"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, May 29, 2015

Wolves, Age of Empires, and St. Neri.


My Slow Takes

1. How Wolves Change Rivers. I don’t know how accurate this is, but it is worth watching.

“I remember when the wolves were introduced back into Yellowstone National Park about 20 years ago.
I also remember the debates about whether or not it was a good thing.
I don't know your thoughts on this but have a look at this video clip. How often do we wonder, what difference does one animal make in the greater scheme of things?
Well, here is the answer or at least one of them!
Sit back and enjoy this amazing video on how just one animal has changed the environment.”


2. In 1999 Ensemble Studios developed “Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings.” I purchased a copy for my Mac, having owned the previous games. It was the most enjoyable of the series, and then the “Gold Edition” was released. This new version included the “Conquerors.” The series was getting better and better.  
Unfortunately as my Apple OS developed, my game fell behind. Last week I took an old Mac Book, loaded it with OS X and then loaded “Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings.” It is the “Gold Edition for Mac.” I’m at it again! Love this game and still have not tired of it.


3. Monday was the Memorial of Saint Philip Neri. Catholic Online has information on Saint Philip, including the following prayer. 

“Saint Philip Neri, we take ourselves far too seriously most of the time. Help us to add humor to our perspective -- remembering always that humor is a gift from God. Amen.”

Melanie Rigney wrote the following for her “Piety” part of “Your Daily Tripod” blog.

“Joyful, joyful we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love; hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee, op’ning to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away; giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day! (“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” lyrics by Henry J. van Dyke)”

The song got into my head and I found myself humming it for most of the day. 

4. Steve Givens always has an interesting outlook on life and how it relates to Jesus. I especially liked this because I’m not a garden/yard person. It gives me a different perspective for mowing the lawn and clearing weeds.

“I have practiced prayer when I work outdoors with our plants and growing things but the best practice by far seems to be a focus on exactly what is at hand, seeing the beauty even in the weed that needs to be pulled as well as in the plump blueberry that needs to be picked. To breathe deeply of the perfume of the soil and the newly cut clover. And I think “Jesus is here” and my task is a task of love for Him and there is peace and joy. Best of all, there is a further chipping away of the old me, the me I was never meant to be, and a growing of the real me, the one that the One created me to be.”

5. During the mid 1800’s, ferryboats, using real horse power, were being used in the United States. Paul, over at “Paul’s Bods” has created a miniature model. He is a talented individual who shares his creativity. 


An artists Impression of the Wreck found in Burlington Bay, Vermont.

6. Please pray for the team members and candidates of the Central Virginia Women’s Cursillo weekend, May 28-31, 2015.


7. Louis Armstrong - “What A Wonderful World” reminds me of “Good Morning Vietnam.” with Robin Williams. A great movie.



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Friday, May 22, 2015

Deacon Bee, Oxymorons and Brady Clark


My Slow Takes

1. The Church of the Epiphany celebrated the 35th Anniversary of Diaconate Ordination for Deacon Bernardo Lupini. There was a morning Mass and reception afterward. We are Blessed to have him in our parish.


Father John, Mary & Deacon Bee
The Reception Tables

2. The kitchen install has begun and is slowly coming together.

The Kitchen on 5-18-22

The Kitchen on 5-22-15

3. My friend Dan, who use to be an avid bike rider, sent me this link by Destin Sandlin. It’s all about riding a bicycle. It is a very interesting lesson in how our brain works.


4. On May 20, 1873, two men, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis were issued a patent. The patent was for “improvement in Fastening Pocket-Openings.” Mr. Davis had come up with an idea to use metal rivets on the stress points of working pants. Both men went into business manufacturing “waist overalls.” The original “blue jeans.”


5. In June 1940, over 300,000 British, French and Belgian troops were evacuated from Dunkirk, France. The evacuation began on May 27th and involved an unusual fleet of ships, transports, merchantmen, fishing boats and pleasure craft.  I have always marveled at such a feat and how the British people came together to save so many. This week I was sent a link describing another evacuation. One that I did not know existed. The evacuation of Manhattan, New York, September 11, 2001. A moving story of people helping people.  


6. Here are some oxymorons to mull over.

Why is the third hand on the watch called the second hand? 

Why do "tug" boats push their barges? 

Why do we sing "Take me out to the ball game" 
     when we are already there? 

Why are a "wise man" and a "wise guy" opposites? 

How come abbreviated is such a long word? 

7. Brady Clark is not a singer that I normally listen to. I found this song while doing some other “music research.” It’s quite good.



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From happyveteransdayquotespoems.com


Friday, May 15, 2015

Father John, Einstein, and a Cardinal.


My Slow Takes

1. “If I speak in human and angelic tongues* but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.

And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated,

it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,

it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.

It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing.

For we know partially and we prophesy partially …..

So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Cor. 13

Father John’s Sunday Homily spoke of love of a mother to her children, love of a husband and wife, love of brother and sister and love of friends. He explained that love has many meanings and we need to be aware that it is all around us. We need to fully understand what Jesus said, “love one another as I have loved you.” 
I always enjoy his sermons, they provide strong start to my week.

2. The Capitals and the Rangers faced each other on Wednesday night for the tie-breaker game. It was a close game that went into overtime. The Rangers scored the winning goal around the eleventh minute. 
It was an exciting series, thank you Capitals!


3. From Steve Givens blog, “The Creative Spirit: Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary.” May 10, 2015.

Einstein said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” We can see each sunrise, each newborn child, each encounter with beauty and chalk them all up to chance, or we can stand back in wonder at these daily miracles and choose to see the hand of God. The first option is a yawn; the second is a gasp. You choose.”

4. Our son Stephen and I finished taking down the kitchen cabinets and removing the counter top. He was a great help and I loved working with him.

Water Break

The Empty Kitchen
5. This is one of the local Cardinals that enjoys sitting in our Redbud tree.

Photo by Dee

6. The results from “Women on 20s” chose Harriet Tubman. Now it’s up to President Obama to make the decision of changing the $20 bill. My vote went to Clara Barton. Both ladies accomplished a lot for many people. They were unselfish and dedicated to their missions.

Harriet Tubman
7. O.C. Smith sings about love, green apples and snow.




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Friday, May 8, 2015

1st Communion, Spring, and Mom.


My Slow Takes

1. Sunday at 8:30 Mass, was First Holy Communion for some of the children of our Parish. Monsignor Shreve was the celebrant and his Homily was excellent. The children are sitting in the first few rows and he stands in front them talking and walking back and forth from one end to the other. It is all about them and his conversation with them shows his patience and love for the children. There are a series of questions that Monsignor asks the children. He always makes sure they are asked in such a way that the children understand and are able to answer them. After Mass there are “goodies” in the “Commons” and the volunteers on staff make sure the children get “first dibs.” I enjoy watching the interaction between the children and Monsignor Shreve. It makes for a beautiful “God moment” for me.

Imgbuddy.com
2. The Capitals won Monday evenings game 1-0 against the Rangers. They are now 2-1 in the series. Next game is Friday the 8th.


3. “A Prayer in Spring” by Robert Frost

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.

4. This is a poem for “all the Mothers” on Mothers Day.

May God bless all the Mothers
That give of themselves
And tend to their household needs
Before the needs of 'self'
For they are there with comfort
For each child's broken heart,
Bringing them to God in prayer,
With His love to impart.


5. NBC News had a spot on the allergy season. The title was “Pollen Tsunami” Causing Misery in the Northeast.” Apparently they haven’t spent anytime in Richmond, Virginia. My nose runs, my eyes itch and my cough has not gone away. Pollen knows no boundaries. 

Dreamstime.com
6. On Saturday, May 8, 1971 Dolores Siracusa and Paul Forgette were married by Father Patrick Dineen. The ceremony took place at St. Leo the Great in Amherst, New York. Today, Friday May 8, we celebrate our 44th year of Holy Matrimony.


7. This is “Early Morning Rain,” by Peter, Paul & Mary.



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Friday, May 1, 2015

Maryland, Cabinets, and NHL.


My Slow Takes

1. Dee and I went to Maryland this weekend to visit my brother Tom and his wife Karen. It was a great weekend and we enjoyed being together. Dee and Karen found a Chester drawer which we brought back and placed in the kitchen eating area.



2. The Southern Maryland Celtic Festival was going on while we were in Maryland, so Tom and I attended it on Saturday. There was great Stout, bagpipe bands, vendors and entertainment. We listened to the Gothard Sisters perform. This is one of their tunes, “Flying Sails.”


3. The kitchen cabinets arrived this week and our garage is full. My job is to unpack and inspect them.


4. The Washington Capitals made it through the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. They are now facing the New York Rangers for game 2 on May 2nd. They lead the series 1-0.


5. This is a great song by Joan Baez. “500 Miles.”


6. In today’s Gospel, JN 14:1-8.

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. 
You have faith in God; have faith also in me. 
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.”

I got to thinking about a “dwelling place.” Our home is our dwelling place, but I know our home in heaven will not be the same, Will we each have a different home? Will they all be the same? Can I request a place by the ocean with warm breezes and the melodious sound of the surf? Will I really care where I am as long as I with Jesus? Just thoughts for a Friday morning.

7. Today is May Day. Wikipedia provides some interesting information on Druids and the beginning of summer.

Eugene Damblans

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