Morning Prayer, Pray as you go, and Podcasts

Until recently, I had no idea what a podcast was, except it was something to do with computers. On National Public Radio this past weekend, I heard of a podcast developed called "Pray as you go" - it has been developed by British Jesuits on a trial basis during Lent. These podcasts are free downloads through Itunes and each meditation lasts approximately 10 minutes in length. Sacred music, scripture and meditation are all components of each day's podcast.

In addition, another podcast available is the Office of Morning Prayer, read daily by The Rev. Brenda Monroe from the Diocese of Atlanta.

Do you need an IPOD or MP3 player to be able to listen to these? No, you may listen to them through your computer if you have sound capability.

For now, I will listen to these two on my computer - maybe one day I can "Pray as I go" with an IPOD. Until then, I am content to listen in my home.

Crosspost

Think I am not knitting? - WRONG - trying to finish the Christening shawl - pictures soon to come.

Max the Miracle

This is no ordinary dog -- Max is special -- very special. He came from a shelter in Lake City and his name was Popeye - but his name was changed to Max. Max came to us as a foster dog through a rescue organization and stayed with us for a while. If you notice in the picture, Max only has one eye. We don't know what happened to it. When you look at him, it is not apparent immediately that he has only one eye because of his fur coloring. In addition, when Max came, it was evident that Max may have been in some fight or had something happen to his ears since we kept on pulling out metal which seemed to be sutures.
Probably the most serious problem Max had was that he was heartworm positive, but his age and condition kept him from having the most traditional treatment for dogs that have heartworms. It's a treatment that is hard on dogs, similar to chemotherapy on people. His course of treatment was to give him heartworm medicine and hopefully it would eventually kill off all of the heartworms over a period of time.
Max stayed with us for quite some time and there was a time that I thought that Max would be a permanent foster at our home, which was fine, because he was a great dog and got along with the other dogs in our home.
Then.... some friends came over.... long time friends.. and Max took to Scott like they were long lost buddies. And.... Scott took to Max in the same manner. Scott and his wife Beth have another "child" at home - Buddy. Not knowing how they would get along, we talked about Max going to spend the night to see how things would work out. And though there was an adjustment period, Max and Buddy made a good pair, good enough that the adoption process began. Of course there was no doubt in my mind that this adoption would pass muster with the rescue folks. If there were ever a canine heaven on earth, this place was it. (For example - Max had his own special ramp built so he could get on the bed without jumping - that was difficult for him.)
The vets were skeptical over the course of treatment that Max was taking, but in consideration of his age, they didn't think he would be able to handle the more invasive treatment. So Max became their "guinea pig" and over the course of several years, they continued to test to see if he was heartworm positive or negative. Well, today, they received the good news that Max is NOW HEARTWORM NEGATIVE --- and this is cause for celebration!!! The vets were especially excited over this! And there are a bunch of folks who have watched Max grow healthier over the past couple of years.
A big celebration is going to occur over at Max's house today!!!!
Max will be more famous one day as his "MOM" writes stories about Max and Buddy's escapades. For right now, his fame is with those of us who have seem him blossom and grow with good health!

Week Recap

It's been quite the week as every evening was a committed one. Book club with group and author interview with Lisa Tucker. "We read The Song Reader, which was her first book published. We really enjoyed her interview and getting insight into her ideas about the book.

Tuesday night was the evening to attend the last concert of the Concert Series in Thomasville - Dawn Upshaw was the performer and we were in for a treat with her beautiful soprano voice.

Wednesday evening I attended the Lenten Series at church - the book that is up for discussion is The Spirituality of Imperfection -

Thursday evening - rehearsal with my singing group -- by the end of the evening I was one tired puppy.

Friday evening, I went no where - the huge magnet at the house was attracting me to stay there..

However, I did accomplish the completion of my portable knitting - Socks that Rock - Rock Star.
I want to begin a solid color sock with a pattern in it, but until I have another set of size 2 circulars, I want to always have a sock that I can do without looking at the pattern.

Sunday was church - in the evening our book group discussed "When Religion Becomes Evil: Five Warning Signs." Next month's read is a selection of Flanner O'Conner short stories.

Sorry I don't have any pictures of completed socks - husband borrowed digital camera and I have not gotten any pictures.

Fruits of my Labor

Today I worked on the Spanish Christening Shawl from Folk Shawls: 25 Knitting Patterns and Tales from Around the World by Cheryl Oberle. It's finally coming together now and I have finished one side of the edging. It's a garter stitch edging with yarn overs and K 2tog - so not too difficult. I still have a piece of lavender yarn running through the edge where the two connect.

This blanket is for Elliott, who was born in late February and would probably appreciate it if I hurried up and finished it before he gets here this weekend. Verdict is out whether I will be successful in accomplishing that feat. That pesky little thing called a JOB might keep me from getting it done before the next week.
One side completed, three sides to go.

Do you wear a cross?

I found this meme on St. Casserole's blog.

Do you wear a cross?

Do you wear a cross? Yes I do.

Is there a particular time or place that you consider wearing a cross?
I wear a cross all of the time.

Where do you wear it? I wear a cross on a necklace. I wear it every place I go.

What does the cross look like?
The cross I wear it at the top of my blog and the bottom of it. It is a Daughters of the King cross.

Who gave the cross to you or did you choose it? It is a cross of the religious order that I took vows for last year.

Is this your favorite cross, if so, why? Although it is one of my favorites, I do have one that is a cross that resembles the St. Mary's Window in the National Cathedral. I also have a gold one that I like that is similar to Daughters of the King Cross. Those are the three crosses I own that I have worn on a regular basis.

What does wearing a cross mean to you? It has several meanings to me. It reminds me as to whom I belong to and for me to uphold the cross daily. It also is an outward and visible sign to share my faith.

Wanna play? Tag yourself and tell us if, when and why you wear or don't wear a cross.
Post Script: By the way, this was my 200th posting.... wow....

Abigail's blanket and a bonus

If you have been reading my posts for a while, you know one of the blankets I made for the babies that were expecting in February (and they all arrived in that month within a two month period) 1 blanket is delivered (to Sophia), Abigail's and Elliott's are on the needles as I type this. I THINK I am about halfway through with Abigail's and the same for Elliott. Here is a picture of Abigail's - with the colors not quite accurate so will have to get a daytime shot outside to get the truer colors.
The colors have a more tropical look - this photo looks faded.


Sophia's parents took a picture of her and the blanket - is she not the cutest thing? And they did a great job of showing off how the blanket looks. Sophia looks great ON pink!

ENFP - but sliding to the I

I have taken this inventory on several occasions, and most of the time it comes up ENFP - however, I see myself sliding to the INFP as I get older. Take the inventory and see what your type is.

Your #1 Match: ENFP

The Inspirer You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends. You are also unconventional, irreverant, and unimpressed by authority and rules. Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives. You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're qutie the storyteller! You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist.

What's Your Personality Type?

New Blog for 40 Days 40 miles

I have set up a blog for 40 days 40 miles for all who want to participate - go to http://40days40miles.blogspot.com/ to join us - I will invite you so you can post on the blog and we can total up the miles!
Look forward to seeing you there as we walk through Lent.