Friday, June 16, 2017

Books and Rain


I have recounted here before that I listen to a lot of books on CD because I spend a good deal of time commuting to my Adjunct job.

The other day I stopped at the library to find something new. I just finished listening to Enduring Courage - Ace Pilot Eddie Rickenbacker and the Dawn of the Age of Speed by John Ross. Who knew Rickenbacker was a native of Columbus Ohio?

A title caught my eye: a thriller called The Third Secret by Steve Berry; the background being our Lady’s appearances at Fatima. I mentioned it when I got home, being in the middle of the first chapter.

Two of my kids immediately told me I already listened to this one. I said “No way, I don’t remember it at all.”

Both of them immediately looked it up on this blog (April 23, 2015), one of them immediately quoting my concluding evaluation at the time:  I can't believe I wasted my time with such rubbish!

I guess they do pay attention!

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I fear the lack of rain has demolished our sweet corn this year. Rain (that didn’t come) last week may have saved it, but now I think it is too late. We will get some, but very few ears will be flush.

You can’t go by the weather station to evaluate the amount of rain we get at our little corner. Wednesday for example we were coming home from an excursion at the beach. It started raining about 60 miles from home – sometimes a downpour. Even 8-10 miles from home they had received substantial rainfall. We received not a drop.

This happened last week to, except the rain was even closer.

I have repeatedly seen in past years dark clouds pass over us and the adjacent field only to let go over the river ¼ mile away.

I was starting to fear even for my patti pan squash and cucumbers. But a little rain last night and (hopefully) some today may give us enough moisture to survive.

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I am also reading Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul  by John Eldredge. About ½ way through, I am sure I will have something to say about it when I am finished. So far it is very interesting, but his conclusions may bring insight into his initial analyses.

Oremus pro invicem!

 

Saturday, June 10, 2017

God's bounty

We never did much with carrots in the past, but this year a sowed them among the radishes. The radishes (for the most part) went to the pigs a couple months ago. The carrots are a great success. I picked about half yesterday. This morning I harvested the rest. Here is this morning's harvest. Looks like we will be doing this again.

 
Oremus pro invicem!

Monday, June 05, 2017

The moment (from the homily)

At St Ann Byzantine Catholic Church in San Luis Obispo on Saturday, June 3rd, my oldest son Nicholas was married to Alexis.
 
It was an absolutely beautiful wedding. I so inspired by the courage and charity displayed by this young man and this young woman in the past year with the adversities that they have, not endured, but sanctified.
 
This was my first trip to California since 1989. I flew in late Thursday for the Saturday wedding and took the red-eye home last night. Lori and most of the children (save 1) were out there for an entire week staying at Grover Beach before flying back with me last night.
 
There are so many people to thank for helping us celebrate with Nick and Alexis and their family and friends.
 
On another note, each time I touch the Eastern lung of the Catholic Church (this time Ruthenian) I am impressed and inspired.   
 
Oremus pro invicem!