So much for choice

Remember when "choice" was the watchword of the day. Everyone deserves "choice". It represented freedom, progressiveness, democracy and indulgence (which, by the way, is no longer a bad thing in the current popular lexicon).

But choice has gone by the wayside. Because choice represents actual freedom and we can't have that. Fascism simply will not allow it.

Usher in the new thought/behavior police:

drug possession- yes
freedom from sex education in school and Diocesan Catholic catechism classes- no

NFP- yes
babies- no

abortion- yes
babies- no

stds - yes
babies - no

Do I see a theme running through these trends?

And to the current, day- what is hip, now, besides Nancy Pelosis, "catholic" mother of 5 and grandmother to 6 (I guess the exponential thing isn't happening there), authorizing and defending contraception in the budget stimulus bill; because babies are burdens and an economic drain on the country you know.

Nancy Pelosi and the green gurus have determined that only 2 babies shall be the limit. Bad news for the mother of octuplets.

Now this should strike you as very indulgent indeed. After all China allows only one child. How magnanimous we are. How prosperous.

I have a very simplistic view of life. And I cling to it. I believe the concept that babies are good and even a gift from God. In fact we named one of our sons, Nathaniel which means in Hebrew- "gift of God".

Clinging to your principles is all you have at the end of the day. And an appreciation for family life. A good glass of wine. A well cooked meal, no matter how simple. Happy faces around the dinner table. A good joke. Bills you can't pay. Good books you hope to read. Library books that are overdue. A beautiful view from your dilapidated farmhouse windows. A friend who understands. The hope of a tax return.

Some people say that resistance is futile.

Resistance is everything.

George Obama, brother of President Obama arrested for drug possesion

In Kenya.

It really is a shame because here in Massachusetts marijuana possession is completely legal.

How backwards our African brothers are with their antiquated legal system.

I'm thinking that George Obama will not be in the Obama family Christmas picture this year.

Catholic Reluctantly Redux

I feel famous.

The Culbreath's of CA and their interpretation of Don McClean's "Castles in the Air"

Eventhough I am on the East Coast and the Culbreath's are on the West it is so great to know such cool people. Jeff posted this on Facebook and I quickly stole it so that you can enjoy it here. To become a follower of the Culbreath Cult, you can read Jeff's work here at Stony Creek Digest.

Could it be?

The Excommunications Lifted?

SSPX

David Clayton, Iconographer, Artist and Engineer

I had the privilege of meeting the new head of Thomas More College's Art Department this past weekend, David Clayton. On David Clayton's myspace page he has an interview about his conversion to the Faith and how he has studied and now teaches iconography. He was trained in Oxford and Florence and also has a master's degree in Engineering. He was even offered a job at a nuclear power plant.

This YouTube interview is fascinating.



Really an amazingly talented guy. I found this interview and comicly David Clayton is compared to the Archbishop Lefebrve of the art world! I found this coloring book about Angels illustrated by David Clayton and to order go here.

The art school founded by David Clayton is called the Ressource school of art and it is described here:

Traditional skills taught with rigour and discipline: naturalistic drawing in the academic method as used by the Old Masters; traditional principles of compositional design and sacred geometry; Byzantine iconography. Site contains information on teachers, the programs, and traveling tours. (Oxford, England UK)

Catholic Reluctantly

No, not me- this book.

You really should order it here. You will not be sorry.

First let me say that this book review is so long overdue that I'm feeling a lot of pressure to make it my best book review ever which almost guarantees it will not be very good at all. So I appreciate your forbearance.

When I first found out about the book reviewer program with the Catholic Company I was excited about the chance to read new Catholic books and then write about them.

This is a great book. The characters in it are familiar because we all know people like them and for those of us who remember the difficult teenage years, we sympathize with the struggles of these young Catholics. The intention of these books is to acknowledge a Catholic culture that the past two generations of Americans are trying to re-capture. A culture where big families of modest means know how to have fun and who are always having so much fun they are the secret envy of every neighborhood.

There is action, mystery, drama and suspense in this book and I understand it is to be the first of many volumes. It was one of those books that you had to read through in a few days because you just wanted to know what happens next.

The main characters Brian Burke, George Peterson, Allie and Celia are likeable, real and heroes in the oldest literary sense of the word. They are characters trying to overcome what is bad and seize the good. I understand from the author that Brian is also a Traditional Catholic. So, what's better than that? Modern Traditional Catholicism!

Anyway, the book is aimed at a teenage audience but like other books in this genre I enjoyed reading them just as much as my daughters did. This book does not shy away from real issues. There are no pollyannas here.

The characters are so real that you want to reach out and text them. Or IM them. They are people you would like to have as friends. They are people we would like our teenagers to be and maybe people that we wish we had been.

Maine Bishop Threatens to Excommunicate Protester

The man is protesting- the abuse of children.

Fiend.

How did I miss this?

Maine is also know as the only diocese to have instituted the "Pay to Play" Traditional Latin Mass ponzi scheme.

If the Catholics in Maine want to attend a Traditional Latin Mass they owe the Bishop $52,000 for a once a week Mass. I figure that works out to be $1,000 a week.

Deal.

Got this from my friend the Cannonball.

Seventeen Random Things

I was tagged with this meme for Facebook and since I can't figure out how to post it there- voila!

1. The more people disparage Sarah Palin, the more I love her.

2. I only pretend to like the ceilings in my house, so that I can have some peace.

3. I have a lot of books that I SHOULD read.

4. I'm re-evaluating whether I really like antique houses and am thinking reproduction antique is the way to go.

5. I worry that we will lose power again.

6. I dread getting the mail.

7. I think New England is the most beautiful, wonderful place to live in the world.

8. When I'm nervous I do the alphabet in sign language. Compulsively.

9. I'm surprised that I do like the Miss Marple mysteries by Agatha Chrisie.

10. I'm constantly amazed at the odd trivia my kids know.

11. I love exotic cooking- Indian, Arabic, Vietnamese, Syrian, Greek.

12. I've missed more doctor/medical appointments in this past year than my whole life I think.

13. I hope that I am able to travel some day.

14. I wish I had the time to get back into quilting.

15. I'm surprised it's hard to think of 17 things.

16. I hope that at the end of the day that working hard, trying to do the right thing and doing my best will have been enough.

17. The really materialistic side of me would love a summer home in Chatham, Massachusetts near the National Seashore.

Rosa Mystica : Another Medical Mission to the Phillipines

This is a picture of my daughter Anastasia, it was her job to hold the patient's head while the patient was having teeth pulled.

She's going back this August!

For a link for more information- go here.

He's Singing My Song

Sarah Palin, small town America, elites versus real people, the four year future and having a woman at the TOP of the ticket.

Happy Feast of St Stephen

His expression is frightened but resolute.

May we be ready for martyrdom when it may come.

Merry Christmas from the Alexander kids

Anastasia 18, Rose 17, Andrew 15, Nathaniel 13, Tim 11, Stephen 7, Edmund 5 and Rebekah 3.

PERSIAN ASTROLOGERS UPSET TAX REGISTRATION, INSTIGATE HEROD TO KILL CHILDREN

SPQR
PRAEFECTUM IMPERII IN JUDAEA




UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION FROM THE LATIN

UNCLASSIFIED
IMPERIAL POST SERVICE DENARII FUND CITE
APPROVE:PREFECT
DRAFT:ASSISTANT TO ASSISTANT PREFECT
CLEAR:ASSISTANT PREFECT

FROM:JUDEAN PREFECT JERUSALEM
TO:OFFICE OF PROVINCES ROME
INFO:GOV/SYRIA:QUIRINIUS
GOV/EGYPT
GOV/ASIAMINOR

SENSITIVE

ROME OFFICE OF PROVINCES FOR BUREAU OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS

E.O. MCMXVII: N/A
TAGS: PLEX, PEMP, PFSC

SUBJECT: PERSIAN ASTROLOGERS UPSET TAX REGISTRATION, INSTIGATE HEROD TO KILL CHILDREN

Unclassified. Please Protect Accordingly.

I. (U) Summary: Imperial efforts to register the residents of Judea for tax purposes have been complicated by local political events. Client-"king" Herod has taken an unnecessarily pro-active approach regarding a child predicted to be a challenger to his position, and ordered the killing of all unweaned children in and around Bethlehem. Imperial and local security forces are watching border crossings for the three Persian astrologers implicated in the instigation of Herod's suspicions. End summary.

II. (U) The astrologers appear to have traveled into Judea by night, over less-frequented roads. According to local contacts, they were carrying undeclared baggage full of precious metals and aromatics, and chose their routes and timing to avoid paying Customs duties. Little is known about their activities. They were observed by locals in Jerusalem asking about the welfare and whereabouts of a child born to be "King of the Jews." Herod's steward (strictly protect) told us that the "king" met the astrologers in secret, and instructed them to find the child so that he could worship him.

III. (U) The astrologers were apparently tipped off regarding Herod's mala fide intentions regarding the child, and may have slipped out of Judea by avoiding daylight travel and mandatory Customs posts. (Note: Post plans to make up for the lost revenue by imposing a one-time regional death-registration tax for children under the age of two. End note.)

IV. (U) Although generally amenable to Roman demarches concerning Judean governance, Herod is known to be touchy about threats to his position. His half-Nabatean, half-Idumean ancestry has inspired local concerns about his qualifications to "rule" (even as our client) the Jewish people, and further fed Herod's fear and suspicions. His killing of children under two years of age in and around Bethlehem is another example of his tendency to take matters into his own hands in a manner prejudicial to the peaceful ordering of Roman governance. Post requests language from Rome to make an official demarche against such behavior.

V. (U) Comment: As in all areas where Roman concepts of the rule of law have not taken firm root, local actors, especially those in high places, feel no compunction in wrecking Rome's plans for fiscal registration and revenue, in pursuit of their own private vendettas. Parents in Bethlehem who are concerned about the treatment of their children have proved to be uncooperative in registering for and paying taxes. Several have made threats against local and Roman law enforcement authorities. Unknown actors have daubed "Romans Go Home" and other graffiti on the perimeter wall of the chancery. In light of these actions, Post believes that this is an opportune time to raise again the requests made earlier this year for another cohort of well-trained Roman or Gallic troops, and for four extra denarii per month for working-level staff, in the form of danger pay and hardship allowance. End Comment.

Amici

Santa Claus? Yes or No for the Traditonal Catholic.

I can tell you why Catholics question the notion of Santa Claus.

Because we have learned not to trust the Culture.

When the culture is secular, expedient, selfish and materialistic you tend to become reactionary. (or maybe it is just me)

But, when Chesterton speaks, who can help but listen?

Catholic Culture had a piece of teaching your children about Santa Claus.

I have nothing to add: Voila:

Chesterton tells us why we should believe

By Father John Dietzen
Catholic News Service

Q. My question isn't very deep, but with Christmas coming I am
concerned about the attitude of some friends who don't want their
children to "believe in Santa Claus." From almost infancy, they
tell their children there isn't really a Santa and that it was all
made up to sell more things at Christmastime. I think they're missing
something, but I'm not sure how to tell them. (Florida)

A. I too think they are missing something - very big. It's always
risky to analyze fantasies, but maybe it's worth trying for a moment.
Fantasies, perhaps especially for children, are critical ways of
entering a world, a real world that is closed to us in ordinary human
language and happenings. They are doors to wonder and awe, a way of
touching something otherwise incomprehensible. Santa Claus, I believe,
is like that.
No one has ever expressed this truth more movingly and accurately,
in my opinion, than the great British Catholic author G.K. Chesterton
in an essay years ago in the London Tablet. On Christmas morning, he
remembered, his stockings were filled with things he had not worked
for, or made, or even been good for.
The only explanation people had was that a being called Santa
Claus was somehow kindly disposed toward him. "We believed," he wrote,
that a certain benevolent person "did give us those toys for nothing.
And ... I believe it still. I have merely extended the idea.
"Then I only wondered who put the toys in the stocking; now I
wonder who put the stocking by the bed, and the bed in the room, and
the room in the house, and the house on the planet, and the great
planet in the void.
"Once I only thanked Santa Claus for a few dolls and crackers, now
I thank him for stars and street faces and wine and the great sea.
Once I thought it delightful and astonishing to find a present so big
that it only went halfway into the stocking.
"Now I am delighted and astonished every morning to find a present
so big that it takes two stockings to hold it, and then leaves a great
deal outside; it is the large and preposterous present of myself, as
to the origin of which I can offer no suggestion except that Santa
Claus gave it to me in a fit of peculiarly fantastic good will."
Are not parents of faith blessed, countless times over, to have
for their children (and for themselves) such a fantastic and playful
bridge to infinite, unconditionally loving Goodness, the Goodness
which dreamed up the Christmas event in the first place?
Call Santa Claus a myth or what you will, but in his name parents,
and for that matter all of us who give gifts at this special time of
the year, are putting each other in deeper touch with the "peculiarly
fantastic good will" who is the ultimate Source of it all. Plus, it's
fun!
I hope your friends reconsider.

12 Twelve Days of Christmas: for the Bollywood Lovers in all of us

Migrant Mother- story behind the image

I saw this article from CNN that explains the story behind this famous photograph. The photo was taken by Dorothea Lange at a Migrant work camp in 1936. The mother pictured was 32 year old Florence Owens Thompson. She was the mother of 7 children.

Katherine McIntosh (pictured on her mother's left) was 4 years old when this picture was taken and she had this to say about her mother:

"She was the backbone of our family," McIntosh says of her mom. "We never had a lot, but she always made sure we had something. She didn't eat sometimes, but she made sure us children ate. That's one thing she did do."

The message from the McIntosh is to work hard and live within your means. Meanwhile everyone is saying that on the one hand but the next minute we have commercials for "no payments until 2010", no credit, no cash, no problem. Save but spend to help "save" the economy.

I read an article recently about a mother who had lost her job and was feeling guilty that she could not spend $600 on her one daughter for Christmas. Yes, $600 on ONE daughter. I've spend $500 on 5 kids and felt guilty about that. It's interesting to read about what people consider "hard times".

I'm reading this great book: "We Had Everything but Money: When Banks Closed and Hearts Opened: Stories of the Great Depression".



And what you come away with after reading this is that no money did not equal misery. People were happy. They struggled. They worked hard and sometimes they were disappointed but life went on, they were able to prevail and most of all the children remember those times as filled with the love of family.

So which would you rather have- money, financial security or the love of your parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents and aunts and uncles?

N.B. This is a clue for those struggling with the issue of "family size". Please see my last post and the anonymous commenter.

True Love

A dear friend, or one who I count as such but have never met in real life has a new baby.

This baby is the 10th child in the family. Of the 10, 9 are adopted. Most of the children have profound needs. In this beautiful family their needs are more than being met and they have all surpassed the expectations of the "professionals". They never do seem to account for love. Especially true love.

Lesa and her new baby.



This is a picture of all the children.



This is not a family of extravagant means but they are certainly extravagant in the way they love.

When you start to worry about the future, the economy, how God will supply your needs and those of your family think of this family and their incredible faith. It is not for us to doubt God's providence, or second guess His provision.

A little boy came to the world at Christmas time. And this family said, "There is room at the Inn."

By Request : Happiness

In "this brave new world that has such people in it" I give thee happiness. It is only a chemical concoction away. Or a television broadcast. Or a cable TV subscription.



And if you haven't read Brave New World by Alduos Huxley- well you simply must. When I started reading it I could not put it down and read all night until daylight. It's that kind of book. Required reading.

Since the election and the devastation loss of a dear friend, a sister really it is hard to know how to go on. What to think.

My current coping mechanism is that the next 4 years will be but an anomaly, a blip and soon forgot and repented of.

Yes, I do believe in Fairy Tales. I recommend Grimm's.

But life goes on, unrelentingly. Mum 2 Twelve will soon be Mum 2 Thirteen. Our children still need their oatmeal in the morning. They still need to be educated. And we place all our hopes in THEM. Perhaps in a very unfair and intense way.

Will it make them better? More capable? Courageous?

Can we transmit to them what our generation lacks? Self preservation at the expense of morality. Also Known As expediency.



From Don McLean’s lyrics:

Starry starry night
paint your palette blue and grey
look out on a summer’s day
with eyes that know the
darkness in my soul.

Shadows on the hills
sketch the trees and the daffodils
catch the breeze and the winter chills
in colors on the snowy linen land.

And now I understand what you tried to say to me
how you suffered for your sanity
how you tried to set them free.

They would not listen
they did not know how
perhaps they’ll listen now.

Voter Intimidation in Philadelphia

With thanks to Thomas Shawn.



When I voted this morning in Townsend, MA I followed one of the links provided by the McCain link and went to Memorial Town Hall (where I had voted in the past). When I got there it seemed no one was voting and there was a sign outside that said vote at North Middlesex High School. I got back in the car and drove down there. When I entered to vote I was told that I had to take my Sarah Palin button off (?). And then I indicated to the election workers that the polling place advertised online is Town Hall. The election workers tried to tell me well that is the information from the campaign right? Exactly I said and that is what THEY were told.

Then I learned that the decision to change the election location was only made in October. Now wasn't it in October that McCain started winning? (probably just a coincidence.) Then I learned that a postcard was supposedly sent out to every voter telling them where the polling place was. Guess what- we didn't get it.

Crooks. I will be writing a letter to the Town Clerk. Townsend is a pretty conservative town and I think largely going for McCain.

Keep voting and don't let anyone intimidate you.