First, some bloggy business. If you are an email subscriber to this blog, you may have stopped getting notifications (and I’m just hoping that you missed them so much that you came over here on your own to find out what happened!). I think this is because my dear brother figured out how to import the subscriber list to my new blog, which obviously isn’t live yet; but I guess that means that those people are no longer subscribed to... Read more
Hi, I’m The Jerk. Normally I review movies around here when I feel like it, but today I’d like to offer some commentary on the tackiest Catholic enterprise since they set up that Stepford village in Naples Florida. The Michael Voris Love Boat. How could I? Americas favorite crusader against secretly gay bishops who only happen to be revealed as secretly gay when they disagree with Voris (can someone say closet case?) is planning a fun Caribbean cruise for all... Read more
This may be the dumbest thing I’ve ever written. Read more
I’d like to thank the community of Catholic women writers for writing today’s post for me. Now, who wants to come over my house and listen to me kvetch about laundry? Read more
Today’s book pick, an excellent choice for a Christmas present, is recommended by my sister, Sarah Johnson: ***** The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden, illustrated by Barbara Cooney Yes, this book does contain orphans and dolls, but no, it is not sappy. Ivy is a girl who falls through the cracks of a community’s system of charity– she’s the only orphan at St. Agnes’s not to be invited to a patron’s home for Christmas. She finds... Read more
Self-help books (from yesterday) always make me think of Walker Percy, and Walker Percy always makes me think of Tom Wolfe, and Tom Wolfe makes everyone think of The Bonfire of the Vanities , but have you ever read From Bauhaus to Our House ? By Tom Wolfe? This slim volume (I love saying that) from 1981 tells the bizarre story of how we, the consumer, were quietly conned into accepting “grim and hideous” as the two main pillars of... Read more
I’m sorry, but my beloved, ordinary baby was up all night for some unknown reason, and I can’t think of a snappy teaser to make you want to read today’s post. Read more
Today’s book picks are by my sister, Rosie Herreid, who recommends some very timely reads for Advent: ***** Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart by Fr. Jacques Philippe I felt noticeable more peaceful while I was reading this book. At first glance it seems to offer the kind of cliche spiritual advice that is hard to take to heart, but it is actually full of extremely practical advice about breaking destructive mental habits. Fr.... Read more
One of the sweetest animal Christmas stories I’ve ever seen: Who Is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate, illustrated by Ashley Wolff It’s very short and simple. All the animals in the stable know that someone is coming to their house, and they wonder and wonder who it could be. They do what they can to prepare for their guest, and at the end, everyone welcomes Him. A very warm, gentle, and happy book (and Mary is shown lying... Read more
Okay, so I just completely forgot to post a book pick yesterday. Today, I’m featuring two good books for Advent reading. The first recommendation is written by the wonderful Steve Gershom (Catholic, Gay, and Feeling Fine, Thanks). **** The Golden Key by George MacDonald illustrated by Maurice Sendak Everybody runs the risk of doing what Revelation 2:4 warns about: forsaking their first love. I come back to The Golden Key often, to remind me what my first love was and is. It’s... Read more
I Have to Sit Down
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