Saturday, March 23, 2013
New Musical Terms
Husband has admonished me to clean out the 2500 emails in my inbox. In accomplishing this feat, I came across a list of New Musical Terms which I give to you for your enjoyment.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
A Holiday in Cincinnati
The children and I headed to Cincinnati a few months back in order to enjoy the last gasps of Winter Break before oldest daughter headed back to university. We had a few places on our list: the Travelsmith Outlet, Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, Joseph Beth Booksellers, and Old St. Mary Church.
Since we'd be in the area only one night, we decided to go to the cemetery after checking into the hotel. Oldest daughter had learned about it from a few of her professors. It is the second largest cemetery in the United States, and is impressive to drive through; I confess to worrying about getting lost. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of the arboretum to see in January, so we'll have to schedule another visit during warmer weather. (The following are web pictures.)
According to google maps, our hotel was across the street from the complex that housed the outlet store. What luck! After having dinner, we looked for the store but weren't successful. The GPS was leading us in circles. After yet another web search we found.....that the outlet had closed in October. Dagnabbit! We were hoping to snag some good deals for daughter's upcoming Study Abroad in Rome, but it was not to be. *sad face*
In the morning, after an entertaining stop at Jungle Jim's International Market we headed to Old St. Mary's Church, the oldest standing church in Cincinnati. The church is astonishingly beautiful, as I knew it would be from web photos. We stayed longer than intended; indeed, time seemed to almost stop in this place. Adoration was scheduled during our visit, an added bonus. Yes, I felt guilty about walking around during Adoration, but since the church is a tourist destination, I hoped Jesus (and the lone adorer) would understand. Thank heavens the children are all well-behaved. :) This link has a 360 degree tour of the church. I took some shots of the church and a few side altars.
Our last stop was the independent bookstore, which was huge and wonderful. Oldest daughter would have spent all day here had she been able. We drove home, arriving safe and sound. Thank you Jesus.
Since we'd be in the area only one night, we decided to go to the cemetery after checking into the hotel. Oldest daughter had learned about it from a few of her professors. It is the second largest cemetery in the United States, and is impressive to drive through; I confess to worrying about getting lost. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of the arboretum to see in January, so we'll have to schedule another visit during warmer weather. (The following are web pictures.)
According to google maps, our hotel was across the street from the complex that housed the outlet store. What luck! After having dinner, we looked for the store but weren't successful. The GPS was leading us in circles. After yet another web search we found.....that the outlet had closed in October. Dagnabbit! We were hoping to snag some good deals for daughter's upcoming Study Abroad in Rome, but it was not to be. *sad face*
In the morning, after an entertaining stop at Jungle Jim's International Market we headed to Old St. Mary's Church, the oldest standing church in Cincinnati. The church is astonishingly beautiful, as I knew it would be from web photos. We stayed longer than intended; indeed, time seemed to almost stop in this place. Adoration was scheduled during our visit, an added bonus. Yes, I felt guilty about walking around during Adoration, but since the church is a tourist destination, I hoped Jesus (and the lone adorer) would understand. Thank heavens the children are all well-behaved. :) This link has a 360 degree tour of the church. I took some shots of the church and a few side altars.
Our last stop was the independent bookstore, which was huge and wonderful. Oldest daughter would have spent all day here had she been able. We drove home, arriving safe and sound. Thank you Jesus.
Habemus Papam!
February 11, 2013 was a lousy day. My beloved Pope Benedict XVI announced that he would abdicate the throne of St. Peter. I understood that he was guided by the Holy Spirit in this decision but felt like I'd been kicked in the stomach. February 28 came and we witnessed the end of our Papa's reign. And the tears came too easily.
Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aries was elected Supreme Pontiff yesterday and is now known as Pope Francis. As he was introduced to us and stood before us on the balcony, I recalled the feeling of witnessing my newborn babies for the first time, and feeling the overwhelming, deep love for them. The feeling was similar as I watched Pope Francis. What a gift he is for us! Already the world is touched by his sweet, gentle nature. (And the Usual Suspects are shocked *again* that the Pope is Catholic.)
Please pray for Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI every day.
Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aries was elected Supreme Pontiff yesterday and is now known as Pope Francis. As he was introduced to us and stood before us on the balcony, I recalled the feeling of witnessing my newborn babies for the first time, and feeling the overwhelming, deep love for them. The feeling was similar as I watched Pope Francis. What a gift he is for us! Already the world is touched by his sweet, gentle nature. (And the Usual Suspects are shocked *again* that the Pope is Catholic.)
Please pray for Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI every day.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Christmas 2012
Having once again survived Advent and the beginning of the Christmas season, Mary decided to post something fairly normal on her blog. :)
It was unfortunately necessary for the family to split up this year; Husband and three children went to his mom's house in order to take her to Christmas eve Mass. Eldest Daughter--registrational assistant, page turner, and merry-maker--stayed with me to assist at the Christmas eve services at The Job.
After playing for the first service, Daughter and I got a bite to eat then checked in at our hotel, where we received a coupon for the restaurant where we had just eaten. (#Fail) We returned to the church where everything happened pretty much as it ought. (Well, except for all the mistakes on that postlude. Really it's amazing it went as well as it did, since this brain-dead-after-11p.m.-organist was playing it at about 12:45 a.m.) The choir members gave me lovely card with a very generous gift inside. Several of them told me, with tears in their eyes, how much they appreciate me. This is how you can tell it's a non-Catholic church. /sarcasm
Daughter and I arrived safely at the hotel, and attempted to sleep about an hour later. Daughter managed to do so, but I got to listen to the 3 a.m. phone conversation on the other side of my wall. No, he wasn't being loud; the walls were just that thin.
Daughter and I attended the 10 a.m. Mass at the local beautiful and reliably (for the most part) Catholic church. Mass was very nice; the priest delivered the best short-and-sweet Christmas sermon I'd ever heard. I'd expected the Mass to last 1 1/2 hours, but it was over in 50 minutes. The lowlight of the experience was that a little boy sitting in front of me, who was pushed into the communion line by his dad and who was obviously unchurched, received a host and had no idea what to do with it. He held it cupped in his hands and took it back to the pew (yes, I was watching.) When I returned to my seat, I leaned forward and told him he must consume it immediately or give it back to the priest. His dad told him to eat it, and the boy was very displeased. Finally after much effort, the host was consumed. I'm not convinced I did the right thing, but the boy was not to blame; his father was. And I surely didn't want the host pocketed and taken home.
After stopping and saying hello to my parents, we continued on to the in-law's house where we enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner with extended family. This was the first Christmas without my beloved father-in-law, and that made the whole experience more poignant. He was sorely missed.
Husband announced that the previous weather watch had turned into a Winter Storm Warning, which put Mary on alert. I could not stay for an extended time, and I could not return home in the middle of a storm driving a tiny car with tiny tires. The decision was made to return home that evening. So Daughter and I retrieved our bags and started the drive back. I was so tired, not having slept the night before, but we arrived home safely nearly three hours later, just in time for the Doctor Who Christmas Special.
Winter precipitation at home was minimal, but the rest of the family got enough snow to enjoy some Extreme Sledding.
And now, as in every year, we must recover from the Christmas flu. The vacation plans that I made will have to wait.
It was unfortunately necessary for the family to split up this year; Husband and three children went to his mom's house in order to take her to Christmas eve Mass. Eldest Daughter--registrational assistant, page turner, and merry-maker--stayed with me to assist at the Christmas eve services at The Job.
After playing for the first service, Daughter and I got a bite to eat then checked in at our hotel, where we received a coupon for the restaurant where we had just eaten. (#Fail) We returned to the church where everything happened pretty much as it ought. (Well, except for all the mistakes on that postlude. Really it's amazing it went as well as it did, since this brain-dead-after-11p.m.-organist was playing it at about 12:45 a.m.) The choir members gave me lovely card with a very generous gift inside. Several of them told me, with tears in their eyes, how much they appreciate me. This is how you can tell it's a non-Catholic church. /sarcasm
Daughter and I arrived safely at the hotel, and attempted to sleep about an hour later. Daughter managed to do so, but I got to listen to the 3 a.m. phone conversation on the other side of my wall. No, he wasn't being loud; the walls were just that thin.
Daughter and I attended the 10 a.m. Mass at the local beautiful and reliably (for the most part) Catholic church. Mass was very nice; the priest delivered the best short-and-sweet Christmas sermon I'd ever heard. I'd expected the Mass to last 1 1/2 hours, but it was over in 50 minutes. The lowlight of the experience was that a little boy sitting in front of me, who was pushed into the communion line by his dad and who was obviously unchurched, received a host and had no idea what to do with it. He held it cupped in his hands and took it back to the pew (yes, I was watching.) When I returned to my seat, I leaned forward and told him he must consume it immediately or give it back to the priest. His dad told him to eat it, and the boy was very displeased. Finally after much effort, the host was consumed. I'm not convinced I did the right thing, but the boy was not to blame; his father was. And I surely didn't want the host pocketed and taken home.
After stopping and saying hello to my parents, we continued on to the in-law's house where we enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner with extended family. This was the first Christmas without my beloved father-in-law, and that made the whole experience more poignant. He was sorely missed.
Husband announced that the previous weather watch had turned into a Winter Storm Warning, which put Mary on alert. I could not stay for an extended time, and I could not return home in the middle of a storm driving a tiny car with tiny tires. The decision was made to return home that evening. So Daughter and I retrieved our bags and started the drive back. I was so tired, not having slept the night before, but we arrived home safely nearly three hours later, just in time for the Doctor Who Christmas Special.
Winter precipitation at home was minimal, but the rest of the family got enough snow to enjoy some Extreme Sledding.
And now, as in every year, we must recover from the Christmas flu. The vacation plans that I made will have to wait.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Hodie Christus Natus Est!
O magnum mysteriumet admirabile sacramentum,ut animalia viderent Dominum natumjacentem in praesepio.
- O beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt
- portare Dominum Jesum Christum.
Ave Maria, gratia plena: Dominus tecum.
- O beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt
- portare Dominum Jesum Christum.
Alleluia!
O great mystery
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the new-born Lord
lying in a manger!
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the new-born Lord
lying in a manger!
- O blessed is the Virgin, whose womb
- was worthy to bear Christ the Lord.
Hail Mary, full of grace: the Lord is with you.
- Blessed is the Virgin whose womb
- was worthy to bear Christ the Lord.
Alleluia!
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Anima Christi
This is my favorite prayer, which perfectly expresses my gratitude for receiving Our Lord's Body and Blood in Holy Communion and my awe at the Gift that has been given to us as Life for our souls.
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.Thank you, Jesus.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever. Amen.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
A Special Short Story
“One Special Please,” she asked the
buggy owner clearly, being careful to inflect just the right tone, at
just the right volume. Then she couldn't be accused of flirtacious or
overly-American behavior.
“One dollar.” The buggy owner did
not look at her as he requested his payment, and she was grateful for
that. She dug deep into her pocket and pulled out a single dollar.
All she had.
She and her friends hadn't been out
that long that wintery Saturday evening, although calling them
“friends” required quite the stretch of definition. They were
merely acquaintances, and she didn't even like them. “No matter,”
she thought. She was glad there were people who didn't mind being
around her. They'd all played pool, and she was pretty good at it.
Holding the stick and lining up shots was a fairly safe activity,
because it was easy to not meet anyone's eyes while doing it. As long
as she looked and spoke only to women, everything would be fine.
She'd had a Special once before. She'd
never tried anything else because the Special was the cheapest thing
they had, and she had not much to spare. She waited while the bagel
was grilled in the freezing air, slowly moving her feet up and down,
and hugging her arms tight around her body. Her jacket was just
that—a jacket, not a coat—but she didn't know this. She'd always
been cold, unable to afford an actual winter coat that could defend
the girl in sub-zero weather. Being cold was normal, and she hated
it.
She didn't wear a hat. This would
destroy her curls, and therefore, some of her looks. She wasn't
beautiful, but had been called “pretty” a few times, and
“beautiful” a few years back by a boy who was in love with her.
He'd moved away, but had written letters and had come back to see her
a few times. Once, he wanted to know what she would do with herself;
would she marry the boy she was now dating? “Yes,” she lied. She was
angry with him for dating another girl, yet she knew this lie would
only hurt her. He'd clearly stated that if she answered “yes” he
would never come back and never contact her. He'd been a handsome
Italian-looking boy, with black curly hair, black eyes, and olive
skin. His twin brother had pale skin, though, and their older brother
had blond curly hair with blue eyes. Even though they'd talked for
hours on the phone over a period of years, she never thought to ask
him about his heritage. And true to his word, she never saw nor
heard from him again.
The bagel owner hand her the Special.
It was so hot it nearly burned her freezing hands, but she was
thankful for the heat. She walked with a few of her friends across
the street to a large steam grate that would help warm her body.
After peeling back the foil from the bagel, she bit into the creamy
goodness of the treat, with the copious cream cheese and strawberry
jam dripping out between the two layers of bread. She tried to not
think about the beating that would later happen at the hands of her
current very-handsome boyfriend. Even though she'd been careful to
not look up, he would have surely seen a slip where she was making
eyes with another man. It happened a lot. Some day, he would see that
she was a good person and deserved better treatment; she was sure of
it. She was happy that he wanted to be around her.
But for now, as she took another bite
of the Special, life was good, warm, and delicious.
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