Featured Blogger: Brooke

Today, I'm featuring Brooke from Dove Tree. (I'm so sorry that I haven't posted this until now!)

Brooke's blog is definitely one of my favorites.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Blogging is often something I do in my spare time.  I also like to take pictures, spend time outside, and spend time with family as well.

What is your blog about?

My blog is a personal blog where I can share my thoughts, ideas, poetry, pictures, etc.

Why do you blog, and when did you start?

I blog because I adore writing.  My mom started blogging (she's always been an amazing writer) and she told me about blogspot.  That same day I got my account. :)

Do you have any pets?

Yes I do!  I have one Boston Terrier (Pugsly), a calico cat (Zipper), a main-coon mix (Snowy), a tarantula (Felisha), and two birds (Gloria and Melvin).

How would you describe yourself?

I suppose I could describe myself as funny, kind, a good listener (a talker, too), and fun to be around (I hope)!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Ah, the question I've been asked a thousand times (and I like to answer!).  I have a lot of things that I'd like to be.  A nature photographer or a writer to name a couple.

Why do you love photography?

I feel that photography gives me the ability to capture a moment.  It's a way of reminding me of something, or just bringing good memories.  There are so many ways to take a photo, and many people just don't know about it.

What is your ultimate dream?

That's tuff!  I would really like become a famous writer who has my photography in my books, that also help animals!  That's a mixture of lots of things, but hey, an ultimate dream is an ultimate dream. :D

Do you play any instruments?

Yes, I play guitar (electric and acoustic).  I'm still learning, but I'm pretty good.  I play piano, too, but I don't know anything about the keys/how to play well or anything.  I like to play around with my keyboard, etc.

Thanks so much Brooke! Would you like to be featured on Letters of My Life, or do you know someone who you think I should feature? Just email me, and we'll go from there.

but the greatest of these is love

So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
-1 Corinthians 13:13

Although I didn't realize it was from the Bible at the time, I first read this quotation perhaps a week ago in what has become one of my favorite books, Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card. A few days later, I was reading my Bible - 1 Corinthians 13 - and chanced upon it again.

When I did, I felt a sort of connection to these words. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe it was because the words rolled off my tongue, like lovely poetry. Maybe because it's a verse that rings true.

And while I wasn't planning on doing a one word for 2011, I realized that this verse held the one word I need to keep in mind this new year:

Love.

I need to love this year more than ever. Love my family. Love God. Love my friends. My enemies. Myself. People I don't know now and won't ever. The people I do know, as much as I dislike some of them. Those in need of help, and those who aren't. I need to bring an open heart into every encounter so that I may be free to love as Jesus loves, without prejudice or profiling. 

This year, I need to love.

The Star-Spangled Banner

How many of you know the Star-Spangled Banner? America's national anthem?

Really know it? The I-can-sing-it-to-you-right-now know it?

I thought I did. I was absolutely positive I did.

But turns out, when we did a project on the Star-Spangled Banner, I didn't. I knew parts of it, but I couldn't write it down. I couldn't even sing the whole anthem to myself.

I had been positive that I had known it. But I hadn't. And I've lived in America my entire life. I was born here and have never lived anywhere else. How could I not know my country's anthem? And, truth be told, most of my classmates didn't know it, either.

It made me wonder: do other American citizens know their national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner?  I do, now, but do YOU?

Test yourself.... see how much of it you do know- open Word, or NotePad, or get off the computer for a minute and use a sheet of paper to write down as many parts of the Star-Spangled Banner as you can remember. Then see the real lyrics here. (Obviously I don't expect anyone to know anything past the first verse)

Did you know it? Or were you, like my classmates and I, a little rusty?

entering

I'm entering the DIY custom blog design contest at Makin Cute Blogs.

I'm also entering Ellyn's giveaway of her novel, Torn Heart: