Gem of The Ocean

Merry Christmas, Darling

2011-12-25T09:12:00.000-08:00

A very quiet Christmas for me. More so than usual. I've been coping with re-cooperating from a severe tussle with anemia. Thanks to some friends here, they helped pinpoint WHAT it was, and have been on proper iron tablets for the last almost two weeks. Right after Q's funeral on Nov 2, I knew I'd be physically and emotionally drained for two weeks. And I was. Then when I was mentally ready to start to get up and going on with life in general, I was knocked for a loop. I couldn't stand for more than a minute or two without literally feeling dizzy, faint, heart pounding. What the heck was wrong? Eventually, friends figured it out specifically. I'm on the mend now, but I've scarcely been out of the apartment for the last 7 or so weeks. Had friends do shopping twice, and two days ago went to store for a quick 15 minute shop and just about managed, though very tired when I got back.

So....how's Christmas been? Not quite up to going to Mass yet -- certainly not on a Sunday. Other than Q's funeral, last time I was up to going to mass was the Sunday immediately following his death, and I spent half of that Mass in tears. This morning -- still not up to an hour Mass. But perhaps tomorrow. Fr. Christopher, the Catholic Parish Priest in Feltham has been kind to come to see me with Communion these last few weeks. Still on going issues with 'the visa thing.' At least I'm not paranoid -- the Home Office IS specifically giving Americans a hard time -- this I found out from Q's former business partner, (also an immigration lawyer) who read an account from the Press Association Wire services that the Home office IS 'retaliating' against American by deliberate foot dragging. This after a judge ruled immediately when my case was heard before him in my favor (all he can do is send on to the home office.) Well the government DIDN'T appeal his decision in my favor...but that was nearly 3 months ago. Apparently 'give the woman her damn visa and stop being assholes about it' means to the Home Office 'we can take our sweet time at the home office to give her maximum discomfort in securing employment, getting widow's benefits, getting a driver's license, even opening a bank account. -- Never MIND the woman saved the UK government thousands of pounds, because without her Q would have been stuck in a hospice to die somewhere uncared for and we'd have had to send someone around to clean him, and feed and water him, if we could be bothered. Nah, let's continue to treat HER like dirt.' The AGONY all this gave Q. It was the one time he broke into tears, the hassles the government was giving us.

At any rate: no presents to send -- Lloyd's caught up with Q's death and FROZE the account, so I can't get squat out of it -- and I'm not well enough just yet to march down there without keeling over. But I anticipated this as 'what can go wrong, will' -- so I have a few other people holding a sum of money out for me (rather than put it in the bank) so at least bills can be paid -- although in a pain in the ass round about way. Worst, was they froze it just before I was going to do some on line shopping for Q's parents Christmas presents. So, unfortunately that has to wait until next few weeks. As for 'Christmas stuff around the house' -- I did manage to go through 3 packs of double stuffed Oreos, and there's a nice little Christmas basket I picked up at the store -- filled with pine tree greenery and decorated cones and red bows and things. Cheerful. And I managed to score some good ethnic food -- had an entire pack of 12 perogies last night (sauerkraut and mushrooms) and will have the same in a bit -- well, half a pack anyway. I'll have the rest with some halupkis tomorrow.

In a while, I'll call a few relatives. Q's parents first, then a few back home, and I'll save Fr. Shipley for last today. It's only about 9 in the AM there in San Diego now. I'd really wanted to send him some Steele's Fudge which he so loves, but maybe for the New Year. This evening I'll watch a few cherished movies: Meet Me in St. Louis (I always cry myself silly at Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and snowman scene -- THAT's 'tradition' for me, and it's the only movie that makes me cry) - also Holiday Inn, and A Christmas Story.. Q and I watched those together last year.

Well, what's there to be thankful for this Christmas for me? I'm celebrating Christ coming into the world to save us. It's because of Him coming and His eventual sacrifice on earth that my Qbunny and I can hopefully live in God's presence and love forever. And I guess when you come down to it, that's all the presents you really need. The picture above is my Qbunny at Henley not too many years ago, when he was still the picture of health. There's another picture to post, taken this year at Henley, with the two of us, which I have to crop and dink with as I don't have a good photo editor software on this machine yet - so that will have to wait.

Please pray that my Qbunny is now in heaven, and did 99 percent of his purgatory on earth. I pray I may someday be worthy to join him. I hope he's having eternal 'jolly boating weather.'

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T00:42:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time since I posted. It's been a rough year for me, some of you already know this, some don't: I've been in England for a year and a month now. A fellow blogger, 'Dominic Mary' of Libera-Me-Domine blog and I had fallen in love, and had become engaged. We didn't tell many people, because though we were engaged, we'd not met in real life, and we didn't want to look foolish if it turned out we were not right for each other -- but we'd talked for hours via Skype every day. Last October, I came over for a 12 week visit. Basically, we confirmed we were, in fact, 'right' for each other. I was due to come back to San Diego, where we'd hoped to be married this last year in summer. Well, we DID get married, on Jan 31st, but not the way we'd planned it.

A few days before I was due to leave for home, Quentin was diagnosed with a stage 4 terminal brain cancer. He'd had an 'episode' of seizure like symptoms over the summer, but allegedly, 'they saw nothing.' [We'd NEVER gotten to see those scans, after repeated requests. But believe me, I am going to pursue this under the law and they will have to cough them up, and if there IS something there, I will sue them for every last bedpan, because his treatment was delayed by 6 months when nothing was done, and it might still have been operable.] The tumor was so large, it was inoperable. Multiforme glioblastoma. How long did Q have? Weeks, months? 50% die within the year with what he had, only 2-3% make it for 2-3 years, if they are very lucky. If I left the country then, odds were I wouldn't get back in. There was no way I was leaving him with no one to care for him. Q had no siblings, no children, and octogenarian parents. Q had an annulment in progress, but we had to take advantage of a special quirk in English law and get married in the C of E, via special license, and later try and go for a ratiocination in the Catholic church. To say this made my visa status here complicated is an overwhelming understatement. It's STILL being sorted out, with the home office finally ruling in our favor, finally figuring out: 'no one decides to get a stage 4 cancer to try and get around the immigration rules...they deserve this on human rights.' Literally the last day for the home office to appeal the ruling in our favor was the day Q died, Oct 21st. I should get my stamp 'shortly' though the judge had marked it 'urgent.'

There doesn't seem like there's much for me to celebrate this year. But there is. I had Q for exactly a year and a day. Never once did Q complain of having the cancer. He'd get frustrated because he had a harder and harder time communicating. Nominative aphasia, they called it. I think I got to be with a saint in the making, and I thank God for that gift.

So if you have a loved ones, and family around you this year, give them a special hug, and realize when you least expect it something may happen to them. Hug them like you were getting to hug them for the last time, because for all anyone knows, it may well be your last Thanksgiving together, and be thankful they are with you and have graced your life.

This one is for Mac

2011-09-10T05:10:00.000-07:00

Two bowling teams, one of all Blondes and one of all Brunettes,charter a double-Decker bus for a weekend trip to Louisiana. The Brunette team rode on the bottom of the bus, and the Blonde team rode on the top level.

The Brunette team down below really whooped it up, having a great time, when one of them realized she hadn't heard anything from the Blondes upstairs. She decided to go up and investigate..

When the Brunette reached the top, she found all the Blondes in fear, staring straight ahead at the road,clutching the seats in front of them with white knuckles. The brunette asked, 'What the heck's going on up here? We're having a great time downstairs!'

One of the Blondes looked up at her, swallowed hard
and whispered...

'YEAH, BUT YOU'VE GOT A DRIVER!

Father Z gives misogyny a pass-what a surprise, not.

2011-08-26T06:28:00.000-07:00

Every now and again the subject of girls being allowed to serve at the altar comes up on Fr. Z's blog. Not surprisingly he always admonishes people to remain civil. But in reality if a 'pro female server' argument comes up he is ruthless in applying his standard of civility. But a man dissing women? Go right ahead.

I took issue with one person who commented:
"Seamas O Dalaigh says:

25 August 2011 at 10:07 pm

Father,
Of course it should be reversed. The sooner the better.
Cardinal Vingt-Trois’ observation makes sense. Everybody knows that little boys of a certain age do not wish to be involved in anything that includes little girls. Enter the little girls, exit fast the little boys.
There is a clear and obvious link between altar boys and vocations to the priesthood. Although the reasons for a drop in vocations are many and complex, serviettes can only have aggravated the problem.
In places where they exist what do serviettes wear? Alb and cincture? Soutanne and surplice? But these are men’s garments! Is it really wise to encourage little girls to dress as men?
(I wonder how many members of COW, sorry, WOC were once serviettes? Just a thought…)
James Daly?"

In one post (which was held for 'moderation') I called the user on it. In a follow up post to Fr. Z I said I expect my follow up post to be deleted as I wanted to be as full on candid with him as I could be. I, not for the first time, I might add, took him to task for permitting the inflammatory term 'serviettes' as applied to women servers. Frankly, it comes off as something bitchy gay queens say. I'm not saying the fellow who said it, IS one. I am saying, that to one who is familiar with gay culture, it sends my own gaydar off the map and comes off as bitchy, spiteful, mean and nasty.

The upshot? Z deleted both my posts, and let the nasty 'serviette' business stand.

Not that I'm especially surprised... but for such a 'rock star' Fr. Z. can be an awful ass.

update: Here's what else passes for 'clever comment' on the blog - it's quite okay to make fun of girls who have physical problems. But I doubt if she was a 'he' 'giggles' would get smug approval.

From Papaefidelis:
"At my parish, there was a female server who walked like a T. Rex (I think she had physical problems), causing giggles in the nave during mass."

Just a girl. Okay to hurt her feelings.

Chickens / Roads

2011-08-26T03:38:00.000-07:00

SARAH PALIN: The chicken crossed the road because, gosh-darn it, he's a maverick!

BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was time for change! The chicken wanted change!

JOHN MCCAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.

HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.

GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.

DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?

COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.

BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken.

AL GORE: I invented the chicken.

JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.

AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.

DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his current problems before adding new problems.

OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a NEW CAR so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.

NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he's guilty! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.

PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.

DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.

GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.

BARBARA WALTERS: Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish it's lifelong dream of crossing the road.

ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.

BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken2011, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken2011. This new platform is much more stable and will never reboot.

ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?

COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?

Sorry for the Long delay in posting.,..

2011-08-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

Will resume blogging shortly. Have had a busy summer and not much time to blog. Well, okay that and my computer had died and had to get a new one. Details. Hope Toshiba lives up to its name.

Amish Road Rage

2011-06-07T17:04:00.000-07:00

Always liked this one.

Down, Down, Down the Rabbit Hole

2011-05-24T23:21:00.000-07:00

Think the liberal media will be endlessly regaling us year from now with Zero's gaffes of not knowing what year it was? 'Corpseman' 'all 57 states' and other similar boners? Not on your life. But just for the record...

And they will also pass over this jackass continuing to speak over God Save The Queen. Stupid fool probably thought it was underscoring for his remarks. Zero, when you have people from the state department frantically trying to cram some protocol into your brain, PAY ATTENTION. *You* are ALWAYS the least qualified person in the room. These people know better.

Mo Does impression of Golliwog

2011-05-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

...somewhere there's an odd buck or pound to be made for the enterprising....

Who has more class?

2011-05-18T10:20:00.000-07:00

George W. Bush speech after capture of Saddam:
The success of yesterday's mission is a tribute to our men and women now serving in Iraq. The operation was based on the superb work of intelligence analysts who found the dictator's footprints in a vast country. The operation was carried out with skill and precision by a brave fighting force. Our servicemen and women and our coalition allies have faced many dangers in the hunt for members of the fallen regime, and in their effort to bring hope and freedom to the Iraqi people. Their work continues, and so do the risks. Today, on behalf of the nation, I thank the members of our Armed Forces and I congratulate 'em.

Barack Obama speech after killing of bin Laden:
And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network. Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice. Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Osama's last Facebook post

2011-05-04T05:03:00.000-07:00

Where was the soul of Lazerus?

2011-04-11T01:58:00.000-07:00

I never really thought of it before. I expect the so-called limbo of the fathers. OR purgatory. Couldn't have been heaven because Christ hadn't been sacrificed on the cross and risen from the dead at that point.

Member of Pro-life Group threatened with gun - San Diego

2011-03-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

This morning I received an email status report re: recent activity by the San Diego branch of the pro-life group Helpers of God's Precious Infants - the email was dated March 30 regards activities that happened over this last week. The following is verbatim from the letter. [I have been out of town and did not hear first hand account, but many of these pro-lifers attend my San Diego parish ] The 'COLFS' mentioned in the report is a medical practice dedicated to helping women choose life. They put their money where their mouth is.

"Planned Parenthood First and Grape, Downtown San Diego - March 26, 2011

There were 4 prayer warriors and 2 sidewalk counselors this morning. Jose spoke with a young Hispanic couple parked on the curb who had an appointment for an abortion. They were receptive and he was able to give them all the information about what Planned Parenthood was about to do as soon as they went in. He showed them the picture of a 6-week pre-born baby and a 12-week old fetal model. The young lady let Jose borrow her phone to call the COLF's crisis line. Jose spoke with the phone counselor, and then handed over the phone to the young lady who proceeded to make an appointment for Monday morning. She looked very happy, and he hugged them both and gave her a Rosary before they drove away.

Family Planning Associates, Miramar Rd., San Diego - March 26, 2011

Today was Day 18 of 40 Days for Life at Miramar Rd, and the third Saturday of abortions at this mill during the 40 Days for Life campaign in San Diego. Streams of young people poured across the parking lot to pray along the sidewalk in front of the mill, with over a hundred people praying throughout the morning. Most of the prayer warriors were members of the St. Therese Youth Group from Del Cerro. We had 4 sidewalk counselors covering the driveways.

Just after the security guard arrived around 7:30 am, a cab brought in a couple from Mexico. The driver stopped so Roger could give the woman a flyer about the abortionist. When he started to talk about the risks of having an abortion, the woman said in broken English, "Oh no, not here for abortion". He handed her a flyer on the risks of an abortion as the cab driver slowly pulled into the lot.

The first couple that Anne greeted showed some concern about the doctor’s record. She showed them both a picture of what their baby might look like. They were doubtful about going in, and she tried her best to talk with them about how this abortion would affect their relationship and their lives. She gave the woman a Rosary and told her she was worth more than what was offered at FPA. They pulled into the lot and sat for sometime, but eventually went in.

While it was still fairly early in the morning, Roger spoke with what appeared to be a mother and her daughter. The mother was driving. He gave her a flyer about the abortionist and began to tell her about his 9 years of probation. She gave a forced smile while she slowly nodded. He asked the passenger how far along she was, and she said she didn't know. He held up a picture of a 6-week old pre-born baby, and the driver immediately turned it over so the passenger could not see it. Then Roger told her that most women will have emotional trauma because they will eventually find out how developed their baby was when it was aborted, and he held up a 12-week, life-like rubber fetal model. At that, the driver curtly said "Thank you, we don't need to see that" and she rolled up the window and sped into the parking lot.

At the steps leading up to FPA, Anne greeted some women who would not listen, nor take any literature she had to offer. However, one couple she met listened to her words of warning and concern over FPA as they walked up the steps. They went into FPA, but came out minutes later and said they were willing to listen more and take information. They came over to Anne, and she talked with them about how making the right decision will always be a blessing. She urged them to go to Dr. Delgado so they could get a proper ultrasound and be in the hands of a competent doctor. Anne handed the woman a Rosary and gave her a big hug. They did call COLFS and said they would make an appointment for Monday.

For the rest of the day Anne was met with mostly hostility and unkind words. She was able to talk with a young woman who left after having had the abortion. Anne offered her a Rachel’s Hope flier and told her God loved her and that she would pray for her healing. Terry spoke with several women who were very cold and politely listened, but either went in, or declined to get their sister/girlfriend out of the clinic.

About 2.5 hours after Roger first spoke with the couple from Mexico who had arrived earlier in a cab, he saw another cab driving the same woman toward the exit, this time by herself. The driver stopped at the exit, but the back windows were rolled up, and the woman appeared to be in tears. Roger asked the driver to hand a Rachael's Hope flyer to the woman in back, which he did. Then he asked the driver to hand her a blue Rosary, but he jerked his hand away like it was on fire, so Roger tossed it over the seat to her and told her that God still loves her. With the Rosary resting on the seat beside her, she looked away, wiping her tears as the cab driver drove off.

About mid-morning, Terry and Roger were at the front driveway when a 4-door, black car with tinted windows drove in and briefly stopped for Terry. As she attempted to hand him a flyer on the doctor, he drove past her into the parking lot and dropped off the woman who was in the passenger seat. A short while later he drove back to the exit. Again Terry tried to hand him a flyer, but he refused to take it. He then drove forward about 10 feet and stopped at the edge of the street and opened the car door. He leaned his upper body out of the car, beckoning Terry to come over. She approached him, assuming he wanted to talk about the woman he dropped off. As she neared the car, she heard a distinctive "clicking" sound as if a gun were being loaded, and then saw the driver brandish a semi-automatic pistol in her direction. He threatened her, pointing to the gun, telling her if she ever came near his car again, he would use it. He drove away as Terry called the police. The police quickly responded, took statements, and remained onsite for some time waiting for the driver to return. From various information sources, the police were able to identify the man, and said he would be apprehended and charged. The man had not returned by the time we left at noon, and as of Tuesday, had not been apprehended.

(Note to our regular prayer warriors: We believe this was an isolated threat of intimidation to a specific sidewalk counselor because he was driving someone in for an abortion. He did not threaten anyone else, he remainined [sic] in the car, and he made no remarks regarding "abortion protesters" or other such general statements against what we are doing. We do not believe he poses a future risk, but we feel you have the right to know what happened.)

In Christ,

Roger, Anne, Terry, David, and Jose"

Can this be permanent?

2011-03-24T08:21:00.001-07:00

On Tour

2011-03-23T01:30:00.001-07:00

Showing the flag for Amerika.

What happens when you can't pay your exorcist?

2011-03-20T05:22:00.000-07:00

You get repossessed.

Nice to know Japan is looked after

2011-03-16T14:19:00.001-07:00

Duffus in Chief is on the case...

Happy [Belated] Thanksgiving

2010-11-26T09:30:00.001-08:00

So busy and tired yesterday that I didn't have a chance to say 'Happy Thanksgiving.'

so: HAPPY THANKSGIVING. [Burp!]

Mine was a bit unconventional this year and someday I'll tell you all about it!

One thing I've noticed over the years: sometimes the most unconventional Thanksgivings turn out to be some of the best. Point in case: A year or so after my mother had died in 1995, I was looking 'forward' to my first Thanksgiving alone. As it happened about two days before the holiday, I'd discovered that a favorite stage actor of mine would be appearing in Philadelphia at the Walnut Street theatre in Philadelphia. I immediately sent up an alert to a friend of mine, also single and 'alone for the holiday' at the time, and we were each able within 24 hours able to arrange a long weekend trip to Philly. Her coming from Michigan, me from California. We were easily able to book flights from our respective states and flew on Thanksgiving day itself. We each arrived late afternoon in Philly and had a nice reunion. Well, Thanksgiving day in Philly, the question was 'where to eat' as certainly all our bucks had been blown on laying out beaucoup bucks for hotel, theatre tickets [5 shows, if I remember rightly!] and flight. So dinner at a posh restaurant wasn't exactly what we wanted to lay out for our food budget!

But what does Philly specialize in but luscious Cheese Steak sandwiches. So we looked for a likely neighborhood restaurant not too far from where we were staying and we feasted on Cheesesteak, fries, and a good desssert. That weekend we did all our 'shows' and had a nice little chat with the actor in question who knew us.

One of the best Thanksgivings ever. Totally unexpected. Curiously enough in two subsequent years (though not successive) this exact scenario had happened again. Our favorite actor had two more times been booked for the show given that fell in late November. So it's not necessarily about the turkey. Or seeing your uncles argue over studded winter tires are best over all-weather tires. Or using grandma's china. Or whose football team gets wiped out.

But it IS also about fellowship, giving thanks to God for being alive and being allowed within reason to chart ones own course, and the bonds we form not only through family (they are kinda stuck with you anyway!) but also among friends, and having the mutual love and support. Traditions are important, and fun, and right. But it doesn't always have to be the same thing every year. Often times it's the 'different' ones that stay in the memory the longest.

Those 3 Thanksgivings in Philly will remain so for a long time. As will this one. But this one is another story for later.

Holiday Hint - How to Gift Wrap a Cat

2010-11-15T12:42:00.000-08:00

Personally, I think this cat was drugged to get it to cooperate.

De Nile Ain't Just a River In Egypt

2010-11-06T01:04:00.000-07:00

Love this quote from Zero the Wonderpony in his 60 Minutes interview:

"[...] I think that, over the course of two years we were so busy and so focused on getting a bunch of stuff done that, we stopped paying attention to the fact that leadership isn’t just legislation. That it’s a matter of persuading people. And giving them confidence and bringing them together. And setting a tone,” Mr. Obama told 60 Minutes’ Steve Kroft in an exclusive interview set to air Sunday.

“Making an argument that people can understand,” Mr. Obama continued, “I think that we haven’t always been successful at that. And I take personal responsibility for that. And it’s something that I’ve got to examine carefully … as I go forward.”

Oh....now I get it, skippy, I see, the American people were too stupid to understand the wonderous gift you bestowed on all of us with your enlightened grandious ponzi schemes that are unsustainable. Yes, if we could only be made to see the wonders of tripling the entire national debt, we wouldn't have handed your your arrogant backside on a platter.

I think Webster's will be missing out if they don't put your picture next to the word 'hubris' in the dictionary. Nice to know America has its own 'Bagdad Bob': 'NO, The Americans have absolutely NOT taken the city, there are NO tanks behind me... I repeat NO tanks behind me....'

Story here.

I love the smell of...

2010-11-03T08:33:00.000-07:00

burning democrat flesh in the morning ... it smells like ....

VICTORY.

Black Panther in Chief Moochelle Obama Shills in Polling Place

2010-10-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

The hubris of these people easily matches Marie Antoinette. Got news for you, missy. The guy you sleep with is going to be in a snit soon, because he won't be able to requistion another 2 oz. of Kobe beef for the backyard BBQ once his minions in the House and Senate get their asses handed to them this November, and you won't be able to do zippity-do-dah.

As per usual the Chicago thugs are kissing her rear end because "you have to bend standards for her." Well, why the hell not. Eric Holder already dropped prosecuting the Panthers in Philadelphia for their voter intimidation. Why shouldn't Moochelle be able to campaign inside a polling place if she wants to? She's "entitled" and the laws don't apply to these jerks.

Well, Missy. As it happened I'll also be out of town on election day, and I happened to vote early yesterday too. Here's a newsflash for you - NO ONE I voted for had a "D" beside his/her name. And I was so ticked off as far as the judges went, if they were appointed by a "D", they got voted against too.

Too good Not to Go Viral

2010-09-28T11:14:00.000-07:00

You have to wonder if Hitlery is thinking of chal-

lenging "the won." I love how Wisconsin Lib. Russ Feingold can't seem to find time to show up at the fundraiser Zero came out to do for him. Toxic. How appropriate.

One Year Anniversary

2010-09-13T13:24:00.001-07:00

Today is an anni-

versary for me. It's not a pleasant one to remember. It was one year ago today that I was told by my former pastor not to "chase after" and "embarrass" people who walk away from Holy Communion without consuming the Host. I quit on the spot. Usually you don't quit after 37 years all in a shock to the system like that. But I had to do it. Needless to say, the diocesan non-response of just shining it on without an apology is despicable to me. I never thought much of our bishop to begin with, but his non-response/handling is about as bad as the original offense as it condones what the pastor did.

Thankfully, I had already been going to St. Anne's parish in San Diego for frequent daily Mass, it having been close to my work. If not for Fr. Sean Finnegan's visit in the summer of 2008, I'd have been unaware of that new parish being given over to the TLM.

I still go to see the Sainted Fr. S. at his home to assist at his Sunday Mass. [He is not able to drive any longer, due to an eye problem.] But I also frequently make a morning Sunday Mass at St. Anne's, as well as get there for daily Mass when I can.

The TLM still has a few drawbacks for me. I'm no "silent" canon fan. But at least I know that the priest is going to say and do exactly what the Mass calls for. The priest isn't going to ad lib. And for sure he'd like as not personally put someone in a headlock who tried to waltz away with Holy Communion without consuming it. That's probably what I like best about the Latin Mass. Fr. Gismondi [aka "The Amazing Fr. G." on this blog] would follow through on St Tarcisius's example. Sadly, today, some priests would consider him a "meanspirited" naive rube.

Today Fr. Gismondi had a votive Mass for Vocations. Most appropriate. We need more good priests. And also prayers for priests who seem to have lost their way.

9 years on

2010-09-11T19:17:00.000-07:00

...most of us remember, despite the lies of the Resident crypto Imman.

Making the rounds:

"Barack 0BAMA, During his Cairo speech, said: "I know, too, that Islam has always been a part of America's history."

AN AMERICAN CITIZEN'S RESPONSE:

Dear Mr. 0bama:

Were those Muslims who were in America when the Pilgrims first landed? Funny, I thought they were Native American Indians.

Were those Muslims that celebrated the first Thanksgiving Day? Sorry again, those were Pilgrims and Native American Indians.

Can you show me one Muslim signature on the United States Constitution? Declaration Of Independence ? Bill of Rights? Didn't think so.

Did Muslims fight for this country's freedom from England ? No.

Did Muslims fight during the Civil War to free the Slaves in America ? No, they did not. In fact, Muslims to this day are still the largest traffickers in human slavery. Your own half brother, a devout Muslim, still advocates slavery himself, even though Muslims of Arabic descent refer to black muslims as "pug nosed slaves." Says a lot of what the Muslim world really thinks of your family's "rich Islamic heritage," doesn't it Mr. 0bama?

Where were Muslims during the Civil Rights era of this Country? Not present.

There are no pictures or media accounts of Muslims walking side by side with Martin Luther King, Jr. or helping to advance the cause of Civil Rights.

Where were Muslims during this country's Woman's Suffrage Era? Again, not present. In fact, devout Muslims demand that women are subservient to men in the Islamic culture. So much so, that often they are beaten for not wearing the 'hajib' or for talking to a man who is not a direct family member or their husband. Yep, the Muslims are all for women's rights, aren't they?

Where were Muslims during World War II? They were aligned with Adolf Hitler. The Muslim Grand Mufti himself met with Adolf Hitler, reviewed the troops and accepted support from the Nazis in killing Jews.

Finally, Mr. 0bama, where were Muslims on Sept. 11th, 2001? If they weren't flying planes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon or a field in Pennsylvania, killing nearly 3,000 people on our own soil, they were rejoicing in the Middle East. No one can dispute the pictures shown from all parts of the Muslim world celebrating on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and other cable news networks that day.

Strangely, the very "moderate" Muslims whose asses you bent over backwards to kiss in Cairo , Egypt on June 4th were stone cold silent, post 9-11. To many Americans, their silence has meant approval for the acts of that day.

And THAT, Mr. 0bama, is the "rich heritage" Muslims have here in America.

Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to mention the Barbary Pirates. They were Muslim. And now we can add November 5, 2009 - the slaughter of American soldiers at Fort Hood by a Muslim major who is a doctor and a psychiatrist who was supposed to be counseling soldiers returning from battle in Iraq and Afghanistan.

That, Mr. 0bama is the "Muslim heritage" in America.

Muslim Heritage, my ass."

Happy Birthday, Blessed Mother

2010-09-08T21:57:00.001-07:00

I always try to go to mass on Sept. 8th to honor the Blessed Mother. I don't always get to go, but this year I did. I especially liked all the red roses in the Sanctuary.

Today also has a touch of poignancy for me too. It marks the 9th anniversary of my dad's death.

RIP, I'm glad he died on a day where we celebrate our heavenly mother's birthday. I feel reassured that she was close to him and had him under her special protection when he died.

I think my dad would have liked the young priest who said the mass today a lot. Fr. Gordon is particularly a little gung ho when he invokes the prayer to St. Michael, the Archangel. Fr. Gordon was ex-military, and so was my dad.

One nice thing to mention about my dad today was how much I appreciated how generous he was to all my friends, without fail. Dad always said things like "X is welcome to come along." He always took time to chat a bit with them.

The Blessed Mother was especially good to me too, today. Let's just say I had to go down to a government office and the outcome couldn't have been better. She gave me an early birthday present on her birthday.

He can't be more wrong

2010-09-06T15:59:00.000-07:00

I love this quote from the New York Slimes:

"Mr. Obama also used Monday’s appearance here to deliver a hearty defense of his policies and take a few whacks at Republicans. “They talk about me like a dog,” the president said. “That’s not in my prepared remarks, but it’s true.” And Mr. Obama repeatedly referred to the House Republican leader, Representative John Boehner, as “the man who wants to be speaker.”

Uh, Zero...we LIKE dogs. Just stick to your teleprompter, assuming it's not on strike, and you'll give yourself fewer chances to say stupid things.

It's Muslims who treat dogs badly and think badly of them. So if you're really not one, stop quacking like one. Personally, I think Zero is too much of a narcissist to worship anyone but himself.

St. Anne's Rectory Now a Canonical House

2010-09-06T12:43:00.001-07:00

Meant to post this much sooner. Earlier this year, Fr. Berg, the Superior General of the FSSP was out, with permission of the local Ordinary to perform Confirmations using the older Tridentine ritual. At that time he'd asked for permission to establish a canonical house for the order.

Permission was granted Mid-August. This is huge. What it means is that the FSSP is now permanently established in San Diego, and a future bishop can not tell the FSSP to "take a hike." In other words, the FSSP will always have a permanent home in San Diego. The rectory will now be called St. Joachim House.

The parish is coming together nicely. It had been a disused parish (having consolidated with a neighboring one in 2006.) In the fall of 2008 St. Anne's was given over to the care of the FSSP under the direction of Fr. Gismondi. Early last spring, a nearby house was up for sale and the parish was able to come up with enough money for a downpayment for the property, and has over the course of a year been doing repairs. Mid October it will finally be finished to where the parish offices can be moved there, as well as have additional classroom space for catechism, meetings, etc.

[St. Joachim is the name traditionally given as the husband of St. Anne, so that's why the rectory is now named after him.]

This is Paris. Will it be NYC or Dearborn?

2010-09-05T11:17:00.000-07:00

Coming to a city near you.

iv>

A Wikipedia Article on the French law of 1905 regards "separation of church and state" can be seen here.

A few years ago, I'd come across the following item and had tried to find it again, but no luck. Then earlier this week, I found it. Food for thought. Is this what the politically correct really want the west to run western democracies into? PT Barnum knew.

********
"Islam is not a religion, nor is it a cult. In its fullest form, it is a complete, total, 100% system of life.

Islam has religious, legal, political, economic, social, and military components. The religious component is a beard for all of the other components.

Islamization begins when there are sufficient Muslims in a country / geographic area to agitate for their religious privileges.

When politically correct, tolerant, and culturally diverse societies agree to Muslim demands for their religious privileges, some of the other components tend to creep in as well.

Here's how it works:
As long as the Muslim population remains around or under 2% in any given country, they will be for the most part be regarded as a peace-loving minority, and not as a threat to other citizens. This is the > case in:

United States -- Muslim 0..6%
Australia -- Muslim 1.5%
Canada -- Muslim 1.9%
China -- Muslim 1.8%
Italy -- Muslim 1.5%
Norway -- Muslim 1.8%

At 2% to 5%, they begin to proselytize from other ethnic minorities and disaffected groups, often with major recruiting from the jails and among street gangs. This is happening in:

Denmark -- Muslim 2%
Germany -- Muslim 3.7%
United Kingdom -- Muslim 2.7%
Spain -- Muslim 4%
Thailand -- Muslim 4.6%

From 5% on, they exercise an inordinate influence in proportion to their percentage of the population. For example, they will push for the introduction of halal (clean by Islamic standards) food, thereby securing food preparation jobs for Muslims. They will increase pressure on supermarket chains to feature halal on their shelves -- along with threats for failure to comply. This is occurring in:

France -- Muslim 8%
Philippines -- 5%
Sweden -- Muslim 5%
Switzerland -- Muslim 4.3%
The Netherlands -- Muslim 5.5%
Trinidad & Tobago -- Muslim 5.8%

At this point, they will work to get the ruling government to allow them to rule themselves (within their ghettos) under Sharia, the Islamic Law. The ultimate goal of Islamists is to establish Sharia law over the entire world.

When Muslims approach 10% of the population, they tend to increase lawlessness as a means of complaint about their conditions. In Paris , we are already seeing car-burnings. Any non-Muslim action offends Islam and results in uprisings and threats, such as in Amsterdam, with opposition to Mohammed cartoons and films about Islam. Such tensions are seen daily, particularly in Muslim sections, in:

Guyana -- Muslim 10%
India -- Muslim 13.4%
Israel -- Muslim 16%
Kenya -- Muslim 10%
Russia -- Muslim 15%

After reaching 20%, nations can expect hair-trigger rioting, jihad militia formations, sporadic killings, and the burnings of Christian churches and Jewish synagogues, such as in:

Ethiopia -- Muslim 32.8%

At 40%, nations experience widespread massacres, chronic terror attacks, and ongoing militia warfare, such as in:

Bosnia -- Muslim 40%
Chad -- Muslim 53.1%
Lebanon -- Muslim 59.7%

From 60%, nations experience unfettered persecution of non-believers of all other religions (including non-conforming Muslims), sporadic ethnic cleansing (genocide), use of Sharia Law as a weapon, and Jizya, the tax placed on infidels, such as in:

Albania -- Muslim 70%
Malaysia -- Muslim 60.4%
Qatar -- Muslim 77.5%
Sudan -- Muslim 70%

After 80%, expect daily intimidation and violent jihad, some State-run ethnic cleansing, and even some genocide, as these nations drive out the infidels, and move toward 100% Muslim, such as has been experienced and in some ways is on-going in:

Bangladesh -- Muslim 83%
Egypt -- Muslim 90%
Gaza -- Muslim 98.7%
Indonesia -- Muslim 86.1%" [Childhood home of Zero]

****

And if you happen to be an oil-rich virtually 100% Muslim nation like Saudi Arabia, you can buy mosques near ground zero and have liberals fall all over themselves proving how "tolerant" they are of you. Meanwhile YOU can bar churches, synagogues, etc. from being built at all in your country and laugh all the way to the bank, while you spread your Wahabbi based fanaticism around the globe.

And about Dearborn? Not long ago an item was covered regards a Dearborn high school football team holding midnight football practise in order to accomodate their Muslim players during the month of Ramadan. Whatever.

I'm 100% for the Ground Zero Mosque

2010-08-16T08:38:00.001-07:00

...with the provision that they bury that son-of-a-bitch 0bama underneath the thing.

Too bad there isn't enough room for all the other sons of bitches who put him in power.

I guess some people need a reminder:

Zero couldn't be bothered to attend the long running annual "National PRayer Breakfast" for the 2nd year in a row for "fear of offending." But naturally this closet Muzzie had time to host an kick off dinner for RamaDamaDingDong.

But what do you expect of someone who sat in the "church" of Rev. "Hate Whitey" Wright for 20 years who famously said "God damn America."

At Mass

2010-08-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I go to the later morning Mass these 3 boys, looking for all the world like they are throwbacks to my 1964 3rd grade class, show up looking bright as pennies to sit in the front row next to me.

And "they" tell me kids won't put up with the latin Mass.

I don't know if they had fun playing "Spot the error" the other morning. I did also note that 5 mothers had brought their infants in arms...which will make in future for an expanding and sustainable parish.

Side benefit number 703 to being Catholic

2010-08-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

Last night a friend of mine went down to church for adoration and Mass. After Mass we ran into two nice women, Kathleen and Jeanne from Tehachapi (California) [out in the boonies to most of us in Ca., except for people living there] who were in town for the pro-life conference given at San Diego State University today. Jeanne had lived in San Diego County before, so was somewhat familiar with some of the places and parishes we knew.

They'd wanted to know how to get to the Little Italy area to go to dinner. Then they started asking us about the church and the Mass there. Upshot of it was we all went out to dinner together and had a great time at Mona Lisa. On the drive over there, my friend, Julia, who considers herself NOT a good mixer, was anxious she'd have enough to talk about. How wrong she was! The 4 of us chatted like we'd known each other for years. I think pretty much ANY practising Catholics would find something to converse about.

Catholics take on all comers, and we sometimes "forget" the word means "universal." Kathleen is new to the Latin Mass and I'd told her about the posting I did on my other blog regards Latin Mass for "dummies" guide, so I'm going to mail her the link, and in turn she has some really neat pics of Tehachpie that she showed me that were still in her camera. She and Jeanne had also travelled back east to Buffalo and Cleveland to see Fr. Corapi of EWTN fame and also the Shrine of St. Anne's.

Devotion Meme

2010-08-10T13:00:00.000-07:00

Esther tagged me to name 5 favorite devotions - Mass is NOT to be included - and then tag 5 other people and let them know they've been tagged, and then give the person you tagged a link back to the post you've completed.

1. Benediction - my favorite since incense first hit my nose
2. Adoration - nothing is more peaceful than planting yourself in front of a tabernacle with the exposed Eucharist
3. Rosary - because
4. Stations - I do these more in Lent, but still
5. Centering Prayer - [ha-ha, GOTCHA, you didn't really think I'd do something as daft as "centering prayer" did you?] No, really for number 5:
Lighting a Candle or two or three, and giving an on-the-fly intention request to St. Michael, St. Jude, St. Anne, St. Therese, or St. Anthony, or the BVM to take it upstairs for me on speed dial request line.

I tag - Digi, Dominic Mary, Tara, Mum of 6, and Packrat.

Who knew..

2010-08-09T05:50:00.000-07:00

..that KMart had a "ghetto chic" line? I'm calling fashion felony.

[Now Michelle, please do not be surprised if your youngest acquires the name "Princess Leia" amongst her friends - you did this to her by allowing her to look like some stupid wanna be hootchie ballet tart in training. Can you people confine "tacky" to yourselves? OR is it just asking too much?]

Q.E.D. baby...

2010-08-07T17:57:00.001-07:00

From the Torygraph...

"Our schools are a disaster zone, churning out to[sic!] many pupils lacking even the most basic skills."

Well, duh. I guess the author didn't have my 1st grade nun, Sister Mary Kevin Ruler-on-the-back-of-the-hand-for-dumbass-mistakes.

Melancholy Baby

2010-08-04T19:16:00.000-07:00

I always get a little melancholy this time of the year. It would have been my mother's 80th birthday today. Sadly, I didn't make it to Mass as planned today, but will, God willing, attend tomorrow. A few days from now on the 8th will be the 15th Anniversary of her death. I ache for her touch, and would give anything to be able to kiss and hug her as well as listen to her good counsel.

My mother and her brothers and sisters sat for this formal portrait in the mid 1930s. Her maiden name was Shelak - and the photo was taken in Northampton or Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.

Back row: John, Catherine (my mother), and Anna
Front row seated: Mary, Andrew, and Helen

I expect the kids are in their Sunday best. 4 of the six are now deceased. My Aunt Mary who is now well in her 80s is getting frail now, and the other surviving aunt, my aunt Anna, is advancing in Alzheimers. Not pictured is my Uncle Joseph, who was born a bit more than a decade after this picture was taken. He's only 9 years older than I am.

These children of my emigre (Autro-Hungarian empire) grandparents did quite well for themselves. They all were married and had families 6 of the 7 marriages stayed together, which isn't a bad percentage as things go considering the turmoil of the 60s and 70s. Uncle John was a WWII veteran who saw duty in the Marines on Guadal Canal among other places, he later became a long distance truck driver and was based out of Texas - his 3 children and their families are still in Pennsylvania.

My 3 aunts pictured here all worked in the garment industry and each could sew like a dream. Not a gene I inherited. All were ILGWU members. When you could still get clothes made in the USA and not sized for some sort of pygmy with no hips or boobs. Let me put it this way: They not only knew what a "dart" was, they made them - and could do their own patterns too, and often did. Mom gave up working outside the home when she married my dad (also a Korean Era vet who worked his way up the food chain to be a plant manager for a beverage company). My uncle Andrew was a veteran of the Korean War and he later went to Layfayette College on the GI bill and became a chemical engineer. The youngest, Joseph, [4F from a motorcycle accident and my only uncle who wasn't a vet] graduated from Penn State and became a hardward/software support guru for IBM mainframes pretty much in the late 60s when mainframes where huge gully whumpers which took up whole rooms for about the power of a computer you're sitting in front of now.l He's almost retired. Joe and Andy also bopped around the country a bit, both "homing" back to Pennsylvania - my own family moved to California (after stays elsewhere) when I was 14. And my mother's sisters all lived literally within a block or two of each other and their mother. When we were all little kids together, it was great to be able to bounce around between the 4 houses. Now one of my cousins still lives two doors from his mom (Anna) and his sister and her husband still live close to the old family homes (two still occupied in houses in homes my uncles and grandfather helped build.)

Given the tendency of cyberspace to hang around, I dedicate this post to my maternal cousins and their children and their grandchildren and coming grandchildren and future generations-- maybe someday they'll "google" "Pennsylvania" and "Shelak" and see this photo of their predecessors.

I've written quite a bit about my mother before, but to throw in something a little fun I must say that while dad and I enjoyed fishing (especially in my teen years) though dad and I usually came up with something or other and didn't get totally zipped - mom always had a "string." She just had more patience than the two of us put together! God knows she was the only one who regularly came home with halibut while the two of us were aced out.

Oh, just to taste on of her fish fry ups once more. Happy 80th birthday, mommy.

Frontierville Addiction

2010-07-30T12:26:00.001-07:00

Yes. It's true. It afflicts many. "Red" positively got up in a snit and left when I stopped playing for a bit.

I am SO stoked!

2010-07-29T20:52:00.000-07:00

Season whatever of "Project Runway" starts tonight. Guilty pleasure. I don't care. I'm not even going to try and justify it. I gather Santino is on tonight too. All this and heaven too. "Tim Gunn, Tim Gunn...when he says your name you're done!"

Awoooo!!!!

5 more minutes and counting.

BOHICA America, congrats NHS coming to a hospital near you

2010-07-24T15:05:00.000-07:00

The only thing the Obamination likes about the UK is their rationed health care. THIS is the system he wants for us: Basically DESTROY private health insurance and then herd every one of the peons into his single payer CRAP system where the government is free to ration.

Here's a partial list of what's coming down the pike for the UK, and eventually the bell will toll for me and thee.

From the Daily Telegraph:

"An investigation by The Sunday Telegraph has uncovered widespread cuts planned across the NHS, many of which have already been agreed by senior health service officials. They include:

* Restrictions on some of the most basic and common operations, including hip and knee replacements, cataract surgery and orthodontic procedures.

* Plans to cut hundreds of thousands of pounds from budgets for the terminally ill, with dying cancer patients to be told to manage their own symptoms if their condition worsens at evenings or weekends.

* The closure of nursing homes for the elderly.

* A reduction in acute hospital beds, including those for the mentally ill, with targets to discourage GPs from sending patients to hospitals and reduce the number of people using accident and emergency departments.

* Tighter rationing of NHS funding for IVF treatment, and for surgery for obesity.

* Thousands of job losses at NHS hospitals, including 500 staff to go at a trust where cancer patients recently suffered delays in diagnosis and treatment because of staff shortages.

* Cost-cutting programmes in paediatric and maternity services, care of the elderly and services that provide respite breaks to long-term carers."

Full article here.

Once again I'd like to thank the 63+ million a$$holes who voted this bastard in. Thank you, you've ****ed up America for generations to come. How's that dope with the chains working for you? I hope it's YOUR family that gets hurt by stuff like this.

Did I call that right? I DO know these people

2010-07-22T06:38:00.000-07:00

...."like every square inch of my glorious naked body" as "ElRushBo" would say. A few posts ago I mentioned re: The worthless Zero Krew *needing* to have your BMI index calculation stored with your REQUIRED TO BE MANDATORY online Electronic Medical Records, and my speculation that "of course" [sarcastic mode on] that "surrrre" HIV status and # of abortions had would also be kept.

Well, here's confirmation that HIV status and abortion history is "optional."

from the article:

Obama's Electronic Health Records Czar: HIV Status and Abortions Need Not be Included
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
By Matt Cover, Staff Writer

"(CNSNews.com) – Dr. David Blumenthal, the Obama administration's National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, said on Tuesday that patients can choose to omit procedures such as abortions and positive HIV tests from the electronic health records (EHR) that every American is supposed to have by 2014 under the terms of the economic stimulus law that President Barack Obama signed last year.

Blumenthal's office, a subdivision of the Department of Health and Human Services, was created by the stimulus law specifically to generate the standards and regulations that will govern the federally mandated use of EHRs.

Section 3001 of the stimulus law charges the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology with overseeing the "development of a nationwide health information technology infrastructure that allows for the electronic use and exchange of information" that, among other things, "reduces health care costs resulting from inefficiency, medical errors, inappropriate care, duplicative care, and incomplete information" and "provides appropriate information to help guide medical decisions at the time and place of care."
"

These people are so transparent you'd have to be a freakin' idiot to think this is ANYTHING to do with "health care" and NOT all about CONTROL. Once they control your "health care" they own you. They'll get to dole out what care you get IF they think you are deserving. Hell, if you want to be perverse people who've had abortions or are HIV positive should absolutely make sure this is recorded along with the rest of their records...it will be another "affirmative action preference" when the time comes to dole out scarce surgeries, drugs, and other things they'll ration. "Why you've had 5 abortions? Go to the head of the line, you're our little girl."

This is why we need a LONG FORM birth certificate check before any candidate is allowed to stand for president. We still haven't seen Zero's birth certificate. And remember, NO Hawaiian hospital claims he was born there. A bit unusual, no? when practically every where Millard Fillmore gave someone a hickey has a historical marker. Can we please throw this Kenyan out of office and thereby nullify every piece of legislation the bastard has signed? Is it any wonder this clown wants a kill switch on the internet?

Prayer Meme

2010-07-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

We haven't been doing memes in a while, so Mac thought this one up, and tagged Dominic Mary who tagged me.

The rules, (from Mac) which need to be posted: "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."

1.) Hail Mary: THE "go to" prayer. Especially good for the REALLY big stuff of the "my aunt got hit by a car and is in dire need of help" to "the quarterback never saw the hit coming and his knee might finally be trashed forever please don't let him be crippled for life" -- she is also especially good at things like "I need to find a restroom quickly or be as embarrassed as all get out." Even if you are the king, you listen to your mother. If anyone will get the attention of Jesus, it is His mother.

2.) Prayer to St. Michael: I have particularly liked it lately. I say it a few times a day now...just because of Obama and the evil stuff he and his crew are constantly pulling. There is NO prayer that ends with quite the bang this one does of righteous indignation about people getting what's coming to them if they don't have a "come to Jesus" meeting. "...by the power of God cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits [i.e. Obama and company] who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

3) Hail Holy Queen: Right after the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, this is the one my mother taught me. We said these four prayers in order when I was tiny and I used to kneel ON the bed when I was two. Mother didn't want me in my jammies, getting any dirt from the floor onto the bed so she had me kneel there. In THOSE days there wasn't wall to wall carpeting everywhere. I liked the fact that she DIDN'T try to explain it to me, but as time went on it revealed its richness to me and the words weren't "dumbed down." From earliest childhood the word "Christ" for some reason has always been associated in my mind with a piece of hot buttered toast. Perhaps I thought that this fellow "Christ" was obviously someone important, kind, and all powerful...which gave me the same warm all over feeling, not unlike having a piece of hot buttered toast when all is right with the world. Whatever. I've always found it wonderful because of the warm childhood memories of saying this with my mother AND it's a great prayer when contemplating an on-going issue that takes lots of prayer.

Now for the tags:
Digihairshirt
Tara
Adrienne
Fr. Boyle
Esther

Fed Government Now Paying for Abortion

2010-07-17T00:34:00.000-07:00

Yes, once again, thanks to 63 million stupid people who thought Zero was going to pay their mortgages and put a chicken liver in every pothead, the feds are now giving out money like vomit from a drunk to directly pay for abortions. Your tax dollars in action. Isn't this a great country or what? We USED to have the Hyde Amendment which at least nixed federal abortion funding...but oh, no...why NOT offend people and make them pay for someone else to kill their own kid. WaytaGo, morons. That's what Obama REALLY means by "helping the poor." KILL THEIR CHILDREN!

Here is an excerpt from LifeSiteNews on the issue:

"WASHINGTON, D.C., July 13, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In the first known instance of direct federal funding of abortion under the new health care legislation, the Obama Administration will give Pennsylvania $160 million to set up a new "high-risk" insurance program - and has quietly approved a plan submitted by an appointee of Governor Edward Rendell (D) under which the new program will cover any abortion that is legal in Pennsylvania.

The high-risk pool program, which will be funded entirely by the federal government, is one of the new programs created by the sweeping health care legislation President Obama signed into law on March 23. The law authorizes $5 billion in federal funds for the program, which will cover as many as 400,000 people when it is implemented nationwide.

Although an earlier version of the health care legislation prevented federal funds from subsidizing abortion, that protection was not included in the bill signed into law. Although the president's Executive Order regarding funding for abortion was touted as the solution, the White House later admitted the Order simply "reiterated" what was already in the bill. Nonetheless, the mainstream media continues to portray the Executive Order as having effectively blocked federal funds for abortion.

"This is just the first proof of the phoniness of President Obama's assurances that federal funds would not subsidize abortion - but it will not be the last," said Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC).
"

The Zero Krew needs to know how fat you are

2010-07-16T15:41:00.001-07:00

Yes, that's right. Someone lit Michelle Obama's tampon on fire. Buried in the myriad of micro-management by the Zero regime, is the REQUIREMENT that it be included in your MANDATED electronic health care records...coming down the pike soon.

"(CNSNews.com) – New federal regulations issued this week stipulate that the electronic health records--that all Americans are supposed to have by 2014 under the terms of the stimulus law that President Barack Obama signed last year--must record not only the traditional measures of height and weight, but also the Body Mass Index: a measure of obesity.

The obesity-rating regulation states that every American's electronic health record must: “Calculate body mass index. Automatically calculate and display body mass index (BMI) based on a patient’s height and weight.”

The law also requires that these electronic health records be available--with appropriate security measures--on a national exchange."

Full story
The regulation

Gee, I'm sure everyone will be able to find out how many abortions someone has had and their HIV status as well. Surrrrrre.

The Zero regime: don't you love it. They assume doctors are too stupid be able to look at someone and tell if they're fat or not. Once again, thank you to all 63million+ a$$holes who voted for this guy. YOU are getting what you deserve. The rest of us shouldn't have to suffer.

Someone Explain this one To Me

2010-07-08T20:08:00.000-07:00

I've never under-

stood. But then I don't have siblings or enemies... anyone ever do this or were you ever the "vic?" Someone once tried to tell me that sneakers over the phone wires were a sign that a drug selling house was nearby...but given the 'hood I'd been in, that might apply to almost every one of them! The "beauty" of this particular stunt is that I've never seen anyone in the act of doing this.

[And the crappy gray skies are indicative of the rotten overcast weather we've been having the last two weeks. May gray/June gloom? Fine. Bring it. But it's JULY for crying out loud.] Taken 4th of July.

5.4 Earthquake - near Borrego springs

2010-07-07T17:10:00.000-07:00

Hey, the earth moved again. This time I was talking with a friend via skype! Too bad I didn't have webcam, so he could have had the thrill too! Felt as far north as San Bernardino. Not an aftershock from the Easter Quake, so the TV people tell me. Happened just a little before 5p.m. PDT.

Tatoo or Birthmark - You Decide

2010-07-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

For Mac - Absentminded Dumb Blond Moment 8,753

2010-07-07T08:15:00.001-07:00

I can see how this would happen. Really.

Hint to Congress

2010-07-06T21:44:00.001-07:00

King Zero wants to be able to kill internet at whim

2010-06-28T08:52:00.001-07:00

Yes. That's right. King Zero wants the senate to help him pass a bill that gives him the ability for a "kill switch" on the internet for a period of 4 months on his whim without oversight.

Little narcissistic Marxist has a thin skin. What a surprise. I'm holding anyone who voted for this piece of dreck responsible. Anyone who votes this November for any congress critter who supports this measure is also a complete idiot.

From the article:

"President Obama will be handed the power to shut down the Internet for at least four months without Congressional oversight if the Senate votes for the infamous Internet ‘kill switch’ bill, which was approved by a key Senate committee yesterday and now moves to the floor.

The Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act, which is being pushed hard by Senator Joe Lieberman, would hand absolute power to the federal government to close down networks, and block incoming Internet traffic from certain countries under a declared national emergency.

Despite the Center for Democracy and Technology and 23 other privacy and technology organizations sending letters to Lieberman and other backers of the bill expressing concerns that the legislation could be used to stifle free speech, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee passed in the bill in advance of a vote on the Senate floor. "

Like a moth to a flame

2010-06-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

....like a fly to ....

The earth moved (again)

2010-06-14T22:45:00.000-07:00

Pretty good shaker near Ocotillo about 1:15 ago. Was cooking a late supper so didn't post just then. 5.9 Shaking lasted about 40 seconds here in San Diego. (about 70 miles away)

Lots of 3s and 4sies in the last hour - but can't say I felt any of them. (though I'm sure the people a lot closer did.

I love the particular website where you can check to see where earthquakes around the world are - and you can report whether or not you felt it, and how strongly you felt it. A little mood music for anyone who wants it.

Dumbest statement ever

2010-06-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

"A lot of players don't like them [3 foot long toy plastic horns that go off at eardrum shattering decibels], but they are going to have to get used to them."
- Cristiano Ronaldo, midfielder, some World Cup team or other.

Uh, Cristo, WHY do you "have" to "respect them?" Is this a politically correct pass to some uncivilized 3rd world hell hole's "culture?" The FIFA head, whose name I forget, and don't feel like bothering to look up, said something equally as stupid.

Can we be blunt here? Subjecting people in working conditions [i.e. the players] to a condition which can damage their hearing permanently is inhumane. If these vuvuvenzuela blowing savages want to jump up and down and dance naked around their mudhuts, then so be it. But how hard is it to confiscate these damn things from people entering the venue? So help me, if I am ever put on a jury where someone is accused of shoving one of these things up someone else's backside, I would not vote to convict.

Hey, you vuvuzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzela blowers, it's not all about you. Stop being attention whores.

How various religions cope with changing lightbulbs

2010-06-11T02:22:00.000-07:00

* Charismatics: Only one. Hands already in the air.
* Pentecostals: Ten. One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.
* Presbyterians: None. Lights will go on and off at predestined times.
* Roman Catholic: None. Candles only.
* Baptists: At least 15. One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad.
* Episcopalians: Three. One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one to talk about how much better the old one was.
* Mormons: Five. One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.
* Unitarians: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.
* Methodists: Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Church wide lighting service is planned for Sunday. Bring bulb of your choice and a covered dish.
* Nazarene: Six. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy.
* Lutherans: None. Lutherans don't believe in change.
* Amish: What's a light bulb?

Helen, your Anti-Semite slip is showing...

2010-06-04T22:07:00.000-07:00

Somewhere there's a village missing a witch with a capital "B."

Not surprising about the batty old broad. I guess she's just sad Hitler never got a chance to finish the job.

Update: DING-DONG -- Helen, don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya. See ya, toots.

First Solemn High Mass - Fr. Rhone Lillard

2010-05-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

Fr. Lillard was ordained in Lincoln, Nebraska last Saturday. Today in San Diego, at St. Anne's Parish (which exclusively does the EF form of Mass) Father Celebrated his first high Mass. I culled some of the clearest shots of the Mass and reception which followed. [Earlier in the week Father also said some of the low Masses. Towards the end of the slide show, Fr. is pictured with his mother, Jackie Lillard, who is a member of our parish.

Congratulations to Fr. Lillard and his friends and family and the prayerful support of the parish. I have yet to meet a priest belonging to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter who doesn't show extreme zeal and love of God and his people.
Fr. Gordon, was the deacon, and Fr. Gordon is celebrating his 2nd anniversary to the priesthood. The pastor, Fr. Gismondi, acted as subdeacon, and is shown at the end of the slideshow receiving a "first blessing" from Fr. Lillard. The pastor was formerly a chemical engineer, ordained for a bit less than 10 years, and the associate, Fr. Gordon, served in the US Coast guard, and was also has a degree in engineering from the CG Academy. God is loving His engineers!

The society is filled with men with true joy of the priesthood, and I expect Fr. Lillard will be no exception.

If any of you saw the dedication of the new Chapel for the FSSP seminary in Nebraska earlier this spring, Fr. Lillard had acted as the Master of Ceremonies. I gather the society is looking for a few good men! As Fr. Gismondi had said in a sermon "well, I thought I had plans to be a chemical engineer, but....God thought otherwise!"

Cow Parade

2010-05-28T01:22:00.000-07:00

Meant to put these beauties up last June, but I finally whistled and the cows came home. These were lounging around Liberty Station in San Diego.

Introducing New GM 2011 model

2010-05-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

The New GM (Government
Motors) Proudly Introduces The 2011 Obummer This car runs on hot air, bull-shit and broken promises. It has three wheels that speed the vehicle through tight left turns. It comes complete with two Tele Prompters programmed to help the occupants talk their way out of any violations. The transparent canopy reveals the plastic smiles still on the faces of all the happy owners. Comes in S, M, L, XL and 2XL It won't get you to work, but hey, there aren't any jobs anyway!

What's More Gay than a teletubby?

2010-05-20T08:33:00.001-07:00

Just sayin'

Islam and the Good Ole Boy

2010-05-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

....count me in....

Obozo's Mammy gets to stay

2010-05-17T12:57:00.001-07:00

....auntie Petunia, or Zulema, or Zetunnnia, or whatever her name is. All I know is that she allegedly came in as one of those supposed Computer programmers we allegedly had a shortage of and has been living in FEDERALLY FUNDED WELFARE HOUSING since...was ordered DEPORTED in 2004....and has her hiney still here on every federal give away program.... But why gee, she kept her ass here long enough for her worthless good for nothing scum of a Marxist nephew to become resident, and now she's entitled to stay longer on Uncle Sucker's dime because she might be persecuted or whatever BS excuse she got away with.

These a$$holes in government have NO idea how far they will be thrown over a cliff later this year and in 2012.

Do you protest in front of the judge's house?

Story here, if you have the stomach for it. Meanwhile native born US citizens are losing their houses and jobs left and right and are on waiting lists....

And if I had the energy to laugh in the idiot's faces who voted for this clown because "Barack is a Messiah and will take care of us" I would. He doesn't even take care of his own relative, why in hell would he take care of them? The logic is beyond them.

That's what angers me the most. There will always be Marxist scum like Obozo around. But that there are enough seriously stupid people to have cast a vote for him in the first place. We've reached a critical mass of "stupid." Personally, I like to get in the faces of people I know who voted or were sympathetic to this jerk. "How's that dope with the chains workin' out for you? Any idea what he's going to destroy next, since you knew him and followed his career so well before you voted for the SOB [NOT!]"

Update: See this more detailed report in the Boston Herald. I love this pull quote:

“I’m naked! I don’t want to be disturbed,” Onyango barked at news crews from her fourth-floor flat."

A real winner! The whole Obama Klan is "naked."

NO Ex Post Facto Laws

2010-05-12T11:03:00.000-07:00

What is it about the phrase "No Ex Post Facto" Laws the ZERO administration does not understand? i.e. You can't make a new law, and have it applied to something that happened in the past.

For instance -- if the law said: "If you speed at 80-100 miles an hour, your maximum fine will be 100 bucks." Then the max fine is 100 bucks. PERIOD. Full Stop. They can't say "Oh, well, that 100 bucks we charged you was too low...you owe us an additional 500 bucks." No even half-assed court in the land would put up with the NEW law applying to things that had happened.

Well, the ZERO administration is hallucinating that they will get BP to pay a lot more for the oil-spill than they are required by law to do so. Good luck with that, Skippy.

Yes, the max penalty for polluting like that WAS too low. Is that BP's fault? Uh, no. It was the US government's fault in the first place for setting the possible max penalty too low. Now you can make a NEW law saying "from X date, THIS will be the penalty..." But it clearly states in the Constitution "NO EX POST FACTO LAWS" (Article 1, section 9)

But then why should I be surprised? It's kind of obvious these people use the Constitution as toilet paper and none of them took high school civics.

Smiles

2010-05-12T10:04:00.000-07:00

Don't usually pass these on, but....

"The liberals are asking us to give Obama time. We agree. We think 25 to life would be appropriate. - Leno

America needs Obama-care like Nancy Pelosi needs a Halloween mask. - Leno

Q: Have you heard about McDonald's' new Obama Value Meal?
A: Order anything you like and the guy behind you has to pay for it. - Conan
O'Brien

Q: What does Barack Obama call lunch with a convicted felon?
A: A fund raiser. - Leno

Q: What's the difference between Obama's cabinet and a penitentiary?
A: One is filled with tax evaders, blackmailers and threats to society. The
other is for housing prisoners. - Letterman

Q: If Nancy Pelosi and Obama were on a boat in the middle of the ocean and
it started to sink, who would be saved?
A: America ! - Fallon

Q: What's the difference between Obama and his dog, Bo?
A: Bo has papers. - Kimmel

Q: What was the most positive result of the "Cash for clunkers" program?
A: It took 95% of the Obama bumper stickers off the road. - Letterman"

Scenes we'd Like To See

2010-04-29T20:44:00.000-07:00

She's an AIRHEAD

2010-04-25T12:39:00.001-07:00

..uh, me, that is. <-- Apologies to Mr. Dolby.

Normally, I have ALWAYS kept my comment box opened and let anyone post willynilly - having had few problems with trolls. Well, late March, had problems with two jerks. (Hey, Fr. Blake, your British newspaper "reporters" aren't worth a nickle more than our so called American "reporters" who can't get squat right or attribute correctly, so gee, thanks! ;-D And BTW, I hope John Venables swings! -- okay that last bit was hyperbole. ) --

So I'd THOUGHT I'd turned on "just delay posts which are posted more than 10 days ago" thinking I could just manually nuke the two ba$$ard$ who were getting too out of line myself (i.e. still let anyone post, but just block anyone from posting to stuff that happened way in the past, as I didn't want to have to go back nearly 3 years incase one of these dorks took a shine to ruining things.]

Anyway, I've posted ALL your comments which were all delayed (which would explain a lot as to why "gee, why no comments?) And I'll go fix it now so posts aren't delayed.....unless "dorks" return, but this time I promise to always LOOK to see if anything's delayed.

Whatever. SORRY!!!!

Good news re: young people and sex

2010-04-23T08:13:00.000-07:00

Though more college students are sexually active than not -- apparently in the last few years there is a trend on that's becoming more popular for students NOT to have recreational sex, and wait for "THE one." Evidently, many youths are seeing the devasting effects of casual sex - and don't like what they see. This column is well worth a read - it starts:

"There’s a quiet revolution happening on the nation’s school and college campuses. While the students still live in a sex-saturated culture, and while researchers claim that at least 75 percent of college students are part of the “hook-up” generation, more and more students are opting out of the sex scene. It is far too early to declare a new trend, but there are encouraging signs of a new respect for abstinence and dating, instead of recreational sex.

Part of the change of attitude and behavior comes from college students seeing the consequences and repercussions of recreational sex. "

The article notes statistical details of all the fallout students are seeing from their friends who ARE sexually active and are paying for it with incressed depression, low self-esteem from giving it all away to someone who doesn't care, to the STDs students are now frightened of getting --- and the article notes many new books which preach abstinence and waiting for marriage -- with a nod to more healthy dating patterns where one doesn't feel compelled to hop in the sack with every "relationship." The article further notes new "Love and Fidelity Network" outreach programs which espouse waiting until marriage and notes chapters on many US college campuses, including some 2 dozen or so on high profile Universities such as Harvard, Princeton, Notre Dame.

Even younger teens are also starting to get the message, from some in the popular culture - American Idol Star Kelly Clarkson recent had release a song called "I don't hook up." And there are others promoting the same -- there's even a facebook page: Bring Back Dating.

Well worth a read.

Skype!

2010-04-19T16:08:00.000-07:00

Just got the thing (finally) and I'm setting it up now, so still going through the user manual. But my Skype ID name is: gemoftheocean99 [sheesh---there already WAS a GOTO! grrrr..... so remember to add the "99"]

And check out ring2skype.com -- FREE skype #s.

[Someone remind me to kick myself up the backside for not setting this up a lot sooner. I could have saved a boat load of money over the last couple of years!]

Everyone's Massah to this fool...

2010-04-12T17:45:00.000-07:00

except, of course, the suffering American public. "Hey boy. Here's a quarter, geddown here and shine my shoes."

If they ever bring back Stepin' Fetchit, I have a likely candidate for the part. But of course, when he's with normal US citizens, zero always has his nose in the air, a la Mussolini.

I don't think he has a snowball's chance against a Chinaman. Was there ever ANY "president" so unversed in simple protocol? It's a wonder half the state department who deals with this sort of thing haven't committed suicide by now. "Listen, duffus. You are a head of state. Heads of state do not BOW to people. Sheesh. Moron. [How many years to retirement?]"

China's Gendercide

2010-04-10T18:33:00.000-07:00

Peter Hitchens, reporter, wrote this article in the Daily Mail [UK] -- the article details not only the shortage of girls in the population, due to China's "one child per family" policy, but it also goes in to detail re: China's increasing problem of child theft.

The article starts:
"In the cruel old China, baby girls were often left to die in the gutters. In the cruel modern China, they are aborted by the tens of millions, using all the latest technology.

There is an ugly new word for this mass slaughter: gendercide."

The article states that China's one-child-policy started officially in 1979.

However, I personally remember that in at least parts of China as early as 1974, the government was encouraging/enforcing this. I remember that in Fall of 1974 when I was a college Freshman, writing an essay about the policy for an English class I was taking at the time. IT was the first I'd heard of it.

Unfortunately, in large parts of India, parents are also chosing gendercide. Not through goverment threats, but of their own volition. Quite some time ago, I'd seen a TV documentary which covered the phemomenon. Sleezy abortion doctors in their Mercedes Benz cars, pulling out their scanners in poor neighborhoods for relatively quite handsome fees to tell parents what sex the baby was -- then parents aborting if it was a girl.

There is also this article which is worth a read -- it goes into more details about India and China. [And it also confirms my 1974 date as to when the use of amniocentisis began to be used for this purpose of sex selection and gendercide.]

And there is also a recent article from the Economist, which points out that often the WORST gender imblance is in the WEALTHY parts of the country.

New Church for L'Aquila - Good Grief

2010-04-08T13:52:00.001-07:00

Fr. Blake mentions that Fr. Z has a blog post re: a proposed new church for L'Aquila, an earthquake hit city. Fr. Blake doesn't like this building as a church, but thinks[!?] it is architecturally interesting. I think the architect is trying to "Epater le Bourgeois" myself. [Yes, I know there is supposed to be an accent over the first "E" in epater, so sue me.] Fr. Blake thinks it would be the architect's "signature piece."

Anyone who'd commission a building like this gets all the ridicule he deserves.
Los Angeles also is very earthquake prone. But here's what would happen to such a building in LA.

It's a "signature piece" all right.

Easter Earthquake

2010-04-04T16:41:00.000-07:00

...always one thing or another. Was just about to post a Happy Easter blog post, then an earthquake happens. It was shaking a good 30 seconds before I thought to grab my camera and film. Big 7.2 down in Baja California. We knew it was big, *somewhere* - but just not here! [It would have felt totally different.] At first I just thought someone at the end of the banquet was being annoying and tapping their feet, and they were...and then I thought "yeah, but this thing I'm sitting on STILL shouldn't be moving this much." Then I looked up and the light fixtures were swaying and the walls and windows were definately rattling. But notice how calm everyone was, relatively speaking -- except one "drama queen" who reacted by getting up and walking slowly to be under a little more structural support. Chicken. At least no one did the tourist "dive under the table" thing.

Happy Easter to you all! AFtershocks and everything.

Good Friday

2010-04-03T17:08:00.001-07:00

Yester-
day, on Good Friday, I accompanied some friends up to the Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside, Ca. There are about 19 monks in all. No video allowed in the church while services are going on, but afterward I did take a few stills inside

And afterwards went outside to visit the little cemetery. The video below is a short 360 look at the area which is just to the south of the church -- at the end fo the short video that "bright area" just on the horizon is the Pacific ocean.

The Abbey, close to Camp Pendleton, is in a really dangerous area for fire, so the buildings reflect this -- cinderblock construction. The cemetery is really touching. The picture below show 1st Abbot Claude's grave. A simple wooden cross marks it, and there is no name on the cross, as there are on the ones behind his. My friend Michelle, who dearly misses him as her regular confessor, said "he probably wanted it that way." Abbot Claude was so self-effacing. He was nearly 100 when he died. You can read a little more about him here. The flowers on the grave are simple and "drought tolerant." You can see what the grave first looked like, here. Somewhat to my horror[?] and fascination, a huge black beetle like creature was moseying right on the Abbot's grave, no doubt looking for dinner.

Here below is another picture - with the Abbot's grave in the foreground and the ones of 9 monks behind it. It struck me that I'd at least seen all those monks in choir at some time or other -- and that eventually, the monks currently in choir, would one day be next to their brothers in Christ, with yet unseen monks taking their places.

The monastery was founded about in the mid-50s -- it's about as old as I am. The first time I laid eyes on it was in the Fall of 1974 -- during my first few week as a Freshman at the University of California, San Diego. I was taking an "easy" distribution requirement for me. Music History. And where does one start with the History of Western Music? The church! So off we went early one morning to hear the monks chant the office -- and we stayed for their kind hospitality of breakfast afterwards. So the public higher education system in California did more to teach me formally re: Gregorian Chant than my Catholic high school "Kumbaya - Michael Row the Boat Ashore" years did.

Over the years I've gone up during various times of my life, sometimes in crisis, often not. But their little mountain top is a testament to the balanced life they lead - Pray, work, and still take some time off for a little recreation. And I like that they all still work with their hands. The Benedictines seem to have the perfect balance.

All of God's creatures abound. I hope the little fellow below finds that Beetle and EATS it! [Lizards are GOOD!!!!] I've yet to see the snakes, but I've been assured they are "around."

And peace be unto all of you this Easter. I go up tonight again for the Easter Vigil.

Fr. Owl has especially trenchant post

2010-04-02T21:01:00.001-07:00

...regards why the media is making a full force effort to shoot down the church. Take a look here.

Anticipation -- is makin' me Wait

2010-04-02T12:32:00.000-07:00

Couldn't resist this "field" of Easter Lillies, lined up - waiting for THE DAY.

(Super secret undisclosed location!)

Went to Holy Thursday Mass last night with the Byzantines, didn't have time to go through the video I took -- there may be some usable bits. Just have to find some good snippets between the wailing, whining and running around by two young parishioners. The only thing their parents did right was to take their SHOES off so they couldn't kick anything without hurting their tootsies. [Father P. must have been thinking "this too, shall pass" as he chanted a long lengthy Passion reading of the Last Supper and Crucifixion.]

Off to Stations up at Prince of Peace Abbey shortly with friends. I have to say there are a few advantages to being in a county of close to 3 million souls - you do have an embarrassment of riches as far as "choice" goes. And the "sun has got his hat on" and it rained recently, so there should be a few good pics of the vista from the Abbey to the Pacific ocean.

Fashion Forward Birth Control Device

2010-04-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

-- just in time for Easter.

I'd put the following status up on my facebook page about an hour ago:

"Karen is wearing a BIRTH CONTROL DEVICE. Relax. Reading Glasses*. I could KILL all those eye docs from age 11 to 53 who NEVER mentioned "oh, for reading get a pair of +1.5 Off the Shelf reading glasses - you, being the nearsighted bat you are, your contacts are made so you can see far and not run into traffic so the rest of us are spared." Bassids. I can see the computer screen like a fricken EAGLE now."

Then I added the comment: "It's true, guys don't make passes at girls who wear glasses. Which is why I gave them up at 17."

Within an hour, I was proven wrong.

Some nice looking guy came up and asked if he could borrow my reading glasses so he could read an official "gubbmit doc" he'd got.

Parole:
"Hi, could I borrow your reading glasses. I can't read this." He puts them on and says "How do I look?"

Me: "A lot better than I probably do in them!"

He turns to me and says: "Hey, you're not so bad looking yourself!" We both laugh. He asks me to open the envelope for him as he has too short nails (no non-paraplegic male can't open up a letter.) He introduced himself as "Joel" and proffered his hand to shake, then says: "Hey, warm hands too"

Me: "They oughta be...they've been in my pocket!"

Sheesh, maybe if I'da kept the goggles I'd have 20 grandkids by now....always a bridesmaid, never a bride!

[* - 3 pairs including snazzy case for 15 bucks. CVS pharmacy. Get 'em while they're hot, hot, hot.]

Tenebrae - all that and a bag of chips

2010-04-01T00:24:00.001-07:00

Quick note in the wee hours of Thursday - last night for the first time I attended Tenebrae. I had not heard of it as a child or in high school, but saw it in a passing reference in Brideshead Revisited. So I'd looked up the term and found it was a service that had been done in the Divine Office. I thought to myself some 35+ years ago -- well, that's something I'll probably never get to see in my lifetime.

Tenebrae was hosted by St. John the Evangelist church in San Diego. A "normal" but orthodox parish - (for the 10th year running! - and I never knew that til last year, when I couldn't go.) The Brothers of the Little Oratory, with a boost from the La Jolla Renaissance Singers Chamber Choir to add some polyphony did the honors. You can see their event link here. The candleholder in the foreground is called a "hearse." Creepy name, hun? The service is essentially 3 "nocturns" (each nocturn consisting of a combination of psalms, lessons, and an Our Father) + Lauds. There are 15 psalms in all, and towards the end of each psalm, one of the candles on the hearse is extinguished. Starting with the ones at the bottom, then working one's way up to the top candle. During the Lauds, the top candle is not extinguished, but removed and "hidden" so it's light doesn't show. Then at the end, there was a traditional banging of books to symbolize the earthquake after Christ died on the Cross. More details about the ceremony in a follow on post.

I did get a fair amount of video and I hope to upload some of it later today after I get some sleep. The service was almost 2.5 hours long, but it didn't feel that way. Event organizers were a little light on booklets to follow along, but I had my missal which had the service, and a friend had brought her Liber Usualis. Afterwards we DID end up having fish and chips.

I remarked how I'd REALLY like to grab the bunnies who'd watered down the catechism and all of the musical offerings etc. post Vatican II watered and denied us having even the option to experience a lot of Catholic heritage. Those goons didn't even TELL us about it -- and gave us junk like "Kumbaya" and "Michael, Row the Boat Ashore" instead. Well, "Quomodo sedat sola civitas plena populo"* indeed, to "YOU people."

[*I won't be a snob and not translate for those who need it: "How doth the city sit that was full of people...." - which starts the beginning of the lament from the prophet Jeremiah, which was the first lesson read. -- I can think of more than a few "kumbaya" desolate churches. And nice to see the verse I saw first quoted by Charles Ryder in context! The article I linked re: Tenebrae above notes that we know of these readings for the office in the 8th century.]

The Pope, The NY TImes, and Obama

2010-03-26T17:00:00.000-07:00

A number of Catholic bloggers have been wondering: Why is the NY Times going into full bore tilt re: the Pope and his alleged cover up for a Pedophie.

I came across this article from the Priestly Pugilist, an Australian, and his theory seems plausible to me, that it's a bit of a collusion between the NY Times and Obana for getting back at the church for not supporting ObamaCare and for the Church giving Obama a hard time. The story is OLD news, covered well over a decade ago.

In short I don't think this is implausible. Granted, you have to Be able to prove the NY Times and Zero colluded on this, but I don't think it's more than a half-inch jump. Especially given that Hussein repeated tried to foist pro-abortion diplomats to represent the US to the Holy See - in a blatant in your face move.

If Barrack HUSSEIN Obama treats Jewish Netanyahu like garbage at an official White House meeting, do you think he gives a flip about the pope? It's "payback time" the Thugocracy way. Put the POPE on Front page news in holy Week, so Hussein can run for the sewer with all the back room deals he cut on his DeathCare deal.

Ruin Holy week coverage so the news can be all over the "hypocracy" of the Pope instead of the Message of the Resurrection. SOP for the left-wing.

Else why dredge up and rehash a story they wrote about 15 years ago?

It wasn't as if the NY Times wasn't Obama's biggest cheer leader all through out his campaign. It wasn't as if the NY Times wasn't in constant make-Christians-look-bad mode all the time. Anything to ruin Easter and they'll do it.

[BTW, for the first time since the White House Easter egg roll was started, which schools WEREN'T invited? Oh, Catholic ones....]

Latin Mass For Dummies

2010-03-24T21:48:00.000-07:00

Over on my other blog, Bury me Not on the Lone Prairie, I've just posted an item regards the Latin Mass. This breaks things down step by step in a convenient reference. Years ago, Treasure Chest Magazine, of late and happy memory had series on the Latin Mass. Though the articles were written for youngsters, the average adult could probably find a thing or two about the Mass they didn't know. There's a lot of history thrown in. I've given a few tips for first time Latin Mass goers, and I've given some links that make it easy to get to the 1st pages of the articles. Each part of the Mass is was broken out in a different article.

Even if you NEVER intend to go anywhere near a Latin Mass, you might still find the articles of intrest -- just to learn about the history and development in different parts of the Mass. Where I thought a term might be unfamiliar, or had notes about that part of Mass - I put a little explanation after the date the article was published. Any plugs most welcome.

Ann Coulter re: Speech shut down

2010-03-24T18:36:00.000-07:00

This excerpt is from her column today

"Only one college speech [out of over 100 she's done -- gem] was ever met with so much mob violence that the police were forced to cancel it: The one that was preceded by a letter from the university provost accusing me of hate speech.

(To add insult to injury, Francois didn't even plan to attend my speech because Tuesday is his bikini wax night.)

If a university official's letter accusing a speaker of having a proclivity to commit speech crimes before she's given the speech -- which then leads to Facebook postings demanding that Ann Coulter be hurt, a massive riot and a police-ordered cancellation of the speech -- is not hate speech, then there is no such thing as hate speech.

Either Francois goes to jail or the Human Rights Commission is a hoax and a fraud. "

It's for lines like "...his Bikini Wax night" that the far left go ape over. That's why they really can't stand her, it's not only that she's usually right about something, it's that deep in their hearts they know she's funny too, but they are so politically correct they can't laugh about it.

Don't Call DC - Call your broker

2010-03-22T11:44:00.000-07:00

I'm listening to the Rush show right now, and a caller had the PERFECT way to get back at the Obamabastards. ANY company that is behind Obama on any issue -- SELL YOUR STOCK in that company and divest your money into something else.

General Electric? SELL (crap and trade backers -- voodoo "science" whores)

GM? SELL

APPLE? SELL

GOLDMAN-SACHS? SELL

and so on.

I like it -- perfectly legal, and will screw them up.

Way to go, Stupidak, you sold your soul

2010-03-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

to a lying Marxist who promised you he'd see to it we wouldn't end up paying for abortions, by pulling an unenforceable executive order out of his butt for you and the other idiots who showed themselves to be democraps 1st "pro-lifers" second. Stop lying to yourselves, Catholic who still belong to the 'crap party. You're frauds. Baby killers, the lot of you.

Way to go, you whores.

Here's how much your messiah cares about babies and abortions. Somehow he got up off his couch to vote for this instead of voting "present."

Stupidak, you're in his camp now. Live with your rotten conscience when you use our tax money to kill babies.

Update: Here's what the whore got - $726,409 in Federal Grants for 3 airports in his district.

Is God Still in the Smiting Business

2010-03-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

..it seems to me He's mighty out of practise. I mean I have a whole list of candidates and everything. At the head of my list are an awful lot of US politicians.

When exactly was the last time He "smote" anything?

Obama Akbar

2010-03-15T13:52:00.000-07:00

Part of the reason I haven't posted lately, is because I am so physically sick to death of the creeps, liars and whores who are trying to shove ObamaCare down our throats, come hell or high water.

But I can't miss passing on this cartoon. What's it going to take? Pitchforks and lit torches coming for these bastards?

How 2 Consecrate a Chapel With Style

2010-03-03T15:34:00.000-08:00

Today I got to watch a good part of the 4.5 hour ceremony of the Consecration of the Chapel on the grounds of the FSSP seminary in Denton, Nebraska. I'd read about this ceremony on a blogspot about two years ago, but never expected to see one.

I don't know if EWTN will rebroadcast this, or make a DVD of it (I hope!) - but you can download the following:

Consecration / Mass Booklet and Explanatory Chapel Consecration Booklet

Irritatingly, my own internet connection was somewhat "persnickty" so for about 1/2 the ceremony I didn't get as good a picture as I might have, but after I gave Fr. Boyle a "heads up" HE was also able to see some of it, and he posted a blog item and had a better link to it (technology wise) than I had selected. (So I'm saving THAT link, because EWTN's "maze" is a pain in the kazoo to figure out the quickest way to get to "LIVE." - not to mention NOT dinking around wtih some stupid player ewtn tries to foist on you.)

I was delighted to see that Deacon Rhone Lillard, who is soon to be ordained to the priesthood, was MC for Bishop Bruskewitz. There was one little bit I noticed where he got to correct the bishop. So yes, MCs do have to be on their toes, because it isn't every day someone gets to consecrate a church.

I also was delighted to see Fr. Jose Zepeda, was one of the "deacons" who assisted while vested in red, the sacred relics which were placed in the altars. There were also many assisting bishops, so Bishop B. didn't have to do all of them himself! [The Sainted Fr. Shipley tells me of the time some 50+ years ago where HE played a big role in keeping things all "together" for then Bishop Buddy when the Immaculata, on the campus of USD was consecrated, the main altar and all 12 side altars were consecrated that day by the bishop personally!]

There were a lot of interesting features in this Mass which one would seldom see nowadays...there was a procession all around the church, both inside and out when the bishop bless the outside walls with "Gregorian Water" a special kind of Holy water which also includes ashes, he used a hyssop branch to do so -- then there was a special "open sesame" deal, with special prayers said before the chapel doors were officially opened by the porter after the bishop formally requested entrance (reminded me a little of the dude from The House of Lords going to approach the House of Commons chamber to tell them that the queen wants to see 'em ... except no one slammed the door in the bishop's face -- but not too many times you'd see a bishop get to use the bottom of his crozier to bang on a door -- cool stuff!)

Once inside the bishop also blessed to portals, there were twelve crosses blessed all inside the church (the bishop having to climb a ladder to do so), the altars were all consecrated, and the relics put in each altar, (REAL masons actually lend a hand here too, to make sure things get done right in the clean up -- and there is even a special mortar used, and the water in the mortar is also "Gregorian water") there was also a ceremony with making wax crosses on the altar, which I missed a large portion of, because my connection had flaked out.

I was a little disapppointed that I hadn't managed to pick out my own pastor, Fr. Gismondi or the associate, Fr. Dennis Gordon (he has TWO brothers who are also FSSP priests!) -- they were probably in full view but between the camera switching view, and irritable connection "issues" I missed them clean.

I was very amused at the end after a greeting had been read from the pope and an indulgence given to all present, the bishop mentioned the same indulgence would be given to those who attend an annual anniversary Mass of the Chapel's consecration -- the bishop HASTENED to add that that from now on the anniversary date will be celebrated on Jan 22....the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter -- so as not to have the anniversary always fall in Lent! [Maybe this time they DID borrow the concept of the queen having a real birthday and an "official" one - in her case it's to increase the chance of better weather on the "official" day.]

But it was grand, grand, simply grand.

The Zenith of Tacky

2010-02-19T12:00:00.000-08:00

How swellegant!!!

The Dalai Lama is escorted out a side door of the White House after meeting with Zero the other day.

Zero is trying to keep his hands around his ankles so as not to "offend" China, so he's treating the Dalai Lama worse than the Fuller Brush man.

What "ghetto czar" did Zero appoint allow house/grounds keeping standards to fall so low as to have stacked up trash bags by any White House entry or exit? I don't care if snow was up to people's backside in DC -- these people are paid to make sure EVERYTHING looks nice.

What did Zero serve him? Colt .45 out of the can and left over cold Chicken McNuggets on a bed of arugula with chopsticks?

Congrats, Zero. By comparison the Carter administration hit the Gold Standard.

Thank you Georgie

2010-02-15T19:21:00.000-08:00

Washington, that is. I know people call it "President's day" But it isn't. Really. It's still officially "George Washington's Birthday" -- by act of congress. I wasn't thrilled about it being celebrated today, because it's only the 15....and his real birthday was later in Feb. BUT.....

....we ended up bailing from work early!!! Usually only govvie workers or associated types get a paid holiday...schools close, the mailman doesn't deliver, banks are shut....but a lot of people go to work this day.

Well, WE did too -- BUT our contact rate of customers was really low (we call on small to medium size business owners) -- so as we could scarcely get a janitor to talk to us (all the bosses tended to have taken the day off) OUR boss said "oh, the hell with it -- let's kick it." So WE clocked out at 11!!!

Is there ANYTHING better than an unexpected lunch period and afternoon off work?

It was in the Mid 70s today. FABULOUS WEATHER. [Eat your heart out.] So I took advantage and went for a swim at the Kroc Center in the early afternoon. There are 11 lanes in the competition pool, and by the time I got there there was still one left....all for MMEEEEEE~!!!!!!!!

WHEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!! So I swam 1.5 miles. The pool was a little shaded down at one end.

So I was in just long enough to get some coloring back and some nice sunshine, but not long enough to get TOO much sun.

Perfect. Thank you, Georgie. Or I should thank your PARENTS, probably your dad in particular for getting "frisky" in the "lusty month of May"* of whatever year you were conceived in! I thank your mom for not having a headache. [And thank you for not getting your butt shot off in either the French and Indian War or the Revolutionary war, and not dying of smallpox when you were a teen and all that other stuff too.]

I'm going to see if I can find the slice of cherry pie that's calling me from a-far before I go to sleep tonight.

*[Yes, Stephen, I threw that in for you!]

Did Jesus have ADHD?

2010-02-13T12:44:00.000-08:00

Just asking.

John 13: 36-38 "Simon Peter said to Him "Master, where are you going?" Jesus answered [him], "Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later." Peter said to Him, "Master, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock willnot crow before you deny me three times."

Later:

John 16:5 "But now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asked me, 'Where are you going?'"

Uh, Jesus...Simon Peter asked you a couple of chapters ago....and where exactly were you guys for chapter 15 and 16 and 17? We know that you already "left the building." And of all gospels, why no words of institution during the Last Supper -- particularly after John 6. The most curious of omissions ever.

I still want to know if the Blessed Vigin Mary had Passover dinner with the Finkelsteins that night.

For Mac

2010-02-13T11:05:00.000-08:00

HA Award - University of Sussex

2010-02-11T20:52:00.000-08:00

Haven't given out one of these in a while, but the occasion merits it. Apparently, due to government budget cuts, the University of Sussex (UK) has decided that its History Department will no longer do research on English History prior to 1700!

I guess it makes it easier for the Muzzies if you can gradually blot out a nation's history.

Good grief.

From the Daily Telegraph:

"Academics have attacked a decision by a top university to scrap research into English history before 1700.

It was claimed that the move by Sussex University risked jeopardising the nation’s understanding of the subject and “entrenching the ignorance of the present”.
Under plans, research and in-depth teaching into periods such as the Tudors, the Middle-Ages, Norman Britain, the Viking invasion and the Anglo-Saxons will be scrapped, along with the Civil Wars.

The university will also end research into the history of continental Europe pre-1900, affecting the study of the Napoleonic wars and the Roman Empire.
The university said it was “reshaping” its curriculum and research following a £3m cut in Government funding"

Geez, just shut the whole department down if you're going to do something that stupid. Move what you have left to another University. What a joke.

Full article here.

I suppose the Electrical Engineering department will ignore teaching "Direct Current" and just concentrate on "Alternating Current" in order to save money.

Da Devil Made Me Do It

2010-02-08T17:59:00.000-08:00

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

So there I was, at 7:05, a.m. haulin' it on into church, and when I rounded the corner to ascend the steps, there were three small girls, none over 6 or 7 at most, staring stricken at the door. I'd wondered a) where was mom/dad whomever was, and 2) if the door stop had been kicked out. #2 was not the case, so as I reached for the door, their mom came out and looked at me with a slightly panic stricken look.

She asked me: "Do you have any extra head coverings?" [Her waiting daughters were all bare-headed.] I can tell she MUST have been slightly panic stricken, because she'd ask me, of all people, who wouldn't wear a head covering in church if a gun were pointed at her head. "No [said I rather casually]" and then I said, "there are usually a few extra on the little table", and she said "not today." Sure enough I doubled checked after sticking my head in the door. No. Not a peptobismal pink or windex blue one in sight .. to say nothing of the more sedate black or white (I thought she might have missed a black or brown one. Church being kind of dark in the a.m.)

I cheerfully tried to reassure her, thinking that perhaps she could take a joke, and said "I think they'll be okay though, none of them are married and subject to a husband." She looked for a flash of a second as if I said "your mother wears army boots." Well....I went and sat down, and absentmindly wondered if she was a) going to forego Mass altogether, b) Kleenex 'em or 3) come up with something else.

At Communion time I noticed eldest daugher one had something borrowed from, apparently, a passing Muslim woman with an "extra" and really little kids 2 & 3, had been found winter jackets with hoods that were put up.

At least she didn't subject them to #2 -- I'd ALMOST said "back in the day, the killjoy nuns who hated us made us wear Kleenex" but I didn't want to take a chance of anyone else being traumatized for life, because had that been her only recourse, other than chancing men looking at them in a way men should not be destracted by "alluring" 4, 5 & 6 year olds, I think she'd have preferred to Kleenex 'em.

Threat Levels Around the World

2010-02-06T18:20:00.000-08:00

Saw this online and can't stop laughing.

"The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.”Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.” The English have not been “A Bit Cross” since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out.

Terrorists have been re-categorized from “Tiresome” to a “Bloody Nuisance.” The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was in 1588 when threatened by the Spanish Armada.

The Scots raised their threat level from “Pissed Off” to “Let’s get the Bastards” They don’t have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from “Run” to “Hide”. The only two higher levels in France are “Collaborate” and “Surrender.”The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France’s white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country’s military capability.

It’s not only the French who are on a heightened level of alert.Italy has increased the alert level from “Shout loudly and excitedly” to “Elaborate Military Posturing.”Two more levels remain: “Ineffective Combat Operations” and “Change Sides.”

The Germans also increased their alert state from “Disdainful Arrogance” to “Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs.”They also have two higher levels: “Invade a Neighbour” and “Lose”.

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual, and the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.

Americans meanwhile, and as usual, are carrying out pre-emptive strikes, on all of their allies, just in case.

And in the southern hemisphere…

New Zealand has also raised its security levels – from “baaa” to “BAAAA!”.
Due to continuing defense cutbacks (the air force being a squadron of spotty teenagers flying paper aeroplanes and the navy some toy boats in the Prime Minister’s bath), New Zealand only has one more level of escalation, which is “I hope Australia will come and rescue us”.

Australia , meanwhile, has raised its security level from “No worries” to “She’ll be right, mate”.Three more escalation levels remain: “Crikey!’, the more serious “I think we’ll need to cancel the barbie this weekend” and finally “The barbie is canceled”. So far no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level.""

The perfect white Lie

2010-02-03T14:20:00.000-08:00

I have to say women are sometimes prone to saying stupid things like:

"Karen, what do you think of Jane's new hat, isn't it wonderful?"

You think it looks hideous. But you don't want Jane to hate you forever.

The *perfect* answer?

"It suits her!" [said with enthusiasm.]

You're not lying, because you think Jane deserves a hat uglier than mortal sin.

A long time ago, I knew a young musician working on his master's degree. The musician had excellent taste. Some of his professors were into the kind of "music" which consisted of random noise from tire chains, thrown trash cans and the sound of dental drilling. He was often invited to these "concerts. "

His stock statement in backstage chatter after a performance was to shake the professor's hand and say "Your performance tonight was even more astonishing than the last. You've outdone yourself."

They never caught on.

"Even to the weaker sex..."

2010-01-30T18:37:00.000-08:00

I have to say last year when I first ran across the collect done for EF Masses for virgins and martyrs I was really irritated with whomever wrote it.

The collect in question is from the Mass "Loquebar de testimoniis tuis..."

Today's Mass was for St. Martina, a virgin/martyr of the 4th century.

The beginning of the common collect reads:

"Deus, qui inter cetera potentiae tuae miracula, etiam in sexu fragili victoriam martyrii contulisti:...."

Translation: "O God, who among the other marvels of Thy power, hast granted even to the weaker sex the victory of martyrdom...."

I couldn't decide, at first, to laugh at him, or punch him in the nose...but considering he's long dead and GONE, GONE, GONE....

I think Aloise Buckley Heath (eldest sister of William F. Buckley) probably had the best thing to say about this "weaker sex" business. She has the author of the collect's "number."

In a humorous article she penned for National Review entitled "Merry Christmas to Every One in the World Except Men" (Dec. 31, 1962) she says:

[some paragraphs into the essay] "Now here, for the first time published ever, is the absolutely definitive list of the fields in which men excel women: athletics, arithmetic, musical composition, physical strength, singing baritone, and superiority.

Woman, is, of course, a much better physical specimen. She operates more efficiently, under greater stress, with fewer breakdowns, on less fuel, for years longer than men. Men, on the other hand, at all ages eat like horses, die like flies, and suffer from constant malfunctioning of the relatively simple apparati. They are also susceptible to exclusively male conditions like distichiasis, hypertrichosis, ichthyosis and nystagmus, which are, respectively, double eyelashes, dense hairy growth on the ears, barklike skin and rhythmical oscillation of the eyeballs. (Men who have all these conditions at the same time usually die without issue because no one will marry them.) In between times, men don't feel very well. BUT: the average man can lift 75 pounds and the average woman can lift 62 pounds; so that nakes women the weaker sex; what else?

The average man is well into his twenties before he is able to get angry without trying to fight; and he is well into the next world before he stops losing his temper, shouting, slamming doors, swearing. Twice as many men as women have nervous breakdowns, three times as many commit suicide, four times as many have ulcers, and there are fifty times more unpremeditated attacks and a hundred times more unpremeditated murders by men than by women . But you know what women do, don't you? Women cry! Women cry because women are more emotional than men, that's why."

Later in the essay [after she rips on St. Paul, who she believes reinforced this sort of attitude] she had this to say:

""Tennyson is the poet who is commonly considered to have given definitive expression to this thesis of St. Paul's [i.e. "man was not created for women, but women for man"-gem] - not presumably because it drove him to unprecedented heights of un-rhyme and un-rhythm, but because it inspired in him the requisite heights of un-reason.

"Man for the field and woman for the hearth," wrote the parson's desk-bound son; "Man for the sword and for the needle she," proclaimed the ex-soldier who never met an enemy;
"Man with the head and woman with the heart," declared the man who never could remember where he had lost his money and his manuscript; "man to command and woman to obey," announced the in-and-out-inmate of mental institution after mental institution; "all else is confusion," concluded poor confused Alfred Lord Tennyson."

And, I might add, besides the apostle John, who was the only one with the guts to remain with Mary and the other women - where where those other 11 guys? One offed himself, and the other 10 were cowering, hiding from "the Jews" wondering how to make a quick exit stage left, as soon as John escorts Mary back so she can sit shiva.

[Aloise later goes into high gear in this same and gives gives St. Paul the best smack-down, EVAH - that I've seen . I'd first read this essay of hers when I was in my late teens, and had been doing a burn re: Paul since my early teenaged years when I'd first read Corinthians. I keep meaning to get around to posting that part of the essay, but for now this will do.]

Zero's ABCs

2010-01-25T12:29:00.000-08:00

Not original by me, but I spotted it on the internet:

"The teleprompter is to help Bambi with his abc’s presentation. A is for affirmative-action. B is for Blame Bush. C is for Communism. D is for dictator. E is for entitlement. F is really B-plus. G is for Geithner. H is for hustler. I is for me, me, me. J is for jiving ya. K is for Kenyan. L is for lame duck. M is for madrassas. N is for what I can say (but you can’t). O is for me, me, me. P is for poseur. Q is for quota. R is for race card. S is for Sasquatch. T is for teleprompter. U inherit my wild spending. V is for vacation, vacation,vacation. W is my scapegoat. X is Tiger’s private life. Y am I still president? Z is for zip, zerO-bama. ?? Now you know your ABC’s… riding Scare Force One sure beats doing work to me. "

[]Zippy used a teleprompter today to speak to a group of grade school kids. Apparently it's the only place where a captive audience can get detention for not booing him.]

Zero prefers dead babies

2010-01-23T10:40:00.000-08:00

....to live ones....because you see, "wanted" babies have a right to "life-liberty-and-the-pursuit of happiness" unless, of course, the mother wants to get rid of the baby..

Here's the opening paragraph from the Kenyan's praise of the 37th anniversary (Jan 22, 1973) of the most despicable decision the US Supreme court ever made:

"Today we recognize the 37th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, which affirms every woman's fundamental constitutional right to choose whether to have an abortion, as well as each American's right to privacy from government intrusion. I have, and continue to, support these constitutional rights."

But then what would one expect of people who think the court used as "argument" for upholding it.

Maybe some day Zero will be roasting wieners with "catholic" William Brennan.

This is also in keeping with Zero, the Illinois political hack, who was one of the few to vote to allow aborted babies who managed to stay alive to be left in a sheet to die in a closet. Move along, nothing to see here .... only millions of dead babies and a politician with his nose in the air.

It's lost on Zero that his patron saint, Margaret Sanger, wanted those of "inferior races" like him not to be born. Direct quote of hers: "Colored people are like human weeds and are to be exterminated."

Text of Roe vs. Wade here.

Don't be afraid to vote YOUR morals at the ballot box -- the heathens will be voting theirs.

Mahony out sooner than expect?

2010-01-21T21:22:00.000-08:00

I ran across this blog entry which claims that Cardinal Mahony of Los Angeles will be GONE before his expected retirement in Feb. 2011 -- apparently he will soon receive a co-adjutor shortly.

Apparently some panty twisters in Los Angeles are concerned the new Cardinal will be "more conservative" -- Well, DUH, nearly ANYONE would be.

I guess they can kiss their Jan 1. "why do we need Mass that day" GOODBYE.

I love the smell of tea in the harbor in the morning....

2010-01-19T19:14:00.001-08:00

It smells .... like .... VICTORY -- Thank you, Massachusetts. On to California in November and Boxer can slide into the Mary Jo Kopeckne seat next to Teddy and Coakley.

Dash the tyrants heads against the Dartmouth

2010-01-19T06:54:00.000-08:00

Good people of Massachusetts, throw off the shackles of the dopes with the chains. Send their arrogant asses packing. Show the teabaggies the bottom of the Boston Harbor.

IF YOU MUST CRAWL OVER BROKEN GLASS IN THE SNOW TO VOTE FOR SCOTT BROWN -- DO IT FOR YOUR COUNTRY - DO IT FOR YOUR POSTERITY!

GET OUT YOUR CAMERAS AND RECORD ANY DEMO THUG TACTICS.

Guilty, as Charged

2010-01-16T18:15:00.000-08:00

Blonde Women Born to Be Warrior Princesses [Times, UK]

"IT really is a case of blonde ambition. Women with fair hair are more aggressive and determined to get their own way than brunettes or redheads, according to a study by the University of California. Researchers claim that blondes are more likely to display a “warlike” streak because they attract more attention than other women and are used to getting their own way — the so-called “princess effect”. "

At least it's official. Full story here.

[All I can say is this witch of a doll was "asking for it."]

Martha Coakley: Practising Catholics shouldn't work in Emergency Rooms

2010-01-16T16:48:00.000-08:00

In case you missed it, she doesn't think practising Catholics should be working in emergency rooms. ?You see, they might not want to help someone kill a growning child.

Massachusetts democraps....a special breed. May their political days be numbered.

Watch for the Dems. to sleeze Obomination death care through any way they can. From denying to seat Scott Brown should he win, or even overturning long standing senate rules to resolve Obomination by "reconciliationb" with no additional vote required or even changing the filibuster rule which as been a long standing senate tradition.

They don't care if they lie, steal elections, or cheat to do it.

Massachusetts, send this woman packing. May she slide in to the Mary Jo sweat of Teddy's Oldsmobile.

[Note to my foreign readers, and also US citizens who have been living under a rock: Martha is running against republican challenger Scott Brown. Internal polling in both camps seems to indicate that Brown has a lead [maybe not enough of a lead to overcome union thug, Acorn, and "good ole boy "'rat tactics" but enough of them to put fear in to the demo machine. The election is this coming Tuesday, and if the dems in the state elect a republican there is NO WAY this will not send a frission through the jackass party. The last to admit it, of course, will be "Baghdad Zero" -- kind of like the Ceausescus never saw it coming either.]

Who delivered Baby Jesus?

2010-01-02T13:30:00.001-08:00

I've always wondered about this. I have a hard time believing Mary would have delivered Him herself. I think we can eliminate St. Joseph, as that wouldn't really have been considered "men's work" at the time.

And then I suppose it depends which account of the gospels you want to go on. given the two different versions - I suspect either "the innkeeper's wife" [I would think this would be a skill an innkeeper's wife might well have had, given the numerous traveller's and situations such a person might have encountered] OR perhaps, Mary's kinswoman, Elizabeth? If Mary had gone to assist Elizabeth )and I'm not saying she delivered John, either) perhaps Elizabeth returned the favor, coming in her time of need to help out?

How privileged that unknown person was to have been the first besides the BVM to touch the "Word made flesh."