The Secret Scriptures

I was perusing  a list of recommended books from a journal in England and crossed The Secret scripture by Sebastian Barry, I didn't read a review , I simply picked it up at the library and read it. Usually such indiscriminate reading turns out poorly, but this had several bright moments. It is an historic novel of sorts, covering 100 years of Irish history revealing the weird and dramatic politics of religion, Great Britain'ness, mental illness and aging; all by themselves compelling subjects and as a bouillabaisse a flavorful experience. "Casting doubt upon the reliability of human perceptions and, indeed, the very nature of truth, it also upholds the possibilities of dignity and redemption." So a said one review - it s good read

The story line was a bramble  but the writing was a delight including :

• The terror and hurt in my story happened because when I was young I thought others were then authors of my fortune or misfortune
• But Fr Gaunt was so clipped and trimmed he had no antennae at all for grief
• He was like a singer who knows the words and can sing, but cannot sing the song as conceived in the heart of the composer
• We have neglected the tiny sentences of life and now the big ones are beyond our reach
• ...  My mother's wits were now in the attic of her head which had neither door nor stair, or at least none that I could find
• Little sins of omission that loom large now
• The Arabs say that everything is already written in the book of life, our job is merely to fulfill the narrative already there, invisible, unknown
• It is always worth itemizing happiness, there is always so much of the other thing in life, you had better put down the markers for happiness while you can.
• There has never been a person in an old person's home that hasn't looked dubiously at the other inhabitants. They are the old ones, they are the club no one wants to join.but we are never old to ourselves. That is because at the close of the day the ship we sail in is the soul not the body.
• ... Time passing is just a trick, a convenience. Everything is always there, still unfolding, still happening. The past, the present, the future, in the noggin eternally, like brushes, combs and ribbons in a handbag
• ... Who was obviously sane to such a degree it makes sanity almost undesirable 

I appreciate phraseology that ports me somewhere and becomes the nugget of a new thought or moment to ponder. I then craft the story I want to hear more than the story perhaps intended by the author.

A very helpful Venn diagram

http://www.flickr.com/photos/buriednexttoyou/5095255302/


I'm having problems posting images so I'm just good for links these days.
This is a visual after the zuckerman sister got snagged by the Facebook privacy settings

Steal like an artist

A great little book that brigham introduced me to. a few kernels that reminded me to: be curious, have passion, and continue to be an agent of change and ideas.

 Steal like an artist    
By -Austin kleon

Eccles. 1:9  - there is nothing new under the sun

"What is originality ? Undetected plagiarism" wm Inge

You are a mash up of what you chose to let into your life

You're only as good as the ideas you surround yourself with

* Steal from anywhere that speaks to your soul

Climb the idea tree - look to the sources of those who inspired an idea, then push back to their sources, and so on - read bibliographies

Whether you're in school or not its always your job to get an education

Google everything - before you ask a question;
Either you'll get your answer or a better question

* Don't wait to know who you are to get started  - it's in the act of making things and doing our work that we figure out who we are

*You don't want to look like your heroes you want to see like them

* Write the book you want to read

* use your hands

*The work you do while you procrastinate is probably the work you should be doing for the rest of your life

* Don't throw your passions away

* Do good work and share it with people

* You should wonder at the things nobody else is wondering about

* Enjoy solitude

There's only one rule I know of:you've got to be kind - Kurt Vonnegut

* The art of holding on to Money is all about saying no to modern culture. Live within your means - Do with less

* Get a calendar and log - Track best thing that happened to you all day

Dig deeper and read

Anne Lamont -  bird by bird

Lynda Barry - what it is

Mihaly csikszentmihalyl - flow

Merry Christmas

 For unto us a ^achild is ^bborn, unto us a ^cson is given: and the ^dgovernment shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, ^eCounsellor, The ^fmighty ^gGod^•, The^heverlasting Father, The Prince of ⁱPeace.

He was born

He lives

He wants you, me, us to find joy and return


Great music video - the piano guys - o come Emmanuel 

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=iO7ySn-Swwc&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DiO7ySn-Swwc

Playing for Pizza

It's not even a holiday book.
Nor was it the John Grisham attorney, lawyerly book I anticipated
It wasn't even incredibly written like my favorite Italian novel:The Name of the Rose, by Umberto Eco.

I found it on a list of notable books and thought I'd give it a try.

It was one part "a room with a view" by Forster
One part  Frommer's Italy 
One part "Rudy"

Bizarrely it's the story of an NFL star quarterback gone goat. To say that Italy—the land of fine wines, extremely small cars, and football americano—holds a few surprises for Rick Dockery would be something of an understatement. It is all about the discovery of someone totally new to Italy.  He adapts to the food, the history, the culture, his dislocated passion for football, american students abroad and more.

It is a library book, so I didn't have a lot vested in it. Nonetheless , it was such a simple read that it really didn't consume a lot of time. Would I recommend it probably not unless you have a trip already for Parma .

Well I haven't read Grisham for over a decade and it seems reassonable to assume that will lbusiness another decade before I do again.

Sing it out

A few years back the New Era had an interesting article a few years back entitled – Using Hymn to Know Him. I love Christmas music. It leaves the spirit, lightens the load and makes me smile.

Here are some ways you can use music to draw closer to Christ this Christmas.

• Watch a replay of First Presidency Christmas Devotional broadcast at www.lds.org orhttp://www.byu.tv/ 

• Study the scriptures listed under a Christmas song in the hymnbook. Ponder the words of that song during the day.

• Gather a group to go caroling so you can bring the joy of music to others who might need some cheer.

• Learn a new Christmas hymn ALL the verses not just the first stanza

• Have 12 days of true Christmas music. Listen to and sing songs about Christ for the 12 days leading up to Christmas.(still have time to get ready for this one)

• Look in the Topics index of the hymnbook under “Jesus Christ,” find a favorite hymn about the Savior, and memorize it.

• Learn the history of one of your favorite Christmas carols. Who wrote it? Why was it written? Share what you learn with your family or a friend.

• Sing a Christmas hymn when you are trying to have good, positive thoughts.

• Check for free Christmas concerts in your area that you can attend.

• Organize a trio or quartet to learn a Christmas carol people don’t hear very often, and offer to sing it at church – a nursing home – perform it somewhere.

• Listen to a tape or CD of sacred Christmas music, and then write in your journal about how it made you feel.

 

My favorite this season

- call my mom and sing a Christmas song along with her on the phone 

- go to the stake Christmas carol and Handel's messiah sing along

- pandora wherever you go,  listening to Christmas music  it lifts the soul.

 HAPPY HO HO HO TO YOU

Thanksgiving Friday

A new trend, dare we call it a tradition, is feasting and having Thanksgiving on Friday.
It's has worked for people's schedules, and had made for a richer, calmer celebration.
So Thursday becomes a very stress free day - we linger at home. We finish cleaning with no rush, we prepare the foods that need prep, no rush, we linger and play games, no rush, we do a few chores, no rush, we went for a walk, no rush. Did I mention no rush, no stress.

So Friday becomes a great day to celebrate. I get up early and do a bit of work and go do store checks because it is Black Friday and I do work retail, but no rush. I even had time to hit the gymn for my daily workout. Got home to help with the final prep work. Ok, let's be candid, it helps to be married to an incredible cook and hostess. Anyhow, come 3 pm we are gathered in and ready to dine. The family is gathered, the cousins who are home are gathered, the food is ready and served, we feast. A simple combination for one of the most delightful holidays of the year.

Happy Friday thanksgiving. Come join us next year.

(Having problems posting photos)

FLASHBACK - An Armstrong Thanksgiving

Life still happpened before I blogged - so here is a favorite flashback

There are many people that question the value of public high schools in our communities both the institutions and the students. At this Thanksgiving time of year our family would be very ungrateful indeed not to share for the incredible Fall our son has had at Armstrong High School. The students, the coaches, and the teachers have combined to show a huge amount of kindness, acceptance and embracing of diversity.

Our son, Evan, is a 16-year-old sophomore at Armstrong High School. Like many boys his age he is on the football, wrestling and track teams; he struggles a little with his social and science classes, and loves singing in the Varsity choir. He loves both the social and academic parts of school. He thrives on the vibrancy of a large high school with the multitude of opportunities for all students. One difference with Evan is that he was born with Down Syndrome.

A few weeks ago Evan was nominated for homecoming royalty. He, we, were thrilled and delighted by the inclusion and the honor. We attended the Homecoming pep fest and with other parents watched our youth participate. Evan was introduced and he carried himself well, head held high with an arm extended to his female counter-part. We were genuinely delighted by the round of applause he received. At the end of the pep fest when the royalty winners were announced, we were thrilled to hear announced Evan’s name. Then even more thrilling was the roar of approbation. The crowd screamed, clapped, stood and stomped and we as Evan’s parents sat and cried. Tears of gratitude for a school and community that embraces diversity and inclusion. Yes, a reason for an Armstrong Thanksgiving.

This was no fluke; a few weeks later another outpouring of kindness and acceptance occurred. . Evan has been a member of the Sophomore B-squad football team. Coach Dave Hansen and Coach Dan Enna have made it an incredible season. If you’ve ever had a son play football you know what a religion it can be. Evan is a zealous convert to the sport. He trained daily with the team in a safe environment, carefully orchestrated by the coaches. Fast-forward to the Minnetonka B-squad game. Game situation is 4^th quarter, 2^nd and goal from the 8^-yard line, Minnetonka is ahead. Armstrong calls time out. The coach runs out onto the field and has a conversation so that the refs, the Minnetonka coaches and players are all on the same page. After the time-out, Evan goes in as halfback and his number is called. The snap, the hand-off, Armstrong forms a type of wedge up the middle Evan goes high-stepping up the middle crossing the goal-line as the Minnetonka players deliberately move back. He SCORES! All celebrate as Evan runs off the field. The clock – records no change; the scoreboard - records no change; the yard markers - record no change. But a change there has been: another outpouring of graciousness and kindness by the officials, the coaches, and the players of Minnetonka and Armstrong. They gave a minute of fame and glory to a young man who loves football, and loves playing the game with “the guys” but who clearly can’t compete on the same field. Thank you to coaches who train and lead our young men and who are willing to set an example of inclusion and kindness.

Evan stands a little taller, Evan speaks a little clearer, Evan celebrates a little more. This November 25^th is for us an Armstrong Thanksgiving.

The Time Keeper

Quick reads, enjoyable reads, interesting reads with a simple thought behind them; Mitch Albom has written another, not dissimilar, to his previous best sellers of "Tuesdays with Morrie" and "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" . A book that isn't necessarily deep but has enough thought behind it to cause some reflection. This time the subject is TIME.

Time and how it affects our lives - from those who have too much to those who have too little and the dilema of choosing how to deal with our time. Most of us are preoccupied with its measurement, in fact you could set your clock by it. Dor one of three main characters of the narrative is the original measurer of time and we see how that 'curse' impacts both him and characters from our time. Saturday as I set in the Temple, I was reflecting how nice it is to be in a room without a clock, without a watch and let time be suspended. I think of Parker  trying to focus on being in the present, being a finisher and not focusing on the end of his service. I think of our conversation with our home teacher this month where we spoke of enjoying the moment we are in with our children and family and not anticipating the next phase before the current experience has even finished. What would life be like without the constraints of time?

A warning against the pitfalls of obsession with work, or nothingness, or anything that one might focus on to the exclusion of family, friends, and engaging in a  truly fulfilling life. How does one best optimize the time one is allotted. Take the time to think about it.

Blair shared a great video regarding how we engage in when we are, where we are

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XiSIGPIi7s&sns=em

The Hub

An oft repeated theme in our annals of Naperville is gratitude for Chicago being the hub of so many activities and that with those activities brings along many of our favorite people . And these people are gracious enough to stop by, visit, and stay the night.

This weekend we welcomed a cousin and friend Lynne Wilson from palo alto. She is in town for a theological seminar downtown but has commuted out to the burbs for a visit. Great to hear of the new ideas she is thinking, share family updates, and chat.