One thing that happens to me a lot is getting distracted. I’ll be trying to pay attention and all of a sudden I’m off thinking about something far removed from the topic at hand. This can happen in a conversation, at Mass, during a homily or a conversation with my wife….. “I’m talking to Judy … Continue reading “Okay, Listen Up” →

Originally Posted July 24, 2020 If you’ve ever tripped and fallen, it’s amazing how quickly it happens…one moment you’re walking along enjoying the view and the next moment you’re on the ground trying to clear your head. Gravity is just a vague concept until it gets applied to you. Acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 meters … Continue reading “Routine To Crisis” →

Originally Posted July 23, 2020 At times, what little is  left of my chemistry knowledge surfaces in my brain.  I majored in chemistry in college, which is truly amazing because I didn’t like it very much (huge understatement) and I wasn’t very good at it… just good enough to squeeze out a major after taking 18 … Continue reading “Activation Energy” →

 Pride is pathetic…..  miserably inadequate, pitiful, deplorable.  What’s so pathetic about pride is that when we are proud we think we are the opposite of someone to be pitied. “Hey, look at me, I’m a genius… I’m so clever… everyone loves me… am I handsome or what… everyone wants to be with me, and why not…who wouldn’t…bla,bla,bla. … Continue reading “Help Me Lord” →

“Who am I”….. the classic statement in Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables where Jean Valjean confesses his identity, at great cost, to save an innocent man. It’s a powerful moment in the story where the “rubber meets the road” about his true identity. Who am I ? "Who Am I.. Who Am I ..... I'm Jean Valjean" By … Continue reading “Who am I ?” →

Like many of you, I was thinking of Hippopotamuses the other day. They are big and ugly and crabby. You have to be careful when you make fun of your local Hippo…. they may take offense. I learned that “while hippos spend up to 16 hours a day submerged in water, they also take to … Continue reading “ Don’t Call Me Tubby” →

Facing reality can be a challenge… often it’s painful.  I may not like a particular aspect of my life, so I can tend to dismiss it, ignore it…. “hey I need to get a new mirror… the one I have is distorted… I look a lot better than that”. Hmmmmm. Over time, we may accept more … Continue reading “Facing Reality” →

As I recently “scoured” the landscape of life, it seemed that almost all the news was discouraging. I won’t repeat all the bad news because you’re probably already aware of most of it, and if you’re not, why ruin your day. With all of this, I was feeling a bit “gloomy”, using a phrase from … Continue reading “Hope Against Hope” →

Originally Posted July 21, 2020 Perhaps you’ve heard the question, “hey if the Catholic Church is founded on Jesus Christ and Christ makes all the difference in a person’s life, why are there so many problems in the church… what about all the scandals….how can I believe in such a flawed institution…too many skeletons in … Continue reading “ Convinced Me ” →

Morse Code In the Background ...dot-dot-dot-dash-dot-dot-dot… This is Edward R. Murrow, reporting from London with a special edition of the BLOG. This just in from the Touhill Chicken Coop in New Jersey….. “the first two eggs have arrived”. Yes, after several months of planning, working, waiting, praying… the first two eggs have arrived. Chief Cook & Bottle … Continue reading BULLETIN…BULLETIN…BULLETIN →