Water for Elephants/ The Red Tent Book Review

I haven't been keeping up with my Book Reviews lately so you get two in one today!

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is a novel about a boy whose perfect life completely falls apart right as he is about to graduate from the University to become a Veterinarian. In his state of sadness and confusion Jacob throws everything he has worked for away, and wanders out of his final exam. With nowhere to go and no family left Jacob finds himself a job on a circus train and falls in love with a with the wrong woman. The stories in this novel are based on true stories of corruption and injustice of the old circus days. The drama is inconceivable and engrossing. This book is a roller coaster of dangerous excitement! I love the mixing of fact and fiction, and definitely recommend it.

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant is another historical fiction book. It is based on the story of Dinah in the biblical book of Genesis. The whole book is told from the perspective of Dinah and the days of the red tent and the celebration of each new moon, birth, death, midwifery, betrayal, and love. This book was so touching and beautiful. It made me feel grateful for our advances as woman, but also long for the days when a Woman's gift for childbearing was still seen as a miracle to everyone. Being a person that did not come from a religious background, I still enjoyed this book without knowing the history of Jacob and his sons betrayal to their sister. I really loved this book!

Hope y'all enjoy my book reviews! I am always looking for a new recommendation, so if you have one, please spill the beans!

Finding Peace with Mother Nature

Today I went for a run down at the greenbelt, which is a creek that flows through Austin. It is so beautiful this time of year when the water is rushing through. I had just been running some errands and had my gym gear on when I passed the entrance and decided to go for a run outside instead. I have never felt Mother Natures power more than I did today. My mind has been filled with big questions these days about which direction I need to go in life, and mother nature reminded me today where my heart truly lies.

My head was so clear as I was jogging over rocks along the creek bed and soaking in natures beauty. She reminded me that whatever decisions I make in the next few years, they are all leading to her. I belong in nature, and I can feel it with every little part of my being. I can't wait to make the next big steps in life toward building my sustainable homestead and living off the land... there is nothing I want more in life.