Monday Monday La La La

1980 Confirmation Class Our Lady of the Pillar

Notice the beautiful mural.
At mass, I would study the beauty of it.
Each and every detail.
The angels' wings, the variety of blues  and the lovely robes.

Back in the day, Confirmation preparation started in Junior High School,
I like that term so much better than Middle School.  Being in Junior
High School meant something being in the middle means nothing.
By the  end of 8th grade the area Bishop would come to perform the sacrament.
All those confirmed would make their own commitment and accept
the responsibility as adult members of the Church.
 
Confirmation is intended as the passage to adulthood in the Church.
Now the sacrament is not performed until high school because
it shouldn't be forced by parents but selected by those being confirmed.
You select a name and sponsor.
My name was Joan from Saint Joan of Arc. 

My mother in her infinite wisdom didn't force us.  It was our
choice alone.  This was really significant and I have never forgotten it.

As part of the confirmation class of 1979,
my preparation changed my life.  It was at
a Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) camp that I accepted the
Lord as my Savior.  It was at this camp, over a weekend, my life
changed forever.  I invited Jesus into my heart and he has been there
ever since. The whole experience is what I imagine being born
again feels like.

It was also at this camp that I met Creighton Fung. 
I was an impressionable young girl and Creighton was a young
college student.  He made a lasting impression on me. I never forgot
him.   I don't know if he knows it but he helped lead me closer to God.
As a young college student he made being Catholic look cool.
It helped that Creighton had this cool Kermit the Frog sounding voice.
In my young girl understanding, Creighton seemed artsy and sensitive.

It was cool then and is still cool now.

It was during this weekend, I heard Cat Stevens for the first
time. I met Maria D'Amato, who had a little sister, Francesca,. just my age.
Maria and Francesca mother's, Pauline, was a "church lady" at the parish.
Threads of  the Lord  to create a living church family.


Francesca is still one of my brother's, Joe, closest friends.
This is a reminder,  you never know how you will
touch a life.  Make it a positive and lasting impression.

Happy Memorial Day.  Thank you to each and
every family who has made the greatest
sacrifice to ensure we live free.

God bless the United States of America.

Sunday Responding to the Call

When Joe and I were little we attended church every Sunday.
We would have much preferred to sleep in and watch
Shirley Temple movies. We always attended the 8:00 a.m.
mass.  Boy, it was boring.  It was the old lady mass.
At least that is what we called it.
It wasn't like today we were expected to sit
still.  Eyes to the front.  And if you even
thought about turning around to see who
was arriving late you better forget it.   

As soon as possible Joe stopped attending.
My girlfriend Aileen and I would later attend the 11:00 a.m.
mass with other young adults.  Much better. 

It was a ritual we enjoyed and I will always
think of Our Lady of the Pillar as my home
parish.  It is where I grew up and started
building my personal relationship with Christ.

I was taught God is love.  Jesus is a gentleman,
he knocks but will not come in uninvited.
I learned about forgiveness about heartache and
sorrow all those years ago.

Ephesians 4

To Be Mature

 ^1-3In light of all this, here's what I want you to do.
While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master,
 I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—
on the road God called you to travel.
I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands.
I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere.
And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—
not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves
out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.


















Sit for a minute and give thanks for all your blessings.
Can't think of any.
Let me get you started.

Thank you Lord because I can read.
Thank you for surrounding me with a creative family. 
Because I had a wonderful mother.
An honest father who was true to my mother.
For allowing me to spend most of my life
near the ocean.
For giving me 32 years of an able body.
For giving me gifts I have not even discovered yet.

For allowing me memories of fresh grapes, apples,
bananas, passion fruit, loquats,  and guavas.
For allowing me to chase the waves and walk in
the sand. 

Buy yourself a simple journal today. 
Keep counting your blessing everyday. 
Thank you Lord for the sleep when it arrives.

In All Times

Success in marriage depends on being able, 

when you get over being in love, to really love....

Eleanor Roosevelt


In all times seek a Godly partner.
This is not the same thing as a
Christian.  It is not a specific religious
belief.  It may be identified as a strength of character,
admired behaviors and strong convictions.
It is witnessed  as devotion to family, to friends and to
loved ones. A love so true it will light your path
in darkness.

Country Roads

A Godly partner is consistent.
They are trustworthy and sought out for
counsel.  They are not afraid to speak out
against injustice, they are passionate and kind.


A Godly partner fights fair, listens with
their heart, and desires only the best for their mate.
Godly partners seek to understand and support.

A Godly partner has eyes only for their mate.
They do not casually turn to assess a passing
stranger.  They do not feel like something is missing.
They are content because they too sought out a Godly partner.

A Godly partner holds their mate in high
esteem and devotion.
They surrender the I for the we. 

A Godly partner overflows with love and admiration.
A Godly partner is blessed with the power of the Holy
Spirit. An unconditional love so powerful it transcends
time and space. 

The best part of sharing a life with a Godly partner
is the richness and depth that occurs over time.

Country Roads

Happy Happy Friday Ramblings

You were wild once don't let them 

tame you.  Isadora Duncan

So glad it is the end of the week.
There was very little sleep here at Pumpkin Cottage
this week.  Miss Holly started the sickness.
She is fully recovered today.

Mama is ecstatic when everyone is healthy.

Jacob is the student of the month for the second
time this year.  We celebrate today. 

After three tries, I kept passing out only to be wide awake at 1 a.m.,
I watched a whole episode of
the Bob Newhart Show,
A Pound of Flesh
Season 3 Episode 19.
Really funny with a nod to sibling rivalry.

Joe said:
Don't miss the comments from the old lady.
She was one of the cast of crazies. You can
see first 3 seasons on Hulu.  SUPERB
writing.   Bob was a big comedian and had many hit
albums.  He has an everyman quality trudging through
life. In his one man act he did a one sided phone conversation.
He inserted all the appropriate pauses and inflection as he responded
to other characters but it was all him.
Alone in the scene with his infallible comedic timing
and straight man expressions.

It is always about the hunt. Holly has spotted me in the center of an adventure

.

A lazy daisy weekend planned with some
gardening and home projects. Lots of rest.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Dame Judi Dench?
I would really enjoy seeing her new movie
the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Maybe some tasty Mexican food on Saturday.
If everyone's tummies settle down.

There has to be a nap or two and some embroidery quiet
time. On Sunday, the Patchwork Show in Santa Ana,
Jamestown Fleamarket in Tustin, and a visit to the
gardens at Country Roads in Orange.

My brother, and Mr. Lee's favorite sibling,,yeah he really does say that,
knows my taste perfectly.  It is with anticipation that I await the many
treasures he gives me.  Not just lovelies like this rooster platter, but
words of encouragement, videos of creative people,  and the cane he
selected years before I was ready. 

 THE MAN IN THE ARENA

                                          Excerpt from the speech "Citizenship In A Republic"
                                          delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France on 23 April, 1910
                                          download PDF of complete speech 
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points 
out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of
deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs 
to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is 
marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; 
who errs, who comes short again and again, because there 
is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does 
actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, 
the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; 
who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, 
and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, 
so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls 
who neither know victory nor defeat. 

There is always treasure if you bother to look. 

  






















Right here right now. This very moment pledge to reach
to feel more, live and love better. 
In everything you must move forward
with courage.  Experience and risk vulnerability to achieve.
In marriage, in parenting, and in friendship.  Seek.
Let go to experience depth. 
This is what I have been living for years. 

Now you can read a book....out on September 13, 2012.


Read more here...

Glory of Sunday

We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat.

Queen Victoria

Barn Sale

Why do apparently bad things happen to good people?
Our journey is intended to prepare us to be
witnesses for His glory.  In trial, some will RUN from Him
but I RUN to Him. I am humbled by His glory. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the 
will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Not just in the time of blossoms
but in times of pruning give thanks.
Lift His name in glory.

Halleluiah. 

Barn Sale Loot 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each of us was created for His purpose.
When we can't figure out our destination He guides us.

Some of us, like me, need a serious beat down to listen.
Mr. Lee often says do you need a brick wall to fall on you?

I have said it before and I will say it again, YES.
When you think of me, think of me picking up the bricks and
creating a path.  The wall is down.  It will not be a
straight path but a winding path laced with pebbles,
marbles, little hand and paw prints, and favorite verses.
My husband, children, siblings, extended family, warrior girlfriends and
all the other square pegs will stand on the sidelines and CHEER
at the top of their voices.

In all things give thanks. 

Not Normal and Proud

Nearly a year ago...someone who I once admired said.
"Too bad you couldn't be a little more NORMAL."
Yes, Jess, I am going to talk about it again and it DID bother me to the core.
Since childhood I wanted to be liked desperately but never
enough to compromise my integrity.  
Not enough to act meek through life and smash the bigger than life
soul in me. 

It is true,  it would be easier if I could fade into the background.

Years and years ago I read

Having Our Say:

The Delany Sisters' First 100 years

A book about the first 100 years of two black
sisters lives.  Each sister had their own technique for survival.
If I had my copy of this book with all the writing in the margins
I could share specific examples but I don't so here goes.
One sister played dumb.  Caucasians thought she was dumb and
she played dumb to her advantage.  The other sister won't have any of
it...she stood up and gave condescending people a wherefore.

Like Holly would say, "Keep your eyes open and punch them in the face."

I am not normal.  My brother and I were just talking about how
we have learned what most people don't learn in a lifetime,  Mostly
through grace.  We have obtained this grace through our own suffering or the
suffering of our loved ones.

Grace is what you don't deserve and get any way.
It is the way the universe speaks to us.
I get messages all the time.
The miracle is I don't miss the ques of my good fortune.
I pay attention to the universe. Listening to my soul and heart.

Instead of taking the train, I have been driving every day alone back and forth.
Nothing to be proud of, mind you, for a transit person.  
First, I drove because I was fearful I wouldn't be able to walk from the train
to the bus that takes me to work.  Commuters are fast paced and I can't walk fast enough
and I especially didn't want to hold up a bus full of my fellow commuters. 

But now, I simply enjoy my quiet praying time.  The other morning I was riding in the quiet and
my soul starts saying there is a message for you.  So I turn on the radio and they are
talking about letting go.  It was a message I very much needed to hear and even though
I haven't worked all the way to simply letting go...I am working on it.

Then weeks ago I had told Mr. Lee that I would wear a different cross every day.
That  very day the message was if you wear a cross you are saying "Christ in me."
You represent Him through your behavior. 

I wrote about writing in books here.

Then I read

Life is a Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful, 

and Live Intentionally:
"Marginalia, seriously who knew, is away of carrying
on a larger, broader conversation.
It's a physical record of our encounter with a text, scrawled or
jotted in margins and on endpapers and flyleaves."

And

"Taking pen or pencil to our books isn't mutilation,
it is conversation.  As British author Hester Thrale Piozzi put
it in 1790, "I have a Trick of writing in the Margins of my Books,
it is not a good Trick, but one longs to say something.""

No No I could never be normal.
Honestly I am trying to raise exceptional people
not normal people. 

My brain is quiet now...will probably be able to sleep.