There's a new book out called Mormon Scientist.  You can go to www.mormonscientist.org to check out parts of it - it's about $24.95 on Amazon.  It is also availablein Deseret Book.  My mother called me and told me I need to buy it.  Henry Eyring was a LDS scientist that rubbed shoulders with Einstein.  He did all kinds of research and wrote tons beneficial to the science community.  Yes, he is related to Camilla Erying (Spencer W Kimball's wife) and Henry B. Erying, as well as other "Mormon prominant" folks. 

There are two other books that may interest you.  They are free on Footnotes, which is a document based geneolgy site (Mom knew about them but I'd never heard of them - LOL!).  Henry Erying wrote two books that are out of print for teens that were leaving the home and facing some of the tough questions that come from there.  I've read portions of the text, and I appreciate them already.  You do have to sign up for a 7 day trial membership - you can choose to stay and pay for the membership for a year or cancel.  These books are downloadable but I can't get them to be readable, so I'll be printing ours out.

I so appreciate men of science and faith.  They answer those burning questions that some are afraid to answer.  I have always felt that science PROVED my religion.  When I read the back cover of Reflections of a Scientist, I got goosepimples.  Here's the quote:

"Science has rendered a service to religion.  The scientific spirit is the essence of religion."

~Henry Eyring, Reflections of a Scientist

Something my mom was telling me about these two books.  Oh - the 2nd is called, The Faith of a Scientist.  Apparently when these two books were printed, he told them he didn't want royalties.  So for every dollar made it went back into the printing of these two books, so more people could read them.  (She is reading the Mormon Scientist book with my dad now.)  She said that there are testimonials of how reading these books had helped people in their youth.  Isn't that such a beautiful thing?   Anyway, it's going to be "required reading" for my family.  Okay, maybe not required so much as I will be reading it while they listen....  :D

I just wanted to post this find to the rest of you, in case you hadn't heard of it either.  My mom said she and my dad were just browsing and she picked it up and asked my dad to look at it to see if he'd be interested in reading it for Father's Day.  i have no idea how she found out about the website and the other two books.  Maybe it says something in the other book - I'm just glad she passed it along.  If you read any of them please leave me a comment.  I'd love to hear what you think.  :)  As I  looked over Reflections of a Scientist, I decided that maybe I'd use it as a springboard for science studies.  I'll have to give that some more thought.  ;)

Well, I'm off to make my sweetie some treats for Father's Day.  I'm making mock Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies.  These are so sinfully good, you have to limit them to Holidays or special occassions!  :)

I started reading the Peacegiver because so many people were referring me to it.  When a book comes that highly recommended, I pay attention.  I'm so glad I did, because it is REALLY GOOD.  I borrowed it from the library, but I will buy this one and read it often.  Yes, a modern day classic.  I must admit, I get bored sometimes with all these relationship books that I keep having to read because of a class, or colloquia, but this one is different.  It has a storyline that goes with it, and the thought of my Grandpa coming to me when I sleep makes me get goosebumps.  It would be a life changing event!

My husband asked me what this book is about last night.  I couldn't answer because I was on page 16.  Now I know - it's about changing your heart, about forgiveness, and the atonement - the atonement not just for the sinner, but the one sinned upon as well.  I have thought about that principle before, but it was good to be reminded.  And so eloquently too.  So if you have a troubled heart, or even if you don't, consider reading The Peacegiver - if nothing else, it's a good story.  :)

Oh - a side note.  The author says the man and his wife are LDS.  So far (I got halfway through the book in just a few INTERRUPTED hours) that's all there is about the LDS faith.  The rest is basic Christian principles, and it is all set in Biblical times.  Right now I am reading the account of Jonah.  :)  Since some of you are not LDS, I didn't want you to feel angry that I had tricked you into reading a LDS book - that's not my intent at all.  I'll be writing a commentary when I finish.  But you know how that goes.  I finish it and then I have to ponder it for awhile before I write the commentary.  But I'll get it done.

"Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves."  ~  Stephen Covey

This is certainly true of Robin Hood.  He started out treating all men fairly, villiens were treated as freemen, which is what he was, and lords and knights were all treated with the same curtousy.  He gave up his life as a freeman in order to give justice to those who were cruelly treated, and thus earned him the immediate love of his men.

Robin had many qualties of an excellent leader.  He never stooped into the role of a peer mentor, but instead always maintained the leadership role with his men.  He gave mercy when mistakes were made, although punishments were given in a swift manner, but were given with soft words and kindness, and when the punishment was fullfilled, the subject was dropped. 

He went to great lengths to ensure freedom for ALL, not just villiens, but lords and knights alike, even for King Richard.   This not only earned him a pardon with all his men to enjoy years of prosperity with his lovely Marian and his men, but also when times seemed to overwhelm his abilities, they came to his aide without being asked. 

He would fight for those who had no hope, some who were so dispaired that they would not take up arms, and even those who did not know themselves they wanted saving!   Not always done by fighting, but sometimes through craftiness, sometimes with money, and sometimes by words, the fight for freedom for all were always the top of Robin's priority.  In doing this, he never failed to inspire them to pick themselves up and move forward on their own voilition.

He made sure all fighting for freedom was done in the name of the Holy Virgin.  Of course, this made him God-centered in his religion, and this strengthened him in comparrison to his counterparts, who were weakend by fighting only for personal gain and to maintain their right to oppress others.  He would bestow mercy when it was due, and would deal justice to those that chose it. 

In the end, it was the one leadership weakness that brought Robin his death.  He refused to listen to those who loved him best, and trusted one that he ought not to have done.  Leaders listen, and take internal stock.  Still, even with his dying breath, he bestowed mercy on one who did not deserve it, and ensured his mark on history as one of the most impressive leaders in the world.  (I know - some believe he's made up.  I like Gilbert's thoughts on that at the beginning of the book.)

Robin Hood is not about a man who robbed the rich to feed the poor.  In fact, many times he would hardly tax anything of a richer fellow if he were honest and take everything from a poorer man if he were not!  No indeed, this is not about a glorified theif.  This is about a great leader who wanted nothing more than freedom and justice for all, and lived his life accordingly, inspiring others to do the same.  Enjoy!

PS  I really don't have time to go back and fix my typos and misspellings, but don't let those fool you.  If you've never read Robin Hood, go read it - it's NOTHING like the movies!  Why read a book about a leadership figure?  Don't you want to know how to lead your home with love, not fear?

I just posted a quote that  really made me think.  Before I write my review of this classic tale, let me update you on what's going on.  :)

The man that had our computer apparently went out of town and then had some things go on that delayed the repair of our computer.  This past wk we thought we would get it back because he said that it fired right up, and it looked like it was a simple thing - the power source "going bad".  So we were disappointed that it didn't happen.  Rest assured, we are just as anxious to get it back - it makes research for Athena's projects for Commonwealth difficult.  Thank you all for continuing to check back - he has promised it won't be long now.   It has proven to be very difficult to get to the library on a regular basis...  I do feel a responibility to my blogs, but that is another post for another time.

Here is my thoughts on the very awesome book, THE GIANT KILLER by A.L.O.E. (A Lamplighter book)

(Those of you of another faith, The Giant Killer was written in 1888 by a Christian, and is very good - you might get it for your children.  Although my faith disagrees with the ending of the book - the notion that the battle is over at death, I found the rest of it to coincide with the LDS faith.  Which, btw, we classify ourselves as Christians, but I know others do not.)

Christ said, "...whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him I will recieve..."  3 Nephi 9:22

While reading The Giant Killer, I found the symbolism to be quite profound, and like the children in the story, I too found myself rexamining my motives and attitudes that had reigned thus far in my life.

One of the most profound pieces of imagery for me was the knight looking a thrid time for the Giant of Untruth.  He kept searching and searching, never cluing in that all he had to do was look in the mirrror.  When he did, he didn't see the giant.  Instead, he saw a distorted view of himself.  It wasn't until he considered his true self that he realized that he was staring at the Giant of Untruth.

This hit me hard because I have recently gone through a class that made me take a close look at myself.  I learned that in order to make changes in my life that are desireable, I have to be honest first with myself, and take responsibilty for my choices.  Otherwise, they will not happen.  You cannot slay the Giant of Untruth if you are unaware or unwilling to recognize him in the mirror. 

In my own life, I have come to the realization that at the time of my health crisis I was in "victim" mode (having fallen in the pit belonging to the Giant of Selfishness!) & no longer wanted to be the mom.  Harsh as that sounds, looking back I can see myself trying to nurture a teen, a child who's needs I did not understand, an extroverted child who needed more exposure to the outside world than I was prepared to do at the time with newborns, a son who was insecure, a nephew with attachment disorder, and two infants.  That was ALOT, and it had become too hard.  Being the personality that I am, instead of sacrificing the kids, I was sacrificing myself, and had just let my health decline.

I can forgive myself because 1) I didn't stay there long, and 2) I was doing the best that I knew how.  Fortunately for me, I took a truthful look in the mirror and didn't like what I saw.  Though the help with a clarity coach, I have discovered that because of my children, I have a deeper understanding and empathy than most people (which is important to fullfill my life's mission.)  I have also learned to listen to each child for the message that each is teaching me.  In doing this, it is no longer about the task of teaching them.  Remember?  YOU, not THEM?

In other words, I have an appreciation for my children that wasn't there before.  Now I realize that there is a fair exchange - it's not all about me.  My attitude has changed from being overwhelmed to being overwhelmed with gratitude.  It has changed from being hard, to easy.  All because I chose to look in the mirror, and slay my Giant of Untruthfulness.

One of the lessons that my nephew has clearly taught us is, "Everyone is loveable if you give them an abundance of love, even when it isn't reciprocated at first - eventually it will be magnified tenfold."  ~ copied from my journal.  I thought this was very welll illustrated not only in the allogory by the tree of frogiveness and the fruit of benefits, but also by the kind acts the children gave prideful Constantine until at the end he slayed his Giant Pride and repented.

Raising my nephew has definitely shown the truth of this principle.  In the beginning he would "prove" to himself we didn't want him - I think he thought we would leave him too.  I, like the knight in the story that drank the water of anger, would take his lack of love as a personal attack (again, seeing the Giant of Untruth instead of reality).  I would pray and pray and pray, knowing that it wasn't right to be angry, and always the same answer would come back - love him.  After a year of hit and miss until I finally got it and consistently LOVED him (and learning his love language), we bagan to notice a gradual change, until now his periods of being "unlovable" are so brief and infrequent that he really feels like one of our own.  Not only is he healing, but so are we.

"Wherefore, be not weary in well doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.  And out of small things procedeth that which is great."  D&C 64:3

There were many other examples of my own life that this book brought to mind.  I see this book as a story about personal accountability.  Once we hold ourselves accountable, then we can change our life, and in doing so, change the lives of those around us, making a difference in the world.  After all, the mother in the story had already slayed her Giant of Untruth, and knew what her children needed.  A story entitled, The Giant Killer.

Sorry ya'll - I thought I'd get to it yesterday but we had some things come up.  Don't they always?  Today is Venus's first Daughters of Royalty meeting!  She and I are very excited.

Wacky Wheelers, here is the URL for the stick figures:  Our Stick Family  What you do is make it up like you're going to buy one (you can always do that too!) and then right click the picture and save as on your computer.  Then upload it to your blog.  :)

Now for No Surf Girl's question:  Classics for a six year old. 

I'm assuming you are wanting the thick books to read aloud to her.  What I do for these is let the kids have some sort of activity, like leggos, playdough, etc. that keeps their hands busy while they listen.  The only rule is they have to play quietly while Mom reads, or the toys get put away (this is hard sometimes with all my littles, but it's an enforced rule).  I still do picture books ofr cuddled reading - kids like pictures, and I think that children's illustrations,  are an art. They have their purpose too.

That being said, here's some favorites of my family:

Have you tried A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh?  Not the Disney stuff, but the original?  There are the pooh stories, but don't neglect the delightful book of poems, "Now we are six".

The Aseop for Children (by Aesop) - be careful - there a lots of knock-offs. 

The Giant Killer - This is part of the Lamplighter series and is very hard to find - I got mine off of ebay.  Well worth the trouble though!  EXCELLENT!

Just So Stories by Kipling.  (who doesn't enjoy these?)

The Arabian Nights by Husian Huddawy

Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

The Story of Dr. Dolittle by Hugh Lofting is a fun one.

I read the Children's Book of Virtures to them - the big thick one.  There are some lovely gems in there.  There are also the picture bok editions - we have two of those that Iris loves.  The boys, not so much.

If Loli is into Fairy Tales, do Andrew Lang's series (there are several), Like The Brown Fairy Book and The Blue Fairy Book - don't do Grimm's.  They tend to be very harsh and grotesque.   Sign of the time they were in.  Anderson's Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Anderson would be good too.

If Loli is ready for it, these might be good - but they are considered for 7 & up (my littles have older siblings, so we go back and forth between simple tales and harder ones - my older kids didn't get as much exposure as the younger ones do, but that's okay.  If I could do it over, I probably would have exposed the older kids to older type books more often - we live and learn.):

Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder is great - GREAT one for activities!  See my last note below for explanation.

Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyes

Heidi by Johanna Spyri  (Venus loved this one!)

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell - Iris loved this, Venus thought it was ok, Athena HATED it.  Just depends on the child.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgeson Burnett - everyone loves this one

The Adventures of Robinhood by Howard Pyle

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson - this is so great

Some people like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass - I never have.  But that's me, and you and your family are different, so I throw it out there for you to consider.  :)

That's probably more than you wanted, so I'll stop.  :)

For picture books, have you done the Frances series?  These are delightful.  A Bargain for Frances, A Baby Sister For Frances are a few of the titles.  I was still enjoying these in 2-3rd grade, and they're full of good morals.

My kids really like Stellaluna and Verde.  I think there is a third to the series, but not sure.

We LOVE the book Little Black Sambo that Deseret Book sells - you can buy it online at any of the major bookstores too - luckily our library has it!  This is a classic African tale, and this edition has Little Black Sambo and his family dressed in traditional African attire.

For Christmas, I want to buy D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths by Ingri D'Aulaire and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire - I look at it and drool everytime I go into Barnes and Noble.  It looks great, and it has a decent story about Orion in it, without all the icky weird Greek stuff.  Great for introducing kids to greek mythology.

Of course, poetry is big in our family - Iris is constantly looking to make rhymes of her own.  I think she learned this love from the studies we did last year (after she turned six) of the Real Mother Goose rhymes - some people prefer Mother Goose:  The Original Volland Edition by Eulalie Osgood Grover, but when I grew up I had the black and white checkered edition (you can buy this at Barnes and Noble - unchanged!) and this was more about me sharing a piece of my childhood.  Which is why she may have connected so well with it.  One of the things I did to instill this love of rhyme in her was the little activities that we did with it - at first it was more about the activities than the book - the I noticed she was taking the book to bed and would beg me to read from it.  So that may be a way to connect with Loli - do some activities.  It would work with anything - for Ramona, if she is playng with catapillars you might take her to a butterfly exhibit.  If she is participating in a Christmas pagent, take Loli to one - etc.  For the nursery rhymes, there are lots of sites on activities to do with kids Loli's age - I think I posted some awhile back.  If you're interested and I didn't, let me know and I can look them up for you - I haven't the time at the moment (posting this inbetween flipping pancakes. hehe)

Favorite Bookstores:

The Library :), Barnes and Noble, Hastings, and the used bookstores around town (every large town has to have at least one, right?)

I shop Amazon, George Wythe College, Barnes and Noble, and Ebay online.  Albis seems to keep their stuff on the higher priced side, so unless I just can't find it anywhere else, I'll look there and usually find it.

Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette is a man that has passed through great notoriety in his day, into history’s obscurity.  I find it fascinating that his name was only a ghost of a memory from my awareness from my days in public school, and yet, here was a man that my country gave highest honors and homage to, in life as well as in death.  Why would such a man be excluded from our studies of history?  Why would we hear almost nothing, except a paragraph in the history textbooks, of “the son of Washington”?

As I ask myself this question, I am reminded of the story of Christopher Columbus.  I remember being angry when I first learned that the church had attempted to erase his great name from history, in an attempt to mold it for its own selfish desires.  It was only through Columbus’s son that we have true history.  And once again, had it not been for La Fayette’s son, George, we would not have the rich fullness of truth from La Fayette’s own penned hand.  I find it remarkable that people discount the descendants of such great men, claiming they never reached the popularity of their fathers/mothers.  I wish it would come to a greater understanding that not all missions are equal.  Where one was great in the mission within the political arena, another is great in the recording of it.  No two missions are alike, as no two people are alike, and the only failure is the mission that goes unfulfilled.

General La Fayette worked hard at his mission.  He responded to the call to America, even if he faltered in the inexperience of youth.  Instead of holding back and worrying over his own life, he threw himself passionately into battle, being preserved by God to rally the troops to continue the fight.  His talent for never loosing sight of the dream of American liberty was shared with all, and in doing so he stirred men’s hearts to remember the direct purpose God had for our nation.

He took this talent to France, hoping for freedom for his homeland just as he had helped obtain in his adopted land.  Unfortunately, I believe what the author says is true.  The downfall of the French Revolution, in my opinion, was not La Fayette’s.  The principles were true.  La Fayette, however, failed to understand that the American’s who worked and fought so hard for freedom were the descendants of those who had sacrificed everything for freedom.  They had been born, raised, and cultivated with SACRIFICE as a part of their understanding of life.  The French had never sacrificed – they had conquered for generations.  I believe that the French Revolutions were such disastrous because everyone had their own agendas, no one sacrificed any part of themselves for the common good of man.  They failed to realize that with that sacrifice came greater freedoms.

I think La Fayette and his family escaped this mindset purely because he took a risk in answering the call to America.  It was a sacrifice for himself, and for his family.  At such an early age to do such a thing might be considered reckless – but history will judge it courageous.  I look at my own children, and wonder as they grow older, will I be able to know the difference when it occurs, or will I be able to discern true God guided actions from rebellious hormonal activities?  It gives an interesting perspective, doesn’t it?  It gives more reason for thoughtful and cautious prayer during these young years to the serious parent.

I also believe that La Fayette’s life, colored so distinctly by his beloved mentor George Washington, was at times lived in mistaken honor.  Instead of answering the call to help mold the French Government, he instead chose to follow his “father’s” footsteps and resign.  I think he did this because although he understood the concept of liberty, and he had been cultivated to understand what it took to obtain liberty, he was not a true student of liberty.  Had he done so, perhaps he would have more fully understood the principles in which make liberty possible.  He would have been better able to influence, mold, and possibly teach the French how to come to their own course of freedom without so much blood shed.

La Fayette’s life, retold in this biography, shows me as a parent the need for a well rounded, good education full of true principles and the need of a good mentor, along with the benefits of acknowledging the beauty of accepting one’s calling from God.  He also shows with eloquence the different rolls we play in the different seasons of life.  That is a concept that many parents do not understand, and I hope to pass through those changes with grace such as he did.

As a daughter of liberty, I find La Fayette’s life particularly disturbing.  Not because of La Fayette, whom I now adore and have great feelings of gratitude towards, but because I see in the attitudes of America today the same attitudes that were there in the French of yesteryear.  No longer are people aware of how important the struggle to victory is.  When you struggle for something, it is held more precious than when something is just handed to you.  It makes you a stronger person.  The stronger the people, in mind, heart and soul, the stronger the nation as a whole.

It is like the chick being hatched from the egg.  One might think peeling back the shell would help, but it only serves to weaken the bird inside, leaving him more susceptible to prey from the world.  Many American people (and indeed, throughout the world) are like this chick.  So many people are afraid of failure that they refuse to even try.  They have had everything handed to them and in consequence see no reason to sacrifice.  They pass laws and more laws that only serve to constrict the liberties they have been given, because they are so afraid of having anything taken away.  They can’t see that in doing this, they are eroding the most important commodity of all – liberty.

I don’t think our country is doomed.  Just as in La Fayette’s time, I see people taking on his dream.  I see people beginning to understand that it begins when people are young.  They are taking up the task, and sacrificing their time, talents, and energies, for the fight for freedom.  It looks different in every person, just like La Fayette and his son’s missions look different.  For some, it is a call to awaken the sleeping public.  For others, it is to run for office.  Some of us hear and answer the call to teach at home.  Regardless of what the call is, if we all answer our individual callings with honor, if we all look to God for strength and guidance, we will be able to preserve our liberties.  Our children and grandchildren will know freedom. 

And I think that is all we can ask.  Freedom, to do the things we have been called to do.  As La Fayette put it on his deathbed, “I am their father so long as they do not have to heed a word that I say to them.”  No wonder the prophet and the brethren have put so much emphasis on families.  It all starts at home.

I can see this book being a classic to some.  For me, it was enjoyable.  I see pearls of wisdom in "Tante" Corrie's writings.  I appreciate and celebrate her life - it was remarkable.  Classic for me though?  I don't think so.  Only because it didn't change me - she only served to confirm my own beliefs, albeit differences in doctrine.  So in that respect, I cannot call this a classic.  However, I am sure there is someone out there whom this book would change radically, and for them, I encourage the acquistion of and reading of it.  :)

Corrie grew up in Holland, in a Christian family.  Her father considered it a privilage to hide the Jews from the Germans when they were overtaken by Germany.  She and her family were imprisoned in concentration camps for doing this.  Corrie and her sister smuggled a bible into the concentration camps and brought many people to Christ through their faith and living what they preached.  Corrie lost her sister, but she was released just before they would have sent her to the gas chambers, for no apparent reason.

Her entire life is full of instanes like this.  She gives her entire life to the Lord and goes on a "tramp" around the world, in the ministry of bringing people to Christ.  The book is full of stories from this remarkable woman's life, including insights and words of Gratitude.  It was wonderful to read of someone how one might give her entire life to Christ.  Not all are called to serve like Corrie - she conceeds that.  One does not have to drop husbands and children to follow Christ - that was just her calling.

And I think that's Corrie's message throughout the entire book.  You CAN serve the Lord.  You CAN live in Christ's light.  She wants you to know, and to find joy in knowing.  Really is a great little book - enjoy it!

Okay, I just finished and I was trying to sob quietly and Athena yells at me from the next room, "Man Mom, you cry LOUD"....   ah well.  I couldn't help myself.  Oh it was SOOO  SAD!  And I sure wouldn't want to be Scarlett for anything.  I hadn't thought I'd read the sequel, but now I see that I will have to, because surely the author would not leave them so broken?????    ARGH!  I just can't imagine living this way.  I just wanted the entire time to shake them and say BE HONEST!  Of course, Scarlett never really understood, but she would always let him GOAD her into bad manners...  and I completely undrestand because when Redbeard and I fight it's because I feel just like Scarlett. 

Oh, I understand her completely.  I saw so much of myself in her.  I sobbed through more of this book than probably most people because I understood so much.  The only thing that is different about me is that I have the gospel that is my rod - without it I might have grown up to be like her.  *shudders*.  She is everything I have always disliked about myself.  Except I have, well, scruples, and I was never a "belle" that made men flock to me.  Well, my mother says I was, but I don't think so.  But there was so much of her that I have hidden in my own charcter - flaws that reading them like that was quite a shock.   

For all it's length, it was something I needed to read.  I knew when it lept off the shelf at me that I had to read it - and it wasn't on ANY list that I had to read.  Some people might find this book "fluff" - I did not.  It was painful, funny, insightful, and facinating.  I don't see it as a "romance".  I have yet to read a classic romance that I find romantic.  I see nothing romantic in their abuse to one another.  "Be kind to Captain Butler" was Melanie's last words to Scarlett.  Good grief - a little kindness goes a long way.

Choices.  Our choices are so important. 

Back later with other comments - these are the thoughts rummaging through my mind at the end.

As I read the Scarlet Pimpernel I came to realize that this is not a book about the French Revolution like I had thought, but more a books about the relationship of husband and wife, with a little adventure, danger, & intrigue thrown in, along with an assessment of character.  It was a great read.  My commentary shows how very much into Core Phase I am at the present time.  The writing is a little substandard compared to say, Dickens.  However, I feel that the lessons learned and the reflections I continually found myself in might just make this a core classic for me.  I will definitely be reading it again in the future.

 The folly of not being open and honest with one another in marriage (or in any other partnership) is the pain that is needlessly caused.  The hope of lost virtues being refound and relived will only be realized after one of the offending parties will extinguish their own pride and request their hearts desires.  Open, honest communication is absolutely a requirement for a healthy, flourishing martial relationship.  It must be said, and was demonstrated by the characters of this book, that to create such communications one must create the atmosphere of safety in order for each to be comfortable enough to share their thoughts and feelings.  It is human nature to survive - not just physically, but emotionally.  If you have been ridiculed, snubbed, or in any way felt that your inner being is unworthy, or unwanted, you will have a much more difficult time achieving the eternal blessing of a marriage filled with happiness - this is why our words must be chosen with such tender care.  Hopefully, as we do this, our spouse's (friends, partners, business associates, etc.) will take note and follow suit.

 At the end of the chapter "Farwell", Marguerite feels elated and at peace, even though her only family, her brother Armand, is still in mortal peril.  She has this feeling of security because her husband, Sir Percy,  has taken action on her behalf.  It isn't that she is unaware of the dangers that Armand is in, or that she is being selfish and thoughtless on either man's behalf.  It is simply peace born of such strong faith in her husband that she is completely reassured.  She doesn't have to know HOW - she just knows that he says all will be well because he is overseeing the problem, and so thus, it must be.

 "Armand certainly was still in danger but Percy had pledged his word that Armand would be safe, and somehow, as Marguerite had seen him riding away, the possibility that he could fail in whatever he undertook never even remotely crossed her mind."

 I don't know many men who understand this "blind faith" that women have in them.  I have asked Redbeard to read this book after he finishes Harry Potter (yes, he reads those as well) because I wanted to discuss this with him.  I know he gets scared sometimes, and that responsibility weighs heavy on his shoulders, just as Sir Percy showed the heavy weight of responsibility the day that he tells Marguerite he is leaving.  I am not blind to the obstacles that stand in his way.  Still, I KNOW that Redbeard can accomplish anything he sets out to do.  and I KNOW if he says it will be okay, then it will. 

 Why?  I think it stems from character.  I think first you have to be a man of character to achieve this blind faith/love from your wife, and likewise of your husband.  I am not saying that we cannot fail, because failing is a part of succeeding.  Still, I think there is something to NEVER GIVING UP, until the achievement is reached.  That alone, to me, is character enough.

 Ignorance is bliss they say, but I think the character of Marguerite makes the point of if this is true, then knowledge is power.  I think I would rather be empowered than blissful.  Poor Lady Blakeney realizes too late that she has inadvertently put not only her brother in peril, but her husband as well, because of her ignorance.  And all of this after a strong wrestle with her conscious on what the proper thing to do would be - to allow her only brother to be guillotined, or to turn in information that would eventually lead to the arrest and execution of the Scarlet Pimpernel.  I surmise that if she had been better informed, she would have made better choices.  Of course, all the signs were there, and so if she had been more observant and less focused on herself, she could have avoided the entire incident all together.

To Marguerite's credit though, she repented quickly.  Once she learned of her error, she did not sit and cry, or complain and whine that she was overwhelmed with what to do next.  Instead she took action, the cure all of sin and the way to repentance:

"But there was no time now to go over the past.  By her own blindness she had sinned; now she must repay, not by empty remorse, but by prompt and useful action."

 How many times have we heard "Faith without works is dead" or "Repentance is a process"...  it is never enough to say you are sorry.  Only in the action to show your sorrow for the wrong committed is true forgiveness achieved, both from self, and the one wronged.  What good would her repentance have done if she had just sat at home and felt guilty?  Nothing.  Instead, she took action, and helped save her husband and his followers, including her brother - so instead of never forgiving herself, she ended up a happy person in the end.

 Some other excerpts of interest to me:

 "She looked round her eagerly and the tall cliffs,, the lonely hut, the great stretch of rocky beach.  Somewhere there, above or below her, behind a boulder or inside a crevice, but still hidden from her longing, feverish eyes, must be the owner of that voice, which once used to irritate her, but which now would make the happiest woman in Europe, if only she could locate it."

 How often do we get irritated by the things that we miss the most when they are gone?  We focus way too much on the negatives of life.  We should be living each day with great gratitude, not taking anything for granted, burning them into our memories for the tomorrows that will no longer be the same.

 "On he tramped, with firm footstep, his vigorous arms encircling the precious burden, &...  no doubt, as she lay, quiet and happy, at times lulled to momentary drowsiness, at others watching, through the slowly gathering morning light, the pleasant face with the lazy, drooping blue eyes, ever cheerful, ever illumined with a good-humored smile, she whispered many things, which helped to shorten the weary road, and acted as a soothing balsam to his aching sinews." 

 This is a passage at the very end of the book, where Percy is carrying Marguerite to meet his ship because she cannot walk due to injuries she has sustained, in spite of the beating he has just had at the hands of the enemy.  I find it interesting that at the end of the book, with everything turning out okay in the end, she has learned to be a help meet.  She cannot take his burden away.  She cannot do it for him, and in fact, is somewhat a part of that burden, but her sweet whispers of encouragement and love, and no telling what else to gladden his heart, "shorten[s] the weary road, and acted as a soothing balsam to his aching sinews."  We aren't supposed to take over our husband's position of patriarch of our home - we cannot righteously take over that part of the martial partnership and its respectful duties, burdens, perhaps even dangers that come with it.  However, by doing our part, taking care of our own responsibilities, and just being there with them, to provide comfort and love, sweetness, generosity, sometimes lending an ear, we can make things so much better and easier for them.  For years I have been amazed by the power I hold in his life and in the lives of my children, just by being me.  I am a force for good or evil - I can make the burden light, or heavy.  I am woman, hear me *sweetly* ROAR!

“Brogard had evidently had enough of these questionings.  He did not think that it was fitting for a citizen – who was the equal of anybody – to be thus catechized by these sacrres aritos, even though they were rich English ones.  It was distinctly more fitting to his new-born dignity to be as rude as possible; it was a sure sign of servility to meekly reply to civil questions.”

This hit home with me because I find myself doing this at times.  Sometimes people just have a “air” about them – like they know more, or are better than you.  And so to “bring them down a notch”, I find myself getting quickly irritated and being short with them.  And really, instead of helping them reach the conclusion that I am their equal, I think all I do is achieve what Brogard does Sir Andrew and Marguerite’s minds:  the acknowledgement that I am ill mannered and bad tempered.  Oh my!

 Character highlights & reflections:

 Chauvelin (the bad guy - oooo!  Very bad!):

 "Never for a moment, did the slightest remorse enter his heart, as to the terrible position in which he had placed the unfortunate wife, who had unconsciously betrayed her husband.  As a matter of fact, Chauvelin had ceased to think of her:  she had been a useful tool, that was all."

 This portrays "beyond feeling" - someone who has through years of ugliness and betrayal of self has put themselves above all others, that the effect that their actions have on others has no merit with them.  Very cold - the entire time I felt Chauvelin was quite sleazy - not near the romantic, comical character Ian McKellen portrayed.  The Chauvelin in the book gave me the willies!

 Sir Percy Blakeney (The good guy!  Every shout "YAY!"):

 "Sir Percy Blakeney would not be the trusted, honored leader of a score of gentlemen if he abandoned those who placed their trust in him.  As for breaking his word, the very thought is preposterous!"

 Strong character develops long before we see the fruits of it.  This is a man of integrity and courage, and he must have exhibited these virtues long before he was able to create his league.  It is by small acts that such strong character is formed.  Honoring debts, saying what you mean, following through on promises spoken, etc.   Good character is part of the preparation spoken of by the Lord in "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."  When people know you have good character, when the going gets tough and you need others to believe in you, or you need to believe in them, it will happen naturally, unlike the person who is repairing their character, or just beginning to establish a good one.  Sometimes the damage done by bad character will haunt you always - good character must be obtained AND maintained.  One cannot NOT have good character one day, and bad the next.  You cannot have good days and bad days.  You just ARE, or ARE NOT. 

 Sir Andrew Ffoulkes:

 "He obeyed?"

"Without word or question."

 I love this about Sir Andrew - I wish the movies brought more of Sir Andrew's character out in them.  Sir Andrew is another example of shinning, impeccable character, not without fault but his integrity is intact and is not taken lightly.  I love his obedience to the Scarlet Pimpernel.  I feel that this is the sort of obedience I need to achieve with the Lord.  Sir Andrew knows there is NOTHING that the Scarlet Pimpernel would ask of him that would betray him to their enemies.  He knows that the Scarlet Pimpernel would take on all danger himself rather than risk his men if he could.  He also knows that sometimes the Scarlet Pimpernel asks him to do things that may not make sense to him, but by the Pimpernel's design has meaning and necessity.  He is asked to do the task, so he simply does it.  There is no "why". 

 I want to grow up to be just like them.  Well, not Chauvelin, but Sir Percy and Sir Andrew, & in some ways, even Marguerite, in my own feminine way.  :)  And thus ends this commentary - there is still so much more, but my carpal tunnels is acting up, so off I must go. 

I just finished number six in the Baroness Orczy's series of the Scarlet Pimpernel.  I'm not going in order - I am reading them as I come across them.  I own the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Elusive Pimpernel, but they are packed.  I found this at our library, and snatched it up.  I am a huge fan of Sir Percy's.

As much as I enjoyed The Way of the Scarlet Pimpernel, I find that the chief characters in this storyline don't have that much to offer.  It isn't until the last chapter that Sir Percy comes on the scene and then you finally get pearls of wisdom dropped at your feet with his wonderful wit.  I think the moral of this book is, "Find another solution other than blackmail."  or maybe "Don't put anything in writing that you don't want others to know."  or maybe "Don't take everyone you meet at face value." or lastly, "Listen to the young, for although they are dreamers, sometimes dreams are what brings you through to the end."

Still, there were some passages about the state of France that I myself found, well, intrigued, I guess. Commentary follows each quote - I guess I should warn you that I get pretty heated in some of them.  Well, I thikn they are heated anyway...  I try so hard to keep this unpolitical, but commentary on this classic just won't let me:

"The only equality that this glorious Revolution had brought about was that of wretchedness, and an ever-present dread of denunciation and of death.  That is what people murmured in the privacy of their homes, but did not dare to speak openly.  No one dared speak openly these days, for there was always the fear that spies might be lurking about, that accusations of treason would follow, with their inevitable consequences of summary trial and the guillotine."

Sounds like Nazi Germany doesn't it?  And honesly, America today?  Perhaps not this extreme, and yet, I think people put a blind eye to many freedoms that have been lost in the name of "security".  Like the time the cop showed up at my door to check me out because the people down the street called him on me because my three yr. olds had given me the slip and they were outside for no longer than 2 min. while we ran around the house and the yard looking for them..  but they were "concerned", and so I had to deal with the stress of a cop showing up at my door, wondering if he needed to "do" something.  And these people who called him of then left their children to wander in the streets to play, had trash all in their yard, etc.  Reading this reminded me so much of how I felt then - people who won't take care of themselves, but greedy and covetness of what others have, so they try to destory the other to make themselves feel better.  It is their way of getting control by creating a sense of control over the others through means of generating fear...  It is pathetic, and evil.  I learned through that experience that we must not give into fear.  We must stand strong with our heads high and be courageous, and continue to live our lives the way we know they should be.  We must obey the law, but we must not fear the law.  We must protect the laws that give us freedom - if there is a law to restrict freedom, we must lawfully fight it.  If the law is broken, then we have a responsibilty to fix it, to rally each other and follow the proper steps - we must not recoil and be silent.  Silence is not golden - it is death.  Death, of freedom.

"And so women and children suffered in silence, and the men suffered because thet could do nothing to alleviate the misery of those they cared for.  Some there were lucky enough to have got out of this hell upon the earth, who had shaken the dust of their unfortunate country from their shoes in the early days of the Revolution, and had sought - if not happiness, at any rate peace and contentment in other lands.  But there were countless others who had ties that bound them indissolubly to France - their profession, their business, or family ties - they could not go away:  they were forced to remain in their native land and to watch hunger, penury and disease stalk the countryside, whilst the authors of all this misfortune lived alife of ease in their luxurious homes, sat round their well-filled tables, ate and drank their fill and spent their lesiure hours in spouting of class-hatred and of their own patriotism and selflessness.....    ....They saw to it, these men, that privations and anxiety did not come nigh them.  Privations were for the rabble, who were used to them, and for aristos and bourgeois, who had never known the meaning of want:  but for them, who had hoisted the flag of Equality and Fraternity, who had freed the people of France from the tyranny of Kings and nobles, for them luxury had become a right, especially if it could be got at the expense of those who had enjoyed it in the past."

Ok, this bothers me, because I have written several letters of late to Congress.  I have been bothered by the lack of response I get, or the rhetoric I recieve, or worse, the letters that state simply that they are going to do what they want, no matter what the people say, because they were elected and they can.  This whole wanted to shut down the rights of the people to contact their congressman has me extremely worried.  Wasn't that the whole point?  REPRESENTATION?  How is it that you can represent the people if the people can't be heard? 

Another thing that sticks in my craw as I read this is the statement she makes about whose shoulders the difficulties are worn on.  I watch my own country and I am very worried about our financial state.  No, I do not think Ron Paul has the answers, so don't go there.  I think the best thing we can do for our country is to take responsibility for ourselves.  Live within our means - get serious, and get out of debt.  Save for a rainy day.  Build up a food supply - I have heard people say the time for this counsel is past.  I think that's hog wash.  So the Lord won't protect a new convert just because they didn't have their food storage?  Or how about those of us who have been through financial crisis the past 3 yrs and we are depleated?  Or those who through fire, flood, tornadoes, etc. have their food supply destroyed?  No.  This is wise counsel, but it does not mean we won't be tested and tried.  There are no guarantees - there is risk in everything.  But it is wise to follow the Lord's counsel, and do what we can.  He will make up the rest.

"It was then that little Charles-Leon fell ill.  That was the beginning of the tragedy.  He had always been delicate, which was not to be wondered at, seeing he was born during the days immediately preceeding the Revolution, at the timewhen the entire word, such as Louise de Croissy had known it, was crumbling to dust at her feet.  She never thought he wuld live, the dear, puny mite, the precious son, whom she and Bastien had longed for, prayed for, hoped for for five years.  But he was growing sturdier year by year until this awful winter when food became scarce and poor, and milk was almost unobtainable.

Kind old Doctor Larousse said it was nothing serious, but the child must have change of air.  Paris was too unhealthy these days for delicate children.  Change of air?  Heavens above!  how was it to be got?  Louise questioned old Citizen Larousse:

     'Can you get me a permit, doctor  We still have a small house in the Isere district, not far from Grenoble.  I could take my boy there.'

     'Yes.  I can get you a permit for the child - at least, I think so - under the circumstances.'

     'And one for me?'

     'Yes, one for you - to last a week.'

     'How do you mean to last a week?'

     'Well, you can get the diligence to Grenoble. It takes a couple of days.  Then you can stay in your house, say, fouty-eight hours to see the child installed.  Two days to come back by dilligence...'

     'But I couldn't come back.'

     'I am afraid you'll have to.  No one is allowed to be absent from permanent domicile more that seven days.  You know that, Citizeness, surely.'

     'But I couldn't leave Charles-Leon.'

     'Why not?  There is not very much the matter with him.  And the country air...'

     Louise was losing her patience.  How obtuse men are, even the best of them!

     'But there is no one over there to look after him,' she argued.

     'Surely a respectable woman from the village would...'

     This time she felt her temper rising.  'And you suppose that I would leave this sick baby in the care of a stranger?'

     'Haven't you a relation who would look after him?  Mother?  Sister?'

     'My mother is dead.  I have no sisters.  Nor would I leave Charles-Leon in anyone's care but mine.'

     The doctor shrugged.  He was very kind, but he had seen this sort of thing so often lately, and he was powerless to help.

     'I am afraid...' he said.

     'Citizen Larousse,' Louise broke in firmly, 'you must give me a certificate that my child is too ill to be separated from his mother.'

     'Impossible Citizeness.'

     'Won;t you try?'

     'I have tried - for others - often, but it's no use.  You know what the decrees of the Convention are these days... no one dares...'

'And I am to see my child perish for want of a scrap of paper?'

     Again the old man shrugged.  He was a busy man and there were others.  Presently he took his leave:  there was nothing that he could do, so why should he stay?  Louise hardly noticed his going.  She stood there like a block of stone, a carved image of dispair. The wan cheeks of the sick child seemed less bloodless than hers....."

ARGH!  This bugs me soooooo much I just can't begin to describe to you how much!  Separating a sick child from his mother!  Because she doesn't have "papers".....   and I can see this happening today.  This business of "papers" makes me so sick...  we have to have papers for everything.  Do you realize that we have to have papers wherever we go now?  They are called Drivers licenses & registration, insurance cards, social security cards, birth certficates, passports, green cards, and even these in some places you need a SECOND form of identification - I have been asked for a credit card AS WELL AS my drivers liscense before!  I was stunned!  Heaven help you if you have to recover these things...  they are very difficult to get!  Freedom?  Bah!  People say, well, today is a new age.  We have to have these things because of the internet and such.  Again, Bah!  So that's why identity theft is such a big issue huh?  Because we make it soooo hard for the criminal right?  Wrong.  We have made it hard for the common man, but the criminal moves around with ease.  I remember we had reported some illegal activity on our account - they got nothing of ours, but they tried.  When we asked how it would be pursued, we were told there were so many of these, there would probably be nothing done.  Rediculous.  So this person was left free to attempt to burglarize someone else!  Papers?  A good thing.  Me thinks NOT.  It is simply yet another way to give up control to someone else in hopes they will take care of us.  They will not.  Katerina has proven that we must be responisible for ourselves, in a lawful, civilized way - we cannot rely on others to take care of us!  Papers?  Bah!

"....She had had two very happy days with Louise.  Her arrival, her first sight of the beloved friend had been unalloyed joy; sitting by a cosy fire with Louise quite close to her and holding her hand brought back memories of the happiest days of her childhood.  Then there was Charles-Leon looking so bright and bonny, with colour in his cheeks and all his patheitc listlessness gone.  In a way,  Josette had not altogether liked England; the grey clouds, the misty damp atmosphere were so unlike the brillant blue skies of France and the sparkling clear air of her native Dauphine' that went to the head like wine; but then, that atmosphere was pure and wholesome, Charles-Leon's bright eyes testified to that:  he no longered suffered from the poisioness air of Paris; and Louise, even in the short time, seemed to have recovered the elasticity of youth."

I learned long ago in Jr. High that atmosphere can play a big part in who you are, and what you become.  My parents moved me to a small town when I was in 3rd grade.  In the city, my name was unique and pretty.  I was popular and outgoing.  I remember heading up the girls at recess so we could chase Stephen Hightsmith around the schoolyard.  (One time we caught him, which we never thought we would do, so I had them hold him down and I kissed him on the forehead while he screamed NO! NO!  I wonder if he remembers that?)  At this new school I was odd - my name was odd, I hadn't been there since Kindergarten, and I became shy. 

Because of this I became acutely aware of how surroundings can change a person.  In Jr. High/High School I watched some friends move away for a year or two because their parents thought their chances of better education were better in the city than in the country.  Several moved back, and when they did, shy, reserved kids that were into classical music and books came back into drugs, alcohol, hard rock, and porn.  I'm not saying this was the city's fault - but obviously the surroundings changes, and these young people, thrown into these situations with tender hearts and feelings, changed with them.  Just like I did at a much younger age.

It is getting harder and harder to find such places that are "good" for young people.  I think the answer is, again, start with ourselves.  You can be in the world, but not of the world.  Sometimes it is necessary to remove yourself from an area when you are watching your whole family go downhill - I saw my entire family's morale take a plunge into depression because we were in a wrong area.  Thankfully, we were only there a year.  I still struggle with some of the reprocussions of being in that environment - long term headaches.  But we're getting there, and eventually they will be nothing more than lessons learned on the pages of our lives.  The point is, we didn't stay - we knew we were in trouble, and sought a place for healing.  Atomosphere, peers, and environment can make all the difference - whether it's physical, or spiritual.  We do all that we can, and then hope for the best - and move, if needed.