CHRISTmas Eve

I'm working on our CHRISTmas cheesecake now (actually I'm effing around on the computer waiting for my ingredients to come down to room temperature); I will also put together our cheesy potato dish for tomorrow's baking and probably watch 1951 Scrooge one more time before bed. Mass is tomorrow at 9 or 10 depending on where we go, then to mom and dad's for a visit.

My favorite recording of Handel's Messiah, Part I

I first recorded the entire concert from an A&E television show in 1992, and still have the video tape.

The fifth chapter of St Matthew's Gospel, and the fourteenth verse

Dear Jesus let this be my prayer every minute of every day for as long as I am blessed to be on this good earth; from my Loyola Press devotion this morning:

Jesus, light of the world, thank You for 

sending me forth into the world to be Your light. 

Help me to put aside all that prevents me 

from letting Your light shine through me.

To my friend Kevin~

Rest in peace; or if you are not dead and not incapacitated somewhere, rest in agony; for your lack of response, although not totally unprecedented, is quite maddening.

If you are laid up somewhere dying with no charger for your phone, then please forgive me, and disregard these last thoughts.

For it was you who taught me to cook fish  seasoned and in foil, in the embers of our fire.

Together we perfected the tee-pee fire and there was not one that we could not light.

You introduced me to snorkeling, and fishing while doing so, as well as wrist-rocket frogging.

The un-dead dogfish, the talking catfish, and the tastes-like-chicken turtle were ours to share.

I will be reminded of you every fire I light, and ever reel I cast.

Our eighty four inch sucker must have weighed in at a record-breaking six thousand pounds, but alas there were no phones with cameras in those days.

The flaming dog will be remembered, along with the land of the angry negro.

The trails and reservoir of Allegan woods was ours, in spite of the woman who wanted to swim now.


Rest in peace, old friend, if you are indeed dead. The next campfire I light using Coghlan's Fire Starters, I will drink to you and us, like we said we should.

Two years ago on the left, our little guy was in Cheyenne, Colorado with four feet of snow outside. Yestreday, he was on a joint Air Force base in sunny 80 degree Honolulu. But Santa is Santa, and he can get where he needs to be (thanks to Rudolph).

In God's Time

Oh God of peaks and valleys and plains and cliffs,

help me to see You 

and to embrace You

in all the paths and seasons of my life.

Early Saturday Morning and thoughts are running through my old mind...

Trying to shore up my fantasy football team for the first round of the playoffs this weekend. I already caught a break as my vs didn't play his Ravens defense, who had a spectacular game Thursday night (the last Thursday game of the NFL season). Julian Edleman and Jameis Winston are both hurt but should play and I will roll the dice and take my chances. My receiving corps has been lacking since Week 1 but my running backs (Fornette and McCaffery) and my coaching decisions (according to CBSsports.com) have attributed to my winning the division and earning the #2 seed.

CHRISTmas cards have mostly been addressed and stamped and sent out, and we are expecting our futon mattress this coming week! We've had that beautiful cedar futon crammed in one bedroom or another and used for storing boxes of shit for seven years - it is now out in the living room and will afford us opportunity to sleep by a warm fire like we used to in Stanwood. We are blessed indeed!

Later this morning we will have our Howell Sunrise Diner breakfast, and run errands out that way. Then we will place our colored CHRISTmas lights out on the tree of Moni's choosing. 'Lights and display contest?!? Oh no!'



When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot
Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well (It is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Lyrics: Philip P Bliss 1838-1876
Tune: Horatio G Spafford 1828-1888

This guy blends well; his crescendos are good and proper:

Happy Birthday Ron!

Yestreday at work I received a 4:00 text from the Branch Manager inviting me down to Jameson's Irish Pub & Grill. It was the bosses birthday, and he was celebrating, and I was able to celebrate with him for a wonderful couple of hours.

All the best to you and yours, Ron!

Branch Manager Tim, me in back, President Ron, and new loan officer Mr Buttrey, who joins us from the East side and who likes The Cars

Moonrise over Brighton last night

Recipe #17: Mexican Chicken Bake

Can you even call something 'Mexican' anymore? Will the lefting libtards cry mysogeny or racism or some other such common morgul-filth that seems to come out of their foul mouths these days over and over?!?

Whatever.

'Mexican', for lack of a better word; 'chicken with salsa bake' if you prefer.


I cooked up about a pound of chicken strips in medium Meijer salsa and diced white onion; and then added the mixture to a baking dish already layered with crushed corn tortilla chips. I then brushed the chicken with sour cream, topped it with diced tomatoes, and then covered all with a multitude of shredded sharp cheddar cheese.

Boneless chicken strips cooking in salsa and white onion

Our kitchen shelf over the vent hood, over the stove

Chicken on top of crushed corn chips in a greased bake pan

Probably the funnest part of putting this dish together: the smearing of
the Sour Cream

Fresh diced tomatoes on top...

and then the cheese, and then the baking: 350 for about 40 minutes will get everything nice and bubble-y

Enjoyed with a dollop of guacamole on top

Our little corner in the kitchen, where the spices rest, the knives stand ready, and the oven mittens hang

The annual work CHRISTmas photo - Livingston Lending

Tim the Branch Manager and Ron the President in front, I in back in black

Pitch Perfect 2 Snoop Dogg and Anna Kendrick(Winter Wonderland/Here Come...

From the cross to the grave, Lord I lift Your Name on high!

Saturday morning and I wanted to let out some of my thoughts from the past few weeks...

We have entered the new Liturgical year: the preparation and reformation time of Advent! These four weeks, in my not always humble opinion, can indeed be described as the most wonderful time of the year, in that we are preparing to receive Christ turning our hearts back to He Who gave us life, Who showed us the Father's love in person. Oh the joy of knowing Him! Oh the anticipation of His coming - both the remembrance of His birth as the Child Emmanuel, and His second coming when He will judge all and direct each one of us to where we will spend eternity. And as part of my preparation time, I have already watched Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch stole Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, It's a Wonderful Life, and A Christmas Story about nine times!
I wrote out a few Christmas cards last night, and watched the some of the PAC-12 Championship (Ducks beat the Utes going away); there will be more football to-day and then tomorrow the final rankings are released and the post-season matchups announced. Our Spartans somehow managed six wins and will get to play in a bowl game (most probably the Crayola Green Marker That Has Dried Out Bowl, or some such in significant contest, played in a vacation destination like Fargo [and only insignificant to those who don't live in Fargo]). I had heard talk that the possibility exists for Michigan to play Alabama in their bowl game - I think that would be fun.

I am ready to ditch cable.

We are going to Sunshine Diner in Howell for breakfast, before our Saturday morning errands.

It is 20 degrees outside and we have the car warming up.

It is a beautiful day and I thank God for it!

Helloo!

Boomer, Chase Young, and the muffed punt

Giving Thanks

For many reasons, this was one of the best Thanksgiving get-togethers I have experienced in a long while. It saddened me that my beautiful bride could not be there, but I was blessed many a time over through fellowship, conversation and laughter.

My little brother and his girlfriend and her son from Urbana, IL were already there by the time I arrived near noon. So we had time to get acquainted before the house got too crowded (and after the clean-up of the gravy spilt in the kitchen - it's ok, dad,  happens to the best of us :-).

My sister brought her youngest three and recently wed C&C showed up right on time for turkey, stuffing, meatballs, whipped taters, gravy, QVC crescent rolls, Sams dill pickles, and ice cold water. 

We had dessert, then played Apples to Apples, then after doing up the dishes (me, my brother, and my sister and her daughter - made my night :-) we started eating again, in response to two events: Ray-ray coming home from work, and not having the green bean casserole for our first dinner. The smell as it was cooking was motivation enough, so we got all the containers out of the fridge, opened a fresh package of paper plates, and lined up in front of the microwave.

Thanks be to God! He alone can satisfy and meet all our needs! Thanks be to God,for family and friends, and for the wonderful time we shared!

Belle, Nanc, and Super-G during the clean-up time

Mom's table

Mom and her favorite son

Sister and her favorite daughter

Favorite brother, his sweetie, and her absolutely adorable son

North Carolina Fish Stew

North Carolina Fish Stew - Hummingbird Thyme: This hearty, flavorful North Carolina Fish Stew - tastes like it’s been cooking all day, but takes under an hour start-finish. Cod fish, bacon, poached egg!


https://hummingbirdthyme.com/north-carolina-fish-stew/

Crown Him with Many Crowns

We sang this beautiful hymn yestreday at Mass - how fitting on the feast of the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe!

Crown him with many crowns,
  The Lamb upon his throne;
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
  All music but its own:
Awake, my soul, and sing
  Of him who died for thee,
And hail him as thy matchless king
  Through all eternity.

Crown him the Virgin's Son!
  The God Incarnate born,--
Whose arm those crimson trophies won
  Which now his brow adorn!
Fruit of the mystic Rose
  As of that Rose the Stem:
The Root, whence mercy ever flows,--
  The Babe of Bethlehem!

Crown him the Lord of love!
  Behold his hands and side,--
Rich wounds, yet visible above,
  In beauty glorified:
No angel in the sky
  Can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his burning eye
  At mysteries so bright!

Crown him the Lord of years!
  The Potentate of time,--
Creator of the rolling spheres,
  Ineffably sublime!
Glassed in a sea of light,
  Where everlasting waves
Reflect his throne,--the Infinite!
  Who lives,--and loves--and saves.

Crown him the Lord of peace!
  Whose power a scepter sways,
From pole to pole,--that wars may cease,
  Absorbed in prayer and praise:
his reign shall know no end,
  And round his pierced feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend
  Their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown him the Lord of heaven!
  One with the Father known,--
And the blest Spirit, through him given
  From yonder triune throne!
All hail! Redeemer,--Hail!
  For Thou hast died for me;
Thy praise shall never, never fail
  Throughout eternity!

Crown him the Lord of life
  Who triumphed o'er the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife
  For those he came to save;
His glories now we sing
  Who died, and rose on high.
Who died, eternal life to bring
  And lives that death may die.

All around me, signs of God
People to love; stimulus for the eyes, ears, tongue, nose, skin
Beauty created by Him, created for us.

So much, all around; so good, so creative He is.
Blessed be the Name of the LORD

“Let your door stand open to receive Him, unlock your soul to Him, offer Him a welcome in your mind, and then you will see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the joy of grace. Throw wide the gate of your heart, stand before the sun of the everlasting light…”

- St. Ambrose

Father I pray this morning for Francis and all the priest, bishops, deacons and their families, for President Trump and his family, Judge Kavanaugh and his family, and all who are fighting to make America great again, for John Martignone, the Bible Christian Society, and me of goodwill everywhere, for Bill Patrick and the team and Candidates for all the upcoming Cursillo weekends, for Mike and Bob and Kurt and Paul, those guys I sat with at table four years ago, for all who are considering abortion, for those who would hurt or kill or steal from others or themselves, for those traveling, for those who work with their hands especially our military folks: bring them home safely, Lord.
Into Your hands I commit all our friends and loved ones: Stan and Rita, Stan, Charlotte, Kathy, Justin, Dana, Aaron, Joey, Mary, Grace, Stosh, Stacie, Carter, Ryan, Emily, Mary Ann, Dean, Courtney, Rusty, Riley, Emory, Mason, Drew, Meggie, Jake, Quinn, Cameron, Deacon, Kacie, Alex, Brett and his girlfriend, Moni, Bob, Jon, Jay, Jen, Joslin and Liam, Pam, Ken, Kenny, Kendal, Carolyn, Doug, Terry, Jeannie, Tye, Sophia, Trent, Kevin, Justin, Tori, Kaylee, Kristine, Mike, Mom, Dad, Nancy, Ruben, Ray, Ricky, Bennie, Belle, Alex, Carlos, Cheyenne, Gary, Susie, Josh, Taylor, Jeremy and Lauren, Mary.

To You oh LORD we lift our hearts
To You we shout our praises
To You alone are majesty, glory and power
To You we look for all things
In You we see all goodness

Praise Your Name, Heavenly Father, Jesus the Son, and Holy Spirit!

As I'm driving, I think of so many topics to write about, and so many songs come to my mind. But when I finally sit down to type, so often I forget what was so vivid, important, and relevant just so many hours (or moments) ago.

One topic that has been heavy on my heart is that our society seems it should be right and proper that a woman can choose to end the life of her baby before birth. All these democrap candidates for Commander in Chief want a woman to be able to kill her unborn baby. The loser left opine likewise.
Even many protesting followers of Christ hold the same point of view.

How is that? How is it that folks who call themselves 'Christian' can with good conscience proclaim that it's up to the mother whether her unborn child lives or dies?!? What part of Christ's teaching, specifically please, would lead one to that conclusion?!? Even taken out of context, as is typical protester wont, I cannot imagine which recorded command of Christ could possibly cause such a heinous conclusion.

The ELCA, in their Social Statement on Abortion, 1991, state: "This church recognizes that there can be sound reasons for ending a pregnancy through induced abortion."

and the Missouri Synod hold similarly : "The LCMS believes that abortion is contrary to God's Word and "is not a moral option, except as a tragically unavoidable byproduct of medical procedures necessary to prevent the death of another human being, viz., the mother" (1979 Res. 3-02A)."

The UMC sanctions 'legal abortion under proper medical procedures'.* The American Baptists do not condemn abortion outright, nor do the Episcopals, Buddists, and Mormons. The Presbyterians call abortion a 'personal decision'. Unitarians and the United Church of Christ support 'safe' abortions.

...

Safe?!? How safe is this practice for the child being murdered - whether legal or illegal?!?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: 'Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to moral law.' **

I thank You, LORD, for the gift of my life, 

And for the lives all my brothers and sisters.

I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion

But I rejoice that You have conquered death

by the resurrection of Your Son.

To-day I commit myself

never to be silent, 

never to be passive,

never to be forgetful of the unborn.

I commit myself to never to stop defending life

until all my brothers and sisters are protected, 

and our Nation once again becomes 

a Nation with liberty and justice

not just for some, but for all.

Forgive us, LORD.

* Pew Research on the official teachings of some groups on abortion: https://www.pewforum.org/2013/01/16/religious-groups-official-positions-on-abortion/

** CCC No. 2271

what i wish all my protesting family and friends knew

498. What are immoral means of birth control?
Every action - for example, direct sterilization or contraception - is intrinsically immoral which (either in anticipation of the conjugal act, in its accomplishment or in the development of its natural consequences) proposes, as an end or as a means, to hinder procreation.

Further reading: CCC 2370-2372

At work
loathing
anger
disgust
hate

give way to

love
prayer
hope
peace
kindness

Thank You, Jesus!

Up early on this football Saturday before our trip to Howell to run some errands. 30 degrees on the deck, and thank God for the firewood stacked neat and ready! Perhaps Dearborn Dogs and burgers on the grill for our Spartan game, and a whole lot of fighting Irish rooting tonight against the school in Ann Arbor.

Thank You, Father, for the beauty of a new day. Thank You for the whole idea of rest and peace and contemplation, and then activity and work and interaction. Every new day is a blessing, after a good night sleep. Hallelujah! 

Loving Father, help me to notice the 

situations in my life that 

cry out for me to serve Your kingdom 

and make a difference in the world.

Amen

 

From to-day's reading, the sixth of Romans:

But thanks be to God that, although you were once slaves of sin,
you have become obedient from the heart
to the pattern of teaching to which you were entrusted.

Thank You, Father, for the teachings that come from Jesus, from His Church, from his prophets, from our parents and our teachers. Thank You for entrusting the work of carrying on Your mission to us! Thank You for loving us so much! Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth! Hallelujah, hallelujah!!

 

Sitting on the deck, and the world is beautiful. Quiet

Sky

Evenings

Cows afar

Roosters close

Children a ways off

Wind rustling the Autumn leaves

Dryer sheets and wood fire aroma

Tonight with a south wind warmer

My sister's number two son Carlos Luis was wed to his bride Cheyenne on Saturday night in Southgate; a wonderful time was had by all.

I was blessed to share a table with my parents

Representing the longest-married-couple present, Dad got to offer words of advise to his grandson and his new bride.

With my brother Gary and his son Joshua

The three of us Baldners

With sister Nancy - Mother of the Groom

We had a super fun evening out last night after work. Sweetie called before quitting time and asked if we could go out to Dexter A&W for 99c coney dogs. I was like yeah boy lets!
So, we get out to Dexter, and she's like it's five o'clock somewhere and I'm like yes let's go to the Pub. Now we have never been there but have broken fast three doors down from there at the diner several times. Dexter's Pub did not disappoint.

We both shared our chicken tender and quesa dilla dinners. Yummee!

Nice and quiet when we got to Dexter's Pub at 5:30

The diet coke's were quite tasty

Steak fries and chicken tenders were cooked perfectly and hearty!

Hot cheesey chicken quesadilla with perfunctory applications

The side of the Dexter Riverview Cafe, there are great breakfasts.

The world-famous Teal Bike

A colourful tree

Toward the Farmers Market from Main Street

2019 October 6

Happy 57th Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

In the absence of a good recent photo of them, I am including one from two summers ago.

Along with a recent one of Grandsons (our nephews) Ray #1, Alexander #3, and Benjamin #4. Carlos #2 is getting married this week and Ric # 5 was in the bathroom.

Along with a recent one of three retards we found in the attic.

Along with a not so recent one of a non-migratory European swallow.

Along with a quite less recent than the swallow one of the Knights who say 'Ni!'.

The same.