In Praise of Tea...bags

This year the seasonal allergies have hit me hard. My eyes are constantly tearing and burning. I didn't want to go the traditional med route until I'd tried other things, so I googled and found that cold tea bags on your eyes for 10 minutes a day should help. Well this morning I tried it and it works!!!

Aaaaaahhhh!

I suggest round tea bags, by the way. They fit nicely.

In Praise of Tea...bags

This year the seasonal allergies have hit me hard. My eyes are constantly tearing and burning. I didn't want to go the traditional med route until I'd tried other things, so I googled and found that cold tea bags on your eyes for 10 minutes a day should help. Well this morning I tried it and it works!!!

Aaaaaahhhh!

I suggest round tea bags, by the way. They fit nicely.

New Blog

An internet friend of mine has a new blog.

She is poetic. She is wise. She is Scottish.

Check it out.

Her blog is called "The rose of all the world is not for me" and is taken from a poem by MacDiarmid.

New Blog

An internet friend of mine has a new blog.

She is poetic. She is wise. She is Scottish.

Check it out.

Her blog is called "The rose of all the world is not for me" and is taken from a poem by MacDiarmid.

Veni Creator Spiritus

Tomorrow is the feast of Pentecost--the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is often shown as fire. The Scripture is full of references of God as fire.

Moses and the burning bush. The bush is not consumed. God is not consumed--is not worn out. But, to us humans, God is an all consuming Presence.

Zeal for your house shall consume me. ~Psalm 69:9

The Holy Spirit is the spouse of Our Lady.

She conceived by the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit is also the result of the Love between the Father and the Son. God is a family. God wants us to experience that love ourselves. None of us is unloved.

You are precious in my eyes. You are honored, and I love you. ~Isaiah 43:4

The Holy Spirit comes to our aid when we are too overwhelmed even to pray.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. ~Romans 8:26

The Holy Spirit is that inexpressible, necessary, undefinable part of our God and of our faith.

Come, Holy Spirit!

Veni Creator Spiritus

Tomorrow is the feast of Pentecost--the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is often shown as fire. The Scripture is full of references of God as fire.

Moses and the burning bush. The bush is not consumed. God is not consumed--is not worn out. But, to us humans, God is an all consuming Presence.

Zeal for your house shall consume me. ~Psalm 69:9

The Holy Spirit is the spouse of Our Lady.

She conceived by the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit is also the result of the Love between the Father and the Son. God is a family. God wants us to experience that love ourselves. None of us is unloved.

You are precious in my eyes. You are honored, and I love you. ~Isaiah 43:4

The Holy Spirit comes to our aid when we are too overwhelmed even to pray.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. ~Romans 8:26

The Holy Spirit is that inexpressible, necessary, undefinable part of our God and of our faith.

Come, Holy Spirit!

Two rare cars in one day!!!!

DH and I went to an Antique Automobile Club of America car show this morning. It was very near by. It was free. Here are just two of the REALLY COOL cars we saw there.

This first one is an EMF.

Everitt-Metzger-Flanders was taken over by Studebaker.

This car had to have been manufactured somewhere in the nineteen teens, I think.

It has beautiful brass details. The brass horn looks like a musical instrument and the brass head lights are lighted with OIL.

The workmanship on this car is unsurpassed. It was inspiring to see a car that was so obviously made with such care and an eye for design.

The owner gladly posed for us in her gorgeous hat and completed the picture.

Our second miraculously rare car of the day was this beautiful Amphicar. These vehicles are 2 types of transportation in one: a car and a BOAT. That's right, folks. You own this car, and you also have a BOAT.

Imagine our excitement when we saw this one that had been driving around the car show start to head towards the WATER!!!! People starting flocking to the lake like baby ducks, hoping to get a glimpse of this man, a bunch of kids and his Amphicar.

When the propellers at the rear of the car started turning, we knew we were in for a treat. He drove the car right into the lake and steered around. When he came up on shore, sea weed stuck to his bumper in the most endearing way. He cleaned it off, loaded the car with another load of kids anxiously anticipating the ride of their lives, and took off.

Amazing.

Two rare cars in one day!!!!

DH and I went to an Antique Automobile Club of America car show this morning. It was very near by. It was free. Here are just two of the REALLY COOL cars we saw there.

This first one is an EMF.

Everitt-Metzger-Flanders was taken over by Studebaker.

This car had to have been manufactured somewhere in the nineteen teens, I think.

It has beautiful brass details. The brass horn looks like a musical instrument and the brass head lights are lighted with OIL.

The workmanship on this car is unsurpassed. It was inspiring to see a car that was so obviously made with such care and an eye for design.

The owner gladly posed for us in her gorgeous hat and completed the picture.

Our second miraculously rare car of the day was this beautiful Amphicar. These vehicles are 2 types of transportation in one: a car and a BOAT. That's right, folks. You own this car, and you also have a BOAT.

Imagine our excitement when we saw this one that had been driving around the car show start to head towards the WATER!!!! People starting flocking to the lake like baby ducks, hoping to get a glimpse of this man, a bunch of kids and his Amphicar.

When the propellers at the rear of the car started turning, we knew we were in for a treat. He drove the car right into the lake and steered around. When he came up on shore, sea weed stuck to his bumper in the most endearing way. He cleaned it off, loaded the car with another load of kids anxiously anticipating the ride of their lives, and took off.

Amazing.

Patience with myself

As I age, I am no longer able to get many things done seemingly instantaneously. For example, I can't clean my house in one go as I used to be able to. Many of the things I am dealing with these days are so multi-layered that it is not possible to do more than make a small dent in the ever-present to do list that faces me daily.

Perhaps that is the lesson I am to learn: to forgive myself for not being strong enough, fast enough, smart enough, thorough enough; to have patience with myself and to become aware of my own spiritual poverty and powerlessness in the face of the inevitable passage of time.

Patience with myself

As I age, I am no longer able to get many things done seemingly instantaneously. For example, I can't clean my house in one go as I used to be able to. Many of the things I am dealing with these days are so multi-layered that it is not possible to do more than make a small dent in the ever-present to do list that faces me daily.

Perhaps that is the lesson I am to learn: to forgive myself for not being strong enough, fast enough, smart enough, thorough enough; to have patience with myself and to become aware of my own spiritual poverty and powerlessness in the face of the inevitable passage of time.

Gabriel

Gabriel

Say Goodnight to Chrysler, Fred

They don't make 'em like they used to.

Say Goodnight to Chrysler, Fred

They don't make 'em like they used to.

Air Car

This car sounds very promising. Kind of a "Smart Car", but much smarter. A six seater is going to go for $17K. Not bad. Runs on compressed air. Neat idea.



The film says it goes up to 60 mph. Their website says it goes up to 96 mph. Not bad at all, really.

I say, its time we stop relying on foreign oil.

Air Car

This car sounds very promising. Kind of a "Smart Car", but much smarter. A six seater is going to go for $17K. Not bad. Runs on compressed air. Neat idea.



The film says it goes up to 60 mph. Their website says it goes up to 96 mph. Not bad at all, really.

I say, its time we stop relying on foreign oil.

Book Review--Matters of Faith

Matters of Faith by Kristy Kiernan

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I'm loving this book! I stayed up until 2am reading it last night.

This book traces a family of four (mom, dad, college age son and 12 year old daughter) during a very tragic time in their lives. It is not about faith in the traditional sense but really about life.

The author goes back and forth between a first person pov of the mom in the story and a third person perspective from the pov of the son. Quite interesting and completely believable, this book shows what trauma can do to an already struggling family and how, bit by bit, they navigate the ever expanding ripple of pain that has become their lives.

In spite of that premise, it is not completely unhopeful while at the same time, not sickeningly sweet.

Very realistic.

Book Review--Matters of Faith

Matters of Faith by Kristy Kiernan

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I'm loving this book! I stayed up until 2am reading it last night.

This book traces a family of four (mom, dad, college age son and 12 year old daughter) during a very tragic time in their lives. It is not about faith in the traditional sense but really about life.

The author goes back and forth between a first person pov of the mom in the story and a third person perspective from the pov of the son. Quite interesting and completely believable, this book shows what trauma can do to an already struggling family and how, bit by bit, they navigate the ever expanding ripple of pain that has become their lives.

In spite of that premise, it is not completely unhopeful while at the same time, not sickeningly sweet.

Very realistic.

We Remember the Fallen

Tomorrow we remember those who fought and died in battle.

Every generation thinks it will be the last to experience war. Surely, after World War I...surely after World War II, surely after Vietnam...

Yet, men and women still die. Mothers are still loosing their children to war. America still stands, protected because of their sacrifice.

This moving video was made "from a Viet Nam veteran to those who serve today."



In 1917, Our Lady appeared to three peasant children in Fatima, Portugal and told them that "The war is going to end; but if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the pontificate of Pius XI." In 1917, the pope was Pope Benedict XV. He would serve as Pope until 1922. In 1922, Achille Ratti was elected Pope. He took the name of Pius XI and reined until his death after the start of World War II in February of 1939.




Pray the Rosary for Peace!

We Remember the Fallen

Tomorrow we remember those who fought and died in battle.

Every generation thinks it will be the last to experience war. Surely, after World War I...surely after World War II, surely after Vietnam...

Yet, men and women still die. Mothers are still loosing their children to war. America still stands, protected because of their sacrifice.

This moving video was made "from a Viet Nam veteran to those who serve today."



In 1917, Our Lady appeared to three peasant children in Fatima, Portugal and told them that "The war is going to end; but if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the pontificate of Pius XI." In 1917, the pope was Pope Benedict XV. He would serve as Pope until 1922. In 1922, Achille Ratti was elected Pope. He took the name of Pius XI and reined until his death after the start of World War II in February of 1939.




Pray the Rosary for Peace!

Still Dancing in the Dark

This is the same vid as last week with Barry Manilow's Dancing in the Dark as the music.

Still Dancing in the Dark

This is the same vid as last week with Barry Manilow's Dancing in the Dark as the music.

The Music of Poetry

I'm becoming more and more convinced that poetry is meant to be read aloud.

I've been watching Elizabeth R on YouTube. I remember watching it when it originally came out in the 70's. Beautifully done costumes (authentic as well)...the language in this movie is unsurpassed.

This 5 minute clip from the movie shows Elizabeth bidding farewell to Francis, the duke d'Alencon. She and the duke were to be married, but politics of the time eventually led her to call off the engagement.

Glenda Jackson recites a poem that Queen Elizabeth wrote afterward: On Monsieur's Departure.

This is poetry at its finest.

By the way, the duke d'Alencon is played by Michael Williams, the late husband of Dame Judy Dench.

The Music of Poetry

I'm becoming more and more convinced that poetry is meant to be read aloud.

I've been watching Elizabeth R on YouTube. I remember watching it when it originally came out in the 70's. Beautifully done costumes (authentic as well)...the language in this movie is unsurpassed.

This 5 minute clip from the movie shows Elizabeth bidding farewell to Francis, the duke d'Alencon. She and the duke were to be married, but politics of the time eventually led her to call off the engagement.

Glenda Jackson recites a poem that Queen Elizabeth wrote afterward: On Monsieur's Departure.

This is poetry at its finest.

By the way, the duke d'Alencon is played by Michael Williams, the late husband of Dame Judy Dench.

Triduum in Honor of St. Gemma to Obtain a Special Grace

DAY 3

Preface: Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.

O most loving virgin St. Gemma, with an intense love for Jesus you suffered immensely for the conversion of sinners as a victim for sin, and you loved others greatly, out of love for God. Do not forget us then, who remain here on earth, and look down with kindness on us who implore thee, in the confident hope of receiving this favor through thy loving intercession (mention request)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Pray for us, St. Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O God, Who fashioned thy servant St Gemma, into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession, the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion Death and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be untied with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Triduum in Honor of St. Gemma to Obtain a Special Grace

DAY 3

Preface: Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.

O most loving virgin St. Gemma, with an intense love for Jesus you suffered immensely for the conversion of sinners as a victim for sin, and you loved others greatly, out of love for God. Do not forget us then, who remain here on earth, and look down with kindness on us who implore thee, in the confident hope of receiving this favor through thy loving intercession (mention request)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Pray for us, St. Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O God, Who fashioned thy servant St Gemma, into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession, the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion Death and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be untied with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Triduum in Honor of St. Gemma to Obtain a Special Grace

DAY 2

Preface: Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.

O worthy Spouse of the Lamb of God and faithful virgin St Gemma, you preserved the innocence and splendor of virginity, giving to the world a bright example of purity and the most exalted virtues, look down with pity from thy high place in heaven upon us who confide in thee, as we implore thee for the favor we so ardently desire (mention request)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Pray for us, St. Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O God, Who fashioned thy servant St Gemma, into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession, the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion Death and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be untied with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Triduum in Honor of St. Gemma to Obtain a Special Grace

DAY 2

Preface: Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.

O worthy Spouse of the Lamb of God and faithful virgin St Gemma, you preserved the innocence and splendor of virginity, giving to the world a bright example of purity and the most exalted virtues, look down with pity from thy high place in heaven upon us who confide in thee, as we implore thee for the favor we so ardently desire (mention request)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Pray for us, St. Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O God, Who fashioned thy servant St Gemma, into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession, the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion Death and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be untied with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Fred Astaire Friday (on Thursday)

Gorgeous music. Gorgeous Dancing. Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. Dancing in the Dark.

Fred Astaire Friday (on Thursday)

Gorgeous music. Gorgeous Dancing. Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. Dancing in the Dark.

Good Advice

Who needs a blog post when I have this? Worth watching. So true.

Good Advice

Who needs a blog post when I have this? Worth watching. So true.

Triduum in Honor of St. Gemma to Obtain a Special Grace

I have been feeling the need to lean on the holy ones in heaven today.

I just discovered that tomorrow (Thursday) starts the Triduum in Honor of Saint Gemma Galgani. The triduum begins on May 14 and ends on her Passionist feast day, May 16. St. Gemma had a great desire to become a Passionist nun, but poor health prevented it. Now, the Passionists consider her a lay Passionist and celebrate her feast in their order on May 16th.

I will publish the prayers for each day of the triduum.

Here is Day 1 of the triduum in honor of St. Gemma

DAY 1

Preface: Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Most compassionate virgin, St. Gemma, during thy short life on earth, you gave a most beautiful example of angelic innocence and seraphic love and was found worthy to bear in thy flesh the marks of our Lord's Passion. Have pity on us who are so much in need of God's Mercy, and obtain for us through thy merits and intercession, the special favor which we now fervently implore (mention request)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Pray for us, St. Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.

O God, Who fashioned thy servant St Gemma, into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession, the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion Death and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be untied with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Please visit stgemmagalgani.com which is a wonderful resource about Saint Gemma.

Triduum in Honor of St. Gemma to Obtain a Special Grace

I have been feeling the need to lean on the holy ones in heaven today.

I just discovered that tomorrow (Thursday) starts the Triduum in Honor of Saint Gemma Galgani. The triduum begins on May 14 and ends on her Passionist feast day, May 16. St. Gemma had a great desire to become a Passionist nun, but poor health prevented it. Now, the Passionists consider her a lay Passionist and celebrate her feast in their order on May 16th.

I will publish the prayers for each day of the triduum.

Here is Day 1 of the triduum in honor of St. Gemma

DAY 1

Preface: Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Most compassionate virgin, St. Gemma, during thy short life on earth, you gave a most beautiful example of angelic innocence and seraphic love and was found worthy to bear in thy flesh the marks of our Lord's Passion. Have pity on us who are so much in need of God's Mercy, and obtain for us through thy merits and intercession, the special favor which we now fervently implore (mention request)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Pray for us, St. Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.

O God, Who fashioned thy servant St Gemma, into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession, the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion Death and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be untied with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Please visit stgemmagalgani.com which is a wonderful resource about Saint Gemma.

Our Lady of Fatima

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. On May 13, 1917, Our Lady appeared to three children in Fatima, Portugal and urged them to pray the rosary for world peace. She told them that

the war (World War I) is going to end; but if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the pontificate of Pius XI. When you see a night illumined by an unknown light, know that this is the great sign given you by God that he is about to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father.

Our Lady is our mother. She wishes us to draw closer to her Son. Cry out to her and ask her to share your journey in this world that you may live forever with Christ in the next.

To read all of Mary's words to the children of Fatima, go to Theotokos.org, one of the best and most reliable sites on approved apparitions in the Church.

Our Lady of Fatima

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. On May 13, 1917, Our Lady appeared to three children in Fatima, Portugal and urged them to pray the rosary for world peace. She told them that

the war (World War I) is going to end; but if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the pontificate of Pius XI. When you see a night illumined by an unknown light, know that this is the great sign given you by God that he is about to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father.

Our Lady is our mother. She wishes us to draw closer to her Son. Cry out to her and ask her to share your journey in this world that you may live forever with Christ in the next.

To read all of Mary's words to the children of Fatima, go to Theotokos.org, one of the best and most reliable sites on approved apparitions in the Church.

Free the Slaves--Today

Slavery still exists.

People are held against their will and forced to do work for no pay even in the United States.

The cost to free a slave is well within most people's budgets.

• $92 will free a child from slavery in Ghana.
• $14 will buy that child school books, a uniform and book bag to attend school for a YEAR.
• $174 will allow that child's family to start a business and become self supporting and prevent re-enslavement.

For more information on modern day slavery and how you can help, go to FreeTheSlaves.net.

Free the Slaves--Today

Slavery still exists.

People are held against their will and forced to do work for no pay even in the United States.

The cost to free a slave is well within most people's budgets.

• $92 will free a child from slavery in Ghana.
• $14 will buy that child school books, a uniform and book bag to attend school for a YEAR.
• $174 will allow that child's family to start a business and become self supporting and prevent re-enslavement.

For more information on modern day slavery and how you can help, go to FreeTheSlaves.net.

Childhood Anxiety--is our lifestyle worth the price?

According to The American Psychological Association's Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,

"if the average child of today were placed in a time machine and flashed back to the year 1957, he might be institutionalized as emotionally disturbed due to his high level of anxiety."

According to a study by Jean Twenge, PhD, an average child of today experiences the same amount of anxiety that a childhood psychiatric patient experienced in the 1950's.

Think, a minute, what this study tells us. It took quite a lot for a child to become a psychiatric patient in the 1950's. Yet, our stress levels for average children now match that level. Obviously, our levels of stress have gone way up. Also, everyone is experiencing these increased levels of stress, not just a few. Our society must have begun to assume that this constant level of stress is normal to be seeing this level of stress in most average children. And, finally, if our children were to be transported back to the 1950's, our high level of stress would probably get most of them a psychiatric diagnosis.

And yet, we are more medicated than ever. And yet, there is less stigma for many psychiatric conditions than there was in the 1950's.

What is happening? I would love to get readers' input on this. What things have changed since the 1950's that would negatively affect the psychological health of an entire population? What can be done about it on a societal level? What about an individual level? What changes must take place?

Childhood Anxiety--is our lifestyle worth the price?

According to The American Psychological Association's Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,

"if the average child of today were placed in a time machine and flashed back to the year 1957, he might be institutionalized as emotionally disturbed due to his high level of anxiety."

According to a study by Jean Twenge, PhD, an average child of today experiences the same amount of anxiety that a childhood psychiatric patient experienced in the 1950's.

Think, a minute, what this study tells us. It took quite a lot for a child to become a psychiatric patient in the 1950's. Yet, our stress levels for average children now match that level. Obviously, our levels of stress have gone way up. Also, everyone is experiencing these increased levels of stress, not just a few. Our society must have begun to assume that this constant level of stress is normal to be seeing this level of stress in most average children. And, finally, if our children were to be transported back to the 1950's, our high level of stress would probably get most of them a psychiatric diagnosis.

And yet, we are more medicated than ever. And yet, there is less stigma for many psychiatric conditions than there was in the 1950's.

What is happening? I would love to get readers' input on this. What things have changed since the 1950's that would negatively affect the psychological health of an entire population? What can be done about it on a societal level? What about an individual level? What changes must take place?

Prayer to Redeem Lost Time

O my God! Source of all mercy! I acknowledge Your sovereign power. While recalling the wasted years that are past, I believe that You, Lord, can in an instant turn this loss to gain. Miserable as I am, yet I firmly believe that You can do all things. Please restore to me the time lost, giving me Your grace, both now and in the future, that I may appear before You in 'wedding garments.' Amen.

How many of us have not gotten to middle adulthood without looking back in regret? This prayer from St. Teresa of Avila is a beautiful means of freeing us of our worries over wasted years of wasted energy and wrong focus.

With God there IS NO TIME.

Hat tip to Sober Catholic.

Prayer to Redeem Lost Time

O my God! Source of all mercy! I acknowledge Your sovereign power. While recalling the wasted years that are past, I believe that You, Lord, can in an instant turn this loss to gain. Miserable as I am, yet I firmly believe that You can do all things. Please restore to me the time lost, giving me Your grace, both now and in the future, that I may appear before You in 'wedding garments.' Amen.

How many of us have not gotten to middle adulthood without looking back in regret? This prayer from St. Teresa of Avila is a beautiful means of freeing us of our worries over wasted years of wasted energy and wrong focus.

With God there IS NO TIME.

Hat tip to Sober Catholic.

Imagine It

Imagine It

New Link

I have a new link on my side bar (under "Catholic--Western") to Vox Nova. Here is their stated purpose:

Vox Nova is a response to the ecclesial mandate to promote the common good in every sphere of human existence. We come from varying backgrounds and carry diverse social outlooks, traversing a wide range of demographics and political sympathies. Vox Nova is free, to the furthest extent possible, from partisanship, nationalism and demagoguery, all of which banish intellectual honesty from rational discourse.

United in our Catholic, pro-person worldview, yet diverging in our socio-political opinions, we seek to provide informed commentary and rigorous debate on culture, society, politics and law, all while unwaveringly adhering to, and aptly applying the principles of Catholic doctrine. We are not intellectually wedded to any single political ideology.

This is exactly what is needed, imo. Partisanship politics both within the Church and the country has turned many off to voting, to involvement in the community, and to Christianity. The mistaken notion that Catholicism is included in those christian groups that abhor and distrust education, deep thinking and honest dialogue must be countered forcefully. The continuation of our freedom and civilization depends on it.

New Link

I have a new link on my side bar (under "Catholic--Western") to Vox Nova. Here is their stated purpose:

Vox Nova is a response to the ecclesial mandate to promote the common good in every sphere of human existence. We come from varying backgrounds and carry diverse social outlooks, traversing a wide range of demographics and political sympathies. Vox Nova is free, to the furthest extent possible, from partisanship, nationalism and demagoguery, all of which banish intellectual honesty from rational discourse.

United in our Catholic, pro-person worldview, yet diverging in our socio-political opinions, we seek to provide informed commentary and rigorous debate on culture, society, politics and law, all while unwaveringly adhering to, and aptly applying the principles of Catholic doctrine. We are not intellectually wedded to any single political ideology.

This is exactly what is needed, imo. Partisanship politics both within the Church and the country has turned many off to voting, to involvement in the community, and to Christianity. The mistaken notion that Catholicism is included in those christian groups that abhor and distrust education, deep thinking and honest dialogue must be countered forcefully. The continuation of our freedom and civilization depends on it.

Blogging in the Desert

You know I haven't been posting much when there is only one post between 2 Fred Astaire Fridays!

Blogging in the Desert

You know I haven't been posting much when there is only one post between 2 Fred Astaire Fridays!

Night and Day

Cole Porter's "Night and Day" (with the vocal intro you never hear) sung by Fred Astaire to Ginger Rogers.

Night and Day

Cole Porter's "Night and Day" (with the vocal intro you never hear) sung by Fred Astaire to Ginger Rogers.

What Herb Are You?

You Are Basil

You are a mild mannered person. People feel naturally calm around you. You are warm hearted and loving. You have a close knit circle of friends and family. You have the courage to be who you are in life, even if others disagree. You're proud of your uniqueness. You are good at caring for and healing others. You are naturally soothing.

What Herb Are You?

What Herb Are You?

You Are Basil

You are a mild mannered person. People feel naturally calm around you. You are warm hearted and loving. You have a close knit circle of friends and family. You have the courage to be who you are in life, even if others disagree. You're proud of your uniqueness. You are good at caring for and healing others. You are naturally soothing.

What Herb Are You?

Fred, Ginger, Gene and Rita

This is a fan vid that includes Astaire, Rogers, Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly. The YouTube vid doesn't say what the music is behind it.



Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels.
~Bob Thaves, "Frank and Ernest", 1982

Fred, Ginger, Gene and Rita

This is a fan vid that includes Astaire, Rogers, Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly. The YouTube vid doesn't say what the music is behind it.



Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels.
~Bob Thaves, "Frank and Ernest", 1982