Gifts of Words, Music and Flowers.

I was given this beautiful gift today. The words hopeful, the music restful, and the pictures reflective. It's for all who dream and hope and love. It was given in friendship and mutual concern for ponds and waterlilies, but it is also wonderful because of the gift itself. So to SMA at A World of Beauty, I say a most sincere, "Thank you!" I also say, "Thank you," to you all and please enjoy!!!

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Thanks be to God!

The Pond Has a Hole In It...

The Upper Pond
Taken 5/18/2008

I will make rivers well up on barren heights,
and fountains in the midst of valleys;
turn the wilderness into a lake,
and dry ground into waterspring.

Isaiah 41:18
(The Jerusalem Bible)

Well, it would seem that we have another hole in the larger of the two lily ponds. We had one in it before but Ron was able to find it and repair it. He hasn't been that successful this time. The water lilies in both ponds, however, are really very pretty this year. The fish are gone and Freddie, our resident frog has taken up residence elsewhere, I suspect. Last year the lily pond was the only thing in the garden that didn't need work. Now, with the results of the drought last summer and the ice storms this winter it has really taken a toll on the yard. I have been glad that the dandelions that Ron worked diligently to keep down for the last two years did not return. So we have our work cut out for us with the "barren heights" and the "dry ground."

It just means we'll just have to keep pluggin' along, little by little.

Have a Grand Weekend!!

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Thanks be to God!

Call to Prayer!

I would ask that you join me as I join easter a. at Mostly Prayers in prayer for those who are or will become unemployed during this time of fuel shortages. It not only affects us here but around the world. We are "our brother's keeper," and are thus responsible for his well-being. So let us pray and sacrifice, in order that ALL might suffer less everywhere.

PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH FOR EMPLOYMENT

Dear St. Joseph, you were given the responsibility of providing the necessities of life for Jesus and Mary. Look down with fatherly compassion upon our brothers and sisters in their anxiety over their present struggle to support their families due to job loss. Please help them find gainful employment very soon, so that this heavy burden of concern will be lifted from their hearts and that they soon will be able to provide for those whom God has entrusted to their care. Help us to guard against bitterness and discouragement, so that we may emerge from this trial spiritually enriched and with even greater blessings from God. Amen.

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This we ask through the intercession of St. Joseph, in the name of Jesus Christ our brother, Lord and Savior. Amen!

Thanks be to God
and
all who pray and sacrifice.

Wisdom

I was reading through Pope John Paul II, His Essential Wisdom, Edited by Carol Kelly-Gangi and found this quote:

I am not severe--I am sweet by nature--but I defend the rigidity principle. God is stronger than human weakness and deviations. God will always have the last word.

"God will always have the last word." I thought about how hard it is to be a parent sometimes. It was hard when the kids were young to "defend the rigidity principle." Saying "no" and really sticking to it. Not compromising my resolve was not only distressing but oft times painful. Wanting to give in would have been so much easier. What I had to realize, as much as I wanted to be my child's friend, was I was first and foremost the parent.

Now after all these years, my children still love me, and we are friends. It's just a matter of being sure as a parent, we follow the model of Almighty God, and have the last word.

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Thanks be to God in His wisdom,
and
to Pope John Paul II for conveying it!

Dr. Kris' Birthday

Birthday cake in Hamburg
Originally uploaded by robokow

Today is Dr. Kris' birthday! So there will be pizza for lunch and (though it looks nothing like this lovely cake) the cake I made (I haven't even iced it yet) with my annual banner for the lounge wall...

And the gift to the man who has everything? A large can of cashews!!!

Have a grand day all!!! I know I will!

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Thanks be to God!!!