Quote from George Washington!

A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government."  --  George Washington

 

 

Guarded Truce . . .

 Fresh, the cat on the left, is a part-time cat that comes through our house ever so often. She would very much like us to dump our black and white cat, Marcella, and let her take over the home. In the meantime, she often stops by to warm up and take a nap. She usually growls herself to sleep because she does not like our cat, Marcella. Marcella, however, loves everyone and would like to cuddle up with Fresh.



 It was particularly cold, yesterday, and in order to save my furniture from cat hair, I put down some towels. Seems that being warm got the best of Fresh and she allowed Marcella to share the sofa with her for several hours. Nap over, Fresh began her peeved growling and left.

The Memory Bowl . . .

 My favorite mixing bowl is an old, battered stainless steel one. It is my go-to bowl for whipping egg whites, chilling salads, and holding lots of popcorn on a cold evening with a good video at hand. It belonged to my mother and when her household was distributed at her passing, this was the one item I truly wanted in my own home. It's memories started at my mother's home and it had a 'liturgical' beginning and came into my memory bank one Easter Vigil.

My mother was helping set up for the Easter Vigil services and we lacked a receptacle for the Blessing of the Water that evening. A day or two before, my mother finally saved up her pennies and had happily purchased this bowl,  a dream of hers to own. It was shiny, unscratched, and never used when she offered the loan of it for the Easter Vigil Service. I didn't know until that evening at church that her now-favorite mixing bowl was playing an important role in the Resurrection!

As usual, the Easter Service began in a dark church. The Easter candle was lit, people shared the new flame, and the church was illuminated for the Blessing of the Water. It was beautiful and I had to smile when my mother leaned over and whispered, "Do you see the beautiful container for the Easter Water?" I nodded and replied, "It's your new mixing bowl, isn't it?" My mother asked, "When did you realize that?" I grinned, "When I saw the price tag sticker on it!"

For some reason, it didn't take away from the service and I doubt anyone but us noticed the tiny white sticker. I've used that bowl a lot in the last ten years since my mother passed away. It is always there for me and makes me smile. These days, however, it is just a well-used bowl with scratches and dents from much use. There was a time it played a more dignified role and looked golden in the reflection of the flame of the Easter Candle.