Another great quality is that each book, though secular overall, has strong Christian elements, including the plan of salvation, and many Scripture texts.
Good writing + Christian emphasis = worthwhile fiction. Even if it's not my usual fare.
1. FIRST WEEK of retirement!! Now, I've been busy all week, but the difference is that I'm slowly realizing that my time is no longer limited. It's not "I've got to get all this done on Saturday," or even "I've got to get all this done during my 10 weeks off this summer." Which is the way it's been for the past 42 years!! I may write an entire blog post at some point about what that feels like. It is liberating.
3. I am slowly getting 42 years of education accumulation cleaned out of our dining room/"big room." It will take awhile, but I'm getting it done slowly.
5. My dad is better. He was pretty sick last weekend with 101+ fever for several days, but a trip to the urgent care, with a doctor we know and appreciate, and a good antibiotic prescription have gotten him fixed up again.
And now I can take a nap. Because I am retired. :-)
My adaptation:
3 tbsp. oil + 1/4 cup oil
1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp. table salt, divided
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
1/8 tsp. cayenne (or chili) powder
2 cans cannellini beans, rinsed
3-4 colored bell peppers, seemed, seeded, and cut into strips
1/4-1/2 cup ham diced into small pieces
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped toasted almonds
1. Whisk the quarter cup oil, lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, paprika, and pepper together in a large bowl. Add beans and toss to combine.
2. Heat remaining 1 tbsp. oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and cook, stirring every two minutes, until tender and deep spotty brown, about 8 minutes total.
3. Transfer bell peppers to bowl with bean mixture and toss to combine. Let set for at least 30 minutes.
4. Add ham, Parmesan, and almonds to bean mixture and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
On our recent trip to the Carolina coast, we saw so many little churches that I started writing down the names on the return trip. I only wrote down about the first 75 miles' worth of churches, before we got to the interstate. But it's safe to say that the Carolina Lowcountry is well represented with churches:
Robert Lesslie was an emergency room physician who practiced in Rock Hill, SC, about two hours from where I live. He also grew up in the town near our farm, as his father was a professor there. After his death in a senseless and brutal murder a few months ago (along with his wife, two grandchildren, and two workers outside his home), I somehow came across the fact that he was an author. I found several of his books on Hoopla through our local library, and have been reading them ever since.
Lesslie told good stories. I've always been a medical person wannabe, and have thoroughly enjoyed both the substance and style of his writing. He was also a dedicated Christian. Though his books were not overtly Christian through and through - they were mostly inspirational stories - he still got the Gospel message into them at some point in each book.
A couple of days ago, I finished Angels In the ER, Book 2 (released less than a month ago). This was in the final chapter and was very touching what with the news to come about his tragic death after this was written.
