Welcome!!
A warm welcome to Baby Nikola!!
May 9, 2008
August 13, 2007
My take on the alpha/beta mom thing....
The Summa Mamas are talking about the "alpha mom" and "beta mom" thing.
I know there's a lot of tongue-in-cheek going on, but I can only take about forty seconds of this "alpha mom" and "beta mom" thing before I just want to weep. Who pronounces the "alpha moms" to be "alpha moms"? And why are some self-described "beta moms" allowing the (perceived) skills of others to make them feel inadequate? And what standards are they measuring themselves against?
If I had more time maybe I'd be able to say something eloquent about this being another manifestation of our messed-up culture -- first feminism heaped scorn on the traditional domestic arts, so a lot of women didn't learn them, but then people started to miss them, so the commercial culture started selling them back to us. And how better to sell them back to us than by using advertising and magazines to foster a sense of inadequacy?
August 10, 2007
TSO does the heavy lifting so Peony can post
TSO has this cool post up in which he "plays the curmudgeon so [I] don't have to." He watched a bit of a recent Republican debate (a task I am more than happy to delegate) and came away with some quotes to make curmudgeonly remarks about (note that he only had to catch "a bit" of the debate to come away with enough material for a good-sized post.)
A sample of the curmudgeonly stuff:
[Governor Huckabee] said he feels the answer to our health care problems is (drumroll) - greater emphasis on wellness rather than sickness.[which] completely ignores the root causes of the health care crisis by ignoring lack of insureds, the incredible expansion of what health care now entails, and the fact that it is a human-labor intensive industry. The wellness philosophy is great but it merely postpones the inevitable. Wellness programs don't elminate sickness and death but merely delay them. Second, it sounds suspiciously like a call for government to go into micro-managing our exercise routines or lack thereof as well as every thing we eat (fast food - no way!).
So now that TSO's got that curmudgeon stuff out of the way, all I have to do is highlight a section I particularly agree with
the incredible expansion of what health care now entails, and the fact that it is a human-labor intensive industry
and state my agreement:
I think TSO is correct in his diagnosis of the causes of the health care crisis. There's simply more health care to be had than there was in the past, and that health care still needs to be delivered by human beings, who have to be paid.
Then I add my own commentary:
And the costs of paying those human beings are proportionately higher. Once, most bedside care was given by nuns (who weren't paid much) and nursing students (who weren't paid at all.) And there was no need to pay MRI technologists and other allied-health specialists because there were no MRIs, interventional radiology suites, and so on.But now very few nuns are giving direct nursing care (the few left in health care are in administration) Nursing students are in short supply, and will no longer work for free. Patient care is hard work -- it's physically hard work and requires 24-hour staffing. And thanks to Griswold and Roe, the labor pool is smaller. So wages have be high enough to make it worth it for qualified candidates to pass up other career paths, get the education, enter the health professions, and show up for work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Throw in a pop-culture reference:
Even advanced societies such as the late Republic in Star Wars would pay real people -- even highly educated Jedis -- to fly spacecraft, but could only afford to have androids at the bedside to give medical and nursing care.
And I'm done! All the drudgery of watching the debate and coming up with curmudgeon stuff has been taken care of for me. (Even though I still don't understand what a "poncer" is.) Thanks, TSO!
July 5, 2007
Happy Ratatouille-viewing Catholic
I'll leave the robots to Pansy and just blog all-Ratatouille all the time. I'd love to write a long, leisurely review but Happy Catholic Julie wrote a good one, so I'll just link to it and say, "what she said":
When "Fin" came up on the screen, I suppressed an impulse to applaud. No need. The audience around me, without my reservations, burst into applause anyway.
There was applause when I saw it, too.
Two themes I want to tie together at some point. Julie quotes Juila Child:
Noncooks think it's silly to invest two hours' work in two minutes' enjoyment; but if cooking is evanescent, so is the ballet.
I want to pull out Pieper's Leisure: The Basis of Culture
and consider that idea in the light of Pieper's comments on sacrifice.
June 26, 2007
I want my Mystic Monk Coffee!
They are going to be offering a wide variety of blends and flavors, including Columbian, Chocolate Raspberry, Chocolate Mint (I am so there) and, of course, Carmel. They'll also be offering a double-handled mug, so you can drink your joe like a Carmelite. (Kind of like wearing the scapular but without the graces.)
Thanks to the Curt Jester for the heads-up.
June 3, 2007
Life is good
Lots of new posts from dylan.
May 25, 2007
Two small delights
Regina Doman has an entry up about cake stands. I love cakes. I love baking them, I love eating them, and I love displaying them on the cake stand I inherited from my grandmother. And just reading that short entry about cake stands makes me want to drop what I'm doing and make a white cake with lemon filling and coconut seven-minute frosting. And when it was done, I would put it on my cake stand, take a picture, brew some coffee, get out the china, and yummmm.
Regina also mentions that Victoria magazine is coming back this fall. Sweet articles about gracious living, recipes, and lots and lots and lots of pretty pictures. It helped me keep my sanity while I was in school, and I still have my clip file of some of my favorite articles (including the one that introduced me to commonplace books) and pictures. It ceased publication in 2003 and I've missed it, so I'm really happy to see that it's coming back again.
February 2, 2007
You Gotta Love it
January 28, 2007
Want to laugh yourself sick?
Bob the Trousered Ape can help you out:
December 29, 2006
Note to self
Print, read, annotate, and heed:
Pray without Ceasing: A Daily Plan of Attackhttp://www.lumengentleman.com
November 20, 2006
THIS is what I want for Christmas!
Katharine Jefferts Schori Ecumenical Mug
-- referring to this fine interview with the Episcopal Presiding Bishop, Her Sensitiveness Katharine Jefferts Schori , which I saw at Amy Welborn's:
How many members of the Episcopal Church are there in this country?About 2.2 million. It used to be larger percentagewise, but Episcopalians tend to be better-educated and tend to reproduce at lower rates than some other denominations. Roman Catholics and Mormons both have theological reasons for producing lots of children.
Episcopalians aren’t interested in replenishing their ranks by having children?
No. It’s probably the opposite. We encourage people to pay attention to the stewardship of the earth and not use more than their portion.
Awesome. And since I'm one of those under-educated selfish Catholic child-producers, make that the LARGE mug.
And then let's get some snacks and sit back and see what Pansy does with this.
October 20, 2006
It's 4:22 AM and I've Been Up Since 12:30!!!
This is after my midwife told me I need more rest. Someone is playing a nasty trick on me! I am going to turn on the TV and see commercials for Ambien. Grrrr. I've been up since midnight and I have to get up in two hours. Yeah, yeah, yeah..."offer it up".
Well, I am not alone in my exhaustion. Dinka's tired too.
September 29, 2006
Rachel Watkins Looking For Comments on Boycotts
I would comment in an email to Rachel, but I really something to blog about. This is something that comes up a lot in Catholic circles, and I actually find it interesting why it becomes so heated. Very often I find it is used as one of those "good Catholic" litmus tests, i.e. "You allow your kids to watch Disney? We never!"
I actually do not believe that the few people who stop buying mega products like General Mills cereal, or stop buying Disney tapes do much economic harm to a company. I do feel, however, if you know a certain company strongly backs a view you find contrary to your beliefs, you certainly don't have to give your hard-earned money to that company. That's your prerogative.
I think it gets sticky when people start expecting others to start rejecting Cheerios or Stoneyfield yogurt with them. It is hard to find the exact companies that give to Planned Parenthood for example, and start abandoning them all. Not impossible. Just to me, it takes much energy that I really need for other things.
August 24, 2006
August 18, 2006
Two Good Entries Over @ Curt Jester
Entry #1 was an excerpt of a podcast homily:
That we must be ready to remove from us the soul-killing voices of dissention, rebellion, bitterness, and contention does not mean that we must be ready to ignore or even coddle the Spirits of Deceit and Disobedience. Nothing about growing up to be Christs for others requires us to tolerate false teaching, listen to phony myths, or watch anti-Catholic bigots (both in and outside the Church) dismantle the Body given to us by Christ. Charity without Truth is not love; it’s merely lazy toleration. But Truth without Charity is mere accuracy, just fact—cold, hollow.
The last line truly struck a note with me as I vacillate between one extreme to the other, but rarely meet in the middle.
Entry #2 is an excerpt of Bishop Doran's (The Bishop of Rockford, Illinois) letter on abortion:
I do not think that we should spend a great deal of time in lamentation over the children whose lives have been snuffed out by the barbaric practice of therapeutic abortion. They passed from their lives quickly in this world and have gone into the hands of the Lord of Life and Mercy for all eternity. We must make it clear too, that many who have sought to have practiced on themselves therapeutic abortion are in many instances driven to it by persons heedless of their welfare, or by well- meaning but inept parents or guardians who regard abortion as a solution and not as what it is — an immense problem. There are some, I think few, largely given over to immoral lives who regard abortion as a good, but their number is not great.
Again, that part really touched a nerve. First, I think this falls under the "Truth with Charity" category Fr. Powell refers to in his homily above (it is really good in it's entirety, by the way). Secondly, I can honestly say that about 99% of the people I knew who have had abortions were girls who have been coerced, or very scared and easily coerced. They never seemed to have the ability to take a deep breath and truly consider what to do, but just react. There was always people taking advantage of that and thinking for them.When I say "I know", I don't mean stories on Imnotsorry.net, I meant friends that I used to hang around with, and watched these dramas unfold. So granted, my own anecdotal evidence may not be the best example, but it is what I have seen, and it has left me very sad for the women involved as well as their babies.
July 15, 2006
As Usual...
Curt Jester has a bit on Feministe's reaction to Bishops Yanta's letter on modesty.
As always, I ask the question, why does she give a s*&t what we believe? It is not her culture or her belief. I always find it funny how in the time of "celebrating diversity", the very notion of another group believing that a woman should command respect from men rather than simply be leered at as a sex object is so offensive to them. But hey, when you deal with people who are obsessed with "me and my body", it is hard for them to grasp the notion that nobody is talking to them. This is a letter for Catholics, it is not about them and their therapy.
She also has an entry where she takes task to Wholesome Wear swimsuits. Three years ago, I made one for RoseyPosey that summer. Peony and Greg Popcak in a funny rendition of an old Wendy's commercial thought it was a bit much (the comments sadly did not import from blogger, nor did the picture of RoseyPosey in her swimsuit). At that time, I was a bit more on the modesty-obsession train. I have calmed down a bit as I found personally, it became an obsession in and of itself that hindered, not helped my faith. Stepping out from the outside and seeing the people who are really big into this issue, it boggles my mind how people fail to see good qualities in a person simply because they are wearing jeans.
Likewise, I cannot stand hearing the polar opposite: "I wear nice, comfortable shorts and baggy tee shirts and that is modestly appropriate for everyone!"No it's not. Some people do not feel comfortable like that (amd some need a dose of What Not To Wear). The Catholic Church has yet to put out any specific guidelines about what to wear, they just ask for good judgement and to purposely not to dress a manner that is titillating. Simply put, women are allowed to have their own flava (which is what baffles me about Feministe-I would think it would be a concept a feminist would grasp most). I really liked dressing modestly. There is something very freeing and comfortable about it. I also like fashion though, so I just try to blend the two when possible. Sometimes one side wins out more over the other.
Realistically though, fashion these days is ridiculous. It does not cover enough. Don't take my word for it, look around. The majority of women/tweens/teens who are dressed in what the current trends are do not look flattering, but uncomfortable. How many times do you see girls adjusting their low-cut pants and high top shirts when they move? And what about the term "muffin tops". Having love handles sticking out over your jeans is so common there is cute terminology for it? Yeesh. How many bra straps do we see sticking out of tops because the fashions do not lend themselves to pratical undergarments that women have at home in their drawer? Practicality and comfort have been lost to imagined "sexiness". Sexy does not look sexy when it looks like you are trying way too hard.
And swimsuits, I'm sorry, but even in my heathen days, I never understood the concept that all of a sudden, it was acceptable to be in the equivalent of your underwear because you are near water. If you go to the Jersey Shore, there are a lot of people walking around that makes you wish they desperately had a Wholesome Wear suit. In stead of seeing a lovely face or even what would be a lovely figure with a bit more clothes on, you are assaulted with the information that people need to utilise the modern marvel of bikini waxing much more often than they do.
June 26, 2006
June 22, 2006
I'm Judgemental!
Dawn Eden posts a somewhat confusing story about a teenager who becomes pregnant in high school, and cannot play basketball, but wants to return to basketball, and at first the school won't let her, but then they do...the story is a bit long.
I commented. My comments, along with a few others were picked up by Jill of Feministe as heartless condemnation against teen mothers or people who have sex something like that.
I commented because I had a lot of experience with knowing pregnant teens as a teen and young adult. My high school had one policy to not stigmatize, my husband's high school had a different policy. Frankly I am not sure what is better, and a study on the issue would be interesting. However, I feel kind of strongly that getting pregnant is a choice, and not a great choice as a teen. I have known girls who have had abortions, many who had their children. Of the ones who had their children, I have known two groups ones whose parents let them struggle a bit with the consequences, and ones whose parents pretty much became a parent to their grandchildren to allow their children to continue on the same path. Many are still in the same relationship ruts many years later. (By the way, I realize I am out of the realm of the story of the girl and basketball and her scholarship. Each scenario is different. These are some thoughts on the issue in general.)
I started to blog about an example someone in our family, but decided against it. I was not sure how to do so without sounding incredibly frustrated and well, "judgemental".
More and more, the American opinion about sex is becoming that sex is simply fun like playing Monopoly. Those of us who equate sex with things like reproduction, love and bonding,respect for ourselves or others, or sexually transmitted diseases are out of it, judgemental, cold, or a number of other things that means out-of-touch with reality. I find this so baffling because regardless of your morals, nature is still nature. If you are holding a ball and let go, it will fall to the floor. If you have sex, you have a chance of getting pregnant, that is not old fashioned stigma. If you have a child, that child will change things in your life. That child will need care, food, clothing, love and nurturing. That is what is, not outdated opinion. That is just why people have parents. It seems like there is a notion that if you keep yelling enough times that these facts are not true, and you insult the people enough who believe in these facts, you can alter reality. I suppose it works a bit. It seemed to me there was a time when mothers would rather die than see harm come to her child, now 1,300,000 mothers a year pay to have their children killed. Still trying to change terms of nature is an injustice.
It is not a favor to teenage girls to keep saying "sex is ok as long as you have a condom" over and over again (although it might be to some teenage boys who want sex without commitment). It is not about hating girls, being unrealistic, or having some desire to point fingers and throw stones. It is about working for a fulfilling, happy life,loving relationships, and giving your offspring as stable environments as possible. Being used by a boy is not fun, and I repeatedly get frustrated for all the sex ed that is out there, no one talks about the emotional side, and the reason for the emotional side is to keep married couples together and bonded. Having children too young regardless if you decide to keep the child, abort, or put that child up for adoption is hard. And STDs can make people very sick, with perhaps permanent side effects and even kill.
Since we have dissassociated sex with reproduction, it is then that girls who turn up pregnant are kind of like "I didn't see that coming", not girls who are used to seeing traditional marriage=families, marriage=families over and over again. (Of course again, the myth is that traditional family roles means that we never teach our children anything about sex and tell them babies come from storks. Whatever.)Why has this become such a common place taboo? Morals aside, I am baffled by the logic (or lack thereof) of it. I am so tired of seeing girls in dreadful, depressing dramas with their "baby daddies". I am tired of seeing children without fathers. I am so sad that this has become the norm, and this is just what people do. I know I am preaching to the choir, but I am so tired and frustrated. I know so many people I would like to see better for.
June 17, 2006
Perplexed
Dawn Eden recently posted an excerpt from her new book The Thrill of the Chaste. She also linked to some of the responses to her book. Many of the comments range from outrage to outrageous. (I actually can only link to Dawn's site, and anyone can feel free to follow the links. This is PG blog).
I am both baffled and even scared. I am baffled because Amazon sells like over ten thousand books or something. I am sure that nine thousand books of those books are books that hold no interest for me or even of subject matter I completely agree with. You probably will not see me buying a book on a person's first hand account of how Kabbalah gave them peace and happiness, nor will you see me dishing it here. I could care less. But let's say I did decide to blog about it-you will not see 700 hundred comments (yeah right, like I get that much traffic to begin with so maybe I should say "if Mark Shea reviewed it...") with nasty comments about the writer's name and very personal practices. You will just see like 20 comments like "yawn, that's silly" or "that's why I'm Catholic".
I am scared a bit, because I get glimpses here and there of how crazy the world is. But for the most part, I try to surround myself with like-minded people and keep myself sheltered. It's protectttive because who wants their choices dished all the time? Family does enough of that. I often forget that people simply don't think the way I do. I mean I know they don't, but I always thought deep down inside they did, but are often blindsided by things like adolescence or other American delbilitating illnesses. So to me, if I were not Catholic, when a woman writes a book about saving yourself for a man to commit himself to you seems to me a book about a person making an extraordinary effort for something they truly want, not something to be met with obscenities.
But you know,I think what I find disturbing is just that. I was raised that you simply don't disagree with obscenities or below the belt remarks. If you disgree, you do so with a point: "Oh but I really do think avocados taste good, and would love some with dinner,"
not: "You jerk, you don't like avocados because you're just stupid because you have no taste buds! By the way, your name sounds silly on top of that!"
How, oh how am I going to raise children in this culture? I ask that of myself so much, maybe I should rename my blog that.
May 22, 2006
Darn!
How did I miss that the Smock is moving? I thought our family was moving quickly, but she and the Smockhub put an offer on a house just earlier this month and are closing this week!
So now I simply cannot complain about anything. Prayers to St Joseph for them!
So who else in St Blog's is moving this summer?
April 29, 2006
Various
Well, we have found a nice buyer for the Prussian Green Money Pit. Today my pal Iris came over and helped me dig up all my rhubarb. She's going to try to keep it alive in pots for me until after we move.
I think we've found a place to move, though I'm going to cry myself to sleep every night thinking about the mortgage (metro DC is a cruel, cruel place). Quaere: isn't it supposed to be a "buyer's market"? Then why is our seller acting like such a nut? He called our agent 36 hours after signing the contract, telling her he'd had another offer for $10K more than we'd paid. (Agent: "So? Dude, you signed a contract. If you don't go to settlement, we could sue you.") (Well, she didn't really say "dude" but I wish she had. It would have been funny.) Please, Lord, please help us just get to settlement without having to make a side trip to court. A nice concession from our deranged seller would help too.
Meanwhile, some good news, some good news indeed: new posts from dylan.
March 23, 2006
Welcome Ivan Joseph!
Dinka, you did it!
February 24, 2006
Dinka's No Supermom
Why is it so hard to admit you are having a hard time raising kids 24/7? Because it means you probably don't love your children.A year ago, I had a really nasty bout of postpartum depression.The most common remark I got was "well, it was your choice to have 5 children..."
Recently, my grandmother told me how she said to my father "even your daughter is smart, I don't why she didn't finish college, but she is actually kind of smart, believe it or not..." I am not sure the purpose of her remarks.
If I went to these family members who made these remarks while I was in let's say medical school instead of being a SAHM, and mentioned "Oh yes, school is good, it is difficult, but going well..." which I could see saying about my life as a SAHM, I would get tons of sympathy, and praise for doing the right thing.
Not so with being SAHM. Why on earth would I mention I had a rough day when all I get is laundry list of how having 5 kids is about the dumbest thing I could do?
I am digressing to my usual whining about my family's foolishness. But I don't think I am alone in this sort of pressure form family and peers. All of my energy is exhausted on justifying my choices, and none is left for simple admissions of "I had a bad day," without feeling like an utter failure.
February 4, 2006
Fr. Rob with more "why's" to homeschool
And their parents.
I have to concur. 18 years ago (ahem) when I was this age, I remember my parents being baffled as top why I did not adopt their morals. There were many reasons (besides that their morals were "extreme" to everyone else I was around)but frankly, I simply wasn't around my parents
January 24, 2006
Just in Case You Missed This...
January 15, 2006
As promised!
October 7, 2005
Today is the Feast of Blogging an Excerpt of "Lepanto"
Traditionally on this day, Catholic bloggers do something poorly that is worth doing.
I think I'll say a Rosary. I would also say "do some sewing," since that is something I do very poorly indeed, but I have the flu today, so I think I'll do needlepoint and housework.
And here's an excerpt from "Lepanto":
White founts falling in the Courts of the sun,And the Soldan of Byzantium is smiling as they run;
There is laughter like the fountains in that face of all men feared,
It stirs the forest darkness, the darkness of his beard;
It curls the blood-red crescent, the crescent of his lips;
For the inmost sea of all the earth is shaken with his ships.
They have dared the white republics up the capes of Italy,
They have dashed the Adriatic round the Lion of the Sea,And the Pope has cast his arms abroad for agony and loss,
And called the kings of Christendom for swords about the Cross.
The cold queen of England is looking in the glass;
The shadow of the Valois is yawning at the Mass;From evening isles fantastical rings faint the Spanish gun,
And the Lord upon the Golden Horn is laughing in the sun.
October 4, 2005
For Dinka
I was at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception this weeked because my two oldest were part of a children's choir there.
Whenever I go there, I think of you because there is this lovely statue of St. Veronica, and I finally remembered to take a picture and share it.
May 7, 2005
On Being Neither Liberal Nor Conservative
Good article from The Curt Jester via Flambeaux at Fiat Lux!
March 10, 2005
Mama T Interview Questions
This is the first chance I had to get to these. This is a fun bunch of questions.
1. So living in the great white north sounds brrrrrr, too cold, to us Southerners. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live, and why?
I would go back to the Fiji, or Jamaica. I am an island girl at heart. We condidered relocating to Puerto Rico this past summer as well. But if I move to the islands, I would miss the beauty of upstate NY and New England terribly. I feel very blessed because even though the cold is a struggle, we are living how I would like to live for now.
2. Are you really sleepy all the time? And just how DID you meet that Peony girl, anyway?
Yes, i am really sleepy all the time. I come from a long line of what my brother Alex would call "Sleepy Jamaican Women" because anemia and narcolepsy run int the family. Then I manage to have children who hate to sleep.
I met Peony on the Mothering With Grace 2 1/2 years ago. I remember because she referred to Hambet as "the Baby" all the time, and he was 18 months. There was a thread where someone requested we all give our AIM handles and like a days later she IMed out the blue. Then we made a point to IM the same time every day and found we some funny things in common. I remember thinking she was the coolest Catholic I met. She was smart, she liked Buffy and we talked about what to make for dinner everyday.
3. What was the last movie you watched, and would you recommend it to us? (Note: this needs to be a grown-up movie. Bambi doesn't count.)Oh, I never get to see grown-up movies. I saw the Pacifier and Are We There Yet and not only were they not grown up movies, they were penance. I watched Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure last night, but that is adolescent. Oh, I know, I think perhaps The Village. It is not my fav M.Night Shayalaman, but it has some great lines in it.
4. Go ahead and confess. Tell us one of your guilty pleasures. Buffalo Wings!!!!Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Oh, and um, season 1 of Wonder Woman.
5. You knew it was coming: What's your all-time favorite fiction book? At least for today.I have wayyy too many, I cannot narrow it down. I love science fiction and gothic horror. I also love mysteries, particulalry Sue Grafton. Reading is one of my favorite hobbies.
February 9, 2005
Emily at After Abortion Discusses Coach Carter
I hope the link is fixed now.
February 6, 2005
Because I don't speak French...
Lege: Coucoumellisms
January 12, 2005
New Blog
Thanks to Dawn Eden for the heads up.
December 14, 2004
This Is So Good
Please forgive my lateness on this, but I had to highlight Mr.Cella's blog on GK Chesterton on birth control.It was too good.
Thank you Jeff "Ain't No Season's Greetings Here" Culbreath for the heads up.
Prolife wristband bracelet thingies
I read someplace (well, to be specific, the Sunday Post; marketing questions) that those little rubber bracelets (made popular by Lance Armstrong) have become a little fashion craze among the tweens.
Well, Dawn Eden has good news for the pro-life tween in your life: blue "pro-life" bracelets.
December 10, 2004
Mama T gets all Dr Phil on Mars and Venus
November 24, 2004
Please pray...
November 21, 2004
Gerard's obituary
is here.
There are details about the funeral tomorrow, and a place to leave condolences for his family.
November 18, 2004
Eternal rest, grant him, O Lord...
... and may perpetual light shine on him. Amen.
He compiled the first directory, and now he is St Blog's first intercessor: Gerard Serafin, of Praise of Glory, died early this morning.
October 12, 2004
Just When I Was a Mark Shea Fan
If it help somebody find Jesus, then great. I'm afraid it sounds pretty cringeworthy to me. One of the sure signs that a cultural trend is dead is when some Evangelical creates a Christian version of it.Hip hop is so not dead. Kanye is as mainstream as you get. He is in concert tonight with Usher, much to my Children Who Cannot Be There's chagrin.
"Jesus Walks" is not s syrupy attempt at evangelising like much Christian Contemporary Rock. It is what it is, a song about what's on a brotha's mind, not to mention has a really good beat. It's a good song at that and a relief from things like Juvenile's Slow Motion.
P.S. I'm still a fan.
To the hustlas, killers, murderers, drug dealers even the strippers To the victims of Welfare for we living in hell here hell yeah Now hear ye hear ye want to see Thee more clearly I know he hear me when my feet get weary Cuz we're the almost nearly extinct We rappers are role models we rap we don't think I ain't here to argue about his facial features Or here to convert atheists into believers I'm just trying to say the way school need teachers The way Kathie Lee needed Regis that's the way yall need Jesus So here go my single dog radio needs this They say you can rap about anything except for Jesus That means guns, sex, lies, video tapes But if I talk about God my record won't get played Huh? Well let this take away from my spins Which will probably take away from my ends Then I hope this take away from my sins And bring the day that I'm dreaming about Next time I'm in the club everybody screaming out(Jesus Walks)
God show me the way because the devil trying to break me down
(Jesus Walks)
The only thing that I pray is that me feet don't fail me now
September 29, 2004
Windows into... something...
So like I said, I like the image at Jordan's post. (she found it at a Creighton University website.) In the image, Joan is little, defenseless; her expression is frightened, but she does not shrink or cower. Her cheeks are red from the heat of the bonfire. And St Michael towers behind her, protecting her. He touches her lightly on the arms as he comforts her in the flames. His face, his posture, convey calmness and strength. In general, I like images with big strong angels. I don't care for images with girly angels.
So I like this image, but at the same time it has that distinctive "Bridge Building Images" look to it. Bridge Building has some nice images, including images of Saints and Blesseds that I wouldn't have expected them to carry, such as Blessed Jacinta and Francisco, San Pio di Petrelcina, and Ven. Solanus Casey.
But they also have pages and pages of images that just go off the top of the Catholic Light Nut Scale. Bridge Building loves to depict people whose causes have yet to be opened (Fr Mychal Judge) or whose causes are unlikely to be opened anytime soon. They really, really love doing up images in some kind of bobo-romantic Native American style (complete with a disclaimer.) And, of course, who could forget their nut-rageous Lord of the Dance (complete with their reference to the 1963 ditty "Lord of the Dance" as a "medieval English Carol")? Not even Fr. Sibley knew where to start on that one.
Prayers for Terri
JMH at sotto sotto (which sports a very pretty template) blogs on Terri's predicament and how "gobsmacked" she (J) is at the utter lack (wilful?) of common sense shown by the courts and much of the media covering the case.
Jordan also has a post on Terri today, sharing her reflections on an image of St Michael the Archangel comforting St Joan of Arc:
The saint in the flames is Joan of Arc. I find it especially engaging when comparing it to Terri Schavo's situation. Terri's hands, as well as her loving parent's hands have been effectively chained by the courts. She is helpless. According to the "exit protocol" she will be kept warmer than she needs to (if they remove her feeding and hydration tubes again -- please God no!) in order to speed up dehydration. So she is literally in flames. Yet behind her stands St. Michael; holding her up against the evil and comforting her with God's own comfort.
Today is the feast of the Holy Archangels: Ss. Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael.
St Gabriel brought the news of the Word made Flesh. St Gabriel, please pray that our society be granted a renewed respect for the sanctity of human life and human sexuality.
St Raphael, please pray for Terri's healing -- and for the repentance and healing of those who are trying to kill her.
St Michael, please protect Terri and those who love her from the evil that seeks to destroy her. Protect us in battle!
September 28, 2004
If I were running "Spanning the Globe...."
...this would definitely be included:
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