The Can't Find the Front Door Tour

Twenty years ago I went to London. I lived there for three months as a student. I lived in a row house with a bright blue door, in the East End of London (famous for Jack the Ripper and EastEnders) with five other girls - three British, two other Americans.

On October 1, 1987, one of my American friends and I decided to spend the day as typical American tourists. The rest of the time we weren't tourists - we were living there, riding the tube and the buses, shopping at Sainsbury's, going to the local pub (the Essex Arms). But on this day we decided to just do some good old fashioned sight seeing in the center of London.

What follows are some excerpts from that day and why if you ever see a tour company called "Chris and Wendy's Excursions" run the other way (but luckily we aren't planning on starting a tour company, so you should be safe).

We made our way to the center of London and got off at a tube station that seemed promising. "Westminster" - after all, there was Westminster Abbey - this should be a good place to start. Emerging from the underground station we noticed a large clock. Upon consultation with each other (this tour required a lot of consultation with each other) we decided that this was Big Ben - and took pictures of it and got our bearings on our map.

We noticed that the police were blocking off the street and a large crowd was gathering - across the street from what we determined was Westminster Abbey. Something big seemed to be about to happen. Wendy (my touring partner) joined the crowd and said "I'm just going to stand here for a minute and pretend that I know what is going on." I joined her, but after a few minutes of blissful ignorance, Wendy casually asked someone, "Why are we all standing here."

"It is the annual changing of the judges," we were told. "It takes place once a year on October first. They are having a special service for the judges in the Abbey now, and then they will cross the street to their cars."

So we stayed and watched the robed and wigged judges cross the street in an atmosphere of pomp and circumstance.

We decided to come back to the Abbey when the crowd had dispersed and visit another site first. Studying our map we decided to walk through St. James Park toward Trafalgar Square - but we went the wrong way.

We saw a large monument in the distance and walked toward that. It turned out to be Queen Victoria's statue. She looked rather stern. She was on a circle completely surrounded by traffic, but we managed to avoid getting hit as we ran across the street to it.

After careful deliberation and consideration Wendy and I decided that the changing of the guard does indeed take place at Buckingham Palace and that the rather ugly building in front of us was indeed that Palace. It was not time for the changing of the guard, and as nothing too interesting was going on there, we headed back to the Abbey - where the crowd had dispersed.

We went back to where we had been and approached the Abbey only to find that there was no public access, only a sign saying "Use West Entrance." Not having a compass with us - and no usable sense of direction, we didn't know which way to point ourselves to find that. So on the theory that if we walked around the building, we'd eventually get to it, we started out.

The first thing we encountered was the Jewel Tower. This tower no longer held the Crown Jewels, but it did hold the Standards of Measurement, so we took a good look at the official gallon and yard before moving on.

Moving on in the direction we had been going required us to climb a low fence. Which we did. But something about this venture didn't seem right. Didn't thousands of people visit Westminster Abbey every day? They all didn't have to climb over this fence did they? What were we doing wrong?

We came to a corner and turned. Now we were on a quiet street with a wall on one side - the wall surrounding the Abbey. There was an opening in the wall and a path leading up to a door. We went up the path and stopped in front of the small, residential looking door. There was a doorbell.

A little careful deliberation led us to the conclusion that the main door of Westminster Abbey would not have a doorbell, and we opted not to ring it, but to continue the search for a way into the church.

We came to a larger opening in the wall, and groups of school boys in academic robes walking past, this seemed promising - at least there was a courtyard. And people. Lots of people. And a large entrance into the building. Finally. We'd found it - a way into Westminster Abbey.

So we proceeded in, but did notice that every one else seemed to be walking towards us, and that all of the grave markers on the ground were facing the other direction, yes, we'd walked in the exit.

But as we continued our backward tour through the Abbey we finally did come to the entrance, and made note of it for the next time (because this was our outdoor tour day - we were planning to come back another day - to take inside tours of the buildings- and that my friends is a whole other story which I'll share some day.)

After Westminster Abbey we found the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge - both without incident. Then there was only one thing on our list of 'must sees' for the day. St. Paul's Cathedral.

We studied our map again and headed in the right direction. We actually found the cathedral without any problems - although it had proven to be quite a long walk. However, once again, when confronted with a large building - we didn't see any front entrance. Knowing that at the Abbey we had gone to our left when confronted with this problem, we decided to go to the right this time.

And - yes - you guessed what happened - after walking seven-eighths of the way around the building we finally found the famous front steps of St. Paul's. We went up - only to be told that we couldn't go inside because it was 5:30 and the building closed at six.

With this day as proof, Wendy and I decided that we could never open our own tour company. But it was certainly more memorable than simply easily walking in the front of every building we came to - and more interesting. And I have always wondered - who would have answered had we rung the doorbell we encountered at Westminster Abbey. Hmmm.

Poetry Friday - Tomorrow

The kids and I have started reading some Shakespeare again. And while we are starting with Hamlet, Pippi and I were looking over Macbeth the other day. And I came upon this quote - which I had to memorize in High School - and still know.

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. --From Macbeth (V, v, 19), by William Shakespeare.

And then when I was heading this post, it made me think of the song Tomorrow from Annie

The sun will come out, tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow, there'll be sun
Just thinkin' about, tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow
til there's none

When I'm stuck with the day thats gray and lonely
I just stick out my chin and grin and say, ohhh

The sun will come out, tomorrow
So you gotta hang on til tomorrow
Come what may...

go here for rest of lyrics.

It really is just a matter of perspective. Isn't it?

The poetry Friday round-up is over at Kelly Fineman's place.

Harry

They say a picture is worth a thousand
words. To that end, and to all who appreciate the stories about Harry that I post, I present to you - Harry.

Holyween

For Harry's 2nd grade Religious Education class the students had to write a report on their name saint, and today they are going to have a Holyween party and dress up like their saint.

Without revealing Harry's true name, let me just say that when he heard this he thought for a moment and said "I'm going to need a lot of make-up."

It didn't take me long to figure out where he was coming from and I assured him that he was not going to go as the Saint after he'd been stoned.

Tuesday's Proverb

With closest custody, guard your heart, for in it are the sources of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

Making Do

The other day, as the kids were checking out the mini-TV I have in the kitchen cupboard (and don't watch much, because it doesn't get very good reception anymore), we were discussing the fact that in a year or two when the signals change to digital, we won't be able to use the TV at all.

Pippi was disappointed, but said "Oh well, I guess I'll just have to make do with an iPod."

Yes, life is difficult.

(Of course Pippi doesn't own an iPod, so I guess that does make it tougher for her.)

Four Sports and Seven Years Ago

That's what Harry wants to name a blog he hopes to start. I think it's inspired.

Poetry Friday - Wind

The summer like days of earlier in the week gave way to torrential downpours yesterday and bright sunshine and lots of wind today (and temperatures twenty degrees lower than Monday)

So in honor of the wind that blows my front door open if I don't shut it tightly enough here is a little Robert Louis Stevenson for poetry Friday.

The Wind
by Robert Louis Stevenson

I saw you toss the kites on high
And blow the birds about the sky;
And all around I heard you pass,
Like ladies' skirts across the grass--
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

I saw the different things you did,
But always you yourself you hid.
I felt you push, I heard you call,
I could not see yourself at all--
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

O you that are so strong and cold,
O blower, are you young or old?
Are you a beast of field and tree,
Or just a stronger child than me?
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

The Poetry Friday round up is at Two Writing Teachers.

Looking for Book Suggestions

The other day Pippi noticed that there were a lot of interesting things in her social studies book. Things like the California Gold Rush, the dust bowl and World War II, but she doubts they'll ever get that far in the book (The book starts in pre-historic times)so she thought it might be nice to read some books set in those time periods. Actually, she specifically wants books set in the 1st half of the 20th century in America (where people aren't riding in buggies and wearing sun bonnets). They don't have to be specific about a topic - just using the time period.

She's ten - so some books are naturally going to be inappropriate (I won't be recommending The Grapes of Wrath to her anytime soon). She is an advanced reader so she can move beyond the American Girl books (though she did recently re-read the Kit ones to get a feel for the depression).

Any suggestions welcome. Thanks

Tuesday's Proverb

My son, to my words be attentive, to my sayings incline your ear; Let them not slip out of your sight, keep them within your heart; For they are life to those who find them, to man's whole being they are health. (Proverbs 4:20-22)

Wondering Whether or Not to Have Children?

Head on over and read Karen Edmisten's post on the matter. It's well worth the read.

Pumpkin Picking

85 degrees didn't make it the perfect day to be pumpkin picking. Somehow it doesn't seem like one should be wishing one were at the beach when walking through a corn maze. Because we did do the corn maze. Tried the "scenic route" instead of "easy street" - 40 minutes later found our way back to "easy street" and found our way out. Harry was disappointed - he wanted to find the "scenic route" way out. And he wanted to be lost in the corn maze. I said we were lost in the corn maze. But we did eventually find our way out. (I never really doubted that we would.)

And then it was time to pick a pumpkin. Today the kids picked pumpkins appropriate for painting faces on - closer to Halloween we'll get some that they can carve.

There were also some fun little 'gravestones' in the pumpkin field. It's hard to read what this one says in the picture. It says "Virgina Ham - Not Cured".

It was a lovely fall thing to do - too bad it felt like summer.

Climbing the Walls

Harry likes to climb walls. Usually it's in the doorways of our house. But yesterday, with Pippi away on a Girl Scout sleepover we took Harry to a local sporting goods store that has a rock climbing wall. He made it almost all the way to the top before his hands got too tired and he came back down again. But he wants to try again. Today. Though, we may make him wait a little longer than that.

Harry enjoyed his adventure, but he does miss his sister. Last night, when he couldn't sleep he told me he was "family-person sick". After all, he couldn't be home-sick - he was home.

Once Upon A Long Ago....

I went to England. To be specific, it was twenty years ago this fall that I spent a semester as a student of Queen Mary College, University of London. It was a great experience, and perhaps I'll write a series of posts about it - but for now there's one aspect of it I want to talk about.

While I was there the song 'Once Upon a Long Ago' by Paul McCartney hit the top of the charts. You couldn't help hearing this song everywhere - on the radio - in the stores - all over. And I loved this song.

I thought about buying the tape and bringing it home with me - but opted not to. This was a well thought out decision. The stock market had crashed while I was there, and I (as well as my fellow American students) had been told by parents that the money we had already exchanged was all we'd be getting - because the exchange rate had tanked. So, economically, it made little sense to buy the tape there, when I was sure I could get it at home. After all, this was Paul McCartney - not some obscure singer. And the song was Number One. And had been for weeks.

So, I get home and find that no one over here has ever heard of the song. It's not playing on the radio. It's as if it doesn't exist. But, that's okay. I did know which album it was on, so all I had to do was wait for the album to be released in the states. And it was a 'best of' album. And it was Paul McCartney. All I had to do was wait, and I'd get my song.

I waited. And finally one day I saw the album "All the Best" in the stores. I picked it up, and turned it over - and checked the list of songs. 'Once Upon a Long Ago' was not on the album. I couldn't believe it. It was a number one song by Paul McCartney and I couldn't get my hands on it.

After that I began a fruitless quest to get this album. If someone was going to England - I'd ask them to look for me - but somehow things never quite worked out.

Then a few years later my friend and I were on vacation in Holland. We were eating breakfast in the hostel we'd stayed at and I became aware of music playing. And it was that song. I hadn't thought about trying to buy the song in Holland - but now the quest began anew.

And I was successful. I bought the tape, I was able to listen to the song again. All was right with the world.

Then last year, I was telling my children about this song, and the saga behind obtaining it. I wanted to play it for them. I found the tape. Found a tape player that worked and inserted tape. I fast-forwarded to right before the song, and hit play. We listened to the end of the previous song and 'Once Upon A Long Ago' started playing. And then stopped.

No matter how many times we tried, or on what player we used, my tape refused to work - when it got to that song.

So, once again, I didn't have the song. With the internet it's a bit easier now - you can order things from far and wide - so I knew all I had to do was find the CD and purchase it - but I hadn't got to it yet. Then the other day my mother reminded me about iTune - perhaps I could purchase just that song.

And then it hit me. Youtube. And I checked. And sure enough, there were actually two video versions of the song. Now, I can listen whenever I want, and I can share it with you - for Poetry Friday.

Once Upon a Long Ago
by Paul McCartney

Picking up scales and broken chords
Puppy dog tails in the House of Lords
Tell me darling
What can it mean?

Making up moons in a minor key
What have those tunes got to do with me?
Tell me darling
Where have you been?

Once upon a long ago
Children searched for treasure
Nature's plan went hand in hand
With pleasure
Such pleasure.

rest of lyrics here.

Poetry Friday is being hosted by Whimsy.

In Honor of the Feast of St. Francis

Apples and more apples

We came home with 50 pounds of apples from our excursion the other day. It's a good thing we like apples.

So far we've had:
Baked Apples
Apple Pie
Apple Cake
Pork Chops with Apples
and
Apple Pancakes

and of course - apples to snack on.

I love apple season.

Tuesday's Proverb

The path of the wicked enter not, walk not on the way of evil men; Shun it, cross it not, turn aside from it, and pass on. For they cannot rest unless they have done evil; to have made no one stumble steals away their sleep. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they know not on what they stumble. (Proverbs 4:14-19)

Are You Asking Me?

Jen Robinson recently mentioned a call for World Punctuation Day. I whole-heartedly support this day, especially if it can help me with my rather unique problem?

My problem is question marks. They never seem to go in the right place in my writing? I'll write a sentence that I know to be inquisitive and end it with a very prosaic period, instead of the required question mark. Why is that. I don't know? Because then I go and do the very opposite. I'll write something I know is a declarative sentence and finish it off with a question mark, as if I were a valley girl, or just not very sure of myself?

This is a long-standing problem, and I'm sure others who have read my unedited writing would vouch for it? It's also very embarrassing, because, I'm an editor by trade and really shouldn't have a problem with these things?

Thank goodness for Word, which puts that lovely green squiggly line under grammar problems.

And, yes, I did stretch the point in this post and put question marks where I know they don't belong, and leave out ones I knew should go there. But I really do have a problem with this.

So - I say Yay to a World Punctuation Day! Especially if it will help the question-mark challenged, like myself?

Have You Thanked Your Angel Today?

Aren't we lucky? God has provided each of us with a guardian. Our very own angel. Today is the feast of Guardian Angels. A perfect time to spend some time contemplating this wonderful gift. And what a thankless job those guardian angels have. They stop us from stepping off curbs in front of cars, stop those pianos from falling on our heads (I admit, not the most likely scenario- but consider, when was the last time you saw a piano fall on anyone - see, the angels are doing their job). So, today, be sure to thank your guardian angel. I'm sure your angel will appreciate it.

By the way - the picture above is of a cross-stitch I did that is hanging in my daughter's room.

A Little Meme Quiz

Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii tagged me for this little quiz. So, here goes:

Here's a fun quiz made up especially for bloggers. The rules are easy. Just post the quiz on your blog and answer the questions, then pass it on to five other bloggers, and link to them in your post. Be sure to link back to the one who sent it to you.

1. Do you attend the Traditional Latin Mass or the Novus Ordo?
Novus Ordo. I've never been to a Latin Mass.

2. If you attend the TLM, how far do you drive to get there?
N/A

3. If you had to apply a Catholic label to yourself, what would it be?
Labels are only good if everyone understands the definition of them. But I guess I'd have to say "post-Vatican II"

4. Are you a comment junkie?
I don't think so. I post comments when I'm moved to. I like getting comments.

5. Do you go back to read the comments on the blogs you’ve commented on?
If I remember where I've commented.

6. Have you ever left an anonymous comment on another blog?
I don't think so.

7. Which blogroll would you most like to be on?
I'm happy for any blogroll I'm on.

8. Which blog is the first one you check?
Whichever ones have new posts in Google Reader.

9. Have you met any other bloggers in person?
Yes. Liz, Barb and Ellen. If I've met others I haven't been aware they were bloggers.

10. What are you reading?
The Love Letters by Madeleine L'Engle .

I pass this quiz on to whoever wants to do it.

The Feast of The Little Flower

Today is the feast day for St. Theresa of Lisieux. Many other people around the Catholic blogosphere have written about her today, and you can find lots of information about her here. But I didn't want this feast to go unacknowledged by me, because in a way St. Theresa could be the patron saint of this blog. She focused on "The Little Way", I try to focus on the "simple and ordinary" - are they really all that different? Well, yeah - I guess they are - but what I'm trying to say is that by focusing on the simple and the ordinary things in life and finding the blessed in them, I try to do what St. Theresa tried to do with her "little way".

We nearly named our daughter Theresa Rose - but opted for a different Saint's name for her first name instead (her name isn't really Pippi, you know).

So I guess I just wanted to acknowledge a Saint today that I feel a special affinity for. Happy Feast Day, St. Theresa.

Go Forth and Spread the Word

I got an interesting letter in the mail today. It was addressed to "our neighbors" with a return address from another part of town. I figured it was a solicitation for a charity, so I opened it up.

I was surprised to find, not a request for money, but a hand-written letter from the Jehovah Witnesses.

Here is what it said:

Hello Neighbor:

We wanted to clear this up once and for all. Maybe you can pass the word along. People rarely take the time it seems to find out for themselves why we do what we do. Most just shut the door with a wave. Sometimes worse. Still we continue.

The Bible says love they neighbor which is where you come in and what we are trying to do. It also says that God wants man to share his word. It reads at Acts 10:42 preach to the people and to give a thorough witness. Then at Acts 20:20 Jesus tells us how -- and while I did not hold back from telling you publicly or from house to house -- so you see, we're just following the will of God.

When people ask are you Jehovah Witnesses we have to say "we're trying to be" but with all the negativity we encounter the work is not easy. We are offering to all we meet free home Bible studies. So when we do find an honest hearted one it makes all this effort with while.

God's word, the Bible, is truly a blessing to all that partake. So if you or someone you know would like to see just how much our creator loves us, to give us so much comfort, and understanding through life's challenges.. we can help. That's all we had to say. Thank you for listening.

I must say, that when the Witnesses - and the Mormon's also - have come to the door, I am always willing to engage in a short conversation (okay, once I was on my way out and trying to get toddlers ready, so not so willing that time). But, I am strong in my faith and will not be converted. So I can assure them that I know God loves me and all that.

I must honestly say I don't really understand Jehovah's Witnesses. But, I thoroughly admire their willingness to go door to door and try to tell people something that a lot of people don't really want to hear. I don't have the courage to do that.

They are right, Jesus did tell us to go and preach his word to others. Good for them for trying to do just that. It's too bad that I never seem to have the words that would convert these brave people to Catholicism. Imagine having witnesses like that talking up the Catholic Church!

So when all is said and done, I don't agree with their view of religion, but I sure admire their willingness to witness to others. I just never thought they'd do it through the mail!

What We Did Sunday

In brief: apple picking, wine tasting (not for the kids), kite flying, crossing the Delaware, fishing, great family time.

I'd Rather be Fishing

Okay - well, me personally, I wouldn't rather be fishing. I'm not much of a fisher-person. I've never had much luck fishing and don't particularly have the patience for it either.

But today they had a township-wide fishing tournament at the creek near our house. Pippi was into it. She got her pole and some cut up hot dog (hey, it worked once before) and headed down to the creek. Harry wasn't interested (which was okay because he had his guitar lesson this morning anyway.)

So Pippi went fishing. The town apparently stocked the creek. Which was good - because 200 kids going after the 5 catfish that live in it might be a bit much. She didn't catch anything though. Perhaps whatever the other kids were using for bait was more appealing than the hot dogs. The kid next to her caught about five fish, and even won a prize (third biggest fish). The kids who won the first two prizes were using chicken liver as bait.

They also had door prizes. Pippi's ticket number was the first one called. She won a new fishing pole, complete with tackle. So - she didn't catch a fish today, but she certainly had a good time.

The weather was beautiful, there were enough people there to make it seem like something was really going on, but not so many that it felt crowded, the mayor was walking around greeting people. All in all, a lovely morning by the creek.

Poetry Friday

Gather Ye Roses
by Robert Louis Stevenson

Gather ye roses while ye may,
Old time is still a-flying;
A world where beauty fleets away
Is no world for denying.
Come lads and lasses, fall to play
Lose no more time in sighing

The very flowers you pluck to-day
To-morrow will be dying;
And all the flowers are crying,
And all the leaves have tongues to say,-
Gather ye roses while ye may.

The poetry Friday round-up is at AmoXcalli today.

Edited to add:
There seems to be another poem very similar to the one I posted above. I'll post that one too.

To the Virgins, to make much of Time
Robert Herrick. 1591–1674

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he 's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he 's to setting.

That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry:
For having lost but once your prime,
You may for ever tarry.

Mathetes Award

I was surprised and honored earlier this week to see that Deb at UKok's Place had nominated me for the mathetes award: excellence in discipleship.

By way of explanation:

A brand new award being is being passed out. It is the Mathetes Award, created by Dan King of Management by God to recognize those who take to heart the Great Commission and further God’s Kingdom by creating more disciples for Him. According to Dan mathetes is the Greek word for disciple.

The rules for the award, as posted by it’s creator are as follows: In the spirit of this award, the rules are simple.

Winners of this award must pick five other “disciples” to pass it on to. As you pass it on, I just ask that you mention and provide links for (1)this post as the originator of the award (Dan King of management by God), (2) the person that awarded it to you, and then (3) name and sites of the five that you believe are fulfilling the role of a disciple of Christ.

I feel singularly unworthy for this award, and therefore double honored. I'd love to think of myself as creating disciples - and can only hope that I have done so.

So - in honoring the rules of this award, I now will nominate five other disciples.

Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii.

Barb at SFO Mom

Alice at Cottage Blessings

Elena of My Domestic Church

and Karen Edmisten.

These are all ladies whose blogs I enjoy reading, and who often make me think. They are not afraid to showcase their religion; they live by an example that is worth emulating.

Shopping Cart Etiquette

Kelly of Big A, little a has been doing a series on Everyday Etiquette and I thought this kind of fit in with it.

How far out of your way will you go to return a shopping cart to one of those shopping cart corrals?

Now, I think those corrals are a great thing, it keeps shopping carts from flying all around the parking lot (in theory). I'm assuming they are a nationwide thing, and not just local. But, how far will you go? I've seen carts left in a parking spot that was next to one of the corrals. So basically, the person would not more the cart an extra two feet. That seems extreme to me.

At one of the supermarkets I go to, the corrals are all in the front of the very large parking lot. There are usually very few spaces to park in up front, and personally, if I'm parked at the back of the lot I don't particularly feel like walking all the way to the front of it again, and then back to my car. Unless I'm parked near the corral, I admit it, I leave the cart un-corralled.

Another supermarket has positioned their corrals so that you are never more than about 4 or 5 parking spaces from one. I always utilize these corrals because 4 or 5 parking spaces (at the most) is not going too far out of my way.

So - just a general shopping cart etiquette question: How far out of your way will you go to return a cart? (And if you're the type who won't go two extra feet - try to reconsider your position.)

Because I'm The Mom

Barb sent me a link to this funny video. Enjoy.

Tuesday's Proverb

Hold fast to instruction, never let her go; keep her, for she is your life. (Proverbs 4:13)

Poetry Friday - New Friends

When I was a child I had a cloth calendar from the year I was born hanging in my room. There was a pretty picture on it (that for the life of me I can't remember what it was of) and a verse from the following poem.

So the adage, "Make new friends, but keep the old" was never far from my consciousness. Though, I will admit, as a child, I felt insulted that "new" things didn't seem to be as important as "old" things. After all, I was young - I was "new".

Anyway, this poem came to mind again this week because I met two new friends. A few "Jersey Girl" bloggers met at The Reo Diner and had a pleasant few hours talking together. Barb and Ellen are as friendly and warm as you would imagine from reading their blogs, and I feel very blessed that I got to meet them in real life. So - here's to new friends!

Make New Friends, But Keep The Old
author unknown

Make new friends,
but keep the old.
One is silver,
the other is gold.

A circle is round,
it has no end.
That's how long,
I will be your friend.

A fire burns bright,
it warms the heart.
We've been friends,
from the very start.

You have one hand,
I have the other.
Put them together,
We have each other.

Silver is precious,
Gold is too.
I am precious,
and so are you.

You help me,
and I'll help you
and together
we will see it through.

The sky is blue
The Earth is green
I can help
to keep it clean

Across the land
Across the sea
Friends forever
We will always be

The poetry roundup is at Read Write Believe.

Tuesday's Proverb

When you walk, your step will not be impeded, and should you run, you will not stumble. (Proverbs 4:12)

Armed and Dangerous

We went to our town's annual street fair today. And the kids had fun spending money. They tried their hands at the rock climbing wall: Harry made it to the top (why am I not surprised?), and Pippi gave it a valiant try.

Then they bought their weapons. Pippi has a bow and arrow: (cloth covered foam tipped arrows perfect!)

Harry got a marshmallow gun. And so did the boy across the street. There is now a full-blown battle going on outside - but I'm not too worried: the ammo is marshmallows and foam arrows.

First Hockey Game

We had our first street hockey game on the big court today. We won - we're now in a division that keeps score (moving up in the world). But the excitement came between the 2nd and 3rd periods, when a kid on the other team passed out and the ambulance had to come and take him away. And I don't know if it was because of the excitement or what, but a kid on our team threw up.

The season's off to a bright start.

Poetry Friday - Evensong

As the days get shorter and the air becomes crisper, this poem seems more and more appropriate.

Evensong
by Robert Louis Stevenson

The embers of the day are red
Beyond the murky hill.
The kitchen smokes: the bed
In the darkling house is spread:
The great sky darkens overhead,
And the great woods are shrill.
So far have I been led,
Lord, by Thy will:
So far I have followed, Lord, and wondered still.

The breeze from the enbalmed land
Blows sudden toward the shore,
And claps my cottage door.
I hear the signal, Lord - I understand.
The night at Thy command
Comes. I will eat and sleep and will not question more.


Vailima.

The round-up this week is over at HipWriterMama.

Erudite or Sneaky?

This morning Harry announced he wants to learn Ancient Greek. That's a pretty noble goal for a seven-year-old and I'm not sure how we'll accomplish it - but we'll give it a go.

Pippi said she wants to learn Latin and German. German because of her heritage and Latin because so many English words derive from Latin. Good reasons.

And why does Harry want to learn Ancient Greek? So he can "curse" at Pippi and she won't know what he's saying.

Sigh.

Some Things Just Make Me Sad

And this is one of them.

International Crochet Day

Via Judy at Judy's Yarn Creations I've discovered that today has been designated International Crochet Day.

In honor of that I am posting a picture of the Teddy Bears I crocheted a couple of years ago for Pippi and Harry. They are the most ambitious crochet project I ever tried. Other than that it's been mainly baby blankets. I'm particularly proud of the blankets I made my twin niece and nephew, but don't think I have a picture of them.

I haven't been doing too much crocheting lately - too warm to have the current blanket in progress sitting on my lap as I work. But, with cooler weather ahead, I will most certainly try to get back into the groove.

And now that I know about International Crochet Day - I have incentive to get back to work.

Tuesday's Proverb

On the way of wisdom I direct you, I lead you on straightforward paths. (Proverbs 4:11)

A Rainy Day

It's raining today, and somehow the weather seems appropriate. More appropriate than the beautiful blue skies we had six years ago on this date.

That Catholic Show - Episode #8

Something to Consider

"You're bound to get idears if you go thinkin' about stuff."
- John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath

A Really Nice Post

As luck would have it, Melissa Wiley was (naturally) awarded the Nice Matters Award by several people before I did it. And she posts about it today. She has a wonderful post about being nice and what that means. Very worth reading.

Nice Matters

I am so honored. Barb at SFO Mom awarded me the Nice Matters Award. Now, I need to award it to some other nice bloggers. Here's where the trouble comes in, I only like to associate with people I consider nice, so virtually everyone on my blogroll would be eligible for this award. And also, this one's been around for awhile, so a lot of those people have probably already received this award. So - what to do? I'm going to award some of my favorites and not worry if they've already received this honor. And if I didn't mention you, it's not because I don't think you're nice. I'm sure I do - but I can only mention so many without getting ridiculous.

Oh, and Barb, I'd turn right around and nominate you again.

So without further ado my Nice Matters Awards go to:
Alice
Lissa
HipWriterMama
Esther
Liz
Kelly
and Deb

I'm going to stop there - even though I could totally go on and on. There's a lot of niceness in the blogosphere if you ask me.

Thanks again, Barb.

How Things Fit Together

The other day I wrote about my grandfather on the anniversary of his death, and I mentioned that the summer he died I read two books about grandparents dying. One of them I don't remember anything about - not the title, author or any detail other than a grandparent died. The other book was by Madeleine L'Engle, The Summer of the Great-Grandmother.

Even though I didn't mention the book by name in my post I was thinking about it, and am now thinking about it even more since Ms. L'Engle died this week.

It's interesting how things like that fit together in life.

Madeleine L'Engle - R.I.P.

The world of books was richer because she was in it. Madeleine L'Engle wrote more than 60 books for children and adults - some science fiction, some religious, some meditative: something for everyone.

The world will be a poorer place now that she has left us. Madeleine L'Engle died yesterday at the age of 88. Reading her books I felt like I knew her; now I will mourn her.

There are blog tributes to her at Big A little a, Wands and Worlds, and AmoXcalli and probably many more that I haven't seen yet - and many more to come.

I don't know what my favorite book of hers was - I have read a lot of them (though probably not all). A Wrinkle in Time of course is a perennial favorite. But I also really like Love Letters and Certain Women. And Two Part Invention. And A Circle of Quiet. And The Other Side of the Sun. And A Swiftly Tilting Planet. And ... I could go on and on - but I won't.

Elementary Titillations

Overheard on playground this morning.

First grade boy (not mine) to friend: I like to look at Barbie dolls naked.

Just imagine when he hits puberty. Oy!

Second Day of School

Well - they went back.

Actually, they both like their teachers and things seem good. Harry doesn't know a lot of kids in his class - they really split up his class from last year, but Pippi, now in fifth grade knows most of the kids in her class, and likes most of them. These are all important things.

So far, so good.

Back To School

And they're off, to the great adventure that is 2nd and 5th grades. Other than Harry deciding yesterday that he didn't want to go to school, I'd say that our back to school morning went pretty well. Everyone got up and dressed without complaint. We left early - we were ready, so why not be leisurely about our walk. We got to school (early, but hardly the first ones there) and the kids got to reconnect with old friends.

The big test will come this afternoon when I pick them up. How did it all go?

HipWriterMama has a wonderful back to school post today, including a beautiful original poem. Go check it out.

Tuesday's Proverb

Hear, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life shall be many. (Proverbs 4:10)

In Memory of Grandpa

Twenty years ago today, my grandfather passed away. It was a sad time for the whole family, but he'd been sick - in the hospital - for a month, and by the end we knew it was inevitable.

He was the first of my grandparents to die.

But when I had time to reflect on that summer I found that God had been at work in my life in ways I hadn't realized.

There were little things - like the fact that I read two books that summer that dealt with death of grandparents. I didn't read these with any anticipation of my grandfather's death, but they prepared me by letting me see how others dealt with this loss.

Another thing that summer was that I had to go to physical therapy for my knee. This seems completely unrelated, but I went as an outpatient at the hospital. While there I saw many older people, who were having physical therapy as a result of strokes or other ailments. I got used to seeing older people in hospitals. Later when my grandfather was admitted to the hospital and we went to visit him, although I didn't like seeing him looking frail and connected to tubes and monitors - I was not surprised or shocked by it. One of my younger brothers was, and found it very difficult to stay in the hospital room. My experience at physical therapy had helped prepare me for it.

On my last visit to him, before he fell into a coma, he had a respirator tube in and was unable to speak. So, I did all the talking. I didn't know what to say - so I prayed for help. And to this day I don't regret a single thing I said or wish I had said anything extra.

I learned a lot from my Irish-German grandfather. And I wish he could have lived to meet his great-grandchildren, but I try to pass on to them things I learned from him, like how to see all the colors in the sky, and how to enjoy a good story. If he were still alive he'd be turning 101 in a couple of weeks.

Rest in peace, Grandpa

Fun Meme - Top 100 Songs from Graduation Year

Esther, at a Catholic Mom in Hawaii, tagged me for this fun meme. What songs did you like the year your graduated from high school.

Bold = I loved it!
Underlined = I liked it
Strikeout = I hated it!

List of songs from this site

Top 100 Hits of 1984/ Top 100 Songs of 1984

1. When Doves Cry, Prince
2. What's Love Got To Do With It, Tina Turner
3. Say Say Say, Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
4. Footloose, Kenny Loggins
5. Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now), Phil Collins
6. Jump, Van Halen
7. Hello, Lionel Richie
8. Owner Of A Lonely Heart, Yes
9. Ghostbusters, Ray Parker Jr.
10. Karma Chameleon, Culture Club
11. Missing You, John Waite
12. All Night Long (All Night), Lionel Richie
13. Let's Hear It For The Boy, Deniece Williams
14. Dancing In The Dark, Bruce Springsteen
15. Girls Just Want To Have Fun, Cyndi Lauper
16. The Reflex, Duran Duran
17. Time After Time, Cyndi Lauper
18. Jump (For My Love), Pointer Sisters
19. Talking In Your Sleep, Romantics
20. Self Control, Laura Branigan
21. Let's Go Crazy, Prince and The Revolution
22. Say It Isn't So, Daryl Hall and John Oates
23. Hold Me Now, Thompson Twins
24. Joanna, Kool and The Gang
25. I Just Called To Say I Love You, Stevie Wonder
26. Somebody's Watching Me, Rockwell
27. Break My Stride, Matthew Wilder
28. 99 Luftballons, Nena
29. I Can Dream About You, Dan Hartman
30. The Glamorous Life, Sheila E.
31. Oh Sherrie, Steve Perry
32. Stuck On You, Lionel Richie
33. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues, Elton John
34. She Bop, Cyndi Lauper
35. Borderline, Madonna
36. Sunglasses At Night, Corey Hart
37. Eyes Without A Face, Billy Idol
38. Here Comes The Rain Again, Eurythmics
39. Uptown Girl, Billy Joel
40. Sister Christian, Night Ranger
41. Drive, Cars
42. Twist Of Fate, Olivia Newton-John
43. Union Of The Snake, Duran Duran
44. The Heart Of Rock 'N' Roll, Huey Lewis and The News
45. Hard Habit To Break, Chicago
46. The Warrior, Scandal
47. If Ever You're In My Arms Again, Peabo Bryson
48. Automatic, Pointer Sisters
49. Let The Music Play, Shannon
50. To All The Girls I've Loved Before, Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson
51. Caribbean Queen, Billy Ocean
52. That's All, Genesis
53. Running With The Night, Lionel Richie
54. Sad Songs (Say So Much), Elton John
55. I Want A New Drug, Huey Lewis and The News
56. Islands In The Stream, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
57. Love Is A Battlefield, Pat Benatar
58. Infatuation, Rod Stewart
59. Almost Paradise, Mike Reno and Ann Wilson
60. Legs, ZZ Top
61. State Of Shock, Jacksons
62. Love Somebody, Rick Springfield
63. Miss Me Blind, Culture Club
64. If This Is It, Huey Lewis and The News
65. You Might Think, Cars
66. Lucky Star, Madonna
67. Cover Me, Bruce Springsteen
68. Cum On Feel The Noize, Quiet Riot
69. Breakdance, Irene Cara
70. Adult Education, Daryl Hall and John Oates
71. They Don't Know, Tracy Ullman
72. An Innocent Man, Billy Joel
73. Cruel Summer, Bananarama
74. Dance Hall Days, Wang Chung
75. Give It Up, K.C.
76. I'm So Excited, Pointer Sisters
77. I Still Can't Get Over Loving You, Ray Parker Jr.
78. Thriller, Michael Jackson
79. Holiday, Madonna
80. Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us, Ollie And Jerry
81. Nobody Told Me, John Lennon
82. Church Of The Poison Mind, Culture Club
83. Think Of Laura, Christopher Cross
84. Time Will Reveal, Debarge
85. Wrapped Around Your Finger, Police
86. Pink Houses, John Cougar Mellencamp
87. Round And Round, Ratt
88. Head Over Heels, Go-Go's
89. The Longest Time, Billy Joel
90. Tonight, Kool and The Gang
91. Got A Hold On Me, Christine McVie
92. Dancing In The Sheets, Shalamar
93. Undercover Of The Night, Rolling Stones
94. On The Dark Side, John Cafferty and The Beaver Brown Band
95. New Moon On Monday, Duran Duran
96. Major Tom (Coming Home), Peter Schilling
97. Magic, Cars
98. When You Close Your Eyes, Night Ranger
99. Rock Me Tonite, Billy Squier
100. Yah Mo B There, James Ingram and Michael McDonald

Sadly, I don't recognize the names of a lot of these songs. Was I that out of touch with pop culture then too? I don't think so - I think if I heard the songs I'd remember them - but the names themselves aren't doing it for me. And there are other songs there that I remember, but don't have strong feelings for one way or the other. There are probably more songs that I hated, I just didn't listen to them enough to remember the names.

And I'll tag a few people for this:

Liz at A Chair, a Fireplace and a Tea Cozy

Kelly at Big A little a

PJ at House of Cards

HipWriterMama

and Jim at Haunts of a Children's Writer.

Labor Day

The unofficial end of summer. The days are shorter, the nights are cooler. It's beginning to feel like 'back to school' time. And in two days, we will do just that - go back to school.

The kids are excited about the prospect. They are ready to see their friends again and get back to the routine - though homework is not part of the routine they care for. The two of them have spent most of the summer together. All the time together. I'm delighted they get along as well as they do, but the good-will is wearing thin. I think being separated for 6 hours a day will be a very good thing for them.

I'll get to run errands on my own. I'll have time for writing. These are positive things. But at the same time going back to school means making sure everyone is up on time - and dressed - and teeth are brushed. It means lunches in lunchboxes and making sure a nutritious breakfast is eaten in a timely manner. It means watching the clock - for getting them to school and getting them home again. It means reminders about homework and clarinet practice. It means more rushing when there is hockey practice or a game at night.

I'm not sure I'm ready for my summer vacation to end!

Hope everyone enjoyed their labor day weekend.

Teddy Bear Picnic - 2007

Today was our 7th annual Teddy Bear Picnic. Last year I wrote about the origin of this tradition.
Let's just say that today was a success. There were fifteen kids ranging in age from seven to twelve. Some of them knew each other from school - some did not. They all got along great. The weather was pleasant - not too hot - not too cold -- and no rain.

And now in honor of Poetry Friday I leave you with this.

THE TEDDY BEAR PICNIC
by Jimmy Kennedy

If you go down to the woods today
You're sure of a big surprise.
If you go down to the woods today
You'd better go in disguise.

For ev'ry bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Ev'ry teddy bear who's been good
Is sure of a treat today.
There's lots of marvelous things to eat
And wonderful games to play.

Beneath the trees where nobody sees
They'll hide and seek as long as they please
Cause that's the way the teddy bears have their picnic.

If you go down to the woods today
You'd better not go alone.
It's lovely down in the woods today
But safer to stay at home.

For ev'ry bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Picnic time for teddy bears
The little teddy bears are having a lovely time today
Watch them, catch them unawares
And see them picnic on their holiday.

See them gaily gad about
They love to play and shout;
They never have any care;

At six o'clock their mummies and daddies,
Will take them home to bed,
Because they're tired little teddy bears.

How I Know I'm Not One of the Cool Kids

There was an incident at a nightclub in town. Police from many towns were called in. My husband pointed it out to me in the paper. "They're talking about closing down Studio 9," he says.

"Where's that?" I ask - though it sounded kind of familiar.

"Next to Syms." He tells me.

"Oh, I thought that was a shoe store."

Locks of Love

Before

After

There are more pictures of Pippi's hair cut at the web album.

Tuesday's Proverb

"Forsake her not, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will safeguard you; The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom; at the cost of all you have, get understanding. Extol her, and she will exalt you; she will bring you honors if you embrace her; She will put on your head a graceful diadem; a glorious crown will she bestow on you." (Proverbs 4:6-9)

"Why Me?"

Harry's having a rough day.

He threw a stick at a neighbor boy, and the boy needed a bandaid. (The boy is 14 and Harry was punished.)

Yesterday Harry used 1/3 bottle of shampoo to wash his crew-cut head - so he was relegated to a small paper cup of shampoo for today.

He got out of the shower and the soap looked like a modern art sculpture - and some of it had been jammed into the bottom of the lever for the drain stopper.

He got yet another lecture.

And what does he want to know? "Why do these things always happen to me?"

Why indeed.

Playing with Matches

Harry, Pippi and their cousin were put in charge of getting the campfire started. (There was adult supervision - we're not crazy.)

It took quite a few matches to get it going. One spot would light briefly, but wouldn't stay lit - more kindling needed usually. Sometimes the match would drop and not light anything - just bad placement. But they did each get a small section going.

Harry was particularly proud when a piece of crumbled newspaper he lit under some twigs actually resulted in a fire that stayed lit and helped produced our marshmallow-toasting blaze.

He was so pleased with the accomplishment that he has a new request for a Christmas present: A box of matches.

Hmmm - let me think now - should I give my seven-year-old boy a box of matches for Christmas? Uh - NO.

Tuesday's Proverb

When I was my father's child, frail, yet the darling of my mother, He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart hold fast my words: keep my commands, that you may live! Get wisdom, get understanding! Do not forget or turn aside from the words I utter." (Proverbs 4:3-5)

God's Voice Mail

I wish I knew who to attribute this to, because I think it is very funny. It was in the bulletin of the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen, New Jersey this weekend.

If God Installed Voice Mail...

When praying you would hear this: "Thank you for calling My Father's House. Press 1 for Requests, press 2 for Thanksgiving, press 3 for complaints, press 4 for All Other Inquires."

You might hear this excuse: "All of our angels are busy helping other sinners right now. Your prayer is important to us and will be answered in the order it was received, so please stay on the line."

You might reach a directory: "For Gabriel press 1, for Michael, press 2, for other angels, press 3, to hear King David sing a psalm while holding, press 4, to find out if a loved one has been assigned to heaven, press 5 and enter his/her social security number."

Or you might just get this message: "Our computers show that you have already prayed once today. Please hang up and try again tomorrow. If you need emergency assistance with this office is closed, please contact your local pastor."

World Without End...Until the Last Day?

We were singing a song in church tonight that had the line "I will raise you up on the last day." Harry told me this song freaked him out. I figured it was because it said "last day" and he doesn't like thinking about a "last day."

But he told me it freaked him out because it says "last day" but we pray for "world without end". So how can that be?

Me: Ummmmm (pause) - because our world will end - but God's never will. (Phew, wasn't sure I was going to come up with an answer to that one on the fly like that)

Poetry Friday - Show Biz

In honor of today's production of the Wizard of Oz, our two stars have written of their experience in poem form for Poetry Friday.

Show Biz
By Pippi

They were right:
There’s no Business like Show Biz.
The lights.
The laughter.
The applause.
The friends you make along the way.
No, you can’t match up show biz.
The work.
The memorization
The reactions
Your imaginations
That’s what show biz is like.
I know where I want to be.
Every part I can get,
Every song I can sing,
That’s what I want to do to.
Oh the high stage,
That’s where I belong.
SHOW BIZ

The Wizard of Oz
By Harry

I am the Wizard
Who had a lizard
And a sister that isn’t wise.
My true identity is Billy
Who is silly
But not confident.
Now the show is done
I had a lot of fun.

The Poetry Friday round-up is hosted by Kelly Fineman this week.

A Whopping Success

The show is over. It was wonderful. The weather was great. The sun shone. The kids were fantastic - mine and every other one of the 54 kids in the cast.

Wizard of Oz

Click on the picture to see a sample of what we saw today. I'll post more about what a great program this is for kids a little later.

Thoughts on Prayer

With my new blog venture One Came Back I've been thinking a lot about prayer lately. How we are told that if we ask we will receive, yet sometimes the answer is 'no'. That we can pray to God for what we want - but that what we want should be for his 'will to be done'.

So - we can ask for what we want - and we might get it? Is this what we're told?

Then I thought of it as an analogy of a child asking a parent for something.

Let's say that a child (let's call her Betsy) wants a pony. Betsy asks her father for the pony (that's like us asking God for something). Betsy really, really, really wants this pony. She has pictures of horses all over her room. She promises that she will love and care for this pony.

But Betsy's father realizes that an apartment in the city is not the ideal place for raising a pony. And he has to tell her no.

Betsy did not get what she wants. Why didn't she get what she wants? Because it wouldn't have been a good idea. Her father (our Father in heaven) could see that, even if she couldn't.

S0 - if God knows what we need - why doesn't he just give it to us - why do we have to ask.

Well - everyone likes to be asked.

And going back to Betsy for a minute. Perhaps Betsy would really like to go to summer camp. She read articles about summer camp and has friends who went to summer camp. She thinks it would be fun. Betsy's father also thinks summer camp would be good for her. He thinks she's learn new things and make new friends. But he's worried that she would be homesick, and since she's never mentioned going to summer camp, he doesn't bring it up either. So, in the end - Betsy does not go to summer camp.

In this case - if she had asked, she would have received.

It's not a perfect analogy, I know. But it helped me to better understand a little why some prayers seem to be answered, and some are not.

God listens to our prayers, and he answers them with wisdom - even if we can't understand.

Dress Rehearsal

Tomorrow is the big day. The performance for "The Wizard of Oz". Today was the dress rehearsal and it went very well. This is a scene from the end where Dorothy (played by Pippi) presents the "smelly socks of the Totally Wicked Witch of the Southside of Chicago - the baddest part of town" to the Wizard (played by Harry). Later the "man behind the curtain" is revealed - don't worry, Harry isn't behind a mask the whole time.

Since the performance is outside - and rain or shine - I'm hoping for sunny skies for tomorrow.

She'll Take Care of It

We were discussing some crazy laws this evening and Pippi said "they better fix all that up before I'm grown up, or I'm just going to have to go and fix it."

Go Pippi!

Trains in Love

The kids - when not at their theater workshop - have been spending a lot of time these past few days playing indoors. At first I was bothered by this because it has been beautiful out. But then I realized two things: one, they are spending the whole morning out doors and two, they are doing what they want. In a few short weeks school will start again and they won't have time to do just what they want for hours on end. So, I'm letting them play.

And what are they playing? My 10-year-old and 7-year-old are busy playing with the Thomas the Tank Engine set.

They set it all up in the upstairs hallway and play imaginative games with the trains. And what are these trains up to you might well ask? Well, from what I can overhear, the trains seem to be constantly falling in love.

There was some concern about two trains that were married but not living together - so they decided that none of the trains are married - or even engaged - just in love.

Ah - what is sweeter than young trains in love?

The Feast of the Assumption

There's something I've always liked about the Feast of the Assumption. I suppose it is the notion that when Mary died her son, Jesus, took her, body and soul, to be with him in paradise.

It's a crazy notion. But only right and fair when you think about it.

I love that Mary, who was just a girl from Nazareth when God called her for his special task, is up in heaven waiting and willing to intercede for us with her son, Jesus. Do we feel too humble to speak to God directly about something? Then we can ask Mary to ask on our behalf. What a wonderful advocate to have in high places.

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

Tuesday's Proverb

Yes, excellent advice I give you; my teaching do not forsake. (Proverbs 4:2)

Good Mood Monday

If this doesn't put you in a good mood today - nothing will.


h/t to Praying for Grace.

Wine Makes You ...what?

Harry (age 7, upon seeing the red wine that my husband and I had with our dinner): Red wine makes you older longer. I mean it makes you live longer. I read it in Reader's Digest.

Good to know he's learning something from the reading material around here.

One Came Back

I'm trying something new here. I've started another blog called "One Came Back" (from the one leper -out of ten -who was cured who came back to thank Jesus for curing him.)

The purpose of this blog is a place to post prayer requests and more importantly to post about answered prayers so that we can see how God is working in our lives all the time.

The only way this will work is if I have a lot of contributors to this blog. The more the better.

Please stop by and leave me a comment so I can make you a contributor.

Also - some of you who read this have many more readers than I do. Please help me get the word out so we can really have a successful venture.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Contemplation

There are times when I'm able to totally grasp the enormity of God's love for us. I can feel pure joy in the realization that God wants what is best for us at all times. I can praise Him with all my heart and soul.

These times are fleeting.

Not because I doubt His love the rest of the time. But because real life tends to intrude. And while dealing with children who are fighting or dealing with crazy drivers or waiting to check out at the supermarket, it's easy to not think about the enormity of God's love for us. It's easy to just get caught up in what we are doing at the times.

Sometimes I think it might be nice to be a contemplative nun. They can spend all their time letting their hearts and souls dwell on majestic things.

You know, though - I bet that even nuns in a contemplative order have trouble with real life intruding now and then. So the question becomes - how to think on the greater things when dealing with the little things. I wonder if there is an answer.

In Praise of Community Theater

Living, as we do, within the virtual shadow of NYC, when theater is mentioned it is often in regards to Broadway. And Broadway is a wonderful place to get an introduction to theater.

I was twelve when my father took me to my first show. We had seats front row mezzanine for "Annie". Unfortunately Andrea McArdle was no longer playing the lead role, and they had moved through a second Annie as well - but no matter, the girl I saw play Annie was just great: Sarah Jessica Parker.

In January I took Pippi to see her first Broadway show - Mary Poppins. And we had a great time.

The thing with Broadway is that - as fantastic as it is - it's also really expensive. Some people are fortunate enough to be able to make that sort of expenditure on a regular basis. We can not.

But that's fine. Broadway is not the only act in town.

We have two wonderful playhouses near us where we've seen shows on occasion. Even those kind of evenings can start to add up - expense wise.

But last night we took the kids to the theater. And for a very reasonable price - saw "Into the Woods." It was put on by a church theater group. The cast was mainly teenagers - with a few exceptions. They were all excellent - no exceptions. The set may not be as elaborate as a Broadway set - but that didn't detract from the magic of the show.

We had front row seats - which was even better when you consider that quite a bit of the action happened in the area in front of the stage - right in front of us.

Pippi and Harry are familiar with the show. We have the album (yes, the actual record kind) and recently got the DVD so they could see the Broadway performance. But there is nothing like having something acted out right in front of you. It truly is magical.

Now they'll be ready to give their own performance come Friday.

Oh - another Broadway note - I did see Into the Woods on Broadway during it's original run. Unfortunately I did not see Bernadette Peters play the Witch. (always seem to miss those original performers) But I did see Phylicia Rashad play the Witch - and she was awesome.

Poetry Friday - Follow Your Dream

Well, we're one week into rehearsals for The Wizard of Oz (Kids in the Park version). One week till the big show. Dorothy knows most of her lines - and the Wizard only stumbles over one at this point, so I think all will be well.

But, I must say, I think the songs from The Wizard of Oz will be permanently implanted in my brain. So, in order to share the wealth, for Poetry Friday, I bring you a snippet.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road
from The Wizard of Oz

Follow the Yellow Brick Road. Follow the Yellow Brick Road.
Follow, follow, follow, follow,
Follow the rainbow over the stream, follow the fella who follows a dream, follow, follow, follow, follow, follow the yellow brick road.

The round up is at Big A little a this week.

Tuesday's Proverb

Hear, O children, a father's instruction, be attentive, that you may gain understanding! (Proverbs 4:1)

We're Off to See the Wizard

Today was the first day of the much-anticipated theater workshop known as Kids in the Park. This year both children are participating, and since Pippi has had substantial roles the past two years, they looked forward to today's auditions with a mixture of excitement and anxiety.

Well, I just might have to change their blog names to Dorothy and The Wizard. Because, that's who they're playing in the Kids-in-the-Park production of The Wizard of Oz (which is like no other production anywhere - but much more fun).

It's going to be a fun two weeks! I can't wait for the show.

Just Checking the Calendar

And - yup, it's August.

So - why were they stocking Halloween candy at the grocery store?

New Episode of That Catholic Show

A Step Back in Time

Today we drove into the center of town and went to a little park near our train station. This park memorializes the site of the first permanent printing press in New Jersey, but that was not our primary purpose for going there today. We went today because there was a Civil War encampment taking place this weekend. Reenactors come from all over the area to share some of their unique knowledge.

They do this every year - and we always try to go. Each year it seems we learn something new. Today we learned about money at the time of the Civil War. People hoarded coins and so states and banks were forced to print notes for amounts like 10 cents or 15 cents. We saw a bill worth $1.25. Each state made their own money - and it was only good in that state (unless someone was kind enough to trade with you - but then at a discounted rate.) Sometimes stores even minted their own coins and those coins would only be redeemable in that store (sort of like coupons today.) The confederate notes consisted of very large denominations $50, $100, $500, because due to the war everything became so expensive.

We learned how soldiers would line up on the battlefield - and that it's not how it looks in the movies.

We learned that many of the soldiers simply slept on bedrolls under the stars, and if it rained, they got wet.

We watched a skirmish between the Union and Confederate soldiers.

There were a lot of interesting things to see - but as my husband pointed out, it's not seeing the things that is so interesting - it's hearing people talk about them. You can see things in a museum. Having someone show you how it all actually worked is priceless.

The Feast of St. John Vianney

Today is the feast of St. John Vianney - the Cure of Ars. There have been several great posts today that discuss the virtues of this saintly priest, and do it much better than I ever could so visit: Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii, Father Jay Toborowsky at Young Fogeys and Barbara at Praying for Grace.

St. John Vianney holds a special place in my heart, even if I can't expound on his life as well as some others can because he was the patron saint of my high school. So, when some hear St. John Vianney, they think of a French priest shortly after the revolution, I think of high school days. Football games (Go Lancers!), school plays, and most of all the wonderful friends I made there - that are my friends still.

St. John Vianney - pray for us.

Alpha Beta Gamma and so on

Yesterday, while the children were busy singing "I've got a song that gets on everybody's nerves" I decided to distract them with something that Melissa Wiley shared at The Lilting House yesterday. A way to learn the Greek alphabet in less then 10 minutes. The kids watched it. They had fun with it. And guess what - they now know the Greek alphabet. How cool is that.

It didn't stop them from singing "I've got a song that gets on everybody's nerves" though.

Poetry Friday - At the Sea Side

At the Sea-Side
By Robert Louis Stevenson

When I was down beside the sea
A wooden spade they gave to me
To dig the sandy shore.

My holes were empty like a cup.
In every hole the sea came up,
Till it could come no more.

The Poetry Friday Round-up is at The Miss Rumphius Effect