Running on empty

 1.


Everything I do lately seems to be one step behind. This is my 7-quick-takes-Friday post. It is Saturday afternoon.
I am having a flare up of Epstein-Barr after having some virus IN JANUARY. Boy is it getting old. I can usually only accomplish one larger task a day. Today it was going to the laundromat at 7AM. Which is actually nice, because I am not bumping elbows with anybody. Everything else I do today will be on more or less borrowed time, and I will struggle through whatever it is.

With grace and poise.

2.

While at said laundromat, one of those Saturday morning pseudo-news shows came on, with a panel discussion about the recent  happenings in the Church. I believe they entitled the segment, "The Crisis in the Catholic Church." I don't know about you, but, yes though I am sad to say goodbye to Benedict XVI, I am not undone over it. I am not In Crisis, nor is the Church. We are still firmly rooted in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. To be sure, we  have some difficult work to do, and very grave matters to address; but with our dear Pope Emeritus praying for us, we will continue on.

3.

The aforementioned panel consisted of , a protestant minister, a classic "nun-on-the-bus," and a somewhat traditional -ish lay person.

Why, oh why, pray tell, when a TV show wants to talk about Catholic things, don't they get a  decent representative? The claptrap coming from that television made me want to jump into one of the gigantic washers just to drown it out. I did read earlier this week that Fr. Barron was on another network commenting on the Pope's retirement, and that is good news. Here in Philly, where we have Archbishop Chaput to go to for info, what do we get? Larry, Moe, and Curly, fresh off the bus.

I have even written in to Hannity and O'Reilly, suggesting they find some actual Catholics, assuming they are not intentionally wanting to portray the Church in the worst possible light.




4.

My lenten disciplines have suffered somewhat, I wasn't able to get to daily mass several days this week, or corral myself to do some of my daily prayers. Oh, I still prayed, it was just more along the lines of, "Jesus, help!"  He hears that kind, too. He very much came to our aid. And quickly!

5. 

Thank you for your prayers for Chuck. He passed away with his family around him. Today is his funeral.  Charles Lynch, Requiescat in pace.

6. 

A very beautiful moment of Benedict XVI,  captured here. (scroll down) I think he was an excellent Pope and is a beautiful soul.  


7. 

I heard this song today, and it just resonated. I tend to have spiritual experiences in unexpected places.
It just was a little conversation between God and I, apropos of what's going on with me personally and also the world.

We all have a weakness Some of ours are easier to identify
 Look me in the eye And ask for forgiveness
  We'll make a pact to never speak That word again, yes, you are my friend
We all have something that digs at us At least we dig each other
So when weakness turns my ego up I know you'll count on the me from yesterday
If I turn into another  
Dig me up from under what is covering The better part of me
Sing this song Remind me that we'll always have each other When everything else is gone
We all have a sickness That cleverly attaches and multiplies No matter how we try
We all have someone that digs at us At least we dig each other
So when sickness turns my ego up I know you'll act as a clever medicine
If I turn into another
  Dig me up from under what is covering The better part of me
Sing this song Remind me that we'll always have each other When everything else is gone Oh, each other when everything else is gone
If I turn into another
 Dig me up from under what is covering The better part of me
Sing this song Remind me that we'll always have each other When everything else is gone Oh, each other, sing this song, when everything else is gone Oh, each other, when everything else is gone.

  And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with  persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

2Corinthians 12:9-10

7 quick prayer requests and the promotion of a great blogger

1. I would ask your prayers for some friends this Lent; namely, Kristen, Jan, Joyce, and Mary; each who are going through particularly tough ordeals and would greatly appreciate them.









2. For all priests, certainly, but in particular, Father M., Father C., and Father K.

3. For the Holy Father and the process soon to be underway, the speculations of which are already driving me crazy.







4. For Father MacRae, of this wonderful blog, who has been nominated for Best Catholic Blog, through About.com. If you would like to help him out, you can vote for These Stone Walls, here.

5. For my son, Daniel, who was unjustly fired from his long-time job.

6. For Chuck, my ex-father-in-law, and much-loved grandfather to Meghann, who is in his last time on this earth. And a special request I have asked God on his and the family's behalf. He has been suffering with Alzheimer's for many years.
















7. Finally, I would ask your prayers for me, and all my intentions. I have not been able to get completely well ever since getting the flu/cold/virus/something -- some six weeks ago.I get a little better and then, down I go. It gives me something to add to my prayers, for sure, but also detracts from my ability to function. I am limping along, but my limper is getting worn out. As well as my patience. And today, added on, is a nice migraine. Sooo much to add to my prayers.

Just to put things in perspective, and to humble myself after complaining of my headache, and other things today,

I want to thank Manny, who posted a lovely memorial of a fellow blogger, Ros, who touched many with her sweetness. He included this song and video from The Passion of  the Christ, that Ros loved, and now, so do I. I listen and watch every day, and want to watch the movie again during Lent. So, Ros, your legacy of sweetness and devotion lives on. Thank you. :)

A nice morning chat

I know this is not really a chat, but I like to think of it as such. I also chat with God throughout the day, even if that is sometimes more of a one sided plea for help! He sometimes gets a word in edgewise.

As I sit here with my animal crackers and coffee, (Breakfast of some kind of Champions, somewhere), I am contemplating-

1. The lifestyle changes I have to make, re: the results of my recent doctor visit, revealing that I do have the Epstein-Barr virus, but it is not present in my blood enough to really say I have it. So, I am sick, but not sick enough to be called sick, but sick enough to need to take steps to get better. Better from the not-sick.

2. The lifestyle changes I wanted to make for Lent. (Lent, translates in my mind as this-"the season in which I am going to whip myself into spiritual shape, by implementing disciplines of both body and mind, of military proportions; and therefore be freed from my miserable state and go forward in glory.)"  Only now I must think of everything in light of this pseudo sickness.

 "But", you say, (because we are after all, regarding this as a chat, so we must keep up your end), "it all sort of lines up, doesn't it? There will be loads of discipline in doing the things that will make you better, and the time in which you will have to slow down can be spent in prayer and reading. And instead of fasting in the strict sense, you could fast from unhealthy foods (what, like animal crackers and biscotti?) to promote your healing." My goodness, you're right! What incredible wisdom and insight you have! I am so glad we had this chat!

Of course I still am planning on striving to get to either daily mass and/or adoration. I gave myself this week "off," with the exception of tomorrow, which is First Friday, and I am NOT giving up my so far unbroken string of First Fridays! (tomorrow is 7!). It is hard to break patterns and habits, so I am pretty sure God sent this little arrangement to "help" me. 

Here are some of my plans for Lent. Mice and men, watch out.

1. Daily prayer, inculding my usuals; Rosary, Divine Mercy, 9 Memorares (known as the  911 for special serious intentions, of which I always have). Green scapular prayers , that I gave to all my kids and their sig. others. I want to add--the Chaplet of Saint Michael, and the  Chaplet to Saint Therese.
 Hopefully, all my sitting around will help me accomplish some of this. And my parish, St. Monica's, is holding the  Novena of Grace. I know, another novena may be pushing it! We'll see.

2. A few dietary and leisure sacrifices. Drinking only water, with a cup of coffee or tea in the morning and evening. No sweets. Maybe I will make something for after Sunday supper, mostly for the kids. Fruit would be okay, and in keeping with the general health thing. If you have any good meatless recipes, send one or two my way? 

No facebook and very little TV. 

3. Disciplines--planning and maintaining house cleaning, purging of crap,-uh, I mean extra stuff, and getting started on the repainting and floor refinishing of our first floor. I keep a fairly clean house, for all the traffic we have in here ( I spoke about that once, here ), but I am not too organized about it, and let some jobs go too long. Then, after inviting company over, I see the place with new eyes and have to go on a cleaning tear. 

4. Read! This one is not a sacrifice at all, but I have a suggested list I will be working from that is mostly spiritual. If you are interested to know about which ones, I will be blogging about them as I go along.

       hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew. 

 The list includes......brrrrbrbrrrrrrr, TSH! The Bible. As an Evangelical, I read my Bible and went to Bible Studies galore, and I am grateful for that background. But last night I had to borrow my daughters Catholic Bible to use during Lent. On the rare occasion I read from it, I just use my old NASB. And I do still kind of love it. But I want to read Tobit and the other books not in that version. We do have the online Magnificat, but I like to read from real books  whenever possible. They are like old friends. Yes, all my friends are pretty old now, and we are all starting to smell like old books. Trip to Bath and Body Works, anyone?

Hopefully, this is not too much for my poor frail self to do. (for Meghann--a bit of jest. not license to refer to me as frail.:)

In closing here is a painting that inspires me for Lent:

It is   The Annunciation, by Henry O. Tanner. I love how he captures Mary at a moment when she is obviously taken by surprise, her bed and floor rug rumpled, perhaps still in her night clothes. She doesn't have a fearful expression, so maybe Gabriel has already said, "do not fear."  She might be just about to ask, ""How can this be?" And then say the most beautiful, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."

Besides Gabriel's presence, it is such a familiar setting, one I can relate to. (Except my hair is standing generally on end upon arising). But I can see myself sitting on my bed, talking to God, having something of the same expression. It kind of embodies how I would like to experience Lent this year.

 And now, friend, thank you for sitting and chatting. In case I have hyperlinked you into a state of whiplash-like neck pain or carpal tunnel or something, I apologize. Well, look at it this way, now you have something to offer up!



whoops! okay just one more link. Today is the anniversary of Bob's audition. Happy six years of joining the circus, honey!