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The Curse of the Shaman

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So I’ve been slowly sorting through books that I held for my boy to read during our homeschooling years.   Sometimes I go “hey, that might make a good read” so I grab it up and kept it in my stash.  Unlike me, my lad didn’t turn into much of a reader, I would have liked for him to read though The Curse of the Shaman. Themes of determination, community, and help from unexpected sources.  

The curse of the shaman

The Basic Details for The Curse of the Shaman

Title: The Curse of the Shaman
Author: Michael Kusugak
Illustrator: Vladyanan Krykorka
Series: A Marble Island Story
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 168
Intended Audience: 9-12 years, Elementary Students, Middle School
Genre:  first nations, Canada, folk lore, Inuit, 
Available formats: Kindle, Paperback
Read: Paperback

About the Author 

Michael Kugusak is a Canadian author who has written several books.  Growing up in Repulse Bay, NWT he currently lives in Sooke, BC.   As a child he rode dog sled, went hunting and fishing, and lived a traditional Inuit lifestyle.  This history can be seen in The Curse of the Shaman. 

About the Book

The Curse of the Shaman takes us into the life of Wolverine from birth through to young adulthood.  We get to see him grow up within the Inuit lifestyle. The anger of a Shaman led to a curse which is later rescinded, but Shaman’s magic helper disagreed. And so the story unfolds…. 

The curse of the shaman

What Did I Think?

There were things I loved in this story and things that took me a bit to adapt to.   

I struggled with some of the names in this story as well as some of the Inuit language.  And a part of me wanted the author to make it easier for me!   How my… how selfish of me is that eh?   Good thing I recognize that eh?   Changing the names would also have changed fundamental parts of the story, which I so much enjoyed. 

The focus on family and community is fantastic!  People care for their family units deeply, and getting together with others is a time of work, celebration, and appreciation of each other.  People shared what they had and who they were freely because that was the best way to live in community.  Share and share alike is how folks survive in a harsh environment. 

Stories told to Wolverine as a youngster prove to be invaluable, again showing the importance of family.  And as children grow up and develop new skills, so do shamans!  🙂   It is good to see not only children learn new skills but the grown ups on their lives as well!   It’s a pleasant twist on a story, and another twist (though as an adult reader I rather anticipated it) is a good one as well.  🙂 

All in all, a good story that immerses us into the lives of the Inuit and a possibility of how shamans work their magic.  The Curse of the Shaman is well worth reading if you are looking at doing a study on Inuit of Canada.    

The Waste We Produce

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So I’ve had a pretty good week at work.  There’s been some drama between some of the staff. But work overall has been good.   I like that customers are getting to know me and often give me a friendly greeting as I give them one!  It’s a good job with some (usually) minor frustrations.  One of the things that drives me crazy at work is the sheer amount of the waste we produce. 

And so I took some steps to help deal with that.  Asking about taking things to the food bank or to our local community kitchen.  That worked well but didn’t really deal with the HUGE waste from departments I wasn’t part of.  But about five months or so ago a program started called Second Harvest. This is a program that helps community kitchens and foodbanks claim some of the waste from grocery stores.   So I’d have to say that 90% of our waste gets used now!  Isn’t that cool?

The waste we produce

The Waste We Produce

The Waste we produce it’s clear to see
Dented cans, dropped goods,
items past due,
shipped without labels,
or short dated, or
damaged when received.

What do to so with all
these items? Toss them in
the garbage the only recourse?

Oh look, help arrives
a person despising waste
having to earn trust,
can bunnies be fed?j

Oh, they can!
and is it possible that
the foodbank can use?

Oh, this girl can deliver it?
No added expense?
oh… dry goods be saved!

Second Harvest, allows stores
to save money as weight of goods
feeds families.

Waste from customers returning
items that can’t again be sold.
Waste from customers putting unwanted
items in places not suited.
Jam in the freezer?
Cheese with the cereal?
Meat with green onions?
Oh dear, oh my!

It’s amazing sometimes the waste
that customers make, and it causes me to
wonder, why not just bring the unwanted
with you to cash? We’ll happily return it
for you, no questions asked!

But then I have to stop and think
about the waste in my own life, and
how I like to try to hide the mistake in
judgement made.

You know, like when I lose time
doom scrolling instead
of taking time to talk with the Lord.
Or when I eat mindlessly,
instead of engaging in something better,
or just going to bed! 🙂

So instead of bringing that failure
to the one who can help me change,
I pretend it didn’t happen,
or hide it away, as if once
hidden no one will notice. That
HE himself won’t notice.

I… fool no one.
Customers… fool no one.

Hiding bad decisions just is…
… part of the waste we produce
don’t you find?

Let’s stop being producers
of the waste!


Come Sail Away

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So for some reason, when I saw the word prompt of Far this week, this song come sail away, come sail away with me popped into my head.  As I was writing the words down I thought hmm…. I should look them up to see if they are correct.  Well, let’s just say I was COMPLETELY wrong beyond the basic words and some of the overall ideas.  🙂  Nevertheless… Come sail away with me… Let’s see how far we can go! 

Come sail away

Come Sail Away

Come sail with me, come sail away with me.
How far away, how far away we could be.
Come sail away come sail away with me….
We’ll head out now, just o’er the deep blue sea.

The waters deep, and the birds are flying high,
The grass is green I think I aught’a fly
Up into the deep blue glistening sky
up where the elephants and zebras roam
perhaps that where I’ll call my home…

NOW I TOLD YOU I was SO VERY WRONG.

….

I wonder sometimes how far
an imagination can take a person.

When I was in my twenties I was
convinced that God had a book in me he
wanted to bring out. I thought it would
be a work of fiction, but….

Over the years I’ve learned that perhaps
a work of fiction is not quite in the
cards for me. Figuring out how to describe
human emotions and people interactions
is sometimes a bit of a struggle since
in real life people often confound me.

But poetry…
I am more and more trying to figure
out a way to use poetry as
a way to influence the world.

There I can just talk
and change syntax
or word phrasing or how the word
simply appears on the page,
or throw in a new word or three….
and occasionally point people to the
maker of words.

So what say though,
how far might you sail
if you could follow a dream?

dream text on green leaves
Photo by Karyme França on Pexels.com

God Speaks

John 1:1-5

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Matthew 19:23-26

23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

 

I say, I say

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Isn’t it funny how you can ponder a three letter word all day and think you have a poem in mind, and then you sit down to write it down, and then poof… that poem shifts gears on you?    The poem I had in mind took this down a more philosophical/spiritual path… but this was rather fun to write!   I say I say, is my (I hope) light-hearted response to a word challenge issued by Miss Kate.

I say, I say, I wonder what my fellow writers will pen out for us today?  Might be fun to read what they have to say eh?  Perhaps some might speak to my soul, and others might make me laugh.  There’s always one or two that I have no idea even how to respond to.  (doesn’t mean I don’t read them, I just have no response writable!)

I say, I say

I Say, I Say

I say, I say
sometimes I use words
that others don’t expect
and the reaction is
WHAT? I don’t know that word!
What does it mean?

This morning I complimented a co-worker
and said “you are being very industrious”.
I was surprised when she stopped and exclaimed
“I don’t know that word, what do you mean?”
So I explained that I appreciated how
hard she was working. Industrious meaning
someone who was working hard at something.

I love language and words
and I’m used to rephrasing myself
for others.
I grew up with parents who
spoke English as a second language
and though they knew much,
those “picturesque words” were often
not among them. So when I learned a new word
I’d use it! Then would spend time
explaining it.

Funny how old habits repeat eh?

Today I use a couple of email
programs to send me a new word of the day.
Some words, like today’s, tertiary I already know.
But often I get words like
Tenebrous.
Frankly I’m not exactly sure
how to even to pronounce it much less use it!
Tenebrous (adjective): Dark, shadowy, obscure.

The foggy night made the surrounding
building tenebrous and foreboding.
Alex peered through the darkness,
suddenly unsure of herself.
Normally very confident, the dark,
shadowy buildings, and the muted sounds
flowing through the fog
set her teeth on edge.
This was NOT the night to be
out searching for her ….

What do you think… would that be a good start
to a story?

How would you continue it?

What would you say as you continued the story?

What interesting words have you been
able to eject into your speech lately?
for I say I say, there are
so many good words out there!
JUST WAITING To be used…
on the unsuspecting….

🙂

two women sitting on ground near bonfire
Photo by Oleksandr P on Pexels.com

I have to admit though, I find it HIGHLY annoying, when the word of the day is some made up name for some mixed breed mutt of a dog.  It’s like.. THAT”S NOT A REAL WORD!!!   IT”S JUST A MADE UP NAME!!!   Gah.  But I suppose if that’s the least of my frustrations, I live a pretty good life eh?  🙂 

And as I was reminded on a show (I think).. English is an ever evolving language. 

Acts 3:1-10

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I know, I know, it’s been a while.  Sickness and holidays and just stuff…you know… stuff.  I’ve hardly looked at my blog lately.  Over Christmas and a couple of sick days I worked in all my reviews.  Writing many of them past the time they were due and just back-dating them.  🙂   Today we are in Acts 3:1-10.  

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.

6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Acts 3:1-10

Acts 3:1

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

So I went to understanding the bible to figure out what is meant by the ninth hour.   There I learned that the Jewish day starts at 6 a.m.  That would be their hour zero.  So the ninth hour would be around 3 p.m. 

That makes me wonder how the work day functions.   Do people start work at 6 a.m. and stop at 2 and therefore have the rest of the day to pray and do whatever?   Or do they start work later and just stop for a while at 3 p.m. to allow time for prayers?   I know, I know, that’s a total off the topic thought, but just a curiousity I have. 

I also have to question myself.  Is it a good thing to have an established “time of prayer”.  Would that give an order to the day and a routine that would keep people from forgetting the importance of connecting with God daily? Sometimes the busyness of the day truncates any concerns about spending time with the Lord, particularly in a time of prayer that sometimes feels like talking to the air.  I know God hears me.  I know this.  But sometimes it feels one-sided you know?   Anyways, this time of prayer that the Jewish folks had I’m going to ponder on a bit more.  About setting aside a regular time to just talk with God. 

Acts 3:2

2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.

Can you imagine if poor people would gather in front of a church asking for donations? What would we say or do in that situation?  Would we reach out to them, or simply see them as the many homeless that sit or stand on the street corner?   Another question is… Why don’t the poor gather in front of churches on Sunday mornings, or Wednesday evenings asking for help?   Has the church collectively shown their unwillingness to meet those immediate needs? Should we encourage them to do so? I wonder what kind of difference that might make for us as believers? 

Acts 3:3

3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.

I wonder what it was about Peter and John that stirred the lame man to direct his attention to them. Was it merely their presence, or was their something about them that set them apart?  Perhaps it was they were going in together and it’s harder to say no when you are with someone else.  ‘Cuz you know that NO ONE wants to look bad in front of friends, and helping others does make you look better. 🙂 

Acts 3:4-7

4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.

Needless to say, Peter helped him! (otherwise we wouldn’t be reading this story) Not in the way the man expected, but far beyond that. Can you imagine that man’s surprise.  To have a man say “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” and then helps you to your feet.   Feet that you haven’t walked upon for ages and ages (speculatively).  Strength given to feet and ankles now strong enough to support your weight. Feet working so you are no longer beholden on family and/or friends to help you get to a spot so you can beg for help.  It’s just amazing isn’t it?  

Acts 3:8

8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

Well, wouldn’t you? After not being able to walk and now suddenly you can?  I can totally see myself doing a short jive across the floor!  🙂  Then knowing the reason for it!?!?!?!?!   I would be joining him in praising God.   But note: he was praising God which means he KNOWS that Jesus Christ is of God. Otherwise, would he be praising God or would he be confused? 

Peter didn’t say by the power of God, or in the name of God, but rather “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth”.   So he had to somehow know that God was involved.  Ergo, he praised God for his healing. (not praising Peter and John, but God himself!). 

Again, I need to ask myself questions: Do I really take the time to praise God for the things he does in my life.  This man wasn’t asking for healing, he just wanted some coins so he could get some food, drink, lodging, or whatever.  But instead, God outdid his asking.  God healed him up.  How many times does God exceed my expectations?

an example

Today for instance, I’ve been meaning to bless a lady across the street with some ice cream.  She lives close to the pocket book and it’s a simple way to make her smile.  I couldn’t get ahold of her all week (lives in a locked building) and it’s been COLD and snowy this week.  BUT she has a little dog so I’ve been hopeful to catch her out.  Today I did.  And low and behold it was the perfect day to reach her.  Her brother died this morning, and this was just the thing she needed.  Having someone to care about her, talk for a little bit (not long as … bitterly cold out), and to pray with her.  God exceeded my little gift by more than expected. 

It’s so easy to ignore that you know?  Afterall, it’s not as big as say… not being lame anymore, but it was important in HER life right now. 

But today I feel convicted to say “God, thanks for that eh?  Your timing is perfect.”  He knows full well what’s needed eh? 

Acts 3:9-10

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

I know when I see God acting in the lives of people how amazing I find it, particularly when it’s a drastic change.   Like someone becomes a believer and alcohol addiction or bitterness just leave them. That just knocks my socks off.  So I emphasize with the people gathered around this happy, God-praising man.  They would have seen him, so they knew his lameness.  Seeing him leap about and his absolute joy in physical freedom would have been so amazing. 

I wonder if they saw God in action or if they were simply surprised at his healing?   Did this man’s words turn hearts?   We aren’t told. All we can do is hope eh? 

What have you learned of God? 

God has reminded me of my need for thankfulness in this passage. I’ve also been reminded of how often God exceeds my expectations of him.  What have you seen of God in these verses? 

Let me know eh? 

What to know more? 

 If you are interested in the rest of the series you will find them here eh?   

The Royal Ranger: The Red Fox Clan

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Reviewing The Royal Ranger: The Red Fox Clan just because I like reviewing books and this was my latest read.  🙂   Well, okay, perhaps I didn’t sit down and read it, Maddie and her family kept me company as I took care of the rabbits over this past week.   

We spent long hours in the car when my lad was young on car trips listening to the Ranger’s Apprentice.  Flanagan does an excellent job of bringing the Ranger core of Araluen to life.  A word of horses, kings and kingdoms, and men guarding the kingdom.  Sworn to protect the king and their people. Anyways, those stories centred around Will and Holt, the royal rangers series focuses on Maddie.  Maddie is the first female ranger with a tough job ahead of her.  

The Royal Ranger: The Red Fox Clan

The Basic Details for The Royal Ranger: The Red Fox Clan

Title: The Royal Ranger: The Red Fox Clan
Author: John Flanagan
Series: The Royal Ranger (book two of six)
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Pages: 352
Intended Audience: 10-13 years, Elementary Students, Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Arthurian Folk Tales & Myths, Children’s Fantasy, Children’s action and adventures
Available formats: Hardcover, Kindle, Audio, Paperback
Received: Audio

The Author:

Australian John Flanagan began writing stories in an effort to encourage his son with his reading.  Those stories eventually become The Ruins of Gorlan, Book 1 of the Ranger’s Apprentice epic.  His family now includes grandchildren! 

The Story

The Royal Ranger: The Red Fox Clan continues the story of the ranger core’s first female ranger in training.  Maddie, the princess, is learning what it takes to be a ranger.  While on summer holidays disaster strikes!   The Red Fox Clan seeks to overthrow the king.  Maddie and her family are in trouble.  Can she, together with her mom Cassandra, save the kingdom?  Can they prove that yes indeed, women can rule effectively in times of trouble? 

The Royal Rangers: The Red Fox Clan

My Thoughts

As much as this is a children’s story it’s a fun interesting story to read/listen to.  Full of action and intrigue, with people doing good. 

Lessons in honesty, doing your best, humility, asking for help when needed, being patient, and working hard to achieve your goals.  

I love the development of characters and how they say true to themselves.  Maddie’s insatiable curiousity and determination are evident in all her actions.  Her inexperience shows through at various moments which I think is excellent for Flanagan to portray. 

This book is part one of a two part book.  I was admittedly VERY disappointed when the book just stopped.  No good conclusion. Just stopped.  ALMOST but not quite made me stop wanting to read the series. I did pick up the next in series The Royal Ranger: Duel at Araluen. I’m listening to it as I write this review!  

Just so you know, Duel at Araluen picks up exactly where The Red Fox Clan picks up.   I really wish it had been written as one book, but perhaps that would make the book too long for the intended audience?

Should you read it?   YES!   If you like a good adventure story with good morals, no bad language, just overall a good story, this will fit the bill.  As interesting for adults to listen to as well as children.   Go out, introduce yourself to Series from Flanagan of The Brotherband, The Ranger’s Apprentice, and The Royal Ranger.  Immerse yourself in the days of knights, rangers, kings and kingdoms.  🙂 

The Pattern of Insanity

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It took a bit of thinking while I was at work today to come up with a title for this five minute Friday word prompt.   The Pattern of Insanity, with pattern being the word prompt.   I suppose most of this poem will be in response to what feels to me the insanity of this current time we live in.  I’m feeling a bit tired of the over sensitivities of people and how often they just want things stopped as opposed to working harder to solve the issue. 

the pattern of insanity

The Pattern of Insanity

Sometimes talking to people
is a bit of a challenge
the over-sensitivity means
that everyone gets so offended
over the smallest of things
and so sometimes it seems that
the world is going just a touch bit insane.

How can it be that
just because you can’t do something
that it means you need to be
disappointed that you can’t
participate in a voluntary challenge?
And you are so unhappy about
your perceived lack of inclusivity that
you call for it to be not allowed.

This without doing the work to
see if there is a way that you could
make the challenge work for you!
So in essence, giving up before giving yourself
a chance.
And then of course, there are those
that will defend their actions,
likening it to active discrimination
against another body of people.

And so I wonder,
where does the insanity end?

The pattern of insanity is seen

Yet, I have to admit,
as I gave this word Pattern
another thought, particularly since
I combined it with the word insanity.

It’s a bit of a pattern of insanity
I sometimes see in myself.
Sometimes I shoot myself in the foot
before I give myself a chance to
take a step forward.
I find someway to discourage
myself from even trying.

So I guess the insanity I see in
others, I can see in myself too.
The solution is recognizing it right?
And sometimes I can do that for
myself and other times it
takes a loved one, or occasionally
a disgruntled stranger to offer a
boot in the pants to get me out of my rut.

So how do we help this insanity stop
in the lives of the “but you can’t do this
because I can’t take part!” people?
The people who are just making it hard
for others to want to do anything that
would be a fun challenge
for a whole host of other people.

How do we support that challenge givers,
and challenge the “whiners/nay-sayers”
to work harder to find a good solution?
Or perhaps to ask better questions, such as,
how can I be supported in this challenge?
Can anyone help me problem solve instead of the
cry to shut it all down?
How we help people recognize that they
are shutting themselves down
before they even try?

I don’t really know,
but somehow we need to
keep trying yes?

a green plant on a brown soil
Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com

God Speaks

Matthew 7:1-5

“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Luke 6:36-37

37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Ephesians 4:11-16

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.