Meditation of the Day

Doing Good on the Sabbath

     Heavenly Father, we rejoice that amid the ceaseless cares and anxieties, the vain desires and wearisome struggles of our earthly life, your holy Sabbath has been given us as a day of rest and refreshment of soul.  We thank you for all your mercies unto us during the past week, for the preservation of our lives, of our health, and our strength; for the blessings of home, of love, of friendship, and for all good influences which support us in the hour of trial and temptation.  You send us the joys that brighten our days; from your hand also come the sorrows that cast their shadows over them.  In all our experiences we recognize your guidance and praise your wisdom.  O may this Sabbath bring rest to every disquieted heart and be a healing balm to every wounded soul.

      You who hear prayer, we beseech you to endow us with a contented disposition.  When we pray for new blessings, may we come to you in the spirit of humility and submission, remembering that we cannot know whether what we ask is really for our good.  You alone know and order all things well, whether you grant our petitions or deny them.  When we sing your praise may our souls rise with our songs to you, and when we render you our homage, may we remember that only by obedience to your commandments, by faithfulness to our duties, by the goodness of our deeds, can we make our worship acceptable to you.

     Look with compassion upon your children, and grant us strength of love and purity of purpose, that we may live together in unity and work together in peace and concord, so that the well-being of all may be promoted, and your name, O God, be glorified in all the earth.  Amen.

From Evening Service for the Sabbath from The Union Prayerbook, courtesy of Magnificat

Meat and Potatoes

Sometimes it's the simple things that bring me peace.  I haven't posted here in a while for a few different reasons, but never because I didn't want to do so.  Sometimes, I can't quite muster enough energy, and at others, my internet connection is less than ideal (a story for another day) and I find most places with free WiFi around here to be a bit too loud for my purpose.  Usually, though, I'm just plain busy.  While there's no truly justifiable excuse, what with the implementation of the rather fool-proof time management system, it's easy for me to see how I let another couple of months pass by without my visiting.  This is where the simple things come into play.  Sometimes, I need to step back from everything and write.  Not anything remotely profound, either.  Just whatever allows me to let go of the stresses and cares to which I stubbornly cling (even though I can hear God practically begging for me to let Him take them from my shoulders every day).  So this evening, I choose to let go of my anxieties and remember the meat and potatoes of my day, and in a very literal way.  This evening, my husband and I looked up from the work we'd been doing to find it was 5:00 exactly, at which point we thought it proper to get some space from our tasks and make a meal together.  While it was a simple meal of chicken and vegetables, I found that sitting down to eat the meal we had made together was unexpectedly comforting.  Now, we rarely eat out, so we carve out time to cook fresh meals every other night or so (hooray for leftovers!), but I found that this simple ritual of cooking and eating a meal with my spouse was exactly what I needed to do in order to re-focus my mind and heart.  Having fun experimenting with different spices and creating a new vegetable medley was all it took to remind me the importance of taking the time to do such things.  My day has not been perfect, and I was almost so tired from it that my husband offered to make dinner himself, but I deliberately chose to make this memory, and now I'm so glad that I did.

Are there any simple yet meaningful rituals that bring you comfort and peace?    

~Literary Heroine Blog Party~

This is my first opportunity to take part in Kellie Falconer’s Literary Heroine Blog Party, and I’ve had such a great time pondering my answers to her unique questions over the course of this last week.  If you’re not familiar with Kellie’s blog, Accordion to Kellie, I highly recommend a visit, as it is often my joy to do so.  Sadly, with life being the lovely—yet busy—way it is, I have been unable to answer all of these questions.  I’m hopeful that I can update this post over time, though.  In any case, I hope you enjoy reading what I have completed.  Cheers!

~ The Questions ~

1. Introduce yourself! Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!

I’m an aspiring heroine always seeking perfection through Christ and learning from my many moments of humility along the way—thanks be to God, I’m not alone in my quest!

2. What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine? 

The center of a heroine’s heart is the knowledge that her total surrender to God is that which allows her to fulfill her role.  She knows that her potential is only so deep when relying on her own strength and devices alone.

3. Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to. 

Anne Elliot, from Jane Austen’s Persuasion

Upon my first reading of Persuasion, I found myself peering into mirror-like descriptions of the second Elliot daughter.  Appreciative of the natural world and passionate in a quiet manner, Anne is the only Austen heroine with whom I have ever truly identified.

Luthien, from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion

A strong, loving woman, Luthien Tinuviel is the inspiration that lies with my blog’s title.  Her devotion to Beren and her bravery in times of trial are two qualities I seek to perfect every day.

Eowyn, from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Two Towers and The Return of the King, of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Another example of a strong and loving woman, Eowyn undergoes an admirable and identifiable transformation over time.  Her outward passion for life mirrors my own more inward passion for the same, and her growth and maturity are worthy of aspiration.

4. Five of your favorite historical novels? 

Persuasion, Jane Austen

Little Women, Louisa May Alcott

5. Out of those five books who is your favorite major character and why? 

In Little Women, I must say that Marmee is my favorite major character.  She represents a solidly good example of motherhood, and on a long and varied scale of time.  Alcott paints the portrait of a woman who is equally patient, compassionate, and strong during happy and trying times.

6. Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why? 

7. If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there? 

I would plan a vacation to Prince Edward Island, and there I would enjoy the landscape and culture to the fullest extent of my senses, much like a certain ginger heroine I’ve come to know and love. . . .

8. What is your favorite time period and culture to read about? 

I tend to go through phases of obsession with a certain time period, culture, or author whose work opens a window into a certain time and place.  I just recently checked out three books that shine a light on the life of Beatrix Potter, one of my own role models, so she remains my current object of fascination and study.

9. You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation, tap dancing… what is your act comprised of? 

I can most certainly see myself performing a dramatic recitation of a deliciously epic poem, Megan Follows-as-Anne Shirley-style. 

10. If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent? 

11. Favorite author(s)?

J.R.R. Tolkien

Jane Austen

Brian Jacques

L.M. Montgomery

12. In which century were most of the books you read written? 

While I do not confine myself to one century or another, some of my favorite works were written between the 18th and 19^th centuries.

13. In your opinion, the ultimate hero in all literature is… 

14. In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is... 

15. Describe your ideal dwelling place. 

My ideal dwelling place . . . This is most certainly a small house (designed to our unique specifications—I have a studio!) in the countryside, distantly surrounded by a lovely mountain range.  I have plenty of space in which to cultivate a garden, and there stands a wood nearby that serves as creative inspiration during long springtime walks. 

16. Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence. 

I usually don comfortable, modest, and muted outfits with the echo of early 1940’s fashion and a dash of whimsy. . .

17. Three favorite Non-fiction books? 

Tasha Tudor’s Garden, Tovah Martin

18. Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon? 

First, I would make a small cup of tea, pick up a book, and enjoy the adventure in a comfy chair in the shade of a lovely group of trees.  Once the heat of the day has passed, I would take pleasure in some gardening, and then prepare dinner using the fruits (and vegetables!) of my labor.

19. Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character. 

A deep cranberry color, this structured, felt-like hat has a thick navy sash and a small bunch of flowers and berries—this I would choose for Sunday Mass during autumn.

A floppy straw sun hat—this I would choose for a day of gardening, yard work, and overall enjoyment of the outdoors!

Both would have their work cut out for them staying on my head, though.  While I think both types represent me—sometimes attempting a more controlled appearance and at others allowing myself to be carefree (but always at least slightly vintage-inspired)—my unruly hair tends to have a mind of its own. . . .

20. Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.

The beautifully, profoundly obvious answer to this question would be my marriage to my dear Jeffrey on November 1^st, 2014.  I have found the honeymoon phase to be growing and deepening with each passing day, and that the journey we undertook when we met about three years ago has taken on a new beginning.  Life is most assuredly a wonder worth cherishing.    

21. Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

"There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens."  --Ecclesiastes 3:1

Happy New Year!

To my few and dear readers,

I know that it has been a while since I last visited my small corner of the internet world; indeed, my struggle with budgeting time for something that I enjoy doing was beginning to frustrate me.  However, I recently realized that to be so hard on myself wastes time, and is altogether unnecessary.  The past two months have been ones of beautiful growth and gradual learning.  I'm learning to love making a home for my husband and me.  I'm learning to find a balance between working, cooking healthy meals, and making sure neither of us neglects taking care of ourselves and each other.  I'm learning that God's Will is a mysteriously lovely web of which I only catch mere glimpses as each piece falls into place in my life, its beauteous whole I look forward to seeing in life hereafter.

As I continue to establish and perfect my daily routine, my posting will inevitably continue to vary, but I'm determined to seize every opportunity I receive to compose my thoughts and pay a visit to this online journal.  For those of you following along, I thank you for your patience and understanding.  I hope you all are enjoying a lovely beginning to this fine new year, and I pray that it may bring with it many blessings upon you and yours.

~Bonnie

By the Grace of God United in Holy Matrimony

 1 November 2014 

"Live in love, as Christ loved us and handed Himself over for us." 

-Ephesians 5:2a

Our Lady of Walsingham

Please Pray for Us.

Illustrative Inspiration ~ Tasha Tudor

In belated honor of Tasha Tudor's birthday, I thought I'd share just a small sampling of her much beloved illustrations.

Tasha Tudor

(August 28, 1915-June 18, 2008)

A simply lovely favorite of mine

 The Secret Garden

A Little Princess

 

 

A comforting portrayal of home life

The Wind in the Willows

For those of you who don't know, Tasha Tudor was also an avid gardener.  Her home in Vermont is truly and breathtakingly beautiful.  Do visit Rookery Ramblings for more information about this talented, admirable woman.  She has been such an inspiration to me in becoming the woman I desire to be and will forever serve as one of my role models.

What are some of your favorite illustrations of Tasha Tudor?
Are you familiar with her inspirational garden?

Poem of the Week ~ Shakespeare's Sonnet XVIII

This week I have found myself pining for the true classics, and Shakespeare is difficult to beat in this respect.  In flipping through a newly acquired book of his complete sonnets, I found the well-known "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" and felt that it speaks to the mixed feelings that come with late summer: a wistfulness for the gentle balm of heat, the unique golden-ness of summer sunlight, and gentle breezes. . .combined with the increasing motivation for productivity, as school begins and schedules fill up far more quickly than one expects, though this happens every year.  This sonnet perfectly illustrates this time of transition with its allusion to aging and the changing of seasons, as well.  Of course this sonnet (as so many of them do) addresses a lover, giving it a purpose that infuses this description of the season with love.  A simple yet profoundly deep and beautiful truth.

"Sonnet XVIII"

William Shakespeare
(1564-1616)

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And summers lease hath all too short a date:

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;

And every fair from fair sometime declines,

By chance, or nature's changing course, untrimm'd;

But thy eternal summer shall not fade,

Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;

Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou growest;

So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee. 

Do you like Shakespearean sonnets?

Have you ever attempted to write in sonnet form?