Sperlonga, thanks to Deborah

Our friend went to Italy this summer for another friend's wedding. (sigh. Oh, to have gone with her!) She did get fantastic photos that we've been devouring ever since she sent them to us. (Thus appeasing us somewhat.) She gave me permission to post these. In case you've been wondering where I got my name "sperlonga" from, this is IT. And you'll see why it was a wonderful place to spend our summer afternoons. The cave in the photo below was where Tiberius Caesar had his villa. He had placed statues strategically in the cave to catch the sun as it entered the cave. At one point in our time there, we were able to go inside it. The statues (of the Cyclops particularly) are in a museum there. The first two photos are connected so you can get a sort of panoramic view.

Planet Narnia

It's a lovely, cool morning, so I thought I'd catch up on the cookie baking, bake some for Andrew to take home with him and some to store in my freezer for future snacking! :) While I baked, I listened to a Mars Hill audio CD ( loaned to me by our friend Bill) of in interview with Michael Ward, the author of a new book called Planet Narnia:The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis.
(However, before I got into it, I had a delightful surprise visit from three bonny children, and their parents. The S family was out bike riding on the path and popped in! What fun!)
Anyway, Mr. Ward says that CS Lewis ties each of the Narnia stories to the pre-Copernican ideas of the planets which was five of our planets, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, along with the Sun and Moon. Linnea and I have loved talking about the meaning of stories and analyzing things. I thought she'd be interested in reading what this guy has to say, so I thought I'd just introduce his ideas and link to what he has to say. Here's what he has to say about Prince Caspian, the current Narnian favorite. Read it and tell me what you think. I think it's amazing! Once you get into that link, you'll be able to read a whole lot more about what Ward has to say about Lewis's ideas on the planets, mythology and meaning. I think the whole thing is very fascinating. One reviewer on Amazon.com puts the book summary this way:

The book centers around Lewis's fascination with the medieval concept of the Heavens. His poetry is filled with the Seven Planets, and his science fiction space trilogy (especially the last book, That Hideous Strength) is filled with medieval Planet imagery. How Lewis imaginatively integrated this love for the medieval cosmic understanding with his Christian beliefs is nothing short of amazing. It gives me a sense of what a genius he really was. (Reviewer Mark A. Sommer on Amazon.com)

Another reviewer says, "Planet Narnia opens our eyes to something we already sensed: the kingly robes that the series has worn all along."

Michael Ward's official website is Planet Narnia. On it he answers a lot of questions about his book and Lewis's ideas, as well as giving you a link to Amazon in case you want to buy it. I think this might be my next Amazon purchase!

Thanks, Bill, for a great CD!

A good time was had by all...

G. says it all, doesn't he? It took several photos to finally catch this boy in action, and he was all action, let me tell you! I had a blast enjoying all the laughter, splashing and action on a hot summer's afternoon. Let the good times roll!

Deer Family

"As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for thee, O God."

This morning I saw a doe and two fawns returning from the "water brooks". I looked across the field to where the soybeans meet the corn (why do we say "soybeans" and not "corns"?) and I saw the doe, so I got the binoculars. There she was along with her two fawns. How lovely! They were walking along the edge of the cornfield back toward the trees on the east side of the road. The doe walked straight with ears erect and head alert. The fawns scampered all through the soybean field. At one point the doe pulled a "Field of Dreams" and totally disappeared in the corn! The fawns continued their play. Then she came out and looked toward them. At this point they must've sat down in the beans because you couldn't see them at all. Then, up they popped and ran over to the doe. And on they strolled east to the trees. Kinda fun to watch them.

Birth Order Quiz (thanks to Prone to Wander)

HA! I must've done something wrong on this one since I'm the oldest of seven kids! AND on the shoes one K has, I was flip flops!!! Oh these are funny! I can see that some of the statements are true, like (and my sister's will definitely agree) I like to organize things.

You Are Likely an Only Child

At your darkest moments, you feel frustrated. At work and school, you do best when you're organizing. When you love someone, you tend to worry about them. In friendship, you are emotional and sympathetic. Your ideal careers are: radio announcer, finance, teaching, ministry, and management. You will leave your mark on the world with organizational leadership, maybe as the author of self-help books.

The Birth Order Predictor

Nearly Finished!

It certainly has been a learning experience! Den has worked really hard on this for the past two weeks. Yesterday we bought 26 more stones since the wall ended up being a bit higher and longer than we first estimated. We also wonder about why we did it at the top like we did, and should we add some more to the back side. He's thinking about 7 more stones to step it down more over there. Once we get river rock around the end and on top, add a few bushes and other plants, it ought to look pretty classy! Last block in place; what a man!

A Testimony from Francis Scott Key

Yesterday for offertory in church we sang this testimony of Francis Scott Key, the author of our national anthem. What a blessing to know that he was passionate about his country as well as passionate in his love for God. Sometimes reading the words impact our minds more than when we just sing them. What a testimony! May it be my passion as well.

Lord, with glowing heart I'd praise thee for the bliss thy love bestows,
For the pardoning grace that saves me, and the peace that from it flows.
Help, O God, my weak endeavor, this dull soul to rapture raise,
thou must light the flame or never can my love be warmed to praise.

Praise, my soul, the God that sought thee, wretched wanderer far astray,
found thee lost, and kindly brought thee from the paths of death away.
Praise, with love's devoutest feeling, him who saw thy guiltborn fear,
and, the light of hope revealing, bade the blood-stained cross appear.

Praise thy Savior God that drew thee to that cross, new life to give,
held a blood-sealed pardon to thee, bade thee look to him and live.
Praise the grace whose threats alarmed thee, roused thee from they fatal ease.
Praise the grace whose promise warmed thee, praise the grace that whispered peace.

Lord, this bosom's ardent feeling vainly would my lips express.
Low before thy footstool kneeling, deign thy suppliant's prayer to bless.
Let thy love, my soul's chief treasure, love's pure flame within me raise.
And since words can never measure, let my life show forth thy praise!