Back in 1924 Little Orphan Annie and I were born. She came on the scene in August and I showed up in November.We traveled down the long road together. We both had red hair but there the resemblance ended. She was an orphan and I had a full blown family. Mother, Dad,Joe, Mart, Paul and I. She was adopted by Daddy Warbucks who made his money pretty much like Haliburton and was obscenely rich. She had a friend named Punjab, an Indian Prince. My dad worked for the Big Four Railroad and barely eked out a living. She had a dog named Sandy, I had my Grandpa Charters, the blacksmith, and my Grandpa Morrissey, the cattle trader/farmer. and a dog named Trixie. Annie had eyes that looked like marshmallows and mine were blue, Sandy's eyes were like marshmallows, also. Trixie's were brown. Unlike me she never aged nor did she ever change her dress. Her dress was red, long sleeved and had white collars and cuffs. My dresses were varied and usually had former owners, but were never red. She had many adventures and pretty much spurned the luxury life offered her by Daddy Warbucks. Her favorite expletive, when she got in some of her fixes was, "Leaping Lizzards, Sandy." Mine was, "Rats!"
So, maybe you can understand my sorrow and regret to hear that after 85 years of her saga printed in the daily papers across the country she is leaving. Yes, it's true. Her last published account will take place on June 13th, 2010. It behooves me to think I will not get to see or read her swan song or strip because our paper does not print her strip on their comic page. In recent years the name of the strip changed to just plain, "Annie". Goodbye, Annie, you will be sorely missed, I hope you find a new venue because I don't intend to quit so you should not either.Ciao
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Seems there are so many things to write about that it is hard to pick a favorite subject. I wrote a number of months ago about the Rock that Ohio and Kentucky were each laying claim to. The dispute heated up to the point that Kentucky sued Ohio to get possession of the disputed Rock. Well, it finally happened! Portsmouth, Ohio, the culprit that has had the Rock hidden away in some garage on their side of the Ohio River, has had to go down in defeat. They have been ordered to transport the Rock back to the Kentucky side of the river, to its rightful home. Court ordered! Major problem is, that while they are compliant with the ruling they have had to admit that they do not have a hoist strong enough to lift the Rock onto the truck to transport it to its Old Kentucky home and then unload it when they get it there. (Is that a run on sentence?) Well, anyway,case not closed quite yet. Question, why don't they use the hoist that they used when they pulled it from the river in the first place? What a conundrum!
We got the derby under our belts and are now preparing for the next big event i.e. The Fitzgerald Family Fun Festival. It takes place on June 19, 2010 at Andrea and Travis's house. Y'all come. Since the family has grown from two (Doc and I) to 60 members, we are talking big time event. I have taken on the task of writing a second edition of the family cookbook. Gregg has helped me to get it all together and Shannon has taken on duties of helping where ever I need help. If it does come together by June 19th it is going to be a thing to behold. I have recipes from almost every family member already and expect more in the coming days. It is so much fun to see all of the different foods and I want to try every one of them. As a matter of fact, I have tried a few of them and plan to eventually try them all. What a collection of gourmet recipes. We hope to serve some of them at the Reunion on the 19th.
We have had some devastating storms around the country, Nashville being the nearest. Billions of dollars in damages. Then the dreadful oil well explosion off the coast of Louisiana that has not yet been reigned in. The oil spewing from that well has the potential of being felt by people all around the world. A terrorist parking an SUV in Time's Square that was loaded with what he hoped to be a deadly bomb reminds us all that we are still vulnerable and should be ever vigilant. We should be thankful for every day that we live through. So far the suspects of terrorism lately, have been totally incompetant.
See, I haven't even mentioned the political turmoil that is on going in our country. People complaining about big government when a lot of our distress is because of too little government. The lack of regulations on Wall Street participants, and big banks, the disregard of the gov't regulations set for mine owners that if they had been held to abide by the regulations set for them, lives could have been saved. The high cost of health care and health insurance in the country because of a lack of government regulations. I could go on and on. We need more government not less. We are the people of this country and our taxes are paid so that the gov't can see that we can be insured of Domestic Tranquility, provide for a common Defence,promote the general Welfare,and secure the blessings of Liberty for ourselves and our posterity. The Government is supposed to be for the people, by the people. How can people persue happiness when they fear that their home will be foreclosed, their job will be shipped out of the country, their life may be in unnecessary danger because of lack of control by the government to enforce rules and regulations made to provide for their safety. We need to get more for our buck. We need to reign in the out of control Wall St. gamblers, banks and anyone else that is jeopardizing our general Welfare! Ciao.
We got the derby under our belts and are now preparing for the next big event i.e. The Fitzgerald Family Fun Festival. It takes place on June 19, 2010 at Andrea and Travis's house. Y'all come. Since the family has grown from two (Doc and I) to 60 members, we are talking big time event. I have taken on the task of writing a second edition of the family cookbook. Gregg has helped me to get it all together and Shannon has taken on duties of helping where ever I need help. If it does come together by June 19th it is going to be a thing to behold. I have recipes from almost every family member already and expect more in the coming days. It is so much fun to see all of the different foods and I want to try every one of them. As a matter of fact, I have tried a few of them and plan to eventually try them all. What a collection of gourmet recipes. We hope to serve some of them at the Reunion on the 19th.
We have had some devastating storms around the country, Nashville being the nearest. Billions of dollars in damages. Then the dreadful oil well explosion off the coast of Louisiana that has not yet been reigned in. The oil spewing from that well has the potential of being felt by people all around the world. A terrorist parking an SUV in Time's Square that was loaded with what he hoped to be a deadly bomb reminds us all that we are still vulnerable and should be ever vigilant. We should be thankful for every day that we live through. So far the suspects of terrorism lately, have been totally incompetant.
See, I haven't even mentioned the political turmoil that is on going in our country. People complaining about big government when a lot of our distress is because of too little government. The lack of regulations on Wall Street participants, and big banks, the disregard of the gov't regulations set for mine owners that if they had been held to abide by the regulations set for them, lives could have been saved. The high cost of health care and health insurance in the country because of a lack of government regulations. I could go on and on. We need more government not less. We are the people of this country and our taxes are paid so that the gov't can see that we can be insured of Domestic Tranquility, provide for a common Defence,promote the general Welfare,and secure the blessings of Liberty for ourselves and our posterity. The Government is supposed to be for the people, by the people. How can people persue happiness when they fear that their home will be foreclosed, their job will be shipped out of the country, their life may be in unnecessary danger because of lack of control by the government to enforce rules and regulations made to provide for their safety. We need to get more for our buck. We need to reign in the out of control Wall St. gamblers, banks and anyone else that is jeopardizing our general Welfare! Ciao.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Derby 136
I and 156,000 other people had a grand and gloriously soggy day at Churchill Downs! I'm already looking forward to Derby 137. Each and every derby is unique. This year one of our guests that came had never been to a derby before and was quite shocked when I told her the KY Derby Race is actually the final event in the annual event.
We started two Saturdays ago as usual, with Thunder Over Louisville. We had over 700,000 people attend in person on the river front to see the most spectacular firework display in the country. It was preceded by an air show that included para-shooters, fighter jets, stunt fliers, all types of military air force planes, and many other flying events that kept the crowds happy until 9PM when it became dark enough to start the fire works. The Air Show started about 3 PM. The following weekend, Balloon Glow took place at Bowman Field. It also waits until it is dark enough for the gorgeous sight of the glowing balloons rising up over the field. I takes place on Friday night and then on Saturday morning there is a balloon race and also a mini-marathon (thirteen miles) and a regular marathon (23 miles)that draws participants from all over the country. The full marathon runners start their run across the river in Indiana. They run across the bridge and then continue on the course on the Louisville side of the Ohio River. I don't remember how many ran in that race but 17,000 ran the Mini. Michael was one of the Mini runners. He had run in that race for lots of years and then stopped about 5 years ago. This year he decieded to run again. He was pleased with his time. It was not quite as good as it was 5 years ago but Hey, he did it and he was not quite as young as he was 5 years ago! (The actual balloon race had to be cancelled because of the weather.)
Mean while the "Rat Race" was run at Spaulding University,( the run for the Cheery-o's),the next day the Run for the Ros'e (wine) a few waiters and waitresses have treys of glasses of wine and run a course on the Bellvedere to see who has spilled the least by the end of the race, The Bed Race is run by competing groups, WAVE 3, Ford and many others, rig beds up with wheels and steering devises and while a young lady attempts to steer and a group of males push from the rear of the bed with long 'handles' they race two at a time on parrallel tracks to see who has the best time. As rediculous as that sounds, I have watched those races on TV and find them to be very funny. Ford plant workers are the most frequent winners.
On Wednesday of the week preceding Derby the Belle of Louisville races one of the Cincinnati boats that come down the Ohio to race. It is great sport, they first have a calliope competition and then amid cheers and jeers set off up the river to Three Mile Island where they make a turn and come back to the 4th St. Dock. Both boats are filled to capacity with passengers. I noticed this year, the Captain of the Cinci Boat was quite large, I mean quite!! Which ever boat can figure out how to cheat best is always the winner. This year it was Cinci so probably next year The Belle will have mapped out a strategy for winning. Trust me they have some big time cheating ploys!
Thursday is the Pegasus Parade. It also is very well attended. Usually some celebrity or other has the honor of being the parade uh,uh, I forget what he/she is called.Could he be the Grand Master? It is sometimes a sport's figure, Movie star, TV star or someone recognizable.
Friday is Oaks Day. Originally the Oak's race was supposed to be the day the locals went to the track but in recent years more and more out of towners have descended upon us and it is as crowded as the Derby. Only Fillies run in the Oaks. I bet on Tidal Pool this year, had her across the board and she came in 3rd. so I made a little money. I actually lost a little money. The weather was beautiful! Sunshine, about 75 degrees, breezy and generrally pleasant. Great crowd.
I should mention here ,that at about 4PM Thursday Linda, Gregg and Nathan started the ball rolling for establishing our 'spot'at the Downs for the upcoming events. Chairs,coolers, libations, tarps, tent type items etc. were stored in an undisclosed place. Then at about 5:30 or 6:00AM on Friday morning they were there to set everything up for the day. I did not take part in that activity but I had a direct line to Linda and could place my bets from home. (placed only the one on the Oaks race) ( Put down $6 got back $5) . Nathan had a few umpire friends join in the fun along with the other family members.
Finally, the big day arrived!! My neice, grand nephew and his significant other came down from Cincinnati on Friday night and stayed with me. Cynthia is a bona fied member of the 'hold the fort down' committee since she and Linda went last year to do the honors, also. So she and Linda left about 5;45 or 6:00AM in the teeming rain, dodging lightning bolts, and cringing at the following thunder to do the duty at the track. What can I say? How dedicated is that? Bravo, L. and C.
Karen, Paul, Sandena, her Paul, Gregg and I went out about 10 O'clock AM Neither rain nor hail and all that stuff could keep us away. The lightning and thunder had stopped. Just rain, more rain and more rain. We did have a break around 11'00 but it all came back. I had on boots but not those cool, decorative rubber books that are all the rage this year. I would buy some but it might not be raining next year and that is the only time I would wear them. Alas!
You may have heard that old saying; "rain before seven clear before eleven"? Guess what? It did clear-up before eleven but then started raining harder about twelve or so. Undaunted, we all got our programs out, mapped out our bets for the day, ate chicken, drank our libation of choice, took copius pictures of horses, put down bets and slogged around in the mud. There is so much to see. The parade of horses and their owners and their entourage walk past our site. The ladies in gorgeous outfits and spike heels (on ocasion are carrying the shoes and walking barefooted.) The horses and their stable mates passing by along with the outriders. The track keepers driving the tractors and dragging the track after each race. The gate sometimes has to be moved into the shoot when the race is a really long one We can walk down about 100 yards and see the horses loaded into the gate. That's fun! When an actual race is being run, it is so breath taking to see the horses coming around the turn and thunder right past us. There is a fence and about 10 feet of grass between us and the horses! I love to hear the horses huffing as they go by. We can see what position our horse is in when they run past. So much excitment and fun. What an experience.
We didn't get to go visit the barns or go into the Lucas barn because it was too rainy and muddy. I did go sit in the Lucas barn for awhile as a respite from the rain and then later took a few pictures of Wayne's pony standing around loking bored.
I had Super Saver (Calvin Borel was the jocky and Todd Pletcher was the trainer) across the board. (He won!)and I had Ice Box across the board and he placed so I will collect place and show on him. Win, place and show on Super Saver! I didn't cash my tickets yet, maybe I should wait and see if Super Saver wins the Preakness and the Belmont. Ciao!
We started two Saturdays ago as usual, with Thunder Over Louisville. We had over 700,000 people attend in person on the river front to see the most spectacular firework display in the country. It was preceded by an air show that included para-shooters, fighter jets, stunt fliers, all types of military air force planes, and many other flying events that kept the crowds happy until 9PM when it became dark enough to start the fire works. The Air Show started about 3 PM. The following weekend, Balloon Glow took place at Bowman Field. It also waits until it is dark enough for the gorgeous sight of the glowing balloons rising up over the field. I takes place on Friday night and then on Saturday morning there is a balloon race and also a mini-marathon (thirteen miles) and a regular marathon (23 miles)that draws participants from all over the country. The full marathon runners start their run across the river in Indiana. They run across the bridge and then continue on the course on the Louisville side of the Ohio River. I don't remember how many ran in that race but 17,000 ran the Mini. Michael was one of the Mini runners. He had run in that race for lots of years and then stopped about 5 years ago. This year he decieded to run again. He was pleased with his time. It was not quite as good as it was 5 years ago but Hey, he did it and he was not quite as young as he was 5 years ago! (The actual balloon race had to be cancelled because of the weather.)
Mean while the "Rat Race" was run at Spaulding University,( the run for the Cheery-o's),the next day the Run for the Ros'e (wine) a few waiters and waitresses have treys of glasses of wine and run a course on the Bellvedere to see who has spilled the least by the end of the race, The Bed Race is run by competing groups, WAVE 3, Ford and many others, rig beds up with wheels and steering devises and while a young lady attempts to steer and a group of males push from the rear of the bed with long 'handles' they race two at a time on parrallel tracks to see who has the best time. As rediculous as that sounds, I have watched those races on TV and find them to be very funny. Ford plant workers are the most frequent winners.
On Wednesday of the week preceding Derby the Belle of Louisville races one of the Cincinnati boats that come down the Ohio to race. It is great sport, they first have a calliope competition and then amid cheers and jeers set off up the river to Three Mile Island where they make a turn and come back to the 4th St. Dock. Both boats are filled to capacity with passengers. I noticed this year, the Captain of the Cinci Boat was quite large, I mean quite!! Which ever boat can figure out how to cheat best is always the winner. This year it was Cinci so probably next year The Belle will have mapped out a strategy for winning. Trust me they have some big time cheating ploys!
Thursday is the Pegasus Parade. It also is very well attended. Usually some celebrity or other has the honor of being the parade uh,uh, I forget what he/she is called.Could he be the Grand Master? It is sometimes a sport's figure, Movie star, TV star or someone recognizable.
Friday is Oaks Day. Originally the Oak's race was supposed to be the day the locals went to the track but in recent years more and more out of towners have descended upon us and it is as crowded as the Derby. Only Fillies run in the Oaks. I bet on Tidal Pool this year, had her across the board and she came in 3rd. so I made a little money. I actually lost a little money. The weather was beautiful! Sunshine, about 75 degrees, breezy and generrally pleasant. Great crowd.
I should mention here ,that at about 4PM Thursday Linda, Gregg and Nathan started the ball rolling for establishing our 'spot'at the Downs for the upcoming events. Chairs,coolers, libations, tarps, tent type items etc. were stored in an undisclosed place. Then at about 5:30 or 6:00AM on Friday morning they were there to set everything up for the day. I did not take part in that activity but I had a direct line to Linda and could place my bets from home. (placed only the one on the Oaks race) ( Put down $6 got back $5) . Nathan had a few umpire friends join in the fun along with the other family members.
Finally, the big day arrived!! My neice, grand nephew and his significant other came down from Cincinnati on Friday night and stayed with me. Cynthia is a bona fied member of the 'hold the fort down' committee since she and Linda went last year to do the honors, also. So she and Linda left about 5;45 or 6:00AM in the teeming rain, dodging lightning bolts, and cringing at the following thunder to do the duty at the track. What can I say? How dedicated is that? Bravo, L. and C.
Karen, Paul, Sandena, her Paul, Gregg and I went out about 10 O'clock AM Neither rain nor hail and all that stuff could keep us away. The lightning and thunder had stopped. Just rain, more rain and more rain. We did have a break around 11'00 but it all came back. I had on boots but not those cool, decorative rubber books that are all the rage this year. I would buy some but it might not be raining next year and that is the only time I would wear them. Alas!
You may have heard that old saying; "rain before seven clear before eleven"? Guess what? It did clear-up before eleven but then started raining harder about twelve or so. Undaunted, we all got our programs out, mapped out our bets for the day, ate chicken, drank our libation of choice, took copius pictures of horses, put down bets and slogged around in the mud. There is so much to see. The parade of horses and their owners and their entourage walk past our site. The ladies in gorgeous outfits and spike heels (on ocasion are carrying the shoes and walking barefooted.) The horses and their stable mates passing by along with the outriders. The track keepers driving the tractors and dragging the track after each race. The gate sometimes has to be moved into the shoot when the race is a really long one We can walk down about 100 yards and see the horses loaded into the gate. That's fun! When an actual race is being run, it is so breath taking to see the horses coming around the turn and thunder right past us. There is a fence and about 10 feet of grass between us and the horses! I love to hear the horses huffing as they go by. We can see what position our horse is in when they run past. So much excitment and fun. What an experience.
We didn't get to go visit the barns or go into the Lucas barn because it was too rainy and muddy. I did go sit in the Lucas barn for awhile as a respite from the rain and then later took a few pictures of Wayne's pony standing around loking bored.
I had Super Saver (Calvin Borel was the jocky and Todd Pletcher was the trainer) across the board. (He won!)and I had Ice Box across the board and he placed so I will collect place and show on him. Win, place and show on Super Saver! I didn't cash my tickets yet, maybe I should wait and see if Super Saver wins the Preakness and the Belmont. Ciao!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Scary Times
I think part of the reason why I have not written much on my blog lately is because most of the news is so depressing and I hate to write about what's going on. One benefit of writing the cook book is that I am not spending as much time watching the news shows. I've been in a funk lately and am really bordering on depression . When I analyze my feelings I have to realize that things are going well in my life. I am in very good health, my most recent colonoscopy was 'clean' and I was told to come back in three years. My routine check up from the gastro-enterologist was good, I have energy and enjoy helping out at MDS, no one has broken in to my house lately, no intruders have dropped in to scare the lights out of me, so why am I so glum?
I've become more and more upset about the gun issue in this country. When people feel free to carry guns at all times, when the media shows pictures of people openly carrying rifles to public gatherings. I read an account in the paper yesterday about a whole group of men, self designated militiamen, carrying AK-47's over their shoulders and holstered 9 mm, guns on their bodies and displaying their casch of ammo on their belts. Their message, they claimed was that they were peaceful but ready to 'take back' their country when the time is right.
A few years ago a friend and I were having lunch together when another person joined us. She had been off work the day before and explained to us that her husband had traveled out of town to a gun show and she had gone with him. She said he bought two more guns to add to his large collection of guns. One of us asked why he had so many guns and she replied, "He wants to be ready when the little black folks try to take over entirely". She said when the time came she was going to take her son and get the heck out of Dodge. I admit that her statements shocked me! That was the first time I realized that we have our own home grown terrorists to fear. They are not all in the hills of Utah, or the hinterlands of Michigan, or other back country locations but we have them right here in our own back yard in Louisville, Kentucky.
I used to worry and deplore the fact that so many hand guns found their way into the hands of the criminals and the irresponsible segment of society.I lamented the fact that so many youth were killed by other youths that had access to guns. It was almost epidemic in our city. I looked upon it as a waste of human lives. Little did I know that lurking in the grey area were droves of men arming themselves with enough fire power to kill us all. WHY?
I think we all know why these rabble rousers are out there screaming in the streets holding up their obscene signs and threatening all of us.
The First Amendment gives the people the right to PEACEABLY assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The Second Amendment says "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, gives the right of the people to keep and bear arms."
Please, someone tell me, are these amendments being properly interpreted?
Let us pray," God, protect us from anxiety and God protect us from the enemy! Amen,"
Are there any among you who remember"Pogo" on the comic page? He said, "We was lookin' for the enemy and found the enemy is us".
Ciao
I've become more and more upset about the gun issue in this country. When people feel free to carry guns at all times, when the media shows pictures of people openly carrying rifles to public gatherings. I read an account in the paper yesterday about a whole group of men, self designated militiamen, carrying AK-47's over their shoulders and holstered 9 mm, guns on their bodies and displaying their casch of ammo on their belts. Their message, they claimed was that they were peaceful but ready to 'take back' their country when the time is right.
A few years ago a friend and I were having lunch together when another person joined us. She had been off work the day before and explained to us that her husband had traveled out of town to a gun show and she had gone with him. She said he bought two more guns to add to his large collection of guns. One of us asked why he had so many guns and she replied, "He wants to be ready when the little black folks try to take over entirely". She said when the time came she was going to take her son and get the heck out of Dodge. I admit that her statements shocked me! That was the first time I realized that we have our own home grown terrorists to fear. They are not all in the hills of Utah, or the hinterlands of Michigan, or other back country locations but we have them right here in our own back yard in Louisville, Kentucky.
I used to worry and deplore the fact that so many hand guns found their way into the hands of the criminals and the irresponsible segment of society.I lamented the fact that so many youth were killed by other youths that had access to guns. It was almost epidemic in our city. I looked upon it as a waste of human lives. Little did I know that lurking in the grey area were droves of men arming themselves with enough fire power to kill us all. WHY?
I think we all know why these rabble rousers are out there screaming in the streets holding up their obscene signs and threatening all of us.
The First Amendment gives the people the right to PEACEABLY assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The Second Amendment says "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, gives the right of the people to keep and bear arms."
Please, someone tell me, are these amendments being properly interpreted?
Let us pray," God, protect us from anxiety and God protect us from the enemy! Amen,"
Are there any among you who remember"Pogo" on the comic page? He said, "We was lookin' for the enemy and found the enemy is us".
Ciao
Monday, April 12, 2010
I have been working dilligently on the cook book that I hope to get finished by the Fitzgerald Family Fun Festival that will take place on June 19,2010 at Travis and Andrea's. It has been nice to have a project that I can look forward to each day. I spend many hours typing all of the recipes into the computer. I find myself wanting to try so many of the recipes, they all sound so good, as a matter of fact, I have tried quite a few of them since I've been compliling. I have fallen way behind on my blogging. I have so many subjects that I want to write about but I'm tapped out by the end of the day. I was going to say 'typed out' but the modern day language usage requires that we refer to typing as key boarding. We now have key boarding, skate boarding, and water boarding!
Among other subjects, I wanted to finish my account of my Perfect Easter Sunday. The weather was fabulous. Temperature perfect, sun shined all day and excellent company and food all day long. What more could I ask for. As I mentioned earlier (blog before this) I was very moved by the ceremony at church, very pleased with the gourmet breakfast, and then I went home and made a vanilla cream pie that I refuse to be humble about, it was superb!
At Linda's Stephanie and Lee and the two boys, Pearce and Robert were there, Courtney, with her two girls, Ellen and Madeline (Al was working and Sam stayed in the country with his Grandpa Ward) and Nathan and Erin with their two girls, Marie and Molly Beth. We had such fun chatting and visiting. I haven't had a chance to talk to Stephanie and Courtney for a long time.
Among other subjects, I wanted to finish my account of my Perfect Easter Sunday. The weather was fabulous. Temperature perfect, sun shined all day and excellent company and food all day long. What more could I ask for. As I mentioned earlier (blog before this) I was very moved by the ceremony at church, very pleased with the gourmet breakfast, and then I went home and made a vanilla cream pie that I refuse to be humble about, it was superb!
At Linda's Stephanie and Lee and the two boys, Pearce and Robert were there, Courtney, with her two girls, Ellen and Madeline (Al was working and Sam stayed in the country with his Grandpa Ward) and Nathan and Erin with their two girls, Marie and Molly Beth. We had such fun chatting and visiting. I haven't had a chance to talk to Stephanie and Courtney for a long time.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
eASTER eGGS
We sometimes joke about the C &E Catholics. They are the Catholics that only come to church on Christmas and Easter, and while I am glad to see all of them there, I sometimes resent the ones that sit in My pew. I designate it, my pew, when actually it is any not any one's pew. It is there for the general population and just because I choose to sit there every Sunday does not make it MY pew. We become so territorial as time goes by. I claim ownership for the space where I park my car each Sunday! Then when someone usurps My space, I feel put upon. I heard that some wag , in an attempt to be funny, posted a sign on the windshield of one of the usurpers saying, " Thanks to you, I had to walk three blocks to get to church today. I faithfully attend every Sunday and park in an easily accessible space a few steps from the door of the church; however today you are parked in My space and probably will be sitting in My pew while I stand in the back of the church hoping I do not faint from over exertion! May God bless you." That is rather amusing but I must question the Christian spirit of the sign writer. I am sure he/she had no intention of offending the recipient of the sign.
My pew and My parking space were up for grabs Easter Sunday because I went to church with K and P. I could very well have been considered a usurper at their church. It was a very beautiful ceremony. We knew that we needed to arrive early but to our chagrin we found that 45minutes early is too early. We toured the back streets of J-town and found our way to Wallmart to buy some Honey Buns. Yes, you heard me right!
We were back in plenty of time to get a parking space and there were many pews available. I loved the ceremony. At St. Martha the Mass I attend is a 'no frills' Mass. So it was wonderful to hear all of the trumpets, and the organ and the joyful voices of the choir singing, and the parade of the celebrant, servers and others entering the church. There was a young child being baptized at that Mass and she walked up the aisle with her parents and her siblings following behind the priest et al. She was garbed in a dull brown robe and responded to all questions at the back of the church by the baptismal font by nodding her head. Father had introduced her as Elaina and said she was very shy.
The whole ceremony was very reverent and thought provoking. There were many young children in church and I could not help but compare their murmurings and cooing to the birds in my back yard in the early morning.
Father gave a very good and timely sermon. I listened to his words and wondered why the Pope could not speak to our church in the same manner and use some of the same words. He pointed out that the people in the church this morning and the people around the world that have professed to be members of the Roman Catholic Church are in fact 'the church'. He spoke of how embarrassed he and all of the other priests that are not involved in the scandalous behavior of the few that have dishonored the church. He expressed anger at their behavior and said he understands our anger and disgust.
It was a sermon that lifted my spirits and I hope other members of the clergy will have the courage to stand up for the good and be courageous enough to express their own outrage and give notice to any one out there that is covering up this egregious behavior that we will not tolerate them any longer. Father pointed out that their actions are not only sinful they are also criminal.
The Mass started at 8:30 A.M. and ended at 10:04 A.M. Karen and Paul had a bet riding on the time that the ceremony would end. Would it end before 10:00 or after 10:00? Loser had to cook breakfast. Karen had picked after ten so Paul had to do the honors for breakfast. He prepared a great mushroom and spinach omelet, English muffins and the Honey Buns. BUT we are not just talking Honey Buns....He split them in two, slathered them with butter and FRIED them. (He is on a diet.) After the repast, he asked if it was too early to have a beer!!!Now, there's a man that lives on the edge.( He did not have the beer ;0)
My Easter wasn't over yet, I went to Linda's for dinner and I will write about that tomorrow, It also was wonderful. Ciao
My pew and My parking space were up for grabs Easter Sunday because I went to church with K and P. I could very well have been considered a usurper at their church. It was a very beautiful ceremony. We knew that we needed to arrive early but to our chagrin we found that 45minutes early is too early. We toured the back streets of J-town and found our way to Wallmart to buy some Honey Buns. Yes, you heard me right!
We were back in plenty of time to get a parking space and there were many pews available. I loved the ceremony. At St. Martha the Mass I attend is a 'no frills' Mass. So it was wonderful to hear all of the trumpets, and the organ and the joyful voices of the choir singing, and the parade of the celebrant, servers and others entering the church. There was a young child being baptized at that Mass and she walked up the aisle with her parents and her siblings following behind the priest et al. She was garbed in a dull brown robe and responded to all questions at the back of the church by the baptismal font by nodding her head. Father had introduced her as Elaina and said she was very shy.
The whole ceremony was very reverent and thought provoking. There were many young children in church and I could not help but compare their murmurings and cooing to the birds in my back yard in the early morning.
Father gave a very good and timely sermon. I listened to his words and wondered why the Pope could not speak to our church in the same manner and use some of the same words. He pointed out that the people in the church this morning and the people around the world that have professed to be members of the Roman Catholic Church are in fact 'the church'. He spoke of how embarrassed he and all of the other priests that are not involved in the scandalous behavior of the few that have dishonored the church. He expressed anger at their behavior and said he understands our anger and disgust.
It was a sermon that lifted my spirits and I hope other members of the clergy will have the courage to stand up for the good and be courageous enough to express their own outrage and give notice to any one out there that is covering up this egregious behavior that we will not tolerate them any longer. Father pointed out that their actions are not only sinful they are also criminal.
The Mass started at 8:30 A.M. and ended at 10:04 A.M. Karen and Paul had a bet riding on the time that the ceremony would end. Would it end before 10:00 or after 10:00? Loser had to cook breakfast. Karen had picked after ten so Paul had to do the honors for breakfast. He prepared a great mushroom and spinach omelet, English muffins and the Honey Buns. BUT we are not just talking Honey Buns....He split them in two, slathered them with butter and FRIED them. (He is on a diet.) After the repast, he asked if it was too early to have a beer!!!Now, there's a man that lives on the edge.( He did not have the beer ;0)
My Easter wasn't over yet, I went to Linda's for dinner and I will write about that tomorrow, It also was wonderful. Ciao
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