Time and Talent

Our annual church Fiesta is happening this weekend. I am assuming that this is the biggest fundraiser of the year for our church and school. It would not be successful without all of the volunteers working.

One thing that I observed, was how much time some of the volunteers spend at the Fiesta. Some of them spend their whole weekend there, from Friday night until Sunday night. I was talking to one of these people and he said that he takes 3 days off from work before the Fiesta to help set up, organize and prepare. This is only one of many examples of giving oneself for others I noticed. Very impressive.

The Church teaches us to give of our time, talent and treasure (3 T's). While giving of our treasure is important for the maintenance of our parish, I really believe that giving of ones time and talents are worth a little bit more.

Immaculate Conception and Assumption

One 'problem' that some non-Catholics have with our faith is our devotion to the Virgin Mary. The two most important Marian doctrines that they seem to object to is the Immaculate Conception and Assumption.

(from Catholic Answers):
Immaculate Conception: It’s important to understand what the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is and what it is not. Some people think the term refers to Christ’s conception in Mary’s womb without the intervention of a human father; but that is the Virgin Birth. Others think the Immaculate Conception means Mary was conceived "by the power of the Holy Spirit," in the way Jesus was, but that, too, is incorrect. The Immaculate Conception means that Mary, whose conception was brought about the normal way, was conceived without original sin or its stain—that’s what "immaculate" means: without stain. The essence of original sin consists in the deprivation of sanctifying grace, and its stain is a corrupt nature. Mary was preserved from these defects by God’s grace; from the first instant of her existence she was in the state of sanctifying grace and was free from the corrupt nature original sin brings.

Assumption: The doctrine of the Assumption says that at the end of her life on earth Mary was assumed, body and soul, into heaven, just as Enoch, Elijah, and perhaps others had been before her. It’s also necessary to keep in mind what the Assumption is not. Some people think Catholics believe Mary "ascended" into heaven. That’s not correct. Christ, by his own power, ascended into heaven. Mary was assumed or taken up into heaven by God. She didn’t do it under her own power.

The whole tract on this topic is on Karl Keating's (Catholic apologist) Catholic Answers website. You can read it here.

$5+.50 Tournament Result

Last night I played a no-limit texas hold'em tournament with 866 entrants. I made it to the final table, and came in 10th place for a payday of about $64. I was very disappointed with this result. The last three pots that I entered resulted in two split pots and then my departure. One of the split pots, I slow played A/A. Opponent had A/4. The board started: 3-4-Q-5. I check-called his flop and turn bets. We split when a 2 hit on the river for the wheel straight. Had I been more aggressive, I could have drove him out after the turn card. My last hand, I was all-in pre-flop with A/J versus 6/4. Opponent caught a 4 on the river. If I had won outright these three hands, I probably would have been in the chip lead or very close to it. First place in this tournament paid over $900.

You're Wrong

Earlier this morning, I saw a painted sign on a fitness center storefront window. It said, "If you think your out of shape, then your right." I don't know who is to blame for this. Is it the sign painters? Or is it the fitness center? They should immediately get the sign fixed. I wonder if anyone even noticed it? Sad commentary nevertheless.

Ever since I began homeschooling (and blogging), I have been much more careful about my spelling and grammar. I am always having to ask Lisa proper-use-of-punctuation questions. There is a best selling book that I am interested in getting. The write-up of the book makes it very appealing to me. Perhaps when it comes out in paperback (lower price), I'll get it. The book is called: Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss.

The Shopping Cart Test

I believe you can tell a lot about a person by what they do with their shopping cart after they are through using it. Do they just leave it right next to their car? I admit that I get upset when I see people doing this. I truly respect and admire those individuals who go out of their way to return their shopping cart to a designated location or where the cart is out of the way of cars (potential damage) or parking spaces (inconsiderate of the next person looking for a place to park).

I usually park right next to a cart return station, no matter how far it is from the store. What does that tell you about me?

Men Are From Mars...

Yesterday, Alex had a little accident. He hit his forehead on the corner of a stereo speaker. There was about a half inch cut right above his left eyebrow. The bleeding stopped very quickly after I washed the blood away and applied ice. Then I put on antiseptic and a bandaid. He didn't seem to be in pain anymore, so to me all was right with the world.

When Lisa came home and saw the cut, she really got worried about the size and depth of the cut. She immediately called the doctor and was told to bring him into the office. The doctor said that the cut needed a little help to heal. Luckily it didn't require stitches, but they did put on some kind of glue-like substance (dermabond) to hold the two sides of the cut together.

I should have taken him in earlier. But, but but he was still conscious...

Pray For the Best Talk Radio Host

As I woke up today, I heard Laura Ingraham calling in to her own radio show saying that she is in the hospital about ready to go into surgery because of breast cancer.

A message from her site: "You know I hate Drama Kings or Queens, but I am asking for your prayers today and for the foreseeable future. On Friday afternoon, I learned that I have joined the ever-growing group of American women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. As so many breast cancer patients will tell you, it all came as a total shock...Don't be afraid to ask your friend, girlfriend, sister, mother, or wife if she has done everything to detect breast cancer. We all need someone to remind us, get on us, demand that we take care of ourselves."

Get well soon, Laura. Except for the fact that you are an intelligent, energetic, out-going, funny, best-selling author, adventurous, successful, feisty woman; we are exactly alike! I need my 'Laura fix' in the morning.

Fight Assisted Suicide Bill in California

Assembly Bill 654 (AB 654), the "Compassionate Choice Act," has been passed by the Judiciary Committee and is making its way through the California Assembly. This bill to legalize assisted suicide in our state, authorizes physicians, upon a patient's request, to give deadly drugs for the person to use. Once legal, suicide could be encouraged to preserve an inheritance, hide medical malpractice, or increase HMO profit. No real safeguard can be made to prevent abuse. The California Catholic Conference of Bishops has taken a position opposing this bill.

Unless our representatives hear from a significant number of their constituents this bill could pass. Please write a short message to your Assembly Member to let him/her know you oppose any bill legalizing physician-assisted suicide; it cannot be controlled, victimizes the vulnerable and causes doctors to help kill patients.

For more info on the issue of assisted suicide please see California Catholic Conference or Californians Against Assisted Suicide.

Our Miracle Baby

Well, all babies are miracles.

Today is Marisa's fifth birthday. I am very thankful that she is in our lives.

In the first trimester of Lisa's second pregnancy, there were complications. I am not going to get graphic, but there were signs that Lisa had miscarried. We rushed to the emergency room to see what was going on. I remember there being a lot of people in the waiting room. We started to fill out the necessary forms but Lisa was getting very anxious and went to the desk to tell the nurse what she thought was happening. We were immediately rushed in to see the doctor. He was very nice and spent a lot of time checking things out. He said that he wanted to have an ultrasound done. We waited. It seemed like we waited for an over an hour. It was probably only about 10-15 minutes.

When the ultrasound technician finally arrived, Lisa asked if this test would determine if the baby is okay. The first thing that the technician said to us was, "Oh, it is okay, you can always try to have more babies." I didn't realize at the time how serious and insensitive this response was. Um, that didn't answer the question. After hooking up the machine and looking around for awhile, the technician found a heartbeat. Her reaction was one of complete surprise and relief. I guess that the hospital staff was expecting the worst.

Perhaps this experience is the reason that I am so intensely pro-life. I don't know. Our baby was not born, yet some of us thought that she had died. Thank you Marisa for being so strong. No more practical jokes, please. Yes, we already know you are very good at hide-and-seek. Happy Birthday.


Marisa's brand new super cool birthday inline skates!

April Poker Winnings Update

As per the resolution that I made on my February 28th post, I have withdrawn $100 from my poker winnings today. I have also taken out an extra $200 for April. YTD=+$800. I am confidently going to raise my monthly goal from $100 to $200. This will be effective immediately. My next withdrawal of $200 is due on May 31st. Please continue to keep me accountable.

The Paradox of Our Time

[The following widely circulated piece is attributed to an anonymous Columbine High School student after witnessing the school massacre in 1999. This is an urban legend. Credit belongs with Dr. Bob Moorehead, former pastor of Overlake Christian Church in Seattle. It is a well written essay, so I've posted it. See the write up on this urban legend here (there is a disturbing twist to the story).]

The Paradox of Our Age
We have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways but narrower viewpoints; we spend more but have less; we buy more but enjoy it less; we have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, yet less time; we have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge but less judgement; more experts, yet more problems; we have more gadgets but less satisfaction; more medicine, yet less wellness; we take more vitamins but see fewer results. We drink too much; smoke too much; spend too recklessly; laugh too little; drive too fast; get too angry quickly; stay up too late; get up too tired; read too seldom; watch TV too much and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values; we fly in faster planes to arrive there quicker, to do less and return sooner; we sign more contracts only to realize fewer profits; we talk too much; love too seldom and lie too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space; we've done larger things, but not better things; we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we've split the atom, but not our prejudice; we write more, but learn less; plan more, but accomplish less; we make faster planes, but longer lines; we learned to rush, but not to wait; we have more weapons, but less peace; higher incomes, but lower morals; more parties, but less fun; more food, but less appeasement; more acquaintances, but fewer friends; more effort, but less success. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication; drive smaller cars that have bigger problems; build larger factories that produce less. We've become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, but short character; steep in profits, but shallow relationships. These are times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure and less fun; higher postage, but slower mail; more kinds of food, but less nutrition. These are days of two incomes, but more divorces; these are times of fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, cartridge living, throw-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies and pills that do everything from cheer, to prevent, quiet or kill. It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stock room. Indeed, these are the times!

Season One of 24 is Complete

I just finished watching the first season of the show 24. I'm not going to give anything away. But that last big twist at the end had me literally jumping up and screaming at the television, "Nooooooooooooo Waaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!" And the last scene of the season finale episode (as the clock ticks to 12:00:00) was too much to handle. That is one reason why this show is so good. It keeps you guessing the whole time. For those of you who haven't seen this show, I suggest that you go out and purchase this series immediately. Or, you can go to your local video store and rent the series, one disc at a time. I am looking forward to getting the second season.

Donn's rating: 10 of 10 stars

Senator Clinton to Receive Honorary Doctorate at Catholic College?

(from LifeSiteNews.Com) - Marymount Manhattan College has invited pro-abortion Sen. Hillary Clinton to deliver its commencement address and receive an honorary doctoral degree on May 20, publicly defying New York's Cardinal Edward Egan and the U.S. bishops who forbade such honors in a statement last June.

However, the Cardinal Newman Society (CNS), a national organization dedicated to the renewal of Catholic identity at America's 220 Catholic colleges and universities, is working to stop the scandal. "We are blowing the whistle on this and any other Catholic college that blatantly disrespects the bishops by defying their clear command and teaching," said CNS president Patrick J. Reilly. "After decades of scandal at secularizing colleges, last June the bishops drew a line in the sand. No college that deliberately crosses that line deserves the label 'Catholic' or the support of the faithful-most especially monetary support."

CNS has written Marymount Manhattan president Judson Shaver, urging him to immediately cancel both the honorary degree and Clinton's commencement address "in order to restore fidelity to the College's Catholic mission, obedience to your bishop and public trust in your commitment to not lead astray the College's students, your employees and the general public."

In June 2004 by a near-unanimous vote, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the statement "Catholics in Political Life" including the following mandate:

"The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."

To express your concerns to the college contact college president
Judson R. Shaver, Ph.D.
jshaver@mmm.edu
Marymount Manhattan College, 221 East 71st Street, NY 10021
1-800-MARYMOUNT or 1-212-517-0430

Virgin Mary Predicts the Cubs

There is an image of the Virgin Mary on the wall of a Chicago freeway underpass. If you look very closely at the letters to the right of the image, there are the words, "Go Cubs." Perhaps the Blessed Mother is saying that this is the year for the Cubs! I BELIEVE. See the news story here.

Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion

Minutes after Pope Benedict XVI was named, the liberal press was already implying that this man is not in touch with today's church and modern society. He is too conservative, too closed-minded, and a downright mean person. My translation of this is that he will not make any big changes in the Catholic Church. He will maintain the integrity and traditions of the church. And when times warrant, he will be a strong defender of the faith and doctrines of the church. These are all things that I admire about this man. This is why I was praying/rooting for him to be elected.

I believe the following memo, is partly what the press and some Western Catholics are afraid of most (the following excerpt is from a memorandum sent by then Cardinal Ratzinger to Cardinal McCarrick and was made public in the first week of July 2004). The main point of the memo is that not all moral issues have the same weight and importance as abortion and euthanasia. Read the complete memo here.

Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion
by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger

5. Regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, when a person’s formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws), his Pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Church’s teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin, and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist.

6. When "these precautionary measures have not had their effect or in which they were not possible," and the person in question, with obstinate persistence, still presents himself to receive the Holy Eucharist, "the minister of Holy Communion must refuse to distribute it" (cf. Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts Declaration "Holy Communion and Divorced, Civilly Remarried Catholics" [2002], nos. 3-4). This decision, properly speaking, is not a sanction or a penalty. Nor is the minister of Holy Communion passing judgement on the person’s subjective guilt, but rather is reacting to the person’s public unworthiness to receive Holy Communion due to an objective situation of sin.

Viva El Papa!

Long live the Pope! Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has been elected the new head of the Catholic Church. He has chosen the name Pope Benedict XVI.

It is very interesting that I came across the Cardinal Ratzinger Fan Club a few days before John Paul II died. I wrote about it here on March 29th. Now he is the new Pope. I was secretly hoping that he would be elected, to continue in the footsteps of JP2.

The Ultimate Bush/Kerry Montage

I found this one while browsing the Tammy Bruce site. I guarantee that you will laugh out loud. Click here to see a photo comparison of President George W. Bush and Senator John F. Kerry.

Here is the first one:

Season One of 24

I started watching the first season of 24. I have even been giving up my time to play poker so that I can give 100% of my attention to the show. In 3 nights now, I have already watched 12 of the 24 episodes. That is about 9 hours of actual TV time. Yikes! This show is very addicting. This has got to be the best show ever made.

I think that I've figured out why this an excellent show. One reason is that I am able to guess what will happen next. This is usually a bad thing, except in this case. I try to think of the most outrageous thing that could happen, think to myself that the writers could never logically make it fly. Then it happens, in a very plausible manner. Another reason is that all of the characters have to make very difficult choices within the context of the story/plot. Whatever choice that is made, we see that there are appropriate consequences to that choice. This is very rare to see in today's society.

No More Mommy or Daddy

Alex made a pronouncement today. He said he is not going to call us Mommy or Daddy anymore. We will now be known as Mom and Dad. This is actually affecting me more than I thought it would. I liked being called Daddy.

Governor Mandates Pharmacists Dispense Morning-After Pills

What country are we living in? Unbelievable.
See additional coverage at Pharmacists for Life International.

(from LifeSiteNews.com) – The Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, has warned pharmacists in the state to dispense the abortifacient morning-after pill or face legal backlash – despite a state statute that exempts pharmacists from participating in practices contrary to their religious views.

The face-off between pharmacists and the governor began after a Loop Osco pharmacist denied two women the Plan B abortifacient morning-after pill. Illinois’ Health Care Right of Conscience Act states that health care professionals are not obliged to act contrary to their conscience. On April 1, Gov. Blagojevich issued an emergency order that all pharmacists dispense the abortifacient. The emergency rule is in effect for 150 days, after which time it is expected to be made permanent.

The governor attended a memorial Mass in honor of Pope John Paul II April 3, where Bishop Thomas Paprocki appealed to the governor to cancel his directive. “Mr. Governor, out of respect for John Paul II, please respect his wishes,” Bishop Paprocki said in his homily. “Please rescind your order. Let our pharmacists be free to follow their faith.” After the Mass, Gov. Blagojevich, while shaking the bishop’s hand, said, “I understand, I understand,” according to an Illinois Right to Life Committee news release. The anti-life order has remained.

Illinois Pharmacists Association Executive Director Michael Patton, in a letter to the governor April 5, argued that the governor’s order “requires pharmacists and pharmacy operators to comply with one specific set of beliefs.” He added that forcing pharmacists to act against their deeply-held religious beliefs “is a recipe for disaster.” Ron Stephens, a state Representative and a pharmacist, vowed, “I will not abide by it,” according to a Chicago Sun Times report.

Paul Caprio, Director of Family-PAC (political action committee), an Illinois pro-family organization, called upon Illinois pharmacists to continue to exercise their “right of conscience” under existing Illinois law. Caprio said his group would defend any charges against pharmacists in court. Blagojevich responded to Caprio’s recommendation, writing, “In your call to pharmacists urging them to violate the emergency rule I issued, you neglected to remind them of the penalties their employers will face if they deny a woman her right to health care,” which could include fines or a loss of license.

Kamikaze Squirrel

I took the kids to the park today to ride their bikes since it was a beautiful day. Alex had a little accident as he was trying to ride down a fairly steep hill. He was going pretty fast and didn't really seem to be in complete control. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, a squirrel ran in front of his bike. Since he obviously did not want to hurt the animal he steered away, but he skidded sideways and crashed the bike. I was a ways back helping Marisa down the hill. I told her to walk her bike down, and I ran to him. He was a little shaken up, and he had quite a few cuts and scrapes. I think his pride hurt more, since there were a lot of people around. The sad thing about his fall, was that while it took me about 10-15 seconds to get to him, at least 4 people walked/jogged right by, seemingly oblivious to what had just happened and whether he was okay. It was a nasty looking tumble, too. At least the squirrel glanced back with some concern in its eye.

This story is another example of the animal kingdom having their revenge over the humans. See my previous post on the Carnivorous Seagull.

Life in the Twenty-First Century

You know you are living in 2005 when:

-You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.
-You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
-You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 4.
-You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
-Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
-You make phone calls from home, you accidentally dial "9" to get an outside line.
-You've sat at the same desk for four years and worked for three different companies.
-Your boss doesn't have the ability to do your job.
-You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home.
-Every commercial on television has a website at the bottom of the screen.
-Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.
-You get up in the morning and go online before getting your coffee.
-You start tilting your head sideways to smile. :)
-You're reading this and nodding and laughing

An Unlucky Good Streak

I have cashed ten times in the last thirteen NL Hold 'Em single-table tournaments. This is a good thing. However, I have not won any of them. I've come in 2nd three times and 3rd seven times. Seems that I cannot get lucky when there are three players left. I really shouldn't complain. This streak still has a positive cash flow. I'll keep plugging away.

More Abortions Than Births in Russia

This is a very sad story from Russia. Two million abortions versus 1.5 million live births per year. Also, it states that 30% of the patients die during the abortion procedure. This number seems like it is high, but that is what the article says. Read the short story here.

Cubs Win! Cubs Win!

I just finished watching my first Cubs game of the season, the home opener at Wrigley Field. It was an exciting extra inning game against Milwaukee. OK, I know that they really lost the game 6 to 3. And I know that their win-loss record so far is 1-3. I am just glad that baseball season is finally here. Hopefully I will finally be able to see my Cubbies in the World Series this year. I wrote the title to this post before the game was over. I liked how it looked, so I left it on.

1976 Cardinal Wojtyla Interview

In the current issue of The Tidings, there is an excerpt of a 1976 interview with Cardinal Wojtyla (before he was named Pope). The most powerful quote, in my opinion, is an answer addressing the 'new morality' of the world. He said, "Freedom is not that I can do what I want, but to realize and know true good and then choose the true good."

Amen.

Pharmacists For Life Controversy

(from the Pharmacists For Life International website):
Some pharmacists across the country are refusing to fill prescriptions for birth control and/or morning-after pills, saying that dispensing the medications violates their personal moral or religious beliefs.

The governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich has overstepped his boundaries when he issued an executive order requiring all pharmacists to fill contraceptive prescriptions regardless of religious or moral beliefs according to State Representative Ron Stephens (R-Greenville). “Previously, it has been our understanding as a matter of conscious or religious convictions, pharmacists are included in the conscience clause and may opt out of filling contraceptives,” said Stephens. “Now the governor is excluding all medical professionals except physicians from this clause, infringing on our right to practice our beliefs.”

The reaction from Rep. Stephens, a local pharmacist, came after the governor issued an executive order which requires all pharmacists to fill contraceptives including the morning-after pill. Stephens said he refuses to sit idly by and let the governor dictate the beliefs of all Illinois citizens. “Apparently the governor now believes he has the power to override all matters of religious conviction,” said Stephens. “He is setting a precedence that is harmful to our personal and religious rights as citizens of this country. He must be stopped.” Stephens said he plans to contest the executive order and will continue to fight the governor’s threat to revoke the license of those who don’t comply. “I refuse to give in to the governor’s demands without a fight and thousands of my colleagues join me in my efforts,” said Stephens. “On matters of conscience, I trust my own beliefs…not the governor’s.”

Weird Poker Tournament Result

I played in a multi-table no-limit hold 'em tournament last night. 151 players entered for $10+1. I can honestly say that I did not have very many good hands pre-flop (AK and medium pocket pairs only a couple of times). I hardly entered any pots. I was really lucky that I was able to make the top 20 paying places. I probably went all-in with the short stack 3 or 4 times and got lucky. I survived to make the final table with the lowest amount of chips. This is when everyone seemed to go all in and I just sat back and watched as I moved up in money without even playing. I ended up placing 4th for a payout of $107. It is possible to make money without any hands. My message is not to give up, just wait it out (not too long though, don't get blinded off). You will never know what can happen.

Megan's Law Website

If you live in California, you can check to see if there are any sex offenders living in your area. In most cases it even shows their pictures. It also shows where they live and if they are in violation of their parole. Scary, but totally important. There are 29 people listed in our zip code alone! I am wondering why the ACLU has not fought to get rid of this government site.

It's worth checking out: Megan's Law

Curse You, Apple Turnover!

Part of my job as the stay-at-home parent is to manage the every day household finances. Since I am not bringing home a paycheck, I try to save money in other ways that helps out our bottom line. My goal every time that I go to the grocery store is to try to get 50% off. This has only happened twice before. What this means is that with the use of the store's club card, double coupons, sale prices, and selective purchasing, I try to save 50% off of the regular prices of the items bought.

I just missed hitting 50% today. According to my receipt, I saved 46%, or $43.52. If only I hadn't made that impulse purchase of non-sale priced apple turnovers. They'd better be good.

Zogby Poll: Americans Not in Favor of Starving Terri Schiavo

Polls leading up to the death of Terri Schiavo made it appear Americans had formed a consensus in favor of ending her life. However, a new Zogby poll with fairer questions shows the nation clearly supporting Terri and her parents and wanting to protect the lives of other disabled patients.

One question from the poll: "If a disabled person is not terminally ill, not in a coma, and not being kept alive on life support, and they have no written directive, should or should they not be denied food and water," the poll asked.

A whopping 79 percent said the patient should not have food and water taken away while just 9 percent said yes.

Please see the rest of their poll analysis at Zogby International.

Inadvertent Joke

While reading out loud to his sister, Alex read the word lawyer. However he pronounced it liar. I have to admit that this make me laugh.

While we're at it, here's another one that I just heard: What should the next pope choose as his name as the successor to John Paul II? George Ringo.

Read the Book: Angel in the Waters

This book was published recently. It has been advertised that this book, "will make your kids PRO-LIFE." While it could be an effective tool in the teaching that life begins at conception, it is also a very well written (by Regina Doman) and illustrated (by Ben Hatke) book. I invite you to take a look for yourself. View the complete book Angel in the Waters online.

The book is very reasonably priced at $6.95. After reading the book online, you can order it through the above link. Or, if you spend more than $25 at Amazon.com, then can save with free shipping. Click here to take advantage of free shipping.

Pope John Paul II 1920-2005

Pope John Paul II - Karol Josef Wojtyla died today in his Vatican apartment at 9:37pm local time.

Our Library is Not Big Enough

The closest public library to us is the one in the city of Lomita. It is a very nice, yet small library. When we went there today, Alex had the hardest time finding books that he hasn't read yet. He usually checks out and reads about 6-8 books per week. He is reading at about the 100 page chapter book level (ex. Magic Treehouse or Encyclopedia Brown). Unless he wants to move up to the 200+ page book level (ex. Harry Potter, Hardy Boys or Lemony Snicket), we will need to move on to a bigger library. Right now he is a little intimidated by the longer books. I suppose that trying to find another library is a good problem to have. He's probably read more books in his life than I have. Really.

The Passion of Terri (please re-read)

Now that Terri's soul has left her body, please take the time to (re-)read my post from three days ago titled Passion of Theresa Marie Schiavo. I believe that it is even more powerful now.