it cooled down into the 60's last night, which actually felt chilly . . so it's a really comfortable morning.
re-reading parts of dear world . .
and a lot of work was done at the house:
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the walkway was re-bricked . .
the downstairs was re-painted . .
and the gate was repaired.
Same here, this morning was almost cold. I saw some very good and very negative reviews of this book on Amazon. How do you like it?
ReplyDeleteI am so shocked at the negative reviews (but perhaps I shouldn't be . . ) They went through a horrendous war! Trauma! Writing about their experiences and being able to connect with people via Twitter to ask for help and support helped them survive and get through terrifying times! I just don't understand how some people in this world like to blame/criticize those affected by violence. I think they like to believe such things don't exist. The book was heartbreaking and inspiring. It's terrible how so many of us are powerless to help those who are experiencing war.
DeleteI read some similar reviews today on "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl. He survived several concentration camps and this books describes his experiences among other things. Miriam has to read it next semester (I am in the process of ordering her books). One of the reviews about that book was that it was not "Biblical."
DeleteHello Eva, I read "Man's Search for Meaning" during Covid with First U's church group. We met via zoom. I just picked it up right now again and came to this quote on page 48: "But it is not for me to pass judgement on those prisoners who put their own people above everyone else. Who can throw a stone at a man who favors his friends under circumstances when, sooner or later, it is a question of life or death? No man should judge unless he asks himself in absolute honesty whether in a similar situation he might not have done the same." Isn't it true? It's important for us to listen to others with love in our hearts and to try and help those who are being hurt. I also remember reading Elie Wiesel's "Night" when I was Miriam's age . . (sigh) . . not easy things to read :( and certainly heartrending that we still make weapons and war upon each other.
DeleteYes, that is so true! The way you write about listening is similar to what the Little Prince of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry says about listening. Yes, wars are awful, but humankind cannot seam to stop starting them. It is like little children throwing sand at each other in the sandbox, but on a grander scale and with horrible outcomes.
DeleteYes, that is true . . exactly. The last time I was at the playground with Aurélien I watched several children hogging the toddler slide: three of them were on top wanting to slide down, and two little ones were on the bottom trying to crawl up, and all were making quite a racket yelling to have their way! I was proud of all the parents and caregivers present because we were all patient with trying to sort things out. The little ones finally were pulled off so they could go around and begin at the top and the three older ones were able to slide down and then led away to the bigger equipment. Quite an afternoon!
DeleteThis being the 21st century, many of us are shocked that current leaders and those with so much money aren't more compassionate and giving. We thought we had all learned valuable lessons.
It seems to be something that keeps popping up in world history. For example, people thought that with the enlightenment, we all had made such wonderful progress, but then people turned to horrible revolutions with so much bloodshed where good ideas were turned into almost the opposite. And all children basically seem to mirror this part of human behavior. They can be angels, but then get their "fits." It does not seem to matter what century we are in, as long as people don't work at their own evil behavior and ask for forgiveness and try to do better, things will never change, and there are many people who love nothing more than power and will do anything to keep it.
DeleteI just picked up a book today from the Dalai Lama about seeing ourselves truthfully and making an effort to see others with compassion and love.
DeleteYou have to let me know how you like it.
DeleteWonderful work!
ReplyDeleteThank you for recommending this important book - I have ordered it. It makes me think of the dreadful events in the Ukraine as well, and the tragedies unfolding there
ReplyDeleteYour house looks marvellous
Siobhan x
I know . . it's so sad about Ukraine. I think you will like reading the book.
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