Happy Thanksgiving!

In the old "Three yards and a cloud of dust" approach, the press is today all turkey and gravy.  Mount Rushmore floats and pilgrim floats at the parade are celebrated.  The traditional trappings of an old American Thanksgiving, with a few embellishes and changes, are all the rage.

Since the press has set aside it's push to abolish the holiday, no doubt waiting until next year to move the ball forward another three yards, I'll post my own traditional post.  From a happier time, when a liberal vehicle meant to extol liberalism still reminded us that there is a world of difference between fundamentalism and terrorism.  

Enjoy, and have a blessed and thanks laden holiday as we remember the story of people whose grit and devotion might do us some good to remember. 

Why Veterans Day

Because:

It puts me in mind of this:

When I reflect on today's up and coming generation, I can't help but think that never has a generation with such a high opinion of itself accomplished so little for which to think high of itself.  Perhaps reflecting on those who made possible our freedom to be what little we've become would inspire us to become more.

A Thanksgiving sunrise

As I remember them.  First thing we saw when we woke up this morning. 

Happy Thanksgiving all.

On Veterans Day

From a time when we could thank our veterans for something, instead of reducing ourselves to thanking them for nothing. And in so doing, the true worth of freedom is being forgotten. Thanks to those who gave the last full measure of devotion for we who too quickly forget.  Perhaps it's because there are so few of us left who can trace the full tragedy of loss for what we are so flippant in saying is no big deal to lose.

“Have you news of my boy Jack?”
Not this tide.“When d’you think that he’ll come back?”
Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.

“Has any one else had word of him?”
Not this tide.
For what is sunk will hardly swim,
Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.
“Oh, dear, what comfort can I find?”
None this tide,
Nor any tide,
Except he did not shame his kind —
Not even with that wind blowing, and that tide.
Then hold your head up all the more,
This tide,
And every tide;
Because he was the son you bore,
And gave to that wind blowing and that tide!

That's all for today. Just the thanks to those who served and died.

*This was a reprint from a previous Veterans day that, sadly, still applies.  I added only a little.

Lou Gehrig's contribution to this Independence Day

One final note on this July 4th.  It's the 75th anniversary of one of the greatest speeches in American history, and probably the greatest out of the world of athletics.  Here's a post where I linked to the speech to remind myself of real courage in the face of adversity.  When the old world gets you down, remember this speech, and you'll not see it the same way.

One of the greatest speeches in history

When thinking on a crumbling country, bad personal breaks, corporate greed out of control, decadence and godlessness run amok against the remnants of a Christian culture, it's easy to get down.  Last week our nation was all about Martin Luther King's famous speech, but whenever I get to feeling down, I think of one of the other greatest speeches ever recorded, and can't help but get inspired.  God bless Lou Gehrig.

Strike a blow against abortion rights

Though I doubt it. A lovely story about an infant about to be born, grabbing her father's finger right before being delivered by C-Section.  The story is here.  Click on the link A Classic Pin-Up in the story for the picture.  I know, I know.  Don't expect Roe v. Wade to be overthrown on this one. It just goes to show that delicate and difficult dance performed by abortion rights advocates when it comes to saying unborn babies are beautiful  and anything in the womb is just a glob of tissue.  Someday, it's going to hit the fan, and I think we'll look back on this period of our history with the same affection we look back on our treatment of American Indians or African slaves. 

The Rite of Election

This last Sunday, Catholics around the world celebrated the Rite of Election.  That's where those who are seeking full communion with the Catholic Church get the go ahead from their bishop. A reminder of the role played by bishops throughout the Church's history.  Many envision the Catholic Church as Church, Inc, with the Pope as Steve Jobs, directing the complete operations of the global institution from on high.  But, in fact, it's the bishops who have the say in so many ways, and it's through them that the final steps toward the Easter Vigil are given (see St. Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Smyrnaeans). 

FWIW, the Rite took place this year in Westerville's St. Paul Parish, in their brand new sanctuary.  I'm not usually given to oogling over modern architecture, but the pseudo-Byzantine flair, and the sheer immensity of the gathering space, was impressive.  I was glad for the RCIA that they were able to make this beautiful testimony to the magnificence of God a part of their journey.  Not that our St. Mary parish is anything to sneeze at, as I've said before.  But this  certainly was a space that said 'O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is thy name in all the earth.'

By the way, I absolutely adored the iconic imagery that adorned the head of the sanctuary over the Tabernacle.  Just looking at its pre-modern simplicity couldn't help but take one out of the here and now, and transport you in spirit to the consummation of our hopes. 

A sweet story that any parent could appreciate

A young and tragically ill boy loves his local sports team - Albany River Rats - but they relocate.  What do the parents do?  What any loving parent would do who had to watch their boy possibly lose this one thing he loves in a lifetime of so many heartaches and struggles: sell the house and move with the team!  Bravo parents, and keep on rooting along Zach!  You're of the stuff that motivates us all.