2015 Books #7 - The INNOCENT MAN

I have not felt compelled to blog about a book in a long time, but I must do so about John Grisham's The Innocent Man - Murder and Injustice In A Small Town. 

If you desire truth and justice I highly recommend this book, published in 2006.

To quote from the book cover jacket - "If you believe that in America you are innocent until proven guilty, this book will shock you.  If you believe in the death penalty, this book will disturb you.  If you believe the criminal justice system is fair, this book will infuriate you."

I have to say I am shocked, disturbed and infuriated.

I am so thankful for my friend, Shirley Smith, loaning this book to me to read because I probably never would have done so otherwise. In fact when I first read the above words on the jacket I almost  didn't read it.  I'm so glad I did.

In light of all the current events and happenings being reported daily in news reports, I believe it is important for many of us to re-examine our mindset on many levels, topics and subjects.  The Courts and justice systems being only one of them. 

I am not going to make any further comments except to say again,  I highly recommend this book.  If you have read it, or you do read it, I would love to hear your views and comments.     

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A history of my book reading since tracking on my blog:  2010 - 15 Books ~~ 2011 - 16 Books ~~ 2012 - 13 Books ~~ 2014 - 3 Books ~~  so far in the first 4 months of 2015 - 8 Books.  I am an avid reader. 

WHAT IS LOVE?

Love is a heart and soul connection that only God can make that transcends our human understanding.

Such is a love is my connection with Kathy Wright and her wonderful family from Phoenix, Az.

It all began seven years ago, on April 24, 2007,  in the wonderful land of BLOGS.  I stumbled (no, in hindsight I know it was God's leading me) onto a blog called The Bumbling Genius by Kathy's husband, Danny.  I liked and approved of what I read and became a faithful follower of Danny's blog.

On April 2, 2008 Danny informed me his wife, Kathy, had started a blog called A Field Lilly and invited me to visit it and meet her.  I checked it out immediately and knew this was an instant connection.  

We followed each other faithfully and during the Cancer Battle of our daughter, Suzette, and her trip to Heaven on May 19, 2011 I found GREAT strength and comfort from both Kathy & Danny.

Our first MEETING, in real life, occurred on July 2, 2011 when we finally got to meet the Wrights - Danny, Kathy, Daughter Bethany, Son Daniel.  What a grand time we had celebrating July 4th together and their visit of 3 days, our friendship grew.  

Our second meeting occurred in September, 2012 when Mickey & I, along with help from Danny and their wonderful, dear friend Mary Lee worked hard on arrangement when Mickey & I decided to SURPRISE Kathy with an unannounced visit on September 29, 2012.  What a fabulous 3 days we got to spend with them and the friendship grew.

Fast forward to Sunday, April 12, 2005

Kathy & her lovely daughter Bethany came to Tulsa!!!

I planned a surprise Get-Together of the WOW Woman (Woman of the Word) Bible Study group, of which both Kathy and another DEAR Connection, Retha Naidoo, belong via the private fb group.

There were only 5 of us from the group who were able to make it Sunday afternoon after church for our Luncheon but we had a good time.

(Left to right, Jenny Oswald, Thelma Horton, Kathy, Bethany, Patty Ross, Susan Joyce, Kathy Robinson.)

  

Bethany celebrated her 15th Birthday on the 10th so I surprised her with a cake. 

Bethany blessed Mickey & I by playing a song for us on her violin.

It was beautiful and such a joy and blessing.

The bad part of this 3rd visit was that it lasted only about 5 hours.

Part of this visit was to encourage Mickey who has been fighting the Aorta Heart Valve replacement process for the past 8 month.

Mickey is giving Kathy driving instructions as they are leaving.

Kathy blessed me with this lovely bluebird picture with the verse 

His compassions fail not

They are new every morning

Lamentations 3:22-23

I had the perfect place to hang it, even with a nail already in place!, over the sliding glass doors in our living room.  Right where Mickey can see it as he watches his bluebirds building their nest, sitting on the eggs, and awaiting the new life of baby birds flying away.

Now - Mickey & I are waiting and looking forward to visit #4!!!

Don't know where -

 Don't know when - 

but are confident there will be a 4th. 

And we'll be seeing all 4 Wrights, including Danny & Daniel, next time, too.

How I thank my Father God for placing this wonderful family in our lives and the ability to stay connected, almost on a daily basis, via fb and still share our blogs.

BOOK & READING

I have always been a prolific reader from a very early age.  Being raised essential as an "only child" (I had one 1/2 sister who left home when I was 6) books became my friends.  In my childhood I devoured all the Nancy Drew mysteries.  Many times, in the middle of the night, my mother would be saying, "Turn off your light and get to sleep, Susan".

Right after I was saved, at age 18, a friend loaned me Hannah Whitall Smith's book, THE CHRISTIAN'S SECRET TO A HAPPY LIFE.  It laid such a foundation of beginning growth in my then new walk with Jesus that over these ensuring 58 years I have read mostly Christian authors and self-help books.  Devouring series, first LEFT BEHIND by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.  Then, all Joel Rosenberg books to date, along with 3 Frank Peretti novels. 

One of my main loves in spiritual books have been classic writings by the many Spiritual Giant of Authors who are now in Heaven. During these years my focus was for Spiritual growth and not for casual reading. 

Just recently, with my husband's long and difficult medical situation, I decided it would be a good idea to start reading aloud to my husband.  My dear friend, Judy, who's Bible Study I attend on Monday mornings reads a lot of lighter Christian authors, so I asked her to loan me a couple.  The following Sunday she and her husband dropped off 2 Christian mysteries by Terri Blackstock.  We devoured them in a week and the following Monday I returned those 2 and received 4 more.  Which again, in the first week we have finished 2 of them.

I have a feeling we are going to be reading a lot, especially the next 4+ weeks as we await my husband Aorta Valve replacement procedure.

I Praise God for many things, and books, and the ability of those Authors who write them, and the many hours of learning and pleasure they have given me over these many long years. 

A Very Special Gift From FAR-FAR AWAY from Very Special PEOPLE

On February 11th I received a phone call from The Green Parrot Cafe informing me that our wonderful friends, from South Africa had contacted them and purchased a gift certificate for Mickey, son Marc, grandson Aric and myself to enjoy a meal.  Talk about shocked and stunned.  I can only imagine the love, time and effort that went into their doing this!  First, locating a local cafe here in Coweta and then going through all the work, and back & forth they had to go through, to accomplish this surprise.

Due to Mickey's health and the hospitalizations, Dr. appointments, procedures, and just generally being basically home bound the majority of the time,  it took us 52 days to reap the joy and thrill of this unique and wonderful love.              

The four of us  awaiting our order.

The three generation of Joyce men as we enter 

The Green Parrot Cafe

This Cafe was established in 1942, 73 years ago and when I was a 4 years old child in Santa Fe, New Mexico and had never even heard of Coweta, Oklahoma!!!

It is on the main street, which is Broadway, and is known by everyone who lives in Coweta.

It is a landmark and a hangout for many of the locals.

The only female in this group getting a picture of the front window and sign (and myself!)

One of the nice things about The Green Parrot is they serve breakfast the entire 7 1/2 hours they are opened, in addition to a large selection of other items and a daily special.

Our choices ran the gambit - Aric had breakfas: waffle, egg, bacon - Mickey & Marc both had the Chicken fried steak special with 2 vegetables & bread - Susan had hamburger with fries.

EVERYTHING home-style and freshly prepared.

ALL was delicious and we were filled to the brim.

Another interesting thing, on this particular day, other than the owner and cook, I was the only female and all the other patrons were men.

The inside is all panelled with knotty pine and has the old time counter, stools and malt machine

Plus lots & lots of Parrot pictures, figurines and other Parrot items collected over the years.

Yes, quite a unique place and a very unique gift for us from so FAR away.

In a perfect world we would LOVE to have Jason, Retha & Ethan with us eating here at 

The Green Parrot in Coweta, Oklahoma.

Mickey & I all smiles and full of joy and gratitude for so blessing us with such a strong SPIRITUAL and LOVING connection with Jason, Rethan and their son Ethan.

It brings tears to my eyes on many occasions when I marvel at the great work GOD has done, and is doing, in our lives and friendship together.  ONLY GOD!!!! 

FEBRUARY 2015 - MILESTONE #2

                                    Milestone = a Significant Event

Our Granddaughter Oksana is no longer a teen-ager!!!

Oksana's 20th Birthday Dinner and Celebration February 20th

Her location choice for celebrating her birthday was BROOK SOUTH.

It was a packed Friday evening crowd but we got seated fairly quickly.

Aunt Jacque, Brother Aric, Grandma Susan & Grandpa Mickey

Dad Marc & his friend Gayle 

Birthday girl with her friend Derick 

Not a lot of pictures of gifts because Oksana had requested the family go together and replace the broken, back left window of her car and that is what we did.  There of course were cards but I failed to get pictures of those.


Since this was a "milestone" Birthday it was now my turn to give my granddaughter a special keepsake from her Grandmother Susan.  

This note accompanied this bracelet & earring set.

HAPPY-HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY

2-20-15

Your 20th Birthday is a milestone taking

you to another decade.

I wanted to give you something of mine that

has happy memories.

I was given this

MEXICAN SILVER & ONYX BRACELET

& EARRINGS

when I was 15.

That was 62 years ago.

I trust they will become a happy memory for you

of this occasion and of me your Grandmother.

I love you and am so proud

of the beautiful young woman

you are becoming.

Grandma

Friday, February 20, 2015 

FEBRUARY 2015 - MILESTONE #1

Milestone = a Significant Event

 February 3rd - 

Grandson Aric's 16th Birthday

Our youngest grandchild and our only grandson

 In our family the Birthday honoree gets to choose the restaurant.

Aric chose OSAKA Japanese Steakhouse

Grandpa Mickey, Honoree Aric, Dad Marc & Marc's friend Gayle

 Aunt Jacque & Sister Oksana

 A $30 money gift from Aunt Jacque

 A new computer item from Dad

 Another gift

 A $40 check from Grandma & Grandpa

Since this was a "milestone" Birthday we wanted to give Aric a special "keepsake" from his Grandpa Mickey.

HAPPY-HAPPY 16^TH BIRTHDAY

2-3-15

The 16^th Birthday is one of the milestones of life.

 I wanted to give you something of mine that

holds special significance and memories.

After looking through my few items

I have selected these two beaded necklaces

 I purchased in Hawaii in

 September, 1978.

I know you probably will never desire to wear them,

but  I trust they will become a treasure of things

you will remember about me and our sharing

your 16^th.

I love you and am so very proud

of the young, principled man

you are becoming.

Grandpa

                Wednesday, February 4, 2015   

The above note accompanied the two beaded necklaces and a small special metal box that held them.  The necklaces do not show up real well in the photo.

We are very, very proud of the fine young man our Grandson Aric has become.

HAPPY, HAPPY 16TH Aric 

AN ANGEL NAMED JOHN

And ~~~~ other items after Mickey's discharge from the hospital on Thursday, January 22nd.   

 Angels come in all different kinds and sizes - and our angel, who came to our aid upon Mickey's discharge after 14 days in the hospital, came in the form of this wonderful, fairly new church friend John.  The fact that John is an RN - well, you can see this was a God connection.  John came over every morning around 8:30 or 9 and changed Mickey's bandage where the drainage tube had been. On a couple of occasions, when the drainage was excessively heavy, he even came back a second time that evening.

I was so nervous about this situation and I literally do not know how Mickey or I could have handled those 6 days without his care, love, attention & help. We can NEVER thank John enough for truly being the hands, feet and heart of Jesus for us.

~~~~~~~

 John, his wife Heidi, and 11 year old daughter Addy-Johe visited Mickey in the hospital on Sunday, the 18th, and brought these adorable little plastic pipes for Mickey to practice and strengthen his lungs and breathing.  Marc & Aric joined us for dinner on Sunday, the 25th, and after dinner we ALL joined Mickey and competed in blowing the pipes and sustaining the little balls in the air.  I did the worst!!!!

On Monday, the 26th, Mickey dressed in REAL clothing like he wears, for the first time, and we ventured out to begin our daily Walking Program by making a short trip to Wal-Mart.  

I need to, and will do a post about the entire medical journey Mickey began on October 13, 2014 at a later date but could not wait to give John Gummel the thanks, praise and recognition he deserves.