39°F WSW19mph SR0732 SS1627

Morning Offering given

Village waking, no rain/snow yet, but it is coming

Coffee good

Advent Day 19
St. Gatian demonstrates that we do not need massive, ornate churches to worship God and receive the Holy Eucharist. God of all creation, help me to remember that I can worship and adore you wherever I am.
Christmas Novena
RIAY Day 252: The Luminous Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day pg. 506: A Christmas Novena: III. The First Hours of the Childhood of Jesus Christ

The day begins, FORWARD!
Last evening was a joy. It isn’t often I get to spend one-on-one time with a niece or nephew. Thank you, Reginia, for allowing me to pick you up and drive you home. Have a wonderful, uplifting time in Colorado.

Decided to take the SUV in and replace the generic parts with Ford parts and be done with it. I have a loner, a Chevy, and the seats are not comfortable. Additionally, the steering wheel reach is uncomfortable even after adjusting the seat to my liking. Glad it is a loner.

Another (hopefully the last) school program was copied and collated last evening before I headed to Tomah.

Another case of copy paper purchased… yowza! The cost of paper is outrageous!!! Ink was no picnic either. The price of fuel has lowered to 2.49. Property taxes jumped excessively. Governor Evers’ punishment in response to the general public’s refusal to fund public schools. He doesn’t get that the general public didn’t vote to fund the schools because of the woke indoctrination that has been going on. Now he’s refusing to open the SNAP records so that fraud can be policed and federal funds received. The man is vengeful, glad he won’t be running again. Wisconsin is already known for its low wages, high land prices, drunkenness, high energy costs, and lack of accessible technology (thank God, for our excellent libraries). Now we can add government disregard to the mix. The woke section of WI hasn’t figured out that we just want to live our lives, worship God, help our neighbor, and raise our children with as little government interference as possible.

Nuff said.

Know you are prayed for.

33°F SW11mph SR0731 SS1627

Morning Offering given

Village sleeps on

Coffee good

Advent Day 18
St Begga shows us how we can use the loss of loved ones to promote god’s plan and the faith of others. Father, may I never miss an opportunity to turn grief into joy for myself and others by following you.
Christmas Novena
RIAY Day 351: The Glorious Mysteries
O Antiphons
Meditation for Each Day pg. 505: A Christmas Novena, Preparation for the Nativity

Crazy weather! Today it is supposed to rain. The weather has been messed up worldwide for the last few months. Makes one wonder what is going on in the heavens. Which, at least to me, brings the Advent season even more to the forefront of life. HOPE never lose hope.

Copy work finished for the day. Quick run to take someone to ReubenBertha’s funeral this morning. Then, workshop workers to drop off, a woman to pick up and take to the store, while I see the doctor for a wellness check, and a return to pick up workers and return them home, then finally off to Tomah to meet my niece and take her home. Hopefully, the rain will hold off till I’m home.

Know you are prayed for.

7⁰F SSW13mph SR0731 SS1626

Morning Offering given

Village sleeps

Coffee okay

Birthday greetings to Linda P

Advent Day 17
St Adelaide demonstrates that we are all imprisoned by sin and are freed only by God. God of all salvation, help me to repent and avoid all sin.
Christmas Novena
RIAY Day 350: The Sorrowful Mysteries

Off to Wautoma today home late afternoon
Seems cold today, must be the wind

Know you are prayed for

9°F SW9mph Sr0730 SS1626

Morning Offering given

Village sleeps

Coffee good

Belated Baptism Anniversary (12/14/1975) wishes to Kaylee A.

Advent Day 16

St Maximin of Mesmin reminds us how Jesus fed thousands with scraps of food and inspires us to share our plenty with the hungry.
Christmas Novena
RIAY Day 349: Joyful Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day pg. 502: Consolations from God

Another cold one, but definitely warmer than the last couple of days. Yep, winter has arrived in Wisconsin. I’m glad for it. It was nice to spend the day with the man, puttering around here. Totally enjoyed watching reruns of the Red & Green Show and of Columbo. Very nice not to have to deal with all the junk that is in modern-day TV programming. Fixed a broken rosary (jade & jet) as well. Slow, uncomplicated day scheduled ahead of me. The man will be home. His truck is in for general maintenance on brakes & tires.

How are you? Really, I’d like to know.

Know you are prayed for.

-12. WSW5mph. SR0729. SS1626

Morning Offering given

Village sleeping

Off to Adoration at 0400

Kwik Trip coffee on way to Mass

Mass St Mary’s Ridge 0800

Home now, glad to be here at -6 4mph winds, thank full we don’t have to be outside.  The sunshine is glorious!  I do believe this will be a stay put day.

Know you are prayed for.

-4°F WNW11mph SR0729 SS1625

Morning Offering given

Village shivering

Coffee excellent

Today, we remember Doug B, who passed in 1994, and Dolores L, who passed in 2018. May they rest in peace.

Advent Day 14
St Lucy, patroness of the blind, warns us not to be blinded by the desire for worldly goods or power. Father, help me to see that it is you in whom all my desires are truly met.
Christmas Novena
RIAY Day 347: Joyful Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day Pg. 500: Merit and Love of God

Amish Christmas programs are being printed today. I am always amazed at how beautiful their programs (for any program) look. These 3 copy jobs are completed and will be delivered on Monday during my regular route.

Yesterday I mailed off 49 Christmas cards; postage was $49.00. The average cost of the card itself was $2.00; add the postage, and “voila,” the expense/card becomes $3.00. This was well worth the price to me, but the “sticker shock” was eye-opening on the postage. Especially since the PO hasn’t been getting a “10” rating from me for quite some time now. Very poor management of costs and personnel. Hopefully, the new Postmaster General will get a handle on this quickly. A 7-day delivery for 1st class doesn’t cut it.

The SUV is home, and the man’s truck was left. It seems brand-name parts are the solution to my breakdown issues. I am grateful the repair was under warranty and extremely happy my mechanic did extra research to solve the problem.

We have a 2004 Subaru wagon sitting in the parking area. A friend is selling “as is” for $1,200.00. It is not pretty; there are issues. I’ve even considered buying it as a backup. I dislike being carless when repairs are needed.

Oh, Joy! We have paperwork to attend to for most of the morning; so glad we will both be home to do this tedious job. The new year is coming (18 days), so I suppose we should have our financial plan in place. Actually, we should have sketched it out months ago, but time got away from us. No one likes to sit down and think about finances, taxes, end-of-life planning, renovation details, and clutter removal. Lucky us… Today’s the day! If you haven’t done this… Dave can help. You can find him online. This is a good place to start planning for your future.

Did anyone see Kevin Costner’s “The First Christmas” on the 9th? Love to know what you thought about it.

Adoration in the morning at 5AM… will take you with me.

Know you are prayed for.

2°F W16mph SR0728 SS1625

Morning Offering given

Village shivers a bit as temperatures fall and wind speeds increase

Coffee excellent

Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Feast Day… God of loving kindness, thank you for the love that all people share for Your Mother Mary.

Advent Day 13

Christmas Novena
RIAY Day 346: The Sorrowful Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day Pg.. 499: Leaving Our Worries in God’s Hands

Morning… Burrrr, the weather outside is freeeeeeezzzzzing!
The office is toasty
Sleep was very good and refreshing.
The good news on the SUV… the throttle… part came in last night, should be done by 5 today. PTL, this was the least expensive of the three options and the quickest fix.
Today I will address Christmas cards and write the Christmas letter. I’ve been experiencing a bit of a block when it comes to writing, and I hope to push through it and just get things done. Still enjoying yesterday’s article, “500 Archaic Words That Everyone Really Needs to Use Again” by Jerome London in 2024. Perhaps today I will run into a Mooncalf.

Have an awesome day today.

Know you are prayed for.

15°F WNW1mph SR0727 SS1625

Morning Offering given… Oh my God, forgive what I have been, correct what I am, and direct what I will be.

Village awake and moving

Coffee good

At Damasus I, shows us that we all have different gifts and should use them in the way god directs us… Lord, please guide me in the way I use my gifts and prevent me from ever using them to do harm.

ADVENT DAY 12
Christmas Novena
RIAY Day 345: The Luminous Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day Pg. 497: The Word of God
When there’s a moment (49 of them) in your life, check this out. For the last few years, Acedia has been a topic that has come to me over and over again. I’ve had many moments of it since the shutdown… it is a slithering snake.

Yep, the Christmas season has arrived. It is 100% here. How do I know this? The SUV is being towed to Clucker’s as we speak. (The man is doing my run/s today.) The little two-sided wrench on the dash says powertrain, 4WD system, or throttle system. With past experience, it will be the most expensive one. Which will then bring us to fix or not fix? It has almost 289,000. miles on it. I like this SUV; many odds and ends have been fixed on it over the past year. At our age, a new SUV isn’t going to happen. I cannot see myself shelling out $60,000. + for a new one. Conundrum it is; unless, of course, I win the LOTTO.
Christmas packages have started to arrive. Who knows, perhaps they will all show up on time this year.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves… it is ADVENT, not Christmas, and our focus should be preparing our hearts/minds for the arrival of Jesus. This process does not include shopping for Christmas, so hopefully you have already finished shopping, or while you ponder the coming of the babe, Jesus, you are making a project/present for a loved one.
The man and I will be home for Christmas. Should someone stop in that will be great. If not we will revisit our very 1st Christmas together (1974), Mass, a feline friend, Christmas music, and picture puzzle making, a few hands of Rummy, a few cups of Hot Chocolate, cheese and crackers, and napping. It has been almost 52 years since we spent the day alone. The idea is very appealing.

Know you are prayed for.

24°F NNW13mph SR0726 SS1625

Morning Offering given

Village covered in new snow with more on the way

Coffee good

St Gregory III’s affection for the poor, widows, orphans, and the clergy teaches us what kiind of leaders we should follow. Prayer… God, I pray for strong, loving church leaders who teach your precepts with compassion.

Advent Day 11
Christmas Novena
RIAY Day 344: The Glorious Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day pg.496: Peace of Soul

Beautiful, pristine snow fell overnight. I love the picture it paints before anyone walks on or shovels it. Apparently, more is to come along with winds and frigid temps. Between now and 8, I must decide my plan… to pick up workshop workers or give them the day off. My gut says day off. I drove in this last night in the dark, and it was awful. Schools to the north are closed/delayed, nothing for my area as yet.

How is your Advent coming along? Have you had a moment or two to enjoy it? Personally, I’m trying, although not always successfully.

Office access cleared… thanks to the man.

Know you are prayed for.

21°F SW9mph SR0725 SS1625

Morning Offering given

Village dusted in snow

No tea… a cup dropped on the floor as the door to the office didn’t open as it should, due to things stuffed into the space outside that I didn’t know about.

This is not a good day. Starting with an announcement that took me off guard.

Copy work completed, it may be the only thing that is.

Pray for me

Know you are prayed for