The Nnnnew Church

Yesterday we had a lovely Mass in France. It was the Feast Day of St. Louis de Montfort and the brown hoods always celebrate our annual consecration Mass with us but I tried to explain it to the branch manager and at one point he asked if that was the reason why the Big Herod had accused me of starting my own church. To say I was surprised is not even coming close. The Big Herod must be going around with this story among the clergy because the friends would never come up with nonsense like that. So picture the Church of St. Lara or the Temporary St. Lara Church (until Big Herod gets moved). I like the sound. I should have thought of it. I have a speech to give tonight at my entertainment center. It is Wednesday. I better get to it or the Church of St. Lara folds.

Can you prove that you are Catholic?

We had First Communion today. I don't think anyone in the row in front of me was Catholic except the Communion boy. Really weird. Then I went to my Third Order chapter meeting with the black hoods this afternoon. Someone came in from Snowflake land who had visited the Third Order brown hoods. Fair enough but he wanted to know if we had been approved by Rome? Holy Cow! I guess he wanted to see the endorsement by the Pope for our Black Hood Third Order chapter. We could not show it to him. I don't think he will be back. To make matters worse, we are reading a book by a black hood that nobody in the group likes. It is a book on St. Paul but it is too novel-ish for me and perhaps borderline heretical (my opinion, my opinion). Hey, none of the others like the book either including the prior of the house who is leading our group.

Past Toxic

I am coming out of my toxic state and went to our branch office this morning and to our 5 star show tonight. The branch manager is on the road looking at cars and so it was quiet. I told the troops about my trip tonight and I think they enjoyed it. Next week I am on again, talking about angels. I took Fritz with me tonight who is really well behaved and did not make a sound. I enjoyed the dogwoods in the woods today and the cherry blossoms. This is a different variety in bloom now. Very dark pink and double blooms. The dandelions are blooming in the grass, too. I have got to do something about them. Very un-American to have dandelions in your grass. Spoils the neighborhood.
The newspaper says today that torture was approved way before it was actually implemented. Well, I am happy that Bush is gone. I guess torture was pro-life in his vocabulary. We are having all sorts of people having a cow about Obama going to Notre Dame. How are we going to have a dialogue if he doesn't come?

Cold

I thought I would and could blog more about the trip but a nasty cold has descended upon me and I am toxic. Went to morning Mass and visited briefly with the money manager. Was told it was a good time to have been away because Mrs. Fritchley blew up again and the branch manager had to talk to her. We also have new candlesticks. In view that we never have any money for anything, I was surprised that we had money for those. Well, they don't look bad but it was the last thing we needed at the present time. I plan to take it easy this week. Have no choice really. I am counting my blessings that I did not get sick in Inner Mongolia. It was the most wonderful Holy Week and I will never forget it. I will pray more for Fr. Jacek and his intentions. I took off forty-four messages off my answering machine just now. Mercifully, most of it was just stuff I could delete. Fritz has gained a pound since I got him. I weighed him today on the kitchen scale. Adorable little monster. Not good news from the old country - the sister-in-law has cancer and the sweet brother has early signs of dementia. The latter according to nephew's wife. I wonder if the sweet brother is just stressed out because of his wife's condition.

The Trip

It was an incredible trip. We went to see the Black Hoods in what was formerly Outer Mongolia but now is Inner Mongolia. The greatest Easter Vigil I have ever experienced. We started at 9 p.m. and it lasted until 1 a.m. but the chorus and the band played on.....the people stayed and clapped. The music turned Klezmer....we left but we were told that the people even dance. It would not surprise me. It was totally upbeat and joyous. I dripped candle wax over everyone. Our host was Fr. Jacek. I hope will be be the first Pope from Inner/Outer Mongolia. I loved their food. My friend, the nun, loved their cheesecake. "Best cheesecake ever," she said. We saw many churches and did a side trip to Ausschwitz, Gleiwitz, Wadowice, Czestochowa and Divine Mercy. I am still brain dead but will blog some more later.

Are you abnormal?

I am realizing that all my good friends are abnormal and I like it that way. There is some English upper class eccentricity in us and one must carefully nurture it or it gets lost. I am trying to teach Fritz a few tricks but he keeps biting me. Seee....he is already learning on his own. Fritz is really upper class.

Spring is here

It is springing here. All the daffodils are out, the forsythia is in full bloom, the Bartlett pear trees are blooming, some early cherries are out. Yesterday and today I walked all three dogs at the same time. Biggest and oldest first, second in line next, and finally my fiancee. He kept up with everyone. Was I ever amazed. He also slept through the night which is great. Trying to work on taxes and sundry items before flying to Alaska next week. Looked at the weather map. They have nicer weather than we do. The nun and I went to the Squizzerino Alberto Muscatella pizza place tonight. Did not go back to the factory. Bumbed out with too much religious stuff this week. It is Lent. I am giving up religion for Lent. How is that?