Thanksgiving and Advent
Where to even begin? So many blessings! We went down to Ave Maria, FL to visit our children for Thanksgiving since they only get Thu and Fri off. So fun to see them in their dorm rooms but we whisked them away to Key West and to Hemingway's house because they were in desperate need of some kitty cuddles. At least half the cats are polydactyls--with extra toes so they look like they have thumbs. Below I share some beautiful moments together. I definitely want to return for a longer time to explore the other little islands that make up the Florida Keys. Now, I wait to have the children home for Christmas!
Upon our return home, Michael had a glass of his home-brewed beer to relax. And the next day we began the nitty-gritty work of correcting the trouble spots in both the chant and Mozart Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It was a wonderful celebration and I'm still filled with a tremendous joy.
I came upon a very interesting article about Mozart and Gregorian chant as I was researching a quote in Father's homily about Mozart's desire to compose a chant in favor of all his work. He did say at the end of his life that he would have gladly renounced
his entire work for the joy of composing the Introit of the Mass of the Dead. This confession
is extraordinarily humble, but it would have been a great loss for humanity if it had been carried
out. What this shows is that Mozart discovered in Gregorian chant the language of plenitude of the
adult man, which is fully reached in the heavens. All I can say is that there is definitely something transcendent in the Gregorian chant. It is very meditative, allowing one to cast aside the cares of the world and instead place ourselves in the very presence of God. I give you the Introit for the Feast of St. Nicholas. It's as if all barriers to time and space are broken. A most blessed Advent to all as we prepare for the coming of the Infant Jesus into our hearts in silent wonder.
Where to even begin? So many blessings! We went down to Ave Maria, FL to visit our children for Thanksgiving since they only get Thu and Fri off. So fun to see them in their dorm rooms but we whisked them away to Key West and to Hemingway's house because they were in desperate need of some kitty cuddles. At least half the cats are polydactyls--with extra toes so they look like they have thumbs. Below I share some beautiful moments together. I definitely want to return for a longer time to explore the other little islands that make up the Florida Keys. Now, I wait to have the children home for Christmas!
I came upon a very interesting article about Mozart and Gregorian chant as I was researching a quote in Father's homily about Mozart's desire to compose a chant in favor of all his work. He did say at the end of his life that he would have gladly renounced
his entire work for the joy of composing the Introit of the Mass of the Dead. This confession
is extraordinarily humble, but it would have been a great loss for humanity if it had been carried
out. What this shows is that Mozart discovered in Gregorian chant the language of plenitude of the
adult man, which is fully reached in the heavens. All I can say is that there is definitely something transcendent in the Gregorian chant. It is very meditative, allowing one to cast aside the cares of the world and instead place ourselves in the very presence of God. I give you the Introit for the Feast of St. Nicholas. It's as if all barriers to time and space are broken. A most blessed Advent to all as we prepare for the coming of the Infant Jesus into our hearts in silent wonder. 
7 comments:
I remember vising Key West ages ago. Mostly, I remember the narrow bridges leading to it, passing other Florida Keys. Later, I read Jennifer Holm's TURTLE IN PARADISE (excellent!) and wished I could re-visit. Lucky y'all.
Mirka, you've been there! Michael and the kids drove last year, but when I saw how the keys curve around, I asked for a boat ride down there. So fun. And I've loved Jennifer Holms' other books and forgot about Turtle in Paradise. Thanks for putting it back on my radar.
Vijaya,
Looks like you had a fabulous time! My wife and I had our honeymoon in Key West...it's been a few years ago.
Dave, it was truly a wonderful change of pace. How lovely to have a honeymoon there. We saw a wedding party near Mallory Square.
I'm so glad you went to Hemingway's house and saw the cats! I knew you'd love them! We went to Key West in 1982 and it was unforgettable. I have a poster of a painting of Hemingway's house on my office wall. Loved Mallory Square's sunset festival and the whole relaxed, end-of-the-road atmosphere.
Oh, I have to add TURTLE IN PARADISE to my reading list!
Barb, that's so great about the painting you have. I took many pictures of the interiors and just loved that a cat was sleeping on his bed, and it was out of bounds for touching. You nailed it about the ambiance.
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