Saturday:) “Say Houston, We Have A Problem.”

“It is better to solve one problem five different ways, than to solve five problems one way.”
― George Pólya

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The other day, I was sitting quietly on the sofa watching tv when I heard a distant thud. It didn’t quite sound like it came from outside, where several houses were getting new roofs replaced after the recent hail storm. It sounded like it came from upstairs. Spooky. No one has been upstairs for days. so, I went up to investigate.

I walked around, and when I checked out my really neat and organized studio, formerly known as “the crap room,” I noticed a large glass vase on the floor. Hmm? Upon further investigation, I noticed one of my supposedly heavy duty shelves was leaning like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Oh no! If that would have come crashing down, it would have been UGLY!

I removed everything from all the shelves, and canvases, bottles, and glassware were scattered ALL over. Then, I proceeded to examine the situation and decided that the best thing to do was “do nothing.” The mess sat there for days while I procrastinated. I asked Sid to take a look at the shelf, and he noticed that a couple of the posts were really loose. So, we disassembled the unit and wrapped some masking tape around the loose posts and reassembled it. That seemed to do the trick.

Then, the empty shelves sat a few more days uNtil I had the inclination and energy to put everything back. The secret this time was, “don’t put anymore really heavy stuff of the top.” Duh!

I paint a lot of glassware, and a bunch of friends also have given me wine glasses and vases that they no longer want. They know I’ll turn them into something beautiful. BUT, where to store everything?

Let’s put everything back. Well not everything. I got a couple of large bins to store some of the heavier pieces on the other side of the room.

Well, I hope this works. So far, so good. I’ll let you know if I hear another thud, or God forbid, a big crash. 🤦‍♀️

After a couple of hours wrestling with that problem, it was time for an evening walk and to chase the sunset.

Happy Saturday, my friends.

Sunday Sermon and In Person Live Didn’t Show Up In My Pajamas Morning Mass

“I don’t know about you, but I was so nervous that the first Sunday back to church in person, that I would show up in my pajamas and slippers. Phew! I remembered to get dressed. You’re welcome!”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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A very special Sunday for me. I attended 9 o’clock Mass at St. Gabriel this morning. This is the first time in many months. I’m feeling more confident having had my vaccines for about a month now. It was wonderful to be back. (And… I didn’t show up in my pink polka dot pajamas.)

It was nice to see familiar faces and good friends. I sat with Jerry and Helene, and even though we are still wearing masks and distancing, families sit together, and we are family. (Just not by blood.)

Today’s Gospel was the ever popular story of “Doubting Thomas.” Jesus appeared to the disciples locked in an upper room in fear after the resurrection. Thomas was not there, and when he returned, he did not believe that Jesus appeared, saying that he would need to see and touch the wounds to believe.

A week later, all were in a locked room together and Jesus appeared, again saying, “Peace be with you.” Jesus challenged Thomas to touch the wounds if he needed proof…

“Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

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Ah, that’s a good one. My take on it is pretty much the same as yours. Those who believe without physical proof are blessed. You haven’t seen God, but you still believe. You haven’t seen heaven, but you believe. I believe in Angels and haven’t seen one, but I have felt a presence and guidance. Then, there are those lucky pennies and feathers that appear. Thats the definition of faith.

Ohhhhhh! I was so delighted and amazed that the church had a sensor activated holy water dispenser! Did you ever? I never heard of such a thing. There hadn’t been any water in the front or holy water dispensers for like a year. When we were exited, I noticed people putting their hand beneath this dispenser and it said HOLY WATER. How clever! Who comes up with these things? Must be a miracle! Just kidding, but some clever innovator at work.

It looked just like this. I googled it, as I didn’t want to cause a scene by stopping to take a photo at church in wild amazement and admiration. Cool!

The rest of my Sunday was great. How can you go wrong with church, special friends, communion, holy water, hugs, kisses, and dancing and singing in the kitchen?

Happy Sunday, my friends!

Sunday Sermon, A Sunset and Spectacular Moon

“The moon will guide you through the night with her brightness, but she will always dwell in the darkness, in order to be seen.”
― Shannon L. Alder

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Another wonderful Sunday. The sun was shining and the weather was most pleasant. A fine day to watch Mass on TV this morning.

Today’s Gospel for Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion started with preparations for the Passover, the Last Supper, betrayals, false testimonies, sentencing, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus.

The Passion readings are always so sad. The cruelty and betrayal of man, yet Jesus suffered quietly, fulfilling His destiny for our salvation. What more can be said? The beginning of the end and the end proclaiming the beginning.

The rest of my Sunday was absolutely lovely with sunshine, warm breezes, cookies and tea. A few walks in the sunshine and strolling by moonlight.

I watched the orange sun sink in the west, and on my walk home, the spectacular moon started to rise behind the tall trees and rows of houses. I walked down the street to a more open area to watch the beautiful full moon rise in the east. I stood in silence, in awe, and just watched for a very long time. Oh, and took a few pictures, of course.

Happy Sunday, my friends.

Sunday Sermon, Some Bach to Bach Humor, and a Sunset.

“A day spent with dreaming and sunsets and refreshing breezes cannot be bettered.” – Nicholas Sparks

Another beautiful Sunday. Mass on TV.

Today’s Gospel was the story of Andrew and Phillip informing Jesus that people requested to see Him. Jesus then said it was time for the Son of man to be glorified…

²⁸ Father, glorify your name! A voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will again glorify it.’ ²⁹ The crowd standing by, who heard this, said it was a clap of thunder; others said, ‘It was an angel speaking to him.’ ³⁰ Jesus answered, ‘It was not for my sake that this voice came, but for yours.³¹ ‘Now sentence is being passed on this world; now the prince of this world is to be driven out.³² And when I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all people to myself.’³³ By these words he indicated the kind of death he would die.

My take on it… Jesus did not ask for glory for himself, but to have the people learn the true way and follow Him. All will be judged and believers will join Him heaven.

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According to Wikipedia, today is the birthday of the great composer Johann Sebastian Bach. (I thought of my old friend Leon Krejci who loves his classical music and painting famous composers.)

Johann Sebastian Bach^[a] (31 March [O.S. 21 March] 1685 – 28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. He is known for instrumental compositions such as the Brandenburg Concertos and the Goldberg Variations, and for vocal music such as the St Matthew Passion and the Mass in B minor. Since the 19th-century Bach Revival, he has been generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time.^[3][4]

A little BACH humor for Leon.

Now, for my lovely sunset photos.

I hope you had a spectacular Sunday, my friends.

Montage Monday:) A Week In A Peek and My Magnificent Sunset

“It’s funny, when you’ve been sick and haven’t been out of the house in a few days, you tend to appreciate the little things just a little more. Like the warm sun on your face, the birds singing, the trees bursting with buds, and the magnificent sunset.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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It sure was an interesting week. Great days, bad days, but I’m grateful for every day.

A week in a peek…

Now, for tonight’s magnificent sunset…

Nice!

Awesome!

Saturday:) Snow Melting, Some More Tasty Snacks, and a Sunset

“Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows.”
― Helen Keller

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What a difference a day makes! Today, the sun was out, the birds were chirping jubilantly, and the snow only lingers in a few shadowed recesses. Yay! Many friends and neighbors are recovering from catastrophic winter storm damage. I feel very blessed to have survived unscathed. (You notice I’m using my prosaic two dollar words. That’s how fortunate I feel today.)

This afternoon, I counteracted my decadent bacon tostadas from yesterday with a healthier vegetarian tostada. Can I consider myself a quasi-semi-intermittent vegetarian? Nah, I didn’t think so. Sure was tasty, and one was just enough. Left overs tomorrow.

I hadn’t been out for a long walk in a week or so. My old right knee has been bothering me for quite some time. Old war injury… just kidding. Do all night “Star Wars” tv marathons count? But today, the sunshine and warmer weather tempted me to get out, at least to catch the sunset. I managed to get in 5,635 steps, 2.5 miles. I did stop at a bench a couple of times to massage that old knee.

Each lap around the pond was glorious. There’s still some ice closer to the shore.

Most of the grass has shed its snowy veil, and the robins are basking in the evening glow. I think they’re pretty happy the frigid temps are gone, too.

Another spectacular Saturday.

Sharing Saturday:) So, What’s Cookin’ Today

“Birds gotta fly in the sky, fish gotta swim in the lake. Miss Toni’s gotta cook, and she’s also gotta bake.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Today was an enchanting enchilada kinda day. I found that I have some friends and neighbors that love to eat but they hate to cook. Well, it just so happens that I love to cook and bake. What a perfect combination.

Today, Miss Kathy across the street was the lucky recipient of my OCC…Obsessive Compulsive Cooking. Chicken Cheese Enchiladas, with a side of salad, chips and Bernard’s Salsa.

After taste testing a full plate for quality assurance, dropping off my Super Uper Eats delivery across the street, I went for a slow evening stroll. The sunset wasn’t colorful, but rather a windy misty hazy blur. Still beautiful.

My equine Neighbor friend was enjoying his dinner while I soaked up the sunset.

A very nice lazy Saturday.

Sunday Sermon, Sunset and Other Stuff

“I will do today that which is of today and pay no heed to the tomorrow; nor waste regrets on that which was yesterday.”

~Walter Russell

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Today’s Gospel was the story of how Simon Peter received his name from Jesus, the Rock. Peter would later become the Rock which Christianity was founded upon.

“The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother and say to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ — which means the Christ- and he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John; you are to be called Cephas’ — which means Rock.”

My take on it… Peter was chosen to lead the church and was given a new name and challenge, Sometimes you are chosen to step up. From the slightest calling to the most important ministry, heed the call.

The rest of my Sunday was calm and quiet. But, there’s always room for an evening walk and a beautiful sunset.

Another awesome painting in the sky… “This is the day the Lord has made..”

I am gonna keep practicing, too.

Frosty Friday:) Sunsets and Die Hard Dandelions

“Spectacular sunsets and amazing friends warm the heart and nourish the soul.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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The cold wind has been howling for days. I didn’t even venture out for a walk yesterday. It’s Texas, for goodness sake. what’s 5he deal? But today, I swore “hell or high water,” I was going out for my evening walk. Well, I didn’t have the high water, but it was colder than… (You know), and windy. I was all layered up with my fighting Illini hat and my Notre Dame winter coat and warm gloves. I literally had to hold on to my hat. But, I put in 2.4 miles and was rewarded with a series of beautiful sunset skies each time I made a loop around the pond.

Welcome to sunny Texas.

The sun slowly setting in the west.

The grass has gone dormant, the bare trees have lost all their leaves, but the die hard dandelions remain an inspiration of resilience and fortitude. I strive to be as beautiful and resilient as a dandelion in winter.

Happy Friday, my friends. CHEERS!!!!!

Saturday:) Stunning Sunsets and a Sentimental Elvis on the Shelvis

“I never tire on my journey when I am greeted each morning with a glorious sunrise and end the day with a stunning sunset.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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I’m sipping a cup of hot green tea, looking at photos, just reminiscing. What impresses me most (besides grand-babies ) is all the awesome sunset photos I have. I live in a beautiful neighborhood with wonderful friends and awesome sites to see.

Through the park, on my way to the pond.

The clouds were hiding the glowing orange sun. for a while.

I walked across the street to where the horses usually graze. They must have been inside watching TV or playing video games. Oh, maybe playing horse shoes in the barn.

The sun was slithering further down the horizon.

Almost gone!

A red-orange ribbon remains. Wouldn’t you love to see that every day? All these photos were taken on the same day, within half an hour, just stunning.

For today, I want to add a throwback Elvis from last year when I was visiting the family in Chicago. In honor of Christmas/Hanukkah…

Elvis on the Shelvis. Merry Chrismukkah, my friends,