The Kingdom of Speech by Tom Wolfe

Last year I made a goal to read a great book each week. I almost made it. I didn't quite finish two on my list. This year I plan to repeat that goal and add a paragraph or so about the book.

The Kingdom of Speech by Tom Wolfe is my first book of 2017 and a short read. Wolfe sermonizes about the shallow evidence Darwin brought to his still shallow theory that is considered granite solid in public schools and much of the scientific community, but which falls apart when the smallest bit of logic is applied. Wolfe sites the time frame and the millennia which can't account for the evolution of human speech.

He is critical of the linguist Noam Chomsky as well and the assumptions he has presumed to pass as science for half a century.

In the end, he correctly assigns the followers of Darwin and Chomsky as religionists as he, an atheist, remains a man whose faith resides solely in himself.

To say that animals evolved into man is like saying that Carrara marble evolved into Michelangelo's David. ~Tom Wolfe

There's a great review of the book in the Financial Times HERE

Joseph & Emma

Pink Roses Bride

Nativity

Bulgaria

Something true blue...

Queen Esther

Joan of Arc

One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying. ~Joan of Arc
HandPaintedLoveBoxes

Spring Bride

HandPaintedLoveBoxes

Noah Webster 1828

How we define words is so important.

Education (Oxford Dictionaries):
The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university:
a new system of public education
The theory and practice of teaching:
colleges of education
A body of knowledge acquired while being educated:
his education is encyclopedic and eclectic
Information about or training in a particular field or subject...

Education (Noah Webster 1828):
The bringing up, as of a child; to instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties.

The Coming of the Lord by Jones Very

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. Mark 13:33

The Coming Of The Lord

Come suddenly, O Lord, or slowly come, 
I wait thy will, thy servant ready is;
Thou hast prepared thy follower a home;
The heaven in which thou dwellest too is his.

Come in the morn, at noon, or midnight deep,
Come, for thy servant still doth watch and pray;
E'en when the world around is sunk in sleep,
I wake, and long to see thy glorious day.

I would not fix the time, the day, nor hour,
When Thou with all thine angels shall appear;
When in thy kingdom Thou shalt come with power,
E'en now, perhaps, the promised day is near!

For though, in slumber deep, the world may lie,
And e'en thy Church forget thy great command;
Still year by year thy Coming draweth nigh,
And in its power thy kingdom is at hand.

Not in some future world alone 'twill be,
Beyond the grave, beyond the bounds of time;
But on the earth thy glory we shall see,
And share thy triumph, peaceful, pure, sublime.

Lord! help me that I faint not, weary grow,
Nor at thy Coming slumber too, and sleep;
For Thou hast promised, and full well I know
Thou wilt to us thy word of promise keep.

Jones Very

God bends to His bent world.

He weeps for all its wailing: 

Feels every stick and stone, 

Each broken heart, each broken bone,

And gathers every fragment home.

Jonathan Penny

Gold, Ivory & Red Bride

Indian Wedding Cake Toppers

Ballroom Boxes

Surprised By Joy...

The hardness of God is softer than the kindness of men and His compulsion is our liberation. ~C.S. Lewis

I have been interested in reading this book for quite some time. When I finally got it, I gobbled it up. All I knew was that a friend of mine uses the title as an expression. I didn't realize that it was secret code for finding the love of God in all kinds of places.

What surprised me is that C.S. Lewis made his conversion to Christianity largely from the writings of great Christian writers. I don't know why; had I thought about it, it makes complete sense.

I feel like this book was put in my path in this time to complete a thought of my own that has been materializing over the past two years of my personal battle with Common Core.

One issue with Common Core Standards that is causing me greater angst as I speak with parents and students is the 50/50-70/30 ratio in favor of "informational text". History is being taught and tested as "informational text". When we do that, we are teaching history out of context as a piece of writing. It won't be learned that way. And, because it is replacing a piece of literature, that won't be learned either. This is effectively the quietest, but most resourceful book burning scheme in history. #stopcommoncore #utahleg #utahpol

Tea with Lee

This was such a fun event. Sharon's talk about what we do in Utah, lovely. 5.28.2014 

The Way Back

Incredible film based on a true story. See it.

White & Lace

Bright Red & Gold

Late December Wedding. ..

Christmas Table

Shelter Christmas Party