Thursday, October 16, 2008

Picture MEME

Cy at Therese's Roses tagged me for the Picture MEME. Here are the rules: Go to your pictures, go to the 6th file, go to the 6th picture and then post it.


So this is Ron and Jimmy on the grounds of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. We had a grand day. We were there to visit the Louvre Exhibition. We got there early and walked to a Starbucks down the street for breakfast and a chat. It really was a wonderful day!

And so I tag:

The Dutchess
Marie at View From the Pews
Kimberly at Our God is an Awesome God

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The Book of Wit 'n' Wisdom

The Book of Win 'n' Wisdom





Bia at La Dolce Vita: the sweet life with three sons asked recently about the Book of Wit 'n' Wisdom. Thought I would share it with you.

The Book of Wit 'n' Wisdom is a project I started about 10 yrs ago when our David married. It is an accumulation of shared stories, verse, Scripture, or advise given my family and friends to the Newly Weds. Everyone who wants can contribute and then I put the book together with pages of wit and wisdom by the "masters" and The Master. Since I first stated this project, it has been given to family and friends for weddings, anniversarys and birthdays. It's great fun for me and those who receive it seem to enjoy it. It used to be a surprise, but not any more...I suspect there would be disappointment if were not presented to the remaining members of the family who know of the tradition.

The explanation of the book is on the opening page.

The Book of Wit 'n' Wisdom is a Keller Family tradition based on the willingness of the Iris to always have advise to give, tales to tell or memories to share by family and friends for every occasion or celebration. The Keller Clan wishes [happiness to all in life's Adventure] full of tales with just enough Blarney to make them worth telling.


The books have ranged in size from the first one in 5x7 albums to Father Gene's regular sized album of the celebration of his 25th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. They have all been a grand adventure for me as I get to participate in sharing of the family's "treasures" they wish to share.

Please feel free to begin your own projects for birthdays, Baptisms, Confirmations, or Graduation. Anytime you wish to celebrate Family and Friends and gather it together in one place as a lasting memory of those you love. A book much like one given us by our Creator Father in his Words of Wisdom in the Most Holy Bible, a book we have TREASURED for all time. His words are often found repeated in the pages of the Book of Wit 'n' Wisdom. Consider joining this adventure. It has certainly be worth the journey for me.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The Rose Garden

The Rose Garden

For some time I have said the rosary. And to my friends they understand it is a matter of making sure my children are prayed for, if not an obsession. They are patient with me and even keep me on an even keel by showing me the humor in this magnificent obsession.

When I started I was saying one decade for each of my five children. Then each of the children got their individual rosary so that each day is said on their rosary with each decade said for the children. Next came the boxes. That way they weren't getting tangled (reduced the sibling rivalry). A friend makes beautiful porcelain figurines and so I got the stature of the Virgin Mary. Finally, to add to the wonder of my prayers, last Mother's Day my daughter-in-law helped my grandsons make the tray with their beautiful flowers on it. And so came to pass my Rose Garden.

I also have found that saying the scriptural rosary is so much more beneficial for me. I not only pray for each child but I am able to meditate on the life of Christ as well. I also have a large library of scriptural rosary texts so that I don't get bogged down in one. You see it is complicated and most people would be happy just to say the rosary. Not me, I have to have ritual. So there you have it!

This being the month of the rosary and also the month of Marianne's birth I want to wish her Happy Birthday today. Today she is 30 and on Saturday she will be a beautiful bride entering into a new and challenging phase of her life. Pray for her!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Monday, October 13, 2008

The Simple Women's Daybook



Again it's been awhile since I've done this but it was a grand weekend a I've a lot to be grateful for. Please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman and journey along the path of life we all share.

So I begin.

1. I'm thinking...it's incredible that this far into the month of October that it is so beautiful.

2. From the Kitchen...I'm fixing my cream of wheat.

3. I am creating...and have nearly completed Marianne's "Book of Wit 'n' Wisdom"

4. I'm wearing... my nightgown, robe and slippers. It's 5:00 a.m. CDT (I need to find a different time to do this)

5. I am reading..."Love, Mercy and Justice." A publication by the Sisters of Providence.

6. I'm hoping...I can stay focused on the plans for the coming weekend.

7. I am hearing...The kettle boiling for my tea.

8. Around the house...There are pictures I want to get framed and hung in the Family Room.

9. Few plans for the rest of the week...Gathering and organizing packing for the trip to INDY and Marianne and Eric's wedding on Saturday.

10. One of my favorite things is...being with family and sharing in their happiness. All the kids will be together for the wedding and I am SO excited.

11. Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Autumn at the Woods
Saint Mary-of-the-Wood, Indiana

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!


Sunday, October 12, 2008

Apple Picking

Yesterday Ron and I went to a friend's dad's house to pick apples. The trees were so over burdened with the apples that some of the branches were bowed and even broken. They weren't big apples or "store" pretty apples, but tasty they were. The bees were buzzing and humming over the ones on the ground, but do not fear. We thanked God for their presence.

When we were done. We loaded up the ladder and gathered the bags and went right down to Mother Theresa's Treasures and the Newburgh Food Pantry. Kathy was there to receive these tasty morsels and we were grateful that we could offer them. Ron and I had the opportunity to give of time, talent and the treasure of God's creation. And to give credit where credit is due. This was a wonderful idea, Ron had. For me, it was one of those Christ moments. He was there in our midst!!

~~^j^~~
~Thanks be to God~



Thursday, October 09, 2008

Praying with St. Paul...


Nothing Missing
Father John Dominic Corbel, OP

"May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lor be with all of you."
~2Thessalonians 3:16~

Sunday afternoons in the fall were my father's favorite time. They were set aside for the Cleveland Browns. In those years the Browns had Fran Ryan, Paul Warfield, Leroy Kelly, and of course, the Great Jimmy Brown taking care of business. These afternoons were peaceful times for me. Not because there wasn't excitement or suspense or the occasional disappointment. There was plenty of that. But no matter how tight the game became I always knew that between the Browns and my father there was nothing missing. Everything necessary was in place to bring us victory.

Could you compare a Sunday afternoon's football game with the peace of the Lord? Sunday is the Sabbath. It is the day the Lord looked out on the world he had made and said that it was very good. There was nothing missing.

When the Apostle prays that the Lord of peace may give us his peace, he is praying that the Lord who is complete goodness in whom there is nothing missing who lacks for nothing, may communicate to us that same security and completion.

This prayer that the Lord may give us peace at all times and in every way can't be granted to us in this life if we mean by peace the actual experience of the invulnerable serenity and infinite perfection that belongs to God as God. But all the same, we know in faith that there is nothing missing. The Lord is with us and so, even if we are hungry or thirsty, if we are in trouble, or even if our favorite football team is losing again, or if we face hunger or nakedness or the sword, still there is nothing missing. We have what we need to win eternal life. Everything. The Lord is with us. There is nothing missing

Lord Jesus, our lives are often full of stress and it is often hard to
feel your presence with us. Help us to know that you have given us
everything we need to be joyful with you for ever.

Nothing left to be said! Have a Peace-filled day!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

A Grand Weekend (Part II)

Marianne's Bridal Shower



Thank you to all who prepared for and came to celebrate at Marianne's Bridal Shower. The company was grand, the food was great and the laughter and stories a delight. I had such a good time, as mothers are want to do!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Monday, October 06, 2008

A Grand Weekend (Part I)


I had a wonderful day at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Autumn at "The Woods" is really beautiful. Orientation went well and Sister Dorothy and I had a grand visit. She continues her work with the poor in West Terre Haute as well as her prison ministry.

Mass that morning was truly grand as the congregation prayed for candidates and companions alike as we begin this year long journey towards my becoming an associate of the Sisters of Providence. It will be a challenging journey, but not one I take alone.


~~~^j^~~~

Thanks Be To God!!!

Friday, October 03, 2008

A Busy Weekend Ahead




to travel
and get there safely
a real "trip"



This is the weekend I begin my journey as a candidate as an Associate of the Sisters of Providence. I will spend Saturday at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods with my companion Sister Dorothy Rasche and other candidates to hear what is expected of us on this journey. Pray for me!

Then I'm off to Indianapolis. Sunday is Marianne's bridal shower. I'm not quite sure how to get to Marianne's as Ron is the one who always drives. Pray for me!

It should be lots of fun as it is an "around the clock shower." We will celebrate at Wes and Annie's new house and co-hostess is her sister Laura. It'll be fun to see what her "day" will hold for her.

Then, I'd like to get home by 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening. Our parish mission starts Sunday night and I really would hate to miss "opening night." Fr. Dennis is the retreat master and he was wonderful at our women's retreat last winter at St. Meinrad Archabbey. Pray for me!

You all have a grand weekend and I'll pray for you!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

St. Therese of the Little Flower of Jesus

When it's your one of your namesakes feast day you find ways to celebrate. And so it is today, I celebrate the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux. First, I give thanks to my parents for choosing the name of a saint who truly is an example of determination and humility. And thanks be to God for her glorious creation!

Today I offer as I do every month the newsletter from China Little Flower. Shannon offers these words of Scripture for our reflection as we share in the work of the abandoned and neglected little ones.

Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." -Mt 19:14

Finally in the words of this dear follower of the Christ Child we hear...


Even a little child can scatter flowers, to scent the throne room with their fragrance; even a little child can sing in its shrill treble, the great canticle of Love. That will be my life: to scatter flowers~~to miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word, always doing the tiniest things right and doing it for love.

~~ St. Therese of Lisieux~
~

So, today, on this feast of the Little Flower, do some tiny things that will make a difference!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!