Sunday Sermon and Some Other Stuff

“When the gate is too narrow, just squeeze under the fence.”

-Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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A lovely Sunday. I took an umbrella with me to church, but alas, no rain. Darn!

Today’s Gospel was the story of Jesus explaining to His followers who will be saved…

Gospel 

Lk 13:22-30Jesus passed through towns and villages,
teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them,
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
‘I do not know where you are from.
And you will say,
‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
Then he will say to you,
‘I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!’
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last.”

My take on it…it’s not enough to just say that you believe in the Lord , you have to walk the walk and live the life.

After Mass, Helene, Jerry, Patricia and I stopped at McD for coffee.

Still no rain. I’m still waiting. I may have to go outside and do the rain dance. 🤦‍♀️

A nice Sunday FaceTime call with the granddaughters.

Happy Sunday, my friends.

Saturday on the Square and Some Other Stuff

“There are so many avenues to explore and stories to tell. It’s just about finding new ways of telling them.”

– Jack Lowden.

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Karen and I decided to go exploring in our own little town today. Parking in downtown McKinney is always tough, but we found a good spot over by one of the municipal building that is closed on weekends.

Our first stop was Native McKinney. They were having an Open House today. Melissa Cantu was kind enough to give us a tour and tell us about all the upcoming activities. Melissa, (in the middle) is also the gal who organizes and leads the writing group that I joined over at The MillHouse. She’s an all around talented lady.

Interesting place. Stop by and check it out.

We strolled over to The Pantry for lunch. Yes, I got the chicken fried chicken, of course. It’s a must.

Then, right across the street is Fair and Square Imports. I think that’s my favorite shop on the Square.

So many awesome gift and decorative items . The store carries handmade items from fair trade organizations, which in turn helps to empower crafters and their families in poorer nations around the world.

We continued to walk around town, people watching and enjoying the not so extremely hot weather. They were having a Back to the 80’s Sip and stroll. Quite a few people were dressed in weird clothes, men with long hair and bandanas, red jogging suits, girls in leotards and leg warmers. They were mostly young people who had NO idea what the 80’s really looked like, but they were having fun.

They had a cool “Back to the Future” car. I would have taken it for a spin, but, I wasn’t really that fond of the 80’s… wouldn’t want to go back there again.

Our last stop by the Square was down the road to check out the progress of the Silo Painting.

The famous Australian artist, Guido van Helton, was busy at work in the Texas summer heat. I had only seen pictures on Facebook before seeing the work in person, I’ll admit that I wasn’t very impressed. Then, Karen and I saw the mural from a few feet away. Wow! The detail was amazing! Go Guido!

These silos are huge. I can’t imagine how anyone can even conceive, much less execute, such an extraordinary endeavor. I was mesmerized.

It was a fun afternoon/evening on the Square. On our way home, after all that sight seeing in our own little town, we stopped at McDonald’s for an iced tea and more conversation. The cool part of exploring with good friends is, you never run out of things to talk about.

A special Saturday with a special friend in our special little town. I love McKinney. ❤️

Friday:) Friends, Friends, Everywhere Friends~ Old, New, Furry and Firemen Friends

“A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” ~Proverbs 27:9

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A busy Friday here. The recent rain cooled things off for a little while. My morning walk was delightful with cooler temps in the mid 70’s and a little overcast. Then, back home to work on the finishing touches of my bad-ass brownies that was I making for Helene’s little birthday lunch at Palio’s.

We had a great lunch and a three hour laugh-fest celebration. Bob and Joni keep us in stitches with their hilarious stories. She needs to write a book called,”Life, Love, and Laughs with Bob.” Miguel, the manager, took very good care of us. Happy birthday, Helene!

When I got home, I went out back to check on my little tree, and two bunnies scurried out from under my patio table over to their escape route by the back fence. I took their picture, but went back inside so they could feel safe and go back to hanging out on my patio. I don’t have any flowers back there, and my azalea bushes are dead and shriveled up, so nothing for 5em to munch on but dried up grass. Poor bunnies.

When I bake my bad-ass brownies, I always make a double batch so I can share with neighbors and my firefighters. I took some Nextdoor to Harvey and Elke. I had a little plate for Miss Kathy, across the street. She didn’t answer the bell, but I have a key. So, I brought in her mail and her Amazon package from her porch, and just put the brownies in the fridge.

The funny part was, she had to have been home because her purse and car keys were on the kitchen counter. I did yell out, “Honey, I’m home!” when I came in. I just figured either she was in the shower or taking a nap. (Turns out she was in the shower,) She was a little surprised when she came out later and found her mail and package on her counter. It gives new meaning to “Breaking and entering.” 🤦‍♀️ Who else leaves brownies in the fridge?

My last trip was over to Station 9.

Firefighter Williams answered the door. I hadn’t seen her at 9 in quite some time. We had a nice chat, and I caught up with her other assignments before returning to 9. She’s been busy. Always nice to see her smiling face.

So, it was a “sweet” fun-filled Friday with good friends and plenty of sugar.

Happy Friday, my friends.

Thankful Thursday:) SOOOO Many Blessings

“Live your truth. Express your love. Share your enthusiasm. Take action towards your dreams. Walk your talk. Dance and sing to your music. Embrace your blessings. Make today worth remembering.”

Steve Maraboli

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I have so many things to be thankful for, and at the very top of my list is my amazing family. I am truly blessed. Everyone has been posting back to school photos, so I thought I’d get in on the action.

Look at that smile. I’m one proud grandma.

Then, besides an awesome family, we received a beautiful downpour of rain this afternoon. I was so optimistic that I took an umbrella with me when I went out this morning. The power of positive thinking. That, and a lot of prayer and my Navajo rain dance.

Singing in the rain!

So much to be thankful for!

Wednesday:) Words of Wisdom From My Fabulous Facebook Friends 🤗

“If you’re dumb, surround yourself with smart people. If you’re smart, surround yourself with smart people who disagree with you.”

Aaron Sorkin

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Inspiration comes in many shapes and forms and from many different sources. I spend way too much time on Facebook. But, I do find many inspirational quotes from friends that I like to save and share.

Some inspirational words of wisdom…

Some days you’ll move mountains in your dreams and stay in bed all day.

Old Abe had it right. “A house divided….”

Do you see a 9 or a 6? It depends on your view. Sometimes you have to look from the other side.

I hope you’re having a wonderful Wednesday! Keep on keepin’ on. 🤗

Tuesday:) Toni’s Trip to Love Field

“I would love to travel if it wasn’t for all the preparations, packing, traffic, airports, security, waiting, crowds, delays, etc. Besides that, travel would be fun.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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There is nothing about Love Field that I love. They should call it Hate Field.Well, it’s not really that bad, but it ain’t great. That’s what I like about Star Trek. I would just love to say, “Beam me up, Scottie.” That’s the way to travel.

My friend Helene was coming back from her two week visit with family in Maine. I drove her to the airport, but she had her GPS cranking away and guiding me with tricky turns and ramps. I am a self-proclaimed directionally impaired driver. I’m pretty good within a 5 mile radius, but if I haven’t been there 27 times before, I still use GPS in those 5 miles. Oh, if it’s dark, even worse. I could pass up my own street. I’ve done that. 🤦‍♀️

A couple of different times before, my GPS guided me to some weird low rent scary district behind the airport, and said “You have arrived.” So today, I asked Sid if he wouldn’t mind driving to the airport. Saved! It worked out great because he got there in less than 40 minutes, and while he parked by the curb, I ran inside and waited for Helene and helped her with two big heavy bags.

Welcome home!

On the way home, we stopped at Rosa’s Cafe and Tortilla Factory for lunch. It was Taco Tuesday! Gotta have tacos.

Thanks for an awesome lunch, Sid.

The tortillas are freshly made while you order. And… they give you extra tortillas on the side, so warm and delicious. Oh no! It’s right down the street from Helene’s new apartment. I have a feeling this will be our new Taco Tuesday. 🤦‍♀️

On my way home, I stopped at Sprouts to stock up on more nuts and such for my trail mix that I make and always keep handy on the counter.

“Sometimes you feel like a nut…”

Mmm! Dark chocolate covered almonds on sale. $4.99 a pound. Can’t beat that. Now, to add to my mixture.

A wonderful day called for a long afternoon nap. After that big lunch and eating like a polar bear getting ready for a long winter’s hibernation, a nap was perfect. It’s nice being old, retired, single, nothin’ I have to do. I can nap any time I want. Life is good! 🤗

Montage Monday:) A Week In A Peek

“If it gets any hotter here in Texas, everyone will be barbecuing outside, without a barbecue grill. Just flip those steaks on the wrought iron patio table.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Well, it’s been hotter than H-E- double hockey sticks here again this week, with no end in sight. Today, I was driving home from the dentist and my car temperature said 103°. We did have three drops of rain last Wednesday, but that was like spitting in the Grand Canyon. It’s been crazy. 🤦‍♀️

That being said, got my complaining out of the way, I’ve had a great week filled with blessings and great friends.

A week in a blessed Peek…

I hope y’all have a great week. (Notice the y’all? I’m from Chicago. I just write y’all to be funny. Youse guys probaly seen that comin’.) 🤦‍♀️

Sunday Sermon and Some Other Stuff

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

~Abraham Lincoln

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A very lovely Sunday morning, of course, until the heat kicked in. But, that’s why God created air conditioning. Well, He got a little help from Willis Carrier, “The Father of Air conditioning.”

I arrived at St. Gabriel early with plenty of time to run over to greet the ladies on the Chateau bus. I was busy opening the huge heavy metal door this morning. It was a little more crowded with families, as it was also a day for “blessing the backpacks,” and all the students heading back to school. I wondered why so many children came to Mass with backpacks. When you don’t have young kids, you get out of the loop.

Today’s Gospel was a bit confusing, with Jesus saying He had come to set the earth on fire, and there would be division in families…

Gospel 

Lk 12:49-53Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father,
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

My take on it… I’ll admit, I had to read a few reflections to better understand. What I finally decided is that Jesus came to earth, not to force people to follow His way, but to guide and show the way to redemption and heaven, for which He gave up His life. Families would be divided because not everyone chooses good over evil or kindness over cruelty or love over hatred. Again, there’s that free will thing.

Now, more so than I’ve ever seen in my lifetime, in our own country, I see that “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Sad.

After Mass, I stopped at McD with Miss Joyce. Everyone was either on vacation or had other plans. we had a nice visit.

Miss Joyce is so sweet. When I told her how I always love seeing what beautiful outfit she was going to wear to church, she said that she was old school. She grew up with the teachings that you always wear your nicest clothes to church, thus, your Sunday best.” Pearls? I have pearls. Why don’t I wear my pearls?

Maria and Marta at McDonald’s are always smiling and gracious. I appreciate that they don’t laugh at my poor Spanish when I say, “Muchisimas gracias!” They reply with a kind retort, but sometimes it’s so fast, I can’t make it out. I’m pretty sure it’s nice.

After McD, a quick stop at Tom Thumb. Remember? Bananas were on sale.

The rest of my day… nada, not much, just lazy. Life is good. Happy Sunday!

Saturday:) Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs (Follow Your Heart)

“You can do anything as long as you don’t stop believing. When it is meant to be, it will be. You just have to follow your heart.”

Keke Palmer

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I really didn’t sleep much last night, as I was tormented by a feisty relentless mouse up in my attic. That’s another story for another day. So, when I woke up at 7:30, I intended on going back to sleep. But no! I knew it was only going to get hotter and hotter outside by the minute, so I got up and went for my morning walk. I love my walks.

As usual, the dragonflies were in their spot over by the pond, and they hovered around me to say good morning. There was a slight breeze and it was beautiful out. As I walked along, I saw a shape in the sidewalk that looked like a heart. I took out my phone and took a picture. I like to call it “Following my heart.” Of course, my eyes kept finding more and more heart shapes here and there. I continued to snap pictures.

It’s funny how piles of dirt or clumps of mud can look like a heart shape.

Holes in the sidewalk or shadowy indentations.

Even the stone wall over by Mr. Mike’s old house resembled hearts.

I’ll admit, the heart with dried up leaves on the right was manipulated a tad. Even Mother Nature needs a helping hand now and then.

People don’t always see the beauty or the signs in common every day objects. But, if you appreciate life and nature and the beauty in all things, great and small, there are endless signs. Always follow your heart. ❤️

Friday:) Friends, Neighbors, Furry Four-legged Friends and My Firemen

“My Friends always put up with my quirkiness, bad jokes, and off key singing. Is it my charming personality or my delicious brownies? Hmm? I wonder?”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Friday is usually a fun day for me, but today, even more so. I met my old friend Zelda for lunch. I scurried out of the house so quickly today that I forgot my phone was still on the kitchen counter being charged. When I got to Olive Garden and looked for my phone, oh no! I felt naked, vulnerable, and afraid. No phone! How will I survive for two or three hours?

Because I had no phone for my mandatory selfie, I grabbed this picture of Zelda from a few months back. So, no photos of my eggplant parmigiana, or my salad, or our very attentive waiter named Scott. (Lucky you.) we had a nice two, maybe three hour lunch.

On the way home, I stopped at the Dollar Tree to look for some possible fall craft project ideas.

I ran into another old friend, Miss Erma.

I didn’t have my phone, so we used hers for our selfie. I ended up with a cartload of Stuff. I was all out of those disposable aluminum pans with plastic dome lids for my many cooking and baking giveaways. I was all out.

When I got home, I put together some containers for dispersing some bad-ass brownies and lemon cheesecake cookies.

Some for my neighbors Nextdoor whose very nice son came and changed out a couple of my very high kitchen pot lights last week.

Some treats for my other Nextdoor neighbor, Elke. We always sit and visit a while. (I didn’t forget Kathy across the street. She got some yesterday)

Then, we mustn’t forget my friends, the firefighters over at Station 9. It was so funny, after I dropped off the treats to the firehouse, I was getting into my car when a beautiful monarch butterfly fluttered right by my face. I smiled. (Good luck)

When I got home, my four-legged furry friends ran across the street, meowing and scurrying to greet me. I don’t give them brownies or treats. They are more than happy to meow and enjoy a belly rub or a little ear scratching. Then, they lay in the dry dirt, formerly known as the grass, in front of my house, or sit on my front windowsill.

Another fun Friday with friends. Feeling Blessed.