Booklist: June 2012

None of my reading in June was particularly thrilling or worthwhile. Though, if you happen to be a fan of the Hellboy films, then the Hellboy graphic novel might be up your alley - an almost perfect translation of the film to the page. And I admit that I enjoyed it. Though, the film has a much more powerful message about choices and redemption made by a father's love. In contrast, The Vow is much more satisfying than the its film adaptation. A true story of Christians keeping their word - a vow made before God. The Rope Trick simply wasn't as interesting as Alexander's Prydain Chronicles, but I have more of his children's literature to peruse... so I haven't given up hope of another gem. In general, books are better than their film counterparts, but, as seen above, it isn't always the case. And How to Train Your Dragon is one of those exceptions that proves the rule. Filled with crude humor and disrespect for adults, HTYD fails the litmus test for children's literature.

June 2012
The Vow by Kim Carpenter
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction by Mike Mignola
The Rope Trick by Lloyd Alexander
How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

George's New Blanket

A fuzzy blanket keeps a kitty drowsy and content.

Nugget T-Shirts

The girls and I dreamed of making "Nugget" t-shirts ever since the MECHE skits... "Wouldn't it be fun to wear them to the beach?" Swiftly agreement was reached that said "Nugget" t-shirts would be a group project. Any excuse to get together, right?

The week before the beach trip, we gathered at the Kincell home for the big moment... But how exactly does one print on a t-shirt? In my ignorance, I was planning to write free-handed on my t-shirt. Kiri, however, was more practical. And stencils were printed. 

Step 1: Print stencils and cut the letters out.

Step 2: Pose for picture with your new stencil. (Check!)

Step 3: Secure stencil to t-shirt. (Scotch tape worked well.)

Step 4: Paint two coats of black paint over the letters.

Step 5: Wait 10 minutes and peel off stencil (This was done with much trepidation! ;)

Step 6: Wear aforementioned "nugget" t-shirts to the beach and take pictures. (Double Check!)

And lots of smiles for all.

What would a "nugget" t-shirt photo op be without a foot picture?

I love the background of this photo; my hair became entangled in Dee's clip... Memories!

Quote of the Day

~John Hodges in his lecture "Philosophical History of Beauty"~

Concerning the misuse of emotion (i.e. laughing at slasher films and crying during Hallmark commercials) :

"Because if you can see the image of God dismembered and not be moved, something's wrong. You should be angry about that; you should be revolted about that. There's something perverse about that. If you can be moved to tears by things that are sentimental hogwash, you see, then you're off base - you're off balance. What need to be able to do is re-calibrate our emotional sensibilities, our relationships in our emotions to things that are genuinely worth being upset about or worth not being upset about. That's wisdom."

Concerning the absolute of beauty:

"The modernist position in aesthetics I think is spelled out pretty well by Kant: 'There's nothing that's absolute, but we can yet know beauty based on our subjective responses.' And most people in our day hold that position - whether they are Christians nor not.  So I think Christians need to take a stand at that point and say, 'No. That's not all there is.' The pre-modern position described by [Jonathan] Edwards has been all but forgotten in our relativistic age, and it's the source of beauty is the nature of God Himself. In any other area of thought, we would be the first to hold to absolutes. Why not here? Rethinking our position on beauty may seem abstract, or theoretical, and without practical use. But, I want to argue that doing so will give us a new insight into a lot of things: man's nature, general revelation, common grace, creativity, worship, art, the gifts that God has given the people to be salt and light in the culture. All those things will be revamped, rethought, I think, far more multifaceted, if we take up this chore."

The Intrepid Ball: ♫Let 'Em Dance♫

Yes, this is dreadfully late, but - better late than never... Right?

Before the dancing begins, Daddy gives the etiquette speech. He reminds us of proper behavior and decorum in the ballroom. For the Intrepid Ball, he prepared a devotional informing us of the godly, self-sacrifice of the men of the Titanic. At the time, the sacrifice of these men was broadly acknowledged to be due to the influence of Christianity. For the Savior, Jesus Christ, died to self, purchasing a people for Himself - for all eternity. In our lives (even in the ballroom), we should demonstrate Christ-like behavior by dying to self for others.

After the etiquette speech, the dancing begins!

Twenty one dances in all.

It certainly makes for tired, but happy, feet.

And happy faces!

After the ball is over, we all talk about how we can't wait for the next one...

A Needed Change

I'm changing the look of Sigh No More. =) Hopefully, it's something everyone will love. In the meanwhile, I apologize for the missing links, etc.

Booklist: May 2012

As I age, I observe that time seems to rouse itself and charge faster and faster taking the rest of us with it. Now, of course, I understand that time is moving at the same constant rate, and God is presiding over it in His sovereignty. But, isn't it a delightful mystery how time seems to accelerate as we get older? Anyhow, I haven't made a lot of time for blogging, but I am updating today. And maybe, just maybe, more days in the future... Maybe.

May 2012

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

V for Vendetta by Alan Moore & David Lloyd

Is Christianity Good for the World? by Christopher Hitchens & Doug Wilson

Insurgent continues Veronica Roth's good beginning in Divergent; Roth's dystopia is a captivating insight into society. However, Insurgent did include more sensuality - a disappointing turn of events. Perhaps the third novel will have all the pluses of the previous installments and none of the minuses? Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None is a shocking insight into human nature. Prepare to be surprised; I was. The last two on my reading list were beach reads. Unfortunately, I am unable to recommend V for Vendetta.  Reading it for its social and political philosophy, it was interesting (and wrong in its conclusions), but the inappropriate content is so pervasive that in good conscience I cannot suggest it. Is Christianity Good for the World? Hitchens and Wilson disagree on the answer. Their lively debate is a delightful romp, and Wilson does a commendable job in his apologetic. This little volume is definitely one I recommend.