Hallowe'en Heroes

My grandson goes to Holy Cross Catholic Academy. Since it is a Catholic school,Hallowe'en is celebrated, being originally a religious holiday (Hallowed Eve, the night before All Saint's Day). The paragraph below is taken from HCCA's facebook page and explains the parameters of their school costumes.

"This Halloween, HCCA will be celebrating the lives of moral heroes and heroines. Students may dress as someone whom they consider to be an example of virtue, integrity and a genuine concern for others. You may choose someone who lived a long time ago, or someone who is alive today. (Note: The person does not necessarily have to be a religious figure; there are plenty of moral exemplars who are not explicitly "religious"). Or you may choose a fictional character, a cartoon character, or a character from TV or the movies. The moral hero or heroine you choose does not even necessarily have to be a human being! The only requirement is that she/he/it be someone you admire because of the morally upright way in which they live. So... you have a little more than 3 weeks to get ready. Choose well, be able to explain why you chose the person you selected as a moral exemplar... and maybe you'll be one of our lucky winners! Prize suggestions are welcome; the grand prize will be announced soon!"

It turns out that Moose and his mom have differing opinions as to who or what was a suitable costume. I was lucky enough to pick up the Moose at school today. His mom and sister and nephew were with me and we started discussing his choice. Time is getting short and his mom's vacation ends tomorrow. I suggested Michael the Archangel, his mom suggested any cop or serviceman, I suggested any single mom who was working to support herself and her child(ren). He liked this last one and thought maybe he'd go as a waitress! His sister suggested a stripper and we reminded her that he did attend a Catholic school. Then, complete with light bulb over his head, he said, "I could be a bolton".

A bolton. What is a bolton, buddy? "You know, like Doug or Rhonda".

Ah, a Bolton!

His mom asked him to explain what made the Bolton's moral heroes. He said that they go to church, they do not take advantage of people, and they take care of animals.

Yep, heroes. He did well.

Soapbox Time! Again!

I am doing this rant on my blog because if I did it on Facebook, I would be doing the very thing that I intend to rant about.

To all of my relatives: if you are having a problem with your spouse, child, co-workers, or the universe in general and dealing with this problem requires you to spew venom or air dirty laundry about your spouse, child, co-worker or the universe in general all over the internet - DO NOT DO IT!

First, no one really cares. If they did, they would be sitting next to you on the couch, watching chick flicks, eating ice cream sandwiches and commiserating with you.

Second, no one really cares. The person about whom you are spewing will, however, have written confirmation of every nasty, stupid, and juvenile thing you say not to mention the actual crimes to which you confess. Assault is a crime, you know.

Third, no one really cares. The "friends" you have on facebook are people who know people who know people who know people you thought you knew in high school. They are NOT really your friends. Your friends are the people who read your blog.

I addressed this to my relatives because I have already unfriended the "friends" who use a social networking site to be anti-social.

I feel better now. If you have a problem, call me. Send me a message. Send me an email. Ask for prayers. Just don't expect me to join in your hate-fest. Thanks.

Fall Food

Sayre is hosting Fun Monday this week and she would like to know what foods we crave in fall. It seems only fitting that one of the first things I fix when the weather gets cooler is a recipe that I am pretty sure I found on Sayre's blog once upon a time.

I have, of course, tweaked it. It's what I do.

Crock pot roast

Take some vegetables, whatever you have on hand, although I favor the traditional carrots, onions and potatoes. Chunk them and put them in the bottom of the crock pot. On top of these, place a frozen roast. I prefer a nice little pork tenderloin. Put enough California blend garlic salt on the roast to completely cover it. Put the lid on and turn it on. I usually just turn it on high for however long it will cook. Can you tell that I am not really crock pot savvy?

That's it. I know it sounds too simple and easy to work but this is the best roast ever! Oh, and if you don't have veggies in your house, the supermarket carries a frozen stew blend (onions, potatoes, carrots, and celery) that works well also.

Enjoy!

Music to calm the savage breast

I have changed my Church-going habits. I recently signed up for a study group that meets at 7:30 on Saturday evenings, right after the 6:00 Mass. This works out very well for me. I can get home early Saturday morning, sleep until the dogs wake me up and then go to Mass.

On my way Saturday, I got into a disagreement on the phone with someone. I was hot, tired, cranky, disgruntled and generally out of sorts when I got to Church. I asked God to take the garbage out of my mind and allow me to focus on why I was there.

I found His answer in the 2nd reading - Philippians 4:6-9

"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you."

I have several friends who were also touched especially by this reading. His timing is impeccable. Sometimes, words are the music that calms the savage breast.