Annette and I went to see a great speaker on Friday night named Matthew Kelly ( www.matthewkelly.org ). I have read his Rediscovering Catholicism recently and was very excited that he was coming to talk. He was invited by the Men of St Joseph from St. Ignatius which is a great group of men that meet on Tuesday mornings in fellowship and purpose.
One of the concepts that Matthew Kelly brings out in his book is that Mass should be more than just a place you go to because you are supposed to go. There is wisdom in the Church for us to grasp. One suggestion he said was to look for the one statement in mass that touches your heart. It might be in the readings, response, homily or wherever; but listen for it. Now that gives 2 benefits: 1. that means I have to pay attention 2. I come out of mass with a tangible gain.
So I did that this weekend. He suggests getting a journal (of course he can't say notebook, he's from Australia after all) and writing it in there followed by some thoughts about how this thought can be put into action in the coming week. So here is my statement... "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone".
Annette was telling me about Fr. Farmer's homily from Saturday night and how "he never seemed to get the assignments he wanted but it always worked out in God's plan" Well that sounds like just about everybody that I have ever talked too. I have always been one to jump to conclusions about things. I don't know why but that is way I'm wired. I am going to focus this week on choosing to hold judgement and give God a chance to show me which is the cornerstone. Matthew Kelly has a great statement that says when you turn toward one choice you are turning away from another and every choice impacts your life. Family is my cornerstone and can't wait to get back to my carefree timelessness with them. Now that is a good choice.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Blakely Campout
The campouts for our den have been a lot of fun. I will say that the time spent around the campfire after the kids all go to bed have probably been the most interesting conversations. The kids love stomping around in the woods. The smores are always a hit and camping ain't camping without hot dogs. That's a law.
Make sure you ask about the bumper bar...if you haven't heard that one...you're missin' out...!
Make sure you ask about the bumper bar...if you haven't heard that one...you're missin' out...!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sacramento, CA
I flew into Sacramento today. What beautiful scenery there is flying over the Rockies... Learn yet another travel lesson though... bring a jacket it is pretty darn cold at 35K feet. This area actually reminds me of rural Alabama kinda funny huh.
The school year is ending and it's gonna be harder to leave the kids during the week while they are at home (driving Annette crazy).
We drove north out of Sacremento to Williams, CA. Not a bad drive, but I discovered a universal truth.... all Pilot Rest Steps (like the one in Grand Bay, AL and in California) are loaded with IQ's less than 70. Stay away, stay far far away!
The school year is ending and it's gonna be harder to leave the kids during the week while they are at home (driving Annette crazy).
We drove north out of Sacremento to Williams, CA. Not a bad drive, but I discovered a universal truth.... all Pilot Rest Steps (like the one in Grand Bay, AL and in California) are loaded with IQ's less than 70. Stay away, stay far far away!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Minneapolis
I thought this might be a good way for me to keep up with some interesting and useful information gathered while traveling around the country. I have about 25 trips under my belt at this point; so I am not a seasoned traveler but not a newbie either. For instance, I can get through security without the body cavity search because I have learned which belts set off the detectors, got slip-on shoes, keep my 3-1-1 packing in check and whatever other stupid rules they develop that do not make me even a little safer. Also, when I get on the plane and there is already a passenger in the front seat wearing a coat... he is an armed sky marshal; that makes me feel safer. I am trying to weasel a camera phone out of the company, but thus far have been unsuccessful. Then I will be able to add some pictures as well. There are a couple of truths I have come to believe.
1. You get more flies with honey than vinegar, but sometimes you also end up just sticky.
2. Comfort trumps style any day of the week.
3. The earlier you start, the less Mr. Murphy and his law is able to get into your way.
4. Never check a bag that you can't live without; it may not make it.
I am sure there are others but that is enough for now.
As for Minneapolis (MSP), Delta flies out of the Lindberg terminal (not the Humphrey) and the GPS will mostly try to take you to the other. The Mall of the Americas is a truly amazing place. It's got a river water ride in the middle of it for God's sake. It's also got a lot of fine eatin' in there as well. Gas stations are another story all together. Fill 'er up on the way back and avoid the hassle.
We stayed the night in New Ulm, MN. It is a very pretty town with a strong German culture. Its sister city in Germany shares festivals, bands and other events throughout the year. Very nice in the spring; VERY COLD in January.
I'll try to keep this up a little more frequently and had a little flare at times.
God bless everyone.
1. You get more flies with honey than vinegar, but sometimes you also end up just sticky.
2. Comfort trumps style any day of the week.
3. The earlier you start, the less Mr. Murphy and his law is able to get into your way.
4. Never check a bag that you can't live without; it may not make it.
I am sure there are others but that is enough for now.
As for Minneapolis (MSP), Delta flies out of the Lindberg terminal (not the Humphrey) and the GPS will mostly try to take you to the other. The Mall of the Americas is a truly amazing place. It's got a river water ride in the middle of it for God's sake. It's also got a lot of fine eatin' in there as well. Gas stations are another story all together. Fill 'er up on the way back and avoid the hassle.
We stayed the night in New Ulm, MN. It is a very pretty town with a strong German culture. Its sister city in Germany shares festivals, bands and other events throughout the year. Very nice in the spring; VERY COLD in January.
I'll try to keep this up a little more frequently and had a little flare at times.
God bless everyone.
Friday, February 27, 2009
It's politics as usual....
I hope that everyone who voted for BHO in 2008 because of their frustrations with the war in Iraq read this and regret their decision.
"A key factor in the pace of the U.S. drawdown will be making sure that there are sufficient U.S. forces in Iraq to assure that national elections scheduled for December are peaceful, officials said. Another will be the speed with which Iraqi military and security forces gain the ability to maintain order without American help.
Under Obama's plan, a force of between 35,000 and 50,000 U.S. troops would remain in Iraq after Aug. 31, 2010, to train, equip and advise Iraqi forces, help protect withdrawing forces and work on counterterrorism. They'd remain until Dec. 31, 2011, the date on which the Bush administration agreed to withdraw all troops under a pact with Iraq.
That number, too, could depend on conditions in Iraq and on the need for additional U.S. troops in Afghanistan, where the Taliban have made significant gains, and where national elections also are scheduled."
It is amazing the level of federal spending in that last 30 days. It's like Annette at Shoe Station with a No Limit credit card. I guess this is just one more campaign promise broken; but who is counting.
"A key factor in the pace of the U.S. drawdown will be making sure that there are sufficient U.S. forces in Iraq to assure that national elections scheduled for December are peaceful, officials said. Another will be the speed with which Iraqi military and security forces gain the ability to maintain order without American help.
Under Obama's plan, a force of between 35,000 and 50,000 U.S. troops would remain in Iraq after Aug. 31, 2010, to train, equip and advise Iraqi forces, help protect withdrawing forces and work on counterterrorism. They'd remain until Dec. 31, 2011, the date on which the Bush administration agreed to withdraw all troops under a pact with Iraq.
That number, too, could depend on conditions in Iraq and on the need for additional U.S. troops in Afghanistan, where the Taliban have made significant gains, and where national elections also are scheduled."
It is amazing the level of federal spending in that last 30 days. It's like Annette at Shoe Station with a No Limit credit card. I guess this is just one more campaign promise broken; but who is counting.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Fifty Funny Fellows
Annette and I had a great time at the Fifty Funny Fellows ball last night. It is a much more tame atmosphere than we'll experience tonight at the Striper's. Annette looked so beautiful in her formal gown it was hard to take my eyes off her. She is such a wonderful soul mate. I am the luckiest man alive.
I'll try to include some pictures soon.
I'll try to include some pictures soon.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Syracuse, NY
I have been in Syracuse, New York for a couple of days and had dinner at the coolest family restraunt called The Green Onion. An Italian place in a cobblestone house built in the mid 1800's by the masons that also built the Erie Canal. Very good food and the little Italian chef came out to the table to check on things and talked about cooking and the house. It was kinda cool b/c he and his family also go to Orange Beach every winter for a couple of weeks. Small world huh????
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