Roosters

Ito Jakuchu, Roosters

There's just something about chicken paintings and this is glorious!

Lagniappe: Eccentric Houses

Houses, like people, are apt to become rather eccentric if left too much on their own; this house was the architectural equivalent of an old gentleman in a worn dressing-gown and torn slippers, who got up and went to bed at odd times of day, and who kept up a continual conversation with friends who no one else could see.

Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

We've all been in houses like this, right? Fiddled with by people who came and went, benignly left alone by others who lived there, the house takes on a personality of its own. I see photos of houses like this in the WSJ's Friday real estate section. There are "before" photos which show a house that my husband and I would have loved to explore - or to live in "as is." Then there are the "after remodeling" photos when the soul has been ripped out of the place and replaced with bland modernity. Poor thing.

And the Winner Is — 1944

Our family is working our way through Oscar winners and whichever nominees take our fancy. Also as they are available, since these early films continued to be hard to find.

This is the last year until just recently that more than five films could be nominated. Normally we have enjoyed the wide variety. This year, however, ugh! Casablanca was the only genuinely good movie. The others were obviously chosen for artsy quality or topic (WWII anyone?). 

You can't blame them but it didn't make for much enjoyable viewing. Nevertheless we persevered, except for For Whom the Bell Tolls — 3 hours of the Spanish civil war and Hemingway was not going to cut it. We save those long movie nights for Indian movies!

Nominated films that we didn't watch because we'd couldn't find them were The Pied Piper and Wake Island.

WINNER

In Casablanca, Morocco in December 1941, a cynical American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications.

1944 Oscar winner. The Academy got this one right. One of the best movies ever made. Interestingly, it was made to show how American indifference to the war was wrong. 

 NOMINEES

Spoiled playboy Henry van Cleve dies and arrives at the entrance to Hell, a final destination he is sure he deserves after living a life of profligacy. The devil, however, isn’t so sure Henry meets Hell’s standards.

There was no contest between this and winner Casablanca. Also, this is nothing like the infinitely more charming 1978 movie of the same name.

In 1858 Lourdes, France, adolescent peasant Bernadette has a vision of “a beautiful lady” in the Massabielle grotto - the townspeople assume this lady to be the Virgin Mary.

A perfectly fine straight-forward telling of Bernadette of Lourdes and the opposition to her reports of the visions of the Virgin Mary. Not really my sort of movie, possibly because I knew of all the events except for after she became a nun.

Set in Washington, D.C., this romantic comedy presents a comic look at the housing shortage during World War II.

We thought we'd see something not about WWII. The joke was on us! It was amusing although it didn't have the feel of the sort of movie that would have been nominated for an Oscar. 

On the eve of World War II, the German Kurt Müller, his American-born wife Sara, and their three children, having lived in Europe for years, visit Sara’s wealthy mother near Washington, DC. Kurt secretly works for the anti-Nazi resistance. A visiting Romanian count, becoming aware of this, seeks to blackmail him.

This was a long, boring, preachy version of Casablanca - American style. It's truly hard to believe that Dashiell Hammett had anything to do with this. Ugh.

A posse discovers a trio of men they suspect of murder and cow theft and are split between handing them over to the law or lynching them on the spot.

This had one message and one message only. No time for subplots! Well done but really depressing. Even more sadly, we've seen enough mobs motivated by feelings that it felt all too familiar. That feels rather surreal, here in 2026.

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All the Oscar viewing is here.

Bluethroat

 

Bluethroat, Remo Savisaar

As always, with Remo's exquisite photos, click the link to see this larger.

Julie and Scott were telling King Arthur of their adventures when this Green Knight walked in. At the sight of his massive axe, they sat down.

 We discuss Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, translated by friend of the pod - J.R.R. Tolkien. Join us for episode 378 of A Good Story is Hard to Find!

Noli Me Tangere (Don't Touch Me) — We do not always know Christ when we first meet him, and the recognition is always a powerful moment.

Noli Me Tangere, Lavinia Fontana, 1581
via Elizabeth Lev

Fontana’s version emphasized accuracy: Mary Magdalene mistakes Jesus for a gardener, and so she paints him in a broad-brimmed hat holding a shovel. Yet once she has emphasized the literal sense, Lavinia also evokes a beautiful scene. The atmosphere is permeated with warm golden light as a new age is dawning. A little flashback scene in the distance shows the women who have left the city arriving at the tomb where an angel tells them Christ is gone. Mary’s pose in the further scene shows her with the slumped shoulders of dejection, but in the foreground her face becomes radiant with hope. Christ puts out his hand, ostensibly to tell her not to touch Him, but also in a gesture of affectionate blessing. Mary’s gaze is directed toward the wound on his hand made visible for her, but she seems to look beyond it, trying to gaze at his face under the shadowy brim. Proof of his resurrection is not her primary concern as she sinks to her usual place by his feet. The light, setting, and positions evoke a love story, a compelling language that the Counter-Reformation will employ in its time.

Elizabeth Lev, Meeting the Resurrected Christ in the art of the Counter-Reformation

There's more where that came from. Click the link to read the whole piece. 

I love being shown beneath the surface of paintings for deeper meaning. Elizabeth Lev's piece discusses the goals of Counter-Reformation art and opens another piece up for our edification. Be sure to check it out.

Mr. Norrell knew there were such things as jokes ...

Mr. Norrell (who knew there were such things as jokes in the world or people would not write about them in books, but who had never actually been introduced to a joke or shaken its hand) considered a while before replying ...

Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

I just love the way that is put. I have actually met two people who have no sense of humor at all. One makes a joke or quip and they just look at you expressionlessly and then move on with the conversation. It is very disconcerting, just like meeting Mr. Norrell probably was.

Peach branches, Squirrel map

Peach branches, Squirrel map; Qian Xuan

This couldn't be said better and it captures the imagination in the way that today's quote does — by showing us a completely new point of view.

The Whole World Listened

But when the fairy sang the whole world listened to him. Stephen felt clouds pause in their passing; he felt sleeping hills shift and murmur; he felt cold mists dance. He understood for the first time that the world is not dumb at all, but merely waiting for someone to speak to it in a language it understands. In the fairy’s song the earth recognized the names by which it called itself.

Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

This is so beautifully written and says so much to readers about the nature of fairy magic (as opposed to English magic). But mostly I love it for how it took hold of my imagination.

The Feast of St. Joseph the Worker

St. Joseph with the Infant Jesus, Guido Reni
via WikiPaintings

We celebrate two feast days for Joseph: March 19 for Joseph the Husband of Mary and May 1 for Joseph the Worker.

There is much we wish we could know about Joseph -- where and when he was born, how he spent his days, when and how he died. But Scripture has left us with the most important knowledge: who he was -- "a righteous man" (Matthew 1:18).

Catholic Online

I love St. Joseph. He was the quiet man of action. Those are my kind of guys.

Happy Birthday, Dear Tom

This doodle looks like it would be the scene for a wonderfully romantic birthday evening, doesn't it?

Perfect for Tom (and me) then!

Tom has chosen Strawberry Cake. He truly loves it. And it's easy.

I have taken to baking the cake from Tres Leches Cake in 9" pans. Then you horizontally cut the layers so that you've got four thin layers of cake. Macerate 48 ounces of strawberries with plenty of sugar. (Maceration is the process of softening fruit by soaking it in a liquid coating it with sugar to draw out natural juices, forming a syrup.) 

 Construct with layers of strawberries, syrup, and freshly whipped cream (3 c. cream whipped with 1/2 cup powdered sugar). Delicious.

Perhaps I should say the above Google looks perfect for a celebratory evening since we will not be alone.

We've got a wonderfully participatory family ranging from 1-1/2 to 5 and all the way up to 72. It will be a real party!

Opposition

Opposition, England, 1890
from the Library of Congress's Photochrom Travel Views collection

Hot Takes on the Classics podcast

Hot Takes on the Classics is no dusty, academic approach to great books. It’s a gossipy, exciting discussion about the best literature ever written. Hosted by Tim and Emily, who are veteran teachers and long-time friends, Hot Takes is packed with playful debate, meaningful speculation, and hearty laughs.

I'm a fan of podcasts that discusses a book over many weeks because they're taking a very close look at it. I love this. In fact, I first encountered this podcast's co-host, Tim, on Close Reads.

However, I was intrigued by the idea of covering a classic book in 40 minutes, complete with a hot take on the end. They did a really good job of giving the flavor of a book, a quick summary and then zeroing on the author's focus - the reason the book was written in the first place. After that context, comes the discussion about what that book means to us today.

I was even more intrigued when I discovered that they were selecting books as parts of series looking at different topics. The first series was War. The second was Love.

It's quick, lively, and fun. Try it!

Inspiration Point

 

Inspiration Point, Bryce Canyon National Park

We're making summer vacation plans and Bryce Canyon is in my future! Exciting! Click the link to see the photo better.

Psalm 149 — Song of Praise and Joy

 I had been covering the psalms in chronological order and eventually ran out of gas. Lately I have been reading a psalm a day, with commentary from Popes St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI, in Morning and Evening Prayer. It has reinvigorated my interest in the psalms. 

So we'll go forward, out of chronological order, just with whichever psalm hits me. (Or canticle.) Eventually, they'll all be done!

Here we go — almost to the very end of the psalms!

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This is the next to the last psalm and it's fairly short but full of dancing, music, and singing. It's full of joy. The Lord is also joyful — I love these two lines.

For the Lord takes delight in his people.

He crowns the poor with salvation.

Psalm 149 in Hebrew
on a French parchment from the 13th century

John Paul II quotes St. Augustine on the greater meaning of the music and then follows up with his own commentary about what the poor refers to. I love the idea of harmony and works that Augustine reflects upon. And JPII's point that poverty can be not just physical but also spiritual.

St Augustine, starting with the reference of the Psalm to the "choir" and to the "drums and harps", commented: "What does the choir represent?... The choir is a group of singers who sing together. If we sing in a choir, we must sing in harmony. When one sings in a choir, one off-key voice strikes the listener and creates confusion in the choir".

Referring to the instruments mentioned in the Psalm he asks: "Why does the Psalmist take in hand the drum and the harp?". He answers, "Because we praise the Lord not just with the voice, but also with our works. When we take up the drum and the harp, the hands have to be in accord with the voice. The same goes for you. When you sing the Alleluia, you must give bread to the poor, give clothes to the naked, give shelter to the traveler. If you do it, not only does your voice sing, but your hands are in accord with your voice because the works agree with the words".

5. There is a second term which we use to define those who pray in the Psalm: they are the anawim, "the poor and lowly ones" (v. 4). The expression turns up often in the Psalter. It indicates not just the oppressed, the miserable, the persecuted for justice, but also those who, with fidelity to the moral teaching of the Alliance with God, are marginalized by those who prefer to use violence, riches and power. In this light one understands that the category of the "poor" is not just a social category but a spiritual choice. It is what the famous first Beatitude means: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven" (Mt 5,3). ....

Commentary by Pope St. John Paul II 

Morning & Evening Prayer, John Paul II and Benedict XVI

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An index of psalm posts is here.

I'm With Mary — Let's Punch the Devil in the Face

This post ran in ten years ago but I've never forgotten it. A Catholic friend of mine, who majored in art history, affirms that the medievals had plenty of art showing Mary punching the devil. Excellent! 

My original post is below. Enjoy!

The Blessed Virgin Mary punching the devil (13th century MS, British Library).
Via Gregory Wolfe and Catholic News Agency

I featured this artwork about a month ago. Today I got a complaint that it is not treating Mary reverently enough ... and also that it might be pop art.

For me this shows Mary as a powerful spiritual warrior, especially when I look at the expression on both faces. I'd like to think I could be like that.

I'll be fair. Mary could also be holding a seal of some sort with which she is marking the devil.

Looking around for a proper reference to prove it wasn't pop art I wound up at the Catholic News Agency. The bonus was this wonderful talk by Archbishop Chaput which used it as a springboard to exhort us to be like Mary.

“If we want to reclaim who we are as a Church, if we want to renew the Catholic imagination, we need to begin, in ourselves and in our local parishes, by unplugging our hearts from the assumptions of a culture that still seems familiar but is no longer really ‘ours,’” Archbishop Chaput said.

“This is why Mary – the young Jewish virgin, the loving mother, and the woman who punches the devil in the nose – was, is, and always will be the great defender of the Church,” he added.

Archbishop Chaput addressed the 2016 Bishops’ Symposium at the University of Notre Dame on Wednesday. He spoke on “Remembering Who We Are and the Story We Belong To.”

He began his talk referencing an illustration, reportedly from the Middle Ages, of the Blessed Virgin Mary punching the devil in the nose. “She doesn’t rebuke him. She doesn’t enter into a dialogue with him. She punches the devil in the nose,” he said.

Catholic News Agency

I love that guy. Read the whole thing. It's good medicine.

Hygieia

Hygieia, Great Hall ceiling of the Vienna University, Gustav Klimt

Just because it's so arresting.

How to Cook Without a Book

2000 edition

2018 edition

I bought the original book when it was released. It gave me a lot of good ideas for streamlining and for different combos of things I usually made (such as omelet ingredients, etc.), though I'd been cooking long enough to use the book as a reminder rather than all the time. I recently lent it to a young working mother who likes it.

Then I discovered this newer edition. 

I gave to it my oldest daughter who needs streamlining ideas, especially since she works a full time job and has two little ones. She's delighted with the book and has made several recipes. 

It especially speaks to her generation with some of the ingredient combinations, new cooking ideas (such as one baking sheet roasting all the dinner ingredients), etc. Yet it retains enough of the older information that it is useful to anyone. I mean, pasta sauce is pasta sauce for all right?

This is going to be the book I give to newly married couples and people cooking on their own for the first time. Truly invaluable.

Feast Day — St. Mark the Evangelist

Mark the Evangelist by Il Pordenone

We can get a lot of information about Saint Mark simply by reading the gospels and the Acts of the Apostles.

The thing I'm most interested in is that the gospel he wrote actually comes from having been St. Peter's interpreter and going on the road with him. The people asked him to record St. Peter's teachings. No wonder there are such vivid details in it. This is as close as you can get to being straight from the horse's mouth.

.. we find Mark in Rome, this time helping Peter, who refers to him as my son Mark, thereby testifying to a long-standing close relationship. At that time Mark was acting as interpreter for the Prince of the Apostles, and this provided him with a privileged vantage-point which we see reflected in the Gospel he wrote a few years later. Although Saint Mark doesn't provide us with a record of the Master's great discourses, he makes up for it by giving us a particularly vivid description of the events of Jesus' life with his disciples. In his accounts we find ourselves once more in those little towns on the shores of the Sea of Galilee; we can sense the hubbub of the crowds of that follow Jesus, we can almost converse iwth the inhabitants of those places and can contemplate Christ's wonderful deeds and the spontaneous reactions of the Twelve. In a word, we find ourselves witnessing the events of the gospel as if we were actually there in the throng. Though his vivid descriptions the Evangelist manages to imprint on our souls something of the irresistible yet reassuring fascination that Jesus exercised on people, and which the Apostles themselves experienced in their life with the Master. Saint Mark in effect gives us a faithful account of Saint Peter's most intimate recollections of his Master: with the passage of the years his memories had not grown dim, but became ever more profound and perceptive, more penetrating and more fond. It can be said that Mark's message is the living mirror of Saint Peter's preaching.

Saint Jerome tells us that Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, wrote down his gospel at the request of the brethren living in Rome, according to what he had heard Peter preach. And Peter himself, having heard it, approved it with his authority to be read in the Church. This was without doubt Mark's principal mission in life — to transmit Peter's teachings faithfully.

In Conversation with God, Francis Fernandez,
Special Feasts: January - June

Sin and Trampling on People

I've done many things that I thought I would never dare do because they were sins. But I didn't realize then that the consequence of sin is that you have to trample on other people.

Sigrid Undset, Kristin Lavransdatter

Kristin Lavransdatter was an incredibly rich read during Lent. This quote shows you a little bit of why that is.