One Year Ago, Today...

One year ago, today, we bid farewell to my parents - who had helped us pack all day! We paid off the hired men for their hard work in loading our rental moving truck. We took one look around the house, and I nearly cried because there was still so much to do!It was a day of melancholy, because we would be leaving Colorado and my parents behind. It was an epoch of joy, as we would...

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Monday Observation

Mondays are dull. They should be stricken from the calendar forever.And so I offer my photographic tribute to my inner chi...

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A paleontologist, by any other name, still eats meatballs...

I've had several people ask now, including a host of AOL members, and Brother Jonathan and AnnieElf... the name "Autrice delDrago" is, of course, just my pen name. "Autrice" means historian, and "Drago" is what some of the Italians up here call dinosaurs (go figure). So, as I love paleontology, my pen-name is a poorly constructed pun on "Dinosaur Historian". Or perhaps I translated...

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A Sunday Meditation

I woke up late today.Not just "Sort of late, but will get there in plenty of time."Not really a "Late, but at least I can chug down some water and get there on time."An actual, honest "Oh Lord, give me wings and catapult me from this house!" definition of late, complete with grit teeth as I drove ("Please Lord, don't let any of these other vehicles belong to members of my parish,...

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Sunday Scribblings #18 - My 2 Cents

"My two cents". It's a phrase I use often, usually in debates where I find that both sides are so far off the mark that they have missed the main topic or purpose entirely. And so I resort to phrases such as "I think you've lost sight of it all, but that's just my two cents on the matter." No one asked for my opinion, but I sure in the hell am going to point out that the debate...

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Carpet Chaos

There can never be enough chaos in a day, and therefore I have opted to increase my daily chaotic intake by cleaning the downstairs carpets. Really, it is nothing major to undertake. I only need to move two large pieces of furniture, leaving the chinas in place. My living room suffers for it, of course, as the items are packed just into the doorway. That room will have its revenge...

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Kyle Lindsey and Palaeos Bios

Rarely do I encounter a blog containing music that does not leave me frantically searching for the control to silence it. It is often brash, jolting and overly done. I am pleased to say I have finally encountered a blogger with a sense of excellent taste. The background music that you hear comes from Kyle's Palaeos Bios. Feel free to stop by his web site by clicking on the above link. He does a fantastic job. Kudos to you, Ky...

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Apathy? Or just bored!

It's been a very quiet couple of days. Too quiet. What thunder looms on the distant horizon?I don't actually think anything bad is in the future. I am just a tad under the weather, and so I don't have much in the way of ambition this week. I worked a bit, and slept a lot, and have spent more of my time just trying to catch up with silly stuff online. The house, I am ashamed to...

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Sunday Scribblings #17: "Thief!"

1180 ("Remember me")"Remember me" implored the Thief!Oh Hospitality!My Guest "Today in Paradise"I give thee guaranty.That Courtesy will fair remainWhen the Delight is DustWith which we cite this mightiest caseOf compensated Trust.Of all we are allowed to hopeBut Affidavit standsThat this was due where most we fearBe unexpected Friends.I have no idea why this piece comes to mind...

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Our 12th Wedding Anniversary

Last Saturday was Jeff and my 12th Anniversary. We had a lovely day. I slept in until late (which is always a nice thing to do), and then we decided to take a drive down to Wheeling for the Italian Festival.One of my most favorite things in life is travel. Although I am quite happy to jump on an airplane and see new cities, I am equally entertained by visiting the countryside around...

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Poco

Today I offer a tribute to a family pet: Poco He was a good little dog,bravely protecting the world from catsand the fingers of small children.We will miss him,that gentle, happy soulwho always walked proudly into a room!But today he runs free,into the arms of Godnot to be forgotten by us on earth.Goodbye, dear Poco.Even tho' you piddled on my rug,you were still my sweet 'little...

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Ubiquitous Inferno of Summer

I peer out my windows and dream of reclining on the front porch, becoming one with the antique rod iron couch (nearly the size of a twin bed!) that is pleasantly festooned with the world's most comfortable cushions. I toy with the thought of sprawling out, with a glass of iced tea and a tome, enjoying the view of pure white beams framing the lush green leaves of my maple tree....

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Lu Mininni-Totin

My Mum turned 71 today. Even though we celebrated her birthday while she and Dad were visiting us, I thought I would do a little tribute to the wonderful woman who brings so much joy to our lives.Mum was born in Steubenville, Ohio, on July 13, 1935, in a small house in the downtown area. Her father, Frank, was one of the local barbers (he once worked with Dean Martin's father,...

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Pittsburgh, Airplanes, and Gloom

I awoke today with a strong sense that the world didn't have the right feel to it. I, by no means, am trying to state that I am some sort of psychic, and there is little chance that I will take out a second mortgage to pay for a tool-free number so people could call me for $2 a minute readings. I just had that peculiar feeling that today would be bizarre. It intensified as I peeked...

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On this date in history...

Absolutely nothing of great significance happened today. I am being totally honest in that statement!I thought I would go to the 11:30 Mass, as I had been invited to join the choir last week, but our Director was unable to attend today, thus I had butterflies in the gut for absolutely no reason! I am not complaining, as it did allow me to meet the other two ladies in the choir,...

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Running the Race of Life - Jonathan St. Andre

My goodness! I have been following a blog off and on, and just realized that one of our wonderful Franciscan Friars (TOR) is assisting in my Parish this summer! Well, my mind is either out to lunch, or not even bothering to check in with my body... how embarrassing! I am delighted to say he is serving as a Deacon at Holy Rosary, and we've probably been missing each other like ships in the night! (What a small world, eh AnnieElf???)Welcome, Jonathan, and I hope you don't mind me linking your blog here. Dear readers, please stop by his blog and lend your support as he begins...

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Vintage Moon Studio

I have found another delightful blog - Vintage Moon Studio. Deb Lewis has an eye for design, and her creations are stunning! Please take a moment to sneak a peek at her work. You can also access it by typing http://vintagemoonstudio.blogspot.com/ into your brows...

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The Memory of Farewells Always Lingers

I just watched Mum and Dad's car pull from the driveway, as they begin their trip back to Colorado. I don't know why I always get upset when this happens, but then again, I do. As a child, memories of cars leaving driveways always brought on tears.When I was very small, and if I was able to wake up in time, I would sneak to the library window and watch my father's car leave the...

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Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH

We went over to Franciscan University today, as Mum wanted to see the campus and Dad wanted to video things. It was a perfect day to go, with a cool breeze and hardly any people around.We drove past the various buildings, but Mum really wanted to see the areas used on some of the programs from EWTN, so I drove them to the chapel.The chapel is nestled on one side of the campus,...

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My Birthday!

Today is my birthday. I am 35, officially. We had a wonderful day today, although at times it was stressful (not in a bad way) as we all four were working towards getting cooking done for the party (I had to add the picture of my Mum's hands... I love her hands! They are so beautiful!)Many people bemoan their birthdays, considering them a hallmark of getting older. I don't. Age...

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