Category Archives: Current Affairs

Soldiers in Petticoats

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To make history "matter" and come alive I try to weave in literature and film and music that fleshes out the eras we are covering. I have watched all of Call the Midwife twice and am going through a third time as my younger girls rewatch. We recently watched the suffragette episode featuring Annette Crosby and it's clear that I was not viewing closely enough prior to this sitting.  The discussion about "forced feedings, humiliation, and psychological and physical torture" for instance. 

It so happened that we had recently covered women's suffrage and WWI this past semester so we revisited this issue. Last night we found the Suffragette film. It was just a solid B movie but hopefully made the story a little more human than a list of names and dates in a text. Hopefully they have a different image in their minds than the delightful but ditzy Mrs. Banks of Mary Poppins fame, which honestly was the first thing that came to mind for me growing up. The way people and things are depicted so often is the most impactful aspect of how they are memorialized. 

 There is nothing black and white, neat and tidy about history or humans. As causes intersect and overlap (or not) it can be tempting to make a broad sweep of all activist movements. It is worth the time and discussion to consider the pros and cons of each issue, on its own, together with the merits and drawbacks of proposed next steps.  

This post contains a host of links to related books and films.

British Suffrage Movement

Night of Terror

Up the Women

of tallies and tea and treasure hunting

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It's been a long day and night and day and now night has fallen again.  The American election began mid-afternoon our time. The boys went to football practice, we all ate late and prayed, finally turning on the 'telly' after the little girls were down.  Aidan really wanted to fill out the electoral college map and begged to stay up.  Kieran crept into the living room with him.  I went to bed after one.  My husband came up a few hrs later without waking me so I had an idea of how it all shook down.  As predicted approximately 50% of our American friends are pleased as punch and the other half are devastated. Such is the division in our homeland these days. 
We moved through a busy today nevertheless. Moira met with her worldviews class. Aidan and I ran errands. Alannah was called for a job interview.  Four children went to dance. Driving home in the dark I heard the BBC newscaster announce, "As President Obama begins his next four years in office we will take a look at what that means for us."  Her colleague piped up and said, "So what DOES that mean for us?"
"well, um…" she said, "Business as usual."
"Righto then," he responded. "Kate and William went undercover to attend the opening night showing of the new movie…" 

Obladee, oblada…

It's been a little surreal from this vantage point.  I hope you will understand if I just step away from the Facebook feed scrolling wildly still and rest my eyes here for a minute remembering a quieter day last week.  Maybe you'd like to join me for a minute too and think about something else for just a moment?   Sit.   I will tell you about it. 

Oct 2012 risby web   (all pics from the phone in the dark – my apologies)

My friend Umit has been promising to take me to a nearby village which boasts a cluster of antique shops. We headed out with our friend Maria on a very cold, rainy Saturday afternoon stopping first at a local farm store on a large estate.  Many of these old properties are open to the public and have some sort of retail attraction now to bring in revenue. This one was was overflowing with natural foods – wines, local cheeses, sweets, olives and a marvelous chest full of meat and ale pies. 

Oct 2012 risby web-2(vintage Dickens set)

From there we drove on to the village edge and pulled up to a rambling, low-slung barn conversion.  We were greeted by a mannerly black lab who peeked his nose out at the rain and then followed us back into the shop, having wisely decided against venturing out.
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I was thrilled to find racks of vintage clothing and shoes and took notes for the girls, whom I have promised to return with.  The hats were in mint condition – felted wool creations molded into exquisite shapes, sporting feathers and ribbon trim still in excellent condition.  
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China is everywhere you turn here although it's not a bit like German china which tended to be primarily transferware in rose or green or blue.  Here you have a riot of color and pattern and are hard pressed to find more than a couple pieces that match.  The bone china is all similar in weight and style however and looks gorgeous massed together. 
Oct 2012 risby web-6(this peasant girl caught my eye, reminding me of the German countryside we left behind)

By the time we finished rummaging it was late afternoon and we had a half hour drive home.  That warranted ducking out of the drizzle into the tea room.  We ordered a pot for the table and the ladies had scones served with a tray of clotted cream, jam, and whipped butter.  I found myself taking cream with my tea though I never do that at home.  
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(here with a friend on either side – what better place to find oneself : ))
Risby photo

Do you remember these? : )  My Gram had a set of salt and pepper shakers like these.  Made me smile to see them here. 

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I leave you with one more P.S. –  a British sentiment for today. You no doubt have seen the iconic Keep Calm and Carry On signs.  I love them.  I think I love this one even more.  
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If you hope to truly change the world, however you wish to see it changed, it begins and ends with this. 
Be cheerful.  Be resolute. 
Carry on then. : ) 

Living and Learning – today in Japan

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As the disaster in Japan has unfolded we have been watching Sue's blog waiting for news and updates.  Sue has been a faithful reader and correspondent for quite some time. She has shared over the years her heartfelt desire to live simply and within the will of God.  Sue lives in Japan, with her husband and children.  They too are waiting and watching and praying.  Please join us in praying for their family during this time of crisis.  

 

**Updated to request you add Debra and her family to your prayers as well!   Even those outside the immediate area of the plant stand to be affected.  We know this personally.  We were here in Germany when radioactive clouds from Chernobyl contaminated many European countries.  It is a terribly helpless feeling. I was laying in a hospital bed with preterm labor that year, with windows thrown wide open to catch any breeze since the facility was not airconditioned.  I remember our landlords bringing us fresh cherries from their trees that summer.  We thanked them and then quietly disposed of them since everything had been contaminated.  

We cringe now looking back, remembering, and it was nothing like what the Japanese people are facing. But we also know, as Sue herself has said, it is all in God's hands and we pray for peace. Peace and protection for you, friends!