To Be Or Not To Be raises more than one question ... our most controversial episode yet.

It's the sign of a good satire and also of our times when the 1942 classic movie To Be Or Not To Be turns our conversation to politics and Catholicism in America. Get it at A Good Story is Hard to Find podcast.

"Thou"

My contribution to Sarah Reinhard's ongoing series which considers the Hail Mary, word by word. There's a surprising amount to reflect upon in that simple "thou" or so it seemed to me.

We're Alive! Updated.

Sorry that I didn't let everyone know we managed to duck 12 tornadoes, but you never realize when national news is going to pick up your local weather (while it's happening ...what a newfangled world this is)!

Our part of town was never in danger after the Lancaster tornado got done tossing trucks and decided to withdraw into the clouds while moving east. Our big concern was Hannah who, as an arborist, was driving all over creation yesterday. She was in Frisco, which was a comfort because it was far away from the bad weather ... until the Arlington tornado began hotfooting it up there. At which point she called to say that she had taken shelter in a SuperTarget, her boss was holed up in  church bathroom somewhere, and the other salesperson was driving around the deserted countryside looking for somewhere to take shelter. At that point, other than succumbing to buying too many movies, she was out of danger.

It is nice to see how many concerned friends I have all over the country! Thank you so much for your emails checking on our well being. :-)

UPDATE
A friend mentioned that national news made it look as if Dallas were laid waste with few survivors. I consider the miracle to be that no one was seriously hurt. Even at the nursing home that had a wing ripped apart. Minor injuries yes but no one was killed or really injured. Even the 18-month-old boy whose grandmother clung to him by his ankles to keep him from being sucked into the storm (while sheltering with the other grandchildren in the bathtub).

A miracle. I'm just sayin'.

Although my friend says:

There are natural explanations. Because your airport is the only airport on earth that has no free wi-fi, Dallas-area tornadoes are more predictable. They're not bouncing off errant email waves and hitting cars and houses. So write a note of thanks to the airport authority.

And not a trace of bitterness toward the airport. Another miracle?

Worth a Thousand Words: Pure Enjoyment

Kaylee Gets a Treat

Hannah caught this on her phone. It captured our newest dog's enjoyment perfectly. We were able to let Wash and Kaylee play together on Saturday and little Kaylee fell right into line. She seems to relish her spot at the bottom of the pack ... or for that matter belonging to any pack ... and the household feels right again. Not that Kaylee hasn't begun trying to move up a bit, but that's par for the course and will keep us in line as strong leaders.

She's a doll. Sunny, cheerful, and mostly just wanting to be sure everyone's happy. Just like the original Kaylee on Firefly, so she's well named.

A Free E-Book Per Week for 10 Weeks: SF From Phoenix Pick

Not only are we offering a free book from one of true greats in science fiction (Locus Magazine lists him as having won more awards for short fiction than any other writer, ever), but we are going to significantly expand our Amazon program. We will be offering 10 titles absolutely free over the next 10 weeks via Amazon.

Starting April 3rd, we will offer a book absolutely free for two days (Tuesday and Wednesday) for the next ten weeks (a new book every week, free to download that Tuesday and Wendesday),Many of the books will be accompanied by additional promotions.

To get details of this promotion (including specific titles and dates) please go to:
http://www.phoenixpick.com/KPromo.htm (KPromo.htm is CASE SENSITIVE).

What about those who don’t own Kindle Devices? Unfortunately to offer these promos through Amazon we have had to de-list the book in other format…but THE BOOKS ARE DRM FREE. So  most of you should be available to download the book and convert it using any one of the myriad of free applications available on the web (like Calibre).

For  your own use only, of course…the free books are offered only for your own use. Please respect the rights of authors who have agreed to have their books provided to you for free.

And it looks as if there will be nice extras each week also. The first book has the next two book in the trilogy available for only 99 cents each. That is a great deal.

This is in addition to Phoenix Pick's usual monthly free e-book, which this month is from one of science fiction's great writers, Mike Resnick.

Our Free Ebook for April is Mike Resnick’s ‘Adventures: The Chronicle of Lucifer Jones, Volume I. Yes, Mike has won more awards than anyone else (living or dead) for short fiction (as least as per Locus magazine’s count) and he’s near the top for novels as well. He is also this year’s Guest of Honor at the Worldcon being held in Chicago.

Of all the characters that Mike has created, Lucifer Jones remains his favorite. We are proud to republish this hilarious series of adventures starring a most unique character.Adventures is the first volume of the Chronicles.

Being a Stirring Chronicle of Intrigue, Romance, Danger, Hairbreadth Escapes, and Thrilling Triumphs over Fierce Beasts and Fiercer Men in the Mysterious and Exotic Dark Continent, as Recounted by the Daring, Resourceful, Handsome, and Modest Christian Gentleman Who Experienced Them.

It really is a fun book.

Find out how to sign up for free e-books here.

Weekend Joke for Palm Sunday

It was Palm Sunday but because of a sore throat, 5-year-old Johnny stayed home from church with a sitter. When the family returned home, they were carrying several palm fronds. Johnny asked them what they were for.

"People held them over Jesus' head as he walked by," his father told him.

"Wouldn't you know it," Johnny fumed, "the one Sunday I don't go and he shows up."

It's All Downhill From Here: A Little Humor to Get Us Through the Rest of the Week

From the brilliant Doug Savage at Savage Chickens

Short Pasta with Cauliflower

Another of the recipes that Rose tried out when she was our nightly cook. (Oh, those were the days!). This was really tasty and comes in handy for meatless Fridays.

Get it at Meanwhile, Back in the Kitchen.

Palm Sunday is Coming. Is It Personal For You?

Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:6-11

I love this. It keeps me really grounded.

And I had it in mind the whole time I was watching this video about What the Father Saw . Made by Patrick, a youth minister (and future friar), at make a friar.

This is going to keep you grounded too, next Sunday when the Church, around the world, is reading the Passion narrative aloud at Mass. It's a little emotional, a little over the top, you might say.

Maybe.

But think about the readings for Palm Sunday. A lot of people today say that's a little over the top. Who'd believe all that anyway?

Right. You and me. Or you wouldn't be here and neither would I.

It brings it home, makes it personal, when we think about what Christ's obedience cost him ... and why He did it.

Blogging Around: "Too Good Not to Share" Edition

Links to full stories are in the titles.

Dr. Boli's Complete History of the World - Chapter 1

At a certain point in time—in fact, at the very first certain point of time in the history of time—this primordial unity gave birth to multiplicity with a tremendous racket. There is some disagreement as to why this event occurred: theologians believe it happened because God willed it; scientists believe it happened for no reason at all; and Dr. Boli, whose opinion must be allowed to count for something in his own book, believes it was the result of deliberate sabotage. The matter thus set loose in the previously tidy universe busily set about forming itself into galaxies, stars, planets, and other detritus, so that today there is little hope of ever getting the place cleaned up. This should be a valuable lesson for us all on the tragic consequences of slovenly habits.

It was hard to choose what to use to lure you to reading the entire thing, but do go do so. Too, too wonderful.

Christians Raise Money to Help Atheist Have Eye Surgery

Patrick Greene says he has always been “treated like dirt” by Christians because of his atheistic beliefs.

That recently changed, leaving Greene “completely flabbergasted.”

It happened when some Henderson County Christians offered Greene financial assistance with a medical problem despite his opposition to a nativity scene on the courthouse square.

To which I thought, "Yes, this is just as it should be." Sadly, it is rare enough to flabbergast people and raise a lot of notice. This should be the norm not the oddity. However. We are all to blame for that. For inspiration in doing better, let's all go read the entire story. Via The Deacon's Bench.

It's Better to Light One Candle Than Curse the Darkness

A young adventurer risks his life to reunite trafficked children with their families; African-American maids in the South reclaim their dignity through sharing their stories; a priest travels around the world to explore the history of the Catholic Church. These stories and more are told in the 22 feature films, TV/Cable programs, and books for adults and young people being honored with Christopher Awards in New York on May 24th, 2012.

There is a wealth of good reading, watching, and inspirational lives to read about at The Christophers where their most recent award winners have been announced. I can vouch for Little Princes by Conor Grennan which is an engrossing memoir tracing the young man's growing maturity as he helps reunite trafficked Nepalese children with their families.

Father Dwight Longenecker Moves to Patheos
I've long been a fan of Father Longenecker, way back from the days when I nervously typed my first "fan" email (before he converted) to the author of Adventures in Orthodoxy (which I still recommend). Reading his blog was just more of a daily dose of goodness and now he's at Patheos. Drop by and tell him hello!

Illustrations for Vox Clara Pontifical
I've long been a fan of artist Daniel Mitsui, who blogs at The Lion and The Cardinal, and was so pleased to see he had been commissioned to do these illustrations, which are simply wonderful. Check his newletter for more of his creations, which you may have for your very own.

A Thread for Weaving Joy

Catholics need to wake up from the illusion that the America we now live in – not the America of our nostalgia or imagination or best ideals, but the real America we live in here and now – is somehow friendly to our faith. What we’re watching emerge in this country is a new kind of paganism, an atheism with air-conditioning and digital TV. And it is neither tolerant nor morally neutral.

[...]

My point is this: Evil talks about tolerance only when it’s weak. When it gains the upper hand, its vanity always requires the destruction of the good and the innocent, because the example of good and innocent lives is an ongoing witness against it. So it always has been. So it always will be. And America has no special immunity to becoming an enemy of its own founding beliefs about human freedom, human dignity, the limited power of the state, and the sovereignty of God.

A friend of mine has a son with Down syndrome, and she calls him a “sniffer of souls.” I know him, and it’s true. He is. He may have an IQ of 47, and he’ll never read The Brothers Karamazov, but he has a piercingly quick sense of the people he meets. He knows when he’s loved -- and he knows when he’s not. Ultimately, I think we’re all like her son. We hunger for people to confirm that we have meaning by showing us love. We need that love. And we suffer when that love is withheld.

These children with disabilities are not a burden; they’re a priceless gift to all of us. They’re a doorway to the real meaning of our humanity. Whatever suffering we endure to welcome, protect and ennoble these special children is worth it because they’re a pathway to real hope and real joy. Abortion kills a child; it wounds a precious part of a woman’s own dignity and identity; and it steals hope. That’s why it’s wrong. That’s why it needs to end. That’s why we march.

Charles J. Chaput addressed the Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life and spoke from the heart. It needs to be read from beginning to end and taken to heart.

"All right, Mr DeMille, I'm ready for my close up."

This little lady is now our Boxer, Wash's, new little sister. She's smaller than she looks but makes up for it with huge personality. Unfortunately, so huge that she thinks she should run the household. Did we mention she's a lot more Pitt Bull than Boxer (or maybe Bulldog, we're thinking).

We got her at the SPCA where she could show her sweet, loving side. She'd been adopted and returned once because of an illness in the home that wouldn't allow taking care of a new pet. They also mentioned her fear of doors / doorways and extreme shyness.

We're wondering just what dog they took home. True enough, she doesn't like being taken by the collar and pulled anywhere. But walking through a doorway? No problem. Because maybe there's a camera waiting to take her confident photo.

And, if she gets through that doorway ahead of you it means that she is top dog, not you. Oh yes. There is that.

She has bonded very well to me and either waits to let me walk first or if she "forgets" (ha!), then when I clear my throat or tap my foot or ... yes sometimes she makes me order her ... clap my hands at her, then she comes contritely back (Oh, I didn't see you back there the two times I looked over my shoulder! So sorry!) and very properly follows me down the hall.

Biggest problem so far?

She began a fight with Wash within minutes of meeting him and still would like to settle it. Up went the dog gate (which she can knock over or climb ... what a little darling) and then began the two-dog tango to give each dog plenty of people time but keep them separated. We're going to take them for a walk this evening which should help the bonding because she was trying to get him to play with her through the gate this morning. (In between growls. Talk about mixed messages.)

Keeping in mind that we got her home around 2 p.m. on Saturday, that is not bad progress.

And, when we returned from Mass on Sunday, we discovered she's a little escape artist.

"Wire crate? Ha, ha! I laugh at them!" she chuckled gleefully as she greeted us at the door when we returned.

Thank goodness we had also crated Wash. Our gentle giant was sitting in the far corner of his crate, thanking his lucky stars she was outside and he was inside. And wondering just why we brought her home.

How she squeezed through that little opening she forced between the top and side, we'll never know. Oh, wait, we do know. Because Tom reinforced all gaps yesterday. When we put her in the crate so Wash could have an hour in our company while we were watching TV, we watched with bemusement as she tested every join, tried the wire with her excellent teeth (which are long and sharp and Tom said remind him of Alien), and then moaned with frustration. (Zoe and she could hold lovely concerts with their moaning.)

This makes her sound terrible, but it is really just adjustment pains being felt all around.

She is a little sweetie pie who wants noting more than to sit in your lap while her tummy is being rubbed. And then run 10 circles around the living room at the speed of light. (Which is very much like a Boxer.)

Her name?

We're sticking with the Firefly theme.

Think of a homegrown beauty, from a hardscrabble planet, delighted to see the big, wide world.

Yep, Kaylee.

That parasol makes me think of our Kaylee's spiffy new pink collar. Just the thing for a little lady.

Eternal Rest Grant Him, O Lord ... for Gregg Margarite

I had the privilege of "meeting" Gregg on SFFaudio and he seemed larger than life somehow, so it was with great shock that I heard via SFFaudio that he died of a sudden heart attack.

This is such a shock and I am really sad because I’m going to miss Gregg so much. He was pervasive in my life, whether via his many LibriVox readings, hearing his conversations on the SFFaudio podcast, or our sparring on the occasional SFFaudio podcasts we were on (as is only natural for an outspoken Catholic and an outspoken existentialist). I am doubly sad because I always cherished the hope that I would get to New York City and be able to have cocktails with him.

Maureen commented at SFFaudio that she suspected Philip K. Dick is now showing Gregg around the afterlife and that made me laugh. It made me hope that that stubborn existentialist took the chance offered at the last second to grasp Christ's hand and get to meet all those fine authors who have gone before him and whose work he read so well for LibriVox. And I am praying that when I get to Purgatory, they'll either tell me he's gone on ahead ... or he'll wave a hand at the chair next to his.

Gregg, we will all miss you very much.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

And may Gregg see your face, Lord. This I pray.

This Just In: Sense Nonsense - Updated

Sense Nonsense: Fundamental Propositions Not Too Good to Be True, Just Too Hard to Accept by Francisco J. Garcia-Julve


Can I tell you that I was sitting at the Sense Nonsense book website just chuckling at the sayings rotating? (You can't yet, but go take a look and you'll see what I'm talking about.)

They're funny because they're true (as wise man Homer Simpson has often told us). Although they aren't always funny ... anyway it was enough to interest me in opening the review pdf I received.

And then I read the first paragraph of the Forward and had to laugh again. Can't wait to read this.

UPDATE
And here's a review from Maureen at Aliens in This World.

It's a romance, it's a ghost story, it's like Oliver Twist: Jane Eyre at A Good Story is Hard to Find

Scott and I discuss whether men can read Jane Eyre, Jane Eyre versus The Hunger Games ... and Scott's one big question. All on A Good Story is Hard to Find podcast.

Words Matter ... Especially When We're Hurling Them at Others

I remember years ago my brother was in an altercation with the owner of a parking lot. They managed to exchange loud greetings that sounded to all those in hearing distance like ‘go to hell.’ I remember when I heard them, I suddenly got chills. I thought to myself, “Who the hell wants to go to hell.” Neither one of them I believe, was really thinking that they wanted the other to go to hell. They were simply expressing their feelings at that moment. To understand just the basics of hell would stop all of us from wishing it on anyone else.

[...]

I will never forget in a biography of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, he commented about praying for your enemies. He said he offered prayers up every day for Adolf Hitler, until the moment he learned of Hitler’s death. So it should be for all Catholics. Pray for your enemies and remember that you don’t want anyone going to hell.

Sammy John preaches it at Catholics on the Edge. And while he's at it, he spares some thought and prayer for prominent Catholics much in the news these days. Go. Read. And let us all do likewise.

Live in Dallas? I'll Be Speaking March 20. Hey - that's today!

Just a reminder that I'll be sharing my story From Atheist to Happy Catholic (and what I learned along the way) with the Altar Society at their evening meeting. And you're invited too!

Tuesday, March 20
7:00 p.m. (following 6:00 p.m. Mass)
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, St. Anne Hall
(6306 Kenwood Avenue,  Dallas, TX 75214)

You do not have to be a member of the Altar Society to attend.

I will have copies of my book, Happy Catholic, available afterward for anyone interested. If you already have a copy, I'd be happy to sign it.

Rally for Religious Freedom - Nationwide - Friday, March 23 - Noon

Here's the scoop for Dallas (including a map at the link):

Rally for Religious Freedom
Friday, March 23, Noon to 1 p.m. CST
Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla St.

Bleg: Good writing about the relationship between reason and Catholic faith

A good friend asks:

For years now I've been waiting for someone to preach to Catholics that philosophy reinforces rather than challenges our faith. I picture it like what Scott Hahn did for Catholics and popularizing the Bible (embrace it, don't fear it).

I have not devoted the time to read up on the topic to see what is already out there but I imagine it would use JPII's Fides et Ratio and personalism as a jumping off point (basically Thomast). Kind of allowing church-going Catholics to more firmly occupy the shifting ground between fundamentalism and materialism, without criticizing either or apologizing but rather celebrating the richness of our own faith.

Do you know anyone out there who is writing like that now?

I don't, though I am now going to print out Fides et Ratio which I may have read before but can't remember. Just reading the first few paragraphs was pretty exciting. (No, I'm not kidding. That's how I roll.)

Any suggestions for my friend?

Montmartre: a favorite Paris neighborhood and a new favorite cocktail

Check it out at Meanwhile, Back in the Kitchen.

Bleg: Book Suggestions for 13-year-old Girl

A reader asks:

Can you suggest a couple of book titles for my 13-year-old granddaughter? They must be audiobooks as she is dyslexic and mostly listens to books on tape.

I thought, perhaps, you might have some thoughts about good, wholesome books for early Teen girls; I fear that my granddaughter, who will be 13 this month, is already into those Twilight books (on tape) and somehow I don't think they're terribly appropriate, based on what I've heard and read! I always prefer the classics, myself, and if you have any particular audio versions that you like, I would love to hear about that.

Now I had a few thoughts, but they were very few, so I also turned to a couple of readers I trust.

Sarah Reinhard says:

• Regina Doman books -- ALL of them (I once called her books the "answer" to the Twilight books)
• The Eragon books (four in the series, I just read the last ones...I've heard less-than-glowing reviews, but I liked them)
• Book I haven't had a chance to review loudly yet (but will start next week at CatholicMom.com) - The Dragon's Tooth
• Michelle Buckman has a YA series of two books which are GREAT w/ Catholic worldview but no PREACHY (and really, you couldn't tell they were Catholic if you didn't know, which I LOVELOVELOVE): titles are Maggie Come Lately and My Beautiful Disaster

Rose says:

• The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
• Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman
• Princess Diaries
• Pride & Prejudice

My thoughts:

• Genesis by Bernard Beckett (SF novella)
• Neeta Lyfe, Zombie Exterminator by Karina Fabian
• To Kill a Mockingbird (I know a couple of these are "classics" which can be a turn-off, but they are classics because they are great stories. It might be that if she heard a good audiobook version the story would be gripping enough, with a great enough heroine, to make her forget the damning "classic" label)

I know there are lots of you out there with other great ideas. Please do chime in!