Days 18-22- Are You There God? It’s Me, Amanda.

Selected Readings Goal: 1350 | Started: 2 | Finished: 2 | Remaining: 1348

Currently Reading: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume

Day 18-22 Reading: Chapters 1-25 | Pages: 1-149

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My parents bought this book for me, on my insistence, as a little girl and I have kept it all these years!  My worn-out paperback copy is from the 80′s.  I think that was around the last time I read it, too–somewhere between my last Barbie and my first bra.  It made me sentimental to reminisce on those times from my childhood that most of us went through in some form or another.  Judy Blume captured the very heart of a preteen girl’s life, with all its accompanying turmoil and refreshing, youthful innocence.

I grew up with two older sisters, one 18 years older, the other 13 years older.  At times I almost felt like I was an only child like the protagonist, Margaret Ann Simon.  What I remember most from my childhood was how much I really wanted to be like my lovely, popular big sisters.  I was always into their things and business–any pesky little sister can relate!  I’m sure I bugged them to their wits’ end, but I was so in awe of them! I needed to be around them, to learn what they did and how they did it so I could be just like them when I was old enough.

me as a baby

helping my sisters with laundry

excited for Christmas

Big Sis

Middle Sis

Gotta love the 90′s!

me 2008

me 2009

me 2010

When my preteen years came around, I was tall, awkward, and painfully shy.  Nothing like my sisters, much to my dismay.  They always seemed to know how to light up a room, how to make friends easily, how to fall into conversation with strangers–I didn’t.  They had beautiful, long silky hair with just the right amount of curl, I had a tangled, frizzy mop that defied gravity.  Needless to say, when I hit my preteen years, I was eager to grow up, thinking that perhaps aging was my last hope to be the swan instead of the gangly duckling.

In the book Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret the main character, Margaret has moved to a new town where she doesn’t know anyone, is about to enter the sixth grade, and still has an underdeveloped prepubescent body.  She doesn’t even wear a bra yet!  She meets a few other girls from her neighborhood and together they form a club called the Pre Teen Sensations.  To make matters worse, she has just found out her teacher is new and has never had a class before–and he’s a MAN!

We follow Margaret through her becoming more aware of her body and her underdeveloped bustline, friendships, life lessons about believing gossip, the first stirrings of a crush, her first kiss, her first dance, her first bra, and getting her period for the first time.   The book is interspersed with Margaret’s quest to figure out which religion she should belong to.  She has a fully developed relationship with God, regardless of the fact that she has been brought up without any religion.  Her parents decided that Margaret should be allowed to choose her own belief system when she was older, as her father was Jewish and her mother was Christian, and there had been terrible family turmoil and estrangement for that very reason.

Margaret feels that she should figure out which church she should belong to and attends services in many different denominations, but doesn’t feel any closer to God there than when she speaks to him in her room at night.

I love the way Margaret speaks to God, as if she were speaking to a close friend and authority figure.  I forgot what that kind of child-like faith was like.

“Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret.  I just did an exercise to help me grow.  Have you thought about it God?  About my growing, I mean.  I’ve got a bra now.  It would be nice if I had something to put in it.  Of course, if you don’t think I’m ready, I’ll understand.  I’m having a test in school tomorrow.  Please let me get a good grade on it God.  I want you to be proud of me.  Thank you” (50).

The passages where she speaks to God like that really touch my heart.  Regardless of whether you believe in a higher power or not, her small innocent conversations with God have a way of reminding all of one’s naivetë at that age.  The way she speaks what is in her heart remind me of a time when I had the world before me, and had that kind of trust and confidence–that faith–that someday all my dreams would come true if I was patient enough.

Gotta love the 90's!

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I waited and waited until it was my turn to blossom, and finally, I did, especially once high school came around.  I wish I could return to middle school and have a talk with myself, assuring that girl that the things she is wishing so hard for will happen, that all the necessary parts are on their way, to counsel her to enjoy her age and innocence, to not be in such a hurry to grow up, to assure her that one day she will be a woman who is confident, happy, and loves herself…that although she will not quite be like her sisters, she will be something beautiful in her own unique way.

Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer

Today I finished The Canterbury Tales, and to celebrate I ordered from Netflix (my new love) the DVD “Chaucer & The Canterbury Tales” featuring Terry Jones, from Monty Python’s Flying Circus, as the host.

It was a fascinating 120 minutes! Jones was Oxford educated and knows a lot about Chaucer and the history surrounding his life and writings.  In hilarious contrast from the buck-naked portrait in the background, the serious conversation with Terry Jones regarding the history of England during the reign of Edward III and Richard II seemed to bring forth the satirical spirit of The Canterbury Tales themselves.

Geoffrey Chaucer, often called the Father of English Literature, was born circa 1340 AD to a wealthy vintner, who was himself the son of a wealthy vintner, and as such was born into prosperity and had the privilege of an education.  His family resided in Cheapside at the heart of the mercantile thoroughfare.

Not too much is known about his youth other than he probably attended school at nearby St. Paul’s Cathedral School, like boys of his station did.  We know he lived through The Black Death and survived the terrible plague.  Around the age of 12, he was kidnapped by an aunt who tried to force him to marry her daughter, but she was arrested and fined for that.  By 17, he was working as a page for the Countess of Ulster, wife of the 1st Duke of Clarence, Lionel, who was the second son of the current king, Edward III.

Somewhere at the beginning of the 100 Years War, he went to the battle under the service of the Duke of Clarence.  He was captured by the French Army during the siege at Rheims and held for ransom.  Since England had captured King John of France during the Battle of Poitiers, they had the upper hand in getting back their prisoners of war.  King Edward paid the sum of £16 for Chaucer’s release. In 1366 or so, he married Philippa de Roet, a lady in waiting to Queen Philippa, Edward III’s wife.  He is believed to have fathered three or four children with her during their marriage.

During little Richard II’s turbulent reign, even when he was deemed a “royalist” and though he had gotten on the bad side of the Lords Apellant, Chaucer was at the peak of his writing abilities, cranking out The Canterbury Tales and many other great works, including his masterpiece Troilus and Cressida.  He served under King Richard II in many responsible positions, moved to Kent and was  appointed to parliament there.  Even though he was somewhat tied to people of the court who found trouble with the Lords Apellant, he did not.  When Richard II was overthrown and Henry IV was put in power, his annual pension from the King was discontinued, but later reinstated by Henry IV.

Toward the end of his life, he took quarters at Westminster Abbey.  It is not known whether he did this for sanctuary from Archbishop Thomas Arundel and his supporters, or just because he felt like it.  He died in 1400.  Terry Jones believes there might have even been foul play.  Chaucer is buried in Westminster Abbey.  He was the first writer to be buried in the Poet’s Corner section of the Abbey, wherein also rest other greats such as Tennyson, Kipling, Hardy and Dickens.  Even Laurence Olivier is buried there!

I feel I have formed a connection through the centuries to Mr. Chaucer.  It is a poignant reminder of the power of the pen.  The writer’s soul seems to be laid bare on the page.  The inner workings of one’s mind and thought process can touch people in distant places and throughout time to form a bond of unity and likemindedness.

I think I have a new friend.  What do you say, Geoff?  You game?

Days 14-17: The Antidote to The 7 Deadly Sins

Selected Readings Goal: 1350 | Started: 1 | Finished: 1 | Remaining: 1349

Currently Reading: The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Day 14-17 Reading: The Parson’s Prologue, The Parson’s Tale, Wherein Chaucer Takes Leave of His Book | Pages: 540-627

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Bosch's 7 Deadly Sins

The End Has Come…well, of The Canterbury Tales, anyway.   I’m a little sad to be done with them, to tell you the truth.  I have a new respect for Geoffrey Chaucer.  I remember reading this when I was much younger and not really paying attention to the beauty of the writing and the wisdom of the counsel.  Besides, reading is always much more enjoyable when it’s done for pleasure and not because you have to.

The last Tale in the collection is The Parson’s Tale.  The Parson says that his story will not be one of frivolity but will seek to teach something.  The host agrees that it is best to end on a somber note, considering the fact that they are near the end of their pilgrimage.

The Parson embarks on a treatise about true repentance and the seven deadly sins, examining what they are comprised of and also how to overcome them if you find yourself in their clutches, as part of the repentance process.

The Parson quotes Saint Ambrose’s definition, who once said that

“…penitence is the mourning of man for the sin that he has done, and the resolve to do no more anything for which he ought to mourn” (543).

The Five Steps To Repentance

The Parson states that to be truly repentant, a man must

“…first regret the sins that he has done, and steadfastedly purpose in his heart to make oral confession, and to do penance, and nevermore to do anything for which he ought to feel regret or to mourn, and to continue to do good works; or else his repentance will avail him nothing” (543).

We can break down the repentance process to five steps which can be applied by any of us, whether religious or not, to make up for, or to give us peace of mind about, something bad that we have done.

1. Regret For The Thing That Was Done

When you are sorry for something that you have done wrong, there is a feeling of deep sorrow and regret in your heart.

2. Confess The Thing That Was Done

When you realize you have done something wrong, you must confess it, to yourself, to the persons affected, and to the proper religious authority, if you are so inclined.

3. Do Penance or Expiate For What Was Done

After the first two steps have been accomplished, the next step is to make up for what you have done by making restitution however possible to the person you have hurt, including yourself.

4. Resolve Never To Do It Again

If you go through all the previous steps, then turn around and do it again, you have not sincerely repented and do not deserve forgiveness until you do.

5. Continue To Do Good Works

Do good deeds and continue on your path to a virtuous life with a tranquil mind.

The Antidotes To The Seven Deadly Sins

Here is a summary of the Parson’s recommendations to overcome them:

SIN: PRIDE (Superbia)

ANTIDOTE: Humility or Meekness

“…the remedy for the sin of pride…is, humility or meekness.  That is a virtue whereby a man may come to have a true knowledge of himself, and whereby he will hold himself to be of no price or value in regard to his deserts, but will be considering ever his frailty” (572, 573).

SIN: ENVY (Inuidia)

ANTIDOTE: Love of God and Love of One’s Neighbor As Oneself

“…just as the Devil is discomfited by humility, so is he wounded to the death by love for our enemy.  Certainly, then, love is the medicine that purges the heart of man of the poison of envy” (577).

SIN: ANGER (Ira)

ANTIDOTE: Gentleness, Patience, Tolerance

“The remedy for anger is a virtue which men call mansuetude, which is gentleness; and even another virtue which men call patience or tolerance” (588).

He goes on to describe the antidote:

“Gentleness withholds and restrains the stirrings and the urgings of man’s impetuosity in his heart in such manner that it leaps not out in anger or in ire.

“Tolerance suffers sweetly all the annoyances and wrongs that men do to men bodily…

“Patience, which is another remedy against anger, is a virtue that suffers sweetly man’s goodness, and is not wroth for harm done to it” (588).

SIN: SLOTH (Accidia)

ANTIDOTE: Fortitude, Strength

“Against this horrible sin of acedia, and the branches thereof, there is a virtue that is called fortitudo or strength; that is, a force of character whereby a man despises annoying things” (594).

SIN: GREED (Avaricia)

ANTIDOTE: Mercy, Pity

“Mercy, as the philosopher says, is a virtue whereby the feelings of a man are moved by the trouble of him that is in trouble.  Upon which mercy follows pity and performs charitable works of mercy” (601).

SIN: GLUTTONY (Gula)

ANTIDOTE: Abstinence, Temperance, Shame, Measure, Sobriety

“The companions of abstinence are temperance, which follows the middle course in all things; and shame, which eschews all indecency; and sufficiency, which seeks after no rich foods and drinks and cares nothing for too extravagant dressing of meats.  Measure, also, which restrains within reason the unrestrained appetite for eating; sobriety, also, which restrains the luxurious desire to sit long and softly at meat” (603).

SIN: LUST (Luxuria)

ANTIDOTE: Chastity for the Single and the Married, Continence

“Now comes the remedy for lechery, and that is, generally, chastity and continence, which restrain all the inordinate stirrings that come of fleshly desires” (611).

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Chaucer ends his tale with a pious entreaty to be forgiven for his stories that involve lechery, and with a ‘thank you’ to Christ, His mother and all the saints for the books about morality, saints and homilies, etc. that he has written. He asks for the chance to be forgiven for his sins and for God’s grace (626-7).

I wonder if he was worried that he would get in trouble for satirizing the church. Either way, I learned so much from him that I am glad he took the chance to write this book.