Hope Echoes

7 Quick Takes

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

Jennifer Fulwiler hosts this meme. Go visit the rest, if you want to meet some interesting bloggers.

1. The anniversary of Roe v Wade was this week and it occurred to me that among the children who were never born was probably at least one that we might have adopted. Having only one child, if adoption were still a possible option, my husband and I probably would have gone that route. Instead, adoption is a really really long and difficult journey and not one for the faint of heart. And almost impossible if one already has a natural child.

2. I waited too long and by the time I decided to see the Monet exhibit at the Art Museum all the tickets were sold out. I hate it when that happens. I guess I will just have to whip up to Chicago and see my Monets at the Art Institute.

3. Let's see, on my last endless Tuesday of meetings I learned--not to be late to work, as if I ever would; not to leave a classroom unattended; not to be alone with a student, ever; that the room that special ed put in my library in place of my nice conference room is probably not legal; that a millions-aire who never in his life went to public schools or sent his children to them, wants to end public education in support of 'for profit' private education institutions; that the first step toward that end is to stop the tenure law; that our friends had their email account hacked and hacked again last week. I think it would all make a lovely Broadway musical.

4. I finished watching the whole first season of Downton Abbey. Loved it. There were a few quibbles with historical accuracy. The cook should have had glasses after the cataract surgery. I have forgotten the other ones now, so obviously they weren't that big a deal. But, quibbles, I had a few.

5. My husband's pogo plug came Wednesday. I pictured him jumping up and down with it, but apparently it has something to do with computers.

6. We continue with our gray winter weather around and about. I am not entirely sure I remember what sunshine looks like.

But we haven't had anymore of this stuff. It continues to be a mild winter around here.

7. In the Gospel reading this coming Sunday, the people will be astonished by Jesus' teaching. I try to live each day astonished by the teachings of our Lord. He is teaching me astonishing things every day, if only I would pay attention.

Word for the Year

2012-01-26T05:30:00.000-06:00

I read about this on some other blog I clicked into from Jennifer Fulwiler's 7 QTs. And what is "this" you may be asking? Did you not read the title? A word for the year. I read about having a word for the year. I wasn't sure if there was someone who had a random word generator like the saint one that Jennifer made, but it seemed that the person I read was saying that her word had been revealed in prayer. Now that sounded like a Good Idea to me.

So, I prayed about a word for the year. I prayed that the Holy Spirit would make know to me a word that I could reflect upon this year. The immediate result was --zip, nothing, nada. I thought, maybe this is a bad idea, or maybe the word will be revealed later.

Later, at work I was checking out books and one student needed to renew his book, only he couldn't think of the word. I found myself saying to him--Renew, renew, you need to renew. And I felt the tug on my heart--that is exactly what I need to do. Renew.

I have so many areas of my life that need renewal. And the Lord is here with steadfast love. The quote I am starting out with is from Lamentations 3:22-24--"The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent; They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness, My portion is the Lord, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him." Notice the hope in that quote? Perfect for me to be renewed by the hope in the Lord each morning. Great is His faithfulness.

My word for 2012 is RENEW!

Sunrise

2012-01-25T21:41:00.002-06:00

You might think that I went out to some rural area to take this sunrise. And you might think I photoshopped the colors. But, you would be wrong. I just edited out the houses on both sides of the view across the street. And isn't the sky a glorious color?

The Ghost of Winters Past

2012-01-25T05:30:00.001-06:00

This year has been a really light winter and we deserved it. Last winter we had ice storms and tornados and lots and lots of snow. We took more than our allotted 6 snow days and went into extra innings as it were.

There should be no snow in the forecast this week.

So, I thought I would take a glance back at last winter.

We had ourselves some snow back then.

Back in the olden days when it used to snow.

And stuck around through spring break week in March.

And snowed again.

But, it sure was pretty.

There is still a lot of winter left and I am sure we will have some days like this.

~~(And I might even find myself wishing for a snow day if the snow comes.)~~

Counting One's Blessings

2012-01-24T05:30:00.000-06:00

Once upon a time I had a relationship with deadlines that went like this--at the last minute I would kick it into gear and finish whatever it was or arrive where ever I was supposed to, with an apology on my lips. I most often made the deadlines, I just didn't often have moments to spare. I was a last minute Lucy.

Then about 18 years ago I met and was mentored by Melanie when I began to teach at my current school district. Melanie was whatever is the opposite of a procrastinator. She was always the first to turn things in, the first to leave because things were finished, the first.....In short, although I came to love Melanie dearly, it was really hard to keep up with her.

I learned not to try to compete. Melanie was the winner in the first finishing department every time. I didn't need to be first. I just needed to be better than last. I began to learn the wisdom in doing something when it was assigned. I learned to think and act a little ahead of the game. I learned the good feeling of relaxation it gives me to know that I don't need to catch up.

While I can't say I am never rushed or harried, I am after all rather busy, I can say that when given the opportunity, I plan ahead. I work ahead. I do it on the blog. I do it in my life. When I recently had a day off I cooked ahead, caught up all the laundry, read ahead for my woman's group, and even organized a couple of things. Doing those things ahead didn't take away from the enjoyment of a day off, they just helped me to be more relaxed when the hectic week began.

When I first worked with Melanie I thought she would drive me crazy with her overachievement and punctuality. But when we became friends and over time, I came to know Melanie as one of those blessings in my life. She taught me to have time to count my blessings and not always be hurrying to finish the last thing.

Extra Starch

2012-01-23T05:30:00.000-06:00

Sunday, last week, was a day with extra starch. I went to Mass in the morning. And you might think I would use starch on the clothing, but I am not an ironing gal. So, no starch there. But for lunch we went to McAllister's. I had the veggie chili and a turkey melt. A bit of starch in that meal. But, delicious starch.

Then hubby and I went over to see the movie Iron Lady about Margaret Thatcher. A strangely edited, difficult to follow movie in my estimation. But, that lady had starch. The most surprising part for me was to hear that she is still alive. Upon reflection, I realized that I have no memory of a funeral for her, but somehow I thought she had died long ago.

Hubby and I came home fully expecting to play on our computers and call our far flung relatives in the evening, but there was a call from friends suggesting a meal out. We met at a local Italian place. And that would be starch upon starch. But I had the catfish and a salad. Still, there was bread, so it was a starchy meal.

It seemed as though all the fun of the weekend was crammed into several hours with a movie and friends. Sometimes it is fun to have a day with an extra measure of starch.

Sunday Prayers

2012-01-22T07:00:00.000-06:00

O God, of imagination and surprises. Teach me to wait in joyful anticipation for You. Teach me to accept all that life sends with joy. Amen

Juggling

2012-01-21T06:30:00.000-06:00

I admire those bloggers who know how to juggle their lives. They can pick up and put down the blog at will. It seems to me that those juggling bloggers sometimes put down the blog when life gets busy or crazy and that is good. That is knowing how to balance one's life. There is nothing in blogging that is essential to life.

That is not to say that I am not sometimes disappointed when bloggers go away completely. I wonder what happened to them. Are they okay? I try to imagine them off living their lives and that things are okay with them.

I ask myself why I am still here? I like to look into the lives of others. I like to record what is going on in my own life. I am a social person without a lot of people around me. Sometimes I have "thoughts" or "teachings" or "ideas" that I want to share and there is nobody in my real life who wants to hear or know or be taught. I acknowledge that if I had more children or if I had grandchildren, I would probably get busier with my real life and less interested in "The Blog."

But, I don't have those people populating my life. So, instead, I sit and stare at the monitor and type and then go out and do things so that I will have something to blog about.

7 Quick Takes

2012-01-20T05:30:00.000-06:00

Jennifer Fulwiler graciously hosts this meme. If you haven't, go around and see what everyone is up to.

1. My old college roommate and fellow exchange student to Brighton College of Education, while we were both girls, does not own a computer. Or a cell phone. Sigh. And she lives in Chicago, or near Chicago, near Glen Ellyn. I haven't seen her for a number of years and we mostly just exchange Christmas and birthday cards. But, once upon a time we rode the Orient Express together. She taught me, a small town girl, how to park at malls. (At each mall have a particular store and area where you park, that way you can find your car.) We endured one semester at university during which the students above us played Hummingbird Don't Fly Away, Fly Away.....endlessly, loudly, and I can not hear that song without feeling slightly nauseous and slightly reminiscent for those college days.

But, recently, I contacted her work email and she responded. I hope to get up to see her sometime soon. But, maybe not during the winter months whilst she is enduring an average of 9 more inches of snow than we are here in the south.

2. Upon the recommendation of several bloggers I recently began to watch Downton Abbey. I love it. When the above old roommate and I were in England, I lived in an upstairs, downstairs type of residence that had been a seaside hotel, but before that, had been a residence for an upper crust family. Imagine high ceilings and molding and all that. And the kitchens in the basement were like the downstairs quarters in those British historical shows. Not quite Downton Abbey, but the same time period.

3. I have been working out of my usual comfort zone at blogging lately. Often I have dozens of posts scheduled ahead. This allows me to leisurely edit and shuffle posts and thoughts. I like to blog that way. Lately, I haven't had as many ideas. I sit and stare at the screen. Perhaps I have said everything I need to here. I am not sure. I am pretty persistent once I begin a thing. I am not sure I will know when it is time to quit.

4. Hubby and went to The Iron Lady on Sunday. Very well acted, but a very poorly told story in my opinion. In fact, I am not sure exactly what the story was. It should have had the subtitle--As Taken from the Headlines, because that is what it felt like. I didn't know any thing more about Margaret Thatcher at the end than I knew at the beginning. Except, I didn't know that she was still alive. I found that out when I came home and looked it up online.

5. We went out to eat with friends on Sunday evening after the movie. We went to a local Italian restaurant. They had a 9 dollar list of specials on Sunday evening. So we chose $9 steaks and catfish and such. It was all very good. We stayed and talked with our friends for over an hour after the food was gone.

6. For the second week in a row at Mass I heard in the announcements that people we knew had died and already had been buried within the past week. These people were not close friends, but people whose wakes we would have attended, had we only known. I came to the realization that I have reached that age when people my own age will commence dieing. Perhaps I need to start reading the obituaries. Sigh.

7. Between the prayer group, spiritual direction, and my women's group reading about the Mass I feel very tired from all the going and very overloaded with thoughts to process. Looking ahead March seems as though it will be very busy. People were getting out their calendars and writing in things for March already.

Life Abundantly

2012-01-19T05:30:00.000-06:00

In years past it was common for clssrooms to have a "pet." These "pets" would often be fish or turtles or hermit crabs or mice or gerbils or hamsters. Yes, hamsters, the teddy bear of the rodent world. My friends, when we were all young teachers/ librarians, had hamsters in their classrooms. The hope was that some member of the class would adopt the "pet" for the summer and return it next year, or even keep it. My friends' plans did not include having pet hamsters for the summer.

So it came to pass in ways so mysterious and innocent that I can hardly recall them all these years later that my new husband and I took possession of approximately 3 hamsters. There were the bachelors Frederico and Hugo and the pregnant (we found out after we got her) female Hamatha. Hamatha had a single daughter shortly after we got her. I think we found a home for that hamster rather quickly because I can't recall her name.

Later my husband thought it might be fun to have more baby hamsters or another baby hamster. So, we broke up the bachelors and Hamatha was in a family way rather quickly. One thing you may not know about hamsters is--they don't like each other. Hamantha didn't want to live with Frederico (or was it Hugo) after the deed was done and the bachelors were no longer happy with each other involving more cages. Then Hamatha had 17 baby hamsters. We were over the legal limits of hamsters within a couple of months. We had at least 20 hamsters! Remember, I told you hamsters don't like to live with each other?

So, ultimately it came to pass that school was starting up again and we secured classroom positions for the bachelors and Hamatha and the 17 baby hamsters were raised to weaning and then spit spot off they went to the pet store (and I don't like to think that they might have become the food of snakes, but they might). And within a couple of months of that we were expecting a baby of our own.

I thought about this when I read about a man who was recently found to have 94 hamsters. He was persuaded to give them all up, although he had wanted to keep a few.

Stories My Dad Would Tell

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

My dad was a storyteller. My mom used to say that interesting things just happened to him, but I don't think that was the case. He paid attention to things that happened and thought about them and saw the humor where it might be and turned his life experience into a story. He shared his stories with the people around him.

When my dad was alive, I used to tell him stories back. I know this because after he died I experienced a keen sense of lose when something happened and I wanted so much to tell my dad the story and I couldn't. Well, I could, but I couldn't hear his chuckle and his comment and the story it reminded him of from his own life.

I have come to realize that my interest in blogs, both reading and writing them, had to do with telling stories. I am happier and more together when I can see my life in stories and reflect upon it. Otherwise I find myself wandering through the days wondering what I did and what I should have been paying attention to. For me, my life has more meaning when I see the stories evolving within it.

The Author of Life wrote my story and I am here to tell it. It is a lesson that I learned from my father.

My Working Life

2012-01-17T05:30:00.000-06:00

I am occupied most days throughout the school year at my job. I am a librarian in a large public middle school. I run a large library with over 18,000 volumes. I am the only librarian in a large room and until this year, I had no staff. This year I have a high school girl who comes between 10 to 15 hours per week.

There are times when my job in this large library can be exhausting. There is a lot of ground to cover. A lot of decisions to be made, from books to order, to books to withdraw. I move books around. I am the first librarian at this new school. I am establishing a program. Last year I moved every single book because I needed to loosen up the tight fictions shelves.

This winter, last week actually, I moved all the biographies. Those are the books you see against the wall. In order to do that, I moved the professional library to my workroom and tightened up the reference books.

I also made this display of award nominees. I am not artistic.

These shelves are being repopulated from the biographies that they used to contain.

Then I will move these books around the corner to the other side and loosen up these shelves.

This is the other side of the room, the fistion books. I am not moving any of these, this year.

And that is what is going on in my library these days.

Tornado Tree or It's A Topsy Turvy World

2012-01-16T08:37:00.001-06:00

So I am writing a post from my phone. Brevity will become the soul of wit at this rate.
Never satisfied with the easy thing to do. I am attemping to add a picture of our old cedar that was torn up by the tornado last year.

The upside down picture about describes my first attempt at mobile blogging. LOL

It Snowed on Thursday

2012-01-16T05:30:00.000-06:00

Last Thursday we should have had a snow day. I drove to work through the worst snow packed streets I have ever encountered driving to work. It was slick and cold. There wasn't a lot of snow. Less than 3 inches. But, it blew around and blew around and drifted. And unlike most snowy mornings, I didn't see any plows or salt trucks out at all. Surely they were somewhere, but I didn't see any.

In fact the very best street was the one at the end of my driveway, but all the rest were snow packed. But, it was pretty. I was astonished by the beauty of the blowing snow.

Our street did not look bad at all.

The parking lot at school had been cleaned when I arrived an hour later. However, in between the roads were snow packed.

I tried to take a picture of the blowing snow.

As you can see, there wasn't a lot of snow.

The part that looks like fog is blowing snow.

It was really blowing all day long.

But, at the end of the day, I was safe at home. That was a very good place to be. I imagined that the guardian angels were busy all day long.

Sunday Prayers

2012-01-15T06:30:00.000-06:00

O Lord, call to us and help us to hear your voice.

Help us to recognize Your action within and in the actions of our lives.

Help us to be amazed by Your great love for us. Amen

Scatter Brain

2012-01-14T05:30:00.000-06:00

Most of the time I am over scheduled and not planned far enough ahead. I fly by the seat of my pants or hold on my the skin of my teeth. I am busy. Often I think of some thoughtful gesture or polite thing only after it is too late to even think of such things. At least I am usually on time. Sometimes though I feel like a scatter brain.

This rush and hurried feeling is especially present during the holidays. Who among us doesn't have too much to do? Who accomplishes every plan and thanks each and every person who might be owed their thanks during the holiday season? Certainly not me. This year though, I was a little calmer and seemed to have a little bit more control over the chaos. I need to credit God's grace for this, rather than anything that I did. But, this year was a little better than some.

I was so caught up with things that on the Wednesday I got out of school I baked a coffee cake for a lady with whom I had an appointment the next morning. I even thought ahead to have a tray she didn't need to return and red wrap and a signed Christmas card. I was together. I could only imagine the delight in presenting my gift and having a nice chat with this person. I really had it together.

I showed up on time for the appointment, not a half hour early as I sometimes do. On time with 5 minutes to spare, I might add. The lady I was scheduled to meet with was in a meeting. I sat and chatted with the secretary. And chatted and chatted and chatted. Finally, an hour and a half later, the secretary tried to call though to my appointment lady. There was no answer and the secretary thought that perhaps they had used the back door and gone out to lunch. So I left my gift and card and went home.

This is the point where I might have been really unhappy and felt very bad or maybe I might even have been angry. Instead, I waited. I asked God what I was supposed to learn from the situation. The answer was humility. I should neither judge and berate myself for the times when I was stressed and didn't manage things as well as I hoped, nor especially should I feel proud and puffed up when I had it together. This lesson was especially true because even more than missing the appointment, I was sorry not to be able to present the coffee cake and be thanked for it.

On Friday an email came with an apology and a thanks for the cake. It had been a mix up and we are rescheduled for January. I learned from this to be humble. Being humble also involves forgiving myself and others for the times when I am too busy or preoccupied or make a mistake. Things happen. I need not to call myself a scatter brain.

7 Quick Takes

2012-01-13T05:30:00.000-06:00

Jennifer Fulwiler hosts this meme. Go visit the rest.

1. Despite the snow on Dec 27th, winter was largely absent this year. But yesterday the teeth of winter came out. and it has gotten cold (in the teens) and snowed (only a couple of inches, but blowing). But, seriously, I wouldn't mind skipping winter. It has my permission to pass us by this year. and in the church year we are back to ordinary time again. Green, green green. Even the church calendar is suggesting that we skip winter.

2. Thursday after school activities were cancelled (see picture above) and so I got to leave early. Considering that the roads were snow packed, the temperatures were in the teens and my hubby wasn't coming home until after the hockey game, I decided to chuck my plans to have a nice meal out before going home, I went home and hunkered down. Leftovers and television was good enough.
3. My woman's group has decided to watch the Catholicism DVDs by Father Robert Barron for our next "book". Our church has a copy of the set and we are borrowing theirs. I am really looking forward to that. It should be awesome. In the true meaning of awe inspiring.

4. I was recently praying about the way my life is going. It doesn't seem to be at all following the script I would have written for it. As I prayed, I recognized that I am not the script writer for my life, as much as I would like to be. The Author of Life has a plan, a mission for me, and it probably doesn't fit the script I would have written for myself. But, if I open my eyes and Praise the Lord and remember the goal is Heaven, this life will be even better than any script I could have written. There is wonder and excitement to behold each and every day.

5. I removed the feed burner that I had on the sidebar when I noticed that it advertised an alcoholic beverage website. Seriously, advertising alcohol is the very very last thing I would ever do on this blog. I apologize to anyone who might have seen such an ad here.

6. I have been trying to read more books lately. As part of my job, I really need to be familiar with as many as possible. And then I enjoy reading, so I try to read for that reason. And information....Terrible to be a librarian with too much to read.

7. Three day weekend ahead. I should have plans. But maybe the plans will make themselves. (This is a placeholder disguised as an entry.)

The Phone

2012-01-12T05:30:00.000-06:00

I considered for a long time before I upgraded my phone and joined the "Smart" phone world. I waited until my carrier had iPhones available. I had decided that was the way I wanted to go because everybody who had them seemed to love them. I didn't hear anyone with an iPhone say, in two years I will upgrade to an Android. Or, I sure wish I had my flip phone back. (Except my brother who kills phones as a hobby and he is no longer allowed by his wife to have a smart phone.)

But, me, I am not an Apple kind of gal. I have an iPod that sits mainly in the drawer. I thought I would listen to books on it, but that hasn't happened. If I listen to books, it is usually the CD player in the car, and not the iPod. I don't like the ear buds. And I hate hate hate the iTunes store or whatever it is called. It feels like an alternate universe when I am trying to do something in that "store." For that reason, I wasn't sure the iPhone was for me, despite the fact you could use it as a flashlight, as demonstrated by a colleague of mine. I carry a flashlight, thank you very much and that isn't what I need a phone for.

But, I had decided that iPhone might be it. I went to the carrier's store to get one and the guy told me how much better this smart phone was, unless you loved the iTunes store and the whole Apple universe. Well, I knew where I stood on that. So, I ended up getting a Samsung Galaxy SII. It has a huge screen and a lot of memory. It is a pretty cool phone. I am still learning things about it.

I look forward to giving it voice commands and having it give me directions to places. I doubt I will watch many movies on it. But, if I need to look up a flight time or an email on the road, I am set. And despite my tendency to name objects that I use a lot, I haven't named this baby yet.

But, I have tried to give the command--"Beam me up, Scotty." (So far, no luck with that one.)

And the Day After the Day After Christmas

2012-01-11T05:30:00.001-06:00

We drove home from Quincy in the rain. It was rather nasty driving in the rain. We dined at McDs and got home at a pretty good time.

Then in the morning, we awoke to a surprise.

It snowed! Quite a bit of snow! If all the rain of the previous day had been snow, it would have been a big snow.

As it was, it was a pretty wet snow.

The tree out front seemed to be making its own snowballs. (See the robin's nest? Robins aren't home.)

Snow has a way of cleaning up the brown winter landscape.

Our house looks cozy in the snow. But, it all melted by noon. And if you want my opinion, that was a good first, last and only snow of the winter. I have ordered no more.

But, there is a lot of winter ahead and I will be very surprised if this is all the snow we see.

Christmas Post

2012-01-10T05:30:00.000-06:00

It is inevitable that although the Christmas season is over, I am now doing my Christmas post. But, this was a good Christmas in so many ways, I don't want it to go unrecorded.

Hubby and I celebrated our anniversary on the 23rd. On Christmas eve I baked. On Christmas morning, we went to Mass with our son. Then I cooked a turkey and we had Christmas dinner. The next day we drove up to Quincy to celebrate Christmas with my mom, my sister and her family and my brother. We usually can't meet on Christmas because 1) my husband doesn't like to travel on Christmas and 2) my mom can no longer cook the feast, so we have to go when the restaurants are open. But, for me, the celebration with my family is the actual Christmas celebration. The sacred feast is very heartfelt and beautiful but the laughter starts with my siblings.

This is where we dined, The Pier. I asked my brother, a park district official, why it was named The Pier. Obviously it is built on a pier, but what is the history. He told me that the restaurant is built over a nineteenth century pier built for a railroad bridge. See the other one on the island on the other side of the river/bay?

I asked my brother because most of the land around the Pier is Quincy Park District so I figured that he would know. This park which is a view of the bridge and the park is what you can see from the Pier windows.

And this is some of us at the Pier. The rest of the pictures I took there were too dark. Sis, Mom and my son are visible.

Later we went up to Mom's apartment. This is bro and nephew.

My sister and her husband.

The card players.

Brother-in-law put together the shopping cart that they got for Mom.

And looking through the pictures, this is the only one of Mom, who was working in her tiny kitchen. I suppose that is why God has blessed her with a long life, she still has work to do.

Salt and Light

2012-01-09T05:30:00.000-06:00

You are the salt of the earth.....

You are the Light of the world.....

Salt and light, I was thinking about salt and light.

First, salt. Salt in a humble food addition in most recipes. Forgetting the salt often means leaving out the flavor. Ask me how I know. I am not a big salter of things and I forget about the salt sometimes. Adding the salt can make a difference from flat and odd tasting to fabulous or at least edible.

So, what does the call to be salt mean as applied to me? How can I be salt? Being present and not absent is an important characteristic of salt. But, not too much, be humble and don't overpower. By being salt I can make a difference and make things, if not fabulous, at least tolerable. But, I need to be present in the calls of my life. I need to just be me, a humble flavoring and not the main course. I need to keep the faith, my flavor, to be of any use. I am the salt of the earth when I am listening to God and put Him first in my life.

And light, what about light? When I think of light I think of the superstars, the people who attract attention like moths to the flame. But, then I think of a story I heard that happened during WWII. A large crowd gathered in the arena. All the lights were turned off and one candle was lit. It could be seen by everyone. This was done to demonstrate blackout procedures and why everyone needed to follow the rules. But one candle, seen by thousands, that is the kind of light I am called to be not a spotlight. Just light up my little corner of the world and only God knows how many people will see. And not me, but the light.

As I soldier through winter and try not to complain about the weather, I will try to remember to be salt and light

A Quick Recap

2012-01-08T20:29:00.001-06:00

It was a quick weekend. It seems to me. Friday hubby and I were both worn out. Saturday morning I ran around like a crazy person to get everything done. I lectored 5pm Mass. I did okay. I have done Epiphany readings a lot over the years.

Sunday I got word that a good friend is in the hospital again with pneumonia. She was in the hospital back in November for the same thing. So, lift up a prayer if you will for her. Hubby and I lunched at Culver's which is apparently open for Epiphany. I finished V Is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton. I have a weakness for murder mysteries. Now I can get back to the kid lit I am supposed to be reading.

Tomorrow ends the Christmas season with the Baptism of the Lord. But, I am packing the residuals away tonight. The wise men followed the star, came and left and it is soon to be ordinary time again. I called my mom and not much has changed except she told me that the light switch in her bathroom doesn't work unless she sticks an eraser in somewhere and does something. I am relieved that tomorrow she can report it to the "office" and have it repaired.

I am trying and trying to clean up the paperwork jumble that I have allowed to accumulate. I am not a tidy person. And sometimes I pay very dearly for that.

Have you tried Extra Dessert Delights gum? I am chewing Strawberry Shortcake flavor and I must confess that it is almost as good as the real thing.

That is all the news that is the news around here.

Prayers for Epiphany Sunday

2012-01-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

O, Lord, we have wandered far from You at times. We are the lost sheep, send a star and a shepherd. Lead us like the lost lambs we are. Help us to find You. Help us to find truth. Amen

O Christmas Tree

2012-01-07T15:19:00.000-06:00

Although the tree has been down a week, I am remembering this past Christmas.

I like to have a record of what the tree looked like.

Not that is doesn't look about the same each year.

We Three Kings

2012-01-07T05:30:00.000-06:00

As we fisnish up the Christmas season this week, let us reflect upon the call to spread the Gospel to all peoples and in every land on earth.

7 Quick Takes

2012-01-06T05:30:00.000-06:00

Jennifer Fulwiler hosts this meme. Go visit the rest!

1. I am not much of a resolution maker, but come what may, I need to lose weight this year. I need to for health and to feel well and to look better. For me, that invloves becoming more intentional about exercise and eating. That can only be a good thing. I have begun by taking several turns around my library each morning.

2. I recently got my very first smart phone just before new years eve. I didn't go with the iPhone because I am just not an Apple girl. I really like the phone. It is fun to play with and it will come in handy, I know. Next time I am lost in Trenton, NJ the guardian angels will have an easier job getting me out of a scary situation.

3. I finished and sent the baby quilt I have been periodically reporting on here. I am keeping my next project to myself. But, I have started one. I could really use a snow day to really get it going. Just one snow day, not several. But, I will try to accept whatever the good Lord throws at me in weather this year.

4. I don't text. But, with the new phone, I might. So, I got a texting dictionary. If you need to know any texting acronyms, just ask me. For example, did you know the texting symbol for cow is 3:-o Tell me that won't come in handy somewhere in your next text conversation?

5. We are thinking of getting ventless gas logs for our fireplace. It seems like all the air goes up the chimney and not having the flue open seems like a nice idea. But, I suppose we should get on it or winter will be over.

6. I had prayer group and women's group this week on Tuesday and Wednesday. I haven't been sleeping well, and I started back to work. I am wiped out. But, I love those groups and I like my job so I just need to get better sleep somehow.

7. I lector for Saturday evening Mass. I haven't been to the 5 o'clock Mass in years. I hope they do things the same as the morning Mass. If not, I will have to really pay attention.

God's Mighty Love

2012-01-05T06:12:00.000-06:00

I have been praying about God's call in my life. I am still busy with a career and have an aging parent to consider. I am hardly able or willing to devote the time necessary to keep a perfect house. (Or even a good enough house.) I need to lose weight and that won't happen without effort. I already help lead a prayer group and belong to another. And I lector when called upon. So, it isn't as though I am sitting on my hands with nothing to do.

But, somewhere in my life there is a call to more. And I am not sure what. I think perhaps it would be a teaching thing. I have thought of literacy or English as a second language. I would love to make a difference in the life of someone. But, maybe that is my own longing, and not God's call.

I have been called to formation for an upcoming retreat. I am trying to discern the call in that. Social me says, yes, it will be fun to gather with the women on Thursday nights and talk about the Lord. Introvert me says, no, you just don't have time to do another retreat right now.

Maybe a writing assignment, or some charity service or deep prayer or....I just don't know. The advice I have heard that has some resonance within me is--find your passion, follow your heart. So, I am digging around to find that place of passion within myself.

How will I know it, when I find it? I will know that call within my life because it will reflect God's mighty love for me.

Laugh More

2012-01-04T17:54:00.000-06:00

I was reading some old posts the other day. I realized that the last two years have been rough ones. But, somehow I used to be funnier, take it all less seriously than I do now. I reflect that I do a little Facebooking these days and sometimes my funny moments show up there and just don't make it to the blog.

But, if I have one resolution this year, it is to laugh more. I tend to be a serious person, but I can also be a clown. I enjoy the clowning side of me and I intend to let her out of the box a little bit more this year. This year besides losing weight and getting better organized and rid of junk and traveling, I plan, I resolve to laugh more. I resolve to see the humor in the situation. Because what is life, if not a good laugh sometimes?

The King's Story

2012-01-04T05:30:00.000-06:00

The story of the 3 Magi or kings fires our imaginations. So out of place to travel far following a star to bring gifts to a king, not your king, a king. Only a Heavenly King, the Heavenly King could inspire such a journey.

I ask myself, would I follow such an inspriation, a star and bring gifts to the King of Kings. Will I now do that?

The Battlefield

2012-01-03T19:10:00.000-06:00

Recently I read about a "nurse-in" at Target stores that was precipitated by some "team member" asking a nursing mom to move along. The news report I read seemed balanced and fair enough. Nursing is not an activity that everyone is familiar with these days. Target seems to have sent the errant employees to a re-education camp. (I jest.) (I hope, I jest.)

Once upon a time I might have grabbed my baby and headed over to Target to join the fray. But my 'baby' weaned some time ago, so it would just be silly for me to think I had anything to contribute. There was reference in the article to the mommy wars. I was on the nursing side during my time in the trenches, so I certainly know what they are talking about.

Breastfeeding a baby is not easy for most nursing moms in the beginning. A few blessed moms have easy births, easy babies and a lot of support and perhaps it is easy for them. But, in my experience (and I was ten years a breastfeeding support group leader so I helped a lot of moms) most moms have some problems at the beginning and some have problems throughout the nursing months or years. In order to face and overcome the difficulties, a mom must be convinced that she is doing the best, the right thing for her baby. That would automatically make bottle feeding the wrong thing, wouldn't it? If bottles were just as good, why bother? That is the breastfeeding position in the mommy wars.

I can't fairly represent the thinking on the bottle feeding side of the mommy wars. Some moms try to nurse and just can't for one reason or another. Working, which most moms of babies seem to do these days, makes nursing almost impossible for many moms. I don't lack sympathy for moms who due to various difficulties choose not to nurse.

I do, however, take issue with the descriptions by many people of nursing as gross, or provocative. I object to classifying nursing as a secret or totally private activity. Babies need to eat. If an artificial breast or nipple in the form of a bottle or pacifier are not obscene, then how can the real thing, nursing a baby be taboo? Jesus was a nursed baby. There are scriptural references that would lead one to believe that babies in Christ's time were nursed for 3 years.

Breastfeeding a baby is natural. Breastfeeding provides many benefits to both mother and baby. Anywhere it is okay to give a bottle to a baby, ought to be the same place that it is okay to breastfeed. If somebody gets a peek at part of a breast, oh well. The sight of the breast is only off limits due to the objectification of women and our bodies by our society. On the beach and on television you see so much more than a peek of a body part.

Next time some store or airport or other public place bans nursing, think about the humiliation of the mom who was asked to leave or go to a public restroom to feed her baby. Most public restrooms would be the last place I would feed a baby. For most of the year cars aren't a good place to feed either, being hot or cold and exposed to the public. Supporting moms who are feeding babies on both sides of the mommy war battlefield is pro-life. Being on the side of life means supporting and encouraging parenting. These days I am out of the trenches and on neither side, but life, I support life!

(And if you have read this far in my tirade, I apologize for being off-topic. I had something I wanted to say about this and Hope Echoes is my forum. Tomorrow I will continue with my normal conversations.)

What the Camel Saw

2012-01-03T05:30:00.000-06:00

Camel, what a strange and peculiar beast you are. Exotic to my eyes. You carried Magi to Him. O, that I could see what you saw, hear what you heard. But, in the year of the Church you are still carrying those Wise Men because the Three Kings haven't made it to the manger yet.

Recap of the Christmas/ New Year's Break

2012-01-02T18:59:00.000-06:00

As I sit here on the last afternoon of my vacation I heave a sigh of sadness and one of relief. I enjoy having time off, but I also really like my job. I have missed the kids and my colleagues. It will be good to get back into the routine again. Hard to do, but good.

I got a lot of things done, a lot of little things. And I have a lot that I might have done that went untouched. That is the way of vacations, don't you think?

I sit here on the brink of jumping into the whirlwind of being incredibly busy again without time to reflect or relax. I sit here with a decision to make that could make me even busier in the upcoming months, or a disappointing sigh that I said "no" to the call to serve. I am torn about this decision. I have prayed and prayed about it. I have discerned no clear leading. I am of two minds.

But, this was to be a recap. I started the break going for spiritual direction and having a lesson in humility and handling disappointment. Maybe I will blog about that later. Our anniversary was the 23rd (same date every year for 33 years, un-surprisingly) and we went out to eat and to Beauty and the Beast--the Broadway traveling production and enjoyed that. Then Christmas Eve was quiet. If you knew me at all in real life you would be shocked to hear that I had all the presents wrapped before Christmas Eve and I baked things for several hours on that day. We had a nice Christmas with our son beginning at Mass. Then the next day went to Quincy and had a nice Christmas with my family, I probably have pictures and everything that I haven't yet shared.

The week after Christmas was quiet. I got myself a new smart phone a Samsung Galaxy SII. I have no remorse. I like it. It doesn't change my life, but it is a handy thing to have. We went to Mass hubby and I on the 28th which is the feast of the Holy Innocents and the anniversary of the loss of our second child so many years ago. I finished a baby quilt for a friend and got it in the mail.

For New Year's Eve we stayed in, watched a movie, ate shrimp and drank sparkling grape juice as usual. We went to the eve Mass. So, on New Year's Day we were bad examples of celebrating Christmas the whole season and took down our tree. But, it felt good to put it away. I called my mom and her shopping cart is working out well and she loves the card our son gave her.

And this extra holiday day, Monday, January 2nd, we took down the outside lights, the weather has finally gotten cold. (It is supposed to get down to 16 tonight, the coldest so far this winter.) I made avocado chicken salad for supper. And now the holiday is a wrap.

(6am will be coming way too early tomorrow. But, the days are starting to get longer.) Hi ho hi ho....

One Two, One Two

2012-01-02T05:30:00.000-06:00

Twelve twelve is another way to say that, one two, one two. This is the last day of Christmas break for me. That pretend New Year's Day, because the real day falls on Sunday. And next year it falls on Tuesday because this is leap year, election year. I am not sure if I am ready to hear all the negativity, all the scandals, all the dire predictions of doom and calls for change and all that jazz that comes with an election year. Because, it is all so insincere and so orchestrated and so planned out to do maximum damage and achieve maximum gain. But, that's politics. I try not to think about it.

With this new year, the dozen year, stretched out before me, I wonder what I am being called to do? Where could I go to praise God the best? How can I put God first in my life? How should I run to meet the outstretched hand of God this year?

And will there be hawks? On Christmas eve I saw one out the back window.

Sunday Prayers

2012-01-01T06:30:00.000-06:00

Lord, bless our new year with Your love and grace. Help us in the many ways we would prefer to turn our back to your grace and mercy, to rather, turn and face Your endless love. Help us to be like Mary in our "yes" to You. Amen

New Year's Eve

2011-12-31T20:18:00.000-06:00

Here I sit on New Year's Eve reflecting on the year that is passing and the years past. This year 2011 is not one that I would readily repeat. It was fraught with emotion and trials. There were times when I wondered if the Lord had forgotten that He had a plan for me. Or whether I had wandered so far that I could no longer hear His voice. But there were other times when I knew that I was right in the palm of His hand and I felt His love for me. In short, it was a year of growth.

The problems of the year do not matter nearly so much as the lessons that I have been taught in a deeper and fuller way. I was always aware that the crosses I carried were a part of the journey. But, I have learned to try to see the crosses as gifts and to joyfully accept the crosses for the benefits in wisdom and courage and patience that they bring. And trust, I am learning to have even greater trust. The joy isn't always there, but I can find it more readily, even in the trials. It was a year of growth. And I am glad to come to an end to it.

I never can let this day pass without remembering that is was my dad's birthday. He would have been 92 this year. It has been too many years without him. He always ate pickled herring on his birthday. Usually my parents would get together with my aunt and uncle and friends and have a card party for new year's eve. We kids would get to have chips and dip for the one and only time of the whole year. French onion dip and new year's eve go hand in hand in my memories. We would watch some scary movie like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on television which would stay on until after midnight on that one night of the year (VCRs had not been invented yet).

For many years BigB and I have done the same thing on New Year's Eve. First we watch When Harry Met Sally. Then we eat shrimp and drink sparkling grape juice and watch the ball drop in New York at 11. Then we try to go to bed and the neighbors shoot fireworks and keep us up until 1. A nice predictable routine that should continue to serve us well through the years.

In the coming year, I hope to feel less sadness and more joy. I hope to have energy to contribute to building up the Kingdom and not just holding on for dear life. I hope to travel a bit. I promise myself that I am going to Oklahoma this year, no matter what. I am losing weight, no matter what. I am getting at least a little more organized, no matter what. And if the Good Lord has other plans for me, I will gracefully accept them, no matter what.

Happy New Year to all of you! May many blessings come your way!

Dust Bowl Soup

2011-12-31T05:21:00.000-06:00

We had this soup at a holiday party before Christmas. It is called dust bowl soup. It was delicious. The hostess said that the dust was already in the bowls before she served it. (Joke.)

Dust Bowl Soup

Ingredients
2 lbs beef bones or a piece of round steak
9 cups cold water
1/2 cup dry pinto beans
1/2 cup black-eyed peas
1/8 teaspoon dried crushed peppers
1 large onion, diced
1 cup chopped celery (leaves from the top included add flavor)
medium potato, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

Preparation
Place beef bones or round steak in a large pot with water. Cover and bring to a boil, then simmer very slowly for 2 hours. Add beans, black-eyed peas and dired peppers. Cover and simmer for 6 more hours. Add remaining ingredients, cover and simmer for 1 hour longer or until vegetables are tender. Taste and correct seasoning by adding more salt if needed. (This could be cooked in the crockpot.)

7 Quick Takes, the Old Year Edition

2011-12-30T05:30:00.000-06:00

Jennifer Fulwiler hosts this meme. If you want some interesting reading, go around and visit the others.

Tonight is the eve of the new year's eve. I thought I would look back at some of the events of the past year in my life and my neighborhood.

1. The weather in 2011 around here was frightful. Last new year's eve there were tornadoes that did significant damage in the area. There were several snow days. Then Good Friday there were tornadoes that destroyed an area blocks from my house. The summer started wet and ended very dry. I will never take tornado warnings lightly again.

2. This past year both my mother-in-law and my aunt passed away. Both were 85. The world seems strange without them in it somewhere. In both cases the widowers have hard, sad adjustments ahead.

3. I traveled more this year than in many years. In May I met my bloggy friend Jodye in Springfield, IL where we went to an Irish Dance competition with her daughters. In June my mom celebrated her 90th birthday with a big party and then later in the month we took a sentimental journey back to northern Illinois where I was born. Then in July my sister and I went out to DC and visited with one of our brothers and saw the sights. I had a fabulous time.

4. I lived vicariously through the milestone events in the lives of friends. One friend had a daughter (named after me) get married. Another had her first grandchild. Yet another announced a pregnancy. Another friend added a pig to the family collection of dogs and cats.

5. I was asked to write occasionally for the Community of Catholic Bloggers. I haven't added many posts to the collection. I feel like the silly girl in the room sometimes, but it has been a challenge to try to take a part in that worthy effort.

6. This year I was able to set up my my dining room with the table and hutch I bought when I was first married (30 something years ago) and dreamed of someday having a house with a dining room. It feels like a dream fulfilled.

7. Over this past year I have learned a thing or two about Divine Providence and accepting even the "bad" stuff that happens as opportunities for grace and expressions of God's love. I would have said that I knew that a year ago. But, this year I learned to live it in a deeper way.

Here Is a King, from Afar

2011-12-29T17:30:00.000-06:00

Epiphany, a discovery, a recognition. Will I have that recognition of the calling of the Lord in my life?

The Lights of Christmas

2011-12-29T05:59:00.000-06:00

On Christmas eve I took a little walk around the neighborhood. In our little subdivision, people decorate. They decorate for Halloween and Easter, but most especially Christmas, they decorate for Christmas. I started with our house. I basically throw lights on the bushes and tree.

Our neighbors were award winners this year. I think that they should thank us, because in contrast to us, they looked fabulous.

A few houses down they always go all out. I never quite understood the Shamrock, but it must be an Irish thing? The Shamrocks of Christmas?

I don't quite get the blue pools in front of the deer, but several people do it, so it must be in style. The first time I saw that, I thought, some of the lights must have fallen down.

This one was not a winner, but I thought it looked lovely and inviting.

The one next door was equally as nice. I liked the use of icicles without overdoing them.

This one had chimes playing Christmas carols. The nativity scene was lovely.

I laughed at this one, Santa front and center and large with a small manger scene off to the side.

Looking around my neighborhood this Christmas Eve I concluded that most people are happy, excited, positive about Christmas. The decorators are showing the world that they celebrate this Christmas season.

At one time in my life I might have been rather sour about the waste of money or the materialism, the lack of faith and the celebration of greed, but I have learned to take a kinder and softer view these days. Whether they even know it or not, they celebrate the birth of Christ, Savior of the world. The lights herald in the joyous celebration of His birth.

On Christmas Eve in my neck of the woods, all was calm and all was bright.....

Finding the Christ Child

2011-12-28T05:30:00.000-06:00

In my Advent prayers this year, I found myself meditating upon the gift of Christ's birth. He came as a baby. A baby who needs love and care and nurturing. A baby who couldn't survive without a mother's care. A baby who was totally dependent, innocent. Christ was needy when He came. He needed love. Often my mind takes me onward to thinking about Mary and Joseph and all the rest of the story.

But, this year I found myself focusing on Christ who was needy. Christ who needed me. I am called to meet Christ in those who need my care. I can meet Christ in those who need love. I find it somewhat overwhelming in our society to know what exactly to do about that. There is so much need and so much want and so much greed. How to meet the need without encouraging the greed?

I have found a few ways, and I am looking for a few more. I am keeping my eyes open so that even after Christmas is long over and hearts decorate the stores or even rabbits or flags, I will recognize the Christ child when I encounter him in the face of ones who need my love.

Today in the church is the feast day of the Holy Innocents, those children Herod had murdered trying to kill the Christ Child. It is my practice to go to Mass on this day. Many years ago I lost a baby on this day. And although I know that she or he prays for me and that someday we will meet in Heaven, I miss that person I never got to know in life. Going to Mass on this day, more than most unites me in prayer with that hole in my heart as we both praise and worship the living God.

4 Years Into This Thing

2011-12-27T06:30:00.002-06:00

Four years ago I started this thing, the blog. I didn't know what I was doing. I still don't. It is fun to play with words and pictures. It is fun to pretend as though I might know what I was doing with design. It keeps me busy when I am lonely. It can stress me out when I am really, really busy. It has become a part of my life. I blog about it.

Overall, I find that blogging has enriched my life, has made me think, has made me look deeper into myself. I have a few friends I might never have 'known' without the blog. They have helped me figure out some things about myself. Whether I wanted to know or not.....

I have learned some principles that work for me in the bloggy world.
1.) Write like my mother is reading every word. (She might get a computer and do just that someday!)
2.) It is generally better to disguise my own and other's identity in the bloggy world because there are some not so nice people out there and being safe is better than sorry.
3.) But, that being said, it is better to be as real and true in the bloggy world as possible, because nobody really wants to read some fake journal about things that are made up.
4.) Being nice is always better than venting or getting even on the blog. If I can't say something nice, better to shut up.
5.) I use the blog as a personal journal more than as a venue to attract a lot of readers in order to sell books or ads, so I don't worry about just being me.
6.) Since I don't need to make money from the blog, I write what I want and don't stick to a theme or one topic.
7.) Pictures always make the blog more interesting.
8.) For me, writing a little ahead and editing and adding to things works better than writing posts that day. Many is the time when I have decided against posting something or made major revisions before something posted. It saves going back and taking things down later. (But I do that too.)
9.) If I find I am getting a lot of "hits" from Indonesia or Singapore or Korea for something I posted like "shi shi dogs" or book drop, I will go back and pull the post or change it so as not to attract attention of an audience that I do not usually attract.
10.) My primary purpose of this journal it to spread goodness and hope into the world through the message of Jesus Christ. But, that said, I don't consider myself an entirely "religious" writer. My faith touches my life and my life touches my faith. There is connection in all of it. And sometimes the one I am evangelizing is myself.
11.) It is harder to blog when life gets tough, but not impossible.
12.) All of the encouragement I get from people when I whine about things has really encouraged me. And embarrassed me.
13.) I like to post every single day, whether I have something to say or not.
14.) I am not a joiner or award giver or winner or contributor to other blogs for the most part.
15.) I have learned more from blogging and reading the blogs of others, than I have taught anyone through the blog.
16.) At some point down the road, I may run out of words, and then I will quit. But, that hasn't happened yet.

So, there you have it, happy birthday, Hope Echoes.... I guess you are good to go for another year.

Twas the Day After Christmas

2011-12-26T03:29:00.000-06:00

Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring....

Because everybody was off having fun with the new toys and visiting with relatives.

Happy Boxing Day!

Behold, A Savior is Born

2011-12-25T02:26:00.000-06:00

O Beautiful Savior, we have waited so long for your coming. We long to have You with us. We pray for the coming of Your Kingdom. O Precious Jesus, be with us we pray. Dwell among us. Fill our hearts with Your love. Amen

Bless the Babe

2011-12-24T06:30:00.000-06:00

And now we wait for the joyous coming of the Lord into our hearts once again.

O Emmanuel

2011-12-23T20:22:00.001-06:00

"O Emmanuel, God-with-us, our king and lawgiver, the one whom the nations await and their savior: come to save us, O Lord our God." (Isaiah 7:14. 33:22)

O come, O come, Emmanuel....

Come into our hearts. We wait for you with hope and expectation. Come and do not delay!

7 Quick Takes

2011-12-23T09:48:00.002-06:00

Jennifer Fulwiler hosts this meme. It is worth going around and visiting the others.

This is my 7 QTs, the Christmas Traditions Edition.

1. In our house, the manger scene is the first decoration that gets put up. I set the wise men across the room or somewhere else. I hide the Baby Jesus and I have Mary and Joseph and the donkey somewhere on the way to the stable. Usually the angel waits there with the sheep and the ox and the shepherd. In my childhood we had a plastic manger scene that we energetically moved around the room to prepare for Christmas. These days, with just the two of us, I don't act it out as much.

2. I have had an Advent wreath in recent years. It isn't part of my family's tradition. This year we didn't even light the candles. Without little ones to wait in anticipation or a long family tradition with memories, for me the Advent wreath is a take it or leave it event. That doesn't mean that I won't gladly do it next year.

3. I have been working on a Christmas tree skirt for over twenty years. I might have finished it this year if I hadn't gotten so involved in baby quilts. If I wanted to finish it, I could, but I am not sure what to do with it. It is too pretty and I worked too long on it to let the cats sleep on it. And I know they will.

4.I used to make homemade ornaments every year. In part because I hate glass balls and hoped to replace them. Then a couple of years ago we inherited all of my mother-in-laws decorations which included a ton of glass balls. I am getting used to them. And some of my homemade ornaments were not pretty or even very cute.

5. By proclamation, we always have silver tinsel or we have none. That was tradition in my hubby's home of origin.

6. I like to bake for Christmas. I am the family spritz baker by virtue of growing up in northern Illinois and learning the trick in home ec classes.

7. I never never consider putting up the tree before Thanksgiving. A couple of weeks before Christmas though is soon enough without getting exhausted putting it up on Christmas eve. And after slogging through the tree lots for many years and sweeping needles and never getting the tree straight, we always have an artificial tree and it always looks homespun and never elegant or commercial. The cats like it that way.

Beauty and the Beast

2011-12-23T05:46:00.000-06:00

Today is our 33 anniversary, Big B and me. We are going to the Fabulous Fox to see Beauty and the Beast. Your guess as to which of us is which. Big B agreed to take me in a weak moment, I think. Sometimes we go to movies, but I really love to go to a play for our anniversary. People can give each other china and watches and whatever, but I like to go out for my anniversary. (A trip to Paris would be better, but I will be satisfied with a play.)

Even though it is so close to Christmas (what was I thinking?), we always do something for our anniversary. Big B is very good about that. My most memorable anniversary was one year in Hawaii when we took our son with us to a very fancy restaurant in Honolulu. Our young son was just so impressed by the fancy-ness of the place. Seeing it through his eyes was what impressed me. I hope someday if he is married, he will remember that and take his wife to a fancy place.

But, tonight it will be a tale as old as time....so the story goes....

O King of Nations

2011-12-22T20:19:00.001-06:00

"O King of the Nations and their desire, the cornerstone that makes both one: come, and save the human race, which you fashioned from clay." (Isaiah 2:4; 9:6; 28:16; cf. Psalm 2:7-8; Ephesians 2:14-20)

This antiphon is represented by a crown for the king of the nations. He is our King and there is no other!

Shepherds Were Keeping Watch

2011-12-22T06:36:00.000-06:00

The shepherds were keeping watch over their flock by night. They were just living their daily life. Then the angels choirs sang. That must have been a shock or at least a surprise. What would we do if the angel choirs suddenly sang for us in the midst of our daily lives?

Listen, do you hear them?

O Radiant Dawn

2011-12-21T20:14:00.006-06:00

"O Radiant Dawn, splendor of light eternal and sun of justice: come, and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death." (Isaiah 9:1; cf. Isaiah 60:1-2; Malachi 3:20; Psalm 19:6-7)

Dawn is when our hope arises. Anything that is possible seems more possible at dawn. The promise of a new day. Come, O Radiant Dawn!

December Magnificat

2011-12-21T06:05:00.012-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I went to the December Magnificat, the women's prayer breakfast. The center was decorated for Christmas.

I love the blue spruce.

Mary was there. The breafast was right after the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary and right before Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The table decorations were cheerful.

Ladies entering the Rigali Center.

The lamp reminded me of the one from the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Thankfully for us it is not always winter, never Christmas. We have hardly had winter at all yet this year. Surely I will pay for those words.

O Key of David

2011-12-20T20:03:00.009-06:00

"O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, you open so that no one else can close again, you close so that no person can open: come, and lead the captive from prison, free those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death." (Isaiah 22:22; cf. Isaiah 9:6; 42:7; Matthew 16:19; Revelation 3:7)

This antiphon is represented by a key.

The Cattle Are Lowing....

2011-12-20T05:37:00.008-06:00

The manger, the feed box for the ox and donkey became the bed for the Bread of Life. The oxen shared their hay with the newborn King of Life. O blessed ox, that you would have such favor rest on you. Away in the mager, no crib for a bed.....

O Root of Jesse

2011-12-19T21:48:00.008-06:00

"O Root of Jesse, you stand as a signal for the people; before you kings shall fall silent and to you the nations shall make their prayer: come to deliver us, and do not delay." (Isaiah 11:1-3, 10; 45:14; 52:15; Micah 5:1; Romans 15:12)

This antiphon is usually represented by a tree. Life, the nations should stand in awe of life. They shall fall silent.

Wimpy Kid Day

2011-12-19T05:51:00.001-06:00

You probably didn't know this, but today is Wimpy Kid day at my school. I have invited 45 children to lunch with me in three shifts to celebrate the Wimpy Kid books. What is a Wimpy Kid, you might be asking, unless you parent a tween who goes to public school. The Wimpy Kid books are a phenomenally successful series of kids books about Greg, a wimpy kid. The books are no Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, but they do touch upon experiences that kids have in the tween years in society today. Reading is a good thing, and these books are a gateway to reading for many kids.

The latest book Cabin Fever was released in mid-November, so my party is a little late this year. Often I hold the party the day after the books are released, but this year we had a Shakespeare thing going on around that time and then Thanksgiving, so the week before Christmas break seemed like as good a time as any.

I give a rather wimpy party as one of the prizes is the chance to check out the Cabin Fever book. But, this year, I also have one to give away to some lucky party goer thanks to a kindly English as a Second Language teacher who happened to have an extra copy.

While this has nothing at all to do with Advent or the week before Christmas, still, it echoes for me the call to rejoice and wait with anticipation.

O Lord

2011-12-18T22:39:00.000-06:00

"O Lord and leader of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come, and redeem us with out-stretched arm." (Isaiah 33:22, Exodus 3:2; 24:12)

This antiphon is often represented by the tablet with the Ten Commandments (as opposed to the ten suggestions that seem to be practiced by many today). Remebering that God is Lord. That Jesus is Lord is what this antiphon is about. He is powerful. We are weak. He commands and we follow.

These are called burning bushes.

O Christmas Tree

2011-12-18T20:37:00.000-06:00

We got the tree finished up this weekend. Lights, tinsel, ornaments, now I suppose that there should be presents....and food....and, oh, well, I have almost a week to get the rest of it done. If it wasn't for a pesky three day work week coming up, I am sure I could get it all done. I wonder if Amazon delivers turkeys with all the trimmings? At least I hope they will get the gifts I ordered here on time. Every year I say, next year we will simplify. But, somehow, that simple year never comes.

We went to a Christmas caroling party last night. It was our best year ever. There was a two year old who wanted us to sing more. And only a couple of people refused to listen at all. It is a fun idea for a party. We came back to the house and had Dust Bowl Soup. I will include the recipe the week after Christmas sometime.

I called my mom. Her Methodist pastor who was only 52 passed away last week. But, Mom went to the doctor and was told that she has the test results of a 60 year old. Since I am 58, I think that is cutting it rather close. Mom has her Christmas cards finished. That is a lot better than what I am looking at. Not one card sent yet. I hope to correct that tomorrow. At least the tree is up around here.

Prayers for the 4th Sunday in Advent

2011-12-18T06:46:00.000-06:00

O Hear the Angels sing. Rejoice! Praise our marvelous God who made all things.

Come into our hearts, Holy Spirit and stir us up. Stir up our love for God.

Come Savior who taught us love. Come Emmanuel and dwell among us. Come Redeemer and rescue us.

Rejoice in all things great and small. Rejoice in the afflictions. Rejoice in the grace. Amen

O Wisdom

2011-12-17T23:27:00.000-06:00

O Wisdom, you came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: come, and teach us the way of prudence. (Isaiah 11:2-3, 28:29; Sirach 24:2; Wisdom 8:1)

Today begins the O Antiphons. This one is often represented by a book, the Bible.

Bumps Along the Way

2011-12-17T06:32:00.000-06:00

Going deeper into the mystery of God's love has been a theme within my prayer life of late. I was of the opinion that I loved God with a true and everlasting love. I was of the opinion that I had few false gods before me and that I trusted God. Whenever I would discover the false gods tricking their way into my Way with God, I would try to root them out. At least that is where I thought I was.

But, the bumps in the road of late have shown me something ugly that I don't like. I have always tried to make wise and Godly choices. I have felt that by making wise and Godly choices I was building my house upon the rock, not on sand. I felt that the firm foundation would get me through. I thought that my firm foundation would leave me ahead of others who didn't make the wise choices. In the back of my mind I think I expected that God would love me more for all my efforts. I never really took it out and looked at it squarely, but I think I expected reward for my goodness.

There is nothing necessarily wrong with the wise choices and the firm foundation in God. Nothing at all wrong. I just neglected the part of the story where the rains came. They came for the sand and the rock houses. The story doesn't say that the rock house people weren't left clinging to the rock, they just weren't washed away at the first deluge. They had something to hold onto. I have faith to hold onto.

But, I also realized that God doesn't love me better. I build on the rock to my own benefit, not God's. That I am called to love the ones who don't follow the wise ways and make good choices. The troubles and the bumps along the way draw me closer to the mystery of God's love. Those bumps are sharing in the cross of Christ. They are entering into the mystery. The bumps along the way are blessings.

7 Quick Takes, 3rd Week of Advent

2011-12-16T06:00:00.004-06:00

Jennifer Fulwiler hosts the 7 Quick Takes. If you want to join in, go visit some more of them.

1. By Friday night last week I was exhausted. The looming duties of Christmas from shopping, to cards, to decorating a tree, to thinking about the food and finishing that quilt were overwhelming me. Most of the social stuff is about over. I need to make a list or two. And check it twice.

2. On Monday I went to the dentist. Good report. Relief.

3. We put up the tree Monday night. Just the tree, no lights or decorations. I bought that tree last year in a fit of trying to be merry and bright. Our old tree fell apart after many years of service. I haven't adjusted to the new tree yet. It makes me feel sad.

4. I went for a walk on Sunday and saw this--

And some say that St.Louis isn't the South!

Of course, by Thursday it was freezing around here and they are speaking of more snow. But, that is life in a border state. We don't know if we are north or south.

5. On Tuesday we had 2 new people at prayer group. That swelled our numbers to 12. The Holy Spirit was encouraging us in praise. Praise in all circumstances.

6. I got 6 boxes of new books at my library on Tuesday afternoon. It took all day on Wednesday to unpack them. Upon doing so, I discovered that some of the ones I had really looked forward to seeing were not in that shipment. Away, I want Away, okay? By Thursday I had most of them mostly processed. Considering I am largely a one woman show and I had classes throughout the day, I think that was remarkable.

7. On Sunday when I spoke to my mom she told me all about how sorry she was for people like her sister who only have one child because they don't have people to take care of them in their old age. And all I could think of was--like me, Mom. I only have one child and I guess nobody will take care of me in my old age. But, I will just have to take care of myself.

Lost Lambs

2011-12-15T05:30:00.001-06:00

Like sheep without a shepherd are we until our hearts convert. Conversion happens and then happens again and again as our faith and our love grows.

The mystery of faith is not a mystery in that we can't understand it. It is a mystery because we can never reach the end of growing deeper in it. We can never fully understand, but we can understand some and then understand some more.

But until we begin the conversion process we are like sheep, without a shepherd. And He looks for us, calling us to Him.

Of Pads and Pods and eReaders....

2011-12-14T05:30:00.001-06:00

I am a librarian. I am a lover of books and reading. I never thought I would say this, but I spend more time at my computer these days than with a book in my hand. Librarians are always on the cutting edge of technology when it comes to books and reading. There were libraries before Gutenberg invented the printing press and all the books had to be copied by hand. There will be libraries in some form or other even after paper becomes too expensive to waste on mere books.

True to my profession, I am trying to keep up with information technology. It is hard to tell which way it will all fall out whenever there is new technology at hand. I remember when it was predicted we would all be reading microfiche. Don't know what that is? I heard that prediction more than 30 years ago and I guess that it didn't come to pass. I did use microfiche to read some journal articles when I was working on my master's degree a little more than a decade ago, but journals are all on computers now.

These days the technology at hand are the eReaders. The problem with this technology is that there are several operating systems that are not compatible and no standard has been established for eReaders yet. My own problem is that I wish to become familiar with the technology. I don't know which way to go. I would like a device with e-ink not back lit like a computer screen. I have old eyes and e-ink causes less eye strain. I would like to use the Follett Shelf I have for my school library and also the local public library, as well as buy books of my own. As long as I could use my free books, I would not care if all the books I purchased had to come from a particular jobber (book vender). I want the device to be reasonably tough and useable and light weight. And not too expensive. Aye, there is the rub. The $79 readers don't do all of the things I want them to do. The i-Pad is very pricey. Will the Kindle Fire do what I want? The Nook pad? The Nook Color? Or should I get a Sony?

Someday I am going to make up my mind about this. The lure of being able to carry several hundred books in an eReader is enticing to me. I picture myself with a Nook or Kindle or iPad in my purse instead of a book bag. Very enticing.

I wondered what you all are reading? Kindle? Nook? iPad? Paper and ink books? Or do you read on your phone? I am asking everyone I know. What are you reading on?

Angels Rejoiced

2011-12-13T05:30:00.002-06:00

O blessed angel, who stands in the presence of God.

Angels are around us watching over us, keeping us safe.

Angels.

The coming of Our Savior called forth angels. Angels all around. For if you were an angel, would you want to be anywhere else when our Savior was born?

O, Joseph

2011-12-12T05:30:00.003-06:00

O Joseph, you had a worthy job. The weight on you was heavy. Fathers, carpenters, workers all look to you as example, as role model, as intercessor. You listened to angels in your dreams. You journeyed far for Our Lord. O Joseph, you were blessed to know Our Lord from His birth. You saw the beginning of His journey.

Joseph was there when he was needed and did what he was told. Joseph trusted God. I pray to be more like St. Joseph and do what I am told and be there when I am needed. And listen to the guidance of the angels.

Recapping the Weekend, Pink Sunday

2011-12-11T21:05:00.001-06:00

Our associate pastor, in residence, who will be going off to the Air Force next week did something at Mass this morning that brought tears to my eyes. It will be one of his last Sunday Masses with us and I realized that I will miss him a lot. The kids from the full time school brought up the offering. The littlest boy, maybe preschool or kindergarten, was carrying up the collection with two older girls. Father Ed, who is very tall, squatted down to the little boy's level before he even got close to the altar and then whispered something to him when he received the basket. I haven't described it adequately, but it was precious. Rejoice! Rejoice!

Father Ed however was quick to tell us all that his vestments were rose, not pink, because he doesn't wear pink. I don't know, looked pink to me. Rejoice!

And I had pictures of the tiny bit of snow we got last week, ~~but it is on the other computer, so I will come back and add it later if I think about it.~~ Added pictures.

I have decided that I must do some Christmas cards, so I pared the list down from 60 to 33. If you don't get a card from me this year, that would be why. But, really, several people have passed away and some have moved and I got the cards returned and there is no use sending to that address again. And my cousins have a Facebook group, so I will be wishing them Merry Christmas over there. Most of them never sent me cards anyway. I just wanted to keep in touch with them, and Facebook works.

I went to Magnificat, the Catholic women's prayer breakfast on Saturday and tried to upgrade my phone with no luck. I have already described Mass this morning. Then we went out to Culvers for lunch and I shopped in Sam Walton's store. Which broke two of my rules--shopping on Sunday and shopping with Mr. Walton. But, my son asked for something from there. So, done shopping for him.

Then this evening, hubby and I rearranged the family room. It looks pretty good. It is inevitable that we end up arranging things to fit the tree. Which will probably go up next weekend. And I called my mom. She is fine. Rejoice.

Prayers for the Third Sunday in Advent

2011-12-11T06:30:00.001-06:00

Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord always and in all circumstances! Sing praises to our God who made Heaven and earth and came to dwell among us. Rejoice, again I say rejoice! Amen

A Lowly Little Donkey

2011-12-10T05:28:00.002-06:00

The donkey has to be one of the lowliest animals in the stable. Even the other name for the donkey is not used in polite society. But, the donkey was useful. At least in the depictions of the stable. The donkey carried Mary to Bethlehem. And then carried them to Egypt. O, blessed donkey to have such a privilege.

It seems sometimes I want high service. I want credit for the things I do. I want to be esteemed and respected. Not that I am a power hungry selfish person in all ways. But, I prefer getting credit. I don't like to be ignored. But, look at the donkey. Neither esteemed or respected and yet, able to give high service to our Lord. Able to use his gifts to do great things.

Lord, help me to be more like the donkey. Help me to use my abilities whatever they may be in humble service to you.

7 Quick Takes, Advent, week 2 of Advent

2011-12-09T05:30:00.002-06:00

Jennifer Fulwiler hosts this meme. Go visit her and all of her friends.

1. Last Saturday morning I made a list of the things I planned to accomplish that morning. I was amazed at how much I was able to accomplish in a short time span with a clear plan. I went to Weight Watchers, registered my car, deposited a check in the bank, filled the car with gas, called the vet and beat my husband home from his Saturday morning group. Then we went to the vet to pick up the cat medicine (thyroid) and out to lunch. It helped, I suppose that most people were out shopping, so there weren't many lines at any of those places. Go shopping, everyone, so I can get things done!

2. At Mass on Sunday there was still a lot of "And also with you"s going on. And with your spirit. Father suggested that perhaps as part of Advent, we could dedicate ourselves to learning the new responses at Mass. Forty years of learning the responses and one Advent to relearn them doesn't seem like enough time.

3. In Spiritual Direction last week and confirmed at Mass on Sunday was the notion of waiting in hope and expectation. We don't wait for Christmas like we wait for a bus, just passively sitting there. It shouldn't be all running to stores and baking cookies either. Preparing our hearts and actually being able to come to Mass on Christmas Day and pray about the things we have done in preparation for receiving Jesus on that special day should or could be a goal. The things we have done for the poor, the things we have done for our soul, the things we have done to grow closer to Him.

4. This week I had my women's group Christmas Party, the Librarians' Christmas Party, a Holy Day and tomorrow I have Magnificat. It is an exceedingly busy week. I wonder if I will get around to decorating the house or sending any Christmas cards this year? I suppose making a plan might help.

5. I am up to the edges of the quilt for the baby due in December (this December). I really need to step on it. The edges take time. Since the baby is going to be a boy, I am glad I didn't go with the pink roses.

6. First snow on Wednesday but not measurable. Exciting none the less.

7. I gave my book club candy canes and they were quiet Thursday after school, for an hour. I think I will invest in candy canes.

Hail, Mary

2011-12-08T05:30:00.001-06:00

Yes, she said, yes!

Mary's "yes" was cause for rejoicing in all of creation.

She didn't know what it all meant.

She didn't have any conditions or control of the situation.

She said "yes" to God.

How many times do we say "yes" to God? How often do we even hear, even try to listen to what He is asking of us? In my own prayer life I try to listen to God, but I carry on most of the conversation. It is easier to hear myself than to hear God.

Listen! He is whispering to you. Listen!

(And don't forget, today is a Holy Day--Immaculate Conception of Mary!)

A Very Merry Advent by Candlelight

2011-12-07T05:30:00.000-06:00

On Friday night I played hostess for a table at our parish's very first Advent By Candlelight. Many churches do this, have an evening early in Advent for Women to get together, hear a speaker, have dessert, and talk. As hostess, I got to invite my table. I invited my women's group of whom there are more than 8 members. I thought I had one too many, but someone cancelled at the last minute and I had the perfect 8 at my table.

Since tonight I have my women's group holiday social with some of the same women, I thought this would be an appropriate opportunity to share a bit about the evening of last Friday, Advent By Candlelight.

When invited to be a hostess, initially, I thought--no way! But, then encouraged by my women's group, I said "yes." But I had some fears about how it would all turn out. This was my centerpiece.

My party favor was this teeny tiny package wrapped up with a poem about love being in it.

This was my table. I have to admit, when I came in to set up, I almost turned around and left. But, all things considered my table was good enough. If I do it next year, I will have place mats to make the dishes stand out. But when the lights went way down, the glass sparkled. But, I thought I would show you some of the other tables. In case you need decorating ideas for your Christmas table.

There were twenty tables, and I only took pictures of some of them. Each one was prettier than the next.

Looking across the room, you can see that there was quite a variety.

It was only dessert and coffee we were serving, but look at the china! Lovely.

Gorgeous!

I liked the Advent themed ones.

But, the Christmas ones were pretty too. And who has purple plates? Well, one lady did and she said that they weren't new. I didn't get a picture of those.

Someone gave candy canes and glass balls as favors.

This one makes lovely use of paper plates and a variety of place mats.

Our speaker was Father Christopher Martin who spoke on the O Antiphons from Isaiah's prophesies. The part that stuck with me was to keep praying and trust in Divine Providence.

It was a lovely evening altogether. After my little piece of nerves at my table looking inadequate, I just let it all go and enjoyed the evening.

St Nick

2011-12-06T05:30:00.000-06:00

Gifts, so many gifts we want. Things, and patience, and joy and love. Health and friendships and freedom and peace. We want it all. I wonder what St. Nicholas will bring?

I wonder what I will bring to the stable this year? What do I have to offer the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Nothing I have would be good enough. What should I bring?

Hanukkah Coffee Cake

2011-12-05T05:30:00.001-06:00

I made this recipe to serve my Thanksgiving guests for breakfast the next morning. It is a very good recipe and not only to share with you do I put it here, but the next time I want to find it, I know where to look.

Ingredients
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
8 ounces (1 container) sour cream

1. Grease and dust with flour a 9 to 10 inch tube pan with removable bottom. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In one bowl combine 2 c flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl mix nuts, 1/2 c sugar, cocoa and cinnamon.
3. In a large bowl, with medium speed mixer, beat 1 c sugar and butter until creamy and well mixed. Add eggs, beating well. Beat in vanilla. Then beat in flour mixture from small bowl alternating with sour cream until just blended. Scrape bowl to make sure everything is mixed in.
4. Evenly spread half the batter into the pan. It may require spreading as the mixture is not runny. Sprinkle 2/3 of the nut mixture from the other bowl on the batter in the pan. Top with the remaining batter and sprinkle the rest of the nut mixture on top.
5. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until wooden skewer inserted in center comes out with a few crumbs attached.
6. Cool pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Loose cake from the side of the pan. Lift the removable side and allow the cake to cool completely before carefully lifting it off of the pan.

This made a dense coffee cake that was very good with a warm breakfast beverage like coffee or tea or cocoa.

And the magazine that I adapted this recipe from called it Jewish Coffee Cake because it was made by Jewish bakeries. I thought Hanukkah sounded more in keeping with the season. But, in my head I call it sour cream coffee cake, because that is the unusual ingredient I would need to buy in order to make it. You are welcome to call it something else.

Recapping the Weekend

2011-12-04T21:25:00.002-06:00

Friday night the Advent by Candlelight at church was really lovely. I have a post scheduled on Tuesday with pictures! So, I won't go into it here, except to say that it was lovely.

Saturday I did a lot of things from vets, to car registrations, to the bank, to Weight Watchers and more. I got a lot done. As previously mentioned, it was my sister's birthday and I talked to her briefly via phone. I almost got an iPhone Saturday afternoon, but decided on a Samsung, but needed a screen protector, so I am holding on that one.

Sunday, we went to Mass, and still messed up the words! And with your spirit...I need to say that over and over again. It turned cold and it is supposed to snow a bit and have temperatures in the 20s. I guess that will finally bite back the roses that are blooming and the annuals still growing at my front door.

I talked to Mom. She is very upset that people are saying that Social Security and Medicare are making the country bankrupt because she doesn't want that to be true. At 90, I hope she doesn't have to worry about that.

And it is Pearl Harbor Day on Wednesday. I used to live above Pearl Harbor and saw the Arizona Memorial every day. There was still oil coming up out of that ship even all these years later. A day that will live in infamy, but only if we keep it alive. December 7! (Corrected to add the correct date.)

Second Sunday in Advent Prayers

2011-12-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

O God, as the flowers dance in joy of Your creation, teach us to dance. As the flowers wait for the rain teach us to wait. As the flowers, teach us to be as the flowers. Teach us to walk in Your love. Amen

Happy Birthday, Sista

2011-12-03T05:30:00.000-06:00

You were always Martha to my Mary. You were and are always a good girl. You were the baby. You had imaginary friends and made demands for things that the rest of us would never have thought to ask for. But, you were smart and you knew what you wanted.

I admire you, Sista, because you work for what you want and rarely seem to compromise. You are generous and competent and a loyal friend. You are the person I can have the most fun with and the person who can drive me the most crazy.

Our lives have taken us different directions and yet we have ended up in the same state. And some would say that is the state of confusion, but they would be wrong. And we put up with our crazy brothers and not many could have done that. And Mom. But, that is another story.

Anyway, Sista, today you are 53 if I have done my math correctly, and it is possible I haven't because math was never my strong suit. Maybe you are really 35, it certainly seems like that should be the case. But, whatever the year and where ever you are, Happy Birthday to You!

Seven Quick Takes, First Week of Advent

2011-12-02T05:30:00.000-06:00

Jennifer Fulwiler hosts this meme. Go around and visit the others.

1. The sky is so big this time of year and darkness descends early. I love to find the constellation Orion which only appears in winter. But as I look over the heavens, sometimes I look east to see if a star is rising. I probably wouldn't recognize it, if it was. But, I look. Mainly, I see airplanes coming into the airport. Lucky wise men didn't have that problem.

The header picture at the moment is the neighbor's Christmas lights through my storm door on a rainy night. It looked mysterious for Advent.

2. Thanksgiving was lovely. My ninety year old mother who is getting just a wee bit forgetful is talking about getting a computer and paying her bills online and checking out Facebook. She doesn't know about my blog or that would be another thing she would do. If only to correct my grammar and spelling. My sister is encouraging this computer purchase, me not so much. Perhaps I have more to hide.

3. My sister once again left salad dressing here from the salad she brought for Thanksgiving. Last year the Italian dressing she brought was here until we lost everything when the power went out on Good Friday from the tornadoes. This year she left some peppercorn ranch which I may actually forget to give her back.

4. Tonight I am a hostess at Advent by Candlelight. This is the first time my church will have such an event, but I hear lots of churches do this. I will bring a dessert, have table settings, a centerpiece, snacks and party favors; and the church will provide a speaker and some music. It is an opportunity to get together for something spiritual before the craziness of Christmas preparations set in. At least that is the hope.

And I think I will bring these dishes. My mom and grandma and great aunt had these snack trays which lots of women used to have. They loaned them for showers and teas. We mostly use paper plates for such things these days. But, this is my chance to use them. So, I will. It might be my one and only time.

5. I have made a change this year in my listening habits. I have been an Advent purist, trying to avoid Christmas music until Christmas. Of course, out among the English that is not possible, but in my car and home I did not do Christmas music. And this year, I changed. Hopefully it isn't a mortal sin, but I have a Christmas CD in the car and I find it very calming to listen to Holly Jolly Christmas and O Little Town of Bethlehem. Like Auntie Mame, I found that I needed a little Christmas this year. And I told myself, I know the baby is coming and He will be wonderful, counselor, Prince of Peace and Mighty God, so it isn't like I am spoiling the surprise. And I may put the tree up earlier this year too.

6. My brother brought me these Russian chocolates from his shopping trip in St. Louis before heading back to Quincy with my mom on the day after Thanksgiving. At first I thought they were a Russian book. I don't quite know what to do with them.

7. I went to Spiritual Direction on Wednesday. My director suggested that I wait with anticipation during Advent. She suggested I meditate on Romans 5:5. She doesn't read my blog. I am a great meditator on that, my favorite scripture verse. (See my blog description above, if you don't get what I am talking about.)

Humility

2011-12-01T07:00:00.000-06:00

I have to admit that sometimes I come from a place of feeling inferior to other women. I feel like I didn't get the memo on what to wear or what to bring to the pot luck or what time to show up. I just come in late wearing something completely different than anyone else and bringing some Japanese dish that nobody touches. Then I apologize and say something really awkward and I wish that I had the courage to crawl under the table and stay there until it is time to leave or to sneak out early.

Because of that inferior feeling I try too hard sometimes. I worry about what to wear, what to bring, what time to show up, what to say. I really am a social person, but sometimes it just isn't fun because I get stressed. I am trying to get over that inferiority problem and just be myself, do my best and not apologize for things that I really didn't do wrong. Overall, I would say it is working. I have had more fun at social events and not gotten so upset and anxious.

When the hostessing thing came up for Advent By Candlelight, my intial reaction was--I can't possibly hostess because a) nobody would sit at my table; b) I don't have time to do all of the things; c) other people will have the perfect desserts and centerpieces; and d) I would just get stressed. But, I find myself with a table full of women who have agreed to sit with me on Friday. I think I have most of the things done ahead of time. Who cares if other people do it perfectly?

That is the point of the humility in the title of this post. Because of my inferior feeling, I wanted to do everything perfect. I was going to get real flowers from a florist and have a wonderful baker friend do the dessert. I thought perhaps I would make or buy little or even big splashy party favors and...Anyway, you get my drift. I was going to overdo it.

Then, in my prayer time it came to me. This is Advent By Candlelight, aimed to help women focus on the real meaning of Christmas and not all of the worldly trappings. And, what was I focusing on? So, in all humility, I got a good enough reusable centerpeice at Kohls. It will be nice enough and something I can use for years to come on my own table. I will get some dessert at the grocers. Something nice, but not spectacular. ~~I am not doing party favors or any of that stuff.~~ My spiritual director clued me in that usually there are party favors, but something with meaning. And then she gave me a perfect idea that was simple, inexpensive and filled with meaning. Perfection!

I am going to show up on time to hostess with a smile and the table set and decorated. I hope I have the courage to just follow my own plans even if I show up on Friday afternoon to decorate and someone has dancing flamingos or a sparkling waterfall at their table. I hope I don't think that I need to run out to a store and get something to make me good enough. I pray for the humility to accept that who I am is good enough. I am fearfully and wonderfully made by my God. And that is more than good enough.

Advent By Candlelight

2011-12-01T05:00:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow night is Advent by Candlelight at our parish. It will be the very first one ever for our parish. I am a hostess. I will let you know how it went.

And in case you are asking--What is Advent By Candlelight? This is what I know. It is an event held one evening early in Advent. Women of the parish invite other women to come. Desserts and table decorations and tableware are brought by the hostesses who decorate in advance. Conversation and desserts are enjoyed by all and some speaker gives a talk that will inspire, amuse, and otherwise help prepare women to prepare for Christmas. (I would suspect that it wouldn't be a talk about where the best sales are or how to decorate your house with sparkle. But, I don't know yet. And our speaker is a secret, I don't even know who he or she will be.)

In a Little Stable

2011-11-30T05:27:00.000-06:00

Many times in our lives the place where something significant and life changing happens is not the perfect place. Many times important things happen in less than ideal conditions. The places where events happen that change our lives is so often completely out of our control. Stuff happens wherever we happen to be.

As I gaze upon the stable I consider that the King of the World was born in such as this. Not ideal, not good, not even adequate. But, somehow good enough for God. Somehow this was part of God's perfect plan.

It is easy to see that God's perfect plan is different than my perfect plan would be. I need to remember that God is found in the stables as often as He is the the churches. That He is present in humble circumstances. I need to keep my eye open for His Holy Presence at all times and in all circumstances.

Thanksgiving, 2011

2011-11-29T05:30:00.000-06:00

I wouldn't let the Thanksgiving weekend go without a single post. But, I will limit the main event to a single post.

After dinner we played cards. The photos are not in order chronologically. Maybe by order of importance, to judge by the faces of the players.

My son must be explaining to everyone how to play the game. When I partnered with him later we beat my mom and brother 2 out of 3 games.

Sis and I always have cameras in our hands when we take pictures of each other. Mom is doing well.

My Thanksgiving centerpiece.

This was the food on the serving table. I pulled the chairs away so that the cats would not have a feast whilst we were eating in the other room.

This was the weather on Thanksgiving 2011. Temps were in the 60s. There was so much to be thankful for.

Advent Plans

2011-11-28T05:30:00.000-06:00

I am sooo happy that I planned ahead for this Advent. Last year as I put things away from Christmas, I stopped and took some pictures so that I would have some things to post about during Advent this year. Even though I don't do much shopping, and I am not a social butterfly, it seems that December stays busy, no matter what. By preparing some posts ahead, I am golden!

This year I plan to do some things I have been putting off for someday. I am going to concerts and seeing the lights and living in the moment. I am planning on praying much but with less desperation (help me, Lord....) and more purpose (Lord, I give You praise and thanksgiving). I am going to think out and plan my giving, and do a little bit of unexpected leadings of the Spirit gifting as well.

This year I am finding joy in all things, even the sufferings of the present moment, especially in the sufferings of the present moment. I will rejoice in all things.

Dressing Up the Turkey Weekend, A Recap

2011-11-27T19:05:00.001-06:00

I had a 5 day weekend! I am not sure I can get used to work again. I guess tomorrow I will find out. Thanksgiving was beautiful in every way--weather, family, food, fun. My mom and brother stayed overnight. After they left Friday I put up the lights on the bushes. I sorted out stuff for Goodwill, but it still sits in the foyer.

Saturday, I looked at iPhones. I have decided that is what I want, but haven't pulled the trigger on the buy yet. I also got my hair cut. It is a tad too short, but it will grow. I really think next time I will bring a ruler and show the stylist what an inch and a half actually is. But my hair had reached the desperation point of long, bush-i-ness. It is easier to take care of short hair. It dries fast.

Sunday, I went to Mass and then hubby and I went out to McAllisters. And it got cold--in the 30s. So the lovely Thanksgiving weather is through. We still have a little turkey and dressing left. But, otherwise the weekend is a memory. Onward to Christmas.

1st Sunday in Advent Prayers

2011-11-27T05:30:00.000-06:00

O Lord, another Advent comes around and we wait. We wait for a Savior. We wait for joy. We wait for the return of the light and the days to come. Hold our hands in the waiting. Help us to learn the lessons You want us to know and to turn away from cold and despair and sadness. Help us to find hope in You. Lord, send forth Your Spirit and renew us. Amen.

Parenting, and Accepting

2011-11-26T05:30:00.000-06:00

I put my whole self into parenting. I made quite a few big, big mistakes. I was an imperfect parent, without a doubt. But, if anyone gets points for trying I should get points. I tried. I read lots of books, even some to my son (I jest, I read lots of books to my son). I loved parenting. I completely absorbed myself in raising the one child I was given to raise. I longed for more children and there is one I never got to know in Heaven praying for me, I am sure. But, one was all I got to parent.

I long to be a grandparent and perhaps someday that will come to pass. I don't have any control over that. It is a waiting game. A praying game, if you will. I have prayed for that future daughter in law for most of my son's life. Surely she is out there somewhere being blessed by my prayers.

I have recently come to accept that right now God wants me to be me, not somebody's mother or somebody's grandmother. I need to explore who I am and what I am called to do instead of following the path that feels so easy and comfortable to me--to be a parent.

At the beginning of the school year one of the other teachers at my school asked me if I had any children. I answered, "Yes, I have a son." "What grade is he in?" she asked. "Well, he's 31 and hasn't been in school for quite a while," I answered. The teacher looked at me stunned. Then I realized that she was younger than my son.

Part of grace is learning to accept and give thanks for the gifts you have been given. And not keep asking and asking for more.

7 Quick Takes, The Post Thanksgiving Edition

2011-11-25T09:16:00.001-06:00

Jennifer Fulwiler hosts this Meme.

1. I cooked the Thanksgiving dinner. It was all good. I celebrated with my peoples. We played cards and I won (with my son) 2 out of 3 games I played. (We play cards in my family.) There were 8 for dinner. The weather was gorgeous. Perfect for Thanksgiving. We all commented on that because I had the same crowd last year and it snowed.

2. My sister has about talked my mom into getting a computer and getting on Facebook. I find that very scary.

3. Apparently that person from St Louis who was angry about my Souther* B*ll*s post has come back to my blog and has invited friends, so I hid that post. I wrote an answer to Anonymous, but then I hid that too. I find that I just don't want to attract angry people to my blog. It feels like angry people have come to my home and I don't want that either. Angry people, stay home!

4. Last night sometime, my refrigerator popped open and a container of soup fell open on the floor. The cats were very thankful from the mess they made licking it up and tracking it around. But, I was not so thankful.

5. My brother who stayed over night went out shopping this morning. If I didn't have company there was one thing I might have gone out for--the basic Nook. It was $79 at Barnes and Nobles this morning and I have decided that I want one of those things. But, I suppose a $20 savings isn't that much.

6. I reflected on the blessing that the one chore I didn't get done before company came was a good mopping of the floor so that it shone. As things transpired with the soup all over the floor, I mopped it this morning. So, that was good all around. I would hate to mop it twice.

7. If the politicians would just come to my house for Thanksgiving they would be able to solve all of the problems in education, retirement plans, medicare/ health care, and the like, because we discussed it all. But, on the other hand, who wants politicians at your house for Thanksgiving?

Go Shopping!

2011-11-25T05:30:00.000-06:00

I am finishing up the Thanksgiving company. Go shopping if you have to! Or walk off the turkey. Or eat another piece of pie.

Give Thanks to the Lord for He Is Good, His Love Is Everlasting

2011-11-24T06:30:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

Save room for the pumpkin pie!

Thanksgiving Eve

2011-11-23T22:08:00.001-06:00

Over in the kitchen and throughout the house the pumpkin pie smells done.
The cabinets are polished, the floor is mopped, we're ready for some fun.

The turkey is thawed, the rest is all planned, tomorrow will be busy.
But I am keeping a list and checking it twice, to save myself a tizzy.

There's a lot to do, to host a feast, it happens once a year.
But, it is a work of love and a joyous time, so give it a great big cheer.

Happy Thanksgiving, to one and all!

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hand and voices,
Who wondrous things has done in whom the world rejoices....

Late, I'm Late....

2011-11-23T05:30:00.000-06:00

Did you all know Thanksgiving is this Thursday? That would be tomorrow in English. And I am having my family at my house...... And I am not ready.....I'm late... I'm late.....

Why didn't somebody tell me?

My Birthday, Part the Last

2011-11-22T05:30:00.000-06:00

I bought myself a cake this year. The picture doesn't really show how itty bitty it was. It was red velvet. I would have made a red earth cake, if I had been making one.

Continuing on the outing that I started telling about yesterday, hubby and I walked down by the Missouri River.

Looking across the river it was easy to imagine what it looked like when Lewis and Clark began their voyage of discovery. The river flooding prevents at lot of building along it, except the casinos and the little river towns that have been there for more than a century.

I had a very blessed birthday this year.

And my son who had the flu on my birthday came this past weekend with presents! Books I got books. And we all went to McAllisters. Doubly blessed.

Mid November Birthday

2011-11-21T05:30:00.000-06:00

Growing up in northern Illinois (where they get on average 9 more inches of snow than here) my family would always speculate about whether it would snow by my mid November birthday. It was always cold enough to snow up there in my memory. But, here in the Lou, it snows when it wants to and some years that is early and some years it hardly gets cold until December. This is one of those years.

So for my birthday we hopped across the bridge to St. Charles which was the first capital of the great state of Missouri. There is a little tourist street down along the river front by the first capitol building. We went there.

Hubby and I ate at Lewis and Clarks which is the white balcony place above.

But we could have eaten outside at one of the cafes. Eaten outside in short sleeves in ~~December~~ November ( I got ahead of myself there, it happens when you get old)! And some people say St Louis isn't the South!

Plenty of people were out enjoying the weather.

I guess the new tradition will be guessing whether or not the roses will still be blooming for my birthday. This one along Front St. was gorgeous.

There is a family joke about cigar store Indians.

I had to take a couple of pictures to make sure that one was good.

We went into some of the shops. I loved the teapots. But, it was better to look than to have. If I had one, I couldn't decide which one.

Enough for now, I will finish off the last of this tomorrow.

Sunday Prayers

2011-11-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

O God, Your ways are perfect. Your love is perfect. Your creation is an infinite reflection of Your perfection and Your love. Send Your Holy Spirit within us, that we might come to know You and believe in You and follow Your ways. We ask in Jesus name, Amen.

Sunday in Quincy

2011-11-19T05:00:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago I went to Quincy for the weekend. After Mass on Sunday morning, I stopped by the cemetery to talk to my dad and little Anthony buried under the angel. I have shown the angel before.

I then met my mom and sister for lunch at the HyVee. HyVee is a grocery store/ florist/ restaurant/ pharmacy and what have you. I always like to look around at the HyVee. Then we went over to my uncle's place for dessert. Well, Mom and I did, Sister El went home.

After we were done at my uncle's little entertainment, I dropped my mom off at her place and stopped by my favorite bluff view for a two minute photo shoot before I left town. This is the Villa Katherine, nearly 100 years old. Built in Quincy in Moorish style by a rich man who had travelled the world. He had a nice view.

The sun was going down. Every time I stop here, a barge is across the river. Is it the same barge, I wonder?

The view down the river toward Hannibal really shows off the size of the Mississippi. It is wide up there. And then I drove home. It was dark before I got there because Daylight Savings Time ended that weekend. As I drove home, I followed dead deer strapped to trucks, so I knew that hunting season had arrived.

7 Quick Takes

2011-11-18T05:30:00.000-06:00

Jennifer Fulwiler hosts this meme. There are lots of good ones out there linked to her blog.

1. I so enjoyed Anne Bender's QTs last week as she responded to 2 blogging awards and confessed a few things about herself. What I enjoyed most was the realization that she isn't perfect, she only appears perfect on the blog. Her real life is just like everybody else's real life. Sometimes somewhat far from perfect. And I guess I knew that, but I guess I also needed some confirmation of that fact.

2. I had a birthday last Sunday. If it hadn't been a Sunday, it would have been St. Frances Xavier Cabrini's feast day. Mother Cabrini and I are old and dear friends. She has prayed for me for years. I count on her when I am in a tight place.

3. It is hard to accept that we are in mid-November with hardly a frost. The leaf mold is going to kill me if there isn't a hard freeze soon. (See #7 below)

4. On Tuesday, hubby and I skipped prayer group and went to a concert. It was my birthday present. The concert was Paul Simon. He is now 70 years old. That is old. It was a good, if too loud concert. I really enjoyed it. The only drawback for me besides the loudness and the late night, were all the little kids (you know, 20s and 30s) who kept going up and down the aisles. It reminded me of a kiddie matinee. We oldsters stayed in our seats. I didn't get to bed until midnight on Tuesday. I think I turned into a pumpkin on Wednesday. No...

5. On Wednesday evening I went to my woman's group that we call the Yayas. We are reading about the Mass. It is very informative. I learned the difference between hosts and altar breads this time. (It can't be called a "host" until it has been consecrated in case you were wondering.) Yayas have been together for a long time. Years ago these women had younger children and I didn't have much in common with them, it seemed. But, now most have college students and even kids getting married. Soon they will all have grandchildren...... And I can only hope to have things in common with them.

6. I am preparing for Advent by trying to get in the habit of reading the Mass readings of the day sometime during each day. I would like to make that the habit of my life, praying the Mass everyday. I thought about waiting to start for Advent, but I decided that there is no time like the present. So, I started early. Sort of like the stores and my neighbors who already have the Christmas decorations up.

7. The heading picture I am currently using are these mums. They are still blooming in front of my house. Aren't they pretty? (And I really love that Jennifer has me put a picture with my link to the Seven Quick Takes, because it makes me try to think of a picture to use.)

My Youngest Niece and God-Daughter

2011-11-17T05:00:00.000-06:00

I went up the lazy river to Quincy the other week to see my mom and sister. A highlight was a chance to visit with my brother and his daughter, my God-daughter Hannah.

You will never guess what they let her get. Oh, maybe if you look at the picture you will guess. This is Zella.

Zella again. Zella was sort of friendly and put up with girl-handling.

Zella is only about 5 months old.

Hannah is in first grade and perhaps is almost old enough to have pets.

My mom will forever be teachig somebody something.

Zella found that she preferred Mom to Hannah in the holding department.

In fact she settled right in and took a nap.

Meanwhile Hannah and her Pappa (my bro) performed math and poetry for us.

It was more entertaining than it sounded.

This is Bella, Zella's sister and Hannah's second pet.

Bella seemed to befriend the old aunts. She was the more skittish of the cat sisters and the smaller of the two,

But, then I coughed and my sister in law would have none of that, so they sent us packing. Perhaps I exaggerate. But, we left--So I took one last picture of sis in law, sister, and Mom.

4 and 20 blackbirds

2011-11-16T05:30:00.000-06:00

I counted and there are over 24 blackbirds (starlings) on the line. These birds are pests and nuisances and they drive out the native species and create havoc. But when they flock and perform maneuvers in the sky they are amazing. It looks like fish in the ocean in schools, changing directions and flying in formation.

Even in the lowly blackbird God has created a wonderous world to behold.

Sounds Of Silence

2011-11-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

When I was a young teenager growing up 90 miles from Chicago I listened to WLS which was THE radio station. Radio was king. The top forty count down every week was the thing in the 1960s. From where I listened, I was close enough to hear about concerts at McCormick Place in Chicago, but not old enough to imagine ever going to one.

I remember hearing over the radio that Simon and Garfunkel were playing in concert and tickets were something like $12 which was not as ridiculously cheap as it sounds. In the 60s that was real money. But, I was a babysitter and I had that kind of money even though I earned it at 50 cents an hour. I did a lot of babysitting. I may have even broached the subject with my parents, but it was laughable. They would never drive me 90 miles for a concert. I wasn't even disappointed in that really, I knew there was no way I could ever go to that concert.

Years have past and I have been to a few concerts over the years. But, never to see Paul Simon or Art Garfunkel. They don't even tour together these days. But, tonight, Paul Simon is performing in concert here in St. Louis at the Fabulous Fox Theatre and my hubby and I have tickets.

Thanks, hubby, for the best birthday present ever!

In Patience, Joy

2011-11-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

I found myself meandering through neighborhoods on a round about way to a restaurant one evening recently. The path I chose wasn't the most efficient one. The cars ahead of me were not approaching the light with the collective responsibility that allows as many cars as possible to make it through. I found that in my natural self, I was able to let go fo the irritation. Unless someone else was waiting for me, worried about me or I was late to somewhere important, I have patience. Patience is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

I have lived with and known impatient people and I don't claim any special power over them. My patience is a gift. That is not to say I don't lose it sometimes, I do. But I am inclined to choose to be patient, to enjoy patience whenever I can.

What I realized as I meandered through neighborhoods and sat at lights the other night, there is a lot of joy in patience. When I practice patience, I say a prayer while I am waiting or offer up the sacrifice of the waitng. Because, I am not unaware of the irritations of waiting or meandering or being lost or being late, I usually am able to keep my temper over such annoyances. In that quiet spirit, that patience, the joy of the Holy Spirit can take me over and move my toward God.

Recap of the Weekend

2011-11-13T19:30:00.000-06:00

Friday was Veteran's Day and my hubby was off work. It seemed like a long day at school on Friday. We went to McAllister's for our Friday date night. Yum.

Saturday morning we went to a Mass for my mother in law. Then out to lunch at Lion's Choice. Then hubby went to a conference in Vandalia, IL and I went to Confession and Target. I got a Mediterranean pizza for dinner for one. And worked on blog posts for the upcoming week.

Sunday was my birthday, as was aforementioned here on the blog. Did you know that my birthday always falls on the same day of the week as Christmas? Did you also know that I was born on a Friday the 13th? I was born in the great state of Iowa, but I never lived there. Growing up in northern Illinois (where they get on average 9 more inches of snow than we do during a winter here in the Lou) my family would do a lot of speculating about whether it would snow before my birthday or not. That is apropos for today because it was in the 70s and we have had a couple a light frosts, but no heavy freezes yet in the South.

After Mass where I lectored (Proverbs 31 was the first reading) hubby and I went over to St. Charles, MO to eat at Lewis and Clarks. Our son had the flu and so we left him home. It was a great day to walk up and down First Street and check out the shops. I got some key lime pie cheese ball stuff for an event I have to go to in December.

All in all it was a very nice weekend and a very nice birthday.