Flowers, Fire and the Cross

 Our tulilps bloomed the other day. 

 May flowers in March... of course.

 When you go for a walk with a pyromaniac-with-lighter-in-hand you can expect fire.  All the while I was envisioning the wheel of fire from Little House On the Prairie. 

 Men and boys alike don't seem to mind fire.... that said, that is not a torch, it is an exploded cattail.

I, however, found this neat rock with a cross etched on it.  Aragorn said it was probably done by a disk disc tractor with sharp blades for digging fields.  I prefer to think that there is some kind of hidden catacomb or something near by.... wouldn't you? :D

FYI

Bilbo (Ian Holm) played Zerah in Jesus of Nazareth.  In case you were wondering.

March 25th

 The Feast of the Annunciation is one of my favorite feast days, it can be summarized in one word "Yes." a pure and simple "Yes."  Will you say "Yes" to God?  It is only by a pure and simple "Yes" that God can begin to work in us.  And what was the first work of God Mary did?  No sooner the Angel left her she took no time to contemplate the marvelous work the Holy Spirit had begun in her, she made haste to help her Cousin Elizabeth who was with child... John the Baptist.  Because that is the work of God.... to set our littleness aside and serve others.  "My soul doth magnify the Lord."

As an aside, since Passion Sunday supercedes the Annunciation, the Annunciation was transferred to March 26th so.... celebrate!  Read about Passion Sunday at Fisheaters.

And yet, this beautiful day is shared with yet another one of my favorite saints.... St. Dismas.  Little is known about him outside of the Gospel when he was guaranteed his Eternal Reward by Christ Himself from the Cross.  He is known as the saint who stole Heaven. 

Duck

I get a little excited by wildlife up close.  This little gal met me on the way in to make a little visit with Our Lord.

Happy Birthday Aragorn And Pippin

 Aragorn and Pippin share a birthday.  I thought it funny they were 456.  But things just strike me funny I guess not to mention I'm one of those weird patterns in numbers people.

 I cringe to mention Pippin's food requests for the day. Breakfast:  Cereal, Lunch: Corndogs and Shell Macaroni and Cheese (I threw in some oranges to give it a little redeeming quality), Dinner:  Chicken Patties (yes, frozen ones... with ketchup....)  And for dessert a jello cake and french silk pie.  Kind of embarrassing. 

 Sharp Shooter Pippin.  I can't believe he is 6.  He's almost done with Kindergarten and one of the brighter bulbs in the box. 

 To back track a little, Frodo did the grossest thing this week... or was it last week....  He was jumping on the trampoline and got his big toe stuck in the little triangle thing (that the springs hook to).  It didn't seem broken but it hurt like crazy, was terribly bruised and he didn't like walking on it.  Suddenly one day he popped it back in place. *shudder*  He was fine after that.

 Since it was over 80 degrees and the pool was cracked, out came the slip and slide.

 The bike corral.  And that doesn't count all the broken ones piled up on a trailer ready to trade in as scrap. We had to take inventory for who needs a bike.

 Life is very rough and tiring when you have to eat what you are served.  Two is also a very difficult age.  Don't say the word p-o-t-t-y.

The Lighter Side of Life

Someone sent this to me and I laughed til I nearly fell off my couch.

I don't want to brag or make anyone jealous or anything, but I can still fit into the earrings I wore in high school.

Confession Preparation

Pippin is getting ready for his very much needed First Confession. As he told me one day, he really only has about 100 sins to confess.  So we've been working on the Act of Contrition. I don't know why my children mess it up when we say it every single night, but they do.  I decided I better listen carefully to what he was saying.  I kid you not (bold mine):
O My God, I'm heart-ly sorry for having offended Thee and I'm testing all my sins because I dread the loss of hezzen and the pains of hell but most of all because they offend thee my father ever this day be at my side to light and guard to rule and guide. Amen.

(at least he got the "testing all my sins" correct.... come to think of it, he's testing all mine too)

No Comment

Pippin:  I know what hurts Marigold when I kiss her.  When my teeth go into her cheek.

Happy Feast of St. Joseph

 Happy Feast of St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 I'd like to die this way.  St. Joseph, patron of a happy death.

 Yesterday we had a modest St. Joseph Altar celebration.

 Prayers of Petition and Thanksgiving to St. Joseph

 Then the rest is all about food and chit chat.

 When giving your children sugar, there is a fine line between hyperactive and comatose. Always aim for comatose... it's quiet :D

Marigold's tuft of hair (the rooster comb) is back!
Pippin:  "She's got a tomahawk in her hair"
(ummm.... mohawk)