{bits & pieces}

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{bits & pieces}

The weekly “little of this, little of that” feature here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

Have I mentioned that I love summer?

It’s cooling off a bit up here in the Granite State, but I am still clinging to it. For me, this is just summer but with nights more conducive to sleep, and will continue to be until all the trees changing color tell me otherwise.

Last week, a kind neighbor called up to me from his garden while I was hanging out my laundry, asking if I like tomatoes and peppers. Well sir, you will not find me turning down fresh produce. A moment later he had walked over an armful of these tomatoes, some of them perfectly ripe, a few still ripening, and a couple of jalapenos (which I saved for The Artist, being, unfortunately, a wimp when it comes to heat, myself).

These tomatoes. Oh my word. I don’t know what was in that soil, but the fruits were off the charts. The first night, I sliced one of them (they’re huge) and served it on a plate with not a thing – not even salt – and felt almost guilty eating it, it was so sweet and succulent. We’re just finishing off the last ones now, even having had them almost every day.

Oh, and the red chard is just from the super market, but I’m always so taken with that color!

This week’s links!

Babies, children, development, and things in their own good time:

I have my reservations about some of this writer’s thoughts, but overall I enjoyed reading this article on breastfeeding, mainly because I’m always interested to read about breastfeeding – and so is she: The More I Learn about Breast Milk the More Amazed I Am. I appreciate that she focuses on how important actual physical proximity to one’s child is (that is, pumped breastmilk is great, but not as great as breastmilk from the breast).

Just a little review of a recent study revealing that certain proteins in the lungs of unborn babies trigger labor and birth. Further evidence that, whenever possible, it is best to let the baby tell us when he wants to arrive.

Speaking of timing, I recommend The Myth of Quality Time, in which a NYT columnist delivers the same message found in 65-75% of country music songs. (My calculations; quite precise, I assure you). Spoiler: if you want a strong relationship, it’s all about presence.

Speaking of little ones and timing, this blogger shares from experience about how preventing kids from getting their fair share of free play is disruptive to their development and learning. If you are generally on top of {b&p}, you know we don’t like to miss an opportunity to promote kids’ play. The Decline of Play in Preschoolers and the Rise in Sensory Issues.

And speaking of play, I absolutely loved this professor’s thought-provoking reflection on what children’s play can be when we let it. I found it to be very helpful glimpse and it is my top pick for this week, despite good competition. (See Schall’s piece, below, for my second-to-top pick.) How to Ruin Children’s Play: Supervise, Praise, Intervene.

And finally, on the note of development: When Children Resemble Their Fathers. A short read. My favorite line: “I do not see how I can expect my children to become anything better than what they see in me. This should make me tremble.”

Other Misc:

For practical guidance on how to gain some chanting chops, see How We Should Sing — and Why People Don’t Sing from OnePeterFive.

So What’s the Big Deal with Starting a Sentence with So? Language and grammar geeks, among others, will relish.

Perhaps it will surprise some readers, and not surprise others, that we are squarely on team Kim Davis around here, even while recognizing that she wasn’t forced to do what she did. For an excellent explanation of why her move made sense – and not from a religious angle – please read this helpful analysis from one of the greatest contemporary minds, Fr. James Schall.

Need inspiration for the menu at that bar you’re about to start up in Brooklyn? Look no further than this Menu Generator, which can provide you with such promptings as “fennel reduction with crafted pork belly & miniature water” (for $13) at a place called “The Holmes” and, simply, $17 “kale” at a supposed bar known as The Aviation.

This is awesome. A Washington Post reporter issued the verdict that a MN county was the nation’s lowest rank, and received some substantial outcry from its residents in response. So he decided to go there, and recounted what it was like to actually meet what seems to me to be an excellent depiction of heartland, small-town glory. “I called this place ‘America’s worst place to live.’ Then I went there.”

In the Liturgical year:

Today we honor the beautiful name of Mary!

From the Archives:

Ask Auntie Leila: Some Homeschooling Talk