Happy Birthday to My Menfolk!

Today is their big day. Nathaniel is 18, and Herb is. . .older.

A Standing Ovation for Lady Leah

One of the first things that Emma learned at Lady Leah Lafargue's School of the Dance in Lake Charles was how to make an incredibly graceful, princess-like curtsy. I can still remember the joy on her face when she demonstrated it for us at home. Though she was only about six, she knew that it was truly beautiful.

Lady Leah, who retired last year, nurtured this little flame of awareness in all her students. One of her methods was to demonstrate some awkward movement or sloppy step and then ask her young dancers, "Was that beautiful!?"

Rather than rake in the easy money by offering classes on all the latest dance fads, she only offered ballet, jazz, and tap. Simultaneous enrollment in ballet classes was required to enroll in either of the latter two. "Ballet is foundational," Lady Leah always said.

Lady Leah epitomized the old guard, one of the last keepers of the Southern code of gentility, which had nothing to do with showy wealth but everything to do with good manners, high standards, and appreciating the best of Western culture.

Like all the proper Southern ladies I've known of her generation, she still pronounced the second syllable of "again" with a long "a". She used the word frequently, because she made the girls "do it again" until they got it right. And they did. You could see at the recital that a good foundation was being laid in even the youngest dancers.

Despite the gentility, when she had to make an important point, she used the necessary language. "Don't show your crotch when you do this! The audience doesn't want to see that. It's UGLY!" she would exclaim. She showed them how to dance attractively without dancing seductively.

Sadly, after six years with Lady Leah, we had to move, and the good ballet schools were all too far from our new home. Ballet gradually receded in importance as Emma reluctantly tried to find other things to fill the void.

She never did. This past year Emma begged to go back to ballet, and I enrolled her in a school that is 30 minutes from home. Emma was stunned by the difference in what she was taught there compared to her former training. She surprised me by articulating clearly the problems, whether in technique, preparation, or the choice of music. Though her ballet was "rusty", she had not forgotten what she had been taught. This summer we are driving fifteen minutes further for her to dance at a different school. She attended the first class yesterday.

So today, I just want to say, "Thank you, Lady Leah! Thank you for pulling back the curtain, turning on the spotlight, and showing your students the good, the true, and the beautiful, through dance."

N.B.: Lady is a family name, not a title. Emma also received excellent training from Lady Leah's daughter, Lady Holly, who continues the dance tradition at Lady Leah Lafargue School of the Dance.

Dressing Modestly for the Catholic Wedding

Train up a girl in the way she should dress, and when she marries, she will not depart from it.
Dr. Marian T. Horvat addresses the importance of Catholic brides choosing modest wedding gowns in this article at Tradition in Action, which features helpful photos as well as excellent commentary. The photo of Philomena de Joras shows a great way to "fix" a dress with an immodest neckline and/or no sleeves: the addition of an elegant little jacket. This really opens up a path to great savings, because many otherwise lovely gowns are available at thrift stores and resale shops.

I think most of the problem of immodest bridal apparel comes from the lack of an everyday church dress code. A simple reminder of what is expected, posted prominently, makes all the difference. Our chapel has such a sign in the vestibule. The expectations are backed up by solid teaching from the pulpit. It seems to work for our regular parishioners, girls and women alike. Except for a few rare occasions, when I have seen a woman with her head uncovered, in pants, or a low-cut or sleeveless blouse, she has been a visitor. The same goes for the occasional man in shorts. The ones who return conform to the congregation's standards.

Likewise, at traditional Catholic weddings, the problem of immodesty (and disrespectful behavior) is generally from the non-traditional Catholic guests. They do not do so intentionally; they just do not know what the Real Presence requires of them. Some brides have addressed this problem by adding to the wedding invitation an explanatory note about proper dress and behavior.

The Depressing Lesson of Rogers Dodge

A friend sent me a link to this C-span clip of Texas Congressman Ted Poe describing how a successful Dodge dealer, Rogers Dodge in Alvin, TX, has been forced out of business by Obama's auto task force. The closure was effective June 9. I found more information in this letter by Nicholas Parks, president of Rogers Dodge, which I highly recommend that you read and share.

Sadly, when I tried to visit the Rogers Dodge website to look for updates, it was no longer on the internet. Although in the news world this story could be considered old, I think it is still important, because it gives a concrete example of how a socialist government works in general. Just think what we have to look forward to when it "solves" health care.

A Week of Graces and Regret

THE GRACES


According to our church bulletin:

Monday, June 29: Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul

Wednesday, July 1: High Mass for the Feast of the Precious Blood

Thursday, July 2: High Mass and Marian Procession for the Feast of Our Lady's Visitation

Friday, July 3: First Friday High Mass and Holy Hour of Reparation for sins against the Sacred Heart.

Saturday, July 4: First Saturday Mass in honor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary


THE REGRET

We live an hour from church.

Catholic Business Principles in Action

Our parish just published a new directory that includes parishioner-owned businesses. I am studying it to familiarize myself with the services/products available.

I am hoping that our parish businessmen will be joining St. Joseph's Businessmen's Association SJBMA. I read recently that SJBMA, located in St. Mary's, KS, has just opened its membership to men who attend any SSPX chapel. I don't know if other traditional Catholic orders like the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) or the Institute of Christ the King already support such groups. If they don't, the SJBMA would be a great model for beginning.

Below is an overview of the SJBMA objectives from its website. I especially appreciate number 5. After several visits to St. Mary's, KS, I saw what a huge difference it makes to be able to live in a thriving traditional Catholic community.

St. Joseph Businessmen's Association (SJBMA) Overview

The goal of St. Joseph's Businessmen’s Association is to promote the economic development amongst Traditional Catholics by putting Catholic social economic principles into practice. To further this overall goal, there are several specific objectives that the SJBMA is focusing on:

1. Providing training to business owners and non-business owners alike concerning the traditional teachings of the Church regarding the rights and responsibilities of Catholic business owners.

2. Providing sound business advice and training to non-businessmen and the youth of the parish through educational apprenticeships, financial counseling, sharing of entrepreneurial experiences, etc.

3. Promoting business opportunities for Traditional Catholics in and around St. Mary’s through networking, encouraging new business development, etc.

4. Promoting the concept of noblesse oblige as it pertains to the Catholic businessman.

5. Encouraging business owners to be an important part of their parish at large, participating in the development of their Catholic community as a place to live, do business, and raise a family.

A Little Toasty in Texas

The temperature reached 105 degrees here yesterday. I worried that the eggs being laid in my metal nesting boxes would be baked. Emma begged me to let her give her rabbits a haircut, they were panting so. The water hoses outside and the kitchen faucet inside had to be run for several minutes before we could get water that wasn't hot.

I am eternally grateful to be able to depend on a fellow parishioner, Rudy Reyes of Angelus Mechanical, for air conditioning repair. Our main unit quit working a few days ago while Herb was in California, but I was able to call Rudy and be completely comfortable that he would take care of us, which he did, in both a timely and reasonably-priced manner.

Talkin' Tartan

In the relaxed atmosphere that followed Emma finishing her weaving sampler, Emma told Clarice Shanks, her weaving teacher, that she is interested in weaving the fabric for kilts. Clarice explained how exacting they are, trying to help Emma realize the difficulty of taking on such a project. Emma's enthusiasm worked on Clarice instead, and Clarice hurried from the room. She came back with two books on kilts and Tartans. Thus began a long conversation on the different clans' patterns, interjected with stories from Scottish history, some of Emma's favorites. Who was more excited? I could not tell. Part of me was listening to them; the other part was imagining all the different regions of Emma's brain lighting up and little bells ringing at each excited synapse.

Clarice told Emma that the Bay Area Weavers and Spinners had done a tartan study a few years ago. I wish I had a picture of Emma's face when she heard that news. Actually, her whole body sort of drooped; she was so sad that she had missed it. Then Clarice told Emma that a Scottish master weaver and spinner named Norman Kennedy might come and teach a class, and Emma perked up again. She had been hearing about him from all the weavers in the studio as she worked on her sampler. Clarice also said that Mr. Kennedy has an incredible voice and sings Scottish folk songs. More lights and bells! Clarice actually had a recording on her computer of him singing and played it for us. Here was the great intersection of all Emma's interests: fiber arts, history, folk dancing, and folk songs.

I checked the clock and realized it was closing time. What a blessing! We were able to get out of there before Emma's circuits overloaded.

The Sampler is Finished!

Now she just has to trim some threads, finish the warp repair, and hang it. Emma can't wait to work on her own loom now. It is a 45-inch Nilus Leclerc, and she can make much bigger projects than the sampler, which was woven on a Schacht Wolf Pup.

Containing Chickens

Herb ordered me some solar electric poultry netting to fence in my chickens. I can move it as needed to get them to fresh grass. I do miss having them loose, though. My backyard, where they used to hang out the most, seems desolate. The good thing is that we are no longer hunting eggs. I am also freed from hosing the sidewalk, and the cats can have their food all to themselves.

The chickens are using the nesting box at last. A few weeks ago, I was ready to give up on it. One of my big Aracaunas had finally gone in there. . .to die.The solar panel.

Setting up the second roll of netting. Once I saw it all set up, I realized I could have done with one. The two are connected into a big rectangle right now. I may separate them and make two smaller pens. Then I would get something else to put in one of them, maybe some turkeys or geese.

Driving the flock to their new location.

The view looking south.

Don't Mess With Texas; It's a Whole 'nother Country

I guess Texans are still an independent bunch. And traditional Catholic Texans even more so. I was reminded of this Sunday when Fr. Stanich, who is from The North, announced that he is being transferred to New York. He said that he was leaving Texas and "going back to the United States." Ouch!

North to Onalaska!

The corn lady called yesterday early and let Annie know that it was time. So as soon as I got finished cleaning the kitchen, I drove to her house, and we embarked on our corn conquest.

Actually, before we left, she drove me around to the back of her house to show me the new chicken tractor one of her sons had built her. It houses her new flock of Buff Orpingtons in style and comfort. Among its amenities is an insulated roof.

The miles flew by as we discussed farm stuff. I found out that Annie has been longing for bees for several years. I told her about another type of hive that I read about on Acres USA, called a top-bar hive. This discussion flowed seamlessly into the subject of finding good milk cows. Emma wants her own little Jersey, but Herb is discouraging it, causing Emma to declare that she has the "milk cow blues". Annie gave me the low-down on milk cow shopping: cows that won't breed, cows that like to kick, etc. We talked about keeping a calf on the cow so that you don't have to milk twice a day.

Then we took off into the woods to pick up another friend, Donna. The talk turned back to cows, and Donna suggested that a couple of the free classified ad-papers from that area might have some good cows listed for sale. I had forgotten all about it by the time we got to Livingston, but all of a sudden Annie whipped into a doughnut shop parking lot, hopped out, and retrieved two such papers.

She warned me that I couldn't stop visiting to read them, so I tried my best to do both. Luckily, I found an ad that needed to be read aloud to be appreciated. Someone was looking for a woman to be a "roommate and travel companion". I commented that it didn't say whether the advertiser was a man or a woman. "You know it's a man!" Annie and Donna assured me, laughing. Country women are so wise!

Then we let Donna out at the Livingston Wal-Mart to make a mango run. For some reason that Wal-Mart had been selling them really cheap. When Donna returned, I told her and Annie about an ad for u-pick, thornless blackberries, $15 a gallon, that I was interested in. This reminded Donna about some grapes that she likes to make into jelly. They are a very acidic grape, called a Mustang. Annie said that you have to wear gloves to handle them, because they make your hands burn. I had never heard of them.

Turning my attention again to the ads, I did find one for a 2-year-old Jersey heifer for $400. I called about it, but the man told me that it was already sold and that he had had so many calls on it, he thought that he could have sold it ten times over.

By then we were turning into the corn lady's driveway. I began to grow alarmed when I saw the huge net sacks full of corn. "How many of those am I getting? I wondered to myself. We started helping the corn lady heft these big sacks into the back of Annie's van. They were heavy and awkward. I felt like a member of the corn mafia, disposing of bodies. Each bag held about 50 large ears. The corn lady and her husband had gone out to the field at the crack of dawn to pick it all. Much as I love country life, I did not want the corn lady's job, at least not at $3 a dozen.

I had planned on canning some of the corn, but by the time I got home, I didn't have time to do anything but minimal processing. I cut the stalk ends off and started filling gallon size freezer bags with four ears each. When I had two grocery bags full of these packages, I took them to my deep freezer, where I discovered that I had practically no available room to store them. After two trips out there, I had wedged corn into every available nook and cranny. That's when I eagerly divided up what was left and gave it away to friends and neighbors.

If I calculated up the time I spent, the gas money, and the actual amount of corn I got in my freezer, I'm afraid the cost was significantly more than $3 a dozen. But the value of a half day's companionship of two wise country women?

Priceless!

Learn to Weave Day 4, Creative Possibilities

These pictures were taken last Thursday. I had hoped that Emma would finish that day, but alas, we must go back tomorrow.
The white "stripes" at the top of the picture above are actually formed by weaving in plastic sticks.

Making chenille the old-fashioned way. Clarice mentioned the Cajuns as one of the groups who traditionally favored this technique.

The strange-looking bunch of white threads in the upper left corner is where Emma learned how to fix the warp after accidentally cutting six threads.

The palette, above and below.

It's fun to see how these different threads/yarns change in appearance when they are woven.

An interesting view. We can't wait to see the sampler hanging on the wall at home.

This stuff is so beautiful and soft.

Little bits of the pink wool are worked randomly into the sampler.

The rag rug technique. Clarice gave Emma strips of indigo-dyed cotton and cochineal-dyed cotton to work into her sampler. Clarice has an indigo-dye pot. I think that she said it takes 44 pounds of indigo leaves to make one ounce of dye. She was going to show us some dying techniques on Friday, but we couldn't go that day.

I forgot the name of this fringe-looking technique. I'll find out tomorrow.

Restoring American Textiles

I've been noticing a slow but sure increase in Americans' willingness to pay more for healthier food, whether that is through a co-op, the organic food and produce sections at the grocery store, or buying directly from farmers. It is awfully encouraging to me.

As I sat watching people weave at Upstairs Studio last week, I asked if anyone thought there was hope for restoring the American textile industry. I read that 44 textile plants closed just last year.

We had a long discussion about the unwillingness or inability of the textile companies to pay competitive American wages and benefits, footing the bill for safe working conditions while competing with cheap labor overseas. It would seem that the the American consumer will have to be willing to pay more for American-made products.

Wondering if there is some middle way, somewhere in between homespun and corporate textile companies, I read up on craft guilds in Catholic Encylopedia. Here's the excerpt, titled "Craft guilds" (in England):

"Seeing that the merchant guilds had become identical with the municipality, the craftsmen, ever increasing in numbers, struggled to break down the trading monopoly of the merchant guilds and to win for themselves the right of supervision over their own body. The weavers and fullers were the first crafts to obtain royal recognition of their guilds, and by 1130 they had guilds established in London, Lincoln, and Oxford. Little by little through the next two centuries they broke down the power of the merchant guilds, which received their death-blow by the statute of Edward III which in 1335 allowed foreign merchants to trade freely in England. In the system of craft guilds the administration lay in the hands of wardens, bailiffs, or masters, while for admission a long apprenticeship was necessary. Like the merchant guilds, the craft guilds cared for the interests both spiritual and temporal of their members, providing old age and sick pensions, pensions for widows, and burial funds. The master craftsman was an independent producer, needing little or no capital, and employing journeymen and apprentices who hoped in time to become master craftsmen themselves. Thus there was no "working class" as such, and no conflict between capital and labour. At the end of the reign of Edward III there were in London forty-eight companies, a number which later on rose to sixty."

Does anyone know of such a guild operating today? I know that Harrisville Designs will take your fleece and spin it into yarn for you, and I once bought a wool blanket from a Louisiana farm that sent its raw wool somewhere and had it turned into blankets. These kinds of activities are a step in the right direction, but still a long way from a functioning medieval-type guild. If any one knows of individuals who have organized textile co-ops or have other ideas for restoring small-scale American-made textiles, please comment with the information.

Changing of the Guard

Our pastor, Fr. Stephen Stanich, announced today that he is being transferred to the Syracuse chapel, effective Aug. 15. He has been prior at Queen of Angels in Dickinson for five years.

He will replace Fr. Timothy Pfeiffer at Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God Church and Academy in Syracuse. It is a big promotion for him, and we wish him well. I know that he will enjoy being reunited with his seminary classmate, Fr. David Hewko.

Fr. Stanich said that Fr. Gerardo Zendejas has been tentatively assigned to our parish from Ridgefield, CT. Brother Gregory told me that Fr. Timothy Pfeiffer is being transferred to India where he will join his brother Fr. Joseph Pfeiffer.

Save the Humans: Use DDT to Fight Malaria

I received the latest Access to Energy newsletters the other day. Written and published by Dr. Arthur B. Robinson, they give me insight into many science topics that I normally would not read about.

One of these topics is the use of DDT to combat malaria. I was a little surprised that Dr. Robinson favored its use. I generally think pesticides are bad and try to buy organic food when I can. DDT, in particular, had a horrible association in my mind with damaging bird eggs. I don't know where that idea came from, possibly My Weekly Reader when I was in elementary school. Whatever the source of my information was, it failed to impress upon me how many human lives were saved by DDT. Access to Energy did that. I did some other reading, and I found out that the kind of spraying that is done for malaria is very restricted and is done inside the home, not outdoors.

"The same organization and people that demand an end to our use of coal, oil, and natural gas, have deliberately killed tens of millions of people--mostly children--in sub-Saharan Africa and other underdeveloped regions. After DDT was used to eradicate malaria in the developed world, it was denied to the underdeveloped countries--just as it was beginning to eradicate malaria there," Dr. Robinson said.

He was responding to an article in a May 2009 issue of The Wall Street Journal that reported the World Health Organization's (WHO) reversal of its 2006 decision to endorse DDT's use. The 2006 decision reversed a 25-year ban on DDT. During the 25-year ban, the WSJ article says that there were 50 million deaths from malaria.

Environmentalists like Medha Chandra of Pesticide Action Network say that new, safer, and more effective methods of fighting malaria are now available. What's the first one she lists? Mosquito netting for beds. Hmmm. I wouldn't describe mosquito netting as new, and I wonder if Chandra is saying that it is safer for the environment or the people. It certainly can't be more effective than DDT. Of course the netting must be used in conjunction with other methods, but from what I read, nothing new has been developed that is as effective as DDT. When that true solution comes, I will wholeheartedly endorse it, but sacrificing human lives in the meantime is not acceptable--unless you're a career environmentalist.

Obviously, career environmentalists have different priorities than people who value human life. I have thought about the similarities between environmentalists and pro-abortionists in the past. I did a little searching and found the connection I was looking for. This post on the Wintery Knight blog tells what the environmentalists' goals are and lists solid quotations for proof.

Congressman Ron Paul on Healthcare

via Campaign for Liberty:

Having practiced medicine for over 30 years, Congressman Paul gives his perspective on the past and future of medicine in this country, and the effects of government and special interests on quality, costs and access.

Learn to Weave Day 3, Twill is Queen!

"Shuttles are so elegant," Emma told me. I think that must be the kind of thing girls say when they are in "raptures". Strange, but interesting.

Yesterday was pure bliss for Emma. She skipped when she had to go ask a question and smiled and sang at her loom, "I dreamt I dwelt in marble halls with vassals and serfs at my side."

The beloved antique bobbin winder.

Can you chew gum and pat your head at the same time?

The elegant shuttle, with a cargo of pink thread.

After losing her place several times and having to take out her work, Emma found a pattern holder on an unused loom and borrowed it.

See the diamond pattern in the middle?

Emma's favorite, pink and purple together.

Learn to Weave: Day 2, Tabby is King!

You can't see it, but Emma is standing on a cloud of euphoria. The majority of the first two days of weaving lessons were occupied with getting the warp ready, and Emma was fairly reserved. The Day 1 post and the first five pictures below show that. Then, when that was finished, the last 45 minutes to an hour of class yesterday, Clarice took Emma into her shop to choose yarn, and Emma started to percolate with excitement.

Emma is following the pattern in her lap to thread the heddles.

On the first class day, Clarice showed Emma two methods for the threading, one easier but slower than the other. Emma adopted the faster method. She said it felt more comfortable because it reminded her of crocheting.

Here she begins sleying the reed.

The warp is tied onto the front apron rod. Then Clarice showed Emma how to run her hand over it to check for even tension.

Gravitating immediately to the pinks and purples, Emma begins choosing her colors. So far, this has been the only part of the weaving lessons that has been difficult for her, because she only had five minutes to choose if she wanted any time to begin weaving before the end of the class day. If left to her own devices, she probably would have spent a half hour or more. As it was, she followed Clarice back to the studio, agonizing over the green thread that she had chosen to go with the pink and purple.

As Clarice set up the thread to be wound onto the bobbin, she explained that someday, because of life experiences, Emma might not care for pink anymore and could possibly come to love orange. Emma was not convinced.

Clarice showed Emma how to wrap a bobbin and insert it in the shuttle, then headed back to the loom with the shuttle in her hand. Emma scurried close behind her and begged, "Can I hold it?" I wish I had a picture of Clarice's face when she heard that. She kind of chuckled and had this "knowing" look. She clearly realized that Emma was consumed with the weaving bug.

The project Emma is working on is a sampler. The first weave Emma learned is the Tabby, and Clarice emphasized that, "Tabby is King!" She had Emma "beat" soft, then hard, to see how it affected the weave.

Several inches of pure satisfaction.

Food for the Pantry and the Medicine Cabinet

The Perfect Pantry is celebrating its third anniversary by publishing lists of essential items for the cupboard, spice rack, and refrigerator/freezer. Mine could certainly use some help. The other day I threw away a spice bottle when I noticed that it had a date on it which included the year 1984. What a relief! Now I won't have to dust it after all.

I was happy to see Agave nectar on the cupboard list. This is my new favorite sweetener. I use it in my tea and stirred into bowls of hot cracked wheat flavored with cinnamon. It is a low-glycemic index food, has a light flavor, and is easy to mix into cold items, unlike granulated sugar. I am a recovering diet Coke addict, (no diet Coke or soda of any kind since Ash Wednesday this year!) and have transitioned to iced tea. Finding something to sweeten it with has been hard. I can eat baked goods with white sugar all day long, but using it in coffee or tea leaves a nasty feeling in my mouth. I think artificial sweeteners accustom you to a much cleaner feeling that is hard to give up.

Acres USA features a great interview in their articles archive with Dr. Arden Andersen titled "Let Food Be Your Medicine" which, among many other things, talks about aspartame addiction and relates it to alcoholism. Apparently they are both problems for people who have trouble metabolizing carbohydrates. I found the entire article so compelling that I re-subscribed to Acres USA after a 5-year-hiatus and ordered Dr. Andersen's book, Real Medicine, Real Health.

My friend Annie called yesterday to alert me that she had found a source for some fabulous sweet corn in Onalaska, TX. She had already canned some cut corn and some on the cob and creamed some for the freezer. Now she is ready to go back for more. This time I'll be going with her. Be on the lookout for the post I'm already planning of our trip; it's going to be titled, "North to Onalaska!" My last road trip with friend Susan was so much fun, I can't believe I get to go on another one so soon. Who knew that trying to be a Proverbs 31 woman could have such great perks? Deo Gratias!

I Purely Kilt Her with Embarrassment

Emma took me briskly to task this morning after reading my post Summer and Feeling Overwhelmed.

"MOM!" she scolded. She was so flustered, she couldn't express it properly. Seconds later, another "MOM!"exploded from the core of her injured feminine dignity.

"Yes?" I inquired innocently.

"I like kilts," she explained exasperated. "Just like I like the men's Regency outfits."

"Oh, so the fact that men happen to inhabit the kilts is purely coincidental?" I asked.

"YES!"

I stand corrected.

Drat and double drat! There go my plans to marry her off to a Scottish Country Dancer! And I just saw the photo at right which led me to discover HectorRussell.com, an online store in Scotland that features a kilt rental service!

Don't look at those men, though! Just the kilts!

Summer and Feeling Overwhelmed

When I was a kid, summer vacation seemed to last a really long time. Now I see it pulling away from me like the ice cream truck in a summer nightmare, leaving me tasting the exhaust instead of a fudgsicle.

Most of the problem is Emma. I think I shall have to auction her off to someone who has a lot more time to spend on her divers pursuits than I. And now she wants to do Scottish Country Dancing. She told me today that if she could just go to Irish dancing on Monday nights, English Country Dancing on the 1st and 3rd Fridays, contra dancing on the second and fourth Saturdays and the Scottish Dancing on whatever free night is left, she thinks that she could give up ballet.

Maybe she'll meet some rich, eligible bachelor at one of these dances. She has a thing for men in kilts. Hey, wait a minute! Where is that next Scottish Country Dance?

Weaving and Homestead Cattle

Emma was not feeling well on the first day of weaving class and felt worse yesterday. She insisted on going to class, but we had to leave after an hour. It was still profitable, though, as a weaving fairy left us a heritage farm animal book that I read aloud to Emma during the time we were there. We are now in love with Kerry cattle, a breed with which we were hitherto unfamiliar. The great thing about Kerrys is that they don't need grain supplementation. They can do well entirely on grass, even poor grass. Like all good homestead animals they are multipurpose--good for milk and meat. We especially like that they come from Ireland and sustained poor Irish homesteaders for centuries.

A director of Murphy's Ice Cream, who lives in Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland, writes about the breed here.

A Sermon from Archbishop Lefebvre on the Feast of Corpus Christi

Via SSPX Asia.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

My dear brethren,

If there is a feast which ought to be dear to our hearts, to the heart of the priest, to the heart of the seminarian, to the hearts of the Catholic Faithful, it is indeed the Feast of the Most Blessed Sacrament. What in our holy religion is more grand, more beautiful, more divine than the holy Sacrament of the Eucharist? What could Our Lord Jesus Christ have done to manifest His charity, His love for us more efficaciously, more obviously, than by leaving us under the appearances of bread and wine His Body, His Blood, His Soul and His Divinity? These things we have just sung in the Epistle, in the Gradual, in the Alleluia, in the Gospel. We have affirmed our faith in the Holy Eucharist—this faith which today is turned to doubt, this faith which is turned to doubt by the attitude, by the lack of respect that men have for the Most Holy Eucharist, for Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself present under the appearances of bread and wine. We then should affirm more than ever our faith in the Most Holy Eucharist.

That is why we are happy to gather here today, around Jesus in the Eucharist, and to manifest to Him our faith in His Divinity, and our adoration. It is for this that already for centuries and centuries in the Church this custom, this tradition has existed, of adoring Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist publicly—in the villages, in the cities, in the small cities as in the great ones—in the religious houses and in monasteries. Everywhere the Eucharist is honored; everywhere on this day of the Feast of the Most Blessed Sacrament, or of Corpus Christi, the Most Blessed Sacrament is honored in a public manner. The Council of Trent declared that we must honor Our Lord Jesus Christ publicly so that those who see, and who observe the faith of Catholics in the Most Holy Eucharist, might be attracted as well by this homage rendered to Our Lord Jesus Christ, and that finally they might believe in the Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ present in this great Sacrament. And the Council of Trent added, Let those who refuse to admit the Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ be struck, struck by a punishment of God—by the blinding of their hearts—if they refuse to honor Our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is what the Council of Trent said, to encourage this custom and this tradition, already ancient, of honoring Our Lord Jesus Christ publicly in the streets of our cities, in the countryside, as we are doing here today. That is why in a little while we shall make the procession, with all our faith, repeating to Our Lord Jesus Christ, Yes, we believe, O Jesus, that You are present in the holy Sacrament. We believe it today twice, three times, four times as strongly, for all those who no longer believe, for those who despise You in Your Sacrament, for all those who commit sacrileges. We shall perform this act of faith, asking Our Lord Jesus Christ to increase our faith.

Read the complete sermon here.

Learn to Weave: Day 1 Photo Essay

First, an encouraging note from Upstairs Studio owner and weaving teacher Clarice Shanks.