“It is part of the discipline of God to make His loved ones perfect through trial and suffering. Only by carrying the Cross can one reach the Resurrection.” — Archbishop Venerable Fulton J. Sheen The older I get, the more wisdom I find in Sheen’s statement above. It’s a sermonette on the requirements …
Category: early-morning thoughts
Mar 19 2024
A Diagnosis
Here’s the diagnosis: Good morning. Shared from a friend…couldn’t be more true DAVE RAMSEY… “This morning, I realized that everything is about to change. No matter how I vote, no matter what I say, lives are never going to be the same. I have been confused by the hostility of family and… — Carissa …
Feb 27 2024
Saying It Straight Out
Stephen Kruiser does so: Anyone claiming to be vehemently anti-Trump because of principles is willfully aiding and abetting the rapid leftist destruction of the United States of America. If these people do have principles, they’re commie principles. That’s a Twenty-First Century version of this famous utterance: If ye love wealth greater …
Feb 22 2024
Something We’ve All Done
Have you noticed how often other people are wrong? It’s amazing! Where did they come up with so many misconceptions and delusions? How can they live with such murk in their heads? How do they cope with the challenges of life? The italicized word in the above is a kind of shorthand. A …
Feb 19 2024
Sometimes, you are only limited by yourself
Many years ago, when I was still a teen, my brother was auditioning to be accepted into a musical school. He played bass. I say “played”, but in reality he made that instrument sing in ways that most people won’t understand, and I’m not about to try to explain it. My brother has more musical …
Feb 10 2024
Troubling Trends In Marketing
Being “of a certain age,” I have fond memories of a few things younger sorts might not be aware of. For instance, I remember the Lynda Carter series Wonder Woman. Now, that wasn’t High Art…but it had two things I enjoyed greatly: A love of America; Lynda Carter’s boobs. At around the same …
Feb 09 2024
Truer Words Were Never Spoken
This spoke to me so powerfully that I could not refrain from snagging it: Every writer wants to believe that his books are good. How many believe they’ve produced even one book that’s great? How many would even want to? If only…sigh. (Applause to The Feral Irishman.)
Feb 04 2024
Property And Security
First, I found this at Moonbattery: …and then I was reminded of this bit of insight, courtesy of WRSA: What if the Federal Government grossly violated the Constitution? Could states withdraw from the Union? Lincoln said no. The Union was “indissoluble” unless all the states agreed to dissolve it. As a practical …
Jan 29 2024
Politicians And Importance: A Coda
Politicians are important only because others – people who actually do things – sometimes do their bidding. But what if we were to stop? Bidworthy approached to within normal talking distance and asked, “Can you understand me?” “Can any person understand another?” inquired the farmer with clear diction. Bidworthy found himself …
Jan 27 2024
Something We’d Rather Forget
Authoritarian impulses are not confined to any political party. Indeed, politics is a magnet for people who want power over others. But what conduces to the increase of power? What could persuade ordinary, supposedly freedom-loving Americans to accept a fascist in the White House? Tucker Carlson will tell you: That is absolutely …
Jan 23 2024
Said But Not Heard
Much of the evil perpetrated upon the world could have been averted had people paid proper attention to critical statements made by key public figures. The potentates of interwar Europe dismissed nearly every indication that Adolf Hitler meant to conquer Europe, including Hitler’s own words to that effect. How many lives were lost because …
Dec 19 2023
Higher Authorities
Among the founding principles of our republic, the following statement stands highest: This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and …
Dec 14 2023
Dead Or Just Resting?
(Yes, that’s a reference to Monty Python’s “Dead Parrot” sketch. For those unfamiliar with it, you can view it here, or read the script here.) Way back in my tenderer years, a few people were concerned about the direction in which I appeared to be headed. Sometimes I took them seriously…but as it …
Dec 12 2023
On Repentance
Relax! This won’t be one of “Fran’s Catholic rants.” Not entirely, anyway. Before I plunge ahead, let me say this plainly: I make no claim to expertise or authority in psychology. I’m a retired engineer. My degrees are in mathematics and physics. My achievements are in real-time software and – your opinion may …
Dec 08 2023
Delusions And Stability
Delusions are often functional. A mother’s opinions about her children’s beauty, intelligence, goodness, et cetera ad nauseam, keep her from drowning them at birth. — Robert A. Heinlein I’m still on the mend, but a little better, thanks for asking. Maybe I’ll be able to speak audibly by New Year’s Day. It’s ambitious, …
Dec 01 2023
The Eternally Misleading Vision
Some thematic music: As the dust settles, see our dreams, all coming true it depends on you, If our times, they are troubled times, show us the way, tell us what to do. As our faith, maybe aimless blind, hope our ideals and our thoughts are yours And believing the promises, please make your …
Oct 20 2023
The Sons Of Martha
First, a little music: Well I’m on the Downeaster Alexa And I’m cruisin’ through Block Island Sound I have charted a course to the vineyard But tonight I am Nantucket bound We took on diesel back in Montauk yesterday And left this morning from the bell in Gardiner’s Bay Like all the locals here …
Oct 19 2023
Beauty And The Engineer
No, the title is not a joke. Please indulge me for this morning. I have a need to rant about things that are a bit off the beaten path. I won’t be able to get to trivia such as world wars and the banality of evil until it’s off my chest. *** No …
Fran’s Recent Novels
Margaret’s Recent Novels
