Economics and Women

To follow up on my previous post on this subject I would like to say a couple of things:

1. I love the Socratic Method. My mother swears my first word was, “Why?” Lawyers have told me I should just shut it and go to law school. I asked the questions in the comments of this post to get people to think, not to necessarily present my stance on the subject.
2. Men and women should be paid equally for the same job description unless there is an economic need. That is the only time I think men (or women) should be given preference in the amount of pay they receive. If I were a single gal and a co-worker of mine had a wife and three children under 5, I wouldn’t be put out if he got a larger paycheck.
3. Though economics is a fascinating subject (I’m in a Microeconomics class, atm), I think this subject thread is getting beyond the scope of what I would like to be here on the VG blog. I’ll try to keep the ship steered in the proper direction but if there are still burning questions in your minds about it, you can comment and I’ll send you a private e-mail.

In other news, we had a restful weekend and blessed our dads yesterday over the telephone. God has given us many dads, some genetic and some provided for our direction and leadership. The Lord knew we needed them!

Formulating a Vision for Veiled Glory

What a hot and muggy day! Just imagine trying to blow dry your hair inside of a sauna…that is what it feels like outside today. A cool front is on the way, to much rejoicing of all in southwestern Oklahoma.

I am assembling a sort of plan for the Veiled Glory site, now that dear ladies are discovering it exists. There are some elements that might be impossible for me to do, but as my father says, “It doesn’t hurt to ask!” Maybe folks will come along side me to help. I will hopefully post it this weekend, along with those delayed apron pics I promised.

Here is a quick link for the Catholic ladies (and other curious types). [Bonnet Tip: Suzanne]

Saturday Sharing: Apron Contest!

Susan is launching an Apron contest to celebrate her first blogging anniversary! Visit the accompanied blog for the rules and dates. I’ll post my favorite apron later this weekend. Hint: Think Beatrix Potter.

Saturday morning is such a wonderful time to just r-e-l-a-x! We ate the left overs from my lunch yesterday for breakfast. Dear Jeff is shaving while I type. He likes to take a day off or two from that manly task on the weekends. Since we left early and in a hurry yesterday, he skipped shaving. He’s so adorable clean-shaven,  if I say so myself. He likes to wear a gotee or a beard in the winter but the summers are too hot to be furry-faced.

Well, I should make up a shopping list and get out while the sun shines! We might visit the Renaissance Faire today if the weather holds. That is one place I won’t look too different wearing a dress and covering!

A Photo of Me!

Transitioning to WordPress Hosting

[I will get all the blogroll links moved over soon! Dear friends, I'm not neglecting you!]

The switch is final, now, from my hosting to wordpress hosting. This will make it much easier for me to keep up with posting without worrying about the technical aspects of blogging.

My dad bought us a new camera! Happy Dance! I’ll be posting more photos soon of this past weekend. It was very fun and relaxing to be with family in a different place.

More Hippie than Amish: A Self-Realization

Cross-posted this to the Conservative Brunette:

I had a small epiphany last weekend. In my heart of hearts, I am an artist. God gave me some natural talent and my life circumstances have nutured them up until about 18 months ago. Then a self-imposed set of limits I call the Amish/Quaker side of me shut down any artistic expression beyond knitting and sewing cape dresses.

[For those of you who live or desire to live the Plain lifestyle, I do not harbor any disdain for you. God Bless You! If you have found freedom in plainness, stay with it.]

Being Plain was not necessarily bad for me; it wasn’t forming the right spiritual disciplines. The fruit of the experiment was bitter. I wasn’t overflowing in love and joy towards my Christian brothers or sisters. I felt unable to serve them through the medium of a bonnet.

So come last Saturday night, the combination of discovering the Psalters and the pent-up artist within had my gut all knotted up. “I want to dance, paint, and do henna!” I exclaimed to Jeff. He was supportive as always, and a little excited at the new changes brewing.

Sunday morning and I had little relief until I got in the shower. [Folks, for some reason, I get the best revelations while standing under hot water. Funny, isn't it?] The Lord untied the knot by saying, “I want you to use your creativity to serve others!” Yay! Hip-hip Hurray! I had so much more joy and peace at that moment than I’ve had in months.

I assure you I will not jettison other values I’ve formed during this “detour” including dressing modestly and covering my hair. I’ll just use a differing mode, somewhat Midwestern Hippie: patchwork skirts (use up that fabric!), colorful cotton scarves, henna patterns on my hands and feet, and sandals. This style will be much more conducive to the college campus where I work and the urban church I attend.

Alright….there is still much to be sorted out in this fragile human mind and soul but I just wanted you all to be in on the process. We’re going to an art festival today!

Angels and Demons at Virginia Tech

My heart is very heavy for those who are suffering because of the Virginia Tech shootings. I lived not too far from there and attended Hollins University, in Roanoke, Virginia. I work at a university campus. It all hits close to home. May God have the glory!

39 days of Celebration!

In liturgical churches of the Western traditions, the period after Easter is a time of continued celebration - or at least it should be. Jeff and I had the privilege to hear N.T. Wright speak in Roanoke, Virginia, last month. He called churches to be extravagant and prolonged in their Easter celebrations. My dear husband reminded me yesterday that we can be festive where ever we go. Look at the life we have, hallelujah! He is Risen, indeed.

My cape dress and cap combination went over very well. I had been wearing the cap with more “urban” clothing like denim skirts on Sundays. I received several “cute” comments. Jeff’s uncle thought my “Amish garb” was cool. The Lord knows how to boost the confidence of His children! Even if I had been reviled, I would have carried on with HC. Its not about receiving kudos; its about Christ.

He is Risen!

We have been busily preparing for celebrating Resurrection Sunday with our church. They have a potluck breakfast before service. I volunteered to bring cinnamon oatmeal muffins and orange juice. When this church eats, they do it heartily unto the Lord! Jeff and I will most likely visit with his uncle in the afternoon. I will be wearing a new dress in a pink gingham, created from the Country Cape dress pattern available from Candle on the Hill. [The company has changed hands recently and not taking orders until mid-May.]

On a side-note: our digital camera died just before I launched the site. My dad will give us a new camera for my birthday and our anniversery which is two months away. I know blogs are much more interesting with photos. If you would like to send in photos of your latest sewing projects to share, please send them to admin-at-veiledglory-dot-com.

Do you have any special family traditions surrounding this time?

How to greet one another in the Lord

Working at a public university library, I get the opportunity to see a vast array of people daily. I’ll often see folks with obvious Christian paraphernalia, like T-shirts or a Bible out on a desk. They are usually younger than I am, so feelings of motherly/sisterly comradeship rise up in my heart. I want to go pat them on the shoulder and say something encouraging. So how do I discreetly address them? If they are believers, then I am sure they won’t think I’m being too weird.

I’ll also fit in a blog article on Catholic HC observations. And another post on sticky Greek in 1 Corinthians 11.

Oh, another great discovery, Faith and Gender Blog.