Friday, November 30, 2007

Not THAT Bad

Well, work wasn't THAT bad. The new admission was pretty good, even though she was convinced another staff member was going to come to her during the night, stick a needle in her neck, and kill her. I know she'll act up in time, but this evening was OK. I'm glad I have today and tomorrow off though!

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Don't Wanna!

I so do not want to go to work today. It's going to be a rough night with a lot of regular staff off and a new female admission. I hate females! I have so much to do around the house-the regular stuff, plus Christmas preparations. The weather outside is looking frightful. Boy I wish I could just stay home!

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Christmas Time

As they sing on Charlie Brown, "Christmas Time is here". I love this time of year. Even with all the awfulness going on in the world and the stress of my own life, I was able to relax on my drive home from work, listening to Christmas music and seeing more Christmas lights illuminated each night. May you enjoy the peace, wonder, and nostalgia of this time of year and try not to get too harried, out of patience and annoyed.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Back to Work

I'm back at work and it's tough. How can I accomplish everything else that needs to be done? I had a great riding lesson yesterday, but that coupled with trying to get things done on the computer (spending time working on Neopets Game Master Challenge), and going to work...I need time to play with the animals and I should be cleaning and decorating the house for the holidays! I need more time!

Monday, November 26, 2007

Why Men Don't Write Advice Columns...

Why men don't write advice columns...

Dear Chuck:I hope you can help me here. The other day I set off for work leaving my husband in the house watching the TV as usual. I hadn't gone more than a mile down the road when my engine conked out and the car shuddered to a halt.I walked back home to get my husband's help. When I got home I couldn't believe my eyes. He was in the bedroom with a neighbor lady making mad passionate love to her. I am 60, my husband is 62 and we have been married forever.When I confronted him, he tried to make out that he went into the back yard and heard a lady scream, had come to her rescue but found her unconscious. He'd carried the woman back to our house, laid her in bed, and began CPR. When she awoke she immediately began thanking him and kissing him and he was attempting to break free when I came back. But when I asked him why neither of them had any clothes on, he broke down and admitted that he'd been having an affair for the past six months.I told him to stop or I would leave him. He was let go from his job six months ago and he says he has been feeling increasingly depressed and worthless. I love him very much, but ever since I gave him the ultimatum he has become increasingly distant. I don't feel I can get through to him anymore.Can you please help?Sincerely,Mrs. Jane

Dear Jane:A car stalling after being driven a short distance can be caused by a variety of faults with the engine. Start by checking that there is no debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, check the jubilee clips holding the vacuum pipes onto the inlet manifold. If none of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the carburetor float chamber.I hope this helps.Chuck

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Recipe Idea

I had a thought, but I'm not sure it will work. I have some ground turkey and won ton wrappers. I was wondering what I could put with the turkey-then I thought-stuffing. But the stuffing will be already cooked and I wouldn't precook the turkey. Could I mix precooked stuffing with raw ground turkey, stuff it in a won ton wrapper and bake? Hmmm.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Not Quite a Celebration

Today I'm going to my folks' house to celebrate Thanksgiving. It'll be the oddest dinner for our family yet-my dad's in the hospital so it'll just be me and Mom. Obviously, we'll visit Dad. But he won't be home to carve the turkey or figure out what to watch on TV. I don't like the fact that parents get seriously ill.

Friday, November 23, 2007

Black Friday

Why do they call the day after Thanksgiving Black Friday? Is it because lots of people go shopping, so stores profits are in the black? Hmmm. Inquiring minds want to know, but are too lazy to look it up! In any case today is also White Friday. Yes, there was snow for Turkey Day and it's still sticking around. It's not on the roads, and it's just a dusting, so it looks quite pretty. Now that Thanksgiving has passed it's time to get ready for Christmas! My outside lights are up, so I just need to get the outside decorations up and turn the timers on. Now I turn the car radio to the all Christmas song station and get in the spirit. Let's get decorating!

Thursday, November 22, 2007

I'm Thankful


I have so many things to be thankful for, I can't even begin to list them. Special thanks do go out to my immediate family: thanks Mom & Dad, Barrett, Aleister, Seneca, Calumet, Flurry, Slipper, Palin, Gilliam, Gus, Leon, & Harley. I'm grateful to have wonderful friends and family, a nice house, and the ability to enjoy my life and many hobbies. Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Neopets Frustration

While playing a game Turquzure, my eldest neopet, got a disease. The cure, however, is rare-I can't get it at the pharmacy and the only people that have it are charging over 100,000 neopoints for it. If anyone who plays knows where I can get some Cactopus Cream, please let me know ASAP. Turqu is getting sicker and I haven't been able to get a random heal for her. Aughhhhhhh. I may have to seriously deplete my bank account. Stupid Qasalan Expel!

Monday, November 19, 2007

Cookie Recipes

A friend of mine sent me this info. Cool, huh?

Just click on the name of the cookie and bam the recipe is there. Good to keep handy.
1-2-3 Cookies 7 Layer Cookies Allie Nelson's Famous Snickerdoodle Cookies Almond Crescent Shortbread Amish Sugar Cookies Andies Candies Cookies Angel Crisps Angenets Applesauce Cookies Apricot Fold-Overs Aunt Edy's Molasses Crinkles Auntie Linda's Ginger Gems Bakeless Dream Cookies Banana Drop Cookies Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World Biscotti Biscotti Blueberry Cookies Boiled Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies Bronwnies Brown Sugar Shortbread Brownie Cookies Brownie Delight Brownies Buccaneer Snowballs Buried Cherry Cookies Butter Cookies Butter Nut Balls Butterballs Butterscotch Haystacks C.O.P. Cookies Candy Cane Cookies Candy Cookies Caramel Shortbread Cheesecake Brownies Cherry Buns Cherry Crowns Cherry Winks Chewies Chewy Noels Chinese Chews/Haystacks Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate Chip Meltaways Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Chocolate Christmas Trees Chocolate Cream Cheese Squares Chocolate Crinkles Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (no bake) Chocolate Snowball Cookies Chocolate Streusel Bars Chocolate Sundae Cookies Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars Choco-Scotch Crunchies Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe Christmas Crackers Christmas Crunch Bars Christmas Ginger Snaps Christmas Macaroons Christmas Mice Cookies Christmas Shaped Cookies Church Window Cookies Coconut Cookies Congo Squares Cookie in a Jar Corn Flakes Cookies Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal) Cream Cheese Cookies with Apricot Filling Crème De Menthe Chocolate Squares Crème Wafers Crescent Cookies Crispy Crunchies Date Nut Balls Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies Disgustingly Rich Brownies Doodles Double chocolate chip cookies Double-Chocolate Crinkles Eatmore Cookies Eggnog Cookies Elizabeth's Sugar Cookies Elves Quick Fudge Brownies Emily Dickinson's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Emily's Best Brownies Famous Oatmeal Cookies Firemen Cookies Fluffy Shortbread Cookies Forgotten Cookies Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies Fruit Cake Cookies Fruitcake Squares Fry Pan Cookies Gems Ginger Cookies Ginger Crinkles Gingerbread Baby Gingerbread Cookies with Butter Cream Icing Gingerbread Men Gingerbread Men Ginny's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Glory's Golden Graham Squares Glory's Sugar Cookies Gramma Chapman's chocolate coconut drops Grandma Elsie's Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies Grandma J's Butter Cookies Grandma Olson's Parkay Cookies Great Grandmothers Sugar Cookies Gum Drop Cookies Gumdrop Gems Haystack Cookies Ho-Ho Bars Holiday Cereal Snaps Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars Holly Cookies Hungarian Cookies (Little Nut Rolls) Ice Box Cookies Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Italian Cookies Jacob's Peppermint Snowballs Jam Bars Jessica's Famous Brownies Jessie's Chocolate Chip Cookies Jubilee Jumbles Juliet's Peanut Butter Blossoms Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies Kentucky Colonels Kiefle (cream cheese cookies with jam filling) Kifflings Kiss Cookies Lacy Swedish Almond Wafers Lemon Angel Bar Cookies Lemon Bars Lemon Cake Cookies Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies Lemon Squares Linzer Tarts Log Cabin Cookies Luscious Lemon Squares M&M Cookies Magic Cookie Bars Melt in Your Mouth Cutout Sugar Cookies Melting Shortbread Meme's Cream Cheese Cookies Milk Chocolate Florentine Cookies Mincemeat Cookies Mincemeat Goodies Molasses Cookies Molasses Forest Cookies Molasses Sugar Cookies Mom Mom's Crescent Cookies Mom-Mom's Ginger Cookies Mom's Nutmeg Sugar Cookies Mom's Old Fashion "Puffy" Sugar Cookies Monster Cookies Moravian Christmas Cookies Nana's Famous Soft Southern Cookies Nitey Nite Cookies No Bake Chocolate Cookies No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No-Bake Cookies Norwegian Sugar Cookies Nut Balls Oatmeal Bars Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Nut Cookies Oatmeal Coconut Crisps Oatmeal Cookies Oatmeal Scotchies Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies Ooey Gooey Caramel Chocolate Dunk Ooey Gooey Squares Orange Slice Cookies Parking Lot Cookies Peanut Blossoms Peanut Butter Bars Peanut Butter Blossoms Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies Peanut Butter Chewies Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut butter fingers Peanut Butter Reindeer Peanut Butter Surprises Peanut Marshmallow Cookies Pecan Puff Cookies Peppermint Snowballs Peppernuts Persimmon Cookies Persimmon Cookies Petey's Yummy Spicy Almond Thins Pfeffernuesse Pffefferneuse Cookies Pineapple Filled Cookies Pizzelles Potato Chip Cookies Potato Flake Cookies Praline Cookies Praline Strips Pterodactyl Nests Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Chip Cookies Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Pumpkin Cookies Queen Biscuits Quick Cookies Raised Sugar Cookies Raisin Filled Oatmeal Bars Raspberry Meringue Bars Really Peanutty Butter Cookies Reese`s Brownies Reese's Peanut Butter Bars Rich Flavor Christmas Cookies Rich Lemon Bars Ricotta Cheese Cookies Royal Almond Christmas Bars Rudolph Cinnamon Cookies Russian Tea Cookies Russian Teacakes Samantha & Kelsey's Chocolate Chip Cookies Sand Art Brownies Santa Claus Cookie Pops Santa Claus Cookies Santa's Butterscotch Melts Santa's Shorts Santa's Special Squares Scotch Cakes Scotch Shortbread Scotcharoos Scotcheroos Seven Layer Cookies Short Bread Cookies Shortbread Skor Squares Snicker Doodle Cookies Snickerdoodles Snickerdoodles Snow Balls Sour Cream Apple Squares Sour Cream Christmas Cookies Special K Cookies Spice Cookies Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Spritz Cookies Stained Glass Window Cookies Stir & Drop Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Swedish Pepparkakor (Pepper Cake) Cookies Swedish Sugar Cookies Sweet Marie's Swiss Treats Taralle (Italian Cookies) Tea Time Tassies Texas Brownies The Best Shortbread in The World Thumbprint Cookies Thumbprint Cookies Toffee Squares Traditional Christmas Sugar Cookies Traditional Gingerbread Men Cookies Triple-Chocolate Chip Cookies Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies Vanilla Waffer Balls Walnut Butter Cookies Walnut Crumb Bars White Chip Chocolate Cookies Wild Oatmeal Cookies Will's Famous Apple Jack Cookies Yummy Yummy Peanut Butter Blossoms

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Getting Behind

I've been complaining that everyone's rushing Christmas and forgetting Thanksgiving. Well, it's 4 days to Thanksgiving...and I'm behind in my Christmas preparations! I finally finished and mailed all my Thanksgiving cards-now I've got to get working on the Christmas cards. I don't make those by hand though, just too many, but I do decorate the envelopes. I really need to get the outside Christmas lights up-as I want to light them Friday night. I'd better at least check the lights I have to see if they still work, before I head out to work.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Dean Griff


Today I met Charming Tails creator Dean Griff. As a member of The Leaf and Acorn Club, I'm informed of many events-but today was the first time there was actually an event near me! So I finally got to meet Dean Griff. What a nice man! I knew he had to be-how could he create those adorable critters and not be nice. He autographed several pieces for me and I also got my picture with him. It was a wonderful experience-of course now I want even more Charming Tails pieces!

Friday, November 16, 2007

Medicine

I feel as if I'm running a hospital here, giving meds and scrubbing things clean. The rats have rat lice-other species can't catch it-Thank God! So I've just spent over 2 hours scrubbing and disinfecting cages. Then the Ohio Brothers each got treated with Frontline. My eyes are still all squinty from trying to find .13 on the syringe! Flurry was quite helpful. While I was opening up the syringe-he picked up the vial of medicine and tried to open it for me. Fortunately, he wasn't successful! Later this evening Slipper will need his second daily dose of Baytril. I was out of blueberry syrup (my usual mixer) so he was treated to my special Wild Currant Raspberry Fruit Syrup from The Sugar Shack with his baytril. He wasn't impressed. I also still need to put ear drops in Aleister's ear and drops in mine as well! (I have a wax build up that's driving me crazy, but the doc couldn't flush it today as I was seeing him for something else so insurance wouldn't cover it.) Now I'm cooking dinner-it's almost time for my shows. Thank Goodness, I need a break!

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Dentist

This morning's visit to the dentist went well, even if I never actually saw a dentist. Why is that? These days you go "to the dentist" to get your teeth cleaned, but the dentist doesn't clean your teeth-the dental hygienist does. She (or he-although I've yet to meet a male dental hygienist, I'm sure they're out there) also takes your x-rays. In fact, if all goes smoothly, you never even catch a glimpse of the dentist. The dentist doesn't even pop in for a look (although the hygienist did show my x-rays to a dentist-he never saw me or my actual teeth). Fortunately, all went well today. I have a new hygienist, my old one left. I really liked my old one. Mind you, she wasn't old, she was my age, NOT old, so I guess I should say my former hygienist. The new one's OK. She seems very young and kind of new. She took a long time scraping my teeth, whereas Tara was fast and thorough. Still she seems nice-she once had pet guinea pigs and didn't make a face when I said I had pet rats, although she did seem a bit surprised. At any rate, my teeth are clean and I have no cavities! Next visit to the dentist-May 2008! Or should I say next visit to the dental hygienist...which should really be the title to this blog-the dental hygienist.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Busy, Busy, Busy

I just have to go to work this evening, then I'm off for three days. Yippie! Unfortunately, I'm booked solid. I don't even have a day to sleep in with no alarm clock. Thursday I have to go to the dentist then the Ohio Brothers have to go to the vet. Friday I go to the doctor and Saturday is a demo day I want to attend. That's just the appointments. Then there's all the errands and other stuff that needs to be done. Busy, busy, busy.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

More Fray-Check

I bought another bottle of Fray-Check. Of course, this ensures that I'll find at least one, if not both, of the bottles I already have! Must find a better place to store them...a good place, not a hidden safe place! I want to work on my Thanksgiving cards tonight and a special pre-Christmas wax card for my folks. I'm off work this evening-but I had to go to CPR class this morning. I just woke up from a long nap...but I'm still tired. I've been debating on getting dressed and going out to pick up something from the little grocery store around the corner for dinner and lunch tomorrow-or just scrounging for something here. Decisions, decisions. I should go out-but I'm comfy and, although only 5:30PM, it's full dark. We'll see. I'd better get some things accomplinshed tonight though!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Alcohol

Well, I'm back to drinking alcohol. I had my blood work done Friday and drank Friday evening. Please note, I did not drink as soon as I got home, but SEVERAL hours later, while watching my programs on TV. (See, not an alcoholic.) I had the blood work done Friday as I was going to an event Saturday where there was wine and beer. Turned out I didn't have anything there. Oh well. But I only had 1 glass of wine Saturday and a glass of Southern Comfort Sunday after work. I'm sure glad I can indulge again. Hopefully my blood and liver turn out fine. I see the doc on Friday. Here's hoping...and drinking! Cheers!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Waste

What a waste of time. Unfortunately, it happens too often with me. I spend so much time looking for something and can't find it. I've been looking for this fray stuff for a few days now-and still can't find it. I need it to do my Thanksgiving cards too. The thing is, I know I have 2 bottles of the stuff because I couldn't find it once before and got a new bottle, then, of course, I found the original. At least it's not expensive, but still...If I don't find it by Tuesday I'll be buying yet another bottle. It just irks me the time I waste. I wish I had the time and energy and space to take each room of this house and totally empty it and then properly organize everything! Or, at least do it to the craft room.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

November or December?

OK, is this November or December? I was watching my TV programs Friday night and almost every other commercial was for Christmas. Each commercial break had at least one. It's just the second week of November. I expect to see a few now and then-but each break? I've taken down all of the Halloween, decided to skip the Thanksgiving decorations (but leave the fall wreaths), but I haven't started the Christmas decorating yet. November 10 and I'm already feeling behind.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Sweeney Todd

I was watching TV the other day and saw a preview for an upcoming movie: Sweeney Todd. Wow, I though, a film version of Sweeney, cool. Ooh-Tim Burton's directing-that's fitting. It should be good and dark. Ooh-Johnny Depp as Sweeney-that'll be good. They must be making it as a non musical. Imagine my surprise to discover that, no-it's the musical all right. But can Johnny Depp sing? I mean this piece is not easy. Maybe he'll fake sing, like so many movie musicals. (Which really pisses me off as there are so many singers that can act and they just hire a big name who can't sing and have them lip sync to the real talent, grrrrrrrr.) But I hear he's really singing. It should be interesting. Sweeney Todd may just be my favorite musical of all time. It was also probably my favorite musical performance experience as well. Even though I was just in the chorus, I think it beat out some of my leading roles for fun! Of course, now I have Sweeney music running through my head at odd moments. "Swing your razor high, Sweeney." It could be worse.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Drunken Mice

This video just goes to show that a little alcohol helps everyone get along!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivkYXBFXDTs
Thanks Sonja for sharing this video on my rat list.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Snow!

Just so you know-it was snowing today. Nothing sticking, but I saw flakes!

Give me Alcohol

I'm not an alcoholic. Truly, I'm not. But I've been without alcohol since Halloween for an upcoming blood test and I'm starting to get a little annoyed. I'm sorry, after an annoying evening at work I'd like a glass or two of wine. Or a beer. Or a nice glass of Southern Comfort to warm me up in this 30 degree weather. Something. Let me qualify-something with alcohol. I may have to agree with my dad on this one-if I was told to give up alcohol forever I might say-"Just kill me now!" Hopefully, it'll never come to that!

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Update on Gus

Well, we went to the vet this morning. Not good news. Gus has 2 tumors (not cysts), spinal degeneration, and lice. Due to his age and several other considerations we've decided to only treat the lice...for now anyway. I don't have time before I go to work, but I'll have to scrub down the cage, replace stuff, and then treat Gus & Leon. The other boys will visit the vet next week.

Gus

Please send good thoughts and prayers for Gus. I found a lump on him the other day. I think it's a cyst and not a tumor-at least I hope so. Gus is over 2 and his hind legs don't work that well, although he gets around fine. We're seeing the vet this morning.

Monday, November 5, 2007

I give up

I've been complaining that everyone seems to be bypassing Halloween and Thanksgiving and starting in on Christmas earlier and earlier. The minute Halloween passed, things really sped up. Everyday I've seen a Christmas commercial on TV. The stores are all decked out. What really got me was on Friday. The library. The decorations weren't up yet...but along with a few Halloween books on display-the prominent theme was Christmas. Not Thanksgiving. Christmas. So I give up. I'm bypassing Thanksgiving decorations and I'll be starting Christmas. Oh I'll keep my fall wreaths up til Thanksgiving-but the figurines will stay in their boxes this year. I usually wait until the day after Thanksgiving to begin decorating (aside from the outside lights-that's fair game whenever the weather's still decent although I won't illuminate them til the day after Thanksgiving) but I've been so rushed and I'm not getting everything out. So. I'm sorry Turkey Day, I'll be thankful, but I'm going to try to get a jump start and get prepared for Christmas this year!

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Nice Weekend

I had a nice weekend. Friday didn't start off all that great. I had to get up early and take poor Aleister to the vet. We have to keep using the ear drops, which I had stopped, I guess prematurely. After playing briefly on the computer I went to a new Target and got tons of great deals. I followed that up with a bad for me lunch at Taco Bell (gotta love that caramel apple empanada and those potato things though), then on to the library, also across town, that has the fantastic mystery section. After that the Polish store for some kabenosy (I know that's not spelled right-it's a sausage stick you eat cold.) Then back across town with stops at AC Moore (craft store), JoAnn Fabrics and PetSmart before a visit with Harley. We actually had a great ride with Candy and her owner. I also saw those too cute kittens. OMG! They were actually holding on to each other. Aughh. I wish I could take both...but I can't...really, I can't. Then it was back home and time for all my good programs (Ghost Whisperer, Moonlight, Men in Trees, & Blood Ties). Then bath and bed.

Saturday I also got up relatively early (for me anyway) and went back across town to the Hallmark Ornament Opening. I got lots of great deals and free stuff-I got a VIP gift bag. Cool! I stopped for a very bad for me lunch at Wendy's. I just had to try it-The Baconator. It was FANTASTIC-although it probably took a year off my life. But so juicy, cheesy, bacony, mmmmmmmmmmmm. Instead of doing more running around, I came home. I did a little work outside then came in. I started working on Thanksgiving cards-but haven't figured out exactly how I want to do it. Better figure it out soon though. Then I caught up on some TV shows. After that I cleaned the rat cages. The boys had fun I think roaming around and playing with me. Then time for Rosemary & Thyme, Keeping Up Appearances, & As Time Goes By. Now more computer time before bath and bed.

I think the best part of both days was playing with all my kids. If only I had time, room, and money for 2 more. Sigh.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Too Funny

I had wanted to sleep in this morning, but, as usual, had too much to do, so I set my alarm. Not too early, mind you, but still it was set. When the alarm went off this morning I opened my eyes to find Calumet, on the pillow next to me, raising her head and opening her eyes to give me a look of, "You've got to be kidding me." I pressed the snooze button and we both shut our eyes again!

Friday, November 2, 2007

All Souls Day

Today is All Souls Day, a day to honor those who have left us.
The following is copied from www.catholicgreeting.org:

The Church has encouraged prayer for the dead from the earliest times as an act of Christian charity. "If we had no care for the dead," Augustine noted, "we would not be in the habit of praying for them." Yet pre-Christian rites for the deceased kept such a strong hold on the superstitious imagination that a liturgical commemoration was not observed until the early Middle Ages, when monastic communities began to mark an annual day of prayer for the departed members.
In the middle of the 11th century, St. Odilo, abbot of Cluny (France), decreed that all Cluniac monasteries offer special prayers and sing the Office for the Dead on November 2, the day after the feast of All Saints. The custom spread from Cluny and was finally adopted throughout the Roman Church.
The theological underpinning of the feast is the acknowledgment of human frailty. Since few people achieve perfection in this life but, rather, go to the grave still scarred with traces of sinfulness, some period of purification seems necessary before a soul comes face-to-face with God. The Council of Trent affirmed this purgatory state and insisted that the prayers of the living can speed the process of purification.
Superstition still clung to the observance. Medieval popular belief held that the souls in purgatory could appear on this day in the form of witches, toads or will-o’-the-wisps. Graveside food offerings supposedly eased the rest of the dead.
Observances of a more religious nature have survived. These include public processions or private visits to cemeteries and decorating graves with flowers and lights. This feast is observed with great fervor in Mexico.

Comment:
Whether or not one should pray for the dead is one of the great arguments which divide Christians. Appalled by the abuse of indulgences in the Church of his day, Martin Luther rejected the concept of purgatory. Yet prayer for a loved one is, for the believer, a way of erasing any distance, even death. In prayer we stand in God's presence in the company of someone we love, even if that person has gone before us into death.

I'll be remembering many old friends and some family. In memory of: Brioche, Bandit, Kokishin, Tarquin, Nicholas, Daisy, Rose, Violet, Hyacinth, Tybalt, Bartholomew, Basil, Pepper, Nimh, Lily, Ivy, Opal, Galena, Abbott, Costello, Aunt Bert, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Mike, Aunt Sid, Nana, James Michael, and others who have touched my life; I wish you all peace.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

All Saints Day

Today is All Saints Day. The following is copied from www.catholicgreetings.com:

The earliest certain observance of a feast in honor of all the saints is an early fourth-century commemoration of "all the martyrs." In the early seventh century, after successive waves of invaders plundered the catacombs, Pope Boniface IV gathered up some 28 wagonloads of bones and reinterred them beneath the Pantheon, a Roman temple dedicated to all the gods. The pope rededicated the shrine as a Christian church. According to Venerable Bede, the pope intended "that the memory of all the saints might in the future be honored in the place which had formerly been dedicated to the worship not of gods but of demons" (On the Calculation of Time).
But the rededication of the Pantheon, like the earlier commemoration of all the martyrs, occurred in May. Many Eastern Churches still honor all the saints in the spring, either during the Easter season or immediately after Pentecost.

How the Western Church came to celebrate this feast in November is a puzzle to historians. The Anglo-Saxon theologian Alcuin observed the feast on November 1 in 800, as did his friend Arno, Bishop of Salzburg. Rome finally adopted that date in the ninth century.

Comment:

This feast first honored martyrs. Later, when Christians were free to worship according to their conscience, the Church acknowledged other paths to sanctity. In the early centuries the only criterion was popular acclaim, even when the bishop's approval became the final step in placing a commemoration on the calendar. The first papal canonization occurred in 993; the lengthy process now required to prove extraordinary sanctity took form in the last 500 years. Today's feast honors the obscure as well as the famous—the saints each of us have known.

Quote:
“After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.... [One of the elders] said to me, ‘These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb’” (Revelation 7:9,14).