Friday, July 31,2009

It is so good to be home. The house is a mess, I have a ton of stuff to do, I'm behind already, and I love it! Tonight Melisa and Justin are hosting a cookout. Our halibut will be featured. We will be celebrating Kelli's birthday - albeit a bit late.

Had a practice session with Jennifer last night. At one time we suspended practice sessions in favor of tapes that the cantors could work with. It didn't pan out and last night was an example of why it didn't. We love to visit. LOL! I think I enjoy cantor practice even more since retiring since I don't have the day-to-day contact with people. I am an introvert by nature, but 13 years of working in the school moved me more toward the extrovert side of the spectrum.

I made a batch of candles yesterday. Broke every rule in the book because it's been a while. All of them turned out except 2 that had sink holes. I forgot to check the temperature of the wax before I poured. It certainly doesn't take long to get out of the groove.

On today's agenda is an early morning walk/run followed by helping Harold get old bottles out of the basement. He has decided not to make wine anymore. I am hoping that the sink down there will be restored to use so that I don't have to run up and down the stairs to wash my hands - particularly on days when I have to measure soaping oils.

I received the first of our fall craft show applications and the copy proof for our stocking ad in Country Sampler. We need to get cracking on our stocking production.

When we were in Alaska I visited a couple of quilt shops. I found some very nice wildlife prints to put in Justin's quilt.

Baby Madison is going to be baptized on August 30 and Kelli said she would like it if I made her dress. It's been so long, but I would love to do it. I am going to move that machine to the basement and ask Harold if he will rig up some light for me. Oh, and Melisa bought a knitting machine for 15 dollars! It's a Singer 700. The carriage alone is worth several hundred. Ask me how I know? She got a very sweet deal!!!


Word of the day:
Friday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest (1491-1556)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 13:54-58.

He came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, "Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house." And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Monday, July 27, day 13 in the motor home

Got up about 6:00 this morning. As Dad was coming back from his shower he spotted a black bear out in front of the RV park. We looked for him as we were driving out but never saw him again. (the bear, not Dad)

We drove toward Seward and stopped at the Exit glacier. We hiked a little over a mile to get there. It was raining. Hard! I found out that though my jacket is rainproof, it is not waterproof. We got soaked. Other than that, it was a fun hike.

Back on the road, we stopped into a gift shop on our way to Seward. This is where we met the “awesome gift shop girls.” (Hi Heather and Meghan!) We should have gotten a picture of them together, but we didn’t think of it. In fact, we had to get Meghan’s picture on our way back through.












Next we went to the Marine science building in Seward. Parked about ¼ mile from the building and braved the rain (sans jackets because they were soaked) to enter the museum. It was really, really cool. We got to see sea lions as they swam underwater. We also got to watch puffins dive and swim underwater. I took videos of the sea lion and of some jelly fish. I have them posted on my blog and on Photobucket. After we finished here, we again slogged ¼ mile back to the RV.



Did a little shopping and ended back up in Cooper’s landing at the same RV park we were at on Saturday night. Still haven’t gotten hold of Sarah so it looks like we won’t be seeing her.

Tomorrow we will head for Anchorage where we will look around the city and then we have to pack to come home, turn the RV in, get a taxi to the airport and head for home!!

As nice as it has been here, we have missed everyone and can’t wait to get home.

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Sunday, July 26, 2009

Ooooh, two updates sent in one day!

Sunday, July 26, 2009 - Day 12 in the motor home

Got up this morning and called Sarah. Still haven’t heard anything from her either by email or by phone. It’s beginning to look like we’re not going to be able to see her.

We pulled out of the RV park this morning and headed for the sports shop to buy a can of bear spray. The guy in the store said you need the spray or a gun. I thought we got taken until I noticed a lot of other people had them. The reason we needed the spray is that we were going on a hike along the Russian Falls road in hopes of seeing bears. There was a long line going into the park. You had to pay $11.00 to park there and then it was another $45 for the bear spray. Since the park was full, we had to park a quarter mile away from the entrance to the trail. On the way we picked up a hitchhiker named Danny who was headed to the same parking lot. (Alaska is NOT like Michigan). We pulled into the Pink Salmon lot and said good-bye to Danny. Then we hiked another 2 ½ miles along the trail to the lookout platform. Never did see a bear, but saw a ton of salmon jumping out of the water, trying to beat the falls. And we saw Danny hopping up and down the steep embankments like a mountain goat. I’ll bet he got some great pictures. We stayed a while trying to get pics of the salmon jumping but they were too fast for us. We headed back to the RV with a nice little 6 mile hike under our belts.

When we got back we tried to call Sarah again - just her voice mail. We decided to head for Seward - about 60 miles away - and that’s where we are now - at the Bear Creek RV park. Not very picturesque and not our favorite of the places we’ve stayed, but the WIFI is free so I‘m good to go.

Just to warn you, Dad’s new mantra is “What would Miles do?” He fancies himself quite the wilderness guy now. I fondly remember the days when Grandpa Caputo was his role model.

This is a pic of the kind of view we had along the hiking trail.

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Sunday, July 26, 2009

Logs sent to kids:

Thursday, July 23, day 9 in the motor home

Started out the day doing laundry. This Laundromat had to be seen to be believed. There was coffee, free WIFI, and about a zillion people. The washers and dryers faced each other so if there were 2 people using washers and another 2 drying, it got to be a pretty tight fit.

We stopped at a little woodcarvers mall. We went into a jerky shop and got to talking with a man who started a program where they ship jerky out to the troops. It all started when a couple of moms came in to buy some for their sons. Two days later the president of the Wounded Warriors entered the shop and from there the program has grown. We took some cool pics at the woodcarvers mall and you can see them on the photo bucket site.

We watched some people cutting and cleaning clams. That was pretty interesting to watch. Dad will probably go clamming tomorrow.

We got to Homer Spit RV park at about 4:00. Turns out we do have electric and wifi because Dad didn’t get the spot right down by the beach. We get 2 hours of complimentary wifi. We walked down to see the boat we’ll be on and stopped at the fish cleaning station to watch them cleaning fish. We went through some shops which is usually my thing, but my back is tight and I don’t want to risk having it go out tomorrow.

Melisa we mailed home some packages - do not open them tee hee, but know that they will be coming. No, it’s not our dirty clothes - yet.
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Friday, July 24, day 10 in the motor home:

Got up at 4:45 this morning to board the charter boat. We lugged along a cooler, lunch, rain gear, camera, and other assorted necessities. Our fishing buddies were Marie and Sammie from Atlanta Georgia, and Jack and his son-in-law David, plus our captain, Bob Ward. We rode for about an hour on the ocean and saw a bear on the shore. Dad took a pic, but it was fuzzy because it was raining out.

When we got to our fishing spot, Bob set the anchor and got each of us set up. Jack caught the first fish before anyone else's hook was baited. My first fish was 17” and I kept it because I thought that was good. I found out later that it was the smallest any of us caught. My next catch was over 25 pounds and I’m pretty sure it was the biggest catch of the day. Dad caught several and threw them back before catching his 2 big ones.

I was soaked to the skin. I think because I was sitting, the water didn’t roll off my suit.
It was exciting, but I don’t think fishing will be a regular thing for me. This was great though.

We got back in around 11:00 and got our picture taken and watched the guys cut up the fish. Then we headed back to Soldatna where we are staying at the Edgewater RV resort.


A-Ward Charters
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Saturday, July 25, 2009 - Day 11 in the motor home

Not much to report today. We loafed around the trailer park in Soldotna - not really loafed, just weren’t in any big hurry. Dad is reading a book! Let me repeat that, Dad is reading a book. He spent about an hour before he went up to take a shower. After getting stuff put away we headed up town where we met Dad’s cousin Theresa and her boyfriend Kim. We ate at a little microbrewery while Dad and Theresa reminisced about the old days. The restaurant was really cool! After that we went with them to a bazaar that Kim’s mother was at. Dad bought 10 tickets for a drawing for a quilt but he didn’t win.

We are now at an RV park in Cooper’s landing and Dad is frying up some of the Halibut we caught. This is the most expensive place we’ve been yet. $5.00 for a shower, sheesh. We opted to forego tomorrow’s shower and spend the money on internet access. Any news from home? It’s what we look for first thing when we log on.

Update:
As I was working on the computer, Dad came running in and told me to follow him down to the river. The attached pic should pretty much tell the story.

Wednesday, July 22, 20069

Here are the last two logs I sent the kids.

Tuesday, July 21, day 7 in the motor home

Today started out uneventful enough. We got on the road about 8:30 this morning. Dad wanted to stop at the Bureau of Land Management. He was in there an hour (I’ll just be right back). When he finally came back I found out he was trying to stake a gold claim. Turns out it was a little more complicated than he figured so that dream is out the window. (It wasn’t a lifelong dream, I don’t think - just an idea he got from an RV park neighbor.)

We continued on to the North Pole. Hit a bit of a snag there because some bright person thought it would be a good idea to put an expressway smack dab through the middle of town. We circled twice before we found the visitors center. There was a couple there from Rose City who know Aunt Molly and Uncle Tom. Small world. We took a few pictures and then headed over to the Santa Store where we got to sit on Santa’s lap. That is the first and only picture you will ever see of me sitting on Santa’s lap.


We looked around there for a while and then headed for Delta Junction. (We ate breakfast at 8:00 - it is now 12:00) We get about 30 minutes down the road and Dad wants me to take a picture. I take the picture (I take really good pictures) and then went to put the camera in the case. Hmmmmm, where is the camera case? Not where it should be. Guess where it was - back at the visitors center where we took a picture. We had both cameras, but the case had batteries and a battery charger that Dad had bought so back we went to the visitor center. Once there, Dad had to wait in line. (Now it is 1:00) We got back on the road at 1:30 (no lunch yet). We headed for the junction again. A 3 hour stretch of driving with no civilization in sight. Lots of mountains and beautiful scenery, but no people, no gas stations, no nothing. At 3:00 it occurs to dad that we should probably eat so he breaks out the cheezits. At 3:30 I gave up the idea of lunch and ate a bagel with peanut butter and some frozen grapes. (thank goodness we were in a motor home).

As we headed for Paxon, an oncoming vehicle flashed his lights at us. A little further down the road we found out why. There was a moose. He crossed from my side of the road over to Dad’s side. We got a picture. Cool!!!




Another 2 hours and we rolled into Paxon. Very weird little restaurant. Hamburgers were 10 dollars. We ordered fries ($5.00 each), not the best thing for my blood sugar, but the cheapest on the menu. We split a diet coke. Later Dad told me that he saw the cashier - a rather rotund older man - wander into the kitchen and help himself to some of our fries. Hmmmmm. After that another hour or 2 of nobody in sight. (Guess that’s why they can get 10 bucks for a hamburger at “la café Paxon.”

We finally found an RV park in Glenn Allen. Wifi and the works. Hooha

Gotta go - Dad wants on the computer.

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Wednesday, July 22, day 8 in the motor home

Not much to report today. We’ve been on the road most of it. Ran into a lot of construction and delays. Dad saw a bear, but I didn’t turn quick enough to see it. Spent a lot of time going in circles thanks to Lady Garmin who didn’t seem to know which end was up. We are now at the Moose River campgrounds 7 miles outside of Soldatna. We had to do a lot of backtracking to find this place. The WIFI is not a great connection but it’s better than the one we’ll have tomorrow night. The RV park we’re staying in has the great attraction of “having your face right in it.” I’m not sure what that means except that there will be no electricity or WIFI. Not my favorite combo. However, we stopped at JoAnn’s today and got some yarn and crochet hooks. Made the construction stops a little less boring.

We also stopped at a hardware store to buy some boots for “clamming.” Now I’ll have boots to get out to the saphouse when the mud is bad. We still haven’t seen Sarah. I sent her an email, but she hasn’t responded. I am really hoping that we’ll get to stop in, but if it interferes with vacation, we won’t be stopping.

I think this is the first day that we haven’t done any sightseeing at all - just a long day of driving. Lots of mountains with clouds circling around them.

Six more days and we’ll be on our way home!!

Monday, July 20, 2009

Here is yesterday's log that was sent to the kids:
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Sunday, July 19, day 5 in the motor home

We woke up this morning and had pancakes and maple syrup for breakfast. We walked to church about 3 blocks. It was a tiny church - 8 pews, 20 people, 4 of them visitors. After Mass we were invited to the room behind the church for juice and visiting. One family had 8 kids. I talked with the father and the priest while Dad visited with the administrator and a couple of other people. The priest was a fan of bishop Untener so we had some common ground for a conversation.

We got back from 11:00 oclock Mass at about 2:30. Then we met a character that lives behind the RV park. He is an author. Dad bought his books. This guy is a real character. He is a Grizzly Adams type. He and his girlfriend took us on a tour of their place. (Think Summerton). Miles and Irene make their living by selling artifacts, jewelry, and by cleaning and restoring skulls. Irene was going to show me the maggot room where they put the skulls so the maggots can eat the meat, but I declined. Miles has a website you may find very interesting. Miles of Alaska. The tour of Miles’ and Irene’s grounds was probably the most interesting tour we’ve been on.

From the RV park you could see the smoke from the wildfires. When you look at the pictures I’ve attached, know that those are not clouds you are looking at - it is smoke. The man at the visitor center (think Donny Courter with black hair) told us that in about 4 hours that smoke would be pretty close to Nenana. We took some pics on the way outta Dodge.

We are now in an RV park in Fairbanks. We ended up back to back with a couple we met on the cruise.




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Word of the Day
Monday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Margaret of Antioch, Virgin and Martyr, St. Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 12:38-42.

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." He said to them in reply, "An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here. At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.

Sunday, July 19,2009

Here are the logs for the Friday and Saturday of our trip.

Friday, day 3 in the motor home

We started out this morning with a walk through Talkeetna. Talkeetna was the inpiration for the town in Northern Exposure. Lots of little shops with lots of hand-made stuff. In one shop I found hand-made soap which the owner made. It was fun to talk shop with her. In one shop I found some soap bars packaged as end lots. They had a tag that said “Moose Stakes.” It was a cute way to sell off the odds and ends, but it was $18 for the pound bag - and it was melt and pour soap.

We left Talkeetna and headed north for Denali. We got here about 5:00 our time. We signed up for a 10 hour tour tomorrow. At the RV park there were books that you could take and exchange. I will have some reading material for the tour. (Anna, I finished the Randy Alcorn book - you got me hooked on a new author). Right now I am reading a biography on Sarah Palin. It is fascinating. It’s cool to read about places she lives and works. The feelings towards her are mixed. The Alaskans we’ve talked to think she’s great, but the people from out of state say that the Alaskans are mad at her. Hmmmmmm.

We’ve been looking for Mt. McKinley, but I’m thinking if you have to ask yourself, “is that it?” it probably isn't. Mt. McKinley was originally called Deenaalee - meaning “Tall One.” I can’t remember who it was that changed the name to McKinley. The park itself remains “Denali.”

It’s really windy up here tonight. Our motor home is overlooking a very steep drop to a river. Makes me a little nervous.

Tomorrow we leave the visitor center at 6:45 for the tour. We need to pack a lunch and drinks.

No internet here so you won’t get this in a timely fashion.


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Saturday, July 18, day 3 in the motor home

We got up this morning at 5:45 to take a bus tour through Denali National Park. I was a little cynical about taking such a long bus ride (10 hours) but it went really fast. We got a lot of great shots of Mt. McKinley. Our bus driver was Cissy McDonald. She reminds me a lot of Chris McCarthy. Our bus mates were really cool. There was an Eastern Indian family from Texas - 16 of them. There was another family traveling together who were Philippino, and also from Texas. There were assorted other people too, but these were the people we talked to the most.

We saw the back end of a moose (Dad saw the whole moose). Dad also saw a couple of “bear” rocks. There were Dall Sheep, but I didn’t see them. We saw caribou, ground squirrels, and a grizzly bear with her cubs. We saw bald eagles and golden eagles. We had breathtaking scenery for the whole trip. The road was cut into the side of a mountain. The plane ride didn’t scare me, but the view from our bus window sure did.

In Alaska, the state flower is the Forget-me-not, but the most plentiful flower is the Fireweed. Fireweed appears when there has been a fire or some kind of disturbance to the land.

After the tour we headed north and are now in an RV park in Nenana. The couple who own it are really nice - Judy and Larry. They live in Florida except for tourist season when they run this place. Judy is making her first quilt so we had a nice talk about quilting. She said there is a quilt shop - Northern Threads- in Fairbanks. You can bet that’s on my list of must-sees.

Be sure and check our photo bucket page for some shots from today.
Our Alaska pictures

the password is visitor

Friday, July 17, 2009

Here are the logs I have sent the kids so far.

Monday - Sitka
Today we docked in Sitka. At this port there is no dock. The ship is anchored and then we get on small boats called “Tenders” which ferry us to the mainland. It’s about a 10 minute ride. We boarded ours at about 8:30. When we came on deck, there was a girl selling boat tours to see whales, puffins, sea lions, hopefully a bear or two. We didn’t see bears, but we saw lots of the rest of the stuff. Our tour guide took us inside the magma chamber of an old volcano. The tide was low and we could see orange and purple starfish on the “cave” walls. The were sponges and anemones in layers of colors - pink, purple, red. It was really cool. Unfortunately we only got them on the flip video because the batteries in Dad’s camera died.

After the fishing boat tour went to a drug store for ice cream. Earlier in the day we had been there while waiting for our fishing boat tour. We watched them make their own waffles for the waffle cones. We had our ice cream in those handmade waffle cones. After that we watched a Russian folk dancing group at a nearby museum. It was really great. Then we crossed the street to the Russian Orthodox Cathedral. It is a beautiful church.

We got back to the ship at about 3:00. Jean didn’t join us for dinner. She overdid things a bit and needed a rest. Dave, Dad, and I shared a table with a couple from Florida. They were very interesting to talk to.

Dad’s getting ready to head down to the black jack table. I am reading a great book and I think that’s what I’ll be doing tonight. Tomorrow morning we have a disembarking meeting. It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is the last full day of the cruise. Today was our last port of call.

Love you all,

Mom
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Tuesday: No Port of Call - 36 hours of sailing
As I write this, we are near the glaciers. I just saw a beautiful ice blue glacier outside the window of our state room.

I started off today by packing my stuff. I like to get that out of the way and not have it hanging over my head. At 10:00 this morning we went to a presentation on disembarking. Tomorrow the cruise is over. It went by at lightening speed.

After the presentation we went to the “up close magic show” and Dad learned some cool tricks that I bet he can’t wait to show you.

Tonight we have to have our large suitcases tagged and outside our door to be picked up after midnight. The rest we will carry. We will probably mail home our used clothes the day before we head home. That way we will have room for any stuff we collect along the way.

Melisa, the duffel bag you loaned us will become a carry-on for the trip home.

We will probably get on tonight and try and send some glacier pics to you.
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Wednesday - - Anchorage

We got up at our wake-up call - 4:30 - and ate breakfast in the dining room. We shared our table with Margaret and Tom, and with Dorcas and Bud - both couples were from California. We were told we would be disembarking at around 9:00. We got back up to our room around 7:30 and Dad just happened to hear an announcement outside the room. They were calling our group to disembark. We headed off the ship for the last time and boarded a bus that would take us to the airport in Anchorage.

At the airport we collected our bags and waited at the departure terminal for our ride from ABC Motor Home Rentals. While we were waiting, we witnessed two prisoners accompanied by wardens who would be flying out. When they emerged from the van they were wearing yellow jumpsuits with "Prisoner" printed on the back. They were handcuffed and then they were chained. Next they were dressed in jackets that hid the "Prisoner" and their handcuffed hands. It was interesting to say the least.

We spoke briefly with a young couple from Ireland who had just returned from a motor home trip. The general consensus seems to be that Denali is cool - Fairbanks sucks.

We went to the motor home rental place and picked up our wheels for the duration of the trip. We tried to call Sarah Sparks, but got their answering machine. Hopefully we will be in touch with them soon.

Next we went to Fred Meyer (sp?) - a lot like Meijer’s at home. Stocked up on food and headed to the Laundromat. In the mall was a JoAnns. We also passed a Michaels. We went to McDonald’s to see if we could connect there, but they charge $2.95 plus tax for 2 hours. Not bad considering what we paid on the ship, but we didn’t want to hang around McDonald’s for 2 hours. After leaving McD’s we went to the Native Alaskan museum but got there just as they were getting ready to close.

As I write this we are in the motor home and the generator is charging. Dad is going to check to see if there is a charge for internet access here. If so, you will get this in a timely manner. If not, it will be old news. LOL!

Love the pictures of Maddie. You guys CAN email us. We may not see it right away, but a note when we can would be really great.

Okay, Dad just came back. We signed up for a day for $10.00. Cool beans. However, it is midnight where you are so you won’t see this until you wake up.
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Thursday - Day 2 in the motor home

Traveling in a motor home is interesting to say the least. We started today with a shower.
Okay, do you all remember the scene from Everybody Love Raymond where they are in Italy and he is taking a bath and his old aunt comes in and starts washing him with the handheld shower? It’s pretty much like that without the bathtub. Well, there is a bathtub, but I wouldn’t call it that. The attached pic makes it look a lot bigger.

We talked to Sarah Sparks this morning. We will probably stop by and see her next Monday. We got on the road at about 9:00 this morning. Our first stop was at the Mat-Su Valley visitors center. Dad wanted to see the research farm but it is no longer operational. They used to grow 18-20 pound cabbages, 160 pound watermelons, 300 pound pumpkins because of the long hours of daylight. While he was talking inside, I went outside and explored the grounds. There was a beautiful memorial to the area vets. I was also able to connect this morning so you got a short email.

After leaving the center, we went to the Iditarod Headquarters. It was quite interesting. For ten dollars a person, you could ride on a sled for a quarter mile. We passed on that. There was a really cool video about Lance Mackey, cancer survivor and 3 time Iditarod winner. I took Dad’s picture with his dad who was also an Iditarod winner.

We went to lunch at a Mexican restaurant. The owner would break out in song every few minutes or so. The food was really good.

From there we went to the Wasilla museum. There is a quilting group that meets there. The picture I’m sending is of a quilt that one of the members pieced and and quilted. We saw a lot of antiques and another video of the Iditarod. This one was much more interesting because you got to see the race up close and personal from the viewpoint of the “mushers.” It just so happens that Sarah Palin’s mother-in-law works there as a volunteer. Remember I told you we had Mexican for lunch? It came home to roost just as Mrs. Palin was coming down to leave. I was making a beeline for the bathroom so there went my chance to meet her. Darn!!!

From there we headed out to find a campground for the night. Had to stop for ice cream of course.

And that brings us here in Talkeetna where we are getting ready to turn in for the night.

So far we have been lucky to have access. When we get to Denali, we probably won’t, but then I didn’t expect to have it as much as we have.

Up here in Alaska there is 18 ½ hours of daylight per day. The weather is like June back home.
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I will be back to my regular blogging schedule when we return home.

blessings to all!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 - Happy Birthday, Beeps!

Well, here I sit in the Grand Rapids airport waiting to board for my first flight ever. I think the thing that was stressing me out was the packing and check-in process. So far everything has gone well. I am actually able to connect here in the airport. I couldn't get it to work yesterday. I don't know how often I'll be able to get on during the trip, but for now I'm golden. :)





Tuesday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Pantaenus, Father of the Church, (+ c. 216)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 9:32-38.

As they were going out, a demoniac who could not speak was brought to him, and when the demon was driven out the mute person spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He drives out demons by the prince of demons." Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest."

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Yesterday was one of those days that is totally great from start to finish! The day began with a trip down to Nina and Jamie's house. I road down with Anna, Kelli, and baby Madison. Nina made a fantastic meal of bake barbecue chicken, hot dogs, steamed vegetables, and corn on the cob. Anna brought coleslaw and eclair cake. Jamie's mom and grandma were there. Sam and Harold came a little later because they went fishing in the morning. We all had a great time eating and visiting. We had to leave earlier than I would have liked because I had to head back to Alma for 4:30 Mass.

After Mass, Harold, Anna, and I headed to Mt. Pleasant for the fireworks display. We went to Kohl's on the way to get Harold some shirts and pants for Alaska. I bought an outfit too, and some other things I need for the trip.

We met Sam, Kelli, and baby, and Kelli's parents Gary and Jan in the big field south of the casino. It was fabulous. We could see 3 different fireworks shows.

Word of the day:
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Priest (1502-1539)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 6:1-6.

He departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house." So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. He went around to the villages in the vicinity teaching.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Happy Birthday, America!!!!

Word of the day:
Saturday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Elizabeth of Portugal (1271-1336)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 9:14-17.

Then the disciples of John approached him and said, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast (much), but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved."


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Thursday, July 2, 2009

I was up way too early this morning. Once I wake up, I don't go back to sleep.

I was AWOL yesterday. I am trying to get our two computers to connect through the card that Anna installed. I still haven't pinpointed the problem although the connection icon is now green. I'm guessing that means I'm a little closer. Harold has discovered online auctions and computer access has been a bit of a bone of contention lately. He swears he's not becoming an internet junkie, but I know the signs. LOL!


Word of the day:
Thursday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Bernardino Realino, Priest (1530-1616
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 9:1-8.

He entered a boat, made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven." At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" --he then said to the paralytic, "Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to human beings.


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