Laetare Sunday: Rejoice!

Laetare Sunday marked the mid-point of the Church's season of Lent. Vestments turned from penitential purple to joyous rose and the liturgy was filled with the theme of rejoicing. It was as though we the penitents were given a cool drink of water on our journey through the desert. Rejoice! Keep going! As Father admonished the faithful in his homily, if you have made a fruitful Lent thus far, rejoice and persevere, for you are ever closer to Easter! And if your Lent has not been as fruitful as you would hope, rejoice! You still have time and opportunity to set things right with penitential practices.

Even God's creation seems to be crying, rejoice! It is that time of year that the sun peeks out occasionally, giving a hint of the brightness and warmth of spring soon to come. But even when the clouds, the chill temperatures, the sometimes-still slushy showers would tell us we are yet mid-winter, the birds from their nests seem to shun purple and don rose as they are heard singing their own solemn Laetare hymn.

Certainly we must give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endureth forever... even amidst the long days of Lent!

In the spirit of the day St. Mary's Assumption held their Annual Laetare Dinner Theater last night, their 13th such event benefitting Queen of the Holy Rosary Academy. Mrs. Hilary Flanery directed the Queen's Players in "The Curious Savage", a comedy in two acts. And it was a wonderful evening.

Miss Jane Binsfeld was a delight in the lead role as Ethel Savage, the blue-haired matriarch and wealthy widow whose two grown children (played most convincingly by Mr. Steve Crouse and Miss Christine George) love her only for the money they hope to get from her. Mrs. Savage, though she is anything but crazy, is sent by her children to The Cloisters, a home for the mentally imbalanced, while the younger Savages hope to take possession of her fortune once she is institutionalized. The Cloisters introduces us to several endearing, if a tad out-of-touch, characters who collectively foil the money-seekers' plans, all the while keeping the audience in stitches with their individual (and oft-hilarious) foibles.  We were even surprised with an impromptu cameo role by Fr. Frank Kurtz whose own comic relief delighted the crowd while challenging the cast to remain in character.

Bravo, Queen's Players and Mrs. Flanery, and bravo too, to all those behind-the-scenes who worked tirelessly these past few months to bring us another wonderful production.

A delicious dinner, a superbly-acted play, and mingling and visiting among good friends old and new made for a most enjoyable way to spend our Laetare Sunday, and we look forward to many more annual Dinner Theaters to come.

And so, though the song birds will undoubtedly keep on singing their joyful songs, alas, it is still Lent. But we awake this morning, hopefully refueled to renew/continue/persevere in our promises and acts of penance as we consider and endure Our Lord's journey to His Cross.

As it was so aptly put in the Play program:

In a dear rout of loneliness
How life again sang sweet
When fasting arms knew banqueting
And avid eyes could feast;
And the long Lent of love was eased
For one Laetare Day.
But afterwards came Lent again:
Again the fasting way.

God bless you with a holy and fruitful Lent.... Easter draweth nigh!

Summer Days

It's a 90+ degree summer day. The clouds roll in and it appears that the cell over the house will burst any moment. And it does, with a vengeance.

You're an 8-10 year old boy. Is there any place you'd rather be than inside a pup-tent with your brother, your dog and your survival kit (snacks, various books, a favorite toy or two, some paper and pencils to draw with when you get bored, and a blanket in case of a sudden and unexpected drop in temperature) in the backyard?

Sounds like summer fun to me. It sure is a lot of fun to watch from the dining room window, anyway.

* * *

I've been scarce in these parts since school ended the last part of May. One would think I'd have more time to blog during the summer months than while teaching school, but it has not been so. Between taking an online class of my own (and its homework!) in preparation to teach a course called Classical Writing--Homer to my boys, planning the other subjects for next school year, and just trying to enjoy time off with the kids, I've found little time to attend to My Morning Cup.

And it's not likely to get better, as my mom is coming in for a visit tomorrow! She'll be with us for a few weeks, which will fill our days up with chatting, baking, chatting, playing with the boys, chatting, going on little outings, chatting, canning/freezing garden veggies, chatting... well, you get the idea. We are all very excited to welcome her here again!

So, dear readers, I will pick this up again as time allows. In the meantime, I hope you are all having and enjoying a blessed summer break from the usual school routine, with some precious moments to observe your own kids doing what they do best: being kids.

* * *

Now the rain has stopped and the sun is shining again; think I'll go help the boys set up that lemonade stand....

God bless you!

St. Andrew-Christmas Anticipation Prayer

Happy Feast Day of St. Andrew!

One of the Advent calendars our family is using this year includes the following beautiful prayer. Following the prayer is a suggested instruction for praying it.

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouch safe, oh my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Blessed Mother. Amen.

It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) until Christmas will obtain what is asked.

Imprimatur
+MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York
New York, February 6, 1897

What We've Been Reading

Early this year I began reading The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, to the boys. They loved the adventures of Bilbo Baggins as he, along with a band of dwarves, heroically fought and defeated the dragon Smaug on the Lonely Mountain. Having once taken my boys to the land of Middle-earth, our obvious next read-aloud would be Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) trilogy.

We spent all spring and summer journeying with Frodo and Sam, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, Gandalf and the rest, as their once intact fellowship, became broken and spread out, but nonetheless persevered as with one heart to defeat the evil Lord Sauron of the dark land of Mordor.

The boys enjoyed each book, but their enthusiasm to listen to the tale each evening was further bolstered by the fact that they knew they would be allowed to watch Peter Jackson's film version of LOTR only after we had finished reading it.

And so, having finished Return of the King about the time the new school year started a couple of months ago, they have watched the movies several times. Each Sunday they have their choice as to what they will watch for their 'Sunday Night Movie', something they look forward to all week. Perhaps needless to say, any of the three movies in the LOTR trilogy have received top billing for some weeks now. But that's okay; I don't mind knocking Star Wars out of first place for a while!

Just a few nights ago we started Heidi, by Johanna Spyri. The boys are familiar with the story, having watched the movie at their grandma's house, the version with Jason Robards playing Grandfather. It is a touching story, and I think we're all enjoying the book as much as, or more than, the movie. (Yes, the boys saw the movie first on this one!) Heidi is a very endearing character, and even the boys, who are going through an 'eeewww, girls!' stage right now, are pulling for this little heroine. They always beg for one more chapter, so we're speeding through it.

On their own, the boys have recently discovered Henry Huggins books, by Beverly Cleary. They are loving reading them! Henry's sign on his clubhouse door which reads 'No Girls Allowed' immediately struck a chord with them! They were also surprised and pleased to read about landmarks with which they are very familiar from visiting my home in Washington (state). The other day my youngest was quietly reading when he called out to me and said, 'Hey, Mom, listen to this!' He proceeded to read to me about their huckleberry picking on Mt. Hood. Ms. Cleary, the author, grew up just outside of Portland, Oregon, and she incorporates local names and places into her books. As a friend of mine said, next time we're out that way, we'll have to go find Klickitat Street in Portland and show the boys where the stories 'took place'.

As for me, I haven't picked anything up since I finished Dracula a couple of months ago. As much as I want to, being back at it with homeschooling, keeping up with every other daily task about the house, family life in general, on top of spending time reading with the boys, it seems my own reading time is swallowed up.

No complaints though. All too soon the years of homeschooling and evening read-alouds will be but a memory, and I'll have all the time in the world to pull my books off the shelf. I know too that by then I'll look back fondly on these days and years and wish them back. With that thought, I will cherish every turn of every page I read with them today.

Home Again

We returned to St. Louis Saturday evening after a little more than a week in Washington (state). Though it was a trip that one month ago we had no idea we would be making, to be with family to mourn and bury my dad, it was a good trip. As all visits with my family go, it was way too short.

My head is teeming with bloggables, from the passing of my dad and the funeral, to visiting with friends and extended family not seen for 20+ years, from the ever-breathtaking views of Mt. Hood and the Columbia River gorge to our youngest son turning 8 on the trip and losing a tooth in the Portland airport, from Mom's flat-out gorgeous flower garden to the book I began reading on the airplane trip out and can hardly put down (Dracula, by Bram Stoker)... and what stress and hot weather can do to a body with MS.

But on arriving home I realize regular life must resume, and so I quickly type this from my school computer while the boys take a brief play-break outside with Lucy, their buff-colored cocker spaniel that they missed for 8 days. I don't know that I'll find the time to blog about any of the above items. Regular life, homeschooling and all that goes with it, keeps my blogging to a minimum it seems, so we'll see.

But, to sum up our visit, I am more grateful for dear family and friends today than I ever have been before. Our family is truly blessed. Our Lord has taken my dad into eternity and, I think, left the rest of us closer.

I'm glad to be home, but the lump I always get when saying good-bye hasn't quite gone yet. Love you, Mom!

Dear Dad - 1934 - 2009

My Dad passed away Tuesday night. Our Lord, in His infinite mercy, took him swiftly and peacefully.

Your prayers have been, and are, deeply appreciated.

HSMom and Family

Update on Dad

Dear Readers: At a meeting between my family and my dad's neurosurgeon last night, the doctor indicated that he does not expect Dad to live through the end of this week. He is in God's hands; we ask that you pray for his peaceful passing, and for our family, especially Mom, as we go through these last days with him.

Thank you and may God bless you for your generous prayers.

HSMom and Family

School ... and Life

Today is the first day of our school year. It is beginning with much less fanfare than in previous years. Usually I begin revving up the boys days beforehand, and we're all kind of excited to get going by the time the day comes. I can't say that this year.

We are (I am) distracted by all that is transpiring with my dad. His condition has not changed as of last night. My mom, with the support of my brothers and me, will be faced with difficult decisions this week, barring a miracle. It is very hard on Mom.

We are comforted, though, knowing Dad received Last Rites last evening, as well as being enrolled in the brown scapular.

My dad (along with Mom) was received into the Catholic Church just three years ago, Deo gratias! We entrust him to Our Lord and Lady. May God's will be done.

Your continued prayers are most appreciated.

....... Now I must go ring that school bell.

Prayers for My Dad

Friends, my dad, age 75, is in the ICU after suffering a subdural hematoma on Tuesday morning. The surgery to relieve the condition went well, but he has not awakened yet, and has been on a ventilator since Tuesday.

Your prayers for him, and for my mom too, are most appreciated.

God bless you!

Mary Poppins

Last night we took the family to the Broadway musical Mary Poppins, and what a treat it was! It is playing at the Fox Theater, which venue alone was a sight to see in all its ornate beauty. But the production was, in a word, amazing!

This Mary Poppins had many of the familiar Disney song and dance numbers including Chim-Chim-Cheree, Step in Time, A Spoonful of Sugar, and Supercalifragilisticexpialadocious, but it had many new songs written for this musical as well. All were wonderfully performed, as the cast sang and danced their way energetically through the play.

There were several characters that would be familiar only if you had read the book(s) by P.L. Travers, characters not seen in the Disney film. But having read the books to the boys, we were happy to see and know Miss Lark, Miss Andrew (the 'holy terror'), and Neleus the statue in the park. Still, for those who have not read the books, the theme of the musical was unchanged, and the added characters serve to bring out the wonders which occur wherever Mary Poppins is, much like the animated characters in the film version do.

The cast was wonderful, the story, songs and dance numbers were delightful, and there were even a couple of eye-popping 'special effects' that left the audience, adults and children alike in awe. My husband and I were still trying to figure out 'how'd they do that?!' this morning. I'll leave it at that, just in case a reader might get a chance to go. We all enjoyed it, and the boys, as if it were a dvd, want to see it again; unfortunately the live production is just a tad pricier than a dvd!

Mary Poppins continues at the Fox in St. Louis through August 30, and plays in other cities through September 2010.

Should you get to go, I'm pretty sure you'll agree that this Mary Poppins production is 'practically perfect in every way'!

Beloved Flower Pots

I am happy to report that the boys did very well today as they assisted for the first time at the solemn high Mass at the Oratory! It was a proud moment indeed, seeing them in the procession, walking slowly, seriously, hands folded as in prayer.

During Mass, sitting opposite each other in the choir stalls, they both followed along, doing as they are supposed to do, but for the most part, being still as flower pots! On recessing out following Mass, I caught each boy's eye and they both gave a quick smile to Mom.

As we all readied ourselves to leave, one of the older altar boys told them, "Good job up there!" Both boys beamed. And their exuberance was evident on the way home as they were all a-chatter:

"I loved it!!"

"Oh Mom, it was fun!!"

"I want to serve every Sunday!"

And from one boy to the other: "Are you going to be a priest?" "If God calls me, I will."

Thus was the first day of, hopefully, a long-lasting service at the Altar for our boys. If ever a flower pot was beautiful to behold.....

Deo Gratias!

This Sunday!

After several Sunday after-Mass practices, the boys are ready. They know where to go to get their cassock and surplice, they know how to process in and bow to their processional partner before taking their places in the choir stalls, they know the signals for standing, kneeling, sitting, they know to watch the big boys and do as they do.....

Tomorrow our boys will assist at Holy Mass for the first time as altar boys (though Abbe's more specific term for what they'll be doing their first few weeks in the choir is "flowerpot"!) They can't wait! Their dad and I are equally excited for them, if just a little nervous. Other moms have assured me they'll do just fine.

Yes, I'll have camera in hand!

* * *

To an Altar Boy

To be Christ's page at the altar,
To serve Him freely there.
Where even the Angels falter,
Bowed low in reverent prayer.

To touch the throne most holy,
To hand the gifts for the feast,
To see Him meekly, lowly,
Descend at the word of the priest.

To hear man's poor petition,
To sound the silver bell,
When He in sweet submission,
Comes down with us to dwell.

No grander mission surely
Could Saints or men enjoy;
No heart should love more purely,
Than yours my altar boy.

God bless you, lad, forever,
And keep you in His care,
And Guard you that you never
Belie the robes you wear.

For white bespeaks untainted
A heart both tried and true;
And red tolls love the sainted
The holy martyrs knew.

Throughout life, then, endeavor
God's graces to employ;
And be in heart forever
A holy altar boy.

------ by St. John Berchmans

* * *

St. John Berchmans, Patron of Altar Boys,
Pray for Us!

Soup in Summer

My husband loves to bar-b-que and he would gladly do it year-round if the weather permitted. There has been many a chilly--no, cold--January or February Saturday that he has asked me if firing up the 'Q' sounded good. It always sounds delicious, as my husband is very good at the grill. Anyone who has had his bbq-grilled rib-eye steaks, medium-rare, knows they're better than any steak at any restaurant in town. (And that's not bias, it's a fact!) Still, the whole grilling thing for me is more than just the food; it's sitting outside, kids playing in the backyard, smelling that smoke, and watching him do what he loves to do. Kinda hard to do that mid-winter, but once in a while on a not so inclement day, he'll cook up a nice dinner on the grill.

Well, today, on this warm summer day, I'm turning that scenario around a bit and I'm making a hearty, wintry Lentil Soup for dinner. The meals that go so well with the chill winds of the winter months are the ones I love to prepare. Soups and stews, chili with warm cornbread and honey, just about anything in the crockpot. I love it when my husband hurries in the front door at the end of his workday, collar turned up, hat and gloves on, sleet sticking to his coat, and we all come to the table to steaming bowls of comforting soup that not only warms us from our fingers to our toes, but it warms our hearts too, as our little family is cozy inside while winter rages outside. Mmmm... there's nothing better that time of year.

Well, today I'm more than several months early as I watch the mercury rise outside. But Lentil soup just sounds good to me, and if hubby can 'Q' in January, I can make soup in August! And you can bet that even though we have no need to warm our fingers or toes on this summer day, a good heart-warming knows no season.

My Piano

I have always loved the piano. I didn't take lessons growing up as many of my friends did, mainly because we never had a piano in the house. But my desire never waned. When I was 18 we did get a piano. My parents got it for $100. It was old and small--didn't even have 88 keys. I think it had 85. But it was good enough to start lessons on.

When I got my first 'real' job at age 20, the first thing I wanted to buy was my very own piano. So I saved and I saved, until the day I went downtown to the piano store and was able to buy one on my own. It was a Kohler console piano, walnut, and I thought it lovely. It was delivered to my parents' house where I still lived at the time, and there it stayed through my 20s. And all through my 20s I continued to take lessons.

I never became an accomplished pianist, but I always loved to play. Circumstances led me to stop lessons at some point around age 30, but I kept my piano, moving it everywhere I moved (much to the chagrin of every brother and friend who ever helped me move!)

My piano has followed me everywhere, including the 2200 mile move to St. Louis some ten years ago. In the early years of our marriage I played a very little, but was too busy with my babies to play as I once did. Ensuing years silenced the piano even more as my ability to play with both hands became less and less possible, my left hand succumbing to the effects of MS.

But two years ago next month, piano music came back into our home when our boys began taking piano lessons, and what a blessing it has been. Each week a fine young piano teacher comes to our home to instruct the boys. And everyday I sit at the piano and go through the lessons with our sons. I never imagined two years could show so much progress in them, but it has. One son especially loves to play, but it is a delight to listen to either of them at the piano.

I didn't realize over 25 years ago when I bought this piano that one day it would be my sons' playing on it that I enjoyed so much. Very infrequently I will still sit down and play a few old favorites, albeit one-handed, and when I do, the boys will yell from whatever room they're in, "Mom, is that you??", surprised at my quasi-ability to make 'beautiful' music. But as much as I have always loved to play, it is now our boys' music that brings me such joy.... on my very own, old, piano.

St. Cecilia, Patroness of Musicians, pray for us!

A Yummy Potato Salad

I like to cook, and pretty-much avoid the dinner-in-a-box food aisle. But recently I needed a quick summer side-dish, and I found a ready-made potato salad that is delicious. Bought at Sam's Club, it is Resers Country Style Red Potato Salad. It comes in a 4# container, so is enough to serve a small crowd, or for your family to eat on all week.

Just thought I'd pass on the tip-o'-the-day for your summer cookout. I'm pretty sure I'll never make a homemade 'tater salad again!

Music to My Ears

My eldest son can often be heard humming a tune as he plays and goes about his day. Usually it's the Star Wars theme, or something like it. This afternoon he was at the kitchen sink getting a drink, and my husband and I heard him humming a tune that was very clearly the Kyrie, as sung this morning by our beautiful Oratory choir.

Kyrie eleison...
...Christe eleison...
...Kyrie eleison

Sure made us smile.

Lightning Bugs

As a transplant to the Midwest I was in my mid-30s before I saw my first lightning bug. (For all the Northwest has to offer, it is not a home to lightning bugs!) I've been here 10 years now, and I still thrill to see these slow-fliers for a few weeks each May and June.

On a warm evening as the boys chase them, catch them, and marvel at their little twinkling lights, I can't help but think that perhaps that is precisely why God made lightning bugs: simply for the wonderment and delight of every child...... and every child within the adult who still marvels too.

The Funnies... Not for Kids

Peanuts, Garfield, The Family Circus, Hi and Lois, The Far Side, and Calvin and Hobbes; Winnie Winkle and Judge Parker. The 'Jumble' puzzle at the bottom of the daily comics page. These are all part of what made reading the comics with my breakfast before work each morning, more anticipated than the front page of the newspaper.

Having been a full-time homemaker for 10 years now, it's been a very long time since I had a morning get-up-and-go-out-to-work routine. We do not subscribe to the local paper and thus, I've lost touch with my old favs, and many of them had been discontinued, even when I was still reading the funnies.

Fast-forward to present. My boys, over the years, have gotten a taste for the comics, from the occasional Sunday paper we'd pick up after Mass. And for a few weeks now they've asked us to pick one up each Sunday. OK, fine. Pretty harmless entertainment, right?

WRONG. Yesterday as one son read the comics aloud with his brother looking on and Mom and Dad sipping coffee at the dining room table, the words "sex change" came out of our son's mouth. My husband and I immediately and in unison, cried out, "WHAT?!?", while we both grabbed the "funny" papers from our unwitting boys' hands.

So much for allowing the boys to look forward to the comics section each Sunday. While the time will certainly come for our boys to be made aware of the myriad ways in which this world is messed up, the Sunday full-color funny papers is not the jump-off point we need for imparting this sort of knowledge to them.

Of course the kids wondered what they said that caused such a reaction in their parents. "But what is a sex change??" they both wanted to know. After giving them sufficient and age-appropriate information, we let them know that we would not be picking up a Sunday paper any longer. Of course they were disappointed, but having grown up with limitations on secular communications coming into our home, from the DVDs they watch, to the TV commercials that must be turned off as we watch a Cardinals game, they took it pretty much in stride.

I think it was more disappointing for me because those days of anticipating the next installment in the Winnie Winkle serial, or being touched by the oft-poignant The Family Circle, or laughing out loud at Calvin's latest adventures are looked back on with fond reminiscence, and I had hoped to give them some of that same enjoyment. Alas, even the funnies have gone the way of the world.

But all is not lost. The Sunday funnies? Well, the boys won't be reading them, as I don't need yet another thing to screen first. But, we will replace it with a book or two of those same strips I enjoyed. I think they will find a real kinship with Calvin. And certainly it will provide our boys with more reason for a genuine and innocent chuckle than what is found in today's Sunday funnies.

Birthdays at Our House

My husband brought a very nice tradition into our marriage and family life: that of celebrating birthdays, in a big way. Or in a bigger way than I knew growing up anyway. When he was a kid, his family always made signs for all the birthdays. Nothing elaborate, just simple signs drawn on plain paper with crayons, hung about the house to wish happy birthday to the one whose day it was.

We've continued the tradition in our family, adding to the homemade signs streamers in the dining room, a much-used "Happy Birthday" banner hung on the dining room wall, balloons, and a special dinner plate (with chosen birthday dinner) for the honoree. From the moment the birthday boy (or girl, only one out of the four we celebrate each year) awakes in the morning, it is obvious that this is indeed their special day.

The boys love it. They make their signs with sweet sentiments, illustrated with whatever they are currently interested in. If I kept the signs each year (and many of them I have) they would be a pictorial journal of the boys growing up.

Today it is my turn to be on the receiving end of signs, balloons, 'happy birthdays' with kisses and hugs given early and often. I love it too. One of the signs, made by my more artistic son, shows a space shuttle blasting off to 'Planet Mom', while my numbers-loving kid made a sign with a long math problem which ultimately adds up to my age. And of course my husband's beautiful card and flowers greeted me as well. We have cake and ice cream to look forward to. It is a happy day in our house, and I am thankful for these little traditions we've carried on.

And if anyone is mildly curious as to my age, just complete my son's math problem below.

10+36+42-42-10+10-41+41+54-54=

Good Friday.... and....

I'll get to the 'and' in a minute. First things first.

Today is Good Friday, the day in which each year we remember Our Lord's Passion. He has already been betrayed by Judas and taken to prison. Today He will be scourged, crowned with thorns, and sentenced to death by crucifixion. He will carry His cross to Calvary, where on that cross the spotless Lamb of God will shed His blood and die for the sins of the world.

In remembrance of this, we fast, we abstain from eating meat; we mortify our own flesh, offering our own sufferings back to Him in thanksgiving for His sacrifice which was all for you and me.

It can be interesting trying to impart these ideas and practices to the kids. Of course they are not at the age where they must fast as adults do. But I do let them know we will not have treats today, nor excess of the things we like. This morning my oldest got on a stool and, before I realized it, was helping himself to a chunk or two of brown sugar out of the brown sugar cannister. When I looked up and saw him I quickly told him, "Nooo, J, remember it's Good Friday!" He immediately pulled his hand out, indeed remembering, and knowing we shouldn't indulge on this day (not, mind you, that ANY day is OK to raid the brown sugar!!)

This afternoon our family will go to Church for the Liturgy and Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. And we will all the more look forward to His Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Oh.... and....

Today my husband and I celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary! In 1999, April 10 was on Easter Saturday, and thus the church on that day was decked out with Easter Lilies and other beautiful flowers. It was a lovely day, forever etched in my memory, the day we wed. But today, 10 years later, it falls on Good Friday. And so, but for the beautiful dozen red roses my husband brought home last night, and cards exchanged between us, we will postpone celebrating with dinner out to Eastertide.

Blessed Good Friday to all.
Happy Anniversay, honey. And thank you for ten wonderful years.