A Sensational Seminarian Send-off

l to r: Michelle Emerson, Emmaline Haught, Angela Emerson, and Brittany Roberts perform the German Flying Dance.

Photo Credit: Catherine Warrington

Saturday night we attended a party for Eric Ladner, who will leave Friday for St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Winona, MN.

Angela and Michelle Emerson planned the entertainment, which featured a variety of folk dances from Mexican, German, and Celtic cultures. They even used the Scottish dance that Emma and the girls learned from a YouTube video at our house a few weeks ago.

Additionally, Sam Sentmanat played violin, and Marty Sentmanat played piano during the dancers' costume changes and after the dances were finished. They even played waltz music so that Thomas Ladner and Emma could waltz. It was wonderful fun. Everybody said goodbye several times before they actually left.

Ember Daze: Confessions of a Convenience Catholic

I'm coming clean.

I do not have a pot of homemade lentil soup simmering on my stove this Ember Friday, nor did I on Ember Wednesday.

My life, frankly, is falling apart. I won't bore you with the details, but everyone in our little family is going in umpteen directions this week, including me.

And we still have Ember Saturday to go.

I dashed to the grocery store on Wednesday and piled my basket with the items pictured above. Emma looked incredulous when I arrived home and dumped the contents onto the kitchen counter. "Do you know how bad that stuff is for you?" she questioned.

"Of course I know! Just don't read the ingredients!" I snapped. "Here, eat a bean burrito."

Nathaniel, the original junk food junkie, called enthusiastically from the computer, "I'll take some cheese sticks!"

TWO SNACKS AND ONE MEAL

If you don't understand about Ember Days, it's really very simple--in theory. You can eat one meal and two snacks. The two snacks can not add up to one meal. So if you have a problem with that, Emma recommends making your one meal bigger to compensate for any largess in the snack department. Yes, you can have meat one time, except on Friday!, but who needs the added confusion when three bean burritos can cover an entire ember day: Two for a meal and a half of one at each snack time.

It gets a little more complicated with the cheese sticks. I never did cheese stick math in school, but I'm estimating that six cheese sticks makes a meal and two a snack. If you want real confusion, just try figuring out how many apples, carrot sticks, and/or celery do not add up to one meal. Been there. Done that.

Definitely, the way to go is to eat the same thing all day and avoid meat completely. That way you know you've got your portions right and you don't goof up on Friday.

Everything was going OK until I finished my cake decorating class today. We had been given pink and green icing to use for our finished product, so I did this:

Needless to say, I wasn't thinking about Ember Friday when I chose my theme. It was after 1:00 when I got home, and I was starved. I was going to eat a snack so that I could enjoy a full meal with my family tonight. (Herb just returned from a week-long business trip last night and is going again tomorrow night.)

Before I knew it, though, the whole burrito was gone. "Well, heck," I thought. "I might as well eat a piece of Easter cake. . .Make that two."

Now THAT'S a meal! Definitely!

To Dance in the Mountains

is to dance in the most beautiful ballroom of all. . .


This is the pavilion at Nantahala Village in North Carolina's Nanatahala National Forest. As soon as I saw it, I imagined it packed with laughing dancers. I heard the lively folk tunes and the swooshing of full skirts whipping through the mountain air. . .and then. . .a dreamy waltz followed by a moment of reverie by the waterfall. . .

then a sumptuous dessert in the resort's restaurant.
Chocolate. . .
or Key Lime?

Special Thank -You

Via Kathleen O'Neill:

On behalf of the Reyes family, we offer our sincere gratitude to you all for the outpouring of thoughts, prayers , support and all your generosity. It has been overwhelming, yet comforting and brings our family much consolation.

Please continue to pray for us as our loss is tremendous and will be difficult for myself and the children.

May Our Lord reward you all.

Sincerely,
Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Margot Reyes and children

The Last Rose of Summer

Early this past June, as I was walking back from the mailbox, Emma met me and implored me to sit with her under a pecan tree and savor the moment. I did.

I knew as I sat there that it was one of those moments when everything else fades away and you are keenly aware of all of your senses. The air smelled sweet and felt velvety with the light breeze; the sky vibrated with blue energy; the still-tender grass bent easily at my touch. Then Emma started singing "The Last Rose of Summer."

This morning I remembered our time under the pecan tree when I realized that today is the last day of summer.

Here are the lyrics, compliments of Bartleby's:

The Last Rose of Summer

Thomas Moore (1779–1852)


’TIS the last rose of summer
Left blooming alone;
All her lovely companions
Are faded and gone;
No flower of her kindred, 5
No rosebud is nigh,
To reflect back her blushes,
To give sigh for sigh.

I’ll not leave thee, thou lone one!
To pine on the stem; 10
Since the lovely are sleeping,
Go, sleep thou with them.
Thus kindly I scatter
Thy leaves o’er the bed,
Where thy mates of the garden 15
Lie scentless and dead.

So soon may I follow,
When friendships decay,
And from Love’s shining circle
The gems drop away. 20
When true hearts lie withered
And fond ones are flown,
Oh! who would inhabit
This bleak world alone?

http://www.bartleby.com/41/487.html

New Bank Account for Reyes Family Donations

The bank account that was initially set up for donations to the Reyes family has been closed due to a technicality, and a new one has been set up:

Bank of America

Account #586018871884
Account Name: Johanna Soto
Zip code needed for Bank of America customers to complete transfers: 77584

The old bank account was closed as of 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Due to internet problems I did not get the new information until today. I apologize if the delay has inconvenienced anyone.

Iowa Corn on the Cob

In my post, North to Onalaska, I explained that I freeze fresh corn without shucking it. But what do you do with it when you take it out? Well, today I followed this recipe that my mom cut out of a newspaper ages ago. It's a keeper!

Immerse corn, husks and all, in pot of cold water for 1 hour.

After an hour, remove ears and shake off excess water.

Trim dangling husk and silks to prevent flames.

Place directly on pre-heated grill.

Close cover and cook 25-30 minutes, turning two to three times.

Pull back husk and prick kernel with a fork. If liquid is clear, it's done. If milky white, cook more.

Remove shucks and silks. They come off cooked ears easily. Slather with butter. Salt and pepper to taste.

Funeral Arrangements for Rudy Reyes

Visitation:
Crowder Funeral Home, 851 Hwy 517 @ 646, Dickinson, TX, 77539
Thursday, Sept. 17, from 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m., with Rosary at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass:
Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 4100 Hwy. 3, Dickinson, TX,
Friday, Sept. 18., 10:00 a.m.

Burial: Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Reception: Queen of Angels Church Hall, 1:00 p.m.
If you plan to attend reception, please bring a dish if you can.

Requiescat in Pace

Rudy Reyes passed away this afternoon during the Rosary that began for him at 3:00 p.m.

In This Vale of Tears: Rudy Reyes

According to information I have received from Kathleen O'Neill:

Margot met with a new doctor on Saturday. He was very patient and kind and explained Rudy's condition to her more clearly than the other doctor. The Chief of Staff and the Head of the Stroke Team told Margot that Rudy showed a 90% chance of no recovery from his brain stem stroke. His reflexes and such were rated on a scale of 1-6. A "1" is scored for just being there. Rudy's score was a "2" all week.

The doctor assured Margot that Rudy would not be given a large dose of morphine or taken off food and hydration.

He evaluated Rudy on Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. with Fr. Zendejas and Fr. Zigrang present. With their advice and support, the decision was made to remove Rudy from extra life support today, the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, at 3:00 p.m.

A group is organizing to pray the Rosary at Queen of Angels in Dickinson at that time. All are welcome.

Margot has requested no more visitors or phone calls but appreciates all the love and compassion shown through this difficult time. Although the whole family is in need of prayers, please pray especially for Christian, who is having a hard time with the decision.



Our Lady of Sorrows, Pray for Us!

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

This is a stained glass panel depicting St. Helena presenting the True Cross and nails to Emperor Constantine.
It was featured in the Sept. 2007, Vidimus, an online stained glass magazine. Read more about stained glass and St. Helena here.

Three Girls, Three Changes, One Dance

Emma brought two friends home with her after First Saturday Mass last week. As soon as they ate lunch, they started learning a dance bit by bit by watching it repeatedly on this You Tube video.

Still in their church clothes, they dragged Nathaniel's yard work shoes out into the back yard to mark their places. Jess the Cat found her spot and stretched out, and the fun began.

They got good and hot and changed into "play clothes". By late afternoon they had learned the dance and added some interesting embellishments.

Then they dug in Emma's closet and found three Pendleton skirts and three white blouses. They all pulled their hair back and fastened it with a barrette. But what could they do for matching shoes and stockings?

They raided Herb's dress sock drawer.

A Visit With Rudy

Emma and I visited Rudy yesterday afternoon. It was the first time that we had gotten to see him. I was immensely reassured by how good he looked. Underneath all the tubes and wires, he still looked like the Rudy Reyes I know and love.

Since he is such a good-natured fellow, I took the opportunity to chat non-stop in his ear and tease him about the little round thing on his head. I told him that he looked like he was wearing a little girl's chapel veil. I really thought his eyes might fly open at that remark, but they didn't. However, when Rudy's buddy, Mike Stafford, talked to him, his eyelids did lift partially, two times. Mike saw it both times. Christian saw it once. Mike said that before Rudy's stroke, he and Rudy talked on the phone all the time.

I asked Christian about Rudy's breathing, the pressure on his brain, etc. He told me that Rudy is breathing on his own, but if the ventilator is removed, he may choke on his tongue. The pressure on his brain is normal. Later Margot confirmed that "Rudy is breathing 100% on his own." She also said that Thursday Rudy responded when the doctor shined a light in his eyes. This was new. He had not responded before, so he is improving.

In fact, all his vital signs are good from what we could read on the monitors, but when Margot asked the nurse for the results that she was writing in his record, the nurse refused to tell her. Obtaining the record of these vital signs is critical to preventing the hospital from removing Rudy from life support.

Although the rules state that only two visitors can see Rudy at one time, somehow a kind nurse managed to let seven of us in to pray the Rosary. We all knelt around his bed. Margot squeezed Rudy's hand throughout. We sang the Gloria Patri at the end of each decade, and I could not resist looking at Rudy's face as we did. I knew he could hear us!

I started to understand the magnitude of the problem that Margot is dealing with when Miriam Massie arrived to help Margot with legal steps to prevent the hospital from removing life support and giving Rudy morphine. Miriam's dad is an attorney, and he had written letters for Margot to submit to the ethics committee declaring her desire that Rudy not be removed from life support or given morphine or any "treatment" that would hasten his death. Apparently Texas law allows hospital ethics committees to decide the fate of a patient, even if he has expressed the desire for a different choice. Once the ethics committee makes a decision to withdraw treatment, and food and water are defined as treatment, the patient has only ten days to find an alternative hospital or care situation. Texas Right to Life says that patients often run out of time before they can secure the transfer. Memorial Hermann is trying to do this without giving Rudy the benefit of the ten days. At least that is my understanding. It is all very complicated. Miriam was also working with Margot to get a case manager assigned to Rudy. The case manager works as a liaison between the attorney and the ethics committee.

Christian looked much better yesterday than we visited him on Tuesday. He has not left the hospital since arriving Sunday night. He told us that he has made lots of friends among the staff. One of the nurses gave him a bag of homegrown fruit while we were there.

The whole Queen of Angels parish seems to be working together to help the family. It is very gratifying. Kathleen O'Neill is coordinating it all. Heather Martinez is working on getting a bank account set up for donations and a fundraiser organized. So I will get that information out as soon as I get it.

Thanks for your continued prayers for Rudy and his family.

On the Ferry to the Statue of Liberty

I never thought about the background of this picture of Nathaniel and Emma when I took it in August of 1999. Eight years ago today it became important.

The Rudy Reyes Family Portrait

Last week while my husband was out of town, I dug out piles of family photos and spread them across our king-sized bed. I left them there for the whole week, shuffling just enough out of the way at night so I could crawl under the covers without disturbing them. So many times the loved one I was looking for was in the background, or the photo was out of focus. The other night, Emma was helping me, and she found a professional photograph of Herb and all his brothers dressed in tuxedos that I had been looking for. I was so happy.

Somehow taking family portraits seems to get put off. We haven't had one in quite a while. But I am going to change.

With this in my mind, and with the Reyes family constantly lifted in prayer, I wanted to share with you the story behind their family picture as told by and with the permission of photographer Kathleen O'Neill. The link above will take you to her photography blog and the Reyes family portrait. Click on the photo to enlarge.

Here's Katie's story:

On a personal note, I have to say the hand of God works in mysterious ways.
Over the summer, Margot had contacted me to make her family portrait before Christian went away to Syracuse for High School. She had her heart set on a 16 x20 wall portrait. Something that was big enough to enjoy from across the living room. She had never had a family portrait made and had a hard time convincing Rudy that this was important to do. She asked me for ideas on how to present it to him, because he personally did not like to be in "pictures ".

She said as she looked back through the years she noticed he had done most of the picture taking and was in very few photos and resisted being in pictures. I told her to tell him, the children are growing, the family is changing, the children are the ones who benefit from the family portrait. They want to remember what mom and dad looked like as they were growing up. He had concerns about spending money at a time when the children were going back to school and maybe we could do it at Christmas......I offered the 50 % off to parishioners plan, they loved it.

She called me again. We're getting closer.. I almost have him ready to go. I advised her to simply do the session as planned late August and come back and order the wall portrait anytime, at least we will have the session completed and Christian can go off to school . For now just get an 8x 10 and that should be good for now.

After 3 rain dates, we finally made the family portrait one evening 2 weeks ago. She ordered her wall portrait of her beautiful family and picked it up 3 days before his stroke. His reaction to the final portrait.." WOW !" He picked out the cute dress for 3 year old Gemma. Christian looked so grown up next to Mom and Dad in his suit and tie. The girls hair was so perfectly curled....

Katie O'Neill Portrait Design

Fighting the Hospital for Rudy's Life

Rudy is still in a coma, but he has struggled against the nurses trying to take his blood, and he has responded to his wife's voice by lurching forward. He has had some difficulty breathing, but I'm not sure if that is still the case. The biggest problem now is that the hospital is pressuring Margot to take him off life support. They wanted to do it this morning. The priests are advising her. This is what I heard last night from another parishioner, Kathleen O'Neil:

It's late, 11:30 pm. Margot has succesfully obtained additional time through Monday.

It is becoming like David and Goliath in that hospital. The hospital wants to give him morphine, but Fr.Scott advised vehemently against that as it will slow his respiration.

Margot has gotten in touch with a lawyer ( Mr.Frazier) through Cerene Winkler at N. Chapel and in the morning they will talk about how to handle the next few days. It's time to strong arm the hospital. They are not interested in giving food and water either. Morphine only. But actually Fr. stated he 's not in pain. This is part of the manipulation.

Fr. Zigrang spoke to her again tonight.

Please continue your prayers for Rudy and his family.

Full Me With Song

I have signed Emma up for the February 2010 "District Check" weaving workshop with Norman Kennedy. The whole idea of combining weaving and traditional Scottish folk music tantalizes us most agreeably.

Here's the workshop info Emma received from Clarice Shanks at Upstairs Studio:

Okay Norman is going to teach a workshop in Feburary 2010. The final date has not been set. We would like him to also give lecture at CHH meeting if he is teaching close to that week end. Which would make it a 3 day workshop. We are thinking of a 'Wool Waulking' ( this is a traditional fulling with a woven piece of yardage with 12 people at a table while Norman sings the old waulking songs) on the last day Sunday. You will need your own loom, 4h table or 4 h floor loom. This is only going to be sample weave. District Check is still being worn in Scotland by people that work for the big Estates. It identifies them as working for a certain estate or Lord. They may not always be check some are plaids. They are mostly drab colors. You will receive all of the wool ahead of time and must come to the class with your loom loaded.

We Need a Miracle

Our friend Rudy Reyes, husband to Margot and father of Christian, 15, Christiana, 9, Julianna, 7, Joseph, 5, and Gemma, 3, (ages approximate) is in the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit of Memorial Hermann Hospital. The stroke he suffered Sunday night occurred in the brain stem, and the prognosis is bleak. Christian told us last night that the doctors have told them that if his dad lives, he will never be the same. He is the sole support of the family with his business, Angelus Mechanical. His top priority, though, has been to ensure that his children have the faith, not material goods. He has succeeded. While Christian accompanied his mom to the hospital Sunday night, Christiana stayed up late praying Rosaries for her dad. Then she prayed extra decades and offered them to the Eucharastic Crusade. Christian has been praying without ceasing and staying at the hospital with his dad around the clock, allowing Margot to go home at night to stay with the children.

I have been told that the family has no medical or life insurance.

I have come to love Rudy over the last year and a half. There is a childlike sweetness about him, yet his faith is that of a giant. Whenever he came down from my attic after working on our air conditioner, he would be drenched with sweat but always cheerful. I would always offer him ice water, and he would not take a sip without bowing his head and saying a little prayer.

When he was done working on the air conditioner, he always took time to play a game of pool or X-box football with Nathaniel and eat a piece of Emma's latest baking project. At church, he organized all the chess tournaments and the baseball games and practices. He also planned group father-son outings to watch the Astros play. And he maintained all the air conditioners at church.

So please, pray for a miracle for Rudy.

Fr. John Peek, SSPX, Funeral Arrangements

Fr. Peek passed away Monday morning, Sept. 7, at the Queen of Angels rectory. I do not know the cause of death, but he was not in good health and had been on dialysis three times a week.

At Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 4100 Hwy. 3, Dickinson, TX

Visitation: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, from 5-9 p.m., with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass: Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, 10:00 a.m.

After the funeral, Fr. Peek's body will be flown to Georgia for burial.

Eternal rest grant him, O Lord
And may perpetual light shine upon him.

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Prayers Needed

Please pray for Fr. John Peek's soul. He passed away last night. I just heard and don't have any other details.

Please also pray for our dear friend and fellow parishioner, Rudy Reyes, who had a massive stroke last night and is hospitalized.

And pray for Fr. Zendejas who was up all night last night and has a Requiem Mass to say this morning for Dr. Carl Fuchs, who passed away on Thursday, Sept. 3.

Booklet Provides a Happy Glimpse into the Past

"Buried Treasure" is indeed aptly named. A promotional booklet for Doxsee's clam products, I discovered it inside an old fish cookbook that I purchased at a thrift store. There is no date on the booklet, but the fish cookbook, Handbook on the Art of Southern Fish Cookery, was published by the Warren Fish Company of Pensacola, FL, in 1935. Both of the publications are stamped with the name and address of the Topeka Fish & Oyster Co.

Founded in 1865 on Long Island by James Harvey Doxsee, the clam company apparently thrived. I found the following information on the founder's grandson's website:

LONG ISLAND EDITION

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

Source Unknown

JAMES H. DOXSEE

This name is identified with the village of Islip, thousands knowing of the existence of this place only by the fact that from it is sent forth that unique but valuable article known as Doxsees Pure Little Neck Clam Juice. This is a business that has been built up from the most modest beginnings, until now Doxsees Pure Little Neck Clam Juice, Little Neck Clams and Chowder are handled by nearly all wholesale and retail grocers in the United States. These invaluable preparations are highly recommended by medical men, both for the purity of their manufacture, and their wholesome character as a food. Some of the most prominent physicians of Long Island have not hesitated to affix their names to unqualified endorsements of these articles, which are used in their family practice.

Of special interest to me is that the "Buried Treasure" cover greets the reader with "Dear Madam" and suggests that she will find Doxsee's Little Neck Clam Products "delightful" for many different occasions including "Friday--Fish Day".

In its page on clam juice, it addresses "Mrs. Housewife" and suggests that Doxsee's Little Neck Clam Juice will provide "a real treat for every member of the family, from Baby to Grandparents." There is no mention of enjoying it with your partner.

Here is an interesting recipe from Buried Treasure:

Bouillon Belvedere

A most delightful Bouillon. It has been served by Sherry's, the famous caterer of New York City, for upwards of fifty years. This Bouillon has been served at the finest State and Social functions.

1 can Doxsee's Clam Broth
An equal quantity of Chicken Broth.

Bring to a boil--let it simmer for a little while--serve in cups. A real tonic, as well as a most delicious dish. A touch of whipped cream to each cup when served, adds to its deliciousness.

(I'm sure that the whipped cream must be whipped up from unsweetened heavy cream. Don't squirt a mound of Reddi-Wip on it.)

Reaping Rich Rewards

On the feast day of St. Pius X, whose motto was "To Restore All Things in Christ", I am rejoicing about the increasing numbers of Latin Masses being made available to the faithful around the world. There are two, however, that are especially dear to my heart: Tallahassee, FL, and Montgomery, AL.

These two locations are places I think of as "almost home".

As recently as two years ago, there was one Latin Mass a month in the whole Tallahassee-Pensacola archdiocese. That one monthly Mass at St. Stephen's in Pensacola is now a weekly Mass. The "About Our Parish" in the right sidebar of St. Stephen's homepage is a must-read. It is written by the pastor, Fr. Perez, and he made my heart leap for joy! It is such a relief to know that when we go home to Ft. Walton Beach, we can assist at the old Mass and that it will be celebrated with the right intention. I pray that the new one in Tallahassee will soon be celebrated weekly as well.

The Latin Mass to be celebrated by Fr. Mark Fischer, FSSP, in Montgomery at St. Peter's on September 27, is a one-time event, but Una Voce Central Alabama is working toward attaining a regular celebration. I am confident that this will happen. Any town that can build and support something as wonderful as the Alabama Shakespeare Festival clearly appreciates the good, the true, and the beautiful and will support a regular Latin Mass.

Alabama Shakespeare Festival

From Woodstock to Cutting Wood

My brother-in-law Stephen is the only person I know who actually attended Woodstock. Despite all the negative things I have read about it--the drugs, the free love, the rock-and-roll, he grew up to be a completely normal, productive adult.



O.K., so he does get excited about wearing lumberjack protective gear. So does my husband.



Happy Birthday, Stephen!

First, We Need Access to Healthy Food

"This is a totally unsustainable food system. It's not built to last--it's built on gasoline, it's built on pollution, it's built on exploitation, and it's built on providing food that makes the consumer sick. It's going to bankrupt our health care system. One out of every three Americans has early onset diabetes, one out of every two minority members. You can't talk about reforming a health care system when you're feeding people this kind of food. It's going to be way too costly."

--Food, Inc., Director Robert Kenner, as quoted in the Sept. 2009 Acres USA article, "The Food Revolution Will Be Televised".