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  I got a good laugh out of this picture on a Facebook post and then my husband and I debated about whether that was a reality from the 70's or more like the 60's.  Regardless, I am sure some of you will appreciate the humor.  I can still hear the clicking as the channel dial was stiffly turned. It really is amazing how things change right under our noses and sometimes we don't even realize it.  I remember our first microwave.  They advertised it as a quick way to make dinner, but I wasn't having anything to do with that idea.  I did find them more handy than warming up baby bottles on the stove, but I suppose using a microwave for that is a real no-no today, what with all the plastic in them.  Now it is a kitchen staple. Anyway, if I were to change the above picture, mine might have a couple of kids standing in front of a sink with a few dishes, one on a stool, the other crowded in next, both learning how to wash and dry, with a caption that reads, "

Suicide was in the news, briefly, this weekend. Euthanasia, actually. Or assisted death. Whatever folks call the process, it's arranging for someone to die. Or, being impolite in my choice of words, killing someone. For thoroughly nice motives. More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Canada has helped the terminally ill die since 2016. Euthanasia services are now offered to more sick and mentally ill citizens. Some doctors wonder if it is a good idea.)

  He said it for you CLICK HERE

I heard Jason Gould, son of Barbra Streisand say, "Don't die with your music still in you." Isn't that a great quote? How do you interpret it?  I would break it down in two ways.  First, whatever your gift is (music, for instance), don't keep it to yourself.  I think we are often most fulfilled when we share with others what we love. And secondly, to die with your music in you is to leave a void in the world. So I would ask you today, "What do you have inside of you that you have not yet shared?  What is the obstacle standing in your way? So often people feel like they do not have gifts to share, because they compare themselves to great musicians, orators and so forth.  They look at their life and think, "There's nothing special about me."  But I would suggest they are only looking at what society says is a noteworthy gift. What if your real gift is patient listening.  I know someone who worked with families planning funerals.  Her g

Humanity is one step closer to exploring Mars, in person. With people living and working on the surface. And eventually, I think, living there permanently That's going to take time. But like I said, we're one step closer. This week I'll be talking about In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), the NASA-ESA Sample Return Mission, and why we're keeping our spaceships clean. Until they land, at any rate. More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Oxygen production on Mars test succeeds. MOXIE broke its old record. ISRU, living off the land on other worlds; and plans for Mars sample return.)

  The Gospel of John  (1:29-34) Directed by Philip Saville Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) http://www.universalis.com/20230115/mass.htm Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   John 1:29-34  ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India)     The next day John the Baptist saw Jesus coming towards him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!   This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’   I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”   And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.   I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’   And I have seen and have

"You're driving a computer," my husband said one night as we were discussing the electronics on my car.  I was the girl who held out the longest when the great "driving while holding onto your cell phone" debate began, oh so many years ago. I thought it was such a stupid idea.  Who would think they could drive while holding onto a phone?  It's still a stupid idea, because now we don't simply hold onto our phones, but we fuss with our car's computer screen as well, which is even worse. You see, I think this is all a bad idea when you have a brain that operates the way mine does. It's like my thinking is "internally visual," so I could easily be concentrating on something other than my driving, "seeing what I am thinking about"--if I am not careful.   But I am learning to be careful, very careful.  You see, the problem is that when you drive a computer that tells you if you are crossing a line, or if you are too clo

  PEACE HERE

Kepler-1658 b, KOI-4.01, is a "hot Jupiter". In another 2,500,000 years, give or take a bit, it won't be there any more. That makes it a hot subject for scientists: literally and figuratively. Kepler-1658 b is also the the Kepler space telescope's first confirmed exoplanet. ... ... today I'll be talking about Kepler-1658 b and why studying it matters. To scientists, at any rate.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Looking at studies of Kepler-1658 b, first confirmed Kepler exoplanet; a hot Jupiter spiraling into its sun. Plus my take on pursuing truth.)

I overheard two women talking in an office the other day and this is what one of them said:  "She was old, real old, maybe 45 or 50." Gulp. Now I have no idea what the context of their conversation was, but naturally, that sounded ridiculous to me; then I started thinking.  What if someone was talking about their twenty-something daughter dating an older guy of 45-50.  I can see where, in that situation, you might describe him as real old, as in way too old to be dating my daughter. Context is important.  That's why when Catholics read scripture, they make sure they pay very close attention to context.  Who is speaking and who are they speaking to?  These things are very important in understanding scripture, because greater emphasis might be placed differently, depending on whether the speaker is talking to a Greek, a Gentile or a Jewish person. I'm no scripture scholar--not by a long shot--but it always amazes me how often those who have never investigate

T he Gospel According to Matthew , Baptism scene Directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini Where the Epiphany is celebrated this year on its proper date, Friday 6 January, e.g.,England & Wales and in Ireland, the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on Sunday 8 January this year, bringing the Christmas Season to an end, with the First Week of Ordinary Time beginning on Monday 9 January. In countries where the celebration of the Epiphany is transferred to Sunday 8 January this year the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on Monday 9 January and Ordinary Time begins on Tuesday 9 January. These countries include Australia, Philippines, Scotland and the USA Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Matthew 3:13-17  ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India)     Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.   John would have prevented him

I was listening to the car radio and I think the conversation was about death.  I suppose it was an author talking, and they said one of those things we have all heard before, but for some reason it really got me to thinking. You are the author of your life story. Ask yourself what your life is about and compare it to what you would like it to be about.  How do you want to be remembered? What will your story look like? I would suggest that the following exercise is not a waste of time.  The goal is to help you develop a full life. I suppose some of you would like your life's story to be like the private window on your web browser, while some of you would like it to be so open that everyone could tell it.  Probably some of you are somewhere in between. Regardless, if the reality of your life doesn't match the narrative you want to leave as your legacy, now is a good time to look at it. Remember, a person's life story isn't just a list of bullet points, but i

  Adoration of the Magi  (Bern) Blessed Fra Angelico [ Web Gallery of Art ] Where the Epiphany is celebrated this year on its proper date, Friday 6 January, it is a holyday of obligation. This applies in England & Wales and in Ireland. In these countries the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on Sunday 8 January this year, bringing the Christmas Season to a close, with the First Week of Ordinary Time beginning on Monday 9 January. In countries where the celebration of the Epiphany is transferred to Sunday 8 January this year the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on Monday 9 January and Ordinary Time begins on Tuesday 9 January. These countries include Australia, Philippines, Scotland and the USA Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)   Gospel   Matthew 2:1-12   ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)     I n the time of King Her

Benedict XVI, Zagreb, Croatia, 5 June 2011 [ Wikipedia ;  photo ] One of the most beautiful passages on death that I have ever read is from Pope Benedict's encyclical letter on hope,  Spe Salvi , No 48. I have often quoted from this passage at funerals. Spe Salvi, 48. Pope Benedict In hope we were saved (Romans, 8:24). The belief that love can reach into the afterlife, that reciprocal giving and receiving is possible, in which our affection for one another continues beyond the limits of death—this has been a fundamental conviction of Christianity throughout the ages and it remains a source of comfort today. Who would not feel the need to convey to their departed loved ones a sign of kindness, a gesture of gratitude or even a request for pardon? . . . We should recall that no man is an island, entire of itself. Our lives are involved with one another . . . The lives of others continually spill over into mine: in what I think, say, do and achieve. And conversely, my life spills over

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died this morning — Saturday, December 31, 2022. His death is international news, but I don't have much to say at the moment. Headlines included the all-too-predictable political spins and 'hidden meanings.' And, happily, I saw the following articles: one from BBC News, the other from Vatican News; both giving a pretty good overview of our former pope. More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Remembering Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI. Excerpts from BBC News, Vatican News.)

While doing dishes one night, we got kind of silly and started going on about old commercials, like Slim Chipley from Paramount potato chips (here's a medley ; not the original.  Just click the arrow), the Frito Bandito song and the Oscar Mayer Weiner song .   Amazing!  After 50 years my husband and I could sing quite a few of them.  Our oldest daughter pointed out how long those early commercials were and how verbose their jingles were compared to today. It was some good marketing, that's for sure, if we can recall them so many years later. That got me to thinking . . . maybe we need a commercial for God and the gospel, the "Good News."  A nice catchy tune that would stick in your head.  I'm just following what the Lord says through the prophet Isaiah (59:32): “. . . my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the LORD.&q

I'd been planning on writing about chimps, strength, muscles, and assumptions this week. Then, a few hours later, I noticed that I'd been talking about horses, digestion, etymology, cephalic index and other assumptions. Which, for me, is about par for the course. Eventually, I got back to what we've been learning about chimps and muscles. Horses Aren't Human Scientists, Science, and Assumptions: Old and New Phrenology and the Superiority of 'Folks Like Me' Scientific Scientists: An Etymological Excursion Cephalic Index: Numbers, Notions and Aryan Angst Assumptions, Attitudes and an Opportunistic Omnivore More Assumptions and Attitudes Using Our Brains, Seeking (and Accepting) Truth Making Sense and Other Options Chimpanzee Sort-of-Super Strength: It's the Muscles Reviewing the Evidence Twitchy Chimps And Finally, Malu Malu: the Slow Loris More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (How ho

Noted, in today's news:... ...Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has been living in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, about a hundred yards northwest of St. Peter’s in Vatican city. He’s still there, in serious but stable condition; with medicos on hand. At age 95 — his age, not mine — hearing that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI had a good night's sleep and is "absolutely lucid and alert" is good news. And Pope Francis renewing his invitation to pray for Benedict XVI makes sense.... A liitle more at A Catholic Citizen in America .

 28th Dec A Very Happy Christmas to You   In our family we continue to celebrate Christmas, so I wish you the Peace, Joy and Love of the Christ Child this 4th day of Christmas.       We have a Christmas party tomorrow with families from our ParisIh and the next day my daughter will host another family Christmas Day. There will be others, but more impropmtu, like a meet up for the Ist Jan, when we remember Mary as the Mother of God, before we finish with a party for the Feast of the Kings on the 6th Jan.         I will continue to wish people Happy Christmas, even though they might think I'm mad and shout back at me, "You mean Happy New Year , Love!" No I don't , I try and explain, but they've usually moved off by then. Even in the Church people look at me askance, as if to say, "hey, Christmas is over, thank goodness." What a shame. I also still have some Christmas Cards that I intend to give out at the party tomorrow.  What do you do during the Twelve D

  Joseph's Dream Rembrandt [ Web Gallery of Art ] An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt (Mt 2:13) . Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs 28 December Gospel   Matthew 2:13-18 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) Now when the wise men had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”   And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt   and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time tha

Merry Christmas and thank you for all of the warm Christmas greetings!  I hope you continue to enjoy the season! I have really enjoyed all of the family pictures on social media over the last couple of days. It occurred to me, since I know that behind several of the gatherings and smiles, many of you were missing parents, children and spouses, you still found ways to laugh and smile and enjoy the people you were with.  That's wonderful! I think you are living proof that we can rise above our hardships and grief and that it is okay to still laugh and celebrate, because Jesus is born !  Because of circumstances, our Christmas was "weird" this year as plans unexpectedly changed for various reasons out of our control, but we, too, still managed to figure out a way to mostly make it work. We will have to celebrate with the grandkids later in the week, but it is completely understandable. We couldn't make it to church because we were exposed to Covid and wanted

We're celebrating a very special birthday. (A little) more at A Catholic Citizen in America . (John 1:14. It's a big deal. Merry Christmas!)

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    I am so thankful to be arriving at Christmas, for many reasons, but one you might not expect--no longer will I have to drive past the extremely depressing, deflated blow-up Christmas yard displays! I don't use them and admittedly, I don't know how they work, except I surmise there is some sort of air pump, but honestly, if you are going to have them, please, please either keep them blown up or take them away.  It's so sad to drive past your yard and see a bunch of "dead" reindeer, Santas, and Christmas trees all lying around like some sort of Christmas cemetery--and just before Christmas! Sorry, that sounded mean; it's just an observation, but admittedly they can get pretty bad (like the above picture I found online.) When you have them inflated, I really do appreciate them, so I guess that's something nice I can say! Years ago my friend commented about people having statues of Mary in their yard and she called them "Mary in a batht

I'll be sharing some very odd 19th century Christmas cards today. And rambling a bit about holidays, history and whatever else comes to mind. Briefly, for me. Christmas and New Year's Eve: a Double-Header Solstice Celebration Many if not all folks who experience non-equatorial seasons where they live have some sort of winter solstice celebration. My native culture has two: Christmas and New Year's Eve. More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (My winter solstice celebrations, holiday greetings from the ISS, strange Victorian greeting cards and the first Christmas card.)