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Twitterature, August 2014: The Assumption of Mary Edition

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Happy Feast of the Assumption of Mary!

I had planned to make an edit for the Assumption, but ran out of time .  Here is the quote I planned to use.   I asked my theologian husband for some help, and he offered several different passages  from today’s Byzantine liturgy.  I may yet get to it today.  If not, there’s always next year:

“Neither death nor the tomb could hold the Mother of God.  She is always ready to intercede for us, forever our steady hope and protection.”

But, today I’m linking up with Anne at Modern Mrs. Darcy for her  monthly “Twitterature” link up of mini-reviews of favorite recent reads:

Glitter and Glue by Kelly Corrigan.  Highly recommended.

I laughed and cried, sometimes at the same story in this book. Corrigan writes so well of the mother-daughter relationship, how one’s view changes of our parents as we become adults, and again when we have children of our own. It’s called Glitter and Glue because her mother told her how she was the glue in the family, and her more easygoing husband was the glitter. How Corrigan perceives the difference between them changes after she spends part of a year as a post-college grad nannying for an Australian widower and his family, and later when she has a family of her own.

I wrote down many, many quotes from the book.  You can read some of them at my GoodReads review, but since this is meant to be short takes on books, here is just one:

“Raising people is not some lark. It’s serious work with serious repercussions. It’s air traffic control. You can’t step out for a minute; you can barely pause to scratch your ankle.”

Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster. A laugh-out-loud classic.

I was at a book group earlier this week (coincidentally, we were discussing a book that is reviewed in my August column for The Catholic Post (that column will post here in a few days), and several of us were professing our love for Dear Mr. Knightley. No one else knew that the book was a combination of Emma and Daddy Long  Legs.  And no one else had read it!

So I was happy to talk a little about it–Daddy Long Legs is an epistolary (told in letters) novel between a young woman and her male benefactor.  It’s definitely old-fashioned in a lot of ways, but great good fun.

Books like Daddy Long Legs are like comfort food to me.  I’m really enjoying it again.

Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles, America’s First Black Paratroopers by Tanya Lee Stone

Extremely well-written longer-form nonfiction for kids (middle grades on up) about the first group of African-American paratroopers.  I learned so much about World War II in this book I didn’t know about–segregation in the armed forces, and efforts to change that, the war effort in the United States.  Such a fascinating read.

What are you reading these days?

Random Thoughts, Volume 7: St. Maximilian Kolbe Edition

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Today is the feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe.  He is a favorite of mine.

St. Maximilian KolbeWhen I used to have a family blog (that I discontinued when I started writing this one), bloggers commonly had pseudonyms for their children, and my youngest was Max, partially because of Max from Where the Wild Things Are, and partially because of St. Maximilian Kolbe.

I loved that he wanted to use the latest technology to spread the Good News.  He would undoubtedly be online if he were alive today.

The National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Libertyville, Illinois– Marytown  has a retreat center and beautiful chapel, and in the lower level, a small but very moving museum/experience of St. Max’s life.  Not to be missed. Strange random fact about me: the second time I visited it was just after I completed my first marathon (it finished near Marytown).  I went back to my hotel, cleaned up, and headed over to Marytown for a mini-pilgrimage.

Can I be honest here? It has been very difficult to write for me lately.  For a long time, very difficult.  This has been a hard year for many reasons.  But especially lately,  there has been so much bad news in the world and our country, it seems impossible to write well about anything.

I have found it somewhat restorative to make photo/quotes like the one above.  I took the quote from tomorrow’s second reading in The Office of Readings–it’s a letter of St. Max.

The teens tell me that when they are not meant to be humorous, they are not called memes, but edits.  So I have been making a lot of edits lately.  It’s very soothing arranging the words of others, play around with photo editing, and make it look reasonably good.

Some random links:

*”Ann Coulter to Jesus: Fix Bethlehem First!”  Simcha Fisher on Patheos. I was having a discussion with my older teen about who actually agrees or believes with ridiculous “commentators” like her.  I do not know a single soul in real life who agrees with the vitriol and drama of her writing (and I know a lot of sincere people who are very conservative)!.  I don’t even pay attention to famous people like this, but appreciate Simcha’s take on this.

*“Before They Go to School, Have this Conversation” — Lysa TerKeurst.   Love this exploration of the concept of “pre-deciding” how to act.  I’ve been doing a sugar-free (mostly) August along with a group of Facebook friends, and love the support.  After a July of more ice cream and desserts than I dare admit  (including a wonderful, but nearly softball-sized, portion of chocolate mousse in NYC), I’m ready for the re-set.

“Pre-deciding” is great in a lot of areas, but I’ve found it really helpful this month with food.  The notion of deciding  mostly what I’m going to cook and eat, and do, before the day begins, takes a lot of the willpower out of it. (But oh, chocolate, I miss you so).

*”Finding it Hard to Change a Habit? Maybe This Explains Why”–Gretchen Rubin, The Happiness Project.

“Often, habits can’t change until identity changes. For instance, a person identifies as the fun one, the one who says “yes” to everything — but also wants to cut back on drinking. A person identifies as a workaholic, but then wants to work reasonable hours. The identity is incompatible with the change in habits.

I don’t really want to give up my identity as a dark chocolate lover, so I know I will go back to this  after August, but a month off will help me moderate my consumption, at least for a while.

Finally, I finally purchased this song and have been listening to it very often in recent days.

I love the lead singer’s voice, the melody, and the message.

If there’s a road I should walk
Help me find it
And if I need to be still
Give me peace for the moment
Whatever Your will
Whatever Your will
Can You help me find it?

What have you found compelling or inspiring online recently?

7 Quick Takes, Random Thoughts, The Humor (ish) Edition

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Linking up with Kathryn at Team Whitaker, who is hosting 7 Quick Takes this week.  I’m very late in getting out my random thoughts, and now very late even in Quick Takes, as I’m still recovering from our very adventurous and eventful last week.    So I’m especially grateful to Kathryn for keeping entries open this late, and for hosting.  Her blog is so encouraging, interesting and fun.

1.  I’ve definitely needed humor lately–most recently when my middle child and I were on a weeklong excursion out-of-state that shall not be named, but was quite the adventure.  Before I left I had been needing humor, and began this, and now I really do.

Part of our excursion involved camping–actual sleeping in a tent for a week in a heat wave. (And that actually wasn’t the worst of it, for perspective).  As I told friends on Facebook as we were headed back, “As God is my witness, I’ll never take air conditioning for granted again.”  Not that I ever did.

2.  “Client Feedback on the Creation of the Earth” — Timothy McSweeney. This. is. hilarious.

“Realize it’s Saturday and you were planning to be OOO tomorrow to admire your creation and everything, but I’m hoping you can keep rolling on this through the weekend.”

One of my older nephews shared this on Facebook some time back.  He’s in advertising, so it was especially funny to him, but really, how can you not laugh.

3.  “Dora the Explorer Movie Trailer”– I know this is several years old, but my kids just introduced me to this, and I laughed so hard. “Hola, Dora, it’s been a while. I haven’t seen you this I was … this many.”

When middle child and I were on our adventure last week, we frequently shared lines from this. “I’m the map, I’m the map, I’m the map …. (crash) Where’s Swiper?” was oft repeated during rough moments.

4.  What You Learn in Your 40s — Paula Druckerman.  Tell me I wasn’t the only who found her book, Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting, both fascinating and annoying.  This article is good, and even more true as you head into your 50s. “But you find your tribe. Jerry Seinfeld said in an interview last year that his favorite part of the Emmy Awards was when the comedy writers went onstage to collect their prize. “You see these gnome-like cretins, just kind of all misshapen. And I go, ‘This is me. This is who I am. That’s my group.’ ” By your 40s, you don’t want to be with the cool people; you want to be with your people.”

5.  The Teen Whisperer, Margaret Talbot, the New Yorker.   A profile of John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars.

I’m conflicted about The Fault in Our Stars.  I find it compelling and well-written, but not really that believable, and not just because of the international adventure the two teens have.  They are just too self-aware for teens.  More importantly, I just have to say how much I hate the language and casual sex in that book, totally taken for granted that teens talk that way and act that way. It just makes me mad, because it’s not true.

Anyway, the book is still well done, but even better is this profile of him.   HT to Emily Miller for sharing the profile on Goodreads.

6.  “Pediatrics Group to Recommend Reading Aloud to Children from Birth” –The New York Times.

I know this isn’t really humor (nor was the last one), but it made me laugh out loud.  I still read out loud to my children, and they can all read well.  It’s one of our favorite things to do together.  I am so glad to be ahead of the curve for once.

7.   “When People Choose, They Choose Wrong: The author of ‘The Giver,’ a wildly popular dystopian novel, imagines a community with no war, racism or gender roles. The result: a living hell.” –The Wall Street Journal, an interview with Lois Lowry, author ofThe Giver.

I’m sorry to end on an annoying take, but this is a great article that is behind the paywall.  We subscribe to the online New York Times, and so I often share articles.  The way The Times works it is that non-subscribers can read 10 or perhaps 15 articles a month, then are prompted to subscribe before reading more. I think this works well, is fair, and perhaps inspires people to subscribe.

But the WSJ theory–some articles for everyone to read, some behind the paywall–is just crazy.  I think it’s unfair especially to the author of the article, and to Lois Lowry–it’s such an interesting Q&A.

Here is how I came across the article: I happened to pick up the paper Wall Street Journal at a gas stop on the way home from our adventure/excursion last week.  I read it while another parent in our group drove.  When I read this article, I thought, awesome,  I can’t wait to share this with everyone.  Instead, I have to share a “preview” (the first sentence) of the article.

Here’s my suggestion: next time you are at the library, go look up last weekend’s Wall Street Journal, and read this article.  It’s worth it.

In the meantime, I googled around for some other Lois Lowry interviews and this one (surprise: from the NY Times) was easily the most intriguing I found on a quick search.

What are you reading/watching/listening to online these days?  I’m especially interested in humor.  I need to laugh!

Truly Random Thoughts, Volume 4: Alice, Anne, Money & Science

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This week shows how truly “random” are the things that catch my eye/ear online.  No common thread,  just lots of interesting things to ponder.

Memory Eternal: The Life and Quiet  Ministry of “Ann B.” –Terry Mattingly, Get Religion.  I love “Get Religion”–I don’t recall it as a Patheos blog.  Perhaps that is new?   Lovely story about the religious life of Ann Davis, better known as The Brady Bunch’s “Alice,” who died this week.

Raising a Moral Child-The New York Times.  “People often believe that character causes action, but when it comes to producing moral children, we need to remember that action also shapes character. ”

A New Way to Declutter--Anne at I Need Some Inspiration.  So super glad this real-life friend she has a blog now, finally.  Anne, you just need to put an e-mail button so I can subscribe that way.  Not that I don’t have so many e-mails, but for some reason, it is a way I catch up (at least occasionally) on my favorite blogs.  I felt “inspired” by this post to tackle our own basement, which looks suspiciously like the one in the photo, except not as spacious.

 Is College Worth It? Clearly, New Data Say –– The New York Times

“We have too few college graduates…we have too few prepared for college.”

“Those who question the value of college tend to be those with the luxury of knowing their own children will be able to attend it.”  Hmm.

“Young and Debt-Free!” — Jill and Jeremy Tracey, WCIC-FM.  I found this mini-interview–about a young couple who paid off $42,000 in student loan debt in two years– inspiring and challenging in a good way.  The couple used the Dave Ramsey principles to pay off their debt on super low incomes, and it just shows it can be done . I read Smart Money Smart Kids: Raising the Next Generation to Win with Money, the newest Dave Ramsey book (from the library, natch).  I find his approach interesting–for me, it’s not the “be all and end all” on financial health, but he does have good things to say about living within your means, especially for people who have gotten into serious debt.  The book itself was a little padded, and could have worked better as a much shorter read.  I am making a note to write a post along these lines–there really “ought” to be a Catholic book for young people about financial literacy and  stewardship, and there isn’t.

“Spiritual and Secular Mix in Case for Sainthood” –New York Times.  “Saints are intercessors in heaven, but they’re also models to emulate. They live lives of heroic virtue. So the idea is to have as many models as possible.” I reviewed the book The Miracle of Father Kapaun last year– it was a very compelling read.

“Why You Hate Work” The New York Times. Such interesting info graphics here. One great quote: “THE simplest way for companies to take on this challenge is to begin with a basic question: ‘What would make our employees feel more energized, better taken care of, more focused and more inspired?’ It costs nothing, for example, to mandate that meetings run no longer than 90 minutes, or to set boundaries around when people are expected to answer email and how quickly they’re expected to respond. ”

“Why Science and the Humanities are Better Together” –NPR Science Friday. I listened to this podcast on a run recently, and I found it fascinating and informative.  Walter Isaacson is interviewed here about giving the prestigious Jefferson Lecture, and how he recalls going to see Walker Percy give the lecture more than 20 years ago.  Since my husband is a big fan of Walker Percy, and met him on several occasions, Isaacson’s admiration and homage to Percy in his own lecture was compelling to me.  I hope to listen to the entire lecture soon.

What have you been reading or listening to this week?

A Book for Moms and A Book for Heroes {my May column, The Catholic Post}

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On the book page of the current print edition of The Catholic Post, I have two mini-reviews under “other recent reads.”  I’m sharing them here.

A book for moms:

Momnipotent: The Not-So-Perfect Woman’s Guide to Catholic Motherhood by Danielle Bean. Bean is also the editor of Catholic Digest magazine, and the author of several previous books for moms.

Bean’s books have always been marked by a generous amount of encouragement and spiritual uplift, and “Momnipotent” really excels in that. Especially enjoyable are the thoughtful commentary and advice that follows each short “quiz” that completes each chapter.

I confess that at first glance, I didn’t think Momnipotent is for me, but I’m very glad I read it. While I do highly recommend this book as best for moms of younger children, even the more “seasoned” among us can benefit from the concepts Bean covers, primarily the reminder that mothering is vital, hard, work, and worth doing well.

A book for those who value heroism:

Saint John Paul the Great: His Five Loves by Jason Evert


Last month’s canonization of John Paul II and John XXIII had me seeking out books by and about the two popes. Since it was new to me, I was awed by the depth and richness of “Journal of a Soul,” John XXIII’s spiritual autobiography, and I also enjoyed revisiting some of John Paul II’s books, chiefly “Crossing the Threshold of Hope.”

Saint John Paul the Great: His Five Loves is an enjoyable and readable biography, reminding readers just what a remarkable man John Paul II was and why he is known as “the great.” What really works well in this book is Evert’s organizing much of book into St. John Paul’s five “loves”: young people, human love, the Blessed Sacrament, the Virgin Mary, and the Cross.

Reading His Five Loves had me pondering the deep heroism that ran through all the aspects of St. John Paul’s life, and how he demonstrated it from his earliest days to his infirmity at the end of life. This book is a great introduction to the life St. John Paul, as well as a reminder that we are all called to heroism in our lives, and how that heroism looks will be unique to each individual. And at just over 200 pages, His Fives Loves is a bit more accessible, but just as inspiring, as the definitive biography of John Paul II: George Weigel’sWitness to Hope

Random Thoughts, Volume 2

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Last weekend, I was on a two-night campout with my younger daughter’s American Heritage Girls troop.  And truly, I had a great time.  I would say so even if my whole family, children included, did not read my blog.

But, to be honest, before this, I used to say to people, “You know, the closest I get to camping is Hampton Inn.”  I love the outdoors, but I really like to come home to my own bed, or a Hampton Inn.  Some of you will know what I mean.

Even though I was officially having fun, after the first restless night with lots of little girls tossing and turning and needing to go use the latrine, I was pretty tapped out during a lull on Saturday afternoon.  So I might have hiked the half-mile to the minivan to take refuge for a little bit of quiet and non-outdoors.  I am sooo glad that I did.  That’s because I caught the very end of The Moth Radio hour. I generally stay away from The Moth, as I generally find it a more pretentious and annoying version of This American Life.  While I love and find   so Catholic and catholic, so many of the stories on TAL, it can also occasionally veer into the annoying category.

So my first random thought is to share this and invite you to take a few minutes to listen to “Before Fergus,”  Lynn Ferguson’s story of when she was pregnant at an “advanced maternal age.”  Listen if for no other reason than to hear her Scottish brogue.  Lovely.  Sitting there listening to it, and having a few minutes of quiet, was just enough to help me get back to several dozen energetic girls, the campfire, and sleeping in a bunk.

More randomness:

Do our Kids Get Off Too Easy? –Alfie Kohn, The New York Times.I found his book Punished by Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A’s, Praise, and Other Bribes

that I read many, many years ago, utterly fascinating, and it really informed how I parent, I think because I was parented this way, without my parents having the benefit of such a book.  “Other researchers, meanwhile, have shown that high self-esteem is beneficial, but that even more desirable is unconditional self-esteem: a solid core of belief in yourself, an abiding sense that you’re competent and worthwhile — even when you screw up or fall short.”

Always Hungry? Here’s Why–The New York Times “If this hypothesis (that “rapidly digestible carbs” are the cause of hunger & weight gain) turns out to be correct, it will have immediate implications for public health. It would mean that the decades-long focus on calorie restriction was destined to fail for most people. Information about calorie content would remain relevant, not as a strategy for weight loss, but rather to help people avoid eating too much highly processed food loaded with rapidly digesting carbohydrates. But obesity treatment would more appropriately focus on diet quality rather than calorie quantity.”

The ‘Casket Catechesis’ of John Paul II–National Catholic Register.  Not new but read-worthy.  A man inspired to start a simple casket business after seeing the casket of John Paul II. “I hope that Marian Caskets is a part of this spiritual awakening, where death is accepted but where it won’t have the last word. That’s what the casket catechesis of soon-to-be St. John Paul II is all about: facing reality with humility, acknowledging our sins and asking for God’s mercy.”

18 Reasons Why This Skeptical Pediatrician Came to Love Homeschooling Dr. Kathleen Berchelmann, Aleteia.  My brother sent me this article and I found it really interesting and well-argued.  I still felt a little exhausted just reading about this family’s schedule though!  Neat connection: Kathleen attended the 2012 Behold Conference.  I got to meet her but not spend much time with her.

Who Gets to Graduate? –Paul Tough, The New York Times magazine.  Helping the most-at-risk kids to graduate.  I haven’t finished this one yet, but I find it fascinating, and want my teens to read.

What have you read or listening to randomly this week?