Loralee Evans's Blog: Loralee Evans, page 41

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is not for the faint of heart, or for those who prefer not to read books with cursing, particularly taking the Lord's name in vain, because that happens a lot in this book. Even so, Steinbeck paints a vivid picture of life during the Great Depression, in particular the lives of two men, George Milton and Lennie Small, two unlikely friends. George is small and quick, and intelligent, Lennie is big, slow, and has a learning disability. George has looked after Lennie for years, probably since Lennie's aunt died, and the two plan on getting a "little place" where Lennie can tend the rabbits. That's what Lennie looks forward to. But when tragedy strikes the pair, George has to make the most difficult decision of his life to spare his friend pain and agony. What is that decision? Read the book and find out. I recommend this book to people who don' t mind considerable cursing, but do enjoy stories of friendship, tough decisions, and inconvenient truths.

Prince Caspian by C. S. Lewis

Prince Caspian (c)1951 by C. S. LewisPrince Caspian has a pretty good, albeit austere life, living with his uncle, Miraz, who is the king of Narnia. But not all is as well as it appears, as he starts to learn under his tutor, Doctor Cornelius. His troubles start the night his cousin is born, and Doctor Cornelius hustles Prince Caspian away to save him. A wise move, since, as Prince Caspian learns, his uncle Miraz is a murderer. He's killed before to get the throne and to keep his enemies quiet, and now that he has a son of his own, he's no longer content with turning over the throne to Caspian in due time.

This begins an adventure that includes characters the reader has met before, if the reader has read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, the kings and queens of ancient Narnia, now children again, are drawn back to Narnia to help Caspian in his adventures.

There are new characters we meet, including Trumpkin the Dwarf and Reepicheep the talking mouse who would have stern words for anyone who dared called him cute!

Prince Caspian by C. S. Lewis, first published in 1951 is a great book with a great message, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy/adventure story!

Have You Earned Your Tomorrow by Edgar Guest

I found this poem today, "Have You Earned Your Tomorrow" by Edgar Guest at the link below, and thought it was magnificent. It helps me remember that I need to treat others as well as I am able, because other people matter.

Too often we think of ourselves as overly important, as being above certain rules, and that others will overlook our faults because we're just special like that. But this poem helps me remember that others have value, and will remember me for good or ill, depending, largely, on how I treat them. I don't have control over everything in the world, but I do have control over me, and how I treat others. And I can choose to recognize the value of others. Not so much because they'll think well of me, but because, simply, it's the right thing to do.

Have You Earned Your Tomorrow

by Edgar Guest

Is anybody happier because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today? 
This day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?

Did you give a cheerful greeting to the friend who came along?
Or a churlish sort of "Howdy" and then vanish in the throng?
Were you selfish pure and simple as you rushed along the way,
Or is someone mighty grateful for a deed you did today?

Can you say tonight, in parting with the days that's slipping fast,
That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said;
Does a man whose hopes were fading now with courage look ahead?

Did you waste the day, or lose it, was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness or a scar of discontent?
As you close your eyes in slumber do you think that God would say,
You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?
Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/have-you-earned-your-tomorrow-by-edgar-albert-guest

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

Around the World in Eighty Days (c) 1873 by Jules VerneAround The World In 80 Days by Jules Verne is an extremely entertaining adventure novel that still inspires the imagination today, as much as it did when it was first published in 1873. Phileas Fogg, a British gentleman, makes a wager with some associates at the Reform Club that he can sail around the world in 80 days, and sets off with his newly hired valet, Jean Passepartout, to make the trip. On the way, they have numerous setbacks and adventures, including the rescue of a young Indian woman named Aouda, from being burnt alive on the same funeral pyre her dead husband (whom their guide tells them wasn't very nice to her when he was alive anyway) is about to be burnt, and the rescue of Parssepartout from American indians. Many other adventures follow them around the world, but will they make it back to England in time for Mr. Fogg to win the bet? Read the book and see!

Listen to the Mustn'ts by Shel Silverstein

I ran across this poem today by Shel Sliverstein, and it made me smile. It's so important that people, young people especially, know that they should not hold themselves back in their goals to make themselves the best people they can be.
The world is so full of opportunity if we believe in ourselves and our abilities to succeed in doing good and great things!
Listen to the Mustn'ts by Shel Silverstein (c) 1974

Movie Review: A Wrinkle in Time

I really enjoyed reading A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle when I was young, and had high expectations for the movie produced by Disney because of it. I wasn't disappointed in the movie, and thought it was very well done. There were of course, some parts that were in the book that weren't in the movie, but the story the movie portrayed was good for the medium in which it was presented. The actors did very well portraying their characters, especiallyWrinkle in Time (c) 2017  Disney

Far World Fire Keep by J. Scott Savage

Far World: Fire Keep (c) 2015 by J. Scott SavageFar World: Fire Keep by J. Scott Savage concludes the four book series that follows the adventures of Kyja and Marcus as they work together to get the help of the four elementals (water, land, air, and fire) to create a drift between their two worlds so that they can pass back and forth between Earth and Farworld without their souls getting stuck in the shadow realm.

This time, they're working on getting the help of the fire elementals which proves a little more tough than they first thought, and a long lost relative of Marcus decides to come along and try to make trouble as well.

The two friends, and of course Riph Raph, Kyja's pet Skyte, are tested more than they ever expected as they work to accomplish their goals.

The Far World series is a great series for young readers, and not so young readers as well, and I recommend this book and the rest of the series to people who enjoy fantasy and adventure!

Whisper Hollow by Carol Warburton

Whisper Hollow (c) 2011 by Carol WarburtonI recently finished an enjoyable Civil War era story entitled Whisper Hollow by Carol Warburton. TTalitha Evangeline Spencer, (Tally) lives with her parents in Whisper Hollow, a haven during the otherwise tumultuous Civil War. But when ruffians disrupt her family life, Tally must step forward to take care of herself and her mother, and doing so, she finds strength she didn't know she had. But then her childhood friend Ollie returns from the war, and Cole Blakely whom she remembers from childhood as well, comes to Whisper Hollow and she finds her life even more complicated than before.

I enjoyed this story, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys clean,
historical romance!

Two Old Women by Velma Wallis

Two Old Women (c) 1993 by Velma WallisThe novel Two Old Women, written by Velma Wallis introduces itself as "An Alaskan Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival". The story follows the struggles of two old women, Ch'idzigyaak and Sa' who are abandoned by their group during a very difficult winter. The group's reasoning, that they can't waste food on two old people who contribute nothing, is harsh to the two old women who are left simply to die. The only things they are given are a few blankets, some babiche (rawhide for making things like snowshoes) and a hatchet the grandson of one gave to her before he was compelled to leave.

Though the people thought the two old ones had died, they are surprised much later when they discover that not only did the old ones survive, but that the old women actually fared better than those who had abandoned them. The two old ones had moved to better spots, found food, made shelter, and had done well for themselves. But will they be so willing to forgive the others when they meet again later?

I enjoyed this book. I found it inspiring and encouraging. If these two old ones could accomplish all that they did, what does that say about what the rest of us can accomplish when we work for it? I recommend this book to people who enjoy inspiring true stories.

Movie Review: The Greatest Showman

The Greatest Showman, directed by
I loved the movie, personally. The acting was wonderful, and the songs were very stirring. I think my favorite character was the bearded lady played by actress
The Greatest Showman is rated PG. It does have some mild swearing it, and a few scenes of minor violence and peril. So parents would want to keep that in mind when taking their children. In my opinion, it is a very good family movie that parents and children can enjoy together. Plus, it is an excellent look at one man's ability to overcome difficulty and make something wonderful that brought joy to others.

Greatest Showman, The (c) 2017 directed by Michael GraceyThat's always a good thing.