For you foreigners.....here is an English lesson for you

Ah....Rome

Fireworks in London

The Sidney Fireworks for 2011/12

and what did you have?

Not the caviar. The dog was faster. My friend had little Prince on her lap and when the caviar was served he jumped on the table and licked the plate clean. We just about died laughing. We could laugh because it was not the real thing but I certainly had never thought it would become dog food! If it had been real caviar I think I would have slaughtered the dog or it would have been grilled dog stuffed with caviar.
We finished a bottle of champagne from the year 2000. It was still good.
Happy New Year 2012 to all.

What are friends for?

God gave us friends to compensate us for our families.

Funny

Someone told me today I was funny. Now that was funny.

The Grand Prize

for the weirdest musical video for the year. I think she is talking about me. Watch it. Funny!

Packed

Went to see my friend who has made some slight improvements. Afterwards to Whole Foods. It was packed. Worse than at Christmas. Bought a bunch of ready made fancy spreads and small sweet tarts. So I am all set for tonight. They sold American Caviar - cheap. Well I bought a small container. The Russian stuff would give you nosebleed PLUS I would never buy it anyway. Probably from some polluted lake or fake as well but sold as the real thing. So tonight we will have cheap fish eggs labelled as caviar and imitation champagne from America as well. Have to support the American economy somehow. Fish and grapes - so very biblical. Where is the bread? No bread tonight. Let us eat cake.

Happy New Year

My Aussie friend and I plan to celebrate tonight between 7 and 8 pm. Yes, like the midnight Masses, we are moving it forward. I found a bottle of sparking wine going back to "mother." Time we drank it. Now I will see a sick friend and get some dessert, go to late afternoon Mass, and enjoy the evening.

OK now I am getting really homesick

That's it for today

Werzalit comes from an area that I know very well

http://www.werzalit.com/en/

This is Heimat

Liturgy of the Hours

I love the Liturgy of the Hours now that I can turn on the I-pad, click on the apps, turn off the light and pray along in the dark and go to sleep. No more page turning. The apps also play hymns and I can hum along. Previously, even if I knew the melody, I could not sing, because I sing off key. The only melody that I know for sure is Joyful, Joyful. So I sang everything to Joyful, Joyful although I hate Joyful, Joyful.

Kleptomaniac

I have a tendency to put small objects that are loose into my purse. So usually pens end up there. No, in this country one does not have to steal pens. They are cheap. People give them away. I don't even remember that I did what I did when I do it. Don't you love this sentence! Occasionally I clean out my purse and there is a pen that looks strange: Buddies Rib Place. Never was there. Probably got it from another place where it was lying around. Yesterday I noticed a pew card in my purse. What in the......Have no recollection that I took it. Don't need it and don't want it and will take it back on Monday. I can just imagine somebody watching me and thinking: Why is Lara stuffing a pew card into her purse? Well, Lara wonders, too. There is no answer. Or there is: absentminded, daydreamer.

Bed Bath and Beyond

Beyond WHAT? Death? Probably. Anything you buy has a half life of at least fifty years. I was over there today to look for a container for my lava lamp. Came home with two containers that might, might work and a bunch of dog toys. No, the dogs did not need any. Also got a few stuffed mice. They will be kept in reserve for other projects. They always come handy. How could one not have a few extra stuffed mice in reserve for emergencies?

And THIS is the largest bell in the world

Petersglocke in Koeln....Home of the relics of the Three Kings.....Bet you did not know this.

One of the five biggest bells in the World - this one in Vienna

Old Pummerin

The Pummerin being transported to the cathedral in 1711

The old Pummerin was originally cast in 1705 from 208 of the 300 cannon captured from theMuslim invaders in the Second Turkish Siege of Vienna.

The church bell cost 19,400 florins to cast. Images of St. Joseph, St. Mary as the Immaculate Conception, and St. Leopold adorned the bell. These figures bore the arms of Bohemia,Hungary, the Holy Roman Empire, and Austria.

It had a diameter of 3.16 meters (2 centimeters more than the New Pummerin), with a pitch of B(a half-tone lower than the New Pummerin).

On December 15, 1711, Bishop Franz Ferdinand Freiherr von Rummel consecrated the bell, which was then installed in the lower part of the high south tower of the cathedral. It rang for the first time on January 26, 1712 to mark the entry of Charles VI to Vienna from Frankfurt after his coronation as Emperor.

It took a quarter-hour for 16 men pulling on the bell rope to swing the heavy bell back-and-forth enough before the clapper would strike. But the forces from swinging the 22,500 kg (49,600 lb) bell endangered the structure of the beloved tower, so in 1878 Friedrich von Schmidt, the cathedral's architect, ordered that it be rung only by pulling its clapper, instead of being swung.

A photo of it in place shows how the Old Pummerin was then borne by wooden rails on which its lip rested. When it was to be rung, the rails had to be lowered away from it by turning jackscrews, and then eight men pulled on the two ropes attached to its heavy clapper. The Old Pummerin last sounded on Easter 1937. A fire caused by war-time looters of near-by shops destroyed the bell when its wooden cradle burned through and the bell crashed onto the stone floor of the south tower on April 12, 1945.

[edit]New Pummerin

Pummerin is the third largest swinging bell in Europe

The new Pummerin (officially named for St. Mary) was a gift from the province of Upper Austriaand was cast on 5 September 1951 in St. Florian, Upper Austria from the Old Pummerin's metal (supplemented by metal from some of the remaining captured Turkish cannons at Vienna's Heeresgeschichtliches Museum military museum).

At 20,130 kg (44,380 lb) (without the clapper weighs 813 kg), the new Pummerin is the largest bell in Austria and the third largest swinging bell in Europe after the 23,500 kg (51,810 lb) Peterin Cologne Cathedral and the 22,700 kg Maria Dolens in Rovereto, Italy. The new bell has a diameter of 3.14 meters (10 ft 4 in) and a height of 2.94 meters.

The bell bears three reliefs showing the Blessed Virgin as the Immaculate Conception, a scene from the Ottoman siege of Vienna (1683), and a scene of the conflagration in 1945. Like the Old Pummerin, the heads of Turks adorn the brackets at the top, and an interlocking square chain design decorates the bottom rim.

It arrived in Vienna on 26 April 1952 and was consecrated by Cardinal Theodor Innitzer that same day. It rang for the first time the next day at a Pontifical High Mass, but from the cathedral's building yard where it remained until its new home was completed.

The cathedral authorities wanted the main bell to again be a traditional swinging bell, so it was decided to design the new bell this way, and (because its old home in the south tower had already been proven too vulnerable) to hang it in the shorter, but sturdier, north tower. Repair of the landmark south tower had been given higher priority, so the north tower was not ready to receive its new tenant until five years later. The new Pummerin was driven through the Giant's Door on the west front and installed on a steel structure within the north tower on 5 October 1957.

The Pummerin sounds on only a few special occasions such as high Catholic holidays, state funerals, and at the beginning of the New Year, when it is broadcast on national television. To minimize excess vibrations of the supporting structure, since 2003 the bell's electrical swinging mechanism has been carefully controlled by a computer.

An elevator takes visitors up the 68 meters to the bell.

The Black Hood coming.......

Looks like the Black Hood from overseas will arrive here towards the end of January and stay for three weeks. I will bring him to the temple. Perhaps the Rabbi will let him concelebrate. His English is very good. I am really happy that he can visit his Mom.

The project

Hmmm. I sent in the outline today by e-mail as requested. Now in the New Year the heavy lifting will start. So much to do until April 30. That is the deadline. Then I will have to defend it in July.....After that I can sit back and relax. Was it worth it? By all means. Will start my masters after that. Being in a program gives me structure.

Christmas Decorations

The nun decorated her house from the soles of her feet to top of her head. Two balloon like characters are in the front lawn. The snow man has a hole or had too many martinis. He is unsteady on his feet. There are so many Santas inside, you get dizzy counting. Toy trains, toy houses, toys-I-can't-remember. I have a wreath at the door, wanted to do more outside, never got around to it. I don't have any balloon characters but I have some outdoor lights which are still in the basement. May be next year. The tree looks lovely but that is it also for the inside. Really very simple. Every year I want to do more on the inside as well but that never happens either. One year I did a lot of decorating inside and the dog ate the pine cone wreath on the coffee table. I had mulch in my living room from one end to the other. Since then I have been very careful what I put on the coffee table at ANY time. Bought a poinsettia but then decided to give it away. I usually get one from a parish when they throw them out and it lasts until summer. And so it goes.....fallala, fallala, fa la la.

....and the winner is

My favorite writer is not Schiller who wrote the words to Joyful, Joyful, not Goethe who wrote Goetz von Berlichingen, not the Grinch who wrote How the grinch who stole Christmas. What did you think the gringe would write? It is Dave Barry.....I like his association of words to different meanings. Always liked him. I wish I could be a writer like him.

Morning prayer and breakfast

Today was the only chance in the whole liturgical year that the homily could have been about me: the holy innocent. Well, nobody talked about me. The Deacon talked about John. Otherwise all was fine. We prayed for Rabbi Seligmann and his family. He will be very much in my prayers today. Very small group for breakfast and we went to Grafters. I was asked where the funeral was. So I said that I did not know and as far as I knew it was family only. Apparently two parishioners were going anyway. So I was told. I got the impression that the people going were perceived to be in the "inner" circle. Had to smile (to myself).
Ran into the Queen this morning taking pictures. Asked her that if she did another morning prayer - she did not do the one this morning - I would like to give the mini homily - if she did not mind. She agreed. We shall see.

Grandkids

Nice late lunch with the grandkids - one related to mother. Two not related but "adopted." It is a blended family like a lot of families. Chinese food. Good choice. After all the Christmas food, I liked eating tofu. Grandson going back to school to get his MBA. He wants to travel in the old country. Told him to get a Euro railpass here and stay in Youth Hostels over there. Cheapest way to travel that I can think of.

Florence

Florence died. The funeral was today. The cantor announced the first hymn. Gave us the wrong page. We are all turning pages trying to find hymn on right page. Rabbi passes. Thinks we are demented. Gives us with finger signals the page number - still wrong number. Lucky for him it was not hymn number one and he did not use the middle finger. A few seconds later he too looks through the book trying to find the hymn. We are now thrown off our routine. When we find the hymn we can just sing the last word and it is finished. The Rabbi starts with the service. We are so rattled that we forget his spirit. We have been pretty good with his spirit. We recover for his next few spirits. Nice sermon by Rabbi. He is stressed, too. Mentions the dead of the current year. Mentions Bill Gates. Mental review on my part: did Bill Gates die over night? Think he wanted to mentioned Steve Jobs. Perhaps we switched from the dead to the living? Don't know.
God: Florence, what makes you think you can come here?
Florence: My pastor mentioned Bill Gates at my funeral.
God: In that case, you can sit in the front row. If he messes up my operating system, I am dead and we can change places.

Funeral Masses

I don't like to go to funeral Masses in lieu of a regular Mass because they are longer and later in the day but tomorrow I am going. Little old lady died who has no relatives. Now that is a MUST do. Afterwards I am seeing one of "mother's" grandkids for a Christmas lunch.

I won't eat another bite for three days

That is what we all said yesterday and this morning after bringing Holy Communion to a friend, I ended up at the Diner for a late breakfast. By myself. It was packed. Yesterday three women got together who not only were born in three different countries but on three different continents. Two of us are Catholic and the third one is something undefined. The Australian always hosts the Christmas dinner. There were so many dishes that we totally forgot to sample one. Sampling we did. The two dogs circled us and begged with their eyes. When a crab ball hors d'oeuvres fell off the toothpick it turned out the pooches did not like crab meat. Silly dogs! The other two drank red wine and I had my Diet Coke. Did not want to get another headache. It was so funny to see them get silly. I took home a leftover packet for today with delicious ham.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent with the Brown Hoods and was it ever so special. The guardian is going to Altoetting next year, another very brainy Hood is being transferred to Jerusalem to a retreat center. Wow! I would love to spend some time in a retreat there. Many Spanish brothers in residence. We sang Silent Night in English and Spanish. When Fr. Meniskus was still there we sang one verse in German. I missed that. I sang it to myself later on. My friend and I were asked to bring the gifts forward. I had never done that that there. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

Little Bernie

I called little Bernie this morning and he was adament that there was no Mass. He had "heard" it on Christmas Day apparently. So I did not pick him up. I thought there was Mass and for once I was right. Does not happen too often these days.

The Bells of Christmas

One of my favorite bell videos

This silly shoe is causing a riot

 Police is using pepper spray and people fight over this shoe. It is called an Air Jordan. Only airheads buy it.

Dying

I woke up this morning late and then went to my computer and there was the message I dreaded to get: Mom has died. So I am sitting here and the tears are flowing. I will remember the family in my prayers. Tonight I will be at the Capuchin's as usual and all my prayers will be offered up for the her there.

Mothers

It is always sad when mothers die. There is one mother whom I really don't know but I know her son and the mother is dying. I will continue to pray for her.

This year

This year is coming to an end. Many changes. The best one has been my new parish. The worst that one that one of my closest friends died and my spiritual director got transferred.

Drrrooling

I am drooling over the Samsung Galaxy Nexus phone. I'd like to see how fast it is with my I-pad as a hotspot. I will check it out in January.....I got a new phone last February. No my old plan got to last for another 13 months and who knows by that time something else may be out. I like T-Mobile as a phone service provider only because it is the  only provider in the old country. It is OK here.....

Christmas party

I went to a 7 a.m Christmas party today at the Diner. It was lovely. Usually it has been in the condo of one of my friends but she had a flood recently and nobody was prepared to host the party. So we met at the Diner where we always meet every Friday morning. At Christmas time everyone comes.....

the rehab

I watched my friend in rehab today. Pretty much a rip-off. I was ticked? Better: pissed! Here comes this guy and tells her to excercise her arm with a one pound weight: 30 times up and down. She starts. He walks away. She cannot count to 30 yet. At each excercise he just starts her and walks away. She stops every time at 15 and I continue with her so she finishes at 30. Needless to say, she would not have had much of a workout had I not been there. Even worse with the woman next to my friend whom he also "supervised." Her 10 workouts never got beyond one or two. She stopped and fell asleep. After a while he turned to her and started another excercise. Tells her to do ten, turns away, she does two and just sits there until the "next" excercise.

The car

The car had a routine medical appointment. So I went to the car wash first. You would not go to the doctor unwashed - would you?
Two hours later I got the car back. It needed a PCV or PVC valve - whatever that is. Thirty-eight bucks. About eight bucks for the part and the rest labor. My car friend in Canada would groan.

Christmas Letters

I almost finished my "this country" Christmas cards and letters. The letter is brief. Nobody wants to know that your great grandson lost his front teeth in April. They don't even know the names of your children.......This is different with the "rest of the world" Christmas cards and letters. They want to know everything in detail. So tomorrow I will translate for the rest of the world and embelish......
"In May the door of one of my kitchen cabinets fell off. Two old bones were found in the yard - hidden since last year."
It will be three pages long and no detail will be overlooked. Well, perhaps two pages.....

The funeral

I went to a funeral today. Another person went south. It is the season for it. I did not get home until close to 3 p.m. This was however one of the nicest funerals I have attended. First of all the present pastor and the previous pastor were not there. The previous-previous pastor officiated with the current deacon. So all was well with me. The pastor did a lovely eulogy and one son spoke. The couple had ten children and 33 grandchildren sang on the altar at the end. Full sit down luncheon at a close by golf course and open bar!
Wrote some more cards tonight. The overseas letters have to go out.....

and now say grace

http://www.dogwork.com/prybrme8/

876

Yes there were 876 page views last month. Funny where they come from. Obviously most from the US but some from Russia, Europe, Egypt.....You figure. So if you happen to check in, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Rabbi Seligmann

Happy Birthday Rabbi Seligmann. I will sing the Dreidle song in your honor today.

Visiting Sams and thinking of Christmas

I went to Sams today. I needed three things. THREE. I needed coffee and tea for a homeless project in my church and I needed Q-tips for the dogs. Yes, they get dirty ears. I came out of Sams with a shopping cart full of things. Tuna fish, a large pack of macaroni, a large container of snacks. I did not need the snacks. I needed the container to make a homemade lava lamp, well, better than making homemade firecrackers. I got oil - for the lava lamp. I got dried cherries. I like cherries. I tried them once I got home. Too sweet. They obviously added sugar. More Christmas cards. They will be useful. I am just writing mine now. "No net hudla!" Chlorox wipes. They are for the dogs, too. Cleans up any messes nicely. The rest I don't even remember. The other day I found a Christmas present for someone that was unique and he already got a Christmas present - so this will be a lay away in the closet for next year. I think sometimes when the designers of goofy stuff get together, they have me in mind. "Think of Lara!" She will buy this stuff. I just printed out 20 more of my Christmas letters. Back to writing......

Web Page and other stuff

I am crawling along with my web page design. Today I made some progress. Went to morning prayer. Very nice and the nativity was up which is nice. One of the nicer ones I have seen. One of our last acts at the Church of the Seven Flags was to donate a nativity set. Never a thank you. Oh well. By that time we were starting to have difficulties with each other but he took the gift. Wrote a few Christmas cards this evening. Will so more tomorrow. Time to relax and read some.

2013

I was thinking today of 2013. Flying into Munich. Two or three days in Munich - a must. Then to Altoetting. How many days left? I don't know

Dying fast and dying slow.

Another friend went to the Lord today. An elderly lady who has been sick for years. So there will be another funeral at the Church of the Seven Flags next week. Joy to the World! Tonight I went to see my friend in the rehab facility. Not sure I am doing any good but I think so. I did not stay long. Christmas tree looks very nice in the dark. One can see it through the window although it is in the back of the room. Tomorrow I am going to start writing Christmas mail. I spent all morning helping another friend with her pension plan affairs. She gets confused. I hate making all these phone calls but I know what I am doing and she doesn't. Most of what needed to be done is done. One more call perhaps on Monday and I can let her stuff go until the New Year. If there is a webpage saint I need him or her badly. I am stuck! Really stuck! I used to do this kind of work years ago but that was in the stone age of web page design. Things have changed and there is something I am obviously missing. I went through three fat books yesterday and none of them addressed my problem. I think on Monday I will have to find someone for hire. I hate to do this but I am wasting too much time and getting nowhere.

My Christmas Tree

My Christmas Tree is going up and a friend brought over a meat slicer and I have been slicing my Italian sausage super thin and I am eating it on a baguette and it is heavenly.....The dogs can sniff the meat but I feed them pieces of the bread when they come begging.
I don't like my Christmas Tree to go up weeks before Christmas. It takes away from Advent which I love. Quiet waiting.....

The Christmas Shirt

Our Rabbi wore a Christmas shirt today. Hidden so as not to offend his mother. I think next thing he will get himself tattooed with Easter eggs.....

A story that could have come from our preschool as well - adorable!

The temple maidens

We had a good time at breakfast this morning. The group is warming up to me and I think they now feel I am part of them which is good. I gave my singing reindeer away to a little Hispanic girl at the Mac place. She was in seventh heaven. She would not let go and gave me a shy smile later on. Had also brought a door prize for our group. Something goofy of course - a small rocking, singing reindeer on a sleigh. The nun and I had gone to Hope Depot last night because I wanted to make a special Christmas present for a special person and it had to be handmade. I needed a door bell button for it. Back at home it took me some time to pry the door bell button from its housing and then I went through four, yes four ( 4) mouse traps before I got it right. Yes, I think it is funny and I am laughing now, looking at this thing. I think shall give it away tomorrow morning - if the glue is dry.

Between what?

This morning I am praying along with the Liturgy of the Hours and the music was a hymn that described Jesus being between an ox and a silly ass. I have been there, too. I have to remember this hymn!

A little bit of history

Ah......

The groomer

I just got my excercise chasing Prince around the house trying to catch him. The groomer is here and all the pooches are getting their holiday cut. Need to take pictures next week. The bunch does look adorable when they are freshly groomed.

How to fix a good eggnog

Folks I have the perfect recipe. Buy the eggnog, pour it into cups and top it off with Benedictine and Brandy (B and B - it is One liquor, not two, and readily available at any liquor store). The perfect drink. It emulsifies instantly. No stirring needed and is ever so smooth. It was invented a Benedictine monk when Benedictine monks really did useful things. Everyone drank a cup last night. Unfortunately, the hostess with the mostess had an extra cup left over after everyone left and oh, it was not going down the sink and so I drank it. That did me in. I have to be super careful with my alcohol consumption. All the liquors in the house are still from mother. Mother had an iron stomach and could drink anything. Mother could get drunk but never, never sick. It was amazing.

Santa Lucia in Sweden

This is a big feast day in Sweden. The oldest daughter of the house goes around with a lit wreath on her head and wakes everyone up in the morning. Light in darkness - a foretaste of Christmas

Headache

Oh Lord, do I have a headache this morning! I know I can't drink. Two cups of spiked eggnog did the trick. OK little Bernie I will see you this morning. I hope nobody asks me to read this morning as I will fall with my head into the Gospel book. OK. Steady, one step at a time. Where is the wall? Where is the hot tea to get me out of this? I need St. Lucy this morning. I can't open my eyes.

Eggnog

Wow, the eggnog is woozing up my head. I still have some more to drink before my cup runnest empty. I usually don't drink. I hope I don't get a migraine tomorrow. Right now it feels good. Bye-bye Little Bernie. I may never see you again. Bye-bye.

The social Gathering

We had our last social gathering tonight and finished Revelation. A lot of things get revealed under the influence of eggnog and B and B. We all had a real good time. People enjoy coming here.

The Black Hoods

Yesterday during my Black Hood meeting the name of Raymond E. Brown came up. Actually our Black Hood leader did not like him that much. Something about his Bible research into the historic Jesus that was too much into the history and not enough into what??? Don't know actually. I was so stunned I stopped thinking. I always thought that Raymond E. Brown was venerated by all for the work he did. I also thought that there was not too much modern research until Brown and et al stepped up. I was sort of puzzled and am still puzzled. I will need to call my bible expert in Florida and find out what he thinks of Raymond E. Brown. There is a seminary in Baltimore that has all his papers and added a room for him. Now what? Raymond E. Brown books into the storage closet? Boy would I like to have a spiritual director to just discuss this kind of stuff. A few years ago the Baltimoreans had a special lecture day or days honoring Raymond E. Brown. Bible scholars from the whole world came. I went one day. Big mistake. It was way over my head. Every sentence was in English, German, Hebrew and Greek. I kid you not. A mishmash of every biblical language and some modern ones in every sentence. However, the gathering of scholars at that meeting made me think Raymond E. Brown was hot stuff among those circles.

The Nephew

The nephew called today. That part is really sweet of him. He does call his auntie. What is not so sweet is that he  is a professed atheist. Then again he was never taught anything. Don't know if he was baptized. Right now he is in Portugal. I asked him if was was in Fatima. He said he was years ago. That would have just been a visit out of curiosity not religiosity. Sort of a visit as in: "What are the natives doing here?" He has colon cancer that is in remission and for a fleeting moment I thought he might turn to religion when his cancer was detected but that fleet came and went. The fleet sailed away.
He has two sisters. One is perennially unemployed which is not a bad lifestyle where she lives and the other sister does work and with children in social services. I could not do this kind of work. Their mother died perhaps ten years ago. Subsequently father (my brother) and children were at each other's throat. Their father died two years ago. Not sure anyone bothered to go to the funeral but I can't blame the children. Some people do not get Alzheimers but in old age present themselves with a stubbornness that is against all common sense. My brother was one of them.
We cannot choose our relatives.

Merry Christmas

Advent colors

I was in Canada yesterday and on the way back home there were all these people walking who worship the football and many of them wore Advent colors. How appropriate.
The nun had given me over 50 bags of goodies and so I went to Canada again although I had just been there the week before. This time it was just me but that never bothered me. The homeless were very grateful. Each bag had canned goods and men's underwear. Very nice and underwear is difficult to get as a donation. The Mass the at Super Temple was also very nice. I never realized how loud the organ is on the outside as one exists.

New announcement before Mass

Please turn off your cell phones and children or put them on vibrate so as to not disturb the liturgy.

Our Rabbi visiting das Christkind

Our Rabbi visited a Christkindlmarkt in Alaska. I never knew there were any there. Christkindl became Chris Kringle here in the United States somehow. You figure. From a child to a man just by crossing the ocean. Must have been a loooong sea voyage. My presents also come from the Christkind. I already got one present. A gourmet type of Italian sausage. Supposedly. I wrote the Christkind over the Internet. The Christkind still wanted my credit card. The sausage came to the front door. I tried a small piece. Not what I expected. How does one arrange for a sausage exchange for a sausage that has already a piece missing? I don't think the Christkind exchanges sausages. I think the Christkind has some prophetic Christmas wisdom for me: "Learn your lesson!"

What drives me crazy

Not many things but one thing drives me supercrazy, CRAZY. That is when somebody finds religion in numbers. On a personal level someone has been nasty to me but it would not look good to ignore me in public so they wave to me and say sweet nothings while surrounded by other people. Happened recently again at a funeral. The guy wrote me an e-mail once that he was scared of me (laugh right here) and did not really want any contact with me and now he playfully touched me on the shoulder, telling me he was glad to see me. He never apologized for the e-mail he sent me previously which was rather stupid if you know me. He never took it back. So I wrote him a very nice e-mail telling him that as long as his previous communication was in force to please ignore me in public. "It's a more honest relationship" when I am ignored in public by these holy men.

Racing

Going to Canada in a few minutes to hand out more goodies to the homeless. Last time this year. This afternoon I have a Black Hood congregational meeting. Last one this year, too. One cup of tea and I am off.

How to make an e-book

Don't know if it works but here are the tips of the day:

 

Answer: Start with a converter program like Calibre. It can turn TXT, ODT and PDF files into common e-book formats. You could also use an e-book-creation programs like Sigil. To create an e-book for the Kindle, use Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing service. Visit http://www.komando.com/news to find links to all these programs and services.

How well have you trained your children?

What language do you speak before you disappear?

My local paper had an article on bi-lingual education for tots. So this is what they printed:
"The "!Vamonos! Let's Go!" CDs with Dora and Diego have been played so many times that finally they must be summarily disappeared for the sake of everyone's sanity."
I wondered if the reporter got his English lessons at the pre-school, too.

Give me your beers and let me go home!

Our Holiday tips:
These are the rules and regulation when and where to drink coffee and what happens when you drink beer in a non-Jewish establishment.


Considering the long days that Mashgichim put in and the hundreds of miles that they drive daily, it is no surprise to hear that most mashgichim rely on coffee to keep them going. While caffeine is a plus for those who work in an office, for those out on the roads those 10 minute coffee stops are quite literally life savers. Let us take a moment to understand if there are any kashrus concerns with picking up a coffee while traveling on the road. This question was presented to the OU poskim Rav Schachter and Rav Belsky.

The primary ingredients in plain black coffee (water, sugar and unflavored coffee) are all group 1, acceptable from any source.

The Pri Chadash Y.D. 114:6 says that although coffee cannot be eaten raw and is served at the tables of kings, there is no issue of bishul akum. He explains that since coffee is essentially a water-based drink, since water can be drunk uncooked, coffee too is permitted.

The Gemara (Avoda Zara 31b) says that one may not drink beer in a non-Jewish establishment, since this can lead to intermarriage. One must take the beer back to their house before drinking. The Rambam says that cider may be drunk at a non-Jewish establishment since it is not as common a drink as beer. What about coffee? Rabbi Belsky said that although one may not drink coffee socially at a non-Jew’s home (see Chachmas Adam) there is no issue of drinking coffee in a store. Rabbi Schachter said that it is preferable that one wait to drink the coffee until one goes back to their car. He understood that the leniency of the Rambam was specifically on cider because it is not a common drink, but coffee today is as common as beer.

Rav Belsky said, in general there is no concern that the utensils that cooked the coffee were used with non-kosher. The coffee pot is usually rinsed out and reused, and is not sent through the dishwasher. Rabbi Schachter added that there would be reasons to be lenient even if the coffee pot was sent through the dishwasher.

Rabbi Schachter said that there is no issue of marris ayin for one to purchase coffee at a McDonalds rest stop. Rav Belsky agreed that this was permitted, but indicated that in such a case one should not sit down at the restaurant tables, which would give the appearance that one was intending to eat a meal, but rather should sit at one of the public rest stop seats. As we mentioned earlier, Rav Schachter recommended waiting to drink the coffee until one returned to their car.

Rav Belsky and Rav Schachter paskened that it is permissible to purchase coffee at a rest stop or convenience store. Rav Schachter added that even if one ordinarily would be machmir about these issues, they should not do so if they feel they are getting tired. Driving when tired, in violation of ונשמרתם מאד לנפשתיכםis much worse then drinking a cup of coffee which is מותר על פי דין.

The traffic

I drive against rush hour traffic in the morning. The other side looks worse than a sardine can. This morning it was strangely empty. Further down the road I saw why. Huge traffic accident. After that nothing but bumper to bumper traffic going nowhere. At my exit people where leaving the highway to pick up side roads.
Tonight I am staying home. Need some quality time with the dogs.

The rain in Spain

It rained cats and dogs yesterday. Went to see a friend last night who is in rehab. On the way back I could hardly see the road. Was I driving in a lane? Middle? Right? Off the road? Made a mental note never to do that again.

Little Bernie

I called Little Bernie yesterday. Wanted to know if he needed a ride to church this morning. He said he does not come to church on Thursdays. So I told him that it was a "MUST go day" in the liturgy. Feast of the Immaculate Conception. He needed to talk to his wife. She was in the shower. I went to see a sick friend. Came home and there was a message. They would both like to be driven to church this morning. No sweat. So went to pick them up this morning and he was there but not his wife. Wife did not feel good. Afterwards he asked me to drive him to 7-11 to get a newspaper. Was happy to do that because I needed my morning coffee. Got my coffee. When I came to the check-out, he had already paid for newspaper and coffee. What a sweet Little Bernie. Next pick-up date on Tuesday.

The pastoral council

I was once on a pastoral council and the stuff that drove me insane was the financial statement. I only lasted three months and then resigned. Recently I read the minutes which this church posted on the Internet and what do you know? the council is requesting more transparent minutes from the financial committee. Sometimes I am years ahead. Folks it does not pay to see through things.

The funeral

Have you ever gone to a funeral and wondered why you bothered? I went to one of those today. Husband of a past friend died. Past friend was helped at one point with many services and favors but when the tables were turned wasn't available for me. Out of obedience! I had met the husband years ago and he was a very nice person. Also, they have someone living in their house who is close to me. So I went for the husband and Gladiolous, the person who lives with them. A Catholic priest was the main homilist. He almost made me leave the Catholic faith some years back. I did not know he would be there otherwise I surely would have stayed home. There was another priest there whom I don't trust either. Both priests do things for public consumption which I detest. I am now in a parish where the priest's word is sincere. No public bull shit. Sorry it had to be said that way.

You look like.....

A French friar or a french fryer? Hard to tell!

Tomorrow

I expect this.....

and on and on

Visited my friend in the rehab today. What a sad sight. Came home and packed a few Christmas presents and not so Christmas presents that had to go out of town. Now I am getting ready for an evening board meeting. These meetings all drag on for no good reason.
A quick cup of tea and I shall be out of here.

A slight mistranslation

......and this is what happened to the responses to the New Missal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEm0_P9BuyE

Where does St. Nicholas come from?

Here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovzM5ToAoYU

If you ever want to see incredible churches go to Malta

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IepNwPXi56Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tC0uBzXEnQ&feature=related

Been there

The Hungry

I went to Canada today with a bunch of youth from our church and had them distribute various things that they had collected earlier. Four parents came along, too. The kids had a ball. One mother said to me she did not think she could do this all the time. Once we gave out socks the homeless crowded around us but I am used to it. New socks are a hot item for them to have. They are friendly and polite. Dealing with them face to face gives one a totally different picture than just running a collection drive and handing it over for someone else to distribute. Here the kids collected things and gave it out personally to the needy. We also had doughnuts, apples and oranges to give away. It was really a Christmas treat for them. They know my car. As soon as I pull up they start walking towards the car and wait for whatever we have to unload.
Service at the Basilica later - heaven on earth!

Watch Baltimore go up in paper

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkibG4x2WuA

This Trabant film was uploaded by a collector

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiTN5w3ogDg

Having a Trabant gets you noticed! 45 miles to the gallon.

Temple

I went to the temple this afternoon and planned to go to confession with the high priest. Also wanted to take my Hanukkah hamper along. I have another here but had only one ready including the most important tag. Long line, so I left again. I wondered if this was a special Buss-und-Bet Shabbat. Tomorrow is a Canada Day. Have to make new maps for the newcomers.

http://212.77.9.15/audiomp3/00291388.MP3

The story of the head of St. Andrew - a must listen. If the link does not work, go to
Vatican radio - English - Listen - Full Programme - December 2nd

Friar Paul talking

http://friarpaul.podbean.com/

This is the diocese of Mende in Papua New Guinea

Please pray for Don Lippert, OFM Cap who has just been appointed bishop of Mende

Good bye from Guadalupe

How I cried when I sang that song. It is one of the lovliest Marian songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=2s1kWVbKyCU
Here is another version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=WtJepo2_0fA

Only in Mexico

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=al_SLyRkJ3g

Go there on a Friday, stay over on Saturday, come back on Sunday. We did it a few years back. It was great.

Our Lady of Guadalupe - Feast Day coming up!

I was there. It was one of the most incredible moments in my life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=sCnSEyoqthM

12 steps not to kill your mother

Take a deep breath
Remember that your mother thinks she knows best even if she doesn't any more
Remember that she prefers all your other siblings to you or pretends to do so. You were always the problem child
Remember that she does not want to be lectured about ANYTHING at this point in her life or you might get a barage of cheap magazine in the mail where she has underlined every sentence proving that you are wrong
Remember that you can't force her to do anything
Remember to have a buffer with you when you take her out
Don't believe she is telling you the truth when she talks to you
Don't get mad at out of town relatives when they call you and inquire why you have not seen your mother in two years when in fact you just saw her six hours ago
Don't get mad at mother or she will do it again to you
Realize that behind your back she only tells good things about you to the neighbors
Realize that behind your back she only tells the neighbors how you neglect her
Call her up and tell her "I love you" and hang up quickly before you change your mind

The greeting

Fr. Meesel saw me today and said "hello Laura." It came from a safe distance and was meant for public consumption. I am still waiting for a good-bye actually.....

Are you there yet?

I went to a funeral today. At the end of the service we prayed that the deceased would give us a signal that she had arrived in heaven. It came immediately by Morse code and the fire alarm. Then her heavenly voice shouted: "Do not take the elevator." Lesson from heaven: The elevator does not take you there. Take the staircase!

Stand Training

Dear Saint Merry-Weather just called from the office to tell me that I passed my Stand training and I can pick up my certificate next time I come around and can actually stand long enough to do that. At my age Stand training becomes very important as one has a tendency to fall over more and more.
Officer: "Are you drunk Madam?"
Me: "No, No, just a bit woozy and here is my Stand training certificate."
Officer: "I will recommend you for a Lay-Low Certificate."

What is.....

Some seniors approached me in the temple yesterday and asked what the Rabbi's mother name was. I thought it Theophilia but then the Rabbi came and said it was Theodora. I was close. Sometimes I think the Rabbi still has problems with my sense of humor. We people from Kazakistan are funny - we just look stupid.

The Whipped Cream on the Cake

The whipped cream on the cake made it to the church social last night. Of course I had a whole hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament yesterday afternoon to pray for the darn cake. It was a good thing that it was cold yesterday. This is not an experiment to repeat except when it is freezing outside. Perhaps one day I shall be the Saint for the nervous and finger biting cake-with-whipped-cream makers. Everyone will ask for my intercession. I will look down on millions of cakes and frustrated cake makers begging me to help them. I will help them all. Of course I will need a break here an there with this busy schedule in heaven. So a warning. Pray that I am not on break before you start your cake. It rhymes. How convenient.

Mr. Cain

I think Mr. Cain is a has been. Another woman came forward who claimed she had a relationship with him until he started to run for president. I never knew that running for president caused a change of heart. Apparently so. I guess he thought he could be morally correct until elected. Fat chance now. Anyway, who needs another serial infidel in the White House? Never liked the 9-9-9 plan either. Looked more like 6-6-6 and that spelled Nero.