He ain't heavy - well, actually, he is

I never could master yo-yo's. Always got them tangled or twisted. Tricks? Heck, I'd love just to keep one going for up-and-down more than a couple of times.

But when it comes to weight - I'm a yo-yo veteran.

I've been up and down so many times over the years. My current uptick has me about 50 pounds above my wedding day weight (which was just about ideal for my height). No, I don't blame my wife and her good cooking.

It's sitting around.

Candy.

More sitting.

Cookies.

Yet more sitting.

And chocolate, milk shakes, chips, etc.

And, of course, sitting.

So I need to cut down on the food and get more exercise.

My goal is actually not drastic - 50 pounds by next Christmas. Five pounds a month - not a sudden crash diet.

Lent is a good time to help me get serious. 40 days away from all those tempting treats.

But I start today.

Pax et bonum

Where are we heading?

Every day there seems to be a new headline - about abortion, homosexual marriage, cohabitation, drug use, euthanasia - and more. All taking a permissive view.

Many containing digs against religious or conservative or moral people.

Several friends have commented lately that things seem to be getting worse, and they are in effect giving up.

I understand the feeling. Part of me is tempted to just turn my back on society and just focus on living the best life I can.

Before I face arrest or legal action because I won't support or conform to the latest moral travesty.

That hermit cabin deep in the wood sure seems inviting.

But I know I am responsible for doing what I can. For speaking out. For being a model.

Still, that cabin ... 

Pax et bonum

A few things to sleep on ...

a slug among weeds
dozed through the homily of
Deacon Sominex

a slug among weeds
caught himself boasting about
his humility

the hat brother
gave me his last Christmas -
worn memories

leaden skies
full of murderous sounds -
wintering crows

Pax et bonum

Lucifer and the Supreme Court

"At the heart of liberty is the right to define one's own concept of existence, of meaning, of the universe, and of the mystery of human life." - Justice Anthony Kennedy, in the Supreme Court's 1992 Casey decision.

Yes, he wrote that. Man defines his own concept of existence, meaning, and the universe?

Like a mini god?

Isn't that the sin Lucifer committed? And tempted Adam and Eve into committing?

The arrogance.

The pride.

The blindness.

In making this decision, in making this statement, Kennedy - and the Court - was simply heeding Lucifer's call.

And that just reiterates the falsity and evil that underlies legal abortion.

Pax et bonum

Pro-choice violence - will it get reported?

Pro-lifers have been painted in the media as violent, hateful, and intolerant. Such a description fits the media's pro-choice bias.

Unfortunately, the constant repetition of that portrait has also colored the general population's image of pro-lifers.

Yes, there have been violence and crimes committed. Some fanatics have even gone so far as to kill in a misguided understanding of what it means to be pro-life.

But genuine pro-lifers have always been quick to denounce any such acts. And the number of such acts have been exaggerated and repeated.

Moreover, when it comes to abortion-related violence, the truth is that the pro-choicers are far more likely to commit acts of violence. For every act of pro-life violence, there are many more acts of pro-choice violence.

One problem is that the pro-choice MSM tends to avoid or downplay mention of this reality. I'd love to see a major objective study of violence by someone in the MSM (there have been studies, but they have been done by pro-life groups, so they get dismissed).

Imagine if such a study was done that showed the truth?

Of course, it's hard to imagine anyone in the MSM doing such a study. And even if someone di, it's even harder to imagine such a study getting widely reported on.

Pax et bonum

Pete Seeger goes home - but is still with us

along the Hudson
the sound of a banjo
clear as water

Pax et bonum