If you choose to accept this mission....

Ok, I've been talking about it long enough. DH and I seriously need to attend to our jars of clay so that, Lord willing, we can enter our later decades still able to serve. Already, we are facing some health issues that we need to get a grip on now, before they worsen.

I love the promise in Psalm 92:14: They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green. Of course, that's referring to God's action in us. However, I do want to do my little part to be good stewards of the bodies God has given us.

DH has a very stressful job and is also busy with church, so he really needs my help if he is going to maintain good health. Right now, he is laid up with an injury, which makes exercising harder. So, my plan is to do whatever I can without nagging, pushing, etc. I call this "Operation Healthy Hubs".

Along the way, I need to shape up and spruce up, as well. So, I'm also embarking on my Esther plan. I'm taking my theme from Esther 2:12 -- for there were these days of their preparation: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women."

Now, we all know that the secret of Esther's being selected queen is that it was in God's plan. And, I'm sure that the reason she stood out to the king was because of the inner qualities prompted by her faith. But, this verse sort of inspires me to pay attention to my health and loveliness. I pray to do so without getting out of balance. I want my beauty to arise from a calm and gentle spirit and faith in God.

I also think of the woman in Song of Songs. She was pleasant and delightful for her husband. Again, there are hints of her inner character in the book. Outwardly, she was fragrant, clean, and a creative companion for her husband, as well.

So, I guess this is my way of "Fighting the Frump" as Mrs. Fussypants so valiantly encourages us to do. It's also my commitment to loveliness as Emma of Charming the Birds from the Trees inspires us to do. The main goal though is health, health, health -- if the Lord so wills.

Two happy things to report: I have been losing weight just from being on the right dose of thyroid medication. I have a family history of thyroid problems. I urge you to have that checked out if you find yourself feeling run down and if you have any other symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Also, my doctor tells me that calcium with Vitamin D is not only good for your bones, but also has been proven to ease monthly irritability as well. I've just started taking it consistently, but I'm already finding that to be true.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

The Mission Statement...Part I

We all know that one principle of founding and operating a commercial business is to formulate a mission statement. (Who can forget the famous scene in Jerry McGuire where Jerry gets carried away in the middle of the night and concocts a long mission statement that gets him into trouble the next day?) When properly written and used, a mission statement helps company executives and workers keep their focus on why they do what they do.

Here's how Wikipedia defines a mission statement: A mission statement is a brief statement of the purpose of a company, religious group, or organization. Companies sometimes use their mission statement as an advertising slogan, but the intention of a mission statement is to keep members and users aware of the organization's purpose.

Mission statements focus on the values, purpose, and vision of an organization. Organizations and individuals who create mission statements and keep them in the forefront of their mind will find that their statements give them direction. They won't be tempted to get sidetracked pursuing things that don't further their main objectives. They will focus on things that do bring them closer to their goal.

Many woman have created lovely mission statements for keeping their homes. Some state their mission statements for writing their blogs, as well.

I'm in the process of creating a new vision statement for that part of my life as a keeper at home. Of course, my overall missions come from the Lord. I suppose there are a number of ways the Lord phrases the plans he has for us, though, of course, every instruction of his complements every other instruction and points us in one direction. Here are a few examples of mission statements we could take from the Bible:

Matthew 28:18-20 -- And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness." Matthew 6:33

"And he answered and said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. " Luke 11:27

"Then Jesus said to them all, if anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." Matthew 16:24.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8-10

Many people choose life verses or they keep a list of "anchor verses". One verse that I refer to time and time again is "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6. I keep going back to that one, because that seems to be something I consistently need to put into practice.

Of course, we want to take in the whole counsel of God and not just lift our favorite verses out. Many a person or group has erred by building their whole doctrine on isolated verses without seeing how it fits into the larger will of God as expressed in the scriptures. But, if we keep the larger context in mind, remembering and reviewing some key verses helps us stay focused on what is most important in life: loving God with all our being and loving others as ourselves.

Of course, there are verses which define our role in the home as well. Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 provide us with two of the most commonly mentioned ones.

As far as drawing up mission statements for the home, here are three I've enjoyed reading:

Like Merchant Ships My Homekeeping Mission
I'll let you visit this one yourself. It's a lovely example of a statement that is clear, focused, and represents what the author is all about.

Here's a mission from Kathy Peel's book, "The Family Manager": "I oversee a small organization -- Where hundreds of decisions are made daily, where property and resources are managed, where health and nutritional needs are determined, where finances and futures are discussed and debated, where projects are planned and events are arranged, where transportation and scheduling are critical, where team-building is a priority, where careers begin and end. I oversee a small organization: I am a Family Manager.

Here's one from a blogger named Lady Lydia:




So, what about you? What is your mission statement for your life at home. Please leave a comment or link to your home keeping mission statement.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Love Always Trusts....I Corinthians 13

As with all of God's instructions, there's so much power in these three little words in I Corinthians: Love Always Trusts. Creating an atmosphere of trust in your home is essential for a happy, thriving marriage and for the good of your children.

There was a time when my husband and I disagreed over trivial things -- such as how to fold towels. Later on, we'd wonder why these things were such a big deal. We discovered that it boiled down to a lack of trust in each other's heart. We invested even little things with doubts about each other.

We thought things like this: "If she loved me, she would..." or "She goofed up in that area, because she just doesn't care." "If he loved me, he would..." or "He acted that way because he's just mean."

We would assign motives before really talking things out, which I believe falls under Jesus admonitions against judging shallowly and falsely. We learned -- the hard way -- that it is always better to approach each other with an attitude of trust.

Our thinking changed to something like this: "He (or she) may be goofing up or even sinning in
the moment. This may be something that we do need to talk about. But, I have faith that we can get beyond this. I know that this is not what he (she) really wants deep inside. I know that he (she) loves God and that he (she) loves me. He (she) is a new creation in Christ, and that is his (her) true nature.

We stopped taking each other's quirks, little failings, and differences of opinions so personally. We started looking to each other's better nature and also putting our ultimate trust in God. Of course, we are not perfect in this. But, this is something that we learned that has added joy and richness to our love. Now, we can discuss problems -- even larger problems --calmly and with faith that God will lead us to work things out.

We learned the same thing with our children. As they have grown older, at different times, they have struggled with different things. Their faith has been tested in areas. We have learned -- in part because of great advice from other parents -- that our children will weather these storms much better if they know we have faith in God and in them. If children are going through a shaky time in life and they sense their parents are panicking over them, they will lose faith that they can make it through a time of trial. Conversely, if they are uncertain about something pertaining to growing up, they will handle it so much better if our faith is a refuge for them.

Now, that's not to say that we shouldn't be urgent for a spouse or a child who is floundering spiritually. But, there is a difference between urgency and giving way to fear and a lack of trust. Urgency, when combined with faith, moves us to pray, to speak the truth in love, and to look for ways to serve someone. Fear and lack of trust causes us to be critical, anxious, nagging, and ineffectual in helping someone overcome their problems.

In one of my favorite passages, Peter tells wives that we are Sarah's daughters if we do what is right and do not give way to fear. He tells us that the beauty of the holy women of the past was that they put their hope in God. Because their hope was in God, they were able to trust that God would take care of them, even if their husbands were not perfect.

Trust helps us in friendships, as well. We may see a friend act or hear them speak in a way that we do not understand at first. If we do not trust, we may be quick to put the wrong interpretation on that. It could be something as simple as thinking someone did not smile at us when they saw us at church. We then wonder, "Have I done something to offend her? Does she not like me anymore?" Later on, we may find out that our friend was battling a migraine or had just received some disturbing news. If we have a heart of trust, we will avoid reacting to things until we know the full story.

Trust involves thinking of the other person before we think of ourselves. If we are self-focused, we will react to others out of fear, self-protectiveness, and over-concern for our own feelings in a situation. If we are God-focused, we will trust, be patient, and find out the facts before we re-act.

In short: Be real about problems, but hold on to faith and love. Love always trusts...

For further study: I Corinthians 13:1-7, James 1:2-4, I Peter 2:20 through I Peter 3:9

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Let's Review --
Simplicity Dryer Sheets

Has anyone tried the Simplicity hypoallergenic/non-toxic/biodegradable fabric softener/dryer sheets from WalMart?

I have bought other dryer sheets and fabric softeners, but, honestly, I do not use them very much. I decided yesterday that with the humid weather coming, I'd like to use something to keep my fabrics soft and fresh. So, I decided to browse the fabric care section.

The first thing to catch my eye about the Simplicity dryer sheets is that they are hypoallergenic. We are in serious allergy season here, and I could try out for a part in Snow White as Sneezy or Wheezy or Sleepy. Any little thing I can do to avoid extra allergens right now is a bonus.

Only after I checked out this hypoallergenic claim did I realize that the sheets are also supposed to be earth friendly.

I bought the unscented kind, and the lack of scent is probably at least a contributing factor to their being hypoallergenic. I read this morning that Simplicity also offers a lavender scented kind, also. I didn't think this through very well, as fabric freshness is at least as important to me as the softness factor -- especially in summer. So, I do not know if an unscented fabric softener will impart freshness. However, softness is important to DH, so I am interested to see if he will like the results of a drying with these sheets as much as he does when I use something like Downy.

For a non-toxic product, the Simplicity box carries a lot of warnings about the proper use. Most of these precautions are the kind you see on any cleaning product: not to be ingested, if swallowed call physician immediately, flush eyes with water if it comes into contact with eyes, keep away from pets and children.

It's also not to be used on flame resistant items, as it reduces flame resistance. I do not have small children in the house, so that is not an issue for me. But, if I were still washing children's jammies, I wonder if I would have seen that note on the box before buying it.

You see, dryer sheets are such a common item, I assumed I knew how to use it without reading all of the fine print. I was in a hurry to get groceries put away and to move laundry through the process, and I was eager to try a new product. So, I just tossed a sheet in without reading the directions.

Consequently, I also missed the fact that you are supposed to divide the perforated sheet into two sections and throw both sections into the dryer. This is to keep one large sheet from clogging up the dryer vents and causing a fire. Fortunately, I did not cause a fire.

Anyhow, this was a good reminder to me to read everything on a box before you purchase a new item or even a familiar item in a different brand than you normally use. And, likewise, if there are any inside instructions, you should read those before using.

The box says there is a chance of the sheets spotting fabric, but it gives simple directions for remedying this. I had no problems with spotting on my first trial.

So far, I have only used the sheets once, and that was for white bedsheets. The bedsheets are soft, but they tend to be soft, anyway, so I can't tell a discernible difference. So, it's too early for me to comment about the fabric softener sheet's performance.

However, I'm happy to see that manufacturers are attempting to provide affordable health-friendly and environment-friendly products.

If you'd like to check out Simplicity's line, visit their web site at www.simplicityclean.com.

If you have used these dryer sheets, I'd love to hear your review. Leave a comment!

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Where I'm From.

I am from sunshine on seawater, from beach food, from Durkees' on French fries and cherries floating in cokes, from shrimp fried in Mayport.

I am from a home in which I was loved and sung to and read to and rocked, I am from a home that I could always count on to be home, from a home in which in which my parents grew old together, from a home that moved -- love intact -- from north Florida's gardens to Atlanta's suburban lawns.

I am from roses, from magnolias, from dogwoods, and azaleas, from kumquats and crepe myrtles, from sour woods, and towering pines. I am from the strong arms of live oaks, and the tender fronds of weeping willows.

I am from generations upon generations of Tennessee farmers and from Southern talkers, from the keepers of family history and from those who live long. I am from a father who tenderly nursed my mother through the long years and years of her dying.

I am from Victorian grandparents and I am from modern times. I am from the days of watching rocket ships lauched from Cape Canaveral, from TV shots of landing on the moon, from blow-dryers to personal computers to laptops to I-pods, from Yardley and Bonnie Bell to Prescriptives.

I am from the joy of reading, from Winnie-the-Pooh and Dr. Seuss. I am from churches in pretty buildings in big cities, and I am from a little church in the country, where the sermon was accompanied by the swishing of fans, fans provided by the local funeral parlor.

I am snatched from days lost in prodigal wanderings and in older "brother" grumblings. I from God's hands, from Christ's blood, from the Spirit's word, from the cross and the resurrection, from the new birth in baptism, from the school of Jesus.

I'm from the South, from Florida and Georgia and Texas and Alabama and Tennessee. I am from fried chicken and biscuits and buttermilk pie. I am from cats napping on beds, from afternoons in porch swings, from breezes blowing in through open windows.

I am from men and women who turned wilderness into plantations and farms, from men who fought in the American Revolution and the Civil War, and from women who held things together while they were gone, from parents who lived through the Depression and World War II.

I am from my husband's faith, his love, his hugs, his laughter, and his support, and I am from my children's kisses, their smiles, their love, and their joy.

I have from wondrous places and from astonishing times -- from mostly sweet and from sometimes bitter -- and, still, I am on my way home.

***

I got the idea to write this after reading Lori Seaborg's post on Keeping the Home. She gave a link to this template: http://www.swva.net/fred1st/wif.htm

I love this template, because 1) it makes you think and 2) it is a way for someone who is not a poet -- like moi, the non-poet -- to express herself in verse. Well, after reading this, you may think that #2 is a bit of a stretch. :)

Check out Lori's version of Where I'm From: Where I'm From -- Lori

If you do one, I'd love to know.

Enjoy!

Elizabeth

Why your role in the home will always be important...

Here's an interesting quote from Kathy Peel, who wrote an excellent book entitled, "The Family Manager":

"If you suddenly won the lottery or inherited a large sum of money and were able to hire a full-time cook, housekeeper, chauffeur, gardener, handyman, social director, accountant and secretary, there's still one department you'd still have to personally oversee -- family members and friends. No one else can be a wife to your husband, a mother to your children, a daughter to your parents, a daughter-in-law to your in-laws, a sister to your siblings, or a friend to your friends."

There's no doubt that managing the physical aspects of homemaking is important. But, why? Because of relationships. Out of gratitude, we want to be good stewards of all that God has given us. Because we love our families, we want to provide them with spiritual training, clean and pleasant homes, good and nourishing food, suitable clothing, health care, education, etc. Because we have been loved, we are urgent to share love with others.

Some of us will be able to hire others to take care of certain aspects of homemaking. After all, the worthy woman had servants. However, the woman who can pay others to do some physical work must not assume that, simply by doing so, she has fulfilled all that she is called to be in her home. She is still needed to be a loving, guiding presence in the family.

Perhaps, one reason why people undervalue the importance of a woman's role as wife and mother is because they fail to understand the heart of it. Maybe, when we, ourselves, find our enthusiasm flagging -- as we all do at times -- it's because we temporarily forget why we do what we do.

We get into trouble when we reduce the larger mission of making a home to the purely mechanical performance of household tasks. Of course, there are many domestic jobs that the keeper at home must attend to, either by doing them herself or by delegating them. After all, as the quote goes, "Love is in the details", and there are a myriad details that make up the physical care of a household. However, of even greater importance is the heart of a woman. This sets the tone of her home, whether the woman can afford outside help or not.

Here's an example of what I mean: Two women can each scrub a toilet. One can grumble as she does it, feeling picked on because this chore has fallen to her, feeling demeaned by having to do what in her eyes is a menial act, and regretting that it will only need to be performed again soon. Another will think of how delightful and healthful it will be for her family members and for her guests (and for herself) to have clean facilities to use, how grateful she is to live in modern times with indoor plumbing, of how thankful she is to have the physical strength to serve, and of how she wants to show love even in this small act.

Love -- it makes all the difference.

Enjoy!
elizabeth

Adorning the Home with Intangible Collections

Collecting objects according to a theme is one way to express individuality and creativity in your home. We've all seen items grouped together to make a charming display: teacups, baskets, and shells are three popular items to collect. At one time, I collected country French roosters and hens and still use some in my kitchen.

As lovely as these collections can be, there is another kind of collection that I read about. In the book, Special Delivery, which is both a personal Bible study and a book describing how to write letters for any type of occasion, the author mentions collecting opportunities to write encouraging notes.

I thought that was a charming idea, and it spurred me to thinking. What other types of intangible collections could adorn our home? I came up with a few ideas. Maybe, you can think of some other ones:

1) Collect opportunities to be a secret servant -- Look for ways to serve family members and those outside your family and see if you can sneak in a few without anyone ever knowing you were the one who performed the act of service. Back during the first gasoline crunch in the late 70's, my future mother-in-law got up early, took my future husband's car to the gas station, waited in line for a long time to get up to the gas pump, filled the up with gas, drove it home, and left it in the driveway. It was such a pleasant surprise to him to get in the car and have it already filled. Little things like that make such pleasant memories.
2) Collect opportunities to smile -- Of course, there is a time to smile, and a time to be serious. But, if you tend to be out of balance on the serious side, look for opportunities to flash someone an encouraging smile.
3) Collect smiles from others -- When someone flashes you a particularly pleasant smile, make a note of it so it will be stored in your memory. Our memories are constantly recording impressions. However, the impressions that our memories tend to bring up for review are those that were either ultra-happy or ultra-challenging -- whatever was out of the ordinary. For some people, the mind especially dwells on the ultra-challenging. One way to increase our storehouse of pleasant memories is to be intentionally mindful of even small, but pleasant impressions -- even something so simple as a lovely smile. On a gloomy day, we can reflect on the smiles we have received from our spouse, our children, babies, grandparents, friends, etc. If we treasure these in our hearts, we will find ourselves smiling, too.
4) Collect memories of lovely things in nature -- The world abounds with beautiful evidences of God's creation. Take note of them, and call them up whenever you want to relax. Yesterday, I went to the dentist for a deep cleaning -- not my favorite thing to do. I rendered an uncomfortable time more comfortable by thinking about an afternoon, many years ago, when our family went to the zoo. We walked through a large butterfly tent, in which butterflies of all different kinds were allowed to fly freely about. Some of them lit on us. It was so fun to be in a tent full of such lovely creatures. Little did I know then that I was storing up a memory that would be soothing in the future. We all have such experiences; how wonderful it is to really think about them or jot them down in a journal so that we can look back on them.
5) Collect heavenly treasures -- Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:29-21

For truly lovely adornments to your house, collect these things together with your children!

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Wives and Daughters -- Fathers and Sons

Did you know that just a couple of years before Mrs. Gaskell wrote Wives and Daughters, the Russian author, Ivan wrote a book called, "Fathers and Sons". Like Gaskell, he authored his novel in the 1860's, but, also like Gaskell, he sets the novel in the 1830's and '40's.
Like Wives and Daughters, Fathers and Sons is about generational changes in outlook. Turgenev wrote about the cultural chasm he saw growing between Russian liberals in the earlier part of the 19th century when compared to he complete nihilism that was coming into vogue in among younger Russian intellectuals. The nihilists, like some counterparts among the post-Darwinian movement, believed that "pure" science held all of the answer for mankind. The Russian nihilists took this a step further. They wished to do away with all institutions, except for a national government composed of people who would lead and educate the people according to "enlightened" nihilist values. Hmm...Is there some historical foreshadowing here?

The main character, Bazarov, finds that his nihilism falls apart when it is confronted with human emotions, particularly when he is rejected by the woman he loves. Bazarov's nihilist theories also give his parents pain, and he is frustrated by the fact that his parents don't see things his way. His story is contrasted with a friend's, who marries and has a happy home.

Mrs. Gaskell entitled one of the chapters in her book "Father and Sons." Notes to the book suggest this might be an oblique reference to Turgenev's novel, but I am not sure about that. It seems to me as if it's a logical title for that chapter in its own right.

Had Mrs. Gaskell read "Fathers and Sons" when she wrote "Wives and Daughters"? Quite possibly. Lots of people were reading it in England at the time she penned her novels. Were any themes in "Wives and Daughters" influenced by Turgenev's work? I wouldn't venture to say. Perhaps, someone who has studied this era's literature would be more qualified to speak about this.

Enjoy!
elizabeth

Back on Feedburner -- For the Time Being, Anyway.

To my RSS readers, you can now find me again on Feedburner. One day, I'll get all of these blog-o-sphere options figured out!

Enjoy!
elizabeth

Darwin and Wives and Daughters: What does Elizabeth Gaskell tell us about Darwinism in Victorian Britain?

I've been enjoying Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell. If read purely for plot and writing style, it is a charming story. Yet, because we today are not familiar with the cultural changes that were going on in the 1860's and 1870's, we easily miss some of the deeper currents in the book. An article I read inspired me to research these underlying themes. In the process, I learned some fascinating things:

1. Elizabeth Gaskell was the distant cousin of and contemporary of Charles Darwin. Darwin was sometimes a guest in her home. Darwin published his famous "Origin of the Species" in 1859, and Gaskell wrote "Wives and Daughters" in 1866. She died before finishing the last chapter.
2. By the time Mrs. Gaskell wrote this novel, Darwin's theories were already reshaping how Victorians viewed the world. Gaskell set her book a few decades earlier than this changing tide, but she subtly flavors the novel with Darwinian themes.
3. It's difficult for me to determine exactly what Mrs. Gaskell's personal views about Darwin's works were. Likely, she embraced both her cousin and his ideas. Certainly, her husband thought that Darwin's theory pointed out the glory of God more fully. However, since Mrs. Gaskell was a tireless advocate of the disadvantaged, I do wonder what she made of some of the era's racist and class-conscious applications of Darwinist theory. She also seems to have taken a gentle poke at how Darwinian thought restricted women. Likewise, whether Mrs. Gaskell intended it to or not, her novel also chronicles how Darwinist ideas were restrictive to men.
At least at one stage in his life, Darwin enjoyed Mrs. Gaskell's books.
3. I am no fan of Darwin's works. However, in all fairness to him, we should explore the possibility that society took his theories in directions he never intended. Plus, there were other philosophers of the age whose ideas were lumped together with Darwin's, whether he personally accepted every point these philosophers made or not. Thus, when I use the term "Darwinian" in this article, I mean the way in which Darwin was interpreted in certain circles.
4. Did you ever wonder where the image of Englishmen as having a "stiff upper lip" came from? To understand that, we have to go back to an earlier, jollier image of the British man. In the first part of the Victorian Age-- prior to Darwin's popularity -- the British ideal of a man was a man of faith, who was active in his home and family. He found satisfaction in his work, but his greatest fulfillment was in the domestic realm.
At the time that Mrs. Gaskell wrote Wives and Daughters this happy ideal was fading away, partly due to the public's interpretations of Darwin and Nietzsche. In her day, Englishmen imbibed the idea of "survival of the fittest". Darwin did not coin this term, but he popularized it. Darwin said, "In the struggle for survival, the fittest win out at the expense of their rivals because they succeed in adapting themselves best to their environment." Darwin stated that this did not mean that the fittest were necessarily stronger or more intelligent, but simply more adaptable to environmental changes. Based on the popular concept of "survival of the fittest", a new idea of English supremacy came into being. Spiritual and family concerns were pushed to the back burner, and hardiness of mind and body came to the forefront. The new Englishman was to be a superior and adaptable specimen of humanity. In order to be so, he must be physically strong, emotionally controlled, practical, and gentlemanly. Mrs. Gaskell also represented this new man as being interested in science.
According to Pam Morris's introduction to "Wives and Daughters", Englishmen repressed emotion in order to live up to this new ideal of manhood. E. M. Forster said of the new way young boys were educated in Britain's boarding schools that it led to "well-developed bodies, fairly developed minds, and undeveloped hearts."
The new Darwinian/British ideal of superior masculinity was used to support the Imperialism in which England was already involved. Some argued that more "civilized" nations almost had a duty to rule over "less-civilized" countries. At the same time, England stepped up exploration and, perhaps we might say, exploitation of Africa.
Around this same time, a movement called "muscular Christianity" was born. This movement used sports to train boys to become strong and moral men, as well as to attract grown men to religion. There were other influences on this movement, but one of the forerunners, Charles Kingsley, was a supporter of Darwin and tried to build a bridge between Darwinist and religious thought.
5. The main hero of "Wives and Daughters, Roger Hamley reflects the new British/Darwinian ideal. Some of the characters in the book underestimate Roger, for they are put off by his social awkwardness and his dullness of personality. They do not appreciate his square build, his common sense, and his scientific achievements. Yet, we sense that he will triumph in the end. Roger is able to give the heroine -- Molly - a lot of kind advice. However, he cannot voice the true sympathy he holds for her in his heart. In fact, he states often that he never knows how to say to people what he feels. This inability to express himself meant that his admirable qualities remained hidden to those who did not understand him.
Where does Roger go to develop into full manhood? He was awarded a scholarship to explore Africa, which, as we discussed, was of great interest to late Victorian scientific and political communities.
6. Roger's father, Squire Hamley, has Roger's same physical strength and sturdy frame. Yet, unlike Roger, he does express emotions -- though, alas, that sometimes includes a testy temper. Prior to the mid-nineteenth century, English men were freer in self-expression than the Darwinian based ideal allowed. Until troubles hit the Hamley family, the Squire is also shown as being happy in his domestic affairs. In fact, he was almost too much of a homebody. Unlike his wife, who enjoyed trips to London in her early married days, he preferred to stay on his own estate.
Squire Hamley is the "root stock" of the post-Darwinian ideal. He is unpolished, as well as stubbornly old-fashioned, but he is of "strong" Saxon blood. Mrs. Gaskell emphasizes that he can trace his roots all the way back to before the Norman Conquest, to the time when the Saxons were dominant in England. The idea of British superiority was based, in part, on the idea of hardy Saxon genes.
7. Often, references are made to the fact that Roger looks physically like his father, while his brother, Oswald, looks like their more refined mother. Characters in the book expect great things of Oswald, who is the heir of the Hamley estate and who appears to be gifted. They expect less of Roger, except that he will be steady and true. However, these expectations are turned on end. The mother and Oswald grow weak and die, while the father and Roger survive.
Roger has inherited his father's sturdy Saxon gene stock, but grafted on to that root is an interest in science and repression of emotion. Thus, Roger is the "evolved" Saxon Englishman that came into vogue via Darwin's theories.
8. The ideal of the British man of science and the stiff upper lip contrasted with the Romantic movement's idea of the artistic, sensitive, individualistic hero who is carried away by his sensibility. (Perhaps, a better ideal than either of these is the man who manages his emotions rather than either repressing them or being led by them.) Thus, romantic Oswald is sensitive, poetic, and refined, almost to the point of being a dandy. Poor Oswald is doomed, because he is by nature and nurture unfit for any useful work. "Weak" Oswald declines and dies, while "strong" Roger survives and prospers. Oswald's classic education comes to naught; Roger's education in science brings him unexpected success.
9. Oswald secretly marries a French servant and fathers a son with her, thus adding French genes and a servant's genes to the Hamleys' Saxon blood. In the time when Wives and Daughters was written, many English people regarded some Europeans -- particularly the Irish and the French -- as being inferior to those of Saxon ancestry. The French were looked to as leaders in culture and perhaps some aspects of science, but were otherwise felt to be too emotional to survive as a race. It takes Squire Hamley some time to warm up to his widowed daughter-in-law.
10. In the discussion of Darwinian ideas that dominated the last part of the nineteenth century, values traditionally held by women began to be seen as weaknesses, rather than strengths. Charles Darwin said in the Descent of Man, "Woman seems to differ from man in mental disposition, chiefly in her greater tenderness and less selfishness; and this holds good even with savages...Woman, owing to her maternal instincts, displays these qualities towards her infants in an eminent degree; therefore it is likely that she would often extend them towards her fellow-creatures. Man is the rival of other men; he delights in competition, and this leads to ambition which passes too easily into selfishness. These latter qualities seem to be his natural and unfortunate birthright. It is generally admitted that with woman the powers of intuition, of rapid perception, and perhaps of imitation, are more strongly marked than in man; but some, at least, of these faculties are characteristic of the lower races, and therefore of a past and lower state of civilisation. The chief distinction in the intellectual powers of the two sexes is shewn by man's attaining to a higher eminence, in whatever he takes up, than can woman--whether requiring deep thought, reason, or imagination, or merely the use of the senses and hands."
In "Wives and Daughters", two heroines -- Molly and Mrs. Hamley-- are held up as worthy examples of a daughter and of a wife. Mrs. Gaskell makes a point of showing how the men in their lives love them, but, at the same time, patronize them and underestimate them. When Mrs. Hamley dies, it becomes clear that her role as wife and mother had been far more crucial to the family than either her husband or sons had realized. Also, throughout the novel, Molly demonstrates far more wisdom than her father gives her credit for.
By contrast to the Darwinian debate about women, the Biblical portrait of the Proverbs 31 wife portrays a godly wife as being noble, of great worth, possessing strength and dignity, physically vigorous, trustworthy, wise, and financially savvy. The Proverbs 31 woman is not only successful in her undertakings, but her success earns her praise in the city gates. In Genesis, we learn that both men and women of all races are created in the image of God. As fallen men and women, we all battle selfishness, but men are not doomed to live a life of selfish ambition if they embrace the freedom Christ offers. Neither do tenderness and perceptiveness in women -- or in men -- indicate that we are somehow "less evolved".
11. Lest we be single out the British interpretations of Darwin, we have to remember that this same type of thinking oozed its way into American intellectual and upper class circles, as well. Likewise, many western countries were influenced by Darwinist thought and companion theories, such as eugenics. (The term eugenics was coined by Darwin's cousin, Francis Galton.)
12. Mrs. Gaskell was a Unitarian. Unitarians were among the first in England to embrace Darwin's ideas, so Mrs. Gaskell would have considerable knowledge of her cousin's scientific theories. Darwin also started out as Unitarian, but he quietly and very, very gradually adopted an agnostic stance. There is some debate about whether or not he returned to a belief in God during his final illness.
The Unitarian movement of that day rejected the Trinity. Unitarians also did not believe that Jesus was fully divine as well as fully human. Since they thought Jesus was a man only, they did not believe he could or did atone for our sins, nor did they believe such atonement was needed. As Mrs. Gaskell's husband put it, Jesus was a man approved by God, who was sent to show us a pattern for living. Humans, in his opinion, were capable of rising above their faults on their own, being motivated by the consequences of vice and the rewards of virtue. At the risk of stepping on some toes here, we do need to exercise caution. It's true that Jesus calls us to follow his example. However, the fact that Jesus is Christ and Savior is the very heart and power of the gospel! "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." I John 4:10 See also John 1:1-18, John 6:51, Matthew 26:28, Acts 4:12, I John 2.22, Matthew 20:28, Romans 1:16-17, I Corinthians 1:18, I Corinthians 15:1-7; Phil. 2:5-8, among other verses. Mrs. Gaskell does not overtly promote Unitarian thinking in "Wives and Daughters".

For further study, please see

Pam Morris's introduction to Wives and Daughters
article: Elizabeth Gaskell, British Unitarianism, and Darwinism
Eugenics
Victorian masculine ideals

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

The Art of Giving Flowers

Everyone loves giving and receiving lovely blossoms. However, we can sometimes be stumped about when it’s appropriate to send flowers, how much to spend, and which ones to buy.

In the nineteenth century, the giving of flowers was a specialized art. Floriography, or the language of flowers, was developed as a way of expressing feelings by coded messages. Each flower was assigned a certain meaning. For example, a person might send Canterbury bells to signal gratitude or purple lilacs to communicate the first blush of love.

Somewhere along the way, the language of flowers fell into disuse, though some of its associations remain with us today. For example, we all know that red roses are a symbol of romantic love, and white lilies are still associated with purity.

Now that the art of making Tussy-Mussies, a type of Victorian bouquet, is coming back into favor, some people are studying floriography once again. For a charming gift, examine one of the many lists of flower meanings that you can find via your web search engine, and select a few blossoms to convey a special message. Since your recipient may or may not be familiar with the language of flowers, enclose a card explaining why you chose these particular stems.

Another creative method for sending flowers is to honor the person’s birth month. Each month in the calendar year has a certain flower associated with it. For example, January’s flowers are carnations or snowdrops. May’s flower is lily-of-the-valley. November’s flower is chrysanthemum. A birthday bouquet of the appropriate flower is a lovely way to celebrate someone’s birthday.

It’s not necessary to spend a lot to brighten someone’s life with flowers. One beautiful rose or a bunch of cheerful daisies can say as much as the most expensive bouquets. If you live near a place that has striking wildflowers, pick some and arrange them yourself in an interesting container. With flowers, it truly is the thought that counts.

An inexpensive, small potted plant is a great way to thank a hostess, welcome someone to the neighborhood, express sympathy, brighten up someone’s sick room, or simply bring a little cheer to someone’s day. If you are gifted at growing certain flowers, such as Christmas cactus, you might even pot slips from your own plants in attractive containers and give those as gifts.

Potted plants also allow a woman to give a botanical gift to a man in a way that he is more likely to appreciate. Though there are exceptions to every rule, women are generally more enthusiastic about receiving cut flowers or bouquets than men are. Men, however, might appreciate receiving a pot of greenery upon moving into a new apartment, receiving a promotion, upon bereavement, or for some special occasion. It's probably not a good idea to send a plant or flowers to a man at work, as that may set him up for some kidding from his co-workers. It's better to give him the plant in person or have it delivered to the home.

If you are giving a corsage for Mother’s Day, the traditional rule is that you choose a red flower if your mother’s mother is still alive. A white flower indicates that a mother’s own mother has passed away. While you are not limited to giving these colors only, it’s good to understand the rule so that you don’t inadvertently send the wrong message.

Flowers are expected on certain occasions, such as roses on Valentine’s Day or poinsettias at Christmas. However, the ones that people enjoy the most are those given for no other reason than to say, “I’m thinking about you.”

If you have room in your yard, you may want to experiment with a cutting garden. This differs from an ornamental garden, which is enjoyed for its outdoor beauty. Instead, the cutting garden is planted specifically for the purpose of cutting fresh flowers for the house or giving them as gifts. Remember, since you will be harvesting the flowers often, the garden itself may not look as pretty as beds that are left to flower throughout the seasons. Most people locate their cutting beds in the backyard or a corner space, rather than in a spot where you want to see continual color. Wherever you locate your cutting garden, it can yield a rich bounty of flower gifts.

As to when it's appropriate to give flowers, there's hardly any occasion when they're not welcome, particularly for women. Be sure, though, to think in term of the person who will be receiving them. If he or she are highly allergic, potted greenery might be better than flowers or flowering plants. Also, in some ICU units of hospitals, flowers are not allowed.

If you have sons, you may want to help them when it comes to giving flowers. Again, this is a generalization, but we women usually grow up knowing about and being comfortable with flowers. Young boys might need a little support when it comes to making a gift of flowers, particularly if they are presenting a corsage to a young lady for the first time. Also, your sons will benefit from knowing that their grandmothers, mothers, and sisters will also enjoy an occasional gift of flowers.

Enjoy!

Elizabeth

Hi All,

Sorry I haven't posted in a week or so. I accompanied dh on a business trip he made to Williamsburg, VA.

We had both envisioned that dh would work during the days, and that I would rest and sight-see while he was working. Then, we would take time to relax in the evenings. Plus, we worked in a overnight stop in Asheville, North Carolina so that we could visit the Biltmore House.

Last March, when I went with DH on a business trip to Utah, we tacked some sightseeing days on to the front end, and we turned those days into a romantic getaway.

Well, this time we did have some fun, relaxing, and relationship-building times together. But, we also had some times when nothing flowed as we had envisioned that it would. DH called those our "patience-building" moments.

Bassett Hall

Among them were getting lost numerous times, despite having been to these locations before, plus having a GPS system and dh's own usually impeccable sense of direction to guide us. It got to the point where we began to joke that we'd probably have to write our son, "Dear Son, we are sorry to have to miss your September wedding. But, we are still wandering around Virginia, trying to figure out how to get home. Send help!" On top of that, dh contracted some type of virus or food poisoning ,and I was struggling with a shoulder/neck injury. Add to that a three-hour traffic stall on a section of Interstate with no access to alternate routes.

Despite these challenges, we're glad we had the trip. This time, I had houses and the domestic arts on the brain. DH and I drove past the James River plantations, plus I hung out at the DeWitt Decorative Arts Museum, looking at all of the furniture, china, samplers, quilts, etc. and took a tour of Bassett Hall, the "little" colonial house which John D. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller owned for a time. And, I took a lot of mental notes when touring the Biltmore. It had been some time since I had visited either Williamsburg or Biltmore, so I had fun looking at all of the details, gleaning ideas that might beautify an ordinary home. I'm sure most of you know how much you can learn about keeping your own humble home from visiting restored homes and museum homes.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

J.R. Miller on Worry...

"Worry exhausts vitality. True, all good in life costs. Virtue goes out of us in everything we do that is worth doing. But for normal, healthy action nature provides. There is recuperative energy enough to supply the waste. The fountains are filled as fast as it is worn away. Worry, however, is abnormal and unhealthy. It exhausts vitality more rapidly than nature can reinforce it. It is like friction in machinery, and grinds away the very fibre of life. Worry, therefore, both impeded progress and makes work unduly costly and exhausting. One neither accomplishes so much nor does it so well, while the outlay of vitality is greater.

The ideal theory of life is, therefore, work without worry. At least, this certainly ought to be the ideal for a Christian. We have an express command not to be anxious about anything. Our whole duty is to do the will of God and leave in his hands the outworking of circumstances, the shaping and overhauling of all the complicated network of influences, so as to bring about the right results. The working plan for a Christian life is clearly laid down in our Lord’s words: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.” This ideal leaves no place whatever for worry. It requires single-hearted devotion to the interests of Christ’s kingdom, the elimination of self and self-seeking, uncompromising loyalty to the principles of righteousness, and the faithful and energetic doing of duty, — all duty, without regard to pleasure or cost. This is all the human part. Then God will look after the outcome; will take care of us and of the results of our acts. It is the function of faith, when we have done what we can, to put all into the divine hands, giving ourselves no anxiety, while we go forward in peace and confidence to the next duty that awaits.

It is said of a Christian man, who has risen from a humble station to great national prominence that his motto has always been: “Do the very best you can, and leave the rest to Providence.” This is nothing more or less than the putting into plain, crisp Saxon, our Lord’s counsel already quoted. If we would all get this bit of practical heavenly wisdom out of our New Testament and into our daily life, it would not only greatly increase our working capacity, and consequently make us more successful, but it would also largely enhance our happiness."

My note: To be technical, I'd say our motto should be to lean on Providence from the beginning of any endeavor and do our best as we trust in the Lord and leave the results to Him." But, that's a mouthful.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Merry Story at the Merry Rose:
Well, I didn't post this on Merry Monday, but I thought this story form Yahoo News was encouraging. It seems that a thrift store worker found $30,000 in the pocket of a woman's clothing item that was being donated to the store. The woman had passed away and her relatives had not known the money was in the pocket. Follow the link to find out what happened.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

The Intellect and Education of the Keeper at Home...

Contrary to our culture's belief, being a keeper at home provides a woman with many outlets for improving her mind. Those of us who choose to tend to family and household as our primary career need never let the world make us feel inferior on that account. Likewise, if we feel that our daily tasks are becoming routine -- as can happen with any endeavor in life -- we can refresh ourselves by learning new aspects of our vocation.

Have you ever pondered the following topics?

1) The principles of chemistry related to baking and cooking.
2) Economic principles; the historical connection between household economy and a nation's economy; the current economic situation and how it affects your household economy; how your household economy might play a part in the larger economy; stewardship; consumer science; how to assess quality of basic household materials and goods; how goods are made and merchandised and shipped
3) Nature as viewed from your back yard; the trees and flowers that grow in your area; principles of landscaping and gardening; botany; your area's environmental health or needs; ornamental plants and plants grown for food; indoor plants; historical varieties of plants; cultivating soil for lawns and gardens; the components of soil; the science of composting; chemistry as related to botany and also to plant care; stars seen in your area; effect of sunlight on a household
4) All about your pets; local animals; local birds; migration patterns of birds in your area; local butterflies and other insects; animal science as is related to your household's needs or to animals that live near you
5) Your area's climate and weather; how the climate affects your household management; the delights of your area's seasons
6) The principles of chemistry related to cleaning and laundry
7) The development of your area's style of cooking; your favorite country's cuisine; kitchens and cooking around the world; cooking seasonally
8) The principles of art as they relate to creating a comfortable and attractive living space; color, shape, arrangement, flower arranging
9) How fabrics are made; properties of various fabrics; how clothing is designed and made at a commercial level; home sewing
10) Family communication; childhood development; language arts
11) Nutrition, health, physiology; the development of a child within the womb; gerontology; how children grow physically
12) Computers, cars, appliances, a little bit about home construction; energy sources in the home (such as electricity)
13) Historical styles of home furnishings; houses from different countries; local houses of interest; houses in your area that have been turned into museums or bed-and-breakfasts; notable women of the past who managed households well
14) The history of manners; customs from different countries; changing views of manners in modern day; etiquette in the home; law as it affects the family and household
15) Principles of efficiency, more effective ways to accomplish tasks in the home; principles of organization and time management

These are just a few examples of subjects that relate to the management of a home. As you manage your household, your curiosity may be sparked by one of these topics or by something else entirely. In today's world, you have a number of options for further study: your own personal observation (keeping journals and sketches add to the fun), library books, the Internet (though be sure to check sources), asking people who have already studied these topics (asking intelligent questions will make you a more interesting conversationalist), visiting local museums, and taking a class.

It's not necessary to study all of these things in order to keep a house well. Just as you can drive a car without knowing what's happening underneath the hood, you can cook without knowing the chemical principles behind it, sew without knowing how certain fabrics are made, use a computer without understanding anything about software or hardware design, and balance a checkbook without knowing anything about economics. I, for one, couldn't tell you much about the inner workings of a car, much less of a computer.

You may find great satisfaction in your work simply by mastering the most basic concepts needed to manage a household, and that's wonderful. Or, you may choose to follow the elementary principles of home management in most things, but take an extra interest in one or two particular aspects of homemaking.

That's the beauty of being a keeper at home: All you really need for success is love, faith, courage, willing hands to work, and attention to detail. However, if you do want some extra intellectual stimulation, the possibilities for learning about subjects related to home management are endless. Have fun exploring the topics that interest you!

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Did you know...

Here's a study that says that clutter in the home and excess weight are linked. The article says that people who struggle with too much clutter are also likely to struggle with weight, because the underlying impulse to accumulate too much stuff is similar to the desire to eat too much food. In both cases, the person is trying to achieve emotional satisfaction from over-consumption, only the over-consumption actually creates more anxiety and depression for the person. On the other hand, if a person tackles the issue of clutter in their home, they may find they lose weight in the process. I don't know if that's true or not, but it's an interesting thought. Read the article and tell us what you think.

My current clutter challenge is that both my parents-in-law and my widowed father are downsizing. There are many family pieces that I would like to keep. This means that I am continually needing to determine what in my house, my parents-in-law's house, or my father's house I will keep and what I will toss. I don't want to overload my place with too much stuff. As far as my father's house goes, I need to completely empty it and put it on the market to sell. He is in an assisted living place and only needs so much. It's sort of like managing two households at once.

Does anyone who's been through this process of your parents' downsizing have any helpful thoughts?

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

One hat at a time...

A woman wears many hats in life. Of course, her primary end -- whether she realizes it or not -- is to know God and to be in relationship with him. At any given season in her life, however, she may also be wife, mother, friend, neighbor, daughter, granddaughter, helper to her husband's business, owner or employee of a business enterprise, student, volunteer, voter, mentor, etc.

If you look at just the role of home manager alone, this could entail being a lover to her husband, a companion and help meet to her husband, household economist, an organizer of the home, decorator of the home, cook, chauffeur, cleaner, launderer, mender, teacher, nurse, gardener, seamstress, listener, encourager, disciplinarian, comforter, breast feeder, guardian of the home, activity director and keeper of the schedule, social secretary, event planner, tax preparer, etc.

Fortunately, a woman's man activities usually blend together into a manageable and fulfilling life.
However, we can frustrate ourselves when we try to wear all of the hats in our wardrobe of roles at one time. I know because I have done this.

I can remember times when I was vacuuming with my hands and mentally brooding about something else -- such as something my husband needed. If I was spending time with my husband, I was worrying if the children were ok. If I was playing with my children, the dirty dishes in the sink tugged at my mind. If I was doing the dishes, a church matter might weigh heavily in my thoughts. If I was participating in a church activity, my mind would wander to the floor that needed vacuuming again.

This is a form of worry, and it is a discouraging way to think. It can make a woman think that her life is overwhelming, when it might really be that her life is full, satisfying, and in God's hands. It divide a woman's attentions, so that she cannot give her best to any one task, thus reducing the satisfaction that comes from productive work.

I've found that it's more satisfying and efficient to follow the admonition in Ecclesiastes 9:10: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."

When performing an activity, give it your full attention at that time, knowing that there will be time to attend to the other things in your life. Some of our tasks do not necessarily engage every bit of our thought power. It is possible, for example, to think about something else while cleaning the counter tops in your kitchen. If your thoughts run to productive things and you are also able to do the job well, this is fine. However, if your thoughts run to everything else on your to-do list or they interfere with your doing a good job, you are setting yourself up for frustration.

Sometimes, it's hard to marshal our thoughts for our tasks because either we or loved ones are facing some sort of heartache. We home managers are not the only ones who struggle with this. I read a recent study that showed a correlation between drops in an entire company's productivity and challenges in the top executive's personal life.

Even in times of heartache, however, turning full attention to daily tasks can help us cope. It's important to pray and talk about griefs or concerns. Once we've done that, doing something routine can take our minds off of things and give us some moments of relief. In fact, in troublesome times, we may benefit even more from performing whatever our hands find to do with all of our might.

Of course, a woman of many hats must be able to change them in a moment's notice. Perhaps, we are tending to some work at our desk, but we realize that our child needs some attention. Or, we are cleaning out our refrigerator, when a friend comes by with a problem. Here again, if we must instantly take off one hat and put on another, we should give full attention to the new hat while we are wearing it.

Another time when it's hard to take off one hat and put on another is when we're excited about finishing a project. For example, if we are absorbed in sewing new curtains, we might find it hard to switch our attention to cooking dinner. Or, if we are planning something for a home business, we might find it hard to tear ourselves away and clean the bathroom. In fact, we can be quite restless inside until we get a certain project done and out of the way. It's best to enjoy the process of accomplishing something, even if it must be done in several sittings, and we do well to exchange our restlessness for contentment.

When we do reach a goal, it's wise to take a moment and mentally register the satisfaction of a task completed. Yes, there are likely many other things on our to do list, and these may loom large in our thoughts, making us wonder if we really are getting anywhere with our day. Our outlook will be cheerier if we do take note of what we have accomplished.

Many of the roles a woman does in her life are ongoing. Some are even a lifetime commitment. While a husband is living, what wife can say that she has no room for growth in her marriage? Who can say that their house is perfectly clean and organized and that there is not one thing that could be done to improve it?

The key is to manage our overall life well, rather than obsessing about one aspect of it. Again, we need to celebrate steps achieved along the way, and we also have to learn how to be content with the process of living. When it's time to wear one hat, we must wear it with all of our might. Then, when it's time to put on another one, we can take the first one off, rejoice that we were able to wear it when needed, and look forward in peace to the next time we put it on again.

I love physical hats and actually have a stash of them. Imagine what a sight I'd look if I put every hat in my closet on at once! Think of how hard it would be for me to balance all of those hats on my head at the same time! I'm sure that I'd not only look a fright, but I'd drop a lot of the hats as I walked. My physical head can wear only one hat in a moment. It would also be silly for me to choose one hat to wear and fret because I'm not currently wearing another in my collection.

In the same way, our attention can only focus in so many places at once. While we must be adept at changing hats or roles in the moment, in order to meet needs in a timely manner, we'll do well if we are content to wear one hat at a time.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Dining American Style -- Compare to Previous Post about Continental Style.

My Note: This video assumes that you are right handed. If you are left handed and also dine American style(as is my case), you do not go switch the fork back and forth from one hand to the other as right handed people do. When you use your knife and fork for cutting, your fork will automatically be in the correct hand. You will, however, need to turn the fork tines upward and slide your fingers into the proper position for eating. Do this gently and unobtrusively.

If you are a left handed person or you are a hostess who is working a left-handed person into your seating arrangements, remember that it's a good idea to place a left handed person in a seat where he will not accidentally bump a right handed eater with his arm. This generally means an end seat on one side of the table.

If you are left handed and find yourself seated between two right handed people, be aware of how you hold your arm when cutting and eating.

Of course, if you have enough dexterity in your right hand, it's not a bad idea to learn how to eat as a right-handed person does.

Dining Continental Style

It's another Merry Monday...






Jessica Long, who turns 16 on Friday, is a world-champion swimmer despite being born without bones in the lower part of her legs.

New Baby polar bear

MIT Student wins award for work in fighting disease resistant bacteria.

Enjoy!
elizabeth