Let’s start off with a little whimsy:
“Beneath this slab
John Brown is stowed.
He watched the ads,
And not the road.”
Ogden Nash
And here’s an even shorter one by Nash that tickled my funny bone:
“The Bronx?
No thonx!
The last time I shared an Ogden Nash poem I got a perfectly delightful email from my friend Teresa with her story about the time she recited one of his poems in high school. If I can get her permission, I’ll share that story on this blog sometime soon.
From the latest Lord Peter Wimsey book that I’m reading called The Nine Tailors, we have this quote from the Rector, Mr. Venables:
“What can’t be cured must be endured.”
That’s a nice one to keep tucked away for the right time.
And a selection out of The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis:
“An open mind, in questions that are not ultimate, is useful. But an open mind about the ultimate foundations either of Theoretical or of Practical Reason is idiocy. If a man’s mind is open on these things, let his mouth at least be shut.”
I’m pretty sure that if I were in the same room as C.S. Lewis I’d keep my mouth shut no matter what. 🙂
More from Sackett by Louis L’Amour:
“I thought you were a good man.” “Glad to hear you say so. It’s an appearance I favor. Not that I’ve ever been sure what it was made a good man. Mostly I’d say a good man is one you can rely on, one who does his job and stands by what he believes.”
The ideas I have are principles that men have had for many a year. I’ve been reading about that When a man enters into society–that’s living with other folks–he agrees to abide by the rules of that society, and when he crosses those rules he becomes liable to judgment, and if he continues to cross them, then he becomes an outlaw.
There was a Texas Ranger one time who said that there’s no stopping a man who knows he’s in the right and keeps a-coming. Well, I’ve often been wrong, but this time I was right and they had to pay mind to me or bury me, and mine is a breed that dies hard.
“No, Angie, if the folks who believe in law, justice, and a decent life for folks are to be shot down by those who believe in violence, nothing makes much sense. I believe in justice, I believe in being tolerating of other folks, but I pack a big pistol, ma’am, and will use it when needed.”
Doesn’t it seem like we need more straightforward and uncomplicated thinking like that of Sackett these days?
Lastly, one of Elisabeth Elliott’s gems from Keep A Quiet Heart:
“Prayer is a powerful weapon. It is an indispensable weapon. It takes practice to wield it. It takes courage and time and spiritual energy.“
Drawing on the Paper App by son Isaac back in the day.
I hope you have enjoyed this week’s Reading Roundup. It’s fun for me to hunt and gather these things to share.
I’ll probably be too busy wielding the weapon of prayer in the morning to have time to delete this.
P.S. There’s something weird going on with how this is publishing – sorry. I don’t seem to be able to fix it.
Lynniebeemuseoday 