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.)
In this household (which as you may remember is now comprised of us along with Deirdre's family), there has been lots going on, as The Artist has been working hard at his new studio; and this past week he hung an exhibit at the Bolton Public Library, which is the next town over from us.
This library is super charming. I think you can see that John's work is rather stellar! I thought I'd share how it looks here — and if you are at all local, do drop in!
On to our links!
- As readers know, my husband wrote a book, Lost Shepherd (affiliate link), offering evidence that Pope Francis is misleading the Church and encouraging readers to pray and speak the truth. His motivation is not to harm the Church but precisely to demonstrate filial loyalty to the Body of Christ. This is obviously a tricky position, even a disturbing one. One wishes to be loyal — but we must remember that loyalty without truth can have disastrous consequences. You might be interested in this interview with Chilean author José Antonio Ureta, who addresses some of the objections that Pope Francis supporters might raise, and who argues persuasively for the need to defend the Faith.
- A beautiful reflection on a beautiful painting: A Rembrandt painting that teaches us about the nature of married love. Perhaps you own or can find an art book that has a reproduction of this painting. Consider sitting with your older children and conversing about Dr. Kwasniewski's observations about it.
- Some thoughts on The Oxcart Man. I like a lot of what she says. I think there is something the poem (and the artwork) of the book that definitely pulls us in. Perhaps the feminist lens through which our culture views everything (a lens the deployment of which becomes evident at the end of the piece) prevents us from naming this appreciation with accuracy. To me, what is unspoken in this poem, what is so very present that it is like the air — invisible — is the sense of fittingness, of each person having his or her place or role in the work and festivity of life. In the poem we sense a family that works together for peace, with the creativity of love (correctly identified in the article). We relax at the absence of modern relations, which are more Hobbesian — people, even in families, at odds with each other in a sort of tacit war of all against all. It is this sense of fittingness that the poem offers that we both long for and cannot accept, because it requires sacrifice.
- Our friend Michael Pakaluk on “Circumcision for Christians” — What is the difference between the sign of circumcision for the Jews and baptism for Christians?
- The Artist's book that he illustrated, Mr. Mehan's Mildly Amusing Mythical Mammals, has one real animal in it, for the letter V — the Vaquita. This sweet little whale is almost extinct, and today is its “awareness day.” Listen to the lullaby written and composed by Matthew Mehan, author of the book — a charming song included in the text!
From the archives:
- Looking for a read-aloud that is perfect for the whole family? Dangerous Journey. Trust me.
- Housewifely things that bring joy and contentment, including apron-wearing…
Today is the feast of St. Willibald and St. Pantaenus, Father of the Church.
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).
Mary Anne Russo says
I have been following you for years. I have kept my opinions always to myself, but today I feel compelled to let my voice be herd. I really think your catholicism is so let’s say 1950 ish. The world has changed, some for the better and some for the worse. I do not think you have a grip on the real realty of people and our changing world. There is no black or white when it comes to mankind. There is purple, orange, red, yellow, black and white.
So many colors and so many layers to man and woman. I believe this Pope see’s this. The bible has many interpretation by man, yes man. How do we really know which is the real interpretation? What has man changed to make it more appealing for man? I taught religious education for 21 years, studied Theology for 25 years.
There is still so much for one to learn, but I do know this, the Pope knows that our God does not discriminate against ANYONE.
All are loved and not to be judge by me, you, your husband. God will do the judging.
Amme says
I read “The Lost Shepherd” and I commend it for its nuanced, evidence-based discussion that specifically and explicitly advocates loving and refrains from judging people. Based on what you say here, I wonder if perhaps you haven’t gotten the chance to get all the way through it. It would be illuminating if you could point to something specific you think is wrong so it would be clear what you are referring to.
“The bible [sic] has many interpretation by man, yes man. How do we really know which is the real interpretation?”
Because Jesus Christ granted this charism to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, and the gates of Hell have not and will not prevail against the true Church. I am Catholic because I am convinced that the fullness of truth is here. You can get into apologetics if you’re especially interested in the “whys.” Now, outside of the Church’s guidance, it really is subjective, but that is not the case if we’re talking about this within Catholic points of view. As to differentiating among what teachings are man-made (and changeable) vs. which are part of the deposit of faith, Donum veritatis breaks this down and adds a lot of clarity.
“I do not think you have a grip on the real realty of people and our changing world.” Wow, what a judgmental, unnecessarily inflammatory claim! Please clarify if I am misunderstanding. We wouldn’t want people to be turned off your excellent bottom line about love, non-judgment, and non-discrimination when in the same breath you write something that inevitably puts that in a light that, sorry to say, seems entirely hypocritical.
That point aside, it seems to me that the only way to get a hold and maintain one’s grip in our changing world is to distinguish between the temporal and the eternal, then depend upon the latter, not the former. As a person who grew up in this whirlwind, I don’t have any illusion that the world is some sort of archaic stereotype. I am keenly aware of the failings – along with some positive developments – of current culture. Solutions to new problems require adaptation. And that only supports the need to keep unchanging truths in mind as we apply them to new situations.
Of course, one can have a reasonable, critical conversation about Leila’s interpretations and personal advice on how to apply truths in a practice in our lives as an audience of women, most of us married and probably mothers. That would be an interesting discussion! Let’s, collectively, do that instead.
Again, I hope I am mistaken in understanding your comments in some negative ways and look forward to clarification that would cast them in a better light. ☺️
Terri says
What a kind and charitable and reasonable response, Amme.
Thank you for your reference to Donum veritatis. One of the reasons I’m so grateful to have found my way to the Catholic church is that I don’t have to rely on my own limited resources to discern which of the many man-made interpretations of the Bible are true. (I wonder how many people have despaired at such a thought!) Instead, I can draw on the 2000-year teaching history of an institution composed of people who have dedicating their lives to studying and clarifying and faithfully transmitting the deposit of faith. God bless
Leila says
Besides the excellent points made by Amme and Terri above, I would say to you, Mary Ann, that “times have changed” is the weakest argument possible.
First, times always change. Truth abides.
Second, if we are to change what we think according to the times, we would soon find our opinions to be outdated. Because… time keeps changing.
Third, I hope you are not accusing me of racism or bigotry, because THAT I will not abide.
Fourth, I am wondering if you are responding to my husband’s book or to the interview I posted — you don’t specify. I am wondering if you read either one and if you have something particular to say about either or both.
As Amme says, perhaps you really mean to say something else — I am always ready to get into specifics. Maybe a clarification would be helpful. God bless!!
Janet says
Mary Ann, your comment has reminded me of my favorite Bisop Sheen quote:
“The Church knows too that to marry the present age and its spirit is to become a widow in the next.”
Peace
Emily D. says
Ohhh, I’ve never heard that, Janet! Love it!
Rita Helen says
Thanks for the reminder to attend to my housewifely duties. Being pregnant (and therefor tired) and just reaching the end of a round of chickenpox has gotten me a little out of habit. It’s good to have a nudge to get going again.
The link to the Vatican article seems to be wrong, it leads to a article on a bridge instead.
Leila says
Thanks, Rita — I fixed the link!
Cate Nunan says
I have been following your blog and loving the advice and the links over a number of years and have bought many books to read based on the recommendations of you or your daughters. This morning I am sitting here in Australia trying to settle a fractious but sweet 8 day old grand daughter. I played the Las Vaquitas Lullaby and we were both entranced! Seriously, music was the answer. Now, I cannot get it out of my head but I have to try to get some sleep. I will pre order the book on Amazon, and support the author and The Artist in the onky way I can…although I loved the look of that Public Library. Libraries are my favourite places! Thank you to you all for all that you do here on your fabulous blog.
Tia says
Just want to say thank you for your advice. I read the older post (about perfectionism vs. competence) and was really struck by how comforting, clear and sensible it is. I remember distinctly absolutely loathing the word duty when I was a child; my dad is from India and the concept of duty is very clear and strong and I always chafed against it and shirked by daughterly duties. Now that I’m a mother and wife the idea of duty feels like a balm to my soul. Which is so odd, right? But knowing that my duty is to care for & raise my children, to love my husband, to honor my parents and to fulfill those other obligations I’ve willingly accepted really clears all the mental clutter.
Tia says
Also, love your exhortation to aim to do things well if you’re going to bother with them. It has helped me enjoy my house and family all the more. When laundry was a hassle I tried to avoid or picking up clutter was determined by “what was fair” and “who made the mess” we lived in squalor — and I in a resentful funk. Now we live in a clean, bright, cheery space that’s so much more peaceful. Things do descend into chaos every now and again because 3 boys 6 and under will do that. But the rise time from that chaos is so much quicker now. And because I have confidence in my abilities to take the chaos and turn it into something inviting in a few hours, I am less stressed inviting people to my house, less angry at my kids for making a mess by playing and just being kids, more forgiving of my husband’s tiny foibles (and they in turn transform for the better when I am kind and loving to him). It all just makes living as a family so much happier.
Lisa G. says
I LOVE The Oxcart Man! I bought a copy for myself, sixty years old and no children (except my inner one, which will never grow up, I hope). Everything you said about it is – well, exactly the reason I bought it!
Janet says
I’d like to comment on the author of “The Ox-Cart Man”, Donald Hall, who just passed away on June 23. He was known primarily for his poetry and justifiably so. But I think a lot of the readers here would enjoy his works in prose. He died at his family’s home in New Hampshire and wrote lovingly of his ancestors and rural life. “String Too Short To Be Saved” and “Seasons At Eagle Pond” are two of my favorites.
His late wife, Jane Kenyon, was a renowned poet in her own right. Her poem “Otherwise” taught me to be acutely aware of the absolute miracle of an “ordinary day”.
https://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/050.html
jadeddrifter says
Thank you, these will be enjoyed!
Helen Hawersaat says
Wow, being a key-keeper for the Vatican Museums would be a dream. I never even thought about who did that!
jadeddrifter says
I read your salad post years ago, but I’m not sure why I didn’t understand its pure genius at the time: I mean, serving odds and ends from the fridge on a platter!? The French seem to know something about food. Maybe I appreciate it more now that we live in a house without air conditioning.
After a recent visit to my grandparents (whose house is like a perfect time capsule of the late 1960s), I started thinking a lot about the 1950s and how shallow my own understanding of it has been. If you really take a hard look at the advertisements and entertainments of the era, you can plainly see that sex and materialism were already enshrined as idols in American hearts. There was really only a thin veneer of Christian, family life that, maybe, some of my peers mistake for a genuine example of Christian living. I don’t think that Leila is 1950s at all; she’s actually quite anti-materialistic. The wisdom shared here are timeless principles that can be applied to any era.
Lisa G. says
Yes! If the fifties were so great, things could not have fallen apart so completely the way they did in the sixties and seventies.