pretty, happy, funny, real :: in which we bid adieu, dear Papa!

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

{pretty}

We have had the most amazing sunsets here lately.

{happy}

I try not to get carried away by, (i.e., attached to) material things. But the fact that I have my first new car in 21 years (lots of new 'used' cars since) does, as a matter of fact, make me a little happy:

And yes, a week after buying the new car we replaced our 30 year old refrigerator with this beauty:

And that makes me a little happy, too!



{funny}

This is Margaret trying to kiss Holly. The two of them are such cuddle-bugs, although I much prefer M's big, fat, wet, mushy kisses to Holly's licking!

{real}

Late this morning, with tears flowing, I blew kiss upon kiss toward the image on my television screen of our now retired Holy Father departing the Vatican for the last time as our Supreme Pontiff. The depth of my sorrow surprised not only me, but the wee hound, Holly, who peered up at me quizzically, wondering, I'm sure, what had caused such an outburst of sobbing and wailing.

 

 

I recall how overjoyed I was those nearly 8 years ago when Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger's name was announced as our new successor to St. Peter. At the time, I was working at my parish office and I along with my co-workers had been glued to the television set anticipating the grand news, Habemus Papem! We have a pope! If that wasn't exciting in and of itself, we all whooped and hollered, jumped for joy and hugged one another as we learned the identity of our new Holy Father. I will never forget that day. 

 

 

Today, it hurts to see him go, to bid him adieu - even though I know - I trust - his stepping aside is the right move. For the next few weeks we, like little orphans, are without a Holy Father. But the Holy Spirit will not keep the ship captain-less for long. These are exciting days and weeks ahead - days of deep prayer and fasting. Appropriate for Lent, yes. In hope and in trust and in profound gratitude to God, we look forward to being swept up into the glory of Easter, perhaps with a newly elected Pontiff at our helm. May God make it so!

No pictures here in this spot this week. Just the parting, final words of our dear, beloved Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI.

"Thank you, thank you from my heart. I am happy to be here with you, surrounded by the beauty of Creation and your friendship that does me so much good, thank you for your friendship, for caring.
You know that today is different from others … as of eight p.m. I will no longer be the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. I will simply be a pilgrim who is beginning the last part of his pilgrimage on earth.

"But with my heart, my love, my prayer, with all my inner strength, I will work for the common good and the good of the Church and all humanity.

"And I feel greatly supported by your affection. Let us move forward together with the Lord for the good of the Church and the world.

"I will now impart upon you all my Apostolic Blessing.
Thank you and good night. Thank you all."

—Pope Benedict XVI


{p,h,f,r}

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Tapestry Tuesday

Surrounded by His glory:

Rain. At first sight, it appears the trees, bare-armed and glistening, are shivering in the gusty breeze. However, the temperature seems rather moderate as it has warmed up significantly throughout the morning. Earlier, however, I spied enormous wet snowflakes mixing in with the rain, despite the weatherman reporting all rain across the metro region.

This Place:

We are certainly not bereft of chores around here. There are closets and entire bedrooms to clean out and the work in our basement continues. I just find that I need a little more 'oomph' to get it all done. I should never look at the huge, whole picture that lies ahead, as it has a way of overwhelming me and it just makes me want to curl up with a good book and sip tea all day. I suffer terribly from the "I will get to it tomorrow" syndrome. Unfortunately, tomorrow never seems to get here.

When the kids were small, I recall joking that when they were all grown and out of the house, I was going to sleep for a very long time. I think that must be part of it.

My Bookcase:

I am reading three books all at once. And you know what that means, it takes me longer to complete any of them. Gee, if I'd only stick to reading one at time!

Here they are - in no particular order -

Consoling the Heart of Jesus, by Father Michael E. Gaitley, MIC

A wonderful Lenten retreat (and treat!). Fr. Gaitley leads the reader/participant through a DIY Ignatian retreat with the goal of drawing us closer to the heart of Jesus by learning how we can console Him in the midst of the many great offenses against His most Sacred Heart. Highly recommend!

The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis

This is the current choice for a monthly book club I oversee. I have decided to set it aside for now and will pick it up a few days or so before we're due to discuss it. I have read it before, love it and can't wait to discuss it with the book club ladies.

The Everlasting Meal: Cooking with Economy and Grace,  by Tamar Adler

I have this on my Kindle because Katie asked me to read it. She wanted to be able to discuss it with someone. I haven't progressed too far, but what I've read is fascinating. I love Ms. Adler's writing style and thus far, I've enjoyed her thoughtful meditations on the frugality of eating and cooking. I am happy to know that it is perfectly fine to boil vegetables! And who knew you could do so many things with eggs? If you are interested in enhancing your take on food and cooking, it is certainly worth the read.

Verbum Dei:

From today's Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 34 - So comforting to know we are not alone in our sorrow.

When the just cry out, the Lord hears them,

and from all their distress he rescues them.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;

and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.

 

Oremus:

 

This takes my breath away:

  

Paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer
by St. Francis of Assisi

OUR FATHER
most holy,
our Creator and Redeemer,
our Savior and our Comforter.

WHO ART IN HEAVEN
in the angels and the saints,
giving them light to know you,
since you, Lord, are light;
setting them afire to love you,
since you, Lord, are love;
dwelling in them
and giving them fullness of joy,
since you, Lord,
are the supreme, eternal good,
and all good comes from you.

HALLOWED BE THY NAME,
may we grow to know you better and better
and so appreciate the extent of your favors,
the scope of your promises,
the sublimity of your majesty,
and the profundity of your judgments.

THY KINGDOM COME,
so that you may reign in us by your grace,
and bring us to your kingdom,
where we shall see you clearly,
love you perfectly and,
happy in your company, enjoy you forever.

THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN,
so that we may love you with all our heart,
by always having you in mind;
with all our soul,
by always longing for you;
with all our mind,
by determining to seek your glory in everything;
and with all our strength,
of body and soul,
by lovingly serving you alone.
May we love our neighbors as ourselves,
and encourage them all to love you,
by bearing our share
in the joys and sorrows of others,
while giving offence to no one.

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD,
your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
so that we may remember and appreciate
how much He loved us,
and everything He said and did and suffered.

AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES,
in your immeasurable mercy,
by virtue of the passion of your Son,
and through the intercession of Mary,
and all your saints.

AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US,
and if we do not forgive perfectly,
Lord, make us forgive perfectly,
so that, for love of you,
we may really forgive our enemies,
and fervently pray to you for them,
returning no one evil for evil,
but trying to serve you in everyone.

AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION,
be it hidden or obvious,
sudden or persistent.

BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL,
past, present or future.

 



 

Pondering and musings:

 

Exactly one week ago, I was awakened at 7:13 a.m. by a phone call from my brother, Fr. Jim. (No, I am not an early riser.) He informed me that Pope Benedict XVI had announced that he was renouncing the papacy and stepping down as leader of the Catholic Church by the end of the month. For a split second, I thought perhaps it was April 1st and I was NOT going to fall for an April Fool's joke such as this. "What?" "You're kidding, right?" I immediately realized that it was still very much February. My brother assured me of it's validity, but still, after we hung up I wondered if I were dreaming. We all know, of course, that I was not.

 

As the news began to really settle in, I was overcome by sadness. I recalled how overjoyed I was by the news of Cardinal Ratzinger's elevation to the papacy and my admiration and respect for the holy pontiff has only grown over the 8 years of his reign. But I also knew that Pope Benedict prayerfully considered his decision and I trust that he knows that he is doing the right thing for the Church. Like many, I admire his humility and profound love for our Church and Our Lord.

 

Well, the media has had a field day with this announcement. I knew that all sorts of opinions would be shared on television, in newspapers and online. Some of the commentary has been outlandish, some downright comical, and unfortunately some of what I have seen in comboxes has been abject and vile, not to mention the sordid and disgusting tweets to the Holy Father or about the Holy Father that I've read about.

 

Who are these people? I am not naïve enough to think that everyone loves and admires the pope. I understand that some people have issues with the Catholic Church and her hierarchy - even from among the ranks. But why must one resort to filthy insults and castigation?

 

And then I remembered someone else who was mocked and spat upon.

 

"He offered Himself to those who hated and mocked Him. He lent Himself to the convenience of His executioners." - A. G. Sertllanges, from What Jesus Saw from the Cross (another book I've started recently).

 

And I'm sure, like Christ, the Holy Father loves these lost souls profoundly and prayers for them in earnest. And so must we.

 

Great and small; all creatures:

 

Holly striking a pose.

“Apparently that dog of hers joined you in the water.”

"Yes, that’s right, he took his dip with the rest of us. But what’s that got to do with it?”

"Wilbert Cream dived in and saved him.”

"He could have got ashore perfectly well under his own steam. In fact, he was already on his way, doing what looked like an Australian crawl.”

"That wouldn’t occur to a pinhead like Phyllis. To her Wilbert Cream is the man who rescued her dachshund from a watery grave. So she’s going to marry him.”

"But you don’t marry fellows because they rescue dachshunds.”

"You do, if you’ve got a mentality like hers.”
  
― P.G. Wodehouse, How Right You Are, Jeeves    


Family Glimpses:

Me with my dad, Easter 1962.
Dad passed away 29 years ago this month.
I still miss him.

 





Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real :: A Valentine

Happy St. Valentine's Day! 

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

{Pretty}

Since Isaac Jogues is only 2 1/2, I'm sure he won't mind me placing this photograph under the {Pretty}heading. I can't help it. Just look at those eyelashes. 
Watch out, Grandpa, it's this little guy who has me swooning this Valentine's Day. 

{Happy}
 

 Isaac is very happy when he is able to help with 'heavy duty' chores and he loves to push things around (including his baby sister, but that's another post). Almost every time he comes over to play in the backyard he heads straight for the wheelbarrow. Last Saturday he helped Grandpa pick up all the broken branches and sticks that were scattered on the ground all around the house. On Sunday afternoon Grandpa accompanied by Isaac pushing the wheelbarrow, took a long stroll through the neighborhood.

Really, it was very cute.

  

{Funny}

Margaret looks like a little frog princess in her fleecy REI green bunting.
A thrift store bargain Katie found a few weeks ago. 

{Real}

 

 Holly and I were inspecting what the squirrels and the winter elements have been busy doing to my Halloween pumpkins. I am almost certain I'll have pumpkin vines growing under the crape myrtle this summer. It may be fun!

Saint Valentine, pray for us.

{P, H, F, R} 

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Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real

Hello, Thursday ::  

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

{Pretty} 

 My husband and I love snow, but other than a few fast moving clippers we have not had much at all this winter. Rain is predicted to begin late tonight while areas just to our north and west will be getting snow.  The past few winters, we seem to be either too far north or south or too far east or west for any decent accumulations.

{Happy}

A favorite moment from last summer. 

Two year old, Isaac and Margaret at 4 months.  
My happy grands.

{Funny}

The day after my niece's wedding in North Carolina my brother and his wife hosted our annual 4th of July family gathering at his beautiful home on Lake Norman. This is a photo of my brothers and sisters, in-laws, me and my husband and my Mom. For some reason the dog from next door (my sister-in-law's brother's pooch) decided he needed to be a part of each and every family photo. He wins the prize for the most cooperative and most photogenic. By the way, that's me in the blue and white shirt standing directly behind my mom who is seated and holding my little, pampered pooch Holly. 

{Real}

I am [very slowly, like a snail] working on cleaning out the storage room in our basement.

There is only about 30 years of crap junk piled up in that room. My husband recently built wonderful, massive wooden shelves on wheels to help in the organization effort and to add a new place to house my Christmas items that have previously been stored in the loft above our garage. The excessive heat last summer melted some of the Styrofoam packaging.

 

These are just some of the books I've set aside to give away. I've barely made a dent.

But who is in a hurry? 

{P, H, F, R} 

Join in every Thursday, at Like Mother, Like Daughter! 

The Little Things

There are pros and there are cons to empty-nesting. I could make lists of each, but for now I want to celebrate one amazing {for me} pro.

All, and I mean ALL, of my laundry has been washed.

Well, except for the stuff currently in the hamper upstairs. That doesn't count.

What I mean is, there are no clothes, towels, table cloths, sheets, bedspreads or dog bedding left in my basement laundry room waiting until who knows when to be laundered. It is ALL washed and dried and folded! To some, this may seem hardly worth mentioning. You may wonder, "So, what's the big deal?" You may think me daft or just plain lazy to have never completely had my laundry caught up. You may very well be right. Maybe you have never cast aside sheets or bedspreads leaving them for another day. The trouble is those really important items - like underwear - whose laundering needs are far more critical, always take washing priority over the less needy items. Add to the mix the times your adult children disrupt your washing marathons by barging in to wash their own dirty clothes {yes, I do appreciate that they did (or do) their own laundry} and everything tends to back up. So those less important things are simply left waiting.

Our son moved out about a week and a half ago. I know, bitter sweet. My husband also fixed the timer switch on our dryer. Just plain sweet! Both of these events inspired me to tackle and complete this amazing laundry feat, which included washing the old rags I used to mop up the powder room and the ensuing waterfall in the basement when the toilet unexpectedly clogged and overflowed on Wednesday.   

Anyway, my husband and I are celebrating, because I have not seen these bins completely empty for a long time:

Yay! Just Yay!

And now that it's just my husband and me - except of course when Megan is home from college - my laundry room should pretty much look like this all the time. Right?

I mean, easy-peasy, right?

Yeah, right.

LOL!