That (Delightful) Turn of Phrase

A few weeks ago one of the film editors at Christianity Today made another one of his inflammatory remarks:

" 'The Jane Austen Book Club' is just the latest in a recent string of films focusing on arguably the most popular chick-lit author of all time. "

I'm afraid I often see red when reading Mr. Morina's remarks on "chick flicks" - that word alone makes me feel somewhat apoplectic - and his summary dismissal of Jane Austen as "chick-lit" really annoys me. I consider a man who can't enjoy Jane Austen's characterizations and turn of phrase to be a man with a narrow mind and a limited vocabulary!

My younger daughters and I do indeed appreciate Jane Austen, but I think it is the men of the family who are really tickled by her wit. We were reading Jane Austen again last night and my husband had to pause for a good long chuckle over this turn of phrase - "He wished him to be a model of constancy; and fancied the best means of effecting it would be by not trying him too long."

I don't think my nephew has read Jane Austen yet and if the Mr. Morinas of this world get to him first, he won't. But what a pity! He'd enjoy it immensely because he loves words and wit.

My nephew, Micah, on graduation from High School

Photos by 岩川写真館 in Goshogawa

I think Iwakawa is the best studio in Aomori!

Disclaimer: We may be Jane Austen fans but I haven't much interest the "The Jane Austen Club" film. What we like about Austen is that sharp 18th century wit!

I wish I'd been there!

I probably knew at one point that my grandaughter's dedication service was coming up soon. But it was a more than busy weekend and these photos caught me by surprise.

Anna & Jun with Erin, Pastor Mike McGinty

Tim Driscoll at the far left

I wish I could have been there!

Though not in the photo, I was there for Grace's Dedication last fall - of course, that took place a little closer to home.

Tea & Sympathy

Long, long ago, when our children were small, my sister and I conceived the "Tea Party Plan" for teaching our children manners. We started out by taking them to quaint little Hirosaki tea shops. Then we tried a couple of "At-Home" events. The plan finally fizzled - perhaps because my sister's boys (my own boy was gone by then) weren't into tea parties and no one seemed to be learning manners very fast. ...

However, the memory lingers on and Bethany (niece), Mary (Daughter # 3), Sarah (Daughter #4) and I continue to have random tea parties - sometimes with family, often with friends - usually organized by Sarah or Bethany.

Sarah (taking the photo) loves setting a beautiful table...

And sometimes we dress up (with my niece, Bethany)

There are usually some delectable edibles ...

But the best thing about a Tea Party is the company...

and the camaderie!

It makes me think of that phrase "Tea & Sympathy" - there's something very comforting about a cup of tea with friends.

An Expedition

My niece has been agitating for a "tea party" and suddenly, with the weather turning crisp - a picnic with ginger tea seemed very desirable. (I LOVE ginger tea!) I'm not very good at organizing expeditions encompassing more than the members of our own household... but what's a picnic without company?! So we invited a few more people and arranged to meet at "the fountain" along the cobblestone walkway in central Hirosaki.

I should have specified "The Stone Lady"

We might have found each other a little sooner! But we did find each other. And we had fun while we waited.

Mary cuts up

After lunch we headed off in search of an Art Gallery - which turned out to be between exhibitions. We wandered into the new hat store (a lot of fun!) , and then Mary wanted to see the "Model Rooms" for the large condominium Polestar is building on Dotei Machi. We explained at the front desk that we were poor but Mary really wanted to see the rooms and - who knows! - she might marry a rich man... That was a lot of fun, too!

The Scent of Autumn - Chrysanthemums

We ended at the park - after 5 pm to avoid the admission fee - for the Chrysanthemum Festival.

Naemi, Karl and Mary played with their cameras

Bethany and I simply enjoyed the flowers!

Mary did her artsy thing again

But dusk fell fairly soon!

And shooting flowers was soon out of the question

- at least with our camera!

But there was still the castle...

And Mt. Iwaki silhouetted...

... in the evening sky.

Yojiro Ishizaka

I think Yojiro Ishazaka wished he could tell the young people in his life things, too.

I discovered him more or less by accident when I was doing "cultural expeditions" with my children years ago: there's a permanent Yojiro Ishizaka exhibition in the building next to the Hirosaki Library.

A university professor, born and raised in Hirosaki, he wrote innumerable books during his long (1900 - 1986) life. His novels were so wildly popular that today I counted at least 50 movies that have been based on his books.

You would think that anyone that popular would have been translated into English! But the only translation I know of is the book Hannah Sawada (Hirosaki University) translated for her students and published last year. I think he's "too Japanese." And when I say "too Japanese" I mean that he's not what Westerners think is Japanese. His characters are too forthright - they make long speeches that cut to the heart of the issues at hand.

When I first read his books (10 years ago?) they simply blew me away.

Lately Mary, John and I have been watching the movies. They've lost their shock value - but they still make me think!

A Treasure Greater Than the One Imagined

"Just keep asking, 'God, if I can't have what I want, then help me to know what it is that you want me to have.' Know in your heart there is a treasure much greater than the one you have been asking for."

- John E. Welshons as quoted in "Guideposts"

A Treasure

It's painful watching young people casting around for a (marriage) partner. I suppose it brings back too many memories... And its hard not to try to be helpful - but, of course, nobody wants to hear, "That's NOT what you want!" They don't even want to hear "Open your eyes. Maybe its right in front of you."

I didn't want to hear it!

But I'm glad God opened my eyes!

Happy Pastimes

Tonight after prayer meeting we sat and relaxed for a few minutes with a bowl of popcorn and hot cocoa while we read to each other. Its an old and happy past time of ours - John and I have read to each other ever since we married.

The other day I wrote to my niece:

For entertainment, Mary, Uncle John and I are reading Jane Austen's "Mansfield Park" together. That's one of Mary's favorite books.

John reading to us

She wrote back immediately:

I must say very briefly that I REALLY like "Mansfield Park" - read it in July and it's probably my favorite of the Austen novels I've read thus far. It seems even a bit deeper than some of her other novels. (Just finished "Persuasion.") Austen's characters have a depth of character. In spite of what Sarah Anne says about "Emma," I really liked it if only for the character of Mr. Knightly.

( I confess, that's exactly what I like about "Emma.")