Frodo, fairies and faith

 1. We've had Tolkien's Lord of the Rings on our minds (as we've been rereading The Hobbit and the trilogy AND trying to figure out when the extended version films are being released on BluRay)


2. The Imaginative Conservative blog is a conglomerate of essays by some wonderfully true conservative thinkers (Dr Brad Birzer esp).  A fantastic piece was recently posted and has since given us reason for much meditation.  St. Augustine and (hopefully, someday "St.") J.R.R. Tolkien is the name of the piece...we highly recommend taking the time to thoroughly read it--it has our world-view beautifully condensed.


3. We finally got around to watching this gem and our only disappointment is that it took us so long to find.  We've watched it 3 times in 3 days and are contemplating a 4th tonight.


Here's the trailer:



The movie retells (fantastically, in the typical Irish blending of myth, fairy and truth) the making of the Book of Kells.  This is an actual book, handwritten by Celtic monks, containing the four gospels.  The illustrations are truly illuminated.


So our week was full of points 1 + 2 + 3. Which leads us to these rough conclusions (rough because we hope to be sharpening these thoughts for the rest of our lives).

Our world has obviously been broken since the fall.  However we fear that, even in our short 20+ years, it has grown more mechanized and cruel (with world wars and genocides filling the 20th century).  Technology is increasing our capacity for evil.  Despite living in an evermore globalized society we are becoming more removed and more anonymous.  It is in this society that we have grown detached from the atrocities happening all around us:  senseless massacres, 50 million US abortions  factory farming, dog fighting etc etc etc.  'We are the hollow men, we are the stuffed men.'   

Fight it.  Pore over the Book of Kell's illustrations.  Wonder at the beauty and detail given to the Word so many years ago.  

Watch the movie.  Notice that nature has a face (Aisling).  Quite a pagan concept.  'Modern' man had done its best to debunk this concept, defining nature in terms of laws and psychology and utility.  We have relinquished our heritage as heirs and guardians of Mystery, and coldly proclaimed ourselves to be its conquerors.  

With that in mind, we resonate with C.S. Lewis (from aforementioned Imaginative Conservative's article):

"I sometimes wonder whether we shall not have to re-convert men to real Paganism as a preliminary to converting them to Christianity."  

Read some Tolkien (or CS Lewis fiction).  Marvel in the majesty of myth and the mystery of creation within the pages.  Sit in the sunshine that streams through cold winter windows.  Watch the seasons change.  Live a simple, honest and hearty life.  Love your neighbor and feed the sheep.  

We'll raise a pint to that.

Come Lord Jesus

T & B

picture perfect

I cannot stop stalking WildFlowers photography blog.  She's been on my favorites for a while and never disappoints.  It's impossible to be in a bad mood when looking at her pictures.  

Check out her website archives (especially her work with newborns and children).  It makes me want to move to sunny CA, have lots of barefoot babies and dress in flea market finds.

And check out her engagement shoot, done in Pixar's UP style.

Perfect.


B

'The Tree of Life'

Now you too can have this playing and replaying through your head all day/week/month etc.
I've watched this trailer everyday since it released last week, and I hold my breath every time.



While we're waiting for the movie's release, we'll be re-watching the director's other movies.  Our two favorites (not that we have a large number to chose from) are 'Days of Heaven' and 'The New World'.  They are not the story-driven masterpiece that we hope 'The Tree of Life' to be, but good golly can that man prepare a visual feast.

B

sweet and good

Husband is home from his trip.  It's sweet to end a busy day by being together.
In our bed, there's a cat at the top of each pillow and a third squashed in the middle.  We are surrounded by purr and fur.
The dog is in her crate by the bedside (she's a miraculous Lazarus).  She had a death sentence on Sunday and is now back to full blooming life.
We'll finish our tea and read a chapter from our lovely book.  Then we'll hunker down and fall asleep, safe and warm from the windstorm outside.

(Kurt Halsey)

It's good to be here, good to have it now.  We look forward to the good tomorrow brings.
All we have is Christ.