Catholic Fire

Lisa Hendey wrote a very interesting piece on Faith and Family , sharing who her ten most fascinating Catholics were for 2008. She selected some wonderful people, but I have to tell you, I have a secret list of my own. I would like to make this a meme, as I'm eager to learn what the rest of you are thinking. The rules are to select ten of the most fascinating (living) Catholics for 2008. Then, tag at least five people for the meme. Here are my ten: 1. Pope Benedict XVI 2. Fr. Frank Pavone 3. Eduardo Versategui 4. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput 5. Archbishop Raymond Burke 6. Johnette Benkovic 7. Teresa Tomeo 8. Donna Marie Cooper - O'Boyle 9. Annie Karto 10. Judie Brown I will tag: 1 . Therese 2. Marie 3. Esther 4. Alexandra 5. Jeff

Alexandra has tagged me for a meme. According to the rules, I have to post six things that make me really happy ... and pass it on to give six more people a reason to be thankful! So six things that make me happy.... 1. My husband ( his strong faith, his sacrificial love for me, his sense of humor and wit, his intelligence, his kindness, his no-nonsense nature, his practicality, his industriousness, his ability to do many things well, his love for children, his ability to get along with others, his strong leadership skills, and I could go on and on...) 2. My husband's happiness 3. Living out my faith and doing God's will 4. Writing, Blogging 5. Being with family -- which includes not only my relatives, but my Oblate family from the Community of St. John 6. Eating well and exercising regularly What can I say? I'm a simple woman! :-) The six other bloggers I choose are: 1. Donna 2. Esther 3. Ebeth 4. Rosemary 5. Alexa 6. JennD.

Here's a meme I found on Deb's blog . When does fall begin for you? For me, around here, it begins in October. What is your favorite aspect of fall? When the leaves begin to turn colors and the chrysanthemums come into bloom, when the pumpkins and gourds are ready for picking, and all the fall festivals -- like Oktoberfest. What is your favorite fall memory? When my husband and I were first married and we joined another couple on a beautiful fall drive through several towns in the country -- the weather was gorgeous and we had a wonderful time. What do you like to drink in the fall? apple cider What is your favorite fall food? baked apples and pork, pumpkin pie What is fall weather like where you live? warm days, cool nights, lots of sun, occasional rain, but the sun always returns What color is fall? Lots of russet reds, orange, golden yellows, and rust What does fall smell like? burning leaves, wood-burning stoves and fireplaces Holiday shopping in fall: Does this me...

I was tagged by Esther. Here's the deal - go to your pictures, go to the 6th file, go to the 6th picture and then post it. For bonus points, see if you can remember even taking the picture. Here we are in St. Louis at the new Cardinals stadium on August 26, 2006. Bill took the picture. I tag the following six bloggers: Elena Kalona Jackie Suzanne Rosemary Marie

...that I am ever canonized... I hope that this photo is used because it shows the cat that has been most challenging to me in my cat lover history and the one to which I am most attached. Actually, I have been very attached to all of my cats and have nursed them through many illnesses and tough times. I have a million and one stories in which I have been a "cat hero". I'm jumping the gun here. Please allow me to explain -- Esther has tagged me for a humorous and unusual meme regarding what picture I would use for my holy card, should I make it to saint, and of what cause(s) I wanted to be patroness. Of course, I would be patroness of cats (especially abandoned cats, cats with behavioral and emotional problems, cats who are visually impaired or blind, cats with cancer or terminal diseases) and cat lovers. On second thought, change my holy card to the one below -- it's cuter. And, if you recite the nine day novena, you get your prayer answered along with a rose and th...

H/T: Esther 1. Where is your cell phone? desk 2. Your significant other? Bill 3. Your hair? red 4. Your mother? heaven 5. Your father? heaven 6. Your favorite thing? reading 7. Your dream last night? none 8. Your favorite drink? water 9. Your dream/goal? book 10. The room you’re in? office 11. Your church? Catholic 12. Your fear? failure 13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? here 14. Where were you last night? here 15. What you’re not? lazy 16. Muffins? blueberry 17. One of your wish list items? book 18. Where you grew up? IL 19. The last thing you did? write 20. What are you wearing? clothes ;-) 21. Your TV? Panasonic 22. Your pets? cats 23. Your computer? Dell 24. Your life? Blessed 25. Your mood? OK 26. Missing someone? yes 27. Your car? old 28. Something you’re not wearing? shoes 29. Favorite store? bookstore 30. Your summer? hot 31. Like(love) someone? Yes! 32. Your favorite color? blue 33. Last time you laughed? yesterday 34. Last time you cried? today 35. Who will re post th...

I was tagged by Esther for this Meme. A) Four places that I go to over and over: Church the Supermarket the Hairdresser's the Farmer's Market B) Four people who e-mail me (regularly): Esther Marie Leticia Ebeth C) My favorite 4 places to eat: The Monterrey Mexican Restaurant Bella Luna Timberline Steakhouse and Grill Bonefish Grill D) Four places I would rather be right now: On a vacation in anyone of the following places - Hawaii Australia/New Zealand the Carribean Islands Belize E) Four people I think will respond: Therese Paul Leticia Ebeth F) Four TV shows I watch all the time: EWTN's The World Over TCM's classic movies Fox News EWTN specials G) Four words that best describe you: generous thoughtful caring introspective H) Four favorite "old school" Hollywood Actors/Actressess: Gregory Peck Jimmy Stewart Loretta Young Sonja Hennie I)Four favorite "old school" television game shows: The Match Game Jeopardy Let's Make a Deal The Price is Right ...

Esther tagged me for this meme. Just write down what you did first today… * The first thing I thought today: “What time is it?” * The first thing I ate today: Juice Plus+ Complete * The first thing I drank today: Water *The first thing I said today: "Good morning, Jazzy!" (my cat) * The first action I did today: Got out of bed. * The first thing I read today: The Morning Prayer * The first item of clothing: robe * The first person I spoke to today: God *The first chore I did today: Cleaned the countertop in the kitchen * The first blog I visited today: I have no idea. * The first phone conversation I had today was with: Linda The first post I put up today: Papal Quote of the Day . Add some more if you want to! I tag: Deb Therese Rosemary Barb Alexandra Leticia Plus anyone who is reading this and would like to do it. Just leave a message in the combox. Thanks!

I found this at Some Have Hats and I was in the mood for a procrastination break, so I decided to go for it. ****** What time is your alarm clock set to? I rarely set my alarm, but usually awaken about the same time everyday, unless I stayed up late the night before. What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex? I always notice a person's eyes and their expression first, no matter sex they are. Do you think people talk about you behind your back? I don't really think about it -- If they do, I don't care. I have more important things to be concerned about. What movie do you know every line to? Every line? None. But I know most of the lines and all of the songs in The Sound of Music, which I have watched umpteen times. What is your favorite movie? Just one? Probably The Sound of Music. Is anyone in love with you? My dh is -- that's all as far as I know. That's enough for me. Do you sleep on your side, stomach or back? All three. Who was the last person t...

I found this at Some Have Hats. What 10 (non-religious) items would you take with you to the convent? (Or the monastery?) We will assume that the implied privileges would come with the items. Here are mine: 1. a laptop 2. my CD Player and CD's 3. My DVD Player and DVD's 4. one cosmetic/personal hygiene kit (lifetime supply) 5. my library 6. my Juice Plus+ (lifetime supply) 7. my La-Z-Boy recliner 8. my bed 9. my massage therapist 10. my husband (It would get awfully lonely there without him.) I sound like a perfect candidate for the monastery/convent, don't I?

The ebullient Esther tagged me for this meme. Thanks, Esther, I needed a diversion. I've got the urge to: 1. sing and do a happy dance right now. 2. sleep for a long, long time. 3. hug someone and take him to a Cardinal's game. 4. take piano lessons and play Fur Elise. 5. write a novel based on my life story. (It has to be a novel so I can spice it up a little to make it interesting.) 6. learn to sew and make my own clothes as I am so disgusted with the unattractive, immodest clothing I find in the stores these days. 7. Go on a long vacation to somewhere where the weather is sunny, warm, and unchanging. (Does such a place exist other than in my imagination?) 8. visit with family and friends in one of the places described in number 7. 9. go to a nice Greek restaurant and eat some lamb and a Greek salad with a bottle of good wine. 10. invite the Holy Father to Kansas. ( Of course, he'll agree, after I tell him what a wonderful place this is !) Now for the best part. I tag: De...

I've been tagged for a meme, by Shirley at Seeking Jesus. Thank you, Shirley! Here are the rules: 1. When tagged place the name and URL on your blog. 2. Post rules on your blog. 3. Write 7 non-important things/habit/quirks about yourself. 4. Name 7 of your favourite blogs. 5. Send an email/comment on their blog letting them know they have been tagged. Seven Things/Habits/Quirks About Myself: 1. I remember things people tell me and conversations I have had with people years later. 2. I love to eat healthy and take my Juice Plus+ daily. 3. I love to sing and listen to music. I often compose my own music -- the lyrics and notes in my head -- not on paper. 4. I am a cat person and my cat often sits on my lap while I am on the computer. 5. I have read to get to sleep at night. 6. I pray the rosary daily. 7. I rarely miss a meal. Seven of my favorite blogs: This is tough because there are so many great blogs I enjoy reading. Here are just seven: 1. A Catholic Mom in Hawaii 2 . The C...

Esther tagged me for a meme, so check it out. The rules are: 1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. 2. Each player answers the questions about themselves. 3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. What I was doing 10 years ago: Wow! I can't remember what I was doing 10 minutes ago, much less ten years ago. As I recall, I was married, writing, singing in various choirs, and serving in lots of ministries. Five things on my To Do List today: 1. Get to bed as it is in the weeeee hours of the morning here. 2. Do laundry. 3. Go to Mass. 4. Pray the rosary. 5. Read. I like living on the edge! Snacks I enjoy: hummus, veggies, organic corn chips (yellow and blue), popcorn, low fat or nonfat frozen yogurt Truthfully, it's whatever someone else fixes that smells good... Wow, no wonder I can't lose weight! Thi...

I was tagged by Ian from Musings from A Catholic Bookstore for this meme. Rules: 1. You have to post the rules before you give your answers. 2. You must list one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. (If you don’t have a middle name, use your maiden name or your mother’s maiden name). 3. At the end of your blog post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. My middle name is Marie. M - I'm the middle child in my family. A - Alaska is one state I have yet to visit and would love to vacation there -- during the summer. R - My favorite flower is the rose. I - Illinois is my home state. I was born and raised there and lived there most of my adult life. E - I strive for excellence. I will tag: Sarah Paul Jackie Margaret Mary Donna

Esther tagged me for this one. I'm still under the weather today (although I did make it to Mass and also to Generations of Faith in our parish this evening) and fun memes like this tend to cheer me up. If you HAD to choose one or the other would you choose... 1. Thai or Mexican Mexican - I'm not a big fan of Thai. 2. Bubble bath or back massage Both are nice -- but my dh gives the BEST back massages. 3. boots or sandals Sandals 4. the 90% "pro-life" good chance or the 100% pro-life long shot? The 90% good chance, but fortunately we have one and only one candidate in this election who is 100% pro-life who has a good chance of winning. 5. a cruise ship or a mountain cabin Cruise ship 6. Rome or Paris I have been to Rome and had a private audience with the Holy Father (Pope Benedict XVI). I have never been to Paris, so I would like to go there, especially since my ancestors were French. 7. Ordinary or Extraordinary Extraordinary 8. Rosary or Stations Rosary 9. surf or h...

This may be a repeat of a meme I have done before, but I need to do something mindless right now, so I will go ahead and do it anyway. 1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE ? Yes, My mother told me that she and my dad named after a really nice lady they knew, but I have never met her. 2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? I'm not sure... Now I remember -- it was during a sad scene in the movie I was watching last night. 3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes, I have always had very neat, legible handwriting. 4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? turkey breast meat 5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? one adult stepson 6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I'd like to think so! 7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Not really -- it's not my style. 8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Possibly, if I were properly instructed. 10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? wheat-free, organic granola with almonds and pumpkin seeds 11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM...

I found this Meme at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii. 1. Do you wear a name tag at work? No. 2. What kind of car do you drive? Oldsmobile 3. What do you order when you go to Taco Bell? I don't go there. 4. Have you ever had a garage sale? Yes, I have had three garage sales in the past 16 years. 5. What color is your iPod? I don't have one. 6. What kind of dog do you have? I don't have a dog. I like dogs, but am more of a cat person. What's for dinner tonight? baked catfish, brocolli, sweet potatoes 8. What is the last alcoholic beverage you had? Berringer's White Merlot on New Year's Eve 9. Stupidest thing you ever did with your cell phone? I lost it when I was shopping. I think it fell out of my black purse into the bottom of the black cloth shopping cart a few years ago. 10. Last time you were sick? On New Year's Day I didn't feel well. 11. How long is your hair? I'm growing it out but it is medium length. 12. Are you happy right now? Yes, I am happy ri...

T.O. at LAMLand tagged me with the Lucky Seven Meme . The rules are as follows: 1) Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog. 2) Share 7 facts about yourself that you think most people don't know. 3) Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs. Wow, after blogging for nearly four years now, there probably isn't much left to tell about myself, but here goes... 1. In the winter, I love eating gingerbread with a dollop of frozen non-fat vanilla yogurt on top and enjoy drinking peppermint or spearmint tea with it. 2. I love to dress up at Christmas time and wear my green velvet three piece ensemble - with a sleeveless, sparkly top, a long sleeved jacket, and a long skirt, with jewelry. This is one of the few times of the year I wear jewelry. (I typically wear my miraculous medal with my scapular rather than any jewelry.) 3. About 14 years ago, I sang in three music groups in my former diocese. 4. My favorite books at ...

As most of you know, I am an avid movie watcher, so I couldn't resist this meme from Julie D. at Happy Catholic. Go to the AFI Top 100 list and pick: 1) Your favorite five movies that are on the list. Singin' in the Rain (1952) It's a Wonderful Life (1946) The Sound of Music (1965) Doctor Zhivago (1965) Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) 2) Five movies on the list you didn't like at all. Amadeus (1984) I love Mozart, but didn't like this film, which portrayed him as a buffoon. The Graduate (1967) - sleazy Psycho (1960) Bonnie and Clyde (1967) M*A*S*H (1970) I like the TV version, but didn't care for the movie at all. 3) Five movies on the list you haven't seen but want to. I have seen all the movies on this list that I want to, which is 90 of them. 4) Five movies on the list you haven't seen and have no interest in seeing. Taxi Driver (1976) Shane (1953) City Lights (1931) Modern Times (1936) The Wild Bunch (1969) Your favorite five movies that aren...

Esther emailed me about this one, so here are my responses: 1. Who is your man? Sweet William - Bill 2. How long have you been together? 15 years 3. How long did you date? 1 year 4. How old is your man? 21 - That's what he always tells people. 5. Who eats more? I'm 5'6" and he's 6'6", so take a guess. If you said him, you're correct. :-) 6. Who said “I love you” first? He did. 7. Who is taller? He is. 8. Who sings better? We are both good singers. 9. Who is smarter? He is. 10. Whose temper is worse? I have a hot temper when provoked. Certain things trigger his temper and then watch out! 11. Who does the laundry? I do. 12. Who takes out the trash? He does. 13. Who sleeps on the right hand side of the bed? Me. 14. Who pays the bills? He does. His math and accounting skills are better than mine. I did this for many years when I was single and am happy to relinguish the reponsibility to him. 15. Who is better with the computer? Me. 16. Who mows the law...