Treacherous Brook

With the headlines blaring every day of another tale of horror perpetrated by ISIS, the web and news talk worlds have been buzzing about an article in the March issue of  The Atlantic . Written by Graeme Wood, it is a lot to take in...and it is not a reading for the faint of heart, or for the "I know, let's just find these guys jobs" crowd. It is a religious movement at its core. Their passion and purpose is to serve their faith by bringing on the Apocalypse, the "End of Days." They will not be easily deterred. There is no "room" in their faith for "tolerance." There is Mohammad; there is the Koran; you agree, or you are dead. Let's put aside the utter uselessness of our present administration and, for that matter, our congress -- at least that is the view from here -- and let's focus on the real frightening truth in all of this. They are beheading en masse...and they are beheading Christians. Not "citizens" of this...

It is Ash  Wednesday , 2015.  One of the first items I saw on the news was the shelters for the homeless in these frigid temperatures being filled to overflowing.  You can count on the stories....they are always the same.  In very cold weather, and in extreme heat. While I understand this is a 'safe' place for our news anchors and producers to go--it is as rhythmic as the seasons, and I wonder...."how long, oh Lord?"  You see, there are never solutions....only a reminder:  "They are out there.  Don't forget about the 'less fortunate.'"  And, just maybe, feel a bit guilty about your comfortable place in life... Being poor in the United States has become quite the enterprise.  Perhaps in my work as the director of a non-profit, I've seen too much.  But this must end.  From the politicians grandstanding on this particular issue to the leaders of our churches, who are quite comfortable mimicking these "feel good" solutions ...

When I tried to post my blog from yesterday, the whole thing crashed.  So, apparently my new year's resolution was detained by technical difficulties!  Ah, such is life. I refuse to be deterred.  At this age I no longer try and convince  myself that anything of value in this world is 'easy'.  It is not.  But we learn so much about who we really are in the challenges. We enjoyed a wonderful holiday with several get-together's with friends and family.  But, truthfully, I am so ready to get back to: My wellness eating plan The day-to-day 'business' of living Planning for the year ahead I think my 'let's get on with it' mentality is healthy.  It gets me past the days that make I want to just throw it all in and start over.   My prayer this year is for balance and wisdom in all things--spiritual, personal, political, financial.  I believe we will see monumental political changes this year and we will witness a country waki...

I've decided to blog every day on something that strikes me.  Yesterday was New Years' Day, 2014, and what struck me was: How quiet the house is after the kids have all gone back home The comfort of being at an age when you do not feel compelled to 'do something' for New Years Eve What a fresh start can do for all of us as we chart a new and better course How grateful I am for the lessons learned in 2013 Peace and prosperity to all! Let the new year begin!

            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. ...

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; ...

(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 ...