"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, October 20, 2017

Granddaughters and Friendship



1. Our granddaughters Hailey and Eryn came over Sunday after Church. They hadn’t seen me with the stitches and swollen face. So I thought it would be a good idea to ease their anxiety by wearing a halloween mask when they arrived. It worked, they were laughing at my mask and it allowed me to let them know I wasn’t in any pain. I just didn’t look as handsome as I usually do.

Arnold

2. The Spiders had a win against Towson moving them to 4-2. They face Delaware, in Newark, on Saturday.
The Irish Lads had a “bye” last weekend. USC is traveling to Indiana this Saturday. This will be a great game.

3. I started watching the Shannara Chronicles, season 2. It’s okay, but, “it is an adaptation” of the Terry Brooks novels. I’m disappointed. Expected better. Perhaps it will improve. 

4. Snoopy, writing the next Dr. Who episode.


5. Since I’ve been recovering from my Mohs Surgery, family and friends have stepped forward in support. First and foremost is Dee, who manages to fit in other things while taking care of me. Our son Stephen is mowing our lawn. Lou brought over a bottle of Spanish wine one evening. Maureen brought homemade chicken soup with fresh Rosemary bread. Pam sent homemade pumpkin bread and Tony drove me to the Doctor when my stitches had to be removed. In addition, there have been prayers by more people than I can list here. Thank you Lord.
Now I ask for prayers for Susan and Dave, both are in the hospital. Susan will be coming home today. Dave still has a few more tests.

6. “A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.”      Saint Basil

7. Joni Mitchell - “Urge For Going.”




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

Friday, October 13, 2017

The Frog, Ed and Merton




1. I found this little fellow trying to hitch a ride to morning Mass on Sunday. He was gently removed and placed in the garden. 


2. The Spiders moved to 3-2 after an exciting overtime game against Albany.
The Irish Lads were victorious in Chapel Hill against North Carolina. They are now 5-1.

3. On Sunday evening my good friend and miniature gamer Ed Backer, died in his sleep. He was affectionally know as the “Wookie” within our group. He had a big heart and a wonderful contagious and boisterous laugh. I will miss you my friend. Please pray for his soul and for his family.

Russ, Ed and Bob at Historicon 1983
4. I had “Mohs” surgery for Basal Cell Carcinoma this week. The cancer was completely removed and now I’m recovering from the process. There is some swelling from the stitches, a little black and blue around the area and soreness from the stretching of the skin. The stitches will be removed next week and then everything will return to normal. At this point I could add some makeup to the other side of my face and then be ready for Halloween. 

5. Beth DeCristofaro provided some thought on Malachi 3:19-20 in her, “You Will Be Given More” blog on Thursday. 

“God’s message, delivered through Malachi, is chilling.  He warns of the arrogant and those who turn from God being punished.  This is a description of the isolation and dread we feel when we let our loved ones down, is it not?  When we place ourselves and our own wants at the center of our being rather than placing God, the source of Life and Joy we experience incompleteness, futility, barrenness.  We don’t really need God’s thunderbolts to punish us if we close ourselves off from God’s compassionate presence.  It is as if we choose the lightning which strikes too closely.”


Life is not easy, but God provides the tools that we need to get through. 

6. “October is a fine and dangerous season in America. a wonderful time to begin anything at all. You go to college, and every course in the catalogue looks wonderful.” 
                Thomas Merton

7. Gillian Welch - “I’ll Fly Away”




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

Friday, October 6, 2017

Michael, Sir Winton & Harry




1. My cousin Michael was buried in Waco, Texas on Monday, October 2, 2017. His body was found on September 19th in Detroit, Michigan. He was killed by gunshots. The crime is currently being investigated by local police as a homicide. Please pray for the soul of my cousin and for our family. 

A very close friend of Michael’s, Chris, wrote about him on “Notablog.” It is a beautiful story about Michael. Thank you Chris.



2. The Spiders are at 2-2 and face Albany at the Robins Center October 7.
The Irish Lads are moving along at 4-1. On Saturday they will be in Chapel Hill, playing against North Carolina.

3. My good friend Dan provided this video on Sir Nicholas Winton. It is worth the minute and a half to watch. Thank you for sharing Dan.


4. “Death is Nothing At All”

“Death is nothing at all. 
It does not count. 
I have only slipped away into the next room. 
Nothing has happened.

Everything remains exactly as it was. 
I am I, and you are you, 
and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. 
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by the old familiar name. 
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. 
Put no difference into your tone. 
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. 
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. 
Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it.

Life means all that it ever meant. 
It is the same as it ever was. 
There is absolute and unbroken continuity. 
What is this death but a negligible accident?

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? 
I am but waiting for you, for an interval, 
somewhere very near, 
just round the corner.

All is well. 
Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost. 
One brief moment and all will be as it was before. 

How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!”

5. He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man.
                                            Antoine de Saint-Exupery

6. September has been dreary, both this year and last.
    

7. Bob Dylan - “Blowing in The Wind”




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