Mount Majestic
“There is a very good possibility that you will not believe a word I say. Alas, it is the risk all historians take. The truest things are often the most unbelievable.” Thus begins one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic by Jennifer Trafton, and …
A Beautiful Baby Book
I’m so happy to share this beautiful book about a new baby joining the family! Nine Months: Before a Baby Is Born, by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Caldecott Honor Artist Jason Chin uses lively, rhyming text and colorful, touching illustrations to show both the baby’s growth before birth and the joy of her family …
Zinnias
That’s all. I brought in the zinnias before the storm smushed them, and thought I’d share. 🙂 I’ve been trying to do nice things like this on the mantel lately.
Remind me why we’re doing this?
“The whole purpose of reading – the whole purpose of everything – is for our kids to love God and love each other better.” ~Sarah Mackenzie (If you’re not familiar with Sarah Mackenzie and the Read Aloud Revival, check it out!)
(House)work, Part II
Part of the problem I have with writing a long, philosophical post like The Theology of (House)work is that it’s hard for me to get through it without a meandering digression every sentence or two. This post is to take care of all those side-notes…so my apologies for the variety of topics and directions! Kids …
Cultural Literacy?
My pop-culture illiterate daughter trying to explain to friends which songs she is playing for her next concert: Lucy: I don’t remember the name of it, but it’s something about rocking somebody… Morgan: “We Will Rock You”? Phil: No way. [Because it’s a symphony, after all. It has to be more classy than that!] Lucy: …
Book Review: Marcelo in the Real World
I am totally smitten with this book. First, I have to tell the story of how I came to read it. The book and its author, Francisco X. Stork, were in no way on my radar, until someone suggested I read Cheryl Klein’s The Magic Words, which is a how-to on writing middle grade and …
Towards a Theology of (House)Work
So I’m a little behind in my reading, but this week I finally got to the February 8 issue of Commonweal. There is an illuminating article in there by Jonathan Malesic which contrasts the American work ethic with the dignity of the human person, and specifically, the way work is treated in Benedictine Monasteries. (You …
Brothers and Sisters!
Clare: Why don’t people want to go to Mass? Lucy: They probably think it’s boring. Clare: I love the readings. Except the ones that start “brothers and sisters”, they’re usually pretty boring. Me: raucous laughter Sorry, St. Paul. I guess you can’t please everyone.
Children’s Novels in Which the Pen (or Love) is Mightier than the Sword
A friend recently asked me for recommendations of children’s novels where the day is saved…but not by lots of violence. He has a ten-year-old son who loves Narnia and Middle Earth, but he doesn’t want his son to count on Glamdring to solve all his problems. (I am aware that it is Aslan’s sacrifice, as …
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