ME STRONG! HOWABOUT YOU?

Cabin Fever...I have cabin fever.  That means that I have not been out for two weeks, unless you count mowing grass.  I don't.  Well, I am saving money, 'though.  I can't get out to spend any. 

I mopped the kitchen floor.  It was a sit down job.  I thought I missed some spots or that I was seeing spots before my eyes.  What I thought were spots were actually little bumps and dimples in the linoleum.  I only figured that out after I mopped those "spots" a second time, tried to scrape the  spots off and then shone a bright light on the "spots."  Dumb me, trying to  mop up what wasn't there.  Well, I did say it was a sit down job.

I cooked a late supper of steak and onions.  I was pretty hungry after all that "work and spot checking."  It was a good meal as I haven't really cooked much for the last couple of weeks.  Lunch meat and soup are OK, but I wanted to eat about half a cow.  And I got all my pots and dishes cleaned up, too.  The kitchen looks semi-better.  Just don't look too closely.

Spiders, spiders, everywhere.  The weather is changing and the insects know it before we do.  It will be cool tonight and in the morning.

Again, I won't be going out for Mass in the morning.  I don't trust myself to hobble about among a lot of people.  They won't mean to, but there are always little pushes here and there and people stepping on toes.  So...I am keeping my toes at home.  I just don't think I can do it yet.

I have been watching INTO THE WEST this afternoon.  It was good twenty years ago and it is good today.  It is one re-run that I don't mind seeing over again.  It keeps with the historical account of the opening of the west and at the same time tells a good story.  It is worth watching over and I will.

+++

 

 

THEY THAT WAIT

UPON THE LORD

SHALL RENEW

THEIR STRENGTH

((THEY SHALL PUT

ON STRENGTH

AS A NEW GARMENT));

THEY SHALL

MOUNT UP

WITH WINGS

AS EAGLES;

THEY SHALL RUN

AND NOT BE WEARY;

THEY SHALL WALK

AND NOT FAINT.

 

Isiah 40: 31

 

God give us the promise of strength, not in this life, but in the next.  In this life we need strength, as well.  We need strength of character, resolve, determination and the will to make the right choices, and follow the right path of faith.  Sometimes we are not very strong and do not adhere to what we know is the right way of strength.  As I am hard-headed, stubborn and willful, I often rely  on my own devices and concepts of strength.  Of course, I know better, but there is   wisdom in learning through a few hard knocks...sort of a wake-up-call, if you will.  I have had a few wake-up calls, haven't you?  In the end we know that our strength comes from God and not from ourselves.

 

END

 

 

 

 



MULE HEADED ME...WHO ME?

I am a little tired tonight.  I have been doing what I am not supposed to do.  I have been on my feet for several hours.  I absolutely had to get some mowing done.  With the aid of a cane at times and using the mower for good support, I got the job done.  It is a bit raggedy, but the backyard is cut.  I set the mower up for a seven inch cut and that really wasn't enough.  I had to plow through the tall grass.  And then the heavy rains came.  I managed to stay ahead of the storm, but it was several hours of hard work in 90 degree temperatures and high humidity, to do the work.  I just can't sit around for six to eight weeks waiting for my foot to heal. Yes, my foot hurts now and I am hobbling about like someone of 102, but, what else is new?

People keep telling me I am stubborn and hard headed...I can't imagine why, can you?  Hmm, it is a trait that runs in my family...part of my DNA, I think.  Your going to ask, "
Why didn't you hire someone to mow the yard?"  Well, that takes money and my money tree died in the summer drought.

Yes, I am tired and going to bed soon, but happy that I was able to get some work done that desperately needed attention.  And I give Thanks, too, for my stubborn nature and all that!

+++

 

FOR

GOD

NOTHING

WILL BE

IMPOSSIBLE.

 



 Luke 1:37

 

Tomorrow is the Feast Day

celebrating the birth

of Mary.

 

END

MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE!

This evening I finished off the slab of barbecue ribs that I got out of the freezer several days ago.  Ribs are not a favorite of mine, but I am eating what I have.  The freezer is getting an empty look, but I still won't go hungry.  Because of my penchant for "Stocking Up" there are plenty of canned goods to dig into.  I would rather have them on hand for the winter months, but right now they are coming in handy.

Politics are rampant on TV.  I don't watch the big conventions and all the buzz that goes with all the hype.  And that is what it is; all hype.  I will not vote for either candidate that is running.  I have nothing against Obama or Romney, but I feel that there were better men running in the beginning that have dropped out. Politics is all about money and power and the "good guys" just didn't get the financial clout or backing.  They just were not part of the "good 'ol boys" club.   We will get whoever the "good 'ol boys" decide they will find most advantageous to their agendas.  It has been a very,very long time since we have had real "democratic" elections.  Probably not since Lincoln.

Anyway, I don't know how I got of on this tangent as it was really not what was on my mind.  That's what happens when you get stuck in the house; you get stupid fever, and revert to politics.  Please do not get "stupid politics fever."  You will die of boredom.

This what I was really thinking about:  I wonder why?  Yes, I do wonder why.  As the Liturgy of the Hours(LOTHs)is the official prayer of the Church and we(all)are exhorted to pray the Liturgy daily, I wonder why the Church  has never picked out more uplifting, loving, joyful, positive Psalms as the daily prayers of the day.  So many of the Psalms of the day are negative, violent, depressing, hostile, fearful of God and of a vengeful God mind set.  There are so many Psalms to incorporate into the LOTHs. I just wonder why the Church has not presented these prayers in a more illuminated venue within the LOTHs.

The Psalms are never to be cast out or done away with.  They are the foundational platform of today's Church.  The Psalms are great literature and poetry.  Of course, they are to be kept, but I think I would pray more effectively if more joyful psalms were the greater part of the LOTHs.

As Christ came to suppliant the old and introduce us to gospel of love, forgiveness and tolerance, shouldn't the official prayer of the Church reflect this in greater portions?  Well, I am just wondering.  I am not an authority on any of this and I will abide by the Church's wisdom...but as I am a little simple-minded... I just wonder.

+++

 

REJOICE IN THE LORD

ALWAYS;

AGAIN I SAY REJOICE..

 

Philippians 4: 4

 

My God is a God of peace, joy, love and tolerance.

 

END



THE DIVINE LIURGY-WORD

I've been looking through some of my old prayer books and Missals as well as older-now out of date-Divine Office Books...or the Liturgy of the Hours.  There have been a lot of changes over the years.  The Divine Office used to be a lot easier to pray.  Times change and so must we.  From what I have been reading The LOTH will change again.   As the Church moves slowly and deliberately, I won't worry about it in my life time. 

I like things simple and some of the changes are simple, but not all.  I think that keeping the LOTH in a simple, easy format, would be most advantageous for all that pray the Divine Office.  Or it could be that I just don't like flipping pages or places in the Book.

As you know, the Liturgy of the Hours is the official prayer of the church and all are encouraged to pray the Office on a daily bases, if possible.  Not everyone has access to an Office Book or the money to buy one.  In such such instances I would say use and pray in out-dated books as opposed to not praying at all.  God know your intents. 

My reasoning for such a recommendation is that many of my readers are from other countries and not able to acquire prayer books of any kind.  Use what you have or can acquire, perhaps from donations.  If all else fails...and especially, pray in your heart.  You will be heard.

Lots of wind today and some rain.  My yard looks like a jungle now, and I can't get out to mow it.  We need the rain so I shouldn't complain.  We are still below the average rain level.  Let it rain.  I can live with high grass as long as I don't find a big lizard slithering thereabouts.  Nope, don't want any jungle creatures in the tall grass, either.

+++

 

I WILL PRAY

WITH THE SPIRIT,

I WILL PRAY ALSO

WITH  THE

UNDERSTANDING.

I WILL SING

WITH THE SPIRIT,

I WILL SING ALSO

WITH THE

UNDERSTANDING.

 

1 Cor. 14: 15

 

I read this passage with amusement.  Right now I can not sing a note.  I sound like a bull frog in the bottom of a barrel.  And that is pretty bad!

 

END

 



PROPHECY OF SOPHONIAS...WHO?

This afternoon I did a little "house cleaning" on my blog page.  I removed several inactive or nearly inactive blog roll sites.  It is something that I needed to do for some time and finally got to it.  Now, if I can just clean house.

I have been trying to walk about without the aid of a cane or holding on to furniture.  Maybe I am not quite ready to declare independence.  Time heals all sore tootsie and I have the time.  Just not the patience as there are many things waiting to be done.

There are several subjects that I would like to write about, but not now.  I guess I will let the subjects roil around in my head, steep for a bit and let them peculate through.  We make better coffee and tea that way, too.  It is like using a strainer to remove all grounds and tea leaves that just make the brew less palatable. But...I'll get to it...in time.

I had hoped to get out to week-day mass tomorrow, but I don't think I will make it.  My foot is still puffy, bruised and "speaks" to me when I put much weight on it.  Boo Hoo, and all that.  There are people far worse off than me, so I will take it as it comes.  I will call it a minor "gift" of suffering and offer it up for any grace that can be derived from it.  And yes, it is minor; just inconvenient.  I can and will, live
with it.

Another local boy is coming home from Afghanistan the silent way, under a flag draped coffin.  Of what use is war?  What does it accomplish?  While I respect and admire our young gladiators, I can not see the good of loss of life on both sides of the world's everlasting wars.  I suppose I am being idealistic and pray for better solutions to such useless bloodshed and losses....there must be a better way...and there is.

 

+++

 

BE SILENT

BEFORE THE FACE

OF THE LORD

GOD,

FOR THE DAY

OF THE LORD

IS NEAR;

FOR THE LORD

HAS PREPARED

A VICTIM

HE HAS

SANCTIFIED

HIS GUESTS.

 

Sophonias 1: 7

 

We don't hear a lot from the prophecy of Sophonias.  It is only a couple of pages of prophecy and  quickly read.  It is the foretelling of punishment upon the Jews, diverse nations, the coming of Christ, and the conversion of the Gentiles.  You may wish to read all of it; it won't take you long.

The "victim" is Christ and his "sanctified guest, the Apostles.  At the same time you might see the people of our times as victims as well.  Victims of a societies sliding backwards and  cultures losing their  principles and foundations.  If you build upon a "Rock" you will not be swept away.

 

END

 

 



Happy the Nation

I am not quite up to par yet, but I am making progress.  I have a lingering headache, cough and wheeze, and something keeps "popping" in my foot.  Other that that...I'm in great shape!

I had a bag full of pears that I had to throw out.  They were fermenting in the bag and I couldn't take care of them.  I really hate to waste good produce.  Sometimes we have little control over what we can do.

As I have not been out for several days I don't know what is going on in the world, so I don't have much to say.  It is better that way....in many ways

+++

 

HAPPY

THE NATION

WHOSE GOD

IS THE LORD,

THE PEOPLE

HE HAS CHOSEN

FOR HIS OWN

INHERITANCE.

 

Psalm 33: 12

 

 

Once we were a favored nation, blessed by God.  Then, we as a nation set God aside.  We have been duped by TV, politicians, commercialism, Big Corporations and and self seeking venues.  Can we recover from our national illness?  I think so and pray that you think so, too.

 

 

END

Shower Power

The shower was a sheer luxury.  Years ago when I was having some work done on the bathroom I thought to have two grab bars installed for my coming old age.  A good decision, as I see it in retrospect.  It certainly paid for itself today and made me feel as if I had gone to a luxury spa.  It was so good!

I did not spend much to have the two bars put in.  I went to the building supply house and bought two 1 inch plumbing pipes that were threaded on both ends, four elbows the were threaded at both ends and four threaded brackets with screws.  I fitted them together and then had someone stronger than I, screw them into good studs.  They are supper solid and better than any that you can buy.  At the time I spent about $12.00 for what are basic plumbing pipes and fittings.  One of my more fruitful investments as I was having repairs made at the time, anyway.

If anyone were to do this in their own bathroom, just be sure that the holding brackets are screwed into good, solid wood with long wood screws.  It will last forever.

While I was enjoying the luxury and comfort of the shower I was thinking of all the people of all the nations that don't have such advantages or even running water.  We are a blessed nation.  We take so much for granted.  What we have, we think is our "just due."  You do not realize what is relevant until you no longer have it.  I do, even though I seldom speak of it.  I have been poor...very poor.  My family has been poor...very poor.  As the old adage goes, "You never miss the water 'til the well goes dry."  So, when the well is full you are thankful for it.  When there is food on the table you give thanks for a full stomach.  When there is a warm bed to sleep in and a roof above your head we are blessed beyond measure.  Be sure of it.  Whatever you are given can be taken.  Be certain of that, too.

Hey!  I got three visitors from China!  I don't know why anyone would want to read my poor blog, but I do welcome them.  Yea, China!  Yea, Everybody! 

I am still not doing any "real work," but I did make a macaroni salad, by standing on one foot.  I still feel like a stork that should be diving for fish, but it isn't fish that I want.  At least I can feed myself.  When I broke my arm I couldn't do that.  I soon learned to be "left handed," as necessary.

+++

 

HOLD THE

PHYSICIAN

IN HONOR

FOR HE IS

ESSENTIAL

TO YOU,

AND GOD IT WAS

WHO ESTABLISHED

HIS PROFESSION.

FROM GOD

THE DOCTOR

HAS HIS WISDOM

AND THE KING

PROVIDES

FOR HIS

SUSTENANCE.

 

 

Sirach 38: 1-2

 

 

This passage caught my attention and I thought how true it used to be.  Now with so much controversy over Medicare, Medicaid, Obama-care, plain greed and corruption in all tiers, and that now the Government is the new "King," how things have changed.  There is still good medicine and good Doctors trying to hang on and hang in, but my trip to the Clinic and the ER the other day, made me see how much the system has been compromised. And I have an insurance supplement.  I did not see the compassion and care that I saw just a few years ago.  Instead, I saw a tired, overworked Dr. and staff who probably just wanted to go home.  Is this new system better than the old?  I don't know...I just don't know.  P.S.  I had to be photographed just to bee seen.  Like...I am going to steal a bedpan?  You can tell I am a little bit miffed.

 

 

 

END