Quick Takes (39): Holyart and a Giveaway

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With Easter just a few weeks away, I have started thinking about what I want to put into my niece's basket.  Usually it is a toy and some candy, but Sis has asked that we skip the usual big chocolate bunny.  I suggested a big chocolate cross instead, but I don't think that's what she had in mind.  Too much sugar sends Sara bouncing off the walls.

- two -

I think I found the solution to the Easter basket dilemma.  I recently learned about a new-to-me website, Holyart, that sells all things Catholic, including books and videos appropriate to younger children.

- three -

Based in Italy, this company started as Pulchra Point Snc religious shop.  Due to the great success of its website, they decided to move exclusively to online sales of religious art and products.

- four - 

The selection of items that they sell is extensive.  They have items needed for churches including vestments and altar linens, candles and chalices,  furniture and, my favorite, bells.  Things for your home or for gifts is almost unlimited: statues of saints, icons, rosaries, holy medals, books, videos, magnets and greeting cards.  I can't tell you how long I spent going through all the beautiful rosary bracelets looks for just the right one, there were that many from which to choose.

- five - 

I was amazed at just how fast their shipping is.  The package I received from Holyart arrived in just a few days.  From Italy!  I have ordered things from US based companies that have taken much longer than that.

- six - 

Holyart has graciously provided me with a bracelet that I will give to one winner.  To enter, visit their website and leave a comment here on what piqued your interest.  Also indicate if you would prefer an adult or child sized bracelet.  I will draw a name next Friday, April 5th.

- seven - 

"Charity means pardoning what is unpardonable, or it is no virtue at all. Hope means hoping when things are hopeless, or it is no virtue at all. And faith means believing the incredible, or it is no virtue at all."

- G.K. Chesterton (“Paganism and Mr. Lowes-Dickinson,” Heretics)

Don't forget to check out more Quick Takes at This Ain't The Lyceum.

Have a great weekend!

AMDG

Quick Takes (38): An Adventure or An Inconvenience?

- one -

“An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered;

an adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered.”

– “On Running After Ones Hat,” All Things Considered by GK Chesterton

- two -

I usually end my Quick Takes with a quote from Chesterton, but in order for this post to make sense, I needed to start with it.  This has been long one of my favorite quotes from the prolific writer.  But, after my work trip last week, I'm beginning to question that.

I had to go Las Vegas for a training class on new database technology.  I wasn't terribly excited about the location and the time it would take to get there.  But, thankfully, the class was held at a business about ten miles north of the strip so I wouldn't have to deal all the craziness that is Vegas. 

- three -

I booked my flight on a new-to-me airline because of the timing of their return flight.  I wanted a red-eye and they were the only one who had it.  On Sunday, I got to the airport with plenty of time to spare, checked my bag, and then wandered down to the gate.  Maybe five or ten minutes after we were supposed to start boarding, the gate attendant announced that the flight would be leaving late - by three hours.  And the reason?  The plane was still in Florida and hadn't left yet!

I was flying through Denver, so there was no way I was going to make my connecting flight.  There were about fifteen of us on the flight in the same situation.  They told us to line up at the desk and they would get us rebooked on other flights.  After twenty minutes of waiting only two people were taken care of.  So, I did what any self-respecting business traveler would do - I called our corporate travel agency. 

Since it was Sunday, I had to connect to the emergency support.  Mary Ellen pulled off a miracle and got me on the airline I usually fly, and it was only an hour behind my original schedule.

- four -

When I arrived in Vegas, guess where my luggage was?  Back at the original airport.  I spoke with someone at the airline's baggage office and she thought that it should arrive overnight and they would have a service deliver it in the morning.  Sometime after midnight I got a call informing me that the delayed flight had actually been cancelled and my bag would arrive on Tuesday. 

I could wear my travel clothes one day to class, but definitely not two.  A trip to the store was now on the agenda for after class on Monday.

- five -

If the airline issues were the only problems I had on this trip, I would have chalked it up to a rocky start.  My computer, which was needed for the class, gave me the "blue screen of death."  I forgot the power cord and my corporate card was denied when I tried to buy a new one.  A family member became ill and I couldn't find an earlier flight home.  An order at a restaurant was delivered with the wrong food. 

That red-eye flight home, the reason I chose this airline, was less than restful.  The flight attendants decided to catch up on their weekend plans, loudly. And getting a refund from them was a hassle.  They only wanted to refund about a third of the cost of the flight.

Last week felt more Jobian than Chestertonian!

- six -

The trip did, however, have some good points.  I was able to pick up an outfit at Macy's, on sale, at a great outdoor mall.  Oh to have an unlimited budget and more time.  There were some really great stores there, including one of my favorites, Lucky Brand.

On the way to the mall Monday night, the road I took to get to the highway dead-ended at a small mountain.  If you have ever driven out west, the mountains will seem reasonably close, but they aren't.  Usually, for me anyways, they end up being a couple hour drive.  So, during our lunch break on Tuesday I drove back to that mountain and snapped a few pictures.  There was a new neighborhood going in nearby, so I played looky-loo and toured one of the model homes.  The prices were in proportion to the mountains viewed from the homes, big.

- seven -

Class ended early on Wednesday, and I had time to kill before the aforementioned red-eye, so I decided to take a drive.  For all the times I have been to Las Vegas, I didn't realize just how close Red Rock Canyon was.  It was maybe a twenty to thirty minute drive.  I popped into Micky D's to get some beverages and took off.

What a glorious place! I had both the feeling of being insignificant in such a large place and in awe of God's majestic design where absolutely nothing is without meaning and purpose. 

Had I had a bit more time and a traveling companion, I would have driven the thirteen mile scenic loop.  It felt just a little too remote to do by myself.  It's definitely a place to which I would like to return.  I was able to get some beautiful photos while at the visitor's center.

An Adventure or An Inconvenience? How about both!

Don't forget to check out more Quick Takes at This Ain't The Lyceum.

Have a great weekend!

AMDG

Quick Takes (37): Lessons from an almost six year old

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Back in June my sister and her girlfriends since high school were celebrating a milestone birthday reached by all of them over the last year.  Along with their husbands, they had rented a villa at a local winery.  By all reports, they had a good time catching up, relaxing and partaking in the winery’s tasty beverages, though not nearly as much as I would have thought.

My almost-six-year-old niece stayed with us, arriving at lunchtime on Friday.  Sara has been looking forward to this as much as we had been.  We had a blast.  That child is so full of joy and imagination.  It all comes out in nonstop chatter and little ditties that she frequently sings.  Let's just say we three, and I include the dog in this, are not used to such volume!  We are generally a quiet bunch.

However much we try to teach her and set good examples, there is always something we learn from her.  This weekend was no exception.

- 2 -

Entertainment comes in many forms

A friend made a few suggestions, pointing out a number of craft kits Sara might like. On the way home from work the day before, I stopped and bought this stepping stone kit. Sara loved working on it, especially since it had glitter that she could sprinkle, everywhere, on the stone and off. But that project lasted fifteen minutes, twenty tops.

What grabbed her attention were simple things.  We painted rocks, ran through the sprinkler, and used a spool of string to make a very large spider web around the garden.  And, of course, the spiders that lived in that web had to eat, so we hunted for "bugs", aka pine cones, and leaves to attach to the web.

Even one of our digital cameras entertained her for quite a while.  She could take as many pictures as she wanted, or at least as long as the battery lasted.  This is one of her masterpieces. 

- 3 -

Life’s a musical

She sings!  Oh, she sings!  For a while I thought she was singing what she had heard in school or on TV or the radio.  But, no, the songs are ones she makes up and describes whatever might have caught her fancy at the moment.  They are lovely, fanciful, pretty little ditties sung in her sweet voice.

- 4 -

Eat what you like and like what you eat

My niece is a picky eater.  There is no doubt about that.  But when she like something, she eats it with gusto and isn't afraid to ask for more, even if it is just a plain old hamburger bun.

- 5 - 

Sometimes things are scary in the dark

The first night she was with us, she nodded off to sleep fairly quickly, though not in her own bed in the guest room.  Shortly after I had tucked her in and said our evening prayers, she snuck out and crawled into bed with me.  The next night, she wandered downstairs where Tim was reading.  They talked for a while.  He figured out that she was feeling a little homesick and scared, which I never picked up.  What a beautiful conversation they had!  After praying and blessing everyone, Sara curled up on the couch and was out for the night.

- 6 -

Be kind and mindful of others' feelings

When her daddy came to pick her up, BIL asked her what her favorite part of the weekend was.  Without pause she answered, "Playing with Uncle Tim."  She glanced over at me and quickly added "and Aunt Donna."  She was worried that I would feel left out and made sure that I was included.  That girl has such a generous heart!

Posing with her "spider web"

- 7 -

“What was wonderful about childhood is that anything in it was a wonder. It was not merely a world full of miracles; it was a miraculous world.” 

― G.K. Chesterton

Don't forget to check out more Quick Takes at This Ain't The Lyceum.

Have a great weekend!

AMDG

QuickTakes(36): Beautiful Artwork and a Giveaway

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We have attended a number of Chesterton conferences where they have something I refer to as "Merchant Row."  Different vendors set up displays or booths in which they sell their products.  More often than not, most of the merchants are selling books.  Back in 2011, we went to the conference that was held in St. Louis where artist and iconographer, Daniel Mitsui, had a magnificent display of his works.

- 2 - 

While he has different types of work, his religious drawings are what really pull me in. The detail in each one is stunning. 

Feasts of Christmas

St. Elizabeth

Sacred Heart

St. Damien of Molokai

- 3 -

He was commissioned to draw a set of altar cards, in ink on calfskin vellum with gold and palladium leaf details.  They are beautiful and incredibly detailed.

- 4 -

Daniel had created a series of Coloring Books that were published by Ave Maria Press. 

- 5 -

Since the conference back in 2011, I have been receiving Daniel's monthly newsletter.  He updates his readers with what is happing with his artwork and what new items he has recently created.  You can subscribe by sending an e-mail to danielmitsuiartist@gmail.com.

- 6 -

Daniel has graciously provided me with a set of his bookplates that I will give to one winner.  To enter, visit his website and leave a comment here on what piqued your interest.  I will draw a name next Friday, May 11th.

Drawing CLOSED.  

The winner is Lynda.  

- 7 -

"Art, like morality, consists in drawing the line somewhere."

 - GK Chesterton

Don't forget to check out more Quick Takes at This Ain't The Lyceum.

Have a great weekend!

AMDG

Quick Takes (35): Work Facinates Me

- 1 -

"I like work; it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours."

- Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome

I've heard variations of this quote, and have always liked it in a joking sort of way.  But never was it more true than on this past Tuesday when we had two very large, very dead trees removed.  Watching the team of guys work at the task at hand really was fascinating.

- 2 -

We had two trees, one Ash and one Cherry, that died a couple of years ago.  Hawks liked to perch in them while hunting their prey and we like to watch the hawks, so we put off having them cut down.  But recently too many large branches started falling off, so we knew they had to go.

The team of five guys spent the better part of an hour setting up and getting their equipment in place.  They needed to use a crane with a one hundred foot boom to get near the tops of the trees.  One of the guys was hoisted up and he attached straps around the branches.  He was then lowered some where he took a chainsaw to sever the trunk.

- 3 -

After the trunk was cut the boom operator swung the cut tree around and lowered it to the ground.  Several other guys then got to work cutting it into smaller chunks and feeding the bark and small branches into the chipper.

- 4 -

I don't think we will need firewood for a long, long time.  I am glad that I'm not the one who has to split all that!

If it wasn't for that pile of wood, you would never know that we had any work done in the yard.  The tree removal service was that good.  The pride they took in their work is obvious by the care they took in how they did it.

- 5 -

Himself counted the rings on one of the logs of the Ash tree.  It was nearly one hundred years old when it died.  I've got to wonder at all the changes that the tree "saw," how things changed in this area.

- 6 -

When the Hairy Beast wasn't supervising the work, he was assisting with debris removal.  Our "puppy" celebrates his 11th birthday today.  Happy Birthday, Jack!

- 7 -

“It is perfectly obvious that in any decent occupation (such as bricklaying or writing books) there are only two ways (in any special sense) of succeeding. One is by doing very good work, the other is by cheating.”

–  All Things Considered by GK Chesterton

Don't forget to check out more Quick Takes at This Ain't The Lyceum.

Have a great weekend!

AMDG

Quick Takes (34) - Where the Heart Is

- 1 -

I knew it has been a while since I did one of these posts, but it was much longer than I remembered.  Either time is going by too quickly, or my memory isn't what it used to be.  I'm not sure which of those two options I would prefer.

- 2 -

Once again, I was on the road for work this week.  And, once again, I am so glad to be home.  It was the third trip in as many months.  I'm hoping it stops for a while.  A long while.

- 3 - 

I attended a software user conference at the Aria in Las Vegas.  That place is enormous.  I spoke with a couple of women who had fit bits and one had 18,000 steps and the other was over 20,000 - in one day!  The hotel/casino/conference center puts on an exceptionally well organized event.  I was impressed by the people that work there.

On Monday, when I was walking back to my room during the afternoon break, several of the room cleaning staff were in the hallway, laughing.  They looked like they enjoyed each others' company and jokes.  One woman in particular, I do wish I could remember her name, had the most joyful smile and beautiful attitude about life.  We chatted for a while both that day and before I left on Wednesday.  What a great representative of the hotel was she!

- 4 - 

There was an expo in which vendors talked about their products and tried to generate new customers.  And, they gave stuff away.  It felt like trick-or-treating for adults.  Mostly it was do-dads like pens, paper, candy, and small flashlights.  But, there were a few really fun things.  Mimosas at 10:30am?  Yes, please!  A bag silk screened to order?  Thank you very much!  And a very cute monkey?  I'll definitely take one!

- 5 - 

Tuesday night's entertainment was a private concert by Train.  I can't say that I was familiar with their music prior to this event, but they put on one heck of a show.  I think I will soon be downloading some of their music.

- 6 - 

One of the nice things about my job is that I can work from home on occasion.  And after getting home late Wednesday night, yesterday was one of those days.  Mid-morning Himself brought me a nice treat. I should work from home more often!

- 7 -

“There are two ways of getting home; and one of them is to stay there.” 

- The Everlasting Man by GK Chesterton

Don't forget to check out more Quick Takes at This Ain't The Lyceum.

Have a great weekend!

AMDG

Quick Takes (33) - Sand Pail Update

Since we're about midway through the summer, it seems like a good time to update the Sand Pail list.  We seem to be taking this summer at a different pace than previous ones, a little slower, a little more deliberate.  And, I'm lovin' it!  I don't feel stressed about doing, going, getting things done.  Everything is happening when and how it should.  

-1-

Every summer we like to visit a new-to-us county or state park.  This year was no different and we took a drive down to Salt Fork State Park in central Ohio.  It is a beautiful and large property with all sorts of activities.  We took advantage of one of the hiking trails.

-2-

The path was a little deceiving.  Once we got into the woods behind the trail sign, the hike quickly went downhill from there, literally.  That's not a bad thing; though, whatever goes down must come up.  It was a fairly hot day and the woods offered a cool respite from the sun.  It was beautiful and gloriously quiet, at least until the very large military helicopter flew overhead.

-3-

The park has a fairly large lake on which we saw quite a few boaters and fishermen.  The beach, however, was almost empty.  To say there were twenty people there would be a generous count.  We were actually rather surprised since it was just a few days before the Independence Day holiday and the weather was beautiful.

-4-

We enjoy going to some of the free Friday night concerts held at the nearby town, but many of those have been cancelled due to rain or threat of storms.  We finally made it to one of the concerts held on our township's circle.  A couple of weeks ago The Akron Big Band was featured and was excellent.  They played a selection of oldies but goodies including Rock Around the Clock, Moon River (my favorite), and their one "naughty" song, Makin' Whoopee.

-5-

Besides watching the band, we had a funny little dog to entertain us.  She seemed more intent on watching people walk by than watching the band perform.

-6-

When we looked around at the crowd, we determined, that even at our age, we were among the youngest ones there.  Most of the crowd had at least fifteen to twenty years on us, easily.  I'm not sure what that says about us, other than we like music that spans generations.

-7-

"Pride flings frail palaces at the sky,

As a man flings up sand,

But the firm feet of humility

Take hold of heavy land.

"Pride juggles with her toppling towers,

They strike the sun and cease,

But the firm feet of humility

They grip the ground like trees."

The Ballad of the White Horse - by G.K. Chesterton

Don't forget to check out more Quick Takes at This Ain't The Lyceum.

Have a great weekend!

AMDG

Quick Takes (32) - Sand Pails and Summer

-1-

It's been fun to see all the summer bucket lists popping up on various blogs.  We started doing something similar a few years ago.  I didn't call it a bucket list, however, since that sounds so final to me - things you want to do before you kick the bucket.  So, in honor of summertime and beach activities, I called it the Sand Pail List.

-2-

I created our 2015 list a week or so ago, but I think it still needs a little refining.  Or maybe not.  It seems short, but it might be exactly the right size for a fun, but relaxing summer.  Can you think of anything I should add?

-3-

If the weather holds out, we'll be hitting the second item on the list tonight.  Every Friday night there are concerts in the nearby town.  It's a Janis Joplin cover band tonight.  We heard them last year and they were excellent.  My only hope is that they do more Joplin before the break and not leave all her stuff to the second half of the show.  I'm not a late night gal anymore!

-4-

The last two years, and this year too, I put try out a new winery on the list.  Perhaps I should add try a new brewery instead, or better yet, as well.  Know of any we should try?

-5-

Speaking of weather, we got pounded by the rain last night.  Our normally quiet little stream overflowed its banks and then some.  The bridge shown below is usually about 18-24 inches above the surface of the water as you can see here.  Just a few minutes after this picture was taken it was completely submerged.

-6-

I planted some iris along the stream Tuesday evening.  The force of the water pulled a couple of them out and carried them downstream.  A friend had a tree and a nine foot lilac uprooted so I consider myself lucky we only had traveling iris to replace.

-7-

"Let a man walk ten miles steadily on a hot summer's day along a dusty English road, and he will soon discover why beer was invented."

- All Things Considered by GK Chesterton

Don't forget to check out more Quick Takes at This Ain't The Lyceum.

Have a great weekend!

AMDG