57°F Fog NNE6mph SR0652(0552) SS1858(1758)

Morning Offering given

Village shrouded in fog

Coffee hot, strong, black

Happy Birthday to Rob S, Richard AW, and Barbara M. I hope your day is beautiful.

St Pio of Pietrelcina‘s life and Stigmata inspire us to follow Christ closely and to transform suffering.

Read Daniel 9: The Seventy Weeks of Years
RIAY Day 266: the Glorious Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day pg. 381: Carelessness; _{Some people think that they are good Christians because they avoid committing grave sin and more or less fulfil their duties. They do not entirely omit their prayers, but they are content to recite them listlessly...such people do not wish to serve Satan, but they lack the generosity and the strength of will to become true sons of God.}

I’m not sure about you, but that reading certainly has me thinking about my spiritual life. In all honesty, it has been a struggle in some way since the church shut down in 2019. Priests are different now, appearing to be distant, distracted, and uninterested. Instead of reaching out to their flock, they request the flock to reach out to them. I didn’t grow up that way, and until 2019, I had not experienced that type of thought process. I’m told it is due to the priest shortage, the number of parishes they have, and the workload. I don’t buy that. Before 2019, in my area, the workload was the same, yet my priest and others personally kept in touch, attended good movies, ate dinner, spoke to each person at Mass, or made some effort to touch base. At one point, a new priest presented himself at our door, unannounced, to introduce himself. That doesn’t seem to be happening these days. Perhaps I need to think differently.

Know you are prayed for.

60°F SSW7mph SR0650(0550) SS1859(1759)… _{noting the weather allows us to see if the attitudes, aches, pains, etc, are different during different weather.}

Morning Offering given… _{the offering reminds us that life is not random or wasted; each hour is an opportunity to glorify God. Whether one is strong or weary, joyful or burdened, the act of beginning with prayer centers the soul and gives direction. These prayers are not rigid formulas but expressions of the heart that draw us into deeper union with God. They lift the mind above distractions and set the tone for holiness throughout the day.}

Village is silent & peaceful… _{noting the atmosphere in the area we live gives insight to our sleeping patterns}

Coffee: strong and bold… _{sometimes the taste of a morning beverage can give you a clue to your physical health.}

St. Matthew, who wrote his Gospel for a Jewish Christian community, expresses God’s all-embracing love (I was a day ahead yesterday, so I will post that today)… _{the saint of the day gives us a chance to see how they conducted themselves while on earth}

Remembering birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms, & deaths… _{is a way to offer prayers for the living and the dead.}

I was asked recently about why I blog the way I do. This morning, since we are starting a new season, I thought it might be the best time to explain that.

Read Daniel 8: The Ram and the He-goat… _{reading a chapter a day allows us to read the word of God at a pace that doesn’t seem overwhelming or too time-consuming}

RIAY Day 265: The Sorrowful & Glorious Mysteries… _{is a way to touch base with Our Lady and pray about the life of Christ. Each of the mysteries give us a portion of Christ’s life, a way to get to know him and a way to remember how He loved us enough to bear our sins so that we may live with Him eternally.}

From the Margins… _{is a reminder of things I wrote in the margin of the bible/a book that struck me strongly.}

Meditations for Each Day pg. 379: Depending on Jesus… _{is a book by Antonio Cardinal Bacci who gives thought to Catholic teaching, bible readings, habits, etc, which allows a context to understanding.}

Snippet of Family History… _{is my way of passing on the who, where, and why of our particular families. It reminds me and tells others where we came from, allowing insight into those things that were important to each generation and shaped who we are today.}

Sometimes I talk about what’s happening in today’s world, or in the years gone by. Other times, I let you know what books I’m reading, or I go off on a rant about the things that weigh heavily on my mind or in my heart. Most of you barely know me, and that is because although I talk a lot and do many things with many people, I share very little of my personal self. That is my means of protection due to long-ago issues. I may seem like a crowd person, but I am not. I enjoy my own company most days. Crowds make me weary and defensive. I can think of only a handful of people who really know me, 2 of whom no longer live, and 3 more whom I hold very dear. This created issues with my children and, at times, still does. I have been this way all of my life, well, since about age 4, if I have to pinpoint it to a specific time frame. Nuff said on that.

Know you are prayed for.

61°F SSW6mph SR0649(0549) SS1901(1801)

Morning Offering given

Village peaceful

No coffee

Anniversary greeting to Phil & Irene B, “46” years

St. Emmerammus shows us that if we are to be missionaries of Jesus, we must be ready to pay a price.

RIAY Day 264: The Sorrowful Mysteries

Let’s talk about “Stress Urinary Incontinence”, a pelvic floor issue, and the lack of it being addressed with women who have it and their lack of wanting to go and have it checked out.
Common Types of Pelvic Floor Exercises

Kegel Exercises
Identify the muscles by stopping urine midstream
(do this only to locate the muscles, not as a regular exercise).
How to perform:
Tighten the pelvic floor muscles and hold for 5–10 seconds.
Relax for 5–10 seconds.
Repeat 10–15 times per session, 2–3 sessions per day.
Variations: quick squeezes (contract and release in 1–2 seconds) to improve fast-twitch muscle

Pelvic Tilts
Lie on your back with knees bent, feet flat on the floor.
Tighten your abdominal and pelvic muscles, tilting your pelvis slightly upward.
Hold for 5–10 seconds and relax. Repeat 10–15 times.
Helps engage the core while activating the pelvic floor.

Bridge Exercise
Lie on your back with knees bent and feet hip-width apart.
Tighten your pelvic floor and lift your hips toward the ceiling.
Hold 5–10 seconds, then lower slowly. Repeat 10–15 times.
Strengthens the glutes, lower back, and pelvic floor simultaneously.

Squats
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
Engage the pelvic floor as you lower your hips into a squat.
Keep your core tight and rise slowly.
Adds functional strength for daily activities and supports pelvic stability.

Tips for Effectiveness
Consistency: Do exercises daily for the best results.
Focus on the right muscles: Avoid contracting the abdomen,
buttocks, or thighs while doing Kegels.
Breathe naturally: Do not hold your breath.
Posture matters: Good posture can enhance pelvic floor activation.
Progress gradually: Increase hold times and repetitions as strength improves.

When to Seek Guidance
Consult a healthcare provider or pelvic floor physical therapist if you experience:
Difficulty locating the correct muscles
Pain during exercises
Severe incontinence or prolapse
Postpartum recovery requiring personalized guidance
With regular practice, pelvic floor exercises can improve bladder control, support pelvic organ health, reduce risk of prolapse, and enhance sexual function. They can be safely incorporated into your daily routine at home or under professional supervision.

Know you are prayed for.

61°FS5mph SR0648(0548) SS1903(1803)

Morning Offering given

Village peaceful a bit damp

Coffee strong

• Birthday greetings to Sue W, Sandy D, & Susan M. Hope your day is awesome!

• St Eustace, who won and lost great wealth and victories, is proof that only devotion to God is of value

• From the Margins…To suffer for the love of Our Lord is my very greatest joy. _{Ven. Edel Quinn}

• RIAY Day 263:The Luminous Mysteries

We’ve made it to Saturday morning! Believe me, I had some doubt as to whether I would. The cough lingers, but improves or appears to. The man heads off to IA today as DD#1 is moving to their new place. I’d love to go, but I cannot; I have a mom two weeks overdue, whom I cannot leave without transportation. I do plan to head off to Norwalk when he leaves to catch the last garage sale at the Methodist church there, which opens at 8. Then back to the house to continue sorting, cleaning, purging… so why the garage sale, you ask? Well, something might call my name… the reason I seem to be continually sorting, cleaning, and purging.

Wanted, someone/or a magic wand to deep clean the RV. It came back after 3 years in the TX desert and has not been touched since. I know it will take a few days to do the cleaning. I also know that after sitting all this time, it will be awful, and that is putting it nicely. Call me: if you want the job, name your price.

Have an awesome weekend.

Know you are prayed for.

63°F SE8mph SR0647(0547) SS1905(1805)

Morning Offering given

Village sleeps

Coffee good

St Emily De Rodat shows us how one simple service to God can expand into a multitude of good

Today we remember Hazel C, wife of Joe, may she rest in peace.

Read Daniel 7: The Beasts & The Judgement
RIAY Day 262: The Joyful & Luminous Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day pg. 374 Gospel Reading

Friday morning, how’d we get here so fast this week? Another wall of wainscotting is in place. Next, the cabinets need to be removed from the wall for relocation. Congestion and cough persist; it is getting old. Gathering the items that will go to Iowa tomorrow. Ebony needs another bath. Floors need vacuuming. Laundry calls. Home today, unless there’s a baby run. The man is headed to the golf course; I’m thinking it will be alone this morning. Been contemplating the death of Charlie Kirk and the reverberations it is creating. In all honesty, I did not watch/listen to his podcasts regularly. I knew little of him other than his willingness to meet face to face, answering questions about faith. I admire people’s willingness/ability to do that. From what I have seen, he was respectful but firm. It has been interesting to watch things unfold this week. In fact, surprising. May he rest in peace, may his family find peace, and may the investigation answer people’s unanswered questions.

How are things in your corner of the world?

Know you are prayed for.

61°F SSE6mph SR0646(0546) SS1907(1807)

Morning Offering given

Village waking to the hum of highway noise this morning

Coffee good

St Joseph of Cupertino, patron of Aviators, who in his great love for God often levitated.

Read Daniel 6:The Lion’s Den
RIAY Day 261: The Joyful Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day pg. 373: Good Reading

Good Morning!
Coolness in the air here this morning, turning to warmth by afternoon.
Morning finds me in the office with copy jobs to do and later deliver. Hoping to complete them before I pick up workshop workers. That way, I can deliver on the route with no backtracking. In case you didn’t know, I have a thing about backtracking. My day is hopefully one big circle ending where I started.
DD#1 begins her move to the new house this weekend. DD#5 has also moved. Gosh! Life is constantly changing. I do not know if my address book can take all this.
Yes! I still keep a paper address book. You should too, cause when the electronic crash comes, and it will come, you will have what you need. Name, address, phone, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Remember to write in pencil! But then, I also still have a house phone with a stretched-out cord that contains little nicks in it because someone went behind the basement door to sit on the steps to have a private conversation that no one in the kitchen can hear.
One of these days, I hope to return to the family history pages. Not happening just yet. Too many hidden expenses in the household budget to not pick up a few extra $$ when I can. I am still NO DRIVE Fri, Sat, Sun as much as possible. But my fun $$ fund is almost depleted, and the house repair budget looks dismal as well. Let us not talk about the vehicle budget after so many deer hits. So, that means copy jobs, little jaunts, etc. Unless, of course, I win the lotto (which I did, btw, $4), which reminds me of the time I sent winnings to each of my children. Still makes me laugh.

Know you are prayed for

62°F S5mph SR0645(0545) SS1908(1808)

Morning Offering given

Village is peaceful except for the one bird that got up too early and is singing too loudly.

Coffee good

St. Robert Bellarmine‘s commitment to Christian learning is what we strive for in our quest to follow God.

Birthday greetings to Nancy P, who turns 70 today, and to Sellah A, who turns 17. My aunt and my g’daughter.

Read Daniel 5: The Writing on the Wall
RIAY Day 260: The Glorious & Joyful Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day pg 372: The Commandments and the Desires of Jesus Christ

Looking forward to another easy day. I’ve needed them. Congestion continues to lessen. Fever is gone. Cough better, but still a killer.

Copy jobs completed and ready for delivery. New one waiting for pick up.

Know you are prayed for.

61°F SSE5mph SR0644(0544) SS1910(1810)

Morning Offering given

Village quiet

Coffee strong

St. Edith of Wilton models how devotion to God surpasses worldly attention.

Today, we say Happy Birthday to Faye S and Mary W, both celebrating 70 years.
We remember Leland Slater (my biological father), who died in the Gila Wilderness while guiding a hunting party in 1989. May he rest in peace.

Better today; congestion is almost gone, lungs are clearing out, and temperature is normal. Will spend another day doing as little as possible. This sleep issue persists, so that’s what I’ll do: sleep as much as possible.

Read Daniel 4
RIAY Day 259
Meditations for Each Day pg. 370:Christ’s Work in Us

OUTAGAMIE, WINNEBAGO, CALUMET, DODGE, KENOSHA, MILWAUKEE, RACINE, FOND DU LAC, SHEBOYGAN, WAUPACA, & WAUSHARA will no longer be covered by Common Ground Insurance due to rising health care costs and unexpected shifts in the use of health services beginning Jan 2026. According to Common Ground, these unexpected shifts are an increase in the use of health services and a decrease in the use of health insurance. These shifts make it hard for Common Ground to operate sustainably. Currently, there is a 2,263 shortage of doctors in WI. Currently, there are no RN to Patient staffing regulations in the State of WI.

Know you are prayed for.

60°F SE8mph SR0643(0543) SS1912(1812)

Morning Offering given

Village waking

Coffee good

St Catherine of Genoa‘s suffering and labor among the sick demonstrates that mystics can also be practical workers for God.

Birthday greetings to Jean & Judy, Happy 72nd!

Read Daniel 3: The fiery furnace
RIAY Day 258: The Sorrowful Mysteries

I am better, not great, but better. Still have a temp, but the chest congestion is almost gone. Have spent the past 2 days sleeping, as in sleeping most, if not all, the time between hacking. No desire for food, and if I drink any more water, I might just burst.

I’m putting “The Sound of Silence” by Karen Hall on my book list to be read. It was recommended by a friend, looks interesting.

Ebony had her first bath, no issues at all. My mouth was hanging open. Who would have guessed this ferel kitten would end up being such a great companion?

Charlie Kirk has created quite the stir; his death has created another on a larger scale. I liked what he had to say (although I didn’t listen often) because I share the same mindset as he did. There are right and good things, there are flat-out wrong things, and there is a gray area that needs to be examined thoroughly before any decisions are made. 1 Corinthians 6:13
(DR) All things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful to me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
(NAB) Everything is lawful for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is lawful for me, but I will not let myself be dominated by anything.
1 Corinthians 10:23
(KJ) All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful for me, but all things do not edify.
(ASV) All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things edify.
(AMPC) All things are legitimate [permissible-and we are free to do anything we please], but not all things are helpful(expedient, profitable, and wholesome). All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].
I look at Kirk as admonishing the sinner James 5:20 “Whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” Admonishing the sinner is not to judge but to be supportive in helping others find their way and correct their mistakes.

Know you are prayed for.

beautiful day

spending it in bed

sick