Victory For MSU!

 A minute and a half away from the first shutout at the 'big house' since some time in the 1960's unbelievable effort by both teams tonight. Sparty sucked less than they have all year, and the dark blue and yellow sucked more than they have all year. God be praised! Many prayers this day for our kids from East Lansing going up against improbably odds in a hostile environment. God bless them, every one. 

Daddy's Gameday Dip

Daddy makes this and I have tried to mimic it several times but it's never as good as his. 

For our annual Sparty versus dark blue and yellow shindig, I will make some this Saturday. 

3 bricks of cream cheese

2 bricks sharp cheddar shredded

1 small onion diced fine

1/4 green pepper diced fine

2 jalapenos diced fine

1/2 jar of pimento

Whip together in the KitchenAid mixer and enjoy.

And then your favourite crackers to imbibe with:

clubhouse

wheat thins

Thank you for another victory for  MSU, Father! Hoping in your great mercy and benevolence for this one!

Blessed be God forever!!

10/3/26: October Gameday Breakfast Bake

       

¼ c diced red onion

¼ c diced green pepper

½ c diced tomatoes

½ c sliced mushrooms

3 strips of Wright Thick-Sliced bacon

4 oz Oscar Mayer Carving Board uncured ham

8 eggs

½ c milk

6 oz Amazon shredded Colby-Jack cheese

3 or 4 cranks on the black peppercorn grinder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Fry bacon unto desired crispiness and remove to cool. Coat an 8 x 12 glass baking pan with some of the grease; quick saute the vegetables in the remaining grease just to soften them up a bit.

In the campari tomato bowl, combine eggs, milk, diced bacon, diced ham and pepper. Add most of the cheese and mix to combine. Let the vegetables cool before adding them to the mixture, and then dump all in the baking pan. Top with remaining cheese and bake uncovered until the eggs reach a temperature of 175 degrees F. 

Allow to cool for a half minute, then enjoy with your favourite cup of dark roast and an Aunt Milley’s Sourdough English Muffin. 🙂

Thanksgiving

 Dear Lord, I thank you for giving me life, for getting me up every day, especially to-day. Thank you for the recent confirmation of what I had been fearing and for leading me through this dark valley. Thank you for taking care of my every need, and for providing me with so much more than I need. Thank you for the bonuses and extras You continually give me. Thank you for the children you have placed in my care, and thank you for providing means for me to gift them. 

Thank You for my parents and for their unselfish love for all of us. Thank You for siblings and nieces and nephews and cousins and aunties and uncles. Thank You for the grandparents we had for so many years.

You are great; You are mighty, You are loving and oh so merciful. 

Morning prayers ...

 Father, I lift up to you all people on your earth right now, that you would forgive our sins, give us all a desire to know You more intimately through the truth and fullness of the Catholic church, protect us and keep us safe, give us peace in our hearts, and let us know how much You love us.

For Leo, Earl, and all the priests, bishops, deacons, religious, seminarians and their families, and Your Church all over the world, especially where there is persecution, war, or scandal. Crush the bullies, change the hearts and minds of those who would hurt, kill, or steal from others. Release the hostages.

I pray for any woman who is considering abortion, that your would change her heart and mind; that she would know there is a better way and not commit this error. I pray for the repose of the souls in purgatory, for all who have gone on before us. 

I pray for the sick and the dying; those in prisons, and those in hospitals, for those traveling to-day, for those who work with their hands, the blue collar people, construction workers, police, fire, rescue, technicians, all our military, caregivers, mechanics, pilots, stewardesses, health care workers - bring them home safely.

I pray for every child, every one who does not know You; every parent, every spouse, every marriage, every family; for the one who has no one to pray for him, the one struggling with retardation or addiction, or in paying his bills and putting food on the table for his babies, the homeless, the helpless, ...

I pray for President Trump and his family, and all the elected leaders and officials, that they would make decisions that please You. I pray for John Martignoni and his family, the Bible Christian Society, and men of good will everywhere; for Bill Patrick, Pat Harder, Gary Langford, Kurt Kramer, Recker Don, Jim Steiart, Paul, his mom, dad, and brothers, Ryan, Brian, Matt, Josh, Kris, Ray and Kristy, Jack, Doug, and the team and candidates and their families for all the upcoming cursillo weekends. 

I pray for Marty, Denada and their kids, Walsh, Weber, Tony, Doreen, Liam, Aiden, Roger, Sheri, Benjamin, Kevin, his mom and dad and his brother and his family, John Paul, Brandon, Joe, homeless Joe, Sam and Christine, Steve, Edna, Tasha, Claudine, Newsome, Ilsi, Isabella and all the healthcare workers who have ever helped me, the Whitmore Lake guy and all their families.

I lift up Chris and Yin and Constantino, Steve, Judy, Gordy, Teresa, Martha and her family, Bob and Jan, Terry and Don, Corin, Corin, Dennis, Bill, Zach, Peter and his family, Steve and his family, Peter H and his family, the nice lady, Mr and Mrs Wilson, Father Ed and all the deacons and servers and their families. For Father Tom, Debbie, Ron, Father Matthias, Father Joe, Father Fons, Father Vinton, Father Braeden, Father Maybe, Father Eric, Father Georges, Deacon McDonald and Steve Royal and all their families. For Gwennis, Kim, Patti, Michelle, Kristin, Elizabeth, Kayelin, Mary, Diane and for her healing, Schultz and Cook, Gabriella, Emily, Mrs Fisher, the monday guy, the friday guy, Roma, Kristy, Joe, Carl, Ewa, Andrea, Shawnie, the bookstore ladies, Mike and his wife, John, Fr Rocus, Fr Perotta and his intentions, Mary Anne, Leo and his replacement, Chuck, Bill, Brett and his healing, Captain Rodney and his healing, Vincent, Jimmy, Deacon Gerry and Doctor Terry, Shawn, Jacob, Hart, Jack, Charlie, Oliver, Evan M, Dana, Anna, Jena, Sophia, Hannah, Meka, Kaidon, Matthew, Luke, Joey, Chloe, Adam, Chris, Alex, Scarlet, Izzy, Coco, Hutton, Anthony, Lauren, Collette, Hunter, Giulia, Keira, Autumn, Marlowe, Autumn, Genevieve, Vivian, Chris, Tessa, Hope, Dean, Abigail, Madeline, Delilah, Lillian, Riley, Mariam, Hanna, Ella, Charlotte, Raphaella, Philip and Cole, Roman and Isabella and all the k=4th graders and all their families.

I pray for Ron, Tommy, Bill, Walt Jonathan, Beth, Termors, Fournier and thier families, for Tommy, Shelly, Viv AJ, Ninny, Peggy, Neph, Warman, Gina, Paul, Fayenette and all their families, for Bonnie, Phyllis, Amy, Deb, Cheryl, Adam, Mary Joe, Sheena, Mary Ann, Randy and their families; for the Nortons, Ceces, Charlicks, Sherwoods, Boyes, Allens, Stamms and Crockets and all the good folks at West Highland, for Deb, Kim, Denise and Meredith and all their families.

For Stan and Rita, and Stan and Charlotte, Kathy, Justin, Dana, Aaron and their children, Joey and his family, Stosh, Stacie, Carter, Parker, Charlie, Ryan, Em, Mary Ann, Dean and his family, Courtney, Rusty, Drew, Mason, \Meggie, Jake, Quinn, Cameron, Deacon, Alex, Kacie, Harper, Easton, Brett Michael, Moni, Bob, Jon, Jay, Jen, Joslin, Liam, and I pray that those guys would grow up loving you and serving you always, and spend eternity with you in heaven. For Pam, Ken, Kenny, Courtney, Kenneth Wayne, Kendall, Marshall, Robert, Carolyn, Doug and his family, Terry, Jeannie and her familiy, Ty, Sophia, Trent, Kevin, Justen, Coret and for her healing, Tori, her babies, Kaley, Claire, Kristine, Cameron, Mike and his wife and mother. For mom and dad, grandpa and grandma, Aunt Sue, Uncle Elt, Uncle Skip, Jeff and Dawn, Josh and Vicki, Christie and Mitch, Cathy, Jeff, Francisco, Owen, Nicole, Ashley, Kim, Jason, Camden and his brother and sister, Dante and Sydney, Bill and Nancy and her family, Brad, Brenda, Blake, Brooke, Kelli, Doug, Anna, Mara, Alexa, Steve and Fran and her family, Charlie and Anne, Mary Ellen and Leo and Eileen and all our Fuchs and Foxe cousins.

I pray for grandma and grandpa and aunt Arlene, Aunt Doreen, Uncle Butch and his family, Vicky, Dave, Dana, and Gray, Wendy, Adam, Jason, Matthew and his wife, Jerry, Tiffany, Laura, Elizabeth, Makenzie, Melvin, Grace, Robert, Ray, Emily, Jim, Ed, Art, Dorothy, Janis, Fred, Delores, Donna, Sharon, Sandy and Jim, Amy, Aaron, Jake, and Jack, Harold, Grace, Shirley, Diane, Jesse and her family, Kenny and his family, Amanda, Nancy, Ruben and his family especially baby Sullivan, Ray, Ricky, Alex, Belle, Beni, Mac, Carlos, Cheyenne, and her family, Gary, Mary and her family, for their marriage, their intentions and for Gary's healing, for Joshua, Taylor, Theo James and Ty, Jeremy, Lauren, Owen and Aubrey, Nicholas his dad and his family, Isaiah, Ariel, Alexander, Andrew, and the new baby.

And I give You this day.

Like a big snowglobe...

A beautiful Tuesday afternoon here in southeast Lower Michigan! Snow is gently falling, titmice and housefinches and chickadees and downy woodpeckers are enjoying the sunflower hearts we have provided outside our window, and the children are adding another entry to their science journals. About half of my class is out sick so we're taking it easy here in 106 this afternoon. If it weren't for this ulcer I'm dealing with, we'd go out and play football in the snow. So pretty....

Thank You, Lord, for this quiet moment...

19th of April, Holy Saturday ...

 ... a day I remember as a child being a solemn day, quiet in most aspects. A day of waiting, anticipation - but not like the day before Christmas... this is a more reserved penitential day. And the feast that follows is matchless in all of Christendom. 

Rain coming close but might not fall here; Vigil Mass tonight, when the catechized will join the church and there will be much rejoicing. Father, please touch the hearts of my family members, that they would at least experience this Vigil once before You call them home.

We got lots done outside yestreday, and then proceeded to make a list of all the things we need to still do that filled a 14 inch ledger sheet. Ugh. Never seems to be done, the toil of a homeowner. Yet I am thankful. 

Lord, help me to not be offended by others' lack of interest in Your Church. Thank You.

The neighbors' wind chimes are a singing this afternoon. I built a little fire to cook some catfish I had thawed out. Didn't want to waste the charcoal afterward so did three burgers and two Ball Park dogs. Over-rated brand, I must say. Made some tartar for the catfish and it reminded me of Allegan and cat (and dog!-) -fish in the woods over a fire. Thank You dear Lord for fun times.

Quiet afternoon, now; Tigers play at home in about 40 minutes. I love You, Lord. I want to love You more and better. 

17th of April 2025, Thursday of Holy Week

 17th of April 2025, Thursday of Holy Week

12:40

Thank You, Lord, for letting me live another day; thank You for a beautiful day as well. I give to You all my fears, tasks, joys, irritations, ups and downs. Lead me in Your will. Guide me; always let my heart be tuned to You! May the Triduum we find ourselves in lead us to holiness and righteousness in You. Amen. 

Putzing in the kitchen this morning: laundry, cleaning drawers, looking up recipes for some catfish I'd like to do this evening. Fed the birds, moved a couple bags of brown mulch (yes), got the garbage out, grabbed the mail. Two appointments to-day, Tigers at home against the Royals ("in an American League Central match-up"), and I haven't heard from my sweetie at all. It could reach 70 tomorrow again but this time it is closer to the norm. 

The Mason Depot

 

Dearest Jesus, ...

...into Your hands we commit everything: our lives, our marriage, our fun, our woes, our triumphs, our disasters, our finances, our relationships, our jobs, our faith, hope, and love.

All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live

All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, take me now

I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender
Make me Savior wholly thine
May Thy Holy Spirit fill me
May I know Thy power divine

I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior

All is Yours, mighty King; all is Yours.

 

Wondering Wednesday

Hot, humid, and overcast in southeast Lower Michigan

Sweat pours, truck dies, red wing blackbirds call and sing

Ant nation swells and flows, land mammal investigates

Trusted Partner accuses and lies, but what can you do?

One generation up: better than expected

One generation down: enjoying life as they should

Two generations down: getting to be kids where their Dad grew up :-)

Tomatoes and peppers enjoying this heat, but water regularly

Herbs are forgiving as well as giving 

Lawn is kept beautiful and short, like walking on a Pebble Beach green

Maintenance is at a stall due to illness and ugliness

What are we thankful for?!?

Grace

Mercy

Forgiveness

Christ (the Risen One, our King of kings!)

Spirit (the Paraclete, our Advocate)

His Word

Church

His plan

Salvation

His beautiful creation

...

...

...

...

The Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption

Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the Fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.

The Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of our blessed Mother Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth

Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the Fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.

Beautiful Day - Cotton Pickin Kids

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IzpXmwGKQ4

My President - Forgiato Blow x Justin Holley "Official Video"

Daily Supplication

 In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Spirit we begin; amen.

My intercession for your sons and daughters, Lord - You know what each one needs. So I lift us up to you now...

For Francis, and all the priests, bishops, deacons, and religious; and for Your Church all over the world, especially where there is persecution, scandal, or war. For the children of Israel, and peace in the middle east. 

I pray for every woman considering abortion - that  You would change her heart and mind, that she would know there is a better way. 

I pray for the repose of the souls in purgatory, and for all those who have gone on before us.

I pray for every child, and every one who does not yet know You; for every parent, every spouse, every marriage, and every family - that your peace would overwhelm.

I pray for those traveling today and those who work with their hands, the blue  collar people: police, fire, rescue, mechanics and caregivers, all our military - bring them home safely.

I pray for the one who has no one to pray for him, and the one struggling to pay their bills or put food on the table for their babies.

I pray for the homeless and the helpless, those struggling with addiction or retardation.

I pray for President Trump and his family, and for all the elected officials and leaders at the state, local, national, and international level - that they would make decisions which please You.

I pray for John Martignoni, the Bible Christian Society, and men of good will everywhere, and for all the EWTN ministries and their people all over the world.

I pray for Pastor Bob, Pastor Paul, Pastor Dan, Kurt Kramer, Wrecker Don and Jim Styeart, Paul and his family, Brian, Ryan, Matt, Josh, Kris, Ray and Kristi, Jack (RIP), Doug, Christ, Creston, and George, those guys I sat at table with, those chas I served with, all the cursillistas from #97, and the team and candidates and their families for all the upcoming cursillo weekends.

For Brent, Ashley, Kylie, Travis, Jackson, Juniper and Harlow; and I ask for healing for Juniper. For Scott, Cyndi, Peggy, Kayla, Zack, Faith, Tyler, Sandy, Jay, her brothers' family, Gary, Faith, Jim, Chris, all our neighbors, Michael, David, June, Brian, Shawna, John, Ron, Ed, the Georges, Shawn, the maintenance guys, Joanne and all their families.

For Marty, Denada, their kids, Walshie and his family, Tony, Doreen, Liam, Aidan, Roger, Sheri, Benjamin, Kevin's brother and his family, John Paul, Brandon, Joe, Homeless Joe, Amber, Andrew, Wendy, Samuel, Steve, Tosha, Edna, and the Whitmore Lake guy.

I pray for Gwenis, Kim, Patti, Michelle, Kristin, Beth, Joe, Diane, Mary, our new 3/4 teacher, Roma, Kristy, Mike, Carl, Adam, Joe, Ewa, Andrea, Mike and his wife, Father Rokus, Leo, Mary Ann, Bill, Chuck, Deacon Gerry, and all the good folks at Holy Spirit.

I pray for Bob and Jan Urbanic, Gordy and his family, Chris, Yin, and Constantino, Mr and Mrs Wilson, Corine, Father Fride and all the good folks at Christ the King.

I pray for Debbie, Ron, Father Tom and all the good folks at St Patrick, and for Father Matthias and Father Miguel and all the good folks at St Patrick.

For Sean, Jacob, Hart, Evan M, Oliver, Jack, Charles, Sophia, Anna, Dana, Jena, Emma, Hannah, Meka, Kaidon, Matthew, Luke, Joey, Chloe, Adam, Alex, Chris, Scarlet, Izzy, Coco, Hutton, Anthony, Lauren, Collette, Hunter, Giulia, Marlowe, Autumn, Keira, Madeline, Abigail, all our kindergarten buddies and 1-4 scholars, and their families.

For Ron, Tommy, Tim, Buttrey, Walt, Bill, Jonathan, Beth, Termors and Fournier and all their families, for Tommy, Shelley, Vic, AJ, Ninny, Peggy, Neph, Warman and all their families, for Bonnie, Phyllis, Amy, Deb, Cheryl, Adam, Mary Joe, Mary Anne, Sheena and all their families, for the Notrons, Ceces, Sherwoods, Charlicks, Allens, Boyes', Stamms, Crocketts and all the good folks at West Highland. 

For Deb and Kim and Denise and Merideth and their families.

For Stan and Rita (RIP), Stan, Charlotte, Kathy, Justin, Dana, Aaron and their kids, Joey, Mary, Caleb, Eleanor, Stosh (RIP), Stacie, Carter, Parker, Charlie, Ryan, Emma, Mary Ann, Dean and his family, Courtney, Rusty, Drew, Mason, Meggie, Jake, Quinn, Cameron, Deacon, Kacie, Alex, Harper, Brett Michael.

For Moni and Bob and his family and Jon, Jay (RIP), Jen and her family, Joslin and Liam, and I pray they would grow up to know and love You, and serve You all the days of their lives, and spend eternity with You in heaven.

For Pam and Ken and his family, Kenny, Kendall, Marshall, Robert, and for healing for Aunt Pam.

For Carolyn and Doug and for healing for Doug's mom.

For Terrence and Jeanie and her family, Ty, Sophia, Trent; for Kevin, Justin, Coret and her family, Tori, her baby, Kailey, Claire, Kristine, Cameron, Mike and his wife and mom.

For mom and dad, Jeff, Dawn, Josh, Christie, Cathy, Jeff, Francisco, Nicole, Owen, Kim, her husband, his kids, Dante, Sydney.

For Aunt Doreen, Vicki, Dave (RIP), Dana, Gray, Wendy, Adam, Jason, Matthew and his wife, Gerald, Tiffany, Laura, Elizabeth, Mackenzie, Bob, Jim, Ed, Janis, Sharon, Sandy, Jim, Amy, Aaron, Jake and Jack, Shirley, Diane, Jesse and her family and Kenny's family.

For Nancy and Ruben and his family especially baby __; for Ray, Ricky, Bel, Alex, Beni, Mack, Carlos Cheyenne and her family

For Gary and Mary and her family - for their intentions and their marriage and for healing for Gary; for Josh, Taylor, Theo James, Ty, Jeremy, Lauren, Owen, Nicholas, his dad and his family, Ariel, Isaiah, and Alexander.

And I give you this day.

Give me the grace to do what I must - to do the right thing always.

I give you all my thoughts, words, deeds, imperfections, failures, joys, irritations; every conversation I have, every person I encounter, every opportunity to love.

Thank You, thank You, thank You.

Endless praise, glory, honor are Yours.

✠ In the name of the Father, Son, and holy Spirit.

Amen

Our LJ, in his second game of the season

 

 Prayer before Holy Mass by Saint Thomas Aquinas 

Almighty and ever-living God, I draw near to the sacrament of Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I come sick to the physician of life, unclean to the fountain of mercy, blind to the light of eternal brightness, poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. 

So I ask You, most generous Lord: graciously heal my infirmity, wash me clean, illumine my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness.

May I receive the Bread of angels, the King of kings and Lord of lords, with such reverence and humility, such contrition and devotion, such purity and faith, and such resolve and determination as may secure my soul's salvation. Grant as I may receive not only the visible, sign of the Lord's Body and Blood, but also all the reality and the power of the sacrament. 

Grant, most kind God, that I may receive the Body of Your only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, which He received from the Virgin Mary, and may receive it in such a way that I become a living part of His Mystical Body and counted among His members.

Loving Father, as on my earthly pilgrimage I now receive Your beloved Son under the veil of a sacrament, may I one day see Him face to face in glory, who lives and reigns with You forever and ever. Amen.