Fashion on Friday

When I looked at these colors last Fall, I couldnt get excited about them.

However, I'm glad I remembered to revisit this palette because it's been THE most helpful factor for organizing my closet for the Spring and Summer.

Even though the colors look slightly different on various monitors, it's NOT difficult to see them when I'm out and about.  And with the continued chilly temperatures, I'll admit that I've been tempted just to wear the same.old. wintery stuff.

But I know better than to let the doldrums rule.

It's as simple as getting dressed.

So, after claiming Coral Fusion (OPI calls it Hot and Spicey) last week and plastering it on my toes, I looked to see if I could find another one of the colors already in the closet.

Bingo!

Turquoise!!

I found it in the jewelry box - something I'd picked up at a drug store five years ago and worn rarely.  I mention those details to let you know that 1) the jewelry was not expensive, and 2) the Pantone report gave me confidence to step out of the box.

Here's how I paired a necklace of turquoise stones with a white sweater (cable knit turtleneck) and black pants. 










Later in the week when I was trying to decide which scarf to wear with an off-white sweater jacket, I chose the one with turquoise in it.

What are you doing with the new Spring and Summer colors?

Fashion Friday:Color

Fusion Coral is my choice for Spring and Summer Fashion this year.

I'm seeing it everywhere.

Just buying a new nail polish made me feel updated





and ready for the new season that starts officially on Saturday at 1:30pm.


Plus as I put away the Fall and Winter clothing, it seems easier to find the more fashionable colors in my existing wardrobe once I've reviewed Pantone's List of Colors.  There are lots of good suggestions in the article, especially for a non-Fashionista like me ;-)

1) Turquoise
2) Amparo Blue*
3) Violet
4) Aurora
5) Fusion Coral*
6) Tomato Puree
7) Pink Champagne
8) Tuscany
9) Dried Herb
10)Eucalyptus

I just love the names.

Fusion Coral is my first choice:  wearing sweaters and tops in that shade with black or brown pants.

But I'm finding the the Amparo Blue (bright!) is easier to wear than I thought ~ meaning I bought that color T-shirt at Walmart when I otherwise would have ignored it.



It *helped* me finish my 2.5 mile walk/run yesterday.





DD#1 wore Tuscany-colored patent pumps to a wedding last weekend, making her outfit *runway- perfect.*


Now I want some ;-)





Having worn uniforms during my schooling, I'm very tuned into dressing up a limited wardrobe with small accoutrements that can  make a big difference.

How are you addressing Spring and Color?

Corned Beef and Cabbage


Call me impatient.

I couldnt wait any longer.

Even though St Patrick's Day is not until March 17th,


I've already enjoyed the traditional fare once this past Sunday.

Now I'm looking forward to planned-overs tonight!


I braised the corned brisket (for three hours on Saturday morning in a dutch oven filled with water) and wrapped it in aluminum foil for Sunday's re-heating (with the time bake function on my oven.)

Then I used some of the liquid (stock) in the pressure cooker to steam the potatoes, onions, and carrots.

I re-heated the veggies while I was at church on Sunday by using a timer attached to the crockpot?








See the cabbage there in the background.... on the far left?

I did wait until we got home from church to fix that. 

After slicing the head of cabbabe into big chunks, I steamed it in the pressure cooker with approximately 1 cup of stock.


Here's a link to the Irish Soda Bread recipe complete with photo.

A Cavit Pinot Noir complimented the flavorful meal.

Dessert, you wonder?

Georgia Peaches I'd *put up* last August, then served with Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream, a Pecan Sandie Cookie and a cup of Starbucks Verona Coffee.

What's your favorite way to celebrate St Patrick's Day?

Fashion on Friday

Winter is almost over.

Here in north Georgia, we have had a winter to remember...

colder with more snow than usual.

This outfit is my effort to transition from heavier to lighter weight fabrics;






get one more use out of this comfortable dress; and enjoy framing the wintery iron-gray with the springy brighter-yellow.

Check out the Pantone Color Report for Spring 2010.  It was released last September, which was about the last time I posted on fashion.

My old scarf blends two of the new shades:  Aurora and Violet.






What's your *new* favorite color?



I'll reveal mine next week.

Homemade Vegetable Soup - Easy Style

16 cups water
16 tsps beef bouillon powder/cubes

2 lb frozen veggies (i.e. mixed veggies or soup mix)
1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
1 32-oz can crushed or diced tomatoes
2 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper

Optional/Later:  Add V-8 juice if more liquid is needed


In a large stock pot, bring water to a rolling boil. Stir in the beef bouillon. Add frozen vegetables. Cook for 5 minutes at medium high heat without boiling. Then add meat and tomatoes. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add seasonings, to taste. At this point, I turn off the heat and add 1 cup alphabet pasta. Cover soup pot with tight lid for 30 more minutes. That should be enough time to *cook* the pasta.

Serves 6-8

Friday Five: Staples

Of all the hundreds of sizes and shapes bread seems to come in, what is your favorite?

I appreciate all the different sizes and shapes for bread, eschewing only the white/off-white, non-nutritious kind.

I havent made bread in ages, but this Ethiopian recipe sounds divine.

My sister made these loaves for her family.  She's a pro at baking bread.


What’s your favorite thing to eat with rice?

Salt is crucial to tasty rice. Not a lot. But if it's not been cooked in salted water, then the flavor is delinquent.

What are your feelings about milk?

Milk rates as a staple in the diet until adulthood, at which time intake should be limited.

What was wrapped in the tortilla you most recently ate?

Some one gave me a sausage and egg tortilla the other day. I reheated it and ate if for lunch. Until that time I'd only eaten tortillas for dinner.

How many staplers are there in your house and where are they?

There are three staplers in my house, one on each floor. That means, one on my desk in the basement; one in the kitchen in the utility drawer; and one upstairs in the study/great room.

Added later ~


Here are pictures of Friday Night Staples ;-)

What did you enjoy for dinner?

Sufficiency of Scripture for the Church

Here ye, here ye!

I have heard this fine sermon twice today and am prepared to listen again.

Join me?

Using Exekiel 43 as a starting point, my pastor of 32 years preached the Good News by proclaiming the Headship of  Christ for His Church.


The title of *Senior Pastor* or *Bishop* is nothing compared to the Name of Jesus to which every knee shall bow.

The Westminster Divines relied upon Ezekiel 43 to introduce their Book of Church Order in 1643.

And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, - and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.

In the same way that Christ died for the invisible church (the repentent, redeemed sinner), God also died the visible church (repentent and redeemed)AND sees her as white as snow: perfect and blameless because of the work and sacrifice of His Son.

This is so comforting.

While it may seem unusual to use Ezekiel 43 as the basis for the sermon, there were a host of additional Scriptural references.  But, do take the time to read Exekiel chapters 40 - 48 in order to understand the context in which the prophet was speaking in order to focus and train the eyes of his charges on future glory.

Restoration!

We sang hymns to reinforce these doctrines.  From the (blue) Trinity Hymnal:

Behold! The Mountain of the Lord (272) - based on Is 2:2 (Scottish paraphrase)
Zion, Founded on the Mountains (369) -  based on Ps 87:1

Approach My Soul (423) - based on Heb $;!4, 16 and written by John Newton (a favorite)

Glorious Things of Thee (269) - again Ps 87 but verse 3, and John Newton

We celebrated communion and submitted our tithes, hoping in the Lord.

Then, never forgetting that a good theology will invariably produce a good meal,

we returned home show enjoy Sunday's menu  ~

Beef Stew
French Bread
Merlot

Begian Chocolate Brownies with Walnuts
Black Coffee



Yes, there was broccoli in the brisker ....only to be overlooked.

I'd had enough vegetables for one day. (ref Dan 1)
Grin



Artwork Credit:
Open Door Chapel
Oil on Canvas
16" x 20"
by Margaret Jordan

In honor of my maternal grandfather, Albert Osborn Linch, who died on this day fifty years ago, at the young age of 58, I'm highlighting one paragraph of his inaugural address to the Fulton County Medical Society.  It speaks directly to today's healthcare fiasco.

America today stands at the cross-roads, and there seems to be a tremendous urge to go down the road of least resistance, which leads to chaos and ruin. If what I say smacks of non-medical politics, let those that are burned make the most of it.

America must have a change in the way of thinking of our men in high political places or our way of living will surely collapse. Justice Brandeis warned, "The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning, but without understanding."

We are borrowing from the future and robbing the purses of our children and grandchildren by continuing the deficit operation of our government. It behooves us to fight in every way possible those who would torpedo the medical profession and scuttle American freedom to satisfy the whims and political aspirations of these demagogs.

I plead with you to support your political leaders who are interested in free enterprise and in the economic operation of your government.

January 19, 1950

Let us not grow weary in doing good.



Here's a link to the entire address

Here's a link to another entry about AOL.

Coconut Cake

Detailed instructions involve three separate recipes.

Here's a link to one untouched photo of the finished product.

There were no leftovers.





Links for the three recipes.
1)  Coconut Filling
2)  Yellow Cake
3)  7-minute Icing

Coconut Filling

Buy three fresh coconuts. You're only using two, but you will be glad you have one extra at home, in case there's not enough milk in the first two.  Poke out the *eyes* with a screwdriver and drain the milk into a glass measuring cup.  You'll need 1 1/2 cups.  Set aside.

Then place the coconuts in a warm (250) oven for 30 minutes to help crack them. I go outside for the next step:  place them on level surface and hit with hammer to break shell open.  This is actually great fun.

After the heavy outer shell is gone, use a vegetable peeler to remove the thin brown lining off of the white meat.

Grate finely the meat from two coconuts. I use my cuisinart for this.
















Cook coconut milk and 2 C sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat until it spins a thread (230degrees). I use a candy thermometer to help me know for sure.
















Add 1 C heavy cream. Boil hard for one minute. Pour over finely grated coconut meat. {12/17/13 My sister Noel asked me to quantify the number of cups of grated coconut that result from two whole coconuts.  I will do that the next time I prepare this recipe.}  Stir to combine.

Reserve (store in refrigerator) until ready for use. You can actually do this in advance.

















Spread between layers of cake and on top layer.


LATER and unrelated to the coconut filling which is recipe #3 for my Coconut Cake.

Use third fresh coconut to fix Ambrosia.....

















Have you ever bought and used a fresh coconut?

Seven Minute Icing
from the Joy of Cooking


2 unbeaten egg whites
1 1/2 C granulated white sugar
5 Tbs cold water
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1 1/2 tsp light corn syrup

Using a double boiler, place these ingredients over rapidly boiling water.

Beat with hand mixer constantly for (approx) seven minutes or until light, fluffy and spreadable.














Remove from heat. Add 1 tsp vanilla.


Makes 2 cups or enough to ice a three-layer cake.

1-2-3-4 Cake
(my grandmother's recipe)

1 C real butter
2 C granulated white sugar
3 C sifted flour (sift all purpose flour then measure out)
4 eggs (5 are better, but then the *title* doesnt match)



3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 C water (or milk)



Sift together dry ingredients and set aside. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs on at the time. Alternately add water and flour mixture. Add vanilla.

Bake in three 9" prepared cake pans at 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Invert pans onto wire racks and remove cakes from pans immediately to prevent overcooking.


I like to cover each layer with damp paper towel, while they cool.

Do you have a favorite yellow cake recipe?

Happy Birthday DD#3

In 1991, we enjoyed this heart-shaped Red Velvet Cake for your birthday.

In 2010, I understand that you made your own birthday cake: German Chocolate.

There are many years in between.  So, I'm on a mission to document your birthday cakes.

Have you ever seen a cuter 3 year old?

















The birthday dress was compliments of Grandma Jago.

Any Birthday Valentines at your house?

Happy Birthday, Dee!

 1974

Here's a link to another photo.

My maternal grandmother was a big part of my childhood, living with us for the last twelve years of her life.

Very precious, full of memories.


Were you blessed with a close relationship with grands?

Robert E Lee - Happy 203rd Birthday!

I love remembering the following passage from the writings of Robert E Lee.

It was first made public by Colonel Charles Marshall in 1887, in Southern Historical Papers published in 1889.

More recently you can find it in Richard Weaver's essay on the Christian warrior, found in The Southern Tradition at Bay, pg 209.




My experience of men has neither disposed me to think worse of them, nor indisposed me to serve them; nor, in spite of failures, which I lament, of errors, which I now see and acknowledge, or, of the present state of affairs, do I despair of the future.

The march of providence is so slow, and our desires so impatient, the work of progress is so immense, and our means of aiding it so feeble, the life of humanity is so long, and that of the individual so brief, that we often see only the ebb of the advancing wave, and are thus discouraged.

It is history that teaches us to hope.



Here's a link to the Marks Collection, which distributes this fine print entitled "The Christian General".

Christmas


The shepherds sing;
and shall I silent be?
My God, no hymn for Thee?

My soul's a shepherd too;
a flock it feeds
Of thoughts, and words, and deeds.

The pasture is Thy word:
the streams, Thy grace,
Enriching all the place.

Shepherd and flock shall sing,
and all my powers
Outsing the daylight hours.





Then will we chide the sun for letting night
Take up his place and right:
We sing one common Lord;
wherefore he should
Himself the candle hold.
I will go searching, till I find a sun
Shall stay, till we have done;
A willing shiner, that shall shine as gladly,
As frost-nipped suns look sadly.
Then will we sing, and shine all our own day,
And one another pay:
His beams shall cheer my breast, and both so twine,
Till ev'n His beams sing, and my music shine.



Poem by George Herbert


Art by W A Bouguereau
oil on canvas 165x88cm
Berkshire Museum



See previous entry for commentary on the painting.

Additional commentary

about the oil painting excerpted from Fronia Wissman's book, Bouguereau.

Comparing Bouguereau's shepherdess with a similar scene by Millet (Newborn Lamb), while in a different medium-pastel-and on a wholly different scale, shows how Bouguereau has citified, or, at the least, taken the country out of his version. Millet's peasant does not pose; she has work to do and walks sturdily along. She does, however, take the time to look back at the ewe, a relatively scrawny creature, who follows her baby. In Millet's pastel the lamb is truly tiny-almost pathetic in its yearning for its mother-not the larger animal, old enough to resemble a big, fuzzy stuffed animal, cradled by Bouguereau's girl. Millet's shepherdess is stocky, rounded, and wears nondescript clothes. A telling difference, apart from the fact that Millet locates his figure in the specific context of the Norman countryside, evinced by the swinging gate in the hedgerow, is the girls' feet. Bouguereau's shepherdesses and mothers are almost always barefoot; Millet's wear sabots, the wooden shoes of the peasants. Bare feet can mean many things-poverty, a carefree life in a warm climate, humility. The bare feet of Bouguereau's figures underscore the fact that they are not real peasants, as Millet's were seen to be, so the urban viewer need in no way feel responsible for the peasants' hard lives. Bouguereau would have denied such an interpretation, insisting that he painted the human figure because it was the most beautiful subject to paint. Painting the figure well, meaning according to classical precepts, was the goal of the academic tradition of which he was a proud part. Thus, well-drawn and well-painted feet, notoriously difficult to render convincingly, can be seen as a mark of a highly skilled academic painter. Not interested in limning contemporary social concerns, Bouguereau focused all his attention on what he was good at-conveying sentiment in perfectly drawn figures.

Holiday Weddings

















Twenty-eight years ago Thanksgiving weekend, we gathered to witness the marriage of one of my sisters.

I had married the Christmas before.

See me there on the left?






In fact, I think most of my siblings married around the holidays. Two of us at Christmastime (five years apart), one at New Years, another at Memorial Day. I guess the convenience of an extra day off helps with scheduling.

So far, one of our daughters has married at Labor Day, another at Christmas (on our anniversary ;-)).

In 2010, I have four nephews getting married.




First comes love,
then comes marriage,
then comes the baby
in the baby carriage!

The First Thanksgiving


When the Pilgrims
first gathered together to share

with their Indian friends
in the mid-autumn air,

they lifted their voices
in jublilant praise

for the bread on the table,
the berries and maize,

for fields and for forests,
for the turkey and the deer,

for bountiful crops
they were blessed with that year.


They were thankful for these
and they feasted away,
and as they were thankful,
we're thankful today.



by Jack Prelutsky



It's quieter than normal here today. We're headed to Grandmother's daughter's house. It is over the river and through the woods.

I'm in charge of two veggies: roasted cauliflower and green beans almondine.

Three of our daughters are gathering in Detroit, the fourth in Elkhart.

Looking forward to a louder Christmas.

Here's a link to this year's thankfulness.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE GRACE


It takes you by surprise
It comes in odd packages
It sometimes looks like loss
Or mistakes
It acts like rain
Or like a seed
It’s both reliable and unpredictable
It’s not what you were aiming at
Or what you thought you deserved
It supplies what you need
Not neccessarily what you want
It grows you up
And lets you be a child
It reminds you you’re not in control
And that not in control is a form of freedom.







by Marilyn Chandler McEntyre


Watercolor Rose
Vera Holcombe
1917

Brown Thrasher
















He's outside. I'm inside.

In fact, I'm about ten feet away peeking around the corner of the oven.

Here's some perspective.
























Can you see him?

Best I can tell, he's just sunning himself and enjoying the view. Not trying to eat from the feeder. He's so large, he'd have to contort himself in order to get his beak into the cylinder.

I'm having fun watching him and learning how to improve my pictures in Photoshop.

Red Chrysanthemum

Fashion on Fridays

Costume parties usually provide more fun than ordinary gatherings and long ago there was one such one for me that did just that and remains very special.

While I'm not fond of the current holiday (or anything scary/horror for that matter), Halloween brings back romantic memories for me. It's the anniversary of our first date.

Flip the calendar back to the Fall of 1976, when I was starting my second year of college. We had a large group of friends that socialized together. (Here's a link to a group photo.) It centered around one of the smaller dorms on campus - Koon Hall - thirty plus fellows with a wide variety of interests (football players to yearbook editors) and activities (keg parties with professors)

On October 30th, they hosted a costume party and I was invited. Earlier in the week (Wednesday breakfast, to be exact) a certain resident of said dorm asked if I would accompany him to the college play at 8p on Saturday followed by the costume party.

It was a magical evening.

I could write lots more about every.single.detail.

But I'm not the Pioneer Woman.

I'll let this photo speak its 1000 words.

Thirty-three years ago today.....





















Costume made by yours truly and fashioned after one of my mother's 1940's party dresses. I needed it for one of my sorority's rush parties.

I was NOT responsible for DH's costume which was a total surprise, by the way.

His sense of humor has been a blessing over all these years.



A few weeks later - more costumes!
















Happy Halloween!!


Dont forget to change your clocks!

Fall Birthday Menu


Pork Roast (crock pot)
with apples, onions, celery & raisins

Fordhook Lima Beans
Steamed Cabbage
Corn Muffins




Cavit Pinot Noir


Pumpkin Cheesecake
(Cheesecake Factory)


Opening presents is fun no matter where you are!

Friday Five

1. How often do you get sick with a cold? The flu?

Rarely do I get sick, although this week I felt crummy on Wednesday and went to bed at 6:30 pm, skipped dinner, and slept straight through 'til morning. I took some Advil for the body aches.

2. Are you the sort of person who goes to work or school no matter how sick you are or are you willing to stay at home when it gets bad?

Yes, I usually carry on with my duties even when I dont feel well. DH noted that in the 35 years he's known me, he's never known me to stay in bed all day. Hope that doesn't jinx my streak :)

3. Will you get a flu shot?

No, not planning to get a seasonal flu shot, nor an H1N1.

4. What do you do to keep from getting sick in the winter?

In addition to making sure that the host (my body) is good at fighting off bad germs and viri by eating healthfully, sleeping adequately, and drinking plenty of water, I will wash my hands more often this winter in order to avoid getting sick.

5. What is your favorite thing to do when you stay home from work or school?

If I'm sick enough to stay home, I will be in bed. That's how I know that I'm really sick: I dont want to read a book, watch TV, or listen to music.

PS: I do like a hot toddy, if I feel something coming on....

My recipe:

In a mug, combine

2 Tbs lemon juice, freshly squeezed
2-3 Tbs local honey

2-3 Tbs whiskey

Pour in 6 oz boiling water and stir until blended.

What's your home remedy?

Twenty-five Years Ago Today


"A daughter brightens up your world and shines forever in your heart."

You're always there
with love to share,
showing kindness everywhere.
You brighten days
with smiles and fun,
giving joy to everyone....


You're always thought
so warmly of...
You're always treasured
and always loved.



















Have a wonderful birthday!!

Leisure: The Basis of Culture
Chapter V

Briefly reviewing chapter four, I remind myself that Pieper listed four movements through which a threatened value (leisure) is seeking to regain strength:

1)Art for art's sake,

2)Traditionalism,

3)Liberal Arts Education,

4)Humanism.

He spends the better part of the chapter debunking secular humanism by pointing out its specious economic value.

None of them are enough.



Now in Chapter V, we are reading the piece de resistance, for which we've all been waiting. Pieper declares that nothing need be founded or arranged.

He reminds us that the ultimate solution lies outside the range of our responsible, voluntary action.

He refers us to divine worship.

Because worship is at the heart of revitalizing the nature of leisure AND leisure must be an upright pillar in the cultural foundation, we must draw on that innermost root that lies outside the range of responsible, voluntary action.

Basically, spiritual revival is Pieper's prescription for curing the ills of a diseased society. I concur.

I wonder though, if we must hope for something like America's Great Awakening, or if a minority (remnant) will carry the harmony. I'm not really sure to which signs of reawakening Pieper is referring in his essay, but clearly fifty years later, his countrymen did not take his advice.


Europe does not know God.

Pieper himself was the product of a rigorous, classical education, having attended the most prestigious school in his country. So, he recognizes that that type of education is not the true answer; nor the type of university education that is career training. He even derides the propaganda promoted by the secular humanists who want to establish holidays without the gods, recreating society according to man.

Sticking to his thesis, Pieper continues to direct us to the worship of the living God as the source of leisure. He even describes it economically when he explains that every aspect of the leisured person's daily living is sacrificial and creative of a capital wealth that can support and sustain community.

Pieper's language speaks to me.

I understand only because the Lord has regenerated my heart, giving me spiritual eyes and ears.

By way of application I can examine my activities in light of Pieper's definition of leisure. Broadly dividing my 24 hours into three categories: work (school), sleep, and discretionary, I understand how to measure them with leisure's yardstick. Completing each day brings me closer to the highlight of days, that recurring feast day called the Sabbath. Providentially, this week's sermon addressed laziness (sloth/acedia).

The Lord gives me refreshing sleep. He's teaching me how to be a helpmeet. He's giving me confidence to rear our children in His nurture and admonition. He governs my discretionary hours even when it may appear to others that I am wasting time.

With loving care, I repeat my days with holy persistence.

I'm cultivating through the seasons.

I'm shepherding with hope.

I'm acting philosophically.


My prayer is that you can, too.

Leisure and Education in America

George Roche had a powerful influence in my life and in the life of the institution he lead for 28 years.

It was not until after I had completed my Hillsdale career that I felt the need to study his book, Education in America.

My copy is autographed - To Dana - who knows that a better way exists to educate our young - George Roche.

First published in 1969 and acquired by me in 1977, I didnt re-read it until 1990, when we began making serious choices for the schooling of our four charges. I bring it to your attention today because I continue to enjoy this topic and think his book sheds bright light on the questions arising from my current book club.

Cindy, at Dominion Family, is a fun mother of nine who thinks. I like her blog posts because she has knack for illustrating problems and providing a friendly forum for discussions. Currently the term *classical* is bothering her, especially as it applies to education.

That's why I went to my shelf in search of Dr Roche's excellent volume. He TWICE references the esteemed Josef Pieper, whose book Leisure: The Basis of Culture is our book club selection.

Because I think most readers skip/skim through lengthy quotes, I'm going to post links only to these two references. The first is from Roche's chapter three entitled *Scientism and the Collapse of Standards*. The second is from chapter eight, *Multiversity*.

In the comment section of Cindy's query about the definition of *classical* education, I noted that discernment is required. We must be ever vigilant of the words used by those we trust.

While many parents complained about attending Parents Nights (at our children's schools) and listening to the same old rhetoric, I did not. Not only was I there to show my support, but also I was making sure that those in charge were staying true to stated vision (definitions) that we had used to make our school choices.

In conclusion, without a link, the last two paragraphs of Dr Roche's Education in America, entitled *Ultimate Solutions*.

Educational reform must begin with parents as individuals, with the recognition that better upbringing for their children lies in their hands, not in the hands of the state. If and when enough parents begin living their lives self-responsibly and apply such principles to their children who are an extension of self, a new educational day will have dawned. The answer, then is not to "throw the rascals out," substituting good men for bad in the political control of collectivized education. Instead, let each act in his own small orbit, with his own children, with those who he influences directly. If one's example and understanding are of high enough quality, the education pciture will begin to change no matter what course politicalized education might take.

Those who effect great revolutions are always small in number. Such people need not wait to become a majority. No one else can do the job except those who understand what needs to be done. The disruptive influence of political centralization in education will continue until it has been overshadowed and rendered meaningless by a moral force of sufficient intensity, a force generated by individuals who understand what is at stake and who serve notice by their own example that a better way exists to educate our young.


If you're reading this, then that means you're already overshadowing and on the path to rendering meaningless statist education.

We are a moral force of sufficient intensity.

Dont lose heart!

Fashion on Friday: Romance

Two hearts that have beat in unison through childhood's hours and school-days bright decided their 'troth to one another without further delay.

The original plan was to wait until the holidays and make a tour West.


However, early on Saturday afternoon, October 16th, Dr Albert O. Linch and Miss Dorcas Giles motored to Lafayette, AL,

where at seven o'clock




"The silver hammer smithing two lives into one, fell on Hymenaios's Altar,"

and they were united in marriage, a resident minister officiating.

Mrs. Linch, a young woman of many lovable traits of character, has been engaged in office work at the State Capitol, for the past five years.

Dr. Albert O. Linch, surgeon at Grady Hospital, is a young man of sterling worth and rare ability.

The couple formerly of Flovilla now resides in Atlanta.


Copied from an unidentified newspaper clipping.





How about that 1920s' fashion?

Read more about my maternal grandparents here.

See this nuptial portrait of my paternal grandparents here, noting the dark dress and army uniform.

Education in America
Chapter Eight: The Multiversity
Section: Specialization

Superspecialization further requires a seemingly infinite variety of course offerings in the curriculum. It is true that men are different, but surely there are features of the human condition which are universal and which override all specialization.

Only by maintaining a balance between our experiental bent and our loyalty to the ageless wisdom our our tradition can we hope to remain clutrually in the Western orbit. The distinguishing mark of the educated man is his sense of continuity and the awareness of his heritage. As Professor Josef Pieper has the courage to affirm in an age of specialization, a man must be able to comprehend the totality of existence.

actually a quote from Thomas Molnar's The Future of Education

Education in America
Chapter Three: Scientism and the Collapse of Standards
Section: What Is The Truth?

This failure of standards within the modern academy can be easily demonstrated. One of the foremost students of St Thomas Aquinas, Professor Josef Pieper, gives graphic illustration:

The medieval philosophers, in studying Aristotle and Plato, wished to know all those things and only those things which were true. Where the truths of these philosophers were not complete, they asked themselves how to complete them.

There is an enormous difference between this attitude and that usually held nowadays and which we consider the sole possible and responsible attitude toward "sources." For the student especially, that difference is of vital importance. Anyone who asks Thomas his opinion receives a reply which makes perfectly clear what he, Thomas, considers to be the truth - even when his reply is couched in the form of a quotation from Aristotle. But if we are asked our opinion, we reply with historically documented quotations which may reveal a good many things - for example, how widely read we are - but fail to reveal one thing alone: what we ourselves hold to be the truth.

from Josef Pieper's Guide to Thomas Aquinas

Leisure: The Basis of Culture
Chapter IV

Vocabulary appears to be the key to understanding this week's portion of Josef Pieper's essay decrying the validity of leisure when building or re-building culture.



Right at the beginning our philosopher/author wonders about the effect of accepting or refusing a word newly appearing in the German dictionary.


Redefining terms is a classic way of abusing power.



As in previous chapters, Pieper goes to great lengths to explain the meaning of the words that comprise this section, like proletarian and de-proletarianization, like honorarium and wage. These concepts are variables in the equation proposed by the socialist rebuilders, worthy of scrutiny.

He specifically identifies the binding of the worker caused by lack of private ownership, mandates from the State, and the inner poverty of persons. These are fighting words in Pieper's day when professorships at the universities are based on party-affiliation.

In the end, Pieper identifies the eventual failure of the statist solution even if the leaders make available for the working person a meaningful(restorative) kind of activity.

Political measures which expand life economically only are not sufficient to attain the goal. The project would only come to fruition if it were possible for the human being as such to "be at leisure."

HIStory has proved Pieper correct.

In October 1949, shortly after publishing this lecture, the GDR was established and the socialists embarked ever more fervently to develop their economy based on the fruits of the proletariat. A mere 41 years later (10/7/1990), the Berlin Wall came crumbling down, symbolically proving to the world that Western (Judeo-Christian) capitalism indeed undergirds leisure.

It is a worthy model.

Now how does that translate into family life?

Capitalize your time!

1) Schedule time for vocabulary.

Because Pieper tells us that leisure is a condition of the soul, begin now to teach vocabulary that defines this concept. From spelling to penmanship, from derivatives to calligraphy, the possibilties are endless. Denying access to this type of knowledge is tantamount to hiding the Gospel.

The next three tasks require talented juggling in order to determine the proper balance for your family. Note the delicacy of the instrument in the painting. Anything more specific than listing these would be meddlin'.



2) Schedule time to think.

3) Schedule time to listen.

4) Schedule time to be human.


These are all ways for a (wo)man to occupy leisure.




My newest favorite poet, Marilyn McEntyre has written an inspirational poem based on this Vermeer painting.

And of course, Scripture always guides us.

In Proverbs 31, King Lemuel's mother poetically describes the *woman of leisure*, especially verse 27:

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Insist that your leisure is that shield or preserve of freedom, of education and culture, and of undiminished humanity that views the world as a whole.

To Kosciusko

GOOD Kosciusko, thy great name alone
Is a full harvest whence to reap high feeling;
It comes upon us like the glorious pealing
Of the wide spheres - an everlasting tone.
And now it tells me, that in worlds unknown,
The names of heroes, burst from clouds concealing,
And changed to harmonies, for ever stealing
Through cloudless blue, and round each silver throne.
It tells me too, that on a happy day,
When some good spirit walks upon the earth,
Thy name with Alfred’s, and the great of yore
Gently commingling, gives tremendous birth
To a loud hymn, that sounds far, far away
To where the great God lives for evermore.



John Keats
English Poet
1795 - 1817


In keeping with my book club and Cindy's post promoting the memorization of poetry, especially for boys, I went in search of one to highlight.

While this particular verse heaps praises on the hero, it provides few details of the general's military prowess. I think just learning how to spell Thaddeus's last name would be a fine accomplishment. Then I could search for books about him.

I first learned of him because I have a friend from Koscuisko, Mississippi. Now I know his birthday is October 31st. And that President Obama recently received a copy of the book, The Peasant Prince, from the President of Poland.

What do you know about this Polish-born American patriot?




On a side note, anyone thinking of seeing the new movie (Bright Star) about John Keats?

Leisure: The Basis of Culture
Chapter III

Since we last met there's been a new edition of Leisure released by Ignatius Press, introduced by Father Schall.

I'm wondering if the title should have been changed to Recovering the Lost Tools of Leisure.

Clearly, this topic continues to be as important today as it was fundamental when Pieper proposed it in the late 40s, for Father Schall names Leisure as a *must-read* in his Student's Guide to Liberal Learning.


The implication is that our country has strayed so far from its moorings that she is not unlike Pieper's homeland. Remember, Germany is rebuilding after the devastation of WWII and our author is pleading his case: that leisure be at the basis.

Furthermore, with all the work-oriented designers, philosophers, statesmen, etc, Pieper's ideas run cross-grain and threaten modern presuppositions. Pieper fears that the reconstructionists have forgotten the most important aspect of culture.

So, after defining the first term (work) in the previous chapter, the author proceeds to define leisure by comparing and contrasting the components of the term in light of work: activity vs non-activity; toil vs celebration; functionary vs human. Pieper cites philosophers, poets, and prophets as witnesses of the concept. Kierkegaard, Aquinas, Sombart, Scheler, Heraclitus, Job, Weiss, Hodlerlin, Kerenyi, to name a few.

Current society is so far removed from the (High Middle Ages) context that Pieper believes is crucial to an healthy society that he approaches his audience much like the apostle Paul at the Areopagus when he's presenting the gospel to the Greeks. He's coming at them from all angles.

Despite Pieper's spiritual language - leisure is a condition of the soul - and my re-reading of Hebrews 4 in light of the obvious correlation with the Scriptural promise of rest, I dont get the feeling that a sermon is being preached. More that I'm hearing a spirited debate between power brokers.

Which team can harness the strength of its citizenry?

Pieper's power?

Pieper's power is special because his leisure is

powered to step beyond the working world and win contact with those superhuman, life-giving forces that can send us, renewed and alive again, into the busy world of work.

Is your leisure empowering?

Or more on topic are you homeschooling from a position of leisure?