I am reading Where the Heart Is by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino. It is the sequel to My Heart Lies South, which I wrote about in a post titled, "Take Me Away to Monterrey". Once again I have fallen in love with Mamacita, the author's mother-in-law. She gives sensible advice with a touch of humor. If we had a "Dear Mamacita" syndicated advice column in our newspapers and a "Mamacita" self-help TV program, I would subscribe and tune in daily.
In the excerpt below, Elizabeth has been worrying about aging and asks Mamacita how come Mexican women age so beautifully.
"It's because we eat oily foods," she said. "What's the use of rubbing oil on your face, and then pushing away the butter and the cream. It doesn't make sense. Put the butter and cream inside, and you'll find that the outside looks better. And then, too," she added placidly, "it is good for one's looks to have many babies."
"I know that you had ten, Mamacita," I admitted.
"And I have all my own teeth, and only a small wrinkle when I smile, and not many white hairs, yet I am now well into my sixties. It is because every time you have a baby, Nature works hard to make up to you for the time and trouble you are taking. I always found it so. And when I look around at my friends, all young-looking and agile after a dozen or so children, and then, you will pardon me, Eleesabet, at the young women of your country, who are worn out after two or three, it seems to me that they haven't studied their medical books very well. I once looked in Papacito's medical book, and it said that since woman is designed for childbirth, she is happiest and healthiest when she is functioning. But I understand," she concluded slyly, "that ladies in your country prefer to be on committees and work in hospitals and get worn out collecting money for political campaigns, instead of lying on a couch reading a nice romance and waiting for the sixth or seventh baby."
In the excerpt below, Elizabeth has again confided her aging concerns to Mamacita. Mamacita tells her not to disturb herself so much because she will tell her a secret:
"You see, hijita," Mamacita had told me, "if you want your husband to think you are gorgeous, just tell him that he is gorgeous. It is curious, but this always works. Try it."
It worked conversely, too. For after all, what makes a woman better-looking than a happy husband?
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Keyes: Stop Obama or U.S. will cease to exist
Thanks to Catholic Family News and Worldnetdaily.com for bringing this video to my attention.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
I Die and Go to Pie Heaven--in Annie's Kitchen
My friend Annie makes the best pies. She made a coconut, a lemon, and a chocolate on Friday morning, then taught the home-ec girls how to make them that afternoon. I had some of each of hers with coffee while I watched the girls toiling away. What a delightful afternoon! And now it's Quinquagesima Sunday--50 days to Easter.
Bring on Ash Wednesday! I've had my Mardis Gras.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Big Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
It gives me a headache reading about the "stimulus": I guess it's from trying to make sense of something that is hopelessly non-sensical. Only the federal government would think it's a good idea to "bail out" bankrupt organizations when the government itself is trillions of dollars in debt.
It's the kind of thinking that Ayn Rand wrote about in Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. Herb has been listening to Atlas Shrugged on his MP-3 player. He and I first read it in the early '80s. He's says it's even more relevant now. Parts of it sound like the evening news.
"Will You Be Able to Retire? An 8-Point Check List" is an article I received today from Gary North. Just a little warning--the answer is probably "no". In fact, you'll probably need to get a second income.
Normally this article would only be available to garynorth.com subscribers. He is opening it to everyone for one week.
It's the kind of thinking that Ayn Rand wrote about in Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. Herb has been listening to Atlas Shrugged on his MP-3 player. He and I first read it in the early '80s. He's says it's even more relevant now. Parts of it sound like the evening news.
"Will You Be Able to Retire? An 8-Point Check List" is an article I received today from Gary North. Just a little warning--the answer is probably "no". In fact, you'll probably need to get a second income.
Normally this article would only be available to garynorth.com subscribers. He is opening it to everyone for one week.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Restore Your Health and Western Civilization
Pray, dance, feast, drink wine, marry young and raise large families. It's all Catholic and good for you.
From this Mail Online article via Lew Rockwell:
When researchers compared the health of people who shut themselves away from the world with gregarious types they found the difference as great as that between smokers and non-smokers, the obese and the normal weight or those who exercised and those who didn't.
Professor Cacioppo said the phenomenon was hugely relevant in today's fragmented society, where many people communicate through the internet rather than face-to-face.
The Chicago University researcher said: 'We are increasingly living in isolation. Partly because we are ageing, also because we are marrying later and having fewer children there are fewer confidantes and levels of loneliness are going up.'
The professor advises the lonely to try making friends through charity work and says it is better to have a few strong friendships than lots of acquaintances.
'Lonely people feel a hunger,' he said. 'The key is to realise that the solution lies not in being fed but in cooking for and enjoying a meal with others.'
From this Mail Online article via Lew Rockwell:
When researchers compared the health of people who shut themselves away from the world with gregarious types they found the difference as great as that between smokers and non-smokers, the obese and the normal weight or those who exercised and those who didn't.
Professor Cacioppo said the phenomenon was hugely relevant in today's fragmented society, where many people communicate through the internet rather than face-to-face.
The Chicago University researcher said: 'We are increasingly living in isolation. Partly because we are ageing, also because we are marrying later and having fewer children there are fewer confidantes and levels of loneliness are going up.'
The professor advises the lonely to try making friends through charity work and says it is better to have a few strong friendships than lots of acquaintances.
'Lonely people feel a hunger,' he said. 'The key is to realise that the solution lies not in being fed but in cooking for and enjoying a meal with others.'
Living the Feminine Dream, One Pair of Gloves at a Time
"I own five pairs of gloves," Emma announced to me dreamily, then leaned back in her seat, breathing a deep sigh of contentment. 
We had just returned to the car after spending the afternoon poking through three antique stores, where, after much deliberation, she had purchased three pairs of gloves with money that she had received for her birthday. She also clutched a lovely brown veil that I had somehow been talked into buying for her. She placed the new taupe gloves against the brown veil."Don't they look good together?" she asked happily, as she made plans to wear them together to Mass. She already has a black veil to wear with the black gloves.
The above-the-elbow white gloves will be worn with Regency dresses and possibly to gather eggs. You can never tell around here.
Some days it's shawls in the morning; some days it's hoop skirts in the afternoon.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
More Martha and Less Julia
On Monday the cooking class used a Martha Stewart recipe for fish tacos. Before panfrying, the cod was dipped in a liquid which featured dark Mexican beer.
Squash, carrots, and zucchini were sauteed and placed in the taco shells with the fish, along with some fresh purple cabbage.
I made individual strawberry shortcakes using this buttermilk pound cake recipe. Emma added fresh pineapple to her whipped cream and strawberries.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A Children's Book Lover Grieves over Back Door Censorship
I was upset about the law Congress passed last year called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. It will force many thrift stores and resale shops out of business because they will not be able to afford to prove that their children's toys and clothes do not contain trace amounts of lead.
In my own small town, we have a resale shop that specializes in infant and children's things--clothes, games, cribs, high chairs, car seats. It is all reasonably priced and attractively marketed and fills a great need in our area for affordable children's items. Under the new law, much of it will have to be discarded.
Much as I hated this, I did not realize until today when I was reading an article about the law via garynorth.com, that the new law applies to children's books as well. Books published before 1985 may not be sold except as collectables as of Feb. 10. You may bet that their prices will skyrocket.
Some old children's books are available in new printings, of course, but there are so, so many fabulous ones that are out of print. The high price of recently re-printed books also greatly reduces the number that most families can afford. As a young mother, I spent many hours scouring boxes of old children's books for fifty-cent hardback pearls to bring home to my children. Many of them were library discards. Returning home, we would cozy up in my old wingback chair, one child on each side, and I would read aloud for hours. I can still hear them pleading sweetly, "Just one more chapter, Mommy! Pleeease!"
My general rule then was to avoid anything published after 1960, with a preference for early twentieth century, late nineteenth century. These books had the best language--much more complex sentences and a far richer vocabulary than the newer ones. Most importantly, the pre-1960 books reflected a Christian culture, the memory of which will be greatly faded by the new tyranny, which stipulates that we must protect our children from harmless amounts of lead at the expense of their literary inheritance.
In my own small town, we have a resale shop that specializes in infant and children's things--clothes, games, cribs, high chairs, car seats. It is all reasonably priced and attractively marketed and fills a great need in our area for affordable children's items. Under the new law, much of it will have to be discarded.
Much as I hated this, I did not realize until today when I was reading an article about the law via garynorth.com, that the new law applies to children's books as well. Books published before 1985 may not be sold except as collectables as of Feb. 10. You may bet that their prices will skyrocket.
Some old children's books are available in new printings, of course, but there are so, so many fabulous ones that are out of print. The high price of recently re-printed books also greatly reduces the number that most families can afford. As a young mother, I spent many hours scouring boxes of old children's books for fifty-cent hardback pearls to bring home to my children. Many of them were library discards. Returning home, we would cozy up in my old wingback chair, one child on each side, and I would read aloud for hours. I can still hear them pleading sweetly, "Just one more chapter, Mommy! Pleeease!"
My general rule then was to avoid anything published after 1960, with a preference for early twentieth century, late nineteenth century. These books had the best language--much more complex sentences and a far richer vocabulary than the newer ones. Most importantly, the pre-1960 books reflected a Christian culture, the memory of which will be greatly faded by the new tyranny, which stipulates that we must protect our children from harmless amounts of lead at the expense of their literary inheritance.
Monday, February 16, 2009
We had a Ball!
On St. Valentine's Day, in honor of Emmaline's 16th birthday, we hosted an afternoon tea and English Country Dance at our home. Barbara Attema taught and called the dances.
Yesterday Emma and I talked about the wonder of this kind of dancing--how it is especially well received by shy persons--ones we normally would not think of as enjoying this kind of activity. We decided that the format provides them a way to be comfortable while interacting with others. In this way, I suppose, it is like good etiquette, where the prescribed forms help one to relax.
Emma received the most lovely, the most thoughtful gifts. The companionship of these good girls is a true blessing to her and our whole family. I am also grateful for Nathaniel's friendship with Travis. Travis filled the deviled eggs, helped clean and set up for the party, announced the young ladies as they came in, and took pictures. What a delight he is!
Yesterday Emma and I talked about the wonder of this kind of dancing--how it is especially well received by shy persons--ones we normally would not think of as enjoying this kind of activity. We decided that the format provides them a way to be comfortable while interacting with others. In this way, I suppose, it is like good etiquette, where the prescribed forms help one to relax.
Emma received the most lovely, the most thoughtful gifts. The companionship of these good girls is a true blessing to her and our whole family. I am also grateful for Nathaniel's friendship with Travis. Travis filled the deviled eggs, helped clean and set up for the party, announced the young ladies as they came in, and took pictures. What a delight he is!
Understanding the SSPX Perspective of Vatican II
John Vennari did an excellent job interviewing Bishop Tissier de Mallerais of the SSPX last week in Syracuse, NY. The bishop outlines the three steps of revolution and how Vatican II used these steps to overthrow the Social Reign of Christ the King. He defines personalism as a philosophical error of the Council that promotes the right of the person to have liberty without consideration of the truth. He then goes on to explain that the Church cannot keep the truth without condemning error. His Excellency gives an outline of how doctrinal discussions between the SSPX and the Vatican will proceed. Please read the complete interview here.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Schola Workshop Report
Herb texted me from Sugarland, TX, where he is participating in a Musica Sacra chant workshop. He, as well as the three other men he went with, is thrilled with leader Scott Turkington.
"Fantastic," Herb said. "Turkington's like some of the professors in school--loves his subject and can just go in 20 directions at a time and then bring you right back on point!"
The "conversation" got interesting when Herb's phone accidentally got set on auto complete. I received this cryptic message:
"he attends a novus Oreo and sings the peppers."
It should have said "novus ordo" and "propers".
"Fantastic," Herb said. "Turkington's like some of the professors in school--loves his subject and can just go in 20 directions at a time and then bring you right back on point!"
The "conversation" got interesting when Herb's phone accidentally got set on auto complete. I received this cryptic message:
"he attends a novus Oreo and sings the peppers."
It should have said "novus ordo" and "propers".
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Hans Kung Says Benedict Unteachable, Obama Would Make a Better Pope
There are so many disturbing contradictions in the Church today. Good priests like Fr. McLucas, formerly of Latin Mass magazine, lose their canonical faculties. Then we have priests like Hans Kung, who is still, apparently, a priest in good standing.
I discovered Kung's latest proclamation about Pope Benedict at Catholic Family News. I followed a couple of links to arrive here: Religion Dispatches article by Rosemary Ganley.
I discovered Kung's latest proclamation about Pope Benedict at Catholic Family News. I followed a couple of links to arrive here: Religion Dispatches article by Rosemary Ganley.
On the Apostolate of Girls in the Renewal of Society
Tradition in Action (TIA) has two articles on Pope Pius XII's 1943 speech to the Italian Feminine Youth. They are The Dignity of Women Lies in Moral and Physical Purity and Young Women Should Not Leave Their Homes.
Here is a wonderful quote from the former:
How great is the dignity and liberty of the woman who does not allow herself to be enslaved, even by fashion! This is a delicate but urgent subject, in which your unceasing action permits us to hope for beneficial gains. Your zeal against immodest forms of dress and behavior, however, must not content itself with reproving, but also with edifying, by showing in practice how a young woman can in her dress and deportment harmonize the higher laws of virtue and the norms of hygiene and elegance.
I think "edifying" is a key word. It is what makes dressing modestly a challenge.
You will be hard pressed today to hear any Catholics talking about the subject of the latter article, Young Women Should Not Leave Their Homes. Modesty, yes. Girls staying home until marriage, no. The Protestants have taken the lead here, just as they initially did in homeschooling. I can recommend the DVD, The Return of the Daughters. Through interviews with several young women, it shows how they have defied the anti-family culture by staying home after high school. These women help their dads, open cottage businesses, act as role models for the younger girls in their churches and basically prepare to be helpmeets and mothers. As you can see from reading Pope Pius XII, this used to be part of Catholic teaching.
The courtship segment in the "bonus materials" category is especially good. It goes far beyond the minimal "save yourself for marriage" advice and glorifies saving the "first kiss" for the wedding ceremony. As I said, this is Protestant produced, so Catholics must ignore some things. There is no Catholic equivalent DVD that I know of, although Angelus Press is now promoting several books that sound like they would be helpful: The Education of Catholic Girls, Forgotten Household Crafts, and Motherhood and Family.
Nota Bene: I completely avoided the "Biblical Foundations" segment of the DVD. I know there are Biblical foundations for girls staying home, but I didn't want to spend the extra time that sorting through the Protestant interpretation of the Protestant Bible would require.
Here is a wonderful quote from the former:
How great is the dignity and liberty of the woman who does not allow herself to be enslaved, even by fashion! This is a delicate but urgent subject, in which your unceasing action permits us to hope for beneficial gains. Your zeal against immodest forms of dress and behavior, however, must not content itself with reproving, but also with edifying, by showing in practice how a young woman can in her dress and deportment harmonize the higher laws of virtue and the norms of hygiene and elegance.
I think "edifying" is a key word. It is what makes dressing modestly a challenge.
You will be hard pressed today to hear any Catholics talking about the subject of the latter article, Young Women Should Not Leave Their Homes. Modesty, yes. Girls staying home until marriage, no. The Protestants have taken the lead here, just as they initially did in homeschooling. I can recommend the DVD, The Return of the Daughters. Through interviews with several young women, it shows how they have defied the anti-family culture by staying home after high school. These women help their dads, open cottage businesses, act as role models for the younger girls in their churches and basically prepare to be helpmeets and mothers. As you can see from reading Pope Pius XII, this used to be part of Catholic teaching.
The courtship segment in the "bonus materials" category is especially good. It goes far beyond the minimal "save yourself for marriage" advice and glorifies saving the "first kiss" for the wedding ceremony. As I said, this is Protestant produced, so Catholics must ignore some things. There is no Catholic equivalent DVD that I know of, although Angelus Press is now promoting several books that sound like they would be helpful: The Education of Catholic Girls, Forgotten Household Crafts, and Motherhood and Family.
Nota Bene: I completely avoided the "Biblical Foundations" segment of the DVD. I know there are Biblical foundations for girls staying home, but I didn't want to spend the extra time that sorting through the Protestant interpretation of the Protestant Bible would require.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Nathaniel Makes Pizza with Little Women
Baker Pat Dunn joined our cooking class yesterday to teach Foccacia bread and pizza. We had so much fun, we are planning to get together again on Friday and learn cake decorating.
First things first: Pat teaches the students how to calibrate the thermometer.
Poking fun in the Foccacia dough.
The olive oil gets drizzled into the dimples.
Anna cubes the baked Foccacia. . .
and samples the seasoned oil.
Nathaniel gets ready to arrange the salad on a serving tray. Is he cute or what?
Three dough-doughs. Having this much fun is probably illegal.
What restraint! Nathaniel somehow resisted his initial urge to toss the dough skyward. Hmmm. He must be coming down with something.
Pat says to patch the holes.
So gorgeous. . .and so flavorful. The Spice Girls (Emma and Anna) definitely had a hand in seasoning the dressing. Their style is like the music of John Philip Sousa, with extra cymbals.
He's back to normal. Nathaniel pretends to season his pizza with decorator sprinkles.
"This is not pizza. This is vegetables," Nathaniel complained as Gayle passed him the tomato slices.
Emma adds even more seasoning as Anna tops her pizza.
Anna and Nathaniel meat in the middle.
Into the oven with Anna's masterpizz.
Gayle and Emma create a secret handshake that involves palm oil.
Emma made a a smaller, thicker crust.
Circles of beauty and good taste. Viva la pizza!
First things first: Pat teaches the students how to calibrate the thermometer.
Poking fun in the Foccacia dough.
The olive oil gets drizzled into the dimples.
Anna cubes the baked Foccacia. . .
and samples the seasoned oil.
Nathaniel gets ready to arrange the salad on a serving tray. Is he cute or what?
Three dough-doughs. Having this much fun is probably illegal.
What restraint! Nathaniel somehow resisted his initial urge to toss the dough skyward. Hmmm. He must be coming down with something.
Pat says to patch the holes.
So gorgeous. . .and so flavorful. The Spice Girls (Emma and Anna) definitely had a hand in seasoning the dressing. Their style is like the music of John Philip Sousa, with extra cymbals.
He's back to normal. Nathaniel pretends to season his pizza with decorator sprinkles.
"This is not pizza. This is vegetables," Nathaniel complained as Gayle passed him the tomato slices.
Emma adds even more seasoning as Anna tops her pizza.
Anna and Nathaniel meat in the middle.
Into the oven with Anna's masterpizz.
Gayle and Emma create a secret handshake that involves palm oil.
Emma made a a smaller, thicker crust.
Circles of beauty and good taste. Viva la pizza!
Monday, February 9, 2009
iDumb
I have earned the reputation within my family of being hopelessly untechnical. I took so many digital pictures without a memory card in the camera that Herb finally broke down and bought me a camera that has one built-in.
When he got the new iPhone, he gave me his old HP iPac. I've been working away at figuring out how to use it. I managed to get the hang of texting over the weekend by practicing with Nathaniel. I was feeling pretty confident until today. I picked it up to check for messages, and I couldn't get it to respond. I took out the little stylus thing and poked away at every little menu item: nothing. I turned it off and back on and tried again: still nothing.
In desperation, I told Nathaniel that I needed help, the phone was not responding. He flipped open the plastic cover. . .ooops.
When he got the new iPhone, he gave me his old HP iPac. I've been working away at figuring out how to use it. I managed to get the hang of texting over the weekend by practicing with Nathaniel. I was feeling pretty confident until today. I picked it up to check for messages, and I couldn't get it to respond. I took out the little stylus thing and poked away at every little menu item: nothing. I turned it off and back on and tried again: still nothing.
In desperation, I told Nathaniel that I needed help, the phone was not responding. He flipped open the plastic cover. . .ooops.
They Told Him Not to Smile
Herb's new employer has added this page about him on their website:
Subject Matter Expert - Turnaround
Herb Haught
Herb is a senior consultant in AP-Networks' Houston office. Herb has over 25 years of professional experience in the refining and petrochemical industry with Placid Oil, ARCO Chemical, Lyondell Chemical and most recently with LyondellBasell Industries.
Herb’s professional career includes significant leadership roles in Maintenance, Reliability Engineering and Turnaround Management. He was a Charter member of the ARCO Chemical Corporate Turnaround Organization and played a key leadership role in developing company’s Corporate Turnaround Processes and Tools.
While at LyondellBasell, Herb effectively led multiple teams that developed and later improved the numerous Corporate Turnaround Processes, the Procurement and Logistics Processes and participated on the Turnaround Quality Assurance Team for LyondellBasell. In addition, to serving as the primary management sponsor for several Engineering Training and Tools development teams, during the past two years, Herb fulfilled key roles in the development of long term Reliability Strategies and Programs for many Chemical and Refining sites for LyondellBasell.
Herb holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University.
The Hoopla and the Good Bishop
The rants about Bishop Williamson continue, and I don't want to contribute to them by my writing. However, out of justice, I must.
I have learned a lot of good things from Bishop Williamson. Some would say they are outside his realm as bishop but I never saw it that way. I try not to compartmentalize my faith. I try to look at everything through Catholic eyes.
I have learned a lot of good things from Bishop Williamson. Some would say they are outside his realm as bishop but I never saw it that way. I try not to compartmentalize my faith. I try to look at everything through Catholic eyes.
Bishop Williamson has caused me to think more deeply about quite a few subjects--particularly the effects of technology on the family--than I would have done on my own. I have never felt threatened by any of his so-called conspiracy theories, neither have I felt it made him appear less intelligent. I, too, am a questioner. Bishop Williamson's writings are a great treat for me. I love the clarity. To get a sample of his thinking, read this interview with Der Spiegel. Ironically the interviewer sounds like a Gestapo agent. His Excellency does what I can never do. He has the perfect comeback, the Catholic answer for each of the reporter's questions/accusations. I always think of the perfect retort long after the chance to say it has past. Not so with the bishop.
Bishop Williamson always, always, nurtured my Catholic faith, which is a far cry from what I experienced from most of the novus ordo bishops who enjoy good standing and good press.
In Dec. 2007, Bishop Williamson even warned his blog readers about the coming economic catastrophe and gave them specific steps to take to protect themselves. If I remember correctly, Ron Paul was being vilified by the press as a looney for the same warning. I think that Bishop Williamson must care a great deal about people to take the time to write that kind of warning when his time is at such a premium. With only four bishops and more than a million parishioners, each Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) bishop travels the globe to fulfill his duty: confirming, ordaining, teaching, etc. As seminary rector at the SSPX seminary in Minnesota and then the one in Argentina, Bishop Williamson has made an incalculable contribution to saving the traditional Catholic faith by forming good and holy priests.
By definition, a good and holy priest cannot be anti-Semite. He can't be anti anybody.
The same media who hang His Excellency and marginalized Dr. Paul, installed Obama on the throne. It is something to think about as you look at the ones who scream about Bishop Williamson from within the Church itself. What is their real agenda? Why is accepting the "official" number of long-dead Jewish holocaust victims and how they died more important to them than the numbers of living Catholics who would benefit from the speedy regularization of the SSPX?
Is it because what they truly fear is a crime much worse than so-called Holocaust-denial? the crime of "denying Vatican II"? They don't want the discussions that the SSPX requests. They don't want the confusion to end, the Spirit of Vatican II to finally find eternal rest?
The Jews deny Christ came as the Messiah. No one within the Church seems too worried about that. In more than 40 years of dialog, the Jews have not changed their minds. Yet the Church grovels before them. The SSPX is Catholic and has reservations about some of the Vatican II documents that appear to conflict with previous Church teaching. The SSPX is cursed, ridiculed, and shunned.
I have received enormous good from Bishop Williamson, and I am eternally grateful. I pray for him and wish him the best.
I pray also for Pope Benedict. May he overcome the world.
But most of all, I pray for the conversion of the Jews. May they lay down their heavy burden and find the peace of Christ, the Messiah of all.
AMDG
Bishop Williamson always, always, nurtured my Catholic faith, which is a far cry from what I experienced from most of the novus ordo bishops who enjoy good standing and good press.
In Dec. 2007, Bishop Williamson even warned his blog readers about the coming economic catastrophe and gave them specific steps to take to protect themselves. If I remember correctly, Ron Paul was being vilified by the press as a looney for the same warning. I think that Bishop Williamson must care a great deal about people to take the time to write that kind of warning when his time is at such a premium. With only four bishops and more than a million parishioners, each Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) bishop travels the globe to fulfill his duty: confirming, ordaining, teaching, etc. As seminary rector at the SSPX seminary in Minnesota and then the one in Argentina, Bishop Williamson has made an incalculable contribution to saving the traditional Catholic faith by forming good and holy priests.
By definition, a good and holy priest cannot be anti-Semite. He can't be anti anybody.
The same media who hang His Excellency and marginalized Dr. Paul, installed Obama on the throne. It is something to think about as you look at the ones who scream about Bishop Williamson from within the Church itself. What is their real agenda? Why is accepting the "official" number of long-dead Jewish holocaust victims and how they died more important to them than the numbers of living Catholics who would benefit from the speedy regularization of the SSPX?
Is it because what they truly fear is a crime much worse than so-called Holocaust-denial? the crime of "denying Vatican II"? They don't want the discussions that the SSPX requests. They don't want the confusion to end, the Spirit of Vatican II to finally find eternal rest?
The Jews deny Christ came as the Messiah. No one within the Church seems too worried about that. In more than 40 years of dialog, the Jews have not changed their minds. Yet the Church grovels before them. The SSPX is Catholic and has reservations about some of the Vatican II documents that appear to conflict with previous Church teaching. The SSPX is cursed, ridiculed, and shunned.
I have received enormous good from Bishop Williamson, and I am eternally grateful. I pray for him and wish him the best.
I pray also for Pope Benedict. May he overcome the world.
But most of all, I pray for the conversion of the Jews. May they lay down their heavy burden and find the peace of Christ, the Messiah of all.
AMDG
Sunday, February 8, 2009
No More Pink Plastic Ballerina Cake Decorations
Emma's 16th birthday is past, but I am still trying to understand what has happened. I have been studying these pictures several times a day, looking for clues. Well, I have to give partial credit to the dress. I like looking at the pictures because that dress makes me feel unrealistically optimistic about the world. I think it affects others the same way, because a lot of people noticed her and smiled when we were at the grocery store that day.
The other reason that I feel compelled to look at these pictures, I think, is because she sees this birthday as her "coming out" into young womanhood. That is why she insisted that we go out and "greet the dawn of her 16th birthday" and why she asked if she could now "receive suitors". I look at these pictures and wonder where and how she will fit into this world when she leaves our protection. I feel a little scared and a lot sad at the prospect.
And my husband, my friend, can not help me, because he does not really see what is happening. When I told Herb about her request to receive suitors, he said, "She's just teasing."
I didn't have the heart to contradict him. It's not that she has anyone in mind or that she is even looking for someone, unless you count fictional Mr. Knightly. I understand from our conversations that what she desires is some concrete recognition of her emerging womanhood. Our culture no longer affords her any positive way of expressing this. So she looks to Christian cultures of the past, that she has discovered in books like My Heart Lies South. I got her an autographed sequel for her birthday.
Then there was the thing about the cake. Emma has had the same pink plastic ballerina figurines on her birthday cake almost every year since she was three. This year, she said that it would be the last time because next year she would be too old. A dagger went right through my heart!
She is not all grown up, though. Last week she cut out and colored a Regency-era paper doll and a wardrobe to go with it: I still have some time with my little girl.
I must make the most of it.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Early This Morning Just as the Sun was Rising
Happy Birthday, Dear Emmaline!Love and Kisses and all Good Wishes, as you turn Sweet Sixteen. We love you.
However, the answer to your question, "May I receive suitors now?" is
"No!"
"No!" and
"No!"
Hoofin' It in the Heights with Jacqueline Schwab
The floor of Oxford Hall in the Houston Heights jumped last night with the steps of myriad English Country Dancing feet, as the dancers moved to music played by Jacqueline Schwab of Bare Necessities. They danced to songs like "Indian Queen", "Candles in the Dark", and "Faithless Nancy Dawson".
"Indian Queen" seemed to pleasure the dancers the most, but "Candles in the Dark" had them laughing as pianist/caller Jacqueline Schwab left the keyboard to gaily encourage them, "If you don't know where you are, circle with SOMEBODY! Back to back with SOMEBODY!"
The song "Nancy Dawson" featured an especially lively beat, and the caller and many of the dancers sang a snippet of the lyrics.
The evening ended with a waltz. Then the dancers huddled together in small groups to renew acquaintances and find out who was going to the upcoming English Country Dance in Clear Lake, the Bayou Bedlam Contra Dance in Houston, and the Set for Spring English Country Dance in Austin.
"Indian Queen" seemed to pleasure the dancers the most, but "Candles in the Dark" had them laughing as pianist/caller Jacqueline Schwab left the keyboard to gaily encourage them, "If you don't know where you are, circle with SOMEBODY! Back to back with SOMEBODY!" The song "Nancy Dawson" featured an especially lively beat, and the caller and many of the dancers sang a snippet of the lyrics.
The evening ended with a waltz. Then the dancers huddled together in small groups to renew acquaintances and find out who was going to the upcoming English Country Dance in Clear Lake, the Bayou Bedlam Contra Dance in Houston, and the Set for Spring English Country Dance in Austin.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
My Husband, The Shaker
My sister commented to my post about Herb's new iPhone and wanted to know all the applications he has on it.
I told her that I didn't know, but when I asked him to hang a picture, I was confused when he held the phone up to it. Then he explained that it has a leveling program.
That kind of put me on my guard, like an uncivilized native when confronted with a camera. I mean, really, "What next?". Was he going to tap it to his chest and command, "Beam me up, Scotty,"?
This morning I remembered to ask him what applications he had, and he gave me a list. For a hopeless non-techie, liberal arts-type like me, most of it was B-O-R-I-N-G: engineering formulas, Google Earth, and an HP-41 calculator.
My internal "Yuckometer" pegged out. Then, just as my eyes had begun to glaze over, he said, "and Shake".
My eyes began to peep, and my imagination soared.
"Shake?" I asked hopefully.
"Yeah, Shake," he said proudly. I just shake it, and it uses the GPS and accelerometer to tell me all of the restaurants that are near me."
"Oh, pooh," I thought. "I figured it made the perfect Martini."
I told her that I didn't know, but when I asked him to hang a picture, I was confused when he held the phone up to it. Then he explained that it has a leveling program.
That kind of put me on my guard, like an uncivilized native when confronted with a camera. I mean, really, "What next?". Was he going to tap it to his chest and command, "Beam me up, Scotty,"?
This morning I remembered to ask him what applications he had, and he gave me a list. For a hopeless non-techie, liberal arts-type like me, most of it was B-O-R-I-N-G: engineering formulas, Google Earth, and an HP-41 calculator.
My internal "Yuckometer" pegged out. Then, just as my eyes had begun to glaze over, he said, "and Shake".
My eyes began to peep, and my imagination soared.
"Shake?" I asked hopefully.
"Yeah, Shake," he said proudly. I just shake it, and it uses the GPS and accelerometer to tell me all of the restaurants that are near me."
"Oh, pooh," I thought. "I figured it made the perfect Martini."
A Just Pope
Rorate-Caeli reports on the "last nail in the coffin" of Legion of Christ founder Fr. Marcial Maciel Degollado.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
English Country Dancing in the Movies
Here is a clip from the movie, Emma. It opens with dear Mr. Knightley asking Emma who she will dance with. How my own Emma and I adore him! He is by far our favorite Jane Austen love interest.
We Shall Dance a New Beginning
Jacqueline Schwab with Ken Burns
How curiously things come together.
I had been hoping to attend a piano performance this Friday at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church by a lady named Jacqueline Schwab. I wanted to hear her because the program interested me: "solo piano arrangements of vintage American music from Mark Twain's era (1835-1910)--Stephen Foster and other parlor songs, Civil War Songs, old Scots and Irish tunes, hymns and spirituals, ballroom dance tunes, and ragtime." I had never heard of Jacqueline Schwab, though.
Last week I started researching English Country Dance recordings. I had taken Nathaniel and Emma to an English Country Dance last month, so I contacted the lady who organized, hosted, and called it. She referred me to the Country Dance and Song Society.
On their site I found a CD series featured called The English Country Dance Collection with Bare Necessities. Bare Necessities is described as a "Boston-based instrumental quartet that began playing professionally for weekly dances in 1978 and has since become known internationally for its unique presentation of English country dance music." The band is still composed of its original members. Can you guess who the pianist is?
I knew you could. You're right. It's Jacqueline Schwab.
I ordered one of the Bare Necessities CDs and the corresponding booklet of dance instructions. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I got this e-mail from the Houston Area Traditional Dance Society:
Jacqueline Schwab will be in Houston next week to play a free concert Friday evening at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. She has graciously agreed to play and call for us at a special English Country Dance on Wednesday evening.
Who is Jacqueline?
Jacqueline is the pianist in the premier English Country Dance band Bare Necessities. She is also the pianist for Ken Burns' documentaries and she is a sought-after English Country dance leader. See her web site for much more information about Jacqueline and her accomplishments — and you'll understand why we are really excited to have her play and call for us!
When: Wednesday, February 4, 2009, 7:30-9:30 PM
Where: Oxford Hall, 1135 Oxford
Cost: For this special dance we are asking a minimum donation of $5 with $10 preferred — or anything in between.
We're asking Jacqueline to teach A New Beginning, one of the "for those who know" dances to be done at the Set for Spring weekend in April. Fred Todt, Keith Holmes, and Mike Head will share the other teaching spots. We plan to do one or two of the other Set for Spring dances as well as a variety of other fun dances.
Jacqueline will play for all of the dances.
Even if you don't care to dance English Country, come listen to her play — especially if you can't go to hear her Friday evening.
I'm hoping we can attend the Set for Spring dance in Austin. Here's a picture and description of the ballroom where the dance will be held:
The Texas Federation of Women's Clubs Mansion is a Texas Historic Landmark and an Austin Historic Landmark. It is also listed with the National Register of Historic Places. It was designed by noted Dallas architect Henry Coke Knight to be the state headquarters for the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs, and is considered to be one of the best examples of Georgian Revival architecture in Texas. The main ballroom is a wonderful space for dancing, and many elegant drawing rooms are nearby for conversing and relaxing between dances.
Monday, February 2, 2009
New Job, New Phone
A week ago today, Herb started a new job as a consulting engineer for A-P Networks in Clear Lake, TX. This required that he provide his own cell phone service, so while he was at the AT&T office getting added to our family plan, he purchased the new Apple iPhone 3G.
Never have I seen a toy, I mean tool, bring so much happiness to a man.
It's much slimmer and lighter than his old HP iPac. It has a 3.5 inch-wide screen iPod so he can watch movies on it and listen to music/podcasts. It does all the internet stuff, from e-mail to e-bay, speedily. He has bought extra programs for it like one that tracks his expenses for work, but the best thing is that it has an "oogah horn" sound-effect option. Herb has set up his phone so that the oogah horn blows every time he gets a text message.
So last night while Herb and Nathaniel were watching the Superbowl, all the exciting plays were punctuated with "oo-oo-gah", as Herb's friend Mickey texted his response to the latest game development. Each time Herb's face lit up, and Nathaniel's face darkened. Poor Nathaniel! He wants an oogah horn for his phone, too.
Candlemas
We had hoped to go to mass today and then feast on homemade tamales and Mexican chocolate to celebrate Candlemas and the Presentation. Unfortunately, we can't get to mass, and I didn't ever learn how to make tamales or even buy the chocolate. We will pray at home and pack away our Nativity scene and dream about next year. Yes, next year I am sure I will finally accomplish all planned activities. Next year we will eat homemade tamales and sip Mexican chocolate in the glow of newly-blessed candles.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Neo-Catholic Sour Grapes
I owe a debt of gratitude to Chris Ferrara for writing this piece for The Remnant that sets the record straight on the poison-arrow shooters. It is a balm that soothes the wounds.
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