40 Views Yesterday!

Woo hoo!  40 clicks on this blog yesterday.  Now I’m somebody.  Of course some of those are probably Ad Bots from China.   Or me clicking multiple times in a day on the site.  But wow, I’m a famous Catholic blogger now.  Despite--it would seem--being thrown back to the outer margins by a certain Catholic News conglomerate that made me famous years ago.  No worries, I’ve now got my own online congregation already sitting at my feet.   Give me a few more years, and I’ll be calling myself CEO and Editor, making six figures off of the Gospel.  Yeah baby

Would Tulsa Bishop Konderla Still Allow the Motu Proprio Latin Mass?

So rumors are circulating, some of which are coming from the Vatican itself, that the Francis Regime is writing up restrictions on the use of the Traditional Latin Mass, amending Pope Benedict XVI's motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, and that these changes will start taking effect this summer and next fall.  To me, these reports sound credible.  

Predictions from these sources are that any diocesan priest will now be required to get permission from the Bishop to say the TLM as they once were required under the 1988 Ecclesia Dei indult of Pope John Paul II, and that Traditionalist Society's like the Fraternity of St. Peter (any Traditionalist Society, so that would extend to the SSPX) will have to start aligning themselves more clearly and publicly with the pastoral directives and orientation of Vatican II.

Traditionalists have rightly predicted that agenda for decades.

If this happens, I would think the SSPX will condemn this mutilation of the Motu Proprio of the previous Pope, something they helped achieve for the universal Church, in their negotiations with Rome under Pope Benedict.  I expect they will back off even more from any potential "canonical reconciliation," but re-energize their fight against the Vatican II Crisis.

The situation across the board would worsen for everyone.  But God will provide, as I reflected on in my last post.

Vatican II was a pastoral council, and, having read all 16 documents, the Council itself does not strictly, legally mandate priests or laity to support it and align with its pastoral orientation.  To impose this is tyranny with no authority to do so, just as it is tyranny to impose on any lay Catholic, priest, or Traditionalist group a total acceptance of the Council/New Mass, without public objection to certain doctrinal errors.

This is why the Society justifiably operates currently under supplied jurisdiction, because it cannot in good conscience go this far, and remain silent.  The impasse being created by the Vatican Conciliarists themselves who demand we all eventually accept Catholic Modernism.

I'll put it another way.  The Faithful are approaching the Society for the Mass and the Faith.  The Society in turn wants to serve their needs, and the Church.  Yet, the Vatican is saying they must accept those heretical teachings in Vatican II (religious liberty, ecumenism, collegiality, etc), and the moral goodness of the New Mass, in order for their ministry to be canonically approved.  Yet, the Society in good conscience cannot do this; nor can any Catholic do this who understands the traditional doctrine being contradicted.  By definition then, supplied jurisdiction is provided in an emergency situation.  This is a common sense conclusion based on the facts.

IF history repeats itself, the FSSP, Institute, and other similar groups would unfortunately acquiesce and start making major changes to their pastoral work to please the Conciliarists in the name of obedience and maintaining the Bishop's support for their apostolate.  This would only scandalize many Traditionalists, some making the extra effort to go to the SSPX.  

Many Motu Proprio communities would likely come to an end, if these draconian changes soon go down.  Tradition becoming quarantined, except by a few Dioceses where the Bishop is friendly to Tradition.  Most Bishops are still suppressing the Traditional Mass in spite of the Motu Proprio.

And, IF history repeats itself, Bishop Konderla, not that long ago consecrated Bishop and appointed to the Diocese of Tulsa, will do what the Presbyteral Council wants.  That is IF history repeats itself.  

And if History teaches us anything, it teaches us that History itself repeats itself.

And from everything I have been told by both official and lay sources over the years, the Tulsa Presbyteral Council is no friend to the restoration of Catholic Tradition (as attempted for many years by Bishop Slattery) which is a shameful scandal to the Faithful. 

For a conservative-leaning diocese, I blame our Protestant culture here in Oklahoma on this modernist orientation, many of the priests here coming from that background.  Protestantism as a rule does not like things like Church Tradition, Latin, or Gregorian chant.  

It has to be asked out of concern, would the one Motu Proprio Latin Mass at St. Peter and Paul parish, in north Tulsa be shut down, by the Bishop and Pastor there?  Will their contributions to the collection basket prevent that from happening, or will the Baby Boomer Modernists give them the boot-- i.e. those who in their past actions demonstrate clearly antipathy toward the Traditional Mass, and faithful attached to it.

In literally just a few months after becoming a Bishop, Bishop Konderla shut down two traditional communities of priests and sisters, attached to the Latin Mass, with little or no public explanation.  I was one of the bloggers talking about that here, simply discussing the already public story, and questioning the motive.  Both groups had labored for 5 years, with Bishop Slattery, to be established here.  They created local apostolates that helped many people, buying land and buildings, planting their roots in the local spiritual family that is the Catholic Church of the Tulsa Diocese, where I was raised Catholic and where I've practiced the Catholic Faith all my life. 

Their summary dismissal from our local Church, through the Powers-that-Be, is not something we should forget for years to come. 

I pray history does not repeat itself this summer.   I would not be surprised to find out it does, and if it does, I will comment on it here.  If it is likely to happen, following Fr. Z's recent recommendations, we have to write the Bishop to plead the case.  

And the case is not about preserving a particular emotional attachment to Latin or Gregorian chant, or a particular priest, parish, or group, but about preserving the Catholic Faith here and everywhere.  And always.

If you are reading this dear Bishop Konderla, my Bishop, sincerely, for the love of God and all that is good and holy, in preserving the sacred offering of the Catholic Mass in this local Church and everywhere in the universal Church, for future generations, that is IF the Vatican soon undoes Pope Benedict's work of liturgical restoration, as predicted, please do not follow the designs of the Modernists.  The TLM and TLM communities are greatly helping to preserve the life of the Church and the Liturgy.  You have the grace of Holy Orders and of the Office of Bishop to decide--freely on your own ---the good of the local Church, and to do your sacred duty which is to transmit Sacred Tradition to your flock.  Praise be to Christ the King.

Cardinal Burke Opposes Teaching of Pope Benedict XVI on the Society of St. Pius X

The Cardinal knows this.  Pope Benedict taught in his letter to the Bishops, accompanying the motu proprio Summorom Pontificum, that the SSPX is within the Church, that it is not a schism.   Burke dissents on this formal teaching of the Supreme Pontiff ironically taking the unorthodox position opposed to the Pope, claiming recently to another internet Professional Catholic that the Society is schismatic.  

Folks, the Society is not schismatic.  It is one of the best examples of maintaining the Catholic Faith during this Crisis.  To speak or act as if the opposite is the case is disingenuous.  Cardinal Burke needs to re-read what Pope Benedict said and issue an apology to undo the damage he has caused toward the Society in this and past interviews, if he is an honest man.

No More Mask in T-Town

What a relief.  Tulsa no longer requires The Mask, as of the last week or so.  Truth is we deserved it.  The penance of having to put that on your face at work, Walmart, or wherever the Mask police enforced it.  And the penance of being forced by a now Communist Banana Republic.

And a small penance for tolerating 100,000,000 surgical abortions since RvW, not to mention all the chemical abortions from the Pill.  Or every other decadence we have allowed to normalize these last 50 years.

Seems to me. 

A foreshadow of larger penances to come?  I have not yet been divinely gifted with powers of prognostication and prophesy, but my intuition tells me, especially since the Radical Left has now officially usurped the Federal Government, that we’re going through a great chastisement that’s going to get worse.

Whether it’s skyrocketing prices for gas and groceries, most employers forcing the vaccine to keep your job, or the good Lord knows what.

That said, God is also merciful and even, according to private revelation, gives the Poor Souls in Purgatory a relief now and then.  So I’m takin’ this little break from all things Coooovid to breath, smile at strangers, and feel the normalcy that the Powers-that-Be took from us the last year.

Saturday Morning Musings: Anti-Vaxxers, Friday Abstinence

Happy Saturday Fellow Okie Trads and Beyond.  If you follow this blog, you’re probably like me.  I like anything to do with the Catholic Faith, the Great Outdoors, and the simplest of pleasures.  

Pleasures like a cold Diet Coke while smoking a brisket at the end of the work week.  Thank God for Spring, which is like a voice outside my door beckoning me more and more to step outside and partake of the glory of God’s Creation.

Creation like the birds coming to our front yard bird feeder.  Even the pesky flock of crows lately swooping down to eat literally a half bag of bird food in one day.  Still kinda pretty, with their dark blue sheen across their otherwise black feathers.   

Note to self: research clever ideas for designing a Scare Crow.  That’ll be another first, making one of those.  Gotta deter these crows from the bird feeder, not to mention the front yard garden nearby. But, I digress.

Anti-Covid Vaxxers:

Momma Mia.  Oh Lord, how long will this continue?  And Okie Trad said to Pharaoh...let my People go.  Let...my...People go...let my People...gooowowo.  Sang with some Southern Gospel flare, and reverence for the Lord.

For how long will the Powers-that-Be hold over our heads daily All Things “Cooovid?”   Covid covid covid.  Covid.  Whether it’s the Communists who usurped power trying to force everyone to get vaccinated, or certain Bully Pulpit Pundits trying to shame those traditionalist Catholics who might think a few might eventually need to take the shot, or you know be required to take the shot to save their livelihood and support their family.

Or so that Granny in her 70's with heart disease and COPD doesn't have to die prematurely of a bad flu-like virus.  Which is why it is clinically recommended for old people, especially with chronic illness, to get an annual pneumonia vaccine.

In fact, according to the SSPX, FSSP, ICK, etc (not to mention the Vatican) it is not intrinsically a sin to get the vaccine, my fellow Traddies. 

Reminds me of the wild kids dancing frenetically around the fire in Lord of the Flies, a threat to anyone who would disagree with the collective of the group.  I remember Laramie Hirsch sometimes harping on this trend of forced collectivist opinion among Trad circles in the Trad forums, often referencing it as “group think.”

Astute observation about current trends, even in church circles, Bloggermeister.  But, I digress.

The group-think coming not only from the radical Left.

This covid vaccine question is a tough one.   Vaccines forced by government or industries that were derived from aborted fetus research, which have serious safety concerns.  Without which in some circumstances Catholics, Christians, and pro-life social conservatives will be effectively persecuted if they don’t get a certain Shot in their arm.

This thing should be avoided   Bishop Schneider is right to condemn the call for everyone to jump on the pro-vaccine bandwagon.  That was his message.  Read what he actually said.  He did not explicitly say it was intrinsically a sin to take it for grave reasons.  As for myself, in my profession, I will likely be required to get vaccinated at some point, but I will be first seeking a religious exemption and expressing my pro-life beliefs.  I mean, I usually waive the Hep vaccine, they better let me do it for the precious Cooovid vaccine, darn it.   If still forced, for me, prudence and duties of state of life dictate getting the jab.  No lay pundit has convinced me otherwise.  Is what it is.

"Ya, Okie Trad.   I Think You Make Dee Right Distinctions.  Ya."

God help us.  Hopefully this thing starts fading away some by summers end, in time for the next news cycle super-problem all will just have to obsess about.

Climate change will be the next “thing,” according to a leaked revelation by a top CNN executive.  Good times.  Life goes on.

Friday Abstinence:

So, did you all know the Church law still requires abstinence from meat all Fridays of the year? That this is still the law and official norm?  Not just a Trad thing. 

Bishops Conferences allow another penance to be substituted, but it is still a moral requirement every Friday either way.

Trad priests have recommended following the tradition on this, as do we, the Mrs. having made this week her award-winning Thai-style soup with something like 6 kinds of seafood in it.  Not very penitential, but I do appreciate the graces from not eating meat one day a week.

Being a meat-atarian.  

I found it as striking when I discovered it is still a law as the personal observation this law is rarely explained, either by Novus Ordo or Trad priests.   In my observation.

That it is under pain of sin.   During Fridays in Lent, abstinence from meat is under pain of mortal sin. Prior to the Council, my understanding is it was as well--a mortal sin--for all Fridays of the year.

Is either abstinence or a substituted penance under pain or mortal sin every Friday??  It seems not.  Any of the documents I’ve read in the past, nothing said it was, so I’m assuming it’s not grave matter until told otherwise, in other words something that must be strictly confessed when neglected.

Anyways, if you are a traditional Catholic, you are a “Fish Eater,” i.e. as a norm you give up meat on Friday (eating fish, etc.) to overcome sin and as a memorial to Christ dying for our sins on the Cross.  

But...this law and norm is not just for Trads, but for all Catholics   By law you must not eat meat on Fridays.  Or you are permitted to substitute another penance.  But abstinence is still generally expected by the Church, as the norm.   Even if the Bishop or most parish priests never explain this.

I’ve not always diligently observed the norm, with perhaps a bit too much attachment to ribs and ribeye steaks.

Tradition is something we are obliged to align ourselves to and follow.  It is not a mere preference, something to give a nod to now and then as the mainstream Church tends to do, or a personal preference for Latin and St. Thomas Aquinas. But, I digress.

The Catholic Tradition is such a well-spring of spiritual blessings, including things like weekly abstinence from meat to curb our attachment to the flesh, and better attach ourselves to the spiritual life, in God and His Son Jesus Christ.

Enjoy this Spring weather! 

Captain Aurelios Olano, Catholic/Heroic Helicopter Pilot (RIP)

Please pray and have Masses said for the repose of the soul of Aurelios Olano, my wife’s nephew, who passed away yesterday in the Philippines in a tragic helicopter accident.

He was a Filipino Air Force captain and helicopter pilot.  Yesterday he was flying a crew of three near the coast of Bohol, one of the islands in the Philippines, when the helicopter had a mechanical malfunction.  

Captain Aurelios Olano

Through bravery, he was able to steer close enough to land in the ocean, instead of on land, saving the lives of the three crew members. Unfortunately, he sustained injuries so serious that he did not survive. 

Read the story HERE. 

Aurelios was 32 years old, newly married, a Catholic Christian, known for his charity to others, and now for his heroic service to his Country.   In my book at least, he was in the end a Christian hero.   Requiescat in pace.  May he rest in peace.  

Okie Trad Responds to Ann Barnhardt: Re The Covid Vaccine

I saw this today over at The Catholic Monitor:  Link.  It was a comparison of my points about the Covid vaccine to opposite points made by Ann Barnhardt:  Link.   Her post came the day after my own.

I was expressing some minor issue one evening last week in a post about all the Covid hysteria that keeps dominating the headlines, and the private judgment of some that taking the Covid vaccine is somehow objectively a sin.  That had followed my observation that Charles Coulombe got himself tarred and feathered by the professional pundits for over a week recently (I hope that is over), including by Barnhardt who had ridiculed him for his weight in a rather scathing critique of his reading of tarot cards, even though in that post I did not mention her.

The Vatican says it is NOT a sin to receive the Covid vaccine.  Traditional priests like the SSPX, FSSP, and other Trad groups, as far as I can tell, agree.

Miss Ann Barnhardt, however, insists it IS.  

She said that taking the vaccine is a “massive” sin against prudence, even to save your job, because in her scientific/moral theology assessment the risk of death is actually--in her words-- greater than playing Russian roulette.  "Massive" isn't something "venial."  Therefore it would be, according to her, a mortal sin, a damnable offense.

I think so far I’m being fair in laying out what her position is.

By the way, a hand pistol has 6 chambers, making her statistical assessment a 1 in 6 chance, or worse, that you're gonna stroke out and die, if you get the Covid shot.  Hmmm.

Perhaps that was meant as hyperbole, but what I won’t do is insult her for comments like this.  I will offer, instead, counter points for the reader considering both sides of the argument.   

1.  What matters most in deciding if it is a sin is to consider the authoritative ruling of Church authorities. I reference those sources, whereas Barnhardt decidedly did not.  Not even bishops like Bishop Athanasius Schneider have gone as far as this one lay blogger.  This would only weaken her argument.

2. As I originally said, I recognize the evils surrounding the vaccine and the actual prudence of generally avoiding it—if you can--supporting the pastoral letter of an SSPX priest C212 linked to last week, Father not going himself as far as this person.   

3. However, Ann is not giving accurate science.  Yes, of course it would be extremely imprudent to take a vaccine that poses the same or worse statistical risk to life than actually putting a bullet into one of a few pistol chambers, and pulling the trigger.  But common sense says the data does not support this extreme conclusion.

4. Seriously, if say you’re a Catholic man providing for a large family, wife at home, (there are many Trads that fit this description), required to take the vaccine at work, with access to actual comprehensive reports on the arguably low risks, it is not so simple as giving up your livelihood to boycott a vaccine. And risk having to put your family on food stamps.  

To not take the vaccine in those specific cases could also be imprudent, in my opinion.  Putting your family unnecessarily into poverty is imprudent.  The Priest in confession would actually be the one though to advise on this for each person in their circumstances, if this is a question of actual prudence (vs. being an act that is absolutely evil, or not).

But Ann Barnhardt is actually suggesting that the chances of dying from the vaccine are so high that it is sinfully imprudent to take the vaccine. 

If she sincerely believes that math, then her conclusion makes sense for her to follow.

5.  But that assessment is, to put it, well, diplomatically, not even remotely based on all the statistical evidence, even those reports that most detail associated cases of death or serious adverse reactions.

That said, if even 1 out of 100 die from the vaccine, as her jelly bean meme suggested, Ann has provided no data to back that grossly exaggerated # up.  

And that does not demonstrate causation.  On the contrary, the latest report of all officially reported post-vaccination deaths puts #s of associated deaths at 0.0016%. In fact, nearly every vaccine or drug, in a very small % of people, is loosely associated with death or serious adverse side effects.  

6.  It is a fallacy to jump to the conclusion that there is causation, when there is correlation between taking the vaccine and deaths.  Many taking the vaccine are older adults with serious co-morbidities already.  This population experiences strokes and heart attacks every day.  On the order of an an entire nation, or globe, statistically there are going to be a very small number of people who happen to die after taking any vaccine or drug.  This is not to say there IS NOT more serious risk or could be, but the data so far is not concluding what Ann thinks it is.

That said, if Ann can prove the risk of death is 1/6, or even just 1/100, without cherry-picking from small, obscure reports, I will personally donate to her website.  Enough $ to buy one of those cheesecakes I hear Italy is known for (Ann now lives in Italy).  

But I hope she doesn't take me up on my wager.  I am ready for the Covid hysteria to end. 

10 Plans for This Spring

I love Spring.  Second only to Fall.  Come to think of it, it has been competing the last couple years with my love of Fall, so much so that I give you my "10 Plans for This Spring."  Care of The Okie Traditionalist.  

1.  Watching my garden grow.  Planted Saturday tomatoes, bell peppers, several herbs, carrots, cucumbers, green and yellow summer squash, spinach, and for good measure kale (great in smoothies, being a super food).  By late June, I should be posting pics of a fruitful harvest, God willing.

2.  Smoking meat and grilling.  Bought a new smoker grill recently, and tested her out Sunday smoking all day long pork ribs, and wow they came out tender.  And smokey.  Next will be brisket.  There's nothing like enjoying a Busch lite while moderating the temp on your new smoker grill while watching your garden grow.

3.  Home and Garden Show this Saturday in T-town.   Will probably go, for the Mrs, but to get ideas about landscaping and all things outdoors.  Plus it's FREE this year.

4.  Going to the Park.  Our favorite is Woodward Park, and also Centennial Park near downtown, which I liken to a mini version of Central Park on NYC, just on a micro scale.

5.  Estate Sales.  As we're planning to buy a house soon in the country, we are looking to expand our furniture and home decor.  Again, more for the Mrs, but I like to scout out tools, books, and fine artwork.

6. More Sunday Trips to SSPX-OKC.   Trying to make it there once a month, time permitting.

7. Eating Healthier.  I transitioned recently from keto back to Atkins, to up the intake of vegetables, berries, seeds, etc.  Enjoying fruit smoothies, iced green tea, and lemon aide made with stevia.  And of course lemons.   Plus lately I've been putting cilantro in everything--near zero calories, and near zero carbs, but chalked with vitamins.

8. More walking Peanut.  Mea culpa, in the winter I neglected some days to take my Mans-best-friend around the block everyday.  She was chomping at the bit more than me to get outside once Winter subsided.

9. Backyard fires.  Still have a bunch of old wood to burn.

10. Blue Hole Spring Outings.  Just as soon as it's warm enough to swim.  Planning some nice BBQ cookouts there, under our canopy tent, snorkeling (need to get fins), and fishing.

Wednesday Evening Reflections: Coulombe, The Vaccine.

After a tasty bowl of Thai-style soup made by the Mrs.--heavy on the chili paste, the evening rosary, and taking the dog for a walk, I thought I'd sit down and write a post about a couple things.  I enjoy writing, after all.  

First, this silly tarring and feathering of Charles Coulombe recently, as a local Catholic blogger described it.  I think I have to chalk it up to the underbelly of the Catholic Blogosphere.  Brother against brother, in order to get more views, comments, and higher stats.  By some.  

Like the flame wars of not distant memory between the Gordon brothers/Voris-Niles Axis going after the Taylor Marshall crowd supporting the SSPX.  ‘Scandalous’ indeed.  That's enough to make my chili-digesting innards ache this evening.  

More so than Coulombe going to a Halloween party, for Pete's sake.  I remember Patrick Madrid, who always seemed to me like a calm enough guy giving some useful apologetics, going full throttle rabid cut throat against the Society during that turf war, via some Twitter rage.  The way he recently raged against those who read Canon212.

There is constructive criticism, and then there is unjust rage, Patrick.

Good times.  And good for internet business it seems.

Fight the enemy, not each other, guys.  That includes you too Dymphna (who I otherwise enjoy reading, btw).  Coulombe is one of the good guys in the trenches of traditional Catholicism, despite liking tarot cards.

The other topic is this endless vaccine issue that keeps dominating the news cycle, ad nauseum, just the latest ideological issue Big Brother/The Media is using to control the masses, in my opinion, which is why I'm largely silent about it and gloss over the daily headlines about Fauci et al as stupid distractions.  

You know from good things like God, Jesus, or the Church.

Now, according to the principle of double effect, most of the covid vaccines (minus J&J) can be taken without committing a sin, whether venial or mortal.  This isn't some novel post-VII idea, but rather traditional moral theology applied to medical ethics.  And this is not my opinion.

This is the position by the way, not only of the Holy See, but nearly every traditionalist priest or trad apostolate I've heard give their opinion, whether SSPX, FSSP, or otherwise.  That is on whether or not taking the vaccine is a sin.  LINK

On the other hand, since these vaccines are new, and largely untested, but especially because they were derived from studies including aborted fetal cell lines, then, as this priest argues, (thanks to C212 posting it), and because they are being used by Big Brother for communist control, the vaccine can and should be generally avoided altogether:  LINK.

Makes sense to me.

That said, if say you are the breadwinner of the family, i.e. the husband, then I can't fault any man using prudence deciding to take the vaccine if it is required to maintain his livelihood.  Whether you're say a health care professional, educator, or police officer, if they make you take it, and not taking it could cost you your job, then that's a prudential decision.  

And if I'm off base, then so be it.  I'm just one guy waxing and waning on subjects that pop up daily on my radar.  

Eat more jelly beans, this Easter season!

Re: Charles Coulombe

Likes to discuss the Catholic imagery on tarot cards with gnostic friends, trying to convert them, we have been dutifully informed via the Trad blogosphere.  Even attends a Halloween party at a gnostic lodge run by his cousin, who invites him there.  

For the record, I wouldn't do either.  And for the record, this peculiar habit of his isn't worth being dissected publicly on the internet.

Charles Coulombe in my experience of him online is no less of a good, traditional Catholic--in the way he conducts himself publicly--than the rest of the online trad armchair scholars and pundits.  

I for one like him, despite this peculiarity.

SSPX-OKC for Easter Vigil!

I've really been appreciating this last week the rewards of the Lenten penance, with Easter feasting and celebration.  Sunday's Easter dinner--and notably my Easter lemon cake shaped like an egg (see last post)--was a hit.  Each day this week I've been treating myself in the evening to a whiskey soda, watching in pieces "The Ten Commandments," an excellent film for its day, by the way.  Last night was the best fish in the state of Oklahoma at White River Fish market, today planting my garden and buying a new smoker-grill, and tomorrow smoking some pork ribs after attending the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass!  Such is the way we are celebrating this Easter Octave.

Which brings me to our journey last Saturday to the Society of St. Pius Xth oasis chapel St. Michael's for the Easter Vigil Mass.  Arrived in OKC that afternoon around 5 pm, picked up some drive-through food, checked in at the Holiday Inn, ate in our room, and relaxed until 9:30 pm.  Got ready, drove the short two minute drive to the church, and got a seat before the church filled up for the 10:30 ceremony blessing the Easter fire, candle, etc.  Three hours later, the Vigil Mass was over, and I was nearly asleep, yet we joined the parish community for their annual post-Vigil get-together with cheese, crackers, fruit, and other appetizers, the Mrs. bringing her famous Filipino macaroni salad (which was enjoyed).  

The next morning we slept in, and checked out at 11 am for the drive back to T-town.

Thank God for the SSPX!  And all priests preserving Catholic Tradition!  And for the Risen Lord and this celebratory season!  Okay, gotta run up to Home Depot.

Blessed weekend to you and yours.

My Holy Week Penance

God seems to think I need some penance right now, it seems, I’m sure for slacking on my Lenten penance recently.   I gave up diet Coke and whiskey for Lent, except on Sundays.  But last Saturday evening, mea culpa, I back-slid rationalizing “well Saturday evening is practically Sunday,” having a couple otherwise modest whiskey sodas, with my chicken wings.  Had done well up to that point this Lent, but God must’ve thought I needed a reminder that the body must be tamed. 

Hence I woke up Sunday morning with a sharp pain in my right heel, that has left me limping and wincing since.  As far as I can tell it’s another flare up of gout—which is hellish btw—which can be triggered by alcohol and too much meat.  The whiskey sodas + wings --> gout.  I figure.  But secondary to the gout is some tendonitis in the Achilles for good measure.

Fun. 

So God seemingly gave me the opportunity to participate in my own way in His Son's Passion this Holy Week.  It’s a gentle penance anyway compared to the unimaginable sufferings of some people in this world.  

Anyways, it’s Holy Saturday. Later we’re off to OKC for Easter Vigil at the beautiful traditional Catholic community of St. Michael’s chapel (SSPX), and a stay at the Holiday Inn.  

Sunday will be back to T-town for a family Easter dinner of ham, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, brussel sprouts, rolls, wine, and an Easter lemon cake I made shaped like an egg, decorated with Easter candy.

Easter Lemon Cake I Made

Not Bad, If I Do Say So Myself

Just less meat and spirits for me going forward.  Mea culpa.  

Happy Easter. 

Lovin' this Spring Weather

Lovin' this Spring weather.  I feel like a caterpillar emerging from his cocoon, turning into a butterfly.

Yep, a butterfly.

As regular readers know, I get cabin fever by late January, early February, chomping at the bit for warmer weather to be outside.  It is like I come back to life, emerging from the artificially lit den of the house in winter, into a sunny yard where birds come to feed on bird seed, the garden becomes green and productive, and I start to spread my wings again in the Great Outdoors.

The bird feeder is working great.  Not too many squirrels trying to shimmy up that narrow pole to the bird feeder, but instead they like to congregate around its base to eat seeds that fall to the ground after birds have taken their share.  The other day though, the Mrs. showed me a pic she took of about a dozen crows that had swept down trying to dominate the bird feeder.  Not the most Spring-like bird to observe, but this morning I was listening to them, and they make a nice song sound that is rather pleasant to the ear.

Plus a good crow caller device is good for scouting out turkey nests as I discovered hunting turkey last season.  Note to self, Spring turkey season is almost here.  Hmm.  But I digress...

I've got visions dancing in my head of a second bird feeder, a concrete water feeder, a statue of St. Francis (or St. Joseph) to accompany our front yard statue of Our Lady, and of course my Spring garden.  Couldn't track down today a rototiller to rent, but I bought a bunch of seeds and supplies.  Will plant something smaller, and buy a new small rototiller online to expand the garden in May for the summer.   Watching videos, and reading reviews, there are some really good small rototillers for under $200.  No need for a Troybuilt, but that is on my wish list one day.  And there will soon enough be trips to Blue Hole Spring, fishing, hiking, and if I can coax my not-as-much-into-outdoor-sports-as-I-am wife, a camping trip.

My Go-To Book for Gardening

Last I Checked, Angelus Press Sold This

Seems Trad Catholics Like to Garden!

Will be going for a week in a month to New Mexico, to Sante Fe, then the Pecos Wilderness nearby.  May camp at least one night, the other night staying in a cabin.

Hope you and yours are enjoying the blessing of Spring as well.  Next week is Holy Week (we plan to attend the Triduum in T-town, but Holy Saturday at the Society chapel in OKC).  Then it will be Easter! 

Saint Archbishop Lefebvre, Ora Pro Nobis

Reading yesterday varying comments about the death anniversary of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, some things came to mind.

Before a Saint is canonized, there is first typically a movement that calls for their canonization, and which invokes the person's intercession as a Saint, before official approval.  This has always been a part of the tradition of the Church, and it is legitimate.  It is part of the process towards canonization.

Such is the case with the international movement, led of course by the Society of St. Pius X founded by Archbishop Lefebvre, to invoke him as a Saint and have, one day, the Vatican declare him as such.

I once asked Fr. Ghela, SSPX about this in the Philippines, and this was the explanation he gave about invoking yet-to-be-canonized deceased Catholics as saints, based on pious belief, and that the Society has been promoting the canonization of the Archbishop, sending continuing evidence to Rome of miracles that result after the faithful pray to the Archbishop.  Terminally ill cancer patients, fully cured, for example.

And when you read the life of Archbishop Lefebvre (LINK), you can't help but wonder if his cause for canonization is in fact a worthy one.  

I personally believe it is, and pray to Saint Archbishop Lefebvre every night along with my go-to list of saints--as I believe he is a saint.

++Lefebvre (two crosses for an Archbishop) heroically defended the Catholic Faith, the Catholic Mass, and Catholic Tradition, to the point of persecution by and large by the hierarchy.  This alone makes him a modern day St. Athanasius figure.   He above all other Prelates preserved the traditional life of the Catholic Church during these times.  Without him, arguably there would be little if any TLMs in the world, or a Fraternity of St. Peter (which according to its statutes, is based on the design and charism of the SSPX from which it came into existence, except being canonically regular).   

If there is any doubt in your mind, I encourage you to read his biography I posted above.  Pope Francis after all, it is said, read it twice.   I read it once myself, and was nearly moved to tears how edifying was the life of this great bishop saint, who trads should consider, imo, the patron saint of not only the TLM movement, but the Catholic Church during these times.  

He was a man of extraordinary faith, courage, virtue, and holiness in his life, especially in defending the Faith.  His love of Christ and the Church was so great that he willingly allowed himself to be persecuted until his death.  He was also very kind, gentle, and humble, despite how certain detractors have portrayed him.  A simple man of extraordinary action. 

St. Archbishop Lefebvre, pray for us!

New Bird Feeder. Thoughts on Women.

Who would have thought a squirrel could climb up a pole like this, reach across, and snag some bird seed.

The Mrs. did, when last Saturday we bought this hook stand, for lack of a better term, and a new bird feeder, shaped like a wide house, red, tin roofed, two basket cages on the side, and two trays for the seeds in front and back.  

"There's no way, honey," I said.  I was sure I was right   Or so I thought  

After some rain, finally birds starting using the feeder yesterday, which was a pleasant welcome as Spring sets in, this being one of my favorite times of year.

But stepping outside the door this morning on the way to work, I caught a squirrel red-handed going up the pole, and then jumping to hang on the feeder like a rock climber dangling in mid air, nibbling on some seeds it got in its claws. 

Well I was proven wrong.  Women know best.

In a sense.

Men and women being designed differently in our anatomy, our brains are different.  By comparison, the male brain is more left-brained dominant, logical, rational, looking out across the landscape of one's life in a pastoral view of everything that needs to be tended to.

Women, on the other hand, are more right-brained dominant, intuitive, emotionally intelligent, and in tune with the intimate details of one's surroundings.

Including whether or not a squirrel would or even could shimmy up that slippery, narrow pole.

That or perhaps she has a better handle than I do on the acrobatic aptitude of squirrels. 

Such is one of my many daily lessons I continuously learn.  Not so much what a squirrel is capable of doing to one's lawn ornaments/bird feeder, but the difference between men and women, and I suppose people in general.

"Man and woman, God created them," Holy Writ tells us.  

FSSP Father of 7, Boulder Police Officer (RIP). GoFundMe Donation Link Here.

By now you've likely heard about the mass shooting at a Boulder grocery store killing ten people, including one police officer, himself described as acting "heroic" by the Boulder police department.

This man, father, and husband of 7 children, was shot and murdered by a clearly radical Muslim committing an act of terror on American soil.   These radical Muslims need to be sent back to their anti-freedom, anti-Christian countries.   It must be said.

If that is too politically incorrect, then google can shut this blog down if it wants (they own blogger after all).

Officer Eric Talley's life now taken will be a sad reminder of how radical, anti-Christian Islam has been allowed by the political Left to infiltrate our country and put terror into the hearts of families going to get groceries.

And Eric and his family are traditional Catholics who attend the traditional Latin Mass at the FSSP.  This also makes him a Catholic hero, in my book.

Having attended the FSSP for a sum total, over the years, of over nine years, this hit home for me, and I am sure the other FSSP parishioners here in the Tulsa area.

The silver lining in this tragedy is this man showed heroic virtue and a life of Catholic, Christian faith.

Read about him here:  LINK.

And please consider donating to help his surviving wife and large family here, Lent being a special time for Almsgiving:

DONATE HERE

May Eric Talley rest in peace.

Kyrie eleison.

 

Catholicism Banned to the Crypt: in St. Peter's Basilica of All Places

Well, I can't say as I'm shocked by this story abuzz across the Catholic blogosphere recently.  What is left of traditional Catholicism, it seems, is now banned to the crypt under St. Peter's basilica, that church once visually representing the physical epicenter of the Church.  This comes from some liturgically leftist snob Vatican bureaucrat, who according to Cardinal Burke et al overstepped his legal bounds.   

Dollars to doughnuts Francis allows the suppression to stand.   History repeats itself after all.

Ad orientem?  In Latin?  Emphasizing the Sacrifice of the Mass?  Sacred Liturgy?  Even using the 1962 missal?  Say it ain't so.

Protestantism however can and must be practiced in the sanctuary at ground level people, per the new rule.

The Old Religion (Catholicism) needs to wise up and join the crowd.  Until then, down to the basement with you, you uptight restorationists with your little pilgrimage groups gathered around side altars making a ruckus silently using your Latin Mass missals.

Just make sure you sign up to offer your Mass at either 7:30 am or 9:00 am.   Downstairs in the crypt out of sight.  If those spots are already taken, then you can go back upstairs, don your New Age alb, and sing Kumbaya like the rest of us normal people.

---

Satire aside, I have to say this should by now be of no surprise for Catholics who are aware of the Crisis in the Church.   These scandals are just part of the larger Scandal which is the New Religion.

The Motu Proprio for all its worth on its own merits, with obvious exceptions of many priests learning the TLM, has largely been ignored by most Bishops and priests, in effect still persecuting not only tradition-minded Catholics as, in their mind, religious Weirdos, but the traditional Catholic Faith/Mass itself.  

In my own experience, only in Dioceses with Bishops and senior clergy supporting Tradition does a Motu Proprio Mass community stand a chance in the long term, to meet all the most basic needs of practicing Catholic families.  

This book is the best to explain the history of this contemporary Crisis, imo:  Iota Unum.

Truth be told those partisans since the Council pushing a Regime of Novelty on the Church, have high-jacked most of the Hierarchy, who have effectively relegated, or allowed to be relegated, the True Mass and True Faith to the crypt.

Figuratively, and as of now in the church of St. Peter, literally.   The sad irony.

Well, maybe visiting priests and their groups just need to set up temporary altars outside the Basilica to offer the Mass of the Saints, on the side walk, if the city allows it.   Maybe by visiting Bishops like +Burke or +Schneider who can't get penciled in for a Crypt Mass in the traditional rite.  

That would be a fitting optic, don't you think, of what has already occurred these last 50 years.  An effective Witness.

We are to bear Witness after all.

Catholicism banned to the crypt in St. Peters. Sigh.  So be it, we will still keep the orthodox Faith of Christ, even if they try and banish us to the wilderness.  We will not hide our light under a bushel.

No sir.

Evolution and the Catholic Faith, A Discussion with Pon de Replay

I've been talking online recently to a reader of this blog, Pon de Replay, who I've also known over the years in the Catholic forums, about the question of evolution in relation to Catholicism.  I let him know, with his tacit approval, I would be writing a post here commenting on that discussion, without giving anything too personal about him.  Pon, as I call him, left the Catholic Church several years ago, by his own admission abandoning belief in Catholicism, or any sense of the Christian God, seemingly identifying with agnosticism.  

He was once a devoted, traditional Catholic attending the Traditional Latin Mass, with all the theology and devotion typical of those Catholics who are attached to this Rite.  Yet I have found him to be a gentleman exhibiting still a Christian spirit in the way he thinks and interacts with others.  As I've told him, I pray for his reversion, and would hope to one day convince him that he need not turn away from Christ or the Church because of evolution.

Yet, Pon slowly over the course of years, being a very intellectual man, began to question certain core tenets.   Believing in evolution, he came to the conclusion that if evolution is true, then the Church's claims on a) an all good God, b) who created man, c) as two first parents, Adam and Eve had to be--in his mind--an irreconcilable contradiction.

The main reasons he gives are that, according to evolution, Homo sapien evolved from multiple lines of hominids.  That is, higher level primates in different regions and times gradually changed species to Homo sapien, i.e. an upright animal capable of reason and wisdom.  That is, according to Pon, there could not be just one set of first parents, but many.

The second objection given, related to an evolutionary view of nature, is from theodicy, that is that sub-discipline of theology that tackles the problem of evil.  Pon, like many people today, cannot reconcile the immeasurable amount of evil and suffering in the world with an all good God who creates and sustains this world.  That is, for Pon in particular, how can an all good God allow so much suffering in the animal kingdom for millions of years as part of an evolutionary process, through disease, mass extinctions, and animal conflict?

I've asked these questions myself, without entertaining any actual doubt on my own end, but I do understand where people like Pon are coming from, and have known a number of Catholics or Protestant Christians who abandoned their faith principally over evolution.

As for myself, I do not believe in the theory of evolution.  But I do not reject it in itself either.  It's a scientific theory that in my opinion should not be taught as anything more than a hypothesis, there being scientific evidence to discredit it as well as scientific evidence to back it up.   I am agnostic on exactly how God created the world and man, that is in scientific terms, while I as a traditional Catholic accept the inerrancy of Scripture from the books of Genesis through the book of the Apocalypse.  

And it is not dogma, de fide teaching, or a requirement of the Magisterium to take the Creation stories literally.

We are, as I understand it, required to believe that:  a) God created man, b) He created two first parents, one individual male and one individual female, c) they were in a state of natural perfection, d) all humans descend from these first two parents, and e) they committed original sin which we inherit, meriting punishment on the world.

I am not sure if is de fide, but I believe it is the common opinion that any disorder or suffering in the cosmos, including disease and death among animals, is a result of original sin on creation, rendering it in a fallen state.

Which then brings us back to Pon's objection.  He came to the conclusion that through a process of natural selection, on an Earth with an apparently very long history, lower forms of life gradually evolved into higher forms of life, eventually primates, and from primates eventually the human race emerged.   Yet, if you imagine Earth circa say 4 million years ago, when sub-rational hominids were still dragging their knuckles on the ground and grunting, through evolutionary processes, spread out in varying locations, it stands to reason--IF evolution were true, as Pon believes--then there would have been multiple evolutionary lines resulting essentially at different moments in time in many first parents emerging from hominid.

For Pon and other formerly theistic evolutionalists, this would apparently fly in the face of a dogma of only two first parents, and thus discrediting Divine Revelation as a whole.

In my undergrad studies majoring in biology, I was required to spend a good deal of time studying evolution, and it seemed to dominate much of our lectures, not only as a scientific theory but as a natural philosophy of the world, and for some anti-religious zealot professors a final proof for them that the claims of religion and the existence of God are backward foolishness.

But I do not recall reading any strong evidence that Homo sapien emerged necessarily from multiple lines.   What I do recall is reading about scientific evidence--mind you this was from a creationist book I read at the time to counter the anti-religious litanies I was subjected to by professors--that genetic studies point to there being actually, in fact, two original individual Homo sapiens from which the human race emerged.

Which the Bible names as Adam and Eve (meaning the First Man, and First Woman).

Yet, beyond those studies now eons ago, I have been decidedly ignorant of further complexities of evolutionary science.   Perhaps if I find the right book on this subject, I can give Pon a better scientific rebuttal.  

The second main objection of Pon, that I suspect is a common one of formerly practicing Catholics who left the Faith over evolution, is that, for him, the level of suffering found on Earth, in particular among animals, would seem to fly in the face of the idea of an all good God, that is the idea of a loving Father who feeds and takes care of the birds of the air, as Our Lord counseled.  

My response to Pon was/is to reference Fr. Stanley L. Jaki's great work The Savior of Science, in which he describes the pitfalls of pre-Christian or anti-Christian versions of science, being an apologist of the truest natural science finding its ideal in Christ and the Faith, without which human reason falls ultimately short.

Jaki, a Benedictine priest, held PhD's in Physics and Theology, devoting much of his writings to a Christian philosophy of science, and critiquing the errors often found in modern science (for example, modern cosmologists like Hawking arguing for an infinite universe).   When addressing evolution, he did not go so far as to argue it is true, but rather that one could in theory hold it to be true without contradicting Catholic orthodoxy and the true meaning of Scripture, and the fundamental teachings on creation.   Further, he underlines the central problem with evolution, in that it tends not to be just a natural scientific theory, but an erroneous philosophy of nature.  Going beyond natural selection, and Darwin's study of tortoises on the famous Galapagos islands, "Darwinism," which Jaki says characterizes mainstream evolutionary thought, is fundamentally atheistic and chaotic.  It cannot see the handiwork of an Intelligent Designer creating a cosmos dominated by design, order, stability, and purpose, but rather a sees a cosmos dominated by chaos and disorder.  

That I firmly believe is the starting point for the millions like Pon who have set aside religion in the name of science.   The starting point being, opening one's eyes, looking outward across the natural landscape, and falsely seeing a world of disorder, disease, and death as the prime causes of existence, instead of a beautiful design.  

The kind of design described in the simple Biblical description of God creating all things like Him, and on the last day Man in His own image.  And the kind of design that natural science itself reveals, in the marvelous beauty and order found in such things as: a star, solar system, ecosystems of life on Earth depending on one another, or the wonders of the human body.

The problem then I think is not about science, but philosophy, and one's personal philosophy about existence.

I do not hold anything like this view, but I can sympathize with the emotional and personal experience of the agnostic evolutionist.  The Bible says this life is a "valley of tears."  And God in the Old Testament showed several times just how Just he could be to deal with an unrepentant People.  

Job, himself largely innocent, who suffered I think more than any other Old Testament figure, in his indescribable agony still kept his faith and confidence in the all good God.  A testimony if there ever was one of how God's justice is in harmony with his love and goodness.

So of course, without a personal faith in a personal God, without the Revelations of Christ, through reason and science alone, mixed with the harsh realities of life, one could naturally take the cynical view of existence.

As I told Pon, for me the answer is simple and completely solves the barriers he has.  God has proven the trustworthiness of Divine Revelation, Jesus Christ, and the Catholic Church through a long history of verifiable miracles, without which St. Augustine himself confessed he would not have faith.

Therefore, there can be no true contradiction between natural science and Catholic dogma, I urged/urge him to believe.  Whatever is proposed that is in contradiction, can be revised and seen from many, many different angles, that is different scientific hypotheses, to reconcile the science with the Faith.

Case in point, the origin of man.  God could have, if He wanted to, evolved two first parents from hominids giving them alone--at first--rational souls.   It is a logical process in theory.  At some point in time Homo sapien did not exist, but hominids did.  But IF evolution is true and humans came from hominid, then logically at some point on the historical timeline the first Homo sapien was born, i.e. to create the new species that is different than hominid.

The other hominid lines could have--at a later date (perhaps hours or days later even, in some other sector of the African jungle)--developed into Homo sapiens, they themselves given at some point immaterial souls.

There was though one snag in that possibilty:  the Church teaches all humans descend from the first two parents, that is from one singular hereditary history going back to one individual male, and one individual female.

At that point the anti-religious evolutionist could very well exclaim the final judgment "Ah ha!  There you have it!  The Bible is in error.  We did not all come from one hereditary line, but from many.  Case closed."

This only forgets the immeasurable complexity of how the Creator created the word and man, which the Bible itself does not go into complete detail about.  There is much that is a natural mystery, that will remain as such to both the believer and the scientist.   We simply do not completely know, and i would argue, in the end cannot know for certain, all the complexities of natural history on Earth leading up to man's creation, or how exactly God created man.

God's Providence could have very well directed, after the emergence of Adam and Eve, that their descendants would mate with the other hominid lines at the point they were becoming human (gaining supernaturally genetic material from the line of Adam and Eve first), so that they too were human beings because their genetic changes manifested from them).  

In other words, there are many possible mechanisms God could have used to create man by means of evolution, such that there were still two first parents, and by some process all humans have descended at least in part from their genetic line.

That is IF evolution were true.  Which I do not actively believe (nor outright reject).

As to Pon's problem with evil in the world, and animal suffering, vs. an all good God, I would concede that without Christ or the Bible, that would be an understandable error to fall into.

But when the veracity of Revelation is proven, in particular by the history of miracles, then it all comes full circle.  The answer is clear, yet a mystery.

It is clear that God allows all disorder, suffering, disease, and death, including among animals, as part of His economy of salvation.  Man fell into original sin.  The result was some relative amount of suffering in the world, yet transient and nothing compared to the eternal bliss of heaven.  God allowed Adam and Eve's "happy fault" so that out of the apparent chaos that followed original sin, He will redeem us.  Through our suffering we are able to come back to our perfect state with Him, but in an even higher supernatural state and end above the original design.  

Therein lies the mystery--that encircling the Savior on the Cross--and through that Redemptive Act--all of creation moves, the sun and planets and stars, all living things, past, present and future towards the final end which is salvation and eternal union with God.

And that it is in the Father sending His only begotten Son, to die for us as the sacrificial victim, that all makes sense and finds its purpose and completion.

Even in the suffering of animals, since animals having no soul or free will, and therefore no self-awareness, are in fact not really suffering at all, that is in the sense we as humans understand "suffering" as a state of pain or hardship that penetrates a conscious soul. Everything that must die, whether a star, tree, or dog, does so as part of the plan of redemption, with everything in the end being offered up as a sacrifice for our sins.

In the end of time, God will destroy the Earth and all nature, and recreate it.  And for the Just who die in friendship with God, they will know no suffering, disease, or death.  For eternity.

Hope this reflection helps Pon in your own reflection.  Blessed Lent.

Astronomical Explanation for Change of Seasons

Thanks again to Pon de Replay, a reader here, and occasional poster in the Catholic forums I’ve gotten to know over the years, for pointing out to me my mistake commenting on the change of seasons, going from winter to spring.  

Here I had always ignorantly thought in my several decades of life on this planet that the reason the earth’s temperature changes from hot to cold, and vice versa, at least in certain parts of the world (vs. it being always cold in Antarctica, but always hot in the Philippines, for example), was because the distance of the earth from the sun changes.  

Not sure if that was the impression I got in my 8th grade earth science class, but it always seemed intuitive that winter temps are due to the earth moving further away from the sun.  However, as verified by the omniscient Google search engine, Pon (as I am want to call him) was in fact correct.   The earth warms and cools on a twelve month cycle around the sun because, drum roll please, the earth tilts.  

In fact, the earth is closest to the sun in January.  

As it tilts on its axis away from the sun, it generally gets colder, and vice versa.  Who woulda thunk.  Blows my mind self-reflecting on what other false assumptions I may have made about all things pertaining to the weather and astronomy.  

Note to self: brush up on your basic astronomy Okie Trad.  Maybe watch a YT video one night over a bowl of popcorn (or in my case eating keto, over a freshly popped bowl of microwaved pork rinds) that explains the four seasons.  

Thanks again Pon for your astute observation. You are a scholar and a gentleman.  

Any constructive feedback or just want to drop a friendly hey, email me at:

JosephOstermeir@gmail.com. 

Spring is Approaching

For the first time in her life, my wife being from a country that I think has literally never seen snow, made snow angels, we Okies getting slammed a few weeks ago with a penitential winter storm and sub-zero temps.   She found the experience amusing, having to, I kid her, compulsively post it to her FB friends group as she is want to do.  Boy that winter storm was brutal for us here in Oklahoma, in that we're just not much prepared for that kind of harsh weather.  And what makes this state a bermuda-triangle-like spot on the American map is that we get strange, extreme shifts in the weather.  Just a couple days after rare minus zero temps, it was a sunny 70 degrees in February.

Which brings us into March.  I expect probably we've seen our last taste of Old Man Winter this year, but then again you never know in Okahoma.  April of 2018 we went to OKC to see the zoo one Saturday, should have checked the weather before leaving, because on our way it got cold and it snowed the rest of the day.  Oklahoma.

Anyways, I welcome this time of year, with the world coming back to life as planet Earth gets tilts closer to the Sun once again (note:  thanks Pon de Replay, a reader, for the astronomical correction;  I must've been staring too much at the girls that day in 8th grade Earth science class).  It's always a funny thing the change of seasons, how you feel about it.  It is a quarterly reminder that everything this side of the afterlife changes, with peaks and valleys, feast and famine, and pleasant vs. unpleasant weather.  Me, I am a bit sensitive to weather extremes.  The deep humidity of the South here can dampen my mood, like smothering my brain with a hot soggy towel.  July and August tends to dull the mind and senses, into a dehydrated, hot brain stupor alleviated by the cooler weather of Fall.

And so this time also is a kind of relief.  My favorite season is Fall with the cool, crisp temps, decrease in humidity, Fall colors, campfires and outdoor adventures like deer hunting.  But Spring is my second favorite season.  By January into February, cabin fever has kicked in, not to mention a touch of seasonal affective disorder if I had to diagnose myself.  Days being too short, sunlight too dim, and biological life too stagnant.  

So I welcome the warmth of the Sun, the flowering plants, birds and insects coming back out, and the outdoor plans for which better weather calls.  The barbeques, picnics, Saturday get-aways to swim at old Blue Hole Spring.   You feel like a tired old bear emerging from his hibernation, emerging from his cave, taking a good yawn, gazing up at the Sun, and then going back out into the world to collect honey.  As for me, I will be planting a Spring garden later this month in the front yard so the neighbor's can see it grow, about 8' x 40', half of which will be rows of tomatoes, zucchini, carrots, and cucumbers, and the other half entirely sweet potatoes.  

The unfolding of Spring is upon us.  Next Sunday we have to remember to set our clocks forward, Spring bringing a "springing" forward of the clock.  The evenings will be longer and grow longer as we enter into Spring.  We plan maybe Saturday a trip to the OKC zoo.  Also a trip to Green leaf lake to rent a canoe, and see the Batfish submarine museum in Muskogee on our way home, a must see for the family.   Also, a day trip out to Clear Creek monastery should be soon forthcoming, which I find relaxing, the drive to and through the Clear Creek valley being spectacular, praying with the monks, buying some of their cheese and holy cards, and stopping at the Amish bakery on the way home.  There is something rejuvinating and educational about just getting out of the city once in a while, taking a drive to a nearby place to site-see, see a museum or old Catholic church, and sample the local food.

Such is the cycle of life I am sure the Good Lord uses as part of His plan of redemption.  Deo gratias.

For constructive feedback or just to say hello, contact me at the email below, which I do not check daily.

JosephOstermeir@gmail.com