This looks like a spiritual biography of married couple Peter and Barbara Jenkins, who later divorced. I have read two of Peter jenkins travel books. He tells a good story and lives a fascinating life. One wonders how a couple so in love and devoted to God were unable to keep their marriage alive.

This book was interesting from the start, flowed well, was easy to read and enjoyable, especially since I have traveled over the same country which the authors traversed on foot, so I could relate to the scenic descriptions. The last two chapters seemed rather contrived and really didn't fit with the rest of the book. They seemed added to extend either the book, or the premise of God being in their lives. Reading the book made me want to meet the authors and discuss their lives to learn more about them, especially what happened in their marriage, and if God was still a central part of their lives.

I am mailing this book to Hanrahan-Siudy as soon as I receive her address.

It was an easy read. i enjoyed the stories of the people along the way. It is truly wonderful to see America behind what is put out for show. I found the marriage between these two people to be an uphill battle from the start. Some make it and some don't.

Yippee! Thanks for the book. It arrived safely along with a neat card and recipe for Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. What a neat inclusion in the package. Shall read and journal ...

I have almost finished my current read My First Year as a Teacher edited by Pearl Rock Kane, and have literally rolled the dice to see what I am about to read next. And, ta-da, this book is up next. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to crack it open this evening :)

I'm going to do something a little different here - make a daily entry. My sig file on my email has a passage from my current read. This changes daily, usually first thing in the morning. I thought it would be nice for you to see these quotes, too.

Why these particular passages? I look at the spot where I stopped when we turned out the light, hubby reads too, and see if anything is worthwhile sharing. Sometimes it's cliche but when it is, I often suspend my preconceptions and look at it as if seeing it for the first time. Often the imagery is sharp. Anyhow enough babbling. …

Friday, January 23rd, 2004 --
Mom Beall read on, and I struggled to keep my mind focused on this familiar Bible story. In some ways, I envied those Old Testament folk. God seemed so often to give them signs or just tell them what to do. Why did His plans for me have to be so mysterious? p27

Saturday, January 24th, 2004 --
As simple as our house was, our neighbors' houses made ours look modern. Not only did the blacktop end in front of our house, and we lived at the edge of town on the wrong side of the tracks, but we lived in one of the poorest neighborhoods in town. None of our neighbors could read or write. Most of them were country farmers who had come to town to live. Many of them came to my mother for help answering their mail, filling out their taxes, and paying their bills. She never refused them and often drove them to the store.
Mother had time for the strays, the hoboes, too. They would hop off the trains and stand at our back door, asking for food. Sometimes they stole our clothes off the line if they needed them. Mother kept leftover cornbread and beans for such as these and never sent anyone away hungry. p156
--The Road Unseen by Peter&Barbara Jenkins

comment: What an amazing woman.

Sunday, January 25th, 2004 --
When winter passes I think of the times just spent that I appreciated being inside, warmed by the wood fires in our black, cast-iron stove. Reading books, thinking deeply, and feeling the chilled loneliness of the winter landscape are special parts of my winter. I also love the cold, clean sounds of my boots crunching in the snow as I head for our barn loft about fifty yards from our house. Every December, January, and February day I must climb up there and pitch hay bales down to feed our cattle and Shocker, our six-year-old stallion. The sound of the winds moaning through the nail holes of the barn's roof and the cold, sweet smells of hay make every winter day begin so fresh and alove. I love what cold weather does to me and the earth and my family. But after three months I'm ready for something else, namely spring. p204

I am glad I was able to read this book. It sure was thought-provoking. Shall send it on it's way soon.

As we're moving back over the ocean to New Zealand I am finally releasing some books. I am sending this to some fellow pre-school teachers.