tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37492946702915185222024-03-05T09:34:23.507-06:00A Novel PursuitHomeschooling and Book Reviews~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-10200862062166454842023-03-04T21:30:00.001-06:002023-03-04T21:30:10.605-06:00Recommended Book: 8 Great Smarts<p> I can’t praise this book enough!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r-lrQ5dDg9XqV8JMFhrrkkQVHRGG4IhucixhMP_i2zFolPiu_az1F_f1fF-RBVUnrjp7YvIUgRKoB924ydroZY7cNupJTzVyNPDcgwHjttEwToIWJ7y5P68ab7FWB4srmv9FUwV_YPxWe98GiAqNSb8xpgXsewRovAiV8fXUfJsPzad8WT9tdmFm_g/s1773/F6E3951B-AEF9-431C-A723-40986E0D0BE5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1773" data-original-width="1268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r-lrQ5dDg9XqV8JMFhrrkkQVHRGG4IhucixhMP_i2zFolPiu_az1F_f1fF-RBVUnrjp7YvIUgRKoB924ydroZY7cNupJTzVyNPDcgwHjttEwToIWJ7y5P68ab7FWB4srmv9FUwV_YPxWe98GiAqNSb8xpgXsewRovAiV8fXUfJsPzad8WT9tdmFm_g/s320/F6E3951B-AEF9-431C-A723-40986E0D0BE5.jpeg" width="229" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">8 Great Smarts by Kathy Koch</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Your child IS smart!!</p>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-13732909017690641852023-03-04T21:15:00.000-06:002023-03-04T21:15:15.402-06:00Update on 3/4/2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAgZ74x-q2rXrHWXfVkeko5PKjNo6BVRnN6z6SiFFUbd5CJHUAEvrcoknDmsbOkR6aIgWs6LZcUI5GgKMVoriKwZWC25uekXMmmA0A9lE8_NocaKr7x3bTCXzb5HFUeJWCmLL3-KZaGL2VjAqllhcg1Xy_k7_k1akAbbUGVtWaw8uuPmxUCsBbCmXFA/s4032/2B21A032-EDB8-4A46-8A4E-A8533E160035.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAgZ74x-q2rXrHWXfVkeko5PKjNo6BVRnN6z6SiFFUbd5CJHUAEvrcoknDmsbOkR6aIgWs6LZcUI5GgKMVoriKwZWC25uekXMmmA0A9lE8_NocaKr7x3bTCXzb5HFUeJWCmLL3-KZaGL2VjAqllhcg1Xy_k7_k1akAbbUGVtWaw8uuPmxUCsBbCmXFA/s320/2B21A032-EDB8-4A46-8A4E-A8533E160035.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> The Family and I at The Grand Canyon</div><p></p><p>We went on an epic family vacation this September. We drove West to California and then back. We got to see a lot of really cool places: Painted Desert National Park, The Grand Canyon, and beautiful scenic routes. Then we headed to California where we saw my nephew, an author friend, and a friend since junior high. We stayed at the Knott’s Berry Farm hotel which was worth it it was only about 15 minutes from Disneyland where Gracie dressed up as Rey from Star Wars movies.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwNDY9NZirStQ2YhcKaZf7r9icg73joYHP8jrhn31Tuvn2Ry8rWtCrDuJ5jnk9ubxGq2bP4-UuqUpAKolG_W7mxhUNh5Zhaxxotn3Ur5QYu6fXzO0l5ZdrBIHKOdc0SDjguS5QaroabrIV2NgX1-88ps4tM1Mb1a39hDFlK4aPWXBvIiYSQYW7_kXTg/s4032/37177A10-1D0B-4D4F-B0E5-CF172D2D1164.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwNDY9NZirStQ2YhcKaZf7r9icg73joYHP8jrhn31Tuvn2Ry8rWtCrDuJ5jnk9ubxGq2bP4-UuqUpAKolG_W7mxhUNh5Zhaxxotn3Ur5QYu6fXzO0l5ZdrBIHKOdc0SDjguS5QaroabrIV2NgX1-88ps4tM1Mb1a39hDFlK4aPWXBvIiYSQYW7_kXTg/s320/37177A10-1D0B-4D4F-B0E5-CF172D2D1164.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>Unfortunately, during the trip I developed great pain and a markedly decreased appetite. On the way back, it was a fast stop back to get home. Then began the first of seven trips to the hospital for the end of 2022. One trouble after another.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFG8dj63LcK-gjJoZ63QUajzL1W4ev2pzip3vMQmFEVnMWH9oAIndCYs4_hcC-tAOZomFsNLrgDhsbmWR17EOxaT6BIYndtlsy4j29_GdkVMICAAwZ-tSogPEbDJtUg_mIaaQKeH5AvKF89XwrU5M_g77NllI4V2G7rwepya-ZIlsQ7oZMjjr-Qn-0A/s4032/0C7752CD-0034-46DE-8AD8-D18932C0D737.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFG8dj63LcK-gjJoZ63QUajzL1W4ev2pzip3vMQmFEVnMWH9oAIndCYs4_hcC-tAOZomFsNLrgDhsbmWR17EOxaT6BIYndtlsy4j29_GdkVMICAAwZ-tSogPEbDJtUg_mIaaQKeH5AvKF89XwrU5M_g77NllI4V2G7rwepya-ZIlsQ7oZMjjr-Qn-0A/s320/0C7752CD-0034-46DE-8AD8-D18932C0D737.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My adopted sister Brooke and I in the hospital in November.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I resumed chemo treatments which didn’t help. I was in the hospital twice in 2023 and am there now, very weak, laryngitis/practically mute. My health has gone down remarkably fast and I am trying to do new posts I have saved up </span></div><p>We have big decisions to make for my future. We are thankful for family and friends who are a help and a blessing!!</p><p><br /></p>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-73214374307241912832023-03-04T20:14:00.002-06:002023-03-04T20:20:42.626-06:00My Philosophy on Math<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpBrTqE2b3TQSc3k5rypPJoEqUmpjyouCG5YrkEZd34VDlxA79IM8-_aMLEQ_FSygT8F_Bl07mAsf2kzvaJP9dY9HkqBs1oiwXTkZeJNZI18WaqYXdr4GML2WGz0jxocOCieqTnlfNB7jk_21kMy93-ncskU2tC5RGtcfTqUCtxCwSkp5R6CSzmG0Pw/s500/F49DD8B7-89DF-44DC-8BE2-C369EFE18F6E.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpBrTqE2b3TQSc3k5rypPJoEqUmpjyouCG5YrkEZd34VDlxA79IM8-_aMLEQ_FSygT8F_Bl07mAsf2kzvaJP9dY9HkqBs1oiwXTkZeJNZI18WaqYXdr4GML2WGz0jxocOCieqTnlfNB7jk_21kMy93-ncskU2tC5RGtcfTqUCtxCwSkp5R6CSzmG0Pw/s320/F49DD8B7-89DF-44DC-8BE2-C369EFE18F6E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Philosophy on Math</span><p></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This philosophy is primarily designed for problem solving in math, but can be relevant for other areas of life (science and technology in particular).</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are two types of problems.</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Problem Type #1 – Basic Math Problems</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These problems are characterized with:</span></p><ol style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Known Procedures that work every time</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unknown Solutions</span></p></li></ol><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When you use the known procedures, you get an accurate solution.</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Examples:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Use your KNOWN PROCEDURES to solve these problems. The best way to be successful is to know your basic math facts. Use whatever method works best for your child whether it’s Drill and Kill or mnemonic devices, but make sure your child knows 95% of his math facts fluently and figure out the ones he does not know as well. Later, teach your child to use the basic math facts to learn how to manipulate not just whole numbers but also fractions, decimals, and percentages.</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Failure to learn these math facts well will result in not being able to learn higher math successfully. It’s like shooting yourself in the foot. This is not the time to use the tedious alternatives to solving problems such as you find in Common Core mathematics. (Not all Common Core is bad, but some of their methodologies are notoriously ridiculous.)</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Problem Type #2 – The “Apollo 13” Problems</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These types of problems are characterized with:</span></p><ol style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unknown Procedures</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Known Solution</span></p></li></ol><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I call these types of problems “Apollo 13” problems. In the movie Apollo 13, the astronauts developed a mechanical problem that would potentially be disastrous in their goal to get back to earth. This is when the famous “Houston, we have a problem” quotation originated. At NASA in Houston, the head guy gathered up all the parts, paraphernalia, and pieces of things that were available on the Apollo 13, dumped them out on the floor in front of his problem-solving team, and said, “This is the problem. This is what they have on board. Find a solution.” They worked tirelessly overnight and developed a solution that worked to get them back to earth safely.</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is when you use your creative abilities and “thinking outside the box” strategies for these types of problems. Keep in mind you do have to use what you know, but combine your knowledge with your creative abilities to solve problems or to create something new.</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" />~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-19934373535901501702021-12-01T00:34:00.001-06:002023-03-03T15:14:52.263-06:00An Update: Why I Have Been AWOL<h1 style="text-align: center;">Why I Have Been AWOL </h1><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilxhoXRTWoE8vmXqWkUxCsnZ75n-V9hjvR7KMp0ERxFHYfGfE4qg2GrVxdbk3PPjwxc3mZG4sYcorjFrvnkM8RroQf7iOLp0xZIc_fwdyZ-PAaHY3T274pF0EZWhpMIiZGlHWUhcjj5o7qx-Xi2SN_dHiZMF9vY0CKO8wUsU4U06fTMKS62TBm5MIpzw=s2048" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilxhoXRTWoE8vmXqWkUxCsnZ75n-V9hjvR7KMp0ERxFHYfGfE4qg2GrVxdbk3PPjwxc3mZG4sYcorjFrvnkM8RroQf7iOLp0xZIc_fwdyZ-PAaHY3T274pF0EZWhpMIiZGlHWUhcjj5o7qx-Xi2SN_dHiZMF9vY0CKO8wUsU4U06fTMKS62TBm5MIpzw=s320" width="213" /></a></div>This photo was taken a year ago when my family went to Florida for Thanksgiving. My <a href="https://www.kayleejeanphotography.com/" target="_blank">very talented niece</a> did a photo session with us. It was so much fun and the pictures turned out beautifully!<p></p><p>Funny enough, in the last year, I have lost around 30 pounds and I've cut my hair to just touching my shoulders.</p><p>A lot has happened in the last year. I gave an <a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2021/02/my-health-2222021.html" target="_blank">initial update about my health</a> back in April. A lot has happened even since then.</p><p>To make a long story short, I was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) in August. I have taken three rounds of chemotherapy and will begin my fourth round on Thursday after which time I will have scans to evaluate how my body is responding to treatment.</p><p>Needless to say, this was a huge shock to our family. Overall, I am doing very well. The pain I was having has subsided and I don't even think about the pain scale anymore except when I'm asked if I have pain. I do deal with fatigue, partly due to the chemotherapy and the cancer and also partly due to my inherited anemia. When I am in the middle of treatment (14 days of chemo pills in addition to IV infusions), I do have some slight nausea, but peppermint essential oils and peppermint candy keep it under control. I have kept my hair which is great! There is a chance I could develop neuropathy and I can sometimes sense a very slight numbing and tingling at times. I do deal with hot flashes as a result of chemo-induced menopause. Recently, during our missions conference, I took off and put on my cardigan four times in one hour because I got hot, and then got cold, got hot, and then got cold..... My husband didn't know what to think! There is also a chance that I will develop a side effect called hand-foot disease where my skin will peel and will look terrible. My oncologist, who was my hematologist for 12 years, just retired and I will be meeting my new doctor on Thursday.</p><p>That's pretty much it in a nutshell. If you want a summary of what happened each month so far in 2021, keep reading.</p><p>January 2021</p><p>I began having joint pain and swelling. An ER visit on my daughter's birthday revealed enlarged lymph nodes and a mass on my liver. The ER doctor informed us that it is probably cancer.</p><p>February 2021</p><p>I had my first oncology visit with my hematologist who took a full history of recent health issues and suggested that I may have lymphoma. She also scheduled scans (PET, MRI) which were delayed due to a snowstorm that shut down Memphis for over a week. I was in too much pain and was too fatigued to enjoy the snow. I watched Gracie play in it via the phone app that shows our Ring doorbell camera. I also discovered that I'm allergic to kiwi.</p><p>March 2021</p><p>I began having indigestion, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. An ER visit turned into a hospital stay at which time it was revealed that I have a malfunctioning gallbladder. Because we were waiting to have a biopsy of my enlarged lymph nodes behind my sternum, we opted not to have my gallbladder removed. (Surgery would have delayed the biopsy.). The biopsy revealed that I have sarcoidosis.</p><p>April 2021</p><p>This month was spent learning more about sarcoidosis. My gallbladder issues subsided and although I knew I would have to have my gallbladder removed at some point, it was not an emergent need.</p><p>May 2021</p><p>This was a normal month with little to no health issues. I don't even remember much about this month.</p><p>June 2021</p><p>I began having upper right quadrant pain along with rib pain and sometimes back and shoulder referred pain. I visited my PCP who ordered CT scans to check on my liver (rather than do an invasive biopsy). Insurance denied the CT scans three times! I was able to attend our annual family reunion which was held on my 49th birthday. One of my cousins made a point to make it a very special day for me.</p><p>July 2021</p><p>During a conversation with a dear friend of mine, I realized that my rib pain was likely due to my gallbladder. My PCP referred me to a surgeon and then another surgeon, trying to get an appointment ASAP so that I could finally have the gallbladder out. Unfortunately, their first availability was weeks out. Gracie and I attended her first-ever church youth camp which was a fantastic week. Although, I was fatigued and in pain for much of the week, I had a wonderful time!</p><p>August 2021</p><p>With the start of the new school year and wanting to keep things as simple as possible while I tried to get my health under control, I decided to not do violin and viola lessons for me and Gracie. I really hated it, but I knew I wouldn't be able to take Gracie nor would I be able to keep up with practicing. However, we both signed up to be in the Christmas play and weekly practices began in full force this month. On Sunday, August 15th, Gracie noticed that I was turning yellow. A couple of weeks before, I had shown her pictures of what jaundice looks like and told her to tell me if she saw me turning yellow. This was what I needed to be able to go to the ER and be seen about my gallbladder. I was in the hospital for a week, had numerous tests, and was told that I had a bile duct obstruction. A specialist was brought in on Thursday to put in a stent to fix the obstruction and to take biopsies of several areas of concern. I had to wait a couple of days before leaving because I was in great pain. All I can say is: Dilaudid is a miracle drug! Several days after discharge I was told that the biopsies show that I have cholangiocarcinoma, bile duct cancer. It is a rare yet aggressive cancer that usually occurs in older people.</p><p>September 2021</p><p>I had surgery to install a portacath which is an apparatus that lives under the skin of my right shoulder and has a tube going through one of my blood vessels all the way to my heart area. The port allows for easy access for chemotherapy. I also began chemotherapy treatment: Gemzar and Oxaliplatin. The nurses were great about talking to me about my treatment and answering questions, giving me a warm blanket and snacks. While having the infusion, I napped some and upon waking up at one moment, I lost part of my vision for about 20-30 seconds. It scared the snot out of me. The nurses thought maybe I'd looked at a light and was seeing spots, but I knew that wasn't the case. I continued to have visual disturbances at random times over the next few days. I sent a message to my doctor who had her nurse call me on Monday and tell me to go to the ER because I could be having a detached retina. I spent 7 hours at Baptist undergoing numerous eye exams (most of which I've had before) and they determined that I was not in any danger of losing my sight. They referred me to Hamilton Clinic which is part of the UT Medical School here in Memphis. It took a couple of weeks to see a doctor, but he determined that my visual disturbances were due to toxicity from the chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin. He recommended that I stop taking that. My oncologist prescribed another chemotherapy drug to take its place: Xeloda pills which are taken twice a day for 14 days. I also had genetic testing done to determine if I have any gene mutations that can cause a propensity for cancer. They tested 91 genes and every single one of them was negative.</p><p>October 2021</p><p>In October, I had Round 2 of chemotherapy: Gemzar and Xeloda. I don't remember much about this month except that we had a great dinner-on-the grounds at church for Pastor Appreciation Day and I got to go over to my pastor's house to visit while my pastor's daughter took Gracie and her daughter out trick-or-treating. I knew I wouldn't be able to walk that much and Gracie had a lot of fun with her friend. I had surgery to replace the bile duct stent, from a temporary plastic one to a longer-lasting metal one.</p><p>November 2021</p><p>I had Round 3 of chemotherapy: Gemzar and Xeloda. I also had my last appointment with my oncologist whom I've known for 12 years. She retired and has given me to one of her colleagues. I really hated to lose her for a doctor. Our homeschool co-op made a phenomenal gingerbread house that will be on display at the Pink Palace during the holiday season. We are taking a field trip there in December. Our family went to Florida for Thanksgiving and enjoyed that very much.</p><p>December 2021</p><p>The 1st is mine and my husband's 14th anniversary! I will have my Round 4 chemotherapy and will meet my new oncologist on Thursday, the 2nd. The middle week of December will be busy with our Christmas play and various church Christmas parties. We will enjoy Christmas at home and will get to see my in-laws for Kinsey Christmas the following week.</p><p>So, there you have it. I've been blessed to have had my brother and his wife stay in Memphis to help me out with appointments and with homeschooling Gracie. My other brother and his wife have also come to help. My church family has been amazing in showing their love and support. My husband has been a rock keeping things going in areas I can no longer take care of. I am truly blessed. Gracie has been a trooper through it all. She's growing up fast -- eleven going on twenty-one -- and keeps me laughing and pulling out my hair. But mostly laughing.</p><p>I have continued to read, but I decided to push pause on book reviews as I didn't want to potentially fail to take care of reviews that I promised to give. Homeschooling has been slow, but progress continues. This is just the season of life that our family is in.</p><p>2022</p><p>Many ups and downs with increasing side effects.</p><p>2023</p><p>Barring a Miracle from God, I am terminal. Please pray for much physical comfort, because I am in in pain constantly.</p><p>This will likely be my last post, barring the miracle.</p><p>Thank you for reading.</p>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-50877163228750262352021-04-23T06:00:00.049-05:002021-04-24T19:52:35.761-05:00Book Review and Giveaway: The Secret of the 14th Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIPXKGltQo69Pxs1k3gNU3bkJjFuhxPJODddhyyc-Dv-AhVXR4rpjXTs1eVkuCBwhGorLmmNw3QXFlF-M0HmkTtNWT8PTH27BcODZT_Tvyr_QdYFRIAqLHapqdYhcJVdx88v9lXNjjNOV/s851/14th-Room1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIPXKGltQo69Pxs1k3gNU3bkJjFuhxPJODddhyyc-Dv-AhVXR4rpjXTs1eVkuCBwhGorLmmNw3QXFlF-M0HmkTtNWT8PTH27BcODZT_Tvyr_QdYFRIAqLHapqdYhcJVdx88v9lXNjjNOV/w640-h236/14th-Room1.png" width="640"></a></div><br><p center="">I'm pretty sure that the first mystery I ever read was a book called <i>The Key to the Treasure</i> by Peggy Parrish. In it, three siblings who are spending the summer with their grandparents endeavor to find the solutions to several mysteries hidden in artifacts that their uncle hid when he was a little boy. I haven't read it in quite some time, but I remember how much I enjoyed the fun of solving the puzzles that the uncle hid. And so began a lifelong interest in mystery novels.</p><p center=""><i>The Secret of the 14th Room</i> has a little bit of everything: <span></span></p><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2021/04/book-review-and-giveaway-secret-of-14th.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-63765889124335972962021-04-18T06:00:00.073-05:002021-04-24T19:52:55.349-05:00Book Review and Giveaway: Matchmaker's Best Friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4n8YMSOwhIpPVV2nWAbRrGidwKukGZmguXLFozsKIRChWV8kcZQyKqL1nYRJptOJW8Df6oDeR0h2jul7IIUCvMsUQIeG0BqnrWDhvkP7P3Jcz4B0DepKorOWIFs_YOpnbvanHxwBx_yvo/s851/Matchmakers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4n8YMSOwhIpPVV2nWAbRrGidwKukGZmguXLFozsKIRChWV8kcZQyKqL1nYRJptOJW8Df6oDeR0h2jul7IIUCvMsUQIeG0BqnrWDhvkP7P3Jcz4B0DepKorOWIFs_YOpnbvanHxwBx_yvo/w640-h236/Matchmakers.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p center="">One of my happy places (besides between the covers of a good book!) is the beach. I spent part of my childhood in Southern California and would go to the beach about once a week with the summer day camp that my parents sent me to while they worked. Although the water was colder than the Gulf of Mexico of my younger childhood, I loved to get in the water and ride the waves, get in the sand and make sandcastles. At night I would go to bed with the sensation of the waves lulling me to sleep. Living in landlocked Memphis, we rarely get the opportunity to go to the beach now. I was able to take Gracie to Malibu when she was six (OK, my brother took us - I don't drive much in California) and had a wonderful time. The same brother retired to Florida and our little family was able to go to Port-a-Passe (something like that) last November. We had a marvelous time playing in the water and collecting seashells. One thing I enjoy about the Independence Islands series is that I get to "visit" the beaches of the fictitious islands located off the coast of Georgia.</p><p center=""><i>Matchmaker's Best Friend </i>is <span></span></p><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2021/04/book-review-and-giveaway-matchmakers.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-38145298402274497822021-04-13T06:00:00.187-05:002021-04-13T09:14:31.911-05:00Book Review and Giveaway: Deepest Roots of the Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6F98IAiowzaaC3dwhgxpchuxf3pDGUpiUjOTIrx23wHkDXfzF-Y8soO5m9r0jbyLP_p_Nws_4mxYZGFjGlmNKgjaIfz_GHUF2UXBBURXncFo4FNV1PRYXyMaEDsPW-qEdjO07bLEM9EPf/s851/Deepest-Roots-of-the-Heart2+banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6F98IAiowzaaC3dwhgxpchuxf3pDGUpiUjOTIrx23wHkDXfzF-Y8soO5m9r0jbyLP_p_Nws_4mxYZGFjGlmNKgjaIfz_GHUF2UXBBURXncFo4FNV1PRYXyMaEDsPW-qEdjO07bLEM9EPf/w640-h236/Deepest-Roots-of-the-Heart2+banner.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p center="">On a warm summer day a few years ago, my brother, a friend of his family, my little 6-year-old daughter, and I all popped out of his truck and scurried across a dusty parking lot, cutting through a group of low, long buildings to go find a small clearing surrounded by giant oaks where my niece was to be married the next day (with my daughter as her flower girl). We had to make a stop to find "<i>el bano</i>" for tissue because my daughter had just had an hour-long nosebleed in the truck and used up all of my brother's supply of kleenex and tissue and whatever else we could find. (That California dry air is no joke!). <span></span></p><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2021/04/book-review-and-giveaway-deepest-roots.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-92000192995453105512021-04-10T06:00:00.042-05:002021-04-13T09:14:59.147-05:00Book Review and Giveaway: A Heart's Forgiveness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lPF6YcKSSQmvopEa0ZyEPpuE-W4-FAh3rSpu8aMlmLgdwg9eLOQisTxtJyjgnFPwhYnlxipfwcec7S488CqaBgmXP0dlg-s8TwinQ8ToJmdEj-yvgQyauUU34ejv7qunCvvMnz_v4Vq2/s851/A-Hearts-Forgiveness.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lPF6YcKSSQmvopEa0ZyEPpuE-W4-FAh3rSpu8aMlmLgdwg9eLOQisTxtJyjgnFPwhYnlxipfwcec7S488CqaBgmXP0dlg-s8TwinQ8ToJmdEj-yvgQyauUU34ejv7qunCvvMnz_v4Vq2/w640-h236/A-Hearts-Forgiveness.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p center="">There's nothing worse than a conniving snake who seeks to steal what is rightfully yours. Madeleine is put into dire straits when she is led to believe that she is near penniless. With an infant left to her care and two servants who are more like family, she escapes what could be a disastrous future to go cross-country to New Mexico. There, she finds friendship and safety . . . for a short time. A Heart's Forgiveness was a really good book. I liked the characters and I liked seeing how Jeremiah changes in the story (can't say much - a little bit of a spoiler). I loved seeing the love between baby Pearl and Madeleine's intended Philip. The theme of forgiveness is shown several times in this book - in a very real way.</p><p center=""><span></span></p><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2021/04/book-review-and-giveaway-hearts.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-47894946724215949172021-04-06T06:00:00.045-05:002021-04-06T06:00:05.887-05:00Book Review and Giveaway: Love at First Flight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrgZu67rnjHh-jj78lspXXOUpR6pfAWw936ajjL8Yk1WCai8oUcCHOrvdBgpVmdVUfMnjQxGkuzh16A0n3wGH6NGF3ngNqMGfiRv0wF1rgT0zwk-x6TnCUeuQaka6XBI3QPVfEmqjWYtW/s851/Love-at-First-Flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrgZu67rnjHh-jj78lspXXOUpR6pfAWw936ajjL8Yk1WCai8oUcCHOrvdBgpVmdVUfMnjQxGkuzh16A0n3wGH6NGF3ngNqMGfiRv0wF1rgT0zwk-x6TnCUeuQaka6XBI3QPVfEmqjWYtW/w640-h236/Love-at-First-Flight.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p center="">One of my top genres of books to read is historical fiction. I love learning about the life and times of people of places and events that I would not otherwise experience. Love at First Flight takes place during WWII. It is a very quick and easy read. I think it only took me one night, or maybe two, to read it. Even though it was shorter than I expected, it wasn't too short.</p><span></span><p center=""><span></span></p><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2021/04/book-review-and-giveaway-love-at-first.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-82951442332143234592021-03-20T06:00:00.037-05:002021-03-20T06:00:02.693-05:00Book Review and Giveaway: Heart Pressed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIUQ5m4VHIG1yV2keunRgc_NaSErAPzvCG2WJMpaADUPvxhzP7RP53QxWnD1WhcmivABJIv-5ig87mblU2S1dVL0-yW00ePHUakCAqbcDqYljd7HftVw0sZ9AnHWr4dVT3RQs-4KGrhPz/s851/Heart-Pressed+Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIUQ5m4VHIG1yV2keunRgc_NaSErAPzvCG2WJMpaADUPvxhzP7RP53QxWnD1WhcmivABJIv-5ig87mblU2S1dVL0-yW00ePHUakCAqbcDqYljd7HftVw0sZ9AnHWr4dVT3RQs-4KGrhPz/w640-h236/Heart-Pressed+Banner.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p center="">Two families divided by an old conflict dating back decades result in Dante and Amara never knowing each other or even knowing about each other. I enjoyed reading the backstory and how Dante's Nonno and Nonna found love after heartbreak. I also enjoyed seeing Dante's and Amara's love for one another unfold. <span></span></p><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2021/03/book-review-and-giveaway-heart-pressed.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-76452213448987294302021-03-05T06:00:00.087-06:002021-03-05T09:52:16.917-06:00Book Review and Giveaway: Sing in the Sunlight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNH6VH5hU2ikVfOtvCeF9qHzkuVzq-wZKtPUpF6kY03pEnxUGhQJ0oqlvOzt3urVMIIsQJToUiNfstSeHLqr0a5LoJP081KC7Zm4uMByRdYvd1wx0j1aMyV9K27avHidPYl4CWxwfmwJLZ/s851/Sing-in-the-Sunlight+banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNH6VH5hU2ikVfOtvCeF9qHzkuVzq-wZKtPUpF6kY03pEnxUGhQJ0oqlvOzt3urVMIIsQJToUiNfstSeHLqr0a5LoJP081KC7Zm4uMByRdYvd1wx0j1aMyV9K27avHidPYl4CWxwfmwJLZ/w640-h236/Sing-in-the-Sunlight+banner.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p center="">I spent part of my childhood in Southern California which was a huge culture shock for this little girl who had only known of life in the piney woods of rural South Mississippi among kith and kin. Not only were the people different (colder), but everything was different: the schools were different, living in surburbia that was not quite ghetto was different, the stores were different, and even the landscape of the California wilderness was different. I honestly didn't know that the biome of California had a name until I exchanged some emails with the author Kathleen Denly after I read the first book of this series. The name is Chaparral (which is a rather neat name) and although I never knew what that was, when I viewed photos on the website link she sent me, I instantly knew what it was. "Oh, yeah, that's California." While reading <i>Sing in the Sunlight</i>, I was able to get a pretty good mental image of the setting because I knew what it looked like; after all, I had lived there, too.</p><p center=""><i>Sing in the Sunlight</i> comes after <i>Waltz in the Wilderness</i> which I read and enjoyed some months back. Even though they are part of a series, each can be read in any order without any spoilers or missing backstory.<span></span></p><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2021/03/book-review-and-giveaway-sing-in.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-225951805678922702021-02-26T21:13:00.002-06:002021-03-05T09:52:33.829-06:00Girl Drama!<h2 style="text-align: center;">Girl Drama! </h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhF0QuLWPvPGDgTFiR2pk8kmnFzGiEX0_sNmrAfcYXOZKMdCc9Amgphy5Ti3ugCbXNXDfjAIC2ygRl7ToKFnFsPwi6tYW3IHHTDJ_q13Bz3MZll0VXNYQXnHGbokz6lSyuxmL_Me4Gm91h/s900/4th-grade-girl-drama.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhF0QuLWPvPGDgTFiR2pk8kmnFzGiEX0_sNmrAfcYXOZKMdCc9Amgphy5Ti3ugCbXNXDfjAIC2ygRl7ToKFnFsPwi6tYW3IHHTDJ_q13Bz3MZll0VXNYQXnHGbokz6lSyuxmL_Me4Gm91h/s320/4th-grade-girl-drama.jpg" width="320"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"<i>Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell</i>." (James 3:5-6)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One morning in 1984 or so, I walked into my Christian school building, ready to see my friends and begin another day in 6th grade. Suddenly, I saw a group of girls rush towards me with indignant, almost hostile, looks on their faces. I had my saxophone with me for my weekly lesson, and I remember swinging it in front of me as if to prevent them from getting too close. My crime? Daring to be friends with another girl in the class. My "best friend" that year had gotten jealous and apparently pulled some other girls into thinking I had done her wrong. I learned from another girl in our class that Margie had pulled the same kind of thing the previous year when she had been best friends with the girl who told me. Such began my intense dislike of girl drama. Because girl drama = nonsense.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span></span></div><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2021/02/girl-drama.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-5270210804869848002021-02-22T23:30:00.001-06:002021-03-05T09:52:50.725-06:00My Health (2/22/2021)<p> As I write this, I have been dealing with unusual health issues for the past 5 weeks. It began when I woke up on a Monday morning, January 18, with pain in my hands and wrists and my feet and ankles. It hurt to move and the bottoms of my feet felt like I was walking on rocks. I took some Tylenol thinking that I must have overdone myself over the weekend or unknowingly harmed myself in some way. I also bought some Advil later that day thinking if I had inflammation, ibuprofen would help that. After two or three days of the same scenario and only being able to function normally (i.e. walk) with painkillers, I could tell it was not easing up.</p><p><span></span></p><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2021/02/my-health-2222021.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-77324754839171281072021-02-18T18:04:00.002-06:002021-03-05T09:53:42.998-06:00Read Alouds for American History<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDCSTAIRxoGhQQPyh1sSZfxBFFXN2Ohi7k-39BAJDvtTsN8-7WPmOtqU1pPDpzSjWkdr3EJ1oUDOnKCccpwvcLc5yAwVzgQqUZJVK-uCAMo4MO9PcR2Pky1PeE1Pu-wEbFZrTD9rKgnk/s1100/Read+Alouds+for+American+History.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1100" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDCSTAIRxoGhQQPyh1sSZfxBFFXN2Ohi7k-39BAJDvtTsN8-7WPmOtqU1pPDpzSjWkdr3EJ1oUDOnKCccpwvcLc5yAwVzgQqUZJVK-uCAMo4MO9PcR2Pky1PeE1Pu-wEbFZrTD9rKgnk/w400-h225/Read+Alouds+for+American+History.jpg" width="400"></a></div><font face="arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="arial">This post was originally published on my previous blog; because we are still reading the books listed, I am continuing it here and will update as we finish the books listed below.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="arial">Last year, <a href="http://www.notgrass.com" target="_blank">Notgrass History</a> came out with a brand-new American History program called <i>Our Star-Spangled Story</i>. It is intended to use for grades 1-4. I quickly ordered it, began it, and then it sat until the Coronavirus hit when I suddenly had more time. I did continue with some of the recommended read-aloud books even when we were not doing the history lessons. I really love this program! Each lesson is beautifully written and has numerous photos of people, places, and things mentioned in each lesson. It is well worth getting!</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Our Star-Spangled Story Curriculum Package" height="164" src="https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-q8kggujz1m/content/standard_our_star-spangled_story.jpg" width="171"></div><div><font face="arial"><br></font></div><div><font face="arial"><span></span></font></div><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2021/02/read-alouds-for-american-history.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-46193115623229182982021-01-31T07:00:00.001-06:002021-03-05T09:53:56.572-06:00Book Review and Giveaway: The Dressmaker's Secret<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakgdnoIRzb_5mzdgMvMKLMkOe9LZuLjJ7SpxjLyIVeSwUhTyB4IT02UOeXHjhlcBWzQNNLfvfR7nYjXx45dGcWlMFUkeUm0_fAjLWfgNoJ50DrikxoVaVRuLYt1mToBuSPI0Hz2YPa_36/s851/The-Dressmakers-Secret-banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakgdnoIRzb_5mzdgMvMKLMkOe9LZuLjJ7SpxjLyIVeSwUhTyB4IT02UOeXHjhlcBWzQNNLfvfR7nYjXx45dGcWlMFUkeUm0_fAjLWfgNoJ50DrikxoVaVRuLYt1mToBuSPI0Hz2YPa_36/w640-h236/The-Dressmakers-Secret-banner.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p center=""><i>The Dressmaker's Secret</i> was quite a unique book in that the multiple points of view included that of one of the little girls in the story. Alice, her twin sister Ivy, their single mother Claire all live together in secret in hopes of no one from their past lives discovering them and destroying their lives and livelihood. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. There were some surprises in the middle and the end. The ending surprised me so much I re-read much of the first chapter right away to see if there was a hint of it. Someday, I would love to re-read the book to catch all of the hints. I knew that some details seemed odd, but I couldn't figure out why. I enjoyed the story and I enjoyed the characters. This is a story worth reading!</p><p center=""><span></span></p><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2021/01/book-review-and-giveaway-dressmakers.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-80086176456976050482021-01-31T06:00:00.144-06:002021-03-05T09:54:31.195-06:00Book Review and Giveaway: The Moonlight School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzrEo69dO8duM7BwFAWXxhlGZlL42eWTZv87foIY05Cr6lpUskSpWNMl3QJoot73KqiWdcygjcivQbEA1Mt_oqKjkkUBMCQ-lXpaKoJCUN8l_MT1cf6woXoS3D5Wx2mCzhUWsheaA4YF8/s851/The-Moonlight-School-banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzrEo69dO8duM7BwFAWXxhlGZlL42eWTZv87foIY05Cr6lpUskSpWNMl3QJoot73KqiWdcygjcivQbEA1Mt_oqKjkkUBMCQ-lXpaKoJCUN8l_MT1cf6woXoS3D5Wx2mCzhUWsheaA4YF8/w640-h236/The-Moonlight-School-banner.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p center="">When I was a teenager, I attended a couple of singing schools in some area churches taught by my uncle who often did this as part of his ministry. Singing Schools are a holdover from the 19th century and continued at least through the 1980s. I'm not sure if my mother ever attended, but her younger brothers often attended a specific Singing School that I believe was sponsored by Stamps-Baxter, a company that produces gospel music.<span></span></p><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2021/01/book-review-and-giveaway-moonlight.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-6014104353273205622021-01-23T06:00:00.033-06:002021-03-05T09:55:03.354-06:00Book Review and Giveaway: Lightning on a Quiet Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYtxJw8nfZgUBxI_-fSsDsYGIG3J4obdj7oLJZdrosCsiQGMrwmtBKmun6Rrb2A7hNuD02jzVLhibCPW9sDqD5E2iubSRkDZvUbUPNaycky_314y1VFLvsbVvOIunHiDjrc85yDqcoxT_/s851/Lightning-on-a-Quiet+Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYtxJw8nfZgUBxI_-fSsDsYGIG3J4obdj7oLJZdrosCsiQGMrwmtBKmun6Rrb2A7hNuD02jzVLhibCPW9sDqD5E2iubSRkDZvUbUPNaycky_314y1VFLvsbVvOIunHiDjrc85yDqcoxT_/w640-h236/Lightning-on-a-Quiet+Banner.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p center="">Being from Mississippi, I was immediately attracted to this book. The writing is very descriptive and almost poetical, and I felt drawn into the setting quickly. I also appreciated that the vernacular of the characters was straight-up Mississippi. Nowhere else have I heard people use what would normally be a question as an emphatic statement. Ex: "Hasn't nobody said....." There's a lot of bad grammar, but that's pretty typical of Southern folk, both educated and non-educated. I also like how the author showed a variety of people typical of Mississippi. I'm always glad to recommend something that shows Mississippi in a favorable light.</p><p center=""><span></span></p><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2021/01/book-review-and-giveaway-lightning-on.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-74000482857808273642021-01-22T06:00:00.030-06:002021-01-22T09:39:43.005-06:00Book Review and Giveaway: Lethal Intent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyT6XCuSeL0zECLMa9n9Sp-fX0bLCDwwhbdmy0YHhb6GDWioKLM_wZCy7DPuOYwwgdyUxdChIN6XvgtO7_4UOBotRByUxJgN1pTPD-yYriAb68A9w40Y-MLQWsHqYyOy6SWPJNZON8L0_J/s851/Lethal-Intent+banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyT6XCuSeL0zECLMa9n9Sp-fX0bLCDwwhbdmy0YHhb6GDWioKLM_wZCy7DPuOYwwgdyUxdChIN6XvgtO7_4UOBotRByUxJgN1pTPD-yYriAb68A9w40Y-MLQWsHqYyOy6SWPJNZON8L0_J/w640-h236/Lethal-Intent+banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p center="">This is a great book, full of suspense, easy to read even with the medical jargon. Learning about CAR T cell therapy was interesting. Caroline is in a quandary -- she was just hired as the lawyer for a relatively new medical business that is researching using CAR T cell therapy to treat children with cancer. Just after she was hired, she discovers that her boyfriend, a former football star, is a heavy investor in the company which puts both her job and her relationship at risk. I kinda guessed who was behind all the murders, but wasn't sure until the end. Five stars all the way around.</p><p center="">I received this book at my request from Celebrate Lit for the opportunity to read and review it.</p><h1><span underline="">About the Book</span></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsXbJ-noFRcDFlxgUE4qO6ApcINmfIgreODmaloitM8NcQvhl4GfeUi6DxhbxsNn_F9Mjl7cQyVOTHuftRAegPoOgXBGxERmBhTNosAU0E479FF18iAfNJOz1_EhchVuqyRJ-w8k6mn2O/s640/LethalIntent_R4+cover.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="422" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsXbJ-noFRcDFlxgUE4qO6ApcINmfIgreODmaloitM8NcQvhl4GfeUi6DxhbxsNn_F9Mjl7cQyVOTHuftRAegPoOgXBGxERmBhTNosAU0E479FF18iAfNJOz1_EhchVuqyRJ-w8k6mn2O/s320/LethalIntent_R4+cover.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><strong>Book: </strong>Lethal Intent</p><p><strong>Author: </strong>Cara Putman</p><p><b>Genre: </b>Romantic Suspense</p><p> </p><p><strong>If they expected silence, they hired the wrong woman.</strong></p><p><span helvetica="">Caroline Bragg’s life has never been better. She and Brandon Lancaster are taking their relationship to the next level, and she has a new dream job as legal counsel for Praecursoria—a research lab that is making waves with its cutting-edge genetic therapies. The company’s leukemia treatments even promise to save desperately sick kids—kids like eleven-year-old Bethany, a critically ill foster child at Brandon’s foster home. </span></p><p><span helvetica="">When Caroline’s enthusiastic boss wants to enroll Bethany in experimental trials prematurely, Caroline objects, putting her at odds with her colleagues. They claim the only goal at Praecursoria is to save lives. But does someone have another agenda? </span></p><p><span helvetica="">Brandon faces his own crisis. As laws governing foster homes shift, he’s on the brink of losing the group home he’s worked so hard to build. When Caroline learns he’s a Praecursoria investor, it becomes legally impossible to confide in him. Will the secrets she keeps become a wedge that separates them forever? And can she save Bethany from the very treatments designed to heal her? </span></p><p><span helvetica="">This latest romantic legal thriller by bestseller Cara Putman shines a light on the shadowy world of scientific secrets and corporate vendettas—and the ethical dilemmas that plague the place where science and commerce meet.</span></p><p> </p><pre>Click <a href="”https://amzn.to/37deapY”">here</a> to get your copy!</pre><p> </p><h1><span underline="">About the Author</span></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuij9zBAMCg8EST1PV2jWCX5J3U3eMtvA9rs2Ja5FsiUWatotuZhyphenhyphenmXIX27tUtNS-rHWbabgh_HMKXlvq_SbmmCSBR0EyQBZoDmN5zg3FAOvEoV24nvu7Fv6p0cVeHfvOYbQp7mSWNIMaN/s641/cara-putman-LR-4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="458" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuij9zBAMCg8EST1PV2jWCX5J3U3eMtvA9rs2Ja5FsiUWatotuZhyphenhyphenmXIX27tUtNS-rHWbabgh_HMKXlvq_SbmmCSBR0EyQBZoDmN5zg3FAOvEoV24nvu7Fv6p0cVeHfvOYbQp7mSWNIMaN/s320/cara-putman-LR-4.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span helvetica="">As a preteen Cara Putman watched lawyers change legislative opinions at an important legislative hearing in Nebraska. At that time, she wondered if she became an attorney if people would give her words the same weight. An honors graduate of the University of Nebraska Lincoln, George Mason University School of Law and Krannert School of Management at Purdue University, Cara has turned her passion for words into award-winning stories that capture readers. Her legal experience makes its way into her stories where strong women confront real challenges.</span></p><p><span helvetica="">An award-winning author of more than 30 books, Cara writes legal thrillers, WWII romances, and romantic suspense because she believes that no matter what happens hope is there, waiting for us to reach for it.</span></p><p><span helvetica="">When she’s not writing, Cara is an over-educated attorney who lectures in law and communications at the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University and homeschools her children. She and her family live in Indiana, the land of seasons. You can read chapters for most of her books and connect with Cara at her website: <a href="”http://caraputman.com/”">http://caraputman.com</a><wbr></wbr>.</span></p><p> </p><h1><span underline="">More from Cara</span></h1><p>Each novel has a unique genesis story. The spark that launches it into a journey of 90,000 words. For <em>Lethal Intent</em>, that journey began with a friend’s journey of childhood leukemia with her oldest. From watching their family wind through years of treatment including cutting edge therapy trials. Then it developed with <a href="”https://amzn.to/2GwhKm3″"><em>the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lack</em></a> and the thought what would someone be willing to do if they believed they’d found the next strain of immortal cells. The lead characters made appearances in other books, but now would have their opportunity to step to center stage. The story morphed and changed, dictated by the vagaries of the law and changes.</p><p> </p><p>Each story has a spark. For Caroline it was a brainstorming session with my writing buddies Rachel Hauck, Colleen Coble, and Denise Hunter. That was when her backstory developed, all the things that happened to her to form her into the adult she is on the pages. One who cares deeply about others but who is fundamentally scared, longing for a place she can relax and take a deep breath.</p><p> </p><p>Each story has a spark. For Brandon, it was brainstorming with another writing friend Tricia Goyer that lead to a creative job for a hero that wasn’t the typical law enforcement. His role with the group foster home was set and the backstory filled in quickly. What would it be like to be separated from and lose a brother in the foster care system? Would that generate this need to keep sibling groups together? And then the law changes and the fabric of your professional identity and something so much deeper is threatened.</p><p> </p><p>Each story has a spark. The pharmaceutical start-up where ethics collides with the desire to save children. The push to do whatever it takes overshadowing the guardrails of the law. If they expected silence, they hired the wrong woman. But does Caroline really have the strength to battle and does she need to?</p><p> <br /><br />Lethal Intent grew from each of these sparks and many more to develop into a story I can’t wait for you to read. In the process I learned immense amounts about CAR-T cell therapies and foster care law. Most of all, I hope you’ll fall into the pages and be engrossed in a story you can’t bring yourself to put down until the final page.</p><h1 center=""><span underline="">Blog Stops</span></h1><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/8ghqhohg02wz45uk/aHR0cDovL2Jvb2t3b21hbmpvYW4uYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tLw==" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535342">Book Reviews From an Avid Reader</a>, January 21</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://lakesidelivingsite.wordpress.com/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/7qh7h8h0k6dqg3hz/aHR0cHM6Ly9sYWtlc2lkZWxpdmluZ3NpdGUud29yZHByZXNzLmNvbS8=" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535348">lakesidelivingsite</a>, January 21</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://deana0326.blogspot.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/6qheh8hpk5xzqgbo/aHR0cDovL2RlYW5hMDMyNi5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20v" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535353">Texas Book-aholic</a>, January 21</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://tabithabouldinauthorhome.wordpress.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/25h2hoh7v8l65mf3/aHR0cHM6Ly90YWJpdGhhYm91bGRpbmF1dGhvcmhvbWUud29yZHByZXNzLmNvbS8=" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535356">Through the Fire Blogs</a>, January 22</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://sarajanejacobs.com/blog" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/g3hnh5hedlgrv2ir/aHR0cDovL3NhcmFqYW5lamFjb2JzLmNvbS9ibG9n" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535358">Sara Jane Jacobs</a>, January 22</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/48hvheh05pwlzpbx/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbm92ZWxwdXJzdWl0YmxvZy5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20v" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535362">A Novel Pursuit</a>, January 22</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://www.carpediem.fyi" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/8ghqhohg02wde5ak/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2FycGVkaWVtLmZ5aS8=" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535366">CarpeDiem</a>, January 23</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://www.instagram.com/bettimace/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/x0hph6hnrpk280f5/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9iZXR0aW1hY2Uv" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535376">Betti Mace</a>, January 23</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://storiesbygina.wordpress.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/z2hghnho4k569mhp/aHR0cDovL3N0b3JpZXNieWdpbmEud29yZHByZXNzLmNvbS8=" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535381">Gina Holder, Author and Blogger</a>, January 23</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://bookkisses.blogspot.com/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/6qheh8hpk5xrkvfo/aHR0cHM6Ly9ib29ra2lzc2VzLmJsb2dzcG90LmNvbS8=" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535384">Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses</a>, January 24</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/25h2hoh7v8l9vgf3/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jYXJvbGtlZW4uYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tLw==" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535387">Blogging With Carol</a>, January 24</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://hookmeinabook.home.blog/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/3ohphkhqo2xmoqir/aHR0cDovL2hvb2ttZWluYWJvb2suaG9tZS5ibG9nLw==" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535391">HookMeInABook</a>, January 24</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://litteraegaudium.wordpress.com/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/08hwh9hmo9neoqal/aHR0cHM6Ly9saXR0ZXJhZWdhdWRpdW0ud29yZHByZXNzLmNvbS8=" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535396">For the Love of Literature</a>, January 25</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/z2hghnho4k564mhp/aHR0cHM6Ly9kZWJiaWVsb3NlYW55dGhpbmcuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tLw==" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535405">Debbie's Dusty Deliberations</a>, January 25</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://fictionbooklover.wordpress.com/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/58hvh7h5vn3xnnu6/aHR0cHM6Ly9maWN0aW9uYm9va2xvdmVyLndvcmRwcmVzcy5jb20v" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535410">Fiction Book Lover</a>, January 25 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.forhimandmyfamily.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/8ghqhohg02wd2wuk/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5mb3JoaW1hbmRteWZhbWlseS5jb20v" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535421">For Him and My Family</a>, January 26</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.empowermoms.net" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/dpheh0hq4od6ogum/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5lbXBvd2VybW9tcy5uZXQv" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535425">EmpowerMoms</a>, January 26</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://www.amoderndayfairytale.net/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/p8heh9h932r62euq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1vZGVybmRheWZhaXJ5dGFsZS5uZXQv" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535430">A Modern Day Fairy Tale</a>, January 26</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/6qheh8hpk5xrwvso/aHR0cHM6Ly9hcnRpc3R3cml0ZXJhbmRzdHVkZW50b2hteS5jb20v" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535432">Artistic Nobody</a>, January 27 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://mypreciousbitsandmusings.wordpress.com/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/kkhmh6h8d5zwedhl/aHR0cHM6Ly9teXByZWNpb3VzYml0c2FuZG11c2luZ3Mud29yZHByZXNzLmNvbS8=" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535433">Mypreciousbitsandmusings</a>, January 27</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://kellybridgewater.blogspot.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/58hvh7h5vn3x0na6/aHR0cHM6Ly9rZWxseWJyaWRnZXdhdGVyLmJsb2dzcG90LmNvbS8=" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535434">Where Faith and Books Meet</a>, January 27</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://rbclibrary.wordpress.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/25h2hoh7v8l9ggi3/aHR0cHM6Ly9yYmNsaWJyYXJ5LndvcmRwcmVzcy5jb20v" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535435">By The Book</a>, January 28</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://connie-oldersmarter.blogspot.com/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/9qhzhnhgq64wx2h9/aHR0cHM6Ly9jb25uaWUtb2xkZXJzbWFydGVyLmJsb2dzcG90LmNvbS8=" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535438">Older & Smarter?</a>, January 28</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://becauseisaidsomyadventuresinparenting.blogspot.com/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/n2hohvhn8x2qg3t6/aHR0cDovL2JlY2F1c2Vpc2FpZHNvbXlhZHZlbnR1cmVzaW5wYXJlbnRpbmcuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tLw==" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535440">Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting</a>, January 28</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://amandanicolle.blogspot.com/?m=1" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/reh8hohq23kd7xu2/aHR0cDovL2FtYW5kYW5pY29sbGUuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tLz9tPTE=" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535443">Inklings and notions</a>, January 29</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.simpleharvestreads.com/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/8ghqhohg02wd3wak/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5zaW1wbGVoYXJ2ZXN0cmVhZHMuY29tLw==" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535445">Simple Harvest Reads</a>, January 29</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://blossomsandblessings.blogspot.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/l2hehmho0nq242s6/aHR0cDovL2Jsb3Nzb21zYW5kYmxlc3NpbmdzLmJsb2dzcG90LmNvbS8=" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535447">Blossoms and Blessings</a>, January 29</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://truthandgracehomeschoolacademy.wordpress.com/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/m2h7h5hogq259zam/aHR0cHM6Ly90cnV0aGFuZGdyYWNlaG9tZXNjaG9vbGFjYWRlbXkud29yZHByZXNzLmNvbS8=" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535448">Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy</a>, January 30</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.splashesofjoy.wordpress.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/dpheh0hq4od6kgam/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5zcGxhc2hlc29mam95LndvcmRwcmVzcy5jb20v" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535449">Splashes of Joy</a>, January 30</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://pausefortales.blogspot.com/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/58hvh7h5vn3xoni6/aHR0cHM6Ly9wYXVzZWZvcnRhbGVzLmJsb2dzcG90LmNvbS8=" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535458">Pause for Tales</a>, January 30</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.cheriswalwell.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/25h2hoh7v8l90gb3/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jaGVyaXN3YWx3ZWxsLmNvbS8=" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535459">Spoken from the Heart</a>, January 31</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://justyouraveragereviews.blogspot.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/9qhzhnhgq64w32s9/aHR0cHM6Ly9qdXN0eW91cmF2ZXJhZ2VyZXZpZXdzLmJsb2dzcG90LmNvbS8=" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535462">Just Your Average reviews</a>, January 31</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://debs-bookreview.blogspot.com/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/48hvheh05pwlqmhx/aHR0cHM6Ly9kZWJzLWJvb2tyZXZpZXcuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tLw==" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535465">deb's Book Review</a>, January 31</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://pagebypagebookbybook.blogspot.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/8ghqhohg02wdpwtk/aHR0cHM6Ly9wYWdlYnlwYWdlYm9va2J5Ym9vay5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20v" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535469">Hallie Reads</a>, February 1</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://travelingwife4life.wordpress.com/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/m2h7h5hogq250ztm/aHR0cHM6Ly90cmF2ZWxpbmd3aWZlNGxpZmUud29yZHByZXNzLmNvbS8=" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535472">Adventures of a Travelers Wife</a>, February 1</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.5020genesis.wordpress.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/dpheh0hq4od6wgtm/aHR0cDovL3d3dy41MDIwZ2VuZXNpcy53b3JkcHJlc3MuY29tLw==" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535473">Genesis 5020</a>, February 1</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.ihopeyoudanceinlife.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/z2hghnho4k56rmhp/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5paG9wZXlvdWRhbmNlaW5saWZlLmNvbS8=" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535477">To Everything There Is A Season</a>, February 2</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://hebrews12endurance.com/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/e0hph7hkplmv2pb8/aHR0cHM6Ly9oZWJyZXdzMTJlbmR1cmFuY2UuY29tLw==" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535481">Hebrews 12 Endurance</a>, February 2</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://ashleyscleanbookreviews.blogspot.com/" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/z2hghnho4k568rap/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc2hsZXlzY2xlYW5ib29rcmV2aWV3cy5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20v" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535484">Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews</a>, February 2</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/kkhmh6h8d5zw3lcl/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbXlib29rc3kuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tLw==" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535488">Locks, Hooks and Books</a>, February 3</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://southerngallovestoread.blogspot.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/3ohphkhqo2xmn0ar/aHR0cDovL3NvdXRoZXJuZ2FsbG92ZXN0b3JlYWQuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tLw==" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535494">Southern Gal Loves to Read</a>, February 3</p><p center="">
</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="https://daysongreflections.com" href="https://click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmuk06zmv2fmhexv43i6/48hvheh05pwln8tx/aHR0cHM6Ly9kYXlzb25ncmVmbGVjdGlvbnMuY29tLw==" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; color: #007acc; text-decoration-line: none;" url-id="1346535496">Daysong Reflections</a>, February 3</p><p center=""><br /></p><h1 center=""><span underline="">Giveaway</span></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWt8VY8P6CeUZUVAZPEpXlRoORWbCOcAAqWQJ4T9p3F5tvo-QKjuD7a-uev-yjME5rnseceTtKi46fn5Z27NKWrJhNAqteQprmm6aMABImeLjcE-zUdc8NQ7Sq5Ywl_1Yz2aLkfyl2_Ss/s1920/Lethal+Intent+giveaway.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWt8VY8P6CeUZUVAZPEpXlRoORWbCOcAAqWQJ4T9p3F5tvo-QKjuD7a-uev-yjME5rnseceTtKi46fn5Z27NKWrJhNAqteQprmm6aMABImeLjcE-zUdc8NQ7Sq5Ywl_1Yz2aLkfyl2_Ss/s320/Lethal+Intent+giveaway.png" /></a></div><br /><p center=""><br /></p><p center="">To celebrate her tour, Cara is giving away the grand prize package of a “Just one more chapter” pillow cover, a copy of the book, an Erin Condren journal, and a hand-stamped bracelet!!</p><p center="">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</p><p center=""><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/10627/lethal-intent-celebration-tour-giveaway">https://promosimple.com/ps/10627/lethal-intent-celebration-tour-giveaway</a></p><p center=""><br /></p>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-74550518584192700272021-01-19T06:00:00.113-06:002021-03-05T09:55:17.216-06:00Book Review and Giveaway: Sprinkled with Sabotage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIleJu27ASospIqmbnbYQKqiKkQoLx38D6UtfFUdxUuh_aSXZxsCSv3V-_r7pN9Y8Jx9h3gouLI7ca68PdbKMDsSMCoQGYHkZk7eRPLGMUIfY-sQTiK84bPIWmAP3i2CLbunP4gFv_N4IW/s851/Sprinkled-with-Sabotage+Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIleJu27ASospIqmbnbYQKqiKkQoLx38D6UtfFUdxUuh_aSXZxsCSv3V-_r7pN9Y8Jx9h3gouLI7ca68PdbKMDsSMCoQGYHkZk7eRPLGMUIfY-sQTiK84bPIWmAP3i2CLbunP4gFv_N4IW/w640-h237/Sprinkled-with-Sabotage+Banner.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p center="">"Miss Peach in the Courtyard with a Rope!" I announced to Robert and Gracie when I tried to guess who-dun-it in our latest game of Clue Master Detective. I opened the envelope and was stunned to see Fountain written on the card instead of Courtyard. I looked at my notes and, chagrinned, admitted, "I forgot I had the Courtyard." My daughter had already guessed wrongly - because she didn't realize I had two cards when she guessed in one particular room - which meant my husband won yet again - but this time only because we messed up. Oh well, it goes like that sometimes.</p><p center="">I love a good mystery with some suspense thrown in and Sprinkled with Sabotage was a good story in that genre.<span></span></p><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2021/01/book-review-and-giveaway-sprinkled-with.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-47636332161350642342021-01-17T11:00:00.005-06:002021-03-05T09:55:28.850-06:00Book Review and Giveaway: Restoring Fairhaven<br><p center=""></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fVZZl_j9_XpjLw0Wl4NrnjIapOXulicSE7UabQUlr-aJteg53zOpOSeoKbjncEWxqrvIWP6BgJN43joDy_QaBQNzl81Z6tOD1Z5VFB8BGaJM3tJAIzcOCPt-XWn5smyJUc4221HUNTGJ/s851/Restoring-Fairhaven-banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fVZZl_j9_XpjLw0Wl4NrnjIapOXulicSE7UabQUlr-aJteg53zOpOSeoKbjncEWxqrvIWP6BgJN43joDy_QaBQNzl81Z6tOD1Z5VFB8BGaJM3tJAIzcOCPt-XWn5smyJUc4221HUNTGJ/w640-h236/Restoring-Fairhaven-banner.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p></p><p center=""><i>Restoring Fairhaven</i> is the latest book in the Independence Islands series. If you're not familiar with the series, the books are set on different fictitious islands that are located off the coast of Georgia. This is the last book in the series of books about Merriweather Island. If you want to read my reviews of the other books, go to my former blog (http://21stcenturykeeperathome.blogspot.com/p/p.html) and scroll down to the list of book reviews.</p><p center=""><span></span></p><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2021/01/book-review-and-giveaway-restoring.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-61252227953881348242021-01-17T06:00:00.058-06:002021-03-05T09:55:52.592-06:00Book Review and Giveaway: Justified Means<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoZ3QbuMd1qi2AVwENSS0tYsEAgH56sJh4686206iQKuH3po4AH_WewKhRco6y9s2YXu0CA_kcnCXPKsKdZsuUkNgsdinlAU0kpAZ-HhOp_EUts8OMsDbzPaHLot7UHeNGgMA6n3PjDud/s851/Justified-Means+Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoZ3QbuMd1qi2AVwENSS0tYsEAgH56sJh4686206iQKuH3po4AH_WewKhRco6y9s2YXu0CA_kcnCXPKsKdZsuUkNgsdinlAU0kpAZ-HhOp_EUts8OMsDbzPaHLot7UHeNGgMA6n3PjDud/w640-h237/Justified-Means+Banner.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p center="">This is probably the third, maybe the fourth time, I have read this book! It is That Good! I love the premise of a private organization rescuing those in danger, even against their will, in order to keep them safe. I love the characters. Keith is a truly humble kind of hero who kind of struggles with the part of his job but does his best to ensure safety and even comfort for his clients. Erika is a fiesty thing who doesn't just submit willingly to being kidnapped. One of the best things about all of Chautona's books is that she infuses real life with well-thought-out emotions and actions of her characters. Even though this is completely fictional, I felt like I was there witnessing the events that could very well be a thing in America and we don't even know it! The book is exciting but not over the top. I would give this book to anybody who enjoys suspense.</p><p center=""><span></span></p><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2021/01/book-review-and-giveaway-justified-means.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-4225948714040834162020-12-07T06:00:00.004-06:002021-03-05T09:56:14.961-06:00God's Smuggler: A Warning for Parents<p> </p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><font face="arial"><img alt="God's Smuggler" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunZElR7kUqEHkLNQbA93VDuEEZ7yKaFE8log8HYuZkiNitEL9bkDOulY1Vc01eYt_2TVcHAYOyncN2q887sugR84r0kBhUJ3jpCBsnLugW8WC7Jh9QOh5xMeKLRLP1Qp9iiSdgHaFSA0/w240-h320/Gods+Smuggler+Header.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="God's Smuggler: A Warning for Parents" width="240"></font></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><font face="arial">To skip my long story and read the warning, scroll down for the header.<br><br></font></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="arial"><br>Every year, one of my favorite things to do is to go to used book sales for homeschoolers. Unfortunately, because of Covid-19, the biggest one of the year, sponsored by our local homeschool association (<a href="http://www.mymhea.org/" target="_blank">MHEA</a>), had to be canceled. However, another favorite book sale which was begun by a mom five years ago was held earlier this year. This one is great because it is held at a local park, there is no entry fee, and I always see people I know!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="arial"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="arial"><span></span></font></div><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2020/12/gods-smuggler-warning-for-parents.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-28899911425674552522020-11-20T06:00:00.003-06:002021-03-05T09:56:36.172-06:0080+ Alternatives to the Traditional Book Report<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSOx9lVQ7k7Ze3uXTroiJ5GovYyUKDqFtcBUwfZ232mKC8MoWy9wa1If8aW1Ly5OwEVMIn6UI2Mucsb9l3gufa5jEzlsmD_JONOTkry8Vr6A_ZK9_lU-leFAn-ZIXOmMFGQhFq-AXo68/s1600/Alternative+Book+Reports.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSOx9lVQ7k7Ze3uXTroiJ5GovYyUKDqFtcBUwfZ232mKC8MoWy9wa1If8aW1Ly5OwEVMIn6UI2Mucsb9l3gufa5jEzlsmD_JONOTkry8Vr6A_ZK9_lU-leFAn-ZIXOmMFGQhFq-AXo68/s320/Alternative+Book+Reports.jpg" width="320"></a></p><br>Last fall, our Language Arts curriculum had an assignment for a traditional book report. Gracie hated it. If it were just for that reason, I probably would not have decided to forego traditional book reports, but, to be honest, I don't see a whole lot of value in them. We, as adults, do not write book reports. Even if we do book reviews for Amazon or GoodReads, it is best NOT to do them book report style (<a href="https://chautona.com/easy-book-reviews/" target="_blank">Here's a great article telling why and how.</a>).<br><br><span></span><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2020/11/80-alternatives-to-traditional-book.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-75404128311377031922020-11-12T19:42:00.005-06:002021-03-05T09:57:04.259-06:00When life cuts you down....<img alt="" id="id_cd44_f9f_e8c9_ee9d" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/NFlFqLIzew9u8qu4P9e32wla9ksQSiF-E6sLmq8kAmaFm1ffSabKvuiMsNJUuZk" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br> <div>For the past week or so, our nation has been in even more turmoil than it's already been in 2020 as a result of the US presidential election. Many conservatives (of which I am one) are very concerned about the direction that our country will be taken with the leadership of the so-called-but-NOT-official presidential-elect Joe Biden. I, however, am concerned, but I am not devastated nor am I overly anxious. As a Christian whose faith is in God, Jesus, and the Bible, I know that God is in control and whatever He allows will be for our good. ("<i>And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."</i> Romans 8:28)</div><div><br></div><div><span></span></div><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2020/11/when-life-cuts-you-down.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749294670291518522.post-6760206081999673202020-11-12T06:00:00.012-06:002021-03-05T09:57:16.105-06:00A Tribute to My Grandmother Wilna Lee Bounds<p style="text-align: left;">Today is my grandma's birthday. If she were living here on earth, she would be 99 years old! I originally posted this on my former blog.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo_IglhueeauCIgYPKR15aTj3gIurmV5N0d3hVayKIH7zHtGBqEO2egkTh_H3he3BXDjvYXsgIUUKhktSDYXMBZarukF9Tz4StEn2agFt9TuG_ql4TTy6_QqvuacFHhaNxmwDF5tYcTE/s1600/photo-783224.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702394506280034402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo_IglhueeauCIgYPKR15aTj3gIurmV5N0d3hVayKIH7zHtGBqEO2egkTh_H3he3BXDjvYXsgIUUKhktSDYXMBZarukF9Tz4StEn2agFt9TuG_ql4TTy6_QqvuacFHhaNxmwDF5tYcTE/s320/photo-783224.JPG"></a></p>My Grandma Wilna Pauline Lee Bounds went to Heaven on Wednesday night. She was 90 years old and had been married for 70 years. <div><br><span></span></div><a href="https://anovelpursuitblog.blogspot.com/2020/11/a-tribute-to-my-grandmother-wilna-lee.html#more">Read more »</a>~Ava Kinseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312282486816005135noreply@blogger.com0