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Marking Time

November 24, 2021 by Bethany McMillon

*Original Photo by Andrik Langfield on Unsplash*

A Steady Beat

The metronome and drums of the marching band’s practice keep a steady beat as they sound across the field and parking lot; students climb out their cars to begin the day. The sun shines pinks and oranges from just behind the rooftops of neighborhood houses. The air is filled with the slightest crisp breeze, a signal from fall, “I’ve arrived.” Almost within the rhythm of the band’s beat, I open the car doors to greet each child. We exchange smiles and high-fives and well wishes for a day ahead. A new day begins. Open the door… two… three… four. Close the door… two… three… four.

Finishing the Day

I slip on hot pink slides over my sock feet, having realized – after I’d donned my pjs – tomorrow morning is trash day. I hope the darkness hides my inside-the-house-only-attire as I heave the trash bag into the bin and open the garage door. Wheeling the bin down the driveway as we do every Wednesday evening, I pause. The night air is quiet, the sound of cars rushing past is muted in the distance and most houses are dark, closing the day as night begins to fall. Finish the day… rest… begin the day… finish the day… rest… begin the day.

Three More Sleeps

As he stands in the pantry searching for snacks, his tall lanky frame blocks the doorway and the memory of his excited 3-year-old grin engulfs me. “How many sleeps until my party?” he wonders again. “Three,” I assure him. On Saturday, we will meet friends for donuts to celebrate. He’d held fast to his desire for a “donuts and diggers” party and counted down the days since we’d delivered invitations to a handful of friends. Party hats and balloons and gifts awaited. Three more sleeps. Sleep… wait… sleep… anticipate… sleep… celebrate.

The Passing of Time

Car lines begin each school day at 8:00 am. Trash collection trucks thunder down our street each Thursday morning at 7:00. I count sleeps until celebratory events. Moments and routines and cycles signal the passing of time. Sometimes marking time within our routines accelerates the feel of time… we only have five more trash days until Christmas, and a handful of sleeps until December begins. Events which once seemed so far in the future rapidly approach.

But in these moments, I wonder. Am I marking each moment, each instant for the gift it is? Or am I holding back, forgetting to notice the now, in anticipation of seemingly bigger events to come?

Just before my growing-too-fast-boy’s 7^th grade year, I read one of the “Phase” books by Kristen Ivy and Reggie Joiner. In the opening chapter, the authors remind their readers, “There are approximately 936 weeks from the time a baby is born until they grow up and move to whatever is next.” Now, as he’s almost to the halfway point of his freshman year, I realize, I have less than 200. It seems like so many, until I mark time with seasons or holidays.

Just as Psalmist writes, it is within the speeding passage of time in which I plead for the Lord to “teach me to number my days that I may get a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12

I can’t help but plan and count and mark the time, but I can also pause in the now, on this ordinary, mid-fall Wednesday and notice this moment for the gift it is.

The Gifts

On a walk or driving from one place to the next I can notice: What does the sky look like today?

Instead of casual greetings, I can plan to pause: How can my conversations go deeper today?

Within the interactions of the day, I can consider: Who needs to be noticed today?

It is within these small moments of noticing and connecting when our lives move from marking time to making memories that matter.

A Walk, a Treat and Some Choices

September 8, 2021 by Bethany McMillon

A Walk

A quick post-school clothing change complete, I reached for my headphones and headed out the door. My boy needed to be picked up in exactly 40 minutes – just enough time for a quick walk.

I swung the front door open and stepped outside, ready to enjoy the “cool front” that blew through that afternoon bringing the temperature down to 91 degrees. A slight breeze greeted me along with the late afternoon sunshine. In the moment, I faced a multitude of choices.

Where to go: Turn right into the neighborhood or left onto the trail?

How to focus: Track my steps as a workout or enjoy the movement and time outside simply for what it was?

How to fill my mind: Music or podcast or audio book or phone call or quiet walk?

The possibilities seemed endless. On this afternoon, I chose the neighborhood – in the interest of time – and my audio book.

A Treat

My mouth watered as we waited in line. As each person received their order and walked past us carrying their goodies, I eyed their chosen treat. Inch by inch we moved forward in line, until it was our turn to order.

I’d planned for weeks to visit this new ice cream shop for a special occasion. Eyeing the menu, I began to make my choices with no intention of sticking to my usual choice of strawberry ice cream and hot fudge.

I selected my cookie flavors for the sandwich bases; they didn’t even match – snickerdoodle on top and sugar cookie with sprinkles on the bottom! Next, I chose my ice cream filling. Chocolate and vanilla felt boring, so I stepped out to try the cake batter flavor. Finally, I picked a topping – a sprinkle of fruity, sugary cereal!

My guys ordered exactly what caught their eyes (very different from my order!). We considered adding a small box of day-old cookies offered at the register but opted out. We weaved back through the small restaurant and found an open outdoor table to savor the decadent treat under the setting sun.

An Impasse

It’s no secret we’re faced with choices each moment of the day. But, lately, choosing seems especially difficult. And most of our choices are much more difficult than a walking trail or a topping for a sweet treat. We are choosing which activity to cancel in our already full schedules, and when a sniffle needs a nasal swab and how to connect, but also be socially distant. I often feel unable to choose even the simplest of options, like what to cook for dinner or which book to read next. But lately, when it comes to bigger choices, I’m at an impasse. The experts call this feeling “decision fatigue*,” and I’ve found certain things give me a jumpstart in my decision making. Here are a few ideas I’m incorporating into this season:

Choose

I’m choosing once. In her podcasts and book, The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi, sets “Choose Once” as her top lazy genius principle. When I adapt this idea and choose something once, I take a decision off my mind and increase my ability to focus on other things that need my attention. For example, instead of deciding each morning what I should take for lunch, I bought a box of my favorite protein bars and a bag of organic fruit bars and took them to school. Now, I don’t need to decide what to pack for lunch each morning.

Pause

I’m taking a pause. I’m remembering I don’t have to decide everything immediately. A friend recently said, “If you feel rushed and pressured, the answer should probably be ‘no.’” This week, I needed to be three places within a 45-minute time span. I’d set myself up to drop at least one ball as I juggled all the things that evening. A better decision-making choice would have been to reschedule or say no to at least one of them.

Find

I’m finding moments away from noise. A moment alone in my car. A quiet walk. A prayer whispered as I fold laundry when I’m the last one to bed. The moments don’t have to be long, just calm and still. When a moment of my day is still, choices become easier.

Focus

I’m focusing on establishing flexible rhythms and letting go of the pass/fail mentality. Instead of meal planning, I plan and shop for three to four meals each week. The meals can be made any night we are home or held over for the weekend. Instead of dictating to my body which days I must exercise, I work toward purposefully moving my body three to four times each week. When I hold these things loosely, I give myself more room for grace when it doesn’t work exactly as my Plan A dictated.

The ideas feel simple on paper. But, in truth, I’m still a beginner as I learn to balance the choices dictating not just this moment, but the patterns of my life. What about you? Are you decisive or do you struggle with decisions sometimes, too?

* Click here to read a MedicalNewsToday article about decision fatigue.

Ready to Zip

July 31, 2021 by Bethany McMillon

With a helmet fit securely on my head, gardening gloves on my hands to protect them from pinches and rope burns, and awkwardly placed clips and straps and carabiners strapped all around my waist and hips, I stood, shaking, on a step stool on top of a platform 150 feet above the ground. This was the longest, highest and final zip of our tour.

My son was already across the line. He’d been the first in our group to soar the 1500 feet across.

Am I Ready?

“Ready to zip,” the guide’s voice crackled through the walkie talkie from across the ravine.

“Ready to zip,” repeated the guide on my side. “Don’t forget to look down. That’s what makes it fun – and it’s a beautiful day to take in the scenery from the sky,” he joked.

A breath in. A nervous breath out. I gripped the handles, leaned back and flew.

“Eeeeeeeee,” I screamed – more out of sheer enjoyment than terror. The sun shone brighter. The trees showed off their gorgeous green against the red Colorado rocks (whoa, those trees are a long way down, I thought). And the wind whipped around me, swinging me slightly as I flew across the rope at about 45 miles per hour.

It was over as quickly as it began. The next platform came into view. The guide signaled. To stop, I needed to let go of the handle and slide my hand along the rope above me. Gentle pressure. Don’t grip the rope.

My pace slowed. The platform was underfoot.

“Good zip,” the guide greeted me.

As I stepped down, my son offered his hand to steady my feet. He grinned. “I wish this wasn’t the last one,” he whispered. I couldn’t help but agree.

It Didn’t Come Easily

This moment of enjoyment hadn’t come easily, though. In the weeks before our zip line adventure, I’d asked and asked and asked, again and again and again until my son agreed to try zip lining with me. He wasn’t sure. He questioned the safety and he didn’t like the idea of those heights.

Once he agreed, I booked the adventure immediately, so we couldn’t change our minds.

As we drove to the starting point of our tour, the road was wound tightly up the mountain, SO close to the edge, I thought for sure we could go over at any minute. The guide assured us the road had just been graded, but still we bumped and jumped and jostled along.

After the first two (much smaller) zips, one of the guides turned to us and said, “This is what we call ‘the commitment zip.’ Once you go across this one, the only way back down is on a zip line. There are no trails to hike down. This is it. Make sure you are really in.” And we were – all the way in.

I have a choice to make

Right now, we stand at the edge of the platform. The new school year beckons us to fly across. For local friends, this weekend is “the commitment zip” – after this, there is no turning back. I will be “all in.” But friends, in thinking about my mindset, I have a few choices about how I will handle it.

I could let terror and dread settle in. Ten months of a school year or 1500 feet of sky – both are a long way. A thin rope attached to a piece or medal or news reports warning of new mandates – both are reasons to think maybe this isn’t such a great idea.

Or, I could focus on a few actions to fill me with joy for a “great zip” this year:

*I will zip with someone I love – Or at least people I know and enjoy. I’ll make connecting with people a priority. Family. Teammates. Close friends. I’ll find camaraderie in those who will encourage me within the challenges I will face.

*I will wear protective gear – Just as gloves kept my hands from rope burn as I learned to slow myself down at the end of the zip line, setting boundaries and parameters could keep my head clear this year. For example, I can set aside one day each week to work late – and one day to leave as early as I can. I want to pick a weekend day to keep my work bag closed. As a family, I want to make rest a priority by committing to turn off our email or phone or TV before 10:00pm.

*I will seize moments to observe the beauty – It seems easiest to focus on how quickly things are going (or how high up you might be!). But when I pause to focus on the world and people around me, I notice God’s gorgeous handiwork and the gifts He gives.

How will you make this season a joyous adventure? Are you ready to zip?

“For the joy of the Lord is our strength.”
-Nehemiah 8:10

Determine My Steps

June 28, 2021 by Bethany McMillon

His wavy blonde hair was damp and tousled, his cheeks were flushed. I couldn’t help but smile at both signs of a quality afternoon nap as he reached for me to pick him up. I pulled him into my lap, then leaned back in the barstool. He snuggled in against me. His fingers twirled through my hair as he finished waking up and I finished watching the lecture video for my online class. His hair still smelled faintly of chlorine after his swim lesson this morning. His blue eyes were still glassy with sleep. I kissed the top of his head and shut down my laptop.

“Wanna go bye-bye?” I asked him. “Momma needs a Dr Pepper.”

“Momma needs a Dr Pepper?” he repeated. I grinned. His sweet voice had tattled on our afternoon routine to his daddy last night. As we loaded him into his car seat the night before, he’d pointed at me and repeated the phrase he’d heard me say several weeks in a row about mid-afternoon. It was an easy errand, a drive-thru soda stop to get out of the house and change scenery for a few minutes. My husband turned around and grinned, “Is there a habit I need to know about?” he had teased.

One… Two… Three…

My boy climbed down from my lap, and I sent him to find his shoes while I plugged in my laptop to make sure it was charged and ready. I had a paper to finish this evening, and I much preferred to work at the kitchen bar.

We loaded up. I strapped him in and chattered about what all we were going to do. One, we will drive through for a soda. Two, we will pick up the dry cleaning. Three, we will head to the grocery store.

“One… Two… Three,” he echoed in the backseat. Even at three years old, he liked to know the plan.

He’s not alone. I like to know the plan. One, I will finish my teaching certificate and teach in the same district where I’m already known. Two, I will finish my Master’s degree while I attend the school district’s Leadership Institute. Three, I will apply for and be named an assistant principal, then a principal. We will raise our son here. This will be our forever home.

Eleven summers ago, I stood in the middle of step two in my plan. One year later, ten summers ago, I postponed step three indefinitely as we moved across the state and shuffled our lives together to face the choices and changes we’d chosen.

A Decade Later

This year, a decade later, my summertime rhythms and routines still look different than the school year; there is no official workday to close. Instead, as afternoon shifts to evening, I begin to pack away the project I’ve worked and focus to the evening ahead.

The pace of June feels slow and quiet. Restorative. Daily rhythms of bible meditations, reading, writing, walking, connecting with a few friends.

But then, the worry creeps in. What will next school year look like? How do we parent a high schooler? Am I asking the right questions to guide him? Am I giving him space to grow? Have we scheduled enough this summer? Have we scheduled too much? How do I connect with my husband, so we build our marriage as well as be parents?

Sometimes Bible verses get jumbled up in my mind. “Do not be anxious” gets overshadowed with “testing and approving God’s will – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Rather than “thinking on such things” as those that are excellent and praiseworthy, my heart searches for and hammers out a plan. I’ll say this if he says that. I’ll do this if this thing happens. I’ll control my reaction in this way. My mind spins and reaches for the power to hold tight to a future plan.

Three Things

His hair still damp from a post-work-out shower and his cheeks pink from not enough sunscreen at his youth group’s day at the lake, my boy bounds down the steps. “What are you thinking for dinner?” he implores as he opens a package of peanut butter crackers.

I swivel my chair in our home office to face him.

“Pasta,” I answer. He smiles and nods in approval, then leans down to kiss my head. “Hey,” I continue, “before dinner I need you to do three things: scoop the dog poop, take out the trash and finish putting away your clean clothes.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he agrees. “Three things….” I hear him whisper as he walks away to complete his tasks.

He has a plan. Likewise, my plans need only be for today. “For tomorrow has enough trouble of its own…”

The Lord’s gentle reminder seeps into my restless soul. I’ll pause. I’ll look. I’ll consider. I’ll rest.

“In her heart, she plans her course, but the Lord determines her steps.” (Prov. 16:9)

What have you read lately?

June 28, 2021 by Bethany McMillon

What have you been reading lately? The innocent question, asked by a friend, gave me pause. Then led me to the realization I haven’t written a list of book reviews in a year! Take a look and let’s talk about them. Have you read any of the same books? If you haven’t, I hope one catches your eye to add to your TBR!

Because there are several, I’ve grouped them into three categories: Non-fiction and Spiritual Formation, Fiction – Younger Readers (elementary age), and Fiction – Older Readers (MG, YA and Adult). My favorites are reviewed at the top of each section. In both fiction sections, my least favorite is at the bottom. In the non-fiction section I did not organize it this way since each book, topic and author are different and all added to my learning and growth this year. _{*Please note, titles are linked just for your convenience. They are not affiliate links. 🙂}

So, what are you reading right now? Anything I should pick up?

Non-fiction and Spiritual Formation

Remarkable Hope: When Jesus Revived Hope in Disappointed People, Shauna Letellier – This book sat on my shelf for several weeks before I picked it up. As you know, if you’ve read my other book reviews, I’m a big fan of Letellier’s writing style and consistently connect to the biblical characters in a meaningful way through her stories. The format of this book is the same as her others: she retells the story as it is written in the Bible, then rewrites it in story form, then includes commentary and thoughts regarding life application. In Remarkable Hope she writes about disappointed people – people who expected the Lord to do something else. I happened to finish it on Easter Sunday morning, which could have been a Divine Plan. Often, as Christ-followers, we focus on keeping our faith strong and saying aloud that we “trust His plan” or “look for His hand.” But, if I’m honest, through those moments I’m consistently offering Jesus ideas on how to take care of the trouble or heart-break at hand. In the chapter “Despairing Hope,” written about Jairus and his daughter (Mark 5, Luke 8 and Matthew 9), Letellier writes, “Disappointment is often the pivot point where we stop trying to lead Jesus and start following his lead.” (Letellier, 93)

Parenting Your Eighth Grader, Kristen Ivy and Reggie Joiner – Every summer I find myself recommending these books to other parents. As part of the Phase Project, Ivy and Joiner have written one for each year until a child begins school and one for each grade level following. Every year I find myself taking nuggets of wisdom into my parenting for the school year. They are written in a journal-ish style, but I prefer to devour them in 1-2 sittings, then come back periodically through the year. I highly recommend these for every parent, no matter the age. (And I’ve now ordered one for Ninth Grade! GULP!)

The Ministry of Ordinary Places, Shannan Martin – Within the pages of Martin’s book, I found encouragement to make kindness, hospitality, listening mindfully and neighboring a focus. In the final paragraph of chapter 6, she says, “Offering ourselves as a kind-hearted presence in a world that has forgotten the meaning of community is a courageous act of peace.” This book opened my eyes to my ability to love well those within my circle of influence. (PS – Chapter 11 is my most underlined and starred chapter in this book. After you read it, let me know if you’d like to talk about it! Its words stuck with me for months! But I’m not mentioning much about it here because it would turn into less of a short book review and more of a… well, I’m not sure spiritual commentary, maybe?)

First Ladies, Margaret Truman – Truman, the daughter of President Harry Truman, weaves together portraits of each of the First Ladies from the first, Martha Washington, through Hilary Clinton. (By reading this last sentence, I’m sure you gathered this book is several years old.) She compares many of their strengths and some of their weaknesses. The comparisons are deeply related to the humanity of each of these women. Truman showcases their partnerships with their husbands, the degree to which they fought to protect their husbands and their privacy, their scandals, their heartbreak and what they enjoyed – and what they endured – as First Lady. Truman writes a fascinating exploration of the differences in each of these women, and the similarities of their experiences no matter their political persuasions, their own backgrounds, or the century in which they lived.

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, Anne Lamott – Months ago, I saw a list of books “all writers must read,” which included this book. My kind parents obliged my wish and gifted the book to me. Whomever made that list, of which I’m sure there are multiple, was correct. This book is a writer-must-read, but I’d add that imperative to all creatives and even adults who are living a contemplative life. It is not a step-by-step to authoring a book or to publishing a work of writing, instead it is a saucy commentary on living a writerly-life: noticing the world around us, fighting perfectionism and the voices that call us imposters, overcoming writer’s block. Lamott asserts, “Becoming a writer is about becoming conscious… the ability to throw the lights on for your reader… [which] decreases the terrible sense of isolation that we have all had too much of.” (Lamott, Part Five: The Last Class, p. 209) At these words, I muttered a yes and amen. I hope my words do exactly that.

Atomic Habits, James Clear – Clear’s book and ideas make perfect common sense. Forming new, healthy habits and breaking old, unhealthy habits can be achieved by building on the smallest of choices and rhythms. It’s a quick read/skim; I especially enjoyed the summaries at the end of each chapter.

Fiction – Younger Readers

The Gilded Girl, Alyssa Colman – Absolutely delightful! I closed this book with a smile and a sigh of satisfaction, then grabbed a star shaped sticky note and scribbled a quick message to one of my nieces saying how much I thought she’d enjoy it and added it to the pile of things that go back and forth between my family members. With a feeling of adventure, of sorrow, of redemption, and an element of magic, Colman writes an excellent story for older elementary readers. This is one of my favorite books of the year.

Because of Winn-Dixie, Kate DiCamillo – There’s a reason kids fall in love with reading while immersed in DiCamillo’s work. Her characters and their lives have a depth that is rarely accomplished in children’s literature, and she writes those stories in a way that opens our eyes to their heartache without the shock value our culture pushes. Opal and the other characters in Because of Winn Dixie are broken people with hurt and tragedy, but as readers we are left with hope, friendship and redemption. If you haven’t read this book, or if it’s been a few years, I highly recommend picking it up again and reading it with your kids. It’s worth every minute (and tear). Note: I read this book and Tiger Rising, also by Kate DiCamillo and Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry, with the students in my online classes this year. All were excellent “classics” and I’d highly recommend reading them as a family if your child hasn’t already read them. (Or read them again and watch the movies together! I heard Tiger Rising comes out this summer!)

The Strangers, Margaret Peterson Haddix – This book is the first in a series. Chess, Emma and Finn’s mother has disappeared and they’ve been left in the care of Susanna Morales, an acquaintance of their mom’s. Soon, Susanna disappears, too! The kids, including Susanna’s daughter Natalie, know their disappearance isn’t the work of someone in their world. Instead, both are trapped in a dangerous parallel world in which things and people look the same but are very different! This was the first in Haddix’ Greystone Secrets series and I have the second on my list to read this summer. This book is an excellent choice for a reader looking for adventure and storytelling without topics that are scary, gory or too mature. (Look for reviews of Book 2, The Deceivers and Book 3, The Messengers, in my next set of reviews!)

Saving Winslow, Sharon Creech – This book was included in the “Triple Crown Award” list for the 20-21 school year, so I read it aloud to my 3^rd graders. It’s a delightful tale of a boy, Louie, raising a sickly pet donkey and finding his place within his family and community. The short chapters and easy writing style make it an easy read for elementary students (or adults!).

Britfield & the Lost Crown, C. R. Stewart – In our last week of online 4^th grade reading lessons, we built a “TBR” list and I encouraged each of my 10-year-old-readers to build the habit of always having at least one new book “at the ready.” As we all know, it’s much easier to read consistently when there is no lull between books! Stewart’s book caught my eye immediately in a recommended list for 5^th and 6^th grade readers. The cover entices and the story premise promises an exciting tale – a mistreated orphan, a hint of family still alive, an adventure! The plot did not disappoint, and I cheered as Tom and Sarah, the main characters, managed to flee the confines of the Grievouses, the horrible orphanage managers. I rooted for them over and over again as they narrowly escaped the capture of Detective Gowerstone, who was feared for his near perfect record of finding runaway orphans. However, I was not a fan of Stewart’s writing style as it read much more like a brochure for the museums and monuments I might find during a vacation through the UK. In the middle of an exciting escape scene, I was disappointed to find description after description of paintings and statues and historical markers. I quickly found myself skipping entire paragraphs of these descriptions for the next sentence that moved the story along. I wanted so badly to love this book (it’s the first in a series) and has won a ton of awards, but as I finished the book I found myself wishing Tom and Sarah well as they continued on with the adventure to find his parents, but knowing I wouldn’t be following closely along in the next book.

Fiction – Older Readers

Echo, Pam Munoz Ryan – I adore Ryan’s Esperanza Rising. This one is even better. She beautifully weaves tales that are timeless reminders of humanity overcoming hatred and hurt. This book is formatted as three stories woven together through a passed down harmonica. The weighty moments spoke to my heart in a season that felt heavy overall. The ending reached into my soul to renew my hope in humanity. And, honestly, that’s just what I needed! This book best suits those with the endurance for a longer book.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Brigid Kemmerer – In her loosely based retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast, Kemmerer jumps from present day Washington D.C. to an alternative world, Emberfall. The book is fast-paced, full of adventure and budding love, and told primarily from both the perspective of Rhen, a tortured prince and Harper, an unlikely candidate for princess. Kemmerer introduces the story with action and intrigue and the ending will leave you breathless and hoping for a sequel. (The sequel is currently sold out on Amazon, so I’m scouring bookstores for a copy!)

Straight on Till Morning: A Twisted Tale, Liz Braswell – Within the Disney: A Twisted Tale series each book asks what would have happened if this tale would have been told with a change. In Straight on Till Morning, Braswell reveals the differences in the story if Wendy traveled to Never Land with Captain Hook! In this story, Wendy is no longer a side character in a nightgown. Instead, under Braswell’s pen, Wendy’s strengths emerge – her imagination, her bravery and her alliance with Tinker Bell. I enjoyed every minute of this story! The ending, especially, stuck with me. It had me smiling and nodding in agreement for days.

Hood, Jenny Elder Moke – Early this spring, I rewatched the 1973 animated Disney version of Robin Hood on Disney+ and the 1991 movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and ordered this book – all in one week. Moke writes the story of Isabelle of Kirklees, daughter of the rebel Robin Hood and royal Lady Marien. She has been raised in a convent led by the ruthless Sister Catherine. After Isabelle’s arrest for defending innocent villagers, her mother sends her to find the father she has never known. Isabelle joins the Merry Men. Both her loyalties and her strength are tested in the journey. The tagline for this book reads, “You have the blood of kings and rebels within you, love. Let it rise to meet the call.” Moke’s book reads as a wonderful extension to a story I already loved. She carries through the excitement and adventure, the spark of a love story, and the battle for justice which captured my heart within the Robin Hood myths and tales.

Girl in the Blue Coat, Monica Hesse – Set in WWII’s Amsterdam, Heese unfolds the tale of Hanneke, a teenage black-market trader, who is asked to find a young Jewish girl instead of her usual goods of extra rations, meat or cigarettes. Her discreet investigation links her back to the older brother of her former love and reveals both a network of young people working to save those they can and those that have kept secrets to save themselves and others. If you are prone to reading the ending first to make sure everything turns out ok, you may find yourself reading ahead! This book reminds me of Words on Fire, by Jennifer Nielson and Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry, but the characters in Girl in the Blue Coat are more mature, so readers should be prepared for more mature conflict and situations.

The Inheritance Games, Jennifer Lynn Barnes – Part mystery, part adventure, part crime-solving and all wrapped up in puzzles! Barnes writes the story of Avery Grambs, an almost-homeless teenager who is the sole beneficiary in the will of a billionaire she’s never met – the catch, she has to live – ahem, stay ALIVE – in his home for a year. Barnes book is fast-paced, fun and kept me turning the pages until the end. I took this book with me on a weekend getaway in April thinking I’d just read a little here and there, but instead I raced through it!

Every Heart a Doorway – Seanan McGuire – Much darker and full of sexual references, this book is definitely in the YA category. The concept, a home for children who are thought to have returned from being kidnapped or run away but who have spent time in other worlds, drew me in at its description. McGuire writes several scenes that will haunt your thoughts. However, to me, this book felt more like a commentary on modern teen sexuality and the story played a supporting role. I found out after I started the book McGuire is most known for her books within the horror genre.

***

There it is, my friends – short-ish review of each of the books I read from July, 2020 to the first part of June, 2021! This summer, I’ve heard two bloggers mention “reading clubs” in which the members of the club meet up, chat, read their separate books and talk about what books they’ve been reading. Doesn’t that sound delightful?

Analogy of Changing Batteries

May 20, 2021 by Bethany McMillon

The Analogy Isn’t New

His blue eyes sparkle and he giggles as he rips off the wrapping paper of another gift. Freeing the toy from its box, he holds it up triumphantly. Another train! I shake my head and join in his giggles.

For my growing-too-fast boy’s 4^th birthday, he’d asked for just one thing. Geo-Trax – a colorful, snapping together, remote controlled set of trains and train tracks. Each train had a different personality. There were even animated videos to go along with the sets.

To put it mildly, our family and friends delivered on his request. We soon had enough tracks to cover our living room with plastic mountains and bridges and zig-zag tracks. He’d spend hours placing down the tracks, rearranging them, hauling tiny freight and telling stories under his breath to go along with the set-up.

But, there was a problem. Batteries.

Each remote control needed several. Each train required a handful. A few hours of play and suddenly the trains didn’t zoom along the tracks, they crept. The songs didn’t jingle, they whined. The whistles didn’t blow, the moaned. The remotes clicked and whirred, but the trains stayed motionless.

To begin to play again, we’d unscrew the miniscule metal screw, flip out the dying batteries and replace them. We kept the tiny screwdriver handy and bought batteries in bulk.

The analogy of the death of batteries and the need for rest isn’t new. But, every now and again, I need a reminder.

After seasons of intense work, I need to change my batteries.

Exhale

Five minutes after the day’s final video-call-lesson with little learners, I scribble on a logoed notepad with my favorite green flair pen. The words come quick – a brain dump style to do list, just slightly less than 20 items long, includes everything from refilling allergy medicine for our sweet, old-lady, allergic-to-grass Boxer girl to a writing deadline to an email needing a carefully-crafted response.

Exhale. Close my eyes. Rub my temples. Some days the lists in my mind beg to be written down. This has been one of those days. Through medium-sized student in-person classes and tiny learner video call classes and responding to a steady stream of online assignment submissions and face-to-face-masked conversations, the things to remember swirled in my mind and pulled at my attention. The pace of this day mirrors the breakneck speed of almost every school day.

The hustle and bustle of students in the library just outside the door of my closet-turned-makeshift-teaching-via-video-space snap me back to the present moment. Looking back over the list, I realize several of the things will actually take just a moment, and several others make more sense to accomplish in bulk during an errand run over the weekend. I categorize the list. Then add three more things as they surface into conscious thought. Then move two into a different category as I realize the deadlines are self-imposed. No one but me cares when I finish those.

Exhale. Look up. Put the lid on my pen and push back my chair.

I glance at my watch to check the time. 3:00 pm. In 20-30 minutes my boy will walk in the library doors and be ready within minutes to begin the weekend.

Exhale. I am weary. Tired seeps deep into my bones and my brain.

As much as I’d like to will myself to tackle – or even begin! – the next big project on my to do list, I know better. I need to step away. Instead, I prop open my door and help my library co-teacher check-in and reshelve books. We chat easily about the week. We greet our kids as they drop their backpacks and lounge across the library seating. With the movement of my body and light-hearted, friendly conversation and a change of scenery, the cobwebs begin to clear from my mind.

A few minutes later, I pack up my laptop and curriculum, my lunchbox and coffee mug, and throw the bag over my shoulder. I push aside the feeling I just wasted half an hour of work time. The lesson planning, the grading and the emails will all be there when I open it back up later. The moments of saying hello, connecting and resetting my mind aren’t just a pleasurable part of my day, they are vital.

“Ready, buddy?” I call and we head out into the sunshine for home.

Shifting my focus from the tasks at hand, even for half an hour, recharges my soul. How do you recharge your batteries, my friend? I’d love to know.

Reminders

Here are a handful of simple reminders that often work for me:

*Move – Take a walk, dance to a silent disco, or even fold laundry, just move.

*Switch the sounds – If you work in quiet, turn up the music or call a friend. If you are usually surrounded by noise and conversation, find a still place.

*Grin and express gratitude – The simple act of smiling at someone can brighten their day, and yours. Take a moment to be thankful, aloud or in a journal or with a friend.

*Pray – In Jesus’ model prayer, He asks God for “daily bread.” So often, when my batteries are running low, it’s because I’m using today’s energy for tomorrow’s challenges.

Hugs and love, Bethany