"Humor is also a way of saying something serious."
-- T. S. Eliot
"One of the most obvious facts about grownups to a child is that they have forgotten what it is like to be a child."
-- Randall Jarrell
"The penalty for success is to be bored by the people who used to snub you."
-- Nancy Astor
"People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use."
-- Soren Kierkegaard
Friday, February 26, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Quilts, quilts and more quilts!
Maybe it is my new vitamins but I seem to be progressing well on my quilt projects the last few weeks! I finished two baby quilts last week and have the quilt tops done for four more. I try to make and donate baby quilts to ProLife for unwed mothers who come in for help during this difficult time. I'm trying to get six one this Lent - one for each week of Lent!
Last I heard, however, the local ProLife office was not allowing Catholic literature in their racks. They have their Protestant booklets and encourage the young ladies to be 'born again' but won't allow equal time for other faiths. Seems to me that at such a difficult time in a woman's life, the ProLife office should keep a database of some sort of pastors, ministers, rabbis, etc. who are open to talking to the young ladies and providing them guidence and support from a parish/congregation. It doesn't seem very Christian to deal with Catholic unwed mothers but not provide them with Catholic help. I happen to know they do have Catholics helping out and wonder why none of them have spoken up on the subject.
I'm now stock piling my baby quilts until I find a group that is for EVERYONE not just for a specific church's agenda. The last time I donated some items to the 'restricted' group, they wouldn't accept some quilts and diaper bags that had our Lady of Guadeloupe on them. Seems like they could be refusing some comfort to a Catholic girl going through all this. Just my vent for the day!
Last I heard, however, the local ProLife office was not allowing Catholic literature in their racks. They have their Protestant booklets and encourage the young ladies to be 'born again' but won't allow equal time for other faiths. Seems to me that at such a difficult time in a woman's life, the ProLife office should keep a database of some sort of pastors, ministers, rabbis, etc. who are open to talking to the young ladies and providing them guidence and support from a parish/congregation. It doesn't seem very Christian to deal with Catholic unwed mothers but not provide them with Catholic help. I happen to know they do have Catholics helping out and wonder why none of them have spoken up on the subject.
I'm now stock piling my baby quilts until I find a group that is for EVERYONE not just for a specific church's agenda. The last time I donated some items to the 'restricted' group, they wouldn't accept some quilts and diaper bags that had our Lady of Guadeloupe on them. Seems like they could be refusing some comfort to a Catholic girl going through all this. Just my vent for the day!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Common Sense, anyone . . .?
I heard, today, that the liberal State of Massachusetts is comtemplating a law that would require ALL citizens of that state to get the H1N1 vaccine. Adults will not be forced to take the injection but would be arrested. Children would be forceably injected regardless of their protests or that of their parents. I don't know if the law has reached the desk of the governor but word has it that he plans to sign it.
What does the picture of police forcing their way into your home remind you of? Sort of a Nazi approach in an ever-growing nanny state that is slowly taking over the US.
I always love it when I hear that liberals are kind and tolerant. I'm sure they are . . . to those of their ilk!
Scary times we live in, right now. Sure makes one glad we have God ultimately in charge because without Him, any kind of life would seem worthless.
My husband did point out something interesting. He said that in spite of the stupidities going on, the United States seems to limp along. His view is that we have a lot more people in the US who still believe in prayer and that is what is keeping our heads above water. Good time to remind ourselves to increase our prayers for our country and pass on the word. We know prayer works but we tend to forget to use this powerful weapon!
What does the picture of police forcing their way into your home remind you of? Sort of a Nazi approach in an ever-growing nanny state that is slowly taking over the US.
I always love it when I hear that liberals are kind and tolerant. I'm sure they are . . . to those of their ilk!
Scary times we live in, right now. Sure makes one glad we have God ultimately in charge because without Him, any kind of life would seem worthless.
My husband did point out something interesting. He said that in spite of the stupidities going on, the United States seems to limp along. His view is that we have a lot more people in the US who still believe in prayer and that is what is keeping our heads above water. Good time to remind ourselves to increase our prayers for our country and pass on the word. We know prayer works but we tend to forget to use this powerful weapon!
Monday, February 15, 2010
The Meaning of Lent . . .
Found this on the Internet and it struck a chord! Has a lot to say and is a great example. As usual, out of the mouths of babes!
Lent in a Tent!
Have you ever spent Lent in a tent? As a young priest, living in England, I was exhorting the parishioners to take Lent seriously, and to be creative and cheerful in their self denial. With the radicalism of youth I said, "Do something extreme for once! Think of the desert fathers who left everything and went to live in a cave! Think of Jesus in the desert for forty days. Remember St Simeon Stylites who lived for thirty five years on top of a pillar in the Syrian desert! Go on! Do something radical and beautiful for God.
Preachers must be careful what they say for people are listening...especially little people. So Ash Wednesday came and went and then on Friday I had a phone call from a young mother of four children. "Father, I wish you hadn't preached that homily on Sunday," she said in a tone of slight exasperation. "Because Philip has decided to spend Lent in a tent."
Philip was her ten year old son. A bright boy who sang in the choir and was always full of jokes and questions, Philip had been listening and taking it to heart. "What do you mean he is spending Lent in a tent?" I asked.
"He said he was going to live in the tent in the backyard all during Lent and he wasn't coming out and I was supposed to bring him meals and books and whatever he needed. I don't want to discourage him, but really Father, it is a bit much turning my son into a hermit!"
"OK, I'll come around to see him."
Later that afternoon I dropped in to see Philip. Sure enough, he was sitting happily in his tent in the backyard. This was late February and it was cold. He was bundled up in a sleeping bag wearing a woolen hat, reading a comic book with a mug of cocoa at his side. I climbed into the tent and we had a talk about Lent and came to a compromise. Philip would come out from the tent to go to school, wash and have meals with the family, but his mom said he could sleep in the tent every night if he wanted to.
So Philip spent Lent in a tent. I visited him a couple of times through the forty days and whenever he could he was ensconced in his canvas cave like a perfectly happy hermit. He read lots of books and I talked with him about prayer and I still remember it as one of the happiest Lents I ever spent.
As you prepare for Lent you may not be called to live in a tent, but learn a lesson from Philip: do something radical and beautiful for God. Do it cheerfully and with good purpose. Give more. Pray more. Sacrifice more. Your life will be better for it. Your family will be better for it. Your church will be better for it. You community will be better for it.
The whole world will be better for it.
Posted by Fr Longenecker at Monday, February 15, 2010
Lent in a Tent!
Have you ever spent Lent in a tent? As a young priest, living in England, I was exhorting the parishioners to take Lent seriously, and to be creative and cheerful in their self denial. With the radicalism of youth I said, "Do something extreme for once! Think of the desert fathers who left everything and went to live in a cave! Think of Jesus in the desert for forty days. Remember St Simeon Stylites who lived for thirty five years on top of a pillar in the Syrian desert! Go on! Do something radical and beautiful for God.
Preachers must be careful what they say for people are listening...especially little people. So Ash Wednesday came and went and then on Friday I had a phone call from a young mother of four children. "Father, I wish you hadn't preached that homily on Sunday," she said in a tone of slight exasperation. "Because Philip has decided to spend Lent in a tent."
Philip was her ten year old son. A bright boy who sang in the choir and was always full of jokes and questions, Philip had been listening and taking it to heart. "What do you mean he is spending Lent in a tent?" I asked.
"He said he was going to live in the tent in the backyard all during Lent and he wasn't coming out and I was supposed to bring him meals and books and whatever he needed. I don't want to discourage him, but really Father, it is a bit much turning my son into a hermit!"
"OK, I'll come around to see him."
Later that afternoon I dropped in to see Philip. Sure enough, he was sitting happily in his tent in the backyard. This was late February and it was cold. He was bundled up in a sleeping bag wearing a woolen hat, reading a comic book with a mug of cocoa at his side. I climbed into the tent and we had a talk about Lent and came to a compromise. Philip would come out from the tent to go to school, wash and have meals with the family, but his mom said he could sleep in the tent every night if he wanted to.
So Philip spent Lent in a tent. I visited him a couple of times through the forty days and whenever he could he was ensconced in his canvas cave like a perfectly happy hermit. He read lots of books and I talked with him about prayer and I still remember it as one of the happiest Lents I ever spent.
As you prepare for Lent you may not be called to live in a tent, but learn a lesson from Philip: do something radical and beautiful for God. Do it cheerfully and with good purpose. Give more. Pray more. Sacrifice more. Your life will be better for it. Your family will be better for it. Your church will be better for it. You community will be better for it.
The whole world will be better for it.
Posted by Fr Longenecker at Monday, February 15, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Rainy days and simmering pots . . .
California is avoiding it's usual sunny adjective, these days, and rain has become our liquid sunshine! I'm happy about it as the drought has gone on long enough. The best part of rainy, cold days is cooking and baking. Yes, I cook/bake during the heat of the summer but it never smells quite as nice as when the rain is sheeting the window panes and the oven is keeping it warm inside.
I was inspired today! I had made my favorite marinara sauce for a Friday pasta meal and had two cups of it left. I decided to make chili! It has been simmering on the stove most of the day and rice is presently cooking in the microwave. Nothing like a bowl of spicy chili over rice with a generous sprinkling of cheese on top.
Thoughts of pasta sauce and tomato reminded me of a fun recipe.
Chocolate Cake with Tomato Soup
1/2 cup real butter, softened
1 1//3 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup water
1 can (20 3/4 ounce or there abouts) tomato soup
1 cup chopped nuts, your choice
1 generous teaspoon grated orange zest
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Preheat over to 350 degrees. Grease adn flour a 9" x 13" pan.
Cream together buter and sugar. Add eggs, and beaut utnil fluffy. Whisk together the dry ingredients. Mix tomato soup with water. Add dry ingredients and soup mixture alternately to cream mixtures. Combine gently but well. Fold in nuts, spices, zest and vanilla. Pour into prepared pan and bake approximately 30 minutes.
If you want to impress, ice with:
Cream Cheese Glaze
2 tablespoons butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix until smooth and spread on cake when just slightly warm.
I was inspired today! I had made my favorite marinara sauce for a Friday pasta meal and had two cups of it left. I decided to make chili! It has been simmering on the stove most of the day and rice is presently cooking in the microwave. Nothing like a bowl of spicy chili over rice with a generous sprinkling of cheese on top.
Thoughts of pasta sauce and tomato reminded me of a fun recipe.
Chocolate Cake with Tomato Soup
1/2 cup real butter, softened
1 1//3 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup water
1 can (20 3/4 ounce or there abouts) tomato soup
1 cup chopped nuts, your choice
1 generous teaspoon grated orange zest
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Preheat over to 350 degrees. Grease adn flour a 9" x 13" pan.
Cream together buter and sugar. Add eggs, and beaut utnil fluffy. Whisk together the dry ingredients. Mix tomato soup with water. Add dry ingredients and soup mixture alternately to cream mixtures. Combine gently but well. Fold in nuts, spices, zest and vanilla. Pour into prepared pan and bake approximately 30 minutes.
If you want to impress, ice with:
Cream Cheese Glaze
2 tablespoons butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix until smooth and spread on cake when just slightly warm.
All too true . . .
This quote struck me as very appropriate to our current state of affairs in our country.
"There is no nonsense so arrant that it cannot be made the creed of the vast majority by adequate governmental action."
-- Bertrand Russell
"There is no nonsense so arrant that it cannot be made the creed of the vast majority by adequate governmental action."
-- Bertrand Russell
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