All the Writings

On Hand Sewing

November 10, 2019

The Sesquipedalian Speaks

I can’t remember learning the basics of how to sew by hand; I thought this was a normal pastime in most households. I have been thinking for a while about what I would say to someone who wants to learn how to hand sew. I would start by saying that the basics will take you far in ways you may not expect.

Here are some basics I think the growing craftsman should know when hand sewing:

Know how to thread a needle – You need to know how to thread and knot your needle before you start hand sewing. I know it’s rudimentary, but having this come naturally to you is a time saver. You also learn how to measure out your thread.

Know how to sew on a button – Buttons fall off cardigans, pants, and shirts all the time. Being able to secure the buttons back onto these items is a simple way to keep up your sewing skills.

Know how to stitch a straight stitch – Knowing how to use this one stitch will make your sewing life so much less complicated. This stitch also helps you learn how to gauge seam allowance and discipline your mind so that you aren’t rushing through a project.

Know how to slip stitch or stitch a hidden seam – This is a little more complex, but having this useful stitch really helps sharpen your hand stitching and learning skills. It also helps make your items look professionally finished.
On Writing

November 3, 2019

The Sesquipedalian Speaks

I always feel reinvigorated during November to be creative, and writing is a wonderful creative outlet for me:

I can write a story I want to read.

I can journal what God is saying through Scripture.

I can cry out to the Lord through poetry.

I can sort through what He is teaching me.

Yet, there have been seasons – long, long seasons – when I have wondered if I would ever be able to put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, and write again. The creative well was dry. The well-oiled machine that is my imagination had come to a jarring halt.

….

….

….

Then suddenly, or perhaps not so suddenly, ideas began to take shape again, the cogs in my mind started to move, and words formed into sentences.

One of the ways I have worked to combat the dry spells was to simply write. I didn’t care if it sounded good or bad or if it made sense – I just needed keep the habit of writing.

Below are some other ways I have applied grease to the cogs of my mind so the writing gears turn once more:

Listen to a movie score or a classical piece and let the music speak to my soul.

Read. Read about things that interest me, things that spark my imagination.

Take a walk outside and observe what nature is doing.
On Social Media

October 27, 2019

The Sesquipedalian Speaks

I have a love/hate relationship with social media.

I like connecting or reconnecting with friends and family, but sometimes it’s too easy for me to compare my life to another’s.

I like following authors, bloggers, pocasters, and vloggers, but sometimes there are so many updates I end up spending hours catching up with people I’ve never met instead of sitting with a friend or spending time in prayer for someone.

I like writing book reviews (and I like to blog!), but sometimes I worry too much about the opinions of those I don’t know.

I like seeing others’ ideas for baking, cooking, decorating, and sewing, but sometimes it’s too easy for me to become discouraged.

The following Bible verses have been ones I try to remember when I think about social media:

Colossians 3:2-3

Philippians 4:4-9

Psalm 46:10
On Movies And Television Shows Based Upon Books

October 20, 2019

The Sesquipedalian Speaks

I particularly enjoy movies or television shows based upon books even if I don’t completely agree with the interpretations. My main criteria for evaluation is whether or not I want to read (or reread) the books or book series after I watch the adaptation.

The following are a few of my favourite movies based upon books:

Anne of Green Gables, 1985 – The beautiful sets, costuming, and music make this family-friendly adaptation, based upon L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, a thrill to watch. NOTE: I also like the sequel Anne of Avonlea (otherwise known as Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel) based upon L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Avonlea.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, 2001 – Based upon Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling, the sets are colourful and exciting, and the music is haunting and expressive.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Extended Edition, 2002 – This movie, based upon The Two Towers: Being the Second Part of The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, with its magical music, suspense-filled scenes, and deep, rich acting transports the viewer to a wonderful place known as Middle-earth.

The following are a few of my favourite television shows based upon books:

Adventures from the Book of Virtues, 1996-2000 – This series, based upon The Book of Virtues: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories by William J. Bennett, is a collection of tales from around the world that encompass virtues such as courage, honor, and truth. NOTE: I also like The Moral Compass: Stories for a Life’s Journey and The Children’s Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett.

Road to Avonlea, 1990-1996 – This series is based upon L. M. Montgomery’s The Story Girl, The Golden Road, Chronicles of Avonlea, and Further Chronicles of Avonlea. The hijinks of the young people and the wisdom of the old remind me how important it is to live in community.

The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends, 1992-1995 – This children’s series based upon some of the more well-known stories by Beatrix Potter, such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit and The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, brings both her lovely narrative voice and her beautiful illustrations to life.
On Hymns

October 13, 2019

The Sesquipedalian Speaks

I am so thankful for the poetry, theologically sound doctrine, and music that most hymns provide; they revitalize and invigorate my soul.

I enjoy the euphonious and mellifluous tunes which sink deeply into my spirit. Even if I don’t know the tune to a hymn, I still let the words speak to my heart and mind, for hymns remind me of who God is, rather than who I am.

Here are some of my favourite hymns:

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” – words by Thomas O. Chisholm, music by William M. Runyan

“How Great Thou Art” – words and music by Stuart K. Hine

“It Is Well With My Soul” – words by Horatio G. Spafford, music by Philip P. Bliss
On The Seasons

October 6, 2019

The Sesquipedalian Speaks

I have only recently come to truly enjoy the beauty God has created with the passing of the seasons.

In springtime, God gives us rain and the world is full of colours. This is a time of renewal, of hope.

In summertime, God gives us long days full of light. This is a time of possibilities and anticipation.

In autumn, God gives us an abundance of foods. This time of harvest brings families and friends together.

In wintertime, God gives us snow and the world is quiet. This time is a reminder that resting is required.

“While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
And cold and heat,
And summer and winter,
And day and night
Shall not cease.”

Genesis 8:22 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
On Podcasts

September 29, 2019

The Sesquipedalian Speaks

I truly enjoy learning and have found that listening to podcasts is a wonderfully unique way to learn. I delight in listening to the ones on books, Christian theology, ideas, and relish the ones that go chapter by chapter through a book.

The following are a few of my favourite podcasts:

Pints with Jack with David Bates and Matt Bush – This podcast is so much fun to listen to and makes me want to continue studying Scripture. It discusses C. S. Lewis’ works and his life.

Read Aloud Revival with Sarah Mackenzie – I absolutely adore this podcast. I love the book recommendations given, the interviews with authors and scholars – it is a delight.

Speaking with Joy with Joy Clarkson – This podcast makes me want to sit still and just listen with a cup of tea in my hands. The listener is introduced to beauty in books, music, and art.
On Music

September 22, 2019

The Sesquipedalian Speaks

Music is magic. I am very eclectic in my musical tastes, and I have recently realized I thoroughly enjoy classical music and movie scores.

Below are a few of my favourite composers:

Joel Clarkson – I find Joel Clarkson’s music to be relaxing and inspiring. His music makes me want to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book.

John Williams – Whenever I listen to John Williams’ movie scores I will typically listen to them two or three times in a row. The stories they tell leave me wanting to revisit his musical worlds again and again.

Ludwig van Beethoven – With symphonies that sound as though nature itself were singing, Ludwig van Beethoven’s compositions make me want to venture outside and enjoy the world.
On Audio Books

September 15, 2019

The Sesquipedalian Speaks

There is a sort of freedom that comes from being able to take along a book while you clean, exercise, create, or travel. There is a freedom that comes from being read to, because you are reaping the benefits of hearing the story while not having to do any of the work. You get to go adventuring with the characters while still having your own adventure (yes, folding those piles of clean clothes can be an adventure!).

There are some who say that audio books should not be considered reading – I disagree. There are many books I have tried to visually read but for some reason or another have been unable to finish. Yet, when I allowed my ears to do the reading, I found that the plot or the ideas presented were easier to understand.

If you have never listened to an audio book I would encourage you to do so. Find an audio book for a book you have tried to read, one that you want to read, and, I hope, you will find yet another way to enjoy literature. (Now, fair warning, not all audio books are of the same quality, so if you find what you believe is a dud, don’t attempt to slog through it – try another one!)

The following are a few of my favourite audio books:

The Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis, narrated by various actors including Sir Kenneth Branagh and Sir Patrick Stewart – Though different narrators in a series can sometimes be off putting, I think it works for the Narnia books since, although all take place in Narnia, they each have a different feel to them.

The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling, narrated by Jim Dale – Using different voices for all the characters, Jim Dale does an excellent job delivering the suspense and wit J. K. Rowling weaves into her stories.

The Ramona Quimby series by Beverly Cleary, narrated by Stockard Channing – Stockard Channing reads all of the books in this series in a way that endears the character of Ramona to the reader.
On Reading

September 8, 2019

The Sesquipedalian Speaks

Have you ever spent an entire day just reading? You find that, somehow, the whole day just slipped by – it opened with the first page and closed with the last. You remained stationary but, really, you went on a Grand Adventure.

When people discover you’re a reader there tends to be an onslaught of suggestions. This is not a bad thing! I often give book recommendations, but when you are in a season of life where it is work to read, the more recommendations you are given the more frustrating it can be. I have had seasons – long, long seasons – in life when I just could not pick up another book. I always had an excuse: I was too tired, there was too much going on, nothing held my interest, reading was not as relaxing as it had been.

If you are in the same situation in which I have been, and doubtless will be in again, may I offer you some advice? Go back to the stories that made you feel happy and content. Did you enjoy reading the picture book Tiki Tiki Tembo that was retold by Arlene Mosel and illustrated by Blair Lent? Grab it from your bookshelf, or borrow it from the library, and see it with new eyes! What about the junior fiction book from American Girl entitled Meet Addy written by Connie Porter? Pull it out of your box of memories and open it once again!

How about reading aloud – even to an empty room? There is something wonderfully entertaining about giving voice to stories – it excites the imagination. Sometimes, the easiest way to start reading again is to read a book aloud – or listen to a book being read.

Below are a few of my go-to books when I am in a reading slump:

The Chronicles of Narnia, by C. S. Lewis – Kings, queens, magic, Christian allegory – these, and the great Lion Aslan, make up the tales of Narnia. I suggest reading these books in publication order, not chronological order.

The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien – Magic, adventure, poetry, dwarfs – this first book written by Tolkien about Middle Earth follows a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins who is suddenly swept up into his own Grand Adventure with a wizard and dwarfs.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard, by J. K. Rowling – This is a collection of fairy tales from the wizarding world. You do not have to have read any of the Harry Potter books to appreciate them, but I guarantee that if you have you will appreciate them all the more.