Catholic Family Vignettes

Breakfast for my dear husband at 2:00 a.m. Lunch packed, as well.

Time to plow! God bless him, and the many men like him, venturing into the dark to improve the roads for those brave enough to venture out at dawn's first light.

It is the eve of the Feast Of St. Nicholas, and I got my gift early. The first significant snowfall of the season is upon us, and I'm giddy!
As I sit typing, my children are sprinting down the stairs, voices raised in joyful chorus: It's snowing! How beautiful! Oh, it's lovely! Can we go outside now?

I'll be right there, with them! There were no "snow days" when I was a child. I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. I remember many Christmas days spent in short sleeves, riding my bike in the 70 degree weather. For this big kid...YUCK! I'll take the blustery cold, the blowing snow, yes...even sleet.

This afternoon, a very tired Dad will return home and park the plow...but not before he plows the circular drive and creates the most enormous snow mountain ever!

Pictures of the snow "mansion" to follow...meanwhile, enjoy this:

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Un-cool. A play on words. Uncle/un-cool. Several years ago, this was my dear daughter Meredith's pet name for her Uncle.

He is everything BUT un-cool. Incredibly intelligent, articulate and handsome. Rapier wit and artistic as well. A computer genius (he just rescued 7 GB of data trapped in an old computer for five years...all of my youngest daughter's baby pictures.) And I love him dearly.

This weekend, he took time out from his extremely busy schedule to visit with his nieces and nephews, showering them with so many gifts. The most precious gift amongst the toys and trinkets...him. His time.

The visit, though short, so clearly reveals how tight the ties that bind a family together. Each child vied for his attention. Wanted to sit beside him, hold his hand.

Racing to the woods...what fun! He did everything he could to make each child aware of his loving regard for them as individuals. With much sorrow, we said goodbye.

The miles between us are not so very many. Like most people who love one another, what separates us is not space, but time. The promises to "stay in touch" and spend more time together--these good intentions are often only that...intentions. I've not done my part as often as I should to tell him how much I love him. To call him. To email him.

I'm going to change that.

I have one brother. Just one. No sisters. It is my hope that my children will take note, my desire to maintain these ties. That by loving my brother better; they will do the same.

Brothers and sisters...love one another. Stick together.

I love you, brother!

BTW...thanks for the absolutely rocking computer! A 25 in. monitor! The bells! The whistles! It is truly sweeet! But not as sweet as you ;-D! Read more!

Meet the grandparents, aka the "Grands":

Only they could engage in, with complete enthusiasm, in the carving of an extremely nauseous pumpkin:



The Pumpkin King, aka my dad:



I miss you already, mom and dad! What a great week! Read more!

Thanks to Esther for the groovy new signature...

She is one talented lady!And here is the rest of it. Read more!

Thanks Esther!

One of my favorite pics of the boys...Just for fun! Read more!

Welcome to the Sunflower Grotto! What fun it has been, this summer, watching the sunflowers reach incredible heights. We've begun tying their "heads" together to form the roof, and the effect is quite charming...a nice little "grotto" or cave which the little girls like to sit in with their dolls.

If you've never made a sunflower house or grotto, it is really quite simple. In a sunny location, dig a crescent or horseshoe shaped trench. The size is entirely at your discretion. Scatter sunflower seeds (the mammoth variety) closely together (leave about two inches between each seed - you can also plant a smaller variety in between, if you wish). Water frequently...sunflowers require a lot of water. A few short weeks and your grotto or house will have reached sufficient height to begin forming the roof. The roof is formed by simply tying together adjacent "heads" or blooms. We don't mow inside the grotto...the tall grass provides a lovely carpet for little ones to sit and kneel upon. Enjoy! Read more!