phase book

“Hi, I’m booklady and I have an addictive personality,” she drawls, standing up, addressing the circular group.

“Hi booklady,” the group choruses back at her.

Okay. It could be a joke. We certainly use it as a joke around our house whenever we want to laugh at one of our weaknesses.

Or it could be for real.

For many throughout the world, addictions are no laughing matter. They are real and they destroy lives ... homes, marriages, families, schools, and even entire towns.

If we laugh at them it is only because we need to keep from crying—because once we start, we may not be able to stop.

I do have an addictive personality.

Twenty-four years ago I quit smoking. I called it a Christmas gift for my husband the first year we were married. It was the hardest thing I’d ever done up until then.

I continue to struggle with addictions—and addictive-like behavior—in other areas of my life including eating, spending money, relationships, even exercise.

Recently however, I decided to give up facebook. Why? Because I liked it too much. It was wonderful, mindless escapism: collecting “friends”; “visiting” them; building cute little farms; setting up aquariums and towns; playing games; trading Christmas decorations and buddy hugs; sending cards and “hearts”, smiles and saints, chattering, chattering, on and on and and . . .

Woa! Wait a minute! I found myself slipping deeper and deeper into the delightful and colorful little world of iconography that is the spell of facebook … and I suppose other similar computer and technical other-worlds for those of us who find it hard to separate fantasy from reality.

I remembered the old-fashioned method for losing weight: doing push-outs. Push yourself out and away from the table. I’m sure there are many less drastic ways to remain ‘faced-in’ –even for addictive-types like me—but I decided I could live without facebook. What I didn’t know was how I could go on living with it.

One dear friend called me fifteen minutes after I closed my account to discover what had happened. I assured her that I hadn’t been phished or received a virus. Nothing bad had happened to me or my computer; I’d just decided to quit. She understood immediately; she’s that kind of friend.

A week later, my own family hadn’t even noticed I’d quit, nor that I was hardly ever on my computer anymore. (sigh) But then my dear husband didn’t notice when I gave up smoking either.

Well never mind.

We don’t do the right thing for the recognition. We do the right thing because it is the right thing.

That’s my story ... my phase book. Now I'll sit down.

Thank You Father Rother!

Yesterday, the 28th of July, my in-laws and I headed out on the Northwest Expressway going – you guessed it – northwest to the little town of Okarche, birthplace of Father Stanley Rother. It was a hot, windy day on the Oklahoma plains, a good day for a pilgrimage.

Our destination was Holy Trinity Catholic Church, in Okarche, where we arrived a little before noon. For those who don’t know, a pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place or shrine; it can cover a long distance, or be a search for some exalted purpose or moral significance. In my case, this was a personal spiritual pilgrimage undertaken in honor of the 28th anniversary of Father Rother’s martyrdom. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I’ve long wanted to tour this town, worship inside the church and perhaps even visit the grave of this inspirational priest. Several times, I planned to take my children, but something always came up. We had called our family homeschool, Father Stanley Rother Academy. We said the prayer for his canonization every morning as a part of our daily prayers … but somehow we never made the short trip to Okarche. I felt a little sad as I arrived and saw just how close the town was to us.

When we drove up, Channel 4 News¹ was interviewing a woman in front of Holy Trinity Church about why she had come today. She had tears in her eyes when she spoke about her admiration for Father. Was it my imagination, or did the questions coming from the interviewer and the camerawoman sound hostile? I handed the woman a tissue when the interview concluded.

Holy Trinity is a beautiful Gothic-style, stone and brick church, which is a well-known historical landmark in the area. Built in 1903, it is older than our state, and its outer magnificence is only surpassed by its interior serene beauty. I had come to do an hour of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in response to the write-up in our diocesan newspaper, The Sooner Catholic. (See page 15 of the July 12, 2009 edition for the article.) Even though my in-laws aren’t Catholic, “Mom” and “Dad” joined me for Holy Hour. It was their first experience of this particular Catholic tradition, but they were very used to attending other Catholic events with me, beginning almost twenty-five years ago when they attended our wedding in the chapel at RAF Mildenhall, UK.

After Adoration, we admired the small collection of memorabilia at the back of the church devoted to Father Rother, including some of his vestments. Then we photographed the outside of the church, including the statue pictured above, and went to lunch at the local Tower Café. Just as our food was set down before us, a nice-looking gentleman came up and said, “Didn’t I just see you over at the church a little while ago?” He was specifically addressing my father-in-law who said that yes, we’d just come from there.

With the warmest possible voice and manner and a smile as wide as an Oklahoma plain, he said, “I thought I recognized your bald head! Hi! I’m Tom Rother², Stan’s youngest brother.”

You could have picked me up off the floor … if Tom hadn’t sat down right next to me and blocked me into my booth seat! He proceeded to stay for the next twenty minutes—or so—and ‘shoot the breeze’ with us about “Stan”, their family, Oklahoma and Indiana—where my in-laws are from, farming, families in general, and just general ‘down home’ folk’s talk which just showed that farming and farming folk don’t know anything ‘bout state lines. Tom Rother, I discovered, was just a bit younger than my in-laws and they had a world in common. I reveled in just being the ‘fly on the wall’ for most of the conversation.

Tom had us laughing and feeling like we’d known him all our lives. As he was getting ready to leave, he said, “You are coming to Mass later at 5?” as if it wasn’t so much a question as a statement, and Dad said, “We should be coming back through just about then.”

We did some other sightseeing but we were back at Holy Trinity in time for Mass, after which Tom, and his lovely wife Marty, took us out to the graveyard. There we learned more family history, saw the family plot and gravestones and even encountered a representative and source for copies of The Shepherd Cannot Run ($10) and DVD, No Greater Love… The Story of Father Stanley Rother ($10), both of which I was looking for and will be reviewing in the not too distant future.

As we drove home, my own heart and spirit were soaring with gratitude and love. I have no doubt that Father Rother arranged everything, through Our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe in the Communion of Saints!

Father Rother, your brother and his wife are such warm and wonderful people. I look forward to meeting you too someday! Thank you!





¹ I was told by a friend at work today that she saw me on the news last night. Ah! My three or four seconds of fame and I missed it! We didn't get home until almost nine and then we had a whopper of an Oklahoma hail and wind storm come through which left us without power for two hours, split our pear tree down the middle and knocked over the freestanding basketball hoop blowing out the rear windscreen of one of our old cars. Guess I was just a little bit busy... ☺

² The second picture is yours truly with Tom Rother standing behind Father Rother's grave.

Medieval Technical Support

I knew there had to be someone who helped them out -- back then -- when they encountered informational technical difficulties, I just didn't know their IT support was so responsive, thorough and friendly as ours is today. ☺

Literary Blog Award

Thanks to my friend, Harvee Lau over at Book Bird Dog, for yet another cool blogging award! This one is for something which seems to really fit in line with the okie-booklady mission, i.e., reading! ☺ ☺ ☺

The Literary Blogger Award acknowledges bloggers who energize and inspire reading by going the extra mile! These amazing bloggers make reading fun, and enhance the delight of reading! I'm passing on the award to:

Suzanne at Come to See
Michael at Reach Paradise
Enbrethiliel at Sancta Sanctis
Marie at Naru Hodo
Pete at The Food Which Endures
Ladystorm at Mystery, Suspense, and God, Oh My!
Marianne at Saint Benedict Academy

Thanks to all of you for being such great blogging friends!

God bless you and yours,

The Proper 'Hugging' of a Baby

Instructions for properly hugging a baby:

1. First, uh, find a baby...

2. Second, be sure that the object you found was

indeed a baby by employing classic sniffing techniques.

3. Next you will need to flatten the baby

before actually beginning the hugging process.

4. The 'paw slide: to accomplish this technique,

simply slide paws around baby and prepare for possible close-up.

5. Finally, if a camera is present,

you will need to execute the difficult and patented

'hug, smile, and lean' so as to achieve the best photo quality.

6. Prepare to go "Awwwwwwwww!"


Check out my books on Goodreads!

Lemonade Stand Award

Thank you Harvee Lau, of Book Bird Dog, bookblogs and goodreads friend for this award! It's only my second blogging award and I never even officially published my first. This time, however, I'm not passing up the fun or the honor!


Here are the rules:

1) Put the Lemonade Award logo on your blog or post.

2) Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude.

3) Link to your nominees within your post.

4) Let the nominees know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5) Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award.


I'm passing on the award to:

My niece, Joanna, at Ready, Fire, Aim, Apologize.

Kay at Read, Scrap, Live.

Gary at Ballad in Plain D.

Teachinmom at Peace and Quiet.

David on A Roman Catholic Convert.

Clare on On Gold and Glass.

Pete on The Food Which Endures.

Enbrethiliel on Sancta Sanctis.

Amanda on Bless The Holy Name.

Jennifer on Let the Little Ones Come.

Denise on Catholic By Grace.

Mike on Reach Paradise.

Ruth on This That and the Other Thing.

These are not listed in order of preference. How could I show favoritism among so many incredible blogs?! But please do check them out! They are each unique, like the incredible people who have created them.

God bless you all today on the Divine Mercy Sunday, fourteenth anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing and the fourth year since Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger was elected as the 265th Successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome, a very momentous day.

Check out my books on Goodreads!



P.S. Even though the rules say to nominate ten other blogs in your post, when Harvee Lau sent the award on to me, she only nominated four other blogs besides mine, so hey friends, do what you can.

Salt of the Earth

Yesterday I drove to Texas to see a friend I hadn't seen in ten years. It was like we'd only seen each other yesterday! It was the old Feast of the Nativity and we exchanged gifts. We had lunch at a French café and talked for hours, mostly about Him; His best friend, the white-haired gentleman, AKA, PBXVI and the book club. Although the picture on the left is a terrible picture of me, I love that we are in front of some very old books. Thanks lh for being such a great friend . . . and let's please try to get together before it's another ten years, okay?! ☺

And because this is a book blog, I must add that I listened to my favorite white-haired gentleman's interview on Salt of the Earth while I was driving there and back. It resulted in a few missed turns but it was worth it. I can't begin to say enough about how good it is. Well I can . . . and I think I just did. More to follow!

Check out my books on Goodreads!

Merry Christmas 2008

My incredible second Mom and Dad are visiting from Indiana for the holidays. Here we are as a family on Christmas Eve just home from Mass. Say a prayer we can convince Sandy and Jude to stay through the 2nd. We're having such a nice visit!

God bless you and yours!

love,

Book Lover PJs

Can you tell these are Book Lover’s Pajamas?

Acorn advertizes them here:

'Invite sweet dreams of books you’ve read, books you want to read, and books you’re reading right now. Crisp 100% cotton poplin is printed all over with rows and rows of books —history, mystery, biography, romance. Shirt with contrast
piping on notched collar, button front, and patch pockets; pants have an elastic drawstring waist. Roomy, relaxed fit. Sizes S(6–8), M(8–10), L(12–14), XL(16–18). Imported.'

But for $69.00 I think I'll have to pass. Thanks Mary Alice! We can both dream about them . . . while we live like Erasmus who said, "When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes."


Check out my books on Goodreads!

Sweet Sixteen

How many days does it take to celebrate a sixteenth birthday? Well around this hearth, four. A favorite trick of our girls is to schedule a mandatory good time (misnomer for one of those social things you have to go to) on your sister’s birthday. Michelle’s big Fall Choir Concert was on Meg’s birthday and –because sisters have to keep things fair –Meg’s Cross Country Banquet was on Michelle’s birthday. What to do, what to do?!

Oh I know! Just celebrate Michelle’s birthday all week-end! So we did! ☺

We started the week-end off with a sleep over with four of Michelle’s closest friends pictured above around her cake. The girls had a wonderful time and were the nicest young ladies we have ever had the pleasure to invite over! Jamie, Mickey, Felicia and Sam(antha) we love you and hope you will come back again soon! Thank you for helping us give Michelle a wonderful birthday! The fabulous five hung out together here on Saturday, doing whatever it is that teenage girls can do for hours on end and never get bored with . . . what else? Talk!

On Sunday afternoon after Mass for booklady (the rest of the family went to Saturday Vigil but I had to work then) we took Michelle in to have her hair done. As usual, Jamila worked her magic and Michelle was thrilled with her latest new look also pictured above.

Then we went shopping for Christmas clothes, out to dinner at Abuelos and to Barnes & Noble, a favorite book-family hangout.

On Michelle’s actual birthday, she woke up to find her sister had decorated the kitchen! The table was covered with little cars, there were balloons, streamers, cards, and even a collection can for her latest fund, 'Buy Michelle an IPOD'. Wanna contribute? I think I put in $1.87. ☺

At school, Michelle managed to get sung to in every one of her classes. Her sister surprised her again by decorating her locker and she received presents from more friends.

In the evening, Bear and booklady took Meg to her banquet but Michelle didn’t have to sit alone and feel sorry for herself. Both sets of grandparents called, plus her Aunt Patti, Debra and a friend of mine. Michelle was so busy answering the phone she hardly had time to watch the movie she’d gotten, 50 First Dates.

When we got home, Birthday Girl opened her cards and gifts. She is grateful to one and all! Thank you dear family and friends for your prayers, kind words, cards, e-mails, original poetry*, gifts, and most of all for your love! Michelle is a very blessed young lady and she knows it!

We are also blessed by and with the gift of her. Happy 16th birthday dearest Michelle! May this year be full of God’s Love, rich in His Grace and full of all the wonders and beauty this life has to offer.

All my love,

your book-mom

* My own mother has written each of the girls a personal poem for their recent birthdays. I was waiting for Michelle's birthday to feature these incredibly sweet and unique tributes both to the girls and their special relationship with their grandmother! God bless you Mom!

Check out my books on Goodreads!

Thank you Amy!

This summer, after book blogging was patronized in the mainstream media, Amy from My Friend Amy made a suggestion that we celebrate book blogging. From that idea, Book Blogger Appreciation Week was born. Many of us have participated in interviews, contests, give-aways, and through awards; but, this would never have happened were it not for the dream, perseverance, planning, hard work and dedication of Amy. This has been a wonderful week and as members of the Book Blogging community, in one voice we want to thank Amy for all that she has done.

Amy, you are truly the Queen of Book Bloggers and we love you!

The July Book Blowout Wrap-up

Sadly folks, booklady did not make her goal of 8 books. In fact, she did not even come close! However, I did manage to finish 4 adult books and 2 young adult books, plus a whole bunch of little kid's books. And I've been working on some pretty tough non-fiction for my two on-line Catholic book clubs, one of which I'm moderator for. So, maybe . . . it's not as bad as it sounds?

Anyway, here are some questions Mrs. S posted that we could answer about the Book Blowout. I've put her questions in red and my answers in black.

1. Did you discover a new author? Yes, I did as a matter of fact! Her name is Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch and she writes excellent young adult historical fiction! She also happens to be my friend on goodreads!!! How lucky can a booklady be?!

2. Where was the most unusual place you found yourself reading? Can't really say I read anywhere unusual...just all the same places: in bed, sitting in chairs, waiting in my car, at the kitchen table and well, of course in the official "Reading Room"!

3. Did you read more than usual? Yes! I found the challenge of having a deadline helped keep me a little more focused. Not a lot--but a little.

4. Did you give up anything in order to read more? Housework?! Does that count as something to 'give up'? LOL!

5. If you won the Amazon voucher what would you spend it on? Silly question! Books...is there anything else?!

6. Would you like to see a 2009 Book Blowout? Absolutely!

Loved it! Thanks Mrs. S! Call me or stop by next time you're having another book challenge of any kind!

Homemade Pizza and "Hot" Chicks

When I was growing up, and you wanted to speak favorably about something or someone, you called it or him/her "cool". Nowadays, you refer to things/people as "hot" when you wish to give them the same social distinction.

Anyway, these "hot" chicks are my daughters and they are helping me make my first homemade pizza which we did last evening. It was a lot of fun. I hope we have many more evenings of family fun like that. That's Meg grating the cheese to top our Sicilian delight and Michelle displaying the gourmet wonder just before we put it in the oven.

Above you can see our first effort. The second--which we didn't photograph--had even more cheese and pepperoni on it if you can believe that!