Quickly Commonplacing #8

Happy (belated) Divine Mercy Sunday friends! In honor of the day, God decided to have mercy on the lives of our three remaining chickens and protect them from the hawk that had snuck its way into our chicken enclosure (the third iteration of said enclosure that was supposed to be hawk proof). Had quite the dramatic end to dinner as my husband and I rushed outside to secure our chickens inside their actual coop so that we could usher the (stuck and panicking) bird of prey out of the enclosure. Our five-year-old was eager to help and brought his new foam shield and sword outside because they “help him feel brave.” Thankfully, he and his sister listened when we asked them to stay on the porch. Meanwhile, our youngest, living that third child life, had to sit tight in her armchair and wonder why her usual dinnertime entertainment had disappeared.

Current Reads:

1. Reread: Molly Barton By: Elizabeth Gaskell

   1. Though published over 150 years ago, Gaskell’s depiction of urban poverty, worker/employer conflict, and political upheaval is still all too relevant. Gaskell’s descriptions of urban poverty come from first hand experience. As a minister’s wife in Manchester, she spent a great deal of time both caring for and getting to know its suffering inhabitants. Gaskell’s empathy for these people bleeds through every page. Indeed, the book was initially criticized for being too one-sided in its portrayal of the employer/employee relationship. Yet, Gaskell clearly desires reconciliation between these classes, for each depends upon the other. From my life of extreme socio-economic privilege, it’s an uncomfortable read. All too often, I choose convenience over conscience (hello Amazon). All too often I fall prey to a consumerist mentality rather than denying myself that I might be more financially charitable. And I am still struggling to figure out ways I can actively practice the works of mercy as a Mom of little ones (any and all advice from more experienced Moms appreciated!). Reading Mary Barton, I am forced to confront these failings once again. And after confronting them, I can be encouraged to start again. For if there is one thing Gaskell communicates to her readers, it is that small acts of mercy, and generosity with our humble “loaves and fishes,” can make all the difference in the lives of others.

2. New Read: Mornings on Horseback By: David McCullogh

   1. In addition to majoring in Notre Dame’s Program of Liberal Studies, I was also a history major. And while British history is (predictably, given my literary tastes) my wheelhouse, I do love David McCullogh’s works on American history. I still remember reading his biography of John Adams and going through a brief, but intense, phase of trying to convince others that Adams is the best of the founding fathers. Given my enjoyment of McCullogh’s previous works, I thought he’d be a good choice for a return to chunky nonfiction writing. Mom life has definitely made concentrating on (and having the motivation to choose) longer nonfiction works harder. And I am thoroughly delighted with my selection. This particular book focuses on the early life of one of my favorite presidents, Teddy Roosevelt; and it is fascinating. For example, I never knew that Roosevelt’s mother was born to a slave-holding family in the South, which resulted in a very divided household during the Civil War. And McCullough posits that Roosevelt’s asthma was, at least in part, affected by that deeply felt tension. It’s a rather horrific reminder of how deeply the sin of slavery permeated all levels of American society.

Recent Commonplace Quotes

1. “But it ain’t our feelings we have to steer by through life-no, no we’d make shipwreck mighty often if we did that. There’s only one safe compass and we’ve got to set our course by that-what’s right to do.” (Anne’s House of Dreams, L.M. Montgomery)

   1. Captain Jim spits some much needed truth in this excellent quote. In the political world, in particular, I see a tendency to “steer by feeling/emotion,” rather than by “what’s right to do,” running rampant. And this applies to both sides of the aisle. I also think it explains a lot of the acrimony in the political realm, as well as (sadly) in the church. When we are making decisions based on feelings (however we dress them up or justify them), it becomes a lot more personal (and hurtful) when someone opposes us. Hence the ludicrous social media exchanges, liturgy wars, and inability to compromise. Yet, conquering our passions and honestly (if imperfectly) trying to set our course by the one “safe compass” is ultimately worthwhile; as Anne learns in this particularly moving novel. Speaking of which, I hereby blame Everyone for not warning me about Baby Joyce, poor Leslie’s traumatic past, and the death of Captain Jim. I was not expecting that level of sadness from an Anne novel. On the other hand, what makes Anne’s novels so much better than modern novels that might deal with similar topics is the fact that hope prevails. There is tragedy, but Montgomery’s Christian background means that the overall trajectory is towards comedy. Thank God! (Literally!)

2. “Freedom often means that one isn’t needed anywhere. Here you are an individual, you have a background of your own, you would be missed. But off there in the cities there are thousands of rolling stones like me. We are all alike: we have no ties, we know nobody, we own nothing…We have no house, no place, no people of our own.” (O Pioneers!, Willa Cather)

   1. I reread this novel to follow along with Close Reads Podcast HQ coverage and I am so glad I did. Willa Cather’s writing is just so masterful and rich. I found this quote, and the dialogue surrounding it, especially compelling. The novel’s main character, Alexandra, has lived a life of strenuous labor tied to the land. Discussing the past with childhood friend, and romantic interest, Carl, she laments that such a life has cost her her “freedom.” Carl, who has lived a nomadic urban existence, offers this response. It can be so easy, as a wife/mother/homeowner, to lament the loss of “freedom” that comes with the territory. It is a real sacrifice. Yet, as Carl points out, the kind of freedom that is so lionized in our current culture comes with its own cost. It is good, and not merely burdensome, to be needed. It is good, and not merely stifling, to be rooted. In self-gift, in committing to the act of creation (creation of a home, a community, a way of life) we are actually committing to living a life of greater individuality than if we remained “unfettered.”

Excellent Earworms:

1. Music: Like Ships Need the Sea (Emily Hearn), I Love You Will Still Sound the Same (O Honey)

2. Podcasts: “The Dark Side of Jane Austen” on the First Things Podcast and “True Myth, the Inklings, and the Creative Value of Good Graphic novels” on the Votive Podcast by Haley Stewart

Substack Shares:

• A fun book recommendation post for the aspiring reader of classics by Karen Rodriguez

  📚 If You Liked This, Try That: A Classic Book Guide for the Adventurous Reader

• Becca Parsons lovely reflection on motherhood and motherhood discourse felt very relatable

the paradox of motherhood

• Emily Stimpson Chapman offers probably the best take on the Conclave I’ve read thus far

The Both/And Pope

Polling the People

Last post we talked bookshelf organization-and most of you (39%) organize by genre, while 30% use a combination of factors. I go by genre, then appearance/size (whatever maximizes space), making sure that a single author’s books are next to each other. I have an online list of all of our books (just under 1800, not counting children’s picture books) but I would also love a physical catalogue sometime.

This week’s question is for my Austen fans and inspired by the warmer weather.

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