What Dreams May Come

Lying Awake
by Mark Salzman

The mystical visions of a cloistered nun bring her close to God in a real way for the first time in her vocation. She's even published a book of poems and essays. But migraine headaches force her to see a doctor who suspects she has epilepsy, known as the "holy madness". In the novel, Sister John of the Cross struggles with the decision to cure her "disease", which will likely end her visions and her intimate connection to the God she loves and serves.

I loved reading this book. I loved the interjections in the story of praise, thanksgiving and petition to God. That's how I'd love to live my life. I also love reading of the orders. When they are present to me, I can more easily remember to pray for them. But I don't want to give anything away, so I'll leave it at that.

More Catholic Education

The Salvation Controversy
by James Akin

This is an excellent little book written by a man who converted to Catholicism. I highly recommend it for Catholics who talk to non-Catholic Christians and for any non-Catholic Christians who talk to Catholics (though the latter will have to be prepared for a book that teaches why the Church is correct). I'm only sorry I don't have time to give a better description.

Now It's Everywhere

It seems everywhere I look now, I see new support for homeschooling. I suppose it's a combination of looking for it more and actively seeking it out. Here's a link to that great journal I've mentioned before, First Things:

Homeschooling and the Christian Duty

It's a good response to those (none of whom have spoken to me) who argue parents who coose to homeschool their children are withdrawing from the world. Now that we're living in a little house in a neighborhood just as she describes (including a large number of older residents who complain about the "young set" down the street), I understand exactly how we could develop stronger relationships with our neighbors by being home all day. Since I work, it's not quite the same, but my mother-in-law has been out and about meeting people often.

I've Known It All Along

All those big corporations really are evil.

Born to Buy: The Commercialized Child and the New Consumer Culture
by Juliet B. Schor

This book has made me realize the evils of marketing and advertising are even worse than I had imagined (mostly because I try not to dwell on them). I was shocked to read about the studies showing negative impact of advertising on kids that are just being ignored by politicians and even educators. Josh and I didn't need any more evidence of the benefits of homeschooling, but this book provided more. Compulsory schooling is forcing our kids to attend schools that allow marketing agencies in (for a fee, of course) to insinuate themselves into kids' lives. And that doesn't even count programming like Channel One (which I'm sorry to say was in my high school though I only remember watching it a few times).

Josh and I aren't big into brands and don't even watch a lot of movies or TV, but reading this book has opened my eyes to some of the "advertising" we've allowed in without even realizing it (examples: the Oreo cookie game, Cheerios books, Elmo clothes, and all the clothes with brand names like Old Navy). I don't think we're going to get rid of them altogether (seriously, the Lightining McQueen toothpaste has changed toothbrushing in our home much for the better), but some things will find their way out the door never to return and much more will never make it home.

Especially if you are considering sending your kids to public schools (and perhaps even private or parochial ones), read this book (or one like it).

[Update: Apparently, there can be good in advertising.]