"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, March 27, 2015

$20 Bills, Listen, Karina and Kelly.


My Slow Takes

1. “Women on 20s,” is a website that wants to get a woman’s face on the $20 bill. My choice, based on the 15 candidates listed on the website is: 

“CLARA BARTON (1821-1912) As an educator she founded the first free school in New Jersey. As a nurse during the Civil War she brought food and medical supplies directly to the front lines, earning her the nickname “angel of the battlefield.” And when she learned about an international relief organization in Europe that was always at the ready, she came back home and lobbied for the creation of the American Red Cross and for 23 years served as its president.”


2. Anthony DeCristofaro, in his article, “According to Your Word,” wrote about listening to the Lord. We make attempts, but sometimes not the time. “The challenge is to stop everything else that you are doing and spend three minutes with the Lord.” To assist us in this endeavor, the Carmelites have a website that will help. I tried it and it works.

3. Karina Sanger was born ten weeks too early. Her parents, Erica and Mark are asking for your prayers. Here is the latest information as of Thursday morning, March 26.

"Good morning.

Today is another big day for Karina. Your prayers are always heard and are
forever appreciated.

A brief update:

They started giving Karina breastmilk last night. We're prayerful that her
stomach tolerates the 2ml/hour and that her system processes/digests 75% of it (at least) today.

They did the MRA (in an MRI machine) yesterday afternoon. Specifically,
we're prayerful that the ongoing fluid reduction in her brain has
reduced/eliminated any blood vessel swelling. We're also prayerful that the
pressure-reduction is allowing nerves to flourish.

We'll get updates on both later this morning. Your prayers for a good report
x2 would be excellent.

Her vitals were good yesterday....she was looking around a lot. She
responded well to light, touch and sound. 

She's our miracle baby in so many ways...and every hour is giving us reasons to thank Him for her....and thank Him for the prayers, support and
encouragement of our family and good friends.

Bless each of you this Thursday for your love and support.

Erica and Mark"

4. Sunday’s Spider's basketball game, against Arizona State, was close. We won, 76-70, in overtime. On Tuesday the Spiders faced the Miami Hurricanes. Everything was going well in the first half. Then Miami came back in the second half winning the game 63-61. We are out of the NIT, but it’s been a fun season and we are looking forward to next year. Thank you Coach Mooney, his staff and the entire Spider team!

The Spider Sweeties
The Fans, Brenda, Lou, Dee, Jeanine, Dave, Pam, Tony, Maureen, Jack and Me.
5. This is a quote from Steve Givens, “Today’s Word: Available.”

As Sarah Thebarge, author of “The Invisible Girls,” writes:

“Love will cost you dearly.
And it will break your heart.
But in the end, it will save the world.”

6. Dear Kelly,

You are an excellent example of a loving mother. I have been reading your blog since 2012. It contains much about your love, humor, faith and spiritual journey. I am a Dad and have had the experience raising three boys. There were times dealing with illness, money issues, uncertainty, doubt and frustration. Like you, I am part of a team. Dee and I worked together, maintained our love for each other and our family. We relied on our faith and trust in God. It was not easy, but He provided the support. 

A toast that God continues to bless you and your family.
7.  Joe Cocker - “You Are So Beautiful”



Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum,” where Kelly is hosting more takes.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Faith, Father Joe, Pi, and Notre Dame.


My Slow Takes

1. From my cousin Marina.


2. Anthony DeCristofaro wrote this on Wednesday.

“We never know when we will face the mountain.  Monday morning, Fr. Joe was likely sitting in his room in prayer when a massive stroke event occurred in his body.  One of his Jesuit brothers found him and went with him in the ambulance to Washington Hospital Center. 

The suffering that he is enduring now and offering up will – today’s scripture promises – be levelled out by the Lord.  We do not know when the road will be leveled. We do not know how.  But the rough path that he faces today will be made smooth.”

Father Joe Mccluskey, SJ contributes to “Your Daily Tripod.” I have read many of his daily writings and found them to be both inspirational and thought provoking. Please say a prayer for him. 

3. Saturday 3-14-15 was Pi Day. This year is a very special Pi Day because only once in a century does the date and time reflect the following; Pi=3.141592653. So, on 3-14-15 at 9:26:53 AM, we have Pi Day. Read more at USA Today. 

4. The Irish Lads and Lasses “basketball teams won their respective 2015 ACC Tournament titles in Greensboro. That marks the 13th time in ACC history that the same institution claimed both basketball championships--and the first time since 2011 when Duke did it. The only four ACC schools to accomplish that feat are Notre Dame, Duke, North Carolina and North Carolina State.”



5. The Spiders lost against VCU but they did earn a number one seed in the 2015 National Invitation Tournament. On Wednesday evening they played the St. Francis-Brooklyn Terriers and won. This Sunday they host the Arizona State Sun Devils.


6. I know it's spring, but this is a beautiful snow sculpture.


here 7. Linda Ronstadt - “It Doesn’t Matter Matter Anymore”


Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum,” where Kelly is hosting more takes.

Friday, March 13, 2015

A10 Basketball, Frankenstein, DT 4:9 and Faith.


My Slow Takes

1. The minions have been re-assigned to another project.

2. The A10 Basketball Championship started Wednesday. The Spiders play at 2:30 PM Friday against VCU. Dee decided that we should have the "gang" here to watch the game.

3. Mary Shelley's book, Frankenstein, was published on March 11, 1818. It was published anonymously but in 1823 a second edition was published with her name.

One of my favorite Frankenstein movies was Mel Brook's "Young Frankenstein."
Marty Feldman, Teri Garr, Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle
4. Smokey Robinson & the Miracles - “The Tears of A Clown”


5. Wednesday's reading from Deuteronomy made me think about our children. We taught them about Jesus, church and love. We did our best to live what we taught. Our sons now have children of their own. They are teaching them love which in turn is about Jesus. Dee and I provide assistance by taking the grandchildren to church when possible and teaching them about the Mass and prayer. The combination of parents and grandparents will provide the lessons and examples of our love for Jesus. 

“However, take care and be earnestly on your guard
not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen,
nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live,
but teach them to your children and to your children’s children.” DT 4:9

6.  Sometimes my brother-in-Christ Mike gets unhappy about the way our world is going. I am reminded of a quote from "The Catholic Mutt."


“Faith is not a light which scatters all our darkness, but a lamp which guides our steps in the night and suffices for the journey.”

We must be vigilant on our journey, knowing that God is there beside us. 

7. So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu, goodbye ... snow.


Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum,” where Kelly is hosting more takes.





Friday, March 6, 2015

A Parish Retreat, the Two Katie's and Monopoly.



1. On Sunday afternoon we had a “Lenten Parish Retreat” at our Church of the Epiphany. There was singing, scripture readings, prayer, witness speakers and small group sharing. Dee was one of the speakers and did an excellent talk. Deacon Arthur, his wife Kathie and Deacon Steve with his wife Kathy put together the program. It was well attended with Father John in support and providing the closing blessing.

2. Last December I wrote about a young woman, Katie, who attends Ave Maria University. She spoke at our men’s group and “her talk was uplifting, like a spark igniting our faith journeys.” She wrote an article on the “Concerned Woman For America” website. The title is, “Unplanned Parenthood: How One Woman’s Bravery to Choose Adoption led to a Legacy of Love.” Her writing brings light and love to a world that is faced with conflict. Read the article here.

3. The “other” Katie, our missionary at Harvard, sent Dee and I an update on how things are going. 
“In December, 32 students joined her group for SEEK 2015. Their Discipleship Program has grown from 18 students to 31 students. And, 13 students are now leading weekly bible studies.”

Katie has asked that we add the following to our prayer intentions.

“For our mission trip to the United Nations, that we may be successful in advocating for Pro-Life Humanitarian standards internationally.”

“For our 30+ students in Discipleship, that they may will God to be at the center of their lives, that they sat faithful to Him and continue to grow in Faith, Hope and Love.”

“For increased faithfulness and sacrifice during the Season of Lent, that God may unite our fasting to His Cross and draw us ever closer to His Most Sacred Heart.” 

4. The Byrds - “Hey Mr. Tambourine Man.”



5. Roger Lowenstein of “The Wallstreet Journal” wrote an interesting book review on “The Monopolists” by Mary Pilon. A book about the game of Monopoly. I don’t know how many hours I spent playing this game, but it was worth the time and effort. A great strategy game of becoming a “Captain of Industry.” My favorite tactic was to own all of the railroads. I then concentrated on getting the properties of St. James, Tennessee and New York. From there it depended on how I rolled the dice. It didn’t always work, but I enjoyed the challenge, especially trying to coerce others who landed on these properties to sell to me.

Roger’s book review is excellent. Here is something he wrote that I didn’t know.

“Monopoly was actually inspired by the “Landlord’s Game,” the creation of a turn-of-the-century feminist who was also an inventor, writer and single-taxer, Elizabeth Magie (1866-1948). Single-taxers were followers of the political evangelist Henry George, who advocated a “single” tax on land, a leveling of social inequities and an end to monopolies. George had a cult following in the 1880s and ’90s. He never won office or instituted a tax, but Magie, the daughter of an abolitionist, kept the faith for decades.”


6. On March 5, 1963, the Hula-Hoop was patented by Arthur "Spud" Melin. He and Richard Knerr invented the Hula-Hoop in 1958. Dee is excellent at using the "Hoop" and has won many contests at parties and family gatherings.


7. We were visited by winter storm Thor last night, although his hammer did not hit us as hard as other locations. Still, my car is iced this morning and I'm unable to open any of the doors. By noon the sun should free up the locks and I'll be able to join my friends for Friday lunch.


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