I.
As I talked about yesterday, last weekend I went on retreat, which has led to a few days of radio silence around here. Part of that, of course, is the post-retreat time, where I try to assimilate the things I learned over the weekend into my daily life, and part of it is this is the first week all month where I've been home all week--meaning, I'm not going anywhere this weekend, so there's no frenetic reason to hurry up and pack! Of course, next weekend is an out-of-state wedding, but that should be easy, because I don't have to do anything, like I did in Boston or last weekend. I just have to show up and be happy for the couple, which will be easy.
II.
Most of the time when I'm on retreat, I don't have to "do" anything, either, but this time I was one of the cantors for the weekend, which meant I was involved in the music prep for all three Masses, and each of the Hours of the Office (Liturgy of the Hours)--Lauds, Vespers, and Compline. I was a little worried about how the Mass music would come off, since it was all chant (with the exception of a closing hymn), but I'm glad to say it all came off really well. Thank you , St. Cecilia!
It took me a little while to adjust to having so much to do; I was worried I wouldn't be able to spend as much time in prayer as I usually do on retreat. But it all worked out.
III.
I'm back to CCD this week, for the first time all month, which makes me so happy, because I've missed the kids! I hope I haven't forgotten all their names in the past two weeks.
IV.
Since this week had a lot of downtime, I used it to try some new recipes, which had about a 50/50 success rate. When I say new recipes, I don't mean that I came up with them. I mean someone else wrote them and I cooked them for the first time. Out of the three, there was one winner, one that was just OK, and one that failed hugely based on the recipe itself. I think it I tweak the cooking instructions a bit though, the last one could be saved. But I really hate recipes that involve a long cooking time (this was a stew) and then have a bad result. Really, recipe writers? REALLY? Don't make me hurt you.
(And yes, I read the recipe. Several times. This wasn't like Julianne Moore and her cake in The Hours.)
V.
On Facebook earlier this week there was a thread on Simcha Fisher's page about underrated movies. Allow me to give you some of mine:
--Mr. Mom (SERIOUSLY, everyone needs to know this movie.)
-- The Village (same as above. Why does this get no love? It's a GREAT MOVIE!)
--Babette's Feast (Do not fear the subtitles!)
--Interstellar (again, more people need to love this movie)
I'm sure I'm missing some, but these, especially The Village, are what immediately came to mind. So show these some love this weekend.
VI.
The kids around here have today off because it's "Fair Day"--the county fair. Now, I have to tell you, when I first came to this district (it's my home school district) from parochial school, and saw "fair day" in the student planner, I went, "What is fair day?" But then I had friends who were part of farming families, and who actually had 4-H projects, and all that, and realized that the County Fair is a big deal in a state where its biggest industry is still agriculture. So, go County Fair Day! (Maybe watch Charlotte's Web to really get into the spirit of this, if you do not live in a place where there are county fairs. Or listen to the Bridges of Madison County Cast Recording, especially "State Route 21")
VII.
My last quick take is a photo.
I take prayer intercession seriously, especially when I go on retreat. So if you asked me for prayers last weekend, you got three rosaries, three Masses, and a candle!
That purple one is all yours, prayer askers!
Have a great weekend, everyone!