Jude the Obscure: Week 2 - Part Second

[Captain Sir Roddy, R.N. (Ret.), Founder]

MadgeUK wrote-- "My feeling with Hardy was that he liked the pre-Reformation rituals of the church, just as he liked the ancient rituals associated with country life - May Day, Harvest Festivals and the like. Whilst welcoming the new he was nostalgic for some of the old ways. Like many of us:)."

Madge, I think this is exactly right! I do not attend church any longer, nor do I adhere to any faith, but I must confess that I did not pass up the offer to attend the midnight mass with my very elderly parents and my younger brother this Christmas Eve. The mysticism of the Catholic Church during a mass on a high holy day is pretty darned intriguing and nostalgic for me.

I guess one always feels most comfortable with that old pair of shoes that are so well broken in, eh? ;-)

[MadgeUK]

Christopher wrote: "MadgeUK wrote-- "My feeling with Hardy was that he liked the pre-Reformation rituals of the church, just as he liked the ancient rituals associated with country life - May Day, Harvest Festivals a..."

Well, even as an atheist I like the 'performance' of such rituals and the more OTT they are the better I like them - I particularly like Russian Orthodox hymn singing and chants. These services are like grand opera to me.

[Captain Sir Roddy, R.N. (Ret.), Founder]

MadgeUK wrote: "Christopher wrote: "MadgeUK wrote-- "My feeling with Hardy was that he liked the pre-Reformation rituals of the church, just as he liked the ancient rituals associated with country life - May Day,..."

And the incense, ohhh, the incense! I love watching the padre walk about swinging the heavy ball with smoking incense!

[MadgeUK]

Oh yes - I always think of it as religious marijuana! Not that I have ever smoked marijuana although I can tell you a funny story about that: My sons dabbled in it and I always worried about them being prosecuted because of my high profile job. One evening I came home from work to a sweet smell emanating from my youngest son's bedroom. I rushed upstairs, threw open his bedroom door and proceeded to harangue him. My husband then called me from the bottom of the stairs saying 'It's not Brett, it's me, I've run out of pipe tobacco and am smoking Earl Grey tea.'!!!

[Captain Sir Roddy, R.N. (Ret.), Founder]

MadgeUK wrote: "Oh yes - I always think of it as religious marijuana! (Not that I have ever smoked marijuana!! LOL.)"

LOL! Yes, I know exactly what you mean! ;-)

[MadgeUK]

Gosh you are quick off the mark tonight Chris - I added my Earl Grey tea story just after you posted!!

[Captain Sir Roddy, R.N. (Ret.), Founder]

MadgeUK wrote: "Gosh you are quick off the mark tonight Chris - I added my Earl Grey tea story just after you posted!!"

Now I have to confess that I've never smoked Earl Grey! LOL!

[Lily]

LOL! You all gave me a smile before heading off for some shut eye. (I have been adding books to my bookshelf this afternoon using lists of when I read them, so down nostalgia lane. Used some decades for the way back stuff, but have pretty good records from 1991.)