It’s a good in and of itself to commit, for however few minutes a day, to learning something new.
THE CREATIVE LIFE
DESIGNER RUSSEL WRIGHT’S MANITOGA
Those of us of a certain age will remember, at least vaguely, some of his designs. And he had one whole line made of Melamine, a substance I, for one, remember well.
THE THEATER IS BACK! PATRICK KERR IN MY FAIR LADY
“My first acting teacher made the point that two things are required for theater: actor and audience. If a tree falls alone in the forest and no-one hears it, that’s not theater. That’s rehearsal.”
SEEKING WITH GROANS
“I condemn equally those who choose to praise men, those who choose to condemn him, and those who choose to divert themselves. And I can approve only those who seek with groans.” –Blaise Pascal, “Pensées” Welp, I have been privately praising certain men, condemning certain men, and choosing on many occasions to divert myself. Then […]
WHY DO YOU STAND HERE IDLE ALL DAY?
Am I that frightened of standing “naked,” without possessions, gifts, virtues, before God? I was taught to be able to give a good account of myself at the end of the day, but giving a good account before God and before the world, it is ever more borne in, are two very different things.
STAYING THE COURSE
“My yoke is easy, my burden light”–but take it up, though you’ll often look like an ass carrying it.
PAOLO VENEZIANO: ALTARPIECES AT THE GETTY
Venice was an important center for the pigment trade. The best ultramarine, or lapis lazuli, came from Afghanistan. This deep, brilliantly saturated blue was much more expensive than gold at the time and was typically reserved for very important commissions: the robe of the Virgin in the Getty’s “Annunciation,” for example.
ALL SPIRITUAL ADVENTURES ARE CALVARIES
“I picture the silence of certain souls as being like vast places of refuge. Finding themselves at the end of their rope, wretched sinners enter there gropingly, with their last drop of strength. They can sleep in peace and then leave refreshed and consoled, with no memory of the great invisible temple in which, for a short while, they have laid down their burdens.”
THE BEAUTY WITHIN
Sister Hanna Maria:
It’s a daily being confronted by the truth of God, which is not apart from me. It’s not different from me, not apart from me, but it is to go into my heart and to meet God in my heart. And also by repeating the Psalms day out and day in. They are so rich. There is no mood where you can’t find yourself in the prayers of the Psalms. So whatever mood I’m in, you go to the office and the day is… The office, the liturgy for us, it’s like the spine. It’s like the skeleton of a body. It’s what keeps the day for us. And it is what keeps us up.
I WAS SICK AND YOU VISITED ME
The man who buried the talent was like this. His life was blameless, but he was of no service to others.
How can such a person be a Christian?
CHAMBERS OF WONDER
the Holy Father’s prayer intention for July is Social Friendship:
“We pray that, in social, economic and political situations of conflict, we may be courageous and passionate architects of dialogue and friendship.”
ANNOUNCING THE INDIAN SUMMER 2021 HEATHER KING WRITING WORKSHOP!
Eight Saturdays, August 7-September 25, 9-11 PST. Eight slots.
