Weekly Musings of the 28th for the second month in a row

 

Saw these little guys on my morning walk this week as well as lots of robins, so even though the temperature is going up and down there are signs of spring.  

Biggest news for me was a cousin from Belgium reached out to me and after checking it out from all angles (thanks to all the weirdos that can be out there) I reached back and found out that yes, she is the granddaughter of my grandmother's brother.  We had lost touch most of the families both in England and Belgium and it was really nice to hear from someone.  I am slowly going through my old blogs to share posts about Mamie and going to get her love letters to Papa out of storage to scan and send to the cousin.  The letters are in Flemish (I think) and so I cannot read them but she can.  

Gathered up all our tax stuff to drop off to those that do those things including a couple more things of mom's.  Got a call asking if that was all I had, and as soon as they asked that and about dates and such, I got irritated.  I guess it is a trigger for me anything to do with her estate just makes me see red.  Guess it will take a bit of time for that to dispel.  Got the call yesterday that all is ready so guess where we are heading today.  

DD the 1st is able to spend time with friends in London now that the weather has gotten better.  I take her about half way and another friend meets her there and takes her the rest of the way but brings her home on the return trip.  Gives us all a break and her some time with friends.  

And so that was our week, quiet as we like them but with plans being made that in the future we are going to do some day trips once more and get taking photos again.  Of course we will be sharing here whatever we get up to.  

As to the book, non-fiction again that I read this week.  It was a short one but really an interesting one.  

I think it was written back in the 1400s or so, of course, translated and updated in 2024.  It never ceases to amaze me the books that have been saved from so long ago.  

'Learn from one of the Church’s great mystics, Saint Frances of Rome. In this book, she narrates her visions to her spiritual director, Canon Giovanni Matteoni. He records her visions of the geography of hell and the state of limbo. She describes the punishments for various sins such as perverts, usurers, blasphemers, traitors, murderers, apostates, schismatics, incestuous people, and more. She also talks about the particular torments due to the seven deadly sins and the punishments for theft, dishonoring parents, breaking vows of chastity and selling daughters into prostitution.

In addition to these visions of hell, Saint Frances also shares her visions of purgatory and heaven. She talks about the condition of souls in purgatory and the glories of heaven and so much more. Her visions will provide you with rich meditations on the realities of the Four Last Things.' 

Just a really interesting read and I am glad I came across it. 

No new recipes this week, just our usual fun stuff that are easy for me as I am not in the mood to do any big new dishes that take a lot of work. 

So that is it for me.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Weekly Musings of the 21st

 

I am loving my morning walks once more, oh sure, there are a few moments where I lay there thinking about staying put in the warm and cozy bed but it last only a few moments and I am dressing and heading out the door at sunrise.  I love that time of morning, in the quiet just walking for a time.  Hubby and I have tried it together several times but both of us agree we like our alone walks best, both of us walk a different pace, both like listening to different things and both of us like going at different times of the day.  

On Saturday when I was walking I took these three shots, the first when I started out, the second when I turned to face the west and saw the weather changing and lastly safely inside as the clouds started getting heavy.

Sunday became too stormy for a safe walk but the rest of the week was pretty lovely.  I had skipped the meal planning the previous week but regretted it and had a plan and a list ready for Monday when I took DD to her first shift of the week.  

Tuesday DD the 2nd was celebrating her 42nd birthday and happy wishes were sent early that morning.  

She is the one doing her walking videos of our old home town which are a lot of fun to watch.  I always say though, it isn't my birthdays that get to me, it is how old my babies are now.  

Hubby ended up with having his dentist appointment Tuesday as his dental hygienist had to cancel her appointments for the 28th, the poor girl that had to do the re-booking was thrilled that hubby was willing to come in that very afternoon.  She exclaimed that she loved him when he said 'sure, why not.  I laughed and said  - me too.  At that she got pretty flustered but I knew how she felt as there is nothing worse than having to reschedule people and most are pretty grumpy about it.   It is wonderful when someone actually is easy going about it.  

I was sad to read this week of a blogger friend's hubby passing away.  No matter if it is expected or sudden it is always a shock when it comes.  I am sure she will be away awhile but I do really feel for her and keep her in my prayers.

My book this week was a Lenten favourite,

one of several that really focus on the season.  

“As I stood at the foot of the cross, this pure white garment became saturated with the streams of crimson blood which gushed from His precious body!”
—Our Lady to Saint Anselm

'There is no human person who loved Christ more than Mary. And there is no greater act of love than Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
In these pages, you will find two of the most stirring revelations of Christ’s passion and death ever recorded by Doctors of the Church—Saint Anselm, the Magnificent Doctor, along with writings attributed to Saint Bernard, the Mellifluous Doctor. These private revelations given by Our Lady will enhance one’s prayer life while drawing one deeper into the passion narratives of the Gospels. But what makes this book unique is the heartfelt dialogue between Our Lady and her spiritual sons. Those who read this book will be profoundly moved to not only weep for their sins but to weep for Him whose blood was completely emptied for our salvation.
The Mother of Sorrows is the woman of the interior life who leads us to the Master of the interior life, the Man of Sorrows. There is no better way to contemplate the passion of Christ than through the eyes of Mary, she who loved Him above everything, she who loved Him with a mother’s heart, and she who stood firmly when everyone else fled.'

It is an easy but deep read with lots to reflect on and truly worth reading during the season.  This one will come out again each year for sure.

No new recipes tried this week just family favourites.  Hubby got back on Facebook after the hack a couple months back and I believe he is working on a piece to write in his head at the moment so something will be coming soon I am sure.  

So, just a regular week all the way around.  

Really, honestly I do try really hard.

Have a great weekend. 

P.S. I Forgot about My Book This Week

 

I realized as the day went on that I left out a couple of things from my weekly musings.  One was what book I was reading this week and the other a silly shopping thing. 

I read this review of this book and since I do like quirky and weird too I thought I would give it a read. 

"Dive into the fascinating and overlooked aspects of the Catholic faith with Weird Catholic Handbook by Michael Lichens. This book takes you on a Chestertonian romp through the peculiar and intriguing elements of Catholic history, offering a refreshing perspective on the faith that combines humor, curiosity, and profound insights.

Lichens invites you to discover the bizarre and extraordinary stories that have shaped Catholicism. From saints who faced mythical monsters to the eerie beauty of bone chapels, this book uncovers the spiritual and historical significance behind these oddities. With a blend of scholarly research and engaging storytelling, Lichens brings to life the unique relics, ghostly encounters, and unusual miracles that have been part of the Church's rich tapestry.

In this book, you will discover:

• Saints and Monsters: Learn how saints like St. Michael and St. Columba battled dragons and sea monsters, challenging our modern perceptions of sanctity and heroism.
• Memento Mori: Explore the spiritual insights behind ossuaries and bone churches, and understand the history and purpose of unique relics such as the Incorruptibles and bejeweled skeletons.
• Spiritual Warfare: Delve into the ghost stories and exorcisms that have marked Catholic history, and discover how saints like St. Gregory and St. Thomas Aquinas dealt with purgatorial souls.
• Unusual Miracles: Uncover the strange and miraculous events that have occurred throughout Church history, from stigmata and levitation to bilocation and prophetic visions.

Weird Catholic Handbook is not just a collection of odd stories; it is an invitation to see the profound truths and spiritual lessons embedded in the peculiar. Each chapter sheds light on how these unusual elements of faith have inspired devotion, art, and a deeper understanding of the divine.

Whether you're a devout Catholic, a curious skeptic, or someone who loves a good story, this book offers something for everyone. Discover how the oddities of the past can inspire and enrich your faith today."

I haven't finished it as of yet because it is slower to read than a cozy mystery but although there is some drag in places it really is an interesting read and I have learned a lot about stuff that I thought was just weird or odd but it actually did have a reason behind it and the history of it is really interesting.  I don't think it is a re-read kind of book.  I can't see reading it over and over but it is certainly worth a one-time read.  

The shopping thing is I had to stop in at Bulk Barn (a store my American sister just loves to visit when she comes to Canada) for some tea.  I don't like tea in bags but I love loose tea and the Bulk Barn is one of the few places that I can get it.  I picked up my three favourites - Chai Tea, Caramel Black Tea and regular Tea.  Did my thing at the cash after picking up a few more items and headed home.  Unpacked everything but saw that I only had two of my teas, no regular tea.  Grabbed the receipt and saw it wasn't on the receipt and so I didn't pay for the regular tea.  Somewhere between the bins and the cash, I lost it.  Oh well, another good excuse for going to the Bulk Barn again.  

Weekly Musings of the 14th

Good Morning Everyone!  Still a bit later in the morning than I like but the time change can do that for awhile.  I am so happy I am back to early morning walks once more, only having one mid-day walk due to DD's trip to the dentist on Monday.

Took my first morning picture on Tuesday!  DD had a good appointment at the dentist.  The tooth was pulled with minimum trouble.  Healing has gone along pretty well too.  She was at work the next day and not feeling too bad at all.  

Tigger has a habit from time to time to dash out into the hallway to roll on the scratchy carpet there.  

 She dashed out a couple of times this week and looked pretty pleased with herself as she walked back in.  DD continues to have two shifts a week but at hours that are not really so bad to handle taking her in and picking her up so all is good there although I think she would be pleased to have just one more shift.  

Pretty quiet week all in all but wonderful to be back outside walking first thing in the morning and knowing it is done for the day.  Hubby hasn't gotten back to writing as I think that huge flow of them at the start was just waiting to get onto paper, when another one of those happens I am sure there will be posts here.  He has decided to get back on Facebook and I bet we will be setting that up soon.  

Have a great weekend my friends.  
 

Weekly Musings of the 7th

 

Here we are in March now and Lent is in full swing too.  

I keep my Lenten intentions between myself and the Lord.  I just could never share what I would be doing.  Of course going to Catholic schools there was always the one-upmanship in intentions and I wouldn't take part in that and it always stayed with me.  Enough to say that it has been a blessed start and I pray it continues that way for the full 40 days of Lent.  

DD still is having 2 shifts so far and is hoping as spring comes there will be another shift added.  Lots to do on signs as grocery stores are helping consumers with the buy Canadian push.  Whoever makes the little maple leaf stickers is really going to be busy.  This did not start from any politician nor any leader but quietly as individual Canadians just said that they would not buy American products anymore and many also cancelled and changed Spring Break plans to not go to the States but somewhere else.  

We enjoyed our Shrove Tuesday 

  with a lunch out and Bread Pudding.  It was a lot of fun and a great finish to the preparations for Lent.  On Wednesday we made it to the 7 p.m. Mass and I was so pleased to see that the Church was full, so many people there including lots of children. 

 One funny incident was when I went to make another kind of bread in my breadmaker and forgot to adjust the settings.  Once you press start there is no cancel or reset button if you made a mistake and so the bread had to go along and hope for the best.  Didn't really work at all.

Didn't mix or rise or anything, just baked as it was.  Tastes good but will make another loaf today and make sure I check the settings before hitting start.  

One book this week for me as I am in a non-fiction mood and those take me a bit longer to read.  This one is really good and I know I shall read it again.  

The Paradise of the Soul -

“For I am certain that if anyone reaches perfection in just a single one of these virtues, they shall achieve perfection in them all. And whoever increases in one virtue, will simultaneously grow in every other virtue, too.”
—Saint Albert the Great

What is virtue? It is not a question often asked anymore; yet throughout the centuries, philosophers have considered it one of the most important questions of human life. Coming from the Latin word for “strength,” virtue denotes a steady habit of willing the good—in Christian terms, pursuing the love of God and neighbor—in some particular way. While most Catholics know the virtues of faith, hope, and charity, as well as prudence, temperance, courage, and justice, many of us are unaware of numerous other virtues, such as discretion, constancy, and holy silence.

Saint Albert the Great, one of the greatest Doctors of the Church, and one of the greatest intellects of all time, recognized 42 distinct virtues. His teachings not only name and define the virtues but also direct and guide us in their fruitful exercise. Few are as qualified to teach on this subject as Albert, the Universal Doctor, best known as the teacher of Saint Thomas Aquinas himself. Only a man of true virtue could teach the truth of the virtues.

Brimming with heavenly insights, The Paradise of the Soul teaches what it means to attain beatitude—that is, the fulfillment of all virtue. But as Saint Albert knew, since the fullness of virtues is contained in love, and because God is love, ultimately, we can only achieve true plenitude of virtue by possessing God Himself. This is the true paradise of the soul. Let Saint Albert the Great, Doctor of the Angelic Doctor, instruct you on the path to sanctity among angels."

One of the ideas for blogging came to mind and for now I am going to go with it.  I will write my weekly musings and include book and any new recipes that I may have tried during the week and only post on Friday.  When hubby writes any new stuff that will go up right away on any day.  Just sounds like fun to me and I do love sticking with fun in blogging.  

So that was our week with more walks around the loop and one in the neighbourhood (I actually like walking the loop more) Only one day skipped due to the really chilly weather but with more walks able to be taken it is a sign that spring is on it's way.