October 1993

 Watching Michigan at Wisconsin from 30 October 1993, and I couldn't remember the name of the Michigan quarterback in that game (Todd Collins). I began thinking back on what was going on in my life back then...

I think I had removed myself from television altogether by this point, so I surely wasn't watching too many games. I remember a conversation with my brother at about that time in my life, he told me that it was ok to watch college football - God told him so. Well, almost 30 years later, I am still taking that advice.

In the fall of 1993, I had just begun my first year teaching at the West Highland Christian Academy in Milford: advanced algebra, 'senior' math, boy's Bible, biology (the one I struggled most with), chemistry, and earth science - with those adorable 7th and 8th graders (the one I enjoyed the most :-). After school coaching for the winter season probably had not started yet, but oh was that to be an experience! 

I had been out of school for six years, living in Cousin Bob's 400 sf cottage on Bitten Lake in Hartland MI. The home had an upstairs with a shower and a huge closet; there was a front room on the main floor with nice windows that I had my desk in - for studying and correspondence. The sitting room had a fireplace, built-in wooden book cases, and French doors out to a screened-in patio partly over-looking the lake down the tree covered hill. 

I had made friends with many of the local kids in the neighborhood, and I remember many friendly snowball fights there. I did not eat the pears from the seven or eight trees on the property, and I did not fish the lake very often. I wrote music, and smoked cigarettes, and prepped nightly for my six classes. I remember being jealous of my cousin who taught AP Chemistry five hours a day in a big public school district. :-)

 

Recipe #4: Gameday Chili

 It has been a while since we had any version of chili in the Baldner home; with to-day's drippy 50's and college football the agenda, I thought it high time. The local Polly Market has these pork 'tenderloins' marked down to $2.49 a pound, but they're really two loins together mushed inside the plastic packaging to make it look like a tenderloin you could slice into chops, etc. I quartered lengthwise one of the loins and then diced it into bite size chunks, then marinated it over night in soy sauce and garlic. Oh how those two enhance the flavor of my favorite cut of protein! The last of our sweet bell peppers and a few slices of homegrown chilis round out this comfort food favorite.

To-day's ingredients:

1 lb 83% ground turkey

1 lb diced pork loin

2 small yellow onions diced

1 sweet bell pepper diced

several slices of pickled jalapeno, sans seeds

10 oz Miller Lite

1 ear of Bently Lake Farms sweet corn

1 can Kroger diced tomatoes

I can Kroger no salt black beans - rinsed and drained

1 can Brooks mild chili beans

1 squeeze of tomato paste

1 squirt yellow mustard

several dashes of Worcestershire

I started by cooking the meat, and adding to the crock pot on high everything else. I chose to not add any further seasoning to this batch, so the flavor of the meat and vegetables would be the focus.

 

I let it cook on high starting at about 9:00. Around 10 brought the first hints of that early melded flavor. By 12:30 I had to have a small bowl. Between the hours of 1 and 3 I put a good dent in the quantity. Pretty darn good.

While the chili was cooking, I warmed up the kitchen by baking a couple of our favorite baguette loafs. 

Praise be to God!

Do You Hear What I Hear

Lincoln Logs better than Legos

My neighbor is playing Jimmi Hendrix really loudly and that is an anomaly around here (the loud part, Hendrix not withstanding). I have been coming up with topics to write about of late and have not set down and done anything about it. Shame on me. It is high time.

Some folks in the neighborhood were selling Lincoln Logs for $5 and it triggered memories aplenty. I remember making cabins with windows and a sturdy green-planked roof with those - I loved how easily they would stack and fit together. These days, as I am morbidly obese and infirm, I only watch YouTube videos of Dave and Brooke doing this for real - they actually live in the homes they build - and long for the freedom and gonads to do just that. 

We have been blessed with hummingbirds galore these past few weeks, all frolicking around and drinking from our lone feeder. Male chasing male, female scolding female, one male doing the solo pirate mating dance, OH, we are seldom without our small winged chattering friends - praise be to God the Creator of all that is beautiful!

Earlier this afternoon I had my second follow-up visit with the wound and trauma folks at St Joseph in Ann Arbor. I received high marks for the daily care (thank you, Monica ;-) and for the healing progress. No more visits are necessary, they say; they do want to see a photo of the wound in two weeks. I am encouraged by the progress, and know that I must do my part to reduce the swelling in both legs.

I deposited two pounds of moth balls under our home near the bedroom, in hopes of repelling the obnoxiously loud rodent that frequents there. The naphthalene seems to have kept them out from under the bedroom, but I still hear them northward - under the second bedroom. I will order more come payday, and we will see if they are totally repelled. I have no idea what they (he/she/it) are doing, but it sounds like a morse code ticker immediately under the house. Obnoxious at 2:30 am, when I am typically trying to discern whether Lieutenant  Kendrick is showing any signs of remorse while perguring himself.

Sweetie is with Pops tonight; I have uploaded the documents requested to apply for financial aid for my recent three day 55k hospital bill. God, please provide, in Your mercy.

I have been so blessed to be able to pray daily (most days) the rosary, asking for intercession for all our family, friends, and neighbors. God is good - and I know He hears our prayers.

All in the family, Archie on Religion

Indigo Girls - 1989-08-31 Uptown Lounge, Athens, GA, USA ('Kid Fears' wi...

Pitch Perfect - Barden Bellas Final Performance (HD)

Pitch Perfect | clip - The Bellas remix Just the Way You Are

LEA MICHELE - 'AULD LANG SYNE' (NEW YEAR'S EVE)

Friday the 9th

 To-day's question of the day: Is my experience of God based more on knowing or on feeling? How might I begin to merge the two?

Wow! Two for one. Question!Question!, if you will. 

...I don't think I can offer a short answer for these. I don't even know if I can put into words an answer of any length at all... Am I making this deeper than it is??

I know, objectively, that God is. He is the First Cause. Everything that we know as 'the world' or 'the universe' was put into existence by Him. He was not created, His triune nature is unfathomable. He is. He was, and He is to come. There are none like Him. 

With respect to feelings, I must say I am cautious here. I know we are endowed with emotions and to try and separate us from these would be folly. But the emotions are not indicators of quantities of grace bestowed by God. We don't feel the best, when God is gracing us the most. It doesn't work like that. 

Feelings can be indicators of spiritual growth and even possession by the Spirit, but they aren't necessarily. Even when I feel that I deserve the weeping and gnashing of teeth Christ describes, I know objectively that I am a child of His, and He is waiting lovingly for me in the Sacraments - like the father of the son gone wild. But because I know this, it doesn't mean I will feel elated, or 'spirit-filled' or even joyful. 

To begin to merge the two, I must not be a slave to my emotions. I must remember what I know, and in the end, remember what I believe. He wants to commune with me much more than I could ever imagine wanting anything. I need to remember this. I need to remember who I am in Him, no matter how I feel.

To God be the glory.

Friday the 2nd of July 2021 - Called to Communion on EWTN

 

David Anders, worth heeding

https://www.ewtn.com/radio/podcasts/called-to-communion-~BT

 This guy told me his American Flags were stolen from his truck in South Lyon. Fuck the left. Fuck you Biden.

I give you now ... Peter, Paul, and Mary

Father's Day Stuffed Pork Loin

 I was blessed to be able to share this meal with mom and dad and my second favorite sister, who all live in Westland. It turned out sooo good, God be praised, and we all ate well.

4.5# Pork loin, butterflied and pounded senselessly

1/2 cup of bacon small pieces

8 oz mushrooms ruff chopped

1/2 cup diced onion

1/2 bag of ruff chopped spinach

fresh parsley, rosemary, and thyme

3 oz cream cheese.

Cook the bacon

Add the mushrooms and onion

Add the herbs and spinach until it wilts. Remove from the fire and add cream cheese.

Butterfly the loin, cover it with plastic wrap, and beat it with the ugly stick

Smear on the stuffing; roll it and tie it up. An alternative is to wrap the loin in bacon slices. Mmm- mmmmm

You want the center to get up to 145 F before you take it off the grill; and then let it rest. I'd say it took overall about an hour, with indirect heat, and I used apple smoking chips for flavor. 

Thank You, Father, for providing us good food to share yestreday; we are so blessed! 

Thank You for a wonderful time with family; we are so blessed!

There is no god like You!

 A bit of reminiscing, as I put the finishing touches on Pops birthday tune...

Moni and I would do the prep work for the big family get-togethers at the lake back when we lived there; and then the folks would start showing up. When the Sanderson vehicle arrived, I would wait to see Brett Michael jump out and run full speed toward me. I'd go toward him then drop to my knees when we were close. He'd jump full speed into my arms. 'I love you little mister' I'd say; he'd reply 'I love you big mister' (ala Veggie Tales :-)

Thank you, Father, for those times ... 

 Just a quick post of what's been going on...

We are thankful we were able to stock up on our plant food, suet, and safflower seeds for the birds God blesses us with. The House Sparrow babies are getting large and I am hoping to catch them fly the coop to-day, if it pleases the LORD. We have paint ready for the deck and planter boxes, and the rearranging of the shade sale will be forthcoming. Burgers and dogs on the grill later to-day, hoping for a strong showing from my final starting pitcher facing the Tigers. Moni got some cute little red potatoes so maybe our first salad of the summer later as well. I am roughly halfway through That Hideous Strength and the plot is indeed beginning to thicken. Linda Ronstadt's biography is next. 

The weed killer from several years ago I've decided is no good, so we bought a fresh batch. For the myriad of poison ivy et al that have all but choked out our beautiful dappled willows.

I took a Fisherman's Friends tune and turned it into a birthday song for Pops about his Lakehouse and the blessing it has been to four generations now. 

I found a good pizza dough variation that gives a bit more air to the crust, and I will try it next time in my 'Detroit style' za. 

Forgive us, LORD, when we laugh like Abram and Sarai, at what You plan to do. Give us the grace to trust in You, Your Word, and Your Spirit as He guides us in all ways. Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace. We surrender all to You; we give You dominion over all our relationships and comings and goings. In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; amen.

Fisherman's Friends Return

God's Well-tended Flock

From Loyola Press; today's retreat  

https://www.loyolapress.com/retreats/gods-well-tended-flock/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Your+3-Minute+Retreat+for++TODAY&utm_campaign=3-Minute+Retreat+Master+Template&vgo_ee=s7JCAbQkz9eBQRKOEJ1%2FewA3SuMkJhmkGexv49sZvNU%3D

Psalm 95:7

For this is our God,whose people we are, God's well-tended flock.Oh, that today you would hear his voice.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, leads us safely to the Father. With so many voices vying for our attention, hearing God's voice can be a challenge. We see Jesus' obedience to his parents, his faithfulness to the Ten Commandments, and his acceptance of his Father's will. Jesus leads us on a path to salvation. When we follow Jesus, we come to know more fully God's love for us. This, in turn, frees us to be more like Jesus.

In my day-to-day life what voices compete with the voice of Jesus the Good Shepherd?

How can I respond to those other voices?

(Speak to Jesus, using this prayer or one of your own.)

Good Shepherd of my life, lead me from death into life.

Amen.

 From my daily Loyola Press retreat: https://www.loyolapress.com/retreats/celebrating-eucharist/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Your+3-Minute+Retreat+for++TODAY&utm_campaign=3-Minute+Retreat+Master+Template&vgo_ee=s7JCAbQkz9eBQRKOEJ1%2FewA3SuMkJhmkGexv49sZvNU%3D

A Reflection by Pope Francis

It is not creativity, however pastoral it may be, or meetings or planning that ensures our fruitfulness, even if these are greatly helpful. But what ensures our fruitfulness is our being faithful to Jesus, who says insistently: “Abide in me and I in you” (John 15:4). And we know well what that means: to contemplate him, to worship him, to embrace him, in our daily encounter with him in the Eucharist, in our life of prayer, in our moments of adoration; it means to recognize him present and to embrace him in those most in need. “Being with” Christ does not mean isolating ourselves from others. Rather, it is a “being with” in order to go forth and encounter others.

---

Pope Francis

Pope Francis is the first Jesuit Pope, the first pope from the Americas, and his papacy is defined by his emphasis on mercy, service, and humility.

Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends - Cousin Jack, Drunken Sailor, South Au...

 0859    Plop down in the chair, out of breath. I do have my mc coffee though. It is raining and 44 degrees. LORD, let me remember Who I serve and Who made me to be who I am, and the reason I am who I am. Thank You.

0915    Nothing urgently pressing for this morning, and the boss isn't here. I will play KISS loudly.

0916    I spoke too soon. I must play KISS not-so-loudly :)

0940    Had to pee

1015    I'm falling back into old habits. I have no web connection

1034    I am watching live cam streams from the ISS over North Atlantic

1155    Now I have The Reluctant Stowaway playing in the background

1410     Now listening to David Anders live on EWTN

1634    Now Mary Ann by Fisherman's Friends

Fisherman's Friends - Mary Anne

Man on Fire ...that was a smirk....

Fisherman's Friends - Sloop John B (Live at Cambridge Folk Festival 2011)

Bible Studies with Dave - John Mark

 I've been reading through the Acts of the Apostles, and wanted to finalise some notes I had been making (mostly mental) on people and places, and incorporate some of what I remember Chuck Swindoll telling me decades ago about John Mark. 

As far as we know, Mark the Evangelist never met Jesus the Christ in person. But he did spend much time with St Peter; in fact many believe his Gospel account has as a primary source Peter himself. 

At the time of Dr Luke's writing his two volume set of Luke/Acts, Mark's mother Mary had been hosting prayer meetings in her home for some time. Peter, after escaping from prison in Acts 12, heads to that home to let the brothers know he is alive and well. Later in that same chapter, Mark leaves with Barnabas and Saul on their next missionary trip, acting as a sort of scribe. For some reason though, Mark leaves the two senior apologists at Perga, and returns to Jerusalem.

As a result, Paul was steadfast in his rejection of John Mark for the next missionary journey. This caused Barnabas to take cousin Mark with him to Cyprus, while Paul took Silas to Derbe and Lystra.

Paul mentions John Mark at the end of his letter to the Colossians, including greetings from him, Justus, Epaphras, and Aristarchus.

Paul's final remarks in Philemon include greetings from Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, "my co-workers."

According to Tradition, John Mark was the first Bishop of the Church in Alexandria.

Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends - "Brightly Beams/Pull for the Shore"

Ruby Soho

Ring of Fire

Ball and Chain

Story of My Life

The State Of Massachusetts

Dropkick Murphys - I'm Shipping Up To Boston ..with lyrics

The Worst Day Since Yesterday

Sloop John Baldner

Singing after the last day of filming of the Fisherman's Friends Film

Flogging Molly - Drunken Lullabies (Official Video)

Dropkick Murphys - "Rose Tattoo" (Video)

Friday

 Interesting morning so far... woke up early and shared some conversation with my sweetie before braving the 42 degree windy rain Friday morning commute. Weird dreams for both of us, but mine I think were due to the Buddy's pizza I had on the brain as I drifted off last night.

Getting close to end of day and it has been a pretty crazy Friday. 

In the absence of Survivor, our LORD took me on a wonderful adventure

 I've been going through a time of spiritual uneasiness, with many contributing factors. I will save the discussion of those factors and their effects for another post. To-day at work I had to stop what I was doing a couple of times to ask for the grace to continue. I heard it over and over: 'You have no idea what I have in store for you.'

God is good, and He knows exactly what I need, and when I need it - praise His name!

I was mindlessly driving  home after five of the clock (not unlike the time I entered into a non-binding union with the lady from Downriver whose suv I sent spinning when she blew through the stop sign at Strawberry Lake Rd and Hamburg Rd) when there appeared a young man walking northward on Whitmore Lake Road right before Wynans. I passed him heading home southward; judging by the expression on his face, he didn't seem in discomfort or distress, but his pace was hurried and deliberate. Definitely not an evening power walk though, so my spirit was troubled. I only managed to get a quarter mile or so past before I turned around and headed back north to offer a ride. He was still walking on the right side of the road, and the guy behind me was turning left, so I was comfortable slowing, and then with the window down: 'Can I give you a ride somewhere?'

My appearance seemed to startle him, but he quite anxiously told me he was going south, 'anywhere south'. I said 'Well get in', not discerning yet that he wasn't walking south. I think he was blessed to be able to vent; about a divorce and property lost and violence and drinking - before it clicked in my pea brain that we were headed north. I told him this, and he mumbled something about a gps and stupid phone and we did a little hoorahing at the Lee Road roundabout and at long last accessed the ramp to US-23 south. (If you are not familiar with the Lee Road roundabout, you are most probably not from Livingston County, and that is all there is to it). 

I am not in the least bit uncomfortable picking up strangers ion my vehicle and helping them get closer to their destination. In fact, a couple years ago I picked up a kid hitching at that same roundabout; he was headed to Ann Arbor to panhandle on the highway. To-day, though, Will was headed down to Illinois to spend some time with his brother and clear his head of recent events. I knew I couldn't have gotten him all that way, but I wanted to put at least a good bit of scenery in his rear view before dark. We chatted and shared stories and the drive to Napoleon in Ohio went pretty quick. I bought him a quick burger, game him my cross and a couple bucks for the travels and he texted me so I'd have his number.

Nice kid, I wish him all the best; I have added him to my morning prayer list. 

The drive home was uneventful. In fact, from the State line to Ann Arbor, I passed very few vehicles. As I neared the now familiar territory, I thought of Saline Rd Buddy's only briefly - once the cold sweats past I was fine into the last quarter hour of my three hour journey. 

I have never every given someone a ride and regretted it. The most rewarding ones are when I go out of the way to help someone get somewhere. I know what it's like, as I told Will, to be stuck somewhere and need a lift, or a tow, or a hand out of a snowbank. I thank our Father in heaven for the chance (that I could have very easily missed) to pay it forward just a bit. 

The Big Lebowski Jesus Scene (HD 720p)

The Big Lebowski - You're Entering a World of Pain Scene (4/12) | Moviec...

The Big Lebowski - He Peed On My Rug Scene (2/12) | Movieclips

The Big Lebowski - I'm the Dude Scene (3/12) | Movieclips

Pulp Fiction | 'Time Is a Factor' (HD) - John Travolta, Quentin Tarantin...

Pulp Fiction | 'Big Kahuna Burger' (HD) - Samuel L. Jackson, John Travol...

Good Will Hunting | 'My Boy's Wicked Smart' (HD) - Matt Damon, Ben Affle...

RUN DMC - Mary, Mary (Video)

The Monkees - Mary Mary 1967

The Monkees - She

The Monkees Valerie (HQ Audio)

World Without End

a rhyme

 covid covid kiss my ass

take your fearmongering and facemasks and shove them up your ass

biden and all you stupid fucks supporting them kiss my ass

take your government control and freebies and shove them up your ass

Heart - Alone (Official Music Video)

Green Day - Basket Case [Official Music Video]

Fun Boy Three - Our Lips Are Sealed

The Go-Go's - Our Lips Are Sealed (Official Music Video)

catch the spirit

 This got me thinking back to high school, when I worked at Little Caesars on Grand River and Warwick in Detroit. This was a restaurant, a 'parlour' - we served a full menu along with beer and wine, and of course the 'Pizza Pizza'. This song was popular in the summer of '81, when I graduated, and worked many long summer days making pizza trying save money for college. (I did not save much, but that story is told in another tale.) 

I worked with several friends from school, and we got along well with the crew from Redford and Cooley. We joked and laughed and threw doughballs at the appropriate times and seasoned each others break-time personal pizza with hot pepper flakes, but we were all good at getting a quality product to the dazzling urbanite consumers. 

We sang this song with the radio (we had no piped in satellite music back then - it was an actual plugged in device that picked up electronic signals via frequency modulation and converted it into Rush; and Styx, and The Police, and The Cars, and The Who, and Led Zeppelin, and Cheap Trick and Kiss :-)  what you say about this company is what you say about society.

 

We are experiencing the most wonderful evening conditions these last couple of days. Right now at about an hour before dusk, there is not much of a breeze and the air temp is about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. I have already after work paid some bills, made some donations, and purchased goods via Amazon. What a phenom that has become! So simple and convenient.

Our weekend excursion to Livonia was a complete bust, other than the triumphant ending at Taco Bell and Buddy's - what a combination! Our drive home was enjoyed in a carb-induced fog. But our stimulus is arrived and therefore we'll be putting our kitchen floor in and trimming out the rest of the kitchen/hallway. An exciting time here, to be sure.

Work sucks, I know.

Special teams go with Farmer Fran do some laps.

For Moni's birthday we celebrated with a carry out from Dragon Court. It had been a long while and we were more than ready. The phone call to order reminded me of some picture dialogue from a few years back:

 From St. Ignatius:

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and Thy grace, for this is sufficient for me.

Happy Easter from Loyola Press

 —Excerpted from "Six Characteristics of Ignatian Courage" by Lisa Kelly

Courage is birthed in encounter with the other.

The things we do to put ourselves out there and get recognition for ourselves are at best gutsy; only our reputation and ego are on the line. But when we move beyond our comfort zone of individualism to encounter another, seeing the needs of others and realizing we have the potential to sustain them in some way, true courage is born.

Buddy's

 Best pizza in the universe.

Fast forward to 6MARCH2021, in the thick of the chinavirus scare... we were shopping at Ollies in Ypsi this morning and I noticed we were done by 10:30 on a Saturday. I saw we only needed a half hour to kill, so we made our way over to the Ann Arbor Buddy's and ordered one to go. Large Super is now called 8 square 6 Mile. Whatever you call it, oh my buds are spewing forth saliva at the thought! So many places serving pizza in 2021: traditional, 'NY style', round, square, 'deep dish', 'Detroit style', cheese crust, carmelised cheese, blah blah blah. There is no pie comparable to Buddy's. Period. (Or, we used to say 'word'.) 

Original - tastes like it did when friends and I used to hang out on Plymouth Road at the Livonia Buddy's in the early 90's, and not at all unlike the ones Dad used to bring home from Conant and 6 when we were little tykes in the early 70's. 

Ollies was fun with my bride, but thank you to Buddy's for making our trip to Washtenaw County a 10+ on this cool sunny spring day!

Arts and Faith: Second Sunday of Lent, Cycle B

Zuccarelli’s “Landscape with the Transfiguration of Christ”

Pitch Perfect 2 Snoop Dogg singing scene

Reggie

Is This Country Song Racist? - Key & Peele

 

 

 

Johnny Cash Reads The Bible: John Chapter 17

Listen to how JC raises his voice in the climax of this wonderful chapter.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

LIVE: PRESIDENT TRUMP FAREWELL ADDRESS TO THE NATION 1/19/21

[Family Guy] The Rose - driving song

Recipe # 217: Chicken Alfredo Lower Michigan Style

 Wednesday night, no Survivor, and I wanted to try something new in the kitchen. I had some boneless chicken fingers ready in the fridge, and a half pint of mushrooms screaming 'EAT US!'.

1.5# 3” boneless chicken cutlets

2 tbs EVOO

1 small white onion rough chopped

seasoned with garlic power, ground black pepper, and garden herbs

½ c butter

1 ½ cups heavy whip cream

2 tbs minced garlic

8 oz sliced mushrooms

¼ tsp ground pepper

2 cups Parmesan cheese

4 oz wheat linquine

2 quart water for boiling.

I cooked the seasoned chicken in my favorite T-fal skillet until they were all 150+ and set them aside.

I started the noodles – these only need 7 minutes at a roll for al dente.

Next, in my Cooks Essentials stainless 12 inch pan, I started the sauce: first the butter and cream until the butter melted, along with the sliced mushrooms and garlic. I added a bit of ground pepper here as well.

A couple minutes on a medium fire and then I added the Parmesan cheese. This, I must add, made the dish taste a bit more salty than we would have liked; as I used the processed Parmesan you sprinkle on spaghetti.

I then added the cooked chicken and let it all simmer for a couple minutes, until the chicken was good and hot again.

Over the noodles, this chicken and sauce mixture is true comfort food; desirous on this the 13^th of January in mid-latitudes Northern hemisphere. I am headed back for a second low-fat, low-carb, low salt bowl; I am only sorry I took no photos.

May our LORD bless you and keep you steadfast in His peace and joy; alleluia!

Musings on the possible thoughts of Judas Iscariot, based on the text of Sacred Scripture's Gospel of St Matthew.

More teaching, more stories, more parable, more teaching, foolish virgins, bury the talent, sheep and goats, …

At Bethany, what a waste of resources!

I will use my talents to serve the Priests. 'What would you give me if I hand Him over to you?'

The price of a slave.

I will bide my time.

Evening at the Passover meal.'One of you will betray me.'

Might He possibly know? Have I been spied upon and found out?!?

'Surely it is not I, Lord?, surely it is not I?' they all repeat.

'The one who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one...'

…?

To appear chaste: 'Surely it is not I, Rabbi?'

'You have said so.'

…

'You have said so'?? I 'have said so'?? No I haven't really said so; I was merely asking, not unlike all the others...

And now He appears almost kingly, priestly; yet still with great humility. He blesses the bread, breaks it, and offers it to each of us: 'Take and eat, this is my body.'

'This is my body'?? What would Moses, or the priests have to say about such verbiage during this sacred meal?? Does He not blaspheme?!? What can it mean??

And yet, still He continues with the chalice:'Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.'

FFS can we just sing a hymn and be done?!?Nobody knows what He is talking about, and some are already beginning to nod off!

Finally, the Meal is finished, and we head toward the Mount of Olives.

Yet He continues this incessant prophetic babbling: 'This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written:

“I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed”;

but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.'

Thinking back, I do believe that my faith has been shaken for some time now...

But hoi! Hear Peter: 'Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.'

Bumbling arrogant fisherman: 'Mine will never be'!

Ha, and His reply? 'Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny Me three times.'

Still holding on to his zeal and fidelity, Peter retorts, 'Even though I should have to die with You, I will not deny You.'

'Nor I, Lord.', 'Nor I, Lord.' echo the rest (who aren't yet sleeping)...

The master went on with the others to Gethsemane, I quietly left and found a small angry crowd gathering outside of the temple. The chief priests and elders were there reminding the fake witnesses what to say, and passing out clubs. At the appointed time, I led the throng back to Gethsemane, looking for the One I was to betray with a kiss.

There He is: 'Hail, Rabbi!'; and then the kiss.

There was no affection in my kiss, although, somehow, I wanted there to be.

His next words haunted me afterward – not just the words, but the manner in which they were spoken: with a knowing peace that passes all understanding: 'Friend, do what you have come for.'

I did not have time then to mull on any of this: at this point there was a brief skirmish, and those with clubs and torches laid hands on Him. In response, one of His faithful companions drew a sword, and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his ear.

Again, His reply was baffling: 'Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you not think that I cannot call upon my Father and He will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels? But then how would the scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way?'

'Twelve legions of angels'? Who could ever claim this type of authority?

…

Have I made a mistake??

But He continued, ' Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize Me? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest Me. But all this has come to pass that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled.'

We all forsook Him then. We all ran and hid – some far, some not so far; some fearful of local jurisdictions and temporal retribution, but others, mainly myself, now fearful of having committed far worse transgression: betrayal of the Son of God.

He was sent to Caiaphas, where more false witnesses accused Him.

Why did they need false witnesses?

Surely this Man has committed grievous blasphemy and deserves death!! Surely!!! 

(Though it would ease my conscience, but I begin to think it may not be true.)

He was abused, and did not retort. He was jeered and slapped and punched and spit upon... must it be this way?

In the morning, the entire council convened one last time with one purpose: to make sure this Man was condemned to death.

…

My heart is heavy, and I cannot bear it. In His last words to me, He called me 'friend'. Knowing my purpose, and knowing His plight, still He called me 'friend'.

Even then.

My heart is heavy, and I cannot bear it. Could I ever make recompense? Could I ever un-do what I have done?!?

How could I make recompense?!? How might I repent??

…

Perhaps I will find the chief priests and elders, and return their money; … and my heart will not have this guilt to bear. My heart will not be heavy, even though I know I still have played a major part in this Man's demise. The price of a slave will be returned, and I will no longer be their slave!

I will no longer cry out inside begging for forgiveness. Yes...

'I have sinned in betraying innocent blood'

'What is that to us? Look to it yourself.'

I probably could have predicted that. They care not, as long as this Man is done away with.

I tossed the bag of silver into the temple and left. But the sorrow and grief remain – there is no solace, there is no repose.

What have I done?!?

There is no solace, there is no repose.

My heart is heavy, and I cannot bear it...

Lost In Space - Dr. Smith lets The Keeper's monsters go!!

'I will need time to study the controls'

Recipe # 3: New Years Backstrap

 

This dish is made possible by my buddy Doug's venison and a variation on a recipe from Malcolm Reed (https://howtobbqright.com/).

1 # thick sliced bacon

1 venison backstrap

1/3 of a brick of cream cheese

1/2 of a small white onion diced

1/2 of a green pepper diced

4 oz mushroom diced

tbs dried parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

I started by adding the vegetables and herbs to the softened cream cheese and combining well. With a sharp knife I butterflied the loin making a pocket for the stuffing. 

The cream cheese mixture goes in the pocket, and then the bacon wraps up the meat into a nice package. 

I kept the grilling temperature up between 350 and 400 and let the meat cook indirectly for about thirty minutes. The air temperature was right at 30 and we had freezing rain/snow/sleet falling throughout the cooking process, but our proven Char-Griller was up to the task. 

The bacon was cooked but not crispy, and the internal meat temp got right up to 130 - good for medium rare.

I let the meat rest under foil for about twenty minutes, then sliced between the bacon for perfect little stuffed steaks. The result was the absolute best loin I've ever cooked. Moist and tender, the cream cheese and bacon stuffing complemented the meat flavor so that there was not even a hint of the gamey taste so many folks lament. Melt in your mouth goodness. 

Thank You, Father, for another wonderful meal. Thank You for always providing more than we could ever need - You are indeed benevolent! All glory and honor and praise to You - eternal Father, Son, and Spirit!

Reading along with the good folks of the Diocese of Lansing: Matthew 10

 I love this commentary from Scott Hahn and Mark Shea, posted with to-day's reading on the Diocese of Lansing's web: Matthew 10:

In the tenth chapter of his Gospel, Matthew continues the theme of shepherding lost sheep. Jesus reveals that the message of the kingdom of heaven first is to be preached to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Even though the 10 tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel fell to Assyria in 722 BC, God hasn't forgotten them. Jesus comes as the Father's emissary, sent to seek and save the lost. In God's divine plan, Jesus chooses 12 of his disciples to help him continue his own mission: “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you” (Jn 20:21). The road to restoring humanity to divine sonship isn't easy. Disciples of Jesus can expect to encounter many dangers and trials. Because of this, they must be equipped with the heart, mind and power of their master. To be an apostle — a word that means “one who is sent” —one first must be a disciplined learner. Once Christians grasp the fact that they're joining God in an all-out search-and-rescue effort to bring back the Father's lost children, they'll be able to face trials and tribulations with true apostolic zeal. 

'...equipped with the heart, mind and power of their (M)aster.'

Perfect Father, soften our hearts, that we might carry on with true apostolic zeal, to bring back Your lost children. Give us the grace to accept our mission as sent disciples; open our hearts so that we become disciplined learners. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, amen.

 The Twelve Disciples

1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
 

The Mission of the Twelve

5 These Twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And preach as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without pay, give without pay. 9 Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, salute it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
 

Coming Persecutions

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly,
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Be-elzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
 

Whom to fear

26 “So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
 

Taking Up One's Cross

34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man's foes will be those of his own household. 37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
 

Rewards

40 “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. 41 He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. "

So much in this chapter! And much of it speaks contrary to our yuletide mantra of peace on earth. Jesus says 'have no fear of them' that would flog in the synagogue and deliver unto death; rather, fear He Who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Wow. He who does not 'take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.' Wow. 

I think about all the things I fear (and I would be too ashamed to name them here), and then see Christ's words in this chapter and am really humbled. There is much in my worldview that needs adjusting, to be sure.

Forgive me, LORD, for being so scared. Forgive me for seeking after my self instead of seeking You and Your Kingdom. Forgive me for not having the fortitude to accept my mission, and to take my cross daily. And forgive me when I haven't received a righteous man, or a prophet, or one of these little ones. To-day is a new day, a new beginning; and I thank You and praise You for being the God of new beginnings. All glory, honor and praise to You, God In Three Persons! Alleluia, alleluia!

Bible Commentary; Scott Hahn and Mark Shea, Gospel of Matthew, ed. Jennifer Phelps, Catholic Scripture Study (Charlotte, NC: Catholic Scripture Study International, 2007), 91.

Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2006).
Permission to use the RSV-2CE given for Bishop's Year of the Bible by Ignatius Press. Many thanks to Ignatius for this.

Mindy Gledhill - Patapan

Fr. James Martin, S.J. on "Good King Wenceslas" by the Roches

What Child is This - The Petersens (Live)

 We have been doing some interior work on the home this past summer, starting with laying down 3/4" plywood in the kitchen and living room. We extended this into the bathroom, as the previous thin plywoods I had put down were crunching under our feet. The bathroom is still not finished, but i have a good sheet down where we walk and what a difference it makes! We are thankful - no more soft spots in our floors anywhere! The LORD provided us a new roof almost a year ago now, we are so blessed to not have leaks or a squooshy floor. Next item is gutters (drip right over our doors), a new washer (drum beats on the cabinet when it spins - loud!), and a new fridge (long story:-)

Alexa played us 'traditional CHRISTmas carols' all day yestreday while we worked on finishing the fireplace wall and above-mentioned floor. 

 

 

Last winter mantle for comparison

 

We're going to next paint the rest of the living room and kitchen walls white, add some more black to trim and accessories, and then trim it all out in pine. So excited to see what it will look like.

Straight No Chaser - The 12 Days of Christmas (original from 1998)

Coventry Carol - Pentatonix Cover Lyric Video

 I have had very few events in my life that would be considered 'life-changing'. I have never had a broken bone or lost a very close loved one or been hit by a car or a falling piano. Our Lord let me deal with diabetes, heart failure, and partial blindness; and hopefully these have helped draw me closer to Him, but they certainly haven't pushed me hard enough to make the life long changes I know I should make. 

I still have a very strong affinity towards pizza and bourbon. I remember when I was first diagnosed with diabetes melitus, one friend told me I will have to give up pizza. That was thirty years ago, and my average monthly DEP (days eating pizza) are probably higher now than then. In fact I guarantee it's higher now than then. I trained myself to seek out and frequent establishments that provided slices of pizza with minimal to no wait time. The first one I can remember is Toaramino's on Ford Rd in Dearborn Heights back in the 90's - their slices were wrapped in foil to keep them moist and were about 16 inches long. Oh even as I type I am drooling, mercy!

Driving across State to various jobs has allowed me to investigate and frequent the finest pizza Michigan has to offer: Shepherd Bar (didn't have slices, but the best THICK crust pies) Fowlerville Grand Nickel party store, St John gas station, Bear Lake Blarney Castle right across from the lake, Ellen's Corners in Mesick had seven or eight pies to choose from, The Cabin just west of Mt Pleasant had phenomenal pizza, along with the coldest tap beer. Stofer Rd Marathon on N Territorial used to have fantastic slices but have moved into a bigger building and now host Ultimate Pizza and Chicken, whose chicken tenders are exceptional. There was a dirty little gas station on Whitmore Lake Rd in Brighton that I hadn't been in ever until about a year ago. They had a girl come in and bring her baked goods and pizza to sell - it was pretty darn good. East of town, the Brighton Market sells fried chicken, sandwiches, and of course great slices. Gus' Pizza in town also sells pretty good slices at their little shop on Grand River. On the west end, O'Connor's Deli has very good pizza slices along with cheese bread, and their very pricy garlic dip.

I must say, I grow weary of these monkeyshines.

MAGA YMCA parody 2.0

Bryson Gray - “Hate Speech” (Official Music Video - WSHH Exclusive)

Star Spangled Banner - Forgiato Blow x Bezz Believe x Bryson Gray

Pet Shop Boys - Always On My Mind (Demo "Movie Edit" Version) [HD, exten...

Tyson James - Mask Off ❌😷❌ OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO ❌😷❌

George W Bush sings Hallelujah to Donald Trump!

Autumn Meatloaf - Recipe #1567

Still this morning slightly in shock and having not allowed the total joy of the Sparty victory at the Big House in front of 639 fans yestreday to sink in. Wow.

I am making a meatloaf for dinner/lunches this week and a cheesecake which is a practice for Thanksgiving. It's a pumpkin cheesecake and I see already that it is cracked all around the perimeter but who cares?!? Not I - it's the flavor, not the appearance, don't you know.

Put up some shiplap on the fireplace wall tonight before pulling the cheesecake out. Now the meatloaf is in our new oven happily cooking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Gloria is playing at the Trump rally in NC while the folks wait for him.

Combine, blend, and allow to meld:

1# ground chicken

1# ground venison

1 sweet onion diced

1/2 green pepper diced

6 oz mushrooms diced

asparagus ends diced

1 tbs diced garlic

1 tbs Worcestershire sauce

1 tbs Dijon mustard

3 slices of rye bread diced fine

2 eggs

parsely, sage, rosemary, thyme seasoning - a pinch

ground black pepper

 

For the topping:

1/3 c catsup

1 tbs brown sugar

1 tbs red cider vinegar

I put this one in a three quart saucepan and baked it at 350 about 55 minutes until it got up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit internally.

Served with leftover whipped potatoes and a big yum from us here.