when you have the wisdom of Larry the cable guy?
1. A day without sunshine is like night.
2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.
10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.
14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?
15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?
20. Why do psychics have to ask you your name?
21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'
22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.
23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a
jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.
31 May 2009
St. Joan to Pentecost
It's Pentecost Sunday. This had been one of my favorite days of the year, back in my previous life as a Charismatic, since it's when the Holy Spirit descended as tongues of fire. I loved the imagery.
Check out Cathy's blog for a great post on the going's on around the Twin Cities on this day. I see Father George from Lourdes commented that even the Europeans make it illegal to disrupt a religious ceremony. On the other hand, our country has almost made it illegal to stop people from disrupting a religious ceremony.
I made it through the homeschool conference and managed to reign in my almost overwhelming desire to buy oodles of stuff. It's a good thing I don't own a bookstore because nothing would get done and I'd burn through all the profits on more books! I did buy a few things, but the stubby pile I pulled out of my bag and set on the dining room table was pretty disappointing. After all the shopping I had done, after all the inspiring books and resources I saw, I didn't have much to show for my time there. That isn't to say I didn't get things I needed, because I really did, it's just most of the things I came home with were essentials, not anything from my "wish list."
I did manage to get the math curriculum manual, which is normally $65 for $30. That was my main goal, so in that respect, the conference was a complete success!
Because of the conference, I wasn't able to post yesterday on St. Joan of Arc, who was martyed on 30 May 1431. My father's birthday was May 30 and it's traditionally Memorial Day, so I remember them both on this day.
A few months ago, a mom in our homeschool group arranged a great tour of the Cathedral of St. Paul. Found out then that there is a stone from the prison cell of St. Joan's displayed behind the main altar, where all the small chapels to various nations are. Of course, when I was there, I had to touch the stone and ask for this great saint's intercession!
I went to the Cathedral of St. Paul's website, but there was no information about this that I could find. There is a lot of information available on the internet on St. Joan, so will be quite brief here.
St. Joan, ora pro nobis.
Check out Cathy's blog for a great post on the going's on around the Twin Cities on this day. I see Father George from Lourdes commented that even the Europeans make it illegal to disrupt a religious ceremony. On the other hand, our country has almost made it illegal to stop people from disrupting a religious ceremony.
I made it through the homeschool conference and managed to reign in my almost overwhelming desire to buy oodles of stuff. It's a good thing I don't own a bookstore because nothing would get done and I'd burn through all the profits on more books! I did buy a few things, but the stubby pile I pulled out of my bag and set on the dining room table was pretty disappointing. After all the shopping I had done, after all the inspiring books and resources I saw, I didn't have much to show for my time there. That isn't to say I didn't get things I needed, because I really did, it's just most of the things I came home with were essentials, not anything from my "wish list."
I did manage to get the math curriculum manual, which is normally $65 for $30. That was my main goal, so in that respect, the conference was a complete success!
Because of the conference, I wasn't able to post yesterday on St. Joan of Arc, who was martyed on 30 May 1431. My father's birthday was May 30 and it's traditionally Memorial Day, so I remember them both on this day.
A few months ago, a mom in our homeschool group arranged a great tour of the Cathedral of St. Paul. Found out then that there is a stone from the prison cell of St. Joan's displayed behind the main altar, where all the small chapels to various nations are. Of course, when I was there, I had to touch the stone and ask for this great saint's intercession!
I went to the Cathedral of St. Paul's website, but there was no information about this that I could find. There is a lot of information available on the internet on St. Joan, so will be quite brief here.
St. Joan, ora pro nobis.
Born at Domremy in Champagne, probably on 6 January, 1412; died at Rouen, 30 May, 1431. The village of Domremy lay upon the confines of territory which recognized the suzerainty of the Duke of Burgundy, but in the protracted conflict between the Armagnacs (the party of Charles VII, King of France), on the one hand, and the Burgundians in alliance with the English, on the other, Domremy had always remained loyal to Charles.
*snip
Twenty-four years later a revision of her trial, the procès de réhabilitation, was opened at Paris with the consent of the Holy See. The popular feeling was then very different, and, with but the rarest exceptions, all the witnesses were eager to render their tribute to the virtues and supernatural gifts of the Maid. The first trial had been conducted without reference to the pope; indeed it was carried out in defiance of St. Joan's appeal to the head of the Church. Now an appellate court constituted by the pope, after long inquiry and examination of witnesses, reversed and annulled the sentence pronounced by a local tribunal under Cauchon's presidency. The illegality of the former proceedings was made clear, and it speaks well for the sincerity of this new inquiry that it could not be made without inflicting some degree of reproach upon both the King of France and the Church at large, seeing that so great an injustice had been done and had so long been suffered to continue unredressed. Even before the rehabilitation trial, keen observers, like Eneas Sylvius Piccolomini (afterwards Pope Pius II), though still in doubt as to her mission, had discerned something of the heavenly character of the Maid. In Shakespeare's day she was still regarded in England as a witch in league with the fiends of hell, but a juster estimate had begun to prevail even in the pages of Speed's "History of Great Britaine" (1611). By the beginning of the nineteenth century the sympathy for her even in England was general. Such writers as Southey, Hallam, Sharon Turner, Carlyle, Landor, and, above all, De Quincey greeted the Maid with a tribute of respect which was not surpassed even in her own native land. Among her Catholic fellow-countrymen she had been regarded, even in her lifetime, as Divinely inspired.
At last the cause of her beatification was introduced upon occasion of an appeal addressed to the Holy See, in 1869, by Mgr Dupanloup, Bishop of Orléans, and, after passing through all its stages and being duly confirmed by the necessary miracles, the process ended in the decree being published by Pius X on 11 April, 1909. A Mass and Office of St. Joan, taken from the "Commune Virginum," with "proper" prayers, have been approved by the Holy See for use in the Diocese of Orléans.
30 May 2009
Weekend Kneeler Jeopardy
Sorry, was at a homeschool conference this weekend and didn't get a chance to post. I think you guys will be all over this one...
Category: The Roman Curia
The Holy Office of the Inquisition is currently known by this title.
St. Alex says, please place your answer in the form of a question in the combox, and say a Hail Mary while you wait for the answer to be revealed. Demerits for using Google. Educated guesses are welcome and encouraged.
29 May 2009
New recruits
Every year, on what happens to be my wedding anniversary, the new recruits of the Swiss Guard are sworn in. The date is May 6. Important because this is the date that Rome was sacked almost 500 years ago.
Despite all the genealogy I've done on my Swiss ancestors, I haven't found any connected to the elite Swiss Guards. And, my Swiss ancestors are from among the most conservative and staunchly Catholic cantons...impressive if you remember the incredible influence Calvin and Zwingli (and others) had on this region.
This year, however, the chief of the Guard said they may consider allowing women.
Yes, such a move would be a departure from tradition and sense. I come from a long line of military folks, men and women, but c'mon, leave the Guard alone. They are the second best thing to see at the Vatican!
More on the Swiss Guard
From the Vatican: On the morning of May 6th, 1527, from his headquarters set up in St. Onofrio's Convent on the Gianicolo hill, Captain General Bourbon launched a series of attacks on Rome. During one of them, at the Torrione Gate, while leading the assault of the walls, he himself was mortally wounded. After just a moment's hesitation, the Spanish mercenaries broke through the Torrione Gate, while the lansquenets invaded the road of Borgo Santo Spirito and St. Peter's. The Swiss Guard, standing firm at the foot of the obelisk (now in St. Peter's Square, but then near the German cemetery within the Vatican close to the Basilica), together with the few remnants of the Roman troops, resisted desperately. Their Captain, Kaspar Röist was wounded, and later killed by the Spaniards in his quarters in front of his wife, Elizabeth Klingler. Of the 189 Swiss Guards, only 42 survived, the ones who, when all was lost, under the command of Hercules Göldli guarded Clement VII’s retreat to safety in Castel Sant’Angelo. The rest fell gloriously, massacred together with two hundred fugitives, on the steps of the High Altar in St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Clement VII and his men were able to escape to safety, thanks to the "Passetto", a secret corridor which Pope Alexander VI had built along the top of the wall connecting the Vatican with Castel Sant’Angelo.
Despite all the genealogy I've done on my Swiss ancestors, I haven't found any connected to the elite Swiss Guards. And, my Swiss ancestors are from among the most conservative and staunchly Catholic cantons...impressive if you remember the incredible influence Calvin and Zwingli (and others) had on this region.
This year, however, the chief of the Guard said they may consider allowing women.
Vatican army 'may recruit women'
Women may be allowed to join the exclusive ranks of the world's smallest army, the head of the Vatican's Swiss Guard says.
"I can imagine them for one role or another," Commander Daniel Anrig told Italian television. Such a move would represent a significant departure from tradition.
The 500-year-old force, devoted to protecting the pope, usually recruits only young, single, Roman Catholic soldiers from Switzerland.
Previously logistical problems, such as the cramped living quarters for the forces, had been cited as an obstacle to allowing women to join. But Commander Anrig said he believed such problems could be overcome. His predecessors have fiercely opposed such a move. The comments came on the eve of an annual swearing-in ceremony for new recruits. The Swiss Guard was founded in 1506 when Swiss mercenaries marched into Rome to serve under Pope Julius II, known as the "warrior pope".
Yes, such a move would be a departure from tradition and sense. I come from a long line of military folks, men and women, but c'mon, leave the Guard alone. They are the second best thing to see at the Vatican!
More on the Swiss Guard
28 May 2009
At Mayo
About a month ago, I visited the Mayo Clinic. I had been there once as a teenager, accompanying my mother and aunt who were bringing their aunt to the Mayo for a leg amputation, necessitated by complications from diabetes.
For its size, the Mayo Clinic runs like clock-work. It was huge and impressive.
Awhile back, I believe it was Ray who posted about local saints. The belief is that a saint picks you, you don't pick them.
In the time we had before my appointment, we wandered into the history museum on the lobby level of the clinic. I was lost in my thoughts, while my husband, in his typical curious-engineer fashion, was busy reading all the information about the Mayo brothers and how the clinic came into being. Near the back of the display, as I was aimlessly pacing and not really absorbing any of the information, I came face-to-face with a picture of Dr. Giancarlo Rastelli -- our local saint in the making.
Maybe it's because I'm Catholic and knew of Dr. Rastelli's story, but as I came around the corner of the display and saw his photo, listing his many medical contributions for the 50th anniversary of the cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac surgery at the Mayo, I felt a sense of comfort. Wishful thinking perhaps? Something familiar in a strange place? I don't know, but from that moment on, I've asked for Dr. Rastelli's intercession.
On the wall across from the display with the information on Dr. Rastelli, was a place for people to sign a placard for the 50th anniversary. People's comments were typically, "Mayo rocks" or "Thank God for the Mayo." These types of things usually are a turn off for me. What sort of person signs these things anyway?
I did. Disregarding the syrupy, but probably heart-felt compliments others had signed to the Mayo on the placard, I instead wrote the personal, "Dr. Rastelli, Intercede for me."
Hopefully, if the placard is stored in the Mayo archives and is brought out in another 50 years to commemorate the 100th aniversary, Dr. Rastelli will have been canonized and maybe I will be in a place to know for certain if Dr. Rastelli "picked me."
For its size, the Mayo Clinic runs like clock-work. It was huge and impressive.
Awhile back, I believe it was Ray who posted about local saints. The belief is that a saint picks you, you don't pick them.
In the time we had before my appointment, we wandered into the history museum on the lobby level of the clinic. I was lost in my thoughts, while my husband, in his typical curious-engineer fashion, was busy reading all the information about the Mayo brothers and how the clinic came into being. Near the back of the display, as I was aimlessly pacing and not really absorbing any of the information, I came face-to-face with a picture of Dr. Giancarlo Rastelli -- our local saint in the making.
Cardiac Surgery Researcher -- Giancarlo Rastelli, M.D., a Mayo Clinic physician who developed a cardiac procedure for congenital heart disease among children, is being considered for beatification, the first step toward sainthood.
The late Dr. Rastelli died of cancer in 1970 at age 36. He was educated in Italy and came to Mayo Clinic in the 1960s. He was appointed head of cardiovascular surgical research at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, at age 34. He conducted his research in cardiovascular surgery at Mayo during the 1960s and developed Rastelli 1 and Rastelli 2, procedures credited with saving numerous lives of children with heart disease. He was awarded two gold medals by the American Medical Association and did a great deal of his research while suffering from Hodgkin's disease.
Dr. Rastelli displayed a poster with the Italian saying L'Amour Vince (which translates as "Love Always Wins") in his office. Many patients signed the poster as an expression of hope and appreciation.
In an article appearing in the official diocese newspaper, Diocese of Winona Bishop Bernard Harrington wrote that Dr. Rastelli's efforts allowed "thousands of children to live who would probably not have survived." Bishop Silvio Bonicelli of Parma, Italy, is leading the effort to have Dr. Rastelli canonized. A proven miracle must be recognized for beatification. To be a saint, a second proven miracle must be presented and verified.
The process could take years. Bishop Bonicelli submits documents to the cardinals and bishops at the Vatican for consideration. And "you wait for an actual miracle to take place" after someone prays to Dr. Rastelli, Harrington said in a story in the Star Tribune newspaper of Minneapolis.
Monsignor Gerald Mahon of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Rochester, where Dr. Rastelli was a parishioner, said he sees the possibility of Dr. Rastelli being beatified as a sign of hope. "This person worshipped and walked these streets where I walk. It means something becomes more possible, more real, for me," he told the Post-Bulletin newspaper in Rochester.
Maybe it's because I'm Catholic and knew of Dr. Rastelli's story, but as I came around the corner of the display and saw his photo, listing his many medical contributions for the 50th anniversary of the cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac surgery at the Mayo, I felt a sense of comfort. Wishful thinking perhaps? Something familiar in a strange place? I don't know, but from that moment on, I've asked for Dr. Rastelli's intercession.
On the wall across from the display with the information on Dr. Rastelli, was a place for people to sign a placard for the 50th anniversary. People's comments were typically, "Mayo rocks" or "Thank God for the Mayo." These types of things usually are a turn off for me. What sort of person signs these things anyway?
I did. Disregarding the syrupy, but probably heart-felt compliments others had signed to the Mayo on the placard, I instead wrote the personal, "Dr. Rastelli, Intercede for me."
Hopefully, if the placard is stored in the Mayo archives and is brought out in another 50 years to commemorate the 100th aniversary, Dr. Rastelli will have been canonized and maybe I will be in a place to know for certain if Dr. Rastelli "picked me."
26 May 2009
HISSSSSSSS
Aside from playing 500 for the first time in decades this weekend, we watched part of the Land of the Lost marathon on the Sci-Fi channel. Yes, we have more perks at the cabin than we do at home, although we had to go over to my PIL to see the show (we don't have a phone or cell reception at our cabin and no TV). Bad news is, we forgot our steaks, walleye and milk in the refrigerator and couldn't put the boat in the water because we didn't have the current tabs/registration. There is more summer coming though.
I can't believe I loved this as a child. The acting is atrocious, the special effects are a misnomer and the stories don't really make sense. Ah, but I was a kid and it was great. It was even better when I sat in front of the TV with a big bowl of Frosted Flakes or Raisin Bran.
I also can't believe that a "Land of the Lost" movie is coming out with Will Ferrell.
What's next, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl? I think I'll wait until the Bugaloos are in concert at the Excel Center.
The Bugaloos
The Bugaloos
We're in the air and everywhere
Flyin' high
Flyin' loose
Flyin' free as a summer breeze
The Bugaloos
The Bugaloos
We're climbing high and diving low
Through the sky
Across the land
Straight to you with a helping hand
Ready with a helping hand
(Kazoo solo!!!)
We are friends indeed
Should you need
If you ever need
The Bugaloos
The Bugaloos
We're in the air and everywhere!!!
Flyin' high
Flyin' loose
Flyin' free like we all could be
I.Q.: Don't forget
Courage: To write
Harmony: We love to hear
Joy: From you
The Bugaloos
The Bugaloos
Climbin' high and flying free...
I can't believe I loved this as a child. The acting is atrocious, the special effects are a misnomer and the stories don't really make sense. Ah, but I was a kid and it was great. It was even better when I sat in front of the TV with a big bowl of Frosted Flakes or Raisin Bran.
I also can't believe that a "Land of the Lost" movie is coming out with Will Ferrell.
What's next, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl? I think I'll wait until the Bugaloos are in concert at the Excel Center.
The Bugaloos
The Bugaloos
We're in the air and everywhere
Flyin' high
Flyin' loose
Flyin' free as a summer breeze
The Bugaloos
The Bugaloos
We're climbing high and diving low
Through the sky
Across the land
Straight to you with a helping hand
Ready with a helping hand
(Kazoo solo!!!)
We are friends indeed
Should you need
If you ever need
The Bugaloos
The Bugaloos
We're in the air and everywhere!!!
Flyin' high
Flyin' loose
Flyin' free like we all could be
I.Q.: Don't forget
Courage: To write
Harmony: We love to hear
Joy: From you
The Bugaloos
The Bugaloos
Climbin' high and flying free...
25 May 2009
Who knew?
I just learned that my favorite prayer, the Memorare, isn't nearly as ancient as I thought it was. It was written by St. Bernard of Clairvaux and is also known as The Memorare of St. Bernard.
I didn't learn this prayer until I was a junior in college at St. Thomas (I was a public school kid). I took a J-term class, Sin and Sinners in Dante's Purgatory, from Father Welzbacher. Each class period, before we would start, Father would have the class stand and say this prayer. Since I didn't want to look like an idiot and be the only one who didn't know this prayer, I learned it in a few days. I am grateful to Father for "making" me learn this prayer.
And, I learned a little bit about the Divine Comedy too. Not bad considering my friends were taking a J-term class that required them to watch soap operas and critique them. The things you learn at a "Catholic" college!
________________________
Remember, O most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, and sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother; to thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me.
Amen.
Feast Day:
Roman Rite Calendar - 08/20
Tridentine Calendar - 08/20
Patron Of: Beekeepers, Candle-makers, Gibraltar, Wax-refiners
Profile
French nobility. At age 22, fearing the ways of the world, he, four of his brothers, and 25 friends joined the abbey of Citeaux; his father and another brother joined soon after. Benedictine. Founded and led the monastery at Clairvaux which soon had over 700 monks and 160 daughter houses. Revised and reformed the Cistercians. Advisor to, and admonisher of, King Louis the Fat and King Louis the Young. Attended Second Lateran Council. Fought Albigensianism. Helped end the schism of anti-Pope Anacletus II. Preached in France, Italy, Germany. Helped organize the Second Crusade. Friend and biographer of Saint Malachy O'More. Spritual advisor to Pope Eugenius III, who had originally been one of his monks. First Cistercian monk placed on the calendar of saints. Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius VIII.
Every morning Bernard would ask himself, "Why have I come here?", and then remind himself of his main duty - lead a holy life.
Born
1090 at Fontaines-les-Dijon, Burgundy, France
Died
20 August 1153 at Clairvaux
Canonized
1170 by Pope Alexander III
I didn't learn this prayer until I was a junior in college at St. Thomas (I was a public school kid). I took a J-term class, Sin and Sinners in Dante's Purgatory, from Father Welzbacher. Each class period, before we would start, Father would have the class stand and say this prayer. Since I didn't want to look like an idiot and be the only one who didn't know this prayer, I learned it in a few days. I am grateful to Father for "making" me learn this prayer.
And, I learned a little bit about the Divine Comedy too. Not bad considering my friends were taking a J-term class that required them to watch soap operas and critique them. The things you learn at a "Catholic" college!
________________________
Remember, O most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, and sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother; to thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me.
Amen.
22 May 2009
Weekend Kneeler Jeopardy returns
A new season of Weekend Kneeler Jeopardy begins. We will be heading to the cabin and opening the place up for the season. Someone gave me walleye to cook for dinner. MMMM!!! How exactly does one repay someone for a gift like that?
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!!!!
Category: Kings and Popes
Which King, temporarily repentant for interfering in the election of bishops, stood outside the castle where he found the Pope, for four days dressed as a penitent. The Pope at the time forgave him only to have the King oppose the Church all over again, forcing the Pope to flee?
Bonus points if you can tell me the name of the Pope, the castle that the King stood outside of, and the Abbey where the Pope fled.
St. Alex says, place your answer in the form of a question in the combox, say an Our Father while you wait for the answer to be revealed. Demerits for using Google. Educated guesses are welcome and encouraged.
And, since it's Memorial Day weekend, even though it's a bit early......
Happy Birthday Dad
Quiescat in Pace
30 May 1924 - 29 May 2000
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!!!!
Category: Kings and Popes
Which King, temporarily repentant for interfering in the election of bishops, stood outside the castle where he found the Pope, for four days dressed as a penitent. The Pope at the time forgave him only to have the King oppose the Church all over again, forcing the Pope to flee?
Bonus points if you can tell me the name of the Pope, the castle that the King stood outside of, and the Abbey where the Pope fled.
St. Alex says, place your answer in the form of a question in the combox, say an Our Father while you wait for the answer to be revealed. Demerits for using Google. Educated guesses are welcome and encouraged.
And, since it's Memorial Day weekend, even though it's a bit early......
Quiescat in Pace
30 May 1924 - 29 May 2000
19 May 2009
One school year down...
and preparing for the next.
Truth be told, I actually do like planning the curriculum for our homeschool. My husband accuses me of this and I deny it, but just between you and me, I do find it fun. Tedious at times, a lot to wade through, but I feel like a kid in a candy store. There is so much I didn't learn as a child, not just my faith as well as I should, but I now know who Sargon the Great was.
And the real kicker is we just finished Kindergarten. What will I learn next year?
I do know we will cover the Crusades, from a Catholic point of view so that's exciting. For our 20th anniversary, as a history tie-in that I was interested in, I bought my husband the 20-CD set EPIC: A Journey Through Church History. A little bit about it is:
But, back to the homeschool stuff.
One of the books I recently purchased is The Founders of Freedom, by Neuman Press. This great history series was published in the 50s by Benzinger (who publishes a dreadful religious ed program) and is now being republished by the local Neuman. Great series. I also purchased a wonderful book from the University of Dallas Library called, Great Moments in Catholic History, by Rev. Edward Lodge Curran, 1938. It's perfect for my kids, having a short page per topic of interesting Catholic History. For example, the Oxford Movement. I haven't read about it yet, so I can't tell you much more than it touches on one of my favorite converts, Cardinal Newman.
I also bought several Vision Books on the saints. My "collection" started with just one, St. Joan, the Girl Soldier, but when I recently visited another homeschooling friend -- yes, to talk curriculum, I was reacquained with this great series. It was originally published in mid 50s through the 60s and is now republished by Ignatius. There are 72 titles, kind of like Nancy Drew, and so far I only own eight. A meager number, but I'm keeping a look out for others. Right now we are reading Kateri Tekakwitha before bed to the kids. And, the friend I mentioned above also told me about Encounter the Saints, by Pauline Press. Of course, I had to buy some of those too. I forget just which ones I ordered, but they should show up any day soon.
Oh, then there are Bethlehem books, but all my homeschooling friends know about them! Bought a bunch of them, along with the saints books, all pretty cheaply used at online dealers. Am now waiting for the conference to see what I can find used there.
The MN Catholic Home Educators Conference is the weekend after Memorial Day. I think I have most of all the books and resources selected for next year, but then it's really a never ending process!
See you at the conference.
Truth be told, I actually do like planning the curriculum for our homeschool. My husband accuses me of this and I deny it, but just between you and me, I do find it fun. Tedious at times, a lot to wade through, but I feel like a kid in a candy store. There is so much I didn't learn as a child, not just my faith as well as I should, but I now know who Sargon the Great was.
And the real kicker is we just finished Kindergarten. What will I learn next year?
I do know we will cover the Crusades, from a Catholic point of view so that's exciting. For our 20th anniversary, as a history tie-in that I was interested in, I bought my husband the 20-CD set EPIC: A Journey Through Church History. A little bit about it is:
The epic story of the Catholic Church spans thousands of years. With an unlikely beginning in a remote outpost of the Roman empire, the Catholic Church now claims more than one billion living members. The persecutions, martyrdoms, conquests, and triumphs all came together to shape Western civilization as we know it today.
Our identity as Catholics means that we are the inheritors of the deeds of holy men and women who for 2,000 years have built a great civilization and spread the Gospel throughout the world. Church history is not just the recitation of popes, people, places, and events; it is a story of adventure, intrigue, rebellion, reform, and devotion.
You will...
*Learn about the major people, places, and events of the two-thousand years of Church history.
*Learn the true story of the Crusades.
*Understand the rationale for the medieval inquisitors and the Spanish Inquisition.
*Discover the revolutionary character of the Protestant Reformation.
*Know the real story of the confrontation between Galileo and the Church.
*Discover the massive persecution of Christians in the twentieth century.
*Learn about the workings of the Holy Spirit throughout Church history
But, back to the homeschool stuff.
One of the books I recently purchased is The Founders of Freedom, by Neuman Press. This great history series was published in the 50s by Benzinger (who publishes a dreadful religious ed program) and is now being republished by the local Neuman. Great series. I also purchased a wonderful book from the University of Dallas Library called, Great Moments in Catholic History, by Rev. Edward Lodge Curran, 1938. It's perfect for my kids, having a short page per topic of interesting Catholic History. For example, the Oxford Movement. I haven't read about it yet, so I can't tell you much more than it touches on one of my favorite converts, Cardinal Newman.
I also bought several Vision Books on the saints. My "collection" started with just one, St. Joan, the Girl Soldier, but when I recently visited another homeschooling friend -- yes, to talk curriculum, I was reacquained with this great series. It was originally published in mid 50s through the 60s and is now republished by Ignatius. There are 72 titles, kind of like Nancy Drew, and so far I only own eight. A meager number, but I'm keeping a look out for others. Right now we are reading Kateri Tekakwitha before bed to the kids. And, the friend I mentioned above also told me about Encounter the Saints, by Pauline Press. Of course, I had to buy some of those too. I forget just which ones I ordered, but they should show up any day soon.
Oh, then there are Bethlehem books, but all my homeschooling friends know about them! Bought a bunch of them, along with the saints books, all pretty cheaply used at online dealers. Am now waiting for the conference to see what I can find used there.
The MN Catholic Home Educators Conference is the weekend after Memorial Day. I think I have most of all the books and resources selected for next year, but then it's really a never ending process!
See you at the conference.
Monkey Business
Since he's posted Dean Martin videos for me...here's one for Vincenzo, a 47 million year-old lemur monkey, aka "The Missing Link."
To get a glimpse of the Ida fossil, the media make monkeys of themselves
From Bloomberg to the History Channel, everybody wants a piece of the primate action
For a living thing that died in a prehistoric soup, Ida enjoyed a thoroughly modern unveiling. It, or she as it/she was called, was brought before the world's media with the razzmatazz normally reserved for serving presidents or misbehaving film stars.
It is perhaps churlish to complain about the hour and a half of rampant self-publicising that we had to endure before we finally got to meet it/her. After all, we have already been waiting some 47 million years.
And when the climax finally arrived it was truly and astonishingly uplifting. It/she was revealed behind a glass box, her frame strikingly tiny, the size of a cat, her elongated back and slinking tail curved like a new moon.
There is something vulnerable, almost plaintive, about the way her arms are held up as if in supplication. And the ability to see the remains of food inside her stomach is simply astounding.
So there was no doubting the extraordinary power of the moment.
The bit that grated was the desperate, unseemly scramble to grab some of the action. In a display that was utterly primatal, figures as varied as the mayor of New York and the higher education minister of Norway made sure they were front and centre stage.
The most sublime image was of Michael Bloomberg standing beside Ida's glass box, his arm around the shoulders of a school girl who was wearing a T-shirt with the TV tie-in logo: "The Link. This changes everything". The main thing Bloomberg was presumably hoping this would change was his prospects of winning an unprecedented third term as New York mayor in upcoming elections.
Almost on a par with Bloomberg was Tora Aasland, minister for higher education in the Norwegian government, who appeared to think Ida was a wonder of Norwegian science as opposed to a wonder of pre-historic evolution. She pledged $350,000 for the project.
Beyond the politicians, the media crowd was in full voice, each individual making more high-pitched claims about the discovery than the last. Anthony Geffen who has made a film about the secret process to bring the fossil to public attention made an allusion to the moon landings.
Nancy Dubuc of the History Channel that will be showing the film said Ida "promised to change everything that we thought we understood about the origins of human life".
The publishers Little Brown plugged their rapidly turned around and secretly produced book-of-the-film-of-the-science by saying the fossil would "undoubtedly revolutionise our understanding of our origins".
Dr Jorn Hurum, the scientist at the heart of the project, made the most exotic parallels. He screened photographs of the Mona Lisa and the Rosetta Stone, without elucidation, though the implication was clear. He variously described the fossil as the Holy Grail of paleontology and the lost ark of archeology.
She/it is of course no longer in it, but if she were one can't help suspecting that Ida would be turning in her grave.
*Link
To get a glimpse of the Ida fossil, the media make monkeys of themselves
From Bloomberg to the History Channel, everybody wants a piece of the primate action
For a living thing that died in a prehistoric soup, Ida enjoyed a thoroughly modern unveiling. It, or she as it/she was called, was brought before the world's media with the razzmatazz normally reserved for serving presidents or misbehaving film stars.
It is perhaps churlish to complain about the hour and a half of rampant self-publicising that we had to endure before we finally got to meet it/her. After all, we have already been waiting some 47 million years.
And when the climax finally arrived it was truly and astonishingly uplifting. It/she was revealed behind a glass box, her frame strikingly tiny, the size of a cat, her elongated back and slinking tail curved like a new moon.
There is something vulnerable, almost plaintive, about the way her arms are held up as if in supplication. And the ability to see the remains of food inside her stomach is simply astounding.
So there was no doubting the extraordinary power of the moment.
The bit that grated was the desperate, unseemly scramble to grab some of the action. In a display that was utterly primatal, figures as varied as the mayor of New York and the higher education minister of Norway made sure they were front and centre stage.
The most sublime image was of Michael Bloomberg standing beside Ida's glass box, his arm around the shoulders of a school girl who was wearing a T-shirt with the TV tie-in logo: "The Link. This changes everything". The main thing Bloomberg was presumably hoping this would change was his prospects of winning an unprecedented third term as New York mayor in upcoming elections.
Almost on a par with Bloomberg was Tora Aasland, minister for higher education in the Norwegian government, who appeared to think Ida was a wonder of Norwegian science as opposed to a wonder of pre-historic evolution. She pledged $350,000 for the project.
Beyond the politicians, the media crowd was in full voice, each individual making more high-pitched claims about the discovery than the last. Anthony Geffen who has made a film about the secret process to bring the fossil to public attention made an allusion to the moon landings.
Nancy Dubuc of the History Channel that will be showing the film said Ida "promised to change everything that we thought we understood about the origins of human life".
The publishers Little Brown plugged their rapidly turned around and secretly produced book-of-the-film-of-the-science by saying the fossil would "undoubtedly revolutionise our understanding of our origins".
Dr Jorn Hurum, the scientist at the heart of the project, made the most exotic parallels. He screened photographs of the Mona Lisa and the Rosetta Stone, without elucidation, though the implication was clear. He variously described the fossil as the Holy Grail of paleontology and the lost ark of archeology.
She/it is of course no longer in it, but if she were one can't help suspecting that Ida would be turning in her grave.
*Link
17 May 2009
From Wahoo to town near you
I found this list of Top Ten prayers children should know. Not that I live my life by the lists that others create, I just happened to find this list different than the one I would've come up with. That, and the fact that I couldn't even attempt to come up with anything remotely close to #'s 5-7.
1. The Sign of the Cross
2. The Our Father
3. The Hail Mary
4. The Glory Be
5. An Act of Faith
6. An Act of Hope
7. An Act of Charity
8. An Act of Contrition
9. Grace Before Meals
10. Guardian Angel Prayer
My Top Ten List of prayers children should know, from the home office somewhere pretty far north of Wahoo:
1. Guardian Angel Prayer
2. The Hail Mary
3. The Our Father
4. Grace Before Meals
5. St. Michael Prayer
6. Memorare
7. Hail Holy Queen
8. General spontaneous prayers of petition for the intentions of others
9. The Glory Be
10. Apostles Creed
I can bet you I never, ever learned The Acts of Faith, Hope and Charity. However, I did learn my prayers with the Thous, Thys and AMONGST. And, the Prayer to St. Michael is "thrust into hell" not "cast into hell!" I'm just sayin'........ (my apologies to a very good priest who says "cast"...it throws me off every time he gets to this word.) And if you say, "...of your womb, Jesus" it is like nails on a chalk board.
Evolved irony
A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.
~Charles Darwin
~Charles Darwin
03 May 2009
Sancte Pater prayers
Please keep Vincenzo in your prayers. My dear and thoughtful friend is in need of them.
St. Philomena, ora pro nobis.
St. Philomena, ora pro nobis.
02 May 2009
Word of the day
One of the cool things about homeschooling is how much I get to learn. Today we did a math lesson, but reviewing the next lesson, I learned a new word. It's probably a word I learned way back when, but had certainly forgotten.
If it was a question on Jeopardy, I'd never have had a chance. Having been an engineer in my past life and being required to take YEARS of math in every shape and form, I'm surprised I didn't know this word. More surprising is my hubby (engineer too) didn't know this word.
The word is tesselate. Meaning: A tessellation (or tiling) is an arrangement of closed shapes that completely cover the plane without overlapping and without leaving gaps. When a tessellation uses only one shape, it’s called a pure tessellation.
Tesselations are something MC Escher was good at. Check out this site. Squares tesselate a space, but octagons do not. Who would've imagined that fish could tesselate.
My son is in Kindergarten. Seems like a pretty big word for Kindergarten, but I also think kids have an incredible capacity to understand stuff and adults don't always give them credit.
On the other hand, my son does manage to "misunderstand" a lot of things. I think he's being selective, especially when it comes to understanding when it's bed time.
But, on a positive note, despite being sick and out of commission for awhile, homeschool went on and we are almost done with this year's math course. We are using RightStart math and are on Lesson 74 of 77. Woo hoo!!! Almost done! We made it and my son is doing math pretty well for Kindergarten, tessellations and all.
If it was a question on Jeopardy, I'd never have had a chance. Having been an engineer in my past life and being required to take YEARS of math in every shape and form, I'm surprised I didn't know this word. More surprising is my hubby (engineer too) didn't know this word.
The word is tesselate. Meaning: A tessellation (or tiling) is an arrangement of closed shapes that completely cover the plane without overlapping and without leaving gaps. When a tessellation uses only one shape, it’s called a pure tessellation.
Tesselations are something MC Escher was good at. Check out this site. Squares tesselate a space, but octagons do not. Who would've imagined that fish could tesselate.
My son is in Kindergarten. Seems like a pretty big word for Kindergarten, but I also think kids have an incredible capacity to understand stuff and adults don't always give them credit.
On the other hand, my son does manage to "misunderstand" a lot of things. I think he's being selective, especially when it comes to understanding when it's bed time.
But, on a positive note, despite being sick and out of commission for awhile, homeschool went on and we are almost done with this year's math course. We are using RightStart math and are on Lesson 74 of 77. Woo hoo!!! Almost done! We made it and my son is doing math pretty well for Kindergarten, tessellations and all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
