It's Friday!!!

To all my friends I offer you a cup of coffee and an apple danish. Then it's off we go on the adventure offered us this day. God Bless!

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And thanks be to God!

Stripped in the Desert

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
picture by Steven L. Pierce

This is the title of a reflection from the book Radical Grace by Richard Rohr, O.F.M. It truly speaks to me today.

The Hebrew people entered the desert feeling themselves a united people, a strong people, and you'd think that perhaps they would have experienced greater strength as they walked through. But no! They experienced the fragmentation and weariness; they experienced divisions among their people. They were not the people they thought they were.

When all of our idols are taken away, all our securities and defense mechanisms, we find out who we really are. We're so little, so poor, so empty--sometimes, even so ugly. But God takes away our shame, and we are able to present ourselves to God poor and humble. Then we find out who we are and who God is for us. The desert is where Israel experienced its sinfulness, that it was weak and unable to do any good. Our temptation is always to shorten the time, make our timetable God's timetable. We want to get out and get it over with. But we cannot rush the journey of faith. We have to attune ourselves to its times and seasons. You can't bake a cake quicker by turning up the heat to 450 degrees, nor can you slow it down by lowering it to 200. It will flop either way.

from Great Themes of Scripture
by Richard Rohr, O.F.M.

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He was talking to me. I trust we all have been here. Some for longer than others. I'm still such a slow learner or stubborn that only a gentle kick in the rear will bring me back to reality! Yes, sometimes a stiff KICK in the rear. DUH! Then the light comes on and I see how God has been there all the time fine tuning and pruning what I thought I was bold and wise enough to do by myself. Yes, indeed, there it is, The Hand of Providence. So if any of you were wondering, it was a fruitful and wonderful retreat at the Woods!!!

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Thanks be to God!

A Real Eye Catcher!!!

I have found the most wonderful book and just have to share it with everyone. It's called The Sacred Sisterhood of Wonderful Wacky Women by Suzy Toronto. Her art is bright, bold, and colorful. Her words are dynamic! Please allow me to share one of her offering with you.

She Who
Stands for Something

She chooses the purity
Of truth over popularity...
Everything.
Possessing the moral courage
To make her action consistent
With her knowledge
Of right and wrong,
She knows that the choices
She makes today
Will shape her into the woman
She will be tomorrow.

This woman's life defines
Such words as love,
Forgiveness, charity,
Service, compassion and godliness.
For she knows who she is
And what she believes.

Her integrity is founded
On unswerving principle.
She is beyond reproach,
And her courage is unsurpassed
As she carries the banner of truth

Everyone knows
She stands for something.

by Suzy Toronto

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Good day to you all
and
Thanks be to God!

Art by Suzy Toronto from book The Sacred Sisterhood of Wonderful Wacky Women.

The Simple Women's Daybook

Today I have off because of it's spring break here. I took the time off so I could do some spring cleaning. Well, you can see where I am...Honest!!! I will begin as soon as I post this little bit of Monday. So after you have stopped by here please visit Peggy at The Simple Women's Daybook.

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1. Outside my window...Sam is meowing, letting me know that he'd like to come in.

2. I'm thinking...this is the first time I have ever done this later than 5:00 a.m.

3. I'm thankful for...having spent a wonderful weekend at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in retreat.

4. I'm wearing...Sweater, pants and warm socks.

5. From the Kitchen...Baked macaroni and cheese with smoky links, broccoli and fruit.

6. I am creating...Still working on the counted x-stitch. Are you as tired of hearing about this as I am about telling you about it? It was purchased as a kit in England and now there is not enough thread. I'm now on-line comparing Anchor and DMC threads.

7. I am reading...The Sadness of Christ by Thomas More.

8 . I'm hoping...to rest in the memory of the retreat.

9. I am hearing...Birds chirping outside.

10. Around the house...The crocus, daffodils, and tulips are starting to bloom

11. Few plans for the rest of the week...Enjoy time off, resting and enjoying the quiet.

12. One of my favorite things is...gather pictures and make them into photo books. Since I had trouble with "Simon" during the holidays I haven't gotten those pictures done yet.



13. Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

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Thanks be to God!

Road to Providence

Dear friends, I will be on retreat at Saint Mary-or-the-Woods starting tomorrow evening. I would ask that you keep me in you prayers! Thank you all!

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Thanks be to God!

Feast of Saint Joseph

St. Joseph's Bread
Originally uploaded by funkyegret

In Sicily, where St. Joseph is regarded by many as their Patron Saint, thanks are given to St. Joseph ("San Giuseppe" in Italian) for preventing a famine in Sicily during the Middle Ages. According to legend, there was a severe drought at the time, and the people prayed for their patron saint to bring them rain. They promised that if He answered their prayers, they would prepare a large feast to honor him. The rain did come, and the people of Sicily prepared a large banquet for their patron saint. The fava bean was the crop which saved the population from starvation, and is a traditional part of St. Joseph's Day altars and traditions. Giving food to the needy is a St. Joseph's Day custom. In some communities it is traditional to wear red clothing and eat a Sicilian pastry known as a Zeppole on St. Joseph's Day.
Altars are also a prevalent tradition. Upon a typical St. Joseph's Day altar, people place flowers, limes, candles, wine, fava beans, specially prepared cakes, breads, and cookies (as well as other meatless dishes), and zeppole. Foods are traditionally served containing bread crumbs to represent saw dust since St. Joseph was a carpenter. Because the feast occurs during Lent, traditionally no meat was allowed on the celebration table. The altar usually has three tiers, to represent the trinity.

(from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Recipe for St. Joseph's bread can be found at All Recipes. Blessing to all on this Holy Feast!

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Thanks be to God!

PHOTO by funkyegrets.

A Hug Can Replace Violence...

I found this reflection in The Little Black Book most enlightening. I wonder how you are touched by it.

Peters approached Jesus and asked him,
"Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must
is forgive him, as may as seven times?"
Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times
but seventy-seven times."
(Matthew 18: 21-35)

In Scripture, we can track one indication of the gradual movement of the human race (by God's grace) toward the Reign of God. It has to do with the reduction of vengeance.

~~~Genesis (which reaches back to pre-history) tells of Lamech, a son of Cain, who boasted: "I have killed a man for wounding me, a boy for bruising me. If Cain is avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold." (Genesis 4:23-24)

~~~Exodus (which treats events that took place in about 1,200 B.C.) tempers this approach: "If injury ensues, you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot..." (Exodus 21:23-24)

~~~Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount, takes the human race to a new level: "You have heard that it is said, 'An eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you...when someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well." (Matthew 5:38-39)

~~~Now, 13 chapters later in that same Gospel, Peter asks how many times one has to do this. Jesus says that, to bring about the Reign of God, mercy must be measureless.

Vengeance prevents us from moving forward, for it simply adds evil to evil. Jesus calls us to break the vicious circle of evil for evil, and respond to evil with goodness, this bringing creation closer to its destiny.

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This reading of yesterday really caused me to think about my anger toward those who may have injured me, whether real or imagined. Then the Spirit, as he always does, clarified. You see hate breeds vengeance. Forgiveness breeds love. As Christians we are called to love by LOVE. So if I am truly Christian then I have NO choice! I MUST forgive. Oh my!! What a daunting task this is! God bless you all this day with love! A hug is also GOOD!

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Thanks be to God!

The Luck of the Irish To All This Day...

The Eye of God over Dublin
12/2005

Lets begin the day with a wee bit of Irish humor. Here is a delightful Irish tale sent me by my dear friend Juliene O'Dowd West. Sure and isn't it all true!

On a vacation in Rome, I noticed a marble column in St. Peter's with a golden telephone on it. As a young priest passed by, I asked who the telephone was for. He told me it was a direct line to Heaven, and if I'd like to call, it would be a thousand dollars. I was amazed, but declined the offer.

Throughout Italy, I kept seeing the same golden telephone on a marble column. At each, I asked about it and the answer was always the same: a direct line to Heaven and I could call for a thousand dollars.

On the way homeward, I stopped in Ireland . I decided to attend Mass at a local village church. When I walked in the door I noticed the golden telephone. Underneath it there was a sign stating: "DIRECT LINE TO HEAVEN 25 cents." "Father, " I said, "I have been all over Italy and in all the cathedrals I visited, I've seen telephones exactly like this one. But the price is always a thousand dollars. Why is it that this one is only 25 cents?"

The priest smiled and said,

"Ah! But you're in Ireland now! It's a local call."

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Now if you'll be willin' to walk a bit, we'll take a quick tour of Dublin City.

Dublin Skyline by Day

St. Patrick's Cathedral...

and where the good saint baptized.

You can have a grand walk about the city's center.

And end the evening on a bridge over the River Liffey
enjoying the twinkling lights.

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I've no pictures of food
or table settings to boot
but a limerick I do have to share.
No day is complete without one.
So I hope you'll be enjoyin' this'n.

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'Tis famous the food of Killarney,
As tasty and fresh as sweet Blarney
Know well it is nice
When served fast on ice,
Gourmets shriek for Chili con Kearney.

Published by Peter Pauper Press
White Plains, NY


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And may God be with ye
this day and always!

Thanks be to God!

When all is said and done it's a true delight to visit Kathleen Cuisine today to see the wonder of all that can be seen in other little corners of the world!

A Saturday in INDY

Reitz Memorial High School Winter Guard
3/2009

Is it possible that when you are a grandmother you are more sensitive about watching family members perform? I don't remember tears in my eyes when I watched Laura or Wes perform at solo and ensemble. I didn' t even cry when Wes sang Bridge Over Troubled Waters at his high school graduation. But yesterday watching Kellie (3rd from the left) perform her teams winter guard performance tears did indeed well up in my eyes. Perhaps that's the reason I succeeded in getting only one good picture! They were disappointed in their performance, but when all was said and done they were 5th out of 35 school. Quite an achievement!

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Earlier that morning, Ainsley, my 6 year old granddaughter, and I had a chat. She jumped on the sofa and said "Grandma, I'm so excited!"

GM: What are you excited about?

AK: Aunt Mimi (Marianne) is going to have a baby and I am so excited. I love family.

GM: I love family, too.

AK: It is so much fun to have us all together and now you know there will be 12 of us.

GM: Yes, I know and it will be fun.

AK (With a twinkle in her eye): That means that along with Maddie you have another one of us to put on your sweatshirt.

And with a giggle she was off. You know she's right! It is fun when we are together! Family is a wonderful treasure given to us by the Father. Oh my, how fortunate I am.

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Thanks be to God!

the lesson

the lesson
Originally uploaded by pioforsky

Five (5) lessons to make you think about the way we treat people.

1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.

During my second month of college, our professor
gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student
and had breezed through the questions until I read
the last one:

'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?'

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the
cleaning woman several times. She was tall,
dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leavin g the last question
blank.... Jus t before class ended, one student asked if
the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

'Absolutely,' said the professor. 'In your careers,
you will meet many people. All are significant. They
deserve your attention and care, even if all you do
is smile and say 'hello.'

I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her
name was Dorothy.

2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain

One night, at 11:30 p.m. , an elderly African-American
woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway
trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had
broken down and she desperately needed a ride.
Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.
A young white man stopped to help her, generally
unheard of in those conflict-filled 60s. The man
took her to safety, helped her get assistance and
put her into a taxicab.

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his
address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a
knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a
giant console color TV was delivered to his home.
A special note was attached..

It read:
'Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway
the other night. The rain drenched not only my
clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along.
Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying
husband's bedside just before he passed away... God
bless you for help ing me and unselfishly serving
others.'

Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve.

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less,
a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and
sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.

'How much is an ice cream sundae?' he asked.

'Fifty cents,' replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and
studied the coins in it.

'Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?' he inquired.

By now more people were waiting for a table and the
waitress was growing im patient.

'Thirty-five cents,' she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins.

'I'll have the plain ice cream,' he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on
the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice
cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress
came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the
table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish,
were two nickels and five pennies..

You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had
to have enough left to leave her a tip.

4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a
roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if
anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the
king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by
and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the
King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did
anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of
vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the
peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the
stone to the side of the road. After much pushing
and straining, he finally succeeded. After the
peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed
a purse lying in the road where the boulder had
been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note
from the King indicating that the gold was for the
person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The
peasant learned what many of us never understand!

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a
hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who
was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only
chance of recovery appeared to be a blood
transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had
miraculously survived the same disease and had
developed the antibodies needed to combat the
illness. The doctor expl ained the situation to her
little brother, and asked the little boy if he would
be willing to give his blood to his sister.

I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a
deep breath and saying, 'Yes I'll do it if it will
save her.' As the transfusion progressed, he lay in
bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did,
seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his
face grew pale and his smile faded.

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a
trembling voice, 'Will I start to die right away'.

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the
doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his
sister all of his blood in order to save her.

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This is one of those emails you get from friends that you just have to send along. You needn't forward it if you don't want to. If you wish just link it if you so desire. I do believe the more who read this the more people will find a reason to see the value in one anther! Don't you?

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And for Sylvia who sent this to me I say,
"Thank you and thanks be to God!"