{bits & pieces}
The weekly “little of this, like of that” feature here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
What we’re currently reading from the library:
How to Be a Cat by Nikki McClure — this is, essentially, a collection of lovely woodcut illustrations describing cats’ activities. Not only is it visually beautiful, it turns out that it’s handy for the occasion when you’re nursing the baby in the rocker but your toddler wants you to read to her: she can set it on the floor and turn the pages, and you can read the jumbo words for her even from a little distance!
A Whistle For Willie by Ezra Jack Keats — This book struck me as pleasing at first, but I wasn’t necessarily blown away by it. But Finnabee’s intense interest in it was a hint to me that I should give it some thought and bring it home for further reading. After a few times through, I discovered that I am as much a fan as she is. For her, it is a fun and satisfying little story about a boy learning to whistle so that he can summon his dog. For me, it is a reminder that children need time, space, and even boredom in order to be kids. I know that I need input like this all the time in order to combat the pressures of contemporary American parenting (“Don’t stop interacting with your child! Always have activities planned! Safety first – never let him out of your sight!”) The little boy, Peter, is blissfully free to figure something out on his own — and my two-and-a-half-year-old clearly loves it.
(When you buy anything on Amazon using our links, we get a small commission. Thanks!)
This week’s links!
Sacred Music:
Propers of the Mass Versus the Four-Hymn Sandwich – When you have the chance for a longer article, do sit down with this one and receive a great introduction to basics of Sacred Music, including historical context and liturgical information. Perhaps you know vaguely about “something to do with we really should have more chant” or “we’re not really supposed to be just singing these songs”… this piece will fill you in even if you have no prior education in the matter. Auntie Leila says that we will be revisiting this topic and we invite comments from our liturgical music friends.
The Renaissance of the Mass Propers – for further reading on the topic of the link above.
Literature:
Speaking of library books: big news for children’s literature — A newly discovered Beatrix Potter tale!! The Kitty In Boots story is set to be published this fall! My mom passed this along to me and expressed ambivalence about the choice of illustrator; frankly, it’s a huge disappointment to me. I think that Quentin Blake works for Roald Dahl, but I wish someone else had attempted this with more of a tribute to Potter’s style.
Pippin’s Pain, Providence, and Plotlines
Miscellany:
Mothers and Martyrs – a reflection on the saints Felicity and Perpetua from the Dominicana Blog. Rosie sent this along with the following: I don’t think I realized that Perpetua and Felicity (feast day was Monday) were mothers (nursing and pregnant, respectively, when arrested!), but I love them all the more for having read this reflection on them, motherhood, and martyrdom. Spoiler: “The martyrdom of these women, then, can be seen as a consummation of their maternity and their discipleship. The daily sufferings and sacrifices of mothers, biological, adoptive, and spiritual, are the steps by which they trample the head of Satan and climb the rungs of the ladder to Heaven.”
It’s Not You. Bad Doors are Everywhere. (Warning: some language [some bleeped but some not].)
From the Archives – Easter-prep edition:
Dear Auntie Leila: I don’t know what to do for Easter
Thinking about Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday
~We’d like to be clear that, when we direct you to a site via one of our links, we’re not necessarily endorsing the whole site, but rather just referring you to the individual post in question (unless we state otherwise).~
Follow us on Twitter.
Like us on Facebook.
Auntie Leila’s Pinterest.
Rosie’s Pinterest.
Sukie’s Pinterest.
Deirdre’s Pinterest.
Habou’s Pinterest.
Bridget’s Pinterest.
Habou’s Blog: Corner Art Studio.
Auntie Leila’s Ravelry.
Auntie Leila’s Instagram.
Rosie’s Instagram.
Sukie’s Instagram.
Bridget’s Instagram.
The post {bits & pieces} appeared first on Like Mother Like Daughter.
