Don't Wash the Windows

This is an early 20th century terrace house. I bought it because I liked the period features- high ceilings, cornices, stained glass.

WARNING: Early 20th century stained glass isn't stained at all- it's painted. Try washing your windows on the inside and the colour comes off on the rag.

I love this house, but there's one big problem- it's very narrow and the rooms are such odd shapes. We're continually rearranging the furniture to achieve the optimum effect and we never do. craftyailz finds this spiritually bracing. I find it a pain.

We're moving furniture this morning. manfalling is coming to stay and we need the middle bedroom to look a little less like a warehouse. Goodbye cardboard boxes; welcome home, Mike!

Fundamentalism

Religious fundamentalism thrives in deserts. The Middle East (obviously) and (less obviously) rural Texas- where George W Bush grew up.

I've just been reading an article about W's home town of Midland. Nothing there but grit and oil and everyone believes in the Rapture.

Why? Well I guess that kind of landscape isn't conducive to the kind of romantic nature worship that has softened European Christianity. The bushes (no word-play intended) either grow spikes or they burn. No leaves, no flowers, no green pastures for the sheep to lie down beside.

A simple landscape gives birth to a simple faith.

A violent landscape gives birth to a violent faith.

Jihad, crusade, apocalypse. In a place where life struggles against the environment it's easier to believe, and even love, a doctrine of the imminent End of the World.