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I am so glad that I’m homeschooled. May 14, 2008

Posted by Anya in : I won't keep things purposely vague , 2comments

I know that I keep saying that.  But reasons keep coming up.

Tonight it was the one girl talking at youth group… “Yeah, he flunked the drug test at school.  I told him he would.  He was smoking weed.”

Er… yeah. 

Enough said.

Pleading the Fifth May 13, 2008

Posted by Anya in : I won't keep things purposely vague , 1 comment so far

I was looking at some things I had written a while ago.  It’s incredible how often doing that leads me to wonder if I used to be smarter.  Really.  I had been writing about those sort of situations which don’t really seem to have any good sort of resolution and the best thing to do appears to be walking away.  (This sort of reminds me of Mr. Bean’s Holiday, where he sloshes coffee all over the other guy’s laptop and just goes on his merry way.  Ibey finds this outrageous.  But I digress.)

Anyway, at the time — about a year ago — I had come to the conclusion that there are situations when we don’t have a right to remain silent. 

These occasions probably fall into basically two categories.

1)  When we are called to speak to someone about something which is wrong in their lives.

2)  When we are called to thank someone for something they did right. 

Biblical basis for the first would be found in Ezekiel 33:1-9 and James 5:19-20 and various other places.

For the second point, I’m going to call into play a verse which I love a lot.  You probably shouldn’t ask what called it to my attention just… because.  Okay.  I’ve warned you.  Anyway, here it is:  Proverbs 3:27.  Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

I decided that it would be fun to try putting that verse into action.  Because a lot of times I owe some sort of good to people and far too easily withhold it.  Not good.  But it was fun when I tried applying it to real life.  Hey, I thought one night, I was having fun talking with Meredith.  I should thank Samwise for introducing us.  Then after a minute another thought struck me (much like the thoughts on the Vogon planet, for those who have watched Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy — props to Andúnë and Griffin).  Anya, quit procrastinating, said thought #2.  You’re online and you have Sam’s email address.  Shoot him off a quick thank you.  Thought #3, I’m afraid, pointed out that this would look rather goofy.  Fortunately, Samwise is already rather well acquainted with my goofiness, and I didn’t think it would bother him.  It didn’t. 

So… think about it.  Where do you not have the right to remain silent?  Mordecai made it obvious to Esther that God had appointed her to the position where she was for a reason, not to be quiet.

And then do it.  God has put you where you are for a purpose.  To be a witness. 

Free Entertainment May 12, 2008

Posted by Anya in : spontaneous degeneration , 1 comment so far

I believe that I’ve mentioned before that my dreams really make me wonder sometimes. Wonder about myself and my general level of insanity.

Last night, or this morning, or whatever, for instance, I dreamed that we were in a war. (Who “we” were is not very clearly defined.) Anyway, we (obviously the good guys) were camped out in a pavilion. We were trying to fight but were a bit challenged when it came to weapons. I had a knife, but it was rusty (it also looked remarkably like one that I drew a few months ago, except it didn’t have Elvish inscribed on it) and dull. So I set out on a mission to find something to sharpen it on.

I think we went with a rock. Well, it took the rust off at least! Well, okay, it took some of the rust off.

Then another girl (Atanvarne, maybe… it sort of seemed like her but not exactly) and I were wandering around in a field. I’m not sure what we were doing. I think we may have been in search of water. And Edward was with us. He was supposed to be our body guard, because there were all sorts of nasty Nazi-youth type people from the other side running around.

And just then they convinced him to join up! So we had to run away from EDDIE! *gasp* Traitor! We went dashing back to our somewhat fortified pavilion. On the way there we ran through another pavilion and I noticed Jesse F sitting in there. He, for some reason, was deeming it prudent that I pretend not to know him. So I tried, while signaling to him that we could really use some help.

We made it back to our base and everything was fine and dandy until Edward came strolling in to try to recruit MORE people for the Nazi-youth.

This was a bit too much.

Apparently Jesse felt the same way, because he came up behind Edward and bashed him in the head with an axe. We all screamed and stared at Jesse rather open-mouthedly. Jesse looked ashamed of himself for a minute and then began jumping up and down on Edward (who was quite dead) and yelling things and…

Honestly, I wonder what gives me these dreams. This one has, perhaps, two points of grounding in reality.

1) There has been a point at which we all were thinking about bashing Edward (not with an axe, just with something that knock him out for a while) so that he’d quit whistling on the bus on the way home from LIFE.

2) Jesse plays a mean game of Assassin. He plays for world domination, basically. Still, I’ve never seen him bash anyone in the head. (I’ve never been at any of his Dag battles, either, though, so…)

Anyway, goodnight… we’ll see what my mind comes up with tonight…

Currently Reading
The Brothers Karamazov
By Fyodor Dostoevsky
see related

In Honor of AIM May 9, 2008

Posted by Anya in : spontaneous degeneration, smiling is good for you , 3comments

Anika and I were talking the other night about instant messaging.  Both of us have had it for about a year.  And in addition to all the wonderful, enlightening conversations, there have been a lot of funny moments and hours.  So here are a few.

Andune: This is so impractical it’s almost funny.

Rats, I had some with A1 but the computer ate them… maybe another time…

(This was one of my favorite conversations…)

Me (9:48:17 PM):

You’re back!

Madeline (9:48:21 PM):

yup

Me (9:48:27 PM):

*grins*

Madeline (9:48:39 PM):

*glares*

Madeline (9:48:48 PM):

*eats popsicle*

Me (9:48:56 PM):

What are you glaring at me for?

Madeline (9:49:00 PM):

*rolls eyes*

Me (9:49:04 PM):

Huh?

Madeline (9:49:05 PM):

*acts indignant*

Me (9:49:12 PM):

What’d I do??

Madeline (9:49:15 PM):

she’s not glaring at you, she’s glaring at me

Me (9:49:22 PM):

Who…

Me (9:49:25 PM):

is this Atanvarne?

Madeline (9:49:25 PM):

*laughs*

Madeline (9:49:29 PM):

no

Madeline (9:49:34 PM):

Atanvarne says no

Me (9:49:40 PM):

Oh, I begin to see.

Me (9:49:50 PM):

Never mind, I’m utterly confused.

Me (9:49:58 PM):

But hopefully not irretrivably so.

Madeline (9:50:23 PM):

*sighs*

Me (9:50:28 PM):

Who’s eating the popsicle?

Me (9:50:30 PM):

M or A

Me (9:50:32 PM):

?

Madeline (9:50:49 PM):

madeline

Me (9:50:58 PM):

Who was glaring?

Madeline (9:51:02 PM):

madeline

Me (9:51:09 PM):

At Atanvarne?

Madeline (9:51:15 PM):

at her poor amanuensis

Me (9:51:24 PM):

What’s an amanuensis?

Madeline (9:51:29 PM):

O_O

Madeline (9:51:54 PM):

you’re a greek student and are unacquaited with the term amanuensis!?

Me (9:51:55 PM):

Even I can’t know everything!

Me (9:52:04 PM):

uh…heh heh… yes?

Madeline (9:52:08 PM):

tsk

Me (9:52:11 PM):

I agree.

Me (9:52:14 PM):

What is it?

Madeline (9:52:43 PM):

an amanuensis was a scribe who would take dictation

Me (9:52:56 PM):

ohhh

Madeline (9:52:59 PM):

and was used by the likes of paul and peter in writing the new testament

Me (9:53:01 PM):

So who is typing?

Me (9:53:03 PM):

Atanvarne?

Madeline (9:53:09 PM):

Atanvarne says no

Me (9:53:17 PM):

WHO?

Madeline (9:53:18 PM):

and asks how she would know all that

Madeline (9:53:26 PM):

madeline says she thought you were smarter than that

Madeline (9:53:35 PM):

and continues eating her popsicle

Me (9:53:40 PM):

I’m SO confused.

Me (9:53:43 PM):

This can’t be Andrew

Madeline (9:53:44 PM):

Atanvarne says no, it’s a new popsicle

Me (9:53:48 PM):

it doesn’t sound like him

Madeline (9:54:00 PM):

madeline says you don’t know him well, then

Madeline (9:54:23 PM):

Atanvarne says he’s always logical when you’re around or when visitors are around, but not so in private

Me (9:54:24 PM):

???

Me (9:54:29 PM):

I know that!

Madeline (9:54:35 PM):

Atanvarne says poor Anya

Madeline (9:54:44 PM):

madeline says she is so confused

Me (9:54:45 PM):

Is this Tom?

Me (9:54:48 PM):

I agree

Madeline (9:54:51 PM):

who’

Me (9:54:51 PM):

with Madeline

Madeline (9:54:53 PM):

s tom?

Me (9:54:55 PM):

TOM

Me (9:55:01 PM):

He lives on your roof.

Madeline (9:55:01 PM):

madeline’s boyfriend tom?

Me (9:55:04 PM):

Don’t you know anything?

Madeline (9:55:12 PM):

HE LIVES ON OUR ROOF NOW!?!?!?!

Me (9:55:20 PM):

Last I knew, anyway.

Me (9:55:25 PM):

I guess that this is not Tom.

Madeline (9:55:28 PM):

I shall have to talk to that girl, this is completely unacceptable

Me (9:55:39 PM):

Okay, I like this game.

Me (9:55:41 PM):

Is this Andrew?

Madeline (9:55:48 PM):

is it not?

Me (9:55:56 PM):

That’s what I’m asking you.

    Madeline (9:56:08 PM):

and thus I asked in reply

Me (9:56:18 PM):

you’re sounding more like Andrew now.

Madeline (9:56:49 PM):

Madeline just choked on her popsicle when she read that

Me (9:56:52 PM):

LOL

Me (9:56:57 PM):

Oops, I mean, is she okay?

Madeline (9:57:30 PM):

I would guess I sound more like andrew to you now because you knew him back in his debate days, and would have more exposure to this side of his personality

Me (9:57:41 PM):

true

Madeline (9:57:41 PM):

madeline’s on her third popsicle

Me (9:57:45 PM):

which side?

Madeline (9:57:51 PM):

with a fourth in her other hand

Me (9:58:01 PM):

She’s going to go into sugar shock

Me (9:58:09 PM):

so… is this A2?

Madeline (9:58:19 PM):

isn’t it?

Me (9:58:20 PM):

Please give me an answer without teeth and without horns!

Madeline (9:58:35 PM):

ok

Madeline (9:59:35 PM):

im typing with my big toe now

Me (9:59:46 PM):

That’s disgusting.

Me (9:59:53 PM):

no wonder it took you so long.

Madeline (10:00:02 PM):

Atanvarne says she’ll never touch the keyboard again

Madeline (10:00:13 PM):

looks like she’ll need an amanuensis, too

Me (10:00:14 PM):

Of course she won’t, she’s germaphobic.

Me (10:00:22 PM):

I guess I’ll be talking to you a lot, then.

Madeline (10:00:36 PM):

she says she’s just extra-aware of her surroundings, not germaphobic

Me (10:00:48 PM):

*skeptical look*

Madeline (10:00:55 PM):

I bet if she lost a leg she’d be “handi-capable”, then, too

Me (10:00:55 PM):

actually *disbelieving look*

Me (10:01:07 PM):

Rightho

Me (10:01:12 PM):

Why don’t you get on your own name?

Madeline (10:01:19 PM):

madeline says she thought you said rigatoni

Me (10:01:20 PM):

Assuming that this is still not-Madeline?

Madeline (10:01:28 PM):

I have my own name

Me (10:01:43 PM):

Is this the internet equivalent of cross-dressing?

Madeline (10:01:48 PM):

but directly answering questions goes against the socratic method

Me (10:01:59 PM):

Oh, so now you’re Socrates.

Me (10:02:00 PM):

Great.

Madeline (10:02:06 PM):

no

Madeline (10:03:03 PM):

socrates’ philosophy, though narrative based and recognizing the need for a higher standard in value judgments, failed to provide an acceptable account of the divine

Me (10:03:13 PM):

Puh-leeze. 

Me (10:03:19 PM):

I read that stuff.

Madeline (10:03:22 PM):

madeline’s on her fifth popsicle

Me (10:03:30 PM):

I’m classically educated, for goodness sake.

Me (10:03:35 PM):

Good for her!

Madeline (10:03:51 PM):

then we could have an intelligent discussion of socrates

Madeline (10:03:54 PM):

or descartes

Me (10:03:57 PM):

Did you want to?

Madeline (10:04:01 PM):

descartes also erred greatly

Me (10:04:06 PM):

No, please, I don’t really like Descartes.

Me (10:04:09 PM):

Too much math.

Me (10:04:15 PM):

How ’bout about superstring theorum?

Madeline (10:04:20 PM):

hence his error

Madeline (10:04:38 PM):

a little bit too scientific for my tastes

Me (10:04:46 PM):

The wheels in your head go round and round, round and round, round and round…

Me (10:04:55 PM):

Oh, but it’s meta-physics.

Madeline (10:05:17 PM):

*shrug*

Me (10:05:47 PM):

Does this mean that you don’t know anything about it?

Me (10:06:00 PM):

or that you prefer your brain un-exploded.

Madeline (10:06:41 PM):

I have not looked into it in a while

Madeline (10:06:52 PM):

is that the theory that proposes additional dimensions?

Me (10:07:39 PM):

Si, senor

Me (10:07:50 PM):

(or senorita, depending on whom I’m talking to.)

Madeline (10:07:53 PM):

ah, okay, i remember that then

Me (10:08:02 PM):

it’s interesting.

Madeline (10:08:13 PM):

somewhat

Me (10:08:45 PM):

weird, for sure.

Madeline (10:08:50 PM):

it’s rather difficult to wrap one’s mind around

Me (10:08:55 PM):

Heh, yeah.

Madeline (10:09:09 PM):

madeline’s on her sixth pospicle now

Me (10:09:17 PM):

Do you think that I care?

Madeline (10:09:21 PM):

she’s glaring at her amanuensis

Madeline (10:09:31 PM):

she’s shocked that you don’t care

Madeline (10:09:38 PM):

on the verge of tears, I’d say

Me (10:09:40 PM):

I didn’t say that I didn’t

Madeline (10:09:49 PM):

she’s crying so hard she’s convulsing

Me (10:09:51 PM):

I asked if you thought that I did?

Me (10:09:54 PM):

Yeah, right.

Me (10:09:56 PM):

She’s laughing.

Madeline (10:10:11 PM):

my, she can’t speak she’s so shocked

Madeline (10:10:18 PM):

nor can she stand straight

Me (10:10:22 PM):

*she’s laughing so hard

Me (10:10:29 PM):

Let me guess, she’s rolling on the floor.

Madeline (10:10:33 PM):

Atanvarne says she can only make hideous gasping noises

Me (10:10:39 PM):

I believe it.

Madeline (10:11:04 PM):

now Atanvarne wants to clarify that it’s madeline, not her making the hideous gasping noises

Madeline (10:11:14 PM):

CLARIFY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me (10:11:14 PM):

I knew that

Madeline (10:11:25 PM):

quoth the Atanvarne

Madeline (10:11:33 PM):

er, madeline

Madeline (10:11:36 PM):

er…

Madeline (10:11:39 PM):

someone

Me (10:11:41 PM):

*laughs*

Me (10:11:47 PM):

Call the paramedics

Madeline (10:12:02 PM):

madeline just fell into a cabinet

Madeline (10:12:09 PM):

she hurt herself ratehr terribly

Me (10:12:20 PM):

poor girl.

Me (10:12:29 PM):

I sympathize greatly.

Madeline (10:12:31 PM):

she’s putting pressure on it to hold the blood in

Madeline (10:12:43 PM):

and by pressure I mean her seventh popsicle

Me (10:13:13 PM):

What, is she now addicted to popsicles?

Me (10:13:27 PM):

What flavor?

Madeline (10:13:29 PM):

no, she’s attempting to osmose it through her foot

Me (10:13:37 PM):

EWWWW GROSS.

Madeline (10:13:38 PM):

she keeps sobbing

Madeline (10:13:47 PM):

I think she’s still sad about earlier

Me (10:13:49 PM):

From so much laughing?

Me (10:13:55 PM):

I am deeply sorry

Me (10:13:58 PM):

*cough*

Madeline (10:13:59 PM):

no, she says it hurts

Me (10:14:06 PM):

From laughing so much?

Madeline (10:14:11 PM):

and there will be a big bruise there forever

Me (10:14:12 PM):

Or from falling into the cabinet?

Madeline (10:14:15 PM):

probably on her heart

Madeline (10:14:18 PM):

from your insult

Me (10:14:29 PM):

Um, Madeline, tell him that he sounds like Antion.

Madeline (10:14:29 PM):

she says I think i’m so clever

Madeline (10:15:03 PM):

madeline says it’s cool

Madeline (10:15:15 PM):

Atanvarne says it’s all good

Me (10:15:17 PM):

What, him sounding like Antion?

Madeline (10:15:23 PM):

no, the popsicles

Madeline (10:15:26 PM):

sheesh

Me (10:15:43 PM):

What flavor are your siblings eating?

Madeline (10:15:45 PM):

madeline claims she’s about to die

Me (10:15:48 PM):

Are you eating them too?

Madeline (10:15:50 PM):

no

Me (10:15:53 PM):

Can I have her scrapbooks?

Madeline (10:15:57 PM):

they’ve run the gambit of flavors

Madeline (10:16:04 PM):

she says ew

Madeline (10:16:08 PM):

they look like dandruff

Me (10:16:08 PM):

if she dies, I mean

Me (10:16:14 PM):

The scrapbooks?

Me (10:16:16 PM):

O_O

Madeline (10:16:18 PM):

yes

Madeline (10:16:19 PM):

oh

Madeline (10:16:22 PM):

she says no

Madeline (10:16:27 PM):

apparently that was another conversation

Me (10:16:29 PM):

I think you’re confused

Me (10:16:39 PM):

Well, may I have them if she dies?

Me (10:16:43 PM):

The camp one, anyway?

Madeline (10:17:18 PM):

no, Atanvarne wants it

Me (10:17:22 PM):

Sheesh

Madeline (10:17:28 PM):

she says photos make wonderful fireworks

Me (10:17:46 PM):

Oh, BAD Atanvarne

Me (10:18:09 PM):

Where have your capitalization skills gone?

Me (10:19:11 PM):

oh, and Madeline?  I still don’t know how to put my own picture in the avatar place.

Madeline (10:19:41 PM):

madeline burps in response

Me (10:19:47 PM):

TMI

Madeline (10:19:47 PM):

and then hits her amaneuensis

Me (10:19:53 PM):

Good for her.

Madeline (10:19:56 PM):

TMI?

Me (10:20:03 PM):

*hits her amaneuensis as well*

Madeline (10:20:04 PM):

is that some sort of acronymal assault?

Me (10:20:12 PM):

Too much information

Madeline (10:20:34 PM):

you have an amaneuensis?

Me (10:20:49 PM):

They’re called my fingers!

Madeline (10:20:52 PM):

ah

Me (10:20:56 PM):

I said that I hit HERS

Madeline (10:21:22 PM):

which could equally have been a pronoun referring to you in the third person, given the narrative form of your statement

Me (10:21:38 PM):

I meant you.

Me (10:22:02 PM):

I’m at a safe distance.

Me (10:22:11 PM):

Hasn’t she finished that popsicle yet?

Madeline (10:22:27 PM):

she’s on a new one

Madeline (10:22:33 PM):

I think it’s her eighth

Madeline (10:22:34 PM):

ot ninth

Madeline (10:22:36 PM):

I lost count

David:  could you please start ranting about something so I have something to do?David:  sooooo how was whateveryoudo? [Districts]

David (10:33:08 PM): yay?
Me (10:33:16 PM): YES!
Me (10:33:19 PM): *confetti*
David (10:34:05 PM): *vacuums wildly in air*
David (10:34:10 PM): NO MESS!!!!!!
David (10:34:14 PM): 8G
Me (10:34:17 PM): *actually smiles*
David (10:35:26 PM): erm
David (10:35:32 PM): whassat mean?
Me (10:35:38 PM): about you vacuuming in the air
Me (10:35:58 PM): Well… I’m tired.  And you got me to smile.  Fairly close to laughing.  I’m impressed.
David (10:36:31 PM): allll—-RIGHT
Me (10:36:52 PM): *more confetti*
Me (10:36:56 PM): *evil laughter*
David (10:37:00 PM): NOOOOOO
Me (10:37:18 PM): *laughs*
David (10:37:18 PM): *VACUUMS ALL POSSIBLE AND INHALES THE REST*
Me (10:37:23 PM): *Abbie asks why I am laughing*
David (10:38:07 PM): must..*cough* …not… *wheeze* let it… touch floor
Me (10:38:15 PM): Why?
David (10:38:23 PM): I dunno
Me (10:38:57 PM): Hmm
Me (10:39:07 PM): I don’t think you ought to kill yourself for reasons which you know not why.
David (10:39:21 PM): well
David (10:39:24 PM): it’s just asterisks
Me (10:40:58 PM): That’s good to know.
Me (10:41:03 PM): Reassuring, and all that.
David (10:41:21 PM): yuh-huh

Antion:  I like the lawyer… he makes things more interestingAnd mhmm.  I could find a lot more amusing stuff, but I don’t feel like continuing to do that… it has been amazing.  A lot of goofiness, a lot of thought-provoking stuff, a lot of blessings.  Things ranging from, “goodnight… get a good sleep” to “ve con la amor de Dios”.  It’s like an online L’Abri.  :)

This is going to be a rather random post. May 7, 2008

Posted by Anya in : spontaneous degeneration , 1 comment so far

…basically because I feel like being random, and not like putting thought into a coherent post.

Let’s see.  Tonight at youth group Peter banned me from sitting on Triopolis.  (That’s what he named the couch… I don’t know why.)  So, what else could I do?  I moved onto the other couch between him and Richard.  Richard didn’t seem to mind a bit.  Peter, on the other hand, GLARED at me and told me to get back to Triopolis.  I pointed out that he had banned me.  He pointed out that he was now squished on his own couch, and that I am a girl, and he is a boy, and I am 17, and he is 13, and he was finding this awkward.  Gracious.  He’s difficult to please.  But I moved back.

Bryan brought glowsticks and we really got the LIFE feeling going.  That was cool.

Samwise and Ross and I hung out for a while, just talking.  We got going on various accents, which was absolutely hysterical.  Ross is a riot.  Samwise is also a riot, but in a different way.  And the three of us had a rather rollickingly good time.

I’m working on a slideshow for Here in America, largely with pictures I’ve taken this spring.  It should be lovely, I think. 

Yesterday we were in a city.  (I would have said “a big city”, but I’m guessing that I would have heard from Griffin about that one.)

Anyway.  Dad had instructed that there was to be no gawking in the one section of town.  A while later, Ibey asked, ”Hey, are we out now?”

Dad said yes.

Miss Dog Lover followed this affirmative answer up immediately with, “So it’s okay to gawk now?”

And… I’m supposed to be getting off.  Goodnight.

“I’ll try to stay awake.” May 3, 2008

Posted by Anya in : spontaneous degeneration , 3comments

Sometimes my siblings all seem to be intent on marrying me off as quickly as possible.  They propose (no pun intended!) long lists of “suitable” guys.  “Suitable” meaning that they are within ten years or so of my age and that we haven’t killed each other yet.  (That having been said, they do suggest even the guys who I disagree with all the time.  This provides a learning opportunity, right?  I tell them that sometimes you can be friends and disagree quite a lot, but that would probably not work well for a marriage.)

Anyway.  Ibey took the rather opposite approach the other night.

“Do you like any guys?” he asked me, in the car, on the way home from Bible study.  (We were beginning a study on the book of Esther — maybe that sparked his mind?)
“Um,” I said.  “Why?”
“Do you?”
*non-committal sound*
“Oh, okay,” replied Ib.
“Why?” I asked.  (I was curious.  I’m almost always curious.)
“Just because I don’t think you’ll get married,” he said, matter-of-factly.  “I picture you as the type to end an old spinster.”

Boy.  Thanks.  His vote of confidence is overwhelming.

There’s really got to be a happy medium somewhere there.

I think I forgot to mention that we know at least one person who, if I even mention the names of any males, starts hearing wedding bells.

I’ve been most perversely tempted to mention in casual conversation something about Dakota, from quizzing, and how he follows me around and hangs on me (he does) and quite sits on my lap and…

…well, yes.  He’s about four.

I am bad.

May 2, 2008

Posted by Anya in : spontaneous degeneration , 5comments

Well.  I got chapter two of the Lord Peter story finished.  And… I’m feeling singularly uninspired in continuing it.  *sigh*

The cool news:  I picked up quite a bunch of foreign change today, including euros, coins from the Philippines, coins from Hong Kong and coins from Helvetia. Funky, eh?  Goes right along with volunteering at a pregnancy crisis center.  :)

Also.  I reread The Great Divorce, and A2 was precisely right (which should surprise pretty much no one!) — I thought it was weird the first time through and quite good the second time through.

And… summer vacation is coming up, so I should have time to catch up on the books you all have been recommending to me. 

So far, the list is:

Midnight is a Place by Joan Aiken [for Anika]

The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson [for StrongJoy, obviously!]

The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard [for Griffin, who has made the bargain that he’ll read A Severe Mercy if I read a book for him.  Fair enough.]

So what else ought I to be reading?