“I walk before God simply, in faith, with humility and with love”

Author: Brother Lawrence | Source: www.PracticeGodsPresence.com

I walk before God simply, in faith, with humility and with love; and I apply myself diligently to do nothing and think nothing which may displease Him ... and this without any other view than purely for the love of Him, and because He deserves infinitely more.

People seek methods of learning to know God. Is it not much shorter and more direct to simply do everything for the love of Him? There is no finesse about it. One only has to do it generously and simply.

It is the Creator who teaches truth, who in one moment instructs the heart of the humble and makes him understand more about the mysteries of faith and even about Himself than if he had studied them for a long term of years.

God alone is capable of making Himself known as He really is. We search in reasoning and in sciences, as in a poor copy. What we neglect to see is God's painting Himself in the depth of our soul.

Pay little attention to the beautiful words and subtle discourse of the wise of the earth. Woe to those who look to human knowledge to satisfy their curiosity. It is the Creator who teaches the truth and instructs the heart of the humble.

In continuing the practice of conversing with God throughout each day, and quickly seeking His forgiveness when I fell or strayed, His presence has become as easy and natural to me now as it once was difficult to attain.

We are made for God alone, who can only be pleased when we turn away from ourselves to devote ourselves to Him.

I know that for the right practice the heart must be empty of all other things; because God will possess the heart alone; and as He cannot possess it alone, without emptying it of all else besides, so neither can He act there and do in it what He pleases, unless it be left vacant to Him.

We ought to give ourselves up to God, both in temporal and spiritual things, and seek our satisfaction only in fulfilling His will. Whether He leads us by suffering or consolation, all is the same to one truly resigned.

We only deceive ourselves by seeking or loving God for any favors which He has or may grant us. Such favors, no matter how great, can never bring us as near to God as can one simple act of faith. Let us seek Him often by faith.

Whatever becomes of me, whether I be lost or saved, I will always continue to act purely for the love of God. I shall have this good at least, that until death, I shall have done all that is in me to love Him.

Comfort yourself with the Sovereign Physician of both body and soul.

Those who have the gale of the Holy Spirit go forward even in sleep. If the vessel of our soul is still tossed with winds and storms, let us awake the Lord who reposes in it. He will quickly calm the sea.

Let us think often that our only business in this life is to please God.

The end we ought to propose to ourselves is to become, in this life, the most perfect worshippers of God we can possibly be, as we hope to be through all eternity.

The most excellent method of going to God is that of doing our common business without any view of pleasing people but purely for the love of God.

We ought not to grow tired of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.

God has infinite treasure to bestow, and we take up with a little sensible devotion which passes in a moment. Blind as we are, we hinder God and stop the current of His grace. But when He finds a soul penetrated with a lively faith, He pours into it His grace and favors plentifully.

How can we pray to Him without being with Him? How can we be with Him without thinking of Him often? And how can we think of Him but by a holy habit we should form of it?

The more one knows God, the greater one desires to know Him. Knowledge is commonly the measure of love. The deeper and more extensive our knowledge, the greater is our love.

We must know before we can love. In order to know God, we must often think of Him. And when we come to love Him, we shall then also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure.

I see Him in such a manner as might make me say sometimes, I believe no more, but I see.

God does not ask much of us. But remembering Him, praising Him, asking for His grace, offering Him your troubles, or thanking Him for what He has given you will console you all the time ... lift up your heart ... little remembrances please Him.

We should establish ourselves in a sense of God's presence by continually conversing with Him. It is a shameful thing to quit His conversation to think of trifles and fooleries.

Useless thoughts spoil all; mischief begins there. We ought to reject them as soon as we perceive their impertinence and return to our communion with God.

One way to re-collect the mind easily in the time of prayer and preserve it more in tranquillity, is not to let it wander too far at other times.

When the mind, for want of being sufficiently reduced by recollection at our engaging in devotion, has contracted certain bad habits of wandering and dissipation, they are difficult to overcome. They commonly draw us, even against our will, to the things of the earth. I believe one remedy for this is to confess our faults and to humble ourselves before God.

It is a great delusion to think our times of prayer ought to differ from other times. We are as strictly obliged to cleave to God by action in the time of action as by prayer in the season of prayer.

We should, once and for all, heartily put our whole trust in God and make a total surrender of ourselves, secure that He will not deceive us.

There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God; those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it.

Let us pray for Fr. Tom Euteneuer

Brethren, a scandal has broken out around the person of the noted exorcist and former president of Human Life International, Fr. Tom Euteneuer. You may read by yourselves the following reports:

Of Aquinas, Augustine, and Euteneuer: Reflections on Fr. Tom on the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, and,

The Truth about Fr. Thomas Euteneuer

The allegations are serious but, in my mind, unproven.

Let us pray for Fr. Tom Euteneuer who, by the nature of his ministry, has been a special target of the Enemy. Let us pray for his bishops and for all involved. That the truth may be revealed, and that all who need repentance, forgiveness, and healing, receive it.

*Update February 1, 2011 - Please read: Statement of Fr. Thomas Euteneuer: setting the record straight. Thank you.

Another Weekend

As I mentioned before it feels to me the weekends although welcomed with open arms just keep coming up too fast. I know the younger generation is probably saying "Are you nuts?" But when you get to be my age it just give the illusion that it will all be downhill from here. See, the way I see it faster weekends mean getting old faster.

With this in mind, I do try to enjoy my Monday through Friday week, but when it's so slow at work and the workday just drags then it is kinda hard to really enjoy it. My days are pretty structured anyway so I am looking for diversity during my weekends.

Our Arizona weather is just being too wonderful so I am trying to squeeze in some ridingand cruising. Wether it's a weekend ride or my Monday and Friday ride to work I just can't get enough riding. I have been ready for a long trip, maybe to California but I just have not made it a reality yet. But who knows, maybe soon.

The car club cruises are also popping out and I definitely want to do some of those too. Next week there will be a cruise to The Desert Rose in Arlington, Arizona. I good hour drive to some Arizona back roads. I have done this in the bike many times but this will be the first time with a bunch of Mustang enthusiasts. I am really looking forward to it.

Going to mass is also something I really look forward during my weekends. The days of being lazy and a procrastinator are hopefully over. In one more month I will be celebrating my first anniversary as a "choir boy", what a fulfilling and life changing experience this has been. The ministry has helped me understand so many things and made the otherwise hard times I went through easier to cope with. So keep cheering me on as I get closer to my anniversary. I love singing for the Lord.

With the great weather also come plenty of dinner invitations. (Sorry friends from back east, I know your weather is not so nice) The carne asada gatherings, pozole, menudo, and just good ol burgers and hot dogs days are here. To me there is nothing like gathering with my family to enjoy eachother's company.

So even if I think the weekends come to soon that I am getting old fast, I do appreciate the blessings I get on a daily basis and thank God for being so good to me.

What are your plans for the weekend? Your month? Your year? Your life? lol Just curious!

Today we remember St. Thomas Aquinas

From the Catholic Encyclopedia:

The great outlines and all the important events of his life are known, but biographers differ as to some details and dates. Death prevented Henry Denifle from executing his project of writing a critical life of the saint. Denifle's friend and pupil, Dominic Prümmer, O.P., professor of theology in the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, took up the work and published the "Fontes Vitae S. Thomae Aquinatis, notis historicis et criticis illustrati"; and the first fascicle (Toulouse, 1911) has appeared, giving the life of St. Thomas by Peter Calo (1300) now published for the first time. From Tolomeo of Lucca . . . we learn that at the time of the saint's death there was a doubt about his exact age (Prümmer, op. cit., 45). The end of 1225 is usually assigned as the time of his birth. Father Prümmer, on the authority of Calo, thinks 1227 is the more probable date (op. cit., 28). All agree that he died in 1274.

Landulph, his father, was Count of Aquino; Theodora, his mother, Countess of Teano. His family was related to the Emperors Henry VI and Frederick II, and to the Kings of Aragon, Castile, and France. Calo relates that a holy hermit foretold his career, saying to Theodora before his birth: "He will enter the Order of Friars Preachers, and so great will be his learning and sanctity that in his day no one will be found to equal him" (Prümmer, op. cit., 18). At the age of five, according to the custom of the times, he was sent to receive his first training from the Benedictine monks of Monte Cassino. Diligent in study, he was thus early noted as being meditative and devoted to prayer, and his preceptor was surprised at hearing the child ask frequently: "What is God?"

About the year 1236 he was sent to the University of Naples. Calo says that the change was made at the instance of the Abbot of Monte Cassino, who wrote to Thomas's father that a boy of such talents should not be left in obscurity (Prümmcr, op. cit., 20). At Naples his preceptors were Pietro Martini and Petrus Hibernus. The chronicler says that he soon surpassed Martini at grammar, and he was then given over to Peter of Ireland, who trained him in logic and the natural sciences. The customs of the times divided the liberal arts into two courses: the Trivium, embracing grammar, logic, and rhetoric; the Quadrivium, comprising music, mathematics, geometry, and astronomy . . . . Thomas could repeat the lessons with more depth and lucidity than his masters displayed. The youth's heart had remained pure amidst the corruption with which he was surrounded, and he resolved to embrace the religious life.

Some time between 1240 and August, 1243, he received the habit of the Order of St. Dominic, being attracted and directed by John of St. Julian, a noted preacher of the convent of Naples. The city wondered that such a noble young man should don the garb of poor friar. His mother, with mingled feelings of joy and sorrow, hastened to Naples to see her son. The Dominicans, fearing she would take him away, sent him to Rome, his ultimate destination being Paris or Cologne. At the instance of Theodora, Thomas's brothers, who were soldiers under the Emperor Frederick, captured the novice near the town of Aquapendente and confined him in the fortress of San Giovanni at Rocca Secca. Here he was detained nearly two years, his parents, brothers, and sisters endeavouring by various means to destroy his vocation. The brothers even laid snares for his virtue, but the pure-minded novice drove the temptress from his room with a brand which he snatched from the fire. Towards the end of his life, St. Thomas confided to his faithful friend and companion, Reginald of Piperno, the secret of a remarkable favour received at this time. When the temptress had been driven from his chamber, he knelt and most earnestly implored God to grant him integrity of mind and body. He fell into a gentle sleep, and, as he slept, two angels appeared to assure him that his prayer had been heard. They then girded him about with a white girdle, saying: "We gird thee with the girdle of perpetual virginity." And from that day forward he never experienced the slightest motions of concupiscence.

The time spent in captivity was not lost. His mother relented somewhat, after the first burst of anger and grief; the Dominicans were allowed to provide him with new habits, and through the kind offices of his sister he procured some books — the Holy Scriptures, Aristotle's Metaphysics, and the "Sentences" of Peter Lombard. After eighteen months or two years spent in prison, either because his mother saw that the hermit's prophecy would eventually be fulfilled or because his brothers feared the threats of Innocent IV and Frederick II, he was set at liberty, being lowered in a basket into the arms of the Dominicans, who were delighted to find that during his captivity "he had made as much progress as if he had been in a studium generale" (Calo, op. cit., 24).

Thomas immediately pronounced his vows, and his superiors sent him to Rome. Innocent IV examined closely into his motives in joining the Friars Preachers, dismissed him with a blessing, and forbade any further interference with his vocation. John the Teutonic, fourth master general of the order, took the young student to Paris and, according to the majority of the saint's biographers, to Cologne, where he arrived in 1244 or 1245, and was placed under Albertus Magnus, the most renowned professor of the order. In the schools Thomas's humility and taciturnity were misinterpreted as signs of dullness, but when Albert had heard his brilliant defence of a difficult thesis, he exclaimed: "We call this young man a dumb ox, but his bellowing in doctrine will one day resound throughout the world."

Please, continue reading here.

Access the St. Thomas Aquinas Bibliography in English.

A Heart on Fire

This is aimed at my friends who pray - seriously pray: Do you feel your heart on fire when you pray? Well, do you?

What Military Ethics is All About: The Christian Soldier

Author: Dr. James H. Toner | Source: Catholics in the Military

WHAT MILITARY ETHICS IS ALL ABOUT

• "An act performed pursuant to an unlawful order is excused unless the accused knew it to be unlawful or a person of ordinary sense and understanding would have known it to be unlawful" (Manual for Courts-Martial, Rule 916).
  
• "[Natural law] is written and engraved in the mind of every man . . . commanding us to do right and forbidding sin" (Pope Leo XIII, On the Nature of Human Liberty [8]).

Having spoken to numerous civic, religious, and college audiences about military ethics, I am continually saddened by the misunderstandings which numerous people have about the conscience of a soldier. One priest, for example, told me that soldiers are mere robots who must obey all orders. A nun told me that no faithful Catholic could serve in today's U.S. armed forces. The head of a theology department at a Catholic college refused to have a discussion with me because I teach ethics at a war college.

Although I currently am involved with character development education at the U.S. Air Force Academy, I am on a two-year leave from the U.S. Air War College (Maxwell AFB, Alabama), where for twelve years I have taught leadership and ethics to (mostly) lieutenant colonels. Before that I taught at a military college, and before that I served for four years as a U.S. Army officer.

I believe in the Church's teaching that we must work toward avoiding war (CCC #2308), and I think that those Catholics whose consciences tell them that they cannot bear arms should be respected and protected. My conscience--also based squarely on Church teaching--tells me that I have a moral obligation to serve in my country's armed forces and that such service is commendable if I carry out my duty "honorably" (CCC #2310). As St. Augustine said, "For the true follower of God even wars are peaceful if they are waged not out of greed or cruelty but for the sake of peace, to restrain the evildoers and assist the good." "A people threatened with an unjust aggression, or already its victim," said Pope Pius XII on Christmas 1948, "may not remain passively indifferent, if it would think and act as befits Christians."

So Catholics may conscientiously choose to become soldiers. What is forbidden to us as Catholic citizen-soldiers is "blind obedience" (CCC #2313, 2242). What often surprises the skeptics in my audiences is that the U.S. military teaches the same principle. "I never expect a soldier to think," wrote George Bernard Shaw in 1897. But American law requires soldiers to think. In fact, no American soldier may follow an order if he knows it is illegal and immoral, or even if he reasonably can be expected to know that an order is illegal and immoral. The Church teaches us that the moral law does not cease when hostilities erupt (CCC#2312), which is, in fact, exactly what soldiers are taught: The defense that "I was just following orders!" is unacceptable. Soldiers have the moral-and legal-responsibility to refuse orders which are immoral

So the Catholic who serves our country in the Armed Forces has to be a conscientious soldier, one whomust obey God before superior officers (cf. Acts 5:29). Although there are military chaplains available to troops, the armed services themselves do not have the responsibility of conducting religious education. Before men and women join the service, they should be reasonably well educated in the teachings of the Church about just war, about authority, and about matters of conscience. When Our Lord said that we should render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's, He was less specific than we might like. Similarly, critical decisions, whether political or military, may not always be as clear as we might like.

So the Catholic citizen-soldier accepts the teaching of the Church that we are to "honor all who for our good have received authority in society from God," knowing that they have a right to "expect obedience" from us. We pray that they will exercise their powers with "prudential judgment" (CCC #2234, 1897, 2309). As we have seen, this does not mean that we accept what is dishonorable or that we follow immoral orders. In a vital passage, St. Paul tells us that we are to give taxes and toll, honor and respect, to those to whom they are due (Romans 13:7)

So to the Catholic citizen-soldier (and, of course, others) whom I teach are told that their duty to follow God and their conscience is absolute and unlimited; their duty to follow orders is relative and limited. Catholic soldiers are never excused from trying to know and to do the right thing in the right way at the right time. In fact, they are always "to examine [their] conscience before the Lord's Cross" (CCC #1785). So are we civilians. For this is what Christian ethics is all about. And for the Catholic soldier this is also what military ethics is all about

The men and women, of all faiths and even of none, I have taught now for a quarter-century are not robots; they are not caricatures of human beings; they are not grotesque lovers of violence. They do their best to render to God what is due to God and to our country what is due to our country. They deserve our prayers, our gratitude, our respect. Theirs is often a difficult, demanding, and dangerous profession. But of their faith, those of us who work with airmen and soldiers might say, as Our Lord said to the crowd about another soldier long ago, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith" (Lk 7:9)

Dr. James H. Toner is the Coors Distinguished Visiting Chair of Character Development at the U.S. Air Force Academy

Audio: Prayer for Beginners

The practice of God's presence, by Peter Kreeft

A quote by St. Martin of Tours

Patron saint of soldiers

‎Lord, if your people need me, I will not refuse the work.
Your will be done.

Tidbits

If this is what is to come then brace yourselves cause it may be a hot one this year. I took a bike ride last Saturday and the weather was so perfect for it that I only required minimum cold gear. Actually just my leather jacket and that was that and it's only January. I had been itching to ride, the bike had been in the garage unused for more than a month. Hopefuly this year I will be able to log more bike miles than I did last year. Riding is still my passion and something I enjoy doing.

Found this image of an old bike that resembles mine big time.
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My daughter in law posted this on her facebook page and I just had to "steal" it. These two beauties are my older grandkids. Tallyna and Brianna. How did this happen? Yesterday they were both babies and today one of them is already in the double digits while the other one is almost there. I feel young but in perspective I makes me feel old knowing my older grandkids will soon be teenagers. Arggggg!

Brianna and Tallyna,
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Trying to participate in more car club activities and cruises this year. Time to get back into the swing of things as I knew them. Really looking forward for this year's Fabulous Fords Forever Car Show. Not to mention that knott's Berry Farm will be loads of fun too.

Prayer for Courage

Dear God, give me courage, 
for perhaps I lack it more than anything else.

I need courage before men against their threats 
and against their seductions.

I need courage to bear unkindness, 
mockery, contradiction.

I need courage to fight against the devil,
against terrors and troubles, temptations, 
attractions, darkness and false lights, 
against tears, depression, and above all fear.

I need Your help, dear God.

Strengthen me with Your love and Your grace.

Console me with Your blessed Presence 
and grant me the courage to persevere 
until I am with You forever in heaven

Catholics And The Bible

New Covenant Journal

For a Christian face to face with a Bible passage the question “Is it true?” does not arise; God wrote it, and he cannot lie. The question in every instance is only, “What does it mean, what did the biblical author, inspired by, God, wish to convey and teach?” Now, to ascertain this the guidance of the Church is essential, and time and patience are often needed.

Catholic Evidence Guild Catholics are often accused of arguing in a “vicious circle,” proving the Bible by the Church, and the Church by the Bible. We must be careful to avoid this by explaining that we put the Church before the Bible because the Church existed first and wrote and compiled the Bible. The authority of the Bible depends on that of the Church. Then we use the Bible to prove the Church; we use it not as an inspired volume, but merely as a historical document. From the Gospels as historical documents we learn that Christ founded a Church, but the authority of the Gospels as inspired writings rests on the word of the Church.

We can define the Bible as “a collection of writings, which the Church of God has solemnly recognized as inspired” (Catholic Encyclopedia). What is the non-Catholic's definition? Paul says, indeed: “All Scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, that the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). But he gives no list of Scriptures nor any method for discerning which they are.

The Scriptures themselves assert that they are incomplete and send us to the Church. “Many other signs also did Jesus ... which are not written.” (John 20:30). “Thinkest thou that thou understandest what thou readest?” . . . . “How can I, unless some man show me” (Acts 8:30, 31).

It is impossible to get unanimity of impression in different ages and countries. Books appeal to one date and country, not to another: The Epistle of Clement, the Shepherd of Hermas, and several gospels at first thought inspired were rejected by the Church. On the other hand, the Books of Kings, Chronicles, and Ecclesiastes are disputed by modem critics as not containing “ heavenly matter,” yet are accepted by the Church as part of the organic whole — for the Bible is an organic whole, and many parts lose their meaning if severed. Each age and nation and temperament, by their interpretation, would (and in Protestantism do) practically make a different Bible, when, leaving ancient authority, they test each part by their subjective feelings.

No internal evidence could prove inspiration, because inspiration is essentially a supernatural fact. It is objective, not subjective. It is simply that God said this thing in this way. It may not appeal to me personally — parts of it may not be meant especially for me — but God wished to say it for some person or time. Therefore the inspiration can only be known upon some authority sent from God. The only possible competent authority would be either Christ or his apostles or the successors of the apostles — that is to say, Christ's Church. All Christians appeal in fact to some authority behind the Bible (e.g., Luther claimed to alter the canon of Scripture, and Lutherans accepted this on his authority). Christ nowhere told men to go to a book to learn his doctrine. He himself wrote nothing down. But he did say to Peter: “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church” (Matt. 16:18); and to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Go ye teaching therefore all nations” (Matt. 28:19). “He that hears you, hears me, he that despises you, despises me, he that despises me despises him that sent me” (Luke 10: 16). The apostles went forth and taught according to Christ's command. They ordained others to succeed them. Much of his teaching they handed down in their tradition only that divinely protected living memory of the Church. Much they committed to writing and collected together by degrees.

Please, continue reading at New Covenant Journal.

• Read also Beginning to Read the Bible by someone I know well.

Our pet project

In a feat of unabashed boosterism, I'm devoting yet another post to the San Carlos Canine Center, where I've been putting a lot of my energy these days.  If you find all this focus on four-legged fur-bearers frivolous, please turn the page and come back another day.

Here's a link to take you to the SCCC's Facebook page, where you can see a slideshow of all the dogs that have been rescued and rehabilitated there. (The website is under construction, so I'll link to it as soon as I get the go-ahead.) Every dog at the Center has a sad story...the litter of four pups found under a Dumpster...the chocolate lab that had been used for breeding until she was exhausted and the owner stopped feeding her...the mama who delivered a litter of seven and lost them all, partly because of her own serious health issues...the two sisters who spent their puppyhood locked up in a garage...

But their lives are taking a turn for the better now.  Since they first began three years ago in a high-overhead storefront location,  Kristin and Kiko have found new homes for more than 300 dogs, after medical care, neutering. socialization and training. Now that the community has become more aware of the Center, which relocated to an empty lot a month ago, donations of kibble and treats, towels, blankets, concrete, toys and cash have started trickling in to help support their hard work.

Last Monday we had our first Blessing of the Animals at the Catholic Church, with a surprising turnout: dozens of dogs, one cat and a turtle. In Mexico the Blessing traditionally honors St. Francis and brings farmers with their livestock, a sort of land-based version of the Blessing of the Fishermen. Father Javier seemed a little bemused at the sight of all those gringos with their flock of dogs, but good-naturedly waded out into the crowd with his censer and blessed every one, even a couple that arrived late and had to track him down in his office.

Next we're planning a 5k Walk to get  dog owners out into the gorgeous spring weather, and then a concert at a local hotel next to the beach. Our concerns are that during the summer, most of the supporters will be back in the States. Their exodus north will begin before Easter. There are a few Mexicans interested in our cause, but not nearly enough to keep the momentum going until next fall.

For now, the Center consists of a small trailer and a number of kennels, so there's no refuge from the heat. So fundraising needs to take place as soon as possible.  But here's a plan, created by Kiko, for the center we're hoping to create sometime in the future.

"Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don't give up"

"The best way to get a puppy is to beg for a baby brother — and they'll settle for a puppy every time."

Fabulous Fords Forever 2011

Oh yeah baby, I have been waiting for this date to be announced since the beginning of the year. This is my open invitation for all those that may want to attend this year trip to Knott's Berry Farm for the Fabulous Fords Forever car show.

I am excited cause this year I won't be taking the Fox Body, my 2007 is ready and willing to make the trip this year. We missed the show last year as most of us went on hiatus but after a successful snow day I want more of these family outings. Ducky may even be taller than the infamous height line for most of the rides.

Me and my trusty steed will make the trip this year. Will you?
So this is the first of more posts in reference to this trip. I want to start seeing raised hands to find out who wants to go. My hand is raised up already cause I am going, so speak up and let me know it should be a blast.

Traditionally this family outing has definitely been a favorite for everyone that has participated. As a rule we make a whole weekend of it with all of us going to the amusement park on Saturday while on Sunday the girls either hit the alleys, the nail shops, or just plain stay home resting while us guys go the the car show. Aside Mr Junior getting a ticket for tailgating me while coming back two years ago, it's always a smooth and well planned trip.

I will soon let you know ticket prices.

A Day In My Life

Well, here I am just thinking about family, love, church, friends, and life. Why? Because that's what my life revolves around and it all just comes natural to me. My family is my world, for sure my biggest asset, without it I am nothing and so they occupy a big portion of my everyday thoughts.

The same go for my friends. It's funny but as I have mentioned before 98% of my friends are virtual friends that I have met through this machine over the last few years. I have quite a few friends that I have been in touch with for well over four years and yet have never met in person. Friends that I can visit and hang around with are pretty much non existent, so this year I hope to meed some more of you out there, just like I met my dear friend Wanda last, or Betty and Lana two years ago. These are three of my dearest blogger friends which I met on line and had the pleasure of meeting in person as well.

One of the best decisions I made last year was to join our church choir. If my sister would have told me how time demanding and what a big commitment it was maybe I would have shied away but the truth is that I have enjoyed every minute of it. Of course it helps that our priest is by far one of the most eloquent and well educated around. There is not a service that I won't leave thinking wow I did learn something new today that will help me be a better person. God is good to me every single day and I am just trying to show Him that I am thankful.

Love, what would my life be without it? I have learned over the years to suppress hate. Hate is no good and has no room in my life. Think possitive and allow goodness in your life and you'll see how easy it is to find love even in all the wrong places. Let love in your life and you'll see how easy it is to show a genuine appreciation for it.

LIfe, we only get one of it so use it wisely. It is wonderful as it is fragile and once gone it will never come back. So as I sit here thinking how blessed I am I can't help but want the same for all of you my family and friends out there.

Love ya all.

Snow Day in Flagstaff!

The idea was to leave at 8:00 a.m. and head for the high country, it was 20 minutes to eight when my daughter called me to ask me if I was ready and to find out what time I was leaving. I said yes I am ready (which was a lie as I was still in bed) but told her I wanted to talk to Nikki to see if I could hitch a ride with her. Her reply was, "Oh no Daddy, we can pick you up". So 15 minutes later they were picking me up and yes I was ready to go. Being a man is easier than a woman in situations like this.

The leaving at the same time but driving on our own went down the drain immediately, my kids just love doing things together and so we all headed for my son's house where we all met. After a short wait for my daughter in law we finally hit the road. It was 9:30 by this time. My niece and her family were already half an hour ahead of us, they were traveling in two cars, later my sister in law called to let us know that her family was behind us by about 45 minutes too.

So off we went, all six cars and 27 of us. Traffic was good, no accidents thank God, no construction, no road blocks, it was smooth sailing all the way. We were blessed with great weather, I always take a bag full of extra jackets, scarfs, gloves, etc. As someone always get too cold or too wet up there, but this time the sun was shining nice and bright, some of the guys were wearing only t-shirts, and the coldness of the snow which by the way was plenty felt pretty refreshing.

I needed a new picture of me and my wonderful but crazy kids.
I am paying the price today because going up and down that slope with the grand kids took a toll on me, but it was worth every minute of it. As they are a bit older they now appreciated the beauty and fun of sledding down the hill. The "I'm having so much fun grandpa" statement came out of their mouths more than once. Even the toddlers loved it and actually got upset when we said we were leaving.

They just loved being dragged around on the sleds.
Last year most of our regular family outings were put on hold but I have bowed to get the wheels moving forward again and to engage in all these fun activities we so love doing together as a family.

The only downside was that the park was so packed that it took us forever to get in and actually the car that was 45 minutes behind us was denied entry to the park because I was full to capacity. Obviously they were not going to let this spoil their trip, they found a nearby play area were they too played in the snow and had lots of fun too.



We are so used to make the best of this situations and I for one am looking to our next family adventure.

And here is the whole gang except maybe the photographer.
Many of these images "borrowed" from Michelle's Facebook page. Thanks Michelle!

Retardment

Maybe one day but not soon I too will be retarded.

It's Friday, I have nothing so here is an email forward and I am hoping you will enjoy it. Oh I know I am still far from it (or so I hope) but this is definitely funny. Seems I am already living in the right state.

“RETARDED" GRANDPARENTS


Written by a third grader, on what his grandparents do.

After Christmas, a teacher asked her young pupils how they spent their holiday away from school.
One child wrote the following

We always used to spend the holidays with Grandma and Grandpa. They used to live in a big brick house, but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Arizona. Now they live in a tin box and have rocks painted green to look like grass. They ride around on their bicycles, and wear name tags, because they don't know who they are anymore. They go to a building called a wreck center, but they must have got it fixed because it is all okay now, they do exercises there, but they don't do them very well. There is a swimming pool too, but they all jump up and down in it with hats on. At their gate, there is a doll house with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape. Sometimes they sneak out, and go cruising in their golf carts. Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. And, they eat the same thing every night - early birds. Some of the people can't get out past the man in the doll house. The ones who do get out bring food back to the wrecked center for pot luck. My Grandma says that Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and, says I should work hard so I can be retarded someday too. When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the doll house. Then I will let people out, so they can visit their grandchildren.

Ramblings!

Ummmm Pozole... Que Rico!
Grrrrrrrrrrr! Missed a Mustang cruise to Black Canyon City and then back to Scottsdale Pavilions for the Russo & Steele Annual Collector Car Auction preview. Why you ask? Well because I got sick! Yeah it sucks but I hardly ever get sick and with mass on Sunday and my sister and niece away for the weekend I could not afford to not be there, so I stayed home all day Saturday which payed off since I was able to sing, my voice was not there 100% but at least it was there.

Cruising was not to be this time.
After church, my mom invited me to eat some tacos and of course I has happy to accept such an invitation. Back at her house after an hour nap I headed to my sister in law's for pozzole and family time. Nice to be with all my kids and grand kids at the same time. The little ones are already crawling all over the place. How fast. I also delivered some of the Chirstmas presents that I had left at this time.

This one not too in a hurry to get anywhere yet. Taking her time.
This one on the other hand sits, stands, and is almost ready to run. She hates to be carried.
They grow so fast.
Then it was back home and back to bed, little did I know that I would stay in bed until early Tuesday. Yep, Monday finally took me down and I had to take a sick day. But today I feel good and will start recharging my batteries cause Sunday is "Snow Day" and I must be feeling good by then.

Doggie dramas

A lot of drama has been unfolding in our lives around the subject of dogs. The new Canine Center held its grand opening last week, complete with ribbon cutting, and now we're concerned with the fundraising that will help keep it open. We are all mindful of the fact that if it had to close, we would have as many as 15 dogs with nowhere to go.

So far, in less than a month, the Center has found homes for a dozen dogs. Yesterday there were only two adoptables left and I went to take photos of them to post here and on the local forum, Viva San Carlos. They're sisters, one a bronze-and-black brindle, the other black with touches of white.

Considering that they spent their first months locked up in a garage, I was amazed at how they've developed since the first time I saw them, only a few weeks ago. Mali, the brindle, used to be hyperactive and pushy, while Luna, the black, was so timid she'd run under the trailer if someone tried to touch her. Now they've both been taught to sit and lie down, they are much calmer and Luna comes up to strangers, still shy but much more amiable. They're sleek and graceful, sweet-tempered and well-behaved. All they need is a place to call home.

Yesterday afternoon a woman named Sheryl emailed one of our members, asking about the Center. She had found a litter of four very small pups under a Dumpster in her neighborhood. So the Capt and I met her in town and took custody of the litter, which we kept overnight and delivered to the Center this morning. They were crawling with fleas, and one had an eye infection.

When we first brought them home, they clung together in a tight knot, watching us with terrified eyes, but by this morning they were exploring (and pooping) everywhere. As you might imagine, we didn't get much sleep last night. We thought they might need bottle-feeding and started out giving them some nutritional paste in a syringe, but they were mature enough for solid food, and when I offered gourmet chow that Chica had refused to eat, they fell upon it as though they'd been starved.

Now they're getting baths and flea treatments at the Center.

But wait! There's more!  This morning I drove to Sheryl's house to pick up two more homeless pups, ten weeks old, one male, one female, with black and brown markings similar to a Doberman. She was able to point out the parents nearby; she had found homes for the other four in the litter. I put the puppies into a carrier I had borrowed from the Center, and as I was driving away the parents followed me out the gate, barking furiously. The father, a big handsome fellow, planted himself in front of my car, determined to stop me, but gave up finally and watched as the last of his babies were carried away.

Blanca's Feast

 Blanca had fun trying out the new mandoline slicer we brought her ~ it'll certainly come in handy

Yesterday our cooking club met for our monthly learning session and pig-out. This time it was at Blanca's house high on a hill overlooking the anchorage (I could see our boat from their deck). Blanca's a traditional Mexican cook who spends days on preparation, and we felt hugely blessed to partake of such a feast. Several of us remarked it was the best Mexican food we'd ever had.

Plus we learned some techniques. But most of them, such as making tamales, looked like way too much work for this bunch of gringas.

Go to our new blog, Chop Chop Cooking Club, for more...

Another New Year!

5, 4, 3, 2, 1, zero, ignition...

And here we go again, a new year is here and I have no clue as to what it's going to bring but I am sure that it will be good things for one and all. My new year resolutions are many so I won't even bother to post them here, my resolutions remain with me for safe keeping and careful execution. OK, you twisted my arm, I will share one resolution with you and that is that I intend to continue being the best person I can be to the best of my abilities without going overboard or undermining the effort. Being a plain Joe works for me so I will probably continue to be one.

I am still having a totally different outlook on life, trying hard not to take it for granted, realizing that life is a gift not to be wasted is giving me a new direction and a new sense of being so 2011 let's see where you take me, all I ask is be kind to me and I will be kind to you.

So I have lots of plans on doing fun things with my family and as you all know this is where I highlight and share my family adventures, so stay tuned for some stories and lots of pictures soon.

We will start with "Snow Day" next week. Looking forward to it, should be lots of fun.

Wishing you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Snow Day!

Hola Familia,

So, for the third time in four years we will be going to the snow. This year everyone agreed on Sunday the 16th since the following Monday is a holiday for the kids and there will be no school. We have always had fun at the snow and I think this will be a good experience for the little ones that have not seen the snow, but not for the three tiny little ones.

I am thinking that like the last time, everyone will travel on their own or on small groups two or three cars together because trying to stay together as a large group proved to be a nightmare. As long as we all leave at around the same time and stay in contact via cell phones we should all get there at around the same time. Last time somehow we all managed to get together in Flagstaff without even trying. That worked out pretty nice. I say use the buddy system, one or two cars together in case someone needs help.

We will be going to Wing Mountain Sledding and Snow Play Area again. For those of you that haven't been there here are some directions that will help you get there:

An Easy Drive Just North of Flagstaff, Arizona.

From Interstate 40, follow Hwy 180 north 2.8 miles past Snowbowl Road to mile marker 226 (approximate), turn left onto Forest Service Road 222B. The exit is clearly marked as “Wing Mountain Snow Play Area.” You can find a map here.

Their fees are as follows: The parking and use fee for the Wing Mountain Snow Play Area is $12 per car. No re-entry is allowed. All children under 16 must be accompanied by and supervised by an adult.

I suggest we all bring food "pot luck" style. so we can all share. And please, buy everything here in town so that we don't have to be wasting time up there in Flagstaff on the actual day.

If you like to visit their website just click here!

Come on gang, let's get together and let's have fun. And please take plenty of warm clothes as well as extra clothes for the kids as they may need it. Do not take them in tennis shoes cause they will freeze and won't enjoy their time up there. We've been there before so everyone should now know what to bring and how to dress.

Let's stay in contact and hope to see as many of you there.

Happy now?

As each new year begins, I always ponder about what would make me happier.

Many people seem to think happiness is too much to hope for in this vale of tears, and we should settle for being contented. Or at least not miserable. But others, like Gretchen Rubin, say that happiness is contagious, and that's reason enough to strive to be happy. And it was Abe Lincoln who said most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Turns out he was right. Here's Dan Gilbert's take on how the brain (or as he refers to it, the "three-pound meatloaf")  synthesizes happiness. He puts a lot of things in perspective, with a generous dose of humor. How did Nature get us out of the trees and into the shopping mall?



Interesting, isn't it, how the prefrontal cortex can get bogged down with predictions of how miserable we're going to be, if we don't get what we want, if we lose what we have or don't survive a trauma completely unscathed. Think of all the leaders—Herod,  Hitler, Idi Amin, Saddam, Richard Nixon—who have squandered most of their time and resources bolstering their security and control, thinking all that power would bring them happiness.

Kurt Vonnegut's "Galapagos" is based on the theory that we'd be happier without all that extra brain matter, but here we are, stuck with it. So it seems a good idea to make better use of mine, while it's still functioning. I hear my guitar calling...

What, ANOTHER new outfit?

Nothing like a new getup to start the year right.

I did some shopping, picked some mellow colors, got a new "blogskin" and popped in a few favorite photos. That's our boat in the sidebar. We buddy-boated out into San Carlos bay with our friends Mark and Wendy, so we could photograph each others' vessels with all our canvas up. Now that they've sold "Sol Mate" and gone back to Canada, wonder if they'll be back this way again.

The other shot is our dear departed Salty Dog Sophie, grinning from the bow of my kayak. I wish I had taken her for more kayak rides, she really seemed to enjoy them.

Above is Barra de Navidad anchorage at dawn, my favorite time of day, in one of my favorite places on the coast of Mexico. Sweet memories.

Ten Favorite Meals of 2010

It’s no secret that the best meals are more than just food; they’re about the family, friends, and feelings you share while taking in the dishes. A truly exceptional meal engages the senses and leaves you with a well-rounded, happy-go-lucky, when-can-we-do-this-again sensation.

Below are my ten favorite restaurant meals of 2010. The one commonality among them is that I went in with no expectations, and emerged with a feeling of completeness. And while they all included exceptional dishes, they also remind me that good food is best when shared with good company.

American Seasons (Nantucket, MA)
The tiny island of Nantucket grows most of its own produce and raises most of its own meats. Dozens of restaurants on the island capitalize on the fantastic abundance of local ingredients, but American Seasons is my favorite, executing a creative daily menu with flair... Last summer my family and I enjoyed an exceedingly pleasant meal of seared scallops, tempura figs, and Nantucket mushroom tarts.

l’Atelier de Joel Robuchon (London, UK)
My husband and I capped our holiday season with a brief jaunt across the pond. Several restaurants on my list were closed for the week, but that gave us a chance to sample Robuchon’s global appeal at the two-Michelin-starred l’Atelier. The meal was exceptional—from the scallop tartar and egg cocotte to the Iberico ham and foie gras burger. Plus, we sat at the bar, a favorite vantage point of mine.


Bootsie’s Heritage Café (Tomball, TX)
Randy Rucker’s latest venture concentrates on local ingredients served up in outrageously delicious way using interesting techniques. The “3rd coast menu,” a five-course culinary fireworks display for just $35, reminded me just how fun eating can be—and gets me all kinds of excited for Rucker’s next venture, restaurant connate, opening soon. The meal was complete, from small-plate appetizers to larger meats to wowerrific dessert.

Commis (Oakland, CA)
This tiny eatery in Oakland was perhaps my single favorite meal of the year. That’s partially because I had no idea what to expect and was then awed by the jaw-dropping dishes that expertly played with textures, flavors, and styles. Commis has all the pizzazz—with none of the pretention. Fennel bulb soup, wild hake, abalone, and butter-poached chicken… Amazing. Plus I was with my hilarious friend Julie, which always makes everything better.


Just August Project (Houston, TX)
Houston’s first pop-up restaurant stunned diners with creative texture and flavor pairings. I loved that the chefs placed a distinct emphasis on each dish’s accoutrements… Things like powdered red wine vinegar, ash yogurt, black garlic jam, and dehydrated chorizo added a thundering depth, plus a ribbon and bow, to each course. We ate with our ever-entertaining friends Greg and Sharon, which only enhanced the good eats.


Kata Robata (Houston, TX)
After the Just 8 Project, Seth Siegel-Gardner popped up again, joining chef Manabu Horiuchi in the kitchen at Kata Robata for a limited time. Omakaze at the sushi bar offers the best chance for both a stunningly delicious meal, which comes complete with entertainment as you watch them prepare it. We had ten courses this past December, each excellent in its own way. My favorite bite of the night was the grilled sushi rice topped with uni and togarashi lardo. [Swoon!]


Matt’s in the Market (Seattle, WA)
I take a baseball trip with three close buddies from San Francisco every summer... The most recent found us in Seattle, where we happened upon this lovely place—and glad we were. Located in a light-filled haven near the storied Pike’s Place Market, Matt’s is the essence of fresh, cooking almost entirely with local produce and seafood. Buzzed on good weather, good friends, and beer, we sat at the bar and shared oysters, fish stew, and scallop ceviche.


Sons & Daughters (San Francisco, CA)
Dinner at Sons & Daughters was a last-minute venture on my recent trip to San Francisco. Went there on the rec of a trusted advisor… and then basked in the glory of lamb tartare with dehydrated beet chips, sweetbreads with creamy foie gras, and herb salad with microgreens and edible flowers. We knew nothing about it going in, and it has become a favorite recommendation ever since.


Tag (Denver, CO)
Tag describes its fare as Continental Social, which is somehow supposed to imply that’s it’s unconstrained by geographic borders. Certainly the menu is playful and fun, capitalizing on Chef Troy Guard’s Hawaiian upbringing and global travels. I loved eating the duck fat fries and sliders, stunning carpacchios, and taco sushi, but I had even more fun watching my young nieces reveal in the sushi topped with candy pop rocks.


Uchi (Austin, TX)
We went to Uchi on the night after we got engaged, so I was probably too in love to truly notice the food in front of me. Mmm-hmmm, I honestly can’t remember the specifics of a single thing we ate, but I do remember the overwhelming happiness as I coupled incredible food with an overwhelming feeling of joy. Not that I’ll be able to emulate that again, but I simply can’t wait to return.

Honorable mentions: Lunch in the sun at Gilhooley’s, birthday dinner at Brennan’s, testing the entries for the Peking Duck Food Fight, girls night at Vic & Anthony’s, lunch at Japadog in Vancouver, and happy hour at Catalan.