Unreality

Dorothy Rabinowitz on the last four years.

In the books yet to be written about this presidency, the Obama administration's exceptional readings of reality will deserve an honored place, and a large one. One that should also acknowledge the fact that, in the end, the American people inevitably recognize the difference between lies and truth, illusion and the real thing.

The most telling example of this capacity—the October surprise that shouldn't have been surprising—came with the first presidential debate. The nation saw a superbly cogent Mitt Romney, speaking to them in terms instantly recognizable, words without artifice that addressed their real lives. Viewers saw the life in him, the play of mind, felt the sense of powerful will—that of a leader. It didn't matter all that much that the president looked most unpresidential, a man lost. What mattered was the other man before them, who had brought home to Americans what they had been missing the past four years. (Read entire article.)

More commentary HERE and HERE. Share

A Wedding in Luxembourg

The wedding of Crown Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg to Comtesse Stéphanie de Lannoy on October 20, 2012 must be one of the most beautiful ever. Pictures can be seen HERE and HERE. Share

The Lady Guide to Modern Manners

On complaining in public. To quote:

It's a shame, because in Britain, for complex reasons, some of them good, we don't do anything like enough complaining – or, should I say, providing honest, constructive feedback. Exhibitionists such as your fellow passenger give complaining a bad name.

With my marvellous grasp of history, I trace it back to the 1980s. The new 'service culture' of that decade swept away the long suffering mentality of the previous decades. Which was all well and good, but a hard-bitten minority who complain about everything and always want money off, or back, had a field day. Now, post banking crisis, it's all rather different. Let's hope businesses will answer back.

If you have to complain, be discreet about it. In restaurants and hotels the conspicuous complainer, however justified, might spoil the enjoyment of others who have no complaint. (Read entire article.)

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A Fall Festival in a Small Town

Trappe, Maryland.

In days of old, people derived their surnames from a chosen profession. Many affluent and influential people were honored by having towns, counties, and states named after them. Tilghman was named after a powerful family whose members held pivotal roles in the Revolutionary War. Talbot County is named for Lord Baltimore’s sister, Lady Grace Talbot; and Maryland was named to honor Queen Henrietta Maria, Charles I’s wife.

Of course, there are town names whose origins have been lost to history. One such town is Trappe. It sits small and unassuming, nestled between fields of corn and soybeans. Most likely founded in the late 1770s, the town’s naming is an enduring mystery.

One of the more alluring tales of how it acquired its name concerns a French widow who is said to have a somewhat notorious past.  She owned a tavern where men would congregate to drink and play cards. Wives anxiously seeking their spouses were often informed that they could be found at “The Trap.”

Others theories include the possibility that the town moniker was derived from a local monastery of Trappist monks from France, or that it was a good location for trapping. Whatever the origins of the name, the town, and its surrounding areas, has sat steadfastly by, never growing to inhabit more than 1,500 people. (Read entire article.)

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Post-Conciliar Crisis

"The Council did not formulate anything new in matters of faith, nor did it wish to replace what was ancient." To quote Fr. Mark:

If we place ourselves in harmony with the authentic approach which Blessed John XXIII wished to give to Vatican II, we will be able to realize it during this Year of Faith, following the same path of the Church as she continuously endeavours to deepen the deposit of faith entrusted to her by Christ. The Council Fathers wished to present the faith in a meaningful way; and if they opened themselves trustingly to dialogue with the modern world it is because they were certain of their faith, of the solid rock on which they stood. In the years following, however, many embraced uncritically the dominant mentality, placing in doubt the very foundations of the deposit of faith, which they sadly no longer felt able to accept as truths.

If today the Church proposes a new Year of Faith and a new evangelization, it is not to honour an anniversary, but because there is more need of it, even more than there was fifty years ago! And the reply to be given to this need is the one desired by the Popes, by the Council Fathers and contained in its documents. Even the initiative to create a Pontifical Council for the promotion of the new evangelization, which I thank for its special effort for the Year of Faith, is to be understood in this context. Recent decades have seen the advance of a spiritual "desertification". In the Council's time it was already possible from a few tragic pages of history to know what a life or a world without God looked like, but now we see it every day around us. This void has spread. But it is in starting from the experience of this desert, from this void, that we can again discover the joy of believing, its vital importance for us, men and women. (Read entire post.)

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Forward Boldly

Tonight I will be interviewed by Christine Niles of Forward Boldly on Blog Talk Radio at 10pm Eastern Time. We will be discussing Marie-Antoinette and her family and other topics as well. To join the discussion, please call (626) 226-1464. If you miss the live broadcast then you can still listen to it, HERE. Share

Fall Farmers' Market

I love farmers' markets, especially this time of year. Williams-Sonoma has some great suggestions about what food to get (figs, kale, beets, pumpkin, etc.) and how to prepare it.

Flush with pumpkins, greens and fall fruits, autumn is a beautiful time at the farmers’ market. Unlike delicate summer corn and berries, fall ingredients tend to be sturdy and hearty — and that means they can hold up well in the kitchen.

Our smart shopping strategy: early in the week, use fruits and vegetables that taste best just after harvest, and store the rest to enjoy later in the week. Use our guide and recipes below to get inspired. (Read entire post.)

Pumpkin dessert recipes, HERE. Share

A Guide to Stemware

A video on which wine glass to use.

Three things we learned about BA Wine Insider David Lynch by watching this video: he's not into stemless glasses ("they have stems for a reason"), he rarely bothers with white wine glasses, and he believes in the power of the swirl. It says, "I am someone to be reckoned with, I know how to swirl." Are you someone to be reckoned with? Watch and learn. (Read more.)

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The Pilgrimage of Grace

Author Stephanie Mann reports:

The Pilgrimage of Grace began on October 13, 1536, after the failure of the Lincolnshire uprising earlier that month.

Robert Aske, barrister, led the uprising, which soon gathered a following of up to 40,000. Aske presented the peoples’ desires for an end to the suppression of the monasteries and other religious changes, referencing the protection of the Church promised in the Magna Carta! His pilgrim band/army far outnumbered Thomas Howard’s forces, but he wanted to negotiate a solution. Through Norfolk, Henry promised to convene a Parliament in York to address the issues if the rebels disbanded and returned to their homes. Aske also met with Henry in London. When another uprising broke the truce, Aske was arrested and tried. (Read entire post.)

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