Blog Round-Up

Lots and lots going on this week. Not the least of which is the death of my grandmother. It hasn't really sunk in for me yet, so my original thought of postponing blogging for a while, has been replaced by the effort to "keep busy." So, here I go, plunging right in!

[re: the image? I don't know where to start!]

* Europe expands maternity leave! Those lucky families!
* Some "good" videos which explain various and sundry parts of our US election process. I love the tag-line - "Love it or Fix It!"
* I'm new to this responsibility project. I haven't explored it too far yet, but it seems like it's right up my alley.
* Yikes! Homer tries to vote for Obama. JoeMyGod shares my concern about the likelihood of this happening. OY.
* A Lithuanian Haiku, thanks to Skepchick for the link. I probably feel differently about it than they do, but thanks all the same.
* Mrs. O. wears H&M. Thanks to the Budget Fashionista for the photo, by way of BlogHer.
* Speaking of pregnancy and maternity leave, apparently Angelina Jolie, is getting help for PPD, which is great news. This is a great help to us mere mortals who struggle(d). If you are feeling blue after a baby, my friend Moxie has some great tips. But the most important thing is - GET HELP. YOU and your baby and your family are worth it!
* Another Angie, my sister, may be going to Paris this winter. This planning guide might help, courtesy of Jean Paul Gaultier, via the NYT.
* A former neighbor, Nancy Masters', art show is up.
* Barack and Spock - who knew?!
* If only I could knit! - Octopus knitting projects.
* In this season of birthdays, who doesn't love a muppet cake!?
* I couldn't manage watching this debate. (gawker article on Gwen Ifill)
* Hello!
* Salon book review on false autism/vaccine link - found on Bad Astronomy Blog.
* Uh oh, that's not good.
* September Madness in the bank mergers arena.
* Some nice religious art.
* In honor of Halloween coming up, a DIY "Planet of the Apes tunic"! Also, see the "splackolantern", below!
* This is "Banned Books Week." Don't tell Sarah Palin!
* My "Green Porno Role" is the Praying Mantis (the Giver). Who are you??
* You can donate to the "Hole in the Wall Camps" in memory of Paul Newman.
* Has McCain seen the light? I truly doubt it. (opinion piece from the NYT)
* Obama promises to cut emissions! That's my guy! Found on Bellona.
* I never knew there was a creation museum, nor that people actually believe that dinosaurs and humans cohabitated.
* The Great Schlep - what a great idea. I can proudly say that MY grandma knew all about Obama and was a huge supporter without my help. But I say more power to ya, and wouldn't it be great if we could swing Florida our way?!?
* "Riding Out the Credit Crisis" by Douglas Rushkoff - good stuff.
* Snip from a blog post by Rolling Stone contributor Matt Taibbi on the media phenomenon surrounding Republical vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin:

Sarah Palin is a symbol of everything that is wrong with the modern United States. As a representative of our political system, she's a new low in reptilian villainy, the ultimate cynical masterwork of puppeteers like Karl Rove. But more than that, she is a horrifying symbol of how little we ask for in return for the total surrender of our political power.

Not only is Sarah Palin a fraud, she's the tawdriest, most half-assed fraud imaginable, 20 floors below the lowest common denominator, a character too dumb even for daytime TV -and this country is going to eat her up, cheering her every step of the way. All because most Americans no longer have the energy to do anything but lie back and allow ourselves to be jacked off by the calculating thieves who run this grasping consumer paradise we call a nation.

(...) The great insight of the Palin VP choice is that huge chunks of American voters no longer even demand that their candidates actually have policy positions; they simply consume them as media entertainment, rooting for or against them according to the reflexive prejudices of their demographic, as they would for reality-show contestants or sitcom characters.

* This just in: Larry Flynt of Huslter has a spoof adult video of Palin. Here's the deets on the Veep!

Thanks to JoeMYGod for the splackolantern!

My Grandmother Died

On Monday, my grandmother, Helen, died at the age of 98. She went peacefully, with no pain. My mom was with her.

We're still trying to figure out funeral arrangements.

Blog Round-Up

There's been a lot going on this week:

Letter to Bush from a mom on mainstreet, thanks, Siren's Chronicles, for that. Friend speaks my mind.

Civil Disobedience for Climate Change?! I'm on it! P.S. That's Sir Bono and Al Gorgeous together!

What's the fastest way to become a US citizen? From TextMex

From a recent meeting at my girls' nursery school. This quote just reinforces my whole belief that nothing has changed over time. Yes the players and tools do, but not the feelings.

'The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for
authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in lace of
exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their
households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They
contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties
at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers.'

Bob Blogs about my favorite superhero!

The "Forêt/Forest" Exhibit in Montreal looks awesome. I wish I could get up there to see it. Thanks bldgblog for the link.

Chicago has a climate plan. Yay! Maybe Philly will be next...?

Aerophant always blows my mind (in a good way) - it IS a beautiful world.

Apparently, my guy George Michael was busted again for drugs. Thanks to JoeMyGod for the news.... but maybe it's not really news anymore.


Cupcakes Take the Cake pointed out that people search for cupcakes in a financial crisis. So I tried seeing how often people search for religious art. It was pretty much the same until this week. Check the spike. [I wonder how many of those points over the years have been ME!?!] And, 5 Reasons why this Depression really IS Going to be Fun! From Gawker.

This week on the fashion front, we see BOTH plaids AND argyle on the Fug Report.

Idle Speculations posted a beautiful image of St Anthony the Abbott in the Wilderness. Wow. It feels appropriate for this week. Thanks, Terry.

And who knows whether the debate will actually happen tonight. I can't watch. Just like the Eagles in the Superbowl - I get too nervous to sit still. So, I'll be sending all my positive energy to Obama tonight. But in the spirit of the thing - I hope he lands some good "body checks". "Keep your stick on the ice" tonight, Barack!

RIP Albina

Ladybird's grandmother passed away this morning. May she rest in peace.

It's been a crazy and emotional couple of weeks for me as well, with my grandmother's health slowly declining. As is my wont, I'm feeling loss all around me. It started a couple of weeks ago, and I think AS USUAL, Rob Brezsny gets right at the truth of my situation:

September 10, 2008:
Your funny bone isn't a bone at all; it's actually your ulnar nerve. A firefly is a beetle, not a fly. A lead pencil has graphite in it, but no lead. A cucumber is technically a fruit, not a vegetable. Is there anything in your life that might be mislabeled like these things? Anything that's different from what it's alleged to be? Now is an excellent time to penetrate to the truth below the prevailing assumptions.

It's a crazy time. Let's all try to be gentle with each other, and make it through this as best we can.

Proud Godmom

What a cutie!

Meme

I'm supposed to answer the following questions with one word each and then tag 7 people with the honor. But, if you want to respond, just go ahead... I'm lazy like that!

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
2. Where is your significant other? Work
3. Your hair color? Brown
4. Your mother? Mom
5. Your father? Dad
6. Your favorite thing? Cooking
7. Your dream last night? Multi-faceted
8. Your dream/goal? Grace
9. The room you're in? Cubicle
10. Your hobby? Gardening
11. Your fear? Pain
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Alive
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. What you're not? Dead
15. One of your wish-list items? Books
16. Where you grew up? CT
17. The last thing you did? ummmm..
18. What are you wearing? clothes
19. Your TV? Off
20. Your pet? Cat
21. Your computer? On
22. Your mood? Good
23. Missing someone? Yes
24. Your car? Runs
25. Something you're not wearing? Diamonds
26. Favorite store? Indigo
27. Your summer? Fun
28. Love someone? Yes
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Last week (that's 2 words, but hey)

Rosemary

There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray,
love, remember: and there is pansies. that's for thoughts
Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 5

Blog Round-Up

Some News, and other stuff, that caught my eye this week. Enjoy!

• The call for an "Energy Manhattan Project"
• See all 52 (including DC & Pr) State Obama bumper stickers.
• National guard deployment to Iraq & Afghanistan
• omg! Tigh-Roslin campaign site as seen on Boing Boing
• Pretty moss-inspired jewelry
• I helped get the reporters in our of jail in Minneapolis/St Paul!
  
• Mabon is this weekend. Time to make my green man!
• WE has a new ad out against the dirty coal and oil lobbies. Check it out!
  
• TODAY is International "Talk Like a Pirate Day"!
  
• Federal Court Bans Mad Cow Testing
• Tea is more beneficial than water! I knew it.
• Bob at his best - St John the Baptist Triptych - I plan to comment on this piece more later, but in the meantime - WOW!
• How coastal building development since the 1970's has lead to crazier hurricane damage, on Pruned.
  
• This Quiz feeds the hungry. Again, thanks, Bob!

• Old School printing operation. I'm not sure my grandfather's press was as high-tech as this, but wow!

Printing a Book, Old School from Armin Vit on Vimeo.

What I Read on my Summer Vacation

I spent a lovely week by a lake up in the 1,000 Islands region of Ontario, Canada this summer. It was a rainy summer there, but lucky for me, not to wet while we were there.

I spent one sunny afternoon snoozing and reading on the dock. I had been wanting to read Reading Judas: The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of Christianity, by Elaine Pagels, for some time, and this was my chance. I won't give a long review here, but I will say this: I wish I had seen that the primary text (the Gospel of Judas) was at the back of the book - before I got there! I kept wanting to check the text whenever the author quoted it, and though I usually spot these things, I just didn't see it until too late. And I didn't feel like going back and re-reading all the commentary again. So it all felt backwards.

But, I enjoyed the book. And it more firmly convinced me of two ideas I've had about my religious belief:
1) that the early Christian Church (or "Christian Movement" as many scholars call it) was not a monolith, but a fractured, fractious group of people trying to muddle through a very scary, emotional time, and doing the best they could.
2) that Judas was a pawn, God's agent of change. Yes he betrayed Jesus, but I think God had that as part of the plan all along (I mean, really, what happens in this life WITHOUT God's knowledge?!?) and Jesus knew it too. Why else would he be so upset in Gesthemane, right before Judas showed up. HE KNEW what was about to happen.

There's also a whole section of Judas' Gospel where he dances - which reminds me of the "whirling Dervishes." It's fascinating.

So, I recommend it. There's a v. good interview with Elaine Pagels on Salon.

Thanks to Menachem for the beautiful Caravaggio image - I hope the painting turns up!!!

Incommunicado

Sorry folks, needed to take a brief hiatus, but I hope to be back on the blogging track now. Some events in my life contributing to my lack of blog posts:

1) I just created a "Women For Obama" fundraising site! Please go check it out.
2) I became a Godmother to beautiful William, new son of Lakshmi and Sam. I am THRILLED!
3) A friend of mine just signed up for the National Guard and I am terrified that he will be shipped overseas, but I'm trying to be supportive. I gave him a milagro for protection - I certainly hope it works. Maybe when he's done with his service, he can leave it in a shrine somewhere.
4) My granny had a stroke and is now in a nursing home. I went to visit her in Minneapolis (during State Fair time, so I swung by for some roasted corn, a corn dog, and a milkshake from the dairy barn. Dag, they aren't kidding about how awesome the food is there!) She's doing OK, but it's a little shocking to see someone who has always acted like someone 2/3 her age, acting 98, finally.
5) I interviewed yesterday...
6) The girls won us over and we got a cat - they named her Grace, and she's beautiful. We got her from PAWS.
7) And then there's the Phillies....

So that's what's going on for me. I haven't even been checking my bloglines recently to be able to comment on all the excellent religious art that has been passing me by... If you see something you think I'd like, please let me know!

Ciao

A Green Plug

US Men's Water Polo! Woo Hoo!

Awesome! The US Men's Water Polo team is going to play for gold! I am so stoked!

P.S. I still think the coach looks like Will Ferrell.

Ithaca Farmers' Market'

Thanks to Cooking in the 'Cuse for the head's up about this article from the New York Times. I love the Ithaca Farmers' market. Josiah has many fond memories of selling honey and maple syrup w/his mom & brother when they were kids.

I love to go there w/La Prima & La Segunda. If we're feeling spendy we get them something from Silk Oak. Lunch at Macro Mama is superb - their corn fritters are da bomb [voted "Best Vendor at the Ithaca Farmers' Market" 2005 Ithaca Times]. Don't forget to get hopped up on caffeine if you go (especially if it's raining) at Gimme!

And of course apples from upstate New York are always stupendous. None better in my opinion. I'd love to get back to Ithaca this fall. We often pick fruit at Littletree Orchards.... MMMMmmmm!

Life in the City

I just love Gustave Caillebotte! I saw this image on Bob's Art Blog - Thanks Bob! - and just had to share.

It's hard to keep up with blogging, life, the Olympics and a sick granny (please send her good thoughts!). So, I'll post when I can.

Ciao, folks!

'Nuff Said

[disclaimer: I h@te Tom Friedman]

But this is a good article. Maybe someone else will notice.

Olympics!!! WooHoo

This photo took me a while to understand. Weird eh?

I am totally enthralled by the Olympics right now... and the Track & Field events haven't even started yet!

brief round up

I'm going to do a fire drill in our home this weekend. Ever since September 11th, and even moreso after Katrina, I am a huge believer in disaster preparedness. I felt like I had it under control, but we really haven't been practicing enough. I'm getting on it. [based on my score (ironically, "9/11") I'm "a survival expert".]

And, not that I care what NYT Op Ed Columnists think [take THAT David Brooks!] but this at least caught my eye. I am not at all sure that Maureen Dowd has it right - Barack Obama as Fitzwilliam Darcy?? But, I'm going to mull it over. I am, of course, an un-abashed Edmund Bertram lover.

In other news:

Congrats to Lakshmi and Sam on the adoption of their beautiful baby George. We love you!

And, this is wahnsinn, I know but:

Way to go, Dogg! I'll give ya some love!

A Prayer

I'm going on another brief hiatus for a week, then back for "the duration". There's been so much going on, and v. little time to blog.

I've seen articles and blog posts I've wanted to post about, but where's the time!?!

For starters:
"We Don't Have an Energy Crisis"
"Shape the Future of Starlight"
"Shrinking Cities Carbon Footprint"
"China Romance Danger and Public Transportation"
"Grace Cathedral Goes Solar"
"The Worst Things You Can Say to a Woman Whose Husband is Deployed"
"Prunings XLVI"


Father Richard Smith uses the following as his closing prayer after a church service, and I absolutely love it. Enjoy!

Go forth in the world in peace.

Be of good courage.

Hold fast that which is good.

Render to no person evil for evil.

Strengthen the faint hearted.

Support the weak.

Comfort the afflicted.

Feed the hungry.

Honor all people.

Love and serve the lord rejoicing in the power of the spirit

and may the blessing of god almighty; the one who creates us, the one who liberates us, the one who dwells with us in community, be amongst you and remain with you always.

Romans 12:9-18 paraphrased

By Father Richard Smith

Thanks to Chartreuse for the beautiful image. Wish I coulda been there w/you.

Batman

I hear it's awesome. A friends of mine went three times in two days, including a 5:00 a.m. showing. That's a little wahnsinn, but hey, it's Batman!

I will be going on hiatus again soon.

image from "Cupcakes Take the Cake" blog.

Keats' Bright Star

Thanks to Bob and GardenPunks' link for the idea. Click on the small image above to see it "writ large."

Here's the whole text, normally:

Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art—
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors—
No—yet still steadfast, still unchangeable,
Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever—or else swoon to death.

—“Bright Star” by John Keats

thoughts

Recently I've been feeling like I need to re-learn the art of conversation (in English). Perhaps it was the short (intensive) beginning Chinese course. Or the fact that I've been working in a SILENT office where everyone emails each other, instead of gets up to actually speak to each other, a la Emily Gould as described in her New York Times Magazine article (at her Gawker job). But when I go to speak now, I feel the urge to preface, and re-construct, and re-phrase, and conjunction-ize what I'm saying all the time. It's like I'm out of practice. All I have around me for 8 hours a week day is silence, and I get home and feel rusty.

Something's gotta give.

Quick Blog Round-Up

Just catching up w/my blog reading and I have to share this awesome Frida Kahlo post from Bob. He posted this Moses image, which I haven't been able to stop thinking about. Thanks, as always, Bob.

In other cupcake-related news: lavender cupcakes and Canada Day cupcakes. The latter I may try for my dad's upcoming birthday.

Back into the Tour

I'm back from vacation. We went camping and hiking and swimming and cherry-picking. Just fantastic.

We left on the day of the Euro Cup final (still don't know who won!) [OK! now I do!] and came back to the beginning of the Tour de France. Last night Versus showed the end of Stage 3 pulling into Nantes, which was exciting. I stayed up to watch the end! P.S. Bob Roll is awesome.

This photo (from the BBC) reminds me of the scene in Amelie when she finds the boy's secret box of stuff and there's a flash back to him playing with a little set of riders just like this one. It must be v. popular in France. I wish I could be there. The images from Brittany were amazing - rain and all!

Nice to be back blogging.

Saw This on Postsecret

Saw this on PostSecret.

hiatus

I finished my Chinese class.

Am going on vacation for a week.

All About Me

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

My maternal great-great aunt, Sara Virginia

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

At my older daughter’s ballet recital, with my younger daughter squirming on my lap the whole time.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

It’s ok.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

Roasted chicken

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

2

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

yes

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?

Not a lot

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS

yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

nope

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

This is tough, I don’t love cereal. I’d have to say muesli

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

sometimes

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?

somewhat

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

This is hard. I guess I gotta say “Bananas on the Rum” by Ben & Jerry’s

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

Their eyes – windows to the soul, of course

15. RED OR PINK?

maroon

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

Anxiety

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST

My dear friends who I used to live close to (either in college or growing up) and now are all scattered all over the place

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?

Sure, why not?

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

Chartreuse (flip flops)

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?

It’s the morning, so, muesli

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

The vent fan at work, it’s right over my desk and is an amazing white-noise machine.

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

“cornflower”

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?

Rain, the ocean, the woods in the Wissahickon park (pretty much any woods, actually), Dreft, garlic cooking slowly in oil, pumpkin pie (pretty much all baked goods around the holidays), Chanel 19, Wright’s Coal Tar Soap, really fresh fruit salad, a good cuppa tea, my husband’s shirts, old fashioned garden variety bearded iris, fresh tar on the street, farms (“good, healthy smells”), citrus and herb combinations (like lime-basil soap) this list can go on and on….

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

My sister

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?

She’s the best.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

any track and field and/or running event - especially cross-country, Tour de France, Men’s Soccer, esp. the World Cup, Swimming, Water Polo, Biathlon (skis and target practice)

27. Hair Color?

brown

28. EYE COLOR?

hazel

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

nope

30. FAVORITE FOOD?

This is too hard.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

Happy Endings. Don’t do scary movies, except by accident.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

Hulk

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?

Multi-colored

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?

Summer (though I’ve gained an appreciation for winter and don’t loathe it the way I used to)

35. HUGS OR KISSES?

Hugs and kisses

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?

These are sooooooo hard, I’d say pudding, but then there’s pies and cakes and ice cream too……

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

Hmmmmmm no idea

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND

My sister

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

David Sedaris' new book When You Are Engulfed In Flames (for my book group)

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

Daybreak, by Maxfield Parrish

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?

Nothing much, a teensy bit of the horrendously over-hyped and emotionally-twisted US Women’s gymnastics team trials. [women’s gymnastics in the US HAS to be the most dysfunctional sport/mind-feel EVER!]

2. FAVORITE SOUND?

Chocolate chips being poured into cookie dough

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?

Beatles

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME???

China

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?

I can read Tarot cards

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

Hartford, CT

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?

Anybody’s

Bikes, etc.

I read about the new Montreal bike system. I already loved Montreal (Josiah and I went there on our honeymoon) but this is excellent news.

And of course, we all know that the Tour de France is coming up. I can't wait!! Maia got me all hooked on it, and now I can't stop thinking about it. This year the course goes through lots of Brittany. Which is awesome. I wish I could go watch......

In non-bike related news, this comic at Identity Check is speaking to me loud and clear right now. I thing Angie is feeling it too. Hang in there, chica.

Happy Mid Summer!

Happy Midsummer, All!

As you might have guessed by now, I am trying to revive celebration of St John the Baptist's Day in our household. I've hung the Finnish Flag. I'm planning to have friends over for (vaguely) Scandinavian meal of fish, cucumber salad (and probably some other cold salads), with home made strawberry ice cream for dessert. I'll let you know how it turns out.

In other news, there's a great review of Jesus for President at Emerging Pensees. I think I'll add it to my wish list.

There are some amazing "issue" posters done by people all over the world here. Go check them out. Powerful stuff. These are about global warming, but there other themes include water scarcity, human rights, child mortality, STD's and more.

And another "green" item I have to share is: I just watched Hulk last night, by Ang Lee. And I was blown away. I had no idea I would like it. Granted there were commercials, and so it went on forever (which I've read was a criticism of the movie when it came out in the theaters too), and the whole Nick Nolte thing was annoying. BUT, the underlying message about the green monster in all of us was right on. Specifically, what I imagine it must be like for men to feel rage (I'm not a man.) Bruce Banner's description of how he felt as the Hulk was amazing. I don't know that much about testosterone, but it seemed like the movie described how it feels to be a guy, both enraged, and calm - gave me some insight. I thought Eric Bana did a fantastic job (though I pretty much dig Eric Bana in whatever he does!)

P.S. Hungry For Change Bake Sale for Obama at the Clark Park Farmers' Market tomorrow.

What a Way to Start the Day!

La Segunda took one look at my Dollywood coffee mug this morning and asked if that was my picture on the mug. Isn't my girl awesome!? I wish all mornings started out like that!

Later in the day I had a test in Chinese (taking a beginning Chinese language class). It was hard.

Quick Round-Up of Religious Art

There was a good crop of postings today about Religious Art chez my favorite religious art bloggers.

First, a photo from Time, posted on Iconia, of the contents of Barack Obama's pockets. I'd read something about this, but the image is great. Too bad Time doesn't know who Hanuman is. Great photo (by Time photographer). (Great hands too!)

Religious Imagery in Culture posted this photo. No note about where it is, but fantastic.

And last, Terry, at Idle Speculations (IS), posted a recommendation to check out Daniel Mitsui's original pen and ink artwork. I am blown away - check it out! I am even considering commissioning something.

Which reminds me that I need to re-commend (and recommend) Idle Speculations to anyone who has an interest in religious art. Terry (and possible others) posts v. well-researched descriptions of the artists and works profiled. I have learned so much through this site. It is exactly the kind of blog about religious art I had hoped would be out there when I started my blog. And had I the time, resources, fervor and/or eloquence, I might approach how IS' awesomeness, but not likely. Keep up the great work, Terry.

Hope When All is Gone

The New Testament reading yesterday was from Paul's letter to the Romans, (Romans 5). It reminded me immediately of the Lord of the Rings (LotR), by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4.

I don't know about you, but LotR to me is all about hope and WWI. As I read it, or see the movies, all I can think about are the men in the Trenches. I envision what the men in Tolkien's unit must have been like to be the inspirations for the LotR characters. Like, Boromir who is abrasive, and secretive, and weak, and proud (in the bad sense) and in the end, honorable, asking for forgiveness.

Seeing the books translated to film brought the characters even more to life for me. In fact, I had no interest in the books as a kid (so few women characters) until I saw the movies and realized that these were stories I could really get into. Then I read them in a continuous loop for two years picking up new things with each reading.

The Lord of the Rings is all about hope. And I think it can be capitalized: Hope, as in Christian Hope. Hope is what gets everybody through the trials and tribulations of the Lord of the Rings books. When things look grim, someone admonishes the Hobbits, or the Humans or the Dwarves, "Do not to give in to despair." It's something to keep in mind in Mordor, as well as Verdun, as well as in Philadelphia. "...As a light to use in dark places - when all other hope is gone".

I think in order to get through trench warfare, and the general horror of World War I, Tolkien and his friends must have had to figure out some way to cope. Would this passage from Romans have been a comfort?

The LotR books drove home for me the plight, both emotional and physical of veterans. The Hobbits' return to the Shire play out the saying "there's no going home." Nothing is the same for them after their adventures, and their return home. I think of our veterans - from the Great War through to our current Iraq and Afghan wars - and how they fare. Do they have hope? Did they have it before going to war? What will their return be like for them?

This is where Rev. Jim's exhortation, from yesterday's sermon, to be welcoming - to greet strangers with openness and warmth comes in. The stranger you meet could be God at your doorstep. We need to be ready, and welcoming. So that after the suffering, hope might emerge. With God's help.


The text from Paul's letter to the Romans, chapter 5:

1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

I Heart Obama

"I had an internal debate," Obama admitted, when a supporter thanked him for wearing a helmet. "Because I knew that the AP was going to take a picture, and they were trying to portray it like Dukakis wearing that tank helmet.

"But I wanted to make sure that the children who saw that picture knew that even the Democratic nominee for president wears a helmet when he goes biking,'' he said to applause. "Now, obviously the rest of my apparel was apparently not up to snuff, because I got a hard time from all sorts of blogs... who said I looked like Urkel."

From the Chicago Tribune

WOW! a combination of two things I fantasize about frequently: a house boats (well, sort of a barge) and gardens! When I was a kid I dreamed about having a houseboat and sailing (slowly) around the world (in calm waters, to be sure). And I always pictured the houseboat with it's own garden. Full of flowers, and even vegetables - so we could eat while we traveled, of course!

As an adult, with my own family, I have been fantasizing about renting a houseboat in France and doing a tour of the canals. Truly, how awesome would that be??? I've canoed along the canal in Agen. And it fueled my desire. Seeing the movie, My Mother's Castle (the film version of Marcel Pagnol's book), gives a sense of the canal, and what vacationing near/on them might be like. That's a fantastic movie. The ending always leaves me wracked with sobs, though.

Go to TreeHugger for the full article with more excellent photos.

Two Images of Jesus w/the Crown of Thorns

I saw this on Hasta los Gatos... on the anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy's death.

And this on Rebel God which I found through a meme on Abandon Image. It's the same as the Jesus as Che campaign of the Churches Advertising Network.

The interwebs work that way, I guess, with those tubes and all.

Moon Image

wow.

Thanks to the Bad Astronomy guy for the link.

News and Weird News

This news reminds me of one of my favorite movies: Map of the Human Heart with Jason Scott Lee (no relation to Bruce Lee). [He's so hot!] Anyway, great news. Great movie.

Other great news from the BBC is that Burundi, the world's poorest country, is clearing away ALL the gazillions of mines in their country. A mammoth undertaking, apparently. This way, at least, the people will be able to farm again. And maybe the sweepers (sappers?) will be able to go to other countries to help them rid themselves of mines.

Which brings me to what I'd call, "news of the weird" from my home state. Boing Boing reports on an chicken bomb in Simsbury, CT. Simsbury?? Whatevs. Living on the the other side of Talcott Mountain may not be so bad after all.

La Segunda's friends

Well, it's official, La Segunda has imaginary friends. She told us about them at dinner the other night. Their names are "Shackie" and "Curly". I just about fell off my chair when she told me. All I can picture is Shecky Greene and Curly Howard when she says it.

Josiah immediately asked: " Is it normal that my toddler has an imaginary friend?"

I told her I had imaginary friends when I was a kid: Corleats and Plumedine. They went on adventures with me all the time. I miss them. When I grew out of playing with them, they took an extended vacation to Alaska.

Round up

Thanks to Americablog for that. They've found a few of these desperate national anthem moments and are sharing them. I love Mo Cheeks anyways, but this seals the deal.

Look to the right, and today Carnac is featured as a "sacred destination". I went to visit Carnac when I lived in France. My friend Helen and I missed the bus from the train station in Auray, so we walked from the station to the stones, and (luckily!) caught the bus back. The standing stones were the main reason that I chose to live in Nantes for a year. That and Breton (but that's another story). I had been to Brittany for vacation when I was little, when I lived in Wales (see here, here, here, and here). The standing stones in both places fascinated me, and still do.

So those are two pretty awesome finds for one day, and then there's my horoscope, which, as usual, is perfect!

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):

It's Blame All Your Problems on God Week. You have license to shun responsibility for the pain you feel and the messes you've made, and instead ascribe it all to the Divine Mischief Maker. The secret of achieving success in this enterprise is to act as if your dilemmas really do have nothing to do with anything you've done, but have been entirely caused by God's mistakes, his intentional cruelty, or his wicked sense of humor. By the way, Accept Total Responsibility for Your Problems Week is coming up next, and to observe that holiday correctly you will have to be thoroughly sincere about this week's. P.S. It's crucial that you really do blame everything on God, and not on actual human beings. P.P.S. If you're an atheist, it's Blame All Your Problems on Your

So Bummed I Missed It!

I am so intrigued by this. A World Science Festival! I had no idea. I definitely want to try to take the girls to this next year. We spend hours, and I mean HOURS at science museums. But this sounds even cooler. I wish people were doing this kind of thing back in the 70's.

I thought the OpEd in the New York Times that was linked to the festival site made some great points. I wish he had made some concrete suggestions for improving science education. Taking it away from the "technical mastery" to more of the "let's think about the big questions".

Thanks to Hasta los Gatos Quieren Zapatos for the link. Turns out I learn a lot from those ladies - thanks chicas.

Guerrilla Gardening in the News

Boing Boing quotes an LA Times article. Apparently Guerrilla Gardening is catching on! Not just MY friends are doing it.

Which made me think of re-working La Marseillaise just a tad, enjoy:

Aux graines, citoyens !
Formez vos bataillons !
Bêchons, bêchons !
Qu'un soude impure
Abreuve nos sillons !

To seeds, citizens!
Form your battalions!
Let us dig, let us dig!
May tainted soda
Water our fields!

With apologies to Delicatessen.

Seen and Overheard in Philly

Seen on a t-shirt today:

"Midwives help people out"

LOVE it!

Overheard in Philly, outside HUP:

"Yeah, she was from Roxborough. She had big hair and bad grammar."