Somber and amusing . . .

"I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it."
-- Jack Handey

"What others think of us would be of little moment did it not, when known, so deeply tinge what we think of ourselves."
-- Paul Valery

"Democracy means government by discussion, but it is only effective if you can stop people talking."
-- Clement Atlee

"Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone."
-- Anthony Burgess

On the Second Day of Christmas . . .

We had a wonderful but quiet Christmas at home with just our family. It was great to have three of our four children home and we very much missed our older son who lives too far away to visit often. In the face of the economy, we were careful in our Christmas buying and put a lot of thought into each and every gift. It made the preparation for Christmas more meaningful for me as I put much of my own 'talents' into making gifts rather than buying them.

One friend, a fellow quilter, surprised me with a box of well-chosen, unique lengths of fabric. I am not excited to begin another quilt once the holiday celebrations calm down a bit.

No weird stuff happening at our 7:30 a.m. Mass, yesterday! We always have the quirks of one of the readers to contend with but the beauty of the Christmas hymns overshadowed the wannabe, female priests of the congregation. Also, one of our favorite Carmelite priests helped out with the Masses and gave his usual, excellent sermon.

We got a visit in the afternoon from friends who came with a plate of homemade cookies and gift card in hand.

Today, is our Christmas party and we will have 14 people at the dinner table. I fixed the three salads yesterday which frees up my time to put bread to rise and get the desserts done this morning.

My first attempt at a crown roast pork with apple stuffing went well. Anyone interested in checking out the recipe, can Google Anne Burell's recipe on the Food Network site. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-burrell/crown-roast-of-pork-recipe/index.html I highly recommend it as her instructions are perfect and you are guaranteed an excellent result. My daughter remarked, "Whatever you have cooking in the oven, smells fantastic, Mom!"

Hope everyone had a wonderful day of happiness, blessings, and celebration. Remember to keep the people who are suffering in poorer countries or ones under bad governments in your prayers. The way our government is going, we might need to be on that prayer list by next year! Now, THAT is a sobering thought! :-(

On Beyond Christmas . . .

There is a reason they call it the Twelve Days of Christmas as there are so many things to celebrate and reflect upon from Christmas Eve until the Three Kings arrive at the manger. It is sad when people set up their Christmas trees and start the festivities weeks before the 25^th and then it is all over the minute the gifts are unwrapped and the party foods and treats are consumed. Here are a few of the days to remember and reflect upon.

Boxing Day is the day following Christmas when wealthy people and homeowners in the United Kingdom would give a box containing a gift to their servants. Now, Boxing Day is better known as a bank or public holiday that occurs on December 26, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day. It is observed in Great Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and some other Commonwealth nations.

In South Africa, Boxing Day was renamed Day of Goodwill in 1994. In Ireland it is recognized as St. Stephen's Day. In the Netherlands, Lithuania, Austria, Germany, Scandinavia and Poland, December 26 is celebrated as the Second Christmas Day.

 For Catholics, December 26^th is the Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr.

December 28^th is the Feast of the Holy Innocents. When the Three Kings were following the Star and seeking Jesus, they stopped by King Herod’s palace. He, jealous and fearful of competition, pretended great interest in this ‘new king’ and asked the Kings to come by and let him know where they had found the child. They were given heavenly knowledge to not return so, in his fury, King Herod had all the male children, two years and younger, slaughtered. Given this wholesale murder of babies, it is a good day to reflect on how our world had gone way beyond that massacre and call it abortion today.

Thinking into the New Year . . .

Dreams, ideas, and plans not only are an escape, they give me purpose, a reason to hang on.

- Steven Callahan