Treacherous Brook

I remember my first exposure to what is now loosely defined as liberalism. I was maybe about eleven or twelve and we had gone to a relatives' home for dinner. Their son, a young man just finishing his first year of college had come home a few weeks before. The story the man told, was related by my father on our way home. Apparently, their son came home from college and, now being totally 'enlightened' threw out all of the meat in the freezer and the liquor in the cabinet. My Dad was incredulous. Obviously, I take after him. In my young mind, this was puzzling. While their household was fairly affluent, our experience was that of need more than not. My Dad had been injured on the job years before and was laid up with two crushed knees for more than a year. At the time, my Mom was expecting my sister - a fourth child, so their options were limited. There was little waste in our home out of necessity and it boggled my mind to think that anyone would do this based on a college ...

My, how time flies when your recuperating. It has been entirely too long since my last blog and there has been oh so very much fodder. I have discovered that a rotator cuff repair and a keyboard do not necessarily go hand in hand. Now, well on the road to healing and moving my arm, I look forward to sharing some observations since my last post. -We had an election....boy, did we have an election. -A personal 'battle' with the health care system as it presently exists and why I believe this new bill will only make matters worse -And, a new Bishop at the head of the USCCB, a pleasant surprise. Stay tuned and thanks for checking in!

I witnessed something the other day that I almost missed. It is hard to identify something that has all but ceased to exist. But there it was, in the form of a woman who needed assistance from our office. After years of working in a non-profit organization, first as a volunteer, now as Director, most of the people we deal with live in poverty. I am always on guard when I feel that I am becoming hardened by those in 'need', taking steps to make certain that my capacity for compassion is not impaired. There are days I have to step back and regroup and remember why I am here and what I believe God asks of me in this position. Some days are easier than others. Our volunteers who work with these clients are a constant source of balance for me. They are wonderfully loving and giving and are always going to bat for these women, even with their Director who, by necessity, tends to be a bit more judicious in determining need vs. reality. They keep me centered. So, imagine my surprise wh...

Marriage. As if it were not in enough trouble, we have another legal challenge to Proposition 8 in California—this time from a judge. It is interesting that when one line of 'reasoning' is lost, we just change the reasoning. Unfortunately in this case, we are simply reorganizing the deck chairs on the Titanic. Born in the fifties....all of my adult life has been spent hearing all the reasons why marriage isn't necessary. After all, the argument went...'..it's just a piece of paper'. Suddenly, marriage is all the rage---for the gay and lesbian community. Meanwhile, young people raised in the Church have a new vision of the 'perfect wedding'.....on the beach. Now, I'm not a betting person. But, I'd be willing to bet all I own on the fact that all of this Constitutional wrangling on same-sex marriage is mere window dressing. Ah, but their eye is on the prize. These folks (the ‘activists’) will not rest with 'marriage' being lega...

These summer months with their long daylight hours are perfect for a favorite pastime of my husband and I. We love to explore here in our own State of Missouri, places we haven't seen or been. It is amazing that a place you have lived for all of your adult life still has so many as yet unseen treasures. In one of these trips a few weeks ago, we came across an area that is known for its geological granite composition. Along the way, there were more than a few places advertising special deal on granite counter tops and other items. Now, here is where my life gets complicated. The age-old question we deal with in the how-much-is-too-much category. It is a constant battle for me. For whatever reason, I seem to have an eye for style. While I could care less about the latest designer dress or shoes...I cannot seem to pass up a new home design magazine. Through those glossy pages, I find a fresh outlook. Not only on interior design--but on life in general. There is no doubt tha...

I just got finished with one of my favorite rites of summer.....out on the deck early in the morning watering my plants which are finally looking robust. No better way to start the day! Finally, it is just as it used to be....before we had an 'equipment failure'. For the past two or three years....I have been fighting with a hose that leaked, and a sprayer that absolutely had a mind of its own. But, you know the drill: hate to spend the money, these do work--you just have to figure out how to work with them in their peculiarities--maybe when they go on sale at the end of the season--and on and on. Finally, I took the matter into my own hands....marched down to the local store and purchased a new hose and a new nozzle . I felt so accomplished! Then I remember, we have been down this road before--enter--the MOWER ! We live in a mostly rural area and are blessed with about six acres. Of those, we mow about two acres...around trees, gardens, a basketball court and the 'natural ...

We were just about to begin a marriage preparation class. Only four of the fifteen couples expected where present. With not enough time for my husband to do his 'walk-about', he opened the class with prayer. As we finished introductions and started the video session, he went out looking for the other eleven couples. The parish in which these classes take place is right in the middle of a small town. The parish buildings are divided by streets. Granted, it is not an easy place to find where our classes are taking place. There are, however, bright signs that we post on the outside door and on our vehicle, hoping to give some direction for those who are coming who are not familiar with this town. Now, I realize that this is not where these young people necessarily want to be; but they are obligated to participate, as they have chosen to be married in the Church. We always remind them that we, too, have other things to do...the only difference being that we have seen wh...