Over at Latin Mass Network

... my red-headed-step-child of a blog, I've written about "Voting Catholic in this Election Year".

If you want to come on over and say "Hey" or "What the heck" please do.

Thanks.

Pummelled

Good Twin/Bad Twin [Isn't this picture just the creepiest?]

...from the

LEFT

where this intellectual giantess is threatening to report me the IRS (?) and I don't even think she knows about my anti-Semitism. Maybe I'll clue her in and she can report me to the Justice Department at the same time.

Non-Catholic, Anti-Catholic, No-longer-Catholic heretics:

CommonGround
Pacifists (aka cowards)
Call to Action
Pax Cristi
Anyone who quotes MLK Jr on their blog
Anyone who calls soldiers murderers (if only we had know that BEFORE we canonized St. Martin).
Anyone who links to the Maryknolls
Anyone who has this attractive picture of Sr. Helen Prejean on their website:





and

the

RIGHT.

But don't worry- I can take it.

Who's Afraid of Sarah Palin?

Hearing of Holofernes' plot, Judith, a widowed resident of Bethulia, put on beautiful clothes and jewelry and entered the Assyrian camp, purporting to be a spy against the Jewish people. She promised to tell Holofernes how to destroy the Jews; but when Holofernes became drunk at a celebration, she followed him into his tent and cut off his head.

This election is one that will separate the men from the boys and the boys from the eunuchs. I'm hearing men say to my astonishment, that they will not vote for the McCain/Palin ticket because Palin is a woman. That seems to me to be taking your own inferiority complex a little too far.

And by this attitude some husbands seem to believe that their wives are at home, tending to the children, cooking and sewing and cleaning because they are fit for little else and they are at home because of their "inferior" talents. Frightening isn't it? And that makes big strong men feel bigger and stronger.

Do these same men have a problem with the Co-Redemptrix of mankind? Is it possible that they miss the analogy of a woman defeating evil as part of God's plan?

As a good friend of mine has said, we've sent plenty of "pro-life" men to Washington and they have accomplished little to nothing. Perhaps God wants to try something different. The thought of a pro-life mother in the White House gives me the chills. What an opportunity.




Couched in a veneer of compassion I've heard people say, "If only she didn't have all those children." or "If only she didn't have a special needs baby."

If only! If only! That is the whole point! She has her babies because she is PRO-LIFE- get it?

So for those of you with your one talent (your vote) who are intent on burying it in the sand lest you lose it, you go right ahead. We don't need you. It's time for the rest of us to stand up for what is right. If you want to join us and stop hiding behind your own insecurities it would be a good time. Or carry on and insist upon your feelings of superiority. But let me tell you- you're not fooling anyone.

There are few things that irritate me more than misogyny disguised as respect for femininity.



And for those of you so "determined" to show your respect for the role of women, the role of mothers by not voting for someone who is pro-life, when is the last time that you refused to watch a movie because the leading actress had young children? Listen to music recorded by a singer with young children? Refused to watch a sitcom because the starring lead had young children that she was neglecting to pursue her acting?

That's exactly what I thought.

Totally Worth It

I realize there are some images here that one could quibble with but why do that when something so important is at stake. (You know who you are ;).

I think this is really masterful in what it conveys and the emotions it stirs as I watch this.

And for the person who has been steadily accusing me of anti-Semitism on his blog and in the many anonymous and pseudonymous comments- I hope you are satisfied. And I really hope you didn't think that I didn't know that you use a variety of aliases to attempt to post here and to actually post on your own blog. You're right it's not about you- it's about being a poster child for mental illness. Sir you have my sympathy and my pity but sadly not my respect.

Five Favorite Books I've Read This Year

I know it's early in the year- September but I think my reading cycle is just about down. Now I'll go back to reading only the Angelus, Yankee Magazine and Country Living. School is starting and things will get hectic and harried.

So, # 1 is [drumroll please] The Faithful Departed by Phil Lawler. Personally I don't understand why this book isn't getting more press. I guess because it has been blacklisted by so many bookstores, Daughters of St Paul (but true to their principles they will ORDER the book for you) maybe if Phil writes a book about Medjugorje he will get top billing. The National Shrine bookstore in D.C. also blacklisted the book and cancelled a book signing. Freedom of speech, isn't it wonderful?

But anyway, order the book and you'll find that you end up ordering half a dozen and giving them out as gifts. The book is that good.The blog is pretty good too.

2. Swimming With Scapulars by Matthew Lickona. This book has been around for a while but I only got to read it after my brother gave it to my sister who read it and then gave it to me. Very interesting book. While some of it was "too much information" and he does reveal a sentiment that he himself proclaims "monstrous" this is a useful book and says a lot about the young, orthodox Catholics emerging from schools like Thomas Aquinas. I'll give it 3 1/2 stars.

3. The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan. Don't know why but I went on an Amy Tan reading spree this summer. Found this book at a book store and it was really a good one. Love the theme of the old world informing the new and how what seems like irrelevant superstitions are really figurative reality. If someone can figure out what that means let me know. I mean I know but am I the only one?

4. Master of Hestviken by Sigrid Undsett. Man was this great. Tragic, dramatic, brilliant and leaves Kristin Lavransdatter in the dust. (sort of). Reminds me a little of Tess of the d'Ubervilles by Thomas Hardy.

5. Fix it and Forget it- A Recipe book for Slow Cookers (because that sounds so much more refined that "crock pot" doesn't it?) This book has helped me reclaim hours during the day, my husband's adoration and at least 10 lbs and that is as mixed a compliment as you can get. Money saving too.

Physics Rap

Science is cool. This was written by a graduate student, Kate McAlpine. And I feel like if I just keep watching this video over and over again I might understand Physics.

Sarah "Barracuda" Palin

It's a Cinderella story and America loves a Cinderella story. I wasn't even going to vote Republican this election (was going to vote Right to Life party) but I think I've just changed my mind.

Senior Pictures time

My 17 year old daughter Veronica had her senior pictures taken by Jane McDonagh.

She has these 2 of the photos she took on her blog that you can see here.

We are so happy with the way these pictures came out and I can't wait to see the rest of them. Jane only takes photos in natural light and outside. These pictures were taken at Minute Man State Park in Concord, MA. She is very talented and Veronica really enjoyed her photo shoot.

I am going to try to have a family portrait done next summer so if you are looking for senior pictures- check out Jane McDonagh Photography based in northern Massachusetts.

Summertime

A friend sent me this picture of my Becs who is almost 3. This picture really says summer, childhood and innocence and it's a reminder to appreciate it because it's all too fleeting.

Nature's first green is gold.
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

"Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Robert Frost.

Skydiving....

My sisters went sky diving together and here are the videos.

Deb, whose idea this was anyway:



Kath who went along with it.

Romantic Homes Magazine Giveaway

When I first saw this headline I thought actual Romantic Homes were being given away!

But it is the magazine from My Cottage in the Making blog.

I am posting this not only to offer you all (all 5 or 6 of you) a chance to win but because I get a second chance to win by posting this! I may be mercenary but I am scrupulously honest.

I hope I win! I hope I win! I hope I win!

Local Mayor's home is invade, dogs shot... for nothing

This is outrageous.

But not at all surprising.

And in other news Chicago gets ready to impose Martial Law.

Happy 20th Anniversary to Us!

To celebrate we went to dinner at The Sole Proprietor, a restaurant I have wanted to go to for years! The food was wonderful. The shrimp from the shrimp cocktail was so big I felt like I should have been using a knife and fork! I also had the tomato basil (pronounced TOE-mato Bay- Zeal)soup, lobster for a main course and for dessert the 2 Chocolate Sauce Terrine.

Here's to the next 20 years!

Saved by the Blog Meme

Well, just when I thought I couldn't think of a single thing to post, I remembered that I had not yet participated in this Blog Awards by Lily Thorn.

Lily is a talented writer, good mother and has the distinction of having re-connected me with a dear college friend. (I am in her debt). And then, she awarded me the Excellent Blog Award, undeserving as I am. But I am appreciative. So I will duly post my most favorite blogs, you may be surprised and you may be horrified but I attempt honesty at this late stage in my life.

1. Steve Skojec- he has taken on the responsibilities of family life imbued with Catholicism. He struggles, he sweats, he bleeds, he is human but without all the self pitying blogging that I abhor. (and yes I have been banned from that blog)

2. Brocante Home- a transcendant writer who has struggled and continues to make life beautiful for her own family and those of us enraptured with her writing. She writes for the "Traditional Housewife who keeps a perfect home." As if.

3. The Crescat- in spite of an earlier disagreement, I have come to expect the highest level quality of images of the saints, religious life, and you know all that good Catholic stuff).

4. Maryskeys- uncompromising and "take no prisoners" in her theology and Catholicism. What more is there to say?

5. Orwell's Picnic- ah Hilary, this reminds me of the song in "The Sound of Music" How do you catch a cloud and pin it down? Well, Hilary is a writer for Lifesite, brutally honest (and there is no exaggeration in this statement!). She is "Liveblogging the Apocalypse". And why not?
She is "English, Catholic, Conservative and not at all sorry". N.B. I am not currently banned from this blog.

I'll do the other 5 tomorrow.

Lucinda Williams: Change the Locks

That's country music y'all.

Count on me to belabor the point

Amma Bernhoft with her husband and 15 children.

From the Bernhoft Family Ancestry page.

Someone was batting this photo around on facebook and when I saw it you can imagine my reaction.

Another irresponsible providentialist.

God bless her!

You might wonder how Amma fared after raising 15 children.



Here is a picture of the poor,broken down woman. Mrs. Bernhoft was born November 14, 1874 and died October 31, 1968. That would be a mere 94 years.

Only imagine how much longer she might have lived had she not ruined her health, tempted God's providence, and exhibited such a shocking lack of self control.

One other small point on the issue of large, generous families (or so some call them). Take the analogy of a philanthropist who donates a million dollars to build a hospital. Generally speaking there is a press conference, gratitude is shown for the donation. People at this event are smiling and congratulating the donor and the recipients of donation. There are stories lauding the event. And never in such a scenario have I seen the following angle explored,

"Well not everyone can make such a large donation. Indeed for some people only a dollar or fifty cents is all they can manage to give. And we should think no more of someone who gives a million dollars than someone who puts a penny in the donation box."

Now obviously it is correct that not everyone can give a million dollars. You can only give what is in your capacity to give. But that sentiment never obscures the greatness of the gift at hand. The person making the gift is never admonished for arrogance or corrected in their generosity. That sentiment is one of defensiveness and often defensive is the result of guilt.

My Thoughts Exactly

This article is about Home Repair- the joys and challenges and accepting reality. And keep in mind her house is ONLY 102 years old. In my present domicile we're talking about 137 years,baby.

The author writes:

I had moved from Brooklyn to Philadelphia for many reasons, but mainly to reduce expenses so that I could write more of what I wanted, less of what would pay the rent.

Before the ink on the mortgage papers had a chance to dry, however, I discovered that this house offered incontestable proof that the universe has a sense of humor.

All the details that drew me to the property in the first place hung to their functionality by a thread. The wood-sash storm windows fell apart if I thought about repainting them, the tiles of the master bath floor had come so loose I could vacuum them up, and that sunny little mudroom off the kitchen sucked in frigid winter air like a sponge.

In my Pandora's Box, something fell apart every week and at every turn. The water line leaked when I tried to shut off its valve for winter, and the basement wall crumbled when I accidentally bumped into it with a laundry basket. One day, the dryer drum just refused to turn altogether.

But the whole thing is worth reading and as I type these words a wall in the living room has been torn down leaving part of the ceiling exposed (and without those cute little beams), a chasm between 2 wood floors that are naturally of two different types of wood and the hallway going up the stairs has had some of the wallpaper removed. The banister has been painted brown and streaked to "look like wood" but my husband thoughtfully bought me a can of stripper. What a guy.

And all that remains is to sheet rock the ceiling and wall, strip the rest of the wallpaper, paint the stairs and stain the to-be-stripped banister, paint the wood trim, sew curtains and find slipcovers, a rug, stair treads and a tv stand. It will done any year now. Inshallah.

Let the Pandering Continue: Obama make sure your children can speak spanish

I guess I should take some small comfort in the fact that Obama is not calling for our children to learn Arabic. (probably thinks it's too hard for Americans)

A change I don't believe in.

Free Early Christian Music from Amazon

Free from Amazon

Funny aside was this review I read:

By D. Acosta "desertdancer" (Las Vegas, NV United States)

As a Christian and a belly dancer/instructor, what a surprise and delight it was to find a baladi-based version of "Kyrie Eleison (Lord, have mercy)" -- for free, even! Rest assured I'll be belly dancing to *this* song. I've already checked out iTunes for more from Oni Wytars, and bought another song, LOL. The rest of the album is well done and worth a listen, even if it's not quite as danceable.

I'm all for the arts even folk art but there is something very very wrong when you are belly dancing to "Kyrie Eleison".

Lord have mercy indeed.

Objections to Serial Motherhood

I know that's a weird headline, but hey that's me.

What are some of the objections to serial motherhood?

And by that I mean having more than 2 children. Specifically having more children than a boy and a girl (mini-mes of Mom and Dad) spaced exactly 3 years apart.

Poverty.

I give you the Holy Family.

Insanity.

Sanity is overrated and largely arbitrary.

Poor health of the mother.

Well, I admit I have led you into a trap. A friend of mine has just borne her 13th child. Now when I think of the mother of 13 children I think, medieval Europe, a woman scuffling along with a cane and a cape of rough wool clad about her shoulders. She does not make eye contact because she is too impoverished, dejected, despondent.

But just look at this amazing photograph!



Now you may be thinking to yourself, well NFP has saved us from THAT. (the folly of having 13 children!). Think again my friend and reconsider who is engaging in folly.

Someone better inform Mrs. Karen Kasprzak and Mrs. Duggar because I guess they didn't get the memo. The one that says "having a lot children is for those who want to be unhappy and in ill health and ignorant and depressed." Don't be like St. Catherine of Siena's mother who bore 23 children.

That is not allowed anymore.

I look at that picture and I do not see despondence. Depression. I see triumph!

Oh no! Now we are going to be accused of "Triumphalism". Well, I don't think I have ever defended myself against that charge as much as gloried in it.

So there you are.

Well, I just couldn't help myself and I hope that you draw the same conclusion that I have. You can have 13 children. Or 23. Or 18 and be healthy, happy, unimpoverished and photogenic. (because that is what is REALLY important).