Happy, Holy Christmas

A Happy Holy Christmas to everyone!

It's just past Midnight. We went to the vigil Mass earlier tonight. I had hopes of going to the Midnight Mass as well, with the kids tucked in bed (the younger ones, anyway). I must be getting old... it's Midnight and I'm fading fast. So it's to bed now, and getting up with the sun (or with the son, who will get up early).

The Creche is set up. The presents are out. There is a Christmas Carol record queued up (religious carols, sung by a choir!).

Good night, and Merry Christmas! Praise to God, who became Man, and came to save us.

The Pink Candle and Christmas Gifts

'Tis the season to be busy, busy, busy! I haven't posted much as I've been running around getting ready for Christmas.

The advent wreath is on the table. I love that custom. I like simple spiritual devotions: they keep the focus where it needs to be, but do not overwhelm. I'm easily overwhelmed and need to keep things very simple to stay on track.

And it's PINK WEEK! I normally am not a pink person (excuse me: It's ROSE as any priest who has to wear Pink on Gaudete Sunday will tell you!:-D). But there is something exciting about lighting that pink candle, and realizing you are more than half way to the Coming of Christ!

Thoughts on that... He's here already, of course. But despite really and truly being here, He's "hidden". He whispers in our hearts, and with our spiritual bad hearing we often misunderstand (which is one reason we have the Church). He is Truly Present in the Eucharist, yet hidden from us.

It's very like Mary, pregnant with Jesus. He was already here. But at Christmas he could be fully seen and experienced. And even though He's really here NOW, when He comes again it will be like that first Christmas... we will SEE Him, unhidden.

Rejoice!

One other note: I received in the mail a nice "Christmas Present." Maureen Wittmann's new book: For the Love of Literature. Looks to be a great reference and help to home schoolers, and reminds me, in a *simple* way, of why I began homeschooling. I need the refreshment! I'll post more on this book later. Meanwhile, get thee over to Amazon and take a look!

-edit- Amazon apparently does not have this book up yet. So get thee here instead:

www.eccehomopress.com
www.maureenwittmann.blogspot.com
www.maureenwittmann.com

Chesterton and Harry Potter

I just received my December Issue of Gilbert Magazine. This issue focuses on Fairy Tale, and contains some of the best comments on the Harry Potter series I've seen.

I've often been troubled by the distortions presented by some who oppose the Harry Potter series. The criticisms are often not based in truth, and that in itself is very troubling to me.

I've found the books have a very deep Truth in them, unlike so much that is on the bookstore shelves these days. They are not books for young children, they are simply stories that deal with good and evil and courage and virtue and flawed people striving, despite their flaws, to do and more so to BE good.

Unlike some of my fellow homeschoolers, I find great value in Fairy Tale and Fantasy. It is through myth, fairy tale, and fantasy that we can sometimes more clearly see and hear Truth. Jesus taught in parables. Why?

Because in the story, in the fiction, we can sometimes see the reality more clearly. It's so with Harry Potter.

No, I do not think the tales are Gospel. Or Holy writ. But the do reflect Christian Truths that are often not put forward in today's world. They show the value of family, of marriage and children, of virtue and love being more important than power. They are decidedly Christian in their view of the body and marriage, which is also very refreshing in today's world, which so often preaches disdain for the body, for the human person, and for the holiness of marriage and family. And I'm amazed and grateful to find such a book these days.

But I'm not amazed to find it was a modern "fairy tale" that gave us these Truths. It's in Fairy Tale so often that we find the higher truths.

I recommend getting a copy of the December Gilbert Magazine, and I recommend all the articles on Fairy Tales in general, and especially Nick Milne's article on Harry Potter (The Secret of Godric's Hollow).

Other bits I especially enjoyed in this month's Gilbert :
A page full of Chesterton Quotes on Fairy Tales
Chesterton's "The Wise Men" wonderfully illustrated
and the Chesterton essay "The Clever Man and Fairy Tales"

I'm sure I'll be editing and adding to that list as I finish the magazine.

You can find information on this publication here: Gilbert Magazine

Traditional Latin Mass

I'm a Novus Ordo girl. The Tridentine Mass was before (most of) my time. And I was fortunate to grow up in a diocese free of Clown Masses (mostly) and excessive Post V-2 Wackiness. I love reverent Novus Ordo Mass.

I stumbled into a Traditional Latin Mass today, offered at my parish according to Benedict's 7-7-07 Motu Proprio.

I still love the Novus Ordo, celebrated with reverence. But... but... I have to say... as much as I didn't really understand much of what was going on in the Traditional Latin Mass.. other than the obvious (the Sacrifice of Calvary made present)... there was "something" about the Mass. There was a sense of awe and worship. Despite the length of the Mass, even the little kids were fairly quiet and well behaved. They could "tell" too. Something BIG was happening here.

It was indeed "awe-some"

Gratitude

Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving, everyone.

For us Catholics, it's always Thanksgiving, isn't it? The Mass is a Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving to God.

We have much to be grateful for. In a darker time in my past, I hated hearing that, for I always turned it to "and so much to be ungrateful for". We ought to be grateful we have enough to eat? What about those who do not? I always looked at the dark side.

I'm learning now that Gratitude is vital to the life of our souls. I'm not sure why, anymore than I'm sure why I have abundance this Thanksgiving, and others do not. I just know God knows what He's doing, and He calls me to take part in His Plan.

And that we all, despite the darker times, have things to be Grateful for.

I refuse to be blinded to those things by the darkness that once clouded my sight. Time to live in Reality.

I'll close with a little story:

A woman was on the beach, watching her grandson play at the shoreline. He had little yellow shorts, a blue bucket, a toy shovel, and a little white hat. He giggled as the waves tickled him. She watched him, smiling, when suddenly a HUGE wave game up and pulled him out to sea. She was frantic... she couldn't see him anywhere. She prayed:
"Lord, return my grandson to me and I'll never be ungrateful for anything again!"

Just then another huge wave came up, depositing the little guy, unhurt, back on the sand. He was laughing due to the excitement of the ride in the waves. She ran down and picked him up, hugging him tight. Then she looked at him more closely. He stood there, dripping, in his little yellow swim trunks, with his toy shovel grasped tightly in his fist, and his little bucket at his feet.

The woman looked back up to heaven and snapped "He had a HAT, you, know!"

Homeschooling- Things I've Learned (part 4)

In previous posts I told my history and philosophy of homeschooling, more or less. A little bit of formal basics, and lots of free time (to dig pits and such).

It always helped me when folks mentioned the actual STUFF they used in homeschooling, so I'll mention a few things I like here.

My youngest is on about the second grade level (though we don't really do "levels" or "grades" here). Over the years, I've wandered about the Phonics Product World, never really finding a reading/phonics program that I was happy with.

Early on, I was at a huge curriculum fair in Pennsylvania (CHAP in Harrisburg), and I met the woman who designed Sing, Spell, Read and Write. I also heard speaker Debra Bell laud this program. I also saw the dang thing cost nearly $200. And I'm cheap. I had spent $400 on a full service curriculum the year before, but heck, I got a lot of books and "subjects" for that price! $200 just for Phonics and Reading? Bah.

Well, sometimes cheap is expensive, if you follow me.

With my youngest I got Sing, Spell, Read and Write. It's clearly the BEST program for Language Arts in the early years. Because of the songs, games, and books, even a squirmy child can get into this one. And they LEARN it.

By the time I got to this last child, I knew how to adapt a lesson plan... they give you a very clear structured daily plan with this program. However since I'm usually unclear and unstructured, I adapted it to the "chaos model" of homeschooling, and it still worked fine.

I wish I'd used this with my now college aged eldest daughter, when she was young! She struggled with reading, but I think this would have worked really well.

And I ended up spending far more than $200 over the years on programs for all of them.
For homeschoolers with kids just learning to read, I'd strongly recommend this program.
I'd also recommend keeping in mind kids learn to read at different ages, so keep it fun, let them progress at their own pace, and they'll 'get' it.

The only addition I'd add to this Language Arts program is some good books read ALOUD to the child, separate from reading "classes". Reading aloud to my kids did wonders as far as getting them interested in reading (if you are not a read aloud person, books on tape are good too).

Eventually the phonics lessons, and love of books they learn from the read-alouds, will click together (PLEASE don't read aloud and then give them tests and worksheets! Nothing worse to kill a love of books... just ... read. For fun).

... to be continued....

Pits for Peace

My youngest son dug a pit in the backyard. A big pit. If he stands in it just his head sticks out, and he's tall for his age.

He and his older sister (my youngest girl) fight like cats and dogs.

I just looked out the window. They are happily working together in the back yard, deepening the pit.

No fights, no arguments, just digging. That's good!

I just have to make sure both come back IN again.

Winter Burnout

It's coming early this year! Normally February is my 'down time' when I'm in desparate need of a curriculum fair, when I contemplate flagging down the yellow bus and throwing them on.

But it's only November and I'm having trouble focusing. Any suggestions?
(Other than a nice bath and a hot cuppa tea.... actually, that sounds good... I think I'll at least get the tea now!)

Funny, it was easier when I had LOADS of kids at home. My little guy is nine... my eldest ones are in college and my others are teens, and relatively self sufficient. I almost feel like I'm homeschooling an only child. Which is more difficult than homeschooling a batch of battling siblings.

Perhaps we'll have a side of Poetry with the tea. Poetry is great for focus.

Odilo of Cluny

This guy is one of my favs.
We owe All Souls Day to him (for which I'm sure MANY are grateful).

He's pictured as a Benedictine abbott with a skull and crossbones at his feet.... which is kinda cool.:)

Read more about it at Saint Odilo

He was kind and gentle to others, and for his liberality he was sometimes criticized.
A saying attributed to him is "I would rather be condemned for showing too much mercy, than for showing too much justice"

It's a message we can all use.

Praise God for His Mercy

Embryonic Stem Cell Research in NJ

"whew!"

A campaign for 40 days of prayer. Rosaries. Offering Mass. And a State I'd never have expected to vote down any expenditure of money, especially one disguised as a "good thing".. VOTED DOWN tax money to fund stem cell research.

They voted FOR using tax dollars to preserve Open Space.

Political Experts are left scratching their heads. Why would voters vote down stem cell (including embryonic stem cell) tax funded research? But vote FOR taxes to be used to preserve open space?

Maybe, ladies and gentlemen of the press, it's because NJ residents value and respect life more than was realized.

I'm willing to bet a similar motion, asking for funds for NON-EMBRYONIC research would have passed overwhelmingly.

Folks have had enough of science experiments on the weakest.

Praise God!

Nancy Brown and Father Brown

We received our copy of "The Father Brown Reader" today. My nine year old was delighted. We read aloud the first story, The Blue Cross, and he gives it a solid two thumbs up. He'd give more thumbs, but he only has two.

I was quite impressed by the adaptation. This is not a "dumbed down" book, even though Mrs. Brown adapted it for younger, contemporary readers. It is recommended on some sites for ages 8-10, but unless your 8-10 year old is a very solid reader, I'd push it up bit for solo reading (10 and up). But as a read aloud, it can go younger.

You can read more about it and order it at FlyingStars

Homeschooling: things I've learned part 3

Below I spoke of trying to find a balance between the duplication of the classroom at home (aka School-in-a-box or full service loads o' texts curriculum), and the learn-from-life-around-you "unschooling" style of homeschooling.

I've found both work, blended.

For the younger children, we needed some formal education, in reading, writing, phonics, and math. That was it. Keeping it simple was the key.

AND blending it all in with what the child was interested in, being alert for those "teachable moments", and leaving lots of time to learn from life itself. If we held off learning from the world around us, because the lesson planner said we had to do page 57 of the History Book, it was a mistake. The child was unlikely to remember what was in the history book, and the lesson they'd remember- perhaps the hummingbirds in the backyard, or measuring ingredients for cookies, was lost.

But those reading and math lessons are important! So what, after years of homeschooling, do I find works?

A bit of time, maybe on the porch in good weather, or in the yard, or around the kitchen table, with the reader, phonics book, or math book (Some children need to avoid distractions, so a regular desk just for school probably is helpful in that case)... Just as much time as was needed to cover a simple lesson for the day, and making sure that time was provided each day (at least as a norm)... But also making sure the time was not excessive. Keep it Simple, keep at it, and don't do too much.

Then read: good books, good poetry that is fun and age appropriate. And take walks. And visit museums. And play with Legos. And dig in mud and collect worms and don't be afraid to get dirty. Talk talk talk with each other. Be alert for the teachable moments. Don't leave your child to be raised by the TV ... be there, be a part of it, model learning yourself, look things up together if someone Wonders.

Blending those two things... a dash of formal education, in limited but consistent amounts, and lots of exploration of truth and beauty... and you've got it.

Homeschooling: Things I've learned part 2

Balance.

That's a biggie when homeschooling. And in life in general, I'd guess!

I began homeschooling by trying to reproduce school at home. I drove myself nuts, and the kids didn't "progress" as far as "we were supposed to" (that is, we got only halfway through the assigned year).

I lived in a state that required homeschool evaluations each year, and our evaluator- a public school teacher who homeschooled his own children- said while there was nothing wrong with the canned curriculum, there were other ways do to this. He encouraged me to venture away from the Lesson Plan Book.

Moderation not being my strong suit, I did.

I went to a curriculum fair... a huge one... and my brain exploded. I think I probably have multiple personalities anyway, and putting someone like me in a room full of ALL THESE KEWL THINGS just caused me to shatter from about three personalities to 132.

It was fun, though!

But we swung too far in the "cool stuff" direction... I lost the idea of Keep It Simple. Actually, I didn't have that my first year, either, with the BIG LESSON PLAN BOOK with Way Too Much in it.

I followed up with a move to the very simple side... virtual unschooling. Also very good, and it was productive for my one child... BUT... after all these years and quite a few 'mistakes' which my children all successfully survived...

I have found that Balance, Simplicity, and a Joy in God's Creation is what "works".

more specifics in the next post... assuming this personality is still in control... :)

And Yet More "Shocking" Harry Potter "News"

A certain AP article is making the rounds, right on the heels of the MTV article where the Christian imagery in Harry Potter is revealed to have been intentionally put there by Rowling.

The AP article quotes Rowling as revealing Dumbledore was gay, saying her books were a plea for tolerance, and telling readers to question authority. All in one large distorted lump.

Before people are quick to pass on that article as the absolute unvarnished truth, I recommend reading the full transcript at the Leaky Cauldron site, or go to the Eldrich Hobbit Site for an eyewitness in detail report of what was said, when, and in what context.

When people read the newspapers articles, especially on anything like this, they SHOULD question authority. Especially the authorities who write the newspaper articles. Which, by the way, was part of the context of JKR's comments to "question authority" (she was referring to Nazi like government regimes and Bad and distorted newspaper reporting, specifically. In fact all the comments "quoted" -- and I use the term loosely -- and put in one lump in the AP article were replies to different questions in different contexts at the Q and A event )

The eldrich hobbit
Transcript of comments

The 'Christian' Harry Potter

I've been a defender of Harry Potter for years. When I heard the fuss about the books, I pre-read the first one with caution. We don't do "new age" in my home. But fantasy literature we love. And I know that some people respond to fantasy literature, and even classic myth, with fear.

I read the books, and really liked them. They were not perfect (though now that the series is over, I see some of what I found originally problematic was actually an important part of the story and later resolved). But they were good. And there was a tremendous Pro Life message through the books. Christian Virtues (most of which are not exclusive to Christians, of course, and most of which are sadly under-practiced by Christians, none the less they are still "Christian Virtues") abounded. Our heroes did not always practice these virtues, but they were there. And they were VIRTUES. They were aspired to by the flawed characters, some of whom managed to grab em and some of whom never quite got it.

Today, on the wonderful Hogwarts Professor site, I read the best description of the books' Christian influence I've yet read: "As it is, it’s a work of fictional literature that is influenced by Christian belief. " (from a comment by blog reader Travis Prinzi).

Yes, Harry Potter is not a Christian Apology. It's not a Catechetical work. it's a "work of fictional literature that is influenced by Christian belief"

And we don't have enough of that these days.

You can read the
Hogwarts Professor here

Homeschooling - things I've learned, part 1

I have no idea how many "parts" this will have. I just know that after years of homeschooling, and some kids "done" and in college, and some still at home... I'm starting to get the hang of this.

I've gone from canned curriculum to no curriculum to workbooks to unschooling. Sort of the "Sybil" method of homeschooling (and if you get that reference, you're old, like me).

What have I learned? I've learned there are aspects to all those "styles" that are good. I've learned that a total focus on any one is not the best thing (though if I had to err, it would be in the 'unschooling' direction).

Last weekend, my little guy (the last remaining little guy I have! The others are teens or adults now) was looking in a lake. He hung over the edge, hanging onto a branch, looking at the life in the water. He speculated. He thought. He learned.

He didn't know he was "doing school." But he was. And he'll remember that longer than he'll remember chapter 10 of a wordy science book.

more later...

Where are the Turkeys?

I really do not have a problem with Halloween. For one thing, it's one of ours. It's a Christian day... Hallowed evening... the evening before All Saints Day. And while the neopagans try to claim it was one of theirs, it was one of ours first... Halloween's history is Christian. And I'm all for taking the day BACK.

I also don't mind "fun" scariness for the kids... I don't mind costumes and dress ups... I love when they pick a Saint's costume and go about telling the story of their saint when someone asks "And what are you supposed to be?" But if my son wants to be an M&M or a Pirate or Scary Skeleton that's okay too.

What bugs me is the marketing. Each year, this innocent children's fun day, this historically Christian Feast Evening, when we think of those in heaven with Christ... gets weirder and darker. And worse...

It crowds out the Turkeys.

I can find a glut of Halloween decorations. And I have nothing against Bats. I love bats. Give me a stickie bat window cling and I'll put it up. Anytime of the year.

But what about Thanksgiving?

THANKSGIVING- a day when we give THANKS TO GOD. Used to be able to find all the Pilgrim and Indian decorations. Horns of plenty (a sign of Life, and abundance, and the Goodness of our creative God). Indian Corn. And TURKEYS.

Turkey candles, Turkey table cloths, Big tacky turkey centerpieces.

Where are they? What happened to remembering Thanksgiving?

We rush right from focus on death and greed, to a focus on BUY! BUY! BUY! as the secular version of Christmas takes over.

This week we're making Turkeys out of hand tracings and construction paper. We're talking about the Pilgrims, and the Indians, and why Thanks was given in a BIG FEAST.
And of course, we'll talk about how Mass is Thanksgiving with a Big Feast, too.
God is abundant.

Does anyone know where I can get a Turkey Centerpiece?

Book Fair!

Last weekend I found myself wandering around a book fair on the streets of a small artsy town nearby.

The town was interesting... I used the term "bohemian" when describing it to my husband. He said no... this town was "redeveloped" and planned as a "bohemian" town, and therefore it was not. "You can't plan bohemian" he said.

I guess he has a point.

I did find some cool books though.

An illustrator/children's author I like, Dar Hosta, was there. You can see some of her stuff HERE I love her use of color. Plus I've always been partial to those metallic gold and silver pens, since about sixth grade when they were all the rage. :)

I also found some interesting ABC books... homeschoolers are always on the prowl for books that cover more than one subject... boy that sounds formal... "cover more than one subject" ... how can I reprhase? Books about lots of cool stuff?

Well, whatever. I picked up Marcie Aboff's "Guatemala ABCs" The author has a series of ABC books telling about different lands. I flipped open this one to see if they got the Catholic Culture correct- and they did. For example, "D is for Day of the Dead." And they are pretty accurate (but quite simple) in telling about it. "H is for Holy Week" too! It's not a Catholic book... they touch on some Mayan folk lore/mythology.. which is fine by me but I know any hint of folklore or mythology gives some people the vapors.

Did you know the Guatemalan National Bird is the QUETZAL? I do now. And now I have something other than "Queen" and "Quilt" to use for the letter Q when doing alphabet cards.

Which brings me to the second most important letter in an alphabet book.

X

I always liked the Richard Scarry ABC book because he didn't use XRAY for X. (you'll have to pick up his book if you want to know what he used. Hint: It's Aquatic). The Guatemala ABC book has Xelaju.

What's that?

Buy the book and find out! :)

I did say X was the second most important letter. The first, is quite obviously "C".

"C is for Coffee"


The books are put out by picturewindowbooks and also have ABC books for Australia, Canada (eh?), China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Israel,
Italy,
Japan, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States. I didn't check the other books so I can't speak for their content, but I plan to learn more about them. My youngest is past the learning ABC stage, but he read the Guatemala ABC book simply because it was interesting.

publisher web site here

The Bird's got Rhythm!

I wish I could dance.

At least SOMEONE likes the Backstreet Boys

Discovering the Greek Myths

A few weeks ago my little guy used the term "Greek Myth" to mean something made up. I had picked up a copy of D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths , and we cracked it open yesterday for a read aloud. He did not want me to stop. He LOVES the myths. He thought Argus was pretty cool, what with all those eyes.
Monsters and weird looking creatures are ALWAYS cool.

He's writing his own 'myth' now. It started to explain how caterpillars got little bitty legs, and now involves a whole complex cast of characters, only one of whom has realized the "gods" are not real. He eventually becomes a priest (of the one True God, whom he realizes must exist).

So we're wandering out of "myth" territory, but that's where his story went...

The Evils of Convenience

.
Bagged Salad.
It's very convenient. I'm not a cook, so if I can defrost it, microwave it, unwrap it and pour it in a bowl, it's dinner. Sometimes I'll boil water, too.

I realize this violates the Homeschool Denim Skirt Freezer Full Of Homemade Dinner Mom Stereotype, but I cannot cook.

I never realized the dire effect this would have on my children's MINDS, though.

I was in the store with my 12 year old. I asked her to get me a HEAD OF LETTUCE. She looked at me and said "that's the green round thing?"

That's when I realized that for years, we just bought salad-in-a-bag to serve all our lettuce needs. The poor kid was unsure what a head of lettuce was.

On the brighter side, she knows what a "record" is (as in flat vinyl thing).

Why Hope? God Writes Straight with Crooked Lines.

From Pope Benedict's sermon, Feast of Our Lady's Nativity, September 8, 2007:

"The Gospel passage we have just heard broadens our view. It presents the history of Israel from Abraham onwards as a pilgrimage, which, with its ups and downs, its paths and detours, leads us finally to Christ. The genealogy with its light and dark figures, its successes and failures, shows us that God can write straight even on the crooked lines of our history. God allows us our freedom, and yet in our failures he can always find new paths for his love. God does not fail. Hence this genealogy is a guarantee of God’s faithfulness; a guarantee that God does not allow us to fall, and an invitation to direct our lives ever anew towards him, to walk ever anew towards Jesus Christ."

I take such encouragement from this, and from the 'characters' of God's story. God does indeed, 'write straight with crooked lines' and that is such good news. Praise God for His Mercy, and his ability to make the best darn lemonade from a whole lotta lemons. :)
Christ has won. God's here, He's working, all will be well.

The Awkward Song

^This is a funny video. Even funnier if you know Franciscan University.

Are Skeleton Keys Real, Mom?

Today my youngest child asked me if skeleton keys were real. I told him yes, and explained what they were and that we had a couple in our old (very old) house.

He was quite impressed, and said he hadn't realized such keys truly existed. "I thought they were Greek myths" he said.

He has an older brother in his twenties. When that child was young, I'd have corrected such a comment, explaining what Greek Myths were and how he'd used the wrong term. I'd have given him more correct alternatives. I'd have launched into a retelling of at least three actual Greek Myths. I'd have gone on and on about it, long after the child had tuned me out and was probably thinking about how to defeat King Koopa in Mario II.

How do our eldest children survive us? I think the oldest children are "practice kids".

I knew, today, that by "Greek Myth" my youngest son just meant something that wasn't real, but was pretty darn cool to think about. I understood him, and didn't need to "correct". Instead, I could listen and maybe really hear.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is the day the Church celebrates the Birthday of the Blessed Mother. Does anyone out there do birthday parties for the Blessed Mother?

We have a cake and sing Happy Birthday. I remember years ago my sister's college age friends always had a big birthday party, with games and prizes and cake and dinner and of course, a Rosary and Hymn sing (with Happy Birthday added in to the Hymns).

Mary undid what Eve did, opening the way for our salvation, just as Christ undid what Adam did, saving us. I'm always impressed with the way God can write a story. That was very neat- bad angel leads the woman to say no to God, paving the way for the man to say no to God, mankind falls. Good angel asks the Woman to obey God, she says "yes" to God, paving the way for the Man to say "yes" to God, mankind is saved.

Thanks, Mom! And Happy Birthday.

Life on Life's Terms

We did make it to the Library yesterday. That was on the agenda for the start of the school year.
More was on the agenda for today.
I got sick
Mom can't call a substitute.

There was a day off and there was much rejoicing. Except for me. Pass the Advil and Pepto.

Another Year Begins

I suppose this 'headline' ought to wait for the First Sunday in Advent. That's when we have our Happy New Year parties.

But as most parents reading this have figured out, I'm refering to the school year.

Not that, for us homeschoolers, the school year ever 'ends' and 'begins' cleanly (by 'cleanly' I mean at one defined point. Our schooling is never clean, what with crayons, paint, bits of hamster litter, scissors-and-anything-they've-attacked - including the dog - and the worst foe of all, cuisinarre rods which scatter and multiply).

I guess we ought to 'start' today, as the neighbor's children trudged off to school this morning.

Thus a trip to the library is in order today. And to the park. I wonder if we ought to go to the Museum? Maybe tomorrow.

I love homeschooling.

Harry Potter, a Christian Tale

Oh dear.
I've just read the article on Harry Potter by Father Aguilar in the Register.
While he had some good points on the virtues in Harry Potter (self sacrifice, the value of a large family, etc) I wonder where he got the idea that Potter had gnostic philosophy?
As I read his analysis I wondered if we'd read the same books.
The Harry Potter books have far more a Christian Philosophy than a gnostic one. The body is respected and valued. There is no "secret knowledge", rather magic is a sort of technology. I do wonder if some of the Potter Critics go into the books with the notion of "magic" as a spiritual enlightenment, and thus misread what is there.
The only inner quest going on is the one for virtue. Harry is not seeking his "inner wizard" but his inner human being. He goes on a journey from fear, lies, and deceit, to courage, honesty, and mercy.
THAT is the story and philosophy in Harry Potter.
And it's one reason why I love these books. They are not perfect books, but they are very deep, basically Christian, and better than so much that is out there.

If you get them for your children, read them together. I personally feel these are books for older children and adults, not because of problems in the book, but because the books are very complex and the moral story in them might be missed by younger children.

My hat is off to J.K. Rowling for writing such a fantastic, moral, and Christian story for this time.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

I saw two videos today and both are worth passing on. The first is just adorable: 23rd Psalm

The second is a very moving video, a true story of someone who 'survived' an abortion. Nick Cannon's Can I Live

Mass without Coffee

Every year as Lent begins, our Pastor gives his talk on the required Catholic fasting, and the superiority of our Jewish Brethren when it comes to fasting and taking the High Holy Days seriously.

A Catholic's idea of fasting is one regular meal and two smaller meals (required only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, days when we also abstain from non aquatic meat). That's pretty wussy.

The Pastor points out that our Jewish brothers and sisters go the WHOLE DAY without eating on the Day of Atonement. And we Catholics whine about not being able to shove a few snickers bars down the hatch two days a year (technically, you still COULD shove the snickers bars down the hatch if you made them one of your light meals- although that is sort of adhering to the letter of the law and not the spirit :)).

Yup, Catholics, unless they are those few admirable penitential saints who went 40 years without eating more than half a grape, are pretty wussy when it comes to overcoming the flesh through sacrifice.

And I'm definitely one of those wussy ones.

In the olden days (not quite as old as the half a grape days, but still before my time) one had to keep a Communion fast from Midnight until Communion at Mass. Nothing but water (the sick and those caring for them excepted) from the time you woke up until Mass. Now the fast is down to one hour before Communion. Which, at my parish, means you could be eating a Whopper halfway through the Homily and you'd still make the hour fast.

This fast is not a bad thing. Holy Communion is such an awesome event- we receive Christ Himself, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Wow! And because this is available to us each week (each day if we go to Daily Mass) it's easy to lose sight of how incredible this is- each time. Fasting for an hour reminds us this is God Himself we receive, and we must prepare, cleansing our bodies to break our fast with God himself. Looking at it that way, it's easy to see why it used to be fasting all night until Morning Mass.

So what happened to me today?

Normally I wake up in time to have a cup of coffee at least before Mass. Usually coffee and a bagel. Today I got a late start, and had time to get washed, dressed, and out the door.

Mass without coffee... um... is not being able to focus a spiritual experience? Was my phasing out some sort of mystical event?

Probably not. I'm just wussy when it comes to fasting. Next time I'm getting up early enough to have coffee. Unless someone invents caffinated water.

Somewhere in my imagination lives Saint Mindi. She can live 40 years on a QUARTER grape, bear all sorts of pains, and is heroically martyred crying out "Viva Christo Rey!"

But the real Mindi needs coffee.

Not quite an empty nest

I recall reading a number of years ago, a column by a homeschooling mother whose children were growing up, leaving 'school' and leaving home. She said she had to learn to deal with the different 'seasons' in life, and it was difficult to move into this new 'season'.

I didn't understand. I had toddlers at home as well as homeschooled elementary children. I loved my life as mom, but also looked forward to the day my husband and I could retire and take an RV across the country. That 'season' sounded wonderful.

Now I have only one left in the elementary school level, and have two who have left the nest. Those two give me hope in homeschooling, as they are wonderful, moral, and intelligent adults.

Adults. Wow. They were just babies.

It is difficult to realize the leaves are changing and we are entering a new season. I look back on those days where I wanted the time alone with the husband and the vacations in the RV, and wish for those days again, of diapers and runny noses and children climbing all over me, demanding. It was precious, and flew by way too fast.

By the time one learns that, I suppose, it's gone.

Feast of Saint Bernard

Woof.

I'm sorry... it's terrible. But whenever I see this wonderful Saint's name... all I can think of is a big splotchy dog, bounding through the snow, to the rescue of the helpless and lost.

It's probably because I pronounce it ber-NARD, like the dog. Fortunately, at Mass today, the priest pronounced it BERN-rd. It was easier to hear what was being said about Saint BERN-rd because the image of the brandy bearing hound didn't come barreling into my mind.

Saint Bernard is an awesome saint (we have SO many of those! Ain't it cool?). He's a doctor of the Church, which means he left behind him much sound and illuminating writing about the Faith (I guess writing was a task he doggedly pursued. :))

He was a member of the Cistercian order (sort of Super-Benedictines). He founded the monastery at Clairvaux (which means place of Light - and it was).
He is credited with writing the Memorare, the beautiful prayer to the Blessed Mother (which I recommend saying at the end of your rosary). I take great comfort in that prayer (thanks BERNard!)

The first time I remember hearing that prayer was not in Church, nor from any cleric or nun (Cistercian or otherwise). It was on the TV Show "Emergency!" The paramedics were rescuing a group in an overturned school bus. Paramedic Roy DeSoto was helping the driver - a nun named Sister Barbara. Sister Barbara asked him to say the Memorare with her as she lay injured, pinned in the bus. He did.

Funny how God sometimes gets his info across! I never forgot that prayer afterwards, even though I was not practicing my faith when I saw it aired. It stuck with me.
(The show got two things right about the Catholic world: The Memorare, and the fact Nuns are notoriously bad drivers.)

Fun BERNard facts: He is the patron of beekeepers; bees; candlemakers; chandlers; wax-melters; wax refiners; Gibraltar; Queens College, Cambridge.
His symbols are the beehive; bees; three mitres on a book; white dog (woof!); inkhorn and pen; Passion implements; book.

Often portrayed with the Blessed Mother (seeing her in a vision).

He battled evils, befriended Popes, founded monasteries. He worked miracles in Christ's name, and fought sin and secularism among the clergy and nobles. EWTN's web site states: "While singing Mass he restored to Josbert de la Ferte, a relative of his who had been stricken dumb, the power of speech. The man was enabled to confess before he died, three days later, and to make retribution for many acts of injustice. There are also accounts of sick persons whom Bernard cured by making the sign of the cross over them, all attested to by truthful eyewitnesses.... The election of unworthy men to the episcopacy and to other Church offices troubled Bernard deeply, and he fought it with all his might. A monk, his enemies said, should stay in his cloister and not bother himself with such matters. A monk, he replied, was as much a soldier of Christ as other Christians were, and had a special duty to defend the He of God's sanctuary. Bernard's outspoken censures had their effect in changing the way of life of several high churchmen. Henry, archbishop of Sens, and Stephen, bishop of Paris, renounced their attendance at court and their secular style of living."

Bounding through the snow, to the rescue of the helpless and lost... I guess BerNARD isn't such a bad way of saying it after all.

Feast of Our Lady of the Assumption

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven... one of my favorite Holydays.
Just the name says so much... Mary was Blessed by God in so many ways, and because of that, so were we.
It's a feast day of Hope, because Jesus' promise is confirmed in Mary. He rose and thus so will we.
She's us, you know. As we were made to be, reflections of Him (yet totally ourselves- the more we lose ourselves in Him, paradoxically the more unique and "us" we are).
So what to say about Mary?
God got to make His own mother. He does everything well.

I know so many Protestants (and some Catholics) have a "problem" with Mary. There was a time I didn't quite 'get' this Catholic Mary thing either.
But she said it herself: "My soul magnifies the Lord" - everything revealed by God about Mary, points to God. Everything. It's all about God.

Why is Mary conceived without sin? Because God the Son came to us through her. And HE is HOLY. See? The magnifying glass of Mary let's us see more of God.

Some say God used Mary to come to the world- she was "just" an instrument- nothing special.

But God does not use people. He makes (and repairs) relationships.

And He made His own mother.

It all points to Him, which of course, is just what makes Mother happy:)

Happy feast day, Mom.

The start...

I'm new to the world of blogging... seems this world contains many well read, well educated people. People, who unlike me, didn't attend public school in the 1970s. I'm in awe of some of the intelligent blogs on Catholicism, Homeschooling, literature, art, etc, that are out there.
I might put up some links to some of them, but I can't rival them.

I can only post some of my thoughts, joys, experiences, frustrations, typos and bad spelling, and maybe a few other average IQ-educated-in-the-70s-and-feel-inadequate folks will be able to relate.

Who am I? I'm Mindi, and I'm a Catholic mom. I believe in fidelity to Rome, and Orthodoxy without being anal. I respect and find beauty in tradition, but am not a traditionalist. My interests are art, poetry, literature, and seeing the One Real Story in these (which is why I admire certain blogs and websites from afar- the intellect is beyond my own, but I'm grateful for the topics discussed).

I'm not the sort to want to paint little diapers on the naked baby angels pee pees scandalizing the ceilings at the Vatican. I don't hate Harry Potter (I absolutely LOVE the much maligned books, which I consider strongly Christian in theme). I love Coleridge, am just discovering Chesterton (where has he BEEN all my life!), and have been a Tolkien fan for years. I enjoy the Beatles, remember Earth Day, am strongly pro-life, and think John Paul the Second was indeed John Paul the Great (love that pic of him in the shades, too). Think God made himself an AWESOME Mother, and am glad He shares her with us. (Mary is cool! And the Rosary is, outside the Mass, the most awesome prayer! :))

I have a whole BATCH of children who I am (or have) home schooled. Yup, I believe in accepting the children God sends, and have been quite blessed (though at times very aggravated) by the children he blessed me with. One thing about homeschooling... my children ended up far more intelligent and literate than Mom. Odd how that works.

See you around.