Tag Archives: St. John of the Cross

Wonder & Whimsy: Now I know where “Ask Jeeves” comes from!

Now and then I like to share the helpful, enjoyable, and inspirational things that I have come across lately. Perhaps some of these might be just the thing you were looking for…

#1 — Quote from St. John of the Cross — Mind your own business!

From time to time I use my Small Steps for Catholic Moms devotional that someone told me about when we first came into the church. It is full of inspirational quotes, and I stumbled on a great piece of advice by St. John of the Cross earlier this week:

“Take care not to meddle in things which do not concern you, nor even allow them to pass through your mind; for perhaps you will not then be able to fulfill your own task.”

Ouch. Yes. Got it. Eyes on my own paper.

#2 — RB Digital app

Libraries are offering more and more digital options, which is so helpful. Our library system now uses RB Digital for some magazines and audiobooks. Previously, I was only aware of the Overdrive app for checking out digital content through the library. What’s nice is that RB Digital has some content that Overdrive does not. You use the RB Digital app (just like the Overdrive app) on your smart phone or tablet, and it links to your library account. Now I have another free option to check before going to Audible for my audiobooks.

#3 — Baking soda and white vinegar

No, I’m not eating it — it’s a very effective blood stain remover which my friend just told me about today. And we need one of those! My boys get a lot of bloody noses (sometimes because of dry winter weather and other times because of toddler fist fights), and my carpets and upholstery suffers. You sprinkle the baking soda on, pour a little white vinegar on top, let sit for a minute and fizz, and then dab up with a rag. It was kinda like magic. Previously I have used Oxi Max spray, but it’s great to have a non-toxic option!

#4 —  P. G. Wodehouse

I just started listening (through the Overdrive library app) to the audiobook of “My Man Jeeves” by P. G. Wodehouse. Delightful! It’s just the thing to fold laundry by — so light-hearted and funny. The narrator is absolutely spot on. This volume is the first in a series about Bertie Wooster and his butler/valet Jeeves, who has exactly the right answer for any predicament. Now I know why the website is call Ask Jeeves!

Do you have any favorite finds to pass on to me? Post them in the comments, please!

 

Copyright 2018 Jessica Ptomey

My Last 2 Picks for the 2017 Catholic Reading Challenge

It’s the end of the year and the end of the 2017 Catholic Reading Challenge! I’ve been sharing what I’m reading throughout the year for each one, and here are my last two picks…

Category: A Book on Catholic Spirituality Written More Than 100 Years Ago

My Pick: The Spiritual Canticle by St. John of the Cross

 

Category: A Book by Bishop Robert Barron

My Pick: Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Master 

Little did I know when I picked these two books how well they paired together, and I just happened to read them back to back. St. John of the Cross was a devoted student of St. Thomas Aquinas’ writings, and The Spiritual Canticle (a work of verse similar to the Song of Solomon) is steeped in Thomist philosophy. You initially become aware of this from reading the introduction to St. John’s work, but this Thomist theme became even more apparent when I subsequently read Barron’s book.

I want to mentioned a couple of themes from each book, but I would first stress that both share the characteristic of being works that deeply nourish the spiritual life and offer much in the way of spiritual direction and insights for extensive meditation, though written centuries apart and in much different styles. Continue reading