Early August Adventures

Or:  How Much Can One Middle Aged Woman Cram Into Five Days Without Killing Herself?

Part I

So, last Wednesday was Dominic's day to be spoiled by Mom.  He's up at Knights of the Altar Boys' Camp this week, and heads off to school in Omaha this coming weekend, so we had to hurry to get a day in together.  He knew he was in for a hike and was alright (better than just alright) with that, but, being a practical kind of kid, he suggested we also find some time to go get some socks and underwear for school.  I was happy to oblige. We went to good ole Wmart in the late afternoon and finished up our day together at the movie theater, catching Nicholas Cage (Do you like Nick?  I can't decide about him...) in the Sorceror's Apprentice (which, we thought was lots of fun if you don't mind all the exercise suspending your disbelief...). But before the shopping and the movie, we had some things to take care of.

We had to go to my favorite place (whether Dominic liked it or not) -- Ouray, Colorado.  We had lunch at Bien Tiempo, a great little Mexican restaurant.  This is the view from the patio:

And here are the clouds we watched rolling in just in time to rain  -- not on our lunch -- but definitely on  our hiking plans:

We were undaunted,  though, and decided to pursue the hike, just bring our umbrella and hope it didn't start to thunder and lightning.   Dominic and I have a history of exciting adventures together so a little rain didn't faze us a bit, so long as we weren't setting ourselves up to be lightning rods ...

 But before we left -- and before I left my keys on the corner of the bar and had to walk all the way back from the car in the rain to get them -- we had to find out how all the dollar bills came to be stuck on the ceiling of the restaurant.

Dominic asked the bartender and -- for a dollar -- the nice young man was happy to show us. 

He put a tack through the dollar bill, stuck it, pointy side sticking out, to a stack of taped up quarters with a little piece of rolled up tape...

... and threw it expertly up to the ceiling (like he'd done it before a few times maybe)...

 

...and, of course, our dollar joined all the others tacked up on the ceiling.   (You see that one? Right.  There.)   I wonder who gets all these when they decide to clean it all up?  And I wonder if this would work for decorating with crepe paper at birthday parties? (hmmmm...)

Then, after we'd eaten, we headed up into the mountains.  I had Dan's little Toyota Rev IV, which has good clearance but absolutely.  no.  power.  Still, it turned out to be the Little Car That Could. Almost. 

  We did make it up the mountain -- in a litle town car not intended for a jeep trail -- in the rain -- and mud -- on paths only big enough for one car  mountain goat at a time -- over rock outcroppings and under hanging ledges dripping with rain -- all the way....  Well.  Almost. All the way to Yankee Boy Basin and the famous Twin Waterfalls (as seen on beer cans all over the world where Coors is imbibed).

We really did make it all the way up.  But not in the car...

 Actually, what really happened was we got about a mile from the summit (as seen in the pictures below), before I lost my nerve on a sticky little spot...   This is how it looked: Thousand foot drop out my driver's side window to the river bed far below, a narrow track ahead, the left side of which was a mud puddle, the right side of which was a large slippery rock.  I would have had to navigate cockeyed (slanting downward toward my left arm), one side of the car in the slippery mud, one side on the slippery rock, with that thousand foot drop out the side of my left eye. 

 I decided against it. 

But, then.  Whatever else happened, we still had to get back down to a place where we could turn the car around.  Remember, we were on a trail that was only one jeep wide. Headed straight up.   Can you hear me praying?  Can you imagine the saints I called upon?  Silently so as not to alarm my stalwart and steadfastly confident son at my side? 

He wasn't worried.  But I was worried.  Are you worried?

Don't worry.  We did make it.  You can tell because here I am living to tell the tale, right?  In short, though, I had to back the Rev IV down the (did I mention it was steep) trail (remember: thousand foot drop off my left elbow, rocky cliff on Dominic's right elbow)...

Backing down.  Backing down.  Slooooowly backing down..  Ooooooh..... dear.....  going over a rock.... Bumps me to the left.   Catch a glimpse of the riverbed waaaay down at the bottom of the cliff I'm hovering next toowoowoo...... "Am I alright, Dominic?  Can I veer over to your side?" 

"Yeah, you better do that."

Ba-a-a-cking up.  Ba-a-a-a-cking up.  Carefully turning the wheels to head closer to the cliff on Dominic's side ... (Heart thumping.  Hands sweaty.)  Brush against some shrubbery growing against the side of the cliff.  Straighten it out.  Straighten it out. 

(Angel of God, my Guardian Dear...)  Looking out the rearview.  Glimpsing through the drivers' side mirror.  Looking over my shoulder.  Backing down.  Sloooooowly.  "Anybody coming, Dominic?"

"No.  You're good." 

(Calm as a cucumber, this kid.  Has perfect faith in me.)

(Serioulsy misguided child.)

Backing up.  Sloooooowly.....  "How'm I doin', Dominic?"

"You might want to get over a little."

(Oh,thanks for telling me!  Were you not going to say anything until I asked? -- Calm down, Lisa....  We're doing fine....)

"St. Raphael guide us...  St. Michael protect us....  St. Christoper be with us..."

(Or is that St. Michael guide, St. Christoper protect, St. Raphael be with us???  Anyway....  Our Lady of the Highway get us down off this mountain -- the slow way!)

Still backing down.  See a widening in the road.  "Can we turn around there, Dominic?"

"Yep."

And so we did. 

We guessed it was a quarter of a mile we backed down before we got to a (barely) wide-enough turn around in the trail.  Then we drove down a little ways to where we could park the car safely and walked up the last mile in the rain.  It was worth the trouble, too.  It looked like this:

(See that rock in the crevice up there on the left?  It's taller than a man.  We were thinking this looked like an Indiana Jones near miss...)

Beautiful.  Beautiful.  It was beautiful even in the rain.  And did we feel like we'd accomplished something?

 You bet we did!

*  Stay tuned for the next installment of Lisa's Squeezing-It-All-In  Summer Adventures (and misadventures), the 2010 Edition...   

Looking At The Sky on Friday

The Many Colors of Sunset Around Here

We've been having the extra fun addition of a daily rainbow with our sunsets.  Sometimes they're accompanied by lightning shows, too. One doesn't know which direction to look.  God puts on the best shows and we all get front row seats.

(All these shots taken on the very same evening in the very same sky...)

The Feast of St. Dominic

O Holy Priest of God and glorious Patriarch, St. Dominic, thou who wast the friend, the well-beloved son and confidant of the Queen of Heaven, and didst work so many miracles by the power of the Holy Rosary, have regard for my intercessions.

On earth you opened your heart to the miseries of your fellow man, and your hands were strong to help them; now in heaven your charity has not grown less nor has your power waned.


Pray for me to the Mother of the Rosary and to her divine Son, for I have great confidence that through your assistance I shall obtain the favor I so much desire: (mention your intentions). Amen.



"A man who governs his passions is master of his world.
We must either command them or be enslaved by them.
It is better to be a hammer than an anvil."


- Saint Dominic

Happy Nameday, Dominic Alan!

Dominic and I are off on a school shopping and hiking excursion today!  Then, Dan and I are using our babysitting while we've got it to have a couple of days together in the mountains. Then I'm heading down to Denver Friday through Sunday to spend some time with Kevvy.  Kev is moving to Minnesota next week to help teach at the school there and pursue some other interests in that state, so I need to touch base with him while I have a chance.  And, I need to check in on Jon who's having his wisdom teeth pulled on Friday.  (Shew!)  When I come back, I may need to recover for a bit...  So TaTa for now!  I'll be back sometime next week...  Everyone take care and God bless you! 

( I've posted ahead some shots of the sky for a Skies on Friday  should you be around...)

But, for today:

Life of St. Dominic here!
A coloring page here or copy and print the following:

Heads Up: Tuesday, August 3rd is the day to begin a novena to St. Philomena

Anyone who who knows St. Philomena loves her.  It's true; you just can't help it.  She loves Him; He loves her; we love Him; she loves us; we love her...  The Communion of Saints is just one big mutual admiration society -- and for our family, St. Philomena is a key member in the love and love back cycle. Her purity and courage in the face of martyrdom, proof of her love of God, are a profound example, especially in the apathy and sinfulness of our world.   And, to put it simply and in the modern vernacular:  St. Philomena just rocks.   She always answers our prayers -- sometimes in unexpected, but perfect ways.  She always has a sense of fairness and humor.  She never fails to let us know she's with us.  Her petitions to God through Mary are extremely powerful and we've learned to trust in her to find solutions for us.  If you haven't already met this wonderful person in heaven, please read about her life and make sure and have a chat with her.  You won't be sorry!

You can read about St. Philomena here.
Learn about the cord of St. Philomena here.
(St. Philomena cords can be purchased in many places or easily made, but these are fairly priced, I think.)

But, most importantly, don't forget to start your NOVENA PRAYER TO SAINT PHILOMENA on Monday!


Feastday: August 11

9 Day Novena starts Monday August 3 – 11

There are many novenas, but here is one:

O faithful virgin and glorious martyr, Saint Philomena, who works so many miracles on behalf of the poor and sorrowing, have pity on me. Thou knowest the multitude and diversity of my needs. Behold me at thy feet, full of misery, but full of hope. I entreat thy charity , O great Saint! Graciously hear me and obtain from God a favourable answer to the request which I now humbly lay before thee.

(Here specify your petition)

I am firmly convinced that through thy merits, through the scorn, the sufferings and the death thou didst endure, united to the merits of the Passion and death of Jesus, thy Spouse, I shall obtain what I ask of thee, and in the joy of my heart I will bless God, who is admirable in His Saints. Amen.

And here are some more wonderful prayers for this sweet saint's intercession:

Prayer to Saint Philomena for growth in virtues

O glorious virgin, whose glory God has been pleased to make known by singular miracles, we address ourselves to thee with entire confidence! Obtain for us that, following thy example, we may fight courageously against whatever is opposed to the reign of Jesus Christ in our hearts; that we may adorn our souls with virtues like thine, particularly with that angelic purity of which thou art the perfect model; and that, inflamed with the love of Jesus, we may continually walk in the way which He has marked out, so that we may one day partake of thine everlasting happiness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ who with the Father and the Holy Ghost lives and reigns, one God, in perfect Trinity, forever and ever. Amen. 


Short daily Prayer for those who wear the cord of Saint Philomena

O Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us, that through thy powerful intercession we may obtain that purity of mind and heart which leads to the perfect love of God. Amen.

(The blessing of the cord prayer says: “O Lord Jesus, grant that whoever wears this cord may merit to be defended from every danger, and may receive the health of the soul and of the body.”

Summer Morning

Coffee on the back porch.  Canning waiting to be done.  Fresh eggs ready to roll off the counter.  This vignette pretty much says it. 

The children still snoozing, I got up early and made a pot of coffee last Saturday morning. It was deliciously chilly outside, so I grabbed my old navy blue sailor jacket and my camera, and, coffee cup in hand, took a stroll down the canal trail near our home. 

Will you walk with me?

Praying for Melanie

Melanie Pritchard, a well-known and respected advocate for life and for the virtue of chastity (and a friend of a friend), is in critical condition after complications during the birth of her second child.  Would you please join us in praying for this Mama who needs to be well soon to care for her beautiful new daughter?  St. Gerard Majella, St. Anne, Our Lady of La Salette, please intercede!

Update:  Thanks be to God, and no doubt due to the multitude of prayers, Melanie appears to be out of the woods.  Still a long road to recovery ahead, but the prognosis appears miraculous.  You can read updates here.

LIfe Is Like A Merry-Go-Round

Some people do the spinning.

Others are just along for the ride.

Some hang on sensibly.

Others cavort with reckless abandon.

And then there are those who just lie in the grass

with their eyes shut.

(It's anyone's guess: 

 Either the spinning makes them dizzy

or they're sleepy and just don't care.)

Which one are you?

*BTW: These shots were taken Sunday afternoon at Ridgway town park, where the hanging scene in True Grit was filmed.  Though they're becoming scarce in suburban playgrounds around this country, noone would dare take this rusty, old, spinning wheel of death out of John Wayne's playground.  Tough kids play here.  This is real Colorado.

Favorite Prayers Meme

Grandma K. over at A Bit of the Blarney tagged me last week  for the Catholic Prayer Meme.   This is a great thought-provoking meme.  Here are the guidelines:

"Name your three most favorite prayers, and explain why they're your favorites. Then tag five bloggers - give them a link, and then go and tell them they have been tagged. Finally, tell the person who tagged you that you've completed the meme... The Liturgy and the Sacraments are off limits here. I'm more interested in people's favorite devotional prayers."


 
  There are so many prayers that come to mind, I don't know where to start or how to narrow my favorites down to three...  The Mass and the rosary come first as the greatest prayers, of course, but I think that's assumed by most Catholics...  So many others to choose from, though... from my daily repertoire and from those that we use occasionally, when we want to call in the "big guns."  It's hard to come up with just three!   But, after some thought, this is what I decided on:
 
1. I love the Prayer of St. Francis. 

Such a beautiful lyrical prayer, like you'd expect from St. Francis (my Confirmation saint), but also solidly practical.  It's a three-parter.  The first part tells me what I must be: an instrument of God's peace -- a necessary thing in any vocation, but an especially important thing for a mother.   What do I need most to do in my home every day?  Sow love, get injuries pardoned, grow in and impart faith and hope.  With God's help.  

Then the second part of the prayer tells me what I must not be: a needy, self-centered whiner.  There are people out there who don't need this reminder, but unfortunately, I'm one of the ones that needs the constant poking -- and the alternative suggestions:  console, understand, love.

The third part of the prayer is the payoff: ...for it is in giving that we receive, in pardoning that we are pardoned, and in dying that we are born to eternal life.  Such a gentle, but firm hand on the shoulder, this prayer.  Go this way, Lisa.  Do this.  Don't do this.  And this is why. 

My favorite prayer. 

2.  My second choice I'm cheating on.  I have two prayers of St. Thomas Aquinas that we've depended on through the years.  First, The Student's Prayer: Grant me, I beseech Thee, most merciful God, prudently to study, rightly to understand, and perfectly to fulfill that which is pleasing to Thee, in the praise and glory of Thy Name. Amen.* * * * * *  We've prayed this prayer to start every home school day for seventeen years or so.  It is straight-forward, simple, and says it all, not only for the student, but for all of us, I think.  

The second St. Thomas prayer that we love and use often is similar -- The Prayer to Know God's Will: Grant me grace, O merciful God, to desire ardently all that is pleasing to Thee, to examine it prudently, to acknowledge it truthfully, and to accomplish it perfectly for the praise and glory of Thy name. Amen * * * * * *  I'm not exactly sure why this works, but we've always used this one when making decisions about car buying.  We think St. Thomas would have been a good mechanic, happily puttering around with motors while pondering the mysteries of the universe.  But, aside from its use for automotive endeavors, this is a short, easy prayer for a teenager seeking God's will for a vocation; for a family making decisions about its children's education;  for counsel on moving to a different home...  You name it.  We use it often.

St. Thomas rocks.

3. The third prayer that comes to mind is actually a novena -- a new one to us and a long one that is a little difficult to get all the way through, but so very worth it.  The Novena To St. Joseph.  We prayed this novena right before we put our house up for sale and St. Joseph definitely came through  for us.  But that's not why I choose this novena as my third favorite.  It was through this prayer that I found a greater love and understanding of the wonder and importance of St. Joseph than I ever had.  In the words of this novena, which change with each of the nine days, you walk through the life of this greatest of saints and learn the power of his virtues in a deep way.  We always loved St. Joseph, but after saying this novena, we honor and love him more than ever.  St. Joseph, patron of the universal Church, pray for us!

* Now, I'd like to tag the following friends to see what their favorite three prayers are:

1. Sarah
2. Ann
3. Kim
4. Charlotte
5. My daughter, Theresa

Feast of Our Beloved St. Anne

Prayer to St. Anne, Mother of The Blessed Virgin, Grandmother of Our Lord

Beloved of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, mother of the Queen of Heaven, take us and all who are dear to s under your special care. Obtain for us the virtues you instilled in the heart of her who was destined to become Mother of God, and the graces with which you were endowed. Sublime model of Christian womanhood, pray that we may imitate your example in our homes and families, listen to our petitions, and obtain our request request. Guardian of the infancy and childhood of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, obtain the graces necessary for all who enter the marriage state, that imitating your virtues they may sanctify their homes and lead the souls entrusted to their care to eternal glory. Amen.

Makes My Monday

Sunday Night at the Drive In

Our little valley has the last two drive-ins still surviving in Colorado.

We heard there was a cartoon double feature last weekend and jumped at the chance to go!

The parking lot was full of moms and dads who sometimes chose (like I did, because the seat was more comfy) to sit in the front seat of the car while the kids took their places right in front of the family sedans or minivans in camp chairs.

 

The heat dissipated as the sun sank behind the movie screen.   Crickets chirped, mosquitoes buzzed.   The children who had beenrunning around their cars, playing with the speakers, and crisscrossing back and forth to the candy stand all calmed down and took their seats.  The screen finally lit up.   And everyone -- moms and dads, too -- stepped into the world of Woody and Buzz and Andy. A summer night at the Drive In -- an experience my parents remember and my children now share.  Wholesome good fun. Stuff memories are made of.

Note to self:  Clean windshield and fix crack before next time.

More Monday posts over at Cheryl's!

Dog Days

"The Romans referred to the dog days as diēs caniculārēs and associated the hot weather with the star Sirius. They considered Sirius to be the "Dog Star" because it is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog). Sirius is also the brightest star in the heavens besides the Sun. The term "Dog Days" was used earlier by the Greeks.

"The Dog Days originally were the days when Sirius rose just before or at the same time as sunrise (heliacal rising), which is no longer true, owing to precession of the equinoxes. The Romans sacrificed a brown dog at the beginning of the Dog Days to appease the rage of Sirius, believing that the star was the cause of the hot, sultry weather."
Wikepedia

July 24 -- Aug 24
National Dog Day:  August 11