"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." Saint Francis De Sales

Friday, January 30, 2015

My Slow Takes About Auschwitz, Coffee Mug, and Muppets.


1. Auschwitz was liberated on January 27, 1945. There was a memorial held at the site in Poland. One of the survivors in attendance was Roman Kent.

"We survivors do not want our past to be our children's future.”

More than one million people were killed. Political prisoners, Jewish people and anyone else that Hitler deemed as a threat to the Nazi state.

2. We had snow this week. Not much, but just enough to show the beauty of the chapel at University of Richmond.


3. I added a new coffee mug to “My Coffee Mugs” page. It’s a birthday gift from my good friend Brenda.

4. Vince Lombardi joined the Green Bay Packers on January 28, 1959. He was the team’s coach and general manager until he retired in 1967. His impressive record was 98-30-4 and 5 NFL Championships which included Super Bowls I and II. 


5. The Muppet version of Jim Croce’s - “Time in a Bottle.”


6. Simon & Garfunkel, “Cecilia.”


7. Please pray for the soul of Valley Roy Jr., a World War II veteran, and his family. He joined our Father on January 28, 2015.



Read other "Takes" at "This Ain't the Lyceum."

Friday, January 23, 2015

My Slow Takes About Trisha, Frankie and St. Francis de Sales.


1. I was reading Trisha Potter’s book review, “Memories, Dreams, and Reflections.” The following quote, from her, made me think about me and how different I am from others. Differences that have shaped me and brought me to where I am today. Differences that others have seen, some they like and some that we laugh about.

“No one person has all of the answers, perspectives, experiences, and sympathies that another person has.  We might be able to go a step or two farther than those who have come before us, because of our different experiences and perspectives, but even then others can build upon our ideas and accomplishments far beyond what we could have come up with on our own.” 

2. I picked this quote from from Dweej.

“Let the reader’s voice honor the writer’s pen.”

It is a quote from a medieval scribe. 

3. “Kid Bible Stories, Episode 1” from “Simple Felicity.” This is a child’s view of the parable of the unmerciful servant. 


4. Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons - “Rag Doll”


5. Jim Croce - “Time in a Bottle.”


6. Super Bowl XLIX and I will pulling for the Seahawks. Russell Wilson is from Richmond, Virginia. 


7. Saturday the 26th is the feast of Saint Frances de Sales, my patron saint. His book, “Introduction to the Devout Life,” was written so that laypeople people could read it. It gave them an opportunity to find spiritual direction in their lives. Something that was not available to them in the 1600’s. I have read his book and found it to be inspiring and helpful in my own journey.

“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.
Do not lose courage in considering your own perfections,
but instantly set about remedying them,
everyday begin the task anew.”


Read other "Takes" at "This Ain't the Lyceum."

Friday, January 16, 2015

My Slow Takes About FOCUS, American Pie, and God’s Gift.


1. Our men’s Cursllio group had a young woman, a parishioner, speak about the “Fellowship of Catholic University Students.” (FOCUS) Her name is Katie, but it is not the same person who talked to us a few weeks ago. Katie is a college graduate who is now devoting her time and talents helping college students at Harvard. She and her ministry team provide support through outreach programs, Bible study and one-on-one mentorship. The program is designed to let students know how they can start or enhance their relationship with God. 
Katie’s ministry is her “star” that she follows. I am reminded of Luke’s Gospel;

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.
Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals….”  Luke 10: 2-4

Our parish is blessed to have young missionaries going forth and sharing our faith. Modern apostles spreading the Word.

These missionaries must raise funds to pay for their salaries. FOCU does not provide any money. So, if you would like to help Katie, please go to “Support A Missionary:" and enter the name “Katie Hillgrove.”

2. January 15, 1972, Don McLean’s, “American Pie” becomes number one on the pop charts.


3. The local schools were closed today because of winter ice. I figured that it was a good excuse to stay home, drink coffee, do some writing and work on my painting.  

4. My cardio workouts are nothing like this. I don’t even come close to having the skill to  choreograph this type of routine. My only question is how many takes before production? 


5. We had a Dee-ism on Sunday. As we were coming out of the Spider basketball game, our sister-in-Christ Jeanine discovered her gloves were missing. We checked my car to see if she left them there, but nope. Then Dee said she would go back in and check around where we were sitting. Nothing. So we got in the car figuring that maybe they were left in Jeanine’s car. Then, Jeanine noticed how similar Dee’s gloves were to ones she couldn’t find. Dee looked closely at the gloves that were are on her hands. Then she looked into her purse and discovered she had put Jeanine’s gloves on …… mystery solved.

6. Roger Miller - “Old Toy Trains.”


7. A short story of typewriter artist Paul Smith and his gift from God.



Read other "Takes" at "This Ain't the Lyceum."

Friday, January 9, 2015

My Slow Takes About The Star, Randy Travis and Meadowlark.


1. Father John had a beautiful homily on the star that the three wise men followed. A guiding light that brought them to Jesus. His suggestion for us to consider this week was to reflect on our own guiding light. Where is it leading us and are we willing to make the journey.
2. Randy Travis and Josh Turner - “Deeper Than The Holler.” 


3. January 7, 1927, the Harlem Globetrotters played their first basketball game in Hinckley, Illinois. My favorite player; Meadowlark Lemon.


4. How cold is it?

"With the wind chill it got down to 63 below zero in parts of Montana. At that temperature, if you remove your hat your thoughts will actually freeze inside your brain." — Jimmy Kimmel

"A Christmas Story"

5. Ukrop’s Bakery started in 1927 in Richmond, Virginia. It is now part of Martin’s Food Markets, but the quality continues. Their cakes and pies are awesome. 
My favorite pie is the “Lemon Chess Pie.” It is perfect with a hot cup of coffee on a chilly afternoon. Or, anytime. 

6. Last week we were at the beach in Duck, North Carolina. Five couples sharing laughs, enjoying food, drink, shopping at the outlet stores and watching football. God has blessed us with great friends.

7. Some beach photos by Dee.

Dave & Jeanine













Tony & Pam




Me & Tony trying to decide which bottle of wine to open.
Me & Jeanine, in line for dinner.
Brenda & Lou

Maureen & Jack


Read other "Takes" at "This Ain't the Lyceum."




Friday, January 2, 2015

My Slow Takes About Quotes, Football and Plans.



“Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.” ― Jonathan Edwards

2. The following paragraph is written by James Murphy. He is involved in law enforcement as an instructor. 

“I am the police, and I'm here to arrest you. You've broken the law. I did not write the law. I may even disagree with the law but I will enforce it. No matter how you plead, cajole, beg or attempt to stir my sympathies, nothing you do will stop me from placing you in a steel cage with gray bars. If you run away I will chase you. If you fight me I will fight back. If you shoot at me I will shoot back. By law I am unable to walk away. I am a consequence. I am the unpaid bill. I am fate with a badge and a gun. Behind my badge is a heart like yours. I bleed, I think, I love, and yes I *can* be killed. And although I am but one man, I have thousands of brothers and sisters who are the same as me. They will lay down their lives for me, and I them. We stand watch together. The thin-blue-line, protecting the prey from the predators, the good from the bad. We are the police.”
"Fidelis Ad Mortem"

3. January 3, 1993, at Rich Stadium in Buffalo, New York, Dee and I watched Frank Reich lead the Buffalo Bills in a terrific win over the Houston Oilers. It is still known as the "greatest comeback in NFL history." Our seats were in the upper deck and it was cold. But the excitement of the second half helped us to forget the weather as we shouted and cheered. I still have a copy of the "Buffalo Evening News" article. It's one of those moments of history that sports fans enjoy.

 4. Travis Tritt, “Between An Old Memory and Me.”





"Harbin, China - White whales and their trainers present a show for visitors at Harbin Pole Aquarium on January 7, 2014 in Harbin, China. The aquarium is one of the tourist highlights of Harbin, attracting domestic and foreign tourists each year."

6. The Irish Lads played in the “Music Bowl,” yesterday.

Kyle Brindza “hit a 32-yard field goal as time expired, and Notre Dame upset No. 22 LSU 31-28…”

7. Last February I put together a painting plan for 2014. Some things were completed and some were not. My objective(s) changed adding and removing things from the list. I’m not disappointed, things are being completed and my collection continues to grow. More on this later.


Read other "Takes" at "This Ain't the Lyceum."