Reading

Drumroll. I won One Week of You by Lisa Williams Kline over on Carol's blog where she reviewed it--I'll wait while you read :) I fell in love with the cover when it was first announced and was so delighted to find out I won!!! I'm already in the thick of it--it's a fast read. More MG in nature than YA even though the narrator is a freshman in high school. In essence, perfect for your innocent girls from age 11-15. I often think this is the kind of book that is the hardest to place because kids like to read up (protagonist is older than them) but most kids are not ready for the grit and angst and sex and violence that can be present in a typical young adult book. I loved how the focus of this book is on friendship and discernment of how we choose and keep our friends. I also enjoyed the family relationships. It was just so normal! The characters are like real kids I know--sweet, funny, confused, exasperating, quirky. I know my 17-yr-old will enjoy reading this during Easter break (ummm, she hasn't seen it yet because I got the mail first and she has much work to catch up on...see what a good mom I am?) Thank you, Lisa, for writing this delightful book. It serves as an excellent mentor text for me for a friendship/immigration book I've been mulling for years. 

I don't often talk about picture books even though I read many of them. Typically, I'll check out a bunch at a time and soak them up, hoping some of their magic will rub off on me. I'm the only one in this household who's still poring over picture books. The best are for all ages. Here are a couple of outstanding picture books recently published: Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal. I loved the soft illustrations and the beautiful double-page spreads as Alma's daddy tells her about each family member who's contributed to her name. It's such a cozy book and one that invites the child to get to know his or her family history. Beautiful. 

 

The other picture book is Grandma's Tiny House by JaNay Brown-Wood and Priscilla Burris. It's a joyous celebration of getting together at Thanksgiving (or any other time) with family, friends, and neighbors. It reminded me so much of our own family get-togethers in WA. The rhymes are pitch perfect and the illustrations full of movement and energy!

Now that Passiontide has begun as well, we're practicing a lot of the Sacred Triduum music. The statues are veiled, the Gloria Patri and Alleluia are suppressed (but we in choir get a foretaste of it all) and we sink more deeply into the Passion narrative. But I almost forgot, the adorable Tammi Sauer has an equally adorable new PB that I am dying to check out. She does chicks and chickens so well. I get a chance when I do my reading and book-signing of Ten Easter Eggs at Barnes and Noble on Holy Sat. 10:45 am, Mt. Pleasant Towne Center. Local friends, I hope to see you there.

Unplanned

I read the book UNPLANNED many years ago and was struck by Abby Johnson's courageous journey as a Planned Parenthood director to the pro-life cause. So many of us, myself included, have believed in a lie, based our lives upon it, but Abby shows that you can turn away from a life you do not want and into a new one. I wanted everybody to read it and did a mini-review here. Now that it's a movie, I hope everybody who is 13 years old and up can see the truth about abortion. It does have a couple of very graphic scenes, but they are not gratuitous. They are absolutely necessary to show the violence of the act, not just against the baby but also against the mother. The ultrasound is computer generated--and not a real abortion.

I didn't know what abortion was until I came to this country and took a mandatory class on Health as a freshman in the public high school. Never mind that I didn't actually know how the baby got to be there in the first place. But my first reaction was horror. Yet, fast forward four years, and by age 18, I had breathed enough feminist and me-myself-I air and was blithely proclaiming that abortion is a woman's right, the baby being a parasite since it takes all its sustenance from the mother. But by my mid-20s I reversed my position because now I had family and friends who'd gone through abortions and I saw their suffering, and my own part in the destruction of their babies. See, I did not want any responsibility for the babies, so I'd say, "I'll support whatever choice you make." Like Abby Johnson, I looked at myself and wondered how I ever became so hard-hearted.


The movie is well-made, true to its characters, and situations. Although it's Abby's story, we get a good glimpse of how a girl raised in a Christian home can make choices that are unchristian. Away from home, she's subject to all the temptations young people face. Her parents are amazing, and a great example to all how to show love even when you disagree with your child. The women working at PP were also well-defined. All of them cared about the women. Except maybe Cheryl, the boss, who made it very clear that what mattered was the bottom line. I also liked seeing the friendship that developed between Marilisa and Abby across the fence. It's what allowed Abby to leave PP. I don't cry much at movies, but by the end I was bawling, thinking of the babies who'd be grown up by now. It definitely packs an emotional wallop. But remember God's mercy.

I could write so much more, but many others have reviewed UNPLANNED and one of the best reviews with extra interviews is by Donald McClarey. The story of the actress who plays Abby is amazing! So read the review, watch the embedded videos. And go see the movie. Bring your friends. This is so timely with so many states trying to pass laws to protect the right to have an abortion for any reason. I think this movie can change hearts and minds. Nobody will be able to say, "I didn't know." Now I have to figure out how to get BOUND made into a movie. I suppose I need to learn how to write a screenplay :) I think writers must have a certain audacity to even begin writing a book that they believe will make a difference. So, go be audacious! Write!!! Because it matters.

Reading, Writing, Singing

How I wish blog posts would magically write themselves--I've been silent not because I have nothing to say but rather too much. I've been reading some marvelous books and find it fascinating how one book is leading me to another and allowing me to daydream a book of my own. It all started with Vikram Seth's AN EQUAL MUSIC. What can I say about this marvelous book? If you love music--you must read this love story. It is so textured, even the pieces I've not heard, I could imagine. Seth's writing is so evocative, so rich, it makes me cry with longing.


TROUBLE AT THE SCRIPTORIUM by Anne E. Johnson is medieval mystery about a chant book that has a page full of mistakes. Why? Are the monks just being lazy? Did they run out of gold leaf? Is it a message? Read and find out how a young boy, Harley, with help from friends figures out what this is all about and in time to have a great feast! A gem! I've known about this book for several years and meant to pick it up for my kids while they were still in elementary school but somehow it slipped my radar but I remembered the title and was so happy to see it's still in print. It's beautifully made with interior art and it came with a postcard from the publisher: Royal Fireworks Press. Check them out for even more gems. They cater to the homeschool market, their philosophy: We believe that education should be joyous, filled with fun, humor, and art... I couldn't agree more.

I'm reading another book, THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY, by Louise Penny, that's set in a remote monastery. One of the monks has been contemplating more than God...this time, the choirmaster's been murdered. Next on my list is HIDDEN VOICES: the orphan musicians of Venice by Pat Lowery Collins. I can't wait to dive into the world of Vivaldi and his orphan students. Edited to add this link for Vivaldi's Gloria recorded in the Pieta itself by an all-female choir and orchestra.

I'm singing lots. Hardly a day goes by when I'm not singing a psalm or a Mass. Gregorian chant truly is healing, "a beautiful mystery." Next week is Laetare Sunday and we will sing the Short Mass in Honor of St. John the Baptist by Rene Quignard. The Agnus Dei is my favorite movement.  

I'm not writing a lot but spending a lot of time daydreaming in the manner Robert Olen Butler recommends in his excellent writing book: From Where You Dream. I agree with so much he has to say on the nature of fiction and writing and reading. I wish every English teacher would take heed so that once critical analysis is over, the student again begins to read for pleasure.  

Spring Break for the Big Kids

Mamas--hug your kids. They grow up too fast. Pretty soon Max's girl-friend will take priority over us. It's the nature of things. We are so happy the big kids came up to be with us for their spring break. They did lots of sight-seeing but we also had a few evenings at home, eating Michael's brisket, so tender you-don't-need-no-teeh-to-eat-my-beef, playing games, music with the younger kids. We had a Latin High Mass and potluck afterwards the Sunday before Ash Wed so it was good advertisement for Ave Maria Univ. This Lent will go fast. Max will be home in another couple of months, just after Easter. Wishing you all a happy and holy Lenten season. Here's the Glory of These 40 Days for your listening pleasure.

    

 

Oh, the cats were nowhere to be seen. They were seriously traumatized. How different from the dog, who lapped up all the attention from the extra people in the house. Now they are demanding extra petting sessions from me and of course, I comply!

Mirka Breen is a Winner!

Yay, we have a winner! Mirka Breen gets a signed copy of Name Unspoken by Cadence McManinon. We did it the old fashioned way--Dagny picked out the winning strip under Yoda's watch. She's still recovering from the flu.

It's been a rare and unbelievably social week for me: a delightful school visit with the preK group at Whitesides Elementary for Read Across America. I read Ten Easter Eggs and the kids helped me out by hatching out of eggs! So, so fun!!! I received a royal treatment with even my own parking spot.



Impromptu visits with out-of-town friends! My copy of America First had arrived just a couple days prior so I crashed in on their luncheon--they were so gracious. 

I spoke to a Mom's group at the Cathedral about my faith journey and writing. We met in the little chapel downstairs--such a sacred space. And what a beautiful group of faithful young women--and babies! It was a great blessing to be able to hear Mass and catch up with my friend at lunch afterwards.

 

Today I went to my first Carolina Catholic Professionals meeting. So wonderful to listen to retired Justice Patrick Michael Duffy about growing up Catholic in the South. I'm going to share just one little bit--he is one of seven brothers and sisters, three who died when young. He told us of the time when his mother was carrying his youngest sister, the doctor advised abortion because she had Rh-negative blood type and the baby would surely kill her or be still-born or even if born alive would need a full transfusion. In those days, there was nothing to sop up the antibodies coursing through the mother's blood that might harm baby. His mother refused, saying they were both in God's hands. Every day the priest prayed for the baby and mother and the baby was born perfectly normal and healthy. A miracle! I know several families with only children because of this exact situation. Mom is Rh-negative and if the first baby is Rh-positive, it is immediately a death sentence for any child conceived thereafter. Imagine all the sterilized marriages and lost babies. It's terribly sad.

I've never been out to this diocesan property on West Ashley. It's beautiful and serene. There's a simple and beautiful chapel for offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I'm looking forward to meeting and listening to more members. It was this group that sponsored Gloria Purvis' lecture on St. Valentine's evening. In any case, I'm ready to collapse. Max and his friends will begin arriving tonight!!! Godspeed.

Local Beauty

It's been a good month, though much too short! I've been enjoying the warmer days and some local events--a Valentine dinner-dance at our parish and an afternoon at the wildlife expo--SEWE. Loved all the animal exhibits and the art--wood carving, shark-tooth jewelry, hunting knives. But nothing beats the beauty right at home with this little guy! Isn't he just the cutest? And we also got to see Vertical Roots in action. This is a local start-up high-tech agriculture and boy are we interested in adapting this for other vegetables. Stay tuned.   

Gloria Purvis and Catholic Radio

I've heard Gloria Purvis on Catholic Radio many times, so was delighted to discover she was presenting for a fundraiser to bring a low-powered FM station to Bishop England, her alma mater.

Gloria spoke about her own spiritual journey, how the weekly Mass brought unity. She was aware of this as a little third-grader. She recalled a time, when as a 12-year-old she was involved in a food fight. Sister Carmelita was very unhappy with the behavior of the kids, even though they had cleaned up the mess, and made every child involved in the food fight admit their guilt in the classroom. Then instead of teaching religion she brought the kids to Adoration at the Cathedral's lower chapel. There, Gloria had a mystical experience--she felt consumed by a Holy Fire. It did not burn and it did not hurt. Later that day, when Sister spoke about preparation for confirmation, Gloria said she wanted to become Catholic. The sister told her she needed to get permission from her parents. Well, Gloria, went home and *told* her parents she was going to be Catholic. Her parents were very supportive but made sure she understood that she was to live her life as a Catholic by hearing Holy Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation, praying the rosary, fasting on Fridays. It was actually her Baptist grandmother who taught Gloria all the Catholic devotions. Gloria's mother was Methodist, very involved in her church. One can imagine her pain and sorrow over not having Gloria with her. But she never complained and helped Gloria to practice her Catholic faith. Eventually all Gloria's sisters converted to Catholicism as well, but her parents remained Protestant.

Morning Prayer by Andre-Henri Dargelas

Gloria believed everything the Catholic Church taught. But once, while reciting the Creed, she heard an interior voice saying: Are you lying? I am the Giver of Life, yet you do not defend the most innocent life. This made Gloria hungry for what the Church teaches about marriage and sexuality. She read the papal documents such as Casti Connubii and Humane Vitae and began to appreciate God's plan for the human race.


I love that we are hearing the account of creation in Genesis right now at Daily Mass. I love catching it on EWTN every morning. Let us make man in *our* image! Male and female He created them. Gloria reminded us that they are to become one flesh and bear fruit. The family is the icon of the Holy Trinity. Sex is holy! We have to rediscover this truth. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court has redefined marriage, framing it as unjust discrimination but its language obscures the truth. The Civil Rights movement was about equal treatment for blacks and whites. The states had, in the past, added the non-essential element of race to prevent inter-racial marriage, and it was rightly struck down (Loving v. Virginia). However, with the recent redefinition of marriage, the courts have removed an essential part of marriage, that it is only between one man and one woman. To say that two men can marry and two women can marry strips the meaning of marriage--which in all cultures is for the begetting and raising of children--the reason for marriage. The family is the cornerstone of society and as goes the family, so does society.

It's not easy! We are fallen and we fail to love properly. That is why we have broken marriages. Even Moses recognized it and allowed for divorce, but Jesus reminds us: from the beginning it was not so. Jesus restores marriage. Christian marriage is free, faithful, fruitful, and forever. We must uphold this ideal.

Gloria spoke about the tremendous pressures placed on women to be like men. But denying our feminine nature isn't liberation; it's bondage. Instead of supporting women because they are the bearers of babies, employers would prefer they contracept and if it fails, abort the child. From a young age, a girl begins to see her body as inherently flawed because motherhood is no longer considered honorable. Fertility is treated like a disease. An enemy. And the child is pitted against the mother and father. The family is clearly under attack. It is the icon of the Holy Trinity and Satan hates it so he tries to stamp it out. Now more and more people do not know whether they are male or female. Even children are given hormones for gender dysphoria. This is child abuse.   

Gloria encouraged us to speak the truth, no matter what the cost. She left the corporate world to devote herself to the pro-life cause. Imagine her sorrow at not being able to have children. She prayed. She prayed for the desire to go away. But the Lord wanted her to carry it. It was 15 years of pain she offered up. She was sorely tempted to use artificial methods to achieve pregnancy. Didn't the Lord say to be fruitful and multiply? But the ends never justify the means. She went to Lourdes with her family. A year later--her little miracle was born! She said Mary is a real mama--when you take a dip in the waters of Lourdes, there's no need to do laundry.

Gloria shared many more stories. Her father was in the audience. He must be so proud of his little girl grown up and building the Kingdom of God! And her mother? A saint in heaven! God bless them.