The Last Saturday of March Daybook

March 31, 2012 By 2 Comments

Outside my window: It’s looking like it’s going to be a gray day, but I’m okay with that.

Around the house: The girls are up and watching some early morning TV curled under blankets. My boys are sleeping. The washer’s at work across the room and I’m thinking of what I need to do this morning.

In other places:

In my kitchen: The floor is clean. And now the formerly quiet kids are demanding I make them breakfast. (They know about the stash of new flavors of Pop Tarts.)

In my thoughts: I’m thinking about a fun weekend visit, all I need to do in the coming week, and a host of things I’m grateful for.

In thanksgiving: For the support and encouragement of my family, for the weekly renewal of things horsey, for the weekend ahead.

In my prayers: A very special intention for someone I love dearly and a friend who’s mourning.

Nose inserted: Oh, these are goooood; it was all I could do to go to bed last night!

Recent reads: I’ll be reviewing a number of these very soon in various places.

  • The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins (fiction, YA) – I read this because my sister-in-law asked me to, and I was rather surprised that I enjoyed it and even wanted to read the next book in the trilogy. My nieces have started reading it, and one of them told me that the movie is the BEST MOVIE EVER (she’s seen it twice and offered to go with me). I haven’t put my thoughts together coherently, but my early thoughts are that it’s almost like Lord of the Flies meets 1984.
  • Style, Sex, and Substance: 10 Catholic Women Consider the Things that Really Matter, Edited by Hallie Lord – Fun and informative, lovely and hilarious, this is sure to warrant the hype it’s gotten and earn it’s spot as a best-selling Catholic book. I’m reviewing it in length at CatholicMom.com next Friday AND giving a copy away. Stay tuned!
  • The Catholic Girl’s Survival Guide for the Single Years: The Nuts and Bolts of Staying Sane and Happy While Waiting for Mr. Right, by Emily Stimpson – I met the author at the Behold Conference, and I’ve enjoyed her writing online in various places, so I thought that, although the book didn’t appear to be anything relevant to me, I’d give it a shot. I couldn’t have been more wrong! Not only was it speaking to ME in many ways, but I marked passages and will be sharing more thoughts about it at length. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time, and I don’t say that lightly! I couldn’t put it down!
  • The Work of Mercy: Being the Hands and Heart of Christ, by Mark Shea – I thought this book would be a drag, but I love Mark Shea’s writing and I thought I’d make it through it. What a delight to find that this book is the sort of thing I encourage our pastor to use for his Bible study, that I pass on to a good friend, and that I plan to reference and reread many times. Shea made the works of mercy so clear and so relevant that I found myself moved in ways I just never have been. It was touching, even as it was informative. In other words, I loved it.
  • Fatherless, by Brian Gail – I picked this up reading all the acclaim and rave reviews about it and was really looking forward to it. After all, it’s Catholic fiction. However, I gave it three stars and found myself a bit disappointed. The story does keep moving and there are many parts that are compelling and thought-provoking. I had the sensation of being a bit preached to throughout, and I felt like it could have been about half as long and twice as effective. Nevertheless, I’ll be reading the other two books in the series (Motherless and Childless), so don’t think I didn’t enjoy reading it enough to continue. Three stars doesn’t make it a must-read in my categorizing, but it is worthwhile and better than drivel.
  • Faith at Work: Finding Purpose Beyond the Paycheck, by Kevin Lowry – This is a great book, hands down. Kevin Lowry is approachable and I found that, though he wrote what is undoubtedly a business book, it’s applicable to all of us who work, whether we work at home or in an office or on the road. Lowry taps into his experience and his wisdom, shares his faith and his insight, and tops it all off with a bit of humor and perspective. I really enjoyed reading it and I will be encouraging others to read it as well.

Plea for advice: Anyone have suggestions for sharing links that isn’t FriendFeed? I thought it was going to be a great way to share in my sidebar, but I’ve caught that it’s been dropping the ball. If you have suggestions, I’m all ears!

A favorite thing: My seven-year-old’s penchant for coloring and the many beautiful drawings she is always making.

Food for thought: “Fasting, which can have various motivations, takes on a profoundly religious significance for the Christian: by rendering our table poorer, we learn to overcome selfishness in order to live in the logic of gift and love; by bearing some form of deprivation – and not just what is in excess – we learn to look away from our “ego”, to discover Someone close to us and to recognize God in the face of so many brothers and sisters. For Christians, fasting, far from being depressing, opens us ever more to God and to the needs of others, thus allowing love of God to become also love of our neighbor (cf. Mk 12: 31).” – Pope Benedict XVI, from his 2011 Lenten message

Worth a thousand words: My boy, who spent at least a half-hour a few mornings ago on the front porch, watching the traffic and pointing to all the trucks

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Snowy Saturday Daybook

February 11, 2012 By 2 Comments

Outside my window: Snow! On the ground!

Around the house: There’s a pile of people–Daddy and girls–on my couch, watching a movie. The boy is dragging a stool around the kitchen counters, seeing what fun he can find.

What I’ve been writing: I’ve been treading water and keeping up with my weekly commitments. I have plans for a book proposal, though, and need to work on that soon. The idea is THERE, even sort of fleshed out, so it’s time to ACT.

In my thoughts: The HHS Mandate and the “compromise” that’s really a bait-and-switch. And Rick Santorum. And changing my blogging frequency.

In my plans: I have to get my PSR lesson done for next week. We have a few weeks off soon, and I’m hoping to get ahead, but no guarantees. There’s also rumor of a date sometime soon, and hey! Ministry scheduling next week should take some major time off my purgatory… :)

In thanksgiving: For the cuddles of children. For laughs with friends. For nieces who text me. For online games with extended family.

In my prayers: For a woman who’s expecting to deliver her encephalitic baby soon. For a woman whose five-month-old baby recently died. For some special intentions.

Nose inserted: I’m finishing Unbridled Grace: A True Story about the Power of Choice, by Michael Norman, this weekend. I’m debating which book is next. I’m trying valiantly to also read The End and the Beginning: Pope John Paul II–The Struggle for Freedom, the Last Years, the Legacy, by George Weigel, but I’m not doing so well. I’m still in the first chapter. I need to set a goal of one chapter every couple of days, I think.

Links I like: (You can find more in the sidebar or on my FriendFeed)

  • Canterbury Tales has a post that I used for an upcoming parish bulletin explaining the rules of fasting and abstinence. Now’s the time to brush up and get ready!
  • Suscipio is doing a “Moments of Grace” link-up every Friday, and I’m so inspired by it! I’m hoping to join in next week.
  • Karina Fabian shares five things writers shouldn’t do. Great advice and good reminders.
  • Melissa Wiley cracks me up…and so does her husband.
  • Brandon Vogt shares a video and considers what the most powerful tool for evangelization really is.
  • Darwin looks at the fallacy food stamps as living poor.

Pick of the week: Pat Gohn’s “A God with Toes” at Patheos this week.

Food for thought: In my inbox this morning, courtesy of BenedictEveryday.com:

It is certainly not by chance that people are nowadays turning again to Mary, in whom Christianity becomes loveable again and close to us, and we really do find the door again through the Mother.

–Pope Benedict XVI

Worth a thousand words: From Jon Fitz

Courtesy of Jon Fitz

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A Monday Daybook

January 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Outside my window: The moon was hovering over the western horizon as a big tangerine. My seven-year-old pointed it out to me as we were waiting for the bus. I can’t get the image of it out of my mind. The light outside is still soft and new, but won’t be that way for long.

Around the house: The dishwasher and washing machine are busy doing their work, the four-year-old is beside me making a deck of horse cards into a quite hilarious drama, and the mancub is “sleeping” (he stopped singing, and I’m going to blog in that small window of time).

In my thoughts: I’m thinking of the blessing of another year, the joy of Christmas, and the lovely smell of the Dutch apple pie candle that’s burning on the counter nearby.

In my plans: I surely have plans, I just can’t think of what they are. Today, I’m going to figure out what’s for dinner this week and I’m going to start in on the recurring to-do list. There are some twists and turns ahead this week, but we’ll take those one at a time.

In thanksgiving: For peace, despite mental chaos. For the kids in my life. For the friends who won’t let me forget what this week is, despite my own attempts to play it down. For my husband.

Nose inserted: I am reading the first of the Young Chesterton Chronicles, The Tripods Attack!, by John McNichol. I’m also reading an advance copy of the tenth edition of Surviving Depression: A Catholic Approach, by Kathryn Hermes. Last week, I started Strengthening Your Family: A Catholic Approach to Holiness at Home, by Marge Fenelon.

Recent reads: 

  • Who’s There?, by Seth Godin - Read in part because I’m a nerd and in part because I blog each week about blogging over at the Catholic Writers Guild blog, and I thought this would be a good resource. It was free and quick and I was okay with it. Not a bad introduction to blogging and things online, even if it was written long enough ago to be a touch out-of-date. I’m always looking for resources to share with writers who want to blog but aren’t sure how to start, and this is pretty decent for that end.
  • Darkling Fields of Arvon, by James Anderson and Mark Sebanc – I enjoyed reading the first book in this series, and I enjoyed this one as well. In fact, my reading it (which was long overdue–it’s been on my shelf for far too long!) inspired me to share the series with my husband. I found the names a bit difficult (but I always do with these fantasy types of books), but enjoyed the story immensely. It moves pretty well, has an underlying tone that’s intriguing, and is, all in all, a good read.

Food for thought: No wise man ever wished to be younger. (From CoolNSmart.com)

Worth a thousand words: On either side of my kitchen sink and the window above it (because, though I didn’t muster together a whole Marian post, I can at least share some lovely images, right?):

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The Back Online Daybook

January 2, 2012 By 4 Comments

Outside my window: Snow! Snow! Snow!

Around the house: Kids in the front room, scuffling around on the last day of vacation. Husband, on the couch behind me, snoozing on the last day of vacation. Me, at the kitchen table, pecking away at a keyboard and sipping coffee.

What I’ve been writing: Nothing. Not a thing.

In my thoughts: Ringing in the New Year with Mary, the Mother of God, and what our very wise priest had to say about it in this weekend’s homily.

In my plans: A whole list of things, from taking in the mountains of recycling to picking up the house to getting back in the work groove.

In thanksgiving: For family. For a newly-minted seven-year-old. For a week offline.

In my prayers: Those who grieve in a special way right now and who feel the pain and the blessing at the same time.

Nose inserted: Oh joy: Darkling Fields of Arvon, by James Anderson and Marc Sebanc. It’s the second in the Legacy of the Stone Harp series, and I’m SO enjoying it. I reviewed the first book, The Stoneholding, a while back.

Recent reads: I’m going to do a post this week with summaries of my recent reading, but here are some short excerpted thoughts from last week’s binge of reading:

  • Mind Over Mind, by Karina Fabian – Wow. Wow. WOW. So good I suspect I’ll be rereading it when the sequel comes out. Not because I’ll need to, but because I’ll want to.
  • Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment, by James Patterson – Read at the behest of young people in my life. Bottom line: I didn’t like it.
  • Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott – I started this because it was on my list for 2012 and because I was disliking the aforementioned Patterson book so much. It was just as wonderful as I remembered from the four or five times I read it in my youth.
  • Women, Sex, and the Church: A Case for Catholic Teaching, Edited by Erika Bachiochi – A book I’d love for every Catholic to read. It will get its own post, either here or at CatholicMom.com.

Links I like: 

A favorite thing: New-fallen snow.

Food for thought: “Christmas helps us understand that God never abandons us and always comes to meet our needs. He protects us and is concerned with each one.” – Benedict XVI, January 4, 2008 (via BenedictEveryday.com)


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Fourth Sunday of Advent Daybook

December 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Outside my window: Sunshine and a wisp of leftover snow from yesterday’s flurries

Around the house: Girls, pounding and playing and happy in the other room; boy, pounding and playing and happy across the room; husband, showering and feeling better (he was sick yesterday).

In my kitchen: We’re ready for Christmas feasting, I tell ya. I might even make a pie. From scratch. But we’ll see.

In my thoughts: Boy, do I some rambling thoughts today, most centering on my bad attitude and struggle through Advent.

In thanksgiving: For prayers and novenas and blessings.

Nose inserted: Women, Sex, and the Church: A Case for Catholic Teaching, edited by Erika Bachiochi and two–TWO!–manuscripts (one by Meredith Gould).

Links I like:

  • If the Infant Christ was God, Why Couldn’t He Speak? – I am never disappointed by Marc Barnes’s writing. Though the whole thing is well worth reading (a must-read, I daresay), here’s my favorite part: “So in the last few weeks of Advent, embrace your weakness. Kneel before the manger and worship the Christ-child by imitation of the Christ-child. And never forget that if Christ’s humility is incomprehensible in his humanity, how much more must it be in his body and blood in the form of bread and wine. There, there is the ultimate helplessness. There the Christ deigns not only to be silent, but to be food. Sacrificed for our sake, his ultimate act of weakness is our ultimate source of strength.”
  • The Pope’s 3 Wishes for Christmas – I find myself, once again, just in awe–and in love–with our dear Papa. What great wishes! And…well, it makes me rethink what I should be aiming for at Christmas.
  • Tired Benedict Needs Our Prayers – I’m glad I caught this. I do pray for the pope, but this just strikes me heart in a special way.
  • Gene and Alice and the Luminous Mysteries – A lovely piece by Deacon Tom Fox that captures so much of what’s important about marriage…and about prayer.

A favorite thing: Mass.

Food for thought: “Every time we say the Our Father our voices mingle with the voice of the Church; for those who pray are never alone.” – Benedict XVI, Angelus Address, July 25, 2010 (via BenedictEverday.com)

Worth a thousand words: With thanks to my photo-happy sister-in-law:

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The Dreary Sunday Daybook

December 4, 2011 By 1 Comment

Outside my window: It’s a dreary, rainy November Sunday late afternoon. Bleh.

Around the house: It’s me and the boy. I finished doing the bills (which should have been done yesterday, but…weren’t, and I had a delightful reason why, too!) and nothing says “procrastinate folding and let the dishes sit a bit longer” like doing a weekend daybook, wouldn’t you agree?

In my thoughts: I have Mary on my mind. I’m struggling in an extra-special way today, and though I’m doing my best to put a good face on Advent, I’m sort of failing, and, well, Mary’s in my thoughts.

In my plans: Ah yes, my plans. They seem to be upended by a series of circumstances that could have me laughing or crying. I’m holding on to the reality that I can choose my response.

In thanksgiving: For work. For family. For chocolate.

In my prayers: Those who grieve, those who hurt, those who struggle with forgiveness.

Nose inserted: I’m juggling two books, though I have hopes of finishing one of them today: Ten Universal Principles: A Brief Philosophy of the Life Issues, by Robert J. Spitzer, and Fatima for Today: The Urgent Marian Message of Hope, by Fr. Andrew Apostoli.

Recent reads: Michael O’Brien’s The Father’s Tale. I’m planning to write a review yet this week about it. It’s one of the best books I’ve read this year (though it is, admittedly, VERY long).

Links I like:

  • Advent History: The Nativity Fast – Now here’s something I didn’t know about the history of Advent. What would it be like, I wonder, to go through a Nativity Fast of 40 days, a “Lent” before Christmas?
  • Feel the joy! – This picture of Mary and Elizabeth is one of my favorites. I almost made it the background on my desktop, it moved me so much. I love the Visitation, and this image is now the one I’ll be using and reflecting on when I’m praying.
  • Mary’s Last Words – This column considers the depth and meaning in Mary’s last recorded words in Scripture, “Do whatever he tells you.” There was a lot I hadn’t considered before and, as usual with Dr. Ted Sri, a thorough examination of Scripture in a way that, I think, will change my prayer and approach to it. Amazing stuff.
  • Gay, Catholic, and Doing Fine – I just came across this link this week, though it’s from a while back. Who says you can’t be gay and Christian? My experience (in other matters) has been very similar as what’s recorded here. Our pastor has worked with Courage, and I was shocked–SHOCKED!–when, as a new Catholic, I found out that the Catholic Church has an apostolate to help those who have homosexual tendencies. I consider this a must-read.

A favorite thing: Bare baby feet.

Food for thought: “Particularly in our faith, we do not stand alone; we are links in the great chain of believers. Nobody can believe unless he is supported by the faith of others, and conversely, through my faith, I help to strengthen others in their faith.” Benedict XVI

Worth a thousand words: The Birthday Boy

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The Leftover Turkey Daybook

November 26, 2011 By 3 Comments

Outside my window: The sun is trying to infuse the day, but there is gray all around. The sunrise was amazing though, and no less because it came after a hot breakfast of farm eggs and bacon, family and coffee, laughter and cuddling.

Around the house: A sleeping baby and evidence of said breakfast still lingering in the dishes I haven’t done yet.

What I’ve been writing: 

In my thoughts: Christmas. Presents. The battling-down of bah-humbug.

In my plans: Some writing, a shower, and…I dunno. We’ll see.

In thanksgiving: For a fun family visit. For children’s giggles. For the hilarity that a group of children inevitably bring.

In my prayers: For a grieving family. For the constant battle of fear and anxiety. For a peace-filled Advent.

Nose inserted: I have been neglecting all sorts of things for The Father’s Tale: A Novel, Michael O’Brien’s latest. It’s thick and weighty and wonderful. It is the very epitome of what I love in a novel, of how I can learn so much from a good story, and of where I like to wander in my imagination.

Recent reads:

Links I like:

  • Occupy Advent – I have an interest in Advent beyond promoting my book, I promise, and I am going to be following and using this site this year. In their own words: “Reclaiming the holy season of waiting and watching for the Lord. Slow down. Simplify.” They also have a hashtag on Twitter: #occupyadvent
  • Mass with a Difficult Child – Michelle shares wisdom, experience, and, most of all, a virtual hug for everyone in the trenches. Stay strong, Mom! You need those graces, and so does Jr Difficult! And all of us could do with a dose of reading this post, I think. Don’t miss it.
  • 7 Ways to Pray…7 Problems in Prayer…14 Ways to Pray (with a tip of the hat to the lovely Pat Gohn at Among Women for pointing me to this) – We all struggle with prayer. And here is a post I think I could read daily for about a month to internalize all I should from it. So read it. Your Advent deserves it.

A favorite thing: Cranberry Sierra Mist, followed closely by pumpkin spice lattes (which I will indulge in sometime soon, I hope!)

Food for thought: Courtesy of Benedict XVI:

With immense gratitude, let us ask Mary, Mother of the Word Incarnate and our Mother, to protect every earthly mother: those who, together with their husband, raise their children in a harmonious family context, and those who, for many reasons, find themselves alone to face a very difficult duty. May they carry out with dedication and loyalty their daily service within the family, the Church and society. May the Blessed Mother be for all a support, comfort and hope!

Worth a thousand words: This is the lovely, the incomparable, the awesome Mrs. Darwin. She is really that cool, folks. And I have met her. In person. And she let me get a picture with her after I ran into her (quite a pleasant surprise!) at a recent speaking engagement I had.

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