Monastery Bells

Here are the bells from the Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Boston.  Hear them as a call to prayer.

Monastery Bells

Here are the bells from the Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Boston.  Hear them as a call to prayer.

Orthodox Morning Prayer

Orthodox Morning Prayer

Fred Astaire Friday

Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby compete for Virgina Dale's attention in Holiday Inn.  Sorry, Bing--Fred can sing *and* dance! 

Fred Astaire Friday

Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby compete for Virgina Dale's attention in Holiday Inn.  Sorry, Bing--Fred can sing *and* dance! 

7 Quick Takes Friday

This week has gone unbelievably fast. Here are my 7 quick takes for Friday.

1. Please pray for my friend's mother in law who broke her pelvis. She is an elderly widow and will have to have surgery.

2. My sister and I have been moving furniture from my mom's house. Tomorrow we take her to the dentist again. We are making headway on the things we have to do there and becoming acquainted with muscles we'd forgotten we had.

3. We may have a buyer for my mom's home. Her next door neighbor's daughter wants to move in so she can be near her parents. Pray that she can get a loan and that everything goes smoothly.

4. My son is now the proud owner of his grandfather's, mother's and father's record (as in, vinyl) collection, as well as our record player. Now I have some room for another piece of furniture.

5. There are 2 new movies I would like to see. One is Julie and Julia. Based on a true story, it stars Meryl Streep as Julia Childs (is there *any*one she couldn't play?!) and Amy Adams as Julie Powell, a young lady who decides to cook each of Julia Childs' recipes and blog about it. As someone who grew up with Julia Childs on television, this seems like a movie that would delight.

6. The other movie I want to see is Amelia, a movie about Amelia Earhart's career staring Hilary Swank. This seems like a movie worth paying whatever otherwise outrageous price movie theaters are charging these days. For me, these types of movies are few and far between.

7. I'd still like to see the new Star Trek movie.

7 Quick Takes Friday

This week has gone unbelievably fast. Here are my 7 quick takes for Friday.

1. Please pray for my friend's mother in law who broke her pelvis. She is an elderly widow and will have to have surgery.

2. My sister and I have been moving furniture from my mom's house. Tomorrow we take her to the dentist again. We are making headway on the things we have to do there and becoming acquainted with muscles we'd forgotten we had.

3. We may have a buyer for my mom's home. Her next door neighbor's daughter wants to move in so she can be near her parents. Pray that she can get a loan and that everything goes smoothly.

4. My son is now the proud owner of his grandfather's, mother's and father's record (as in, vinyl) collection, as well as our record player. Now I have some room for another piece of furniture.

5. There are 2 new movies I would like to see. One is Julie and Julia. Based on a true story, it stars Meryl Streep as Julia Childs (is there *any*one she couldn't play?!) and Amy Adams as Julie Powell, a young lady who decides to cook each of Julia Childs' recipes and blog about it. As someone who grew up with Julia Childs on television, this seems like a movie that would delight.

6. The other movie I want to see is Amelia, a movie about Amelia Earhart's career staring Hilary Swank. This seems like a movie worth paying whatever otherwise outrageous price movie theaters are charging these days. For me, these types of movies are few and far between.

7. I'd still like to see the new Star Trek movie.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is the brain child of RAnn at This That and the Other Thing.

This week has been a little lighter in blogging for me.

I talked about the anniversary of the first man on the moon and how things have changed since then.

I revealed my resolution to remember to say grace before meals and how, for some reason, it is difficult for me. 

I reviewed two books this week:  Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl by N.D. Wilson and The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory.

In 7 Quick Takes Friday, I reviewed 2 blogs by capuchin monks and  talked about 3 documentaries I've recently seen on YouTube. 

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is the brain child of RAnn at This That and the Other Thing.

This week has been a little lighter in blogging for me.

I talked about the anniversary of the first man on the moon and how things have changed since then.

I revealed my resolution to remember to say grace before meals and how, for some reason, it is difficult for me. 

I reviewed two books this week:  Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl by N.D. Wilson and The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory.

In 7 Quick Takes Friday, I reviewed 2 blogs by capuchin monks and  talked about 3 documentaries I've recently seen on YouTube. 

7 Quick Takes Friday

Well, it's Thursday again.  Time for 7 Quick Takes Friday! ;)

1.  I've discovered some more new blogs.  Anne's blog, Imprisoned in my Bones--Releasing my Inner Jeremiah, is a beautiful and inspirational blog.  The title refers to the scripture, Jeremiah 20:7-10:

I say to myself, I will not mention His name, I will speak in His name no more. But then, it becomes like a fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones, I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it. ~Jeremiah 20:7-10

2.  Brother Richard is a capuchin monk and his blog, A Capuchin Journey is a wonderful home for spiritual insight into scripture and living the Christian life.  He recently posted a beautiful poem called Thomas Merton in Manhattan.

3.  Brother Charles is also a capuchin.  His blog is called A Minor Friar and is a peek into the daily life of a friar.  I was especially impressed with his recent post about how he handled the sometimes sticky situation of officiating at a wedding in which some of the wedding party had been raised Catholic but had not practiced in quite a while.  His delicate and  spiritually generous handling of the situation is a model for all priests.

4.  We're moving things around in our house.  I've been giving away, throwing away, and moving things out of our computer room in preparation for turning it into a walk in closet.  Hopefully that will help us stay better organized and help with the lack of storage space that we have.

5.  I've been watching a lot of documentaries on YouTube.  One I just watched on aspartame is called Sweet Misery and has pretty much convinced me to give up artificial sweeteners.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the government that okays cigarettes has approved aspartame.

6. Daughter from Danang is a story about an Amerasian girl who was airlifted out of Vietnam in 1975 at the age of 7.  She was adopted in the southern United States and quite fully Americanized before returning to meet her birth mother at the age of 22.  She learned some difficult lessons in cultural differences and the documentary leaves the viewer with much to think about.

7. The last documentary is called Girl 27 and is about a Hollywood scandal in 1937.  One hundred twenty underage girls were called for a "job" that turned out to be nothing but forced prostitution.  Sixty plus years later, one woman tells the story about how her experience affected her until the end of her long life.

7 Quick Takes Friday

Well, it's Thursday again.  Time for 7 Quick Takes Friday! ;)

1.  I've discovered some more new blogs.  Anne's blog, Imprisoned in my Bones--Releasing my Inner Jeremiah, is a beautiful and inspirational blog.  The title refers to the scripture, Jeremiah 20:7-10:

I say to myself, I will not mention His name, I will speak in His name no more. But then, it becomes like a fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones, I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it. ~Jeremiah 20:7-10

2.  Brother Richard is a capuchin monk and his blog, A Capuchin Journey is a wonderful home for spiritual insight into scripture and living the Christian life.  He recently posted a beautiful poem called Thomas Merton in Manhattan.

3.  Brother Charles is also a capuchin.  His blog is called A Minor Friar and is a peek into the daily life of a friar.  I was especially impressed with his recent post about how he handled the sometimes sticky situation of officiating at a wedding in which some of the wedding party had been raised Catholic but had not practiced in quite a while.  His delicate and  spiritually generous handling of the situation is a model for all priests.

4.  We're moving things around in our house.  I've been giving away, throwing away, and moving things out of our computer room in preparation for turning it into a walk in closet.  Hopefully that will help us stay better organized and help with the lack of storage space that we have.

5.  I've been watching a lot of documentaries on YouTube.  One I just watched on aspartame is called Sweet Misery and has pretty much convinced me to give up artificial sweeteners.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the government that okays cigarettes has approved aspartame.

6. Daughter from Danang is a story about an Amerasian girl who was airlifted out of Vietnam in 1975 at the age of 7.  She was adopted in the southern United States and quite fully Americanized before returning to meet her birth mother at the age of 22.  She learned some difficult lessons in cultural differences and the documentary leaves the viewer with much to think about.

7. The last documentary is called Girl 27 and is about a Hollywood scandal in 1937.  One hundred twenty underage girls were called for a "job" that turned out to be nothing but forced prostitution.  Sixty plus years later, one woman tells the story about how her experience affected her until the end of her long life.

Fred Astaire Friday

It's summertime. Time for county fairs. Time for the Tunnel of Love.



I love those gloves that match her dress. My aunt still owns a pair exactly the same color. (And another in Royal Blue.)

Fred Astaire Friday

It's summertime. Time for county fairs. Time for the Tunnel of Love.



I love those gloves that match her dress. My aunt still owns a pair exactly the same color. (And another in Royal Blue.)

Book Review--The Boleyn Inheritance

The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory is a delicious summer read, taking us on a journey through Tudor England from the first person point of view of Anne of Cleves, her replacement wife Katherine Howard and lady-in-waiting and confidant to them both, Jane Rochford.

We move about the dangerous world of Henry VIII's court as each of these wives begins their precarious career as a woman in the life of King Henry. We experience, first hand, the naivete of Anne, coming site unseen from Germany and determined to prove an innocent and wholesome wife to the sensuously rapacious English monarch. We follow Katherine Howard from her beginnings in the English court. She is placed there as a teen by devious and scheming relatives and used by them throughout her short and tragic life.

In spite of the fact that the conclusion of the story is well known, the book is well worth the read.






View all my reviews >>

Book Review--The Boleyn Inheritance

The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory is a delicious summer read, taking us on a journey through Tudor England from the first person point of view of Anne of Cleves, her replacement wife Katherine Howard and lady-in-waiting and confidant to them both, Jane Rochford.

We move about the dangerous world of Henry VIII's court as each of these wives begins their precarious career as a woman in the life of King Henry. We experience, first hand, the naivete of Anne, coming site unseen from Germany and determined to prove an innocent and wholesome wife to the sensuously rapacious English monarch. We follow Katherine Howard from her beginnings in the English court. She is placed there as a teen by devious and scheming relatives and used by them throughout her short and tragic life.

In spite of the fact that the conclusion of the story is well known, the book is well worth the read.






View all my reviews >>

Book Review--Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl by N.D. Wilson

Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl: Wide Eyed Wonder in God's Spoken World by N.D. Wilson


  My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl: Wide Eyed Wonder in God's Spoken Word by N.D. Wilson is more like a long, non-rhyming poem than a book.  I can easily imagine a poet well versed in oral recitation reading this book aloud to a rapt audience.

This book is filled, as the subtitle implies, with "wide eyed wonder" about the everyday things in life and while it does not recoil from the dark and the uncomfortable neither does it recoil from God. Its pithy, humorous prose draws you in and before you know it, Wilson is hitting you with penetrating and profound musings on such things as suffering, death, and the Being who created it all. 




 

View all my reviews >>

Book Review--Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl by N.D. Wilson

Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl: Wide Eyed Wonder in God's Spoken World by N.D. Wilson


  My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl: Wide Eyed Wonder in God's Spoken Word by N.D. Wilson is more like a long, non-rhyming poem than a book.  I can easily imagine a poet well versed in oral recitation reading this book aloud to a rapt audience.

This book is filled, as the subtitle implies, with "wide eyed wonder" about the everyday things in life and while it does not recoil from the dark and the uncomfortable neither does it recoil from God. Its pithy, humorous prose draws you in and before you know it, Wilson is hitting you with penetrating and profound musings on such things as suffering, death, and the Being who created it all. 




 

View all my reviews >>

The Simple Things

Why are the simple things the most difficult to do?  Over the years, during Lent especially, I have thought of trying to remember to say a quick grace before meals.  This has proven to be extremely difficult for me.  I have an easier time remembering to say a rosary on most days, than I do saying grace before meals.

Part of this might be that one can say a rosary almost anywhere at almost any time.  I tend to say the rosary while I drive long distances.  I sometimes say it before Mass, or before I go to sleep.  At times, like last night, I wake up and can't go back to sleep.  A rosary will quiet my mind and relax my soul enough to get the rest I need.

Saying grace before meals is not something I can remember to do in the middle of the night, or at Mass, or while driving--although I confess I've eaten my share of meals in the car! 

Saying grace is such a deceptively simple thing.  It used to be part of the fabric of many family's lives.  Something done almost without realizing it.  Now, food is more readily available, more quickly eaten--and more often--and regular grace before meals is rare.

Thus, I come to my regular resolution to include prayer before meals in my day.  I think, rather than say a prescribed prayer, I will use the time to connect with God, thank Him for the meal before me, and  offer up my concerns to Him.  Almost like a lay person's liturgy of the hours--prayer at regular times throughout the day. 

The Simple Things

Why are the simple things the most difficult to do?  Over the years, during Lent especially, I have thought of trying to remember to say a quick grace before meals.  This has proven to be extremely difficult for me.  I have an easier time remembering to say a rosary on most days, than I do saying grace before meals.

Part of this might be that one can say a rosary almost anywhere at almost any time.  I tend to say the rosary while I drive long distances.  I sometimes say it before Mass, or before I go to sleep.  At times, like last night, I wake up and can't go back to sleep.  A rosary will quiet my mind and relax my soul enough to get the rest I need.

Saying grace before meals is not something I can remember to do in the middle of the night, or at Mass, or while driving--although I confess I've eaten my share of meals in the car! 

Saying grace is such a deceptively simple thing.  It used to be part of the fabric of many family's lives.  Something done almost without realizing it.  Now, food is more readily available, more quickly eaten--and more often--and regular grace before meals is rare.

Thus, I come to my regular resolution to include prayer before meals in my day.  I think, rather than say a prescribed prayer, I will use the time to connect with God, thank Him for the meal before me, and  offer up my concerns to Him.  Almost like a lay person's liturgy of the hours--prayer at regular times throughout the day. 

July 20, 1969

Forty years ago today, Neil Armstrong became the first human being to walk on the surface of the moon.  I remember my father insisting that we wake up in time to watch it on a small, grainy, black and white TV set, the only one in the house, in my parents' bedroom.

For years afterward, our teachers would wheel TV sets into our classrooms so that we could watch live coverage of the take offs, landings, moon walks and space walks of the Apollo astronauts.

Below is a restored video montage of Apollo 11's lift off, landing, and Armstrong's famous first steps.  The newscaster's voice you hear on the tape is that of the late Walter Cronkite.



Notice the lack of extraneous information.  There was no need then for three or four simultaneous methods of news imput (constant voice overs from news casters, extra film footage in the corner of the screen, scrolling text declaring "news" completely unrelated to the story).  The news organizations of the day realized the immense importance of this story, and let the event speak for itself.

As I was searching YouTube for appropriate video of this historic occurrence,  I was disheartened by the number of conspiracy theorists who insist the moon landings never happened.  Besides an addiction to sensationalism, this shows a lack of scientific knowledge and education.  The doubts they have can be easily researched and understood, especially in light of the information available to anyone on the internet. 

I think time has dimmed our understanding of the level of achievement that was reached by all the Apollo astronauts. Computers at the time had a fraction of the calculating ability that is available today in such everyday objects as telephones and watches, and they took up entire buildings.  Most of the planning and calculating necessary to get the space program running was done by hand, or, rather, by brain. We were moving into uncharted territory and the astronauts risked their lives for exploration and science.

There is great irony in the fact that we are so much more technologically advanced today than we were on July 20, 1969 and yet, much of our technology is used for a sort of self gratification and national defense without looking forward to explore the last, great, "final frontier".

July 20, 1969

Forty years ago today, Neil Armstrong became the first human being to walk on the surface of the moon.  I remember my father insisting that we wake up in time to watch it on a small, grainy, black and white TV set, the only one in the house, in my parents' bedroom.

For years afterward, our teachers would wheel TV sets into our classrooms so that we could watch live coverage of the take offs, landings, moon walks and space walks of the Apollo astronauts.

Below is a restored video montage of Apollo 11's lift off, landing, and Armstrong's famous first steps.  The newscaster's voice you hear on the tape is that of the late Walter Cronkite.



Notice the lack of extraneous information.  There was no need then for three or four simultaneous methods of news imput (constant voice overs from news casters, extra film footage in the corner of the screen, scrolling text declaring "news" completely unrelated to the story).  The news organizations of the day realized the immense importance of this story, and let the event speak for itself.

As I was searching YouTube for appropriate video of this historic occurrence,  I was disheartened by the number of conspiracy theorists who insist the moon landings never happened.  Besides an addiction to sensationalism, this shows a lack of scientific knowledge and education.  The doubts they have can be easily researched and understood, especially in light of the information available to anyone on the internet. 

I think time has dimmed our understanding of the level of achievement that was reached by all the Apollo astronauts. Computers at the time had a fraction of the calculating ability that is available today in such everyday objects as telephones and watches, and they took up entire buildings.  Most of the planning and calculating necessary to get the space program running was done by hand, or, rather, by brain. We were moving into uncharted territory and the astronauts risked their lives for exploration and science.

There is great irony in the fact that we are so much more technologically advanced today than we were on July 20, 1969 and yet, much of our technology is used for a sort of self gratification and national defense without looking forward to explore the last, great, "final frontier".

Sunday Snippets

Sunday Snippets were originated by RAnn at This That and the Other Thing.

This week, I reviewed Two Quiet blogs, A Circle of Quiet, and Holy Experience.  Both blogs are very relaxing and comment-free. 

I gave a thumbs up to my son's completely vocal rendition of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean.  He does the percussion, guitars, bass, melody, harmony and background vocals completely unaccompanied using only his voice.  Well worth listening to.  Some people are having difficulty getting the file to download, although some have had success on the second try.  Make sure to wait the required 30 seconds before pushing the download button.

I finally posted Fred Astaire's famous Ceiling Dance after a year of posting his vids.  Check out this classic. 

I posted a piece on the relationship between anxiety and inattention.  This is very important to remember when dealing with anyone who has either anxiety or attention difficulties.

Finally, yesterday, we bid goodbye to Walter Cronkite.  News has not been the same since he retired and will never be the same again.  

Sunday Snippets

Sunday Snippets were originated by RAnn at This That and the Other Thing.

This week, I reviewed Two Quiet blogs, A Circle of Quiet, and Holy Experience.  Both blogs are very relaxing and comment-free. 

I gave a thumbs up to my son's completely vocal rendition of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean.  He does the percussion, guitars, bass, melody, harmony and background vocals completely unaccompanied using only his voice.  Well worth listening to.  Some people are having difficulty getting the file to download, although some have had success on the second try.  Make sure to wait the required 30 seconds before pushing the download button.

I finally posted Fred Astaire's famous Ceiling Dance after a year of posting his vids.  Check out this classic. 

I posted a piece on the relationship between anxiety and inattention.  This is very important to remember when dealing with anyone who has either anxiety or attention difficulties.

Finally, yesterday, we bid goodbye to Walter Cronkite.  News has not been the same since he retired and will never be the same again.  

RIP Walter Cronkite

Veteran news man, Walter Cronkite has died at the age of 92. Cronkite was well known for his trustworthy news reporting in the '60's and '70's and was the voice of so many of the seminal happenings of that era. He told us when President Kennedy died of gunshot wounds in 1963. He took us to the moon in 1969. And he was the one who brought the Vietnam war into our homes each and every night.

He was also the first news anchor to visibly insert his own opinion into the news. For better or for worse, he stepped over the line of neutrality regarding the Vietnam War in 1968. After visiting Vietnam himself, Cronkite opined, "To say that we are closer to victory today is to believe, in the face of evidence, the optimists who have been wrong in the past." Then President Lyndon Johnson, after years of trying to convince the American people, and, perhaps, himself, that the war was worth fighting and that it was going well, lamented, "If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost Middle America."

Never again, in my opinion, was a news anchor to reach that level of trust of the American people. After news became de facto editorializing, opinions of news anchors lost their impact and became merely subconscious manipulation of public opinion.

Here is footage of Walter Cronkite signing off the air the day of JFK's funeral. This gavel to gavel coverage of a news item was quite new at that time, and such complete, round the clock coverage was reserved for such things as the assassination of a president. Cronkite's prophetic questions about the effect of this senseless act of violence seemed to accurately predict the tumultuous time that was to follow during the next decade.

Also, notice his language level. No one in broadcasting approaches this level of linguistic complexity today.

Were these dark days the harbinger of blacker ones to come or like the black before the dawn shall they lead to some still as yet undiscernible sunrise of understanding among men that violent words, no matter their origin or motivation can lead only to violent deeds. ~Walter Cronkite

Walter Cronkite sensed that the assassination of President Kennedy marked a turning point in our nation's history. We could either become jaded and violent, or renounce violence altogether.  Sadly, Cronkite's subsequent career saw the United States split apart over the war, over politics, over generational and racial strife that has never really gone away.

My husband remembers  the affect of Cronkite's erudite reporting. "You had something to really think about in the news. It was worth listening to."

Walter Cronkite was the first person to be called a news"anchor".  Indeed, his name became the word for news anchor in Sweden and Holland.  They are called "cronkiters".

RIP Walter Cronkite

Veteran news man, Walter Cronkite has died at the age of 92. Cronkite was well known for his trustworthy news reporting in the '60's and '70's and was the voice of so many of the seminal happenings of that era. He told us when President Kennedy died of gunshot wounds in 1963. He took us to the moon in 1969. And he was the one who brought the Vietnam war into our homes each and every night.

He was also the first news anchor to visibly insert his own opinion into the news. For better or for worse, he stepped over the line of neutrality regarding the Vietnam War in 1968. After visiting Vietnam himself, Cronkite opined, "To say that we are closer to victory today is to believe, in the face of evidence, the optimists who have been wrong in the past." Then President Lyndon Johnson, after years of trying to convince the American people, and, perhaps, himself, that the war was worth fighting and that it was going well, lamented, "If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost Middle America."

Never again, in my opinion, was a news anchor to reach that level of trust of the American people. After news became de facto editorializing, opinions of news anchors lost their impact and became merely subconscious manipulation of public opinion.

Here is footage of Walter Cronkite signing off the air the day of JFK's funeral. This gavel to gavel coverage of a news item was quite new at that time, and such complete, round the clock coverage was reserved for such things as the assassination of a president. Cronkite's prophetic questions about the effect of this senseless act of violence seemed to accurately predict the tumultuous time that was to follow during the next decade.

Also, notice his language level. No one in broadcasting approaches this level of linguistic complexity today.

Were these dark days the harbinger of blacker ones to come or like the black before the dawn shall they lead to some still as yet undiscernible sunrise of understanding among men that violent words, no matter their origin or motivation can lead only to violent deeds. ~Walter Cronkite

Walter Cronkite sensed that the assassination of President Kennedy marked a turning point in our nation's history. We could either become jaded and violent, or renounce violence altogether.  Sadly, Cronkite's subsequent career saw the United States split apart over the war, over politics, over generational and racial strife that has never really gone away.

My husband remembers  the affect of Cronkite's erudite reporting. "You had something to really think about in the news. It was worth listening to."

Walter Cronkite was the first person to be called a news"anchor".  Indeed, his name became the word for news anchor in Sweden and Holland.  They are called "cronkiters".

7 Quick Takes...Friday?

1.  I was going to say, "How is it Friday again already?"  But it's not actually Friday yet.

2.  It is however, finally hot here.  But not nearly as hot as it could be.  That may explain the change in term from "global warming" to "climate change".

3. I'm going to my mom's house tomorrow with my sister to help her move stuff.  Who is the patron saint of sweating, middle aged women? 

4.  To do this, I'm going to be on the road at 5:30am.  Who knows when I'll get back.  Who is the patron saint of caffeine?  How about driving in the dark?

5.  We are taking our mom to the dentist in the midst of this tomorrow.  I feel very blessed that she is being cared for so well now. 

6.  I had to buy another water bottle today.  The one I had, cracked after about a week of use.  This one is aluminum, which is supposed to be bad for you.  But it doesn't have BPA's, which are also supposed to be bad for you.

7.  I got headphones for my laptop yesterday.  They have volume control.  I actually got them for a job I may be doing, but they are handy for talking to my son on Skype. 

7 Quick Takes...Friday?

1.  I was going to say, "How is it Friday again already?"  But it's not actually Friday yet.

2.  It is however, finally hot here.  But not nearly as hot as it could be.  That may explain the change in term from "global warming" to "climate change".

3. I'm going to my mom's house tomorrow with my sister to help her move stuff.  Who is the patron saint of sweating, middle aged women? 

4.  To do this, I'm going to be on the road at 5:30am.  Who knows when I'll get back.  Who is the patron saint of caffeine?  How about driving in the dark?

5.  We are taking our mom to the dentist in the midst of this tomorrow.  I feel very blessed that she is being cared for so well now. 

6.  I had to buy another water bottle today.  The one I had, cracked after about a week of use.  This one is aluminum, which is supposed to be bad for you.  But it doesn't have BPA's, which are also supposed to be bad for you.

7.  I got headphones for my laptop yesterday.  They have volume control.  I actually got them for a job I may be doing, but they are handy for talking to my son on Skype. 

Anxiety and Attention--A New Study

A fascinating study out of the UK reports that anxiety can lead to problems with maintaining attention, which has implications for education, especially in our complex modern world. Professor Michael Eysenck and Dr Nazanin Derkshan of The Economic and Social Research Council have found that those who suffer from anxiety have a difficult time ignoring distractions, and find it harder to transition from one task to another than those who do not.

The study also found that those suffering from anxiety do as well as those who do not suffer on comparable tasks, but it costs them more effort and long term stress. In an experiment involving math problems, the correctness of the answers were not affected, but the participants took longer to solve the problems.

People who suffer from anxiety have to try harder to achieve the same levels of success as non-sufferers, often with negative results that are not seen for quite some time.

 Parents, school boards and elected officials should take into account the struggles that individual students must go through to maintain the standards they set.  More attention needs to be focused on helping students with anxiety so that they have the tools necessary to function in school, and in life.




Photo from here.

Anxiety and Attention--A New Study

A fascinating study out of the UK reports that anxiety can lead to problems with maintaining attention, which has implications for education, especially in our complex modern world. Professor Michael Eysenck and Dr Nazanin Derkshan of The Economic and Social Research Council have found that those who suffer from anxiety have a difficult time ignoring distractions, and find it harder to transition from one task to another than those who do not.

The study also found that those suffering from anxiety do as well as those who do not suffer on comparable tasks, but it costs them more effort and long term stress. In an experiment involving math problems, the correctness of the answers were not affected, but the participants took longer to solve the problems.

People who suffer from anxiety have to try harder to achieve the same levels of success as non-sufferers, often with negative results that are not seen for quite some time.

 Parents, school boards and elected officials should take into account the struggles that individual students must go through to maintain the standards they set.  More attention needs to be focused on helping students with anxiety so that they have the tools necessary to function in school, and in life.




Photo from here.

Fred Astaire Friday

I won't be online tomorrow so I wanted to post my Fred Astaire vid now. This is one I know I haven't posted before and it's an Astaire classic. Fred dances in a rotating box during his now famous Ceiling Dance. Enjoy!

Fred Astaire Friday

I won't be online tomorrow so I wanted to post my Fred Astaire vid now. This is one I know I haven't posted before and it's an Astaire classic. Fred dances in a rotating box during his now famous Ceiling Dance. Enjoy!

Excellent Billie Jean Cover

Click here to listen to the most amazing cover of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, done entirely a capella, by my ds. Harmony, percussion, the whole thing.

Excellent Billie Jean Cover

Click here to listen to the most amazing cover of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, done entirely a capella, by my ds. Harmony, percussion, the whole thing.

Two "Quiet" Blogs

I've discovered two "quiet" blogs.  Both blogs are meditative and thought provoking.  Neither blog has a comment section.  Both blogs encourage you to email the authors with feedback. 

A Circle of Quiet combines photography, recipes, poetry, quotes, books, and posts about family and friends.  You gets the feeling that you are sitting down to tea with a close confidant.

Holy Experience is a truly transcendent encounter. Like A Circle of Quiet, it has no comment section, but you may email the author, Ann Voskamp, with your observations.  The blog's music, The Gift, by David Nevue, is one part of the whole, rejuvinating atmosphere that is this blog.

The holy experience starts with the header.  An orange sunset takes you into a quietly dark background full of poetic posts, beautiful pictures and deeply thought-provoking essays.  It is truly a blog like no other and Ann Voskamp is extremely talented at what she does.


Stop by both blogs for a bit of tranquility. 

Two "Quiet" Blogs

I've discovered two "quiet" blogs.  Both blogs are meditative and thought provoking.  Neither blog has a comment section.  Both blogs encourage you to email the authors with feedback. 

A Circle of Quiet combines photography, recipes, poetry, quotes, books, and posts about family and friends.  You gets the feeling that you are sitting down to tea with a close confidant.

Holy Experience is a truly transcendent encounter. Like A Circle of Quiet, it has no comment section, but you may email the author, Ann Voskamp, with your observations.  The blog's music, The Gift, by David Nevue, is one part of the whole, rejuvinating atmosphere that is this blog.

The holy experience starts with the header.  An orange sunset takes you into a quietly dark background full of poetic posts, beautiful pictures and deeply thought-provoking essays.  It is truly a blog like no other and Ann Voskamp is extremely talented at what she does.


Stop by both blogs for a bit of tranquility. 

Sunday Snippets

Here are today's Sunday Snippets, care of RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing. 

This week, I talked about the passing of Mollie Sugden, of the British Comedy, "Are You Being Served."  I did my usual Fred Astaire Friday, my 7 Quick Takes Friday,  and a book review of The Book of Life by Henri Daniele-Rops.  

But overall, this week should perhaps be called "Outrageous week" as it was filled with stories of the outrageous.  The week began with last Sunday's story about the Obama administration's request that midshipmen not wear their ceremonial swords to graduation.  As it turns out, not wearing swords at graduation has been the tradition and this was merely the first time the request was made in writing.  The outrageous part was the Washington Times deliberate sensationalism in printing the story the way it did. 

Our second outrageous story came on Thursday with the memorial service for Michael Jackson and the obvious blurring of the line that really should exist between "stars" and...God.

On Friday, I talked about Ruth Bader Ginsberg's views on eugenics.

Perhaps the saddest and most horrifying story of the week was yesterday's story about John Holdren, President Obama's Science Czar and his radical views on forced abortion,  forced birth control and  involuntary sterilization that he wants to enforce with "an armed international organization, a global analogue of a police force."

If that doesn't get you involved in voting in the next election, I'm afraid nothing will!

Sunday Snippets

Here are today's Sunday Snippets, care of RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing. 

This week, I talked about the passing of Mollie Sugden, of the British Comedy, "Are You Being Served."  I did my usual Fred Astaire Friday, my 7 Quick Takes Friday,  and a book review of The Book of Life by Henri Daniele-Rops.  

But overall, this week should perhaps be called "Outrageous week" as it was filled with stories of the outrageous.  The week began with last Sunday's story about the Obama administration's request that midshipmen not wear their ceremonial swords to graduation.  As it turns out, not wearing swords at graduation has been the tradition and this was merely the first time the request was made in writing.  The outrageous part was the Washington Times deliberate sensationalism in printing the story the way it did. 

Our second outrageous story came on Thursday with the memorial service for Michael Jackson and the obvious blurring of the line that really should exist between "stars" and...God.

On Friday, I talked about Ruth Bader Ginsberg's views on eugenics.

Perhaps the saddest and most horrifying story of the week was yesterday's story about John Holdren, President Obama's Science Czar and his radical views on forced abortion,  forced birth control and  involuntary sterilization that he wants to enforce with "an armed international organization, a global analogue of a police force."

If that doesn't get you involved in voting in the next election, I'm afraid nothing will!

Outrageous doesn't even begin to cover it.

A high level government official in a formerly prosperous western country recently hit with hard times pens a book that outlines some ideas that are seen by some to be radical and extreme. Those few familiar with his ideas are concerned. Others are too enamored of him and his party to pay much notice.

World War Two Germany?

Well, yes, but also twenty-first century United States.

President Obama's new "Science Czar" is John Holdren. In 1977 he wrote a book along with Paul and Ann Ehrlich called, Ecoscience--Population, Resources, Environment. Here are a few choice sections from the book.

This man who President Obama has appointed as Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, and Co-Chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, has written in support of forced abortion. Not only that, he has declared that, in his opinion, such forced abortions would be constitutional in the United States!

He also proposed a program of "involuntary fertility control" where a fertility suppression drug would be implanted under the skin of women at adolescence.  He acknowledges that the other part of his involuntary sterilization program, that of "sterilizing women after their second or third child" presents "greater difficulty" than "a vasectomy" but "might be easier to implement than trying to sterilize men."  So, he's a misogynist as well.

He also proposes adding sterilizing drugs to the public water supply, as long as it does not harm "the opposite sex" or "livestock".  

This is only a small sampling of his views.   He also wants to enforce this through "an armed international organization, a global analogue of a police force." 

President Obama has just appointed this man as our "Science Czar" to advise the president on "science policy".   We have no say in this appointment.  It does not have to be vetted by Congress.  There are no confirmation hearings necessary for these positions--and Obama has appointed more czars than anyone else in history. 

We have been warned.  He, like Adolph Hitler, has written his views out for all to read.  In this information age, there is even less excuse not to speak out.

Outrageous doesn't even begin to cover it.

A high level government official in a formerly prosperous western country recently hit with hard times pens a book that outlines some ideas that are seen by some to be radical and extreme. Those few familiar with his ideas are concerned. Others are too enamored of him and his party to pay much notice.

World War Two Germany?

Well, yes, but also twenty-first century United States.

President Obama's new "Science Czar" is John Holdren. In 1977 he wrote a book along with Paul and Ann Ehrlich called, Ecoscience--Population, Resources, Environment. Here are a few choice sections from the book.

This man who President Obama has appointed as Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, and Co-Chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, has written in support of forced abortion. Not only that, he has declared that, in his opinion, such forced abortions would be constitutional in the United States!

He also proposed a program of "involuntary fertility control" where a fertility suppression drug would be implanted under the skin of women at adolescence.  He acknowledges that the other part of his involuntary sterilization program, that of "sterilizing women after their second or third child" presents "greater difficulty" than "a vasectomy" but "might be easier to implement than trying to sterilize men."  So, he's a misogynist as well.

He also proposes adding sterilizing drugs to the public water supply, as long as it does not harm "the opposite sex" or "livestock".  

This is only a small sampling of his views.   He also wants to enforce this through "an armed international organization, a global analogue of a police force." 

President Obama has just appointed this man as our "Science Czar" to advise the president on "science policy".   We have no say in this appointment.  It does not have to be vetted by Congress.  There are no confirmation hearings necessary for these positions--and Obama has appointed more czars than anyone else in history. 

We have been warned.  He, like Adolph Hitler, has written his views out for all to read.  In this information age, there is even less excuse not to speak out.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1. I got to ride in a golf cart yesterday at the campground. It was a lot of fun.

2. This weekend is Bike Weekend in Gettysburg. Bike as in motorcycle. They descend on the town, like a swarm of very loud bees, but better for the economy.

3. I'm on a new medicine. So far so good. I was on the other one for 15 years. It was time for a change.

4. I'm liking this unseasonably cool weather. Very nice.

5. My husband's '72 VW bug is officially inspected. He has decided that next time, he's not going to let anyone else work on it, but we are glad it is done now.

6. I bought a dozen brown farm eggs today. And two pumpkin muffins. Oh, and the "kitty cat farm" around the corner has a bunch of new kittens. They were sitting together, huddling against the cool morning.

7. President Obama's people stated before his trip to Italy, that he and Pope Benedict would talk frankly about abortion. What they didn't say was that Pope Benedict would be sure to bring it up, so they knew they *had* to talk frankly about abortion.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1. I got to ride in a golf cart yesterday at the campground. It was a lot of fun.

2. This weekend is Bike Weekend in Gettysburg. Bike as in motorcycle. They descend on the town, like a swarm of very loud bees, but better for the economy.

3. I'm on a new medicine. So far so good. I was on the other one for 15 years. It was time for a change.

4. I'm liking this unseasonably cool weather. Very nice.

5. My husband's '72 VW bug is officially inspected. He has decided that next time, he's not going to let anyone else work on it, but we are glad it is done now.

6. I bought a dozen brown farm eggs today. And two pumpkin muffins. Oh, and the "kitty cat farm" around the corner has a bunch of new kittens. They were sitting together, huddling against the cool morning.

7. President Obama's people stated before his trip to Italy, that he and Pope Benedict would talk frankly about abortion. What they didn't say was that Pope Benedict would be sure to bring it up, so they knew they *had* to talk frankly about abortion.

Ginsberg and Eugenics

Supreme Court Judge, Ruth Bader Ginsberg said Tuesday in a New York Times article, 

Frankly I had thought that at the time Roe was decided, there was concern about population growth and particularly growth in populations that we don’t want to have too many of.

This reminds us that for many, including Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger, and, apparently, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, abortion is not about "choice". Abortion is about reducing "growth in populations that we don't want to have too many of."

Poor people, black people, people who suffer from physical, emotional or mentally disabling conditions...who are those that "we don't want to have too many of"?

Perhaps Judge Ginsberg agrees with Margaret Sanger:

We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population. If it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members. Woman's Body, Woman's Right: A Social History of Birth Control in America by Linda Gordon

Or perhaps she agrees with Adolph Hitler:

The demand that defective people be prevented from propagating equally defective offspring. . . represents the most humane act of mankind. Mein Kampf

Those who beleive in reducing "growth in populations that we don't want to have too many of", usually hold that opinion until it is they who are suddenly struggling with poverty or serious illness. Then, they want the social programs that Margaret Sanger spoke of as a waste of resources on "human weeds."

Ginsberg and Eugenics

Supreme Court Judge, Ruth Bader Ginsberg said Tuesday in a New York Times article, 

Frankly I had thought that at the time Roe was decided, there was concern about population growth and particularly growth in populations that we don’t want to have too many of.

This reminds us that for many, including Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger, and, apparently, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, abortion is not about "choice". Abortion is about reducing "growth in populations that we don't want to have too many of."

Poor people, black people, people who suffer from physical, emotional or mentally disabling conditions...who are those that "we don't want to have too many of"?

Perhaps Judge Ginsberg agrees with Margaret Sanger:

We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population. If it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members. Woman's Body, Woman's Right: A Social History of Birth Control in America by Linda Gordon

Or perhaps she agrees with Adolph Hitler:

The demand that defective people be prevented from propagating equally defective offspring. . . represents the most humane act of mankind. Mein Kampf

Those who beleive in reducing "growth in populations that we don't want to have too many of", usually hold that opinion until it is they who are suddenly struggling with poverty or serious illness. Then, they want the social programs that Margaret Sanger spoke of as a waste of resources on "human weeds."

Fred Astaire Puttin' on the Ritz

I don't think I've posted this one yet.  If I have, it's certainly worth watching again! This, to me, is the definitive Astaire--at his best.

From "Blue Skies"--1946.  Enjoy!

Fred Astaire Puttin' on the Ritz

I don't think I've posted this one yet.  If I have, it's certainly worth watching again! This, to me, is the definitive Astaire--at his best.

From "Blue Skies"--1946.  Enjoy!

Who is the King?

It seems that everyone has weighed in on the recent death of Michael Jackson. (Except, Oprah, apparently, and the conspiracy theories abound.)

I wanted to talk about something that I observed during the televised memorial "service". The memorial was an odd combination of concert, funeral and eulogy. As these things go, especially with someone in the public eye, I thought it was a moving tribute.

I've been trying not to jump on the "people think MJ is God" bandwagon--at least not without some real proof. That was before I watched his memorial on television.

Many of those who stepped forward to eulogize Michael Jackson, spoke directly to Jackson as if he were present. I can certainly understand this. People of various faiths believe that the human soul lives on after death. Too, Jackson's casket was literally right below them in front of the stage (more on that later.)

What concerned me was the (as I see it) misplaced Christian references used during the funeral. There has been a troubling blurring of the line between worship of God and  media-fueled "worship" of a pop star.  I did not watch the entire broadcast, so I only noticed two specific instances.

Rev. Al Sharpton came forward and spoke in a rather subdued (for him) manner about Jackson and his legacy. At one point, he was gearing up, using emotionally charged rhetoric common to his particular oratorical style. He started chanting, "THANK you, Michael! THANK you, Michael!" in much the same way as a preacher might exclaim, "THANK you, Jesus! THANK you, Jesus."

The other moment came in the very beginning of the event. A gospel choir was on stage and began to sing, "Soon and Very Soon (We Are Going to See the King.") Immediately, I knew how some in the audience would take this. I was right. They began cheering and clapping.At that point , I noticed the surviving Jackson brothers wheeling in Michael's casket under a blanket of flowers and placing it in front of the stage. It was then, that I realized that the organizers of this memorial probably did not decide on this particular song being used as the pseudo-processional by accident. (Jackson, remember is called "The King of Pop".)

I literally gasped.

People are now using hymns written about the Divine Creator to refer to dead human beings. I can understand the impulse to use bits and pieces of one's religious heritage during times like these even when one may no longer believe. What I can't fathom, though, is using references to God to refer to the deceased, much less praising the deceased as if he were God.

I wonder if the general public honestly knows the difference.

Who is the King?

It seems that everyone has weighed in on the recent death of Michael Jackson. (Except, Oprah, apparently, and the conspiracy theories abound.)

I wanted to talk about something that I observed during the televised memorial "service". The memorial was an odd combination of concert, funeral and eulogy. As these things go, especially with someone in the public eye, I thought it was a moving tribute.

I've been trying not to jump on the "people think MJ is God" bandwagon--at least not without some real proof. That was before I watched his memorial on television.

Many of those who stepped forward to eulogize Michael Jackson, spoke directly to Jackson as if he were present. I can certainly understand this. People of various faiths believe that the human soul lives on after death. Too, Jackson's casket was literally right below them in front of the stage (more on that later.)

What concerned me was the (as I see it) misplaced Christian references used during the funeral. There has been a troubling blurring of the line between worship of God and  media-fueled "worship" of a pop star.  I did not watch the entire broadcast, so I only noticed two specific instances.

Rev. Al Sharpton came forward and spoke in a rather subdued (for him) manner about Jackson and his legacy. At one point, he was gearing up, using emotionally charged rhetoric common to his particular oratorical style. He started chanting, "THANK you, Michael! THANK you, Michael!" in much the same way as a preacher might exclaim, "THANK you, Jesus! THANK you, Jesus."

The other moment came in the very beginning of the event. A gospel choir was on stage and began to sing, "Soon and Very Soon (We Are Going to See the King.") Immediately, I knew how some in the audience would take this. I was right. They began cheering and clapping.At that point , I noticed the surviving Jackson brothers wheeling in Michael's casket under a blanket of flowers and placing it in front of the stage. It was then, that I realized that the organizers of this memorial probably did not decide on this particular song being used as the pseudo-processional by accident. (Jackson, remember is called "The King of Pop".)

I literally gasped.

People are now using hymns written about the Divine Creator to refer to dead human beings. I can understand the impulse to use bits and pieces of one's religious heritage during times like these even when one may no longer believe. What I can't fathom, though, is using references to God to refer to the deceased, much less praising the deceased as if he were God.

I wonder if the general public honestly knows the difference.

Book Review

The Book of Life: The New Testament Retold by Henri Daniel-Rops

My review

  The Book of Life: The New Testament Retold is a translation from the French L'Evangile de mes Filleuls by Henri Daniele-Rops. Originally written in 1955, it attempts to rewrite the New Testament in pseudo-story form. 

Daniele-Rops' attempt to make the Bible palatable to the young fails, I'm afraid, at least in the English translation. The "story" portions of his book are interwoven with more preachy-sounding Biblical exegesis which, while interesting in and of themselves, are too abrupt and do not weave seamlessly with the rest of the text.

The book is also too self-aware.  It keeps drawing attention to the fact that it is being written by an outside author and never draws the reader into the story.  We are too aware that we are being read to (or preached at) and are never allowed to lose ourselves in what is arguably "the greatest story ever told." 

This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on The Book of Life.

View all my reviews.

Book Review

The Book of Life: The New Testament Retold by Henri Daniel-Rops

My review

  The Book of Life: The New Testament Retold is a translation from the French L'Evangile de mes Filleuls by Henri Daniele-Rops. Originally written in 1955, it attempts to rewrite the New Testament in pseudo-story form. 

Daniele-Rops' attempt to make the Bible palatable to the young fails, I'm afraid, at least in the English translation. The "story" portions of his book are interwoven with more preachy-sounding Biblical exegesis which, while interesting in and of themselves, are too abrupt and do not weave seamlessly with the rest of the text.

The book is also too self-aware.  It keeps drawing attention to the fact that it is being written by an outside author and never draws the reader into the story.  We are too aware that we are being read to (or preached at) and are never allowed to lose ourselves in what is arguably "the greatest story ever told." 

This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on The Book of Life.

View all my reviews.

RIP Mollie Sugden

Mollie Sugden, the comedienne whose many-hued, well-sprayed hairstyles and innocently delivered double entendre made her famous as Mrs. Betty Slocomb in the 1970's BBC comedy, "Are You Being Served" has died at the age of 86.  Filmed in 1972, the pilot survives only in black and white.  Thankfully, the rest of the more than 10 year run is in color, showing off Mrs. Slocumb's hair, whose color varied, apparently with her mood. In spite of the setting in England, there was a bit of the Baltimore bee hive in her hair and a bit of downtown colloquial charm in her character.

Ms. Sugden was born in July 1922 in Northern England , was married to William Moore and had twin sons. 

She was preceded in death by fellow "Grace Brothers" actors, John Inman, in March of 2007 and  Wendy Richard in February of 2009.

RIP Mollie Sugden

Mollie Sugden, the comedienne whose many-hued, well-sprayed hairstyles and innocently delivered double entendre made her famous as Mrs. Betty Slocomb in the 1970's BBC comedy, "Are You Being Served" has died at the age of 86.  Filmed in 1972, the pilot survives only in black and white.  Thankfully, the rest of the more than 10 year run is in color, showing off Mrs. Slocumb's hair, whose color varied, apparently with her mood. In spite of the setting in England, there was a bit of the Baltimore bee hive in her hair and a bit of downtown colloquial charm in her character.

Ms. Sugden was born in July 1922 in Northern England , was married to William Moore and had twin sons. 

She was preceded in death by fellow "Grace Brothers" actors, John Inman, in March of 2007 and  Wendy Richard in February of 2009.