7QT - Civility in discourse, All Hallow's Eve, and more!

1. I've been deeply disappointed in the lack of civility and fairness to the facts that I've witnessed this election season. While I care very much about who is elected (at all levels of government), I'm finding that watching the candidates engage one another on the issues is less informative and more cringe-worthy every week. The contemptuous, snarky tone of my state's Senate race has been especially distasteful. I fear for how the casualty of this approach - intelligent and honest discourse on the important issues - is going to continue to affect our nation's future.

2.  Homeschooling has been sidetracked this week due to Princess and I feeling out of sorts. She's been dealing with a sore throat, chills and lack of appetite while I've been experiencing fatigue, headaches and body aches. Flu season already?! Oh boy.

3. All Hallow's Eve is fast approaching. We normally celebrate this All Saint's Day vigil with a special dinner, caramel & candy coated apples, cider/hot chocolate and a Catholic movie. Note to self: pick up pumpkins for our Saint-O-Lanterns!

4. My washing machine started smelling strongly of grass two days ago. I suppose it IS time to clean it. Poor thing has been neglected since we bought it five years ago. I'm hoping an empty load with vinegar will do the trick...

5. I've been slightly obsessed with the old Shaker hymn, "Simple Gifts," lately. Here's a sweet version sung by children:



6. Husband and I have begun reading The Chronicles of Narnia series to the kids (it's namely for Princess, as Bud is only 3.5...he listens most of the time, though!). We finished The Magician's Nephew and now we're in the midst of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I am loving it - we all are. The kids can't wait to get in their jammies and snuggle in tight for our nightly reading. Oh how I cherish these days.

7. One of the greatest blessings to the Church in the United States today is, IMO, Charles J. Chaput (Archbishop of Philadelphia). He always has incredibly lucid things to say about living an authentic Christianity and the role of the Catholic in the public square. I will close with one of his quotes, taken from his book Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living Our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life:

“The time for easy Christianity is over. In fact, it never really existed. We’re blessed to be rid of the illusion. We need to be more zealous in our faith, not more discreet; clearer in our convictions, not muddier; and more Catholic, not less.”

Linking up to Seven Quick Takes Friday over @ Conversion Diary!