A friend of mine recommended I read Gilead. Even though it's a work of fiction, my friend said it inspired her to pass on to her children and grandchildren a similar (but real, nonfiction) reflection on her life. After finishing the book, I agreed and found myself wanting to capture some sense of Life As I Know It. I'd like to pass on to my family some of my thoughts, … [Read more...]
Who We Are Becoming
Saturday night I tore off pieces of a Post-It to mark passages in Staying Put: Making a Home in a Restless World. As I reached the last lines of the last chapter, closed the book and set it on the bedside table, I continued to think about story and place and self and how they overlap and interweave. I wanted to wrap up the book and move on...perhaps to start writing more … [Read more...]
Mom Recites "The Owl and the Pussycat"
Many thanks to all who participated in Mega Memory Month on any level!Most MMM friends were working on memorizing a passage from the Bible, but a few chose music or poetry.My parents have always impressed me with their lifelong retention of long passages of poetry. We talked about that the other day when they were over for a visit and I was making my little MMM Celebration … [Read more...]
MMM Progress Report: Week 4 (and reminder of Final Celebration/Presentation Day)
Yesterday I revealed my Top 2 MMM Memorization Tips. If you haven't read yesterday's post, I urge you to do so. Thanks to the encouraging words of some MMM friends (which I included in the post), you may walk away with the most important MMM message of the month.Today, after spending time following my own advice and praying through the passage and reciting it to one of my … [Read more...]
Mega Collection of Memorization Tips & Techniques
A resource post to assist participants in Mega Memory Month:I want to offer plenty of support during Mega Memory Month (MMM), so here you can find lots of memorization tips and techniques collected as neatly as possible in one place. I'll add to it as I find more, so bookmark it and revisit from time to time. I'll mark the date that I add any material following … [Read more...]
Announcing Mega Memory Month
Did you know that October is Mega Memory Month?Well, maybe not everywhere. But it is Mega Memory Month here at my blog.In fact, this is Mega Memory Month Headquarters.And you're invited to join me in this month-long memorization extravaganza. I wanted to tell you enough in advance so you can have a few days to pray, plan and prepare.Here's how to participate: Pick … [Read more...]
Memory Aids to Help Hide It in Your Heart
I can't remember the details of Fahrenheit 451 (which is, ahem, ironic, given that I'm writing about memorization), but I recall that the protagonist committed some Scripture to memory in a world where books were being destroyed.At the end, when the rest of the world is apparently bombed, a remnant, if you will, of people remains--those who have memorized at least portions … [Read more...]
What's in Your Memory Bank?
On a camping trip this year, I asked my brother if he's memorized anything, and he was able to recite "Jabberwocky" and "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," no problem. He recites something to the kids every night.My parents can recall and recite all kinds of poems all the way through.James Freeman wrote an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal back in August that … [Read more...]
