Road to Providence

As I have journeyed this Road to Providence these last months I learned early on that one can define oneself, if she so desires, in poetry. I learned from reading and practice that one can pray, reflect and learn in the poetic form, Cinquain.

The term "CINQUAIN" (pronounced SING-cane, the plural is "cinquains") as applied by modern poets most correctly refers to a form invented by the American poet Adelaide Crapsey ( William Soutar,the Scots poet,was also a prolific writer thereof). The first examples of hers were published in 1915 in The Complete Poems, roughly a year after her death. Her cinquain form was inspired by Japanese haiku and Tanka (a form of Waka).

Wikipedia

I personally enjoy this form. And I thank Laura at Catholic Teacher Musings had no idea what an influence she would be on me when she started Bad Haiku Friday! Since then I have found a lot of solace in writing poetry.

My offering today is this:

Cinquain on Providence

Gifted
Loving destiny
Omnipotence of God
Journey

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Praise God!

We had a grand visit with Jimmy and Kelly this weekend. And so it is that I have so much for which to be grateful and give PRAISE. Please journey to Jennifer's Chocolate Heart and share in the "praise."

1. In glory and praise for the wonderful weather we experienced. The temperature was comfortable and the humidity LOW!

2. I praise him for family. Meeting Kelly's parents, Ross and Kathy, was such a pleasure. They are delightful people. (Imagine now a family in December with 3 Kelly[ie]s and 2 C[K]athys. Gatherings could be soooo much fun!!!

3. In praise and thanksgiving for the willingness of all to work together for the good of Jimmy and Kelly and their holy union in December.

4. I praise him for the beautiful liturgy at St. Brigid's yesterday morning.

5. Again, I praise and thank him for our safe and uneventful travel.

Wishing all a glorious Monday!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

On the Road Again...

I credit Willie Nelson for our theme song, cuz this evening we leave to visit Jimmy and Kelly in Alpharetta, GA. We will meet Kelly's parents and discuss what they have planned for the wedding in December. If you don't hear from me for a few day, just know I'm having a wonderful time!!!!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God

Loyal Friend Award

Much to my surprise and delight Sue at In Him I Live and Move and Have My Being offered me this gifts. She is a delight to visit as her blog offers insight and reflection. I will offer this award to those who have been loyal to me since the very beginning.


Here are the rules:

1. Copy the loyal picture above and post it on your blog.
2. Pass it on to who you think who is/are deserving.
3. Leave a message to them
4. Pass as many as you want.
5. Message back or leave a comment to the owner.

Right now I'd like to echo the words of Saint Paul.

I give thanks to you God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work to you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right that I should thing this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, you who are all partners with me in grace, confirmation of the Gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every ind of perception to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. (Phil 3-11)

I offer this first to my daughter-in-law Kelly at Musings as she was the one who gave me encouragement.

Then to Esther at Catholic Mom in Hawaii and Therese Aussie Coffee Shop, friends on the journey.

Lisa at Are We There Yet invites me into her home and makes me welcome in the "Garden of Colorado," the Eden I can only visit now through her gorgeous pictures.

Mike at This I Do who offers words of wisdom and some of the grandest photos anywhere!

Finally to Ann at Prayer, Poetry and Praise and SuzyQ at Sailing by Starlight who inject beauty into my world with their use of words and poetry.

Thank you again Sue and thank you to all who visit here! To everyone who visits here you are most welcome and I cherish all your words and wisdom.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God

Mayonnaise Jar and Two Beers...

Ireland 2007 - Guiness Barrell
Originally uploaded by adileo

When I read this I knew this had been "around the world" a zillion times. I am posting this for three reasons.

1. It was a gift from my friend Ruth. Thank you.

2. It is never too often to have a GOOD lesson reinforced.

3. I wanted to save it to my blog so it wouldn't get lost in our file cabinet. I'm saving it for posterity.


When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him..

When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly.

The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.

Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full.

The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.

The students laughed..

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you..

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children.

Spend time with your parents.

Visit with grandparents.

Take time to get medical checkups.

Take your spouse out to dinner.

Play another 18.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter.

Set your priorities.

The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented.

The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'

The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God

Aside: If ever in Dublin you must visit The Gravity Bar at the top of the Guiness Brewery. The view of the city is exquisite!!!!!

Picture Ireland 2007 - Guiness Barrell Originally uploaded by adileo

National S'mores Day

Smores!
Originally uploaded by cremesoda!

This is too much fun to ignore...I heard about this on the way to work this morning and have been dying to share this all day! I LOVE S'mores!!! I didn't even know there was a special day until today! OH!!! How yummy they are!

Visit http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/smoresday.htm for all the information!!!! Before the summer is over get yourself some graham crackers, Hersey Chocolate and MARSHMALLOWS and have a blast!!!

And if you really want to have some fun visit Alton Brown and try the recipe for homemade marshmallow! OOOH!!!

Wishing you all a grand evening!!!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Picture originally uploaded by cremesoda!

Praise God!

Another lovely weekend here in Indiana. It was much warmer than it had been in past weeks but a grand weekend all the same. Now it's time to give credit where credit is due. I offer much praise and thanksgiving to the one who made it all happen. Glory be to God. Please journey to Jennifer's Chocolate Heart and share in the "praise."

1. Praise be to God for the wonderful time Ron and I had just doing something as mundane as grocery shopping.

2. Praise Him in the quiet of this Sunday afternoon.

3. Praise Him for his assistance in completing the final unit in my Providence Associate process.

4. Glory and praise for the affirmation of friends and family.

5. Finally, praise God! I have finished the baby afghan before Daniel's arrival. The baby shower is in three weeks.

Daniel's afghan

Now I am ready for the new week to begin. How about you?

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

The Dignitiy of Life

Weeping Angel II
Originally uploaded by Eric Webb Photography

A few days ago I was visited via email by someone who offered both a compliment and criticism of A Bit of the Blarney. It was suggested that I had a nice blog, but I was mistaken in my views and opinions on ProLife. I was slightly taken aback as A Bit of The Blarney really is not a forum for the ProLife Movement, just a place where I can share and offer who I am to you.

Though I find that I don't pointedly make reference to the movement itself, I do promote the quality of life and that, indeed, is ProLife. I went to this person's blog and found it a dark place to be. It was cold and without life. I deleted the email, accepted it for what it was worth, and went on my merry way.

Apparently, the Good Lord has other ideas about how I should handle that particular email. For two nights ago I was visited in a dream. Lest you be skeptical about the reality and value of dreams one only has to go to Holy Scripture to find it used often to instruct and embolden.

So it is that I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me in this endeavor. First, I enjoy a debate as well as the next person. But when I am right, and in this case I am, and it becomes an argument for the sake of arguing, then I don't want to continue the dialog. That's why I initially discarded the email.

I have been guided to say, in the gentleness of our Savior this.

Whether you believe in a Creator or not, one must understand that in order for the conception of a child to take place it requires two living cells (life). For those cells to begin to grow into this life they must be joined (living life). When these living cells grow and divide they become a living work of art (viable life). And by any law, Divine or man made, to end that life is murder.

Perhaps, this is way too simplistic but if it gets too complex then somehow the true meaning of life loses its value in the mechanics of science. It then is no longer personal. And life is personal!!!! It is real!!! It has value!!!!! The point is that life is valuable at ALL times!!! The life of a person should have dignity from its conception to natural death.

When someone does not see or accept the concept and value of the life given to us all I have to ask that person to rate his/her value. Is the dignity they share with the rest of us greater than the lowliest of us? And if so why? Who places the value on the life of a human? Finally, I think the most important question I'd like to ask is, "Do you like who you are and does this affect how you value the life and gifts of others?"

And so to the one who sent me the email I must say thank you! And to the One-Who-Visits-Me-I-My-Dreams I must thank heartily for giving me the words and the courage to post this offering.

Let it be known that I will post all comments from those who chose to do so, whether in agreement or dissent. But I will not argue or debate the point. For I am right. Abortion is WRONG and LIFE IS THE MOST VALUABLE THING ANY OF US WILL EVER HAVE.
For as Archbishop Fulton Sheen said, "Life is worth living."

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God

Please visit also HuMAMAe Vitae.

Weeping Angel II
Originally uploaded by Eric Webb Photography

Bad Haiku Friday

Summer is fading
The school year is advancing
Have fun while it lasts!



Dedicated to my kids and grand-kids, teachers and students all!
School starts here on Monday!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Judy Garland - Meet Me in St. Louis (song)

The Duchess asked which movie was a favorite for a summertime hot spell. So for for your perusal I offer one of my favorite "heatwave" movies! What might you add to the list of Heatwave Movies? Please stop by and thank her for asking! Have a grand Summer's Day!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!