Watercolor artist David Rankin’s book on sketching is proving very useful to me now, even though he’s a painter not a renderer.

My beloved Eleanor! Such wisdom.

Francis of Assisi book by Leonard Foley, Jovian Weigel, Patti Normile

“Few of us are called to give away everything we possess. In many cases that may be an ungodly thing to do because we have responsibilities to others - children, aging parents, spouses - that God entrusts to us.”

On finding that quiet place: “Not only sounds but reminders of what we should be doing distract us when we seek God in prayer. Both Francis and Clare sought quiet places where they could hear the Lord speak in their hearts. Clare’s quiet place was the monastery; Francis retreated to the mountain caves”

Thank You Mr. Falker, by Patricia Polacco. I love this book, and I cry every time I read it. I’ll never forget how it feels to be ridiculed because of something about yourself you can’t help. I know the loneliness at recess. I also know that not enough of us take the time to befriend the misfit child, especially when their peers value conformity. The child who is different needs to be embraced, not scorned, the way the teacher embraced young Trisha. If you read this with your child, maybe impress on her to be kind to a classmate who is struggling. It can make all the difference.

Sometimes all it takes is for someone to believe in you more than you believe in yourself. In the book, young Trisha found a saviour, a teacher who didn’t believe what the bullies were saying she was, and proved it by opening up a world she thought was forever closed to her. We need more Mr. Falkers in the world to ease our children’s pain.

Imagine being a kid everyone makes fun of because every time you go to the blackboard it’s a disaster. A bully calls you dumb so many times you start to believe it yourself. You feel alone and friendless. You just want to hide instead of joining the kids at recess. Can you relate? Patricia Polacco wrote “Thank You Mr. Falker” as a shout-out to all the misunderstood kids and to the teachers who don’t believe the hype.

Two of my favorite authors: Dr. Maya Angelou and Terry McMillan. I wish either or both of these stories, All God’s Children Wear Traveling Shoes and Mama, would have been made into motion picture films! Do something, Tyler!