7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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

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

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

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

6)  For the Grace to be Merciful to Others


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


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


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


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


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


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

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



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

Christ has no body but yours, 

No hands, no feet on earth but yours, 

Yours are the eyes with which he looks

Compassion on this world, 

Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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

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

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

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

6)  For the Grace to be Merciful to Others


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


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


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


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


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


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

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



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

Christ has no body but yours, 

No hands, no feet on earth but yours, 

Yours are the eyes with which he looks

Compassion on this world, 

Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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

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

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

Amazing stuff!

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


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

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

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

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

7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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

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

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

Amazing stuff!

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


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

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

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

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

7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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


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

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

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

7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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


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

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

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

7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

7 Quick Takes Friday

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

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

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

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

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

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


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