Dementia for 2

Hubs is always telling me I have tunnel vision. He says I only see what is in front of me. I think that is because I just don't want to see all the junk around me. My job requires that I constantly watch people. I have learned over the years that, if given the chance, people are cheats. I have learned not to make a lot of eye contact because I have to watch your hands. I do take a look at your features and what you are wearing just in case.But, for the most part, I am not looking at you per se.

I am in line at the grocer's today. I hate the checkout stand. All that impulse buy stuff. Do I really have to have that movie theatre size Snickers? Those magazines! They are so outrageous. Not only in price but topics. "How to touch a man naked" "She left me for another woman" "My kid is psychic". The list goes on and on.

What I noticed today is that most of the bold topics are sexually oriented. Everyone knows that sex sells. From the racy outfits on the too young women, to the racy topics. I started thinking about today's young women and their reading material. I don't think that today's parent or young woman thinks about the implications of the magazines that they just "pick up". Society has filled their young minds with so much garbage that they are almost immune to just about anything. I find this very sad.

Children are no longer children. The family is a broken disfigured doll that is tossed to the bottom of the toy box. When did all this happen? Does anyone care enough to even try and fix it? I look at my own family. We are no different. Because of my own poor choices as a wife, mother, and adult, we have all suffered in some way or another.

But, young women seem to be more than lost. They are surrounded by sharks with no lifeboat in sight. I am not saying that young men have it any easier, they don't. They are encouraged to "sow their oats" and become men. But, is that really how to become a man?

There are 2 books in print that I encouraged every man or woman, young or old, to read. Read them yourself and then encourage your son/daughter to read them. If you do not have children, give them to a young person that touches you be they relative or not. Our children need mentors that are focused on what is truly good for them, not what will keep them out of jail.

The first book is by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. If you have never read or listened to her, she is a very good teacher on what God has to say about how women should behave. This particular book has a companion that is geared towards younger women also. When I first read this I was amazed at how distorted my own thinking was and how I had passed those same distortions on to my own daughter. "The Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free."

The second book is by Elisabeth Elliot. For those of you that are not familiar with her, there was a movie put out several years ago about her first husband, Jim Elliot. She wrote a book just for young men titled, "The Mark of a Man". While I do not have a copy of this particular book, rest assured that it will be my next book purchase.

I hope that you feel compelled to try and communicate with the young people that you love the importance of not only keeping their lives clean, but their minds and hearts as well.

One of my favorite times of the year is coming up. I am talking about Banned Books Week. Back when I had more money, I would make it a point of buying at least 5 books that were banned.

Since I my love of reading is well known, I used this opportunity to explain to my children why I thought books should not be banned. I feel that many groups and governments including ours, fail to realize that we do have some common sense. While I would not let my elementary age child read something like Catcher in the Rye, I read it as a high school student as I am sure many of you did. I don't think it warped my mind nor do I fell the need to go and do something totally stupid because of it.

Part of having the freedoms that we have, is the ability to make choices about what we allow into our lives. When we allow others to make these choices for us, we are giving up our free thought. We are allowing our lives to be dictated by a select few.

While there are many books on the list that I would not personally read, that does not mean that the choice should be taken from others. Below are the top 10 banned books for 2009.

If you go to the ALA's site, you can find a wealth of information on what type of groups challenge books how books are banned and why certain books have been banned.



10. The Color Purple. It has been banned because of its extreme and graphic violence, troubling ideas about relations between races, African history, human sexuality, and man’s relationship with God.

9. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. The book has been banned because of its explicit scenes of rape and other sexual abuse, as well as violence, homosexuality, and vulgar language.

8.To Kill A Mockingbird. The book has been challenged many times because of how it deals with race issues. It is extremely prejudice and stereotypical. The novel also portrays an assault that is somewhat sexual, resulting in a rape. Vulgar language, including the “n” word, is also used.

7. Brave New World. The book has been banned for its strong themes of drugs, sexuality, and suicide. In the novel, something as minute as chewing gum is seen as a way to deliver sex hormones, and pornographic films are spread around like free candy. Simply, Brave New World has been banned and challenged for its negativity, the latest being in 1993.

6. 1984. The book was first banned in 1984 by the American Library Association because of its “bleak warning of totalitarian government and censorship.” Many see the novel as one that is expressing immoral themes, as well as being pro-Communist. The book tosses around the idea of “Big Brother,” which is still highly influential and popular in culture today. The book has also been challenged for sexual themes.

5. Lolita. This book has been banned in many European countries for its sexual content. Believe it or not, it has not been banned in the US.

4. Catcher in the Rye. This book is so widely known that it really needs no explanation. But, many feel that teens will look up to Holden, the main character. There is much controversy surrounding the book because of its slang, violence, sex and moral issues.

3. The Harry Potter Series. Since the first book’s publishing in 1997, the series has been under much scrutiny. In 2001, parents from all over the U.S. and other parts of the world challenged the book because of its witchcraft, violence, the occult, and its overall scariness. Years later, the series is still banned and challenged for the same reasons, including lying, cheating, stealing, ghosts, and promoting Wicca ideology.

2.Candide. The Great Council of Geneva banned the book after its release, but more than 30,000 copies sold in a year. In 1930, U.S. Customs seized Harvard-bound copies of Candide, and then in 1944 the U.S. Post Office wanted the book dropped from Concord Books.

1. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Here in the U.S., the book was banned in 1885, a year after it was published. At first, the book was banned for its use of slang, which was seen as demeaning. Over time, the focus shifted towards the fact that the novel uses the “n” word so many times, in fact over 200 times. Many cannot get around the fact that such a derogatory word is used so much.

What I did notice is that The Bible did not make the top 10. I didn't even see it on the top 100. Nor did any of Darwin's writings or the Koran. I am sure this has to be some sort of oversight by someone. These books are just too controversial in some circles not to be banned or at least challenged.

I hope you take some time in the future to expand your reading and maybe pick a banned book or two even it if is just to feel a little revolutionary.

I cannot remember when I was not able to read. I cannot imagine life without books. The perfect date for me is Barnes and Noble with a Starbucks. I could spend hours and mucho dinero on books. I usually read 3-4 at a time depending on the topic.

Personally, I think every child/adult should have a desire to read. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Reading just isn't exciting enough for most. There is no physical action, no loud noises to stimulate, no commercials.

But the way the mind works when you are reading! Your imagination can make even the best movie seem like a B movie. You get caught up in the plot and lose yourself in the words. For me, there is no comparison.

I find it very heartbreaking that so many are illiterate in this country. We are one of the if not the most advanced nation in the world and our schools are graduating children that cannot fill out a basic job application.

I would encourage you today to build a new memory with your child. Start a new tradition by reading together. Some of my fondest memories as a young girl are of reading with my mother. I can still see us trading novels and reading the paper together. Whenever we are able, we still read the paper together. This can lead to a whole new level of understanding between you and your child.

If you do not have children, then maybe you could volunteer to read to children at your local school or library. Better yet, teach a person to read! Think of the gift you are giving them. To be able to read your own name on paper. To read a love letter written to you.

I hope that sometime today, you all sit down with a good book and share the experience with someone that can carry on the tradition.

Well I was not sure I would be able to make another post until after Christmas, but I can't sleep so here I am:)

I have been reading Brian's blog and have become inspired to post some of my favorite books. Granted, these are Christian books, but if you want a deeper understanding of who God is, I do recommend these.

Knowledge of the Holy - A.W. Tozer
The Pursuit of God - A.W. Tozer
The Power of the Holy Spirit - Charles Spurgeon
The Confessions of St Augustine - St. Augustine
Hard to Believe - John MacArthur

These are just a few that I have read over the last year. I usually read about a book a month so this doesn't even come close to the list I have read this year.

I have had to change my reading habits due to changes in my schedule, so I probably won't get to read too many this year.

There have many so many teachers that have started to adopt practices that are not in line with what God teaches, so now I have to really screen what I read.

I do like to read what I can "trash" novels when my mind becomes to stressed out. But usually I stick with something that will increase my knowledge of God and also will help me to overcome the latest obstacle in my path.

I hope you will find something on this list that you haven't read that will inspire you to increase your knowledge of God.

I wanted to close with a personal thanks to all of you who follow "Dementia". I appreciate all of your input and I enjoy reading all of your blogs! So thank you:

Brian - I have learned a lot of really cool things from reading your blog and hope to start my Federal job hunt after Christmas thanks to your posts.

Small Footprints - Your blog is very informative and I have learned many things that I have shared with my friends about how to reduce my footprint. Thank you for all of your research and diligence in sharing what you have learned.

John - I do enjoy reading your blog. I really like our lighthearted banter. I look forward to reading more about your quest to run. I have started walking my German Shepherd everyday that the weather allows in an effort to get ready to start running again this Spring. My goal is my first 5k run which is small potatoes but a start since I am not as young as I think I am:)

Sarah - Even though you haven't posted on your regular blog in a while, I have been lurking in your alternative blog. I find the perspectives there....let's just say different. I haven't posted a comment there yet but I am interested in how others think and do read it quite often.

MPH - I stumbled across your blog and I must say I do like to read your posts. You seem to have come to grips with who you are now instead of who you were. That is a very hard thing to do and I commend you on your ongoing efforts. I look forward to reading more of your musings in the future.

Morning Constitutional - Even though you are young, I still enjoy your blog! Since I have a 23 year old daughter, your views help me to somewhat understand her way of thinking.

Seattle Craig - Are you still alive? You have a great sense of humor and I miss reading about your adventures. I hope you can post again soon.

There are many other bogs that I read but I wanted all of you to know just how much I enjoy hearing from you and reading your blogs. Thanks again and now my shepherd and I have to fight for the same space in the bed. 'night all!