Saturday, August 30, 2008
Life Without the Kids Around
We really don't like that "empty nester" label so we are not going to use it here.
Do we miss them and love the kids? Of course! We enjoy each and every phone call or email. We still discuss them all the time.
We find that having the pets back home provides a needed transition of having someone to do something for. Which need is rapidly diminishing ... especially as the cat decided to express her displeasure with my timing adjustment of her early-morning routine by squatting on the carpet in front of us. She then discovered just how accurately Tom can throw his glasses (thank heavens the coffee cup wasn't the closest thing to him!). We later saw her peering around the corner from Rose's door and even her much-loved canned cat food isn't luring her out.
I also have discovered that when I clean off the hearth or table in the back room ... it stays cleaned off! It's like magic!
It is a funny thing to feel that one has so much more free time because the kids are largely self-sufficient when at home. They drive themselves places, do their own errands (for the most part), and such like.
I will say that, at least in these first few days, it's like a second honeymoon. Quite wonderful to have all this time with one's spouse ...
Do we miss them and love the kids? Of course! We enjoy each and every phone call or email. We still discuss them all the time.
We find that having the pets back home provides a needed transition of having someone to do something for. Which need is rapidly diminishing ... especially as the cat decided to express her displeasure with my timing adjustment of her early-morning routine by squatting on the carpet in front of us. She then discovered just how accurately Tom can throw his glasses (thank heavens the coffee cup wasn't the closest thing to him!). We later saw her peering around the corner from Rose's door and even her much-loved canned cat food isn't luring her out.
I also have discovered that when I clean off the hearth or table in the back room ... it stays cleaned off! It's like magic!
It is a funny thing to feel that one has so much more free time because the kids are largely self-sufficient when at home. They drive themselves places, do their own errands (for the most part), and such like.
I will say that, at least in these first few days, it's like a second honeymoon. Quite wonderful to have all this time with one's spouse ...
Off the Map: There's a Couple of Hours I'll Never Get Back
Why take one hour to say what you could say in two, especially when one has so many gorgeous shots of New Mexico to scatter around?
For that matter, why say much at all? Why not just generously scatter some very quirky characters around, being sure not to add much depth to them, and then get some very talented actors to portray them?
I am not sure where I read the review that led to me putting Off the Map on my movie list but they've got some 'splainin' to do.
At least Schultze Gets the Blues and .... oh, that terribly depressing movie about the nursing home ... were rented on the strength of their trailers.
Recommendation: if you want to go to Taos and be wooed by the scenery, rent this movie. Otherwise, avoid at all costs.
For that matter, why say much at all? Why not just generously scatter some very quirky characters around, being sure not to add much depth to them, and then get some very talented actors to portray them?
I am not sure where I read the review that led to me putting Off the Map on my movie list but they've got some 'splainin' to do.
At least Schultze Gets the Blues and .... oh, that terribly depressing movie about the nursing home ... were rented on the strength of their trailers.
Recommendation: if you want to go to Taos and be wooed by the scenery, rent this movie. Otherwise, avoid at all costs.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Yes, Virginia, There Is a Happy Catholic
That is what flashed through my mind when reading Sister Julie's comment of our meeting earlier this week. (I'm talking about #3 in this post.) She cracks me up!
Worth a Thousand Words
How does he do that? I mean, you could pick that sandwich up and take a big bite, couldn't you? For more fantastic paintings, click through the link above.
'Tis the Season for ... Bipartisan Truths
You Know You're a Republican If ...
Your father warned you about marrying a gold digging babe...unless she signs a prenuptial agreement.
You Know You're a Democrat If ...
Your mother warned you against marrying a man who is so focused on his career and making money he has no time for soul-searching conversations.
Your father warned you about marrying a gold digging babe...unless she signs a prenuptial agreement.
You Know You're a Democrat If ...
Your mother warned you against marrying a man who is so focused on his career and making money he has no time for soul-searching conversations.
Sarah Palin ... Where Have I Heard That Name Before?
I see that John McCain has picked Alaska governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate.
Alaska governor ... Palin ... that rings a bell ... oh, right! The Palins earned my respect and admiration with their reaction to learning that their baby might have Down Syndrome when born.
Alaska governor ... Palin ... that rings a bell ... oh, right! The Palins earned my respect and admiration with their reaction to learning that their baby might have Down Syndrome when born.
Once her husband got the news, he told her: "We shouldn't be asking, 'Why us?' We should be saying, 'Well, why not us?'"I see that the original AP story link isn't active any more so here is the link to what I featured at the time.
There was never any doubt the Palins would have the child, and on April 18 she gave birth to Trig Paxon Van Palin.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Worth a Thousand Words
Who wouldn't love to open their lunch box and see this? (*Bento is a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal often used in Japan.)
Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig
And only 147 emails to read!
(Not counting the 292 in Junk Mail, of course.)
We got Rose moved into her posh new place in Chicago and it sure wasn't easy! As an institution that organizes move-ins, Columbia College is a dandy fine arts school. Sheez! However, it is done and Rose's apartment is much nicer than we could have expected. Floor to ceiling windows in the living room and bedroom, on the side that does not have the "El" running by every few minutes. In face, there is a lovely old clock tower to look at just down the street.
I was also happy to be strolling around the neighborhood with her and to get south of Roosevelt Street. The neighborhood begins to look a bit right before that but suddenly perks up again with redone condos, restaurants, and a full-size Jewel-Osco grocery store. We went in on Monday evening and the place was hopping with a truly diverse clientele which just reinforced the vibrant feel of the neighborhood.
As one might expect, Rose is a bit homesick but hopefully when classes begin she will be so busy that she won't have time to miss home. This is exacerbated some by the fact that her roommate, a very nice girl, has parents who still haven't left ... although their daughter was moved in two days ago. I understand wanting to get things just right but at some point one simply must let go. The roommate's time is being taken up with her parents when she could be exploring her new surroundings and getting to know her roommate (which would be Rose!) and her neighbors a bit better. Ah well ... at any rate. They leave today for their 20-hour trip to Colorado. (Perhaps they were just putting off the inevitable, dreaded drive back.)
A big highlight of the trip was our visit to Loyola Press. After corresponding with Michelle for a long time (and getting some great review books, natch) it was such a pleasure to meet her in person. She generously spent a lot of her busy day with us and, selfishly, I enjoyed every bit of it. We hit it off right away and I loved getting to talk face-to-face, which surely is a luxury these days!
We got a tour of the building and I also got to meet a great many very kind people. I am terrible with names but have firmly in mind the many smiling faces and interesting conversation of all who we met. Two whose names I do remember because I can give you links are Tom McGrath, author of Raising Faith-Filled Kids and Sister Julie, the blogger behind A Nun's Life.
I simply love Chicago and we did not get to spend nearly enough time there. To those who we didn't get to meet, most notably Paul and Marty, this trip was all about Rose. (The Loyola visit had been rescheduled so many times that you don't want to know, believe me.) When we come to pick her up we'll get together for a group lunch, maybe? Or some such thing so that we can all meet up. I know there are a bunch of other Chicago bloggers out there, such as Therese Z. who proudly puts "Chicagoland" as her location.
At any rate, back to Rose ... here's something from the movie that I watch when I'm feeling down. Nothing like watching Ripley kick some alien butt to life one's spirits, I always say ...
(Not counting the 292 in Junk Mail, of course.)
We got Rose moved into her posh new place in Chicago and it sure wasn't easy! As an institution that organizes move-ins, Columbia College is a dandy fine arts school. Sheez! However, it is done and Rose's apartment is much nicer than we could have expected. Floor to ceiling windows in the living room and bedroom, on the side that does not have the "El" running by every few minutes. In face, there is a lovely old clock tower to look at just down the street.
I was also happy to be strolling around the neighborhood with her and to get south of Roosevelt Street. The neighborhood begins to look a bit right before that but suddenly perks up again with redone condos, restaurants, and a full-size Jewel-Osco grocery store. We went in on Monday evening and the place was hopping with a truly diverse clientele which just reinforced the vibrant feel of the neighborhood.
As one might expect, Rose is a bit homesick but hopefully when classes begin she will be so busy that she won't have time to miss home. This is exacerbated some by the fact that her roommate, a very nice girl, has parents who still haven't left ... although their daughter was moved in two days ago. I understand wanting to get things just right but at some point one simply must let go. The roommate's time is being taken up with her parents when she could be exploring her new surroundings and getting to know her roommate (which would be Rose!) and her neighbors a bit better. Ah well ... at any rate. They leave today for their 20-hour trip to Colorado. (Perhaps they were just putting off the inevitable, dreaded drive back.)
A big highlight of the trip was our visit to Loyola Press. After corresponding with Michelle for a long time (and getting some great review books, natch) it was such a pleasure to meet her in person. She generously spent a lot of her busy day with us and, selfishly, I enjoyed every bit of it. We hit it off right away and I loved getting to talk face-to-face, which surely is a luxury these days!
We got a tour of the building and I also got to meet a great many very kind people. I am terrible with names but have firmly in mind the many smiling faces and interesting conversation of all who we met. Two whose names I do remember because I can give you links are Tom McGrath, author of Raising Faith-Filled Kids and Sister Julie, the blogger behind A Nun's Life.
I simply love Chicago and we did not get to spend nearly enough time there. To those who we didn't get to meet, most notably Paul and Marty, this trip was all about Rose. (The Loyola visit had been rescheduled so many times that you don't want to know, believe me.) When we come to pick her up we'll get together for a group lunch, maybe? Or some such thing so that we can all meet up. I know there are a bunch of other Chicago bloggers out there, such as Therese Z. who proudly puts "Chicagoland" as her location.
At any rate, back to Rose ... here's something from the movie that I watch when I'm feeling down. Nothing like watching Ripley kick some alien butt to life one's spirits, I always say ...
Friday, August 22, 2008
Back on Thursday
We're off to Chicago to take Rose to Columbia College.
I'm looking forward to getting to Chicago again and meeting up with a few folks there. I'm not looking forward to saying goodbye to Rose but I know she's going to have a fantastic time ...
Any prayers for our safe traveling will be much appreciated and we'll talk again soon!
While I'm Gone ...
Here's some good reading. Click through the story links to go to the blog. Click the "read more" link to see additional stories I've marked for my own reading.
Happy Families and Kids Going to College
All happy families resemble one another, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.That quote has more wisdom than one might think.Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
As part of a happy family, I instantly recognized this sentiment from Another Espresso Please when telling of dropping off their son for his second year at college.
Why is it that a nineteen year old is supposed to WANT to cut all contact with his family, to strike out in a solo free fall in independence? Why do people say aw, but nudge with a wink when they hear of a kid who has just well, left, for good. Why is it considered "weird" not to, or as parents are you considered "helicopter parents" if you cry when you say goodbye?We actually enjoy spending car rides with each other, though I must say that we probably would prefer it if Chicago could manage to be a bit closer than 16 hours driving distance (and just think how lucky they would be to be that much closer to Texas!). We leave tomorrow to take Rose to college there.
Are we freaks?
Maybe, I guess. I like to say we are nurturing parents who love our kids and see them for the amazing people they have grown up to be and, shhhh, LIKE them! And that the kid(s) are nice young people who are generous and kind enough to endure their parent's desire to be with them and actually enjoy it a little bit as well.
So the question comes again: Why is it that to be and stay connected to family is considered somehow suspect or freaky?
Go read that article and just consider that we echo it with, of course, our own family's quirks in place of theirs. Lucky happy families that we are. God has blessed us.
Four Books I Began and Now Must Read ...
I don't have time to read these books now but I got them, read the first chapter of each, and then realized they are so good that I must put them on my "to read" stack. So many books, so little time ...
I list them here so that if your "to read" stack is not as tall as mine then you may find and begin them sooner. They look fantastic, I'm tellin' ya.
The Word Made Fresh: Communicating Church and Faith Today
by Meredith Gould
I'm a fan of Meredith's books. However, the title made this look like something I should pass along to our deacon so he can lend it out to the church's office staff. I should have known better. The first chapter alone had some good, solid spiritual commentary that made me realize, "The deacon can't have this book! I have to read it myself!" Also, practically speaking, any Catholic blogger is also in the business of communications for the Church. So there might be some good tips for us bloggers in here as well.
A Well-Built Faith: A Catholic's Guide to Knowing and Sharing What We Believe
by Joe Paprocki
I'm looking at the cover to this book and thinking, "Another book explaining Catholicism! We've got enough!" Well, no, we don't and it only took the first chapter for me to see that. Joe Paprocki uses plenty of real life examples and the four pillars of the Catechism to write in an engaging way about our faith ... and it got me interested and looking at a couple of things afresh. Good stuff there...
Life of Christ
by Fulton Sheen
This one needs no introduction to me. I have read it halfway through several times! A spiritual classic written by one of America's great communicators, Archbishop Fulton Sheen, this melds the four Gospels and looks at Christ's life as a whole. Brilliant. I am going to take this as a prompt to finally pick it up again and finish it. Highly recommended. (For samples of this book, look for this tag. I see that I have excerpted it extensively.)
Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton Sheen
This one didn't need any selling to me (see Life of Christ commentary above). However, I dutifully read the first chapter and realized that if anyone was a patron saint for bloggers, it might well be Fulton Sheen (yes, I know he isn't a saint yet). His commentary in Life of Christ always seemed very humble and I am looking forward to reading this book which looks as if it is told more from an interior point of view than being events-based.
I list them here so that if your "to read" stack is not as tall as mine then you may find and begin them sooner. They look fantastic, I'm tellin' ya.
The Word Made Fresh: Communicating Church and Faith Today
by Meredith Gould
I'm a fan of Meredith's books. However, the title made this look like something I should pass along to our deacon so he can lend it out to the church's office staff. I should have known better. The first chapter alone had some good, solid spiritual commentary that made me realize, "The deacon can't have this book! I have to read it myself!" Also, practically speaking, any Catholic blogger is also in the business of communications for the Church. So there might be some good tips for us bloggers in here as well.
A Well-Built Faith: A Catholic's Guide to Knowing and Sharing What We Believe
by Joe Paprocki
I'm looking at the cover to this book and thinking, "Another book explaining Catholicism! We've got enough!" Well, no, we don't and it only took the first chapter for me to see that. Joe Paprocki uses plenty of real life examples and the four pillars of the Catechism to write in an engaging way about our faith ... and it got me interested and looking at a couple of things afresh. Good stuff there...
Life of Christ
by Fulton Sheen
This one needs no introduction to me. I have read it halfway through several times! A spiritual classic written by one of America's great communicators, Archbishop Fulton Sheen, this melds the four Gospels and looks at Christ's life as a whole. Brilliant. I am going to take this as a prompt to finally pick it up again and finish it. Highly recommended. (For samples of this book, look for this tag. I see that I have excerpted it extensively.)
Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton Sheen
This one didn't need any selling to me (see Life of Christ commentary above). However, I dutifully read the first chapter and realized that if anyone was a patron saint for bloggers, it might well be Fulton Sheen (yes, I know he isn't a saint yet). His commentary in Life of Christ always seemed very humble and I am looking forward to reading this book which looks as if it is told more from an interior point of view than being events-based.
Baton Twirling, Ribbon Twirling, and Contortionists
You know, I can go to the circus and see that sort of thing. It is not really what I would call a "sport" and certainly not what I am looking for in the Olympics. (Which mirrors my disgust for ice dancing.)
I'm not necessarily opposed to new sports in the Olympics. The BMX racing last night definitely required athletics to just make it to the finish line, never mind in what order.
But this rhythmic gymnastics? No. I don't think so.
Next we'll be having dance recitals with gold medalists.
I'm not necessarily opposed to new sports in the Olympics. The BMX racing last night definitely required athletics to just make it to the finish line, never mind in what order.
But this rhythmic gymnastics? No. I don't think so.
Next we'll be having dance recitals with gold medalists.
Happy Birthday, Dear Hannah!
Hannah's is at A&M today...we celebrated her birthday last week. She called last night and made this mother proud because she made herself a Chocolate Cheesecake. I know this because she called from the store last night with questions about chocolate cookie crumbs. I said, "But you don't have a springform pan." She replied, "I have one now!" (Yes, that's my daughter!)
I'm am repeating this birthday post from last year of the things she loves best ... nope, not cake ... simply lots and lots o' critters. I found them irresistibly cute so wanted to see them again. I am betting Hannah will like them too.
Happy birthday and we miss you, Hannah!
I'm am repeating this birthday post from last year of the things she loves best ... nope, not cake ... simply lots and lots o' critters. I found them irresistibly cute so wanted to see them again. I am betting Hannah will like them too.
Happy birthday and we miss you, Hannah!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Christianity and Cheeseburgers
You can always count on Jen at Conversion Diary to have a real-life way to consider your faith.
There are just enough cheeseburgers for the family, her little neighborhood friends stop in, everyone is hungry ... what do you do ... what do you do?
Jen isn't telling until tomorrow but she's inviting everyone to tell what they would do in her comments box. I just left the solution that popped into my head ... go read the whole thing and then think about what you would do.
There are just enough cheeseburgers for the family, her little neighborhood friends stop in, everyone is hungry ... what do you do ... what do you do?
Jen isn't telling until tomorrow but she's inviting everyone to tell what they would do in her comments box. I just left the solution that popped into my head ... go read the whole thing and then think about what you would do.
Worth a Thousand Words
Red Door2008 D L Ennis, All rights reserved. Visual Thoughts
Used by permission. Click through on the link for more fabulous photography.
27 min., 21 sec. !
That's what happens when you have the Set Game in a set of bookmarks, toward the back, and finally work your way around to that tab.
On the plus side, the second time through my time was much better ... 1 min., 53 sec. ... still shamefully slow considering I'd done it once already that day!
On the plus side, the second time through my time was much better ... 1 min., 53 sec. ... still shamefully slow considering I'd done it once already that day!
Now and Forever by Ray Bradbury
In some ways the most interesting part of the two novellas that make up this book are Ray Bradbury’s introductions. He explains that both “Somewhere the Band is Playing” and “Leviathan ‘99″ have their origins in his long ago days as a Hollywood screenwriter. These explanations hang on in the listener’s mind and provide insights and color for the stories that follow. ...My review of the audio book is up at SFFaudio. Highly recommended for Ray Bradbury aficionados!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
There Will Be Blood ... and Judgment
Blood and Judgment
by Lars Walker
After reading a great review for Wolf Time by Lars Walker I turned to the library to see what they might have by him. Turns out they had only one book ... Blood and Judgment.
A combination of Shakespeare, fantasy, time travel, and parallel universes, this is an action-filled book that manages to also examine relativism, political correctness, honesty in education, and many more issues of our time.
The story in a nutshell is that in the midst of putting on a local production of Hamlet, the entire cast is whisked off to the "universe" where Hamlet is real. It turns out that there really was a person upon who Hamlet's character was based. He and the actor playing Hamlet wake up having had their souls put in each others' bodies ... which are also in different dimensions from each other (so to speak).
If this sounds confusing, it accurately reflects my state of mind as I delved into the book. I really enjoyed the beginning when the author took enough time to introduce to some characters, allowed them to interact enough to examine ideas, and gave us background on motivations. However, once the dimensional "switch" took over, I felt as if just when I started enjoying a scene the author was grabbing me by the hand and telling me to "no more time for that; run over here and see this!" I am no expert but I believe that more time taken with the characters, as well as fewer characters and subplots would have been a plus. Or perhaps a much longer book in order to adequately allow Walker to discuss all the ideas therein. It did not need to be densely packed as Eifelheim but it simply was not fair to the author's concepts to handle them in a book this short. More importantly, this author has something to say about Christians and Christianity that needs more space and discussion so that it doesn't just "preach to the choir" but opens others' minds to the elemental concepts here.
I did enjoy this book. It just was not all that it could have been and the potential was clearly on display which became a frustration toward the end. I definitely will be on the lookout for others of Walker's books, hoping that they are not as rushed.
by Lars Walker
After reading a great review for Wolf Time by Lars Walker I turned to the library to see what they might have by him. Turns out they had only one book ... Blood and Judgment.
A combination of Shakespeare, fantasy, time travel, and parallel universes, this is an action-filled book that manages to also examine relativism, political correctness, honesty in education, and many more issues of our time.
The story in a nutshell is that in the midst of putting on a local production of Hamlet, the entire cast is whisked off to the "universe" where Hamlet is real. It turns out that there really was a person upon who Hamlet's character was based. He and the actor playing Hamlet wake up having had their souls put in each others' bodies ... which are also in different dimensions from each other (so to speak).
If this sounds confusing, it accurately reflects my state of mind as I delved into the book. I really enjoyed the beginning when the author took enough time to introduce to some characters, allowed them to interact enough to examine ideas, and gave us background on motivations. However, once the dimensional "switch" took over, I felt as if just when I started enjoying a scene the author was grabbing me by the hand and telling me to "no more time for that; run over here and see this!" I am no expert but I believe that more time taken with the characters, as well as fewer characters and subplots would have been a plus. Or perhaps a much longer book in order to adequately allow Walker to discuss all the ideas therein. It did not need to be densely packed as Eifelheim but it simply was not fair to the author's concepts to handle them in a book this short. More importantly, this author has something to say about Christians and Christianity that needs more space and discussion so that it doesn't just "preach to the choir" but opens others' minds to the elemental concepts here.
I did enjoy this book. It just was not all that it could have been and the potential was clearly on display which became a frustration toward the end. I definitely will be on the lookout for others of Walker's books, hoping that they are not as rushed.
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