Bad Times as a Gift from God

It occurred to me recently that the bad times we have all been experiencing are a gift from God. As a collective whole, our society has gotten to the point where many of us expect a certain lifestyle. This should not include anything we have not planned for--not emergencies, not setbacks and certainly not (unplanned) children.

It does not even occur to us any more to help each other and so many children are being raised without any knowledge of a Power higher than themselves. It is no wonder these children are now rioting throughout the "civilized" world for the latest toys. This is, apparently, what this generation considers "civil disobedience." I would suggest to them that they read up on Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi's philosophies and find out what civil disobedience is really all about.

I think this economy is a gift to us from God, frankly. We need some shaking up--our whole society does. Since we don't seem to appreciate what we've been given, it is being taken away so we learn to feed each other instead of sitting at the table with our too-long chop sticks starving because we don't see the option of sharing.

Bad Times as a Gift from God

It occurred to me recently that the bad times we have all been experiencing are a gift from God. As a collective whole, our society has gotten to the point where many of us expect a certain lifestyle. This should not include anything we have not planned for--not emergencies, not setbacks and certainly not (unplanned) children.

It does not even occur to us any more to help each other and so many children are being raised without any knowledge of a Power higher than themselves. It is no wonder these children are now rioting throughout the "civilized" world for the latest toys. This is, apparently, what this generation considers "civil disobedience." I would suggest to them that they read up on Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi's philosophies and find out what civil disobedience is really all about.

I think this economy is a gift to us from God, frankly. We need some shaking up--our whole society does. Since we don't seem to appreciate what we've been given, it is being taken away so we learn to feed each other instead of sitting at the table with our too-long chop sticks starving because we don't see the option of sharing.

Poetry Wednesday--Peter Menkin

Today's poem is Poetic Recitation on the Rule of St. Benedict by Peter Menkin. It is quite short and read by the author. July 11th was the feast of St. Benedict, father of monastic Christianity.

Poetry Wednesday--Peter Menkin

Today's poem is Poetic Recitation on the Rule of St. Benedict by Peter Menkin. It is quite short and read by the author. July 11th was the feast of St. Benedict, father of monastic Christianity.

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Illuminated Manuscripts

This tiny and very old work of art is Saint Benedict from an illuminated manuscript.  These figures were drawn inside the initial letters of main pages of hand-copied bibles, Gospels, Psalters and Books of Hours. Sometimes these illustrations were drawn in the margins.

Copying these books was a tedious task, especially since artificial light was limited to candles and oil lamps.  In the early part of the Medieval period, the same monks who copied the text did the illuminating.  By the High Middle Ages, these jobs were separate and by the 15th century, some monasteries were paying artists outside to do this work.

I love how the artist has shown such emotion in this one little painting.  The saint holds his head in his hands in exasperation, perhaps, with the monks he is destined to lead, or perhaps, it is fatigue from the early morning Office he must get up to pray.

Even saints have difficult days!

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Illuminated Manuscripts

This tiny and very old work of art is Saint Benedict from an illuminated manuscript.  These figures were drawn inside the initial letters of main pages of hand-copied bibles, Gospels, Psalters and Books of Hours. Sometimes these illustrations were drawn in the margins.

Copying these books was a tedious task, especially since artificial light was limited to candles and oil lamps.  In the early part of the Medieval period, the same monks who copied the text did the illuminating.  By the High Middle Ages, these jobs were separate and by the 15th century, some monasteries were paying artists outside to do this work.

I love how the artist has shown such emotion in this one little painting.  The saint holds his head in his hands in exasperation, perhaps, with the monks he is destined to lead, or perhaps, it is fatigue from the early morning Office he must get up to pray.

Even saints have difficult days!

Music Monday--Old Roman Chant

This Old Roman chant is from the 6th century, when Saint Benedict of Nursia was living and being educated in Rome.   He soon fled the worldliness that he saw there to seek solitude.

You can hear how ancient this is!  Very, very like the eastern Christian chants, and much like other chants from that region as well.   Memorizing.  Modern music just doesn't compare to this.

Here are the lyrics and translation.

Tecum principium in die virtutis tuae in splendoribus sanctorum: ex utero ante leciferum genui te.

You shall have sovereignty in the day of your power
in the beauties of holiness:
you are my son, born before the morning star.

Music Monday--Old Roman Chant

This Old Roman chant is from the 6th century, when Saint Benedict of Nursia was living and being educated in Rome.   He soon fled the worldliness that he saw there to seek solitude.

You can hear how ancient this is!  Very, very like the eastern Christian chants, and much like other chants from that region as well.   Memorizing.  Modern music just doesn't compare to this.

Here are the lyrics and translation.

Tecum principium in die virtutis tuae in splendoribus sanctorum: ex utero ante leciferum genui te.

You shall have sovereignty in the day of your power
in the beauties of holiness:
you are my son, born before the morning star.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing.

This was quite a busy blogging week. Aside from our usual music (Polovtsian Dances)  art  (Ballet Class) and poetry (Children Learn What They Live), we prayed for London, watched a short film about a couple whose child has a disability (This is Faith) ,  and shared a recipe for making yogurt in the crockpot.

We also talked about what lessons God might be asking us to learn in this shaky economy (Gandhian Economics) and the War on Antidepressants.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing.

This was quite a busy blogging week. Aside from our usual music (Polovtsian Dances)  art  (Ballet Class) and poetry (Children Learn What They Live), we prayed for London, watched a short film about a couple whose child has a disability (This is Faith) ,  and shared a recipe for making yogurt in the crockpot.

We also talked about what lessons God might be asking us to learn in this shaky economy (Gandhian Economics) and the War on Antidepressants.

Crockpot Yogurt

• 8 C  milk (I used fat free) (Pasteurized is ok but NOT ultra-pasteurized)


• 1/2 C plain yogurt with live cultures


• 1/2 C of powdered milk


• vanilla


• 4 T. honey

1. Put 8 C milk in crockpot on low for 2.5 hours.  


2. Unplug crockpot.  Let milk sit for 3 hours. 


3. Scoop 2 cups of the warm milk into a small bowl and add: the live active-culture yogurt, powdered milk, vanilla and honey.  


4. Wisk together and pour into crockpot.  Stir. 


5. Put lid on crockpot and cover with a heavy bath towel to insulate. Let sit for 8 hours. 


6. Save 1/2 C for the next batch.


7. Blend in fruit to taste. 

This recipe is from here:

I added the powdered milk, vanilla and honey instead of the fruit called for at the suggestion of a commenter who said the fruit (and maybe the fat free milk) made it harder to solidify.  They suggested adding plain gelatin instead of the powdered milk, but I didn't have that on hand.  Save 1/2 cup to use in starting the next batch.

The consistency is great and I like the flavor.  Fruit can be added per serving.  I had it this morning over frozen berries.  My dh eats a lot of yogurt--so much that I can't keep enough in the house.  Hopefully this will help!

Crockpot Yogurt

• 8 C  milk (I used fat free) (Pasteurized is ok but NOT ultra-pasteurized)


• 1/2 C plain yogurt with live cultures


• 1/2 C of powdered milk


• vanilla


• 4 T. honey

1. Put 8 C milk in crockpot on low for 2.5 hours.  


2. Unplug crockpot.  Let milk sit for 3 hours. 


3. Scoop 2 cups of the warm milk into a small bowl and add: the live active-culture yogurt, powdered milk, vanilla and honey.  


4. Wisk together and pour into crockpot.  Stir. 


5. Put lid on crockpot and cover with a heavy bath towel to insulate. Let sit for 8 hours. 


6. Save 1/2 C for the next batch.


7. Blend in fruit to taste. 

This recipe is from here:

I added the powdered milk, vanilla and honey instead of the fruit called for at the suggestion of a commenter who said the fruit (and maybe the fat free milk) made it harder to solidify.  They suggested adding plain gelatin instead of the powdered milk, but I didn't have that on hand.  Save 1/2 cup to use in starting the next batch.

The consistency is great and I like the flavor.  Fruit can be added per serving.  I had it this morning over frozen berries.  My dh eats a lot of yogurt--so much that I can't keep enough in the house.  Hopefully this will help!

The War on Anti-Depressants

Therese Borchard writes a thought-provoking article on her blog, Beyond Blue entitled Are Puritans Behind the War on Antidepressants?  Borchard suffers from depression and has written three books on the subject.  She is also the associate editor at Psych Central where she also blogs.

Her premise here is that our country's Puritan heritage has caused us to look askance at psych meds, believing that we should "tough it out."  Underneath this belief, she says, is the idea that the depressed person is at fault and must endure God's punishment.  This attitude, of course, can be part of and fuel the depression itself--not the best way to kick it.

Christ spoke against the blame-the-victim mentality when he told the disciples regarding the man born blind that it was neither his sin nor his parents' that caused the man's blindness.  Nevertheless, this dangerous misconception continues in many religious circles even today.

Borchard points out that most of the anti-medication claims are either "groundless or simplistic".  I'll add that this tendency lends itself beautifully to most media articles on the subject.  People read (and write) in attention-grabbing headlines and fail to point out the scientific nuances in these studies that should color treatment decisions.

This article is an essential read for anyone who is touched by depression--their own or someone else's.

The War on Anti-Depressants

Therese Borchard writes a thought-provoking article on her blog, Beyond Blue entitled Are Puritans Behind the War on Antidepressants?  Borchard suffers from depression and has written three books on the subject.  She is also the associate editor at Psych Central where she also blogs.

Her premise here is that our country's Puritan heritage has caused us to look askance at psych meds, believing that we should "tough it out."  Underneath this belief, she says, is the idea that the depressed person is at fault and must endure God's punishment.  This attitude, of course, can be part of and fuel the depression itself--not the best way to kick it.

Christ spoke against the blame-the-victim mentality when he told the disciples regarding the man born blind that it was neither his sin nor his parents' that caused the man's blindness.  Nevertheless, this dangerous misconception continues in many religious circles even today.

Borchard points out that most of the anti-medication claims are either "groundless or simplistic".  I'll add that this tendency lends itself beautifully to most media articles on the subject.  People read (and write) in attention-grabbing headlines and fail to point out the scientific nuances in these studies that should color treatment decisions.

This article is an essential read for anyone who is touched by depression--their own or someone else's.

Gandhian Economics

I've long thought that some basic things need to change about our society.  The current economic crisis is (perhaps God's way of) providing us the opportunity to begin to change the way we look at things, the way we spend money and the way we treat each other.

In his article Economic Crisis or Non-Violent Opportunity?, Michael Nagler asks the question: What is an economy for? Gandhi's vision, Nagler says is that

The real purpose of an economic system is to guarantee to every person in its circle the fundamentals of physical existence (food, clothing, shelter) and the tools of meaningful work so that they can get on with the business of living together and working out our common destiny.

Our economic system, fueled by intrusive, ubiquitous advertising, is based on buying things we don't need.  This does tend to fuel jobs, but, increasingly, they are overseas and do not fuel our economy at home.  Gandhi's idea is to have a local economy--one where producers and consumers are neighbors and have each others' best interests at heart.

The cornerstone of this philosophy is one of trusteeship.  If we look at our "possessions" as being held in trust rather than outright ownership, we can begin to divest ourselves of the innate selfishness that is part of our current consumer culture.

Jesus told us the parable of the rich fool.  (Luke 12: 16-21).  In it, the rich man decides to store (hoard?) his surplus grain instead of using it to feed the poor.  He makes grandiose plans for his future in light of his new-found riches.  God then says to him, "You fool!  This very night your life will be demanded back
from you and who will get what you have prepared for yourself?"

Nothing we have is really ours.  It is only on loan to us to use for the greater good of those among whom God has placed us.  Material goods are not given to us to hoard or use like an addictive drug.  If we each lived in godly simplicity, we would all be closer to the love of God which is a triune one of relationship with others.

This, and all hardships are allowed to come for the greater good.   That is how God works.  Lets try to learn the lessons we are meant to learn.

Gandhian Economics

I've long thought that some basic things need to change about our society.  The current economic crisis is (perhaps God's way of) providing us the opportunity to begin to change the way we look at things, the way we spend money and the way we treat each other.

In his article Economic Crisis or Non-Violent Opportunity?, Michael Nagler asks the question: What is an economy for? Gandhi's vision, Nagler says is that

The real purpose of an economic system is to guarantee to every person in its circle the fundamentals of physical existence (food, clothing, shelter) and the tools of meaningful work so that they can get on with the business of living together and working out our common destiny.

Our economic system, fueled by intrusive, ubiquitous advertising, is based on buying things we don't need.  This does tend to fuel jobs, but, increasingly, they are overseas and do not fuel our economy at home.  Gandhi's idea is to have a local economy--one where producers and consumers are neighbors and have each others' best interests at heart.

The cornerstone of this philosophy is one of trusteeship.  If we look at our "possessions" as being held in trust rather than outright ownership, we can begin to divest ourselves of the innate selfishness that is part of our current consumer culture.

Jesus told us the parable of the rich fool.  (Luke 12: 16-21).  In it, the rich man decides to store (hoard?) his surplus grain instead of using it to feed the poor.  He makes grandiose plans for his future in light of his new-found riches.  God then says to him, "You fool!  This very night your life will be demanded back
from you and who will get what you have prepared for yourself?"

Nothing we have is really ours.  It is only on loan to us to use for the greater good of those among whom God has placed us.  Material goods are not given to us to hoard or use like an addictive drug.  If we each lived in godly simplicity, we would all be closer to the love of God which is a triune one of relationship with others.

This, and all hardships are allowed to come for the greater good.   That is how God works.  Lets try to learn the lessons we are meant to learn.

Poetry Wednesday--Dorothy Law Nolte

I remember being mesmerized by this poem when I first read it on the refrigerator of a neighbor.  It is called

Children Learn What They Live

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Poetry Wednesday--Dorothy Law Nolte

I remember being mesmerized by this poem when I first read it on the refrigerator of a neighbor.  It is called

Children Learn What They Live

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Degas

This is Degas' Ballet Class.  I loved the informal nature of this piece, with the mom in the front reading a newspaper and the dad in the background watching his daughter try out her ballet moves.  The whole thing is infused with yellow light pouring from the window and picked up by the sash on the dark-haired dancer.

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Degas

This is Degas' Ballet Class.  I loved the informal nature of this piece, with the mom in the front reading a newspaper and the dad in the background watching his daughter try out her ballet moves.  The whole thing is infused with yellow light pouring from the window and picked up by the sash on the dark-haired dancer.

Pray for London

British Prime Minister David Cameron has recalled Parliament from its vacation to deal with the severe rioting in London.

Let's pray hard for the people of England today and for peace in the streets there.

Pray for London

British Prime Minister David Cameron has recalled Parliament from its vacation to deal with the severe rioting in London.

Let's pray hard for the people of England today and for peace in the streets there.

This is Faith

This is an indescribable and touching video.  It makes me ask, what is faith?  And, how can I have this couple's faith?  I think it is a matter of  throwing yourself at the feet of Jesus on the cross bringing your tears to Him.

This was grace - short film from Andrew Laparra on Vimeo.

This is Faith

This is an indescribable and touching video.  It makes me ask, what is faith?  And, how can I have this couple's faith?  I think it is a matter of  throwing yourself at the feet of Jesus on the cross bringing your tears to Him.

This was grace - short film from Andrew Laparra on Vimeo.

Music Monday-- Alexander Borodin

This haunting piece is the "Gliding Dance of the Maidens," from the Polovtsian Dances by Alexander Borodin. The tune is also used for the song, "Stranger in Paradise from the musical Kismet (1953).

I woke up after having dreamed of listening to this piece the other day and decided it had to go in a Music Monday! I could even hear the double reed solo in my dream. (DH tells me it is English Horn).

As a child, my ballet teacher used this as the accompaniment to our "Swan Lake" dance.

Close your eyes and enjoy.

Music Monday-- Alexander Borodin

This haunting piece is the "Gliding Dance of the Maidens," from the Polovtsian Dances by Alexander Borodin. The tune is also used for the song, "Stranger in Paradise from the musical Kismet (1953).

I woke up after having dreamed of listening to this piece the other day and decided it had to go in a Music Monday! I could even hear the double reed solo in my dream. (DH tells me it is English Horn).

As a child, my ballet teacher used this as the accompaniment to our "Swan Lake" dance.

Close your eyes and enjoy.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing.

This week, we talked about the song Blessings, and A Man and A Woman.  We also looked at the painting Shadows and one-line short poetry as well as Lucille Ball and Mother Teresa.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing.

This week, we talked about the song Blessings, and A Man and A Woman.  We also looked at the painting Shadows and one-line short poetry as well as Lucille Ball and Mother Teresa.

Happy 100th Birthday, Lucille Ball

Today, 100 years ago,Lucille Désirée Ball was born.

She was a pioneer female comedian who wasn't afraid of using her physicality for a laugh.

She got her start as a model in 1929 and went onto radio before performing on Broadway and launching a movie career.  Her I Love Lucy television series launched in 1951.  It was the first scripted series ever to be filmed on 35mm film in front of a live audience.  This was done because Lucy needed a live audience to fuel her comedic energy.  Most shows at the time were filmed in front of one camera while Lucy's show had multiple cameras which allowed for sequential filming, like a play.

When Lucy became pregnant, they wrote the pregnancy onto the show.  Her character delivered "Little Ricky" the same night that Lucy delivered her child.    To give Lucy the postpartum rest she needed, they decided to rebroadcast earlier episodes, giving birth to the popular television rerun.

Paired with her husband, Desi Arnaz, she became one of the most influential women in Hollywood.

Her comedy was ground-breaking and paved the way for such great female comedians as Carol Burnett.

Happy 100 Lucy!

Happy 100th Birthday, Lucille Ball

Today, 100 years ago,Lucille Désirée Ball was born.

She was a pioneer female comedian who wasn't afraid of using her physicality for a laugh.

She got her start as a model in 1929 and went onto radio before performing on Broadway and launching a movie career.  Her I Love Lucy television series launched in 1951.  It was the first scripted series ever to be filmed on 35mm film in front of a live audience.  This was done because Lucy needed a live audience to fuel her comedic energy.  Most shows at the time were filmed in front of one camera while Lucy's show had multiple cameras which allowed for sequential filming, like a play.

When Lucy became pregnant, they wrote the pregnancy onto the show.  Her character delivered "Little Ricky" the same night that Lucy delivered her child.    To give Lucy the postpartum rest she needed, they decided to rebroadcast earlier episodes, giving birth to the popular television rerun.

Paired with her husband, Desi Arnaz, she became one of the most influential women in Hollywood.

Her comedy was ground-breaking and paved the way for such great female comedians as Carol Burnett.

Happy 100 Lucy!

Poetry Wednesday--Monostiches!

I am excited to share with you all the blog Monostich.  It highlights something I didn't know existed--one-line haiku!  They've got some great one-line ku over there.  Stop by, take a deep breath, and read a few.

Every once in a while, I come up with a one-line haiku and feel a bit guilty about it, but no more--I've written a monostich!

The latest one I've written that I thought lent itself to being a one-liner is this one:

I work well under the pressure of having a job. 

Nothing earth-shattering, but it seems I did stumble upon an actual poetic form!  Perfect for twittering, I think.

Poetry Wednesday--Monostiches!

I am excited to share with you all the blog Monostich.  It highlights something I didn't know existed--one-line haiku!  They've got some great one-line ku over there.  Stop by, take a deep breath, and read a few.

Every once in a while, I come up with a one-line haiku and feel a bit guilty about it, but no more--I've written a monostich!

The latest one I've written that I thought lent itself to being a one-liner is this one:

I work well under the pressure of having a job. 

Nothing earth-shattering, but it seems I did stumble upon an actual poetic form!  Perfect for twittering, I think.

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Emile Friant

This painting is Ombres Portées by Emile Friant (1891) is a perfect accompaniment to yesterday's A Man and a Woman by Francis Lai.  Translated as Shadows, the darkness of the clothing and the shadows is juxtaposed with the white wall they are in front of.  The man looks at the woman pleadingly while the woman looks away.  A classic pose with a surprisingly modern touch.

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Emile Friant

This painting is Ombres Portées by Emile Friant (1891) is a perfect accompaniment to yesterday's A Man and a Woman by Francis Lai.  Translated as Shadows, the darkness of the clothing and the shadows is juxtaposed with the white wall they are in front of.  The man looks at the woman pleadingly while the woman looks away.  A classic pose with a surprisingly modern touch.

Music Monday-- Francis Lai

This song by Francis Lai is called A Man and a Woman.  It's haunting melody evokes quiet nights dancing under a bright moon.  It brings back memories of my childhood when it played on the stereo in our living room.

Music Monday-- Francis Lai

This song by Francis Lai is called A Man and a Woman.  It's haunting melody evokes quiet nights dancing under a bright moon.  It brings back memories of my childhood when it played on the stereo in our living room.