Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Preparation First, House Works, Refinement


Hello Ladies,

Today I have quite a long lesson for you so I hope it gives you time to get one of the rooms cleaned up and maybe a few other things while you listen.






She lay back and listened to the domestic sounds of the little old house.

The fire whispered, a log shifted at its heart, the dog snored gently after his meal.

Outside, the wind stirred the trees, 

and somewhere a distant door banged as the breeze caught it.

Gradually, the peace that surrounded her took effect.

It had been a long day, and tomorrow would be an even harder one.

But meanwhile, the children were sleeping as soundly as the dog on the rug at her feet,

And the night enfolded the quiet house.

Miss Read: No Holly For Miss Quinn

16 comments:

Lydia said...

This is quite interesting, about the assigned reading!
Looking back, I was assigned most of the mentioned titles!
In my (public) teacher education classes in college we were REQUIRED to read equally evil and disturbing books.

It's amazing to have your eyes open to this evil agenda.
So grateful to our Lord for homeschooling and freedom.

Lydia said...

Don’t forget 1984, the later half which was filthy

Janine said...

Hi Lydia, just listened to this as I took my walk. It was very interesting! I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it, and others you have done, since I found you a week or so ago. For some unknown reason I cannot comment from my phone on any blogger pages, only on WordPress blogs, so I won't be commenting much.

I really enjoyed your reading from the Kinkade book. Edgar Guest is my favorite poet, as well. Re Miss Read books - you will love them! They were not mysteries. Just cozy books about English village life. Ask for them for your bd or Christmas : )

You've mentioned many things that I would have loved to comment on in other videos, but of course they aren't coming to mind now. Just know we are listening!

Years ago there was a book called Welcome to the World Baby Girl by Fannie Flagg, and while the main story line was very sad, I just LOVED the one character who did homemaker's radio from her bathroom! I didn't even know it had existed until I read that book. (I also enjoyed her book A Redbird Christmas because it was so homey, but didn't care much for any of her other books.) I had wished back when the book came out in 1998 for a homemaker's radio and my wish has been granted!

So glad I found you!

Unknown said...

Greetings,
A big thank you for posting this and I have so enjoyed being taught by you! I have stopped the thumbs up by the way, I hear you loud and clear about not needing a huge following only as many as your living room can hold! I thought to myself, how true that is... you're very pleasant and classy. I have learned so much, I even changed my schedule from working 20hrs to about 8 hrs a week, so I don't miss anything at home. I've always wanted to be a housewife and a mom. It was not encouraged by my parents and well, "it was actually a shame to just waste your life at home", according to my mom. Hence the estrangement now from both of my parents and no involvement with their grandchildren. On another note, I have inspired other people to write their own newsletters, I sent a young mother a picture of a newsletter written by you, she was so amazed by you! Oh Lady Lydia you have no idea how much you've helped me, so many things are starting to make sense and come together. All these years,I have wanted to meet a wise woman like yourself. I never thought I'd stumble across you on YouTube! So thankful for you 💓
Heavenly Father Bless You for being such a blessing to us.

Lydia said...

Another reason to pollute the precious minds of youth is to cripple their future and prevent them from success in so many ways by debilitating their minds and directing their imagination into less than lofty thoughts and images. Then they are not repulsed by bad movies or horror stories featuring death, decay or violence, cruelty etc. such literature robs them of their love of life and the innocent joy.

Laura Jeanne said...

Lydia, your talks just keep getting better and better. You're really hitting your stride now. :)

About Miss Read: This series of books is British, yes, set in a small town I think in the 1950s or so. Miss Read is a school teacher, and the books follow her gentle "adventures," and the happenings in this rural town. They are good books for those times when a person is feeling tired, stressed or upset, because the stories are very gentle and pleasant, short and easy to read, and nothing too upsetting ever happens. I think they would be perfect books for someone recovering from a serious illness.

I appreciate your advice about homeschooling so much, Lydia. I felt convicted about what you were saying regarding paring homeschooling down so children can focus on a few important ideas. The curriculum we follow is literature based, and involves a lot of reading. The books are all good, worthy books, mostly older books, but I have been experiencing a growing feeling lately that the feast I am spreading for my children is a bit too sumptuous and that they are not recalling very much of what they read. Now you have sealed it for me. I am going to see where I can pare down on the reading, and also - I really like your idea of using a key verse or quote that can be used over and over in different ways. I'm going to prayerfully consider how I can do that. So thank you!

I also appreciated the advice about refinement, especially as regards our speech to one another. I wonder if you might have any advice for a mother whose children are often harsh and sarcastic in their speech to one another? Two of my children in particular squabble like mad. They unfortunately learned how to make sharp, sarcastic replies from someone we know. I can't stand listening to them be so unkind to one another. Do you have any advice for me? I correct them every time but that alone doesn't seem to do anything, their habit is so deeply ingrained.

Laura Jeanne said...

Also Lydia, I agree about the book 1984. I would never give that book to a young person to read, as so much of the material is gruesome and disturbing. However, although it was unpleasant to read, that is one that I'm glad I read as an adult, because it helps me to be aware of how governments try to brainwash and control people!

Lydia said...

Dear Lydia,

I so very much enjoyed another edition of homemaker radio today. And yes, I was able to get my bedroom thoroughly cleaned during that time. I also had time for some morning exercises as well. By the way, your talk kept my brain engaged and exercised, too!🙂

I think it’s a wonderful idea to simply teach mothers the joys and benefits of homeschooling by recommending they purchase some good quality books and educate themselves about the difference between secular and Christian education. You have shared many excellent resources with your listening audience.

Again, you have elevated the homemaker’s worth and place in society through these timeless videos. By accepting God’s Word about our worth as keepers at home, along with your encouragement, we can resist and overcome the world’s view of what a woman should be. Thank you.

Blessings,
Holly
Sent from my iPhone

Craig & Denyse said...

Love the section about refining (taking the dross off to be refined)... including hopelessness and depression. It reminded me of the book, Anne of Green Gables...

Anne Shirley: Can't you even imagine you're in the depths of despair?

Marilla Cuthbert: No I cannot. To despair is to turn your back on God.


Love the verses you used. The Heavenly Father wants to refine us (self-improvement for the benefit of us and others. Imagine that! I remember refinement classes.

Thanks Lydia

Lydia said...

I quoted Anne, the exact one you quoted, in a previous video...but it was so far back I can't tell you which one it was.

Julel said...

Dear Mrs. Sherman,
I very much enjoyed your video today, it kept me company whilst I emptied and cleaned my fridge and re-arranged the appliances on my kitchen work tops (I really like the new arrangement, it is much better for working in).
Miss Read is the pen name of the English author Dora Saint. She wrote two series of books, one featuring the teacher Miss Read who lived in Fairacre; and the other featuring a number of characters living in the village of Thrush Green. I think you would like NoHolly For Miss Quin. It is one of my favourite books and is about a career woman who goes to help her brother and his children when his wife is rushed into hospital. During her visit she comes to appreciate just how hard her sister in law works as a home maker, and revises her opinion of her. The books are very gentle, and show a way of English life which now, sadly, has almost passed. They are a delight to read and not at all unkind.
I am very interested in the points raised here about literature in school, and agree that it is not only often not appropriate for children or teenagers. I had to read the one of the most horrible books at secondary school I have ever read, and the hopelessness of it did make me very very upset both at the time, and now when I remember it (Lord of the Flies by William Golding.
During the 1970s and beyond good, wholesome, cheerful children’s stories were thrown out of many libraries and schools here and replaced with books promoting ‘social realism’ often depicting children living in squalid, unwholesome environments. I had never considered before that this was probably a deliberate piece of social engineering designed to stop them striving for truth and goodness which the books often ridiculed.
I’m so sorry that this is such a long post, but you have really given me much to think about.
God Bless You
Lesley (from England)

Lydia said...

Thank you Lesley, I noticed Miss Read books were available at Thrift Books and they seem in good condition, like new, so I might order some!

Laura Jeanne, Thanks for the suggestions and also everyone else for the subject ideas.

I hate to remember the horrid literature but I just recalled J.D. Salinger stories--awful. They were taught in the California public schools in the late 1960's.

Lydia said...

Dr. Mrs. Sherman,
I love how you are homeschooling us! I’m a homeschooling mom if 5 and often grow weary in caring for everyone but me. You are nurturing mothers! I feel cared for and encouraged by you and I love your heavy use of scripture. It’s life giving and heals us! Thank you for this sweet labor of love.
Bless you!

Lydia said...

Dr. Mrs. Sherman,
I love how you are homeschooling us! I’m a homeschooling mom if 5 and often grow weary in caring for everyone but me. You are nurturing mothers! I feel cared for and encouraged by you and I love your heavy use of scripture. It’s life giving and heals us! Thank you for this sweet labor of love.
Bless you!

Mrs. U said...

Mrs Sherman, you mentioned a newsletter. Do you send out a newsletter to subscribers?

Thank you,
Shari

Lydia said...

Shari , yes, I will send it. Email me ladylydiaspeaks@comcast.net