Phone-yness on The Perennial Gen blog

Please check out The Perennial Gen blog when you have a chance.

Yesterday they published my article on Phone-yness. It expresses a frustration I have felt when aiming for true community, personal friendships, by attending events planned by others. My article addresses the issue from the standpoint of Christians using church-planned events to nurture friendships, when what better nurtures friendships is personal pursuit, namely picking up the phone to call people. I thank God for church-planned events, because that is where I learn which people I have affinity for, and vice versa. But then I need to take initiative. The reasons why are important, and you can read more here:  https://theperennialgen.com/?p=3169

The same concept holds true for any group you're a member of. If I want to better know a coworker, fellow volunteer, or interest group member, she or I needs to phone for a personal chat or invitation. Phoney-ness, it's a gift.

Review of Sophie Kinsella novel

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Sophie Kinsella’s The Undomestic Goddess is a fun read. Brilliant, plucky lawyer, Samantha Sweeting, leaves her London law firm in shame to begin a new life in a small village. There, she learns how to cook and clean, how to relax and enjoy life, and how to place relationship above rat race. She discovers romance and solves a mystery as well. Keeping her previous profession a secret from everyone in the small country village is a source of much hilarity, as is covering her ineptitude for domestic duties.

Although the plot is not especially believable, the characters and their lives appear quite real. Kinsella has included just the right amount of detail. I enjoyed learning about legal deals, catering, and life in rural Britain. I had stomach-twisting moments when I wished Samantha would stop lying, but I suppose that was part of the suspense. I wanted to hang in until she figured out which life she truly wanted. And I was offended by frequent swearing using the name of Jesus and the f-word, which detracted from the humorous tone and was quite unnecessary. A writer can show shock and anger in cleverer ways, and I wish Kinsella had chosen them instead.

That said though, The Undomestic Goddess is true high-spirited, playful chick lit.



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