Lost in Oxford

Not really but the bookish way through Surprised by Oxford, a memoir by Carolyn Weber.  I couldn't put it down yesterday (thankfully a Sunday when lounging on the sofa is the keeping of a Sabbath and not considered lazy).

The last two chapters were before me last night but as hard as I tried, the sleepiness was overtaking my eyelids, making it impossible to finish the book until this morning.

Needless to say, I enjoyed the book very much... what is not to love about a well written story of one who wins a scholarship to graduate school at Oxford and comes to know Christ in that first year.  It is a love story on multiple levels and a wonderful destination in which to find myself on a rainy Sunday.

I would have enjoyed attending university at Oxford.  The way one learns there with reading a book and then discussing it is much the same way we homeschooled.  I don't enjoy arguments whatsoever but I do love talking ideas with others, even if they do not agree with me as long as it is not one big argument.

I have mentioned before that one of my very good longtime friends is both Jewish and Liberal.  We don't discuss politics or religion but there are many subjects we agree on including environmental concerns (one doesn't have to agree on what is causing global warming but one cannot dismiss the fact that the weather is crazy), the need for local and natural farms, the concern about the manipulation of our seed supply, and the joys of raising boys (except I also have a girl).

The book reminded me of my early days as a Christian, coming from a very "unchurched" home and finding myself in the midst of being wooed by He Who Created Me... in the days of the Jesus Movement.  There were lots of wonderful discussions and coffee and music and more coffee.  No wonder so many of that generation should own stock at Starbucks (not that I can go often but when I do... yum).

Anyway, I digress... another thing I love about this book is that it talks about Christians who love art and poetry and literature and gardens... and Lewis, of course.  How could one become a Christian at Oxford and not have the conversation eventually come around to Lewis (or Tolkien, etc.).  Sigh...

There is something about this time of year that brings out my inner Narnia.  I can almost expect Aslan to walk through the door but it is just Victoria and her Maine Coon hairdo.  Admittedly, if Aslan were to walk into my house I'd faint after I called animal control... but one can be fearless when it comes to fairy tale fantasies.

Since I finished the book which interrupted Christmas reading (but in such a good way), I will begin re-reading No Holly For Miss Quinn later this evening.  I also took my copy of The Wind in the Willow off the shelf this past weekend, which has the loveliest of Christmas scenes in it.  It is not only my favorite children's books, it is one of my all time favorite books... period.

It is dark outside even in early afternoon, I'd forgotten just how dark a winter day can be.  However, the Christmas tree is lit (I moved the laptop to the dining table after putting up the tree) and the kitchen is bright and shiny (Hallelujah... light in the kitchen!).  I've had Christmas music playing on Pandora.  Yes... about as close to Narnia as one can get in the American Midwest.  :)

Ohhhh... thank you for the compliments on the Christmas header (which is the top of my buffet decorated for Christmas this year).  I always return to my default header as I do love it but one has to be more festive for the Holidays.

Picture:  A Time For Reading, Judy Gibson; allposters.com