July 18, 2011
I'm in a bad place today - thinking the world is a bad place today. I can't turn on the radio or television or leave the newspaper lying around with my children nearby. Is that because we have too much information today? Or is it because the world is truly worse today?
The Sunday paper had an entire page devoted to the impact of legal gay marriage in New York on adoptions and other family matters. The radio and TV are inundated with sex. Maybe it is the information age that makes life so much harder for parents. How can children grow up spiritually safe in such a world? Is there any way to protect them from the culture? How to create a better culture?
My kids go to Catholic school, but not all parents there share my values - certainly. And they hear things that shock them and shock me. And I'm not sure I respond to it approprirately. I see them pick up vulgar habits, and I remind them of the farmer who sowed good seed and watched the weeds grew up. I remind them that they are good seed and they mustn't be influenced by the weeds. And then I wonder if I'm too serious. And I wonder how to raise children who love and know God.
We went to feed the homeless yesterday with a group connected to my old homeschool group. Not sure what the kids got out of it, but I know it was a good thing to do. I was grateful for the opportunity to serve. And I counted my blessings, which include a home, family, plenty of food, and a job. I still feel I'm just muddling through. Does anyone else feel that way?
Monday, July 18, 2011
Monday, April 26, 2010
The Book List
April 26, 2010
As every homeschool year draws to a close, I like to recall all of the read-alouds that we have done. The read-alouds alone make homeschool worth it to me, but of course the kids have learned a lot of math and some history and science, too. Not to mention Latin.
Anyway, this year we set about finishing the Little House books as read-alouds. When we read aloud, the kids and I take turns reading, of course.
We read On the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years and the First Four Years. We also read both Penderwick books, which the kids absolutely loved -- The Penderwicks and The Penderwicks of Gardam Street. We just finished The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis And we read saints stories, some of the Gospel readings and the occasional story from The Book of Virtues.
Two of my favorite math add-ons this year were the I Hate Mathematics Book. And Penrose, the Mathematical Cat.
On their own, the kids have discovered favorite authors. Olivia loves Beverly Cleary and Joey seems fond of Eleanor Estes of The Moffats fame.
They both did book reports this year, as well. Olivia on Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm and Little House in the Big Woods. She currently is reading Lassie Come-home - her last assigned book of the year.
Both of Joey's book reports were on historical fiction. The Childhood of Famous Americans story of the Wright Brothers was one of them.
When I remember all they've read, I'm pretty sure they are getting a decent education.
If I were to change anything in the coming year, it would be to increase the Catholic content of my homeschool. I am going to use some book recommendations from the free, online Charlotte Mason curriculum - materamabilis.org
As every homeschool year draws to a close, I like to recall all of the read-alouds that we have done. The read-alouds alone make homeschool worth it to me, but of course the kids have learned a lot of math and some history and science, too. Not to mention Latin.
Anyway, this year we set about finishing the Little House books as read-alouds. When we read aloud, the kids and I take turns reading, of course.
We read On the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years and the First Four Years. We also read both Penderwick books, which the kids absolutely loved -- The Penderwicks and The Penderwicks of Gardam Street. We just finished The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis And we read saints stories, some of the Gospel readings and the occasional story from The Book of Virtues.
Two of my favorite math add-ons this year were the I Hate Mathematics Book. And Penrose, the Mathematical Cat.
On their own, the kids have discovered favorite authors. Olivia loves Beverly Cleary and Joey seems fond of Eleanor Estes of The Moffats fame.
They both did book reports this year, as well. Olivia on Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm and Little House in the Big Woods. She currently is reading Lassie Come-home - her last assigned book of the year.
Both of Joey's book reports were on historical fiction. The Childhood of Famous Americans story of the Wright Brothers was one of them.
When I remember all they've read, I'm pretty sure they are getting a decent education.
If I were to change anything in the coming year, it would be to increase the Catholic content of my homeschool. I am going to use some book recommendations from the free, online Charlotte Mason curriculum - materamabilis.org
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Appalachian Catholic
April 24, 2010
I have been thinking lately about my two identities: the one into which I was born, and the one I chose as an adult. My first identity is Appalachian. Born in West Virginia to parents from Kentucky and West Virginia, I grew up in Eastern Kentucky and never heard the word Appalachian. But you don't have to hear it to be it. All I can say is that if you have performed with your clogging group at the opening of a second-hand car dealership ..... you might be Appalachian. And I've done that.
As an adult, I learned how different my upbringing was from that of other college and workplace friends. I'm an Appalachian who went "out" and stayed there. That is not very common. I lost my accent. I married into a Spanish family. I'm not ashamed of my heritage at all, but it's not exactly a joyful heritage. And, as I was growing up I found my reading interests centered around Jewish authors -- Bernard Malamud, Chaim Potok, Leon Uris, Herman Wouk, Isaac Bashevis Singer.... The list goes on and on. I was fascinated with these writers because their work depicted an actual "way of life." Despite all of the problems and dramas in their books, there was a shape and structure to their lives -- an orientation toward something outside their own world. And that something was God. Because of that, their "way of life" actually worked, unlike my way of life.
I didn't become Jewish. I became an agnostic in college, a rather boring, much-to-be-expected decision by a young adult away from home for the first time. But years later, living in a big city in the Deep South, I met Catholics. Again, they weren't perfect. Their lives held problems and sometimes dramas, but they had a "way of life." And it worked. There it was again. An orientation to something outside themselves that their religion helped them to incorporate into their lives in a way that my religion never had. And they were Roman Catholic. After two years of reading and thinking, I became a Roman Catholic, too. I never regretted it and I don't plan to ever stop being Catholic.
But trying to be Catholic and Appalachian at the same time is just weird. Appalachian culture is not Catholic; it is very, very Protestant. Appalachians are attuned to the beauty of the natural world around them, but their churches are usually as plain as potatoes. Intellectualism is not regarded highly, in my experience. Fighting and independence run through Appalachian culture like bright ribbons. But in the Catholic world, obedience and community are emphasized.
This culture clash wasn't much of a problem for me when we lived in Memphis, but now that we live in SW Virginia, I find that I often just don't "get" the culture here. Perhaps I have simply been converted. For example, I'm much more concerned about life issues (re: the abortion debate) than I am about mountain-top removal mining. I believe such mining should be stopped and that all mining should be regulated to be safer, but the question of whether a human has a right to life somehow seems to me to be a more basic and pressing issue.
One of the things I have always loved about being Catholic is that it is truly universal. The readings are the same every day everywhere in the world. So I can continue being Catholic right here in Appalachia, awkward as it sometimes feels. If anyone else out there has experienced a similar culture clash. Please post a comment.
I have been thinking lately about my two identities: the one into which I was born, and the one I chose as an adult. My first identity is Appalachian. Born in West Virginia to parents from Kentucky and West Virginia, I grew up in Eastern Kentucky and never heard the word Appalachian. But you don't have to hear it to be it. All I can say is that if you have performed with your clogging group at the opening of a second-hand car dealership ..... you might be Appalachian. And I've done that.
As an adult, I learned how different my upbringing was from that of other college and workplace friends. I'm an Appalachian who went "out" and stayed there. That is not very common. I lost my accent. I married into a Spanish family. I'm not ashamed of my heritage at all, but it's not exactly a joyful heritage. And, as I was growing up I found my reading interests centered around Jewish authors -- Bernard Malamud, Chaim Potok, Leon Uris, Herman Wouk, Isaac Bashevis Singer.... The list goes on and on. I was fascinated with these writers because their work depicted an actual "way of life." Despite all of the problems and dramas in their books, there was a shape and structure to their lives -- an orientation toward something outside their own world. And that something was God. Because of that, their "way of life" actually worked, unlike my way of life.
I didn't become Jewish. I became an agnostic in college, a rather boring, much-to-be-expected decision by a young adult away from home for the first time. But years later, living in a big city in the Deep South, I met Catholics. Again, they weren't perfect. Their lives held problems and sometimes dramas, but they had a "way of life." And it worked. There it was again. An orientation to something outside themselves that their religion helped them to incorporate into their lives in a way that my religion never had. And they were Roman Catholic. After two years of reading and thinking, I became a Roman Catholic, too. I never regretted it and I don't plan to ever stop being Catholic.
But trying to be Catholic and Appalachian at the same time is just weird. Appalachian culture is not Catholic; it is very, very Protestant. Appalachians are attuned to the beauty of the natural world around them, but their churches are usually as plain as potatoes. Intellectualism is not regarded highly, in my experience. Fighting and independence run through Appalachian culture like bright ribbons. But in the Catholic world, obedience and community are emphasized.
This culture clash wasn't much of a problem for me when we lived in Memphis, but now that we live in SW Virginia, I find that I often just don't "get" the culture here. Perhaps I have simply been converted. For example, I'm much more concerned about life issues (re: the abortion debate) than I am about mountain-top removal mining. I believe such mining should be stopped and that all mining should be regulated to be safer, but the question of whether a human has a right to life somehow seems to me to be a more basic and pressing issue.
One of the things I have always loved about being Catholic is that it is truly universal. The readings are the same every day everywhere in the world. So I can continue being Catholic right here in Appalachia, awkward as it sometimes feels. If anyone else out there has experienced a similar culture clash. Please post a comment.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
On a Lighter Note
April 22, 2010
So it's Earth day, and I did nothing Earth Day-ish except make a loaf of bread. We've just about given up store-bought bread around here.
Today, though, I am considering how very different each person is. Tonight, we took the kids to the Dogwood Festival, a local event that includes a bunch of carnival rides, which the kids absolutely love. There's the Ferris wheel, the Magic Carpet ride, the Rainbow, the Zipper, the flying swings, the Cliff-Hanger. It's goes on and on.
I only have two kids and they are wildly different. Joey rode every single ride offered, even the Zipper. Olivia rode the tame rides and had a blast. The look of joy on both of their faces as they raced this way and that with the wind blowing their hair back. . . .Well, that look is what parents live for, I think.
Joey doesn't care how high he goes or how fast. Olivia has a definite limit. If it goes high and fast, it is off the list! But Olivia is the one who talked a games person into letting her play a game for $2 instead of $3. She is the one who won a stuffed dog, named Dogwood, to bring home from the fair. And my husband is the one who rides motorcycles and insisted that Joey ride every ride he wanted. After all, he had an all-night wristband. It was a lot of fun. I'm grateful to the grandparents who send a monthly allowance to the kids. They used their Baboo (grandfather) money for the festival and had a great time.
I'm also grateful for the differences in people and for the flexibility in families to let each person just be.
So it's Earth day, and I did nothing Earth Day-ish except make a loaf of bread. We've just about given up store-bought bread around here.
Today, though, I am considering how very different each person is. Tonight, we took the kids to the Dogwood Festival, a local event that includes a bunch of carnival rides, which the kids absolutely love. There's the Ferris wheel, the Magic Carpet ride, the Rainbow, the Zipper, the flying swings, the Cliff-Hanger. It's goes on and on.
I only have two kids and they are wildly different. Joey rode every single ride offered, even the Zipper. Olivia rode the tame rides and had a blast. The look of joy on both of their faces as they raced this way and that with the wind blowing their hair back. . . .Well, that look is what parents live for, I think.
Joey doesn't care how high he goes or how fast. Olivia has a definite limit. If it goes high and fast, it is off the list! But Olivia is the one who talked a games person into letting her play a game for $2 instead of $3. She is the one who won a stuffed dog, named Dogwood, to bring home from the fair. And my husband is the one who rides motorcycles and insisted that Joey ride every ride he wanted. After all, he had an all-night wristband. It was a lot of fun. I'm grateful to the grandparents who send a monthly allowance to the kids. They used their Baboo (grandfather) money for the festival and had a great time.
I'm also grateful for the differences in people and for the flexibility in families to let each person just be.
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Last Battle
April 19, 2010
Today reading The Last Battle with my two children, I was really struck by the blindness of The Dwarfs who - after being duped by the false Aslan (Puzzle in lion-skin) - decide they will believe in nothing. Their slogan is this, "The Dwarfs are for the Dwarfs." They personify the self-interest that is so prevalent today, as well as in C.S. Lewis' day, I suppose.
And, in the chapter where all the protagonists are flung into the stable and find a beautiful world there with all the Kings and Queens of Narnia, the Dwarfs still find themselves in a dark stable. They are in the SAME PLACE. And yet, the Dwarfs see nothing but dark, and feel nothing but discomfort. Even after the King and Aslan try to help them, they are oblivious.
"You see," said Aslan. "They will not let us help them. They have chosen cunning instead of belief. Their prison is only in their own minds, yet they are in that prison; and so afraid of being taken in that they cannot be taken out."
I know a lot of Dwarfs. It can be hard not to be a Dwarf in the modern world. But I'm with Queen Lucy... It is truly saddening to watch people sit miserably in the dark when they can choose beauty, hope, and life.
Today reading The Last Battle with my two children, I was really struck by the blindness of The Dwarfs who - after being duped by the false Aslan (Puzzle in lion-skin) - decide they will believe in nothing. Their slogan is this, "The Dwarfs are for the Dwarfs." They personify the self-interest that is so prevalent today, as well as in C.S. Lewis' day, I suppose.
And, in the chapter where all the protagonists are flung into the stable and find a beautiful world there with all the Kings and Queens of Narnia, the Dwarfs still find themselves in a dark stable. They are in the SAME PLACE. And yet, the Dwarfs see nothing but dark, and feel nothing but discomfort. Even after the King and Aslan try to help them, they are oblivious.
"You see," said Aslan. "They will not let us help them. They have chosen cunning instead of belief. Their prison is only in their own minds, yet they are in that prison; and so afraid of being taken in that they cannot be taken out."
I know a lot of Dwarfs. It can be hard not to be a Dwarf in the modern world. But I'm with Queen Lucy... It is truly saddening to watch people sit miserably in the dark when they can choose beauty, hope, and life.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
A Narrow Gate
April 18,
Today, my reading from Preparation for Total Consecration according to Saint Louis Marie de Montfort offers the apt reminder, "Do not judge and you will not be judged...........Why do you observe the splinter in your brother's eye and never notice the plank in your own."
Words of wisdom which I would do well to follow. Pride is always my downfall, and all Christians are sinners first, and conversion is continuing - we hope - all of our lives.
The entire reading for today comes from St. Matthew. "It is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Today, my reading from Preparation for Total Consecration according to Saint Louis Marie de Montfort offers the apt reminder, "Do not judge and you will not be judged...........Why do you observe the splinter in your brother's eye and never notice the plank in your own."
Words of wisdom which I would do well to follow. Pride is always my downfall, and all Christians are sinners first, and conversion is continuing - we hope - all of our lives.
The entire reading for today comes from St. Matthew. "It is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Revival
April 17, 2010
I am reviving this blog, which I've so long neglected, after an interesting experience the other night. Board members of a pro-life group here, of which I am one, were ending a meeting with the Hail Mary. This is a prayer that I have said thousands of times, I'm sure. But as we said it I felt a real presence and sense of protection. As I drove home, I wondered how I had gotten on this board that does good work and includes such faithful Catholics in an area that is so heavily Protestant. And I remembered that I just said, "Yes," when someone asked me to attend a meeting. That was all it took.
So, I have resolved to say, "Yes" more often to those urgings of the Holy Spirit and to renew my commitment to really being a "Mom under Mary."
A few years ago at my parish in Tennessee a very devout woman gave me and another Mom a little set of books. One was Total Consecration to the Blessed Virgin, by St. Louis Marie de Montfort, and the other was a book on preparation for that consecration. I followed the month-long prayer and preparation and did make the consecration in 2007, but I have not been faithful in living it. So I am beginning a renewal of that consecration which I may share here as an encouragement to others who may be inspired to follow that path of spirituality.
The first 12 days of prayer and reading involve casting off the spirit of the world, which certainly creeps into our lives so very easily. I am on Day 2, and am reminded that the heart of Christian spirituality is humility.
I am reviving this blog, which I've so long neglected, after an interesting experience the other night. Board members of a pro-life group here, of which I am one, were ending a meeting with the Hail Mary. This is a prayer that I have said thousands of times, I'm sure. But as we said it I felt a real presence and sense of protection. As I drove home, I wondered how I had gotten on this board that does good work and includes such faithful Catholics in an area that is so heavily Protestant. And I remembered that I just said, "Yes," when someone asked me to attend a meeting. That was all it took.
So, I have resolved to say, "Yes" more often to those urgings of the Holy Spirit and to renew my commitment to really being a "Mom under Mary."
A few years ago at my parish in Tennessee a very devout woman gave me and another Mom a little set of books. One was Total Consecration to the Blessed Virgin, by St. Louis Marie de Montfort, and the other was a book on preparation for that consecration. I followed the month-long prayer and preparation and did make the consecration in 2007, but I have not been faithful in living it. So I am beginning a renewal of that consecration which I may share here as an encouragement to others who may be inspired to follow that path of spirituality.
The first 12 days of prayer and reading involve casting off the spirit of the world, which certainly creeps into our lives so very easily. I am on Day 2, and am reminded that the heart of Christian spirituality is humility.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Daily Mass
June 7, 2009,
It has been six months since I wrote anything here. And it is late on a Sunday night and I'm
tired. I live in a diocese that has suffered some liberal leadership in the past and I am finding a struggling Catholic community since I moved here - really. Nearly two years into our move here, my husband and I still struggle with which parish to make our parish home and how to live as Catholics in a barely Catholic area.
Sorry if I sound like a whiner. But having lived in Memphis for a dozen years, and having become Catholic in Memphis, I find that I am spoiled. There were over a dozen really good Catholic churches to attend there plus two that offered the Latin Mass, which is a blessing and a wonderful thing to expose the kids to.
I keep thinking God must want us here for a reason. So I keep praying. And I believe we will actually end up at the small, urban Catholic church rather than the beautiful cathedral Downtown. We are small church people, and we are a mixed marriage - Caucasian and Hispanic. So we just fit in better there.
It is really hard to rebuild your life when you are in your 40s. Who knew that moving would be so hard? Yet there are blessings here in plenty: a stable job, a beautiful area, the safety of a smaller town and the availability of Daily Mass. That last is something I should truly take advantage of now that school is done and I don't need to plan my homeschool every week.
We went to the "last chance Mass" tonight because of our son's Cub Scout campout over the weekend. It's a 5 p.m. Sunday Mass at the small, urban church. I truly love going to Mass. The liturgy and the mudic spark something in my brain that reminds me of who I am intended to be. And I resolve to try harder. And to attend Daily Mass.
It has been six months since I wrote anything here. And it is late on a Sunday night and I'm
tired. I live in a diocese that has suffered some liberal leadership in the past and I am finding a struggling Catholic community since I moved here - really. Nearly two years into our move here, my husband and I still struggle with which parish to make our parish home and how to live as Catholics in a barely Catholic area.
Sorry if I sound like a whiner. But having lived in Memphis for a dozen years, and having become Catholic in Memphis, I find that I am spoiled. There were over a dozen really good Catholic churches to attend there plus two that offered the Latin Mass, which is a blessing and a wonderful thing to expose the kids to.
I keep thinking God must want us here for a reason. So I keep praying. And I believe we will actually end up at the small, urban Catholic church rather than the beautiful cathedral Downtown. We are small church people, and we are a mixed marriage - Caucasian and Hispanic. So we just fit in better there.
It is really hard to rebuild your life when you are in your 40s. Who knew that moving would be so hard? Yet there are blessings here in plenty: a stable job, a beautiful area, the safety of a smaller town and the availability of Daily Mass. That last is something I should truly take advantage of now that school is done and I don't need to plan my homeschool every week.
We went to the "last chance Mass" tonight because of our son's Cub Scout campout over the weekend. It's a 5 p.m. Sunday Mass at the small, urban church. I truly love going to Mass. The liturgy and the mudic spark something in my brain that reminds me of who I am intended to be. And I resolve to try harder. And to attend Daily Mass.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Green homeschooling
Jan. 15, 2009
For some reason, I have been thinking today about how homeschooling reduces my carbon footprint. So much less driving! That is not to say that we stay home constantly. But I do not drive to work daily, nor do I drive the kids to school.
My kids don't ride the bus, they don't eat school lunches made from food bought in bulk and likely transported across the country
We drive to co-op once a week. And I take the kids to Girl and Boy scouts, but that is only one mile away. My daughter is in Little Flowers, but I'm the leader and it's at our house so not much of a carbon footprint there.
Because we are homeschoolers, we eat at home just about 95% of the time. Maybe 99% of the time. We also shop local markets in season. I would like to reduce my carbon footprint (and my grocery bill) even further this year by planting a good-sized garden on our flat yard of 1.25 acres. And we don't throw away leftovers. My homemade vegetable soup incorporates all vegetable leftovers, and it's actually pretty good. I'm making it today. Maybe that is what got me on this random train of thought.
I make the most of the small town where live, doing all errands such as banking, grocery shopping and library-going here. The mid-sized city 8 miles away fulfills most other needs.
I did visit Sam's Club this week. Talk about a carbon footprint. I decided it wasn't for me. It makes me buy more than I need and it is a good 30 minutes away in traffic. I'd rather go to Kroger, buy generic and get only what I need.
For recreation, the kids have a huge yard and a favorite park about 3 miles away. For exercise, I walk my neighborhood and ride my rickety, old exercise bike. Can't think of other ways we keep our footprint small right now. But if anyone out there has any ideas, please chime in.
For some reason, I have been thinking today about how homeschooling reduces my carbon footprint. So much less driving! That is not to say that we stay home constantly. But I do not drive to work daily, nor do I drive the kids to school.
My kids don't ride the bus, they don't eat school lunches made from food bought in bulk and likely transported across the country
We drive to co-op once a week. And I take the kids to Girl and Boy scouts, but that is only one mile away. My daughter is in Little Flowers, but I'm the leader and it's at our house so not much of a carbon footprint there.
Because we are homeschoolers, we eat at home just about 95% of the time. Maybe 99% of the time. We also shop local markets in season. I would like to reduce my carbon footprint (and my grocery bill) even further this year by planting a good-sized garden on our flat yard of 1.25 acres. And we don't throw away leftovers. My homemade vegetable soup incorporates all vegetable leftovers, and it's actually pretty good. I'm making it today. Maybe that is what got me on this random train of thought.
I make the most of the small town where live, doing all errands such as banking, grocery shopping and library-going here. The mid-sized city 8 miles away fulfills most other needs.
I did visit Sam's Club this week. Talk about a carbon footprint. I decided it wasn't for me. It makes me buy more than I need and it is a good 30 minutes away in traffic. I'd rather go to Kroger, buy generic and get only what I need.
For recreation, the kids have a huge yard and a favorite park about 3 miles away. For exercise, I walk my neighborhood and ride my rickety, old exercise bike. Can't think of other ways we keep our footprint small right now. But if anyone out there has any ideas, please chime in.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Gifts, hoping and waiting
Dec. 28, 2008
My excellent pastor here in VA is two for two with his homilies on Christmas Eve and the Feast of the Holy Family. Although I am still homesick for TN, I have to admit that the pastor here is wonderful and the church is absolutely beautiful.
On Christmas Eve, in a packed church where seating was, shall we say, competitive, he talked about gifts. The difference between gifts and rewards is that gifts, of course, do not need to be earned. And in Christ we have the gift of God's pure love. But then he also talked about how sometimes we can be disappointed by gifts and added that sometimes children and grownups can focus more on life's disappointments than all of the wonderful gifts we receive from God, such as peace, love joy, etc. I wonder if he chose to mention that because he had spent the previous two evenings offering extra hours of confessions for the last-chancers among us. Anyway, it was spot on, for me at least.
And today, he spoke of the Holy Family and our own families. And he said that we all hope, in our earthly families, that each person reaches the potential that God has for us in this world. We hope that, we pray that and then we wait. Again, perfect homily for me to hear on this day as we prepare to begin a new year and we wait and hope to hear about hubby's potential new job or anything else for that matter.
My excellent pastor here in VA is two for two with his homilies on Christmas Eve and the Feast of the Holy Family. Although I am still homesick for TN, I have to admit that the pastor here is wonderful and the church is absolutely beautiful.
On Christmas Eve, in a packed church where seating was, shall we say, competitive, he talked about gifts. The difference between gifts and rewards is that gifts, of course, do not need to be earned. And in Christ we have the gift of God's pure love. But then he also talked about how sometimes we can be disappointed by gifts and added that sometimes children and grownups can focus more on life's disappointments than all of the wonderful gifts we receive from God, such as peace, love joy, etc. I wonder if he chose to mention that because he had spent the previous two evenings offering extra hours of confessions for the last-chancers among us. Anyway, it was spot on, for me at least.
And today, he spoke of the Holy Family and our own families. And he said that we all hope, in our earthly families, that each person reaches the potential that God has for us in this world. We hope that, we pray that and then we wait. Again, perfect homily for me to hear on this day as we prepare to begin a new year and we wait and hope to hear about hubby's potential new job or anything else for that matter.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
St. Therese of Lisieux
Dec. 24, 2008
Just a little Christmas Eve blogging here. I found a wonderful book for my daughter and I hope she likes it. It is called Olivia and the Little Way. I am a sponsor of Little Flowers Catholic Girls Club, which is a sort of Catholic, virtue-based type of Girl Scouts based on learning about the saints. The girls especially try to model themselves on St. Therese, the Little Flower. But they earn nine virtue petals per wreath for learning about a saint and the virtue and doing certain activities.
I happen to love St. Therese, myself, and have read her Story of a Soul several times. But this little book was written by a Catholic mom of boys who loves St. Therese and it is all about a little girl named Olivia who moves from Texas to Michigan and all of the adventures and trials she finds there. Thanks to her grandmother, she tries to handle these things by putting into practice the attitudes of St. Therese and doing little things with great love, rather than great things. But it is told pretty true to a kid's point of view so I hope my daughter, also named Olivia, will like it. I'll find out tomorrow. She asked for a Calvin and Hobbes book, so I hope she won't be terribly disappointed. I'm sure the skateboard will dispel any momentary disappointment she may feel:) and perhaps she'll give the book a chance.
Merry Christmas!
Just a little Christmas Eve blogging here. I found a wonderful book for my daughter and I hope she likes it. It is called Olivia and the Little Way. I am a sponsor of Little Flowers Catholic Girls Club, which is a sort of Catholic, virtue-based type of Girl Scouts based on learning about the saints. The girls especially try to model themselves on St. Therese, the Little Flower. But they earn nine virtue petals per wreath for learning about a saint and the virtue and doing certain activities.
I happen to love St. Therese, myself, and have read her Story of a Soul several times. But this little book was written by a Catholic mom of boys who loves St. Therese and it is all about a little girl named Olivia who moves from Texas to Michigan and all of the adventures and trials she finds there. Thanks to her grandmother, she tries to handle these things by putting into practice the attitudes of St. Therese and doing little things with great love, rather than great things. But it is told pretty true to a kid's point of view so I hope my daughter, also named Olivia, will like it. I'll find out tomorrow. She asked for a Calvin and Hobbes book, so I hope she won't be terribly disappointed. I'm sure the skateboard will dispel any momentary disappointment she may feel:) and perhaps she'll give the book a chance.
Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 8, 2008
And another day
Dec. 8, 2008
The best part of today was going to Mass for Immaculate Conception. The church was beautiful and the priest was on target. Although Mary was conceived without sin, he said, her life was never any easier than ours is. After all, our Baptism washes away our original sin and we have all of the opportunities to receive God's grace in the sacraments. We can look to Mary as our model in saying "Yes" to God.
I know I receive God's grace, but I would love to receive some of his wisdom!
I am in a quandry. My husband's job goes from bad to worse. It pays well, yes, but the stress is tremendous and he is as unhappy as I've ever seen him. His only happiness is us - and food! And I am thinking of going back to work to lighten the financial load on him and allow him to take something less stressful. But I don't know what it would be as his job is so specialized. And I'm in that quandry. This is our third year of homeschooling and I don't want to just throw the kids back into school. And I'm not sure I would send them to public school - although would save money.
So, I don't know what to do and I need some guidance. Perhaps I will look to Mary and the book of Proverbs for that. I am extremely grateful to be a Catholic and to know that I have so many sources of guidance.
The best part of today was going to Mass for Immaculate Conception. The church was beautiful and the priest was on target. Although Mary was conceived without sin, he said, her life was never any easier than ours is. After all, our Baptism washes away our original sin and we have all of the opportunities to receive God's grace in the sacraments. We can look to Mary as our model in saying "Yes" to God.
I know I receive God's grace, but I would love to receive some of his wisdom!
I am in a quandry. My husband's job goes from bad to worse. It pays well, yes, but the stress is tremendous and he is as unhappy as I've ever seen him. His only happiness is us - and food! And I am thinking of going back to work to lighten the financial load on him and allow him to take something less stressful. But I don't know what it would be as his job is so specialized. And I'm in that quandry. This is our third year of homeschooling and I don't want to just throw the kids back into school. And I'm not sure I would send them to public school - although would save money.
So, I don't know what to do and I need some guidance. Perhaps I will look to Mary and the book of Proverbs for that. I am extremely grateful to be a Catholic and to know that I have so many sources of guidance.
Friday, December 5, 2008
still grateful
Dec. 5, 2008
I'm still grateful, in spite of the terrible news of layoffs today. What I am most grateful for is that my husband still has a job, although it is a very stressful one. I would be glad and grateful to go back to work myself to relieve some of this stress.
That said, I'm still grateful to still be able to homeschool my children. I see progress! I see a kid who can add, subtract, divide and multiply well. The same kid, after first grade, could not count back from 20. Just two years and a few months later, she has made tremendous progress.
I was grateful on Wednesday to be able to make cookies with my kids and practice the songs they will sing as part of the Christmas Choir for the Christmas Eve family Mass at our VA church.
And I'm grateful to have insurance that allows my husband to get a cardiology workup that shows he is in good shape. I am grateful to get flu shots for the kids and an eye exam for myself.
I am grateful to be finishing up the last of my Thanksgiving leftovers (more soup). And I'm grateful that I have discovered a Save-A-Lot in this VA town. We had one so close in our Tenn. home.
Obviously, I'm focused on finances. But I am grateful for other things as well. I am especially glad my 7-year-old son will receive his first Sacrament of Reconciliation tomorrow and that I will participate in the service by leading the Rosary for those waiting in the Church. We have more than 50 kids making First Reconciliation. Still getting used to the big church:).
God bless you all this season.
I'm still grateful, in spite of the terrible news of layoffs today. What I am most grateful for is that my husband still has a job, although it is a very stressful one. I would be glad and grateful to go back to work myself to relieve some of this stress.
That said, I'm still grateful to still be able to homeschool my children. I see progress! I see a kid who can add, subtract, divide and multiply well. The same kid, after first grade, could not count back from 20. Just two years and a few months later, she has made tremendous progress.
I was grateful on Wednesday to be able to make cookies with my kids and practice the songs they will sing as part of the Christmas Choir for the Christmas Eve family Mass at our VA church.
And I'm grateful to have insurance that allows my husband to get a cardiology workup that shows he is in good shape. I am grateful to get flu shots for the kids and an eye exam for myself.
I am grateful to be finishing up the last of my Thanksgiving leftovers (more soup). And I'm grateful that I have discovered a Save-A-Lot in this VA town. We had one so close in our Tenn. home.
Obviously, I'm focused on finances. But I am grateful for other things as well. I am especially glad my 7-year-old son will receive his first Sacrament of Reconciliation tomorrow and that I will participate in the service by leading the Rosary for those waiting in the Church. We have more than 50 kids making First Reconciliation. Still getting used to the big church:).
God bless you all this season.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
More thanks
Nov. 29, 2008
More things for which to be thankful:
Eggnog
The fact that Eggnog is not sold year-round (I love it!)
My old exercise bike
Walking with my sister-in-law over the holidays
A beautiful fall day in VA
My son's upcoming First Reconciliation (next Saturday)
Prayer and especially the Rosary'
More things for which to be thankful:
Eggnog
The fact that Eggnog is not sold year-round (I love it!)
My old exercise bike
Walking with my sister-in-law over the holidays
A beautiful fall day in VA
My son's upcoming First Reconciliation (next Saturday)
Prayer and especially the Rosary'
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Nov. 27, 2008
Thanksgiving
So many things to be grateful for this day.
Waaay too much food.
My family and their health
Visiting family
the Catholic Faith
Beautiful weather
Time for Leisure
Time for Work
Time for Prayer
Christmas Music
The Rosary
Coffee
Not so very profound. Maybe I don't need to be. Perhaps I should resume this blog just to write down a few things to be grateful for every day.
So many things to be grateful for this day.
Waaay too much food.
My family and their health
Visiting family
the Catholic Faith
Beautiful weather
Time for Leisure
Time for Work
Time for Prayer
Christmas Music
The Rosary
Coffee
Not so very profound. Maybe I don't need to be. Perhaps I should resume this blog just to write down a few things to be grateful for every day.
Friday, October 3, 2008
And so on....
Oct. 3, 2008
So I haven't written for a really long time now, and we have really just had a lot going on. Difficult job, the long-term craziness of moving. Finally getting settled after a year here. Actually, Oct.1 was the anniversary of our baptismal flood here at the house, which welcomed me to SW VA and left me without a kitchen floor for two months. Ironically, that is the feast of St. Therese, the Little Flower.
So here is a question, if there are any actual readers out there: Is it possible to be a good Catholic and vote for Obama? I mean, yes, I'm pro-life, of course. And I'm on a pro-life committee and I do work for it. But, honestly, I disagree with McCain on so many issues including the economy, health care and defense that I find it truly hard to vote for him , either. And I'm not sure Palin is the sharpest tool in the shed. I read some commentary, I think it was on catholicity.com, that said the writer knew of many good Catholics who are not voting at all or are throwing their vote away on a third party candidate because of discomfort with BOTH major candidates. It almost seems as if anyone who is pro-life is blinded by that fact to all other negatives of a pro-life candidate. And that doesn't seem smart either. Ah, well, better to be wise than to be smart. I should pray for wisdom.
So I haven't written for a really long time now, and we have really just had a lot going on. Difficult job, the long-term craziness of moving. Finally getting settled after a year here. Actually, Oct.1 was the anniversary of our baptismal flood here at the house, which welcomed me to SW VA and left me without a kitchen floor for two months. Ironically, that is the feast of St. Therese, the Little Flower.
So here is a question, if there are any actual readers out there: Is it possible to be a good Catholic and vote for Obama? I mean, yes, I'm pro-life, of course. And I'm on a pro-life committee and I do work for it. But, honestly, I disagree with McCain on so many issues including the economy, health care and defense that I find it truly hard to vote for him , either. And I'm not sure Palin is the sharpest tool in the shed. I read some commentary, I think it was on catholicity.com, that said the writer knew of many good Catholics who are not voting at all or are throwing their vote away on a third party candidate because of discomfort with BOTH major candidates. It almost seems as if anyone who is pro-life is blinded by that fact to all other negatives of a pro-life candidate. And that doesn't seem smart either. Ah, well, better to be wise than to be smart. I should pray for wisdom.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Baking Bread and Blogging
June 19, 2008
So it is 9:30 p.m. and I am baking bread and blogging. It has been a very long time since I blogged, and I was about to give it up. But I am sufficiently outraged, and I must write.
First, I read about a photography studio in Albuquerque being sued by a lesbian couple because the studio wouldn't do their wedding photos. They just politely declined, but were sued for hate speech or something crazy like that. The link is on catholicity.com. It seems crazy to me, because business is a private enterprise, not a public service. But it is actually part of a trend toward criminalizing acting on your beliefs. Making it a hate crime. Crazy, again.
Then, I read about my lovely Diocese of Richmond, VA being in hot water because apparently some folks in the Catholic refugee office helped an immigrant girl procure an abortion. This was after they helped to get her some contraceptives. Read about this at lifesitenews.com. These employees have been fired, and I think perhaps they should try to find employment at Planned Parenthood. If I wasn't already fed up with this diocese, I certainly am now. It is very liberal and many traditional Catholics have sought out the Maronite Catholic church here in town as a safe haven because of the liberal nature of the Latin rite churches.
Add to this that our Bishop recently gave the homily at my home parish here and failed to mention Christ once. He talked about the younger generation being cafeteria Catholics, though. A real message of hope.
On a lighter note, I celebrated my 13th anniversary this week. Really no big deal as it was in the middle of the week, but the cards were nice. It also happened to coincide with the date in California on which gay couples are legally allowed to wed - June 17. So I will share my anniversary with lots of those folks going forward.
I hope I don't sound hateful. I do not hate anyone. But I do hate that my beliefs are no longer being allowed in the public square. That really riles me. If I choose to follow the magisterium of the Catholic church in matters of faith and morals, that should be just as fine with the world as gay people getting married. But it is not. In the world today, it seems always wrong to say "No" to any behavior. It is only OK to give assent, over and over, until society unravels completely and all we are left with is a pile of string in the floor.
So, what does all this have to do with baking bread? Not much really, except I never expected that I would bake bread or homeschool or crochet blankets or sacrifice any of my wishes to a greater good.
I'm baking bread because tomorrow is the last day of Boy Scout Day Camp and I want to have something to serve with the vegetable soup I already made for dinner as tomorrow is Friday, and I don't eat meat on Friday per Church teaching. I thank God that the Scouts are a Christian organization and my son has truly benefited from his association with them thus far.
Tomorrow will be a day of obstacle courses, climbing walls, and water balloon fights. It will be fun, and I will be there with my camera and my children. And then we will come home and eat something healthy and homemade.
So it is 9:30 p.m. and I am baking bread and blogging. It has been a very long time since I blogged, and I was about to give it up. But I am sufficiently outraged, and I must write.
First, I read about a photography studio in Albuquerque being sued by a lesbian couple because the studio wouldn't do their wedding photos. They just politely declined, but were sued for hate speech or something crazy like that. The link is on catholicity.com. It seems crazy to me, because business is a private enterprise, not a public service. But it is actually part of a trend toward criminalizing acting on your beliefs. Making it a hate crime. Crazy, again.
Then, I read about my lovely Diocese of Richmond, VA being in hot water because apparently some folks in the Catholic refugee office helped an immigrant girl procure an abortion. This was after they helped to get her some contraceptives. Read about this at lifesitenews.com. These employees have been fired, and I think perhaps they should try to find employment at Planned Parenthood. If I wasn't already fed up with this diocese, I certainly am now. It is very liberal and many traditional Catholics have sought out the Maronite Catholic church here in town as a safe haven because of the liberal nature of the Latin rite churches.
Add to this that our Bishop recently gave the homily at my home parish here and failed to mention Christ once. He talked about the younger generation being cafeteria Catholics, though. A real message of hope.
On a lighter note, I celebrated my 13th anniversary this week. Really no big deal as it was in the middle of the week, but the cards were nice. It also happened to coincide with the date in California on which gay couples are legally allowed to wed - June 17. So I will share my anniversary with lots of those folks going forward.
I hope I don't sound hateful. I do not hate anyone. But I do hate that my beliefs are no longer being allowed in the public square. That really riles me. If I choose to follow the magisterium of the Catholic church in matters of faith and morals, that should be just as fine with the world as gay people getting married. But it is not. In the world today, it seems always wrong to say "No" to any behavior. It is only OK to give assent, over and over, until society unravels completely and all we are left with is a pile of string in the floor.
So, what does all this have to do with baking bread? Not much really, except I never expected that I would bake bread or homeschool or crochet blankets or sacrifice any of my wishes to a greater good.
I'm baking bread because tomorrow is the last day of Boy Scout Day Camp and I want to have something to serve with the vegetable soup I already made for dinner as tomorrow is Friday, and I don't eat meat on Friday per Church teaching. I thank God that the Scouts are a Christian organization and my son has truly benefited from his association with them thus far.
Tomorrow will be a day of obstacle courses, climbing walls, and water balloon fights. It will be fun, and I will be there with my camera and my children. And then we will come home and eat something healthy and homemade.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Nature Study
May 21, 2008
School's out!!! And we are enjoying the fine weather. Yesterday, I happened to see what I think was a baby groundhog while walking our dog around the 1.25 acres of our property. The little hog played statue to avoid notice of Kayla, the dog, who is really not that smart. Unfortunately, baby hog was gone by the time the kids got outside. But we viewed the abandoned wren's nest (complete with five eggs) in the bag of deer corn feed and sucked on honeysuckles in the backyard. Olivia chased butterflies. And it was a beautiful day.
Now if Joey can just get over his strep throat!
School's out!!! And we are enjoying the fine weather. Yesterday, I happened to see what I think was a baby groundhog while walking our dog around the 1.25 acres of our property. The little hog played statue to avoid notice of Kayla, the dog, who is really not that smart. Unfortunately, baby hog was gone by the time the kids got outside. But we viewed the abandoned wren's nest (complete with five eggs) in the bag of deer corn feed and sucked on honeysuckles in the backyard. Olivia chased butterflies. And it was a beautiful day.
Now if Joey can just get over his strep throat!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Homeschooling roundup and Adoration
May 1, 2008
Counting down the days. Yes, in just two short weeks, we will be done with school. I can't believe it, but it is true. We will have completed our schoolbooks by then and the kids also have taken their achievement tests, which is required by law annually in VA if you do not homeschool through religious exemption.
Sometimes, when I don't feel I'm doing enough, it really helps to think of all that they have done this year. Not only have they completed their English grammar and Prima Latina, we will finish Story of the World, Book 1, and the Abeka Science books for their grade level. Joey finished first grade math around Christmas and math is a continuing occupation for Olivia and me - continuing through the summer, as well. But I am happy to say she is making progress and scoring at grade level.
But what really makes me happy is to think of all the books we have read aloud this year - or will complete by the end of school.
D'Aulaire's Greek Myths
Marigold Hunt's The Life of Our Lord for Children
Geraldine McGaughren's The Jesse Tree
C.S. Lewis' The Silver Chair
James Baldwin's 50 Famous Stories Retold
A couple of the Odyssey books from Mary Pope Osborne
Misty of Chincoteauge (just for fun)
And many, many stories from the library.
Joey and I are also buddy reading the Childhood of Famous Americans life of John F. Kennedy, his favorite president.
And both kids have read tons of library books on their own this year including many American Girl books. That is what Olivia has been reading since moving to VA. Joey is particularly fond of anything to do with history, the military or presidents. He just likes to read.
Today, I took the kids to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at our local cathedral - St. Andrew's. It is a parish of about 1,500 families and they have four hours of Adoration on the first Thursday of the month. I have always heard of it being done on the First Friday. But anyway, we went for about half an hour and it was beautiful, of course. I came away as refreshed as if I had been on a retreat. There is really something special about that devotion.
But afterward, my son said something I did not expect to hear from him: "I like Adoration."
Ya-hoo!
When I asked why, he said it was because he got to read. But he was reading his First Communion Catechism. I figured he would need something to look at besides the church, so I let him have that. And both kids talked to me on the way home about what they prayed for, which
means they actually were praying. Yay, again. I'm thinking and hoping they actually may have understood what we were doing.
But right now they are outside playing homestead in which they pretend to be pioneers who have set up camp on a muddy island in our creek and make stew out of wild onions and creek water and pretend to shoot deer and moose and things like that.
Fun, fun. It's great to be a kid. And it's great to be a mom, too.
Counting down the days. Yes, in just two short weeks, we will be done with school. I can't believe it, but it is true. We will have completed our schoolbooks by then and the kids also have taken their achievement tests, which is required by law annually in VA if you do not homeschool through religious exemption.
Sometimes, when I don't feel I'm doing enough, it really helps to think of all that they have done this year. Not only have they completed their English grammar and Prima Latina, we will finish Story of the World, Book 1, and the Abeka Science books for their grade level. Joey finished first grade math around Christmas and math is a continuing occupation for Olivia and me - continuing through the summer, as well. But I am happy to say she is making progress and scoring at grade level.
But what really makes me happy is to think of all the books we have read aloud this year - or will complete by the end of school.
D'Aulaire's Greek Myths
Marigold Hunt's The Life of Our Lord for Children
Geraldine McGaughren's The Jesse Tree
C.S. Lewis' The Silver Chair
James Baldwin's 50 Famous Stories Retold
A couple of the Odyssey books from Mary Pope Osborne
Misty of Chincoteauge (just for fun)
And many, many stories from the library.
Joey and I are also buddy reading the Childhood of Famous Americans life of John F. Kennedy, his favorite president.
And both kids have read tons of library books on their own this year including many American Girl books. That is what Olivia has been reading since moving to VA. Joey is particularly fond of anything to do with history, the military or presidents. He just likes to read.
Today, I took the kids to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at our local cathedral - St. Andrew's. It is a parish of about 1,500 families and they have four hours of Adoration on the first Thursday of the month. I have always heard of it being done on the First Friday. But anyway, we went for about half an hour and it was beautiful, of course. I came away as refreshed as if I had been on a retreat. There is really something special about that devotion.
But afterward, my son said something I did not expect to hear from him: "I like Adoration."
Ya-hoo!
When I asked why, he said it was because he got to read. But he was reading his First Communion Catechism. I figured he would need something to look at besides the church, so I let him have that. And both kids talked to me on the way home about what they prayed for, which
means they actually were praying. Yay, again. I'm thinking and hoping they actually may have understood what we were doing.
But right now they are outside playing homestead in which they pretend to be pioneers who have set up camp on a muddy island in our creek and make stew out of wild onions and creek water and pretend to shoot deer and moose and things like that.
Fun, fun. It's great to be a kid. And it's great to be a mom, too.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Dogwoods and Lilies
April 21, 2008
It rained all night last night and much of the morning. But now the sun is shining brightly here and the birds are singing. Of course, they sing when it is raining, too.
The rain will be great for the Easter lilies I planted yesterday. Not being a gardener at all, I didn't realize that lilies - being bulb plants - come back to life every year, no matter how dead they happen to look in their little Easter pots. So, I brought home three dead-looking Easter lilies and planted them in the garden that contains the daffodils and tulips. They will be a nice addition next year.
I think I would like to plant day-lily bulbs this year where my pansy patch is. I have always been a big fan of the day lily, especially the orange variety. It is a grand, tall flower but it has a sort of everday-ness about it that is homey. And of course, they would come back every year, unlike the pansies.
My favorite spot in the yard right now is the bedroom-end of the house where the most hot-pink azalea I have ever seen is blooming beneath my daughter's bedroom window, in sharp contrast to kids' climbing tree which is befrilled with white dogwood blossoms at the moment.
I have no fewer than 10 blooming dogwoods in my yard and along the creek right now. Truly amazing. I'll have to find something new to write about soon. I'm sure both of my readers are getting tired of reading about spring in Virginia.
It rained all night last night and much of the morning. But now the sun is shining brightly here and the birds are singing. Of course, they sing when it is raining, too.
The rain will be great for the Easter lilies I planted yesterday. Not being a gardener at all, I didn't realize that lilies - being bulb plants - come back to life every year, no matter how dead they happen to look in their little Easter pots. So, I brought home three dead-looking Easter lilies and planted them in the garden that contains the daffodils and tulips. They will be a nice addition next year.
I think I would like to plant day-lily bulbs this year where my pansy patch is. I have always been a big fan of the day lily, especially the orange variety. It is a grand, tall flower but it has a sort of everday-ness about it that is homey. And of course, they would come back every year, unlike the pansies.
My favorite spot in the yard right now is the bedroom-end of the house where the most hot-pink azalea I have ever seen is blooming beneath my daughter's bedroom window, in sharp contrast to kids' climbing tree which is befrilled with white dogwood blossoms at the moment.
I have no fewer than 10 blooming dogwoods in my yard and along the creek right now. Truly amazing. I'll have to find something new to write about soon. I'm sure both of my readers are getting tired of reading about spring in Virginia.
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