Journal

Feast of Saint Philomena

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J+M+J

St. Philomena is my confirmation saint, so I was very happy to hear that our priest was having a special mass on her feast day, August 11, and that there would be a blessing with a first class relic (part of Philomena’s bone) and the oil that burns before her tomb afterwards. It was in a beautiful little church in the town of Salem about forty minutes away, and our whole family drove out for the mass.

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The altar is decked in red and gold in honor of Philomena's martyrdom.

The Carmelite nuns made this special Saint Philomena vestment.

The Carmelite nuns made this special Saint Philomena vestment.

Alexander with a holy card of Philomena.

Alexander with a holy card of Philomena.

After mass we were anointed with the oil, and then had a chance to kiss the relic. Alexander was a little confused when it was his turn to kiss the relic, and opened his mouth instead. I think he thought he was about to receive his First Holy Communion. Fortunately, Dad was next to him and he told Alex what he was supposed to do.

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The anointing with the oil. (Different than the anointing of the sick)

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Daniel waits for his turn.

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The end procession, with Landon at the front.

After Mass, I took a close up picture of the pretty statue of St. Philomena and her relic.

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Transformation

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We took the baby parrots to the nursing home again today, and they were just as big of a hit as last time. THey puffed up their heads to be petted, and everyone thought they were really beautiful. I still can’t believe that they came from those ugly little pink things I pulled out of the nest:

From this-

From this-

To this!

-to this!

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The Muffin Man

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J+M+J

Sunday after church, Alexander declared he was going to be a priest. When we asked Joseph if he was going to be a priest also, he responded, “No, I’m gonna be the muffin man, remember?”

“Do you like eating muffins, Joseph?” Dad asked.

“Yes, but I even more like making muffins,” he replied.

So, today I made lemon poppy seed muffins with the muffin man.

Tasting the batter

Tasting the batter

Rewards of Baking

Rewards of Baking

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Waiting impatiently

Waiting impatiently

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Making the lemon glaze.

Making the lemon glaze.

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No Cavities

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At my visit to the dentist today, I was very happy to make it without any cavities!

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Flooding

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This year, South Dakota has broken the rainfall record for June and July by over two inches, topping off at over twenty inches total. This has caused a lot of water problems throughout the city, and thursday night, I awoke at one thirty, hearing a gurgling sound  in my room. A minute later, water was running into the basement for the second time in two weeks. Thankfully, nothing was damaged as the carpet had already been ruined and torn out by the first flooding. Everyone slept upstairs for the rest of the night while it was drying out. Now the house is starting to get back to normal, although we are quite cramped with the contents of the basement moved to our upstairs living room. I am looking forward to getting my room fixed, and being able to resume life as usual. In the meantime, we’re all doing our best to maneuver throughout the house.

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First Bird Sale

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After many inquiries, we sold our first sun conure baby last week to a family with an autistic son. They just called us to let us know that everything was going well, and that they had DNA’d the chick to find out that it was a girl. They named it Stevie, are very happy with their purchase. Hurray!

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Lightening Bolt

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This picture was taken during our early 4th of July celebration at my grandparent’s farm, while it stormed off in the distance. I’ve tried many times before to catch lightening on camera, and this time I didn’t even realize I had done it until after I loaded the pictures onto the comupter!

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More Shakespeare Photos

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This is our entire cast and director, with twenty actors.
This is our entire cast and director, with twenty actors.

Going on a little picnic.
Going on a little picnic.

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A masquerade party.

I figured out who this person was in the play, but she is trying to convince me I'm wrong..
I figured out who this person was in the play, but she is trying to convince me I’m wrong..
Playing our trick on Beatrice. Notice how she is hidden in the bushes listening to the conversation.

Playing our trick on Beatrice. Notice how she is hidden in the bushes listening to the conversation.

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Joseph’s New Skill

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Two days before his fourth birthday, he mounted the bike without training wheels and took off.

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Without any practice at all, he rode immediately. It has been the same way for the last two boys, who have all been experts on their scooters. So, we’re pretty sure that the scooters must build up their balance really well, and makes a much easier transition to a two wheeled bike.

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From the Garden

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White balloon flower. I also have some blue ones, but it only has buds on it right now.

A white balloon flower. I also have some blue ones, but it only has buds on it right now.

This is why they are called 'balloon flowers.'

This is why they are called 'balloon flowers.'

Baby pumpkin

The first baby pumpkin.

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Raspberries. We got to eat a handful today, and another handful is still ripening. Really good, since you aren't supposed to get any the first year you plant them.

Raspberries. We got to eat a handful today, and another handful is still ripening. Really good, since you aren't supposed to get any the first year you plant them.

Lovely lilly.

Lovely lily.

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This is bee balm. I didn't notice the ant until after I took the picture.

Shasta Daisy

A shasta Daisy.

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A purple coneflower.

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Summer Shakespeare Camp 2010

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J+M+J

This week I’ve been practicing for yet another drama production, the last of the summer. This time, we were putting on an unabridged Much Ado About Nothing. The, story, set in Spain in the 1500’s, revolves around Count Claudio and the lady Hero, recently engaged. They trick  their friends, Benedick and Beatrice (who constantly argue with each other), into falling in love with each other by letting them overhear talking about how much they secretly love each other. Meanwhile, evil Don John nearly ruins Hero and Claudio’s marriage by convincing Claudio that Hero loves someone else. But in the end, everything ends well, and the two couples are happily married.

I played Ursula, one of Hero’s attendants, and I took part in the scheme to bring Beatrice and Benedick together. I loved my costume, and two other girls in the play did my hair in three braids again braided together.

Our performance was Saturday night, and we narrowly avoided being rained on. We could hear faint thunder the entire play, and it started raining about fifteen minutes as we finished. Very close!

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Annie

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Posting has been pretty neglected lately, because for the last two weeks of june I was spending the whole day at a broadway camp, where we were putting on the musical Annie.  My main part was Annette, a head made in the billionaire’s mansion.  We had two performances on July 1, and they were both nearly sell out shows.

I don’t have any pictures of me as a maid, but here’s one of the number N. Y. C., where I’m a New York Citizen.

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I'm on the right

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