*Disclaimer* I read these chapters in an abridged version without realizing it at first.
Our story begins with a couple of sailors telling tales of their adventures on the seas, especially of all the gold that they almost secured, but thankfully they know where to return to finally claim this treasure. A young man, still a school boy, is passing and perks up at the hearing of these tales. Known to be the local bully, though with good intentions, he is a strong and stout hearted boy. He asks to see a relic, a map carved in a bone, being passed around as evidence of the veracity of these sailors' claims. He pledges that his heart yearns for the sea and he wants to travel with the sailors, Mr. Oxenham and Salvation Yeo, on their next voyage, and asks to buy this relic. Mr. Oxenham happens to know the boy's father and invites himself to dine with the family, as well as the honorable Sir Richard Grenville.
The young man, Amyas Leigh, has never told his parents about his longing for the sea, but he goes home and does so now. Mr. Oxenham arrives and spins his tales, asking for young Amyas to be allowed to travel with him to sea. He does not succeed in obtaining his request, however, as Mr. Leigh replies that Amyas needs to learn to be a gentleman first, and then be trained properly as a sailor. Mr. Oxenham is disappointed and as he is getting ready to leave, he sees a white bird that is invisible to everyone else, which is a bad omen for his upcoming journey.
Life goes on for young Amyas. His father trains his further in the ways of a true gentleman, in hunting and riding and sport. His brother Frank moves out of the home and is travelling abroad to study. Mr. Leigh dies and Amyas asks Sir Richard Grenville to act as his father. He continues to go to school and bully his classmates, including the teacher's son. After a brawl with the teacher himself, in which Amyas cracked a slate over his head, Amyas is soon sent on a sailing expedition with Sir Francis Drake himself.
He returns five years later much respected and honored as he reunites with his family and friends in his hometown of Bideford. The town throws a great welcome celebration and pageant for Amyas and the four other sailors who are returning. Amyas is disappointed that one person whom he would particularly like to see is not there - Rose Salterne, the mayor's daughter and the girl that he could not get out of his thoughts during those years away at sea. She is the desire of all the men in the county, and has more suitors than she knows what to do with. Her father has kept her away from the celebration to keep her from falling for Amyas, for a merchant's daughter like herself ought not to throw herself at the son of a gentleman.
Friday, September 30, 2016
Worst blogger ever
I truly am the least consistent blogger ever!
But for my own sake, and following the lead of other mommas out there, I am changing the purpose of this little haven for at least a short while. I am learning the skill of narrating, which I have been teaching to my children for the past couple years, but am now realizing I need to better hone myself!
A working definition of narration for now: the act of telling back, for the purpose of doing the difficult mental work of organizing ideas and thoughts and cementing them in the mind and soul, preparing for many future connections with other ideas that are to come.
I require my children to "tell back" each lesson that we learn during our homeschooling day, and I would like to require the same of myself. We'll see how this goes...
But for my own sake, and following the lead of other mommas out there, I am changing the purpose of this little haven for at least a short while. I am learning the skill of narrating, which I have been teaching to my children for the past couple years, but am now realizing I need to better hone myself!
A working definition of narration for now: the act of telling back, for the purpose of doing the difficult mental work of organizing ideas and thoughts and cementing them in the mind and soul, preparing for many future connections with other ideas that are to come.
I require my children to "tell back" each lesson that we learn during our homeschooling day, and I would like to require the same of myself. We'll see how this goes...
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Wise Words: January 16, 2016
"A hundred years hence, absolute monarchy will probably be rendered necessary in our country by the corruption of our people." ~ Benjamin Rush
"For, let us not make a mistake, all sin, even all crime, is accomplished in thought. Word and act are but the fruit of which the received and permitted thought is the seed. The battle of life for each of us lies in the continual repetition of what seems a most trifling act - the rejection of certain thoughts when they come. This is how we shall keep our soul as a fortress." ~ Charlotte Mason (Ourselves, Book II, Ch. 18)
"For, let us not make a mistake, all sin, even all crime, is accomplished in thought. Word and act are but the fruit of which the received and permitted thought is the seed. The battle of life for each of us lies in the continual repetition of what seems a most trifling act - the rejection of certain thoughts when they come. This is how we shall keep our soul as a fortress." ~ Charlotte Mason (Ourselves, Book II, Ch. 18)
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Advent Ponderings
The advent season brings thoughts of simplicity married with complexity, wealth thrown together with poverty, helplessness veiling infinite strength, sorrow mingled with joy and love. What a beautiful time of contemplation!
I share here a poem that was written, to my knowledge, by a friend of my husband, and included on his Christmas card to us last year.
The Woman, the Child, and the Serpent
By Jonathan Nauman
Her seed it was, in earth's attire,
Who crushed the ancient serpent's ire:
Sing angels of the holy fire,
Magnificat anima mea!
Her seed, to set all mankind free
Was made by God our sin to be
That men might utter joyfully,
Magnificat anima mea!
As Moses lifted up the snake,
A lifted cross our looks will take:
Let all to thanks and praise awake,
Magnificat anima mea!
Monday, December 14, 2015
Wise Words: Adversity
"It is good that we sometimes have griefs and adversities, for they drive a man to behold himself and to see that he is here but as in exile."
~Thomas à Kempis, Imitation of Christ
~Thomas à Kempis, Imitation of Christ
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Back to the Classics Challenge 2016
1. A 19th Century Classic - any book published between 1800 and 1899.
2. A 20th Century Classic - any book published between 1900 and 1966.Just like last year, all books MUST have been published at least 50 years ago to qualify. The only exception is books written at least 50 years ago, but published later.
3. A classic by a woman author.
4. A classic in translation. Any book originally written published in a language other than your native language. Feel free to read the book in your language or the original language.
5. A classic by a non-white author. Can be African-American, Asian, Latino, Native American, etc.
6. An adventure classic - can be fiction or non-fiction.
7. A fantasy, science fiction, or dystopian classic. Dystopian could include classics like 1984.
8. A classic detective novel. It must include a detective, amateur or professional. This list of books from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction is a great starting point if you're looking for ideas.
9. A classic which includes the name of a place in the title. It can be the name of a house, a town, a street, etc. Examples include Bleak House, Main Street, The Belly of Paris, or The Vicar of Wakefield.
10. A classic which has been banned or censored. If possible, please mention why this book was banned or censored in your review.
11. Re-read a classic you read in school (high school or college). If it's a book you loved, does it stand the test of time? If it's a book you disliked, is it any better a second time around?
12. A volume of classic short stories. This must be one complete volume, at least 8 short stories. Children's stories are acceptable in this category only.
And here are my choices:
1. Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle (1888)
2. A Man For All Seasons by Robert Bolt (1954)
This is one I'll plan to read along with the AO ladies in the Book Discussion forum.
3. The Heir of Redclyffe by Charlotte Yonge (1853)
4. I Promessi Sposi by Alessandro Manzoni (1827)
Another one I'll read along with my AO friends.
5. Indian Boyhood by Charles Eastman (1902)
6. Westward, Ho! by Charles Kingsley (1855)
AO Book Discussion book!
7. Utopia by Thomas More (1516)
AO Book Discussion book!
8. Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L Sayers (1933)
9. The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1851)
10. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (1884)
11. Hamlet by William Shakespeare (~1600)
AO Book Discussion book!
12. Arabian Nights translated by Andrew Lang (1898)
I reserve the right to change my selections partway through the year as needed! Come and join me, because more than just reading good books, I love to discuss them and let them change me!
2. A 20th Century Classic - any book published between 1900 and 1966.Just like last year, all books MUST have been published at least 50 years ago to qualify. The only exception is books written at least 50 years ago, but published later.
3. A classic by a woman author.
4. A classic in translation. Any book originally written published in a language other than your native language. Feel free to read the book in your language or the original language.
5. A classic by a non-white author. Can be African-American, Asian, Latino, Native American, etc.
6. An adventure classic - can be fiction or non-fiction.
7. A fantasy, science fiction, or dystopian classic. Dystopian could include classics like 1984.
8. A classic detective novel. It must include a detective, amateur or professional. This list of books from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction is a great starting point if you're looking for ideas.
9. A classic which includes the name of a place in the title. It can be the name of a house, a town, a street, etc. Examples include Bleak House, Main Street, The Belly of Paris, or The Vicar of Wakefield.
10. A classic which has been banned or censored. If possible, please mention why this book was banned or censored in your review.
11. Re-read a classic you read in school (high school or college). If it's a book you loved, does it stand the test of time? If it's a book you disliked, is it any better a second time around?
12. A volume of classic short stories. This must be one complete volume, at least 8 short stories. Children's stories are acceptable in this category only.
And here are my choices:
1. Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle (1888)
2. A Man For All Seasons by Robert Bolt (1954)
This is one I'll plan to read along with the AO ladies in the Book Discussion forum.
3. The Heir of Redclyffe by Charlotte Yonge (1853)
4. I Promessi Sposi by Alessandro Manzoni (1827)
Another one I'll read along with my AO friends.
5. Indian Boyhood by Charles Eastman (1902)
6. Westward, Ho! by Charles Kingsley (1855)
AO Book Discussion book!
7. Utopia by Thomas More (1516)
AO Book Discussion book!
8. Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L Sayers (1933)
9. The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1851)
10. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (1884)
11. Hamlet by William Shakespeare (~1600)
AO Book Discussion book!
12. Arabian Nights translated by Andrew Lang (1898)
I reserve the right to change my selections partway through the year as needed! Come and join me, because more than just reading good books, I love to discuss them and let them change me!
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Wise Words: September 12, 2015
Short excerpt from "You and Me Forever" by Francis and Lisa Chan:
"I read an amazing quote from our dear friend Joni Eareckson Tada. What she says transcends her own personal struggle with quadriplegia and chronic pain, and applies to every circumstance in our lives - whether painful or joyful. She said,
'I realized that the stakes were far greater, far more immense and cosmic then merely my satisfaction with a wheelchair and its unpleasant baggage. I shifted my focus onto God. His glory was at stake, and that made my satisfaction in Him (not satisfaction with 'the way things were') the real issue. It was no longer a matter of being content with His plan for my life; it was a matter of finding Him utterly and supremely the source of all contentment. This, much to my delight, would give Him the greatest glory.'
What an incredible perspective. Regardless of how satisfying your marriage is or isn't, the real issue is how satisfied you are with Him. Whether your marriage is full of joy or pain. God's glory is at stake. Do you need to shift your focus onto Him?"
Thinking on this tonight...
"I read an amazing quote from our dear friend Joni Eareckson Tada. What she says transcends her own personal struggle with quadriplegia and chronic pain, and applies to every circumstance in our lives - whether painful or joyful. She said,
'I realized that the stakes were far greater, far more immense and cosmic then merely my satisfaction with a wheelchair and its unpleasant baggage. I shifted my focus onto God. His glory was at stake, and that made my satisfaction in Him (not satisfaction with 'the way things were') the real issue. It was no longer a matter of being content with His plan for my life; it was a matter of finding Him utterly and supremely the source of all contentment. This, much to my delight, would give Him the greatest glory.'
What an incredible perspective. Regardless of how satisfying your marriage is or isn't, the real issue is how satisfied you are with Him. Whether your marriage is full of joy or pain. God's glory is at stake. Do you need to shift your focus onto Him?"
Thinking on this tonight...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)