What I'm Into Lately, September 2013

In September I had the privilege of visiting Imagine Art in Austin two times.  Once when they shared table space and wi-fi so I could work on an article and once for the opening of their exhibit This Ability.  There is good work happening here!

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From the book pile

to see the book pile from 2011, click here / from 2012, click here

29  The Golden Apples of the Sun, by Ray Bradury  (Subterranean Press; 1990. 248 pages) 

My friend Laurel commented her current reading list on the July edition of this blog post.  Laurel's the kind of reader I want to be more like so I pretty much copy and pasted her book list into the online library catalog search bar.  

This was my favorite recommendation of them all.  I've never read Bradbury (for shame) and it's been way too long since I've read a compilation of short stories.  This was the perfect way to get back into both.

My favorites short stories from this title:  "The Golden Apples of the Sun", "The Golden Kite, the Silver Wind", "The Garbage Collector", "The Big Black and White Game"

Excerpt from "The Big Black and White Game" to demonstrate Bradbury's pithy and marvelous way of description:

"The people filled the stands behind the wire screen, waiting. Us kids, dripping from the lake, ran between the white cottages, past the resort hotel, screaming, and sat on the bleachers making wet bottom marks. The hot sun beat down through the tall oak trees around the baseball diamond. Our fathers and mothers, in golf pants and light summer dresses, scolded us and made us sit still."

30  The War of the Worlds, by H. G. Wells, illustrated by Edward Gorey  (New York Review of Books, 1960. 251 pages) 

Another recommendation from my friend Laurel.  Not that I'd never heard of this book before, just never considered reading it.  Even though the plot is intriguing, my favorite part of this book is the illustrations by Edward Gorey.  The cover on my library copy is so, so fun. 

Also, anyone out there confuse H. G. Wells, Orson Welles and George Orwell?

31  The Best Spiritual Writing 2013, edited by Philip Zaleski with introduction by Stephen Prothero  (Penguin Books, 2012. 235 pages) 

I always think I'm going to like these types of anthologies more than I actually do.  Still, I love essays.  Always have, always will.

32  Horoscopes for the Dead: Poems, by Billy Collins (Random House; 2011. 103 pages) 

I'm not sure anything by the former US poet laureate will match the first crush I had on his work in Sailing Alone Around the Room.  At the same time I know I'll never get tired of this man's voice.  He manages to combine a wit -- both friendly and dry -- with splashes of boyish imagination that allows the reader to feel like they're getting in on his joke.  He's a friendly poet -- not one to leave his reader feeling dull and out of the loop.  

I like his words, but every once in a while I wish he'd reach a little bit higher -- deeper? -- for the transcendence washing over all of us.

One of my favorites from this collection:  "Cemetery Ride"

My new copper-colored bicycle

is looking pretty fine under a blues ky

as I pedal along one of the sandy paths

in the Palm Cemetery here in Florida

wheeling past the headstones of the Lyons,

the Campbells, the Dunlaps, and the Davenports,

Arthur and Ethel who outlived him by 11 years

I slow down even more to notice,

but not so much as to fall sideways on the ground.

And here's a guy named Happy Grant

next to his wife Jean in their endless bed.

Annie Sue Simms is right there and sounds

a lot more fun than Theodosia S. Hawley.

And good afternoon, Emily Polasek

and to you too, George and Jane Cooper,

facing each other in profile, two sides of a coin.

I wish I could take you all for a ride

in my wire basket on this glorious April day,

not a thing as simple as your name, Bill Smith,

even trickier than Clarence Augustus Coddington.

Then how about just you, Enid Parker?

Would you like to gather up your voluminous skirts

and ride sidesaddle on the crossbar

and tell me what happened between 1863 and 1931?

I'll even let you ring the silver bell.

But if you're not ready, I can always ask

Mary Brennan to rise form her long sleep

beneath the swaying gray beards of Spanish moss

and ride with me along these halls of the dead 

so I can listen to her strange laughter

as some crows flap in the blue overhead

and the spokes of my wheels catch the dazzling sun.

33  Tell It Slant: a conversation on the language of jesus in his stories and prayers, by Eugene H. Peterson (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2008. 270 pages, plus appendix and index) 

Classic Eugene Peterson, helping us take a new, more lighthearted look at the parables Jesus taught in the New Testament.

34  Little Black Sheep: A Memoir, by Ashley Cleveland  (David C. Cook, September 2013. 212 pages) 

A few Sunday evenings ago, our friends Jodi and Bernie came for dinner.  I asked Jodi how she'd spent her weekend.  She told me she got her pre-ordered copy of Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter Ashley Cleveland's memoir and couldn't put it down.  I said "Oh, I'd love to borrow it".  A few days later Jodi texted me, "What's your address?  I'm ordering you your own copy of the book.  Can't wait to talk with you about it!"  The day I picked it up, I read it start to finish in one Saturday morning, texting Jodi intermittently through the entire thing.

So, I've read lots of memoirs.  I've read some that I enjoyed and some that frustrated me.  I'm sure part of the reason I was drawn into Little Black Sheep is that -- essentially -- I was reading the story in community with Jodi.  (also, here sister Laurel plays a special role in Ashley Cleveland's life and I loved hearing that part of the story).  At the same time, this memoir hits some important marks on my list of criteria for a good memoir:  transparent without self-indulgent translucency by the author, a framework that keeps the reader clear about times, dates and places (in this case Ms. Cleveland takes the story back and forth -- like her own life -- from East to West Coast), enough clarity about the realities of both suffering and joy, and special attention to the number of words the reader can absorb about this particular life.  (for example, some life stories absorb beautifully 900 pages, some should probably stick to 150).

I recommend the book heartily, and am so grateful for the redemptive work of Christ.  Thank you, Jodi!

In September I enjoyed browsing through the following books:

• You Learn by Living: Eleven Keys for A More Fulfilling Life by Eleanor Roosevelt

• Life in a Medieval Village by Frances Gies and Joseph Gies

• Change By Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation by Tim Brown

• The Kitchen Counter Cooking School: How a Few Simple Lessons Transformed Nine Culinary Novices Into Fearless Home Cooks by Kathleen Flinn:  I actually listened to this book on CD while driving back and forth to work during the month.  It's not necessarily the best way to enjoy a book that includes recipes for each chapter, but sill an enjoyable book.

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Movies & TV 

Beasts of the Southern Wild

The only thing better than discovering a film that moves you is to have a friend welcome you to enjoy a film that they love.  The last weekend in September we spent an evening with friends, watching a film they love.  Our hostess explained that the story of six-year-old Hushpuppy fighting to survive not only Hurricane Katrina, but also poverty, neglect, and hunger helped her articulate some of her own painful growing-up experience.  Of course, the aurochs are magical realism, symbolizing any number of predators a child fears.  My favorite moment in the film,  Hushpuppy stares the beast down, looks him in the eye and whispers:  "You're my friend, kind of."  Something about that I know to be true.

Other movies we watched in September:  

Mud
The Help

On TV (via Amazon.com or Netflix):

The Newsroom  
The War (started this seven-part series while I was sick in bed for the week.  I'm so glad I watched it.  I'd never really understood World War II chronologically before.  Also, when is someone going to cinematically tell the story of the Japanese Americans we threw into interment camps for years?)

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In my ears 

Falling in love with the release of Jason Harrod's newest album Highliner.  Buy your copy of the album here.

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Art I'm Loving (Follow me on Pinterest here.)

Published on Sep 12, 2013

NEW BEGINNINGS
New York City Ballet presents NEW BEGINNINGS on September 12, 2013. Filmed at sunrise on the 57th floor of 4WTC in lower Manhattan, this short film captures an extraordinary and moving performance of Christopher Wheeldon's After the Rain. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a tribute to the future of the city that New York City Ballet calls home. 

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In the kitchen

I made this cake for the wedding reception of two lovely people.  And, really, what a great idea, right?  Friends donated their favorite cakes for a buffet of goodness at the reception.  Oh, my, this was yummy....

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Random thing making me happy 

Some kind and generous friends gave Brian and me a little getaway to Horseshoe Bay, TX.  I spent one entire afternoon doing this.  Ahhhh.....

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On the Blog (Get This Sacramental Life delivered by email.) 

Top 5 posts in September

5.  bad news, good news, Fox news and more!

4.  how our family spent 60 hours together in a minivan and lived to tell about it: 20 conversation prompts

3.   the time we got mac & cheese for a wedding gift [a mini story]

2.  how our family spent 60 hours together in a minivan and lived to tell about it: 6 roadtrip playlists

--- September's top post ---

1.  throwing in the towel on my sinuses, summer-er in Austin, unexpected mail and more!

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So, what about you? What's in your book pile? 

What art, film, song has captured your imagination? 

What are you pinning or cooking or planning? 

Share in the comments, won't you?

For more “What I’m Into” posts, head over to Leigh’s blog

Buy More Art: We Heart NYC print for hurricane relief, Quarry Street Hymnal, Vol. 1, Christmas cards from James B. Janknegt and bonus from poet Billy Collins

Introducing Buy More Art, a subtly-titled weekly collection of art and art events I'm recommending to the world. An close runner up for the new series:  Love your Artist Neighbor, Buy More Art! (borrowing language from Lauren Winner's advice for art patrons in this book)

After writing 101 Monday Mixtape posts, I'm throwing a farewell party and welcoming in the new guy.  You'll notice the mixtape lives on in spirit.  We're just hanging up the jersey on the metaphor.

In case you're wondering, a couple of things I consider when I'm putting together my collection:

• Is this an emerging artist who could use a shout-out?
• Is this an emerging artist I've met, friend of a friend, reminds me of someone I know?
• Do I enjoy the painting/print/tunes/exhibit/piece/pages so much I want to own it for myself?
• Does this artist have a risk-taking story I'm cheering?
• Does this work feature the banjo? Move it straight to the top of the list.

{ This post is meant to be shared; help a starving artist and pass it on! If you'd like to receive This Sacramental Life in your inbox, enter your email address here }

-- 1 --

We Heart NYC Hurricane Sandy Relief by 2pugstudio on Etsy ($20)

                                                                                     Source: etsy.com via Tamara on Pinterest

Artist and hometown friend Erin McMahon created this reproduction print to aid hurricane relief in New York City.  Many of Erin's drypoint prints capture NYC architecture so it makes sense that she is now using art to help with relief efforts there.

In Erin's words:

New York City is one of my favorite places in the world. I created this shortly after the impact of Hurricane Sandy. The original is a drawing done in thread on Arches Watercolor paper, with a rice paper heart. You are purchasing an archival reproduction of this work, with the proceeds going to support the relief efforts in NYC as they recover from the devastating impact of this storm. 

To see and purchase artwork, visit Erin's sites:

Erin L McMahon, Printmaker
2 Pug Studio on Etsy

-- 2 --
Quarry Street Hymnal, Volume 1 by Quarry Street Hymnal

I'm grateful to worship leader and generous blogger Bruce Benedict at Cardiphonia for recommending the debut release from Quarry Street Hymnal.  It's no secret that I'm an avid fan of the re-tuned hymn album and have featured similar projects. (two examples: here and here)

This release from Philadelphia's City Church music director Bethany Brooks moves right to the top of the list of my favorites.  

from Bethany Brooks/Quarry Street Hymnal's press release:

Brooks’s music career is as deep as it is diverse. Bethany holds her masters in piano performance from The Royal Academy of Music in London and has performed as a soloist and collaborative artist in Philadelphia, New York, London, Mexico City, Odessa, Istanbul and eastern Hungary. Brooks has a classical chamber duo and is an active participant in the Philadelphia roots & rock music scene, playing and singing in numerous well – regarded projects and bands. She currently serves as Director of Musical Worship at City Church in West Philadelphia.
Quarry Street Hymnal is the product of more than 15 years of writing new music for old hymn texts. Bethany began composing new music to these historic texts as a senior in high school with the hope of exposing audiences to obscure texts by putting them into an original folk-classical style.

Quarry Street Hymnal on Facebook

-- 3 --
Christmas cards featuring art by James B. Janknegt

Joyful Mystery #3: Nativity

Meeting artist Jim Janknegt is one of the highlights of my first year in Austin.  I've featured his work several times and am delighted that this year he is offering a selection of his original paintings printed as Christmas cards. 

To purchase cards, click through to this page at his site.

To purchase other works by the artist, visit the home page at Brilliant Corners Art Farm

-- bonus --

 Billy Collins reading his poem "Litany"

Now it's your turn!  What art are you making, selling, buying?  Tell us about it in the comment box below.  If you've written your own post, share the link.

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"The God who impoverished himself is also the God of abundance, and somehow, perhaps at times nonsensically, Christians are called to live out of an ethic not of scarcity but of abundance—an abundance that extends both to the homeless neighbor and to the artist neighbor. . . "  -- Lauren Winner, from her chapter THE ART PATRON: Someone Who Can't Draw a Straight Line Tries to Defend her Art-Buying Habit  in For the Beauty of the Church

Monday Mix Tape [the semi-regular edition]

i made you a mix tape of all my favorites from this past week!

The tag line is a lie.  This mix tape covers at least a month's time.
Of all of life's uncertainties, at least two things about me that I know to be true:


1.  Something in me rebels at the thought of being too predictable or consistent.
2.  I can only juggle one -- two, at the most -- compulsions at at time.  Which really isn't juggling at all, is it?


Right now, we're in full twirl celebrating the end of school and my oldest son's graduation from high school.  I've been spending most of my free time catching up his life scrapbook as a gift.  Well, that and getting the yard and house ready for a party.  That's a lot of work, yes, but what is most sapping my energy is the constant swinging back and forth from grief to relief on this crazy, emotional pendulum that is motherhood.


Still, a little bit of normal rhythm might be just the thing.  In that spirit, I offer you this post.


Books:


I'm finishing up Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis and diving into Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe for our IAM Reader's Guild gathering a week from today.  I feel like I've done a poor job keeping up with this reading and reviewing, but hopefully once we complete all the graduation festivities (also, have I mentioned that my husband turns 40 on Friday??)  I'll be able to settle into a lovely little reading and writing rhythm for summer.  One can always hope...


If you live in the area and want to join us for some great discussion about these two books, why don't you join us next Tuesday night? For the summer months, we're going to meet at my house to make good use of Brian's beautiful remodel of our back patio.


Tuesday, June 22, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
The Murphy's house, 106 Jefferson Ave., Endicott
RSVP to me: tmurphy@unioncenter.org
Bring your book, discussion guide and a snack or beverage to share!


Links:

• The KJV Effect at Books & Culture - reallllly interesting thoughts on American prose and the King James Bible.  It isn't very often that I look back on my KJV-only education with gratitude.  Reading this was one of those moments.

• Juxtaposition at Design for Mankind:  If anyone asked, I'd name this "How Lovely the Feet of Them" 

• The next time you need a hot conversation topic, pull up this link and let 'er rip:  Mickey of Nazareth

• Tyler Stanton.com: just for fun.  Found out about this guy on Donald Miller's blog.  He makes me laugh -- and gives me hope for my filmmaker/screenwriter/ridiculous-humoured sons' futures.  Want an example?

Tyler Stanton

Andrew Murphy, et al (aka Mustache Mayhem)







Art:

Is this art because it's an aesthetically-pleasing photograph or is it art because it depicts musicians at play or is it art because the story the photo tells is of lives making beauty in the midst of hardship?


Yes.


(Thanks to Culture Making and Hard Luck Blues: Images of the Forgotten for the photo by Dorthea Lange)




Poetry:


Lanyard by Billy Collins  (thank you, Andrea, for the link!)

Here are thousands of meals, she said,
and here is clothing and a good education.
And here is your lanyard, I replied,
which I made with a little help from a counselor.

Hear the poem read by the author here.