Another mystery by Mary Roberts Rinehart. These books are like potato chips to me. Can't read just one! The Confession is similar to The Circular Staircase in many ways. It starts off with a very similar premise. A spinster aunt takes a house for the summer, mystery ensues! It is told in the first person by said spinster, there is a loving nephew who comes to visit (In the Circular Staircase a niece and nephew were both living with the spinster aunt) and the spinster aunt has a funny, antagonistic relationship with her long time housekeeper. But there the similarities end. Miss Agnes Blakesfield takes the house for the summer under peculiar circumstances; the rent was so low, she at first declined because she thinks something must be wrong with the house. But the little old lady renting it out, Miss Emily, begs her to take it. So she does. From the start though things are spooky. An unidentifiable fear overcomes our narrator; the telephone keeps ringing at night but no one is on the other end. Someone keeps burning candles at night or moving things around, even when everyone is sure no one's been about. And why does Miss Emily keep visiting for tea and then finding excuses to snoop around the house? Things get murkier and murkier. Suspense builds. Then the confession is found, but the narrator can not believe little old Miss Emily could have done such a horrible deed.
A charming quick read! For more book reviews go to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
The Comedians - Book 32
This was one of my thrift store finds. $1.99 for the hardback edition. The Comedians by Graham Greene was published in 1965 and is set in Haiti just after Papa Doc Duvalier has taken over as ruthless dictator. Grahame Green novels always have a certain atmosphere about them, an intelligent but tawdry, grim one that occasionally has streaks of hope shining in before the sky clouds over again. See, there are these three guys on a boat to Haiti, Smith, Jones and Brown. . . sounds like the beginning of a bad joke to Brown the narrator of the story. He's on his way back to Haiti from New York. He was in New York to try to sell his hotel but there are no buyers. Who wants to vacation in Haiti under Papa Doc's reign of terror? He's stuck. The only thing he has in life is his little hotel and perhaps his lover, who is married to a Latin American diplomat. Smith is Mr Smith, along with his wife Mrs. Smith. Mr. Smith ran for president in 1948 on the vegetarian ticket. The Smiths are a formidable team, completely bound to each other and to their vegetarian cause; their idealism is unshakeable because they refuse to really acknowledge anything that doesn't jive with their beliefs. They are both noble and comical in their dogged pursuit of truth as they see it. Jones, who wants everyone to call him Major Jones but somehow, no one can really bring themselves to do that, is a very likable guy that no one can quite figure out. He might be running from the authorities, but he's so friendly and jovial, he naturally gains one's sympathies.
The book is also sprinkled with other memorable characters: Joseph, Brown's bartender turned rebel, Dr. Magiot, the sad, steady communist doctor, who knew Papa Doc in med school and was afraid of him even then. Martha, Brown's lover, as lost and lonely as Brown but with a little more insight into what it means to actually care for others. Angel and Luis, Martha's son and husband, whom Brown is almost pathologically jealous of, Philipot the hopeless Haitian driven to take up armed insurgency by the horrors of Papa Doc's rule. The evil TonTon Macoute officer who frightenly personifies the absurdity of cruelty. And overshadowing all this is the memory of Brown's mother and the fact that Brown doesn't even know if his last name really is Brown, since he never knew his father.
Brown is someone who acts on impulse. Whenever he does something his good and bad impulses are mixed. Is he really rescuing Jones or is trying to get him killed because he's jealous of him? Through it all Brown realizes his own isolation; he is heartbreakingly aware that he does not know how to love. Love is a mystery to him and yet he can't be evil either. The Fathers of the Visitation, who ran the Catholic boarding school where he grew up (dumped there by his mother so she wouldn't have to bother to raise him)instilled enough in him to make him understand just how sinful he is.
A superbly written tale that strangely echoes in our own time.
For more book reviews go to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
The book is also sprinkled with other memorable characters: Joseph, Brown's bartender turned rebel, Dr. Magiot, the sad, steady communist doctor, who knew Papa Doc in med school and was afraid of him even then. Martha, Brown's lover, as lost and lonely as Brown but with a little more insight into what it means to actually care for others. Angel and Luis, Martha's son and husband, whom Brown is almost pathologically jealous of, Philipot the hopeless Haitian driven to take up armed insurgency by the horrors of Papa Doc's rule. The evil TonTon Macoute officer who frightenly personifies the absurdity of cruelty. And overshadowing all this is the memory of Brown's mother and the fact that Brown doesn't even know if his last name really is Brown, since he never knew his father.
Brown is someone who acts on impulse. Whenever he does something his good and bad impulses are mixed. Is he really rescuing Jones or is trying to get him killed because he's jealous of him? Through it all Brown realizes his own isolation; he is heartbreakingly aware that he does not know how to love. Love is a mystery to him and yet he can't be evil either. The Fathers of the Visitation, who ran the Catholic boarding school where he grew up (dumped there by his mother so she wouldn't have to bother to raise him)instilled enough in him to make him understand just how sinful he is.
A superbly written tale that strangely echoes in our own time.
For more book reviews go to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
Diary of my Internet Free Friday
Inspired by the Fortnight for Freedom, I decided to fast from the internet on Fridays. Yesterday was my second fast Friday. I have fasted before from the internet or just certain aspects of it, like facebook before. It is always a dreadful struggle which I don't always resist. I am truly addicted! These fasts are pretty important to me even if they are uncomfortable.
I realized yesterday, how much more I get done and how I can focus much more on the mundane duties of homemaking when I am not on the computer. I have to keep myself very busy or I'll give into temptation. So I am recording here for my own records just what I did yesterday in order to stay away from my laptop.
I didn't wake up until 7:30 a.m. This is unusually late for me. I usually wake up between 5:30 and 7 and spend the first hour or two on line. I can get a lot of on line stuff done then but it also revs me up to keep coming back for more all day long. But Rick got back from California late (like almost 1 a.m. and for one reason or another I was still awake, then I didn't sleep so well, so I wound up sleeping in. This was good because I had to attend to getting Becky ready for camp so I couldn't indulge. So instead of getting on the computer I:
Fed pets
Made coffee
unloaded the dishwasher, then loaded it up with piled up dirty dishes.
Pulled on clothes and ran to grocery store to buy lunch for Becky (I can't get used to having so many eaters in the house! I never can get food to last a week!).
Came home, woke Becky
Feed her an apple and chocolate milk for breakfast.
Got Sean up because he had 9:00 a.m. drs. appt.
I didn't have to take Becky to camp because Rick said he would.
Took Sean to Dr. Turns out Dr. had double booked (first time ever) so we wound up going to ihop and had a very nice breakfast together.
Came home and Sean and I spent about 15 minutes weeding the front garden. The weather was nice, not too hot yet and nice breeze.
Took a shower.
Unloaded the now clean dishes.
Over coffee, chatted with Hannah who was up.
Put on a load of dish towels and bath towels.
Woke Will up to finish mowing the lawn before the predicted thunderstorms arrived.
Chatted a bit with Josh.
Scrubbed out the sink, Flylady style. Cleaned the stove. Swept the kitchen floor, vacuumed the family room and kitchen floor, washed kitchen floor.
Read more of The Beauty of the Word; started a new book Happy are You Poor.
Moved towels to dryer.
Left early to pick up Becky because I had to drop her camp health form off at drs office. It was thundering and lightning something frightening! Some stoplights were out. Drove through pouring raining to pick up Becky from camp. Listened to the lecture series From Jesus to Christianity by Thomas Madden on the cd player the whole time I was driving. Excellent course!
Becky decided she really didn't want to go to gymnastics practice. I was happy about that because I did not relish driving through severe thunderstorms on the highway all the way there, so instead we took the back way home. Becky read to me the script of the musical they are putting on for their musical theater class. Becky gets 4 lines and a solo!
Home again, Becky watches TV, other kids are doing various things. Hannah has said she'll make dinner. She announced it was Stir Friday. I scrubbed the master bathroom while waiting for personal trainer to arrive. It was in dire need of cleaning.
Sean went first with personal trainer. I read a magazine article on sex trafficking in our county; thoroughly horrified, I read more of Happy are You Poor to lift my mind from sordidness.
Put towels away.
Did an hour of exercise with personal trainer. He is such a nice guy! I was so tired I couldn't do as much as I did on Tuesday, but he was very encouraging and kept me at it.
I felt really sick after the exercise. It took me a while to recover. Thanks to Hannah I could sit right down and eat some dinner, though I was feeling so queasy, shrimp stir fry really wasn't what I wanted. But it was good. After dinner, the kids decided it was Will's birthday vigil, so he deserved an ice cream cake. They went to Baskin and Robbins and brought back a cake. We all dug in.
I sat and tried to watch Tv. We have a bazillion channels and I never can find anything interesting. Wound up watching some selfish white couple searching for the perfect luxurious home in the Virgin Islands. I can not believe these people. The bathroom hasn't been updated for like 5 years - no good! The counters in the kitchen aren't granite! Gasp! How can we live without granite countertops! The shower only has one shower head not three! These programs are like lessons in how to be materialist and shallow.
Rick came home so I gave up on TV. By this time (almost 9:00) several people decided they were hungry again. Rick was hungry too and there was no food left for him, so a bunch of people went out to eat.
I went up to bed and read a lot more. I was trying to read Beauty in the Word which is a very deep read. I was too tired to take it in, so I got another book, a free Kindle Mary Roberts Rinehart book and started reading that but fell asleep. Woke up when Rick came home feeling thoroughly drugged, but happily went back to sleep easily.
So there is my boring, mundane day. It was good day though for me. I was surrounded by family, I was strong and didn't give in to temptation, I did good things like clean my home and exercise and read. Two not so good things: we never said night prayers together and I didn't read to Becky and Sean. Oh well.
I realized yesterday, how much more I get done and how I can focus much more on the mundane duties of homemaking when I am not on the computer. I have to keep myself very busy or I'll give into temptation. So I am recording here for my own records just what I did yesterday in order to stay away from my laptop.
I didn't wake up until 7:30 a.m. This is unusually late for me. I usually wake up between 5:30 and 7 and spend the first hour or two on line. I can get a lot of on line stuff done then but it also revs me up to keep coming back for more all day long. But Rick got back from California late (like almost 1 a.m. and for one reason or another I was still awake, then I didn't sleep so well, so I wound up sleeping in. This was good because I had to attend to getting Becky ready for camp so I couldn't indulge. So instead of getting on the computer I:
Fed pets
Made coffee
unloaded the dishwasher, then loaded it up with piled up dirty dishes.
Pulled on clothes and ran to grocery store to buy lunch for Becky (I can't get used to having so many eaters in the house! I never can get food to last a week!).
Came home, woke Becky
Feed her an apple and chocolate milk for breakfast.
Got Sean up because he had 9:00 a.m. drs. appt.
I didn't have to take Becky to camp because Rick said he would.
Took Sean to Dr. Turns out Dr. had double booked (first time ever) so we wound up going to ihop and had a very nice breakfast together.
Came home and Sean and I spent about 15 minutes weeding the front garden. The weather was nice, not too hot yet and nice breeze.
Took a shower.
Unloaded the now clean dishes.
Over coffee, chatted with Hannah who was up.
Put on a load of dish towels and bath towels.
Woke Will up to finish mowing the lawn before the predicted thunderstorms arrived.
Chatted a bit with Josh.
Scrubbed out the sink, Flylady style. Cleaned the stove. Swept the kitchen floor, vacuumed the family room and kitchen floor, washed kitchen floor.
Read more of The Beauty of the Word; started a new book Happy are You Poor.
Moved towels to dryer.
Left early to pick up Becky because I had to drop her camp health form off at drs office. It was thundering and lightning something frightening! Some stoplights were out. Drove through pouring raining to pick up Becky from camp. Listened to the lecture series From Jesus to Christianity by Thomas Madden on the cd player the whole time I was driving. Excellent course!
Becky decided she really didn't want to go to gymnastics practice. I was happy about that because I did not relish driving through severe thunderstorms on the highway all the way there, so instead we took the back way home. Becky read to me the script of the musical they are putting on for their musical theater class. Becky gets 4 lines and a solo!
Home again, Becky watches TV, other kids are doing various things. Hannah has said she'll make dinner. She announced it was Stir Friday. I scrubbed the master bathroom while waiting for personal trainer to arrive. It was in dire need of cleaning.
Sean went first with personal trainer. I read a magazine article on sex trafficking in our county; thoroughly horrified, I read more of Happy are You Poor to lift my mind from sordidness.
Put towels away.
Did an hour of exercise with personal trainer. He is such a nice guy! I was so tired I couldn't do as much as I did on Tuesday, but he was very encouraging and kept me at it.
I felt really sick after the exercise. It took me a while to recover. Thanks to Hannah I could sit right down and eat some dinner, though I was feeling so queasy, shrimp stir fry really wasn't what I wanted. But it was good. After dinner, the kids decided it was Will's birthday vigil, so he deserved an ice cream cake. They went to Baskin and Robbins and brought back a cake. We all dug in.
I sat and tried to watch Tv. We have a bazillion channels and I never can find anything interesting. Wound up watching some selfish white couple searching for the perfect luxurious home in the Virgin Islands. I can not believe these people. The bathroom hasn't been updated for like 5 years - no good! The counters in the kitchen aren't granite! Gasp! How can we live without granite countertops! The shower only has one shower head not three! These programs are like lessons in how to be materialist and shallow.
Rick came home so I gave up on TV. By this time (almost 9:00) several people decided they were hungry again. Rick was hungry too and there was no food left for him, so a bunch of people went out to eat.
I went up to bed and read a lot more. I was trying to read Beauty in the Word which is a very deep read. I was too tired to take it in, so I got another book, a free Kindle Mary Roberts Rinehart book and started reading that but fell asleep. Woke up when Rick came home feeling thoroughly drugged, but happily went back to sleep easily.
So there is my boring, mundane day. It was good day though for me. I was surrounded by family, I was strong and didn't give in to temptation, I did good things like clean my home and exercise and read. Two not so good things: we never said night prayers together and I didn't read to Becky and Sean. Oh well.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Forming Intentional Disciples - Session 5
Chapter 4 of Forming Intentional Disciples is concerned with RCIA and how adults should approach baptism into the Church. Since I am not involved in RCIA and I don't really work with people who are converting, all this is an area I just haven't thought about much. I personally am a terrible evangelizer. I have been married to a Jewish guy for 25 years (in November) and he hasn't converted. The one time I got on my high horse and tried to convert someone, they wound up going to the Episcopalian church. I can't even talk to family or friends who are hostile to the Church. I get all tongue tied. I tell you, I am pathetic. I might be able to argue a bit on online but that's because I don't have to look the person in the eyes. I am a sinner and very aware of my sinful ways and my stumbling, groping, inadequate words and even more telling, my sinful, inadequate actions. My best evangelization, unfortunately, has to be on myself. I am in constant need of being recharged. My battery loses charge very quickly. However, thank God, my kids so far seem to be embracing Catholicism in an authentic way. I pray that continues.
Here's what Sherry Weddell states are the conditions under which an adult should approach baptism into the Church:
Here are the questions that the Lawn Chair Catechist asks in response to this chapter:
In your own faith:
It can be hard to settle our minds on the idea of "cooperating with grace". How would you explain the Catholic doctrine on salvation to others?
Well, I have just reread this chapter and I am bowled over by it. Especially since I have been having a discussion with a friend about people receiving the Eucharist who are publicly in direct conflict with Church teaching. My problem with being unable to grasp cooperating grace is not that I am indifferent or bored, it is that I have a hard time believing I am actually worthy. Sometimes I pray: Please Lord let me actually believe these words, Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. Only say the word and my soul shall be healed. My sin is that I don't really believe in that healing. And that is my lack of trust in Jesus's love. So that is the stumbling block for me.
Right now I am pretty emotional and vulnerable because of the Supreme Court decision handed down yesterday. I am sad and angry and scared. I want to rise above all that and have that serenity and clarity of purpose that real trust in Christ gives. But I am not there yet. If St. Therese had a Little Way, my way is microscopic. Probably you need an electron microscope to discern any way I might have that would lead me to holiness.
I don't know how I explain salvation to others. I think I talk about how there is evil in the world and that is because we are separated from the one who created us. We are separated because of our free will and our decision to be selfish. But because He loves us, he is like the prodigal son's father. He runs out to greet and welcome us back. God ran out to greet us by suffering and dying on the cross for us so that we could, at some point in our stupidity, reject the pigs' slop and stumble back toward home. He's waiting there now, watching the road. (I get this intellectually, but as I said before, my heart often has trouble accepting it).
In your parish:
How does your parish currently respond when there are serious doubts about the readiness of a candidate for the sacraments?
I have no idea! However, I can say that the parish is pretty lukewarm about preparing kids for Confirmation. For instance, they mention you need to go to Mass on Sundays, but nothing happens if you don't. Nothing is done to make the parents accountable to actually have the child engaged in practicing the faith. I do know that each child is interviewed by either our pastor or someone in RE or Youth Ministry, but I don't know if anyone dares to say that the child is not ready and tells the parents they can't receive Confirmation.
On the other hand I do think that the sacrament can take care of a lot of things in a way. I know I seriously questioned if my kids were ready for First Holy Communion and Confirmation and it does seem to me that after receiving these sacraments they did suddenly mature in their faith. It always take me by surprise that it happens. It is always a sweet blessing.
How would a discipleship model of preparation fit into your current approach?
I think a discipleship approach, if adopted by my parish, which I do think has kind of a quasi-discipleship approach, would make us more loving and at the same time bolder. I think I see a certain tentativeness and fear of offending that comes off as wishy washy at times.
For more discussion on this book, go to Lawn Chair Catechist at CatholicMom.com
Here's what Sherry Weddell states are the conditions under which an adult should approach baptism into the Church:
. . . the council’s Decree on Justification describe in great detail the sort of spiritual development that needs to be in place in order for an adult to receive baptism fruitfully. It includes the following:
Being moved to faith by hearing the basic proclamation of Jesus Christ and his work of salvation.
Moving intentionally toward God.
Believing in what God has revealed – especially that God saves sinners through redemption in Jesus Christ.
Recognizing that one is a sinner.
Trusting in the mercy of God.
Beginning to hope in and love God.
Repenting of personal sin.
Resolving to be baptized, to begin a new life, and to walk in the obedience of faith.
There is one obvious descriptor for someone who has lived all the above: disciple.
Here are the questions that the Lawn Chair Catechist asks in response to this chapter:
In your own faith:
It can be hard to settle our minds on the idea of "cooperating with grace". How would you explain the Catholic doctrine on salvation to others?
Well, I have just reread this chapter and I am bowled over by it. Especially since I have been having a discussion with a friend about people receiving the Eucharist who are publicly in direct conflict with Church teaching. My problem with being unable to grasp cooperating grace is not that I am indifferent or bored, it is that I have a hard time believing I am actually worthy. Sometimes I pray: Please Lord let me actually believe these words, Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. Only say the word and my soul shall be healed. My sin is that I don't really believe in that healing. And that is my lack of trust in Jesus's love. So that is the stumbling block for me.
Right now I am pretty emotional and vulnerable because of the Supreme Court decision handed down yesterday. I am sad and angry and scared. I want to rise above all that and have that serenity and clarity of purpose that real trust in Christ gives. But I am not there yet. If St. Therese had a Little Way, my way is microscopic. Probably you need an electron microscope to discern any way I might have that would lead me to holiness.
I don't know how I explain salvation to others. I think I talk about how there is evil in the world and that is because we are separated from the one who created us. We are separated because of our free will and our decision to be selfish. But because He loves us, he is like the prodigal son's father. He runs out to greet and welcome us back. God ran out to greet us by suffering and dying on the cross for us so that we could, at some point in our stupidity, reject the pigs' slop and stumble back toward home. He's waiting there now, watching the road. (I get this intellectually, but as I said before, my heart often has trouble accepting it).
In your parish:
How does your parish currently respond when there are serious doubts about the readiness of a candidate for the sacraments?
I have no idea! However, I can say that the parish is pretty lukewarm about preparing kids for Confirmation. For instance, they mention you need to go to Mass on Sundays, but nothing happens if you don't. Nothing is done to make the parents accountable to actually have the child engaged in practicing the faith. I do know that each child is interviewed by either our pastor or someone in RE or Youth Ministry, but I don't know if anyone dares to say that the child is not ready and tells the parents they can't receive Confirmation.
On the other hand I do think that the sacrament can take care of a lot of things in a way. I know I seriously questioned if my kids were ready for First Holy Communion and Confirmation and it does seem to me that after receiving these sacraments they did suddenly mature in their faith. It always take me by surprise that it happens. It is always a sweet blessing.
How would a discipleship model of preparation fit into your current approach?
I think a discipleship approach, if adopted by my parish, which I do think has kind of a quasi-discipleship approach, would make us more loving and at the same time bolder. I think I see a certain tentativeness and fear of offending that comes off as wishy washy at times.
For more discussion on this book, go to Lawn Chair Catechist at CatholicMom.com
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Good News - 6/25/13
I just stumbled on this wonderful website, Cozy Mystery. Check it out! I did not realize there were so many mystery series out there. This one lists the sublime with the pedestrian and lots of the books listed aren't mysteries or aren't cozy! But it is a great list nonetheless. It warms the cockles of my heart to know Cozy Mystery is out there on the interwebs. My kind of people!
Monday, June 24, 2013
Weekly Plans - 6/24/13
We had lovely weather this weekend. Saturday was full of errands, reading and going to vigil Mass. Yesterday, I was almost a complete and total slug. I think I did do some laundry and a little bit of cooking, but other than that, I just lazed around sinfully. Rick took Will, Josh and Becky to the boat. Hannah took Sean shopping for new clothes, which he desperately needed.
This week:
Becky starts her music camp. I think this is her 6th time attending this camp. I always had her go half day in the past but she begged and begged to be able to go full time this year. So I relented. However, now she's regretting it because she has to attend gymnastics practice from 4:30 to 7:30 M, W, F. So she'll get out of camp at 3:30 (I'll always have to be there early to pick her up right at 3:30) and then whisk her off to gymnastics which is a rather long drive. I plan to have packed up some kind of big snack/light supper for her. So negotiating all this for the next three weeks is going to take some time and thought, plus I will be driving all over kingdom come. That means I need a good book to listen to in the car!
I am very proud of myself though. I made homemade pizza pockets yesterday. Sean had them for dinner but I saved two for Becky today for her lunch.
Josh - today Josh's math tutor is due to arrive at 10:00 a.m. here. There's been a lot of disruption in our rhythm between Josh's travel and the tutor's. So hopefully they'll start meeting again on a consistent basis and Josh will finish up math in a few weeks. After math, Josh has to finish writing one of his essays for Christendom. He finished one on Saturday. If he finishes another one today and then the final one tomorrow, we can have his very late application all taken care of and sent in by Wednesday. Whew! That'll be great when it is done! Josh also is (I think) going to registar to run a local 10K race on July 27th. He should probably registar today.
Sean - is just hanging out, but he isn't bored. He likes hanging out with Will and Hannah and just relaxing from not going to school. I am making him read the book Left to Tell. It is one of the books he has to read for O'Connell. We don't know if he's been accepted but it doesn't hurt to get a jump on the reading. I have also started reading Cheaper by the Dozen to Becky and Sean. Humorous and heartwarming book!
Will - big news, sad news. Will broke up with his girlfriend who was supposed to come stay with us. Complicated stuff there but it is better for it to happen now than when she's here. Will also had a friend ask him to come to Nashville for 4 days in July to record with him there! Will is super excited. He is still trying to get hired by Potbelly's. They keep telling him they'll employ him but it seems to take a long time to get all the bureaucratic stuff done. I think Will should also go play at the metro station, just to be playing music for an audience. But anyway, I don't know what Will has in store for this week.
Tuesday - great big news! I hired a personal trainer for Sean and me. He comes at 10:30 Tuesday morning. Today (Monday) I want to get ready for him: that means - gentle stretching for my permanently tight muscles, a nice epsom salt bath, icing my plantar faciitis, getting new shoes that are more comfortable (Sean needs new ones too), getting a bandage wrap for my stupid ankle that always swells (ever since I did something to it last Thanksgiving).
Wednesday - Becky's music camp and gymnastics practice transportation. Sean and Josh and CLC.
Thursday - I hope to make it to the ecumenical prayer for Fortnight for Freedom held at our Cathedral.
Friday - Sean goes to Dr. Hover at 2:00 p.m. Personal Trainer comes again at 5:00.
I need to make a drs appt for Sean at some point this week.
Rick goes to CA this afternoon and doesn't get back until Thursday, I think. Okay! Times a-wastin'! Have to go pack up Becky's lunch, throw on some clothes, wake Becky up (she can eat breakfast in the car) and get her to her first day of camp. I hope she loves this camp as much as she has in the past. On the way home I must remember to stop at Trader Joe's and get butter and pet food! We are out!
This week:
Becky starts her music camp. I think this is her 6th time attending this camp. I always had her go half day in the past but she begged and begged to be able to go full time this year. So I relented. However, now she's regretting it because she has to attend gymnastics practice from 4:30 to 7:30 M, W, F. So she'll get out of camp at 3:30 (I'll always have to be there early to pick her up right at 3:30) and then whisk her off to gymnastics which is a rather long drive. I plan to have packed up some kind of big snack/light supper for her. So negotiating all this for the next three weeks is going to take some time and thought, plus I will be driving all over kingdom come. That means I need a good book to listen to in the car!
I am very proud of myself though. I made homemade pizza pockets yesterday. Sean had them for dinner but I saved two for Becky today for her lunch.
Josh - today Josh's math tutor is due to arrive at 10:00 a.m. here. There's been a lot of disruption in our rhythm between Josh's travel and the tutor's. So hopefully they'll start meeting again on a consistent basis and Josh will finish up math in a few weeks. After math, Josh has to finish writing one of his essays for Christendom. He finished one on Saturday. If he finishes another one today and then the final one tomorrow, we can have his very late application all taken care of and sent in by Wednesday. Whew! That'll be great when it is done! Josh also is (I think) going to registar to run a local 10K race on July 27th. He should probably registar today.
Sean - is just hanging out, but he isn't bored. He likes hanging out with Will and Hannah and just relaxing from not going to school. I am making him read the book Left to Tell. It is one of the books he has to read for O'Connell. We don't know if he's been accepted but it doesn't hurt to get a jump on the reading. I have also started reading Cheaper by the Dozen to Becky and Sean. Humorous and heartwarming book!
Will - big news, sad news. Will broke up with his girlfriend who was supposed to come stay with us. Complicated stuff there but it is better for it to happen now than when she's here. Will also had a friend ask him to come to Nashville for 4 days in July to record with him there! Will is super excited. He is still trying to get hired by Potbelly's. They keep telling him they'll employ him but it seems to take a long time to get all the bureaucratic stuff done. I think Will should also go play at the metro station, just to be playing music for an audience. But anyway, I don't know what Will has in store for this week.
Tuesday - great big news! I hired a personal trainer for Sean and me. He comes at 10:30 Tuesday morning. Today (Monday) I want to get ready for him: that means - gentle stretching for my permanently tight muscles, a nice epsom salt bath, icing my plantar faciitis, getting new shoes that are more comfortable (Sean needs new ones too), getting a bandage wrap for my stupid ankle that always swells (ever since I did something to it last Thanksgiving).
Wednesday - Becky's music camp and gymnastics practice transportation. Sean and Josh and CLC.
Thursday - I hope to make it to the ecumenical prayer for Fortnight for Freedom held at our Cathedral.
Friday - Sean goes to Dr. Hover at 2:00 p.m. Personal Trainer comes again at 5:00.
I need to make a drs appt for Sean at some point this week.
Rick goes to CA this afternoon and doesn't get back until Thursday, I think. Okay! Times a-wastin'! Have to go pack up Becky's lunch, throw on some clothes, wake Becky up (she can eat breakfast in the car) and get her to her first day of camp. I hope she loves this camp as much as she has in the past. On the way home I must remember to stop at Trader Joe's and get butter and pet food! We are out!
Sunday, June 23, 2013
The Man in the Lower Ten - Book 31
I am on a jag! This is my fourth Mary Roberts Rinehart book and I just love her! The books create such an atmosphere of days gone by (I always think 1920s) and the characters are so interesting and relatable. The plot moves along as intrigue and clues become more and more complex and then, finally, the very satisfying ending.
The Man in the Lower Ten (lower ten refers to main character's train berth) is told in the first person by Lawrence (Lollie) Blakesley a partner in a law firm with his longtime best friend McKnightly. McKnightly is a witty guy who gets many of the best lines in the book. Blakesley gets into a desperate situation when there is a mix up on a train, he is robbed of important evidence for a case he's working on, and then he discovers a murder. All the evidence points to him as the murderer but before they can arrest him the train is hit by another train. Only he and a few others escape. This gives him just enough time to do some sleuthing about who the real murderer could be. He gets help from his partner and an amateur detective who was also on the train. And he falls in love, inadvertently, with his partner's girlfriend. The plot is complicated and I am sure I did not get all the details straight, but I thoroughly enjoyed the whole yarn.
Mary Roberts Rinehart rocks! For more book reviews go to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
The Man in the Lower Ten (lower ten refers to main character's train berth) is told in the first person by Lawrence (Lollie) Blakesley a partner in a law firm with his longtime best friend McKnightly. McKnightly is a witty guy who gets many of the best lines in the book. Blakesley gets into a desperate situation when there is a mix up on a train, he is robbed of important evidence for a case he's working on, and then he discovers a murder. All the evidence points to him as the murderer but before they can arrest him the train is hit by another train. Only he and a few others escape. This gives him just enough time to do some sleuthing about who the real murderer could be. He gets help from his partner and an amateur detective who was also on the train. And he falls in love, inadvertently, with his partner's girlfriend. The plot is complicated and I am sure I did not get all the details straight, but I thoroughly enjoyed the whole yarn.
Mary Roberts Rinehart rocks! For more book reviews go to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Forming Intentional Disciples - Session 4
I found my book! However, I am not feeling particularly introspective right now. I am reading a couple of good books and the weather has turned lovely. I just want to read and be outside. So this is going to be short!
In your own faith:
Can you recall a “before” and “after” time in your life, when you became a true disciple of Jesus Christ? Have
you ever witnessed that change in someone else?
I think there were many little turning points. My reversion was very slow and subtle. But one that stands out in my mind happened at Passover Dinner. This was before I was even dating my Jewish husband. At that time I was searching for something to believe in. I was very curious about Sufi Islam and had a good friend who had converted. He gave me all these audio tapes of beautiful mystical prayers said in Tamil (his sheik was from Sri Lanka)with English translations. They were gorgeous prayers and I used to walk around the city listening to them. But as I investigated Islam further I came, of course, to read about Mohammad. Mohammad is no Jesus! Jesus is so beautiful and wise, so loving, so ethereal and down to earth at the same time. Mohammad's life, that he actually fought and killed people over some tribal quarrel, that he had 10 wives, just seemed so pallid to me. So while I found the prayers beautiful, really emphasizing the glory of God (Allah), the actual religion didn't ring true to me. I also remember going to an Anglican church with a friend and going by myself to a Lutheran Church. I remember thinking if Christianity is the real deal than I think I'd be Catholic. Both Anglicanism and Lutherism seemed like washed out versions of Catholicism to me.
Then a friend from school unexpectedly invited me to her Passover dinner. Her father had told her to invite a couple of friends for the first night of Passover. I happened to be in the right place at the right time. I was delighted to go. I had never celebrated Passover, but I had gone through an intense Judeophile period, spurred by reading The Diary of Anne Frank and other holocaust books as well as Isaac Bashevis Singer stories. So I went. It was a delightful evening. Her family was warm and friendly. They kindly explained everything to me, they prayed reverently and yet there was so much humor and wit. I enjoyed all the food. When it came time to hunt for the afikomen, I was the one who found it (and won two tickets to see the Baltimore Orioles play!). Anyway, during the Seder prayers and meal, it suddenly occurred to me that it reminded me of the Catholic Mass! And then suddenly I had a whole new respect for the Church. This institution had protected, cherished and passed down Passover. . . that is, The Last Supper and it was still intact and recognizable 2000 years later. I had so been in the habit of constantly knocking the church. It could never do anything right in my mind and now suddenly I couldn't think like that anymore. I do think that realization was a definite turning point; a definite shift in my attitude.
I do know know several people with powerful conversion stories. But the one I'll relate is that of my sister who also reverted to the Catholic faith. She was struggling terribly and had been alienated from the Church for a long time. Just by chance a neighbor lent her the book A Father Who Keeps His Promises by Scott Hahn. She loved it! She had been on the brink of joining the Episcopalian church but she didn't. She still had some issues but then another person gave her Theology of the Body for Beginners by Christopher West and that won her the rest of the way over. She now, like me, is so in love with the faith and so deeply happy to be home again!
In your parish:
What success stories can you share? In what ministries of your parish is “discipleship thinking” the norm? In
what areas is Christian discipleship not yet the standard for ministry?
These questions about parish life are really making me realize that I am not involved enough. I don't know how much discipleship thinking is the norm. I will say that my boys have really loved attending the Youth Apostles' Catholic Life Communities at our parish. I do think they are very good at making disciples of the teens who join. My sons all have a very deep spiritual life and they all really know their Catholic faith deeply, so much more than I did attending all Catholic schools in the 1960s and 1970s. But I think that is as far as I can muster up a response to this particular set of questions. I simply don't know what areas of ministry do not yet have the standard of discipleship as the standard.
UPDATE: Oops! I forgot to put a link to the Lawn Chair Catechist page where you can find lots of other bloggers discussing the book Forming Intentional Disciples. Go here!
In your own faith:
Can you recall a “before” and “after” time in your life, when you became a true disciple of Jesus Christ? Have
you ever witnessed that change in someone else?
I think there were many little turning points. My reversion was very slow and subtle. But one that stands out in my mind happened at Passover Dinner. This was before I was even dating my Jewish husband. At that time I was searching for something to believe in. I was very curious about Sufi Islam and had a good friend who had converted. He gave me all these audio tapes of beautiful mystical prayers said in Tamil (his sheik was from Sri Lanka)with English translations. They were gorgeous prayers and I used to walk around the city listening to them. But as I investigated Islam further I came, of course, to read about Mohammad. Mohammad is no Jesus! Jesus is so beautiful and wise, so loving, so ethereal and down to earth at the same time. Mohammad's life, that he actually fought and killed people over some tribal quarrel, that he had 10 wives, just seemed so pallid to me. So while I found the prayers beautiful, really emphasizing the glory of God (Allah), the actual religion didn't ring true to me. I also remember going to an Anglican church with a friend and going by myself to a Lutheran Church. I remember thinking if Christianity is the real deal than I think I'd be Catholic. Both Anglicanism and Lutherism seemed like washed out versions of Catholicism to me.
Then a friend from school unexpectedly invited me to her Passover dinner. Her father had told her to invite a couple of friends for the first night of Passover. I happened to be in the right place at the right time. I was delighted to go. I had never celebrated Passover, but I had gone through an intense Judeophile period, spurred by reading The Diary of Anne Frank and other holocaust books as well as Isaac Bashevis Singer stories. So I went. It was a delightful evening. Her family was warm and friendly. They kindly explained everything to me, they prayed reverently and yet there was so much humor and wit. I enjoyed all the food. When it came time to hunt for the afikomen, I was the one who found it (and won two tickets to see the Baltimore Orioles play!). Anyway, during the Seder prayers and meal, it suddenly occurred to me that it reminded me of the Catholic Mass! And then suddenly I had a whole new respect for the Church. This institution had protected, cherished and passed down Passover. . . that is, The Last Supper and it was still intact and recognizable 2000 years later. I had so been in the habit of constantly knocking the church. It could never do anything right in my mind and now suddenly I couldn't think like that anymore. I do think that realization was a definite turning point; a definite shift in my attitude.
I do know know several people with powerful conversion stories. But the one I'll relate is that of my sister who also reverted to the Catholic faith. She was struggling terribly and had been alienated from the Church for a long time. Just by chance a neighbor lent her the book A Father Who Keeps His Promises by Scott Hahn. She loved it! She had been on the brink of joining the Episcopalian church but she didn't. She still had some issues but then another person gave her Theology of the Body for Beginners by Christopher West and that won her the rest of the way over. She now, like me, is so in love with the faith and so deeply happy to be home again!
In your parish:
What success stories can you share? In what ministries of your parish is “discipleship thinking” the norm? In
what areas is Christian discipleship not yet the standard for ministry?
These questions about parish life are really making me realize that I am not involved enough. I don't know how much discipleship thinking is the norm. I will say that my boys have really loved attending the Youth Apostles' Catholic Life Communities at our parish. I do think they are very good at making disciples of the teens who join. My sons all have a very deep spiritual life and they all really know their Catholic faith deeply, so much more than I did attending all Catholic schools in the 1960s and 1970s. But I think that is as far as I can muster up a response to this particular set of questions. I simply don't know what areas of ministry do not yet have the standard of discipleship as the standard.
UPDATE: Oops! I forgot to put a link to the Lawn Chair Catechist page where you can find lots of other bloggers discussing the book Forming Intentional Disciples. Go here!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Good News - 6/18/13
I always find the writings, thoughts and personality of G. K. Chesterton so heartening! If you are feeling discouraged, read him and he'll put everything into perspective with great good humor and insight. The American Chesterton Society came up with this reading plan, which appears to me to be very sensible and not too overwhelming.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Weekly Plans - 6/16/13
Let's see. . . what's up.
Well, Becky had a great dance party Saturday night, dj'ed by Hannah. By all accounts everyone had a good time. And the basement got cleaned! Hooray for parties! That's the only thing that ever gets us to clean house!
Everyone was so tired Sunday morning, we all slept in (we went to vigil Mass on Sat.). Initially, everyone was going to the boat with Rick for Father's Day, but since we got such a late start and there were predictions of afternoon rain, we decided against that. Instead Rick, myself and the three boys went to see the Star Trek movie. It was so loud, I had to cover my ears like a child! It was actually hurting my ears! I do not ordinarily like actions movies with lots of explosions and fighting, etc. They shoot movies like this as if they are video games, the way the camera is always moving. Makes me dizzy! But, in spite of all this, the movie was highly enjoyable. I watched every single episode of Star Trek many times growing up, so I have an abiding affection for the characters. The actors all did an excellent job and hit just the right note, there were lots of references to the other Star Trek movies and I loved that moral aspect of it; trying to discern when it is right to follow protocol and when is it right to simply do what would save a life.
Coming up this week:
Josh:
Well we really shifted gears. We decided to go out and visit Christendom College in Front Royal last week. Josh and I toured it and I think we are going to dedicate this week to his applying. So that means he's got essays to write and reference letters/SAT scores to get, etc.
He's also got math homework and appointments with his math tutor this week.
But really big is that Monday evening we are having a graduation Mass and reception for the senior high school home schoolers. That is at 7:00 p.m. Josh needs to get there by 6:00. He got his cap and gown over the weekend. I need to find a working camera!
Sean:
Sean is done with his school. Friday was the last day. I think he is very relieved. However, this coming Tuesday he goes in to take the placement test for high school. So he'll be there from about 9:00 to 1:00 or so that day. I think on Monday I'm going to have him do some review work just to get him primed for the test. Sean had a good weekend so far. He hung out with one friend all Friday afternoon and evening and then hung out with another friend Saturday during Becky's dance party. He's also really into this bizarre but cool video game called. . . something to do with surgery. You, the player, are a surgeon and you have to manipulate the arms and hands of the surgeon on screen to operate. He's been totally into it.
Becky:
I need to work with Becky some more on her math and then we'll end up the week doing our Terra Nova testing. She has started going to gymnastics team practice three times a week. She goes for 3 hours M, W, F. She works hard! And she loves it! I think she had a play date with different friends on Tuesday and Thursday.
I don't really know what the older kids are up to this coming week. But they are older so I don't really need to know!
Other stuff going on. I feel so bad, but I had completely forgotten that a nearby homeschooling mom was having surgery. Apparently, she's having a very rough recovery. I hope to bring her a meal this week at some point.
Also, I think I am going to a funeral on Thursday. A very lovely homeschooling family just lost their mom. I didn't really know her, but her husband has been teaching science classes to our group for years. And he runs the local homeschool science fair as well. And his son was in our cub scout pack for a couple years back when Rick was running it. She died of cancer this past week. It is very sad. Anyway, I think I and maybe Josh too (who knew him the best) will go to the funeral.
And finally I am instituting three things this week, now that in my mind summer has officially started (since everybody is now out of school):
1. Definite bathroom cleaning rotation!
2. 30 minutes a day where everyone from Josh on down has to read a REAL book. Can't be on an electronic device. Can't be a graphic either. Nope, it must be a REAL book of their own choosing. 30 minutes every day, after breakfast.
3. Exercising every single day in one form or another. Walking, biking, yoga, elliptical, frisbee, basketball, swimming, exercises, weights, ping pong, tennis. Also, I must call the personal trainer and set something up.
There's a lot of other little things to do. I think I need to make a checklist and work through it.
Well, Becky had a great dance party Saturday night, dj'ed by Hannah. By all accounts everyone had a good time. And the basement got cleaned! Hooray for parties! That's the only thing that ever gets us to clean house!
Everyone was so tired Sunday morning, we all slept in (we went to vigil Mass on Sat.). Initially, everyone was going to the boat with Rick for Father's Day, but since we got such a late start and there were predictions of afternoon rain, we decided against that. Instead Rick, myself and the three boys went to see the Star Trek movie. It was so loud, I had to cover my ears like a child! It was actually hurting my ears! I do not ordinarily like actions movies with lots of explosions and fighting, etc. They shoot movies like this as if they are video games, the way the camera is always moving. Makes me dizzy! But, in spite of all this, the movie was highly enjoyable. I watched every single episode of Star Trek many times growing up, so I have an abiding affection for the characters. The actors all did an excellent job and hit just the right note, there were lots of references to the other Star Trek movies and I loved that moral aspect of it; trying to discern when it is right to follow protocol and when is it right to simply do what would save a life.
Coming up this week:
Josh:
Well we really shifted gears. We decided to go out and visit Christendom College in Front Royal last week. Josh and I toured it and I think we are going to dedicate this week to his applying. So that means he's got essays to write and reference letters/SAT scores to get, etc.
He's also got math homework and appointments with his math tutor this week.
But really big is that Monday evening we are having a graduation Mass and reception for the senior high school home schoolers. That is at 7:00 p.m. Josh needs to get there by 6:00. He got his cap and gown over the weekend. I need to find a working camera!
Sean:
Sean is done with his school. Friday was the last day. I think he is very relieved. However, this coming Tuesday he goes in to take the placement test for high school. So he'll be there from about 9:00 to 1:00 or so that day. I think on Monday I'm going to have him do some review work just to get him primed for the test. Sean had a good weekend so far. He hung out with one friend all Friday afternoon and evening and then hung out with another friend Saturday during Becky's dance party. He's also really into this bizarre but cool video game called. . . something to do with surgery. You, the player, are a surgeon and you have to manipulate the arms and hands of the surgeon on screen to operate. He's been totally into it.
Becky:
I need to work with Becky some more on her math and then we'll end up the week doing our Terra Nova testing. She has started going to gymnastics team practice three times a week. She goes for 3 hours M, W, F. She works hard! And she loves it! I think she had a play date with different friends on Tuesday and Thursday.
I don't really know what the older kids are up to this coming week. But they are older so I don't really need to know!
Other stuff going on. I feel so bad, but I had completely forgotten that a nearby homeschooling mom was having surgery. Apparently, she's having a very rough recovery. I hope to bring her a meal this week at some point.
Also, I think I am going to a funeral on Thursday. A very lovely homeschooling family just lost their mom. I didn't really know her, but her husband has been teaching science classes to our group for years. And he runs the local homeschool science fair as well. And his son was in our cub scout pack for a couple years back when Rick was running it. She died of cancer this past week. It is very sad. Anyway, I think I and maybe Josh too (who knew him the best) will go to the funeral.
And finally I am instituting three things this week, now that in my mind summer has officially started (since everybody is now out of school):
1. Definite bathroom cleaning rotation!
2. 30 minutes a day where everyone from Josh on down has to read a REAL book. Can't be on an electronic device. Can't be a graphic either. Nope, it must be a REAL book of their own choosing. 30 minutes every day, after breakfast.
3. Exercising every single day in one form or another. Walking, biking, yoga, elliptical, frisbee, basketball, swimming, exercises, weights, ping pong, tennis. Also, I must call the personal trainer and set something up.
There's a lot of other little things to do. I think I need to make a checklist and work through it.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
The Grand Sophy - Book 30
Another Georgette Heyer novel, The Grand Sophy is one of her best known regency romances. I somehow, though, had never read it before, even though I've read a dozen of her other books. I think if I had read it earlier in my exploration of Heyer, I would have appreciated it more than I did. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it very much, but it was entirely predictable. I was in the mood for a cozy read, so it suited me perfectly and I read it in a couple of days.
Sophy is the lively daughter of Sir Horace a diplomat who must go to Brazil and doesn't want to bring his 20 year old daughter with him, though she is very used to traversing Europe and knows all sorts of people as a result. She has absolutely no fear and is completely unintimidated by whether her actions will make her seem 'fast.' She wreaks good natured havoc on her aunt and cousins home while staying with them, including rescuing several members from tangles of money and betrothals.
There were two things that were rather troublesome to me. One was the rather anti-Semitic characterization of a criminal money lender. The other was that Sophy and Charles are first cousins! Both of these details made me a bit uncomfortable. I also thought the final episode while very funny was rather nonsensical. I still like Faro's Daughter the best, but I'm glad I read The Grand Sophy.
For more book reviews go to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
Sophy is the lively daughter of Sir Horace a diplomat who must go to Brazil and doesn't want to bring his 20 year old daughter with him, though she is very used to traversing Europe and knows all sorts of people as a result. She has absolutely no fear and is completely unintimidated by whether her actions will make her seem 'fast.' She wreaks good natured havoc on her aunt and cousins home while staying with them, including rescuing several members from tangles of money and betrothals.
There were two things that were rather troublesome to me. One was the rather anti-Semitic characterization of a criminal money lender. The other was that Sophy and Charles are first cousins! Both of these details made me a bit uncomfortable. I also thought the final episode while very funny was rather nonsensical. I still like Faro's Daughter the best, but I'm glad I read The Grand Sophy.
For more book reviews go to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
Dad is Fat - Book 29
I read an article about Jim Gaffigan and immediately bought his book on my Kindle. I didn't mind paying so much for it since I knew he was a dad of five trying to live in New York City! The book is a quick read and as Lizzie Bennett would say, excessively diverting. I saw some youtube clips of Gaffigan's stand up act and I think his delivery adds a lot to the humor. Some of the parts of the book seem to be lifted directly from his stage performance. All in all, an enjoyable amusing look at modern fatherhood told from the point of view of a slightly baffled, honest and very loving father.
Happy Father's Day!
Check out Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
Happy Father's Day!
Check out Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
Unlovely - Book 28
I actually read this book back before it was published. I didn't want to count it as one of my 52 Books because it wasn't anything I could link to. But last night it occurred to me that it is now published! So here's the link to my previous quick post about my dear friend Carol's book, Unlovely. If you go to the Amazon page you can see my review of the book (I wrote the first review!).
As ever, for more book reviews go to 52 Books!
As ever, for more book reviews go to 52 Books!
Friday, June 14, 2013
Menu Planning AGAIN!
I am insane. I am one of those people who does the same thing over and over again thinking that the next time it will work!
I am once again trying to cook more at home and eat real food. I'm inspired by this blog. I like her very practical approach.
Also, I need to return to my more Nourishing Traditions inspired efforts. I never got very far at all. But a little bit is better than nothing.
Hannah thinks I should try to just focus on dinners for a while so I don't resort so often to getting carry out, but a lot of the carry out is for lunch too. And the problem really is I just stopped planning meals. Life got crazy or something and I lost track.
So this is to get back on track:
Breakfasts:
Sunday: pancakes, waffles or french toast with maple syrup, sausage, fruit
Monday: eggs and toast, juice
Tuesday: leftover bagels (from Sat) and leftover Sunday pancakes, etc., juice
Wednesday: oatmeal with toppings and fruit
Thursday: eggs and toast, juice
Friday: oatmeal with toppings
Saturday: bagels
Lunches:
Sunday: platter - cheese, veggies (we have a big breakfast and big dinner so a light lunch)
Monday: sandwiches and salad, leftovers
Tuesday: chicken nuggets, veggies, leftovers
Wednesday: sandwiches and salads, leftovers
Thursday: sandwiches and salads, leftovers
Friday: fish sticks and fries, baby carrots
Dinners:
Sunday - dad grills
Monday - roast chicken 1 or 2 veggies, starch
Tuesday - pizza (make broth)
Wednesday - beef dish - pot roast, meatloaf, etc.
Thursday - 30 minutes or less meal
Friday - meatless - mac and cheese, alfredo, stuffed baked potatoes, soup, etc.
Saturday -Carry out Night - Chipotle, The Pasty Shop, Whole Foods, Chinese, etc
I am once again trying to cook more at home and eat real food. I'm inspired by this blog. I like her very practical approach.
Also, I need to return to my more Nourishing Traditions inspired efforts. I never got very far at all. But a little bit is better than nothing.
Hannah thinks I should try to just focus on dinners for a while so I don't resort so often to getting carry out, but a lot of the carry out is for lunch too. And the problem really is I just stopped planning meals. Life got crazy or something and I lost track.
So this is to get back on track:
Breakfasts:
Sunday: pancakes, waffles or french toast with maple syrup, sausage, fruit
Monday: eggs and toast, juice
Tuesday: leftover bagels (from Sat) and leftover Sunday pancakes, etc., juice
Wednesday: oatmeal with toppings and fruit
Thursday: eggs and toast, juice
Friday: oatmeal with toppings
Saturday: bagels
Lunches:
Sunday: platter - cheese, veggies (we have a big breakfast and big dinner so a light lunch)
Monday: sandwiches and salad, leftovers
Tuesday: chicken nuggets, veggies, leftovers
Wednesday: sandwiches and salads, leftovers
Thursday: sandwiches and salads, leftovers
Friday: fish sticks and fries, baby carrots
Dinners:
Sunday - dad grills
Monday - roast chicken 1 or 2 veggies, starch
Tuesday - pizza (make broth)
Wednesday - beef dish - pot roast, meatloaf, etc.
Thursday - 30 minutes or less meal
Friday - meatless - mac and cheese, alfredo, stuffed baked potatoes, soup, etc.
Saturday -Carry out Night - Chipotle, The Pasty Shop, Whole Foods, Chinese, etc
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Forming Intentional Disciples - Session 3, Chapter 2
Well, since last week, I've managed to mislay both my book and the discussion questions I printed out. So I feel a bit discombobulated! Luckily, I can just go back to the Catholicmom website and look at the questions again. However, I did want to actually reread the chapters as I responded to the questions. I have read most of Forming Intentional Disciples several months ago. I feel a little insecure in writing this out when I haven't had a chance to refresh my memory. Anyway, here are this week's questions:
In your own faith:
Are you comfortable talking with others about your relationship with God? Would you say that you’re a “normal”
Catholic using the criteria outlined above? Or are you a “typical” Catholic, fighting that feeling that interest in
the faith is only for a few pious eccentrics?
I am not that comfortable talking about my relationship with God. However, I think I probably have trouble talking about any close intimate relationship! They are complex, emotionally-laden things. I can say, for example, I love my husband. I could cite particular things that I love about him, but really this is a pretty superficial level of talking. If I really wanted to parse my feelings for my husband, they would be hard to put into words. Powerful and deep relationships are the stuff of careful, eloquent poetry! They often have an ineffable quality about them that poetry can only aspire to express. I think anybody who can just pop off about their relationship with God (and here I am thinking of some stereotypical born again Christian), well, frankly, I don't put much stock in that.
I think talking about my relationship with God and having one are two mostly different things! And again, I come up against this squishy thing called 'relationship' with God. Having a relationship with God is going to be different from relationships with humans. God is not visible. I have to believe he can hear me. He doesn't speak back to me with words and eye and facial expressions. I have to rely on my own responses to learning about Him. I have to look for signs and understanding from my encounters with everyday life. Jesus is someone I read about in a book. I can study his Word but I can't know him in the same way I know a flesh and blood family member. So the relationship is going to necessarily be different from any other relationship we ever had or will have with any other person. To me, that too, can make it hard to talk about our relationship with God. And to go even further, the more precious something is to me, the less likely I am to share it randomly with people I am not close to! This may seem like a weird simile, but just as sex in its proper context, is a very private, precious thing that one ought not to go blabbing about or 'over sharing', so it seems to me our relationship with God is also very private, in a sense. I don't step out of spending a holy hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament and start chatting about everything I was bringing before the Lord!
So there is a tension there, for me anyway, between talking about my belief in God and how I want it to fill every corner of my day, and reaching out to others to evangelize. I always think of that St. Francis quote, that may or may not actually have been spoken by him: "Preach the Gospel at all times, when necessary use words." I think we should live out our relationship with God in our actions just as much as our words. So when I wear this little crucifix around my neck, I should make sure I am gentle and smiling to the stressed cashier I encounter. When I have that little 'choose life' ribbon on the back of my car, I should make sure I am a careful, courteous driver. When I type out a response in a combox, I should make sure my comment is loving and not snarky (I frequently fail at all three of these examples!), and a thousand other little ways to witness to Christ's love. I just love Pope Francis. I was in awe of Pope Benedict's intellect and I was charmed by his gentle ways, but I do like Pope Francis' warm, personable, radiant example of how to simply live out the Gospel every day.
I have to say that for me I always found that disinclination to talk about our faith in some Catholic circles chilling and puzzling. I have felt that discomfort from others in places where I think it should be quite appropriate and even necessary to discuss our relationship with God. I think we can get over that chill and discomfort by trying to really engage at the parish level in some of the prayer life and activities that are meant to cultivate our relationship. Just going to Mass on Sunday is probably not enough to get over this cultural aspect. Joining a scripture study, going to some other prayerful event at the parish, teaching religious ed have all helped me at various times. I don't often do those things concurrently because time is limited, but any one of them, all mixed up, over the course of time, contributes to becoming more comfortable in speaking about God.
In your parish:
Do you personally have, within your parish, a group of Catholics you meet with regularly, to discuss the faith,
study the faith, and encourage each other to greater virtue? At this time, does your parish have in place a working
system for actively mentoring those who want to grow in their relationship with God?
Well, as I mentioned above, I do participate in various things with my parish, but I don't really have a group that I always meet and talk to. I attended a scripture study last fall that I really enjoyed. However, my schedule changed so I simply and unexpectedly couldn't make the meetings. Alas, I gave that up. It is very easy for me to slip away from putting enough effort into these things. I do think all the wonderful books and all the internet resources are an enormous boon to individuals cultivating their faith. I just can't always make the events at the parish. For one thing I am an introverted, low energy kind of person and the effort to make arrangements at home and then get out there and mingle, mingle, mingle, is sapping.
My main tie to my parish for the last few years has been teaching religious education to 7th grade girls. This past year was a good year for this. I had a wonderful co-teacher who really knows the faith, so I learned a lot from her. But also just trying to present the faith to typically very unformed girls is a challenge and necessarily means I have to grow in my own knowledge and I have to learn how to speak of my relationship with God and His Church. These girls go to public school and usually their parents do not practice much at all. Many don't go to mass on Sunday because of soccer or some other conflict. Some are from divorced households. They are utterly saturated with our current culture. One year I figured out that they got 23 hours of instruction in their faith for a whole school year. That is so inadequate! It is pathetic! And the whole model used to teaching catechism is so very weak. The thing is a tragedy!! Truly it is! And I am sorry but the American Catholic Church has no one to blame but itself as the numbers of those who believe and participate drop off. Of course this was one of the reasons why I was so interested in read Weddell's book! She is someone who has taken a hard, honest look at the situation and is trying to think outside the box about how to change things.
My parish tries really hard to be responsive to the parishioners. There is always something going on. Every year we have a three day 'retreat' where special speakers are brought in and you can come and hear them speak whenever you can schedule it in. Sunday morning, in between Masses but concurrent to the RE classe, they have often have a speaker on some topic. Unfortunately, some of these speakers are not particularly orthodox in approach. We have a lot of charity work going on all the time. The youth group is pretty large and active. There are several components to it and some of these components really do teach the faith, while others are more about service or just fostering a friendly community. They could always do more of course. And sometimes I think they could change up their approach a bit and perhaps attract more people. Change is hard and you have to be patient.
To read other bloggers' responses to these questions go to Lawn Chair Catechism.
In your own faith:
Are you comfortable talking with others about your relationship with God? Would you say that you’re a “normal”
Catholic using the criteria outlined above? Or are you a “typical” Catholic, fighting that feeling that interest in
the faith is only for a few pious eccentrics?
I am not that comfortable talking about my relationship with God. However, I think I probably have trouble talking about any close intimate relationship! They are complex, emotionally-laden things. I can say, for example, I love my husband. I could cite particular things that I love about him, but really this is a pretty superficial level of talking. If I really wanted to parse my feelings for my husband, they would be hard to put into words. Powerful and deep relationships are the stuff of careful, eloquent poetry! They often have an ineffable quality about them that poetry can only aspire to express. I think anybody who can just pop off about their relationship with God (and here I am thinking of some stereotypical born again Christian), well, frankly, I don't put much stock in that.
I think talking about my relationship with God and having one are two mostly different things! And again, I come up against this squishy thing called 'relationship' with God. Having a relationship with God is going to be different from relationships with humans. God is not visible. I have to believe he can hear me. He doesn't speak back to me with words and eye and facial expressions. I have to rely on my own responses to learning about Him. I have to look for signs and understanding from my encounters with everyday life. Jesus is someone I read about in a book. I can study his Word but I can't know him in the same way I know a flesh and blood family member. So the relationship is going to necessarily be different from any other relationship we ever had or will have with any other person. To me, that too, can make it hard to talk about our relationship with God. And to go even further, the more precious something is to me, the less likely I am to share it randomly with people I am not close to! This may seem like a weird simile, but just as sex in its proper context, is a very private, precious thing that one ought not to go blabbing about or 'over sharing', so it seems to me our relationship with God is also very private, in a sense. I don't step out of spending a holy hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament and start chatting about everything I was bringing before the Lord!
So there is a tension there, for me anyway, between talking about my belief in God and how I want it to fill every corner of my day, and reaching out to others to evangelize. I always think of that St. Francis quote, that may or may not actually have been spoken by him: "Preach the Gospel at all times, when necessary use words." I think we should live out our relationship with God in our actions just as much as our words. So when I wear this little crucifix around my neck, I should make sure I am gentle and smiling to the stressed cashier I encounter. When I have that little 'choose life' ribbon on the back of my car, I should make sure I am a careful, courteous driver. When I type out a response in a combox, I should make sure my comment is loving and not snarky (I frequently fail at all three of these examples!), and a thousand other little ways to witness to Christ's love. I just love Pope Francis. I was in awe of Pope Benedict's intellect and I was charmed by his gentle ways, but I do like Pope Francis' warm, personable, radiant example of how to simply live out the Gospel every day.
I have to say that for me I always found that disinclination to talk about our faith in some Catholic circles chilling and puzzling. I have felt that discomfort from others in places where I think it should be quite appropriate and even necessary to discuss our relationship with God. I think we can get over that chill and discomfort by trying to really engage at the parish level in some of the prayer life and activities that are meant to cultivate our relationship. Just going to Mass on Sunday is probably not enough to get over this cultural aspect. Joining a scripture study, going to some other prayerful event at the parish, teaching religious ed have all helped me at various times. I don't often do those things concurrently because time is limited, but any one of them, all mixed up, over the course of time, contributes to becoming more comfortable in speaking about God.
In your parish:
Do you personally have, within your parish, a group of Catholics you meet with regularly, to discuss the faith,
study the faith, and encourage each other to greater virtue? At this time, does your parish have in place a working
system for actively mentoring those who want to grow in their relationship with God?
Well, as I mentioned above, I do participate in various things with my parish, but I don't really have a group that I always meet and talk to. I attended a scripture study last fall that I really enjoyed. However, my schedule changed so I simply and unexpectedly couldn't make the meetings. Alas, I gave that up. It is very easy for me to slip away from putting enough effort into these things. I do think all the wonderful books and all the internet resources are an enormous boon to individuals cultivating their faith. I just can't always make the events at the parish. For one thing I am an introverted, low energy kind of person and the effort to make arrangements at home and then get out there and mingle, mingle, mingle, is sapping.
My main tie to my parish for the last few years has been teaching religious education to 7th grade girls. This past year was a good year for this. I had a wonderful co-teacher who really knows the faith, so I learned a lot from her. But also just trying to present the faith to typically very unformed girls is a challenge and necessarily means I have to grow in my own knowledge and I have to learn how to speak of my relationship with God and His Church. These girls go to public school and usually their parents do not practice much at all. Many don't go to mass on Sunday because of soccer or some other conflict. Some are from divorced households. They are utterly saturated with our current culture. One year I figured out that they got 23 hours of instruction in their faith for a whole school year. That is so inadequate! It is pathetic! And the whole model used to teaching catechism is so very weak. The thing is a tragedy!! Truly it is! And I am sorry but the American Catholic Church has no one to blame but itself as the numbers of those who believe and participate drop off. Of course this was one of the reasons why I was so interested in read Weddell's book! She is someone who has taken a hard, honest look at the situation and is trying to think outside the box about how to change things.
My parish tries really hard to be responsive to the parishioners. There is always something going on. Every year we have a three day 'retreat' where special speakers are brought in and you can come and hear them speak whenever you can schedule it in. Sunday morning, in between Masses but concurrent to the RE classe, they have often have a speaker on some topic. Unfortunately, some of these speakers are not particularly orthodox in approach. We have a lot of charity work going on all the time. The youth group is pretty large and active. There are several components to it and some of these components really do teach the faith, while others are more about service or just fostering a friendly community. They could always do more of course. And sometimes I think they could change up their approach a bit and perhaps attract more people. Change is hard and you have to be patient.
To read other bloggers' responses to these questions go to Lawn Chair Catechism.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Good News - 6/11/13
My friend Carol wrote a book! She did it during National Novel Writing Month or Nanowrimo. I do remember her mentioning the idea of the plot one day while we were in her kitchen and she was making me tea and kind of idly washing dishes at the sink. I thought, wow, that sounds like a creepy plot line! Well, she typed her little fingers to the bone (did I mention she had six children and that she homeschools?) and now her book is for sale at Amazon in e-book format. Here's the link! I got to read the book before it was published! I felt so important! LOL.
I love Carol; she is the funniest woman I know and she has a wonderful flair for words. The book is a fun (but creepily disturbing!) read. So read my friend Carol's book!
I love Carol; she is the funniest woman I know and she has a wonderful flair for words. The book is a fun (but creepily disturbing!) read. So read my friend Carol's book!
Monday, June 10, 2013
Weekly Plans - 6/10/13
I don't know where the weekend went. I am trying to remember what we did and I am drawing a blank!
Oh, Becky tried out for the all stars team at her gymnastics and got on! Hooray! She's very excited. So that a biggie. Also, talked a lot about Josh and his future and he announced he's interested in becoming an EMT. That sounds like a great goal!
Monday - Hannah has orientation at Marymount. Rick and I have a meeting this a.m. at my old high school to see if it would be a good fit for Sean. Sean has a field trip to the Newseum today. I am glad it is indoors as it is very rainy outside today. Will is practicing for his audition/job interview with Potbelly's on Wednesday. He's hoping to get a summer job playing guitar in their restaurants. Josh and Becky have math to study and various other things. Becky has her last American Heritage Girls meeting today. She's bridging up to Pioneers!
Tuesday - Hannah and I have a meeting with the Adler folks to pass on knowledge and get everybody prepped for the coming year. Tuesday at 4:00 Sean has his 8th grade celebration. Becky and I are attending, then there is a pizza party at Sport rock afterwards. Josh meets with math tutor.
Wednesday - Will has his audition/job interview. Will, Josh and Sean all go to CLC in the evening. Rick leaves for Canada for a few days. He still can't find his passeport! Yikes, where did that hide???
Thursday - Does Becky still have her gymnastics or does that change now she's on the all stars team? I think it does change; must look into that!
Friday - Hopefully Becky will have spent a little time every day this week working on her math skills, because next week I'd like to get the testing out of the way.
Saturday - Becky has her dance party! Hannah and Peter cleaned up the basement and they are helping her with it. Very sweet.
Oh, Becky tried out for the all stars team at her gymnastics and got on! Hooray! She's very excited. So that a biggie. Also, talked a lot about Josh and his future and he announced he's interested in becoming an EMT. That sounds like a great goal!
Monday - Hannah has orientation at Marymount. Rick and I have a meeting this a.m. at my old high school to see if it would be a good fit for Sean. Sean has a field trip to the Newseum today. I am glad it is indoors as it is very rainy outside today. Will is practicing for his audition/job interview with Potbelly's on Wednesday. He's hoping to get a summer job playing guitar in their restaurants. Josh and Becky have math to study and various other things. Becky has her last American Heritage Girls meeting today. She's bridging up to Pioneers!
Tuesday - Hannah and I have a meeting with the Adler folks to pass on knowledge and get everybody prepped for the coming year. Tuesday at 4:00 Sean has his 8th grade celebration. Becky and I are attending, then there is a pizza party at Sport rock afterwards. Josh meets with math tutor.
Wednesday - Will has his audition/job interview. Will, Josh and Sean all go to CLC in the evening. Rick leaves for Canada for a few days. He still can't find his passeport! Yikes, where did that hide???
Thursday - Does Becky still have her gymnastics or does that change now she's on the all stars team? I think it does change; must look into that!
Friday - Hopefully Becky will have spent a little time every day this week working on her math skills, because next week I'd like to get the testing out of the way.
Saturday - Becky has her dance party! Hannah and Peter cleaned up the basement and they are helping her with it. Very sweet.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
The Breaking Point - Book 27
The Breaking Point is my third book by Mary Roberts Rinehart. I finished The Circular Staircase and immediately clicked on the next free book by her, listed on my Kindle. Each book I've read so far is so distinctly different from the one before. The first I read was a hysterical comedy about a young soon-to-be debutante (Please read it! You will laugh til you cry!). Then I read The Circular Staircase earlier this week and now this one. Where the Circular Staircase is a quick, exciting, classic whodunit, The Breaking Point is a slow, psychological half mystery-half love story. I have to admit I thought the book was a little too slow at points, I think because I had just finished a quick-moving book by the same author so my expectations were set up. But aside from having to get used to the very different pacing, it is an intriguing mystery; an unraveling of what motivates people to do evil and good. I also have to admit that I figured out the crux of the mystery a few pages before it was revealed. I was very proud of myself as I usually never have a clue!
The story centers around two doctors who have a successful practice in a small town. They are uncle and nephew. Also living with them is a widowed aunt. They all get along wonderfully, but under this happy surface lurks some mystery. Dr. Dick Livingstone, the nephew, can not remember whole chunks of his life when he was younger. He is falling in love with Elizabeth Wheeler, beautiful, good, thoughtful, quiet. And she loves him back. He wants to marry her, but first he must figure out what happened in his earlier life. He suspects it may be scandalous. And he's right. Through the slow study of the intricate plot, we examine everyone's motivations. The nice thing about this book is there are many good people who act out of a sense of honor and generosity and are willing to go the extra mile to help another out. But then there are the few bad eggs, who are selfish, lazy, duplicitous and just plain mean.
While reading this book, I wondered at the psychology it is based on. I know at the time the book was written psychology was basically Freud and that's it. The whole idea of how the mind works and the complicated way that Dr. Livingstone's memory comes back to him was really interesting to me. I think I have watched too many silly TV shows where a guy has amnesia and gets hit on the head and suddenly remembers everything. The book portrays this recovery as much more tortuous and confusing. Another nice thing about the book was that there was a contrast between the uncle's faith in God and the lonely wanderings of Dick Livingstone, where at one point, he wonders if he shouldn't have sought solace and wisdom from religion instead of wandering through the underside of life torn by crazy compulsions.
It is a book that has me really analyzing the characters reactions; so it was a bit thought-provoking; a bit deeper than most murder mysteries. I am adding Mary Roberts Rinehart to my list of authors who deliver dependably intelligent, clean, well written books.
For more book reviews go to 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
The story centers around two doctors who have a successful practice in a small town. They are uncle and nephew. Also living with them is a widowed aunt. They all get along wonderfully, but under this happy surface lurks some mystery. Dr. Dick Livingstone, the nephew, can not remember whole chunks of his life when he was younger. He is falling in love with Elizabeth Wheeler, beautiful, good, thoughtful, quiet. And she loves him back. He wants to marry her, but first he must figure out what happened in his earlier life. He suspects it may be scandalous. And he's right. Through the slow study of the intricate plot, we examine everyone's motivations. The nice thing about this book is there are many good people who act out of a sense of honor and generosity and are willing to go the extra mile to help another out. But then there are the few bad eggs, who are selfish, lazy, duplicitous and just plain mean.
While reading this book, I wondered at the psychology it is based on. I know at the time the book was written psychology was basically Freud and that's it. The whole idea of how the mind works and the complicated way that Dr. Livingstone's memory comes back to him was really interesting to me. I think I have watched too many silly TV shows where a guy has amnesia and gets hit on the head and suddenly remembers everything. The book portrays this recovery as much more tortuous and confusing. Another nice thing about the book was that there was a contrast between the uncle's faith in God and the lonely wanderings of Dick Livingstone, where at one point, he wonders if he shouldn't have sought solace and wisdom from religion instead of wandering through the underside of life torn by crazy compulsions.
It is a book that has me really analyzing the characters reactions; so it was a bit thought-provoking; a bit deeper than most murder mysteries. I am adding Mary Roberts Rinehart to my list of authors who deliver dependably intelligent, clean, well written books.
For more book reviews go to 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
The Circular Staircase - Book 26
The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart is a fast-paced mystery set in the 1920s in a small town somewhere in the northeast. It has a very British feel to it though. Rinehart predates Agatha Christie by a decade or so but the style of mystery is similar. It is told in the first person by an old spinster aunt who has brought up her niece and nephew who are now young adults both in love with respective lovers. They've rented an old house for the summer and they've hardly arrived when murder strikes. The miserly local bank owner is shot at the foot of the circular staircase at three in the morning. The whole town is aflutter! The action moves quickly as one terrible, spooky thing happens after another, with the plot thickening on every other page! I must admit I had a hard time keeping up and got confused about a couple of names that I couldn't quite place in the story. But overall the plot is quite engaging, the writing is clever, and I read the book in about two days, being unable to put it down for very long. It is a charming mystery that is evocative of that time period. I heartily enjoyed it.
And it was free on my Kindle!
(Oops! I haven't been keeping track of my books on my page for awhile. Whenever I neglect that I always wind up miss-numbering my list of books! So to correct things the lazy way, I'll just have two books numbered #26, instead of going back and retitling the posts.)
For more book reviews go to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
And it was free on my Kindle!
(Oops! I haven't been keeping track of my books on my page for awhile. Whenever I neglect that I always wind up miss-numbering my list of books! So to correct things the lazy way, I'll just have two books numbered #26, instead of going back and retitling the posts.)
For more book reviews go to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Education plans
We've just completed our 16th year of homeschooling. I've now graduated three kids from high school (well, technically Josh hasn't graduated quite yet. He's got a ceremony with the homeschool group on 6/17. And he does have to finish up his Advanced Math which will take a few more weeks.) Anyway, this year has been rough (isn't every homeschool year rough for some reason or another?). Seano's diagnosis this past summer really put everything into kind of a tailspin. Coping with so many appointments and trying to get medication adjusted, etc made things kind of topsy turvy both in terms of time management but also especially emotionally. This ended with Sean attending a school at the beginning of April. He's come to really like it but that particular school isn't a good fit. I want to homeschool him again, but he really, truly wants to go to school. I've been looking around at our options with a lot of trepidation and frustration. But this week I made some phone calls and now I'm feeling hopeful. Next Monday we have an appointment with the admissions director of the special ed program at my old high school! If that doesn't pan out I am becoming more and more open to the idea of attending the public high school down the road.
This year I've really been torn in three different directions. Home schooling Josh for high school was one of the most frustrating things I've ever done! I am so glad it has come to an end and he can take charge of his life now. So that was one very distracting and discouraging thing. Then the whole hullabaloo with Seano. I think it will take years to really get a handle on all the repercussions of that. And then I was trying to homeschool Becky while having to step in and teach the K-3 program at Aquinas Learning. I was just too torn! No wonder I am tired!
So next year (starting from the top):
Hannah will be living at home for the year or at least most of the year, while working and going to grad school.
Will is hoping to spend a semester in Mexico City. We'll see if that works out. Then he's back to Berklee for the spring semester. He already has his housing taken care of for that. But chances are he won't be home.
Josh will be working (if he ever gets a job!) and going to the community college part time. He wants to limit this period of time to one year. I think in the back of his head he's going to Marymount to study business, after taking this coming year off.
Sean - hopefully will be attending high school at O'Connell or the public school.
And Becky and I will be involved in Aquinas Learning. I am supposed to teach Latin I and the writing/literature program (Lost Tools of Writing). Hopefully, we'll really dig in and have a substantial and productive year. I need to get her ready for high school. She has her heart set on attending Oakcrest. She wants to go for 8th grade but I am holding off until 9th grade. Then if things happen in this scenario, I'll be done with homeschooling, though I'd still have two kids attending high school and perhaps an older adult offspring still living at home temporarily.
Wow. I do hope the meeting on Monday turns out well!
This year I've really been torn in three different directions. Home schooling Josh for high school was one of the most frustrating things I've ever done! I am so glad it has come to an end and he can take charge of his life now. So that was one very distracting and discouraging thing. Then the whole hullabaloo with Seano. I think it will take years to really get a handle on all the repercussions of that. And then I was trying to homeschool Becky while having to step in and teach the K-3 program at Aquinas Learning. I was just too torn! No wonder I am tired!
So next year (starting from the top):
Hannah will be living at home for the year or at least most of the year, while working and going to grad school.
Will is hoping to spend a semester in Mexico City. We'll see if that works out. Then he's back to Berklee for the spring semester. He already has his housing taken care of for that. But chances are he won't be home.
Josh will be working (if he ever gets a job!) and going to the community college part time. He wants to limit this period of time to one year. I think in the back of his head he's going to Marymount to study business, after taking this coming year off.
Sean - hopefully will be attending high school at O'Connell or the public school.
And Becky and I will be involved in Aquinas Learning. I am supposed to teach Latin I and the writing/literature program (Lost Tools of Writing). Hopefully, we'll really dig in and have a substantial and productive year. I need to get her ready for high school. She has her heart set on attending Oakcrest. She wants to go for 8th grade but I am holding off until 9th grade. Then if things happen in this scenario, I'll be done with homeschooling, though I'd still have two kids attending high school and perhaps an older adult offspring still living at home temporarily.
Wow. I do hope the meeting on Monday turns out well!
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Forming Intentional Disciples - Session 2
This is the second installment in an ongoing book discussion hosted by Catholicmom.org. The book is Sherry Weddell's Forming Intentional Disciples. These are the discussion questions for Chapter 1, God Has No Grandchildren.
Have you always been Catholic?
I was born into a large loving Catholic family. I am number 10 in a total of 13 children. Nine of us are still alive. Two sons died as infants, one sister died at the age of 6 and my only surviving brother drowned at the age of 19. My father had studied for the priesthood at St. Meinrad's in Indiana but left to join the Navy during World War II. He was a Navy pilot fighting in the Pacific. He met my mother on leave and it was love at first sight! They got engaged two days later. My dad finished up his college degree at Georgetown University and then went on to get a law degree from that same school. I went to Catholic schools all my life, until law school. I lost my faith in God most sorrowfully after my brother drowned. I was 12 years old. It was a terrible catastrophe which spurred my father into heavy drinking that became alcoholism. My mother turned out to be the strong one. Her faith grew profoundly as she struggled with the many problems facing her, the deaths of her children, the birth of my sister, Eileen, who has Down's Syndrome, her own health struggles with diabetes and blindness, her alcoholic husband. And this doesn't even get into the struggle to raise lots of children in the 1960's and 70's with all the new problems that brought into the home. You name it, we suffered from it!
How did the instruction and mentoring you received help you – or prevent you – from having a personal relationship with God?
Even though my mom was a truly devout woman, her faith was a very private thing. We witnessed her trying to live out her faith as best she could, but her naturally reserved personality made it very hard to talk about things. For instance it was years before anyone had the courage to mention my brother's name after he died. We never, ever confronted my father's alcoholism, instead his health forced him to go dry. We witnessed his DT's has he lay very ill in his hospital bed. So during the years when I was really struggling with belief in God I did not have my family to turn to. My loss of faith was a sudden and violent thing. I couldn't conceive of how God could let my brother drown when He must have known what it would do to my parents. My good, loving, faithful parents. Either God was cruel or he didn't really exist. I suspected the latter. While living at home I still had to go to Mass and attend Catholic school but I did it with no belief in my heart. And as my father's drinking increased, our family devotions declined. When I was little he frequently read from the Bible to us all after dinner. That stopped. When I was little I remember saying family rosaries and praying together with my mother when she put us to bed. That stopped too. The squishy silly catechesis I received through school only made me scornful. My reversion came very, very slowly. For a long time I hovered in a lost agnostic state. After college though, it began to occur to me that I believed more than I disbelieved. I think this was due to my close relationship with my mother and my love for my father, no matter how problematic his drinking had become. When he was sober he was a lovely man! When he was drunk he was pathetic. I never could work up anger at him the way some of my sisters did. And the angry ones were the ones that got really lost in the world of drugs themselves. I didn't, and I do think it was because I understood somehow intuitively that my father did what he did out of an unhealable wound.
I think the thing that helped me the most in my reversion was the model of my mother's faith. She often went to daily mass (when her health allowed). I remember walking past my parents' bedroom door at night and seeing her on her knees praying. She read lots of theology. In fact her pattern of reading was to read something about art history (frequently sacred art) or theologically related in the afternoons and then good literature at night. She was a literature snob and read all of Austen, Dickens, Elliot, etc. Trollope was her favorite though. When she went blind she listened to recorded books. We were listening to audio books before it became cool! We had to order things from Books for the Blind. My mother had a special record player to play the books on that she rented from Books for the Blind.
But even my dad was a help in understanding the faith. He really knew the faith. He encouraged debate. I remember one time talking timidly to him about my doubts and him saying to me that doubt was the flip side of the coin from faith. One can't really have faith until one has thought things through and that thinking through necessarily required a certain amount of doubt. I think this little conversation in a sea of traumatic interactions acted like a lifeboat. It allowed me to not be emotionally reactive but gave me freedom to study and examine in a deliberate way just what I did and did not believe. I read a lot about different religions.
Since I don't really know exactly what is meant by 'personal' relationship with Jesus, I don't know how all this helped me, except that I am sure it was all part of His plan. All things work together for good for those who love the Lord! I think one person's idea of 'personal relationship' is very different from another's. Like I mentioned in the last post on this, I have a hard time praying. I am not comfortable with it. But I do pray anyway though I wish I were more consistent with it. I do believe in God's love for me, but it is felt intellectually, if that makes sense, rather than emotionally. In other words I hear the Word of God, I read that God is love and died for me to save me. I believe it and am grateful, but I always have to reason to that gratitude rather than be overcome with emotion upon realizing it. I do feel a strong pull of emotion though, at times, especially during Lent and Easter. Those are rich times of the liturgical year for me and my relationship with God.
If you were raised in a Catholic home, are your family members all still Catholic?
What events among your friends and family seem to explain why some are Catholic, and others are not?
Many of my family members are not Catholic anymore. Four of my sisters have left the faith. Three are active members of other Christian denominations. One doesn't attend at all. Two are still Catholic in name but bitter, angry ones who do not follow Church teachings. Only one other sister had the same journey as me; leaving the church for a long time, and through study and providential encounters, came back joyfully. She is a treasure to me!
I honestly don't want to recount my sisters' faith journeys. It is too painful a subject and I don't think they'd want me talking about it on the internet. So I will decline, except to say for each one it was unique to them and came from a weird synergy of the cultural climate plus certain tragedies they endured.
In your parish:
How’s your “retention rate”? What percentage of 8th graders in your parish are still practicing the faith at age 18? At age 24? Do young adults in your parish stay in touch with their childhood faith community, or do they drift away to an unknown fate?
I do not know the percentage rate of retention. I don't even know how one would track that. I am in the Arlington Diocese. There are many parishes. People move a lot, kids grow up and go off to college where they may participate there. I just don't think tracking retention in terms of parish is realistic. I don't know how else you would do it though! In our parish we have a wonderful program run by the Youth Apostles for confirmed teens. We also have a pretty active youth ministry. But active involvement in parish life in these two programs is much smaller than the number of those who receive the sacrament of Confirmation. For instance we had 112 Confirmations a couple of weeks ago, including my own 14 year old son. I would predict that only about 1/4 of those will participate in the Catholic Life Communities run by the Youth Apostles. The Youth Ministry program goes up and down in attendance. Sometimes barely anyone shows up for events. But at the last event of the year about 45 kids showed up! That was amazing!
Have you always been Catholic?
I was born into a large loving Catholic family. I am number 10 in a total of 13 children. Nine of us are still alive. Two sons died as infants, one sister died at the age of 6 and my only surviving brother drowned at the age of 19. My father had studied for the priesthood at St. Meinrad's in Indiana but left to join the Navy during World War II. He was a Navy pilot fighting in the Pacific. He met my mother on leave and it was love at first sight! They got engaged two days later. My dad finished up his college degree at Georgetown University and then went on to get a law degree from that same school. I went to Catholic schools all my life, until law school. I lost my faith in God most sorrowfully after my brother drowned. I was 12 years old. It was a terrible catastrophe which spurred my father into heavy drinking that became alcoholism. My mother turned out to be the strong one. Her faith grew profoundly as she struggled with the many problems facing her, the deaths of her children, the birth of my sister, Eileen, who has Down's Syndrome, her own health struggles with diabetes and blindness, her alcoholic husband. And this doesn't even get into the struggle to raise lots of children in the 1960's and 70's with all the new problems that brought into the home. You name it, we suffered from it!
How did the instruction and mentoring you received help you – or prevent you – from having a personal relationship with God?
Even though my mom was a truly devout woman, her faith was a very private thing. We witnessed her trying to live out her faith as best she could, but her naturally reserved personality made it very hard to talk about things. For instance it was years before anyone had the courage to mention my brother's name after he died. We never, ever confronted my father's alcoholism, instead his health forced him to go dry. We witnessed his DT's has he lay very ill in his hospital bed. So during the years when I was really struggling with belief in God I did not have my family to turn to. My loss of faith was a sudden and violent thing. I couldn't conceive of how God could let my brother drown when He must have known what it would do to my parents. My good, loving, faithful parents. Either God was cruel or he didn't really exist. I suspected the latter. While living at home I still had to go to Mass and attend Catholic school but I did it with no belief in my heart. And as my father's drinking increased, our family devotions declined. When I was little he frequently read from the Bible to us all after dinner. That stopped. When I was little I remember saying family rosaries and praying together with my mother when she put us to bed. That stopped too. The squishy silly catechesis I received through school only made me scornful. My reversion came very, very slowly. For a long time I hovered in a lost agnostic state. After college though, it began to occur to me that I believed more than I disbelieved. I think this was due to my close relationship with my mother and my love for my father, no matter how problematic his drinking had become. When he was sober he was a lovely man! When he was drunk he was pathetic. I never could work up anger at him the way some of my sisters did. And the angry ones were the ones that got really lost in the world of drugs themselves. I didn't, and I do think it was because I understood somehow intuitively that my father did what he did out of an unhealable wound.
I think the thing that helped me the most in my reversion was the model of my mother's faith. She often went to daily mass (when her health allowed). I remember walking past my parents' bedroom door at night and seeing her on her knees praying. She read lots of theology. In fact her pattern of reading was to read something about art history (frequently sacred art) or theologically related in the afternoons and then good literature at night. She was a literature snob and read all of Austen, Dickens, Elliot, etc. Trollope was her favorite though. When she went blind she listened to recorded books. We were listening to audio books before it became cool! We had to order things from Books for the Blind. My mother had a special record player to play the books on that she rented from Books for the Blind.
But even my dad was a help in understanding the faith. He really knew the faith. He encouraged debate. I remember one time talking timidly to him about my doubts and him saying to me that doubt was the flip side of the coin from faith. One can't really have faith until one has thought things through and that thinking through necessarily required a certain amount of doubt. I think this little conversation in a sea of traumatic interactions acted like a lifeboat. It allowed me to not be emotionally reactive but gave me freedom to study and examine in a deliberate way just what I did and did not believe. I read a lot about different religions.
Since I don't really know exactly what is meant by 'personal' relationship with Jesus, I don't know how all this helped me, except that I am sure it was all part of His plan. All things work together for good for those who love the Lord! I think one person's idea of 'personal relationship' is very different from another's. Like I mentioned in the last post on this, I have a hard time praying. I am not comfortable with it. But I do pray anyway though I wish I were more consistent with it. I do believe in God's love for me, but it is felt intellectually, if that makes sense, rather than emotionally. In other words I hear the Word of God, I read that God is love and died for me to save me. I believe it and am grateful, but I always have to reason to that gratitude rather than be overcome with emotion upon realizing it. I do feel a strong pull of emotion though, at times, especially during Lent and Easter. Those are rich times of the liturgical year for me and my relationship with God.
If you were raised in a Catholic home, are your family members all still Catholic?
What events among your friends and family seem to explain why some are Catholic, and others are not?
Many of my family members are not Catholic anymore. Four of my sisters have left the faith. Three are active members of other Christian denominations. One doesn't attend at all. Two are still Catholic in name but bitter, angry ones who do not follow Church teachings. Only one other sister had the same journey as me; leaving the church for a long time, and through study and providential encounters, came back joyfully. She is a treasure to me!
I honestly don't want to recount my sisters' faith journeys. It is too painful a subject and I don't think they'd want me talking about it on the internet. So I will decline, except to say for each one it was unique to them and came from a weird synergy of the cultural climate plus certain tragedies they endured.
In your parish:
How’s your “retention rate”? What percentage of 8th graders in your parish are still practicing the faith at age 18? At age 24? Do young adults in your parish stay in touch with their childhood faith community, or do they drift away to an unknown fate?
I do not know the percentage rate of retention. I don't even know how one would track that. I am in the Arlington Diocese. There are many parishes. People move a lot, kids grow up and go off to college where they may participate there. I just don't think tracking retention in terms of parish is realistic. I don't know how else you would do it though! In our parish we have a wonderful program run by the Youth Apostles for confirmed teens. We also have a pretty active youth ministry. But active involvement in parish life in these two programs is much smaller than the number of those who receive the sacrament of Confirmation. For instance we had 112 Confirmations a couple of weeks ago, including my own 14 year old son. I would predict that only about 1/4 of those will participate in the Catholic Life Communities run by the Youth Apostles. The Youth Ministry program goes up and down in attendance. Sometimes barely anyone shows up for events. But at the last event of the year about 45 kids showed up! That was amazing!
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Good News - 6/4/13
This is such a great idea. I have been trying buy fair trade but was having trouble finding bona fide fair trade products in my regular grocery shopping trips. One of the many resources mentioned in the book, Refuse to Do Nothing is this company. Trade As One has a great idea where you subscribe to their store and they will deliver a box of such staples as chocolate, coffee, rice, olive oil, etc 4x a year for only $133! I added on the extra coffee since I've got some heavy duty coffee drinkers living here now. I am excitedly waiting for my order to arrive. Check out the cute video that explains it all at their website.
I just love the entrepreneurial spirit of people who are trying to make the world a better place!
I just love the entrepreneurial spirit of people who are trying to make the world a better place!
Monday, June 3, 2013
Weekly Plans - 6/3/13
We had a nice quiet weekend. The older kids are in New Orleans still - won't get back until this coming Wed. evening. So what's in store this week:
1. I think I have a meeting about Aquinas Learning Schola Alta this evening (Mon).
2. Today, it is rainy outside. I plan to spend it decluttering and tidying the house with Becky - focus will be on mudroom, front hall and bedrooms. I also need to work on math with Becky as well. Dinner is tacos!
3. Tuesday - have to help with silk screening t shirts for Sean's school 8th grade celebration. Also, need to run to Trader Joe's for pet food and other items. Probably try to get some more house work in. Dinner - some kind of chicken.
4. Wednesday - Switch cars with Rick so he can pick the kids up at the airport after work. Becky and I will work on math. Need to get to the dry cleaners. Also need to post in the discussion on Forming Intentional Disciples.
5. Kids are back! Who knows what will go on? Josh will need to meet with math tutor I think. Gotta iron that out. Also by then grass will need mowing. Becky will need more math work. Becky also goes to gymnastics.
6. Friday - nothing so far. Wow, it is nice to be so free from appointments, since we had so many last week.
7. Saturday - Becky wants to try out for the All Stars at gymnastics. Also there is an Honor Flight happening at the same time.....
Looks like a good week to really focus on the house. I am inspire to make it tidier and cozier. The garage looks great and we had some folks come in and clean up the wild garden over the weekend. I am rejoicing in how nice the outside looks. I need to make the inside look nice too! It is worth it to have that sense of order and calmness. My new motto which came to me during Holy Hour is Keep calm, do the best I can and trust in the Lord. So that is what I am chanting to myself. I need to find God in the pots and pans! Because that is where he'll be residing, at least for this week!
1. I think I have a meeting about Aquinas Learning Schola Alta this evening (Mon).
2. Today, it is rainy outside. I plan to spend it decluttering and tidying the house with Becky - focus will be on mudroom, front hall and bedrooms. I also need to work on math with Becky as well. Dinner is tacos!
3. Tuesday - have to help with silk screening t shirts for Sean's school 8th grade celebration. Also, need to run to Trader Joe's for pet food and other items. Probably try to get some more house work in. Dinner - some kind of chicken.
4. Wednesday - Switch cars with Rick so he can pick the kids up at the airport after work. Becky and I will work on math. Need to get to the dry cleaners. Also need to post in the discussion on Forming Intentional Disciples.
5. Kids are back! Who knows what will go on? Josh will need to meet with math tutor I think. Gotta iron that out. Also by then grass will need mowing. Becky will need more math work. Becky also goes to gymnastics.
6. Friday - nothing so far. Wow, it is nice to be so free from appointments, since we had so many last week.
7. Saturday - Becky wants to try out for the All Stars at gymnastics. Also there is an Honor Flight happening at the same time.....
Looks like a good week to really focus on the house. I am inspire to make it tidier and cozier. The garage looks great and we had some folks come in and clean up the wild garden over the weekend. I am rejoicing in how nice the outside looks. I need to make the inside look nice too! It is worth it to have that sense of order and calmness. My new motto which came to me during Holy Hour is Keep calm, do the best I can and trust in the Lord. So that is what I am chanting to myself. I need to find God in the pots and pans! Because that is where he'll be residing, at least for this week!
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Refuse to Do Nothing - Book 26
Refuse to Do Nothing is about the modern day problem of slavery. Two upper middle class soccer moms, via separate experiences, became radicalized to devote themselves to abolishing slavery. The book is an invitation to become an abolitionist. And like those abolitionists of old, many of whom were women who had even less political power at that time than modern women, we should persevere in the face of enormous odds, because it is the right thing to do and because we can achieve victory over the horrifying and colossally complicated problem.
Shayne Moore and Kimberly McOwen Yim are Christian women who take their faith seriously. This book recounts how they became more and more involved in the abolitionist movement. The first review on Amazon calls it a field manual for those who want to change their community, and that's exactly right. The full title of the book is: Refuse to Do Nothing; Finding Your Power to Abolish Modern-Day Slavery. The authors at first list step by step ways to get the word out and then ways to actually help. Initially Moore and Yim were about giving showings of movies on the topic of slavery or human trafficking, as it is also called. By showing these movies to the community, they gathered several women who regularly met to discuss what they were learning and what they could possibly do about it. The movie that initially radicalized them was Call + Response. Next they began to attend conferences on the subject, trying to learn as much as they could about this very complicated issue. There are those who fight trafficking out in the field, physically trying to rescue sex slaves and forced child labor. One such organization they are involved with is the International Justice Mission. Then the authors discuss grass roots initiatives that involve working with and/or exposing big multi-national corporations that profit from slave labor in their supply chains.
This subject matter is just nightmarish, from the repeated nightly rapes of child sex slaves to the cruel and inhumane conditions of chocolate harvesters, the whole thing can be quite overwhelming and leave one feeling numb from despair. Refuse to do Nothing's goal is to work around that response by giving very clear ideas and resources. The simplest thing is to be aware of the signs of human trafficking in your community and then to keep the hotline number up on your fridge and programmed into your phone (888-373-7888) so that if you do see a situation that makes you suspicious, you can call them. Did you know that those teens who come around selling magazines are often slaves? Did you know that nail salons can be covers for the slave trade? I don't know about your area but around here there is practically a nail salon on every corner. I always wonder, do that many people go to get their nails done all the time that these places can support themselves? Maybe if that person giving you your manicure can't speak English and is under the control of some person who threatens her with death, then yes those places can make a profit! When I first started this book a few days ago I googled human trafficking and my home town. Turns out on May 3rd (just last month!) there was a police bust of a prostitution ring going on in a motel right here that I drive by all the time in my rather tony, trendy little town in the very wealthy suburbs of Washington D.C. Some pimp had taken a few runaway girls from Georgia and come up her to Virginia to make them earn some money for him. Sometimes the girls aren't even runaways. They still live at home but are afraid they or their family will be killed if they don't prostitute themselves after school for their pimps! It's unbelievable!
The sex trade makes up a huge portion of human trafficking but there is also terrible forced labor going on. And it is all so we first world countries can indulge in our love of electronics and food like coffee and chocolate. Here in the United States one of the biggest problems comes from the tomato fields of Florida where illegal immigrants are forced into the slavery so we can have spaghetti sauce, salsa and ketchup. One organization that is combatting this is the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. I was happy to find that both Whole Foods and Trader Joe's have signed a pledge to not buy tomatoes from companies that use slavery. However, many other fast food and grocery store chains do not participate in this pledge. This is another reason why buying locally from farmers and cutting out the middle man is really an act of justice. Trying to buy only Fair Trade chocolate and coffee is a very moral thing to do these days. The authors do discuss how complicated the issues are and how sometimes it is hard to know if Fair Trade foods are really fair trade or mixed up with slavery tainted food. However, this is due to the very complicated economic system we now have. What seems to work is to continue to put pressure on these food companies and to continue to shine the light on their efforts or lack of effort to stop human trafficking.
The authors also address such organizations as the Enough Project and the Invisible Children project which deal with 'conflict' minerals; those minerals from the Congo and other African nations that are caught up in violent, repressive civil conflict. The authors defend the Kony video that went viral last year and received a lot of criticism. They note that the people who started and run Invisible Children are basically college kids who ought to be forgiven if they make a misstep in PR. Also they note that those criticizing their actions are not actually trying to stop slavery. They give a wonderful quote from Theodore Roosevelt in their defense.
Now I do have one niggling problem with the issue of child labor. I think that from our very wealthy western point of view, we can come to see any child labor as wrong. But then I think back to our history, with children living on farms, like the Little House books for instance. Not all child labor is wrong. Child labor that is hard but just, can actually help a child grow up. We have very, very soft expectations where we think everyone should have a college degree and a white collar job, but that is not economically practical nor is it what everyone needs or wants. We have very narrow ideas in the west based on our own often flawed value systems that are very consumeristic and materialist. Really the rampant consumerism is the very problem that contributes to the global issue of slavery. The sexualization of our culture and crumbling ideas of virtue when it comes to sex have contributed to the sexual human trafficking. Again, just this month, my own local diocean newspaper had an article on how our crass commercialization of sex in our culture leads to sexual exploitation. I remember recent complaints about the Obama administration shutting down children's lemonade stands because they were not 'licensed' or trying to enact/enforce labor laws on family farms last year. So we can get a little too gung ho and begin to interfere too much. But I know that for the vast majority of child workers they endure terrible unjust conditions where they are starved, beaten and worked into exhaustion. Their very lives are threatened. So my little niggling fear is pretty darn little.
Anyway, this book is a very practical, inspirational and encouraging book about a very tough topic. It is full of good advice and resources to explore so that we can do our part to combat these terrible evil that is plaguing the world today.
And a final note: I was typing this up this morning but stopped to pray with Pope Francis as he led the first ever global Eucharistic Adoration holy hour from St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Cathedrals and churches all over the planet were praying simultaneously with him. For my time zone the hour was 11:00 a.m. today. I wanted to participate so much that we are going to Mass this evening. Anyway, the Pope prayed for two intentions: 1) the Catholic Church and 2) For the end of human trafficking!
I highly recommend Refuse to Do Nothing! Make yourself and the world a better place by reading it!
For more reviews go to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
Shayne Moore and Kimberly McOwen Yim are Christian women who take their faith seriously. This book recounts how they became more and more involved in the abolitionist movement. The first review on Amazon calls it a field manual for those who want to change their community, and that's exactly right. The full title of the book is: Refuse to Do Nothing; Finding Your Power to Abolish Modern-Day Slavery. The authors at first list step by step ways to get the word out and then ways to actually help. Initially Moore and Yim were about giving showings of movies on the topic of slavery or human trafficking, as it is also called. By showing these movies to the community, they gathered several women who regularly met to discuss what they were learning and what they could possibly do about it. The movie that initially radicalized them was Call + Response. Next they began to attend conferences on the subject, trying to learn as much as they could about this very complicated issue. There are those who fight trafficking out in the field, physically trying to rescue sex slaves and forced child labor. One such organization they are involved with is the International Justice Mission. Then the authors discuss grass roots initiatives that involve working with and/or exposing big multi-national corporations that profit from slave labor in their supply chains.
This subject matter is just nightmarish, from the repeated nightly rapes of child sex slaves to the cruel and inhumane conditions of chocolate harvesters, the whole thing can be quite overwhelming and leave one feeling numb from despair. Refuse to do Nothing's goal is to work around that response by giving very clear ideas and resources. The simplest thing is to be aware of the signs of human trafficking in your community and then to keep the hotline number up on your fridge and programmed into your phone (888-373-7888) so that if you do see a situation that makes you suspicious, you can call them. Did you know that those teens who come around selling magazines are often slaves? Did you know that nail salons can be covers for the slave trade? I don't know about your area but around here there is practically a nail salon on every corner. I always wonder, do that many people go to get their nails done all the time that these places can support themselves? Maybe if that person giving you your manicure can't speak English and is under the control of some person who threatens her with death, then yes those places can make a profit! When I first started this book a few days ago I googled human trafficking and my home town. Turns out on May 3rd (just last month!) there was a police bust of a prostitution ring going on in a motel right here that I drive by all the time in my rather tony, trendy little town in the very wealthy suburbs of Washington D.C. Some pimp had taken a few runaway girls from Georgia and come up her to Virginia to make them earn some money for him. Sometimes the girls aren't even runaways. They still live at home but are afraid they or their family will be killed if they don't prostitute themselves after school for their pimps! It's unbelievable!
The sex trade makes up a huge portion of human trafficking but there is also terrible forced labor going on. And it is all so we first world countries can indulge in our love of electronics and food like coffee and chocolate. Here in the United States one of the biggest problems comes from the tomato fields of Florida where illegal immigrants are forced into the slavery so we can have spaghetti sauce, salsa and ketchup. One organization that is combatting this is the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. I was happy to find that both Whole Foods and Trader Joe's have signed a pledge to not buy tomatoes from companies that use slavery. However, many other fast food and grocery store chains do not participate in this pledge. This is another reason why buying locally from farmers and cutting out the middle man is really an act of justice. Trying to buy only Fair Trade chocolate and coffee is a very moral thing to do these days. The authors do discuss how complicated the issues are and how sometimes it is hard to know if Fair Trade foods are really fair trade or mixed up with slavery tainted food. However, this is due to the very complicated economic system we now have. What seems to work is to continue to put pressure on these food companies and to continue to shine the light on their efforts or lack of effort to stop human trafficking.
The authors also address such organizations as the Enough Project and the Invisible Children project which deal with 'conflict' minerals; those minerals from the Congo and other African nations that are caught up in violent, repressive civil conflict. The authors defend the Kony video that went viral last year and received a lot of criticism. They note that the people who started and run Invisible Children are basically college kids who ought to be forgiven if they make a misstep in PR. Also they note that those criticizing their actions are not actually trying to stop slavery. They give a wonderful quote from Theodore Roosevelt in their defense.
Now I do have one niggling problem with the issue of child labor. I think that from our very wealthy western point of view, we can come to see any child labor as wrong. But then I think back to our history, with children living on farms, like the Little House books for instance. Not all child labor is wrong. Child labor that is hard but just, can actually help a child grow up. We have very, very soft expectations where we think everyone should have a college degree and a white collar job, but that is not economically practical nor is it what everyone needs or wants. We have very narrow ideas in the west based on our own often flawed value systems that are very consumeristic and materialist. Really the rampant consumerism is the very problem that contributes to the global issue of slavery. The sexualization of our culture and crumbling ideas of virtue when it comes to sex have contributed to the sexual human trafficking. Again, just this month, my own local diocean newspaper had an article on how our crass commercialization of sex in our culture leads to sexual exploitation. I remember recent complaints about the Obama administration shutting down children's lemonade stands because they were not 'licensed' or trying to enact/enforce labor laws on family farms last year. So we can get a little too gung ho and begin to interfere too much. But I know that for the vast majority of child workers they endure terrible unjust conditions where they are starved, beaten and worked into exhaustion. Their very lives are threatened. So my little niggling fear is pretty darn little.
Anyway, this book is a very practical, inspirational and encouraging book about a very tough topic. It is full of good advice and resources to explore so that we can do our part to combat these terrible evil that is plaguing the world today.
And a final note: I was typing this up this morning but stopped to pray with Pope Francis as he led the first ever global Eucharistic Adoration holy hour from St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Cathedrals and churches all over the planet were praying simultaneously with him. For my time zone the hour was 11:00 a.m. today. I wanted to participate so much that we are going to Mass this evening. Anyway, the Pope prayed for two intentions: 1) the Catholic Church and 2) For the end of human trafficking!
I highly recommend Refuse to Do Nothing! Make yourself and the world a better place by reading it!
For more reviews go to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
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