Good Shepherd Sunday Meditation

This is a selection from the 2008 Midnight Mass Homily of Pope Benedict XVI. Food for thought on Good Shepherd Sunday:

"Let us think of those children who are victims of the industry of pornography and every other appalling form of abuse, and thus are traumatized in the depths of their soul."

"The Child of Bethlehem summons us once again to do everything in our power to put an end to the suffering of these children; to do everything possible to make the light of Bethlehem touch the heart of every man and woman."

"Only through the conversion of hearts, only through a change in the depths of our hearts can the cause of all this evil be overcome, only thus can the power of the evil one be defeated."

"Only if people change will the world change; and in order to change, people need the light that comes from God, the light which so unexpectedly entered into our night."



'The Road Without Turning' is the name of a short story by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, which appears in the book Spies and More Spies, edited by Robert Arthur.

Aardvark at 187 000 miles

The Aardvark rolled past 187,000 miles this week, and the aardvarks had a visitor for the occasion. I think it might be time for the aardvarks to have 'the talk.'

DIVINE MERCY MESSAGE

"No man in the wrong can stand up against a fellow that's in the right and keeps on a-comin'"

Capt. Bill McDonald, Texas Ranger

HAPPY EASTER!

Jesus Christ is Risen!

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

I was going to show some pictures of some non-edible things I planted today, but my PDA cell phone is taking forever to synchronize with the computer. Perhaps Monday.

Last Monday night we had a freeze which killed most of the plantings I did the previous weekend. I originally thought all the okra died, but I think some may be pulling through. Some of my children did a jig of mourning when they heard the okra did not survive...

I also made a trellis for the peas to grow on. They are already stretching little vines out to climb into the sky.

And now, in lieu of pictures, I present



A Political Time Out

I got this from a non-political discussion list I subscribe to. Usually they discuss anything but what the discussion list is for. I don't know who wrote this, but come the revolution, they will surely be punished:

I have to admit it. My liberal friends were right.

They told me if I voted for McCain, the nation's hope would deteriorate.

Sure enough, there has been a 20 point drop in the Consumer Confidence Index since the election, reaching a lower point than any time during the Bush administration.

They told me if I voted for McCain, the US would become more deeply embroiled in the Middle East.

Sure enough, tens of thousands of additional troops are scheduled to be deployed into Afghanistan.

They told me if I voted for McCain, that the economy would get worse.

Sure enough, unemployment is approaching 8.8% and climbing , the new stimulus packages implemented recently have sent the stock market lower than at any time since 9-11.


They told me if I voted for McCain, we would see more "crooks" in high ranking positions in Federal government.

Sure enough, several recent cabinet nominees and Senate appointments revealed resumes of bribery and tax fraud.

Well I ignored my Democrat friends in November and voted for McCain.

And they were right.... all of their predictions have come true.


This is very humble of this man to recognize that he was wrong and his Democrat friends were right.

Theodore's Memorial Video

Thanks to Facebook, I am able to embed the video tribute which was played at Theodore's Wake. After this photo montage, we also showed the two videos of Theodore singing:

Garden Progress

Some views of the garden, with some of the vegetables planted: After tilling the soil, we put down this biodegradable barrier which is supposed to limit weed growth, hold moisture, and make your children's teeth straight while they sleep. All we had to do was cut a hole in the barrier and plant our little peat pots into the gumbo - I mean, soil.

That is my shadow running along the fence line. I took the picture while standing up on the tractor.
Another view. We planted beans, peas, zucchini, two types of yellow squash, carrots, tomatoes(Cherry and Roma), and OKRA! We are Texans, you know.

Here are the bones of some unfortunate ram or goat critter which was carried onto our property after dining. There was an empty jar of mint sauce with it....
And finally, here is the ubiquitous Texas brush pile. We were moving some of the wood from the front part of our property and I decided to place it right on top of a large patch of prickly pear cactus. I figured I could eliminate two things with one fire.

I got to thinking about when to burn this brush pile, and then it hit me. St. Patrick lit a bonfire on Easter - rather, at sunset on Holy Saturday. What better time to burn our little patch of flammable Ireland than on this coming Saturday? Of course, several criteria would have to be met: verification that the burn ban for the county is lifted, standby water, minimal wind, and some other issues would all have to fall into place. I am hoping I could start a new Irish tradition on our property, and I am certain I could come up with a pile of brush just as large next year!
Now that I have thrilled you with the photographs, here are a couple of videos of the garden/property work:



Watch little brother almost take out big brother with a stick throw: