Sorry to leave you all hanging... I've actually started this submission twice, and got distracted... and blast it all, I spilled OJ on my keyboard, and now some of my keys are stuck solid! hrumph
FR. TONY UPDATE
It's been a loooong week. Fr. Tony is resting better, now that he's got his recliner, TV, laptop, books and own bed. He hobbles round the house with his walking stick, is still quite weak, and tires easily. He was quite disappointed that he was unable to take the services the past two Sundays, but between being in hospital, and recovering from pneumonia, it just wasn't possible. We do hope you all understand. All being well, he'll be back in the saddle next Sunday, and is working hard at being very present for Christmas Eve services! He'll return for his next round of chemo on the 26th of December.
I managed to get to church, early (generally unheard of!), only because a couple of clocks in our house have yet to be turned back. grin The whole way to church I was thinking terribly of myself for being late, after promising Jeanne I'd be there to sing. Boy, was I surprised! Pleasantly! I'm sure Jeanne was shocked!
While I was at church, Tony rested, then got up to take his shower. Apparently he fell, but didn't do any harm to the walls. grin OK, OK... he's alright. All kidding aside, he's managing. The infection knocked him back a few pegs, but he's keeping up the good fight. While we try to prevent him from catching any other infections floating about, cabin fever does have a habit of sneaking in. Please do continue to stay in touch with him, AND more importantly... keep him in your daily prayers. Some of you have continued to send cards and emails, and I can't tell you how much they lift his spirits.
EXCITING STUFF
While in hospital, our Dan Flynn mentioned that a fella with Waldenstroms Macroglobulinemia (geez, that's a mouth full!) was in town, and he'd been known to give a substantial donation to Harvard University to assist with the study of this disease. Well... our Dr. Craig and Dan met with this fella, and hopefully (fingers and toes crossed), this man will feel compelled (having met the two most wonderful men in our life) to donate a hefty sum to our very own WVU/Ruby Cancer Center, to help further the research in our neck of the woods! THIS would be fantastic, not that I have any reason to want something like this to happen, BADLY! I found out this morning that said gentleman is affiliated with the International Waldenstroms Mac-blah-blah-blah Foundation, a group I subscribed to when Fr. Tony had been diagnosed. Up to this point I've not been completely impressed with the emails generated from the group, so now's their chance to redeem themselves. grin
PITTERPAT'S PUTZING ABOUT
With all the hospital and waiting room sitting we're doing lately, I've taken up my crochet and knitting again. I'm sure folks in these places are often wondering what the heck I'm working on, as they've yet to see anything finished. Well, it's that time of year. Folks are shopping for Christmas, and in the past I was able to create some funky, fun and fashionable hats, scarves, handbags, etc. Soooo.... must keep busy before time runs out. The image to the right is the first hat I've got done and the photos ready for eBay.
OH, and I came up with a name for some of my creations! You know.... one must have a name... EARTHEN-WARE: Earthly Minded Creations.... or Fun and Funky Fashions... still haven't worked out the last bit. "Earthen-ware" came to me... after pondering for daaaays... Some of you know I used to be a potter, before I married the ole parson. Figured the name was appropriate, in light of the fact I'm trying to use as many "natural" fibers as possible: wool, cotton, hemp, and only a little bit of acrylic. DID YOU KNOW, they make yarn out of corn silk, soy biproducts, banana silk and recycled silk? YEP! Fun stuff!
Of course, Christmas comes with many challenges. I tend to like to make as many gifts as possible, and at least one of my children is adamently opposed to anything "hand made". This poses a particularly difficult challenge, but I think I've come up with something that will be "acceptable", and not end up in a box, buried in the back of a dark cold garage or attic space.
THE NEW CHRISTMAS TRADITION
Are you sitting down? Have you got your pen and paper handy? Or, should I say, Have you got your "blackberry" ready? hahaha
Many years ago I began getting frustrated with how we're all inundated with the Christmas crunch.... weeks and weeks of it. Then there's the Christmas trees that go up on Thanksgiving weekend (and get pitched the day after Christmas!), and lights galore cover every bush and pole in town. The hubub is such that the well meaning season of Advent is totally lost in the shuffle. If you're not up on your Seasons of the Year (no, not fall, winter, spring and summer- grin), then take a look at our PARISH WEBSITE, where you'll find a lot of wonderful information. Come back when you're done.
More toward the meat of the matter. Christmas is a glorious season of the year. Twelve wonderful days to ponder and reflect with joy and celebration. Of course, this has nothing to do with the fact I was born on Christmas morning, mind you... even if ye ole parson says I have a "Messiah complex" (imagine such a thing!)
Whoops, got side tracked. There are TWELVE days in Christmas, yes? So, I propose we celebrate Christmas for TWELVE days. In so doing, instead of giving a mass of gifts on the FIRST day of Christmas, I propose we give ONE gift on each of the twelve days... sort of like the American Jews do for Chanukah (well, they don't celebrate 12 days, but you get my meaning, I hope).
Imagine the money you would save!!?? We all know the best sales of the year start the day after Christmas! Imagine the anticipation and surprise, with TWELVE days of gift giving and receiving. THEN, on the twelfth day, we end with a really big celebration, Twelfth Night!
I can even go one further and suggest that the twelve gifts be hand made. Yes, hand made. Wouldn't it be grand if everyone took the final month of the year to learn a new art or craft, and shared it with those they love? FAR too many children are being deprived of art and craft, especially now that the funding isn't there for schools to teach it. No longer does anyone aspire to be a potter, carpenter, or artist. But, what better way to create an outlet for the soul.
Am I insane? Am I on to a fantastic idea? Something to ponder, aye? If you visit the links below, you'll find a lot of helpful information about:
ADVENT: <--- Click on Link
The Colors of Advent
The Spirit of Advent
Evergreens and the Advent Wreath
Celebrating Advent
Singing Carols During Advent
St. Nicholas Day
Stirrup Sunday (w/ recipes)
and The Jesse Tree
CHRISTMAS: <--- Click on Link
The 12 Days of Christmas
Partridge, Pears and Maids a Milking (what does it mean?)
The Christmas Season and The Nativity
Now Christmas is past, Twelfth Night is the last
To the Old Year adieu, Great joy to the new
THIS WEEK'S TO DO LIST
Oncologist Appts, NNECA Newsletter to finish up, Parish website to update (my apologies for getting SO far behind!), House and Basement to clean, Art/Craft Stuff to organize, Craft/Art tools to find in all the clutter, Groceries to buy, Gifts to make, Hubby and livestock to care for, Children and parents to keep in touch with, Hand Made items to make and sell, and.. and.. and.......
We love you all. Please do keep in touch. It's nice to hear from from the folks we care so much about. PitterPat
