Elena 
Join Jen and the other Quicktakers over at the Conversion Diary
1. I spent a little time over on the Huffington Post site this week and I am amazed at how much strong support there is over there for the current administration. I can’t figure it out. We are in the middle of a budget crisis – again. Gas keeps rising for no apparent reason, payroll taxes went up, News on the Benghazi evidence keeps getting buried and as do photos of the Prez playing golf with Tiger Woods. Obama is in perpetual campaign mode and he is always threatening and blaming but never leading. I can’t figure out what makes him so popular. It must be Stockholm syndrome.
2.
During this Year of Faith, Izzy and Noah and I have been taking a Church history course offered at our parish. It has been 22 weeks long and we are finally done with it (although there are two bonus weeks coming up on Islam). There has been quite a mix of folks in the class. I’d say most of us are over 50 (so Izzy and Noah really throw off the age average!) but I would say a good 1/3 of the class are over 70. Some of the older ladies nod off during the class because the class time is around 8 p.m. and I think that’s a little late for them. I tried to take notes because I learn better when I am writing it down. Only one other gentleman in the class was a note taker. Most people missed a week or so, but the kids and I have perfect attendance which I am grateful for (and that’s without getting the flu shots ya’ll!!) The class has been held in an old park lodge that is across the street from our church. The city has pretty much turned it over to the parish as long as we keep it up and our Knights of Columbus have done a great job renovating it. Now there are classes in there every month on a wide variety of topics.
I must say that I really got a lot out of the course and it has given us a spring board to a lot of good discussions on the way home and even the next day. In my opinion the class could have been even longer – I wish we could have spent more time on things like the Inquisition and the Reformation – but this was just an over view class and at least now I have a good frame of reference.
3. I did great my first week of Lent on my resolution to give up Diet Coke for Lent. I quit cold turkey and went from Ash Wednesday to the first Saturday without a sip of my favorite beverage! And I was doing well too, with no headache or tiredness. Until… my eczema came roaring back! The patch I have been dealing with for the last few years was bright red and itchy, and new patches showed up on my sides and chest. And THAT was totally unexpected. So instead of not drinking it at all I put it off until my work time in the late afternoon and I have upped my water intake. Maybe weaning is a better way to go!
4. Izzy will be confirmed next Friday! She has chosen St. Veronica as her confirmation patron.
Izzy’s art teacher, Lucia, will be her confirmation sponsor. We have known Lucia for about four years now. We had to transfer to her art classes after the city closed down the art classes at the local recreation center. At the time I was heartbroken about that, but Izzy has really grown as an artist under Lucia’s tutelage. Lucia is an interesting lady. She came from Italy but is an American Citizen now; however, she still thinks better in Italian. When I was giving her directions about the confirmation practice and ceremony she listened to what I told her and then wrote it down in Italian! She is also very strong in her Catholic faith and has a great devotion to Our Lady. The letter she wrote to Izzy was just beautiful, and something Izzy will cherish the rest of her life.
5. I think it is interesting that I know two people named Lucia, and they are so different from each other! My EFC’s name is also Lucia.
6. If you aren’t following the Posie Gets Cozy blog, you’re missing out! What a beautiful place to visit every day!
7. Heard this author on the Michael Medved show this week and thought I’d share his article – the Top 5 Lamest College courses! But make sure you read to the end for his suggestion of courses for the student who truly wants a good, well-rounded and meaningful college education, and how to create your own core curriculum.
