an idea

If we want to have some national celebration, let's not have it on Jan 26. Let's have it each year on Feb 13.

more on nationalism/patriotism

Joanna wrote this in a comment on Andrew's '5 Reasons Patriotism is Wrong' post. I think it too good to leave there.

"...a heightened sense of pride in one's country tends to get in the way of good theology, which applies to nations as well as people. Nations, after all, are just one of the more recent structures that human minds have imagined for the organisation of community life.

In Australia, for example, the wealth and prosperity of this nation comes from natural resources and land that were stolen. Our 'founding fathers' made it very clear that their understanding of Australia was based on a vision of racial exclusion and the defence of 'whiteness'. (Have a good read of Alfred Deakin!) Horrors like the massacres of Tasmanian Indigenous people, the stolen generation, the White Australia policy, were all natural consequences. This may not be surprising, given the doctrine of total depravity. But I think it means a general attitude of repentance and humility and desire to sacrificially make reparations may be more appropriate than pride, with our nation as well as with ourselves as individuals."

BTW, have you noticed how a kind of patriotism is becoming hip in evangelical circles? I wonder if it's an American import that's crept in, mixed with the love your city/community thing (which I don't mind - though it can become too channel 7). Thoughts?

But I am a little patriotic...

I made damper today with the kids*.

Basically, just a big scone mix (4cups SR flour, tsp salt, 2 tsp sugar, rub in 2 tbsp butter, add 1cup milk, half cup water) chucked in the oven. Be as rough as you like with the mixture.  Spread enough butter and syrup on it and it will be fantastic.

*Well, with one child.  And she wasn't mine.  But all the kids ate it.  Does that still give me good mum points?

embarrassment is...

... taking an Australian flag towel to the gym in late January.

It was the first one I pulled out this morning.  My pump instructor gave me a special smile and thumbs up imagining that my towel choice was an act of patriotism.

It really really was coincidental.  But I don't expect anyone to believe me.