Penny J. Johnson's Blog, page 30
October 28, 2019
When All Is Not Lost
I sort of got lost the other day. When I’m in unknown territory I need a map and a navigator. I had those. So, why did I get lost? I assumed there was only one parking ramp on University Avenue. So, I ended up smack dab in the middle of the university campus. I realized […]
October 26, 2019
The Glass Ocean by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White
Five Stars After reading several WWII books in the past few years, I learned more about WWI and the Lusitania through this riveting fictional account. This book is more fascinating because of a seamless and innovative three-author collaboration. I finished reading it after arriving in Kansas City, and it made visiting the WWI Memorial all […]
October 25, 2019
Looking Forward to Weekly Rewards
My writing prompt asks, What do you look forward to every week? There were years in my life when that would have been a difficult question. I found little to look forward to on a daily basis. In fact, that’s why I came to start writing this blog. Recalling one of the darkest times in […]
October 21, 2019
Sharing Our Gifts: Knowing When to Give and When to Stop Giving
A few weeks before my son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS on November 1, 2001, I read a list of traits for people on the Autism Spectrum similar to the one found here. As I evaluated my son from my parental perspective, I knew before the testers had finished their report that my son had some […]
October 18, 2019
Anticipating “Nothing”: Daily Moments of Well-Being
While doing my morning routine–studying my Bible, writing in a journal, calling my mother, completing household chores–I anticipate my afternoons. That is when I do…nothing. Well, maybe not nothing. But, it may look like that if you walk into my family room on most days. Nothing takes on several forms. Coffee: Depending on how much […]
October 14, 2019
Born to Shine?
Were you born to shine in one special way? What makes you really stand out? As I read this prompt on this particular day, I considered several reasons why I might have been born to shine or stand out. For certain, at a height of 6’2″, I stand out in a crowd. People may assume […]
October 12, 2019
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Five Stars I wish I could recommend this book to everyone. With eloquence, authenticity, and respect, Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko reveals the traumatic treatment and displacement of Koreans and their culture through a family’s saga before, during, and after WWII. The reason I can’t recommend it to everyone is because of some difficult content. For […]
October 11, 2019
Art Appreciation: My Favorite Works of Art
I threw a clay pot. Some people plan to throw pots their whole lives –along with vases, mugs, bowls, plates, candle holders, and miniatures. That’s what potters do. I am not a potter. I doubt I would choose pottery as a profession because of one key personal trait. I don’t enjoy getting dirty. In fact, […]
October 7, 2019
Re-approaching the Uncharted Desert-Isle
“I have no life,” I said as we navigated around the construction barrels along a familiar main road we travel several times a week. My husband–a man of few words, which often drip with bittersweet sarcasm that form pools of deep wisdom–gave me a look I don’t think I’ve ever seen in our thirty years […]
October 5, 2019
Magic House by Kristin Hannah
Three Stars After reading The Nightingale and The Great Alone, I found this book to be an unexpected deviation from what I expect from Kristin Hannah’s writing. It was readable, but started with a fantastical element that seemed unnecessary and didn’t carry through the rest of the book. I appreciated some of the characterization and […]
