Cottage Blessings

The report on Sarah Palin is confirmed by the NY Times

McCain chooses Palin as Running Mate

It is looking good for Gov. Sarah Palin

Well, my friends, good news has come over the wire. There is an unconfirmed report that John McCain's pick for vice-president may just be Alaska governor Sarah Palin, pro-life advocate, mother of five, and crusader on behalf of babies with Downs Syndrome.

I will be on pins and needles waiting to see if this report is true. If so, we can add it to the words of our marvelous bishops and say that this week we have made great strides towards a Culture of Life!

[Governor Sarah Palin, her husband Todd Palin, and new baby Trig, born with Downs Syndrome (file photo April 23, 2008 by Al Grillo, taken from USA Today)]

Update

11:24 am EST: The NY Times has confirmed the report: McCain Chooses Palin as Running Mate

I am proud of our Cardinal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2008

STATEMENT OF HIS EMINENCE, EDWARD CARDINAL EGAN CONCERNING REMARKS MADE BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Like many other citizens of this nation, I was shocked to learn that the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America would make the kind of statements that were made to Mr. Tom Brokaw of NBC-TV on Sunday, August 24, 2008. What the Speaker had to say about theologians and their positions regarding abortion was not only misinformed; it was also, and especially, utterly incredible in this day and age.

We are blessed in the 21st century with crystal-clear photographs and action films of the living realities within their pregnant mothers. No one with the slightest measure of integrity or honor could fail to know what these marvelous beings manifestly, clearly, and obviously are, as they smile and wave into the world outside the womb. In simplest terms, they are human beings with an inalienable right to live, a right that the Speaker of the House of Representatives is bound to defend at all costs for the most basic of ethical reasons. They are not parts of their mothers, and what they are depends not at all upon the opinions of theologians of any faith. Anyone who dares to defend that they may be legitimately killed because another human being “chooses” to do so or for any other equally ridiculous reason should not be providing leadership in a civilized democracy worthy of the name.

Edward Cardinal Egan
Archbishop of New York
August 26, 2008

HT: Home Sweet Heart

Remember, there are no mistakes, only happy accidents

I sat down at the computer tonight and glanced at my email, delighted to find a number of comments all in a row.

"But what did I even write today?" I sat, wondering.

Then I realized, it was the baby ticker!!! Earlier today, I'd been visiting Suzanne Temple's blog. I love her baby ticker (and so many other cute ones popping up everywhere) and wanted to see what my own would look like. Typepad has a feature called "pages" that allows you to create posts or highlight material without it showing up on your blog (unless you link to it). I thought I would create a page with the ticker, returning to it myself now and then to see the baby's progress.

Well, as you can see, I did not create a "page," but a post! My mind is a sieve these days!!! (Hence, the excessive use of exclamation points.)

Thanks so much for the comments on my accidental post! I truly appreciate them!

Baby tracker

Three more reasons to smile

I am overwhelmed by (and thrilled to read) these extremely kind and heartfelt Haystack reviews [posted here in chronological order]:

A review by Mary Gildersleeve, author of Great Yarns for the Close-Knit Family.

A review by Nancy Brown, author of The Mystery of Harry Potter, The Father Brown Reader, and GK Chesterton study guides.

A review by Jenn Miller of Family in Feast and Feria.

Mary, Nancy, and Jenn--thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Worth reading

The Wall Street Journal Online's opinion: Protect Our Kids from Preschool.

HT: Lissa

I've been smiling for days

after reading this review of Haystack Full of Needles by the wonderful Suzanne of Blessed Among Men. (The best part is reading about how Suzanne and my good friend Cathy have become friends! The south is packed with my favorite people these days!)

THANK YOU, SUZANNE!!!!

Back to School with mater et magistra Magazine

It is the middle of August, and the Back-to-School posts are being written, with many home educators getting back into the groove of formal learning and instruction. We are still enjoying our last few lazy days before going full steam ahead in September, but even the children are looking forward to a return of our usual routine. Our plans for the first day are laid out in the July issue of mater et magistra Magazine in an article called "A Litany of Saints for Scholars." We will be celebrating the new year with afternoon tea, back-to-school treat bags—and most of all prayer. Our special Litany reminds the children to invoke the patronage of particular saints to assist them in learning and studying, not to mention pray for other home-educated students everywhere. I am hoping it will set just the right tone for a grace-filled and happy year.

If you have not yet subscribed to mater et magistra (formerly Heart and Mind), I must tell you that it is completely beautiful. I was so happy to receive my first issue, full of inspiration and information, particularly an article on Hope by my friend, Alicia Van Hecke, a virtue we all need every day. Do not miss it!

A great story

by Maria B of Home Sweet Heart:

To My Little Sister.