Valentines

I hope you all had a nice Valentine's Day. We kept it simple: we went out for coffee without kids!

We've had a few fireplace fires this winter because we had those 5 trees cut down. It's been fun to sit and knit in front of the fire and, as you see, Bobbie has been fascinated by them also.

Our Spanish class went to see the ballet "Don Quixote" on Sunday. It was great: funny, interesting and romantic - perfect for Valentine's Day. The story line didn't follow much that we have read in class but the idealistic chivalry was evident. The tilting at windmills scene was in the second act though. Speaking of which, I read an editorial that compared Barry Goldwater in 1964 to Don Quixote. Even though he knew he had no chance of winning, his idealistic run for president changed politics in many ways. So we learn that idealism is important- even when it initially loses.

I read Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" this week. What a sad book it is as it shows how a life with no recognition of God and his law in it leads to a life with no opportunity for forgiveness. How sad when this is what you say at the end of your life:

Was it really true that one could never change? He felt
a wild longing for the unstained purity of his boyhood....
He knew that he had tarnished himself, filled his mind with
corruption and given horror to his fancy; that he had been
an evil influence to others, and had experienced a terrible joy in being so.... But was it all irretrievable? Was there no hope for him?...

Better for him that each sin of his life had brought its sure swift penalty along with it.There was purification in punishment. Not "Forgive us our sins" but "Smite us for our iniquities" should be the prayer of man to a most just God.

Along more personal lines, Jamie Friedline (Prindes now) told me she is pregnant and due in Sept/Oct. I am so glad for her. And our first grandchild is to be named Audrey Danielle. What a pretty name. Although I have to say that everyone who knows us is surprised that the baby will be a girl. It seems we are "known" for our boys!

Gifts

This past weekend we received an invitation to a wedding in CA. We are so happy for Allison and Jeremy! And now for my question. I was wondering what they might like me to make for them and I did come up with one idea. Please tell me what you think of my idea- those of you who know Allison best. This picture is the pattern for a tablecloth. I could do it in white or off-white. What do you think?

I started reading "The Education of Henry Adams." He was the grandson of President Adams. His book used to be required reading in schools so of course I figured it had to be boring! Well, to me at least, it is very good reading and gives a nice personal view of what life was like in the 1800's. It reminds me somewhat of Edward Hale's "A New England Boyhood". That is also an excellent book to read. The difference appears to be that the Adams book goes into adulthood.

I found some pictures online of Rachel in her wedding dress (pre-wedding). She really looked beautiful. Finding her picture was like a gift to me!

Last night I got Dad to actually watch a 9 minute YouTube video. It is called Music for One Apartment and Six Drummers. I found it as an embed on a knitting blog! This is my gift to you (since that is my theme).



Have a great rest of the week. We are supposed to get snow, maybe, tonight and then mid 40's temperatures tomorrow. So I guess we won't enjoy the inch or less that is coming.

Long Time

I can't believe it has been this long since we posted anything.

What a wonderful winter we are having. It reminds me of the warm spell that Europe had from about 1100AD to 1300AD ( not that I was there). What a time of agricultural discovery that was! Crop rotations were tried, new foods were raised and the effects of the warmer climate were seen even in the people--the average height was close to what it is today. I'm so glad that our Creator God is in control of the weather!

We went to see Rocky (finally) and right there in the middle was a great scene. Rocky tells his son that life hits you hard and you have to keep getting back up and you have to keep taking it - that's what will define you. It reminded me of the verse " Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand." (Ps 37:24) Anyways, I'd like to get of copy of the actual speech he gave.

I'm reading Don Quixote with my Spanish class and Longfellow's Evangeline on my own. The next time you read Don Quixote try to see him as a Christian who sees the world through different eyes. Look at his struggles as not against flesh and blood but against the powers and principalities. See how he treats people differently than most do and how, like Rocky, he keeps getting back up.

I actually had a very pleasant conversation yesterday with a retired librarian about different types of poetry. One of the joys of homeschooling is that the learning never ends. I am definitely in a School of Lifelong Learning!