Snow Eve

A January Snow

 We're bracing for old man winter's deposit as foretold by all with interests in groceries and shovels, but there was a decidedly ominous feel about the clouds today, and my NOAA radio keeps buzzing so we'll see what the morrow brings. One thing it brings for sure, is the second anniversary of Gigi's birth. She is most excited to be turning two and to finally reveal what is inside the pretty packages adorning our fireplace. I'm hopeful the weather won't keep our concelebrants at bay. While I'm hoping, I'll add that it would be great if the power stays on too. 

Sunrise...

Letting the Good Times Roll on Mardi Gras

This lent we're writing kind observations about each other in a family notebook, aiming to increase physical activity and decrease passive entertainment (ie screens), striving to arrive on Easter Sunday with a reinvigorated relationship with God. The news of Pope Benedict's abdication came as quite a shock but upon reflection is fitting of his humble shepherding. I admire him greatly and know the Holy Spirit continues to guide the Church through all stages and ages. I had a great affinity for JPII but Benedict spoke to me through his writing. The selection of a new Bishop of Rome always brings out demands for the church to 'get with the times' and the process is often colored with a political frame. Those terms do not apply. It's not as if the temporarily empty earthly chair has any bearing on who we are. The head of the Church is always Christ, no matter his vicar. As for those wishing for dogmatic change, it won't happen. If the key handed down for over 2000 years is altered it would no longer unlock the door.

End religiosity.

 Over the long weekend my sister and I brought our kids to Mom's house and began the process of sifting through 20 years of living to ready it for the market. Six kids, some faulty plumbing, and a horrendous season ending to Downton Abbey may have slowed us down, but we left pleased with our progress.

 My late father had the habit of replying, "It'll cost you a quarter," for any requests from hugs to chats to hanging pictures. He also charged us a quarter each time we failed to turn out the lights before leaving a room. Mom treasures two quarters found in the pocket of the last pair of slacks he wore and thinks of him each time she encounters a quarter in an unusual locale. Dad continued paying us back all those quarters as we cleaned the house this weekend. I found one in a toy, one in a book, one in a vase, one on the couch, and one in a stack of rags. Never dimes or nickels or pennies, only quarters.



My dad used to write a poem to my mom, Dori, each Feast of St. Valentine and printed them in the paper. Something compelled me to write one in his stead this year. It's not newspaper worthy, but I can publish it here.

The Visitor

On Valentine’s morn I awoke with a start

Remnants of a dream that would not depart

Dad had hopped down from his cloud above

To share a sweet tale of everlasting love

My Doree is Adoreeble! My Doree is Adoreeble!

He danced and grinned his heart so full

A happy youth so quick and nimble

So full of grace it made me tremble

He seemed to have so much to say

But was in a hurry and could not stay

Why this message from on high?

I may have gleaned the reason why

Wally is missing a tradition of yore

Writing a poem to his sweet amore

Hiding it within the pages of news

A tribute of adoration to his muse

True, the prose was generally dorky

Will you be the wine for my corky?

Can you remember the fun we had?

You be the mom and I’ll be the dad

I hear you are building a new abode

I wish I could help unburden the load

When choosing the faucets, and fixtures, and halls

Just be sure to add a few walls

For then I assure I’ll be there as well

The Builder promises it through all that they tell

I remain in your heart forever you see

Until the day you’re up here with me

Happy Valentine’s Day from Heaven to my Dorkus

Gigi signing her Valentines

 

Gathering the necessities for Mass

Happy Heart Day from my hearth to yours