Still going strong ...

 

social distancing

is so much easier

with you at my side

 

Pax et bonum

Cat Cinquain

A cat
snares a robin
just beneath a nest where
three eggs will now likely remain
unhatched.

Pax et bonum

Kim Jong Un Clerihew

Kim Jong Un
may be done.
If he is, that might put a freeze
on North Korean imports of Swiss cheese.

Pax et bonum

Shakespeare and the Gunpowder Plot

Fascinating!

Shakespeare and the Gunpowder Plot - Crisis Magazine: The fact that Shakespeare was a believing Catholic in very anti-Catholic times can be proven beyond any reasonable doubt. The evidence is convincing in terms of what is known about his life and from what can be seen in his plays and poems. Since this is so, it’s intriguing to consider Shakespeare’s response to the …

Pax et bonum

St. George, Shakespeare, and the Plague - Crisis Magazine

Interesting piece. Makes me want to get around to reading The Winters Tale - one of the works on my pile to works to read!

St. George, Shakespeare, and the Plague - Crisis Magazine: Like many saints, George the dragon-slaying patron of England has murky origins, but he may go back to the Christian martyr soldier who refused to make a pagan sacrifice for the Emperor Diocletian’s bribe of wealth, and lost his head for it on April 23, 303. A millennium or so later, English Crusaders brought back …

Pax et bonum

Cuomo Dismisses God's Role

“The number is down because we brought the number down. God did not do that. Faith did not do that.” - Governor Andrew Cuomo, commenting on the fight against the coronavirus

Pax et bonum

Subscriptions

The issue of subscriptions came up in Facebook thread.

I have to admit, I've allowed some of my subscriptions to lapse due to budgetary reasons, or lack of time to read everything. Those include The Saturday Evening Post, Poets & Writers , Raw Vision, and The New Yorker. I also used to subscribe to Sing Out, and Dirty Linen, but both ceased publication. Some of those subscriptions that have lapsed I will likely pick up again, especially as after I retire I will have more time. They include The National Catholic Register and Acorn.

I currently subscribe to:

Gilbert!
STAR
Frogpond
Modern Haiku
Scifaikuest
Catholic Courier
Magnificat
Crisis

In addition to The National Catholic Register and Acorn, some of the periodicals I'd consider subscribing to are:

Acoustic Guitar Magazine
First Things

There may be more. I'll have to think about that.

\Pax et bonum

A man and his dog

Out in the yard playing with the dog on a cold, damp April 18th in the midst of the coronavirus statewide pause.

Twenty-seven days to go, at least, according to the governor.

But right now: No governor. No masks. No social distancing. No virus.

Just the dog, a ball, and me. The dog retrieves it, sometimes even catching in in mid-bounce.

Again and again and again.

A steady rhythm of throwing, running, returning.

And then the ball strikes a blooming forsythia bush. A robin erupts from the bush, squawking.

I go over and look. A new nest, head high. As I stand there, the robin, on the garage roof, continues to squawk.

Look at me. At me. At me.

Not there.

I step back, then move back to the middle of the yard where the dog waits with the ball in his mouth.

We begin again. Throw, retrieve, return.

A rhythm.

And I think of spring, and robin nests, and blooming forsythia bushes, and bowing tulips still wet from the overnight snow and rain, and grass growing tall waiting for mowing, and a tilled garden waiting for planting.

And a man and his dog playing fetch.

And I thank God.

Pax et bonum

Happy Tax Day

April 15 is imbedded in our consciousness as the day by which taxes have to be filed.

Except this year.

Due to the coronavirus there are delays permitted without penalty.

I've already filed my taxes - I've even already gotten my federal refund. The state refund may be delayed due to the state's finances and workers being told to stay home. And since I don't do direct deposit for tax refunds I will have to wait a while before I receive my check for the shutdown - perhaps for months.

I don't need the money at the moment, so it's not a panic situation. I'm still getting a paycheck because even though my school is "closed" I'm still teaching my students online. That will continue until June.

But this all has me thinking about July - and beyond.

I'm planning to retire. But what shape will the economy be in? Will that small diocesan pension suddenly disappear? Will my money in IRAs be eaten up? Will that annuity that's supposed to start in two years suddenly be frozen - or gone? What will be the status of Social Security?

Still not panicking, but the concerns are floating around in the back of my mind.

Pax et bonum

"Knight of the Holy Ghost" - good read

I finally got to one of the books in my pile of books to read, Dale Ahlquist's Knight of the Holy Ghost: A Short History of G. K. Chesterton.

I had read a couple of biographies of Chesterton previously, and, of course, Chesterton's autobiography. But the book was still a good read. it reminded me of things I'd forgotten, and offered some fresh insights.

The book is organized into section, looking at Chesterton "The Man," "The Writer" and "The Saint." Ahlquist is one of the leading Chesterton scholars in the world, so he has plenty to offer in the first two section. As for Chesterton as a saint, Ahlquist is probably the leading promoter of G.K.'s cause.

If you are familiar with Chesterton, the book is still well worth reading. And if you are not too familiar with him, the book is a great introduction..

Meanwhile, I'm now insured to dig out a collection of Father Brown stories!

Pax et bonum

Boy with Down Syndrome Comforts Jesus at Good Friday Procession

How lovely.



Boy with Down Syndrome Comforts Jesus at Good Friday Procession in Viral Video |: "His innocence, his overflowing love, and his down syndrome challenge us today."





Pax et bonum

Pink Moon(less)

behind the rain clouds
the pink moon is practicing
social distancing

Pax et bonum

Stations of the Cross for Life

One of my traditions on Good Friday is taking part in the Stations of the Cross for Life. Each year we have gathered at McQuaid High School for a prayer service, then process to the site where abortions are performed. As we process, we recite the Stations of the Cross for Life - touching on issues like abortion, the death penalty, euthanasia, economic justice, the imprisoned, and so on.

This year, because of the corona virus, we were not able to do so. So I recall instead last year's procession with images from then.

 

I pray that some year we will not march not because of a pandemic, but because legal abortion has ended.

Pax et bonum

No more school?

The county executive today suggested that schools will not open again this school year because of the coronavirus.

It's not official, and there's a chance that things could improve enough to reopen them for at least the last few weeks of the year.

I have mixed reactions to that.

I do miss the students and would miss saying goodbye to them, as it's all but certain I am retiring in June. There would likely be some kind of graduation ceremonies at least - though they might not be until July or August - so that would be good. But it won't be the same. Plus, I'd rather be teaching the students in a classroom, and not by computer. One of the pleasures of teaching is interacting with the students. And I already have a curriculum I'm used to - with the books all at school. Teaching by computer is a lot of work, and a strain on my eyes, and on my backside and legs. I'm worn out by it. And I have to adjust the curriculum because I'm not in class with them to explain more difficult work. So I have to scurry about copying things, uploading material, finding resources online that I can use, and so on.

At the same time, I am planning to retire in June, and in some ways have logged out already. And I'm kind of a reclusive sort, so part of me welcomes not having to manage a classroom for weeks more, and all the emotional moments that might erupt when the students find out I won't be returning, and my own sadness at leaving them. Plus all those extra duties teachers have to perform have become more of a burden - grading, paperwork, parent conferences, and so on. Even the ones that used to be a pleasure, like directing plays, chaperoning dances, and so on have lost their appeal.

And I hate this current uncertainty. If the year is ending, the best thing that could happen would be just to end it immediately, period.

We are on Easter break, so I have some time to recoup (though I do have some essays to grade). Maybe things will be clearer in a week or so.

Pax et bonum

Planned Parenthood Abortion Business Will Close a Dozen Clinics

Good news. Even better would have been if the closings had included the two Rochester-area Planned Parenthood facilities. But there is always hope!



Planned Parenthood Abortion Business Will Close a Dozen Clinics, Some Cities Will be Abortion Free: America's biggest abortion business is giving the people of central New York an extra reason to celebrate this Easter. The Planned Parenthood abortion company ...





Pax et bonum

Pope Francis, the Coronavirus, and Nature

Jimmy Akin points out the problem with the latest distorting of what Pope Francis said - and DIDN'T say.



Pope Francis, the Coronavirus, and Nature





Pax et bonum

Clarence Darrow v G.K. Chesterton - ACS Season IV

Pax et bonum

Mr. Monk and the Clerihew

With Adrian Monk
every case is a slam dunk.
He does, however, grow visibly grim
if after each one they don't disinfect the rim. 

Pax et bonum

Are we ready to die?

The report of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson going into the ICU due to the coronavirus got me to thinking.

He makes the news because he is a prominent public figure. Other famous individuals who have been stricken have also made the news.

But as of this morning in the world there are more than a million people who have been confirmed to have the virus, and more than 75,000 people have died. What about them? Are they any less important?

We need to pray for them all and for their families.

But then I had a further thought.

How many of those people were ready for death? Johnson, who has not died but whose condition is serious, has been living with his girlfriend, and gotten her pregnant. She also has tested positive. What happens if he dies? Will that child be born without a father? Will the girlfriend have to raise a child without a father? Given their irregular status, will she have financial security?

And then I thought even further.

What about the spiritual states of the people who died? Were they ready?

I can't judge that - that's up to God. But Johnson committed a mortal sin with his fiancé. How many other people suddenly stricken were in a state of sin?

Again, I don't know, and while I can judge their actions as right or wrong, it's not for me to judge the state of their souls. But the Bible gives us guidance about these matters.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE):

⁹ Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral,(i.e. fornicators)  nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, ( not the tendency, but the indulgences of this tendency)  ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. 
How many people will face death without a chance to repent of such sins? How many people face sudden death separate from this virus?

Indeed, in Matthew there is a wedding feast to which many were invited, but many chose not to, and one who did show up was not properly dressed - not in the proper spiritual state - and was cast out. We also have the parable of the sower, with many of the seeds failing to grow, or being choked by the world. There is the narrow gate through which not all can enter. And there are more examples. But the point is that not all will enter heaven.

I am saddened by that. I pray for others that their eyes might be opened before it's too late.

And I must take care of my own soul, seek to avoid sin, and repent when I do fall.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Pax et bonum

Cabin fever

Okay, after weeks of social distancing and teaching by computer, coupled with cold, wet weather on some days that prevented getting out in the yard, I'm developing cabin fever.

To follow the current trend - I have CF.

Or, if I want to get really official sounding, I have cameram febris

My legs and my gluteus maximus are sore. I feel stiff. Too much sitting. Not enough moving and fresh air.

But, we have a couple of days of sunshine in the forecast. So this morning, after EWTN Mass and before class "office hours," I went out in the yard, removed some young trees growing where they are not wanted, raked up some leaves and debris, and cleaned out the fireplace where I burn papers and yard debris. I tossed the ashes on an old garden bed that we're returning to lawn. The ashes will help to fertilize it, and provide some protection from the birds for the grass seed I'd scattered previously.

Tomorrow, I will rototill the garden (I've already put fertilizer and fresh garden soil on it).

Wednesday, rain returns ...and Friday there's a chance of snow.

But it got me out, and I got some stretching and exercising in, and inhaled fresh spring air.

I already feel better.

Now for some office hours.

Pax et bonum

Dale Ahlquist Clerihew

Dale Ahlquist
peered into the fog and mist.
He is certain that somewhere out there
is an undiscovered Chesterton text awaiting his care.

Pax et bonum

Any more school?

Several states have cancelled the rest of the school year. My state has not done that - we are closed to the end of April - but it could well do so.

If that is the case, I will not see my students again. That would sadden me. Hopefully, the school will plan some event where we can gather after it is all over. We would need to have graduation in some form.

But this also means that unless there is some drastic change in my plans, this will be the end of my teaching career - and my working life. Oh, I might pick up a part-time job later, but full-time work, full-time teaching will be over.

What a strange way to end my career.

I wait to hear what happens. Our governor says the virus outbreak will peak later in April than planned. At the very least it might push the closing of schools into mid May.

We will see.

Pax et bonum

April 1 And All Is Well

The last piece of my retirement funds came in, so it looks as if June is it.

I now have now transferred money from two funds - 403 Bs from previous jobs - and it's money that was floating out there separate from my IRAs and annuity. There's enough from the two of them to live for a year until Social Security can kick in after I turn 66. They amount to the same amount I'd earn from working, so why not make the same amount without all the work teaching involves?

Instead, I can get out there and volunteer - after we can get out again.

Certainly this coronavirus shutdown figures into the mix. It's meant a lot more work, without the compensation of being with the students. I'm burning out!

Now all I have to do is register for Medicare, and I'm all set.

Pax et bonum