Beaten

 Sometimes I listen to people go on and on about women, and it’s just so stupid. This is often sad, sometimes amusing except for the moments when it becomes obvious the person speaking is not stupid, not by a long shot. Each person is different of course, but as I think about the latest mouthpiece, I think he must have been beaten one way or another all his life. I think he just doesn’t want it to be in vain. He should be a good Catholic and offer it up. He’d be happier that way, and the rest of us could breathe a little easier too.

When you look at the history of patriarchy there is a lot to see. I think God always meant to phase it out, but it had legitimacy in ancient times. The thing is it sucked in ancient times and has continued to suck ever since. There is no debate. If you insist on a life worth living, the evidence against life under patriarchy for women is overwhelming. It is everywhere because the old bastards were proud of it. They felt no need to conceal their cruelty. In some parts of the modern world they would feel quite at home even today. If something sucks throughout recorded history, and still sucks in large swaths around the world, then it sucks. You don’t debate it. You get rid of it and move on.

But I don’t want to beat the old bastard up about it. He’s had enough and done enough beatings of one kind or another as it is. I’ll pray for his healing and leave it at that.

Y’all Come Eat!

 Sometimes it’s about getting something done not doing it perfectly. As a mom I tried to follow the trends and the shifting food guides and all the tricks for making tasty, healthy food at home. It meant I was seldom pleased with any meal. Fast and easy was short on nutritional value. Carefully crafted over hours was completely unappreciated. Things considered really healthful when my mom made them were completely suspect now. There was no winning.

Not so for Mama J Rae. She proudly cooks for her family of seven with gusto and love. She wins hands down every meal, and her kids are always glad to answer her call. The food is generally simple but expertly prepared. Watching her throws things on her Blackstone, combine ready-made components and chop up fruit makes me want a do-over day with my kids. 

https://youtu.be/0iWPyKireaw?si=Cx_GIkja5CN56_ir

T-shirts

 My plan for workout clothes was to recycle things that were wearing out too much for use in public. This made figuring out my outfit for the gym a chore. A year ago I gave myself permission to buy some fun, inexpensive t-shirts and it has revolutionized the workout experience for me. Instead of wanting to hide I put my best foot forward wearing Hufflepuff, Strawberry Shortcake and Earth Day shirts. They say “hi” even when I don’t feel social. Choosing my workout shirt has become a highlight in my day, and a guarantor that I’ll make it to the gym.

Small change, big reward.

Easter is over.

 Today at mass we celebrated The Ascension. This means Easter is finally over. For those of you who put your bunnies away weeks ago we Catholics really like to make a lot of Easter. I’ve used this extended time frame to enjoy the treats I only allow myself in moderation during normal times and not at all during Lent. It has been delicious, but I’m ready to get back to better eating. I was born for a Catholic life.

You know you’re watching too much Korean television when…

 …you start to recognize the voices being dubbed in with the English! I cannot get enough, and the quality and variety is stellar. 

Under the Queen’s Umbrella—this mother’s heart is pushed to breaking, but somehow she soldiers on saving and healing the ones she loves. I will rewatch this. All Korean historical dramas are beautifully designed. The writing, particularly the characters, is wonderful. The actors carry forth the action with excellence. It made me pull out my copy of The Analects. I did a deep think on filial piety.

Love Next Door—light and sweet as meringue with the occasional deep punch of sorrow to keep the sugar honest. You end up loving the characters. I could have watched on and on, but it only has one season. 

Extraordinary Attorney Woo—This is a brave and yet charming show that makes autism the feature. The main character is a talented attorney who has to overcome her difficulty as often as its exceptional gifts save the day.

Captivating the King—This is another Korean historical drama. It explores feminist possibilities, through a woman dressing as a man so that she can earn money to rescue Korean prisoners of war by winning at Go. She only loses when she chooses to, and she’s skillful about the why and whens of her adventures. She gracefully moves from the kings companion to his consort. It does have its nail biting moments though. Beautifully shot and acted.

Agency—a classic duel of wits and a meditation on the strengths and weaknesses of power. I love the female protagonist, an executive in an advertising agency. Her brave, principled and clever fight from the underdog position draws you in and keeps your attention to the last episode.

Daily Dose of Sunshine—as a public service announcement this show was just getting started and should come back to us. The premise of a psychiatric nurse who develops mental health issues of her own is well played. The clear introduction to mental health diagnoses with characters that make us root for them is a brilliant way to fight the stigma of mental health. If you add interesting plot twists and a love-triangle, you cannot beat it. 

Castaway Diva—this somewhat surreal show pairs the painful topic of child abuse with a light and frothy Robinson Crusoe plot. You wouldn’t think it would work, but it does. 

Crash Landing on You—this is many things, but one of them is a gentle and respectful call for the reunification of Korea. The plot weaves in and out of probability, but continually introduces us to characters that stand their ground. There is light on both sides of the DMZ and there is dark on both sides. The love story starts rather ridiculously, but by the end you will want to give everything up to keep them together—even the antiquated bitterness between the two Koreas and the warring factions of the larger world. 

Catch them all on Netflix.

His Half of the Parenting

 I have an awesome dad who more than carried his weight in parenting my sister and I. Whether it was laundry or dinner or amazing adventures, Dad had it covered. Other kids talked about their fathers being distant and uninterested in them. I couldn’t relate. I grew up to find that dads like mine are rare and precious indeed which is why I’m so happy to introduce you to Mason Smith.

Mason is a YouTuber who proudly displays his heroic efforts to make joy for his family. If you had a dad like mine, wanted a dad like mine or you are a dad like mine you will love this channel. You might even find yourself tearing up. Enjoy

https://youtube.com/@dadsocial?si=HyoDKU6t7n_eih_W

Rule Breakers

 Clapping and crying are two indicators that I’ve fallen in love with a movie. Rule Breakers qualified generously. The story of the Afghanistan Girls Robotic Club will hit anyone hard, but as a woman the repression they were fighting is unimaginable. It made me question what I’ve done with my freedom here as a woman. If you want to be stirred in your soul, get yourself to the nearest showing and take all the young women you can round up. This movie will never be Wonder Woman, but it could do more good.

Visionary

 

I sea you.

You see me.

eye sore

Irritants

Live in infamy.

Necessary Evil

Violence is inhuman.

Bless your heart.

My Feng Shui Friend

 https://youtube.com/shorts/Y9Ddt8o0Ksk?si=TAvhYq7MSlZge9Gi

“And now you know!” Cliff ends his shorts about Feng Shui this citrusy sign off. What do we know? How to fix bad furniture layouts with Feng Shui. I don’t know how I feel about Feng Shui, but Cliff always makes things better no matter how small or strange the room.  And he’s fun to watch. If you’ve got a problem room give Cliff a listen. If you just need a mood boost Cliff’s infectious energy will brighten your day.

Christmas Book Haul

 This isn’t my complete book haul. Some of it will be arriving later or I’ll use gift cards later. These are the books here on time.

https://www.amazon.com/Illuminations-Hildegard-Bingen-Matthew-Fox/dp/1879181975/ref=asc_df_1879181975?mcid=63f553a45cc63e8d94c528b4489e2198&hvocijid=13193360303217113315-1879181975-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-

20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13193360303217113315&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016901&hvtargid=pla-2281435178298&psc=1

Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen

I’ve been interested in Hildegard of Bingen for a long time. This is a collection of the drawings of her visions. I’m not sure what I think of the author/publisher, but it’s the only collection of these images I’ve found. They are fascinating at first flip through.

https://www.amazon.com/value-humility-Mother-Teresa-ValueTales/dp/071728316X

The Value of Humility

Value Tales had a powerful influence on me as a child. Highlighting heroes from every community, they held forth a standard for everyone. I don’t remember Mother Teresa being part of the collection at my local library, but I ran my finger down the list of titles and I read almost all of them. I liked them so much I have collected them for my children. Mother Teresa was expensive to collect. At eighty dollars I had to accept there were going to be important gaps in my collection. Looking for ways to meaningfully spend my Christmas money I found the Mother Teresa Value Tale on an old list. This time it was only eighteen. I snapped it up, and then cried my way through it for lots of reasons.

https://www.bookfinder.com/isbn/9780201043037/

Workjobs

This was another book on the old list. Written by Mary Barratta-Lorton it is full of activities children can do on their own. It is Montessori-esque. I love how everything can be made from recycled materials. As a former homeschool mom I know that the more of these activities you have the happier class will be.

https://www.amazon.com/Fairytale-Baking-Delicious-Inspired-Classic/dp/1510751815/ref=asc_df_1510751815?mcid=95812856f6913581868db2d52f08d539&hvocijid=5835487333394455045-1510751815-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5835487333394455045&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016901&hvtargid=pla-2281435178098&psc=1

Fairytale Baking

A bit of a disappointment I’m afraid. I was imagining the little book of fairytales I grew up with and then having a simple treat I could make with my grandchildren after we read each story. This is not that. This is four seemingly random fairytales followed by lots of also seemingly random, very fancy, desserts. Fairytales speak of childhood, and there is none of that here. I doubt my ability to reproduce a good chunk of the recipes, especially not with children around. More fairytales, simpler recipes, more childlike, and I think it could be good.