September 2021 Edition

Photo: Malotwana Village, Botswana

Happy Read a Book Day!

September 6th, 2021

Culture & News

Modern Etiquette

The fast pace of this modern world can lead to questions about the relevancy of etiquette in our time. Do manners still matter? Are etiquette rules just a collection of stuffy unenlightened customs? Well, the simple answer is that good manners continue to be important and several etiquette rules can be timeless gems. Although, some etiquette elements have been adapted to contemporary living, keep in mind, subsequent generations typically build upon the experiences of the previous generation. And this includes the experiences related to manners and rules of etiquette. For instance, dating chaperons who accompany a courting couple are no longer the norm in Western culture (but it does continue in various degrees in certain religious communities) and hand-written thank you notes remain a timeless crowd pleaser.

Good manners is simply treating others the way you would like to be treated. It’s the foundation for courtesy and social grace. Modern etiquette is the method and application of these good manners in social activities such as, proper table manners or social media conduct. In the book: A Lady Table At The Table (2004), the authors remind the reader: “Years ago, it was simply assumed that any lady was well-trained in the intricacies of table manners, either because her mother had passed down that knowledge to her, or because she had received special training in etiquette classes. Such assumptions no longer persist…This book will help remind a lady of her mother’s sound advice—or it may teach her things that her mother never thought to tell her.” ¹ A very graceful and astute point made on this topic. On social media, Jordan Christy asserts in her book: How to Be a Hepburn in a Kardashian World (2017): “You see, social media was never meant to define us or label us or give us a sense of worth. It was meant to be a tool for communication—and by tool, I mean one tool—not the whole toolbox.” ² Definitely, a few things to remember in these modern times.

Bibliography

(1) Shade, Sheryl; Bridges, John; Curtis, Bryan. A Lady at the Table (The Gentle Manners Series) (p. 8). 2004. Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.      

(2) Christy, Jordan. How to Be a Hepburn in a Kardashian World (p. 22). Center Street. 2017. Kindle Edition.

Who is the Mocha Southern Belle?

https://www.mochasouthernbellesoe.com/post/who-is-the-mocha-southern-belle

Emily Post: Top 10 Must Know Table Manners

https://emilypost.com/advice/table-manners

Sugar and Charm: How to Set a Table: A Guide with Absolutely Everything to Know (includes three types of table settings: 1. Casual 2. Formal 3. Modern )

https://sugarandcharm.com/how-to-set-a-table

BBC Good Food: How to Throw an Afternoon Tea Party

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-throw-afternoon-tea-party

The Spruce Eats: Basics of High Tea and Afternoon Tea

https://www.thespruceeats.com/high-tea-vs-afternoon-tea-765832

Art/Film/Literature News

Water Marble Art

Star Greenwood is a water marbling artist in Huntington Beach, California. She uses this ancient art-form, typically used in books, to create stunning cups, clothes, and wall-hangings. The water marble art combines the techniques of both chemistry and art. The water is thickened and put into marbling trays. Then surfactant is added to the paint, to make it lighter than the water and this ensures each paint retains its original color. Truly beautiful works of art.     

 

Business/Non-Profit News

French Pastries

Robin Rogers is the talented chef-owner of Macaron Café Ohio, which serves delicious French pastries and desserts. Her “French Champagne Macarons” have been nominated for a luxury product award. The café offers a variety of sweet temptations: chocolate cakes, Crème Brule, Bubble (Boba) Tea, and donuts.

Black Chef Nominated For Prestigious Award for Her Mouthwatering French Pastries and Desserts

     

Book Review

Mother to the Motherless

Zipporah Kimani-Kamau affectionately known as “Mama Zipporah” is the Executive Director of Huruma Children’s Home. This faith-based non-profit provides food, shelter, and love to the orphaned children of Kenya. She describes her life and divine assignment in the book: Mother to the Motherless: The Inspiring Story of One Woman’s Devotion to the Orphaned Children of Kenya (2014) by Mama Zipporah. Her early life was composed of a loving mother, an abusive father, poverty, and shuffling off to different relatives. As a young woman she made life choices beneath her dignity. She writes: “You yourself may be wondering why anyone actively involved in ministry, as I am now, would be so willing to admit to the past sins of their life. But while it was a time in my life that I am not proud of, it only proves that I am human…it is only through God’s saving grace that I have been able to overcome the sins of my past…”(kindle loc. 438-443). She learns from these mistakes and continues on her journey to become a wife and mother.

Mama Zipporah has always had a heart for children and early on took legal custody of seven youths in addition to her own three biological children. She became initially involved in a project to care for orphans and then eventually began her own non-profit. She’s honest that the path has been both difficult and rewarding. She did not expect the community jealousy, betrayal, and corruption attempts that tried to deter her efforts. But her faith prevailed and obstacles were defeated. Today, her children’s home has 150 children from various ethnic groups with different languages being raised in a “home” environment. She writes: “I began to realize that, despite my own ordinary appearance, I too had received an extraordinary calling…without status or education, I still was called to do extraordinary things” (kindle loc. 652). An inspirational read!   

Mama Zipporah-Huruma Trust Fund

http://hurumatrustfund.org/mama-zipporah/ 

Purchase/Read Book Synopsis here

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