Step Into Yourself

I was recently reading a book loosely based on the King Arthur stories.  (It moves the general storyline to a different point in history.)  At one point the main character receives the news that a.) his father and mother or not actually his parents.  b.) he will be going away to fight in the crusades immediately. and c.) an uncle who recently tried to kill him is his actual father.  After relaying all this exciting and mind-blowing news, Arthur's foster father tells him to go to the top of a nearby hill and "Step into Yourself."

I loved the simplicity of those words:  "Step Into Yourself."

How many times when we are overwhelmed do we forget to give ourselves time to step into ourselves?  And if we take that time we are much better prepared to face the future.  So, now I am going to remind myself to take those extra moments to "Step Into Myself" instead of rushing into what would otherwise be a crazy situation.

(Arthur: The Seeing Stone, Kevin Crossley-Holland.)

I Won A Contest, And So Can You!

Did you know I never win contests?  Never, ever, ever, ever, never, ever, ever, ever, never.  It's true.  But recently, I won a contest.  Yay!  And it was for a book!  Yay! 

Do you need proof?  I did.  (I was pretty sure some other "Jamie" won it, but no, it was me.)  If you don't believe me, look HERE .

This contest was held by my writing friend Elena.  She often has book contests, and since I've even won one now, you could too.  So, you should continue to check her blog out for future contests, good poetry, and other such wisdom.

Anyway, after I won this contest (and I was VERY excited) I got even more excited because someday soon I get a book in the mail.  Oh, wonder of wonders.  Like really.  Like this is making my week ten times better.  Mail, and a book.  What could be better?

And then, I kind of felt lame, because pretty much this is just my friend - not some random stranger - buying me a book.  And I don't need her to buy me books to be my friend.  After all, she's an amazing writer and sometimes she lets me read her stuff.  (Like "Thrushbeard" - my most favoritest - excellent grammar here - unpublished book ever.  Someday it will be published and I can re-read my store-bought copy instead of wishing I didn't politely delete the electronic version she sent me.)

So, I thought again of how excited I was to get the book, and I thought again of how my friend was buying me this book, and I thought about getting the book, and I thought about my friend sending it, and then I thought about it again, and really I was thinking about it a lot, and then I thought... I know, I'll pass it along.  (Not the book she's sending me.  Come on.  I won that in a contest, and it's my only prize EVER.  No touching, please!)  I mean, I'll pass along the whole "mail and a book" good thing along.

So, here's the deal.  Here's my book contest:

Rule #1:  If you are reading this post you MUST enter this contest.  Especially if you are my friend or a family member or a stranger or something (did you notice that's all of you??? I am sooo smart) and it seems weird to enter some contest where I would send you something.  This is to make me feel better, and that is what friends are for.  So, ENTER THE CONTEST, okay?  (There is a reason E is so bossy, you know.) 

Rule #2:  To enter the contest you have to push that obnoxious "follow me" button on the sidebar... because I can be a little ego-centric too, you know?  Actually, you don't have to push the button.  I don't really care.  But, it would be fun to see your picture and stuff.  And to know who was stalking me and stuff.  Okay, I know no one's stalking me.  Whatever.

Rule #3:  You get to pick which of my 10 favorite books you would like to read.  (Okay, I have more than 10 favorite books, and I definitely have more that are MORE my favorite.  But this is what I could think of tonight at 8:41 pm... so this is the list of books you could get from me.)  Pick a book, and if you win, that is what I will send you.

Rule #4:  You should tell me one of your favorite books.  Or not.  You know, I don't seem to be too rule-oriented tonight, so I guess you can do whatever you want... except not enter (and that includes you, Elena).

Rule #5:  You have to enter by next Wednesday.  That's the 6th of July. 

Rule #6:  I am NOT using one of those fancy number randomizers.  Like Elena, I will pick names out of a bowl.  This is the best way to pick winners.  I know, because it is the only way I have EVER won ANYTHING.  Remember?  So, if you want this to be perfectly fair or something... too bad.

Rule #7:  (Apparently I am rule-oriented tonight.)  You have to live somewhere that amazon.com can ship to.  I am not paying for shipping, only for books.  I am lame that way. 

Here's the list of books to pick from:

1.  Edward's Eyes -  by, Patricia MacLachlan - short and sweet, makes you cry, a perfect novel in my opinion.

2.  Mrs. Mike - by, Benedict Freedman - a standby re-read, romance, adventure, wisdom, a higher quality "Christy."

3.  These Is My Words - by, Nancy E. Turner - actually started reading this again right after I finished it.

4.  Crooked House - by, Agatha Christie (Actually this was supposed to be "Man in the Brown Suit" but that is out of print... STUPID.  So, this is my 2nd favorite Agatha Christie.) - I re-read "Man in the Brown Suit" once a year.  Look for it at your library!

5.  Avalon High - by, Meg Cabot - My favorite Meg Cabot.  King Arthur tale in highschool romance fashion.

6.  Howl's Moving Castle - by, Diana Wynne Jones - Every year on this one too.  I wish I could write like this.

7.  A Town Like Alice - by, Nevil Shute - A more serious read.  But one I've read lots.

8.  The Goose Girl - by, Shannon Hale - Everyone needs a good fairytale.

9.  Lonesome Dove - by, Larry McMurtry - Favorite quote from a headstone:  "Cheerful in all weather.  Never shirked a task.  Splendid behavior."

10.  Emily of New Moon - by, L.M. Montgomery - SOOOOOOO much better than the Anne series.  And it's only 3 books!

11.  Daughter of the Forest - by, Juliet Marillier - Made me cry.  A good fantasy read.

(I know that's not 10.  But I forgot about "Daughter of the Forest" until now, and it belongs on the list.  What?  Do you want me to kick "Lonesome Dove" off?  I think not!!!)

So, there you go Vern.  ENTER or risk deportation from my blog.

the end

wait.... I forgot two books (someone stop me now)

Addendum #1  Bird by Bird - by, Anne Lamott - a writing book, a life book, a good book.

Addendum #2  Gift from the Sea - by, Anne Morrow Lindbergh