| ANNE RICE IS NOT CATHOLIC ANYMORE.... [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
7/30/2010 |
| |
Just reporting the news -
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2010/07/anne-rice-catholic-/1
From the article:
"Novelist Anne Rice says she's quit being a Christian but hanging on to Christ. She's just fed up with his followers."
Honestly, I am as well. I am fed up with many fellow Catholics, many other Christians and many wanna-be Christians who want to change the rules, make it up as they go along and get a pass for every clear break from Christ.
But, I am also fed up with myself.
I wonder if Christ is fed up with us?
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| ARE YOU AS TIRED OF STATING THE OBVIOUS AS I AM? [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
7/30/2010 |
| |
In my last post, about "The Kids are All Right" I felt the need to qualify my last statement.
When I first wrote it, I wrote the simple statement "Kids are better off with a father". I intended to leave it at that BUT....
Over years of blogging and commenting on others sites and blogs, I have found it necessary to explain the obvious and qualify what should not need explaining.
I am so annoyed by others who, when you state something as simple as 'kids need their father' will immediately bring up all those scenarios we KNOW are not healthy. You know, the 'what if's' that do occur but not as commonly as many would think.
"What if the father is a serial killer?" "What if he is a drug lord?" and more.
Obviously, when an intelligent person writes a statement such as I did, I know that an unhealthy father will lead to an unhealthy family. My statement is not meant to include such scenarios.
I am merely stating that in 'most' cases, cutting a father (or mother) off from their children by the mere fact of a divorce or otherwise is not healthy.
Arggh!
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| I ALSO LIKE A GOOD MOVIE [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
7/30/2010 |
| |
but won't be going to see "The Kids are All Right" this weekend.
The movie stars Annette Benning, Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo. I am not a fan of either of the women but really do like Mark Ruffalo (from "13 going on 30" and "Just Like Heaven" both favorites here).
Anyways, the new movie, if you have missed the commercials tells the story of a 'gay marriage' between the two women who find themselves in the mid-marriage funk. Their two children seek out their father (sperm donor).
Amazingly - at least from the story line I've found on-line and from commercials - the family is reinvigorated by the inclusion of the FATHER!!!
I am actually stunned by the fact that they went with this storyline (from a best-selling book). Do they even realize what they are saying - a family that is better off when the father is involved. How remarkable! How old-fashioned!
I always find it amusing when movies that want to be so modern, so progressive end up making quite a traditional point (wether they intend to or not). In this case - it seems - the children and even the women find new focus and new energy because the father of the children becomes a part of their lives.
I won't even go into the truth of marriage but just state the obvious - baring criminal behavior, immoral conduct and otherwise being lousy - kids are better off with a dad.
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| I LIKE A GOOD MYSTERY [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
7/30/2010 |
| |
especially a real one! Check out this real life mystery, around a real painting, real thieves and a real monk (not even albino).
I have little hope that Tom Hanks or Ron Howard is interested in tell this story and would hope that Mr. Brown would keep his little mind and little fingers off of it.
But, think of the movie it would make -
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/features/2010/07/29/the-friar-and-the-caravaggio-thieves/
"The friar and the Caravaggio thieves
Meet the Maltese priest at the heart a sting operation which saved a precious painting of St Jerome"
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| SPEAKING OF WEDDINGS [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
7/29/2010 |
| |
Cheslea Clinton is getting married this weekend (may she and her honey get 26 years+ like Matt and I). Its going to be very understated, elegant, but befitting a royal wedding for the U.S., wedding planner Claudia Hanlin said on TODAY.
I do not begrudge her a beautiful wedding as every bride deserves what she wants but..... And I am sure the guests (over 500 I have read) are grateful she (or rather Bill) is spending $15K on toilets but....
In truth, my own wedding was minimalist to a fault (where the stupidity I previously mentioned is really embarrassing). But, I cannot imagine spending $600K on tents alone.
I can only hope she and her husband-to-be gain in their marriage what Matt and I have. Money does not matter where it is really important in a marriage and I know that for a fact!
May God watch over them as they venture forth and may they open their hearts, lives (and bedroom) over to His plan and protection.
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| PERSONAL REFLECTIONS ON A 26 YEAR OLD MARRIAGE [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
7/29/2010 |
| |
Forgive my personal indulgence but yesterday Matt and I celebrated 26 years of marriage. Wow! In a day when many/most marriages barely seem to last more than a decade, our 26 years seems more than unusual.
But what really makes our marriage stand out is that we had every reason and excuse NOT to stay married. Early in our marriage we could have easily sought an annulment. Not that we may have been granted one mind you, but we had reason enough to seek one had we wanted.
If you go to this link you will see a quick list of the reasons for annulment:
http://www.marriage-relationships.com/marriage_annulment.html
Matt and I could have easily argued for a few of those conditions had we so desired (I'll leave the reasons up to you to guess, but I am sure you will be able to.)
But, we didn't. Why? Honestly, because we were as stubborn about staying married as we were about getting married. We were both young enough and stupid enough to think we 'knew it all' both before and after our marriage.
This stubbornness and stupidity (what do they say about God loving 'stupid animals') was actually a protection for us. We were going to hack it out in order to prove others wrong. While friends and family thought we would be divorced by the end of our first year we were determined not to!
And, in time, we were able - only by God's loving mercy and grace - to grow into the sacrament we were given. The sacrament gave us grace we did not always recognize but was always present. God working, behind the scenes, so to speak on our souls and in our lives. He loves to secretly give what you do not even see, but is exactly what you need.
Matt and I lovingly say that our marriage is the best mistake we made. And every mistake we make (you make) is one that can be remedied and returned to God for His attention.
It was not easy to lay claim to the sacrament God intended us to have, but we were willing to do the...
Read the complete entry...
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| IT IS TIME FOR MY COUNTY FAIR ..... [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
7/26/2010 |
| |
We are planning on going to our county fair sometime this week.
The kids are all excited for the rides - merry-go-round, little roller coasters, etc. The shows - this year is featuring "The Flying Dog Show" which I can only imagine. They love seeing the animals, and the booths for free balloons and more.
BUT they are also eager for our favorite 'fried dough' and 'funnel cakes'. We also have a booth or two that does the weird such as 'fried twinkies' but I'm not venturing towards those or any of these:
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/strangest-state-fair-food/1
The Strangest State Fair Food List.
If anyone reading this had eaten, or knows anyone who has, any of these absolutely ridiculous food items let me know.
Come on, people, DEEP FRIED BUTTER??!!!
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| I COULD HAVE WRITTEN THIS ARTICLE MYSELF... [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
7/26/2010 |
| |
Please check out Janet Smilth's excellent piece over at the Register,
www.ncregister.com
Green Sex vs. Pink Viagra
I agree completely - on every aspect of this article - every single part including (and especially) this:
"The one couple who had four children and were expecting a fifth, were a little pudgy, a little bargain-shoppish in appearance and a little financially stressed. They listened to their siblings and their spouses with incomprehension; their sex life, interrupted not uncommonly by sick or needy kids, was frequent and satisfying. The fatigue of home schooling and stretching a limited income had not encroached upon their lovemaking."
Enough said!
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| REVIVING FRIDAY SACRIFICES [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
7/23/2010 |
| |
Do any of you keep the Friday "Meatless" Fast? I will admit we don't regularly. We are culturally Catholic in that regard but certain situations in my family have made me decide to revive it.
These situations are with extended family members rather than my own children/husband but still cause me sorrow and concern (prayers are welcome).
I was considering what concrete sacrifice I could do for this situation - and in that it is Friday - thought of meatless. It is not as if it is really hard anymore as pizza and grilled cheese are easy enough and always welcomed.
I also know that my four oldest children all do meatless as a part of their religious lives so I can be with them spiritually in this as I was when I wore skirts every day for a year as my daughters do. (I still wear skirts most days but not every day).
I am pondering what to do as daily fast/sacrifice for this family situation and would welcome suggestions as I tend to think of things that really aren't that hard but easily fit into my life.
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| LET THE FRIDAY FUN BEGIN....... :-) [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
7/23/2010 |
| |
'Corpse flower' bloom could stink up Texas wedding' -
From MSNBC - "The flower girl at Jessica Zabala's wedding is purple, six-feet-tall, uninvited and smells like dead bodies.
She is Lois, a rare "corpse flower," deemed the world's stinkiest bud.
Lois is unexpectedly blooming in the Houston Museum of Natural Science, in the room right next to where Zabala is marrying Jonathan Smith on Saturday.
"I don't need a florist anymore," Zabala laughs. "I've got Lois."
Read the full story here: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38376749
But in short, the flower looks like it is getting ready to burst and if it should, the smell would ruin a very happy day. Neither the museum or the couple could have known or anticipated this so they're all crossing their fingers.
AND this one:
Beer in Dead Animals -
"You'd expect a lot from a bottle of beer costing $765. What you get is 55 percent alcohol and served in a squirrel."
Think of the dead animal as a beer cozy - surrounding the bottle of this overly expensive beer.
Full story - http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38376048/ns/us_news-weird_news/
Having a husband and brothers who love beer and a brother who is a trained taxidermist, I could help but laugh and consider the options.
We could have Tom (the brother) make the cozies and then Matt (the husband) put any number of beers within. I am thinking that more common beers (such as Coors or Bud) would be best served in a common animal such as the squirrel but for more exotic beers (such as can be found at our local beer place) in more exotic animals such as a - koala???
I KNOW, I KNOW - eeewww and gross and so inappropriate but growing up with six brothers I couldn't help myself. I just started laughing and thinking how I could work this into my stand-up routine.
I won't pursue the business of the beer cozies or as a stand-up comedian but I will give you the site to one of the...
Read the complete entry...
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
| WHAT TO POST SOMETHING THAT MIGHT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? [Rachel Watkins] |
| |
7/22/2010 |
| |
Is your family planning up to God, you, or your doctor's God?
This leading question comes from USAToday's Faith and Reason column.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2010/07/the-pill-god-sex-family-planning-catholic/1
I love that the word 'catholic' even comes up in the http address!!
The article is brief and is written to create conversation - consider joining in.
|
| |
E-Mail
Author |
| |
|
Return to top of page.
|
| Pastoral Solutions
Institute Resources |
|
| Recommended Reading |
|
| |
| Contributors |
|
| Links |
Coming soon...
|
This site designed and powered by the Ridgefield
Group. |
|
