Seven Quick Takes For Friday

1.  Please pray for the soul of my sister-in-law Barbara's father, who passed away Wednesday at age 71 of a heart attack. His name is Wilfredo Salvador and he and his wife raised their five children in Dumaguete City in the Philippines. You might remember I wrote about one of his grandchildren, Brennan Kyle Alcantara, who was miraculously rescued from flood waters during Typhoon Sendong.

 May the Angels lead him into Paradise. 
May the Martyrs receive him at his coming 
and take him to Jerusalem, the Holy City. 
May the Choirs of the Angels receive him, 
and may he, with the once poor Lazarus, 
have rest everlasting. Amen.

2. With my high school juniors we are reading a novel called Summer of My German Soldier. Normally, I teach Lord of the Flies, but I found out this is an alternative I may teach. I had never heard of this book, which was published in 1973. I am enjoying it, though the writing does not make it great literature. This novel is appropriate for ages 12 and up. It is the story of a Jewish-American girl growing up in Arkansas during World War II and the friendship she strikes up with a German POW. Have you ever heard of the book?

3. This weekend our younger son's music program is having a chili cook-off fundraiser. Our son is planning to make chili and enter the contest. I was so excited he wanted to use my chili recipe. Nope. He asked for my friend Jane's recipe! She was delighted, but she has numerous chili recipes. Had to explain it was the chili she makes for our annual Superbowl party.

4.  My Lenten reading is going well. Every night before bed I am reading Jesus at My Side by Julie Cragon, which I reviewed here. I am also working my way through Cravings, another gem.

5. The transition to so-called clean food, that is, unprocessed foods, is going well. Since Lent began, I only once have eaten food not made by me in our kitchen. That was this morning. I bought oatmeal and coffee at McDonald's. It felt like a nutritious choice. In addition to my long-time favorite, Alma Schneider's Take Back the Kitchen,  I  have found another blog to help me on my way: Lisa Leake's 100 Days of Real Food.

6. Our older son now plays bass guitar in a band with a drummer and a guitarist. They will be in a town talent show next weekend. The band's name? Atticus Finch (of To Kill a Mockingbird fame).

7. In case you missed my earlier post, here is a snapshot from my walk last Sunday through Neshanic Station, New Jersey. I drove there because Gabriel's coach lives  in that village and the team had cycling practice. The owners of this home I walked past also own the flea market next door. This pig makes me smile. Happy Weekend.