Penny J. Johnson's Blog, page 31

Word Problems: The Lie I Told Myself

I told myself I wasn’t good at math. Considering my parents are former math teachers, my assertion seemed unlikely. Math certainly wasn’t my favorite thing to do, although I can’t say I struggled with it until we moved to Missouri. My trip-up stemmed from a specific type of problem: word problems. After over a decade […]

Like Broken Vessels

Recently, I had the opportunity to provide a devotional for my church’s Ladies’ Tea. As often happens when I receive an “assignment” such as this one, I experience a challenge of my own that relates directly to what God is leading me to share about Him. Because this devotional was presented verbally and because of […]

A Curve in the Road by Julianne MacLean

Four Stars A Curve in the Road is one of those books I needed for a diversion. I had been reading quite a few deep, heavy themes. Although the circumstances of the characters are tragic and life-changing, the book itself was the reading reprieve I needed.

How I Spend a Lazy Day

On Labor Day, the writing prompt in my journal was “What is your favorite way to spend a lazy day?” I smiled because it was a good opportunity to write about what I had done so far on a non-routine, unscheduled day. Who let the dogs out?: Well, I did. At 4:45 am. This is […]

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni

Five Stars The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell is one of my favorite books that I’ve read this year. Dugoni writes a captivating story about a young boy struggling with his uniqueness in a way most if not all readers can appreciate. Yet, the battles for Sam are also his and experiencing them with him […]

A Clean Slate and a Blank Page

In my grandfather’s desk, he kept a slate and a slate pencil. I still feel the narrow smooth soapstone resting against my already-developing writer’s callous. I hear its tap-slide against the charcoal-gray slate. Sometimes I couldn’t wait for the surface to dry between wet-rag washes, and my marks faded before I could finish an entire […]

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Five Stars Just get past the first chapter (try not to laugh!) and the rest of the book is a pure eccentric delight. Honeyman’s characterization of Eleanor is believable and poignant as well as dead-pan humorous and winsome. I listened to this one on Audible, but would recommend earbuds for that first chapter and a […]

Pet Antics: The Cure for the Pedantic Writing Life

As I begin my routine each morning, I am flanked by two yellow Labrador Retrievers. They alternate positions, but one tucks under the drop-lid of my desk and splays across my feet while the other plays sentry behind my chair. The Ragdoll-Himalayan watches my back from the wood-slat box under the window ledge. Or he […]

Long Way Gone by Charles Martin

Five Stars Music-lovers and guitar-enthusiasts will appreciate the instrumental inclusion that composing and writing lyric plays in this inspirational novel by Charles Martin. Martin’s characters are well-developed while being imperfect and endearing. His vivid descriptions transport readers through the reviving yet tumultuous story of one family wavering between the pinnacle of passionate evangelism and the […]

Holding Pattern: Staying the Course through Life’s Transitions

I sat in the passenger seat as my youngest son drove to the meet-up for his post-secondary, dual-enrollment classes. I failed at fully restraining from jamming the ball of my foot into the floorboard and from whispering the occasional “slow down.” The week before, my husband suggested that I drive him to his classes the […]