Failed to notice.

Or take seriously.
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Since the demolition of AR2, I haven't really posted a great deal of serious stuff, things like massacres and terrorist attacks and other assorted "little murders" - like dad coming over for Christmas dressed like Santa, killing the family and torching the in-laws house. (Yes, the holidays can be stressful.)
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It isn't that I failed to note these things, I just didn't know how to respond to them, one can become a bit numb to such events occurring in rapid succession, as they are wont to do lately. It is less a problem of apathy as it is shell-shock, at least in my case.
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For instance, I found it absolutely incredible, astonishing, shocking - what have you - that the world went into fits of horror over the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, yet said nary a word about the Hindu-extremist terrorist attacks on Christians elsewhere in India. Just so, the media ignores the recent massacre of Christians a day or two ago in the Congo. It seems the only black people media is interested in is the Obama family and Barry's abs, or Oprah who just can't manage to keep the weight off, God bless her generous little heart.
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Don't get me started on the Israeli war against Hamas. It is certainly being reported, but not as accurately as it could be, and some important players seem to be missing from the public eye while all of it has been unfolding: Bush and Obama. Obviously, the U.S. has no clear leader in this time of transition - so it could be an excellent moment for Russia to emerge as the new global power, what with their warships trawling around America's seas.
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But back to the Israelis and the Arabs - neither one of them give a damn about the Palestinian Christians - in fact, Hamas just re-instituted crucifixion for capital crimes - that kinda, sorta carries a message about Christendom, don't you agree? And don't forget they started the current conflict over Christmas - no significance in that, I'm sure. I'm not pretending to put forth any political analysis here, but it seems to me many people are not paying attention to what is going on - and they should be. Below is an excerpt from Caroline Glick's column, "The 'realist' fantasy" - a good read if you are interested in world peace and that kind of crap:
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Hamas's endorsement of nailing enemies of Islam to crosses came at the same time it renewed its jihad. Here, too, Hamas wanted to make sure that Christians didn't feel neglected as its fighters launched missiles at Jewish day care centers and schools. So on Wednesday, Hamas lobbed a mortar shell at the Erez crossing point into Israel just as a group of Gazan Christians were standing on line waiting to travel to Bethlehem for Christmas. - Jerusalem Post
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Oh. Happy New Year.

Nicely put.

What painters do...

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I’m not an abstractionist. I’m not interested in the relationship of color or form or anything else. I’m interested only in expressing basic human emotions: tragedy, ecstasy, doom, and so on. - Mark Rothko

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And something I do as well...

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Whether I'm painting or not, I have this overweening interest in humanity. Even if I'm not working, I'm still analyzing people. - Alice Neel

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So my point is...

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I simply attempt to document what I see and experience, and if I am lucky, someone may call it art. - Terrance J. Nelson

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Image: Mark Rothko

Charity

Telling the truth.

What really happened to Abbey-Roads2.

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I was dropped - cut off - eliminated - kicked out. All because of the following post:

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I’ve had it!

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I’m switching back to Blogger - this site is far too much trouble. Please visit Abbey-Roads and add it to your blogroll if you like what I write. I was going to wait until after Christmas - but I can’t even post on this site any longer. I try to publish what I write and lose half the text. I’m outta here… nothing works here! (Wow! - Maybe this is what they wanted?!)

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Whatever - I’ll leave the site up for awhile - at least until my Neo-Counter account expires.

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Truth be told, the administrator of stblogs.com was offended by that post - which I thoughtlessly wrote out of frustration because of the problems I was experiencing. He was especially insulted with my last line: "I own the banner here, as well as the content - so watch out." He took it as a legal threat - it wasn't.

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The very sad thing about all of this is that I lost my work. That said, I realize it was my own fault. At least I learned a very important lesson, I do not own anything, so no one needs to watch out.

Tony Blair, Syncretist

"Faith is vital to understand the Middle East."

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Ah. Tony Blair.

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"I regularly read the Koran, practically every day," Blair told an interviewer. He said the Prophet Mohammed had been "an enormously civilizing force." - Source

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I just love British comedy, although Basil Faulty remains my favorite character.

Fourth Day of Christmas: Inaccuracies

The Twelve Days of Christmas.

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Liturgically the whole concept of the 12 days has been screwed up, pretty much because Epiphany is kept on the second Sunday after Christmas. Today is the 4th day in my calculations, although others would say it is the 3rd. I calculate from Christmas Day to January 5th, which I observe as 12th Night - January 6th being Epiphany. I'm probably wrong.

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Anyway. The Twelve Days of Christmas is one Christmas carol I do not like. There happens to be some debate concerning the origins of the song as well as its meaning. Some people say it was used as a way to catechize during the English Reformation, when Catholics were persecuted. As if the Protestants couldn't hear the singing, much less understand the meaning of the song - since they kept the same fundamentals of the faith.

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No, I think the song developed as a means to remind Catholics, and sympathetic members of the Church of England, that Christmas is not just a day, but lasts for twelve days. Liturgically there always has been the Octave, the eight days following, while the 4 days leading up to Epiphany equalled the full twelve days. But I'm getting over my head here.

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My point is this. In Cromwell's England, Christmas was for the most part banned, and if it was celebrated at all, it was done so privately, and it would probably not go beyond the day itself - just like modern times. Therefore, I believe the song was composed to encourage people to continue the tradition of celebrating Christmas for the full 12 days - even if everyone was saying the day after Christmas, "Whew! I'm glad that is over!"

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Ho, ho, ho!

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For more information on the Twelve Days of Christmas, click here.

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Did Oliver Cromwell personally ban Christmass in England? Click here to find out.

BU - 8

The last part is the best.

Third day of Christmas. Christmas cards and greetings.

Happy Holidays.

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I still have cards to send - I usually send to the very, very Catholic after Christmas, as well as to those I hope would be Catholic. A card "after it's all over" can be a good reminder it is not. In addition, I'm picking out my cards for next year, it is always a good idea to buy the cards for next year when they are marked down from this year - that is, if you care to send the very best without spending a great deal. I'm one of those who consider Christmas cards a little gift.

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Seasons Greetings.

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I also enjoy ruffling the feathers of the very, very pious when it comes to Christmas greetings. If one sends a card, as I will do, with the printed greeting that doesn't mention Christmas, yet happens to be wonderful Christmas art - or not - what prevents the sender from writing, "Merry Christmas" with a little note and their signature? Just so, when a person wishes you a friendly, "Happy Holidays", why on earth would you shout back for all to hear, "Merry Christmas!" Or, "I celebrate Christmas!" How rude is that. Someone was kind enough to greet you and wish you well, and yet your ego has to assert itself and call attention to your wonderful Christmas spirit. A quiet smile, and a sincere "Merry Christmas" would be the kindest response.

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Happy Hanukkah.

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This morning I read on another blog the writer's boast how, after making the declaration of "Merry Christmas" for all to hear in response to a "Happy Holidays" greeting, the obviously very young man turned to wish the Jewish woman behind him, "Happy Hanukkah" after she informed him she doesn't celebrate Christmas. Thus after he wished her "HH" she responded, "And what do you know about Hanukkah?". Rising to the challenge, the very well-educated, albeit very young man, made it clear to the woman that he knew everything about it from his Catholic bible. (Many Jews are not even religious, nor do they actually celebrate Hanukkah.)

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Isn't that special. I'll bet everyone in hearing distance was dying to convert to Roman Catholicism and were filled with the infectious Christmas spirit that the very rude, very young man exhibited.

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Yeah, so Happy Kwanza while you're at it.

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LOL!

Ripped jeans and Fr. Corapi.

This really isn't Corapi - but it sort of looks like him - what he'd look like if he remained in Hollywood maybe...
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Image from the Sartorialist - who got it out of GQ. The Sartorialist has a great new format - much larger photos.

It was bound to happen.

The Rabbit's Christmas party has begun.

Seriously. I have so much food outside in the garden, everyone is eating; the voles, the mice, the squirrels, and of course the birds, and Mrs. Rabbit is out there now.

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As for me, I will actually be visiting my sister's house this weekend to see my brother Tim who is here from Germany. It promises to be very fun. I haven't seen any of them in years.

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Update: I guess I was just pretending.

The Second Day of Christmas

The Feast of Stephen.

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For most non-Catholics, I expect the feast of Stephen is only a line from a Christmas carol, "Good King Wenceslaus", yet for Roman Catholics, it is much more than that. Immediately after the joyful birth of Christ, the feast of the holy proto-martyr Stephen is celebrated. The deacon St. Stephen was put to death by stoning, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. Though the heavens were opened and St. Stephen was consoled and strengthened by the vision of Christ in glory, the martyr's passion and death has much to teach us.

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While the Christian is taken up in the joy and glory associated with the commemoration of the birth of Jesus, one may be assured one will also experience many of the same woes the rest of men encounter, which happen to be the effects of original sin. What is more, the Christian, trained in the way of penance and mortification, will not be surprised as they see fulfilled in their lifetime these words; "You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved." - Matthew 10:22

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Art: St. Stephen Martyr, from Sub Tuum, the monastery blog by Br. Stephen. Please visit his site to read about his clothing in the monastic habit, and to get a glimpse of Christmas in a monastery.

Christ Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul

Details.

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Fr. Adams was the celebrant for the Mass at mid-day. He is one of the finest young priests I have ever met. Really. He is awesome.

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The Rector, Fr. Joseph Johnson is too. The Cathedral has taken on a new aura... there seems to be an 'odor of sanctity' unlike ever before. I'm not exaggerating.

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I arrived early for Mass, entering the Cathedral by the side door. I looked towards the back and noticed hundreds of lights draping Our Lady of Victory Chapel. As I moved closer, the display became more intriguing. Finally, standing in front of St. Joseph's chapel, I looked across, the impression was heavenly, it reminded me of Christmas in Rome, or Naples. The entire chapel was draped and festooned with antique gold and white sheer fabric. Magnificent runs of what appeared to be silk illusion, with lights sprinkled through the cascades. (I apologize that I do not have any photos yet.)

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The crowds of families obstructed my view of the actual creche. Finally I got near enough to sneak into the side of the chapel, hidden behind the great columns and lighted birch tree branches the size of trees. The roof of the creche was laden with a large cascade of white and red Peruvian roses falling from the gable down each side. The same roses were arranged in huge bouquets on either side of the creche. In the background loomed the beautiful marble statue of Our Lady of Victory, and above her crown was the star of Bethlehem, while the extravagantly tented fabric streamed down to enclose the entire tableaux.

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I do not even do it justice trying to describe it here - it must be seen in person. If you live in the Twin City area, you should make the pilgrimage to venerate the Holy Infant in this sumptuous setting which so glorifies the Incarnation. It is the finest Nativity I have ever seen in this region.

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A visit to the St. Joseph chapel is rewarded with lovely displays of flowers and roses - designed and donated by the same person who donated her time, money, and talent to construct the beautiful presepe for Our Lady's chapel... the very talented designer, Anne Marie Hanson. God reward her for such a lovely Christmas gift to the Cathedral. By her generosity, those who visit the chapel get a little glimpse of heaven in these dark days, while her art lifts the poor in spirit above the worries and cares of the world.

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The sanctuary itself is magnificently decorated as well, all in red, with more lights adding sparkle to the festal processional banners. Yet there is another detail, perhaps taken for granted by many. The Father Rector has taken care that all of the altars throughout the immense Cathedral are properly covered in altar cloths, and for Christmas, every altar is illuminated with candles, three on either side of the tabernacle, glowing and warming a pilgrim's heart.

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I have never experienced the Cathedral in such a manner before... It is such a holy place. That's all I really wanted to say.

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Visit the Cathedral website: http://www.cathedralsaintpaul.org/

Merry Christmas

Did anyone watch the Holy Father's Midnight Mass?

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As the Pope processed to the Nativity after Mass, a man in red jumped the barricade and rushed the Pope. Security was able to restrain him, it appeared the man was knocked to the floor. The Holy Father looked startled for a brief moment, standing back a bit. (Story here.) A spokesman for the Vatican said the man appeared to pose no danger and was probably overly enthusiastic in his efforts to greet the Holy Father. I wonder.
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Praying for the Holy Father.

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God bless all of you, and thanks for your friendship and support. Wishing all of you a wonderful twelve days of Christmas.

Ninth Day of Preparation: The Vigil of Christmas

The Perfect Joy.
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O Divine Infant Jesus, our Saviour, your love for St. Joseph could not have been greater, and yet you did not remedy his inability to provide comfortable lodging for Our Lady Mary to give birth. Neither did you shield your holy parents from the indifference and contempt shown by those who refused them. Though an upright and just man, we recognize in St. Joseph an aspect of our own poverty and failed attempts to do the good we desire. Sadly, some of us may even lack all virtue and feel ourselves steeped in sin, and therefore deserving of contempt and rejection, leading us to behave no better than the beasts.
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However, it is the patient example of St. Joseph, and Our Lady Mary who gave birth to you amongst the beasts in stable, that you teach us O Little Lord the perfect joy of Christmas.
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You gently remind us that the price of your friendship is frequently the pain of your apparent rebuff. And while it is true that on account of our sins we may deserve to be cast out and excluded, each Christmas recalls to us that you are always there to meet us, even in the most culpable desolation. For this we thank you Little Lamb. In this is the perfect joy of Christmas, that you meet us even in our basest misery, our powerlessness, pouring out your mercy and love to the soul who hungers for you - Love Incarnate.
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Merry Christmas!
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[This would have been posted on Abbey2 if it had remained.]

What happened?

My blogs.

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Late last night Abbey Roads2 was deleted a bit prematurely... I'm not the swiftest when it comes to understanding web stuff, and I complain and curse when things don't go my way and sometimes act rashly. Anyway, after AR2 vanished, I started fiddling around with the settings on this blog and went to bed not realizing I had made it invitation only. Obviously I changed that this morning... But AR2 I can't change, it's gone. So I will be blogging here and will adjust my blogroll accordingly to include many of the links I had on AR2.

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Other than that - nothing to blog about today. Happy Christmas to all.

The Cathedral of St. Paul at Christmas.

I think I may go to Christmas Mass here. I can be lost in the crowd that way.

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I have to go out and shovel snow now.

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Click here for the Cathedral's website: http://www.cathedralsaintpaul.org/

A shorter Christmas Carol

Part One: Remembering Christmas past.

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My desk in the garden room has a glass top supported by two stainless steel sawhorses. As I was meditating this morning, I noticed the trees outside reflected in the glass. The trunks were laden with snow, on one side only, while the other side seemed to be outlined with a faint frost. The sight reminded me of one of my first jobs in the art department of Dayton's, a local department store that is now Macy's. I started in Downtown St. Paul, considered a "Downtown" store equal to the Minneapolis flagship store, although Minneapolis was the only store referred to as "Downtown". In addition, all display people were considered Downtown, or Minneapolis employees. It all sounds rather trivial today, but it was an important status thing back then - which display people took very seriously, thus educating me on how to be a snob before my time I'm afraid.

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It was the store's design department, not the display dept. that was responsible for the auditorium Christmas display and Santa-fantasy-land, as well as the animated window displays. Department differentiation and titles were very important in those days. Len Shimota was the man responsible for design, and he hired Tommie Rowland (sp?), an artist specializing in animated figures from Staten Island, to do the art and backgrounds. She earned her reputation with her windows created for Saks, Lord and Taylor, Bergdorf's and other stores in Manhattan. She was very little and rather craggy looking from chain smoking, and while working, she looked down right elfin, her bed-hair standing up in a little peak. She scared me to death. She seemed coarse and a bit shady to me, unaccustomed as I was to what seemed an abrasive New York accent and Keith Richard's style laugh. Although when she was dressed up, she was a tad more lovely, always wearing stiletto heels to increase her height.

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Anyway, my first job involved painting the background for the auditorium. As I said, in the late 1960's Dayton's had two downtown stores, each with their own auditorium, and these were turned into a Santa-land-fantasy-land. That year the theme was Dickens village. I painted the snow-laden trees, taught by another expert, Bobbie Mackin. Bobbie was a set designer turned display woman. Now deceased, she was an extraordinary talent and very kind to me, a naive high school kid working amidst the other rather earthy art majors from the University, who were hired to paint the free-standing buildings for the display. Bobbie started me off, demonstrating how to paint a snow laden tree, and to my surprise, I finished the entire background by myself. Bobbie liked my work so much she took me to Gorden Display in Roseville, and taught me how to do touch up work on the figures and actual sets. That is where I met Tommie and got to know the University students.

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After installation, I was kept on to work in the display department. I was part-watchman, part grunt man. The animated windows needed to be checked regularly until 10PM - when the lights went off - because the constantly running motors sometimes stalled and presented a fire danger. In between window checks, I covered felt panels for spring displays, and made props such as painted hangers with women's faces - copies of similar things seen in London's Carnaby St. boutiques. If there was nothing at all to do, I smoked in the display offices, pouring over News and Reviews, a display weekly, studying details of the window displays from NYC. I also studied the home and fashion magazines, educating myself in interior design and fashion. For a senior in high school, I thought I had hit the big time. I was the envy of all my friends, especially my classmates from studio arts. That was 1966, I wish I knew then what I know now; status, sophistication, snobism, - it is nothing but an illusion - a fleeting fantasy.

The Animal's Nativity.

Painting.
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I'm back to painting in my typical style. I'm painting The Animal's Nativity. I set out to do an illumination type painting, then I inserted a dog, a cat, soon a rabbit, and mouses... The dog is bigger than Our Lady, and Joseph is holding the Bambino. It will be a pazzo Nativity - not at all like the masterpiece above - but the cats will like it very much. Xena-Celine sits on a little rug atop my painting table as I work. I doubt I'll finish it by Christmas - although it ought to be done by Twelfth Night - but I'm not concerned about completing it.
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Making up your own traditions.
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It occurred to me that if one is alone, or one half of a couple, or even with a small family - it could be fun to try and make things for Christmas - even "on" Christmas, or to "do" things around the home. What if you decorated the tree closer to Christmas or on Christmas Eve - it doesn't have to be done all at once - but could be stretched over a few days, only to be completed Christmas Eve. It should be an enjoyable task, and not a drudgery. So often we work very hard to complete things, to get things done, only to be disappointed and let down after everything is "perfect" - although it is never perfect.
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Christmas is very much about the imperfect. Imperfect trees, imperfect dinners, imperfect wines, imperfect gifts, imperfect relatives and friends, imperfect me. You get the picture.
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And don't forget, Christmas is a season that only begins on Christmas Eve. And if you have to visit many people, remember the Three Kings never made it to Bethlehem until 12th Night.
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Works for me.

More Christmas legends and lore...

Mistletoe.

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The use of mistletoe dates back to pagan times of course, just as the Christmas tree, advent wreaths, and the use of other greenery does. It is actually a hemiparasite plant that grows upon tree trunks. It was once considered an aphrodisiac by the ancients and associated with fertility by the ancient Celts and Germans. The idea of kissing under the mistletoe originated with Saturnalia, the ancient pagan feast, and later extended into pagan marriage rites.

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The custom of kissing under the mistletoe continues into modern times, although some have taken advantage of the practice and landed in jail.

Poor Christmas: Great expectations.

Foxes and rabbits have holes, birds have nests... Being content with a sufficiency.

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I love to watch the rabbits and mice and voles in my garden. I see their tracks in the snow and I'm consoled to think some of them live in the foundation of my garage, although it is not heated in there, it may be a bit warmer than the outdoors. I often wonder how the little critters endure the snow and below zero temperatures, although an abundance of snow, as well as their winter coats, and fur-woven-with-twigs-and-mulch nests would provide much needed warmth.

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I began to think how in our times, we Americans have the luxury of unprecedented comfort. We have homes that have no comparison with any other period of domesticity in history, what with our heating and air-conditioning, air purifiers and filters, lighting, refrigerators along with all sorts of appliances, and so on. Our cars are heated, and if one can afford it, even the seats are heated, and the kids can watch TV in the back seat. We all know this, and take it for granted, often complaining when we are deprived of something or other, as when the power goes out. God forbid one's connection to the Internet is interrupted.

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Yet like the rabbits, human beings once lived in badly heated homes without any modern conveniences at all. Even royalty had a tough time of it in those huge stone castles. I shiver just thinking about it. For thousands and thousands of years man led a rather deprived existence - compared to our modern standards - and survived quite well. They wanted for much less than we do, simply because they never had a great deal to begin with. Only the very few lived in any sort of luxury - although it never equalled what we take for granted today.

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It is very difficult for those who have just lost their jobs, or their home, or their life savings to understand that it is not the end of the world, that people need much less to get by than they ever imagined.

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The rabbits remind me of such things. Indeed, I sometimes recall how, while on my pilgrimage to Compostella, I looked for lodging in a heavy rainstorm. I had hardly any money at all and it was late at night. I prayed St. Joseph to find me a dry place to sleep, reminding him how he found a place for the Virgin in Bethlehem. As I turned the corner in the little village I was passing through near the Spanish frontier, I saw a vegetable cart, with a canvas tarp. I quickly crawled in and slept the night, grateful St. Joseph provided me with the shelter. The next morning I knew better than to complain that my night had been quite uncomfortable with damp and cold, considering how the Saint provided similar conditions for Our Lady. In both situations, the accommodations were quite adequate, albeit not the least luxurious. The next night I found lodging in a garden shed filled with hay.

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Very often, we require a lot fewer things than we imagine - while in reality, we are 'entitled' to even less.

Christmas is a week from today.

Pretending.

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I can't remember exactly when I began pretending - telling stories about how my family celebrated Christmas, with all of the lovely old world customs and so on. It may have started when I was in 5th grade - a pivotal year for me in so many ways. I remember pretending to my classmates how I had received everything I asked for that Christmas, and described Christmas Eve as being full of magic, decorating the freshly cut tree, loaded with lights and ornaments, delicious food, and so on. I never realized I had been lying, reasoning I was "just pretending" - to avoid either being made fun of, or worse, the object of pity.

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I later employed the same tactic for people I worked with, as well as my family after I had moved away. I told coworkers who were worried I would be alone on Christmas, that I was going home; my excuse to my family was that I would be with friends instead.

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Anyway, after I was firmly on my own and began working in display, my Christmas memories became rather grand, a little like Hans Brinker's. I charmed people with stories of visits from St. Nicholas, absolutely incredible Christmas trees and creches, and of course the Italian Christmases with my friends. Although my Italian Christmases were not exaggerations - completely - except for the occasional inclusion of a few details I employed to embellish my own experiences at home. I learned how to perfect the art of pretense from a wonderful woman named "J", an Audrey Hepburn look-a-like, act-a-like, talk-a-like, dress-a-like, who happened to be one of the nicest phonies in the world - and one of the most believable at that. Her stories were absolute royalty. It took decades for me to shake off that influence.

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"J" was so charming. Many times she insulted me to my face during the course of a "teddy-bear" lunch or coffee, and I never even realized it until years later.

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Anyway. Don't worry, I stopped pretending about my Christmases many years ago when I realized I could make them as magical as I wanted all on my own; the traditions I pretended my family observed, I began to observe myself - often doing for others what I wanted for myself. Thus Christmas was no longer pretend. Now days, it is even more real, albeit much more simple. (Correction - I continued to fabricate stories for concerned coworkers as to the where and with whom I celebrated Christmas - I don't have to do that any longer. I know, I'm a liar.)

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I'm invited to my relatives next week. Ah. The more things change, the more they remain the same. Except I do not lie any more - I just say I can't make it.

Sagrada Familia

Magnificent.
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Detail of the Catalan Cathedral in Barcelona, Spain, designed by Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926). The official title of the church is "Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia". Construction began in 1882 and is scheduled to be completed in 2026. Construction was interupted during the Spanish Civil War. Antoni Gaudi is also a candidate for sainthood in the Catholic Church. For more information and additional photos on the Cathedral, go here.
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Links:
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Official Site

More on Christmas cards.

When you care enough to send the very best.

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I just ran across a blog that advises one should only send Christmas cards with a Christian image and greeting, in order to let the manufacturers know what sells. I doubt I even have to say what I think of that nonsense.

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Capturing the charm of that "hand-made" look.

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The image above is an example of a type of humorous Christmas card I like to send to friends who either are not religious, or simply like a good laugh. When one opens the card, which appears to be home-made, the verse looks as if it had been typed on an old fashioned type-writer. In this case, the verse reads:

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"the kids? out back playing with their new empty boxes. season's greetings."

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How lovely and thoughtful. Now who wouldn't know this is a Christmas card? This card would be perfect to send to a family on welfare, or even those newly weds with children, who live in a house they can't afford.

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Suitable for framing.

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I like to refer to this type of card as; "dysfunctional greetings". Yet the producers of the greeting card line describe their product as; "greetings that push buttons, poke fun, and provoke something." Whatever, it is all in fun. Send it to the right people and you may never have to bother with sending another card to them again.

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This line of cards has been around for several years now, and I never tire of them. The company is MikWright, Ltd. The cards retail at about $3.50 each. MikWright also produces cocktail napkins. The napkins use the same photo format with captions that poke fun at, ridicule, and shame alcoholics back into drinking. They are great for AA meetings and get togethers.

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Tim and Phyllis have a website too: www.mikwright.com

Cheers!

Poor Christmas: Staging it back a bit.

Gaudete Sunday (Gaudete means rejoice - it is the 3rd Sunday in Advent.)

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As everyone knows, many people are losing their jobs, not to mention their houses as we sink deeper into recession. People die at this time of year just as they do all year long. Recently a woman was knocked down in a store parking lot and was killed when the drunk driver ran over her head. Horrible crime! People's houses burn down, as did a teacher's from my parish school last week.

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Another woman I deeply respect and admire is going in for surgery this coming Wednesday - she has stage 4 ovarian cancer - please keep her in your prayers. Another man I know, like many others this time of year, is going through severe mental and emotional trials. At this time of year, a time of inordinate expectations for happiness and joy on the natural level, the drama misfortune occasions is often heightened and can be too much to bear for some.

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It is good to pull it back a bit at times. To be temperate without being too sober. To have fun and to plan fun without being too demanding or obnoxious. To be kind and considerate without being patronizing or condescending. To cry if you need too, without being full of self-pity - or God forbid - self-loathing.

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And never forget we are all in this together, so if nothing else, we need to pray for one another.

Cappa Magna

The above photo shows what is known as the cappa magna, a variation on trains usually worn by royalty. It remains a cermonial train worn by Cardinals, who happen to be princes of the Church. It is only worn at liturgical functions and posing for photographs. Few people realize that the modern term "drag" was inspired by such garments.

So you don't believe in Santa?

Sinter Claes

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Luther tried to get rid of him - but I found this on a German website - I think it is on a public building or an apartment building - not a church. I'll present more proofs as time goes on. In the meantime... you better watch out.

Herberger's

Local people in Minnesota and environs: Boycott Herberger's! (I am just kidding!)
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I am really kidding, but what would compel me to even say such a thing? Why? What is so bad about Herberger's? To be honest, I really don't know what the store is like - never shopped there. My complaint - which I have communicated to them, has to do with the fact that they have absolutely the worst and most annoying Christmas television ads - ever. The campaign is so hokum, it defies description. The company's jingle is: "Give more, give joy!" Over and over and over, the extremely irritatingly bad lyrics are repeated, as are the ads - they air every 10 minutes at news time - it represents the lowest form of in your face consumerism and materialism, not to mention unabashed corporate greed.

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The runner up for worst television Christmas ad is Old Navy's "I want candy" - Why? Because once again corporate greed exploits a certain demographic of American youth who suffer from an ailment known as "gimme syndrome" - which if not for the recession, threatens to reach epidemic proportions. The ad sucks big time. These companies give commercial Christmas a bad name.

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It's a depression alright.

Advatages of growing up poor.

I've been kicked out of better places than this.

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Not long ago a very nice blogger-lady asked me how I could have gone to so many schools, or lived in so many neighborhoods in St. Paul. I answered, "We moved a lot." Truth be told, we were either kicked out because my parents fought too much, got blood on the stairs, smashed holes in the walls, made too much noise smashing whiskey bottles - don't ask, or they couldn't pay the rent, and things like that. LOL! I only mention this as a lead to my story: "I've been kicked out of better places than this."

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I'm used to it.

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I have discovered, quite by accident mind you, that I have been deleted from a few blogrolls. One very sweet lady informed me by email that she could no longer link to me because of the links in my sidebar and because I allow comments by known homosexuals and liberal minded Catholics (Gerald no longer blogs now days - he's not gay of course, just a dissenter.) Anyway, the lady said I was a scandal, as did one or two other bloggers. In fact, they delete my comments whenever I leave them on their blog-posts. Funny thing however, if I search their blog for my name, earlier posts they wrote with links to me, pop-up.

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Well, pray for me then - please! As one most in need of God's mercy. I realize how easily one's reputation can be tainted by the company one keeps, especially when one is in a certain profession, or a religious, or just climbing the ladder of success and trying to earn a reputation. Yet most assuredly I am not trying to promote sinful lifestyles, erroneous or heretical beliefs, much less dissent on either of my blogs, though I candidly deal with these issues as they appear frequently - even daily - in the news; and yes, I permit polite dissenting comments.

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Without trying to sound pious, or give the impression I am seeking approval, I want you to know I have been going to confession with greater frequency as well - last week twice, this week only once so far. So yeah, I'm trying really, really hard to be good and to please God. But trying to please people is just something I have never been much good at. My apologies.

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Season's greetings!

The art of Christmas cards: Part Two

Happy Holidays!

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Christmas cards are looked upon by many discerning individuals as a little gift - perhaps even a treasure. Some folks go to great pains searching for just the right card to send to people they like, but may not always see. In addition to funny cards - which are great to send to busy or depressed people to give them a little laugh - I like to send fine art cards on beautiful stock, or create cards of my own, taking time to paint or draw something from the heart. I consider all greetings as little acts of love, to demonstrate to others they are in my thoughts and prayers, and how much I wish we could take a nap together or something. (Figuratively speaking.)

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Sadly, many people seem to take holiday cards for granted, just sending them out of a sense of social obligation. "Look at the cheap card she sent, now I have to waste a stamp on her. Maryann never did have taste did she." Of course some folks count and measure their friends by the amount of cards they receive, or what they wrote, and so on. Very, very religious people actually complain if the card does not read, "Merry Christmas" or if it doesn't depict a pious 'seasonal' theme. (Hyper-holy people may not realize there are actually liturgical seasons in the Church; the Season of Advent, the Christmas season, and so on. Therefore the "Season's Greetings" thing kind of works out, huh. Not a question.)

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Oh yes Virginia, there really are cards out there that may simply depict birds on a snow laden branch that read, "Happy Holidays", or "Season's Greetings". These can be just as nice for older folks who enjoy watching re-runs of Lawrence Welk, as well as anyone without taste. Nevertheless, there are some goyim who have the audacity to complain that their friends or acquaintances did not send them a religious card inscribed with the words, "Merry Christmas". Imagine the ingratitude!

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Boorish people such as these are fortunate to get any season's greeting at all.

Poor Christmas: Making things.

Making things from scrap and Dresden trim.

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Dresden trim is made of embossed paper, gilded with metallic foil. This type of trim has been used as ornament in reliquaries from the 17th century, especially in Italy, although the Germans specialized in its production since the 18th century. Popular holiday uses include the application of trim on hen's eggs, or glass and papier-mache orbs to create Faberge-style ornaments; it has also been applied to garments worn by statues of saints, Neapolitan creche figures, or as embellishment upon Christmas cards and so on. Scrap is similar, again embossed paper figures depicting almost anything - from insects to people, buildings and flowers, but instead of the metallic finish, these are colorful. Uses for these materials in crafts is almost limitless.

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I have trouble finding these little treasures locally, although I have found several resources online. The best happens to be Blumchen's Dresden Trim Shop. Another very good resource is Victorian Scrap - their inventory appears to be a bit more extensive. The term "scrapbook" derives from this material. It was a popular hobby to collect scrap and arrange it in a book, with poetry, stories, and reminiscences.

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Image: A page of Dresden Santa's, the stamped, die-cut figures need to be cut and trimmed from the stock.

The polite tradition of Christmas card greetings.

Part One: Who to send to, what to send, and what to write.

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It is appropriate to send cards to those we love, friends and relatives; as well as acquaintances we are fond of, business associates, and so on.

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Of course one must be sensitive to the recipient's taste. Now if you are the type who likes to send humorous cards or say something snappy in a serious card, there are some rules to follow. For example, with acquaintances, it is always good advice that if you can't think of anything funny to write, buy a funny card. I love funny cards, but not everyone may appreciate our sense of humor. Especially if one is sending to relatives.

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I speak from experience. Once I sent my late father a birthday card with a vintage photo of a 1950's era family on the cover and the caption read, "The Nelson's outside to view the full moon." The family was shown admiring a huge butt sticking out of the ground. When you opened the card it read, "Happy birthday!" I was sure dad would think it was funny, not simply because our surname was used, but because of the charming colloquialisms he enjoyed using when he was cross with me, or simply exasperated... Oh how I loved the way he would shout, "Your ass sucks buttermilk" or "You talk like you have a paper ass" after I said something he thought was stupid. That guy could really turn a phrase. Unfortunately he didn't make that connection, and as usual, he mistook my attempt at humor for sarcasm and asked my sister, "What the hell was that bastard trying to prove with that piece of s--t?"

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That said, cards for relatives should probably either be of the religious type or traditional images of Christmas houses magically lit in some snowy countryside - you know, of the Hallmark variety - with lovely sentiments composed by someone who probably writes personal horoscopes for a fashion magazine on the side. But read it carefully before selecting it, since the lovely sentiments can be taken the wrong way too. Case in point...

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Once I gave my mom a beautiful Hallmark card with script describing a wonderful mother and son relationship. She read it, turned it over to check the price, and looked at me and said, "What kind of dig is this?" So sometimes just a really pretty card with a simple signature in your very best handwriting is best for close relatives: "Love, your son, or your brother, or your sister, and then your proper name - no last names though". I found that usually worked out for the best.

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Look for more Christmas tips in the days leading up to the holidays.

Holiday etiquette.

'Tis the season for parties and visiting relatives.

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Now most of you are probably familiar with the sage advice: "If you can't say anything bitchy, don't say anything at all."

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No, no, no, Amy Winehouse. It is Christmas for crying out loud. No - this is what you need to remember: "If you can't say anything funny, don't say anything at all."

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Otherwise you may be invited back. (I know, this makes no sense.)

Christmas meme.

Superficial question: What are your favorite things at Christmas, and that kind of stuff?

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I get to go first! (I invented it.)

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1) What"s your favorite Christmas music - you can only name 3 different genre, style, songs, what have you:

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*Motown, Beach Boys, and Renaissance Christmas.

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2) Favorite Christmas Carol:

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*Angels we have heard, or whatever that title is.

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3) Favorite Christmas movie:

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*"Christmas Vacation" - what else!

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4) What makes you cry at Christmas?

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* Beautiful Italian Bambinos, and old people and young men or women kneeling and praying before the creche - oh, and little kids and babies at Mass - even if they are misbehaving, loud, crying or commanding attention.

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5) Do you have a real tree or an artificial tree?

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*Both.

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6) What is your favorite type of decoration?

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*Old World European traditional.

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6) What is your favorite Christmas Eve food?

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*Bacala - Italian breaded and fried cod. Angel hair pasta sauteed in olive oil with garlic, anchovies, and pine nuts - served with greens, while popping lupine, and stuffing down Italian bread.

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7) Favorite style of creche?

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*Authentic Neapolitan - I just cannot afford it. Once I had an antique shepherd which I sold in order to get money to pay medical bills - and that was when I had insurance.

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(8) Do you believe in Santa?

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*YES! He is St. Nicholas and is in disguise in modern times because of creepy people who can't tolerate any mention of saints. - some guy named Luther f-ed that up for kids.

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(9) Do you go to Church Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? And the same question can be applied to when you open gifts.

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* I once went to church on both days, now I usually go to the earliest Mass on Christmas morning.

* When I did gifts, it was always after Mass on Christmas Eve.

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10) What do you think of commercial Christmas?

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* Thanks for asking. First off - many people today would never even know it was Christmas without the ads, the movies, the programs on TV, despite the fact that most of the people who work in these industries turn to alcohol to cope - while feeling more holiday-ish, even though they are on thee verge of a nervous breakdown from constant replay of bad Christmas music and mandated "Happy Holidays!" while uttering "Bitch" under their breath. Yep - and then, thank God that even with pagans and secularists, they too keep the Christmas spirit alive for many. many people. Though they bitch about the holiday and public displays, even the biggest air-head on the planet has to wonder what all the fuss is about - and wow! They investigate the matter and realize that Christmas is really all about the birth of Christ. So yeah. I like commercial Christmas. No one does it like NYC either.

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11) What is your favorite Christmas memory? (This has been asked in other meme but for me it can change from moment to moment... So don't ask again.)

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*When I was in high school and visited my friend's houses on Christmas Eve - I made the trip after my family was safely passed out, and my little brother was asleep. All of my friends were Italian and we would go to midnight Mass and return to one of their houses - usually Linda's. This is how I found out about my favorite foods, and we got to drink home-made vino, and we listened to Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. Then we went downstairs with our own bottle of wine and listened to Motown, the Beach Boys, and believe it or not, more Dean Martin and Sinatra when Linda's dad came down to drink with us.

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12) When do you consider the holidays are over? (Take down decorations and stuff?)

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* Easy - the day after 12th Night, or Epiphany (not liturgical Epiphany).

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That is it folks - my own meme. Do it if you are so inclined. Does ANYONE ever read this blog? Whatever. Happy Christmas!

Poor Christmas: Working without pay...

To be or not to be...

Is he or isn't he?
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That's the big question. About who? Obama. I know - everyone thought it was settled during the presidential campaign - a judge threw the first lawsuit out of court. You know which one, the case of Obama's "origins": No - not questioning his race - people are not asking if he is black or white. NO... What they want to know - is he really a citizen. Yeah. Inquiring mind's want to know. And who can blame them?
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I got an email from a couple of concerned people, who probably forgot I was even on their collective email list, asking me to sign a petition to have the facts revealed - is he a citizen or not.
I politely wrote back to my friends that their efforts would be in vain - there wouldn't be a court in the country who would hear such a case - not simply because the suit had been dismissed earlier, but because Obama is THE chosen leader of our nation. If indeed it was shown that his citizenship was invalid, only then would the courts or the legislature step in - to validate it.

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Citizen Barrack.
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Some people think I'm crazy, yet unknown to those folks, I do have a grasp on reality, and I knew this would happen... "The Supreme Court has turned down an emergency appeal from a New Jersey man who says President-elect Barack Obama is ineligible to be president because he was a British subject at birth.
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The court did not comment on its order Monday rejecting the call by Leo Donofrio of East Brunswick, N.J., to intervene in the presidential election. Donofrio says that since Obama had dual nationality at birth — his mother was American and his Kenyan father at the time was a British subject — he cannot possibly be a "natural born citizen," one of the requirements the Constitution lists for eligibility to be president.
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Donofrio also contends that two other candidates, Republican John McCain and Socialist Workers candidate Roger Calero, also are not natural-born citizens and thus ineligible to be president." - Source (That said: "At least one other appeal over Obama's citizenship remains at the court." Good luck with that.)

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So welcome to the new United States of America. The people voted. Gosh - it's so over folks - he's the Prez. I'm as unhappy about it as the next man. (Big surprise here: I didn't want him to be President. And now maybe some of his liberal buddies are not so happy about it either - that story here.)

Christmas memories.

Poor Christmas.

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This image of the Bambino was my creche when I lived in Boston. I had a little room on Beacon Hill, a block down from the State House. The image lay upon a little table that I used for lectio and chanting the office. On Christmas eve I lit a candle and laid a sprig of pine along side him. If you look closely, you can see where the wax dripped onto the image. I later added the vestment trim to embellish the image. I keep it in a little silver frame now.

St. Nicholas Day

The miracle worker.

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The image of Santa Claus shown above is by Wm. Holbrook Beard. It is one of my favorite images of Santa, and is directly inspired by the miracles of St. Nicholas of Bari, whose feast we celebrate today. Santa as we know him is forever linked to the great wonder-worker St. Nicholas, the early Christian bishop from Myra, now Turkey. (He is also known as "of Bari" in Italy because his tomb is there, where his relics continue to produce miracles, and even exude a miraculous fluid.)

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Images of Santa propelled through the air have been inspired by Christian iconography, depicting St. Nicholas performing the miracles that were attributed to him. One of the Saint's attributes is that he is revered as the patron of sailors, since he saved many from shipwreck amidst storms at sea - hence, painters illustrating the prodigy have St. Nicholas appearing in mid-air surrounded by a brilliant comet-like light, blessing the unfortunate sailors and thereby rescuing them. In these depictions, the Saint appears to be flying through the air - hence the vision of Santa and his reindeer flying over the rooftops.

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The secretive distribution of gifts is also inspired by the miracles of the Saint. With tender compassion for the poor, and in order to save three young virgins from being forced into prostitution because of their father's poverty and inability to provide a dowry, the Holy Nicholas came to the family's aid. Under cover of night, the Saint placed three bags of gold - enough for each maiden's dowry - in through a window of the house, and in the morning, they rejoiced over the gifts which guaranteed their freedom from a miserable life.

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Incidentally, few people ever bothered to learn what happened to the girls St. Nicholas rescued. Well I looked into it and found out that two of them did indeed get married. But the other, who had a bit of a weight problem, turned out to be a lesbian who decided to use the money for school. So she left home and traveled to NYC. When she got there she changed her mind and decided to do stand-up comedy instead. She also did a little acting, and eventually landed herself a talk show... which failed. Then she went on The View, but she screwed that up too. Finally she did a special on NBC - which really flopped - and now she lives in obscurity someplace in suburban Long Island, or Connecticut, or Florida - something like that. (I actually made this part up.)

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Anyway. Happy St. Nicholas day.

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Visit this site for a more complete story of St. Nicholas.

Heavenly gifts...

Or almost.

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Abbey-Roads recommends online shopping at monk e-gifts. All the product is made by monks and nuns around the United States. How cool is that? I think I may order the Illuminated Lettering Kit.

Christmas Card: Attempt #1

St. Francis at Greccio.
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I don't know if it is too plain and cold for a proper Christmas card? The scan is bad of course - in reality the colours are softer, and the wreath is not cut off. Perhaps if I added a thin gold edging to the composition it would be enough to enrich the card.
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(The figure is after a painting attributed to Antonio Carracci)

What I am doing today.

And what I'm thinking about.

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I'm making Christmas card designs today. Not to send - just to make them. I love Christmas and Christmas things - but not all together at once. For some reason, Christmas season - or the preparation for it - seems to me to be a time to make things. So I'm making things and looking at creative stuff to post.

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I decided I don't want to post negative things anymore, and I'm not going to be so critical anymore either. (I hope! I never trust myself and my resolutions.) I don't want to tell people how to live their lives anymore either. It seems to me everyone just tries to do their best and in the end we find out if we did or not. Life is hard enough without me harping on things.

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I went to the Dr. yesterday. It was a short visit because I have no insurance and I have lost most of my savings in the crash, recession, depression, what have you. At the end of the visit he asked if there was anything more I wanted to do about some issues I have, and I said "No, I will just take the medication I need and let the rest play out." I have the nicest Dr. in the world.

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Anyway - let's not be mean to one another any longer.

A few of my favorite things...

Ornament.
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Over the years I have collected antique repousse, ornament for furniture and trophies and other object d'art. I used these things for my own decorative art - often on painted boxes and eggs that I sold over the years. Today I only have scraps of what had been a fairly large inventory, collected in Europe, and flea markets in the U. S. - they remain little treasures I take out from time to time to admire.

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My apologies for the poor quality of the scan, and I mixed categories by inserting a crest from an old blazer - the rest of the collection is brass or bronze, often with a gold wash (gold d'ore). (Click photo to enlarge.)

Making a screen.

A design idea easy to replicate.
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In the background of this lovely vignette is a folding screen made of old doors. Painted simply, or embelished, they could work nicely for a place apart in a large room or in a loft space. I found the photo on Tea At Trianon, from Elena's shopping spree at Chartreuse and Company, in the enchanted countryside of Frederick County, Maryland.

Retablos and Santeros

The American Icon.

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In Southwestern United States, especially New Mexico, a sacred tradition of painting exists from Spanish Colonial days. The artists are known as santeros, or saint makers. In New Mexico, most of the paintings are done on wood, some on Buffalo hide, while elsewhere in Mexico and South America they were painted on copper, tin, and canvas. The Southwestern retablos are patterned after high Baroque European religious art, reworked with lovely simplicity. Retablos are the American version of Eastern Orthodox icons, in so far as they are made according to a traditional formula, and executed with deep faith and devotion. The retablo and ex-votos associated with the art form have long been a major inspiration in my own religious and secular art. Likewise, one can see in the work of Frida Kahlo how strong an influence this art form made in her own painting.

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Catherine Robles Shaw, Santera

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An award winning santera, Catherine Robles Shaw, has a wonderful website of her work, which is remarkably affordable as well. This is what she has to say regarding the art of retablo:

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"As a Santera (Saint Maker), I hope to preserve some of the unique traditions of my Hispanic culture. Retablos are the story tellers of my ancestors. They are the natural extension of the beauty and simplicity of our Spanish lives. My husband, Michael and I aspire to represent our work with as much historic accuracy as possible.

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My first exposure to this art form came when, as a child, I visited the churches in the San Luis Valley. My family had been among the first settlers in the Conejos land grant and lived in Mogote and Las Mesitas, Colorado. After visiting old churches in Chimayo and northern New Mexico, as an adult, I came to realize the meaning of the little retablos that had been in our family. In 1991, I began making retablos for my family and friends. Then in 1995, when I was admitted into the Spanish Market, I became a full time artist." - Finish artist's statement.

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Image shown: "Retablo Screen" - Carved and painted by Catherine Robles Shaw. Visit her website for more information.