Too Funny NOT to Share

Had to laugh out loud at this one this morning...Most days they aren't this funny or just over my head...I got this one!!!

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Thanks be to God!

Gifts I Want to Save and Share

This morning my e-mail was full of all sorts of "treasures". I want to save them to see again and I want to share them with you, too. So I thought the best wasy to do that is to put them in "A Bit of the Blarney". Please enjoy as I did.


The Watchmaker<*>
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http://www.kids4truth.com/watchmaker/watch.html

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Be with Me by Marian Jones

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http://www.InspiringThots.net/movie/be-w-me.php

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For friends who care and share I say, "Thanks be to God."

This Morning's Reflection

From Archabbot Lambert Reilly's book, Latin Sayings for Spiritual Growth, I gleaned these words.

Casus non datur. ("There is no such thing a chance") St. Thomas Aquinas

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"St. Paul says, 'We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28). Yet sometimes it is difficult to apply this to our lives.

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Once my superior said to me, 'It's not good for you or the monastery for you to be stationed here presently.'

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Those words hurt me and I resented my new assignment away from the monastery. However, with the passage of time I learned there was something I had to learn and would not have if I had remained in the cloister. Praise God for the exile. Now at last I can say thanks for the directive of the abbot and acknowledge the hand of God working through him.

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Instead of asking why when something happens and giving voice to the atheist in us, we should ask, 'Lord, what do you want me to learn from this?' "

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I must say that I have had more than one opportunity to learn from given situations. Though none seem quite as drastic as Archabbot's experience. I have found that those times of personal growth are those when I asked, "Lord, what do you want me to learn from this?" and I could witness to the lesson in my life.

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Thanks be to God!

Visions of "Summer Vacation"

This morning "Grandpa" was being the "JOKER". Roy and Neil were dropping off Sarah Dog for us to watch while they spend some time in Orlando at that "theme park". Sooo, he dressed up like Clark W. Griswald and sat on the front porch with suitcase and Duchess in hand. Needless to say, we got Sarah and he was not invited to go along on the trip.

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We wish the Ackerman Family, God Speed...and Hug Mickey for Grandma!!!

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Thank be to God!!!

A Weekend in Atlanta

Last weekend was a perfect time to be in Atlanta. It wasn't too hot and the company was grand. Ron and I wanted to go to the High Museum of Art to see the exhibition of the Gates of Paradise by Lorenzo Ghiberti. As it turned out there were only three panels exhibited from these huge doors but they were beautiful just the same.

Then we were joined by the David Keller family minus Mom. Kelly was working on flowers for a wedding this weekend, and we got to visit with the Keller Boys of Charlotte. We had a grand time. Uncle Jimmy is a great host. There was lunch at Fuddruckers...Dinner at Cinco's and the pool and playground in between. We could not have had a better time. Thank you, Jimmy. Thanks to the Keller Clan for coming to see us there....

A fine looking group of men and one lucky woman!!

Three generations of Keller men.

The hamburgers, onion rings and FF's were great but the company was better!!!

Loved the macaroni and cheese!!!!!

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For time spent together, I say, "Thanks be to God!"

The Saga draws to a close.

So the family visited with the Presidents for a while and then made our way to our destination. It was such a nice day at Mt. Rushmore, Ron and I both agreed it was much like being in Colorado...Beautiful blue sky and NO humidity!
Two years after our last visit...

Wes, Annie and the girls.

Lindsey and Ainsley enjoyed posing in the RocK.

Ainsley loves puzzles. This one is of Mt. Rushmore

and she and Uncle Phil put it together.

Just being sister!!

The BIRTHDAY cakE...

and the birthday girls...Birthday, June 15.

Cathy and Mom trying to figure out the knitting pattern.
(and the shawl is nearly finished!)

Our thanks to all who made this vacation trip so much FUN!!!!!

Playgrounds visited on the MT Journey

Let's call this playground hopping. It started in Jellystone Park and we went from there. I have found there is no trip complete without a stop a playground or two...or three.
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Young and old had a grand time at the playground

Found at Megan's old school. School playgrounds bring back fond memories.

GG and Uncle Phil

Annie, Phil and Deb

We just want to see if Dad can really do it!

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Finally, there was ZOO MONTANA!!! It was a great stop for us all !!!

Lindsey, Grandpa and Ainsley

Wee!!!! Higher!!!!

What pretty faces!!!

Just a short break in our photo journey. Will see you soon!!!!!

Finally, I got the pictures downloaded from our journey to Montana. It was a great week. And we were so fortunate to have the use of the Sienna. When Ron contributed to the United Way his name was entered in a raffle and so that is how we got to use it of the week. He WON!!!

Ainsley and Lindsey were real troopers. And considering their ages so were their dad and mom. Lindsey even developed an ear infection that had to be treated the first day of the journey. It was great fun to ride and play with the girls. Annie was our favorite movie although Singing in the Rain ran a close second.

Rapid City has some interesting sights. They have bronze statues of all but seven US presidents on their downtown street corners. (Ron was up early Monday morning photographing not all but most of them. The trick is figuring out who is who.) The dinner at the fire house was a treat for everyone.

Mt. Rushmore was still awesome. The day was glorious and all was picture perfect. The only flaw was one missing grandfather. "He's not with you?" "No, I thought he was with you."

Needless, to say our stay in Billings was wonderful. Got to experience again the life of an active teenage girl and the saga of the parents. Somethings never change. Mother is great. And I finally figured out the knitting pattern that had us both in a quandry. By the way the game APPLE TO APPLE is way tooooo much fun. We also got to celebrate two birthdays while we were there. Lindsey and Megan share the same birthday. Enough said...

Here's some of the pics...

The Jouney to Montana, a photo journel

The Whole Crew!

Aaisley meets Goldie

who is on her way to

The Big Apple

The Fire House

Brewery

Main Street, Rapid City, SD

Everyone said, "cheeseburger"!

Fire personnel

with the Dog!

Ainsley and Lindsey

with President Reagan

Franklin D. Roosevelt

A Time of Reflection

Today, is the celebration of the Birth of John the Baptist. As I was considering the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (IS 49:1-6) and Psalm 139, I was reminded of the following reflection. Sometimes I forget to look on God as my companion, side by side with me in my endeavors. But, gentle nudges bring me home!!! I again take consolation in knowing that my journey has been in the planning for longer than "I am" and because of that I can trust that he will be here 'til the end.

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Excerpt from, Set Aside Every Fear, Love and Trust in the Spirituality of Catherine of Siena.

GOD Speaks...

If you choose me as your companion you will not be alone; my love will always be with you. you will never fear anyone or anything, for you will find your security in me. With me as your companion you will live in the light of faith with hope and fortitude, with true patience and perseverance, all the days of your life. I loved you before you existed, and know this, you can place your trust in my love and set aside every fear. Enjoy my love, live in me and take from me the light of my wisdom. Confront the princes and tyrants of this world with my strength. Take from me the fire of my Spirit and share with all my mercy and my burning love. You are not alone. You have me.

As, I was sitting here preparing this, my dearest friend, Fay, called and told me her Pete had died this morning. Though not unexpected, I'm still surprised at the impact of the words and I know that no matter what words are chosen, a void in all our lives has been made. The impact that one person has made in my life can not be subtracted, cannot be taken away, it is with me always. There was not a time, when I visited with Fay and Pete, that I was not aware of his assurance of who he was. He was soft spoken, but with a presence that would capture your attention. He was well aware of who his "companion" was. And now today he rests in the loving arms of that Blessed Companion. And so like Pete, we are reminded by our Companion, "You have me."

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Thanks be to God!