dual personalities

Last week I read Anne Tyler’s latest book. It was quick and easy and not very thought-provoking. Her books are all the same now–about some average white, middle class family whose members don’t seem to get along but who are remotely devoted to one another. Her characters inhabit a godless universe where no one really seems to care much about anything. But come to think of it, maybe that is the depressing world that most people live in today. To me it feels alien and empty.

Daughter #1 returned my copy of The Lincoln Highway, because it is the next book to be discussed in my church women’s book club. I will have to re-read/skim it because, although I read it last fall, I forget books as fast as I read them.

My DP mentioned on Friday that Hilary Mantel had died. This was, indeed, sad, but not surprising, news. She had been sick for a long time and wrote those three last great novels despite being very ill. She was a brave soul who had something to say.

As the word of God spreads, the people’s eyes are opened to new truths. Until now…they knew Noah and the Flood, but not St. Paul. They could count over the sorrows of our Blessed Mother, and say how the damned are carried down to Hell. But they did not know the manifold miracles and sayings of Christ, nor the words and deeds of the apostles, simple men who, like the poor of London, pursued simple wordless trades. The story is much bigger than they ever thought it was….you cannot tell people just part of the tale and then stop, or just tell them the parts you choose. They have seen their religion painted on the walls of churches, or carved in stone, but now God’s pen is poised, and he is ready to write his words in the books of their hearts.

–Wolf Hall

The great thing about Hilary Mantel is that she did not think religion in the sixteenth was just a tool used to wield power by kings and popes and countries. She understood that it really meant something to people like Thomas Cromwell. Yes, he used his power to great effect; he was a political genius. But there was more to him than just that. She understood that Thomas More, who wanted to keep the Word out of the hands of the people, was the real monster.

Here’s a good post from Anne Kennedy, who is back from her lengthy summer break. I missed her a lot.

Today is the birthday of Johnny Appleseed (1744-1845)! Let’s all take a moment to sing along with Johnny from Walt Disney’s 1948 film Melody Time, made when Disney was reflecting a very different America. We used to sing this song at bedtime when my kids were little. We also sang it as a grace at snack time when I taught Sunday School back in the day. I’ll have to teach it to the twins.

I owe the Lord so much
For everything I see
I’m certain if it weren’t for Him
There’d be no apples on this limb
He’s been good to me