Monthly Archives: January 2015

SOMEBODY LOVES YOU, MR. HATCH by Eileen Spinelli (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1996)

Mr. Hatch has the misfortune of being a loner, or that is his self-perception. This plays out in the way he lives his rather boring life. One day his life takes a turn for the better. Because of a unexpected Valentine’s gift of a box of chocolates, he begins to feel loved. This initiates a personal transformation. He takes an interest in others and becomes helpful. Then he finds out it was all a big mistake. What happens next? This children’s book illustrates the power and magic of feeling wanted and loved. The emotions of the story draw the reader in right there with Mr. Hatch. Somebody Loves You is a good book to read to a classroom of children. There are many teaching moments in this book. Add Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch to your collection of illustrated children’s books.

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A New Book: The Golden Silence

My goal is to have my book, “The Golden Silence: Moments with God at Vina Monastery,” finished with my whole-book edit this coming Monday. I’m reading through it right now with my red pen in hand. I hope to have a copy ready to drop by the monastery for Abbot Paul Mark to take a look through. I am hopeful that it will meet with his approval. He already knows it’s coming.

This has been such an interesting experience. I have greater appreciation, respect, and awareness mixed with insights, understandings, and knowledge in areas once foreign to me. It is a thrill to make new discoveries.

This book is similar to my last book with its prayers and contemplations, but this time I take on other difficult subjects like abuse in the church, people dealing with their pasts, and “religious” barriers that stifle and inhibit the church. I also talk about the need for rain in Calif. and prayer.

This is a very “real” read. I may lose some friends over this one, but I hope not. It must be understood within its context. You have to go zoom outside before you attempt to look in. I guess it sounds like a riddle. I’ll leave it at that.