As the blog author is presently tremendously busy with art projects of various kinds, TLBC blogging duties will be sporadically assumed by leaguer J. Harold Bootstrap, world renowned philatelist and adventurer of note. Thank you.
And now, a guest post by J. Harold Bootstrap...
--------------------
First of all, my heartfelt apologies. I had hoped to post on the following items yesterday, but was deeply occupied with my plans to gain entry to the Guinness Book of World Records by counting down to zero from infinity. My counting skills have always been very solid, even before I entered kindergarten, and I am in peak physical condition. I must admit, however, that I have been having the devil's own time getting started.
I have now turned the question over to some highly qualified mathematicians and scientists, having e-mailed a number of prominent names in the field. Though there seems to be some sort of technical problem with my internet service provider (I haven't received any replies to my e-mails, as yet) I expect to have a workable solution in hand very soon.
In the meantime, allow me to direct you attention to the following items of interest.
Sincere thanks,
J. Harold Bootstrap, esq.
----------------
Father Ben Hasse writes,
Let not this auspicious day pass by, as I posted on Facebook:
Today is a joyful day for all bearded brethren. In the Office of Readings, no less authority than St. Hilary of Poitiers, commenting on that favorite psalm of the bearded, 133, states that "A beard ADORNS a man of mature years." I, at least, have a beard!
Let these encouraging words go out to the brothers whose chins do not face the bitter winter wind unprotected, yeah, they are not only protected but ADORNED!
http://www.universalis.com/20100201/readings.htm
God Bless,Fr. Ben
Father Ben was also kind enough to send along this photo of him and some of his bearded brethren.
I must admit, these brothers' facial forestation makes my own appear rather anemic in contrast. Achieve instant notariety by sending photos of your own chin growth!
--------------
From Randy Beeler's blog The Catholic Comedy, a rumination on today's trifecta of celebration; Candlemas, The Feast of the Presentation, and Groundhog Day.
Blogger Jennifer Pierce (aka Blog Nerd) is always a joy to read, especially in her continuing series Chesterton 15 Minutes At A Time and other posts in the category of Chesterton and the Inklings.
The Tolkien Library provides all the Tolkien titles (and upcoming titles) in which one could hope to contentedly wallow, including word on the soon-to-be-released The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun.
*And just for fun, The Crescat is unfailingly worthwhile, because in addition to her varied and occasionally lucid thoughts on other topics, she posts some very lovely artwork... interspersed with some of the most eye-gougingly awful religious art that any sane mind could conceive. Viewing some of these pieces, I'm convinced, may reduce one's time in Purgatory, as the act involves a certain mental self-flagellation.
TLBC will be expanding our links soon. Send in your suggestions!

Thank you for the link, Mr. Bootstrap, sir!
Posted by: Blog Nerd | 02/02/2010 at 04:48 PM