A Carpe Diem Snapshot:
The Acton University gathering yesterday provided many Carpe Diem moments as I ran into wonderful friends, both old and new. My reason for visiting was to catch Tim Carney's talk on his new book, Family Unfriendly, which I'm listening to on Audible right now. It was a packed room and Tim was obviously addressing a topic on everyone's minds and hearts at the moment. I highly recommend this book and have to say it makes me just a little bit more grateful that I'm raising my kids in the Old World for the majority of the year, despite all its inconveniences. Tim wrote his last book, Alienated America, while residing at the Kirk Center in Mecosta several years ago. After Tim's talk my sister and I dropped into another talk by Kevin Vallier, on his new book All the Kingdoms of the World: On Radical Religious Alternatives to Liberalism. I bought the book, naturally, and discovered from Dr. Vallier that he will be teaching a course on my Dad and other American conservatives this Fall at Bowling Green State University. Hopefully he will bring his students to Mecosta for a field trip someday. En route to the book stands, I chatted with Dr. Vallier and a fine English fellow (and fast friend, pictured above), Daniel Pitt, who was introduced to me by my sister at the conclusion of the talk. As it turns out, Dan, a student of the late Sir Roger Scruton, will be bringing his family to Mecosta next summer so our kids will be enjoying proper English tea parties and play dates together! You can read about Dan's book here, his article on Scruton and Kirk here, and follow him on X here. It was such a delightful surprise to encounter these strangers by complete chance, and then to discover that I was unknowingly related to them, intellectually! It seems all roads lead to Mecosta, eventually....
Liturgical: Readings for the Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, bishop and martyr
“Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.”
Bishop Barron's Gospel reflections today.
Sanctoral: Irenaeus of Lyons, Bishop and Martyr , (130-202). Doctor of the Universal Church since 2022, he played a crucial role in countering the Gnostics.
Human: Birthday of Henry VIII ( King of England) – 1491, Peter Paul Rubens (painter) – 1577, Jean-Jacques Rousseau (philosopher) – 1712; Cholera epidemic began in N.Y.C.– 1832; Labor Day became an official U.S. holiday– 1894; The Treaty of Versailles was signed, ending WW I– 1919; Israel annexed East Jerusalem– 1967
The Writer's Almanac edition for today.
Natural: Here is a list of the 30 best anti-inflammatories foods; bonus lesson- video on how the circadian rhythm works. What's more helpful to establishing good health than proper sleep and nutrition? And don't forget to take a "constitutional" after your meals...
Italian Word of the Day: Stasera (this evening / tonight)
Quote: "If, then, you are God's workmanship, await the hand of your Maker which creates everything in due time; in due time as far as you are concerned, whose creation is being carried out. Offer to Him your heart in a soft and tractable state, and preserve the form in which the Creator has fashioned you, having moisture in yourself, lest, by becoming hardened, you lose the impressions of His fingers. But by preserving the framework you shall ascend to that which is perfect, for the moist clay which is in you is hidden [there] by the workmanship of God. His hand fashioned your substance; He will cover you over [too] within and without with pure gold and silver, and He will adorn you to such a degree, that even "the King Himself shall have pleasure in your beauty." --St. Irenaeus of Lyons
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