Saturday, May 7, 2011
Lemon musings . . .
I was thinking about lemons today. It was probably the fact that I wandered out into the backyard for the sole purpose of picking a few off our sturdy, faithful little lemon tree. It is a sight to behold right now. The one and off again weather pattern has the poor tree rather confused. There are about 20 beautiful, golden lemons hanging from it branches BUT, there are also many new blossoms offering the promise of more lemons in the coming Fall. BUT, there are also some new, green lemons already in evidence almost catching up with the yellow ones long on the tree.
Now, my favorite citrus fruit in the world is an orange. An orange warm and fresh from the tree must have been one of the fruits spending time in the Garden of Eden. I've yet to purchase an orange from the store that tastes as good. Upon reflection, however, if I had to deal with only one fruit the rest of my life, I'd probably chose the lemon. Why? Lemons are more versatile and can be used in both savory and sweet dishes. A lemonade on a hot day is wonderful. Broiled chicken that has been marinated in garlic and lemon juice is a whole, other wonderful story.
My thoughts on lemons did 'bear fruit' . . . I just took out a lemon pound cake from the oven. Before it cooled down, I poured a mixture of fresh lemon juice and sugar over the top to soak it. If I'm electing lemons to be my favorite, I should really use them to the fullest, right?
Now, my favorite citrus fruit in the world is an orange. An orange warm and fresh from the tree must have been one of the fruits spending time in the Garden of Eden. I've yet to purchase an orange from the store that tastes as good. Upon reflection, however, if I had to deal with only one fruit the rest of my life, I'd probably chose the lemon. Why? Lemons are more versatile and can be used in both savory and sweet dishes. A lemonade on a hot day is wonderful. Broiled chicken that has been marinated in garlic and lemon juice is a whole, other wonderful story.
My thoughts on lemons did 'bear fruit' . . . I just took out a lemon pound cake from the oven. Before it cooled down, I poured a mixture of fresh lemon juice and sugar over the top to soak it. If I'm electing lemons to be my favorite, I should really use them to the fullest, right?
So, being Christian is only for IN the context of church?
I attend a relatively small parish that has an even smaller attendance for daily Masses. There are some regular attendees who only come for the Saturday morning Mass. We get to know each other either just by sight or by actually going out of our way to stop and speak.
For literally years, one elderly woman would come to the Saturday Mass and eventually started pausing to ask about my children, share the time of day, etc. My youngest daughter is very close friends with her elderly uncle who also comes to this Mass. Right after our current president came into power, I mentioned something about how sad it was that 65% of the Catholics voted a pro-abortion president into office. He proved his stance when he recinded all of the restrictions President Bush had put in place during his time as president. Well, this sweet, old lady reared up in indignation and snarled, "I voted for obama. He is a massive improvement over Bush!" With that, she walked off and has never spoken or smiled at me, again.
Now, you have to wonder about this. Given the obvious problems since obama came into office, does she still feel the same about her choice? Does she ever wonder if being unchristian to me and my family before Mass get forgiven because she is excessive in her prayer postures during Mass? It would seem to me that if a political choice made me turn my back on a friend because of a difference of opinion, I would rethink the situation.
I have a lot of friends who don't always agree with me on various subjects and we still enjoy each other's company. It must be a common mind set amount a lot of people with the same thoughts on the subject like the woman at church. We actually have relatives that will not talk to us unless it is necessary and treat us as if our freedom of choice in our vote somehow sends us away from the chosen 'flock'.
I've given up trying to figure this stuff out! I relish my free will in making choices and pray that I continue to do so with some research and thinking on my part. Definitely NOT a perfect person but I do try to do what is right for the now and the future.
For literally years, one elderly woman would come to the Saturday Mass and eventually started pausing to ask about my children, share the time of day, etc. My youngest daughter is very close friends with her elderly uncle who also comes to this Mass. Right after our current president came into power, I mentioned something about how sad it was that 65% of the Catholics voted a pro-abortion president into office. He proved his stance when he recinded all of the restrictions President Bush had put in place during his time as president. Well, this sweet, old lady reared up in indignation and snarled, "I voted for obama. He is a massive improvement over Bush!" With that, she walked off and has never spoken or smiled at me, again.
Now, you have to wonder about this. Given the obvious problems since obama came into office, does she still feel the same about her choice? Does she ever wonder if being unchristian to me and my family before Mass get forgiven because she is excessive in her prayer postures during Mass? It would seem to me that if a political choice made me turn my back on a friend because of a difference of opinion, I would rethink the situation.
I have a lot of friends who don't always agree with me on various subjects and we still enjoy each other's company. It must be a common mind set amount a lot of people with the same thoughts on the subject like the woman at church. We actually have relatives that will not talk to us unless it is necessary and treat us as if our freedom of choice in our vote somehow sends us away from the chosen 'flock'.
I've given up trying to figure this stuff out! I relish my free will in making choices and pray that I continue to do so with some research and thinking on my part. Definitely NOT a perfect person but I do try to do what is right for the now and the future.
Catholic Pick Up Lines . . .
This makes the rounds ever so often but I always enjoy chuckling over them again. Thought I'd share what came through my e-mail today!
10. May I offer you a light for that votive candle?
9. Hi there. My buddy and I were wondering if you would settle a dispute we're having. Do you think the word should be pronounced HOMEschooling, or homeSCHOOLing?
8. Sorry, but I couldn't help notice how cute you look in that ankle-length, shapeless, plaid jumper.
7. What's a nice girl like you doing at a First Saturday Rosary Cenacle like this?
6. You don't like the culture of death either? Wow! We have so much in common!
5. Let's get out of here. I know a much cozier little Catholic bookstore downtown.
4. I bet I can guess your confirmation name.
3. You've got stunning scapular-brown eyes.
2. Did you feel what I felt when we reached into the holy water font at the same time?
1. Confess here often?
10. May I offer you a light for that votive candle?
9. Hi there. My buddy and I were wondering if you would settle a dispute we're having. Do you think the word should be pronounced HOMEschooling, or homeSCHOOLing?
8. Sorry, but I couldn't help notice how cute you look in that ankle-length, shapeless, plaid jumper.
7. What's a nice girl like you doing at a First Saturday Rosary Cenacle like this?
6. You don't like the culture of death either? Wow! We have so much in common!
5. Let's get out of here. I know a much cozier little Catholic bookstore downtown.
4. I bet I can guess your confirmation name.
3. You've got stunning scapular-brown eyes.
2. Did you feel what I felt when we reached into the holy water font at the same time?
1. Confess here often?
The conflicts of human nature . . .
As mentioned before, my teenage son and I have planned an educational trip together for almost two years now. Departure day looms in the more immediate future now, and suddenly it all seemed like a better idea a year ago . . . when it was in the far distant future!
I think it is the combination of excitement, the last-minute things that have to be done, and the fact that for more than two weeks, we will be on personally unchartered territory. I know this pre-departure will subside once we find ourselves on the plane and realize that as long as we have our passport and travelers checks, most forgotten items can be purchased on the trip. It is jus all the 'what ifs' of right now.
Yes, our bags are packed! My son is beside himself with excitement as he will get to see where history happened during World War II. We are basically following the troop route of the Easy Company. Although I have been overseas several times before marriage and children, I have never seen most of the places we will be visiting on this trip.
I think the fact that we ARE going on this trip really struck home, last night, when I realized that this time, next week, we will be boarding an English Channel Ferry and subsequently landing in Normandy. I would venture to speculate and sincerely hope that it will be a much easier landing than when the allies came ashore during World War II.
I think it is the combination of excitement, the last-minute things that have to be done, and the fact that for more than two weeks, we will be on personally unchartered territory. I know this pre-departure will subside once we find ourselves on the plane and realize that as long as we have our passport and travelers checks, most forgotten items can be purchased on the trip. It is jus all the 'what ifs' of right now.
Yes, our bags are packed! My son is beside himself with excitement as he will get to see where history happened during World War II. We are basically following the troop route of the Easy Company. Although I have been overseas several times before marriage and children, I have never seen most of the places we will be visiting on this trip.
I think the fact that we ARE going on this trip really struck home, last night, when I realized that this time, next week, we will be boarding an English Channel Ferry and subsequently landing in Normandy. I would venture to speculate and sincerely hope that it will be a much easier landing than when the allies came ashore during World War II.
The quotes about politicians always seem to hit the mark!
"I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them."
-- Ian Fleming
"The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness."
-- Joseph Conrad
"When the politicians complain that TV turns the proceedings into a circus, it should be made clear that the circus was already there, and that TV has merely demonstrated that not all the performers are well trained."
-- Edward R. Murrow
"If you don't find it in the index, look very carefully through the entire catalogue."
-- Unknown
-- Ian Fleming
"The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness."
-- Joseph Conrad
"When the politicians complain that TV turns the proceedings into a circus, it should be made clear that the circus was already there, and that TV has merely demonstrated that not all the performers are well trained."
-- Edward R. Murrow
"If you don't find it in the index, look very carefully through the entire catalogue."
-- Unknown
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)