Visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalipe, LaCrosse, WI,
(click on link)

A young family of 6 were there for Mass.

Along the trail, the flowers were spectacular!

The Lord thundered in the heavens
The most high let his voice be heard
He shot his arrows, scattered the foe,
flashed his lightnings, and put them to flight

He brought me forth into freedom,
he saved me because he loved me.

Psalm 18

Out walking a new trail. It was right in my back yard and I never knew it was there!

(Mound Prairie Scientific and Natural Area)

Sitting at the local convenience store early in the morning, on a chilly rainy looking day, you can find interesting sights.

Every shower and dew, bless the Lord. *

All you winds, bless the Lord.

Fire and heat, bless the Lord. *

Cold and chill, bless the Lord.

Dew and rain, bless the Lord. *

– Daniel 3

My grandson was playing in the yard and found these “pretty flowers”, setting them up on the railing. Yup, they are!

Weeds are just unplanned flowers.

Riding down the street in our little town, there ahead was a “dinosaur” making his way across the road!

And saw a “sign of the times” in a nearby town. They have a miniature “Statue of Liberty”, modified….

Of all that’s going on in the world…

Only One Thing matters…

As the great philosopher Ferris Bueller once said:

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

The world desperately wants us to be depressed, terrified, sad, and angry. Just the other day, two people, age 50 and 78, got in a fight over a parking space. One actually killed the other. This is a sign of the stress and influence of the media and our politicians.

Life is really not like this, despite what the media reports. We need to walk away from this anxious life the world is trying to push on us.

Life is Christ.

From the Office of the Readings this morning:

 “Mighty and wonderful are your works,

      Lord God Almighty!

   Righteous and true are your ways,

      O King of the nations!

   Who would dare refuse you honor,

      or the glory due your name, O Lord?

   Since you alone are holy,

      all nations shall come

      and worship in your presence.

   Your mighty deeds are clearly seen.”

… Revelation 15

Walking in the forest yesterday, some of the true beauty in the world found:

And then, there’s this!

In the “Office of Readings” this morning, I found a note in my study Bible (Didache Catholic Study Bible) about the angel marking the foreheads of the people of God:

“This represents those who have been baptized and sealed by the Holy Spirit. The Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders bestow an indelible seal, or character, on the recipient. In Hebrew, the seal is represented by the letter tav (tau in Greek), which was shaped like a T and, therefore, was a type, or figure, of the future Cross of Christ. Since the first years of Christianity, Christians have traced the Sign of the Cross on themselves as a blessing. (CCC 1235)‘

At Mass, just before the Gospel reading, we trace the cross on our forehead, lips, and heart, saying “May the Lord be on my mind, my lips, and my heart”. It’s amazing that this is an ancient sign, going back thousands of years. This is the Tau sign, the sign of the Cross of Christ.

Last week, I spent some time in church, photographing the stained glass windows and statues. What amazingly beautiful signs these are. Most of the time, we ignore them, but there is such beauty right there before our eyes! Now that we’re banned from there, I think I’ll appreciate them even more when we can once again worship freely there.

Reading from the Office of Readings this mornng:

Because you have kept my message of endurance, I will keep you safe in the time of trial that is going to come to the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming quickly. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one may take your crown.
_ Revelation 3

Walking down an apparently brown dry boring path. But…..if you get close and look, Spring is here!

“Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind. Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing. For He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do right; let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil.
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right? But even if you do suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord.”

– 1st Peter:3ff

There is so much anger, fear, and sadness in the world right now. The media seem to want us all to be either angry or terrified. Hey, it increases ratings! Stories showing everyday beauty don’t make people click on them. Just yesterday I had “words” with a woman at Walmart who was upset with me for daring not to follow the lines on the floor or wear the ever popular mask. I was not loving in my response.

My advice: don’t read or watch the news anymore. It’s only purpose is to make you mad or fearful.

The world is still just as beautiful a place as ever. Nature is still there, all around us, laughing at our foolishness.

I was out photographing the local area yesterday (yes, defying the Czar, I mean Governor), and came upon this simple scene. Just had to capture it.

Also found this unique mailbox mount on a backroad: