7 Quick Takes Friday

1)  Mark Shea has had a number of good articles about the creeping police state occurring in the U.S. After posting one of his articles on Facebook, I immediately regretted it, as I was not up to respond to the condescending posts implying that I was "afraid" of the military and a racist (since my concern must be racially motivated against the current president.)

2)  The Register had a transcript of a speech given by  Archbishop Chaput about the unprecedented opposition to Christianity in the U.S. and how much of what is built into America's "ethos" goes against Catholic values.  Someone "gets it".

3)  I'm loving the Olympics--watching the BBC coverage online.  I don't have tv here and couldn't deal with the American coverage and commercials anyway. So far, my favorites are diving and BMX.  I didn't even know that BMX was an Olympic sport.  They look like Power Rangers in their colorful shirts and helmets.

4)  I joined the Y.  One day so far.  I'm loving the pool and the hot tub.

5) We had a bat in the house yesterday.  It was scary, scary.  My husband managed to catch it with gloved hands and set it free outside.  Vlad, our youngest and most impetuous of the cats, was insistent that he could jump up and catch this bat, which only added to my fear.

6) We are eagerly awaiting the birth of our grandson.  My daughter-in-law will be induced on Wednesday if she doesn't go into labor before then.

7)  In light of the emotionally weighty content of numbers one and two above, I would like to recommend A Trail of Flowers, and its companion blog, Moonflowers.  With breathtaking art, and beautifully wise quotes, it takes you away from the oppressive everyday and raises your spirit to the Divine.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1) Msgr. Charles Pope has a cultural reflection on the latest in an increasing number of mass killings we are experiencing in the U.S.  It is well worth reading and thinking about.  The title "And if the light in you is darkness, how deep will the darkness be" is taken from Matthew 6.

Msgr. Pope quotes verses 21-23:

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how deep is that darkness! (Matt 6:21-22)

Some of us have noticed the increasing "dark" themes in movies.  What was, in the 1940's and 50's, a child-friendly superhero, is now so detailed in its portrayal of evil, that it drags vulnerable individuals into mimicking their behavior.

This is not the only cause of the Colorado shooting, but it, at least, is a reflection of what our society values, allows, and spends its money to produce, watch and show our children. Until we rediscover non-violent values, this type of thing will continue.

2)  Russel Shaw has written an article, How the Decline in Community is Affecting Your Parish, which talks about the general trend towards individualism and social withdrawal.  I've been thinking a lot about this myself, as has my dh.  I wonder what connections this has to the increase in "senseless" shootings.

3)  Greg over at The Deacon's Bench has an eye-opening post on MSNBC's Joe Scarborough's musing that the Colorado shooter may be on the autism spectrum.  Never mind that autistic melt-downs, as pointed out by Greg, are often impulsive and do not require months of detailed planning.

Thanks, Mr. Scarborough, for such stellar and well-researched journalism that will further the cause of disability awareness for all.  /sarcasm

Deacon Greg sums it up nicely:

Welcome to Journalism in 2012, a jolly and carefree profession blissfully devoid of facts, where anyone can be anything and, of course, say whatever they want.

We’re doomed.

Now that everything is news and everyone is a reporter, we have to be more aware of what we are saying.

4) Another good one from Deacon Greg: There is a software that will output typewriter sounds as you type on your laptop. Those of us "of a certain age" will remember the soothing sounds of typewriter keys and the ring of the carriage return bell. (It even has that sound too). Here is a video demo:


5)  Our poor cat, Vlad, has had to be sedated and part of his face shaved after swelling up alarmingly.  Turns out it wasn't an abscess and it wasn't his tooth, but some undefined injury, possibly an interaction with a thorn. He's home now and has been eating well, although he's spending most of his time in the cool basement.

6)  Sojourners has an excellent article, Clinging to Christ in Compound Grief, written by an articulate author from Colorado.  Many people see tragedy as a reason not to believe in God.  This author tells us that the question to ask is "How do we respond to events like this, experiences that shake us to the core?" She also says that "the need to peg blame in a tragic situation is a natural human response."  We want to know why and if we can't get those answers, we blame God or those who insist on believing in Him when the real question to ask is, "How can I be part of God's solution to this continuing human tragedy? I think this ties in with today's second point about declining community and how it affects our parishes.  So much has happened in the world, in the Church, in the last 10 years, that many of us are still hiding out, nursing our wounds.  It is time to get up, get out, and be Love.

7)  The mayors of Boston and Chicago have moved to ban Chick fil A from doing business in their cities because the owner of the franchise is for traditional marriage.  No word on how many conservative mayors will ban Starbucks because of their opposite stance.  (insert eye roll here).  How about some free speech, hmmm?  

7 Quick Takes Friday

1)  Pray for those who have been killed after the Batman premiere in Denver.  Twelve people are dead, including children, and 38 have been injured.

2)  High temp records have been broken all across the country.  This is making the drought worse.  Fewer crops mean higher prices which will tighten the economy more.

3)  The mosaic to the right is part of a mural in the Byzantine chapel at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.  It shows steel being poured and symbolizes the Byzantine Catholics who immigrated to Pittsburgh.

4)  My son's father-in-law has gotten a second opinion regarding his cancer.  Some of the spots may not be cancerous and others may be shrinking, so there is still hope.  Please continue to pray for him.

5)  My grandson may come early!!!!  My daughter-in-law is measuring ahead and the baby will be "big".  We are SO excited to meet him!!!

6)  I'm on a diet--day 1, today.  Pray for me!!

7)  Military members have been given a this-year-only exception to be able to wear their uniforms in San Diego's gay pride parade.  Normally, service members are not allowed to wear their uniforms to any political event unless they get permission.  I think this sets an unfortunate precedent and weakens the no-uniform rule.

7 Quick Takes Friday

  1.  Tomorrow is going to be 102 degrees here.  This weekend is our Civil War reenactment which entails lots of, mostly middle-aged men, in wool uniforms with heavy packs. I pray for their safety.

2.  As I do not have a/c in the main part of my house, and refuse to sit in my bedroom all day, I've loaded up with lemonade, iced tea, and 200 freezy-pops.  I'm ready.

3.  Today is the Feast of the Sacred Heart.  Why this devotion that some see as a bit over-the-top?  Because people do NOT understand the depth of Jesus' love for EVERYONE.  And, if our God loves EVERYONE with a burning passion, we need to treat them with the same depth of agape-love which wishes only the best for them.

4.  A lifeguard in Florida, was fired by his company for saving a man outside of his patrol area.  Apparently, the company was afraid of law suits and so, instituted this rule.  It is illustrative of many U.S. companies who pay more attention to the bottom line than company loyalty, fair treatment of workers and clients.  He has been offered his job back, after much public outcry, but has refused.  I hope a company with some sense hires him fast.  Other lifeguards quit in solidarity.  Good for them.

5.  Parade magazine recently had a poll on "Who is the Sexiest Founding Father."  Really?!  Our country has seriously sunk to a new low with this one.  .  The sad thing is, many people will see this and not bat an eyelash.  Is this what history has turned into--sex?!  What's next, which is the sexiest math problem?!

6.  I know I shouldn't follow these inane stories, but, in spite of the media's treatment of "stars" as nothing more than objects, they are real people.  Having said that, I was sorry when Katie Holmes married Tom Cruise and turned away from her Catholic faith.  I sincerely hope she ends up with some level of control over her daughter's education and faith formation.

7.  I've got to get a better handle on my ADD.  Seriously--it is driving me crazy.  Seven Quick Takes Friday is great for that though!

7 Quick Takes Friday

1) I have a new blog category on my side-bar--Catholic Convert Blogs, including Conversion Diary, host of 7 Quick Takes Friday, The Recovered Catholic (as opposed to the prejudicial "recovering Catholic) and the newest atheist-to-Catholic blog, Unequally Yoked.

2)  I'm pretty horrified at the bullying of bus monitor Karen Klein by middle school students.  The linked article talks about the psychology of such group bullying. We need to get back to teaching our children virtues and modeling them ourselves.

3)  Forty years ago, hurricane Agnes ripped through Maryland.  It's still the one I remember the best.  High water records have been unmatched to this day.

4)  In this heat, I've been drinking sometimes an entire gallon of iced tea in one day.  It comes with the territory of not having a/c except in the bedrooms.

5)  This is a great article about the effect of our "culture of fear" on the future leadership abilities of our children.  I think the culture of fear is promoted by the media in this country and most of us don't realize the extent to which we buy into it.

6)  I've been enjoying my Kindle and especially like this blog, which gives detailed reviews of free Kindle books.

7) Today is the 68th anniversary of the GI Bill.  It got my husband through college.  Today's military men and women deserve nothing less.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1) Please join me in praying for Haiti which has recently been devastated by a horrific earth quake. Their already poor country has been destroyed by an earthquake of 7.0 on the Richter scale, killing 100,000 people.
2) There are various organizations that are in Haiti helping the people there. If you feel so moved, you can donate to Catholic Relief Services, Doctors Without Boarders, Filter Pure (provides clean water), Friends of Haiti, and Cross International, (different from the Red Cross.)

3)I've been thinking about sin lately.  It is so discouraging to sin again and again and to be able to say with Saint Paul, "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Wretched man that I am!  Who will deliver me from this mortal body!" Romans 7:15, 24

4) I've also been thinking of Divine Mercy.  I was in adoration the other day, and I read their booklet, The Divine Mercy, Message and Devotion.  Even though I have read it before, as is often the case with spiritual writing, certain passages stood out that had not before, especially the prayers written by St. Faustina.  Some examples are below.

5) I fly to Your mercy, Compassionate God, who alone are good.  Although my misery is great and my offenses are many, I trust in Your mercy, because You are the God of mercy. 

Jesus, friend of a lonely heart, You are my haven.  You are my peace.  You are my salvation.  You are my serenity in moments of struggle and amidst an ocean of doubts. You are the bright ray that lights up the path of my life.  You understand the soul even though it remains silent.  You know our weaknesses and, like a good physician, You comfort and heal.  

O Most Holy Trinity! As many times as I breathe, as many times as my heart beats, as many times as my blood pulsates through my body, so many thousand times do I want to glorify Your mercy. 

6)  For the Grace to be Merciful to Others


     Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors' souls and come to their rescue.


     Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors' needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.


     Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.


     Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.


     Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness.  My true rest is in the service of my neighbor.


     Help me, O Lord that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor.  I will refuse my heart to no one.  I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness.  And I will lock myself up in the  most merciful heart of Jesus.

7)  The above prayer reminds me of the prayer/poem written by St. Teresa of Avila, my patron for 2010.



Christ has no body but yours, 
No hands, no feet on earth but yours, 
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world, 
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, 
Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world. 
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, 
Yours are the eyes, you are his body. 

Christ has no body but yours, 

No hands, no feet on earth but yours, 

Yours are the eyes with which he looks

Compassion on this world, 

Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

7 Quick Takes Friday

I haven't done one of these in a long time. Holidays and all.

1) It snowed here again last night. This is actually nice, I think. This is the most snow we've had in quite a while. A nice respite from the existent (or not) global warming everyone's talking about. Anyway, its nice to see seasonally appropriate weather for a change.

2) I downloaded 2 new gadgets to my Windows Gadget sidebar thingy last night. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, Windows Vista has a sidebar that you can use to put up a clock, calendar, slide show, etc. There are a few that come with the computer, and others you can download. One I like is a little sticky note pad. I chose the cursive font and now I can write myself notes that stay on my desk top.

I downloaded a clock/calendar/weather thingy that is cool and saves me having to download three separate gadgets. I also downloaded 2 "radios"--one is BBC and the other is CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corp.) The BBC radio has 6 stations and the CBC has more, although they are not always available. Its cool to be able to have music, news and talk available on my desktop! :D

Another gadget I have allows me to search using Google, from my desktop. I really hate Yahoo search and I like having Google right there when I need it.

Amazing stuff!

3) You'd think after 2 or 3 weeks off, I'd have more to say...


4) I'm enjoying my tea pot. Been drinking a pot of tea on most days. Its a great way to get the required fluids, as long as it is not caffeinated.

5) I covered a plastic storage box that had not yet made its way into the basement, with an old (probably "antique" by this point) table cloth cross stitched by my aunt, I think, as many as 50 years ago and put a piece of glass on top. Now it is a handy "put place" as my dh calls it, for the aforementioned tea pot.

6)  Today would have been my father in law's 93rd birthday.  He died when he was 87 and its hard to believe that much time has gone by.  May God rest his soul.

7)  I've been discovering some long lost pictures in my basement.  I thought I'd lost them and lo and behold, they were safely tucked away downstairs.  As a dear friend reminded me, I am being watched over from above.  I've been spending time buying new picture frames and hanging up lots of pics.  My dh is being very patient about the massive amount of black and white, old family pictures I've been crowding our living room walls with.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1) It's going to SNOW here tomorrow!! Quick! Run out and stock up on milk and toilet paper!! I'm going to have to trust God as to the status of Sunday Mass this week. Our church is about 40 minutes away, up a series of hills, on a "summit". It already seems to have its own weather as it is--always colder than here in Gettysburg. So, if it's God's will that we make it to Mass (and the priest does too!) then we will be there!

2) I visited my mom and aunt in their nursing home yesterday. Afterwards, my sister and I went out to a local diner-like place near her house. They had a live band there, which we didn't expect. It made me realize how rare that is these days. Its nice to know that someone still gets together in the basement of a home and drives the neighbors crazy practicing with drums, piano, bass and guitar. The life of a musician is not an easy one!

3) I now have in my possession, 2 Christmas pillows. I've put one out on my couch. The second one however is small with some furry angora wool used for Santa's beard. This presents a problem. My dog, apparently, has taken to tearing apart pillows--something she hasn't done in years. I'm reluctant to bring out this Santa pillow because of this. I will probably wait until I hang up the stockings, Christmas eve to bring out the pillow in question. We'll see how it works. Hopefully, both pillow and dog will survive in tact.

4) I think I'm pretty much done with Christmas prep. I do have to bake my "monkey bread". This year, as last, I'm going to use the recipe posted by Pete, a former eagle scout who likes to use his cast iron "Dutch Oven", as I do. I'm thrilled to be able to use my cast iron for this (for us) traditional Christmas morning dish.

5)  I'm loving my new bathroom floor.  My dh did a very thorough job by ripping out the old floor, removing our toilet, putting down new tiles, and edging under the baseboard and tub.  Oh, and putting back the toilet!

6)  I  have promised myself to walk the dog on a regular basis.  This has only happened once so far.  And now its going to snow.  Promises are so hard to keep sometimes.

7)   Found a new website called Star of Bethlehem. Proffessor Rick Larson does a scholarly presentation in various locations around the United States, outlining the science behind the Star of Bethlehem, the darkening of the sky at Jesus' crucifixion, and even the astronomy behind the "woman clothed with the sun, with the moon at her feet and 12 stars around her head" of Revelation.  Quite interesting stuff!  The website explains the science behind all these biblical phenomena.  Christianity wasn't made up out of whole cloth, people!!

7 Quick Takes Friday

1) My dog surprised us yesterday by de-stuffing a pillow my husband had given me a couple of years ago. The pillow said, "No outfit is complete without a little dog hair." I'm not sure why the dog didn't de-stuff the one that says "No outfit is complete without a little cat hair". Perhaps that will happen soon. She hasn't de-stuffed a pillow for quite a while. When we first got her, she decided that all my stuffed cats had to be killed, one by one. Perhaps she'll get coal in her stocking this year!

2) I bought a Febreze Flameless Luminary. They look so cool, with their flickering light that mimics candle light, and I figured our house could always use some scent. They are quite easy to use--just turn the switch to on, insert the square paper (which holds the scent). It goes off after four hours by itself, but i had to turn it off much sooner than that because the scent was very strong. Perhaps it is the fact that my house is so small, but I was disappointed because I love candle light and nice scents. I'll probably try it again, farther away from where I happen to be sitting.

3)  I have a new, fun link category on my sidebar:  Retro/Vintage.  (Scroll all the way down, almost to the end.) I've found some interesting blogs that focus on vintage hair and fashion.  I admit that I don't consider the 1980's to fall under that category, but I forgive them that.  I love the looks from the 1940's myself. Although I probably won't be setting my hair with that level of detail any time soon, I've always wondered exactly how it was done.  Now I know!  Lisa Freemont gives away all the secrets to beautiful 1940's looks on her YouTube channel.  She even tells us the specific hair cut many women got in the '40's to achieve those beautiful looks! The mystery is solved!

4)  Also in the Retro/Vintage category is The Gallery of Regrettable Foods.  This site had ds and I in stitches when I first discovered it years ago.  Perhaps some of you remember the odd jello concoctions made by mom or grandmom and brought to family gatherings in the 1950's or 60's.  Jello with various vegetables comes to mind.  This site has them all (and much more) and makes you feel like a top chef in comparison!

5)  Another site that is not technically retro is Mad Hattery which highlights royal head wear from around the world.  The British Royal family is one of the last to sport hats on a regular basis and I love stopping by the Hattery to see what they're wearing.  The Queen seems to rarely have a "bad hat day", IMO.  Her striking white hair is a perfect canvas for all sorts of hats, dresses and coats designed especially for her.  This beautiful teal green hat and coat ensemble is a good example.  She also looks like she's having a great time.  Very classy lady.  Also included in Mad Hattery are any crowns worn in the line of duty (and very occasionally, mantillas).  Fun stuff!!

6) Aux Belles-Choses is an internet friend of mine who makes beautiful retro-inspired aprons (the kind you that are so pretty you almost hate to use them) as well as Edwardian inspired dresses.  Her stuff is beautiful--check out her site!

7)  I've still got some Christmas preparation to do.  For me, this does not include baking 5 dozen cookies, but it does include addressing and sending Christmas cards and putting up Christmas decorations.  I normally do the latter on or near Gaudete Sunday, which is this Sunday, when the altar and celebrant are dressed in rose to symbolize the joy we feel because the Advent waiting period is nearing its end.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1.  I got blood drawn today.  It was needlessly dramatic.  I say needlessly, because I should have insisted that I lie down, but given the fact that there was no where to lie except the floor, I decided to be brave.  Bad idea.  After the extra gentle tech couldn't get blood out of my left arm, she tried my right.  That is when my body (or psyche, perhaps) rebelled and my blood pressure plummeted.  I ended up lying down.  On the floor.  A more experienced, I presume, nurse, came over and got the blood out of my hand.  I'm fine now.  Next time I *will* insist.

2.  I'm rediscovering, as I do every year at about this time, the DIY movement.  It is great to reconnect with the less commercial aspect of holiday gift giving and reuse some things around the house.  I especially like this Threadbanger reader tutorial by Gracee (pictured at right) for an oversized beanie.  Great way to reuse an old shirt.  Here is another hat pattern, this time for those confusing fascinators so popular among the younger British royals.

3. If you are enamored with the pretty bows used in the beanie tutorial, here are some directions to make your own.  If you would rather use flowers, here  is a great tutorial on making some fabric flowers to decorate your hats with! 

4.  These Sarubobo plushy things are absolutely adorable!!  The possibilities are endless with this and they are very easy to do.

5.  Ok, I'm not going to make this, but I did think it was creative:  Remaking a men's t-shirt into a women's Star Fleet uniform!  In spite of my disapproval of the rather sexist female uniform style on Star Trek, I do think this is cute.

6.  For those of us who have trouble reading crocheting or knitting patterns, (I have never been able to crochet a decent cowl) here is an easier, sewed  cowl.

7.  And, in honor of Christmas and all things old fashioned, here is a tutorial on making a sock monkey.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1. My Thanksgiving was small and nice. I used much of my mother's silver for the first time. *That* felt weird but it was rewarding to be able to use it for my small family. I kept expecting one covered silver dish to be filled with sour kraut. Its a good thing it wasn't because no one would have eaten it!

2. I think I'm mostly over my flu. I still am very aware of the need to rest, though.

3. We are boarding the dog today in preparation for going to my bil's and sil's tomorrow. I always miss her when she's boarding at the vets. She got throughly spoiled yesterday at Thanksgiving.

4. I may put out the Advent stuff today. We'll see how I feel and how motivated I am. I don't think I'll be up to it after travelling on Sunday, and, I have *lots* of Advent stuff, so I figured I'd better start it today.

5. Won't be meeting ds's new gf this weekend. A change of plans necessitated ds going to Pittsburgh instead of her coming to visit him. But we will be meeting her eventually, I'm sure.

6. I'm growing my hair out. It's in that in between stage where it won't do anything by itself, which is the only way I will get my hair to do anything at all. I still haven't really decided what the ultimate hair style goal is either.

7. It is beautiful and sunny out which is a wonderful change. I'm going to have to make a point to get outside. I haven't really been outside much at all since I've had the flu. Wow, that's a bit anti-climactic, isn't it?!

7 Quick Takes Friday

1.  A lot has happened since Friday, 2 weeks ago.  I went to my niece's wedding. It was very nice.  Brought back memories of my own wedding at about the same age and made me realize that, in spite of how very old I am now, that so many things don't change.  I continue to be in awe of my niece; her poise, her intelligence and her good choices.
2.  I also was able to go on a field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.  That was fun!  I had high tea instead of dinner and was able to view art as old as 2500 years before the birth of Christ to the modern art of today. 

3. The picture on the right is one of a Coptic prayer book made around 500-700A.D.  Imagine how long ago that was!!  People have been worshiping Christ for centuries!  

4.  The reason for my sparse blogging this week is that I've caught some sort of flu.  Thank God I was able to go to NY and to my niece's wedding! I've been sleeping for a few days and the fever just hangs on. 


5.  Unfortunately, I have to miss my friend's wake and funeral Mass.  But, God has a reason for everything.If it is His will, I will attend the memorial celebration the family has planned for 2010. 

6.  These guys to the left are medieval mourners currently housed at the Met.  I was blown away by their realistic rendering and the eerie atmosphere they convey.  As art, I think this is first class. 

7.  I also saw some breathtaking knights in shining armor, along with their horses, also in shining armor.  Its really humbling to actually be able to see these things with our own eyes that we only read about. 

7 Quick Takes Friday

1.  I realize its not Friday yet, but there is something about this early darkness that makes time seem to fly while in actuality it crawls by. 

2.  Speaking of this early darkness, I don't like it.  Darkness descends and makes me feel more alone somehow.  Even when dh is home.  It seems like the middle of the night and that I shouldn't be awake no matter what time it is. 

3.  I want to put out a prayer request for the 12 soldiers killed by a U.S. Army officer in Fort Hood, TX today and their families.  Also, a prayer request goes out for the 31 injured and their families, for the gunman or gunmen and their families, and for all those touched by this tragedy. 

4.  Another prayer request goes out for a nephew of a friend of mine.  He lost his mother when he was young, and just burried  his father yesterday.  May his father rest in peace and may he be comforted.

5.  I think it's time for some gratitude.  I am grateful for my icon corner, illuminated by the soft light that stands under it, casting a bit of spiritual happiness in a dark Autumn evening.

6.  I am also grateful for light and heat.  I am blessed to live in a time where I can have both readily availble. 

7.  And finally, I am grateful that my vertigo has abated and that I can sleep more easily.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1. Our bishop has decreed that due to the risk of H1N1, we either will bow at the sign of peace, or eliminate the sign of peace altogether. This suits my dh and I, who struggle with anxiety, just fine, except for the fact that we are alone in the choir loft and would only be sharing a sign of peace with each other. So, I guess it is a lesson in offering up.

2. I've been dreaming of black dogs lately; all sizes of black dogs. Not bad dreams. Had one last night. I had a Rottweiler who would quietly eat entire loaves of bread. He was a nice and friendly Rottweiler.

3. Why do computer dictionaries not have certain words? Rottweiler, for instance. How could it think I meant "potboiler" or "protrusile"? Why is "potboiler" one word? What is "protrusile"?

4. I think I need a spirituality of Ordinary Time. I have a difficult time "getting into" a Sunday, or a day of the week, which the Church had decided falls under "Ordinary Time"--and we have a lot of it. Our former priest used to love Ordinary Time, but I like some sort of feast day to concentrate on. I'll have to think about that some more.

5. My dh and I have both been getting the message to slow down. Cut back. Do not reach for things beyond our abilities. It is a hard lesson, in a way, to let go of past activities and future dreams, but it forces us to rely on God. A constant theme.

6. "God has been good to us." Said to me the other day by my mom, who is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's. Just that alone proves it.


7. I wanted to share with you all a beautiful painting done by Maruyama Okyo in the 1700's called Pine Trees Under Snow. At that time, a full gold background was very common in Japanese painting, but Okyo tempers it with areas of white paint not only on the pine tree, but in the atmosphere, giving a beautiful impression of walking in the snow, as the wind blows, early on a bright winter morning.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1.  I am learning the lesson of not taking things for granted.  Everything we do every day without thinking, so many other people can not do.  Getting out of bed, getting in our cars, making decisions about our day--these are things that so many other people do not have the ability or opportunity to do. All the things we worry about--all the things we *think* are necessary--are only trappings and extras compared with the great gift of love and of life itself.

2. God gave me an unexpected opportunity yesterday to go to Mass and confession.  I haven't gone to daily Mass for quite a while and was very thankful for the opportunity to be able to do so.  Something else that is easy to take for granted.

3.  My friend is nearing the end of his journey to heaven.  I pray his transition is a peaceful one and that he is given the grace of a happy death.

4.  There are some who would think that the tradition within Catholicism of actually praying for the grace of a happy death (which is the virtue we pray for during the 4th Glorious mystery--The Assumption) is morbid.  But, as the above brings home, we all must die and praying that we are given the grace of a happy death seems rather realistic and logical to me.  Memento mori.

5.  Speaking of memento mori, our parish is having an overnight adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Halloween.  This follows a procession where the children dress up as saints.  We in our culture need to be reminded that there is in fact evil.  If Good is personified, so is evil and we need to be on our guard (and on our knees). 

6.  The holidays will be fast upon us and since I'm eating a vegetarian diet, I've been thinking about what things to make for Thanksgiving in addition to turkey.  Fatfree Vegan has come through again with some delicious looking stuffed pumpkin recipes. You can stuff the pumpkin(s) with traditional stuffing, a wild rice stuffing, a  lentil stuffing, a cranberry stuffing, or pumpkin soup.  I like the idea of having a pumpkin be the culinary centerpiece of the table because it is such a seasonally appropriate vegetable and quite beautiful.  

7.  I'm loving my tupperware lunch box! It looks a bit like a purse, and has a spill proof container and cup.  Best of all, it is PURPLE and matches my computer bag.  Makes going to work fun!

7 Quick Takes Friday

1. We had another bird in the house. Thankfully, the dog was spending the night in the trailer with dh. Dh did a surpreme job of closing the bird in the bedroom, removing the window a/c unit, thus allowing the bird to fly to safety. The dog was disappointed.

2. I got a lot of re-arranging and throwing away done last night. I think I'm finally on a roll in that regard. Too bad I have to work today, or I'd spend it throwing away and giving away unneeded items to the detriment of all else.

3. It seems to be unseasonably cold here at the moment. Our little area heaters are coming in quite handy. Maybe that's why the bird came in--too cold outside!

4. Jeanne Jugan, founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor is now a saint. She lived in France in the 19th century and started her order by taking in a blind widow. My own aunt has been a Little Sister for 50 years.

5. I just found out that Dr. John Bruchalski, founder of Divine Mercy Care was a former abortionist. He returned to his Catholic faith and now runs a pro-life obgyn practice in Northern Virginia. His personal story of conversion makes his ministry all the more miraculous.

6. Rumors are going around that actress Katie Holmes has enrolled daughter Suri Cruise in a Catholic pre-school in Boston, where she and her actor-husband Tom Cruise live while he is shooting a movie. It is said that Kate is adamant that her daughter not be raised a Scientologist as Mr. Cruise would like, but a Catholic, as she was.

7. In spite of their movie-star status, Mr. and Mrs. Cruise are people who struggle with daily decisions as we do. And, in spite of the surreal nature of their lives, there are people who pray for Katie and the difficult decisions she is having to make.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1. Today is Friday, traditionally a penetential day. Give something up today. The Church prescribes either abstaining from meat, or doing something extra today.

2. Say a Rosary today in honor of the month of the Rosary. Offer it up for those who are suffering. Offer each decade up for a different intention. Give your worries to God.

3. Pray Psalm 50 (51) today. Such a beautiful penitential psalm. Here is a video I did of Psalm 50 (51) using a Byzantine chant from Great (Good) Friday.

4.  I was reading something today, about an Eastern tradition of wearing a cross, either all the time, or at least when you receive communion.  Food for thought.  Do you wear any signs of your religious beliefs?  Do you think it is fair that many people are either forbidden, or feel it is not right to wear outward religious signs in their workplace?

5.  I'm wondering if one of the reasons that Sunday has lost its spiritual meaning for many is because Friday has lost its spiritual meaning.  When we do not meditate on the death of Our Lord each Friday, we can not rejoice at his Resurrection on Sunday.  Perhaps for Christians, Friday should be a day to do things we would rather avoid doing, to offer them up with the sufferings of Jesus that we remember on that day.

6.  Where does that leave Saturday, then?  If Friday is a day set apart to share in the sufferings of Christ, and Sunday is a day set aside by God since the beginning of time to rest, and since the dawn of Christianity to celebrate a "little Easter", where, then, does Saturday fall?  I think Saturday becomes the day of work.  As is often the case, society has it backwards.  Saturday is often the day of recreation and Sunday is the day to "get things done."  Perhaps we can continue working and giving up little consolations on Saturday in order to clear out our Sundays for celebrating.

7.  Sunday used to be a family time.  A "little Easter" celebrated with a big family dinner after church.  Bring out the traditional dishes that make each family so special.  Go against society's trend and avoid shopping on Sunday.  Avoid paying bills.  Avoid mandatory sports.  Celebrate the Lord's Day.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1. As those of you who read my blog know, my friend has pancreatic cancer. He is 48 years old. Please pray for him and his family.

2. I continue to stay busy wrapping up the sale of my mother's house. It is odd, emotionally, to have some of her furniture here because it means it is no longer there.

3. Also, my family is dealing with the increasing frailty of my mom and now my aunt. There is just no easy way to face this, I think. It's difficult to imagine that an entire generation of my family will be gone very, very soon.

4. My dh and I are practicing for a Song Fest at our neighboring church on Sunday. It has humbled me. There is a big difference between singing along with YouTube and singing without that backup!

5. It's finally cool here. Fall has arrived. Somehow the weather is a surprise this year. I think I'm just not as focused on what season it happens to be right now. One thing I start doing when the weather changes is to light candles in the evening. Cheaper (I think) and easier than lighting a fire. With our finances this year, fires will be few and far between, probably. But candles really warm up the atmosphere.

6. Speaking of that, dh and I were talking about Christmas decorations in light of the new furniture we have around the house. He was commenting that I could put our (small, fake, fiber optic) tree on our tea table or, he teased, we could not put up the tree. Frankly, I was thinking of just doing my gobs and gobs of Nativity related decorations and not doing the tree this year. But, I'll probably end up putting it up very close to Christmas. We'll see. Tradition dies hard with me.

7. I would like to put in a prayer request for my brother in law, who lost a job with a company he has worked for for 30 years. No reward for his loyalty or hard work. He has 2 minor children that he still has to raise.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1. Please pray for a friend who has cancer.  He may find out today what type of cancer it is, or he may not find out until next week. 

2.  My husband and I attended solemn sung vespers at Mt. Saint Mary's last Sunday night.  Word can not describe how beautiful this was!  The seminarians have a choir and the entire thing was sung in Latin.  It really makes me ache to think how much of our western Catholic culture has been thrown by the wayside and it gives me hope  to know that it is being preserved, somewhere, for the next generation. 

3.  Not only was the music heavenly, the architecture in the chapel was gorgeous.  Each stained glass window was a work of art in itself, and told a story for those who could not read, or could not hear it for themselves.  It really makes me think of the many beautiful churches in years gone by that were built thanks to the sweat and donations of the immigrants who came to this country.  Now we have more, materially, and our churches have less.

4.  The altar was marble. There was a huge crucifix with Our Lady, Saint John, and 2 Roman soldiers standing by. It drew your attention and was something that couldn't be missed.  It, along with the windows and large stations of the cross, provided something to meditate on no matter how much one's attention wandered.

5.  The musicians were in the choir loft because the liturgy is not about the musicians.  It is about what is taking place on the altar.  The music is there to transport our souls to God. 

6.   They have a brand new organ in that chapel, designed by the organist there, who teaches music to the seminarians.  They are certainly blessed!!

7.  The seminarians there are now required to take voice class!!!  How cool is that?!  Priests, from that seminary anyway, will now know the basics of vocal music.  They also take classes in dealing with church musicians.  As a church musician myself, I am overjoyed with this!

7 Quick Takes Friday

These are going to be real quick today!

1. My aunt is indeed in the assisted living facility. She seemed ready and happy on the day she went in. It has been a long road for us.

2. I'm going to a Tupperware Party tomorrow! Have you been to one? I seem to have one source for my "at home parties" I attend. They are always fun and I've gotten some useful things from them over the years.

3. I am going to Mass in Baltimore on Saturday night. My husband is playing at the Saturday evening Mass at our parish and the other organist is playing the Sunday Mass that we usually do. Since I'm going to be in Baltimore, I'll take advantage of the opportunity to attend St. Benedict's Church on Saturday night. It will be nice to be back.

4. My husband and I are going to Sunday night vespers at Mt. St. Mary's Seminary! It should be a wonderful experience. Vespers is an ancient way of worshiping in the Church that many today do not get a chance to experience. We are blessed to be near this great seminary.

5. My software is now working properly. Technology is a continually humbling experience.

6. House selling is also a humbling experience. Even when it is going relatively smoothly.

7. I have high cholesterol and high triglycerides. I am now trying my best to eat a no-low fat diet--mostly vegan. It seems to have cut down on massive cravings so far. There are some great vegan websites out there, including Fat Free Vegan Kitchen, This is Why You're Thin, (yeah, in my dreams, lol!) and Vegan Lunch Box. The latter is an especially great service since a good deal of the problem with my diet is eating out. I must remember to pack a lunch!