Treacherous Brook

            W e tried.  Our cat....the one I have dubbed "Cat'...is indispensable and obviously knows it.  Our son found "Cat' outside his apartment a few years back and called to see if we could give her a home.  He named her 'Sheba'--but I've never quite settled into that name, so for me she remains - 'Cat'. I'm going to admit right up front that I am not an 'animal lover,' but when our children were still home we had our share of pets....several dogs (one at a time, thank you) and cats who mostly lived outside, and we have enjoyed them all.  We even still enjoy watching the cows that belong to our neighbor that occasionally graze in our back field.  They make for a very pastoral setting here. Since we have said field, we have field mice.  One summer, we took a trip to Chicago for the July 4th holiday for about four days.  Our family cat had met an untimely death just weeks before we left.  Upon our return w

A few thoughts on Lent for 2013.... I need a good Lent....      Because I have an awareness of how undisciplined my life can sometimes be.  I'd like to blame my distractability on my ADD, but in truth it is mostly due to the honed chaos I've developed in my life.  I dread nothing more than being bored--a sad commentary on my generation.  As a result:  I tend to leave everything not quite finished; have too many magazines stacked waiting for me to pick up, read and pass along; untold numbers of 'projects' I plan to craft in my basement--someday; and some wonderful books on a faith that I have, by being a confirmed Catholic, an obligation to read and learn to enrich my soul that get started but never quite finished.  All that aside, at any given moment, the God of the universe is ready and willing to converse with us -- how can we ever be 'bored'? I need a good Lent.....      Not just for what the season requires; but more for what it gives--ti

(c) Emily Rose Studios I was warned.   My mom used to complain how "time flies" the older she got.  In my youthful mind, with three little ones under my feet, I scoffed.  Silly me.  Today, January 4, 2013, would have been her 82nd birthday.  I guess that has gotten me to thinking of all she wisely told me. Funny how all of these memories come back regularly to remind me how much I didn't understand back then.  Back when I thought we had all the answers.  Every time I think I have things figured out....something totally new will come along and reshape my thoughts and views. Yesterday, I noticed that I had forgotten to change the wall calendar in the kitchen.  I love the large type that fit in my frame.  I had purchased one early this year and walked to the desk drawer to get it.  Turns out, I had purchased early  last  year!  Oops.  Really?  Last year?  Hope it's not too late to find one that I like.  I could have sworn I just did that.   One of my