Heidi Read along Discussion 4

Hosted by Amber at Seasons of Humility
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Heidi: Chapters 5-9 (Part 2)

Discussion format: your favorite quotes, general impressions, and three questions to answer for each week's reading
Favorite Quotes*
“I must read one of the hymns now; Heidi told me to,” he went on to inform them’
“God arranges everything for us, so that we need have no more fear or trouble or may be quite sure that all things will come right in the end.”
“But then we must never forget to pray, and to ask God to remember us when He is arranging things so that we too may feel safe and have no anxiety about what is going to happen.”
“I have been thinking all day what a happy thing it is that God does not give us what we ask for even when we pray and pray and pray, if He knows there is something better for us; have you felt like that?”
“My dear Uncle! My dear Uncle! How much we have to thank you for! It is all your doing! It is your caring and nursing-“
“And God’s good sun and mountain air.” He interrupted here, smiling.”
“So you see, Peter, God is able to bring good out of evil for those whom you meant to injure, and you who did the evil were left to suffer the unhappy consequences of it.”
“ Nothing strengthens our belief in a Kind Heavenly Father who never forgets even the least of His creatures so mush to know that there are such people, full of goodness and pity for a poor useless creature such as I am.”
“Heidi, read me one of the hymns! I can feel I can do nothing for the remainder of my life but thank the Father in Heaven for all the mercies  he has shown us.”



General Impressions
I loved this sweet story overall.  I was sad to see it end but I did I like the ending. It was nice to see all of the people that Heidi cared about being in the same place. It was also good to see Klara getting better.  After reading this book I now want to watch the movie. This is one of a hand full of books from my childhood that I’ve separate memories of reading the book then watching the movie.  I remember the book because I read it, not because I’m confusing it with the movie, and the Shirley Temple Heidi is still my favorite.


Discussion Questions

Answer any or all three of these questions in the comments section or in your own blog post.

1. What did you think of Peter's reading lessons and Heidi's teaching methods? I think that Heidi can of tricked him into learning to read. She had be a little sneak when she wants to be. It reminder me of when I try to help my cousin to learn to read we were the same age but I had started reading at four and his teacher in first grade was teaching in a way that was getting through to him.

2. Which scene did you find the most beautiful or memorable in these last chapters?  The grandfather’s talk with Herr Sessaman to make sure that Heidi was taken care of when the time came for the grandfather to leave this earth. It showed that out of Heidi’s two remaining relatives he was the one that truly to did love and care about.

3. If you could step into the pages of the book, what would you be most eager to experience? (A night gazing at the stars from the loft? Waking up to the sound of the wind through the fir trees? Sitting among the flowers and goats on the mountain? Or something else?) For me if I could step into the pages of the book I would chose to spend as much time as I could with the grandfather, it would be a bit like having my own grandfather back if only in the pages of a book or my dreams.

Thank you so much for joining the Heidi read-along!
It's been a joy to read and discuss the book with you. :)
*Johanna Spyri, Heidi,(A Public Domain book)  247, 269, 295, 301, 302, 313, 322, 326

Heidi read Along discussion 3

Hosted by Amber at Seasons of Humility

Heidi: Chapter 14 (Part 1)
and Chapters 1-4 (Part 2)

Discussion format: your favorite quotes, general impressions, and three questions to answer for each week's reading
Favorite Quotes*

“At last he too folded his hands, and with bowed head said in low voice, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee and am not worthy to be called thy son.’ And two large tears rolled down the old man’s cheeks.”

“Come along, Heidi! The sun is up! Put on your best frock, for we are going to church together!”

“God was good to me when He sent you to my hut.”

General Impressions
I love that Heidi is getting used to being back home. Reading Hymns to the grandmother but more importantly her child like Faith leading her grandfather to repent and also finding Joy in the Lord.  The grandfather keeping his promise to move to the village for the winter so Heidi can go to school.  And he starts taking her to church.  Reading this book as an adult I didn’t realize how much Faith plays apart in the lives of some of the characters.

My grandma finally finished unpacking from her move downsizing into an apartment and found my grandfather’s copy of Heidi that she gave me. It’s another book that I’ll treasure because I’ve discovered that it has notes in it he made from while he read the book to me as a child.  

I looked up the meaning of Heidi and discovered that it’s a pet form of Adalheid and means Noble one.  

Discussion Questions

Answer any or all three of these questions in the comments section or in your own blog post.

1. Which scene in this section made you the most happy when you read it? Heidi’s childlike faith leading the grandfather to repent and find his own relationship with God.

2. In what way has one of the characters inspired you? Heidi and her child like Faith.  To me it’s an example of the kind of faith God wants us to have.

3. How would you feel about living in the "mansion" in Dörfli where Heidi and her grandfather spend the winter?  Short term I wouldn’t mind it but I am a sucker for central heat and electricity. But it would be a nice little escape for a short period of time. 

*Johanna Spyri, Heidi, Kindle version (A Public Domain Book) pg, 188, 189, 192
Join us next Friday for our fourth and final discussion! (Part 2: Chapters 5-9)

Heidi Read Along Discussion 2

Hosted by Amber at Seasons of Humility

Welcome to the second discussion for the Heidi read-along! If this is the first you've heard of the read-along, you can view the schedule in this  invitation post .

Today we'll be discussing chapters 9-13 (part 1). If you've already read these chapters, you can share your thoughts in the comments section below or in your own post. (Feel free to use the image above, linking back to the  Heidi read-along tag .) If you still need to catch up on the reading, you're welcome to check in when you're ready. :) We're happy to have you join us whenever you can!

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Heidi: Chapters 9-13

Discussion format: your favorite quotes, general impressions, and three questions to answer for each week's reading
Favorite Quotes*

“My worthy Rottenmeier, “ Replied Frau Sesemann, “If a person is called ‘Heidi” and has grown accustomed to that name, I call her by the same, and so let it be.”

“Think what a comfort it is when the heart is heavy with grief to be able at any moments to go and tell everything to God, and pray Him for the help that no one else can give us.”

“Because I would a thousand times rather be with grandfather on the mountain than anywhere else in the world.”

General Impressions

 I did enjoy Heidi’s adventure as well as some of the things she got up to. Like sneaking the kittens in the house. Klara was another favorite and love the fact that Klara’s grandma treated Heidi no different than she did Klara. But I am glad we ended this section with Heidi going back Home.

Discussion Questions

Answer any or all three of these questions in the comments section or in your own blog post.

1. What struck you most from the grandmamma's (Frau Sesemann's) interactions with Heidi? That she took the time to help Heidi to learn to read. That she treated Heidi like she would her own grandchild.

2. Do you think Heidi could have learned to thrive in the Sesemann house over time, or do you think she truly needed to go back to the Alm in order to be healthy and happy again? Heidi could have learned to live in the Sesemann household but I don’t think she would have thrived because of the way she had been brought to Sesemann house by her aunt basically lied to her.

3. What was your favorite part about Heidi's return home? Her grandfather breaking down in tears as soon as he saw Heidi.


Join us next Friday for our third discussion! (Part 1: Chapter 14 and Part 2: Chapters 1-4)

**Johanna Spyri, Heidi, Kindle version (A Public Domain Book) 130, 135, 170

Discussion 1 Heidi Read Along

Hosted by Amber at Seasons of Humility
~ ~ ~
Heidi: Chapters 1-8

Discussion format: your favorite quotes, general impressions, and three questions to answer for each week's reading
Favorite Quotes*

“Heidi was never unhappy, for where she was she found something to interest or amuse her.”

“Long enough to hold two persons, for Heidi had a way of always keeping close to her grandfather whether he was walking, siting or standing.”

General Impressions

I loved re reading Heidi and the re read confirmed that the memories I had from Heidi were indeed from reading the book as a child. It’s one of a hand full of books from my childhood in which I actually have memories of reading the book that aren’t confused with the movie.  I am reminded how much of a loveable child Heidi is. I was also reminded how much I didn’t really care for Dete.



Discussion Questions

Answer any or all three of these questions in the comments section or in your own blog post.

1. Which character ended up surprising you most in these first eight chapters? I have to say the grandfather imply because at first he didn’t want Heidi to stay with him, and in his own way even though he didn’t really say much he built things to make life in the cabin easier for Heidi and starting helping do things at the grandmother’s house.

2. Do you think you would enjoy living the way Heidi's grandfather does? What would you like or dislike about that kind of life and home? I would enjoy the farm and homesteading aspect but  there’s no way that I would want to live like a hermit and I would need electricity and being around people. 

3. Which scene have you found most touching so far? Most amusing? Most touching was the grandfather helping Heidi make her bed and building her stool cause to me it was his way of showing that he was welcoming her. Most amusing was Heidi hiding the bread for the grandmother in the closet.


Join us next Friday for our second discussion! (Chapters 9-13)

*Johanna Spyri, Heidi, Kindle version (A Public Domain Book) 46, 49

Christy Read Along Final Discussion

  Seasons of Humility

Seventh and Final discussion! (Chapters 40-46)

Christy Sixth Discussion (Chapters 33-39)  

Discussion Format: Your favorite Quotes General Impressions, and three questions to answer for each week’s reading.

Quotes*

“I’ve known a few girls in my life, Christy, but I don’t believe I’ve ever met one as stubborn and as know-it-all as you are.”

“You mightn’t guess it, but Neil is a man who carries dreams in his heart.”

“Lord you are the Creator; I am the created. I am helpless, as helpless as all other men. As a doctor I thought I knew something. Now there is nothing more that I can do for Christy. Nothing at all. So I offer back you this love you gave. It’s all I have to give You, God. Here are our lives-hers and mien- I hold them out to you. Do-with us-as You Please.”

General Impressions

      I have to say I was surprised by the ending, but in a good way. I was happy to see that Doc MacNeil realized that he needed God. I just wish it didn’t take Christy being so ill.  To me though the ending did seem a bit sudden and rushed.  But I did enjoy it. I’m going to miss almost all the characters as well as Cutter Gap. I’m now on a mission to find the TV show I am hoping it’s on DVD now. 

     Reading my mom’s copy of the book that was my grandma’s before her with both their notes in the book was like reading the book with them.  I was able to discuss the book with my grandma so that added another layer to my reading of the book. And reading my mom’s detailed notes in the book was like having her here with me as I read the book. And writing my own notes in the book was almost like sharing my thoughts with her. I just wish I had read Christy sooner when my mom was still here to talk about the book with me. But even though it’s cliché to say I know things happen for reason.  And as readers we tend to read some books at the right moment even if at first it doesn’t make sense to us then.   I know kind of want to read other books by Catherine Marshall 

Questions

1.  Which Story of Sickness, whether hopeful or heartbreaking affected you the most?  Christy’s mainly because it showed MacNeil that he had no control over life.  Which I believe was a turning point for him.

2.  Were you satisfied with the conclusion of the story? If so, what did you like most about these last chapters? If not, what do you wish might have been different? I was satisfied with the ending even though it did seem a bit rushed. Because of the simple fact that Christy didn’t choose to be with either MacNeil or David. The fact that the book ended the way it did didn’t bother me because Christy really wasn’t in a place to choice.  

3.  What was your favorite part about Christy? Do you plan to read the other by Catherine Marshall, either fiction or nonfiction?  My favorite part about Christy was simply watching her grew through the course of the novel. I do plan to read other books by Catherine Marshall and  I think I am going to start with Julie next.

*Catherine Marshall. Christy. (New York: Avon,) 500, 508, 558

Christy Read-Along Discussion Six

  Seasons of Humility

Christy Sixth Discussion (Chapters 33-39)  

Discussion Format: Your favorite Quotes General Impressions, and three questions to answer for each week’s reading.

Quotes*

“Deserve! Child, none of us deserves anything. We couldn’t, no matter how had we tired.”

“She grew up to be a tall beautiful woman with large expressive blue eye-like yours Christy. And expect that your hair is darker, you look enough like my daughter to be her twin.”

“Then gradually there came the realization that while Asheville had not changed much, I had.”

“It was the difference between a plaster-of-paris saint and flesh-and-blood woman who had been through the fires and had emerged, not unscathed, but a stronger woman with a deeper compassion.” 

“In light of Miss Alice’s story, I understood that the reason we have to accept other people is simply because God receives us just the way we are. Yes, all of us to the last person- even Bird’s-Eye Taylor and to Lundy. It was ironic that someone like Opal McHone had understood that better than I.”

“God is.”

General Impressions

     I have to Say that this section got emotional.  Miss Alice’s story was heartbreaking. But after hearing that her daughter who was married to MacNeil kind of looked like Christy makes me wonder was MacNeil attracted to Christy for herself or because she reminded him of his deceased wife. I vaguely remember watching the TV show with my mom as a child, but I don’t remember enough of it, to actually remember MacNeil’s wife in it. So learning the truth about his wife was a bit of a shock to me.  I did love reading my mom’s notes in the margins of the book and for some reason despite the age difference she made a comment that she preferred MacNeil to David. I found that interesting as I am still on the fence about both of them.  

 I also thank that David again jumped the gun proposing to Christy, because one minute he’s treating her like the woman he wants to marry and the next he’s treating her like a child. 

     I did feel sorry for Christy when she had to watch her friend Fairlight pass away, and then being there as the only adult in the cabin with Fairlight’s children.  I was never more thankful for Doc MacNeil showing up than I was at that point in the book.  I could even understand Christy’s doubts after Fairlight’s death and wanting answers because I even had doubts after my mom passed away for short period. But a wise woman my Miss Alice if you will was there to remind me of Who’s I am.  So this section was a bit emotional for me. I’m sad that next week is the last readings but I’m also excited to find out how the books going to end.

Questions

1.  What do you think of the Folk School idea that Mrs. Browning shared with Christy? Do you like it would be beneficial to the people of the Cove?  I think the Folk School idea that Mrs. Browning is indeed a good idea. A school designed for adults that missed out on traditional schooling is something worth looking into. It reminds me of the Moonlight schools in Eastern Kentucky, called so because they met on nights the moon was full enough to give light for the adults who wanted to learn to read and basic schooling.  Since they met at night in a rural area they needed to light of the moon.  I do think it would be beneficial to the people of the cove because if done right it would help them learn to read and possibly other skills that would help them, and I can’t believe David pretty much told Christy it wouldn’t work.

2.  2 Do you find nighttime and darkness bothersome or appealing? Have your feelings changed since childhood?  As an adult I don’t find nighttime nor darkness neither bothersome or appealing However, that being said I do find it a time of reflection and quiet. I tend to do most of my in-depth Bible reading in the evenings before bed. Since I have a 45-minute commute to work in the mornings I don’t have time to do more that my morning devotion in the morning a short reading and one Bible verse.  My feelings have changed since childhood we I was terrified of the dark.

3.  What are some of the things you hope will happen or be resolved in the last chapters? (Or, if you’ve already read the book, has anything stood out differently so far while reading the book this time around?) What I hope will happen or be resolved in the last chapters is Christy choosing to do what’s right for her and listen to God’s plan rather than do what’s expected of her by her parents though I hope she listens to their concerns and what David wants.  If he can’t listen to her dreams and plans and questions without calling her a child or childish I don’t see them having much of a future.  I would also like for MacNeil to find Faith.

Join us next Friday for our Seventh and Final discussion! (Chapters 40-46)

*Catherine Marshall. Christy. (New York: Avon, 1968, 408,416, 417, 417, 418, 479

Discussion 5 Christy Read Along

  Discussion 5 Seasons of Humility

Christy: Chapters 26-32

Discussion Format: Your favorite Quotes General Impressions, and three questions to answer for each week’s reading.

Favorite Quotes*

‘It’s been the delight of my life to find God far more common-sense and Practical than any human I know. The only time I ever find my dealings with God less than Clear-cut is when I’m not being honest with him. The fuzziness is always on my side, not His.” 

 “Ask questions, never be afraid of the truth.”

“The Master cares. He suffers with us. He weeps when we weep. He aches when we ache. He cares. “

“Preach the gospel, David, teach it, reach to the hearts of men. That’s your business. Then the fruits, including the reforms in other areas, will follow as fruits.”

“You’d be surprised how much Children can tell us ossified adults, if we’d only stop to listen.”

General Impressions

     With this week reading I’m finding that I liking Miss Alice even more.  It’s easy to see that she does indeed have a strong Faith. That believe is stronger than David’s. And I have to say David jumped the gun in proposing to Christy.  The fact that Christy stayed overnight at Opal’s despite her own fear because she didn’t really want Opal and the kids to be alone and also because she didn’t want to go back to the mission and have the men campout outside Opal’s to think that Christy was trying to take back a message. It does that Christy is trying to and slowly learning the ways of the mountains and her people. Also on a personal note I loved how my favorite quotes in this reading was also some of my mom's favorite as well. 

Discussion Questions

Answer any or all three of these questions in the comments sections or in your own Blog Post!

1. What turn of events shocked or surprised you the most in this section?  I mean technically the feud should shock but seeing as I live in the state and neighboring that was home to one of the most famous family feuds in history the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s it doesn’t. What shocked me the most was the fact that Isaak’s grandfather was pretty much making him dig his father’s grave by himself. And like Isaak said he didn’t know how far down to dig.  But I was glad to see that Rob stopped on his way to go finish to him dig and then David took over for Isaak and finished the digging.

2. What do you think drove Christy to climb a mountain? Have you ever been driven to something out of the ordinary or especially challenging to you? What was the experience like?  I think the simple fact that Christy wanted to be able to prove to herself that she could do it drove her.    For me challenging for me was either going whitewater rafting or repelling for the first.  It was terrifying at first but after a few minutes when I realized I was actually doing it; it was actually fun.

3. What was your favorite part or performance from the School’s last-day festivities?   My favorite part of the last day festivities for the school was Mountie O’Teale giving the opening. She’s come a long way from the child who couldn’t speak without stuttering to being able to speak in front of room full of people including classmates and parents and neighbors.  As well as the people waiting outside.

*Catherine Marshall. Christy. (New York: Avon, 1968)341, 365,365, 369, 374

Join Us Friday for our Sixth Discussion (Chapters 33-39)  

Discussion 3- Christy Read Along

  Christy Read long Tag

Christy: Chapters 12-18

Discussion Format, your favorite Quotes, General Impressions, and three answers for each week’s reading.

Favorite Quotes*

The Mountain type of friendship was a tie of substance between people with a sort of gallant fealty about it.

General Impressions

In this section of the reading I’ve noticed that Christy is slowly starting to find  her place and is realizing how she can reach not only her students, but the adults of the Cove.   Her willingness to teach Fairlight Spencer how to read. That she realizes that her students have needs that go beyond school children in a city.  The fact that she sews buttons on Mounties coat during the lunch break.

The feud between the two families of the cove doesn’t really shock me as that was normal for that area. And because I call the state home that was the site of one of the biggest and bloodiest feud in history: The Hatfields and McCoys.

Discussion Questions

Answer any or all three of these questions in the comments sections or your own blog post

1.  Of Christy’s Students, which one has left the biggest impression on you so far, whether positive or negative?

 There are two students that have left an impression on me that I think is positive.  One being Mountie O’Teale excitement over the buttons that Christy sewed on her coat and the scarf.  And Creed being upset about his dog, because I could have seen myself responding the way he did when I was his age. And Christy sending word to his parents to bury the dog deeper.

2.  What are your thoughts on the Sewing Circle? If you were in attendance, how might you contribute to the gathering (hosting, providing snacks, reading scripture, sharing ideas)? How might you interact with the women of the Cove?

I think the sewing circle is neat. It gives the women of the cove a chance to get together and hear the Bible being read.   I might contribute by hosting, and providing snacks because I like to cook, bake and put together snacks. As well as share ideas because I love to quilt another gift my mom passed on to me. I would stay reading scripture but I don’t like to read out loud because I still have a bit of stutter left over from childhood that has a habit of reappearing  when I read out loud.

3.  Which character’s attitude and perspective has inspired you the most so far in the book?

Fairlight Spencer attitude and perspective has inspired me the most in the book. Because her bravely as adult wanting to learn to read. And then doing what she can to improve that skill even outside Christy’s lessons. Because to me once you learn to read you can continue to learn.  My grandpa instill a love of reading in me, he only had an eight grade education and he was one of the smartest person I knew.

*Catheriine Marshall. Christy.(NewYork: Avon, 1968). 228

Read-Along

 I had already planned on reading Northanger Abbey something time this year, So I am looking forward to this read -along.