We Read the Presidential Citizens Medal List With Interest This Year

We were interested in Erwin Morse and Jeffery L. Miller who are the founders of the Honor Flight Network. It transports veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill.

Of course, everyone on the Presidental Citizens Medal list was worthy of interest but our special interest came because Tom did the Honor Flight website. So we're proud to have a part in this noble venture.

I also was pleased to see Gary Sinise on the list. I was very impressed with a radio interview I heard a while back where he talked about his ongoing efforts to supply Iraqi children with school supplies (and he's a Catholic convert ... so that just makes it better).

The Selfless Stranger and the Four Year Old Boy

Sounds like a Christmas story doesn't it? In a sense, it is the truest sort of Christmas story, the sort that Christ himself prompted.

Christopher Closeup has the story up on their podcast feed of Tisha Young, a woman who donated her kidney to a 4-year-old boy she didn’t even know, thereby saving his life – and Tami Gappa, the mother of the 4-year-old, talking about what that choice has meant to her family.

I happen to be a bit more attached to this story than most, though all their interviews are interesting (and now in iTunes! Woohoo!). A friend of mine knew of the Gappas story and it was her prayer request on Happy Catholic that brought the story to Tony Rossi's attention.

The Insights We Can Gain From Atheists

Author and Rolling Stone journalist Randall Sullivan's personal experiences of the supposed apparition site at Medjugorje. The best writing I've encountered on spiritual themes. Hugely entertaining. Occasionally infuriating. Impossible to pin down. Honest. Brave. Sullivan has that rare quality in a writer, the quality of the genuine. If only Christian writers could write like this. But that's the thing. When God uses an atheist, sometimes the atheist, after a genuine conversion, will reveal a light in our faith that the rest of us have never seen.

I've seen several people mention The Heelers Diaries lately, from whence comes the above insightful comment and recommendation of The Miracle Detective. Check out the complete list at the link.

It is horrifying to think that an image that had received so many prayers over the centuries could be so blithely destroyed. Then again, the Church could reply that works of religious art are intended to be not receptacles for prayer, but windows to a higher reality; that one prays through, not to, an image. A statue of Mary is not Mary, and maybe it's better to melt down the images from time to time before they turn into idols.

I am reminded that I reviewed The Miracle Detective long ago, as well as Virgin Trails which is about an atheist who nevertheless becomes interested in going on Marian pilgrimages. Heeler Diaries' observation applies to both books, as you might surmise from the above excerpt from Virgin Trails.

Both are books that earned a permanent place on my groaning bookshelves and which I need to reread. And, of course, both are recommended.

Sweet Deal for HC Readers from Aquinas and More Catholic Store

Because there are only two weeks left before Christmas, we'd like to help make the rest of your Christmas shopping easier by giving you and your readers a coupon for free priority shipping on orders over $55 at our store.

Just enter the code BloggerSpecial into the coupon field during checkout.

In order to ensure delivery by Christmas, we're encouraging our customers to place their orders by Thursday, December 18 at the latest if they want priority shipping (this date is only applicable to in-stock items). Don't wait too long to get great Catholic gifts for everyone on your list!

Have a blessed Advent!

Thanks y'all!

Worth a Thousand Words

False Barbed-Wire taken by DL Ennis of Visual Thoughts

DL says, "Actually these are seed heads on an ornamental grass…in my garden." Nature. So amazing. Especially when revealed by an excellent photographer.

Daybook ... HC style

Cooking: Curried Beef with Potatoes and Peas ... so good I made it twice in the last two weeks. Next up will be Turkey Bone Gumbo that Sara Roahen kindly sent me the recipe for. I'm having to break it up into steps as I never have all the hours in one day that a true gumbo needs.

Talking: Serve the People: a Stir-Fried Journey Through China ... the lagniappe offered over at Forgotten Classics.

Reading:

• Just finished the above-mentioned Serve the People.
• Also finished Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines. It's like someone took the Summa Mamas and got them to knit and talk and write it all down, with simple patterns. Look for a little lagniappe to be posted over at Forgotten Classic in the near future from this book.
  
• Getting ready to dive into Eating India.
  
• Thoroughly enjoying rereading A Jesuit Off Broadway for our Catholic women's book club.
  
• Also getting so much from Mother Teresa's Secret Fire ... honestly I could practically excerpt every page here. Except then they wouldn't be excerpts would they?

Listening: it's a toss-up.

• Christmas music, especially the newly purchased Tony Bennett's "A Swingin' Christmas." iTunes had a song from it as last week's free download and it was pretty good. Tony's no Dino, but good enough and Count Basie's band backing him up sealed the deal. Plus look at that cover. So good in so many ways.
  
  
  
• The January Dancer by Michael Flynn. The guy knows how to tell space opera, y'all ... AND how to examine story telling while telling a story. So far - brilliant.
• The Catholic Foodie ... yes, you read that right. Catholicism and Food. Two of my favorite things ... in a podcast from Jeff Young. He's only on episode two but I'm likin' it so far. Also, he has some good stuff on his blog. The story about the baked potatoes cracked me up! Here's a tip from James Beard that has never sent me wrong ... one hour at 450 degrees, Jeff. Not 350.
  

Watching: finally saw Hellboy. Entertaining but it was no Pan's Labyrinth. I liked the Father and Son stuff though and the fact that Hellboy's free will was tied to the fact that "Son" was his truest identification with the person who truly loved him for who he was (that would be the Father, y'all). I'll watch Hellboy II ... when the library has it!

ALSO watched Craig Ferguson from Monday night. It was his first night back after attending his mother's funeral in Scotland and he spent the show talking about her. As he told the camera, he's always tried to be honest and it didn't feel right to be "on" when he didn't feel it. It was a combination of humor, reminiscence, and a son's love for his mother. Not the usual late night fare and we really appreciated his honesty. Which is why we watch him in the first place ... well, and the fact that his honesty usually is funny.

Congratulating: Chase Bank. Yes, our bank. Either we have the friendliest, most helpful Chase branch in the U.S. or they have radically improved banking customer service above the competition. Stopped in this morning to try to unsnarl a knotted tangle created by a family member (who shall remain unnamed) who is handling household expenses for the first time. Turns out it was not all their fault as the bank hadn't linked checking to the promised overdraft protection. Chase was so helpful and we looked through all our other accounts as well for any problems. And banking lessons will continue in our home when all gather for the holidays. Doesn't that sound like so much fun? (ha!)

Knitting: I never have been one of those people who had lots of projects "on the needles." Until now. Knitting Rose's afghan, I also cast on a simple hoodie for Hannah to provide something simple when my brain couldn't handle complications. Then I found I really missed knitting socks, so cast on one that I am halfway through because then ... talking to my mother, who always has scoffed at the idea of knitting socks, she mentioned that she was waiting for that pair of socks I said that I'd knit to keep her feet warm on winter nights. SCREEEECH to a halt with all else, order yarn ASAP, and start knitting like the wind. Yes. The. Wind. Almost done with the leg of the second sock. Whew! Then I have to work my way back to finishing some of these other projects!

Worth a Thousand Words

Day of the Dead - Papercuts

This is just one of many bewitching pieces of similar art. Check it out at BibliOdyssey, linked above. You can find out more about this Mexican tradition here (link from BibliOdyssey post).

Experienced Mexico travelers recognize a sure sign that a local fiesta is in progress whenever they spy a churchyard or stretch of roadway bedecked with lines of bright tissue paper cut-outs. Papel picado-- an enchanting Mexican popular art form with roots in the country's ancient cultures--lends a festive air for many types of celebrations. ...

No one to blame but ourselves

From this morning's reading in In Conversation with God: Advent and Christmastide, comes a reflection that dovetails completely with my readings yesterday from Mother Teresa's Secret Fire. That book has some tremendously helpful ways to show how it is possible to see Jesus in the people around us. I am going to be sharing pieces of that very soon. Here is what hit me this morning, which really needs no backup.

... To contemplate Jesus will especially help us not to be arrogant, and not to lose our tempers when things go wrong.

We must not make the mistake of thinking that this "bad temper" of ours, which bursts out in very definite circumstances and times, depends on the character of the people around us. The peace of our spirit does not depend on the good nature and kindness of other people. Our neighbors' good nature and kindness are in no way subject to our control of opinion. That would be absurd. The tranquility of our heart depends on ourselves. The ability to avoid anger, with all its ridiculous effects, has to come from within ourselves and not be dependent on the nature of other people. The power to overcome the evil in our character must not depend on some perfection outside us, but on our own virtue. (Cassian, Constitutions, 8)

Guilty, as charged. However, I sometimes am victorious in stuffing that bad temper down until the moment passes by contemplating either Jesus or Mary (the perfect disciple), which is a definite improvement!

Ten Most Fascinating Catholics of 2008

No one has tagged me but I have seen this making the rounds ... and began thinking about what qualifies someone as a fascinating Catholic of this year in particular.

The best I can come up with, personally, is who I'd like to meet ... let's say perhaps be seated next to on an airplane for a few hours of convivial conversation? Which means that I find them fascinating enough to want to be able to talk to them, right? (I'm excluding bloggers ... let's just take that as a given, ok?)

1. Pope Benedict 16. Well, duh.

2. Bishop Kevin Farrell, Dallas's bishop, and as Mama T put it with wanting to meet her Ft. Worth bishop, one who is breathing new life into our diocese.

3. Mike Aquilina, writer. He has been very kind in sending work to our company as well as unflaggingly enthusiastic whenever we are in contact. I know him "virtually" but would like to make it a face-to-face thing.

4. David Scott, writer. Met him (again virtually) via Mike Aquilina and David also has sent much work our way. There is no one better to have a phone conversation with. I'm just tellin' ya. Also, he wrote one of the most-ignored but best books I have ever read about Mother Teresa.

5. Dean Koontz , writer. His writing is getting more complex and nuanced and shows so clearly his Catholic soul. Plus, his very occasional podcast lets me know that he is funny, realistic, and self deprecating. A truly fascinating combination.

6. Jim Caviezel, actor. Everything I've read and heard from people who are in his parish tells me that he is a genuinely nice person who loves his faith. And, as you may know ... he's hot.

7. Michael Flynn , writer. Writes some of the best science fiction I've ever read and the careful Catholic reader sees his faith reflected in his work.

8. Aaron Neville, singer. He took me by complete surprise when listening to a brief podcast where he spoke of his life. Among all the many singers I heard on that show, he was the one who spoke of his faith and it was compelling. I later found out he is Catholic and has a devotion to St. Jude, whose medal he wears as an earring.

9. Peggy Noonan, writer. I especially liked her book about John Paul II and her faith.

10. John C. Wright, writer. I have liked the two books of his that I have managed to get my hands on, though I am under no illusions I could keep up with him conversationally I think it would be a blast.

Worth a Thousand Words

Czar Nicholas II of Russia (1868-1918) and his wife Alexandra Feodorovna
wearing state robes during ball at the Winter Palace. St. Petersburg, Russia, 1904

scribble ... scribble ...

Deacon Greg has surprised and honored me with the Superior Scribbler's Award (which saves me the trouble of tapping him for it!). He says, "One of the prettiest and pithiest and most engaging blogs around..." Oh you flatterer! And, of course, I love it!

I see that I am in very high level company ... which just makes this little baby even more precious.

Now, for my pick of five, which several of DG's choices took off my list ... so many excellent writers, so few slots. Ok, here goes ...

1. Conversion Diary: Musings of a Former Atheist
   Because of her recent religious journey and her continuing contemplation of the changes that her new-found Catholic faith has made in her life overall, Jen is one of the most compelling, honest, and thought provoking bloggers out there. She's a darned fine writer and I never miss one of her posts.
   
   
2. Practicing Catholic
   I met Heather when she bravely showed up for the Roe v. Wade pro-life march last year on the strength of responding to a post I wrote. What a pleasure it was to share that new experience with her and feel that I had come out of it with a new friend as a bonus. Then I read her blog and found her to be a thoughtful writer who is not afraid to bare her soul when necessary. Another one I never miss.
   
   
3. The Silver Key
   Brian Murphy discusses books, movies, and much more. I'll just say it like this. The guy reviewed an audiobook of Beowulf in such a way that I now can't wait to get my hands on one. Beowulf! I ask you! So, yes, he's a compelling writer who opens your eyes to hitherto unknown realms.
   
   
4. Good News Film Reviews
   I know that I must sound like a broken record sending you to Scott's reviews but, seriously, people! He can deliver an entire review in one pithy sentence as witness this for Encounters at the End of the World.
   
   If you're really into listening to the unintentionally laughable musings of a wealthy, over-hyped German over mostly boring footage of his trip to Antarctica, you're in luck.
   
   When that's just the beginning, then you know you're on to a good deal.
   
   
5. The Mad Tea Party
   March Hare has the knack of reviewing movies and books both intelligently and with an eye to Catholic sensibilities. She doesn't strain at a gnat while being faithful (which is a big plus to me). Even more important, she isn't afraid to speak up for something she sees has value even when the majority rule, whether secular or Catholic, might be bashing it as a knee-jerk reaction to "what everyone knows." In short, she has a brain and isn't afraid to use it.
   

Ok, now the mandatory posting of the rules:

• Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.
• Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
• Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to this post, which explains The Award.
• Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List (scroll down). That way, we’ll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!
• Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

Mark Shea is Coming to Dallas in January!

SWEET!

From Mark Windsor comes the news of Mark Shea's upcoming visit to his parish.

It's confirmed. Mark Shea will be at St. Anthony's in Wylie on January 24.

Festivities commence at 9:45 with 101 Reasons NOT to be Catholic.

Continuing at 10:45 with This is My Body: An Evangelical Discovers the Real Presence.

Lunch (hotdogs...nothin' too fancy) at 11:30.

The final talk is at 11:45 - Making Senses Out of Scripture: Reading the Bible as the First Christians Did.

I will ... repeat will ... be there! (Not to mention that I will get to see Mark Windsor again who is a heckuva interesting guy to chat with. So it's a double bonus.)

Sign up info to follow.

Are You Wearing Blue?

My youth group leader was giving a talk one night and he said, "There are over a billion Catholics in the world. If Catholics decided to wear the color blue tomorrow, everyone would be like...Blue is a cool color." And that made me have this crazy idea.... What if all of us Catholics actually did that? So I decided in honor of our mother Mary, on December 8th, which is The Feast of The Immaculate Conception, we will all wear the color light blue. Please help me accomplish this goal! Invite all your Catholic friends! Even if you are not Catholic and you want to honor Mary...that's cool too. Join us in this movement and be a witness to the world!

"If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world on fire. Let the truth be your delight...proclaim it...but with a certain congeniality."

-- Saint Catherine of Siena

Today's the day, people. I have to admit that I couldn't find a single blue thing at Target that didn't look dreadful ... so my "blue" is actually a teal. However, I do have my eye on a lovely mail order light blue sweater that I am going to have ready for next year.

As for now, get that blue on (or the closest equivalent) and flaunt it!

Catholic New Media Celebration to be in San Antonio for 2009?

I got an email saying that this was mentioned on Catholic Family Podcast but can't find anything "in writing" (so to speak) about it.

Anyone out there know about this?

Because if so, I could actually swing a trip to San Antonio for it ... c'mon people, give us the skinny on it!

A Smorgasbord of Cinema Awaits You

Bohemian Cinema is hosting this week's Carnival of Cinema and my review for Slumdog Millionaire is included. There are all sorts of interesting posts and reviews linked to and I highly recommend checking it out.

1st Sofanaut Awards

With the recent 52nd episode of Aural Delights, StarShipSofa has now delivered a year's worth of poetry, short fiction and fact articles. What better time than now to hold the first ever StarShipSofa awards: The Sofanauts!

The Sofanauts will recognise listener favourites from the first 52 Aural Delights shows. You can access all of these shows here.

Nominations for the following categories are now open:

• Best Flash Fiction
• Best Main Fiction
• Best Poetry Contributor
• Best Fact Article Contributor
• Best Narrator

You may nominate as many stories and contributors in each of the categories as you like. To make your nominations, please visit this online voting poll. Alternatively, you can head over to the StarShipSofa forums and list your favourites in each of the categories.

The top five stories and contributors receiving the most nominations in each category will make up a shortlist. Every nomination counts, so if someone on the forums has already nominated one of your favourites, you'll still need to nominate it yourself to give it the best chance of making the shortlist.

You will be able to vote on the shortlist in an upcoming online poll. Stay tuned to StarShipSofa for further details.

Nominations will be open from the two weeks following Aural Delights #53.

What have been your favourites in a year's worth of Aural Delights? Please get involved and have your say.

I'm a StarShipSofa fan ... ahem ... and also a narrator. Not that I'm asking for votes. Oh no! For one thing, my vote would go to Jim Campanella but that's beside the point. If you listen to the Sofa, head on over and make your voice heard.

Worth a Thousand Words

Raspberry Bismarck No. 2 by Duane Keiser

I think we would call this a jelly doughnut ... either way it's a great painting, isn't it?

The Blue Movement: Wear Blue on Monday to Honor Mary

My youth group leader was giving a talk one night and he said, "There are over a billion Catholics in the world. If Catholics decided to wear the color blue tomorrow, everyone would be like...Blue is a cool color." And that made me have this crazy idea.... What if all of us Catholics actually did that? So I decided in honor of our mother Mary, on December 8th, which is The Feast of The Immaculate Conception, we will all wear the color light blue. Please help me accomplish this goal! Invite all your Catholic friends! Even if you are not Catholic and you want to honor Mary...that's cool too. Join us in this movement and be a witness to the world!


"If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world on fire. Let the truth be your delight...proclaim it...but with a certain congeniality."

-- Saint Catherine of Siena

This is a Facebook group so I'm bringing this out into the larger blogosphere.

Wear blue on Monday to honor Mary ... now I have to think if I have anything that is light blue. Oh well, I'm off to Target to do some Christmas shopping. Hopefully they'll have something.

What's in My Earbuds?

Yep, The January Dancer ... the newest Michael Flynn book, thanks to Scott at SFFaudio keeping in mind what a Flynn junkie I am. So I got their review copy. Nice!

And, it's space opera. Uh huh.

Worth a Thousand Words

Girl Eating Pie

From Old Picture of the Day which also has this nice reflection. I highly recommend the blog, by the way.

This picture was taken in 1899 and shows a little girl eating pie. I find the photograph fascinating, in that it really could have been taken yesterday. It is amazing to me that for all that things change, some things remain the same. You know her parents adored her, and you can not help but wonder what things she saw in her life.