Oh, 2010

A quick twirl through Facebook and the Twitter give me the impression that a lot of folks are saying, "don't let the door hit on the way out", to 2010. While I respect that everyone's life is different, I can honestly say that 2010 was a beautiful year in the life of Madame Jones.

Sure, there were things I was very unhappy about: getting involved with someone who seemed like the One, only to find out he was an abusive jerk; some of the pain that came along with strengthening my boundaries where friends were concerned, my vacation was spoiled, and I realize that my time with Grandma is coming to a close. And, as some of you know, I have anxiety. That's not going to change very much, but it's mine.

But for all of the heartache and other things that came with 2010, I don't understand the mindset of saying, "get out of here [insert year]". It's kind of criminal to be ungrateful for your life. Here you are, in all of your glory, and the best part is that you can make CHOICES and that your life belongs to you. Isn't that something to be extremely thankful for? Bad stuff happens, sure, but think about all of the joyful moments of 2010....

- time with your family, they are here and as healthy as they can be in this moment
- your friends, who like your family, are not always perfect. Friends and family heal you, share in your joys and sufferings (if you let them), and help you grow.
- We live in the most abundant country in the world. If you don't have that 88 inch plasma TV, who the fuck cares? The things you actually need are a phone call or a short drive away
- we live in the freest country in the world, even with all of the encroachments. We are still free to use our energy and wherewithal to pursue our dreams - even if we're not doing that right now to our fullest potential
- all of the graces that God grants us, even when we are not able or awake enough to recognize or appreciate them

Life is a good thing in and of itself. If we don't like it, we can change it. But it's a shame to shut it out and lump the good with the bad and dismiss it. Isn't that what's happening with the way history is taught nowadays? Don't let that be you. Yes, 2010 is history, and it's yours.

That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more

Along with much of our once grand culture, this quote from Popeye is sorely overlooked and forgotten. 

And so damn good and relevant today.

If you've gotta hear it (I did), advance to 4:40

Want!

How funny would it be to put one of these into a friend or relative's bed?

Now you can own your very own Horse Head pillow!


I dare you to beat me to it.  Dareya.

Discovering Fulton Sheen

Being a traditional Catholic keeps getting better all the time. It's never stagnant, never the same old tepidity of the Novus Ordo (that's modern Catholicism if you're not familiar). So sad that the traditions of wisdom and fruit of the spirit have fallen by the wayside. Without truth, nothing can progress. Without truth and discipline together, we just sit there.

While reading my more usual Catholic reads, I often heard the name of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. While I knew he was renown, I didn't know that he also had radio and television shows from the 30's through the end of the 60's. The magic of the interwebs provides a platform for anyone to access his television programs. Yesterday, I watched a couple of episodes of his Life Is Worth Living program. I wanted to share these with you, and encourage you to take time to watch other series by the Archbishop. Watch these or any other episodes of his program, and you'll see a style of teaching and authority of presence that was once more common in education. Maybe not everywhere, but more than we see today. They taught us how to learn.

When I watch videos like the ones posted here, I am reminded that all inspiration and law comes from God. It's hard to be human, we want and we want so much, we want it now, and preferably for our own selves, first. Without slowing down and thinking about our thought, it's easy to let things get away from us and take on lives of their own... right under our own roofs.

The truth is simple in itself, but hard to adhere to. We make things complicated in extrapolation and hiding from what we don't want to see. With that in mind, you may find this very refreshing. Enjoy.

Immaculate Conception

Today is Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation in the Catholic church. I attended the solemn high mass this evening and the old rite Latin mass never disappoints. Although I was tired and mentally slushy, God still finds ways to shake me from my slumber in all his reverent ways.


At the end of mass, I found this prayer in my missal:






Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary

O Mary, Virgin and Mother most holy,
behold I have received thy dearly beloved son,
Whom thou didst concieve in they immaculate womb,
didst bring forth and nourish and strain to thyself
in sweetest embrace.
Behold Him Whose every glance filled thee with joy and all delight:
Him I present and offer to the in loving humility,
to be clasped in thy arms and loved in thy heart,
and to be offered in supreme adoration to the most Holy Trinity,
for thine own honour and glory,
for my needs, and for the needs of the whole world.
I beg thee, therefore, most dear Mother,
obtain for me forgiveness of all my sins,
the precious grace of serving thee more faithfully for the future,
and that final grace of being able along with thee
to praise Him through endless ages.
Amen.