Month: November 2007

  • A Search, A Challenge, An Adventure

     

    The exercise of reading and thinking
    is an extremely mental-visual psychological process,
    difficult to learn,
    impossible to a degree of efficiency
    without continued conscientious effort,
    but capable of improvement
    throughout one’s lifetime.

    Reading is thinking,
    it is a search,
    it is a challenge;
    and when done successfully,
    it is an adventure which involves two persons–
    the reader and the author.

    The reader must carry on a silent conversation with the author,
    asking what is being said,
    questioning reasons,
    and approving or disapproving
    of the manner in which the material is presented.

    Reading is never passive acceptance.

    It is an energy-absorbing activity,
    requiring movement of the mind,
    and sometimes heart,
    out to meet the mind of the author
    and to grasp the meaning of another’s thoughts.

    “It is,” says A.B. Herr, “a two-way process;
    the reader must give in order to receive.“

    ~  William H. Armstrong in
    Study Is Hard Work

    I can’t say enough wonderful things about this little book.  My niece and I are working our way through the book together.  It takes me a while to read it, because I stop so often to copy quotes into my commonplace book.

    It was dear Janie, who turned me on to Study Is Hard Work.  I think of Janie in her classroom now and would sooooo love to observe the learning process with such a master teacher at the helm.  Thanks, friend.  Even though your blogging voice is quiet,  the gifts you’ve given in the past keep paying dividends.

  • Seeing Seattle


    ~  the view from the park


    ~  the blending of two families

    ~  Carson & Taryn

    ~  best friends


    ~ early 20th century transportation

    ~ early 21st century transportation

    ~  good-bye Daily Savings Time

    ~  anyone see Eustace?

    ~  neon lights abounded…I love the blue in this one

      


    ~  view of Seattle from Pike Place Market

  • Family Dinner

    I’m in Seattle, where we are visiting our newly married kids. 

    My daughter-in-law’s father occupies the same place in his family as I do in mine: he is the youngest of seven children.  His siblings have an unusual  way of staying connected: Friday nights are “family dinner.”

    They meet at a food court in a mall, push tables together, and enjoy a meal together.  Each person gets a plate of food, and the visiting begins.  They have been doing this for decades, the group expanding and contracting with children (and snowbirds) added or absent. 

    We arrived in time to join the family dinner on Friday.  Now I’ve been to a few food courts in malls and presupposed the typical choices – Cinnabon, A & W, Orange Julius, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, some noodle place, and McDonalds. 

    Hah!

    Double Hah!

    This is Seattle my friend and this food mall reflected the incredible richness of city cuisine.  Korean, Japanese, Russian, Italian, Thai, Indian, Mexican, American BBQ, sushi — one could debate with oneself for hours.  My husband ended up a large bowl of Korean noodles, and I chose a cabbage roll from the a Russian place called Pierosky (?).  Not one hamburger could be seen!

    It was better than an airport for people watching.  Our small community at home is pretty “white bread”; we have to travel to mingle with so many different nationalities. 

    It was great getting to know the extended family.  I loved seeing my son so comfortably integrated into this group of people.

    Whenever I meet grown friends from large families I usually quiz them on how they stay in touch with their siblings.  The challenge seems more difficult when both parents have passed.  There are pros and cons to a formalized system of newsletters.  One person organizes it and heckles the others into participating. 

    Fits and starts would best describe my own method of phone calls and emails.  I reckon it a good season if I’ve touched base with each of my brothers and sisters.  Most of them are better than me at picking up the phone.   Thank God for sisters-in-law!! And we have a Lone Ranger who rarely initiates communication of any kind. 

    Any ideas out there?  How often do you connect with your siblings?

  • Peploe, A Scottish Artist


    A Rocky Shore, Iona  by Samuel John Peploe

    In Alexander McCall Smith’s book 44 Scotland Street a painting in a gallery is suspected of being a Peploe.  I’d never heard of the chap (I’m working on my British idioms), so I looked him up.  Peploe (1871-1935) was in a group of artists called the Scottish Colourists.


    Still Life: Apples and Jar, c.1912-1916

    Peploe is noted for his still lifes.

    “In Kirkcudbright one either fishes or paints.”
    Dorothy L. Sayers in The Five Red Herrings

    Here are two Kirkcudbright paintings by Peploe.
    The lower one reminds me of Edward Hopper.

    My first thought when I saw some of Peploe’s works was
    “Here is a modern art which I like.”

    And if nothing else, Peploe is a wonderful word to say aloud.
    Pep-loe.
    Peploe, Peploe, Peploe.
    Happy Friday!

  • We Feebly Struggle, They in Glory Shine



    Le Jour Des Morts, William Bougueareau, 1859

    For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
    Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
    Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
    Alleluia, Alleluia!

    O blest communion, fellowship divine!
    We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
    All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
    Alleluia, Alleluia!

    And the Lord make you to increase and abound
    in love toward another,
    and toward all men,
    even as we do toward you:
    to the end he may establish your hearts
    unblameable in holiness before God,
    even our Father,
    at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ
    with all his saints.
    I Thessalonians 3:12-13

    One of the side benefits of singing old hymns, especially the really ancient ones (i.e. Of The Father’s Love Begotten) is the connection that it brings with our brothers and sisters in Christ from far distant days. 

    I love to sing Great is Thy Faithfulness because it was my mom’s favorite hymn and her memory is wrapped in between every syllable when I sing or play it.  I love the rousing A Mighty Fortress Is Our God because it is solid truth; but it also brings to mind Martin Luther.

    It is thrilling to walk where (fill in the blank) walked.  I think history grabbed my young heart when I realized that these people really lived!  All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.   We. Are. Connected. There are so many saints who went before us; the page about their lives is blank.  But we know The Book they read.  And we know some of what they sang. 

    These fragments of their lives are precious remnants.  Sometimes I work on memorizing a hymn or psalm while I wash dishes by hand.  I think of the women who did the same tasks five hundred years ago, and perhaps sung the same songs. And I wonder…was Tallis as difficult to sing when Tallis himself was teaching them?  Did they have to struggle with the melody before the beauty broke through?  Did Goudimel hear the textures I hear when we sing his harmonization of the psalms? 

    We are tempted to squander our heritage. We search with diligence for the Next New Thing, dismiss the past, and discard it with nary a thought.  

    I’m getting a second chance tomorrow to recapture some of my own heritage.  My husband, son and I are having lunch with my uncle and aunt (my mom’s brother and his wife).  I’ve already told them I want to know more about my Dutch Grandma.  She was born in Holland and emigrated to America.  She was always more interested in being helpful than being the center of attention.  Her daughter-in-law responded with warmth and enthusiasm.  “I can’t wait to tell you all about my wonderful mother-in-law and all that she taught me.”  

    Happy All Saints Day.