Hooked Books




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" March 27, 2002 Issue 032702 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com -------------------------------------------------------- By subscription only! Welcome to your next issue of "WRITE 2 THE HEART" You are receiving this FREE newsletter because you requested a subscription or a friend generously forwarded their copy to you. ------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a heart-warming story to share with our readers? We are accepting story submissions at this time. Please email Your original story to moderator@write2theheart.com ------------------------------------------------------- That first library card was such a thrill; it opened a whole new world of possibilities. Many of you will find a kindred spirit in Maria, I know I do. I have double rows of books on each shelf of my bookcases. ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- Hooked On Books By: Maria Harden --------------------------------------------------------- "When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes." ~Erasmus That is pretty much how I feel about books. Reading is my passion. I remember when I was six years old, I got my first library card. Oh, I was so proud! I was in awe of the thousands of books that were at the library for borrowing. I carefully chose three, the maximum allowed, and devoured them at home like someone starving for sustenance. Then I waited impatiently for the two-week lending period to be up. I mistakenly thought that I couldn't take out more books until the "return by" date stamped on my library card. When my sister informed me that I could return and withdraw books anytime, I was elated. From that day forward, the library became my second home. It was the first of many "book nooks" that I found myself comfortable in, a place where a whole new world opened up to a shy young girl. As I grew older, reading became a natural pathway to writing. My literary tastes became somewhat eclectic, but this nurtured my hunger for knowledge, and that, in turn, fueled my need to write. I have a fondness for novels with substance, but have been known to read certain "scandal rags" from time to time. What can I say, we all need to lighten up on occasion! I love nothing better than relaxing in a comfortable chair at one of the big bookstores, surrounded by books, and reading to my heart's content. I visit faraway lands and experience many things without ever leaving town. Another passion I indulge in is browsing in secondhand bookstores. Occasionally I have discovered some real treasures, such as autographed first editions, or some very old, handsome books, bound in a way that is no longer done in this century. They are precious to me, like old friends. I've never considered myself a book collector, but perhaps I am. The very smell of books makes my heart speed up a little. The rustle of their pages, and the anticipation of what is inside, is a thrill only a book lover knows. Every year one of our local charities has a huge fund-raising used book sale, and I eagerly anticipate this event. I gleefully wander the aisles, touching the books reverently and flipping through the pages for a sneak preview. Finally, I am well stocked with an armload of carefully selected reading material and a head full of dreams. Once my husband found an out of print scientific textbook he had been wanting. Know the price of textbooks, paying a few dollars for one was a real steal. He rarely comes with me now, preferring to leave me to my browsing. He doesn't know what he is missing as half the fun is the thrill of the search! Once I was getting on a public bus, and instead of showing the bus driver my bus pass, I had my laminated library card in my hand and unthinkingly showed him that. Without missing a beat he asked with a smile, "Lady, are you planning on reading or riding?" Yes, I am a reader. And I'm there for the ride, however long it is. Maria Harden ©2002 mharden @ escape.ca (You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story, just remember to remove the space before and after the @ symbol. The space is placed in the address to protect our writers from viruses.) ---------------------------------------------------------- Although Maria has always had a writer's soul, it wasn't until a year ago that she started turning memories into memoirs and thoughts into words. Besides her addiction to books and writing, Maria thinks she can play the piano, although her husband tells her not to quit her day job. --------------------------------------------------------- Hi Cheryl, I love my daughters-in-law too. God Bless your son, I know when my second boy played Jesus in an Easter presentation, I felt like the Blessed Mother. I never made it to a second Wrestling Match where two of the three boys participated. I felt like I was being tortured to watch what they do to each other. Real Life and war is a mother's purgatory. God Bless us all. Clare ***** Dear Cheryl, Turning Blue touched my heart as I recalled watching our son finish basic at the age of 20. They say the reason he finished first in his class was because he's a Montana boy, an Eagle Scout and spent years and years hunting with a rifle. I could just feel every single proud shiver go up and down your spine, Cheryl, and do hope your Tim, like my Tim, encounters only peace as his years fly by. God bless him and you too for raising a terrific young man. Kathe Campbell Bigskyadj @ in-tch.com --------------------------------------------------------- Cheryl's Corner Last week I told you about my daughter-in-law, Nicole, breaking her foot. This past week she was out in her yard raking when she stepped on a Fire Ant bed. (For those of you who do not know about these horrible little creatures, they are ants that crawl on you and bite. They have to be brushed off because they don't want to let go once they latch onto you. Their bite leaves welts that itch and can blister.) They crawled into her cast and bit. Chris had to cut off her cast to get them off of her. At first he tried sawing it with a kitchen knife then remembered he had a heavy-duty pair of scissors. When she went to have a new cast put on, she asked for a black one so it wouldn't show dirt so bad. She's unstoppable! God bless Cheryl --------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- © 2002 Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors. ------------------------------------------------------------ All subscriptions sent to your email free of charge.