A Fun Afternoon

 Today I had an appointment to have my picture taken for our church pictorial book. I wore the same top that I wore four years ago and now my hair is grey instead of brown. I am curious to see how much I have changed. Since my appointment was at 1 p.m. I also volunteered to help the people working from 1 to 4:30 p.m. I enjoyed working because many of the appointments were friends of mine. It was nice chatting with them as I explained about signing in and prepared the information for the persons showing the photos to the people. Digital has made photography so easy because the fellow taking the photos gives the memory card to the persons who bring up the pictures on the computer and people can pick the pictures instantly from the eight photos taken.

A few of the people being photographed told me it would be the picture they will use for their funeral. That was a sad thought!

People have appointments scheduled every fifteen minutes and it amazed me that everyone was on time! No one had to wait and the process moved along smoothly. One lady arrived while it was raining, and she had to wait until the wet spots on her shirt dried out! Some couples showed up as if they were going to a wedding and looked quite elegant. Others came dressed like they do for mass while others came in casual dress. 

I am happy that I volunteered because it was fun, and the afternoon went by quickly. I left around 4:40 p.m. but the Bettinger Photography people would continue until 9 p.m. After all the pictures are taken, they prepare a book of parishioner's photos and I was told we would get the book sometime in December.

"There are always two people in every picture: 

The photographer and the viewer."

Ansel Adams

Don't Bite the Hand That Feeds You

This morning I got a surprise at mass because Fr.  Greg was the celebrant. First, it was nice seeing him after so many months and second, he gave an inspiring homily! There were over fifty children at mass attending Totus Tuus when Father began the homily. I wondered how his talk would fit for the children and for the adults.

He began by telling us that he does not like macaroni and cheese. When he was a kid his mom fixed macaroni and cheese for dinner, and he threw a fit. "Why do we have to eat this tonight? I am hungry and I do not like macaroni and cheese!" When his father told him that if he did not like it, he could go to his room without eating, he could not understand how he was being sent to his room when his parents knew he was hungry. His father then said, "Remember, you never bite the hand that feeds you!"

His talk explained how when someone does something for you and you don't like it, you just say "thank you." How many times do we bite God's hand? When we don't get what we want or we think our life should be different, we get upset, throw a fit or maybe leave the church. He mentioned that we may be disappointed, but we should think about all the wonderful and good things God has given us and does for us. 

I had a personal experience about what happens when you bite the hand the feeds you. I was probably around three years old and my mother had asked my five-year-old brother to feed me some fried potatoes. Somehow, his thumb and the potato were the same texture and color and I mistook his thumb for a potato. I bit it and got a whack on my head!

The homily hit home and I was thankful that I had attended mass this morning. I thanked God for allowing me to listen to Fr. Greg's homily. He is a special messenger from God because usually what he says touches my heart. Whether God or friend, I have to remember not to bite the hand that feeds me, whether I like it or not!

" 'Never bite the hand that

 feeds you' to explain the 

importance of acting respectfully 

toward those who you depend on."

Edmund Burke

Beatitudes

 What are Beatitudes? Words that Christ spoke on the sermon on the mount. "Blessed are the poor in spirit."  Means that blessed are those that recognize the need for God. "Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted."  A person mourns because they have sinned. If one mourns for sins they will be forgiven and obtain life eternal. "Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth" The meek submit to God and make Him Lord.  Whenever I have heard the Beatitudes, I did not understand what they meant or I had a different interpretation. 

I attended a class on the Beatitudes on Thursday, July 20, 2023, and I will probably return for the rest of the eight classes. It is a large class with twenty-two students. We watch a video, have a discussion by answering questions already in the book. I do not have a book because I am only auditing the class. It means I did not pay to attend but I still want to know about the Beatitudes.

It was mentioned that in this day and age we seek distractions; money, alcohol, drugs, bad relationships overeating, etc. If we were truly happy and in sync with Jesus' teachings, there would not be a need for distractions in our life.

 In class it was mentioned about evangelization and spreading the word of becoming better Christians and bringing people closer to God. When I heard those words I felt a tickle in my heart. Isn't that what I did when I worked for the Archdiocese, and I would arrange to visit holy places in New Mexico?  A few times I took pilgrims to Mexico City to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It brought me closer to God and our Blessed Mother.

I had just made a decision to resign from doing any more trips, not because I couldn't but because it seemed like too much work. Was I being selfish by deciding not to continue doing trips that bring so much joy to many? I remembered how for ten years I planned pilgrimages to San Luis, Colorado to visit the Stations of the Cross, to Chimayo known as the Lourdes of America, visiting churches in Santa Fe and Native American pueblos. Seeing strangers on a bus become friends makes me feel good. I began to feel excited about planning a pilgrimage and it could possibly be evangelizing. Was I being called to plan a pilgrimage?

The words: We were made to be happy, we are not good alone, God is needed for life and happiness, ended the first lessons of the Beatitudes. And left me with something to think about! Below are pictures taken in Chimayo and a statue of Santo Nino de Atocha in New Mexico.

"To be a good Christian

we must follow the

Beatitudes, each in

our own way."

Pope Francis

Food, Music and Conversation Makes for a Fun Time

 An invitation to Trail Winds Recreation Center came from a dear friend for me and three friends. The activity was called Dancing through the Decades and scheduled for Friday, July 21, 2023, from 3-5 p.m. People were encouraged to come to the dance party dressed in costumes from the 40's to the 80's eras. Many chose to dress like Hippies, there were a few poodle skirts, but none of our group came in costume. Regardless of how people were dressed everyone seemed to have a great time. As usual, there were many more women than men and the few men that were present did not dance! There were two men that seemed to know what they were doing on the dance floor!

The appetizers and drinks were catered and there were plenty of chips, dips, fruit platters, a variety of vegetables, Naan bread, cheese, and a delicious bean dish. When we finished eating the Young Heart band played many tunes from the past; Elvis, Ringo, Temptations, Nancy Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Richie Valens and other tunes that we recognized. Many dancers got on the floor and women monopolized the floor.

They had five winners for costumes, and I took my picture with my favorite winners. It was fun seeing the different ways that people remembered the past years! The afternoon ended too soon because I could have sat and listened to the music for more hours!

As I left the room, I saw four vases with beautiful flowers. They looked so perfect that I wondered if they were real. I touched them and they sort of felt like a live flower but as I continued touching them I 
decided that they were artificial. Maybe silk, cloth or paper it was hard to tell. Whatever they were, they were gorgeous bouquets! I did not take a picture of the four, but the reader can see how real the two look.

"But life is just a party

and parties weren't

meant to last."

Prince

A Man With Four Angels

 I have never been called an angel, but I do like it when a friend calls me one of his angels. I met him and his family about nine years ago. They would go on the casino bus to Blackhawk, and they traveled to South Dakota and New Mexico on trips I arranged. What amazed me the most was that his whole family traveled together. I never knew a family so connected and how they enjoyed each other's company.

When the mother passed away the children rallied around their father and after three years he is almost back to his cheerful self. He had been the president of YAH and made many friends, but his four friends, aka angels, have stuck with him through thick and thin! He invited his angels to attend a barbeque dinner at The Adult Rec Center in Thornton and we enjoyed meeting people and eating the potluck dinner.

"All God's Angels

come to us disguised."

Russell Lowell

Final Lunch For Mt. Rushmore Travelers

 Every time I plan a trip for Spirit of Christ Catholic Community, I collect enough money so that we can enjoy a lunch together after we return. Wednesday at 1 p.m. July 12, 2023, twenty-seven persons met at Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant to reminisce about our trip to Mt. Rushmore. We looked at a photo album that I had prepared about our trip and some of the people ordered books for themselves. I did not take any pictures but one of the travelers took the following pictures.

A great ending to our travels and what makes me happy is that there are now new friendships and when we attend mass or see each other in the grocery store or meet on the street, there will be more "hellos" to spread around!

"A journey well shared

is a journey well enjoyed."

Unknown Author

The End Eventually Comes

After 58 years the end has come to the shrubs in front of my house! When we planted the shrubs we had no idea that they would continue to grow even though we trimmed them every so often. When I was told that trimming would not make the Juniper stay at a certain height, I knew I had to get the bush removed. It took several years before I actually made up my mind to find someone to do the job. I suppose what prompted me to do something about it was when it almost reached the gutters of my house! 

Estimates I got ranged from $450 to $1400 so I took the company that sent me a written estimate, I liked his voice on the phone, he had the same name as my grandson and prayed that I had made the correct choice!

Early Friday morning the young man began working on removing the shrubs. When I saw the dry, brown bottom of the bushes, it shocked me. I thought that if anyone had thrown a match into the shrubs there would have been a big fire.

I feel as if a weight has been lifted from my life because I have been wanting to remove the shurbs but never got around to doing it. I'm glad I finally did it! Working with Zachary from Z's Tree Care was a pleasure because I felt like I could trust him so I will use him to cut down my Elm suckers growing in my weedy yard. It's not often I feel good about having a project done because I always wonder if I am getting scammed. Today I felt that the work he did was what it should have been. Now I need to think about what to do with the large dirt area where the bush used to be!

"We want a shrubbery!

One that looks nice

and not too expensive."

Monty Python 

My Second Retirement

 "Retirement is the withdrawal from one's position, occupation or working life."

 I retired from my position around 2006 but felt I could still work. It took me awhile to settle into a routine of not working. My life became being a volunteer, so I continued working by doing different things and not getting paid. When it was suggested I take groups on trips I thought it would be something I would enjoy and I had already had experience doing trips. Ten years of taking groups to New Mexico and to Mexico on pilgrimages let me branch out to travel to Branson, Missouri, San Antonio, Texas, two trips to Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota and three more to New Mexico. 

Covid put a halt to the trips until I resumed taking groups in 2022 and 2023. The trip this year became quite difficult because I had to hustle trying to find people to travel to Mt. Rushmore. I spent time after mass on many Sundays advertising the trip, I talked to Wings (Widows Group) and to people at First Friday Breakfasts. I visited the St. Anne's Singles group and went to a German polka dance to announce the trip. I visited Holy Trinity in hopes of finding people interested in going. No sooner did I have the desired number and I got calls of people unable to go. Cancellations seem to happen almost weekly and one week I had five cancellations! Finally, we were set to go and my prayer was that everyone stay healthy and I would not have any more cancellations.

We left on Memorial Day and reports I received from the travelers were that it had been a great time and everyone seemed to enjoy the trip. I loved the comradery of the travelers and I believe many new friends were made! 

I thought it was disappointing we did not see wildlife in Custer State Park. It is advertised as being the place to see herds of bison, wild burros, deer, coyotes, antelope, elk, mountain goats, big horn sheep, squirrels, chipmunks, wild turkey, birds, etc. The animals that we did see were far away and we could barely see them.

Also, on the trip I had an incident with my knee where I could not walk and a wheelchair was needed and that made me realize that I am not able to enjoy the trips as in the past. I began to wonder why at my age I continue doing them. The bus ride, which in the past, did not seem to take long, now seemed to take forever! It has become more work than fun for me, so I decided to retire from taking groups on trips.

When I mentioned my plan of retiring to some of my friends, they said, "Oh no, do one more trip to Branson and we will get the people!" Now I sit on the fence and I get excited thinking about doing one more trip yet at this point I have not made up my mind!

"The world is a book,

and those who do not travel

read only one page."

St. Augustine."

but

"The mind is willing

but the body

cries out for rest!"

E. Moscoso

A Scary Creature

Yesterday as I opened my front door, I noticed a dark cocoon like mass on the door jamb. I was afraid to get too close, but I thought I saw two tiny feet. The furry ball seemed different than beehives. I rushed into the house wanting to get away from the unknown creature. Somehow, I do not like to look at nature's creatures and I had no idea what I was looking at. The one thought that entered my mind was that it could be a bat. Since I have never seen a bat other than in books, it was just a guess. All the pictures I have seen the bats sleep upside down and this was a furry oblong ball.

It bothered me all evening and I would peek at it without really looking at it. I wondered if I should get a broom and swipe it away or try to remove it like I had seen hives taken down. Gloves, a grocery bag, and scoop it into the bag. Then I thought if it was some sort of beehive I might get stung. The furry part bothered me and why had I never noticed it before? I was positive it had not been there because it was at eye level and I would have seen it when I went out or came into the house.

I went to bed wondering what I would do in the morning. I sent a prayer to St. Francis, since he loved animals, and asked for his help. Morning arrived and I knew I had to do something to remove the thing from the door jamb though my whole body hated the thought! I found some thick work gloves, grabbed a plastic grocery bag and forced myself to go and remove the creature. To my surprise, it was no longer there. Not a sign that it had even been there. I thanked St. Francis and felt relief that I would not have to deal with something I did not want to do!

If I hadn't been so scared of the thing, I would have taken a picture of it. Now I regret that I didn't! I did look on the Internet and found something similar so I am going with the idea that it was a bat.

"Something I will never know

was it a friend or furry foe?

It didn't hang upside down

but curled in a little ball of brown.

Gone by morn

 I did not mourn!

In its own domain

a mystery it will remain!"

 E. Moscoso  2023

It's Just Not The Same

 Today is the 4th of July, 2023. Every year I used to drive to Greeley to watch the parade but for the last few years I have skipped my traditional visit. Ever since my dear friend, who lived in Greeley, passed away, I do not go to Greeley anymore. As much as I love parades, it just isn't the same with her gone. 

Instead, I decided to watch the parade on Channel 9 beginning at nine in the morning. The announcers said, "It is the most popular parade in the region." The parade began with the Oklahoma long horned cattle calmly strolling through the street. They looked dangerous with their long horns, and I wondered if they were tranquilized because the cowboys or their horses in front of the herd did not seem worried at all!

From then on it was usual Grand Marshall in a wagon pulled by horses, the flags on parade (a train like snake of flags), a truck decorated and dedicated to men and women who have served our country, a mention of Joe Martinez, the first Hispanic American to receive the Medal of Honor; the highest military decoration. Many white pickups followed with Stampede Committee members, the Greeley-Evans marching band, and many vehicles decorated with red, white and blue balloons. A man riding a mechanical bull was fun to watch as we waited for him to be bucked off, though he never fell off! There were few decorated floats, lots of cars and trucks, the Colorado Masonic band camp that is formed by young men and women from the United States and meet three weeks before the parade and learn the routine in those three weeks, a large black piggy bank advertising the bank. I noticed that every business in and around Greeley seem to use the parade to advertise their wares.

A huge bus from Radio Tigre was followed by musicians in tiger striped jackets and they were playing music but those watching on television could not hear them. We did hear the two announcers who explained what they were seeing and hearing. When a large silver gasoline tanker rolled by I wondered why it was even in the parade. There were basketball, hockey, and baseball players along with country and western dancers, dance studio children, a juggler, and twelve shiny brand-new Corvettes. The Boy Scouts of America marched with a gigantic flag that took many hands to hold it up.

Eight sheriffs rode on beautiful horses, and I remember how there were always lots of horses in the parades of the past. It was odd to see the riders wearing helmets instead of cowboy hats. I enjoyed when the "real" cowboys rode past on the screen. The cutest rider was a little girl on a pony, and she was a Junior Queen. Seeng a cowboy on a bicycle was odd! The part I did not like were the politicians with their posters and banners. I do not think anything political should be in a parade. A creative concept was the Magical Moments float where the members can be hired to attend a party and they come dressed in Disney Characters to help make the party a success. The many tractors, and there were many, did nothing for me though I imagine that farmers liked seeing them in the parade. The announcers said that there was no need to own a tractor to belong to the tractor club! I enjoyed the bands and about four high schools were represented. When I attended high school in Greeley there were three high schools and now there are eleven!

It's just not the same watching on television because you miss feeling the sun on your head, the noise, hearing the marching bands, and the cheering and clapping. It seems that every year there seems to be less bands. Toward the end came the Aztec dancers followed by a Jewish group with a sign, Pray for Peace in Jerusalem. The trash trucks ended the almost two-hour parade.

"May we think of freedom, 

not as the right to do as we

please, but as the opportunity

to do what is right."

Peter Marshall