Giving up ice cream for Lent?...

no, not me. 

That "man child" senile loon in D.C. told Cardinal Gregory he was giving up ice cream for Lent. WTHell? 

“All sweets, and you know me, I start off with dessert. No ice cream, nothing,” Joe Biden said when asked what he is giving up for Lent. source

That sounds like something you'd hear from a 6-year old. 

And how about Cardinal Gregory? 

Back in 2021, Cardinal Gregory said: (emphasis mine) 

Cardinal Gregory waded into the controversy about some of Mr. Biden’s political views that put him at odds with church teaching, stating in 2021 that though he disagreed with Mr. Biden’s stance on abortion, he would not deny him Communion. source

Receiving the Holy Eucharist while in the state of mortal sin is a grave sacrilege and is in itself a mortal sin, and trust me on this, support of abortion is a mortal sin. Period! And public sin requires public repentence. 

I would like everyone to spend eternity with God - even Joe Biden, although I will cop to being rather grudging about that. I'm much more like those whining  vineyard workers.

The general idea of the parable (Matthew 20 1-6) is that everyone comes to the vineyard (faith) at different points in their lives. Some people are lifelong disciples of Jesus, and some people convert only toward the end of their lives. In the kingdom of God, both groups are treated the same. By human standards, we perhaps might view this as unjust. Yet Jesus points out that the reward for their long work (heaven) is fair, and the only reason that others receive this same reward is because of the generosity of the owner of the vineyard (God). It is his (God’s) to do with as he pleases. So long as we have not been treated unjustly, how could we reasonably complain that God is generous to others? source

   There is a huge problem when a priest of the Church winks at mortal sin and allows someone to pile up sin. 

BTW - I received closer to a blob on my forehead instead of a lovely cross yesterday. Sigh...

 

What I learned while on sabbatical...

 perfect discussion for the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.

The first object of my attention was my habits. I made a concentrated effort to reform some of my sloppy ways. That alone changes so much in our life.

I believed being online for many hours a day was harmful. Now I know it is. And so I've severely limited the sites I visit.  During the past few months I tended to all my duties associated with my state in life before even approaching my computer. I might add in most cases these tasks were written in my agenda the evening before - usually after spending a bit of time cogitating in my journal. 

I try to stick to the 3-3-3 method to prioritize and it's working like a charm.

• Every quarter, you set three goals that you want to achieve in the three months ahead.
• Each week, you define the three objectives that will have the most impact on your quarterly goals.
• Every day, you choose the three tasks that will help you make the most progress toward your weekly objectives.

By doing this I've managed to fix the tiles on my kitchen floor, paint my bathroom, while learning how to tape and mud. I've used joint compound before, but have never taped. Piece of cake!  I have yet to have my new toilet installed and will miss my deadline for that, but not by much. 

All my garden seeds are ready for planting, and I'll start pruning trees next week (yay! - love to prune.)

I'm back at the gym after my silly surgery, continue to intermittent fast, aka time- restricted-eating, for my health,  As it happens, many medical people in the know have discovered time-restricted-eating helps protect you against the Wuflu and all sorts of other health problems.  Dr. Jason Fung is the master of explaining the science behind intermittent fasting in his two books - The Obesity Code*, and The Diabetes Code.*

The best resource for helping with habits is Atomic Habits*, by James Clear. I acquired this book back on January 10, 2019 and this past year (2021) it was, by all accounts, the largest selling book on Amazon. The hardbound is on sale right now and I highly recommend the paper version over Kindle. 

Ukraine

It happens I'm reading a novel set during the final year of WWII. The descriptions of the bombings are so similar to what is happening in Ukraine at the moment.  It's all very sad, and it reminds me how blessed we are in this country - at least so far. 

My good friend Lone Star Parson has a post on the spiritual and religious elements in play about what is going on. Not only do I believe Brandon will screw this up, I also know it. Sigh...

Believe nothing you read about Ukraine. The First Casualty of War Is the Truth – The Current Western Propaganda for Ukraine Is Epic in Scale. This is something I not only believe, but know.

Is the Wuflu finally dead?

Oh, hell noes.  First off, the elites have Ukraine as a distraction claiming inflation is all Russia's fault, and by extension, Trump's fault. The morons on the left are already bleating Russia, Russia, Russia, Trump, Trump, Trump. Yeah - whatever.

Gateway Pundit reported The Great Reset: National Vaccine Passport Rolled Out in 21 States and More Are Joining Including Red States. Do you really believe after seeing how the sheeple acquiesced and cowered in fear the monsters are just going to abandon such a great way to control?  It's time for you to know it's not going away, and make appropriate decisions based on that knowledge.  Unfortunately, Washington State will, no doubt, be one of the first in line to impose passports meaning we'll be kicking even more Washingtonians out of our way at our local Post Falls, Idaho Walmart and Super I.

Ash Wednesday

This coming Wednesday, most believing Christians will "celebrate" Ash Wednesday, starting off my favorite liturgical season.  Some of us will be lucky enough to have ashes smeared on our foreheads in the shape of a cross to signify  death and repentance. How's that for a smack upside the head?

The ashes come from a previous Palm Sunday. The palms are burned, the ashes collected, crushed, and mixed with a bit of holy oil.

The ashes are blessed by the priest during the Ash Wednesday Mass after the homily. People are invited to come forward, and the ashes are applied to each person’s forehead in the shape of a cross (we hope - sometimes it's more of a blob) as the minister says, “Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.”

The rest of the day, we'll be assailed by helpful people telling us we have dirt on our forehead.  NB: It's really not too Christian to reply, "WTHell, you pagan heathen. Don't you know it's Ash Wednesday?" Please just smile all holy and sphinx like, nod, and say, "Thank you."

* affiliate link

Civil War 2.0??...

your thoughts.

I thought I'd better check in from my snowy abode (I may escape today for a bit) so you wouldn't think I'd fled the planet.

Lent started with a smashing sacrifice when I couldn't get out on Fat Tuesday to gorge on a carb laden pile of pancakes or filled doughnuts.  Do I get a do-over on Fat Tuesday?  Maybe LSP can give me a special dispensation to indulge today (please?)

 Even worse  I couldn't get out on Wednesday to attend Mass and have ashes plastered on my forehead.  Sigh.


Disturbing Content

No - not the wacked out commies further pushing their anti-American agenda and their relentless pursuit of trashing our duly elected president.  I resent every tax-payer dime these enemies of the state are sucking up instead of doing their jobs.

This is about a number of articles in the American Thinker from last week.

 On February 28 Is a Second Civil War Coming? was posted and scooped up close to 1700 comments.  

The following day  America's Second Civil War Has Already Begun gobbled up over 1200 comments.

On March 3, they posted What does it take to start a civil war? with well over 500 comments.

Then on March 6, Lloyd Marcus posted  What If Trump Loses in 2020?  also with over 500 comments.

Why am I mentioning the comments?

Anyone who has hung around my corner of the internet knows that I spend quite a bit of time perusing comments on articles.  While I like reading what intelligent people post, I'm even more interested in how people respond. 

 I found the responses a bit alarming.  The comboxes, other than the trolls, were filled with people who were equally alarmed, but still pragmatic about the outcome of the politics of today.  These were not comments from wild eyed skin- heads, but mostly well thought out responses. 

I've always thought the idea of Civil War was impossible.  I'm not so sure anymore. I have taken my own temperature on the ignorant antics of the commies in this country and it's has soared into the brain frying area.  

Hoaxed

This comment from American Thinker brings me to the next subject - the documentary Hoaxed. 

We are already deep into a civil war. Because much of the fighting is done with information, not hand to hand combat, most don’t see it. The war is well underway. 

 I watched Hoaxed yesterday and I am so impressed that I'm urging you to watch it.  That's a big step for me since the producer, Mike Cernovich, is not on my fan list.  This is one of the best objectively produced documentaries of the psychotic hold fake news has on our society.  I think you'll be surprised what they have to say about Black Lives Matter too.

More

Conrad Black: The Greatest Constitutional Crisis Since the Civil War

Virtual Mirage:  Putting Things in Perspective

Imprimis:  America’s Cold Civil War


Amazon Today

Save over 20% on Ultrasonic Humidifiers from Pure Enrichment

Save 20% on Blink XT Outdoor Home Security Cameras

Shrove Tuesday...

otherwise known as Mardi Gras, Paczki Day, Pancake Day, and just plain Tuesday for pagans.

The Poles are eating Paczki, the Italians are imbibing in pancakes, and the Mardi Gras peeps are drinking up all the available liquor to ensure it doesn't go bad during the 40 days of Lent.

As for me and my home, we're having king crab legs, filet of beef, asparagus, and stuffed bacon wrapped jalapenos.  

The jalapenos are something I usually have on Easter Sunday after the Lenten fasts, but I decided that before and after was okay.  There's no such thing as too many stuffed jalapenos.
   

Some Crab Leg and Asparagus Hints

My top and really only hint for crab legs is to take a box knife and slit the softer white underside of the leg (leaving the shell on.)  No more struggling with a nut cracker and getting your hands stabbed with little crab spikes.  

Asparagus?  Any asparagus over the size of a small straw needs to be peeled.  Use a vegi peeler and apply almost zero pressure.  All you're trying to accomplish is to remove the tough outer skin.  

My favorite way to cook asparagus is by roasting.  When I don't roast, I wrap it in wet paper towels and give it about 2 - 3 minutes in the microwave depending on the thickness of the stalk.  Simple and easy.





All sorts of cool Kitchen Stuff deals at Amazon

I receive a small commission when you purchase items from Amazon using my links.  Do I appreciate it?  You betcha!

Ash Wednesday...

offer up Lent for our country.

Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent...

and I don't feel ready.

Usually I look forward to Lent.  It's my favorite liturgical season and I always have high expectations.  I spend much time gathering my reading and laying out my plans. More often than not the reality does not match the expectations. 

This year not one book has yet been chosen.  No penance has been pondered and I just don't feel ready.  It may end up being my best Lent ever.  


From Father John Speekman:  Ash Wednesday - Year A
Redneck Reflections:  Packing for the Desert

Ash Wednesday

Welcome Creative Minority Readers.  Please note the update at the bottom of the post.  I was remiss in not recommending the fine site Catholic Spiritual Direction.

Before leaving for the day to contemplate Ash Wednesday and the beginning  of Lent (my favorite liturgical season), here are some wonderful links for your edification:

 But first, if you haven't had time to gather up some great reading for Lent, head over to Sancte Pater.  Vincenzo has a complete list of links to FREE Catholic Books.  Wowza!!  I can't wait to head back over there and start printing out stuff.  Thanks, Vincenzo!!  Nothing makes my heart beat faster than the anticipation of a new book.  And who can argue with free???

Ebeth:  It's Lent: Are you tending the garden?
Tracy: Ash Wednesday 
Father Longenecker:  Three Weapons to Fight the Un-Holy Trinity

Terry: Repentance
Father Powell: Now is the Day of Salvation
Bob: The Cross is the Crux of the Matter
Father Farfaglia: Getting Ready for Lent: the spiritual battle
Cathy of Alex: The Lenten Plan
Jean:  Ash Wednesday: A Journey Into the Desert
Mary Rose: Cheap Apologies and Thoughts on Ash Wednesday 
Bella: Ash Wednesday: The Beginning of our Lenten Journey
Adoro: Ash Wednesday
Ironic Catholic:  10 Ways in Which the Winter Olympics is Like Ash Wednesday

Update: The Catholic Spiritual Direction site is excellent. 

Since the death of my step-son 10 weeks ago, our precious Elle dog 6 weeks ago, and now the loss of our equally precious Sophie dog 4 days ago, my husband and I feel like we've already had our own personal Lent.  It is very "dry" around here right now.

We hope to emerge at Easter having healed and grown in our faith.

God bless all my readers.  I will pray for you all this Lenten season...

See you all tomorrow!