Long before there were one-name wonders like Madonna, Prince, and Elvis there was Mozart. Or was there?
Though we often refer to him by his last name, the baptismal record gives his full (latinized) name as Johannes Chrystomomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart. Wolfgang Mozart are family names. Typically we use Amadeus as his middle name which is a translation of the Greek name-- “Theophilus.” You may recognize this name from Acts 1:1 which means "lover of God."
This first part of his name is that of a fourth century saint, John Chrysostom, known particularly for his preaching ability and for the liturgy he developed. He is remembered with a feast day in Christian churches worldwide. In many Western Churches it is celebrated in September but in the Eatern Churches and in some Lutheran Churches it is celebrated . . . .today. Which is why Mozart was given this as his baptismal name. (Although I have not yet tracked down what connection the family had to the Eastern rite or Lutheran church as opposed to the Roman Catholic Church.)
Whatever you call him . . . Johannes Chrysostomus . . . Wolfgang . . . Wolfie . . Theophilus. . .Amadeus . . or just plain Mozart . . . enjoy his music today.
Jan 27, 2011
Jan 25, 2011
Roses, Louses, and Haggis
Who said poetry had to be all that mushy-gushy stuff? Certainly not that right bard o' Scotland, Robert Burns.
So how can you enjoy Burns today? There are more traditional ways:
1. Read through one of his lesser known poems. The Louse perhaps.
3. Learn the words to Auld Lang Syne so you're not always mumbling through them.
4. Write a poem to your favorite food like Burns did.
5. Or if you must inject luv' into the day. Start your Valentine's preparation now and memorize the lovely, sixteen lines of "O My Love's Like a Red, Red Rose." [Or if ten thousand miles is a bit long, serenade your loved one with the Proclaimers' "I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)."]
6. Listen to a poem or two read aloud and then drive your family nuts by talking in your worst highland or lowland brogue. Speakin' to friends about town, answerin' th' phone, or as y'r readin' aloud from the Holy Writ before the hearth this e'en.
And then there are alternative ways (inclined more for the adults in the family feelin' a wee bit naughty):
1. Get a babysitter and attend a Burns Night celebration in your city to partake in the traditional dram-n-fare.
2. Endure the State-o-th-Union this e'en by imagining that it is being spoke in a Scottish lilt. (A wee bit o' the dram may help get one ready for this one.)
3. Reenact your favorite Mike Myers scene. For example. . .If It's Not Scottish It's . . . Or the sensitive Scottish father.
So how can you enjoy Burns today? There are more traditional ways:
1. Read through one of his lesser known poems. The Louse perhaps.
3. Learn the words to Auld Lang Syne so you're not always mumbling through them.
4. Write a poem to your favorite food like Burns did.
5. Or if you must inject luv' into the day. Start your Valentine's preparation now and memorize the lovely, sixteen lines of "O My Love's Like a Red, Red Rose." [Or if ten thousand miles is a bit long, serenade your loved one with the Proclaimers' "I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)."]
6. Listen to a poem or two read aloud and then drive your family nuts by talking in your worst highland or lowland brogue. Speakin' to friends about town, answerin' th' phone, or as y'r readin' aloud from the Holy Writ before the hearth this e'en.
And then there are alternative ways (inclined more for the adults in the family feelin' a wee bit naughty):
1. Get a babysitter and attend a Burns Night celebration in your city to partake in the traditional dram-n-fare.
2. Endure the State-o-th-Union this e'en by imagining that it is being spoke in a Scottish lilt. (A wee bit o' the dram may help get one ready for this one.)
3. Reenact your favorite Mike Myers scene. For example. . .If It's Not Scottish It's . . . Or the sensitive Scottish father.
Jan 20, 2011
Poe-purri
Yesterday morning as the boys and I made our pre-dawn walk to school under a full moon and with the leaves scratching along the asphalt from the eerily steady breeze, the slight chill in the air reminded us that it was indeed the birthday of that outstanding American raconteur--Edgar Allan Poe. Take time this weekend to read a tale or poem aloud with the family. (In the dark by the light of the candle if you dare.) There are, of course, his well-known works. Calvin is working to memorize "The Raven." And then there is The Black Cat or The Tell-Tale Heart .
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| Dan Pirarro's Bizarro |
Jan 17, 2011
The Grahams and MLK
in August
at his famous speech
coming together as one
tryign to stop the segregation
hand in hand
LeliaOne of our challenges as students of history is to understand more deeply how both the world in which we live and the way in which we view that world has been shaped. As our family has taken time to remember Martin Luther King, Jr. this weekend, I (Christopher) am reminded of this challenge--the challenge to try and understand how certain events and individuals have changed the very way in which a live or think.
Lelia certainly understands that MLK, Jr. is an important historical figure. And she does her best to find out the data that makes him so--she knows about the important words he said, the important goals he had, the important events which he led and attended, the people he met and influenced. But Lelia does not understand the extent to which the world which she enjoys and takes as "normal" is due to the actions of MLK, Jr. and those who worked alongside him.
That last year she represented her class at the school's oratorical contest reciting Maya Angelou's Woman Works is no more significant to her than the fact that she came home in 2nd grade proudly announcing the poem she had selected to memorize: I Am Black. It was Reverend King's commitment to the ideals of justice and righteousness that allows her to appreciate the poetry regardless of the author's race. That all of her BFFs and BFFLs are Hispanic or African American is insignificant to her. This was only a dream for Dr. King.
Today, I am thankful with and for Lelia--that she can enjoy the world more fully because of the pioneers like Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jan 14, 2011
Dear Jack London
January 14, 2011
Dear Mr. London,
Thank you for submiting a copy of your book White Fang. Although it seems as though it may have taken you a while to write it and I personally enjoyed it very much, I'm not very sorry to tell you that I wouldn't give “two whoops in hell” (to paraphrase your own words) to publish this book about how a wild fiend turns domestic.
Speaking of your choice of language. On one hand, phrases like “The darned cuss” or “Poor devil” would certainly offend some of the more civilized readers and there is no way we could market this to the home-school audience. On the other hand, it's not strong enough to make into a good hip-hop or rap book like Decoded.
Speaking of civility. Another aspect of the book that makes it unpublishable is the animal cruelty. The dog-fighting scenes are reckless and unnecessarily detailed. PETA and the SPCA would drag us by the scruffs of our necks into court. And you must know that many of our readers (myself included) do not accept your notion that nature is the creator of living things and we are left alone to mold ourselves into what we will become.
Sincerely,
Editorial staff
The CurTaled Press
P. S. Happy Belated B-day. Woof!
WG:cg (Idea from Writer's Digest "Reject a Hit" column. See an example here.)
Dear Mr. London,
Thank you for submiting a copy of your book White Fang. Although it seems as though it may have taken you a while to write it and I personally enjoyed it very much, I'm not very sorry to tell you that I wouldn't give “two whoops in hell” (to paraphrase your own words) to publish this book about how a wild fiend turns domestic.
Speaking of your choice of language. On one hand, phrases like “The darned cuss” or “Poor devil” would certainly offend some of the more civilized readers and there is no way we could market this to the home-school audience. On the other hand, it's not strong enough to make into a good hip-hop or rap book like Decoded.
Speaking of civility. Another aspect of the book that makes it unpublishable is the animal cruelty. The dog-fighting scenes are reckless and unnecessarily detailed. PETA and the SPCA would drag us by the scruffs of our necks into court. And you must know that many of our readers (myself included) do not accept your notion that nature is the creator of living things and we are left alone to mold ourselves into what we will become.
his character was developing along the lines laid down by his heredity and his environment. His heredity was a life-stuff that may be likened to clay. It possessed many possibilities, was capable of being moulded into many different forms. Environment served to model the clay, to give it a particular form. . . . And so, according to the clay of his nature and the pressure of his surroundings, his character was being moulded into a certain particular shape. There was no escaping it.Once again, the amount of time you have spent is admirable but we believe that the offensive and questionable elements would drive away readers. Perhaps you could submit it to a movie studio. Many Americans who would be offended by these scenes in a book would be more than willing to watch them on the screen. With lines like, “Don’t break them teeth, stranger," perhaps a movie of the Old American West genre.
Sincerely,
Editorial staff
The CurTaled Press
P. S. Happy Belated B-day. Woof!
WG:cg (Idea from Writer's Digest "Reject a Hit" column. See an example here.)
Jan 11, 2011
Jack London and White Fang
January 12th is Jack London's birthday. In 2010 we read Call of the Wild together as a family and really enjoyed it. This year Wesley said he wanted to read and blog about White Fang. Below are the first of several postings he'll do this week:
White Fang is comprised of three parts. The first part is the introduction to the whole book, especially the orgins of Whtie Fang. The second part is about White Fang's mother, father and siblings, his birth, and the beginning part of his cubhood. The third part of the book is the rest of White Fang's Life and his first encounter with man.
Jack London writes White Fang and as if he, Jack London, was another dog looking on--almost as if he were a ghost. What I find fascinating in the works of London that I've read is that he mainly expresses what he thinks dogs think and why they act the way they do, and he always hints of the wild side all dogs have in them. White Fang first encounters man--Indians--when he is a puppy. As he lives with them he starts to look up to them as "man-gods" who can make the world move at their will and is the administers of justice and the adminsters of punishment. As White Fang grows up he is constantly bullied by another puppy and his "pack." This turns White Fang into a mean ruthless fighting machine who wishes just to stay alone but will fight if not respected. White Fang learns how to fight very cunningly cutting out all of the circling and growling or preliminaries of a fight and making his move catching the dog unawares going directly for the vein in which life bubbles in the throat. He learns how to kill with few strokes. London paints this picture so well; he has an amazing talent for using imagery to take you into the book and living with the characters.
"So, Wesley, what does London's portrayal of the relationship between dogs and "man-gods" say about man's relationship with God?"
Well, in the book the "man-gods" are the ultimate administers of justice and punishment which sort of portrays London's view of our relationship with God.
"And what about love? Does the book portray anything about the loving side of man and God?"
In the book London talks about two sides two a dog the loving and the wild side. White Fang's first owner isn't a cruel owner but doesn't bring out the loving side in White Fang. His second owner is a really cruel owner and brings out only the wild side in White Fang, but White Fang's third owner is a really nice man and brings out what he can of White Fangs loving side.
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| Reynaldo models a frequent scene in White Fang |
White Fang is comprised of three parts. The first part is the introduction to the whole book, especially the orgins of Whtie Fang. The second part is about White Fang's mother, father and siblings, his birth, and the beginning part of his cubhood. The third part of the book is the rest of White Fang's Life and his first encounter with man.
Jack London writes White Fang and as if he, Jack London, was another dog looking on--almost as if he were a ghost. What I find fascinating in the works of London that I've read is that he mainly expresses what he thinks dogs think and why they act the way they do, and he always hints of the wild side all dogs have in them. White Fang first encounters man--Indians--when he is a puppy. As he lives with them he starts to look up to them as "man-gods" who can make the world move at their will and is the administers of justice and the adminsters of punishment. As White Fang grows up he is constantly bullied by another puppy and his "pack." This turns White Fang into a mean ruthless fighting machine who wishes just to stay alone but will fight if not respected. White Fang learns how to fight very cunningly cutting out all of the circling and growling or preliminaries of a fight and making his move catching the dog unawares going directly for the vein in which life bubbles in the throat. He learns how to kill with few strokes. London paints this picture so well; he has an amazing talent for using imagery to take you into the book and living with the characters.
"So, Wesley, what does London's portrayal of the relationship between dogs and "man-gods" say about man's relationship with God?"
Well, in the book the "man-gods" are the ultimate administers of justice and punishment which sort of portrays London's view of our relationship with God.
"And what about love? Does the book portray anything about the loving side of man and God?"
In the book London talks about two sides two a dog the loving and the wild side. White Fang's first owner isn't a cruel owner but doesn't bring out the loving side in White Fang. His second owner is a really cruel owner and brings out only the wild side in White Fang, but White Fang's third owner is a really nice man and brings out what he can of White Fangs loving side.
Jan 8, 2011
You Ain't Nothin' but a Hound Dog Cryin' all the Time
Today our family celebrated the King Of Rock's birthday. To celebrate this we ate his favorite kind of sandwich for lunch: Fried bacon on toasted bread with bannanas fried in the bacon grease with peanut-butter. It may sound gross to you but it is actually very good.
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| Chocolate Dunked Bananas |
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| Two Hound Dogs - Me and Bones |
Now, when I think of Elvis I think of a few of the songs he's written such as: "You Ain't Nothin' But a Hound Dog", "A Hunka Hunka Burnin Love", and " Love Me Tender Love Me Sweet", to name a few. What do You think of when you think of Elvis? - Wesley
Kings, Kings Everywhere!
Last night we read Psalm 72 and Matthew 2:1-9. The first issue out-of-the-box question was whether Psalm 72 was talking about Solomon or Jesus. It was great to explain to the kids how our conviction that the Bible is the Word of God kicks in at this point. What makes the Bible unique is that it has not only an author but an Author. This is as true for the Psalms as for any of the other biblical books. Consider Peter's words just after Jesus had ascended:
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, “Brothers and sisters,the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.” “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:
“May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it,"
and,
“May another take his place of leadership." Acts 1:15-17, 20
So for the divine Author (God) it is not an "either-or" but a "both-and." Psalm 72 was most certainly a prayer for Solomon. However, it becomes clear after the birth of Christ that many of the individuals of the Old Testaments--Adam, Moses, Joshua, David--were but pre-figures of the New Adam, the Leader, the Savior, the King. So Psalm 72 also tells us things about Jesus as King as well.
But Solomon and David are not the only kings remembered in our house on January 8th . . .
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, “Brothers and sisters,the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.” “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:
“May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it,"
and,
“May another take his place of leadership." Acts 1:15-17, 20
So for the divine Author (God) it is not an "either-or" but a "both-and." Psalm 72 was most certainly a prayer for Solomon. However, it becomes clear after the birth of Christ that many of the individuals of the Old Testaments--Adam, Moses, Joshua, David--were but pre-figures of the New Adam, the Leader, the Savior, the King. So Psalm 72 also tells us things about Jesus as King as well.
But Solomon and David are not the only kings remembered in our house on January 8th . . .
Jan 7, 2011
Heaven a Place on Earth
My kids have a way of confusing the mundane and the divine. Last night was no exception when, as we were discussing Isaiah 60, the kids thought of these words from that awful(ly), cheesy 80s pop song:
They say in heaven love comes first,
We'll make heaven a place on earth
Oh, Heaven is a place on earth.
Well there is indeed a connection between heaven and earth but much to Belinda Carlisle's disappointment, it has nothing to do with our. . . umm . . . lovelife. It has everything to do with God's intention to establish his Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
The Bible paints a picture of Jerusalem's redemption in terms that are quite remarkable. As with many Old Testament prophetic passages, Isaiah 60 speaks of different future times and events within the same passage. We encounter, for example, in Isaiah 60 aspects of Jerusalem that come up again in Revelation 21. Elements that we typically assign in our minds simplistically to "heaven" as a sort of "spiritual", other-wordly place. The Bible seems to indicate frequently, however, that God intends to redeem and restore this creation and that Jerusalem will be the epicenter of God's ultimate redemption in the future. But the process has begun . . .
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you. Isaiah 60:1-2
At Christmas we celebrated that the redemption has begun in Christ's birth--Immanuel. During Epiphany we celebrate God's revelation to the world of this fact. And today we take time to recognize that the arrival of the Magi was not a surprise to God. Nor was it primarily God's clever way to justify a holiday devoted to gift-giving. The Magi were a confirmation that the King had come AND that those who were paying attention could know it!
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:3.
And all from Sheba will come,
bearing gold and incense
and proclaiming the praise of the LORD. Isaiah 60:6
It had been revealed to the Magi that the King had arrived. And where you have a king . . . you have a kingdom. Yes, we await the day of its consummation. And we pray as we were taught--"Thy Kingdom Come on Earth as it is in Heaven." But today we celebrate that the King has arrived, He has inaugurated his kingdom, He has made it known, and best of all He has invited you, me, everyone.
They say in heaven love comes first,
We'll make heaven a place on earth
Oh, Heaven is a place on earth.
Well there is indeed a connection between heaven and earth but much to Belinda Carlisle's disappointment, it has nothing to do with our. . . umm . . . lovelife. It has everything to do with God's intention to establish his Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
The Bible paints a picture of Jerusalem's redemption in terms that are quite remarkable. As with many Old Testament prophetic passages, Isaiah 60 speaks of different future times and events within the same passage. We encounter, for example, in Isaiah 60 aspects of Jerusalem that come up again in Revelation 21. Elements that we typically assign in our minds simplistically to "heaven" as a sort of "spiritual", other-wordly place. The Bible seems to indicate frequently, however, that God intends to redeem and restore this creation and that Jerusalem will be the epicenter of God's ultimate redemption in the future. But the process has begun . . .
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you. Isaiah 60:1-2
At Christmas we celebrated that the redemption has begun in Christ's birth--Immanuel. During Epiphany we celebrate God's revelation to the world of this fact. And today we take time to recognize that the arrival of the Magi was not a surprise to God. Nor was it primarily God's clever way to justify a holiday devoted to gift-giving. The Magi were a confirmation that the King had come AND that those who were paying attention could know it!
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:3.
And all from Sheba will come,
bearing gold and incense
and proclaiming the praise of the LORD. Isaiah 60:6
It had been revealed to the Magi that the King had arrived. And where you have a king . . . you have a kingdom. Yes, we await the day of its consummation. And we pray as we were taught--"Thy Kingdom Come on Earth as it is in Heaven." But today we celebrate that the King has arrived, He has inaugurated his kingdom, He has made it known, and best of all He has invited you, me, everyone.
Jan 6, 2011
Eruptive Irruption
Is it Merry Epiphany or Happy Epiphany? I don’t know. I didn't grow up around the celebration on January 6th. Interesting thing the Christian holiday of Ephiphany. Whereas other Christian holidays–Christmas, Good Friday, Easter–are fairly standard in the event which they commemorate, there are two distinct events which are the object of celebration for Epiphany. To Western Christians, Epiphany is the celebration of the announcement of Christ's birth to the Magi and their arrival. Eastern Christians celebrate the baptism of Jesus. Both traditions, however, are celebrating the fact that God did not leave us to guess about the significance of the baby born in Bethlehem. In both the cases we see God proclaiming to creation just who this baby Jesus was. Neither of these were merely "Aha-moments." They were truly revelations--epiphanies. A divine in-breaking. An Eruptive Irruption. For the next few days we are going to read and discuss key Bible passages together as a family. Read along and share the insight your family has from these passages.
Tonight: Isaiah 60:1-22
Tomorrow: Psalm 72 and Matthew 2.1-9
Saturday: John 1:19-31
Sunday: Matthew 3:13-17 and Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7
Tonight: Isaiah 60:1-22
Tomorrow: Psalm 72 and Matthew 2.1-9
Saturday: John 1:19-31
Sunday: Matthew 3:13-17 and Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7
Jan 5, 2011
Underway . . .
January is chocked full of famous people's birthdays and holidays. We've narrowed down the list:
January 6th - Epiphany! We'll read Scripture surrounding this important Christian holiday from both an Eastern (the baptism of Christ) and Western (the arrival of the Magi) point of view.
January 8th - Elvis Presley (note to self-- buy bananas, pb, and bacon and a pair of blue suede shoes).
January 12th - Jack London. Let your inner wolf roar! Last year we read Call of the Wild together as a family. This year, Wesley agreed to read and blog on White Fang. He bought the book Sunday afternoon, had it read by Monday night, and woke up yesterday morning talking about it. He'll probably blog several times next week starting on Tuesday so if you haven't got a copy, pick it up at the library/bookstore today and follow along.
January 15th - Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Lelia's got this one.
January 19th - Edgar Allan Poe. His poems or short stories are just the right size for a family to read together. Calvin picked up a book of Poe's short stories and poems and is attempting to finish memorizing "The Raven."
January 22nd - Feast Day of Timothy and Titus (in the East). Any one of the three letters to these early Christians are short enough to read-through in one session with the family.
January 25th - Robert Burns. If you're going to memorize just one poem this month, here 'tis. And if you find a good recipe for haggis let us know!
January 27th - Mozart. Many classical radio stations will feature Mozart all day (or just 'tune' Pandora to Mozart). If you or your family needs a little incentive to "endure" a Mozart tune or two, search your local specialty/guormet food stores for Mozart balls which can be given as a sweet reward.
January 29th - Антон Павлович Чехов. Whuuutt?!! Who let the Russkies in da' house?
January 30th - FDR.
January 6th - Epiphany! We'll read Scripture surrounding this important Christian holiday from both an Eastern (the baptism of Christ) and Western (the arrival of the Magi) point of view.
January 8th - Elvis Presley (note to self-- buy bananas, pb, and bacon and a pair of blue suede shoes).
January 12th - Jack London. Let your inner wolf roar! Last year we read Call of the Wild together as a family. This year, Wesley agreed to read and blog on White Fang. He bought the book Sunday afternoon, had it read by Monday night, and woke up yesterday morning talking about it. He'll probably blog several times next week starting on Tuesday so if you haven't got a copy, pick it up at the library/bookstore today and follow along.
January 15th - Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Lelia's got this one.
January 19th - Edgar Allan Poe. His poems or short stories are just the right size for a family to read together. Calvin picked up a book of Poe's short stories and poems and is attempting to finish memorizing "The Raven."
January 22nd - Feast Day of Timothy and Titus (in the East). Any one of the three letters to these early Christians are short enough to read-through in one session with the family.
January 25th - Robert Burns. If you're going to memorize just one poem this month, here 'tis. And if you find a good recipe for haggis let us know!
January 27th - Mozart. Many classical radio stations will feature Mozart all day (or just 'tune' Pandora to Mozart). If you or your family needs a little incentive to "endure" a Mozart tune or two, search your local specialty/guormet food stores for Mozart balls which can be given as a sweet reward.
January 29th - Антон Павлович Чехов. Whuuutt?!! Who let the Russkies in da' house?
January 30th - FDR.
Jan 4, 2011
The Apple Has Dropped
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