On Wasting Time

Internet addiction.  Maybe you share the same symptoms.  Maybe it should simply be called shirking duty, laziness, or sloth.  For many people, they get a free moment and check their email.  You wouldn't think that such a thing would take very long, but the fact is, even if you only skim important emails, don't reply, and don't follow links, it could very well take every every spare moment you have.

I am seventeen.  I'm a senior.  I don't have the hectic schedule that many seniors have who are trying to get extra credit and do all these crazy classes and activities.  My year is going by pretty smoothly.  I'm homeschooled, so in theory, my schoolwork could take up as little as a few hours.  Even with my four activities - dance, music, CCD, and piano - that leaves me plenty of time to spare, if you think about it.  Yet I wasn't getting my chore time done and I seemed to always be trying to squeeze something into a day.

The reason wasn't hard to find.  I am not one of those people who wastes my only couple seconds of free time on email: I am one of those people who wastes hours - with email, blogging, especially YouTube, and now Google+.  I don't even have to be doing anything.  I will click every bookmark on my bookmark toolbar at least once without finding anything to do before I decide that I can't do anything online.  Even then, I might try to find something.  I'll click on the YouTube button several times and scan the list of videos searchingly two or three times before I dejectedly give up.

It's not that I'm addicted to the Internet, per se, it's just that I want something interesting and entertaining without a lot of effort on my part - like this post for example instead of a chore or a test on "Ode on a Grecian Urn".  I recently read an article that identified this as one of the bad effects of television.  While television is sometimes beneficial and can be very helpful, it said, a need to be constantly entertained and a lack of long-term satisfaction can develop from overuse of the TV.

Therefore, in addition to other Lenten practices, I decided to limit my Internet time to 2 hours a day.  It has really astonished me.  I suddenly have time to sit in the sun and sew, and the days pass slower without any anxiety or stress about things getting done.  I wasn't sure that 2 hours would be short enough - but it certainly is!  There are plenty of newly uploaded Donald O'Connor videos on YouTube that I haven't watched, even one BlimeyCow.  It just isn't that important to see every little bit of Donald O'Connor's small role in a particular movie.  I'll watch it when I have time.  I'm suddenly choosing my time very wisely to make sure I have time later if I need to use the Internet for something.

When the program schedule got shuffled up, we tried to watch the new stuff but it just didn't capture our attention.  Then we realized that The Mary Tyler Moore Show is on at 8, and the the Dick Van Dyke Show, and then The Bob Newheart Show, and then That Girl - shows that each interest at least some of us.  We don't watch TV, now, until after dinner - freeing up a ton of time in the afternoon!  You wouldn't think that watching the same amount of TV time in a different time slot would make much difference but it certainly does!

And there are lots of other things a person could do to free up time.  Some people like to listen to music on YouTube while they're doing something else.  However, they may not intend to watch the videos, but oftentimes they end up watching them anyway.  And on an average of every three minutes, you have to disrupt what you're doing to pick a new song.  That takes up more time than you realize!  Plus:  Three songs at a three minutes a song average is nine minutes.  Five songs at that average is fifteen minutes.  Ten songs is half-an-hour!  If you were to get distracted for approximately a CD length of songs, you'd waste half-an-hour!

And then there's reading the article in newspaper you've been meaning to read - which probably takes up more time than you realize.  Or organizing your desk - same thing.  Eating while working slows down what you're doing - you might as well take the time to eat and enjoy it.  Even something as simple as walking from your room, putting your coat and shoes on etc., and getting in the car, could take longer than you realize!  Sometimes I'm a few minutes late for that very reason.

So, I didn't mean to take up all my time to describe to you how to not take up all your time (but it seems that I have).  Even so, someone wrote a book on this subject not too long ago and was interviewed on the radio, and everything she said lined up with what I've been discovering.  Start paying more attention to how long the little things take and you might find that you're wasting the time you're looking for.

~Meggy

Checking in

By my watch, it's 7:44 and 30 seconds.  Picture a redheaded girl in a living room, leaning against the back of the couch.  A little lace trimming is peeping out from the V-neck of her red and white striped knitted sweater.  Her worn jeans flare out over her thick two-inch heels, which are up against the worn coffee table.  Her hair is loose about her face, but strands are sloppily braided and held together in the back.  A white MacBook is on her lap, a green shoulder bag is leaning on a soft blue blanket in a heap beside her, and on either side of her is a literature book and a literature test, plus two CD cases and a couple remotes.  She's listening to Somewhere Over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals, which is currently on Stranger in Paradise sung by the lovely couple of Ann Blythe and Vic Damone.  There is the slightly strained sound of lines from The Little Mermaid 3 coming from upstairs, and the lapping of her dog's tongue nearby as she licks herself.

If you picture all that, you'll get a pretty good view of me right now.  As you may have guessed from the evidence around me, I ought to be working on a literature test.  Things are so strange lately, and a wee bit frustrating.  I lost my voice on Monday morning and even now my voice is squeaky and unsteady at times.  I remind myself of Ann Marie from That Girl.  My sister thinks I sound like Miley Cyrus in Bolt.  I love to sing but I set even my own nerves on edge when I try.  How am I going to get from this back to soprano?  It seems impossible, but I know it isn't.  I was doing some strengthening exercises earlier - gently and carefully - and I got higher than I expected.  I guess I just have to be patient and wait for the infections, swelling, and pressure to go down.  There are some among my acquaintance - my music and dance teachers included - who would probably advise taking something or doing something to assist the process, but I have no problem letting things take their own course.

Yesterday morning, I was feeling a lot better, but I guess I was too spry because I soon felt exhausted and achy.  Nothing Pixar couldn't cure though - if you know what I mean.

So now it is 8:00.  The Mary Tyler Show is on, and so long as my sister and her friend stay upstairs, there's no reason why I can't watch it while I work on my literature test.

Just checking in.  A few other things I've been doing: knitting a scarf, hand-sewing a quilt, making soft pretzels from scratch, and setting plans for oven fried chicken.  My vegetables plants are so big lately - I'm so excited.  Skipped dance on Monday because I was feeling poorly so I can't wait until class tomorrow.  And I just remembered about my resolution to learn my prayers in Latin - so far I've got one.  lol  Well, maybe more soon....

Okay, no more procrastinating - I gtg.  I hope you found this interesting and that it finds you in the best of spirits.

TTFN ("T - I - double guh - er: that spells Tigger!")

~Meggy

Jehovah's Witnesses

Ah, yes, Jehovah's Witnesses.  How often they come to our door.  I half expect that one of these days they will be friends with us - except they aren't allowed unless they convert us.

The difficulty with Jehovah's Witnesses is their approach.  They were drilled in a speech and they are not interested in what you have to say.  They are not allowed to accept pamphlets or booklets, so very little evangelizing is possible on your side.  They will read you a Bible verse, explain it to you, and any alternate translation or interpretation you may offer simply isn't allowed.  They are not open to discussion unless you are doing all the asking and they are doing all the explaining.

Unfortunately, they are also trained to only tell you what they know and accept nothing of what you give them.  They view themselves as prophets - and although it is probably not a conscious decision, they regard themselves as higher than you.  They come to instruct, you poor ignorant savage.  It is like discussing an issue with a professor who has all the definitions memorized and won't deviate outside of that which he can recite.

If you want to have a chance with them, invite them in.  Sit them down.  Offer them tea and cookies.  They are the prophets, so you be the shaman - the wise shaman who asks subtle questions.  As they discuss points with you, the only hope for them you can offer is to ask them challenging questions.  Most likely, they will have an answer that won't really fulfill the question and then they will move on to another area.  But if you can challenge them on the basics - without directly saying that's what you're doing - you might give them something to think about.  And attitude is everything.

Some questions to ask would be:

What is the Watchtower? (and any questions you can come up with based on their explanation)

How were the Jehovah Witnesses started?

How do you know that you can trust your founder?

How do you know you can trust your translation?

How do even know you can trust your Bible?

How do you know you can trust the Watchtower?

Why is your church better than the one Jesus founded?  (Show them that He founded a church)

But remember to always ask questions in reply to their answers - but sound genuinely interested, not fresh.

If you can, keep them from finding out your denomination.  In my case, being Catholic, they are more likely to simply answer my questions with a comparison instead of actually answering the question as though I was born yesterday.

Also, be polite, but I advise that you don't accept their handouts (unless they agree to take yours).  They will consider you clay that is open to molding if you accept them and will continue to come back - plus they might use The Watchtower publication as a way of not actually answering you.  However, if you do have one of their publications, go ahead and read it.  It will give you a general idea of the way they will talk to you and how they will avoid answering even their own questions.  (Be aware that you will probably come away feeling frustrated and empty.)  There are plenty of books out there that will introduce you to the JWs -  I advise getting something that explains Jehovah's Witnesses and not just their false teaching.

If you don't have time for engaging them, you step outside, listen to what they have to say, challenge anything that you think is really wrong, and don't accept anything they offer you.  They will go away and, if you're lucky, they will have labeled you "black sheep".  If you don't want to engage them at all - which I don't think fulfills your Christian duty - simply tell them that you are not interested and refuse their leaflets.  This will almost definitely label you as a "black sheep" and they likely won't be back for a while.

And most of all, pray for them.  Jehovah's Witnesses spend a few days each week at their Kingdom Hall.  Do twice as much as what they are doing, because they are showing loyalty to something that is a lie, sad but true.  If you are loyal to the truth, your prayers may counter the Watchtower and you just might win them yet - in the whole scheme of things.

Be patient.  They are going to frustrate you.  If you're anything like me - as in, a feeling human being - their visit will probably put you on edge for the rest of the day.  But they are people too.  Many of them became Jehovah's Witnesses when they were having a rough time in life and were looking for something to cling to.  One, a former Catholic, became a Jehovah's Witness because a priest refused to give her mother a Christian burial - for whatever reason, I don't know, but she was upset and gladly accepted the engaging Jehovah's Witnesses', well, witness.

And just think - they don't have parties!

~Meggy

Victoria (9)

Just as he selected a section of goose for her, there was a noise outside.  Aritka had not yet identified it but the black rider shot up out of his chair excitedly.

“They got here early,” muttered Gangar, collecting two of the trenchers and stashing them away.

Geneeva hobbled to the window.  “Indeed, it’s Jakgrar!” she hissed.  “Hadrian, take the girl.”

Aritka had never heard the word ‘Jakgrar’.  She could not know what it was, but she well understood the reaction.  She snatched up the sleeping child just as the black rider grabbed her arm.  He led her to the back of the room where Gangar was sliding a section out of the shelves that lined the wall.  The black rider pulled a door out and thrust Aritka into the space beyond.  With a glance over his shoulder at Geneeva standing at the front window, he slid into the cramped space beside the girl and jammed the door shut behind him.  From inside, they could hear the shelf being slid back into place.  A pleasant but strong odor filed the air.

Spring, writing, and being sick

I'm in a mood for spring, though it is snowing today.  I'm sick again - this is the third day.  I'm feeling better, but my head is still heavy and my muscles are still tight and throbbing.  I'm drinking camomile tea, which is helping them all to relax, but boy, am I tired.

In the last two days, I rewrote 15 pages of a story I'm working on.  It's a story that has been bugging me for a while.  First of all, I was confusing it with another story I started called 'Super Short Super Villain'.  That story, however, will never get off the ground.  The plot and conflict is similar to this other story, which I have temporarily called 'Mis-Muddled'.  So on Wednesday, when I looked for something to do and realized that these stories were actually two separate stories, I decided to combine them.

But the main reason 'Mis-Muddled' was bothering me is the style.  I couldn't seem to write it in a way that suited it.  Yesterday, I started rewriting it and loved it much better.  See if you like this:

Mule-pulled carts passed Kate Mitchell’s house routinely on the packed-dirt roads of Wassying.  Their drivers loved to pass by the fresh cottage on their way to and from the center of town, as strong and sweet smells of all kinds of flowers and herbs wafted up to them.  It was a very simple cottage.  Miss Mitchell had slipped into town without ceremony not quite a year ago.  She had bought the cottage of an elderly couple who were moving in with their youngest son and who had neglected to renovate the cottage as time went on and invention improved.  To be fair, it did not well lend itself to improvement as it was made of wattle-and-daub, but though the thatched roof could easily have been replaced with a more modern material, its previous owners never took that trouble, and its new owner never did either.

Up until now, Miss Kate Michelle lived alone and no one knew much about her, but no one suspected this deplorable situation would last for long as there was now a man in the picture.  Kate was a pleasant sort of girl with long, golden hair and blue, sparkling eyes.  When she smiled, warmth filled the hearts of the smile’s admirers.  The man was none less than the town’s very pride and joy Cedric Price, the apothecary’s apprentice.  Not only was Mr. Price the most handsome of young men but he was also a part of the underground rebellion against the tyrant Octavious, and he was admired for his bravery, wit, and cunning, although nothing yet had been done to remove Octavious from his rule.

But as implied, Miss Mitchell had little opportunity to be lonely.  She gave the women prone to gossip something to gossip about since she was such an oddity to their town and quite a secretive girl.  It was clear that this Miss Mitchell came from genteel origins and had probably lived in high society, so why she should suddenly appear one day in their humble village, unaccompanied, was quite a shocking and frustrating mystery to them.

Nevertheless, no one begrudged her hardly anything.  Noontime strollers, as was the general wont, felt more than welcomed by her flourishing daisies and rhododendrons that they felt no scruple in stepping through the gate and walking right up to the open door to inquire if its mistress was in.  Of course that was the other odd thing about Miss Mitchell, that someone as well-off as she should not have some kind of hired help to answer the door for her.  Either Miss Mitchell was in, or she was not.  And if she was not, you waited in vain on her doorstep.

But even on those days when she joined in the saunter down Main Street, Miss Mitchell was often sought out at all times of the day for advice on herbs.  She became the one to consult for flower arrangements and herbal remedies.  That isn’t to say that the apothecary lost his use, but even he occasionally sought her advice on such things.  Miss Mitchell was glad to humbly offer her advice and know-how, which she reportedly learned from her mother, but she did not much like the sight of blood and said she could never be a surgeon’s assistant.  In the eyes of her friends, the question was, could she be a surgeon’s wife?

But knowing that this style works better doesn't make the story easier to write.  When I tried to continue the story, it didn't work.  I've decided that I have to write the narrative and dialogue and then implement the style later.  Which was so much easier when I have Scrivener.

If you've never heard of Scrivener, I recommend it.  They have a version for Windows now and you can get a free trial for thirty days or something like that, but now I have to buy it and I miss it so much.  It takes a little getting used to, as most new programs do, but I absolutely loved it for writing stories.  It made it so easy to have a whole lot of related documents open at the same time.  I could have a character sketch open in half the window and the story open in the other half, and so on.  I simply loved how many ways to store information there were.  It isn't really that expensive, but what with college in the fall and saving up my money to pay for ballet lessons while I'm there, I haven't been spending very much lately.  I even have a debit card, so I could buy it myself if I wanted, I'm just scared to spend the money I've been saving - you know what I mean?  But my birthday isn't until July and I didn't get it for Christmas so....

Well, I could go on.  I could tell you about my vegetable plants or the annoying habits my dog has, but I'll do that later.  I should tell you about the movies I've been watching lately, so I'll get around to that as soon as I can.

For now - 

Watching the snow fall,

~Meggy

The Priceless Value of Homeschooling

Homeschooling: A Teenager’s Point of View

by Jacquelyn Chausse

I never knew how much I didn’t know until I was homeschooled. I have been an “A-B” student since kindergarten, and I have attended private schools since second grade. I’ve always enjoyed the classroom atmosphere, and at this time last year, I would never have given it up for anything. I loved cheerleading, I loved sports and I loved to have fun. I was in every club and every contest; I was always on the run with my activities. At this time last year, I had just had my cap-and-gown 8th grade graduation, and I was trying to decide which of my three high school options was best for my needs, both socially and academically.
Just when I had thought I made up my mind, my mother discovered homeschooling from a friend of hers. She was interested, and, like she does with everything interesting, she researched it. The more she found out, the more she liked it. She, at first, looked into it for my younger siblings, ages 3 and 5 at the time. Then she found out that high schoolers could be homeschooled, too. After much prayer and debating with herself, God, and particularly me, she decided that I and my sisters and brother would be homeschooled.
I was furious at my mother. I wanted to go to high school with my friends! I had always dreamed of being Homecoming Queen, of my first Prom, of parties, friends, dances. I was angry at her for taking away my dream. Yet I knew that it was pointless to argue now that my mother had made up her mind. So, I decided that I should take it with a smile, and bury my anger inside.
As I chose my courses, I realized that I could choose my courses to fit my needs and interests, and I had never been able to do that before. I had always loved English and literature, so I was glad when I could take Shakespeare. I wanted to be a doctor, so I chose Latin. I had taken Algebra 1 in 8th grade, so I chose Algebra 2. I chose the required English 9 and Religion 9, and Physical Science. I had thought these would be easy, for I had always been an “A-B” student. I still held that principle when I received my books, except for Algebra. I ended up returning Algebra 2 for Algebra 1, realizing that my Algebra 1 course the year before wasn’t as thorough as I’d thought.
As I struggled through my first few weeks of homeschooling, I realized that I wasn’t as smart as I thought I was. I learned that I was never taught my basic math principles and that Latin wasn’t as easy as I had thought it would be. I had a very hard time with learning math basics, and I was constantly on the phone with Seton’s Latin tutor, Father Constantine. I had become very frustrated with my work, and slacked off. I began to miss the classroom atmosphere and everything in relation to it. I was lonely and I wanted to be with my friends again.
I began to sulk. I cried all the time in the privacy of my bedroom/classroom. I rebelled and fought my parents, trying to make them understand how hard this was for me to adjust to. I told them I wanted to go back to school. They made arrangements, and I was sent to my local public high school. My parents were very distraught over this, and felt awful at having to send their oldest daughter to school, but they knew it was the only way I would learn to appreciate the work they’d done for me in homeschooling.
The four days I spent there was enough. I had seen things there that I had never seen, I was treated in ways I’d never been treated, and I was more scared than I had ever been before. Yes, I had gotten back my “A-B” average, but that was only because the classes were not of a high school caliber. I never knew how low, though, until my Algebra 1 Honors class was easy. Then I knew that this wouldn’t get me anywhere. I came back home.
This time, I began to appreciate what my mother was trying to do for her children, and I tried much harder to honor that. School was hard, but I worked harder than ever. Though my grades weren’t as high as I had always gotten, I knew that I was learning more than I ever had, in more ways than one. I have learned so much more about God and myself in this past year than I have in the past 8 years.
As I worked through my school days, I began to think about what I was doing and what I was part of. Now that I was alone and busy for only about 4 hours a day, I had so much more time to think about who I am, what I believe and why, what I wanted and how to get it. I began to discover who my friends were. I began to see who and what was important and why.
I found who my real friends were. I also had the advantage of seeing everything from a distance. I saw how much all my friends had changed, and I knew that I was no longer a part of them. I saw what they put up as goals and compared them to my own. There was never a comparison though. While I strive for college, others strive for the latest skirt. While I look for myself, others look for ways to become more like the “in” crowd. I look and patiently wait for the trustworthy and devoted man that I am destined to wed, but others fight for the guy with the worst reputation. It hurt to see how much my friends had changed for the worse, but I knew there was nothing I could do. They had become molded in society’s definition of “peer pressure.” They were trying to grow and mature and learn while trying to please their peers and teachers.
My parents have given me the greatest gift I have ever received—the chance to grow and learn in an environment where I don’t have to worry about what others think. I have been given the chance to learn and grow in an environment with my family’s love and support. I have been able to work at my own pace and learn my subjects thoroughly. I have been given true freedom and the chance to step back and really look at my surroundings.
If I had never been homeschooled, I never would have known any of what I do now. I am very grateful to my parents and what they’re trying to do. I have so much more respect for them and for all parents around the world who homeschool their children. All the children and teenagers who are going through the same situation I had gone through in the beginning, well, I understand. Homeschooling will be hard, especially if you’ve been in school for your entire life like I had been. It’s worth it though. You might find out that you don’t even know half of what you thought you knew.



[I in no way own this material, nor claim any part of it.  I only claim a like opinion.]

~Meggy

Victoria (8)

Aritka struck another match and lit the last few candles on the table.

“Oh, skies!” exclaimed Geneeva then.  She grabbed Aritka’s arm and examined the wrist.  “What are these irritations?”

“That is where the rope was tied,” said Aritka.

“Hadrian, you can’t possibly have allowed this,” protested Geneeva.  She retrieved some bandage from her medicine bag and wrapped it around the chafing.

The black rider silently volunteered to carve the goose.  “They say the prince is more sympathetic to those who have been injured by their journey,” he said.  “A regrettable effect of rope but necessary all the same.”

Geneeva grunted.  “Pity?” she scoffed.  “If he had any genuine pity for those poor girls, he’d throw the perpetrators of such maltreatment into prison.”

“There is no admirable morality in this prince,” observed Aritka coolly.

Geneeva glanced approvingly at her.  “What will you do with Aritka if you do not get the reward for her?” turning to the black rider.

“Someone might pay a good price for a new slave,” he said.  “I will not need her any longer.  I have a plethora of my own slaves.”

Geneeva exchanged frustrated glances with Gangar. 

The black rider knew they were trying to trap him into telling what he thought of the girl, but he thought naught of her.  Perhaps she was noble and beautiful, but he tried not to think of her at all.  “Aritka, hand me your trencher,” he said.

Triple-Layer Lemon Cake

Oven: 350 F

1 cup of butter
4 eggs
-2 1/3 cups flour
-1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
-1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup buttermilk (or sour milk*)



If you let the butter and eggs stand out for half-an-hour at room temperature, the softer and warmer ingredients will make a lighter, fluffier cake.

*For sour milk, put a tablespoon of lemon juice per cup of sour milk in the bottom of a cup measure.  Fill up to measure with milk and mix it together.  Let it stand for five minutes.

Grease and lightly flour three 9" round cake pans.

Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt (hyphened ingredients).

In another, large bowl, beat butter on medium for 30 secs.  Add the sugar and lemon juice.  For a stronger lemon flavor, you can add 2 teaspoons for shredded lemon peel.  Beat until combined.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well until combined.  Alternately add flower mixture and buttermilk (or sour milk).

Pour into prepared pans and bake in oven for 25 to 30 minutes.  When a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, they are done.  Cool for ten minutes on racks.  Remove carefully from pans and cool completely for at least another hour.  I know you'll be impatient, but wait or else you'll destroy the cake altogether.

When you put it together, spread each layer with frosting and stack.

Ta-da!

~Meggy

Spring, Spring, Spring

 

Well, it's not spring yet - really - but I've already gotten my vegetables started.  Look at my first cucumber sprouts!

The flowers I planted and neglected a few months ago aren't growing though.  It's a real shame, too, because they would have really prettied up the place.  I haven't given them up yet though.

These are the simply gorgeous roses my dad got my mom for Valentines Day.  Every day, they open up a little bit more.  They are stunning.  And isn't this picture absolutely perfect?  That's not me, I assure you, although I took the picture.  My mother got a new camera for Christmas and it takes very clear pictures.  Some of it I still haven't figured out but the clarity is amazing

This is my rose, a little crisp and already wilting a bit.  That's mainly my fault because I didn't put it in water right away.  That's just the way the cookie crumbles.

I love the part in 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' about waiting for spring because that's just how I feel right now.  I have a terrible case of spring fever.  I want to be out there raking out the leaves and hoeing the soil and trimming the black raspberry bushes.  Oh, there's a lot of work to be done, but most of it isn't too convenient just now with patches of snow still on the ground.  But I've got my veggies and my rose, and yesterday I amused myself by baking a hand-peeled apple pie.  It was so nice to peel the apples and make the crust by hand.  I don't usually do that because I haven't that much time on my hands, but I'm afraid I put off some of my duties in order to complete this pie.

But I rested my Macbook on the island and watched 'Rear Window' while I took care of the apples and then I watched 'The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming' while I took care of the crust and put the pie together.  May I say that it may be the best pie I've ever made.  The apples have been sitting in the basement fridge since the fall and were too soft to be peeled on the corer even if I'd wanted to, but I sprinkled some lemon juice on them to keep them somewhat fresh while I peeled them.  My father said he liked the homemade crust.  As good as Pillsbury is, I was more than satisfied with my own crust.

Well, anyway, I've got a whole weekend ahead of me.  My father and brother are on a scout camping trip and it's just us girls.  It remains to be seen if it will be a pleasant weekend, if you know what I mean, but I'll try my best to be agreeable.

~Meggy

Victoria (7)

In the house, Geneeva and Aritka were busy setting the table with plentiful food.  A roast goose sat in the center and bowls of rice sat to either side.  There were also plates of spinach, all set up in Ganjak tribe fashion.

“Eh, Geneeva!” said the old man as he came into the house.  “Hadrian says he’s taking the girl to his prince!”

“Indeed, Gangar?” exclaimed the old woman.  She watched the black rider irritably shoulder his way to the table and sit down.  “What is your name, girl?”

“Aritka,” said the girl.

"What a pretty captive, though,” said Geneeva, speaking to the black rider once again.  “Agree, Hadrian?  You’ll get a mighty price for her.”

“I intend to,” said the black rider dryly, and the conversation seemed over.
[All rights reserved]

To Be Continued  

Gregorian Chant

Gregorian chant can be seen, by many, as boring, which is not hard to understand.  Yet it is immensely spiritual and moves many to deep spiritual feeling.  It helps bring them to their knees in adoration.  It recently moved me to start reading the Bible again.

One very convenient thing about Gregorian chants is they can sometimes last for several minutes.  If you find one on YouTube, you can finish a whole chore, school subject, or whatever you choose to do before it is over.

One of my absolute favorite renditions of Catholic songs is this one (be advised: not for the weak stomached):

If you'd prefer not to see the above clip of Henry V (great movie), listen to the next video:

Ah, beautiful.  I also love the 'Te Deum' during the credits but I can't find it on YouTube.

What you can't do while completing a chore or subject is putting together a blog post.  ....I'll see y'all later.

Please enjoy!
~Meggy

Domine nos....

(Part One)

I'm learning my prayers in Latin!  My little sister's friends are also learning Latin, and I hear tell they have already memorized most of their prayers.  Well, I'm not going to be beaten by a seven-year-old!  Want to learn them with me?

This is one you (had better) use every day:

Benedic Domine nos et haec tua dona quae de summus largitate sumus sumpturi.  Per Christum Dominum Nostrum.  Amen.

Can you tell what it is?  If you'd like, you can download an audio file for you to listen to on this page, which has many other prayers as well.  If you know at least a little Latin, you could try to translate the above prayer, which helped me remember which words come in what order when.

I plan to learn this one and the after dinner grace before tomorrow evening's supper club if I possibly can - then we'll see who's smarter than whom!

~Meggy



(P.S.  Keep an eye out for a great recipe for lemon cake!)

Monthly Movie Moday

You were probably hoping I forgot about Monthly Movie Monday - but not so!  At the last minute, I regain memory and here I stand!

Well, anyway....

Be the first to identify the following lines and you win!
(Prize to be determined at a later date.)




1)  When two people love each other, they come together - WHAM - like two taxis on Broadway.


2)  This is Paris, and I'm an American who lives here.


3)  Doesn't it make you nervous to be in the same room with thousands of dollars worth of diamonds, and unable to touch them?

4)  I have never worn pantyhose but it sounds very dangerous.

5)  Fraulein, is it to be at every meal, or merely at dinnertime, that you intend on leading us all through this rare and wonderful new world of... indigestion?



Of course, I'm the final judge and only my answer counts as the real one, unless you can prove it was in another movie.  Even if you don't know them all, go for it!  (You're free to serf the web for the answer.)

~Meggy

Well, congratulations, NY Giants

I'm ashamed of the Patriots.  Considering the way they play, it's amazing they win any points at all.  Just goes to show you that they have ability - amazing ability.  Yet the Giants won last night.  Well, congrats - you deserved it.

~Meggy

Victoria (6)

The black rider thought the old man would ask about the child.  He did not.  And with each passing moment, what had not been discussed became more awkward.  If he was taking the girl to see the prince, she could not be his wife.  From whence did the child come then?  The prince would only want virgins.  “The child isn’t hers,” the black rider said at last.  “The mother died and the girl is taking care of it.”  The atmosphere cooled, so he went on.  “I am trying to decide what to do with it.  It would not do for the prince’s men to see her with the child.”

“We cannot take the child,” said the old man.  He left the pack mule some hay and swung the stall door shut.  “Geneeva and I are too old to care for a child like we once did.”

“I was not going to ask,” said the black rider, but the thought had occurred to him.

The old man chuckled.  “The dialect you’ve picked up is the girl’s, I imagine?”

The black rider rolled his eyes and led the way out of the stables.

[All rights reserved]


To Be Continued....

Ron Paul

Ron Paul looks like a very good candidate for the presidency.  He is a Christian, though not Catholic, and he feels that his duty to God should influence his political standing.  He is pro-life, approves of homeschooling, and does not approve of the current health care system.  His website is very comprehensive and explains what he feels about each area of concern and what he wants to do about it.  He seems like a very upright and good-standing citizen, with a strong military support and a long reputation for having one mind and one way of thinking.  He even knew the financial state our country would be in before the crash.  Those who don't like Mitt Romney's reputation could, understandably, turn to Ron Paul.

There are, however, some issues that I am concerned about.  He believes, for instance, that every man has a God-given right to own and bear arms.  That is hogwash.  While it may be right to bear arms, it is not a God-given right.  Life is a God-given right, and no one may be deprived of that short of very serious circumstances.  Guns, however, can be denied to anyone who shows a lack of good judgement.  I have not come to any firm conclusion about the private ownership of guns and I have nothing against keeping the second amendment, but God did not endow us with a right to weapons.

Another major issue is his thoughts on federal government.  His motto on the subject appears to be "End the FED", and his website states that "There is no greater threat to the security and prosperity of the United States today than the out-of-control, secretive Federal Reserve."  I don't believe that is true.  "Ultimately, he [Ron Paul] will lead the charge to end the dishonest, immoral, and unconstitutional Federal Reserve System, enabling America to take a giant step toward economic security, financial responsibility, and lasting prosperity."  He may be right that the Federal Reserve has caused a lot of problems and mischief, and undoubtedly the government has been taking on more and more responsibility lately, and furthermore I belong to a Church which believes in subsidiarity, yet "End the FED" seems too extreme, far too liberal.  Most likely, should he become president, he will affect some change for the good.  So long as he doesn't tear our system apart completely (as head of that system ironically), I don't mind him making changes for what he calls the better.  He'd also like to legalize "sound money", which sounds intriguing but I'd be interested to know how he'd make it work.

Another big issue today is illegal immigration.  Ron Paul believes in laying down the law on illegal immigrants and closing our borders.  I have yet to hear from any politicians what exactly they would do in order to "close our borders" but the term doesn't sound good.  While all in the interest of security, it feels like an iron curtain - and I mean that in a very loose definition.  Furthermore, there is no such thing as just American.  The only exception might be if your entire lineage is Native American.  Otherwise, American means a random combination of Italian, Irish, English, French, Indian, African, Korean, Swedish, and much more.  Personally, I'm Italian, Irish, English, German, and Czech.  Those people are my people, and I can't imagine telling them they aren't welcome.  For many of us, our first ancestors to step on (what became) American soil were fleeing from something or came here to help their families or find a better life.  This is the case for many "illegal immigrants" today.  Our country is founded on immigrants, built on immigrants, and is immigrants, and I don't think that we should simply deport hundreds of hopeful people looking for a way to survive.  Short of invading Mexico and trying to fix it for them, we shouldn't close our borders.  America is her own country in her own right.  She is independent and runs herself without help from other governments.  Still, we should not forget our roots.  We should not forget where we came from.  And I certainly don't agree that we should end birthright citizenship.

Ron Paul also wants to lower taxes, eliminate compulsory unionism, and he believes our troops should serve our own nation and not unnecessarily go to war.

So that is Ron Paul.  For the first time, I will be voting this year and so, for the first time, I've been more than just curious in politics.  For the record, I am incredibly simple when it comes to politics.  I don't get it.  Listening to politicians makes my head spin because they seem to make what I see as simple into something complicated, and in the process I get left behind.  What is is - to me, but not to politicians.  Therefore, I am open to criticism and debate about what I have said in this post.  That is partially why I decided to post about politicians on my blog.  I am seeking guidance from my parents and their friends, but I don't always agree with them on the details and I'd like to know your opinion as well - just so long as it remains a calm, easy atmosphere.

~Meggy