The Grinder that ALMOST Stole Christmas

In my family there is a Cranberry Relish Jell-O salad that graces the dinner table at Thanksgiving and Christmas. My father's job is to grind the cranberries, apples and nuts with the grinder. The grinder currently has a place in the hall closet at my parent's home. It travels to my brother's home at Thanksgiving time so that Mom can make the salad. It is always packed in the original box in the center of the suit case.

The Original Box

So imagine our horror when on Christmas Eve Day the grinder was not in the hall closet! A room to room search ensued. Drawers and every imaginable location was searched. Even the most unlikely places were searched. Everyone was frantic...no salad. Impossible!

Before it turned nasty I texted my brother to see if the grinder had been left at his house. As soon as the text was received, he CALLED me back.He looked in the kitchen and even went out and looked on the porch as my parents had used the grinder there attached to an adirondack chair. But that is another story.

The Grinder

My brother, ever helpful informed me that the grinder would be in the last place we looked. He was not, however, able to tell me where the last place was.
Mom went back to the hall closet as she was sure that she had just seen the grinder. On hands and knees for the third time she stood up and then moved some blue towels. The grinder was there behind the towels. It appears that when she put up the Holiday towels the every day towels inadvertently were placed on top of the grinder. Crisis averted!

Cranberry Relish Salad

I did mention that perhaps we could use a food processor. Apparently food processors do NOT chop or grind the cranberries, apples, and nuts like a good old fashioned GRINDER. I won't mention that option again.

Once again the salad graced our Christmas Dinner table. It was as delicious as always. The grinder is in it's box and in the hall closet. Life is good.

Christmas Light Leads Us...

I love Christmas Lights.  It seems that we all want our homes to be festive.  One by one we begin to banish the darkness with our little strings of lights.

I remember sailing at night with the velvet darkness all around the boat.  You could hear the waves slide along the side of the hull and if you were lucky there was phosphorescence in your wake.  Some nights there was a moon that played in the clouds and other times, cloudless nights where the stars were all you could see in the firmament. 

I always felt small sitting on the boat at night, steering her through the night.  When the weather was good it was for me, heaven on earth.  I always felt closest to nature and God at those times.  The nighttime displays filled me with wonder.

And so it is now as Christmas approaches.  I feel very small sitting here on the turning earth, circling the the sun.  I feel very small as we wonder through the neighborhoods as night falls and the lights begin to light our way.

I wonder how small and afraid Mary must have felt.  Engaged, pregnant, heading into the uncertainty that was her future.   She was obedient and placed her faith God.  Joseph too placed his faith in God and kept his promise to Mary and made a new promise to the child she was carrying.  They were obedient to Rome and headed out to be counted in the census.

That manger the night of his birth must have been an answer to their prayers.  I can't imagine being pregnant, riding on a donkey and then no friendly Hampton Inn on the horizon to welcome you for the night.  No electricity for lights in the manger, only the stars to light the way.

This Christmas I am reminded of how blessed I am.  Michael is cancer free, the children and grandchildren are doing well.  My siblings and parents are well.  We have a roof over our head, food on the table and money to by what we need.  We have electricity for heat and light.  We have good friends.

I am ready for the Light of the World.  May He banish the darkness from our hearts this Christmas and all through the year.

Do You Take Your iPad to Church

It is the first Sunday of Advent and the first Sunday to use the new translation.  Besides stumbling over the word consubstantial during the Creed it really went pretty smoothly.  The priest really has the hardest part with the translation.

For the first time in a long time I had to follow along with a missal.  I am able to say most of the prayers by heart and can still answer in Latin if given some time to think about it.  It is like riding a bike.  Once you do it you can pick up a bike after many years and if your knees aren't bad you can ride.  But today I was forced to listen, to read, and most importantly to think about what it was that I was saying and listening to during the Mass.  It was good.  It was fresh again.  I liked that we began this new version at the beginning of the Liturgical Year.

My quandary is should I take my iPad or iPhone to Mass?  I have had the iMissal, iBreviary, and iRosary on both for awhile.  I recently downloaded Ignio.  I like having them with me and not having to carry around a book, though I must admit that there is nothing like a real Missal with lots of ribbons to help you keep your place.  You also should have plenty of Holy Cards stuffed in various places to mark passages.

ignio

iBreviary

iRosary

But I can't quite bring myself to carry my iPad into Church.  It would have been very useful this morning as it contains the new translation.  I suppose if I turn off the volume and all the notifications for my games it would be okay.  Some might stare at me or wonder what I am doing, but God would know.

I wonder what Jesus would do?   Would he have used an iPad?  I can see him walking in Galilee texting Paul or John about a new commandment or his latest version of the Our Father.   Would he have "mirrored" on to a large screen the Sermon on the Mount?  He could have set reminders every hour to keep the Apostles awake while he was in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Not sure what I will do yet.  For now I have my handy pew card to remind me of what to say.

Happy Thanksgiving

Once again Thanksgiving is upon us.  All ready it is our second Thanksgiving in the States.  Time does fly.  We have so very much to be thankful for:

• Michael survived cancer and radiation
• All the kids are employed, except Cynthia and she is working on school
• We don't have to work
• My parents are alive and well
• The grand kids are healthy and growing like weeds
• I found a church that I love
• I have good friends
• I started writing
• Cynthia continues to be a delight, please don't tell her I said so.

 There are so many things to be thankful for in this country, even if it seems that we are divided politically, don't agree on how to worship, and can find so many things to disagree on.  We still are the best country.

My hope for all of you is that when you sit down at your overflowing table of food that you take a minute to remember all those who don't have a table to set down to.   All those who will be spending their first Thanksgiving without their husband, wife, father, mother, brother, or sister.  And just may-be you will find a way to give to those less fortunate, not just during the Holidays but all year long.

It Is Veteran's Day

I grew up in the US Air Force.  My father wore the SAC "Pocket Rocket" on his uniform.  Later he was part of the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.  For me he was the man with the keys and the handsome guy in the blue uniform.

He worked two jobs so that I could go the Parochial School and I am sure to help with the bills of a growing family.  He served with Pride and is a Viet Nam Vet.

I joined the US Army and served with Pride Stateside and Abroad.  My current husband is a Viet Nam Veteran.  He also served with Pride.

I can claim Ancestors from the American Revolution, The Civil War, The War of 1812, and the Spanish American War.  I currently have family serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We are a family of Military.

For me Veteran's Day is not a day for furniture sales or picnics.  It is a day to remember those that have given their lives so that all of us can be Free.  Free to download from iTunes, shop at the grocery store, drive my car from one end of the country to the other, or to watch Reality TV.  We are free to disagree with our elected officials and free to worship as we see fit.

We are not free to forget.  We must remember that today and tomorrow and for many tomorrows to come that some, mother, father, sister, brother, wife, or partner will receive news that a soldier, sailor, or marine will not be coming home.  They gave their life for our Freedom.

The following are the Mottos of our Armed Services:

US Air Force: Intergrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do.
US Coast Guard: Semper Paratus - Always Ready
US Marine Corps: Semper Fidelis - Always Faithful
US Navy: Honor, Courage, Commitment 
US Army: This We Will Defend

High Ideals indeed.  If you see a Vet shake their hand and say thank you.  If you know the family of a Vet let them know that you care about their sacrifice also.

Make sure that we keep our promises to our Veterans and their families.  They kept theirs.

The Laundry Wars

I am not a fan of laundry.  In fact, when in Guatemala I pay the "girls" to do my laundry.  When my parents would come to visit us on the boat, Mom did my laundry.  I am teaching Cynthia to do the laundry.

RV parks like marinas have a season.  So all the sites are being filled and the demand on the laundry room is increasing with each and every motorhome that drives in and stays a week, a month or a season.
During the summer months when it is 120 in the shade most leave and only the full-timers are left.

Washers

Cynthia and I would take a book or my iPad and read or play games and music while waiting for the laundry to finish.  We had the place to ourselves.  We were load and had fun.  We weren't bothering anybody so it wasn't it wasn't a big deal.

One man does laundry

All that has changed.   They are back!  And so begins the Laundry Wars.  We walked into the laundry room and only one machine was open to wash and there were no dryers available.  They look friendly but you can't be sure.  Now I am the type to stay with my laundry.  I admit in Guatemala I would go back to the boat, but I set a timer.  Here I must be vigilant.

Dryers

The first load is in and I am trying to be casual as I scan the amount of time left on the washing machines.  The machine next to my first load is coming up in 3,2,1, MINE.  As two more would be laundresses come in I grab the machine.  I only need one more machine and the lady from British Columbia says mine will be ready in 3 minutes, if you want it.  "Thanks," I say.  Cynthia stands in front of it, marking our ownership.

More people keep coming and I am now watching the dryers.  It will be close.  Timing is everything.  What?  Someone is claiming that my wet towels are on her machine and she can't move to the dryers.  "I believe that they are on my machine," I tell her.  I am correct.  She apologizes.  "Not a problem."

Whose Turn Is It?

A dryer is open but the owner is not there.  (Ah, the age old debate.  Do you move a total strangers clothes?)  The lady from British Columbia offers to fold her friends clothes so I can have the dryer.  I clean out the lint and in go the clothes.

Two more dryers come open and Cynthia and I are ready.  We claim them.  We are in the home stretch.  More people come in.  One lady opens the door views the room, laughs and leaves.  I am unconcerned.  I am folding a load and their squabbles over who's turn it is, not my problem.  It is every person for themselves.

I hate to say it but I am going to have to be an early bird to the laundry room.

Thoughts While Doing the Laundry

I went to do the laundry the other day and found myself perusing a People magazine.  It was the August 29 2011 issue.  The article that caught me eye was; Can Corporal Ian Manning Save His Marriage?  The article was written by Sharon Cotliar with  photographs by Nina Berman.

The article tells the story of Ian and Bernadette Manning.  Both are struggling with Ian's return from Iraq.  Ian is not the same man that left for Iraq, nor is Bernadette the same woman who said good bye to Ian.  Combat changes a person.  Being left at home while your loved one is in harm's way changes a person too.

Ian and Bernadette go on a retreat which is hosted by Project Sanctuary.  Heather Ehle is the founder of Project Sanctuary.  Heather credits the participants with the success of the project.  Heather and Project Sanctuary have created an ideal resort like setting staffed by volunteers and paid professionals.  They, as of the writing of the article, have a waiting list of 700 military families.   You can see more at: Project Sanctuary.

I am of the belief that Ian can not save his marriage.  It will take more than just Ian to do that.  Ian and Bernadette had only known each other for two weeks before they were engaged.  They married five months later.  Not much time to really get to know each other.  Now Ian is back and diagnosed with PTSD.  They don't share much of anything together anymore.  A very common situation for soldiers and their families.  But they have a much better chance to save their marriage because of Project Sanctuary.

Bernadette and Ian are lucky to have a support group.  The soldiers returning from Viet Nam weren't as lucky.  The Viet Nam returning soldier had very little support.  There weren't yellow ribbons on cars and "Support Our Troops" signs everywhere.  Entertainers were not forming support groups then either.  As a Nation we abandoned not only the soldier, but the families also.

My mother raised four children and had my Grandma (with a heart condition) move in while my Dad was in Viet Nam.   She also held down a full-time job.  She survived a tornado and a bad car accident.

Her support group was made up her children, my Grandma, and friends.  There were protesters everywhere and no own said, "Support our Troops".  They survived because they really knew each other before they got married.  They survived because they had and have a tremendous faith in God and a shared religion.  They shared a foundation of friendship before they were married. 

I wish you luck Ian and Bernadette.  You will have a long road ahead of you.  The real work is after the retreat.

  Support our Troops!  It should be more than a yellow plastic ribbon stuck on a car.

The Church on the Hill

I am a cradle Catholic.  I do not have a single memory of a time of when I was not Catholic.  It is a part of the fabric of who I am.
Sure I haven't always been a practicing Catholic, but in time of trouble I find my rosary in my hand and Hail Marys falling from my lips.  I grew up when Mass went from Latin to the vernacular.  I missed so many things when we went to  English Mass.  Nuns in Habits, my big missal with all the colored ribbons, the tradition of Latin and the priest's back to you.  It was all a mystery, but a mystery that I was part of...I grew to love the new Mass.  I sang at the Guitar Mass, taught CCD and was happy with the changes.
I fell away from the Church.  Now I am trying to come back.  It is a struggle.  It appears that there are more changes on the horizon for the Liturgy of the Mass.  It has been 40 years and now they want to change some of the wording.  Okay, I can learn new versions of prayers.  It will take some time I am sure, but I know that I can do it.
Here is the fly in the ointment.  I know in my heart that church is more than a building and more than the priest.  It is suppose to be my relationship to God and how I live my life.  So I move to a place where there is this new monstrosity of a church.  It sits on a mesa and overlooks the entire town.  It is so tall that they had to get a permission from the City Fathers to build above the approved height requirement.  It has taken them 19 years to complete the church and they still have a shortfall of over $237,000.  In my humble opinion they should not have built a church until they had all the money needed.  It is fiscally irresponsible!  I also believe that they didn't need this big a church.  A smaller building would have served the Parish and they could have clothed and fed a lot of poor people with that money.   But even the building itself is really not the issue.

The real issue is...the place feels cold.  Not just the building, it is the priest and the people.  I never have felt welcome.  I never feel that I have been to Mass.  The whole environment feels negative.  For example, when the Choir Director comes down to help the congregation learn some of the new Responsorial Psalms, instead of introducing them with a positive outlook he says, " I have to teach you these new responses."  How about this instead, "As you know the Church is changing some of the Liturgy and I am here to help you learn the new responses."

So I went across the river to Nevada and found a home.  The priest met us at the door before Mass.  All the people said good morning.  It is a small well designed building but feels welcoming.  Before Mass the commentator invited us to say Hello to the people around us.  People are shaking hands, hugging, waving from across the way.  Smiles and more smiles.  They wanted us there and they wanted to be there.  The sermon was uplifting and not condemning.  When I walked out I felt that I had been to Mass.

Aging Observations

I was at church last Sunday and about to attempt kneeling.  My knees hate it!  It is not something I do well on a good day and if it is a bad day well, I might as well not even try.   I noticed the ladies in front of me and they have gray hair.  The lady next to me has gray hair.  Heck I have gray hair.  All of the Knights of Columbus have white hair if they have hair. 

So back to my attempt. The kneeler is down.  My right knee is touching it.  My left is screaming no way kiddo, so I rest my buttocks on the pew and half kneel half sit.  Yes, I looked around and I wasn't the only one in this predicament.  When did we get so aged?  When did genuflection include holding on to the pew so the I could get back up?  Three fourths of the Eucharistic Ministers had to use a handrail to make it up to the alter.  Two had to use the handrail and a cane to make it to the alter.  I wondered, was the slick polished marble floor a good choice?

There were a couple of young families in attendance, but most of us were old.  My guess is that the majority are retired. 


I joined a Book Club.  I am the youngest member.  I joined a writers group and I may not be the youngest, but it is aged.  The Genealogy Society, you got it; old people.

But this is how I really know that I am getting older...I have lived long enough to see the third version of Charlie's Angels on TV and a movie!  Dallas is back on the TV and the music of my youth now sells retirement plans and is played in elevators.  The peasant blouses of High School are back in fashion.  If they bring back elephant bell jeans with platform shoes then I will be sure that I am old.

But I am NOT old.  My body that I have abused and not taken care of is aging.  My mind is still sharp and I have a variety of activities that I love and still participate.  I am still sometimes surprised by the reflection in the mirror, but I am YOUNG at HEART and that is what counts.

Cooking for a Few People

Hungry Girl Cookbook

One of the things I hate is trying to cook for less then six people.  Most recipes are written for more than two people.  You can cut down recipes, but somehow it just isn't the same.  I have been on the look out for a cookbook that has smaller portion recipes and is a calorie friendly recipe.  Enter....Hungry Girl Cookbooks.






 
Lisa Lillien is winning me over.  Her cookbook, Hungry Girl 300 under 300, caught my eye the other day and so far I have prepared 3 of her recipes.  We have loved them all.  They are easy and she even suggests ideas for leftover items.  Plus most of the recipes are for 2 or 4 people.  Exactly what I have been searching for in my quest for tasty repast.

8x8 Pan

Here is the recipe for Takes-The-Cake Ziti Bake.
5 oz ucooked whole-wheat or high-fiber ziti or penne pasta
1 cup thinly sliced onion
2 cups chopped brown mushrooms
1 Tblsp chopped garlic
2 cups fresh spinach
3/4 cup light or low fat ricotta cheese
2 Tblsp chopped fresh basil
1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomates
1/2 cup plus 2 tbls shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
2 Tblsp reduced fat Parmesan-style grated topping.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Prepare the pasta al dente according to package directions.  Place in a bowl and set aside.

Meanwhile, ring an extra-large skillet spray with nonstick spray to medium heat on the stove.   Add onion and, stirring occasionally, cook until slightly softened, about 3 minutes.  Add mushrooms and garlic, and raise temperature to medium high.  Continue to cook, stirring often, until mushrooms are soft, about 3 minutes.
Add spinach to the skillet and stirring often, cook until spinach has wilted and excess moisture has evaporated, about 8 minutes.

Transfer contents fo the skillet to the bowl with the cooked pasta.  Add tomatoes and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.  Toss gently to mix.

Spray an 8 inch by 8 inch baking pan with non-stick spray and carefully fill with the contents of the bowl.  Evenly top with Pram-style topping and remaining 2 Tblsp mozzarella cheese.
 

One serving

Bake in the oven until entire dish is hot and cheese on top has melted, about 15 minutes.  Allow to cool slightly, and then serve and enjoy.

Makes 4 servings.

We all loved this meal.  It was easy to make, tasty and for the three of us, enough for dinner and one serving for lunch the next day.  I can highly recommend Hungry Girl.

Thanks Lisa!

Jiminy Cricket

Pinocchio had Jiminy Cricket and I have Cynthia.  Jiminy Cricket was the conscience of Pinocchio and helped keep Pinocchio out of trouble.

Now don't get the idea that I lack a conscience.  I have a fairly developed one.  However, sometimes I need a good swift kick in the ass to get moving.  That is where Cynthia comes in.  She reminds me that I need to do things.  Things that take me out of the RV and into PUBLIC!

I have forgotten how to interact with the general public.  Part of me is still in the "Guatemala" frame of mind.  Part of me has gotten complacent because this last year has been a "limbo time" for us.  Waiting on doctors and test results and making health decisions.

Cynthia borrowed the Weekender from my sister's newspaper and started to circle activities.  The next part of her evil plan was to involve me in said activities.  This week begins part three of the plan.  I must go to the activities. 

Here I come writers group and book club and community theater.  Cynthia will come to some of the same activities, but not all.  She needs to get use to not being with me 24-7.  Seems like our little cocoon of a life is getting ready to expand.

The Book Signing

Preston & Child

Cynthia is a big fan of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.  I have read a few of their books, but Cynthia is the FAN.  She found out that they were going to have a book signing in Phoenix.  She asked if we could go and I said sure!

Phoenix is almost five hours away, but what the heck.  Michael decided that he didn't want to go so it was going to be an all girl adventure.

I have never been to a book signing and wasn't sure what to expect.  It was being held at the Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort.  I am thinking we will be under dressed.  I mean Clark Gable stayed there and played golf there.  It had been the hot spot for the Hollywood Glitterati.  We took our toiletries just in case we didn't want to drive back on the same day.

We arrived with Cynthia navigating on the fly through a detour.  It was a little disconcerting to see her turn the iPhone 360 degrees before she would pronounce our intended direction.  She got me there without a hiccup.

Let me assure you, we were NOT under dressed.  I think that casual has gone way to far.  It is amazing what people will wear to a public function.  Some didn't even bother to comb their hair.  And there was the couple that was busy taking their own photo of themselves kissing, waiting for the event to start.

We walked around and then we sat outside the Grand Ballroom waiting for the doors to open.  One gentleman sat in a chair near us and once I said, "Hello" the flood gates opened.  He apparently did the website for Preston & Child.  He told us about which advance manuscripts he was currently reading for them, the piece of a meteorite Child had sent him for his help on the book, Impact.  It took up a good half hour and then we were allowed in the Ballroom.  I needed a beer by then.  I didn't need a five dollar beer, but that was cheaper than a seven dollar glass of wine!  They said there would be a buffet.  They lied!  There were little clear plastic boxes with 4 cookies each for...four dollars.  The cheese and bread box was eight dollars and so was the fruit box.  We skipped dinner.

It was interesting to hear the authors talk about character development and how plot lines came to be.  They had a wonderful rapport with each other and they easily drew you in to their world.  It was interesting to watch people interact with them and try to remind you that they were important to the authors.  We are funny creatures.

So we each have our signed copies of two books.   Would I do it again?  Yes, in a word.  We had a wonderful time and I learned a little more about writing a book.  More importantly, I am now prepared to be a book groupie.

RHUBARB.....

Rhubarb is surrounded with wonderful taste memories.  My mouth still waters at the thought of warm toast fresh out of the toaster spread with homemade rhubarb sauce.  My Grandma made the best rhubarb sauce.  It was sweet and tart at the same time and one was tempted to consume the stuff by the spoonful.  Not a good idea if you didn't want to upset Grandma.

Fresh and Washed

When I hunger for Rhubarb Pie it isn't for some bastardized Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie.  No, I crave the pure pleasure of Rhubarb, sugar, and tapioca wrapped in a homemade flaky crust.

Living in the desert I wasn't sure that I would ever see fresh rhubarb.  So imagine my delight when the local Safeway had fresh Rhubarb.  Sure it was over $2 per pound and I purchased over $6 worth, but it sure was pretty sitting there with its ruby stalks and green leaves beckoning me.

Chopped and Ready To Go

A Little Sugar, Please

Martha Stewart Food Processor Pie Crust - check
Fresh Rhubarb diced - check

Fresh from the oven

Oven Pre-heated - check
Rhubarb mixed with sugar and tapioca - check

Ready for the Oven

Pie Ready - check
Pie Eaten - check

I actually had so much rhubarb that I was able to make a Central American Style Rhubarb Pie for my sister, Helen.  Lucky Girl!

The only thing that could have been better was a third pie! 

Whippers of the World Unite!!

No I am not talking S&M or spanking your children.  I am talking Miracle Whip.

I have been a whipper for a long time.  I didn't realize that it wasn't Mayo until as a child I visited the house of a friend and she made me a sandwich with....mayo!  I almost spit it out.  What was that strange white paste that she slathered on my bread?  She asked if I wanted mayo and I said, "Yes."  Little did I know that we did not agree on the definition of mayo.

So then what do I do, but move on to a sailboat for ten years and live in Central America.  There are many things that you learn to live without on a sailboat.  Miracle Whip is one of those things.  I remember on our annual trip to the States that we always picked up several jars of Miracle Whip.  I can't tell you how happy I was when they started packaging it in plastic squeeze bottles.  They travel much better than glass jars.  When guests came to visit we asked them to transport it for us.  Imagine our surprise when in the Bay Islands of Honduras we discovered that we could actually buy Miracle Whip.  I almost fell on my knees in front of the display.

So now Miracle Whip has this commercial campaign.  Personally I don't understand NOT liking Miracle Whip.  It is the condiment of the gods.  It makes the best taste even better.  I can't imagine my turkey sandwich without the tang of Miracle Whip.  And Deviled Eggs, what would they be without Miracle Whip?  Tasteless I tell you.

Not Much New Under The Sun

Here we are in the summer entertainment season.  There sure isn't much out there that is new.

They are bringing back DALLAS!  No I am not excited.  I never watched it the first time around and have even less desire to watch it the second time around.  There is a new movie out called the Change Up.  Two guys who stand in front of a fountain and wish to have each others lives.  Old idea.  How many movies have been made based on this idea?

We can't seem to come up with anything that hasn't been done before.  TV especially seems to have cycles.  The season of Police Shows, Alien Shows,  Medical Shows.  The funny thing is that they start out about the police, aliens and doctors/nurses and before you know it, it is about who is sleeping with who.  Who wants to sleep with who.  I don't know how they sit around a dinner table.  They have all slept with each other and everyone else around the table.  Do they share?  Right they all ready did!

Even books from authors are stale.  James Patterson comes to mind.  I liked him in the beginning.  Now the font is huge, the chapters are two pages and I have figured "it" out by the second chapter.  I am not even sure that he is really writing the books anymore.  My theory is that he gives someone and outline and they fill it in.  I must say not well.  It is predictable!!!

I can hardly wait for Thanksgiving.  We will have to learn all over how to cook that Butterball!

HABOOB????

Being the water girl that I am I was unfamiliar with the term, Haboob.  It comes from Arabic for strong wind or phenomenon.  In other words, an intense sandstorm.

Phoenix looked like the movie set in The Mummy.  I was expecting Anubis to jump out of the dust.  It was eerie and beautiful at the same time.

Haboob

When ever we are driving in Arizona and I see the signs for Blowing Wind I get nervous.  I am terrified to get caught in a sand storm.  I am not terrified of 10 foot seas.   Go figure.

So last night it got windy in good ole Bullhead City.  We were out in the dark moving things from blowing down and around.  We were on a landlocked "Anchor Watch".  Everyone was up in the park.  The poor guy behind us was in the middle of putting up a metal shed yesterday.  It is gone, gone, gone.  We heard in tearing apart and that woke us up.  Yes, the RV was shaking and for a minute I thought it was a tornado.  No just your friendly Haboob.

We were lucky.  No damage and we are still in our site.  We have all our chairs.  So life is good.

iPad Crossing the Generations

My Dad has a brand new iPad2.  He used my lowly first generation iPad and got hooked on, yes... Angry Birds!  So he finally decided to get one of his own.

Dad in Action

My Mom is sure that there is a device that comes out of his forearm and connects to the iPad2.  I have assured her that that is not an accessory that Apple provides...yet.

He syncs, downloads apps and plays games with the best of them.  He has his rosary and Divine Office loaded and takes the iPad2 to Adoration twice a week.

Well, the Pope was not to be outdone and now has an iPad2, though I suspect that someone does the downloading for him.  The Pope has a twitter account, though again I suspect that someone does the tweeting for him also.

The Pope

While we were at my parents we spent most nights huddled around one of the iPads and played Carcassone.  We love the game and now instead of pass and play we play over the internet with each other.

I am sure that Apple didn't have the over 80 crowd in mind when they developed the iPad.  Though it has given our family a new way to connect.  FaceTime is not only great for seeing the grandkids, it allows you to talk to the parents, grandparents and great-grandparents!

Dad and I both carry the family tree on our pads.  Helpful for that latest headstone photo that needs to be added.  Now we can do that right from the cemetery.

I love it that my Dad is a mini-geek and loves techie things.  I can see him now on the way to Alaska to see my baby brother, playing Angry Birds on the plane.

P.S.  Dad, don't forget to use Lane's account for a couple of apps!

Happy 80th Birthday!

I can't imagine being 80 years old.  I am looking at 60 in a couple of years and I don't feel a day over 55.

In Guam

My father is turning 80 this weekend.  It is a milestone.  You can't deny that fact.  He has seen a lot of changes over the years.  Computers, men in space and on the moon.  Cars have changed and so have planes.  World politics have changed, though I suspect in some ways they are much the same.

The Newly Weds

He has been faithfully married to the same woman for 58 years this August and they are more in love today then the day they spoke their vows.  They don't just love each other, they like each other and that my friends is rare indeed.

When I look at my Dad he is still just my Dad...able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, able to shape the lowly wire coat hanger into any tool for any occasion.  He is calm in crisis and decisive when decisions must be made. 

Not Much Has Changed

At the Helm

He has corrected me, stood by me, hugged me, cried with  me and laughed much with me.  His gait may-be a little slower these days, but he still keeps moving forward.  His mind is sharp and clear and he has just ordered his own iPad!  He volunteers several days at the Veteran's Hospital in Tucson and works for the Church and the Knights of Columbus.  Occasionally he "rests his eyes" while sitting in his recliner.

As a Young Father with the Brood

In Honduras

There are a thousand memories attached to my Dad.  There are a thousand things if not more that I am thankful for when I see or talk to my Dad.

There isn't much to say except that, "I love you Daddy and always will.  You are the best, thanks for everything."

Boat Rowing Skills

MEMORIAL DAY

This weekend most of us will celebrate Memorial Day with BBQ and beer.  For some it will pass unnoticed.  For some it will remind us of those that have served their country.

Memorial Day in Tucson, AZ

Originally it was known as  Decoration Day.  It is to commemorate U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service.  It was first enacted to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War, it was extended after World War I to honor  Americans who have died in all wars.

It began as a ritual of remembrance and reconciliation after the civil war, by the 20th century, Memorial Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as ordinary people visited the graves of their deceased relatives.

The practice of decorating soldiers' graves was widespread in the North by 1865.  The first known observance was in Waterloo, New York.  It was because of the friendship between General John Murray and  General John A. Logan that helped bring attention to the event to the Nation as a whole.  On May 5, 1886 that General Logan issued a proclamation that "Decoration Day" should be observed nationwide.  At this time Logan was the commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic.  The date of celebration was chosen because it was NOT the anniversary of a battle.

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

The earliest Confederate Memorial Day celebrations were simple, somber occasions for veterans and their families to honor the day and attend to local cemeteries.  Only after 1890, was there a shift from this consolatory emphasis on honoring specific soldiers to public commemoration of the Confederate "Lost Cause".  It was 1913 that the theme of American Nationalism shared equal time with the Lost Cause.

On Memorial Day the flag is flown at half-staff until noon.  This half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their country.  At noon their memory is raised by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.

Coming Home

This Memorial Day let us all resolve to not let their sacrifice be in vain.