This is Suki, filling in for Deirdre for today.
You know, most of the time I don't know what to write about. Part of my problem is that many of my challenges are things that I would prefer not to publish on the internet. For example, in June when I vaguely referenced things being difficult — the Quack was on the night shift for the whole month.
A problem because the truth is I did want to complain — but then the whole world with all its bad guys would know that I was home alone every night!
I still sometimes think that about when the Quack is on call and spends the night at the hospital. This doesn't happen all the time, but we had a rough spell recently. You could say all this lack of complaining builds character, but here's the thing:
Complaining has its benefits, you must allow.
Anyway, I feel very free to write about this right now because we are about four hours into a full week of VACATION. (I really want to type that like this: VACAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTIIIIONNN! But I'm not really that type of writer.)
Also, Dear Creeps: Stay away. I am mighty and powerful and armed.
So we're all aware by now that Pope Francis gave an interview that was published on Thursday, right?
- First of all, of course, you can start with the actual interview!
- If you have already seen those sensationalist (and typically inaccurate) headlines and the subsequent backlash, or if you just don't have time for the entire interview, as always we recommend the Chief's coverage at Catholic Culture.
- What the Pope did NOT say in the interview.The Chief's analysis of the interview: The key to understanding Pope Francis: the 99 lost sheep.
- To reiterate: Pope Francis is very clear that abortion is evil. On that note, we here at LMLD heartily endorse 40 Days for Life, which is kicking off another vigil on September 25th. Deirdre will be speaking at the kickoff rally in Germantown, MD–check the website for more details about that and all the vigils around the country!
Moving on…If you're working on geography and history in your homeschooling, here are a couple of neat resources:
- A friend recommended this video showing the changes in the map of Europe over the last thousand years. Very dramatic!
- If you use Paddle-to-the-Sea for geography, Auntie Leila recommends this interactive overlay for google maps.
- Speaking of homeschooling, here's some great data about the benefits!
- As somebody who was homeschooled myself, looking back on my school days, it also seems to me that the most important and formative aspect to homeschooling was how much free time I had. Maybe this article can shed some light on why that time is so beneficial to a child.
Last week we had some great articles about what it means to be a man, and how to raise men. I didn't get it to Deirdre in time for last week, but this line from St. John Chrysostom struck me as very beautiful and fitting for this discussion (his feast day was last Friday):
Let us pass to the despotic part of the soul, spirit. We must not eliminate it utterly from the youth nor yet allow him to use it all the time. Let us train boys from earliest childhood to be patient when they suffer wrongs themselves, but, if they see another being wronged, to sally forth courageously and aid the sufferer in fitting measure.
–An Address on Vainglory and the Right Way for Parents to Bring Up Their Children, 66.
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priest's wife says
Some folks might not be aware that St John Chyrsostom is also called “the golden mouth” because his words words were…well…golden! His sermons on marriage are amazing
Suki- I hope you are starting to figure out how to navigate having a husband whose time is not his own. I hope you live close to the hospital so you can rush over for lunch or a coffee break. You should also have a time when you call each other about 'nothing' and also a code word when yes- even Mr. Dr. should drop everything to get a hold of you. And I'm sure you are also learning that all holidays- even national donut day- will have to be joyfully celebrated during the octave and not necessarily on the actual day (there is much in common between priest wives and doctor wives….)
Sheila says
“So we're all aware by now that Pope Francis gave an interview that was published on Thursday, right? ” This made me laugh! Yes, I think so!
tara says
My 8 year old and I enjoyed the video of Europe. Thanks for the link!
Dasha says
Sorry to hear that. It is always hardest to be separated as a newlywed…not that it is much easier later, but whatever. When Chris got deployed the first time, I bawled and researched ways to get on his ship (can't you just picture me in the Navy??). Miss you guys! PS hahaha mighty and powerful and armed, love it :-). I wouldn't want to cross you.
Natalie says
I love 40 days for life!!!
Betsy M says
Well, this has been a rough week in my household and so I did miss the Pope's interview. The news following interviews of the Pope always gets me rather upset – – the mainstream press pretty much never gets it right and then there is all the more misinformation out there. Thanks for all the links so I can catch up!
What great timing for the 40 days for life campaign. The last days fall right after my due date. I love having something very concrete that I can offer up the labor pain for – makes the pain so much better.
Becky says
Did you know you are now the number 3 hit on google for “hospital flap check” because I'm one of those people who loves using a kindle because you can instantly find the definition of the word you sort of know but not really.
Tia@ClanMcKenna says
Once again, a wonderful post. Thanks for all the links – I have my reading cut out for me. I do not read The New York Times.
Debbie says
Dear Suki,
Having had DIEP flap reconstruction 6 weeks ago, I just wanted to let you know how deeply the physicians willing to do this crazy surgery are appreciated by those of us who undergo it; it makes such an enormous psychological and quality of life difference, not having to go through life looking too mutilated. So, even though John wasn't on my surgical team, please thank him for me for his dedication, and know that he really is doing a work of charity- one that perhaps can only be appreciated by the beneficiaries of his work and their husbands…
nt12many says
My daughter Hannah (19) is speaking at our Central Washington 40 Days for Life. I am proud of her.
Hang in there with the long hours of hubby away. It Is HARD. Acknowledging that is is difficult isn't complaining…harping about it continually is complaining! I think in this day and age of two working spouses, many couples are so distant from each other that they don't really think it's a big deal. I'm glad when I hear couples who miss each other! It's a good thing. You need him and he needs to know it even while you hold down the fort and try not to complain! Enjoy that vacation!
Terra says
I am glad you are on vacay now and have some quality time together. Also I like your comment about how free time is good for kids, I sure grew up with plenty of that, especially in the summer. We did not overschedule our kids with too many sports, clubs, tutors, etc. I think Pope Francis is a wise and gifted man.
Mary says
Dear Suki – you are welcome to come party with Miss courtney and myself anytime. Her favorite hours are between 2-4 a.m. Lot's of singing and can-can dancing. LOL!
So glad you are on vacation with the one you love. Enjoy every moment of it. Blessings!
ar_danziger says
Wow, thanks! I just happen to be teaching Paddle-to-the-Sea later in the year in the homeschool co-op I just joined. I'll recommend this to the kids' moms.
Amy F says
We're doing Paddle and studying 1000 AD in history. Thanks so much!
kimberlee says
Thanks for all the great links! The piece on the connection between children's free play and self-regulation was very interesting (but oh so sad and disheartening!). It also prompted my son to have me read 'The Romance of Childhood' in which Chesterton speaks of this very thing, how 'It is plain on the face of the facts that the child is positively in love with limits. He uses his imagination to invent imaginary limits…This game of self-limitation is one of the secret pleasures of life.' How sad that contemporary childhood culture serves to limit not self but imagination and self-control. Goes along with the general mess of things.
On a brighter note, hope you have some wonderful vacation time together! Happy fall!
Debbie says
PS Sukie, one thing that it just occurred to me you might not have thought a lot about: flap checks aren't just routine busy work. I don't know if you've ever accompanied him on the flap check rounds, but believe me, especially that first night, there is always a moment of very tense, bated breath until the doppler finds the pulse; and, of course, should that newly-connected artery fail or become disconnected….well, flap checks are life-saving work. Next time he has a night of flap checks, send me an e-mail and I'll give you a pep talk beforehand! I didn't sleep at all that first night in ICU; I was basically awaiting each flap check.