beauty found

the very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for.
the most you can do is live inside that hope, running down its hallways,
touching the walls on both sides.
- animal dreams, barbara kingsolver

a month ago, i finished reading the book animal dreams,
and the passage above moved me beyond words.

 

this book is filled with so many beautiful passages like this one.
if the copy i was reading hadn't been borrowed,
i would have marked it all up with a highlighter and had notes in the margins.

i had heard of barbara kingsolver maybe 10 years ago from my dear friend char.
she had recommended i read one of her books, and for whatever reason,
i had never got around to until now.

i'm so glad i did because i can't think of any author i've read that writes as beautifully.
her words were like poetry, dripping with imagery that made me feel like i was right there.
i said outloud to c, this kind of writing is what inspires people to become writers.

and this particular book, animals dreams is unique.
it weaves in so many elements throughout
love, family, friendship, environment, history, politics, culture and about a woman finding herself.
it's a book i plan on buying and adding to my home collection.

i'm so so happy to have discovered barbara kingsolver.
i gave my sis a copy of her book titled pigs in heaven for her birthday.
i haven't read it, but it came highly recommended.
i can't wait to hear her thoughts on it {and then borrow and read myself} *wink*

on another note, i'm a single mom for the next few days.
christopher flew to sacramento today to meet colleagues
from the american institute of architects.  he is part of the group that is rewriting
the new architectural exams for those who are seeking to get licensed.
he was so excited.

now on to reviewing photos from a little shoot i did of jen and the boys earlier
in the week.  i'll share my favorite in a later post.