tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62319454063402136422024-03-13T08:40:46.349-07:00Orthodox Mothers DigestWays we have incarnated the Faith in our little family.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.comBlogger312125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-53174260956528836112023-12-15T11:22:00.000-08:002023-12-15T11:41:47.123-08:00St. Lucia and St. Herman<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgmhEamP5qWtw9MxA3mLSNb-6RYhupucS_bYY69PplHPspInrA3W50s8aZt2XFSrH_fAxd9ypMnCAtEOxpD588t7pGRXIlfC2l1zO0uWXJgSPJ5qcTtk9mQQPB9QmsN5MmZoA860cSPEaNDvpE2hLkEJkIcFuqcTAuiMXloEYLmZPrETFELkET8MYRfbB/s971/L&H%20kiddos%20with%20finished%20goodies.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="971" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgmhEamP5qWtw9MxA3mLSNb-6RYhupucS_bYY69PplHPspInrA3W50s8aZt2XFSrH_fAxd9ypMnCAtEOxpD588t7pGRXIlfC2l1zO0uWXJgSPJ5qcTtk9mQQPB9QmsN5MmZoA860cSPEaNDvpE2hLkEJkIcFuqcTAuiMXloEYLmZPrETFELkET8MYRfbB/w640-h558/L&H%20kiddos%20with%20finished%20goodies.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This past week some families in our community gathered to remember two special December Saints: <a href="https://orthodoxwiki.org/Lucy_of_Syracuse" target="_blank">St. Lucia of Syracuse</a> and <a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2008/12/st-hermans-feastday.html" target="_blank">St. Herman of Alaska.</a><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLTFOF9UQ8cIQHcOMYCXst9QkwJpJbDQJMGOsWqqKOBr9FhwN8NhoNv7RrjgDmu0StY5Gjx5-bABRs13VDO8tJoFgIYwwPB46cgVIebRhh0MvSXKLEasCrgBh_HfEApCHL97B_VB4lonjrBB0c97c7ZWdHfwwuV3nn_0YhvXtO_WJsDXBoHemMxWtAg6l/s2048/L&H%20St%20Herman%20with%20North%20Star%20Cookies.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1254" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLTFOF9UQ8cIQHcOMYCXst9QkwJpJbDQJMGOsWqqKOBr9FhwN8NhoNv7RrjgDmu0StY5Gjx5-bABRs13VDO8tJoFgIYwwPB46cgVIebRhh0MvSXKLEasCrgBh_HfEApCHL97B_VB4lonjrBB0c97c7ZWdHfwwuV3nn_0YhvXtO_WJsDXBoHemMxWtAg6l/w392-h640/L&H%20St%20Herman%20with%20North%20Star%20Cookies.jpeg" width="392" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>For St. Herman, we made Spruce Island cookies. A Presbytera friend gave me this recipe years ago, and I taped it into the back of my parish cookbook. <a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2009/12/remembering-st-herman.html" target="_blank">This post has the full recipe with instructions,</a> as well as a link to purchase the cookbook with the original recipe. It's traditional to make green tree shapes for Spruce Island, and yellow stars since St. Herman is called the North Star of Christ holy Church in his<a href="https://www.stmaximus.org/files/herman-trop.mus.pdf" target="_blank"> troparion</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5F6DpIxOe5FDhA3kHSNf9OF74GpcfrLDZfV3-58hNe0WtdIbEp5doSFYKW71-OvRoEtVzvLssbZTDSORe9cUseqnJkA2ofFaJMBvIL7m3Eie__buhchz3_7kqzvNYzXvdz1_3-VCuS4w7XHm4f51sNtdsTAmfFDc9edqVEKqICDfqrOnMLdx6sQlrvEBC/s2048/L&H%20North%20Star%20Cookies%20less%20zoomed.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5F6DpIxOe5FDhA3kHSNf9OF74GpcfrLDZfV3-58hNe0WtdIbEp5doSFYKW71-OvRoEtVzvLssbZTDSORe9cUseqnJkA2ofFaJMBvIL7m3Eie__buhchz3_7kqzvNYzXvdz1_3-VCuS4w7XHm4f51sNtdsTAmfFDc9edqVEKqICDfqrOnMLdx6sQlrvEBC/s320/L&H%20North%20Star%20Cookies%20less%20zoomed.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>In an attempt to avoid food dyes this year, we added 1/4 tsp tumeric to the recipe to make yellow stars. But you can also ice them or use yellow sprinkles.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUCqBBWyeFP8DayCoNW76XmBKb5W871guCv5NS0IGNZSGmsnECQmH5_7ceiPSgtqpfK5wYizV2DjfBZDTdT2NEUEeYR2SIvE_hBaBq4x0YOBEK2UXjkXDXMZD87r2khaYHrp4PPjzsRXTTIdLmN17EpS6CKVRfJ5oGL0WiRs89nGl_im-Ut6EvaUp2kIb/s2048/L&H%20North%20Star%20Cookies.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUCqBBWyeFP8DayCoNW76XmBKb5W871guCv5NS0IGNZSGmsnECQmH5_7ceiPSgtqpfK5wYizV2DjfBZDTdT2NEUEeYR2SIvE_hBaBq4x0YOBEK2UXjkXDXMZD87r2khaYHrp4PPjzsRXTTIdLmN17EpS6CKVRfJ5oGL0WiRs89nGl_im-Ut6EvaUp2kIb/s320/L&H%20North%20Star%20Cookies.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I've also had to modify the <a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2014/08/cut-out-cookies-for-st-herman-gfcf-no.html" target="_blank">recipe for Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free family members</a>, using sun butter and oats. (Any kind of nut butter would also work in that one.)</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAUPRm0a6RuoJRI_R5dqOS1CXjaaKncEVtxCcRPf34CFbPGzHW8ogmFXxb1fCW_-ysDcemDvl-bFV-7s9Ak45bISi30SdKCPYp7OShR71PICMVfVHa23Ff-faXA1_72NEr1Lap0Uhfci2AS7QR08JCbY0xRV8QnvCOXvCgNEneTD0LwcX_v4AbLazhLlB/s2048/L&H%20St%20Lucia%20set%20up.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAUPRm0a6RuoJRI_R5dqOS1CXjaaKncEVtxCcRPf34CFbPGzHW8ogmFXxb1fCW_-ysDcemDvl-bFV-7s9Ak45bISi30SdKCPYp7OShR71PICMVfVHa23Ff-faXA1_72NEr1Lap0Uhfci2AS7QR08JCbY0xRV8QnvCOXvCgNEneTD0LwcX_v4AbLazhLlB/s320/L&H%20St%20Lucia%20set%20up.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For St. Lucy of Syracuse, we made St. Lucia buns. I never realized how perfect this recipe is for little hands. Basically, the dough is like play-dough and can be manipulated easily. I made the dough the night before and kept in in the fridge in an oiled plastic bag. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2w07UahEZEExsWaNTWIQWGrkJBmq24Fu2EiJRcjrWEb_NW4lw9RqIhJjBO6ZTsBvq_Gjuh_KfaJAVF8a9SdSnYnNkG6Yh9RejXu4tnmkAmj0yHFGFCN8kUo8gXH8bACdEFsLx61_UQlj-x2brbqZz4rUvDZP8lyr8rs2cIIWK5Q529eZcxFVGWs6e5ym/s7352/IMG_6587.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3422" data-original-width="7352" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2w07UahEZEExsWaNTWIQWGrkJBmq24Fu2EiJRcjrWEb_NW4lw9RqIhJjBO6ZTsBvq_Gjuh_KfaJAVF8a9SdSnYnNkG6Yh9RejXu4tnmkAmj0yHFGFCN8kUo8gXH8bACdEFsLx61_UQlj-x2brbqZz4rUvDZP8lyr8rs2cIIWK5Q529eZcxFVGWs6e5ym/w640-h298/IMG_6587.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It sat out on the counter during liturgy and was ready for rolling after snack time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrOAPQOThw7_917MHOmwjPgiqC3bRjySLXBUoLIv5LBOqfeyx1bzjoC6wLTKgqSVCKmAqihZ3DLohgR5_qGG-SZOCjZligYwUHjmqWM6C9DZJi_yOtfe7_rqGLBJZRWz_1TBStD6aXrWDWWFio-t30WZ6lerP5JKfV-n2xuimh1bn8O2T6E22kqXPrUaL/s753/rolling%20dough%20for%20St%20Lucia%20buns.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="753" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrOAPQOThw7_917MHOmwjPgiqC3bRjySLXBUoLIv5LBOqfeyx1bzjoC6wLTKgqSVCKmAqihZ3DLohgR5_qGG-SZOCjZligYwUHjmqWM6C9DZJi_yOtfe7_rqGLBJZRWz_1TBStD6aXrWDWWFio-t30WZ6lerP5JKfV-n2xuimh1bn8O2T6E22kqXPrUaL/s320/rolling%20dough%20for%20St%20Lucia%20buns.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYmFSjXNwL10ePDBWWJzI-D3tYL_A__oD-Q4tOq5R-cSNfY5Ca-mHHOll2GXteCN3c6XZ7yfMiXN2gV0SKFo2NWyZ2tPi19nN6zzuDkI6p6ejONw8j7eZjSRUOwnI3xXg1coz4cZIWLYlDph_MVVMWhbL2AVweNRIUUjLI9EoRamfVhyd1_zThuMGz-Av/s1555/IMG_6590.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1555" data-original-width="1061" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYmFSjXNwL10ePDBWWJzI-D3tYL_A__oD-Q4tOq5R-cSNfY5Ca-mHHOll2GXteCN3c6XZ7yfMiXN2gV0SKFo2NWyZ2tPi19nN6zzuDkI6p6ejONw8j7eZjSRUOwnI3xXg1coz4cZIWLYlDph_MVVMWhbL2AVweNRIUUjLI9EoRamfVhyd1_zThuMGz-Av/s320/IMG_6590.jpeg" width="218" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNU2Kvy3bnp9VmsTW7aGGol2l5UFMcoJsCq5gYFJra55icQihAsFLsmY2F0vXlcbxNCe8rS8UvMt4JOdB8ms8yWIpt7Wo0u6ZBErc1C3s_PejOtGNLah-e5yC3kflramLFvEdQMPW1I3Kze05TAYLYwg0qD34VRUXGMQUqI5I4DO9BBn98yfmpGk9PJA-/s2048/L&H%20St%20Lucia%20Buns.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNU2Kvy3bnp9VmsTW7aGGol2l5UFMcoJsCq5gYFJra55icQihAsFLsmY2F0vXlcbxNCe8rS8UvMt4JOdB8ms8yWIpt7Wo0u6ZBErc1C3s_PejOtGNLah-e5yC3kflramLFvEdQMPW1I3Kze05TAYLYwg0qD34VRUXGMQUqI5I4DO9BBn98yfmpGk9PJA-/s320/L&H%20St%20Lucia%20Buns.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since my god-daughter likes cinnamon, and since saffron is rather expensive, I adjusted the recipe:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-40a67619-7fff-1971-6297-7765214377f7"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>St. Lucia Buns for my God-daughter</i></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">About 2 lb flour</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">¾ c oil</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 c sugar</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1½ TBS yeast (or 2 packets)</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1¾ c warm water</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp cinnamon</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp salt</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Raisins or chocolate chips to decorate</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add sugar, yeast, and warm water to a bowl and let sit for 5-10 minutes.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mix in rest of ingredients, adding just enough flour to make a dough that doesn’t stick to the sides of the bowl but is still pliable.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shape and let rise for an hour, or refrigerate dough overnight in an oiled plastic bag. Bring to room temperature the next day, shape and rise for an hour.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Size of dough to shape = a small lemon (pics below)</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Roll into a rope and then roll the ends in opposite directions towards the middle.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.</span></span></p><div><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And just in case you need the reminder that these sorts of activities don't always turn out perfectly, I give you, the turtle/porcupine bun version. I love them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamr4Qv137SlPhxujFNVWmfICuShInrUIUsLlqaJVPqTZh8mFCdbKt7EwSJrDLXeEMMaM2UAHPZFKiJal8j-tc1x4Se3WiKtPXLAc6-CySgcsfCLtSeHvYln5L5byw1ahyphenhyphenKpAZcVk_WHg-4xxwQSbe7n_4zAxEkBcfatRSaCbUgDHrspKtsWyyjbRH9tbW/s1536/L&H%20not%20everything%20perfect.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1536" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamr4Qv137SlPhxujFNVWmfICuShInrUIUsLlqaJVPqTZh8mFCdbKt7EwSJrDLXeEMMaM2UAHPZFKiJal8j-tc1x4Se3WiKtPXLAc6-CySgcsfCLtSeHvYln5L5byw1ahyphenhyphenKpAZcVk_WHg-4xxwQSbe7n_4zAxEkBcfatRSaCbUgDHrspKtsWyyjbRH9tbW/s320/L&H%20not%20everything%20perfect.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">None of the these children are mine - mine are with the "older kids" now. Therefore, I am particularly thankful for these moms sharing their children with me. I pray you enjoy the time with the children in your life this season!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-76249495405105992892023-04-03T07:32:00.000-07:002023-04-03T07:32:00.039-07:00Saint Moses the EthiopianYou might have arrived at my blog from the link in my bio in <a href="https://kosmeomag.com/2023/03/29/maurice-and-moses/" target="_blank">my short story in Kosmeo</a>, so I thought I would introduce you the historical man that inspired me. <div><br /></div><div><h1 style="text-align: left;">Meet Moses!
</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGXJ3Kjiz0KbHNunUDWpPOKHHBcv6g2iqCDvWNz_zRFGXXb2sPNjuZNIqyI9MHrwe305z86TpPYTl4bg5lnPKV-XctADAIs7GDrq-SGjNzkGEK4fNW0DHFyqdBb13gIaiA1oGuhEGbWkxM9AohhPsihxgaD5k9zg8Q_RtHn1iSgSj-2tvGwiVpQttdQ/s500/st%20moses.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGXJ3Kjiz0KbHNunUDWpPOKHHBcv6g2iqCDvWNz_zRFGXXb2sPNjuZNIqyI9MHrwe305z86TpPYTl4bg5lnPKV-XctADAIs7GDrq-SGjNzkGEK4fNW0DHFyqdBb13gIaiA1oGuhEGbWkxM9AohhPsihxgaD5k9zg8Q_RtHn1iSgSj-2tvGwiVpQttdQ/s400/st%20moses.jpg" /></a></div>He has several epithets that help the faithful distinguish him from Moses of the Old Testament. <div><br /></div><div>Moses the Black</div><div>Moses the Ethiopian</div><div>Moses the African</div><div>Moses the Strong<br /><div><br /></div><div>You can read a short history of his life in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses_the_Black" target="_blank">wikipedia</a>. <div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Why is St. Moses the Ethiopian so inspiring to me? </h2><h3 style="text-align: left;">His Strength</h3></div></div></div><div>I love the story of the Moses as a monk in the desert, attacked by four robbers. (You can read the story in the Wikipedia link above.) It helps to remember that Moses used to be a leader of a gang of robbers himself, and became a Christian later in life. Moses had the physicality you might expect from a gang leader. He was so large and so muscular that he was able to wrangle four men without knocking them out. Then he CARRIED all FOUR MEN to the main monastery building to turn them in to his abbot, because he didn't think it would be Christian to hurt them. (I love this detail in the story, because it points out that <i>hurting them</i> was an option. But he didn't do it.) He had physical and spiritual strength.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">His Humility</h3><div>He himself had been a former robber and gang leader. He had a personal conversion story to share that was similar to their own past. He could have sat the robbers down in his own cell and told them his story of becoming a Christian and urged them to follow his model.</div><div><br /></div><div>But he did not presume to know best what they needed. Like all monks are trained to do, he crucified his own thoughts and desires and brought the robbers to his abbot. That way the abbot could ask Moses to share his story, or ask the cook to prepare them a meal, or ask the infirmary to check their health, or choose to talk to them himself. We don't know exactly what happened, but the four robbers were overcome by the Christian Life, the love-as-deeds-life, the kind of life in which "They will know you are Christians by your love." And the robbers experienced their own conversion story.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">His Refusal to Judge</h3><div>I love this for two reasons. First, I feel like I can come to him and talk to him and know that he is not judging me. Second, I feel drawn to his help when I am tempted to judge someone else. And I am always tempted to judge someone else. I feel grateful to God for the example he gives me in Moses. I know that by the prayers of St. Moses, I have been able to - slowly, over much time - see some of my own sins, my own sand that falls behind my back unknown to me, leaving a mess in my trail. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Want to Read More about St. Moses?</h2><div>I haven't read it yet, but want to read this <a href="https://store.ancientfaith.com/sands-of-salvation-the-strength-of-abba-moses/" target="_blank">graphic novel</a> about the life of St. Moses. I have read two other graphic novels by the same author and was inspired by them.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQLNWQ2Cs6ZLK5RX82wpAkw8Cn5AM93vi2f9phQ6tSrGC5dxPpjNEcIjRAgMQei_RaI9VyTKsqzBLzKVCUaUVIGlCkVKFpBGQICTK0Le-QHJ2kdP7a4BXtSssMnEbI0c7GxbnDwvhse0BolOiiR8TNyDtxHJQytkR9LrrnS0F0agkDhWTb_I5Lg1s4iw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="608" data-original-width="425" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQLNWQ2Cs6ZLK5RX82wpAkw8Cn5AM93vi2f9phQ6tSrGC5dxPpjNEcIjRAgMQei_RaI9VyTKsqzBLzKVCUaUVIGlCkVKFpBGQICTK0Le-QHJ2kdP7a4BXtSssMnEbI0c7GxbnDwvhse0BolOiiR8TNyDtxHJQytkR9LrrnS0F0agkDhWTb_I5Lg1s4iw=w280-h400" width="280" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to read about St. Moses in the context of other African saints, you might appreciate <a href="https://parkendbooks.com/shop/become-all-flame-lent-with-african-saints/">Become All Flame: Lent with African Saints – Park End Books</a>. The explanation of the phrase "become all flame" is alone a worthy story!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirTKtZINUyFg8dtEi2adF9JfiGMxZiesnOW_dMQyfsAkSwzZRRhxri4eB2y9WRcrC4UCWktfGxD--sFpaSbUrXQZrBQJHHsk7PUz30_4j5nwV1btRczO8h8j7d0iemuI6jckXjHHyaz8h8elWVy4y9crc6jOGx_EgxVJOKxqPrm3x0eNZLvZztv7rPXg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirTKtZINUyFg8dtEi2adF9JfiGMxZiesnOW_dMQyfsAkSwzZRRhxri4eB2y9WRcrC4UCWktfGxD--sFpaSbUrXQZrBQJHHsk7PUz30_4j5nwV1btRczO8h8j7d0iemuI6jckXjHHyaz8h8elWVy4y9crc6jOGx_EgxVJOKxqPrm3x0eNZLvZztv7rPXg=w258-h400" width="258" /></a></div><br />Here is a little illustrated children's book, <a href="https://potamitis.us/collections/paterikon-for-kids/products/14-paterikon-for-kids-the-abbot-and-the-robbers" target="_blank">The Abbot and the Robbers.</a> This paperback book is just the right size to read as a bedtime story.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikcRfk0IyBWzqu4eoSLk09Rjra1Il4G83pfolACAuEq0KJzvoyVDLX0N1VIfn-qnvGBrmRzMJdxLSAANe5hYORowRyWcZPkwhY2y_b_NspKjIeq4fusnpFEQeMLebqq74MlVbm-ZwQHoZYmrZbwsuLxoB2NVKvsyjGoz6fLDLKP7TGA3-icx2hQZ-k3w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikcRfk0IyBWzqu4eoSLk09Rjra1Il4G83pfolACAuEq0KJzvoyVDLX0N1VIfn-qnvGBrmRzMJdxLSAANe5hYORowRyWcZPkwhY2y_b_NspKjIeq4fusnpFEQeMLebqq74MlVbm-ZwQHoZYmrZbwsuLxoB2NVKvsyjGoz6fLDLKP7TGA3-icx2hQZ-k3w=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>I pray that when I am tempted, like <a href="https://kosmeomag.com/2023/03/29/maurice-and-moses/" target="_blank">Maurice in my own story</a>, to think I am better than others or that others are doing things wrong, St. Moses will help me remember to see my own sin instead. St. Moses, pray to God for us!</div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-23149528388203241772023-01-13T09:17:00.001-08:002023-01-13T16:06:12.151-08:00The Ethics of Beauty (Free Webinar Link)<p></p><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></h3><h1><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">This free online event has me thinking!</span></h1><div class="elementor-element elementor-element-2d7da1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-element_type="widget" data-id="2d7da1b" data-widget_type="text-editor.default" style="--align-content: initial; --align-items: initial; --align-self: initial; --flex-basis: initial; --flex-direction: initial; --flex-grow: initial; --flex-shrink: initial; --flex-wrap: initial; --gap: initial; --justify-content: initial; --order: initial; --widgets-spacing: 20px; align-content: var(--align-content); align-items: var(--align-items); align-self: var(--align-self); background-color: white; border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; flex-basis: var(--flex-basis); flex-direction: var(--flex-direction); flex-grow: var(--flex-grow); flex-shrink: var(--flex-shrink); flex-wrap: var(--flex-wrap); gap: var(--gap); justify-content: var(--justify-content); line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; order: var(--order); position: relative; width: 448px;"><div class="elementor-widget-container" style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px 0px 20px; transition: background 0.3s,border 0.3s,border-radius 0.3s,box-shadow 0.3s,transform var(--e-transform-transition-duration,0.4s);"><div class="elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix" style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #44555d; margin: 0px 0px 1.6875rem; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"... interview with author and Orthodox Christian theologian <b>Dr. Timothy Patitsas</b> to discuss his book <u>The Ethics of Beauty</u> for an evening to rediscover the older Beauty-first response to moral questions, the integrity of the soul, and the best possible human life." <span style="font-weight: bolder;">January 26th, 8:00EST</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #44555d; margin: 0px 0px 1.6875rem; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: bolder;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #44555d; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: bolder;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi76BMwTSadBaBLafPe-XtUlWy4_6FA5MS-wl58CvOGSwZyEo5ZO_qLNDRVR7Iw_SkQmqOZ4SVoiHsk8UsOIayJ7mz1Hx0VnrRdz9Xg5SDxAzVmWOJ8paYRVlfxJ-sbKEYO9fbrCzvvfEStTclFb2izo2qragYnNUiqLbqkUmiG3mU0fN1PLSBsMR8lmQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi76BMwTSadBaBLafPe-XtUlWy4_6FA5MS-wl58CvOGSwZyEo5ZO_qLNDRVR7Iw_SkQmqOZ4SVoiHsk8UsOIayJ7mz1Hx0VnrRdz9Xg5SDxAzVmWOJ8paYRVlfxJ-sbKEYO9fbrCzvvfEStTclFb2izo2qragYnNUiqLbqkUmiG3mU0fN1PLSBsMR8lmQ" width="240" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #44555d; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: bolder;"><br /><br /></span></span><p style="color: #44555d;"></p><h3 style="color: #44555d; text-align: left;">Ethics of Beauty When Dealing with Children</h3><div style="color: #44555d; text-align: left;">This topic (focusing on Beauty first to help you figure out what to do in a situation) makes me think of a scene from <i><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/786" target="_blank">Hard Times</a></i> by Charles Dickins. Dickins clearly contrasts two opposite ways of thinking about a thing. In the passage, Mr. Gradgrind is trying to teach a little girl (whose father rides, raises, heals, and trains horses for the circus) about horses. </div><div style="color: #44555d; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="color: #44555d; text-align: left;">I imagine that little Sissy, who has grown up with horses, had a more beautiful answer inside of her, but Mr. Gradgrind squashed it.)</div><div style="color: #44555d; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="color: #44555d; text-align: left;"><h3 style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyjg89vp7B8w9m_od1zq6oLZbZQwjqH0lA1VaDKhFgYbshVQ2pRjHWo-HNNGanNTTfk4aI7Yf3vGdJHXIr_he3XjPI1d_Vy-tG0FT63PbWQAD_QDFG1cnPI-9t9iCuHA59Y079kVlmk5AUPbeEX1evCp-0BUCjzOqRTJ5bHLtDmFZqp9G2Y63mLf7yHA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyjg89vp7B8w9m_od1zq6oLZbZQwjqH0lA1VaDKhFgYbshVQ2pRjHWo-HNNGanNTTfk4aI7Yf3vGdJHXIr_he3XjPI1d_Vy-tG0FT63PbWQAD_QDFG1cnPI-9t9iCuHA59Y079kVlmk5AUPbeEX1evCp-0BUCjzOqRTJ5bHLtDmFZqp9G2Y63mLf7yHA" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist: <a href="https://digital.libraries.ou.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/dickens2/id/515/rec/3" target="_blank">Joseph Clayton Clark</a><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></h3></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">‘Girl number twenty, ...Give me your definition of a horse.’</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">(Sissy Jupe thrown into the greatest alarm by this demand.)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">‘Girl number twenty unable to define a horse!’ said Mr. Gradgrind, for the general behoof of all the little pitchers. ‘Girl number twenty possessed of no facts, in reference to one of the commonest of animals! Some boy’s definition of a horse...</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">‘Bitzer,’ said Thomas Gradgrind. ‘Your definition of a horse.’</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">‘Quadruped. Graminivorous. Forty teeth, namely twenty-four grinders, four eye-teeth, and twelve incisive. Sheds coat in the spring; in marshy countries, sheds hoofs, too. Hoofs hard, but requiring to be shod with iron. Age known by marks in mouth.’ Thus (and much more) Bitzer.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">‘Now girl number twenty,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘You know what a horse is.’</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">She curtseyed again, and would have blushed deeper, if she could have blushed deeper than she had blushed all this time. </span></p><h3 style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em; text-align: left;"><br />The Ethics of Beauty</h3><p style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em;">If Mr. Gradgrind had even considered the beauty of a horse, or the beauty of the bond between a person and his horse, then he might not have totally alienated poor Sissy. Instead he saw the horse through a lens of science, facts, figures.</p><p style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqK0LEDtek1ne6qxiXkt63K0W6HpQklOklcZ-hLPBly3e2KMb7Pa_7m9rPwaQUCCmXrS7rnHJf549XCb-dJJwA6QgOZVI5yDURnRCEkphMfIOuSYr9vJ0ZV31rEHhNiu0k_Y5c3h68MfGk3X8D6-LlN79xv3wT0eR-PZWEFEi3g9a8Y3ts6ZK7ulUC_w" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="740" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqK0LEDtek1ne6qxiXkt63K0W6HpQklOklcZ-hLPBly3e2KMb7Pa_7m9rPwaQUCCmXrS7rnHJf549XCb-dJJwA6QgOZVI5yDURnRCEkphMfIOuSYr9vJ0ZV31rEHhNiu0k_Y5c3h68MfGk3X8D6-LlN79xv3wT0eR-PZWEFEi3g9a8Y3ts6ZK7ulUC_w" width="160" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy <a href="https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/cute-little-girl-white-dress-petting-horse-countryside-farm-beautiful-summer-day_13256247.htm" target="_blank">FreePik</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div></div><p></p><p style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em;">It makes me wonder, <i>do I ever see my children or the things they care about through a lens that belittles them? </i></p><p style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em;">Thanks be to God for the prayer <a href="https://churchmotherofgod.org/prayers-of-the-church/text-of-prayers/6229-prayer-of-st-philaret-of-moscow.html" target="_blank">At the Beginning of the Day</a> by <a href="https://orthochristian.com/84776.html" target="_blank">Metropolitan Philaret</a>, which includes these wise words:</p><h3 style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em; text-align: left;"> "Bless my dealings with all who surround me... Teach me to act firmly and wisely, <i>without embittering and embarrassing others</i>."</h3><p style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgT86BkAeeSfXZ_h6XJu__lFpPp6zWLpqhOsbKcd4CWGaeEo1qnSxfJIvDICe7yEhO-MFJ9C4EU3HGMs9E5TihdmuJu-OZWgh1IVSihoUpVWjkB_9I2BVL5JEhYq6kfc1sY5Dqkp0vr2cplKXBdfzGmzVKgJRaPO4KhnVDyjCvZSd1-69s66HMUaBRozA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="300" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgT86BkAeeSfXZ_h6XJu__lFpPp6zWLpqhOsbKcd4CWGaeEo1qnSxfJIvDICe7yEhO-MFJ9C4EU3HGMs9E5TihdmuJu-OZWgh1IVSihoUpVWjkB_9I2BVL5JEhYq6kfc1sY5Dqkp0vr2cplKXBdfzGmzVKgJRaPO4KhnVDyjCvZSd1-69s66HMUaBRozA" width="183" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://eadiocese.org/metphilaretbio" target="_blank">Metropolitan Philaret</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Last October, I was able to attend our <a href="https://www.chicagodiocese.org/news_220620_1" target="_blank">Diocesan Assembly</a> and hear Eugenia Constantinou talk about how an <a href="https://store.ancientfaith.com/thinking-orthodox/" target="_blank">Orthodox way of thinking </a>differs from a modern Western way of thinking. </p><p style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgcRB5BBMwcejctkyFo_PFWZWEzqPzpKh1Aj_IGJxQwDlZODpfy9n1WsJiHiU7gwBVoKiO3d5RAr9BqItm1ZHCWS3bo5zlpZlWCSbZELZ8iDsL6JK8RGf8ZoeaaMl4Waf4DoYOJbq-5SDHmkym2i08iVLE0tRcazacIO23tj49y8-1VgW3iMs3ecAGnw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgcRB5BBMwcejctkyFo_PFWZWEzqPzpKh1Aj_IGJxQwDlZODpfy9n1WsJiHiU7gwBVoKiO3d5RAr9BqItm1ZHCWS3bo5zlpZlWCSbZELZ8iDsL6JK8RGf8ZoeaaMl4Waf4DoYOJbq-5SDHmkym2i08iVLE0tRcazacIO23tj49y8-1VgW3iMs3ecAGnw" width="320" /></a></div><br />Listening to her speak, I realized that often, much of my thinking does not line up with the Orthodox<a href="https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/eastwest/thinking_orthodox_phronema" target="_blank"> φρονιμα</a> (way of thinking, way of seeing the world, way of approaching life - one of those hard words to translate). I'm not talking about my thinking about church that doesn't line up. It's my secular thinking: situations that I don't realize that I'm seeing wrongly, in a non-orthodox way. <p></p><h3 style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em; text-align: left;">Thinking Orthodox</h3><p style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYLrORn1rBCbVfD7VxT4U0ft3k3GTbM21T-De9c-_OP4MardrPEJXhXhHEpQ5Gpb_K_CHv2DAvGQpXhnRgfeowJ_LhrFIKIRjNifFssp_gQjj9-NR3XJ3TktrKXg-GqK0wwPPdDQTpv0r3kxjqUzXXSXtZd7klW5zrcPx-NBeDNGMSbqwOqIdhqSFyvw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="405" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYLrORn1rBCbVfD7VxT4U0ft3k3GTbM21T-De9c-_OP4MardrPEJXhXhHEpQ5Gpb_K_CHv2DAvGQpXhnRgfeowJ_LhrFIKIRjNifFssp_gQjj9-NR3XJ3TktrKXg-GqK0wwPPdDQTpv0r3kxjqUzXXSXtZd7klW5zrcPx-NBeDNGMSbqwOqIdhqSFyvw" width="160" /></a></div><br />First, I want to read <a href="https://store.ancientfaith.com/thinking-orthodox/" target="_blank">this book</a> by Presvytera Eugenia. I'm also considering registering for <a href="https://classicalu.com/live-learning-events/?utm_campaign=CU%20General&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=239676367&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_LQkFplZL_4KQPUYRxB8t6uzkM2FdLfWTMxZE-zbf5KCiC1J61KEP6Pq9dzdaQBRI2PBB_kpfo-kX4gShM0NeF1bZi7w&utm_content=239676367&utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank">the free interview with Timothy Patitsas</a>. (Thursday morning or evening? I need to ask the event organizers and I'll update this post when I find out!)<p></p></div><div style="color: #44555d;"><br /></div><div style="color: #44555d;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha3Jb-1wnW-nL8BpBNvLTgRoYRLAgSvGLVng1TNDOkIx_mMYao3J8gpg_MlvuRT9SZnL4sGW6NzTcu-yUsiEjQl3s3E5iydAokP7olxgi194BKpHscEiuZ_35uDpBQCwPpB7s7tjZwMbHO4Sigva-Qx5ni_1u0sOJo2QaAaq8vf8hYCmxkDioohVUIjw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1167" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha3Jb-1wnW-nL8BpBNvLTgRoYRLAgSvGLVng1TNDOkIx_mMYao3J8gpg_MlvuRT9SZnL4sGW6NzTcu-yUsiEjQl3s3E5iydAokP7olxgi194BKpHscEiuZ_35uDpBQCwPpB7s7tjZwMbHO4Sigva-Qx5ni_1u0sOJo2QaAaq8vf8hYCmxkDioohVUIjw=w640-h330" width="640" /></a></div><div style="color: #44555d;"><br /></div><div style="color: #44555d;"><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.6875rem; padding: 0px;"><br /></h2></div></div></div></div></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-38200566097397442612023-01-03T15:31:00.001-08:002023-01-04T08:46:31.866-08:00Make Your Own Free Icon Coloring Page<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYdKda3Ob8Zi59eGtO-PeSLDYxjzngnG21axOhwXYymYw5aTlgjjjHZnetffLal19vZYhxec2vyqyJWQdLe_3l7HzHBDvEcBj_KXhR4nSB6pC4U1-Hs18_BflcHW82pBeFoestgxT5V9Dnv9HNxqvUHhp3vGt6_EjQJCfhVkInaWnzKo9THV3UeMTPQ/s3300/st%20raphael%20of%20brooklyn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3300" data-original-width="2550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYdKda3Ob8Zi59eGtO-PeSLDYxjzngnG21axOhwXYymYw5aTlgjjjHZnetffLal19vZYhxec2vyqyJWQdLe_3l7HzHBDvEcBj_KXhR4nSB6pC4U1-Hs18_BflcHW82pBeFoestgxT5V9Dnv9HNxqvUHhp3vGt6_EjQJCfhVkInaWnzKo9THV3UeMTPQ/s320/st%20raphael%20of%20brooklyn.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">I made this one year for our annual pilgrimage for our beloved <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/6231945406340213642/3512451915802076587" target="_blank">Saint Raphael of Brooklyn</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>We have enjoyed free icon coloring pages <a href="https://sparks4orthodoxkids.com/free-coloring-pages/may/" target="_blank">like these </a>in the past, but sometimes I can't find the saint I want. </div><div><br /></div><div>No worries - it's easy to make your own!<div><div><br /></div>I was raised in the 80's on the TV show MacGyver, and his name became a verb for us, any time we needed to cobble something together we didn't have.<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga5C0NqGTJLBRTbsxDT9aDkHvk-usTjMsSMi69kTI_C5poF6ihdE93e1O7nCFR2Gl1HdN56r3yd_-04gFXVE_ITaVmSkatMLS3y4IbNi0tFD2dAmbtj0mEyouH0wp1D51kkev-2sJ3RAF23p2aPZCHI2-Js-ZYaN6XbJ6xbgUfA5fNeCdzAM27MUj_aA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="300" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga5C0NqGTJLBRTbsxDT9aDkHvk-usTjMsSMi69kTI_C5poF6ihdE93e1O7nCFR2Gl1HdN56r3yd_-04gFXVE_ITaVmSkatMLS3y4IbNi0tFD2dAmbtj0mEyouH0wp1D51kkev-2sJ3RAF23p2aPZCHI2-Js-ZYaN6XbJ6xbgUfA5fNeCdzAM27MUj_aA" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.metv.com/lists/the-12-coolest-craziest-contraptions-macgyver-ever-made" target="_blank">MacGyver</a> rigs up a lie detector.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table>It seems that this idea of "macgyvering" seeped into my bones, because it has been my default response many times in my life.</div><div><br /></div><div>My high school drama program couldn't afford scripts and royalties? We macgyvered plays ourselves.</div><div><br /></div><div>My pantry didn't have the ingredients for a recipe? I macgyvered a substitution.</div><div><br /></div><div>I couldn't find an icon coloring page for my children? I made one.</div><div><br /></div><div>And you can make one for the children in your life, too!</div><div><br /></div><div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Make a Free Icon Coloring Page</h2><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">Step 1 - Icon and Clear plastic </h4></div><div>You need a container with a lid slightly larger than the size of the icon you want to use. I save clear plastic fruit & bakery containers for this purpose.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeqSLJc2lN6N_CDkhhMh5JCpuhJameETgC_wNcSaryjGTwCApwI7GKlyCGNHLPCbHNJgl7xU-41t_-5AxGVWfslD8dBMdobpDKWtvjrmzWFvcJgHdN3--7MP5HOuYUpVTP29K6upV6hjEbmYfgHMHAd2OETCIUo8QMPVHdaPXrhWqKQbQ3r1HZruJThg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeqSLJc2lN6N_CDkhhMh5JCpuhJameETgC_wNcSaryjGTwCApwI7GKlyCGNHLPCbHNJgl7xU-41t_-5AxGVWfslD8dBMdobpDKWtvjrmzWFvcJgHdN3--7MP5HOuYUpVTP29K6upV6hjEbmYfgHMHAd2OETCIUo8QMPVHdaPXrhWqKQbQ3r1HZruJThg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div>I've scored some very large ones at Coffee Hour - when someone brings muffins or mini-cinnamon buns from Sam's Club. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a small berry carton for a small icon.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ezjz3DUDgRF2YveTX7nSR_LnZxePYsz2c8YmEErTJpK65XCoc1eadoDtzTTHFx4_xZXVa-z3LN37gB64Qqr0MO8n34ClzMm9glSeBFEM5DTlbnwuHhKM24pHeRkM2xxQsiysKSy-V0KrPJYh1dFal8869JMkcaKzXSlff3fErpTiM1K5rKjMytv-WA/s415/icon%20tutorial%20berry%20carton.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="415" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ezjz3DUDgRF2YveTX7nSR_LnZxePYsz2c8YmEErTJpK65XCoc1eadoDtzTTHFx4_xZXVa-z3LN37gB64Qqr0MO8n34ClzMm9glSeBFEM5DTlbnwuHhKM24pHeRkM2xxQsiysKSy-V0KrPJYh1dFal8869JMkcaKzXSlff3fErpTiM1K5rKjMytv-WA/s320/icon%20tutorial%20berry%20carton.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cut the lid off, so you can place it over your icon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85M-n81QRNBs2yD55i1OBkQSgIRu2RZWinrbko3_qHZW-9EFqedAl3_LRGuxZG8KQWs2OQQJLEQTXWPQK9i0WPD_izd7KkEgqTWed57yFa9njcJjDWOlhHzSQE2aY3hFyB-F-bcQR7UcOkr7PuKpxKbDzCqoaHrsBNzRAGCfu5Zzl3WUEjH9Zz2bofw/s428/icon%20tutorial%20cut%20lid.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="428" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85M-n81QRNBs2yD55i1OBkQSgIRu2RZWinrbko3_qHZW-9EFqedAl3_LRGuxZG8KQWs2OQQJLEQTXWPQK9i0WPD_izd7KkEgqTWed57yFa9njcJjDWOlhHzSQE2aY3hFyB-F-bcQR7UcOkr7PuKpxKbDzCqoaHrsBNzRAGCfu5Zzl3WUEjH9Zz2bofw/s320/icon%20tutorial%20cut%20lid.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I decided to make a coloring page of the icon of Saint Monica instead, since she is my patron saint, and we already have a lot of St. Herman materials.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8ntGn-I5NMQmhZQK1tyhPvhzpEaY0hffH-edO3SGtZsAvaQh-nQuAMFRlVLqIMk8KzH9lJu4Zlz83h1IeSBh3CwCgqUaf_9cg6BmlVS-m6HMixwoVbgFjvcGdbJwrre0W_SXNk0GzaLPJOthZV10Q_TOt1s2exvp-9xtCyEezZ9Mq32xCgGLSpJfIQ/s2048/IMG_2945.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8ntGn-I5NMQmhZQK1tyhPvhzpEaY0hffH-edO3SGtZsAvaQh-nQuAMFRlVLqIMk8KzH9lJu4Zlz83h1IeSBh3CwCgqUaf_9cg6BmlVS-m6HMixwoVbgFjvcGdbJwrre0W_SXNk0GzaLPJOthZV10Q_TOt1s2exvp-9xtCyEezZ9Mq32xCgGLSpJfIQ/s320/IMG_2945.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Step 2 - Permanent Marker</h4><div>Trace the major lines of the icon onto the clear plastic. You may want a back-up plastic lid, in case you mess up the first one.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3t0vXF5pdmxxUDUXFZf1ZgfsCms0ZZJQYlVuoKWuGzIXWJH9Ga-uXhTUgtu-LVnAPIdiiS1y0Rk6Nz1U8xX3xsoY-zlO7MYgFxKCqQgiRQWpA-k8QIrahr5ZIayktBuQoOZhc85GEnzbzQXD9tybX9faPSRtzeZAAtU9-GNyJqCYENZAANR5QOFuyA/s2048/IMG_2947.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3t0vXF5pdmxxUDUXFZf1ZgfsCms0ZZJQYlVuoKWuGzIXWJH9Ga-uXhTUgtu-LVnAPIdiiS1y0Rk6Nz1U8xX3xsoY-zlO7MYgFxKCqQgiRQWpA-k8QIrahr5ZIayktBuQoOZhc85GEnzbzQXD9tybX9faPSRtzeZAAtU9-GNyJqCYENZAANR5QOFuyA/s320/IMG_2947.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Keep taking it off and putting it back on to see what you still need to trace. The goal is not to trace every detail - just the major lines. Sometimes, instead of coloring pages, these are called Black Line Drawings. That name might help you make choices about what to trace.</div><div><div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-wbmpGp042dJQ_ORoNSQx3loW2FVh3Y_29s8XDzfbBmutmGa-EVRumP6xipA7Jnt4CdyoNUFd90EQmAhfSsFUWGU_EdFnOXulIE8j0Gw-FhHtL8VB5N2XQ5EFNgVnc4QQxFMuiFIBd_AP7W3xOEHZh3p1zeTet-iUC4laQVFyCfa0BeaeZqCm_hY-A/s2048/IMG_2946.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-wbmpGp042dJQ_ORoNSQx3loW2FVh3Y_29s8XDzfbBmutmGa-EVRumP6xipA7Jnt4CdyoNUFd90EQmAhfSsFUWGU_EdFnOXulIE8j0Gw-FhHtL8VB5N2XQ5EFNgVnc4QQxFMuiFIBd_AP7W3xOEHZh3p1zeTet-iUC4laQVFyCfa0BeaeZqCm_hY-A/s320/IMG_2946.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZOGAT4Gjd4FpDOuUolkNoQbvMmooCWNmCXcsZA1VSCsdEcQRWzJ2H5IkSHUj4YfaJDcPcQ-WkljxC7ygIIEHLA-eayKhhCgbApNobCwjpAXBwANZ2gEdNJ5qee5knHBnMbeugIThg2gb-96wXcK4phEdUXAeTGejbz4xHsEesmz0jiL7l_chOY1OFA/s2048/IMG_2949.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZOGAT4Gjd4FpDOuUolkNoQbvMmooCWNmCXcsZA1VSCsdEcQRWzJ2H5IkSHUj4YfaJDcPcQ-WkljxC7ygIIEHLA-eayKhhCgbApNobCwjpAXBwANZ2gEdNJ5qee5knHBnMbeugIThg2gb-96wXcK4phEdUXAeTGejbz4xHsEesmz0jiL7l_chOY1OFA/s320/IMG_2949.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Step 3 - Cut out your Flat Template</h4><div>My icon is St. Monica asking the Lord Jesus to help her son. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1vPDiKQ5_v79Bkojcc5wqas8RK7o0f-S5CUnRd_zMfbqA1YUux_Wfzb5r1mspe9MgPZzmNQCwqWM-uaTLkBTu6juVip3C9pbSqfI2PtAhKV19yMMICf1AR7Zlt60DXroE9sfr1zNVh9PiiCqPYQDaMo7bYJ403dfCSEOXAe8ibOl4zLTgDGdtaLMrDA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="245" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1vPDiKQ5_v79Bkojcc5wqas8RK7o0f-S5CUnRd_zMfbqA1YUux_Wfzb5r1mspe9MgPZzmNQCwqWM-uaTLkBTu6juVip3C9pbSqfI2PtAhKV19yMMICf1AR7Zlt60DXroE9sfr1zNVh9PiiCqPYQDaMo7bYJ403dfCSEOXAe8ibOl4zLTgDGdtaLMrDA" width="184" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>I didn't like how the image of Jesus turned out on my plastic rendition, so I decided to cut it out. I can tell the story of St. Monica to children and explain that she is gesturing to Christ in prayer.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO4ESCo_xiuQWB3x6dGySwmCbJYKpdkwk5crxgqKk9BexhwPwX5jG9g9gvhLfAmLoY8wHC9KXiJnzorTRa1vYrpIAJXwrluE6ZT5r8G3TdozUqVOe4I5VHdrbYtG6Ny_9bd6eVBIe0aHYsWi8ofiDgU1VZR8kyFHO3wB6hKXV4WMCHw7lsvHnP5np_g/s2048/IMG_2950.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO4ESCo_xiuQWB3x6dGySwmCbJYKpdkwk5crxgqKk9BexhwPwX5jG9g9gvhLfAmLoY8wHC9KXiJnzorTRa1vYrpIAJXwrluE6ZT5r8G3TdozUqVOe4I5VHdrbYtG6Ny_9bd6eVBIe0aHYsWi8ofiDgU1VZR8kyFHO3wB6hKXV4WMCHw7lsvHnP5np_g/s320/IMG_2950.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmIygkE0t_9SSQoeNZ9JjGdXSkQ6O25QvbyM9xnzpoNw4sivDwrCwker3LB7y2G8NTERqPMiWbT31FUpIHga6Ipluj8ALSOuCk1XulpLTTZ8ZIYmy2C7h5yR0cXcvX_mUdpJwj0s99H1lCHNqCN26YnLGycHG4461g6zS8tz3oZDcdUv673OpthIYlg/s2048/IMG_2952.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmIygkE0t_9SSQoeNZ9JjGdXSkQ6O25QvbyM9xnzpoNw4sivDwrCwker3LB7y2G8NTERqPMiWbT31FUpIHga6Ipluj8ALSOuCk1XulpLTTZ8ZIYmy2C7h5yR0cXcvX_mUdpJwj0s99H1lCHNqCN26YnLGycHG4461g6zS8tz3oZDcdUv673OpthIYlg/s320/IMG_2952.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Step 4 - Make a Copy onto white paper </h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our home printer makes copies, but you could also ask your local priest if you could borrow the church's copy machine. Or you could take it to Fed Ex or Kinkos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfGLejmJiSRNN0k_VI2IAzk9hd2TvoPtlJfi76gxdPJ_IAd8oLdK9KFig_6bvvK9w2zDpJe4LXQoa2z3qHOAZuAa2MYU8nR9gTn-NQUKCx3kVbYRM8OpBtSYsFFYBpsQqw2BUqPXTunvFajl70tITkp90Slqywa4XP5Qf7MQm6eznxi9ccl9wlrgPPQ/s2048/IMG_2953.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfGLejmJiSRNN0k_VI2IAzk9hd2TvoPtlJfi76gxdPJ_IAd8oLdK9KFig_6bvvK9w2zDpJe4LXQoa2z3qHOAZuAa2MYU8nR9gTn-NQUKCx3kVbYRM8OpBtSYsFFYBpsQqw2BUqPXTunvFajl70tITkp90Slqywa4XP5Qf7MQm6eznxi9ccl9wlrgPPQ/s320/IMG_2953.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the original copy, I decided to enlarge it 160% so the icon coloring page would indeed fill a whole page. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbenGi5jMgcMTksSstsIc3Xchy7inz4OS70hKsTpU93qV5FrOyW53OpGxg5YU1GLNGWFrEblE2RsMtJKiUMVdUVHzHonQ-f_qU1_M3fUukNwxEVDCa51M4sWvphu-nBT-21-gAn0gYu76zpSJeSsx5VpZc9LtXyIyUJFyZXpQ0QXcCk9PElVNoW-6Z1A/s2048/IMG_2954.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbenGi5jMgcMTksSstsIc3Xchy7inz4OS70hKsTpU93qV5FrOyW53OpGxg5YU1GLNGWFrEblE2RsMtJKiUMVdUVHzHonQ-f_qU1_M3fUukNwxEVDCa51M4sWvphu-nBT-21-gAn0gYu76zpSJeSsx5VpZc9LtXyIyUJFyZXpQ0QXcCk9PElVNoW-6Z1A/s320/IMG_2954.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Step 5 - Revise your Icon Coloring Page</h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACqe5e01bcomtkyCDnxsEYy5Lnm1Fo1RWHSL9MwvOC0qTWPdhRqQsPwzU04PdkdJmQ4vEbc2P9FksyIkLUX3aUFlMJJbuhF2Vmltfag_iD7agE6UdeCyE_XCy3rc1OuwlCj6fFofLJyw0-i2w9lXZKgs40cqVJ9I_I0Kxz3NR9aMRHb78QbFGO3DCzw/s2048/IMG_2965.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACqe5e01bcomtkyCDnxsEYy5Lnm1Fo1RWHSL9MwvOC0qTWPdhRqQsPwzU04PdkdJmQ4vEbc2P9FksyIkLUX3aUFlMJJbuhF2Vmltfag_iD7agE6UdeCyE_XCy3rc1OuwlCj6fFofLJyw0-i2w9lXZKgs40cqVJ9I_I0Kxz3NR9aMRHb78QbFGO3DCzw/s320/IMG_2965.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV592qJK8Et4Im0XrGWu4v38ejwg_uvWqPkFh73BXB2pp4OW2PocEA7qgIpeuDlZdvr7l2stnAx3AHW2R8pYRGpZkvlSHxqm4hX520GBAuPfO-Qx1OWT3b2iWflksuJ6sHqjMNZXSvLASIrvB3FIc-q8DPAzhcc7LJBVduGGFIj3lcbIY2SAmqQOKfNA/s2048/IMG_2966.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV592qJK8Et4Im0XrGWu4v38ejwg_uvWqPkFh73BXB2pp4OW2PocEA7qgIpeuDlZdvr7l2stnAx3AHW2R8pYRGpZkvlSHxqm4hX520GBAuPfO-Qx1OWT3b2iWflksuJ6sHqjMNZXSvLASIrvB3FIc-q8DPAzhcc7LJBVduGGFIj3lcbIY2SAmqQOKfNA/s320/IMG_2966.JPEG" width="240" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I made a couple of copies, so that I could play with it. I eventually decided NOT to include the pattern on the dalmatica. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did use correction tape ($1 at Dollar General) to remove the faint line of the original plastic.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iGrPhZ6tfdWi29RzA0566Wq2P2eX6szc8eUZsjvA_aFRaBGPIVnRROUTlSF0aUlMOU0HlNQhVFVlImkC0pt-e0yfCo2u10m4ip6Y7IkNAiz8ndPZkrCrVAUO3LuuzXksWleE7zEYFuIcopkVq2H7QVMqDKEcnMOwNgvD6TkI_cCOWU91jobOTcuW1w/s2048/IMG_2956.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iGrPhZ6tfdWi29RzA0566Wq2P2eX6szc8eUZsjvA_aFRaBGPIVnRROUTlSF0aUlMOU0HlNQhVFVlImkC0pt-e0yfCo2u10m4ip6Y7IkNAiz8ndPZkrCrVAUO3LuuzXksWleE7zEYFuIcopkVq2H7QVMqDKEcnMOwNgvD6TkI_cCOWU91jobOTcuW1w/s320/IMG_2956.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also took my permanent marker and went back over some lines that looked faded.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOJHTNIYisvDeRMocRG8sEdoVg05VYNNHkG6Cr93vYqh1wuchZADzMldUev3g-edrhUsBRND5F3zC65xfQYHQDEmsjEIRN_iBxdUv1qY_4wh94M0Cum6s3T6rsr_21gp1qGkJr5Xz8t9XlQsu7mYA-Zixh4IJjqM2DXYkU8hU1-md2_tcklPhoZfywQ/s2048/IMG_2958.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOJHTNIYisvDeRMocRG8sEdoVg05VYNNHkG6Cr93vYqh1wuchZADzMldUev3g-edrhUsBRND5F3zC65xfQYHQDEmsjEIRN_iBxdUv1qY_4wh94M0Cum6s3T6rsr_21gp1qGkJr5Xz8t9XlQsu7mYA-Zixh4IJjqM2DXYkU8hU1-md2_tcklPhoZfywQ/s320/IMG_2958.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally, I printed her name using Algerian font and made another copy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you can, scan the image as a pdf, to save it to your computer for future use. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also, I put the tracing pages and plastic in our "Holy Burn Can" - which is just where we keep things like that to burn later. If your family doesn't regularly burn holy trash, your priest probably does. If you have a son who serves in the alter ask him about it - it might even be his job!</div><div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoojDwnQw7EUdhJOHbjGH9G4RPoucKITv8L36AJ8ketFhHvTSRWDmSiXcq5r08PbA9r1ZylJFNArludQNN89pv8SyWjG1sb5b7PL1N-oMdZJPhbn7skd51PCUuE6X7kkAIEVA80679VhrTAIDXx8l6qsC2p3dGapHMxQM11dMH3i63QeKZ7pDt02fHxg/s2048/IMG_2959.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoojDwnQw7EUdhJOHbjGH9G4RPoucKITv8L36AJ8ketFhHvTSRWDmSiXcq5r08PbA9r1ZylJFNArludQNN89pv8SyWjG1sb5b7PL1N-oMdZJPhbn7skd51PCUuE6X7kkAIEVA80679VhrTAIDXx8l6qsC2p3dGapHMxQM11dMH3i63QeKZ7pDt02fHxg/s320/IMG_2959.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwlEc10pW7VgwTY_792E97EbcnD-bOx18b5MUTLNv4rIU8DqvIgmg2bal5FgaHarbmXklNMbJqiD0sFJrgz7rxHS5d6e0JinEnhKzrRoR95jmB4x0rgIHVJSXL717AK9EGd7ezspjT-x3se9xH8vUTevqMAqCvT6G8UScrHqKrdx4NDu2CvMjg669-g/s2048/IMG_2960.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwlEc10pW7VgwTY_792E97EbcnD-bOx18b5MUTLNv4rIU8DqvIgmg2bal5FgaHarbmXklNMbJqiD0sFJrgz7rxHS5d6e0JinEnhKzrRoR95jmB4x0rgIHVJSXL717AK9EGd7ezspjT-x3se9xH8vUTevqMAqCvT6G8UScrHqKrdx4NDu2CvMjg669-g/s320/IMG_2960.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div>And that, my friends, is how you macgyver a free icon coloring page.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-59540453088231844682022-12-13T16:56:00.001-08:002022-12-13T16:56:22.510-08:00Nativity Fast: Nachos<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM0edRKEnxngocXJYbwPuMN8ej_zaYTo0fP_OmYKTJHrPKe-cf5eqzXqUr1M39q16GFXionp0Sn0xI6DjR2vpviGJJgPxaIwV_VnO5c1LBim8M6xiouSBzcAkfv_hABjkBZpPmyWvd6QaVyN-dQ95W-gEslCP-oBNlQA18FyCEyJP0a89ewgYQdl8ebQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM0edRKEnxngocXJYbwPuMN8ej_zaYTo0fP_OmYKTJHrPKe-cf5eqzXqUr1M39q16GFXionp0Sn0xI6DjR2vpviGJJgPxaIwV_VnO5c1LBim8M6xiouSBzcAkfv_hABjkBZpPmyWvd6QaVyN-dQ95W-gEslCP-oBNlQA18FyCEyJP0a89ewgYQdl8ebQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also known in my motherly mind as "Chips and Veggies"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><b style="color: #ffa400;">"Cheese" Sauce = puréed veggies </b></p><p>baked butternut squash</p><p>roasted red bell pepper (jar)</p><p>caramelized onion (I doubled the onion I needed last night and had it waiting to go in the fridge)</p><p>pickled jalapenos</p><p>mustard, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt, cayenne, whatever spices you like</p><p>fat of choice </p><p>(For fat, I alternate between what I have available, usually coconut oil, blended cashews, or a packet of <a href="https://ca.daiyafoods.com/our-foods/sauce/cheddar-sauce/" target="_blank">Daiya cheese sauce</a>. It's expensive at $6 per box, but each box has 3 packs of sauce and it's nice to have around in a pinch.)</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Toppings</b></span></h3><div>refried beans</div><div>tomatoes</div><div>cabbage</div><div>salsa</div><div>taco sauce</div><div>olives</div><div><br /></div><div>I put the beans on the chips with the cheese before popping them in the oven for 5-10 minutes, basically to force the kids to get protein, haha. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you do prep work in the morning, this is super quick to throw together at dinnertime. </div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-12242328743338492202022-11-28T08:30:00.002-08:002022-11-28T08:35:18.126-08:00Book Review: Exile by Loren Warnemeunde<p> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">What if a YA novel made you think of Dostoevsky?</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-844bc68f-7fff-4771-96cf-b9d601268dbc"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It seems rather unlikely, but the new YA novel, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exile</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">moved me to think of Dostoevsky, the Old Testament, and Grimm’s Fairy Tales. (And fairy tales - as we all know - contain </span><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2022/02/science-of-relations-part-2.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">shadows of the Gospels</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, right?) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And it’s also just a good story! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bandersnatchbooks.com/books/exile" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbY1cjSDXfei0G8UxkQPkgEIZE5UmSAnxFi7GuMtH-YYSrQlVHtkJ8AZtg3zzP7cQWZOiUwE7tt6e0sYnaEPy8YNBFA3XZl2-prj533GoBmPFylGanMdA3yjIOlcc-FwAlh3taOXcD0p20Ul3Ol0c9akFQJHy17WKRA37TegcPK2JEE_5qn-dAL70hrg/w263-h400/ExileCover_RGB.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Loren Warnemeude says in the Author’s Notes that she set out to write a retelling of Grimm’s fairy tale, “Maid Maleen,” but it grew into something much more. I agree. In the beginning it does feel like a </span><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2022/02/science-of-relations-delightful.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fairy tale</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, complete with the threat of a tower/tomb, a garden, an apple tree, a threat of exile…</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But somewhere along the way, the literature teacher in me quit looking for imagery and metaphors, and I was swept into the story, just enjoying the ride. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Princess Maleen is faced with an impossible choice: marry a man she doesn’t want or be exiled into a tower. She has only three days to make the choice and chooses the tower, confident that her true love Melinor will rescue her. The novel unfolds the consequences of her choices, the struggles she faces, and the unexpected growth she discovers in those struggles.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let’s talk about why </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exile</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> makes me think of Dostoevsky, et al. It is definitely </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> long and heavy. Each character does not have seven names. The “horrible” father of </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exile</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is not at all like </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov. However, both stories incarnate an important idea of the Christian life: suffering can offer a chance for redemption.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Very gently, and without preaching, Loren Warnemeunde unfolds the transformation of a young woman, a transformation that seems only to have been possible through her suffering.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many scenes of the novel reminded me of Pride and Prejudice, of how blind we can be to the true nature of people and of the beauty that comes with new sight.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exile</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is set in a fantasy world, and in the same way that Tolkien and Lewis include Biblical ideas without actually putting the name of God in the story, Warnemunde’s fantasy world is a mirror of the Scriptures. Christian readers will probably recognize the veiled references to the Mighty One, and I think non-Christians would still enjoy the story without making the connection.</span></p><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I highly recommend it. If you still need to <a href="https://www.bandersnatchbooks.com/books/exile" target="_blank">buy some presents for teens (or adults)</a> in your life, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exile</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a good choice. </span></span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-36714461700403904302022-09-02T19:17:00.002-07:002022-09-03T08:27:36.094-07:00Book Review: Into the Flames (& Other Plays on Saints' Lives)<p> <img height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/AVthC0w-i28Wtt8AT3ZixmGU6QPqfgS8ZWY-tSmPNZsCm_i-ABBuYQnZ-Y4Fg8wNNxDdmUH7XDHWx0FtsX2gyd6BlBHIjNNfOFVRSf2z8WcKrWDsSlyhkKCB7tmkLM__3_G0sx-Rz97rlyP7d8u8sfrzyGkZrKM_ea_NP4mnUlja5Dgh9OOg4i0Pbg=w483-h640" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="483" /></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-4745bdaf-7fff-fb53-8225-106f525847ce"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My first experience of a children’s church play was at St. Nicholas in Shreveport, where my children got to participate in a play every December, for either St. Nicholas or for the Nativity. I was also blessed to spend a couple of years in Ann Arbor, Michigan at St. Vladimir Orthodox. Each year on their parish Feast Day, the children put on a play. It always impressed me afterwards how these kids could remember details from the stories, more than if they had only been taught a lesson. The plays enabled them to embody and absorb the stories. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love plays!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That’s why I waited and waited (with no patience whatsoever) all summer to get my free preview copy of </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Into the Flames</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Christine Siampos. And now I’m sharing my honest review with you. :)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m a drama teacher by trade, so I have opinions about drama, gained through years of putting on performances. I approached the book really hoping that I would be able to envision these plays being performed by regular kids, directed by regular parents and teachers, with easy props and costumes. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It turns out that the playwright wrote these plays for the children in her own parish to perform, so she knows what it is like “in the trenches” of dealing with real children. She knew exactly how to write the script and adjust the directions for real kids. I could easily envision someone with no experience at all directing these plays, because the directions are so clear and easy to follow.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is also room for options. A given play can be performed by six kids or by ten or more, depending on which of the options you choose. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I read through the plays, I imagined who might like to use them:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First, I want to share some ideas that might not immediately come to your mind. I think just the process of reading through and acting these plays out, scripts in hand, just for fun and not necessarily for a formal performance, could be fun:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Friends in the backyard</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Babysitting job for a large family or during Mom’s Night Out</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Childcare during a parish Retreat for adults </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then, of course, there are the rehearse-and-perform venues: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Special Feast Day performance at a parish</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sunday School classes</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vacation Church School</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Summer Camp</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Diocesan Conference Children’s Program</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Classical School Drama Program (maybe not all the plays, but </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This new book of plays has so many possibilities. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you purchase five copies, Park End Books will allow you to make photocopies for the different children so they can highlight their lines and take home their scripts to practice, without fear of losing the playbooks.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I truly think this is a great resource for the Orthodox community and look forward to helping the children in my life perform some of these plays! Thank you, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009751395061" target="_blank">Christine Siampos</a> and <a href="https://parkendbooks.com/" target="_blank">Park End Books</a>!</span></p><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/orthodoxchristian?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVntySO1ficJD05dHUdpMN4SrNujESWYVFRI1hATORkgIFhlK25C68nuJzO-aXj4AfthSTe9EjefY76NdgoWCNoT-ZKtP90DzEcLFPZAsBK6aspBKqB7c1kX3A3VDQmWuA-Bcv2EpI6Z9sEbS6kDtcP1MoWbYP7Mys8jnFZx37efhcFFvtXUFv8Twzc3oaD_NPtIfZ4nyPYSYzaKQqbUPPj&__tn__=*NK-y-R" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#orthodoxchristian</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/orthodox?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVntySO1ficJD05dHUdpMN4SrNujESWYVFRI1hATORkgIFhlK25C68nuJzO-aXj4AfthSTe9EjefY76NdgoWCNoT-ZKtP90DzEcLFPZAsBK6aspBKqB7c1kX3A3VDQmWuA-Bcv2EpI6Z9sEbS6kDtcP1MoWbYP7Mys8jnFZx37efhcFFvtXUFv8Twzc3oaD_NPtIfZ4nyPYSYzaKQqbUPPj&__tn__=*NK-y-R" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#orthodox</span></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/bookreview?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVntySO1ficJD05dHUdpMN4SrNujESWYVFRI1hATORkgIFhlK25C68nuJzO-aXj4AfthSTe9EjefY76NdgoWCNoT-ZKtP90DzEcLFPZAsBK6aspBKqB7c1kX3A3VDQmWuA-Bcv2EpI6Z9sEbS6kDtcP1MoWbYP7Mys8jnFZx37efhcFFvtXUFv8Twzc3oaD_NPtIfZ4nyPYSYzaKQqbUPPj&__tn__=*NK-y-R" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#bookreview</span></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/churchschool?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVntySO1ficJD05dHUdpMN4SrNujESWYVFRI1hATORkgIFhlK25C68nuJzO-aXj4AfthSTe9EjefY76NdgoWCNoT-ZKtP90DzEcLFPZAsBK6aspBKqB7c1kX3A3VDQmWuA-Bcv2EpI6Z9sEbS6kDtcP1MoWbYP7Mys8jnFZx37efhcFFvtXUFv8Twzc3oaD_NPtIfZ4nyPYSYzaKQqbUPPj&__tn__=*NK-y-R" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#churchschool</span></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/parkendbooks?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVntySO1ficJD05dHUdpMN4SrNujESWYVFRI1hATORkgIFhlK25C68nuJzO-aXj4AfthSTe9EjefY76NdgoWCNoT-ZKtP90DzEcLFPZAsBK6aspBKqB7c1kX3A3VDQmWuA-Bcv2EpI6Z9sEbS6kDtcP1MoWbYP7Mys8jnFZx37efhcFFvtXUFv8Twzc3oaD_NPtIfZ4nyPYSYzaKQqbUPPj&__tn__=*NK-y-R" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#parkendbooks</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> #parishlifeconference #parishretreat #diocesenconferencechildren #largefamilyfun #classicalschooldrama</span></span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-34970156712530858542022-06-05T19:33:00.001-07:002022-06-05T19:38:04.268-07:00The Birthday of the Church (Pentecost)<iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/td2UaTzLa2I" width="480"></iframe><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Music Review</h3><div>My oldest is almost 19 years old, but he can still sing all the words to all the songs on this wonderful album - <a href="http://ww1.antiochian.org/christianeducation/celebrate" target="_blank">Celebrate the Feasts</a>! When he was a wee lad and his little siblings were strapped into their car seats in the old minivan, this cd was pretty much on repeat whenever we drove anywhere.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love how the music is fun, but the lyrics are straight out of Orthodox theology, often even straight out of the services.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you are new to Gigi Shadid, I hope you enjoy this song about Pentecost with your children this week. It will be a nice way to prepare them to engage in the Feast this coming weekend! </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Fun Links:</h3><div>Speaking about preparing for the Feast, this research shows that <a href="https://neurosciencenews.com/latent-learning-teaching-20675/" target="_blank">just experiencing new things prepares a person to better learn them.</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the entire Youtube video list of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/gigishadid/featured" target="_blank">Gigi Shadid</a>.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">From the Archives:</h3><div>Have you ever wished things were different? <a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2008/09/oh-if-only.html" target="_blank">If only...</a> might make you laugh with me. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2008/08/riz-et-pois-haitian-rice-and-beans.html" target="_blank">Hatian Beans and Rice</a> - because you can never have too many ways to make beans and rice!</div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-50661395096566624142022-06-01T09:30:00.006-07:002022-06-03T14:59:34.027-07:00Help to do Shakespeare<p>I promise, you could just follow <a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2022/05/how-to-do-shakespeare-at-home.html" target="_blank">my own family's plan</a> and get a good taste of a Shakespeare play.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcK8MOKqNf_Uumh1kjRupyy1TPbgbJ_bs39UPZUQsuI8bSuSvTuVesJQ37wyfoPA4MNiz-k3nhlc_EqNZqTmxU5-wh9B9Q_KJcEqAcV0kwEfIwcfFj_2otB2Jz3dbTHx_ajr__b1WjwbsNoYLeUZuhl0BZxdkKubUZj0wm5uOhs5d1ZbUnCBAGfC5yAQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcK8MOKqNf_Uumh1kjRupyy1TPbgbJ_bs39UPZUQsuI8bSuSvTuVesJQ37wyfoPA4MNiz-k3nhlc_EqNZqTmxU5-wh9B9Q_KJcEqAcV0kwEfIwcfFj_2otB2Jz3dbTHx_ajr__b1WjwbsNoYLeUZuhl0BZxdkKubUZj0wm5uOhs5d1ZbUnCBAGfC5yAQ" width="288" /></a></div><br />However, you might like to go deeper for a number of reasons:<p></p><p>1. You are just curious.</p><p>2. You are nerdy like me and like going deeper to see more ideas.</p><p>3. You would feel better about answering your children's questions if you had a little more preparation yourself. This one might especially be true if your child was assigned Shakespeare in school and you want to be able to participate and/or help at home.</p><p>4. You want to learn more about a specific play in order to decide if it is appropriate for your family.</p><p>If any of these resonate with you, then this post is for you. I'll start with Free Resources, and then move to Paid Resources. <b>Remember - not everything I list will be appropriate for your children.</b> This list of resources is really for you as a parent. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Free Resources for Shakespeare</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjyu5uU_c7rbbO1-BOFlmxZUMOye7cH0_VKUlCoui7zW8NjrR2mJppB7VIv_2TThDFFGPYrRo_Vsdc9jv7KyblzT85gJa_QlaLln3dIfEmzmDaSZwEvEIZxYoB-Lu7Vh6ruQ1p0LCvHe3CyvSF3zgU0-uynHdS6g6Nz2mbpqGsqnu29EW3P3ki-YnK5A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1600" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjyu5uU_c7rbbO1-BOFlmxZUMOye7cH0_VKUlCoui7zW8NjrR2mJppB7VIv_2TThDFFGPYrRo_Vsdc9jv7KyblzT85gJa_QlaLln3dIfEmzmDaSZwEvEIZxYoB-Lu7Vh6ruQ1p0LCvHe3CyvSF3zgU0-uynHdS6g6Nz2mbpqGsqnu29EW3P3ki-YnK5A=w400-h269" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><p>If you can, start with the <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1286/1286-h/1286-h.htm" target="_blank">Lamb's version</a>. </p><div>Then move to <a href="http://www.loyalbooks.com/book/romeo-and-juliet-by-william-shakespeare" target="_blank">the play</a> itself. I linked to their <i>Romeo and Juliet, </i>but you can find most of the plays there. Just type Shakespeare into the search bar. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XnTJVKmOtBseTPGUPTAsQ8BlQ1EZBxcZI87VQPkY0ew8QD1lIUvzblbgQw5g9aopVSbyir1dvQERnL9VW4YsqDKb1hbFRq1PJLEKtZ_660qJOEVVTT_y7y1foH4CudWJvoIYn6c8Y1dZejxuVk_6wp_ejzhNJI7PSgHCFzxCTJrj48kIcDk3EDk25A/s460/Romeo-and-Juliet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="307" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XnTJVKmOtBseTPGUPTAsQ8BlQ1EZBxcZI87VQPkY0ew8QD1lIUvzblbgQw5g9aopVSbyir1dvQERnL9VW4YsqDKb1hbFRq1PJLEKtZ_660qJOEVVTT_y7y1foH4CudWJvoIYn6c8Y1dZejxuVk_6wp_ejzhNJI7PSgHCFzxCTJrj48kIcDk3EDk25A/w268-h400/Romeo-and-Juliet.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://shows.acast.com/the-plays-the-thing/episodes/romeo-juliet-act-i" target="_blank">The Play's the Thing Podcast</a> - best free place for understanding the histories and tragedies</h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This podcast goes through Shakespeare plays one act at a time. The rotating hosts are all literature teachers and Shakespeare lovers. I have not listened to them all, but I can share my favorites:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0znT_X9dtUAjygDfhaSXVo3xL3Jx6nlAUfxjntAoIG0P7AU0Oum1WQc1-QWO2yurAyIOXi1B3j2HzQVIVJCSSOmY6iuQCMfNfwvqGNzFXnxN164oPnsEtA-oO2w_suKt9YITAzz_vdb6xzw6nx16FweF0p9svmEVRyEuECgBX8VhDXw0MYj1v8WOZOA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="568" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0znT_X9dtUAjygDfhaSXVo3xL3Jx6nlAUfxjntAoIG0P7AU0Oum1WQc1-QWO2yurAyIOXi1B3j2HzQVIVJCSSOmY6iuQCMfNfwvqGNzFXnxN164oPnsEtA-oO2w_suKt9YITAzz_vdb6xzw6nx16FweF0p9svmEVRyEuECgBX8VhDXw0MYj1v8WOZOA=w400-h393" width="400" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Their series on <a href="https://shows.acast.com/the-plays-the-thing/episodes/romeo-juliet-act-i" target="_blank">Romeo & Juliet</a> is enlightening. Hosts Tim, Heidi, and Sarah-Jane help you understand specific scenes, big motifs, and the frustrating question, "Why did this tragedy have to happen?!" </span></div><div><br />I also really like their series on the History plays. <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1286/1286-h/1286-h.htm" target="_blank">Henry IV, part 1</a> and <a href="https://shows.acast.com/the-plays-the-thing/episodes/henry-v-act-i" target="_blank">Henry V</a> are incredible! The first deals with a prodigal son (Prince Hal) who has to make his way into manhood and take responsibility for the nation. Then, Hal become Henry V in the next play. If you are from the United States, you might not know that Henry V became a super popular military hero king, something akin to George Washington in terms of national popularity and historical legend. He is truly inspiring! I suggest listening to the first part of the first episode of a play before starting to read. The hosts usually do a wonderful job setting it up for you!</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">They have also done a nice job with <a href="https://shows.acast.com/the-plays-the-thing/episodes/king-lear-act-i-scene-i" target="_blank">King Lear</a> and <a href="https://shows.acast.com/the-plays-the-thing/episodes/much-ado-about-nothing-act-i" target="_blank">Much Ado About Nothing</a>. <br /></span><br /></div></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.theliterary.life/" target="_blank">The Literary Life Podcast</a> - best free place for understanding how the comedies work</h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCWVu0Kb9tfomvOjHe99Ew8nSqCI9So3QTRMsxqtjDn9xSNTnFFLDqW2njKefV6fQxkuG-UnUu9AltzlWVSMq430iFXcl1yj86GqT8s_7K8Kaus1Gc2P8BypcL3cRUiTi76pUAANS_jtIc44tyh9PXqPzjmFr3zyxAgF0WkrFJasOJXg0S8a6-c5NuVw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCWVu0Kb9tfomvOjHe99Ew8nSqCI9So3QTRMsxqtjDn9xSNTnFFLDqW2njKefV6fQxkuG-UnUu9AltzlWVSMq430iFXcl1yj86GqT8s_7K8Kaus1Gc2P8BypcL3cRUiTi76pUAANS_jtIc44tyh9PXqPzjmFr3zyxAgF0WkrFJasOJXg0S8a6-c5NuVw=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This podcast has done two Shakespeare comedies: <a href="https://www.theliterary.life/033/" target="_blank">A Winter's Tale</a> and <a href="https://www.theliterary.life/118/" target="_blank">A Midsummer Night's Dream</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>This series is where I learned how the Shakespeare comedies structurally follow the Gospel pattern</b> - what a beautiful set of images to take into your reading! High School students would be ready for this depth of instruction. (Remember, for Elementary students, the story itself will feed them what they need without our extra explaining.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">They have sponsored two free Read-Alongs that are recorded: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFjrlfPOH43_i_xHvf8F15M-4PM05P_Pg" target="_blank">A Midsummer Night's Dream</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFjrlfPOH439vlJSk29pqJyQAg7xKLnsU">The Tempest</a>. (You may have to sign up for their newsletter to access the videos. You might want to sign up anyway if you think your family might like to participate in the next Read Along!)</div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">Hillsdale College Free Online Courses</h3><div style="text-align: left;">This wonderful course, <a href="https://online.hillsdale.edu/landing/shakespeare-hamlet-and-the-tempest" target="_blank">"Shakespeare: Hamlet and the Tempest"</a> offers beautiful instruction via video lectures about both plays, comparing and contrasting Hamlet and Prospero. There are 7 videos, each about 40 minutes. You have to sign up and then you'll receive lots of emails from them, but you can just set your email to send those to the spam folder if you like.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Local Library Film Versions:</h3><div>Since there are too many versions of Shakespeare on film to review in one blog post, I'll start with a play I remember vividly from my 9th grade English class: Romeo and Juliet. The Zeferelli film is gorgeous, but you will need to call a "bathroom break" after the marriage. While the kids are out of the room, fast forward through their honeymoon night. Marital relations are off-scene, but there is a shot of Romeo's naked rear-end when they wake up the next morning.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2v_czOI_qSP4d40MFMaTP4oZqKXvkgbc4bzYDoiUEySmEqnIgLsuQ3QaaEeHR0V_mQRi8ISqSdLo_R06ieoY0QWTv87vNB7ikmVYt9eLvRuJ0mNUdXGRVYM4SwnBWCezEQigQiwSBjg3cNquwsfINpUeN7S7z2RBQdLAPtCWaLGbY7Fqwm2w0DlR1Dg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2v_czOI_qSP4d40MFMaTP4oZqKXvkgbc4bzYDoiUEySmEqnIgLsuQ3QaaEeHR0V_mQRi8ISqSdLo_R06ieoY0QWTv87vNB7ikmVYt9eLvRuJ0mNUdXGRVYM4SwnBWCezEQigQiwSBjg3cNquwsfINpUeN7S7z2RBQdLAPtCWaLGbY7Fqwm2w0DlR1Dg=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>The Romeo+Juliet film is a modern version with guns instead of swords, full of energy.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeBPlRG6nMB6zsRuc47koYmyjZSpYUOqpQngUMTpZt4nV3jxGP_pGyQBgvYE5si1YQo8M0GaFV6IXUeIfPZE8nATnUsUyHPMBQs_WWc4FV4iObxKpn7IW2VPQVqKx7dx-RPN5njdvFv-WpLtg72lSJgoVHzgOeCI3I1ZfkrO6kKkEm9vskBRxgSbDubA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeBPlRG6nMB6zsRuc47koYmyjZSpYUOqpQngUMTpZt4nV3jxGP_pGyQBgvYE5si1YQo8M0GaFV6IXUeIfPZE8nATnUsUyHPMBQs_WWc4FV4iObxKpn7IW2VPQVqKx7dx-RPN5njdvFv-WpLtg72lSJgoVHzgOeCI3I1ZfkrO6kKkEm9vskBRxgSbDubA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgErqiMCbtjSyHGN6EIM9hI-8YuoGTYslBf3OkAY7G5xA5W8yPUEORjgkolPcs3h3zFb8PKIWs6-i8G8Wp7K1YyrVdm82OFziItmytqE90WIgE3-I_Le8vBI1izKG4xIA0dhLJEBCssPE4fe58P5j0ji59cnYNyFAEYRzlRjF6Y37hTfF2g9hbMixdrAA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1260" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgErqiMCbtjSyHGN6EIM9hI-8YuoGTYslBf3OkAY7G5xA5W8yPUEORjgkolPcs3h3zFb8PKIWs6-i8G8Wp7K1YyrVdm82OFziItmytqE90WIgE3-I_Le8vBI1izKG4xIA0dhLJEBCssPE4fe58P5j0ji59cnYNyFAEYRzlRjF6Y37hTfF2g9hbMixdrAA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><img alt="" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1513" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeBPlRG6nMB6zsRuc47koYmyjZSpYUOqpQngUMTpZt4nV3jxGP_pGyQBgvYE5si1YQo8M0GaFV6IXUeIfPZE8nATnUsUyHPMBQs_WWc4FV4iObxKpn7IW2VPQVqKx7dx-RPN5njdvFv-WpLtg72lSJgoVHzgOeCI3I1ZfkrO6kKkEm9vskBRxgSbDubA" width="320" /></div><br /><span style="text-align: center;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Watch the trailer </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VOAxzgq42A" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="text-align: center;">.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;">In general, unless it is a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNP_2Omaciw" target="_blank">Laurence Olivier black and white version</a>, I suggest you preview a Shakespeare film adaption BEFORE watching it with your children. This is true ESPECIALLY if you watched it as a teenager. We often don't remember details that passed over our heads as teenagers. Trust me, they are <span style="font-size: large;">much more vivid</span> when you are sitting on the couch next to your young children!</span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_BBouayRWIyxmjz7bYxQ8qmXB6Z0pTpxJNi3j1IFsovDCXG7pWGgFbgSy30jllHhxALCoGvhM-BnEmvIiK97Z1IxdMXI-dmgr2Efb_rrdpH0gLnITI1jQ2w_kt6eIdyQTUTS14ORKK0kneu4we9VZRBkfs7UXx1SwGS5u7vWWNnuNgetUlmiThKtXZQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_BBouayRWIyxmjz7bYxQ8qmXB6Z0pTpxJNi3j1IFsovDCXG7pWGgFbgSy30jllHhxALCoGvhM-BnEmvIiK97Z1IxdMXI-dmgr2Efb_rrdpH0gLnITI1jQ2w_kt6eIdyQTUTS14ORKK0kneu4we9VZRBkfs7UXx1SwGS5u7vWWNnuNgetUlmiThKtXZQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;">The good news is that you can find plenty of options for free at your local library and on youtube.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><h2 style="text-align: left;">Paid Resources for Shakespeare</h2><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Recorded Videos from House of Humane Letters:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://houseofhumaneletters.com/product/the-henriad-shakespeare-on-war-a-webinar-by-james-banks/" target="_blank">The Henriad: Shakespeare on War</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://houseofhumaneletters.com/product/shakespeares-roman-plays/" target="_blank">Shakespeare's Roman Plays: </a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://houseofhumaneletters.com/product/the-tempest-webinar/" target="_blank">The Tempest</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://houseofhumaneletters.com/product/as-you-like-it-a-shakespeare-webinar-by-kelly-cumbee-your-link-is-on-your-receipt/" target="_blank">As You Like It</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://houseofhumaneletters.com/product/as-you-like-it-a-shakespeare-webinar-by-kelly-cumbee-your-link-is-on-your-receipt/" target="_blank">King Lear</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Roman Roads Press</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I taught a co-op class one year and the students found <a href="https://romanroadspress.com/store/rise-of-england/" target="_blank">this unit on Shakespeare </a>very helpful. Like the other resources I've listed, these lectures help put the literature in historical context. The unit includes the following lectures, which average 30-40 minutes in length (and include more than just Shakespeare):</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Nunito Sans", sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0.8rem 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Introduction to Early Moderns (Wesley Callihan) </span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Nunito Sans", sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0.8rem 0px; text-align: left;">2<span>. Introduction to Shakespeare (Peter Leithart)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Nunito Sans", sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0.8rem 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">3</span>. Shakespeare’s Sonnets (Peter Leithart)</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Nunito Sans", sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0.8rem 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">4</span>. Shakespeare’s <em style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">King Lear</em> (Peter Leithart)</div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Nunito Sans", sans-serif; line-height: var(--line-height-text-base); margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0.5rem 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">5</span>. Shakespeare’s <em style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Richard III</em> (Peter Leithart)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Nunito Sans", sans-serif; line-height: var(--line-height-text-base); margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0.5rem 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">6</span>. Shakespeare’s <em style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Merchant of Venice</em> (Peter Leithart)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Nunito Sans", sans-serif; line-height: var(--line-height-text-base); margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0.5rem 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">7</span>. Metaphysical Poets: John Donne (Wesley Callihan)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Nunito Sans", sans-serif; line-height: var(--line-height-text-base); margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0.5rem 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">8</span>. Metaphysical Poets: George Herbert and Marvell (Wesley Callihan)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Nunito Sans", sans-serif; line-height: var(--line-height-text-base); margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0.5rem 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">9</span>. Introduction to Milton (Wesley Callihan)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Nunito Sans", sans-serif; line-height: var(--line-height-text-base); margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0.5rem 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">10</span>. <em style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Paradise Lost</em> I (Wesley Callihan)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Nunito Sans", sans-serif; line-height: var(--line-height-text-base); margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0.5rem 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">11</span>. <em style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Paradise Lost</em> II (Wesley Callihan)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Nunito Sans", sans-serif; line-height: var(--line-height-text-base); margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0.5rem 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">12</span>. <em style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Paradise Lost</em> III (Wesley Callihan)</p><h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Nunito Sans", sans-serif; line-height: var(--line-height-text-base); margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0.5rem 0px; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></h3><h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Nunito Sans", sans-serif; line-height: var(--line-height-text-base); margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0.5rem 0px; text-align: left;"><b>One Last Note about Live Productions</b></h3><div>Call the box office before buying tickets. Ask them if this particular production is family-friendly. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, many theatres like to push the boundaries and politicize their story-telling. However, most theatres will post a sign that says "Adult Content" if they plan to have <i>Macbeth</i> set in the post-apocolypse doing drugs, with images of children being hanged in the background. Or nudity. I didn't take my children to see one production of <i>King Lear</i> because of nudity after reading about it in a newspaper.</div><div><br /></div><div>The theatre companies want to please their patrons and don't want angry folks marching out of a show. They usually want to inform you to keep you happy. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have found this to be very helpful. Also, you could just ask other people you trust about a particular theater's performances before buying tickets.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">RICHES CLASS</h3><div>I will be teaching an <a href="https://www.saaot.edu/ourteam" target="_blank">online class at St. Athanasius Academy</a> next school year. We will feast on the enrichment arts together, reading aloud two Shakespeare plays in class, as well as memorizing poetry, observing beautiful art, and listening to classical music. The class is on Fridays, if you are interested.</div><div> </div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQeu9pqobt6HfQCyqRFTqyl-Z9pV4pZXFEE4hOxxbSj1sCE0vx-ypSXIfB7XRYdiwd3Pid7fihAXaHgwVDnyS_X7Ms8ADWojxQstvb9APHrSAo64adnfYI86D1f2jswf6Wv7E9xuYGOqihBv4D1JQvINTwDuUaHOEcBvKJST1WpXauPQW82ShCbggQAw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="1440" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQeu9pqobt6HfQCyqRFTqyl-Z9pV4pZXFEE4hOxxbSj1sCE0vx-ypSXIfB7XRYdiwd3Pid7fihAXaHgwVDnyS_X7Ms8ADWojxQstvb9APHrSAo64adnfYI86D1f2jswf6Wv7E9xuYGOqihBv4D1JQvINTwDuUaHOEcBvKJST1WpXauPQW82ShCbggQAw=w640-h270" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2 class="Textstyled__Text-zyj2x0-0 header__StyledH2-sc-1pwlzp1-0 bjyrzA UPdxn" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #121416; font-family: ProximaNova-Bold, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1; margin: 10px 0px 20px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">King Lear: Cordelia’s Goodbye (1897-1898) – Edward Austin Abbey</span></h2></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Nunito Sans", sans-serif;">This post offers only a sample of the resources available. If you have specific questions about a specific play, feel free to ask!</span></div></div></span></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-36467030785173886312022-05-13T20:37:00.003-07:002022-05-13T20:37:56.991-07:00How to do Shakespeare at Home<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Last week I shared some reasons <a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2022/05/why-shakespeare.html" target="_blank">WHY</a> it can be good to read Shakespeare.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 320px; overflow: hidden; width: 240px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="A person wearing a mask
Description automatically generated with low confidence" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VpJKd3aoXeHIWxkEsf97Yu7WO35DvqU1Mh7-CmPHCLrc5J6nHNzCqdKe_NN6-Bs-pUyLm9gGJScmZbbnGUUAyGX_mXV3oBrPUwVi4a2S9e3IAG-m9uOyVXntFLx9lVBKVAcpmO4Kne8QjL-GDg" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="240" /></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shakespeare’s plays have found a home deep in the gut of an awful lot of people, people from super diverse backgrounds and in varying time periods. This reveals that something within the plays transcends time and place – that something is<i> truth</i>. It's the same truth we see in </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/6231945406340213642/5636190250463710733" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fairy tales</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, because the plays are patterned after the same structure as fairy tales.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've heard that perhaps we should avoid Shakespeare plays because all theatre is dangerous. I can think of one reason why this might be true: </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">if</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> his plays contradicted the Gospels, we would be wise to pass. While it is true that not all of the plays are appropriate for all ages, I think they complement the Gospels, and I’ll explain why next week. <b>Of course, you the parent know what is best for your family and should make the final call!</b></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 320px; overflow: hidden; width: 240px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="A person wearing a garment
Description automatically generated" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/yslncW6j_9JL4wfsyC1hdz1n00oQprLo32qh7h9xFm_4XDKAPMR4vIfxXBaCOPzbflkJ7MBSYeq6Wu4AIEEI6aUbNl_QqAAVFH9nsJ3D_8sXQ8OPvLNi9eqpefTsG64cF1obVzcnqSTpcHOEzQ" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="240" /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-30258920-7fff-192b-5af2-5e40ec4c5613"></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But for now, here's what I want to share with you.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">3 Easy Steps to Understanding a Shakespeare Play</span></span></h3><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Read the story of the play from <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1286" target="_blank">Lamb's Tales of Shakespeare for Children</a> <br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Read the actual play aloud together.<br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Watch a production together.</span></span></h4><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The goal is to get the big picture. Not to understand every word. Not to analyze the symbols or settings or characters. Not to be able to answer test questions. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Just to </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">receive</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> the story on the most basic level. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me give you some tips for these three steps.</span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">1. Read the story of the play from Lamb's.</span></span></h3><p></p><div></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can access a <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1286" style="white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">free version</a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, which can be printed one story at a time or downloaded to a kindle. Or, you might prefer an </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Shakespeare-Illustrated-Mary-Lamb-ebook/dp/B005H8M7EC/ref=sr_1_4?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjp60ufHd9wIVAjI4Ch2B9gRlEAAYAiAAEgJJfvD_BwE&hvadid=241638458878&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9025466&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=b&hvrand=8469817013604408488&hvtargid=kwd-8269029131&hydadcr=22591_10356102&keywords=tales+from+shakespeare+by+lamb&qid=1652493704&sr=8-4" style="white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">illustrated kindle version</a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I found my old illustrated version at a thrift store for a few dollars.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you like a book in your hand, Amazon has an <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Shakespeare-Wordsworth-Childrens-Classics/dp/1853261408/ref=sr_1_13?crid=3IPABE7GSAPET&keywords=illustrated+tales+from+shakespeare+by+lamb&qid=1652493824&refinements=p_n_condition-type%3A1294425011&rnid=1294421011&s=books&sprefix=illustrated+%2Caps%2C85&sr=1-13" target="_blank">economy paperback</a> for $4.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the other end of the spectrum, you can splurge for a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1171347469/lambs-tales-of-shakespeare-hardcover?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-books_movies_and_music-books-other&utm_custom1=_k_EAIaIQobChMIjp60ufHd9wIVAjI4Ch2B9gRlEAQYAyABEgLY6vD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_12564979086_122396869351_507136975905_pla-314262775667_c__1171347469_555231002&utm_custom2=12564979086&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjp60ufHd9wIVAjI4Ch2B9gRlEAQYAyABEgLY6vD_BwE" target="_blank">collector's edition</a> for $144 - crazy! It is beautiful...</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0dSvR8smFapJYiBp3PzdOW0yOUhgZhsun2gFn68FMndZyZX-PQ1sDJx7MC6IwCY6gs8EDQGadJQrT3z7ivjXZdi_WSI0TwBffNRjCx7YlpD9hc1lS_END0UlfNORvL8qes6i2uIafC8eTuoK8T7S8hkShu7wNFoUk8zbA0qn-Uf8872HIs4umoAJShQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="1140" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0dSvR8smFapJYiBp3PzdOW0yOUhgZhsun2gFn68FMndZyZX-PQ1sDJx7MC6IwCY6gs8EDQGadJQrT3z7ivjXZdi_WSI0TwBffNRjCx7YlpD9hc1lS_END0UlfNORvL8qes6i2uIafC8eTuoK8T7S8hkShu7wNFoUk8zbA0qn-Uf8872HIs4umoAJShQ=w400-h398" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>What I really appreciate about the Lamb's version is that they have kept many of the most important lines intact, as well as the important themes and ideas and tensions. All the while, the language is completely appropriate for any age. Here's an example:</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In </span><i style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Much Ado About Nothing</i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, a young count is tricked by an evil villain into thinking his </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">fiancé</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> has been unfaithful. He confronts her on the wedding day.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Claudio: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>(referring to Hero)</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0%;">Give not this rotten orange to your friend... </span><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0%;">She knows the heat of a luxurious bed!"</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Lamb's version, Claudio thinks he sees her talking to a man outside her window, and the next morning "</span><span style="text-align: justify;">Claudio, in the most passionate language, proclaimed the guilt of the blameless Hero..."</span></span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">See? You can share the stories with your children without any worries.</span></span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will admit that I didn't start reading the actual plays aloud until my youngest was ten. The kinds of lines like the one I quoted above just go over his head, but you will know what is best for your family.</span></span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What if you want your family to act out at least a part of the real play, but not read the whole thing?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vLRKW9maKCk4C_jZtTIR7NHW12XNnfsB16UFdlqEyfJN4BNPuDJ8JGdYRLpp4Hmn5y6DAnCfRu031e7bfzLrUYPzxXAXjb2WGorqWLn-ciN3D22FIypuMBu5cN-WIikQ_KTHOaVu7exaO71nr2c3KKsM83Vjt927Bw8qIj1ipH9pOUq28rLYPfvY8g/s800/blog%20shakespeare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="594" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vLRKW9maKCk4C_jZtTIR7NHW12XNnfsB16UFdlqEyfJN4BNPuDJ8JGdYRLpp4Hmn5y6DAnCfRu031e7bfzLrUYPzxXAXjb2WGorqWLn-ciN3D22FIypuMBu5cN-WIikQ_KTHOaVu7exaO71nr2c3KKsM83Vjt927Bw8qIj1ipH9pOUq28rLYPfvY8g/s320/blog%20shakespeare.jpg" width="238" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I highly recommend <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Scenes-Shakespeares-Classic-Stories-Coloring/dp/0486409600/ref=sr_1_1?crid=21LWFBMYUP0C3&keywords=shakespeare+coloring+book+dover&qid=1652495065&sprefix=shakespeare+coloring+book+dover%2Caps%2C895&sr=8-1" target="_blank">this coloring book</a>, which also has one-page scenes your children can act out, like my youngest two did with <i>King Lear</i>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrYv7MtJUi2UPYRKg1LB3RjAAY4edLKnBQmhxRegeam9iBD0egFIMiQwPlUQO8IFhSyya_bSLUdJTyoFBmNHX8l4mnNkoYEYLCO_ggRXy7QrL8H4sWZ-ZjRt2DwEYVAveDIEnSit64C1-OUyd0s5wZoUYLl--ghZfrgUdLhD4pSriTorzgiH1feM_2g/s2048/IMG_0953.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrYv7MtJUi2UPYRKg1LB3RjAAY4edLKnBQmhxRegeam9iBD0egFIMiQwPlUQO8IFhSyya_bSLUdJTyoFBmNHX8l4mnNkoYEYLCO_ggRXy7QrL8H4sWZ-ZjRt2DwEYVAveDIEnSit64C1-OUyd0s5wZoUYLl--ghZfrgUdLhD4pSriTorzgiH1feM_2g/w300-h400/IMG_0953.jpeg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ngwwqZOuCkDkAIbDiHefMCcAL5xLHKKNhS2WWNGQOtiSnxZBywAN-tJjYKaYtW-6LelAfvcSabCydZq3etLpWuMPdXquFhtccftQARmd0m2QBTeBNLDGZK8tfEpttPhiXDkZkLXl3flBH9G3EVlXI0vJ8wIT0bv18Jhc48EDNK9GVsFulXvvUyOSGg/s2048/IMG_0917.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ngwwqZOuCkDkAIbDiHefMCcAL5xLHKKNhS2WWNGQOtiSnxZBywAN-tJjYKaYtW-6LelAfvcSabCydZq3etLpWuMPdXquFhtccftQARmd0m2QBTeBNLDGZK8tfEpttPhiXDkZkLXl3flBH9G3EVlXI0vJ8wIT0bv18Jhc48EDNK9GVsFulXvvUyOSGg/w300-h400/IMG_0917.jpeg" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once you've read 2-3 paragraphs (just pause when it feels right, when the scene changes or characters leave or enter) ask the children to tell you back what they heard. Tell them they will be asked to do this before you begin.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Why Tell it Back?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Knowing they are going to have to tell it back to you helps them pay attention while you read.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. The process of sorting through what they heard and sharing it aloud helps them absorb the play better. It can be compared to chewing food. You wouldn't want them to swallow a steak whole, and neither would you want them to swallow a Shakespeare story whole. Telling it back allows them a chance to chew and digest.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One last tip for Lamb's: I suggest the <b>parent or a very capable teen read this version aloud</b> for everyone. The language, though appropriate for children, is not simple. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As you read, do not rush! Take it slowly - even just a couple of paragraphs per day - until you have worked your way through it. Pause and try to emphasize words, vary your tone of voice, and share the feeling of the story. You do not have to be an actress or do special accents or voices, but do try to avoid sounding monotone.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let's move on to the second step:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">2. Read the actual play aloud together.</span></span></h3><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Purchase a copy of the play for each family member, so everyone can hold their own script. The books do not have to be the same because you can find your place by referring to Act, Scene, and line #s instead of pages.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzqUPA6wrTBTQ1EftAktBfgHv6h5XjQes7wkVY-Bphkq6ZzWUei5AW1Zo18kFLa4D8De6D7iPTk6eWxrUI4KQTKffRp6SHU2qmUytiHA74TNsAe5nEX7Q6mHxS8bIeMzZPSuHKFMfS2fXQSeU0zPioAfTbw6YXrCZivxBMy46c-4-E9qW4dWTckE-qg/s2205/IMG_9291.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1426" data-original-width="2205" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzqUPA6wrTBTQ1EftAktBfgHv6h5XjQes7wkVY-Bphkq6ZzWUei5AW1Zo18kFLa4D8De6D7iPTk6eWxrUI4KQTKffRp6SHU2qmUytiHA74TNsAe5nEX7Q6mHxS8bIeMzZPSuHKFMfS2fXQSeU0zPioAfTbw6YXrCZivxBMy46c-4-E9qW4dWTckE-qg/s320/IMG_9291.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I picked up these inexpensive copies at our local thrifty bookshop, which is near a college campus and has dozens of each play. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Caveat: try to<b> avoid <i>No Fear Shakespeare </i>for read-alouds. </b>These editions might be a useful resource for studying a play, but that is not what we are doing. The formatting is distracting during a read aloud. Every left-side page is Shakespeare's play, and every right-side page if a simplified modern translation of the same lines. Sometimes a child will keep reading into the right page and all the sudden sound strange.... or a child might stop to interrupt every few lines to tell you exactly what something you just said means. That defeats the goal of getting the big picture and enjoying the flow of the play. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ask for volunteers or assign roles. Perhaps give yourself the longest, hardest speeches.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Assign someone to read the stage directions. They are usually in italics, something like <i>enter Claudio and Hero.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go for it!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You might be surprised how well you all do! It really helps that everyone already knows the story. Remember, the goal is not to understand every word, but to get the gist of the story. Sometimes you will encounter characters that were not in the Lamb's version, but you can just remind your children that they couldn't include everyone.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Watch a production together.</span></span></h3><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One year I found out a local college was performing <i>The Tempest</i> in the Spring. I called and asked if the show would be family friendly or a more experimental version (important to know!). Once I knew it was good for us, we spent the fall working our way through Lamb's and then the play. It was fun to see the live versions of the characters we had come to know, and it provided lots of conversation afterwards.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: left; white-space: normal;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; white-space: normal;">Older Globe Theatre productions are amazing. You can buy them from <a href="https://shop.shakespearesglobe.com/collections/dvds/products/taming-shrew-globe-theatre-dvd" style="white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Great Britain</a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> or find </span><a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/154979737228?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A18WhVA145Q_G9wqPTWyHQVQ17&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=154979737228&targetid=1599090334937&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=9025466&poi=&campaignid=15275224983&mkgroupid=131097072938&rlsatarget=pla-1599090334937&abcId=9300697&merchantid=7871684&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhMTPlYLe9wIVyGpvBB0dRwu1EAQYAiABEgLsN_D_BwE" style="white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">used ones on ebay</a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. They are acted out with an audience in a reproduction of the theatre Shakespeare's plays were orginially performed in! Stick to the older ones, though for a more PG experience. Newer ones are just like newer TV shows in that respect.</span></div><div style="text-align: left; white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you have a Shakespeare-in-the-Park near you, those are fun outdoor productions.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Film Versions</span></span></h4><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Be aware of modern, agenda-driven films. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can find <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BLBQIwZ_h4" target="_blank">Laurence Olivier versions</a> for free on Youtube.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your local library probably has quite a few selections. Just check the rating to make sure there is no surprise nudity. (Sometimes you can avoid a particular scene in an otherwise great film by announcing a "potty braek" and fast-forwarding while everyone is gone. You have to preview it yourself first for that to work.)</span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You don't have to do this last step, but it is a nice way to end your time with a play.</span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As you share a play with your children, you will build a relationship with the ideas in the play and with each other. Of course, being aware of the stories is NOT a path to virtue. You have to pray and read the Scriptures and pray and read the Lives of the Saints and pray and struggle together with your children. </span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even though the plays are not a fast-track to attaining virtue (there never is a short-cut, is there?) they are still full of good and true and beautiful things that open a person's heart to seeing beyond our material world. </span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Perhaps you are still concerned about hurting your children's imagination. This is a valid concern! </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You might would like to learn more about what the Church Fathers teach about the imagination before jumping into Shakespeare? St. Gregory Palamas explains how good art helps the imagination. </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/6231945406340213642/5636190250463710733" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here’s a great place to start:</span></a></span></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-73daf74e-7fff-217c-c26d-74cdf01d573f"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 158px; overflow: hidden; width: 320px;"><img alt="A picture containing text, person
Description automatically generated" height="158" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4wkm114WRxwRBKbREtrKFziZrLtytodvB__63kQce8LJXFeya-IupuDMS4NH5otWIhILG8r2Ebvw-ghVHhFMs98vttoYl_uJrH8PpWgClD4T5rjSiGZBm1G3zhDj-i7l1ztqkjpaeKDLQy487g" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="320" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(You may have to scroll down to March 2022 if you happen to be reading this at some future date.)</span></p><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div></span></span><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-56361902504637107332022-05-05T12:42:00.001-07:002022-05-05T12:42:55.176-07:00Why Shakespeare?<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A couple of years ago, I read aloud
Lamb’s version of </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">King Lear</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> to my kids. When the villain, Edmund, was
scheming to hurt people, my 8 year-old son clenched his fists in anger. His
eyebrows drew in and his voice grew tense. He hated it!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The story gave him a way to experience for himself an inner <i>knowing</i> that such scheming is bad – in a way that trumped anything I
could have preached to him about the topic. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Likewise, when the good and faithful servant,
Kent, stuck by the king after everyone else had abandoned him, my son set his
jaw and drew up his chest and said, “I want to be like <i>him</i>!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHu-dwM-l5q4lteFTwRhGr8VzCkWKbT_MRyEbyADjqOtvFfYdpRGtxjL716nnb7aBKrXbCbXWzWBttkjrOGWAtYrGM9WKhcjjTxTo-Hy6Eouf4MA1kCQSMA76G2APlvjA70IQp6wjV1jzoH2--3B_FfASIh5iUuPoCPuHtEv9ydnr8kvSU0jRnQJ35w/s2048/IMG_0914.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHu-dwM-l5q4lteFTwRhGr8VzCkWKbT_MRyEbyADjqOtvFfYdpRGtxjL716nnb7aBKrXbCbXWzWBttkjrOGWAtYrGM9WKhcjjTxTo-Hy6Eouf4MA1kCQSMA76G2APlvjA70IQp6wjV1jzoH2--3B_FfASIh5iUuPoCPuHtEv9ydnr8kvSU0jRnQJ35w/s320/IMG_0914.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">Isn’t this what education is supposed to do?</span></h3><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"></p><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">To open our children to seeing what good can look like.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">To teach children to love what is worthy of loving.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">To help them recognize those things that are not worthy of our love.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">To teach them to despise the despicable.</span><br /><!--[if !supportLists]--><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8akRC9IJ5c">Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children</a> puts it this way in Kontakion 10:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Raise my children to hate sin and all transgression.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Raise my children to love good and all virtue.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAy2Ot5H7WuF7Tlxv4FyigPqTKzVxsgvCtti7iyJCEU_CmUGJdg8-KtrEfyFPzx7oq3oYQMtMFRuXS9Jyfu5i8b6vuRAz5gq5oc7YyJWfWsEiOAy019rlA4M-MrR4cXlDjxgyDjgQ-uSLqYOiq29aNav622pEzfFlBcR227mOUdnYDf1l6rvcW8G9OA/s2048/IMG_0917.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAy2Ot5H7WuF7Tlxv4FyigPqTKzVxsgvCtti7iyJCEU_CmUGJdg8-KtrEfyFPzx7oq3oYQMtMFRuXS9Jyfu5i8b6vuRAz5gq5oc7YyJWfWsEiOAy019rlA4M-MrR4cXlDjxgyDjgQ-uSLqYOiq29aNav622pEzfFlBcR227mOUdnYDf1l6rvcW8G9OA/s320/IMG_0917.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">No Lesson Plans!</h3><div>I did not set out to teach my son that scheming to gain power is bad. I did not make a list of virtues to point out when we found them in King Lear. No! I just served the play to them like a beautiful meal and allowed the Holy Spirit to teach them what was appropriate for each. </div><div><br /></div><div>We know it works this way in our own reading lives as mothers. We will read a passage of a book and gain one thing from it. Then years later we read the same passage and see a new truth.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is not that the truth was <i>new</i>. It was that we were in a different place and now ready to see <i>that truth.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Our children are the same way. Through the prayers of the Theotokos, they will see the truths they are ready to see.</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>So relax, breathe easy! </div><div><br /></div><div>If our kids are assigned Shakespeare at school, we can help them without worrying about whether we are teaching the right thing or not. </div><div><br /></div><div>If we decide to read a play with them this summer, we don't have to plan what to teach when we read it. </div><div><br /></div><div>We can just let the play do its work in the heart of the child. We may never know until months later something a child learned. We may never know ever.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">And yet the Shakespeare play still does its work in the heart of the child.</h3><div><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I have seen my children begin to learn
to hate sin and to love good in their experience with Shakespeare’s stories.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here’s another example from </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Julius Caesar</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">,
which we were reading aloud together last fall. Honorable Brutus wanted to do
what was right, but listened to the wrong voices in his ear. He listened to Cassius,
who was trying to manipulate him. Brutus also listened to the fake letters of
praise tossed through his window, effectively flattering him, </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Brutus, you
are our only hope!</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My children made the connection pretty
quickly:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span> </span>“Cassius and the letters are like the
demons shooting darts into our minds!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span> </span>“The logismoi!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span> </span>“Why can’t Brutus see that Cassius is
trying to manipulate him?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span> </span>“Brutus is more likely to believe
Cassius because his <i>pride</i> is getting involved!” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That sort of personal revelation is
priceless. The children now have an image in their imagination of what it could
look like to be persuaded to do something against their better judgement. They
have an image of how pride can blind them. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOtEoMV6-hzP6CzoolPZkmeCsnRERuYegN8crReBgeV93D-jtUxcfqaDtw7GbbDW8OP5-0LTzpqXQs2-6HeuQeW0pFahPSTK_T1Ic5EcUxgCbtiAmW1lmNmScBJNigzLugumzbD0Vo60mD0Qbw3daIFYv6OwQX3gL4U3GYDj434llPJk6mMdIPKteZQ/s2048/IMG_0913.jpeg" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOtEoMV6-hzP6CzoolPZkmeCsnRERuYegN8crReBgeV93D-jtUxcfqaDtw7GbbDW8OP5-0LTzpqXQs2-6HeuQeW0pFahPSTK_T1Ic5EcUxgCbtiAmW1lmNmScBJNigzLugumzbD0Vo60mD0Qbw3daIFYv6OwQX3gL4U3GYDj434llPJk6mMdIPKteZQ/s320/IMG_0913.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why do
Shakespeare’s plays work like this?</span></b></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The short answer is, because they are good
art. Good art reveals spiritual truths using material means. Good art expands
our understanding of reality. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One way to know if something is good
art is to see if it has stood the test of time. Shakespeare’s
plays, written in the 1400’s, have proven themselves in the last 600 years. They don't show us merely what one character is like, or what one place is like. They show what life is like. What human nature is like.</span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What about this summer?</span></h3><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Perhaps consider approaching a Shakespeare play - either for yourself or with your family. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Next week I will share my strategy for making sure we all understand the play. You might be surprised how much an elementary student can understand of Shakespeare. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Maybe the next time you go to the library, pick up a copy of <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1286" target="_blank">Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare</a> - or use that link to access a free version you can print or download onto a kindle. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Read with an open mind.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And enjoy the feast!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-78798042863593126172022-03-16T10:57:00.003-07:002022-03-16T10:57:29.580-07:00First Weeks of the Fast<p><br /> A few years ago I bought a $6 pack of dish-washer safe chopsticks, and it helped make our Lenten lunches a little more likeable. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRTjLUROJUTDQm91JyW4f8UPVtjNPRsReuH9OeZuFdWmZC6LNoEjaUO4-zOAcZ4OFTJJGdtBTotSg4viD0lnyY0XdwieJrnM0ziY5fuwHRe7yW9xZkZfKen1gUwWrMcRKazERXQ8My1mlIJcMSh3f0Q1RAFKJ8oWVPd3C8LMVoeX28qsdNjzpJSr4rug=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRTjLUROJUTDQm91JyW4f8UPVtjNPRsReuH9OeZuFdWmZC6LNoEjaUO4-zOAcZ4OFTJJGdtBTotSg4viD0lnyY0XdwieJrnM0ziY5fuwHRe7yW9xZkZfKen1gUwWrMcRKazERXQ8My1mlIJcMSh3f0Q1RAFKJ8oWVPd3C8LMVoeX28qsdNjzpJSr4rug=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pilgrimage for the Feast Day of St. Papa Nicholas Planas!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQHwIAk8bEGBCYtMYW4D8gJbc_zcXHnpGXXy_Frh4iqM7zV90R-MLZ2JjkagOIc-TGHC0Mjued8ZBQq3MgL99nCU1J1TmNRQ3iThzBjdA4ec8doNR4YB7E-Ne9YQczgtAyefLYrnIWKbNF1eJNfQthBYDjocwWYZ621eZjpVg0UrsbNTudzw0Qh3Kglw=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQHwIAk8bEGBCYtMYW4D8gJbc_zcXHnpGXXy_Frh4iqM7zV90R-MLZ2JjkagOIc-TGHC0Mjued8ZBQq3MgL99nCU1J1TmNRQ3iThzBjdA4ec8doNR4YB7E-Ne9YQczgtAyefLYrnIWKbNF1eJNfQthBYDjocwWYZ621eZjpVg0UrsbNTudzw0Qh3Kglw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The iconography by Fr. Turbo Qualls at <a href="https://stmaryofegypt.net/" target="_blank">St. Mary of Egypt</a> was captivating!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkacNl8oMNuAoKQN17PeZaEWIbA7IolLqBR6vz2yo5t7ZUAc6EksBd-xsK7ukkPRkAbI4JyEbJWQjR7QPWwwp2xwmTczF0DpshxYO3aVfEyCE7Og3GPB1LrOXqNYZV9i39JH5HfLdYPE_YiJjNZ3YRDR7I4nduR-n3VKOJpFVN6FNoyI8vI89IDvapBA=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkacNl8oMNuAoKQN17PeZaEWIbA7IolLqBR6vz2yo5t7ZUAc6EksBd-xsK7ukkPRkAbI4JyEbJWQjR7QPWwwp2xwmTczF0DpshxYO3aVfEyCE7Og3GPB1LrOXqNYZV9i39JH5HfLdYPE_YiJjNZ3YRDR7I4nduR-n3VKOJpFVN6FNoyI8vI89IDvapBA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Looks at these Cherubim, as described in Ezekial 1:5-11</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGT9v2PeQDfl3niNpAep6Y_g8a5-BcnfkD3F8mtNNxKQijUx25GB1e4M1NyXfsptz_l28EVzujkfUhWuUDuHL9cV1JoX7oniRYpDV4KQyPKfasctMJwYf2fSQZBuuVTwTYliNwuqen-jXEjkpwCzCOZHD6-f1rFnCO3pRH86LRKwNddCByUyTf4uT_RQ=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGT9v2PeQDfl3niNpAep6Y_g8a5-BcnfkD3F8mtNNxKQijUx25GB1e4M1NyXfsptz_l28EVzujkfUhWuUDuHL9cV1JoX7oniRYpDV4KQyPKfasctMJwYf2fSQZBuuVTwTYliNwuqen-jXEjkpwCzCOZHD6-f1rFnCO3pRH86LRKwNddCByUyTf4uT_RQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back home, my 4th grader tried a craft from his <a href="https://www.drawneardesigns.com/calendars/pre-order-2022-orthodox-childrens-calendar-a-life-in-christ">calendar</a>: an orange oil lamp. I admit, I didn't think it would work, but look!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5oYRW84QDb2B070IBUCW53qKiFHWaHuv8kC3tw7iW7b52uwOv1jO4IFTkqBCeoOdFduYsG-xFQR0P9wfv0KC7Sm9ShqdCqjdXdb4VjRgLgKBJSLOWwo8Zi8PFrCiFT0bOuENeyyAM-Zjs5cJ6zSttfboAv1-E7Oa917oO6qGEIxV2yxyZE96swEclDQ=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5oYRW84QDb2B070IBUCW53qKiFHWaHuv8kC3tw7iW7b52uwOv1jO4IFTkqBCeoOdFduYsG-xFQR0P9wfv0KC7Sm9ShqdCqjdXdb4VjRgLgKBJSLOWwo8Zi8PFrCiFT0bOuENeyyAM-Zjs5cJ6zSttfboAv1-E7Oa917oO6qGEIxV2yxyZE96swEclDQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've been trying to do my own <a href="https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/nature-study-in-a-nutshell/" target="_blank">Nature Study,</a> taking the same photo of our Silver Maple tree each few weeks. It has taken two months since the buds appeared, but they are finally starting to open up just a teeny bit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUihL_jSIJ08tLcDFMSpNo0rwy2tpycAypxbfRKImCW1fFtLAdY4JyHHP780fVK5Sg7EPK9kHlELwydf928FTByqpNj_X7qg9C_IgHqOM52DGEY7yBY0FpOM50kfWQc2yiFYD93NQ30Vc0zuaV0IjFwZmEOiL22S9aWxAktWY_liQ2Nk0Sg7zQQt5adw=s464" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="464" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUihL_jSIJ08tLcDFMSpNo0rwy2tpycAypxbfRKImCW1fFtLAdY4JyHHP780fVK5Sg7EPK9kHlELwydf928FTByqpNj_X7qg9C_IgHqOM52DGEY7yBY0FpOM50kfWQc2yiFYD93NQ30Vc0zuaV0IjFwZmEOiL22S9aWxAktWY_liQ2Nk0Sg7zQQt5adw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mamas, I encourage you to try the things you ask your children to do - I often learn so much! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-30761720865265653942022-03-08T14:40:00.002-08:002022-03-08T14:40:34.332-08:00Science of Relations: Part 3 FREE RESOURCES<h2 style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 20pt;">Charlotte Mason Resources</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you would like to explore more how the
educational philosophies of Charlotte Mason fit into the Patristic wisdom of
the Orthodox Church, Elizabeth Davis has collected some presentations at </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.paideaclassics.org/educational-philosophies.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Paidea Classics</span></a><span style="color: black;">. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1h9AVTseqz2J8ywBsBARMt794bHUDYxpUBH7Q-96aenYqEwxH5czDZyd_7RvPw093V84mCM3EPVWFOAXiKiJA0trK643vpRsfStlCFrDHKG6wCxqb_AwniHkc1hwGht0anzjOiwyOmcx2kwZYciDHpmFmvtuohsuazNUVkuGqEYB4uzttnJ31rDwjVA=s891" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="891" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1h9AVTseqz2J8ywBsBARMt794bHUDYxpUBH7Q-96aenYqEwxH5czDZyd_7RvPw093V84mCM3EPVWFOAXiKiJA0trK643vpRsfStlCFrDHKG6wCxqb_AwniHkc1hwGht0anzjOiwyOmcx2kwZYciDHpmFmvtuohsuazNUVkuGqEYB4uzttnJ31rDwjVA=w640-h574" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p>Part I - <a href="https://www.paideaclassics.org/uploads/9/9/6/2/99624674/proshowcharlottemasonpart1_361.mp4" target="_blank">Charlotte Mason's Thoughts on "Home Education" In the Light of the Teachings of Our Holy Fathers and Mothers</a></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p>Part II - <a href="https://www.paideaclassics.org/uploads/9/9/6/2/99624674/proshowcharlottemasonpart2web_950.mp4" target="_blank">Charlotte Mason's Twenty Principles in the Light of Our Holy Fathers and Mothers</a></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Part III </span>- A</span><a href="https://www.paideaclassics.org/uploads/9/9/6/2/99624674/proshowcharlottemasonpart3web_193.mp4" style="font-size: 12pt;"> Lifestyle of Learning Approach to a Classical Style of Education</a></span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can also download those slideshows as pdf versions.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilKRl0GIf0avuKX3YjD38SbAmwLlZtW_BC2ogMqqRsIcMohSeLh7-l4k10LOqcpPp6vxd1NZDTKdTOK9vz6p0SppsayZvXNpX9466STWbDr4gILiC0USa8ZLspKjXHveSQ_sszz3Ea23wCCQAbOl0qPTqkTNPbQIcmuv4kso1zSpyJeYBkn1Ge25N6Jw=s554" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="376" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilKRl0GIf0avuKX3YjD38SbAmwLlZtW_BC2ogMqqRsIcMohSeLh7-l4k10LOqcpPp6vxd1NZDTKdTOK9vz6p0SppsayZvXNpX9466STWbDr4gILiC0USa8ZLspKjXHveSQ_sszz3Ea23wCCQAbOl0qPTqkTNPbQIcmuv4kso1zSpyJeYBkn1Ge25N6Jw=s320" width="217" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Essay-Towards-Philosophy-Education/dp/1505692687/ref=asc_df_1505692687/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312736202848&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6051136524770087264&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9025426&hvtargid=pla-572035028318&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=62017409437&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312736202848&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6051136524770087264&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9025426&hvtargid=pla-572035028318" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Mind to Mind</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, a
thoughtful abridgement by Karen Glass, is an easy read and a good choice if you
don’t have time or care to read all of Charlotte Mason’s books but are
interested. It’s her last book, the one she wrote after decades of experience
teaching, in which she sharpens and refines her thoughts on education.</span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-LQG-ikr-XPLbfL-KaH37ObfUn98GhzOs0LFvGQ84obGCfLwb5Z_rOZt8hSd_JDfn5KglWtSx4EmvWkBHIXdKdSxx93fM0v2ETtoYPVdnORgCsLuJlS6LyLtaxWUTgwSDCOU_1BapMKNBhUlpWs8VTyx49tuXUjWZfPxjdf2BMNijENROGms2j77eug=s1536" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-LQG-ikr-XPLbfL-KaH37ObfUn98GhzOs0LFvGQ84obGCfLwb5Z_rOZt8hSd_JDfn5KglWtSx4EmvWkBHIXdKdSxx93fM0v2ETtoYPVdnORgCsLuJlS6LyLtaxWUTgwSDCOU_1BapMKNBhUlpWs8VTyx49tuXUjWZfPxjdf2BMNijENROGms2j77eug=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don’t have time to read a book about Charlotte
Mason’s educational theories, but could listen to a podcast while you fold
laundry or commute to work? Cindy Rollins has a new podcast, <a href="https://thenewmasonjar.com/">The New Mason Jar</a> that has been
comforting to me, comforting in making me feel like <i>yes, I can do this!</i> Cindy
and various guests – mothers who’ve been doing this a while – talk about what education looks like played out in real life with real mothers and real kids.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="line-height: normal; margin: 20pt 0in 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Myths, Fairy Tales, and
Church Fathers</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Church Fathers read myths? Actually, yes, many of them did. And they saw images of Christ embedded in stories. Justin Martyr calls these
images “seeds of truth.” If this idea interests you, you might like to listen
to </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.theliterary.life/060/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Why Read
Pagan Myths</span></a><span style="color: black;"> where I first heard this
phrase - seeds of truth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This article about </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.ocf.net/st-justin-martyr/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">St. Justin the Philosopher and Martyr</span></a><span style="color: black;"> from Orthodox Christian Fellowship articulates some of
these ideas I have been trying to grapple with about creation, patterns, and
Christ the Logos. It also links to the full text of St. Justin’s writing in
which he mentions seeds of truth.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.theliterary.life/">The
Literary Life Podcast</a> is free and if you scroll through the archives you
might be delighted to find a discussion on a <a href="https://www.theliterary.life/015/">short story</a> or <a href="https://www.theliterary.life/118/">Shakespeare Play</a> you plan to read
with your children or <a href="https://www.theliterary.life/104/">an idea you
would like to think more about.</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 20.0pt; margin: 20pt 0in 6pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Not-Free Resources <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 20.0pt; margin: 20pt 0in 6pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 20pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">(But worthwhile “Professional
Development”)</span></i><b><i><span style="font-size: 24pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am currently taking a class from the House of
Human Letters on </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://houseofhumaneletters.com/product/how-to-read-fairy-tales/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">How to Read Fairytales</span></a><span style="color: black;">
and it is very helpful in learning how to see the images! It is the reason I
understood the thorns, the lips, the life in Sleeping Beauty, and most of my
thoughts in this series came from this class combined with my spiritual reading. It
turns out that most people in the Middle Ages knew what all the symbols were
and what they meant, but we’ve lost quite a bit of that now. </span><a href="https://houseofhumaneletters.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">House of
Humane Letters</span></a><span style="color: black;"> offers lots of “live or
later” courses and webinars. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 20.0pt; margin: 20pt 0in 6pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 20pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">From the Archives</span><b><span style="font-size: 24pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sunday of Orthodoxy is coming up this weekend. <a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2017/03/sunday-of-orthodoxy-activity.html">Here</a>
are some coloring pages and handwriting sheets to help your kids become more
aware of this first Sunday of Great Lent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For a look at real, live, not-perfect crafting
and connections with little ones, here’s a science activity: </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2017/12/stream-creation-and-chocolate.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">STREAM - Creation and Chocolate.</span></a><span style="color: black;"> I know, I know: in this activity <i>I</i> helped them make
the connections, after I told you not to make the connections for them. What
can I say, sometimes an artsy gal is called to teach science and do a craft. In
that case, one just makes do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here are the other posts about Science of
Relations:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2022/02/science-of-relations-delightful.html">Science
of Relations: Delightful Connections</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2022/02/science-of-relations-part-2.html">Science
of Relations: For all of Us (not just homeschooling mamas)</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><br /></p>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-50953700645290092202022-02-23T13:30:00.008-08:002022-11-26T11:24:15.944-08:00Blindness and Seeing (Science of Relations: Part 2)<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Why should I care about "Science of
Relations?"</span></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As an Orthodox Mother, one of my life struggles is to <b>rightly
see the contours of reality</b> and to help bring my children to be able to see too. I got that idea about needing to develop the “contours of reality” from
Bishop Irenei in </span><span><a href="https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/The-Beginnings-of-a-Life-of-Prayer-p/blp.htm"><span style="color: #1155cc;">The Beginnings of a Life
of Prayer</span></a></span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">. </span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/The-Beginnings-of-a-Life-of-Prayer-p/blp.htm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="261" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwS5vHv0T1Sx1hmIXocWLxs4y9-3BywyQuVAi5pgg2EirrYFvozg_LKOrAAcniuiCoOORK2V9ZrgElgiJ0vYF3_YjnyxL26Qsw6tCtAY-1LvoZHeFfK_lryKXv5MziiPOWvEEzGFbWBtU8T11gZs0j7MNYCar21dq8xl9cp8TbgXHLeNdVaHChzXlguw=w210-h320" width="210" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">It’s one of those books, like </span><span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242788.Little_Russian_Philokalia"><span style="color: #1155cc;">The Philokalia</span></a></span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">, that I can read only a couple of paragraphs at a time. And then
I have to read those same paragraphs over and over, over the course of several
days. Of course, those are just MY
current readings. </span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">If you are wondering what YOU should read, ask your priest! 😀</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>But let’s get back to </span><b>BLINDNESS and SEEING.</b><span> Think of all
the times Jesus encountered blind men in the Gospels. It was not only because
those particular men needed physical sight. It is because we are all blind -
spiritually blind - and need new sight. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="line-height: normal; margin: 0.25in 0in 6pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Obviously, the most important way to get this
true sight is living the life of the Church: Prayer, Sacraments, Scripture,
Lives of the Saints, Alms-giving, Fasting, etc.</span></span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">But in addition to the Life of the Church, it seems that God in
his mercy gives us art as a means of seeing reality. In times prior to our
Modern Life, this is what art meant to do - portray reality through
patterns. </span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6o49hQLFLCYMAW8hrtgQlumhL_JSeT-BBcR6botWQ6lK3JjE7PCVI2WmQ3EFZwnSJ6ttqiokP4p8gpNqH-GilwjTZ6ABZ-eRVHQ1QqrKALtcF3rmk34LDVOiZfK0s2VrKOvEEf5TBg6XjfG9U2DP18VOezHq0EiiOpriZAEqsRIdqsyXm8yv0zk9i6w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="1280" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6o49hQLFLCYMAW8hrtgQlumhL_JSeT-BBcR6botWQ6lK3JjE7PCVI2WmQ3EFZwnSJ6ttqiokP4p8gpNqH-GilwjTZ6ABZ-eRVHQ1QqrKALtcF3rmk34LDVOiZfK0s2VrKOvEEf5TBg6XjfG9U2DP18VOezHq0EiiOpriZAEqsRIdqsyXm8yv0zk9i6w=w400-h193" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><p></p>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Musical patterns, nature patterns, image patterns, story patterns. </span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifbNlVttdbDDG_LMb9dItzgPutB0K-V7R1_8yGola0SqVyVdaPjFl_jYWTv8RoT1SBcTUZ6EZPQpCFPa1z1j-oEkPbQhl14bpWXuaiX5j9lAjnuBp352F45gYCXwNzXhmKtCtFOaKxgohlIe9qs3kaJ12OkKstPpJLt4i8TuWRNUPfxF3iJ6DCsjWInQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifbNlVttdbDDG_LMb9dItzgPutB0K-V7R1_8yGola0SqVyVdaPjFl_jYWTv8RoT1SBcTUZ6EZPQpCFPa1z1j-oEkPbQhl14bpWXuaiX5j9lAjnuBp352F45gYCXwNzXhmKtCtFOaKxgohlIe9qs3kaJ12OkKstPpJLt4i8TuWRNUPfxF3iJ6DCsjWInQ" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /><span> </span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When oral traditions of storytelling - from all over the world -
end up repeating the same patterns and images, it is <i>not</i> because people
just <i>happen</i> to find comfort somehow in these images. It is because they
are glimpses of true TRUTH embedded within the creation, truth that can’t help
but come out.</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPNzSQulNqE9SMoI3JIBKUWOLSiBJtwNlqKO3nqnKHo6D_iG3zGsmPt3A-MSfZSF_VKYba9D10BnJKstUEeWMDY4ggw87vFm3O9382JT_bA9-twjo-nXBLhSWln9n2Pml2uDD8NKK3OGUQTtuP7PXkIo03iTvmzw04fsQMbQwhaxpuxozPwFM57Cqi1g=s719" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="719" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPNzSQulNqE9SMoI3JIBKUWOLSiBJtwNlqKO3nqnKHo6D_iG3zGsmPt3A-MSfZSF_VKYba9D10BnJKstUEeWMDY4ggw87vFm3O9382JT_bA9-twjo-nXBLhSWln9n2Pml2uDD8NKK3OGUQTtuP7PXkIo03iTvmzw04fsQMbQwhaxpuxozPwFM57Cqi1g=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In this fallen world, we see only in shadow. In our own society, people no longer look to religion to tell what is true. Mankind can do it! </span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I taught public high school for ten years and my students often
voiced this desire. I once had a young man, bright of mind, slight of
stature, a 9th grader with his dark bangs hanging over his eyes, explain it to
me perfectly: “The Scientific Method is my measure of reality. If I can’t see
it, taste it, smell it, touch it, or hear it - it doesn’t exist.”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb6yZU9uoHWkb-qtKJFqZpIDr1xCiPgllusTB9evnbS2f211y9JAReYsM5olocdez74EITSSkX93-zS3DgT6mTzJeNE6tTANdMCxNBY0snqxjTyT-u26UO-mKJB-16lv58B6JcOvRSDZQGwnFHfKgjg5x1wxrYJuFcnuYa0zYTUK56QddWIHI2rEPYSQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb6yZU9uoHWkb-qtKJFqZpIDr1xCiPgllusTB9evnbS2f211y9JAReYsM5olocdez74EITSSkX93-zS3DgT6mTzJeNE6tTANdMCxNBY0snqxjTyT-u26UO-mKJB-16lv58B6JcOvRSDZQGwnFHfKgjg5x1wxrYJuFcnuYa0zYTUK56QddWIHI2rEPYSQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">It’s pretty hard to see the unseen if that is one’s idea of
reality!</span></span></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">You might be thinking, <i>that’s too bad for that kid, but I’m an
Orthodox Christian.</i> <i>I know unseen reality exists.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">True, but I think it would be fair to assume that as members
of our age, our way of seeing is effected by the ways of thinking around us. We swim in the pool of our times. And there is pee in the pool. It's hard to avoid. </span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>But we can try to draw our minds back to reality. We can experience
the unseen as incarnated patterns in paintings, music, and stories: like in </span><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2022/02/science-of-relations-delightful.html">thorns,
a touch, lips, and life</a><span>. Embedded in a fairytale, we find images of sin and
death, the Body and Blood of Christ, and Life.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">As a human person, much less a particular kind of person called an
Orthodox Mother, it’s worth paying attention to life and looking at God’s
creation, along with the creations of His creations. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLoz_TNCLz2s3d4iXJXn7hd7ZiOS-IpEjahDSXK-NyvVx8-qdJ3k-jrMYSRl7X7wZ0as_v6WBv3NM6xkb2fhPU8s9NrFYngNkoAKkGiUhkTW9579-niGEowMWg_h7gudV7rkmTN1U5v-M5ESD9ZegxZsro0UviCvuqa2oXUG_-RhlDOMeeFDcB8CuEFg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="233" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLoz_TNCLz2s3d4iXJXn7hd7ZiOS-IpEjahDSXK-NyvVx8-qdJ3k-jrMYSRl7X7wZ0as_v6WBv3NM6xkb2fhPU8s9NrFYngNkoAKkGiUhkTW9579-niGEowMWg_h7gudV7rkmTN1U5v-M5ESD9ZegxZsro0UviCvuqa2oXUG_-RhlDOMeeFDcB8CuEFg=w214-h320" width="214" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Our children are going to read something. Listen to something.
Look at something. It’s worth putting true stories and music and art in front of them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">And then paying attention to them.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>And being open to what we see.</span><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">And what connections we see between them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="538" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKMzdqEDm0PR5RMIs_r20yGy3TQ0aKQnkBkyrfz28NhlDJjgxyD3mnK43oSvBhCieBmoC_amzRMe4svX3A3YGN7sh7kTWuBxmsCGQN5ZNS1mJb-4CSYWIYOhXhq_AbaQJ5eHU_9ZsfHy4WBnS4L7Di4SzoXoXlDpd2zecNsUfhEU3glLWXAVJHMLeCBQ=w212-h320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="212" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://freevintageillustrations.com/vintage-public-domain-book-illustration-snow-white-and-the-7-dwarves-image-4-2/"><span style="font-size: medium;">Snow White</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCmvf7R3lExlbRronboLoz9iueYs-tfACxH3PRFHyc2TuFD1nyT0HlYvK1f4zFQL1BWv7tWt1PYlCmYD1dDGhWPw1ryCQVGSu4g6NdOzj8fdBxV6m937DzrC-ZlZjC_2gJiqr3lFS76vN7CopozncAiIwTgaCXl39Ver55Cu0B60dJZh2Ow8jt9s9pOA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCmvf7R3lExlbRronboLoz9iueYs-tfACxH3PRFHyc2TuFD1nyT0HlYvK1f4zFQL1BWv7tWt1PYlCmYD1dDGhWPw1ryCQVGSu4g6NdOzj8fdBxV6m937DzrC-ZlZjC_2gJiqr3lFS76vN7CopozncAiIwTgaCXl39Ver55Cu0B60dJZh2Ow8jt9s9pOA" width="275" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://etc.usf.edu/clipart/187800/187858/187858-the-raising-of-jairus-daughter.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jairus' Daughter</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br />Next time I will share with you a whole basketful of cool resources to learn more about fairytales and the science of relations. For now, I hope you enjoy your own delightful connections that pop up in this
whole big world of God’s. Open your eyes to notice them!</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-79017412741356841932022-02-02T09:50:00.005-08:002022-02-09T08:37:43.282-08:00Science of Relations: Delightful Connections<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The other day I was
reading a paragraph of the </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Little Russian Philokalia</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> and I gasped! Right
there in front of my eyeballs I was seeing the same images I had just seen in the Grimm brothers’ version of </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm050.html">Sleeping Beauty</a></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (originally
called <i>Little </i></span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Briar Rose</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I enjoyed a little
rush of excitement and shook my head once again at the connection.
What did I see?</span></p>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 20pt 0in 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Both writings share these
words: </span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;">thorns, touch, lips, life</span></span></b></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the original <i>Sleeping
Beauty</i> she herself is cursed, but the curse also affects the world around
her. The servants fall asleep, the horses fall asleep, and even the land is
cursed with <b>thorns</b> surrounding the castle. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsFiwb7ObNGTOLhT5T05tlUY7rC1_hgWX6EHZ8x_5AQXvCfSkp1Y31dDd9NuVVglztz9IgYWJRO_lTWQB5g05bw4E_4e1PbdIhcHLcIN3kAMNtQ11SGq99EjKcVeaDHXsmVN_P9cTNR13vQ2AtF7B8W_fP1aLAiLOOp2_T7lCS8f0OohCswans-Mmk6A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsFiwb7ObNGTOLhT5T05tlUY7rC1_hgWX6EHZ8x_5AQXvCfSkp1Y31dDd9NuVVglztz9IgYWJRO_lTWQB5g05bw4E_4e1PbdIhcHLcIN3kAMNtQ11SGq99EjKcVeaDHXsmVN_P9cTNR13vQ2AtF7B8W_fP1aLAiLOOp2_T7lCS8f0OohCswans-Mmk6A=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #121212; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #121212; font-size: 12pt;">Only the son of the King
can reverse the curse.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #121212; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When the True Prince
traverses the <b>thorns</b>, they transform into flowers. When the prince <b>touches</b>
her <b>lips</b> with a kiss, the curse is broken and she awakens to new <b>life</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeDzC7AfAJRJ58gx2-6W3tw-d6Y4SEFYEhn1IAYK3SIhqfTcw_ws7dqLN_MpJ2EVElrscinRmJFDEmI_1TisAicAfl_caIeClrREGEPWmnnbhxNz6kDGd7mZmrOqySxkmlcfdK1uyngZueyPbKTU1Qznnxn-DoiBkNNZ7PwR3lJofH0Nh_8Db--Xe6HQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="970" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeDzC7AfAJRJ58gx2-6W3tw-d6Y4SEFYEhn1IAYK3SIhqfTcw_ws7dqLN_MpJ2EVElrscinRmJFDEmI_1TisAicAfl_caIeClrREGEPWmnnbhxNz6kDGd7mZmrOqySxkmlcfdK1uyngZueyPbKTU1Qznnxn-DoiBkNNZ7PwR3lJofH0Nh_8Db--Xe6HQ=w485-h640" width="485" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In <i>The Little Russian
Philokalia, Volume 2, </i>Elder Nazarius is writing advice to his monks and says that the Body of Christ will
“consume all your sinful <b><i>thorns </i></b>which grow in you… as soon as you
see the priest’s <b><i>hand stretched out</i></b> with the Holy Sacrament and <b><i>touching
your lips</i></b>… picture and believe with your whole soul that you <b><i>receive
it from the hand of Christ Himself</i></b>, Who stands invisibly and <b><i>places
it within your mouth</i></b>… (giving you) <b>life</b>” (pg
66). </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEht6al-irN22HKIqsjF5Skv-jkEl_iesUH1aZbPQDAtgH5FKolOpeOPBnD_xl8cOR6c_azpEgsKVLjbQKk5rrAR95-t3e0hFEQw37bDAFz-s0sht_w3PUNVFqehKUSp_QKzeTroj8mm_Fwm1JH3rdpQLjmWSpJjeJbe_1gfdyvB2IoNt-r24DKSNY5SJw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="580" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEht6al-irN22HKIqsjF5Skv-jkEl_iesUH1aZbPQDAtgH5FKolOpeOPBnD_xl8cOR6c_azpEgsKVLjbQKk5rrAR95-t3e0hFEQw37bDAFz-s0sht_w3PUNVFqehKUSp_QKzeTroj8mm_Fwm1JH3rdpQLjmWSpJjeJbe_1gfdyvB2IoNt-r24DKSNY5SJw=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">Image from </span><a href="http://www.orthodox.net/journal/2013-05-08+john2-18+what-sign-showest-thou-to-us.html" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">St. Nicholas Orthodox Church</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"> in McKinney, TX</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; margin: 20pt 0in 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What
exactly is the Science of Relations? </span></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It’s just a name for
something we all do anyway, if we have eyes to see and ears to hear. We notice
connections between things. And this is normal! We should notice the
connections because everything is connected! All of creation is organized by
God as one big WHOLE and all the sub-creators within it are a part of that
creation. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The term “Science of
Relations” is the name British educator Charlotte Mason gave to this
connection-making.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amblesideonline.org/cm-intro"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ambleside Online</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> explains: “</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">Charlotte
Mason defined education as a series of relationships formed by the learner as
he developed intimacy with a wide range of subjects - something she called
"The Science of Relations." </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p>A</o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> series of relationships
formed by the learner. That’s me - I’m the learner. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I read a fairy tale one day.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I listen to a <a href="https://www.theliterary.life/070/">podcast</a> or
take an online class to dig deeper and take special notice of some
images. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The next day I read from
the <i>Philokalia</i> and see the same images. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I relate the fairytale to
the Eucharist.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I write a blog post and in writing remember Jane Meyer’s book </span><a href="https://svspress.com/the-man-and-the-vine/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Man and the Vine</span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and how when the little
girl took communion, the “love filled her mouth”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ9YPk_NOfGLtvFtMO20wBX6AOff-6E73lbPzpemn2IIBt8YI_HSw02zwS_mhwsfuCgbUXMX4aQpR9YFy9eDKeu7mrNHRgHPBQBY4gwpCemKum2Gtaelnn8I2w24zMPJGIZVABwrXpTPKLOTobJTzmuUxHlF8NwsbSj8HGrzuzA0jJ3-JR3oeZB8udhg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="1085" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ9YPk_NOfGLtvFtMO20wBX6AOff-6E73lbPzpemn2IIBt8YI_HSw02zwS_mhwsfuCgbUXMX4aQpR9YFy9eDKeu7mrNHRgHPBQBY4gwpCemKum2Gtaelnn8I2w24zMPJGIZVABwrXpTPKLOTobJTzmuUxHlF8NwsbSj8HGrzuzA0jJ3-JR3oeZB8udhg=w640-h320" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All these connections add
meaning to what I read and think and <b>my understanding of the world and
reality grows.</b></span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The love of the Son of the King
touches my lips and I am saved from the sinful thorns of death and given life!</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Of course, I’ve been
talking about <i>me</i>, not just my children. As I heard at the end of </span><a href="https://thenewmasonjar.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The New Mason Jar</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> podcast, “children are born
persons, <b><i>and so are their moms</i></b>."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We all get a lifetime of education!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What about you? What delightful connections have you made recently? I would love to hear them!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-13435177510399033402022-01-15T18:00:00.004-08:002022-02-09T11:14:05.758-08:00Beautiful Free App from Eikona<p>One day after co-op, I stopped my children's Greek teacher in the parking lot as she was driving away.</p><p>She rolled her window down and smiled as I asked, "do you have sheet music for that song they are learning? I wanna practice it at home with them."</p><p>"Do you have the Eikona app? It's on there."</p><p>She drove away and I marveled. Stacy knows <i>everything.</i></p><p>I found it on the <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/eikona/id1528572816">apple App Store</a> and it's also on <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eikona.dailyhymns">Google Play</a>.</p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FD8kyBg-Yq0/Yd8P6vL3J3I/AAAAAAAACQw/oCo2s1g67dgS0NnefgPra5HVl9HbbHx3wCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="726" height="161" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FD8kyBg-Yq0/Yd8P6vL3J3I/AAAAAAAACQw/oCo2s1g67dgS0NnefgPra5HVl9HbbHx3wCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></i></div><i><br /></i>Now I have the Eikona app!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WBVdSpchkWo/Yd8PQFoihnI/AAAAAAAACQo/yLmBz9etF7go6m4hWTa894qvvNfdrRaJQCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WBVdSpchkWo/Yd8PQFoihnI/AAAAAAAACQo/yLmBz9etF7go6m4hWTa894qvvNfdrRaJQCNcBGAsYHQ/w355-h400/image.png" width="355" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The screen shot above explains that it provides Orthodox Daily Hymns, both audio and sheet music. And the voices of <a href="https://windycitygreekarchive.wordpress.com/2016/04/01/eikona-sisters-using-talents-god/amp/">these sisters</a> are so prayerful and beautiful.</p><p>I already knew about Eikona because I had purchased their <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FYSH23D/ref=sr_1_1?crid=X4R620EBTY05&keywords=eikona+app&qid=1642008628&sprefix=eikona+app%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-1">Great Parakelsis to the Mother of God</a> and listened to it many, many times. If you are going through a difficult struggle, you might find consolation in this Prayer Service. Eikona sings the words so they are easy to understand - not always true in Byzantine chant. And the words are balm, taking our human experiences, putting words to them, and offering the pain up to God.</p><p>But this post is about the app! I downloaded it and quickly swiped back to the appropriate day and found the hymn I was looking for. I printed the sheet music - which is in English - and added in the Greek words we were learning in co-op. </p><p>I am super thankful to see the music in English! I'm often searching for a piece of church music and can only find it in Greek or Slavonic, so this is a blessing.</p><p>How might you use this app?</p><p><b>DAILY MORNING PRAYERS - </b>before the song for each day, you can choose to listen to the Morning Prayers. </p><p>I know, I know. I have an ideal in my head of me and all my little flock standing together at the family icon corner with the candle lit, saying morning prayers together. And we did that for years. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0Mfyv-OACovVdVh9E9R9mlAWbfvYx1RD8fe5RsBgR_S58R9HgZxAprZte39Q80jJiZGP-JyoOgab4O7AoBfwE8cgCosPCItu5-BE6IoTQi4_Bhx0Vo7xtEfZGqEmFW-3taU9eb_ZSfGlKPFq45i0ZLFYPxoVZwR8tjtWaA-89YGzITNLzqNSM5Soo6g=s143" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="143" data-original-width="95" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0Mfyv-OACovVdVh9E9R9mlAWbfvYx1RD8fe5RsBgR_S58R9HgZxAprZte39Q80jJiZGP-JyoOgab4O7AoBfwE8cgCosPCItu5-BE6IoTQi4_Bhx0Vo7xtEfZGqEmFW-3taU9eb_ZSfGlKPFq45i0ZLFYPxoVZwR8tjtWaA-89YGzITNLzqNSM5Soo6g=w133-h200" width="133" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">We also spent a year doing morning prayers in the car on the way to school and work. We had one car and my husband dropped me off, then each kid at their school. We just couldn't get up any earlier to do them at home, so we did them in the car. This app could be helpful for someone who missed their prayers and home and still wants a sacred 10 minutes in the car on the way to work.</span></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Or if I were a nursing mom, and could hardly make it out of bed to the icon corner? I might use this app.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Let me tell you, this past week when I had Covid and could barely speak in the mornings, this app came to my rescue. I stood before the icon corner, pressed play, and prayed along silently (as much as I could) while Eikona led me in Morning Prayers. </span></div></div><p><b>LEARNING HYMNS</b></p><p>We often read the Prologue as part of our school. It would be nice to hear the troparion for one of the saints each day. </p><p>Also, if you are trying to learn your own saint's troparion - St. Monica for example - you could find help. Even if Eikona hasn't recorded St. Monica, they probably have sung a troparion to another saint in Tone 4 (Mode 4). At that point, I can just listen to the Tone 4 troparion over and over until it feels familiar, and then insert the words for the other saint. </p><p>We attend a Russian parish, and if you are looking for Russian melodies, this will not be a helpful resource for you. But don't worry - you can find these <a href="https://commons.orthodoxwiki.org/The_Modern_Russian_Eight_Tones">elsewhere</a>. </p><p>Of course, the hymns for the main Feasts are included!</p><p><b>SUNDAY SCHOOL or VBS/VCS</b></p><p>If you would like to teach your students a hymn, it would be very easy to let Eikona lead it for you instead of having to sing it yourself. Sure, many of us are in the choir and could lead the hymn for the little ones, but not everybody can pull that out of their back pocket. If your phone is hooked to a speaker, you could teacher quite a large group a hymn this way.</p><p>A little Sunday School class could begin every class with the same hymn for a semester or even a year. If the main teacher had to be away, a substitute could still lead the song using the app. Also, parents could use the app to reinforce the hymn at home.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D2g786Hjbmg/Yd8XtGBne0I/AAAAAAAACQ4/L55qkxFpSHAhjPn_7YpI_W9ibrz2iNU_QCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D2g786Hjbmg/Yd8XtGBne0I/AAAAAAAACQ4/L55qkxFpSHAhjPn_7YpI_W9ibrz2iNU_QCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="241" /></a></div><br />If you want to hear more from Eikona, the <a href="https://www.goarch.org/-/akathist-hymn-eikona">Akathist Hymn is available here</a>. You can purchase their many cds at the <a href="https://store.ancientfaith.com/the-eikona-collection/">Ancient Faith Store</a> or from Amazon or Apple Music.<p></p><p>I'm very thankful Stacey stopped her car in the parking lot that day and pointed me to this app!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-32153286611605568612021-12-30T17:13:00.000-08:002021-12-30T17:13:30.819-08:00Beautiful Prosphora<p>I still vividly remember the first time I attempted to make little Russian Prosphora loaves. When I handed the bag of finished bread to Fr. George, I said, "I was a little stressed out this past week."</p><p>He responded with a smile. "Well, that's obvious."</p><p>Truly, our inner state can show in our outer creations. Lord have mercy!</p><p>This past year, I visited a fellow Matushka to learn the mysteries of the little loaves. She surprised me when she pulled out some special stamps. How beautiful!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUKZYQd9BJ6fkxQlvCs_wrR0YLhpUKu4qeroNxHIWGlu8axFDDf5iSTX6uatjWVxxLVHNMUtaIMXMzMH_PBOtC5er219IBSLrY9qGlLAgPex3VNwFgFLEMF94P2nXE9iLBYm_rfVLQt_WdHzH-bp3vH--vS2nUuklnSDAEZeUeULUjF7ElshMR9UPUhw=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUKZYQd9BJ6fkxQlvCs_wrR0YLhpUKu4qeroNxHIWGlu8axFDDf5iSTX6uatjWVxxLVHNMUtaIMXMzMH_PBOtC5er219IBSLrY9qGlLAgPex3VNwFgFLEMF94P2nXE9iLBYm_rfVLQt_WdHzH-bp3vH--vS2nUuklnSDAEZeUeULUjF7ElshMR9UPUhw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The priest uses five loaves for each Divine Liturgy, and one of them is for the Theotokos. So on special feasts, she takes the time to make separate loaves with the image of the Theotokos.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYsJ2nFxZQpo4SOi__qTeyFu480e9Y9oE6lc9cb9bCikAeN4YEWYZXWdW-n6rKV9QYiKX_hE45poac4MD2JGOiZLheBgmThMj6JAd4NIKuAndFRjIxaKxHEfRT49G1dlf37yBDar4JjlXue1tviJOF9MfbtD2CAGpQ0AgGb3OsbvH9BHgaD6ubgUhPvA=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYsJ2nFxZQpo4SOi__qTeyFu480e9Y9oE6lc9cb9bCikAeN4YEWYZXWdW-n6rKV9QYiKX_hE45poac4MD2JGOiZLheBgmThMj6JAd4NIKuAndFRjIxaKxHEfRT49G1dlf37yBDar4JjlXue1tviJOF9MfbtD2CAGpQ0AgGb3OsbvH9BHgaD6ubgUhPvA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You see the three little deformed loaves below? That's what was leftover after rolling and cutting out the Holy Bread. She makes one wee loaf for each of her children. My children call these "testers" - to tell me if it turned out ok or not. "Mama, did you make a tester this time?"</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpARhTVI5JtcWgLj2GhV8dPR93Kzf7UCJamKf-75cjbj2P_Lfo4ci8utDArZEN_dF2aatOTcBbm4xvQWRgKgXwKLDZn9GGQd76p46KE0Juif2ocmgwuPdKAspy1VFarNTA3Mp673yv0iJl6Je9UQy-kcMFJYHZoGGzS5delyLZMtt-Nwf1aAnxdA3AXw=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpARhTVI5JtcWgLj2GhV8dPR93Kzf7UCJamKf-75cjbj2P_Lfo4ci8utDArZEN_dF2aatOTcBbm4xvQWRgKgXwKLDZn9GGQd76p46KE0Juif2ocmgwuPdKAspy1VFarNTA3Mp673yv0iJl6Je9UQy-kcMFJYHZoGGzS5delyLZMtt-Nwf1aAnxdA3AXw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p>The tops rise separately from the bottoms. It's not pictured, but they rise under a very wet dish towel. I was shocked at how wet!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim1aodTYJ5TLo3MH91Ncj99FSKJWTZ8aFH0eB0LyyHtkJzPNJTgYQOG74boAM5kdNoJCA2Jrvkmzbu9EKUCYgm0PuJvuWKJKk36DqaiJGSQcDWTjKIolaCON393CguRqdXItBeMJ7hWR3NAXY3Kk3649MJOK8QOTlKqn4U6fxzID0I2T_qG9DH8bBi5w=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim1aodTYJ5TLo3MH91Ncj99FSKJWTZ8aFH0eB0LyyHtkJzPNJTgYQOG74boAM5kdNoJCA2Jrvkmzbu9EKUCYgm0PuJvuWKJKk36DqaiJGSQcDWTjKIolaCON393CguRqdXItBeMJ7hWR3NAXY3Kk3649MJOK8QOTlKqn4U6fxzID0I2T_qG9DH8bBi5w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before placing the tops on, the bottoms get quite a water brushing. And then they really do have to sit for at least 10 minutes to glue together before baking. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4qqIeXFOXc_hHyk9FQacWZB4U94C_NFkQKTe5SCghNtORkhI_SK8940OIbeYhhBh-glq-z6k2S629rSjpcp9VWD2jW5UZnxYuu0T-AW-tDtopjs-kvbwAYnUe_r6mThaDFuGS_jmk3aPf-3ZPNospjIEuF3T7kNcuPCdkqrvbOOb8uG_Y_1f09QzBDg=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4qqIeXFOXc_hHyk9FQacWZB4U94C_NFkQKTe5SCghNtORkhI_SK8940OIbeYhhBh-glq-z6k2S629rSjpcp9VWD2jW5UZnxYuu0T-AW-tDtopjs-kvbwAYnUe_r6mThaDFuGS_jmk3aPf-3ZPNospjIEuF3T7kNcuPCdkqrvbOOb8uG_Y_1f09QzBDg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Ask me how I know... hahaha!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHLqpdFsv9u7yFFmLJS_oDTqRE5SDgasDZZyS2FmXAX5hh9rnEhGsKT5wekfK_xilta-2iktzBBJj7ditzWkezXBWPPg0GS4UvtAszrr4BjaEYBDo8hpStoBLXcN4FJDQtP_mGRLx1fl737E6XprtAZyiSmDuGbnE_bQZHg2wJeB56hKfS7N0eKWsCwQ=s1414" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1414" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHLqpdFsv9u7yFFmLJS_oDTqRE5SDgasDZZyS2FmXAX5hh9rnEhGsKT5wekfK_xilta-2iktzBBJj7ditzWkezXBWPPg0GS4UvtAszrr4BjaEYBDo8hpStoBLXcN4FJDQtP_mGRLx1fl737E6XprtAZyiSmDuGbnE_bQZHg2wJeB56hKfS7N0eKWsCwQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am beginning to learn that I better not try to make prosphora if I'm stressed out. And more importantly, that I need to ask for God's help as I'm going. And really mean it!</div><br /><p></p>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-4779059166236818172021-12-15T08:55:00.003-08:002021-12-15T09:12:06.471-08:00Nativity Fast Season Traditions<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gza8gqVuAxw/YbogM3ZkRTI/AAAAAAAACOk/O5qGB8BzMdMbVQ7hMsRnjklFvROjRFzbgCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gza8gqVuAxw/YbogM3ZkRTI/AAAAAAAACOk/O5qGB8BzMdMbVQ7hMsRnjklFvROjRFzbgCNcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/image.png" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Nicholas Parish</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />When my husband was growing up in Michigan, they had pizza and a movie every Friday night. We've shifted it to Sunday night for our family and I get cries of "heresy!" if I ever suggest that we finish up the leftovers in the fridge instead of make pizza.</div><div>I usually use Auntie Leila's pizza dough <a href="http://likemotherlikedaughter.org/2014/09/auntie-leila-makes-pizza-in-photos-part-1/">(part 1 tutorial)</a> and <a href="http://likemotherlikedaughter.org/2014/09/auntie-leila-makes-pizza-in-photos-part-ii/">(part 2 tutorial)</a> because the concept of using a foundation of a recipe and not measuring suits my personality. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We change up the toppings every week. The kids are just as pleased if I buy frozen pizzas on sale at the grocery store, which is good for busy Sundays! </div><div><br /></div><div><i>But during the fasts?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div><div>During the fasts, we keep up our Pizza and Movie tradition. We use <a href="https://ca.daiyafoods.com/our-foods/shreds/" target="_blank">Daiya Shreds</a> and add extra olive oil to the crust and shrug our shoulders and say, <i>good enough</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5D-W221j1lU/YboREbCl7eI/AAAAAAAACNE/4osJe-uC27s-en_i1WPzXESFQQMOykDaACNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="2560" height="94" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5D-W221j1lU/YboREbCl7eI/AAAAAAAACNE/4osJe-uC27s-en_i1WPzXESFQQMOykDaACNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>During the fasts, we also try to shift our movie choices to something more spiritually minded - though we don't always succeed! </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few we've enjoyed:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0851577/">Ostrov (The Island)</a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EHVoSc3uLpI/YboSHNL0KMI/AAAAAAAACNM/Uc9Y60N7adMRLWIKImvgU_VTP1M3Wk0DACNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EHVoSc3uLpI/YboSHNL0KMI/AAAAAAAACNM/Uc9Y60N7adMRLWIKImvgU_VTP1M3Wk0DACNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5apoJAsImg">The Brethren: The Documentary About the World's Northernmost Monastery</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VaChgKe8V1s/YboS0Uut-wI/AAAAAAAACNU/2WIKuNx0vaYbj1wF4mfMgyrjkXCVpuTXACNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VaChgKe8V1s/YboS0Uut-wI/AAAAAAAACNU/2WIKuNx0vaYbj1wF4mfMgyrjkXCVpuTXACNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I realize I definitely have older kids now, because both of those films are in Russian with English subtitles. In fact, this year the 14 yo said, "Now I finally get it. I was always too young to keep up with the subtitles when we watched it when I was little." </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_of_the_Guardians">Rise of the Guardians</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zHs1rAlERXQ/YboTTbJ2k4I/AAAAAAAACNc/rBnsTjSbRl8rI39xG63-Tgpg8i5g8T2PQCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="220" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zHs1rAlERXQ/YboTTbJ2k4I/AAAAAAAACNc/rBnsTjSbRl8rI39xG63-Tgpg8i5g8T2PQCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="155" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL1m6WatMRY">The Nutcracker Ballet</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sV0_DzbETbg/YboUPJAX35I/AAAAAAAACNk/elluJ2Ze97EPunB5oh79gpUeEdkiCUsLgCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1905" data-original-width="2400" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sV0_DzbETbg/YboUPJAX35I/AAAAAAAACNk/elluJ2Ze97EPunB5oh79gpUeEdkiCUsLgCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="302" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mikhail Baryshnikov flies!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047673/">White Christmas</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JuPnWCW6TdY/YboUkMQPYMI/AAAAAAAACNs/dV0B-DyO2-ohNR_VBHDKg_G4yCTL5cNigCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="182" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JuPnWCW6TdY/YboUkMQPYMI/AAAAAAAACNs/dV0B-DyO2-ohNR_VBHDKg_G4yCTL5cNigCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="158" /></a></div><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Happened-5th-Avenue-Everett-Freeman/dp/B001CW7ZZI/ref=asc_df_B001CW7ZZI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312230736656&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9384257283150313175&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9025466&hvtargid=pla-557045995892&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=58898436941&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312230736656&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9384257283150313175&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9025466&hvtargid=pla-557045995892">It Happened on 5th Avenue</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yQhl0jQmpTg/YboVnCc6vzI/AAAAAAAACN0/TKOAhLIVLTIPCR3E8b5zn0G5HW10neQeQCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="353" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yQhl0jQmpTg/YboVnCc6vzI/AAAAAAAACN0/TKOAhLIVLTIPCR3E8b5zn0G5HW10neQeQCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="169" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Of course, there are also <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Real-St-Nicholas-Generosity-around/dp/0835608131/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=The+Real+St.+Nicholas&qid=1639585387&s=books&sr=1-4">stories to read </a>and poems to write and crafts to create for St. Nicholas - our parish often has a <a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2009/12/preparing-for-st-nicholas-day_03.html">Creative Arts Festival for St. Nicholas Day.</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LGzq3A3Hwdk/YbobNBeaooI/AAAAAAAACOE/d-fi7Mqi_3shMqF1KRxK38EAeVSwKNuhACNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" height="213" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LGzq3A3Hwdk/YbobNBeaooI/AAAAAAAACOE/d-fi7Mqi_3shMqF1KRxK38EAeVSwKNuhACNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And cookies to bake for <a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2009/12/remembering-st-herman.html">St. Herman's Day</a> and buns for St. Lucia.</div><div><br /></div><div>And liturgies and <a href="http://ww1.antiochian.org/sites/default/files/advent_paraklesis.pdf">Nativity Paraklesis</a> (really quite a beautiful service!) to attend.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Papa-Panovs-Special-Day-Christmas/dp/0745979831/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=papa+panov%27s+special+day&qid=1639585768&sr=8-7">great</a> books <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Miracle-Jonathan-Toomey/dp/0763678228/ref=pd_sbs_6/141-0627872-9093166?pd_rd_w=lggEy&pf_rd_p=690958f6-2825-419e-9c16-73ffd4055b65&pf_rd_r=EGACSY9Y7HWXQRVKA952&pd_rd_r=1d06bd9c-656e-4cac-bddc-d0b043e3828e&pd_rd_wg=UHhEI&pd_rd_i=0763678228&psc=1">to savor</a>.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vIXW9YGMP_Y/YboYByNPW7I/AAAAAAAACN8/0RQJ8H1FYOk6uxH3iejTBqdnimuPVkedwCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="384" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vIXW9YGMP_Y/YboYByNPW7I/AAAAAAAACN8/0RQJ8H1FYOk6uxH3iejTBqdnimuPVkedwCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="185" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also learned <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhXReeCLQQs">"O Pure Virgin"</a> by St. Nektarios this year for the Entrance of the Theotokos in the Temple and the Conception of the Theotokos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q91j77lxPpY/YbohuHEaODI/AAAAAAAACOs/JZj4mUVK5a0yO47UfRJv8NARjrnso6ISACNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="472" height="231" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q91j77lxPpY/YbohuHEaODI/AAAAAAAACOs/JZj4mUVK5a0yO47UfRJv8NARjrnso6ISACNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the music! We often have <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR0cEOTpYSk">Handel's Messiah</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkLG--Id-OG0zCRFBJ9NeJ78EMLRUvpn3">Nativity music</a> or even <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaa3YkThO1y4OwaXUX-tQoUd8PkBSfmYk">Medieval Advent</a> music (curated by Richard Rohlin from <a href="https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/amonsul">Amon Sul</a>) playing in the background. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the Feast, we try to enjoy Twelve Days of Christmas with lots of Hot Chocolate, a little Ice Skating, and few campfires in the backyard. And don't forget New Year's Eve at Church for <a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/search?q=vasilopita">St. Basil</a> and the Circumcision of the Lord. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NW6exj8rMsE/YbocODhk8LI/AAAAAAAACOM/y36HJuZTN842oI_B502nhPFQqmd2NniRQCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NW6exj8rMsE/YbocODhk8LI/AAAAAAAACOM/y36HJuZTN842oI_B502nhPFQqmd2NniRQCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-35504834848746183772021-07-22T14:27:00.000-07:002021-07-22T14:27:05.622-07:00Green Tomato Chutney<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Outside, the tomato plants are suffering in the Louisiana summer. Leaves hang droopy and the flowers have quit turning into fruit at a time when other parts of the country are probably pulling in quite a harvest. I look at them with a little dismay, but not much. Actually, I smile, knowing from experience that they often come back once the heat dies down. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last fall, m</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">y three cherry tomato plants woke up in October and started producing again, masses and masses of tiny yellow flowers everywhere. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">They had been so prolific that I had started making ripe tomato salads again in November!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first week of December, we had our first warning of frost, with temperatures expected to dip down to 27 degrees. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Usually, this merely means carrying in the begonias and basil for an overnight stay, but this year was not usual. W</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">ith the frost approaching I counted hundreds of green tomatoes and wondered if I could save them somehow. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_Jh-EpFyZk/YPnfPY9NuzI/AAAAAAAACJs/Slv-F5I6cRQRarlew8ekU9SRIVca94LnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5874.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_Jh-EpFyZk/YPnfPY9NuzI/AAAAAAAACJs/Slv-F5I6cRQRarlew8ekU9SRIVca94LnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5874.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p>Auntie Leila’s <a href="http://likemotherlikedaughter.org/2015/10/green-tomato-chutney/">Green Tomato Chutney recipe from her blog “Like Mother, Like Daughter”</a> popped into my mind. Without delay I printed the recipe, noted which ingredients I had and which I needed, ran to Wal-mart for some more canning jars and vinegar, and enlisted my 8 year old to help me pick all those little tomatoes. For wages, I allowed him to pitch fast balls from the split or rotten tomatoes. Perhaps there was more baseball than harvesting going on, but I would have struggled to finish without him, squatting up and down, up and down in the sun.</span><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_uk8nMxWYs/YPnfTbLyt3I/AAAAAAAACJw/N8cw0zncBPoqjFTtNQX4mF3qc8y3vj41QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5877.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_uk8nMxWYs/YPnfTbLyt3I/AAAAAAAACJw/N8cw0zncBPoqjFTtNQX4mF3qc8y3vj41QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5877.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">The harvest yielded about 18 cups of fruit, sitting happily on the kitchen counter and looking more like a crop of green grapes. The slightest smile smirked my lips as I washed my hands. My eyebrows lifted in satisfaction as I scanned over the recipe one last time. Turning off the kitchen light, I glanced once more at my beautiful harvest, left them on the counter next to the recipe, and went to sleep assuming that I could knock out the chutney in the morning. Naïve optimism: that’s my personality. </span></p><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5c1873bf-7fff-bb3e-d49e-4d6fe87357a4"><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t consider the reality of washing all those cute little ovals. Cute, yes. Efficient to maneuver, no. All those slippery little green tomatoes had to be held in place on the cutting board by someone’s hands. All that fruit had to be quartered by a knife sticky with juice in someone’s sticky hands. Stretching my fingers, I looked at the oven clock and frowned. It was the time I thought I’d be finished, but instead I was just getting the ingredients into the pot.</span></p><div><span><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-phfSPq4mEVI/YPnfbrXGeAI/AAAAAAAACJ8/NcTPsg9N-1EBHusT9TpbTGwvIQWWyrzoACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5883.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-phfSPq4mEVI/YPnfbrXGeAI/AAAAAAAACJ8/NcTPsg9N-1EBHusT9TpbTGwvIQWWyrzoACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5883.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The pot proved to be a perfect incarnation of my stubbornness. I was about half way down the list of ingredients… honey, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, apples… when I realized that the ingredients were taking up more than half of my yellow enamel dutch oven. The only bigger pot that I own - my big stock pot - was already simmering a bath of glass canning jars. The jars needed to be recently sanitized to prevent spoiling and also needed to be hot coming out of the water in order to receive the hot chutney, less the shocking change in temperature cause any cracking. So I couldn’t use the stock pot to also cook the chutney. With a sigh and a glance at the clock, I determined </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to split the recipe in half and cook two batches, doubling the remaining time. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Part of my personality is that I don’t require 98% certainty that something will work before I try it. I don’t even require 75% certainty. I may look like an average homeschooling teacher on the outside, but on the inside I’m hanging loose with the most chilled out Hawaiians. If there’s a 25% chance it might work, I say, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">let’s go for it! </span></p><div><span><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KoMLDbQMJwc/YPnfYpLd9pI/AAAAAAAACJ4/UJjPsvOJBQwOFXAUpD1cqwvW0tHL65_tQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5884.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KoMLDbQMJwc/YPnfYpLd9pI/AAAAAAAACJ4/UJjPsvOJBQwOFXAUpD1cqwvW0tHL65_tQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5884.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, I kept piling the ingredients into the yellow dutch oven, repeating in my head, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">they will cook down… they will cook down.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Finally, with a slightly mounded hill of ingredients that only barely rose above the top of the pot, I added the spices and turned on the burner. Reaching back to the counter I grabbed the recipe to see how hot and how long, considering that other people, less adventurous people, might have looked at this information before turning on the flame. The recipe said to get it up to a boil and then turn it down to simmer. I sighed, staring at the bulging mound of raw ingredients. No way could I bring that up to boil until after it had cooked down a little. I turned the flame down to low, and exhaled a deep huff as I noted the digital numbers on the oven clock and set the timer for thirty minutes. </span></p><div><span><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6pifsfNJ3s/YPnfcc89t_I/AAAAAAAACKA/a5z5DStO2kQs53wcD86PprkBfKmztgUgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5886.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6pifsfNJ3s/YPnfcc89t_I/AAAAAAAACKA/a5z5DStO2kQs53wcD86PprkBfKmztgUgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5886.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two hours later the mixture, never having actually boiled or simmered, had settled below the yellow rim of my dutch oven, at least a good ¼ inch from the top. I nodded my head in victory, for this was progress, but since I had to leave for work, I turned it down even lower and asked my daughter to keep an eye on it. When I came home three hours later, the chutney mixture was closer to ½ an inch below the top. Now, this type of situation is where my bravery thrives. I would not walk into a haunted house, nor would I ride a roller coaster, but with the steely determination of Beowulf, I approached the stove.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“My heart is firm,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My hands calm: I need no hot</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Words. Wait for me close by, my friends.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then Beowulf rose, still brave, still strong,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And with his shield at his side, and a mail shirt on his breast, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Strode calmly, confidently, toward the tower, under</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rocky cliffs: no coward could have walked there!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Despite the narrow margin of success in not bubbling my mixture up over the pot, I turned up the flame to high. If I didn’t get this chutney boiling and reduced quickly, I would be up until midnight. I don’t know about Beowulf, but I am worthless the next day if I stay up until midnight in the middle of the week.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, after being washed, chopped up, soaked in a hot tub, and then boiled down in spices, those cheerful little green ovals turned into a dark rich orange relish. The satisfaction of pouring the thick fragrant mixture into the cans was only topped by the satisfaction of hearing the metal tops pop when I removed the cans from the water bath. The pop means the seal worked and the chutney would stay preserved until opened. The recipe says that this chutney adds zing if you have found that you made a bland meal. Auntie Leila’s family passed it around with a ham dinner, which brought just the right little touch of spirit to the meal.</span></p><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bav9pvSw2E8/YPnfeJkKk7I/AAAAAAAACKE/Zjd6AOJmAfUE0oAwRS97ogvqF5TfXFgewCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5889.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bav9pvSw2E8/YPnfeJkKk7I/AAAAAAAACKE/Zjd6AOJmAfUE0oAwRS97ogvqF5TfXFgewCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5889.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The whole process, from vines to canning jars, brought just a little touch of Spirit to my thoughts. </span></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I picked the tomatoes, saving them from frozen death, I wondered how God plucks me from similar situations. I’m sure I often resent such a harvest, having no clue why God, in his infinite knowledge, is saving me from my comfortable situation. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I swished the little green tomatoes around in the sink, the words of Psalm 50 reminded me, “wash me, O Lord, and I will be clean.” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I sliced through the tiny tomatoes with my serrated knife, I considered how we little humans often need a painful surgery, cut open for the enlargement of our hearts. One of the prayers in the Canon of St. Paraskevi reads, “wound my soul with a longing for God.” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s all well and fine for me to know, standing in my kitchen, that the cutting and boiling down will eventually transform those tomatoes from something sour into a special delight. However, it is much harder to submit when God works the process of transformation in my life. This prayer from the same canon reminds me that I am not alone in the boiling sea of life.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The transformation of the afflicted and the relief of those in sickness art thou in truth, O Virgin Theotokos; save thy people and thy flock, thou who art the peace of the embattled and who art the calm of the storm-driven, then only protectress of those who believe. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After the storm of kitchen activity was over around 10:30 that night, I examined the finished jars of dark, jewel-colored chutney, ready to bring zing and spirit to future meals. Now, as I think back on that massive but successful undertaking, I pray that when I am in danger of dying, and God plucks me from my seemingly comfortable surroundings to save me and transform me, I would not fight against Him. I pray I can walk bravely like Beowulf into the unknown future. I hope I can remember that my own efforts don’t have </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">even</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a 25% chance of success. However, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> can make me into something filled with the Spirit. Something even with a little zing! </span></p><br /><br /><br /></span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-73312043006613218172020-05-23T13:11:00.002-07:002020-05-23T13:11:34.458-07:00St. MonicaEver wondered about the life of St. Monica? Fr. John Whiteford not only does a nice job sharing her life but also encourages us how to model our lives after hers.<br />
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Happy listening <a href="http://here./">here.</a> (it's about 20 minutes)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="St. Monica of Africa Icon - beautiful!" src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/77/25/cf/7725cf7ab750e5eba4759f0e0d9a3294.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.easterngiftshop.com/Item/IcSMonica">https://www.easterngiftshop.com/Item/IcSMonica</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-61071677442511037622020-04-27T10:39:00.001-07:002020-04-27T10:41:36.416-07:00Calling All Makers: A Garden of Beautiful Free Resources<br />
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<img alt="Pansies violets flowers Stock Photos, Royalty Free Pansies violets ..." height="173" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcRM06e8Mxsqp2BEp7pYqean0iGlUJtthzmReWr5ahGKwLnQaZXL&usqp=CAU" width="320" /></div>
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I live on a street with a fair number of retired couples who like to garden. These faithful tenders have spent time planting, weeding, pruning, and watering; consequently, purple petunias, yellow pansies, and pink roses greet me when I walk around my neighborhood.<br />
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Unexpectedly, I'm also encountering a springtime of arts on my computer screen, with beautiful and free material blossoming from well-nurtured places!<br />
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With my home full of makers (artists, poets, sword-fighters, and writers) I have particularly appreciated these talks about our role as creators. Perhaps you will find one to nourish your soul or inspire your own art!<br />
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Heidi White gives a humble and inspiring talk: <a href="https://youtu.be/wsxbdikc7oc">"Finding our Place in the Larger Story"</a> from the Redeeming our Imagination conference for artists. After I watched it, I decided to share it with my children, and my teens appreciated it too. Afterwards one said, "I just got inspired on how to start my next science fiction!" and the other admitted, "I feel like I need to put more effort into my drawings." My littlest guy (8 yo) spent most of the talk wiggling around on the floor, so maybe he is a little young to appreciate it, but he did note the references to patterns that repeat across stories, and shared a connection between Zaine in his Lego Ninjago book and Martin the warrior mouse from the Redwall book <i>Legends of Luke. </i><br />
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S.D. Smith, author of our beloved <a href="https://sdsmith.com/book/the-green-ember/">Green Ember</a> series, shares this talk: <a href="https://www.imaginationredeemed.com/2020-sessions/2020/4/18/finding-ourselves-in-the-larger-story-formation-and-healing-through-narrative-6ahp2">"Tolkien Can't Write Like Me"</a> from the same conference. I haven't listened yet, but the title reminds me of his Q&A from the Hope*Writers workshop that I listened to a few weeks ago. Like Heidi, he emphasizes the need for humility and writing as a servant, out of love for the readers, as opposed to writing to be awesome. I look forward to watching this later.<br />
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The next two talks are from Dn. Nicholas Kotar, author of the epic fantasy <a href="https://nicholaskotar.com/book/song-of-sirin/">Raven Son</a> series. My older teen and I really liked this series that has been described as "Lord of the Rings meets 1984." Ha! The first talk is a zoom meeting sponsored by St. Raphael School and Ancient Faith Ministries. You can register join this meeting on May 4: <a href="https://raphaelschool.org/ancient-faith-speaker-series/">"Don't Just Look for Good Culture: Go Make It!"</a> His talk at the Doxamoot last year (which I heard on <a href="https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/amonsul/020_why_becoming_a_storyteller_may_be_the_most_important_thing_you_do_in_li">Amon Sul</a>)<span style="font-family: inherit;"> motivated me to write a short story, and I am curious to see what he will share about <span style="background-color: white;">Russian writer and philosopher Ivan Ilyin in this talk. The other interview with Dn. Nicholas Kotar looks like it will share many of the same ideas: <a href="https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/goodguys/the_vocation_of_sub_creator_with_dn_nicholas_kotar">"The Vocation of the Sub-creator"</a> from the podcast Good Guys Wear Black.</span></span><br />
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These are the opportunities that have just sprung up this past week, but beautiful art is everywhere.<br />
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Have you tried the first opera in Wagner's Ring Series that inspired the "one ring to rule them all?" The Met Opera has a free one week trial. <a href="https://www.metopera.org/Season/On-Demand/opera/?upc=811357012963">Das Reingold</a> is mostly family-friendly and offers amazing set design and beautiful music. The children immediately picked up on the Lord of the Rings connections. I had never seen an opera before - what a great introduction for a Tolkien fan! I do recommend reading a <a href="https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_Rheingold">summary of the scenes</a> before watching. Operas are long! Depending on the ages of your audience, it might take you several days to watch one.<br />
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The entertaining and enlightening The Literary Life Podcast recently discussed <a href="https://www.theliterary.life/042/">Reading in a Time of Crisis</a> and offers a free <a href="https://cindyrollins.net/product/the-handbook-of-morning-time/?fbclid=IwAR3z7M14EAYQnYfzYuL40Wl2lgKmnXu7ZH9OjuyoG8uT_dF7QUm3rtEiUnE">Handbook for Morning Time</a> as well as an intriguing upcoming line-up of plays, novels, essays, etc.<br />
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On May 1, you can watch a ballet of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/royaloperahouse/?__tn__=%2CdkCH-R-R&eid=ARBxWSOZC-ipHlLkItjwA3NF3IjMOdPG-DxHq3EdUCM9fsS9wmGmJr5Jw1HqIVtyFpapJFCDNQ-y_gga&hc_ref=ARQBmBKL5V0ALmmcae_eOhgzlTDOrIUeD4Xfa49HNXR-S2xmIMqHAPUX-E-JjyFzhP0&fref=nf&hc_location=group">Shakespeare's The Tempest</a> on the Royal Opera House facebook page. You'll need to check to see what time 7:00 pm BST is for you! I highly recommend the <a href="https://online.hillsdale.edu/#home">free Shakespeare online course</a> from Hillsdale College, with one of my favorite instructors, Stephen Smith, discussing Hamlet and The Tempest.<br />
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For older viewers, The Royal National Theatre is making <a href="https://www.theatermania.com/london-theater/news/benedict-cumberbatch-jonny-lee-miller-frankenstein_90924.html?fbclid=IwAR2TrxTMOpU2qopWPkuhLQXls63HlMMsrKx0_bPEHP6-SI8dF_AfOTbd05c">both version of Frankenstein</a> available for one week on youtube, April 30- May 6. Having the two actors playing Frankenstein and the monster switching roles on different nights really highlights the question: who is the real monster? Radio Read Along offers a <a href="https://www.centerforlit.com/radio-read-along">well-done a free audio read-aloud</a>.<br />
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Finally, I'll end with a tie-in back to Heidi White's talk. She mentions the role <i><a href="https://shows.acast.com/close-reads">Anne of Green Gables</a></i> played in her formation as a child. Hosts Heidi, David, and Tim discuss this novel on the Close Reads Podcast.<br />
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I know that I haven't even touched the surface of what is available. Perhaps our little tour of this spring's online art garden will inspire you to find and share other opportunities!<br />
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<br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-30420421891443354422020-04-11T20:02:00.000-07:002020-04-13T09:23:32.923-07:00Holy Week 2020 Quarantine ActivitiesIn addition to praying and streaming church services, you might like to consider some of these options:<br />
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scripture readings<br />
crafts/coloring pages for the young or young at heart<br />
memory verses<br />
links to listen to hymns<br />
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Although I got the idea from <a href="http://thedomesticnotebook.blogspot.com/2010/03/holy-week-calendar.html">here</a>, I arranged it for Orthodox Christian homes using our Church’s Scripture readings and hymns, with the help of the following sources: <a href="http://lent.goarch.org/#">http://lent.goarch.org/#</a> ; <a href="http://illumination-learning.com/main/project/holy-week/">http://illumination-learning.com/main/project/holy-week/</a> ~Shamassy Monica Olsen<br />
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<b>PALM SUNDAY</b><br />
TOPIC: The Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem<br />
READING: Mark 11:1-11 (Entrance w/ palms) and in the evening at Bridegroom Matins Matthew 21:18-22<br />
(cursing of the fig tree – good explanation of this <a href="https://www.goarch.org/bridegroom">here</a>)<br />
CRAFT: construction paper palm leaves<br />
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MEMORY VERSE: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" Mark 11:9<br />
HYMN: Troparion of Saturday of St. Lazarus, Orthros. Tone 1<br />
O Christ God, when Thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, before Thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection. Wherefore, we, like babes, carry the insignia of triumph and victory, and cry to Thee, O vanquisher of death, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord (You should hear this one Sunday morning and can listen here)<br />
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<b>HOLY MONDAY</b><br />
TOPIC: Bridegroom Matins – Parable of the Ten Virgins<br />
READING: Matthew 25:1-13 (Parable of the Ten Virgins) and Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of the Talents)<br />
CRAFT: Coloring page of <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AvVhRc8wa1g/SeNzWDOkHaI/AAAAAAAABmM/o991WgdV2q8/s320/holythursday.jpg">Christ the Bridegroom</a>; Glue 5 yellow birthday candles onto oil vessels in the Coloring Page of <a href="http://www.biblekids.eu/new_testament/Ten_%20Virgins/Ten_%20Virgins_coloring/Ten_%20Virgins_11.jpg">Parable of the Ten Virgins</a><br />
MEMORY VERSE: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”<br />
HYMNS: Troparion “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh in the middle of the night, and blessed is that servant whom He shall find watching; and again unworthy is he whom He shall find heedless. Beware, therefore, O my soul, lest thou be overcome with sleep, lest thou be given up to death, and be shut out from the Kingdom. But rouse thyself and cry: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God, through the Mother of God, have mercy on us.”<br />
Listen to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWkVbyKYJS8">Father Apostolos Hill</a><br />
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<b>HOLY TUESDAY</b><br />
TOPIC: Forgiveness of the Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus’ Feet<br />
READING: Luke 7:36-49<br />
CRAFT: Printed coloring page of <a href="https://sermons4kids.com/jesus-forgives-colorpg.htm">Woman Anointing Jesus</a><br />
Printed <a href="http://www.benscoloringpages.com/coloringpages/bottle.php">“Perfume for Jesus” jar</a> - Either color it or glue colored paper to the jar<br />
MEMORY VERSE: "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.”<br />
HYMN: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHIqvNngR2c&index=7&list=PL80B3E2633D573FB7">Hymn of Kassiani</a><br />
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O Lord God, the woman who had fallen into many sins, having perceived Thy divinity received the rank of ointment- bearer, offering Thee spices before Thy burial wailing and crying: "Woe is me, for the love of adultery and sin hath given me a dark and lightless night; accept the fountains of my tears O Thou Who drawest the waters of the sea by the clouds incline Thou to the sigh of my heart O Thou Who didst bend the heavens by Thine inapprehensible condescension; I will kiss Thy pure feet and I will wipe them with my tresses. I will kiss Thy feet Whose tread when it fell on the ears of Eve in Paradise dismayed her so that she did hide herself because of fear. Who then shall examine the multitude of my sin and the depth of Thy judgment? Wherefore, O my Saviour and the Deliverer of my soul turn not away from Thy handmaiden O Thou of boundless mercy."<br />
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<b>HOLY WEDNESDAY</b><br />
TOPIC: Holy Unction<br />
READING: James 5:14-16<br />
CRAFT: Trace child’s hand (optional also cut out face shape); use paint brush dipped in oil, paint, or water to paint crosses on the hands where we would be anointed for Holy Unction.<br />
MEMORY VERSE: Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.<br />
HYMN: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for each other.”<br />
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<b>HOLY THURSDAY</b><br />
TOPIC: Mystical Supper<br />
READING: Matthew 26:26-28 (Mystical Supper) and John 13:2-13 (Washing of Feet) and Matthew 26:36-46 (Garden of Gethsemane) and Matthew 26:47-56 (Judas’ Betrayal)<br />
CRAFT: Print and cut out <a href="http://dce.oca.org/resources/tag/ecclesiastical-items/">a chalice</a>. Little ones might like to break saltine crackers into pieces and glue in chalice. You could also glue coins onto brown construction paper bag.<br />
MEMORY VERSE: "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me, yet not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42<br />
HYMN: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvmXJIAoxeM">Troparion of the Mystical Supper</a><br />
Receive me today, O Son of God,<br />
as a partaker of Your Mystical Supper:<br />
for I will not betray Your Mysteries to Your enemies<br />
or give You a kiss as did Judas,<br />
but as the thief I confess You:<br />
Remember me, O Lord, in Your Kingdom<br />
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<b>HOLY FRIDAY</b><br />
TOPIC: The Cross, Christ’s Death and Burial<br />
READING: Matthew 27:32-44 (Crucifixion) and Matthew 27:45-56 (His Death) and Matthew 27:57-61 (His Burial)<br />
CRAFT: print a <a href="https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&authuser=0&tbm=isch&sxsrf=ALeKk03YLzny6JaOdBabOQZAEOheGtuu8w%3A1586658484258&source=hp&biw=1070&bih=478&ei=tHySXof4DM7cswX1taaYBA&q=orthodox+cross+coloring+pgae&oq=orthodox+cross+coloring+pgae&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoECCMQJzoCCAA6BQgAEIMBOgYIABAFEB46BggAEAgQHjoECAAQGDoECAAQHkozCBcSLzBnMzgwZzM5MWcyMDhnMGcyODNnMjIzZzEzNmcxMDdnMTA1ZzEwOGcxMTBnMTExSh0IGBIZMGcxZzFnMWcwZzFnMWcxZzFnMWc1ZzVnOVC_SVjAZWCMaGgBcAB4AYAB-QKIAb8dkgEIMTcuNi4yLjOYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZw&sclient=img&ved=0ahUKEwiHotO66-HoAhVO7qwKHfWaCUMQ4dUDCAc&uact=5#imgrc=FQfDa8gRLGYzGM">color a cross</a>; vinegar on a cotton swab (smell/taste it); flowers for <a href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6c/a6/81/6ca681a957ca12e6fa8ddfcb28979812.gif">the tomb</a><br />
MEMORY VERSE: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34<br />
HYMN: 15th Antiphon, Plagal of the Second Tone “Today is suspended on a tree He who suspended the land upon the water.” <a href="https://soundcloud.com/goarch/fifteenth-antiphon?in=goarch/sets/great-and-holy-week-thursday-twelve-gospels-service">Listen</a><br />
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<b>HOLY SATURDAY</b><br />
TOPIC: Victory over Hades<br />
READING: Mark 15:42-47 and Luke 23:50-56<br />
CRAFT: Arrange & glue bay leaves and rose petals on a page. (like what the priest throws in the air during the Liturgy Saturday morning). See ideas below if you want to assemble your Pascha Basket today.<br />
MEMORY VERSE: "(Christ) gave Himself as a ransom to death in which we were held captive, sold under sin. Descending into Hades through the Cross ... He loosed the bonds of death" (Liturgy of St. Basil).<br />
HYMN: "Arise, O God, and judge Thou the earth: for Thou shall take all heathen to Thine inheritance". <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXtNYDt4RKk">Listen</a><br />
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Other optional hymn for older children, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sbo7BT9iOY">9th Ode from Canon</a> (a conversation between our Lord Jesus and His Holy Mother, getting close to Pascha with all that talk of rising!):<br />
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"Weep not for me, O Mother, beholding in the sepulcher the Son whom thou hast conceived without seed in thy womb. For I shall rise and shall be glorified, and as God I shall exalt in everlasting glory those who magnify thee with faith and love."<br />
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"O Son without beginning, in ways surpassing nature was I blessed at Thy strange birth, for I was spared all travail. But now beholding Thee, my God, a lifeless corpse, I am pierced by the sword of bitter sorrow. But arise, that I may be magnified."<br />
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"By mine own will the earth covers me, O Mother, but the gatekeepers of hell tremble as they see me, clothed in the bloodstained garment of vengeance: for on the Cross as God have I struck down mine enemies, and I shall rise again and magnify thee."<br />
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"Let the creation rejoice exceedingly, let all those born on earth be glad: for hell, the enemy, has been despoiled. Ye women, come to meet me with sweet spices: for I am delivering Adam and Eve with all their offspring, and on the third day I shall rise again."<br />
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<b>PASCHA</b><br />
TOPIC: Resurrection of Christ!<br />
READING: Luke 24:1-12<br />
CRAFT: Dye red eggs; make <a href="http://www.christiancrafters.com/treat_resurrection_cookies.html">Resurrection Cookies</a>; assemble your Family Pascha Basket:<br />
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What goes into a Pascha basket? Nichola T. Kraus has written <a href="http://www.theologic.com/oflweb/lentpask/basket.htm">an informative article about what goes in</a> their baskets, and what each thing symbolizes. <a href="http://www.orthodox.net/pascha/paschabasket.html">This explanation</a> from "Children of the Church" posted by St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Texas reminds us that, "...each of the foods in the Pascha basket have rich meaning, as does everything in Orthodoxy. Glory to God!" If you would like to print something with pictures to use in teaching your children, you might like <a href="http://www.carpatho-rusyn.org/easter.htm">this one that the kids might color.</a><br />
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<a href="https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=AwrE1.ArgpJeWtwA4PxXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyYjVvbnRjBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjk1NjBfMQRzZWMDc2M-?p=coloring+page+pysanky+eggs&fr=mcafee">Pysanki eggs</a> & also <a href="https://ukrainianeggcessories.com/pages/pysanky-activity-sheets-printables">Ukrainian coloring possibilities</a><br />
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MEMORY VERSE: "He is not here; he has risen!" Luke 24:6<br />
HYMN: Pascha Troparion - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vofvMRYCg_c">Listen to many different languages</a>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-11022893103883898582020-04-01T12:57:00.000-07:002020-04-11T07:01:35.932-07:00Lazarus Saturday<br />
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As the Church secretary, I type up our parish's weekly Sunday bulletin. When I started on next week and got to Lazarus Saturday, I started weeping.<br />
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Coronavirus Quarantine.<br />
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Our parish usually has a beautiful Divine Liturgy, followed by a huge Pancake Breakfast together. I just received an email from my dear friend who makes all the pancakes - with the Lenten Pancake recipe for me to email to the other families in our parish. She wanted to make sure everyone could enjoy pancakes even if we couldn't all be together to eat them!<br />
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<a href="https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/pictures/150000/nahled/pancakes-1454611752DOk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/pictures/150000/nahled/pancakes-1454611752DOk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Elizabeth's Lenten Pancakes</b></div>
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1 cup flour</div>
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3 1/2 tsp baking powder</div>
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3/4 tsp salt</div>
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3 Tbsp sugar</div>
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1 Tbsp flax meal</div>
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3 Tbsp water</div>
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3 Tbsp oil</div>
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1 cup almond milk</div>
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Makes 8-10 pancakes</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rpviEXq-l8g/XoTnsVN5GII/AAAAAAAAB2w/QUfwPfr4Fd8IF_EGG3BMma1kNjX_AxQjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/lazarakia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="427" height="193" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rpviEXq-l8g/XoTnsVN5GII/AAAAAAAAB2w/QUfwPfr4Fd8IF_EGG3BMma1kNjX_AxQjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/lazarakia.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo from <a href="https://www.mangiaregreco.com/2015/04/lazarakia.html">mangiaregreco.com</a></td></tr>
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Our family usually makes <a href="https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0geK9dh6IReMtUAzaRXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTB0N2Noc21lBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNwaXZz?p=lazarakia&fr2=piv-web&fr=mcafee">Lazarakia</a> in the afternoon. <a href="https://mygreekitchen.gr/lazarakia/">Very traditional recipes</a> for these Lazarus-shaped buns <a href="https://greecebyagreek.com/2017/04/06/lazarakia-lazarus-saturday-sweet-spice-breads/">abound</a>.<br />
But my family enjoys this easier version that I shared this past January at the <a href="https://www.saintemmelia.com/">St. Emmelia South Conference</a>.<br />
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Even if you don't have little children at home, I encourage you to give these a try. The adults in my workshop had quite a good time making them. Not one completed Lazarakia looked like another, and they were all great!<br />
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EASY LAZARAKIA - adapted from <a href="https://fabulesslyfrugal.com/recipes/nutella-mummies-recipe/">Fabulessly Frugal</a><br />
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refrigerated crescent roll dough for the mummy wrap<br />
chocolate chips for the eyes<br />
peanut butter, jam, or hazelnut spread<br />
bananas, cut in half the length of the banana<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo from <a href="https://fabulesslyfrugal.com/recipes/nutella-mummies-recipe/">Fabulessly Frugal</a></td></tr>
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Step 1 - pinch 2 triangles into 1 larger rectangle.<br />
Step 2 - cut the sides like shown above<br />
Step 3 - spread a little peanut butter and top with a slice of banada<br />
Step 4 - wrap to look like a mummy<br />
Step 5 - add chocolate chip eyes & bake according to package directions<br />
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Now, if only I had the sheet music to practice Rejoice O Bethany! At least we can listen to it.<br />
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-59955010658765606412020-01-16T19:38:00.001-08:002020-01-16T21:11:06.162-08:00St. Emmelia South - Festal Food Traditions Workshop<h2>
Feasting</h2>
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<b>Cheesefare week - <a href="https://blog.russianflora.com/blogs/maslenitsa-how-to-make-traditional-russian-pancakes/">Maslenitsa</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://ww1.antiochian.org/node/18684"><b>Tradition of the Vasilopita</b></a>; <a href="http://www.orthodoxmom.com/2016/12/30/vasilopita-tradition-recipe/"><b>orthodoxmom Sylvia's Recipe</b></a> (The yia yia at our parish makes a huge pan, placing at least 20 coins in it so lots and lots of folks can get a coin.) This include includes a recipe, but if that one doesn't suit you, there are <a href="https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ACYBGNTYcKr8mbYoKdHPq8NG7WD-p6v8Hg%3A1579221949843&source=hp&ei=vQMhXtqFMYS8tgWJqbKABA&q=recipe+vasilopita&oq=recipe+vasilopita&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0l3j0i22i30l7.1778.4352..5025...0.0..0.313.3362.1j11j4j2......0....1..gws-wiz.....9..35i362i39j0i131j0i3j0i22i10i30.3xZ32ejdfQk&ved=0ahUKEwia2NuatInnAhUEnq0KHYmUDEAQ4dUDCAg&uact=5">plenty of variations</a>! When you serve it, Sylvia explains <a href="http://www.orthodoxmom.com/2009/12/23/vasilopita-recipe-and-traditions/">how to cut the pieces</a>. We can eat those special pieces, they are just "in honor of".</div>
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<a href="https://149375179.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Saint-Fanourios.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Saint Fanourios" border="0" height="200" src="https://149375179.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Saint-Fanourios.jpg" width="148" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.lemonandolives.com/fanouropita-cake-for-lost-things/">Phanouropita</a> </div>
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<b> </b><b><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2009/04/kulich.html">Kulich</a> & <a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2008/04/cheese-paska.html">Cheese Paska</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://orthodoxeducation.blogspot.com/2014/04/pascha-basket.html">What to include in a Pascha Basket</a></b><br />
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<img height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EGJO3wWNw3k/U-Uf8utH2mI/AAAAAAAAA_o/7jLq46qEVLA/s320/spruce+island+cookies.JPG" width="240" /></div>
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<b><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/search?q=spruce+island+cookies">Spruce Island Cookies for St. Herman's Day</a> (also a fasting recipe)</b></div>
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<b>Fasting </b></h2>
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<b><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2017/11/how-to-make-toast.html">Making the Most of Toast</a> </b></div>
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<b><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2018/02/more-lenten-lunch-box-ideas.html">Lenten Lunch Ideas</a> </b>(includes hummus & other spreads)</div>
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<b><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2008/12/tofu-spanikopita-recipe.html">Special Occasion Brunch</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2010/03/lenten-cookies-easy-sort-of-healthy.html"><b>Cookie Mix</b></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2009/03/bean-soup-recipe-party.html">13 Different Bean Soups</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.veganlunchbox.com/loaf_studio.html"><b>Design Your Own Veggie Loaf</b></a> (<a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2009/01/veggie-loaf.html">this one</a> is good)</div>
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<a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2008/06/more-with-less-muffins.html"><b>Muffins</b></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2008/11/milions-of-fasting-meal-ideas.html">Millions of Meal Ideas</a></b><br />
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Fasting Menus</h2>
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<img alt="Image result for lenten icon orthodox" height="174" src="https://iconreader.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/posts-icon-st-ephraim-prostration-2.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<b><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2019/03/lenten-menu-2019.html">Great Lent </a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/search?q=apostles+fast">Apostles Fast</a></b></div>
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<img alt="Dormition Archives - Stephen Morris, author" height="178" src="https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stephenmorrisauthor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F08%2Fdormition-icon.jpg&f=1&nofb=1" width="320" /></div>
<b><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/search?q=dormition+menu">Dormition Fast</a> </b><br />
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<b><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2017/11/nativity-fast-menu.html">Nativity Fast</a> and </b><b><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2019/11/advent-fast-menu.html">Another One</a></b><br />
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<b>Koliva (Children's Workshop)</b></h2>
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<b><a href="https://orthodoxmothersdigest.blogspot.com/2012/06/how-to-make-koliva-memorial-wheat.html">Koliva (Memorial Wheat)</a> </b><img height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yu-IuHb4DE0/T87hgu3dvMI/AAAAAAAAA54/Snl0E_dTkV8/s200/carol's+koliva.jpg" width="200" /><br />
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<br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6231945406340213642.post-34177545187329837802019-11-11T16:01:00.001-08:002019-11-11T16:01:36.115-08:00Advent Fast MenuNeed a little inspiration for the kitchen?<br />
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Here's a 2019 Advent Fast Calendar. Many of the items are linked to recipes. Let me know if you need any help with the other dishes.<br />
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PJW1F6KHDJHHQqwHRtzNPAT5xIN3ekMcYoFdXsnbFYE/edit?usp=sharing">Advent Fast Menu</a></div>
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If you've never made homemade pizza, <a href="http://likemotherlikedaughter.org/2014/09/auntie-leila-makes-pizza-in-photos-part-1/">Auntie Leila</a> will make you feel like you can't screw up. </div>
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I take her method (don't measure!) and add a can of beer to replace some of the water. It does take a while to rise, but the actual hands on time is not that long. Something about hot homemade crust makes the fasting toppings more special (bearable....).<br />
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Please let me know if you have a great meal idea!</div>
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17229888665290508882noreply@blogger.com0