't after all. He tells why here.

--I think I enjoyed "Wicked" in Chicago even more this time than the last time I saw it. Of course, Dee Roscioli is amazing as Elphaba...but Annaleigh Ashford as Glinda almost stole the show several times. Fantastic!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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A wonderful "chick visit" to Chicago!

So much to tell you...

I've been AWOL from this blog for several days...for good reason! My mom and sister from Texas, and my sister and niece from Wyoming, have been visiting me. I just said good-bye to them this morning.

We had an amazing time...including going to Chicago, seeing "Wicked," spending the night there and shopping all the next day.

I'm going to post some pictures, hopefully tomorrow. Until then, I thought I'd better check in before I lost the few readers I still have! :)

Brandilyn Collins' "Dark Pursuit"--suspense at its most riveting

Where has Brandilyn Collins been all my life?

Actually, she's been writing for quite some time, but reading Dark Pursuit was my first experience with reading one of her books--and believe me, I'll be back for more.

Dark Pursuit takes you on a harrowing roller-coaster ride of suspense, but you won't want to get off the ride until you read the last page. All the while, Collins weaves themes of redemption and grace throughout this riveting tale.

It's the story of Darell Brooke, a wildly successful suspense writer who has been suffering a deadly case of writer's block since being in an accident. Brooke is often mentally confused and finds it hard to focus on his writing, which leaves him frustrated and angry.

Back into his life comes his granddaughter, Kaitlan, who he forcibly ejected from his home years earlier when, as a teen-aged druggie, she stole from him to support her habit.

Kaitlan has kicked drugs and is drawn to God, but she's in trouble...literally. She's pregnant by a man she suspects of being a serial killer.

Almost against his will, Brooke is drawn to Kaitlan and her plight. He's genuinely concerned about Kaitlan's safety, but in her intriguing real-life story, he sees a way to jump-start the plot of the book he can't seem to flesh out. He agrees to help her if she'll follow his directions implicitly.

But given his frequent confusion, can Kaitlan trust her grandfather to implement a plan to catch the killer, without severely endangering her life?

Rarely have I read a book that propelled me forward so intensely. Warning: make sure you pick this up book up when you have plenty of time, because you'll have a really hard time setting it aside for any reason!

Brandilyn Collins is a writer with a remarkable gift for building suspense. At least one plot twist literally made me gasp out loud. But scary and surprising twists and turns aren't her only forte--she also creates nuanced, real characters that you come to care about.

Dark Pursuit won't be released until December (I read a preview copy). If you love great suspense, I highly recommend it.

Right now? Excuse me while I go find everything else Brandilyn Collins has written.

The very best taco soup recipe ever

What would I do without Linda of 2nd Cup of Coffee? Not only is she simpatico with me on so many levels, she always comes up with great memes when I need direction for a blog post!

This time, Linda is encouraging bloggers to share their favorite fall comfort foods in what she's calling Fall Into Flavor.

So here's my entry. If it looks familiar, it's because I've shared it more than once here. Not only is it tasty, the beans are very good for you (hey, pop some Bean-o before you eat if you anticipate a problem! :)), it was originally a Weight Watchers recipe. So it's points-friendly as well as healthy. Just don't tell your family that. I promise you, they will LOVE it...and they'll never guess it's not fattening!

TACO SOUP

1 pound very lean ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1 large can Mexican-style Ro-Tel Tomatoes
1 can pinto beans
1 can black beans
1 can chili beans
1 can corn
1 packet Taco seasoning mix
1 packet Ranch style dressing mix

Brown the beef with the chopped onion; drain. Add other ingredients; DO NOT DRAIN beans and corn.

Cook and simmer until all the flavors are nicely mixed. You might want to serve with some shredded cheddar for sprinkling over the top.

You could also make this in the crockpot (brown the ground beef first, of course), and come home from work or church to a ready-made meal.

The book trailer I voiced is up!

On a Someday, by Roxanne Henke--from PulsePoint Design

How many movies have you wanted to watch just because the movie trailer was so compelling? Movie trailers have long been a strategic way of selling a film.

Well, now book publishers are realizing the potential, especially with so many people viewing videos online.

As a voice-over artist, I've wanted to get into voicing book trailers for quite some time. The first book trailers I noticed weren't that great, to be honest. They often came off as amateurish, with jarring music and poor production values. And most of them didn't include voice narration--you were just expected to read the words on the screen.

However, when I saw the trailer for BJ Hoff's Song of Erin, I was blown away by just how beautiful and effective a book trailer could be. The trailer--as well as the one for BJ Hoff's new book, Rachel's Secret--was put together by a wonderful company called PulsePoint Design.

Now I'm delighted to have voiced a trailer for PulsePoint. Check it out:



You can read more about Roxanne Henke here.

Books! I read books!!!

I sped through Brandilyn Collins' Dark Pursuit over the weekend. Unputdownable? Uh, yeah...I was up till 2:30 in the morning reading it! More on that book later...

And now I'm reading Jeffrey Overstreet's Cyndere's Midnight, the follow-up to his Auralia's Colors (I blogged about my interview with Jeffrey here.) More on that one later too.

So many books, so little time! Happy Monday, everyone...

My challenge to the makers of nasty comedies

1972's "What's Up, Doc?"--not a nasty comedy

Yes, you, Judd Apatow and all the other film makers of your ilk. Here's my challenge:

Make a comedy--just ONE comedy--that doesn't rely on vulgarity, sex, and profane language to get a laugh. Think you could do that?

Hmmm...I'm hearing crickets. Not only are Judd and the others not listening, but even if they were, there's zero chance they would ever take anyone up on that challenge. I honestly don't think there's any way they could make an entire movie like that, and furthermore, I don't think they would want to.

What brought all this up?

Well, several days ago the 1972 movie, "What's Up, Doc?" aired on cable. I taped it for later viewing with my 21-year-old daughter, who had never seen it.

Now, I don't think I had seen the movie since the seventies, so I was curious as to how it would hold up. Actually, it holds up VERY well. The humor is still fresh and clever, the actors truly fun to watch, the dialogue snappy, the slapstick really funny (and I'm not usually a big fan of slapstick, but this is done very well).

The bottom line, it makes you laugh...and without resorting to filth.

After we watched it, my daughter bemoaned the fact that there are so few movies like that anymore. Even the milder, less offensive ones tend to fall back on sexual situations and bad language. What happened to good, clean, classy, LAUGH OUT LOUD comedies?

Watch "What's Up, Doc?" and tell me if you miss the degrading, cesspool humor. Tell me if you thought, "Drat it, I sure could have used a way-too-much information sex scene or a million F-words. It would have made the movie SO much funnier..."

Am I the only one who feels this way? If you're with me on this, movie-maker Kevin Smith thinks you and I are in the minority. Smith recently said: "[Profanity] turns some people off, but that's how mostly everybody I know speaks. It's kind of strange. Whenever somebody goes, 'That offends me,' I'm like, wow, what kind of weird, opposite, bizarro frame of mind do you live in? Cursing is just so second nature, you don't even think of it as cursing anymore. It's just your lexicon."

Smith, by the way, is the producer of an upcoming new movie about two friends who kill some time by making a porn movie.

So, any suggestions?

Got any recommendations for movies that are funny AND relatively clean? Even if they're old ones, let me know in my comments section!

13 Things about "I See What You're Saying"

"I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille!"

On Tuesday, I took part in a video blogging meme called "I See What You're Saying." The idea: videotape yourself for your blog, so that others can actually see you in action and thus get to know you a little better.

You can scroll down to see my video, if you like.

The meme was a lot of fun. After visiting most of the sites that took part, I came up with some observations and even learned some things. Here are 13 things about "I See What You're Saying":

1. Most of us were WAY too hard on ourselves. I can't count the number of participants who said derogatory things about themselves either in the actual video or in their related post: "Are my nostrils really that big?" "I look like a dork!" "I need to go on a diet..."

Believe me, I noticed some things about myself that I had never noticed in a mirror...but I kept them to myself. No need pointing out and thus further emphasizing it! (However, I have to say that some of the participants made their self-criticisms truly funny.)

2. Some of the participants were obvious "naturals." --Apparently, behaving comfortably, naturally and photogenically is an innate gift for some people. Like Gayle of The Westie Crew. Her video was charmingly unaffected and fun.

3. Why was I so uncomfortable on camera, given the fact that I'm used to being recorded? Linda of 2nd Cup of Coffee, who sponsored the meme, commented: "I'm surprised you felt the awkwardness that the rest of us felt because you're used to being taped, per se, right?"

Well Linda, yes, I'm used to having my VOICE recorded. I've heard the sound of my own voice more times than I could ever begin to count. But SEEING yourself on tape is a whole different animal. I felt extraordinarily self-conscious, more than I ever would working with audio.

4. I loved the wide array of accents. And the kids and pets were funny and cute additions.

5. By and large, the younger women seemed more comfortable on camera than did the older women. Could it be because they've been raised with video-cameras in a way we older women never were?

6. One of my favorite videos was this one from "His Girl," who took the problem of failed takes and made it funny and charming.

7. If there were prizes for creativity, one of them would have to go to this one from Chatty Kelly.

8. And another would have to go to this one by Sue J.

9. A frustrating aspect of this meme? Discovering a host of wonderful blogs that I will now have to check out regularly--where will I find the time?! On the flip side? It makes me happy to know there are so many wonderful people out there...restores my faith in human nature a bit.

10. Kelly's background as a TV producer no doubt helped make her video really good--enjoyable and professional, like a mini-travelogue.

11. Things I learned:--a)Pay attention to lighting...it really makes a difference. My first take was in my basement study, and--eeesh, we won't talk about it. b) A little extra make-up is probably a good idea. c)SMILE! I wish I had smiled more on my own video...and I will next time!

12. Most of the best ones were relatively short...we have short attention spans!

13. The exception to number 12? The video of the hostess herself, Linda, whose video was a tour de force! It really let us get to know this lovely and funny lady. By the way, Linda's post today is a "de-briefing" of the meme. I took a peek at it before I finished my own, and (great minds, etc) we cover some of the same points!

Anyway, thanks, Linda, for hosting such a fun bloggy event.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Better late than never, right?

I finally do my video post

OK, I finally got a video up! The best thing it has going for it is that it's SHORT...but I do hope you'll watch it. Thanks!


I See What You're Saying from Cindy Swanson on Vimeo.

A fiction treat from Sandra Byrd...and some thoughts on "Heroes"

--Well, Sandra Byrd has done it again. I fell in love with her writing when I read her first book in the "French Twist" series, Let Them Eat Cake. Over the weekend I devoured--or should I say "savored"?--the second book, Bon Appetit.

After I interviewed Sandra in October 2007, I blogged:

While I've enjoyed some Christian "chick lit" lately, some of it can veer into the self-consciously cute and trying a little too hard to be funny zone. Not this book. Sandra Byrd's humor is wryly amusing instead of broadly slapstick, her protagonist's interaction with God believable instead of goofy.

And indeed, Sandra told me her books don't fit neatly into the "chick lit" category:



Bon Appetit is another treat, continuing the story of pastry-baker Lexi Stuart. Since the subject matter demands food puns, I'd have to say that Bon Appetit is light and sweet, but definitely substantial enough to satisfy...and yet leave you hungry for a little more. And we'll get that with Piece de Resistance, the third book in the series.

By the way, I am going to try to snag another interview with Ms. Byrd. Oh--and my 21-year-old daughter LOVED both of these books.

A little disappointed with "Heroes"


Senhil Ramamurthy as Mohinder Suresh

Heroes has never been my favorite current TV show--that honor would have to go to "Lost"--but I've always found it entertaining and engrossing.

However, after last week's fall debut, I have to admit to being a bit disappointed and even a little disturbed.

First of all, my favorite characters--the ones we have relied on to be honorable and good--are acting in ways I don't like. The character of Peter Petrelli (Milo Ventimiglia) is much darker this season, at least so far. And what's with Mohinder Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy)? From what we know of his character, he would NEVER behave in the way he's behaving in the first episode. Suresh is usually, like, the voice of reason.

Another disturbing element is the way religion is being introduced into the storyline of Nathan Petrelli. Sorry, but I don't trust a hit TV show to portray religion in a reasonable way, and Nathan's religious obsession, so far, is just looking weird to me. And what was all that about "a beast stalking toward Bethlehem" in Suresh's narration?

UPDATE: OK, I apparently revealed my appalling ignorance about poetry with that last sentence. I've been informed that the line about "the rough beast slouching [not "stalking"] toward Bethlehem" is actually from a poem by W. B. Yeats...which, like that episode of "Heroes," was titled "The Second Coming." Apparently it's about the dangers facing modern man. Mmm, yes, I'm feeling a little dumb right now. :)

The show has always contained quite a bit of violence, but it's looking even more violent and dark than ever. As fascinated and intrigued as I am with the story and the characters, is this something I want to dwell on-- even for an hour a week? I'm just not sure.

If you're a Heroes fan, I'd love to hear your viewpoint. Do let me know in my comments section.

Will we see what you're saying?

Remember I told you not long ago that Linda of 2nd Cup of Coffee is hosting a video blogging event? It's called I See What You're Saying. On September 30th, you simply video your blog post. Linda even explains how to do it here.

Well, it looks like Gayle of The Westie Crew is one jump ahead...and she's set the standard for the rest of us! Check it out...



Isn't she adorable?

Anyway, I'm hoping to participate (I'm not sure if I have all the proper doohickeys with which to do so.)

Right now I'm zonked from three-days of intense fundraising for the radio station I work for, 101QFL. So excuse me while I finish my work and get ready for the most important business of the afternoon...A NAP.

Happy weekend, everybody!

Wayback Wednesday

I will not go gentle into that gray hair

(Note: Right now, I'm in the middle of our radio station's annual 3-day fundraiser. Sharathon is a busy, crazy ride, with very little free time...so I'm exercising my right to pull something out of the archives of Notes in the Key of Life. The following was originally posted on February 22, 2004, so I apologize if any of the links are dead!)

Joy of karagraphy bemoans her first gray hair today, but takes consolation: "There are still far more dark-almost-black hairs — only God knows how many — resiliently residing upon the same scalp as that lone silver beacon of mortality. And I can pluck beacons in the single digits, no problem. As long as grey hairs remain an anomaly, I’ll live. I may live even longer than that."

My reply to Joy in her comments section: "Ah, yes…how well I remember the days when it was just a lone gray hair here and there…easily pulled out. It’s when they start multiplying rapidly that you’re faced with the decision: go gray gracefully, or rage, rage against the dying of the brunette? I chose the latter. Constant coloring is a pain in the behind, but I prefer it to the tired look I get when the grays proliferate."

It IS a pain, because my hair color was one thing I really liked about myself, and I have never been able to appromiximate is closely enough out of a bottle.

I've gone the highlighting route as well. I like it for a while, and then I start missing my dark hair again.

So, this is the decision most women face as they age. Cover the gray, or gracefully segue into a head full of grays? What is it to be? Well, I've made my decision and I'm sticking with it. When the silver upstarts begin to gather on my temples, I feel it ages my appearance way beyond what I'm ready for. As I said, it makes me look tired. It does not make me feel pretty.

My paternal grandmother continued coloring her hair, as far as I know, until she died. And she always looked younger than her years, although I'm sure that wasn't the only factor.

What about you? Do you cover the grays, or have you gracefully submitted to the effects of time?

Books! I read books!!!

Allison Pittman's With Endless Sight

Rarely has a Christian novel affected me as deeply and emotionally as Allison Pittman's "With Endless Sight."

It's the story of Belinda, whose seemingly prosperous family uproots from Illinois to head west toward Oregon territory, much against the wishes of her proud and beautiful mother. Belinda's family has its faults and failings, but they have gifted her with a grounding of faith--something she must draw on repeatedly during the trials that ensue.



Not long before the family reaches their destination, a shocking tragedy shatters Belinda's life and abruptly alters the course of the story. The narrative shifts from being an account of a family's sometimes troublesome but overall fairly pleasant trip west, to a story that must venture into places of deep courage and raw pain.

Pittman handles mature themes with gentility and grace; her portrayal of Christian faith rings true and unvarnished. Belinda is a strong, honest and nuanced heroine, her story compelling and very difficult to put down.

I haven't read the first two books in this Crossroads of Grace series, but the brief appearances of both previous heroines in this story makes me want to do so. At any rate, I'll want to read anything by Allison Pittman. She is without a doubt a very gifted novelist.

Linda Hall's Shadows at the Window


This is the second suspense novel Linda Hall has written for Harlequin's Steeple Hill line, and it's obvious why Hall has won awards for her mystery-writing.

This is an enjoyable read, perfect for snuggling up with on a fall evening as you sip a mug of hot cider.

Lilly is a girl with a secret past--but that past is now confronting her in a frightening way. The mystery of just who is threatening to destroy Lilly's new life will keep you turning pages. Hall has a deft touch when it comes to suspense: a scene where the heroine is trapped in a basement, perhaps with a killer, is one of the scariest things I've read in a while.

Interwoven into the mystery is some solid truth about how once we become a new creature in Christ, we can truly put our past sins to rest.

I really liked this compact mystery, just as I did Hall's previous Shadows in the Mirror. However, I do hope Hall will be able at some point to return to her full-length novels--not just her excellent mysteries like Chat Room, Dark Water, and Black Ice, but to meaty, substantive books like Sadie's Song and Margaret's Peace.

Hall tells me that the Christian bookselling industry has a hard time figuring out how to market her books, which often defy pigeon-holing. Too bad, because she's a wonderfully talented writer who deserves a wide audience.

13 of my favorite TV characters of all time

I'm delving into the archives of Notes in the Key of Life to participate in the Thursday Thirteen meme! This was originally posted , so you'll see references to some shows which were airing then, but are no longer on.

What are YOUR favorite TV characters? Let me know in my comments section!

...in no particular order (and yes, some of these go waaaay back...)

--Lisa on "Green Acres," played by Eva Gabor...she was so ditzy and quirky, she cracked me up.


--Barney, played by Don Knotts, on "The Andy Griffith Show." Need you even ask why?



--The Virginian (I don't think they ever gave his name), played by James Drury, on "The Virginian." Mysterious...manly...you know, the strong, silent type


--Al, played by Dean Stockwell, on "Quantum Leap." Not sure why...I just really liked him.

--Phyllis, played by Cloris Leachman, on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." She made an art form out of being snobby and clueless at the same time.

--Herman Munster on "The Munsters," played by Fred Gwynne. Again, he was just funny...and he had that great, deep voice. The thought of monster as lovable goof...


--Emily, played by Suzanne Pleshette, on "The Bob Newhart Show." She was just a cool character...a pleasure to watch.

--David Addison, played by Bruce Willis, on "Moonlighting." His smart-aleck wise-cracking kept me watching, and promised his future stardom.

--Rob Petrie, played by Dick Van Dyke, on "The Dick Van Dyke Show." Again, no explanation needed--he's a legend.

...and more recently...

--Hugo "Hurley," played by Jorge Garcia, on "Lost." Hurley's down-to-earth sense of humor is one of the things that keeps the show from spiraling into inaccessible weirdness.

Dr. Jack Shepherd, played by Matthew Fox, on "Lost." I know a lot of viewers don't care for Jack, but I think he's the heart and soul of the show.

--Peter Petrelli, played by Milo Ventimiglia, on "Heroes." His basic goodness and likeability make him immensely appealing. For me, there could be no show without Peter.

--Hank, played by Fred Ewanuick, on "Corner Gas." He's just so likably goofy!

"The Biggest Loser" is off and running!

...and other stuff to tell you...

One of my favorite TV shows--in fact, one of the few TV shows that I even watch!--is back! The Biggest Loser kicked off last night with eight teams of two family members each--four parent-child combinations, and four husband-wife combinations.

It's impossible not to get personally invested in the lives of these contestants. From the first show, when you see them struggling to get up a hill, stay on a treadmill for a few minutes or lift a weight--till the end of the season, when they emerge slim, fit and healthy--it's a fascinating metamorphosis.

I already have my favorites, but that sometimes shifts a bit during the course of the season.

For someone who is own their own fitness journey, the show can't help but be extremely motivating. However, there are a couple of things that do concern me. Is it really healthy for these hugely obese people to lose weight so quickly? And how long will most of them keep it off? It will be interesting to see if there are any long-term studies on that.

For now, though, it's obvious that job number one for most of them IS to get the weight off as quickly as possible--not just to win the big bucks, but because their very lives are at stake.

Other stuff to tell you:

--Barb at A Chelsea Morning is giving away a Chris Tomlin CD.

--Joe Carter morphed his Evangelical Outpost into a team blog not long ago, but he says his popular "33 Things" posts are now a regular feature at Culture 11. I don't think I've ever read a 33 Things post that hasn't contained a lot of fascinating stuff.

--A sad but heartwarming story about a man who literally gave his life for his son. He sounds like a truly remarkable man. (Hat tip to Amy's Humble Musings.)

--I'm a calligraphy buff, so I was interested in checking out this calligraphy site (hat tip to Jen at Unmerited.)

--Can't wait to try this: an apparently foolproof way to peel an egg. (from Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee.)

It's Wednesday, folks!

A strange anniversary to celebrate

...I mark a year of knowing I'm diabetic


BEFORE


AFTER

So, a year ago on this date I got the shocking, dismaying, disheartening news that I have Type 2 diabetes.

Actually, it wasn't official yet at that point. As I blogged shortly afterward:

My late father was diabetic (although that's not what claimed his life), my brother is, and a host of relatives and ancestors. For years, I knew I was at risk, and I had great intentions of being proactive and preventing it. Unfortunately, my efforts were sporadic and inadequate.

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Teri was here for the weekend. Teri had just found out a few months earlier that she is diabetic. She kept bugging me to take my blood sugar, and I kept resisting. I guess a part of me thought that what I didn't know wouldn't hurt me.

Now I'm thanking God that Teri insisted. My blood sugar was very high. I made a doctor's appointment, and I'm now taking medication for Type 2 diabetes.

So why am I celebrating?

Don't get me wrong. I would much rather NOT have diabetes, given a choice. However, I'm firmly convinced that if it hadn't been for my diagnosis, I would probably have still been eating horribly...not exercising...making occasional, short-lived attempts to lose weight...putting my health on the back burner, and my life at risk.

Since my diagnosis, I've lost 30 pounds. That may not be a lot for an entire year, but I believe that the entire story could be told in inches, not just pounds...since I've exercised, both cardio and weight-training, faithfully for this entire year.

I've revolutionized my eating...and yet, believe it or not, I enjoy food more than I ever did when I was busily stuffing it into my face. I focus on having fewer carbs, but having the right kind of carbs--whole grains, good fiber, healthy fruit and vegetables. And yes, the occasional treat.

So yes...I'm celebrating. Celebrating something I don't think I've ever accomplished in my entire adult life: an entire year of consistent healthy eating and regular exercise. Something I don't think I would have ever achieved if it hadn't been for that fateful day when my friend insisted I take a blood sugar test.

YOU may be able to avoid that diagnosis. Start being proactive now about eating the right kinds of foods and getting fit. Believe me, it's worth it!

This book was a huge help to me, and I highly recommend it.

Monday Melange

Odds-n-ends to pass along...

--Heartwarming and amazing: a man's German shepherd dog called 911 and saved its owner's life.

--Family-friendly online bookstore Abunga.com is announcing the winners of its Kids' Choice Book Awards.

--More than 100 Southern Baptist relief units have responded to the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike.

--I just interviewed the wonderful Thelma Wells, who will be one of the speakers at the Extraordinary Women conference coming to Rockford October 10-11. Speaking of extraordinary women, she certainly fits that description!

--A whole lot of people are apparently saying hello to Christian singer Chris Tomlin's CD, Hello Love. It's the highest charting debut for any album in the Christian industry.

--An independent movie about Methodism founder John Wesley will be released to theaters this fall.

--Christian uber-blogger La Shawn Barber tells who'll she'll be voting for on November 4th, and why.

--Woo hoo! One of my favorite shows, The Biggest Loser, returns TV tomorrow night. Host Allison Sweeney blogs about the new season.

Trying on a new meme for size: Friday Fill-Ins

1. I enjoy __a delicious Cappucino from Road Ranger gas stations________.

2. _Who will be the next president?_________ is something I wonder about often lately.

3. In your heart, you knew __I would love being a grandmother________.

4. Take _powdered sugar_________, add a little _butter_________ and you end up with __frosting________.

5. Life has gifted me with _a wonderful family_________.

6. __A hot bubble bath________ is an instant vacation.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _spending time with my husband____, tomorrow my plans include _cleaning my house and doing laundry____ and Sunday, I want to go to church_____!

Go here to participate.

My 9/11 Tribute to Joan Hoadley Peterson

The following was originally posted in 2006 on the 5th anniversary of 9/11, as part of Project 2,996:


I Remember Jean Hoadley Peterson

When I signed up recently to commemorate a 9/11 victim as part of the 2,996 project, I had no idea that the woman whose name was randomly given to me would have been a Christian--a woman who, just weeks before her death on Flight 93, said, "I don't know why, but I feel so ready to meet the Lord!"

Here I was thinking that I could somehow be a blessing by memorializing Jean Hoadley Peterson, but just reading about her has ended up blessing me.

Today I commemorate Jean Hoadley Peterson, who died along with her husband Don Peterson in the crash of Flight 93, the only terrorist-infiltrated flight on 9/11/2001 that didn't reach its intended target.

Her husband's Bible found

Several days ago I posted about the fact that I had been assigned Jean's name as part of the 2,996 project. I was amazed to get this response from Donna-Jean, a fellow blogger from New Jersey:

"Cindy, I know about Jean Hoadley Peterson. She and her husband Don were believers in Jesus Christ. They supported my uncle's evangelistic ministry here in New Jersey, that's how I first heard about them. They were very generous and supportive.

"Don and Jean were a retired couple, involved with Community Bible Study in their Jersey shore home; Don was a Teaching Director. They were the only married couple on Flight 93; they left behind six grown children and one grandchild.

"Don's dog-eared NIV Bible was one of two Bibles found at the crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. In the Bible was his Community Bible Study lesson from Luke, with his answers written in."

She then referred me to this article about the Petersons, which includes a picture of Don's Bible. I encourage you to follow that link as well and learn more about Jean and her husband.

I was amazed. Out of all the names I could have been assigned, I was given the name of a fellow believer...a woman who, like me, believed in a hope beyond the grave. A woman who was a follower of Christ and a believer and lover of His Word.

So who was Jean Hoadley Peterson?

Jean was 55 years old when she died in the crash of Flight 93. She was a wife, a mom, a grandmother, a registered nurse.

According to the Wall of Americans website: "Mrs. Peterson was born in Evanston, Ill., and grew up in Lancaster, Pa. She received a nursing degree from the University of Rochester, and a master's degree in education from Columbia University. She, too, was deeply involved in church ministries and was a member of Community Bible Study in Spring Lake [New Jersey].

"'She did everything in a very quiet way, never expecting anything in return,' said her daughter, Jennifer Price. 'She was a devoted mother, and after we grew up she devoted her life to helping other people's children.'"

"The couple married in 1984 and are survived by six children. David, Hamilton and Royster Peterson, and Jennifer, Grace and Catherine Price.

"Mrs. Peterson is also survived by her parents, Walter and Virginia Hoadley; her brother, Richard Hoadley; and granddaughter, Charlotte."

Along with leading Bible studies, Don and Jean traveled with church friends to help a mission in Santa Lucia, and Jean volunteered at the Helping Hands Pregnancy Center in Shrewsbury, New Jersey.

According to this article, "On Sept. 11, they'd planned to take a later flight to a family reunion at Yosemite National Park, but at the airport seized a chance to switch to less-crowded Flight 93. Their memorial service drew nearly 1,000 people they'd worked with, helped or counseled and had to be moved to a larger sanctuary nearby."

I regret deeply that the earthly lives of Jean Hoadley Peterson and her husband were cut short by the tragedy of 9/11. But I celebrate the 55 years that she lived on this planet, and how she blessed and influenced those around her.

And I rejoice that I will meet her someday in heaven.


*******

The 2,996 tribute to Don Peterson can be found here.

More on Don and Jean Peterson

Listen to my radio piece about 9/11--This was recorded a few months after 9/11. There are a couple of small glitches in the audio, but it has a sense of immediacy about it that I think brings back the emotions we were all experiencing at that time. Includes sound bites from that day.

Many thanks to Donna-Jean Breckenridge for her invaluable direction in this tribute

Penelope--a whimsical movie with a good message

James McAvoy

My daughter and I watched a charming movie the other day that must have completely escaped my notice when it first came out. It was Penelope...a whimsical, funny tale that I think has a good underlying message about self-esteem for young girls.

Penelope is a young woman born into a rich family that has been cursed. The first daughter born to the family will be born with a pig's snout...and will remain that way until she is loved by "one of her own kind."

Christina Ricci does a good job as Penelope, bringing just the right touches of humor and longing. Although it's obvious she wants to be released from the curse, she's able to laugh at herself and create a rich world in the privacy of her own room, to which she's pretty much been exiled.

Catherine O'Hara is hilarious as Penelope's mother, who is frantically bent on getting her daughter married off to a blue-blood so the curse can be lifted. Her character should give pause to moms who unreasonably try to change their daughters.

But the real charmer in the movie, for me anyway, is James McAvoy (you'll remember him as the faun in The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe) as the guy who falls for Penelope without seeing her...and whose love proves true even when he does get a load of the snout.

Although hiding his beautiful Scottish accent with an American one (why? there are lots of other British accents in the film), it's easy to fall for his character. Who wouldn't love a guy who sees past a horrible defect to the beauty of the girl inside? McAvoy is not conventionally handsome, but he was quite attractive in this movie.

Although modern, the movie has a fairy tale feel. The creators of the film said they tried to portray it as taking place "any time, anywhere," and they pretty much succeeded.

Best of all, besides being fun and entertaining, the movie says good things to young girls in an age where eating disorders and teen-age plastic surgery are all too common.

I enjoyed it very much.

I talk with Karen Kingsbury

I was delighted to interview author Karen Kingsbury the other day. While I've read many of Karen's books, and enjoyed them thoroughly, this interview wasn't in support of one particular book. Karen is one of the featured speakers for the Extraordinary Women conferences, one of which is coming to Rockford October 10th and 11th.

Karen was a lot of fun to talk with. Her books have been amazingly successful, with nine of them hitting the number-one spot on the USA Today or New York Times bestselling list.

Her ministry has moved beyond writing to true activism, with her Red Gloves books sparking community projects across the country.

Click the link below to hear a condensed version of our radio interview (about 3 minutes.)

Karen Kingsbury Mini-interview


So many books, so little time...




I've been reading some really good books lately.

--I just interviewed Patti Lacy about her riveting An Irishwoman's Tale, and I'll be blogging about that interview shortly. (I've got to say, Patti's description of her visit to Ireland to do research for the book only made me want to go there more.)

--I took another trip to a parallel world with Sharon Hinck's The Restorer's Journey. Once again I marveled at Sharon's beautiful writing and captivating way of weaving a story. If you haven't read this series yet--even if you think you aren't into the fantasy genre--do. It's that simple.

Monday Melange

Stuff to tell you...


No, this is not Sarah Palin

--Zondervan is announcing a new biography of Sarah Palin.

--Speaking of Palin...Mark of Miscellaneous Creativity is not the only one that thinks she looks like a certain comedienne.

--Former American Idol Jordin Sparks defended abstinence rings on MTV's Video Music Awards. (Side note: is there a trashier event on television?)

--Could DVR save your relationship? (Hat tip to Christ and Pop Culture.)

--I just finished An Irishwoman's Tale by Patti Lacy...excellent! I'm interviewing Patti tomorrow, and I'm really looking forward to it.

--Some--er, insteresting--retro album artwork in Purgatorio's latest edition of Divine Vinyl.

--The Gospel Music Channel is launching a new show focusing on southern gospel music.

--Is this the future Tiger Woods? 5-year-old makes hole-in-one

That's all I have time for, folks! Have a great Monday!

Blogging about blogging....

...a new meme on the subject of blogging

I made up the following meme to learn a little more about my fellow bloggers. I tried not to duplicate the questions from other blogging memes I’ve seen. This one seems to focus more on the social aspect of blogging, though I hadn’t originally intended it to have that emphasis — but “Why do you blog?” and “How did you get started?” went around often ages ago. But if you have never answered those question, feel free to do so!--Barbara at Stray Thoughts

Thanks, Barbara! Here I go:

How do you feel about being tagged for memes?

I really don't mind at all...but sometimes I'm so busy, it takes me a while to get around to doing them. Be patient with me! :)

Do you participate in any regular weekly memes? Which ones?

I used to do quite a few, but lately I try to hit "Thursday Thirteen" on a regular basis. Like Barbara, I see such memes as a way of reaching out to others who might not normally read my blog.

Have you found any bloggers that you began to read regularly after participating in a meme with them?

Definitely. Of course I can't think of them right now, but there are several that I've added to my Bloglines and blogroll because I so enjoyed their Thursday Thirteen posts.

Do you know of any readers who found you through a meme and became regular readers?

I'm not sure! If you found me through a meme and you're now a regular reader, will you let me know? Thanks!

Did you find any favorite blogs through comments or blogrolls on others’ blogs?

Again, definitely...quite a few, in fact.

Did you find any favorite blogs from someone else’s recommendation?

Wow...I'm sorry I'm not being more specific, but I know I've found favorite blogs that way.

If you comment on someone’s blog, do you expect a response? If so, do you prefer that response to come through an e-mail, a comment from them on the same post, or a a comment on your blog?

I don't expect a response, unless I'm asking a specific question.

Do you ever struggle with your blogging “voice”?

Not really. I decided quite some time ago that "Notes in the Key of Life" is my blog, and I'll write about anything that strikes my fancy. I can't worry too much about niche-marketing here! I'm a person of many interests and facets, and I think all of them are represented on this blog.

Are there certain types of blogs that attract you?

My favorite are those that combine really good writing with humor and spirituality, although I read many blogs that are one or the other. A great sense of humor goes a looong way with me...as long as it's clean and family-friendly.

Are there certain types of blogs that repel you?

Definitely. I avoid blogs that feature obscenity, profanity, or pretty much any blog that doesn't pass my Phillipians 4:8 test. Also, if you're a constant downer, you're going to lose me.

What time of day do you usually blog?

It varies.

Do your family and friends know about your blog? Do they read it? Do they mind if you mention them? Do they suggest posts for it?

Yes, my friends and family know about my blog, and they all read it occasionally if not regularly. My hubby reads my blog pretty regularly. Hi, honey! (waving and blowing a kiss) (By the way, he's going to think that last line is corny :))

I can't remember if a friend or family member has suggested a post, but I think my husband likes it when I blog about our grandson, and he loves it when people comment about the baby.

13 Things to Tell You About

More link love and interesting tidbits! If you're busy cruising Thursday Thirteens, bookmark this page to come back and peruse at your leisure...

--Being a voice-over artist, I was sad to hear that the king of voice-over artists, Don LaFontaine, passed away. If you've ever heard a movie trailer, you've heard him. Just think of phrase, "In a world where..." uttered in a deep, gravelly, awesome voice. Here's a video about him.

--The name of the upcoming new "24" movie has been changed.

--Yet another obit: The animator who gave movement to Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy and the other Peanuts characters has died. Bill Melendez was 91.

--Do you aspire to write Christian fiction? Here's a contest that might interest you.

--Speaking of Christian fiction, I had the privilege today of interviewing the wonderful Karen Kingsbury. I'll blog about it soon.

--The Xbox 360 is slashing its price.

--A Christian version of Guitar Hero will feature music from the likes of dcTalk, Flyleaf, David Crowder, 12 Stones and Casting Crowns.

--An interesting article about Sarah Palin.

--Apparently a lot of U2 fans like Obama, and vice versa.

--A New York woman has grown a six-foot-long zucchini!

--Well, I would never wear them, but someone has actually written an article in praise of ugly shoes.

--Barbara at Stray Thoughts features a great new meme about blogging. I plan to answer the questions soon.

--It's cool in Northern Illinois today! The high is expected to only be around 63.

Where has "Newsies" been all my life?

...and some pics from my Labor Day weekend



Well, my kids left yesterday. (Imagine me with a very sad face.) I had the most wonderful time with my son, my daughter-in-law and my adorable 19-month-old grandson.

However, my daughter-in-law had encouraged my daughter Elizabeth and me to watch Newsies. Liz is a big Christian Bale fan, and I have to admit he's a pretty appealing actor.

I thoroughly enjoyed Newsies! Christian Bale, at the age of around 17 or 18, does a great job in a singing, dancing, tough-talking role. He plays the leader of a group of newsboys who decide to go on strike in turn-of-the-century Manhattan. It's fun and engaging. (As far as family-friendliness: I was a little surprised that despite being a Disney movie, it contains a few curse-words.)

Wonderful Labor Day weekend...

My long Labor Day Weekend (I took Friday and Tuesday off in addition to Labor Day) was wonderful! It was just so awesome to spend quality time with Jonathan, Daylyn and Payton. Here are a few pictures from our weekend.