August Already

How time flies! So much has happened in July and I'm still processing it--road trip, family reunion, Trump assassination attempt, Biden stepping down as DNC candidate, and hurricane Debby already dumping massive amounts of water in the Lowcountry. Even so, we have God's peace, saints to emulate, walks on the beach, good books to read, and kitties! As Providence would it, we were able to have a procession (with the relic of the True Cross) around the church praying for protection against storms, so I think we're covered. The previous year we didn't and the church flooded Gaudete Sunday. Prayers really are powerful! And we are praying for all in the path of hurricane Debby. 

Antidote to Hurricanes: A Psalm and Shalom

With hurricanes causing much havoc, I bring to you a most beautiful rendition of Psalm 91 (a promise of God's protection) by Harpa Dei: https://youtu.be/sQNJs89E6x8 There are more here: Psalm 91: Fifteen musical versions – Art & Theology (artandtheology.org). I loved the Josquin adaption for 24 voices. We are praying for all in the path of Hurricane Ian. Nature is both so beautiful and devastating. I love satellite pictures. By the way, this young man with Dagny is Ian and she had so very much wanted to have a "hurrication" to visit him but her wiser nature prevailed. We've been teasing her about surviving Ian :) She's a good sport.

I had a piece on Guardian Angels published in the Sept. issue of Shalom Tidings. Always invoke your angel in times of distress. Aren't we blessed that God has appointed an angel to guide us? The more you listen to him, the more he prompts. Tomorrow is the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel--we pray to him daily for his protection. I like to begin my day with a Glory Be to the Holy Trinity in honor of my guardian angel for keeping me safe. I love waking up with Jules beside me; she has the softest fur on her pretty belly. Here she is covering her face with her paws...instead of helping me type. 

A Beautiful Day

We fared well during the hurricane, again. Praise God! There were some dire predictions for Charleston but Dorian stayed off-shore. This is the highest the water got in our backyard (still less than with Irma or Matthew) and later the wind was against the tide. I have a feeling coastal NC didn't fare as well given how much closer the eyewall was. Praying for them.

Today it's sunny and beautiful, a great day to clean up--lots of downed trees but I don't see much structural damage on my walk. I did meet a neighbor who is celebrating his 80th birthday! So is a dear family member!

He used to have a good friend who became a Rabbi and I often think and pray for our Jewish brethren because Salvation is from the Jews. I love what St. Augustine and other Church Fathers said: The New Testament lies hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New. The New is not meant to replace the Old, rather it brings into full light the hidden meaning and signs that foreshadow God's plan of redemption through His Son, Christ Jesus.

Today is also first Friday, a special day devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I wrote this Gospel meditation without realizing it was even a Friday. I was sooooo thankful to be able to hear Mass. Our beautiful little church suffered no damage. 

Embracing Uncertainty

Ah, if only we knew that Florida would be spared, Michael could've stayed down in Ave Maria even longer...but since I am selfish, I'm glad he came home a day early. We had the whole weekend together and now the rest of the week as well. I'm not getting much work done because we take too many chatty tea breaks and cook nice meals and watch Tropical Tidbits and a movie every single night--sound like a good hurrication, no? These pretty pink skies will give way to gray before too long.

Hurricanes are highly distracting even if they're a thousand miles away I truly feel for the poor people of the Bahamas getting pounded and not just for a few hours but over a whole day and more. Who knew something like this would happen? We didn't expect it with Florence either. But Dorian feels like it's going to take a similar trajectory as Matthew. As in the past, we will button up the porch and stay indoors. I've printed out several things I need to work on in case we lose power. But there's always music and books.

Speaking of books, I have to rave over one that Max recommended: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. It's a story of one man's dying and it is so beautifully written I cried. Requiescat in pace, Paul. I hope we meet in heaven one day. I'm also in the middle of these two books: Night Diary by Veera Hirandandi (set during Partition) and The Second Mountain by David Brooks. My biggest complaint about Brooks is that he doesn't commit to anything, even while writing. It always surprises me when brilliant people don't take that leap of faith. And since we've all read the book in our family, we refer to people we know as first or second mountain people. Hehe. 

Anyway, what does any of this have to do with embracing uncertainty? Everything and nothing. It's something I've been thinking about because I realized that one of the greatest gifts of our faith has been the ability to throw ourselves fully into any venture even if we do not know the outcome. It's about placing your trust in Christ, and doing the right thing, as much as you can know something's right. I'm always asking the Holy Spirit to guide my hours, my days, and to help me walk the right path. And I ask the same for our children, who are so far from us now. But I do not worry. Christ is with them and Mary keeps pointing the way to her Son. There is so much joy in embracing uncertainty. I've now come up with a litmus test for discernment: is it drawing me nearer to our blessed Lord or farther away? It's that simple.    
      
Our lives can change in a blink of an eye. All we can do is prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and know that not even a sparrow falls without our Lord's knowledge. He is with us. I am praying for all in the path of Dorian to remain safe.  

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/03/hurricane-dorian-satellite-photos-show-bahamas-underwater.html

And Off They Go!

 

 

I bid goodbye yesterday to these three loves of mine as they headed down to Ave Maria, FL. Michael called last night to let me know they arrived and are super-excited. Dagny has orientation today and Max, being a returning student, will check in over the weekend. The earlier the better. I see, another, unwelcome guest--Dorian! Not again. I hope and pray for all in Dorian's path to remain safe.

We've had a wonderful time together and with their friends, old and new, though it was much too short. Ah time, it just keeps marching forward!   

 

 


I got teary tidying up the kids' rooms and doing their laundry, but so happy they get to grow not only intellectually, but also in their faith. We are thankful for the scholarships they've received in support of Catholic education. I'm doing the usual--praying, reading, writing, singing, cat-watching, dog-walking. The critters (aren't they pretty though?) are decimating our garden but we've had a good crop. There's enough for everybody. The peppers are still bountiful.

 

 

A picture of calm, no? St. John the Baptist, patron of my blog, pray for us. 

Déjà vu

Remembering the people who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. Requiem aeternam.
  
September seems to be the peak of the hurricane season. I remember when we moved here seven years ago and closed on our house. Irene brushed by us. Now it seems like business as usual--prepare, wait it out. But this year, Michael and Dagny have gone down to Florida to visit with Max, have Dagny sit in on a few classes at Ave Maria, and have a little holiday. Praying for a safe journey for them and for all in the path of Florence. I really, really feel badly for the folks in NC who will take a direct hit. I am, of course, staying home with our pets, and have a writing retreat.

I love the pictures from space, how immensely beautiful it is to see the winds whirling about. This picture reminds me of last year when we had Irma, Maria, and Jose, all lined up. I know so many who've still not recovered from last year.

We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.  

 

Writing (NOT) While Distracted

I've been horribly distracted for the past few weeks with preparations for the kids to begin school (and why schools not open until after Labor Day, I don't know), the endless shopping (even though I really love all new notebooks and pens and pencils but really, enough is enough), and then as soon as I thought we were getting settled into a new school routine (Dagny finally changed her work schedule so that she's not working school nights) Harvey arrived, and soon after, Irma. I have family and friends in both Texas and Florida, so it's been unsettling to say the least. And we also had to made some preparations in case Irma came up the FL/GA coastline as Matthew did last year. 

It used to be that I could put things in a box and get on with what I need to do but Harvey changed that. I checked the news incessantly as if I could change anything just by knowing how bad (or good) things were. I discovered that on the days when I didn't turn on the TV, I was much more at peace. I turned to God in my anxiety, placing the people I worried about in His care. I turned to the blessed Mother, trusting her to dispense the graces wherever they're needed. Watching TV made me very, very anxious. It's a good thing we're not in the habit. Until now, I didn't even turn on the TV.  

Today I'm finally returning to my usual routine and I've had to fight the urge to find more news than the updates given from the Ave Maria website. Honestly, reading the President's words have been a balm, contrary to the frenzy depicted in the secular media. All is going to be well. Americans are a hardy lot. God is with us and together we will rebuild our communities.   My trusty Mont Blanc of over 20 years is finally repaired and what a pleasure it is to sit out on the porch again and scribble. I no longer have to worry my inky fingers staining white shirts and blouses. The garden is finished for this year. I can't believe how many cucumbers we ate. My freezer is filled with hot chili peppers. We couldn't consume them as fast they grew. They're so good in the curries, though my last batch turned out extremely HOT. Whew! I had to slug a few sips of heavy cream to cool the fire in my mouth. The animals are relaxed and taking over the household. And thank God I'm writing again.

Things I've learned: Write even if the thoughts are jumbled. Go for a walk. Write crap. Pray the rosary. Read good books. Pray Divine Mercy. Write some more. Make a list. Go to confession. Trust in the Lord. He is the Lord of everything, including hurricanes. Let yourself be comforted like a little child. And don't turn on the TV.

Tell me, how do you write while distracted? Better yet, how do you get rid of the distractions?

Amazing how quickly the yard dried out. This is high tide + storm surge = 10 ft of water.