Here are Four Great Things from the week of 05/30/2024.

Expulsion from the Garden of Eden

The featured photo this week is a painting from Thomas Cole in 1865. The title, Expulsion from Eden, is painful but fitting. The right side is bright, full of life. The left is dark with obvious cues of decay. Zooming in shows two tiny human figures, Adam and Eve, moving towards that darkness. It's truly a stunning depiction of Genesis 3.



A Liturgy Before Writing

"Every Moment Holy" has several volumes of work now. Volume 3 features a liturgy on writing by Malcolm Guite—he's one of the greatest living poets. And he looks like a Scottish fisherman.

"...For you, Lord, are Logos, 

the meaning itself behind every meaning. It is

the treasury of your truth that underwrites all

these little cheques,

these little promises of meaning

that we exchange with one another in writing

and reading..."

Ozymandias

This is a poem from Percy Shelley, a British Romantic, at the turn of the 19th century. We ran across this in our first homeschool term this year—its title being snatched by our 8 year old to name a new stuffed animal. Rabbit Room Poetry featured it this past week.

This is one of those examples where we see a proud, godless entity and wonder where God is in the midst of that rule/tyranny. Then upon its closure we see the pattern emerge.

"...My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;

Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!

Nothing beside remains. Round the decay

Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare

The lone and level sands stretch far away..."

Summer Bucket List

Go find a printable you like and create a Summer Bucket List with your kids, spouse, small group, or friend group. Spontaneous hangouts are lovely, but strategically planning events can yield unforgettable memories!

What I'm working on:

• I will be taking the month of June off from Great Things, so you'll hear from me in July!!

Quotable:

“You're trying to eat grass that isn't there. Why don't you give it a chance to grow?”
― Richard Adams, Watership Down

(Seriously. Add "read Watership Down" to your summer reading list...)

Worth the Memory

An Apology

By Anne Bradstreet

To finish what's begun, was my intent,
My thoughts and my endeavours thereto bent;
Essays I many made but still gave out,
The more I mus'd, the more I was in doubt:
The subject large my mind and body weak,
With many more discouragements did speak.
All thoughts of further progress laid aside,
Though oft persuaded, I as oft deny'd,
At length resolv'd, when many years had past,
To prosecute my story to the last;
And for the same, I hours not few did spend,
And weary lines (though lanke) I many pen'd:
But 'fore I could accomplish my desire,
My papers fell a prey to th'raging fire.
And thus my pains (with better things) I lost,
Which none had cause to wail, nor I to boast.
No more I'le do sith I have suffer'd wrack,
Although my Monarchies their legs do lack:
Nor matter is't this last, the world now sees,
Hath many Ages been upon his knees.

What are your great things from the week?