Venus and Mars closest conjunction since 2008!

Earth Sky.org tells us that on – February 21, 2015 we will have the ". . . closest conjunction of the planets Venus and Mars since September 11, 2008." They won’t couple up this closely again until October 5, 2017. As soon as darkness falls, look for these embracing worlds to pop out beneath the waxing crescent moon in your western sky. If you have binoculars, aim them at dazzling Venus to see nearby Mars with Venus in a single binocular field of view!

Here is what they tell us: 

     Although Venus and Mars are about the moon’s diameter (1/2 degree) apart on the 

     sky’s dome, these worlds are not particularly close together in space. These two solar 

     system worlds simply align along the same line of sight, as seen from Earth. 

     Today, Venus lodges 1.42 astronomical units (AU) from Earth, while Mars resides 

     beyond Mars at 2.20 AU away.

Though I am no scientist, I love these types of happenings.  If the weather is good enough and I find out I can see this, I want to go and see the skyward event!

In honor of our Presidents! New biographies of Presidents and other famous people

In honor of our celebration of Presidents during February, let me tell you about two new biographies. The first biography is entitled, “41: A Portrait of My Father,” by George W. Bush.  We have it in print and audio-book (CD format). This is a great book written about President George H. W. Bush (George Herbert Walker Bush; born June 12, 1924) written by his son President George W. Bush (George Walker Bush; born July 6, 1946).  It tells the personal insights to the man that became our 41^st president (thus the title, “41”). He tells of his military career, politics but also important to people such as myself is the personal background and story.  Men and women can be great leaders but can they also live a life of love, endurance, faithfulness and victory with those closest to them, their family.  This book shows such a man, one that true leadership classes, books on character and encouraging speeches and articles would be do well to glean and learn from. 

I read a lot of biographies on presidents, their wives and those around them.  I have read the biography entitled, “Barbara Bush: A Memoir” (written in 2003). This book told of the Bushes family background as well. It also highlighted the preparation of the Bushes in service to their country.  I came away from that book with the understanding the George H.W. Bush was one of the best prepared men to be president in the 20^th Century.  This newest book, “41” will also help the reader to glean even more of the preparation of a man for the Presidency.

Another recent non-fiction book on a President is entitled, “The Stranger: Barack Obama In the White House,” by Chuck Todd.  Todd is the moderator of Meet the Press and Former NBC News Chief White House Correspondent (front cover). Todd endeavors to tell the reader how President Barack Obama (Barack Hussein Obama II; born August 4, 1961) won the Presidency as an outsider of Washington (2008). He tells how his vision of hope and change became very hard to implement in a culture within Washington D.C. (from both parties) that challenged his agenda. Todd brings hundreds of interviews in this book to discuss the victories and the failures of this man as president.  He thinks that the title, ‘“The Stranger” defines what “Obamaism” really is and what the president stands for. . .’ (front flap). He shows the power struggles and agendas of many of the important players within Washington.  Like all books written about someone famous, the author always brings their colored glasses to the presentation.  Be sure and consider the authors reasons for writing the book, their political leanings and the audience they are writing to. These will all influence the tone and presentation. 

After reading many biographies and books outlining political careers of mighty men and women, what I always come away with is that there is never any shortage of intrigue, power struggles and agendas on all sides.  Many of us average citizens are just not privy to them.  Read, learn and challenge yourself to read and see from the author’s point of view.

Historical fiction you may really enjoy!

A new historical fiction item is entitled “Edge of Eternity,” by Ken Follett.  This is book three of the Century Trilogy.  If you don’t like to hold an almost 1100 page book, check it out on eBook from you library. This book covers the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s.  It will introduce the readers to such large events of the Cuban Missile Crisis, civil rights, Vietnam, the Berlin Wall and more.  Chapter one introduces Rebecca Hoffmann and her husband Hans. They are living in East Berlin—the communist side. Hans works for the Ministry of Justice.  Rebecca is currently a teacher in a government school.  She had come from a political family before the fall of Berlin and the communist takeover.  Her beloved grandfather had been part of the Social Democrat Party, not the Socialist Unity Party. She had decided that she would not join the Socialist Unity Party. She knew that this would limit her rise in any profession she chose. She decided to go into teaching.  Now she teaches Russian and English; a strange match really. Hans is a lawyer. She has been married several years and has yet to meet his associates.  She thinks this strange and he promises to arrange a casual affair after work so she can meet them. That assuages her fears. But today just before her first class she has received a notice to appear from the Ministry for State Security.  The appointment is for five that afternoon.  This physically shakes Rebecca because she does not know what this could be about.  But things are changing in East Germany.  What she would experience in the next few hours would rock her world!

A great fiction book with some historical elements or possibilities is entitled, “The Assassination Option,” by W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV. This is book two of the Clandestine Operations series. Webb has placed a two page dedication to persons he believes should be mentioned and honored.  The first four are those who are dead but have gone before in intelligence and military operations to defeat our enemy.  The next section of this dedication is for the living who may have retired from the action, and then the new breed who are current officers.  He ends with loving memory to three others and then tells us that “our nation owes these patriots a debt beyond repayment.”

The prologue of this item tells us the history of German, Russian, England and the American relationships and agreements in early 1943.  The United Nations was set up and the framework for the Nuremberg war trials put in place.  It discusses the quid pro quos also given to Russia even though they had murdered at least 21,768 Polish soldiers by gun point. An atrocity they would never be held accountable for! Web then brings us up to December 1945 at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Rear Admiral Sidney Souers was visiting injured CIA operative from Argentina, Major Maxwell Ashton III after an attempt on his life. After he discussed with Souers his future desire to stay with the agency, Souers discussed his future assignment, how it would intertwine with other agents such as James Cronley.   Web intertwines a lot of history with the telling of this dramatic story.  Once you get some of the characters in place you are ready to be catapulted into action.  Hope you enjoy the read. 

Thrillers and mysteries that you may enjoy!

A new thriller that some may want to read is entitled “Phantom Instinct,” by Meg Gardiner.  She is an Edgar Award winning writer. This book received recognition as a stand-alone thriller (http://www.meggardiner.com/books/phantom-instinct).

In this book, protagonist, Harper Flynn is working as a bartender in a very crowded dance and bar. There were probably 1200 people inside swaying to the very loud music. The night was like any other night, but within seconds her world literally explodes.  Shots are fired, Molotov cocktails thrown, smoke everywhere and then the collapse of the building. She needs to get out, or like others she will be dead!  Harper loses a lot in this incident – love, health and clarity.  Now, she has one purpose, to find the last person who perpetrated this horrible crime.  Injured, reeling and broken she must push past her pain. Find out her journey.

James Patterson’s newest book which was co-authored by Michael Ledwidge is “Burn.” It is the seventh book in the Michael Bennett series. Bennett is on his way to a trial for a large drug dealer: the “Sun God’ or Perine Tepito’s cartel was taken down during a large Coke bust.   He was speaking for Tara McLellan who had been killed by the Cartel.  He thinks this is going to be quick and easy and then he can go back home with his family in New York. Wrong!  How can such a professional get it all wrong? He and the U.S. Marshals arrive at the court house with a MS-13 gang protesting racism and segregation. By the dress and bandanas their wearing Bennett knows this group of protesters is linked to the Tepito cartel, plain and simple. Things happen and the suspense begins!

John Sandford also came out with a new book entitled, “Deadline.” In this eighth book of the Virgil Flower series, protagonist Flowers is called to help with a murder and local dog knapping.  Winky Butterfield has his dogs in his kennel. He walks out on his porch and finds that someone is trying to steal his dogs. He rushes out with his gun to try and stop him. The man gets away but not before he gets off a few shots. Flowers is immediately called at 3:00 am for the theft of two Labrador dogs.  A few days later he came into a meeting of locals who had heard that many dogs were being taken.  They were irate and some swore they’d kill the person doing it.  Since many were gun toting savory types, Virgil did not take this lightly. A member of the community suggested “bunchers” were taking the animals. Bunchers are those that sell animals to laboratories.  The case of the stolen dogs is interesting but his life gets a bit crazier when Clancy Conley is found shot to death. Enjoy reading this quick and exciting read!

 Catherine Coulter with J.T. Ellison just published their newest book, “The Lost Key.”

This is book two of the “Brit in the FBI series.  If you have not read book one, it is not too late to start the series!  In this book, Protagonist Nicholas Drummond has just finished his FBI training at Quantico training location.  He has been partnered with Mike Caine. Drummond is no school boy when it comes to investigations; he is transferring from New Scotland Yard to the FBI.  Yet at headquarters in New York, he is going through all the Federal paperwork, pictures and such to be allowed to begin work. Once finished he goes to the 23^rd floor, finds his tiny cubicle (which is not much to talk about), but then he expects to be out in the field doing forensic work with his beautiful partner, Mike Caine.  She takes him and introduces him around the office when their boss Milo Zachery joins in to brief them on a recent stabbing on federal land (at 26^th Wall Street). This will be their first case to handle. See how they do!

Easy and fun Christmas Novels!

If you are looking to read fun and easy books with a holiday or Christmas theme, consider the following:

The first is “Mr. Miracle,” by Debbie Macomber.  This author always has a way of writing heartwarming stories that include struggles, relationships and new beginnings for some characters.  Protagonist, Addie Folsom is coming back home to get her life together.  She wants to enroll in college and get the education she always desired.  Harry Mills, local guardian angel of Addie will help her in her life during this season.  As Macomber is known to do, she weaves in a bit of romance, and in this book it includes Erich Simmons. He lives next door.  She remembers him well from high school.  He was the good person everyone liked. She was the exact opposite! As neighbors, their paths will cross more than casually.  One unexpected Christmas event throws them together and soon they both must reexamine their thoughts about the other.  This is a feel good, warm and enchanting Christmas story.  Don’t miss reading it.

Another great book is “Santa Claus Is for Real: A True Christmas Fable About the Magic of Charles Edward Hall has not always believed in Santa.  He did as a kid, but then had the tradition destroyed when he was a youth.  However, while working at Radio City Christmas Spectacular that all changed.  He found himself wearing the red suit. But while filling the role of Santa he found that it challenged his view point and the beauty of serving others changed his whole perspective.  This book too will warm your heart.

Believing,” by Charles Edward Hall and Bret Witter.

A third item is “Candlelight Christmas,” by Susan Wiggs. This is book ten of the Lakeshore Chronicles series. Logan O’Donnell wants Christmas in Avalon to be memorable for he and his son, Charlie.  O’Donnell meets Darcy Fitzgerald. Neither sees each other as one to fall in love with, but then events happen and their relationship is kindled. This book too is another enjoyable read for the holidays!

More spiritual thoughts for the holidays

The holidays are upon us.  This means many enter into spiritual expressions of faith.             While I was preparing the last blog, I could not give you many of the books I've read on the subject. “Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back,” by Todd Burpo, Sonja Burpo, Colton Burpo and Lynn Vincent. A young boy of four years old life is in jeopardy in surgery. He later begins to tell his parents his experiences as they live their everyday life.  Needless to say this makes their life more than normal. Read it and enjoy.

“Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife,” by Eben Alexander III M.D. This book is a testimony of a neurosurgeon’s personal experience when he is brain dead.  His fellow doctors, nurses and others know that he should not be able to come back to a normal life.  He writes with such technical descriptions of moving from a daily non-spiritual experience or understanding, to one that challenges his colleagues to believe there is more to life than just the physical that we can see.

“Heaven Is Real: Lessons on Earthly Joy--What Happened After 90 Minutes in Heaven,” by Don

Piper and Cecil Murphey. This is a book about a pastor who has a crash. The interesting thing about this book is that the man is not completely healed.  He comes back and must work through breaking almost every bone in his body. I loved the description of his 90 minutes in heaven. If you have someone struggling with life and death processes, think about reading the description to them.  It may bring them peace.

“The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven: A Remarkable Account of Miracles, Angels, and Life Beyond This World,” by Kevin Malarkey and Alex Malarkey. Note: I realize that the young man in the book has renounced the truth of the book.  I have read that the parents are in the midst of the divorce, and the parents have different views of how religion and faith is walked out in real life.  I’d love to interview those whose lives were touched by the son and subsequently written about in the book. The book I reviewed above would seem to confirm that the son could have had such experiences the knowing of situations in other people’s lives. Hence, I leave this book for you to consider. 

Thinking of the spiritual, heaven and such.

      There is a new book out about spiritual journeys and heaven. This is a  non-fiction book that I just finished reading is entitled “Glimpsing Heaven: The Stories and Science of the Life After Death,” by Judy Bachrach.  I enjoyed reading this book because it told stories of normal people making the journey of death and returning to life when sent back.  It brings a person to understand that there is more than just dying and being placed in the dirt.  I personally believed there is more than this mortal human existence; this author brings first-hand accounts to the reader through interviewing others and including her own personal experience. Some would question objectivity of the author. But, we all have personal experience, and I find it difficult to believe that even the most dedicated researcher keeps out subjective experiences to inform their responses. Computers can take raw data and spit out results, but even those are guided by the programs written by humans. 

Some who hold strict religious views may find it not what they want to consider. I found it fascinating to see how people describe their experiences in terms of total love, feeling of peace, no fear, knowledge, others meeting and communicating with the person, the description of objects coming toward them and communicating to them. There were some negative experiences but even those people grew and found that the experience allowed them to refocus their lives to be different.    

This book shows that many in our society have had personal experiences like this, but will not share them because of the stigma from society.  It often personally challenges what the person finds important in life. They become much more outward focused on others. Not driven to success and power. They have a knowing in circumstances that they never had before. I personally am not challenged by many of these descriptions, because if you read the descriptive portions that include visions, prophecy and prose within the Bible they have some similarities to what was communicated in the written text. Read it and you decide.