kristinsdóttir

  Mikhail Nesterov painted this preliminary study for the princess of his “Dual Harmony” painting.  

Though this way of wearing a headcovering is similar to the scarf + underscarf style adopted by many Muslim women today, note that the princess’ ear is showing and many if not most Muslim women who wear hijab choose to cover their ears.

I love the way this looks.

(Thank you, Vara, for providing a good copy of this picture!)

It’s coming:  the annual Women’s Retreat at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Portland, Oregon.  You could join us!

(photo credit to Hagrid’s Secret Cellar …  can anyone tell me what this stamp is about???)

This is put on by St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Portland, Oregon.

“One afternoon in late January of l999 I went to my altar for my regular daily practice. Usually I began with yogic song and mantra and then did silent sitting. I lit the candles on my altar and after finishing my song and mantras began my silent practice. I can’t say exactly how long I had been sitting when I hear my voice say in my own words aloud, “I miss Jesus.” I said this aloud. It seemed like it came through me rather than me saying it but there were no external voices. Clearly I was saying it.  … [more]

(this is one of many great articles found at Orthodox Advices – photo shown here of Elder Ioanichie Balan of Silhastria Monastery, Romania, is from this site, as well.  FYI, Archimandrite Ioanichie Balan wrote the book on Elder Cleopa later translated by Mother Cassiana)

Perhaps you have heard a rumor that I have started a chapter of the Red Hat Society.  Alas, it is indeed true.  Indulging my exhibitionistic side, I will dress all in lavender and don a pink hat (I’m not yet old enough for a red hat with purple clothing) and frolic in public. 

I am doing this for two reasons.  First, there is my aforementioned exhibitionistic streak.  I know it does not speak well of me, but there it is.

Second, I need more friends and opportunities to have fun.  If you’re female and you know me and live in my area and think this sounds like fun, get in touch.  If I’ve seemed shy and/or unapproachable, rest assured that this is not true.  I am simply under-socialized.  Sadly so.  So … know also that you can can be any age, any age at all.  The only requirement, the only rule, is that when we go out, you must dress in lavender and pink or purple and red, depending upon your stage in life. 

As I said, it’s a small group and we’re just starting it and so we can do it any way we want to.  What I’d really like is to have some folks under 50 (hey, even under 30!) and some over.  We’ll probably stop adding people when we get to about ten.  I’d like us to be able to sit at one table in restaurant.

And if you fear that this will mean an expenditure of funds you might better use elsewhere, please know that we will try to keep our adventures on the inexpensive side.  I’m thinking Starbucks here, folks.  Or the Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe.  Or the county fair.  Or a pie shop. 

And buying your lavender or purple clothing?  Think Goodwill.  And the hat can be a scarf or a paper hat or a flower pot or whatever.

Join me if this appeals to you!  This means you.   :-)

(photo credit to GloomyCorp)

Did you know you could download the planner from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries?

Stella White is a British Catholic who has adopted the hijab.  She loves it, noting that she is thankful that she has the freedom to choose to wear the hijab or not.

(photo credit to indigo goat)

I am almost finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the last book of the Harry Potter series.  It’s prompted me to again crack open my copy of Orthodox Christian John Granger’s Looking for God in Harry Potter.  Here’s a bit from an interview with Granger published in Again Magazine.

I’m told Granger has a newish book (published last March), Unlocking Harry Potter.  While you’re waiting to get your hands on it, his blog, HogwartsProfessor.com is worth a look.

On the other hand, in a discussion today (I’m amending this post on Tuesday, 9/11), my priest had this to say on the Harry Potter books:  “Why bother?”  Are they good enough, is the content worthy enough, of our time?

And to that I have to say, oops, probably not.  Diverting, yes.  Truly great?  Hmmm.

On the other hand, I am a librarian who specializes in fiction.  If I use this measure for all of the fiction that comes over my desk, what will I read?

This is a very slippery slope. 

I could end up reading religious books all the time!  What a pickle that would be, eh? 

Hmmm.

I like the scarf style that Jan chooses to wear for her first day wearing hijab.  Adding a couple more twisted scarves in contrasting colors to the crown makes it an even better look, in my opinion.