Reading Time

I love to read.  I could read all day.  There are so many books I really want to read.

The problem is I have so little opportunity to read.  Is it that I'm not scheduling a reading break in my day?  Do I read too slowly?  I love to read in bed, but if I start reading I almost immediately fall asleep.

I'm lucky if I get 5 or 6 pages read a day.

Those of you who are avid readers....how do you fit it in your schedule?  Maybe I'm not organized enough.  Very possible.

Is a dog's life more valuable than a human's?!?!

I just wrote the following letter to the editor of our local paper.  It is indeed strange, isn't it, that some are so concerned (and sometimes rightly so) about the ethical treatment of animals, but turn a blind eye to the welfare of the unborn.  It's so hard to understand.  I'll let you know if they publish my letter.

Dear Editor,

I was struck by the irony of your front page story of 4/28 on U-M's repayment of grant money used for animal research.  People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wants the National Institutes of Health to revoke its approval for U-M to use animals in federally funded research because of a number of incidents where animals suffered accidental injury or death.  I don't recall any outcry by PETA over U-M's announced intention to do research on human embryos.  This research will require the deliberate destruction of human lives.  Yes, embryos are ethically and biologically human.    Is a human life of less value than a mouse or a dog?  There is something wrong with this picture.

Rosemary Bogdan

Dreary day....

Unlike yesterday......

Today is very dreary.  It's been raining and gray nearly all day.  

About ten minutes before leaving the house to take the kids to school, the power went out.  Our entire neighborhood, a nearby shopping mall, and a number of traffic lights were out.

We took Jim in early and somehow we really did leave on time so by the time I got to the girls' school we had to sit in the car in the pouring rain for ten or more minutes before they got out.

When I got home I glanced out the kitchen window for a view of Mother Robin-- a sight that has been giving me a lot of joy.  The entire nest was gone.  I went to the door and looked for it.  It was upside down on the ground.  I don't know what happened.  I thought about picking it up to see if the eggs were broken and maybe putting it back, but Suzanne's warning about robin's pecking came to mind.  I figured if there were eggs they're probably destroyed or eaten by something.  It was a little thing, but still it made me very sad.

I left for Mass.  When things are not going well, run to Jesus, right?  Just before I got to Mass I passed a bad car accident where the driver was very visible while paramedics were supporting her neck and bringing out a backboard.  Her arm hanging limp beside her.  I said a Hail Mary for her and for the others in the accident.  At this point I was getting a little weepy.

But Mass was so very good.  Receiving Jesus always lifts me up.  The priest spoke of trusting Jesus.  And I am.....  I have not forgotten that yesterday he bought me a cup of coffee.  

Mary Ann Glendon will not attend the ND graduation!!

My son in South Bend (ND grad) has just emailed me with this information.  The strongly pro-life recipient of the Laetare Medal at this year's commencement of the University of Notre Dame has declined to attend the graduation.  Her letter is public and a few of her words are listed below.  Wow.  This is a huge development.

"First, as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles” and that such persons “should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution’s freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it. 

Then I learned that “talking points” issued by Notre Dame in response to widespread criticism of its decision included two statements implying that my acceptance speech would somehow balance the event:
 
 “President Obama won’t be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal.” 

“We think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders, and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about.” 

 A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame’s decision—in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops—to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice. 

Finally, with recent news reports that other Catholic schools are similarly choosing to disregard the bishops’ guidelines, I am concerned that Notre Dame’s example could have an unfortunate ripple effect. 

It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony. "

May the Lord have mercy on the University of Notre Dame and, through the intercession of Our Lady their patron, may good somehow come from all this.  Oh Lord, please give Father Jenkins courage.  may he do the right thing.

He cares. How much he cares, even about the little things.

Today is a gorgeous day.  My daughters and I made it (barely) to the Communion Service at their school.  Every day that starts with Jesus is better than it would be otherwise.

I had a wonderful prayer time time in the chapel after the girls left for class.

As I walked to the parking lot I saw the cutest little tulips blooming in the island-- no doubt the work of some generous parent.

Then, as I pulled out, there was my sweet Lizzie setting up cones in the parking lot for recess use later.  (her job)  I was able to roll down my window and comment on the beautiful day.

Then I stopped for gas.  The station I stopped at has good coffee so I thought I'd treat myself.  I was using my debit card to pay at the pump.  Alas, a check of my wallet revealed NO CASH except for a dime or nickel or two so I offered the desire to the Lord instead.

Then... I said to myself, "If the Lord wants to give me a cup of coffee there will be a dollar in my pocket.  I reached in my back pocket and THERE WAS A DOLLAR!!!!  

I kid you not.  This actually happened!  I thanked Jesus, all teary-eyed.  It was just a cup of coffee but sometimes the Lord just really touches you, you know?  He really is there and aware of even a hair falling from our heads.

I thought the coffee might be a little more than a dollar but figured I could scrounge up enough change for the rest.  But, no.  God knew how much the coffee was.  I looked up at the prices to see that on Mondays it's 85 cents for any size cup.

Blessed be the Lord.  I thank you my awesome Savior for knowing and caring about even the most trivial of my thoughts and desires.  

You are so good, so good to me.

Yikes! Look at this kitchen!

My kitchen ceiling was leaking and we couldn't find the source!!  It was only intermittent.  The new roof was suspect but it turned out to be the drain under my shower.  But all this ceiling had to be pulled apart to find and repair it.  It's a mess!!!!!

My dear husband let the plumber find and repair it, but he is going to do most of the drywall repair himself.  You know how handy guys don't like to pay someone to do jobs they know they could do themselves.  He's one of those. It's a good thing.

Yuk!  We had take a whole section of cabinetry out.  Naturally, it's the section I use the most.

 Can you see Mother Robin right outside the window on the other side of the wall that's being worked on?  The plumber was HAMMERING things and SAWING pipe and Mother Robin just sat there.  (Do birds have poor hearing?)  It was only a couple feet from her.  But she has work to do.  She sat there almost the whole time.  May I have the endurance of Mother Robin.

 Have a great weekend!!

Here's what's happening...

Have booked a tentative date for my daughter's wedding!  (Above picture taken shortly after their engagement.)

Blue sky and sunshine, a little nippy, but that's not bothering the lovely blooming daffodils I'm seeing outside the door.

Was afraid Mama Robin had ditched her nest but she's back this morning.  Course, I first noticed she was back during my prayer time this morning.  A little gift from God.

I hurt my back yesterday!  Went to Sam's Club and put down a case of Capri Suns with my body turned a little bit.  Apparently that is not a good idea.  But Capri Suns, even a case of them, are not very heavy.  But got in to see my chiropractor in the afternoon and today the pain is almost completely gone!  Woohoo!  Thanks be to God.

God bless your day!!

Mama Robin

Mama Robin is doing her work.   How sweet is that?  She is right outside my kitchen window, right in front of the sink and she doesn't seem to mind our running water or doing the dishes.  She just sits there and occasionally looks around.  So dear.  I'm assuming she has eggs in the nest now.  Anyone know how long before robin eggs hatch-- how long she sits on them?

Spring must really be here.  (Although, this being Michigan, I did hear that there were reports of sleet here and there today.  Oh well, I didn't see it :-)

The heel bone's connected to the ankle bone.....

They were cute.

They were on sale.

They were grown-up shoes, if you know what I mean.  Feminine.  Dressy.

I was going to a wedding and they begged me to buy them.

Could they be the reason I woke up Sunday morning with awful neck pain?

Here's the story of the shoes:

They are a size bigger than the actual length of my feet.  Since having babies my feet are too wide to fit shoes in my actual size.  Very few companies make shoes in wide widths for a size 5, so I always buy a 6 and make do.  It works.

These shoes were actually a little tight to start with so I thought they would be fine.  After a half hour or so though, they started to loosen up and actually started slipping a little.

I don't usually wear heels.  When I do the heel is so low it can barely be called a heel.  This heel was a little high for me.  At Communion of the wedding Mass there was a big gap in the Communion line.  Of course, I get up and try to walk briskly down the aisle, trying to stay balanced AND keep the shoes on my feet, while wondering if anyone is noticing.  Now they are slipping A LOT!!  I'm thinking I might walk out of them.   I made it.  The maid of honor gives me Communion with a big smile on her face.  (Is that because I'm a long-time family friend or because she can see what's happening with the shoes?)

We stopped at a store to buy a card before the reception.  My husband points out to me that I still have tags stuck on the bottom of the shoes.  So I get out of the car, trying to stay balanced, trying to keep the darned things on my feet 'cause they're slipping a LOT now, AND trying not to lift my feet so much that everyone can SEE that they were in the clearance room and substantially reduced.  .....trying to be inconspicuous and walk naturally.   The first employee I pass exclaims enthusiastically, "Cute shoes!!"  

I'm trying to become invisible.  (Don't fall, Rosemary, don't fall.)  I went home and changed the shoes before the reception.  

Sheesh.  So with all that tension, all that wobbling, could my vulnerable neck have rebelled?  I'm thinking maybe.

Still, those shoes are awfully cute.  (I'll get some kind of an insert before trying them again.)

How God is loving me today...

Two birds are building nests on my house-- one on the front porch light, very visible from our front window, and one on some kind of control box just outside my kitchen window.  Both are robins.  How sweet is that.

Unfortunately, my husband says we need to remove the one on the porch light.  I told him, but mama-birdie needs a place to lay her eggs.  He was unmoved.   He thinks it could be a fire hazard.  He's probably right.  I'm not going to question a safety concern.

But the other one will probably stay, unless mama robin gets too freaked by activity in the kitchen.

For what seemed like months my bird feeder remained untouched by birds and even squirrels.  It seemed to be invisible to them.  Then suddenly the birds found it and shortly thereafter the squirrels found a route to it that seemed effortless to them.  I don't like squirrels.  They're furry rodents.  I know they're God's creatures too but they're just not among my favorites--- not even this one with his little praying hands, as he no doubt makes plans to rob my bird feeder

Nevertheless, squirrel invaders and all, I still have this delightful view out my front window.  They're coming frequently now, birds of many kinds.

Birds feeding against a blue sky, sunshine, relatively warm weather, and a seventeen-year-old who's going to Mass with me this morning.....

God is good.

What's new with us?

Well, it's a dreary, coldish rainy day.

Took Anne and Zach to one potential reception site that they both loved.  Manager seems easy to work with.  Cost is do-able for the numbers we want.  It's beautiful.  and they offer kids' meals!!!  How cool is that?  And kids' meals for whoever wants the kids' meal, regardless of age.  I like this place.

My brother Rich is doing great.  He can eat anything now, in small quantities at a time.  He's trying to gain some weight.  (I should have such a challenge:-)  No complications.  Huge answer to all your prayers.  Thank you so much.

My oldest son has received a raise and a promotion at work.

My high school and elementary school kids are all on break so we're all catching up on sleep!!!  Woohoo!  Love to catch up on sleep.  

Lots of flowers starting to come up in the garden.  They're completely oblivious to the fact that this is Michigan and they could die any night when it drops to true winter temperatures.  Incredibly, most of them survive.  I guess if they weren't hardy they would have died here in Michigan a long time ago.  I'm still watching that dear snapdragon that hung on for so long last fall and even into the winter.  So far, no sign of life, but it's still early.

I'm happy.

He is risen!!!

He is risen, indeed!!!!

The whole family attended the Easter vigil Mass at our home parish, always a glorious and worshipful experience.

I hope you all had a wonderfully blessed Easter!!!  We certainly did.  We had a nice visit at the home of some close friends whose son had made his First Communion Easter morning.  Also was able to visit with Alexis and her family from Love Life, a blog I regularly visit.  

My oldest son Mike was home and we had dinner with the whole family including Zach, Anne's fiance.

We had our traditional family Easter egg hunt resulting in Liz (youngest) finding the "Alleluia Egg" which contained $20.00.  Because of the prize, kids of all ages usually choose to participate in the hunting.  (smile).  And since our youngest is 12 we have the fun of hiding the eggs in difficult places to find.  It usually takes 20 or more minutes to find all the eggs (inside).  The Alleluia egg is the most difficult to find.  This year it was inside the humidifier, which was dry.  (Last year it was in the bathroom wastebasket:-)

I have to say that I am pleasantly exhausted from preparing for Easter, never quite recovering completely from all the time spent with my brother in the hospital, and looking at reception halls for my daughter's wedding.

Haven't even had time to write a post saying I'm too busy to write much!!!

Hope to be back into my regular routine now.  

God bless everyone in this delightfully glorious Easter season!!!!

Yikes!!!

Weddings are expensive!!!!

That's about all I'm up to writing today.  God bless everybody's Holy Week!

A Michigan Spring

We were so happy.

Things were warming up.

Spring jackets could occasionally be worn instead of winter parkas.

And even flowers were starting to come up.  (Can you see the little camouflaged Ernie figure lying there?

We were ready to relax.  Maybe the annual onslaught of bitter life-challenging weather was over.

Then....  A winter storm warning that resulted in five inches of snow!!!!! 

 Here are the poor snow-shocked flowers.  And Ernie?  Nowhere to be found.

But!  God is good. We were blessed with a snow day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I slept until 9:45.  Woohoo!!!!  The Lord knew I needed that.  And the snow will indeed melt!

Spring is still trying to arrive.  It's a good opportunity to practice patience in this holiest of weeks.

More exciting news!!!!!

My oldest daughter is engaged!!!

Here she is with now fiance Zach last year at the Easter Vigil when he entered the Catholic Church.

Zach is a good guy, a strong Catholic, and a hard worker.

We will be happy to welcome him into our family!!