Bicycling

This photo was taken of Ruby when our grass was still green! 

Lately, I've been bonding with Ruby, my new Schwinn beauty. This morning I took her out for a spin on the Prairie Path and went over to the Great Western Trail, both lovely bike paths. My goal for this summer is to do as little exercising indoors as possible. So, last night I took my first-ever tennis lesson with the Elmhurst Park District and may do some swimming or water aerobics as well. Gotta love summer in the Midwest!

Movie Reviews: Stranger than Fiction and Rum Diaries

Over the weekend, I had the chance to watch two movies. The first I'll review is Rum Diaries with Johnny Depp, one of my favorite actors. It starts off with him looking pretty rough with a hangover, and sadly, the movie really doesn't get any better from that low-point. I found the storyline had strange twists and unsatisfying resolutions. Finally, at the end I paid attention well enough to realize that this was based on a biography of a real reporter who went to Puerto Rico in the early 1960s. Knowing that helped me to appreciate the plot better because life is never as neat and clean as the storyline of a good movie or novel. But still, it wasn't my favorite movie.

The second movie, Stranger than Fiction (2006) played with motifs regarding writing, plotting, and storytelling in general. The movie starred Emma Thompson, Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Dustin Hoffman. The main character (Ferrell) finds himself in the middle of his own life being narrated by a novelist's voice (Thompson). So, he's simply brushing his teeth, but the voice-over is about his obsession with numbers, including the amount of brushstrokes in his dental care. When he begins to hear the narration of his own life, the story begins. It's a fun, lighthearted comedy with some serious overtones. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Under the Baobab Tree

Here are some reviews from my newest book!

Under the Baobab Tree

By Julie Stiegemeyer

illus. by E.B. Lewis. Zonderkidz, $16.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-310-72561-9

From Publisher's Weekly: (starred review)
From the opening full-bleed, full-spread watercolor illustration of a young boy greeting the dawn in front of his grass-roofed hut with arms stretched wide toward heaven, to the final spread of a community gathered to praise God under a baobab tree’s encompassing branches, a spirit of quiet joy and wonder reverberates through this tale. As brother and sister Moyo and Japera walk dusty roads to the next village, they pass through their diverse community: weaverbirds in acacia trees, gazelle at a watering hole, a termite mound “rising from the tall grass like a finger pointing to heaven,” rendered by Lewis (Bat Boy and His Violin) as a vivid red natural sculpture decorating a brown, arid plain. Amid the children’s observations and musings, Stiegemeyer (Seven Little Bunnies) interweaves the refrain “But who will gather today under the baobab tree?” A preface page introduces the baobab tree, describing its practical and spiritual value to the African savanna’s human and animal communities. Understated lyricism combines with uncluttered, foreground-focused depictions of creation in this prose hymn of thanksgiving, prayer, and praise. Ages 4–7. (May)

From Kirkus:

A brother and sister travel to a special gathering under a gigantic baobab tree in this quiet, beautifully illustrated story set in a rural area of an unnamed African country.

The siblings walk together down a dusty road on their way to a nearby village, where the large baobab tree is located. The story relates different events that happen under the tree: a visit from the market wagon, elders meeting to discuss village business, a storyteller recounting tales of heroes. A repeated refrain builds anticipation: “But who will gather today under the baobab tree?” During their journey, the children spot some intriguing sights such as gazelle around a watering hole and a termite mound. When they reach the baobab tree at last, they join other people waiting under the tree, and it gradually becomes apparent that this is an outdoor church service with just the basic elements: “a cross and a Bible, a pastor and songs, voices and prayers.” Evocative watercolor illustrations make effective use of sunlight and shadows to create a warm, realistic world that shimmers in the African heat.  

A subtle, captivating glimpse of another way of life, with a regrettably generalized author’s note about the significance of the baobab tree in African culture. (Picture book/religion. 4-8)

The Year of Living Biblically

I’m reading a book my husband highly recommended called The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs. It’s fascinating. The author, a self-labeled agnostic, has devoted a year of his life to living the Bible as literally as possible. Not only is the concept intriguing (since he’s an agnostic), but Jacobs’ writing is honest, lively, humorous, and thoroughly captivating. He’s a real pro.

Here’s the thing: I believe that his honest, up-front, curious approach to the Bible is much more appealing than many who call themselves Christians, but end up living pharisaical, hypocritical lives. Their words are sweet, but underneath there is a maliciousness that lurks behind the happy, smiling faces. And who am I to judge? I am guilty too.

But I like the approach Jacobs takes. He genuinely tries. He seeks to live Biblically. He counts the times each day that he lies. He attempts to forgo coveting his neighbor’s belongings. He's honest with himself and with his readers. I like that.

Sometimes his efforts are over the top. The Gospel of Christ has trumped the need to sacrifice animals, etc. So I don’t agree with Jacobs on all points. I don’t believe that men need to grow beards or women need to sit in a red tent once a month.

However, I find his approach refreshing. This is how to discuss religion: to have a frank, open discussion without judgment.

I’m only about a third of the way through the book, but I already heartily endorse it. It's given me a lot to think about in terms of God's laws, the goodness of God, and the mercy of Christ.

I meant to post about this earlier, but the author is coming to speak at IPFW this evening for an Omnibus Lecture.