30 More Movies You Might Have Missed: 1-5

I've put together a list of fifty movies that are worth seeing, and none of them are brand-spanking new. These are movies that perhaps you've never heard of, or if you have you may have looked them over. This isn't a list of the best movies ever made, although there are a few that below on such a list. They are not in any specific order.

Scott has a darned good list and I encourage you to check it out. I can endorse it based on his inclusion of movies I've seen which are ones I often recommend to people, only to receive a blank stare of nonrecognition:

• Singin' in the Rain
  
• Kung Fu Hustle
• Memento (my review here ... in the comments Scott and I wage all-out-but-polite-war over the movie's ultimate message)
  
• Amelie
• Brick (my review here)
  
• Babette's Feast
• About a Boy
• The Quiet Man
• Groundhog Day
• Infernal Affairs (my review here)

However, he didn't include everything that I would have, naturally. Here is my addendum, if you will, to his list. In no particular order, just as they occurred to me.

1. Mostly Martha

Germany

Martha is a chef who has a great deal of discipline, an obsession with food although she never seems to eat, and little joy in her life. When her sister dies, Martha is forced into facing unknown situations after her orphaned niece comes to live with her. Then a new chef is added to the staff and Martha's loss of control seems complete. Suddenly Martha's life is no longer under control at all with the expected growth of character resulting.

This is a slow and deliberate movie but the acting and dialogue are great and a lot of the scenes are very funny. Naturally, as this is about a chef, it is a major "foodie" film. Mostly Martha is a German movie with subtitles but don't let that scare you. Actually we liked listening to the German and picking out words that were almost the same as in English ... but that's the kind of thing our family does for fun.

Do not be fooled by the American remake: No Reservations. It completely messes up the last third of the movie.

2. Monsoon Wedding

India

A large, Westernized, upper middle class Indian family is gathering for a wedding in a movie that includes Bollywood-ish singing, dancing, and romance. What may be unexpected are the strong messages about family love, protection of the innocent from sexual predators, doing the right thing and telling the truth no matter what it costs you. I love this movie but Tom is the one who added it to this list which tells you that it has a wider range than one might expect. The "R" rating is for the language, mostly that of the Wedding Event Coordinator and his help. (A full review is here.)

3. The Castle
(Australia)

An understated comedy about a man whose home truly is his castle. Any normal person would jump at the chance to sell his property when the local airport wants to buy, as it sits at the end of an airport runway and directly under gigantic power lines. However, this man fights in court for the right to keep his home.

The father's unconditional love and approval for every person in his family is reciprocated by each of them. Watching the local news the father turns to his daughter, the only family member with a "college degree" (from hairdresser school), and tells her that they have "ripping bodies" but their hair really could use fixing up to be like hers. Needless to say, the daughter's hair is horrendous but her pleased and loving reaction underscores the family's complete happiness. If they think about the outside world at all it is to be sorry that the world doesn't have a share in their contentment and "riches". If more families were like this one then the world would be a better place. This movie is rated "R" for language.

4. Serenity

Is it a western? Yes. Is it sci-fi? Yes. 500 years in the future, society is a mixture of "core" planets with all the luxuries and those on "the rim" where life is more like living in a old time Western. The Alliance, the totalitarian government, controls everything in the core and would like to exert the same control over all the planets.

Simon and River Tam are on the run from The Alliance. They take refuge on a spaceship whose crew will do anything, legal or illegal, to keep fed and in the air. As a survivor from the losing side in the recent civil war, the ship's captain, Mal Reynolds, doesn't mind going against the authorities but has to rethink his decision when the Alliance sends an assassin to track River down. What follows is a fantastic, fast moving adventure crackling with wit. It is also one that examines what different men choose to put their faith in, how strong that belief is, and what it means to live an unexamined life. (My complete review is here.)

5. A Perfect World

In Texas in the fall of 1963, Kevin Costner is one of a pair of recently escaped convicts who take an 8-year-old boy hostage on their journey, which soon becomes a journey with just Costner and the boy. The little boy has never known his father and his childish innocence sparks fatherly feelings in Costner.

Meanwhile, Clint Eastwood is the Texas Ranger tracking them down. Eastwood knows about Costner's troubled past and although he must capture him, Eastwood has a certain level of sympathy for him personally as well. Gradually we see that there is a constant contrast between the flight and the manhunt, the fatherless and those who could fill the fatherly roles. This is an understated movie but it is hard to match its examination of good versus evil, the consequences of the past on the present, and the strength of its statement against senseless violence. Also probably Kevin Costner's best performance.

Coming tomorrow (hopefully):

Next: 6-10

Worth a Thousand Words

Snakes and Sails and Puppy-dog Tails

More brilliant photography from D.L. Ennis at Visual Thoughts ... click through to see more.

What can get me out of my sickbed?

Stopping to get gas on the way to work this morning, I suddenly started feeling kinda queasy, kinda headachey. Told myself that it was just allergy stuff, shake it off.

Nope. Thank goodness I work with Tom so that I could buzz his office when I realized this was getting worse and I couldn't drive myself home. He instantly whisked me away and after one of the absolutely most tortuous experiences I've ever had riding in a car (not his fault, solely due to my condition), I was home and free to succumb to this horrendous allergy attack. That is what I assume it was anyway.

This is when having an iPod is really great. When you wake up and feel the need for entertainment ... there is someone to read to you.

Chapter after chapter of The Onion Files from Podiobooks rolled through my ears. Why did I feel the need to only listen to a techno-thriller written and read by a Major General (yes, you read that right)? I don't know but his spy story read in those somewhat halting "general-ish" tones fit the bill.

Now, feeling better enough that I could listen to something else ... let's be truthful, I ran through all the chapters I had on the iPod and didn't want to turn on the computer to load on more ... I turned to the second SFFaudio conversation between Jesse and Scott.

As they are talking about all the new arrivals, I suddenly remembered the door bell ringing earlier, scaring the cat right off of my chest (so I was feeling somewhat better by that point). I remembered Voodoo Planet ... Already Dead ... Carnival by Elizabeth Bear ... and 52, PART 2 ... all supposed to be on their way to me from Scott.

I catapulted out of bed. Yep, a nice little box from Scott was right by the front door. The first of two shipments ... sweet. Uploading 52, Part 2 now (and Addison ... I need Part 1 back. I suppose that must wait until you get back from Ireland.)

And, by the way, I'm with Jesse ... Librivox rules. Depends on the readers, of course, and some are not that good but you get something by Andy Minter, Chip, Lee Eliott, or Karen Savage ... to mention just a few of the fantastic readers they have there ... and that's good listenin'. Just give The Invisible Man read by Alex Foster a try. You'll be glad you did.

Now, back to my bed for what I think will be the last of my allergy naps.

Weekend Joke

Because this is the weekend football begins ...

After spending all day watching football, Harry fell asleep in front of the TV and spent the whole night in the chair. In the morning, his wife woke him up.

"Get up dear," she said, "it's 20 to seven."

He awoke with a start and said, "In who's favor?"

And just because I liked it ... for those who aren't excited about football ... from Miss Cellania.

Worth a Thousand Words

Firehouse Dog by Belinda Del Pesco

Belinda is another HC favorite. Check out her wonderful art by clicking through on the link above.

Another Good Review for "Bringing the Gospel of Matthew to Life

Donna comments:

I have to thank you for posting several articles about this book. It just arrived and I've already jumped into it. It's fantastic...a wonderful commentary and what a great way to better understand the Scripture. I'm only on the 3rd chapter and I already want more scripture books by Martin! It's awesome, thanks

My pleasure Donna! I am remiss and have a few more thought provoking excerpts to post. Perhaps I can catch up this weekend.

You can read my review here. My excerpts can be found here.

Worth a Thousand Words

Taken by my pal DL who just got back from a Wyoming vacation. He said that the morning that he left for Wyoming, he had checked out the Pope’s prayer intentions for August and saw this:

That the human family may learn to respect God’s plan for the world and become ever more aware that Creation is God’s great gift.

That set his frame of mind for the trip and we can keep it in mind also as we take in these beautiful photos. Click on the photos for a nice big view and imagine yourself there in that wilderness ...






Ok, this wasn't taken by my pal but I liked it too.

New Editor for Texas Catholic

Well, well, imagine my delight at opening the most recent Texas Catholic and seeing a face I recognize and trust as the new editor!

Just personally speaking, I am thinking ... a new-ish bishop, a new editor who might put something in more than basketball team photos and straight feeds from the new services ... gee, I might actually begin reading Texas Catholic again. What a nice feeling! And Tom concurs.

Assam & Darjeeling: An "Essential" Sci-Fi/Fantasy Listen

According to ... me!

My review is over at SFFaudio. This is one of my very favorite books of 2008, whether audio or traditional.

I. Loved. It.

Go thou and listen likewise ...

Heavens to Betsy ... Thank You Anchoress!

Her link sent over 600 people my way yesterday. If you're new 'round here, then welcome and take a look around. We get into Catholic stuff, naturally with a name like this blog's, but also delve into ... well ... practically everything!

Worth a Thousand Words

"X" by Karin Jurick

I fell in love with John Singer Sargent's paintings when seeing them at the Chicago Art Institute. Clearly I am not alone. For more of Karin Jurick's art, which I know many readers of this blog enjoy, click through the link above.

"What is the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick."

Aye Carumba!

I generally avoid political convention coverage like the plague. In my mind it is like unto two groups of cavemen who are taking turns beating their chests and hooting at each other before engaging in real battle.

However, I must admit that I was intensely curious about Sarah Palin. So when Tom was flipping channels and we came across the end of Rudy Giuliani's speech (oh brother does he need different writers ...), we hung on for a bit to see what Palin's speech was like. I admit, I was hooked into it and watched the whole darned thing. I liked her sparkle. I did not like the occasional low blows dealt at their political opponents, which is why I generally eschew political speeches in the first place. Some of the comments were delivered in a straight foreward fashion and I have no problem with that ... but the other stuff. No thanks.

Anyway, I liked her spirit. I also never watch the debates. However, I am now intensely curious as to how this particular pit bull will show in the debate with Joe Biden.

Post Script
I must admit that I completely lost my heart to Piper last night. Adorable and never more so than in this clip which I saw at The Anchoress.



Post Post Script
I have heard that some people are mystified by women's support of Sarah Palin. I can tell them that anyone who is pro-life has to admire the way that she lives her convictions. This column from First Things sums it up nicely. This is just a bit so do go read it all. (Thanks to David Scott for calling it to my attention!)

[...]

I will vote for Sarah Palin because she has guts. We’ve never met, but I suspect I know something about her life, and so do a great many other women. I know what it means to have a son with Down syndrome. I know what it means to talk a good line about religious faith and then be asked to prove it. I know what it means to have a daughter pregnant and unmarried.

In fact, while we’re on the subject, I also know what it means to have two grandchildren born out of wedlock, a son struggling with alcohol, two grandchildren with serious disabilities, putting myself through graduate school while simultaneously caring for a husband and children and teaching full time—and a whole lot more. This is the stuff of real human love; this is the raw material of family life. And those who think that Palin’s beliefs and family struggles are funny or worth jeering at, simply reveal the venality of their own hearts.

I will vote for Sarah Palin because she is intelligent, tenacious and talented. Nobody made her rise easy, and no one is making it easy now. And—is it only moms who notice this?—unlike Senator Biden, she does seem to act consistently on her beliefs about the sanctity of life, at considerable personal cost.

[...]

The Value of Service

Via my brother, who knows a thing or two about military service ... comes this inspirational story and a look at the President as a man. Here's a bit, then go read the whole thing.

[...]

A short time later, the Secret Service opened the door and President Bush walked in. I thought we might get to shake his hand as he went through. But instead, he walked up to my wife with his arms wide, pulled her in for a hug and a kiss, and said, "I wish I could heal the hole in your heart." He then grabbed me for a hug, as well as each of our sons. Then he turned and said, "Everybody out."

A few seconds later, the four of us were completely alone behind closed doors with the President of the United States and not a Secret Service agent in sight.

He said, "Come on, let's sit down and talk." He pulled up a chair at the side of the room, and we sat down next to him. He looked a little tired from his trip, and he noticed that his shoes were scuffed up from leaning over concrete barriers to shake hands and pose for photos. He slumped down the chair, completely relaxed, smiled, and suddenly was no longer the President - he was just a guy with a job, sitting around talking with us like a family member at a barbeque.

[...]

U.S. Bishops Exhibit Backbones in Face of Politicians' Misrepresentations of the Faith

It took Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden publicly proclaiming both their Catholic faith and then misrepresenting Church teachings to get the bishops to point these things out emphatically ... but there are now some very good resources on hand to set things straight.

• Respect for Unborn Human Life: The Church’s Constant Teaching: a fact sheet with a pdf available.
• Statement on Responsibilities of Catholics in Public Life
• “Happy Are Those Who Are Called to His Supper”: On Preparing to Receive Christ Worthily in the Eucharist

As well, there is a novena which the bishops have asked American Catholics to pray before the elections ... as many times as one feels moved to do so. I like to see this emphasis on prayer as well as on proper understanding of Catholic responsibilities when voting and prayerful consideration.

• Novena for Faithful Citizenship: this is available in pdf, text, or podcast formats.

A Great Way to Engage Children in the Mass: Hear My Voice

Obviously, with two kids in college I am way past the age where I'd need this book. However, I still remember vividly how difficult it was for little ones to get through that hour sometimes.

Hear My Voice strikes me as a very good way to help children begin to have an understanding of what the adults are talking about in the Gospel readings and homilies that follow. I received a galley to read and can vouch for exactly what the publisher describes:

These passages are suggested for parents to read with children the evening before mass. As the hectic schedule of our Saturdays winds down, take time to shift gears for the time we put aside for worship, reflection and communion. Including your children in the message of the mass with a reading and discussion of the week's gospel will make the mass a shared experience of hearing God's word for both parent and child. These translations are also an extraordinary teacher's aid for Sunday school and children's bible study. Each passage is translated in large text that is inviting to the beginning reader, and is printed side-by-side with the adult text for comparison, explanation and parents' review.

These pages are not fictionalized children's stories, they are translations of Jesus' story, true to His message. They are not sugar-coated or watered-down; children can understand the truth in God's word when it is simply written for their reading level, offered in their cadence and vocabulary. Even educated adults often find the language of the Gospels difficult to fully understand, and often turn to study guides and footnotes to wring more understanding out of words written in an old English voice so far removed from our own daily language. The voice of these stories is not changed to be hip or to use today's slang. The gravity and holiness of God's word demands better than that. But there is no reason for outdated and too-advanced language to stand between our children and Jesus' message. Adults as well, have gained insights into the passages through the shared process of bringing the word to children.

This is a really wonderful resource not only in helping children understand the Gospel but in relating it to their own lives. I also really liked that the reading as it would be heard in the church was printed alongside the children's version ... and that the pages are labeled by their place in the liturgical calendar. This not only helps prepare the family for mass but gives them something to discuss later. I could envision remembering a key point of the homily that might relate to the reading done with children the night before for conversations on the way home. Thus one sets the pattern for the entire family of thoughtful participation in the Mass.

You don't have to take my word for it though. Four sample spreads are available to read in pdf format ... just go here and click on any picture you like to see the whole spread.

Hear My Voice will be published in October in preparation for the new liturgical year. Click through on the image below to buy a copy from the publisher.

Highly recommended.

Worth a Thousand Words

How to Tie a Bow Tie by Edward B. Gordon

Not only do I love this painter's style, but I love the fact that he captures everyday people in ordinary activities. That is something we don't see often in modern art, or so it seems to me. Click through on the link above for more art from life all around us.

Effortless ... and Brilliant

Via Deacon Greg who also loves good advertising.

Listening Notes

A little of this 'n' that about SFFaudio's new podcast, the Martian Chronicles, Principally Catholic, and Two Edge Talk ... all over at Forgotten Classics.

Ah, Someone Who Appreciates Book Design!

Upon opening the book, however, one is truly treated to an example of very fine book design. The font is delicate (so may not make ideal unaided reading for those readers with vision problems) and all the text and illustrations are in a brown ink, rather than black, on a creamy matte paper. The font is really very nice, indeed. ...

Biblicalia actually noticed the design in their review of Mike Aquilina's newest book Signs and Mysteries. I find that quite gratifying as I did the interior design. The publisher actually chose the brown ink which I'd have either done in a deeper color as that font is quite delicate ... or, if I'd have known, I'd have chosen a stronger version of the face for easier reading. That's all water under the bridge, however ...

The review is quite thorough as you can imagine and very positive overall. Here's a bit but do go read the rest.

... It is not intimidating scholarship, not overpowering and jargon-laden, and is thus perfect for those who know nothing about the subject of early Christian art and the symbols employed therein. Those who will appreciate learning what their ancestors in the Faith were up to with all these anchors, ankhs, and alphas will be well repaid for their time spent within the pages of this truly lovely little book. ...

I am reading a chapter each morning with breakfast and will begin sharing some tidbits with y'all soon. The reviewer is quite right ... this book is a delight that many will both enjoy and profit from.

Chicago a la Rose

Rose at home with her living room view ...
Columbia College's student lodgings sure aren't what I experienced back in the day at K.U.

Daybook for Labor Day 2008

I am wondering... about a new project that has occurred to me. Just mulling it over at the moment. Letting it marinate. (Because I need more things to do, right? ha!)

I am thankful for... this long weekend in which to recover from all the traveling last week.

From the kitchen... yesterday I made Potato Rolls and a Turkey Stew from Piedmont and today will be trying out a recipe for Creamy Horseradish Potato Salad. Somehow I am a cooking fiend lately.

I am creating... a new podcast for this week.

I am reading... The Duchess Who Wouldn't Sit Down: An Informal History of Hospitality ... a backwards trip through history via different characters who the author uses to illustrate his points about how hospitality illustrates our relationships to each other. Very interesting. For instance, I never thought of how Hitler entertained during the weekend ...

I am hoping... to be very productive next week. Also, to talk to Hannah today. Can you believe they have school today at A&M? Taking Labor Day off is for sissies, evidently. So I'm trying to gauge when she'll be out of class...

I am hearing... the sound of silence. And it's a beautiful thing.

One of my favorite things... is having this long, lazy day off of work.

Blog Stories I'm Saving to Read Later
The "read more" link takes you to a spot where these stories and more are collected. Clicking through on each headline takes you to the story on each individual blog.

Little Known facts About Sarah Palin

I am dying laughing ... these are great ... here are a few to whet your appetite, then click through for many, many more.

Little known fact: Sarah Palin makes Andrew Sullivan regret some key life choices.

Little Known Fact: Sarah Palin is the only woman who can make Tony Romo WIN a playoff.

Little Known Fact: Sarah Palin knows how old the Chinese gymnasts are.

Little Known Fact: Sarah Palin wears glasses lest her uncontrollable optic blasts slaughter everyone.

Little Known Fact: Sarah Palin doesn’t need a gun to hunt. She has been known to throw a bullet through an adult bull elk.

Little known fact: Sarah Palin is on loan from the Justice League.

Little known fact: If placed into Schroedinger’s experiment, both Sarah Palins remain alive.

Much thanks to Scott Nehring for these ... I'm tellin' ya, that guy knows just what I like (which is somewhat of a mystery considering just how often we disagree about movies)!

Worth a Thousand Words

Sparrow by my favorite "heartland" photographer, Hey Jules!

Life Without the Kids Around

We really don't like that "empty nester" label so we are not going to use it here.

Do we miss them and love the kids? Of course! We enjoy each and every phone call or email. We still discuss them all the time.

We find that having the pets back home provides a needed transition of having someone to do something for. Which need is rapidly diminishing ... especially as the cat decided to express her displeasure with my timing adjustment of her early-morning routine by squatting on the carpet in front of us. She then discovered just how accurately Tom can throw his glasses (thank heavens the coffee cup wasn't the closest thing to him!). We later saw her peering around the corner from Rose's door and even her much-loved canned cat food isn't luring her out.

I also have discovered that when I clean off the hearth or table in the back room ... it stays cleaned off! It's like magic!

It is a funny thing to feel that one has so much more free time because the kids are largely self-sufficient when at home. They drive themselves places, do their own errands (for the most part), and such like.

I will say that, at least in these first few days, it's like a second honeymoon. Quite wonderful to have all this time with one's spouse ...

Off the Map: There's a Couple of Hours I'll Never Get Back

Why take one hour to say what you could say in two, especially when one has so many gorgeous shots of New Mexico to scatter around?

For that matter, why say much at all? Why not just generously scatter some very quirky characters around, being sure not to add much depth to them, and then get some very talented actors to portray them?

I am not sure where I read the review that led to me putting Off the Map on my movie list but they've got some 'splainin' to do.

At least Schultze Gets the Blues and .... oh, that terribly depressing movie about the nursing home ... were rented on the strength of their trailers.

Recommendation: if you want to go to Taos and be wooed by the scenery, rent this movie. Otherwise, avoid at all costs.

Yes, Virginia, There Is a Happy Catholic

That is what flashed through my mind when reading Sister Julie's comment of our meeting earlier this week. (I'm talking about #3 in this post.) She cracks me up!

Worth a Thousand Words

PB&J No.12 by Duane Keiser

How does he do that? I mean, you could pick that sandwich up and take a big bite, couldn't you? For more fantastic paintings, click through the link above.

'Tis the Season for ... Bipartisan Truths

You Know You're a Republican If ...
Your father warned you about marrying a gold digging babe...unless she signs a prenuptial agreement.

You Know You're a Democrat If ...
Your mother warned you against marrying a man who is so focused on his career and making money he has no time for soul-searching conversations.

You Know You're a Republican/Democrat If...

Sarah Palin ... Where Have I Heard That Name Before?

I see that John McCain has picked Alaska governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate.

Alaska governor ... Palin ... that rings a bell ... oh, right! The Palins earned my respect and admiration with their reaction to learning that their baby might have Down Syndrome when born.

Once her husband got the news, he told her: "We shouldn't be asking, 'Why us?' We should be saying, 'Well, why not us?'"

There was never any doubt the Palins would have the child, and on April 18 she gave birth to Trig Paxon Van Palin.

I see that the original AP story link isn't active any more so here is the link to what I featured at the time.

Worth a Thousand Words

A Penguin Bento* Box
from Cooking Cute, via SlashFood.

Who wouldn't love to open their lunch box and see this? (*Bento is a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal often used in Japan.)

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

And only 147 emails to read!

(Not counting the 292 in Junk Mail, of course.)

We got Rose moved into her posh new place in Chicago and it sure wasn't easy! As an institution that organizes move-ins, Columbia College is a dandy fine arts school. Sheez! However, it is done and Rose's apartment is much nicer than we could have expected. Floor to ceiling windows in the living room and bedroom, on the side that does not have the "El" running by every few minutes. In face, there is a lovely old clock tower to look at just down the street.

I was also happy to be strolling around the neighborhood with her and to get south of Roosevelt Street. The neighborhood begins to look a bit right before that but suddenly perks up again with redone condos, restaurants, and a full-size Jewel-Osco grocery store. We went in on Monday evening and the place was hopping with a truly diverse clientele which just reinforced the vibrant feel of the neighborhood.

As one might expect, Rose is a bit homesick but hopefully when classes begin she will be so busy that she won't have time to miss home. This is exacerbated some by the fact that her roommate, a very nice girl, has parents who still haven't left ... although their daughter was moved in two days ago. I understand wanting to get things just right but at some point one simply must let go. The roommate's time is being taken up with her parents when she could be exploring her new surroundings and getting to know her roommate (which would be Rose!) and her neighbors a bit better. Ah well ... at any rate. They leave today for their 20-hour trip to Colorado. (Perhaps they were just putting off the inevitable, dreaded drive back.)

A big highlight of the trip was our visit to Loyola Press. After corresponding with Michelle for a long time (and getting some great review books, natch) it was such a pleasure to meet her in person. She generously spent a lot of her busy day with us and, selfishly, I enjoyed every bit of it. We hit it off right away and I loved getting to talk face-to-face, which surely is a luxury these days!

We got a tour of the building and I also got to meet a great many very kind people. I am terrible with names but have firmly in mind the many smiling faces and interesting conversation of all who we met. Two whose names I do remember because I can give you links are Tom McGrath, author of Raising Faith-Filled Kids and Sister Julie, the blogger behind A Nun's Life.

I simply love Chicago and we did not get to spend nearly enough time there. To those who we didn't get to meet, most notably Paul and Marty, this trip was all about Rose. (The Loyola visit had been rescheduled so many times that you don't want to know, believe me.) When we come to pick her up we'll get together for a group lunch, maybe? Or some such thing so that we can all meet up. I know there are a bunch of other Chicago bloggers out there, such as Therese Z. who proudly puts "Chicagoland" as her location.

At any rate, back to Rose ... here's something from the movie that I watch when I'm feeling down. Nothing like watching Ripley kick some alien butt to life one's spirits, I always say ...

Back on Thursday

We're off to Chicago to take Rose to Columbia College.

I'm looking forward to getting to Chicago again and meeting up with a few folks there. I'm not looking forward to saying goodbye to Rose but I know she's going to have a fantastic time ...

Any prayers for our safe traveling will be much appreciated and we'll talk again soon!

While I'm Gone ...
Here's some good reading. Click through the story links to go to the blog. Click the "read more" link to see additional stories I've marked for my own reading.

Happy Families and Kids Going to College

All happy families resemble one another, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.

Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

That quote has more wisdom than one might think.

As part of a happy family, I instantly recognized this sentiment from Another Espresso Please when telling of dropping off their son for his second year at college.

Why is it that a nineteen year old is supposed to WANT to cut all contact with his family, to strike out in a solo free fall in independence? Why do people say aw, but nudge with a wink when they hear of a kid who has just well, left, for good. Why is it considered "weird" not to, or as parents are you considered "helicopter parents" if you cry when you say goodbye?

Are we freaks?

Maybe, I guess. I like to say we are nurturing parents who love our kids and see them for the amazing people they have grown up to be and, shhhh, LIKE them! And that the kid(s) are nice young people who are generous and kind enough to endure their parent's desire to be with them and actually enjoy it a little bit as well.

So the question comes again: Why is it that to be and stay connected to family is considered somehow suspect or freaky?

We actually enjoy spending car rides with each other, though I must say that we probably would prefer it if Chicago could manage to be a bit closer than 16 hours driving distance (and just think how lucky they would be to be that much closer to Texas!). We leave tomorrow to take Rose to college there.

Go read that article and just consider that we echo it with, of course, our own family's quirks in place of theirs. Lucky happy families that we are. God has blessed us.

Four Books I Began and Now Must Read ...

I don't have time to read these books now but I got them, read the first chapter of each, and then realized they are so good that I must put them on my "to read" stack. So many books, so little time ...

I list them here so that if your "to read" stack is not as tall as mine then you may find and begin them sooner. They look fantastic, I'm tellin' ya.

The Word Made Fresh: Communicating Church and Faith Today
by Meredith Gould
I'm a fan of Meredith's books. However, the title made this look like something I should pass along to our deacon so he can lend it out to the church's office staff. I should have known better. The first chapter alone had some good, solid spiritual commentary that made me realize, "The deacon can't have this book! I have to read it myself!" Also, practically speaking, any Catholic blogger is also in the business of communications for the Church. So there might be some good tips for us bloggers in here as well.

A Well-Built Faith: A Catholic's Guide to Knowing and Sharing What We Believe
by Joe Paprocki
I'm looking at the cover to this book and thinking, "Another book explaining Catholicism! We've got enough!" Well, no, we don't and it only took the first chapter for me to see that. Joe Paprocki uses plenty of real life examples and the four pillars of the Catechism to write in an engaging way about our faith ... and it got me interested and looking at a couple of things afresh. Good stuff there...

Life of Christ
by Fulton Sheen
This one needs no introduction to me. I have read it halfway through several times! A spiritual classic written by one of America's great communicators, Archbishop Fulton Sheen, this melds the four Gospels and looks at Christ's life as a whole. Brilliant. I am going to take this as a prompt to finally pick it up again and finish it. Highly recommended. (For samples of this book, look for this tag. I see that I have excerpted it extensively.)

Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton Sheen
This one didn't need any selling to me (see Life of Christ commentary above). However, I dutifully read the first chapter and realized that if anyone was a patron saint for bloggers, it might well be Fulton Sheen (yes, I know he isn't a saint yet). His commentary in Life of Christ always seemed very humble and I am looking forward to reading this book which looks as if it is told more from an interior point of view than being events-based.

Baton Twirling, Ribbon Twirling, and Contortionists

You know, I can go to the circus and see that sort of thing. It is not really what I would call a "sport" and certainly not what I am looking for in the Olympics. (Which mirrors my disgust for ice dancing.)

I'm not necessarily opposed to new sports in the Olympics. The BMX racing last night definitely required athletics to just make it to the finish line, never mind in what order.

But this rhythmic gymnastics? No. I don't think so.

Next we'll be having dance recitals with gold medalists.

Happy Birthday, Dear Hannah!

Hannah's is at A&M today...we celebrated her birthday last week. She called last night and made this mother proud because she made herself a Chocolate Cheesecake. I know this because she called from the store last night with questions about chocolate cookie crumbs. I said, "But you don't have a springform pan." She replied, "I have one now!" (Yes, that's my daughter!)

I'm am repeating this birthday post from last year of the things she loves best ... nope, not cake ... simply lots and lots o' critters. I found them irresistibly cute so wanted to see them again. I am betting Hannah will like them too.

Happy birthday and we miss you, Hannah!

Cat Closeup

Goose

Colt

Mallard in Flight

Bunny

Friends

Pelican

Dinner Guest

Crystal River Heron

Hawk Landing

Pink Dolphin

Geese

Christianity and Cheeseburgers

You can always count on Jen at Conversion Diary to have a real-life way to consider your faith.

There are just enough cheeseburgers for the family, her little neighborhood friends stop in, everyone is hungry ... what do you do ... what do you do?

Jen isn't telling until tomorrow but she's inviting everyone to tell what they would do in her comments box. I just left the solution that popped into my head ... go read the whole thing and then think about what you would do.

Worth a Thousand Words

Red Door
2008 D L Ennis, All rights reserved. Visual Thoughts
Used by permission. Click through on the link for more fabulous photography.

27 min., 21 sec. !

That's what happens when you have the Set Game in a set of bookmarks, toward the back, and finally work your way around to that tab.

On the plus side, the second time through my time was much better ... 1 min., 53 sec. ... still shamefully slow considering I'd done it once already that day!

Now and Forever by Ray Bradbury

In some ways the most interesting part of the two novellas that make up this book are Ray Bradbury’s introductions. He explains that both “Somewhere the Band is Playing” and “Leviathan ‘99″ have their origins in his long ago days as a Hollywood screenwriter. These explanations hang on in the listener’s mind and provide insights and color for the stories that follow. ...

My review of the audio book is up at SFFaudio. Highly recommended for Ray Bradbury aficionados!

There Will Be Blood ... and Judgment

Blood and Judgment
by Lars Walker

After reading a great review for Wolf Time by Lars Walker I turned to the library to see what they might have by him. Turns out they had only one book ... Blood and Judgment.

A combination of Shakespeare, fantasy, time travel, and parallel universes, this is an action-filled book that manages to also examine relativism, political correctness, honesty in education, and many more issues of our time.

The story in a nutshell is that in the midst of putting on a local production of Hamlet, the entire cast is whisked off to the "universe" where Hamlet is real. It turns out that there really was a person upon who Hamlet's character was based. He and the actor playing Hamlet wake up having had their souls put in each others' bodies ... which are also in different dimensions from each other (so to speak).

If this sounds confusing, it accurately reflects my state of mind as I delved into the book. I really enjoyed the beginning when the author took enough time to introduce to some characters, allowed them to interact enough to examine ideas, and gave us background on motivations. However, once the dimensional "switch" took over, I felt as if just when I started enjoying a scene the author was grabbing me by the hand and telling me to "no more time for that; run over here and see this!" I am no expert but I believe that more time taken with the characters, as well as fewer characters and subplots would have been a plus. Or perhaps a much longer book in order to adequately allow Walker to discuss all the ideas therein. It did not need to be densely packed as Eifelheim but it simply was not fair to the author's concepts to handle them in a book this short. More importantly, this author has something to say about Christians and Christianity that needs more space and discussion so that it doesn't just "preach to the choir" but opens others' minds to the elemental concepts here.

I did enjoy this book. It just was not all that it could have been and the potential was clearly on display which became a frustration toward the end. I definitely will be on the lookout for others of Walker's books, hoping that they are not as rushed.

Worth a Thousand Words

Red-Backed Sandpiper, taken by Remo Savisaar.
Click through the link for more amazing photography.

Canadian Price Gouging

Quick background ... Schering-Plough is building a new factory that will open next year to provide that allergy-fighting wonder, Drixoral, to the yearning American masses. Many people besides us can testify that Drixoral works when most other products don't. In the meantime, Schering-Plough has shut down the only American plant that did manufacture Drixoral (the logic of this move escapes us), leaving us wandering blindly through pharmacy aisles buying whatever we can get our hands on that might work halfway well. Which is not much, let me tell you.

I turned to the internet and began buying Drixoral from Canadian providers because their Drixoral plant is working perfectly well and they are more than willing to exchange drugs for dollars (so to speak).

The average cost for a package of 20 Drixoral tablets - $11.99. Fairly comparable to the U.S. price of $9.99 that I was paying at Krogers.

Until last night.

Tom went cruising to make an order and found that those same 20 tablets are now $46.99.

Oy veh!

Assiduous searching can find a Canadian supplier here or there who is not making hay while the sun shines but they are few and far between. Far more are charging anywhere from $35 on up for 20 tablets.

Shameful.

How do you know when it's been too long since you've played the Set Game?

When it takes 5 minutes, 15 seconds to find all 6 sets.

Aargh!

I used to be in 2 minutes or less territory. Must play daily ... must play daily ...

Now This is Just What I've Been Looking For!

Introducing the new Bio-Optic Organized Knowledge device–trade-named: B.O.O.K.

BOOK is a revolutionary breakthrough in technology: no wires, no electric circuits, no batteries, nothing to be connected or switched on. It’s so easy to use, even a child can operate it.

Compact and portable, it can be used anywhere — even sitting in an armchair by the fire — yet it is powerful enough to hold as much information as a CD-ROM disc....

I. Love. This.

Read the rest at Coffee Klatch.

Worth a Thousand Words

57 Chevy Bel Air by James Neil Hollingsworth
Click through on the link above for more wonderful art.

Amazed by monsters ...

[...] Some remain unexplained. Some are laughable. Some are both. But they don't bother me at all. It's not that I believe in them. Or don't. But their existence would fit quite nicely into my view of things.

I just love the documentaries of monsters and mysterious beasts you see on the History Channel or A&E. I really do. You have the 50 year old pot bellied hunter standing in the woods recounting his tale of how he narrowly escaped death at the hands of a (insert monster here) and even though his camera was around his/her neck they just didn't think of it in time. If only, huh?

But then they cut to the man or woman in glasses and a sweater who, sitting in their air conditioned office at some local college, explain how this sighting could easily be explained away as the work of imagination (meaning a case of beer), or just fabrication entirely (meaning that ol' son of a gun is lyin' through his teeth.) Then they talk about how little chance there is that something exists which we don't know about yet.

I know it says something about me. Perhaps I have a strong anti-authoritarian streak in me but I almost always find myself siding with the beer swiller in the woods mainly because we agree on one underlying principle: We don't know nuthin'. We agree fundamentally that there's more to this world than we think we know. The beer swilling hunter can still be amazed. [...]

Plus they've had the fun of drinking the beer. Which any Catholic can understand!

Creative Minority Report uses Bigfoot et al as a springboard into the nature of faith. Nice. Check it out.

Worth a Thousand Words

The Cloisters (Vertorama), originally uploaded by Paul Cook Photography.
Found at Flickr Scotland.

We finally caught up on Lost

So it turns out that Hannah is taking one of our cars to college (we have managed to inherit a couple from Tom's mom as she gave up driving) and all her stuff fit into the car! And she drove herself so we effectively have an extra day at home. Woohoo!

Also, our email is down. Which is a pain to Tom who is dealing with our server, but nice for me as I am cut loose from a couple of obligations I need to send out to people.

SO, Lost ... only three months after the finale. Ha!

1. Long ago I thought the guy in the coffin had to be Locke. Then they faked me out enough so that I figured it had to be someone else from the slender group of possibilities. Dang! I was right the first time.
   
   
2. Ben. So why does he give a rip about The Island? He can't go back. Why does he care at all? Rose says it is about vengeance for Alex. Huh. His heart doesn't have those layers. There is something else going on.
   
   
3. It was nice to see Desmond and Penny get to have a happy ending. Though I will be very sad not to see Desmond anymore.
   
   
4. When they moved The Island they didn't mess around, did they? I don't know what I expected but for sure I didn't expect it to essentially sink below the surface of the water. Now, that was an interesting concept ...
   
   
5. I guess the fact that Locke had been visiting people was the reason Kate was telling Aaron that she was sorry while sobbing prettily. Because she must be planning on going back.
   
   
6. I liked Hurley and Mr. Eko playing chess. Even if I had to imagine Mr. Eko. And Sayid ... his "safe place" surely must be The Island, right? Because he's working for Ben now?
   

All Hail Your Cyborg Queen ...

... or so The Anchoress would have us believe as she chants vespers for us during the retreat.

Myself, perhaps I have been assimilated and am so cyborg-ish that I couldn't hear it. I think she sounds lovely and I love that she cared enough to do this for us.

And, yes, Anchoress, we can now put you in our iPods and carry you with us wherever we go.

Do go listen. It was a real treat for me.

Thank you, Anchoress.

Jeffrey Overstreet's Insight into Woody Allen's Newest Movie

As he broadens his geographical interests beyond Manhattan, Allen's understanding of love seems to be narrowing. His work should be taking him deeper into complex and revealing stories about the heart. Instead, he's becoming more and more preoccupied with the lurid and the lewd. In the end, like Cristina, he comes away knowing only what he doesn't want, never managing even a glimpse of what he, his characters, or his audience, really need."

Jeffrey Overstreet reviews Vicky Cristina Barcelona at Christianity Today. He does a great job, as always, in a comprehensive review.

However, the excerpt above really struck me as this is something I have been noticing as well. It is sad, really, as one would have hoped that Allen's horizons would have broadened over the years. Of course, Allen has always been bewitched by sex, oftentimes to the exclusion of broader visions. And there is that old saying ... there's no fool like an old fool.

Worth a Thousand Words

Amish Farm Stand
from Chez Pim who has been touring Amish country lately

Are We Remembering to Retreat?

The Anchoress is working her fingers to the bone, or so it would seem to me, to give us five or six daily helpings of good material for contemplation.

I would start you off with a favorite but I honestly have gotten something great from each of them. So go do a little leisurely wandering through the great writing over there.

Well, I do have a favorite but it is a personal thing ... The Anchoress used Rose's presentation intended as a starting point for prayer in this post. Scroll to the bottom for the link. I watch it every few months and always find it a good reminder about Jeremiah and the fire inside.

Worth a Thousand Words

Wang Meng, The Simple Retreat
Click through on the link to read more about the artist at Lines and Colors.

God's Labyrinthine Ways Or Finding Joy in Unexpected Places

One of the things that I possibly have mentioned but not really dwelt upon is that one of God's great gifts to Tom and me have been friends. Many, many friends. Not that we were unlikable or anything but in today's increasingly busy and isolated world it was difficult to find friendships beyond the superficial ones of fellow "school parents."

What makes this extremely obvious in my mind is that one year we held Sunday Soup Suppers for several months. It was an open invitation, which I sent several times to a large group of people. We would have open house from 5:00-8:00 with a kettle of soup and accompanying breads and cheeses for any families who felt like dropping in. We weren't looking to become best friends with people but merely to deepen the acquaintances we already had. It was surprising how very few people took advantage of the offer. Those who did seemed to enjoy themselves, as did we, but it was clear that this was a concept that just didn't fit into the lifestyle of the people we knew. We chalked it up to experience and moved on, wondering how anyone can find a community these days.

However, once I participated in the Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) retreat all that began to change. Not only did I have my fellow "team" members of about 20 women who I got to know very well, but the people from the teams before and after mine were now among those "nodding acquaintances." Naturally, I became very close with a few of these people but went past the mere acquaintance stage with many others. The truly delightful part of this is that I likely never would have encountered most of these women outside the CRHP experience at that time. Many of them were young and single. Even the older ones (yes, around my age) were those I'd never even seen, which is not really surprising in a big parish like ours. Tom found the same thing when he went through CRHP in the session after mine, and then again, when he participated in the "road team" that helped the Ennis church begin the retreat in their parish. We didn't go into it for the "community," for the friends, but it was an unexpected side benefit that has enriched our lives immeasurably. God is so efficient in that way. What a multi-tasker!

It was friends from CRHP who asked if we had any interest in helping to bring the Beyond Cana marriage enrichment retreat to our parish. We jumped at that chance for our own reasons (What marriage is so good it doesn't need enrichment? Answer: none). However, we soon were reaping the unexpected benefits of "community" and new friends once again in meeting couples that we likely never would met otherwise. As well, again we also were making scores of new acquaintances.

Whew!

Still with me? Because that's all background ... not even the main story (yes, it's one of those posts!).

Last night I had one of the most delightful encounters ever and was thinking back this morning to trace just how it came about. If I hadn't stopped to do that, the title of this would be something about how giving of yourself brings greater rewards than you can imagine. Also very true, but not the whole story as we shall see.

The Beyond Cana retreat ends on Sunday with everyone attending the 11:00 Mass together. On the way there, for a variety of reasons, primary among them that I was reading in the car (I know better than that but did it stop me? No!) I suddenly felt so terrible that I had Tom drop me off at the house. Both girls ministered very lovingly to me and after one dashed to the Central Market for pomegranate soda and quesadilla supplies, I began to mend. I recovered by afternoon and then faced the dreadful fact that I was going to have to attend the 7:30 Mass. There's nothing wrong with that Mass at all. It was my sheer laziness at not wanting to leave the house in the evening. However, Hannah was already going and I had no excuse not to, so there we were. Outside, she ran into my friend, Grace, who later emailed me about their conversation ... and took that opportunity to ask Tom and me to be the "married couple" for a panel discussion with some Boy Scouts for their Piux XII medal which is about vocations.

Well, who better suited to answer those questions on the fly than a couple who has helped to put on five marriage enrichment retreats? We agreed, not dreading it but not looking forward to it either. It was a way to help out these boys so that was fine, one more thing to put on our schedule and dutifully take care of.

We showed up for the panel and it was an agreeable way to spend the evening. The boys were intelligent and had some good questions (for which our Beyond Cana training was quite helpful in articulating the vocation of marriage). The other panel members clearly also were intelligent and well spoken. They had considered their vocations in terms of how they were living their lives and their faith. Especially interesting for me was when Brother Anthony, who will take his first vows in a couple of weeks as a Cistercian monk, responded about the difficulties and blessings about his vocation. He was not necessarily saying anything I hadn't heard anywhere else, but he had an inner passion and clarity that was riveting. Equally interesting, although much more meandering, was the friar who is a hospital chaplain and was much older. He had many good things to say about vocation as well, we just took a more scenic path getting there. And scenic is just fine. It makes life interesting.

The person I was most interested in hearing about, though, was Susan whose description was "transitional single." What the heck was a transitional single? Turns out that in this case, it is someone who focussed on career to the exclusion of considering marriage in the past, but now is open to the married life (if I have this right). She impressed me with her concise, well thought out, and complete answers.

Something that one of the panel moderators, my friend Grace, pointed out to the boys in concluding is that a common thread of everyone's conversation had been "community." That struck me as I had just been forcibly struck at Mass last Sunday by how many people I knew in the pews all around us. They were Beyond Cana couples, CRHP friends, and, yes, those "regulars" who always sit near us and who we now chat with occasionally due to long familiarity. How connected we were to community and how important it was in our lives. How good God is to bring us all together in worship to remind us that community, family, is a necessary joy.

After the panel was done and the cookies were being passed around, Susan approached Tom because she recognized his name as the person who prints out our parish newsletter, The Spirit. She mentioned that she is the new editor. I was instantly thrilled. For several years, that newsletter has devolved to the point of being a depository for out of date Girl Scout photos and the like. No one I knew read it at all. Then the June/July issue came out and I saw with delight that it had substantive articles, well written, and with depth that made me print it out to read. This was that person! Woohoo! (Go take a look at that issue in the sidebar for the link above ... we'll wait ... this woman is a brilliant writer who engaged me with St. Paul's life in the main article.)

She looked pleased and, as we began talking, I brought up a project I was working on that we could coordinate with each other. I gave her my card. Y'all will find this funny but my card has my phone number, email, the blogs, and my podcast. (Tom was tired of me constantly scribbling on the backs of old envelopes when I met people.) I was explaining away all the extraneous info and she asked about the podcast.

Then ... it happened.

I mentioned reading aloud China Court by Rumer Godden.

This was a hope beyond hope because no one I ever meet in person has ever heard of Rumer Godden. (It's a lonely world out there with just The Anchoress and me shoving Rumer Godden ... and Georgette Heyer ... in everyone's face all the time.) However, I am nothing if not loyal and stubborn so I still bring them up in conversation with people.

Her eyes widened, she smiled wider, and said, "Rumer Godden. She's so wonderful."

We sank into chairs and began talking books as fast as we possibly could.

We walked to our cars and still couldn't stop talking. One thing flowed into another, more connections were made, more similarities found. We finally tore ourselves away later into the evening. The one thing that we both made sure to do on the way out was to thank Grace for inviting us to be on the panel. In doing our duties by these Boy Scouts, and it must be noted, for our community, we had been given an extra gift that we would have otherwise missed. We don't even go to the same Mass. I barely recognized her as a lector from the few times we have gone to her regular Saturday Vigil Mass time.

It is such a wonderful thing when you "click" with a person in just a few minutes. Undeniably it is one of life's great pleasures. Something that leaves a smile on your face and your spirits high for long afterward. In a very real way, it is like falling in love ... that communion of souls that fills a gap we didn't know we had until then. What a surprise. What a joy.

And what a long route of coincidences it took to get me there. From CRHP ... to Beyond Cana retreats ... to feeling sick and attending a late mass ... to Hannah and Grace talking ... to Grace's need for married panel members. A long and winding road to be sure, in which this budding friendship is not the main point but surely one of the wonderful benefits along the way. Let me say it again ... God is so very efficient, such a multi-tasker. All for our good and, quite often, if we are open to it, for our joy.

These are the things that God has in store for us ... things that so often are beyond our imaginings ... things in which God knows we will delight and which He delights in giving. He is good. And I am grateful.

Days with My Father

Beautiful. Touching. Inspirational.

Real.

Take some time to admire the beautiful layout and photography, and most of all, the beautiful story of a father being told by his loving son.

Via Saint Superman.

Update: I also just saw the above blog being called perhaps the saddest blog I've ever read. Perhaps because I've lived with the idea of Alzheimer's for so long (my great-grandmother had it, my grandmother had it) that I've come to terms with the idea that it afflicts people the way it does? I looked at it as tribute from a son to his father, almost a celebration of the qualities he loves about his father, not the sadness of the father who often isn't (literally) himself.

In the News

A delegation of Episcopal priests from Fort Worth paid a visit to Catholic Bishop Kevin Vann earlier this summer, asking for guidance on how their highly conservative diocese might come into “full communion” with the Catholic Church.

Whether that portends a serious move to turn Fort Worth Episcopalians and their churches into Catholics and Catholic churches is a matter of dispute. The Rev. William Crary, senior rector of the Fort Worth diocese, confirmed that on June 16 he and three other priests met with Bishop Vann, leader of the Fort Worth Catholic diocese, and presented him a document that is highly critical of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.

The document states that the overwhelming majority of Episcopal clergy in the Fort Worth diocese favor pursuing an “active plan” to bring the diocese into full communion with the Catholic Church. ...

I was pretty surprised to read the above story in The Dallas Morning News. For those of us who are interested, Get Religion tracks down the whole thing. Very interesting indeed!

Worth a Thousand Words

Georgia Girl by Karin Jurick
Click through the link to see more engaging art from a HC favorite.

If Ancient Rome Had the Internet ...

... lifted from Miss Cellania.

The destruction of Pompeii in 79 AD is the most viewed video at YouTube. The first comment is..."OMG so cool! Volcanos ROCK!"

Attila the Hun has his own MySpace page. Nobody ever rejects his "invite a friend" emails.

The domain "gladiator.rome" sells for the record sum of 1,000,000 denarii.

"Naked Cleopatra" is the top search term on Google.

Unfortunately, the Queen of Egypt dies an early death after misunderstanding IT's call to embrace an ASP solution.

Websites like "handsome-literate-male-british-slave.com" pollute the search listings thanks to generous commissions at the "slaves.co.rome" affiliate program.

Roman programmers moan about projects outsourced to cheap coders in Mesopotamia.

The Colosseum is renamed the eBay Colosseum, with free wireless hot spots outside the lions cage restaurant.

Nobody invents a spam filter good enough for the House of the Vestals.