“We have the greatest power through love that can be known. It overcomes everything with its fierce and steady truth, if you can continue to stand in it.” ― Jay Woodman
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A chilly, but sunny Sunday. Another good day to give thanks.
Today’s Gospel sounded pretty familiar for our current situation with nations in agony, bewildered by the turmoil, terror and fear. Sounds familiar, right?
Gospel, Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
25 ‘There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the turmoil of the ocean and its waves;26 men fainting away with terror and fear at what menaces the world, for the powers of heavenwill be shaken.27 And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.28 When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.’34 ‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day willcome upon you unexpectedly,35 like a trap. For it will come down on all those living on the face of the earth.36 Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to hold your ground before the Son of man.’
My take on it… as the Gospel says… “when these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high…” So, if you are prepared and have led a good life, you are “ready or not, here I come.” Some people wait till they are old and grey and at deaths door before they decide to straighten up. Umm… I don’t think that’s how it works. I think it’s like a report card in school. If you always try your best, you study, and you show up every day, you’ll get a passing grade. But, if you cut all your classes, party all the way through school, don’t study, and flunk all your tests, don’t expect to graduate, walk with your class, and get your diploma. Just sayin’. Just my humble opinion.
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After Mass, I stopped at McDonald’s all by myself. 🙁 Poor me. Helene was on a trip with her son, and Jerry is still on the mend and homebound. But, tradition is tradition. I thought I might find someone to talk to, but the place was empty. 🙁 So, I just enjoyed the quiet and my large iced tea. But, I did give Jerry a call and asked if he was up for a short visit, and he was. Yay! I called my sister to wish her a happy birthday and a little conversation while I sat in my car. The sun was warm, and you couldn’t ask for a nicer day.
He’s lookin’ good! (Selfie time.🤦♀️)
I stopped at the store and then visited my Nextdoor neighbor Elke, for a little tea party and chat.
Then of course, a little FaceTime visit with my little granddaughters.
A very fine Sunday so far. The day is still young. Perhaps more adventures to come. Happy Sunday, my friends.
“My week was so busy that I lost count of the days. I forgot Friday. What happened to Friday?”
~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis
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Between Thanksgiving, baking, cooking, painting ornaments, glittering the world, and running around, I lost track of the days. I totally forgot to post my Black Russian Friday tradition. I’m sure my friends on Facebook were worried about me. 🤦♀️
SO… I decided to make it up today with sitting around sipping Black Russian Saturday.
Cheers!
Plus, what a surprise. I was watching tv, flipping through the channels and guess what was on?
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Another family tradition. Made me smile. I know when I visit my family back home, we all will be watching this on Christmas Eve. A day for traditions!
“The good thing about not cooking or hosting a huge Thanksgiving dinner is that there are no leftovers crammed in the fridge. The bad thing is… there are no leftovers crammed in the fridge.🙁”
~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis
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I spent my Thanksgiving with my friend Helene and her family. I ate way too much and my tummy was so full…How full was it, you ask? It was so full that I declined taking any leftovers home with me. What was I thinking?
“I try counting my blessings every day, but I just can’t count that high.“
~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis
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I know we should count our blessings every day, but Thanksgiving is that special national holiday that we are reminded to take time out to think about all the things and people we have to be thankful for.
Today, I am especially thankful for my beautiful family. I was able to FaceTime with my sister, my oldest son, his wife, the granddaughters and Nana. They may be far away, but FaceTime keeps us close.
So adorable!
I also talked to my California boy, and wished him a Very Vegan Happy Thanksgiving.
I was invited to have dinner with my friend Helene and her family today. Instead of turkey, they made a festive Mexican meal of chicken enchiladas, rice, beans, and awesome desserts. Right up my alley. It’s three hours later and I still feel like “I’m goin’ to splode!”
Four people but enough food for 40. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Before dinner, we played a round of Cribbage. I never played before, and learning all the rules and point system was overwhelming. My brain was “goin’ to splode.” I still don’t get it. I’m going to stick with War or solitaire or something less stressful.
Today, I am also thankful for the rest of my awesome family all over the country. I am thankful for my many, many friends all over the world. I am blessed with a fine home, health, love, happiness, great neighbors, my faith, my fears, and my strengths.
Most importantly, today, I am thankful for stretchy pants and baggy sweaters.
You know me, I love to play with my food, make funny faces, and be creative. I saw an idea about a cheese ball made into the shape of a turkey, so I decided to perfect my own creation.
2 packages of softened cream cheese, mix in some dried cranberries, chopped walnuts and almonds (that’s what I had), and extra nuts for rolling the cheeseball. Then, have fun decorating.
I know, I know! Goofy looking, but fun, and yummy! Gobble gobble! 🦃
“Never get tired of doing little things for others, sometimes those little things occupy the biggest parts of their hearts.” – Unknown
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Helene and I made our monthly visit to Holy Family School this afternoon. It’s always so uplifting to see those adorable little faces, and to know that our little contribution of snacks and drinks goes a long way to nourish the little ones.
Today we had a lot of apple juice, peanut butter and snacks to take over.We are always greeted with appreciation and smiles. Even under the masks, we can sense the smiling eyes. And Helene topped it off with a generous check. “Never get tired of doing little things for others, sometimes those little things occupy the biggest parts of their hearts.” – Unknown
We walked upstairs to say hi to Miss Sondra. The little ones were napping… or at least we’re supposed to be napping.
Helene and Miss Sondra. (We “BELIEVE “ too.)A few of little ones popped up to say hi and Happy Thanksgiving. Just seeing those adorable cherub faces and squeaky salutations would melt any heart. We love our little friends at Holy Family School.
After our brief visit, Helene and I stopped at One and Only Burger on Highway 5. After all, it is on the way home, and has the most incredible fresh French fries on the planet.
Oh man,… so good!
It was a good afternoon, filling our hearts and tummies.
I went for an evening walk right before sunset, and of course, I was greeted by another stunning sunset. Life is good.
“Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.” – ~Harvey Mackay
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Another week just flew by. Thank goodness time is free and priceless. It just zips away so quickly.
“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world…would do this, it would change the earth.” ― William Faulkner
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Another fine Sunday. It was cool and cloudy and dreary, but my day is always warm when I start with gratitude and attitude and a lovely morning Mass.
Today’s Gospel was the story of Jesus explaining about His kingdom and His truth…
Gospel, John 18:33-37
33 So Pilate went back into the Praetorium and called Jesus to him and asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’34 Jesus replied, ‘Do you ask this of your own accord, or have others said it to you about me?’35 Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? It is your own people and the chief priests who have handed you over to me: what have you done?’36 Jesus replied, ‘Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. As it is, my kingdom does not belong here.’37 Pilate said, ‘So, then you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is you who say that I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this, to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.’
My take on it… kings and rulers of this world have a kingdom with finite time and power. God’s kingdom will last forever. The final sentence, He “came into this world for this, to bear witness to the truth;and all who are on the side of truth listen” to His voice. Truth is the key, honesty, and faith.
After Mass, a stop at McDonald’s (our tradition) with Helene for tea and hot chocolate. Then, I stopped at Kroger for a few more fabulous sale items. Gathering more snacks and drinks for Holy Family School.
It sure does get dark so early nowadays. No evening walk tonight. I was busy on the phone most of the day. I called all my Aunts and Uncle and then my favorite, a lovely FaceTime call with my little girls.
Kisses for Grandma.Such beautiful faces.
Now, that’s a perfect Sunday. Blessings to you, my friends.
“For what is the gift of the poet and the artist except to see the sights which others cannot see, and to hear the sounds that others cannot hear.”
~Quida
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My day was filled with wonderful sights and sounds. A beautiful morning, a messy kitchen, and a lovely early evening walk. Here where the sights and sounds come in.
On my walk, I saw this butterfly struggling on the sidewalk by the pond. I reached down to touch him to see if he would fly away. He flapped his wings, but it appeared his back legs were stuck to the pavement. Oh no! I carefully loosened the immobile legs. He still didn’t fly away.I couldn’t just leave him there to be stepped on or gobbled up by a passing puppy, so I picked him up and carefully placed him in the nearby grass. I hope he can mend and survive. Maybe I’ll check on him tomorrow.
As I proceeded down the street, the setting sun was glowing in the west, and the horses across the street were grazing in their pasture.
Just horsin’ around.The huge orange orb was descending.A spectacular gift.
Toni Andrukaitis 