Summer work

I have discovered that as I get older I have slow down just a bit. I posted an entry on the outdoors - about getting outside. So to continue....

The other day my wife and I spend the day cutting the grass. 

I find a great deal of satisfaction in accomplishing this summer work. Its physical, its therapeutic and keeps me young. I'm in my late 50's and still able to do this summer work. We are one of the few people in our neighborhood who actually still cut their on grass. I thank God for my physical health. 

Birds

One of my past times outdoors is watching birds at our feeders. I guess it is a hobby spending time enjoy Gods creation.  

Here is a list is some of the birds that frequent feeders daily

• Cardinals
• Blue Jays
• Chickadees
• House Finches
• Purple Finches
• Goldfinches
• Towhee
• Song Sparrow
• White-throated Sparrow
• Junco
• Titmouse
• Red-breasted Nuthatch
• Caroline Wren
• House Wren
• Mockingbird
• Brown Thrasher
• Cedar Waxwing
• Red-wing Blackbird
• Grackle
• Brown-headed Cowbird
• Starling
• Mourning Dove
• White wing Dove
• Hummingbird
• Downy woodpecker

My wife and I have even acquired the skill of being able to ID the birds by their song at our favorite place to sit a watch on the back porch 

More to come on birds and the back porch

Southern Funeral

I live in a major southern city and it still amazes me with all the people that have move here from other states that our southern ways still hold on.

One Saturday afternoon, I'm driving around working on my to-do-list. I noticed the traffic was starting to back-up. On the opposite side of the road was a funeral procession and out of respect for the dead everyone stop their cars and waited for the procession to pass. 

Its a southern thing - Respect for the dead.    

The Flag and the NFL

I like football. I mostly watch college ball lately because in recent years of what the NFL has done and approved of with the actions of there players. 

Here's the deal. I hope that one day I will watch NFL football again, but they will have to redeem themselves. If there is one thing the represents this country its the American Flag, don't disrespect it. 

NFL Draft

The NFL Draft was in town this past week-end. This pic somewhat describes the craziness of the Draft.

More about the NFL in a later post......

Health

Just a short comment on being in good health.

I thank God for my good health. I posted yesterday about being outdoors and it is one thing I do not take for granted.

The physical ability to work outside is something I look forward to after the cold winter months.

Outdoors

The weather is warming up and it is time to be outdoors. 

This is at least a reason why I haven't posted much this month. 

You need to be outside and to enjoy Gods creation. If you don't have a job outdoors and you are stuck inside for whatever reason you need those rays of sunshine.  

Spring - the second renewal

Spring is the second renewal

We usually think of January as the time of the year for us to start a new with our resolutions which is true, we usually do. But Spring can also do the same as we transition from the harsh winter months to the renewal of spring. We can renew ourselves. 

We are coming to the end of Lent, a time of reflection and preparation for the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday. 

Take this time of the year to re-commit ourselves to God in prayer and to continue throughout the year.   

Technology

Will the advancement of technology ever slow down?

The changes that are currently in place with technology are advancing to the point where the mobile phones we buy today will be obsolete in a few months.

When will it slow down?

I realize the smart phone will always be in the improvement stage because that is what generates sales. 

But, technology like self driving cars, medical devices, security systems all have liability issues. 

Can we trust that the research has been complete.

Is it safe?

It Will Work Out

Have you ever wanted something to change?

- job
- apartment or house
- health
- relationships

And the list could go on an on.

Sometimes, we can control what happens in our life and other things we can't. When we are faced with those issues we can't control, we have to have faith it will work out. I know the statement seems general, but if you have faith in God and believe your concerns should go away just ask him. Prayer is the start for us asking God what we want, but remember we are just asking and sometimes God has a different opinion on what is best for us. We might think we know what is best, but God is the one in charge and that will not change.

Aging

The aging process is so gradual that I think most of us don't even realize as each year passes there is a very small part of our youth that goes away forever, that is the physical part. Even highly trained athletes will eventually lose the physical strength they once had in competition. 

The mental state, however I believe can stay youthful if we continue to use it to think through complex thought processes. We can also remember our youth. The good memories we had as kids. 

I believe that age is a state of mind, but not the physical part. Our physical part will age no matter how old we think we are and our minds can stay sharp and remember.   

Lent

Lent starts this Wednesday. 

Have you reflected on what you are going to to do?

• Give up something
• Take on a particular task
•  Pray more
• Go to Mass during the week (Monday - Friday)
• Give Alms

and the list could go on but the important thing to remember is Christ died on the cross for us. When we sacrifice something during the next few weeks, we can show our love to God.

#576

Steam Engine #576 

Good Times Bad Times

These are the good times of our life.

For some people they would say this is the worst of times, but that depends on how you look at it and compare it to history.

Some examples of the worst of time historically:

• Rule of the Roman Empire 
• The Black Plague
• Yellow Fever
• Two - World Wars
• The Civil War
• Slavery

Yes, we have had bad times but every generation has to deal with the bad. 

My point here is, its tough living in the world today. And we will get through this time with prayer and looking for the good.

The Library

The Public Library is the internet of the past. The time before computers, the library was the only real source of any information. Anyone in school who had to research a particular topic had to go to a brick and mortar building, look through hundreds of paper cards in the card catalog. (a large wooden box). You would go flip each card to find the dewy decimal number assigned to the book you wanted. Then you proceeded to find the book only to discover it was not what you were looking for and the cycle started all over again with the card catalog. 

Now-days, this seems old, but at the time it was a well-organized system of looking for books and information. Libraries across the nation are combining old with the new. Now computers have replaced the card catalog, but you still have to find your book. 

I still enjoy having an actual book in my hand. There is something about turning the pages that are reminiscent of researching a topic. The turning of pages back and forth to make sure you understood the words on the page. 

If you haven't been in a while, go to your local library you might discover something new.

Conservatism

Conservatism - just some points in what I believe

First the definition

From Websters Dictionary:  

conservatism noun

con·​ser·​va·​tism | \ kən-ˈsər-və-ˌti-zəm  \

Definition of conservatism 

1 capitalized

a: the principles and policies of a Conservative party

b: the Conservative party

2a: disposition in politics to preserve what is established

b: a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change

specifically: such a philosophy calling for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs (such as retirement income or health-care coverage)

3: the tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change

religious conservatism

cultural conservatism


God 
     I would think that most Judeo-Christians would have this on their list. But some are luke-warm in their faith and do not subscribe to all the moral points of their faith. I chose God as my moral compass.

Family 
      This includes all of those family members as well as those very close to me.  

Country
      I have always remained a patriot to the United States. Even when the political winds change I hold on to my conservative beliefs and work at changing or at least giving my opinion to those who disagree.

US Military
      This includes law enforcement and all those who serve and protect.

The Bill of Rights

      https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript

New Year

It's a new year and a new hope for things to come. Every year people set their resolutions and goals and only to come to an end in six months with nothing accomplished. Why are we so driven to do this in January? Well, it is a new beginning and we want to change some things about our lives. If you have made those resolutions stick with it you'll be a better person.     

Tis the Season

Just some thoughts on the greeting Merry Christmas. I remember a time when that was the only greeting you used during this time of the year because most people recognized the season of Christmas as the time to remember Christ birth. Nowadays it seems to be a term that is not a greeting or phrase to say. It is acceptable to use Happy Holidays instead. This is a very generic term and does not acknowledge Christ in any way. And for those of us who say Merry Christmas, we are looking as if we are out of the ordinary. 

One thing that comes from this time of year is for those who do not go to church on a regular basis will usually go on Christmas day. I always hope that Christ will infuse into their hearts a new faith and the faith that would carry them throughout the year. I believe if non-believers would attend church on a regular basis then on Christmas or Easter it would only strengthen their faith. I know in order to do this, it takes commitment, with going to church every Sunday. This process is only one of many steps to bring those non-believers who say Happy Holidays back to the faith. 

Suitcase Photos

I went to the flea market the other day and while browsing the various vendors I noticed a suitcase full of photos of people. These were not famous people, just average folks. Most of the pictures were taken 50 or 60 years ago.  As I flipped through them, I wondered about who they were and if those in the pictures still had relatives around. I know when I come across my own black and white pictures, I realize these are my one and only pictures of the past. Unlike today where pictures are stored on some device or on the internet. I also wondered if some of my own pictures will end up in a similar suitcase at a flea market. It is sad to think that those pictures had a story behind them, but because they have been separated the story will never be told.  

Advent

Advent is the liturgical season to renew. 

Most people would think the first few weeks of December as the Christmas season. Well, I guess so. But up to the actual day of Christmas, it is the Advent season. This is the liturgical time of preparation for the day we celebrate Christ coming into our world. This is the time for renewal - the time to start a new self.  

Just like we make New Years resolutions, we can do the same for our Christian life. 

Here is a list of some possible ways to start the new liturgical year.

• Pray the Rosary
• Go to Mass during the week (Monday-Friday)
• Pray Novenas
• Visit the sick or elderly
• Go to confession once a month
• Pray the Liturgy of the Hours