by Barbara | Jan 7, 2018
What is the deal with Catholics and doughnuts? I have memories of being bribed by doughnuts through much of my young and snarky life, to either behave in or attend extra masses. My father was successful at getting all five kids to join him at daily mass in the sacred...
by Barbara | Jul 31, 2017
Yesterday I got the flu. I tried to ignore it, but like a thunderstorm, flus do not go away just because you ignore them, they actually pick up intensity. Last night I could no longer hold that storm at bay so I crashed in the way of taking to my bed. Thunderous...
by Barbara | Dec 24, 2015
Oh light from on high, for us You came, Shattering the darkness, our ignorance, and shame. You came as Innocence, a babe in Virgin's womb, In poverty You entered, no place for humble child to room. Angel choirs filled the night sky, Mountains, valleys, with all...
by Barbara | Nov 25, 2015
Thanksgiving-the National Vigil of Black Friday? What? Wait. NO!! Yes, I'm afraid we seem to have lost our way. This day, I thought was to stop, sit still, remember and be grateful. To surround ourselves with family and friends, you know those people that we are most...
by Barbara | Nov 22, 2015
As I proceed with my recovery I am currently seeking relief through therapeutic massage. Don't be confused with the massage word meaning I am in bliss, and total relaxation. That I am not. No, therapeutic massage is something quite different indeed. If you have...
by Barbara | Nov 15, 2015
It's been awhile since I updated my blog. What a roller coaster of a year. A move in January, a wedding in March, hit by a car two days later. Months of recovery. A new granddaughter in June. Lots of doctors visits, physical therapy appointments, and work all squashed...
by Barbara | Jul 18, 2015
About 8 months ago, I brought a meal and spent some time visiting a friend of mine who was having another bout with cancer. Two months ago that same friend brought dinner to me as I recovered from my accident. Two weeks ago I stood at her bedside as she unconsciously...
by Barbara | May 10, 2015
It's Mother's Day here in the USA. Why should we bother to continue this day of remembrance? Well for one thing, we all have mothers. Mothers are indispensable, a necessity whether they are our biological, adopted, or spiritual mothers. Mother's care, or at least they...
by Barbara | Apr 24, 2015
Its been a month since the accident. Each day a new beginning, challenge and opportunity presents itself. What do I do with it? While being hit by a car was never on my bucket list, it has provided me with a way to reach out to others who have experienced or are in...
by Barbara | Apr 5, 2015
It's been almost three weeks since I was hit by a car riding to work. That's the day my life made a hard stop and took a radical step backwards. I am back to baby steps. On one hand it is kind of surreal, on the other hand, it is very real. Each day is a new...
by Barbara | Feb 25, 2015
I meet so many young adults who are "spiritual but not religious." What does that mean? It is like saying I love coffee but smelling it suffices I love to experience nature but I don't leave my house. I love God....but I can't imagine actually going to church and...
by Barbara | Feb 17, 2015
What's the big deal anyway with Lent? Why does it matter, isn't that old school, a practice best left in the Dark Ages? What ever difference does it make to give up chocolate, or candy or beer or coffee? How will that make the world a better place? How will that feed...
by Barbara | Feb 6, 2015
I admire those who can speak the truth in all seasons. Those whom I am bringing to mind have a holy zeal that doesn't allow them to remain silent in the face of untruths. They are bold in their love of the Lord. We are in a time where not speaking up to keep the...
by Barbara | Dec 16, 2014
This Advent hasn't waited for me to get it together yet. It hasn't paused while I spread myself so thin attempting to buy, sell, close, prepare, shop, wrap, pen cards, post or consider gift giving. It simply has marched onward, ready or not. I keep trying to refocus...
by Barbara | Nov 25, 2014
Why have a national holiday that's very purpose is gratitude oriented? For all intense and purposes it offers folks a few precious hours to stop, reflect, and remember that everything is gift. It is right and good to stop and celebrate each other, the bounty and the...
by Barbara | Nov 6, 2014
“Why do you bring God into every conversation?” This simple question was posed to me recently by someone I love dearly. Let me attempt to explain. How do you not bring the Author of Life into life itself? How can I speak of the reason for my joy, my hope, my strength...
by Barbara | Oct 31, 2014
You don’t know me, and sadly, I don’t know you. Why should you care what another voice among the millions is saying? Because, I believe I have good news. Like so many, your story has crashed into my world, just as cancer crashed into yours. As expected in your very...
by Barbara | Oct 9, 2014
Watching the rhythmic ocean waves hit the shoreline can be calming and I've found reassuring as well. It makes me think about the constancy of God's love for each of us. It is always reaching out for us, consistently, gently. Always beckoning and inviting us that we...
by Barbara | Sep 24, 2014
These five little unassuming words by St. Pio of Pietrelcina, (Padre Pio), are as simple as they are powerful! Pray- God is waiting there beside you, closer than the very air you breathe. Speak, but learn to listen. Ask, but don't be afraid to act. Trust and...
by Barbara | Sep 8, 2014
"If you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way, I will hold you responsible for his death. If, however, you warn the wicked to turn from their ways, but they do not, then they shall die in their sins, but you shall save your life." Ezekiel 33:8-9 Those...
by Barbara | Jul 25, 2014
I came across a great quote by St. Teresa of Avila, "Leave it in God’s hands, where it belongs." It struck me as do many writings of the saints, of the pure simplicity of that statement. Whether you are Catholic or a Christian of another denomination, one...