Sunday Sermon and Some Other Stuff

“There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.” 

― Mahatma Gandhi

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An early morning getting ready for 8 o’clock Mass at St. Mary of the Angels on Hermitage in Chicago. The church is only about a ten or fifteen minute walk from Matt’s apartment. The city streets are quiet early on a Sunday. St. Mary’s is a gorgeous traditional ornate church both inside and out.

The Gospel today was about “the bread of life,” celebrating Corpus Christi. A Communion we are called to share with God and each other, a symbol of nourishment for the body as well as the soul.

Jesus said to the Jewish crowds:”I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

My take on it… everyone needs nourishment for the body, bread to sustain us, BUT, we also need nourishment and food for the soul, a faith, a bread to feed our inner beings. The bread is a symbol, and Catholics believe that when the  Eucharist is consecrated, it indeed becomes the flesh of Christ. It is food for the soul.

I always light a candle and say a prayer for family and friends when I visit a different church. Today, I lit two different candles. It is such a huge beautiful church, I couldn’t decide.

When I walked outside after Mass, taking pictures, and looking at the vantage points, a couple of little white butterflies, or they could be moths, but I call them butterflies, fluttered around me, almost hidden by the matching white flowers. I have this thing about butterflies being a good sign, lucky symbol.

After Mass, Matt and I walked a few blocks and had breakfast at a nearby deli and sat up on the rooftop to enjoy the morning.

It’s been a great Sunday so far. I hope you are all having a good day AND 

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all the fathers out there.

Saturday:) Sittin’ and Singin’ “Up On the Roof”

“The sky’s the limit if you have a roof over your head.”

~Sol Hurok

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I told you that last night Matt and I had pizza up on he roof. Before it got dark, Matt went back downstairs, but I stayed up on the roof, enjoying the cool night air, the sounds of the city, and the magnificent skyline.

Chicago is a fun city with a beautiful skyline. It’s the city where I was born. It’s home even though I don’t live here anymore. They say you can’t go back home again. Why not?

My view from the roof.

My view from the car.

Friday:) Firsts and Seconds and Pepperoni Faces

“Whenever a thing is done for the first time, it releases a little demon.”

~ Emily Dickinson

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In the past few years, I’ve had a lot of firsts in my life, some some good, some bad, some happy some sad. I remember on July 10th, 2014, I checked into the hotel for my son’s wedding rehearsal and wedding the next day. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I was 60 years old, and had never checked into a hotel by myself. I’d never stayed alone in a hotel. It was the beginning of many FIRSTS. Oh yes, first divorce and it will be the last.

Since then, I’ve been to the movies alone, have gone to restaurants and parties alone, driven hundreds of miles, and many other things that some people do without thinking. I’ve always been such a scaredy cat, but now I’m turning into Wonder Woman. (Just a little movie plug.)

Today, I rented a car for the first time. Can you believe that I’ve never done that? It was empowering, and I’ll admit, a little scary. Mostly because I’m directionally challenged and a pretty lousy driver. But, thanks to the iPhone and navigation systems, I’m a new liberated woman. 

I actually took a picture of the car and license in case I park it somewhere and forget what the car looks like. Challenged people take extra precautions.

So, that was a first, and now for the seconds. I’m in Chicago, and one cannot go Chicago without having some deep dish pizza. My son, Matt, picked up the pizza, and we sat on his rooftop deck, overlooking the magnificent skyline in the distance. We ate pizza, enjoyed the view, and I had seconds. Two pieces of pizza,

Oh, it never fails. I always seem to see funny faces in my food. Here is Mr. Pepperoni Face. 

I bit off his chin before I noticed his face.

Firsts, Seconds and Mr. Pepperoni.

Thursday:) Those Crafty Girls

“He who works with his hands is a laborer.He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.

He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.” 

― Francis of Assisi

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This morning was the monthly “craft and chat” gathering at The Greens. Mom’s friend, Mary Ann, leads the group, sets up all the supplies, brings cookies, and flits around with a super-silly disposition that lights up the room. Today, we were making clothes pin note holders. Mom made a whole bunch. 

Mary Ann is the redhead standing on the left. Mom is the redhead in yellow on the right. There were so many little stickers, flowers, jewels, and more.

I love crafting and painting with Mom. She is my hero, my teacher, and my inspiration. Here are some of the things we made. 

I really do…especially at Christmas time. My friends will attest to that.

Wednesday:) Words of Wisdom and Waving Flags

“The American flag represents all of us and all the values we hold sacred.” –

 – Adrian Cronauer

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Not everyone remembers or even knows knows that today is Flag Day. Guess what? I didn’t pay much attention to it either. But, there was a big celebration here at the Greens of Elgin where Mom lives, with a special Flag raising ceremony and tribute to the many veterans who live here. Afterwards, there was a party with snacks and drinks. Then, at 3 o’clock there was entertainment, a patriotic-themed performance by Heather Braoudakis. There was a lot of toe tapping, a sing-along, and a finale where everyone stood, whether with walkers or canes, hands resting on their hearts as they sang. A generation of true patriotic Americans. 

BY LEADA GORE lgore@al.com

Today is the day we celebrate Old Glory – the American Flag.

Flag Day is June 14, 2017. The day traces its origins back to June 14, 1885 when B.J Cigrand, a school teacher, arranged for students in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School District to observe the day as a time to celebrate the anniversary of the Second Continental Congress’ Flag Resolution of June 14, 1777.
The original resolution called for the flag to be “13 stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

Cigrand continued to spread the message about Flag Day, which was adopted in New York on June 14, 1889 and Philadelphia on June 14, 1891. The idea of patriotic celebrations honoring the flag spread throughout the country until it was officially established by proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916. It wasn’t until Aug. 3, 1949, however, that President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14 of each year as National Flag Day.

Flag Day is not a federal holiday but it is a state holiday in New York and Pennsylvania.
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed an act establishing an official flag for the new nation. The resolution stated: “Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” On Aug. 3, 1949, President Harry S. Truman officially declared June 14 as Flag Day.

Tuesday:) Tunes and a Terrific Sunset

“Each spectacular sunset renews my faith in miracles.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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After a busy weekend, it was nice to lollygaggle around the house with Mom most the day. Oh yes, the Comcast cable guy came around 11 to fix her tv. We were without TV for THREE WHOLE DAYS! It was torture. I’m not sure how we managed without our three or four hour “Murder She Wrote” marathons each evening from 10pm to midnight or 1am. We compensated by watching YouTube videos of how to paint roses or make flowers from coffee filters on my iPad. Not the same. No murder to solve.

So, Jeremy fixed the cable, changed out the old box, and showed us how to switch from tv to DVD. But, we failed to check and see if all the channels were there. My sister noticed tonight that the movie channels and HGTV and other stations we had before were missing. OH NO!!! More calls to Comcast.

This evening around 7, a very sweet and talented lady came to The Greens of Elgin to play piano for the residents. Oh my, she was very talented, playing classical songs, Schubert, Debussy, etc.   She ended with three songs that she composed herself for each one of her children. I only captured a few seconds because my iPhone ran out of room…AGAIN. I don’t understand why. I only have 4,054 pictures on there. Yikes!

Here is a few seconds of the talented Lanette Calhoun.

After the concert, I went for an evening walk, just in time to capture the sunset. Marvelous music and a spectacular sunset. This is my thinking time. This is my thankful time.

Montage Monday:) A Week in a Peek Celebrating 9 Decades

Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.

~ Michael J. Fox***************

A busy, crazy, beautiful, exhausting, magnificent week in a peek. The highlight was Mom’s 90th birthday on Tuesday and her big party on Saturday afternoon. A wonderful week. A big thank you to all the family and friends who made it so special.