Maureen Dowd

A Split-Screen Tale of Two Generals: "Can General Petraeus prove respect for the civilians? Can General Kagan prove respect for the military?"

The 12 Best Books of Summer: By Janice Kaplan

The 12 Best Books of Summer

The Daily Beast - Blogs and Stories

Great Summer Nonfiction: "A fly-on-the-wall history of oil, the dramatic Richard Burton-Elizabeth Taylor marriage and other great nonfiction that you must read this summer. Selected by Janice Kaplan.
From oil companies' quest for riches to Richard Burton's need for love, many..."

California Digital Library

UC Continues to Support Open Access Resources: "

As part of UC’s continuing support of Open Access journals and alternatives to traditional publishing practices, UC campuses are now institutional supporting members of the two resources listed below.

arXiv.org The University of California is now an institutional supporting member of arXiv, an open-access database to e-prints in physics, mathematics, computer science, quantitative biology, quantitative finance and statistics. For more information, see the arXiv.org Support FAQ.

Nucleic Acids Research http://nar.oxfordjournals.org Nucleic Acids Research (NAR) publishes the results of leading edge research into physical, chemical, biochemical and biological aspects of nucleic acids and proteins involved in nucleic acid metabolism and/or interactions. It enables the rapid publication of papers under the following categories: Chemistry and synthetic biology; Computational biology; Gene regulation, chromatin and epigenetics; Genome integrity, repair and replication; Genomics; Molecular biology; Nucleic acid enzymes; RNA and Structural biology. A Survey and Summary section provides a format for brief reviews. The first issue of each year is devoted to biological databases, and an issue in July is devoted to papers describing web-based software resources of value to the biological community.

Oxford University Press and the Editors of Nucleic Acids Research (NAR) launched an Open Access initiative for NAR in 2005. This means that it is no longer necessary to hold a subscription in order to read current NAR content online. The UC Libraries have an Institutional Membership of NAR.

A 2010 institutional membership provides discounted publication charges (50% discount) for Corresponding authors based at the member institution. Additionally, institutional memberships help to underwrite the publication charges for author’s from institutions in developing countries. For more information, see NAR’s Open Access Initiative.

"

Ed.gov Blog

Data.ed.gov Launches: "ED launches a new website, Data.ed.gov, which will increase access to education data."

Children's Book Press

Maya Christina Gonzalez gets lots of love in the REFORMA newsletter: "

All illustrators and authors create in different ways. Maya Christina Gonzalez provides insight into her creative process in an article featured recently in the REFORMA newsletter.* In this wonderful article, Maya discusses the second book that she wrote and illustrated, I Know the River Loves Me. The book recently received an Américas Award Honorable Mention and 2nd place in the International Latino Book Awards category for bilingual children’s books. Maya states, “the book was very organic, rising from my relationship with the [Yuba] river.” Explaining the importance of multi-cultural children’s books, she says, “when we see ourselves, something fundamental happens inside of us.” Read the article to learn more about Maya Christina Gonzalez and her inspiration for I Know the River Loves Me.

*REFORMA is the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking, and is an affiliate of the American Library Association.

read more"

Chats With An Old Lady

We are the Body: "

What does it mean to be the body of Christ? How does that play out in our everyday lives? How do we, as women, fit in to the body? Today begins a 9 week study on “If We Are the Body.” Stop by if you have time!!!

"

Breast Cancer News

Sequential Chemotherapy Benefits Node-positive Breast Cancer Patients: "Women with operable node positive breast cancer experienced a survival benefit from sequential administration of doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and Taxotere® (docetaxel). These findings were recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine. 1 Effective treatment of node positive breast cancer ..."

Bible Gateway Blog

Isaiah 40:31: "“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”"

Bible Gateway Blog

The promise of Pentecost: "

This Sunday, Christian churches around the world will commemorate Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended to empower the apostles of Jesus Christ. It was a foundational moment for the fledgling Christian church, and it still holds significance for Christians nearly 2000 years later.

If you aren’t familiar with this key event in church history, read the story of Pentecost in Acts 2:

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them…. read the rest of the Pentecost story.

Pentecost fulfilled Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit to empower the church. Jesus’ promise, and the multilingual nature of Pentecost, made it clear that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was meant to be shared with all people, regardless of language or culture. And Peter’s sermon at Pentecost continues to serve as a blueprint for witnessing and evangelism to this day.

If it’s been a while since you’ve thought about the events of Pentecost, this weekend is a good opportunity to re-acquaint yourself with this miraculous event!"

BAF JANES Women's Ministry

Welcome to Janes Women's Ministry of Bay Area Fellowship: "If you are surfing this web site, chances are you already know that Bay Area Fellowship is all about life-change! God has blessed our church to be the catalyst for change in the lives of countless individuals and families in Corpus Christi. Janes Women's Ministry is specifically focused upon equipping women with everything they need to live their lives to the fullest -- to be changed from the inside-out by having an intimate and thriving relationship with Jesus and to be an instrument of change by reflecting Jesus in their world.

In the Janes Blog Site, you will find all the information you need to take your first step in women's ministry. Check out all the opportunities we provide for you to connect, to grow, to serve, to reach out and to Glo in your life. Please contact one of our team leaders if you have any questions or if you would like to participate in one of these amazing opportunities!

And remember, Jane is EVERY WOMAN! Whether you are just beginning the journey towards a relationship with Jesus or you have been walking with Him for a very long time, each of you is wanted and welcomed! In fact, you are needed, because you are uniquely made to reflect God's glory in a beautiful, one-of-a-kind way!

I love you!

Janes Women's Ministry Leader


Who is Jane?
Jane is every woman! Daughter, Sister, Mother, Friend, Business Leader, World-Changer! I'm a Jane! You're a Jane!

What is Janes all about?
Bay Area Fellowship Janes Women's Ministry exists to equip women in South Texas to take hold of the abundant life that God has planned for them and to empower them to be instruments of life-change in their world.

What does Janes do?
Jane is organized in the following teams:

See Jane Lead:
Daphne Fine, Women's Ministry Leader
Contact Daphne Fine at seejanelead@yahoo.com

See Jane Serve:
Administrative Team
Contact Connie Ramirez at seejaneserve@yahoo.com

See Jane Connect:
Hometeams
Contact April Atkinson at april.atkinson@yahoo.com

See Jane Reach:
Community Outreach Team
Contact Marta Perez-Gonzalez at seejanereach@yahoo.com

See Jane Grow:
Spiritual Growth Team
Bible Study Coordinator
Contact Alene Snodgrass at alene@alenesnodgrass.com

One on One with God Coordinator
Contact Alisa Wagner at alisahopewagner@yahoo.com

See Jane Glo:
Event Team
Contact Robin McNaueal at seejaneshine@yahoo.com"

America Diabetes Association

Obesity Not Always a Sentence for Heart Disease: "For some people, obesity does not automatically indicate a risk of heart disease or heart disease, Dutch researchers reported at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Diego."

A Virtuous Woman

His Story: "A gift for my birthday, I got my first Bible when I was five years old. My favorite place to read it was while I rode in the car on my way to my grandparent’s house. My heart swelled with love for my Heavenly Father,as I studied the pictures in the stories with wonder. Intrigued [...]"

A Virtuous Woman

Romaine and Fruit Salad: "1 to 2 limes
3/4 cup red wine vinegar & olive oil dressing
8 cups cut up romaine lettuce
2 mangoes, peeled and cubed
3/4 cup each halved green and red grapes
Grate 1 1/2 tsp. peel from limes and squeeze 2 Tbsp. juice. Place in a small bowl and add dressing. Whisk together.
Combine remaining ingredients in a large salad bowl. [...]"

A Little Blog

On writing - and my latest works in the works.: "

I have not been blogging and so haven't filled you in lately with my new projects that I have been working on. Interestingly enough (at least to me), one is a picture book that has no words, and the other is a chapter book with lots of words! (currently thinking for the late MG or early YA market.) The contrast is interesting.

The picture book takes place in Paris, and stars a girl, her dog, and some pigeons. It is all about love. I have no idea if this will interest anyone - but I love it. As I am working on it, I am taken right back to my time studying and living in Paris. I am thinking of doing it in mostly line art with a hint of colour. Maybe a reduced palette.

The chapter book is Arthurian, and surprisingly more commercial than anything I have done before. It takes place in modern era - but has timely twists. I am loving my characters who are interesting, quirky, complex. Currently I have about 8000 words in about 4-5 chapters or roughly 1/4 of the book written. There is so much more to say though! I had played with a couple of ideas which had been rolling around in my head for a few years. I had thought them distinct books, but never got my head around them enough to turn them into anything. It was mostly just names and geneologies for one of them, and the other seemed to gather interesting stories. What happened recently was somehow I found a missing piece that just pulled it all together. I don't even know what that piece was, only that once it was in place - all the other stories just fit right in.

I have been on a roll and writing like crazy. I have been very much inspired by all the writers I now know and follow and have learned much from them in the last year about the writing process. They keep me going. Even if it is not good writing - I am finding my characters; the process reveals them and their story. The trick to writing a chapter book is to not stop writing - even if you don't like it yet. It is a commitment you must make. So I am trying.

I will post a couple of sketches from the Paris book soon. I am vacillating between titles for both books. I don't know which one is better. For each I have a title that is more appropriate, perfect even, but less commercial that the alternative titles I have - which work - just not as well.

Maybe by the time my work is done I'll have figured it out."

"Deal"icious Mom

Party City Coupon!: "

Here is a very handy Party City printable coupon good for $15 off of a $75 purchase. Good for online or in store purchase. (Expires 6/30/10)

Great for al those summer parties! Squeaker man turns one year old in a couple weeks so I better jump on this one!

Thanks Mojo Savings

"

Crazy-for-Books

Review: How it Ends by Laura Wiess: "

Title: How it Ends

Author: Laura Wiess

Genre: Young Adult

Publication Date: August 2009

Publisher: MTV Books

ISBN: 978-1416546634

344 pages

All Hanna's wanted since sophomore year is Seth. She's gone out with other guys, even gained a rep for being a flirt, all the while hoping cool, guitar-playing Seth will choose her. Then she gets him -- but their relationship is hurtful, stormy and critical, not at all what Hanna thinks a perfect love should be. Bewildered by Seth's treatment of her and in need of understanding, Hanna decides to fulfill her school's community service requirement by spending time with Helen, her terminally ill neighbor, who she's turned to for comfort and wisdom throughout her life. But illness has changed Helen into someone Hanna hardly knows, and her home is not the refuge it once was. Feeling more alone than ever, Hanna gets drawn into an audiobook the older woman is listening to, a fierce, unsettling love story of passion, sacrifice, and devotion. Hanna's fascinated by the idea that such all-encompassing love can truly exist, and without her even realizing it, the story begins to change her.



Until the day when the story becomes all too real...and Hanna's world is spun off its axis by its shattering, irrevocable conclusion.

My Thoughts:

Wow, this book is so much more than I ever thought it would be! I wasn't sure what I was expecting - maybe a light young adult read - but this was not a light and fun story at all. It is deep, emotional, and painful. And I loved it!



How it Ends chronicles the stories of Helen and Hanna. Helen is a grandmotherly woman who lives next door to Hanna, a 15 year old girl who is going through the trials and tribulations of being a teenager. She loves a boy who is anything but nice to her, yet she keeps going back to him. Helen has become a grandmother figure to Hanna and regularly talks to her about life. Their relationship is really sweet and makes you long to hug your own grandma!



But, Helen hasn't been truthful with Hanna about her own life, filling Hanna with ideas that her and her husband, Lon's, life has been nothing but roses and butterflies. With Helen suffering from a debilitating disease, she realizes that it is time to tell Hanna the truth. She writes the story - the story of her life from a young girl to the woman she is today - and sends it off to be put into audiobook format.



As Hanna continues to care for the declining Helen, they find comfort in listening to books together. Unbeknownst to Hanna, they begin listening to Helen's book, "How it Ends". It is difficult for Hanna to listen to. She can't imagine someone living through what the characters in the story lived through. She becomes infuriated, sad, and confused, trying to wrap her head around this supposedly "fictionalized" story. Through the listening of the book, Hanna begins to take a stand against her so-called boyfriend, and begins to find her own way in the world. Hanna really grows throughout this story, from an insecure teenager who is eager to please the hot guy in school so he'll be her boyfriend, to finally sticking up for herself and becoming independent and more secure in her own body.



The end of this book is downright shocking and will stay with you long after the last page is read. This is an intense story and one I would definitely recommend. I loved following Hanna's and Helen's journey and I can't wait to read more from this author!"

Chats With An Old Lady

Guess What!!!!: "

God continues to provide such unique opportunities for me to share what He is teaching me! This has been 'in the works' for awhile now, so it is fun to see it actually coming to fruition! For the next 8 weeks I will be featured 'At the Well', a website for women. On Monday the series will be introduced, and then on the following 8 Mondays there will be an article featured that God has helped me to write! Pretty cool, huh? Come on over 'to the well' on Monday and see what is going on. I think it might encourage you!

God never teaches us anything for our benefit alone. He desires that we share these truths for the edification of those that He puts in our paths. I love that He has allowed me to do that in this way!

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

The series is called

'We are the Body'

You can check it out HERE:

"

5 Minutes For Books

On Reading: Flashlight Worthy Book Recommendations: "

My name is Peter, and Jennifer was kind enough to let me to contribute to her regular "On Reading" series. I run the website Flashlight Worthy Book Recommendations along with my friend Eric.

Some of you may have run across my site, but for those who haven't, Flashlight Worthy is:

Hundreds of book lists (373 as of this writing and I try to add a new one every other day)…

Each list is usually between 5 books and 15 books…

Each list on a particular theme (more on that later)…

And each book on the list has a short description of why it's so good (not a plot summary).

Did I mention that the books we recommend are so good, they keep you up past your bedtime?

Now that we have that out of the way, I can explain why I'm so excited that Jennifer so graciously invited me to contribute to On Reading: quite simply, I need your help.

You see, Flashlight Worthy has dozens of great book lists. I have 12 of the Best Of Steampunk> (Yes. Steampunk. Have you ever even heard of Steampunk? Who knew?) and Children's Books that Grownups Will Love. Not to mention Chick Lit Before There Was Chick Lit and this useful list of Books On Madness.

But some of the genres I offer, such as Books for Young Adults and Book Club books, are in need of more book lists. That's where you come in.

If you're reading this blog then I'll bet you're an avid reader, you have great taste in books, and quite possibly, you're in a book club. This makes you the perfect person to share a list of some of the best books your club has enjoyed. The list just needs to follow these three simple guidelines:

1. First (and this almost goes without saying) the books should be appropriate for book clubs. That means books that are discussable.


2. Just as important — the books all have to be flashlight worthy. In other words, they gotta be really, really good.


3. The books should follow a theme. And no, "6 Books that My Book Club Really Liked Last Year" is not a theme. Some random ideas off the top of my head? "Memoirs of Strong Women," "Books That'll Make you Hungry" (food books!), or "Controversial YA Books Parents Should Read More Closely."

Like I said, those are just some ideas off the top of my head… if you want to run with one of them, great! Or feel free to suggest your own. Browse your bookcase — you'll be surprised at how many ideas will leap out. Look back over the books your club has read. Maybe take a look at my existing lists of Book Club books for inspiration.

But once you have an idea, I'd love to publish your list… bringing you and your book club fame, fortune and endless cookies for the meetings. Okay, well, I can at least promise that I'll add it to my Book Club books category and maybe that will bring a modicum of attention. Just drop me a line at info@flashlightworthy.com and we'll take it from there.

And if Jennifer is kind enough to have me back some day, for my next post I'll describe exactly how you can tell a book is Flashlight Worthy. "

Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day

Ephesians 3:17-19: "“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”"

Max Lucado Daily

Preparation: "

“Think only about the things in heaven.” Colossians 3:2

Engaged people are obsessed with preparation. The right dress. The right weight. The right hair and the right tux. They want everything to be right. Why? So their fiancée will marry them? No. Just the opposite. They want to look their best because their fiancée is marrying them.

The same is true for us. We want to look our best for Christ. We want our hearts to be pure and our thoughts to be clean . . . We want to be prepared."

Desiring God Blog

Free Update Available for the Sermon Manuscript Library: "

(Author: Tyler Kenney)

Logos Bible Software recently announced that a free update is now available for The John Piper Sermon Manuscript Library. This update includes 41 additional sermons from 2008-2009, bringing the total count to more than 1,125 sermons.

If you already own a copy of this software, just follow the instructions on the Logos blog to receive the update.

If you don't have a copy, it is available now as part of our Father's Day Sale for just $40.

This is a great resource to have (or to gift) if you want access to past John Piper sermons but don't always have an internet connection to read them on our website."

Women of Faith Blogs

Gratitude: "

Expressing our gratitude to God is an adventure in itself. After all, think about what we’ve been delivered from. We’ve been rescued from the cold night of sin that alienates us from God. –Sheila Walsh (The Great Adventure)"

Becentsable

Top Deals of the Week: "

Check out what I am doing to save money this week!

Coupons:

$2 off Welch's

Lean Cuisine Coupons

$1.00 off any Muir Glen product

$1 off coupon for Cheez-It.

Hot Deals and Freebies:

Get 20 extra Swagbucks when you sign up

Win a Couponizer

Pick up a free sample of Ready Brew by Starbucks.

Join the pancake revolution at IHOP and get 3 free meals

Thanks for subscribing to our blog!
Be sure to click back BeCentsable to read articles of interest and COMMENT so we know what you liked!"

5 Minutes For Books

Mailbox Monday: June 5: "

Since we're a team blog, we might get more books in our mailbox on any given week, and just like we strive to provide diverse reviews here — from baby to adult in all genres — that will probably be reflected in what arrives in our mailboxes each week as well.

Check out the other Mailbox Monday participants at The Printed Page.

JENNIFER:

• Jennifer Weiner's latest Fly Away Home comes out in July. Though her last novel didn't thrill me, I'm a fan, and I hope that this one will.

I received a few unsolicited titles that got me or my family excited:

• Molly Moon and the Morphing Mystery by Georgia Byng thrilled Amanda (11) who has read the others in the series.


• Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce will appeal to fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Though 6 year old Kyle is too young now, seeing him pour over the Sunday comics this weekend makes me glad that this trend is continuing.


• Gilbert, the Surfer Dude (I Can Read Book 2) is right up Kyle's alley now so I can't wait to test it out with him.

DAWN:

• Although I haven't read any of Allison Winn Scotch's prior novels, I've heard a couple of bloggers already talking about her new one, The One That I Want, so I happily accepted a review copy. I'm looking forward to a contemporary "chick-lit" novel after some heavier nonfiction reading lately.


• Amy Lou Jenkins' Every Natural Fact: Five Seasons of Open-Air Parenting also came in this week as a review copy.


• And I even ordered a couple of books off Amazon this week- birthday gifts (I'm not telling!), and one just for me: Screamfree Parenting: The Revolutionary Approach to Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool. I hope this one is as helpful as I've heard.

LISA:

• My Hands Came Away Red by Lisa McKay (who is not, interestingly enough, the same Lisa McKay whose book I just reviewed last week). This is the first selection of my church's summer book club. I devoured it quickly and think it will provide for some interesting discussion when we meet later this month.


• Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley. Carrie recommended this to me like forever ago and when I needed to round out my order so as to get free shipping, I finally indulged. I'm looking forward to reading it!


• Mere Churchianity by the late Michael Spencer, the Internet Monk. I'm intrigued not just by the book's premise but also by the fact that this is his last, and only, book."
  
  

Crosswalk.com

5 Tips to Deepen Your Relationship with God: "We all want a deeper relationship with God and seek it in different ways though we don’t always feel as if we’re getting very far. Part of the problem is that often we’re focused on a feeling which is no real judge of our walk with God."

Health News

COBRA Health Care Subsidies End: "

With unemployment still a major economic worry and health care reform not set to kick in until 2014, COBRA subsidies have become a lifeline for many Americans, the only affordable insurance option for many. Unfortunately, the government is reluctant to extend the COBRA subsidy after it expires.

read more"

$5 Dinners

Menu Plan Monday – June 7th: "

So I’m *almost* finished with recipe testing for The $5 Dinner Mom’s Breakfast and Lunch Cookbook. *Almost*

I can’t wait for the recipe testing to be over…and to feel a little less dizzy. My mind has been swirling with recipes, ingredients, ideas, tweaks, etc. for the past 4 months. And I’m SO ready for a little more “white matter” peace!

Having a plan in place certainly helps me maintain said brain peace…

Batch Cooking

• Whole Wheat Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins


• Black Bean Coconut Brownies


• Pancakes and Waffles


• Carrots and Peas for Tyler


• Grilled Chicken – Grill 15 or so chicken breasts; slice and dice; then freeze to use later for salads and pasta salads(Thanks for the idea Jen!)

This Week’s Dinners

• Monday – Taco Burgers


• Tuesday – Teriyaki Chicken Kebabs


• Wednesday – Red Quinoa with Black Beans and Corn


• Thursday – Breakfast for Dinner (freeze extras)


• Friday – Coconut Rice and Beans


• Saturday – Leftovers


• Sunday – Burgers

Other Goodies & Experiments

• Pina Colada Popsicles


• Lasagna for Steve’s lunches

I will post the recipes each night after I make the meal. If you see a meal you are interested in, please check back for the recipe later in the week!

Current Monthly Meal Plan can be found here!

Need help with your weekly meal planning and grocery shopping…check out all the printable resources!

Thanks to Andrea at Mommy Snacks and Marcy at Stretching a Buck for posting the best deals and coupon matchups at my stores each week!

All the BEST menu plans can be found every week at OrgJunkie.com!

Menu Plan Monday – June 7th is a post from: $5 Dinners.com
(c) 2009 $5 Dinners. Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

Get Even More Savings

Join AFullCup and Start Saving More on Groceries!!!

---

Menu Plan Monday – June 7th was first posted on June 6, 2010 at 7:42 pm.

"

White House.Gov Blog Feed

The Ongoing Administration-Wide Response to the Deepwater BP Oil Spill: June 5 and June 6, 2010: "

Ed. Note: For more information on federal response resources, volunteer opportunities, and assistance for those in affected areas visit WhiteHouse.gov/Deepwater-BP-Oil-Spill.

Below is the latest in the ongoing Administration-wide response provided by the Joint Information Center.

Heidi Avery is White House Deputy Homeland Security Advisor"

Komen News

More than 40,000 Participate in the 2010 Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure®: "They came to honor a loved one, to celebrate survival and to make an impact in the fight against breast cancer, both here in the Washington, D.C. metro area and across the globe. In the end, more than 40,000 people participated in the 21st running of the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure® in Washington, D.C. Today’s event raised more than $4.5 million to fund breast cancer programs for women in need throughout the National Capital Area and abroad."