The weekly “little of this, little of that” feature here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
(This will all look and work better if you click on the actual post and do not remain on the main page.)
Currently, chez nous:
I do recommend having lots of kids so they can grow up to juggle their actual jobs with re-painting your house.
But, so many books…
Let's not think about it — let's have a cup of tea and read instead!
- Will you be in the area (Greater Boston/Southern NH) Monday? Join the Center for the Restoration of Christian Culture for a fantastic conference on the Lessons from the Carnage of the 20th Century with Robert Royal, Amy Fahey, and Dan Mahony. This conference will held at the beautiful Mercy Hall of Thomas More College. Monday evening, Nov. 12, events throughout the day. Tickets are free but space is limited so do sign up! We'd love to see you!
- Original “more intense” Lamb of God revealed in Ghent altarpiece. I find this fascinating; if we think of art as the radiance of truth (which it is, or ought to be), then we can ponder the change in theology that accompanies a “restoration” that tones down the central symbol, the Lamb. The original intent of the medieval painter, it is discovered, was to express the startling Presence of Jesus Christ. Subsequent hands neutralized this immediacy — yet I have no doubt that the restorers, like most modernists, consider themselves superior in outlook to any medieval Christian (the very word “medieval” conjures up a certain patronizing attitude, but we are trying to challenge that!). It just struck me when I read this article that we always need to question what C. S. Lewis called our “chronological snobbery” and remember that we too inhabit time and as such, just as bound by its limitations.
- Our friend Jana sent links to a fun blog that channels a lot of what we think about decorating around here. I enjoyed reading a bit about the “unkitchen” (which is also a Pattern Language idea) and some inspiration for a “modest starter home” — but I really related to this lament about the sad dearth of good handsome sturdy and not absurd club or arm chairs. Truly. I am bereft of these just right chairs. There is a huge library-chair–shaped hole (two actually) in my heart. (The truth is that I could find the chairs I like, but don't have $4000 handy to spend on them, waaahhh).
- Jana also sent us a link to the newly updated Carl Schmitt website. Schmitt (her grandfather-in-law) was a noted American painter whose insights enliven the conversation about art and beauty.
- Have a college-bound student? Do check out Thomas More College's Faith and Reason Essay contest for scholarship information. Feel free to email me if you have questions about the school.
- Sad read, but necessary: Got a Kid? Want a Kid? Buy, Sell or Trade. I have come to see that the idea of the family with its mother, father, and children — and the normal sufferings too — is not the stable default reality we thought it was, natural law notwithstanding. No, turns out that it's so fragile that if you give an inch, you slide a mile down into a moral pit. This means only one thing: we have to strive with all our might to fight for goodness, because the darkness is overtaking it.
- I've talked a lot about modernism and the detachment from objective reality, leading to a rise of will to power (see for instance my guided readings of the two Spirits of the Liturgy). This longer read is another way of looking at the problem: A False Paradigm.
- The “Best Bluegrass Clog Dancing Video Ever Made” — but what I really hope you notice is just the fun being had. All ages together, real people playing real music, the carpet pulled back, everyone dancing a dance that has a form, however simple and rustic it may be. As you watch, think about the “dances” you were likely to have known as a young person, the weddings you're likely to have attended recently, and the dreary, deafening “fun” in store for your own children if we don't do something about it. You don't need your consciousness altered via strobe lights or mind-numbingly amplified noise; you just need some folks with the instruments they've been playing all their lives and someone's living room. It doesn't have to be bluegrass, either; any folk tradition will do, and some are fancier than others, but watch the video to see what the elements are that contribute to this sort of family and community fun — see if you can figure out ways to bring it into your life! If you already have, we'd love to hear in the comments about what you do.
Today is the feast of St. Leo the Great. Tomorrow is Martinmas! In this post you will find links for two hymns for you for that day.
From the archives:
- If you are wondering, here are the guided readings: the Guardini Spirit of the Liturgy is linked here; the Ratzinger one here.
- Maybe now that the time has changed back, you would like to get on a good schedule: How to get up on time for people who don't like the morning.
- An early distant warning/heads up: Advent is surely on its way. Maybe this year change the madness with this one sure secret, along with observing Advent: Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas. I show you how to make room for the season of preparation, how to make the day itself peaceful, and how to extend the joy in a way that doesn't drain you utterly (just a little! but that's only to be expected, I think!)
We’d like to be clear that, when we direct you to a site via one of our links, we’re not necessarily endorsing the whole site, but rather just referring you to the individual post in question (unless we state otherwise).
Emily says
Good morning! Thank you for all the great links as usual! I just wanted to let you know that your Carl Schmitt link is incorrect- it brings you to the Thomas More essay contest page.
Leila says
Thanks, Emily, I fixed it!
Judith says
I’ve been a reader for 3-4 years and never comment, but I’m just so excited to see the links to Laurel Bern’s blog! She is such a great resource for decorating/design ideas. 🙂
Laurel says
Thank you so much for the mention and kind words Judith!
Leila says
Sorry, I fixed the wrong links (I hope I caught them!) — refresh your page to see the right ones!
Laurel says
Hi Leila,
Thank you so much for the kind links to three of my blog posts. Wow! I’m incredibly flattered. It sounds like we may be birds of a feather, so to speak. I’m going to have to come back when I have a few to read some of your posts. It looks like a terrific blog. xoxo ~ Laurel
Leila says
Hi Laurel! I have enjoyed reading a good number of your posts! I want you to know that my kitchen is painted Benjamin Moore Hawthorne Yellow, which I saw you mention on one of your posts (about pink rooms, haha) as a color you love. We painted it that about 17 years ago!
God bless!
Mamaof6 says
I loved the video!!! Thanks for sharing it! When we lived in the mountains our little town had street dances in the summer with a small bluegrass band, a clogging group and always a “called” square dance for anyone willing to give it a try. It was so much fun! In another city we attended a monthly English Country Dance at a city park. It was free and they always had live music with a violin & guitar. Each dance was taught step by step before dancing to the music. All ages and abilities were welcome. In our current location an Irish Dance group hosts semi-monthly ceilis, and another group hosts a yearly Old Fashioned Dance with square dancing. Our older children have enjoyed a ballroom dance class.
Lisa says
The “unkitchen” is genius. Prior to having a family, I thought it was so odd that the washer/dryer was in European kitchens. Now that I’m always in the kitchen and forever sorting, switching, and folding, I think it’s just practical.
Victoria says
I miss having my washer and drying in my kitchen, but my house just isn’t designed for it. Oh well.
I think my grandmother had an unkitchen. She had a large hearth around a fireplace with ample seating, a large table on the opposite side, and one more love seat against a wall. Her food prep area was so tiny, and she had 10 children! I will never know how she managed to cook in the small space, but that kitchen is part of my best childhood memories.
Victoria says
When I first heard the story about Becket’s tunic, I thought the Vatican was giving it to the Church of England entirely, and I was thinking, why would they do that when we have the Ordinariate in our ranks? But the story you posted says it would be a loan, which I can live with (maybe I’m just a jealous person). It would probably not be very politic to give the tunic to the Ordinariate anyway.
GretchenJoanna says
I rarely get to visit here, but today, here I am, and that bluegrass clogging video was just what I needed. Thank you for consistently sharing so much that is good for our souls.
meditationsandmiscellany999229906 says
That clogging to bluegrass music just looks like so much good, wholesome fun! It makes me think of a wedding we attended in May of 2017. The groom was the son of good friends of ours, the bride a Christendom graduate. We danced the Virginia Reel at the reception and it’s one of the recent, notable (to me) times that I just felt so alive! We’ve been known to push back the furniture in our family room and give it a go, but even with most of our 8 children participating, we could use a bigger group. Would love to find a place/group of people to do this with again.
God bless!
Melisa
Alea Wassmuth says
Oh my goodness! I just made a big crazy connection. I was just telling my junior about the essay contest and the school and realized that’s where his new humanities teacher graduated from last year! Our school principal graduated from there (many moons ago) and our new 4/5 teacher came from there as well. I’ve heard you mention it before, but never connected the name.
Alea Wassmuth says
Failed to mention we’re clear over in Idaho!