Here is the incomparable Martha Argerich playing Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit no. 1 Ondine.
Hercule flew away and was gone for two days. I was heart broken. We had a friend over for dinner Thursday night and neither Josh nor I was good company because we kept looking out the window, hoping to see if our little Hercaloo had come back.
Friday afternoon, I heard a familiar "squawk". Up in the tree in my front yard was my little Hercy. He was trying to fly down, but like a little kid on the high dive, was frightened.
Without worrying what passersby or the neighbors thought, I stood below the tree with my arms spread out. He finally took the plunge, flying over me and into my picture window. When he bounced onto the ground I grabbed him and brought him inside. I am so grateful to God. I was praying hard.
In the meantime, Josh was looking in the papers to see if someone had found little Herc and instead found someone trying to re-home their burbie.
We'd like you to meet the newest addition of our family, Cosmo the Quaker parrot. He is just a cuddle bug. He loves my keeties (Hercule hates them) and is learning to get along with my little green monster.
Hercule, like the older sibling is a little jealous, but he is also intrigued. They've been warming up to each other little by little.
I love my Hercy Poo. I'm so glad he's safely back.
Yankee Doodle Went to Church/the Righteous Revolution of 1776 by James Lewis Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Interesting analysis as to how the colonialists were inspired to break away from the English crown and govern themselves.
Because the focus is on the role religious leaders played in the revolution, I found Adams' argument a little simplistic, but I have no doubt that what he says is true, if limited in its scope.
In a nutshell, Adams places the responsibility of revolt squarely on the shoulders of Puritan preachers and specifically one Unitarian preacher who used the Bible to justify breaking the yoke of the "oppressors", thus justifying a war against the governing authorities.
Other preachers, loyalists, argued that it was not scriptural to revolt but rather to respect the government that God had appointed. (Romans 13:1-7)
We learn a good deal of the various religious leaders of the time, the good, the bad and the ugly and the same could be said for the congregants.
Some may be surprised to know that fewer American citizens were church members in the 18th century than today. The reason is due to the difficulty in joining a church back then. Puritan leaders wanted to ensure that anyone joining the church had undergone a genuine conversion experience. This is rather different than the "inclusive" environment many churches today wish to exude. One wonders who had the most authentic believers. Today's churches or the colonial ones.
People today may also be surprised to learn that a major reason for the Puritans' revolutionary attitude is because they did not want the Church of England, the church that was hand in hand with the government in England, the church they left England to escape, to re-establish itself in the New World. It was not just Jefferson who did not want the government interfering with the free practice of religion.
Ironically Jefferson's words today have been re-interpreted to mean that the government does have a right to interfere with the free practice of religion, if it conflicts with secular philosophies.
The final chapters end with an enlightening description of a couple of Loyalists and their side of the story. I found this side to be little told but very interesting. I would like to get more information on the people who sided with England.
I think today they are called Canadians.
View all my reviews
Cosmo is a daddy's bird. He'll fly to Josh, but not to me (yet).
Hercule flew away and was gone for two days. I was heart broken. We had a friend over for dinner Thursday night and neither Josh nor I was good company because we kept looking out the window, hoping to see if our little Hercaloo had come back.
Friday afternoon, I heard a familiar "squawk". Up in the tree in my front yard was my little Hercy. He was trying to fly down, but like a little kid on the high dive, was frightened.
Without worrying what passersby or the neighbors thought, I stood below the tree with my arms spread out. He finally took the plunge, flying over me and into my picture window. When he bounced onto the ground I grabbed him and brought him inside. I am so grateful to God. I was praying hard.
In the meantime, Josh was looking in the papers to see if someone had found little Herc and instead found someone trying to re-home their burbie.
We'd like you to meet the newest addition of our family, Cosmo the Quaker parrot. He is just a cuddle bug. He loves my keeties (Hercule hates them) and is learning to get along with my little green monster.
Hercule, like the older sibling is a little jealous, but he is also intrigued. They've been warming up to each other little by little.
I love my Hercy Poo. I'm so glad he's safely back.
Yankee Doodle Went to Church/the Righteous Revolution of 1776 by James Lewis Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Interesting analysis as to how the colonialists were inspired to break away from the English crown and govern themselves.
Because the focus is on the role religious leaders played in the revolution, I found Adams' argument a little simplistic, but I have no doubt that what he says is true, if limited in its scope.
In a nutshell, Adams places the responsibility of revolt squarely on the shoulders of Puritan preachers and specifically one Unitarian preacher who used the Bible to justify breaking the yoke of the "oppressors", thus justifying a war against the governing authorities.
Other preachers, loyalists, argued that it was not scriptural to revolt but rather to respect the government that God had appointed. (Romans 13:1-7)
We learn a good deal of the various religious leaders of the time, the good, the bad and the ugly and the same could be said for the congregants.
Some may be surprised to know that fewer American citizens were church members in the 18th century than today. The reason is due to the difficulty in joining a church back then. Puritan leaders wanted to ensure that anyone joining the church had undergone a genuine conversion experience. This is rather different than the "inclusive" environment many churches today wish to exude. One wonders who had the most authentic believers. Today's churches or the colonial ones.
People today may also be surprised to learn that a major reason for the Puritans' revolutionary attitude is because they did not want the Church of England, the church that was hand in hand with the government in England, the church they left England to escape, to re-establish itself in the New World. It was not just Jefferson who did not want the government interfering with the free practice of religion.
Ironically Jefferson's words today have been re-interpreted to mean that the government does have a right to interfere with the free practice of religion, if it conflicts with secular philosophies.
The final chapters end with an enlightening description of a couple of Loyalists and their side of the story. I found this side to be little told but very interesting. I would like to get more information on the people who sided with England.
I think today they are called Canadians.
View all my reviews
8 comments:
i'm really glad Herc decided to return: he must be the owner of itchy feet... or wings, rather... and a belated happy birthday... i tried to listen to the Ravel but somethings wonky with the sound on our computer (among other bizarre things it does)... the book sounds a bit out of my line, but seems like it would be interesting... and congrats on acquiring Cosmo: he looks like a valuable new member of the household!
This sounds like an interesting book. I agree that religious thought and philosophy played a major part in supplying the intellectual energy behind The Revolution. Bernard Bailyn’s Idealogical Origins of the American Revolution also delved into this a lot.
I also agree keeping the government from interfering with Religion was a major concern for several of the Founders. But how they accomplished this was to set up a secular government that did not favor one religious belief system over another one.
The Loyalist experience was fascinating. I highly recommend Tories: Fighting For the King in America's First Civil War by Thomas B. Allen.
I am glad to hear that Hercule made it home safe :)
Hi Brian. It was an interesting book, although I think it could have been a little broader, but it's focus was on one group of people. However, I think it was more than just religious people who wanted to break away from England.
Thanks for the book recommendation. I am interested to learn more about the loyalist side.
And I am soooo glad Hercule made it back. Many birds do not.
Thanks, Mudpuddle. I kid Josh that Hercule and I played that well. I never dreamed I would get another bird out of the ordeal.
Hi R.T. Aside from the French, the English speaking population of Canada are descended from British loyalists, which is why our accents are similar.
All my birds have their wings trimmed but it hasn't stopped them from flying around my house. I am keeping them inside from now on, unless they wear a harness.
This is great b/c I know something of this. I have read (cannot remember which source -- probably during our early American year) that the Puritans way back in England stood their ground about permitting anyone to be members of the Church b/c they were living in sin, etc., and biblically that was wrong. But the Crown was adamant that anyone could be a member of the church, and ruled that Puritans could not put congregants out of the church for such reasons. The Puritans were right, and they carried this practice with them to America. Churches have the responsibility to make sure members and congregants are walking upright. The State couldn't give a hoot. And now, today, even churches don't give a hoot about who sits in their pews or serves in their ministries. Sadly.
Oh, by the way, once during a sermon, my pastor questioned our history of taking up arms against England (in reference to exactly what you said about God's ordained government). I said quietly to myself, "Yikes! My pastor is a Tory!"
Well, grateful to hear Herc made his way back home safely. And that you are enjoying your new addition. Did you give Herc a lecture about staying out late?
Kids these days.
Yes, I think that's true. I believe I've that book, too, but still need to read it.
I guess that's why our Revolution, with lots of bumps and stumbles strove towards human rights while the French Revolution was a blood bath and led to Napoleon.
Hi Ruth. Yes, our churches don't have the standards they once did. I think when great persecution comes, not many people will bother going to church anymore. But at least that will weed out those going to church for the wrong reasons.
Hercule was so grateful to be back he has been extremely affectionate. He also gave Cosmo a look as if to say, "What? I can't leave the house one day without getting replaced?"
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