Speaking of nakedness and the like, here’s a letter from a few months ago which recounts an interesting Bible study on Ruth. About mid-letter, Mrs. Jackson writes, “Ruth, as you may recall, is both listening and following Naomi’s advice to have a kinsman Boaz help them in their impoverished state. Naomi tells Ruth to go to the threshing floor and sleep at Boaz’s feet. This is where the priestess popped out with ‘In seminary, I learned that when feet is mentioned in the bible it means . . .'” You can probably see it coming. (via Videlicet)

Richard Nokes is talking about the Beowulf animation too, saying he must break the second commandment of medieval blogging, which is “Thou shalt not suggest Neil Gaiman is a mere mortal.” He says that Gaiman has Beowulf fight Grendel in the nude. It’s in the poem, Gaiman says, but Nokes can’t quite find it. I need to read this thing again. He concludes:

Regardless, it is disconcerting how often the words “nude” and “naked” are being associated with this new Beowulf movie. If Hollywood is that desperate to have nudity in a canonical work of medieval literature, they might pick something out of the Decameron — it gives lots of options. (via Blogwatch)

(I’m sure this post will up our blog rating. We have been a PG blog for instances of death and murder.)

But getting back to the movie, I’ve always pictured Grendel as a big monster, not a humanoid thing, like this in fact. I can’t read that post, but I think I saw that image of Grendel when I was first exposed to Beowulf. That’s a troll as I’ve always known them.

In other news, Key West, Florida just held their annual Ernest Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe’s Bar.

Mary E. DeMuth notes a few thoughts on a Christian response to criticism.

1. Examine yourself.
2. Consider this may be an opportunity for you to experience and show Jesus to a weaker brother.
3. Even if things spin out of control and all sorts of people say half-truths about you and your words, rest in Jesus and cherish the deeper fellowship you’ll have with Him.
4. Remember that even if you say-act-do everything correctly (in a way that would make God smile), it may not change someone’s heart.
5. Believe in God’s sovereignty.
6. Don’t let the accusations wet-blanket your passion for serving Jesus.

If you catch any Harry Potter news this weekend, you may not catch this detail: Abebooks.com sold “an unread first edition, first issue from the 500 original copies published before anyone knew JK Rowling’s name” for $37,000. That’s the most expensive Harry Potter book they have sold.

Today, a similar book can be purchased for a mere $68785.62. The London-based seller of this edition describes it, saying, “This copy inscribed to the lady who ran the Edinburgh restaurant (Nicolson’s on Clarke Street) where J.K.Rowling wrote the majority of ‘Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone’ ;nursing a single cup of coffee and rocking her daughter to sleep with one hand, writing Harry’s adventures with the other: ‘For Grainne, With best wishes. J.K.Rowling.'”

Rowling is using this latest book buzz to promote awareness of missing and exploited children by having posters of Madeleine McCann, a girl who has been missing for two months, distributed to booksellers for display with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

I’ve been making a serious attempt to listen to my Inner Child today.

And my Inner Child has a definite opinion. My mention of Davy Crockett in a recent post was a good start, he says, but it was not enough. He wants more. I suspect he’s gotten overexcited due to the fact that last night I won an eBay auction for a copy of that old Davy Crockett Golden Book I posted about, the one I remember from childhood. That’s what my Inner Child is like. Give him an inch… Bad Child! Down! Down!

Anyway, I checked out “Davy Crockett” on YouTube, and got some interesting videos.

One is the classic Bill Hayes recording of the theme song. I think (but am not sure) this was the version I heard most often on the radio. The lyrics were a little different from what they used on the show.

For you Motown fans, here’s something extremely weird: The Supremes doing “The Ballad.” Why, I have no idea.

And finally, some kids at a camp in Taiwan sing the song. My Inner Child insisted I include it.

And now I have to send him to bed. I’ve got chores for him to do tomorrow.

Have a good weekend.

Barlow Farms has the right idea. Having not read books five or six yet, I don’t think I can read any HP news for here out. Even the World Magazine review of the fifth movie had spoilers in it.

Kimbooktu points out some unique stacks and shelves of books. Oh my soul, I’ve often thought to cover all of my books in colored paper—ooo, maybe in gradients of the same hue. I’m sure the kids would like it.

Tomorrow night, Tanner Hill Gallery is hosting a fund-raiser for the Arts & Education Council of Chattanooga with a silent auction on the work of local artists.

Dale forwards this link to an article in the National Catholic Register, about one possibly dangerous chemical that’s affecting fish, about which environmentalists seem to have little concern.