When We Have Something Nice To Share

When I was a Little, Mama had a whole set of "Rules of This House" coloring sheets that my siblings and I were habitually amused by coloring. Many of those pictures, and the rules they accompanied, are permanently stamped in my brain - "When we make a mess, we clean it up," "When someone is sorry, we forgive him," "When we open something, we close it" - that sort of thing. We said them while we colored. We said them when mama would quiz us on them. And we said them when they gave us authority to get something from another person {ugly sin nature, I'm afraid - just goes to show that rules without a renewed heart won't get you too far!}. Anyway, one of the most-repeated rules was "When we have something nice to share, we share it," and it is in the spirit of this well-learned rule, that I share these things with you today:

 

~ A Laugh ~

 This picture...it just...I mean...the longer you look at it, the funnier it is!



Photo Credit

 

~ An Article ~

I was really impressed and encouraged by this review of the the 'Hunger Games'. Most articles I've read before either angrily ranted against the story, or mindlessly defended the entertainment of the tale. Douglas Wilson sensibly analyzes the novel and it's moral implications ~ certainly worth reading!

~ A Song ~

This song is "The Megs'" favorite song at the moment. She roams the house singing it, requests to listen to it, and lip-sings along while it plays. Good thing it truly is beautiful! :)

 

A lovely weekend to you all!



30 Day Book Challenge! Day 7: Underrated

Oh dear, not half-way through and I've already fallen behind. I do assure you, however, that I have two very good reasons:

1. Day 7's questions was quite difficult

2. (and the more weighty of the two) I had my studio recital Friday evening - and the prep and recovery of such a grand fiesta took a bit of time (pictures, details, etc coming later).

I will have to do a couple questions a day until I get caught up, because I would like to stay with each day of the month, so bear with me as I do multiple posts...

Day 7: What is the most underrated book?

Honestly, I had no idea. Besides the Bible, which is certainly underrated - but since I could use it as the answer to almost every question in this challenge, I shall abstain from citing it here.

I think most books I read are underrated, and that is part of my problem. I mean, truly, there are very few people who appreciate Dickens, or Wright, or Stratton-Porter, or Chesterton, or Lewis or {infinite listing here}... enough. However, in my specific circle of friends, we revel in these unappreciated authors, so I am left wondering what the most underrated book in our modern society is, which leaves pretty much anything worth reading up for grabs. After days of debating, though, I've decided to choose

Photo Credit

Mansfield Park is definitely an underrated book - even (specifically?) by Jane Austen fans. Perhaps it's because little Fanny Price - sweet, quiet, observant, principled, sensitive Fanny Price - is not your typical Jane Austen heroine. Yet, she is by far the most Godly heroine. She perceives right and wrong with great keenness, but, in humility, remains slow and hesitant to state her impressions, lest she be wrong or give another a bad name. While admirable, this character quality is also her single flaw: in her unwillingness to out-rightly condemn those doing wrong - especially her beloved cousin Edmund! - and thus set herself up as being right against all others, she is unwillingly coaxed to participate in something she knew was wrong. She learns her lesson, though, and the next time she is pressured to bend in a way that feels crooked, she refuses, amidst all pressures, and guilt trips, and well-meaning advices given her. In spite of her quiet, unassuming demeanor, those around her gradually begin to see the true beauty of her heart - made all the more alluring by it's silent steadfastness. Even the villain recognizes her worth and values it highly - almost becoming honorable himself under her influence.

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"'Have you any reason, child, to think ill of Mr. Crawford's temper?'

'No sir.'

She longed to add , 'But of his principles I have'; but her heart sank under the appalling prospect of discussion, explanation, and probably non-conviction. Her ill opinion of him was founded chiefly on observations, which, for her cousins' sake, she could scarcely dare to mention to their father."

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Do you like Mansfield Park? What do you think is an underrated book?