And boy wants to see Spider Man, so it's off to Universal Studios for our once-yearly trip. Pray for a good day. Also continue to pray for our intentions. Write tomorrow evening or Teusday morning.
Personal News: February 2004 Archives
--Sometimes I wish I were clever enough, had an incisive enough mind, or perhaps just cared passionately enough to make political comments and critique those who make the decisions about running the nation. But the truth of the matter is that as capable as I am in some things, in this I am utterly incapable. I would not like to be the person responsible for representing thousands of people like me and worse. I have neither the practical savvy nor the self-assurance to be able to make decisions of this sort and whenever I get to analyzing them, my critique amounts to the fact that I don't care for the decision because I don't like it. Period. Not a great way to comment on politics.
--While we're recounting failings, I may as well admit that I don't particularly like Abraham Lincoln either. I truly respect and admire George Washington, John Adams, and to some extent James Madison. I abhor Alexander Hamilton and I'm ambivalent about Jefferson and Marshall. Jefferson has thoroughly admirable and even enviable facets, and thoroughly disreputable and unlikable characteristics. This is true of nearly everyone, but this dichotomy seems more pronounced in Jefferson than in some others. Oh, and I've never particularly cared for Andrew Jackson, but recent intelligence suggests that my opinions were formed in the absence of some of the facts.
--It's too cold in Florida today. Yes, I know it's colder elsewhere, but that doesn't stop it from being too cold here today. I need to live near sea-level nearer the equator--Trinidad, Belize, anyone have a suggestion of a Caribbean destination that isn't completely politically unstable?
--In case you can't tell from the blog, I'm excited about Lent. I'm really looking forward to it, and have, in a small way, already geared up for my Lenten Journey. I still haven't quite figured out the entire plan--what I'll read and what penitential practices I will engage in; however, I do know that I shall spend a great deal more time with my Carmelite Mentors AND Ignatius Press has a very interesting book that might be worth looking into--Thomas á Kempis The Passion of Christ.
Well enough bits and pieces. More later if my brain doesn't dry up.
In the realm of entirely TMI:
Friday Five
1. What's the most daring thing you've ever done?
Walking across a quarter mile railway trestle three-hundred feet above the ground with no real reason for doing so. (Daring or STUPID)
2. What one thing would you like to try that your mother/friend/significant other would never approve of?
Surf Waimea
3. On a scale of 1-10, what's your risk factor? (1=never take risks, 10=it's a lifestyle)
3
4. What's the best thing that's ever happened to you as a result of being bold/risky?
My present employment.
5. ... and what's the worst?
Broken knee stitches in face, broken teeth--all from a tragic fall down some stairs.
This weekend we had a visit from our Provincial Visitator, Sister Libby Dahlstrom. She visits about once a year usually in January or February. Wonderful lady with a wonderful message from our Provincial Delegate about how to run our meetings and the true focus of Carmelite Spirituality.
As part of the meeting we gather for Mass before hand. This mass was something special--there were two priests I had never seen before celebrating. They looked vaguely familiar, but it was only after one of them launched into his homily that I realized why. These two priests were part of the Grey Friars here attending on Father Groeschel. It was a blessing to see them and to hear about how Fr. Groeschel was doing (recovering well and picking up speed.)
This young priest had been ordained only about nine months ago and he was accompanied by another young priest or deacon. There may be a vocation crisis, but when I see the strength of some orders and some places, I tend to doubt it.
