Monkey's Uncle

Harry (climbing on the counter to get something out of the cabinet): I'm a monkey.

Me: My brother wanted to be a monkey. When he was three, someone asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up and he said a Monkey.

Pippi: Now he's a Monkey's Uncle.

Summer Reading

Shakespeare and the Fab Four

Thanks to Alice at Cottage Blessings for pointing me in the direction of this. It's perfect, since Harry, Pippi and I just finished reading "A Midsummers Night's Dream" this evening, and Harry loves the Beatles. So what could be better than the Fab Four doing the skit from within the play with John Lennon as Thisbe, Paul McCartney as Pyramus, George Harrison as the Moon, and Ringo Starr as Lion.

Poetry Friday - By a Boy: Oy!

I promised a poetry contribution from Harry, and here it is. In school he had to write a poem using words that ended in 'oy'. This is the result.

Cowboy Roy

Cowboy Roy was a joyful lad
He had three toys
He loved soy sauce
we forgot about Elroy
They hated their dormmate Troy
They loved to destroy Troy's stories.

The round up this week is at a wrung sponge. Have a great weekend.

Math Crazed

Pippi is not a math person. She is 'math-phobic' if that's a word.

Her brother on the other hand loves math.

At the beginning of this school year (1st grade), when the class was going over the fundamentals of counting, he wanted to be learning fractions.

When they finally got to fractions, he was disappointed that it was just coloring in parts of circles and triangles and such. I guess he wanted to be adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions like his sister was doing (Pippi would probably be quite happy to color in parts of circles). I explained to him that in order to do things with fractions, you first had to understand what fractions were. One thing at a time.

Yesterday he came home from school and told me that the math chapter they were on now was multiplication and division. He didn't sound happy about it.

Me: But that's good. You want to do multiplication and division.

Harry (sounding disgusted): Yeah - but they're doing it like repetitive addition. What's 2 plus 2 plus 2 plus 2. (big sigh)

Me: What do you want to be doing?

Harry: Stuff like 27 x 27.

Me: Do you know how to do that?

Harry: No.

So I showed him. And we tried another double digit problem. He enjoyed it. And I taught him the trick that I learned in 3rd grade about the 9 times tables (take the number you're multiplying 9 by, subtract 1, figure out what other number you need to make it equal nine and place the two digits next to each other: (9 x 3: 3-1=2, 2+7=9 therefore 9x3=27). He loved it. Now in addition to trying to teach his classmates about factorials, maybe he'll teach them the nine times tables.

Easy Answer

Mom, can we wash the car? Can we? Can we? Please?

Um - yes.

Empty Nest

The last bird flew the coop this morning. When I opened the living room blinds this morning, I saw that the bird was standing on the edge of the nest - just like his siblings had done yesterday afternoon. I called Pippi and Harry to hurry and come downstairs - because I thought the bird was going to fly soon.

They came and watched.

A parent bird came and fed the little one.

He settled down into the nest and I sent Pippi to get dressed.

I even let them eat their breakfast in the living room, so in case the bird decided to fly they wouldn't miss it.

About quarter after eight, I opened the window so that they could hear it and be clued in if something was happening (they were also reading the comics at the time). And I reminded them that in 15 minutes we were going to have to leave for school whether the bird had flown or not.

But as I turned my back to go back into the kitchen they both started shouting: He flew! He's gone! He flew away!

And so they didn't miss it - I did - but I saw the two yesterday, so that's fine with me. I'm so glad they saw it.

"It's not like it's a once in a lifetime experience or anything," Pippi said.

"It might be," I reminded them - you usually don't have the opportunity of a nest right outside your window. After all, how often does a person get a chance to see a bird take his first flight - and know it's the first flight?

And now the nest is empty. And as far as my question as to whether the birds come back to the nest. It doesn't appear they do. They've achieved their freedom. Good for them. I'm just so glad we were able to observe them from the time of their hatching until they flew away.

Flying the Coop

Mere moments after I took this picture, while I watched from the window inside the house, these two birds flew away. I saw their first flight. I knew the one standing taller in this picture was ready to fly. I was surprised that they both took off at the same time. I was even more surprised when the first bird flew right at the window screen (which thankfully I had lowered a moment before - I had opened it in the hopes of a better picture). He grabbed at the screen with his feet and clung there for a second - as I stood on the other side too surprised to do much. His brother had flown away with no obstacles. After a few seconds, the first bird flew away also. They leave a sibling in the nest. The third bird seems quite content to have all that space to himself.

Now - the question is - do these robins return to the nest tonight. I guess I'll find out!

The Mighty Pencil

Getting ready to do homework yesterday afternoon. Harry finds a pencil. He sharpens it.
Pippi eyeing the pencil: Hey that's my pencil
Harry: But it's got a good eraser.
Pippi: I know - because it's brand new, and I don't want you using it.
Harry hands it over. I find him another pencil and hand it to him.
Pippi: That's mine too.
Me (after finding another pencil): Does this belong to you Pippi?
Pippi: Nope
I go to sharpen it.
Harry in the meantime opens the drawer to find a writing instrument. He comes up with a pen.
Harry: The pen is mightier than the sword.
Me (Taking pen from him and replacing it with pencil): Yes - but you're doing your homework in pencil.

Birdy Update

I think the birds are going to start flying soon. They're spreading their wings. And the three babies barely all fit in the nest anymore. One of them keeps standing up and flapping. Any day now, I think he's going to give flight a try.

I love the fact that this is all right outside my living room window and I can sit on the sofa and watch it all unfold.

Tuesday's Proverb

The discipline of the LORD, my son, disdain not; spurn not his reproof; For whom the LORD loves he reproves, and he chastises the son he favors. (Proverbs 3:11-12)

Good Mood Monday

Our baby birds are growing. There are three of them in the nest. You can see two of them in this picture. I imagine that pretty soon they will learn to fly. They are growing so quickly.

And other than that this is cute picture of some cute birds - how does this make a good mood Monday? Well - the other day I saw how the mother bird disposes of the bodily waste from the baby birds. She plucks it up in her beak and flies away with it.

So - dirty diapers don't seem so bad now - do they? It's all a matter of perspective.

For some more Happy Thoughts - check out House of Cards for some random acts of kindness. And if you have any other happy Monday posts let me know in the comments and I'll link to them.

Shakespeare's in the Air

I was inspired by Alice, over at Cottage Blessings, to introduce my children to Shakespeare. The pictures that Alice shares of her crew's performance of A Midsummers Night's Dream are simply spectacular.

I don't have a whole passel of kids I could interest in performing Shakespeare, but I do have two children who love a bit of drama.

We have a "Complete Works of Shakespeare" from 1925. It's great in that it has everything - but it's not the easiest to read - the pages are thin, the type small - and there are no explanatory notes. I figured if I was going to introduce a 7-year-old and a 10-year-old to Shakespeare, I better have some explanations available.

I found a great series of books by SparkNotes, No Fear Shakespeare. And I bought a copy of A Midsummers Night's Dream. These books have the original Shakespeare on one page - and on the adjacent page they have a "plain English" translation.

So, we're reading the play, a page at a time - first in plain English - so we'll all know what is going on, and then in Shakespeare's own words.

The kids love it. Harry totally got into playing Egeus. He loved the role of angry father. He projected his voice so well he should have been on-stage, not in the kitchen. And then when he took to playing Lysander - he needed to know, was this person angry too. No - Lysander was more sad - because he couldn't marry the girl he wanted. So Harry moderated his tones to one of sadness and dejection.

Pippi meanwhile, is our resident actress, and she's loving playing as many roles as I'll let her. She especially likes reading Puck.

We sometimes have to shift what roles we are reading - so that we're not having conversations with ourselves. But, so far it's been working out fine.

And there's something pretty neat about hearing your kids ask if you can read more Shakespeare now.

Everybody Sing Now

There is an adorable little girl in our church - probably about two years old, who always wows me as she walks in the communion line, her hands held in a perfect prayerful position before her.

Today she was in a singing mood. As we sang the song during the presentation of the gifts - she sang along loud and lustily - just not anything near what the rest of the congregation was singing. And then, when the organ was playing some soft music in anticipation of the communion song, she announced loudly. "Sing, guys," and proceeded to do just that. (Her Mom did shush her then, until a song was actually being sung.)

I love that she is so enthusiastic about what is going on around her - her mother is doing a great job raising her.

Poetry Friday

My daughter has truly become a poet this year. Her Language Arts teacher told us (at conferences) that at the beginning of the school year when the class was told that they would be writing a lot of poems, Pippi groaned, and announced that she hated writing poems. In fact, I think her first attempt, was something along the lines of "I hate poems". But it didn't take her long to realize that she is in fact quite talented at writing poems. And now she loves it.

So, this week, I share another of Pippi's poems.

When I met Sleep

When I met sleep
It was distinctly female
But she had large hands
Her smile was wide
Her voice was hushed
And her figure looked like a cloud person
Sleep sang lustily
Smoothly, sweetly
We rocked back and forth
Finally, I fell asleep.

Maybe next week I'll share something by Harry.

This week's round-up is at Big A little a.

The Baby Birds

I've been watching the baby birds the past couple of days. I'm thrilled that I'm able to do that while sitting in my living room. If I want a closer look I can go up to the window - or even out on the front stoop - but I can happily see them while reclining on the love seat.

And what I observed the other day was the mother (and the father too) bird feeding the babies about every 20 minutes. Even when one of the parents weren't there, the babies often had their beaks open - even while they slept - in the hope that a delectable morsel of worm would drop into their mouth.

When the mother (or father) did appear with some food, the birds all bobbed their heads up and down - trying to be the one who got his beak closest to the food and therefore got fed. I couldn't tell, from my vantage point, if all the babies got fed every time, or only one or two. But I did see that that mother spent her day digging up worms to feed her hungry crew.

I remember when my children were infants - and they wanted to nurse every couple of hours. It was exhausting, and I remember wishing for the day when they would eat at regular meal times. Perhaps Mother Robin is wishing for the day when her babies will be able to dig up their own worms.

The babies are getting bigger now. They are losing their fuzz and have feathers. They have the red breast markings of a grown-up robin. I imagine that soon they will be learning to fly.

My children are getting bigger too - they're testing their own wings - as they skip rocks down at the creek for half an hour before we have to leave for Mass tonight.

I'm glad that it takes human children a lot longer to reach 'flight' than it does for birds. The years I have with my children are precious to me - they've progressed past baby, toddler and even 'little' kid stages. They're big kids now. Pippi is even a tween, I suppose.

Watching the baby birds grow from hatchlings to fledglings is reminding me to appreciate all the stages my own kids go through.

And it's just plain fun to watch the birds in their nest every day.

Tuesday's Proverb

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with first fruits of all your produce; Then will your barns be filled with grain, with new wine your vats will overflow. (Proverbs 3:9-10)

Company in the Teen Years

It turns out that I'm not the only one celebrating a 13th wedding anniversary today (I never thought I was or anything.) Lissa at The Bonny Glen and Amy of Between Daydreams are also celebrating this momentous occasion. Congrats to them. And to anyone else who is celebrating a 13th - or other anniversary - or birthday - or whatever. Happy Day to Everyone.

Good Mood Monday

Sometimes it's all about going slow enough to notice things. When I was a child I had a picture book in which the main character stopped to notice a butterfly, and the story went on to say that grown-ups just don't notice things like that.

I decided there and then that I wanted to be the kind of grown-up who would notice a butterfly. And lots of times I do. Sure, sometimes we're in a rush, and have lots of things on our minds, and naturally, the little things may slip by unnoticed, but how much more special life is when we do notice those things.

Having a robins nest outside our living room window and next to the front door is making us all slow down and notice things. If we go in or out, we always stop to see what the birds are up to - and often we just stop by the front window for a peak.

Yesterday I saw the mother bird holding a worm above two open little beaks waiting for food. It's such a beautiful thing to witness.

Walking home from bringing the kids to school this morning I saw our goose family - the goslings are growing fast. The parents were walking behind, guiding them, as we do with our own children. I saw two rambunctious squirrels race straight up adjoining trees.

There's a lot out there in this beautiful world, and a gorgeous spring day is a perfect time to pay attention to it.

And so despite the children being in bad moods this morning, I'm in a good mood - but maybe that has something to do with the fact that today is my 13th wedding anniversary and I'm lucky enough to be married to my best friend.

If anyone else wants to post a Good Mood Monday message I'll link to you, if you leave me a comment.

A Letter from A Mother

Once upon a time men (and women) embarked upon adventures to a new world. In a day without regular mail service, no telephones, e-mail, instant messaging or anything of the sort, when a child left for the "new world" that was often the last he would see of his mother. A great and exciting adventure for the son to be sure, but for the mother left at home, wondering how he fares, not so great. And what did those mother's think.

I'm lucky to have had access to The Howard Genealogy by Heman Howard, and in there is a copy of a letter sent from Mary Hayward (alternate spelling of Howard) to her son John. I am a direct descendant of them both.

So, in honor of Mother's Day, here's the letter Mary wrote to her son living in Massachusetts in 1652.

London, Aug 16, 1652

Loving Son:--

Having a fitt opportunity by a friend to send to you, I could not, out of my motherly care to you and your brother, do less than write a few lines to you to certify you that both I and your sister are in good health, praysed be God, and that I earnestly desire to hear from you both, how you do and how and in what condition you are both. Your sister desires to be remembered to you both, and she and I have sent you some small tokens of our love for you. I have sent George 3 bands and a handkerchief, and an handkerchief to yourself, and I have sent you a shilling to you to pay for writing of a letter, if by long silence you have forgott. I wonder, son, you should so forgott your mother, whose welfare she tended more than anything in the world. Your sister hath sent you a book of your f ather's to you and a bible to George. Did we conceive you were alive, we would have sent you better tokens. Child, with my blessing to you both, desiring to hear from you and whether you ever intend for England, and how your cousing Sarah doth, with my daily prayer to the Lord for you, I rest.

Your Loving Mother,

Mary Hayward

For her loving son, John Hayward,

this: --

In case he be dead, to George Hayward in New England.

I especially like how she includes money for him to send a letter. No excuses for him. But, it's also touching that she has to wonder if perhaps he isn't alive, because it would be a real possibility. As it turns out, he was alive, but I don't know if he answered her letter.

I Hope I Don't Need This Phrase

Pippi has been teaching herself some German with an old German phrase book I have. It's a nice little pocket-sized book with some very handy phrases organized by category: Greetings, Weather, Emergencies, Eating and Drinking.

Handy phrases include:
Es gibt viel Nebel (there's a lot of fog)
Ich habe Hunger (I'm hungry)
Der Mann hat mir mein Geld gestolhen! (That man stole my money!)

And then there's this one.:
Es ist zu viel Wasser im Boot (There's too much water in the boat.)

That would be fine in the emergency section - only this phrase is under "Sightseeing." What kind of sightseeing tours do they run over there?

Poetry Friday - Kind of

It's almost Mother's day, so people are posting poems about Mothers. That makes perfect sense.
However I've been watching the mother bird outside our window today, with her (at least) three little hatchlings. And decided to compose a ditty (I'm afraid to really call it a poem) about her.

Baby Birds and Mama

Little beaks open wide
Hoping for some food
Mama feeds them
Bits of worms
Then settles down
Snug inside her nest
Her babies safe beneath her.
Is this what we call babysitting?

An Easter Story

I know that Easter was last month. But we are still in the Easter season - so this isn't really that terribly out of date.

Yesterday, my son's public school teacher gave me a copy of something he wrote in his journal in school on April 3, 2007. It was probably suggested that they write about the upcoming Spring Break.

This is what Harry (age 7, grade 1) wrote:

Spring Break as a Catholic

Easter is a very happy day for Catholics because it is the day that our only lord Jesus rises from the dead. The day after that was the day that there were 12 people who partied with our lord Jesus and he turned water into wine. The day after that Mary his mother welcomed him back to Planet Earth and a bad guy asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews. The day after that Jesus rose back to heaven with Mary and turned to King and Queen. (This is all about remembering Jesus rising from the dead.)

His chronology is a little off - but he hits most of the main points.

One Egg Hatched

I was sitting, in the living room, working on my lap top, and gazing out the window (you can see how much working was going on) and I noticed that the robin was standing on the edge of her nest looking in, as opposed to sitting nestled snuggly on top of her four eggs.

Naturally, I had to sacrifice work time to go to the window and see what was up. And I was glad I did.

What I saw was a little newly hatched bird. So new that it was like a little wiggly pink ... something ... (I'm kind of at a loss as to how to describe it) it didn't have feathers - but a little bit of fuzz here and there. It was moving very awkwardly, as if it couldn't figure out what moving was all about. And while I watched, it managed to get itself into position to put its head up, and open its beak. That was when the mother bird put the little bit of food she was holding in her beak, in the babies mouth. The baby immediately opened its mouth for more (the mother ignored it.)

Later I saw both mother and father robin looking at their newly hatched baby. Then the mother settled herself back in the nest again (I guess it's okay to sit on your babies if you're a bird) and I suppose will wait for the other eggs to hatch.

I'm so glad the robins built their nest where we can see the baby birds from the living room window. It's quite a treat.

Tuesday's Proverb

Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and turn away from evil; This will mean health for your flesh and vigor for your bones. (Proverbs 3:7-8)

Time for A Little Something Different

This isn't simple or ordinary. But it's pretty cool just the same.

What I'm Reading

Lissa tagged me for a book meme. The question is: What books are you reading right now?

Let's see. I just finished one yesterday and started a new one last night, but I've barely gotten past the first few pages in the new one, so I'll include them both.

The one I finished is Last Chance Saloon by Marian Keyes. I was hoping for a light read, and it wasn't as light as I hoped, but it was a good story about three friends and the turmoils in their lives, and how one friend's bout with cancer helps the others to sort out their lives.

The book I just started is The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory. I'm only on page 4, so honestly can't tell much about it yet, but I've read other books by Philippa Gregory and have enjoyed them, and enjoy stories from that time period.

I'm also reading The Complete Idiot's Guide to Learning Latin. I didn't take Latin in school. I had 5 years of Spanish, 2 of German and a semester of French (in college) (just as a side note, if you learn Spanish and German first it's very hard to get your mouth around French pronunciations - or maybe that's just me). Now I'm interested in learning a little Latin. This seemed like a good place to start.

And then there are the books that are sitting by my bed because I've started them, and just didn't finish yet. Two are re-reads of books by Madeleine L'Engle: The Irrational Season, which is the third book in her Crosswicks Journals - and which I like to re-read every now and then, and The Love Letters - a story combining a modern day romance and a 17th century romance, as well as a Portuguese convent and a French soldier.

I also have A Friar's Joy - a book I picked up at a mission this Spring given by a Franciscan Friar. It's a lot of small stories from the lives of several Friars.

And for a little "light" reading (ha) we have A New Song For the Lord by Pope Benedict XVI, A Father Who Keeps His Promises, by Scott Hahn, and How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization by Thomas E. Woods, Jr.

One thing becomes clear here and that is that I need to finish some of the books by my bed.

Now I get to tag people.
I tag Nancy at Journey Women, Meredith at Sweetness and Light, and Milehimama at Mama Says... and Liz at A Chair, A Fire Place and a Tea Cozy.

Good Mood Monday

I wanted to get this post done earlier in the hopes of attracting more people to the idea of "Good Mood Monday" - put, what can I say - it's Monday.

Inspired by a post on joy at Sweetness and Light and by the Carnivals of Joy at Three Plus Two, I thought it would be neat to have a day when we post about good things. And Mondays are a day we could all use a little mood-lightening, whether it's because you have to go to work again after a relaxing weekend, or are trying to convince the children that they really do want to go to school this morning, Mondays can be tough.

I'd say that the most mood-boosting thing this morning was the walk to school with the kids. The sky was blue, the breeze was fresh, and the goslings were out. While Canada Geese can be a pain, with the mess they leave in parks and on sidewalks, their offspring are adorable. Right now we have four little fluffy yellow goslings trailing their parents around the park. So cute.

And if that isn't mood-brightening enough for you, check out this video. I originally saw this when Melissa Wiley linked to it from one of her many blogs but couldn't find the original link today. I did find it on YouTube, but when I tried to embed it in my blog, it didn't work. So hopefully the link will. I particularly like the line "You can sleep when you are dead."

If you want to participate in Good Mood Monday, just put a note in the comments with a link, and I'll round it all up later today.

Edited to add: Meredith, over at Sweetness and Light, joins Good Mood Monday today with a lovely post on Mondays with Mary. And what better way is there, really, to put yourself in a good mood, then to spend some time in the company of the mother of our Lord.

Put A Little Love In It

Our priest told a story today about a nun who came to talk to his seminary class. Without going into all the details, it boiled down to this: She had told someone who was having a difficult time to "Put a Little Love in it". The woman to whom the advice was directed thought it seemed simplistic - but tried it ... and it worked.

So the nun now passed the advice on to the seminarians, and today, Father Jim passed it onto us.

Put A Little Love In It.

It would make a nice inspirational poster.

And it's also very good advice.

Today's Gospel reminds us once again of Jesus' new commandment to us. "To love one another." But it's not really new. It's more of a summary of the original ten.

A couple of weeks ago as I wrapped up teaching the ten commandments to my fourth grade CCD class I told them that all ten could be summed up in one word. Did they know what that word was?

Law?

No.

Commandment?

No.

It's Love I told them. It's as simple as that: Love.

Because if you love someone you don't want to do bad things to them. You don't want to lie about them or steal from them, or hurt them in anyway. If something good happens to them you are happy - not jealous. Basically, if you are acting in love you don't need someone to remind you of what the ten commandments are because you will automatically do the right thing.

But what about all those other people. The ones who cut you off in traffic, the teachers who give homework over vacation breaks, the friend who stops being a friend. Well, Jesus didn't make exceptions. We have to love them too. But since that is a bit harder, we do have those rules: even if we don't feel love we still need to not kill, not lie, not steal. We have to act in love even if we don't feel love.

And that brings us back to the advice Father Jim shared with us today. Put a little love in it and you can't go wrong.

It's a Bird, It's a Plane ... It's...

Super Librarian

I was reading the paper this morning and came upon this article. I know it doesn't mention Liz by name, but who else could they mean? After all the heroine is a "pretty librarian from a South Jersey shore town" and she's armed with "book smarts, street smarts and technical savvy."

Sounds like the super hero the world has been waiting for.

Poetry Friday

For Poetry Friday today - I bring you an original poem by Pippi.

The Old Door

The door was gray
It was rusted
It was old
No one opened it anymore
It was cold.
I was daring
It squeaked
It creaked
I pushed it open.
I was surprised to see
A knight without half his armor running after a chicken!
I looked again.
A dragon!
Fairies!
Magic!
Knights!
Royalty!
I blinked my eyes.
Then I found, it was just
A Tapestry.
I moved it back.
Another scene I saw
Of pirates
Pilgrims
Pioneers!
I stepped forth and found it was real!
But how would I get back?
No one had told me.

The Poetry Friday round-up is over at Big A little a this week.

A Slice of Spring and Peace of Mind

I was feeling a bit overwhelmed this evening. Our problems may be small compared to other peoples, but tonight they seemed to all be piling on. I felt the need to wallow in misery.

What I did was take my cup of tea outside and sit on the front steps.

I felt agitated and upset.

The flowers on the trees are beautiful - pink and white - and light green leaf buds.

There leaves on the red maple glowed in the late afternoon sun.

The grass, newly cut was a brilliant shade of green.

A father was pushing his daughter on a swing in the park across the way.

It's a beautiful evening.

My spirit felt soothed.

God really is good to us - even when life seems too much - he has ways of reminding us that we really are blessed.

A Candle and a Prayer

Heather, a mother of three, is undergoing surgery today, to remove a brain tumor. Please pray for her.

The prayer chain is courtesy of Alice.




To get the link for the button, go here.

I can't imagine how difficult this must be for Heather and her family, but she is approaching this with a beautiful faith-filled attitude.

Please pray that God is with her and her family during this difficult time.

Sandlot Math

While waiting to get up to bat at his baseball game the other day, Harry and some of his teammates were writing in the sand with a stick. They'd write, they'd rub out - serious conversations were going on.

Later Harry came over to us.


Harry: "I'm trying to teach my teammates something but they keep rubbing it out when I write it down."

Me: "What are you trying to teach them?"

Harry: "Four Factorial."

And surprisingly the other 6 and 7 year olds weren't interested. Maybe he should try them again once they have adding and subtracting down.

Outnumbered

Pippi sang "When The Saints Go Marching In" in music class at school. She said she was glad to learn the real words because she used to think it was:

Oh when the saints go marching in
When the saints go marching in
Oh, how we'll be outnumbered,
When the saints go marching in

You know, there's a certain truth to her version.

Tuesday's Proverb

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Nesting

The robins are back. Can you see the bird in the picture (her beak has a ray of sunshine on it.) This time they were considerate enough to build their nest where we can easily see it from the living room window. There are four little blue eggs.

I love the thought of the little baby birds being right out our window when they hatch. And with the window view we don't have to worry about scaring the bird awy when trying to see in her nest from the front steps. It really was very considerate of her.

Good Shepherd Sunday

Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.” (John 10:27-30)

I don't know much about sheep. My only encounters with them have been in parks that used to be farms, where a few animals are kept so children (and adults) can see them. My understanding though is that sheep are not particularly bright animals (if someone knows differently, feel free to correct me on this) and therefore truly do need a shepherd to guide them.

Today's Gospel reminds us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

What does that mean to us?

Are we like sheep that blindly follow whoever might be around to lead us?

Well, we are, kind of - as hard as that is to accept.

Think of the 'shepherds' who are out there willing to lead the flock.

There's the entertainment industry, the 'Madison Avenue' types who write the ads, there are people who preach that the only good is secular, and people who preach hate for those who aren't made in the same mold as they are.

We need to watch who we follow.

Jesus is there, waiting for us to follow him. If we listen, we do know his voice. And he knows us. He wants us to follow him, he wants to lead us to His Father. But hHe can't make us follow him. It has to be our choice.

Sometimes it looks like the other shepherds would be easier to follow. It is easier to conform to a secular culture than to live a religious life. But the easy way is not the way to God. Jesus is the way to God. He told us that. He will lead us there, if we chose to follow.

He is the Good Shepherd - the one we should follow. It shouldn't be hard to remember that, but sometimes it is.

images from FreeFoto.com

Math is...

Hard.

No. Make that Fun.

It all depends on your point of view.

Years ago there was a Barbie doll that said "Math is Hard" when the string in her back was pulled. People got upset, thinking this was going to give the wrong idea to young girls. (Okay, like Barbie is such a perfect role model otherwise, but that's another topic.)

My daughter didn't need a doll to tell her that though - she decided it all on her own. It's not that she can't do math (she can) - she just doesn't tend to think mathematically. She doesn't automatically see the patterns or naturally see the way problems can be solved.

I went on a quest to find something to help her. With a little (okay a lot) of help from Lissa, I discovered The I Hate Mathematics! Book and Math for Smartypants by Marilyn Burns. These books are great because they are not "workbooks." I knew that a workbook wouldn't work for Pippi. After all, she was convinced she hated math. I wasn't going to be able to get her to do more work. But I wanted her to get the idea that solving mathematical puzzles can be fun. And that's exactly what these books have. They have games to play - puzzles to solve (we still haven't figured out the King Arthur one) and fun activities. And none of it seems "mathy." But yet it is.

To see Pippi reading these books, and playing the games was very satisfying. At the very least it gave her a chance to see that math can be fun. Really fun. And even if that's all she gets out of it - that's enough.

Now, Harry is mathematically minded. He sees patterns quickly. He can do a lot of problems in his head. And he absolutely loves these books. He read the section on Factorials - and promptly figured out (using a calculator) how many different ways the nine players on his baseball team could be lined up (362,880).

As an aside - we were watching "Are you Smarter Than a Fifth Grader" with the kids one day - and one of the questions had to do with supplementary angles. I was reminding Pippi what supplementary and complementary angles are (she studied that this year) and Harry was very interested.

"Write that down for me," he said.

"I'm pretty sure you're not going to need to know this in first grade," I assured.

But that wasn't good enough and the next day I had to draw him angles and show him how it all works. He was enthralled.

So Harry thinks Math is Fun and Pippi thinks Math is Hard and they both love those new books we got.

Thanks, Lissa.

An Old-Fashioned Girl

Let me just make a few things clear right from the start. We are not the Wilderness Family. We do not live on a farm. We don't even live in a farming area. We live in a very large town in New Jersey. We're surrounded by malls, highways and lots of traffic.

But somehow, despite all this, we've managed to raise a daughter who shuns modern technology. (Or at least thinks she does.) It's true that we don't have cable TV - but we do have VCRs and DVD players set up to two different televisions. The children very much enjoy watching Gilligan's Island on the computer. They enjoy the electronic keyboard, and CD players and iDogs and Mood Beams.

So, what is it about modern technology she doesn't like. She doesn't think much of what is on TV (can't say I blame her.) She doesn't like Video Games. (We don't have one - but she did like playing one at her Aunt and Uncle's house when she had the chance.)

She'll happily tell you she wishes she were born 100 or more years ago (though she does appreciate modern plumbing.) Her entertainment of choice is reading - or writing. She thinks more kids ought to read - as opposed to watching TV or playing video games. She saw a picture in a Weekly Reader of children using TV screens and remote controls to take a test. She thought that was ridiculous.

I'm glad she likes the old ways. I'm thrilled that she'd rather be reading or playing with her brother than watching TV. I'm glad my children are not glued to video games for hours at a time. I like that they use their imagination and find ways to entertain themselves without the use of electronics. I like to think that we planted the seeds for this when they were young, by trying not to buy too many electronic toys - but by sticking more to toys that they had to do something with (as opposed to watching the toy do something.)

I hope as we navigate our way through the tween years and into the teens, she doesn't do a turn-around on me. I like the fact that she's comfortable being a little out of the mainstream.

However, if she really had to live as people did over a hundred years ago I think she'd be in for a few surprises - modern technology definitely has made life easier over the years, and I, for one, don't feel like giving it up.

Someone to Watch Over Me

Ground Ivy and The Little Flower

I was weeding yet another flower garden today (the gardens all seem quite small until I start to weed them.) The weed I was pulling up out of this garden was almost exclusively Ground Ivy, an insidious weed. This weed (which has pretty purple flowers) was once mentioned in a gardening column and the columnist suggested that perhaps the homeowner should just "get to like it."

So, as I was pulling up countless ivy runners, I was thinking about this and how maybe I should just get to like it, when St. Therese of Lisieux (the Little Flower) came to mind. Saint Therese believed in "the little way."

This paragraph from Catholic Online shows what she meant by "the little way"

She knew as a Carmelite nun she would never be able to perform great deeds. " Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love." She took every chance to sacrifice, no matter how small it would seem. She smiled at the sisters she didn't like. She ate everything she was given without complaining -- so that she was often given the worst leftovers. One time she was accused of breaking a vase when she was not at fault. Instead of arguing she sank to her knees and begged forgiveness. These little sacrifices cost her more than bigger ones, for these went unrecognized by others. No one told her how wonderful she was for these little secret humiliations and good deeds.

Not all of us are called to great deeds or great sacrifices. Some of us are called to do small things on a regular basis. She "got to like" the things she didn't like. Or if not liking them, accepting and loving them anyway.

While I don't know if I'll "get to like" Ground Ivy. I do know that I will try to follow St. Therese's example and do good things - even in the smallest way.

For a Joyful Treat

Head over to Three Plus Two for the second Carnival of Joy. It's a great way to brighten up your day.

Tuesday's Proverb

Let not kindness and fidelity leave you; bind them around your neck; Then will you win favor and good esteem before God and man. (Proverbs 3:3-4)

If It's Not One Thing It's Another

And Sometimes It's Everything All at Once.

A little background:
1. The plumbing in our house seems a little odd. Last year we had a problem where the water that was coming from the garbage disposal or the dishwasher was backing up into the sink in the basement bathroom. We got that cleared and then the water wouldn't drain out of the kitchen sink. After we exhausted all do-it-yourself possibilities we called a plumber and everything worked again.

2. A couple of months ago we started having water pressure problems in the kitchen sink. Just the kitchen sink. Taking the faucet apart revealed - not much. It seemed to be a build-up of sediment. So two weeks ago we bought a new faucet and put it in.

3. During the rainstorm last week we got water in our basement and had to toss the rug we had down there. We bought a new one yesterday at Walmart.

Okay - that's the background. Now to yesterday and today.

Yesterday:
The new faucet in the kitchen - no water pressure. Can't be a build-up of sediment in a week? Can it?

So after we laid the new rug down in the basement, my husband took the sink apart to see if he can discover the problem. The problem is what looks like pieces of a water filter coming through the pipes (as far as we know we have no water filter on the pipe.) He cleaned it out and put it back together again.

He moved stuff back onto the new carpet downstairs - so he could get to the downstairs bathroom. Discovered that the sink was filled with dirty water. Looked like the dishwasher drained into it.

He emptied it and poured drain cleaner down it.

Now Today:
While I was out, he ran the dishwasher and then went to cut the grass. When he finished the grass he went downstairs and discovered that the dishwasher had overflowed the bathroom sink and flooded the basement.

Of course the new rug is wet.

So we went out and got some drain opener. While taking it out of the car, it leaked, and got all over his hands. He washed his hands, went downstairs, and discovered that the water he'd just put down the kitchen sink was now in the sink downstairs. So - no using the kitchen sink for awhile.

He got the bathroom sink flowing again - so I could use the kitchen sink (not sure I trust the dishwasher yet.) And then he went out.

He came back to tell me that there is something very strange wrong with his car (the fan won't turn off, even when the car is off) and when he went to use the sink - guess what - there was no water pressure.

He's working on the car problem - and the water pressure returned (at least temporarily.)

I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Or maybe I can.

Good Night, Sweet Prince

Harry hates to go to sleep. He does whatever he can to avoid it. That usually means that he doesn't stop physically moving until he is actually asleep. And often it means he doesn't stop talking (or singing) until then either.

He claims he's nocturnal. Maybe he has something there.

Once, a few years ago, he actually sang himself to sleep. He was lying on the floor (he maintained it was more comfortable than his bed - and whatever - I just wanted him to fall asleep - at that point, I didn't care where) and he was singing when I walked past his room. I walked by again about a minute later and he was fast asleep.

But what he really likes is for me to sing to him at night. (This doesn't happen too often). When he was a baby and I'd try to sing to him, he'd put his hand over my mouth. Okay - fine, I got the message. But, now he likes it. And there is one song in particular he likes. "Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ra" - also known as "An Irish Lullaby." I only sing him the refrain, because it's the only part I know. And if I'm not available to sing it to him, he's been known to sing it to himself.

So, I sing him a verse or two when I can, because he's seven years old now - and it won't be long before he won't want me singing to him (just like when he was a baby.)

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, that's an Irish lullaby.

The full song can be found here.

A Beautiful Sunday

Yesterday we finally had the kind of day we should have had when the kids were on Spring break. Oh well. Better late than never.

It was such a pleasure to get out and work in the garden, after church. And the kids rode their bikes and then went fishing. After lunch they helped in the yard by cleaning off the little white picket fences that go around our "secret garden." And then they read.

They put the cushions on the lawn chairs and curled up and read their books. Pippi was getting ahead on a school assignment and Harry was reading "Wizard's Hall" by Jane Yolen (which he loves by the way and would recommend to any Harry Potter reader.)

After dinner Pippi and Harry ran around the back yard while my husband and I enjoyed a cup of tea on the deck.

What did we do yesterday? Not much when it comes right down to it - and that's what made the day so wonderful.

Feed My Lambs

My children went fishing today. Just like Peter and the others in the Gospel today.

Okay - it wasn't just like the Gospel. After all, my children weren't in a boat - they were on the banks of the creek. They didn't have nets - but poles equipped with hot dogs for bait. (Hey, it's worked in the past.)

Just like Peter and the others - they didn't catch anything.

Unlike Peter and the others, Jesus did not appear to them and help them out in this matter.

I like this Gospel because it is the one where Jesus gives Peter a chance to redeem himself for his denials on Good Thursday/Holy Friday.

Peter didn't need to earn forgiveness. He was already forgiven. He was forgiven before Christ even died. And he didn't need to learn to feel proper remorse. He was completely sorry for what he had done - from the moment he realized what he had indeed done. What he needed was a chance to prove to Jesus (for his own sake, not Jesus' sake) that he could be trusted; that he didn't mean those horrible denials.

Jesus gives him that chance. Three times he asks Peter "Do you love me?"

And three times Peter answers "Yes, you know I do."

Three times. One for each of the times Peter denied his Lord.

And the Lord gives him a commission. "Feed My Lambs." "Tend My Sheep." "Feed My Sheep."

And Peter does this. He doesn't go back to being a fisherman (as he apparently had given thought to - hence the fishing expedition) instead he continues the work that Jesus called him to three years before. He will be a fisher of men, and tend the sheep.

The flock he's asked to tend are us - everyone. And the great thing is - that we can all share in Peter's job. We can all feed the lambs, tend the sheep. We can do it in big and small ways. We can do it everyday. Every time we act with love toward someone else, we are doing what Jesus asked of Peter.

It was an important assignment. Peter didn't take it lightly. Neither should we.

Poetry Friday

The sun is shining. The birds are singing. It's not raining (which I suppose is related to the fact that the sun is shining). It's going to actually feel like Spring again today, and I wanted to find a poem that expressed that somehow.

And I found this:

Song from Pippa Passes
by Robert Browning

The year's at the spring,
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hill-side's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in his Heaven -
All's right with the world!

I'm going to make sure I enjoy Spring - today - and even into the weekend!

A Laugh for the Day

There's a little Friday Fun over at Mama says.... Go check it out.

Favorite Rosary

Over at The Bird's Nest, a blog I found via my new blog roll, Sharon asked people to post pictures of their favorite rosaries. And I thought, do I take a picture of the rose petal one I use more often, the large wooden one hanging from my bedroom mirror, the beautiful new one my daughter got as a gift from her grandparents trip to the Vatican?

And then I looked up and saw the one I wanted to share. It's a cross-stitch I designed and stitched for my grandmother. Each bead is a ribbon-embroidered flower. After she passed away, I asked if I could have it.

It has a place of honor in the living room, and the palms are placed behind it each year. My son, if he needs help remembering the Hail Mary, will read from it.

So, this is the rosary that I will share.

Blog Roll Please

I've added a blog roll to my side bar. Catholic Mother's Online. I'm happy to be a member and to be a part of something like this. It's nice to know that there is a place to go to read and meet other people who have similar interests (ie: being a mother and being Catholic).

If you want to join, go here.

And please, visit all these wonderful blogs and get to know the ladies who write them.

Tuesday's Proverb

My son, forget not my teaching, keep in mind my commands; For many days, and years of life, and peace, will they bring you. (Proverb 3:1-2)

Saint Bernadette

A few years ago I read The Song of Bernadette by Franz Werfel, and it gave me a new appreciation for this saint. Up until then, I knew that Bernadette was a girl who had Our Lady appear to her at Lourdes. And that was about all I really knew. But this novel made Bernadette very real to me.

Bernadette is honored now as a saint, but when she was living she was not considered very bright - and maybe even a little bit crazy. She was mocked and ridiculed. But she persevered in following Our Lady's instructions and ultimately was honored for it.

Sometimes I find Saints very hard to relate to: stories from the middle ages always have a feel of "Once upon a time" to them and the super good, who founded religious orders, seem far removed from my life experiences.

But Bernadette is a Saint that lived within a more modern time frame. Her visions occurred just a few years before the start of the American Civil War. That makes it a little easier to envision what her life was like. Plus, she was just a normal school girl, trying to make it through her day, when this extraordinary thing happened to her.

Today is the feast day of St. Bernadette Soubirous. May it remind us that we don't have to be extraordinary people to lead extraordinary lives.

On a Positive Note

Due to all this rain, the grass is really turning a lovely shade of green.

And hopefully we won't have to worry about drought warnings this summer.

Rain

Rain, rain, go away.
Come again another day.

Okay - so it's not original. But, I think most people in a good part of the country would agree with me. Enough already.

We had to borrow a sump pump in order to drain our basement.

The kids - after a 10-day Spring Break, now have a "Flood Day."

At least we got Harry's baseball game in on Saturday before the rain started. Wednesday's game is looking doubtful though - unless everyone wears hip boots.

Finding Joy in Life

Over at Sweetness and Light, there's a wonderful post about Finding Joy Everyday. Since that is part of the theme of this blog: finding the happiness in the Simple and Ordinary aspects of life, that I felt I had to share the link.

Divine Mercy Sunday

In 2000, after declaring Faustina a Saint, Pope John Paul II declared that the Second Sunday of Easter will also be Divine Mercy Sunday.

Throughout the world this is becoming a huge event as people flock to churches for Divine Mercy Sunday services.

Our parish ignores it.

But, fine, we found a local parish that had a service today.

Normally, we try not to make the kids sit through extra church services - but this time we made an exception. See, we've been doing the novena. Every day at 3:00 (or as close to it as we can), since Good Friday, we've said the Divine Mercy Novena. It utilizes rosary beads and the prayers are short, so it's not too hard to get the kids to agree to. In fact, they sometimes were the ones reminding us that it was 3:00.

And since we'd done the novena, and gone to confession on the Saturday before Easter, it seemed logical to see things through with the service today.

The service included Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and the chaplet of Divine Mercy, and a few others prayers and such. It took about an hour, and the kids were good throughout.

I'm glad we did it - for them as well as for us.

It's important to be reminded of God's Mercy, because we all need it. And it's nice to know that God has promised to be merciful with us.

We should remember to be merciful with each other as well.

A Word to the Wise

You know how when you pick up yarn for a project, the packaging warns to buy enough to finish the project.

That's really pretty good advice.

Especially if you're going to put the project off so long, that the brand of green yarn you bought no longer exists. And you desperately need more.

I found a pretty good match though. Only a person with perfect color vision - someone who can differentiate between any hue would be able to tell the difference.

Oh - and did I mention, my husband can do that - differentiate between any hue. He's been tested.

And the blanket is for him.

Figures.

Discovering the Joys of Mindless TV

I was discussing with my husband the other day the fact that our kids really don't watch TV. In fact, as of Wednesday, they had spent the majority of their Spring Break (which has been a little too chilly for too much outdoor fun) reading and playing the piano.

When I was a kid, I watched a lot more TV than they do. I would come home from school and watch The Flintstones, The Brady Bunch, Gilligan's Island. And other shows like that. Maybe these weren't ground-breaking thought-provoking television shows - but they were harmless - and they were fun.

But then, I realized, that Pippi and Harry don't have access to that much good clean TV. think a lot of these shows are still available on TV Land or similar channels. But we don't have cable - or satellite - or whatever. IWe just have a regular TV with an antenna on the roof. We get the broadcast stations and that's it. The kids have plenty of DVDs if they want to see something particular (like Harry Potter).

Enter AOL and it's In2TV site. Through the marvels of modern technology, we have now introduced the kids to the joys of mindless television. Yesterday, for the first time, they encountered Gilligan, the Skipper and the rest of the castaways from Gilligan's Island. They loved it, and watched three episodes. I think they'll be watching more today.

I certainly don't mind them watching some TV. I don't think they'll become TV junkies - partly because I won't let them have access to my laptop for too long. They like reading too much to want to watch TV all the time. But it is nice to have access to something for them to watch that I have no objection to them seeing.

Maybe today, I'll introduce them to the Flintstones.

Tuesday's Proverb

Thus you may walk in the way of good men, and keep to the paths of the just. For the upright will dwell in the land, the honest will remain in it; But the wicked will be cut off from the land, the faithless will be rooted out of it. (Proverbs 2:20-22)

The Tomb is Empty

Several years ago, when my parents went to Jerusalem, my father kept a journal of his experiences. He gave me permission to use parts of it here if I wanted to. I thought his experience at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher would make a good Easter post.

Here it is also that we stand in line for maybe one-half hour or more to get into the Holy Sepulcher, the holiest shrine in Christendom. Our guide, a wonderful Jewish man, tells us, as we wait, that we are about to make a discovery that is the foundation of our faith. We are about to make the same discovery that Peter made 2,000 years ago, and that the two Marys made, and the disciples, and an untold number of pilgrims throughout the ages. We would enter the Tomb and we would find there – nothing. The Tomb is empty – He is not there.

I really didn’t have to travel 7,000 odd miles to find that out. I believed that before I left home. But, actually being there made me KNOW that He is not there. So, why do I, like the apostles, look for the Living among the dead?

He is not there, so He must be someplace else. I can no longer install my God in a tomb, in a shrine, or in a tabernacle and close the door and shut Him safely away until I want to take Him out and worship Him again. No, if there is a message to me from Jerusalem, it is that Jesus Christ is alive; that I don’t have need of signs and wonders, because, if I will only open my eyes. He is visible to me. And, when I see Him, He asks me to love Him wherever I find him as unconditionally as He loves me. That is the message to me from Jerusalem. My challenge is to open my eyes and seeing my God, to love Him where I find Him.
( WVK - March 1990)

And on the lighter side, for another view of Easter, peek back at last year's post when I shared Pippi's story of Easter, told when she was four.

Happy Easter. He is Risen. The tomb is empty.

Holy Saturday

And what did the disciples do on Holy Saturday? I asked my CCD class.

"Nothing," they answered, "it was the Sabbath, they couldn't do anything."

Right. They couldn't do anything but pray and mourn and wonder at what had happened. What was that day like? They were afraid. Afraid for their own lives. They were hiding. They were probably still shocked at the turn things had taken in just a few days. Did they weep? I believe they did. Did argue with each other over whose fault it was? Over what could have been done differently? Did they speak angrily of Judas and how he had betrayed him? Did Peter keep replaying in his mind the time when he denied Jesus, and wished he had done things differently? The probably did all these things.

What they couldn't do was work. They couldn't go out and chop wood or build something or anything that might have left them physically tired and able to sleep with out thinking about the horrible things that had happened.

And they didn't know Easter was coming.

Sure, Jesus had said that he would rise again. Sure, he had said, destroy this temple and rebuild it in three days. But he must have been speaking metaphorically. They had seen his bloody battered body. They knew where it was lying in a cold tomb, behind a rock, guarded by the Romans. Jesus was gone. They were just going to have to get used to that and figure out how to go on from here.

How lucky we are that when we meditate on the Lord's Passion, that we know that Easter is coming. Just a few more days. Only one day left, now that we are up to Saturday. One more day and the Alleluia can ring in our churches again. We can wait one more day, because we know what is coming.

The apostles didn't know that the next day would be Easter.

All they could do was sit and mourn and pray.

Good Friday

When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!"(Mark 15:39)

Why do we call Good Friday 'good'?

That was the question one of the students in my CCD class asked me last week. And it was a very good question.

I agree that it does not seem like a very good day. Look at what we commemorate on Good Friday: Jesus going before Pilate and Herod; being mocked and ridiculed; deserted by his followers; beaten; condemned to die; crucified; and finally dying a horrific and ignoble death.

It is a sad day; a day we commemorate sad events.

So, why is it good?

It certainly wasn't good to Jesus' followers who were living through it on that day. They probably thought it was the worst day of their lives. I'd hazard a guess that Jesus himself didn't care too much for that particular day.

But what Jesus did for us that day is what makes the day good. He took all our sins upon himself. He became our sacrificial lamb. He did these things, so we don't have to. And, for us, ultimately, that is good.

It wasn't good that day. It was good later. Because without Good Friday, we wouldn't have Easter. And Easter gives us the promise of everlasting life in God. And that is Good.

When looking for something that summed it all up, all I could think of was the centurion's remarks.

For out of it all; that is what is important.

Truly this man was the Son of God.

Holy Thursday

I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

A lot happens on Holy Thursday. Jesus celebrates the beginning of Passover with his friends. He washes their feet and reminds them that it is noble to serve others. During the Passover meal he tells his friends that he will not be with them much longer, and institutes the Eucharist by proclaiming that the bread is His body and the wine His blood. He declares that Peter will deny him, and that one of his followers will betray him.

After the dinner he prays, in agony, in the garden, because he knows what is to come.

He is betrayed, arrested and put on trial.

A lot happens that day. And of course instituting the Eucharist is the most significant. We remember that every time we go to Mass.

But, the words above. Ones, quoted in John as having been said during that meal are also of very great significance.

Observant Jews lived by many laws. Laws handed down from God to Moses. Jesus gave them a new one. One, that seems simple, but maybe is harder than all the rest. "Love one another."

It sounds so easy. Much easier than making sure that the food is kosher and that nothing unclean has defiled us before the Sabbath. But is it easier?

Love one another.

Not just those who loved you. That was something Jesus made plain at another time. Anyone can love someone who loves them back. But love everyone. Everyone. All the time.

So, as I go about my day - will people know I am a disciple of Jesus? Some days the answer is yes. Some days, not so much.

On this Holy Thursday, besides remembering all the other significant things that happened on that day, I'll try to remember to obey the rule that Jesus gave us.

How hard can it be?

Things You Didn't Know You Had to Worry About

Because there aren't enough real threats in the world, apparently some people feel that they have to invent threats. I just didn't know we had to worry about wacky home-schoolers! I think maybe it's the school officials who came up with that that we really have to worry about.

Yarn and Hooks

Recently Pippi decided that she wanted to learn how to crochet. So, I gave her a few lessons and she practiced her chain stitches and moved on to single crochet and then decided to tackle a granny square. She's got those double crochet stitches down just fine now - I think we need to work on evening up the sides now. But, looking good so far.

















And of course, Harry couldn't be left out of the equation. He wanted to learn too. He practiced his chain stitches, and then demanded to be taught single crochet. He's making a doll blanket for one of Pippi's dolls (one of the small dolls, I think.) He thinks the doll will be very happy with the blanket. I'm sure it will.

Wanted - A Stereotypical Girl

Pippi has decided that she wants to try a bit of non-fiction. She says that the characters in the last two books she read were too much alike. They were both girls who made a big deal out of their hatred of having to sew (or spin, or do embroidery.)

That got me to thinking. In order to show that the character in a book (of the two she read, one was fantasy and the other historical fiction) is not your 'typical' girl the girl is often depicted as hating to sew, chafing against 'girl' clothes, wanting to be like a boy. And maybe a lot of girls did want that. But, if it's supposed to be against type, shouldn't there be some girls in these books who DO like to sew, or do 'girl' things.

Just a thought. I'm sure the characters are out there - Pippi is just not coming across them (even Laura Ingalls preferred running around to sewing - it was Mary who worked diligently on her nine-patch.)

For the record - the non-fiction book Pippi picked is "The Diary of A Young Girl, by Anne Frank." I don't remember Anne Frank's opinion on sewing.

Novel-ties

Harry was excited that the craft cart was going to be coming around school today. He was anticipating what he was going to buy with his dollar. "I hope they have books," he said.

"I don't think they sell books on the craft cart," I answered.

"Yes," he responded. "It says they have 'novelties.' That's just a big word for novel. Right?"

Sadly, no.

Tuesday's Proverb

Then you will understand rectitude and justice, honesty, every good path; For wisdom will enter your heart, knowledge will please your soul, Discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you; Saving you from the way of evil men, from men of perverse speech, Who leave the straight paths to walk in the way of darkness, Who delight in doing evil, rejoice in perversity; Whose ways are crooked, and devious their paths; Saving you from the wife of another, from the adulteress with her smooth words, Who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the pact with her God; For her path sinks down to death, and her footsteps lead to the shades; None who enter thereon come back again, or gain the paths of life. (Proverbs 2:9-19)

Help Me, I'm Lost

A number of years ago my parents took a trip to Jerusalem. One day they wanted to explore a little without the tour group. They asked the tour guide how to get to a particular spot and he pointed them in the proper direction.
"But," my father asked. "What about coming back, how will we find our way back?"
"Not to worry," the tour guide told them. "If you have trouble, just stop someone and say 'Hoshianna'."
"Hosannah?" My father asked. "Just say, Hosannah?"
"Yes, but you are pronouncing it wrong," the guide said. "It's Hoshianna. It means 'Help me, I am lost.'"

So on this Palm Sunday, as we say Hosannah and remember Jesus' triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem, let us remember what we are really saying to him. "Help me, Jesus. I am lost." And it's a perfect thing to say to Jesus, because after all, who better to help us find our way.

Nice Days

It's been a very nice week. No one was sick. The weather was pleasant. Ahhh. Finally. This is the kind of week I like, the kind where life gets into its groove.

The kids have been taking advantage of the playground across the street. Baseball is the big theme. After all, Harry got his uniform the other day, and the baseball parade, starting the season, is Saturday.

Yesterday, they got their dad to pitch to them for awhile before dinner. He needed a bit of convincing. But a good time was had by all.

And we're supposed to have a nice weekend too.

Trust me, I'm not taking this for granted. I am appreciating every minute of it.

Tuesday's Proverb

For the LORD gives wisdom, from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; He has counsel in store for the upright, he is the shield of those who walk honestly, Guarding the paths of justice, protecting the way of his pious ones. (Proverbs 2:6-8)

Spring has Sprung

And with it's advent last week, we also had a snow storm.

And colds. Bad colds - for me, and Pippi and Harry. My husband was spared.

But now the snow is melted, again, and except for Pippi's lingering cough, the colds are going away and we can get ready for Spring.

Ready for baseball - which starts next week.

Ready to plant the peas I should have planted last week.

Ready to start walking to and from school again and cleaning up the gardens and making the outside someplace I don't just see through a window - but a place to be.

And ready for allergy season.

Sigh.

I'm not ready for allergy season.

But I am ready for Spring.

A robin is scouting out our holly tree for nest possibilities again this year. My perennials are showing green. I've got tulips popping up in the Mary garden, and daffodils ready to burst into bloom.

Yes, I'm definitely ready for spring.

Ask, Then Pay Attention so you Don't Miss The Answer

Once upon a time, many years ago, when I was young, I used to pray to God to send me the perfect boyfriend (and eventually husband, but you need to start somewhere.) I had people in mind and would hope that God would reveal to whatever boy had my interest at the time that he was perfect for me and should maybe notice me.

Things don't always work out the way we think they should.

Which is a good thing.

But God did send me the perfect boyfriend (and eventually husband.) It just took me awhile to realize it.

But one night in College, I was hanging out with a friend, a guy I'd known for a year and a half, -- we'd been talking more lately, getting to know each other a little bit -- when I found myself sitting on his lap, and our foreheads were an inch apart and it seemed like we might kiss.

But we didn't. And the spell was broken and we moved apart.

However, from that moment on we were able to look at each other as more than friends. That was twenty years ago today. We've been married for almost 13 years now. And on that night, so long ago, I feel that God pretty much gave me a little shove - right into my future husband's lap.
It's as if He was saying. "You've been praying for the perfect guy. And here he is, but you don't seem to be getting it - so Get A Little Closer Already."

I'm glad I took the hint.

Tuesday's Proverb

My son, if you receive my words and treasure my commands, Turning your ear to wisdom, inclining your heart to understanding; Yes, if you call to intelligence, and to understanding raise your voice; If you seek her like silver, and like hidden treasures search her out: Then will you understand the fear of the LORD; the knowledge of God you will find. (Proverbs 2:1-5)

A Thought

In church, Saturday night. Harry noticed that a lot of the people there were older. He turned to me and asked. "Do old people believe in Jesus more than young people do?"

Something to think about.

Living Prayer

The Bible tells us we should pray without ceasing. Pray at all times.

Uh huh. Right.

Sounds a bit time consuming. A bit impossible to really pull off.

Nice idea though.

But I was thinking about this. I've long since come to my own private conclusion that this doesn't have to be formal prayer 24/7 - but rather a keeping Christ in mind throughout the day. (I'm not a theologian, and my interpretation may not be the right one, but it works for me.) (A bit of research found this sermon on the subject from 1872 - so it's not that my thoughts are unique here)

Last night, I realized something else though (it's funny how thoughts can hit you when you wake up in the middle of the night): We don't even have to be keeping God in mind. We should of course - but let's see if I can make my middle of the night revelation make any sense in the cold light of day.

When I say a formal prayer - for example an Our Father or Hail Mary - I assume that God is listening to me. If I silently pray to God to help someone or to give me strength - I assume that God is listening to me. Well, here's the thing. Doesn't He have to be listening all the time in order to notice when we are addressing him specifically? We don't only hear our children when they say "Mom" first - we are always tuned into them. And God is always tuned into each and every one of us.

So - following this to it's conclusion: God sees and hears everything we do. I know, we've been told this since we were children - but have you stopped to think about it lately? He doesn't just see us when we are on our knees at church. He sees us doing the laundry. He doesn't just hear us when we pray a formal prayer - or address Him directly - He hears us even when we are engaging in small talk with a friend.

And if prayer is our term for 'speaking to God' - then aren't we always 'speaking to Him' - or more specifically - isn't He always listening.

We pray without ceasing - because our lives are our prayer.

God sees how we live our lives - whether we are thinking about Him or not.

Everything we do and think is part of our prayer to God. Let's make it a good one.

Tuesday's Proverb

Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the open squares she raises her voice; Down the crowded ways she calls out, at the city gates she utters her words: "How long, you simple ones, will you love inanity, how long will you turn away at my reproof? Lo! I will pour out to you my spirit, I will acquaint you with my words. Because I called and you refused, I extended my hand and no one took notice; Because you disdained all my counsel, and my reproof you ignored -- I, in my turn, will laugh at your doom; I will mock when terror overtakes you; When terror comes upon you like a storm, and your doom approaches like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish befall you. Then they call me, but I answer not; they seek me, but find me not; Because they hated knowledge, and chose not the fear of the LORD. They ignored my counsel, they spurned all my reproof; And in their arrogance they preferred arrogance, and like fools they hated knowledge: Now they must eat the fruit of their own way, and with their own devices be glutted. For the self-will of the simple kills them, the smugness of fools destroys them. But he who obeys me dwells in security, in peace, without fear of harm." (Proverbs 1:20-33)

Overall, not the most comforting of bible verses - until you get to the end. "He who obeys me dwells in security, in peace, without fear of harm." Now, that sounds good to me.

It's Done

And the new bathroom is unveiled. To see the before pictures - go here. It took awhile - and honestly it was done a week and a half ago, I just didn't get around to posting a picture before then - but it was totally worth it.

But How did They Know Who They Were?

I've always liked the Gospel story of the Transfiguration. I like that the apostles fall asleep while waiting for Jesus to finish praying - it makes them seem very human. I like that Jesus was conversing with Moses and Elijah - the way that the Old and the New Testaments fit together and form a whole. I like that Peter's first inclination upon awaking and seeing the sight is to build three monuments (somehow I definitely think that if it happened in this day and age a monument would be built.) I like that God speaks to them from a cloud.

But.

I've always had a question.

See, there was no photography back in the first century - or beyond, when Moses and Elijah would have been alive. And the Jews did not allow graven images - so it is unlikely there would have been any paintings or statues of the two men. So - what I've always wondered - is how did Peter, James and John immediately know that they were Moses and Elijah. Why didn't they think - "who are those old guys up there with Jesus? They didn't come up the mountain with us. "

I suppose the logical answer is that God granted them the knowledge.

May God grant us the knowledge we need in our own lives.

Giving Something Up for Lent

I suppose I should have posted this last week - but - oh, well.

Every year I make the kids give up candy for Lent. First of all - it's an easy thing for them to see and notice that they're doing. There have always been exceptions - if they go to a birthday party and get candy - they can have some (but the rest gets saved for the following Sunday.) And we don't keep candy in the house during Lent - that makes it easier too.

But this year, Harry decided that he wasn't going to give up candy for Lent (he still won't get much, because I won't have it in the house - but he feels free to scarf the candy from his birthday goodie bags whenever he feels like it - it will be gone soon). He decided to give up TV for Lent.

Now, I've mentioned before that my kids don't watch much TV. Pretty much just DVDs. And pretty much a DVD only gets watched if Harry puts it in. Pippi very seldom decides to watch anything without being prompted by her brother.

So, I made sure he realized that this meant no Harry Potter DVDs. He did. He was cool with that.

I figured this was fine - but I wouldn't give him a hard time if he lapsed. After all, he's just seven.

Pippi said she would give up TV too. I asked her if she would even think to watch TV if Harry didn't turn it on. She said no. I asked her if that was much of a sacrifice then. She said no. So she's giving up candy (which is a sacrifice for her) and striving to say more prayers at bedtime.

So, Ash Wednesday - we had someplace to be with Pippi and Harry couldn't come. We arranged for him to stay at a friend's house. I figured this would be it for no TV. Certainly the other little boy would watch and so would Harry.

But, No. We get to the house and Harry is busy reading - the family he's staying with is watching American Idol. But he told them that he was giving up TV and wasn't going to watch it. Hmm! I was impressed.

Then at school, his teacher wants to show a video about Abe Lincoln. Harry announces he gave up TV for Lent. His teacher lets him work on something else while the kids watch the video (oh, and his little friend announced that she gave up TV for Lent too, and did the other project with Harry - her mother, when asked, said that he daughter was NOT giving up TV for Lent). Okay. Now, this was impressive. But - um - watching video for school shouldn't really count as TV as far as I'm concerned. But you know what - I'm letting it go. He's making the sacrifice and I'm proud of him.

And as far as giving up things for Lent goes - our priest - at the Ash Wednesday service said that someone asked him if she should give up chocolate for Lent. He said, not if it's going to make you cranky. Give up being cranky instead. Wise words indeed.

Poetry Friday - Cat in the Hat Edition

In honor of the anniversary of The Cat in the Hat - and Dr. Seuss's birthday - I present, for poetry Friday, the lines that I used to repeat to my son all the time - when he would say "Look at me!"

From The Cat in the Hat
by Dr. Seuss

Look at me!
Look at me!
Look at me now.
It's fun to have fun,
But you have to know how!

Poetry Friday round up is at Big A, little a this week.