Life Without the Dogs

This is what happens when our version of "Hank the Cowboy" dogs are gone:

Jess is "Hank" and Basil is "Drover" ... and they are now living in Houston.  This black squirrel has reclaimed the yard, here he's sitting on the neighbor fence eating some treat.  A few days ago he was actually prancing around our back deck.  Yes, indeed, no dogs to bother him, and the cats could care less.

Irony

Living in Canada gives me moments to consider the path the United States is following.  Please read Michael Coren about loss of religious freedom.  BTW, did you realize that since President Obama has taken office he and his cohorts never refer to "religious" freedom, but only to freedom to worship?

Think for just a moment about the difference here.  Religious freedom is guaranteed under the Constitution.  Not freedom to worship, though that is included under religious freedom it is not the same thing.  I practice  my religious freedom in my entire being, while my freedom to worship can conceivably only involve attendance at a venue, like Mass.  My religion does inform my belief system.  It is molded by the guidance of centuries of the Catholic Church's experience.

Anyway, there are days it gets pretty depressing listening to, reading, and looking deeper into current issues.

Bill 13, anti-bullying, just passed.  EXCEPT, the way it is written it has nothing to do with real bullying.  Bullying, which the courts, special interest groups and the government can now use to make those who do not believe that homosexual license is real freedom.  The irony is sad.  Apparently, freedom of religion is lost on my Canadian friends.  It isn't good enough to want to just be left alone.  That attitude is what has pushed a minority agenda, to the detriment of their country.

Losing Our Freedoms

I bet anyone reading this blog knows all to well my sentiments regarding the healthcare mandate.  If you don't, in short, I don't believe it is in the federal government's right (as outlined in the Constitution) to intrude into an area that is not spelled.  At worst, it should be on a state by state basis, at best, left to the individual and families.

Check this rally to see if there is a religious freedom rally near you on Friday, March 23.

It is time for me, and hopefully anyone reading this blog, to keep pushing back.  

What needs to be heard...

Please, take the time to listen to more of the truth.  Our freedom is diminishing swiftly.
This homily was delivered in northwestern Indiana the beginning of February.  And, please, do pass it along.

Is it Lent, Already?

Our computer is back, but I'm not.  At least not for a bit.  Lent is a time for my spring cleaning, both physical (house and body), mental (eliminating frivolous pursuits), and spiritual (big time).

Will post, but only after a bit of that spring cleaning has cleared my mind of jumbled thoughts!

First Saturday of the New Year

Beautiful blue skies are making the snow outside sparkle.  I'd share, but since our nice desktop computer is still not returned from warranty work I simply don't want to take the time to figure out how to download from the new camera.  I will be reading the manual for that camera, so once we have the desktop back in place, it will (in theory) be easy to use the camera/editing software.

In the meantime, we had a nice, quiet Christmas and an equally enjoyable New Years Eve.  It was nice to have our two older girls here to help celebrate.  All of the kids enjoy each other's company.  Liz and John Paul weren't able to travel north (or south for that matter) but we did have a nice Skype visit on Christmas Day.

Monday this week Tom and I drove Kate to Michigan to catch her flights back to Houston.  The roads were a bit icy, but we made it back to London right before a huge snowfall began.  Wednesday evening Tom traveled to Vancouver via Toronto (and an hour delay in London that made him barely make his connection.)  He arrived home after midnight and we hope to have a nice bit of weekend since Meghan will be flying back to Houston on Thursday.

Today all our decorations will be gently stored for the next Advent/Christmas/Epiphany season.   Ash Wednesday is not for 6 more weeks, so plenty of time to throw in a few King Cake parties.Tom will also be traveling this week.  Ballet and piano begin and Mary will have the final session for her root canal.

We hope you have a great 2012.  And, I promise pictures once my desktop is returned.

4th Sunday of Advent

No pictures.  Our large desktop computer had to be taken for service.  I am using our laptop, and it isn't as simple to post a notice, let alone include pictures.


However, I am expecting it to be returned this week (fingers crossed.)  I received a call from the Toronto Acer service center earlier this week letting me know the problem was dust and it was ready to ship back.  However, the tech also said there was damage to the outside, including a hole in the back, and wanted to know if I wanted them to replace the case!  Yikes!!!  It was NOT damaged at all when I took it back to Best Buy.  So YES! I want it fixed.  A call to our Best Buy confirmed they would cover the cost (and probably file a claim with UPS). Another call to the service center to confirm that Best Buy okayed repairs.  So, now all I can do is wait.


Once we get my Acer back home and hooked up to life support, I'll write about our adventure to Houston and back, our visitors, the weather, and share this year's decorations.  We found some great recipes to share as well (and hope those who have received theirs enjoy them).


Happy 4th Sunday of Advent!!  
Today is also the 2nd O Antiphon: O Lord and Ruler (O Adonai) ... the snow has returned to London, and our Houston girl is happy :-)