SHORT TERM MEMORY IS A TERRIBLE THING TO LOSE!!!

I apparently wrote this almost two months ago and forgot to post it!!

I can hardly believe that it’s still February and Mardi Gras has been over for a week already!

Speaking of, we had a wonderful visit with Bob, Helen, Cara, Nicholas and Abigail.  Although they couldn’t stay for Lundi Gras or Mardi Gras, we still packed a lot of partying into a short period.  Muses, a swamp tour, a visit to a wild animal park, shopping in the French Quarter during a deluge… and of course, “Bacchus Sunday”!!!  I was pretty amazed that we all made it all the way through to the very end of Bacchus!  And the three king cakes from Manny Randazzo’s bakery were a perfect addition to all the goings on.

Of course, when in New Orleans you must eat like New Orleanians do, so we started off the visit with takeout from Popeye’s.  Delicious!!  Over the course of the four days our guests were here we went to New Orleans Food and Spirits for lunch, Fuji Hana for a hibachi dinner, I made bacon and eggs for breakfast, and Reginelli’s pizza restaurant.  Good food, GREAT company!!

H2 had to work 12 hour shifts throughout the Carnival season, so we missed seeing him as much as we’d have liked, but he was well represented by H2FGFNW.  KenEllie braved the cold, early morning and crowds to secure us a good spot uptown to from where to watch the parades on Bacchus Sunday.  The Green Lantern made a surprise appearance!  It was a pleasant surprise to see Josefina, as well!

Happy Birthday to BB, who turned the big 11 last weekend!!  She’s growing so fast.

On a more personal side, I had the first of three rounds of shots in my knees this week.  A synthetic form of the fluid contained in a rooster comb, believe it or not, was injected into the knee to provide lubrication and cushioning back into the joints.  I hope it works well, and doesn’t have any unwanted side effects, like crowing in the early morning?!?!

Linda is getting ready to have surgery on her knee for a torn meniscus in March.  Please include her in your prayers.

UPDATE:  I had all my knee shots.  They seem to have helped, although not as much as I had hoped. Linda is recovering from her knee surgery quite well.  She's finishing up her physical therapy this week, and will be back to work soon. 

HAPPY EASTER... with a short rant!*

"Exult, let them exult, the hosts of heaven, exult, let Angel ministers of God exult, let the trumpet of salvation sound aloud our mighty King's triumph!" - from the Easter Proclamation

Over the past 12 years of jitters, butterflies, and nervousness I had finally become reasonably familiar with the Exsultet, and the prospect of singing it acapella was less of a nightmare. This year, however, with the new translation of the Roman Missal, came a new translation of the Exsultet, and with that, came new jitters, butterflies and, well, you get the picture.

I am, by nature, a shy person. I hate public speaking. I don't like crowds. I like to arrive early to events so as to find an inconspicuous place and to not draw attention to myself. I hate to arrive late, and frequently will skip a meeting if I'm late rather than go in after it has started. I know it's silly and childish and shows a decided lack of self-confidence but... there it is.

So how on earth did I end up a Roman Catholic deacon? At least once a month I have to stand up in front of our church parish congregation at each of three masses and preach a homily that I prepared. Every year at the Easter Vigil Mass I sing the Exsultet (which used to take 7 minutes, and now takes 9-10 minutes). Am I just a glutton for punishment, or does God have a really twisted sense of humor? I can just imagine Him, with a huge grin on His face, watching me squirm as I try to prepare for each homily, or for the Easter Vigil. It has been said that "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called." I wish I could feel a little more qualified. (*and no, I don't want any cheese with that whine!) Oh well, as one infinitely greater than I once said, "Father, not my will, but thy will be done."

This is turning into a wonderful and blessed Easter weekend.  The Lord has blessed us with perfect weather, sunny and not too hot.  The family is gathering today for our traditional Easter ham dinner, which H2/H2FGNW are hosting at their home. It is going to be a great get together. We will miss H1/DIL1, but will have them in our thoughts and hearts throughout the day.

Please pray for my sister, who had surgery on her shoulder, for a speedy recovery.  May she soon be "in the wind" back on her motorcycle!

My own prayers go out to all my family and friends spread throughout the country and the world!  May this Easter bring you happiness, draw you closer to family and to our Lord, and give you hope and comfort in His promise of life everlasting.

May the peace of Christ be with you, now and always!  Happy Easter!