To talk on top of a flying hill

Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth—the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar. To talk on the top of a hill is superb, but to talk on the top of a flying hill is a fairy tale.

G.K. Chesterton, The Club of Queer Trades

I now want to ride on top of a double decker bus.

Casual Acquaintance

Casual Acquaintance by Karin Jurick

microShifts by Gary Jansen

This book encourages you to take a look at a few things you might take for granted and consider making small, simple, and incremental changes—something that I like to call MicroShifts—that over time can lead to radical transformation in your mind, body, and soul. ...

This book is about practical spiritual transformation. ... As St. Ignatius taught, the spiritual life isn't something separate from everyday life: it is everything and everyone. Which means that even minor changes that you make to your exterior life can have an important impact on your deeper, inner life. And vice versa.

This is a little book, as befits the topic of making little changes to effect transformation. It might be the perfect book for the New Year since this is when we all have something in the back of our minds that we'd like to change, even if it is only getting up when the alarm goes off instead of hitting snooze.

Author Gary Jansen gives examples from his own life, popular culture, and the Bible, along with tips and prompts to help you start shifting your own life into a better path. I particularly enjoyed his chapters "Learn From Your Enemies" and "Be Brave Enough to Have No Opinion." Sometimes we have big changes thrust upon us (a new baby, moving to a new city for a job) but most of the time life is made up of small habits and routines. MicroShifts is the perfect book for recognizing how effective change really works in our lives.

Piling houses on top of each other, front doors and all.

There is something entirely Gargantuan in the idea of economising space by piling houses on top of each other, front doors and all. And in the chaos and complexity of those perpendicular streets anything may dwell or happen, and it is in one of them, I believe, that the inquirer may find the offices of the Club of Queer Trades.

G.K. Chesterton, The Club of Queer Trades

I recently reread this short story collection and really loved the little ways that Chesterton stood things on their heads - as he was famous for doing. He begins at the beginning by doing that very thing as we see above.

Le pont de l'Europe

Le pont de l'Europe, 1889, Louis Anquetin

American Catholic History Podcast

American Catholic History finds the hidden gems and compelling stories of Catholic Americans who have contributed to their nation by virtue of their faith over the past three centuries. In less than 10 minutes per episode, American Catholic History will introduce you to the amazing men and women who came to these American shores and were born here and contributed in ways both great and small, celebrated and unheralded.

I just discovered this podcast and have really been enjoying it. The topics range from people (Frank Capra, James Longstreet, Babe Ruth) to places (Loretto Staircase, St. Mary's in Galveston) to events (Annie Moore as the first immigrant to pass through the gates of Ellis Island). At about 10 minutes per episode it is short enough to fit into any schedule.

Get it at SQPN or iTunes.

For the Life of the World by Alexander Schmemann

A Christian is the one who, wherever he looks, finds Christ and rejoices in him. And this joy transforms all his human plans and programs, decisions and actions, making all his mission the sacrament of the world's return to him who is the life of the world.

This book was literally pressed into my hands by my spiritual director and I read it slowly it over several months. The author was an Eastern Orthodox priest but any Christian can get a great deal of insight and inspiration from this wonderful book. He looks at the connection between daily life and the sacraments and liturgy of the church. As a result, we are repeatedly drawn into fresh realizations about how present God is in everyday life ... and how connected that is with the liturgy.

I realize that doesn't make it sound very exciting. But it is. Chalk it up to my inability to properly describe this book which gave me some revelatory moments. This is lengthy but gives a sense of the book.

Man is a hungry being. But he is hungry for God. Behind all the hunger of our life is God. All desire is finally a desire for Him. To be sure, man is not the only hungry being. All that exists lives by "eating." The whole creation depends on food. But the unique position of man in the universe is that he alone is to bless God for the food and the life he receives from him. He alone is to respond to God's blessing with his blessing. ...

Centuries of secularism have failed to transform eating into something strictly utilitarian. Food is still treated with reverence. A meal is still a rite—the last "natural sacrament" of family and friendship, of life that is more than "eating" and "drinking." To eat is still something more than to maintain bodily functions. People may not understand what that "something more" is, but they nonetheless desire to celebrate it. They are still hungry and thirsty for sacramental life.

It is not accidental, therefore, that the biblical story of the Fall is centered again on food. Man ate the forbidden fruit. The fruit of that one tree, whatever else it may signify, was unlike every other fruit in the Garden: it was not offered as a gift to Man. Not given, not blessed by God, it was food whose eating was condemned to be communion with itself alone, and not with God. It is the image of the world loved for itself, and eating it is the image of life understood as an end in itself.

This is one of the most inspirational books I've ever read. I may just begin again at the beginning.

Bishop Robert Barron on The Two Popes

The new and much-ballyhooed Netflix film The Two Popes should, by rights, be called The One Pope, for it presents a fairly nuanced, textured and sympathetic portrait of Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis) and a complete caricature of Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI). This imbalance fatally undermines the movie, whose purpose, it seems, is to show that old, grumpy, legalistic Benedict finds his spiritual bearings through the ministrations of friendly, forward-looking Francis. But such a thematic trajectory ultimately does violence to both figures, and turns what could have been a supremely interesting character study into a predictable and tedious apologia for the film-maker’s preferred version of Catholicism.

That we are dealing with a caricature of Ratzinger becomes clear when, in the opening minutes of the film, the Bavarian cardinal is presented as ambitiously plotting to secure his election as pope in 2005. On at least three occasions, the real Cardinal Ratzinger begged John Paul II to allow him to retire from his position as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and to take up a life of study and prayer.

Bishop Robert Barron's review of The Two Popes,

Catholic Herald

I haven't seen The Two Popes because all the other reviews I read gave me the clues to what Bishop Barron spells out. Barron's review looks at the missed opportunities that would have made this a more accurate film and also a film that honestly let people see both popes.

The Magi

The Magi by J.C. Leyendecker, magazine illustration from 1900
via J.R.'s Art Place

Best of Rereading and Rewatching — 2019

How long's it been since you reread or rewatched these? Pardner, that's too long.

My top picks from last year. In no particular order.

Sita Sings the Blues

A creative delight. The Indian story of The Ramayana told three ways,
all from Rama's wife's point of view ... the titular Sita.
(My review here.)

The Lunchbox

Mistaken lunch deliveries connect a young housewife and a widower
when they send each other notes in the lunchbox.

Lootera

Loosely based on an O'Henry story. With redemption in the end.

(My review here.)

Lagaan

Peasants versus the Raj in an epic cricket match.
Charming and a celebration of the human spirit.

(My review here.)

The Curse of Chalion

by Lois McMaster Bujold

A bedraggled, galley ship survivor is caught, despite his best efforts to the contrary,
in the middle of royal intrigue. Plus getting errands from the gods.  
(My review here.)

Paladin of Souls

by Lois McMaster Bujold

Sequel to Curse of Chalion, from Ista's point of view. Maybe even better than the first book.

(More here.)

The Killer Angels

by Michael Shaara

Simply amazing in communicating the humanity, flaws, errors, and brotherhood of these men fighting at Gettysburg ... and the tragedy of the battle.
(My review here.)

Andrea Vernon and the Corporation for Ultrahuman Protection

by Alexander C. Kane

Mixing the workplace, romance, and superheroes. Andrea sees all the action from behind-the-scenes at a corporation which manages their contracts and assignments. Which is very funny indeed.
(My review here.)

Mockingbird

by Walter Tevis

In the 25th century robots do all the work and no one can read. Paul has discovered how to read and this changes everything. There's no way to really describe this book well. Read my review and then read it for yourself.
(My review here.)

Best of 2019—Books

In 10 words or less, my top 10 picks from the over 160 books I read last year. You may find old books here but if they're on this list, then they were new to me! In no particular order.

Bollywood Kitchen

by Sri Rao

Home-cooked easy Indian meals paired with Bollywood films. 
(My review here.)

Bollywood: The Films! The Songs! The Stars!

DK Publishing

Stellar look at Bollywood history, background, and new movie resource.
(My review here.)

The Bayeaux Tapestry

by Lucien Musset

Full-colour reproduction of entire Tapestry with a detailed commentary.
(My review here.)

Lent

fantasy by Jo Walton

Priest Girolamo can see demons and cast them into Hell.
(My review here.)

Letter to a Suffering Church

(A Bishop Speaks on the Sexual Abuse Crisis )
by Bishop Robert Barron

Encourages Catholics to fight for the Church to be true to Christ.
(My review here.)

My Plain Jane

by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows

Funny, inventive, light, alternative history of Jane Eyre. With ghosts.

(My review.)

The Light of Christ

by Thomas Joseph White

A good dose of philosophy with your Catholic faith.
(My reviews here.)

Arrow of the Blue-Skinned God

(Retracing the Ramayana Through India )
by Jonah Blank

Retelling the Ramayana and linking it to Indian culture/history. 

(My full review)

The Last Dance

 by Martin L. Shoemaker

Investigating mutiny charges against captain of Martian spaceship. Heinlein-esque sf.
(My review here.)

The Pioneers

(The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West)
by David McCullough

Back when the West was Ohio. Interesting, inspiring, proud to be American.

 (More info here.)

Best of 2019 — Movies

In 10 words or less, my top 10 picks from the over 130 movies we watched last year. As always, the movies may be old, but my viewing was brand new in 2019. In no particular order.

Kahaani

Hollywood would be proud to make a thriller like this.
(My review here.)

Fan

Shah Rukh Khan plays his own stalker. Nail biting thriller.
(My review here.)

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

(A Match Made By God)

Solid comedy and sweet look at true love and marriage.
(My review here.)

Eega (Fly)

Heartwarming, thrilling story of a man reincarnated as a fly
so he can protect his love and take vengeance on his murderer.
(C'mon, no one can sum that up in 10 words).

(My review here.)

Piku

Crazy family's road trip from Delhi to Calcutta in a taxi.
(My review here.)

Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse

Genius animation—Spidermen from different universes in one great adventure.

Padmaavat

Epic interpretation of epic poem.
(My review here.)

Dor

Two women's lives become intertwined by unlikely, dire circumstances.
(My review here.)

Fighting With My Family

Funny, quirky, and thoughtful coming-of-age sports movie.
(My review here.)

Ram-Leela

Romeo and Juliet — Bollywood style.
(My review here.)

Anne of Green Gables on SFFaudio

Anne of Green Gables isn't science fiction or fantasy. So it seems like an unlikely combination until you realize that Jesse and Maissa are from Canada ... and are digging into their literary roots. Plus there is always Anne's fantastical imagination to consider! Evan and I came along for the ride. A fun discussion - get it here.

Jesse Tree — Day 23: O God With Us

The O Antiphons are Magnificat antiphons sung or recited at Vespers from December 17-23. Each antiphon is a name of Christ, one of his attributes mentioned in Scripture.

   

Day 22: O King of the Gentiles

Symbols: tablets of stone, chalice and host

Mosaic from the apse of Saint Sophia, the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington DC.
taken by Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P., some rights reserved

Isaiah 7:10-14; 33:22
Romans 8:20-24
John 1:1-18

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,
the hope of the nations and their Saviour:
Come and save us, O Lord our God.

Jesse Tree — Day 22: O King of the Gentiles

The O Antiphons are Magnificat antiphons sung or recited at Vespers from December 17-23. Each antiphon is a name of Christ, one of his attributes mentioned in Scripture.

   

Day 22: O King of the Gentiles

Symbols: crown, scepter

Detail from the beautifully carved great reredos, carved by Lee Lawrie, in the Episcopal Church of St Thomas on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Taken by Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P., some rights reserved

Genesis 2:7
Ezekiel 37:21-28
Isaiah 26:8-9, 40:31
Jeremiah 10:7
Haggai 2:7

O King of the nations, and their desire,
the cornerstone making both one:
Come and save the human race,
which you fashioned from clay.

Jesse Tree — Day 21: O Dayspring, Radiant Dawn

The O Antiphons are Magnificat antiphons sung or recited at Vespers from December 17-23. Each antiphon is a name of Christ, one of his attributes mentioned in Scripture.

Day 20: O Dayspring, Radiant Dawn

Symbols: sun rising or high in sky

This is the mosaic dome in the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington DC.
Taken by Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P., some rights reserved

Jer. 23:5
Zechariah 3:8; 6:12
Malachi 3:2
Luke 1:78-79
Hebrews 1:1-4
John 8:12

O Morning Star,
splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:
Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

At My Window

At my Window, Boulogne, William Powell Frith

Jesse Tree — Day 20: O Key of David

The O Antiphons are Magnificat antiphons sung or recited at Vespers from December 17-23. Each antiphon is a name of Christ, one of his attributes mentioned in Scripture.

   

Day 19: O Root of Jesse

Symbols: key, broken chains

Medieval Limoges enamel of the Harrowing of Hell, by which the Risen Lord Jesus frees Adam and Eve and the patriarchs from the jaws of death. This piece is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Taken by Fr. Lawrence Lew O.P., some rights reserved

Isaiah 22:20-24
Revelation 1:18; chapter 3; 20:4-6, 13

O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;
you open and no one can shut;
you shut and no one can open:
Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,
those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

Chocolate Brownie Cookies

I wouldn't have believed how good these cookies are. They're more trouble than brownies, but I am not in love with brownies. I am in love with these.

Find them at Meanwhile, Back in the Kitchen.

Double Decker Living Bridge

Double decker living bridge (famous for its parallel spans), taken by Vinayak Hedge

Living root Bridges are built in the deep valleys of East Khasi hills in central Meghalaya, Northeast India. The people of these villages (Nongriat, Laitkynshew and others) are isolated from rest of the world as these are located in a deep valleys which can only be reached by an arduous trek. Now though the situation is better as there are steps built to visit the valley. You have to descend and climb more than 2100 steps at a time. Since these valleys were inaccessible for a long time people came with this ingenious solution to cross rivers which were very full due to tremendous rainfalll in the monsoon.

They plant the strangler fig trees on both sides and once they grow they use guides such as bamboo poles or string for the roots to grow around them. Then in 10-15 years (mostly more), a bridge is grown. This is multi-generational effort. these bridges are extremely durable an last 5 to 6 centuries.

And they've been around a very long time.

Living bridge formed of the aërial roots of the India-rubber and other kind of figs.
Illustration from Himalayan journals; or, Notes of a naturalist in Bengal,
 the Sikkim and Nepal Himalayas, the Khasia Mountains,1854

I hadn't heard of these wonderful bridges before or of Meghalaya, which I was instantly curous about considering our family obsession with Indian movies (which naturally progresses into all other topics such as geography). I was interested to see that it has a Christian majority of 75% and is traditionally matrilineal. Plus it's in a spot you don't see mentioned in the movies much.

Thanks to Scott for pointing out the Atlas Obscura piece on the bridges and sending me on such a fascinating armchair trip!