I kind of like the weekends. This was a relatively quiet Saturday. I spent the day cleaning closets and jewelry boxes. I still have the hanging clothes and tops to go through, but figure that I can finish that tomorrow and then drop everything off at St. Vinnies on Monday on my way to Bible Study.

Poor Chelsea got so dirty on her underneath from the grime on the melting snow and on the roadway that I had to give her a bath this morning. She is exhausted still and I am not sure that I am forgiven. I wish we would get the good rain that they promise and it would wash away all that grime.

I went to mass at 4pm as usual. I took the St. Bridget Crosses to show to Fr. Van Beeck and let him choose his. He was delighted. He was not familiar with the St. Bridget Cross though he said he finds Bridget interesting. I told him the legend that says that Bridget was the midwife when Jesus was born. He liked that.

We had bean soup for supper.

Then we got two welcome calls. Michelle called to check in. We had not heard in a few weeks. They have been very busy and she just decided that it was time to catch us up. Everything is going well and they are glad of the warmer weather that they have down there. They are coming for a visit over Easter unless something changes between now and then. Yea! (Pray that some tests that Michelle had come back good. She wants the postcard, not the call.)

Then Bart called. Our poor tired Barb was already sleeping so Bart and I had a nice long talk. They are planning on coming up in June or thereabouts for his high school reunion. I am so excited. As Bret is coming in August, I will get to see all my boys in one year. Richard is the only one in state now and we at least get to see them oftener.

Life is good.

God love you

Mary

It was quite a day. I spent the morning cooking and baking. I made the spinach noodle casserole for our noon meal and used the extra eggs for some egg salad. Then there were two bananas that were way to ripe, so I had to bake a cake with them. I made a banana, blueberry, pecan cake and it is really good. Jim would be SO delighted. I think he used to deliberately let bananas get overripe so I'd bake cakes and cupcakes with them.

Roxie and I had the nicest nap this afternoon. I woke up with her curled up on my feet. At least she was in such a position that I did not have to move her to get up.

We had soup and egg salad sandwiches for supper. I just had a little bit because of Donna's surprise birthday party at which I knew that I would snack and have cake.

Nancy Roehre and I went to Rhine to shoot the pistol league. I took my list of the steps that I should go through to shoot that our friend, Jerry Coenen, and did quite will. I got all thirty shots on the three targets. And all but one were scoring.
I am really delighted. I will bring the list with me every week and be very careful about following the steps. Perhaps I will even get good.

Then tonight I drove to Odessey Lanes in Sheboygan Falls for Donna's surprise party. What a nice party. Too loud and too much smoke, but most of the family and lots of friends were there and it is always so good to be with people one loves and likes. Donna was truly surprised and reminded everybody that it is actually a week and a half befoe she is REALLY 50. I took my high school picture with me because I knew Jessica would be there. I had not really looked at it too closely for several years and when I did a couple of months ago, I realized that Jessie looks a lot like me. She liked that and I do too.

So here I am home again and Roxie has finally stopped complaining at me. She does not like it when I am gone. Chelsea is sleeping. She did not wake up when I came in. I suppose I will have to rouse her soon as I want to go to bed.

Got an Email from Leslie with pictures of Nora's wedding. I think I mentioned that she was getting married today. This is so that she and her husband will be shipped out together. Nice pictures. Nora is lovely and they look like a happy couple. I pray for a good life for them and that they treasure each other.

So. Another full day and it was full of happy things. Hope that yours was too.

God love you all

Mary

Hello rather nice Thursday. I am very exhausted tonight but what is new.

Joan came to do the vacuuming etc at 8AM this morning. I finishes several projects this morning. I watered and trimmed the indoor and garage plants, I finished a couple of computer projects and remembered how to and accomplished downloading the new book to a disc so I could take it to Sun Graphics for printing.

We had pot roast for our dinner. It still tastes good and we have enough meat left for a couple of good roast beef sandwiches. I made up a container for Mother too.

After lunch, I went to Mother's with the pot roast. On the way, I stopped at Sun Graphics with the disc of the new book. They will have the proof ready next week and the whole order done by February 1. Then I will able to send a real copy to WFOP for the chapbook contest. The final postmark date is February 1. Nothing like being down to the wire.

I stopped at the Pig in Sheboygan Falls for some milk and Velveeta. I had forg0tten milk on Wednesday and having decided to make the Kunert spinach, egg and cheese noodle casserole, I was low on Velveeta. No way to substitute in that one.

I picked up a pretty springy floral arrangement at Rick's House of Flowers and went to Mom's for a birthday visit. 94 years, quite a life. She looks much better and said that she is also feeling better. Dolores and Ken were also there so we had a really nice visit.She got so many cards, presents and well wishes that I know she feels treasured. Ken, Dolores and I left when the RN from Visiting Nurses came to do her checkup. She, Kathy Mayer, called me this evening and said that she also said that Mother is doing much better.

Got home at about 3PM and just puttered around. We ate a chicken sandwich and green salad for our supper.

I called Bret tonight. He has been on vacation out at his place at the river all week and today a tornado passed through the area. They had wind damage in the park to canopies and small outbuildings so the few people who were out there went around and did damage control. Nothing serious, thank God, but Bret said it was the worst storm he had ever experienced.

I sure am enjoying reading Leslie's blog these days. She doesn't post every day but when she does, we feel closer to her. From the news on her blog, Nora is getting married tomorrow. Wow, that is quick. But I guess if she and her intended are married, they will be deployed together. So, it makes sense. We haven't heard from Nora about it but I am sure that will happen. Sara's wedding is in May.

So that is the day. Tomorrow is Friday already. Where DO the weeks go.

Take care and God love you

Mary

Wednesday mornings are always busy because I do the grocery shopping. This morning was doubly busy because I had the grocery shopping, and then drove out to Rhine because Jerry Coenen, a friend, had offered to help Nancy Roehre and me sight in our pistols and then give us some advice on our shooting.

So. I left for the store at 8AM. I finished all the shopping and putting the groceries away by 9:15 which gave me about 20 minutes to take the dog out and rest for about 10 minutes.

I left for Rhine at about 9:40AM. Jerry was there and Nancy arrived within a few minutes. Jerry was very patient. As he has been instructing his wife, also a Nancy, I guess he is getting used to working with us gals.

I feel that I learned a lot. I have been shooting for years but have never really had instructions except for the class that I took at Horace Mann several years ago which was more concerned with safety than everything. I learned a couple of simple safety tips from Jerry too.

First, Jerry shot both of our pistols from the bench and unfortunately, we had to conclude that any problems were us. I learned, that I do drop the gun when shooting but for the first time, someone told me a simple way to possibly correct it. I now have a step by step way to approach the line, sight in and shoot. I will be working hard on that. I typed up the steps and will read them before each target that I shoot until I get it right. I think they will help me center if nothing else. The last target was not too bad.

I was home the rest of the day. I had picked up a rotisserie chicken from the Pig and we had that plus cauliflower, salad and fried rice four our lunch. Then I took a much needed rest. Roxie was very pleased with that. She looks forward to our naps each afternoon and I am sure she is disappointed when I am not around or decide to skip it.

Tomorrow is Mother's 94th birthday. I am going down in the afternoon with some flowers and for a little visit. She did seem a bit stronger on Monday. I hope that is continuing.

God love you all

Mary

 

This is a picture of the three Celtic Crosses that I made with my own hands. Mother has one to hang over her door, Fr. Van Beeck will get one and I have a special place for the third.

God love you today and always.

mary

Today I got a LOT done. I sent an e mail to all of my Sheboygan CWI members. I made all the calls and took care of all the "hanging chads" that I had to do to take care of Mother's questions. I got my new chap book of poetry ready to mail to WFOP for the chapbook contest.

I finished preparing our dinner. We had the best pot roast that we have had in ages. I put it in the crock pot at about 1:30AM, when Cheslea got me up to to out. And ungodly hour but it was good for the dinner. I made a cherry tomato/olive salad to go with it.

This afternoon, I took a nap and got a hair cut. So. It was a full day but not physically.

I am closing down for the night but intend to send a picture of the St. Bridget Crosses that I made on Sunday.

Take care and remember to pray for Barbara and Bart as today was the funeral for her father, Dan Burdine.

God love you

Mary

A normal busy Monday. I went to Bible Study at 9:30AM. We had six of us and had a lively discussion on our reading from Mark on the fact that the apostles just didn't always seem to get what Jesus was trying to tell them but we can see, from their point of view, that it was hard. We have all the facts and it is still hard to think of giving up one's life to save it.

Then I went to Mother's. The physical therapist was there, so I glanced at the bills she was concerned with and listened to her therapy. Then Mom and I cleared up a couple of financial things. I took some chicken,noodle casserole and a couple of scones to her. She seems a bit better. Not quite as weak and fragile as she was a week ago.

This afternoon, I went to the Cream City Writers meeting. There were six of us there also. I showed them the book that I am submitting to the WFOP Chapbook contest. Several of the others had things to read and we discussed writing in general. A totally satisfying meeting as far as I am concerned.

Then, when I got home, I took a nap. But I am still tired tonight. I prepared things to pop into the slow cooker for a pot roast for tomorrow's lunch. Chelsea ALWAYS wakes me up by 5AM. And I will dump things in and turn the heat according to when she actually does get me up. A pot roast really does sound good. We have had nothing but chicken for about a week now and I want beef.

Tomorrow will be comparatively quiet. I only have one outing to get my hair cut. So I should be able to get somewhat caught up on paperwork.

Take care and enjoy this Indian Summer.

God love you

Mary



A Holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, 'Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.'

The Lord led the holy man to two doors.

He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.
In the middle of the room was a large round table..
In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew,
which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly.
They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful.
But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.

The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.

The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell. They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one.

There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water.
The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.

The holy man said, 'I don't understand.

'It is simple,' said the Lord. 'It requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other. The greedy think only of themselves.'

When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you.

What a nice day this was. I spent the morning fixing our noon meal and taking things downstairs for the CWI meeting this afternoon.

We had chicken legs, baked potato, cauliflower and salad for our lunch.

Then I took a short nap so I would be somewhat rested for the meeting. There were only four members besides me here today. It IS winter and some were out of town. Then two people who were coming couldn't for various reasons.

We had a wonderful time. I had done a bit of research on St. Bridget and it was fun ti relay this to the gals. St. Bridget and Brigit the goddess of old Ireland are very intermingled in the stories about them. For example, legend tells us that Brigit, the goddess, was in Bethlehem for Jesus birth and acted as midwife.

Legend also tells us that St. Mel, when he swore St. Bridget in as the abbess of her order accidentally ordained her a bishop. As this could not be rescinded, she is the only known female bishop in the Catholic Church.

We then fixed some tea and snacked on cheese and crackers and scones while we determined how to make St. Bridget Crosses from the directions I had found on the computer. I harvested tall grasses from the front of the house and had Fr. Van Beeck bless them. (They are supposed to be blessed before the crosses are woven.)
I had them soaking in water which is supposed to make them more pliable. I guess it did. We had three different directions and all opted for the same one. Joan Kramer and I started with the third set, which seemed to have the most clear directions. We got through it. They are kind of primitive, but look pretty good. Then everybody tried to do one. So we all had at least one to keep. I made three. The first sample, the one we all did together and then one just using the grasses and not the harder reeds. Pat Becher tried that and it WAS much easier. We are pretty proud of ourselves and are sorry there weren't more there to try it. I do have the directions.

I will take one to Mother tomorrow and one to Fr. Van Beeck on Saturday.

I am drying the rest of the reeds and will take them to Jeff's on the 30th when I go to the Wild Game dinner. As they are blessed it will be best to have them burned and Jeff will do that for me.

So now it it time for bed and I feel very content.

Remember to be praying for Barbara and Bart in the loss of her dad, Don. It is hard to lose a loved one but good to know that her is not hurting anymore. Bless his journey to God.

Mary