Thursday's List

READING: Still reading The Lover and the Beloved: The Writings of St. John of the Cross, edited by E. Allison Peers. This poetry is not anything you can speed through. Not that you'd want to. "O Living Flame of Love, that tenderly wounds my soul," writes San Juan de la Cruz. Beautiful....

POOLSIDE READING: Size 14 Isn't Fat Either by Meg Cabot. This is a light-hearted mystery story about a college residence hall supervisor-cum-sleuth who was considerably startled to find the head of a cheerleader simmering in a pot on the dining services' stove. Yeah, I know. It really isn't, is it? They haven't found the rest of her yet. But anyway. Truth be told, this book is not that good, so don't bother. The only reason I'm continuing to slog through it is because my parents brought me up not to be a quitter. Once again, this is a book by the author of The Princess Diaries, which I thought was brilliant. Love! Cabot is from Bloomington, by the way. I think she'd do best to stick to young adult fiction. Like glue. Like tree sap. Like....anything really, really sticky.

LISTENING TO: Schubert's Trio in One Movement in B-Flat; lilting, sparkling piano. At this time of day, it's either Schubert, Debussy or neat scotch.

SAINT IN HEAVEN I'D LIKE TO MEET: St. Elizabeth Anne Seton, a fellow convert and mother

HAPPY TO SAY: Even though I've already said it. 4-H!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woooooooooooooooot!!!!!!

FAVORITE NEW FIND: Nature Valley Sweet & Salty chewy granola bars with almonds. Okay, these are just good.

FAVORITE THING TODAY: Seeing the girls' happy faces as they posed for the camera by their projects.

HOURS OF SLEEP LOGGED LAST NIGHT: Four. My eyes feel like boiled onions. There is a word I could use to describe how I feel, but if I did, my mother would wash my mouth out with soap and then beat me around the face and neck with the bar, possibly dropping it into one of my dad's socks first.

SCRAPBOOK PAGES THIS WEEK: Four. Our anniversary page and my husband's poison ivy-in-the-emergency room pages, plus Aisling's birthday pages are complete

THE CAUSE OF MY STRESS: We've got to attend a volleyball team board of directors meeting tomorrow night -- Friday! -- at 7:00 p.m., which may possibly be the worst time ever thought up to schedule a meeting. How about Saturday morning at 5:30? Or Monday night at 11:30 p.m.? Sheeeeeesh....

PRAYING FOR: Our young friend Peter and his family, headed out to Loma Linda, California for an exclusive radiation therapy for his rather aggressive cancer. Peter, who is five years old, had a brain tumor that was discovered when he was four. He underwent months of chemotherapy with people all over the map praying for his healing. He beat that cancer and was declared clean. But not long thereafter, at an MRI checkup, it was found that cancer had returned in tumors that are all along his spine. Peter's mom and dad are solid rocks of faith who have not wavered, but trusted in God for His will to be done, despite the bitter circumstances. He also has five sisters, four older and one younger, who are going with him and Mom and Dad to California. Would you please join me in praying for his complete healing, as well as for safe travel for them all? His treatments start on Monday, July 23 at 9:00 a.m. (California time).