The Winding Road.

Around these here parts, I hear there is growing animosity towards the woman, Alianiss Morales, who crashed into the bus in Cottonwood last week, killing four children. Understandably, many are upset by her choices that led to the awful accident. Unfortunately, many aren't willing to forgive, and some are even extending their anger to the larger hispanic community.

And then there is Christ. I feel so blessed to be a part of our small group at church. Last night, as we were discussing these recent events, Father Jeremy remarked asked where she was being held. Dan replied, at the Lyon County Jail. "Sounds like she needs a visit tomorrow," Fr. Jeremy murmured. Jennifer asked us all to commit to pray for her, which we agreed to.

So, please, just take a moment to pray for this woman who is hurting. She has to live with this guilt of being responsible for the deaths of four children for the rest of her life, and she is alone. And please pray for Fr. Jeremy that he will have the wisdom and compassion of Christ during his visit today.

Now's about the time for a fart joke. But let's hold off until tomorrow.

Into Great Sleep.

So, the last week or so, Dan and I have been trying to get through this movie called Into Great Silence, and another link. Let me tell you, it is not for the faint of heart.
monastery in the French Alps, known as one of the most austere orders in the world. We get to see the day to day lives of these monks which is truly a
It is a beautiful documentary of a year in the life of the Grande Chartreuse blessing in itself. What struck me was the dedication of these monks to their lives and to God. Most of all was their simple joy. A wonderful film and I'm glad Dan forced me to sit through it.

Yes, I had to be forced to sit through it. You see, the unhurried pace of the film reflects the unhurried pace of the monks lives. Read: Slower than molasses in winter. I admit, I am so used to action, action, action that I repeated fell asleep during this film. Dan and I had to watch it over the course of about four nights just to endure it. Sad, aren't we?

Despite my shortcomings, I recommend this movie with all of my heart. To have the chance to glimpse into the lives of such men is a treasure. And maybe you'll be able to watch it in one sitting. You will be better than I!

I love you Dan!

Reasons I love my husband:
Number 684: He's a softie.

Another Sign of Spring.

This weekend, with the temps tiptoeing towards 50 degrees here on the prairie, I began my annual rite of spring. That is, beginning the slow ascent of running. I love to run, but can't stand the treadmill. And I'm not about to run outside with temps well below zero and the wind getting its unencumbered head start from Mott, North Dakota. This winter, I tried to stay limber with yoga, but that only goes so far. I like to feel my heart beating and my legs moving fast (well, fast relative to standing perfectly still which is what they're usually doing).

Yes, dear reader. It was hard, gruelling even to finish my first run of the year. But I am here to tell you that I was triumphant! I laughed in the face of the impossible. And the next time I run a mile, I hopefully won't barf.

Here are some lovely ladies who are better runner's than I, in more ways than one.

Spring is Springing!

And Ana is loving exploring the outdoors instead of staring at it through the window. And she's not putting all the leaves and grass in her mouth like she was last summer. Bonus.

Fancy a Cat?

Last night, Dan and I were talking about our junior high years. You know, such fond memories (eek.)

Me: I didn't get to buy a lot of clothes because I spent it all on magazine subscriptions.

Dan: Oh really? Which one?

Me: Sassy.

Dan: Hmmm, interesting. Why am I not surprised?


Me: Big words coming from a guy who had a subscription to CAT FANCY.

In other news ... Three cheers for mom! My mommy, the one who has worked nights at the Veteran Affairs hospital in Minneapolis for fifteen years, is switching to days. What the?!?!?!? I thought for sure she would go to the end working nights. Mom, let me be the first to welcome you to the land of the living.

Overextensions.

Most of our seeds have arrived for spring planting. Last night, as I put together our planting schedule, I couldn't resist a little seed packet admiring. Aren't they pretty?

Sorry for all the quiet! It's been an unexpectedly eventful weekend. I won't go into details because there are other things more important going on.

When Dan and Ana and I turned off 19 to journey the last few miles home to the farm last night we glanced around. The flashing lights of the highway patrol a few miles north towards Cottonwood gave the heartwrenching confirmation of what had been on the news. I am writing, of course, about the awful school bus accident. I am still very much a newcomer round these parts, but judging from Dan's demeanor last night, I can only imagine how the community here is feeling.

We still don't know the names of the children, but it's awfully certain that at least one was a St. Clotilde's child. Nothing I can write would convey the sorrow and tragedy that is happening here, so I will simply ask for your prayers for the families of these little ones.

Getting heavy around here!

Time to lighten things up!
Howzabout a Joke? But I'll keep it in the spirit of the season.

The guy goes for a walk and encounters a robber. The robber demands his wallet, but the guy says he doesn't have one. The robber demands his cell phone, doesn't have that either.

"All I have are my cigarettes," explains the guy.
"Oh, no thanks," declines the robber. "I gave those up for Lent."

Thanks to Father Joseph for the joke!

Happy Valentine's Day!

It is Valentine’s Day. And no, I’m not sending you a heart. Rather, I would like to share what has become the meditation of my life.

In the document Gaudium et Spes (the Church in the Modern World), one of the fruits of the Second Vatican Council, it is written “ … man can fully discover his true self only in a sincere giving of himself.” Why do we find our true selves when we give of ourselves completely to others? Today, let’s give the best Valentine’s Day gift to others by making ourselves the gift. Let’s give of ourselves completely and without reserve. That is what Christ did for us, and he was the perfect man … he who God sent to show us our true dignity. And it is in finding our true selves that will bring us genuine and ultimate happiness because it is why God made us and what He made us for!

Let us follow Christ with our whole hearts! For our time on earth is the blink of an eye. And soon we will be dead.

Cold days.

What is the perfect thing to do on cold days?
Bake!



Mmmm, blueberry muffins. Mmmmm, fresh bread.
Oh, and Dan. I am sorry but there won't be muffins left when you get home.
I ate them because, you know, I'm a lactating mother! I have quite the appetite!

In other news, I am finishing Michael O'Brien's new book Island of the World. I have to write a review of it for the National Catholic Register ... and as usual it seems a daunting task because I always feel so unworthy of reviewing such an author.

For those of you who don't know about Mr. O'Brien's work, he is a relatively unknown Catholic author who writes some amazing novels that center on man's quest to return to God. His last three books are my favorites ... A Cry of Stone is my all time favorite novel.

Back to Island of the World. It is, of course, an excellent book. It took a good 200-300 pages to get into the 800+ page story, but don't many of the masterpieces feel the same way? Perhaps it takes time, something we're not used to, to lay the proper foundations for a story so profound.

Island of the World is the fictional life story of a Croatian man, Josip Lasta, who suffers terribly during the Balkan wars of the 30's and 40's. It is about faith, loss of faith, anger and vengeance. I won't go into details, it would take me all day. I will say that Mr. O'Brien paints his life poetically and simply. It is the life of a saint. And he writes it in a way that makes the character touchable ... so that we can see how we too can become saints. If you have the time and inclination, pick it up!

Radio Silence

Guest Post (from Dan):

Sorry for Joy's radio silence, folks. We have 'net issues at the farm. (Tech support assures me they're working on it.)

So, in the interim, and because Joy made the mistake of giving me her username/password, here's a little something to tide you over. It's the theme song of all my fellow computer programmers out there:

McCain Sings Babs

Gotta love a presidential candidate with a sense of humor.

Happy Birthday Dan!

My ever helpful Father in Law!
Dan is the man behind the scenes who makes sure everything here at the farm is running smoothly since the two St. Paul-ites moved in (well, okay. Dan Jr. is from the farm, but he needs help here now and again too). He's a wonderful man to joke with and share a cold beer. Need a favor? Ask Dan. He's always too glad to help.

So, today I wish him a Happy Birthday. No one deserves it more.

Here's a fun picture of him and my husband trying on some suits they had made in Bangkok a few years back. What a couple of suave guys.

I wonder what McCain is giving up this year for Lent?

My man McCain! Ah, sweet politics. You know, a stay at home mom with a busy little girl has a hard time keeping up with politics. I wish I could give it the time it deserves. The last month, I've really only had time to watch the State of the Union address (which I thought was better than I expected). It was just 2 days ago that I found out Guliani dropped out (sooo long sucka!). Anyhoo, I have paid enough attention to select McCain as my one and only. He's conservative where it counts, and lefty where I like it. And it looks good for his nomination. Couldn't be happier.

In other, more important news, Lent is upon us. Today is Ash Wednesday. And, like most years, I've spent the bulk of the day hemming and hawing about what to give up, while at the same time stuffing my face with coffee and chocolate before I decide to give up either. (For those of you already wondering where my fasting went, I'm a nursing mother. I need calories. I eat constantly. I am exempt from fasting. Thank God for that.)

Which brings me to my quandry. Why do many of us give up something like chocolate and coffee thinking that our hips and heart would be better of without it anyway? Shouldn't I be giving up something with the sole motivation of uniting myself with the ultimate sacrifice of Christ? Does it somehow negate my lenten fast if it doubles as a diet?

Don't know the answer. I think I could passionately argue both sides.
For now, I'm mum over what I decided to give up in case someone spies me cheating.

So, what are YOU giving up this year?

The other monkeys.

I was leafing through some old photos and came across this one. One of my favorites of me and my sister Mary. And yes, that is her real smile. We get that question a lot.

Got Raw Milk?

Saturday, Dan and I took a nice country drive over by Wabasso, Minnesota and visited a farmer that I've come to know. Reason? He's our new raw milk supplier. Some of you know that I've been dying to get my hands on some ever since we moved out here. Well, my life is complete. Or at least the home dairying part is. You see, we'll be making cheese, butter, buttermilk, yogurt, all kinds of good things. Not to mention drinking creamy fresh-from-the-cow milk. And fresh milk tastes nothing like the milk at the grocery store. It's kind of like having fresh eggs versus store bought. Best part? $2 a gallon.



And it IS delicious. Even the skeptical skim milk affectionado (don't even show me a picture of whole milk man) likes it. If you live around here, and want to do the raw milk thing, this farmer is very nice and is looking for more customers. He tests his milk every other day, and his cows' diet is largely (though not all) grass. Let me know and I'll pass on his email.


Days until Lent: 2 Are you ready?

Stunned silence.

The lack of comments from yesterdays post leads me to believe that I should post something a little more family friendly today.

Here you go!



Days until Lent: 4 Are you ready?

Yes, I am seven years old.

Last night Dan and I went to our E-Team meeting with our friends from Church (E-team is for Evangelization Team). It was a great night. We shared a delicious meal and discusssed Pope John Paul IIs Novo Millenio Inuente (At the Beginning of the New Millenium). We talked about Christ as the heart of the Church, Reconciliation (Confession) as the place God shows us his compassionate heart and holiness as the endeavor of everyone everywhere, not just for a chosen few. What a blessed evening we had.
Until someone uttered the word ejaculation.
Yes, we were all adults. No, there wasn't a lot of wine (just enough, not too much). And yes, it did set off a great chain of giggles. First quietly supressed, and then full force gales when Jennifer tried to define ejaculations as short, quick prayers that just come forth in really short bursts. It took a few minutes for all to recover. Especially yours truly.
I love being Catholic.

Oh, and Tina, the reason I couldn't stiffle my giggles for quite a few minutes longer than everyone else was because I was composing this post in my head.

Days until Lent: 5 Are you ready?