Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks

What is Life?

Life is...

Sharing a lap.

He (James Purefoy) told an interviewer that he had been stunned...by the routine brutality of pre-Christian Rome. Very few moderns can grasp what ancient society was like...because 'even if you are agnostic, even if you're an atheist,' Christian morals profoundly frame the way you think and live (in America). ---Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life by Charles Chaput

Just hanging out.

I believe that our nation's public life, like Christianity itself, is meant for everyone, and everyone has a duty to contribute to it. The American experiment depends on the active involvement of all its citizens, not just lobbyists, experts, think tanks, and the mass media. For Catholics, politics---the pursuit of justice and the common good---is part of the history of salvation. No one is a minor actor in that drama. Each person is important. ---Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life by Charles Chaput

Remembering them even when they don't remember you.

The Resurrection, coming on the heels of a very unpleasant execution, is not an easily tamed story. And exactly that story---the fact of Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection from the dead---is the starting point, the source, the seed that became the faith, the moral code, the sense of human dignity, the culture, and the civilization we now take for granted every day. ---Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life by Charles Chaput

Finding a baby bird in your fig tree.

Archbishop John Ireland...said many decades ago that 'if great things are not done by Catholics in America, the fault lies surely with themselves---not with the republic.' ---Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life by Charles Chaput

Being there for the blessed event.

As well as being there when your uncle asks you to carry your cousin to his final resting place...and you do.

As Benjamin Distaeli once said, 'There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.' Numbers are a kind of magic. People can use them to prove just about anything. None of the current trends has a simple cause. American life has always been a mixture of ignorance and genius, piety and violence. But something in American life really has changed. We've become more vulgar and more callous. ---Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life by Charles Chaput

Stopping to smell the flowers.

Christian faith is always personal but never private. ---Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life by Charles Chaput

Making pumpkin moonshine together.

We create the future by our choices and our actions, here and now. ---Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life by Charles Chaput

Remembering the fallen who fought for our freedom. 

(This was at the memorial held at the Vietnam Wall which visited our area this month.)

A public life that excludes God does not enrich the human spirit. It kills it. ---Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life by Charles Chaput

Celebrating days of birth.

What we believe about God shapes what we believe about men and women. And what we believe about men and women shapes how we act---socially, politically, and economically. ---Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life by Charles Chaput

You Are Never Alone

When the voting curtain falls softly shut behind you on Tuesday, remember these words written by Effie Caldarola:

" 'You know, really, what difference does it make if I vote?'

"When you go into a polling booth, you are acknowledging that you are a member of a community with precious rights and corresponding responsibilities.

"You are remembering the women, many beaten and imprisoned, who fought for the right to vote in this country. You are remembering the civil rights workers, many of them murdered, who fought to overturn laws that barred blacks from the polling booth.

"You are carrying with you the thousands of freedom fighters and journalists and religious activists all over the world who suffer in prison because they stood up for their rights and freedoms and do not have the protections we take for granted.

"You carry with you the words of papal encyclicals that insist that we have inherent rights and human dignity, and that these rights carry obligations. You walk into your precinct with the words of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights written between the lines on your voter registration card.

"When you cast your ballot, you do so with your fellow citizens, thousands locally, millions nationally, who with one communal voice rise up and make their choice. You affirm your membership in that precious community by voting.

"...your one vote may not make the difference. But the votes of all of us can change the world, and don't ever miss out on your chance to say you were part of that.

"You may pull back the curtain and enter the polling booth by yourself, but you are never in there alone."

* * * * *

The whole article is worth reading in its entirety: You're Never Alone in the Voting Booth by Effie Caldarola and, as the mother of two teenagers and a young adult, I want to personally thank her for giving me words to share with them when they question, "What difference does my vote make?".

Regarding Politics

I'm sure you have all noticed by now that I am not a political writer. I hardly feel the need to be. There is enough political racket rhetoric out there without my contributions.

Susan has basically culled together my reaction regarding politics these days.

"I think it's good to be aware of what is happening in the world and then to do whatever we need to do (or can do) to care, to help those who need help, and to bring about change. But I also think it's wise and good to continue to find joy and beauty in the daily blessings, as long as we have them. To refuse to be all-consumed with circumstances, to overworry about them, and to focus on them so intensely that it keeps us preoccupied or brings us low." (Slowing Up)

HT: Starry Sky Ranch

I am not, nor have I ever claimed to be, a political person.  My father is a wise man. He served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam (oops, Opa was in Korea...I knew that). He knows politics and government and history and ethics better than anyone I know. He raised my brother and me on a government salary and retired as Postmaster of the historical institute of the U.S. Postal Service.

But politics was not the topic of choice around the dinner table when I was growing up. Religion stood taller and more noble than politics. The standards my parents raised high for us to live by were the standards God expected of us rather than the government's expectations, and we were expected to discern how best to serve the Church rather than the nation.

At one time I ecked away from political talk in dread. Then I looked at it suspiciously with dread. Then I married a very patriotic American man who loved history, had planned on an Air Force career in his high school and college years, and secretly would have been happy to have become a history teacher.

All I know or ever will know about being an American citizen, I learned from him. and he often echos my father.  I've come to realize that, as an American citizen, I cannot put my head in the sand. I cannot yell "Time Out!" and whine that my vote hardly matters.

My vote may not count for much, policies are made with or without my approval, laws hold me bound, and war is as against my religion has it ever was; but there is one thing I do have.

As an American, I have a voice. As a Christian, I have hope.

Even in the crisis situation we are faced with next week, I believe God can (and will) make good out of what our imperfect world conjures up.

My personal line is to tell family and friends that my hope is that no matter who wins this election, we have the hope that Bobby Jindal will take the high office in four or eight years and straighten things out...after he straightens Louisiana out, of course.  That's my hope. 

Politics can be downright depressing, scary, baffling, frustrating, overwhelming at times; but such is the world outside our front doors. It is a golden apple, appealingly poisonous.

As someone who hates discord, dishonesty, and dissent; I will be forever baffled why people cannot get along. But the world is not ideal. We are fallen people ruled by fallen people.

Is there an antidote?

The antidote begins with people becoming informed voters, whether they think their vote counts and their voice is heard...or not.

First steps? I suggest every Catholic (and Christian) American read this new book: Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life by Charles Chaput

I bought this book while on retreat this month. My intent was to surprise my political husband with it. I ended up reading it while sitting outside my retreat room: rocking on the balcony, nibbling oatmeal cookies, sipping hot cocoa, finger-tipping the pages, and receiving a delayed political education.

It is undoubtably one of the best books of 2008.  This should be a must-read for every Catholic college student and every pastor and is a must-read for every Catholic. Every Catholic should make time during their Adoration hour to read it. It is clear, concise, thorough, thoughtful and realistic. It is an eye-opener.

Why is the life issue the only issue to consider in such an election as the one we face? Why does this one issue establish the foundation upon which all the other issues sit? Read this book. There can be no arguments. None.

It will mentor the Christian in you while stirring the American in you from its pent-up slumber. It will collect your sense of justice. It will awaken in you the call to duty. It will do all this and more.

It will help you to "...be aware of what is happening in the world and then to do whatever we need to do (or can do) to care, to help those who need help, and to bring about change."

While doing this and reminding you of the very real dangers we face in today's society and political underpinnings, it will also show you why we must "find joy and beauty in the daily blessings, as long as we have them. To refuse to be all-consumed with circumstances, to overworry about them, and to focus on them so intensely that it keeps us preoccupied or brings us low." (Slowing Up)

In Padre Pio's words: "Pray, hope, and don't worry." or as St. Teresa of Avila instructed us: "Let nothing disturb you; let nothing dismay you. All things pass but God never changes. ...God alone suffices."

The threat of what is happening in the world is so close and so real, it threatens to bite the very leg we stand on if we do not begin to pray without ceasing.

* * * * *

Things to do before November 4th:

• Become informed
• Read Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life by Charles Chaput
• Pray without ceasing: Novena for the Election
• Offer sacrificial offerings
• Hope for the best or at least trust that God will make good out of our mistakes
• Check out voting books from the library to go over with your school age children
• Do not become all-consumed...this too shall pass
• Vote
• Hope

Simple Woman's Daybook for October 28, 2008

Make sure you stop by Peggy’s for this week’s Simple Woman’s Daybook entries.

Outside my window. . . a dark October night.

I am thinking. . . about Aaron: our nephew, god-son, the ringbearer in our wedding.

From the schoolroom. . . I'm hoping and praying we can get back on schedule tomorrow. Too many things have happened. Whatever schedule I may have flirted with has long-ago ditched me.

I am thankful for. . . quiet nights.

From the kitchen. . . leftover po-boy sandwiches from Bourbon Street Cafe; hands-down the very best sandwiches this side of the Sabine River

I am creating. . .five floral remembrance picture frames for five newborn babies.

I am going. . . hopefully staying home; we've been gone too much lately.

I am wearing. . . just got home from Adoration, still dressed from today's funeral...black slacks, red knit top with white cardigan sweater

I am reading. . . Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life by Charles Chaput (undoubtably one of the best books of 2008---a must-read for every Catholic before Election Day)

I am hoping. . .that my brother-in-law and his family find peace tonight. 

I am hearing. . . hum of computer fan.

I am praying...for Rusty and Ginger.

Around the house. . . nothing, nothing at all.

One of my favorite things. . . knowing all my children are safely in bed tonight.

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .end of soccer season for girls, beginning of travel soccer season for Garrett, more dance classes, CCD, All Saint's party on Thursday night, more fun on Friday. 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you. . .

Recent trip to the lake.

Remembering Aaron

Please keep the soul of our nephew Aaron and his family in your prayers.

[Memorial created by his sister Jessica]

Soccer Shirts with Stains and Smiles

 

Enjoying Life ~ Nature ~ Family

A Trip to Arkansas in the Fall

At the Little Missouri Falls

A Force to be Reckoned With

Go here to see the Arkansas Autumn Album

Keep on Praying

One of those real life prayer concerns I asked you to keep in your prayers last week was for Sabine's little son Michael who I learned, as I was literally headed out the door on my way to retreat, had fallen into his aunt's swimming pool and was in a comatose state in the hospital.

I met Sabine and her sister Beate several years ago, along with Cindy Kelly, at a Charlotte Mason conference in Texas so they are a few of the Internet-bonded friends I've been blessed to meet in real life.

I'm keeping track of the needs of their family, the special prayer requests concerning Michael, and the power of our prayers here: Michael's Caring Bridge Page

Please keep up the prayers. This is one of the beautiful things about the power of the Internet. It is a blessing to know this family and be able to pray for them.

"Don't waste any time in anger with your children...it's a huge waste of time." ~ Sabine Summerville

Collecting Sacred Time

It looked as though the fairies had had quite a tea party under the great oak trees that parasoled Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat House.

Like an Amazon giant, my feet crunched many of the delicate china teacups and crystal wine-stem glasses. I found myself meticulously bending down to salvage some of the still-whole goblets and collect them in my pocket as a child hordes seashells on the seashore. It's as addictive, that's for sure.

I gathered them to bring home to my girls who love fairies and tea parties and dollhouses-size samplings and other girlish fancies. I delighted in their anticipation.

This is the peace I find during retreat time. Time to quiet my racing thoughts. Time to savor the creative juices of nature. Time to thank God for His generosity in my life. Time to quiet my soul with silence. Time to slow down. Time to collect fairy goblets acorn casings. Time to experience fellowship. Time to receive an outpouring of God's graces. Nothing but time.

God demands this holy time. He demands we take time to listen to only him. He instructs us to "Be Still, and know that I Am!"  Even Jesus, son of God, retreated from his daily ministry and duties:

"Then he made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray." ~ Mark 6:45-46

Trivial pursuit, one sighs. What a still mind...what a silo of the mind...what wasted time. Slowing down? Who has time for slowing down? Others shake their heads.

I wonder what they would do if they knew it was their final moment on earth. Would their peace of mind be shattered? Would they run uselessly around in a thousand directions, accomplishing nothing? Would they tear their garments and fall on their knees in too-late lamentations? Where would they find their peace?

A retreat gives you peace of mind, quietness of soul, clarity.

A car passed by on the side of the boulevard. If I knew it were my final moment on earth, I would go right on collecting nature's china and crystal for a tea party celebration.

"The house of silence and sacred sod, Where nobody speaks to anybody, And everybody speaks to God."

Silent Moments of Reflection