Read this column if you like doing things YOUR way!

What I love:


You know what I love about having my very own weekly newsletter?

It can be any length

It can be about any subject

It can be with or without images

It can be with or without subtitles

And the subject line can be as long or as short as I choose


For those who know me well, it will come as no surprise that I like doing “my own thing.”


What does that entail?


When it comes to good deeds, I like giving back, but I do so in non-traditional ways:


   The side pocket of the driver’s side of my SUV is stocked with cans of V-8 juice, which I hand out generously whenever I come upon a person walking the intersections of my city, beseeching drivers for food.


   I donate many of my hand-knitted pouches, packed with individually wrapped peppermints, to assisted and independent living facilities around the holidays to bring cheer to those shut in.


   Early in Covid-19, I fashioned face masks out of yarmulkes (Jewish skullcaps) and distributed them in gift bags to all of my neighbors within a two-block area.


What I like:


I like changing things up. Being creative. Innovative. Different. In fact, one of the most consistent comments I get about my weekly newsletter is that readers “expect the unexpected.”


What I do:


This year, I find myself way too often looking around my house in search of projects to de-clutter and re-design my living space. I often quip that “I am organizing my life, not living it.”


 


I decide to tackle the ridiculously large number of books gracing every crevice of every book shelf in my home – threatening to surround me like this poor woman above! I start pulling out volumes I am emotionally ready to part with. This results in a ridiculously large number of books stacked up on both sides of my two-car garage.


My favorite librarian at a quaint little library nearby tells me the local libraries aren’t accepting book donations during Covid. Oh no. I donate to the Salvation Army instead.


There are still many bags of books left in my garage. I sell some to the used bookstore near the university.


I wrack my brain for an innovative, meaningful way to dispose of the remainder of the books – before I waver from my good intentions and place them back on my still over-crowded shelves.


Inspiration strikes. And I hit on an idea:


A BOOK GIVEAWAY FOR MY READERS!


If you’d like one of the books listed below, simply E-mail me at irisruthpastor@gmail.com, request a specific title and include your address. If you are the first to select that title, I will send it right out to you. Free of charge! It’s my way of participating in holiday giving.


Here’s the list of novels in alphabetical order by author:


My Husband’s Sweetheart

by Bridget Asher


Umberlina

by Helen Barololini


The Embers

by Hyatt Bass


Mystery Ride

by Robert Boswell


The Inheritance of Loss

by Kiran Desai


Siracusa

by Delia Ephron


All That I Am

by Anna Funder


The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells

by Andrew Sean Greer


New Year’s Eve

by Lisa Grunwald


Lilah

by Marek Halter


The Museum of Extraordinary Things

by Alice Hoffman


Someone Else’s Love Story

by Joshlyn Jackson


The Journey of the Fottoumo

by Naguib Mahfouz


The Lakeshore Limited

by Sue Miller


And We Are Called to Rise

by Laura McBride


The Winter People

by Jennifer McMahon


The Member of the Wedding

by Carson McCullers


Run

by Ann Patchett


The Tiger’s Wife

by Tea Obreht


Wild December

by Edna O’Brien


After Anna

by Lisa Scottoline


Thera

by Zeruya Shalev


Almost Missed You

by Jessica Strawser


Ashes in the Wind

by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss


Small Blessings

by Martha Woodroof


Happy Reading,

Keep Preserving Your Bloom,

And let me know how YOU give back,


Iris Ruth Pastor


P.S. A week from today I’m giving a one hour “pep talk” on how to lead the life you crave – especially during Covid!


Below is the link to sign up and a video describing my talk.

https://san-diego.oasiseverywhere.org/product/wisdom-to-live-the-life-you-crave/

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Published on December 11, 2020 11:02
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