A Moment of Grace

Thank You, Lord, for a blush of autumn beauty

photo © 2012 Nancy Shuman

One Golden Burst

I thank God today that, 

just as trees are on the verge of bare,

we are treated to one last golden burst of bright.

Moments of Autumn Grace

Scents of apple and cinnamon fill my house.  The morning was heavy with storms, dark as night.  I savored sounds of rain while it lasted.  Now, not ready to give up a sense of rainwashed, tea-soothed, quilt-warmed coziness, I turn to my favorite music of all time.  

If there were theme music to my life, this would be it.  Why?   I don't exactly know.

I just know that this piece of music somehow finds its way into every corner of my memory.  Into every shadow of my dreams..... 










This post is linked to Catholic Bloggers Network Monthly Round Up 

(apples photo by Nancy Shuman)

Sticks and Stones

It was the ultimate comeback to childhood taunts.  I can picture myself now as I chanted it; my head thrown back, my nose stuck proudly up in the air, my voice carrying every speck of authority I could muster:  "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!"...

As I grew into my teenage years, not even a suddenly changing public taste for leanness could convince me that it was okay to be the "beanpole" I'd been steadily assured I was.  Add to that the teasing I got about talking too fast, being “smart,” needing glasses (which I refused to wear), not being able to catch a ball (which I couldn’t see...), and I wound up feeling I was well below par. 
 
Sticks and stones had not been thrown, but youthful words had wounded.

I'm now many years past grade school, and my friends are grownups.  We don't throw sticks and stones, and of course adults never hurl wounding words at one another.

Do we.  

I have been thinking lately about what I've seen words do.  Follow me over to Suscipio for a fictional composite of situations I've observed ... and in which I'm ashamed to have participated.  May we accept the grace Our Lord holds out to us.  

May we put away our whispered sticks, our spoken stones. 

(painting Stefano Novo, The Gossips, in US public domain)

That Fortuitous Ooops

I wanted nothing more than to hide out of sight this morning when I turned on my computer.  I discovered that the link-in I'd ALREADY POSTED did not, in fact, lead to the "rest of my story" on the site I was linking TO.  The rest of my story was not on the other end at all.  However, I know you who checked it out found an exceptional post by a woman with a heart-tugging story to share.  What a relief to know that God uses even such things as date mix-ups to accomplish His purposes!

How did my link get posted before the fact?  Well.... knowing that this day could get hectic fast, I'd gone ahead (grabbing a middle of the night posting opportunity when I saw one) and put a link here to a post THERE that I'd thought would be on today.

Oooops. I went to Suscipio today and didn't find my post.

You know what I found instead?

I found a very real sharing about fear, anger, and autism.  Jen writes poignantly about  "Fear of losing my kids. Fear of not being in control. Fear of autism because I don’t always know what to do because he cannot always communicate what he needs, wants, or how he feels....."

I found Jen's story exceptionally compelling.  And I have to thank our good God.  Today He knew (I really think) that someone(s), somewhere(s), needed to find this excellent and very real post.

If you have ever struggled with anger, or fear, or if you know someone dealing with autism, I recommend that you click this line and head on over to Suscipio. 

You might be grateful for my fortuitous ooops.  

Painting: Cinderella, Prinsep, in US public domain)

A Chance to Rhyme

I once heard Dr. Scott Hahn say, regarding echoes of Truth throughout the Old and New Testaments, that “history does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme.” 

One instance of “rhyming” I’m personally fond of has to do with charcoal fires.  Two particular scenes in the life of St. Peter remind me that even in our individual histories, we are given chance after chance to rhyme.

Please click here to join me over at Suscipio,  There we will look at "rhyming fires," and at the opportunity we are each given to rhyme our own lives with the plans of God...

This Summer Day

This is my first attempt at "blogging inside the lines," (in other words, according to an outline... more or less..).  I'll just be adventurous and see what comes of it!  I am joining up with the ladies at Suscipio today for Catholic Woman's Almanac.  

Here goes... 

Today I am thankful for:
+ AIR CONDITIONING.
+ “My special window,” beside which I sit to pray and read and blog.  It has a bookshelf right beside it, and at hand are my Bible, concordance, Cathecism of the Catholic Church, Liturgy of the Hours, books of saints, papers, pencils, CDs, folders of writings and newsletters.  I look up from the computer screen onto a blazing hot day.  From my white-curtained window, the afternoon looks absolutely cheerful.  But if one goes out into it?  Not so much.  So very hot.  Thank God for trees in their best summer green.  They soften the piercing sun.
+ Watermelon.  It IS summertime to me. 
+ A wonderful blogger who recently affirmed my 10 months of blogging in a very kind way.  If you're reading this, my friend, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!

Today I am praying for:
+  The USA. The world.
+  Our beloved Church.  Priests.  Religious Orders.
+  My family.  My friends, including blog readers.  And this means you.  Yes, you.
+  My friend Brian, who will be having brain surgery in a few days.

Today I am reading:
  Several things at once.  As always.
+ Strange Gods Before Me by Mother Mary Francis PCC.   An older book (1964, I think) that I'd read a number of years ago.  A friend gave it to me recently, and I am enjoying anew Mother's holy wisdom and keen sense of humor.  She often has me laughing aloud. 
+ Adam and Eve After the Pill by Mary Eberstadt

Today I am looking toward: 
+ A fourth of July caring for my youngest grandchild (age two) while her mommy works as a hospital nurse.

Today I am remembering:
+ July fourths when my own grandmother took me to our city's fireworks displays.  Such excitement!
Boom BOOM Boom boom BOOM boom BOOM !

"I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your Name forever"  (Psalm 86:12)

(painting of "Watermelon" by Eugenio Lucas)

What to Take to a Potluck

I absolutely love summer.  I love the long, late hours of daylight.  I love fireflies flickering across a darkening yard.  I love densely leafed trees, the sounds of birdsongs, smells of grilling burgers.  

Most of all, I enjoy the social activities of this casual, spontaneous time of year.  Cookouts and picnics and reunions.  Potlucks where everyone brings Their Very Best...

Recently I realized that I have a Very Best to share.  To read about what I think is just right for (but not limited to) potlucks, follow me over to Suscipio (click on this line to get there).  

“The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness, and chastity.” (Galatians 5:22)