A treat for a History Major!

 
What better treat than to actually get to stand in one of the troop transports used to bring soliders ashore during the D-Day invasions. It is one thing to read about history and quite another to see, touch, and climb around the equipment, tanks, etc. used during World War II. If inanimate objects could recount their history . . .!

What a sad observation!

The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is true.

James Branch Cabell

Rain in Sunny California?

 

What a surprise to us and, probably, the weatherman, to hear the patter of large raindrops come falling down this morning. Yes, we saw some clouds on our drive, yesterday, but clouds in California are known to taunt and tease and then leave without sharing a drop of water. Kind of refreshing to half a touch of coolness in the air although the heat still keeps things a bit steamy.

Meanwhile, things are still hot and heavy in Washington DC as our elected officials continue to do things their way rather than think about the people who gave them the power to represent them. Seems to me that these people need a basic lesson in bookkeeping. When the money is gone, you don't spend any more. If we max out our credit cards and can't make payments, it is unlikely that the bank will continually up our credit ceiling. Eventually, everyone wants to be paid back and increasing our spending just doesn't do that. I guess our senators and congressmen are using 'new math'.

I always 'love' it when they think the solution is overtaxing the wealthy. You are supposed to be taxed on income not on what you are worth. Besides, why should people who are really go-getters pay more because they ARE ambitious? Who is more likely to start a business or help fund a new business . . . which would hire people who need jobs. I heard someone talking about the flat tax where it is an across the board percentage no matter your income group. Naturally, the less wealthy do not want a dime for every dollar taken from their income and would prefer twice a much come from a rich person. That's only fair? So much entitlement mentality these days.

I used to overly fret about all that I couldn't immediately change. Had to learn that prayer and constructive use of my vote at election time is my best bet . . . and then leave it to God. Uh, sure hope God doesn't mind some of the suggestions I might send His way!

Update on prayer request!

Just was forwarded a note from the mother of the little girl undergoing the massive treatments for skin cancer. I'm passing it on immediately in order to keep you all updated and to keep the prayers going for this brave, little girl!

Hello all,

I want to say thank you for all the prayers and support.  I feel humbled and blessed for being in the family of God.

The surgery went well.  They removed four sentinal lypmh nodes from her armpit.  She had a 4cm circle taken off the top, outside part of her arm.  They didn't close wound so they put a wound vac on top of the wound to keep negative pressure on it.  The wound vac sucks out the drainage from the wound and sucks in the surrounding tissue to make the area smaller when it comes time to skin graph it.

She has to have it cleaned every three days.  That means putting her under all day on Friday, Tuesday and Friday until they find out the pathology on the lymph nodes and the skin sample.

If the skin is clear of cancer we can close the wound with a skin graph hopefully next week.  If the skin has cancer, they remove more skin and we do this all over again.  She has been in a lot of pain and doesn't want anyone to touch her booboo.  She is very scared about tomorrow and going back to have it cleaned.  Please pray for her.  She is going to be in a lot of pain the next couple of weeks as she is trying to heal from cleanings and another surgery. 

God is a God of miracles.  We are praying for one so we can be done with cancer.  It has been hard to be still and unable to do anything for her.  God is so good and I thank you so much for your prayers.

Teri

A tribute to our American soldiers overseas . . .

 

This was one of the most impressive war memorials we visited on our vacation in May. The climb to the top completed our exercise for the day but the views were worth it. Naturally, I took a picture that showed our state's engraved name - California. The Americans' help during World War II has not been forgotten by the citizens of Bastogne.

Miracle recognition . . . do you have it?

I was thinking about the state of the world one day. In a lot of ways it was a depressing thought. For a moment it seemed to me that we needed another Lourdes, a Fatima, a miracle or two to bring us reverently to our knees. Upon further reflection, I realized that even an extraordinary miracle would probably not be heeded by those who needed it's revelations the most. In fact, the years have given us a multitude of miracles that stand tribute to our Faith yet, for some, the world continues in a spiritually downward spiral.

Then on even further contemplation, I realized that the world is full of miracles each and every day. It is the appreciation of the people that is lacking. We definitely do not have a deficiency when it comes to miraculous events!

Our daily miracles start early each morning. We wake up without mishap, healthy and able to pursue the challenges of a new day. The water runs hot and cold, we have food for breakfast and children to love. We have spent a secure night under the guardianship of our angels.

Each person's day takes it own separate path. Some people experience more outward evidence of God's continued power, some people quietly enjoy the serenity of it. Every 24 hours of our day are filled with strength, the expected, the hoped for, the unexpected, the longed for and the triumphant rewards of spiritual living. Mini and maxi-miracles color and encompass each moment of our lives.

A new baby is born, a child smiles, the car starts even when the mechanic feels there is no way it can make another trip. It is not just coincidence. These can be some of the miracles of our day.

There are many hectic moments when I watch the hands of the clock approach six in the evening. The family is demanding and dinner isn't ready. I turn it all over to our Blessed Mother, Mary, and somehow things smooth out before my husband comes home. He thinks it is a miracle that I can cope with all I have to do. He is exactly right! It is a miracle.

We take so many blessings for granted yet continue to watch for something spectacular to happen in our life time. We want a Lanciano, another Eucharistic miracle even though dozens of them have occurred and endure to this day. We attend Mass as often as possible where we do witness a Eucharistic miracle every single time. Do you always take the time to consider it as such?

"Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed." (John Chapter 20, Verse 29)

An expensive bargain dinner . . .

Since it is that no man's land before payday, I have been careful about my meal preparations and using up what's in the cupboard. Fortunately, I was able to stock up on sale items last pay day period so things haven't been too constricted. Yesterday, being Friday, I decided to make a double recipe of macaroni and cheese. I figured I would have enough for dinner, lunches for my husband to take to work, and a good serving to take down to my college daughter. I had seen a reasonable chunk of cheddar in the back of the cheese drawer in the refrigerator so was all set.

I lined up my ingredients, got the pasta water boiling, and went to get my cheese only to discover it had been showing it's healthy side . . . it was very green on the back with mold. I thought about carving off the offending part but it would have reduced my cheese to very little, not enough for my planned dinner. I sighed deeply as I raced over to the store. I was happy to discover the cheese was on sale and I also had a two dollars off coupon in my pocket. Still, it took a lot of the bargain out of my planned meal. God is good, however, and God provided . . . He just gave me a little test on patience and good will. I didn't snarl too much.

My husband kept remarking throughout the meal that this was the best macaroni and cheese I had ever made! He said it so many times, I began to wonder about the macaroni and cheese dishes I had presented to the dinner table over the last 28 years!

I always try to bring down a good portion of macaroni and cheese to one of my college daughters. Sure, she is quite capable of making her own but she says my macaroni and cheese tastes like Mom! Nice to know that even when they grow up, they still miss home.