Currently reading

A Morbid Taste for Bones: The First Chronicle of Brother Cadfael. by Ellis Peters


An Excellent Mystery: The Eleventh Chronicle of Brother Cadfael by Ellis Peters


A Rare Benedictine: The Advent of Brother Cadfael by Ellis Peters

(Three of us are fighting over various Cadfael chronicles; these are the current three volumes...I think.)


How the Heather Looks: A Joyous Journey to the British Sources of Children's Books by Joan Bodger

On a recommendation from Magistramater, this beauty is now in our new stacks. Enjoy Wind in the Willows? An avid follower of all things Swallows and Amazons? This is the book for you. It fills me with travel lust...someday I'll get there.


The Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War


The Jewish War by Flavius Josephus


Origin of Species by Charles Darwin


The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx

Reading for Great Books 1, 2, 4. And, yes, I am delighted to have them read such things as Darwin and Marx.


Mulliner Nights by P.G. Wodehouse

The choice of the latest Wodehouse convert in the house.


Solomon Among the Postmoderns by Peter J. Leithart

Interested in Peter Leithart and Ecclesiastes. Two for the price of one.

The Great Lent: The Journey to Pascha by Alexander Schmemann

This is hard reading for me, but good hard. I hope to be done by NEXT YEAR'S Lent.

Lenten reflections

"There are secrets that only God knows, and the crucifixion at Golgotha is perhaps the greatest of them all. Paul speaks of its mystery and says only that it pleased God to let his full nature dwell in Jesus and to reconcile to himself everything on earth and in heaven "through the shedding of his blood on the cross" (Col. 1:19-20). At the cross, then, not only earth but also heaven and all the powers and principalities of the angel world will be reconciled to God. Certainly not we, and maybe not even the angels, will ever fully understand this. But one thing we know: Christ overcame death, the last enemy, and through this, something took place that continues to have power far beyond the limits of our planet."

Nine is fine

Some guys make their age look like the ideal destination.

Nine is looking mighty fine around here.

Race cars, a bike, books, brothers and sisters, friends, Mum & Dad, basketball.

Life is great when you're nine.

Happy birthday, son.

Oh, do we love you.

Snapshots of the week

Success at last. The birthday is complete.

Isn't my mother beautiful? I have always known it, but this is the FIRST time in forty-eight years that I have a picture to prove it. Not only did Mom agree to have her picture taken for the church directory, but she liked the picture, AND she ordered a beautiful framed copy for ME. It has a place of honor in my home, and I plan to cherish it. Thanks, Mum.

My idea of a beautiful valentine.
(Yes, it's a water heater.)

Good morning, Valentine

Dearest Mama,

I LOVE YOU.

You are the most loving, insightful, animated person I know ~ I cannot imagine a better mom.

What a beautiful way to start the day.

Perspective

*I waited a day to post this, thus the strike feature well-represented below*

It is Day Five Six of the coughing/aching flu.

It is Day Four Five of no water heater.

I was astonished to have the water heater installation guy arrive an hour early this morning yesterday -- joy! joy! joy! -- only to have him announce that we purchased the wrong kind of water heater and that the right kind would be astronomically expensive.

Erosion is the word that comes to mind. These little inconveniences have managed to erode away at my joy. No hot water for the washing machine. No hot water for the shower. No hot water for the dishwasher. These privileges, truly symbols of wealth and convenience for much of the world, feel like entitlements ripped from my deserving hands.

Well, and then there is the coughing. Do you ever find yourself becoming an embarrassing literary character? Mrs. Bennett from Pride and Prejudice is coming to mind here. All that coughing from Kitty, and horrendous Mrs. Bennett can only think of her poor nerves. Never would I wish to see myself in Fanny Bennett...but suddenly I have great compassion on her poor nerves. I find myself wanting everyone to just quit coughing ... as if life is all about me. That kind of perspective is as dry and empty as it sounds.

So, there you have me this yesterday morning, slumped in my favorite chair, trying to relate more to Eeyore as an improvement over Mrs. Bennett. I had to admit that inconveniences + financial strains + hormones + illness had worn me down, and I was coming up empty of inspiration. As an act of faith, I called a praying friend, yanked myself up, put on some make-up, and drank more coffee. I tried to keep my words to the necessary few, just in case I sounded as ridiculous as Mrs. Bennett, not just thinking like her. Continuing with the pace of the week, the household was moving slowly and achingly; improvement comes more and more, but we are still recouperating.

Amidst it all, I found a gift at Tongue in Cheek. Always a place to find beauty and gratitude, her words were the still small voice I was am in need of today everyday. Take a moment, click there, and remember: these words come from a woman sitting next to her precious dad in the hospital.

Later, I found these words:

The Lord will give strength to his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
Psalm 29:11

Even when the joy cannot penetrate down to the heart of my heart, it is still true: there is still peace; there is still strength. I may not feel it, I may have to wait to taste and see it, but it is there. That knowledge helps in the waiting.

And hot water, renewed to our humble abode this afternoon, helps me more than I like to admit.

Beautifully Twelve

"Thank goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality.”
~ Beatrix Potter ~

It was a week-end of planned festivities: a basketball game for the younger brother and a tea party orchestrated by the birthday girl for weeks and weeks, down to the littlest details. Then, the high temperatures began to appear on Friday night. The basketball game was canceled, and we had to alert our tea party guests that germs were making havoc with our well-laid plans. After the initial disappointment, and the tears of an honest girl, we made it a "keep the germs to ourselves" tea party. The place settings were beautiful: an eclectic collection of flowered plates and tea cups with sandwiches, fruit salad, Madeleines and strawberries.

The next evening found us enjoying a birthday dinner of steak and mashed potatoes and broth. The loving birthday girl happily served broth to her man-sized brothers; they were collapsed on the living room couches as the next victims to get hit with the flu. We sang happy birthday around the Swallow Cake (as in Swallows and Amazons), with the candles placed properly for lighting the boat's way across any dark body of water.

With an eye for beauty and a skillful hand at sketching and painting, this girl has big plans in life. Plan A is to major in art, with studies of fashion ("that covers women's bodies") and architecture tucked in between, and her current plan is to write children's books while she lives with her immediate and extended family in Maine. Don't those sound like beautiful dreams?

She is the perfect recipient for ceramic high heels with lavish details (photos currently unavailable) AND for a pocket knife from her daddy (Winchester knife set)

And books:


In the Footsteps of the "Swallows and Amazons" by Claire Kendall-Price


At Home with Beatrix Potter by Susan Denyer


The American Girl's Handy Book by Lina Beard

Her latest creations include a tent in the garden (unfortunately created just before the hurricane-like winds came a calling) and a delicate lace apron made from IKEA curtain extras. One never knows what this imaginative, kind, beautiful and passionate young woman will think of next.

Well, actually, I do know. The next thought is: pierced ears. We tried to have it done on Sunday, her actual birthday, and they were out of earrings. Again, she was a trooper and took the disappointment with cheer and flexibility. Our hope is to go tomorrow. Unfortunately, now she is flopped out on the couch, moaning and coughing. Her cheeks are flushed, her eyes are glassy, but she still radiates the creative and happy spirit for which she is known and loved.

The true test of character is said to come with adversity, and this young woman has shown herself to be resilient, creative and caring when illness and disappointments arrived. I am so proud of her.

Watch over your child, O Lord, as her days increase; bless and guide her wherever she may be. Strengthen her when she stands; comfort her when discouraged or sorrowful; raise her up if she falls; and in her heart may your peace which passes understanding abide all the days of her life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy birthday, my dear girl.

Lenten reading list

First Fruits of Prayer: A Forty-Day Journey Through the Canon of St. Andrew by Frederica Mathewes-Green



Great Lent: Journey to Pascha by Alexander Schmemann

Thanks to Patty for the recommendations.

Does anyone else have suggestions? I am looking for reflections or information, not crafty, family activity books. You can find my email in the sidebar. Thanks.

Game day stats of a different kind

103.5 temperature.

Unknown hours of sleep.

Coughing, coughing, coughing.

No game.

BUT,

They won the game without him -- 11-2!

Go Mavericks.

Lenten reflections

"I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I wish to be. I am not even what I hope to be. But by the cross of Christ, I am not what I was."

John Newton
via Brandywine Books

Evenings at Five

Last night's 5 o'clock view

"Every evening at five o’clock, Christina and Rudy began the ritual commonly known as Happy Hour, sharing drinks along with a love of language and music (she is an author, he a composer, after all), a delight in intense conversation, a fascination with popes, and nearly thirty years of life together. Now, seven months after Rudy’s unexpected death, Christina reflects on their vibrant bond - with all its quirks. habits, and unguarded moments - as well as her passionate sorrow and her attempts to reposition herself and her new place in the very real world they shared."

Evenings at Five by Gail Godwin

I've started reading this aloud to my husband, a few chapters at a time, as we settle in for the night. I've loved the story for a long time, but I've never shared it with him. It's time.

The New Do

For blogless Lynn and those countless other people (countless for their large or non-existent number; you decide) who might care to see my new hair-do. A huge change for a "happy to find a rut" woman.

I keep grabbing at the back of my head and finding...nothing. All that hair is g.o.n.e. But, I love it. There's nothing like a little highlighting and a lot of cutting/styling to chase away any gloomies who are tempted to come to visit.

Ash Wednesday

I guess my head has been buried in the sand. Last night, while watching election results for the cross-country primary elections, there was mention made of Fat Tuesday.

"What in the world?" I squeaked; "Is it already Lent?"

We scampered around with calendar and prayer book and realized that it was, indeed, Fat Tuesday. By the time I was confronted with Lent, though, I was in my heading-to-bed-don't-get-in-my-way mode. As I collapsed in bed, I started to wonder what we would do differently or what I would add to my reading or what I could eliminate from my daily experience. One thing became clear as I tried to think with my muddled brain: I have a lot of thinking to do about Lent.

So that is what I have decided to do this year: study Lent and what it means. We may eat more simply, or we may choose a special group with whom we can share our plenty, but my work is to dive into the world of Lenten practices and make some sense of it all.

"The imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday is nothing if not bold. … a dark and undeniable slash across your forehead, a bold proclamation of death and resurrection all at once. You forget that it is on your forehead and you walk out of church, out into the world, a living reminder that Christ died for us…"

Lauren Winner

Morning latte reflections

Happiness and sadness may play havoc with our emotions, but once we learn that God dwells in darkness beneath the shifting surfaces of our souls, we know that that is where we must go to find Him. There we will pray in peace and silence, attentive to the God who never changes.

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way: walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

Reflections for Ragamuffins
by Brennan Manning

Game day

Twenty points.
Six rebounds.
Seven steals.
One assist.
And a win.
(And, um, fouled out.)



And Gram was there to see it all.

Happy day.

What we're reading

Books in our current piles:


Spring Fever by P.G. Wodehouse

Yes, always a Wodehouse. We are on a "Get to know Wodehouse" crusade with anyone who will listen (and a few who won't.)


The Brothers Karamazov by F. Dostoevsky

The Brothers is on my daughter's Great Books 4 list, and I chose it as the book I wanted to read this year. My husband recently finished it, so it will enjoy constant use from November through April.


Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

What some girls choose to read when they finish David Copperfield long before its due date in Great Books 4.


Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

For a late blooming reader, progress through this book brings some serious joy.


At Home with Beatrix Potter by Susan Denver

Thanks to Magistramater, this has been the leisure book of choice for a certain budding artist in our family. We'll get it in the mail next week, Carol. I promise.


Righteous Sinners by Ron Julian



Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson



Plato and Platypus Walk into a Bar: Understanding philosophy through jokes by Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein

I've wanted to buy this book for a long time, and I found it on my mom's coffee table. It's a joy.

Read Aloud:


Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

Favorite quotes from Chapter XI Podsnappery

"Mr. Podsnap's world was not a very large world, morally; no, nor even geographically: seeing that although his business was sustained upon commerce with other countries, he considered other countries, with that important reservation, a mistake, and of their manners and customs would consclusively observe, "Not English!" when, PRESTO! with a flourish of the arm, and a flush of the face, they were swept away. Elsewise, the world got up at eight, shaved close at a quarter-past, breakfasted at nine, went to the City at ten, came home at half-past five, and dined at seven."

and

"As a so eminently respectable man, Mr. Podsnap was sensible of its being required of him to take Providence under his protection. Consequently he always knew exactly what Providence meant. Inferior and less respectable men might fall short of that mark, but Mr. Podsnap was always up t it. And it was very remarkable (and must have been very comfortable) that what Providence meant, was invariably what Mr. Podsnap meant."

Good words for an election year AND for a year of debating illegal immigration...actually, any year.