An Unlikely Gardener: Prose and Poems

An Unlikely Gardener: Prose and Poems

An Unlikely Gardener: Prose and Poems

by Francis Etheredge

This book began as a failed article about gardening; however, having written one, several more followed and so it became a short book, wonderfully enriched by the criticisms of my eldest daughter and a “Foreword” by an Anglican author, embracing our communion in the Christian Faith. But it is not so much about an experienced, knowledgeable, semi-successful gardener, as about a writer who goes into his back garden in the course of writing breaks and ends up writing about what happens “out there” and “in here”. It is part of an autobiographical series and so the author looks at his own life as well as what is around him; and, taking advantage of the multifaceted theme of nature, almost locally inconsequential as well as world-wide and geographically immensely significant, he writes “to” and “from” his own activities and the thoughts that break and burst into words. There are little discoveries, observations and themes; but, principally, it is a book about thought taking a start from going “to and fro” into the Garden of God in the hope that the flight of a word will catch the sunlight as it rises and speaks of what is so much greater than itself: an ascent, indeed, on a spiral staircase, “inlaid” in creation, to the One greater than any account of whom can be given!

Paperback: $14.95 | Kindle: $9.99

CONTENTS

Foreword, Poem and Biography by Christine Sunderland: “A Garden of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty”

Introduction, other books by this author, and a summary of this book

The First Garden: The Garden of Eden

A poem called“Beautiful”

Part I: Conversions

The Garden of Eden and the Fall

A triptych called “The Unlikely Gardener”

Part II: Plants and Family Life

A Garden of Delights and The Marriage Feast at Cana

A poem called “Difference”

Part III: The Global Starts at Home

The Road to Emmaus (Lk 24: 13-35)

A poem called: “Time and Change”

Part IV: Eating up the Time

The Song of Songs: A Garden of Delights

A poem called: “Hands”

 

Part V: Talking Points

The garden of the world and the Word of God

A poem called “Global Gardening”

Part VI: A Question of Science

Biblical Science

A poem called “Shells”

Part VII: Philosophy and Ecology

The vocation to Global Gardening

A poem called: “Clothes

Part VIII: The Identity of a Seed

An Enclosed Garden

A poem called “Tree Seeds”

Part IX: We Are Not Products

The Garden of Gethsemane

A poem called “The Winter Tree”

Part X: The Garden of God

The future Garden

A poem called “Lilies”

IN THE NEWS

A shout out to Mary Grenchus of the Grenchus Foundation for sharing the lead poem, entitled “Beautiful”, on her blog.

TESTIMONIALS

“A vision of loveliness, passing through time and space
Like a glance at the opening and flowering of grace.”

 

“This final couplet of An Unlikely Gardener, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, also aptly describes the experience of reading this collection of prose and poetry by Francis Etheredge. For indeed we behold the loveliness Etheredge shows us, with a gardener’s eye for displaying beauty and juxtaposing this lush crop with lessons firmly rooted in seasoned experience. In An Unlikely Gardener, Etheredge offers a well-ripened harvest of work, filled with the sun and shadow of hard-won wisdom learned over the literal and symbolic gardens of abundant years. Etheredge’s signature literary style is present in this volume in full splendour— journeying deftly from prose to poetry and back again— and his show-stopping hybrid is one that weaves faith and Scripture with family stories and verse bursting forth with tendrils of lush language. Francis Etheredge writes of, ‘Going into the garden with a cup of tea…’ and I suggest you enter this writer’s garden with a cup of tea large enough to fully savor the experience. The Unlikely Gardener sings of ‘The one who comes, you are the one who is already here, Ready and able to save me into the bark of Peter, You who are the Risen Christ, rising in me.’ May the Saviour, the greatest of all gardeners, accompany you through this ‘vision of loveliness’ Etheredge has written, and may you grow closer to Him because of it.” — Annabelle Moseley, author of Awake with Christ: Living the Catholic Holy Hour in Your Home (How Keeping God Prayerful Company in the Garden of Gethsemane can Change Your Life)

“As a lifelong Christian with a particularly strong passion for just about everything outdoors, I found An Unlikely Gardener to be thought provoking, spiritually nourishing, and refreshing. Akin to a beautiful and bountiful garden that begins, thrives, dies, requires work and thought along the way, and then brings goodness again, Etheredge has composed and arranged his own garden of interlacing stories, observations, reflections, and rich poetic verse that bring God’s gifts of the personal human experience, nature, and written word – with reminder of our call for Christian stewardship – into one unique place, An Unlikely Gardener.” — Tom Sunderland, Native Edge Landscapes | MLA, University of Colorado Denver

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mr. Francis Etheredge is married with eight children, plus three in heaven.

Francis is currently a freelance writer and speaker and his “Posts” on LinkedIn can be viewed here. Poetry; short articles; autobiographical blog; excerpts from books; and “Philosophize: A Ten Minute Write.”

For a list of all of Francis’ books published by En Route Books and Media, click here.

See Francis’ other books, too, entitled Scripture: A Unique WordFrom Truth and truth: Volume I-Faithful ReasonFrom Truth and truth: Volume II: Faith and Reason in DialogueFrom Truth and truth: Volume III: Faith is Married Reason.

He has earned a BA Div (Hons), MA in Catholic Theology, PGC in Biblical Studies, PGC in Higher Education, and an MA in Marriage and Family (Distinction).

Enjoy these additional articles by Francis Etheredge:

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS 

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Non Nobis Domine: No para Nosotros, Señor

Non Nobis Domine: No para Nosotros, Señor

Non Nobis Domine: No Para Nosotros, Señor

by Marge Giangiulio

Un relato honesto y convincente de la vida de Marge Giangiulio y de las personas afectadas por una efusión de la bondad y la misericordia de Dios.

En rústica: $14.95 | Audible: $14.99 | Kindle: $9.99

TESTIMONIOS

“En el ruidoso y ajetreado mundo actual, hemos olvidado hasta qué punto Dios está íntimamente implicado en nuestras vidas. Estas historias de la vida real demuestran Su profundo amor y misericordia por cada uno de nosotros. Las historias nos recuerdan que no hay simples coincidencias: Las “coincidencias” son disfraces de la providencia de Dios. Esperemos que quienes lean estas historias reflexionen sobre ello y tal vez sean más conscientes de la presencia de Dios en sus vidas personales y en las de quienes les rodean.” – Rev. Julius D. Leloczky, O. Cist.

“Enhorabuena por la publicación de su libro. Ahora los maravillosos y amorosos Caminos de Nuestro Señor estarán disponibles para tantas personas que necesitan Su amor, paz y aliento. Usted ha sido verdaderamente un salvavidas para tantos que han estado sufriendo y necesitan Su sanación y gracia. Estoy tan orgullosa y agradecida por tu “sí” a haber hecho realidad tus experiencias para tantos”. – Shirley Vilfordi, amiga de la autora

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marge Giangiulio es una antigua neoyorquina que se trasladó a Texas mientras trabajaba como ejecutiva en American Airlines. Se describe a sí misma como una católica perdida que experimentó una profunda conversión después de peregrinar a Medjugorje. Esta experiencia despertó su deseo de vivir más plenamente su fe católica. Como adoradora diaria de la Adoración Eucarística, recibió muchos impulsos del Espíritu Santo que fructificaron en toda la Diócesis de Dallas y, en cascada, llegaron a tocar las vidas de cientos, si no miles, de personas en todo el mundo. Sus muchos compromisos incluyen la implementación de programas de Adoración Eucarística, Asesoramiento en la Acera de Clínicas de Aborto, instigación de un programa mundial para rezar por nuestros sacerdotes, voluntariado con retiros de Jóvenes Centrados en la Eucaristía, Red de Radio Guadalupe, San Vicente de Paúl y el Comité Católico Pro Vida. Escribió Non Nobis Domine a petición de su Director Espiritual, cuya esperanza es proporcionar una oportunidad más para dirigir las almas a Dios.

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS

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God’s Memoir by Kristina Olsen

God’s Memoir by Kristina Olsen

God’s Memoir

by Kristina Olsen, OCDS, PhD

God’s Memoir invites you into the mind of God in an imaginative exploration of how God might think about Bible events and our lives today. We consider Creation, the birth of Jesus and the role of the family, as well as art, architecture and music. It’s a sketch of God’s inner life in the Trinity and how He/They talk, think and communicate. True to the Bible, Scripture references are provided throughout this introduction into how God might think “behind the scenes.”
 

Paperback $9.99 | Kindle $9.99

TESTIMONIALS

“An interesting and creative piece of writing.” – Fr. Salvatore Sciurba, OCD
“What a beautiful, poetic, inspiring book! We may think that we know the basics of the faith so well that we will never read anything new. Not so! In this original creative book, we feel inspired to sing a new song to our God.” – Dr. Ronda Chervin is the author of numerous books about Catholic spirituality and a media presenter
“I’ve never heard of such a creative book.” – Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson, author of Survivor: A Memoir of Forgiveness

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Kristina Olsen has a Ph.D. in Theology/Spirituality from Catholic University of America, a D.B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Maryland, and an M.S. in Computer Science from Northwestern University. She also has certifications in Project Management (PMP) and Change Management (PCP). She is retired from Bell Laboratories, where she was a Member of the Technical Staff. Currently she works in the Office of Innovation and Technology at the City of Philadelphia. She also teaches courses in Theology, Business and Information Technology at several universities. She is a member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS).

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS

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How is God Involved in Evolution?

How is God Involved in Evolution?

How is God Involved in Evolution?

by Joe P. Provenzano, Ron D. Morgan, and Dan R. Provenzano

We have been searching for a satisfying answer to this question nearly all of our adult lives, and both Joe and Ron are almost 80. This journey of 50 years led us on an unpredictable path that connected many puzzle pieces together. Along the journey we realized why it’s been so hard to get an answer that is consistent with both modern science and traditional religion. In this book, we tell the story of this journey, describing how we got such a unique answer to this question. We hope others who travel with us enjoy the journey, but more importantly, we believe that some will find it as helpful and insightful as we did.

 
Paperback $12.99 | Kindle $9.99

Below is a link to a 15-minute interview with the three authors conducted by Nisha D’Souza, Video Director at the Online Book Club. After we made the video she said: “It was my pleasure to interact with authors who have published a book that will change the way religious people and scientists think!”

REVIEWS

Review of How is God Involved in Evolution?

Post by Agbata Trust

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of “How is God Involved in Evolution?” by Joe P. Provenzano, Ron D. Morgan, and Dan R. Provenzano.]

5 out of 5 stars


With the recent developments and findings in the field of science, a lot of believers are beginning to ask questions about most of the teachings that have been there for ages, and most people would rather stick to proven facts than mere hearsay. This has led theologians, thinkers, and philosophers into detailed research and studies to come up with ideas that would end this controversy.

 

Joe P. Provenzano, Ron D. Morgan, and Dan R. Provenzano’s book, How is God Involved in Evolution? is amazing and has a lot to say about God’s involvement in evolution. From the idea of Teilhard, which talks about the universe having various states that can change, and also from St. Thomas Aquinas’s ideas when compared, they were able to give a very beautiful revelation of God’s involvement in evolution, especially when the author found the missing link, which gave us an idea of where matter and energy from the beginning came from. This was called the FAM. But then there were still some challenges that needed to be solved, which led to more searching and has been talked about in detail in this book. Grab a copy to find out.

 

It was a thrilling experience to have come across a book of such kind with no ambiguity and a very easy understanding. I knew this would be a brilliant read when I first came across the book title and cover page. And I love how the author stuck to the lesson. The narrative pattern of this book was very nice, and I also enjoyed the fact that the authors were able to manage the ideas in such a way that there were no conflicts. I learned a lot from this book. I also did not come across any errors in this book, which shows that the book was properly edited.

 

There wasn’t anything to dislike about this book. The writing style was unique, and the word choice was good. With this in mind, I will rate this book five out of five stars. I would recommend this book to those who seek answers about God’s involvement in evolution. Theologians and scientists would also find this book very useful.

TESTIMONIALS

“The really positive contributions here deserve commentary and further development.” – Sr. Carla Mae Streeter, OP, Professor Emerita, Aquinas Institute of Theology

“A memoir that explains a 50-year journey in the making of a proposed connection between an event described by science and an ancient revelation.” – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, director of the Institute for Theological Encounter with Science and Technology

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

The Philosopher — Joe P. Provenzano has an M.S. in Physics and is the author of Conscious Energy (previously published as The Philosophy of Conscious Energy) and How to Believe in God and Science — In Three Easy Steps.

joepro@proandsons.com

The Deacon — Ron D. Morgan is a deacon in the Catholic Church and is a lifelong follower and student of physics.

rondmorgan@gmail.com

The Scientist — Dan R. Provenzano has a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from the California Institute of Technology. Dan works with lasers and fiber optic sensors.

danpro3@gmail.com

Joe and Ron are retired and live near Dallas, Texas. They have been brothers-in-law for over fifty years and have been developing the ideas and insights in this book for almost that long. Dan is the son of Joe and his wife, Linda. He is currently an Optical Scientist working in Blacksburg, Virginia. Dan is married with three children and has been involved with these ideas all his life. He wrote the ProWave Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics when he was in graduate school in the late 1990’s.

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS

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My Catholic Conversion by Kristina R. Olsen

My Catholic Conversion by Kristina R. Olsen

My Catholic Conversion

Kristina R. Olsen

This is the conversion story of a Carmelite tertiary. Through a series of spiritual adventures and with the help of supportive friends, professors and spiritual guides, she learned about God’s will for her to enter the Catholic Church and join the Carmelite Order. This book will help you navigate your own ups and downs on your spiritual journey to grow closer to Christ, including the role of reading, reaching out to people, visiting monasteries and God’s little miracles on your path. If you are already Catholic, it will inspire a renewed appreciation for the fullness of the Catholic faith, and if you are a Christian looking for greater meaning in your life with Christ, this book will inspire you to consider the richness of the Catholic intellectual and spiritual tradition on your own journey of faith.
 

Paperback $9.99 | Kindle $9.99

Testimonials

“The story of a life of faith, hope, and love, beautifully lived, beautifully told.” – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, author of The Narrative Spirituality of Dante’s Divine Comedy

About the Author

Dr. Kristina Olsen has a Ph.D. in Theology/Spirituality from Catholic University of America, a D.B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Maryland, and an M.S. in Computer Science from Northwestern University. She also has certifications in Project Management (PMP) and Change Management (PCP). She is retired from Bell Laboratories, where she was a Member of the Technical Staff. Currently she works in the Office of Innovation and Technology at the City of Philadelphia. She also teaches courses in Theology, Business and Information Technology at several universities. She is a member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS).

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS

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The Daughter of the King by Dorothy Cusick

The Daughter of the King by Dorothy Cusick

The Daughter of the King

by Dorothy Cusick

Counseled by a priest to put her children in an orphanage after being evicted from her home, Dorothy Cusick’s mother, Mary, was in danger of falling into despair. Poetically written, Dorothy’s story of how her mother faced the full weight of her responsibility through her life of faith is an inspiration to the reader. Imbued with the grace only God can provide, Mary’s story gives meaning to our own, recalling a verse from Genesis that “Asher’s produce is rich, and he shall furnish dainties for kings” (49:20).

Hardback with Dust Jacket: $24.95 | Hardback Case Laminate: $19.95 | Paperback: $14.95 | Kindle: $9.99

 

TESTIMONIALS

“This brief but moving tribute is written by Dorothy Cusick about the faith journey of her mother Mary, “The Daughter of the King.” With a mystic mind and a mystic heart, Dorothy probes deeply into the life of her poverty-stricken mother. I hope that this short inspirational book finds its way into the hands of those who are crushed in spirit because of physical poverty.” –Most Rev. Robert J. Hermann, Bishop Emeritus, Archdiocese of St. Louis, and author of Come Alive in Jesus

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dorothy Cusick is the daughter of Mary, the subject of this book. She prays, “May the readers of my Mother’s story be able to say like Andrew Avellino, ‘O my feet one day you will tread over these stars.’ For the book itself, may it like Jacob’s testament to Asher, furnish dainties for our King.”

OTHER CATHOLIC SPIRITUALITY BOOKS

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