Adding to my Collection

I just found a Japanese commercial and added it to my collection. I have to add this before I close for the night: So what did I do on this blog today? I blogged about my OTHER blog! LOL!

Passover Customs and Memories

Passover began last night. I remember Passover Seders in Baba's apartment (She and Grandpa lived right in our building). As the only child, I was the one who had to ask the Four Questions every year. But I was also the one who was SURE to get the afikoman present every year. The afikoman is the piece of matzah eaten at the end of the Seder. In larger families, one of the children "steals" the afikoman, but where there is only one child, the adults hide the afikoman, and the child hunts for it at the appropriate time. In my family, it was hidden. Oh, the fun I had hunting for it! I recently read that some families have yet another tradition: The afikoman is hidden early in the day, or perhaps the day before, by the father. The kid who finds it first hides it somewhere else, and so on. No matter what the family's afikoman tradition may be, the father (or whoever is leading the Seder) has to promise the child who has the afikoman a present (child's choice, and oh did I love that!)in order to get it back. And I remember the songs, Dayenu and Adir Hu. I found several versions of Adir Hu online awhile ago, different melodies, but not the one I grew up with.

Renovating My Farm

I've completely renovated my farm on FarmVille. Got rid of most of my plots; now I have a just a nice patch with just 21 plots. I also added a pink cottage, and sold some of my trees. I kept all my animals, though. They now have more room to walk around. After renovating, I changed the name of my farm; Crazy Quilt Farm was no longer appropriate. The sign now reads, "Welcome to Rochelle's Quiet, Cozy Little Place {Well, cozy, anyway!}

Great Recessional

In my parish, they alternate the music; one week organ, the next week guitars. It was a guitar Mass today. The Recessional was "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High". Well, that song just happens to be in one of the Playlists I have on the computer.

It Was NOT Pretty!

Palm Sunday! The reading of the Passion is so beautiful, and yet the events were not pretty. The Passion wasn't pretty; it was brutal. Our Lord suffered brutality we cannot begin to understand, and He suffered it willingly for love of us. For each one of us, as if each were the only one. I am horrified by the cruelty, the unbelievable cruelty, of those who caused Or Lord such suffering. And yet, I am just as guilty, perhaps more guilty. Perhaps??? They did not know to Whom they did these things. I know. And yet, I commit sins. He knew. He knew all about me, me as an individual, as He hung on the Cross. He hung there, suffering for me, loving me. I am overwhelmed.

Another Post About The Rosary

Lately, I've been praying three decades of the Rosary at a time, and then the last two decades. This enables me to pray more of the Rosary each day. And once more I've got to say: I really, really, REALLY need to get some more Rosary meditation books!

One Reason I Want To Study Rocks and Minerals

That Rocks and Minerals book I mentioned recently is good for identifying rocks and minerals, but it doesn't give enough information. What I really want to do is study mineralogy, and learn the chemical and crystal properties of various minerals. For some reason, I love these passages from Chapter 6 of "Rose in Bloom" by Louisa May Alcott: "I wish we were all children again, with no hearts to perplex us and no great temptations to try us," she said to herself as she rested a minute in a quiet nook while her partner went to get a glass of water. Right in the midst of this half-sad, half-sentimental reverie, she heard a familiar voice behind her say earnestly: "And allophite is the new hydrous silicate of alumina and magnesia, much resembling pseudophite, which Websky found in Silesia." "What is Mac talking about!" she thought. And, a bit later: And Rose paused that they might listen to the following burst of eloquence from Mac's lips: "You know Frenzal has shown that the globular forms of silicate of bismuth at Schneeburg and Johanngeorgenstadt are not isometric, but monoclinic in crystalline form, and consequently he separates them from the old eulytite and gives them the new name Agricolite." I, like Rose, want to know what Mac is talking about. I'd also like to find out about Websky and Frenzal! I'm going to look up allophite, pseudophite, eulytite, and agricolite online. One comment: It was just too bad that Mac was so absorbed in talking to the professor that he left the party without Rose! I may have blogged about this in another form elsewhere!

Johnny Maestro

I was so saddened to hear that Johnny Maestro passed away. I saw him several times in concert. Here are some of his songs. And check out his good friend Dion's Tribute on Facebook.

"All-Of-A-Kind Family" Family Connection

Click here So why am I interested in this family? Well, I've loved the family in the second picture for years, thanks to the "All-Of-A-Kind Family" series. However, it is the picture on top that means even more to me. You see, my Baba came from the same place as the grandparents in that picture, and she was born in 1902. Could the families have known each other?

Getting In Some Studying

I've started studying, seriously (okay, semi-seriously!) studying again. Except for pre-algebra, most of my studying is off-line, although I also use the computer for further information. Right now, I'm doing: Foreign language: French (a refresher) [I may also read some French stories online.] Science and Nature: Rocks and Minerals (I have "An Instant Guide to Rocks and Minerals" by Eva Fejer and Cecilia Fitzsimons; am also studying online. I learned, online, that opal is not solid; it is a mineraloid gel. Math: Pre-algebra, as aforementioned. [I'm getting good at multiplying decimals.] History/Social Studies: "Colonial Days in Old New York" by Alice Morse Earle. This is a book I've had for a long time, but never got around to reading. It was originally published in 1896, and is available online. I've just added it to my online library. :) English linguistics: "Making Sense of Grammar" by John Clark Jordán; edited and with an introduction by J. R. LeMaster. (Not a textbook in the conventional sense of the word.) {I'd also like to do a study comparing the grammatical structures of several languages.} I don't want to be working on more than five subjects at a time, although I spread my studies throughout the day. Also, to save time, I do some of my studies while eating. I'm not including the books used in my "courses" in my weekly reading list.

Interesting Contrast

Today's first reading was the story of Susannah from the book of Daniel. I was thinking that yesterday's Gospel, about the woman taken in adultery, would have gone well with it; interesting contrast. Well, it turned out that that Gospel was one of two options for today, and Fr. Wade, wisely, IMO, chose that option. His homily, however, focused more on the first reading because, as he said, he had spoken at length about the Gospel passage yesterday. I love Fr. Wade's homilies.

A Bit Of Family History

On this day in 1961, my Baba became an American citizen. I did not know about this until after death. In a way, I feel rather cheated that I didn't know when Baba became a citizen. In retrospect, I think I'd have liked to be there, or at least to have celebrated the event in some way. Are there any families who commemorate, in some way, the anniversary of the day one of them, perhaps now deceased, became a naturalized American, while at the same time honoring their heritage from the old country?

Cool Coincidence

I'm reading "Changes for the Chalet School", by Elinor M. Brent-Dyer. Early in the book, Headmistress Hilda Annersley quotes, "Let him that is without sin among you cast the first stone." Interestingly enough, that's in today's Gospel! I love coincidences like that!

Be Like A Baby

When it comes to the little daily falls, I think that we should have the attitude of a baby learning to walk. That baby may cry for a bit, but he/she doesn't spend the rest of the day brooding over the fall. He/she just keeps trying.

I Can Hardly Wait to Read This

Fr. John Corapi is writing his autobiography. Waiting for it to come out will be a good opportunity to practice the virtue of patience!

Catching Up

I've been catching up (again!) on the comics I've subscribed to. These are paid subscriptions, so if I don't read them, I'm wasting money.

The First Saint I Ever Heard Of

Today is the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary. People love to quote the saints, but we cannot quote St. Joseph. None of his words have been preserved. I take that back about not being able to quote St. Joseph. We cannot quote his words, but we can, and should, "quote" his devotion to Jesus and Mary. St. Joseph was the first saint I ever heard of, but that was because of the children's aspirins! LOL I like simple, homely images. I love to think about St. Joseph walking the floor when the Baby Jesus was teething.

Spring, As They Say, Has Sprung

Spring is definitely here.It was warm, yes, WARM, outside! I walked around in yard and saw some green leaves coming up. There is moss in several places. And, outside of the yard, I could see leaves on the trees. This year I'm going to learn how to identify trees and wildflowers, and I'm going to learn about the different kinds of moss. Also, I'm going to learn how to identify birds. At least, I plan to do all that, but I said the same thing last year, and the year before, and the.... LOL!!! And, a couple of hours ago, I heard a familiar, very familiar, sound of Spring/Summer... the jingle of the ice-cream truck! Yep! Summer is DEFINITELY coming!

Shamrocks.... and Cats

Today, St. Patrick's Day, I'm wearing a green top, and two green hair ribbons. Had Irish soda bread as part of my supper. In the "Katie Rose" series, by Lenora Mattingly Weber, the mother stirs up a loaf of Irish soda bread every morning. Maybe I'll try making it someday! This is also the Feast of St. Gertrude of Nivelles, patron saint of cats and cat lovers. Too bad I don't have a blouse or top with shamrocks and cats on it!

Bible Marking

I've worked out my Bible marking system. I put a colored dot at the beginning and end of a passage I wish to color-code. God's loving care: yellow green Praise, Rejoicing, Thanksgiving: orange Promises: green Faith, Hope, Trust: carnation pink Comfort, Reassurance: blue Instructions, Personal Conduct: brown God's Kingship, Kingdom of Heaven: blue violet Admonitions, Warnings: red Favorite passages, whether color-coded or not, are circled in yellow. I'm still getting used to this Bible. The binding is absolutely gorgeous, and I love gilt edges, and it's in my favorite translation, the RSV, and yet it doesn't quite seem like mine just yet. I'll need to use it, and mark it, and make it as familiar as my old, worn, too-much-marked paperback Bible.

Making A Task More Pleasant

Once again, a small post today. [Actually, tonight] I love to sing hymns while I'm doing the dishes.

Bedtime, or Not?

I've decided that I'm going back to having a regular bedtime; 11:00 PM. Of course, I may just feel that way because I lost an hour last night! Updated to add: That didn't last long! Maybe I should try again.

Markers

I asked Mom if she had some colored pencils or crayons. She gave me a box of Crayolas, new. I'm going to use about nine to mark my Bible; eight for the color code, and one to circle, NOT HIGHLIGHT, passages I especially love. To be honest, I wish I hadn't overmarked and overhighlighted my favorite Bible to the point where I can't read it any more.

Great Attitude!

One of my favorite scenes takes place in a "Pippi Longstocking" book. Pippi and her friends, Tommy and Annika, pass a drugstore with a sign in the window that reads. DO YOU SUFFER FROM FRECKLES? After Pippi finds out what the sign says, she goes in and tells a clerk, "No, I do not suffer from freckles." The clerk responds, "But, my dear child, your face is covered with freckles!" "I know it," Pippi answers, "but I don't suffer from them. I love them." I LOVE that attitude.

Getting Some Rest

I managed to get my nap in this afternoon, and it was a very good nap. Not sure if I slept, but it was a really restful nap. I lay there smelling the coffee percolating in the electric coffeepot for when I got up, and listening to some birds singing outside.

Another Little Post About the Rosary

I REALLY need more books of Rosary meditations. Update: I still do!

A Reading List From December, 2009

CURRENTLY READING "The Chalet School and Robin", by Caroline German. {juvenile fiction, school series} (This is one of the fill-in titles.) "The Art Spirit", by Robert Henri (nonfiction) "Pirkei Avos Treasury" (I prefer this to the version I started reading online, because it has commentaries, which the online version lacks.) (Judaica, nonfiction) The Rosary: Keeping Company With Jesus and Mary by Karen Edmisten {New book, published this year)

Pogo.com

I've joined another game site, pogo.com My username is ProLiferChelle. So far, all I've played here is POPPIT. I like the cute little prizes in the balloons.

A Seasonal Item

FarmVille now has, for a limited time, SHAMROCKS!! I'll have to wait until tomorrow to plant them, because they grow in four hours, and if I planted them now, they'd be wilted before I could harvest them.

Mishna Mentioned at Mass

In his homily this morning during the Mass on EWTN, Fr. Mitch Pacwa talked about the Mishna which speaks of putting a fence around the Torah. (It's part pf the first Mishna in Pirkei Avos). Basically, it means to avoid the occasion of sin. I love it when Fr. Mitch talks about Jewish writings.

Etymology Dictionary

I found an Online Etymology Dictionary. I've always been fascinated by the way words grow, and, quite often, change in meaning.

New Bible, and I Love The Wrapping

I just got my new Bible. It's really beautiful. An added bonus was that it was wrapped in bubble wrap! I've blogged about bubble wrap before. Meanwhile, I still haven't settled on a marking system; I think I'll wait until I can get a multi-colored Bible marking pen.

Jack-In-The Box, Etc.

I haven't thought about this in years! When I was really little, I was terrified of the toy known as a Jack-in-the-Box. That thing popping up was startling, no matter how prepared I THOUGHT I was. Now, that wasn't an unusual childhood fear; many, many children have been frightened by the monster (to a kid) jumping out at them. However, I had a less common fear: I was afraid of the toaster. That toast popping up really scared me. I almost wrote LOL, but I decided not too. Adults need to take the fears that children feel seriously, no matter how silly they seem to us. And that, IMO, includes the fears of the children we used to be.

Poetry Friday: Travel Directions

Poetry Friday: Travel Directions Karen finds some great poems!

The Story Of A Soul

I added "The Story of a Soul" by St. Therese of Lisieux (my Patron Saint!) to my online library in original French, and in English.

Posting About The Rosary AGAIN

I've found that I meditate on the Mysteries of the Rosary better when I pray two decades at a time, so I'm going back to that method.

Computer Playlists

I'm listening to one the many playlists on my computer. It's a singles list, so I have it on Shuffle. I love using Shuffle for singles, but not for albums, and ESPECIALLY not for opera. LOL! Song now on: "Joy To The World", by Three Dog Night.

Protestant Authors

Some of my favorite Christian books are by Protestant writers. I don't always agree with what they say doctrinally, but I enjoy the anecdotes, and I find the faith (small f; faith as in trust) of these writers inspirational. And since the authors are not Catholic, I don't expect everything they write to agree with the teachings of the Catholic Church. What I consider to be really dangerous is doctrinal error by Catholic theologians. What is even more dangerous is well-written doctrinal error by Catholic theologians.

Eternal Word Television Network: Blog - by

Great post from Fr. Mark. Eternal Word Television Network: Blog - by

New Online Library Section

I'm starting a new section in my "Online Library" page: Books Mentioned in the Chalet School Series".

Never Say, or Blog, "Never"

I've said, or rather, blogged, that I wasn't planning to get another Bible. However, mine is a bit too marked up, and is getting hard to read. So.... I ordered a new one from the EWTN Religious Catalog, a compact version of the one I've been using. And this time, I'll just use a dot at the beginning and the end of the passages I want to mark.

Who Needs Expensive Kitty Toys?

Every day, Mom tosses a crumpled up piece of paper for Winky to pounce on. However, these papers tend to disappear under the furniture, and this morning Mom couldn't find any of them, and she was running out of paper. So she said, "Where did the papers disappear to?" Well, Winky went under the little table, which is covered with a cloth, and batted out a piece of paper! Mom said to me, "I'm glad you saw that." We were hysterical!

Not Feeling Deprived

It's strange, but so far this Lent, I haven't really missed any of the things I've given up. Not only that, but the string beans I've been having on Friday for lunch haven't tasted as bad as usual, even with no salt or margarine. I have not felt the least bit deprived. Then again, IS the point of Lent to feel deprived? Isn't it, rather, a time to draw closer to Our Lord? Edited (that didn't take long!) to add: In a way, I do feel deprived. I feel deprived of feeling deprived!

A Little Pre-Algebra

Worked on my pre-algebra; adding decimals. Not very hard. I'd like to go back and review order of operations and nesting; that was fun and challenging.

Blogging is Blogging!

So what did I blog about today? My other blog!LOL!

In My Other Blog

I found a Swedish commercial (mostly in English) and added it to my collection. I also fixed the link to said collection.