Women in the Days of the Cathedral

Saint Clare (1194-1253) and Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231), by Simone Martini (1284-1344)

See Tea at Trianon for a review of a fascinating book, Women in the Days of the Cathedral by Regine Pernoud.

Taking Chance

Yesterday, on the anniversary of D-Day, I watched Taking Chance, about a Marine colonel, Michael Strobl, who escorts the body of Private First Class Chance Phelps, a young war hero killed in Iraq, home to his family in Wyoming. This is a very moving story based on the report that the colonel wrote about the trip.

It is especially a tribute to Chance Phelps, who was killed trying to protect his company from enemy fire and who in his brief military career had already been highly decorated with six ribbons.

This movie is also a tribute to the U.S. military and the respect and honor with which people in the military treat each other and treat their fallen. This respect is shown in the way that the military morticians at the Dover Air Force Base take meticulous care of Pvt. Phelps' body and effects and those of other fallen soldiers. This respect is shown in the way in which Col. Strobl performs his slow military salute before the body of Pvt. Phelps and others join him and in the extreme care that the colonel took to ensure a dignified and safe journey. This respect is shown in the deep sense of humility and respect that Col. Strobl showed to the private's family in the face of their loss.

Taking Chance is also a tribute to the American people, because it was the care, honor, and respect that they showed to the body of the dead soldier and to his escort that inspired Col. Strobl to write the story. Thus, this is a story of the character of both of these men in their selfless devotion to the U.S. military and of the American people. I would that all Americans, but especially young people, see this film.

Throughout the three days of the Memorial Day weekend, Turner Classic Movies featured many fine films from World War II, a few from World War I, none from the Korean War, and only one from the Vietnam War. It saddened me to think that Americans, from this lineup, regard World War II as the war in which we can acknowledge our heroes. Watching these films, I realized that although one man may stand out more than others in devotion and leadership, war is filled with heroes--the many unnamed heroes that even help to create the known heroes, or the simple heroism of risking your life for the defense of one's country. In denying the continuation of that military aspiration in our films and in the media, we are denying inspiration to our own youth, not simply inspiration for a military career, but inspiration to service, devotion, self-sacrifice, and belief in our country. The film Taking Chance, exquisitely acted by Kevin Bacon, shows how young men and women are inspired to join the military as the highest achievement of their life--a young friend of mine, who has just joined the Marines, is a case in point--and that most Americans, stretching across the country as in Chance's final journey, recognize this and honor them.

Knitting Wedding Washclothes

Here I am...knitting in the park.

I used to knit when I was in college, and made a yellow and orange striped afghan (I was very into orange and yellow) and a teal lace shawl. I used to sit there in political meetings protesting whatever and knit.... Then I stopped knitting. But knitting, like hand sewing, is very relaxing, and I decided to take it up again to knit some scarves as Christmas gifts. I find it extremely beneficial when I am so tired from work that I can hardly move, but I can knit, so that while I try to recuperate, I can at least be a bit productive. So far, I have tried only simple things, not yet up to making lacey shawls, and definitely not into making sweaters, as my grandmother and mother did. But I have made some scarves and these wedding washcloths.


Wedding Washcloths, pattern compliments of Purlbee.

There are tons of fun patterns for washcloths on the Internet, but I chose this very simple one. AI've made wedding washcloths for two lovely young women--the daughter and daughter-in-law of a close friend--who have recently married. I find myself doing rework whenever necessary, since a mistake creates an alternative pattern and is seen as a flaw immediately. Purlbee supplies nice patterns for scarves and simple stitches and ways to get practice and self-confidence to maybe go onto the next step, as I hope to someday.

Life: Imagine the Potential

Another ad from CatholicVote.Org--telling the truth and spreading hope.

A Summer Quilt Tour, Anyone?

Quilt--a mix of the old and the new--from the 2008 Sister Outdoor Quilt show in Oregon.

The Wall Street Journal has an article on country quilt tours with a slideshow of quilts and quilt paintings on barn doors. The article also features a listing of quilt shows around the country this summer. The Journal article by Meg Cox notes this happy news: "The number of quilt makers in the U.S. has doubled in the past decade, as new tools, like quilt-design software, have spread. There has been a corresponding explosion in the number of quilt shows, and they aren’t just for those who stitch or collect. Go and be dazzled." I can just picture it now: I take a summer driving tour across the United States with a quilt-show itinerary! I bet I'd meet a lot of great people too.

Babies Are Smiling Today

According to a Gallup poll, more than 50 percent of the American people are pro-life. As the Gallup report indicates, a dramatic shift has occurred in the last year. I do not know why this is the case, but I can only think it is good news, even if part of this shift is a result of Hollywood's boosting of single motherhood. It is also the result of the patient and arduous work of pro-life Americans to organize alternatives for women who are in "crisis pregnancies" and the work of organizations like Feminists for Life, who have fought on college campuses to make it possible for young women and young couples to get support to continue their education and also have a child. It is good news, because it means that a majority of Americans affirm the sanctity of life or at least want to say that they do. It means that one group of Americans, who were previously "pro-choice," have changed their minds, and that is all to the good.

Happy Mother's Day Everyone!

Is it not to be wondered if Mother's Day is a day in which mothers are thanked or in which we give thanks? I am so thankful to be a mother, I hardly feel as if I need thanks from anyone else, least of all from the one who has brought so much to my life.

Enjoy the five-question meme on motherhood at Willow Manor, and have a lovely day!