tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242285812024-03-07T00:05:06.441-08:00 Scenes From A Slowmoving TrainAnnie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.comBlogger867125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-17830418160004049992013-11-23T13:18:00.003-08:002013-11-23T13:19:02.486-08:00Switching Tracks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzPSzs8zcRjCVGojs2M2RWEjFV_5RdBIrrkeH6lDnUKveh14RkhvhDdLuEL2ihHHaP6EzxjReuGyaSIUmDgtomYqOT9WI52HIjpankaslz_bTKnZaoFsa8gKvNopnAGqNg1CQ/s1600/IMAG0311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzPSzs8zcRjCVGojs2M2RWEjFV_5RdBIrrkeH6lDnUKveh14RkhvhDdLuEL2ihHHaP6EzxjReuGyaSIUmDgtomYqOT9WI52HIjpankaslz_bTKnZaoFsa8gKvNopnAGqNg1CQ/s320/IMAG0311.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After taking a short break, I've switched tracks. Currently, I am posting at <a href="http://www.inmidreamz.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">www.inmidreamz.blogspot.com</span></a>. </span>Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-11363579679157341392013-10-09T16:41:00.000-07:002013-10-09T16:41:41.605-07:00Taking A Break<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLq5Nu7KhZQut2zv8sj15AZhJy6Gcw4MSWNyGa4ayq1rSaw-gOt8ez7jTjpk_LQd8FSPVhDwuLExVZqPBmSpZcpTi66fJC9CcaWCr-oi5XK-xc0pT_SAlEkJSHwcmjeh1_OwM/s1600/IMG_2209aa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLq5Nu7KhZQut2zv8sj15AZhJy6Gcw4MSWNyGa4ayq1rSaw-gOt8ez7jTjpk_LQd8FSPVhDwuLExVZqPBmSpZcpTi66fJC9CcaWCr-oi5XK-xc0pT_SAlEkJSHwcmjeh1_OwM/s320/IMG_2209aa.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm busy and uninspired to write. Even my photography has fallen off. The wedding is about 9 weeks away so I'm putting my blog aside for the time being. I'm going to look for those of you that I'm not connected to on Facebook. I'm there daily and don't want to lose touch.</span>Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-55195891406158256102013-10-05T01:34:00.000-07:002013-10-05T08:33:32.890-07:00Backroading. Again.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It started out simply enough. Marie picks me up. We drive through Starbucks for coffee. Hit the road for Modesto and finalize the contract for the Common Core event we are hosting next week. Walking in from the parking lot to the convention center, I am reminded that beauty is found in the smallest things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After taking care of business, it was playtime and the beautiful weather had yard sales and rummage sales springing up all over. One of the more interesting ones visually (but least successful shopping wise) welcomed us with a raised gate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The front yard pasture had a few cows and steers that did not want to be photographed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On the way back to the car, I accidentally pushed the video button and ended up filming my walk back the road . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> . . . where I spotted this big dairy operation across the road.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After we left, we went looking for the roadside shrine I spotted earlier in the week but didn't have time to stop for. At the center of the cross is a picture of a middle age couple. There is only one set of dates and the years range from 1993 to 2012. A pink ribbon encircles the top of the cross. Perhaps the picture is of parents or grandparents mourning their lost little daughter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And finally, a while ago, I found anti-government signs <a href="http://scenesfromaslowmovingtrain.blogspot.com/2013/09/roadtripping-with-elaine.html"><span style="color: red;">Here</span></a> and was amused at how adamant they were in their protest. So, when we ran across THIS sign on our way home, I was struck by its simplicity. Farmers and ranchers are simple and plain speaking folks. The sign said it all. 'Nuff said.</span></div>
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Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-52473407274341073822013-09-30T15:30:00.000-07:002013-09-30T15:30:03.733-07:00Don and I went shopping this week and . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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. . . bought a car. <br />
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We knew we (read that I) would feel better driving across the country in a car that was NOT 15 years old. Our Buick Century is a good car and has served us well, but, it's a '98, has a lot of miles on it, and the idea of driving it from California to Texas, to Missouri, to Kentucky, to Indiana, to W.VA, to Pennsylvania, to Maryland, to Virginia, then back through Ohio and Indiana to Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois and after that, a straight shot home, well, I didn't think the old girl would be too happy doing that. So, after some discussion, and then me going along reluctantly but resignedly, off we went shopping.<br />
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Where cars are concerned, Don and I have always been one stop shoppers. Unlike many who are thrilled with the hunt and challenge of car shopping, Don and I simply want to get a car that works, ticks off the major specification we individually and together are looking for, and we know we will feel secure with. We do a little checking around online; we discover what is out there. We don't shop for a car for at least 10-12 years between purchases and THIS ONE was 15 years. <br />
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We considered an SUV and particularly looked at Jeeps. It didn't take me long to determine that getting in and out of an SUV was not for me. The vehicle is set too high. The roof lines at the doors were too low and I felt like a pretzel getting in and out. It wasn't until they were bigger that I got in and out with any ease and that made them TOO big overall and too expensive. So . . .<br />
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We looked around the Hertz rental lots to see what else was available and I closed in on the Nissan Altimas. That was when we discovered that the Nissan car and all parts was made entirely in the U.S.A. Win/win. The back end was very roomy; Don could load wood and boards in when he needed to; the backseats laid down flat. The lay down seats were a big plus on my score card because this would allow me to lay out to sleep at rest stops when we stop for a few hours. Don can sleep in an unmoving car in the front see. I can't. I have to be able to lay down. Another win/win.<br />
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I think it can do some other fancy stuff to like syncing up with my phone. I'm still trying to figure out how to do that. It doesn't have GPS but that's alright. I have it on my phone and Don has a TomTom (which may or may not work anymore. We'll see).<br />
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No more car worries for a long time. This baby hums and we have good mechanics we trust to do the right thing by her when she needs a bit of TLC. All in all, I'm happy and ready to hit the road. January is fast coming up on us.<br />
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<br />Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-29017187411396578562013-09-29T22:08:00.002-07:002013-09-29T22:16:40.140-07:00Monday with Mary and learning to live courageously<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">David Green, the founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.,
has fought tooth and nail against the Obamacare mandate that his business must
pay for employee insurance that includes abortion-causing drugs. For the deeply
religious Green, this is a government intrusion in his faith, one that
manifestly violates the First Amendment’s promise that the federal government
will not interfere in people’s religious practices. Green has now published an
open letter explaining the threats his company is facing from the Obama
administration and the steps that Hobby Lobby is taking to protect its business
and its religious integrity:<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sept.23, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When my family and I started our company 40 years ago, we were
working out of a garage on a $600 bank loan, assembling miniature picture
frames. Our first retail store wasn’t much bigger than most people’s living
rooms, but we had faith that we would succeed if we lived and worked according
to God’s word.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From there, Hobby Lobby has become one of the nation’s largest
arts and crafts retailers, with more than 500 locations in 41 states. Our
children grew up into fine business leaders, and today we run Hobby Lobby
together, as a family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We’re Christians, and we run our business on Christian
principles. I’ve always said that the first two goals of our business are (1)
to run our business in harmony with God’s laws, and (2) to focus on people more
than money. And that’s what we’ve tried to do. We close early so our employees
can see their families at night. We keep our stores closed on Sundays, one of
the week’s biggest shopping days, so that our workers and their families can
enjoy a day of rest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We believe that it is by God’s grace that Hobby Lobby has
endured, and he has blessed us and our employees. We’ve not only added jobs in
a weak economy, we’ve raised wages for the past four years in a row. Our
full-time employees start at 80% above minimum wage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But now, our government threatens to change all of that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A new government healthcare mandate says that our family
business MUST provide what I believe are abortion-causing drugs as part of our
health insurance. Being Christians, we don’t pay for drugs that might cause
abortions, which means that we don’t cover emergency contraception, the
morning-after pill or the week-after pill. We believe doing so might end a life
after the moment of conception, something that is contrary to our most
important beliefs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It goes against the Biblical principles on which we have run
this company since day one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If we refuse to comply, we could face $1.3 million PER DAY in
government fines.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our government threatens to fine job creators in a bad economy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our government threatens to fine a company that’s raised wages
four years running.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our government threatens to fine a family for running its
business according to its beliefs. It’s not right. I know people will say we
ought to follow the rules; that it’s the same for everybody. But that’s not
true.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, Hobby Lobby and my family are forced to make a choice. With
great reluctance, we filed a lawsuit today, represented by the Becket Fund for
Religious Liberty, asking a federal court to stop this mandate before it hurts
our business. We don’t like to go running into court, but we no longer have a
choice. We believe people are more important than the bottom line and that
honoring God is more important than turning a profit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My family has lived the American dream. We want to continue
growing our company and providing great jobs for thousands of employees, but
the government is going to make that much more difficult.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The government is forcing us to choose between following our
faith and following the law. I say that’s a choice no American and no American
business should have to make.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The government cannot force you to follow laws that go against
your fundamental religious belief. They have exempted thousands of companies
but will not except Christian organizations including the Catholic Church.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since you will not see this in the liberal media, please pass
this on to all your contacts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
David Green<br />
CEO and Founder of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.</span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-88103974444240940642013-09-27T21:07:00.001-07:002013-09-28T15:32:18.242-07:00Years of Work Completed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We went to the dedication of our new Public Safety Building and it was a happy, community unifying time. From before Don started working for the police department and then retiring, this building has been in the planning stages and construction. A combination of grants and city renewal money paid for it. No taxes on the community. At all. Cool.</div>
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Presenting Colors</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5kaNAoFnGqQftnZwqgIoYyhv3AqH09mTjdVIznAoI1U0SYbaTuEKv9ff7044cSuCw3C9I1bZa1WgLkueX9jNYkWozgk9OGNa5Maah7JSiEDVzDJCJuNSteQA8AygNpcpfOrY/s1600/Presenting+Colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5kaNAoFnGqQftnZwqgIoYyhv3AqH09mTjdVIznAoI1U0SYbaTuEKv9ff7044cSuCw3C9I1bZa1WgLkueX9jNYkWozgk9OGNa5Maah7JSiEDVzDJCJuNSteQA8AygNpcpfOrY/s320/Presenting+Colors.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
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Mayor John Lazar says a few words about the history of this building effort.</div>
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Michael Anderson from Congressman Jeff Denham's off presents a flag to Chief Rob Jackson and Mayor Lazar. This flag flew over the Pentagon this year on September 11th.</div>
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Chief of Police Rob Jackson</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKwyRS7u_Ue21-2MK_4pQ8FqOXU6SNJhkxxaIXGd5fFuxuCxJXYPvEe9zBqjdsB9je-3sGIf6HSHbPi5kxofD_V3tmFaruvHxsHvxlBIv7Li35idH1K_VTzJ8azJ6E1FyfZj7/s1600/IMG_2493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKwyRS7u_Ue21-2MK_4pQ8FqOXU6SNJhkxxaIXGd5fFuxuCxJXYPvEe9zBqjdsB9je-3sGIf6HSHbPi5kxofD_V3tmFaruvHxsHvxlBIv7Li35idH1K_VTzJ8azJ6E1FyfZj7/s320/IMG_2493.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fire Chief Tim Lohman</div>
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The VFW and American Legion fund raised for a memorial to be erected to honor each of the armed services. The American Legion Commander is at the podium. The Vice Commander for VFW is at the far right. Unfortunately, I don't know their names.</div>
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American Legion Commander, Chief Jackson, VFW Vice Commander and Chief Lohman</div>
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Guests</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xr9HSz0A_v9-h439gg4J0pMBuqtRiu_KA87CA-B49W8qY9o-L11Yw7z_XWibD1Xea37mEpwWlEni2sK4h5kiudektT-jYo3d_h3w5csA5xyxIezYEHnffJ8Ol-QMeaUhhTsO/s1600/Guests.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xr9HSz0A_v9-h439gg4J0pMBuqtRiu_KA87CA-B49W8qY9o-L11Yw7z_XWibD1Xea37mEpwWlEni2sK4h5kiudektT-jYo3d_h3w5csA5xyxIezYEHnffJ8Ol-QMeaUhhTsO/s640/Guests.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first phase of the Military Services Memorial</div>
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A fitting end to an uplifting hour.</div>
Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-54643962751347034402013-09-24T00:10:00.001-07:002013-09-24T00:30:16.024-07:00Mission Post #17 - Gifts of the Spirit<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The First and Highest Gift of the Holy Spirit is
Wisdom. </b> <span style="color: red;">Wisdom is the perfection of
faith. As Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., notes in his Modern Catholic Dictionary,
"Where faith is a simple knowledge of the articles of Christian belief,
wisdom goes on to a certain divine penetration of the truths themselves."
The better we understand those truths, the more we value them properly. Thus
wisdom, the Catholic Encyclopedia notes, "by detaching us from the world,
makes us relish and love only the things of heaven." Through wisdom, we
judge the things of the world in light of the highest end of man—the
contemplation of God.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am nowhere near perfection and actually, the
amount of wisdom I possess may be equal to what is needed to know when I've
taken a step backwards. Today I realized
that I was taking forward steps towards wisdom without even knowing it and that
bit of awareness lead me right to what I'm going to call "my error of the
day". Yeah. Just one.
But wisdom tells me that an "s" can easily be added to
"error". So I guess I should
count my blessings that today's insight came in one long protracted lesson.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Committing to going on a mission takes a lot of
thought and later, preparation. And then
practical actions (like applying to be a volunteer). And then there are recommendations, criminal checks,
background checks, and online classes to be aware of child abuse and elder
abuse. Reality check time. This just going out and doing something good
for others is not a simple process in the 21st century. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But with that all behind me, other areas started to
open up. I found myself praying more,
becoming more conscious of my actions, and following breadcrumbs that pointed
out behavior that needs to change. Which
brings me to today.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Walmart Neighborhood Store was not very busy and
I got everything I needed that was on my list.
Then I wandered around and decided to pick up a few more things that I
had reserved for Raleys. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Win/Win. Then I got to the checkout stand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stand
one - there is a problem so I go to <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stand
two - and met a big load of groceries to be checked so back to<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stand
one - where I discover the problem will take a while and it's back to <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stand
two - where a full basket from another shopper is now in line.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At this point, I start to wonder when they will open
checkout stand three because people are gathering; everything else is
Self-Checkout. I make a comment about
opening Stand 3 but it falls on deaf ears.
Then, Stand 2 shuts down too and still no one responsive about getting
someone to open Stand 3. I'm not shy
about stating my feelings. Then in
undisguised exasperation, I go to Self-Checkout.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Self-Checkout at Walmart is easier than it is at
Raleys; I'll give it that. There is no
machine beeping and speaking at you.
Nice. BUT, reaching deep into the
basket was hard on my back and by the time I was finished with my very full
basket, I was a sore and crabby mess. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To add insult to injury, another couple who had been
there with me when this mess started (and had only five items) was just
finishing checking out at Stand 2. Yes,
they had finally reopened. A few
growling words later, aimed at the clerk, and I was gone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay, so you had to be there. Bad customer service at the checkout after a
good in-store experience and a nice clerk at the meat counter, just plain
soured me. Walmart!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, I went home, cooled off (literally and
figuratively) and then headed out to Raleys.
First stop, Starbucks (and the beginning of my breadcrumb trail fed by
my moderate supply of accumulated wisdom).
There, I ran into John, a young man I had not seen for a while. We chatted and caught up and I admired his
Spanish language Catechism of the Catholic Church. I told him about my and Don's upcoming
mission and what we would be doing and at the same time consider that I need to
start paying attention to my Spanish self-studies again. It occurred to me that reading the Catechism
in English and Spanish might be a helpful learning aid. It also got me thinking about Walmart and my
actions there. God was sending me a
message and His Wisdom was moving in and taking over. I then moved on to Raleys and quickly
discovered that God wasn't finished with me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, no sooner did I go into Raleys than I saw two
nuns. Now, this isn't an everyday
occurrence around here and to add to the recognition factor, they were wearing
traditional habits. One of the nuns was
hurrying down the aisle and rounded the corner.
She disappeared but then I turned around and there was another nun, with
a laywoman. I had to speak and said
"hello". The breadcrumbs
turned into an entire loaf of bread.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She was Sr. Maria Santana of the Irmas Missionarios dos Pebres. Their mission is to help and serve the
homeless, sick and destitute among the children of Brazil. This naturally lead to me sharing our
upcoming mission to serve the poor in SE Missouri and our work with Sr.
Darlene. It was an amazing and unifying
moment and God's message and His grace was received loud and clear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wisdom is teaching me take a deep breath. Look at what is going on around me. Take inventory. Be patient.
Recall the wisdom of keeping your mouth shut when the words that want to
come out will wound someone or, worse yet, make you look like an idiot.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">And just to make sure that I knew who was in charge, He gave me one final test and after some thought and deliberation, I said just the right thing. I spoke from my heart. I was direct, honest and didn't compromise my beliefs. End result? A nice conversation with a former student and an opportunity to teach a little bit about taking information about the Church from the source, not from media or other uninformed interpreters. Thank you, God, for the gift of wisdom that gave me just the right words to make everything end A-okay.</span></div>
Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-24101972011918408172013-09-23T08:55:00.004-07:002013-09-23T08:55:27.881-07:00Bridal Shower Day<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Such a joyous day. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i> Made so many happy memories.
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Such a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1ATvPjgJW5UJp8CIGyLa2EHVOnDMT4DxBoyHYfZ_VWXfshFv_pwq4hGFUubtKcVjPdNWYT2Y0VbHgjMS2i5tm325GdYxHnlAYAfg-b6iMIE1iu1SIemG9R_iRCZ9i-IYCDTQ/s1600/New+folder_AutoCollage_24_Images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1ATvPjgJW5UJp8CIGyLa2EHVOnDMT4DxBoyHYfZ_VWXfshFv_pwq4hGFUubtKcVjPdNWYT2Y0VbHgjMS2i5tm325GdYxHnlAYAfg-b6iMIE1iu1SIemG9R_iRCZ9i-IYCDTQ/s640/New+folder_AutoCollage_24_Images.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-17312210803225085032013-09-19T21:30:00.000-07:002013-09-19T21:30:15.450-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiI-DPQOKcRlGa8RcO9gYf_bdo8g5PADJj8gBCyy2GKWE8nRqAxslu64j96l_PB1F5blXmZS4lX_ce2bJcEM8ZkO6EFEO0omT_dFfpbYTFYfnsMCuw5q0H2VpPB10HRmLELmK/s1600/1240216_10151599788026126_1191636871_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiI-DPQOKcRlGa8RcO9gYf_bdo8g5PADJj8gBCyy2GKWE8nRqAxslu64j96l_PB1F5blXmZS4lX_ce2bJcEM8ZkO6EFEO0omT_dFfpbYTFYfnsMCuw5q0H2VpPB10HRmLELmK/s640/1240216_10151599788026126_1191636871_n.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
<br />Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-51430194299151425732013-09-16T12:07:00.002-07:002013-09-17T08:05:35.612-07:00Mission Post #16 - What Unites Us?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What unites us as human beings? What is it that we all have in common that makes us one? In answer to this question, at its most essential, what unites us is blood and bone. We are all human. We are men and women. We may come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, but, we are all human. We all experience joy, satisfaction, and the desired to do good. We suffer pain and sorrow, know hunger, want, and thirst, and we all experience the impulse to commit acts for good or evil. We are complicated creatures that act on more than instinct. Sometimes this sense of unity comes home in a very real way and we find that we may be the sum of our individual parts but we are all also brothers and sisters beneath the skin.<br />
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This weekend Don and I took our next big step in preparing for our mission to southeastern Missouri this coming winter/spring 2014, Saturday and Sunday we spoke at all of the English and Spanish Masses telling our community of Catholic brethren at St. Anthony's of our upcoming mission; we introduced them to the small community of Glenmary nuns, priests and brothers who serve Appalachia and the South and their mission to serve the poorest of the poor in areas where there is often no Catholic presence at all.<br />
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We spoke of<span style="color: red;"> Mother's House</span> in Caruthersville, MO and Sr. Darlene's mission to serve the many impoverished single moms of the area. We asked, not for money but, for donations of maternity clothes, baby clothes and baby food and baby toys. In a community where children wear uniforms to public schools, we asked for navy and khaki pants and red, blue and white polo shirts that would fit teenage pregnant girls.<br />
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After seven Masses, I found myself reflecting on what unites us. We of St. Anthony's are a community of people where some have great wealth, many are ordinary middle class, and more than a few are the working poor and not a few who are undocumented and living in the shadows. We are Anglos, Latinos, and Filipinos. But at the end of the Masses, at the end of our appeal, I felt so united with all of them. The response was so overwhelming and positive. People understand need no matter their "station" in life. Giving is something we can all do. There is always someone who has less than we ourselves have and giving fills the need to reach out and help another even if we have a hard time helping ourselves.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Also linked with</b> <a href="http://corazon.typepad.com/recuerda_mi_corazon/"><i><span style="color: red;">Mornings With Mary</span></i></a>.</span></div>
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<br />Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-75120325360099426072013-09-11T18:53:00.001-07:002013-09-11T19:51:51.056-07:00Benghazi and 9/11 Memorial<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Marie, Don, and I had a great day in Sacramento on the Capitol steps honoring the Benghazi dead at the 9/11 Memorial. Later we went to Tim's office and lucked out to see him for a few minutes before he went back into session.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (33rd District) is a candidate for</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Governor of California in 2014.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Memorial Pictures</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Left to Right</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Ambassador Christoper Stevens</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Navy Seal, Glen Doherty</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Navy Seal, Tyrone Woods</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Diplomat, Sean Smith</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Paying Respects</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Guest Speaker, Pat Boone.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Mr. Boone heard about the memorial focusing on the deaths of the Benghazi heroes and contacted </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">organizer </i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ginny Rapini and asked if he could speak at the program and perform a song that he had recently written. Ginny clearly gave his request a resounding YES. He was inspiring and he was in great voice.</i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On the West Steps</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Amen.</i></span></div>
Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-90009706068105727472013-09-11T07:53:00.001-07:002013-09-11T07:53:52.586-07:00September 11, 2001 and September 11, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-92155534463550562372013-09-07T16:38:00.000-07:002013-09-07T16:38:13.588-07:00A Plea to Our Father in Time of Terror<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>This morning I joined Catholics, fellow Christians, and followers of other beliefs in worldwide prayer and fasting for the sake of Syria's suffering people. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>In quiet aloneness, I sat in the chapel at St. Anthony's Church reciting a Rosary, meditating on the Joyful Mysteries. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>How strange to consider that Saturdays are devoted to the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary as we reflect upon and pray over the suffering and terror that consumes the people of Syria. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">A Prayer for the People of Syria</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">Almighty eternal God, source of all compassion,<br />the promise of your mercy and saving help fills our hearts with hope.<br />Hear the cries of the people of Syria;<br />bring healing to those suffering from the violence,<br />and comfort to those mourning the dead.<br />Empower and encourage Syria’s neighbors<br />in their care and welcome for refugees.<br />Convert the hearts of those who have taken up arms,<br />and strengthen the resolve of those committed to peace.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">O God of hope and Father of mercy,<br />your Holy Spirit inspires us to look beyond ourselves and our own needs.<br />Inspire leaders to choose peace over violence<br />and to seek reconciliation with enemies.<br />Inspire the Church around the world with compassion for the people of Syria,<br />and fill us with hope for a future of peace built on justice for all.<br />We ask this through Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace and Light of the World,<br />who lives and reigns for ever and ever.</i></span></div>
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<em><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amen.</span></em></div>
Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-44842714611894767372013-09-03T09:04:00.000-07:002013-09-04T08:03:31.502-07:00Roadtripping with Elaine<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This weekend I saw something I don't see very often. I saw blue birds; that is birds that are blue. I don't really know what kind of bird this is but I imagine someone out there visiting here knows. Yes?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;">I found a stairway to a little piece of heaven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> I love the smell of the seashore and the blunt scents of the oils, decaying woods, painted metal, and accumulations of cargoes and diesel. </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> As I trained m</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">y camera across the Carquinez Strait, </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I discovered another little piece of heaven again, the </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">ship below. I couldn't read its name from that far distance but I had a great surprise waiting for me when I returned home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Several years ago, I spent the night on a California Maritime Academy training ship, <i>The Golden Bear, </i>after celebrating the retirement of the Dean of the Academy. Tonight I was examining the picture and tried closing in on the name of the ship and to my surprise discovered it was the <i>Golden Bear </i>of </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">my memory</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Gives new meaning to the phrase "dry dock".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Carquinez Bridges - old and new</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Getting in and out and OVER Crockett, CA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">There is one way in and one way out of Port Costa, a tiny little enclave of businesses and homes just east of Crockett. Free and rebellious spirits live here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The very unexpected St. Patrick's Catholic Mission Church.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It's the only church in town. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And just up the road, as you enter the town, we saw these signs. I caught the pictures on our way out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We got a good laugh out of them. It was a hoot finding these uber-anti-government signs in this part of California.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On the way back towards Crockett, we enjoyed a glorious view of the Carquinez Strait and the gently bending grass revealed another hidden surprise waiting to be discovered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This old truck was caught on the fly as we drove past it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Just like the towns of Crockett and Port Costa, the old girl still runs.</span></div>
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Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-6609848265879158202013-08-31T10:03:00.002-07:002013-08-31T10:06:56.680-07:00GF Time with Elaine<div id="fb-root">
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I've been here a little over an hour and I'm so relaxed. Nothing like having girlfriend time to unwind. And after six months of not seeing each other, I was ready for it.<br />
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Driving across the Altamont Pass this morning was a calming experience as well. Normally, traffic into the Bay Area is nuts. Today, the first day of the holiday weekend, the freeway was almost empty. Even heading north, it was almost deserted. Elaine and I decided the closure of the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge had a lot to do with this. Re-routing to any of the other three bridges is not convenient. <br />
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So today I have a visit to Nordstroms and Macy's on my dance card. Maybe I will find a Mother of the Bride dress. The last thing Don said as I left with Elaine was for her to make sure that if I found THE dress, I was to BUY THE dress. Okay, Don. I will.<br />
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Later we are heading to a couple of little towns on Carcinas Bay - Crockett and Port Costa. The camera is at the ready and I'm excited to visit two places I've never been and never heard of AND!!! area next to the water.<br />
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Happy Labor Day dear friends.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151565680581927&set=a.10150249297841927.328222.684356926&type=1">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/annie.jeffries.35">Annie Jeffries</a>.<br />
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Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-50588690226822980462013-08-27T20:06:00.001-07:002013-08-27T20:06:41.303-07:00Mission Post #15<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We have been accepted. We are going on our mission. The official word has been sent to us. We've spoken to Fr. Marcelino to start our planning on the parish end; we have spoken to Sr. Darlene and we think we will be staying with her; we have spoken to Fr. Armando - our pastor - and the details of our appeal to the parish for contributions have been settled. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We will make our appeal at all the Masses on September 14th and 15th and then once a month after, until we leave, there will be an announcement that we will be outside after Mass. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Fr. A. also mentioned that La Favorita (a Spanish language radio station) has an English and Spanish Catholic program and we may be able to arrange to make an appeal through there. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Athens (a friend) is setting up a radio interview for us on her radio program later in September or early October.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Now is the time for me to touch base with Sue again (in Mineral Wells, TX) and start the ground work for a news article and connect with the Catholic Church there. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We are going to be meeting to make a presentation to Knights of Columbus, YLI, and the Rosary Ladies' group, and others. Just those three alone will make a deeper connection with parish members.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Our friends Alicia Ruelas and Sara Fontana will translate for us at the Spanish Masses. So - we are set to go. I'm excited.</i></span>Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-8143790245834151712013-08-23T10:14:00.001-07:002013-08-23T10:14:46.301-07:00Good NewsWith the completion of this work below, we have done all that needs to be done to re-write our home loan.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJmaU0kPpfzJxGUfJcb4wClPq0GIm35JHwPAX7uaESDlcgX0a63jCFBgszLnaXh-4ZExOoonQ6dnMydhr5AYz7VcHcSflm4ZDozrkCwY5hP8TU47DtVtZa_MBMM1n_yfh3kfN/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJmaU0kPpfzJxGUfJcb4wClPq0GIm35JHwPAX7uaESDlcgX0a63jCFBgszLnaXh-4ZExOoonQ6dnMydhr5AYz7VcHcSflm4ZDozrkCwY5hP8TU47DtVtZa_MBMM1n_yfh3kfN/s400/PicMonkey+Collage.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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We have been trapped in a terrible home loan for five years and it was maturing in just two more years. After that our payment would have doubled. We weren't concerned about that at the time of making this loan eight years ago but - well - we all know what happened to the housing market. It didn't take us long to figure out that we might be heading for trouble. What a mess.<br />
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Anyway - Don joined VFW (Veterans of Foreign Way) a few months back and apparently that opens the door to many opportunities including a loan outfit that works with Veterans specifically to help them out of bad mortgage situations. We didn't know that at the time and oh what a blessing that has turned into for us.<br />
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So now we are approved, closed, and the paper/checks are in the mail. Vincent (above) was recommended to us through the pest control company that did our inspection and he is flat out awesome. The man is a machine. In five days he fixed our bathroom floor, removed dry rot from the front of the house, and replaced bad wood on our patio cover. <br />
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I am so grateful and relieved. To add to the happiness, Krista has told us that she wants the house. We have been TOLD that we can't sell it. I would have never imagined that we would have a legacy home to offer our children. Q is in Indiana with no plans to return and Kris won't be leaving CA anytime soon because of Adrian's very large family here. It's a comfort to know that this home will be there for them in future years.<br />
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Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-35862424246376733642013-08-19T13:36:00.003-07:002013-08-19T13:36:54.048-07:00Haiku My Heart Shutterfly Book<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab" height="425" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-ui.swf"/><param name="flashvars" value="configXMLURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/config/config-share.xml&slideshowModuleURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-module.swf&projectGUID=0AZs2zdy4csmPMN4&swfName=slideshowFlashContent&showReplay=true"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="quality" value="best"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><embed width="425" height="425" align="middle" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" name="wrapper" quality="best" menu="false" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashvars="configXMLURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/config/config-share.xml&slideshowModuleURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-module.swf&projectGUID=0AZs2zdy4csmPMN4&swfName=slideshowFlashContent&showReplay=true" src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-ui.swf"></embed></object><br />
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Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-56480100930226352752013-08-15T21:38:00.000-07:002013-08-18T12:45:11.590-07:00A Little Piece of My World<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>What does a stained glass window</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYIUeX4EFB2sw3NkArPWHTcuQB5jzG7Skm6u3cXU5g-0oGi5JH-x911vtIOCAa0mvao6gxq_oEwdk9HZgv1hXH0UiiEHc_lFachRElidHM5iDD5cuFUqb6Ii1obvNh1631rma/s1600/DSCN1441aa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYIUeX4EFB2sw3NkArPWHTcuQB5jzG7Skm6u3cXU5g-0oGi5JH-x911vtIOCAa0mvao6gxq_oEwdk9HZgv1hXH0UiiEHc_lFachRElidHM5iDD5cuFUqb6Ii1obvNh1631rma/s400/DSCN1441aa.JPG" width="226" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and a Catholic altar with a crown</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6xBUkZO2Ih6JDrF_J_9tIhH723tVYfNguTEBLUqLNJlZNUyfCuF3GiMLlIONcRuio-Bjh4GQR0MZi11HS7fP-LuQv_gTFuQu5Sm00RqKJoeWyPs_TMhaLPJw15Bub4OH2rOP/s1600/DSCN1453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6xBUkZO2Ih6JDrF_J_9tIhH723tVYfNguTEBLUqLNJlZNUyfCuF3GiMLlIONcRuio-Bjh4GQR0MZi11HS7fP-LuQv_gTFuQu5Sm00RqKJoeWyPs_TMhaLPJw15Bub4OH2rOP/s400/DSCN1453.JPG" width="400" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and <u>un caballero muy guapo*</u> on a horse have in common?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>A festival and procession honoring our Lady on the Holy Day of the Assumption of Mary into heaven.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfC3uYEUYNwYs9Dt1tj42lu6ceMdzKUF8O-fJWo3SFIrFIVreSJj8HD1typxH2xrxE3Yern7VcynBv5lrC_x8hFcBde6feaMrhJ5_zoY1RR-VIICTqc-mGuElHU7mGtWV5Idu/s1600/Assumption_841568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfC3uYEUYNwYs9Dt1tj42lu6ceMdzKUF8O-fJWo3SFIrFIVreSJj8HD1typxH2xrxE3Yern7VcynBv5lrC_x8hFcBde6feaMrhJ5_zoY1RR-VIICTqc-mGuElHU7mGtWV5Idu/s400/Assumption_841568.jpg" width="253" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>* Translation - a very handsome gentleman</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Click <a href="http://corazon.typepad.com/recuerda_mi_corazon/"><span style="color: red;">here for more Postcards from Paradise</span></a></i></span></div>
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<br />Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-20060176081727312932013-08-14T12:25:00.001-07:002013-08-14T12:25:24.357-07:00Visiting with a long time blog friend todayWhen Quanah moved from Oregon after getting a teaching job in Indianapolis last summer, I wondered when I would ever get up to Portland again. After all, whenever I went up there, I managed to see long time blogging friends, Marilyn and Jone. <br />
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Well, it's been one year since Q and his wife Erin moved and two years since I've been to Portland. Happily, I noticed on FB that Jone was in Santa Monica this week and her path home always leads her past an exist just three miles from my house. So - today we met up at Starbucks, the ubiquitous meeting place for all travelers who have lots of online friends everywhere, and did a lot of catching up. <br />
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And, of course . . .<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbl5CaOTjv97FUHJWObRJE8jOIIBDSQg9eKZf2gzLo9z4HEuVWeH1qGiipoK8LuWp0omWt1YjT2mu8MRtXREEWQrhGarfbDwe5FGjF1-B8PDJALfoMgTHlQaFGTSaVL_sDU-N/s1600/Jone+and+Anne+2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbl5CaOTjv97FUHJWObRJE8jOIIBDSQg9eKZf2gzLo9z4HEuVWeH1qGiipoK8LuWp0omWt1YjT2mu8MRtXREEWQrhGarfbDwe5FGjF1-B8PDJALfoMgTHlQaFGTSaVL_sDU-N/s320/Jone+and+Anne+2006.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
I forgot to take a picture. <br />
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So I went digging and found a picture of us at our first meet up at Powell's Books in Portland. Seven years later, I think we are holding up pretty well. LOL<br />
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It was great seeing you and Chuck again, Jone, and terrific to meet your daughter and grand daughter this time around, as well.Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-13149914196474237172013-08-12T21:19:00.001-07:002013-08-12T21:19:57.985-07:00Travel Journal<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/treeelf/9500396150/" title="travel journal and scrapbook for spring journey."><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7436/9500396150_62768f4865.jpg" alt="travel journal and scrapbook for spring journey. by AnnieElf" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/treeelf/9500396150/">travel journal and scrapbook for spring journey.</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/treeelf/">AnnieElf</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>Reading Vivian Swift's "La Travel Journal" has been fun and informative. She gives a simple suggestion for an easy, carry along journal. Using 3 x 5 cards and tape (I used pretty decorative tapes) put them together, end to end, to make an accordion folder to hold bits and pieces of paper ephemera I collect along the way. It was a well-spent afternoon.</p>Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-49289713149455955622013-08-11T11:41:00.000-07:002013-08-12T08:06:55.377-07:00Sunday Scribblings - Path<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My
path was set and I thought that with age, that path was cast in stone. How short-sighted of me. Age flung the door to my path wide open. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
walk on this path has been ambling and without special purpose. Each corner and curve revealed new choices
and possibilities. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Each
threshold leads to a new path, some short and some longer. But no matter the length, each was ambled
upon and carefully examined. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Creativity<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Theology<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Political
Philosophy<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Each
takes their turn, in turn. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My
daydreaming self achieved some completion – showing my photography, completing
a class on the basics of my faith, exploring political thought and the why of
our society’s current conflicts.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Satisfaction
followed by satisfaction followed by dismay.
I had to ask myself, “What path is right for me?” Epiphany flared up, dropping glittering awareness,
like shining confetti, creating a path of an entirely new direction, a quest,
if you will, to live a new way by following:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The corporal
works of mercy </span></i><i><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Calligraphy'; font-size: 12pt;">- feed
the hungry; give drink to the thirsty; clothe the naked; shelter the homeless; visit
the sick; ransom the captive; </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and bury the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The spiritual works
of mercy </span></i><i><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Calligraphy'; font-size: 12pt;">– instruct
the ignorant; counsel the doubtful; admonish sinners; bear wrongs
patiently; forgive offences willingly; comfort the afflicted; and
pray for the living and the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Calligraphy'; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
new path will lead me to new places in the coming spring. Now I plan the endeavor, prepare myself
emotionally and pray for spiritual guidance and a willing heart to accept what
is asked of me. <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Visit </span><span style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://sundayscribblings.blogspot.com/2013/08/382-path.html"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;">here</span></b></a> </span>for more Sunday Scribblings</span></i></div>
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Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-89675036276855381012013-08-09T15:13:00.000-07:002013-08-09T15:13:01.773-07:00Haiku My Heart<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">This week's haiku was inspired by the creators of the Facebook page, <span style="color: #c27ba0;">Virgin Mary Should've Aborted</span>. Facebook finally took the page down (after being hounded to follow their own rules about hate speech). Now the makers have created </span><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Virgin Mary Still Should've Aborted</span> </span><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;">and t</span><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;">he fight for respect continues. </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Atheists - if you don't believe in God, fine. Just leave the symbols of my faith alone. As a believer, my thoughts about atheists are pretty much limited to acknowledging you in prayer and wishing good will for you. But just as an observation, as a group, you all sure think a lot about God and how to actively hate Him and His people. Well, all I can say is, "it's a start".</i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_wB_B-W9OamWVa-cEPK9gjirAeP9rfQ-Uzm7KXI5DvyjFFcKjNLrD2CWiK_9zFgc1nj7EHBjVDvI1HyGUW74JdFqDu5qrpnysAlx1Itqy8APhsHWLKR0rqvZTr5y8RUwAYKM/s1600/Candlelight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_wB_B-W9OamWVa-cEPK9gjirAeP9rfQ-Uzm7KXI5DvyjFFcKjNLrD2CWiK_9zFgc1nj7EHBjVDvI1HyGUW74JdFqDu5qrpnysAlx1Itqy8APhsHWLKR0rqvZTr5y8RUwAYKM/s400/Candlelight.jpg" width="265" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>Don’t diss my
Mama<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>Facebook crazies cry abort</b></i></span></span></div>
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<i style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Sacrilegious hate</b></i></div>
Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-38767934589316602182013-08-09T08:38:00.001-07:002013-08-09T08:38:15.796-07:00Mission Post #13<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>We are simply waiting now. The application is in. The clearances are completed. The personal recommendations are received. Now we are simply waiting for final approval to volunteer with the Glenmary Sister at their mission post in Caruthersville, MO.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdehssudbqwhhCgQEgk3S3DFhfhUOG-mfGEJY4t8f8TPiIEyXzgwkf-5YrwoT-TaIw4Pz19eEvl1F7ofGWJ-Y7xMxFlqIZZDPJxje1Kq6gEA3Qrh0qB_7cHuDbfGNl7yHDobI/s1600/514xULgNEHL._SY300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdehssudbqwhhCgQEgk3S3DFhfhUOG-mfGEJY4t8f8TPiIEyXzgwkf-5YrwoT-TaIw4Pz19eEvl1F7ofGWJ-Y7xMxFlqIZZDPJxje1Kq6gEA3Qrh0qB_7cHuDbfGNl7yHDobI/s320/514xULgNEHL._SY300_.jpg" width="281" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Lately, I've started to make lists of what I need for basic packing and living on the road for a few months. I ran across a blog a while back that, in part, talks about this as well as economizing on sleeping and eating on the road. I also discovered a couple of creative journaling books by Vivian Swift. One that has been especially helpful is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Le-Road-Trip-Travelers-Journal/dp/1608195325">Le Road Trip</a>. As you might suspect, this has a French twist to it but traveling is traveling and it doesn't take much tweaking to use her ideas as a fun and useful guide to getting myself organized. Most of it is common sense but having it laid out here, and in such a fun way, helps me focus, not to mention the reduced brain power I need to use to get it right and not think, down the line, "How could I have not thought of that?".</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Post-mission we are now fine tuning our adventures. Civil War sites and Catholic shrines are high on our list. Shiloh National Battlefield in Tennessee is just three hours from where we will be in Missouri. Later, after leaving Indianapolis, we will be heading east visiting Gettysburg in Pennsylvania and Antietam in Maryland. In between is <a href="http://www.setonheritage.org/">The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton</a>. There are so many historic sites so close together that the mind boggles. I'm already thinking forward to 2015 and another mission and trip.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>The other nice news is that three of my blogging/Facebook friends have volunteered to host us as we travel through their area. Texas, Maryland, and Michigan friends - "Thank you so much". Sue, Dave, and Jeanie - so looking forward to meeting you face to face.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Bye for now. More soon.</i></span>Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24228581.post-13269387584993171352013-08-07T21:22:00.000-07:002013-08-07T21:29:07.257-07:00Mexican Wedding - Had a blast<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Once upon a time,<i> mi amiga</i>, Alicia Ruelas,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjVZocK8_e6foctNeoNqgBHhtq3vzs6vKHMsAPMFMy9KYNo_YOY0gi8K4m5-9WfltCqlMeQGXD90f-nU32Y2ec2UiXxW7c-7mbq0fesUyf2QONrgqd37MHT3r9nchgUXHUtel/s1600/Alicia+Ruelas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjVZocK8_e6foctNeoNqgBHhtq3vzs6vKHMsAPMFMy9KYNo_YOY0gi8K4m5-9WfltCqlMeQGXD90f-nU32Y2ec2UiXxW7c-7mbq0fesUyf2QONrgqd37MHT3r9nchgUXHUtel/s320/Alicia+Ruelas.jpg" width="226" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">introduced me to <i>su amiga</i>, San Juana Cortez.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSv_gklwc_ZGIrnkG2jzIb9eTl00kBmj-YmxQq3L_bVnI1oOV9gLVmm2zWavvbeTBz0MH5NqV_M9gj8v-4ftHxJaYgTLnj-bttYMk2GJLW9LnLLJ-fljq_vV2Y9_-mxL52mht/s1600/San+Juana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSv_gklwc_ZGIrnkG2jzIb9eTl00kBmj-YmxQq3L_bVnI1oOV9gLVmm2zWavvbeTBz0MH5NqV_M9gj8v-4ftHxJaYgTLnj-bttYMk2GJLW9LnLLJ-fljq_vV2Y9_-mxL52mht/s320/San+Juana.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Alicia speaks English and Spanish. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">San Juana speaks no English. At all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And, of course, San Juana and I hit it off in a big way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Together, we are <i>Los Tres Amigas,</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uHTaSE8iv0nENfEApOP2JneYlAI6Nyv2MVx4_nQ6IsP1f_9Djbewvm-_jkDUQcAqj1LJOORtlvm_cHse6onN64jcvS_6R1TbWWp0HheoZiRHaV19p2_x-vB_Fog-NZPXPpHh/s1600/DSCN1288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uHTaSE8iv0nENfEApOP2JneYlAI6Nyv2MVx4_nQ6IsP1f_9Djbewvm-_jkDUQcAqj1LJOORtlvm_cHse6onN64jcvS_6R1TbWWp0HheoZiRHaV19p2_x-vB_Fog-NZPXPpHh/s400/DSCN1288.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After spending a fun evening on the first meeting having a four way conversation going on in two languages, we parted, promising to see each other again soon. A couple of weeks later, I dropped in to see Alicia to make plans and discovered that San Juana was back in Mexico, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">visiting her oldest son who remains there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">However, before she left she gave Alicia an invitation for Don and I. One of her sons, Jesus Salvadore, lives and works in North Carolina and he was returning soon to marry. The invitation was for us to attend the wedding. To say I was surprised, would be an understatement. But with great excitement (well, me anyway. Don never gets excited about anything) we went out the afternoon of August 4 to attend a <i>bona fide</i> Mexican Wedding. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The groom was <i>muy guapo</i> (very handsome).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The bride was <i>muy bonito</i> (very beautiful).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">All night, the children whirled and spun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The mariachis played such great music. From the hymns in church to the romance and liveliness of the reception, I heard mariachi like I had never heard it before. And of course, I had to serenade Don with our song, <i><span style="color: red;"><b><a href="http://youtu.be/r40RwDC0sZI"><span style="color: red;">Besame Mucho</span></a>.</b></span> </i>Click the song title for a video.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And, of course, they danced and danced and danced.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Later the mariachis left and a dance band came in. The lights went down and picture taking got a little dicey but I managed. Just count the odd glares and shadows as special effects. I noticed later, also, that I got a little carried away with photographing the violinist. Hmmmm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">One of the most striking moments of the evening was when the dance band switched to a romantic song. Alicia told me the song was devoted to love of family and it wasn't unusual for families to sing together. Manual, without any fanfare, slowly made his way to the lead singer and the mic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">In no time at all, he was surrounded by five of his sons, San Juana in the midst of her boys, and his grand daughters. It was a tender moment, deeply moving, and gave me chills. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And so - our evening ended. The dance band was breaking down and the Banda music was on its way in. Time for these two oldies to head home.</span></div>
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Annie Jeffrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15415548089882625246noreply@blogger.com7