Two years after our last visit...
An occasional bit of wit 'n' wisdom as gleaned from the wise and learned. Family fun and times to share.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
The Saga draws to a close.
Two years after our last visit...
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Playgrounds visited on the MT Journey
*****
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
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
Sunday, June 24, 2007
A Time of Reflection
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.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Report Delay
Will have to delay sharing about our trip to MT. I have managed to get a HUMONGOUS sinus infection, sore throat and cough...Ron has it, too. The first time in 39 years we have shared an illness. Last noc there was sneezing and coughing in concert...It was laughable even though we felt raunchy! You should have been here. It's really awful when I'm too tired to sit at the computer. Hope we are up and "running" tomorrow when the antibiotics have a chance to "kick" in. As GG said, get the Vicks and inhale! It's times like these when we appreciate family, friends and co-workers who are comforting, compassionate and understanding.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
This Olde House, From the Beginning to the Near End
Finally, though not finished, it is nearly complete. Only a few more rows to be put in place tomorrow night and then it will be ready for the finishing work around the doors. That will, however, have to wait until we return from GG's after a week's vacation.
We will be leaving on Friday evening, driving to INDY where we will pick up the rest of the crew, The INDY Kellers, for a driving vacation to MT. Since Ron won the use of a Sienna for a week we thought it a good idea to take advantage of the opportunity to see the North Country by van once again.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
A Fairwell to Weber
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Really beautiful and inspiring...
http://www.InspiringThots.net/movie/saucer.php
One must be careful and not overlook a comment...
Her name is Sr. Mary Anne. She is a member of the same community as Sr. Julie. the author of "A Nun's Life" blog. I had offered a comment on one of the topics and used Sr. Gilchrist Conway as an example. This just show small the world has become.
Sr. Mary Anne and Sr. Gilchrist worked serving the poor at the Catholic Worker http://www.catholicworker.org/ in New York City that summer thirty years ago. Sr. Gilchrist shared her adventures with us when she returned to Oklahoma where she was part of a team of Sisters of Providence, including Sr. Dorothy Rasche and Sr. Mary Maloney.
Sr. Gilchrist had a real call to be a missionary. She lived in conditions that summer that sounded appalling. And as she told us, with rats as big as dogs, and God's knowledge of her tremendous fear of them she was sure he was caring for her. She told us of daily waking and working to feed the poor. Donations of food came in and other donations were sought. But at the end of the day after feeding those hungry among them there was nothing left for the next day. At that point, I remember asking, didn't they buy things on sale and put them away so they would be sure to have stock to start again the next day? Sr. Gilchrist simply said, "Cathy, this is what we do. We trust that God will provide for tomorrow." At that time I was the mother of four small children and anxious to be sure there was enough to take care of us. It was a gentle reminder, I often recall, that God is first and He takes care of us all.
Sr. Gilchrist's missionary journey does not end there as she traveled to Bolivia and ministered to those people there. Two weeks before her return to the States, Sr. Gilchrist died in a flash flood. But she died in the service of our Lord. She is missed even now. Her cheerful smile, the glorious flute she played, and most of all the laughter she brought to us all when she would share a Bit of the Blarney.
Wish I could visit with Sr. Mary Anne as I'm sure she and Sr. Gilchrist had marvelous adventures that summer working in the service of the Lord. I am grateful to these women who have touched my life and those of my family.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
This Olde House...
Then Saturday evening the carpet came up. That was not a difficult task. EVERYONE was happy to help get IT out of the house. (Part of it sits on the curb, even as we speak, to be picked up by the garbage collectors this morning.) There were staples to remove and the floor to be swept. Wooden plugs to be put into the base of the railing and all was set for the next big task. It seems there is nothing, once again, that can stop the "wrecking crew". We just missed the contributions of the other two members that could not be here.
***
And through it all the kids seemed content to stay out of the way!!!
***
Ron and Wes painted the walls of the living room. And today Ron is taking the first step in the "laying of the floor". He's cutting the piece that will connect the dining room to the living room. Come again and visit "this olde house".
***
And in gratitude to the one who gives all, we say,
"Thanks be to God!"
Saturday, May 26, 2007
I Found a Treasure!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Top o' the Mornin'
Thanks be to God!
Saturday, May 19, 2007
The Dance Recital
Last night was Kellie's dance recital. It was a short program, not elaborate, and great fun. It was such a treat to see the talents of each of the kids in the show. It's especially delightful to see how Kellie has improved in all her skills since I first saw her perform as a small child. I reflect on this because this week my oldest grandchild has become a teenager. She continues to bloom, as we are all meant to, into a young lady now on the threshold of young adulthood. These thirteen years have flashed by. And in those thirteen years Kelly has been so very good at entertaining. Singing and dancing and now ,starting next school year, as member of the Memorial High School Marching band as a member of the Color Guard, she will again be sharing with all of us her talent to entertain.
Thank you, Kellie, for all the smiles you bring to others through your beautiful smile and "happy feet", especially to your Grandma.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Another Pot of Gold
The lost has been found...
It is a book that allows short reflections in which first God speaks to the reader as she begins the day. She is given a verse to reflect on through the day and then at the end of the day she responds in prayer. Well....I have been searching high and low for this book and today it has "been found." In this text is my favorite "reminder" of how we are called to love. And so now, I can share it. too. I hope you will find it, as I have, to be a profound statement of who we are as Christians and how we are called to be Christian.
Friday, May 11, 2007
It's GG' s Birthday
You offer to others yourself in so many ways and I have been privileged to grow up seeing you share your gifts and talents with others. You are the teacher who taught me to speak the English language and use it with skill, because you knew how important is was to use it well. You taught me to knit, embroider, and sew (though, I know, teaching me to sew was a real challenge). You tried to teach me to swim, though I am sorry to say, without much success. Thank God all my children can swim. You taught me the importance of humor and laughter!! Thank you for the times we have laughed so hard together...
You taught me compassion and caring for others by example. I saw it in how you cared for us as children and as adults. I saw how you cared for others when you would take them grocery shopping. How you cared for the Aunts when they needed you by visiting and doing their laundry. You showed your love in the small things, by cleaning the church, mending cassocks for the priest, laundering the alter linens and crafting rosaries (as you did when I was a child).
You are skilled in listening. That is probably the reason you have so many friends and family who even today, will call you and visit with you.
You, Mother, are a competitor...You LOVE to play games and you enjoy it most when playing with your children and their families...Although, I suspect, if called to be a 4th in pinochle you'd have to pass on a game of Canasta.
Mom, thank you for 82 wonderful years that I will cherish. God blessed me when he allowed me to be your daughter. And GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!
The Gifted With a Talent for Patience
and the work of their hands...
Saturday, May 05, 2007
The Gift of Friendship
When these dear friends and family and I shared this hope I really did not picture myself as anything but my youthful self sitting on that porch...but then I look in the mirror and the truth is revealed. I may only feel 40 on the inside but on the outside greater "maturity" is revealed.
Why this talk of friendship? I don't think this is Best Friend week, but I could be wrong. I speak of friendship now for a couple of reasons. First, all the above friends no longer live close enough to sit on that front porch, though we do chat. Then, I reflected on what it has been like to have lost a dear friend to death, who you just knew would "live forever", and the void, unfilled yet, by her absence.
Then, last night, Fay and I had a chat. Pete has been very ill again and yesterday they found he has pneumonia. She and I would agree that this was a time when we needed to talk and again we would both agree that somehow I listened to the promptings of the Master to make that call.
On the other hand, I dropped the ball yesterday, when I realized, too late, that I had missed Martha's birthday. OOPs! And only the day before she had sent me a card telling me how thoughtful I am. OUCH! This too will be rectified.
Kay and I, with Allen and Ron along for the ride, will visit soon for a chat over dinner...That's when we do our BEST chatting.
And...then I read this reflection by Henri J. M. Nouwen.
So now I see that my "front porch" has been replaced by just making sure these special people continue to be a part of my life by simply connecting with them; connecting with those beautiful women with whom I share my faith life every Tuesday evening; bonding with my Bible Study groups and sharing the love of God; meeting or "chatting" with faraway friends whenever the need arises; making those family calls to chat whether online text messaging (which is a lot of fun) or by phone just to hear their voices; and most importantly making sure those "chats" with the Lord, whether in prayer or with your faith community, be on the TOP of our BEST FRIENDS list.
Finally, knowing and accepting that I am not the perfect friend I'd like to be is part of my journey. I forget to say thank you, put off calls I know I should make, and forget birthdays sometimes...but even with these flaws I know I am loved by God and those Dear Friends and Family he has sent to me.
Thanks Be To GOD!!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Another Pot of Gold at the end of the rainbow!
"A certain Woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul." Acts 16:14
Amy says, "None of my babies have been good sleepers. When they're little, I see a lot of the middle of the night. What always fascinates me is the quiet. It's so still that when a train passes on tracks two miles away, it sounds as if it is in our backyard. I suppose this shows me that there's a lot more noise out there during the day than I realize.
When we pray, we may be convinced that we're listening to God. But are we? Or have we just grown so accustomed to the continual drone that we don't even know it's there, muffling, and distorting God's voice? And then we're startled when God's voice resounds like a train through the night, unfamiliar but at last unmistakeable, and we must, like Lydia, open our hearts and listen eagerly.
***
Loving God, help me really quiet myself and listen.
***
I can really identify...4 of the 5 children didn't sleep through the night until they were about 2 years old. And then when the youngest did, I couldn't sleep for fear something was the matter with her. So the middle of the night on many occasions has been a time of prayer for me. I also know that I do indeed talk too much and there are so many times the only time the Lord can get a "word in edgewise" is when I am asleep. Then He wakes me to show me the way...He truly knows the way for us all...We just have to "awaken" to it!!!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
National Day of Prayer
Thursday evening there will be a gathering of those coming together, in the Newburgh community, for a celebration of The National Day of Prayer. We will come together at St. John the Baptist to share a meal and then share time in prayer.
I would ask those who read this to come and share in this time of prayer for our Nation and it's leaders.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Pictures from Astronomy Day and some train pics
Weekend Adventure in Astronomy
Monday, April 23, 2007
Computer fatigue!
You all have a good noc...I will!!!! Tomorrow is a new DAY!!! YEAH!!!
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Interesting Response...
Soooo...here is his blog site. What he has to say is insightful but he only has two posts... both very good...
Maybe give it a glance: http://movington.blogspot.com
A Gift from a Friend
****A strong woman isn't afraid of anything ... but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear...
**** A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her ...
but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone...
**** A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future... a woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can also be God's blessings and capitalizes on them...
**** A strong woman walks sure footedly ... but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls...
**** A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face ... but a woman of strength wears grace...
**** A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey ... but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong...