A few priceless remarks from a couple of priceless children:
***
We went to the park with Camie (Rosemary's daughter) and Mom (whom the kids call Mam). As I was getting Stuart out of the van, Mom said, "I have to go, Sara. Camie's found her feet."
Addie intervened, "Mam, her feet are on the end of her body!"
***
Stuart wanted me to carry him the entire fifteen feet across the yard to the house. I refused. "Your legs are perfectly capable of walking."
"My legs are not walking," Stuart objected. "They're fit to me."
***
Addie has a book of opposites that contrasts "tough" and "tender." She also has a Magic Schoolbus video in which Keisha says she's going to "ask Ms. Frizzle some tough questions." It took me quite a while to put those two facts together as Addie chattered on about being "full of tender questions."
***
-- SJ
Friday, December 30, 2005
Christmas in the South
For three Christmases, we stayed home to celebrate. The first year, Stuart was a newborn, so we were glad to stay put. The second year, we'd done a lot of traveling, and didn't want to go anywhere. Last year, it was lonely and I was depressed and I told Darren we weren't spending another stupid Christmas by ourselves. So this year we went to Mississippi.
(Which looks like a really random choice of a Christmas vacation, to those who don't know my roots.)
Because we got home at 1:30 this morning, I'm feeling singularly uninspired now as I try to write a brief and interesting account of our Southern Christmas. (I can probably accomplish a long and dull account, but that's a sorry return after a week's absence.) I'll save it until after I've gotten a little more sleep, or after I've sorted everything out. It was a very busy week, full of family, friends, and fevers.
I did get to meet my newest neice, Felicity, who is easily the smallest baby I've ever seen. By the time we left, Felicity at her 2-week checkup weighed more than her birth weight. Tests have indicated that her lungs are clear... and according to Mom, who kept the baby while Rosemary took Camie to the doctor, Felicity has developed an impressive volume herself.
Happy New Year, y'all! Good to be back.
-- SJ
(Which looks like a really random choice of a Christmas vacation, to those who don't know my roots.)
Because we got home at 1:30 this morning, I'm feeling singularly uninspired now as I try to write a brief and interesting account of our Southern Christmas. (I can probably accomplish a long and dull account, but that's a sorry return after a week's absence.) I'll save it until after I've gotten a little more sleep, or after I've sorted everything out. It was a very busy week, full of family, friends, and fevers.
I did get to meet my newest neice, Felicity, who is easily the smallest baby I've ever seen. By the time we left, Felicity at her 2-week checkup weighed more than her birth weight. Tests have indicated that her lungs are clear... and according to Mom, who kept the baby while Rosemary took Camie to the doctor, Felicity has developed an impressive volume herself.
Happy New Year, y'all! Good to be back.
-- SJ
Sunday, December 18, 2005
A Couple Random Comments
1) Sara and I went to see the Narnia movie today. I loved it! For those of you who haven't seen it, go. It's really worth it.
Of course, Sara and I enjoyed it differently. She pointed out how pretty the dresses were at the coronation; I breathed "Cool" when the centaur drew two swords at once. I love the concept of fantasy battles. I bought a pack of military strategy games a couple years ago that included both "Panzer General" and "Fantasy General." I played "Panzer" a couple times, but I never could tell the difference between various types of tanks, planes, and infantry. When I switched to "Fantasy," I enjoyed it much more. I had no idea what the difference between Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks was, but I could visualize in a heartbeat the difference in capability between a wyvern, a flying serpent, and a black dragon.
I think the scene that gave me the most chills was when Aslan was marching to the Stone Table through a crowd of evil creatures. All I could think of was the line from Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent: "The Light of Light descendeth from the realms of endless day that the powers of hell may vanish..."
2) While putting Addie to bed tonight, she asked (again; this is about the fifth time in two months) why some people did bad things. Addie apparently is as fascinated with the concept of sin as Augustine and his great protege, Calvin. I did my best to explain it to her, and she paused to reflect. I was preparing to explain again to her that we can always come to Jesus for forgiveness, when she asked with great seriousness, "What would happen if I swallowed a rope?"
Bong. The Randomizer has spoken.
--DJ
Of course, Sara and I enjoyed it differently. She pointed out how pretty the dresses were at the coronation; I breathed "Cool" when the centaur drew two swords at once. I love the concept of fantasy battles. I bought a pack of military strategy games a couple years ago that included both "Panzer General" and "Fantasy General." I played "Panzer" a couple times, but I never could tell the difference between various types of tanks, planes, and infantry. When I switched to "Fantasy," I enjoyed it much more. I had no idea what the difference between Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks was, but I could visualize in a heartbeat the difference in capability between a wyvern, a flying serpent, and a black dragon.
I think the scene that gave me the most chills was when Aslan was marching to the Stone Table through a crowd of evil creatures. All I could think of was the line from Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent: "The Light of Light descendeth from the realms of endless day that the powers of hell may vanish..."
2) While putting Addie to bed tonight, she asked (again; this is about the fifth time in two months) why some people did bad things. Addie apparently is as fascinated with the concept of sin as Augustine and his great protege, Calvin. I did my best to explain it to her, and she paused to reflect. I was preparing to explain again to her that we can always come to Jesus for forgiveness, when she asked with great seriousness, "What would happen if I swallowed a rope?"
Bong. The Randomizer has spoken.
--DJ
Friday, December 16, 2005
A Response to Mrs. Focht
Dear Rose,
No, I haven’t been deliberately ignoring your question of what constitutes a poem. I’ve been formulating a response – otherwise known as procrastinating. :)
I think that Brooks would probably be able to give you a more technical answer. All I can do, really, is adopt the definition used by a Supreme Court justice when asked to define pornography: “I know it when I see it.” But basically I’d say that the major difference between poetry and prose is the high tolerance – nay, necessity – of ambiguity and symbolism in poetry.
Much English poetry, especially that published before, say, 1900 was highly metered and rhymed. I’ve heard different claims for the origins of rhyming poetry, including that it was the Irish who first came up with the idea. But if you look back at the earliest poetry that most of us are familiar with, the Psalms, they aren’t rhymed. Instead, the poetry consists of a dualistic structure, or sometimes triple.
E.g., “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.” Here we have one set of dualism, and one triple. My poem was based on the triple.
From what little I’ve seen of 20th century English poetry, it seems to be moving more to a free-flowing style, with concentration on symbolism rather than so much focus on rhyme. In my opinion, this sometimes lends itself to sloppiness; rather than getting really creative about the symbolism, as rhyme forces you to do, some poets just dash it off. However, if you look at some earlier Christian devotional poetry, especially in the 19th century, I think the writers were just as mentally lazy. The rhymes can be very forced, and the sentiments banal.
My very favorite poem ever is a sonnet: strictly metered and rhymed. And my favorite poets are the older ones: Donne and Herbert. That being said, I enjoy a lot of modern, non-rhymed poetry, especially Kathleen Norris.
And then, of course, there are the authors whose prose is so symbolically rich that it’s almost poetry, like Patricia McKillip and Calvin Miller, whose books sing.
--DJ
No, I haven’t been deliberately ignoring your question of what constitutes a poem. I’ve been formulating a response – otherwise known as procrastinating. :)
I think that Brooks would probably be able to give you a more technical answer. All I can do, really, is adopt the definition used by a Supreme Court justice when asked to define pornography: “I know it when I see it.” But basically I’d say that the major difference between poetry and prose is the high tolerance – nay, necessity – of ambiguity and symbolism in poetry.
Much English poetry, especially that published before, say, 1900 was highly metered and rhymed. I’ve heard different claims for the origins of rhyming poetry, including that it was the Irish who first came up with the idea. But if you look back at the earliest poetry that most of us are familiar with, the Psalms, they aren’t rhymed. Instead, the poetry consists of a dualistic structure, or sometimes triple.
E.g., “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.” Here we have one set of dualism, and one triple. My poem was based on the triple.
From what little I’ve seen of 20th century English poetry, it seems to be moving more to a free-flowing style, with concentration on symbolism rather than so much focus on rhyme. In my opinion, this sometimes lends itself to sloppiness; rather than getting really creative about the symbolism, as rhyme forces you to do, some poets just dash it off. However, if you look at some earlier Christian devotional poetry, especially in the 19th century, I think the writers were just as mentally lazy. The rhymes can be very forced, and the sentiments banal.
My very favorite poem ever is a sonnet: strictly metered and rhymed. And my favorite poets are the older ones: Donne and Herbert. That being said, I enjoy a lot of modern, non-rhymed poetry, especially Kathleen Norris.
And then, of course, there are the authors whose prose is so symbolically rich that it’s almost poetry, like Patricia McKillip and Calvin Miller, whose books sing.
--DJ
Physics for Light Reading
In the interests of keeping my mind sharp and energized, I went to the library and got a physics book.
The title of this book isn't important. The point is, it explains basic physics in an understandable way, using familiar examples to illustrate its points... okay, okay, the book is called "The Physics of Superheroes," and it's about comic book characters.
So far I've wrestled with questions such as, "How much force would Superman have to exert to leap a tall building in a single bound?" (Answer: A lot. He would have to launch off the ground at 140 mph.); "Could Spider-Man really swing himself through the city on his webbing?" (Answer: Yes. Spider-silk is incredibly strong.); "How much would the Flash have to eat to be able to run at the speed of light?" (Answer: pretty much all the time.)
I admit, I skip the physics discussions at times, and just read the comic-book character descriptions: the author is a real comic-book geek. But when I do concentrate on the physics part, I find myself understanding lots of things I thought I already knew, or things I never quite got the first time around. I don't have a physicist's mind, which insists on trying to explain how everything works. But I do enjoy tagging along after they've done all the explaining. And part of my determination to make it through this book is self-defense: as soon as Addie-the-Science-Girl is old enough to start looking into the world around her, she's going shoot way out ahead of me. I'd best get a headstart now.
In my opinion, the author... and all of us earth-bound humans bored with our mundane life... miss the fact that we don't need superheroes to experience the mystical, amazing, and unbelievable: simply trying to comprehend atoms, energy, and supernovas is enough superpower for me for one day.
-- SJ
The title of this book isn't important. The point is, it explains basic physics in an understandable way, using familiar examples to illustrate its points... okay, okay, the book is called "The Physics of Superheroes," and it's about comic book characters.
So far I've wrestled with questions such as, "How much force would Superman have to exert to leap a tall building in a single bound?" (Answer: A lot. He would have to launch off the ground at 140 mph.); "Could Spider-Man really swing himself through the city on his webbing?" (Answer: Yes. Spider-silk is incredibly strong.); "How much would the Flash have to eat to be able to run at the speed of light?" (Answer: pretty much all the time.)
I admit, I skip the physics discussions at times, and just read the comic-book character descriptions: the author is a real comic-book geek. But when I do concentrate on the physics part, I find myself understanding lots of things I thought I already knew, or things I never quite got the first time around. I don't have a physicist's mind, which insists on trying to explain how everything works. But I do enjoy tagging along after they've done all the explaining. And part of my determination to make it through this book is self-defense: as soon as Addie-the-Science-Girl is old enough to start looking into the world around her, she's going shoot way out ahead of me. I'd best get a headstart now.
In my opinion, the author... and all of us earth-bound humans bored with our mundane life... miss the fact that we don't need superheroes to experience the mystical, amazing, and unbelievable: simply trying to comprehend atoms, energy, and supernovas is enough superpower for me for one day.
-- SJ
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Felicitous News
Felicity Marie was born at 8:30 this morning. She weighed 5 lbs, 3 oz, a nice little size. She's in NICU right now so they can observe her, and will have x-rays later to check her lungs. But evidently she's having no initial problems. Thank you very much for praying. Meanwhile, Camie is being traded around among various family members, eating cookies, going to the mall, and figuring that having a baby sister isn't half bad.
Felicity shares a birthday with her Uncle Neil. And December 14 is an especially significant day in the Roberts/McAdory family: it was the official beginning of Christmas every year. We never put up a tree until after the 14th. Mom said it was so Neil could have a birthday separate from Christmas, but the tradition went to Neil's head, and he says it's because a curse would fall on the family otherwise. Now with Felicity's arrival, I suppose the legend is pretty much set in stone.
Welcome to Felicity, and thank you all for your prayers!
-- SJ
Felicity shares a birthday with her Uncle Neil. And December 14 is an especially significant day in the Roberts/McAdory family: it was the official beginning of Christmas every year. We never put up a tree until after the 14th. Mom said it was so Neil could have a birthday separate from Christmas, but the tradition went to Neil's head, and he says it's because a curse would fall on the family otherwise. Now with Felicity's arrival, I suppose the legend is pretty much set in stone.
Welcome to Felicity, and thank you all for your prayers!
-- SJ
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Pray for a Safe Arrival
My mom called today to say that Rosemary is being induced, and should deliver Felicity soon. She went in for her weekly ultrasound, and her amniotic fluid was too low. They estimate that the baby should weigh about 5 pounds, which isn't a very scary weight. But there still may be problems with Felicity's lungs, so please pray for safety and wisdom. Thank you!
-- SJ
-- SJ
Monday, December 12, 2005
A Christmas Poem
Four years ago, I was driving home and listening to the radio. The song, "Mary, Did You Know?" was playing, and I was struck by the contrast between what Mary saw (a newborn son) and what was true (that newborn son was also her creator). When I got home, I wrote a poem about it, and Lindsay, Evan, and I read it at the Chestnut Hill Christmas Eve service.
Last Friday night, at the annual HSLDA Christmas Party, two legal assistants with great voices helped me read it. I thought people might like it.
O, Mary, See
Your newborn baby
Not contained even by immortal eternity
Imprisoned by hatred of mortals
See the little hands
That made pinwheels of galaxies
Impaled on cruel spikes
Observe the minute perfection of His tiny feet
Feet that ran the Milky Way, leaving traces of stars in His wake
Fastened to a wooden pole
The dainty ears like ocean shells
That heard melodies sung by ancient stars
Heard "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"
Lips smiling at secrets only infants know
The mouth that spoke the universe into being
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do"
A head already covered with wisps of curly hair
Enclosing the mind that envisioned all of existence
The mind that loved all of existence
Born to bring you joy
To fulfill plans and promises old before Eden
To save us all.
May God bless your Christmas, and may you come to know better the Incarnate Son of God, born of a virgin, who by his death and resurrection has purchased for us eternal life.
--DJ
Last Friday night, at the annual HSLDA Christmas Party, two legal assistants with great voices helped me read it. I thought people might like it.
O, Mary, See
Your newborn baby
Not contained even by immortal eternity
Imprisoned by hatred of mortals
See the little hands
That made pinwheels of galaxies
Impaled on cruel spikes
Observe the minute perfection of His tiny feet
Feet that ran the Milky Way, leaving traces of stars in His wake
Fastened to a wooden pole
The dainty ears like ocean shells
That heard melodies sung by ancient stars
Heard "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"
Lips smiling at secrets only infants know
The mouth that spoke the universe into being
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do"
A head already covered with wisps of curly hair
Enclosing the mind that envisioned all of existence
The mind that loved all of existence
Born to bring you joy
To fulfill plans and promises old before Eden
To save us all.
May God bless your Christmas, and may you come to know better the Incarnate Son of God, born of a virgin, who by his death and resurrection has purchased for us eternal life.
--DJ
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Through the Wardrobe
On Saturday, Leah G. and I dropped my kids off at a neighbor's house and hurried to town. It was very important that we get there on time. We had a bare half-hour until we met with Aslan.
Yes, in a rare reversal of fortune, I got to see a movie before Darren did. And Leah and I have been waiting for weeks for this particular movie. I can't say that "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" was the most spectacular movie I've ever seen. Parts of it were a little clunky, as if the screenwriters said, "People will be looking for this part, so let's put it in here. Okay, off we go now!" However, there was a benefit to their caution: Lewis' full story is in the movie, and Aslan himself is deep without being ponderous. I loved the overall experience. It certainly made Narnia beautiful. I want to live in Narnia now -- preferably, Leah and I decided, in Cair Paravel.
Leah was the ideal viewing companion: we whispered remarks to one another throughout the film. Some of the comments were relevant: "The kids are cast perfectly." Some of them simply notes of interest: "Father Christmas is wearing a wedding ring." And some of them simply female: "I love Susan's dress! I want a dress like Susan's!" "Is it non-wrinkle?" "Well, you know, no starch or elastic to be found from one end of the country to the other."
Then, today, I talked to the neighbor who had kept the kids. She grew up in a secular home and knows very little about Christian culture, only recently attending church at all. She exclaimed, "Oh, I wanted to tell you, today at church the pastor preached on the Narnia movie! Apparently C.S. Lewis was a really strong Christian and you can make his story into all kinds of symbolism." Well, yes, that's why I teared up when Aslan appeared onscreen, and again when the Stone Table broke. And hurray to that pastor for revealing the message behind the movie.
Darren still has to see it, which we hope to make a date to do... although if need be, I'll let him go out and see it on his own so he doesn't have to wait too long. But I intend to see it at least once more, before buying in on DVD
-- SJ
* As a side note: Stuart and Addie saw the online preview once or twice. They liked it. Now it's hard to walk through the house without stepping on Aslan. He eats breakfast with Stuart, hides in our Game Closet, and been occupied in other ways as well: I've heard mention of "Mrs. Aslan" and "Baby Aslans."
Yes, in a rare reversal of fortune, I got to see a movie before Darren did. And Leah and I have been waiting for weeks for this particular movie. I can't say that "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" was the most spectacular movie I've ever seen. Parts of it were a little clunky, as if the screenwriters said, "People will be looking for this part, so let's put it in here. Okay, off we go now!" However, there was a benefit to their caution: Lewis' full story is in the movie, and Aslan himself is deep without being ponderous. I loved the overall experience. It certainly made Narnia beautiful. I want to live in Narnia now -- preferably, Leah and I decided, in Cair Paravel.
Leah was the ideal viewing companion: we whispered remarks to one another throughout the film. Some of the comments were relevant: "The kids are cast perfectly." Some of them simply notes of interest: "Father Christmas is wearing a wedding ring." And some of them simply female: "I love Susan's dress! I want a dress like Susan's!" "Is it non-wrinkle?" "Well, you know, no starch or elastic to be found from one end of the country to the other."
Then, today, I talked to the neighbor who had kept the kids. She grew up in a secular home and knows very little about Christian culture, only recently attending church at all. She exclaimed, "Oh, I wanted to tell you, today at church the pastor preached on the Narnia movie! Apparently C.S. Lewis was a really strong Christian and you can make his story into all kinds of symbolism." Well, yes, that's why I teared up when Aslan appeared onscreen, and again when the Stone Table broke. And hurray to that pastor for revealing the message behind the movie.
Darren still has to see it, which we hope to make a date to do... although if need be, I'll let him go out and see it on his own so he doesn't have to wait too long. But I intend to see it at least once more, before buying in on DVD
-- SJ
* As a side note: Stuart and Addie saw the online preview once or twice. They liked it. Now it's hard to walk through the house without stepping on Aslan. He eats breakfast with Stuart, hides in our Game Closet, and been occupied in other ways as well: I've heard mention of "Mrs. Aslan" and "Baby Aslans."
Monday, December 05, 2005
Pictures of Cute Kids
Addie and Stuart recently visited a fire station. I wish I could have gone with them!
--DJ
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Survey from QOC
I'm a sucker for surveys.
Seven things to do before I die:
1. Visit England and see Stonehenge and Glastonbury
2. Visit Poland
3. Have either a short story or poetry published
4. See my grandchildren baptized
5. Own a home with a fireplace and a library
6. Ride in a limousine
7. Read “War and Peace”
Seven things I cannot do:
1. Finish “War and Peace” – I started it 3 times and got bogged down every time by all the Russian names
2. Fix cars
3. Get too excited about the relative merits of “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays.” “Season’s Greetings,” on the other hand, always annoys me.
4. Write believable, non-expository dialogue
5. Enjoy washing dishes
6. Eat/drink anything caffeinated after 5:00 p.m.
7. Pack bag lunches
Seven things that attract me to Sara:
1. Her sense of humor
2. Her writing ability
3. Her dimple
4. Her ability to make interesting conversations about even mundane things
5. Her creativity in playing with the kids
6. Her unqualified support of me
7. Her desire to get closer to God
Seven things I say most often:
1. Okay.
2. Let’s go.
3. I love you.
4. Good morning/afternoon, this is Darren. How can I help you?
5. Hello, Gorgeous.
6. I just read on a blog today that…
7. I just found a great new author.
Seven books or authors that I love:
1. J.R.R. Tolkien
2. Pope John Paul the Great
3. Kathleen Norris
4. Richard Foster
5. Robert Webber
6. Robert Jordan (the first 6 Wheel of Time books)
7. Patricia McKillip
Seven movies I would watch over and over again:
1. The Lord of the Rings trilogy
2. Ladyhawke
3. X-Men I & II
4. Pride & Prejudice (the 6-hour version)
5. Princess Bride
6. Joseph (the Ted Turner version)
7. Toy Story I & II
I've probably forgotten some things here, but that's a start anyway.
--DJ
Seven things to do before I die:
1. Visit England and see Stonehenge and Glastonbury
2. Visit Poland
3. Have either a short story or poetry published
4. See my grandchildren baptized
5. Own a home with a fireplace and a library
6. Ride in a limousine
7. Read “War and Peace”
Seven things I cannot do:
1. Finish “War and Peace” – I started it 3 times and got bogged down every time by all the Russian names
2. Fix cars
3. Get too excited about the relative merits of “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays.” “Season’s Greetings,” on the other hand, always annoys me.
4. Write believable, non-expository dialogue
5. Enjoy washing dishes
6. Eat/drink anything caffeinated after 5:00 p.m.
7. Pack bag lunches
Seven things that attract me to Sara:
1. Her sense of humor
2. Her writing ability
3. Her dimple
4. Her ability to make interesting conversations about even mundane things
5. Her creativity in playing with the kids
6. Her unqualified support of me
7. Her desire to get closer to God
Seven things I say most often:
1. Okay.
2. Let’s go.
3. I love you.
4. Good morning/afternoon, this is Darren. How can I help you?
5. Hello, Gorgeous.
6. I just read on a blog today that…
7. I just found a great new author.
Seven books or authors that I love:
1. J.R.R. Tolkien
2. Pope John Paul the Great
3. Kathleen Norris
4. Richard Foster
5. Robert Webber
6. Robert Jordan (the first 6 Wheel of Time books)
7. Patricia McKillip
Seven movies I would watch over and over again:
1. The Lord of the Rings trilogy
2. Ladyhawke
3. X-Men I & II
4. Pride & Prejudice (the 6-hour version)
5. Princess Bride
6. Joseph (the Ted Turner version)
7. Toy Story I & II
I've probably forgotten some things here, but that's a start anyway.
--DJ
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