The following story is true.
And I just want you to see how much I trust y'all to even go public with it!
For the last few weeks I've been changing up my prayer habits. Trying to get more in touch while avoiding distractions, I've been taking 20 minute walks each morning. Out in the early morning light with nature all around it is easier to keep my mind on connecting with God. Notice that I said, "easier" not "easy." My mind can provide all the distractions to mess up 20 minutes without being in the house as I have found out.
Some of the time I will say the rosary but this is preceded by my attempts to get into a more personal relationship with Jesus. I will imagine that he's walking beside me and then, somehow, it is easier to just simply tell him what is bothering me, what I hope for, and then to try to listen.
That all backfired in a way last week. It was the first true cold snap of the season. I was wearing sweat pants and a jacket. In my mind's eye, Jesus strolled alongside. I was thinking over how my image of Jesus matched all those traditional pictures of the long dark hair and beard, the brown robe. Shaking my head, thinking, "well, at least I realize I'm doing it."
Suddenly, I was completely caught off guard when "mind's eye Jesus" took the initiative.
"I suppose I have you to thank for this?" he said, laying a hand on the collar of a white t-shirt showing under the neck of his robe. "Keeping me warm?"
I snickered. I hadn't seen that in my "mind's eye" but was colder than I'd think a robe could handle.
"And these," he continued, sticking out a sandal shod foot from beneath the robe. Uncharacteristically, the sandal was on over a white tube sock, "are so my feet don't get cold?"
I couldn't help it. I howled with laughter. So glad that none of the other early walkers were around at that moment.
Ok, so maybe not so much time should be spent on the visualization as on the communication.
On the other hand, those are true moments of connection even if it isn't what I would have thought of communicating about!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Worth a Thousand Words
... Huebscher Laden ...
Originally uploaded by Juergen Kurlvink and found in Flickr's Door Pool.
Originally uploaded by Juergen Kurlvink and found in Flickr's Door Pool.
Monday, October 27, 2008
"There. Now you can breathe."
Spoken in a low, gentle tone, with her hand resting on Daffy's side, those kind words came from Dr. Dixon who put our boxer to sleep.
Daffy had cancer and, as one of the vet techs told me, was "a miracle dog." Not only at her advanced age had she survived a spleenectomy for about two and a half months, but she was putting up a dogged fight against the cancer the necessitated the operation in the first place. We always knew she was spirited and lively and the "alpha" dog in our household, but not that she had such sheer determination.
For the last few days I fed her banana bread by hand, just thanking my lucky stars that I had uncharacteristically made three loaves of it last weekend. We kept waiting for her to have a day that didn't have those bright spots of her wanting to go get the paper with Tom or barking at the mailman (and everyone with the temerity to walk on "our" sidewalk) or the many other little things that put the fun and purpose into a dog's day.
Finally, the tumors spread to her lungs and it took most of her strength to breathe. I took her to the vet on Saturday and sat on the floor with her head in my lap. Lying down made it hardest to breathe but she didn't have the strength to sit up for very long, so on the floor we were. Of course, I was crying. (I made it to the car before breaking down into whole-hearted sobbing.)
Watching her struggle for breath suddenly cease and hearing those gentle words from the vet ... that stuck with me all day. I would recall those words and suddenly miss Daffy and cry while simultaneously being glad that she wasn't struggling to breathe any more.
Tom had taken his mother to a reunion near Houston so I was alone all day. That was fine. I did my errands, albeit sometimes with reddened eyes which clerks kindly saw and ignored. I wandered the house, doing laundry, making spaghetti sauce.
As I was walking through the living room, suddenly thinking again of Daffy and mentally telling her, "I miss you" something startling happened. I am just going to tell you and then you can think whatever you want about it. All I can tell you is that I was astonished.
Like a bullet or a speeding boxer, into my mind simply and without emotion shot the thought, "i'm happy, mom."
Now it is those words that come to my mind. They make me cry some, but I am happy too.
Daffy had cancer and, as one of the vet techs told me, was "a miracle dog." Not only at her advanced age had she survived a spleenectomy for about two and a half months, but she was putting up a dogged fight against the cancer the necessitated the operation in the first place. We always knew she was spirited and lively and the "alpha" dog in our household, but not that she had such sheer determination.
For the last few days I fed her banana bread by hand, just thanking my lucky stars that I had uncharacteristically made three loaves of it last weekend. We kept waiting for her to have a day that didn't have those bright spots of her wanting to go get the paper with Tom or barking at the mailman (and everyone with the temerity to walk on "our" sidewalk) or the many other little things that put the fun and purpose into a dog's day.
Finally, the tumors spread to her lungs and it took most of her strength to breathe. I took her to the vet on Saturday and sat on the floor with her head in my lap. Lying down made it hardest to breathe but she didn't have the strength to sit up for very long, so on the floor we were. Of course, I was crying. (I made it to the car before breaking down into whole-hearted sobbing.)
Watching her struggle for breath suddenly cease and hearing those gentle words from the vet ... that stuck with me all day. I would recall those words and suddenly miss Daffy and cry while simultaneously being glad that she wasn't struggling to breathe any more.
Tom had taken his mother to a reunion near Houston so I was alone all day. That was fine. I did my errands, albeit sometimes with reddened eyes which clerks kindly saw and ignored. I wandered the house, doing laundry, making spaghetti sauce.
As I was walking through the living room, suddenly thinking again of Daffy and mentally telling her, "I miss you" something startling happened. I am just going to tell you and then you can think whatever you want about it. All I can tell you is that I was astonished.
Like a bullet or a speeding boxer, into my mind simply and without emotion shot the thought, "i'm happy, mom."
Now it is those words that come to my mind. They make me cry some, but I am happy too.
Halloween Countdown: Zombies, Zombies Everywhere ...
... and not a brain in sight!
I realize that Halloween has snuck up on me and is coming up soon. To help get us in the mood, here are a movie and a book that are favorites of ours.
I've never been a real zombie fan. Too much blood and guts everywhere (literally). However, these two examples are too good to pass up.
SHAUN OF THE DEAD
Shaun and his best friend are a couple of slackers. A good evening is one that ends at the pub and every evening ends at the pub. Shaun's girlfriend is less than pleased with this lack of initiative, especially after celebrating their third anniversary ... at the pub. She breaks up with Shaun who is so distraught that he doesn't notice all there is a zombie epidemic all around them. This leads to some hilarious scenes, such as when Shaun and his friend first encounter zombies and think they are drunks. Shaun takes the lead in rescuing his mum and ex-girlfriend to take them to the safest place he can think of ... the pub. I was anxious to see this from the first moment I heard the premise, yet put it off for fear of the "R" rating (for zombie violence ... yes, that's actually what it says). There is plenty of warning for any such scenes and much of it is so fake that it doesn't matter. The directors are really good at combining our awareness that this is a zombie movie with Shaun's general cluelessness to provide many very funny jump scenes as well. HC rating: nine thumbs up!
WORLD WAR Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
This is a very clever premise that provides much food for thought about how individuals and governments respond to unexpected emergencies ... or fail to respond. In this "future history" a reporter travels the world to interview key individuals who fought in the zombie wars after a virus surfaces that sweeps over populations in an epidemic, leaving huge numbers of zombies roaming the earth. Brooks uses this vehicle not only to tell an excellent story but to skewer both governmental policies and lambast the powerful who take advantage of any situation for their own gain. This is a real page turner that resulted in many late nights as I watched civilization collapse and wondered what was found that allowed victory over the zombie hordes. HC rating: nine thumbs up!
I realize that Halloween has snuck up on me and is coming up soon. To help get us in the mood, here are a movie and a book that are favorites of ours.
I've never been a real zombie fan. Too much blood and guts everywhere (literally). However, these two examples are too good to pass up.
SHAUN OF THE DEADShaun and his best friend are a couple of slackers. A good evening is one that ends at the pub and every evening ends at the pub. Shaun's girlfriend is less than pleased with this lack of initiative, especially after celebrating their third anniversary ... at the pub. She breaks up with Shaun who is so distraught that he doesn't notice all there is a zombie epidemic all around them. This leads to some hilarious scenes, such as when Shaun and his friend first encounter zombies and think they are drunks. Shaun takes the lead in rescuing his mum and ex-girlfriend to take them to the safest place he can think of ... the pub. I was anxious to see this from the first moment I heard the premise, yet put it off for fear of the "R" rating (for zombie violence ... yes, that's actually what it says). There is plenty of warning for any such scenes and much of it is so fake that it doesn't matter. The directors are really good at combining our awareness that this is a zombie movie with Shaun's general cluelessness to provide many very funny jump scenes as well. HC rating: nine thumbs up!
WORLD WAR Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max BrooksThis is a very clever premise that provides much food for thought about how individuals and governments respond to unexpected emergencies ... or fail to respond. In this "future history" a reporter travels the world to interview key individuals who fought in the zombie wars after a virus surfaces that sweeps over populations in an epidemic, leaving huge numbers of zombies roaming the earth. Brooks uses this vehicle not only to tell an excellent story but to skewer both governmental policies and lambast the powerful who take advantage of any situation for their own gain. This is a real page turner that resulted in many late nights as I watched civilization collapse and wondered what was found that allowed victory over the zombie hordes. HC rating: nine thumbs up!
Daybook
What I'm Watching
Sahara. We finished Sahara with Michael Palin. I think other than the sheer foreignness of all those places what fascinated us most was that practically everyone he came across spoke passable French or English or both. We were, of course, keeping in mind that most of these people had been vetted ahead of time to be guides or interviews. However, it was still quite impressive.
Arrested Development. Finishing up the last seaso. Except for the seemingly random use of Tobias whose character the writers seem not to have known what to do with anymore, it is still so funny how they can weave such nonsensical elements into a cohesive whole that packs a hilarious punch in each episode.
Life on Mars. Is anyone else watching this? I haven't seen the British original, not having cable, but am enjoying this American adaptation. So far with three episodes down it is interesting not only in the mystery of the main character's "time travel" but in the contrast between 1973 and now ... though I do find the emphasis on constant police brutality a trifle wearing.
Sahara. We finished Sahara with Michael Palin. I think other than the sheer foreignness of all those places what fascinated us most was that practically everyone he came across spoke passable French or English or both. We were, of course, keeping in mind that most of these people had been vetted ahead of time to be guides or interviews. However, it was still quite impressive.
Arrested Development. Finishing up the last seaso. Except for the seemingly random use of Tobias whose character the writers seem not to have known what to do with anymore, it is still so funny how they can weave such nonsensical elements into a cohesive whole that packs a hilarious punch in each episode.
Life on Mars. Is anyone else watching this? I haven't seen the British original, not having cable, but am enjoying this American adaptation. So far with three episodes down it is interesting not only in the mystery of the main character's "time travel" but in the contrast between 1973 and now ... though I do find the emphasis on constant police brutality a trifle wearing.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Happy Catholic ... It's Bubbly, It's Lively, It's Canned!
Wait a minute ... that didn't sound right at all!
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Thursday, October 23, 2008
Ah yes, the Reformation ... she continues apace
I have to admit that when I heard about the formation of Catholics for Change as a protest against the DFW Bishops' statement being read from the pulpit ... I laughed ... out loud.
It's been done, folks. And much more effectively than we're hearing about in the piece linked to above from the Dallas Observer. Y'all might want to check Father Powell's list to see how far you're going to get with this little protest.
Looking Both Ways
You Know You're a Republican If ...
Your idea of "compassionate conservatism"
means giving your employees praise instead of a raise.
You Know You're a Democrat If ...
Your idea of "liberalism"
means using other people's money liberally for the causes you support.
Your idea of "compassionate conservatism"
means giving your employees praise instead of a raise.
You Know You're a Democrat If ...
Your idea of "liberalism"
means using other people's money liberally for the causes you support.
Question: Catholic Food Theology
Since you are a prolific writer on all things Catholic and Food, my wife and I figure you were the right person to ask for sources of Catholic teaching about food. Let me explain:My immediate thoughts would be that the proposal is simply requiring humane treatment. As for the economic impact on the poor, it seems to me that what with legumes, nuts, and other relatively inexpensive sources of protein, that this is not something that needs to be a concern.
The Catechism doesn't tell us to what extent should we investigate and/or avoid eating animals that have been mistreated, and what constitutes mistreatment. By way of illustration, California is voting on a proposition this year that requires that calves raised for veal, egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs be confined only in ways that allow these animals to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs and turn around freely.
That SEEMS like a reasonable proposal. However, since we know that animals are God's creation but do not have souls, to what extent do we have to be concerned about the economic (making food more expensive for the poor, etc) and practical impact such a decision? Conversely, is this an issue of right and wrong, where such considerations are entirely beside the point? I'm sure you get the point. Do you have any links or ideas?
My purely human thought on it, religion aside, is that if we can't afford to treat our animals humanely then perhaps we need to rethink what we eat no matter what our economic status. People didn't used to have meat except during feasts. We can live without it and have done for many centuries until recently. Certainly we can use it more as a flavoring such as is found in much of Asian cooking.
Let me hasten to add that I, personally, am no vegetarian. In fact, I enjoy meat quite a bit, so much so that I struggle to include a couple of meatless meals each week for health as well as economic reasons. However, I am willing to eat less of it and pay a little more for what we do buy so that an animal may be able to stand, sit or lie in comfort. Those requirements are not unreasonable for any living creature. I find it very sad that there is a necessity for that bill at all.
None of this comes from Catholic teachings and if anyone wants to chime in on that aspect, please feel free to do so.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Justin's Answers ...
In case people haven't swung by there yet, Justin Catanoso, author of My Cousin the Saint, fought free of the things keeping him from the comments boxes.
You can read his thoughtful and interesting answers here!
Thanks again, Justin!
You can read his thoughtful and interesting answers here!
Thanks again, Justin!
One More Reason I Like Good News Film Reviews
Scott cracks me up! It just don't get any better than those short reviews ...
Plus the rest of what he writes is good too ... even if I quite often don't agree on his opinions about which movies to watch.The Jacket (2005)
Should I see it?
No.
Short Review: This is a time-travel movie. After watching it, I wanted to travel back in time to when I decided to rent it and kick myself in the shins.
[...]
It's All Downhill From Here ...
A little humor to help us over Wednesday ... from the hilarious Savage Chickens.
A Little Useless Information
It is a very sad thing that nowadays there is so little useless information. -- Oscar Wilde
CRIME • In Latin, this word's background began as the verb cernere, "to decide." Over time, a more specialized form arose, also in Latin, the noun crimen, meaning "a judgment," or "an accusation." Appearing in Middle English, its first uses were more in the sense of wickedness than illegal behavior. The first use in the modern sense dates to the 1600s.The Word Origin Calendar
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Congratulations Irma!
In our out-of-the-hat (actually out-of-the-bowl) drawing, the winner of "My Cousin the Saint" book giveaway is Irma!
This is a double pleasure because I actually know Irma ... you know, in person, face-to-face, in the real world!
What I do not know, however, is your address, Irma ... send it to me so we can get that book headed your way!
This is a double pleasure because I actually know Irma ... you know, in person, face-to-face, in the real world!
What I do not know, however, is your address, Irma ... send it to me so we can get that book headed your way!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
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