There’s an interesting Meme floating around, I first saw it on Elizabeth’s blog, then Deb’s and Maureen’s. While I fail miserably at it (getting exactly 1/15th of them), I thought I’d play along.

Here are the rules:

1. Pick 5 of your favorite books.
2. Post the first sentence of each book. (If one sentence seems too short, post two or three!)
3. Let everyone try to guess the titles and authors of your books.

Here are my five (hint: they are all fiction)
1) When Mary Lennox was sent to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle everybody said she was the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett - Elizabeth
2) Clare: It’s hard being left behind. Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffineger - Janelle
3) When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home. The Outsiders by SE Hinton - Deb
4) His two girls are curled together like animals whose habit is to sleep underground, in the smallest place possible. Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver - Suzanna!
5) Theirs was a land of awesome grandeur, a land of mountains and moorlands and cherished myths. Here be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman - Margaret (I hadn't thought about it being a Tolkeinesque opener, but it definitely is - I'm a Tolkein flunky, none of his books would ever float to the top of my favorites list, I've barely read any of them - but I loved what Margaret said about Tolkein and Wales.)

And the winner is...

Emma by Jane Austen.

We will begin on Monday, November 16, which gives us two weeks to get the book. I've never read it and look forward to reading a book about which, Austen said, "I am going to take a heroine whom no-one but myself will much like."

(photo source)

Nativity Read Along!

As we finished up the read along of Little Women in August, there was discussion of doing another one. As we are approaching the Nativity Fast (starting November 15th), I thought I’d gather some input as to what book we should read.

Some ideas I had were:

To continue our Louisa May Alcott reading and choose Old Fashioned Girl or Eight Cousins

We could continue the discussion by choosing Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.

To prepare for the new movie, we could do Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll.

I am ashamed to admit that I’ve only read one Jane Austen, so we could choose Sense and Sensibility or Emma.

And, I’ve also got Middlemarch on my “To read” pile.

What say you? What sounds good? Suggestions welcome.

(Print source)

A Woman’s Daybook for Wednesday, October 14
Outside my window...We are having our first rain and wind of the season. We have not been nearly as hard hit as my family in Northern California, they were without power and with downed trees everywhere. Thankfully they all seem to be ok.
I am thinking...About St. Thais and the beautiful Massenet opera about her. I’d never heard it before, then saw it performed on October 4th. Imagine my surprise to discover that her Feast Day was the following Thursday (October 8th).
I am thankful for...the Xman enjoying the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. At the bookstore the other day, the display of the new 4th one reminded him that he enjoyed the first. We now own 2 & 3, with a promise to purchase the new one when he is ready
From the learning rooms...Conference week – the Xman seems to be very social and not always paying attention. Whistles. I’m sure I have no idea where he gets that.
From the kitchen...I’ve been enjoying the shift in foods from our summer bounty to the hearty squash and potato dishes. Yum.
I am wearing...a plaid wool skirt I bought for $1 at a yard sale this summer. I have a black tunic, black tights and some new Mary Jane shoes.
I am creating...The fabulous Janelle is hosting an ATC swap, and I have to assemble mine tonight. I have all the parts ready to go.
I am going...to my first Russian class tomorrow – it’s been about 14 years (I was pregnant with the Xman) since I took First Year Russian, I definitely need to start at the beginning (oooh, while I was typing this, I got pre-class homework. Eeek!)
I am reading...Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson. My mom is the true “Anne with an e” aficionado, but I have read them all (as an adult) and am finding this a delight
I am hoping...would you believe the answer is still for the Oldest to get a job????
I am hearing...the aforementioned Opera
Around the house...I need to find some cool storage for squash, tomatoes, etc since a mouse moved into my vegetable storage box in the garage last year.
One of my favorite things...fresh carrots
A few plans for the rest of the week…Scrapbooking on Saturday with friends, and then seeing a local production of As You Like It with my Dh.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing…for reasons beyond my understanding, a local affiliate has a pet wallaby - I know Tracey and Ian are thinking that Americans are nuts right now - and he brought it into our office.

As those who have read my blog for a while know, one of the things that most intrigues me is why we read, and how books interact with our lives. I really like books that talk about this topic and will recommend them heartily. I’ve also discussed the fact that one of my ongoing sadnesses is the fact that my youngest is not a reader.

The other day, I heard this lovely StoryCorps piece on my NPR station. While I don’t condone stealing (or borrowing without asking)* the story was incredibly touching and tied in with my thoughts. This is how it ended: "I credit Mrs. Grady for getting me in the habit of enjoying reading, so that I was able to go to law school and survive," Neal said.

What a gift that Mrs. Grady gave, and I pray that the same gift is given to my reluctant reader at some point in his life, and with trembling, it may even be from me. It is also a reminder that we touch the lives of those around us. As we prepare for a new Church School year, it is a something I need to remember in the classes that I co-teach.

*This is a repost for those who read my Facebook, my apologies

One of the “traditional” allegations about the more liturgical churches is that those who are members are not as familiar with their bibles as are those who are of a less liturgical bent. While I agree that many Orthodox (or Catholics and Anglicans) don’t have the bible memorized like our Charismatic brethren, we have a Liturgy that is rich in Biblical references and we really know more than it is realized. As a reader, I love to have the word of God surround me in all ways – liturgically, through our hymnography, and by my regular reading.

To this end, I was blessed to travel along with the wonderful Susan Sophia and two of her fellow parishioners to another fabulous Portland Women’s Retreat (would you believe I forgot my camera? I’m hoping I’m tagged in some Facebook photos that I can nab). Our topic was Applying Biblical Principals in our daily lives, and it really reminded me that while I have snippets and paraphrases in my head, I do need to work on making an effort to memorize more scripture.

One of the things that was really wonderful – in addition to a schedule that allowed for a lot of down and quiet prayer time – was the small groups where we got together and read about four women* of the Bible and how to apply their lessons to our lives. I was part of the group that read about Esther. Many great points** about her life were brought up in our group, and I was greatly blessed. One that I am still chewing on is this amazing line: “She was ruddy through the perfection of her beauty, and her countenance was cheerful and very amiable, but her heart was in anguish out of fear.” (Esther 9:5)
What a reminder that there are times that our outside is perfectly calm, but we are quaking with fear inside. And God is with us even when our heart is in anguish.

It was a fabulous weekend, it was lovely to see everyone (and I’m so sorry to not see good friends who couldn’t make it) and next year, I hope that others from my parish will be able to attend

*the groups were: St. Photini – the Woman at the Well
Ruth and Naomi
Deborah
Esther

**the biggest being that reading Septuagint version greatly enhances one’s understanding.

(Art credit )

In a recent BUST magazine (thanks to a dear friend for bringing it to my attention and loaning me the issue) there was a fascinating article about the evolution of Home Economics. One of the things that it brought out was that it originally started out not as a class for budding Martha Stewarts, but as a program to bring scientific methods to women setting up households*.

It dovetailed nicely with a recent conversation at my canning class – the canning instructor (who rocked, thank you again!) was saying that she was preparing a class for basic household skills to teach through the Parks and Recreation.

I think back to my (ongoing) struggles to teach myself household management and wonder how we as a society have ended up without passing these skills along generationally (and this is not a slam on my mother at all, in fact, I’d daresay she struggled to teach me and I just plain didn’t listen). I see the pendulum swinging back towards these home arts being important and find that many of us are self-teaching, or seeking out classes. Honestly, though, I’ve not seen this within schools or for our younger generations – I’ve seen it of those who are my age. I am certainly not phenomenal at it with my own kids – but I am blessed with a husband** who not only is a full partner (or even the more than half partner) on these issues, but kids who are familiar with the kitchen.

Of course, I should note, I misplaced my most recent issue of Mary Jane’s Farm before reading it. I do so wish it would turn up.

Anyway, I look forward to others thoughts, shared struggles, etc on this issue. And tips and tricks are always welcome!

*I'm actually reading a delightful cozy mystery series set in early 20th Century New York City where this need is evident.
**This is clearly not an exclusively new trend, I always tease Susan Sophia and James that they are living my husband’s childhood.

(photo from May 2007's National Wear an Apron Day - my kitchen has new flooring now, and my hair is shorter. I still wear and love that apron, though! Thanks Kitchen Madonna!)