The Ruth Report, Volume One
March 2025
Hello, everyone! ❤
Welcome to The Ruth Report, a (hopefully) monthly publication wherein I share about my three favorite things: life, writing, and books.
Life.
What this writer is doing, enjoying, and sometimes avoiding.
I’ve been very busy with speeches over the last several months, and they took over my life in March.
On February 28-March 1, my siblings, cousin, and I competed in a local speech tournament. It was such an amazing two days: hanging out with other homeschoolers, whispering in the hallways as we waited to give our speeches, pulsing with adrenaline as we waited for the finals postings, making the room shake with applause during the awards ceremony, and enjoying conversations and banter with everyone.
However, the work didn’t end with that tournament. I still had three more short speeches to write and memorize before the American Legion Oratorical Contest, which took place on March 28-29. Since I started high school (way back in 2022!), I have participated in the American Legion Oratorical Contest. This is a speech contest focused on the United States Constitution, and every year, it has been such a rewarding experience. The writing, memorizing, and practicing which lead up to the Oratorical Contest are, at best, difficult. But all the work was so worth it, because I met so many amazing people and was blessed to place 4th!
Spring is on its way, y’all. We went for multiple long walks (and even a hike!) last week, and spring was indeed in evidence. The flowers are blooming and there’s a lonely but persistent meadowlark who enjoys serenading us in the early morning hours. Spring sunshine is such a beautiful thing, and I never, ever want to take it for granted again. After a few torrential rainstorms, the hills are turning green, and they glow in the golden light of a spring sun.
I think the whole world is glad to say goodbye to March and hello to April. I know I am.
Writing.
Any and all updates on writing.
“There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds.”
G.K. Chesterton, Man and Mythologies
While much of my time last month was spent writing speeches and researching the Constitution, I still managed to finish the first draft of my contracted novel (Announcement and details coming this month)! I’ve begun the intensive edits and so far, I have the book up to 36,000 words.
April is also National Poetry Month, which is absolutely wonderful. Many of the writers in my writing group get together to write a poem for every day in April, and their work never fails to inspire me. Even though we’re just nine days into the challenge, I’ve already seen a good deal of growth in my poetry—and that’s worth writing thirty poems in a month.
In March, I also created a playlist for my book project (including lots of Narnia and Jane Austen music) and discovered that I can actually write 31,000 words in a single month—when I bribe myself with chocolate and consume copious amounts of tea, that is. ✒
Books.
In this section, I share about a few books I’ve recently enjoyed.
What have I been reading lately? Oh, I’m so very glad you asked!
84, Charing Cross by Helene Hanff
I reread this gem of a book while recovering from a cold in late February, and I’m convinced that laughter over literary letters helps one heal more quickly. This book is a compilation of the real letters between Helene Hanff and the booksellers at 84, Charing Cross, and it’s a delight. Of course, I was immediately inspired to hunt down a few gems of classic literature to enjoy; however, I didn’t manage to finish any of them (because of the aforementioned cold).
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Shakespeare’s Face by Stephanie Nolen
I picked this book up in a local coffee/book shop (the best combination in the world!) and was immediately intrigued—so much so that the rest of my family had to wait for me while I decided whether I wanted to buy it.
I did buy it, and after reading the entire thing, I’m fascinated. Basically, a guy in Canada had a 1600s portrait (passed down in his family since it was painted) which he believed to be of William Shakespeare. A reporter found out about the painting and wrote an article about it, bringing the portrait to the world’s attention. This book describes the forensic, historical, and literary studies done on the 1603 painting, and it’s an incredible read.
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Favorite things from March.
Wherein I share “a few of my favorite things.”
Hills turning green again with the March sunlight and rain.
Reading and writing with a cat snuggled up on my feet.
Reading Numbers and Deuteronomy and learning how to make connections to later books of the Bible.
Singing Phil Wickham’s “Hymn of Heaven” at church.
A quote to inspire you during National Poetry Month:
“I don't deny that there should be priests to remind men that they will one day die. I only say that...it is necessary to have another kind of priests, called poets, actually to remind men that they are not dead yet.”
G.K. Chesterton
Thank you so much for reading the first volume of The Ruth Report! I hope you’re enjoying April, with its rain and flowers and celebration of the Resurrection, as much I am.
How was your March? Did you have a favorite book you read? I’m always looking for new books to read, and I’d love to hear what you’ve been enjoying recently.
Ruth Anne with an “E”
So lovely to get little glimpses into your day-to-day life and catch up with you in that way, Ruth Anne! It sounds like it was a lovely month. ❤️