Feast of The Holy Family & the Liturgical Calendar

[Edited since posting.]

In the traditional calendar, today we celebrate The Holy Family: Our Blessed Lord, Our Blessed Mother and Patron of the Universal Church, Saint Joseph…

From the Collect:

“O Lord Jesus Christ, who, being subject to Mary and Joseph, didst sanctify home life with ineffable virtues: grant that, with the aid of both, we may be taught by the example of Thy Holy Family, and attain to eternal fellowship with them.”

At Mass today, our celebrant made a very interesting point. He said Our Lord could have come into the world in any way He chose, but He chose to come through a family, the way we all do. This illustrates how sacred the family is. We must remember this, in a culture which has done everything in its power to destroy it, the most recent effort being the physical separation of loved ones (from visiting restrictions in healthcare facilities to quarantines imposed upon those who would dare cross state lines on a holiday which may be the last one our elderly parents or terminally ill family members have). My own family has been suffering as well, with these inhuman orders. Whatever you may think about covid, we are creating a world that no one is going to want to live in. When the fear of death overtakes life itself, it’s time to reconsider what we are doing.

This feast also marks the last Sunday of Christmastide, which began on Christmas Eve. This is arguably, the day to put away your creche and toss your Christmas tree.* In the traditional liturgical calendar, there are 2 parts of the Liturgical Year: The Christmas Cycle and The Easter Cycle. One celebrates the Mystery of the Incarnation and the other, the Mystery of the Redemption. We begin the year with Advent and proceed to Christmastide and Season After the Epiphany. The Easter Cycle, with Season After Septuagesima, begins on Septuagesima Sunday. We will keep track this year, on this blog, of where we are in the liturgical calendar. This is something most Catholics are not well-versed in, but it is an essential aspect of the Catholic life, upon which a truly Catholic culture depends. If “The Authentic Life,” is a Catholic society, the liturgical calendar is of fundamental importance, which should be taught joyfully to our children!

* An idea I recently came across from The Old Farmer’s Almanac, is to dispose of your Christmas tree in the woods, where animals can use it for shelter over the winter. I thought this was a great idea, until I realized there are probably fines for doing this. Anyway, just puttin the idea out there…BTW, The Old Farmer’s Almanac is a resource I cannot say enough good things about-they even mention Catholic feasts sometimes! The topics they deal with are weather, astronomy, gardening, cooking, health, homemaking, sustainability and preparedness. Check out their site right now for the “2021 Garden Planner,” email newsletter, online store and more…and find out what a hugelkultur is!

Random Stuff & Yet Another Update

Don’t you love those “Queen of Night” tulips above? They are some of my favorite. Unique and dramatic…

Last week I told you what I’m working on, but it has been a total whirlwind with the house job and we have had a number of bad problems the past few days. That’s the way things are gonna go with a MAJOR job like this. Winter is breathing down our necks and its Thanksgiving week. So I need to ask for continued patience…this is what I am asking of my neighbors as well (just be happy you are not one of them).

If you live in most of the US, it’s getting very late to plants bulbs for the Spring. But…I am doing it this week and taking my chances. I was waiting for the new landscaping to be completed before planting…it’s not completed and I have all these bulbs I spent a lot of money on. We have had a bit of a warm spell in New York, so I’m just doing it. I will mulch them for cold protection-I can also sprinkle holy water on them and pray over them…oh, the benefits of being Catholic! If you are in the south or California, you can plant through December. I know I have a lot of readers in California who may still be planting-here is a great resource to look at: Bulbs: Dig, Drop, Done. If it’s too late for you, think about the wonder of bulbs and you can plan for next year!

“Covid Culture.” Has anyone else come up with this term? I haven’t looked it up, but it seems quite obvious. This is a huge topic that is hard for me to deal with quickly right now. I also have come up with another term: “Age of Separation.” I would simply ask you to pray and meditate on these concepts and see what you come up with. You can always feel free to contact me (button above) and share your thoughts, which I may share.

A dear young priest I know gave an amazing homily recently on “The Four Last Things: Death, Judgement, Heaven, Hell.” He was discussing the reality of Hell and said:

“God will not allow His innocents to spend eternity with their abusers.”

I thought that was very interesting. Bye for now and have a blessed Thanksgiving..and Advent is coming! Please expect my next post next week…

Prepper Rosary Program-Introduction

Preparedness Journey with the Mysteries of the Rosary

Please join us for our “Prepper Rosary Program,” starting this month of the Holy Rosary. It is very simple and you can do it at your own leisure, any time. You can jump in whenever and wherever.

We will be using our “15 Points” list already posted, tied to the Mysteries. After reading each post, you will pray one decade of the Rosary. Then you will fill out our PDF worksheet with your own thoughts. So it is simple: 1) Read post. 2) Pray one decade. 3) Fill out worksheet. The worksheet is also kept very simple and may be used as a family activity. The questions are simply suggestions to get you thinking in the right direction. The prayer is also an important part of this process. It is there, that God will speak to your heart and prepare you to embark on a new lifestyle in a changed world. That is what this time is asking of us…for ourselves and our loved ones.

If you participate, we would love to hear from you (see “Contact” button above). Please share your comments and we may decide to post them. Please also share this with others-we are only as strong as our weakest link!

Important Note: Please use prayer and discretion when applying these ideas to your own life. Some may not apply to you. Some may not be good for you. This is really just an intro to preparedness concepts, so you can take these ideas and construct your own program that works for you and your family. 

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The story of how this started: I realized several weeks ago that it was time to do a major re-think of my life, in light of the current world situation. I had to come up with a plan addressing all the important issues and “up” the preparedness ante. As I was writing this list, I realized that my own issues are not unique to me and that this had to become a larger project. I originally had 12 points and kept adding more until I got to 15, and finally felt satisfied. It struck me that traditionally, we had 15 Mysteries of the Rosary. Being deeply influenced by the great Fr. George Rutler when I was young, particularly his “Seven Last Words” meditations (here’s one), which he would tie into various “things of seven,” the idea came to me. I had to find a way to link the Mysteries to my list. It was kinda crazy and when I ran it by my hubby, he was amused. Undaunted, I began jotting down notes and most of it came effortlessly. I took this as a sign that it was meant to be. So here it is…

PS These are not pre-written. I am writing literally as I go. Each lesson is a new adventure!

What to do RIGHT NOW-Part 3

And here’s what we should be doing RIGHT NOW…

This list is not in order of importance, but it IS in a particular order, which we will get to later on (hint: the Mysteries of the Rosary), along with commentary on each point. It is based on many years of research, experience and reflection. For now, please review the list, pray on it and begin implementing these points into your life. A PDF will be coming for you to print out and work on with your family…

1) Expect wonderful things.

2) Extend yourself to others.

3) Acquire a sustainable skill.

4) Improve your spiritual life.

5) Know opportunity when you see it.

6) Incorporate general preparedness into your life.

7) Stock up on supplies (within reason, understand the world transition has already begun and major stockpiling is no longer an option, it is now unethical).

8) Become a minimalist in all things.

9) Investigate alternate living arrangements, locations and resources.

10) Love, Love, Love!

11) Work on home improvement.

12) Investigate alternative media.

13) Consider the needs of your extended family.

14) Address all medical care and general health issues.

15) Address security and self-defense issues.

What to do RIGHT NOW-Part 2

Here is further biblical support for prepping. These are just my humble thoughts on how these verses may be interpreted:

BIBLICAL SUPPORT FOR PREPAREDNESS

“Now therefore let the king provide a wise and industrious man, and make him ruler over the land of Egypt: that he may appoint overseers over all the countries: and gather into barns the fifth part of the fruits, during the seven fruitful years, that shall now presently ensue: and let all the corn be laid up under Pharao's hands and be reserved in the cities. And let it be in readiness, against the famine of seven years to come, which shall oppress Egypt, and the land shall not be consumed with scarcity.”

Genesis 41:33

This refers to the responsibility to take a leadership role and to be “wise and industrious” in the care of the people who rely on you.

“Give not sleep to thy eyes, neither let thy eyelids slumber. Deliver thyself as a doe from the hand, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. Go to the ant, O sluggard, and consider her ways, and learn wisdom: which, although she hath no guide, nor master, nor captain, provideth her meat for herself in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou rise out of thy sleep? Thou wilt sleep a little, thou wilt slumber a little, thou wilt fold thy hands a little to sleep: And want shall come upon thee, as a traveller, and poverty as a man armed. But if thou be diligent, thy harvest shall come as a fountain, and want shall flee far from thee.”

Proverbs 6:4

This is a strong admonition to take care of your own needs through discipline and hard work.

“There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the just: and the foolish man shall spend it.”

Proverbs 21:20

The holy, who live a good life, performing their duties and exercising prudence, will be blessed with abundance.

“The prudent man saw the evil, and hid himself: the simple passed on, and suffered loss.”

Proverbs 22:3

When you see the threat looming, you must take action.

“Cast thy bread upon the running waters: for after a long time thou shalt find it again. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight: for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. If the clouds be full, they will pour out rain upon the earth.”

Ecclesiastes 11:1

Think ahead, plan ahead and watch the signs around you.

“In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening let not thy hand cease: for thou knowest not which may rather spring up, this or that: and if both together, it shall be the better.”

Ecclesiastes 11:6

Work harder than you think you need to, for some of your work may not bear fruit.

“For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of affliction, to give you an end and patience.”

Jeremias 29:11

Though calamity may come, God will preserve many of His children (so we must never give up and keep trying to survive).

“Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel, for the Lord shall enter into judgment with the inhabitants of the land: for there is no truth, and there is no mercy, and there is no knowledge of God in the land. Cursing, and lying, and killing, and theft, and adultery have overflowed, and blood hath touched blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth in it shall languish with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of the air: yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be gathered together.”

Hosea 4:1

When immorality abounds, we may expect a great chastisement to come.

“And there came to him the Pharisees and Sadducees tempting: and they asked him to shew them a sign from heaven. But he answered and said to them: When it is evening, you say, it will be fair weather, for the sky is red. And in the morning: Today there will be a storm, for the sky is red and lowering. You know then how to discern the face of the sky: and can you not know the signs of the times?”

Matthew 16:1

We must be watchful and understand the implications of what is happening in the world.

“And from the fig tree learn a parable: When the branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves come forth, you know that summer is nigh.”

Matthew 24:32

Again, we are told to observe the signs around us and be prepared for what surely will come.

“Watch ye therefore, because ye know not what hour your Lord will come. But know this ye, that if the goodman of the house knew at what hour the thief would come, he would certainly watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open. Wherefore be you also ready, because at what hour you know not the Son of man will come. Who, thinkest thou, is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath appointed over his family, to give them meat in season. Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord shall come he shall find so doing. Amen I say to you, he shall place him over all his goods.”

Matthew 24:42

This probably refers more to spiritual preparedness, always our primary concern, though there is a reference to the temporal.

“And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and he said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself from hence. For it is written, that He hath given his angels charge over thee, that they keep thee. And that in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”

Luke 4:9

When signs are clear that danger is looming, we must not remain complacent that God will take care of us, but do what we can to help ourselves and others (then trust in God for what we cannot control).

“But if any man have not care of his own, and especially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

1 Timothy 5:8

This is an admonition to provide well for those in our care, which includes having the foresight to see when we must prepare for difficult times.

What to do RIGHT NOW-Part 1

It is our responsibility to ourselves, our families and the Body of Christ, to practice good preparedness when we see concerning signs. Actually, preparedness is a lifestyle that we should always be engaged in, but when clear signs are appearing, all the more. Holy Scripture is rife with the admonition to prepare. We are not to be complacent and simply “trust in God.” We are to observe, take action and then, trust in God for what we cannot control. I have heard many people say over the years (and even now), “Just don’t be concerned. Live your life and God will take care of it.” I have to wonder if these people have ever read the Old or New Testaments. Here are 2 verses, one from each Testament:

“And from the fig tree learn a parable: When the branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves come forth, you know that summer is nigh.”

Matthew 24:32

“Cast thy bread upon the running waters: for after a long time thou shalt find it again. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight: for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. If the clouds be full, they will pour out rain upon the earth.”

Ecclesiastes 11:1

Of course, spiritual preparedness is of primary importance, but physical preparedness is also our responsibility, especially toward those in our care. We have seen events in the past 6 months, much of which we have never seen in our lives…a nightmarish dystopia emerging. Depleted and rationed supplies (including food), lack of access to medical and dental care, businesses forced to close (further lack of access), economic distress, widespread social unrest, shocking abandonment of common sense and reason (get rid of police force?), forced quarantines, lockdown of travel, education disrupted, supplies (such as gardening items including seeds) and jobs arbitrarily deemed “non-essential,” families torn apart through separation (even when dying or grieving-cops were counting heads at a cemetery near me, in the open air?), inability to use restrooms, inability to celebrate or worship, being told where to stand and how much oxygen you can breathe, inability to normally socialize or even smile at others (the psychological effects on many children will be with them for the rest of their lives-we are now raising a generation of mentally ill people), privacy reduced due to being forced online, a completely immersive fear-driven mind-control operation (necessary for people to accept all this insanity), cessation of free speech, people growing cold and frightened toward one another, God’s house turned into a horror show of tape, signs and masks-separating us like cattle for the slaughter. Have I missed anything?

We must ask ourselves, “Where is all this going?” When will the next lockdown be? Tracing, testing, vaccinations…these are the things already being openly discussed. What is not being told? All of the above new realities have set a precedent for the obliteration of all basic human rights. Why more people are not deeply concerned about this is a great mystery.

So if you still don’t think there is reason to prepare, I wish you the best of luck…

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

From the Tridentine Mass:

Hail, holy Parent, that didst bring forth the King who ruleth Heaven and earth for ever and ever!

Bestow upon Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gift of Thy heavenly grace: that as the childbearing of the Blessed Virgin was the beginning of our salvation, so the solemn feast of her Nativity may bring us an increase of peace.

O Virgin, Mother of God, He whom the whole world cannot contain, enclosed himself in thy womb being made man.

Alleluia, alleluia! Happy are thou, O holy Virgin Mary, and of all high praise most worthy: for out of thee hath risen the sun of justice, Christ our God. Alleluia!

Truly blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary: the Creator of all things thou didst bear; Him who made thee thou didst bring forth and a Virgin evermore thou dost remain.

Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the Eternal Father.

From The New Marian Missal, Sylvester P. Juergens, SM, Doctor of Sacred Theology, writes:

“At the time of Mary’s birth, the whole world was plunged in darkness. The heathen nations were steeped in vice and pride. The Jews too, had corrupted their ways and departed from God. Everywhere there was sin and gloom, scarce any bright spot on the face of the earth. But when Mary was born, a light arose amid the darkness: the dawn of the glorious day that was to usher in the Redeemer. So too, the darkness of the sinner’s soul is dispersed by Mary’s holy influence. Where the love of her is born in the soul, all becomes full of light, and Jesus comes to make His habitation there. Mary, in the first hour of her life, brought more glory to God than all the Saints of the Old Testament. In her were made perfect the obedience of Abraham, the chastity of Joseph, the patience of Job, the meekness of Moses, the prudence of Josue. It is because she is the model and pattern of these and all other virtues, that she can communicate them to us.”

To fully practice the Catholic Faith, is to remain continually in a state of joy, primarily due to our Communion with Christ, but also due to the celebration of such wonderful feasts, as the one we celebrate today. No matter what happens around us, we cannot help but be joyful. And this is just a foretaste of the eternal joy of Heaven. The prayers above from the Mass are some of the most beautiful and moving, as they describe the wonder of Mary’s role as Mother of God. Let us honor her birth today, all over the world, to console her sorrowful Heart in this month of September. Let us show Our Lord there is love for His Mother on earth, that His mercy may descend upon us at this time of great need.

As the missal states above, the “world was plunged in darkness” when Mary was born. We are in great darkness once again. But Holy Church reminds us today, through Our Lady, that there is always hope and reason for joy. May we hold onto this knowledge through the coming days and show all those around us that we truly are different, we truly represent something apart from the world. May we draw all we come in contact with to the Everlasting Light of the Most Holy Trinity!

Image courtesy https://www.turnbacktogod.com

September: Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

This month, we honor the sorrows of our Heavenly Mother. A wonderful devotion is the Chaplet of Our Lady of Sorrows, in which one meditates on the 7 Sorrows with a specially designed chaplet. You can buy one for a good price at Direct From Lourdes (get some Lourdes water while you’re at it!). The feast is September 15th.

Our dear Mother must look upon her children right now with great sorrow. Humanity is being separated and torn apart at the most fundamental levels. The Church has lost much attendance and the House of God has been turned into something looking more like a makeshift military hospital. Let us resolve to console her this month as she grieves over the world. Who knows what will transpire in the next several months? But there is reason for concern. Prayer and prepping are going to be critical, starting immediately. As it says on our Home page, “Pray & Prep!” This has never been more important in our lifetimes than it is RIGHT NOW.

Here is a selection of some of the interesting feasts this month:

3-St. Gregory the Great, Doctor, ”The Greatest of the Great”

4-First Friday

5-First Saturday / St. Teresa of Calcutta

8-BIRTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

12-MOST HOLY NAME OF MARY

13-St. John Chrysostom, Doctor, “The Golden-Mouthed,” “Doctor of the Eucharist” / Anniversary of Fifth Apparition at Fatima (Don’t forget our Holy Hour!)

14-Exaltation of the Holy Cross

15-OUR LADY OF SORROWS (new) / SEVEN SORROWS OF OUR LADY (trad)

16-Ember Wednesday (prayer and penance-trad meat at one meal)

17-St. Robert Bellarmine, Doctor, “Prince of Apologists,” “Gentle Doctor of The Controversies” / St. Hildegard of Bingen, Doctor, “The Teutonic Prophetess,” “Sibyl of the Rhine”

18-Ember Friday (prayer and penance)

19-Ember Saturday (prayer and penance-trad meat at one meal) / OUR LADY OF LA SALETTE (hist)

21-St. Matthew, Apostle & Evangelist

23-St. Pio of Pietralcina

24-OUR LADY OF RANSOM

29-Sts. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Archangels (new) / “Michaelmas Day” (trad)

30-St. Jerome, Doctor, “Father of Biblical Science”

This blog gives old and new feasts. The titles of the Doctors of the Church are taken from The 35 Doctors of the Church,TAN Books.

Full Update

A Mystical Triad: Death, Birth, Initiation

Triduum of Death.....or of.....Heaven! New Years Blessings, etc...... The Situation

I would like to talk about where we’ve been and where we are going. The above posts were written on this past October 31st [2019], January 1st and March 31st. They were written consecutively, as I was not posting as frequently until the world changed. When “The Situation” was upon us, I realized I could not be silent and I had to step it up.

The above posts are interesting to look at as a kind of “Mystical Triad:” 1) Collective Meditation on Death: Halloween and the Catholic Triduum 2) Collective Meditation on Birth: Christmas and the New Year 3) Collective Initiation into a Changed World. In terms of the Initiation, for the Faithful, it is during Lent, a time of penance and preparation, a time when one is best disposed to enter into such a challenge. How good is God! What are we actually being initiated into? That is our choice. As usual, we have 2 possible paths: the world or Christ. I will not elaborate. I encourage you to reflect and pray on this. I am just observing and putting pieces together. It is important in these times, to maintain the position of observer. Otherwise, we run the risk of getting caught up in emotion and deception. Think of it like surfing. The surfer rides atop a wave that could easily decimate everything in its path. The surfer uses all momentum and no friction. It is genius.

My personal journey through this Mystical Triad is a story as well. There was a death in my close family on All Hallows Eve. As for the News Years post, it turned out to be strangely prophetic. I spoke of remaining joyful in spite of the way the world is going, and focusing on a better future. “The Situation” came just after a trip to Florida, fraught with symbolic events, including a kind of baptism in the sea off the eastern coast, waging battle with the waves. I see the entire trip as a preparation for what was about to happen, including a message of consolation.

“The world is wide, and I will not waste my life in friction when it could be turned into momentum.”

Frances Willard

I had intended to deal with the emerging crises in the world and how we might respond. Instead, my writing took an organic path of feastdays and general prepper issues, peppered with some commentary on “the situation.” I am actually happy for this, since these are the two aspects of this ministry that concern me: an Authentic Spiritual Life and an Authentic Natural Life. Crises should be seen through these lenses, not the other way around. In other words, all things must serve Salvation and normal life. Anything which disturbs those 2 things, is unacceptable. Again, I won’t elaborate, but you can figure it out.

I think I will continue pretty much the same way. I will be featuring a product which solves the “Trapped in a Dark Basement” horror. Here’s a sneak peak if you can’t wait. There are a number of website improvements that are important. These can take a lot of time and you may or may not notice them. I will be working on that as well.

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I said I would give commentary on “The Rome Life Forum,” but this has gone by the wayside. I still recommend you watch-see below. These talks are quite intellectual and interesting. They get into deep and technical theology. It can be hard to follow, but just take it in and you will get the gist. It is well worth it. Also, some very important content is there, to contemplate at this pivotal time in human history. Please note, Nomen Christi Apostolate does not necessarily endorse all ideas which are expressed in this conference.

The Rome Life Forum Online Conference took place May 20th through May 22nd. The theme was “Coronavirus in the Light of Fatima: A Tragedy and a Source of Hope.” Guest speakers included Cardinal Burke, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, John-Henry Westen and John Smeaton, among others. Some topics were: “Fatima: Heaven’s Answer to a World in Crisis,” “Divine Judgement in Human History,” and “The Eucharist, the Greatest Treasure of the Church, in Times of Tribulation.” This conference was hosted by LifeSiteNews and Voice of the Family. From LifeSiteNews: “Speakers will focus on whether the COVID-19….could be part of the chastisement, preceding the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, that Our Blessed Mother spoke about in Fatima in 1917.”

More About Hiking!

Important note: The following advice is for local hiking in well-populated areas only. Please always use your own discretion and consider your own unique needs. These are only suggestions.

My family and I spent the 4th of July in the exquisite New Jersey Highlands, pictured above. Appropriate, since the Highlands, according to the federal Highlands Conservation Act, is an area of “national significance,” due to, “the importance of the water, forest, agricultural, wildlife, recreational, and cultural resources of the Highlands region.” It is a national treasure. Instead of celebrating a nation rapidly descending into tyranny, we spent the day preparing for where this tyranny may soon lead us…out of Babylon and into the Authentic Life, close to nature, apart from the world.

Our son was the architect of the excursion, planning it out in advance from a map. It is always a bit dicey doing a hike you are unfamiliar with, because what you see on the map is only a vague semblance of what you actually encounter on the ground. He knew he would be going with his out-of-shape middle-aged parents, so he kept it to about a mile, which was perfect. I hope to increase my stamina over time. I said in A Tale of Two Realities (please read if you haven’t), that I had not hiked in years. Two hikes and I am now addicted. The peace and wonder I feel, along with the sense of empowerment and accomplishment, is intoxicating.

The hike evenly divided into two halves, the first being the difficult “trail connector” and the second, being an established, level trail. At the half-point, you see the bewitching vista above. The picture does not at all do it justice. It had more a sense of grandeur from the perspective of a bridge, over a large pond (the entire walk circumvented the pond). The creek you see comes down from the pond. The rocks there seem to be encased in sand, long petrified. It is interesting to think of the history of the formations and also the human history, when you encounter unexplained remnants like rock walls, perhaps going back hundreds of years. What the picture does portray is the mysterious, magical nature of those woods-you expect to see a fairy or an elf pop out any minute! It can all be quite romantic, you can easily forget the dangers of these parts, which are black bears, copperhead snakes, lyme and other ticks, poison ivy, falling branches and hunters in hunting season, to name a few. All these issues need to be kept in mind and prepared for.

We started by spraying ourselves with heavy duty bug spray, mainly for the ticks. I had my new mini backpack with water, first aid kit, two tick removal tools, compass, protein bars and tissues. The trail connector was a rocky, narrow path. We had to keep our eyes open for poison ivy and I learned that all boots are not hiking boots. My department store booties have zero ankle support. Real hiking boots are now on my priority list. You hike & learn! We passed a family fishing and learned the pond has bass and catfish. Good to know. Also muskrats and a swim team which has its own camper and porta-potty. Also good to know. Not really, nevermind…another issue one must be prepared for….you do you! Then there was a nice respite area in the shade where we took a much-needed break on this hot day. The rest of the way was easy and we exited at the “start” of the trail, where there were various instructions, including what to do if you see a black bear. At home, first thing: tick check and changing clothes.

We also saw these striking flowers:

BUTTERFLY WEED, a type of milkweed, great for home gardens. EDIBLE & MEDICINAL USES.

And here’s the itchy culprit from the last hike:

This appears to be STINGING NETTLE. It is widely known to have medicinal properties.

I have mentioned the need for provisions and awareness of the dangers of your area. In addition, maps and compasses are important when venturing out into nature. In our case, my son had studied the area, it was well populated and we had our cellphones. I would however, recommend not relying on your phone and always having a hard copy of a map with you (you may consider a laminated map in case of rain). Of course, getting lost is the main issue, but simple awareness of your environment is important too. As for getting lost, never rely on your “great sense of direction” or assume it can’t happen to you. Study the area before entering and have a plan. Know which direction you must travel if you do get lost-that is the purpose of the compass.

Rand McNally has many great resources for hiking and road travel. You might be interested in products like the following:

New Jersey Atlas & Gazetteer 2021 Road Atlas

Map It! Seek & Find: Fun, educational way to familiarize yourself with cartography-there are 2 volumes-great gift!

If hiking is too difficult for you, I hope you are inspired to bring God’s creation more into your life in some way. Nature is part of living life to the fullest and understanding God, the Author of the Authentic Life.