Author: Maria Johnson

I made it to another 7 Quick Takes Friday

Did I do this at a reasonable time?

Check out the collection of other 7 Quick Takes Friday posts, hosted at Jennifer Fulwiler’s blog, Conversion Diary. 

–1–

My social media diet, inflicted upon me rather than a matter of choice, has over all been ok. I miss the constant chatter, but, oh well. I’m still sufficiently on because of a couple of on-line classes that I’ve tended to creep more than post. Maybe I’ll continue to ween myself off completely.

On second thought — I don’t think I want to do that.

–2–

Halloween was absolutely adorable this year — my favorite kid was dressed like Eeyore and must have learned to walk and string “twicko tweek” together all in the same week. Much more fun than the over-grown Wookiee who lives here and was helping himself to my chocolate

–3–

It’s probably too early to say anything definitive, but we’ve been working on the CNMC 2012, and it’s going to be fun. And great. Really.

–4–

I’m still in my pajamas. I know, go ahead and judge me. Let’s just say I’m celebrating the day off.

–5–

Well, I did. I said I wasn’t going to do NaNoWriMo but a series of events led up to the decision to go ahead and do it. The short version is simple: if I’m not registered I can’t encourage the writing buddies I’ve made over the years. I kinda like being that cheerleader. So, if you’re keeping count, my magnum opus this year is up to the amazing 143 words.

Yeah. There isn’t a zero missing. Still, I think it’s a kick-ass opening paragraph. 🙂

–6–

I just ate a chocolate chip cookie with an oreo baked inside it. I’d post a picture…except I ate the whole thing. I guarantee that if you return to the blog later, you’ll see a picture of it. I’m feeling that maybe at around 3 or 4 I’m going to need to run a pot of coffee, you know, as a pick-me-up. And that cup of coffee would be awfully lonely all by itself. I might even go ahead and use cream because at that point, who’s counting calories?

–7–

Last week I said I was going to review Lisa Hendey’s A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms . Here it is!

Review: A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms

When I received my copy of Lisa Hendey’s new book, A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms, I did a little dance in the driveway. I’m nerdy that way — who doesn’t love to get stuff in the mail? When it’s a book — JOY!

Of course, I immediately sat down to read it, but rather than starting on page one, I flipped around, stopping to read when I recognized a favorite Saint, but also when I ran across a Saint that I didn’t know.

I spent about an hour reading in this manner, and I didn’t realize how much time had passed until my husband asked if I had picked up the mail.

Oh! I was that engrossed!

One of the things that I like about Lisa’s writing is that it comes from a practical place. Her first book, The Handbook for Catholic Moms, is a resource that can be used, re-used, and adapted to mothers’ needs. A Book of Saints takes that to the next spiritual level. As mothers, we are well-aware of our responsibilities to provide sound instruction for our children, but we also need to nourish ourselves spirtually along the way.

In spite of my enthusiastic jump into the book and the sporadic jumping around to get a feel for the contents, I recognized a different gift in the book. Lisa presents us with companions on a faith journey that spans a year.

One part history, one part reflection, and one part mini-retreat, A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms will slow me down. I love that. It meets me where I am (needing some spiritual growth) and asks of me something I can easily work into my busy schedule (52 saints instead of a daunting 365).

Whether I sit down with my new companions for a little while every day, or in a weekly marathon session to get everything read at once, I know I’ll be a better mom and a better Christian for spending time in the company of Saints.

Thanks Lisa!

obligatory nano-avoidance post

I should be working on my novel. Instead, I am laughing until tears flow (perhaps I needed that) as I read through my journal from 1984.

Holy cow, that was a hundred years ago. Or, well, a whole bunch. I was 21. TWENTY-ONE! I have a daughter that’s 21. And one that’s older. Where’s my walker?

Anyway, in my typical stream of consciousness insanity, my trip down memory lane started rather innocently with a conversation at lunch. I was sharing a beautiful experience from Mass last night. My colleague and friend is in her church choir and loves music (I surround myself with music-lovers — don’t think I haven’t noticed) and I was telling her about a little girl that sat in front of me and sang with the purest, sweetest, most angelic voice I had ever heard.

It truly was like a choir of angels. At first, I thought it was one of the adult women near me, but no, it was the little pig-tailed sweetness in front of me. Listening to that little girl was one of those experiences that I know will remain with me always. There was just something transcendent about it all — her innocence, the clarity, and above all, the absolute joy and love that she radiated. I should worship like that.

And it reminded me of another transcendent experience…many years ago. It involved music, too. I was studying in France and was invited to an outdoor music festival. There was a small amphitheater for a more formal show and I was given a ticket to a special performance of Mozart…I can’t remember what it was but it was easily recognizable to me at the time, so I imagine it was selections from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, no doubt; it when I truly fell in love with the strings…and then a gorgeous piano piece that I don’t remember. That’s what sent me searching for my journal. I was sure I had written about it.

Unfortunately, in a fit of writer’s angst angst, I threw away all my writing in the pre-digital age. The only thing that remains is this little leather travel journal. I don’t know how it survived, but I am so grateful that it did. It was a gift from a professor and friend who encouraged me and mentored me at a time when I was struggling with my career options.

It reminded me, as I laughed through the memories, of how a soft encouraging word or even the acknowledgment of a dream can buoy someone’s spirit. The writing in the journal is sometimes painful to read…I hope I’ve come a long way from that…but I think I’ll keep it on my desk as a reminder to keep plugging along this November.  A quarter of a century later, that little journal, and the woman who encouraged me, are still with me. I’ll honor that by trying to do the same.

Keep writing, Nanos. The month is still young!

why am I doing NaNoWriMo…again?

Well. I said maybe I was, then I wasn’t, now I am. This NaNoWriMo thing is crazy. I’ve done it for several years, and here I am doing it again.

I never win. By that I mean I never achieve the 50 thousand words I’m supposed to produce. Interestingly, it’s about producing words. Not producing some good content. So you’d think I could do a massive brain dump and give myself permission for a terrible draft.

We’ll see. Stay tuned for some unexpected updates. Like. Maybe I finish. Or give up after 75 words.

Coincidentally, St. Teresa of Avila happened to write on scraps of paper (see picture above). Now that she and I are friends, maybe things will change.

I don’t know why she has a tambourine in this picture, but I’m going to take it as a sign that she’s my cheerleader. I’m sure that’s it, cuz I’d be sorely disappointed if it was to launch into a painful rendition of Kumbaya.

St. Teresa, pray for me.

a little late afternoon poetry after some fresh-brewed coffee

The late afternoon sun casts
mottled shadows on the ground
as light filters through the once
lush oak tree, now bare.

The leaves that do remain
hold on in desperation
or maybe resignation,
but I choose to believe
they hold on with hope.

 

it’s flat Lucas!

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Somebody took my sweet nephew and godson Lucas and shrank him into a little Flat Lucas who went all over Atlanta with me to today.

We went to Turner Field and took a picture of the new stadium from the REAL stadium, Fulton County Stadium, that was torn down for the Olympics. They turned the old stadium into a parking lot, but because of Hank Aaron‘s record-breaking home run, they embedded a record of the diamond and bases on the deck. They also left the piece of the wall where the ball sailed over!

Flat Lucas also has some pictures at the Olympic torch and the rings from the Centennial Olympics in 1996!

You can also see the State Capitol, which has a real gold roof made from gold from Dahlonega, site of the beginning of the Gold Rush!

Then we went to visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. historical site!

Did I make it to Quick Takes Friday?

Oh! I remembered before midnight!

Check out the collection of other 7 Quick Takes Friday posts, hosted at Jennifer Fulwiler’s blog, Conversion Diary. 

–1–

I can’t believe what a slacker I’ve been, specifically with the Quick Takes, but generally with the poor little ole blog. The upside is that I have posted some things elsewhere, so at least I’ve been doing some of that. Sarah Reinhard so sweetly encourages me to play at her blog, Snoring Scholar, so I wrote this about the #gratefultweets campaign. And then my review of The Mighty Macs that isn’t quite a review because I chat it up about how it stirs up old memories for me is at Patheos, which, by the way, you should check out if you’ve never seen the eclectic collection of bloggers featured there.

–2–

It wouldn’t be Friday if I wasn’t complaining about laundry. So, grumble grumble laundry grumble.

–3–

I started the week (or ended the weekend, I guess everything is relative) at the beach. You can see the pictures on this post.

–4–

I’m getting ready for yet another round of NaNoWriMo. While I’ve actually produced a few books that started during NaNoWriMo, I’ve never finished in the 30 days. It’s only 50K words. Only. One of these years I’m gonna do it. Could this be the year?

–5–

I’m a little bit outside my comfort zone right now…did I say I’m applying for a doctoral program? In creative writing? Maybe I’ve told a few people, you know, like friends who won’t laugh or think I’m crazy. Anyway, it feels a little scary saying it here publicly, but there you go. You might want to pray for me…obviously to get accepted, but practically, for me to actually finish the arduous application in time.

–6–

It’s the last weekend in October! I’m all stocked with candy for the little ones in the neighborhood, but besides the fun of Halloween, have you considered that it’s also the month when we celebrate the Rosary? I have a little story to tell about the rosary on Pat Gohn’s Among Women episode 112. You’ll want to hear all the beautiful stories shared in that episode!

–7–

Finally, I’m reading a new book. Maybe you’ve heard about it? It’s Lisa Hendey’s A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms . I’ll be reviewing it in a couple of days. Get it. It’s awesome!