Thursday, April 30, 2009

Real Estate Prayers


If you can spare a prayer, we are trying to sell my mother-in-law's condo in Oakton, VA. We inherited the condo upon her death a year ago. We cannot afford to maintain two homes nor are we interested in doing so. One home is enough, thank you! But then I've never understood the need of owning second properties, i.e. the summer home, the winter home, the beach home, etc., etc.!

In addition our daughter Deb & SIL Bill are selling their home in Mechanicsville, VA. Our friends Ruth & Matt are selling their home in Colorado Springs. Deb & Bill are being transferred to San Antonio. Bill works for the Army. Matt is a Naval officer and has been transferred to San Diego.

In this tough real estate market, we are all praying for successful sales with a minimum amount of stress, if possible! Thanks!


Tuesday, April 28, 2009

YAHOO & WELCOME


WASHINGTON - Veteran Republican Sen. Arlen Specter announced Tuesday that he is switching parties, a move would give Democrats a filibuster-proof 60 seats if Al Franken is seated in the Minnesota race.
"I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary," the Pennsylvania senator said in a statement.
"I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans," Specter said, adding that the "change in party affiliation does not mean that I will be a party-line voter any more for the Democrats that I have been for the Republicans."



Welcome Senator Spector! Will Senators Oympia Snowe and Susan Collins join us as well? Time will tell!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

BRRR


The temps dropped about 25 degrees today from yesterday's lovely warm day. It's time to throw a log in the fireplace, enjoy a drink and just read for the rest of the day!

Friday, April 24, 2009


Blessing for an enjoyable weekend for all!
Relax, drink your favorite, and nosh!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Spring Declaration


I have decided to declare Spring in Colorado Springs! Yes, I know we had snow last week and we might even get some snow next week. I don't care, Today I cleaned off the front porch and put out the patio furniture. It was a simply beautiful day to sit outside, read and meditate. I'm going to head out there shortly for the evening.


I decided to leave the birds' nest over the light fixture. I'm just praying I won't be dive bombed by the bird family!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

The Birds


The birds have returned to San Jaun Capistrano or more accurately to my front porch! Every spring the black birds arrive to have their babies. I'm all for apple pie, moms, and baby birds. Just not at my front door! The momma bird set up a nest over the light fixture next to the front door. Unfortunately, she's a very sloppy nest maker! I don't appreciate being dive bombed upon entering and leaving my home and the little gifts that she leaves behind.


The front door is the only entry into our house. Every flippin spring without fail those damn birds find my light fixture to make their nests. I don't even mind the nests, just not at the front door! The birds came make nests over the garage door light fixtures, the eaves, ANYWHERE, but the front door.


So begins the Battle of the Birds. I knock down the nests and they rebuild. I knock them down again, they rebuild and so on and so on. I only knock down nests that don't have eggs in them. If momma beats me to the nest first and drops the younguns, they stay until they can fly away and no longer need/want the nest.


Why my house??? None of my neighbors have this problem! The birds must know that we have cats and their favorite place is the bay window for their suntans and naps. The birds know the cats can't get them. The cats go crazy trying to get to the birds and so on and so on!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Springtime in the Rockies




If you ask me to name my favorite season, I would say "Autumn." However lately I think it's Spring. But only Spring in the Rockies!

Easter Sunday was a great example. We woke up to heavy snow. OK... that's the norm for Colorado Springs. We're more likely to have a White Easter then a White Christmas. As we gathered at church, most folks were saying "Merry Christmas!" Then during the service the snow changed to rain. Pouring rain. By the time we left church, just cloudy skies. By late afternoon, the sun made an appearance!
The weather in Colorado just fascinates me! From my back deck, I can see the weather changing and coming in long before it hits my house.

The weather forecasters really earn their pay during this season. Trying to keep up with the ever changing weather patterns is a nightmare with Colorado's terrain. Yet our local weather gurus do a really great job. No small feat here.

Today is a beautiful, warm, and sunny day. Tomorrow?? SNOW!!
I just love Springtime in the Rockies. Wait five minutes and the weather will change!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The Beatitudes



"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.


Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.


Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.


Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.


Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.


Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.


Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.


Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."


Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10

Monday, April 13, 2009




Peace and joy to all as we celebrate the Fifty Days of Easter!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Easter Blessings!







Alleluia.
The Lord is Risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Easter Blessings to All!

Holy Saturday


Thursday, April 9, 2009

Good Friday


Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.
BCP. page 221

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Maundy Thursday


This day, Maundy Thursday (also "Holy Thursday" or "Shire Thursday") commemorates Christ's Last Supper and the initiation of the Eucharist. Its name of "Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, meaning "command." This stems from Christ's words in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give unto you." It is the first of the three days known as the "Triduum," and after the Vigil tonight, and until the Vigil of Easter, a more profoundly somber attitude prevails (most especially during the hours between Noon and 3:00 PM on Good Friday).

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Another Great Site!


Please check out http://episangrel.aimoo.com/ This is a great site with a lot of Episcopalian/Anglican information and a great group of folks!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Monday Morning

Ah... the only way to start the day! Thanks to John for the photo of a REAL coffeepot!

Saturday, April 4, 2009


Palm Sunday Blessings to All!

Joan: A friend of mine sent this to me, and it resonated with me profoundly. I feel compelled to share it with you. Lee

Fra Giovanni's Salutation to a Friend

I am your friend and my love for you goes deep. There is nothing I can give you which you have not got, but there is much, very much that, while I cannot give it, you can take.

No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in today. Take heaven!

No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instant. Take peace!

The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach, is joy. There is radiance and glory in the darkness could we but see – and to see we have only to look. I beseech you to look!

Life is so generous a giver, but we, judging its gifts by the covering, cast them away as ugly or heavy or hard. Remove the covering and you will find beneath it a living splendor, woven of love, by wisdom, with power.

Welcome it, grasp it, touch the angel's hand that brings it to you. Everything we call a trial, a sorrow or a duty, believe me, that angel's hand is there, the gift is there, and the wonder of an overshadowing presence. Our joys, too, be not content with them as joys. They, too, conceal diviner gifts.

Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty – beneath its covering – that you will find earth but cloaks your heaven.

Courage, then, to claim it, that is all. But courage you have, and the knowledge that we are all pilgrims together, wending through unknown country, home.

And so, at this time, I greet you. Not quite as the world sends greetings, but with profound esteem and with the prayer that for you now and forever, the day breaks, and the shadows flee away.

(Excerpt from a letter by Fra Giovanni to his friend, Countess Allagia Aldobrandeschi, written on Christmas Eve, 1513.)

Happy Weekend!



Peace and blessings for a wonderful weekend!

Friday, April 3, 2009

In Remembrance


You are missed, my friend. Be at peace.


All we go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Give rest, O Christ to thy servant Lee with thy saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 483)
Blessings and Peace to all who are attending Lee's service today in Bristol. My thoughts and prayers go with you.


Thursday, April 2, 2009

Some Music for the Soul


With special thanks to my friend, Jeanette for showing me the way...




Ephesians 4:32—5:2



"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."