Another Rainy Daybook

Outdoors...well, April showers have run into May, but I'm not complaining because the grass is such a vibrant green, and I have new Forget-me-Nots and New Day roses planted in one of my Mary gardens. I love that color combination, blue and yellow. There is also a white climatis vining up the post of the Wayside Shrine, which is in between the roses, behind the Forget Me Nots and in front of the Day Lilies. 

Did ya get that? I'll get pictures when they all bloom.

I am thinking about...asking for prayers and waiting for answers.

This was a tough weekend, physically and mentally. I am not currently on any medication for any of my pain, so baking bread, grocery shopping, and making a big dinner Saturday left me hurting. Then Sunday, ol' hairy legs came to visit, as he likes to do on Sundays, and it was one tough day emotionally. The big kids came home with us after Mass and stayed for dinner. When I took them back to campus, I decided to go to our cathedral for Compline, which is offered to the public on the first Sunday night of each month. It was very late (9 p.m.) and I didn't exactly feel comfortable in downtown at night, but I am so glad I went. It was stunningly beautiful and quite emotion-evoking. The church was dark, lit with just a dozen or so candles, and smelling intensely of incense. I breathed a big sigh just entering the doors. 

Compline was sung by the men's choir, and they entered the church softly ringing out a hymn with bells. Compline was chanted, sans any accompaniment (as it should be), and when I heard the beginning of Psalm 91, well, the tears started. I finished my visit with a prayer (or a dozen) at Our Blessed Mother's altar, blazing in lit candles.

What an end to a weekend. I could do that every single Sunday. I felt as if all of the air in my body had been forcibly expelled, and I was relaxed and exhausted.

You might notice that my Every Day in May for Mary posts vary greatly in content and that is truly the roller coaster of my life. They follow my moods, so if you see one featured Our Lady of Sorrows you know right where I am. Today I am humming Regina Coeli as it was so beautifully chanted in cCompline last night.

I am wearing...a gray chambray skirt, black knit top and black loafers. 

I am reading...I am still reading Shirt of Flame, and The Gift of an Ordinary Day. It just depends on my mood when I lie down to read as to which I choose. I also purchased Jennifer Fulwiler's new book, but I will not start another book yet. And I can't forget that Leila's book is still waiting for me as well.

 By the way, in my last Daybook post I mentioned I had started watching Bomb Girls, and was enjoying its fairly clean storyline. I take that back. And now I know it's not just Hollywood cramming sexuality of all sorts down our throats, because this program was produced in Canada.

I am creating...a Tiny Tea Leaves cardigan, and some dishcloths -- there is knitting every where I go, just in case I get a moment to put in a few stitches. 

I also have some First Holy Communion veils in my Etsy shop and I have materials to sew a few more. I made three over the weekend, mostly on Friday as I didn't sit for the rest of the weekend except for Sunday morning.

I am also working on a commissioned St. Michael rosary, and have supplies to make several more rosaries. I don't have enough spare moments in the day.

At the school table...an end-of-the-year-can't-we-please-be-done day. Enough said.

On the table...for dinner Almost Meatless Sloppy Joes, baked potatoes and Wedge Salad for dinner.

I am going to...do a lot of laundry today, teach school, make dinner and that's it. And I will check tomorrow's calendar later because I have no idea what the rest of the week has in store (except for a formal gala on Saturday, ugh).

A few of my favorite things...

...Every day in May for Mary (it's here!)

...giveaways -- go to Catholicmom.com for a great giveaway in honor of Mary Our Mother. Enter by May 9.

...Compline in a dark cathedral (it can be one of my favorite things after just one visit!)

Prayers sent heavenward for...

...my husband and children

...my youngest son, for whatever God's plan is for him and for Him to know what his part is
...our priests and religious, especially our parish priests, and Fr. Howe
...all the babies whose mothers are contemplating abortion this week, for a change of heart
...a special intention in the silence of my heart

Thought for the day...

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,
    who abides in the shadow of the Almighty,
 will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress;
    my God, in whom I trust.”
 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
    and from the deadly pestilence;
he will cover you with his pinions,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
    nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand;
    but it will not come near you.
 You will only look with your eyes
    and see the recompense of the wicked.

Because you have made the Lord your refuge,
    the Most High your habitation,
 no evil shall befall you,
    no scourge come near your tent.

For he will give his angels charge of you
    to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you dash your foot against a stone.
 You will tread on the lion and the adder,
    the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.

Because he cleaves to me in love, I will deliver him;
    I will protect him, because he knows my name.
 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will rescue him and honor him.
 With long life I will satisfy him,
    and show him my salvation.

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