Casual Fridays

Hi there! I think the best way to play catch-up this week is with a Photo-Prompted Post so let's just jump right in with it.

PhotoGrid to the rescue once again! Last week, I was on a Girls Only cruise with my BFF Danette, and let me tell ya, we had a fabulous time. We stopped in Key West and Cozumel, soaked up lots of sun, ate to our hearts' content, relaxed, read (of course!), played loads of Yahtzee and other assorted card and board games (all of which, I am loath to admit, Danette proved the Ultimate Champion of the Cruise), and just had a generally wonderful time together. We couldn't have asked for better weather, and I couldn't have asked for a better friend to share this with. P-Nutt, I hope your first cruise was everything you hoped it would be, and I can't wait for our next adventure together!

These are the books I ended up reading on our cruise: Under A Maui Moon and Sisterchicks in Sombreros both by Robin Jones Gunn. Neither of these are on my 2017 book list, but I had a little agreement with myself that if I finished John Adams before the cruise, I would take all my new Robin Jones Gunn books with me. Mission accomplished. I really loved Under A Maui Moon. It's such a sweet thing that I've grown up reading RJG and been able to connect with characters going through the same things in life that I'm going through--not only in my teen years, but now as a grown-up married woman as well. I'm always encouraged reading Robin Jones Gunn. And reading my first Sisterchicks book (there are eight! four of which I've recently acquired) was super-fun and totally apropos seeing as Danette and I were on our own Mexican cruise! Robin, you never disappoint!

Summertime has officially arrived in the Sunshine State and Cody has been making us smoothies for lunch every day this week. (Disclaimer: the above photo is some stock photo I stole from the internet to talk about how great Cody's smoothies are and not a photo I took of the smoothies Cody actually has made this past week.) He makes LITERALLY the best smoothies in the world, and now that he's back to work today, I don't even know what I'm going to do with myself come lunchtime. Seriously though, if you want the greatest smoothie you have ever tasted in your life, you have to have one of Cody's. I'm not exaggerating about this.

And finally, I know this is what you really come here for, right? The pups are doing great, and I have to say, I've been really proud of them this week. My mom gave us this bag of colorful balls, and the baby boy I nanny has been loving them (they're all over my house). The dogs have not eaten or even attempted to chew on a single one of them. There was a time in the not so distant past that Major would have taken it upon himself to personally demolish every single one and look at him: not so much as a sniff even though they're touching him. #dogownershipwin #codydoesallthetraining #ijustbragaboutit

That's it for today. I'm going to go eat some strawberry shortcake to console my smoothie-less self. Fill me in on your life lately, and have fun welcoming April this weekend! (I can't believe we've flown through the first 3 months of the year already!) Adios!

A Word for Wednesday

"It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. Great necessities call out great virtues. When a mind is raised, and animated by scenes that engage the heart, then those qualities which would otherwise lay dormant, wake into life and form the character of the hero and the statesman."

~Abigail Adams~

Five Facts About Reading

A while back, my mom sent me these five serious facts about reading which I found helpful and stimulating. I hope these help you remember how important it is to read...because we don't want to end up like the dinosaurs.

1) Reading can make you a better conversationalist. 

2) Neighbors will never complain that your book is too loud.

3) Knowledge by osmosis has not yet been perfected. You'd better read.

4) Books have stopped bullets. Reading could save your life.

5) Dinosaurs didn't read. Look what happened to them. 

I know that this is a lot to take in and think about, but can't you see how important reading is?! 

A Word for Wednesday

"Unfaithfulness in public stations is deeply criminal. But there is no encouragement to be faithful. Neither profit, nor honor, nor applause is acquired by faithfulness...There is too much corruption, even in this infant age of our Republic. 

Virtue is not in fashion. Vice is not infamous."

~John Adams~

"...and there is nothing new under the sun." 

Ecclesiastes 1:9

Let's Bust a Recap : John Adams

Y'all. I feel like I should just wait and post this recap on the Fourth of July because America. John Adams was a patriot down to his marrow. He probably bled red, white, and blue. I mean, he died on the 4th of July 1826--50 years to the day of the signing of the Declaration of Independence which he signed, and many people credit him as the driving force behind the Declaration. Come. On. 

Anyway, John Adams by David McCullough published in 2001 is (of the three presidential biographies I've read so far) far and away the best one yet. It has the perfect balance between being detailed and thorough while not crossing the line into exhausting and boring. His Excellency, while interesting and readable, lacked the detail I really appreciate in a good biography, and TR, while certainly educational and comprehensive, was a bear to get through. 

And here's another thing: I learned so much. I think that American history is unfortunately dying in this country and in our school systems, and that grieves me. A wise person once said that if we cannot remember the past, we are condemned to repeat it. I can feel myself starting down a rabbit hole here so before we go there, I'll just say that our second president, John Adams, is a largely forgotten man in history. Sandwiched between historical giants like Washington and Jefferson, Adams often gets overlooked, in my opinion. I didn't even realize before reading his biography that he only served one term as president, not two. 

Some of the greatest accomplishments of his life were actually achieved in the years before his presidency as he fought hard for American independence from England. For example, John Adams was the one who nominated George Washington to command the Continental Army. He also wrote the constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts which is the oldest functioning written constitution in the world. Then, he went overseas and established the first American embassy anywhere in the world (in Holland), and on his own initiative he petitioned for and secured an essential Dutch loan during the Revolutionary War which established the foundation for American credit in Europe. As far as diplomacy goes, he won the greatest victory in American history by negotiating the Paris Peace Treaty along with Benjamin Franklin and John Jay. 

During his presidency, despite the country dividing into pretty mean-spirited, malicious political parties, he managed to stay above the fray and carry out his role with dignity (for the most part), he was scandal-free (which is more than we can say for a lot of our nation's presidents), he appointed one of the greatest Supreme Court Chief Justices in our country's history (John Marshall), and he secured peace with France during the bloody French Revolution even though America was screaming for war which most certainly would have been a death sentence to our fledgling nation. And not only did he win peace with France, he did it while still promoting and advocating that the country strengthen its defenses by building the Navy, an idea that so many of his time couldn't reconcile with his also wanting to achieve peace. He really was a visionary. 

On top of all this, he was a true blue family man and a Christian. He and his wife literally wrote thousands of letters to one another during their many separations. He was a hardworking lawyer and farmer, and he lived his whole life economically within his means. He was just a really good guy all around, and I am a fan. Obviously he was human and certainly not without his faults, but I really enjoyed reading about his life, and I appreciate the integrity with which he lived. 

I definitely recommend this biography of John Adams. This is an enjoyable book to read and it's rich with history. Adams lived not only through the American Revolutionary War but the French Revolution and the War of 1812 as well so there's a lot in there. Worth your time, for sure. 

Do you know much about John Adams? Who is your favorite president? Do you think our country is failing to properly educate the next generation about our history? Do you think studying history is important or a waste of time? Come at me, bro, I can take it.

Casual Fridays

I've been reading Judges this week and I have a question:

Why did Samson tell Delilah the secret to his strength?

I need a male perspective here because not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES he lied to her about what made him strong. And not once, not twice, but ALL THREE TIMES she did exactly what he said would take his strength away. And not only that, she had a whole posse of Philistine men ready to take him away captive.

I mean, did he think she was just playing around and wouldn't try the fourth tactic he gave her? Really??

Every time I read this passage of Scripture, I just can't get over this. Do women really have that kind of nagging power (Judges 16:15-17)? Are men's egos just that big (Judges 16:20)? If you're a man and you were in Samson's position, would you have given in??

The older I get, the more I realize that I can't criticize the Israelites for complaining in the desert or turning to idols or begging for a king. I can't get down on Peter for denying Jesus or castigate the disciples for arguing about who was the greatest. Because how many times have I complained, neglected my Lord, or argued with my fellow man about something petty? Too many to count. 

But I'm sorry, this Samson and Delilah situation just strikes me as completely and totally, 100%, you-must-be-stupid, this is a no-brainer, common sense choice. She is obviously out to get you, dude. You should not tell her where your strength lies. Very cut and dry. 

Am I missing something here?

A Word for Wednesday

"Upon common theaters, indeed, the applause of the audience is of more importance to the actors than their own approbation. But upon the stage of life, while conscience claps, let the world hiss! On the contrary if conscience disapproves, the loudest applauses of the world are of little value."

~John Adams~