Ash Wednesday - Burying Our Alleluia

"Prayer begins by listening, God speaks in the silence of your hearts and we speak from the fullness of our hearts. I listen, God speaks. I speak, God listens. This listening, speaking is prayer."

Bl Mother Teresa of Calculla

Today we bury our Alleluia - symbolically and literally.

It is Lent

As Catholics we experience a time of penance, a time of inwardness. We immerse our hearts in the desert with our sins. We pray more. We think about self discipline, and the lack there of. We return to the quiet of our hearts where we can mend things.

This year we took the advice from a few creative Catholics and made an alleluia banner for our Easter celebration.

We started our banner with simple paper plates, some paper craft items, and something to write with. Just as a side note: I have taken a pledge to use up all the craft items I have in my home instead of buying more. It doesn't always work out the way I envisioned but in the end the love is there.

Once the banner was made we sung a hymn with a lot of Alleluia in it. Then we put it in our hiding place. We used a bread basket with some silks to hide it.

We place our buried Alleluia on our seasonal table and begin our Lenten traditions

From Ash Wednesday until Holy Saturday the word Alleluia falls silent in the church, and in our home.

resources:

http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/02/28/4040-lenten-activities-bury-the-alleluia/
http://catholicicing.com/

Be Mine Valentine

Flowers are sweet, this is true

but for my valentine

I choose you

We have a special tradition for Valentines Day in our family. We hand make our valentine for each family member and secretly place it in a place we know the "valentine" will go during the day. 

We also had a late dinner, after Isaac went to bed. The menu was nothing unusual,  fish and tossed greens, but we set out candles and opened a nice bottle of wine to go along with it....and David and I ate alone.

I have been focusing on living with intention....what I have found is that when we actively tell ourselves this thing that we are doing we do with full intention, it occupies more space in our soul life. Is weightier than other things in our day.

This day is about LOVE

Love is something we do for another person. That's why we still hide valentines for one another. It says that we thought enough of them to create something they will like. It says, I am so interested in you that I know your habits and places you will go today. It also says that we want to make them smile, brighten their day.

It's a simple thing but as Blessed Mother Theresa said:

"In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love"

February Entry - Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...darkness helps to quiet. I think of what it's like to have no darkness. How would I rest....mind, body, and soul? Stars.. like tiny tears in the fabric of the universe...hope beyond.

I am thinking...is it age that helps me see? Is it age that keeps me from seeing? Tomorrow is the first work day of the week. Am I ready? Will this week be lived out with intention?

I am thankful...for a husband who strives to be present in heart and to be the father he is, not to be his father, for a daughter's eyes opened, for rising above the accepted cultural "norms" (when they aren't), and especially for being given strength.....and recognizing it.

In the kitchen...muffins and pumpkin bread, a clean slate to start Monday.

I am wearing...cotton tshirts with my favorite jeans.

I am creating...home made valentines. When daughter number one was little (she is now 25) we started the tradition of giving one another ONLY hand crafted valentines, placed in a surprise location the recipient would be certain to find; tucked in a favorite book, in a laptop, on the bathroom mirror, in the washing machine. 

I am going...to study group, dentist, and to the market tomorrow. 

I am wondering...how kids will ever get to really know one another as whole people with hand held devices editing their reality.

I am reading "Weapons of Mass Instruction" by Gatto - A well researched expose of public education in this country. Things I knew, lived..things I didn't want to know....things we all should know; "the book of Matthew"...all chapters, read, studied, discussed with a great group of women; "The King of Ireland's Son" to my prince, that he may always find his fantasy in reality.

I am hoping...for a comfortable rhythm this week, that includes yarn and knitting needles.

I am looking forward to...another night out with my husband this weekend! We all need it, no matter how many layers of excuses we manage to find. Good marriages need intentional time together...alone.

I am learning... not to fear saying something "stupid". 

Around the house...the minor jobs that are always there can wait, the cat puke can not, the Christmas "stuff" really needs to be put away and can't take up residence in the spare bedroom - really.

I am pondering...my tenacious ability to take on too much. It's the rush of excitement I get that isn't necessarily supposed to be mine. 

A favorite quote for today... imagining God saying "Don't worry....I got this one". After reading the parable of the weeds among the wheat MAT13:24-30

One of my favorite things...my new bed

A few plans for the rest of the week: living with intention and fully in the spirit. 

A peek into my day...

for journal entries by other women go to

 http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

January in New England??

God be here, God be there,

We wish you all a happy year;

God without, God within,

Let the Old Year out and the New Year in.

(as found in "Festivals Family and Food")

January 2012 Simple Woman's Daybook Entry

Outside my window... the trees dance on this unseasonably warm New Years day. The neighbor's granddaughter is playing in the yard with her puppy, my son is in the tree line spying on them. The grass is still green, when it should be golden or hidden by snow. The clouds move so fast I get dizzy if I stare too long.

I am grateful... for a new kitchen, and lots of family and friends to share it with!

I am thinking about... getting real.... back to life... purposeful existence. How did my son become so mainstream?? Can I reverse it?

From the schoolroom... a break. No formal lessons...lots of independent exploration.

From the kitchen... not much in the cupboards. No sign of Christmas and New Year visitors other than a burnt down candle and a french press resting on a tea towel.

I am reading... "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell. Just started it so I can't give a little review thus far but I knew I had to read it when I read the back cover.

I am hoping... that as the year grows I will continue to put aside time to sew for Haiti. I have new ideas and hope they are received well within Haitian Health Foundation.

I am praying... for the spirit of Christmas to swell up in me during this Christmastide, so much so that I notice it. It was an unusual Christmas for us, surrounded by home renovations that prevented my usual comfort zone...so I haven't felt much of the real season.

I am hearing...the kind of silence only experienced with the absence of a very sanguine child. The furnace occasionally rumbling. I hear the tapping of my husband working at something down on his workbench.

A few plans for the rest of the week... frequent vacuuming to stay on top of this never-ending dust! Real grocery shopping for real food for real health :) Getting outdoors!!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...(ps...if the polka dot towel looks familiar let me know..it showed up in my kitchen and it's not mine)

for other people's Daybook entries go here

Martinmas/The Feast of St. Martin of Tours

O Jesus, sent to bring good news

   To poor and broken hearts to bind,

   We praise you that in ev'ry age

   You bring forth shepherds great and kind.                  

    Saint Martin, once a soldier brave,

    Became a soldier of your cross,

    Renouncing force, embracing peace,

    Rejecting wealth as useless dross.

    As bishop, Martin taught the Faith

    With constancy and gentle zeal,

    And the way he led his flock,

    Proved to the world God's grace was real.

    Concern for lowly, helpless folk

    Was in the forefront of the task;

    "What's done to least is done to me!"

     The poor we help are Christ in mask.

http://mariannedorman.homestead.com/Martin.html

With the unusual October snow storm that destroyed thousands of trees in the Northeast we were literally plunged into acts of kindness by people far and wide. The clean up is still ongoing and children received an unexpected week off school. 

This story of St. Martin was on my lips just before we lost power for 7 days. I told the story and then we played it out with the castle set. It was easy to recognize St. Martin in many people during this disaster. 


May the spirit of St Martin be with you always

Simple Woman's Daybook October 2011 Entry

Outside my window... the golden pine needles flutter to the ground, the sun shines and the animals and children are full of energy from this gift of summer in fall. The wood pile has grown triple it's size from the wood of the old maple, and splinters of wood cover the ground from a days worth of hard labor.

I am grateful... for family life...always in the forefront, no matter where it takes us. For little blessings tucked into the creases of those events. For a husband who likes to experience new places with our children in tow, because he wants them to know the world first hand.

I am thinking about... how thankful I am for the goodness in the hearts of many.

From the schoolroom... slowing down Isaac's mind to be better in sync with the rest of him. Independence! Lots of reading now... wow! he's a book worm.

From the kitchen... canning jars line the counter waiting for more harvest, evidence that I have been out of the home most days for a week, oats soaking for some granola bars, small lego-people waiting to be put away, and a dishwasher full of clean dishes. I want this week to reflect a coming home again so I am planning some good down-home meals!

I am reading... The Gospel According to Matthew with my study group. I read about the changes to the Mass, which will officially begin the first Sunday of Advent. I missed the discussion about this and was sad to miss it because I have so many thought on it. I am also reading more about boys and the 9 year change. I am also researching how to approach our parish school about improving the quality of their school lunch program. I still will not let Isaac get hot lunch because what is being offered is appalling!

I am hoping... my pulled muscle heals soon and I can get some real sleep.

I am praying... "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference!" it's on my coffee mug...a nice reminder every morning :-)

I am hearing... silence as Isaac takes advantage of this beautiful day outside playing with neighbor friends, and a husband who is taking a well deserved nap.

A few plans for the rest of the week... writing out thank you notes to all those who helped me with Book Fair, a visit to the local appliance store to price out new kitchen appliances, some much needed grocery shopping, getting back into daily exercise, and getting to bed early every night.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...my daughter, friend and trainer after completing the BAA Half Marathon today!

for other people's Daybook entries go here

Summer Fun! Part 1

Years ago I read a book by Tasha Tudor, and in it she weaves a summer childhood image that is so delicious I was drawn right in and lived it right along with her. In her recollection she talked about how she and her cousins would make up plays, with costumes and all, to perform after dinner for the grown ups. She talked about running barefoot in the woods and all the natural adventure they had, which included laying in the tall grass watching the clouds go by. When I read this, those many years ago, I vowed to open the door to the arts and freedom in nature especially all summer long. One way we have maintained this tradition is sending the kids to Theatre in the Open....a marvelous theatre camp outdoors at Maudsley State Park. The kids spend all day outside from 9am - 2pm! Above is Isaac with one of his Fairy houses. This year they learned about body expression...so their performance was done through gestures with a narrator. Their dance blended all the age groups together with a slight rock beat. Isaac looks forward to attending again next year :-)

One of the special treats to going to Theatre in the Open is we stay with my parents. My parents are all about the grand-babies so it isn't unusual to see things like the picture above! One of the perks of staying with them is they live on an Island off Newburyport MA with a beautiful, rugged barrier beach of the Atlantic Ocean. We spend a lot of time there...mostly after 4pm when most beach-goers have gone home.

The photo above I am going to frame. I wove a wonderful story about the little merman captivated by the sea.

Plum Island Reservation has a fabulous rock-hounding area. You have to work a bit for it because it's about 6 miles down a dirt road and you have to battle greenheads to get there. It's worth the trouble. This visit pictured above we were just coming home from camp and decided to enjoy the water even though we didn't bring our swimsuits!There is a wonderfully open ended playground called Mosely Pines just before the chain bridges that we just love! I don't have a photo but there is a huge tree stump that stands about 15 feet high and about as big around as my kitchen table. They have climbers grips all over it for kids to scale. There is a huge zipline and trails, like the one above, to the river. On this hike Isaac found a couple of jellyfish stranded in the reeds from the recent storm. Of course what would living on the water be without a kayak trip or two! The basin is a great place for young adventurers and one day soon I know Isaac will be venturing out without the adult escort.We know the cousins are all getting bigger when they ask to sleep in a tent alone. They made it as far as sundown ;-)

At the last minute we decided to drive up into Maine to see my sister and her family for a few days. We enjoyed swimming off their boat and tubing. Isaac actually went alone! He also jumped off the top deck of the boat which I am even a little scared to do! We got our usual 4 gallons of Maine blueberries, which were small this year and I think we nearly went blind picking over them to bag. We visited the Maine State Museum and then visited the Maine Desert...yes, I said ME and Desert. The owner of this once fertile farmland cut down too many trees too fast and did not rotate his crops and the whole land turned to desert. Sound familiar? Above is part of the 50 acres that is left of the original 300 acres back in the 1800's. Mother Nature is reclaiming this land - it gives me hope!

Nature Brings Us Together

I am reading "The Nature Principle" by Richard Louv and just finished chapter 12, titled "The Bonding - How Nature Principle can strengthen our relationships with family and friends". Part of the chapter talks about how primal energy streams from one person to another and, without intention, is a force shared.

I vividly remember just such a bond during a family trip to the beach. It started how it usually does...at the water's edge, breathing in the oceans majesty. The kids noticed a gift from high tide - a log. Feet touched the log and there was a spark of energy....
They started digging a hole. Voices turned to shrills of excitement.
The log became an inspiration and then it was like lightening struck each and every person!
Brainstorming began and it was as if there was a thread of neurons connecting everyone, they didn't have to speak and they knew each other's thoughts. Work, Work, Work they did!
More people joined the effort...The tide decided to join in but the great human attachment circle worked at a fever's pitch!
The ocean tried to reclaim the log, but success was ours. You know the saying, "Time flies when you're having fun"? Entrenched in this communal experience two hours passed!

I believe that bonding is not so much about the words we share but the physical closeness combined with uninhibited channels of energy. Whether we all realize it or not, our family became even closer after today.

Married 25 Years!!

On a VERY hot, hot day in late July David and I were married. Here it is 25 years and three children later and I still feel like we were just married! Knowing that our eldest two are in the midst of their University educations we didn't expect a party, but they had other plan.

We were genuinely surprised! No small feat given I can usually sense these things a mile away. We were told we were having a quaint dinner to celebrate Emily's birthday. I did think the 2:15pm reservation was a bit strange, but stranger things have happened so I just went with it.

When we arrived and saw a party on the restaurant terrace I remember thinking, "What a nice day for an outdoor party!".... still clueless it was for US!

We were surrounded by friends and family from all over. It was a memorable event. My daughters even made us a beautiful video of our 25 years...

Here's to 25 more!!

He's Eight

Out of a world that seems

To us today

A world of long ago

And far away,

A world of old, gold dreams,

These old, gold stories flows.

Yet out of it's olden gleams,

Out of it's golden glow,

Into our own time streams

The world we know.

Out of this ground we grow.

Isabel Wyatt

It is hard to believe that 8 years ago our family was blessed with our Wonder-boy! He was one of those blessings...a surprise that breathed a life into our family that lifted us up to an existence beyond anything we thought we could be.

Battles between good and evil prevail in the mind of this new eight year old, and so a superhero party is what we had! What better place to have a pizza party than Little City Pizza, where the theme of the restaurant is....superheros! The boys all dawned their favorite costumes and we walked from school to the restaurant for an early supper. We had hulk (Isaac), Batman, Power Ranger, 2 Captain Americas, and to spice things up....a Darth Vadar.
Then we walked to the local ice cream parlor J. Foster's for cones piled with two scoops of their favorite flavors. This is truly when they were at their quietest!
But as the afternoon wore on the boys melted under their hero-ware and were forced to shed part of their clothes so they could better play at fishes and minnows and other running games. Thank you to Emily and Patrick for playing with the boys!

The boys were sufficiently fed, and exhausted when a car pulled off the road to warn us that a black bear was heading our way! Excitement welled...but no bear dared to come near the rowdy superheros.

Our Hulk-8 Year Old Wonder Boy is sound asleep.....

June Garden

Lots of snow and rain amounts to lots of green! What I didn't expect is such a bumper crop of berries and my local sugar house told me, Thursday, he hasn't seen the sap run this well since he's been sugaring! This is music to my ears and, perhaps a warning that we should stock up for another LONG winter. We are going to have enough strawberries this year to enjoy fresh, freeze, and make jam. We harvested our very first last week and they are very sweet!

We are in cycle 3 of our 4 year garden cycle. I use the successive planting technique trying to take advantage of a plant's natural relationship with the soil - what it gives and takes. It requires annual rotation and the use of cover crops. Nothing Grandma didn't already do.

I am conducting another experiment....since this spring rotation of lettuce is harvested young I decided to just sprinkle all the seeds in the bed and did not thin them out. I'm pleased and we've been harvesting for a week with no disappointment. I'll sew the next round in another bed in a few weeks while this bed will hold carrots.
I have a love affair with sage.....I've always had it in my garden no matter where we lived. My favorite use for it is in pumpkin ravioli, but it also is a beautiful tea..especially for a sour tummy. I am taking the advice of a fellow blogger and trying my hand at freezing some to use through winter. I'll be moving this one, again to its permanent location (promise?) this week.

I am expanding my garden again, really it's phase 2 of my original plan. All perennials will be in the fruit garden block, with the exception of the thyme...
I dug up my two year old English Wedgewood Thyme. It was HUGE!! I divided it and hope it will be happy along the foundation by the patio. Nothing else seems to survive this location because of foot traffic. I watched this thyme being stepped on all summer last year so my fingers are crossed.

Hopefully I will have an update later this month.

Labyrinth

A pilgrimage is, after all, a journey of self-discovery, an attempt to recover the true self from beneath our constructs of layers and masks. What is discovered must be acted upon.

-Frank Cunningham

The Labyrinth is an ancient symbol of the holistic human...a metaphore of man's journey of life here on earth. They can be found in the floors of great cathedrals throughout Europe and beyond.

I was introduced to the Labyrinth when I was very young. I can't even recall why or where, but I was a child. It filled my senses and I have been drawn to them ever since.

The Labyrinth, like life, is not a straight path but is full of twists and turns, winding this way and that, but one path for one lifetime. Some of the turns we can ease into and are predictable, but others take us by surprise. As we walk the Labyrinth, with our feet, we are mindful of our own life path.

I walk passing through three stages; Purgation, Illumination, and Union

Purgation is a time of emptying. Letting go of thoughts and worries. This is the walk to the center. This stage can take some practice if you are not in the habit of meditation. Still the mind... becoming empty like the circle at the center of the Labyrinth.

Illumination is a time of receiving what God intends for you. A time spent at the center of the Labyrinth in prayer and meditation. I like to imagine I am an empty vessel being filled with God's love and peace.

Union is the return journey out of the Labyrinth. It is a time to become empowered to carry out what has become illuminated in our soul. God's healing is at work and every twist and turn is met with new confidence to overcome things that may stand in our way.

As I exit the labyrinth I am overcome with a peace that penetrates my consciousness, I am lighter on my feet and living on a higher level.

Peace be with you all.

Thus says the Lord;

Stand beside the earliest roads, ask the pathway of old, Which is the way to good?

and walk it; thus you will find rest for your souls.

-Jeremiah 6:16

Crossing Over..

On my honor I will try to do my best

to do my duty to God and my country

to help other people

and to obey the law of the pack

The Cub Scout Promise

Tonight my Tiger Cub earned his badge and crossed over to become a Wolf Cub! I used to think Boy Scouts was a little extreme....until I learned the heart of what they do.

They build great men.

All it takes is reading a few of the handbooks for the lower ranks to realize that their mission is to bring to the surface the soul qualities all boys possess. I am proud to announce my Wolf Cub..Isaac Cyril!

Rebirth

Spring Poem

Waken, sleeping butterfly,

Burst your narrow prison.

Spread your golden wings and fly

For the sun is risen!

Spread your wings and tell the story

How He rose, the King of Glory.

The raspberries are rising, the lilacs have burst. The long winter nap nestled in the deep snow has been a blessing! It was quite a sight to see so many tiny raspberry spires reaching for the sun! Perhaps we may even have some lilacs this year.

Rhubarb is growing fast. We'll have a pie in a week or so! Not pictured but doing equally well is thyme, bee balm, echinacea, strawberries, chamomile, cat mint, and chive.

The earth is breathing out now, as am I. Rebirth in mind, body, and spirit. Lent has been good food for my soul. I am feeling much like that butterfly bursting free from the darkness.
Another kind of rebirth has occurred in our home as well...the rebirth of a dear old friend. Em's friend asked if she could mend his favorite love. She made a sort of footie-pajama for him and added a bit of wool to give him new life!