Green Gazette

Ides of March Spoiler Alert

2011-10-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

Bill and I had a wonderful date night this past weekend complete with a dinner and a movie. We chose Ides of March because the trailer was intriguing. I tend to avoid reading reviews before I go to a movie because how is some stranger going to know what I like in a movie. And most reviews spoil the movie for me. And, yet, here I am writing a review. So, if you were planning on going to see it. Go. Be entertained and then come back and have a read.

But, I will call this more of an analysis. Yes, I like the sound of that. It is an analysis of what I discovered in the movie to be a powerful statement on the use, purpose, and consequences of abortion. I am fairly certain that this statement was an unintended consequence of the producers, though. Just a guess, but, sometimes, we cannot see what is right before our eyes.

The movie is a behind the scenes look at the dark side of politics during a presidential primary. George Clooney plays an atheist progressive democrat candidate who is running against a Christian moderate democrat. Ryan Gosling plays a young, ambitious, kool-aid drinking campaign adviser to Clooney's character. It is clear that all players will use whatever information they can to promote their candidate and demonize their opponent. Gosling's character discusses various ways to spin information. It's clearly all a game. And you get the sense that "all is fair in love and war" is embraced and played out here.

Enter the intern. A political intern. I don't even have to tell you that the intern is female, do I? And, she is attractive? And that Gosling and the intern engage in a meaningless sexual encounter following drinks one night? You saw that coming. That seems to be what is associated with political interns. Go figure.

On a subsequent encounter with Gosling, the intern reveals that she had a meaningless and unintended sexual encounter with the married candidate played by Clooney. And now she is pregnant. A wall comes up and Gosling's character jumps into campaign mode and finds a way to get campaign funds to pay for an abortion and take care of "the situation."

A child has been conceived. It is called a situation. The intern is called a situation. You can see it in her eyes when that word is used. She is told to get the abortion and disappear. She overdoses on the post abortive medications mixed with alcohol. She has been discarded as yesterdays trash just as the baby was. Life, in this scenario is something to be used and assigned a value based on how it can serve or how it can interfere. The practice of abortion is the practice of assigning value to a human life based on subjective criteria. How can this baby serve me? How can this baby interfere with my life?

What if, she got out of town before she had the abortion? What if she decided that these diabolical political types were going to just use and abuse her and throw her out? What if she went ahead and had the baby and the scandal broke out? What if the dirty games were revealed and exposed? In the end, the baby would secure a just and forthright political process. But, in the end of this movie, we are left knowing that the winning candidate raped, plundered,and pillaged his way to the top. And, nothing is what it seems.

Hey, Michael Moore You Got Some Splainin' to Do!

2011-09-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

In what kind of twisted world do the rights of a known terrorist who is responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent lives trump the rights of an unborn child? In Michael Moore's world, is the answer. Today, on The View , Michael Moore presented his new book. I don't know what it is about, although there is a charming picture on the cover. But, no interview with Michael Moore is complete without asking him his opinion on the Iraq war and the fate of Osama bin Laden. Apparently, he is the beacon of truth and honor when it comes to right to life issues. Except when it comes to abortion. What?! Uh, yeah. He declared with grand arm gestures, "As a catholic, it is wrong to take the life of a person unless it is in self defense!" Good. Me, too. I'm right there with ya, Michael. But when the blonde co-host asked him if that meant he was pro-life, he hesitated and mumbled and tried to recover, saying, "I'm pro-life in the sense that I don't believe you should kill people." Good. Me either. Killing people is serious, wrong business. If he was sitting next to me, I would have fist bumped him.

But, then, I heard the words..."Not when it comes to abortion." And, Joy Behar could be heard giving an assist to the stumbling guest, by saying..."When they're alive. When they are alive. He's pro-life when they are alive." Okay. Awkward. Michael Moore is right to life when people are alive. But that does not include abortion. Does that mean, Michael Moore, that you came on The View today to say that Osama bin Laden deserved his day in court but these babies are not alive?

Where Were You?

2011-09-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

I was folding a load of laundry when I got the call from my father that the first plane had hit. I turned on the television in my bedroom quietly. I had a toddler sleeping in the next room and I didn't want to wake her. There I sat, with my pregnant belly, still in my bed clothes, folding laundry when I watched the second plane fly into the second tower. I called my father back and we were mostly speechless but making comments in the form of unfinished sentences and moments of silence as we were caught in disbelief. Then, we got news about the pentagon. Dad said he was going to call my other siblings. I attempted to call my husband. I would not be able to reach him for three hours.

I never finished folding that load.

Somehow, I fed my little girl and we sat in the den that morning. She was oblivious to the chatter on the television as she emptied the legos out of the box and clinked them together and tried to stack them. When the images became unbearable and the panic of non-stop breaking news started to scroll across the bottom of the screen, I turned off the television and just sat with my daughter and watched her play. Occasionally, I felt the sure kick of a new life, that of my soon to be first born son. I was aware at that point of how many moms and dads had perished.

Where were you, God? Where were all the guardian angels to catch those people when they had to jump because the heat from the flames was far worse than the thought of plunging to their death? Where were you, God? Does that not enter the mind of all of us, no matter how sure or unsure we are of our faith? And, certainly the non believers ask, where was your God on September 11, 2001?

Where is God? Right now. When a child is starving. When an earth quake strikes.

We believe him to be omniscient. He, and only He, has the ability to see the really big, big picture. So, for us, mere humans, with our brains no bigger than the size of our coupled fists, it is difficult to comprehend how He could allow these things to happen. We can't see the complete picture from all angles. We are lacking the gift of infinite wisdom. We only know a small part of the story. We know what we read in the bible and what is passed down through our tradition as Christians. But, God does not really spell it all out for us. So much of our life on earth is incomprehensible. And it is in these times of horrific tragedy where our faith takes on a palpable shape in our lives. At these crossroads we can either continue to walk in faith or we can walk away. We can declare that God is dead or we can ask God what we are to do next.

We have come this far by faith. Let us continue on in faith, despite circumstantial evidence to the contrary. By faith, I have my second born son, Joseph. There is no other explanation for his being in this world. Without faith, I would not have left myself open for a fifth child at the age of 43. Each time I behold him, the thought crosses my mind that I cannot understand how this world came to be, nor how it is each day, but I know that when I trust God, my life unfolds magnificently.

Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.

~Hebrews 11:1

The Beauty of the Truth

2011-09-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

I plucked a red pepper out of the garden yesterday.
It was well formed with rounded quadrants at the top and bottom. The skin was soft, smooth and ruby red. The stem was perky and green and still had a leaf attached. It had a scent of pepper mingling with sweetness. It was simply beautiful. It sits on my window sill and I gaze at it when I am at the sink. I tend to put small beautiful things on my window sill. I spend a lot of time in my kitchen and I like to surround myself with beautiful things. Making beautiful things gives me great pleasure, too. When I cook, I am aware of the color and presentation of the food as much as the taste. I consider the color of the platter and how it will complement my entree. There is something about beauty, wherever it is found, that captivates us and makes us pause for a moment. But, what is in that moment? Why do we have beauty in our lives?

Fra Angelico was a monk who was also a painter. I had the opportunity to explore the San Marco Monastery in Florence when I was in college. On each dormitory wall, he had painted a fresco depicting moments in Christ's life. I stood in the nearly empty dorms and imagined what it must have been like to awaken in this spartan room and the only thing other than walls and floor to greet the monk was a thing of beauty. Colors and lines and symbols telling the story of our Lord. What richness among the impoverished life of these monks! It was as if they traded all the treasures that this natural world has to offer to live in the beauty of the eternal truth.

The life of Christ has inspired some of the most magnificent works of beauty known to man. During my time in Florence and Rome, I was able to experience coming face to face with so much beauty. So many gifted painters. Not just Michelangelo and Leonardo Da vinci, but their many apprentices, too. And not just painting, but literature, architecture, and music has also been created by man to glorify God. We have G.K. Chesterton, Flannery O'Connor, and Robert Southwell, to name a few, whose writing uses the beauty of language in either its poetic or reasonable tilt to tell the truth.

By stark contrast, when beauty is absent, we find darkness, confusion, destruction and despair. When the towers fell, ten years ago on September 11, 2001, we witnessed the opposite of creation. We witnessed destruction. The images that emerged from that tragic day were filled with darkness, confusion, destruction and despair. In the same way, we pause and we are captivated. But there is something very different that moment when we behold ugliness. When something is created to glorify God, there will be beauty. If we really believe this to be true, we must question how war and acts of war can ever be considered acts that glorify God. In light of the recent conflicts, Pope Benedict has said that we need to be "asking ourselves if it is still licit to admit the very existence of a 'just war'." In the face of the depraved images of war, I hope we can pause and reflect on how we can resolve the problems in the world without turning to acts of war.

Since September 11, 2001, we have each done our part to restore beauty to the landscape of our life. There are so many little ways that we can participate in God's ongoing creation. Grow a garden, knit a scarf, paint a picture, play a song on the piano and take moments to experience beauty wherever you can find it. And create it where it is lacking.

from New Heaven, New War

With tears He fights and wins the field,
His naked breast stands for a shield,
His battering shot are babish cries,
His arrows, looks of weeping eyes,
His martial ensigns, cold and need,

And feeble flesh His warrior's steed.
~Robert Southwell

Botticelli, Madonna of the Magnificat

Same Sticky Counters, Different Day

2011-08-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

Irene has come and gone. She didn't leave much damage behind for me to clean up. I didn't even lose power. Yet, my house looks like a hurricane hit it from the inside. I have thought of writing a to-do-list. But that is just too obvious. So, I chatted with a few friends online and discovered they are in the same boat. I mean, not a similar boat, but exactly the same model, year and color. One friend posted her to-do-list and I could just cut and paste it and call it mine. That does not make the situation any better. Not only do I feel overwhelmed, but I am not in any way special or unique. I cannot lament that no one understands. About a zillion other women understand. Not only do they understand, but they can trump me with their stories.

So, what's the point? How do I find meaning in the crumby, the sticky, the wet
and the tantrum-y essence of motherhood?

I have many ideas on how to find the meaning. I could live "in the moment." Embrace the "nowness" of life. Just exist for the pureness of the immediate space in front of me. Saturate my senses in the being of a mother with two toddlers at her ankles. On days like this, living in the moment talk gets big eye rolls from me. How am I supposed to linger in the moment of a toddler who has discovered he can climb up on the bar, over the bar and dance on the edge and climb back down. And do it over again, repeatedly, ad nauseum.

I "know" what I need to do. But, today, I have lost either the will or the will power to do it. So, on days like this, I really lower my expectations.

I do just enough housework to keep the vermin at bay. I twist my hair in a clip, brush my teeth and get dressed just enough to look decent from the vantage point of the bus driver when he comes to get the kids but not so dressed that I could go grocery shopping without getting wide eyed looks from fellow shoppers. It's either hormones or just plain exhaustion. Whatever it is, it is not unique to motherhood or being a woman or being a stay at home mom. This is an everyman day. Dads have it, too. And grandmas and grandpas and young executives and athletes. And I can be thankful that it is just a day or two or three. If it went on for two weeks or more, I would have to seek help. So, I cannot blame my vocation or the number of kids. At the end of the day, or at the end of days, as it were, my vocation will be a key to my salvation. That, and my conviction to persevere to the end, despite days like these.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5

Irene, Downgraded to Tropical Storm and Veers off to the East

2011-08-25T20:03:00.000-07:00

The Mid Atlantic States are breathing a sigh of relief as they are spared from the blow that they were expecting from Hurricane Irene. All that is left are rainbows and smiling puppies as Irene took a sharp turn to the east...

Okay, so I am up way too late and dreaming up the headlines for the morning. Because I want to wake up and find out that the forecasters were wrong. I want to hear that the cone of uncertainty was indeed uncertain. And what is now certain is that this storm is a non-story. I want to go about my normal order of business. I want to watch the newscasters quickly dig up new news story now that Irene has been lost at sea. Don't we have shark bite stories to cover? I'd like to take my kids to the pool to enjoy one of the last days of summer 2011. I don't want to spend the morning battening down the hatches and soothing anxious children who wonder why I am battening down the hatches. I don't even know how to batten. And I don't know where we keep the hatches.

I don't know what tomorrow will bring but I do know that I have to show up and be ready. So, that means I have to go to bed. I pray that God is merciful to all those in the path of this storm. And, I pray that I can be a source of calm and confidence for my children as we ride out this storm together.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Lose 20 pounds by Christmas

2011-08-22T06:57:00.000-07:00

I know what sells magazines. Tell people how they can look and feel better. And, if you do want to lose 20 lbs by Christmas, you can. There are about 2,000 different diet plans that will get you there. The keys to success are setting goals, having accountability, eating less, and moving more. It's not rocket science. But, I did not really want to write a post on weight loss tips. What I wanted my title to read is, "How to get closer to God by Christmas." How do we get closer to God? Closeness to God is difficult to quantify, but I think we can use the same approach to spiritual well-being as we do our physical well-being.

First, we can set spiritual goals. Have you ever set a spiritual goal? What would that look like? A good goal is measurable and achievable. For example, I will do spiritual reading for 20 minutes each morning for 2 weeks. Reading daily for 20 minutes might be achievable for some, but not for others. So, know your limitations. Once you achieve this goal, you can evaluate your progress. Do you feel closer to God? Another way of evaluating this is to ask yourself if you feel that your faith is strengthened.

Next, incorporate accountability into your spiritual growth. You can get your spouse to do this with you. Or you can ask a friend or group of friends to join you. Or, if you want to keep it personal and private, you can keep a journal and check off each time you make your goal. The journal can also be a place to record your thoughts about your spiritual journey.

Families can set goals, too. My family would like to get together to say the rosary. But, often, life gets in the way and days and weeks pass without a family rosary. However, if we set a goal together as a family, one that is measurable and achievable, then, we are much more likely to sit down together. A daily family rosary with kids, two of whom are toddlers, is not achievable for us. However, we can gather at least once a week, perhaps on Sunday evenings, to say a family rosary. If we do this for 2 weeks and we feel good about our progress, then maybe we can start gathering twice a week. And we could progress towards a daily family rosary by Christmas.

Now, what about the eating less and moving more? Well, that doesn't apply to spiritual growth, directly. But, you can certainly sin less and do more works of mercy. How do you sin less? First, start with a clean slate. Make a thorough examination of your conscience. Then, go to confession. This will absolve you of all your sins and give you the sanctifying grace to avoid those same sins in the future. Set a confession goal, too. My family makes it a goal to go once per month. Frequent confession is the key to sinning less. And if you do this once per month, you will find that your faith is strengthened and you will be closer to God by Christmas.

Increasing works of mercy is another way to grow closer to God. And, goal setting will help you achieve this. Having accountability partners will also make it more likely that you will do more works of mercy. We have a family friend who is in a nursing home. And, if we do not set a goal and schedule a visit, life gets in the way. And before we know it a week goes by, or a month or several months before we realize that we have not visited our friend. We cannot let that happen. If we do achieve our goal, we not only please a friend but also and we find ourselves in compliance with Christ's greatest commandment, to love one another as He loves us.

Of course, I might want to think about those weight loss goals, too. I mean, what is Christmas without cookies and candy canes? It might be good to make a little exta room for all that yumminess without feeling too guilty.

I ♥ Haters

2011-08-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

I saw those words on a bumper sticker the other day. At first blush, it felt like the sticky vinyl equivalent to an offensive hand gesture to all who have the misfortune of driving behind the owner's vehicle. But, as a I continued on down the road, I gave it a little more thought. I let the image of the red heart and the words float around in a more complex area of my brain. The bumper sticker did not say, "I ♥ Hate." I hate the word hate. I am frequently lamenting to my children that there is no equivalent for the word hate in Spanish. So, I tell them there is no reason we need to use it just because the English language wants to be so darn specific. Rather, I ask them to say, "I don't like (fill in the blank)." No, the bumper sticker said, " I ♥ Haters." Haters are people, ergo, the owner of the vehicle is expressing his love for people, even if they hate. So, in the final analysis, the driver is boasting of Godly love, the love that we must work at, the love that has no immediate pay off.

So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Corinthians 1 13:13

"Who put the potty in the playpen?!"

2011-04-23T06:54:00.000-07:00

That's just one of the questions that I shout to myself on a random Saturday morning when no one is around to hear me. Picture this: I come downstairs after my kids and my husband have let me sleep in. It is quiet in the house because they have all left for the morning to go about their Saturday activities. I ignore the scattered Lego's that I trip over to get to my cup of coffee. I ignore the orange colored glob of something that has just attached itself to my sleeve. I sip. I walk through the kitchen, assessing my morning plan. Then, it happens. "Who put paper cups in the dishwasher?!" I start to see the trail that they have left behind. I breathe deep. I exhale. I sip. And I realize that I have two choices. I can yell at the ceiling and wave my fist at the heavens and whimper...why me? Or...cue the harp...I can take a deep breath and fall to my knees and thank God for the footprints and fingerprints that are evidence of the life I live. And now, the pool of yogurt in the corner of the dining room is no longer a source of discontent, but rather a moment filled with Grace and my path is laid out before me.

But, wait. How do we get from point A to point B? What if you have a difficult child? A sick husband? What if the car breaks down at the same time that a big tuition bill is due? I don't mean to trivialize the tests that can be laid before us by suggesting that we be little Mary sunshine all day long. But, our actions reveal the faith that we proclaim. If we are fearful of what will happen next or full of rage for the carelessness of others, then we are shouting out with our actions that there is no God. It is that plain. We allow ourselves to chip away at our faith with each outburst of indignation and with each time that we fail to accept humiliations as part of our spiritual growth.

There are steps we can take to clear our path to being the happy housewife, husband, son, or daughter. First, establish a daily spiritual habit. This can include prayers and reading. This step is most effective if it becomes the first thing you do each morning and the last thing you do each night. Second, get plenty of rest, eat right, limit alcohol intake and get some exercise. You will find that you have a deeper pool of resources if you take care of your body. Third, practice what you preach. If we demonstrate faith in small things, then we will be prepared to face greater challenges with greater faith. Examine areas in your life where you could rely on God, but you choose to rely on yourself. Fourth, look for opportunities to practice the virtue that is the direct opposite of whatever vice you are struggling with. Complement your difficult child the first time you see him do anything worth complementing. Donate to a charity when you are hit with a financial burden. Take on a physical challenge when you find that your physical abilities are limited. Fifth, become active in your faith community through volunteer work or activism. Offer to make phone calls for a committee, bake cookies for a fundraiser, or attend a pro-life rally. These are all ways that you can demonstrate to yourself and your loved ones that you have faith and that all things are possible with God. And by doing these things, you will find that you have the ability to smile and laugh next time you find a purple crayon drawing of Noah's ark in your stairwell.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Point out anything in me that offends you,

and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

~Psalm 139

Do You Pray With Confidence?

2011-04-13T16:00:00.000-07:00

There is this part in Mass where the priest says: "And now, let us pray with confidence in the words our Savior gave us." This is followed by the Our Father. I hear these words each week but, recently, they took on special meaning. While my father was in surgery, I stayed with my mother and we waited by her ipad (modern day pacing of hospital halls) for words from my brother who was at the hospital. My 2 1/2 year old daughter, perhaps sensing the tension and worry while playing in the room we were sitting in, heard us talking about "Poppy." She said "Poppy's going to be alright and he's gonna come home." Just like that.

From that moment, I decided, that rather than sit in worry, I should just pray with confidence that my father would recover. He came out of surgery in exactly the amount of time that the surgeon estimated and that was a great sign. However, I nearly fainted when I was able to see my father in ICU. He had so many tubes. I could see how uncomfortable he was and it broke my confidence. The next day, I held vigil with my siblings waiting for my father to come out of sedation. I could see that my brother, who is a physician, was concerned that there was a problem. I decided not to go to the hospital on the 3rd day because I was getting discouraged and my worry was clouding my ability to pray with confidence. Then, my sense of humor kicked in. I told my siblings that watching Dad recover was like watching paint dry and I was not going to sit by his bed for another day and watch him drool. They knew I was joking, but it was my way of saying to them this: He is going to be alright and he is going to come home! So, I stayed with my mother and I de-cluttered his side of the bed and his favorite areas of the house, getting ready for his return. The next morning, I got a text from my brother that said: Dad is back 100%!!!

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ~Hebrews 4:16

PEACE BEGINS WITH A SMILE

2011-01-19T07:42:00.000-08:00

Mother Theresa once said, "Peace begins with a smile." I thought of this the other day when I jolted to a stop at a stop sign where an elderly lady had paused before crossing. The jolt of my car startled her and she cast her eyes down and away from me. I tried smiling, apologetically, but was unable to meet her eyes. Then we were in a stand off because I was not going to move until after she crossed. But, in order for her to cross, she would have to make eye-contact. Alas, she looked up from her cane, cautiously, and my bright smile was waiting, accompanied by a gesture with my hands to "please cross." I wanted to roll down my window and tell her to have a lovely day. I wanted to tell her that I love seeing her walk around town with a cane and to please take her time and don't feel rushed. I wanted to tell her what a gift it was to see an elderly lady walking with a cane. It occurred to me that she is often met with glares of impatience and, perhaps, unkind words. Our youth-obsessed culture has no use for old ladies with canes. Rather, they are the butt of jokes. So, many, I am sure, opt to stay home where they can hobble in peace. I hope that my smile was enough to give her a little peace as she continued on her journey.

Juan Williams Fired for His Opinion

2010-10-21T07:39:00.000-07:00

When analyzing the Muslim comment incident from last week's appearance by Bill O'Reilly on The View, Juan Williams said this on Bill O'Reilly's show, The Factor:
“I mean, look, Bill, I’m not a bigot. You know the kind of books I’ve written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I've got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous.”

He was saying this is the context of debunking the myth that all Muslims attacked us on 9/11. If you ask me, this is a page from Orwell's 1984. Recall thought police? Juan spoke too plainly and veered from Party doctrine. And he was fired for that.

Health Care Reform and Saving Lives

2009-11-20T08:21:00.000-08:00

It has been a long and winding road for the health care reform bill as it makes it's way to the Senate floor. The past summer of discontent revealed a strong and loud voice of opposition to the public option and to any plan that would place the health care needs of the American people into the hands of the government. I can understand why people would oppose giving any type of control to the same government that handled Katrina or more recently, the economy. I am certainly not an economist, but John B Taylor is and he writes on his blog about another economist's views:"Cliff Winston of the Brookings Institution carefully reviews three decades of empirical research on a wide range of microeconomic policy studies in his important book Government Failure versus Market Failure. He comes to the same basic conclusion; as he puts it "thirty years of empirical evidence... suggests that the welfare cost of government failure may be considerably greater than that of market failure." I would rather face the consequences of market failure than government failure. When markets fail, the market can respond with innovative ways to find its own level again. When government programs fail, bureaucrats add new regulations to keep it going because, after all, it is someone else's money so the buck gets passed. I cannot think of a single government entitlement program that has made my life more complete. And it is not like I hail from a privileged dynasty. There was a few weeks in the summer of 1996 when I found myself unemployed, between jobs, laid off, as it were, and I applied for unemployment benefits because I qualified. You know what it did for me? It took the edge off of my desperate search and so I sent out a few resume's and headed to Guatemala to experience cultural exploration and to experience real poverty. It did not make me more motivated to seek employment...that came when the "benefits" were about to run out. I am not saying we don't need unemployment benefits. I am saying there is something wrong with calling it a benefit. I am sure it has helped a struggling family get through a difficult time. I am also sure that it has been abused, wasted, and is vulnerable to fraudulent use. But, again, it is someone else's money. I digress. Right now, we are facing government expansion like never before with nearly 2,000 pages of taxes and entitlements and lots of room for fraud and abuse. But, what is striking to me is that it is all coming down to a question of life. The pro-life advocates, of which I am a shameless member, have kept vigilant eyes on the bill. We have discovered that the bill is an expansion of abortion funding and creates a mandate for federally funded abortions. It is unacceptable and I am willing to bet that it will stop this health care monstrosity in its tracks and bring it to its knees. Abortion is not health care and more and more Americans agree. More and more Senators agree, too. We will not back down on this. Health care should save lives, not end them. Right now, American hospitals will not turn away a sick or injured person who cannot pay. But under this plan, we will see the rationing of health care via government standards that decide what treatments are necessary and who needs them. Go here and let your voice be heard.

Elections Have Consequences

2009-07-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

I could use this same title for most of my posts about the actions of the Obama administration. This week, while we are glued to our sets watching the Sotomayor Saga...snooze...., health care legislation is being overhauled and hate crimes legislation is being introduced. Ch-ch-ch-changes....that's for sure. Earth shattering, ground breaking ch-ch-ch-changes. And while I think these changes are pointing our country in the wrong direction, I have to remind myself that elections have consequences. I am aware of a certain clarity that one has when one has not voted for the current administration. And conversely, I am aware of the tendency for those who did vote for the current administration to default to autopilot and apathy and allow this administration to proceed in overdrive. It happened to those who voted Bush into office, twice, I might add. The Bush opponents had a certain clarity about Rumsfeld, that Bush supporters lacked. And now, the clarity and concern has been awakened in conservatives. I am not sure how this awakening will translate into political action. In the meantime, Sotomayor will likely be confirmed without pause. And we will be ushered into an era where the highest court in the land will now use empathy to decide cases. This court will also take into consideration the race, gender, life experience and sexual behavior of an individual before deciding on the case. As Sotomayor continues to parse her words and, by omission, basically acknowledge that abortion is a constitutional right, will we continue to sit in the passenger's seat and watch our country pass us by?

Can't Get Enough Sarah

2009-07-03T20:14:00.001-07:00

The nutty blogosphere couldn't say enough mean and hateful things about soon to be ex-Governor Sarah Palin as she abruptly announced her resignation plans. In my quest for the beef of the story, which at this point is...stay tuned...I came across very detailed conspiracy theories. Here are the top theories. The mainstream media hasn't a verifiable clue so they are all speculating that she is seeking another office or perhaps getting an early start on her 2012 campaign. The nutty blogosphere (oh I hope I don't have to eat my words, but she is a politician, so ANYTHING is possible) thinks that she engaged in a pay for play scheme with the builders of the Wasilla sports complex. They have threads a mile long talking about how the windows of her home look just like the windows of the sports complex. GASP!
You can't believe how many people are spending their Friday night theorizing about Sarah Palin's sudden announcement. I feel pathetic reading the comments. But hey, the kids are asleep and this is my time. The vicious rumor mills out there remind me of the stereotypical mean girls that we all knew in High School. You know the ones that couldn't stand it when a girl was prettier or more accomplished than them so they ridiculed and talked about her behind her back. Love her or hate her, we can't seem to get enough of her. So, to all those Tanya Hardings out there, give Governor Palin a break. Until you have walked a mile in her shoes, you cannot possibly know her. If you disagree with her, then stick to the issues and leave the personal attacks to the bullies.

Update:The nutty blogosphere has to eat their words. LOL SARAH PALIN IS NOT UNDER FBI INVESTIGATION

Independence Day

2009-07-03T06:35:00.000-07:00

July 4 is also a First Saturday this year. If you know what I am talking about then you are a faithful Catholic deeply consecrated in Truth. If you don't know what I am talking about, this is for you. The First Saturday Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was first mentioned by Our Lady of Fatima on July 13, 1917. After showing the three children a vision of hell she said, "You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace... I shall come to ask for... the Communion of reparation on the first Saturdays..."

Eight years later, on December 10, 1925, Mary and the Child Jesus appeared to Lucia, the sole surviving Fatima visionary, at a convent in Pontevedra, Spain. Our Lady rested her hand on Lucia's shoulder, revealing a heart encircled by thorns.

The Child Jesus said: "Have compassion on the heart of your most holy Mother, covered with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment, and there is no one to make an act of reparation..."Our Lady spoke next, saying: "Look, my daughter, at my heart, surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You at least try to console me and say that I promise to assist at the hour of death, with the graces necessary for salvation, all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, shall confess, receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on fifteen mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me."

Our great country is polarized and in turmoil on so many fronts. Just this week North Korea is testing missiles and unemployment is at a 26 year high. By recognizing this First Saturday, we can contribute to the reparations that will bring about an era of peace we have never before experienced. During this Independence Day, let us honor Our Mother who will magnify our prayers and bring us closer to her Son.

Franken Wins!

2009-06-30T12:46:00.000-07:00

And now, the circus has a clown. They are going to go crazy overreaching and that is a good thing for the 2010 elections where they will all be tossed out by fired up thinking types. I hope. Hope and change. It's a good thing.

Summer Swimmers

2009-06-30T09:59:00.000-07:00

Swimmers 1

I have to brag about my kids and my niece. I am so proud of them. They are facing their fears of cold water, competition, spotlight, and judges. As for my kids, I had to force them to join and I force them to complete one season so that they know what the experience is before they reject it. They are developing the great discipline of rising early and swimming laps in cold water. They are gaining confidence and camaraderie as part of a team that just won their first meet. They may never do this again, but they will know that they have the capacity to achieve. As for me, I am developing the discipline of rising early and ushering them off to practice. I have to work on my attitude in that area. I have become a bag lady. I have a purse, a towel bag, a snack bag, a miscellaneous bag and I bring extra bags for the wet stuff. It's all good. I am just so proud of them! Go Team! Go Team! By the way, click on the title of the painting...beautiful paintings!

Pray Globally, Act Locally

2009-06-22T07:28:00.001-07:00

Click here for Iran Updates (VIDEO): Live-Blogging The Uprising

Posted using ShareThis

Pick your news outlet and you will find that each one attempts to polarize every piece of news. They try to pit us against them. I am posting the St. Francis peace prayer to remind us to make peace with each moment, each person, especially the members of our own family, neighborhood and community.

Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
when there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand,
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Daily Presidential Tracking Poll

2009-06-21T19:44:00.001-07:00

That might explain this.

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Looking for Lines in the Sand

2009-06-20T07:25:00.000-07:00

It is Saturday morning and everyone is out getting the best deal for Father's Day or cleaning the house or mowing the lawn. And then there is Iran. The turmoil is rising to a melting point. Back in the Bush era, we knew where we stood. Bush was swift to draw lines in the sand. The current administration is refraining from meddling. Eventually, President Obama will need to take a stand. Let's not forget that we are keeping an eye on a North Korean ship and this emerging story may very well be related to the story in Iran. In the interim, we can all pray for a peaceful resolution to this uprising.

Year for Priests

2009-06-18T17:49:00.000-07:00

Friday, June 19, 2009 marks the beginning of the Year for Priests. This is a time to recognize the numerous gifts that these men have bestowed on the faithful for years. The Pope acknowledges the pain that has been caused by those priests who did not uphold their vows, but rather caused deep pain and sorrow for so many. They inflicted a cancer on the sweetest rose, the Church. The faithful that remain in the Church are working to heal the pain and make sure that this never happens again. I have had the priviledge of knowing more than a few of these good men. I often ask myself what gives them the strength to put the collar on day after day when they are demonized by the media. I know that it is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Still, they need our prayers.

Dazed and Confused

2009-06-17T19:38:00.000-07:00

President Obama fired the Inspector General of AmeriCorps citing that he was "confused, disoriented." Not that Obama was confused or disoriented, but that the Inspector General was, of course, you understand. I don't mean to confuse you. This does not smell right. There are too many conflicts of interest. Either Obama is saying that Gerald Walpin is too old, in which case Kennedy, Pelosi, and Liberman better step up, or Obama is inventing a reason to fire this guy who blew the whistle on Obama's friend. Keep an eye on this story. It is being selectively covered at the moment, meaning that only Fox News is covering it. Fox News gets a lot of criticism and is becoming known for its tenacity in going after the Obama administration. Isn't that what all networks should be doing?

Don't Demonize Me, My Friend, You'll Be Sorry

2009-06-17T13:25:00.000-07:00

Joan Walsh debated Bill O'Reilly on his show, The O'Reilly Factor to discuss her charges that he was, in part, responsible for Dr. Tiller's murder because he called Tiller "the baby killer" repeatedly on his show. Bill O'Reilly was Bill O'Reilly, i.e. attack dog, ratings hound, so she must have known what she was walking into. I would not want to be in her shoes, defending the practices of this particular abortion doctor. I am guessing there are not many contenders for that job. Her only defense was to repeat that "what he did was legal." Slavery was legal at one time, too. She was flustered and clearly did not have her facts and even admits this when she says "I skimmed them" when referring to the records of patients. These patients listed rather trivial reasons for such a violent procedure. Life of the mother is a reason most people do not object to, however this is so rare that it cannot explain how Tiller was able to kill 60,000 fetus'. The tensions rise to the point where she levels the threat that is the title of my post. I am not sure what will happen to Bill O'Reilly now that he has, in fact, demonized Ms. Walsh. That remains to be seen. I am left wondering what her mission is. Does she object to freedom of speech? You decide.

And Iran...Iran so far away

2009-06-17T12:16:00.000-07:00

What were you up to Monday night? I had gone to a movie and dashed home to tweet about it and I got caught up in a twitter revolution. For about and hour, I was a part of the action. I was not changing diapers, folding laundry or doing dishes. No, I was sharing in the protest against a fraudulent election and information suppression with Iranians who heretofore had been, I am ashamed to admit, unknown entities to me. I suppose a part of me had dismissed them as broken people who had folded under the weight of an oppressive regime. But, the truth is that they have been empowered to make their voices heard. And thanks to twitter, Americans are not the "them" that we had been for years. Now we are their allies. By changing my profile twitter picture to green, I show solidarity with those seeking to establish true freedom and democracy in Iran. Twitter has made us neighbors and friends.

Pro-Life Advocates Make FOCA Vanish into Thin Air

2009-02-21T16:46:00.000-08:00

Time magazine's Senior editor, Amy Sullivan, reported in a recent Time article that the grassroots crusade to oppose the Freedom of Choice Act was all in vain. She attempts to spin the most radical abortion bill ever authored as merely mythical. Her title, The Catholic Crusade Against a Mythical Abortion Bill, is nothing short of a bold faced lie. My first awareness of FOCA dates back to last spring when I viewed a youtube video of then candidate Obama speaking at a Planned Parenthood event. In the video, he states that the first thing he would do when he became president was sign the Freedom of Choice Act.
He was rewarded with enthusiastic applause. Evidently, it was not mythical to that audience. And it is not mythical now. Just because it has not been put before this congress does not mean that it cannot. With a Democratically controlled White House and Congress, it is a reality based concern for all pro-life advocates. "What is the big deal?" or "What the FOCA?" you might inquire. Well, in contrast to Ms. Sullivan's deceitful description, FOCA would not merely codify Roe v. Wade, but rather would elevate abortion to a fundamental right. So why would Ms. Sullivan spin the article this way? A quick google search leads me to find that she is a self-professed Liberal Democrat who is pro choice. Now there is nothing wrong with that, unless you produce news stories that are biased in favor of your political identity. Additionally,she has authored a book that instructs Democratic candidates on how to spin hot button issues in order to get elected. She believes that if the pro-choice advocates change their language when it comes to abortion, they can appeal to pro-lifers, without giving up their pro-choice position. In the article cited above, she was spinning this article to favor liberal democratic pro-choice candidates and leaders while discrediting the opposition. FOCA is a radical proposal and I hope that Obama was just being a good politician and pandering to a radical left wing group. The story that Ms. Sullivan missed was in telling how effective the grass roots pro-life movement to raise awareness of FOCA was. And now that the light is shining on FOCA, its writers and supporters have scittered and the spin is that FOCA is a myth. So, the pro-lifers made FOCA vanish. Now, that is a story worth telling. But, pro-lifers are not going to rest on their laurals, here. The pro-abortion agenda will march on in quiet ways. But, we will be there watching and listening and saying no, no, no. You cannot take the life of an innocent human being no matter how inconvenient. Life is a fundamental right, no matter whose life it is. We will not yield.
Read the bill here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:S.2020
For more information on FOCA:

Octuplets in California

2009-01-31T10:21:00.000-08:00

There is a new debate in town and it will last about five minutes so I thought I would put my two cents in while they are worth something. First of all, Nancy must be shaking her head and questioning the patriotism of a woman breeding during these tough economic times. In her own state of California! Second, the frenzied media, once drooling with sympathy and wonder, is now sputtering with disgust that a woman with six kids could possibly consider adding another one, never mind seven, or, oops eight! It gets even better, the hypocrisy, I mean. She is a single mother. That's a good thing, right? Men are not necessary, right? So she went to a clinic and got herself implanted. That is the progressive, good thing to do. Then, she has all the embryos implanted and refuses to allow a "reduction" to take place. That is a fertility clinic term for abort the weakest links in the womb so as not to place a burden on the state of California. What? Is she pro-life now? Now, we are upset because we find out she already had six rugrats running around the house between the ages of two and seven. "What the hell is wrong with her?!"...to quote my husband. Which part, I ask him? You mean to tell me that it is okay to decide that you want to have children in the non-traditional way, but it is not okay to have too many? And who decides how many is too many? "Do it the way God intended or adopt," he says. Men are so wonderfully simple and I mean that in the best possible way. Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to conceive in these progressive ways.

2009-01-23T16:55:00.000-08:00

It feels like a punch in the gut from out of nowhere. From the fist of a mythical man, comes a blow to our efforts. What it is, is a signature to overturn the ban on funding abortions around the world. And it has been happening each time the party changes ownership of the White House. I and my four babies and my husband joined the March for Life movement on Thursday, January 22, 2009 with about a quarter of a million other demonstrators. I had heard (sarcasm) that there had been a "sea of humanity" to welcome the new president. The rows and rows of port-a-potties were the only evidence I saw that there had been an historic inauguration of a new president. But when a quarter of a million people showed up to see or hear from him on Thursday he was nowhere to be seen. But, the scratching noise of his pen was heard early Friday morning when he signed his name to lift the ban on funding of abortions around the world. So, we rejoin the efforts of all the great eugenicists and we now, with our pocketbook, help to clean up the global gene pool and rid it of the undesirable traits that lead to poverty. Like it or not, that is what we are doing. Oh, and slaughtering the innocents. It doesn't seem to matter to President Obama that thanks to ultrasound we have seen a human being , that we have watched a beating heart, heard a beating heart, discovered whether it was a girl or boy. It doesn't seem to matter that research has shown that a developing baby has feelings. It doesn't seem to matter to President Obama that he has lifted a ban on the funding of the slaughtering of innocent human beings. Most of them are dark skinned, fatherless, and poor. Sound familiar? Perhaps we have too many people that fit those demographics. Again, sarcasm. On this same day, President Obama has signed an executive order to close Guantanamo and signed other orders that would lead to a kinder and gentler approach to how we treat terrorists. While I laud any movement from our newly elected President towards a kinder and gentler nation, I ask him to be consistent. From conception to natural death, let us be kinder and gentler to all regardless of race or gender or class or age. Because a fetus is just a really young person.

40 week recap

2008-09-05T07:05:00.000-07:00

I was preoccupied during the late winter and early spring with unrelenting nausea that interfered with my motivation to blog. The fog of morning sickness finally lifted and I enjoyed an energetic and productive late spring and early summer. I was able to resume all my daily activities and we made several treks to Busch Gardens and daily visits to the neighborhood pool where my little Rose became quite the dolphin swimmer and where my legs enjoyed a buoyant respite from gravity. We made our annual pilgrimage to Catholic familyland where we stayed in rugged cabins and slept in bunk beds.

Having never been a girl scout nor one who was equipped with the pioneer woman genes, I was proud of my ability to tolerate and enjoy the simplicity of camping. I think I deserve an honorary merit badge for roughing it while being 7 months pregnant with 3 kids to look after. I couldn't have survived without my Bill. He did all the heavy lifting and made the phone calls to take care of the mice. He set the traps and checked them and emptied them and disappeared with the kids at just the times when I needed a break. We will definitely be back next July. Before I knew it, summer break was over and Chloe and Ethan were heading back to school. We are up and out the door by 7:25 everday now. They are having a great start to the school year. Ethan is playing soccer and Chloe is awaiting the start of Irish dance and girl scouts. Rose started pre-K and is making new friends and getting up to her elbows in glue, finger paint, and construction paint every Tuesday and Thursday. We dove into a kitchen remodeling project and hope to have that wrapped up in time to greet our new baby girl who is due any day now. And now, it is time for me to slow down and put my feet up and brace myself for the big changes coming. I am very excited, as are the kids. And there you have it...40 weeks in a nutshell.

Wings for a Little Rose

2008-06-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

So much time has passed since my last blog entry. Nearly four months, to be precise. I can attribute my lack of inspiration and energy to the bundle of energy and inspiration in my belly. She is all fists, elbows, knees and hiccups. Everyday, she is hugged by her soon-to-be big sister Rose who has zipped through some major milestones upon realizing the purpose of mommy's fatigue and growing tummy. She wears big girl pants both day and night and she puts on her own five point harness seatbelt that makes most adults feel that they are failing some sort of manual IQ test. And today, we signed her up for preschool. I thought I would be saying to myself, mournfully: What is happening to my baby girl? But my sense of loss of her babyhood is balanced by watching her confidence grow and knowing how much she wants to shed her littleness and become something great in this world.

Uncle Curly

2008-02-28T12:29:00.001-08:00

On February 13, 2008, my Uncle Curly died. I am posting a letter that I sent to him in the Fall of 2007.

Dear Uncle Curly,

I have been thinking of you and praying for you a lot lately and I wanted to let you know. I also want to tell you that you have had such a joyous effect on our family. When we would pack up the old station wagon and head to Massachusetts every summer, there were two things that we really looked forward to: jumping in the lake and seeing you and your family. You were always larger than life to me when I was a child. You are so tall and boisterous and always joyful...or snoring. I have this picture in my heart of you, Bumpa, and my Dad nodding off in rockers; the sun is setting and bouncing off the lake in ripples of light around the room. That is when we knew we had to stay outside and let you rest. We would be summoned back inside with your reverberating "Eee-Urp!" Then we knew it was time for Aunt Lenora, aka Nonie, to stop talking, gather everything up...have a "pee and a drink" and get you back on the road. I remember a special day when we went out for ice cream and you ate two banana splits! We still talk about that and we always end up laughing and thinking of you with such fondness. I am also in awe of your quiet and consistent faith that you have nurtured for your entire life. As an adult, I have come to treasure your example of prayer and faith and works. It has strengthened my faith and I thank you for that. I love you very much and I wish I could be there.

God Bless You, Uncle Curly! With Love, Your niece,
Shiela

Steward Update

2008-01-11T08:20:00.000-08:00

I had been dutifully rinsing and reusing my water bottle and avoiding the use of the environmentally hazardous prepackaged water when one day, while I was rinsing at the sink, I asked myself: How much water have I wasted each time I rinsed out my water bottle to reuse it? What a quandry. Honestly, what we need is for someone to revolutionize the packaging industry altogether. Anyone with kids know that on Christmas morning the grotesque amount of toy packaging is really obscene! Why can't we put the dolls in a burlap sack? Chloe had one toy, that once she got all the packaging opened, I had to say: Where is the toy? There was more wrapping than toy!! I still walk about the house lowering the heat and turning off lights and I hope I am being a good steward. That is my goal. That, and to make you laugh about global warming, not that it is funny. What is funny is that we mere humans think we can control the climate. There was a storyline in the 80's on General Hopsital, (back when I used to veg in front of the tv) about some exotic character who could control the weather. So, really I make fun as a way of showing solidarity with Al Gore. He appeared on 30 Rock to mock global warming. It was great. He is such a hoot! I cannot wait until he hosts Saturday Night Live again! By the way, if you are doing something above and beyond to be a good steward, please leave a comment or idea.

Is it November or am I dreaming?

2008-01-09T07:46:00.000-08:00

I am a political junkie. I admit it. And the television, print, and radio media have been feeding my habit relentlessly for weeks now. So I ask myself, is it November or am I dreaming? I fell asleep last night before the final tally was in to let me know if it was Hillary or Barack's New Hampshire.
She's back! Could it be the tear that almost fell that motivated the women of New Hampshire to drop what they were doing and run to the polls? Or was it that heckler at one of Hillary's events that held a sign reading "Iron My Shirts." I think it is very telling that we have to ask ourselves whether the tear was real and whether the "heckler" was a Clinton staffer. I'm just saying. Honestly, the good news out of all of this is that age, race, and gender do not matter. We have come that far. It's over. I really believe that. Save for a few industries that rely on the fight, be it ageism, sexism, or racism. The battle still rages on for the likes of Sharpton, Jackson and the NOW organization. Back to Hillary. She tugged at my heartstrings that morning when she almost teared up and I hoped that she would be validated at the polls. I am not sure where that comes from. Not wanting to see mommy cry? Or wanting the Clinton soap opera to return to the White House in November? Again, I'm just saying. When I come to my senses, I realize that I must pick a conservative candidate and stick to it! I like Mike. Huckabee, that is. He reminds me of Gomer Pyle and not in a bad way. He is honest, transparent, quick witted, and on the right side of several hot button issues. He is pro-life without a doubt and that is a defining position that determines the overall thought process of a candidate. Of all the candidates, he is the most articulate and consistent. I admire McCain and his valiant service to our country. I trust him even though I may not completely agree with him on all issues. I like the fact that he refers to immigrants as God's children. I welcome immigrants, but I also want them to get here in a legal way. They are coming to America, the home of the free and the brave. But, we have laws and it would not be the same America without those laws. So, get in line and we need to make the lines move quicker. Thanks to the immigrants we are not facing the depopulation crises that Europe and Russia are facing. Fred Thompson has some very good ideas, but he has no energy, no personality, and very poor communication skills. He apparently needs a script to perform. So, it is not November and I am not dreaming and I really do have some shirts to iron. Go Hillary!

Lars and the Real Girl

2007-11-14T11:04:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, my sister, Mary and I were scanning movie trailers to see if anything good was coming out soon. Then, we stumbled on a film starring Ryan Gosling, whom we had both found to be dynamic in his role opposite Anthony Hopkins in the courtroom drama Fracture. Lars and the Real Girl is a departure from the courtroom drama and is about a man who develops a relationship with a full-size vinyl doll. For those who say "That I gotta see!" You will be disappointed. The relationship is chaste as, according to Lars, the "doll," aka Bianca, was raised by nuns and is a missionary with nurses training. Oh, and she is good with kids. Ryan Gosling plays a sympathetic, albeit pathetic, character who is just plain good. His odd behavior and social deficits are overlooked by an equally just plain good co-worker who is smitten from the first time she sees this disheveled man who wears his blankie as a scarf. I must tell you I was on the brink of a terrible bout of flu when I sat in the theater. But I was so caught up in this lovely little story that I did not sense the impending headache and chills that would follow me home from the theater and stay with me for days. Mary and I were thrilled to find it playing at a theater near us...well not so near. We had to drive to Norfolk and got stuck in tunnel traffic. Bill, Mary, and my sister-in-law Christina (who got a get out of the house pass for the night...lol), had a memorable time. There was applause at the end of the film and the woman in front of me chided Bill for asking if the doll was recyclable at a critical point in the movie. All in good humor. As this woman was choking back tears and laughter the whole time. We all were. At the risk of sounding redundant. This is a must see. Enjoy!

How to get rid of mice

2007-10-16T06:32:00.000-07:00

We dashed out of the house this morning as we always do and made it to the car @ 7:28 AM which is just the right time to beat the 8:00AM traffic and get to school just before they open the doors. Rose and I returned with anticipation of a play date with cousin Julia. We came in the house and set our things down and the first thing I see is a tiny mouse trapped under the leg of one of our rocking chairs. And then Julia arrived and I ushered them to the den and told them to play, play, play with a fake smile on my face. I am not equipped to deal with mice, living, dead or squirming under the leg of a rocking chair. I frantically paged Super Daddy, twice and called his office desk, twice, while standing on the nearest chair to guard the squirming creature. The girls chattered and giggled out in the den, completely unaware of my pathetic situation. I thank God that Chloe and Ethan were not home because Ethan would have grabbed the creature's tail and tossed it into his plastic habitat and claimed it as his pet. And Chloe would have tried to pet it and name it. Super Daddy called and laughed and agreed to come home and rescue me. So I stood on the chair staring at the clock and watching the creature squirm and almost set itself free! After about 10 minutes of being completely pathetic, I started to go about my business, making coffee and sweeping the kitchen and peeking on the creature every once in awhile. But my bold movements were providing the needed adrenaline that the creature needed to free itself. So I returned to my post and sure enough Super Daddy arrived and had so much fun with my pathetic situation.
He put rubber gloves on and grabbed the tail and whisked it outside, across the street where I have to wonder about its disposition while I rest assured that it is out of my house. I give SD a big hug and a fresh pot of mocha for his drive back to work. Somehow, my pathetic situation has made his day. So, I go to the computer and google mice and I see two categories of hits: How to Get Rid of Mice and Mice as Pets. You can see by the title of my blog which way I am going with this. If anyone has any ideas, please comment! Otherwise, I will have the pricey professionals come in and do their business.

The most wonderful boy

2007-10-10T08:02:00.000-07:00

I had a sad mommy morning. Last week was a blur of activities, what with soccer, and brownies, etc. On Thursday afternoon, I checked Ethan's folder, scanned his homework assignment and announced that he did not have homework. The next day, my husband picked him up from school and Ethan told him that he had a bad day. Apparently, the entire class had a "dog show." They were allowed to bring in their favorite stuffed animal dog, name it and make a tag for it. Ethan did not have a dog for the show. Rather, he had a note stapled to his folder that said "homework not completed on 10/4." I did not discover the note until I dropped him off this morning because when his dad picked him up at school on Friday, he forgot his bookbag at the school (I have to find some way to blame my dear husband). In addition to not being able to have a dog in the show, it appears that Ethan was put in "stop and think" one too many times for the day and he ended up with a "yellow" day. And now I think back to friday and I wonder what he thought of his mommy when everyone else had their FAVORITE stuffed dog at school and got to parade it and all he got was a note from the teacher that he DID NOT DO HIS HOMEWORK! I don't know what I read that blurry Thursday afternoon on his homework assignment! All I know is I left him at school this morning, walked with Rose to the car and cried! I was flooded with guilt and wondering if his teacher was compassionate. Did she lecture him? My poor baby! Exhale...I suppose he will survive this. I just hope his teacher knows that he is the most wonderful boy in the whole wide world! I am being silly, but if I feel this way about such a little event in the life of my son, what must the Blessed Mother have felt on that Friday when she watched her Son on the cross. And how she must weep when people do not love her Son the way that she does. Funny how this little moment gives such insight. Ethan and I will survive this little bump and we will both forget about it next time he pinches his sister or throws the soccer ball in the house! In addition to being the most wonderful boy in the world, he can be quite the boy...you mom's know what I mean!

Therese of Lisieux

2007-10-01T08:54:00.000-07:00

Today is the feast day of our little Rose's patron Saint, Therese of Lisieux. I have always had a fondness for this young Doctor of the Church. She encouraged the path to Sainthood through what she called her little way. It was her vision that she could become closer to God by doing little things that went unnoticed to all but God. This idea resonates with something else I have come across and I cannot remember the exact source, but the sentiment is that we should do all, say all, and write all with the intention of pleasing an audience of One. That One would be God. These are such simple truths. In my googling of Therese today, I came upon the brief life stories of her parents. They are being considered for Sainthood. It was Therese herself who said that she was blessed with parents that were made for heaven more than they were for earth. So, on her feast day, what better way to honor Therese than to learn about her mother and father.

Here is a lovely prayer in their honor:

God Our Father, we praise You for Louis and Zélie Martin, a truly faithful husband and wife, who lived their Christian life in an exemplary way through their duties in life and practice of Gospel teaching. In bringing up a large family, in spite of trials, bereavements and suffering, they showed immense trust in You and obedience to Your will.

Lord deign to manifest Your will in their regard and grant me the favours I implore while praying that the father and mother of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus be presented as models of family life today.

Amen.

Learn More:
http://www.sttherese.com/Louis%20and%20Zelie.html

Last days of Summer 2007

2007-09-19T08:28:00.000-07:00

The pool is closed, the kids are back in school and on the soccer fields. The brownies are meeting and the leaves are going from green to gold. Here come the fundraisers and fall festivals, chili cook-offs and Christmas wish lists. There is a welcome chill in the night air and the sun is slow to rise. It is a time for sniffles and sneezes and cozy afternoon naps. I will be cooking beef stews, chicken and dumplings, and lots and lots of veggie soup and dragging my heavy legs and feet to the gym to ward off my desire for hibernation. Time to pull out the jackets and socks and lace up shoes. Time to toss the flip flops, so worn out from the sand at Bethany Beach, the tar, brick, and concrete of Busch Gardens and the grassy yards of friendly visits to family and neighbors. Goodbye, Summer 2007

Annual stroll at Bay Days Event

2007-09-10T07:27:00.000-07:00

We took the kids to Bay Days in Downtown Hampton this weekend. It was a beautiful windy and hot day and there were lots of people strolling through our usually quiet downtown. We tried to make a bee-line to the children's area, as we were making a perfunctory visit this year. Chloe had been sick all week and when she awoke with a slight appetite and a request to go to Bay Days, we packed up and went. Bill was having an allergy attack and I was very sore from a pilates class on Saturday...but we went anyway. Because that is what we do. On our way to the children's area we passed a Right to Life booth and loaded up on stickers, pins, and buttons and signed a petition to prevent human cloning. Then we pushed ahead. We passed the Daily Press Go-green display and I shared with them my commitment to stop drinking bottled water. The woman manning the Go-Green booth was drinking a chilled bottle of water and asked why I was not going to be drinking it anymore. We were in a hurry so I smile and tell her that water is good for you anyway you can get it. She hands me a newspaper flyer (which will go right into the recycle bin) telling me how to go green. The G0-Green booth people think I am a wacko. Next we pass the Democrats booth and ask them about their candidate. When it is clear that we are not going to be voting for the candidate (he sees our right to life buttons tacked all over the stroller) the guy mumbles something and a woman from the next booth walks up to us and askes us to sign a petition to protect Gays, Lesbians, and Transgendered individuals in the workplace. From what? Bill asks for the name of a legitimate case where someone was fired because of their sexual orientation and the woman hesitates and says it happens all the time. Bill wants the name of a specific case and she says the words lesbian and gay a few more times, wherein I shyly steer the strollers out of earshot, and she refers us to their website. It gets me thinking. Are Catholics protected in the workplace? Then I think that the last thing we need is more legislation and we continue to make our bee-line to the children's area where there was a fantastic puppet show and lolipops. We watched for about 15 minutes and then attempted another bee-line back to the car. We avoid the political corridor and hit the food area. We are all really hungry but not willing to pay $15 for a crab burger and $5 for a slurpee. We finally get to the car and make a bee-line to BK. We did it. We made our annual pilgrimage. We can cross it off the list. One thing, though. We forgot the camera and we wonder: Did we really go if there are no photos to prove it? I argue we did based on all the flyers, goodie bags, pins, and buttons that are now strewn across the floor of the van. Next stop: The annual Fall Festival in Newport News during the first weekend in October.

A Kodak Moment

2007-08-19T13:54:00.000-07:00

We had a fence installed this week. This has been a long awaited coming. We have discussed it for a few years and last year we started the yard preparations. In the fall, we had our old 6 foot hedge removed. That was fun to watch. We had a neighbor with a John Deere and all its attachments blazing through the lawn ripping up and dumping earth. I watched the hedge disappear right before my very eyes. Earlier in the day, I phoned my dear old neighbor and warned her so that she would not be disoriented when she saw the newly cleared view. After the earth was all churned up, we had it leveled. Fresh smell of turned earth lingered and we had a canvas of possibility emerge. And now we have a beautiful white picket fence. It really is a work of art. It all started as a need to set a safe boundary for the kids. I didn't want them running out into the street to chase a ball. The fence is almost done. A few critical pieces, like gates with locks, need to be installed. I am only too anxious for these final touches. And here is the Kodak moment. We are potty training Rose. She went through three pairs of underwear by noon. I went out to the garage to start a load of laundry and Bill went upstairs in search of diapers and Rose let herself out in the backyard and quickly wandered to the front whereupon I returned to the kitchen and asked: Where is Rose? I noticed the open french door and I quickly ran to the front yard to head her off, if, indeed, she was wandering around the gate-less yard naked. And there she was in the front yard naked and heading for a victory lap. Monday we are having the gates installed. Tonight, I am having Bill run to the hardware store to buy Rose-proof padlocks.

Ode to good ole Tidewater Tap

2007-08-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

It is true that grabbing a chilled plastic bottle of water is oh, so convenient when heading out to the blazing heat of an August day. A cooler full of plastic bottled water can be your saving grace for a day at the beach. But it has come to my attention that it takes 26 litres of water, 1Kg of fossil fuel, and 1 pound of CO2 to manufacture one litre of Fiji water. So, I ask my husband: is he willing to stop buying caseloads of bottled water? He doesn't believe what I tell him about the environmental impact and he gives me a list of reasons why bottled water is in our life. But then he reads the citation http://digitaljournal.com/article/108604/ and he, too is pondering the impact. Then he proposes that I start to recycle my grocery bags by reusing them next time I go grocery shopping. One thing at a time, I tell him. I recycle those bags as trash bags, I think to myself. Now he's got me feeling guilty about those darn trash bags. I am going to give tidewater tap water a try. I started drinking bottled water over 20 years ago. Way before it was sold at convenient stores. Each morning as I headed to school or work, I would fill my bright green bottle with the funky straw attached. I would refill it as I passed a fountain and I would rinse it in the sink each night. I never liked the funky straw so I won't be going down that route. This whole thing has me thinking and now I am thirsty for a chilled bottle of....chilled glass of tidewater tap.

Have You Finished your Christmas Shopping Yet?

2007-08-14T11:36:00.000-07:00

I haven’t posted in awhile. I have made attempts but have had some technical difficulties. And I have been busy… That’s my mantra and it used to make me tired just saying it. Then one day someone said to me that if you want to get something done, ask a busy person. So I stay busy and I keep getting things done. So, I decided to start Christmas shopping. I may be about 15 years too late. There are no toys left. No toys made in the USA, that is. Well, you can find a wonderful wooden game of Chinese checkers, and a jazzy wooden jump rope. But I was looking for the incandescent pink and purple stuff with glitter and flowing nylon hair…the Barbie type stuff or a cuddly vinyl doll with sleepy eyes. Not gonna find it. We are at the mercy of the Chinese toy manufacturers who crank out miles of useless colored plastic pieces that end up getting stuck in my vacuum cleaner. Only, now it comes with loose deadly magnets and poisonous lead paint. And now I am getting suspicious of whether there was negligence or intent to harm. It seems that once the problems were identified, the Chinese officials temporarily ceased exports from one manufacturer. That weekend, the co-owner of said facility committed suicide. I have to wonder, was the suicide the result of a crippling mental illness gone untreated or from the weakness of an individual who wanted to avoid facing the consequences? So, is the Chinese government trying to poison our children? Or are we just facing the consequences of wanting cheap toys? Maybe we need to open a toy factory in the Heartland and charge accordingly for the toys that are produced. I would gladly trade in the convenience of having access to millions of toys for under $20 and pay $150 for one nice doll that my daughter would really treasure.

Eutrapalia

2007-08-07T10:51:00.000-07:00

I did a search for this virtue and found about 12 hits. Twelve hits? This is an amazing "virtue" and noone has written exhaustively about it? I will now be lucky hit number thirteen. In a quick scan of the sites where eutrapalia is found I learned that it was a virtue discussed by St. Thomas and a vice if used by late night talk show hosts. What am I talking about? The virtue of playtime and humor. I found it referred to in a poem as such: "Long neglected in the listing- Mainfested through the playing At appointed time for resting: Games, and walking, even dancing- Yes, we speak of recreation! So Thomistic: Eutrapalia." And yet another blogger, Father Sibley, writes that a lack of eutrapalia is a vice! So, it is quickly becoming my favorite virtue and one I hope to master. I think we are born with this virtue and somehow lose it along the way as we seek to achieve a clean house, well-behaved children, or a stellar curriculum vitae. I think I will start to work on this virtue as soon as I have mopped the floor, made dinner, and prepared my next art therapy presentation. Oh, and I will let the kids continue their virtuous life of play as soon as their room is clean. Hope I made you smile. Have a great play day.

Autonomy versus shame and doubt

2007-07-31T10:31:00.000-07:00

I started this blog a week ago and I have not had the chance to sit and rant all week! I have been busy cleaning up after Rose's multiple attempts at autonomy. On Saturday, I asked the kids to entertain themselves while I did some cleaning in anticipation of some dinner guests we were having on the next day. Pretty much the only room in the house that did not need to be cleaned was the upstairs bathroom. It's our little oasis that was recently rennovated. I clean it daily because I just like being in the room. So, I was downstairs picking up, sweeping, and mopping when I heard the first call of frustration from Rose, "Moooom.". The sound was coming from the general direction of the oasis. I ran upstairs and saw the door closed and I opened it. The first thing I saw was Rose standing on the stool at the sink with her hands covered in antibacterial soap and some other material...coffee grounds? Before I could utter..."What is that?!" I turned to find Chloe and Ethan behind the door with a spider plant from the downstairs. The dirt from the spider plant was in the tub, on the floor, crushed into the thick fibers of the white cotton rug. Needless to say, pursuit of autonomy faded and shame and doubt ensued and I had a lot of undoing to do...starting with the vaccuming and ending with, "Sorry, I got soooo angry, guys."

Are we getting greener?

2007-07-25T07:11:00.000-07:00

Forecaster cuts 2007 hurricane outlook

That's the good news headline from Reuters this AM. We must be doing something right. Or maybe this living thing we call earth has a plan of its own. I love the earth and, at the risk of appearing trite, I love the pillowy sweeps of cloud against the pale blue sky. And I love the way the shadows mingle beneath the shade of a maple tree creating a flickering palette of greens. I am humbled by the earth's majestic mountains, crisp cool lakes, and hurricanes. I invoke the name of Al Gore as I walk through the house flicking off light switches and turning up the temp on the A/C to a balmy 77 degrees. And I think of Sheryl Crow when I stock the toilet paper in the bathroom. I want the earth to be here for my kids and I walk through the house pointing out waste, waste, waste!!! We recycle. My husband drives a wee Saturn to work and we use it as our "date" car for the economy. However, I apologetically admit that I transport the kids around town in a very large van! Well, we have three car seats, you see (state regulation), so we cannot cram it all into the Saturn. I will encourage my kids to do their part. Do I have to rinse out the Ziplocs? But, here's the thing, is it really making a difference in the grand scheme of things? Or are we mere passengers on a magnificent work of art? How much of our ego is involved in propagating the idea that we control the earth's destiny? Are we still free to believe that there is a Creator who said "Let there be light!" Is England flooding because we use disposable diapers? If I eat local grown only, will this downward spiral to doom end? This all remains to be seen. One last thought. Did you know that Earth Day was started in San Francisco, the city of Saint Francis, to bring about peace on earth? I did not know that. The founder prayed that every year St. Francis Day and Earth Day would "bring a new sense of identity with the whole human family and a commitment to see peace through understanding and love -- the love that Jesus revealed." May we combine our actions with our prayers and create a lasting Peace on earth. Now, that is something I think each of us can work together to do. And if, in the process, we stop the hurricanes, floods, and volcanoes, then wouldn't that be something!

Pool Time

2007-07-24T13:06:00.000-07:00

I have just set up this blog and my kids are pulling at my sleeves to get them to the pool before the sun sets. SO I have just a quick post today to give you some idea of the character of this blog. I chose the title Green Gazette because green evokes all things that are fresh and healthy and gazette suggests that herein lies some sort of journal. Ergo, Green Gazette. Additionally, green suggests something new. This blog experience is new to me and I don't know what to expect. I am going to comment on current events and give my fresh opinion on all that happens. Gotta get to the pool, now! Please vote on the survey and leave your comments, too!!