My Slow Takes (Vol. 70)

1. College football provided two exciting games over the weekend. The Richmond Spider’s lost a close game to New Hampshire, 40-44. Stanford and Notre Dame went into overtime with the Irish winning 20-13.

2. Prayers for our sister-in-Christ Rose who made her journey home on Sunday. We lived next door to each other and watched our children grow, attended weddings and shared the ups and downs that life brings. Thank you Lord for the memories.

3. Sunday’s homily by Monsignor Shreve suggested that selling everything and giving it to the poor is something we face more often that we realize. If we think of our possessions not as physical things but rather our time, it might be easier to understand Mark's Gospel. Our neighbor calls asks us for help tonight, but we have scheduled a night to go to the movie so we respond with a no. Your brother asks you to help him move furniture out of an apartment. It’s your turn to drive the “guys” to the ball game this week so you respond with a no. If we make the sacrifice to sell or time and give it to our friends and family, it may be the same as selling what we have and giving it to the poor.

4. Your Daily Tripod for Monday provided an excellent prayer by St. Teresa of Avila.

“Lord, you know better than I myself that I am growing older and will someday be old.

Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.  Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all; but Thou knowest, Lord, that I  want a few friends at the end. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details;

give me wings to get to the point.  Seal my lips on my aches and pains; they are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is  becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cock-sureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.  Keep me reasonably sweet, for a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.  Give  me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people; and give, O Lord, the grace to tell them so. Amen.”

5. I have painted Norman knights, Templar knights and Hospitaller knights but sold them when I started concentrating on other periods. Every once in awhile I think about getting some knights to paint again. So when I saw these figures from Paul’s Bods I got interested in his diorama and my mind started wandering toward some knights I saw at the Historicon convention this year. Just don’t tell Dee.

6. The review of assisted living continues. Completed two this week. We have been asking friends for suggestions and they have been teaching us things we didn’t know. A little more time will be worth the effort to find the right place.

7. The Fair Trade Bazaar takes place in two weeks. I received the consignment order and will start tagging all the items. There are some new items that we added including jewelry and scarves.

Read other "Quick Takes" at Conversion Diary.