Saturday Evening Musings: St. Lorenzo Festival, Fall Plans

It wasn’t exactly cool today, but it was definitely a good solid ten degrees less than the average temperature we’ve faced the last couple months.  The relief of gradually lowering temperatures has been very moderate, reminding me nothing in this life is pure bliss.   I know that even in October we can expect some oppressive heat here and there.  But there is something hopeful this month of year.  The promise of cool weather, eventually.   A foretaste of what God has in store for those who love Him, i.e. the eternal reward.  

So today’s venture across town to the annual September St. Lorenzo Filipino Catholic festival at St. Bernard’s Church was a reminder of Fall.  I recall the feeling of ease I had attending this event last year with better weather conditions, celebrating Filipino culture.  Lechon or roasted pig, panceat noodles, spring rolls, macaroni salad, leche flan, sticky rice, etc. was a welcome spread, though I concentrated on the lower carb foods.  An afternoon program unfolded of traditional music and dancing, in costume, by children and then by adults.  Local clergy including the Bishop sat watching and eating at a center table.  For at least once a year, this particular local Filipino community gathers to honor their Catholic faith, and Catholic culture. 

After a while though I took a mental break to contemplate possible plans for this Fall.   I don’t know about you, but the intensity of the deep summer heat and humidity makes me feel sleepy, dulled, and dormant.  Once daily temps drop into the 70’s I come back to life, so to speak.  The five senses become fully integrated once again, the mind alert and sharp, the body more energized.   A long list of Fall plans unfolds promising renewal and festivity. 

Here are our tentative plans for the next couple months, likewise with plans for corresponding blog posts and pics:

1.  Fly-fishing for trout at Marvel trout camp just below Lake Tenkiller. 

2.  Camping at Rober’s Cave State Park. 

3.  Rent a cabin at Greenleaf lake, with hiking and canoeing. 

4.  Christ the King Festival in St. Mary’s, KS. 

5.  Weekend backyard fires with hot cocoa and whiskey. 

6.  A personal retreat out at Clear Creek monastery. 

7.  More fly-fishing locally - Pretty Water Lake in Sapulpa, Mohawk Park. 

8.  Halloween cinema classics during October. 

9.  Hiking at local Red Bud nature preserve (my favorite place to hike) and Turkey Mountain. 

10.  Watching OU Football games, OU being my alma mater.   They’re dominating again this year. 

Praying next week is even cooler than this week.  

Weekend Road Trip to St. Mary’s, KS

With declining purgatorial summer temps and a free schedule for the weekend, the Mrs. suggested a weekend road trip to St. Mary’s, KS, home to the largest Parish run by the Society of St. Pius X, attached to an elementary through college school.  4000+ parishioners, most who make up the majority of the town.

We left Saturday morning at 4:30 to arrive just in time for their 9am Saturday Mass, attended by probably a couple hundred people.   Their reverence was edifying.



We then walked around the campus and drove around town, before lunch at famous Froggy’s straight across from the campus.   The quality of customer service and the people there was exceptional.   And I had a Guinness with my burger.

We then went to our motel in a nearby town to rest and for a long nap, before returning for the evening rosary, and their Fall Shakespeare Festival.   The festival was amazing, set in the woods on Society property, with tents and booths lining meandering walking paths lit up by lights.   Food, games, and music.   A large crowd laughing, playing, eating, and enjoying the cooler weather.  It was surreal.   It reminded me of a medieval village.   We also attended the Twelfth Night Shakespearean play which was excellently performed.

he next morning the High Mass was packed and very beautiful.  The choir angelic.  The celebrant very graceful.  On our way out of town we then enjoyed a brunch with several trad friends from the area.  Deo gracias.   We’re thinking to return in late October for the Christ the King Festival. 

Hot Tub Meditations

After a marathon of a day at work, it really hit the spot to slide into the newly renovated whirlpool at my local health club, following an aerobic swim.  It only took two long months for them to fix the thing, which was a bit of penance to wait for.   Nothing gets the cortisol levels down like a brisk swim followed by the hot soothing waters of a whirlpool hot tub.

I think it helps all of us if we have something like this to alleviate the stresses of the day after putting in a full schedule.  Maybe it’s to sit for a spell in your recliner and blog like me.  Or to sit on the back porch with a cold drink, fermented or not.  Or to drop by a Eucharistic adoration chapel for a short visit to Our Lord on the way home.

For me for some time my regular tonic has been the swim and hot tub, especially the latter.    There’s something meditative about it.  The atmosphere is usually quiet with few people or chatter.   The warmth eases the mind, as do the swirling bubbles for the body.   And so I lean back and reflect on the day, and days ahead.   As I did today.

I thought of my patients, especially those most challenging because of multiple co-morbidities, some at risk of death.  I think of a person I know right now fighting for their life in the hospital, with many people praying for them.  I reflect on my avocation to care for the sick, to help everyone in my path get to heaven by showing the charity 
and mercy of God, our own plans for our life and 
future.   God’s will be done.

I closed my eyes to take in the aquatic massage as I thought of plans for the weekend.   To visit said person in the hospital.  To attend Sunday Mass perhaps again in OKC.   Maybe to hit up Blue Hole Spring.   It’s a two hour round trip, and one hour in its therapeutically cold waters is enough; so three hours maybe for that.

Have to thank God for all His blessings, and too the Crosses He sends us.  Whether that be serious illness, the oppressive nature of working for corporate America ruled by Liberal Capitalism, cultural persecution/marginalization for being a traditional Catholic, etc. 

Still He sustains us with His grace and natural 
blessings.  What family, friends, food, shelter, etc we are blessed with, also sustains us.  

Wishing you all a good rest of your work week, and then a restful and productive weekend.  Cooler temps are approaching and all the goodness of the Fall season!

Saturday Trip to OKC

The Mrs. wanted to go to the huge Asian market in Oklahoma City.   We thought to take advantage of  our trip to attend First Saturday Mass at St. Michael’s Chapel (administered by priests of the Society of St. Pius X).  The day was productive and restful.  

I love the drive across central Oklahoma from Tulsa to OKC.  Plenty of pretty landscape, rolling hilly areas, farms, and ranches to capture your imagination as you cruise down Interstate I-44.   

These last few years we’ve had to go to OKC for various events or necessities, and typically make a recreational trip out of it as well.   We’ve been to their zoo, Cowboy Hall of Fame museum, Frontier City amusement park, Botanical gardens, Bricktown, and Asian district.  I think I still prefer the Tulsa area for its greener and hillier landscape, but if you’re looking for a nice family Saturday outing, OKC is a relatively close destination. 

Please Pray for FSSP-Tulsa Parishioner in Hospital

I got emails yesterday being circulated publicly about a local trad who needs prayers.  When I got home last night, the Mrs. reported she read the same story posted on Facebook in the FSSP Supporters group.  Since local trads across Oklahoma have told me they read this blog, I thought I’d use it to report the situation and likewise ask for your prayers.  

Recently Mr. Rob Baxter suffered a “massive stroke” requiring surgery.  He is currently in stable condition but his condition is serious.   Rob is a husband, father, traditional Catholic, and member of Most Precious Blood Catholic Church (administered by the FSSP) where for years he has been an active member and volunteer.   Please pray for Rob.  If you’d like to visit him, email the parish secretary via their website for details, as visitors are welcome.  

I myself have gotten to know Rob through the parish’s men’s group in the past, and we worked side by side one Saturday at the 2018 Clear Creek Work Day.  I’ve always enjoyed Rob’s openness, friendliness, sense of humor, and humility.  He is a Catholic gentleman.  

Saturday Morning Musings: Summer Crazies, Crab Legs, OKC Trip

Happy weekend readers.   I’m perched in my seat after my morning routine and a much needed restful night of sleep.  Gotta love Saturday mornings.  Restful, playful, full of hope for a re-creational weekend.  After all, God did not make man for work, as Scripture says.  It’s rather medicinal penance for sin, yet still we need to rest. 

This week was not too hellish at work.  Had a couple crazy situations that needed a multi-disciplinary  approach.  I’ve noticed a spike in psychiatric behavior the last couple months that could be explained by this truly hellish summer heat that takes over the mental life of Okies this time of year.  Unless you have continuously running AC and never leave your house.  

What did ease my nerves was an after work road trip with a Catholic friend to Osage casino out in the far countryside near Bartlesvillle for their Friday night seafood buffet.  Not too penitential, but all you can eat crab legs definitely were medicinal after a demanding week. 

So I am daily watching with anticipation gradually declining temperatures as we enter into my favorite time of year, when I can, as I have in the past, blog about our Fall outings.  Camping, hiking, fishing, the Fair, Greek Orthodox Festival, Catholic Filipino Festival, Oktoberfest, Halloween, OU football games, etc, etc.  

We’re about to leave for a road trip to OKC, will have to share pics and thoughts about it later.  But first we have to stop by the hospital to visit an acquaintance of mine who much needs your prayers.  Posting now about it.  See above post.