The loss of confidence

"What is really lost when a civilization wearied and grows small is confidence, a confidence built on the order and balance that leisure makes possible" Thomas Cahill - How the Irish Saved Civilization, 59

On shopping on Christmas Eve

So despite my best efforts, we still had shopping to do on Christmas Eve. So, first thing this morning, we piled in the van so we could be at Costco when they opened. That trip was pretty painless. But now I'm standing in Wal-Mart. The crowds have descended and the shelves are much emptier. We split up to get the last few stocking stuffers we needed. This will prolong the trip greatly. Fortunately, once we get home we have nowhere to go until we go to church tonight.

Books and privacy

Something I've noticed about using my Kindle is it adds a level of privacy and anonymity to reading that I haven't experienced before. I'm not so sure this is altogether a good thing. I've been reading a lot of fiction this year and no one really knows what but me. Why? My wife could be sneaky and turn on my Kindle every day or two to see what I'm reading, but that would be a little like opening up my diary or journal. I think it is mostly because she can't see the books stacked by my bed. I'm not ashamed of what I read, but there is a level of oversight that everyone needs in a fallen world. Just the other day she saw a physical book, a volume by N. T. Wright, by the bed and asked me about it. We had a brief, but helpful conversation and went our ways. I wonder what conversations we would have had over my reading The DaVinci Code?