Can I just say I'm proud of myself? I actually read a hard book and understood it.

[Ms. Riding Hood]

Last week I finished reading Chesterton's The Everlasting Man, after several false starts made over a period of years. It was very difficult reading for me, primarily because he makes so many references that I don't get and also because he writes in little riddles or conundrums (for lack of a better term) that leave me reeling. But I muddled through, underlining and making small notes in the margin. Today I reread through selected portions trying to answer a few questions and was surprised at how much more I seemed to understand with this second glance. Yes! I felt so...so...powerful, so rich. Does that sound wierd? I read a book, actually studied it, and extracted meaning. It was exhilarating.

I must sound rather lame, as though I don't read books on a regular basis. I do read, but usually not things that require close, careful reading; not things that stretch my mind past where I thought it could go. It felt good to do that and succeed.

BTW, Chesterton's education is a thing of beauty. He reminds me of Lewis and Tolkien in both the breadth and depth of his allusions. What was it about the English education that these men received? Do any of you know about that system? It leaves me in awe. Maybe that was all classical education. I'm so ignorant.

Next Up: The Summa Theologica! :D

[PariSarah]

Good for you!

Hey, the Summa is great. You'll love it. You get into a flow with it. I found that when I was reading Thomas, I felt like I understood everything. Everything--not just everything Thomas, but EVERYTHING.

And then I would go to the class for which I was reading Thomas, and I would get all confused. So I would just go back to reading Thomas and feeling good about myself again. :D

[Ms. Riding Hood]

Thanks for the encouragement. I think the Summa could keep me busy the rest of my life. :eek:

I finally get your board name! For some reason it always made me think of "pariah", yet with a visual of a pirhana. Wierd, I know. Paris is much nicer.

Your baby is growing soooo big. I remember when you had him! What a cutie.

[Cedarmom]

Great for you. The Everlasting Man is on my nightstand-it has been for about six months. I read a little, then put it down. Then later pick it up and try again. I love it-I think it has some great points. But it is hard! Great job of perservering for you.

cedarmom

[Nan in Mass]

That's great! My big achievement has been the Harry Potter series with my high school French. I'm on the last book. Boy did I have to use the dictionary a lot at first, even though I had read the first few in English already. Now I hardly need the dictionary at all! I guess we're all educating ourselves as well as our children. I know I get bored with their classes unless they contain things that I don't know, too. Except when I'm too tired.
-Nan

[Ms. Riding Hood]

Wow, in another language? That's amazing to me. Ha, the other day I thought, "Maybe I'll still be studying Latin when I'm 75." After all, it would be good brain excercise, right? Do they have Harry Potter in Latin? ;)

[Ms. Riding Hood]

And by the way, I just wanted to say that I'm glad you're hanging in there with the new board. I'm still not keen on it myself, but I really didn't want to lose people like you who have an important presence on the board. Thanks for keeping on!

[Nan in Mass]

so I haven't exactly been quick about it. :)
And thank you.

[Kareni]

Lynne,

They do have Harry Potter in Latin. My teen has the first two books which are Harrius Potter et Philosophi Lapis and Harrius Potter et Camera Secretorum.

There are other fun books in Latin too. Regulus (The Little Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Ferdinandus Taurus (Ferdinand the Bull) by Munro Leaf, Winnie Ille Pu (Winnie the Pooh), and some Dr. Seuss books -- Quomodo Invidiosulus Nomine Grinchus Christi Natalem Abrogaverit (How the Grinch Stole Christmas), Virent Ova! Viret Perna!! (Green Eggs and Ham) and Cattus Petasatus (The Cat in the Hat).

Have fun!
Regards,
Kareni

[Ms. Riding Hood]

Oh well, then I'll just forget all that Virgil stuff and go for Dr. Seuss! :D

[Kareni]

Lynne,

The Dr. Seuss books in Latin are amazingly good! My daughter was reading them aloud and the translators did a great job of keeping that Seussian rhythm.

Regards,
Kareni