Hello Pilgrim!

So the weekend started during my exercise at the YMCA with this view Friday morning...

The bird on the left was deceased. Probably a kamikaze scenario. You can see there is a circle of moisture surroundingtwo birds. The bird on the right flew in and landed slightly out side the circle. Slowly, and with much song, he made his way toward the dead bird until he was just this close. It took him 30 minutes to eulogize his fellow flyer. He sat shiva for the full 30 minutes. I wondered what was their relationship. Then he was gone. 

On Saturday Mr. Macho and I went on a Pilgrimage. We drove through foothills with winding roads. The ride was therapeutic and the fall colors were only slightly held at bay by the recent drought. I found myself relaxing and absorbing the autumn dress on the trees. I commented to Macho that, at a certain stretch of the road as we drew closer to our destination, I kept smelling something like bread baking. He didn't smell it.  We drove to no-wheresville (Hanceville, AL). And after all the winding rural roads our ride ended at the Shrine of The Most Blessed Sacrament. You have to see it to believe that it landed in the Middle of Nowhere, Alabama. We arrived just in time for Mass. Old school. In the lower chapel. After which we toured the main sanctuary, where I followed a pilgrimage protocol for our Year of Mercy. Check. Pilgrimage complete. 

In the gift shop I purchased the new Bible that I have been needing. 

I lit candles at the underground creche grotto for our parents. 

After a very decent Italian lunch at Carlton's, we drove to the Ava Maria Grotto. It is cheesy, but worth stopping for a look around. The above photo was taken at the Grotto. A monk built miniatures of many landmarks and shrines back in the early to mid 1900s. Price of admission $5. 

This snap was taken at the replica of the Basilica in Fatima, Portugal. Look close. It says, "Oct.-Dec. 1956". December 1956?! What a great month and year! So I had to 'capture' that for myownself. 

We drove a different route on the way home and landed at Daughter's house for a quick visit and some fried chicken! All her kiddos seem to be doing great. 

***

This morning I awoke feeling all "Pilgrim-esque". I hope this shiny feeling lasts. 

Also this morning we learned that one of our parishioners died during the night. I think I have blogged about him before. He was a heart transplant recipient over 19 years ago. He far outlived expectations. And he was a faithful communicant of our church, going to daily mass, frequently, and Sunday mass until just a few weeks ago. 

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen

New to me.

Well let me just tell you. I am all about new stuff this week. Here it is - wait for it - spaghetti squash! Who knew?! We are going to eat it for supper. I had to taste a bite after baking it...you know, just to be the guinea pig. And. It is delish! I have earned my brave points for the week. We will have to wait and see what Mr. Macho's reaction is. He isn't the daring kind. It's iffy whether he goes for it.

Also. I have a confession. My sweet neighbor keeps buying me a pumpkin spice pancake mix...I had two bags in my freezer from last year and what happens? She pops in this week with another! She buys them when she takes a trip to the mountains. It is very sweet of her. We just don't eat that many pancakes. And. Macho likes the plain kind. No fru-fru.

I am happy to report that I have found a use for the pumpkin spice pancake mix. You see. There is also a recipe for muffins on the bag. So. I added shredded carrots and walnuts and cooked muffins. I will top them with some cream cheese frosting and pass them off to the old-fart coffee club that sits in the lobby of the YMCA in the mornings. They will eat them up! Win. Win. You see? All's well that ends well. I will call it 'paying it forward'. Besides. I took a bite of these, also. And. They really are good. Who knew!? (My new phrase of the day is, "Who knew!?") I have always thanked my neighbor profusely for the pancake mix. And. From now on I will be even more thankful for it. Her act of kindness is very appreciated.

And so ends another adventure filled day. All happiness and smiles here.

Namaste.

Yada yada yada...

So it's been a good week so far. Our little Parish Picnic is in the history books. Had a regular lunch with my girl buddies yesterday. Played bunko with more friends today! Tried a new recipe and it was well received. Pecan Pie fudge. Yum-o!

No luck at the bunko, though. I am like the cartoon kid with the black cloud following me around. If I didn't have bad luck, I would have no luck at all.

I am a little jelly that 3 of my sisters are doing a fun road trip this weekend. They are going to our Texas sister's house. I know there will be lots of laughs, good drinks, and primo adventures. Heck there might even be some crafty things made this weekend. Texas sister is into crafts. She is good at it.

I was invited to go, but I'm hoping Mr. Macho and I find some adventure of our own. I am kinda hoping for a day trip somewhere. Anywhere. I'll let you know.

***

I have a piece of marble. Here is the history of it: The marble was in the post office in Laurel, MS. My Uncle Jimmy Bass got wind that it was being discarded in 1961 when a local bank bought and renovated the old P.O. He asked my parents it they would like a piece of the marble and they said yes. So Dad took two corbels off an old piano and mounted them on the wall of their living room. The marble sat right atop the corbels. There was a large mirror over the marble shelf. A frilly white vase sat on the shelf, as did a small bowl. When my Dad would come home he would drop his keys in the bowl.  I'm not sure what the bowl material was, but the sound of the keys hitting the bowl on the marble shelf resounded in the house. It was a particular sound.

Hurricane Katrina destroyed my parents' house and one of my siblings found the marble intact. A few years ago Mom asked me if I wanted the marble piece and I said I did. Until now it has collected cobwebs in my carport.

Yesterday Mr. Macho and I met with a local furniture designer. He is designing a steel table that will frame the marble. I put this on my to-do list this year. In January, I think. Well color me happy that it is going to get done before year-end!

***
Tonight we dine on baked chicken and salad. I am trying to make meals a little less caloric. Fewer carbs. Fresh veggies. Smaller portions. It is my plan. I didn't say it was working yet. I plan to do this.

Gotta go wash my tomatoes.
Namaste.

AWOL.

I know I have been absent as of late. It's been a busy month.

Estate sale is done. The old house is cleaned out. Not so the shop. Mr. Macho isn't finding the time to take off and haul off. It will get done.

Had a really good visit with my coast peeps last weekend. So glad I got to see everybody. Had lunch with Mom, Brother Pete, and his wife and middle child on Friday. Took in a Bearcat football game Friday night. More visit with Beach Boy and his family, and Mom on Saturday. After church with Beach Boy & fam we had a lovely leisurely dinner with my sibs, Mom, sis-in-law, niece and finance. Got to hear the engagement story. Ah love!

Anyway. The weeks are flying by. Lots of stuff going on...garden club, soup kitchen, bunko, keeping up with Instagram challenge, reading, family...just finished reading "The Same Different As Me". I recommend it. The movie will be out in February. Several good movies coming out that I want to see, "The Interpreter"(?) looks good. What good books and/or movies can you recommend?

We finally have cool temps outside, but not enough rain to cancel the fire ban warning.

Church picnic this weekend. Don't want to think about holidays, yet. But. I am already planning The Big Birthday Bash. Oh this is gonna be great!

Peace my brothers.
And sisters.