Just stopping by...

... To share some of my favorite finds from this week:

The New Attitude conference mP3 set for free.
Mark Dever, Al Mohler, John Piper, Eric Simmons, C.J. Mahaney, Josh Harris: all spoke on the topics of spiritual discernment and humble orthodoxy. You can only benefit...

For the single gals: Heather Koerner's 10 Things Now to Stay At Home Later

Londonistan Calling:
The London neighborhood of the author's youth, Finsbury Park, is now one of the breeding grounds for a new phenomenon: the British jihadist. How did a nation move from cricket and fish-and-chips to burkas and shoe-bombers in a single generation? Christopher Hitchens
(Yes, that Christopher Hitchens. I'm working through his debate with Doug Wilson over at Christianity Today.)

Everything Nancy Wilson posts on her blog.

R.C. Sproul, Jr. is writing a new book and allowing us to read as he writes. Very, very good.

The French Open. My brothers and I are eagerly anticipating a match between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

I'm already shopping for knitting patterns for babies, as my brother and his wife are expecting their first child in December. I especially like this collection. I'm just waiting to find out whether I'm getting a niece or nephew...

Summer Plans...

I read this article when it first appeared on the BBC homepage back in April. I saved the link, hoping to revisit it when I had time. Now that teaching is wrapped up for the school year, I finally have time to catch up on reading, listening, and writing on subjects interesting to me.
Such as...
I want to read more about global warming. Not that I think we're all going to die from it, mind you. (This frenzied rush to save the world - Y2K flashback anyone? Just one example of media-induced, pointless panic...) I want to study Anti-Americanism and America's influence, good or bad, over the rest of the world. I want to catch up on world events. I want to read more about health and scientific discoveries. (Chocolate constituent better than fluoride?) I want to read more literature and history.

I really want to read this. Watch this. Knit this.

Summer just isn't long enough...

Come Take a Hike With Me

Yesterday I accompanied my mom, brother, sister, aunt and cousins on a hike through a local nature preserve. We didn't even try to explore all 20 miles of the preserve and just tackled the trail leading onto a lake island. A small journey, but a satisfying one.

Lexi gets started.

Cactus blooms.

A cardinal perches above us.

Cousins exploring and discovering.

Cone flowers.

Lovely, delicate blue flower.

Dragonflies were everywhere. One persistent fellow flew ahead of us for awhile. When we stopped, he buzzed around. When we walked on, he would stay just ahead of us.

More yellow cactus blossoms.

A lovely shade of purple.

Lake in the background. Some white plant in the foreground.

The lake.

Look closely - what can you see?
I see two little eyes looking at me.

The trumpet vines were in profuse bloom.

There were many butterflies flying around us, some of which were very colorful and the size of a large hand.

A caterpillar inching his way up.

More trumpet vine.

A tree in profuse, pink bloom.

All photos by LTS

Her Children Rise Up and Call Her Blessed...

Love you, Mom.

Newly On My Bookshelf

And Lifelines by Edith Schaeffer.

Good reading awaits...

Just In Case

Should you happen to meet Her Majesty this weekend during her visit to the US to commemorate Jamestown's 400th anniversary, here are a few helpful etiquette tips for you to remember...

The Virginia governor's office offered these etiquette tips for interacting with the Queen:

Protocol

• When first meeting the Queen, she should be addressed as "Your Majesty" and then "Ma'am" (rhymes with jam) thereafter. When departing, address her as "Your Majesty" again.

• By rank, the Duke of Edinburgh is lower than the Queen; thus he is addressed as "Your Royal Highness" (NOT Your Majesty, aka King). After first introductions, he should be addressed as "Sir" and when departing addressed as "Your Royal Highness" again.
  

• Whoever hosts the Queen is expected to walk beside the Royals and make introductions as required.
  

• At least in Britain, when the Queen stops eating, you stop as well.
  

• In general, there are no obligatory codes of behavior, especially in the U.S. -- as we do not recognize the Queen as our Head of Nation, etc.
  

• Bowing is not required of U.S. citizens; shaking hands is acceptable. In Great Britain and the Commonwealth states, men bow and women curtsy. Men bow their head only, dropping it from the neck. Women perform a small curtsy, placing the right foot behind the left heel and then slightly bending the knees. Handshakes also work in the Commonwealth.
  

Dress

• Members of The Royal Family do not wish anyone to be put to unnecessary expense by buying special clothes, hats or gloves. The following points may, however, be of use in answering queries:
  

• There is no requirement for hats to be worn, though it is entirely acceptable to do so. Hats are not normally worn at functions after 6:30 p.m.
  

• There is no requirement for gloves to be worn. However, if a woman wishes to wear gloves, they need not be white but should not be taken off before the wearer is presented.
  

• Where black tie and long evening dress are called for, cocktail dress, national dress and dark lounge suit are also acceptable.