Another Lladro, Byzantine Mass, Thought for the Day

[Edited since posting.]

The previous post shows Lladro’s “Blessed Lady” porcelain statue, originally produced from 1988-1991 as a limited edition of 1,000. The same sculptor, Fulgencio Garcia, 4 years later, created the above piece, “Immaculate Virgin.” This is a limited edition of 2,000, higher priced. 25 years later, it still hasn’t sold out. I am partial to the original. One interesting difference is that Our Lady’s head is uncovered in the first and covered in the second. The uncovered head does not bother me, though it is true when she appears, she always has her head covered. This is one reason I wear the mantilla at Mass.

Lladro, a Spanish company started by 3 brothers, has a great history of producing fine Catholic-themed figurines. As I stated in the previous post, I worked at their flagship location in Manhattan for several months, on the selling floor of a beautiful museum-like store. It was a joy to come to work every day. I had started in the office upstairs as their archivist for North America (I would identify pieces for people, before the internet took care of all that). It was an interesting job, though rather stressful because it was too much work for one person. When the office moved to New Jersey, I temporarily worked at the store. It was uptown Manhattan, in such an exciting location, near the Plaza and Bloomingdale’s. What a great time that was, in my early 20’s, moving to the big city and having complete freedom (except for the curfew at the convent in Chelsea, where I rented a room). It is strange going to the city now-I always think, “Why are so many people younger than me?” Sadly, the Lladro location, complete with a museum of old pieces and an art gallery, is no longer there. However, in 2012, a new Lladro Boutique opened on Madison Ave. Anyway…if you are looking for a high-end Catholic piece for a gift or a religious institution, you may want to consider supporting Lladro. I am proud to have worked for them.

Tonight I have the privilege of attending my first Byzantine Mass, on Long Island. It is a special Mass being celebrated at a traditional-sensitive parish, the Eastern Rite’s version of the Assumption, the “Dormition of Our Lady.” I am very excited and will be telling you about it, complete with pics! Blessings to all on this feast of the Assumption-let us pray to Our Lady for the Church at this hour.

Came across this quote the other day…so true…

“Much of humanity’s activity is insanity masquerading as reality.”

Alan Cohen

Image courtesy https://www.houzz.com

My New Hiking Shoes!

I hope you thoroughly enjoy the above image of my new hiking shoes. It just took me 40 minutes to get this image up because I couldn’t get it the right size. LOL.

I absolutely love them. Bought them last night at Dicks/Field & Stream. What an amazing store. The brand is Danner. This seems to be a very good shoe company. The shoes were not cheap, but they were on sale. My birthday is coming up, soooooooooooo. Anyway, you want a good hiking shoe or boot. You want something that will protect you properly and last a long time. With the way the world is going, we may not have access to what we need the way we have always been used to. Everyone should go get themselves good, solid hiking shoes.

What do you want in hiking foot gear? Think about the scenarios you are likely to encounter in your area:

Water: get water-proof (mine don’t look water-proof, but they are!), Snakes: get very solid material with good ankle protection, Cold: get warm, Hot: get cool, Rocky/Slippery: get good soles that can handle all that, Ticks: get light-colored.

There should be good ankle support and I would recommend lace-up shoes for greater control of tightness (have extra laces in your bug-out bag). You may or may not want a defined heel. Try out shoes thoroughly in store for comfort and wear the type of socks you are likely to be wearing when hiking. I also recommend some sport-designed insoles, which you should also bring with you when trying on. This will make an ENORMOUS difference in your comfort level and health of your feet.

I also bought this great little prepper booklet, Disaster Survival Guide, which shows you what to do in many different situations and emergencies. I highly recommend getting something like this and reading it cover to cover. You will be amazed what you learn. You will become prepared for situations you never even conceived of, but could very possibly encounter (like the time the power went off at night when I was in my basement-very scary-you can quickly become completely disoriented-I will tell that story next week).

May go hiking again this weekend with my new shoes. If its interesting, I will tell you about it next week. If it’s boring, I will tell you about it next week…..

A Tale of Two Realities

New York City. Lots of traffic. Even now. One would think there might be at least one decent rest-stop on your way around the city, or at least, by the time you get to New Jersey, somewhere on Route 80. Nope. Tons of land where it would be very easy to place a rest-stop. With all the minutiae the states concern themselves with, has no one thought of building at least one rest-stop around the city? I gave birth some twenty-something years ago to an almost 10-pound baby. Quite frankly, my body has never been the same. Do you see where this is going? (Don’t drink Snapple when you’re pregnant and don’t eat the 12 slices of whole wheat bread per day that they tell you to.)

Earlier this week, my husband and I were on our way to visit that same baby, traveling from Long Island to New Jersey. We finally got to The Home Depot shopping center off Route 80. I have gone to the Dunkin there, but I assumed the restroom would not be open, since the Dunkins around us have kept them closed. The only other place was The Home Depot. I came upon my first encounter with the “long line to get in” situation that I have seen pictures of….a grotesque zombie apocalypse of masks, blocked-off entrances and security guards. I thought, “I’m a middle-aged lady who’s been sitting in traffic forever-surely they would have no problem with me using their facilities.” So I walked up to the guard and explained my situation. He said, “Let me ask.” He came back. “No.” I was stunned and expressed my displeasure. I checked over at Dunkin and their restroom was open. My son is going to be getting doughnuts every time we visit. He would rather have doughnuts than duct tape or siliconized acrylic sealant.

Do I really have to state the obvious? We are losing our humanity. This should concern all of us. Reminds me of Our Lord’s words:

"For if in the green wood they do these things, what shall be done in the dry?"

Luke 23:31

Almost as soon as we got through the door with the box of doughnuts, my son said, “Want to go hiking now?” He has been making good use of his time off by hiking and gardening, much to prepper-Mommy’s pleasure. He found a large wooded area nearby while geocaching, and has been exploring all the trails. He was very excited about showing us a breathtaking ravine he found. I have not hiked in years and was already a bit tired from a poor night’s sleep, but I did not want to disappoint him. It was a long-shot, but I was going to give it my best effort.

As we approached the trail, I felt like Prepper Wonder Woman, with my hiking boots, olive-green pants with tons of pockets, wad of tissues, bug spray and mini first-aid kit. It was pure adrenaline from that point on. The world disappeared behind us as the sounds of birds and running water surrounded us. I felt free, able to breath without a mask, able to walk the path of a true human being, without feeling like a criminal. It was not a quick or easy hike. First, down a rocky hill, then we had a choice between crossing a muddy creek or walking on top of a huge mysterious pipeline. I chose the muddy creek that looked like quicksand. It proved to be a cinch. I felt over-confidence and arrogance wafting through me (not very subtle foreshadowing) as I watched my poor husband and child perilously walking atop the big pipe. Then it was quite a ways down another trail to the ravine. Suddenly, a magnificent vista of hills, trees, rocks, water and frogs appeared. It was a truly magical moment with my husband and son.

I eagerly ran down to the water and splashed my hands around in it. I felt pricks go through my thin pants and suddenly my arms and legs were all itchy. So much for Prepper Wonder Woman. My first thought was, “I’m in the middle of nowhere-what if I have a severe reaction?” I calmed down and hoped for the best. I told my son to take a picture of the plant so we could identify it when we got back (actually, we should have done it right there, with the phone). It was time to go back anyway, so we headed back and within a few minutes, the itching subsided. (I still haven’t gotten around to identifying the plant-but I should-this is how you learn as a prepper!} I barely made it back-the downwards hill at the start was now an upwards hill. At the least, the experience gave me a sense of empowerment and accomplishment. At best, a pivotal moment in my life at a pivotal moment for humanity. The choice between two realities.

I see the rest of my life as a journey back to those woods.

Update

[Edited since posting.]

Please stay tuned for Pentecost post and highlights of the month of June. Let us pray the whole Church, especially our leaders, will receive a great illumination this Pentecost by the Holy Ghost, to exercise proper discernment during this time! This thought came to me the other day as I was contemplating our current situation and what has caused it:

“If we are not bridled by the Laws of God, we will be bound by the chains of man.”

WE NEED TO BECOME STRONGER NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*** Spiritually ***

*** Mentally ***

*** Physically ***

+++

“What we do now echoes in eternity.”

Marcus Aurelius

If you think its time to stay home watching “Casablanca” for the 82nd time and scrapbooking….think again! We need to be prepared from this point forward for anything and everything (but not with fear). Demand to receive confession and Holy Communion. Start lifting weights. Go hiking in the wonderful outdoors without a mask, so you are not breathing in your own carbon dioxide and depressing your immune system. Take vitamins C and D. Get plenty of seeds and plant a garden. Stockpile supplies and water (only those in good supply). Buy rural property and precious metals. Learn how to fish. Learn to meditate and increase your mental strength under stress. Throw yourself on God when you get depressed-He never disappoints! Do it now. Teach your children. Pray on it. WE GOT THIS!

Image is a promotion of the show “Doomsday Castle,” which aired in 2013. I have not seen the show, but here is some info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_Castle

Thought for the Day & Reminder!

I keep hearing subtle variations on this quote:  "We are spiritual beings having a human experience."  How about this variation:

We are connected beings having a separate experience.

Think about it.

Don't forget our final Fatima Family Holy Hour for World Peace, this Friday!  I will be at the World Apostolate of Fatima in Asbury, NJ, but the show will go on right here on this blog!  Don't miss it!  And please add your voice to our comments-thank you, you will be blessed!  CFM:)  PSSpread the word and think about giving Our Lady a special gift for this momentous occasion!

RIP Patrick Tracy

Please pray for the repose of the soul of dear Patrick Tracy, my first cousin, who passed in his sleep, very unexpectedly, last Sunday.  He was 64 years old and lived a lifetime of charity towards others.  He had been the Director of Campus Ministry at St. Joseph's College in Patchogue, NY and taught religion and social studies there.  He was involved in countless charitable organizations over the years.  His funeral on Thursday at Holy Family in HIcksville, was the most well-attended funeral I have ever seen.  He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.  Please pray for his family as well, at this time.  Much thanks.

Life is so short-let's make the most of it, to win souls for God!

My New Doggie!

An Andy Warhol-inspired art piece of my new pup....I don't seem obssessed, do I?.....he is a Shih Poo, otherwise known as a Poosh, 4 months old, doesn't have a name yet....after having a Corgi for 15 years, a Shih Poo should be a breeze!  (We hope.)

Another Thought....

The goal of life:  Attachment to nothing.

Thought for the Day

When you take care of yourself,

the world is instantly a better place!