There are days...

I don't really feel like posting.  Have you ever had that kind of day?  I think it is because I'm tired and there isn't much to say anyway.

It was another funeral mass today.  I am not that fond of funeral masses.  There was a State Trooper at mass and he was alone.  I set with him because everyone else was avoiding where he was sitting.  Well, most of do avoid the law, but there is nothing to make me do so, and I kind of felt sorry for him.

I went shopping later and was not happy with the store that I went to.  Their sale signs were a bit ambigious or slightly misleading. 

So..I am going to bed early tonight.  Christmas season is not supposed to wear you out, stress you out, or empty out the piggy bank, but it does.  Christmas is supposed to be a time for joy and glad tidings, coroling and warm fuzzy moments. 
I love Christmas and the theme; the meaning of Cristmas, but I will be glad when it is over and another memory, hopefully good ones.

+++

 

DO NOT BE AFRAID

 JOSEPH,

SON OF DAVID,

TO TAKE TO THEE

MARY, THY WIFE,

FOR THAT WHICH

IS BEGOTTEN IN HER

IS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

 

Saint Matt. 1: 20

 

It may seem early to start thinking of the coming celebration of the biirth of Christ, but the days will slip by and then Christmas will be here and upon us.  Also, I lift out a couple of words preceding the above verse. 

 

END 

 

 

 

 



COMMON SENSE OF G. K. CHESTERSTON

A rare event today.  I stayed home.  I needed to get a few things done and a lot more besides.  I also pulled out Christmas wrapping paper so that I can start wrapping tomorrow.  I brought in the last of the bags from the back of the van.  So, tomorrow afternoon I hope to get started on wrapping stuff.

After mass I may go and do some more shopping as I don't know how many to buy and wrap for this year.  I think that this may be the last party for the residents as the home is to be sold.  When the home is gone...so am I.

As I am tired I will not write much tonight.  Lucky you!

"Angles fly because they

take themselves lightly."

 

from G. K. Chesterton

 

***

 

If you haven't read the works of Chesterton...you really should.  He was a great philosopher, but also wrote the Father Brown mysteries and had a wonderful sense of humor.  He was a beloved writer in England and of his time,  only recently becoming "known" here in the states. 

 

+++

 

SUBMIT YOURSELVES

THEREFOR TO GOD.

RESIST THE DEVIL

AND HE  WILL

FLEE FROM YOU.

 

James 4: 7

 

END



Nothing new under the sun...Son

"Christianity has  died

 many times

and risen again;

for it had a God

who knew the way

out of the grave."

***

from

G. K. Chesterton

I spent over $60.00 for gas this week and $5.00 for a meal.  Which do you think I enjoyed the most?  Well, gas has gone down to $3.10 for now, so I thought I would fill the tank before the price goes up again...and it will.  I am not happy of putting out that much money for gas, but it is a necessity.

I have bags of goodies that need to be wrapped for Christmas. There are more things in the van that I haven't brought in yet.  Anyone want to help me wrap presents?  Most of what I have to wrap has come from The Dollar Tree and cost $1.00 per item.  The residents won't care about the cost; they will be happy to get something and to have someone think of them.  Oh, did I hear someone volunteer to come help?  No?

Now you know what I have been up to today besides going to church.  I was surprised to see so many in church; all older people and one tiny baby. 

So, it was another day of washing cloths and washing dishes and that sort of thing.  I don't have lots of cloths...that still fit me, that is...so I have to keep up with what I have.  Oh, how I wish I could shed another 20 pounds!

 

GO

EAT YOUR BREAD

WITH JOY

AND DRINK

YOUR WINE

WITH A MERRY

HEART,

BECAUSE IT IS NOW

THAT GOD FAVORS

YOUR WORKS.

AT ALL TIMES

LET YOUR

GARMENTS BE WHITE

AND SPARE NOT

PERFUME

FOR YOUR HEAD.

 

Eccl. 9: 7-8

 

These verses and those that follow are telling us to enjoy what God has allowed us to do and accomplish "under the sun."  It is also perhaps, in reference to The Son to come, as well, and reminds us that life is fleeting...no one lives forever...therefore we should live in our best(white)clothing and live life well and for good.  Keep in mind that this my interpretation and not to be construed as anything "official."

 

END

Time moves on without me...darn!

I've been out most of the day.  First for lunch with a friend and then we went shopping.  We both bought a lot of things for the residents at the home.  Now I just need to start wrapping what I have...my lest favorite thing to do.  I think we have agreed to have the "Christmas Party" after Epiphany  or about Jan. the 12th, after Christmas. My friend needs some time to catch her breath and wind down and I need to...um...wind up?  I need to buy a box of ambition, sprinkle it with imagination and wrap it all up in good intentions and holiday flare.  In other words I need to get my self motivated.

My shopping isn't done yet.  I hope to find some sales on little things at the Dollar Tree.  Thus far, what I have is lots of goodies, some scented soap and odds and ends.  Of course, there will be a few "gag gifts" that are just for fun, and probably a few games.  If I take photos I will post them later.

You may think that I have until Christmas and Epiphany, to get things done, but the time from... here to then, will pass rather quickly.  There is only about 3 1/2 weeks until Christmas after Sunday.  I am not as young as I used to be and I am more deliberate and whole lot slower.  Time is a concept and I often have no concept of time!  Time moves on without me!

I was really tired after I got home.  I was trying to pray the Rosary and I kept falling asleep.  It's a good thing no one was around to hear me or they would have thought I was semi-lucid or half-way...four sheets to the wind.  I finally did get the Rosary completed, but it took me an hour and I had to back-track several times.  It was "now where was I?"  I persisted.

+++

 

SPEND YOUR MONEY

ON A BROTHER

OR A FRIEND,

AND HIDE IT

NOT UNDER

A STONE

TO PARISH.

 

Sirach 29: 10

 

You can't take it with you so you might as well do some good with what you have, but could fare without.  The verse goes on to say that we should store up our alms giving(charitable giving)in our treasure house and it will save us from all evil.  Not everyone can give or live in the grace of charity, esp. these days, but most of us can engage in the act of charity.  Remember the widow's mite?  She gave what she had.  A good deed or service to someone is also valuable in the eyes of the Lord.  Go ahead, do something nice.  It won't hurt a bit.

 

END

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



ADVENT COMES NEXT SUNDAY

In one week...or next Sunday... the official beginning of the Liturgical season of Advent will arrive.  I look forward to the celebration of the birth of Christ.  I enjoy most of the Christmas season...but not the crowds, the traffic or the great greed that goes along with the holy/holidays.

I enjoy the lighting of the advent log/wreath and the prayers that make way for the birthday of He who became man so long ago.  No one else, rich, famous, powerful or gifted, has changed the face and heart of man as He did.
 
I went out to get my plates renewed this afternoon.  There was a cold rain coming down so as soon as I got my sticker and registration up to date, I climbed right back into the van and went home.  I don't like cold.  I did the same thing yesterday.  I went to a 4:00 P. M. mass.  By then some of the world had warmed up.  I wound up staying later than I had planned and feeding one of the residents.  I didn't get home until "late."  Well, after 7:30 anyway.

One of the things that I had in mind to get done, is to go get some inexpensive gifts for the residents at the home.  If you have relatives, friends or just want to do something for the elderly, keep in mind that many of the residents of any home have outlived their own family and have no one.  You can be a someone to them.

There isn't much going on.  Yes, I am still eating Turkey and home made Turkey Soup.  I will eat some more tomorrow and then it should be gone.  There is Turkey and Cornish Hen in the freezer for Christmas. I will not be buying much in the way of groceries for a couple of weeks or more.

So...that is my story.  I hope Tuesday will be a little warmer and more productive...I am just way too lazy.

+++

 

WHEN HANDS ARE LAZY,

THE RAFTERS SAG;

WHEN HANDS ARE SLACK,

THE HOUSE LEAKS.

BREAD AND OIL

CALL FORTH

MERRIMENT

AND WINE MAKES

LIVING GLAD,

BUT MONEY

ANSWERS FOR

EVERYTHING.

 

Eccl.10: 18-19

 

This passage or verses made me smile.  Except for the wine, it fits me to a tee.  That is why I call my house the 'tumble down house."   Well, it isn't quite ready to fall own on my head, I do not live richly or lavishly.  I have what I need.

 

Some of you might be interested in reading Ch. 1 of the Prophecy of Ezechiel.  In his vision he sees the coming of the four apostles.  This in the Catholic Bible Translation. 

 

END

 

 



SHINING LIGHT

GOD IS THE
CIRCLE'S

CENTER

FOR THOSE

WHO DARE

EMBRACE

HIM

FOR THOSE

WHO MERELY

STAND IN AWE

HE IS

THE CIRCLE'S

RIM.

from

Angleus Silesius

It's over...for now.  I like holidays and holy days, but hate the intense commercialism that we will have to endure for the next few weeks.  First we had to deal with political saturating which slid right into Thanksgiving which was invaded by Christmas advertising even before Turkey Day even got here.  Verily, verily, I say onto you...enough is enough.  Does it never end?

I will have to go out and do some minor shopping, but I won't like it.  I will not be able to find parking space, people get rude and crude as well as greedy.  Everyone has forgotten it is the season for giving thanks for what we have, and not the season for acquiring what we want.  I want little.  It is the season to celebrate the coming of the Christ Child, not the time of getting more goodies and possessions.  Possessions are nice, but I need nothing.  I would sooner lay up my treasures in heaven than under a paper shrouded gift box. If you remember Jesus was like the fox of the field with no where to lay His head or make His bed.

I have a warm bed, food on the table and a place to "hang my hat."  I am sure that most of the readers that come here do, also.  This is a good time to consider all that we have and take inventory of all that we don't really need.  If we can, we should share.  If we have little to share, than we can do what we are able for those that are in need.  "Actions speak louder than words." Become a pro-active person whether you are a Christin or of any other faith.  Be a shinning light for someone, somewhere.

I made a big pot of Turkey Soup with Barley from the parts of yesterday's Turkey.  It turned out pretty well and I have eaten two bowls of it today.  I don't believe in waste and hate to toss good food into the garbage.  Now I need to find a container to put the soup into, and then in the fridge.  I enjoy a good hearty soup.  When  and as I eat, I think of all those that have very little to eat and also of all the wasted food that we put into the garbage cans.  Yes, I do it too, when I don't pay attention to what I have in the refrigerator. I need to be more diligent.

+++

 

THEN THE JUST WILL

SHINE FORTH

LIKE THE SUN

IN THE KINGDOM

OF THEIR FATHER.

 

Matt. 13: 43

 

This is from an explanation of one of the parables.  Christ often taught by speaking in parables.  His followers did not always understand His message and He had to simplify it for..."He who has ears, let Him hear."  Today, in our modern world, we often use parables to tell a story.  Read the parables for they are the illustrations of Jesus, the  palette of truth and love.  A painting of words.

 

END

 

 

Thanksgiving every day...or should be.

All right, then.  The Cornish Hens are all thawed out and I cut/sliced big onions for roasting in with the hens and Turkey breast.  The onions are soaking in a container of salt water so that they don't dry out and it also makes them more mild.  I have everything setting out on the table ready to prepare and roast in the morning.  And yes, I did take more non-perishables to the pantry for distribution.

Who remembers their mothers getting up in the wee hours of the morning to start the Turkey in the oven?  I know my mother did.  Thanksgiving was a lot of work for her and it was what she worried about just before she passed away one week before the holiday; how was she going to get up from her sick bed and cook Thanksgiving Dinner.  She didn't...wasn't able to do so, and I was on the road, coming back from her funeral, on Thanksgiving Day.

Keep in mind all that your parents do for you throughout their lives and the sacrifices they make for the love of you.  I think that I will always grieve for my mother.  Yes, I  grieve for my father, too, but in a different way because a good mother is your best friend...always.

I got up slightly early this morning, went to mass and needed to take a nape in the afternoon!  I just am not an early bird.

Tomorrow I will not post anything.  I will be busy and then I will be out later in the afternoon.  I get the day off...sort of.

+++

 

BUT THE COMFORTER,

WHICH IS THE HOLY GHOST,

WHOM THE FATHER

WILL SEND IN MY NAME.

HE SHALL TEACH

YOU ALL THINGS,

AND BRING ALL THINGS

TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE,

WHATSOEVER I HAVE SAID

ONTO YOU.

 

John 14: 26

 

We turn to the God who made us, in times of trouble, grief or need.  We should also turn and give Him thanks when we receive His many graces.   Every day should be a Thanksgiving Day as we enjoy the fruit of salvation, His enduring love in spite of ourselves.  I give you thanks, Creator of all that is.

 

END



 

LETS TALK TURKEY!!

I went out and did a little shopping.  I got my milk: I am a milk baby.  I also got a few other things and spent about $5.00 in the Ruler store and then went on to Sureway.  There I spent a little more.  I was going to buy a whole Turkey and roast it along with Cornish Hens.  Instead I bought a Turkey Breast.  It is more economical in the long run as there are no bones or waste.  I can roast it, slice it and freeze it for later.  I think that after church tomorrow I will stop and get a pie.  I am not very good at making deserts, esp. pie crust. 

There isn't any mass on Thursday unless you(I) want to get up around 5:30 A. M. and go to church in the dark.  I am not a morning person.  I spent many years on the eve. shift, often working until after midnight and going to bed even later.  My inner clock doesn't want to re-set.  I won't be getting up at 5: 30, in the early hours of the morning.  That is probably just about when Peter heard the cock crow thrice and you know how that worked out!  Me too.  If I hear the cock sound off at that hour I will probably pull all his tail feathers out and deny that I ever heard him crack open the dawn.  In reality...no joking...I can get up at 5:00 or 5:30-at the point of a gun.  Just don't get too trigger happy with me.

When I was at the Ruler Store I noticed that potatoes were still on sale for $.99 cents for 10 lbs. and that eggs are still $.39 cents a doz.  I continue to get my milk there for $.99 cents a gal.  I may go back and get more stuff to take to the church pantry after Thanksgiving and hope that other items may be on sale.  Meat or meat products are expensive anywhere you go or shop.  The Salvation Army was giving out processed venison the other day.  Gee, I wish I had just a little bit of good deer meat, too. 

I count my blessing, for which I have many.  I am not always able to vocalize what I think or feel, but I know that I have much more than many.  I know that many of my "peers" may think of me as poor, but I am not, for I have everything I need.  I wish that all people were as "rich" as I am.  My mother used to say that you can be poor in body, but you don't have to be poor in spirit.  She also said that as long as there was thread and needles in the house there was no excuse to go around with missing buttons or hems hanging out.  Did your mother say things like that, too?

I wish to add this:  It may seem as if I love to go shopping or spend money, but I don't enjoy it at all.  I don't enjoy the crowds, the pushing ahead in line, often times there is rudeness, esp. now in this hyped up commercial season.  I shop as I need to.  Don't like to be in the crush or rush of the season.  We have forgotten what it is all about.

+++

 

FOR WHERE

YOUR TREASURE IS,

THERE WILL BE

YOUR HEART,

ALSO. 

 

Matt.6: 21

***

 

Sometimes I use the New American Bible, but most of the time I use my "old" Catholic Bible which was printed in 1957.  I prefer my old Bible as I am familiar with it.  Use what you have as the interpretation are very close.  The numbering of the verses do differ, but are almost always in the same chapter.  I doesn't matter which Bible you have access to, as long as the message is clear and universal. 

 

END





Feeling Froggy

"IF YOU ARE GOING

TO AMERICA

BRING YOUR

OWN FOOD."

from

Fran Lebowitz



OK, I had to block incoming comments because of the spam for illegal drugs that were coming from Mexico.  Then they had the nerve to complain that one of the past blogs didn't have the capacity to take their spam.  When I say spam, I do mean spam; over 1,000 that attached to my older post.  Where is the FBI, the CIA, and the POPE when you need them.  It took a lot of my time to delete all that crud.

On Saturday I started a "big" job of removing all the contents of my pantry, cleaning it and trying to sort all the canned goods out by category.  You know; beans go here, corn goes here, relish over there.  I didn''t know I had so much in the pantry.  I am not done yet because I didn't work at it on Sunday.  I put a few things away this afternoon, but I am not a ball of fire.  I need to kick myself into gear and get it finished.

This evening I cooked up a plate full of frog legs and ate all of them.  It isn't hard to consume a plate full of frog legs because they are small.  It used to be that frog legs were a bit bigger, but like everything else those poor little froggies have been downsized.  I guess if you want nice sized frog legs you have to go out and gig them yourself.  I am not about to do that.  Now they are out of the freezer and into my tummy.  P.S.  When breaded, seasoned and deep fried they taste like chicken.  Tiny Weenie Chicken legs!

I finally pulled the Cornish Hens out of the freezer today.  I should have done that a couple days ago.  Also, I found some Aparigus in the pantry and mushrooms and a bunch of stuff that I will cook up on Wednesday and Thursday.  I forgot I had them and now I won't have to buy any.

Other than that...what else is new?  Nothing.  There are a few things that I need to do tomorrow; I hope my ambition kicks in because I have been lazy most of the day.  Lend me some, if you will.

THERE IS NOTHING BETTER

FOR MAN TO EAT AND DRINK

AND PROVIDE HIMSELF

WITH GOOD THINGS

BY HIS LABORS.

EVEN THIS, I REALIZED,

IS FROM THE HAND

OF GOD.

 

Ecc. 2: 24

 

Over 49-almost 50 % of Americans are now on food stamps.  That is just about half the people of this nation.  Most would would rather be earning their bread by the sweat of their brows.  Many are working two to three part time jobs to put food on their tables.  Part time jobs are of low pay and few benefits.  What has happened to America?  Why are we now a service nation instead of a producing nation?  I don't know the answers, but I will share where I can.  Will you do so, also?

 

END

 P.S.  As i write this I noticed that there is a headline about food stamp scandels that has jus popped up.  I have not read it yet.

 





The days fly by...I don't!

I took the day off from rhyme and reason.  I have no reason and I can't rhyme...or sing for that matter.  Actually I needed to get a few things done this afternoon so I was not out running around after mass.  No one is going to lift that bale or tote that barge for me.  I need a maid.  Only I am afraid the maid would quit so I have to do what needs to be done myself.  Well, it isn't that hard nor is there all that much to be done.  I just have to talk myself into it.

I have caught up with the laundry and washed the dishes.  I will get stuff out of the freezer tomorrow so that it can thaw out.  I didn't get Turkey.  I have Cornish Hens for Thanksgiving.  It will take some time to thaw them out.  Anyway, I have a mental list of things that I want to get done tomorrow, on Saturday.  Will I get everything done?  We will see.  More things are undone than get done!

+++

 

IF WE WALK IN

THE LIGHT,

AS HE IS

IN THE LIGHT,

WE HAVE

FELLOWSHIP

ONE WITH

ANOTHER,

AND THE BLOOD

OF JESUS CHRIST,

HIS SON

CLEANS US

FROM ALL EVIL.

 

1 John 1: 7

 

***

"I can resist everything

except temptation."

 

by

Oscar Wilde

No post on Saturday.

 

END

 

 



HEAD BUTTING

Well, I got another big box or bread and one of the employees at the complex happily carried the bread in for me.  I may not be able to get any more.  The Salvation Army told me that I had more bread than they did and that they were out of bread.  I promised that if I were to get more I would bring it to them.  People start lining up there around 11:30 for a hot meal.  Remember the poor in your prayers.  Despite what the politicos are saying: Stuff isn't getting better and I expect it to get worse.

There are the disenfranchised that fall between the cracks.  They are the alcoholics, the drug users, the mentally and physically challenged.  No one wants to fool with them for the most part.  The Salvation Army does have a "soup kitchen," but not all that are in need can get there.  It is a pretty good walk for the elderly poor and some do not know there is hot food once a day for them.  So a lot of the residents go just around the corner to what I call the "Twinkies Store" to get snacks and soon their money is gone. Count your many blessings if you have food on your table.

So...this is what I have been doing today after church: running about to different agencies trying to get some help for the very poor among us.  No one wants to stick their Christianity out on the very front lines, citing government rules and regulations, lack of funds and lack of volunteers.  While all of this is true they tell me that I can do it from my house.  I don't have funds or the room either and I can't do it alone.  As they say in the army...T.S.  No, I won't tell you what T.S. means.  Ask your own brothers!

I just didn't accomplish much today.  Not at home or for the indigent.  I gave it the old school try and I am not finished yet.  I have been told that I am hard headed and I will try again.  I hope that my prayers and yours will lead for success of some kind or another.

+++

 

"THE WISH TO PRAY

IS PRAYER IN ITSELF"

 

by George Bananos

 

****

 

FOR HE SHALL

GIVE HIS ANGELS

CHARGE OVER

YOU,

TO KEEP YOU

IN ALL YOUR

WAYS.

THEY SHALL

BEAR YOU UP

IN THEIR HANDS,

LEST YOU

DASH YOUR

FOOT

AGAINST

A STONE.

 

Psalm 91: 11-12

 

I feel as if I have stumbled and stubbed my foot on a few stones today: as if I have hit my head on a brick wall.  It is hard to do unto others as you would have done onto yourself.  I guess if you keep hitting the wall, the wall may give way, sooner or later.  In the meantime, my head hurts in a figurative manner.  I'll keep on with the head-butting in a low key sort of way. Prayers are always answered in one way or another.

 

END

 



Busy Day....

I have been busy today.  After mass I dropped off the bags of potatoes at the pantry and in return they gave me a big box of bread.  I took the bread to the low income apts. which is right around the corner from me.  I had no trouble getting rid of the bread.  It is the middle of the month and for a lot of them, their money is gone.  I hope I can come up with more food stuffs in the future.

Now I am cold and I just turned the heat up.  Soon I will crawl into bed and get even warmer.  I think that the weather man said we had some snow flurries in the night.  I didn't see any.

I finished one book and am about to start another.  I didn't finish the poem that I started, but I will...sometime.  Either some days are too short or I am just too slow...maybe both.

There were several things that I wanted to get done today.  I just didn't.  I wanted to go and get a Turkey at .58 cents a pound.  I didn't do that either.  I wanted to go and get my plates renewed for the van...I didn't.  I think I will have to change my name to"DIDN'T."

As I watch the stock market I have a feeling that the economy is about to get worse.  A bread Co...so well know here...is about to go under.  If you don't have food put ahead, try to stock up as much as possible.  I always have candles, canned goods, and water on hand in case of storms.  While the east coast has been hit by Sicko Sandy, I live in tornado prone country.  You do not get much warning if a tornado is tearing through the countryside.  Whereas with Sicko Sandy, a lot of people had time to prepare to some degree, they didn't, some couldn't, others wouldn't.  You should.  Everyone should. 

Take heed.  If it isn't the Crazy Lady roaring up the east coast, or the Ice Queen blowing her frigged breath down from the north, it may be the Tornado Tiger clawing through the mid-west, or even God of Thunder and Rain dumping down upon one and all.  No one...anywhere...is disaster-proof.

WHEN GOD

IN THE BEGINNING

CREATED MAN;

HE MADE HIM

SUBJECT

TO HIS OWN

FREE CHOICE.

IF YOU CHOOSE

YOU CAN KEEP

THE COMMANDMENTS;

IT IS LOYALTY

TO DO

HIS WILL.

 

Sirach 15: 14-15

 

If we didn't have free will we wouldn't make so many mistakes, would we?  We are not bound by the Word of God, but we are bound by His love and forgiveness.

 

END



STAR LIGHT-STAR DUST

Well, I guess "winter" is more or less officially here, like it or not.  Not.  I don't want to get up on cold mornings.  I want to stay all warm and cozy in my bed.

I have a message to the person(s) who has sent me all the spam for  the sale of drugs without a prescription.  Stop already.  I really don't want to hear from you and you probably don't want to hear from the proper authorities.  Quite while your ahead.

Tomorrow after mass I will take all the potatoes to the pantry for distribution.  They are really nice potatoes.  I have some other items to take in, but need to sort through them.

Again, there isn't much to post about so this will be short.  I may start re prizing some of my older posts or snippets from them.  You know, when it gets cold my brain freezes over and becomes ice crystals.  Well, sort of.



+++

IT IS SAID,

AND I DO

BELIEVE;

THAT

GOODNESS

AND MERCY

ENVELOPES ME.

 

WHEN EVENING

STARS

BRIGHTER

THAN LIGHT

REMOVES

ALL DARKNESS

AND MY SOUL

TAKES FLIGHT;

I KNOW HE

HEARS ME;

MY HUMBLE

PRAYERS,

AND GATHERS

ME UP

AND CARRIES

ME THERE. 

 

OK, this a short poem I am working on.  Maybe I will finish it tomorrow...maybe not.

 

END

 

 

 

 

 

THE WORRY STONE

"Baby it's cold outside."  We have had our first real frost for the season here, and a hard frost is coming tonight.  I have been out picking off as many green tomatoes as I can to bring inside to ripen, even the small ones.  The frost ate all around the edges of my plants even 'though they are in a protected area.  I know Old Man Jack Frost will be out and about tonight, roving and and nipping and biting at anything that has defied him so far.  Well, there is a season for everything, isn't there?

Back in the late 60's and into the 70's the WORRY STONE was a popular hippie item and I have one to this very day(even 'though I was never a hippie).  The object of the worry stone is that you rub it with your fingers and rub your worries, tensions and anxieties away.  In a sense it really does help, but is not the answer to alleviate the underlying cause of any internal conflicts that may be the core of all distress. 
 

Life, from birth to death, is the total sum of what we are and what we become.  How we respond to all the little and big stumbling stones is  our epic story-journey on the road of passage from "here to there."  Everyone has an epic story and you do to, and everyone could use a "worry stone."

My "worry stone(s)" are the rosary and I have mentioned this before.  The recitation of this simple prayer gives me peace and I  do love the rosary. I am going to re-print some of a post that I wrote some time ago.  I had meant to do so back in October, in the Month of Mary, but never got around to it.  I hope no one minds that it is "old" and that I am "slow."

+++

 

THE ROSARY

 

I love the rosary.

I love praying the rosary.

It is not a requirement.

It is not an obligation.

It is not a sacrament.

I am compelled

by the Spirit

to pray the rosary.

It is a meditation.

Therefor, to me,

it is an inner sacrament.

No man, priest, bishop

or even the Pope, 

can bestow this

inner grace upon me.

It is a gift of grace

that is given to me,

a seed planted,

to be nourished,

and ever growing.

It gives me peace.

 

 



Not everyone prays the rosary.  Not all Catholics pray the rosary.  Not everyone is familiar with the rosary, but more and more non-catholics are learning to pray the rosary.  It is a powerful prayer.  It is a kind of "worry stone" for those that do pray it.  Unlike the hippie worry stones, it can give you real peace from all the troubles of the day.  And the Blessed Mother is pleased that we give her honor as we ask her to pray for us.  As we ask our earthly mothers to pray for us, so shall she, the BVM=the Blessed Virgin Mother.

 



END

A normal day under God's sun.

It is a little harder for me to type as I seem to have some discomfort in the knuckles on my right hand.  I don't know if arthritis is settling in with the change in the weather or if I have simply whacked my hand.  This is also the hand that belongs to the arm that carries some plates, pins and screws of a little misadventure in 2009.

  I was in a new store that just opened up. I found potatoes on sale for $1.00 per 10 lb sack.  There was a limit of two bags per customer.  I think that tomorrow I will go back and get a couple bags for the church pantry.  Other than that, the day just flowed along and I flowed with it.

I came home and fell asleep on the couch, sitting upright.  Even 'though I went to bed "early" I am tired.  I was trying to read and couldn't keep my eyes open.  It is a sure sign that I am "over the hill" as my mother was the same way, often falling asleep with a book in her hand.

That reminds me to mention that I went to the library yesterday and picked up a couple of books.  One is about historical fantasy, HUNTING THE GHOST DANCER AND the other is about G. K. CHESTERSON-THE APOSTLE OF COMMON SENSE.   The fiction fantasy is all about the mingling of pre-history, archeology, anthropology, adventure, and all of that genre'.  The book about G. K. Chesterson is not fiction, but the meaningful and enlightening look at the inner man and his insights of the spiritual person.  I think I like his writings a whole lot better than the book SEVEN STORY MOUNTAIN which was so widely proclaimed back in the '60's and 70's.  So...which book do you think I started to read first?   Um, remember...I have a simple mind!

+++

 

WHAT WANDERER

HAVE I SEEN

WITHOUT CLOTHING

OR POOR MAN

WITHOUT COVERING;

WHOSE LIMBS

HAVE NOT BLESSED ME

WHEN WARMED

WITH THE FLEECE

OF MY SHEEP?

 

Job 31: 19-20

 

I know that everyone is thinking about the victims of Hurricane Sandy and the Nor'easter that tagged along for the ride, and that is as it should be.  But don't forget about your own neighbors who may also be cold, hungry or without shelter.  If you can give, do so.  If you can help them out, well and good, but perhaps if all you can offer are your prayers; that is a rich gift that can not be measured. 

 

END

A Day Gone Bye-By

I'm cold and tired.  I feel bad for everyone on the east coast that is more tired and more cold then me.  I am tired because I went to bed around 1:30 A. M.  I am cold because I turned the heat way down when I went out this morning.  Both my dumb actions.  The weather man said it would be nice today and it was,  some of the day and the sun was shining, but cold.  I stayed up watching a TV show which I seldom do, but was looking for something other than political ads.  Both actions could have been better decided my part.  Dumb me.

To start the day out...someone was knocking on my door at 8:30 and woke me out of a sound sleep.  I had intended to sleep late and then go to 12:05 mass.  Well, by the time I got to the door whoever was there evaporated like the dew on the grass.  Gone.  So...I was up for the day and not in my prime, but in my sweat cloths.  I am glad that the door knocker person was gone because I was no raving beauty to go and  answer the door. Ugh.

I got to the bank today and then went to the Ruler Store for milk and bread.  I guess everyone had the same thing in mind and it was an ordeal.  The checkout lines were backed up to the back of the store.  After all, where else can you get milk for .99 cents a gallon and bread for .39 cents a loaf.  Yes, there were people stocking up.  Again carts were filled with several gallons on milk and one cart had about 50 lbs of potatoes in it.  One lady had two carts again.  I guess you have to save whenever you can.  Standing in long lines isn't a fun way to while away the afternoon, but I will say that everyone was polite and patient.  That's Kentucky for you: old fashioned manners and grace deeply inbedded.

So, now you know how I spent most of this day and will probably do it all over again tomorrow.  I will be going to a different store 'though, to get goodies for the residents at the nursing home.  Then I quite.

Gas was $3.11 yesterday.  Today it was bumped up to about $344-49.  I expected that to happen after the elections were over and now the big oil companies can get back to business as usual.  Is it any wonder that people are trying to save wherever they can?

+++

 

I AM THE BREAD

OF LIFE.

YOUR FATHERS

ATE THE MANNA

IN THE DESERT

AND HAVE DIED.

THIS THE BREAD

THAT COMES

DOWN

HEAVEN

SO THAT IF

ANYONE

EAT OF IT

HE WILL NOT

DIE.

 

John 6: 48-50

 

I sometimes take the reading of the day for  this post, but usually find something that relates to my thoughts and actions of the day.  I share as much of myself as I can.  Maybe that isn't always good, but really...no one has to read these postings, but I am glad that you do.

 

END

 

.

PEOPLE OF THE EARTH, THAT WE ARE

The day started out sunny, but became gray, rainy and cold.  When I went into church is was nice out, but when I came out it had become chilly and windy.  Well, I guess I should have worn a jacket!

There isn't much going on so there isn't much to post.  I had intended to go shopping for milk and bread and a couple other items, but came home to warmth and comfort instead.  Boy, am I a wimp!

This is pretty much how it will be now that the weather has turned colder.  BTW, the weather man said that we have had 13 days of below normal temperatures.  What happened to global warming?  Actually, it is supposed to get nicer for a few days and I am ready for sunshine, but not hot days.  Some of us just can't be pleased!

THE LORD

FROM THE EARTH

CREATED MAN,

IN HIS OWN IMAGE

HE MADE HIM.

LIMITED DAYS

OF LIFE HE GIVES

HIM

AND MAKES HIM

RETURN TO THE

EARTH AGAIN.

 

Sirach 17: vs.1-2

 

I'll bet you didn't know that you were made out of plain old dirt.  Well, call yourself a Mud Man, Mud Woman, Muddy Child or what ever.  You are the stuff of the universe, so simple, yet so complex.  You were made by God for God.  You are composed of the stuff of stars, fire and earth, by the will of God for His own purpose.  Ch. 17 is something of a recipe of all the ingredients that God whipped up and endowed us, His creations, with; a mud cake that only He could bake.  Such a puzzlement we are to one another, but so elegant in design and love, and to be loved.   Please read some of Ch. 17 of Sirach.  You might like knowing just how unique, rare, and valuable you actually are to the God who made you...all of us, from the elements of earth that He also created in the infinite span of time.

 

END

 



 





Blessings

I just cut my hair.  I am trying to save money.  More of my nickles and dimes are going out than are coming in.  Anyway, it didn't turn out too bad considering I can't get my right arm up and over in order to trim the back on the right side.   I have had worse looking cuts where I really got carried away.  So my hair is acceptable, a bit gray, but OK, and I saved $22.00.  I think that I and all that read this post will probably need to save every Penney in the future.

The elections are over and we are in for some fun times.  I read that the people overseas really wanted Obama to win four more years in the White House.   Hmm.  Well, I will say that he is a decent kind of family man.

At this point, however, I urge everyone that can, to stock up on essentials;  You need four things to sustain you.  Shelter, food, water, and clothing.  Of course, you could do like Adam and Eve and go natural, but I don't really think that would be all that comfortable if wind, rain or snow were to blow your fig leaves away. 

One item that you would need that does not come in a can, box or grow on trees, is faith.  Faith is the most important essential ingredient for any kind of survival and it is the one commodity that you can't buy.  If you have faith, nourish it well and it will carry you through all the bad times and all the good days ahead.

I did get a couple things done today, but I am not quite finished.  I also need to clean up the hair on the floor.  I put papers down to catch my 'curly' locks, but some always escape me.  As I paid too much attention to the election results and it takes me a long time to cut my hair with one good working arm, I now need to get busy and take care of things.  My right arm does work, you know.  It finds the way for the fork and spoon...just right; too much higher than my open mouth is frosting on the cake...sort of.  So it goes!

+++

THE LORD BLESS YOU

AND KEEP YOU.

THE LORD MAKES

HIS FACE

SHINE UPON YOU;

AND BE GRACIOUS

UNTO YOU.

THE LORD LIFT UP

HIS COUNTENANCE

UPON YOU

AND GIVE YOU PEACE.

 

 

Numbers 6: 24-26

 

This just a very slight change in translation, from the thee and thous.  It is a very beautiful blessing. God said to Moses to  tell to Aron and his sons, that they invoke His name to the Israelites.  Amen, it is a blessing that we can give as well.

 

END

       

BREAD OF LIFE

Well, I'm tired and I haven't done a thing.  I think it is because of the time change, getting up in the dark and a cold, rainy day without sunshine.  I like sunshine.

So I became a house plant today, doing just a few odd tasks around the house, falling asleep on the couch, yawning and watching some TV.  I think it was the TV that put me to sleep!

I got some bacon out of the freezer and made a BLT for my supper.  I haven't had one for a while and it was good for a change.  For those readers that are not familiar with a BLT, it is a bacon, lettuce, tomato sandwich, usually on toast.

There isn't very much to post so this is a short one.  That is what happens on a Monday.  Tomorrow will be a little more active as I need to go out and do some things.

+++

 

BLESSED IS THE MAN

THAT ENDURES

TEMPTATION:

FOR WHEN HE

IS TRIED

HE SHALL RECEIVE

THE CROWN OF LIFE,

WHICH THE LORD

HAS PROMISED

TO THEM THAT

LOVE HIM.

 

***

 

James 1: 12

 

You know a little temptation is like homemade bread; It keeps rising and rising.  Every time you punch it down it rises up again.  It is hard to check temptation at the door and leave it in stasis.  It keeps popping up again and again.  For most of us-I hope-we can usually bake our bread without burning it.  Sometimes though, the bread comes out slightly burned or even badly burned.  A good cook will carefully watch what is cooking so that the food doesn't get ruined.  It is that way with temptation and we need to keep a close check on ourselves.  Almost everything can become a temptation right down to smallest slice of bread.  If our neighbor has bread and things are tough we might be tempted to take it.  Temptations can be, and often are small, but may become the log in our eye.  I think it is also called "coveting"  and being compelled to desire or take what is not ours to have.  In this modern worldly culture, we just have to wrestle with and endure temptations that assail us from everywhere.

 

P. S.  Tomorrow one is expected to get out and vote.  No one can tell you who to vote for.  For me it is simple: Vote for Life.

 

 END  

 





 

LIVE TO LOVE...LOVE TO LIVE IN CHRIST

Ahh, the plot thickens...or the pot thickens.  Or maybe I should say that the Crock Pot thickens.  That old Crock Pot is at it again and making a big pot of Barley Soup.  Technically it is Barley Soup, but it has everything in it which means that it has all the left-overs from the 'fridge in it.  That makes it the best soup and it smells so good.

Well, this week is winding down and All Saints and All Souls day is over, at least for me, but not for some as the day isn't quite over.  One of the days I will go to the Spanish Mass in the late afternoon, just to see if I can follow along.  It would be a challenge for my shriveled up brain capacity.

And thank God the election champagnes are just about over.  It is such a nasty farce of free elections because we really do not have a vote.  It is the antiquated electoral college that will decide the outcomes, not us citizens who cast the "popular vote."

I intend to go to bed early again and hope that I sleep better than last night.  I went to bed "hungry" and I never could sleep that way.  I considered getting up and eating something, but did not want to leave my cozy nest.  I finally did go to sleep, but in the wee hours.

+++

 

GRACE BE WITH ALL

THAT HAVE A LOVE

UNFAILING

FOR OUR LORD

JESUS CHRIST.

AMEN

 

Eph. 6: 24

 

Odd that I was "directed" to this particular verse because it isn't the passage that I was looking for, but one of similar of context, but longer.  It also is similar to something that I wrote to friends today, but not the same, yet it is the same.  Christ spoke of, taught about, and lived the massage of Love and we should try to do the same.  It is hard to love all God's people or someone that has that done wrong to you or has treated you in some harmful way.  It isn't easy, yet it is the prime directive of our Lord Jesus Christ.  If we live in love, with love, we are living with and in Christ as he wills us to do so.

 

 

 



END

NOBODY'S PERFECT...

It has been a busy day, but uneventful.  I was a little slow about getting to mass today, but I made it.  I spent too much time doing odd things that counted for nothing, but took up my time.

My friends came this afternoon and did some more yard work, tree trimming and shrub removal.  There is more to do, but it got dark out and they couldn't see to work.

I stayed outside for awhile, but I got cold so I came in where it was warm.  I only stayed out there so that I would know when to lock my mower up.  I still haven't warmed up.

As I am tired and cold yet, I think I will go to bed early just to warm up.  When the doors are open it cools the house off fast and it takes a while to warm it up again.  So this a short post.

+++

 

JESUS SAID TO THEM,

"MY FOOD IS TO DO

THE WILL OF HIM

WHO SENT ME,

TO ACCOMPLISH

HIS WORK."

 

John 4: 34

 

***

 

As the gospel today was from John I thought I would just take a little bit more from the Apostle.  Also, in re-reading what I commented on last evening, of Paul's letter, it sounds like I am calling Paul something of a braggart, which is not the case.  But you must read all of the chapter to get the intent of Paul's message to the Corinthians.  He is is clarifying  his conversion and the gifts that he and others  received.  Remember that he was blinded on the road to Damascus, converted and repented his persecution of the early Christians and began to teach and preach about Christ.  I sometimes do not word my impressions in a clear manner and have to re-think and often re-write.  Thanks for being patient with me.  I tend to be a little simple-minded!!  Well, you DO know that only God is perfect!

 

END