Monthly Archives: January 2006

Sudoku

Took two tries today. As in, I had to clear it out and start over again after a disastrous first attempt. The thirty-four minutes noted above represents the second attempt only.

The first try was before work. This one now took half my lunch hour.

Sudoku is evil that way.

The Miners

Oh, how awful. How wrenchingly sad.

I cried in wonder and joy and disbelief at the headline of USA Today in the box on L Street, just up out of Farragut North Metro. They’ve been miraculously rescued.

Then I get to work and fire up Washington Post and see the news that the announcement was wrong. Twelve of the miners are dead.

We pray for their souls and hope they are now with St. Piran and John L. Lewis. Amen.

Sad News

Maureen sent an email to say that Barbara Kuhn passed away last night, Monday, January 2, 2006, around 6:30 p.m.

We had been praying for Barbara during petitions at Mass the last couple of weeks, so we knew that she was near the end. She had been so very private during her illness, seeing hardly anyone, not even long-time friends.

She and Michael Winters traded weeks with Will and Bridget during inquiry in the summer of 2002. She as much as anyone is responsible for the formation of my faith. I’ll always remember her, how she preferred to think of the Lord’s Prayer as ending with “Leave us not in temptation,” rather than “lead.”

Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum. Et vitam venturi saeculi. Amen.

The Accident

With a brand spankin’ new Spears & Jackson saw, ripping a (too small) piece of pine, I very severely sliced my left hand, cutting completely through the hypothenar muscle group.

My wonderfully understanding and kind sister-in-law Carol took me to the emergency room and waited for several hours with great and stoic patience.

The grandly confident Dr. Phillip J. Chang, a hand plastic surgeon, stitched me up.

Solemnity of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

And happy (solemn) feast day of the Blessed Virgin.

I have to admit, to my great shame, that I’ve always thought the statue of her in Our Lady’s Chapel at St. Matt’s was kind of silly. She’s in such an odd, stretched pose. Sort of like she’s bowling. “Our Lady of the Ten Pins,” I’ve called it.

Well, for such a day, after Mass, Dawn and I knelt at the altar in the chapel to say a special Hail Mary to her on her day. And how powerful and beautiful she is from that spot! Clearly I had never properly knelt in that chapel, beneath her there, with her reaching down to us. How better to venerate her and beg for her prayers below her, as she stretches down to receive and help and comfort.

What a special treat of a discovery.