tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62211516166741800732024-03-18T16:12:26.737-04:00Vijaya BodachReading, Writing & RuminatingVijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.comBlogger1054125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-57057711930399239892024-03-17T15:28:00.000-04:002024-03-17T15:28:28.388-04:00March Feast Days<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Michael brews beer for the men's monthly group meeting at Stella Maris and always adds the name of the saint for the day it's held along with the type of beer brewed. This time he found a lovely pictorial of several March saints (found <a href="https://acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2005/09/catholic-feast-days.html" target="_blank">here</a>) and I loved having some of my favorites all in one picture. Enjoy! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Of course, I had to go down the rabbit hole to find out who made it :) The pictures are taken from<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/43mdHP9" target="_blank">My Book of the Church's Year</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> by Enid M. Chadwick. Children's books are the best! Happy St. Patrick's Day! My baptism day too! Celebrating my life in Christ! I should decrease, He increase.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwqvjXr0UL0VQx7k5LFGs3SjbLstdzegFeHsAcOgFnwTrTE91-wKzoW-jnDXkEMM1PESdcHtXdKg4AemklHiqAw-CEUK7HVFSoBnR5u7p-pDalpaMvRHz3HQL8zcNe3oVm02xRuoTU7mgAy5cy2WQ6ABrsG-Q6tXU9TULM7Fg2qMHyxRSh3DXfHf8hK4/s1231/March%20Feastdays.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1231" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwqvjXr0UL0VQx7k5LFGs3SjbLstdzegFeHsAcOgFnwTrTE91-wKzoW-jnDXkEMM1PESdcHtXdKg4AemklHiqAw-CEUK7HVFSoBnR5u7p-pDalpaMvRHz3HQL8zcNe3oVm02xRuoTU7mgAy5cy2WQ6ABrsG-Q6tXU9TULM7Fg2qMHyxRSh3DXfHf8hK4/w640-h500/March%20Feastdays.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-50927056998306816712024-03-15T09:39:00.001-04:002024-03-15T09:39:08.578-04:00Poetry<p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkINmO4xXH2TrTpxK8LYGZ4Jtt5go1abDZ7V6XofDppuqLnj01PdceHkiaqk14BBIZfa2GESyeQR7vQAiKsi3XJSvj0XmHHhZ9BMdDIIzOqhVQtL0xaFLyw6cy33VW57q3_wV6Nj-UmQywN1h9DlSUjuY7JyWr1dmuM20BCJiDw-EsWIaCvJi-u6rews/s4032/73100705639__8335CA9D-3814-4540-BDCE-A820C50E6074.heic" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkINmO4xXH2TrTpxK8LYGZ4Jtt5go1abDZ7V6XofDppuqLnj01PdceHkiaqk14BBIZfa2GESyeQR7vQAiKsi3XJSvj0XmHHhZ9BMdDIIzOqhVQtL0xaFLyw6cy33VW57q3_wV6Nj-UmQywN1h9DlSUjuY7JyWr1dmuM20BCJiDw-EsWIaCvJi-u6rews/s320/73100705639__8335CA9D-3814-4540-BDCE-A820C50E6074.heic" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A friend sent me this poem by William Wordsworth because she knows how much I love cats and kittens and the way they play. And what a delight to be immersed in such a beautiful poem. It sings! I feel we've lost that in many contemporary poems. I picked up a recent book of cat poems because it was displayed at the library and I'm irresistibly drawn to anything with a cat. I read all the poems--they were funny, a couple were crass--but they didn't move me. The pictures did, however. So I wonder if we are becoming too visual to the detriment of developing our ear for beautiful prose and poetry. What do you think?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmg9XxKSf8S1BDbxEn8TqQ_QJZJ8I7UuK9EFSQHS5G8BIt7_f2X8Shu07pIh7KW05vl6gojIYr1ymAFHRsa3JvLMtBd8zkPq0Jk0OMzEVrO8fOEFmlPAFTg8VgsoKqdGxnqXukxr7N8Uov8MMiLR0ji8bz1HjUmW6UpJZjXidnwuTuea_VMOu1Fe98sA/s4032/IMG_0660.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmg9XxKSf8S1BDbxEn8TqQ_QJZJ8I7UuK9EFSQHS5G8BIt7_f2X8Shu07pIh7KW05vl6gojIYr1ymAFHRsa3JvLMtBd8zkPq0Jk0OMzEVrO8fOEFmlPAFTg8VgsoKqdGxnqXukxr7N8Uov8MMiLR0ji8bz1HjUmW6UpJZjXidnwuTuea_VMOu1Fe98sA/s320/IMG_0660.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFOL3SXlulcTdJgiKwJwQkEzDPCax9HRSAsaXcypajM0Pei1cxiiqY7uk5uYYAISnpbJcz63Rqn-Y9hmQzV2aEz-PnncsIrT56vpN2XTIyqT78pCKmgi76hbw5OSx9WDWtqaNU8YH2MmpG4WUM-rbAyLn60ZScHCe7CdKf2KY0Wmv88fUsmIKFWcFhpg/s4032/IMG_0659.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFOL3SXlulcTdJgiKwJwQkEzDPCax9HRSAsaXcypajM0Pei1cxiiqY7uk5uYYAISnpbJcz63Rqn-Y9hmQzV2aEz-PnncsIrT56vpN2XTIyqT78pCKmgi76hbw5OSx9WDWtqaNU8YH2MmpG4WUM-rbAyLn60ZScHCe7CdKf2KY0Wmv88fUsmIKFWcFhpg/s320/IMG_0659.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEavOxUlj6dKVqzEr5jCgptE655njjUjmAppy-Bt0nUoXNRIX8hPq3rkQeNrMaskp2IPR_iyIBzFHh8NN2NYyLDhWJrZ9qXD4vlqg-eQE_x7mLYx98FGmlqrcUtnjE8deUrL4ZcwTnGKyDwfZoyqAhW74scK-kqu1hsSoyG3Dh4Om_ywe3cqTIXrApztA/s4032/73100707020__376273B3-2E8B-4D61-AFFE-DF92B595A10A.heic" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEavOxUlj6dKVqzEr5jCgptE655njjUjmAppy-Bt0nUoXNRIX8hPq3rkQeNrMaskp2IPR_iyIBzFHh8NN2NYyLDhWJrZ9qXD4vlqg-eQE_x7mLYx98FGmlqrcUtnjE8deUrL4ZcwTnGKyDwfZoyqAhW74scK-kqu1hsSoyG3Dh4Om_ywe3cqTIXrApztA/w480-h640/73100707020__376273B3-2E8B-4D61-AFFE-DF92B595A10A.heic" width="480" /></a></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-54133360170865732412024-03-04T16:43:00.002-05:002024-03-04T16:43:00.124-05:00No Time to Waste<p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Xeg8RBA44y0IYf-DXiWWmrGNvAcVvn7cubkvi8g13Z2LfMNkCgMMPOPbj8-V08__L0YqdEdNkBGH_SjP4m-COlJbLESxt617TkKNzG0wmiNLtOyx5Vz63-idMkg9jjkPKOsTMXoorX_m-_0gN2I35LZye-pIjHd3HkBYOgOKfSd69a0vxhcrxrDVoqY/s1288/IMG_6530.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1288" data-original-width="944" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Xeg8RBA44y0IYf-DXiWWmrGNvAcVvn7cubkvi8g13Z2LfMNkCgMMPOPbj8-V08__L0YqdEdNkBGH_SjP4m-COlJbLESxt617TkKNzG0wmiNLtOyx5Vz63-idMkg9jjkPKOsTMXoorX_m-_0gN2I35LZye-pIjHd3HkBYOgOKfSd69a0vxhcrxrDVoqY/s320/IMG_6530.heic" width="235" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A friend sent me this beautiful quote. We were lamenting how much we feel the urgency to right things given our late entry into the Church and how much we fail. But what matters is that when we fall, we get up with God's grace and try and try again and again. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So here I am writing again with purpose. So many stories upon my heart and not enough time for all of them. But two or three are rising to the top. A novel, a memoir, a nonfiction PB. I honestly don't know whether I can tackle all three at once, but I've been collecting and organizing my research. Then there are the numerous polished stories that I've not sent out--researching publishers takes time too. I remember when I first started writing, how I devoted one writing session per week to researching magazines and sending out my stories. It made for excellent balance for 10-20% of my writing time devoted to the business side of things. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">But right now, I have music to practice. So after I hit post, I'll be singing for the rest of the evening.</span> </div><br /><p></p>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-65841820061719646512024-03-02T13:20:00.001-05:002024-03-02T13:20:48.681-05:00Books, Books, Books!!!<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It's been much too long since I've blogged about the good books I've read, so without further ado, I'll begin with the most recent. Kids' books first :) I do try to post reviews on Amazon and Goodreads but I'm woefully behind on that as well. What are some of the best books you've read recently? Go ahead and add to my TBR pile!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Picture Books</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Blg75eABefiXmO9i13tGTE2z8iGFYc2l-AV87cy9HsObrdwKSi2gugASIRF03Ah2HlJJjXIHI6ihI2RyMUqXeVz6XiMeroUOrGwfkcLEfqHP-ZPbM0TahDfk-C1ovYQ7LggWwkiFathdFbGnnUNKARvTa2Mvhn8umEsh5IFetMGWuyO-HJ8-oawR/s4032/IMG_7940.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Blg75eABefiXmO9i13tGTE2z8iGFYc2l-AV87cy9HsObrdwKSi2gugASIRF03Ah2HlJJjXIHI6ihI2RyMUqXeVz6XiMeroUOrGwfkcLEfqHP-ZPbM0TahDfk-C1ovYQ7LggWwkiFathdFbGnnUNKARvTa2Mvhn8umEsh5IFetMGWuyO-HJ8-oawR/w240-h320/IMG_7940.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/44K45y5" target="_blank">A Hole is to Dig</a>: A First Book of Definitions by Ruth Krauss and Maurice Sendak is simply delightful. See for yourself.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MVB58CY61iYajwhqqFV7j8c7sojteQZgIenKczTdzWfA7HHb6U1nVecWnnDsg0xYOlDO_iJN4AZYK-aowpKhsK_fF9Pj6MkKOqN0sTAktgLT_d5N7rpm0PP1oNGwvmK2nARks4I38HRcE1n4IuxKBcJxIhpAWZPqx1F8pr6_Cc5GT0T7p-yd2Siw/s4032/IMG_7941.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MVB58CY61iYajwhqqFV7j8c7sojteQZgIenKczTdzWfA7HHb6U1nVecWnnDsg0xYOlDO_iJN4AZYK-aowpKhsK_fF9Pj6MkKOqN0sTAktgLT_d5N7rpm0PP1oNGwvmK2nARks4I38HRcE1n4IuxKBcJxIhpAWZPqx1F8pr6_Cc5GT0T7p-yd2Siw/w150-h200/IMG_7941.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbiJf7nZc_sDJtq54a-tbj2XUvnlzPH78mTAdnwpPQZuri4eWfOky1cJzSkl_2SexSL5TDjmp8jj1-dZAU_GxBY9U7SQ_QeP0Yqx0VD1Mh0gJL2090MS4tTF_Zw73z_aKI3kdcmX5IWLu1ksIpmGZQmuZ-yYPBfY8_mPasMyq8g-O3az1gcjrMhCn/s4032/IMG_7945.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbiJf7nZc_sDJtq54a-tbj2XUvnlzPH78mTAdnwpPQZuri4eWfOky1cJzSkl_2SexSL5TDjmp8jj1-dZAU_GxBY9U7SQ_QeP0Yqx0VD1Mh0gJL2090MS4tTF_Zw73z_aKI3kdcmX5IWLu1ksIpmGZQmuZ-yYPBfY8_mPasMyq8g-O3az1gcjrMhCn/w200-h150/IMG_7945.JPG" width="200" /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-8td5EucAHkhQYjV-NduGjvCef3O0Vb3lJ28u3vlL9BCy2cRoJLzZWjqMSbEXeDGLj1O9fpfXtGw3hQvmdZ0ohIKXvbcEBRz--sFv8IyfGKCeo8-Nl30alfcl3zvgB5kKurtRxA53IzcyC9cFgjwE4jcE9DuvFrShYtiEpY05JPohmmYuTOot7l_/s4032/IMG_7944.JPG" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-8td5EucAHkhQYjV-NduGjvCef3O0Vb3lJ28u3vlL9BCy2cRoJLzZWjqMSbEXeDGLj1O9fpfXtGw3hQvmdZ0ohIKXvbcEBRz--sFv8IyfGKCeo8-Nl30alfcl3zvgB5kKurtRxA53IzcyC9cFgjwE4jcE9DuvFrShYtiEpY05JPohmmYuTOot7l_/w200-h150/IMG_7944.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHiISGS46ewa9ocC3LSxDK836ynxf9fhoUSRetc40Q13Va6-6K7gFDHJFbIO0pHNk5GiYdLGyFf0ppE5W3Nu7gNUHxf8UO_jOmHObnoKpVFy0d8FX5gfcBx5ueE_4LP8OR1x7j_Kc1UeJ1ipp9csihH-dwZltKIUz09_CeXMfkVYasmV4WF4D3Wfh/s4032/IMG_6905.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHiISGS46ewa9ocC3LSxDK836ynxf9fhoUSRetc40Q13Va6-6K7gFDHJFbIO0pHNk5GiYdLGyFf0ppE5W3Nu7gNUHxf8UO_jOmHObnoKpVFy0d8FX5gfcBx5ueE_4LP8OR1x7j_Kc1UeJ1ipp9csihH-dwZltKIUz09_CeXMfkVYasmV4WF4D3Wfh/w240-h320/IMG_6905.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://amzn.to/43cPfi8" target="_blank">A Single Pearl </a>by one of my favorite authors, <a href="https://www.donnajonapoli.com/" target="_blank">Donna Jo Napoli</a>, and Jim LaMarche's illustrations bring to life this retelling of a Persian folktale. A grain of sand feels hopelessly small and unimportant. But we get to see what occurs layer by layer as it is transformed into a pearl. Her book <a href="https://amzn.to/430CO9X" target="_blank">we are Starlings</a>, written with her son, Robert Furrow, is another gorgeous book that delves into murmuration, beautifully illustrated by Marc Martin. I still remember the wonderful advice she gave at Chautauqua--write what you're interested in. It holds true, especially now, where there's so much emphasis of "staying in your lane." She inspires me with the depth and breadth of her work and I'm just tickled that she collaborates with her children. I hope to make more books with my kids too.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KAL4mjkfThumguAvGchXcQTvp77uoXBcOMfI_GFjaqKGABq3FjS7_WzUjAfqBR2yvDZLhXh-ijyt-3F0G3bqfwOlrpkE6XRjNJ7NcOD5uCvluqNhN2x8DUkXuYTec3cYYdMI2bmqQUFRnWRyGA0U6wKsQqwMAkl_8E6vVMpbmheG0bWFUQg8SQr4/s4032/IMG_6908.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KAL4mjkfThumguAvGchXcQTvp77uoXBcOMfI_GFjaqKGABq3FjS7_WzUjAfqBR2yvDZLhXh-ijyt-3F0G3bqfwOlrpkE6XRjNJ7NcOD5uCvluqNhN2x8DUkXuYTec3cYYdMI2bmqQUFRnWRyGA0U6wKsQqwMAkl_8E6vVMpbmheG0bWFUQg8SQr4/s320/IMG_6908.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzZKhzmXxxxsXNTVWLxKWNi_7jVbaQ3bFSb2T623nfUIfhlpYw8bDVH31J2PLOYplGLbKuIV9KGDYiPhyOH6Wm-urPmivaugdStyMn5881_fHACgQaEOiVCQQlwOe31xlzMjvZQ-7SOzMAOtMn6EgJxO8bVeErdt5op6TYYdPP-dckGAxCqojm1tB/s4032/IMG_6906.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzZKhzmXxxxsXNTVWLxKWNi_7jVbaQ3bFSb2T623nfUIfhlpYw8bDVH31J2PLOYplGLbKuIV9KGDYiPhyOH6Wm-urPmivaugdStyMn5881_fHACgQaEOiVCQQlwOe31xlzMjvZQ-7SOzMAOtMn6EgJxO8bVeErdt5op6TYYdPP-dckGAxCqojm1tB/s320/IMG_6906.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4CUyzhAUzn3sMToNJEsVIBtDdTWEmtrYoQ3BxSzmkYCY_vJlSuH-M4DvVrp7G7N2pZwJJR8DnS97f693n2HmoOT3YPgsrnsaMZ7-2fImAiSFourGQ41Yzn2ojTnGyoVuwIWDtKFGNvVcRJ_d9dWzuHyEFY1ysnzjxrFQi4D1TzXqGBWI2RAFlFCE8P8/s4032/IMG_9812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4CUyzhAUzn3sMToNJEsVIBtDdTWEmtrYoQ3BxSzmkYCY_vJlSuH-M4DvVrp7G7N2pZwJJR8DnS97f693n2HmoOT3YPgsrnsaMZ7-2fImAiSFourGQ41Yzn2ojTnGyoVuwIWDtKFGNvVcRJ_d9dWzuHyEFY1ysnzjxrFQi4D1TzXqGBWI2RAFlFCE8P8/s320/IMG_9812.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWlQVP_qOWrHNZ1pQn_ZBNl9-uk5Ss9qoVZEIfRaAJlAlyQGSNJoPIvpOi-Af8GngPlWi0IXx2zfAyNtyrbyc5vkffZrLpawnTkxI_6bVDKhO6s32g8YelrI6FEunCZrwnyEETnjy2IZIlsKkBzpmMrlj5aR2On7f-xMdTpHO_aDa1CMuf4ScgGsE/s4032/IMG_6920.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWlQVP_qOWrHNZ1pQn_ZBNl9-uk5Ss9qoVZEIfRaAJlAlyQGSNJoPIvpOi-Af8GngPlWi0IXx2zfAyNtyrbyc5vkffZrLpawnTkxI_6bVDKhO6s32g8YelrI6FEunCZrwnyEETnjy2IZIlsKkBzpmMrlj5aR2On7f-xMdTpHO_aDa1CMuf4ScgGsE/s320/IMG_6920.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3BYl0zJ" target="_blank">Farmhouse </a>by Sophie Blackall, another favorite author-illustrator, captures the joy and jumble of a large family. It's bittersweet--children grow up, move away. How I wish it could've been kept in the family somehow. But I'm glad Sophie did and made a book out of it. A treasure! At the end, she writes about how she made the book. Check out <a href="https://amzn.to/4bW9zJl" target="_blank">Hello Lighthouse</a> too. I wouldn't mind making a retreat in one.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV5rnUtkvRt65zHs2_aH1HymzSYx7v0narTBn5Iz9Iaw2zWLqrW6tTUhkfeGLF6UmEJx1y6Q_NPMTk9C7TXf8IsfZMSanrWbqj05IO_nXKd3AoXt_WApgmvkm4GaOC6-lqMMdLLY1IfhDvZXX5wmq6JOL3xBj227luSG-VKXWSvsfG1NQxjHEUEO7/s4032/IMG_6921.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV5rnUtkvRt65zHs2_aH1HymzSYx7v0narTBn5Iz9Iaw2zWLqrW6tTUhkfeGLF6UmEJx1y6Q_NPMTk9C7TXf8IsfZMSanrWbqj05IO_nXKd3AoXt_WApgmvkm4GaOC6-lqMMdLLY1IfhDvZXX5wmq6JOL3xBj227luSG-VKXWSvsfG1NQxjHEUEO7/s320/IMG_6921.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQbGsHckd4_YbVtiKVBzcLuxzTBBXA8DPzF5OE-4VwrV_b8YxaJb5Tq15JixcYYwauM7R10RyO8IM-9F5qOkuh1uJTmXl8m1FAZKS3cvUshESqar9JZwvu4HUSNnCUrKnt5VQJw7lo9ywWnS6QHo6MPm5nzMsMCb4Hz3Qhzpm7voqxVadOXkU4R7y_HE/s4032/IMG_5835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQbGsHckd4_YbVtiKVBzcLuxzTBBXA8DPzF5OE-4VwrV_b8YxaJb5Tq15JixcYYwauM7R10RyO8IM-9F5qOkuh1uJTmXl8m1FAZKS3cvUshESqar9JZwvu4HUSNnCUrKnt5VQJw7lo9ywWnS6QHo6MPm5nzMsMCb4Hz3Qhzpm7voqxVadOXkU4R7y_HE/w150-h200/IMG_5835.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sexWDjFGlt1Ab0CAVcd9ZE6XZ7k0TfEIajc27yGelLbp28PikqWO_L7IQgazVx7hlGdW7YMbhrZUqsjjD4kQgM23JK_ptJ1asNnnbd_5esBtuQNa5CY0kQLI9j7tKqtxAke4QCKO7Ii1EXRDBeJyHSLmIq01Oo7QW_4wo-gDUqd9mKKUStM3ab8j3o0/s4032/IMG_5837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sexWDjFGlt1Ab0CAVcd9ZE6XZ7k0TfEIajc27yGelLbp28PikqWO_L7IQgazVx7hlGdW7YMbhrZUqsjjD4kQgM23JK_ptJ1asNnnbd_5esBtuQNa5CY0kQLI9j7tKqtxAke4QCKO7Ii1EXRDBeJyHSLmIq01Oo7QW_4wo-gDUqd9mKKUStM3ab8j3o0/w150-h200/IMG_5837.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKVxh3s1k1XYvT3A0C2jEYRw5uHipyXU-Ua4xIBxmPPsbNPOUDSi04jcEF0i9q1bIjBKl_M-_0PbYTR29uC6ghR65IgeFev7XNcItCikFIcAMZ6plOLTVtq3pkAH6HX5HN7f94zKm9up0X5msrMtFnNkrLsaaisHLBghIcQKxvrOJT49G1Rd3OVNd/s4032/IMG_6924.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKVxh3s1k1XYvT3A0C2jEYRw5uHipyXU-Ua4xIBxmPPsbNPOUDSi04jcEF0i9q1bIjBKl_M-_0PbYTR29uC6ghR65IgeFev7XNcItCikFIcAMZ6plOLTVtq3pkAH6HX5HN7f94zKm9up0X5msrMtFnNkrLsaaisHLBghIcQKxvrOJT49G1Rd3OVNd/s320/IMG_6924.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6gNoCE4mlDg0qWoeftUUgOVLu8ixvOFitJA0jRmmkQdrB2BBLmL7omFGL4TQLxIOe_w8ShTM6fTdeU5N81S3jwl0DYLPPy2596epbWP5ccA1TABz0CQqz6Fh7IAP_OmsV8SE6XVlSZm40UAt_mHL1ys3v5lz_U9ma21O1G79CgBPtvzm0D9bpC3K/s4032/IMG_6925.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/43xT7Ki" target="_blank">Wally the World's Greatest Piano-Playing Wombat</a><span> </span><span>by Ratha Tep and Camilla Pintonato is such a great book about what a competitive spirit can do for you--strive for excellence. Plus it's over the top funny. I gave this to my barbershop leaders because we are preparing for the Regional contest in May... </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3OF6ioM" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Hum and Swish </a><span style="font-family: georgia;">by Matt Myers is a lovely book about creativity, not knowing what you're making yet, trusting the process.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SKbl_u7CgsjA0o5Of2_-Uzzve4ZWJXGjRKwWxBp1lOTGpMpIpoFOQfR-KDGxjfzUJYcTxk82VsIsvzFuB3LQPF5_V0kH2T12rSIPEj4xj8C4jColPfQScs1wnG2dtsuWSkLQakjeUE0cpvT9wiWtPuMgztZ_UOI3yN7ZMpVmvd7CS5VO-yGq6sr0ymw/s4032/IMG_6760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SKbl_u7CgsjA0o5Of2_-Uzzve4ZWJXGjRKwWxBp1lOTGpMpIpoFOQfR-KDGxjfzUJYcTxk82VsIsvzFuB3LQPF5_V0kH2T12rSIPEj4xj8C4jColPfQScs1wnG2dtsuWSkLQakjeUE0cpvT9wiWtPuMgztZ_UOI3yN7ZMpVmvd7CS5VO-yGq6sr0ymw/s320/IMG_6760.JPG" width="240" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4fwzy-E5MJXaLwNDrIK3iOmgceFZv_K1D8443XfYrFW9Iq3CTtoyciTTJonP-vWWQo_lQAKxdbVwb92JDkePW1Uv12h0RjHMfs8tQpAByVME8mD7wF1HKw9l56Rp1JizR_RyVWVR-IwDUGa8fBLWPLVaBvH1UdQTYEvbumuR7D7uG1Q3NYPNRbD1c4k/s320/IMG_6761.JPG" width="320" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-sDxvV0BGDXEiZJirZCaumr53b-Xzq5Jv8QhI-S1oMB05Nk8O-L8VmCaIeI3MwJ-mYqw875p0xW53Kp5xm4vxe4Tc6_r2-aSMhRPHOZcQSNSjpXboEElvWNVoIwCDHgR0ig18ViRFF17Uop1cjyA-l0Ql6kVbHLHd3MDymCOXlgmXHxIyTkHbIou3cA/s400/Hum%20and%20Swish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="400" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-sDxvV0BGDXEiZJirZCaumr53b-Xzq5Jv8QhI-S1oMB05Nk8O-L8VmCaIeI3MwJ-mYqw875p0xW53Kp5xm4vxe4Tc6_r2-aSMhRPHOZcQSNSjpXboEElvWNVoIwCDHgR0ig18ViRFF17Uop1cjyA-l0Ql6kVbHLHd3MDymCOXlgmXHxIyTkHbIou3cA/s320/Hum%20and%20Swish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Middle Grade</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/49VpExm" target="_blank">Mind Over Anti-Matter</a> by <a href="https://rosegreenbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Rose Green</a> starts out with a bang and just keeps getting better. We have kid inventors, an aging inventor, and the bad guys who'll do anything to get their hands on the Infinite Storage Device. I loved how real the kids were, how smart, how much heart they had. Rose Green is a very talented writer and illustrator and I was smitten by the cover and delighted by the interior illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. I look forward to more stories from her. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTOCcD0TbHSGg9iXjjWV8-6o1pIZ40GngpUiRqJe2FCC3XFgMj2dTE47UfCXlniXcTr_pBVfw7W2HbG0Em5ZYUMnDXbnCOvoWyXrn8-Nkn7TrlQyIqGeRpFNLo0afrLV04jLkaPOJyN14RsKIKgqMJtEynPMCqlNl6mxlep1dVo8Q8IR_uGz7eJpuWCg/s4032/IMG_9582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTOCcD0TbHSGg9iXjjWV8-6o1pIZ40GngpUiRqJe2FCC3XFgMj2dTE47UfCXlniXcTr_pBVfw7W2HbG0Em5ZYUMnDXbnCOvoWyXrn8-Nkn7TrlQyIqGeRpFNLo0afrLV04jLkaPOJyN14RsKIKgqMJtEynPMCqlNl6mxlep1dVo8Q8IR_uGz7eJpuWCg/s320/IMG_9582.JPG" width="240" /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsV4G9SqX4j1_Ro4JCHESHEi4sUVq7YBmRRqGY7OAPOjGkUeIPQMSj74UnN8pjB_0Fcl5IAdV442OSCdzcJctR6qU1OR6DupWvQTi8iXq5EwVQdu25-JAp1ZcyXoZK4dqlB59guYveKRHt6VydKeadfa1ycrsB_eHZebCgq0A4pBaPFeEaR0dhyphenhyphengyvHU/s4032/IMG_9583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsV4G9SqX4j1_Ro4JCHESHEi4sUVq7YBmRRqGY7OAPOjGkUeIPQMSj74UnN8pjB_0Fcl5IAdV442OSCdzcJctR6qU1OR6DupWvQTi8iXq5EwVQdu25-JAp1ZcyXoZK4dqlB59guYveKRHt6VydKeadfa1ycrsB_eHZebCgq0A4pBaPFeEaR0dhyphenhyphengyvHU/w240-h320/IMG_9583.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu67jwEOyPCzgAha7y6-6sKo_WJv4sTS2zCko0LHp-g6J_APNn0vzyNO81h2b6sRo-zRhxs2wCDHlnFyfD7pMZ6hiYE7dWiDuGdnZrSKKnvvq1Zu1VbY76zlBmgfKOv5SEXOYYUyNxcnJorfBt8gg5cI0z6lu8IsxuBPetG1Sbxjx2GveDNXAvcHiBznY/s4032/IMG_9584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu67jwEOyPCzgAha7y6-6sKo_WJv4sTS2zCko0LHp-g6J_APNn0vzyNO81h2b6sRo-zRhxs2wCDHlnFyfD7pMZ6hiYE7dWiDuGdnZrSKKnvvq1Zu1VbY76zlBmgfKOv5SEXOYYUyNxcnJorfBt8gg5cI0z6lu8IsxuBPetG1Sbxjx2GveDNXAvcHiBznY/w240-h320/IMG_9584.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfjJzcpW_Y08J1KIjJgKJXMLAnuFww-Arb4F4IO9aL3sx0XqlNZHzDWTgMhYBaLRnpQ6mo64SdZF3YZMIUISol8dtgq2dutQYnFfV6TFbMPVFWeJLU9a3rdlljSXJkjieRQqsIRxYPztwH_bztfQGA7VYEXPVCP6a9lXklaTxXOwx2hUv5vJ-ojhrhmc/s4032/IMG_9585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfjJzcpW_Y08J1KIjJgKJXMLAnuFww-Arb4F4IO9aL3sx0XqlNZHzDWTgMhYBaLRnpQ6mo64SdZF3YZMIUISol8dtgq2dutQYnFfV6TFbMPVFWeJLU9a3rdlljSXJkjieRQqsIRxYPztwH_bztfQGA7VYEXPVCP6a9lXklaTxXOwx2hUv5vJ-ojhrhmc/w150-h200/IMG_9585.JPG" width="150" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3WGcor5" target="_blank">The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science</a> by Joyce Sidman is a gorgeous book with reproductions of Merian's drawings and paintings. She was a mere child, doing what children do best, which is to observe the world around them and be in a state of wonder. She took it a step further--drawing what she saw. When she drew plants, she also drew the insects on the plants.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-50B639_HU1SJU77Xt8wM6yPQuaJ0VnAhzeGkh0O_tLeuWIHrEDTxVbRxvfnSzTpas43c9Njc4eVUeyRrNFHAxo8ZlmNRCmyde1IjTCXQ0Ed82r0YFovWtj2VaR5id5VjLaZfS4MbIKPXfu4k2O4WJTn7I31_S6eEoXfW-eH1X48BdxhVsDo-AYWj6w/s4032/IMG_8367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-50B639_HU1SJU77Xt8wM6yPQuaJ0VnAhzeGkh0O_tLeuWIHrEDTxVbRxvfnSzTpas43c9Njc4eVUeyRrNFHAxo8ZlmNRCmyde1IjTCXQ0Ed82r0YFovWtj2VaR5id5VjLaZfS4MbIKPXfu4k2O4WJTn7I31_S6eEoXfW-eH1X48BdxhVsDo-AYWj6w/s320/IMG_8367.JPG" width="240" /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsuYQR2y87_mEiTau2gnjmMw68e8zztqyM9O7WoYqb5Nnyr4V5pamkXRWbTM5XM_WRPh4aELYFzQsNOYOm7qpN3igYZOUet4jeCzlhQ4ImIWo10EOE396dSjMji3uonW_nrp2AVjZur3r-w3na_MfDpV00R7VATpHcbxOjFEe7A8lu9_FiUH99mlapbA/s4032/IMG_8373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsuYQR2y87_mEiTau2gnjmMw68e8zztqyM9O7WoYqb5Nnyr4V5pamkXRWbTM5XM_WRPh4aELYFzQsNOYOm7qpN3igYZOUet4jeCzlhQ4ImIWo10EOE396dSjMji3uonW_nrp2AVjZur3r-w3na_MfDpV00R7VATpHcbxOjFEe7A8lu9_FiUH99mlapbA/s320/IMG_8373.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70xLftgbSH1IIHBOjJhn_OoSFaM8ebfBvh16JaXyrkdnfhdrUyX6Y8K98My_FsUsMBWiIud9Zo80Ep4Ux9ZUnr19AOmdU7lpd93h8tHLUWGpeRLeljTw3vVCigiB7yD4gkH-FzomGm3e3veFenUIHVFUYfzlZdsXk945qhR8Byb-mjw79__9eY2Yu4IA/s4032/IMG_8379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70xLftgbSH1IIHBOjJhn_OoSFaM8ebfBvh16JaXyrkdnfhdrUyX6Y8K98My_FsUsMBWiIud9Zo80Ep4Ux9ZUnr19AOmdU7lpd93h8tHLUWGpeRLeljTw3vVCigiB7yD4gkH-FzomGm3e3veFenUIHVFUYfzlZdsXk945qhR8Byb-mjw79__9eY2Yu4IA/s320/IMG_8379.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFULi7dbthyoKkfv5CSvk9U0F4pXTaufVlDtRK-zta232omYT0bx3TLCo1XvsBMnu4jG3bOn-t1RWuvoouu74CveFN3JdKHPhY_jYcYUSCmjXsNgwAgbZYHqfA5-0KJuPr_G81jwdIKnxR67sEJlHk6d-5-U85guZLc3qwtmMf7PlMQJEIUOU7QBzNVbY/s4032/IMG_8377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFULi7dbthyoKkfv5CSvk9U0F4pXTaufVlDtRK-zta232omYT0bx3TLCo1XvsBMnu4jG3bOn-t1RWuvoouu74CveFN3JdKHPhY_jYcYUSCmjXsNgwAgbZYHqfA5-0KJuPr_G81jwdIKnxR67sEJlHk6d-5-U85guZLc3qwtmMf7PlMQJEIUOU7QBzNVbY/s320/IMG_8377.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3X07IQdqdL-ad49BFAtlUB9YIvYrDzB-8KX1NzjtB0uYliWSj3mhAamwKZ_9iy1SmZALLaF7W8bN-o9ri0XtlgE42TXgMWHdy3Czhuase1C2j-rlG6rratmQaVKWdBd-aLp4LpYD9ANweQUXDqMidwPCKCpNzmY1hS6Itl0egXdJO5-ecv5SI8ARfUU/s4032/IMG_8376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3X07IQdqdL-ad49BFAtlUB9YIvYrDzB-8KX1NzjtB0uYliWSj3mhAamwKZ_9iy1SmZALLaF7W8bN-o9ri0XtlgE42TXgMWHdy3Czhuase1C2j-rlG6rratmQaVKWdBd-aLp4LpYD9ANweQUXDqMidwPCKCpNzmY1hS6Itl0egXdJO5-ecv5SI8ARfUU/s320/IMG_8376.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TExlFmwMa6GFUYDdMWXdTGGMgAOdLbAm9Pm22R3FQ1PXPKz5ddcyn8kjsFsU-3GQ-kQaDczrm_AOcybVvTRx263WD1keVqbBWsqz1M0VkUcnfVepw8CRv2x9DjwZpymnR5VuzJJVc3hLxJGRCVR_aTOiI6wlUHZIbWqJ-xb7Y0tQdmFWhLTr1mb2jgE/s4032/IMG_8371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TExlFmwMa6GFUYDdMWXdTGGMgAOdLbAm9Pm22R3FQ1PXPKz5ddcyn8kjsFsU-3GQ-kQaDczrm_AOcybVvTRx263WD1keVqbBWsqz1M0VkUcnfVepw8CRv2x9DjwZpymnR5VuzJJVc3hLxJGRCVR_aTOiI6wlUHZIbWqJ-xb7Y0tQdmFWhLTr1mb2jgE/s320/IMG_8371.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/45DFzPE" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">The Beatryce Prophecy</a><span style="text-align: left;"> by Kate diCamillo and Sophie Blackall (two of my favorites) is a beautifully illustrated story about a girl, a boy, a monk, and a goat. The gentle girl and the fierce goat stole my heart. </span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaOt5g0kziZ7jzc4Z4Q-XSj82uGTdXNzDdf5ssd_RevlqTQJ2bcKXo0Jv7s1E8lnV-DTiBcwPemtMLODs9l4QdFuuVR02aEBMHUQJsMP7FEYEIiPQZqtwCUKHRN3CtmJDT63dKMScyWFZV0qO6twtRW9ypVyy51j0T0qhMa-fSJBhOB3obqWPIkZhbx0/s4032/IMG_5744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaOt5g0kziZ7jzc4Z4Q-XSj82uGTdXNzDdf5ssd_RevlqTQJ2bcKXo0Jv7s1E8lnV-DTiBcwPemtMLODs9l4QdFuuVR02aEBMHUQJsMP7FEYEIiPQZqtwCUKHRN3CtmJDT63dKMScyWFZV0qO6twtRW9ypVyy51j0T0qhMa-fSJBhOB3obqWPIkZhbx0/s320/IMG_5744.JPG" width="240" /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxE6pFCxlotjo0ft19o7_TPrpu5PPECymPlXSx0nNtVaX2XCp2eGxqDccqSAfamqAnT5V6pMI7A94w-TRHUZzE_QMskMmYsITHHgnhtoqOgfF_QclHM5sL0PFEmXg-k9llRHnxyUWksxoRxYzWcCR4AuQVLSNIxKbcTidrg-akXKq9nkYR2d31oKQKBU/s4032/IMG_5750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxE6pFCxlotjo0ft19o7_TPrpu5PPECymPlXSx0nNtVaX2XCp2eGxqDccqSAfamqAnT5V6pMI7A94w-TRHUZzE_QMskMmYsITHHgnhtoqOgfF_QclHM5sL0PFEmXg-k9llRHnxyUWksxoRxYzWcCR4AuQVLSNIxKbcTidrg-akXKq9nkYR2d31oKQKBU/s320/IMG_5750.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxfk3Eyk_7s9k7Pa5SPDO73Q7lXAKqFtvXhzULMhr8zqatR6i9W2ZCSqjtlYcUdUN23Itgu9-nCak6CRkpn8SJp1HkFh_fig_TH2vc93VWSlt2cyPERMZExDqn0EcQpnIPNtcNOSn53pOk6NdIwUQJrJgvVBvgUoy6xIGlS8P3HqKkuuXEHJYj2PX468/s4032/IMG_5745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxfk3Eyk_7s9k7Pa5SPDO73Q7lXAKqFtvXhzULMhr8zqatR6i9W2ZCSqjtlYcUdUN23Itgu9-nCak6CRkpn8SJp1HkFh_fig_TH2vc93VWSlt2cyPERMZExDqn0EcQpnIPNtcNOSn53pOk6NdIwUQJrJgvVBvgUoy6xIGlS8P3HqKkuuXEHJYj2PX468/s320/IMG_5745.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFNlW0IwPs9pImhVlLR2N2BUVi99HeKLKDec8HXautj-LZiLWYxGAB8Au_RsB6CcLK-J4RamhlqegFQ-eMHphtJWNorY-_l18i3HG0f4QgAxBPLHuarrcdz-fdbXKMbwHweqPzv4aNGeuj2Lr0PeOT0cmA8MSuEUStsTnrv0OKdJ2VwLb5Wpz0QBj5pU/s4032/IMG_0533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFNlW0IwPs9pImhVlLR2N2BUVi99HeKLKDec8HXautj-LZiLWYxGAB8Au_RsB6CcLK-J4RamhlqegFQ-eMHphtJWNorY-_l18i3HG0f4QgAxBPLHuarrcdz-fdbXKMbwHweqPzv4aNGeuj2Lr0PeOT0cmA8MSuEUStsTnrv0OKdJ2VwLb5Wpz0QBj5pU/s320/IMG_0533.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1509198962/beautiful-christmas-book-with-famous-art?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=pringle+franklin&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&frs=1&organic_search_click=1"><span style="color: #c9211e;">Bazriel
and the Frozen Bells of No</span><span style="color: #c9211e;">ë</span><span style="color: #c9211e;">l</span></a><span>:
A Reluctant Angel’s Rescue Mission into France by </span><span>local
author</span><span>
Pringle Franklin is an imaginative Christmas story for the whole
family with over 90 works of </span><span>classic
</span><span>art. </span><span>It
perfectly captures the idea that each of us has a unique mission to
fulfill in this world and we have our guardian angel beside us to
help guide us. </span><span>It
speaks to the power of love, of music, and of hope. I remember reading the first chapter during critique group and how enchanted I was. I didn't read anything more until Pringle asked me to read a proof copy. I made a few corrections but hated parting with it because it is such a beautiful book. But a year later--I have my own!</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjE0WXOA1qvc6JldZPNvKjAd6qeuWbeTxuOga7CNOfrUO85CH5CWvqcIq2cfsMXphEbNOKB7BbcQ3C0j0u09dqXpdpelTyuVQ3Y3Nyb9Qb74QXlG7Ofudwwnn0C1am8rZ_AD8O42BbafDGLrnNQcqKhX-LzL8oV2DrrKkgvrN9v177fzcRmEZhFLOTcI/s4032/IMG_0543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjE0WXOA1qvc6JldZPNvKjAd6qeuWbeTxuOga7CNOfrUO85CH5CWvqcIq2cfsMXphEbNOKB7BbcQ3C0j0u09dqXpdpelTyuVQ3Y3Nyb9Qb74QXlG7Ofudwwnn0C1am8rZ_AD8O42BbafDGLrnNQcqKhX-LzL8oV2DrrKkgvrN9v177fzcRmEZhFLOTcI/w200-h150/IMG_0543.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLJnrcjasN4LXcr3Rf-exK_JOF9LtaQ3rp4uyxLHoBDUUONDYKeQrmlG0BXpnCf8ji6BYMnXyPaMR31kuaVkWVYMAhigQXoiWk5t0jVdraqXYQ4ndSqHtK3QG5ZFEX9LGvnOg0WnjcmJcG0RwQLx2Bml1rlnstHlmfcTL_NNUt9otEPdlPuEJnlXjPeM/s4032/IMG_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLJnrcjasN4LXcr3Rf-exK_JOF9LtaQ3rp4uyxLHoBDUUONDYKeQrmlG0BXpnCf8ji6BYMnXyPaMR31kuaVkWVYMAhigQXoiWk5t0jVdraqXYQ4ndSqHtK3QG5ZFEX9LGvnOg0WnjcmJcG0RwQLx2Bml1rlnstHlmfcTL_NNUt9otEPdlPuEJnlXjPeM/s320/IMG_0542.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1SW4sgXU_tEgjAVOHeVv0cAH1cTsC_kAXEbdvHOsBX4gb1pNX5x0z3cr5DOEclD7nrgKZk1hyphenhyphen6YNYjwNNraoiyb_WtR0JmUqOQ3ElfZWMmCmAoAWYP7XnPxMY1fQXq2xeitqnk3Oj0_obHTuzH3sSXIpVJc_blqXJd-aV9X5uAfG_TT1qbkoRkcECUo/s4032/IMG_0537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1SW4sgXU_tEgjAVOHeVv0cAH1cTsC_kAXEbdvHOsBX4gb1pNX5x0z3cr5DOEclD7nrgKZk1hyphenhyphen6YNYjwNNraoiyb_WtR0JmUqOQ3ElfZWMmCmAoAWYP7XnPxMY1fQXq2xeitqnk3Oj0_obHTuzH3sSXIpVJc_blqXJd-aV9X5uAfG_TT1qbkoRkcECUo/s320/IMG_0537.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYM0QSMcYfNjfV4Db3v9Jp4CXiTKB64vEfS2sUPIU9L5XKseh104QuEPu2sxBK3IyxgN5u4d3f548mOpMBdBcCRGAuRovQgDl1PF4J4szGt5Ta46HX-nIKhSDI-AlN-x3TGjPujwWlQg6uhwPP_ZCAS7iVhwknFMUPR-bmMhhAAMgA5R4rLsKLXZqCRcE/s4032/IMG_0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYM0QSMcYfNjfV4Db3v9Jp4CXiTKB64vEfS2sUPIU9L5XKseh104QuEPu2sxBK3IyxgN5u4d3f548mOpMBdBcCRGAuRovQgDl1PF4J4szGt5Ta46HX-nIKhSDI-AlN-x3TGjPujwWlQg6uhwPP_ZCAS7iVhwknFMUPR-bmMhhAAMgA5R4rLsKLXZqCRcE/s320/IMG_0539.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></span></div><p style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_j_g00OSMUXnNWD3vGfoVZ2s1kaGxGGWtedCoWF-tElDYZRWrNSG2CYF5WkiG1aPI1x6gpFNp0rVdqcYsqm9G_LW57JdUnRitFaVk_BhyphenhyphenMx8GR61QJvKHMQTV9IfviEii7baa90qq0V3-Kwl6n8crFgdbN4gCZUqJMEc8RPqWi0PnSB41W4avjAUZhg/s4032/IMG_8582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_j_g00OSMUXnNWD3vGfoVZ2s1kaGxGGWtedCoWF-tElDYZRWrNSG2CYF5WkiG1aPI1x6gpFNp0rVdqcYsqm9G_LW57JdUnRitFaVk_BhyphenhyphenMx8GR61QJvKHMQTV9IfviEii7baa90qq0V3-Kwl6n8crFgdbN4gCZUqJMEc8RPqWi0PnSB41W4avjAUZhg/s320/IMG_8582.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://sophiainstitute.com/product/christmas-blossoms/"><span style="color: #c9211e;"><span>Christmas
Blossoms</span></span></a><span>
by Priscilla Smith McCafferey and illustrated by Gwyneth
Thompson-Briggs is a luminous story about a Chinese artist who makes
Christmas ornaments for people in the West. </span><span>When
he makes these little masterpieces, he</span><span>
remembers the joyful </span><span>times
with his family going to the Midnight Mass before the cultural
revolution, what they suffered for choosing the Christ Child, and the
Hope that remains. Now in his old age, Christmas has returned to
China once again. </span><span>Overcome
with emotion, he paints one last glass ornament after he returns home
from the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. </span><span>This
</span><span>bittersweet
</span><span>gem
of a book lends itself to contemplating the meaning of Christmas.</span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpZZ-G50pVBYBth3mTFsf9-wjuAviaXEfDFHPDWAJNm0zoy7s3AzWAg_561tQbsmgbemsHA3cjVyzBi6jYLVHCEJ9r6GABq3FmrQZNWbRpzFOQ43V22JqxWJOZy3Wsyz14CdM3BhMbTcW2cdfZEtKrA0o46DIMQVfbu8uLcISQYRGzg4fcUXKIDBr7B4/s4032/IMG_8583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpZZ-G50pVBYBth3mTFsf9-wjuAviaXEfDFHPDWAJNm0zoy7s3AzWAg_561tQbsmgbemsHA3cjVyzBi6jYLVHCEJ9r6GABq3FmrQZNWbRpzFOQ43V22JqxWJOZy3Wsyz14CdM3BhMbTcW2cdfZEtKrA0o46DIMQVfbu8uLcISQYRGzg4fcUXKIDBr7B4/w150-h200/IMG_8583.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVopsrpe8DbRD4ujzEYRi2AnMhesX68_yeiIvbxuO1rrA-1B79skQ7iJQI3vdB92Jyi7BeiD-1WoLTP1ANKg3_I9kAoFAZb_dAOPD-JmfT7EC0AsCRm2kitr08kGvtgYrTnUgR0iDQGU12Fz9SEne1PwHFcDEeMbFIVknX62o_WkPsuWHm2EY99dHYROI/s4032/IMG_8586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVopsrpe8DbRD4ujzEYRi2AnMhesX68_yeiIvbxuO1rrA-1B79skQ7iJQI3vdB92Jyi7BeiD-1WoLTP1ANKg3_I9kAoFAZb_dAOPD-JmfT7EC0AsCRm2kitr08kGvtgYrTnUgR0iDQGU12Fz9SEne1PwHFcDEeMbFIVknX62o_WkPsuWHm2EY99dHYROI/w150-h200/IMG_8586.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGICOBsQPVhRGTqZLqJearSMdtn8nLeyURo5SkoJZiz9XRsbogWICv88YIW70RN_Y9BU0jjj7NUOWB4XWySZ-af9TAcb2LnSDhuFm2rVdIxPHjx6Jw04txvZaWkpzX0CEZroh3aXBn61YUnXnolsG1dofRa1VSy-p4CbszVRQmCQhEwExGYan4vWNRI78/s4032/IMG_8585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGICOBsQPVhRGTqZLqJearSMdtn8nLeyURo5SkoJZiz9XRsbogWICv88YIW70RN_Y9BU0jjj7NUOWB4XWySZ-af9TAcb2LnSDhuFm2rVdIxPHjx6Jw04txvZaWkpzX0CEZroh3aXBn61YUnXnolsG1dofRa1VSy-p4CbszVRQmCQhEwExGYan4vWNRI78/w150-h200/IMG_8585.JPG" width="150" /></a></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>I've bought multiple copies of the last two Christmas books to give away as gifts. They are timeless. It just so happens that all my favorite children's books were illustrated. But visual beauty draws me in more deeply into the story. I still sit and just look at the pictures. I guess I never grew up. But I'll focus on adult books in my next monster book post. </span></span></p></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-10597059223564945582024-02-15T15:37:00.011-05:002024-02-15T15:40:40.376-05:00Happy St. VaLENTine's Day<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahbCLDbyCi3UjExbcAcyFjFMk0VdYlFWG33DJa0PjmaSH65BkTQjdgS0lpDG_-lUM2v1lAeYmkqWaOONTMwdgYpJ-cp_LgpGVw4qgMG1iNvI9QNtpfI2mhrF9Qvr2IDuconkXRto3IG701UxQAPbMIYU4A8SMmyhhQ-Do1Ywrz6XSY7P9q0tEyrjZfQQ/s4032/IMG_0455.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahbCLDbyCi3UjExbcAcyFjFMk0VdYlFWG33DJa0PjmaSH65BkTQjdgS0lpDG_-lUM2v1lAeYmkqWaOONTMwdgYpJ-cp_LgpGVw4qgMG1iNvI9QNtpfI2mhrF9Qvr2IDuconkXRto3IG701UxQAPbMIYU4A8SMmyhhQ-Do1Ywrz6XSY7P9q0tEyrjZfQQ/w240-h320/IMG_0455.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6WEwsXKsDISmq3CmiHLFLy82LSfp6WCrBp_ObCmLC_uGbMxSTcwJPJ7PkThG82HDx3a_x3HaRtYXbTYtqeggt6p4NjDVk0NtsRyDc0mC8eBr5WW0xz43Aeda-PqMgLrAvJzwL0HbGNsugdIv5COLEGus1lCLwgJ_0NNSQnyt0rp1uxs3E9kgnY0F9_o/s3088/IMG_0460.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="3088" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6WEwsXKsDISmq3CmiHLFLy82LSfp6WCrBp_ObCmLC_uGbMxSTcwJPJ7PkThG82HDx3a_x3HaRtYXbTYtqeggt6p4NjDVk0NtsRyDc0mC8eBr5WW0xz43Aeda-PqMgLrAvJzwL0HbGNsugdIv5COLEGus1lCLwgJ_0NNSQnyt0rp1uxs3E9kgnY0F9_o/w320-h240/IMG_0460.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTnT-EtZzigTw2xCyy2gkc9JSPU664zzMRp1D_KoqpvBzADQQEn-E23GV1zrUV0_Qlb7C2f7kDePLkiWXER_QoDbpDAeCc5zhwfapDcHVq9mf-OIwwgMAX8Ey6GwFf29wEMXgEbW6PT26ttXudHdfEpEtTPZsk5TrezyMglndTYn-Tt5CjD1XCHtLJ4k/s1125/IMG_6256.heic" style="clear: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1125" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTnT-EtZzigTw2xCyy2gkc9JSPU664zzMRp1D_KoqpvBzADQQEn-E23GV1zrUV0_Qlb7C2f7kDePLkiWXER_QoDbpDAeCc5zhwfapDcHVq9mf-OIwwgMAX8Ey6GwFf29wEMXgEbW6PT26ttXudHdfEpEtTPZsk5TrezyMglndTYn-Tt5CjD1XCHtLJ4k/w200-h190/IMG_6256.heic" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRpP1lq5dTwGkOvCh3R3fZVRrdUJWFabYMTCI7fvGKoH9Zw-JrXQWaba2P-de-4DmUxg5Za9vcx1h-t4NMyqdL1hdoKXnn7s6xLhr2VOx6v7iAxWt1-2b8HUJipvreRyn5ua6UgafnpltbqTeBrSneb3TiEONv-r2vgIQjiYtuc0m5GeesSybS02Rmr4/s4032/IMG_0436.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRpP1lq5dTwGkOvCh3R3fZVRrdUJWFabYMTCI7fvGKoH9Zw-JrXQWaba2P-de-4DmUxg5Za9vcx1h-t4NMyqdL1hdoKXnn7s6xLhr2VOx6v7iAxWt1-2b8HUJipvreRyn5ua6UgafnpltbqTeBrSneb3TiEONv-r2vgIQjiYtuc0m5GeesSybS02Rmr4/w150-h200/IMG_0436.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A very happy and blessed St. Valentine's Day to all. May your heart be united to the hearts of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and to the ones you love. Love is all about sacrifice so it's fitting it fell on Ash Wednesday this year, marking the beginning of the holy season of Lent. Take heart, those of you in the cold North. As the days lengthen and warm, you too, shall have buds and blossoms! We sang our first ever High Mass for this day and I was heartened to see so many cadets from the Citadel in attendance. It was beautiful.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />My niece made this lovely card for my birthday and it's got the perfect recipe for Fridays. We love our beans! </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">We'll be singing this beautiful hymn written by Pope St. Gregory the Great (AD 540-604), the one who gave us the heavenly Gregorian chant. You can read more about him and his prodigious output here: </span><a href="https://hymnary.org/person/Gregory_Great?tab=texts">Pope Gregory I › Texts | Hymnary.org</a> <a href="https://hymnary.org/text/the_glory_of_these_forty_days">The Glory of These Forty Days | Hymnary.org</a> Here's a link to a beautiful singing from the <a href="https://youtu.be/JOpp1g4Dgtk" target="_blank">Trinity Chapel Choir</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">The glory of these forty days</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxh7zDf4fcuJpEtbx1WXTPD3uO4GWY00v7WJqPQcD52hXEkzM4qM-Y5A5NZvUuvEcVZVRf03VOxd400rVBUfiC5eU85quaQqoKlK3DvT-_0Dt4CqNhPklhPdpfjKxvbnnP5U4tD3-EM4spKPwREwNp7wc30QwFAtqG8fXtDa2-MFyN-f2XP0zvOMN_s1U/w480-h640/IMG_0456.JPG" width="480" /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">We celebrate with songs of praise;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">For Christ, by Whom all things were made,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">Himself has fasted and has prayed.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">Alone and fasting Moses saw</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">The loving God Who gave the law;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">And to Elijah, fasting, came</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">The steeds and chariots of flame.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">So Daniel trained his mystic sight,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">Delivered from the lions’ might;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">And John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">The herald of Messiah’s Name.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">Then grant us, Lord, like them to be</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">Full oft in fast and prayer with Thee;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">Our spirits strengthen with Thy grace,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">And give us joy to see Thy face.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">O Father, Son, and Spirit blest,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">To thee be every prayer addressed,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">Who art in threefold Name adored,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px; max-width: 659px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: ""; font-size: 16px;">From age to age, the only Lord.</span></div><p></p>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-49568167884764668412024-02-12T15:51:00.043-05:002024-02-12T16:03:02.581-05:00Charleston Sound Chorus Debut in Florida<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlkgrnFmFlOUT7L1uleeijQw0aj6IByu-NYIkIt2EIZ_N4_I_7yqMrcY_JyXhoTjN2Ldf8pAWKYMLRkeqL8Fhv0DVRkEZLoG1XyId_hf3-4tGKvTmosk8ts_OSb9hvHE5vQ_TXgR5JPLgem8nkByCK3Qjx7gOB9Bs8PD6cYi7rU6wFn06oSNWOMNmjgc/s4080/PXL_20240128_033148881.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlkgrnFmFlOUT7L1uleeijQw0aj6IByu-NYIkIt2EIZ_N4_I_7yqMrcY_JyXhoTjN2Ldf8pAWKYMLRkeqL8Fhv0DVRkEZLoG1XyId_hf3-4tGKvTmosk8ts_OSb9hvHE5vQ_TXgR5JPLgem8nkByCK3Qjx7gOB9Bs8PD6cYi7rU6wFn06oSNWOMNmjgc/w400-h301/PXL_20240128_033148881.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This year has gotten off to a great start! Our little chorus was invited to sing at the winter workshop in Florida. Normally, winners of the previous year are invited, so we were just a little bit nervous. But we had </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">nothing to worry about--we received the warmest welcome as the newest baby chorus of Sweet Adelines (and had a baby shower with presents--so fun!). It was such a wonderful workshop, learning from Kim Wonders (how perfectly named) and a special bonus for me with some excellent insights for writers (Tell a story! Emotion! Entertain! I ended up scribbling several story ideas :) then enjoying an amazing show. My favorite quartet was the one that performed The Baritone. And I loved the chorus with all the feline costumes--of course I had to take a picture :) </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They performed <i>The Lion Sleeps Tonight</i> with a drummer and boy did it release something primal inside us. One chorus also sang a parody of Let it Snow! Why yes, we were enjoying 80 degree weather in sunny Florida!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jT9HiR5ChaiQnUCyhCeWR_9APaM42-zDU8bHQ07yP_HiPz4b5WcWFuS6vLuraXuQEvE3O9irCKuYb_WwCQRWg43Fly8sSFdq_X6G1cW-DdzyH0s6ob8SYECcrTeh_MoTrqtBKhP1DXLdVwMZYPPyJNLMQbLa-0trvYPQ3K5q2cZw8D-JYM7PmS1mNwU/s4032/IMG_0404.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jT9HiR5ChaiQnUCyhCeWR_9APaM42-zDU8bHQ07yP_HiPz4b5WcWFuS6vLuraXuQEvE3O9irCKuYb_WwCQRWg43Fly8sSFdq_X6G1cW-DdzyH0s6ob8SYECcrTeh_MoTrqtBKhP1DXLdVwMZYPPyJNLMQbLa-0trvYPQ3K5q2cZw8D-JYM7PmS1mNwU/w320-h240/IMG_0404.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I was delighted to see several mothers and daughters together. The youngest was 10 years old and she told me her older brother sings with their father in the men's group. They've got a younger sister who can hardly wait to join her mother and sister. So after we returned home I invited Dagny to check out our <a href="https://www.charlestonsoundchorus.org/" target="_blank">Charleston Sound Chorus</a> and it looks like the barbershop bug has bit her hard. She's been coming to Monday night rehearsals and enjoying them very much. Local ladies, this is an excellent time to join as we prepare some new songs for competition in May. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqlbZYmJCugVxLk_dQz-iBMajrmYH32FK_JBwOtM3f_81VN0HzUI3qJBnG6GEJCjF1Ol1dgwplaNFlMnlmYLIYwkiq-7vTFoYUqO2XLDwRDHMVLeJGfhMEiK6DEO9_PrSXJvlkrjPAqdy8BR-N1alf_kl7EGcBUkXaIHTSOUGr0ig9PRELKv_Lx9az5A/s4032/IMG_0403.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqlbZYmJCugVxLk_dQz-iBMajrmYH32FK_JBwOtM3f_81VN0HzUI3qJBnG6GEJCjF1Ol1dgwplaNFlMnlmYLIYwkiq-7vTFoYUqO2XLDwRDHMVLeJGfhMEiK6DEO9_PrSXJvlkrjPAqdy8BR-N1alf_kl7EGcBUkXaIHTSOUGr0ig9PRELKv_Lx9az5A/w200-h150/IMG_0403.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPPHZJF4ntibzKr8k9R202MGemPZIrSXCMMuvgIblZ7zU-T_IKyFxTYdiIbu5QKDhX8BnLdyfPOF5L2MhlrWh1WboBSM6bZkamb8ykEdDxvj3MNfRuaIJ-sPETnUvNlXCjMLrfiJ578znii3e78e5mwvlgabPpHOZxJSf17sm-b1BvPIebLr8TLVoHhM/s4032/IMG_0402.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPPHZJF4ntibzKr8k9R202MGemPZIrSXCMMuvgIblZ7zU-T_IKyFxTYdiIbu5QKDhX8BnLdyfPOF5L2MhlrWh1WboBSM6bZkamb8ykEdDxvj3MNfRuaIJ-sPETnUvNlXCjMLrfiJ578znii3e78e5mwvlgabPpHOZxJSf17sm-b1BvPIebLr8TLVoHhM/w200-h150/IMG_0402.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Above we two tenors have some hot soup at a Thai restaurant before our performance. The other ladies are always so kind giving me rides to practices and parties--it's the other lady in red who invited me to rehearsal when our choir was on a summer hiatus! It has all been "For Good." I believe this song reflects Romans 8:28 beautifully: <i>We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose</i>. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And I love that the tenors sing, "I believe..." Here's a link to our debut:</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2IMCSWaDZE"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Video Charleston Sound 1 27 24 (youtube.com)</b></span></a>. <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Our bass section rocks! And there's a very funny moment at the end. It took a lot of self-control to not laugh. Enjoy! Best of all, I made in time for Mass at our beloved Stella Maris. Deo gratias!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkSYMXGJRUmjiTc_Ri4cL4u5ojQv9HQqxztjja-Qg4IGWIrNHqOCFm9b8cjRKuJ3-X2DjWyl_E-YgKQjSlLoQmhGU30Z1t-X7oc7j2SDD6mU52qNMGfYELECPz05vFZofUyLCX1pv7J-7egfwA5CmeWE8sxl1iAOjBVGv76zIdJXyVKN_piCQ3Z0SEIo/s4032/IMG_0405-EFFECTS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkSYMXGJRUmjiTc_Ri4cL4u5ojQv9HQqxztjja-Qg4IGWIrNHqOCFm9b8cjRKuJ3-X2DjWyl_E-YgKQjSlLoQmhGU30Z1t-X7oc7j2SDD6mU52qNMGfYELECPz05vFZofUyLCX1pv7J-7egfwA5CmeWE8sxl1iAOjBVGv76zIdJXyVKN_piCQ3Z0SEIo/w640-h480/IMG_0405-EFFECTS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-63841046995991999352023-12-24T10:00:00.003-05:002023-12-24T10:00:51.533-05:00Christmas Letter<p class="western"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZWxDCg7TkKaKOwk4TN67pWO1L38KkBGFwHX4RhWh1PQxAE-qZDiPHBye_kkMQw2wLmDlJolRkvupYtH4ISkD4eOtA5Bd1ACzobK6U1FoPyL4TNnZqrPEWES8mG2oDi_3PziziSIPp4cd5WjriTjiQduIFVhwePaY0qaKvvbjKd3qL03iveugqO0ljVo/s630/bouguereaus_classic_painting_song_of_the_angels_poster-r61a8bc84eaf3431096d00ef2db1ed84f_aeq89_8byvr_630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="502" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZWxDCg7TkKaKOwk4TN67pWO1L38KkBGFwHX4RhWh1PQxAE-qZDiPHBye_kkMQw2wLmDlJolRkvupYtH4ISkD4eOtA5Bd1ACzobK6U1FoPyL4TNnZqrPEWES8mG2oDi_3PziziSIPp4cd5WjriTjiQduIFVhwePaY0qaKvvbjKd3qL03iveugqO0ljVo/w319-h400/bouguereaus_classic_painting_song_of_the_angels_poster-r61a8bc84eaf3431096d00ef2db1ed84f_aeq89_8byvr_630.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Bouguereau (1825-1905) Song of the Angels (1881 A.D.)</span></span> </td></tr></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dear
Family and Friends,</span></span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">I
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">pray this letter finds you in good
health and cheer and in readiness to welcome our Savior Jesus Christ.
Oh, He loves you </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">so much!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">
And it’s for you and me, our family and friends, our enemies even,
that Christ was born. It’s this plan of God becoming Man—the
Incarnation—that Satan hated. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Non
serviam</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">. I will not serve. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">We
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">can never forget that Satan hates
us and will do anything—</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">witness
the chaos and divisions—to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">keep
us from our dear Savio</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">r</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">.
Let us be like Mary, who crushes the head of the serpent with her
humility. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Fiat mihi</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">.
Let it be done unto me. It must really rankle Satan to be defeated by
a mere creature, and a woman at that. But she is full of grace and
happy to supply what we lack. This is why the Hail Mary is such a
perfect prayer: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Hail Mary, full
of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and
blessed is the fruit of </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><i>thy</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><i>
womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and
at the hour of our death. Amen</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">.</span> </p><p class="western">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">his
time last year, I was in Texas with my brother Mohan. You all will be
happy to know he is doing fine. I tell you, h</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">e’s
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">a cat with nine lives! Mohan’s
illness has brought </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">our family</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
closer to one another.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> I
especially enjoyed getting to know my </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">grown</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
niece Anjali—she has all the best qualities from each of her
parents, Mohan’s analytical mind, Sujata’s artistic bent.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
Prais</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">e God for all He’s doing.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2X1800DQDPYdaO-DriyIPnaaJTQYW49ql_Df4uSq4gYTamq-l2U-ZwY995KnoOmoDAs3J_qSfsDTB5Q00xjeWHaRu_qnGWcr53YE69E5Z5dL5wljydnM8Z8Kuh27j2xHRbUdccrhWnUYM6Y4o5hb6RiuPbIsDES3O9kjuNXHLUgQ0ZPmJEYoy_3BASks/s4032/ManuSujAnju.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2780" data-original-width="4032" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2X1800DQDPYdaO-DriyIPnaaJTQYW49ql_Df4uSq4gYTamq-l2U-ZwY995KnoOmoDAs3J_qSfsDTB5Q00xjeWHaRu_qnGWcr53YE69E5Z5dL5wljydnM8Z8Kuh27j2xHRbUdccrhWnUYM6Y4o5hb6RiuPbIsDES3O9kjuNXHLUgQ0ZPmJEYoy_3BASks/s320/ManuSujAnju.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2yHYGH0VN2flZPkdW1IA-bknW62PV9fhVDcK_DCMVsYWnN4mVx2TGdXnEqEz8bmeeXv0hXGHN1EcgXygcNm_MJhnZZEStT4DNyqzAWz9sLYnO0Q25WvE5vGFkaOP3HBMc2V1pmmerhsBSMy1jc7vL8UQLJaLZiw53sY6P3OoRFUjz-GwhdTD3RPCTlU/s3580/StClareNight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 11pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2144" data-original-width="3580" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2yHYGH0VN2flZPkdW1IA-bknW62PV9fhVDcK_DCMVsYWnN4mVx2TGdXnEqEz8bmeeXv0hXGHN1EcgXygcNm_MJhnZZEStT4DNyqzAWz9sLYnO0Q25WvE5vGFkaOP3HBMc2V1pmmerhsBSMy1jc7vL8UQLJaLZiw53sY6P3OoRFUjz-GwhdTD3RPCTlU/s320/StClareNight.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpAB6onKRDOBj4k7qOeBH34V_IIlJEMAI7ijqiJbhp1Vu4hHrmgG2JaD82Pn-lxACDCpI02Xl1zpPTVM4lP6B6alMt4vRP7fqIhyphenhyphenNjHArSzPfGEhNRuZ2wiw3COs_kBfrVvJV2En5ulpl-nLblHUrp623Ahe2GgSqy14xKulj0p8dwDsI093D7NoGseM/s3090/StClareAltar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 11pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3090" data-original-width="2238" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpAB6onKRDOBj4k7qOeBH34V_IIlJEMAI7ijqiJbhp1Vu4hHrmgG2JaD82Pn-lxACDCpI02Xl1zpPTVM4lP6B6alMt4vRP7fqIhyphenhyphenNjHArSzPfGEhNRuZ2wiw3COs_kBfrVvJV2En5ulpl-nLblHUrp623Ahe2GgSqy14xKulj0p8dwDsI093D7NoGseM/s320/StClareAltar.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">I am thankful to be home with Michael—we are like hobbits with our
creature comforts. After a lifetime of setting up home in different
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">continents, countries, states, and
cities, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">it </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">is</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">
good to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">finally </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">put
down roots. I </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">remember the</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">
first Mass we heard at Stella Maris Catholic Church </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">12
years ago</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"> on our 17</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">th</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">
wedding anniversary. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">I wept</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">
because I was home. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">No other place
has had this effect. We are blessed here.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">
This year, the biggest blessing was the completion of St. Clare of
Assisi Catholic Church, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">the jewel
of </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Daniel Island. We often walk or
bike to church for Adoration or </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">to
hear</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Mass </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">and
that itself is meditative. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">It was
an</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"> honor </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">to
be invited to s</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">ing at the Mass of
Dedication in April. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">JOY!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHejNxgkGlmJ9SaHWv_w1wPYJ0F-PUxrRy0hMTw22LmNOzVrLDRW-DF024aDvfZmIXEJNoMA9s9oxG-L554FGzHSVS-0H95j9Zip9RrB0uIjSlSPMBl4irR_PVkkUsyXc9VcRq2cXHzGR9GjqRSvRf2tgj2S1jhBYjRbRNAhKCdXKnTZQbQS0jxlOkMg/s3840/BenJules.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2098" data-original-width="3840" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHejNxgkGlmJ9SaHWv_w1wPYJ0F-PUxrRy0hMTw22LmNOzVrLDRW-DF024aDvfZmIXEJNoMA9s9oxG-L554FGzHSVS-0H95j9Zip9RrB0uIjSlSPMBl4irR_PVkkUsyXc9VcRq2cXHzGR9GjqRSvRf2tgj2S1jhBYjRbRNAhKCdXKnTZQbQS0jxlOkMg/s320/BenJules.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzCNW3k2a0qGqUWDlLntc_m0esz8MyHDswWuiT9O2QISRFFb9Q-k-KUynmwbCdKnXYo1K0JiHmAxxn_2T24j2oI8KjGteV83nGpSQuJRiQF009TCCjo753OhWjgoXfvPn-uc5g1SFh2i-zx5H-eQkkxbPKKfiNwgwC6d9hBUlJIyDTbS-tq_ZfEFMdWE/s3345/BabyWinkSing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2506" data-original-width="3345" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzCNW3k2a0qGqUWDlLntc_m0esz8MyHDswWuiT9O2QISRFFb9Q-k-KUynmwbCdKnXYo1K0JiHmAxxn_2T24j2oI8KjGteV83nGpSQuJRiQF009TCCjo753OhWjgoXfvPn-uc5g1SFh2i-zx5H-eQkkxbPKKfiNwgwC6d9hBUlJIyDTbS-tq_ZfEFMdWE/s320/BabyWinkSing.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eIAuMvaawhBZ0mLD5Xb7MOXn3MrMod_L92IfPcjE0cewb0kx8RY3RlkvVu2lc0GRWWW8G671CBDAmGEiLT7smuzvh9kLT7HHdS_0_CCq-ABVVdhjPEOENmHvuYmXNws6emLTINyvBZGy7Jaovfkne333byyGF7so5_r-Nii5UOoBaaQwytCa1dnAous/s4032/gardengoods.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2766" data-original-width="4032" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eIAuMvaawhBZ0mLD5Xb7MOXn3MrMod_L92IfPcjE0cewb0kx8RY3RlkvVu2lc0GRWWW8G671CBDAmGEiLT7smuzvh9kLT7HHdS_0_CCq-ABVVdhjPEOENmHvuYmXNws6emLTINyvBZGy7Jaovfkne333byyGF7so5_r-Nii5UOoBaaQwytCa1dnAous/w200-h138/gardengoods.JPG" width="200" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Music
has taken over our lives. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">We
continue to sing in the Latin Mass choir at both Stella Maris and
Sacred Heart </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">but we receive m</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">ore
than d</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">ouble blessings with double
dose of Scripture :) </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">We love how
Sundays are truly set apart </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">for
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">worship. We enjoy socializing
after Mass and are often the last ones to leave :) </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">When
my sister Suman came for a visit, she was happy to hear daily Mass
and sing with us. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">She called it a
spiritual retreat.</span></div></div></span><p class="western"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><p class="western">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">My
health has improved significantly by relying on local farmers for
meat, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. We’re moving away bit by bit
from the medical/industrial food system. Clean living is allowing us
to participate more in community life. Michael and I joined a
recorder group; it’s a lot easier than singing or playing the
piano! It’s such fun to make music together, harkening back to
olden days when music-making was a communal affair. I’ve also
joined a women’s barbershop that’s very challenging. Good for the
brain! We’ve had our first concerts in these new groups and it has
brought the same joy as bringing a book to publication. In the
beginning, writing is a gift for yourself, then upon publication, it
becomes a gift for others. Alas, I’m not writing much but I hope
that as I become more proficient in music, I will have the mental
space for creative writing. Michael is eager to retire and devote
more time to his monkish pursuits—religion, brewing, gardening. He
is such a good provider—look at the bounty from our garden (that’s
still producing despite the cold).</span></span></p><p class="western"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmDwCDxUAs8a70u4obxf3GZZ39lePtWUYlPreZqOeMDwW5MCfj927HkvZ5pBMBG1lMIlMmzxJU5fuofY8Q6s7-qNASGegx7wY80C6HYFAIT7CRp94WBgUMdZu4KVk23eh9q0duB4GHwVu1RMCkihTXsxHrJSt4HeWrGS9TrOcqMtpKkZIUDNDUrsCfF8/s2320/MaxWink.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="1513" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmDwCDxUAs8a70u4obxf3GZZ39lePtWUYlPreZqOeMDwW5MCfj927HkvZ5pBMBG1lMIlMmzxJU5fuofY8Q6s7-qNASGegx7wY80C6HYFAIT7CRp94WBgUMdZu4KVk23eh9q0duB4GHwVu1RMCkihTXsxHrJSt4HeWrGS9TrOcqMtpKkZIUDNDUrsCfF8/s320/MaxWink.JPG" width="209" /></a></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9H7H3YVOCVeBfGZrUQwnU2gwTTgCmeEFhZPhe7w00aQ0-xDhXk0DMmq6GtKYxbwLdkgAMINkpUO0gasrIlNLK-NAUJtJ2F6OrGZuugCoGdmR0z0dm8NkX1QjzpFdUnl5TmaJO0SIGIL7b6eoqDsegsGFgijTMK45qTPwFtrFO9zXyTFRdBajNwlssls/s3960/BabaLenaMax.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1898" data-original-width="3960" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9H7H3YVOCVeBfGZrUQwnU2gwTTgCmeEFhZPhe7w00aQ0-xDhXk0DMmq6GtKYxbwLdkgAMINkpUO0gasrIlNLK-NAUJtJ2F6OrGZuugCoGdmR0z0dm8NkX1QjzpFdUnl5TmaJO0SIGIL7b6eoqDsegsGFgijTMK45qTPwFtrFO9zXyTFRdBajNwlssls/s320/BabaLenaMax.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKHgn-aqpzPyPLQBo6CQyfESPv8oRklqvCM3kLU-gboi0H7piBpn13euUW-LMgXlDJauvEwPIGgqTBhGHujutoWvvC4ENShO11A_YvQuo3OOsB2cblt29tWh5Oc25j8ZYR5trRW64g65Lw3fIv_1l5Bd50unGLVyRBLj8xSQtehTeMD7W7l2csRgfelg/s3822/LinWink.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3822" data-original-width="2861" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKHgn-aqpzPyPLQBo6CQyfESPv8oRklqvCM3kLU-gboi0H7piBpn13euUW-LMgXlDJauvEwPIGgqTBhGHujutoWvvC4ENShO11A_YvQuo3OOsB2cblt29tWh5Oc25j8ZYR5trRW64g65Lw3fIv_1l5Bd50unGLVyRBLj8xSQtehTeMD7W7l2csRgfelg/s320/LinWink.JPG" width="240" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Max
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">is
the opposite of a hobbit. I get tired just listening to him talk
about </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">his
hectic schedule travelling </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">for
work and play. But I really appreciate the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">time
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">he
takes </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">to
be present to family and friends. This year, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">in
addition to visits home,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">
we ended up meeting in Chicago. I was visiting my father to celebrate
his 95</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">th</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">
birthday and Max was visiting some friends for July 4</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">th</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">
celebration. So he </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">spent
some </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">time
with </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">my
parents</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">
as well. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Such
a </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">wonderful
God-</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">cidence!</span></div><p></p><p class="western"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><p class="western">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Max
is </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">happy
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">living
and working in DC. He and his housemate Chris continue to host
marvelous Thursday night dinners. They remind me of my thesis advisor
and mentor Lin, who’d prepare seven course meal</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">s</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
for her black-tie dinner parties. She taught me a great deal—good
science, good art, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">good
cooking</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">—</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I
carry those principles with me. This spring, Jerry arranged a
wonderful 50</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">th
year celebration of the</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">ir
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Membrane
Group. Of course, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lin</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
prepared a delicious buffet for all 50+ of us. It was </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">lovely</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
to catch up with old friends and colleagues, some whom I’d lost
touch with. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">o
see </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lin
and Jerry</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
again was </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">a
great</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
joy! The last time was 25 years ago at </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">their</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
restaurant Combray, in Pullman, WA, when we were driving from Purdue
Univ. to Redmond, WA. Max was just an embryo!</span></span></p><p class="western"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1aYfIzodsilTbVubG45VKsTnNSZkcVn6aKlq-Nl9sttlnRGCRR9GHgIT06N4cBV8RzlTzTxuw4AkQ5xL4IurDFXHAGVZ4L2W5jDgvhxIHtUUkc0LQzCckCqvius3nagcUNZveiWW5C3KwntbtPBK_697-7lmAqLUK4spv_cYDudTrAv8if-ldJ1VP57Q" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="320" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1aYfIzodsilTbVubG45VKsTnNSZkcVn6aKlq-Nl9sttlnRGCRR9GHgIT06N4cBV8RzlTzTxuw4AkQ5xL4IurDFXHAGVZ4L2W5jDgvhxIHtUUkc0LQzCckCqvius3nagcUNZveiWW5C3KwntbtPBK_697-7lmAqLUK4spv_cYDudTrAv8if-ldJ1VP57Q" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYhu6VZXTW-HuERZLKN9RMk6oO7oo6QHvQmUNIejq9OfA15BkC_E_cCTAlgwGEXJPyfp0i1e9QlRAWdyQEk1Qowe_WroWH3NYJ2ABk1rwKql0cZoF61G3iKc3oxSv7QOE7-YI0vPBrW6OmRuJgGepL0ouIjZur-h9XBAzi4x7X7jcdJsLl61DekYe6_U/s3298/DagIanchoir.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3298" data-original-width="2365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYhu6VZXTW-HuERZLKN9RMk6oO7oo6QHvQmUNIejq9OfA15BkC_E_cCTAlgwGEXJPyfp0i1e9QlRAWdyQEk1Qowe_WroWH3NYJ2ABk1rwKql0cZoF61G3iKc3oxSv7QOE7-YI0vPBrW6OmRuJgGepL0ouIjZur-h9XBAzi4x7X7jcdJsLl61DekYe6_U/s320/DagIanchoir.JPG" width="229" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="3739" data-original-width="1763" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1Y4kI9iHxiWlE3NPdd1xEOr084ZYkQ0trIwcbvpuCRYWJEdkLfAgZKfKGB1f7pbxtjzIthCDOHDaUhxZdQJeHXI1-tdazT4F0ZW8HJCBZktqTMzZMvTTmPdVWF-Eo6gQgJESk6iG28dGLgZrpYy_xTzx5Ke41Hqwo3QWvjT9VovKE2iWmApTDmA0Rb4/s320/DagFaithFamilyFreedom.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="151" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">How
t</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">ime flies! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Dagny
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">too </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">has
flown the nest but </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">we see her
weekly for</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Mass </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">and</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">
choir practice. She </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">tells Max to
move down to Charleston and become a wedding planner :) I think he’d
be very good at it and we’re enlisting his help… because Dagny is
engaged to be married to Ian Jacobs, the handsome boy down the
street! Save the date: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Monday,
Dec. 30, 2024.</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Come
celebrate their Holy Matrimony with us.</span></div></span><p class="western"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><p class="western"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhPEqwC1WA0feKRkks_LjQsDL0CGlqUE-1YQLNh0rFyM8US2G2OzTB58zrO7-_prhzMLB812QT2xYo7_voUBAvtY8cc-fHTloqVFyUhs3dmKvEY8RqA2-nZDRRT7BUg0kKhwz5W2af36iNWXFwJ_6HSEk83H-pf9GfV86xvza5aVi4vwNGefaWKSYFPE/s3877/dagnyAvegrad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3877" data-original-width="2518" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhPEqwC1WA0feKRkks_LjQsDL0CGlqUE-1YQLNh0rFyM8US2G2OzTB58zrO7-_prhzMLB812QT2xYo7_voUBAvtY8cc-fHTloqVFyUhs3dmKvEY8RqA2-nZDRRT7BUg0kKhwz5W2af36iNWXFwJ_6HSEk83H-pf9GfV86xvza5aVi4vwNGefaWKSYFPE/s320/dagnyAvegrad.JPG" width="208" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But
I’m getting ahead of myself. After graduating last Dec. from Ave
Maria Univ., Dagny worked at Firefly distillery on the production
team. It’s been so interesting to learn more about spirits from
her, though I’ve not </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">yet</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
developed a taste for </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">them</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">However, s</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">he
makes </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">flavorful</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
mixed drinks. She recently left Firefly to work for SC Dept. of
Water. She’s enjoying having a desk job, making more $$$, and not
having to wear steel-toed boots. She’ll keep our water clean for
drinking, fishing, and playing. Her interests align with Ian’s;
he’s studying civil engineering and will graduate next Dec. He’s
already studied one of my father’s textbooks!</span></span><p></p><p class="western"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><p class="western">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We
took a family vacation in Ave Maria for <a href="https://vijayabodach.blogspot.com/2023/05/celebrations.html" target="_blank">Dagny’s graduation</a> ceremony
in May. We had a wonderful time listening to the inspiring sermons
and speeches, meeting professors, parents, friends. Our Lady truly
took our children under her mantle and formed them in virtue. Deo
gratias! The best part was having downtime at the farmhouse that had
kittens not even a month old. Such delight to pick them up whenever
we wanted. Made it a purrfect and peaceful retreat. May you also have
pockets of peace!</span></span></p><p class="western">
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 11pt;">Closing with love and prayers
for a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthful New Year. Pax
Christi!</span></p><p class="western"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJI9T3KTkFwcLpCyc2wfjncAAoToYKdBuLKiqudo2kvefq5gNqzN-7zVr4e6B1n-bL2CqQqYmuXKAWtZXQnarwVC1oykPXSS2n7yY2HStvwFrZ4dUT10wD2jNTOdJk9sNBSBe3NQh2CgqE-DuDulqMyIldldQvgJEItQ625eaoP8P07z2NyoL9cMf2Pg/s2231/Fam2Avegrad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2231" data-original-width="1958" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJI9T3KTkFwcLpCyc2wfjncAAoToYKdBuLKiqudo2kvefq5gNqzN-7zVr4e6B1n-bL2CqQqYmuXKAWtZXQnarwVC1oykPXSS2n7yY2HStvwFrZ4dUT10wD2jNTOdJk9sNBSBe3NQh2CgqE-DuDulqMyIldldQvgJEItQ625eaoP8P07z2NyoL9cMf2Pg/s320/Fam2Avegrad.jpg" width="281" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFYJc1aIT4cLjZfUgCksvYZFi0eeSMNhzNyBfedVkMgQnjXJ2cAS0-noqeuvQ8TNoYDdpB3wGRwS2eZ1gteLq8atLAeCSNyYnZ-BgVF3FEpq2li9O0NsrdGvivJWc7Hg5Dtt4c5BWclBjBhACH8c-yIYhzUBKyr8i1GGyXY6hHcNYZb-9LpLimys3x90/s3937/Winkittens.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3937" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFYJc1aIT4cLjZfUgCksvYZFi0eeSMNhzNyBfedVkMgQnjXJ2cAS0-noqeuvQ8TNoYDdpB3wGRwS2eZ1gteLq8atLAeCSNyYnZ-BgVF3FEpq2li9O0NsrdGvivJWc7Hg5Dtt4c5BWclBjBhACH8c-yIYhzUBKyr8i1GGyXY6hHcNYZb-9LpLimys3x90/s320/Winkittens.JPG" width="246" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7352KpAezBZX6M9HEltjrkwR5SFiDNwq0gvtb0Qi_BC9PENLGFm7wJqHc8RevlNIH7FNP60kFaUnk9nbpgfIG5RhfijU4X2P-BmEvtrov_6-2q23umlb5m0MS2q-a5jieAwX8itF871YJ1Byn1LD6SXsNYn_2gICz-egdwF6RQQiw4tBigv3uD8uOwA/s2488/FamChs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="2488" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7352KpAezBZX6M9HEltjrkwR5SFiDNwq0gvtb0Qi_BC9PENLGFm7wJqHc8RevlNIH7FNP60kFaUnk9nbpgfIG5RhfijU4X2P-BmEvtrov_6-2q23umlb5m0MS2q-a5jieAwX8itF871YJ1Byn1LD6SXsNYn_2gICz-egdwF6RQQiw4tBigv3uD8uOwA/s320/FamChs.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-c4uLQEhpa9MEFgZAY51NoWhEsNcSUkrJAAJe_po-pWqHtOtueSLyKWeMkRitMRFAOb8OC1vE6yr281EgyO0wf4yrcVOCGWaM0DpDt4ASfv-K62kUg2qp3TtS85egsQcUu6BGn1PrVPnBJTyxePgK45ahP3tRUgsPxBpFDK5KBngJVnriUWoSpZRgKf8/s4032/IMG_9436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-c4uLQEhpa9MEFgZAY51NoWhEsNcSUkrJAAJe_po-pWqHtOtueSLyKWeMkRitMRFAOb8OC1vE6yr281EgyO0wf4yrcVOCGWaM0DpDt4ASfv-K62kUg2qp3TtS85egsQcUu6BGn1PrVPnBJTyxePgK45ahP3tRUgsPxBpFDK5KBngJVnriUWoSpZRgKf8/w640-h480/IMG_9436.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span><p></p><p></p>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-9868362834659793942023-10-24T22:42:00.002-04:002023-10-25T11:08:30.425-04:00Summer Memories<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDibgAmrWtFzvVvl5Wz1od8EXHvpS8hvlKS3zM7F02Xc6FVNih4pnh8p6M__79fl4ibsCTmIEHWgCXGcTjfHQT_pgba5UtxccFVdCruAjkOnpbOESsNZeu7Gt-Lo7CMjVwg-CaUmfXQDjDJjTc-c8u1fVkbp1MhgeTzoUyXlZvsn_31AICMmdoMz_WDp4" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDibgAmrWtFzvVvl5Wz1od8EXHvpS8hvlKS3zM7F02Xc6FVNih4pnh8p6M__79fl4ibsCTmIEHWgCXGcTjfHQT_pgba5UtxccFVdCruAjkOnpbOESsNZeu7Gt-Lo7CMjVwg-CaUmfXQDjDJjTc-c8u1fVkbp1MhgeTzoUyXlZvsn_31AICMmdoMz_WDp4" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">What a summer! What a life of leisure! I've been reading, singing and playing so much, I've not taken the time to do much else, even write. But here I am on my poor, neglected blog. </span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Dagny has moved farther away from her work and church and us but she's enjoying living closer to the beach with her new friends. I just love that her new home has a little stairway just for fun--just like in the song, <a href="https://youtu.be/RBHZFYpQ6nc" target="_blank">If I Were a Rich Man</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiddler_on_the_Roof" target="_blank">Fiddler on the Roof</a>! I believe it must be a school project; both new housemates study here: <a href="https://acba.edu/specializations">Trades — American College of the Building Arts (acba.edu)</a>. My heart is at peace knowing she's in a good place with young women who share not only many interests, but also faith in Christ. It's been lovely to watch her grow in love and friendships and virtues.</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9naFqENgDF5dN5C4hYQBrQ00ckUTHlCG1qX3TTG9D9SVRy6Y4SCvu4Mx3GdfGN3udFWbdZMYhspw3zlPLG6C-LgRzw7HbWOBXm5jAh9AtVtfG5BPnRsstyjszyd0IeGwzvvGM786cLfONw_HlQQmB2VXL1knz3Vhw7FXQhE5-jDbQT53AFzzx8Mb7saE" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9naFqENgDF5dN5C4hYQBrQ00ckUTHlCG1qX3TTG9D9SVRy6Y4SCvu4Mx3GdfGN3udFWbdZMYhspw3zlPLG6C-LgRzw7HbWOBXm5jAh9AtVtfG5BPnRsstyjszyd0IeGwzvvGM786cLfONw_HlQQmB2VXL1knz3Vhw7FXQhE5-jDbQT53AFzzx8Mb7saE=w240-h320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouohyGx-BOmllmX2riCmqqWlc2-4vf0kBVttjWr2U-K09v5E-uSJ0e73WbDD9MTYCH3PafD-e8jQx-8ruYKH4zTYBchusdLFkaWOGkbYHrF4nLs-xaV3gtJrH9xLXchwGDGNp3iEWAPV-b76yBxfrcMPVnKKDO2f6znmRgxnZwNKjbqhc2Iv6CBiS6jU/s4032/IMG_9138.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouohyGx-BOmllmX2riCmqqWlc2-4vf0kBVttjWr2U-K09v5E-uSJ0e73WbDD9MTYCH3PafD-e8jQx-8ruYKH4zTYBchusdLFkaWOGkbYHrF4nLs-xaV3gtJrH9xLXchwGDGNp3iEWAPV-b76yBxfrcMPVnKKDO2f6znmRgxnZwNKjbqhc2Iv6CBiS6jU/w400-h300/IMG_9138.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-VnOujnTzgdXpcpoc2H6rIBr2-XvKoRV4CwQAEZhDve7FIOAczQPh1vp5U9ye2Pf1ud886ZDOvIY5V006H81UEGlPUUu_hpsRInsgTwh8kpTKUIRuC3i9REa9uiiryWcrOJtwxdx5sptcRn7rIEwAk_XAFFbncLYM-71bat1h0N532rGPix6FEfAWAU/s4032/IMG_9305.JPG" style="clear: right; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-VnOujnTzgdXpcpoc2H6rIBr2-XvKoRV4CwQAEZhDve7FIOAczQPh1vp5U9ye2Pf1ud886ZDOvIY5V006H81UEGlPUUu_hpsRInsgTwh8kpTKUIRuC3i9REa9uiiryWcrOJtwxdx5sptcRn7rIEwAk_XAFFbncLYM-71bat1h0N532rGPix6FEfAWAU/w240-h320/IMG_9305.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I'm learning all kinds of new things at the library. We meet for "crafternoons" once a month and it's so fun. I get to be a kid again. I'd collected lots of pretty shells on the beach and learned to decoupage them; next, some painting! We're also learning to play the recorder in a group and purchased a tenor recorder for Michael--its tone is lovely, same range as the human voice. Luckily the fingering is the same as with the soprano, only it's twice as big, so he's getting used to having the fingers separated more--it helps to have big hands :) We continue to sing at both Stella Maris and Sacred Heart--it is our joy! I also got an invitation (from one of the ladies in the recorder group) to come listen to her women's acapella group, <a href="https://www.charlestonsoundchorus.org/about-2" target="_blank">Charleston Sound Chorus</a>, and since our church choir was on a summer hiatus, I thought it'd be fun. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbershop_music" target="_blank">Barbershop</a> has a unique sound. Melody (how aptly named) gave me a folder of music to sing along and I struggled my way through. But such fun! Challenging! I prayed to God that if it were His will for me to sing with CSC, He'd have to make it happen. And He did! All the details. I promised to do my part, which was to practice faithfully. Singing in three choirs is making me grow in musicianship. What's funny is that sometimes I wish I had my recorder at barbershop so that I could play the parts that I'm having trouble singing. But isn't it incredible that we're born with a musical instrument! </span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Now that I'm mostly caught up with all the talented ladies in barbershop, I want to see whether I can write more productively (as in publishable material). I'm still only scribbling ideas (they just keep on coming) but I put away my historical novel...so pray that I can do it all. I want everything, yes, it's true. Sometimes I talk to St. Therese, the Little Flower, about it because she, too, wanted everything! But she also gave everything, her very self, completely to God. Do I? I try. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.</span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Max and his friends from <a href="https://www.americanmoment.org/" target="_blank">American Moment</a> came for a visit in Sept. and it was such a joy to spend some time with them celebrating birthdays, solving puzzles, discussing politics and religion, making music, and of course, eating good food and drink! It reminds me of the poem by Hilaire Belloc: </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><h1 class="quoteText" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine,<br />There’s always laughter and good red wine.<br />At least I’ve always found it so.<br />Benedicamus Domino!</i> </span></h1></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQmq4qveFb7hRb9bPlCLDEsPq6AyeOpQyfJ5reOIVTmP8n4wU9l7jmG59oOfJwA6DCIfMWfJAEYvSiV9JUFUeoByu5IZYWPPhhsCMxqu5SQjIhIRJBjAEvvcaAWBzlie5hvJcrcdhDgmFaqim8XcGKmR2WzzQBXSOWy06f2UBkxnurra2psxtjATr_7Q/s4032/IMG_9404.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQmq4qveFb7hRb9bPlCLDEsPq6AyeOpQyfJ5reOIVTmP8n4wU9l7jmG59oOfJwA6DCIfMWfJAEYvSiV9JUFUeoByu5IZYWPPhhsCMxqu5SQjIhIRJBjAEvvcaAWBzlie5hvJcrcdhDgmFaqim8XcGKmR2WzzQBXSOWy06f2UBkxnurra2psxtjATr_7Q/s320/IMG_9404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEFAy8XGniavsusfqj02th0xHyrtnF5jSx6VcPM9cV4-EHUEQYBDx26WlXjzB-co8Jm45tGamb0mR1duZJPQUBupkF5MuV_aULDczxC_hG1mXI_xPSx9KLCgOmPOrnh1_r0ZBi95M9JCpE6e7n7997gtJ1Y299I1pDAz9zzV_2CgGSdiMtwueu6_zZhI/s4032/IMG_9403.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEFAy8XGniavsusfqj02th0xHyrtnF5jSx6VcPM9cV4-EHUEQYBDx26WlXjzB-co8Jm45tGamb0mR1duZJPQUBupkF5MuV_aULDczxC_hG1mXI_xPSx9KLCgOmPOrnh1_r0ZBi95M9JCpE6e7n7997gtJ1Y299I1pDAz9zzV_2CgGSdiMtwueu6_zZhI/s320/IMG_9403.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4VAXX4s8XbcwAcftAiok2BQVRQKokJLZKAVL0bRH6STtIuaKRPMHKltaydrBB-esiauKhMUPvN9hDcEPE1-0S3QXDbC0OlFvvX27YIEN9h_Bx8CJbaBuaLwJVqaocOZJu9sOum4sickR92ZtMurjqh-DkdR9uKE7a7POp1sAGRqBDuqLQiLHtknM2tc/s4032/IMG_9397.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4VAXX4s8XbcwAcftAiok2BQVRQKokJLZKAVL0bRH6STtIuaKRPMHKltaydrBB-esiauKhMUPvN9hDcEPE1-0S3QXDbC0OlFvvX27YIEN9h_Bx8CJbaBuaLwJVqaocOZJu9sOum4sickR92ZtMurjqh-DkdR9uKE7a7POp1sAGRqBDuqLQiLHtknM2tc/s320/IMG_9397.JPG" width="240" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We all enjoyed some homebrew. Michael got some art from </span><a href="https://www.tridentinebrewing.com/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Tridentine Brewing Co</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">. and it fits so perfectly with why we do what we do--for the greater glory of God. My motto is that of the Knights Templar: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non_nobis" target="_blank">non nobis Domine</a> (and we sing it often). Michael planted a fall garden and it's doing well (the bunnies haven't been able to get at it). </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGIQ5le400jL6GPDBIZvGyMCHLZY5kqnhFo_NeAxJQ12tSDvxxTbytrZUykxziwnM1_iJkYUCL0jEbPKj0QHgIiFJBQKfALg3ZIuhII0TxZuytKs3JEAQE3h00cQevrnWmbOvqx1jFo0dJzu-0xy-ZQlTeHWI5g4yaOECuQ2s2o6KnsPHwfH03Z6OkAQ/s4032/IMG_9539.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGIQ5le400jL6GPDBIZvGyMCHLZY5kqnhFo_NeAxJQ12tSDvxxTbytrZUykxziwnM1_iJkYUCL0jEbPKj0QHgIiFJBQKfALg3ZIuhII0TxZuytKs3JEAQE3h00cQevrnWmbOvqx1jFo0dJzu-0xy-ZQlTeHWI5g4yaOECuQ2s2o6KnsPHwfH03Z6OkAQ/s320/IMG_9539.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDkmFIJbYp7o8yZASLxcIvOugYGQfh63d5SyCuEWeoaklWOs9ud4VS7BTR1tDHHadMJwlQu_46G6Tn6kP4wgNIIC3KnWva9q7PJWkCiMQDpFYAV_fo9KDUKSm0Qt4kAbcVCliKAWAf7OZ4u8Vw2quIDq6hcYGOp1QwYJ8eweLPqAwrJgtmoy2Xa224DE/s4032/IMG_9540.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDkmFIJbYp7o8yZASLxcIvOugYGQfh63d5SyCuEWeoaklWOs9ud4VS7BTR1tDHHadMJwlQu_46G6Tn6kP4wgNIIC3KnWva9q7PJWkCiMQDpFYAV_fo9KDUKSm0Qt4kAbcVCliKAWAf7OZ4u8Vw2quIDq6hcYGOp1QwYJ8eweLPqAwrJgtmoy2Xa224DE/s320/IMG_9540.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiB4eE4oLV5Z63zZw67AYFndl_nY_GhPsDJKvSIqw_1zhqkTU58KLGK5WVsjcYW9AKYnnogj-0iIc7rmYXWTiOZt_vVwjzaEVQa4eXdzAC03D7w7QLZQDZ2OaOKhbk2q75FnH45WATSx-d_XzOoqER0xbeeJIQtdU6Jds5mp0AaD6RWJ5PEIIC-cagePI/s4032/IMG_9562.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiB4eE4oLV5Z63zZw67AYFndl_nY_GhPsDJKvSIqw_1zhqkTU58KLGK5WVsjcYW9AKYnnogj-0iIc7rmYXWTiOZt_vVwjzaEVQa4eXdzAC03D7w7QLZQDZ2OaOKhbk2q75FnH45WATSx-d_XzOoqER0xbeeJIQtdU6Jds5mp0AaD6RWJ5PEIIC-cagePI/s320/IMG_9562.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyas4sf9oDiCPLlQ3wSZAyu3BXdUv4cKkwW9WSYrOUuKzm44ErTqd2UB3Wq0ayWn2yTrKBmmHRk5_-TSb3C9y9L5XT4TA9Tewe1SHtLgNoZdU6THQe_Fdbt_hIwOK6k8Rq0Rw9jKkODcZO1OZxw5OZtATOQlvqgQyFAYuzjGwSxgqtTN0wa31XImVO70/s4032/71708635782__E2683F6E-DE11-4510-BA46-C692DA854490.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyas4sf9oDiCPLlQ3wSZAyu3BXdUv4cKkwW9WSYrOUuKzm44ErTqd2UB3Wq0ayWn2yTrKBmmHRk5_-TSb3C9y9L5XT4TA9Tewe1SHtLgNoZdU6THQe_Fdbt_hIwOK6k8Rq0Rw9jKkODcZO1OZxw5OZtATOQlvqgQyFAYuzjGwSxgqtTN0wa31XImVO70/s320/71708635782__E2683F6E-DE11-4510-BA46-C692DA854490.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbJuM5o9RLZjNc5qPDpYoeHgnT0otNnVEdwAKhzuty3AU0GROZWwd385bLRzi32Tknq6udXuSSGslchJ4PLhbjZUzS_lp1tv8HmP8mtGWTHDb7fjAKx5zjLqCR1t4zCIpY1L9J5XgjdTy04bus3gqyWvoTG2i7ZsGjAgOgHKNgOAAwFPSrwejRxmyN3s/s3840/DA96712F-D562-4A35-A351-A0C208FD53FE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbJuM5o9RLZjNc5qPDpYoeHgnT0otNnVEdwAKhzuty3AU0GROZWwd385bLRzi32Tknq6udXuSSGslchJ4PLhbjZUzS_lp1tv8HmP8mtGWTHDb7fjAKx5zjLqCR1t4zCIpY1L9J5XgjdTy04bus3gqyWvoTG2i7ZsGjAgOgHKNgOAAwFPSrwejRxmyN3s/s320/DA96712F-D562-4A35-A351-A0C208FD53FE.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LhsHlB-h8beXB_xAl_zR01FtwzlKV63xjRoAqTFHtDgKCqxLc13bLxePo7RmD-8T-gkCc3RmRO8HqlM-JtjMq9c0Mdr1ZNQi7deQANPjJFTwImpBuTzzv49T50suKC_GlgYp7a5eeMMGGRK8x1Djp8iuQB4G0vwxgslff6rQZiy-LouDOUPX9_heRk0/s320/IMG_9602.JPG" width="240" /></div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hard to believe that we're already in the last days (of the liturgical year, but also considering the chaos and evil in this world). All we can do is pray. So I leave you with a picture of the Source of my peace and joy along with some Lowcountry beauty captured by Dagny and Max. Pax Christi. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjbIarIOIyBkeTvjCo-cixcM1ODf_FQd9NRWzeFuOdhg_k6M-4pClLFdX57TmX-8khKE8p0f5MbO7zLCeoQ-UClTqr1VQgGOxKPLXEKL3B-CCtS0ACcXWwhFC0Q9KKio8SckS8fi9qMlD-CxaZOYrMrJUhkgTpwx7etMGdjaAXgdKNSW1mTmea7h9vRA/s4032/IMG_9576.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjbIarIOIyBkeTvjCo-cixcM1ODf_FQd9NRWzeFuOdhg_k6M-4pClLFdX57TmX-8khKE8p0f5MbO7zLCeoQ-UClTqr1VQgGOxKPLXEKL3B-CCtS0ACcXWwhFC0Q9KKio8SckS8fi9qMlD-CxaZOYrMrJUhkgTpwx7etMGdjaAXgdKNSW1mTmea7h9vRA/w400-h300/IMG_9576.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQAyNTQIHx1Xp3wUUAZPoCMkNVfbfxK1fdTivgXssxQYoiF_wfA8FEb3_NqzWxU85SYwF3kBGGZGRPD9AIlpKTMwFRYeLrnUIAhda1VMuOOH34MdOwMo4zJsHZtNLw0NeVeXO6akrXyWNrijJHz46wlBRXsnidueZ0g-7rmZEfbpmXV4dGLlmLJJNh0g/s4032/IMG_9649.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinUMsjneRSZxvOs5oOH0DznjNNRJaDB2_zmU7V1luofb7Tha6bEMU7lE2J5eKlpYlMrqZq6ANLLJEfku35hwAtZ2xCnLpD50YS0URfqsR3RnwCTYwUioema5SVUtC6QBer_6SL2Cq9vgVwsFFKZpuzbBnU4j2h1tZF-3VshBOan39SuooS86hKyvizv8/s320/IMG_9444.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82liCd9m6Y6RCCCbPkCjDQTMMPs_mcqidKWENoxWFYEmHydqLCJSOyPMc4Ru2uzJWY389lAFl2tV7Dm7iv0RILCyA_a2kVluYHwwLPSL_hgF3sngWStAQzyNU3bMWe0sem1MsofJvM4-1IgnjWWfjFE0Jfki9KtGg7vArrZYtHbPY5CoeeH-cpH0uvsY/s4032/IMG_9432.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82liCd9m6Y6RCCCbPkCjDQTMMPs_mcqidKWENoxWFYEmHydqLCJSOyPMc4Ru2uzJWY389lAFl2tV7Dm7iv0RILCyA_a2kVluYHwwLPSL_hgF3sngWStAQzyNU3bMWe0sem1MsofJvM4-1IgnjWWfjFE0Jfki9KtGg7vArrZYtHbPY5CoeeH-cpH0uvsY/s320/IMG_9432.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-84768398974607392722023-08-21T14:22:00.003-04:002023-08-21T14:22:00.141-04:00Young Love<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhvnZZSslC8krIvtnmO3ix_m01W1Dy7mKiuMD-YJfC2KrMeOMRxN7NBju8_QRRVsAPmxwQoPMDhLSeDcYjLHIk0InSfsSJW2z3d7KLZCtcM9ZJOjx0ZaxIYb2s4MmMhLqlijChunxYLxROwAbALVpIxG0BKZUNE0qDOQh5y3zfATovCyrDTophJ9ep_k/s4032/IMG_1353.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhvnZZSslC8krIvtnmO3ix_m01W1Dy7mKiuMD-YJfC2KrMeOMRxN7NBju8_QRRVsAPmxwQoPMDhLSeDcYjLHIk0InSfsSJW2z3d7KLZCtcM9ZJOjx0ZaxIYb2s4MmMhLqlijChunxYLxROwAbALVpIxG0BKZUNE0qDOQh5y3zfATovCyrDTophJ9ep_k/w300-h400/IMG_1353.heic" width="300" /></a></div></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Our minds have been on our marriage, so I was delighted to discover this young man's intentions towards our daughter. Michael, being a typical dad, is still wondering how these kids got to this stage so quickly (they've been dating a year). It was a whirlwind weekend for Ian. He was finishing up an internship in Ohio. Dagny flew to see him and drive back with him. Here they are at Cumberland Falls in KY. We met with Ian privately on Sat. and he proposed to Dagny that evening. It will necessarily be a longish engagement because Ian is still in school (leaving today), but I've not met a more mature young man, who knows whom he wants to spend the rest of his life with and isn't afraid to make a commitment. Dagny, too. They don't have to "play the field" or get their hearts broken. It is so lovely to imagine our children entering into marriage with time to grow in virtue as they prepare themselves for this most beautiful of Sacraments.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I also love that they have a faithful community of Catholic friends who will support them as well as our wider Church family. Our families have known each other for over a decade. Ian is literally the boy next door. Of course, when they were children, they ran around in their own friend groups--Ian with all the boys in the church. At one point there were something like 15 boys at the Altar, serving. There were far fewer girls so they were a tight little group. But all our children are growing up and I'm especially grateful that for many, this is home, this is where they want to be, and where they want to raise a family.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Mass was especially beautiful with a medieval motet for Holy Communion: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dk0GhcMYaY" target="_blank">Maria Matrem</a>. Deo gratias!</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gorZ3K2IoVUDuc4riN65MPZnaOPAqWXcmL3detIjZOG8H_ywUWYACz4fwGDcAtpTi_GuN_mCqfBrj6nVVtznOMd1a5-Up3-VdIloenBdWhk5PSDxQkz6aNAbZsaHqRE3-Z5CWB1wAKX5wvPJ2ly-iiKmKfi2Rh4qfvy5XOcpY5319Py3t3tid057poY/s750/IMG_1425.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="562" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gorZ3K2IoVUDuc4riN65MPZnaOPAqWXcmL3detIjZOG8H_ywUWYACz4fwGDcAtpTi_GuN_mCqfBrj6nVVtznOMd1a5-Up3-VdIloenBdWhk5PSDxQkz6aNAbZsaHqRE3-Z5CWB1wAKX5wvPJ2ly-iiKmKfi2Rh4qfvy5XOcpY5319Py3t3tid057poY/w300-h400/IMG_1425.heic" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4JDL21KtIb2Z-zCr9bLQTn1BDKxoWDMsaDr-yv6t8QE56nsE9DWPipvbvnVvfaoHhakU-IqBQKLIoHhM8aaSOn6nsi94U6xRO9qWakPpPhai-py1JFDATpFQ7Fe84QVKWeyoPa7vrOSGzRaZUR7H9QIezekdDr72QYiDOEwT2UFqquv-vhHw_L3fhtA/s4032/IMG_9245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4JDL21KtIb2Z-zCr9bLQTn1BDKxoWDMsaDr-yv6t8QE56nsE9DWPipvbvnVvfaoHhakU-IqBQKLIoHhM8aaSOn6nsi94U6xRO9qWakPpPhai-py1JFDATpFQ7Fe84QVKWeyoPa7vrOSGzRaZUR7H9QIezekdDr72QYiDOEwT2UFqquv-vhHw_L3fhtA/w300-h400/IMG_9245.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWwqID8f4cz0Qi0hS-o7zzyEqMNK6b6d4Zfd8fdZ7HpUZVMDIc-PHaPTcJ-NPBEhjZveqqh1WXV5onaDjmCG06o1HmMecIkFMjDqfIny_QkNoPi6Dh2KULvRVV4O0eCa2nIPApKpn2vnhz4cCCwCQ9JLV2hauR-kdjj-UNVrzaNxO8fsfPpxIWZmXQ0Q/s640/FullSizeR.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWwqID8f4cz0Qi0hS-o7zzyEqMNK6b6d4Zfd8fdZ7HpUZVMDIc-PHaPTcJ-NPBEhjZveqqh1WXV5onaDjmCG06o1HmMecIkFMjDqfIny_QkNoPi6Dh2KULvRVV4O0eCa2nIPApKpn2vnhz4cCCwCQ9JLV2hauR-kdjj-UNVrzaNxO8fsfPpxIWZmXQ0Q/w300-h400/FullSizeR.heic" width="300" /></a></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-33285383251351925682023-08-16T15:12:00.004-04:002023-08-16T20:32:11.232-04:00An Anniversary, an Exhibition, and a Feast Day!<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRjjrH58Ij7IG31_Bo_oTZ6hsTMvlJTRe1F5urp9m0prqOtPfeyQVqiR70f3A6TUCCUrsCf3uSzDxbEKTDzVbrrfVI7iXcMXES1wZFRJzolgb4WXlFBMChvbaz_D4z6d746vUKqqgWQiaxK4JNFDLBESGoScT0oV37rr2GAKCKeEe4RYWCh1EX8lfGKU/s4032/IMG_9150.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRjjrH58Ij7IG31_Bo_oTZ6hsTMvlJTRe1F5urp9m0prqOtPfeyQVqiR70f3A6TUCCUrsCf3uSzDxbEKTDzVbrrfVI7iXcMXES1wZFRJzolgb4WXlFBMChvbaz_D4z6d746vUKqqgWQiaxK4JNFDLBESGoScT0oV37rr2GAKCKeEe4RYWCh1EX8lfGKU/w400-h300/IMG_9150.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>We just celebrated 29 years of marriage--that's half my life! I'm often amazed at how much more we are in love now and I must admit that it is supernatural. We've been together for a long time and the first decade before marriage was unholy. Yet, where sin abounded, grace did more abound (Rom 5:20). It is truly the grace of God that has brought us where we are, in love with Him and each other. Sunday Mass was offered for our intentions--the most precious gift we can give to each other. But we enjoy the many gifts the world offers as well and enjoyed our fish tacos at <a href="https://www.tacoboy.net/menus/" target="_blank">Taco Boy</a>, beer for Michael and a hibiscus margarita for me.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsPn_6LuKnlqPjvW8PBV0ikSq_BgDxAAeG8v_9TThXDNzdgAF9tVuGK7dGQIGedz2Uvk62gXZmIsUSRLOOzqBLhje242lHxuzoEPB9xqsLmuyoKurXnntLcWmQNqbMz22xJiqMABz5S4TS2e2dZdo9W_J7Oo2J-2l4xN5FA8vZv7K27LQeDhC8jN7Qqw/s4032/IMG_9187.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: xx-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsPn_6LuKnlqPjvW8PBV0ikSq_BgDxAAeG8v_9TThXDNzdgAF9tVuGK7dGQIGedz2Uvk62gXZmIsUSRLOOzqBLhje242lHxuzoEPB9xqsLmuyoKurXnntLcWmQNqbMz22xJiqMABz5S4TS2e2dZdo9W_J7Oo2J-2l4xN5FA8vZv7K27LQeDhC8jN7Qqw/w300-h400/IMG_9187.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br />We went to <a href="https://chapelsistine.com/exhibits/charleston/" target="_blank">Sistine Chapel Exhibit</a> downtown. It is really well done--if you get the VIP ticket, you will receive a book with all the paintings in the exhibit + commentary and it is high quality. Pope Sixtus originally wanted the life of the Apostles in the chapel but Michelangelo had a grander vision and aren't we lucky that the Pope gave him artistic freedom? He painted the ancestors of Christ (in triangles), not when they were grown ups with power, but as little children, all pointing to how Christ comes to us, as a Baby in a Holy Family. He also painted the prophets (Isaiah; loved all the details, down to his toes) and sibyls (women prophets from the East who foretold the coming of Christ--below, my favorite--the Delphic sibyl who is startled by the Word of God. She prophesized that the coming Messiah would be mocked with a crown of thorns). In all these paintings, there is movement. So beautiful. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUxvI2khb64v1pgFtPMLERlCt9KXLeq5NfNeg95Z8VymxBqpWXWTMByaxRa0Z5FT-ySQ4e5uCI8FuDVrOAxp0THAdJiJlxKDPnurFruzciOTA3yj0ZMjn-tBzbPFZZdUp5l3XcTg7vPko7EJi4ZVnU6sj3KkshCo8dGHozJ0YWEofSzMGhXyZ0xyQCcs/s4032/IMG_9156.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUxvI2khb64v1pgFtPMLERlCt9KXLeq5NfNeg95Z8VymxBqpWXWTMByaxRa0Z5FT-ySQ4e5uCI8FuDVrOAxp0THAdJiJlxKDPnurFruzciOTA3yj0ZMjn-tBzbPFZZdUp5l3XcTg7vPko7EJi4ZVnU6sj3KkshCo8dGHozJ0YWEofSzMGhXyZ0xyQCcs/w400-h300/IMG_9156.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPf2wIJFtCtaEV6vvz-fXVgSwfwReCjmVEnUhpNmgeM__1gn65rx0LLrn3ilUnDv2PCApa4LN9b-mZNbGhTZZQ5UqmFzOAABSEzj1N8jxVPxfu1dyt2HtJS5QOsI1yb2SNjgNNgdF0EO_ve2QN-QkPaYtJ5tlgMN_1XF0_aH1CkbKwhObf4CS76kTgPI/s4032/IMG_9171.JPG" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPf2wIJFtCtaEV6vvz-fXVgSwfwReCjmVEnUhpNmgeM__1gn65rx0LLrn3ilUnDv2PCApa4LN9b-mZNbGhTZZQ5UqmFzOAABSEzj1N8jxVPxfu1dyt2HtJS5QOsI1yb2SNjgNNgdF0EO_ve2QN-QkPaYtJ5tlgMN_1XF0_aH1CkbKwhObf4CS76kTgPI/w400-h300/IMG_9171.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">I loved these two panels below: The bronze serpent that the Israelites looked upon to be healed from snakebites foreshadows Christ on the Cross redeeming all mankind. And Judith slays the Babylonian king. In the readings for the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven (celebrated Aug 15) we remember Judith--she is a type of Mary, who crushes the head of the serpent. It's a beautiful feast day, full of hope, because where she is, we hope to go as well.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bYw9w7nO3gSf9RXTpuqOfaOFoIB-wox6xw6dHtWcHGHVtzof97DmE3QlMSmBplkLEtdg5Re0oH_Vd9s-0ZtlgswsU8CL0YEr4g0PMqJAHafz-TSQk0OFr0HYEaWcka696ED9LdF-4iUC74nAmaMqvYl9ihQ7fpHMJcXFzk9Vv1JSCEUM4ljt0zhKSng/s4032/IMG_9166.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bYw9w7nO3gSf9RXTpuqOfaOFoIB-wox6xw6dHtWcHGHVtzof97DmE3QlMSmBplkLEtdg5Re0oH_Vd9s-0ZtlgswsU8CL0YEr4g0PMqJAHafz-TSQk0OFr0HYEaWcka696ED9LdF-4iUC74nAmaMqvYl9ihQ7fpHMJcXFzk9Vv1JSCEUM4ljt0zhKSng/w400-h300/IMG_9166.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SFMQibCB7lL_0bqRRXtK_3bhdY5RW99HF8UM69zrrMZFLIr_gX0f-HUeIR094YkmHj0rA96_t43r3E4PIQIVEo-PkTwsARJvCU2DhitkkPwVMy_W_SiNkQ3fp1zGShRY1B5RwTndVDzAddb0rCtEtmxh2RRuCJqlHVWjItrPRxMHNUJbZQAzrfTiYq8/s4032/IMG_9160.JPG" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SFMQibCB7lL_0bqRRXtK_3bhdY5RW99HF8UM69zrrMZFLIr_gX0f-HUeIR094YkmHj0rA96_t43r3E4PIQIVEo-PkTwsARJvCU2DhitkkPwVMy_W_SiNkQ3fp1zGShRY1B5RwTndVDzAddb0rCtEtmxh2RRuCJqlHVWjItrPRxMHNUJbZQAzrfTiYq8/w400-h300/IMG_9160.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sandwiched between the Creation of Man (I do so love that we are all conceived in the mind of God before we're ever born! It even looks like the brain!) and the Last Judgment is the creation, fall, and the deluge account. Creation of Eve is the central panel (because it is the fall that brings to us so great a Redeemer). Michelangelo placed the first act of creation: Separation of Light from Dark next to the Last Judgment. Oh, yes, there is a heaven and a hell and it is for all eternity. Sobering.</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCM0TuXdYbn1oXtjVk3p8hHiBGXO-Nq4KosmfXLkcnnkyAqPQW-KQ3kSYYOW6WOFyUpfdKpnh1wemY7rULhbdYnbrBW1F19C0zZW4Iql_S6fb7bomqxpY1Yb2Hw1zaeWbHYCE1cXd-IzmvT5OkUP46j20b5GhEV5IQhyEo1B-yfvGz0ELXI6MmvNXhEjc/s4032/IMG_9190.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCM0TuXdYbn1oXtjVk3p8hHiBGXO-Nq4KosmfXLkcnnkyAqPQW-KQ3kSYYOW6WOFyUpfdKpnh1wemY7rULhbdYnbrBW1F19C0zZW4Iql_S6fb7bomqxpY1Yb2Hw1zaeWbHYCE1cXd-IzmvT5OkUP46j20b5GhEV5IQhyEo1B-yfvGz0ELXI6MmvNXhEjc/w640-h480/IMG_9190.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_GJa5VPtcOaXNLoRGPJbZCgLxH0IiYWJ_g-k7PXV5WdC7JD6T01RjiYjztWcIkCl3iPnz3AJ-MjPOrDcDtUlDqzeolPGVEFAXGLFRO5cgsjAJIZ1iVFx1yKFAz9I-J77UEmf2oqmgMHGpeuhUs2Q9-HX-5rNhD08UhShE0pVUc3SSPUEGD0PDrLqEQc/s4032/IMG_9182.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_GJa5VPtcOaXNLoRGPJbZCgLxH0IiYWJ_g-k7PXV5WdC7JD6T01RjiYjztWcIkCl3iPnz3AJ-MjPOrDcDtUlDqzeolPGVEFAXGLFRO5cgsjAJIZ1iVFx1yKFAz9I-J77UEmf2oqmgMHGpeuhUs2Q9-HX-5rNhD08UhShE0pVUc3SSPUEGD0PDrLqEQc/w400-h300/IMG_9182.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcgGias-HXn9_QXqxRWsxHhr-Xn7CrmudBJRbwNStXFXCrfaKBBfAeDpFIqaHksn_L8l2W12t3hNJkaNsNtuXRmzm-hFIZPw6VlIDo2_l2V828VpyeuhWe2k63mXcA155oRBHON9hyitAUhiuBchLprk8Kx1EShSzIzRhSZZhY_MnIAstpXsOX0WBG1w/s4032/IMG_9165.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcgGias-HXn9_QXqxRWsxHhr-Xn7CrmudBJRbwNStXFXCrfaKBBfAeDpFIqaHksn_L8l2W12t3hNJkaNsNtuXRmzm-hFIZPw6VlIDo2_l2V828VpyeuhWe2k63mXcA155oRBHON9hyitAUhiuBchLprk8Kx1EShSzIzRhSZZhY_MnIAstpXsOX0WBG1w/w400-h300/IMG_9165.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqT_ghzH3l9E7fifYUtYVEsh4qfPQbFn9OVBzphzugbkEyHKtNZBjbNowBEZNQxdJOOsNrDxYx8GpY9xGOSp5ZZNTwlMBXquQag3LD3aO-6k9YqfwrY8CXNzLzgR0hPRLwIRob5-jxaFphY37cw6ciUd_x5UT9ZYHn5s5jgGL8cl6uV0VINjjnqkhODUg/s4032/IMG_9162.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqT_ghzH3l9E7fifYUtYVEsh4qfPQbFn9OVBzphzugbkEyHKtNZBjbNowBEZNQxdJOOsNrDxYx8GpY9xGOSp5ZZNTwlMBXquQag3LD3aO-6k9YqfwrY8CXNzLzgR0hPRLwIRob5-jxaFphY37cw6ciUd_x5UT9ZYHn5s5jgGL8cl6uV0VINjjnqkhODUg/w480-h640/IMG_9162.JPG" width="480" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We've been to the Sistine Chapel back in 90s when we were living in Belgium. I had gone for a conference in Southern Italy so Michael and I planned to meet in Rome after. Goodness, how did we manage without cell phones? The Italians were having a train strike so I was stuck and no way to let Michael know. Though I assumed he'd figure it out when he went to the train station to pick me up. I ended up taking a bus, which broke down, and had to wait for another, but I made it to Rome and what a relief to be reunited with Michael again. We had a wonderful time sightseeing for the next three days. How I wish we were Catholic back then because the more you know Scripture, the greater your appreciation for the tremendous art. What a treasure! Deo gratias! </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"> </span></div></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-84840069983668736522023-08-09T12:26:00.000-04:002023-08-09T12:26:14.776-04:00Chicago<p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7pwYBs1DcDkRqkO25ecf2yvQ29FR8otH23krzkkpJtzndLFKuASDlYXbygExPio0SLjbcrMM1pVU4IGsEKajg6teOcnopsX0Yexv8_by-yRL4JkgJn5ZlvliE8kBO5x7vw9oPRxMI65MklS_9c7-YlldMofqxK-4cUMHeq3KXmgzoCcR9RvWysbbPIQ/s4032/IMG_8737.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7pwYBs1DcDkRqkO25ecf2yvQ29FR8otH23krzkkpJtzndLFKuASDlYXbygExPio0SLjbcrMM1pVU4IGsEKajg6teOcnopsX0Yexv8_by-yRL4JkgJn5ZlvliE8kBO5x7vw9oPRxMI65MklS_9c7-YlldMofqxK-4cUMHeq3KXmgzoCcR9RvWysbbPIQ/w300-h400/IMG_8737.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It's been a month since I've returned home from Chicago. I was supposed to spend a week with my parents to celebrate my father's 95th birthday, but my flight was canceled twice. TWICE! Unbelievable. However, everything worked out even better than I expected. I had a chance to finish making a little gift for my father. I felt as if the Lord arranged all the details according to His plan for this entire trip. Max was flying in to visit some friends so he spent some time with my parents too. We'd made our plans completely independently. The last time my parents saw my kids was when we were moving to SC, twelve years ago. Max was twelve :) Btw, I find it quite delightful how much I look like Lena--my stepmother. We share many interests as well. My father is writing his memoirs and what a treasure they will be. It's odd how often I've gotten to know a person better after their death. But it is not yet my father's time to return to his Creator. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-TBRGKrF-fHyWYk0PDdbOhmO8XQ7BKUGmMi73GmLJCCBdBtEO7y5kpu6_ESYdzVO5f1AMW8JcV8HW4C4FVqU5yFJunHL_IJZ4Whg-6nTu_e1o0kCABAt9gqdj0GzRGJLLlIGbsriaIxPuyWx0ZCphrNol589WC3d8uhdfwtchOiTEqagaSz3MMInwXU/s4032/IMG_8729.JPG" style="clear: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-TBRGKrF-fHyWYk0PDdbOhmO8XQ7BKUGmMi73GmLJCCBdBtEO7y5kpu6_ESYdzVO5f1AMW8JcV8HW4C4FVqU5yFJunHL_IJZ4Whg-6nTu_e1o0kCABAt9gqdj0GzRGJLLlIGbsriaIxPuyWx0ZCphrNol589WC3d8uhdfwtchOiTEqagaSz3MMInwXU/w400-h300/IMG_8729.JPG" width="400" /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSXvjrmv-2TgcF34r7zTX8QLd604pVXP-5L0HdB6FA0pJhM9zIvDoNC1ca6v2P1xpxEwVWDsyqNUi4fCtGWhsO-UXddRNPhLKYoFxTsAcykANlO4SSiNENl_LPksToCoAR-14IDYs50cBWMG6gUKAOOlQEvKhSUksFaphpaVFHjgg9b7P7vjwzSqqQNg/s3088/IMG_8732.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSXvjrmv-2TgcF34r7zTX8QLd604pVXP-5L0HdB6FA0pJhM9zIvDoNC1ca6v2P1xpxEwVWDsyqNUi4fCtGWhsO-UXddRNPhLKYoFxTsAcykANlO4SSiNENl_LPksToCoAR-14IDYs50cBWMG6gUKAOOlQEvKhSUksFaphpaVFHjgg9b7P7vjwzSqqQNg/s320/IMG_8732.heic" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">What joy to have grown kids. I felt like a maharani being taken downtown to </span><a href="https://www.cantius.org/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">St. John Cantius</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> for Sunday Mass! It was pouring buckts--a deluge--but I had to take this picture of the chalked angels on the stairs. They have a room full of relics of many saints, some are dear friends of mine! I was quite overwhelmed with all the treasures and beauty of the church--the side Altars, Stations, stained glass windows, the reverent liturgy, beautiful singing.</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMRdfHm8ThMG7MMUCBXfdJfdd7yVS4mY9YLtu1RvMf2fZGGvaOEpKXYqXb5gSxRgH4BpNhPMo8tPjBORP7t_du7fnT-RrbFiLBUs-Z9XX4eDXcz9Y6IVvgK28zgP30t0_8aymuHSrnoYOTrNyefyjUX61luX473h3ed18JdSDDLOcvojuuQZ08-uW3rE/s4032/IMG_8754.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMRdfHm8ThMG7MMUCBXfdJfdd7yVS4mY9YLtu1RvMf2fZGGvaOEpKXYqXb5gSxRgH4BpNhPMo8tPjBORP7t_du7fnT-RrbFiLBUs-Z9XX4eDXcz9Y6IVvgK28zgP30t0_8aymuHSrnoYOTrNyefyjUX61luX473h3ed18JdSDDLOcvojuuQZ08-uW3rE/s320/IMG_8754.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrTTzVIFR3v5Wj_mlonYpwJzh7SBiya_lSaJTlggLxVNM0E-Klss1f3Djws_fDIxUX-Uve6kGcngQjOK9Lr8CJ_ACNITrInee3z1MarBrKZQrKhTiOtkPK5GkZL_Eu35OmGUdDi2TsiHNNSn-_G_-PaKwDEZRo4O3eIRFT_uU8bQuMgIPadJ8pXeij9I/s4032/IMG_8738.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Afterwards, we went out to eat at <a href="https://tabuchicago.com/" target="_blank">Tabu</a> and it was lovely to dry off a bit, enjoy good food and company. They had some great art on their walls. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpymSllbW62WR2annMaxiIA5xmSRhAnHsdKZJ7DP241zW5dAGYHBPCvba1KjStUSfiFRn1vO0nT1QmjpSuytK0ermHXB9DmF4tcokDgYd_i5OORdjyCqQq65BHJ-f1t1un3yD-F8MH5GfdD0dyz6DMM_8fJF8OjcMrTxRHMNx46ewk9_u4yKhG-n9WPA/s4032/IMG_9057.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpymSllbW62WR2annMaxiIA5xmSRhAnHsdKZJ7DP241zW5dAGYHBPCvba1KjStUSfiFRn1vO0nT1QmjpSuytK0ermHXB9DmF4tcokDgYd_i5OORdjyCqQq65BHJ-f1t1un3yD-F8MH5GfdD0dyz6DMM_8fJF8OjcMrTxRHMNx46ewk9_u4yKhG-n9WPA/s320/IMG_9057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW23Loyx8_GUKJ76OUmWxWpd418l9u-BGPVl_cDSpfK1Gpr9b4fUmBckISh4SotQmyezqzyxVUnAfjzIDMSG9vGA578OIEm0PujZ8ceAnUy2ts4tPXxXb4KWHImgwuyqlrN4O11NSUkcuuymRFUWn26m0V0UeeKnP5X8EAuGBc885RTrJLX_LtZL108rU/s4032/IMG_8770.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW23Loyx8_GUKJ76OUmWxWpd418l9u-BGPVl_cDSpfK1Gpr9b4fUmBckISh4SotQmyezqzyxVUnAfjzIDMSG9vGA578OIEm0PujZ8ceAnUy2ts4tPXxXb4KWHImgwuyqlrN4O11NSUkcuuymRFUWn26m0V0UeeKnP5X8EAuGBc885RTrJLX_LtZL108rU/s320/IMG_8770.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Taj9XtkALVMx5YTO4tVPigxhZQve1swcmR1bu0dpkIV8uvr2uKvDNOUjkYbGWeY0WkkO9kRBz1X2QBeciSC0PZ8qtS_RmDexuf-dm9sK0X_RP3AKp1dzLg9sURq2SqeIyGecrizGM8kneDYZ-OR9VLOjaARZo-A5VGUsFHmdvkqKy5zBdQ3tQooqJf0/s4032/IMG_8772.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Taj9XtkALVMx5YTO4tVPigxhZQve1swcmR1bu0dpkIV8uvr2uKvDNOUjkYbGWeY0WkkO9kRBz1X2QBeciSC0PZ8qtS_RmDexuf-dm9sK0X_RP3AKp1dzLg9sURq2SqeIyGecrizGM8kneDYZ-OR9VLOjaARZo-A5VGUsFHmdvkqKy5zBdQ3tQooqJf0/s320/IMG_8772.JPG" width="240" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: left;">The <a href="https://www.artic.edu/" target="_blank">art museum</a> had a special van Gogh+friends exhibit and it was perfect given that we wouldn't be walking in the deluge (the Nascar race had to be cancelled). We wandered through the various rooms, leaving the miniature rooms for last. What fun! I would've added little people and animals, a cat on every bed :) I wanted to disappear into several of them. Happy sigh!</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFhYJqlOnKPZgSlvlp9Wu8pnBYYG2qwjm4e2Yu2kgf67IjclbKM9vFbk0kvH4DmOHs7vo-JXCc2YH9GMSrDfuSxBmj8a8f2Ab8Khy24j4I9OSVSnv7QjrovKLDr-9WLd-FU044EUIc5xyp9fPPIQSZgDURMrUQrceHpJtGpNiZMehwS95IDsl2OnDnVk/s4032/IMG_8785.JPG"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFhYJqlOnKPZgSlvlp9Wu8pnBYYG2qwjm4e2Yu2kgf67IjclbKM9vFbk0kvH4DmOHs7vo-JXCc2YH9GMSrDfuSxBmj8a8f2Ab8Khy24j4I9OSVSnv7QjrovKLDr-9WLd-FU044EUIc5xyp9fPPIQSZgDURMrUQrceHpJtGpNiZMehwS95IDsl2OnDnVk/s320/IMG_8785.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-YKg00T2OVH-x4WSvNeELygazxWXeDMgtvFyO5GJP4S4S64D6Y4UimdlXx_OX9CQW8uIdLl-O6aRoFLMA3bZqbmiIvpEoYt7vWyw5z2wEHCqUs8Tvtheke5vv1Bb0AX9OxfVi_b3eejjf41C-oWnpuO4P8Y0Pdzwdd8kkDwlU8JRzF3i2rs7T6Ufq2J8" style="clear: left; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The portrait of a man with a laurel wreath is from 2nd century Egypt. I was so surprised to see that the face has roundedness. Most art from that period has a certain flatness to it. There was also a mummy circa 700 BC, which sparked discussion about time travel and waking up in Chicago. Lots of story ideas as we wandered about. However, it was time to head home. The roads were flooded--Max navigated the streets beautifully. As I said, it's a great blessing having adult kids who take care of you. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I had a chance to visit with the family Max was staying with--they have 7 or 8 kids and had cousins and friends visiting as well, so a full house. Beautiful family. We had a good time fixing a traditional Indian meal; there were many sous chefs. Max made a chicken tikka masala and I made ratatouille. We had a garden salad, mangoes, rice and naan. But before we sat down to eat, a priest friend offered Mass in their private chapel--it was so wonderful, especially since it was on the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, the Apostle who came to India.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZ1CGQv3qixCG32L-vTAGNv0535XfNg9VMz2IvxenZh4sLfL4ZqA4BnXsyAzNXFRiakOGGS0sUr2fz8hQvjDrrC6jwVJFSaP87JYvrDuMXtZq7tBYnXBDKEaf0lfqG93vgvwHYHmuDes4A7L5Z-X1opxh0trjr9JeaUKbhemgXVlG0Ro4M41Lp6v-7LI/s4032/IMG_5345.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZ1CGQv3qixCG32L-vTAGNv0535XfNg9VMz2IvxenZh4sLfL4ZqA4BnXsyAzNXFRiakOGGS0sUr2fz8hQvjDrrC6jwVJFSaP87JYvrDuMXtZq7tBYnXBDKEaf0lfqG93vgvwHYHmuDes4A7L5Z-X1opxh0trjr9JeaUKbhemgXVlG0Ro4M41Lp6v-7LI/s320/IMG_5345.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8SMPQCjifzuEq73HennOvWy8F2_npsOx3G2uIXjdsDtux4HfMJzkrcz3dGpDso7YOM3GDRgVeXHtWlC7ViNkxPWFx6zwxtQpHa9J87RiP-2D1EybwVZS5Lr_qiOCRIr2Dh4sN4yxxT8FSuA3mtTo2G_TpoNC-6VB5i7pp6tVB6BJncmh9bvPUPEmN-E/s3088/IMG_8851.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br />It just so happened that Lena had checked out Abraham Verghese's newest novel: </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3YrwfuJ" style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;" target="_blank">The Covenant of Water</a><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">, which is set in the St. Thomas Christian community in South India. I read as much as I could at night. Can't wait to have my own copy when it's in paperback. He's one of my favorite authors.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">It was a lovely trip to Chicago, to spend time with my parents, and made better because I got to spend some time with Max and his friends too. I am so grateful Christ is the center of their lives. I leave you with the serene photos of the swans and their babies, this field of flowers.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli3wh2YADSivxGRpQUPLk3xQmfftkdITKI6msxiKTkcVa7zm0zV4GWNFb3YpFbhGrRbuTmS_EUiJlxLwIqU4tVvjZXAK8g0Y_BG_pvdX7DFcTnflkOIFBuAzgxkAPItUwibiQ3XRudriAq06qTbqTyYSN825-1NyGOzc5OfUDbfuRaVbe45NIkf1b12g/s4032/IMG_8871.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli3wh2YADSivxGRpQUPLk3xQmfftkdITKI6msxiKTkcVa7zm0zV4GWNFb3YpFbhGrRbuTmS_EUiJlxLwIqU4tVvjZXAK8g0Y_BG_pvdX7DFcTnflkOIFBuAzgxkAPItUwibiQ3XRudriAq06qTbqTyYSN825-1NyGOzc5OfUDbfuRaVbe45NIkf1b12g/s320/IMG_8871.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcMo5ztdRUV0JTlNYMAsLqm_4mRooiMzAMtCHbePEWjGYe0Jm17UmaMDdYtwq0EHoDUs4gyXloEoDOKNT0SUG8G4MrwdUDZ1dfCtEevAL5bM84bhUn5mFFQVRKbZsUyvH_dM3ml1vXIkVMrxQYmC0NDAQnorYZyLGV9D2kdZOE8IyA_6xcZhpiQR2SCU/s4032/IMG_8858.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcMo5ztdRUV0JTlNYMAsLqm_4mRooiMzAMtCHbePEWjGYe0Jm17UmaMDdYtwq0EHoDUs4gyXloEoDOKNT0SUG8G4MrwdUDZ1dfCtEevAL5bM84bhUn5mFFQVRKbZsUyvH_dM3ml1vXIkVMrxQYmC0NDAQnorYZyLGV9D2kdZOE8IyA_6xcZhpiQR2SCU/s320/IMG_8858.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpCLKzafgwsEH3m_KoyElx8NNa1CousfFYWr66tXFvKQmzQoM9ibPnCZ5bsP8NgyFxKLNGoxYRg--XjHSgb7QJWXOOTUAln63SkHOdAn1MzLVuolhBoxeP9fZJGhlMe972D42XLkzRVCxHv9amBD1bsJpxxt6KDqamQm1IHDmMGOD2RD5y1k6nENaL4Y/s4032/IMG_8875.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpCLKzafgwsEH3m_KoyElx8NNa1CousfFYWr66tXFvKQmzQoM9ibPnCZ5bsP8NgyFxKLNGoxYRg--XjHSgb7QJWXOOTUAln63SkHOdAn1MzLVuolhBoxeP9fZJGhlMe972D42XLkzRVCxHv9amBD1bsJpxxt6KDqamQm1IHDmMGOD2RD5y1k6nENaL4Y/s320/IMG_8875.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-17667762912728090602023-07-26T16:31:00.002-04:002023-07-26T16:31:49.607-04:00Lowcountry Summer<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yWfm5qn6gc2PZzDdZ8nGNc9u7UUoR53lBT7da6gWPDVFtVP-frMd1QwPRRvMiG4Fqkocw-WHVd1nJWzbSV4VT4OQ1P-sVEC2L_1ryTdwrbnM8dc1UK_frUFcxyTuIkEL2nCzeq15mbD-tsNQwpUrkb4giFgRRVKaH5QF6qufkM_nu7Vb-Ry-jm1A57w/s4032/IMG_8677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yWfm5qn6gc2PZzDdZ8nGNc9u7UUoR53lBT7da6gWPDVFtVP-frMd1QwPRRvMiG4Fqkocw-WHVd1nJWzbSV4VT4OQ1P-sVEC2L_1ryTdwrbnM8dc1UK_frUFcxyTuIkEL2nCzeq15mbD-tsNQwpUrkb4giFgRRVKaH5QF6qufkM_nu7Vb-Ry-jm1A57w/w300-h400/IMG_8677.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I love summer and all the gifts of nature--from land and sea and sky. The back porch affords a lot of entertainment. Across the marsh, there's a hollow and we've been watching a mama raccoon and her two babies. It's very hard to see the babies--they peek out and she pushes them back in. Dagny showed me a trick to get pictures through the binoculars. Fun to have her visit. I love having adult children and dream of our future.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANreOP6o4mUO_m9GCPr2ngMZCBUI4aYOG45TeoEEUYeYeAveHbIRWysEZQJuw0ba1M-tj_Fjntcu8ggKQPtzd0Tdn3V2OYNviZLUXXzdSYF2imc23ZLKq221Es7E1jul63s-tFvH3oD4d-UWiUcMKr4y0FhBOsc9bDP0IAwVajcyrkp67CEzr7LLolog/s4032/IMG_8683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANreOP6o4mUO_m9GCPr2ngMZCBUI4aYOG45TeoEEUYeYeAveHbIRWysEZQJuw0ba1M-tj_Fjntcu8ggKQPtzd0Tdn3V2OYNviZLUXXzdSYF2imc23ZLKq221Es7E1jul63s-tFvH3oD4d-UWiUcMKr4y0FhBOsc9bDP0IAwVajcyrkp67CEzr7LLolog/s320/IMG_8683.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0I8cXveY9r7Vwa8ijON-IYsuwIe5Oj3eSnMcUKgjODCjlQOLc3iNqU3qWEUVW91HxsKXMCEucOR7rYczL3K5T5xPY2va0CrsL0OURiHDYyqYralZJZhdKf7z2vHRI02hm_yKpGPOEJ_1ALnip5Q0bAoEgmptlXZty5eSq_qd8f9tWEhdvTJ5Qoo6ZO4k/s4032/IMG_8701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0I8cXveY9r7Vwa8ijON-IYsuwIe5Oj3eSnMcUKgjODCjlQOLc3iNqU3qWEUVW91HxsKXMCEucOR7rYczL3K5T5xPY2va0CrsL0OURiHDYyqYralZJZhdKf7z2vHRI02hm_yKpGPOEJ_1ALnip5Q0bAoEgmptlXZty5eSq_qd8f9tWEhdvTJ5Qoo6ZO4k/s320/IMG_8701.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love that Dagny can appreciate her father's beer and he can appreciate the spirits she makes. She routinely asks about gardening. Love that we get to eat so much fresh produce. I'm constantly snacking on the cherry tomatoes. And if Michael picks just one ladyfinger, I can't help but eat it right away. They are delicious raw, cooked, pickled. Soon we'll have many ready for picking all at once. The eggplant is from my sister's seeds I brought home from Texas last summer. So fun.</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhoYm1bPT2UvlDHKvyjQsjYXLru_zIR9eyG6mrvFQccR29H8b3cXS846D3C3UqoAM7EFUp4uoi4_zLiA5nXpptv2jjZ0NdvKQ_M70HE4XWwHCOLdku4sjr0fBzlKK2lJ5nTC3adwnukuesNAJBzcyq9iuqiOjlYMM2lf7tCE5gAhkDlWmWK7e4Y1WOHg/s2592/P1063354.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1460" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhoYm1bPT2UvlDHKvyjQsjYXLru_zIR9eyG6mrvFQccR29H8b3cXS846D3C3UqoAM7EFUp4uoi4_zLiA5nXpptv2jjZ0NdvKQ_M70HE4XWwHCOLdku4sjr0fBzlKK2lJ5nTC3adwnukuesNAJBzcyq9iuqiOjlYMM2lf7tCE5gAhkDlWmWK7e4Y1WOHg/s320/P1063354.HEIC" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvU1JJDBvGA0Z_yJMP-Hj9_XYujvR5gdOTWyplIYin8LeTWbbG6hOYwLR32T9FSPXNMULozIVEKBBEdwpzL8oFHxLVaF4638_-8IUxXWicB7vvAOOnck0wn4ZrGLTs0C9e-8burk7l6AVqokdim6tIh81VcQMGkr0QthBEZJXF8Pu-gSy_rzBVCOqyA4/s4032/IMG_8619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKmS4r1KOq62caXhF6Sdv3rK-D5te66PI46-xfYCmjDUv5dPASVoxFYJ7wj0Q-QlD6MDxmoDa3EpqiVZsD-iO6AXCf__V0_XRN0A-m660UeMkzxnxFb2zPGsB4UnW195BLTegTGurpCjNuGflZWA6SfzjaJy7j6mDUUCsNAGIUZHxnPmsm1jSfT5PlQo/s320/IMG_9018.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-Z1cxog74peImLudcdWlEuv43EL8FoexuBgdFvxr6VxAVvs9YrWk9KNPhpKFgmOhnArfb3dMA-xFItl7Y0ro0l_05h4vKGwwVSCF0jPyxZJOxX7TxyX_nPbuMehV2ZrPydwdXWcF2TlgVd7u21AQhi6O3zKihX0RxpvWgNAw389_Daw26TVL1lPo2-Q/s4032/IMG_9041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-Z1cxog74peImLudcdWlEuv43EL8FoexuBgdFvxr6VxAVvs9YrWk9KNPhpKFgmOhnArfb3dMA-xFItl7Y0ro0l_05h4vKGwwVSCF0jPyxZJOxX7TxyX_nPbuMehV2ZrPydwdXWcF2TlgVd7u21AQhi6O3zKihX0RxpvWgNAw389_Daw26TVL1lPo2-Q/s320/IMG_9041.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">While Michael works hard, the cats and I enjoy a leisurely life reading, writing, housekeeping, and praying. I still have to pinch myself every time I walk over to St. Clare for Mass or Adoration--how beautiful it is to have this life here right now. My heart knew I was home when we moved here twelve years ago. Here is what the children remember best; here is where their home is. Dagny is rooted here, and I know Max will eventually work his way down here too.</span> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhmbE4LRa7XXUHdK-REZEH255h66f_NcymEB1xfUUDlPOaTw3g5PoQDqiNQgXgw_EhBXIluh4r4UU0-5fELOW9UAHKQXOrrseA1LBfMTlqnyUKjbCgTiYlECHPg6L9B52eBR634tD2TI9HZqgwGcL5Tvz-p9wWnisoVmnfWVmTwsCIOEVIB3udgj95go/s4032/IMG_8660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhmbE4LRa7XXUHdK-REZEH255h66f_NcymEB1xfUUDlPOaTw3g5PoQDqiNQgXgw_EhBXIluh4r4UU0-5fELOW9UAHKQXOrrseA1LBfMTlqnyUKjbCgTiYlECHPg6L9B52eBR634tD2TI9HZqgwGcL5Tvz-p9wWnisoVmnfWVmTwsCIOEVIB3udgj95go/s320/IMG_8660.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4pN7lKio6QZI9v7IpaPKv4tCbg8l5irZaU3d25PJjWfoSzoMcJDBnfRR5XuJf-roarajF41MU1_QWi38Hz1H3WDusMOr3dEn8ZO9fA3zQWirhQXHIsqT0f2wNLuAj-a3DgSPfUCutd9UjpD81OgN2mHLie6PM2NMMfUmI5gv84BB07d-4YMabkLY8Ts/s4032/IMG_8972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4pN7lKio6QZI9v7IpaPKv4tCbg8l5irZaU3d25PJjWfoSzoMcJDBnfRR5XuJf-roarajF41MU1_QWi38Hz1H3WDusMOr3dEn8ZO9fA3zQWirhQXHIsqT0f2wNLuAj-a3DgSPfUCutd9UjpD81OgN2mHLie6PM2NMMfUmI5gv84BB07d-4YMabkLY8Ts/w200-h150/IMG_8972.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaGl4XylegP4Zpl1c0AcAmipzjuchBtLhHdenjUnf9JBZ7sMWFC3c61ClpbwAN_q_wbvJ-QcqaJhG7gVeQU4988wfspm0eHoL-kUINV1y755dv7R9S2iGTVx4t0-nlMZkyfzw83ryx50OHCLFilHbf95JWbUWsyg_Es6r5qM53_yAWHaUbJGSNwsn_1o/s4032/70924246791__2857F2B9-8680-4634-B1CD-488AEACDFF04.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaGl4XylegP4Zpl1c0AcAmipzjuchBtLhHdenjUnf9JBZ7sMWFC3c61ClpbwAN_q_wbvJ-QcqaJhG7gVeQU4988wfspm0eHoL-kUINV1y755dv7R9S2iGTVx4t0-nlMZkyfzw83ryx50OHCLFilHbf95JWbUWsyg_Es6r5qM53_yAWHaUbJGSNwsn_1o/s320/70924246791__2857F2B9-8680-4634-B1CD-488AEACDFF04.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_2LKTLBR471vvrQRSIfxrbJqWPQyrrWkHA9uegoZIr8O74MiOmKDenbQqVVno7T_khMiX-sfXymXaPQNtIbPURLpc0LTFo9Wa1nKSp9DJZtlKWKqkTwkM6ivOdzY2UYEBHK5RMQsJTHs4_liUBGeEg4fwYfH-YsS4phoQ_xnxe4I_VQlSla_tp86dqc/s4032/IMG_8912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_2LKTLBR471vvrQRSIfxrbJqWPQyrrWkHA9uegoZIr8O74MiOmKDenbQqVVno7T_khMiX-sfXymXaPQNtIbPURLpc0LTFo9Wa1nKSp9DJZtlKWKqkTwkM6ivOdzY2UYEBHK5RMQsJTHs4_liUBGeEg4fwYfH-YsS4phoQ_xnxe4I_VQlSla_tp86dqc/s320/IMG_8912.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArZY9gMRcrBwBis-WGyeQRT6EVfxHn8hvi8-WHgdDOjVkw-3JQ8FtKg96QRm3ZWlzGM1gwz_J3rRrObL_Ku7iFXLw8lC8pCox2Fhdat84R9Ba2YMSVoyqe1peaPVBuEWqiUhiCLYxkHHUmqNy5PRgDX_pClFz6tIPsEmg2ET0WsE0mkWDQPNeGN3WPKs/s4032/IMG_8913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArZY9gMRcrBwBis-WGyeQRT6EVfxHn8hvi8-WHgdDOjVkw-3JQ8FtKg96QRm3ZWlzGM1gwz_J3rRrObL_Ku7iFXLw8lC8pCox2Fhdat84R9Ba2YMSVoyqe1peaPVBuEWqiUhiCLYxkHHUmqNy5PRgDX_pClFz6tIPsEmg2ET0WsE0mkWDQPNeGN3WPKs/s320/IMG_8913.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUXnT0__HimZVP7Ev8oUcGqX10mFEvi_C97TRatz76NQN95wfCen9iYoCpq1gjU4kiKFm7jah0_xDIPDcrKKWJUGX90mJwGuMPVbYVJI_Js1SzWiPlOZSgJ9D89j11gfCBsN4TQlcEwzGqlw4ratIBSErzBOu2XJjQeTl90wZIoaIgJODC1yZBlSpMD8/s4032/IMG_8251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUXnT0__HimZVP7Ev8oUcGqX10mFEvi_C97TRatz76NQN95wfCen9iYoCpq1gjU4kiKFm7jah0_xDIPDcrKKWJUGX90mJwGuMPVbYVJI_Js1SzWiPlOZSgJ9D89j11gfCBsN4TQlcEwzGqlw4ratIBSErzBOu2XJjQeTl90wZIoaIgJODC1yZBlSpMD8/s320/IMG_8251.JPG" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I don't usually have my phone with me on my daily walks to the church or library, so am writing this to remember: eating fresh figs, a baby alligator in the pond looking very cute with his smiley mouth and stripes, a mother deer bounding away, her two fawns right behind her, and getting caught in a pop-up storm. How refreshing! I'm actually writing this in my wet clothes because it's so cooling. Reminds me of the monsoons in India. I've been asked several times by my neighbors why I walk in this heat; it's hard for them to understand how much I enjoy it and with a bottle of water, I remain hydrated. Of course, I sweat rivers but if I only stays indoors, I'd miss so much beauty.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">With regular choir practice on hold during the summer, we've been going to the beach in the evenings. We miss our practices so have choir come over for an evening for supper and to sing our favorites--<a href="https://youtu.be/Qa8yWjO2rU8" target="_blank">non nobis Domine</a> (an oldie) and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP1guzlvSvo" target="_blank">O Holy Jesus</a> (A Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester). How's your summer going? What treasures will you share?</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5dYwRAHqgtHI2W_iKcUz4Jc8huGEmktLQ3vgQN9BYpfz3k1lJyh5Uo0RS9t6ApzaoBh2XlNZ-vhOdXcHAOE0N1nAG1M70mbuzLDyD-qEgcBAM8lNd72AngsE4QbfJI-t2cykYeMPZYrdsfUlXDbBusHTNnNPcyz3CvC_znQ_l7SVXsS6Q6a4D9fx0wY/s4032/IMG_8953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5dYwRAHqgtHI2W_iKcUz4Jc8huGEmktLQ3vgQN9BYpfz3k1lJyh5Uo0RS9t6ApzaoBh2XlNZ-vhOdXcHAOE0N1nAG1M70mbuzLDyD-qEgcBAM8lNd72AngsE4QbfJI-t2cykYeMPZYrdsfUlXDbBusHTNnNPcyz3CvC_znQ_l7SVXsS6Q6a4D9fx0wY/s320/IMG_8953.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83EaL7Fd7XhOkyVKUEi_ZiaXnF667Qb0ZNrJnzYPfO6RDAWl1ObM9kFJ0NCy7S8i0m9gxooDzovYeeakvesPWSSWe_I7fdmvqjE9F8O8l88Hh26s1qHiiiYA6E93TQNkwJLPaGuGtWvN11fPMrSATOOurI8o2TlTZY4sTUbqVCu5KiBUP8ShEYmGGLpk/s4032/IMG_8985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLgCiwy3gGzunMA-if1Df4_l4txe1yU9Cu6d1t08gR1Kv_Qzpai6Srq2_OtniB55v5Yn91rOOfgW4z-vO4s6HDalZ8TYWtJ1C3nH7pb9ykFXTEYgfC_EDFWDKsJPnxTTbt-hESqFTzVOHYrMjs4g5i8KFYx339s_fSK02pivn4e6UZYdmNofdvTuo7lo/s4032/IMG_9007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLgCiwy3gGzunMA-if1Df4_l4txe1yU9Cu6d1t08gR1Kv_Qzpai6Srq2_OtniB55v5Yn91rOOfgW4z-vO4s6HDalZ8TYWtJ1C3nH7pb9ykFXTEYgfC_EDFWDKsJPnxTTbt-hESqFTzVOHYrMjs4g5i8KFYx339s_fSK02pivn4e6UZYdmNofdvTuo7lo/s320/IMG_9007.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79E1g-PAeLhFGvXq7fxXURoTsUjFbZ6C4uCQNCfWfMslfTqjvF-0j7gAdF3kT3qc8ctAUKz3clUeay6hEiMDdlnbi88lEYZOFFROGS4teQraWXlGQlY1ARItQ1rbHVra9O3idoM96e3eUDQtlO4MfxWSyzzuI3I4CuyWimAh_suztlK0VUpp6Q9okM38/s4032/IMG_8977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79E1g-PAeLhFGvXq7fxXURoTsUjFbZ6C4uCQNCfWfMslfTqjvF-0j7gAdF3kT3qc8ctAUKz3clUeay6hEiMDdlnbi88lEYZOFFROGS4teQraWXlGQlY1ARItQ1rbHVra9O3idoM96e3eUDQtlO4MfxWSyzzuI3I4CuyWimAh_suztlK0VUpp6Q9okM38/s320/IMG_8977.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenSTf7nEFaWH20EJcUoGxK7xCKPhEvPOiMXlMQiFCxaujWUUz409vgc2U0FpMWGWXEuMQB9msGRC959E8s1jB9bLE32N9k1kMSwo3qecZiMinpJrMqwbgARnnv_gcT0hQAmz-8WOMjlYngV1FcelHkhg873qEx9VGup_yxtbjVqOyAsZ7hyyXVBOUxd4/s4032/IMG_8988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenSTf7nEFaWH20EJcUoGxK7xCKPhEvPOiMXlMQiFCxaujWUUz409vgc2U0FpMWGWXEuMQB9msGRC959E8s1jB9bLE32N9k1kMSwo3qecZiMinpJrMqwbgARnnv_gcT0hQAmz-8WOMjlYngV1FcelHkhg873qEx9VGup_yxtbjVqOyAsZ7hyyXVBOUxd4/s320/IMG_8988.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-81158740040806435352023-07-11T20:14:00.002-04:002023-07-14T12:10:02.126-04:00Sound of Freedom<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRNu6SXHvnAix6lWVWnL9-9XcjlsPYLB6GZAq8krwh2xdO-oWmLCu5v9XglG0ZN0qaVZzRJ6vsIlyqVfTo2guim8VtrO-Oa2a6sqHJGgd9-VNon2Rh_Q4aTXknIJXAOCrJePIULuKVWqFmljrHCuGUx-_dVC4xjGzgGF_ESGvonS2A42P6CNskVPb3cQ/s790/soundoffreedom-movie.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="790" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRNu6SXHvnAix6lWVWnL9-9XcjlsPYLB6GZAq8krwh2xdO-oWmLCu5v9XglG0ZN0qaVZzRJ6vsIlyqVfTo2guim8VtrO-Oa2a6sqHJGgd9-VNon2Rh_Q4aTXknIJXAOCrJePIULuKVWqFmljrHCuGUx-_dVC4xjGzgGF_ESGvonS2A42P6CNskVPb3cQ/w400-h350/soundoffreedom-movie.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I can't say enough good things about this movie: <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7599146/" target="_blank">Sound of Freedom</a>. It is so well-done. At first, I was nervous about watching a film about child-sex-trafficking because what if it were too graphic and I couldn't unsee those disturbing images, so Michael went to see it by himself while I was visiting my parents in Chicago. I love this about him--he does everything in his power to protect me. Yesterday evening we went together to watch it. What a story! I urge you all to go see it because it is such a powerful story of courage and sacrifice. When God calls you to do something, you have to do it. In the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary--Jesus presented at the Temple--we pray for the virtue of obedience no matter what the cost, but how many of us do? I am ashamed to say that deep down I'm a coward. Fear has always been my nemesis. It's something I strive to fight but it doesn't come easily. The only proper fear should be fear of the Lord.</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zSPeTW0wADCn5Q-Aqg9e-bvFv34eKJxWGmZ024KkLpY0LMKiXOhbzsDV1H1dLJuiN_DdJkl47D7hT4J-Y_2v2KOezIw3Cr3XgK6i_UVpUgzcO0EwpP5ofjbUvsglBZiPlxdgdS0tM9Mcjzv64yv-efYbax7Q4-J8yvnIvxbEfrV4JP-lKfINlifJ_Z4/s403/4th%20joyful%20mystery%20presentation.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="236" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zSPeTW0wADCn5Q-Aqg9e-bvFv34eKJxWGmZ024KkLpY0LMKiXOhbzsDV1H1dLJuiN_DdJkl47D7hT4J-Y_2v2KOezIw3Cr3XgK6i_UVpUgzcO0EwpP5ofjbUvsglBZiPlxdgdS0tM9Mcjzv64yv-efYbax7Q4-J8yvnIvxbEfrV4JP-lKfINlifJ_Z4/w234-h400/4th%20joyful%20mystery%20presentation.jpg" width="234" /></span></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The story focuses on two Honduran children--a little girl and her littler brother--who are offered a photo-shoot for modeling. It's just a ruse but the father brings them. He's told to pick them up at 7 pm. You just want to tell this father, "No, No, Don't. Leave. Them." You can imagine his horror at discovering that there are no more children when he comes to collect them. </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Enter Tim Ballard, who works for the Dept. of Homeland Security catching pedophiles but when a colleague asks him how many kids he has returned home, he finds a new direction. He's a father himself. Months away from being vested in his pension, with his wife's encouragement, he quits his job at DHS to save the children.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Of course, the movie is dramatic given that these children's lives are in peril and so also Tim's and his team's who are helping them become free. I really loved what Tim says to one of the guys he's trying to recruit. Forget about the 50. How about just one? It's what Mother Teresa often said--you don't have to save all the children. Just one child. And spoiler: I'm happy to tell you that they rescued over 50 children.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">You can read more about the movie, what's real, what's made up here <a href="https://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/sound-of-freedom/">Sound of Freedom vs. the True Story of Tim Ballard (historyvshollywood.com)</a> and be assured that there will be no horrifying scenes of child-sex abuse. But you will see beautiful performances by all, the suspense palpable. You want so much for Tim to be able to pull this off; you know there are no second chances. It's a good study for writing about difficult subjects too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I can't remember all the statistics, but child-sex-business is over a $150 billion dollar industry and we in these United States are the largest consumer. We have to end this demand that sexualizes children. Preserve and protect their innocence. That's what real men do--they protect the weaker members of society. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The ending shot is the same as the opening--a little girl slapping a drum and singing, and although we are relieved she's at home again, we know she's not the same. Nor her little brother. Their innocence was stolen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3Xty4hFzTiLAe_BWU7Ancxh4aCSjgl4Qrs-mEg0oj3PSPhl15yE9mbRqqdoTWkZPgdx3-whaVt_xmSVfkntLhmVnL9Zj5xKitEhVNusN1bDDw1yAcEZt_RyzqUr6-wKOzW5Jg89RJMDqqR_iAwqzv5cD8RU_-R9b0XJ8_M00MDmXT2HvuSPQSAct11o/s4032/IMG_8942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3Xty4hFzTiLAe_BWU7Ancxh4aCSjgl4Qrs-mEg0oj3PSPhl15yE9mbRqqdoTWkZPgdx3-whaVt_xmSVfkntLhmVnL9Zj5xKitEhVNusN1bDDw1yAcEZt_RyzqUr6-wKOzW5Jg89RJMDqqR_iAwqzv5cD8RU_-R9b0XJ8_M00MDmXT2HvuSPQSAct11o/s320/IMG_8942.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">After I wrote this I came across a message from our Lord Jesus to a seer: </span><a href="https://www.countdowntothekingdom.com/jennifer-the-world-has-entered-the-time-of-warning/">Jennifer - The World Has Entered the Time of Warning – Countdown to the Kingdom</a><p></p><p style="background-color: #fbf9f5; border: 0px; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; margin: 1em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My child, I come to you now with great urgency, for the world has entered into the time of warning. I do not speak of the time of My visitation, rather this is a time of warning that will usher in the period when all of humanity will be brought to its knees to see their souls as I see them. My child, those who fail to recognize this time — when evil is seeking to elevate itself, yet is being simultaneously pierced by the light of truth—will find themselves like the foolish virgins. I tell My children with great urgency that it is time to repent. It is time to recognize the hour you are living in.</em></strong></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p style="background-color: #fbf9f5; border: 0px; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; margin: 1em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I am a God of repetition. Mankind must turn away from evil and defend the truth. Those who turn away in ignorance will be as those who failed to heed the warnings of Noah. I say to My people: defend and protect my little ones. As I have warned before, the blood of the innocent is upon the world because too many have failed to defend and protect them. Woe to those who seek to harm My children in their sinful lust. Woe to those who seek to manipulate My Creation, My plan. It is time, my children, to come to the fountain of My mercy. Those who fail to seek the ocean of My mercy will come to the harbor of My justice. Turn away turn away from darkness and seek the light, for I am Jesus and My mercy and justice will prevail.</em></strong></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2m3JHciXGN9o-gawdMdLedoguXW7vD9evpqIfj5DR_Za2LXlQYAWwQOQE3R8y4BYb7Krtep6rs8fGOyA4iNvHegaFm0NrRiHhlyXjPQCDH4jdfn7x5_98qViXcHnLY8ux7bRxdSYIzVGB5ITUdco8vnP918IKNic2QGdWqcocdN1Ge74gn_6fvnzh7d8/s1147/repent_beleive2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="1147" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2m3JHciXGN9o-gawdMdLedoguXW7vD9evpqIfj5DR_Za2LXlQYAWwQOQE3R8y4BYb7Krtep6rs8fGOyA4iNvHegaFm0NrRiHhlyXjPQCDH4jdfn7x5_98qViXcHnLY8ux7bRxdSYIzVGB5ITUdco8vnP918IKNic2QGdWqcocdN1Ge74gn_6fvnzh7d8/s320/repent_beleive2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We are told to not despise the words of prophets, but to test everything; hold fast to what is good... (1 Thess 5:20-21). Truly, now is the acceptable time. Repent and believe in the Gospel (Mark 1:15).</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-66205793582873074372023-06-12T19:06:00.001-04:002023-06-12T19:06:30.236-04:00Christmas in June<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJobn9M8m3vPgYbbMjwtWJcqII99jWgPCWbcQKHK5UH8KahjxL1fwYhoKFqsDp2-UMjbIxQsLuOn2DpnLLPkpzniRwyaF-6aQxwTa1DZxFOKeuUTlsoxu3bwRV3F8eUwaTVVVTwGTe5jRyw2uYRNW-KLd0q82FNzO3YKKvJzbtSWGtj4G5NBGUt0o/s4032/IMG_8552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJobn9M8m3vPgYbbMjwtWJcqII99jWgPCWbcQKHK5UH8KahjxL1fwYhoKFqsDp2-UMjbIxQsLuOn2DpnLLPkpzniRwyaF-6aQxwTa1DZxFOKeuUTlsoxu3bwRV3F8eUwaTVVVTwGTe5jRyw2uYRNW-KLd0q82FNzO3YKKvJzbtSWGtj4G5NBGUt0o/w400-h300/IMG_8552.JPG" width="400" /></a></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If you think I'm going to read my way into heaven, you're right :) All these are from <a href="https://sophiainstitute.com/" target="_blank">Sophia Institute Press</a>. I have another box coming from <a href="https://tanbooks.com/" target="_blank">Tan Books</a>! I'm such a glutton for books and I feel a mite guilty given that Michael and I just began <a href="https://amzn.to/3oRGqvz" target="_blank">Imitation of Christ</a> as our morning read-aloud and the first meditation states: "Indeed it is not learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to God... Vanity of vanities and all is vanity."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I console myself by remembering that I'm helping spread the word on good Catholic books, that I will give many of these away after I've read them (and try not to scribble in them) but yeah, guilty as charged. It's all vanity. But God is so good! I get to sit out on my screened in back porch and read in the evenings and watch glorious sunsets. What an Artist! Deo gratias!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oY8jZFHN9CmdIKiVAIu1GkobPsqp_49mP3nuo4Ci-nc4calwBG-AIDntfRtHUoNfX8RK6JWRwOM_w5q4uEdgVcgaeTTC4KSGuF6mGA-AQQE7BLVN_V-HYVJVl01-H-hiMhHseirhSntSHgaP_iz7ik_E0whhxJIPOnu5nQCtfHsjNiH7y8cyr_54/s4032/IMG_8463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oY8jZFHN9CmdIKiVAIu1GkobPsqp_49mP3nuo4Ci-nc4calwBG-AIDntfRtHUoNfX8RK6JWRwOM_w5q4uEdgVcgaeTTC4KSGuF6mGA-AQQE7BLVN_V-HYVJVl01-H-hiMhHseirhSntSHgaP_iz7ik_E0whhxJIPOnu5nQCtfHsjNiH7y8cyr_54/w640-h480/IMG_8463.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><p></p>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-20277137401726494512023-06-08T22:52:00.002-04:002023-06-22T15:59:08.690-04:00Strawberries and the Sacred Heart<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis57_fLKH91Bq6cELSY55HibOHtNsPdylnsLMQ2yuNTOiXoXxQRcLzpWzL550Ly2DV3xVcQ0NvYOUmsCO_1_9Sr2WYcOhwmpZFKz0QEX5VGiG3RAcoLtcwre7VE5hIkpdYk1ZCfiD-WGpeqDc7WAeiGpZyJ977dI5uQL9hahIm1aB2oKlWOo6RMf-E/s1276/Sacred_Heart_Holy_Card%5B1%5D.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="870" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis57_fLKH91Bq6cELSY55HibOHtNsPdylnsLMQ2yuNTOiXoXxQRcLzpWzL550Ly2DV3xVcQ0NvYOUmsCO_1_9Sr2WYcOhwmpZFKz0QEX5VGiG3RAcoLtcwre7VE5hIkpdYk1ZCfiD-WGpeqDc7WAeiGpZyJ977dI5uQL9hahIm1aB2oKlWOo6RMf-E/w436-h640/Sacred_Heart_Holy_Card%5B1%5D.jpg" width="436" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">June, the month of strawberries and rhubarb, is also the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I've written many times about it-- </span><a href="https://vijayabodach.blogspot.com/2021/06/june-is-month-of-sacred-heart.html">Vijaya Bodach: June is the Month of the Sacred Heart</a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> and </span><a href="https://vijayabodach.blogspot.com/2019/06/feast-of-corpus-christi.html">Vijaya Bodach: Feast of Corpus Christi</a> <span style="font-size: large;">and </span><a href="https://vijayabodach.blogspot.com/2015/06/feasts-days.html">Vijaya Bodach: Feast Days</a> <span style="font-size: large;">--</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">because I'm still trying to fathom the depths of our Savior's love for us poor sinners. I think I'll never know because my own heart is so poor. And I'm about to exhibit my poverty. I'm finding it very difficult to love the sinner but hate the sin. In the past few years the culture is hell-bent on celebrating sin, especially the deadliest--pride. And the more you look at pride month, the more you see demon. Let us remember that it is pride that changed angels into demons. This server would not let me upload a picture showing it. Funny how that works. Not really. But here's something that's truly funny:</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://ecclesandbosco.blogspot.com/2023/06/its-wrath-pride.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Eccles is saved: It's WRATH Pride! (ecclesandbosco.blogspot.com)</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Speaking of demons, we saw </span><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14537248/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_nefarious" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Nefarious</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">. Talk about truth bombs coming from a demon. Really well done; only two scenes were really difficult to watch but not at all gratuitous. It's really a conversation between the demon and the psychiatrist who's an atheist, more along the lines of </span><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082783/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_my%2520dinner%2520with%2520" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">My Dinner with Andre </a><span style="font-family: georgia;">or </span><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1510938/" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Sunset Limited</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">. What struck me was the progression of evil; the starting point is often parents not baptizing their children and well-meaning people inadvertently opening the door to the demonic by giving children toys like Ouija boards. Michael remembers getting one as a kid. They played only a few times but it didn't hold their interest. Thanks be to God. Still he was completely unprotected until his conversion, when he was baptized. I wish he would write his testimony. It would give parents much hope for their adult children who are far from the Lord, because truly, nothing is impossible for Him. Indeed, with God's grace, even middle-aged people can change, choose virtue over vice. Deo gratias! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yrLNoLv3kBDgNHZ3mRtRcpuRsE8uR-i57PyxHk9r3cmHYnTHBKvzrGvB1JuEipRCHYFMBWKv_KeCCEiXDrH3kGMHd8xGu3gWvIserz1hcSzvJDMqIEP0HU4F_P67NWadNm6zz_7sCSxypo0WEApUD0ZPi-VlrwbcV5ByK0VRUgn5YZpIlYC_XLdl/s4032/IMG_8500.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yrLNoLv3kBDgNHZ3mRtRcpuRsE8uR-i57PyxHk9r3cmHYnTHBKvzrGvB1JuEipRCHYFMBWKv_KeCCEiXDrH3kGMHd8xGu3gWvIserz1hcSzvJDMqIEP0HU4F_P67NWadNm6zz_7sCSxypo0WEApUD0ZPi-VlrwbcV5ByK0VRUgn5YZpIlYC_XLdl/w400-h300/IMG_8500.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Today is the Feast of Corpus Christi; we had a beautiful High Mass followed by a procession and benediction. Deacon Ludlam gave an outstanding homily on both marriage and the Eucharist. Marriage is the closest analogy for what is occurring in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Our Lord instituted the Eucharist because He loves us so much, He wanted to give us Himself--His most Holy Body and Blood--in a real, physical, tangible way.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It's only in the last year that I began praying this beautiful prayer regularly. I first saw it in a Padre Pio prayer book; it was his favorite way to pray for all the people who asked him to pray for them. This is a wonderful novena to begin tonight and end of the Feast of the Sacred Heart next Friday.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi4W6vrSLjQriYiO_yRyEUl6I-zD_SQOxLSxEcgngJRwYxyhdmh0f_TCbCdBic8kpxnhbWpKLQSpTGazkIJU25CBz9JnLLYW3MoNwMS3YN7diN2JBM380ZO16yK4Sx-L3Jvaj9OaXwNYJthGrjBjLGDw0b_4e6QF0V6yPHh0dHY3V15WRoUjZYHzb/s2000/Sacred%20Heart%20Novena.webp" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi4W6vrSLjQriYiO_yRyEUl6I-zD_SQOxLSxEcgngJRwYxyhdmh0f_TCbCdBic8kpxnhbWpKLQSpTGazkIJU25CBz9JnLLYW3MoNwMS3YN7diN2JBM380ZO16yK4Sx-L3Jvaj9OaXwNYJthGrjBjLGDw0b_4e6QF0V6yPHh0dHY3V15WRoUjZYHzb/w640-h400/Sacred%20Heart%20Novena.webp" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-75490533232665903982023-05-22T18:29:00.001-04:002023-05-22T18:29:48.453-04:00BOUND is Heavily Discounted<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_17OEg-zKlZcj8TQML7wAAciRJvfCUr9myDaMfQ_Hj5AiXaamj3q96xDH3tO5CSnqhMrHMVrewj0VlIkgH6gWYfgEXARcgSm6Edcuqwi_a6DS7YJFHxpyDMzY4p8x9DNsaVQ7MhFs-HbqnsNhhXmOXEgAFJsFul7CceD8l50fDuIPfKH55Fxo_QRG/s2400/Bound%20Cover_front%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1575" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_17OEg-zKlZcj8TQML7wAAciRJvfCUr9myDaMfQ_Hj5AiXaamj3q96xDH3tO5CSnqhMrHMVrewj0VlIkgH6gWYfgEXARcgSm6Edcuqwi_a6DS7YJFHxpyDMzY4p8x9DNsaVQ7MhFs-HbqnsNhhXmOXEgAFJsFul7CceD8l50fDuIPfKH55Fxo_QRG/s320/Bound%20Cover_front%20cover.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>I don't know what Amazon's doing but <a href="https://amzn.to/3Wugsu4" target="_blank">BOUND</a> is heavily discounted ($6.22 is well below the cost of printing+shipping). So if you've always wanted to read a paperback of BOUND, now's your chance to get a copy or multiple copies--for a friend or perhaps even a book club? <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Over the last two months, I've bought two heavily discounted books and they're only a year old, so I don't know what's going on but I would appreciate it very much if you all could spread the word because I don't know how long this will last. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Of all the books I've written, BOUND remains the one I'm the one most proud of. It is my best work. Thank you for keeping it in print! </span></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-15115920609387011762023-05-18T17:27:00.004-04:002023-05-18T21:17:30.041-04:00Celebrations<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-family: georgia;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnICrL7fkg_fVtIe1cybvpTJkWaJYolDWNDcg262GBtjif19aiDnoLNAEiixfyfaHg_LlZh74fZTvEwlPsrjRUj8Hkjt2t0TSHXI9DvbfyV0QVE5Nh71uUJtK8QRpQuu4eU9ZQ0UharaNka66etwcldsB1ZiophuTENG5C-nP45FAaMRJO0Q2kCta/s581/1435+Egmont%20Breviary_Dutch%20(Utrecht),%201435-1445+New%20York,%20Pierpont%20Morgan%20Library_MS%20M87,%20fol.%20231ra.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="321" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnICrL7fkg_fVtIe1cybvpTJkWaJYolDWNDcg262GBtjif19aiDnoLNAEiixfyfaHg_LlZh74fZTvEwlPsrjRUj8Hkjt2t0TSHXI9DvbfyV0QVE5Nh71uUJtK8QRpQuu4eU9ZQ0UharaNka66etwcldsB1ZiophuTENG5C-nP45FAaMRJO0Q2kCta/w354-h640/1435+Egmont%20Breviary_Dutch%20(Utrecht),%201435-1445+New%20York,%20Pierpont%20Morgan%20Library_MS%20M87,%20fol.%20231ra.jpg" width="354" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #114499; font-family: Cantarell; font-size: 12.672px;">Ascension</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #114499; font-family: Cantarell; font-size: 12.672px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #114499; font-family: Cantarell; font-size: 12.672px;">from the </span><u style="background-color: white; color: #114499; font-family: Cantarell; font-size: 12.672px;"><i>Egmont Breviary</i></u><br style="background-color: white; color: #114499; font-family: Cantarell; font-size: 12.672px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #114499; font-family: Cantarell; font-size: 12.672px;">Dutch (Utrecht), 1435-1445</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Happy Feast of the Ascension!!! Forty days after our Lord's Resurrection, He ascends to heaven and He will return in the same manner! I was looking for pictures and stumbled across </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://imaginemdei.blogspot.com/2017/05/iconography-of-ascension-part-iii-of-iv.html">Ad Imaginem Dei: Iconography of the Ascension, Part III of IV -- The Disappearing Feet</a>. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Can you see the footprints left behind? I don't have a foot fetish (except for babies' feet that I love to nibble on), but what delight to seeing His Feet. We follow in His footsteps and where He is, there I will go! And I want to bring as many people with me as possible :) We begin our novena to the Holy Ghost in preparation for Pentecost!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful </i></span></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;">and kindle in them the fire of your love. </i><i style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;">Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, </i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;"><i>and you shall renew the face of the earth. </i></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;">O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful </i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;"><i>by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation. </i></span><i style="font-family: georgia;">Through Christ our Lord. Amen.</i></span><i style="color: #262626; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I simply cannot get over all the graces that have been pouring down upon us this Easter season. God is so good to us. We have much to celebrate--Dagny's graduation (magna cum laude) from <a href="https://www.avemaria.edu/" target="_blank">Ave Maria University</a>, reunions, birthdays, feast days. The <a href="https://www.avemaria.edu/baccalaureate-mass/" target="_blank">Baccalaureate Mass</a> was so lovely. The bishop reminded us the purpose of Catholic education, which is to declare the Lordship of Christ. Our lives are to be Christ-centered, to let Him reign in our homes, our work, our communities, but especially in our hearts, minds, souls. We are to be light and salt. The world today rejects Christ, thinking Him as a myth. They challenge the Resurrection. But it really happened. The Apostles were startled, but they couldn't deny the truth. They knew Him, they loved Him, and they died for Him, following Him, in imitation of Him. The bishop exhorted us to continue developing our gifts from God, using them in all the spheres of our lives, and to sanctify the world. May God be praised. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcjV4DqN6HJsou3OfJ96-wrzcEmgSqVWLWBMSmrYQUrjnXBW3nLEv_C5x0nuRryJuBzBfrTHAMUt68SuvJEttCFbxTxuaUnVA_N5u-UtN8bhXT_vylWa1YMvKTrUJgXDw2DzqUZaKsvt9BpSSnk2jBUDs2nClJrKNtzYnz-rxJ_BYUBmhXBfxH4kB/s4032/IMG_8066.JPG" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcjV4DqN6HJsou3OfJ96-wrzcEmgSqVWLWBMSmrYQUrjnXBW3nLEv_C5x0nuRryJuBzBfrTHAMUt68SuvJEttCFbxTxuaUnVA_N5u-UtN8bhXT_vylWa1YMvKTrUJgXDw2DzqUZaKsvt9BpSSnk2jBUDs2nClJrKNtzYnz-rxJ_BYUBmhXBfxH4kB/w400-h300/IMG_8066.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I was too far from the Altar but my attention alternated between the Crucifix and and the Tenth Station of the Cross, where Jesus is stripped of His garments. And in the quiet, I remembered <a href="https://www.regnumchristi.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Stations-of-the-Cross-Alphonsus-Liguori.pdf" target="_blank">St. Alphonsus Ligouri's prayer</a>: </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>My innocent Jesus, / by the torment You suffered in being stripped of Your garments,
/ help me to strip myself of all attachment for the things of earth / that I may place all my
love in You who are so worthy of my love. / I love You, O Jesus, with all my heart; / I am
sorry for ever having offended You. / Never let me offend You again. / Grant that I may
love You always; and then do with me as You will. Amen.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Monaghan" target="_blank">Tom Monaghan</a>, the founder of Ave Maria University, gave the closing remark to the kids: Hear Mass as often as you can; pray the rosary daily; go to confession monthly. And if you don't know why, you've wasted four years here. <a href="https://amzn.to/3Wg3Er8" target="_blank">His story</a> is so inspiring.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsg_rZcHt39wK2OMhKflM2mXCH0U2M1PXESe9-a2K8seJg8FUlNXY1uF3KiVpu5Y68ZOQJlTepbiaOAPiCP6tn2aWA26wHCJz1UAHFTOTL7H0Wy_g_ACEl3JJOVAUfl1wmvV4JQqvYG9g39-UBsoyvbxL1BFZvfL-yJtFFPQ2WBI2UN9SHMmcTGI5/s4032/IMG_8076.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsg_rZcHt39wK2OMhKflM2mXCH0U2M1PXESe9-a2K8seJg8FUlNXY1uF3KiVpu5Y68ZOQJlTepbiaOAPiCP6tn2aWA26wHCJz1UAHFTOTL7H0Wy_g_ACEl3JJOVAUfl1wmvV4JQqvYG9g39-UBsoyvbxL1BFZvfL-yJtFFPQ2WBI2UN9SHMmcTGI5/w400-h300/IMG_8076.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyFGEFpXE2Db1e7Ht9ocd4QmzJYGeIsosr-gc1p2M9oc3nNu4YdH7ygj4uy5lJrc7LoFP0JyPbJd43VBiva5m-BGEbCR5FwSgXAUyuAH8173_dvCz5wqiP9F2l7Ss_rhIggukSwXcLcTdas8ESLOcphnaeCnl93zwZpjGQDxpsLVRnbpktdZzFlCA/s4032/IMG_8081.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyFGEFpXE2Db1e7Ht9ocd4QmzJYGeIsosr-gc1p2M9oc3nNu4YdH7ygj4uy5lJrc7LoFP0JyPbJd43VBiva5m-BGEbCR5FwSgXAUyuAH8173_dvCz5wqiP9F2l7Ss_rhIggukSwXcLcTdas8ESLOcphnaeCnl93zwZpjGQDxpsLVRnbpktdZzFlCA/s320/IMG_8081.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6EsMY_aRib9-jHzby8MATNZnFUrv83MF2q2Ggs_a84MLEUmqKrs7oc9ZHZvf-X90_-ijPTC5bN8nmV9FfarDbBMiOR_ISZB02n_g03N7OZmJHzapq4QNCJr1VlcmC45jaVtshG6xQllMgFKQP5FqxE2t6W1Nnhi0E8Xb5PBRyn6ww7PsxnkmjYL1/s4032/IMG_0451.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6EsMY_aRib9-jHzby8MATNZnFUrv83MF2q2Ggs_a84MLEUmqKrs7oc9ZHZvf-X90_-ijPTC5bN8nmV9FfarDbBMiOR_ISZB02n_g03N7OZmJHzapq4QNCJr1VlcmC45jaVtshG6xQllMgFKQP5FqxE2t6W1Nnhi0E8Xb5PBRyn6ww7PsxnkmjYL1/s320/IMG_0451.heic" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoSzcFUOid4FlfU5NbS_HXfv_sAUE-cfVogTdGmMyMo__jlzgD69ii3Lz788mSKtvPS2mihCETyCaehKJ7GOayTSlWTYTZ3BFISN5Sr5X-mA9qy5fsqrXvDA0jboaH14JzQOoRp0HN1CBzLPFqipjKQOoDWHLmDgp0INWMN2NsnCeU3pHMvw0zanj/s4032/IMG_8083.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoSzcFUOid4FlfU5NbS_HXfv_sAUE-cfVogTdGmMyMo__jlzgD69ii3Lz788mSKtvPS2mihCETyCaehKJ7GOayTSlWTYTZ3BFISN5Sr5X-mA9qy5fsqrXvDA0jboaH14JzQOoRp0HN1CBzLPFqipjKQOoDWHLmDgp0INWMN2NsnCeU3pHMvw0zanj/s320/IMG_8083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFfZ1cUpafQI6z4ceJvr0LHE6n2P9EiuddTzRxl32n2_H4-8PLwkzj5DOLA-ANVvrHfoPT7KdQhfTiB8-n0kt6Yyvyp7pVrD5bvkEBkLBgrNMWgsNT_dEIcIsKFGmn5Qa63I0BNbzS7DiSCZpvpYy8aSShQA361uTEX67jti6KHZIzG7KnTFSqkjp/s4032/IMG_8086.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFfZ1cUpafQI6z4ceJvr0LHE6n2P9EiuddTzRxl32n2_H4-8PLwkzj5DOLA-ANVvrHfoPT7KdQhfTiB8-n0kt6Yyvyp7pVrD5bvkEBkLBgrNMWgsNT_dEIcIsKFGmn5Qa63I0BNbzS7DiSCZpvpYy8aSShQA361uTEX67jti6KHZIzG7KnTFSqkjp/s320/IMG_8086.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yZMv3EfFEABdtYROf38kcHCF4zBfzeEvLK4nPES0-vbne20d3HETyFcpODO5HqHIgE0kf5HSFGeXhuxoQIWJQ8O1X-aynUK7U6JayE9oTpgvWS_DPls98pi-LUf7IXmMy4oc4RlCh8GEQPvgUdyLVdwsC594FKpQxOAAH7Ran59vHF0TxthP0xjd/s4032/IMG_8082.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yZMv3EfFEABdtYROf38kcHCF4zBfzeEvLK4nPES0-vbne20d3HETyFcpODO5HqHIgE0kf5HSFGeXhuxoQIWJQ8O1X-aynUK7U6JayE9oTpgvWS_DPls98pi-LUf7IXmMy4oc4RlCh8GEQPvgUdyLVdwsC594FKpQxOAAH7Ran59vHF0TxthP0xjd/s320/IMG_8082.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrgeOHB7VGghOZvPadI4909Iv4M2L5ExRwRUoXIOHahURm2XrBBayY49hDPPGouwJHSrf6FVW3_4PUIcsiPp8TqHYNrcUTTfrcQfWTuRw0qAudZ7fmgh5vSTKdv21Mx3eAQAOKeur-qCVnLTX0QnRr-HnXqsEoTJ1sOhMv5vzrZDY__wthtGjwNuV/s4032/IMG_8087.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrgeOHB7VGghOZvPadI4909Iv4M2L5ExRwRUoXIOHahURm2XrBBayY49hDPPGouwJHSrf6FVW3_4PUIcsiPp8TqHYNrcUTTfrcQfWTuRw0qAudZ7fmgh5vSTKdv21Mx3eAQAOKeur-qCVnLTX0QnRr-HnXqsEoTJ1sOhMv5vzrZDY__wthtGjwNuV/w150-h200/IMG_8087.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kTZX95XIYdh24c_vIl8owbRdemv9fzgcMgB8kjbMGxLnErqaKLJdWfQ48gEPquGbLruJHmU7pvC1jas7wOU6IiG6Lne5aocB_AtfklrA4yXmoEuanYh_UId52ilTwjUoU9Nwb0585Sny3n4rhM46-hEwmCqIc0BAyiK6NXTZtzVshaJL9J1ge69K/s4032/IMG_8089.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCv8ZO_FIirwTJP77PjZigYTaRdpYdIDFOD-sMLxqlGAFVP1grZL2wNCFg0VqszkF34ZjdRtwKZzJd3CsC7d6_qA7S1E5jVT2WYDHbzXj9dAdmb4maN09HgqXTBoiL_zPsku3LXlpqrYcjoFLe4a5NzNqHhm39fhor9q3O6OHNKJRvJ65xlmtvVm_M/w150-h200/IMG_7326.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1uGXHJYbuZckoiHOINItt1gJvh1mAcwx8K3sS-9N2ql5ovZoNOs3FcwAPHw7OFyjzdqcCXDt4cfrPghWQ5NosaZILVOa2O4JsseF0bIa-upenmOUNjUoLq6gy9OezrCFjQ9rQAJ6ZlskFuvbdW4bD3LR0xuZCi65YFiD5ZUv_agUPeHFtY16Rh8p/s4032/IMG_8093.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1uGXHJYbuZckoiHOINItt1gJvh1mAcwx8K3sS-9N2ql5ovZoNOs3FcwAPHw7OFyjzdqcCXDt4cfrPghWQ5NosaZILVOa2O4JsseF0bIa-upenmOUNjUoLq6gy9OezrCFjQ9rQAJ6ZlskFuvbdW4bD3LR0xuZCi65YFiD5ZUv_agUPeHFtY16Rh8p/w150-h200/IMG_8093.JPG" width="150" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">At the dinner afterwards, there were awards and one of the recipients from the previous year, Begonia Avila, spoke so honestly about the challenges of living in a world that's opposed to Christ. She said to embrace the discomfort and uncertainty, to trust in God. When He is the center of one's life, everything else falls into place. There is power and peace that comes from an ordered life. I loved that she spoke about pursuing Him and allowing Him to pursue you--indeed Christian life is a love affair. She closed with the sentiment that her time at Ave as a foretaste of heaven (truly it is, even the short time we were there).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://mariafedoryka.com/" target="_blank">Dr. Maria Fedoryka</a>, chosen by the graduates to represent them, closed the celebration with a lecture: Against Modern Secularism. It was so beautiful to partake in her joy and hope, which are supernatural gifts from heaven; however, she focused her lecture on natural joy that modern secularism strives to rob us of. She encouraged us to exercise our imaginations with poetry and art, to allow ourselves to be enchanted with beauty, even in our humdrum, ordinary lives. She's such a marvelous teacher--Dagny's favorite--and how I wish I could've been a student in Maria's class. By the way, her husband, <a href="https://siftj.org/" target="_blank">Roy Schoeman</a>, wrote the brilliant book: <a href="https://amzn.to/45bY1OY" target="_blank">Salvation is from the Jews</a>: the Role of Judaism in Salvation History from Abraham to the Second Coming. I had a chance to </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">personally thank him because this book was, and continues to be, instrumental in our ongoing conversion and he said he was compelled to write it. If he put it aside, he'd fall into darkness and depression. Deo gratias!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdayqFBC03NPXH8-TaOw1dVCsq1nFbVaDYxfboUIgPi_mYsYvmg6wzDCO5GQ1eosWfzGewCcqOmzgeEWAXM0hYqpxI7QomGgPT32EXwC1d-lTycljctzr747bU2_opG5kdooZpdODmFL6Wt6nnBlzK1v6j_7CJSedvN2iNoidr89WmZBxflyw78T7F/s4032/IMG_8096.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdayqFBC03NPXH8-TaOw1dVCsq1nFbVaDYxfboUIgPi_mYsYvmg6wzDCO5GQ1eosWfzGewCcqOmzgeEWAXM0hYqpxI7QomGgPT32EXwC1d-lTycljctzr747bU2_opG5kdooZpdODmFL6Wt6nnBlzK1v6j_7CJSedvN2iNoidr89WmZBxflyw78T7F/s320/IMG_8096.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5Dglr6XlzQpeAfrVb6CcjbdBBaQHLDIVwXnP3LRipDe_zzjibP8WwxM8x6bjO8m-OjIRBFiiwaezC6kwaUjj6Sw5RzGddcA7-P2I44zsJZl4rcMA-wWYqzlQf7yr_kuSBHoN-7BW9vxoBZ0MEGvwaGbA-7989ZDetsFxWFXAmztvqL5ncmLi8Ll6/s4032/IMG_7342.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5Dglr6XlzQpeAfrVb6CcjbdBBaQHLDIVwXnP3LRipDe_zzjibP8WwxM8x6bjO8m-OjIRBFiiwaezC6kwaUjj6Sw5RzGddcA7-P2I44zsJZl4rcMA-wWYqzlQf7yr_kuSBHoN-7BW9vxoBZ0MEGvwaGbA-7989ZDetsFxWFXAmztvqL5ncmLi8Ll6/s320/IMG_7342.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We stayed at a farmhouse and what a blessing to be outdoors with the animals, esp. the kittens--just 2 wks old. Mama cat was very relaxed and enjoyed being petted while she nursed her kittens. I especially enjoyed giving the runts extra time with their mama. Michael and the kids enjoyed the fresh eggs. I had a taste of my childhood when our host offered us fresh sugarcane. So without any apology, numerous kitten pictures follow, and who knows, I just might have to post a random kitten picture on my blog for no reason except for the joy it brings. Enjoy! I was also delighted by some of the artwork and a working record player. Remember those?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijGQaFFdyL-ExjuABDIXd-nw-V1kw9GIq7MGTAsSUhrb-Jpd4XY4C-mx7Sd3HW4qpbYNIm7Ums0wZjUMmZQBzOs0WnAhGXhelUVIGa4Z-Lc1umGox2mmsG_yYz-_15tjLzd_565NB8CH0Z-75JnAvR8Tw10qYe9x474v6xPZWLt9owp4YMTkIVGyK/s4032/IMG_7969.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijGQaFFdyL-ExjuABDIXd-nw-V1kw9GIq7MGTAsSUhrb-Jpd4XY4C-mx7Sd3HW4qpbYNIm7Ums0wZjUMmZQBzOs0WnAhGXhelUVIGa4Z-Lc1umGox2mmsG_yYz-_15tjLzd_565NB8CH0Z-75JnAvR8Tw10qYe9x474v6xPZWLt9owp4YMTkIVGyK/w400-h300/IMG_7969.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElYidJNpqNsMzhMi5l16DiBEjBwlApqcXUt9ceAMvtoALwY38IL0WBVXPDGr6OU37l917_c9DhQPtX4QKV5sopizKm16LQ5wc6E-Oj6SZ-uvydtAv9kli0zz3Ye7fSaXsKyL56_VrK6oE9qj_bj7dBIaetYs3lDEhv7Ba5rCP5xMHlNutKsPzIoD5/s4032/IMG_7970.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Graduation day was HOT! A breeze kept us comfortable during commencement exercises. The new President, <a href="https://www.ncregister.com/interview/ave-maria-university-s-new-president-promotes-the-saintly-and-the-scholarly" target="_blank">Mark Middendorf</a>, opened with the exhortation to spend time in Adoration. This is what friends do; they spend time together. Jesus asked for this, on the night before He died. He didn't ask us to fast for 40 days or pray all night like He did. He asked us, "Could you not spend an hour with Me?"</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.tablegroup.com/pat/" target="_blank">Patrick Lencioni</a> gave the <a href="https://www.avemaria.edu/commencement-23-image-gallery/" target="_blank">keynote address</a> and he exhorted the students to be afraid. Be very afraid! Because of how easy it is to get choked by the pleasures and cares of the world (remember the <a href="https://shalomtidings.org/sower-and-the-soil/" target="_blank">Parable of the Sower</a>). Even good things can keep us away from Christ. How well he knows it. We might assume that he was invited to speak because of his worldly success, but it is in spite of it. He led a lukewarm life, chasing the next thing, but he wasn't happy. The day he chose God changed his life. The strings that had turned into chains were broken. He was free. So he encouraged us to all to stand firm in Truth. Ask for the grace to want only God. To do His will. Amen! How I will miss visiting Ave Maria--from that first time when I smelled the orange blossoms during spring break to the chant workshop, Max's graduation and now Dagny's graduation, may our Lord see it fit for me to return again to Ave Maria. What a gift to see our children grow in their studies and their faith at a time when they still had doubts. Our Lady took them under her wing--they belong to her and she always leads them to her Son. Deo gratias. Alleluia!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sunday was Dagny's birthday and we heard Mass at <a href="https://fssp.com/apostolate/fssp-naples-florida/" target="_blank">St. Agnes</a>. And who should be celebrating the beautiful High Mass but Ave Maria's own recent graduate--Fr. Joseph Lugalambi--who received his Ph.D. in Theology. I remembered how all the kids and faculty gave him a standing ovation when he was hooded the day before. It's clear he's made a huge impact at Ave Maria. Today is our sweet old dog's birthday--she's 15 years old. <br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGmqadhq7d99qfs1xRiBqCgpzk_WWVzQXTBHLWYeQrghKu3La02W5FrQBjivpX3O8JxiSGxI0vVoVkwsqlJgTnjEWJrYLyFZ5bMGdNhePVyQSegeBXih7qmY8F4pCuZ00lFf6TALOfcTJIUsaAnjZ-qEql5NhL04xCCnK82aZ4hdeIkuqJiMdpAHn/s4032/IMG_8111.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGmqadhq7d99qfs1xRiBqCgpzk_WWVzQXTBHLWYeQrghKu3La02W5FrQBjivpX3O8JxiSGxI0vVoVkwsqlJgTnjEWJrYLyFZ5bMGdNhePVyQSegeBXih7qmY8F4pCuZ00lFf6TALOfcTJIUsaAnjZ-qEql5NhL04xCCnK82aZ4hdeIkuqJiMdpAHn/s320/IMG_8111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqimza4roPD2ED9kdTC3-pnX0BYGHO8TFMnNKx-FqQbT265pc3yLHX5Nj8nmSeKTcgeIJsPCLzBb4aX6hDmRNU5QeZcfGz2tEPT5aTbQP88o9VwbymwX_UIYft9JLmP9Se0gTGOoJ8pkG1GyXZLkoy99NKC3zoeO_MZvy0v4jo8ddRQkNHfPKS2mMZ/s2016/PXL_20230506_151134877.MP_Original.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilETKDChnaFy2orLrejbGLyvN_UTlIXDVAXHw8w1RgLYizXP-9kBRYO1c6BGwNAYIV-OJEwJBnsggDSu78ArxOVcfK2USKJwQaSKG_0xxq0i0V4xK4mp2FQft7QD7pma7PXCYqPDub518MY9ypZNqIgeSnDfwzNTFJ3JTE4nHMcSd8LnPNiF11lx9i/s4032/IMG_8107.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilETKDChnaFy2orLrejbGLyvN_UTlIXDVAXHw8w1RgLYizXP-9kBRYO1c6BGwNAYIV-OJEwJBnsggDSu78ArxOVcfK2USKJwQaSKG_0xxq0i0V4xK4mp2FQft7QD7pma7PXCYqPDub518MY9ypZNqIgeSnDfwzNTFJ3JTE4nHMcSd8LnPNiF11lx9i/w300-h400/IMG_8107.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz04Guf-yIG5V6e9tjbwq5jr4X2QuegamPMKwkHsGALtxBUfql6d3E1ZGFOqt04f87NbyPctX5gXrBDBovpw2uNeYsCt6kZjB7HXgFXH9G3XcexuxqwjTeVsCgKpXGgx16DYkZtgRGfz0rADHjOt1eGGs-ATsAGwIIFkj9SBuaqBfmXXzHoO-USQzL/s1365/Resized_20230505_181700_Original.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1365" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz04Guf-yIG5V6e9tjbwq5jr4X2QuegamPMKwkHsGALtxBUfql6d3E1ZGFOqt04f87NbyPctX5gXrBDBovpw2uNeYsCt6kZjB7HXgFXH9G3XcexuxqwjTeVsCgKpXGgx16DYkZtgRGfz0rADHjOt1eGGs-ATsAGwIIFkj9SBuaqBfmXXzHoO-USQzL/w640-h394/Resized_20230505_181700_Original.heic" width="640" /></a></div></div></div></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-5189310796836916662023-04-24T11:53:00.007-04:002023-05-15T19:16:52.393-04:00Mass of Dedication<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jN2G8BGi4x2iO-Fyj7JuGCnl413O82MRwUcCyo78vEm6McKKjmM4MKBx0iMSKObl6CGba1V8KLcM6kPazMaW1Ci7qyrjw-mCirjPUxOI39OwGofIVpq0yDEfdHgMKiujL1FTDZ0ODcJaLfU3Y60weCBtZT1T_zfy2WIl8mlz4JZRNvJSoNt8h6VS/s4032/IMG_7862.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jN2G8BGi4x2iO-Fyj7JuGCnl413O82MRwUcCyo78vEm6McKKjmM4MKBx0iMSKObl6CGba1V8KLcM6kPazMaW1Ci7qyrjw-mCirjPUxOI39OwGofIVpq0yDEfdHgMKiujL1FTDZ0ODcJaLfU3Y60weCBtZT1T_zfy2WIl8mlz4JZRNvJSoNt8h6VS/w400-h300/IMG_7862.JPG" width="400" /></a>I confess--I've been singing more than I've been writing. But it's all so wonderful. Last week we've been practicing for the Mass of Dedication of St. Clare of Assisi in the church building itself. These past three years we've been watching it take shape on our walks but to be inside this magnificent space set apart to worship our Lord Jesus... oh my! I've not come down from heaven from the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_jiJ6vABGM" target="_blank">Dedication Mass</a>. The entire liturgy is packed with meaning. Truly, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a meeting of heaven and earth. Everything we have is a gift from Above and given that we're made in His Image we can exercise our creative gifts and offer the best to Him. Here I offer just a few pictures.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The narthex has this gorgeous piece showing the important events in the life of <a href="https://www.clare.church/who-was-saint-clare-of-assisi.html" target="_blank">St. Clare</a> of Assisi and a mosaic (made locally) of her motto. The Altar, stained glass windows, Stations of the Cross, and many more items like statues come from the <a href="https://www.clare.church/uploads/b/97312380-707552906640318288/sharing_a_legacy_-_sosf_mt._alvernia_1__220.mp4" target="_blank">Sisters of St. Francis in Pittsburg</a>. I loved practicing (and it is all a prayer) in this space--great acoustics--and so proud of Michael chanting with the small group of professionals. To God, all the glory! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We didn't want to leave the church after Mass but there was a lovely reception afterwards at Bishop England High School, across the street. The bells were ringing! Just imagine how beautiful it is going to be for the kids to pray here, instead of the gym. All this beauty points to our Almighty God. The liturgy itself teaches the tenets of our faith. It was a beautiful night walking home. Deo gratias!!! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uOtDe5v1bITBJRu0WYcRUq1ivVO7KiaHc-5qt66motmke397Q9KFph-POvovzy7-yLFab_97tAwFRTn-fzEqCYroj-gO9nBuw-wk_nojog8x_c32D74ubTyNmP99viFMnneYxqGOaV6CLBR5RILvnq8d1NF-l4Q_MtI1cXg-EkK5doEigTr8Myw7/s4032/IMG_7841.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uOtDe5v1bITBJRu0WYcRUq1ivVO7KiaHc-5qt66motmke397Q9KFph-POvovzy7-yLFab_97tAwFRTn-fzEqCYroj-gO9nBuw-wk_nojog8x_c32D74ubTyNmP99viFMnneYxqGOaV6CLBR5RILvnq8d1NF-l4Q_MtI1cXg-EkK5doEigTr8Myw7/w300-h400/IMG_7841.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQL3qpK7VeMfynDvU2JnwqjLmoOk-sj_fdL9bd-EqhmwS7nImrB-pyv68WxlPRHM6Wu1LPnu8ktPX0vYXiez9_LxoBk3Oyq4FvBWPZFYE7y2zxfeOsNYD0wzXBFNndqnIlk-OtVzscp2PPngL9Oa51PR48ICpBdT8oTEzDTPxOeKXsiLN0KXXwdHNC/s4032/IMG_7844.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So fun to see St. Clare of Assisi in this journal here: </span><a href="https://www.liturgicalartsjournal.com/2023/05/new-gothic-revival-church-in-diocese-of.html">New Gothic Revival Church in the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina ~ Liturgical Arts Journal</a></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-24615290679529491702023-04-16T12:28:00.027-04:002023-04-16T12:42:32.180-04:00Divine Mercy Sunday<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8z_Tq2_fEsDx_39WaEDeVdFv8rwqX_XjB25KzN2FXQBhV9wXPEXeKfxvq5DAa-ghc9ZjjdmK03ZhpXZ_OMvL8TKxcyc8ri7MySHrF80yBjvSKnKRcoCEFLHI8Miomj32M9BvpdwILaTp_pcrMuEaBX8SiCaeiBQFOrtP9kWrcCUv2BFl3wPELLM-T" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="452" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8z_Tq2_fEsDx_39WaEDeVdFv8rwqX_XjB25KzN2FXQBhV9wXPEXeKfxvq5DAa-ghc9ZjjdmK03ZhpXZ_OMvL8TKxcyc8ri7MySHrF80yBjvSKnKRcoCEFLHI8Miomj32M9BvpdwILaTp_pcrMuEaBX8SiCaeiBQFOrtP9kWrcCUv2BFl3wPELLM-T=w453-h640" width="453" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-size: 10.4px;">Divine Mercy image in Vilnius</span><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 10.4px;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-size: 10.4px;">Eugeniusz Kazimirowski (1873-1939)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;">Christ is Risen! Alleluia!!! This Sunday goes by several names: Low Sunday, Quasimodo Sunday, and Divine Mercy Sunday, and it's that last one that I will focus on.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But first, we've been enjoying fresh strawberries so I couldn't resist posting a picture of the three lovely and united Hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph again.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Heart of Jesus, I adore Thee.</span></p><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Heart of Mary, I implore thee.</span></p><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Heart of Joseph, pure and just,</span></p><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">in these three hearts</span></p><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I place my trust.</span></p><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Amen.</span></p><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5adSxSViVVcSiqGEE0wFS2FQqkAa7Whrjm0_c5lzmbMkCUJ_GEy8fAPXtD40bAubcqck4-AzETY51C-8yRtr8Jiya_Jza3kScizH8OStdghXryxrzRSUvNR1LrcE-kqUh2JHeGTDNc62jjlc6DtOEi7Ga7DOV4HulbT8LNY7RD_Q381coNUvmHyA5" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="277" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5adSxSViVVcSiqGEE0wFS2FQqkAa7Whrjm0_c5lzmbMkCUJ_GEy8fAPXtD40bAubcqck4-AzETY51C-8yRtr8Jiya_Jza3kScizH8OStdghXryxrzRSUvNR1LrcE-kqUh2JHeGTDNc62jjlc6DtOEi7Ga7DOV4HulbT8LNY7RD_Q381coNUvmHyA5=w277-h400" width="277" /></a></p><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Sister Faustina Maria Pia of the Sisters for Life composed this Litany of Trust. May it give you child-like confidence in our Lord's unfathomable love and mercy. </span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Litany of Trust</span></em></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From the belief that I have to earn Your love … Deliver me, Jesus.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From the fear that I am unlovable … Deliver me, Jesus.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From the false security that I have what it takes … Deliver me, Jesus.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From the fear that trusting You will leave me more destitute … Deliver me, Jesus.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From all suspicion of Your words and promises … Deliver me, Jesus.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From the rebellion against childlike dependency on You … Deliver me, Jesus.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From refusals and reluctances in accepting Your will … Deliver me, Jesus.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From anxiety about the future … Deliver me, Jesus.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From resentment or excessive preoccupation with the past … Deliver me, Jesus.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From restless self-seeking in the present moment … Deliver me, Jesus.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From disbelief in Your love and presence … Deliver me, Jesus.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From the fear of being asked to give more than I have … Deliver me, Jesus.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From the belief that my life has no meaning or worth … Deliver me, Jesus.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From the fear of what love demands … Deliver me, Jesus.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From discouragement … Deliver me, Jesus.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That You are continually holding me, sustaining me, loving me … Jesus, I trust in you.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That Your love goes deeper than my sins and failings, and transforms me …Jesus, I trust in you.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That not knowing what tomorrow brings is an invitation to lean on You … Jesus, I trust in you.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That You are with me in my suffering … Jesus, I trust in you.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That my suffering, united to Your own, will bear fruit in this life and the next …Jesus, I trust in you.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That You will not leave me orphan, that You are present in Your Church…Jesus, I trust in you.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That Your plan is better than anything else … Jesus, I trust in you.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That You always hear me, and in Your goodness always respond to me …Jesus, I trust in you.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That You give me the grace to accept forgiveness and to forgive others …Jesus, I trust in you.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That You give me all the strength I need for what is asked …Jesus, I trust in you.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That my life is a gift … Jesus, I trust in you.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That You will teach me to trust You … Jesus, I trust in you.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That You are my Lord and my God … Jesus, I trust in you.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That I am Your beloved one … Jesus, I trust in you.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Amen.</span></em></p><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>So that you may have a greater understanding of Divine Mercy, I share these excellent links: </span><a href="http://blog.adw.org/2023/04/gods-perfect-mercy-a-meditation-for-divine-mercy-sunday-4/" style="background-color: transparent;">God's Perfect Mercy - A Meditation for Divine Mercy Sunday - Community in Mission (adw.org)</a><span> and </span><a href="https://www.markmallett.com/blog/the-last-hope-of-salvation/" style="background-color: transparent;">The Last Hope of Salvation? - The Now Word (markmallett.com)</a> and <a href="https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2023/04/16/two-for-divine-mercy-sunday/" style="background-color: transparent;">Two for Divine Mercy Sunday - The Catholic Thing</a>. Pax Christi Domini!</span></div></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-4406136244674890152023-04-09T10:10:00.002-04:002023-04-09T14:03:35.721-04:00Happy Easter!<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88H7ndONtxP5fg5XFLD1cDU7-_GtRIVyLchGuxAHJcoI4pcNq4eLRNjrg05VwLWLtXhWKyAemsZusU35aPSSOKOUlkbNxkLL_gD_1kAmwXwRVyhfteS-LblcJNiBmko7JjNj3mdv5xzUzt9OUVnsgrOIB3O1sHpw5VFi5E379LUSSvI2JnUpEVXOJ/s400/St-Gemma-closeup-photograph.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="368" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88H7ndONtxP5fg5XFLD1cDU7-_GtRIVyLchGuxAHJcoI4pcNq4eLRNjrg05VwLWLtXhWKyAemsZusU35aPSSOKOUlkbNxkLL_gD_1kAmwXwRVyhfteS-LblcJNiBmko7JjNj3mdv5xzUzt9OUVnsgrOIB3O1sHpw5VFi5E379LUSSvI2JnUpEVXOJ/s320/St-Gemma-closeup-photograph.jpg" width="294" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Easter Tuesday this year is the feast of <a href="https://www.stgemmagalgani.com/" target="_blank">St. Gemma</a> and our 14th anniversary of reception into Church. We love celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord for 50 days! The <a href="http://liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/eastervigil.htm" target="_blank">Easter Vigil</a> is one my most favorite liturgies as we recount salvation history and prophecies. We begin in the dark and as the Paschal Candle is lit, the light of Christ spreads throughout the sanctuary. Our deacon chants the Exultet so beautifully! </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Favorite bits:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">O truly necessary sin of Adam,</span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">destroyed completely by the Death of Christ!<br /><br />O happy fault<br />that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer!<br /><br />The sanctifying power of this night<br />dispels wickedness, washes faults away,<br />restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to mourners,<br />drives out hatred, fosters concord, and brings down the mighty.</span></i><br style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";" /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I always find it fascinating that although our Lord Jesus prepared his disciples for the horror of Good Friday, they forgot that He told them He would rise from the dead. They were astonished, confused to be at the empty tomb. Unbelievable, yet TRUE!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ouy5VcpFD3UR3xfhY3_FLbPf4O4PIBnmDk64ovqBR42ynhaZIyKuf3uywr7NFAKhhReeU5aC2xOxKkpydPdMzJeTUk8yTtVAXHfGMo5YHdvFHXt4er4zuOxljkAvTIvYXsZ39uoGRBuGPaCQh5Ou8lEHNrdbtPrz7x2zGNSrvDHL7xx3pOXZQGfJ/s3969/IMG_9933.heic" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2819" data-original-width="3969" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ouy5VcpFD3UR3xfhY3_FLbPf4O4PIBnmDk64ovqBR42ynhaZIyKuf3uywr7NFAKhhReeU5aC2xOxKkpydPdMzJeTUk8yTtVAXHfGMo5YHdvFHXt4er4zuOxljkAvTIvYXsZ39uoGRBuGPaCQh5Ou8lEHNrdbtPrz7x2zGNSrvDHL7xx3pOXZQGfJ/w640-h454/IMG_9933.heic" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1xOmbihod6LbLTg5hXfBXB0YSFruJ83InTxAPKGkgt3-4NXgo1B9lhasCslgTtTOLMFULMk_22qHqCMcfwJXtfh-BYayLVMiaWM6DGF4YSvUXHOJ4UmZZP9MeQyz61OezRws4NSpOPk1AUw4PtBaldiriC-LOLc04sTsrVwOI1nuWbmVF1Dv8vSp/s4032/IMG_7738.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1xOmbihod6LbLTg5hXfBXB0YSFruJ83InTxAPKGkgt3-4NXgo1B9lhasCslgTtTOLMFULMk_22qHqCMcfwJXtfh-BYayLVMiaWM6DGF4YSvUXHOJ4UmZZP9MeQyz61OezRws4NSpOPk1AUw4PtBaldiriC-LOLc04sTsrVwOI1nuWbmVF1Dv8vSp/w300-h400/IMG_7738.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwKAC8aHh1T8YQHSSi-NFMpzqn_mEAHUzgahnZz8HdhewTZCngdsD9k5lcVehwJo2tt4cMzTfNau1Pt4lDgeEjhjhjki-i1bY5HXa5ntUFRrbSYWaIJY7gO3w4dSySFBvzls7SvCKenJdPNQoH5L7UimS8knvGz7wwArmpo9xyRuA6BA2SzSRnty2/s4032/IMG_7743.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwKAC8aHh1T8YQHSSi-NFMpzqn_mEAHUzgahnZz8HdhewTZCngdsD9k5lcVehwJo2tt4cMzTfNau1Pt4lDgeEjhjhjki-i1bY5HXa5ntUFRrbSYWaIJY7gO3w4dSySFBvzls7SvCKenJdPNQoH5L7UimS8knvGz7wwArmpo9xyRuA6BA2SzSRnty2/w640-h480/IMG_7743.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Our pastor spoke about what a strange religion it is, from God becoming a Baby, born of a Virgin Mother, who allows Himself to be tortured and put Himself to death, who rises, and gives a way to remain with us substantially--His Real Presence in the Eucharist. We celebrate this because it's TRUE!!! And if it's true, nothing else matters. Watching grown men and women make their desire known, to be part of the biggest family on earth, that of the Catholic Church, fills me with so much joy. They have taken the same journey we have--of questioning, of studying, of accepting by faith all the truths of the Catholic faith. Alleluia!!! A most blessed Eastertide to all. And if you have little ones, might I recommend Ten Easter Eggs by yours truly?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwQQy14LouqUXeXP5E1ipQDRyK17TOITalmTYE2nFXGNshVUu6ejSb_vjV8TP58a3kStR_q-ilSEzuiN7P4Avb34kt6gI_6i0gcb6wmvm7M9lqaJti4pMcoJb52ULzUdTtGUmVyu8QFGyU3Pe9X1SiDriJ93ETNvsOIlmZW5DoriaIsFD3Pk7KG17/s4032/IMG_7744.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwQQy14LouqUXeXP5E1ipQDRyK17TOITalmTYE2nFXGNshVUu6ejSb_vjV8TP58a3kStR_q-ilSEzuiN7P4Avb34kt6gI_6i0gcb6wmvm7M9lqaJti4pMcoJb52ULzUdTtGUmVyu8QFGyU3Pe9X1SiDriJ93ETNvsOIlmZW5DoriaIsFD3Pk7KG17/s320/IMG_7744.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9zT43Gkr-odqhYZRdBgzV_gNo28KHigNxRAYHJFFJNrwqcfYPTSv-7q9nd3rrluF6OWk4DpfN6JDPHPx8YuFLHYBzYIR2lDvqTefvhVtDtNrt5JNztaP54ZE71fEqYiS72D547JKgTGwlDHcCvHR2jsCjKQjDjRtdhT0bORH2b3ugcLjT1pBfQJg/s4032/IMG_7734.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9zT43Gkr-odqhYZRdBgzV_gNo28KHigNxRAYHJFFJNrwqcfYPTSv-7q9nd3rrluF6OWk4DpfN6JDPHPx8YuFLHYBzYIR2lDvqTefvhVtDtNrt5JNztaP54ZE71fEqYiS72D547JKgTGwlDHcCvHR2jsCjKQjDjRtdhT0bORH2b3ugcLjT1pBfQJg/s320/IMG_7734.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEs3PqQI68k3ICDFOJrLlQ8bzT_1Ck-T5k6_Rm7nTYLYev0kcfUJT4wuzOkKlYLXpQco6PJVRILBJtxbsEE73PKj5Ed4TqJFQd1laM7R3pJLVoWWyOeJM3Fp4dvq7Sq1iYiw43dgYoJuS7B5bgri83UImM0kt86uktXpPo4vh4NPWRzI0U7BGS4jtm/s4032/IMG_7677.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEs3PqQI68k3ICDFOJrLlQ8bzT_1Ck-T5k6_Rm7nTYLYev0kcfUJT4wuzOkKlYLXpQco6PJVRILBJtxbsEE73PKj5Ed4TqJFQd1laM7R3pJLVoWWyOeJM3Fp4dvq7Sq1iYiw43dgYoJuS7B5bgri83UImM0kt86uktXpPo4vh4NPWRzI0U7BGS4jtm/s320/IMG_7677.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeSK8KD9GafSy-qN2mDU2MbCTcy-y1lHycwwCOpKDaeQ_WB1lsOAX9ASg0mZ3c4jNcHQsanXibhM3QnblP8X0AyJ_Bb9FlrWqyukIh0GNxpTzds6pxlnz0QY1n-XYNuPDu_sEDvljB_izAAXyGkKkMgbCVFGbzSeo_3_knXl6FvwMwuxj4a3oUnxv/s371/Ten%20Easter%20Eggs%20Cover.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="371" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeSK8KD9GafSy-qN2mDU2MbCTcy-y1lHycwwCOpKDaeQ_WB1lsOAX9ASg0mZ3c4jNcHQsanXibhM3QnblP8X0AyJ_Bb9FlrWqyukIh0GNxpTzds6pxlnz0QY1n-XYNuPDu_sEDvljB_izAAXyGkKkMgbCVFGbzSeo_3_knXl6FvwMwuxj4a3oUnxv/w200-h155/Ten%20Easter%20Eggs%20Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-67715371115879069142023-04-07T12:29:00.003-04:002023-04-07T13:07:59.213-04:00O Agony and Dying<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Our Savior, Jesus Christ. This is Sacrifice: This is MY Body, given up for you. <br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">But He was pierced for our sins, crushed for our iniquity. He bore the punishment that makes us whole, by His wounds we are healed.<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We adore You O Christ and praise You! Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Q1J3hxi-vXt96drv_9PuqmG7zha0-x-Q-rkx6lF8GZkv7UtOCvsYC4Wak51SCrIE-maNpL2pmcii0j7KuYUC8CZ7f0d7kYZBNNbSpNDpOx0Z86oXuSYqv-_Dvk0q9Q5yfo8qDaqPfz4AKc2OrGC1nbBA3ueGjbQcbhmrQt-ReTjDjD_9PcBj4Ekb/s758/Crucifixion%20Matthias%20Grunewald.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="758" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Q1J3hxi-vXt96drv_9PuqmG7zha0-x-Q-rkx6lF8GZkv7UtOCvsYC4Wak51SCrIE-maNpL2pmcii0j7KuYUC8CZ7f0d7kYZBNNbSpNDpOx0Z86oXuSYqv-_Dvk0q9Q5yfo8qDaqPfz4AKc2OrGC1nbBA3ueGjbQcbhmrQt-ReTjDjD_9PcBj4Ekb/w640-h458/Crucifixion%20Matthias%20Grunewald.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crucifixion by Matthias Grunewald</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M4uUJibpvw"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">King's College Cambridge Easter O Sacred head Sore Wounded JS [Bach] [2011] - YouTube</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This poem is attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux. There are several different renditions of it and they all make me weep with sorrow and gratitude. "O Agony and Dying! O Love to sinners free! Jesus all grace supplying, O turn Thy Face on me!" Some years ago, a choir member gifted me His Sacred Head crowned with thorns. I keep it near me, grateful to have a small share in His Passion.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurIh3kB09nMpOVaNVDH95SL5OgCu-U98TgwtN3TpXG0ZFNVm4XLwVEGgQ8gYg7LGOaVL-TynBdUd_wj1ZTHAxrMTpyX_EBjnPCrMJJnT-kc4_zkv2L580NC6bXSHlb_jOnkyfu-tKeStf12mBEDPWlH6iwuVfSpWJcwWk1XLp8qp2j79BhmXRTDB3/s4032/IMG_7727.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurIh3kB09nMpOVaNVDH95SL5OgCu-U98TgwtN3TpXG0ZFNVm4XLwVEGgQ8gYg7LGOaVL-TynBdUd_wj1ZTHAxrMTpyX_EBjnPCrMJJnT-kc4_zkv2L580NC6bXSHlb_jOnkyfu-tKeStf12mBEDPWlH6iwuVfSpWJcwWk1XLp8qp2j79BhmXRTDB3/s320/IMG_7727.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p style="background-color: #f0edd3; color: #0a3f64; display: inline-block; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0.6em 0px 1.2em; padding: 0px; width: 381.135px;">1 O sacred Head, now wounded,<br />with grief and shame weighed down,<br />now scornfully surrounded<br />with thorns, thine only crown!<br />O sacred Head, what glory,<br />what bliss till now was thine!<br />Yet, though despised and gory,<br />I joy to call thee mine.<br /></p><p style="background-color: #f0edd3; color: #0a3f64; display: inline-block; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0.6em 0px 1.2em; padding: 0px; width: 381.135px;">2 What thou, my Lord, hast suffered<br />was all for sinners’ gain.<br />Mine, mine was the transgression,<br />but thine the deadly pain.<br />Lo, here I fall, my Savior!<br />’Tis I deserve thy place.<br />Look on me with thy favor,<br />and grant to me thy grace.<br /></p><p style="background-color: #f0edd3; color: #0a3f64; display: inline-block; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0.6em 0px 1.2em; padding: 0px; width: 381.135px;">3 What language shall I borrow<br />to thank thee, dearest Friend,<br />for this, thy dying sorrow,<br />thy pity without end?<br />Oh, make me thine forever,<br />and should I fainting be,<br />Lord, let me never, never<br />outlive my love to thee.<br /></p><p style="background-color: #f0edd3; color: #0a3f64; display: inline-block; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0.6em 0px 1.2em; padding: 0px; width: 381.135px;">4 Be near when I am dying,<br />oh, show thy cross to me,<br />and for my rescue, flying,<br />come, Lord, and set me free!<br />These eyes, new faith receiving,<br />from Jesus shall not move,<br />for one who dies believing<br />dies safely, through thy love.<br /></p><br /><p></p>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-3130780272321986422023-04-06T15:06:00.002-04:002023-04-07T11:44:54.325-04:00Judas<div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7JVc6dTqk4Rs0eosC5ZZwQr3nLo9hTtriVhtmm5bsCdjfmmBfNbkj-lV3DAWRvIRJdZIrfY0O6vJ3QDElZetvO_EIPBY-z423COEaHUIc3dwcqFThVxkLSwlU1rkII36ubm2ATWc6CWVBKS7aol5nb57fU5px3VVjfjbqiltLSoktUM9zSCrASFI/s980/Giotto's%20Judas%20Iscariot.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="980" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7JVc6dTqk4Rs0eosC5ZZwQr3nLo9hTtriVhtmm5bsCdjfmmBfNbkj-lV3DAWRvIRJdZIrfY0O6vJ3QDElZetvO_EIPBY-z423COEaHUIc3dwcqFThVxkLSwlU1rkII36ubm2ATWc6CWVBKS7aol5nb57fU5px3VVjfjbqiltLSoktUM9zSCrASFI/w400-h374/Giotto's%20Judas%20Iscariot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Judas Iscariot by Giotto</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I've been pondering Judas. Why did our Lord Jesus choose him as an apostle knowing that Judas would betray Him, and with a kiss, no less? Our Lord says, "<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><i>The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.”</i></span> Matt 26:24. Wow! Because the only tragedy I can think of not making it to heaven. There are only two options--heaven or hell. And clearly Judas is in hell. Not because he betrayed our Lord, but because he despaired and took his own life instead of running to Jesus. He was remorseful and tried to return the 30 pieces of silver to the Sanhedrin. He could've fallen to his knees at the Cross and begged forgiveness for the worst sin ever--Deicide--and Jesus would've saved him, opened the gates of paradise to him. But instead, he tried to save himself. We cannot save ourselves. Yet our Lord will not save us without our consent, unless we accept His Mercy. But I still wonder why Jesus chose Judas knowing what a traitor he'd be. God is love. I know our Lord loved Judas. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I wonder what Judas was thinking. We know he was a thief, stealing the money the disciples collected for the poor. But when did he stop loving our Lord? Why did Judas continue to stay with this little band of people who followed Jesus? I ask these questions because I wonder about myself too. How I betray Jesus, and for what? Michael and I have been reading <a href="https://amzn.to/3GqNQLs" target="_blank">St. Thomas Aquinas' Lenten Meditations</a> daily and they give so much insight into both the nature of Christ's sacrifice and our own human condition. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As we enter the Sacred Triduum, I pause and ponder my faith and pray that I may never ever be separated from our dear Lord Jesus. Why the Incarnation? Why the Crucifixion? Why the Eucharist? One drop of His Precious Blood at His Circumcision could've saved us all. Instead every last drop of His Precious Blood is drained from His Body. He gives us His all. And He continues to give Himself in the Holy Eucharist. It is impossible for my poor heart to imagine a love so deep. And so I pray and praise and petition my Lord Jesus to let me grow in His Love. To be more like Mary of Bethany and less like Judas Iscariot. All these ponderings at the beautiful full moon last night at Breach Inlet after Maundy Thursday Liturgy with the commandment to imitate Him. Perhaps the next book we read together will be <a href="https://amzn.to/3GqNQLs" target="_blank">Imitation of Christ</a> by Thomas a Kempis.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cNQvrjVBY57XpXpyBfiAdD9qG01rqZme9a97JqA-5bHbUJ1hYChMX7_uI1Pavr8x18vFPV0kF34noLbw9bj_to0nK6AS5yHkCfNHxoogzs-PT-4c3uD_RYcThadf8oLNtozvGTfW2rDXpmOnvR7cD7Mrpu78HH--2q1TLdggCCm8CVhjR3WyDEd6/s4032/IMG_7722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cNQvrjVBY57XpXpyBfiAdD9qG01rqZme9a97JqA-5bHbUJ1hYChMX7_uI1Pavr8x18vFPV0kF34noLbw9bj_to0nK6AS5yHkCfNHxoogzs-PT-4c3uD_RYcThadf8oLNtozvGTfW2rDXpmOnvR7cD7Mrpu78HH--2q1TLdggCCm8CVhjR3WyDEd6/w300-h400/IMG_7722.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOS_kNfhjoypfVWYToq_upfsSIcfZXAdGK7ZJX52ysv8phDWbrM8_bauy4H3c5tzDt-Yrt0lrdTDWATDYhZg4Qc_E-EdsJotmRgqkCGmSXHR0kI_rrisaS9viZ73w_MBDHleF5XTUUIokqIB07WBxtomG3bHFTjifC4bN5e1n0zwqxj5ovLbsbKxK/s628/Mary%20Anointing-at-Bethany-Daniel-F-Gerhartz.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="628" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOS_kNfhjoypfVWYToq_upfsSIcfZXAdGK7ZJX52ysv8phDWbrM8_bauy4H3c5tzDt-Yrt0lrdTDWATDYhZg4Qc_E-EdsJotmRgqkCGmSXHR0kI_rrisaS9viZ73w_MBDHleF5XTUUIokqIB07WBxtomG3bHFTjifC4bN5e1n0zwqxj5ovLbsbKxK/w640-h488/Mary%20Anointing-at-Bethany-Daniel-F-Gerhartz.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Anointing Jesus by Daniel Gerhartz</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-43777492603465106432023-03-21T09:30:00.002-04:002023-03-21T11:48:43.741-04:00After a Long Hiatus<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJqVFiiLwotLbbIwD14RR2cgBWuMjMKlo3sVLHrSikBk3NFoOlf0LpBYsiBzvW29aOSx_GSb83iocJ920JrSJ4NfnJcz3A3hlHAn_K4Sre2vOK_KmNksapw23SlNBdy79OvG4gje5sNWpF0202cHJfmihhxu2mqHZn25-kqW5ob7ilzmh126wBsyfJ" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2346" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJqVFiiLwotLbbIwD14RR2cgBWuMjMKlo3sVLHrSikBk3NFoOlf0LpBYsiBzvW29aOSx_GSb83iocJ920JrSJ4NfnJcz3A3hlHAn_K4Sre2vOK_KmNksapw23SlNBdy79OvG4gje5sNWpF0202cHJfmihhxu2mqHZn25-kqW5ob7ilzmh126wBsyfJ" width="164" /></a> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I've been home for two months now and getting ready to go on another trip. Lots to catch up on. While I was gone, my review of </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3JV74eD" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">He Leadeth Me</a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">: An Extraordinary Testament of Faith by Fr. Walter Ciszek was published in the Advent-Christmas 2022 issue of The Star, our parish newsletter (reproduced below). And I turned in my Apologia essay, </span><a href="https://thelampmagazine.com/issues/issue-15/falling" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Falling</a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">, for The Lamp. I was hoping it'd be published in the Easter issue but they did one better and it's in the Lenten issue that's dedicated to Pope Benedict XVI. May he rest in heavenly peace! I can't wait for my own copy.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-C_V_4VyQDazzHfQ_qkuHUg93NMz68DATcJk60PRriV9hieJCjXKpB-SV1T9d_GiHSuEGCG09QpdvFj3xGjv1LmaMwIgZIlzcJQ86WacPQ8fwIIq6uO-Unj9shZK3LFDzQSaPR2kRL4240UUlZCNLcllqryW7zKTgDtV7WLiQW0qwAtiOOp7Oj-m/s4032/IMG_7488.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-C_V_4VyQDazzHfQ_qkuHUg93NMz68DATcJk60PRriV9hieJCjXKpB-SV1T9d_GiHSuEGCG09QpdvFj3xGjv1LmaMwIgZIlzcJQ86WacPQ8fwIIq6uO-Unj9shZK3LFDzQSaPR2kRL4240UUlZCNLcllqryW7zKTgDtV7WLiQW0qwAtiOOp7Oj-m/w480-h640/IMG_7488.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Syy7QTGdfPvhGt3VIlsJAEYrMcSuKwtLOWJsveq9vGPbBig94vhy_OAV_fyLEecAkTuDfTkJzCv8dvu-26Z5DIt1_A1mdSvf5v0yW8KgUImYmPvbhaFCXpkZpAEAr25wYpbZcu2NNHrJsGdsh78Su41aQx0AqOgpYEcmm3S6_IftQj8wq9aACDWp/s4032/IMG_7489.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Syy7QTGdfPvhGt3VIlsJAEYrMcSuKwtLOWJsveq9vGPbBig94vhy_OAV_fyLEecAkTuDfTkJzCv8dvu-26Z5DIt1_A1mdSvf5v0yW8KgUImYmPvbhaFCXpkZpAEAr25wYpbZcu2NNHrJsGdsh78Su41aQx0AqOgpYEcmm3S6_IftQj8wq9aACDWp/w480-h640/IMG_7489.JPG" width="480" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And it just arrived in today's mail, so lookie!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApMzao0S1XXjZc0-8rwYuI0x8NZviNyIAjQoMXE1AV5xJDnBrFA4hwbdtFfN9kXq18NWEa810N3gHJMJIxL30joYVjpo03kxcMfFVOnvuOSEAC2OKm7rCHpUw-qIZhGpWHOCAvR32Afkbr7viPKP4n60ADtBMeiq2B8QWAMeOTwc1K3nAq6VDsBWG/s4032/IMG_7501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApMzao0S1XXjZc0-8rwYuI0x8NZviNyIAjQoMXE1AV5xJDnBrFA4hwbdtFfN9kXq18NWEa810N3gHJMJIxL30joYVjpo03kxcMfFVOnvuOSEAC2OKm7rCHpUw-qIZhGpWHOCAvR32Afkbr7viPKP4n60ADtBMeiq2B8QWAMeOTwc1K3nAq6VDsBWG/s320/IMG_7501.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JfeV7sOXSH2fsA2dxIPxmYZdzQDUTgfzqPEPo4g2ljL7ZBxnNIco6I3JKx0okoJMsftF-zfcdSWjdIzImd0-WWc3WOjXQ2It6LpwssHkjRZUJ0SLWn4REhp8qOG3dxPu9tdyWbDimVu-Re_poxvzYjG_pL0Xu9W78vqsMCJSCjFVHYu7nghykPwF/s4032/IMG_7503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JfeV7sOXSH2fsA2dxIPxmYZdzQDUTgfzqPEPo4g2ljL7ZBxnNIco6I3JKx0okoJMsftF-zfcdSWjdIzImd0-WWc3WOjXQ2It6LpwssHkjRZUJ0SLWn4REhp8qOG3dxPu9tdyWbDimVu-Re_poxvzYjG_pL0Xu9W78vqsMCJSCjFVHYu7nghykPwF/s320/IMG_7503.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmgeBTKik-G3aJ7v-PvX8qXcbpoXEclrMwsxqQgY69y_FxUVDfOXC7PZOph7eO-h-p8Xh49LDBGzrwSsiSIh3PYeHNeIN39zmR6KUYXbYcOvv22T74E7LBmh_AE5Ho82VgrRAMpzAOqUo-T7dH-sJJ3Zvvwtz_7LJa4TSijd_p37B0o_Vxomj3_D3/s4032/IMG_7498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmgeBTKik-G3aJ7v-PvX8qXcbpoXEclrMwsxqQgY69y_FxUVDfOXC7PZOph7eO-h-p8Xh49LDBGzrwSsiSIh3PYeHNeIN39zmR6KUYXbYcOvv22T74E7LBmh_AE5Ho82VgrRAMpzAOqUo-T7dH-sJJ3Zvvwtz_7LJa4TSijd_p37B0o_Vxomj3_D3/w400-h300/IMG_7498.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-8016865277286965732023-01-01T00:45:00.005-05:002023-03-06T22:14:33.594-05:00End of an Era<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFko9okOPZLrMqvZorVnHhnob2PBZsvoe-GOQdf4naYqhkfchtbVXZGbiMndWVs6HQT1p6ltll8IMIJvPqb-ofyc_wo5IkVuIgbe1LmwkVO3h7Otx5kSepe3DA3zTMY97vlHIDhz3tARhHyFh-oYv5j-XuJlLlXOtK3Dzf6m1w525iUHNwz67qwrJP" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="583" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFko9okOPZLrMqvZorVnHhnob2PBZsvoe-GOQdf4naYqhkfchtbVXZGbiMndWVs6HQT1p6ltll8IMIJvPqb-ofyc_wo5IkVuIgbe1LmwkVO3h7Otx5kSepe3DA3zTMY97vlHIDhz3tARhHyFh-oYv5j-XuJlLlXOtK3Dzf6m1w525iUHNwz67qwrJP=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Our dear Pope Benedict XVI died yesterday morning. He was 95 years old. We were received into the Church during his pontificate so I have a special affection for him. What a great man who wrote clearly about Christ and His Church. He's been suffering and praying for Holy Mother Church. We will definitely offer a Requiem Mass for the repose of his soul. May he rest in heavenly peace. I've edited to add his <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-12/the-spiritual-testament-of-pope-emeritus-benedict-xvi.html" target="_blank">Spiritual Testament</a>, that the Vatican released, written a year after he was elected Pope. "Stand firm in the faith! Do not be confused!" Wow! It's so prophetic. Here's the rest of the paragraph. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Stand firm in the faith! Do not be confused! Often it seems as if science - on the one hand, the natural sciences; on the other, historical research (especially the exegesis of the Holy Scriptures) - has irrefutable insights to offer that are contrary to the Catholic faith. I have witnessed from times long past the changes in natural science and have seen how apparent certainties against the faith vanished, proving themselves not to be science but philosophical interpretations only apparently belonging to science - just as, moreover, it is in dialogue with the natural sciences that faith has learned to understand the limits of the scope of its affirmations and thus its own specificity. For 60 years now, I have accompanied the path of theology, especially biblical studies, and have seen seemingly unshakeable theses collapse with the changing generations, which turned out to be mere hypotheses: the liberal generation (Harnack, Jülicher, etc.), the existentialist generation (Bultmann, etc.), the Marxist generation. I have seen, and see, how, out of the tangle of hypotheses, the reasonableness of faith has emerged and is emerging anew. Jesus Christ is truly the Way, the Truth, and the Life - and the Church, in all her shortcomings, is truly His Body.</i></span></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">AMEN! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The word placed upon my heart this year is TRUTH. For fun, I enjoy getting a saint and inspirational word from Jennifer Fulwiler's <a href="https://saintsnamegenerator.com/" target="_blank">Saint Generator</a>. St. Lucy and FLY for A.D. 2023. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Brace yourselves. It's going to be a challenging New Year! But we were made for a time such as this. <a href="https://youtu.be/AWb0Z5yA1XA" target="_blank">All glory to God</a>!!! </span></span></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-59972992655179030172022-12-30T23:22:00.002-05:002022-12-30T23:22:22.520-05:00The Christmas Octave<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGrx7laK3QnuJCvVWTe-N-WYozIijkiV89TBTx_FssNcetgOVQAfcZ7Gbv-r69J4-viI556GMalAqzs9naviYjzi6pLt7bFj8N5m6oewy2bUQSeOD5cEIAwcg1L8Kvu0O424FENbxwAu35y7ARxUd3--oyzvhhFW6yn7MJSaYEymmgqB26mWkkn09/s4032/IMG_6563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGrx7laK3QnuJCvVWTe-N-WYozIijkiV89TBTx_FssNcetgOVQAfcZ7Gbv-r69J4-viI556GMalAqzs9naviYjzi6pLt7bFj8N5m6oewy2bUQSeOD5cEIAwcg1L8Kvu0O424FENbxwAu35y7ARxUd3--oyzvhhFW6yn7MJSaYEymmgqB26mWkkn09/w300-h400/IMG_6563.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>I hope everybody is having a lovely Christmas holiday. Today is the feast of the Holy Family. The Lord could've come into this world any way, but He chose to come in poverty as a defenseless Baby, in a human family, thereby sanctifying family life. I know it's not always easy being part of a family--my own was fractured--and I'm away from home to help with my brother's. It's not easy, but I keep the hope that the Lord will bind up our wounds, heal us, and make us whole again. Please pray for us. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Despite the winter storm, my sister-in-law, my niece, and my sister and brother-in-law made it over for Christmas. It was good to be all together. The future is uncertain, but we place our trust in the Lord Jesus, that He will resolve everything according to His will. I live by Romans 8:28. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YPmg1DiIhdJjxKgj_x4B8BQ0XzMn3LKITr9m6XD6iRBreEGDuE-sPk6-oveseLCbew5YZeZI-KZGoR41Bt2IRxHbAiJ06hNXqFoW_FKHf-8RQsJmA6bSJ9WbrSFSQ_CQuqcLYeagL2lppyAdHz8R_y45UKgh8IKvfRoDVYBg9jHq3HyetcDbZQua/s4032/IMG_6519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YPmg1DiIhdJjxKgj_x4B8BQ0XzMn3LKITr9m6XD6iRBreEGDuE-sPk6-oveseLCbew5YZeZI-KZGoR41Bt2IRxHbAiJ06hNXqFoW_FKHf-8RQsJmA6bSJ9WbrSFSQ_CQuqcLYeagL2lppyAdHz8R_y45UKgh8IKvfRoDVYBg9jHq3HyetcDbZQua/s320/IMG_6519.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXI3aKOZlTRZyh3F7LZeUIMXTdA1ZE8Ss-s9XoKXf4pMnXo7mHTC8WOwUR6a2tNmiz23-hijhGwnAyWwi-Nfh2fAmGY7TWjUrFKCl6a2ToRBI6r8riJMomOA9HUsYk0_Uhjk5P7wmlV_d6P6lQCPxpY_-X239Oh2q_yZT9RVWE6-TVfhMyp3GxjlM/s4032/IMG_6501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXI3aKOZlTRZyh3F7LZeUIMXTdA1ZE8Ss-s9XoKXf4pMnXo7mHTC8WOwUR6a2tNmiz23-hijhGwnAyWwi-Nfh2fAmGY7TWjUrFKCl6a2ToRBI6r8riJMomOA9HUsYk0_Uhjk5P7wmlV_d6P6lQCPxpY_-X239Oh2q_yZT9RVWE6-TVfhMyp3GxjlM/s320/IMG_6501.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1S4Fv2D_ZHoDh0XhgTS7AdzuHzawGE5WX_TVa8J9TOgVtEJtt2uXv-75Yn4AjoxzkG59SMVE5tACXcgd4xg2giYXA-3iin31tlrLdF4JN4V6U3YbxRrdoSM1FQfUDcWsKHA2hBvJceM6i4pyIpXd9DR1udDrqAe86PBGJuRF9js-Cnxh73uZCVdA/s4032/IMG_6503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1S4Fv2D_ZHoDh0XhgTS7AdzuHzawGE5WX_TVa8J9TOgVtEJtt2uXv-75Yn4AjoxzkG59SMVE5tACXcgd4xg2giYXA-3iin31tlrLdF4JN4V6U3YbxRrdoSM1FQfUDcWsKHA2hBvJceM6i4pyIpXd9DR1udDrqAe86PBGJuRF9js-Cnxh73uZCVdA/w400-h300/IMG_6503.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CzX_nYgWWIwUq9jCEdnlJP7dN5Hvb69QHuO2n_bJCKbx_ff1WMLRirx_tdtntAi0bDkVJ3TXFAyLfq2HYkTCyDuqfUfx6aPDcZJbbtFfBxZWi8p7pnJkPgXG6FJIpk4ome5FDwXDp5px4iG1jjNsKJM8xp4lCNUwouC9gmax2O8F7hYLatnXPWfV/s4032/IMG_6484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CzX_nYgWWIwUq9jCEdnlJP7dN5Hvb69QHuO2n_bJCKbx_ff1WMLRirx_tdtntAi0bDkVJ3TXFAyLfq2HYkTCyDuqfUfx6aPDcZJbbtFfBxZWi8p7pnJkPgXG6FJIpk4ome5FDwXDp5px4iG1jjNsKJM8xp4lCNUwouC9gmax2O8F7hYLatnXPWfV/s320/IMG_6484.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXh8HHWkbd2l1BeSAE0g6KE-1sPqGm7zHoL4tR0hBLNjaVLUGtqBoKXqDdN7-uOmS8IcNC6pvlDJlkIsAkB32BSxtSSiiVqR8VVZpXMaQcQxtgrabLTZWWFjfKYEMmMGLtnddmRISTGNCpAMZPDsLqz85PCM9bAmSjyO8f3axhPXXN2ZWgqqT70J_/s1440/Resized_20221226_062915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXh8HHWkbd2l1BeSAE0g6KE-1sPqGm7zHoL4tR0hBLNjaVLUGtqBoKXqDdN7-uOmS8IcNC6pvlDJlkIsAkB32BSxtSSiiVqR8VVZpXMaQcQxtgrabLTZWWFjfKYEMmMGLtnddmRISTGNCpAMZPDsLqz85PCM9bAmSjyO8f3axhPXXN2ZWgqqT70J_/s320/Resized_20221226_062915.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I got some lovely mail--The Visitation by Gandolfi from a dear friend and a postcard from Dagny. It makes being apart from loved ones easier. This year I missed sending out cards, but I look forward to reading the Christmas letters when I am home. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK39U2HKcniF4_hpYvHB-AGhX8GF1TiJ7AV8qcq3CvHVnIw65iwr7nxnj3Jth8_db96PAlpUKS6PuaYyqNlNdAr8g3FvSHXQHcU6LOxOzAII6yz0s0ZD-USO8o3IihuvoHp9uu4NmBudJWyNs3PZ-ti9trOleppc-C3_OscgjmfXpwHH7r-gk6pquc" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="470" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK39U2HKcniF4_hpYvHB-AGhX8GF1TiJ7AV8qcq3CvHVnIw65iwr7nxnj3Jth8_db96PAlpUKS6PuaYyqNlNdAr8g3FvSHXQHcU6LOxOzAII6yz0s0ZD-USO8o3IihuvoHp9uu4NmBudJWyNs3PZ-ti9trOleppc-C3_OscgjmfXpwHH7r-gk6pquc=w285-h400" width="285" /></a></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsmyBkTmlcK46tDHpmLxfjpj5gmg-580LqU4EO6WPDe0aa8HuaLSHQkQfAiHDorQ1QGBgZ3aecK0NSQqKkVeui6uaQ7QELdRnD7gYhxj7yv87bu00FiWpnSC9miTl7gNgF2S2Smgavn17OvwWMdSmRR4nXU7kUxBCkzMfntIusVj5OfCT3M4imzMu/s4032/IMG_6540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsmyBkTmlcK46tDHpmLxfjpj5gmg-580LqU4EO6WPDe0aa8HuaLSHQkQfAiHDorQ1QGBgZ3aecK0NSQqKkVeui6uaQ7QELdRnD7gYhxj7yv87bu00FiWpnSC9miTl7gNgF2S2Smgavn17OvwWMdSmRR4nXU7kUxBCkzMfntIusVj5OfCT3M4imzMu/w400-h300/IMG_6540.JPG" width="400" /></span><span style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="137" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgW55RBEac77Gh5_QF-V4ZO1OiNBw2hIVcifyZG4XAcHpOK5Fd1G4SGZMZhH8m5g8nUGf8cBE5AJF59-1jDzx4KtdrxxTTQ7s6XghbUeUlJ8SD2TwQb78R0fIXhzzsfsQuBDizhpJ_UKIa246Y862gNXbFpeAlDqPI0wn94Z_pTY0mr0OSC-_0cjCwq=w242-h320" width="242" /></span></a></div>Vijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com2