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Saturday, August 08, 2009

Time for a Move

Well, I'm moving.

Yes, that's right.

Today's the day.

Every so often, I look at my life and think, "Self, what could we do to shake things up?" :)

From now on, you'll find me at my new site, www.snoringscholar.com. I'm importing all the posts from here and trying to tap into the other little things and stuff that need to be moved too.

If you read this in a feed reader, you'll need to change your feed to the new website. If you get this through email, then you need to update by clicking here.

It's very much a work-in-progress and it's going to be at least another, oh, lifetime before I have it looking the way I want to. Many thanks to the help I've gotten from Austin (through chat and Twitter, the man has been very patient with me!) and to whichever angel is helping me tap into my inner patient person...

Friday, August 07, 2009

Quick Takes on How It's Going

I've been asked how it's going. I've been told my blog doesn't really relate how it might really be going. And so, as a "here's where I'm at" with my sabbatical, this week's quick takes will try to tackle that question...

--1--

The book. The first question after "How's it going?" is "How's your book coming along?" The answer: "Ummmmm." I just don't know how to answer that. You see, I've realized that, when it comes to this project, not only is it in God's hands, but it's a week-at-a-time sort of thing. Have I mentioned that I don't do well with that? Oh yeah, I have. It has been an ongoing challenge to let go and let God.

Photo from this is your brain on lithium

--2--

The peace. I have to say, taking two months off my day job for discernment has been peaceful. I didn't expect that. When I first shared about this sabbatical with my family, I was surprised at the reaction of some of them. My husband asked me when I've ever taken time off that wasn't vacation. My answer: never. Oh, I've been working, don't get me wrong. I have two little kids and there's writing to do and a house and...and...and... This peace, though, is confirmation of a few things, one of which is that God did want me to take this time off to rest.

--3--

The writing. That's the other other thing everyone wants to know when they find out I am ostensibly writing this summer. It's going OK. I've realized, having been asked this question quite a bit lately, that I have a tendency to be negative about anything related to writing; it feels so close, so tender, so dear...it's hard to trumpet my abilities when I am trying to remain realistic and I'm also naturally cynical. I had a feature piece over at Faith and Family Live earlier this week and I have plans to submit more for them. I also plan to do some submitting elsewhere. So it's going OK. And OK is good.

--4--

The kids. They're not driving me crazy. Well, not too much. And, honestly, I'm a little surprised by that. Shocked, in fact. You might say that I'm looking in the mirror and asking just who that is, that lady who's been home with her kids most of the summer...

--5--

The garden. Yielding plenty of yummy stuff. We're having tons of fun harvesting and freezing and sharing. The time of the Produce Martyrs is fast approaching, with only weeks until tomatoes and grapes are ready for our ministrations.

--6--

The weedscaping. I meant to deal with it. I haven't. Call me Scarlett O'Hara. Fall is coming, and my husband and I will (hopefully) attack it together, chemicals and sharp mechanical tools at hand.

--7--

The summer and the school year. It's flying by. I feel like school's going to start in a few weeks -- and it is. I'm working with a friend on a fun preschool homeschooling plan, and we'll see how that goes. I'm glad to have a partner in the adventure, gladder still to have the freedom to pursue it. Will we continue with homeschooling beyond this year? Well, I have thoughts on that, but I still need to form them some more.

7 Quick Takes is hosted each week at Conversion Diary, where you'll find some of the best writing on the web and plenty of laughs to get you through your week.

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Mary, Mary, and a Priest

Do I have your attention?

Good, because this week's Catholic Moments is just the thing for you. Deacon Tom (who, by the way, has a brand-new podcast of his own coming out very soon!) talks about the mysterious August snowfall that outlined Saint Mary Major in Rome (Sound like Our Lady of the Snows? Ah-ha! You've been paying attention this week!).

In my Mary Moment segment, I reflect on Mary and prayer...not praying to Mary, mind you, but using Mary as a guide to a better prayer life.

Then there's the interview Lisa did with Father Robert Barron. Wow. What a guy! What a concept! What a blessing!

What are you waiting for? Get on over and check it out!

Love Equals Sacrifice

Love Equals Sacrifice, by Michael Stidham, is less than 100 pages, proof that it doesn’t take a thick tome to inspire thought and reflection.

Stidham shares his journey away from the Catholic Church, into the world of business and success, and about the losses he suffered, beginning with his mother and his older brother, in mid-life. Without using fancy language or wasting any breath, he then goes on to tell the story of how he sold his business and became his father’s full-time caregiver.

“Things were pretty hard for both my father and me. I remember asking God on a few occasions to please take one of us, I don’t care which one. Obviously, I was under enormous pressure during this period. Running my business was a piece of cake to being a caretaker.”

Though it’s short -- almost too short, I felt -- Love Equals Sacrifice made me think about how Alzheimer’s could touch me, has already touched me, might touch my children. He doesn’t come right out and talk about the commitment he felt toward his father and how that love manifested itself at the end of his father’s life, though he hints at it. I was touched, and couldn’t help wondering what more there was to this story.

Stidham mentions coming back to the Catholic Church and I can’t help but think about how the sacraments -- especially the Mass -- must have fed him and supported him through this difficult time. He writes about barely remembering the words to the Our Father and Hail Mary, and I imagine that the struggle through that embarrassment was as challenging, on a different level, as the care of his father.

I recommend this book and hope to interview the author soon to get more (which I’ll be sure to share here).

Three Cheers!

Every week, there's something worth celebrating. Sometimes, I look down my nose about it. Other times, I shrug about how small my "successes" are, especially when I think about what I could have done, or should have done, or would have done.

But you know what?

There's a temptation in my demand for perfection, one that makes me blind to the forest for all the trees (or vice versa).

So, every Thursday, along with the fine folks at Faith & Family Live, I sit down and think about what my small successes are. Feel free to join in. It's a great practice in humility and a wonderful way to encourage each other.

1. I completed the library's summer reading program. Every year, I struggle. Ten books? No problem! I'll confidently think as I fill out the form. And then I'll get enchanted with a 600-page book of some sort that will take longer than three days to read and put me behind. But this year, somehow, I read my ten books before the deadline (which, by the way, is long before when I consider the end of the summer to be!).

2. I wrote my representatives and senators about the proposed health care reform that's in the House right now.

3. Last Friday, when my mother-in-law asked me if I wanted to spend the day freezing sweet corn, I said yes. We might not eat corn again this summer after spending all day with the intricacies of 24 dozen ears, but when the snow's flying, I'll savor those kernels of summer sunshine!

What are you cheering about this week? Go on over to Faith & Family Live and share!

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

The Best Kind of Vitamins

In my inbox, just today, was an announcement that has me as excited as any news I've received this week...my favorite online deacon is going to start a podcast! Here's the scoop:

Has there been a seeming lack of vitality in your faith practice recently? Are you wondering where God is? We understand. It’s okay and it happens to most everyone from time to time. It’s even happened with some of the saints.
BUT – you don’t have to accept this as something you can’t do anything about. We have a suggestion. Why not try listening to a refreshing new Catholic podcast called CATHOLIC VITAMINS. It’s coming this fall – with a familiar voice right in your earbuds. The host is Deacon Tom – you know him. He’s been around areas of new media evangelization for a couple years, now. And, Dee his lovely bride will join with him on this podcast.
What are Catholic Vitamins? And do you have to buy anything? Is there selling involved? The answers are:
To find out, just tune in to the new podcast. A place to try a few ‘vitamins’ that may just add vitality and a bit of zest to your wonderful Catholic faith.
Buy anything? Nope. As a matter of fact, the aim of the show is to help convince you that you don’t have to buy into a mundane, Sunday for an hour Catholic faith.
Well – as for selling – not really. I mean we are all called to evangelization. And to do it with love and God’s grace. So maybe that’s a form of selling. But there’s no knocking on doors or making ‘cold calls’ with this podcast.
Catholic Vitamins* – for eternal good health!
*Coming soon on Itunes and right to your earbuds!
Our voice feedback # is 206-350-3789.

What if...

...more people took this approach to the mid-life "I don't love you" crisis that seems inevitable?

I'm inspired. I'm heartened. I'm touched. Divorce and love are topics that are dear to my heart, close in a way that few things are. I was never going to marry, you know. I was pretty sure it was an outdated, useless institution for religious types, and I was not a religious type, thankyouverymuch.

I'm married now, and I often battle with a demon in my mind, one that whispers about the greener grass, the impossible things I deal with (though I am married to a saint!), the crazy responsibilities getting in the way of what I'd rather be doing.

The question becomes, then, one of getting past my own selfishness. I once read a book by Ayn Rand called The Virtue of Selfishness. I can't remember what was in that book, but I remember lending it to my dad and insisting that he would see the errors of his silly faith once he read it.

Right now, Dad's having a hearty chuckle. And that's OK with me.

The thing is, reading this article about one woman's way of dealing with the words "I don't love you anymore," I see myself. Not in the woman...in the husband.

I'm just the type of person who could so easily just chuck it all out the window. Maybe it would be a result of a battle with depression, with a need to martyr myself and make the pain worse, with a desire to try something, well, easier.

Go on over and read this article, "Those Aren't Fighting Words, Dear." See if it doesn't make you shake your head and maybe look at things a little differently.

I enjoyed Danielle Bean's comments earlier, and I am heartened to see this article linked, well, all over the blogosphere this morning.

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Is this for real?

Over the weekend I came across some information about the proposed health care reform bill. I wasn't going to blog it, because I usually stay away from politics and the like.

But this is important.

I can't help but feel like the next step, if this passes, will be even scarier.

I have quite a few elderly people in my life. I hope to someday be an elderly person. I hope to raise people who will one day be elderly people.

This bill will affect everyone. Don't be fooled by the pretty language you might be hearing, by the way the word "change" might appeal to your inner sensibility, especially when you look at what you perceive to be the sorry state of health care in this country.

Because it could be worse.

And I think it will be worse if this bill passes.

As I usually do when we might disagree, I encourage you to read this for yourself. Here's the link to the full text of the proposed bill that's in the House right now (H.R. 3200), if you have time and inclination to read it (and you should, if you live in this country and plan to grow old in this country, though it's 400 pages). I found a helpful summary via Jean at Catholic Fire.

Second, here's a YouTube video about a rather scary proposition at Cars.gov (um, don't go there -- watch the video first).

Is this for real? I mean, really. Is this for real? Or am I just having a bad day? (I wasn't, not really, though I've been working up a letter for my representatives and senators and will be sending that tomorrow.)

All's Fair in Sheep and Rides

Within one week, our sheep-showing family had both the county and the state fairs. We weren't able to make it to the county fair, but we made it to the open show yesterday at the state fair.

I didn't take as many pictures as in the past, and I left my camera in the barn when we ventured to the Midway. But I think I captured the essence of what the state fair means to me: family and fun.

Here are a few highlights of the day, and if you're inclined to see the rest of the pictures, they're here.

Chaos in the ring...all the kids, some helpers, and smiles all 'round. It was a good day.

Ribbons and banners and smiles, oh my! Here Little D is showing Uncle Bob the ribbons and banners from the junior show over the weekend (which we didn't attend). His lecture included nuances such as the lineage of the sheep that won and plans for future shows. He's been paying attention for years now, and he's my go-to guy when I have a sheep question at the show.

Nothing like a morning of running around a barn to wear a girl out. All the baa-ing in the barn couldn't keep her awake!

Monday, August 03, 2009

Snow and Mary

I remember it as one of the most special Christmases ever. It was the Christmas my youngest baby was in my arms and my oldest child was a sibling...both for the first time. It was the Christmas family came visiting from 1500 miles away. It was the Christmas we took a niece to her first midnight Mass and I found myself transported beyond the magic of Santa into the wonder of something so much more beautiful.

Christmas is special for so many reasons. I've hated it for years, for various reasons, but I embrace it now, for so many other, better reasons. I think of that Baby in the manger, not so different from the babies I've held. I smell the incense, see the church transformed, feel myself...nudged, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot.

And then there's that certain special Christmas snow, the snow that is prayed for earnestly, with innocence and wonder and faith. The snow that, against all forecasts, comes.

Makes me think of Mary. [Yeah, I know, by now you know that everything makes me think of Mary, but with a weekly assignment to write about her, I have to be a bit open-minded. :)]

As it turns out, there's a title of Mary, Our Lady of the Snows, that has to do with...snow.

I'm pretty sure she's the patron of a niece of mine who shares her name. I'm pretty sure when my niece hears about this title, she'll have the holy card in her possession. I'm pretty sure that I'll be thinking of Mary in a few months when it snows here in Ohio.

If you want to learn more about our special Christmas and about Our Lady of the Snows, stop by Today's Catholic Woman and read my column.

Getting it All Done

It's just not possible.

Or is it?

Well, it's the topic of my feature article today at Faith and Family Live, "A Thing or Three." Enjoy!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Columns - Kids at Mass and Quiet vs. Busy

Do you ever struggle with taking your young -- or not-so-young -- kids to Mass?

Me too.

I share some anecdotes and (hopefully) helpful advice in my latest column at CatholicMom.com, "Yeah, that's my kid."

Then there's a column that ran in our diocesan paper this week -- one that I didn't expect them to use as I submitted it back in September -- called "Blessing of a Bad Day" (scroll down past the first column on the page).

I've had some bad days recently, and this particular column ran in the same issue as my mother-in-law's sister's death announcement. She was a big fan of my writing, so I like to think of this piece, one I had forgotten all about, as a sort of message from her.

I'm going to try to remember that when I have a rough day.

Memories in the Making

--1--

Is there anything better than the sound of a toddler giggling? She giggles with abandon, throwing her head back, and asking for "more" if the giggling was inspired by tickling. We can make faces, we can make silly noises, we can chase her...she'll laugh. And it's music to my ears.

--2--

On the other hand, few things are as frustrating as the word "fine" said in just the right tone of voice. My four-year-old has discovered that tone of voice. I'm fine-tuning the strategies for dealing with it. Putting my fingers in my ears and singing "la, la, la, I can't hear you," while appealing, doesn't seem like quite the right approach...

--3--

Last week, when we were at my brother's, I discovered his old Picture Bible. And, being the great guy he is, he gave it to us! ~~I can't find it online, but it's published by David Cook Publishing and this looks a lot like it.~~ I remember my dad reading it to me when I was very young, and my four-year-old has been begging for it every night at story time (and through the day too).

Updated: after some more extensive searching, here it is. The same one, I think. Anyone know if there's a Catholic version that includes the great Old Testament stories of Tobit and Maccabees? I'd love to see one!

--4--

In Toddlerspeak, swing is "whee." In Toddlerworld, we can't do enough wheeing.

--5--

Know any good "Knock, Knock" jokes? My four-year-old has been amusing me with them for quite a while, but now that my toddler is adding words daily, she's picked up "Knock, Knock." She says them with a demanding air and will increase her volume until someone responds. We usually can't understand what she says next, but it always cracks her up. See #1.

--6--

My four-year-old's favorite game, replacing "House," is "School." In this game, I am Mrs. Reinhard and she is a variety of students. She changes her voice and everything. Oh, and she tells me what we're doing next. She thinks it's great fun.

--7--

In a conversation about homeschooling this week, one of the friends who inspired me to learn more about it many moons ago shared this link to The Latin-Centered Curriculum with me. Anyone out there using it? I haven't had a chance to do thorough research on this program, but my friend is as excited as I have ever seen her. I'm intrigued.

For the Quick Takes round-up, head to Conversion Diary.

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