Today we remember Stevie Blaha may he rest in peace. He would have been 73 today.
St Lawrence, patron of the Poor courted martyrdom in his commitment to caring for the poor as Jesus instructed us.
Got home this morning about 0330. The trip went well. No issues. Listened to Lisa Wingate’s “Before We Were Yours” audiobook. It brought me to tears. Reading it is a must.
Ebony missed me while I was gone. She was ready to play and be stroked without coaxing. Later today I will get a collar on her.
Today Read Amos 8 RIAY Day 221 Words of an Angel St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), convert, philosopher, teacher, and martyr, exemplifies how God moves through a single devoted life. The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood, pg 118 “Women of Prayer for the World and The Salvation of Souls” Meditations for Each Day, pg 317 “Rash Judgment”
Good Morning! Another “going to be hot and muggy, sure hope it rains and cools things off” day. This finds me in the office finishing up 3 copy jobs that need to go out today. Then I am home til 7 when I head to Iowa and back. Roger may have to do adoration tomorrow morning alone at 5am. I’m thinking Mass tonight before I take off would be a good move. The large copier requires a service call due to an issue with the fuser that needs to be replaced. This has been a challenging month for fixes and repairs. Add the office space “is in total chaos” to the mix, and the day gets busier just thinking it over. Our notice regarding “M-Th only” is out. I hope we can stick to that. Ebony has finally decided it is ok for me to scratch her ears and touch her tail. I’m surprised, really thought it would take longer. The knee continues to allow me to use it with little pain, but with daily stiffness. I shake my head when I’m told walking would help. However, if I did the walking, I’d be unable to move due to pain after the first 15-minute journey. So I walk 3 minutes and count myself grateful. I’m thinking knee replacement will be on the agenda soon, whether I want it or not. Meanwhile, leg swelling continues, and the heavy chest feeling is constant, but I have been told it is not an oxygen or heart issue. No one seems to have it figured out, and frankly, I’m tired of complaining and not being heard. I continue to contend that there are too many doctors in the mix and a shortage of doctors who are really in medicine because they want to help people. Seems to be all about the dollars the medical facility can squeeze out of the bill payer. There was nothing done by any specialty doctor that could not have been done by a regular MD with the same outcome. Being a specialist means you think inside one area of the box and get little or no look at the entire health picture. Then you move it on to the primary care, who is so snowed under with reports sent to them by specialists, they don’t have enough hours in the day to give good quality care or get to know their patients on a one-to-one basis. Give me a good ole GP who really cares about people any day. Well, nuff of the complaining.
Today Read Amos 7 RIAY Day 220 Lingering in the Words The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood, pg. 117: “Do Not Resist the Will of God” Meditations for Each Day, pg. 315: “More About Almsgiving” “So our eternal salvation depends on our charity. But it must be charity in action, not merely words.” In the News: •President Trump ordered a new census that would exclude individuals who are in the US illegally. •EPA terminates $7Billion Grant Program for Solar Projects •Oklahoma agrees to end in-state tuition for Illegal immigrants •FAA plans to hire nearly 9,000 air traffic controllers •The man accused of killing Israeli Embassy Staffers indicted on federal hate crime charges
A Snippet of Family History Prayer cards from Sacred Heart School, Monticello,IA
St Cajetan teaches us that we should all seek to live the simple, faithful, prayerful, helpful life of apostles.
Today Read Amos 6 RIAY 219: A Gift of Prayer Meditations for Each Day, pg 314: It cannot be said that almsgiving is degrading because it makes the receiver inferior to the giver. This may be so if alms are given from motives of mere philanthropy. But when almsgiving is accompanied by charity and understanding, and the donor sees in the poor man the person of Jesus Christ, there is no difference of status between the two individuals. They are brothers who wish to love and help one another, since both are members of the mystical Body of Christ. In this case, it is more blessed to give than to receive.Almsgiving Christian almsgiving is the fulfilment of an obligation and is a source of merit for the giver. As for the receiver, not only are his wants relieved, but he is the means by which his wealthier brother can acquire merit and fulfil his obligations.
In the News: •The US has started imposing sweeping reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries. •President Trump’s ambitious agenda has been met with order after order from lower courts temporarily blocking him. Many of those have been lifted by the Supreme Court, handing Trump several wins and raising questions about how lower courts have been handling his cases. •Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said she believes extraterrestrial aliens may exist and acknowledges that the US government holds classified information on the subject. •Russian officials have expressed a desire to meet with President Trump. The White House said Trump is open to meeting both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. •There is transformative power in weekly family meetings.
The Transfiguration, thru his, Jesus demonstrated that He was God’s chosen, the One known even by Moses & Elijah
Today Read Amos 5 RIAY Day 218: Walking with Mary Meditations for Each Day, pg 312, Riches and PovertyThere is a striking contrast between the luxurious living of wealthy people who waste their money on pleassure and amusement and the abject poverty of those who are without food, clothing, and shelter. This is in complete contradiction of the Gospel message which has proclaimed that we are all brothers…It was in this sense that Jesus blessed the poor and condemned the rich. He is referring to the poor man who has enough to supply his needs, is detached from worldly possessions, uses his poverty to assist him in his journy towards Heaven, and is happy or at any rate content. But He condemns the rich man who squanders his wealth on selfish amusement and is deaf to the entreaties of those in need.
In the News •HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that 22 mRNA vaccine development contracts are being canceled and redirected “because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu.. •Crime is dropping across the board in the US, according to new statistics released by the federal Bureau of Investigation. •Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton vowed to seek judicial orders declaring “runaway Democrats” as having vacated their elected office if they do not return to the state House by Friday, when it reconvenes. He asked a court to remove a top Democrat (House Democratic chair Rep. Gene Wu) shortly after. •The Brazilian Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to be placed under house arrest as he undergoes trial over an alleged plot to overturn Brazil’s 2022 election results. •Health: Hair loss is a sign of internal imbalances. Natural medicine can help reverse it.
A Snippet of Family History
1942 Birthday poem from Irene to her mother “Mother”! the word that brings sweet music to one’s ears, “Mother”! a sweet voice calling to me throughout the years. The sound of rippling water in a tiny, clear blue stream. The rustle of the angel’s wings in the sweet baby’s dream. The glories and the brightness of the rising sun. The robin’s peaceful”goodnight song” when the day is done. The loveliest rose that anyone could bring. The sweetest song that a perfect voice could sing. All the worldly beauties that I hear or see, Could never express what you could to me. signed “Your loving daughter, Irene
St Oswald of Northumbria reminds us that we need to gather and share with other Christians to spread the faith.
Today Read Amos 4 RIAY Day 217:Resting with the Trinity Meditations for Each Day, pg 310, Sacred Images
Good Morning! Another beautiful day in the making. The SUV is finished. Thanks to our mechanic shop, Cluckers. One of the items was a faulty coil, yeah, the one that was replaced a month or so ago, and previous to that, less than a year. “Walker Coils”, I sent them an email asking that they refund me $200 for labor costs that should not have been due to the faultiness of their product. I doubt I will hear from them, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Another item was the AC Condenser, which was replaced, followed by a much-needed oil change. Then those awesome guys tidied up a few things, “the deer” rattled loose, bent, etc. I’ll need to replace the left front quarter panel, but it could have been worse. $900 was not an unreasonable cost for all that. Which reminds me, I need to get online and fill out that deer crash report. Ebony is still not talking to me. She is, however, playing with a toy, sitting on the screen rail (probably wishes she were outside), eating, and using the litterbox. She didn’t scurry away as soon as she saw me this time. Things are progressing with her. I’ve no doubt we will become great friends. Yesterday was busy with copywork (2000 pages). Today I’ll get those delivered, plus a run to Hillsboro and done for the day.
St. Ia‘s perseverance in faith invites us to re-commit ourselves daily to God.
Remember our friend Val on what would have been their 38th wedding anniversary. May she rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mark, who will be remembering their wedding day without her being here to celebrate.
Today Read Amos 3 RIAY Day 216: Overshadowed by the Spirit The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood pg. 116: Come to Me in the Power of My Holy Spirit Meditations for Each Day pg. 308: The Crucifix “The world is proud of its scientific and technical progress, whereas the Crucifix is the symbol of the lowliness to which god Himself descended for love of us. The world is looking for pleasure and voluptuousness, whereas the Crucifix preaches to us the spirit of sacrifice and the purifying value of suffering. The world is fond of ease, riches, and honours; the Crucifix demonstrates the depths of the love of God, Who became man for our sakes, suffered and died to redeem us from sin, taught us fraternal love, and commanded us to carry our cross daily if we wished to follow Him.”
A Snippet of Family History:
Back…Marie, Martha, Sister Immaculata, Ann?, Sister Ilene?, John. Front… James, Roger W, Roger T, Terese?, Jim, Ann?
James T
Prayer card…Mrs. Joseph Heffernon RN Feb 24, 1961
Prayer card…Mrs. Anna Edwards Apr 24, 1963
NORWEGIAN GUIDE TO COMPUTER TERMINOLOGY
LOG ON: making da vood stove hotter LOG OFF: don’t add no more vood MONITOR: keep an eye on da vood stove MEGAHERTZ: vhen a big log drops on your bare foot FLOPPY DISK: vhat you get from lifting too much vood RAM: dat pointy ting dat makes da voodsplitter vork sogood HARD DRIVE: gettin home durin most of da vinter PROMPT: vhat ya vish da mail vas during da snow season ENTER: come on in WINDOWS: vhat ya shut vhen it gets 10 degrees below SCREEN: vhat is a must during mosquito season CHIP: vhat ya much during da Vikin’s game MICROCHIP: vhat’s left in da bag vhen ya’v et all dabig chips MODEM: vhat ya did to da hay field DOT MATRIX Sven Matrix’s vife LAPTOP: vhere da gran’kids sit KEYBOARD: vhere ya suppose to put da keys so da Misses can fine em SOFTWARE: da plastic picnic utensils, ya? MOUSE: vhat leaves dem little turds in da cupboard MAINFRAME: da part of da sauna that holds up da roof PORT: vhere da big fishing boats dock RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY: vhen ya can’t remember how much ya spent for dat new deer rifle vhen da vife asks about it
St. Peter Julian Eymard’s devotion to the Holy Eucharist led him to bring others to the sacrament.
Anniversay greetings to Any & Emma M and 1st Birthday wishes to their son.
Read Amos 2 RIAY Day 214: Trusting the Father The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood, pg 115: Renunciation of Earthly Pleasures and Attachments Meditations for Each Day, pg 306: How to remain Aware of the Presence of God In the News: snippet from Epoch Times • President Trump fired Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, accusing her of manipulating the employment data. (See newly released report revising job totals in May & June, numbers lower by a combined 258,000.) • Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler is resigning early from her term and will exit on Aug. 8, creating a vacancy on the central bank’s 12-member interest rate-setting committee that President Trump will have an opportunity to fill. • The White House plans to expand its support for domestic rare-earth businesses to counter China’s near-monopoly of rare-earth minerals. • Some compounds in vegetables make it harder to absorb nutrients, but small changes in preparation and combination can make a difference. • Revenue from tariffs $150 billion since President Trump’s administration took office. • The new tariffs may not be enough to offset the overall deficit, which was $1.34 trillion for the year to date.
Good Morning! New month, new chance to change the things you can Your relationship with Jesus Your financial condition Your family relationships It’s time to sit down and reflect, make the time to do an in-depth perusal of your life. I’m uncertain if you’ve been tracking the goings-on in the world. I don’t want to sound like a doomsday fanatic, and perhaps this has been going on for eons. It is now in my attention loop due to easy world news reading… fires, floods, sickness, terrorism, financial crisis, weather cycles… well, you get the picture, but it is time to set our priorities in order.
In the "Wilds of Wisconsin & Cornfields of Iowa" 