More Prayers Needed

There are so many people who need prayers right now. My friend was compiling a list and I realized how many of these people are close to me. Please lift them up in prayer, if you could.

Edited to add: I just heard from my sister. The prognosis is not good for my brother in law. Please pray hard for him.

More Prayers Needed

There are so many people who need prayers right now. My friend was compiling a list and I realized how many of these people are close to me. Please lift them up in prayer, if you could.

Edited to add: I just heard from my sister. The prognosis is not good for my brother in law. Please pray hard for him.

Urgent Prayer Request

Please pray for my brother in law. He is in the hospital with kidney failure. He is in his early '50's. My sister just got out of the hospital herself.

Urgent Prayer Request

Please pray for my brother in law. He is in the hospital with kidney failure. He is in his early '50's. My sister just got out of the hospital herself.

No, really. I said I can do this.

No, really. I said I can do this.

Jukebox Dance

Here is last week's dance in its original context.

Jukebox Dance

Here is last week's dance in its original context.

Seize The Day

The refrain of this song is the theme song for Gus Lloyd's Show on The Catholic Channel on Sirius. Its the first time I've heard the whole thing. It has a very timely message, I think, as many of us re-evaluate our lives in this rotten economy.Hat tip: The Catholic Guy Show Blog.

Seize The Day

The refrain of this song is the theme song for Gus Lloyd's Show on The Catholic Channel on Sirius. Its the first time I've heard the whole thing. It has a very timely message, I think, as many of us re-evaluate our lives in this rotten economy.Hat tip: The Catholic Guy Show Blog.

My new icon corner

Thanks to my dear husband, I now have an icon corner. It took me 6 years, but I'm finally trying to arrange things here so they make sense. These icons were on another wall that had no architectural demarcation and included other, non-related pictures. It's amazing what a difference moving around some pictures makes.

My new icon corner

Thanks to my dear husband, I now have an icon corner. It took me 6 years, but I'm finally trying to arrange things here so they make sense. These icons were on another wall that had no architectural demarcation and included other, non-related pictures. It's amazing what a difference moving around some pictures makes.

Fred Astaire Rocks

This is a fan vid of Fred Astaire and Eleanore Powell dancing to "The Beat is Rockin."

Fred Astaire Rocks

This is a fan vid of Fred Astaire and Eleanore Powell dancing to "The Beat is Rockin."

Uh, Yeah.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Changefest '09 - Obama's Inaugural Speech

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Hat tip to Jimmy Akin.

Uh, Yeah.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Changefest '09 - Obama's Inaugural Speech

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Hat tip to Jimmy Akin.

Democrats Put Health Care Rationing in Stimulus Package

House Democrats have put some worrying provisions in their economic stimulus bill which, if passed, would restrict access to health care based on cost. The bill calls for $1.1 billion dollars of the stimulus package to be spent on studies comparing the cost of various drugs and treatments. The House bill also suggests that the new research should be used to "create 'guidelines' to direct doctors' treatment of difficult, high-cost medical problems."

"More expensive" medical products, the Report states, "will no longer be prescribed."

President Obama's Health Secretary, Tom Daschle, who has long been a proponent of the rationing of health care based on "cost effectiveness", has also called for a "federal health board" to rate and control health care access.

Those whose health care treatments are deemed too costly, in comparison with life expectancy, would be denied treatment.

This is a travesty of justice and is against everything that America stands for. This is horrifying on every level. Under this proposal, the government, after spending over 1 billion dollars to study which medical treatments are the cheapest, would tell you whether you or your very sick loved one will get treatment--whether they deserve treatment. The government will tell your doctor whether they will prescribe a particular treatment.

In affect, the government will tell you whether or not you or your loved ones deserve to live.

Democrats Put Health Care Rationing in Stimulus Package

House Democrats have put some worrying provisions in their economic stimulus bill which, if passed, would restrict access to health care based on cost. The bill calls for $1.1 billion dollars of the stimulus package to be spent on studies comparing the cost of various drugs and treatments. The House bill also suggests that the new research should be used to "create 'guidelines' to direct doctors' treatment of difficult, high-cost medical problems."

"More expensive" medical products, the Report states, "will no longer be prescribed."

President Obama's Health Secretary, Tom Daschle, who has long been a proponent of the rationing of health care based on "cost effectiveness", has also called for a "federal health board" to rate and control health care access.

Those whose health care treatments are deemed too costly, in comparison with life expectancy, would be denied treatment.

This is a travesty of justice and is against everything that America stands for. This is horrifying on every level. Under this proposal, the government, after spending over 1 billion dollars to study which medical treatments are the cheapest, would tell you whether you or your very sick loved one will get treatment--whether they deserve treatment. The government will tell your doctor whether they will prescribe a particular treatment.

In affect, the government will tell you whether or not you or your loved ones deserve to live.

Life

Found this video via Fr Dwight Longenecker.

Life

Found this video via Fr Dwight Longenecker.

Please Say a Prayer

Please pray for a friend of mine who is going through a very difficult time. Pray that Our Lady wraps her in her protective mantle and that she finds peace.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

Please Say a Prayer

Please pray for a friend of mine who is going through a very difficult time. Pray that Our Lady wraps her in her protective mantle and that she finds peace.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

One Handed Gaming

Quite a while ago, ds set up our old Nintendo 64 in my bedroom. I decided today to try my "hand" at playing it again. We have 1080, Cruisin' World and Wave Race.

The picture is "Port Blue" from Wave Race, known in our house as The Inner Harbor. Well, more like The Inner Harbor in the '70's complete with floating trash.

Who knew I'd ever experience nostalgia for a video game?!

One Handed Gaming

Quite a while ago, ds set up our old Nintendo 64 in my bedroom. I decided today to try my "hand" at playing it again. We have 1080, Cruisin' World and Wave Race.

The picture is "Port Blue" from Wave Race, known in our house as The Inner Harbor. Well, more like The Inner Harbor in the '70's complete with floating trash.

Who knew I'd ever experience nostalgia for a video game?!

Lentil Soup

I have had a request for my lentil soup recipe. I decided to publish three that I have. The first two are from Fix It and Forget It Recipes For Entertaining. The last one is from Molly Katzen's Moosewood Cookbook.






Russian Red Lentil Soup

1 T. oil
1 Lg. onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 C. diced, dried apricots
1 1/2 C. dried, red lentils
1/2 t. cumin
1/2 t. dried thyme
3 C. water
2 14.5 oz. cans chicken or vegetable broth
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 T. honey
1/2 t. coarsely ground black pepper
2 T. chopped fresh mint
1 1/2 C. plain yogurt

1. Combine all ingredients except mint & yogurt in slow cooker
2. Cover. Heat on high until soup starts to simmer.
3. Add mint & dollop of yogurt to each bowl of soup.


Lentil Soup

4 C. hot water
1 14.5 oz. can tomatoes
1/4 C. tomato juice
3 medium potatoes, peeled & diced
3 carrots, thinly sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 rib celery, sliced
1 C. dry lentils
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
4 t. curry powder
1 1/2 t. salt
sour cream

1. Combine all ingredients except sour cream in slow cooker.
2. Cover. Cook on low 8 hours.
3. Serve w/ sour cream on top of individual servings and crusty bread.

Lentil Soup..."gentle"

Begin this soup in the morning. It should simmer all day.

I. Simmer, covered, 3-4 hours

3 C. raw lentils, rinsed
7 C. water or stock
2 t. salt

II. Steam, or saute in butter. Add to lentils after they've simmered 3-4 hours.

2 t. minced garlic
1 C. chopped onion
1 C. minced celery
1 C. chopped carrots

III. Add to soup about 30 minutes before serving. (Optional: fine herbs, such as thyme or oregano or basil.)

lots of black pepper
1 1/2 C. chopped, fresh tomatoes
2 T. dry red wine (I use balsamic vinegar)
2 T. lemon juice
1 1/2 T. molasses or brown sugar
1 T. wine vinegar

Sprinkle extra vinegar and and freshly chopped scallions onto each serving.

Lentil Soup

I have had a request for my lentil soup recipe. I decided to publish three that I have. The first two are from Fix It and Forget It Recipes For Entertaining. The last one is from Molly Katzen's Moosewood Cookbook.






Russian Red Lentil Soup

1 T. oil
1 Lg. onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 C. diced, dried apricots
1 1/2 C. dried, red lentils
1/2 t. cumin
1/2 t. dried thyme
3 C. water
2 14.5 oz. cans chicken or vegetable broth
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 T. honey
1/2 t. coarsely ground black pepper
2 T. chopped fresh mint
1 1/2 C. plain yogurt

1. Combine all ingredients except mint & yogurt in slow cooker
2. Cover. Heat on high until soup starts to simmer.
3. Add mint & dollop of yogurt to each bowl of soup.


Lentil Soup

4 C. hot water
1 14.5 oz. can tomatoes
1/4 C. tomato juice
3 medium potatoes, peeled & diced
3 carrots, thinly sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 rib celery, sliced
1 C. dry lentils
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
4 t. curry powder
1 1/2 t. salt
sour cream

1. Combine all ingredients except sour cream in slow cooker.
2. Cover. Cook on low 8 hours.
3. Serve w/ sour cream on top of individual servings and crusty bread.

Lentil Soup..."gentle"

Begin this soup in the morning. It should simmer all day.

I. Simmer, covered, 3-4 hours

3 C. raw lentils, rinsed
7 C. water or stock
2 t. salt

II. Steam, or saute in butter. Add to lentils after they've simmered 3-4 hours.

2 t. minced garlic
1 C. chopped onion
1 C. minced celery
1 C. chopped carrots

III. Add to soup about 30 minutes before serving. (Optional: fine herbs, such as thyme or oregano or basil.)

lots of black pepper
1 1/2 C. chopped, fresh tomatoes
2 T. dry red wine (I use balsamic vinegar)
2 T. lemon juice
1 1/2 T. molasses or brown sugar
1 T. wine vinegar

Sprinkle extra vinegar and and freshly chopped scallions onto each serving.

Inauguration 2009

In spite of the fact that I am a TV-free, middle aged Republican, I am watching the presidential inauguration coverage on CNN's live feed today via Facebook. However one may feel about the incoming administration, the peaceful transfer of power in the U.S. is something not to be taken for granted. In addition, today's inauguration of the first African American president is a truly historic one, as is the amazing technology that makes it possible for us to see it on such a personal level.

Inauguration 2009

In spite of the fact that I am a TV-free, middle aged Republican, I am watching the presidential inauguration coverage on CNN's live feed today via Facebook. However one may feel about the incoming administration, the peaceful transfer of power in the U.S. is something not to be taken for granted. In addition, today's inauguration of the first African American president is a truly historic one, as is the amazing technology that makes it possible for us to see it on such a personal level.

I might need this tomorrow

see funny english mistakes

I definitely need this today!

see funny english mistakes

I might need this tomorrow

see funny english mistakes

I definitely need this today!

see funny english mistakes

Fred Astaire Friday

In light of tomorrow's surgery, I'm posting my Fred Astaire vid today. This is a fan vid set to Careless Whispers (Guilty Feet Have Got No Rhythm).

Fred Astaire Friday

In light of tomorrow's surgery, I'm posting my Fred Astaire vid today. This is a fan vid set to Careless Whispers (Guilty Feet Have Got No Rhythm).

Surgery

I'm having surgery to put pins in my wrist on Friday. I had to stop taking the pain pills because they made me feel sick.

My sister is also having surgery on Friday.

We thank you in advance for any prayers.

Our Lady of Lourdes,
patroness of the sick,
pray for us!

Surgery

I'm having surgery to put pins in my wrist on Friday. I had to stop taking the pain pills because they made me feel sick.

My sister is also having surgery on Friday.

We thank you in advance for any prayers.

Our Lady of Lourdes,
patroness of the sick,
pray for us!

Offering it up

I finally have an excuse for the light blogging I've been doing. I fell backwards off my mom's porch & broke my wrist. Just got back from ER with a soft cast, an ace bandage (2 of them, actually), a sling and some Percoset. Tomorrow I go in for a CT scan and see the ortho on Wed.

Now I have stuff to offer up. St. Stanislaus Kostka is the patron saint of broken bones.

Offering it up

I finally have an excuse for the light blogging I've been doing. I fell backwards off my mom's porch & broke my wrist. Just got back from ER with a soft cast, an ace bandage (2 of them, actually), a sling and some Percoset. Tomorrow I go in for a CT scan and see the ortho on Wed.

Now I have stuff to offer up. St. Stanislaus Kostka is the patron saint of broken bones.

Pill Inventor Warns Against the Pill

The inventor of the pill, Carl Djerassi has cited the ecological and demographic "catastrophe" that is currently taking place as the reason why he now disagrees with use of the oral contraceptive he helped to invent. He says that use of the pill dumps "tonnes of (female) hormones" into the environment that also results in a lowered male fertility rate.

Also, the drastically lowered birth rate that has resulted in the west is a demographic "horror scenario" in the form of a population imbalance and that there is now "no connection at all between sexuality and reproduction," something the Church warned against in the 1968 encyclical, Humanae Vitae.

Pill Inventor Warns Against the Pill

The inventor of the pill, Carl Djerassi has cited the ecological and demographic "catastrophe" that is currently taking place as the reason why he now disagrees with use of the oral contraceptive he helped to invent. He says that use of the pill dumps "tonnes of (female) hormones" into the environment that also results in a lowered male fertility rate.

Also, the drastically lowered birth rate that has resulted in the west is a demographic "horror scenario" in the form of a population imbalance and that there is now "no connection at all between sexuality and reproduction," something the Church warned against in the 1968 encyclical, Humanae Vitae.

Fred Astaire Friday

For a change of pace, this is a cartoon version of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers in Warner Brothers' "September in the Rain." The dance itself is from "The Gay Divorcee".

Fred Astaire Friday

For a change of pace, this is a cartoon version of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers in Warner Brothers' "September in the Rain." The dance itself is from "The Gay Divorcee".

Today Shall Be My Darning Day

In honor of today--Epiphany--traditionally the last day of the Christmas season (unless you use Candlemas on February 2) I am posting this Christmas Carol, "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day." I was singing this to myself last night only the words I used were, "Tomorrow shall be my darning day" because today, I'm going to repair my husband's Christmas stocking (and 2 afghans). So, enjoy The Choir of King's College Cambridge singing, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day.

Today Shall Be My Darning Day

In honor of today--Epiphany--traditionally the last day of the Christmas season (unless you use Candlemas on February 2) I am posting this Christmas Carol, "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day." I was singing this to myself last night only the words I used were, "Tomorrow shall be my darning day" because today, I'm going to repair my husband's Christmas stocking (and 2 afghans). So, enjoy The Choir of King's College Cambridge singing, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day.

RIP Winifred Wharburton

Winifred Wharburton, 101 year old member of the British Band, The Zimmers, died on New Year's Day. She was one of the original members of the band, who tried to raise awareness of the plight of old people in the U.K.

RIP Winifred Wharburton

Winifred Wharburton, 101 year old member of the British Band, The Zimmers, died on New Year's Day. She was one of the original members of the band, who tried to raise awareness of the plight of old people in the U.K.

The Wisdom of the Magi

Fr. Barron's homily on The Epiphany is very telling. He talks about the magi--astronomers--astrologers--who were seeking by their own means, the Truth. They used the stars that they could see to lead them to the place where the Savior would be born.

But, what happened when they reached Bethlehem? Did they innately know just where this Baby was? Did their own spiritual methods show them exactly what they needed to know?

No.

The three wise men knew that in order to find the Truth in all its specificity, they would need to consult the men of Judaism--the chosen people--as to what their prophesies said about where the Babe was to be born.

Seeking gave way to surrender. Spirituality gave way to the finding of a God who was not a nebulous force, or a concocted myth, but a Person who sought them as much as they sought Him.

And they fell down and worshiped Him. Matthew 2:11

The Wisdom of the Magi

Fr. Barron's homily on The Epiphany is very telling. He talks about the magi--astronomers--astrologers--who were seeking by their own means, the Truth. They used the stars that they could see to lead them to the place where the Savior would be born.

But, what happened when they reached Bethlehem? Did they innately know just where this Baby was? Did their own spiritual methods show them exactly what they needed to know?

No.

The three wise men knew that in order to find the Truth in all its specificity, they would need to consult the men of Judaism--the chosen people--as to what their prophesies said about where the Babe was to be born.

Seeking gave way to surrender. Spirituality gave way to the finding of a God who was not a nebulous force, or a concocted myth, but a Person who sought them as much as they sought Him.

And they fell down and worshiped Him. Matthew 2:11

Fr. Robert Barron on the Financial Crisis--"Take your credit card statements to prayer"

This is a very good perspective on the current financial crisis by Father Robert Barron. Fr. Barron speaks about timely cultural issues on his YouTube channel. He talks about books, films, and political happenings from a Catholic Christian perspective. His website, Word on Fire, is well worth checking out, as is his YouTube channel.

Fr. Robert Barron on the Financial Crisis--"Take your credit card statements to prayer"

This is a very good perspective on the current financial crisis by Father Robert Barron. Fr. Barron speaks about timely cultural issues on his YouTube channel. He talks about books, films, and political happenings from a Catholic Christian perspective. His website, Word on Fire, is well worth checking out, as is his YouTube channel.