My Blog

Sandy's first Christmas

2010-12-30T10:41:00.000-08:00

Here's Sandy enjoying her belated Christmas present. Mom makes the best quilts! Thanks Mom!

Sandy Girl

2010-12-12T15:39:00.000-08:00

After much deliberation we proudly announce the adoption of our newest family member: Sandy.
Sandy came to us from the St. Helen's Humane Society.
She came home scared, but has warmed up to much schmoozing and treats. She now follows Dad as a faithful shadow (note the super schmoozer is back!) and wags excitedly to see Mom home from work or errands.
We are all grateful to have such a loving pet again and look forward to bringing her camping, the beach and many fun outings.

32 Down on the Robert Mackenzie

2010-11-06T13:56:00.001-07:00

Yes, the real song is the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. This is the Due South version because they had to make up their own, slightly different story. No infringement intended. Thanks for letting me share it.

Pilgrim's Prayer

2010-10-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to our guides and drivers and all who made Spain 2010 possible.

This is our prayer.

A Pilgrim’s Prayer

Response: Lord may I remember that I am a PILGRIM not a tourist.

If some things do not happen as they are scheduled…

If I should get tired and inclined to become short tempered…

If my meal in a foreign country may not be to my particular liking…

If any delays should occur and I should become anxious…

If some other pilgrim is making noise so that I cannot hear the guide…

If someone takes a better seat or a more choice place…

If the person in front of me buys that last item which I really wanted…

If I should get a chance to help another person who always seems to be annoying me…

If someone is always the “last one on the bus” and I am always on time…

If I can’t unlock the door to my hotel room or turn on the lights…

If I arrive at the hotel, but cannot get off the bus because the driver has to spend 20 minutes to get the bus through the main gate (and is applauded for his efforts)…

If I should fall into a sheep pen…

If they give me more food than I asked for or can possibly eat…

If I may not know when, where or what I will eat…

If there are longer lines and more pilgrims than I prefer…

If I have to scour the souvenir shops for postcards of pictures I was not allowed to take…

If the bed I was given was short-sheeted and I thought the housekeeper had put the sheets on wrong…

If my laundry is hanging all over my room and a guest enters…

If I am forced to wear damp clothing because my laundry did not have time to dry properly…

If the sewer backs up and you have to change rooms…

If I am missing home and the routine and security of daily life…

If the hotel room is too hot and I can’t figure out how to turn it down…

If I cannot reach the shower head and the shower curtain will not remain in place…

If I have to learn new yoga moves to keep water in the tub because there is a shower head and no curtain…

If my toothbrush, toothpaste and mirror are accidentally dropped in the toilet at 2:30am by my roommate…

If my suitcase will not close because I have added several bottles of Lourdes water, wine and souvenirs…

If I feel unsettled, disoriented or even lost and not knowing where God is calling me…

If I feel imprisoned by bus, airplane, schedule, time zones, food, language, life circumstances, physical abilities, exhaustion…

If I am suffering and in need of healing may I ask in faith.

If I feel discontent and not know where I am going, help me to seek direction from you.

But Lord, especially let me remember that what I find objectionable in another is really what YOU often find objectionable in me and let me remember this and forgive the other as YOU are constantly forgiving me.

If I feel saddened that our pilgrimage is coming to an end or anxious about returning to daily routine may we remember that heaven is our final destination in the communion of love in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

My Abby Dog

2010-03-20T13:40:00.000-07:00

We got Abby from the local shelter just before Christmas 1995. She was a scared pup, having barely gotten to know her previous owners before they moved and were unable to keep her. Mom and Holly put our name on the list for her and called Dad at work. He agreed to meet us after work. While not thrilled with the idea that he'd always be cleaning up after her, Dad quickly became known as the best puppy schmoozer.
Abby always had a smile, thumping tail, listening ear and soft fur for anyone in need. Early this morning she went with St. Francis to be spoiled by the grandparents and Uncle Randy and to play with her dog friends, Bud, Chloe and Sparky (and lots of other people and pets). We miss you Abby! March 9, 1995-March 20, 2010. Adopted December 18, 1995. Abigail "Abby" Rose Murphy Feuerstein McCann

"Fear" by Pauley Perette

2010-02-18T14:39:00.000-08:00

Our Favorite NCIS Forensic Scientist is a poet and musician. Enjoy!

No infringement intended. Thanks for letting me share it.

Workbench

2009-12-27T13:02:00.001-08:00

My new workbench. Dad and I built it. We added a shelf, discovered that if we'd left the scrap on the end of the shelf supports they would have been long enough. We had to go back for more bolts anyways. Thankfully we still have a plug in drill, I used it to finish up when the battery died on the other one.

Washington DC Journal April 25- May 2, 2009

2009-05-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

Day1 -- 4/25/09
A 3:15am wake up call from Mom...zzzzzz! Ironically, the same time I was awakened in Italy to return home from my last trip. I'm grateful to have stayed overnight rather than try to get to their house that early in the morning. By the time I get going I missed breakfast. A bad thing as I don't do well without food like most people. However, in this case, perhaps a blessing considering my motion sickness. I came prepared this time. I hurriedly munched a couple of fruit/nut granola bars and some of my quilting Grandma's double chocolate cookies (they made granola bars for us too, YUM!)
Two young passengers provided entertainment all the way to Minneapolis. One enjoyed the company of my teddy bear briefly. Everyone had a sick free flight, hooray!
We met Mom's brother at Reagan and took a one stop Metro trip to Crystal City. Mom and sister got new hats as we exited the Metro station. Mom's bright pink "I Love DC" and sis' "Obama" watch cap.
Only a couple of wrong turns brought our friend of many years, recently moved to South Carolina, to join us for part of the trip.
A big dinner at McCormick and Schmick's celebrated our safe arrival and first night in DC. We then wandered the Mall as a thunderstorm picked up. The rain was light, but the lightening over the Washington Monument was spectacular.
Everyone crashed quickly once we got home.

Day 2 -- 4/26/09
Up early and on our way. We discovered that Kix on the east coast are really mini jaw breakers. Tomorrow oatmeal, haha. First to the Washington Monument to get our tickets for later in the day. By the time we got there the temperature was in the 80's and climbing. We walked to the Lincoln Memorial first where we were met by my uncle. His comment, "You guys'd never make it in the CIA. What a bunch of tourists!"
World War II, Vietnam and Korean Memorials are all powerful in their own way. Surrounding each is an oppressive peace similar to the American Cemetery at Normandy. Am I worthy of their sacrifice? Could I make such a sacrifice if called upon to do so? One cannot visit these memorials without seeing a reflection of oneself.
The Natural History museum provided much needed relief from the heat. Lunch is expensive, but we are tourists, not pilgrims this time. Rocks, water, critters and creatures abound, everything from woolly mammoths and sabre-tooth tigers to whales and lions. Plus a few I never met in my science books. Sorry, the dinosaurs don't move like Night at the Museum, but it's fun to remember T. Rex chasing the bone.
Nearby is the American History Museum. This year's big exhibit is the Star Spangled Banner of Ft. Sumter, cleaned and restored. Several feet are missing off the end along with a few odd patches where souvenirs had been removed over the years. The room is darkened to prevent further damage, but even in low light the size jumps at you 30x34 feet (it used to be 42 before the souvenirs were removed).
Kermit the Frog is still in attendance, along with Dorothy's shoes, Lincoln's top hat and the First Ladies' dress collection. I missed Indiana Jones' signature hat, jacket and whip along with Mr. Spock's uniform and tricorder.
My favorite corner is still science and innovations. I'm not so big a Lego fanatic as I used to be, but I rediscovered my enjoyment of them. Silly Putty and Kevlar are also among the innovations. Kevlar being very useful of course. We still have a fascination with Silly Putty, but why do we call it that?

Day 3 -- 4/27/09
Today is Capitol day. I thought it was Grandpa's birthday, but that's another story. We had a tour of the Capitol at 10am during which I found the plaque designating exactly where Lincoln's desk had been when he was in Congress. We also found both statues from Washington state. One is of Mother Joseph. She founded the hospital, opened the Academy and is buried at the cemetery in downtown Vancouver, named in her honor.
The House gallery was empty. The Senate was almost empty. One presenter and the person preparing to present as soon as the other finished. Too bad no one really seemed to be listening except the stenographer. I saw at least 3, but none at the same time. The person who appeared to be in charge kept texting during the presentation. I understand these things are interminable, but that seemed very rude.
Later we went to the Air and Space Museum. This is my favorite thus far, little did I know there's still a whole other building. Until I tried to find my way around the building in the Mall using the map of the other building. Silly me. I'm still waiting to try on a mock-up space suit. I'm guessing I'd be able to flail a bit, but not stand or walk in it. Several real space suits, American and Russian were on manequins behind glass. Nearby, capsules, satellites and rockets completed the 'Star Trek' look. In another room, the Wright Brother's aircraft and the Spirit of St. Louis show us far we've come. From wood and cloth to steel and computers, 30,000 feet to the moon and beyond. And I thought Europe, Japan and the east coast were a long ways from Washington state.

Day 4 -- 4/28/09
Started the day early with a walk to the White House. The street is so far from the house itself, with good reason of course, but you can't see it very well. We went on to Ford's Theater for the presentation. Knowledgable staff gave a detailed account of every move that night. It seems a miracle that Lincoln lived as long as he did that night. We stopped at a tourist shop to see about a DC hat. My old one is long since fallen apart. I use it for painting and yardwork now. Nothing struck me except the number of cops outside. One of the shop's doors was blocked off by police and several others lined the street. Suits with earwigs were everywhere and then came the presidential motorcade. I spotted President Obama's shadow waving from inside of one of the limosines. Mom was impressed, but my sister was jumping up and down flapping she was so excited.
My friend and I headed for the International Spy Museum next. Mom, Dad and sister went to the Postal Museum. It seemed apt since sister was just about postal after seeing the presidential motorcade. The spy museum is expensive, but considering my interest in James Bond, Man From UNCLE and other such things it was too good to pass up. The Bond car alone is worth it. Each person picks a legend, or fake identity for the tour. Along the way there are computer stations representing stops by policing entities, testing your identity. I only found one, but I was glad it was just a computer with multi-choice answers. Had a person asked me I'm sure I'd have given myself away, not a good thing in the spy world.
NEWSeum, just a short ways off, posts the front page of a paper from each of the 50 states. Today's news: Swine flu (we're still worried about it and it's mid-October) and the president's first 100 days in office.
We also swung by the National Archives looking over shoulders at the Declaration of Independence and other documents.
Yummy Italian place on 23rd street has too much good food! Thanks to my friend for buying dinner.

Day 5 -- 4/29/09
Visited Department of Forest Service to see Smokey. (Sis very excited.) It's a small place, set up log cabin style, cute and outdoorsy. Next we jumped to the Department of the Interior, they require ID for passes, but had a neat art exhibit including an artist from Blodgett, OR. Most exercising done to get into Engraving and Printing. Walk around 27 acres 3 times to find tickets and get to the proper entrance for the tour. Since the 12 print sets are the same, we saw 1 of them.
After lunch we returned to the Mall and spent 3 hours, almost finishing the American History Museum in the 'short tour'.
Uncle's friend had us for dinner. It's not Mom's, but I still love lasagna!

Day 6 -- 4/30/09
Following a late start and a few phone calls Dad and I adventured our way to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Take the metro to Roslyn, SA to Dulles and pick up the shuttle at Dulles, the alternative is a $15 parking ticket. I still get my brain twisted by the name, much less how to pronounce it so we refer to it as the other 2/3rds of the Air and Space Museum hiding in a hanger near the Dulles Airport. Actually, there's no way it could hide, the place is massive as evidenced by the picture of me near the Enterprise training shuttle. The shuttle takes most of the space vehicle section, but this is barely a corner of the building. Aircraft from the early days of flight, WWII military including Enola Gay, P-51 Mustang and a handful of German planes, early passenger planes up through the Concord, helicopters and other vertical flying machines, SR-71 Blackbird 'spy' plane, Russian MiGs, F-14 Tomcats, most everything in between and memorabilia. Dad didn't want his picture taken with the 150 Cessna, apparently that's the one he never made it out of as he tossed his cookies a few times in training. The F-14 was another story. He wanted that picture, even just standing beside it. He also liked the Bell Telephone set in a scale space capsule. My favorite besides the shuttle was a mail box painted like R2-D2 of Star Wars. The model of the mother ship from "Close Encounters" was also on hand.
This was my favorite day.

Day 7 -- 5/1/09
Today we took the bus to Mt. Vernon, George Washington's home. I've not been here since 1995 and the history wasn't so important then. It was a vacation. Washington married Martha, a widow with 2 children and raised both them and the grandchildren, but they had none together. The museum has new wax figures created from various busts, pictures and hair clippings noted as Washington's, and when they were taken, found at the Mt. Vernon estate. Washington's death mask has also been used. Guests are told that the wax figures are probably the closest anyone of our time will see of Washington. Having scanned the death mask and other known factors into a computer the historians use a program that ordinarily ages missing children to make them easier to locate. In reverse, this program takes Washington from his death back to his days as a young frontiersman when he surveyed new territory. He was a colonel in the British army at 23. Later when asked to lead the Colonial Army he accepted, but refused a salary.
His grain barn had a slotted floor. As the harvest came in, the wheat was placed on this floor and horses walked around this circular barn. The wheat fell through, but much of the chaff stayed on the upper floor. This method of separation was efficient in it's time.

Day 8 -- 5/2/09
Sis ill overnight... no fun! Mom and I went back to the Library of Congress to see if we could find the correct door. When you go through the right door the signs are all there! We found the reader card desk and I was able to get my reader card. I hope to use it before it expires in two years, but we didn't have time today. On the way back we stopped at Arlington to see JFK. We made a quick detour into the visitors center and watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Picked up Dad and Sis and caught the shuttle back to the airport. After checking our bags Uncle joined us for an hour before we did the security dance and back home.

Washington DC, April 2009

2009-05-08T13:02:00.000-07:00

I just got back from DC a week ago. I've not had a chance to put my journal together yet, but here's a few pics.

Air and Space Museum Part II at Dulles Airport (it's named for someone, but I know I'll misspell it.)

Me and the Enterprise Shuttle
We also visited the main Air and Space Museum as well as American and Natural History Museums. Mt. Vernon has 3-4 wonderful wax figures of George Washington. They used a computer generated model based on measurements of his clothing, hair samples labeled at dated that were found on site and used his death mask and a bust to model his face. The forensic folks believe these models give our modern world the closest view of Washington since those who knew him.
It has been almost 15 years since my last trip there. The new additions included the WWII Memorial, Newseum, FDR Memorial and the International Spy Museum. Each added it's own flare to the trip. Another great joy of the trip was the chance to see an old friend who'd since moved to South Carolina. Our friend was able to come and enjoy the first half of the trip.
After visiting Ford's Theater and the Petersen House we stopped at a souvenir shop down the street. A few minutes later the street swarmed with Metro Police blocking shop doors and lots of people in dark suits with earwigs. Fifteen minutes later the motorcade cruised past. In one of the vehicles, silhouetted in the darkened windows, waving at the gathered crowd was President Obama. This brief view elated my sister for the rest of the trip.

You might be a Pilgrim if…

2008-11-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

(Disclaimer: No infringement intended, just taking it out for a spin. Promise to bring it back in one piece. Thanks for sharing!)
* the fire alarm goes off and you’re not dressed yet
* you tire of sharing the WC with members of the opposite gender
* your sink is full of icky water and your room looks like a Laundromat
* you share 2 WC’s and 2 showers with everyone on your floor
* you’re thrilled to have TP and running water, even if there’s no soap or hand dryer
* you’ve determined 5 or more ways to use your blue scarf
* on your next trip, no matter where you’re going, you pack the following: TP, hand sanitizer, cold and motion-sickness medicine, cough drops, Kleenex, bread, wine and a blue scarf
* you look for blue scarves in a crowd
* you attempt to leave your blue scarf behind because it’s too hot, but realizing that it’s the only way you’ll be identified if lost, you take it with you
* you can fit three weeks worth of clothing et. al. into a small suitcase and backpack
* you realize you have enough clean clothes to last through the end of the trip and quit doing laundry or start throwing stuff out
* you’re forced to wear damp sox and underwear because they didn’t have time to dry out at the hotel last night
* you learn to eat your largest meal at 8pm or later
* you eat meals not much to your liking because you didn’t know what you ordered and were starving
* pointing, smiling and grunting are your only means of communication
* you’ve learned to walk safely in a moving bus
* on long bus transfers you exercise by doing pull ups on the handle over the back door
* you hide your nametag to avoid people recognizing you
* you catch a cold the day you leave, it goes away the day you return
* your souvenirs of chintzy religious items and wine cause your suitcase to overflow
* you raid the souvenir shop for postcards of pictures you weren’t allowed to take
* you dream about saints
* breakfast at 6:15am is not your cup of tea
* you get on a bus at 6:45am for an audience with the Pope
* you cheer when the WC sign goes off on the bus
* bus drivers are applauded for making tight corners and safely driving what most would call a bobsled course
* you’re thrilled to hear others nearby speaking your native language
* fellow Pilgrims expect a morning hug
* the shower curtain tries to attack you! (and you can’t escape because taking a step in any direction means you’re out of the shower)
* You wish your bidet was a towel rack, counter top, or extension of your shower
* Laundry soaks in the bidet while you brush your teeth at the sink
* You know multiple ways to flush
* The auto-flush toilets flush 3 times and flood the stall before you have a chance to sit down
* The glowing clock on the bus is your atomic clock
* You enter your new hotel room scanning for possible laundry hanging locations
* You wake up with a random pattern on your face after falling asleep on the bus
* You’re not surprised to find bread on the table
* 12-16 hour days are the norm and you are snippy before morning coffee and after the 10 hour mark
* you’re thankful to find the two who followed directions and waited at the meeting place rather than going to the bus
* playing cribbage on the bus means casino to the guide (gambling)
* the front window of your house has a stuffed kangaroo, sunglasses and a Rosary in it
* you look for a washcloth in your room
* there’s no heat or hot water in your room
* you get ‘Yes,’ ‘No’, ‘Please,’ and ‘Thank you,’ in multiple languages confused
* if you enter a moving vehicle and three persons hand you a small white bag
* your cities, saints and basilicas are all mixed up
* you want to stand, move or stretch, but are trapped
* you want to sit down and you’re being herded
* 24 hour plane travel days bracket several days of many hours on a bus
* you can’t wait for a hamburger and fries with ketchup and root beer
* people stop emailing you because they realize you have no/limited internet access
* you learn to exercise while seated
* a second security check is required at a transfer point causing everyone to be a half hour later than they already were
* airport lock down leaves you stuck in customs for 45 minutes, yet immigration is allowed to send another 200 people down from the next plane, thus putting them in danger as well?
* the connection to your bus doesn’t work causing multiple phone calls and further delay
* you’re crazy enough to attend a party the night you return in hopes of keeping yourself awake until such time as you would normally sleep. The party goes much later.

Pilgrim Journal

2008-11-19T11:28:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 10-15-2008

We left Vancouver around 8am. Everyone’s excited, but no one’s slept much. It’s three hours by bus to SeaTac to catch our plane to Paris. Janina brought us scarves, blankets and snacks for the bus. (Hence we’ve become the blue scarf group.) At SeaTac we met the rest of our group. The next 9 hours were spent in close quarters trying to sleep. We arrived about 9am at Charles DeGaul in Paris, a mixture of exhaustion and excitement.

Thursday 10-16-2008

We jumped right off the plane and into Paris. Basilica of the Sacre Coure (Sacred Heart) is our first stop. A tram offered a ride part way up the hill. I opted to climb as fresh air sounded good to me. I’ve never seen so much marble and beautiful mosaics. We had Mass in the crypt. The question of the day was who would pass out first: Fr. or the congregation from exhaustion or me as I’d had the misfortune of being ill on the flight and looked rather ashen.

The afternoon offered lunch and a chance to look around. I had crepes as I’d heard they’re excellent in France. Nutella makes them that much better. It started to rain as we met to go on to our hotel, but a little rain never hurt any north westerners, even if some of our group were from Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota.

After dinner, we toured Paris by night. I would have been happy to go to the hotel and sleep, but there’s so much to see! I couldn’t help myself though. I napped off and on, but woke up in time to see Notre Dame.

Friday 10-17-2008

Today we visited the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal. A group from Massachusetts missed their time slot. We were filmed as we concelebrated Mass with them. Two saints buried here. Then a short trip to visit St. Vincent de Paul, he’s behind the altar in a small church, up high where everyone can see him. A winding staircase leads visitors up to and past him for a close up look. If you’ve never seen an incorrupt body before, it’s creepy.

We got back on the bus to Notre Dame for free time and lunch. After shopping, we walked all the way to the end of the island on which Notre Dame is situated. Heading back to Notre Dame we caught up with the rest of the group for our guided tour. We spilt into three groups for the tour. My group had a wonderful guide who knew more history than I could handle, but seeing the rose window mentioned in the Untold Blessings movie made my head spin, gorgeous!

A quick photo stop near the Eiffel Tower yielded many random pictures. I ‘squished’ the tower between my fingers and tried to hold it up, but it didn’t turn out right. Several shots of various groups of people, but the best part, watching the cops chase the vendors who weren’t on the up and up. A blanket covered in souvenirs had a string tied to each corner so the vendor could easily yank the string and have all his goods in a backpack ready to move along at the first sign of trouble.

We had dinner at the same restaurant as last night. This time I had dessert, yum as well as a game of cribbage while waiting for others to finish. After dinner, we took an evening cruise on the Seine River. The Eiffel Tower sparkled and the moon looked rather green. Apparently it wasn't the moon. We don’t know how that happened.

Saturday 10-18-2008

I got up early for a bus ride to Lisieux. I was graced with anti-queasy pills for the trip and survived. Intermittent naps and generally keeping my eyes closed helped too. We celebrated Mass at St. Terese’s church. Her body rests to the side of the main church so visitors can see her without disrupting Mass. The church itself is concrete and the wood additions lend a softer touch. After Mass, we toured her house and garden before our tour of the Basilica.

The Basilica was all set up to receive the audience for the beatification of St. Terese’s parents the following day. This was our first official souvenir shopping stop as well. I found a prayer card of Blessed Theresa of Calcutta. The prayer is in French, and a small icon of the Prodigal Son.

After two more hours on the bus, we reached our next stop, Normandy to see Omaha Beach and the National Cemetery. The American Cemetery at Normandy holds an oppressive peace. Another sacrifice which, standing in its presence, makes one feel completely unworthy. Our guide, pointed out various monuments at the cemetery and along the road as well. We arrived in time for the taking down of the flag for the evening and then had time to wander the grounds. Seeing the peaceful beach in the sunshine, watching the waves crashing one could hear the mortars and gunfire, see the old war movie clips of the soldiers struggling through the water and bodies of dead comrades. I don’t think there was a dry eye as the flag lowered in the late afternoon sun.

A short drive later, we stopped for souvenirs and then to see the beach. Several of us collected sand and rocks from the beach. I got some sand before we headed for the hotel. The hotel was located on such a narrow street we had the privilege of walking a few blocks while hauling our luggage.

Sunday 10-19-2008

Our first Sunday began with an even longer ride on the bus. Time passed playing cribbage. I’d taken the motion sickness medication provided me and was able to sit in the back of the bus to play on the stack of boxes covered with a bus blanket. Later on another game took over the ‘table’. I played Crazy 8’s and Frustration. Not having the rules for Frustration we made up the sets as we went along.

Our lunch stop at a gas station yielded fish and a pile of mashed carrots. I ate outside in the afternoon sunshine. Returning to the bus, I sat up front again and practiced music. I borrowed the guitar and practiced the few songs I could remember.

The long ride ended in Nevers, France at the convent where St. Bernadette lived. We celebrated Mass in the convent chapel with St. Bernadette looking on. She looks like Snow White sleeping in the glass coffin at the side altar. Dinner included a fabulous squash soup, sausage in cucumber. I would have preferred something other than cheese and fruit for dessert, but we are pilgrims, not tourists. I played milk and golf (cards) after dinner. I missed seeing the room where she died, but managed to say Evening Prayer in the chapel before they closed it for the evening.

We stayed at the convent. There were several complaints about too few WC’s and them being down the hall rather than in their rooms. We were also short showers and all were shared by men and women. This made some of the group a bit unnerved. Having sinks in our rooms, I merely dunked my head in the morning and called it good.

Monday 10-20-2008

I got up early, hoping to pray Morning Prayer with St. Bernadette, but the chapel was closed so I found a quiet corner on the first floor landing. Breakfast included cereal with bread and jam.

We got going a bit late and as a result were late for Mass at Chapelle des Apparitions. It is here that St. Margaret Mary Alocque received her visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. They asked us to come back in an hour so we went instead to Chapelle la Colmbiere where St. Claude’s relics are buried. St. Claude was the confessor of St. Margaret Mary. Nearby is another Basilica of Benedictine style. A short walk away in an upper room is a Eucharistic Adoration chapel (St. Jean, I think). We returned to Chapelle des Apparitions for Mass and then went in search of lunch. Lunch was easier said than done as many places are closed Mondays. Several of us eventually ended up at one of the few places open that day. I enjoyed another crepe with nutella. Some had cheeseburgers and fries. Another had a crepe with applesauce, but I’m not sure he quite knew what he ordered.

Ars being two hours away by bus, we passed some of the time praying the Devine Mercy Chaplet in honor of St. Margaret Mary. In Ars, we stayed with the Franciscan sisters and toured the quarters of St. Jean Marie Vianny, patron of parish priests. He is the only diocesan priest declared a saint. He spent as many as 16 hours a day in confession. Spirits tormented him by rattling things in his room and speaking vehemently to him, hoping to prevent his continued prayers.

Our guide informed us that Mass would be at 6:45am and breakfast would be afterward. Not too many happy faces about that, but it takes a long time to drive to Lourdes.

Tuesday 10-21-2008

Our early morning wake up call was disrupted not only by showers down the hall and shared WC’s, but the fact that the breaker on our floor was tripped by so much usage. Several finished dressing and getting ready in the dark. As a result, there was much mussed hair at Mass. I don’t think St. Jean-Marie minded though, his was looking a bit frazzled as well. The altar beneath his casket faces the wall so our priest had his back to us during the Eucharistic Prayer. I felt rather left out, but later was simply glad he was still speaking English. His mother served the Mass and I was asked to take pictures, though without breakfast my hands were shaky. I did manage a few good pictures.

Outside the church is a small separate chapel dedicated to St. Jean-Marie. We stopped there briefly on our way to breakfast to pray over Fr. He knelt at the altar and hands were laid upon him as we crowded around. A member of our group led a beautiful prayer followed by several spontaneous prayers. I knew when I walked in what I wanted to say, but the only sounds passing my lips were not recognizable. I know that God was speaking in my whispered babble, but only the Spirit could discern it. Whatever I said was needed. What surprised me was that usually when I pray over someone I can feel energy coursing, from me, those around me, the person for whom we’re praying. Not this time, but I think I was too tired to put as much effort as I usually do. Somehow, just having a hand on the shoulder made all the difference. No one really wanted to admit it, but there were a few tears and definitely some shocked looks when we left. Any prayer over someone, regardless of the reason, is intense. I’m not certain many of these folks had experienced it before.

After breakfast, we’re back on the bus to hurry up and wait to get to Lourdes. My friend and I shared lasagna for lunch at the rest stop. Some stops are just WC’s and an AM/PM convenience store with sandwiches and such. This one and others are what we would call truck stops, but the cafeteria/restaurant is inside the convenience store and has better food than most Denny’s. Something America should look into, of course the food is good too. A couple of the rest stops today seemed less than adequate to American travelers: cold water, no toilet paper, soap or hand dryer. We are pilgrims, not tourists, but thank God for those who read the information and packed TP! One stop had a Japanese style hole in the ground. Most were not inclined to try it, myself included.

Salmon dinner, yum, Dad would be jealous, but I still like his simple salmon recipe. Ours included carrots and potatoes. After dinner, we rinsed out the laundry and hung it to dry before meeting some of the group for the Marian procession. Candles (luminaries, Easter Vigil candles 16” tall, complete with paper covers) purchased at the gift shop for .50 Euros. It sprinkled as we walked toward the Grotto, but began pouring rain as we took the short walk up the main courtyard. Many, including myself turned back. Three brave couples completed the procession that evening. Those of us who returned looking like drowned rats were greeted by dry skies upon returning to the hotel. God has a sense of humor! I managed to get the rest of my laundry up to dry before going to bed. The room looks like a Laundromat. Tomorrow I’ll add my shirts to the mix, for now, there’s not a space left to hang anything. (That’s 4 towel racks, 6 hangers and a few other odd places that we’re hanging stuff to dry at this point).

Wednesday 10-22-2008

Sleeping in today was a blessing. Everyone seems more rested and ready for the day. Our hairdryer isn’t functioning, but there’s time for everything to dry out yet. International Mass is celebrated in the Pius X Basilica underground! It seats 25 thousand and looks like the underside of the bleachers at a football stadium. From the rafters hung large pictures of the saints, including Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. Nearly 100 priests and at least 6 bishops in attendance along with an almost full house of pilgrims attended. I say almost full because there was still room to move without being pushed back. Mass lasted about an hour and a half, short according to our guide. Everything was said or shown on screen in at least 6 languages, Latin being the common language. Communion found Eucharistic Ministers holding flags to help pilgrims locate the priests distributing in a mob like fashion. It seems effective though as everyone had been served in a short period, 10-15 minutes. In the Basilica, we discovered stained, fused, broken glass art: Stations of the Cross, Mysteries of the Rosary and Apparitions of Bernadette. (We discovered icons at another entrance during Eucharistic Procession the next day). After Mass, others and I wandered the Rosary Basilica following some others from our group. A large mosaic of each mystery from the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries had its own side altar in the Basilica. These were completed in the early 1900’s, each several stories high and at least 20 some feet wide. The recently added Luminous Mysteries had the honor of gracing the façade of the church. We also visited the Adoration Chapel and what I think was the church of St. Patrick, partly under renovation. It had a beautiful crucifix of resurrection backed with a large almond colored disk looking very much like a host.

I tried pizza for lunch again and have decided that the French version of pizza is not one reconcilable with mine, but I’ve been spoiled.

A souvenir stop netted me the holy water fonts I was looking for and a thimble for Mom. There’s also a candle in the shop, 5’6” and 165 lbs. there will be no more excuses from the altar servers regarding candles, thank you. I dropped off my souvenirs and returned to the large statue of Mary at the center of the shrine for our tour of the Jubilee Way.

At the statue I found others of the so-called ‘blue scarf group’ awaiting our tour. Several seemed tired and ready for a nap rather than a walking tour. We received our badges and first sticker for visiting the Grotto. (Each location comes with a sticker.) We visited the St. Bernadette museum before heading the ‘cachot’, a former prison that an extended family member owned. It was deemed cold, damp and unlivable for convicts and had been used as a barn. This space of 4’ by 6’ housed a family of 6. We then traveled to the church rebuilt on the place where she was baptized. The original church burned down, but the font itself remained intact (made of stone). Finally, we traveled to the hostel where she lived before becoming a Sister of Charity in Never. It was here that she received her First Communion. Everyone is invited to venerate the altar here. It holds a relic of St. Bernadette. Our guide for this tour is a full-blood Italian. She lives in a community called “Casa de Maria” (House of Mary) in Rome with her family including 7 children.

On returning to our hotel, we noted that mini-golf was on the list of things to enjoy. We went in search of it, having been told by the desk clerk that it was located on the 10^th floor. Our search ended without a game, as we could not find an exit to the exterior of the building that did not have the possibility of being alarmed. We did find two deck areas, one with a foosball table, overlooking the river and providing a bird-eye view of the city. As dinner approached, we gave up our search in favor of food.

Dinner proved fabulous, though many of our group is wearing thin on breads and cheeses. Tonight we had vegetable soup, chicken and bread stuffed with potatoes and cheese. A fruit tart for dessert completed the meal. It was agreed that we wanted gelato.

After dinner, several of us again gathered in the lobby to attend the Marian Procession. This time it was cold, but no rain. Rosary decades were divided by language and though one could figure out what was being said it was difficult to follow in your own language. I wanted to respond in English, the announcer was in German (for example), the person to my right responded in French, on my left, Italian and so on. We had only finished the first two mysteries upon returning to the Rosary Basilica. Everyone crowded closely and raised their candles for each Glory be. I got a couple of great pictures of two of our pilgrims bundled up with their faces lit by their candles. The large group shots were mostly blurry, but the streaks of light and color in the darkness provided what a fellow pilgrim called, “composition.” There were also large numbers of people on the ramp leading to the crypt and Immaculate Conception Basilica. On our way home, some discussed attending the following night and getting pictures from that angle.

I hung out in the lounge for a while after changing into my pajamas. I hoped to have my pictures downloaded. By the time I left at 11:20pm, my pictures were not yet on the computer as our gurus were doing their computer thing. Tomorrow we have a later Mass at the Grotto and free time!

Thursday 10/23/2008

Everyone enjoyed sleeping in this morning, especially the computer crew who were up past midnight until the battery on the computer died (apparently not plugged in). It turns out they were uploading photos that were already online due to a glitch.

We shared the English speakers Mass at 9:45am at the Grotto. Not being able to walk through the Grotto as normal, a few other pilgrims stopped by during Mass. Next to me, though they left partway through, were a couple. The husband, bundled in his wheelchair, didn’t speak though his wife took great pains to speak to him and make sure he was comfortable. I whispered, “Bless you,” to them as they left. This tells me that God is love and that love is stronger than anything in this world could possibly be. I hope and pray for the courage to love everyday, regardless of what happens.

After Mass, another pilgrim and I explored the crypt between the Basilicas and then went to the Immaculate Conception Basilica, but Mass prevented us from too much exploring. We wandered down the trail exiting the baths and then decided to try for the fortress looming on the hill. We passed the Way of the Cross and unfortunately did not have or make time to return. Catching the blue line we’d followed the day before, we found an interactive map which my friend deciphered and took off in the general direction. I followed and after many minutes of long winding, uphill trekking, mostly along the blue line, we turned down an alley and there it was. We entered the lobby, but found no one from whom to purchase tickets. It turns out that the fortress is closed from 11am to 2:30pm for siesta (a long lunch including nap enjoyed by many along the Mediterranean). A few pictures later, we wandered back down, this time not following the blue line. We saw and empty swimming pool in our travels and eventually made our way back to the hotel by following signs to the Grotto. This took over an hour and a half and we stopped for sandwiches only after we had a better idea of where we were, namely, across the river from our hotel.

By 12:30, we were enjoying our sandwiches on the deck of the hotel with bottles of water and a clear view of the mountains. I’ve forgotten how good a simple ham and cheese sandwich is. Tired from our long excursion, we decided to explore the hotel in search of mini-golf again. One of our colleagues noted a stairwell up from their hall previously unexplored. We climbed the steep spiral case on the exterior of the building up three floors and discovered the mini-golf on the roof of the back part of the hotel. We did not, however, find clubs or golf balls. A further search revealed that the front of the hotel was higher and its roof contained a large chess set and about 30 deck chairs for lounging. I lost the first chess game, but the second I earned a stalemate.

As 5pm neared, we again took off, but this time for the Eucharistic Procession. Everyone met outside the Adoration Chapel and followed the Monstrance and six thurifers (incense bearers) to the Basilica of Pius X where we’d celebrated the International Mass. Once there the thurifers were exchanged for braziers. These created a wall of smoke between the Monstrance and the Crucifix. Most of my pictures came out blurry, but the effect stunned. Singing the benediction songs in Latin, which I knew the words, but not the tune, gained a sense of unity to what we do at home.

Home for dinner, but I decided against the Marian Procession this evening. I really wanted to do the Stations of the Cross, but it’s too dark and I don’t want to go alone. Others stayed home as well and we prayed Evening Prayer together though we were both nodding off. There are still pictures to do this evening. I got everything packed as we’re leaving tomorrow and headed for bed. I’m thinking the afternoon sun on the roof did me in, or maybe that was the hike.

Friday 10/24/2008

Our last day in Lourdes begins with an early wake up call and rushing to fill our bottles with Lourdes water one last time. Breakfast after 7:30am Mass in St. Michael’s Chapel, part of the Immaculate Conception Basilica. Special of the day: Anointing of the Sick during Mass. This beautiful ceremony, in which everyone took part despite the close quarters of the chapel, ran longer than expected and created cause for a rushed breakfast. We were just getting onto the highway when the French police pulled us over to check our load and drivers’ credentials. We’d just started the Rosary and continued to pray as our guide and drivers dealt with the police.

An hour and half later we were back on the road, no worse for wear, but allowing the stress of the stop release. We put a few miles behind us before stopping for more ham and cheese sandwiches. Our Pilgrims’ Prayer today included a line about ‘If my meals of bread and cheese aren’t to my liking Lord, may I remember that I’m a Pilgrim, not a tourist.” You have to love the sense of humor.

We arrived late in Avignon, but still had time for a quick tour before dinner. I missed the former home of the papacy in favor of some time in the gardens. There’s a great view of the bridge to nowhere, now a tourist attraction.

We had an excellent salad this evening including celery root (semi-radish-like), beets, carrots and greens. The steak, to my taste was cold, but mostly rare and too much gristle for my liking. French fries are good anywhere and they were hot. Many were also thrilled when ketchup appeared at the tables. Plain yogurt with raspberry syrup completed the meal.

The rooms here are bungalow style, cute and quaint. The twin beds are pushed together with one coverlet. Tomorrow the roads will be nasty as we head into Turin, Italy. I plan to take my meds.

Saturday 10/25/2008

Today’s breakfast the best so far, applesauce, chocolate and regular croissants, Lady Grey tea and the French version of instant oatmeal, just add hot milk. I got on the bus pulled out my pillow and slept to the best of my ability. The roads are curvy, windy and generally nasty. I don’t even want to think about them.

Lunch wasn’t so hot, more ham and cheese. Edible, but I’ve had better on this trip. We listened to an interesting CD about Tom Smith. He was speaking about his conversion to Catholicism. He began as a Mormon and then switched to Protestant before becoming Catholic.

Our next stop is Italy! We saw the 2006 Olympic bobsled track as we approached town. The roads are narrow and steep with a plethora of hairpin s-turns and switchbacks and few guardrails. The lack of guardrails is only comforted by the large number of tunnels. Again, I tried to sleep. I played some cribbage and even won a game before the roads got too bad.

We stopped for Mass at the Basilica of St. Maria Ausilatrice near the tomb of St. John Bosco. We watched a short movie there and toured the museum that was the first home for boys that he opened. The local guide spoke Italian so our tour guide translated for us.

Stop number two at the Basilica of the Holy Shroud. Mass was just starting as we arrived. Pictures were minimal and the Shroud of Turin is behind a curtain, but the life-size photograph and negative are on display.

Our first dinner in Italy began with a bowl of pasta more than enough for a meal in the states. Of course, I would have bucked for the dessert of chocolate pudding too. Bread, salad and grilled pork added to the fare, all excellent, but not entirely necessary. The computer guru's had a slide show of all the pictures from Lourdes. After two days of staring at the computer on the bus, I think I’d have gone nuts, but it was the only way to have everything ready to upload when we got to an internet connection.

Tomorrow Sienna and Assisi, but the best part is that we gain an hour’s sleep tonight!

Sunday 10/26/2008

I happened to be handy when the computer gurus needed another pair of hands. Once the pictures are uploaded, we get to title them. One guru clicks and I copy. We got almost all the Lourdes pictures uploaded today!

More rolls for breakfast! Cookies and nutella are portable and make a great snack, yum! Two more cribbage games this morning, I lost both, the first by an obnoxious margin. I was almost lapped around the board.

I borrowed a sudoku book from another pilgrim and managed to finish one before lunch. Our morning rest stop yielded many nutella flavored goodies and tons of chocolate. We watched a movie on Assisi as we crossed into Tuscany (this means nap time for me). As we entered Tuscany the Mediterranean came into view on the right hand side and marble quarries in the alps on the left. Lunch found me with more penne pasta. Comment made while I was eating: “Couldn’t get enough could you?”

We spent the afternoon in Sienna. Our first stop is for Mass at Basilica Cateriniana. St. Catherine’s head and finger reside here. Her head was discovered incorrupt upon exhumation of her body and so was moved to this Basilica. The site of her home is now several small chapels. Moving up and down the hilly roads of Siena, we came to the main square. Our guide said something about the gelato being expensive here. Returning after some quick looking around we found her with gelato. At this point, many decided to spoil their dinner in favor of gelato, yum! I picked mento, their version of mint chocolate chip. I played cribbage and chatted until we arrived at our hotel just outside Assisi.

Dinner tonight is no fewer than six courses. I skipped the third appetizer and most of the fruit and probably should have skipped meat, green beans and Italian tater tots (though the tots weren’t bad). The green (pesto?) and chicken flavored rice and cheese penne with tomato sauce and a bit of meat was very tasty.

Everyone is worn out form our long three days of travel and seems in need of a laugh. Happy pilgrim to the rescue, with stories upon stories she had the 8-10 people at the end of the table in stitches! No wonder I didn’t really want to eat, I was laughing too hard to swallow properly. Everyone was red-faced and howling at some point. I was waiting for someone to choke or pass out from hyperventilation.

I helped haul luggage after dinner and then attempted to retire early. Our room is a railway station!

Monday 10/27/2008

Assisi! Smoke here is wreaking havoc with my allergies. Our tour of St. Francis Basilicas (upper, lower and crypt) by a third order Franciscan is amazing. Gorgeous frescos, stained glass, statues and marble abound. No pictures allowed, but I got my shot outside the upper Basilica that Mom wanted.

Round two is St. Clare Basilica beginning with two and a half hours of free time for lunch, shopping, etc. we went off looking for lunch. We ended up at the fortress on top of the hill overlooking the city. Sun streaks break the clouds over the picturesque landscape. The Basilicas’ bell towers stand tall in the cityscape, but dwarfed by the surrounding mountains.

I picked focaccia with sea salt and rosemary for lunch. Just bread, but good bread, not that tooth cracking stuff we enjoyed in France. A few cookies topped with nutella and water did the trick. After lunch, we toured and shopped a bit. I found a small nativity set in an evening blue thunder egg.

Back down the hill, near our hotel is Our Lady, Queen of Angels. St. Francis often prayed here and later died here. From here, we retired to the hotel to rest before dinner. For several, this meant a few bottles of wine and some fun songs, another night of much laughter and tears for the Pilgrims. Dinner went better this evening as we’ve learned to say “no” and gain smaller portions of what we do want.

I sense a cold invading, smoke must have knocked down my immune system long enough to let it in, grr! I took Zyrtec to help me sleep. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.

Tuesday 10/28/2008

Morning routine interrupted by an early fire alarm. No fire thankfully, but apparently some weren't ready to go yet. We’re on our way to Rome today, but first to Cascia, a sleepy little town known for St. Rita, patron of lost causes along with St. Jude. St. Rita, like St. Francis, received the stigmata, but in the form of a forehead wound from the crown of thorns. This wound not only bled, but also smelled profusely and forced St. Rita to live in isolation for extended periods during the 14 years she lived with this condition

Cascia is a beautiful hamlet nestled in the hillside. Many stairs, elevators and escalators are needed to transport Pilgrims from bus parking at the bottom of the hill to the Basilica. The town is mostly deserted now as tourist season is over.

The upper Basilica is simple and stunning including the relics of St. Rita. The chapel is equally beautiful and everyone seemed touched having Mass there. No pictures in the Basilica, but we took many in the chapel. The lower Basilica, also simple and elegant, houses a piece of breviary page soaked in the blood of a host. The host disintegrated between the pages of the breviary while being transported to the home of an ill person, very intense.

Gelato is no where to be found as many places were closed, but the sandwich shop had a yummy salami and cheese sandwich. Dessert consisted of another game of cribbage.

On the bus, we’re sharing stories of our favorite or most touching moments. Each is more moving than the last. I slept maybe an hour when the roads worsened, only woke up when everyone gasped. Apparently, we rounded a corner and there was an equally big truck going the other way. Our drivers are amazing! We’re told Rome traffic is a doozy. Tomorrow we’re up early for an audience with the Pope.

Wednesday 10/29/2008

We had breakfast on the bus to make our audience with the Pope. Much hurry up and wait ensued. Crackers with jam, phony orange juice in a box and tea did little to ease the stomachs this morning. We added crackers with peanut butter and fun-sized candy bars.

The American flags were handed out and helped keep the group together. We missed being officially announced, but managed to make a huge racket when the overall welcome was given to American Pilgrims. The standard welcome was repeated in no fewer than six languages. Two hours later, we were released for lunch. We had pizza and lasagna. Lasagna is great, but not Grandma’s, Mom’s or mine. The gelato here is just as good here. Returning to St. Peter’s we enjoyed an afternoon tour from our guide, a seminarian from the North American College. St. Peter’s is more than massive. Sections inside were blocked off for various reasons. As we toured through a few folks dropped back and went outside, as it was overly warm and crowded. Michelangelo’s Pieta now resides behind bullet proof glass after incidents with a shotgun and an ice pick. We celebrated a late Mass, in Italian, at the altar under the Holy Spirit window just behind the Papal Altar. I thought I’d figured out the Gospel reading, but someone else had the daily readings and it wasn’t there. We know what to say when and where, but when you try to think in English surrounded by Italian speakers it doesn’t work very well.

We briefly lost two folks after Mass as they went to the designated meeting place, the Obelisk, while everyone else headed directly for the bus. We found them! I remembered my evening prayer on the way home and entered the hotel just before the thunderstorm started.

No rest for the weary tonight, exhaustion, illness, aches, pains and general grumpiness marked dinner this evening. Food helped, but a good night’s sleep is definitely in order. I ate my spaghetti, but snapped at one in my avoidance of the second course. I also shut the window which was chilling me, but felt good to them. I did have dessert (always a sucker for sweet stuff) and went to bed. Twelve hour days are not good for Pilgrims.

Thursday 10/30/2008

Lucky me I had to get up twenty minutes before the alarm went off. The rolls at breakfast were great, but no protein at all. We visited the St. Callixtus catacombs directed by our Salesian priest guide. Steep stairwells and tall, narrow passages lead pilgrims past thousands of niches, many of which were built for children. Here is the original tomb of St. Cecilia, a martyr and patroness of musicians. In this dark, cool place is a room where several Popes were buried. After being converted to a chapel, it housed several more martyrs, who were killed there during Mass. A small chapel near the end of the tour is set up for us to have Mass. With nearly 40 people, one can hardly turn around, but the cool air is welcome amongst so many bodies in close quarters.

Our next stop is St. Paul’s, outside the walls. This isn’t where St. Paul died, but where he was buried after being beheaded. Each Apostle has his own statue and carries the implement of his death, in the case of St. Bartholomew, a wicked looking knife and the skin of his face and hand shown slung on a strip of cloth. He was skinned alive. In the small crypt below the Papal altar are the chains that held St. Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome. Around the Basilica are portraits of the Popes from St. Peter to Pope Benedict XVI. The two main side altars have some beautiful green stone inlay (I want to say malachite). It is very easy to get around as the chairs have been moved to the side.

We intended to see Tre Fontaine and the Pantheon, but a demonstration blocked the road. We had lunch near St. Mary Major instead, three blocks from the main train station. Our guide informed us that pickpockets abound there. My lunch, a vending machine’s finest egg and salami sandwich, which I followed with a chocolate croissant and gelato, allowed enough time to take a walk and play cards. We were kicked off the steps of St. Mary Major for playing cards, though no money changed hands. After a brief tour of St. Mary Major, our group was herded back onto the bus.

An early evening in the hotel gave us plenty of time to play cards and relax. After dinner, more card games, including garbage rummy. The computer is available today, but the uploading of the pictures takes a long time and the connection keeps cutting out.

Friday 10/31/2008

We left at 8am to see Our Lady of Perpetual Help, run by the Redemptress Order. While we waited, it was determined that restoration work would prevent us from having Mass there. St. Mary Major did not have any openings either, but St. John Lateran offered us a time slot so we headed there next. St. John Lateran is the cathedral of Rome, the Pope’s church. We had Mass there between the Papal altar and chair. It gave us chills to be in the same space as so many popes and saints had been. After Mass, we brought our guide forward for a blessing and laying on of hands. She said she’s never experienced anything so powerful in her life. We also prayed over our spiritual director. This left everyone in tears to some extent.

Across the street are the Holy Stairs in Scala Sancta which Christ climbed to see Pilate. The only rule here is that the Holy Stairs must be climbed on the knees. These stairs have been climbed by so many the treads are warped similarly to those in the Leaning Tower of Pisa, though four wide rather than one. We bought prayer books with a prayer for each of the 33 steps. Less than ten stairs later, my knees ached. The people ahead of me were not going as fast as I could pray a Hail Mary and so I struggled up each step, as Jesus must have. Overarching the top step is a fresco of Christ on the Cross. Behind this is a face, not painted by man, behind glass and above a golden tabernacle. Some arrived after the stairs closed so they climbed the side stairs meant for going down. These are stone, not wood and there are more of them! One pilgrim ran into a friend outside St. John Lateran and consequently ended up the last one on the bus.

We headed back to St. Peter’s for free time. We arrived around 1pm. If so inclined, there was enough time to visit the Vatican Museum for twelve euro. Several of the group headed there while another pilgrim and I headed for the square. Four others lagged behind. I didn’t want to become lost between them and suggested to my friend that we move on and they’d catch up if they wanted.

After much confusion as to which line lead to the cupola (the viewpoint on top of the dome) and the crypt we started in the crypt. Paul VI, John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII are all buried here. Blessed John XXIII has been discovered incorrupt. According to our guide from our previous tour, his eyes were sealed shut as they occasionally opened and scaring people. I bought a postcard of John Paul II’s tomb as no pictures were allowed.

We then got in line for the cupola to take pictures of a few of the mosaics we’d seen on our way to the crypt. While in line, we noted that: a) to climb 551 steps to the top will cost one 5 euro b) to climb 320 steps after taking the lift will cost 7 euros. It took perhaps two seconds to decide to climb 551 steps. Tickets punched, the climb began. The first batch of stairs is wide both in elbow room and in tread. Metal stairs and tight spiral staircases remind me of climbing the Statue of Liberty. Before getting into the dome itself, we get to the roof. On the roof, we are at the same level as the statues of the Apostles and saints. Just above here, one goes inside the dome and looks down on the Papal altar and the Holy Spirit window. I could see the place I’d sat for Mass two nights before and the people below looked ant-like. The circular mosaics, like the Holy Spirit window are approximately six feet across.

Heading outside the viewing rail, yet inside the dome the climb continued. Shortly after leaving the inside viewing area the walls tilt to accommodate the curve of the dome above and below us. After the tight stairs, being in the open air is great, but the view is 100% worth the climb. Stunning views of the square and surrounding area prompt many pictures and a few short videos. From here, the Apostles and saints seem about the same size as they do from the ground. People in the square are tiny. Climbing down we discovered a souvenir and drink shop. Yes. It’s true. Leave it to the Catholics.

Back on the soil vs. on the great monolith, that is St. Peter’s, my friend hit the ground running in search of a chalice. He’d done some searching on our previous trip and as this was our last day, hoped to find one to take home if possible. A few days earlier, we were asked for a donation toward a chalice as a gift from the Pilgrims. I’m hoping that he doesn’t find one, or decides to order it from home so we have a chance to buy it for him. Lunch doesn’t slow us down though (neither did a bit of rain), pizza and ham and cheese panini are easily carried through the street. I bothered to grab some water from my bag to help swallow. I’m still not sure about this part hot, part cold sandwich. We stopped in a few shops, looking for a place that we had seen from the cupola. I’m not sure we ever found it. I felt bad still eating as we entered the first shop and I was still eating my sandwich.

Just before heading back to the bus, I was led back to the shop where he’d seen two chalices that he liked. Only one was present. Having seen the looks of some of our group, I had a good idea why, but I didn’t say anything. With everyone on the bus, we settled in for a long ride home.

After dinner, we checked out maps of our 2600 mile journey. This doesn’t include the 300 miles from Vancouver to Sea/Tac, or the 5000+ miles by plane from Sea/Tac to Paris. No wonder our backsides are sore!

Our fearless leader received a pink, girly, Rosary from her future coworker for her hard work on the trip. Our spiritual director then got the hot seat as they presented the gifts. First, a new paten, which he immediately said was his new cookie plate. Then the two chalices, the first gold and silver with embedded red stones. The second, gold with enamel work showing Our Lady of Lourdes.

Saturday 11/01/2008

A 3:30am wake up call isn’t pleasant for anyone, but not everyone got it. We made the bus with three minutes to spare. We prayed one decade of the Rosary today along with our favorite Pilgrim’s Prayer. Afterward, with some prompting, I asked for the microphone and read, “You might be a Pilgrim if…”, thus turning our Pilgrim’s Prayer into a Jeff Foxworthy parody.(see the posting)

Upon arrival, we discovered that the Rome airport has just as long of lines as any other airport. Ticket agents turned away two economy passengers trying to check-in via the first class line. Those of us in the long economy line cheered.

A delayed departure from Italy caused much headache in making our Paris connection. Exiting the plane from Rome, fifty of us were hustled to a bus taking us to the F gate. From there, we walked back about ten gates to get to the gate we needed. Along the way, of course, we were required to re-enter security, go figure! This further delayed the group, especially when the third security line opened with a grumpy agent. It didn’t help that I forgot about my camera and playaways stashed in my bag. I showed them to the security officer who let me through and off we ran again. Some of our group had not been assigned seat numbers either. This made us worry more. Thankfully, everyone made the plane, including those without seat assignments and off we went to Sea/Tac, our second to last leg of the journey.

After a system wide reset, the video player worked properly and I was able to watch Prince Caspian from start to finish complete with lots of battles and not much plot, though I’d consider getting the sound track.

I’ve decided that middle seats are not kosher. It is hot and getting out is a pain. Thankfully, two others from our group are next to me so I get up when they get up. I also get up when the person on the other side gets up as well. In general, it’s ok, though I usually have to bother the person I don’t know to get back in. I want to sleep, but I’m too stiff!

We made it home all in once piece after two extended delays in Sea/Tac. Our lives are forever changed for the better, because we lived it together.

I'm Back!!!!

2008-11-03T13:54:00.000-08:00

Hi all,
I didn't manage to get online while in France and Italy, but you can check out the 1000 plus pictures at: http://s467.photobucket.com/albums/rr31/ollparish
Some of these pictures are mine, most are not.
FYI: Being Catholic and all some of these pictures are of the in-corrupt bodies of saints. These people died a long time ago and their bodies did not decompose. It's kinda funky, yes, it creeps me out some too. Just thought I'd warn you.

Enjoy,
Holly

Off to France/Italy!

2008-10-12T13:25:00.000-07:00

Pilgrimage 2008 with OLL begins in just a few short days. I'll attempt to keep everyone updated here. If not I'll post the site where we are posting. Pictures, hopefully, will be posted in the hall at OLL for all to see.

Idaho Trip

2008-09-25T20:21:00.001-07:00

I made my fall pilgrimage to Idaho this year. I've missed it the last couple of years. I saw friends married, friends kids I've not met,
St. Augustine's Mascot Auggie the Doggie and some beautiful Icons written by my adopted Italian Grandmother, Carla Kappler.
John Paul II
Blessed Theresa of Calcutta
St. Augustine, our Patron.

This St. Francis cross used to hang in the office of our 'Mother Theresa,' assistant, second mom and listener extraordinaire.

Labor Day

2008-09-01T21:31:00.000-07:00

I did nothing I intended, took many roads less traveled and found some semblance of peace in a CRV with with five people and fourteen boxes of books entitled: A Brief History of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. (Click title for further information)

We stopped in Hubbard, OR to visit the church where my folks were married 30 years ago this month.

And then went on to Canby, OR to ride the Phoenix and Holly Railroad at the Flower Farmer.

And ended the trip with a ferry ride on the Canby Ferry.

What a great day!

Judgment Day (aka NCIS explodes)

2008-05-21T19:58:00.000-07:00

FYI: Spoilers from Season 5 Finale: Judgment Day. You have been warned!

All summer we'll bemoan the loss of Jenny, or not, depending on what you thought of her and Gibbs and how she used Tony for her private ops. We're happy Gibbs is still alive. Most think the show would crash without him, see ratings at the end of season 3 after Hiatus. (A beach in Mexico is much closer than six feet under as we found out with Kate [Sasha Alexander]. No we're not looking forward to the team's nightmares when Jenny haunts them in the near future.) Many were glad to see Mark Harmon in the opening credits at the beginning of season 4. The question now being asked: how many of the 'regulars' will we see in the opening credits of season 6.

No word from Director Leon about Abby, Ducky or Palmer. Palmer does count for those counting. Leon doesn't yet. NCIS has many lab techs, probably more than one medical examiner and assistants to said examiners. I seriously doubt that Gibbs gets one ME all to himself, but maybe not. He does get Abby and she will have a fit if they try to take her from Gibbs' team.

Next question: the team's broken up now, far as Leon's concerned. Does that mean all the get-togethers the NCIS fans have been writing about for years will finally come true? (I did say far as Leon was concerned the team was busted up, didn't say Gibbs. And because the second 'B' is still there we won't bet on it just yet.) Sorry Jibbs fans, wasn't in the cards, well it was 9-10 years back, but no longer. Is Col. Mann going to show up to console Gibbs? We'll think about that one.

We do know what Mike Franks does with evidence though and that would be worth it to see the look on Leon's face when he gets walked out the door by the MP's (we can only hope). Or maybe Ziva will find some justice more 'Biblical' to invoke on him. Wonder if Mossad needs an agent on the Reagan. That would make Tony's life bearable, maybe.

But enough speculation, I'm sure many have many more and I've not had time to read the wiki yet so bear with me. I'm sure I won't finish reading all of it until next summer.

Backyard Ministries 2008

2008-04-18T23:11:00.000-07:00

Backyard Ministries is set for July 20-26, 2008 at St. John the Evangelist in Vancouver, WA. For more info or to register visit: www.backyardministries.org

BYM poster project I'm working on for 2008. To find out more about Backyard Ministries in Vancouver, WA check out: www.backyardministries.org

ALA National Library Week Commercials!

2008-04-02T17:23:00.000-07:00

Hi All,
National library week is here! Here's some promotional videos from the American Library Assoc.

Enjoy!

Wrap-Up/Reflections (Activity 23)

2008-03-09T17:12:00.000-07:00

What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?

Meebo, YouTube and Sign Makers were probably my favorites. I'm being very cautious of YouTube until after Easter since I'm not watching TV for Lent. I don't know that I'll give up TV entirely, but cutting back certainly can't hurt me. It's too easy to sit in front of the TV or YouTube for hours without thinking about it. (Update since Easter: I still watch too much TV and YouTube.)
Meebo allows me to be connected to multiple IM accounts at the same time so I don't have to log into all the accounts. Plus it's web-based so if I'm using another computer that doesn't have the IM software installed it doesn't matter.
The sign maker site was just plain fun. I don't currently have a printer. However, I can make a sign, save it and run it to the printers or to my online photo company if I need a poster for an amusing birthday present.

How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
I appreciate this program's allowance for play. It allows me to work at my own speed and spend more time with the things I enjoy or find useful. Several of these things I may or may not use all that much in the future. I can see how most of them are useful, but I don't necessarily have these needs and so probably won't use them.

Perhaps the most confusing is the RSS feeds. I understand how they work, but not necessarily why one would use them. I don't read enough news or blogs that are constantly updated to use RSS effectively.

Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I most appreciated the time to work on this project with my co-workers. In helping each other and teaching each other we learned more about the program and the skills necessary to make it work better. Though I was often asked the questions, everyone participated and in many cases started punching buttons until something worked. The hardest part was figuring out what buttons we pushed a second time to do it for ourselves or the next person who wasn't sure.

What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I would cut back one of the RSS assignments. Picture plays are fun for everyone. When you're sitting on top of Information Services it's easier to call them than sift through my RSS feeds.
I appreciated being given time to do this at work, however it is difficult to retain the process one week to the next. Early on we were given two hours to work with Discover 2.0 and that was very helpful.

Feel free to write about whatever else comes to mind.
I had fun doing this project. Somethings were slightly Greek/Geek to me. Next time I would like a little help getting through RSS and a few of the other activities. I did have a great time showing my friend smiley faces on Meebo. (My personal favorite: >:D<>

Tumblr Alternative Blogging (Activity 22)

2008-03-02T17:44:00.000-08:00

I suppose for most of this assignment I could have used Tumblr. Only a few of my posts really needed more than a few hundred characters. It's a good thing I used Blogspot though because I tend to be long winded. So I'll quit here.

WAIT, WAIT! Here's my tumblr url: http://mcdata.tumblr.com/

Podcasting (Activity 20)

2008-02-17T11:38:00.000-08:00

So if I did this right you can click the link and then the play button and listen to the title theme of, what else my current favorite show, NCIS. By the way, the writer's strike is over (YEAH!) and the next new episodes for NCIS start April 8th if my info is correct. Thanks to the NCIS fans wiki for keeping me up to date on these important things.

http://audio.search.yahoo.com/search/audio/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Faudio.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Faudio%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26sngid%3D7a571a15617c477c%26p%3DTheme&p=Theme&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fireflyfans.net%2Fthread.asp%3Fb%3D13%26t%3D3751&name=navyncis.mp3&dur=0:36&rate=160kbps&no=1&tt=1&size=712.9kB&artist=Navy+NCIS&weburl=http%3A%2F%2Fslidersweb.net%2Fblinker%2Fnsr%2Fnavyncis.mp3

And for those interested here's the link to listen to Air1 online. Air1 is commercial free Christian radio.

http://www.air1.com/broadcast/playnow.aspx?media=listen&bt=3&

Pandora/Archive.org/Mango (Activity 19)

2008-02-12T09:29:00.000-08:00

Pandora is online music streaming. I pick what I like and it creates a station based on that choice. Yahoo's is more restrictive in that you must have a different e-mail for each station. A small fee opens many opportunities. I've been on Yahoo long enough that it mostly picks stuff I like based on artist, album, genre and song title. Yahoo allows for a wide variety on a single station. Pandora selects music based on an artist or genre entered, then plays similar stuff on that station. Pandora allows the user to create multiple stations, one for every mood. Skipping songs is limited by licensing, with Yahoo that's all the skipping for the month (at least it used to be, may have changed). On Pandora skipping is limited per hour. I tested a couple of my favorite radio stations as well. Many now have online streaming to allow people to listen to the radio at their jobs without needing the radio at their desk. Useful as sometimes being in the basement or away from windows limits the radio stations available through the antenna.

Archive I can see as very useful for people researching who need primary documents that are out of print or perhaps too fragile for transfer or even handle. Being more into current items I didn't find anything terribly exciting to me, but when the books I like go out of print I'll be able to access them there. It will also be useful to me when my kids need primary resources for school projects.

Mango looks like a blast! I didn't get very far because I've not created an account, but what a positive way to teach people other languages. We're so caught up in this English thing. I'm taking a trip to Europe this fall so I hope to use Mango to learn some French and Italian and brush up on my Spanish before I go.

Google Docs (Activity 18)

2008-02-10T11:52:00.000-08:00

Another cool tool for allowing the world access to your stuff! And people want privacy... I follow the Gibbs rule about secrets/private stuff: keep it to yourself, second best tell one other person (being Catholic, that'd be my priest since he's got a short memory and isn't allowed to say anyways), there is no third best. Sorry, I can't remember which number the rule is, but any of you NCIS gurus out there who keep track of this stuff leave a comment. Thanks much! So, now I must do my next favorite thing... relate this to Star Wars/Star Trek... hmm. Ah! Yoda's students telling Obi-Wan Kenobi that the files had been altered so that a planet 'disappeared'. That could happen here. As for Trek, well I don't have a good one at this time, perhaps all the holodeck errors that occur when Professor Moriarty of the famed Sherlock Holmes stories by Doyle was allowed to mess with computer systems several centuries past his time.

Library Thing (Activity 15)

2008-02-05T09:37:00.000-08:00

Hey cool! A staff picks table and no cards to fill out. I'm the staff and these are some of my favorites. In case you've not guessed I read about the saints and Star Wars. Funky combination, but that's me. The 'random list' of my Library Thing picks is below Meebo. If you can't see my You Tube video or the Meebo widget they're blocked... sorry. I didn't do it!
Note: I looked into it... apparently some of the library computers are randomly running through the enhanced filter which prevents these sites. The powers that be know and are looking into it. Yeah computer gurus!

NCIS Day at the Office (Activity 21)

2008-01-30T20:30:00.000-08:00

Found this on YouTube. Credits on the clip. Thanks much!
PS You Tube is addictive and should be considered hazardous to your sleep cycle. Hence our esteemed colleague's warning: "Look for something that interests you on YouTube... Spend a few minutes exploring (and we mean just a few - it can get addictive)."

In case you'd not guessed NCIS is my favorite thing next to Star Wars, peanut butter and Italian food. Don't get much of the latter any more and it's wearing thin, but that's another story.
Videos have endless uses, but don't try to explain how to use internet on You Tube. If you can't get online how are you supposed to get the video. That's what 8-year-olds and libraries are for, haha, I will still have a job in the near future since robots don't shelve books yet.
Oh, since you've not made it to the end of the video yet... Mark Harmon's in charge, in case you haven't guessed. Notice everyone gives him front stage? It's kinda like when the priest walks in, everyone remembers something they need to confess and suddenly the floor is very interesting.

Technorati (Activity 14)

2008-01-30T18:54:00.000-08:00

I'm a little lost in this site. Lots of fun stuff to look at and RSS, etc. However, not being all that thrilled about 'real news' because it makes me ill, Technorati doesn't seem terribly interesting to me. I like taking pictures better, on real film. But in the interests of space with a trip to Europe coming I'll probably switch to digital sooner rather than later. Bumber, I like my old camera.
I also don't read much in the way of blogs. Wikis more, but I don't trust their accuracy much either. I'm still old school, what can I say.

Cool Stuff (Activity 17)

2008-01-30T18:12:00.000-08:00

I posted my blog's 'readability' just below the Meebo widget. I'm glad all that college money paid off. Wordshoot is a fun game http://cognitivelabs.com/word_shoot.htm just watch out for the bad guys. Your typing skills will help there. I don't know any funky questions to ask Yahoo! Answers.

Delicious (Activity 13)

2008-01-22T09:53:00.000-08:00

My only question is: besides the IS desk list, how do I find other delicious lists? I can look up anything and it's been tagged by whoever, but that just means they think it's connected to that tag or I think it's connected to that tag.
I looked at some of my tags. I only tagged them that way because it was mentioned once in my blog. The only indication of tag accuracy is the number of people who labeled it with that tag. I guess it means you think alike if you tag something and look for other things with that tag, but there's always someone who tags differently and they may have a great site, but you might never find it.
PS Here's my list if anyone's interested: http://del.icio.us/hmack

Wikis (Activity 16)

2008-01-22T09:16:00.000-08:00

I have 2 favorite wikis to which I've contributed. One is http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page. This is also known as Wookieepedia. It is a favorite of Star Wars fans such as myself. I've not had much time to add to it, but it is always growing. Most of the stuff I know is already there. I use it to aid my fan fiction writing. So many folks are so nit-picky about details in such things. When I write I check my details against the wiki, especially when I write minor characters and can't remember things like the color of their hair. This is getting easier though, most of the standbys are going gray.

My other favorite wiki is http://nciswiki.cbs.com. This site is part of wetpaint, a wiki discussed in Discover 2.0. It is a fan wiki for the show NCIS or Naval Criminal Investigative Service a spin off of JAG. This site contains summaries of most of the episodes from the last 5 seasons, information on the cast and characters, photos, favorite quotes and a list of 'props we covet'. (http://nciswiki.cbs.com/page/Props+we+covet) The props list is extensive and includes Bert the farting hippo (a stuffed animal, you can guess what it does), an NCIS badge with ID and morph-pro software (to determine the look of your future offspring).

As for concerns about wikis: anyone can post/edit anything on them. If it isn't monitored how do we know the information is correct? Teachers in my day wanted primary resources and internet was the last place you looked because there was no guarantee of accuracy. Not that the dates of the Civil War have changed, but you were safer using PAL because it was actually in print somewhere in a magazine.

I like the camping trip idea, but if you're backpacking a cooler is way overdoing it. It's heavy! You camp near a stream and drop your 'cool' stuff in a bag in the creek. No one brings a cooler backpacking! Even my family leaves the cooler in the car with pop and juice for afterward.

My friend and I used to write a fair amount of fan fiction together that this would be an easier way to post and edit what we've written. The only problem is that life has taken over and our writing is severely outdated in the grand scheme of Star Wars. However this would make it much easier to keep up. Now if only the library could get the books faster... patience is cheaper than rushing out to buy books.

More RSS (Activity 8)

2008-01-20T17:49:00.000-08:00

I tried out topix and technorati. Feedster wasn't working. I'll try it again later. I didn't have much luck finding stuff though. Both appeared to be regular news browsers. I searched for a few items, but didn't find a whole lot of articles. Only one was 'exciting' enough to put on my delicious links. There was no blogger RSS feed. Go figure! On the LISwiki Weblogs I did find and link a couple more library links to add to my collection. Yeah me.

RSS Exploring Bloglines (Activity 7)

2008-01-15T13:42:00.000-08:00

Yikes! That took 2 hours of reading and rereading and geez then there weren't any obvious links on the sites I wanted to add. Then I reread it again looking for the key. The little orange box thingy on the end of the URL line. That would have saved me about 45 minutes. Oh well, at least I figured it out. It'll be more fun when I try to teach others how to do it later. But I can put that off until Sunday while I let my brain relax a little. Next time I'll ask one of our gurus.

Fridge Letters, Street, and No Trespassing sign (Activity 12)

2008-01-13T11:14:00.001-08:00

A message to my brother about borrowing his DVD's it's much cheaper than going to the video store. Mel Brooks has created some of my favorite movies: Young Frankenstein, Robin Hood: Men in Tights and of course, SpaceBalls. I saw SpaceBalls a half-dozen times before watching Star Wars. Many of the lines sailed right past me as I had missed that generation. I remember my parents not being thrilled that I had seen it. We were pretty much a Disney movie family, nothing over rated G until I was in Junior High. Of course, the rule faltered at friends houses and when sitters were over. I saw Indiana Jones, Top Gun and Dragnet in pieces several times before being allowed to see the entire film. Top Gun and Dragnet were hidden in the dresser, not for children to watch. I also had a couple of sitters who would allow me to stay up late and watch something with them after my brother and sister had gone to bed.

And now to Bein' Green. (It's not easy according to Kermit the Frog and he would know). Yoda on the other hand, while having the same issues: a small, green puppet voiced by Frank Oz and later a C.G.I. swordsman through the work, presumably of Industrial Light and Magic, is another of our favorite characters. However, the inspiration behind Yoda Lane is the Sound of Music. I have not seen many movies where Yoda-ling occurs. Sorry, bad pun I know. I take full responsibility for hanging out with punsters. What can I say, they're my other family and I love 'em.

And finally my No Trespassing sign. Appropriate that it's attached to a fence as I ride my bicycle and often use fence posts to lock up. I do drive a car, but gas is just expensive. And such is life.

Meebo (Activity 9)

2008-01-08T21:40:00.000-08:00

This one's in purple :) Hooray! No more switching between IM's. Meebo is a cool toy. I even created my widget thing, but I can't figure out what to do with it. I guess I'll figure it out when I'm not so tired. I even figured it out while half watching a movie. IM reference is phone reference without the phone. There may still be a wait, but no need to tie up the phone. Plus if you can't find something you want, let them do the looking for you. We love questions like that. It's a great challenge.

Social Networking (Activity 10)

2008-01-08T21:12:00.000-08:00

I'm writing this one in red because I can. The whole social networking thing is very cool. I tend to be more traditional in my social networking i.e. I prefer personal contact rather than someone I met on the web. However, it was craigslist.org that got me a place to live. Therefore, I use it to a certain extent.
I see where the question of caution enters. There are lots of nice people who are just looking to network. And there are others. As for libraries taking part in social networking I think it's great. These are the good things of social networking and it allows the younger generation to be excited about libraries. Especially since primary sources are required for papers and projects and the internet, while wonderful, doesn't usually count. But that's another story.

Trading card (Activity 6)

2008-01-06T22:35:00.001-08:00

I've never been much of a card trader, but this is kind of cool. I wish it would show more of the tree behind me. Those trees were so tall and there's not really a good way to describe it. Makes you realize how small we really are. That was a great trip.

Picture Post (Activity 5)

2008-01-06T15:56:00.000-08:00

How cool! My two favorites in one picture! Abby, Goth forensic specialist of NCIS (TV), with her black light wand playing Jedi of Star Wars. I saw this episode recently, Hung Out to Dry, Season 1, Episode 2. The parachute lines that she's checking turned up evidence of sabotage. The Marine who's death they were investigating had the same name, strangely, as one of the TV crew members. As Gibbs (Abby's boss) would say, "I don't believe in coincidences."

7 1/2 lifelong learning habits (Activity 3)

2008-01-06T11:39:00.000-08:00

Title provided by the folks wanting me to learn something.

Easiest part of learning: PLAY!

Perhaps because it was instilled in me from an early age. Our preschool (scary that I can remember that far back) was all about play. We had puppets, sandtables, watertables, typewriters to tear apart, a small shop area for wood, nails and hammers. I am still playing. When not at work I spend countless hours volunteering at church (they're about ready to give me run of the place or kick me out, can't decide). Most of these jobs aren't terribly exciting, but they give a sense of purpose and allow time for casual conversation that's lacking in the usual formalities.

Hardest part of learning: Goals...

I think this is because the easiest part of learning, for me, is play. I don't want to limit myself by setting goals for that play. I taught myself to play guitar, but that doesn't mean that I want to learn picking or any radically difficult chords. I learned lots of new chords just by looking for songs I wanted to play, but I started with easy stuff. Three chords got me a long ways into the Kingston Trio book and I can play with The Group on our camping trips and get-togethers. Those same three chords, plus a few others have served me well in playing some of my favorite church songs. I'm not brave enough to play them as a music leader, but I trade on my percussion skills instead.

One of the clearest goals I remember having was wanting to be an altar server at our church. For those who don't know what this is, basically you are an assistant to the priest during Mass. I had wanted to do this when I was young, but you had to be a certain age at the Catholic school I attended. We moved before I was old enough. Later in high school it struck me again, but we attended church so far away it was difficult to get there on time. Also, the whole family had to come early.

Finally in college I asked the priest if I could serve. This took me several months as I was learning the lay of the land and felt out of place disturbing our priest to ask for training. He was very helpful and though I was very nervous the first time and did a few things wrong I was gently corrected. Later I trained others in these tasks and have enjoyed watching them grow.

I enjoyed training at my current church this past fall when I spent many hours writing and rewriting the guidelines. Two dozen bright-eyed kids came for training and are doing very well. New and exciting things invade each weekend: incense and bells for special services, sprinklings of holy water and extra blessings. And the kids thought my manual was difficult, ha! I didn't include the incense instructions in my original draft.

The current goal is to get Sunday out of Saturday night's onslaught. Lots of kids going back to school turned in their books yesterday. Thus we have many full carts to order and shelve. Back to work!