Yes, I read it.

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Many thanks to those of you who sent me a link to this article. I did indeed read it. I wish that "JM" had been more specific in her questioning. For instance:

Waldorf schools use beeswax crayons. All schools use crayons. Is it the beeswax that makes Waldorf crayons bad? Couldn't be. The Church uses beeswax candles.

Waldorf schools use chunky triangular pencils. My orthodontist gives out chunky triangular pencils. Are the ones labeled "Lyra" bad and the ones labeled "Dr. C" acceptable? Or should I throw them all in the trash, lest they lead me from the faith?

Waldorf schools encourage students to create beautifully drawn borders around written narrations. Are those borders inherently evil? They are rather reminiscent of the medieval illuminations. Perhaps I should get rid of those saints books and alphabet books with the illuminations, just to be sure.

Waldorf schools weave fairy stories into daily life. So does Martha Morse, one of my favorite fictional mothers. Is it the stories that are evil? The fairies? What exactly is it that makes fairy stories taboo? Sorry, I'm not ditching my Martha and Charlotte stories. They absolutely do not threaten my faith and they absolutely do enrich the life of my children.

Waldorf schools use transition rhymes and songs to move from one activity to the next. So does Barney the Dinosaur. And I'm pretty sure Miss Sherry did on Romper Room, too. And so do I. Does this mean I must never sing "Clean up, clean up, everybody, everywhere?" Is it really holier to just put my hands on my hips and bark the order?

My guess is that there isn't any problem at all with the use of certain craft supplies, songs, stories or styles of narration. And my guess is that most practicing Catholics are able to discern what is a quality school supply or a clever way of engaging the hearts and minds of children and what is potentially damaging. But if you are unsure, if you have any doubt, then by all means, avoid beeswax and fairies and narrations with watercolor embellishments. Certainly, it's better to be safe, than sorry.

Let's talk about the ads

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Did you see the Super Bowl ads last night? Are Super Bowl ads a good way to put your finger on the pulse of the culture? If so, I think we have a culture of whiny, emasculated men. You can go here to catch the ads again (or for the first time). And you can for some conversation and to  offer your opinion.

For what it's worth, I initially thought the Tim Tebow ad was anti-climactic . In hindsight, though, it was marketing genius. There was almost nothing to the ad, but look how much conversation it got even before it ran and look how silly all the outraged pro-choice voices sound now. All that fuss about something that said almost nothing? Got us talking though didn't it? And got them making assumptions. You know what Oscar Wilde says happens when you assume...

Honestly, my favorite pro-life moment came after the game. I couldn't get enough of the tears in Drew Brees' eyes as he nuzzled his angelic little boy and told him about the magnitude of the moment. This is the only baby image I could find this morning and it's not the moment I thought most magical, but it's pretty cool.

Update: Thanks to Jasmine for this image. Darling.

And another. Thanks, Cheryl! 

Link to the rest of the story on the Tim Tebow ad. Worth watching.