I am a lifelong bird watcher. My mother was passionate about it and got my New York City-raisedfather hooked on it too. They used to take elder hostel trips to sanctuaries to watch bird migrations. Their favorite was a trip to the Audubon sanctuary on Hog Island in Maine with the “rock stars” of the birding world (you can read more about Hog Island here). Here is a picture of them on that trip:
Ken Elkins is passionate about birds too. In fact, he calls himself a competitive birder, participating regularly in competitions. He is so passionate that he wanted to share it with others.
Thus was born “Bird Tales” a dynamic, unique, and low cost therapeutic program that brings the natural outdoor world of birds to people living with dementia.
How I wish this had been available for my mother during her tenure at the nursing home, lost in the darkness that is dementia.
Audubon posted this video showing Ken presenting his “Bird Tales” program to residents at the Wilton Meadows Rehabilitation and Health Care Center:
The moment I saw those residents handling the toy birds, squeezing them to make them sing, the tears poured forth (in fact, even the memory of that moment is causing some tearing as I write this). It brought back a flood of memories, some bitter with loss, others very sweet in remembrance of the mother who instilled a lasting love of nature in me which in turn, reminds me of what is important, keeping me connected with my God and my world.
The YouTube site contains the following description:
“With support from the Toyota TogetherGreen program, Audubon employee Ken Elkins developed “Bird Tales” a dynamic, unique, and low cost therapeutic program that brings the natural outdoor world of birds to people living with dementia. Working with dementia care expert Randy L. Griffin and facilities operated by Transcon Corporation, Ken launched Bird Tales to encourage participants to connect with birds on a multisensory level — sight, sound, smell, and touch. Ken works with facility staff to improve the quality of bird habitat at each facility, incorporating practices like organic lawn care, landscaping with native species and setting up bird feeding stations. Ken also developed a training video and workbook to make this program easy to replicate and implement at other dementia care and assisted living centers throughout Audubon’s national network.”
I could see myself doing what Ken Eklins is doing. If you think you could too, check out birdtales.audubon.org.
Having my own office I am can listen to whatever I wish. I’ve always enjoyed talk radio because it keeps my mind engaged (whereas music unplugs me). My husband introduced it to me back in the days when I was home with small children; it became the adult conversation during the day.
Legendary talk show host Gene Burns
In these early days talk radio was intellectually stimulating (especially with hosts like Gene Burns). Mostly I listened to conservative talk but would also sample the other side.
I did the same with my news reading: mostly conservative with a dose of the other side.
Talk radio taught me the political process both nationally and locally while at the same time, keeping me entertained. I agreed with most of what was being said and on occasion I would even call in and talk to the host.
After the election of 2008, my husband and I began to watch the talk shows on cable, mostly Fox but MSNBC and CNN too. The presidential debates were like sporting events to us; it’s what addicted me to Twitter. As the debate would progress, I could count on immediate feedback with tweets from the various professional commentators and average citizens like myself. And I could “talk back” if I wished.
We looked forward to election night believing our candidate would win. It became clear as the evening wore on that we were wrong. Very wrong. Twitter became painful to follow.
A lot of so-called “experts” had egg on their faces that night.
I was a political junkie. It used to be fun. It is not anymore.
I stopped being a political junkie on November 7, 2012 after the crushing defeat of my candidate. It became clear, like an epiphany, that everybody whose opinion I trusted had been wrong. They were all in their own delusional bubbles and while they believed they were proclaiming the truth, it was in realty smoke and mirrors.
I felt utterly duped. I’d been sucker-punched. Nobody on my side saw it coming. I sure didn’t.
The next morning, I started fasting from politics. I don’t normally listen to Christmas music so early in the season but a wonderful channel on Pandora called “Classic Christmas” got me through the next several weeks as I recovered from being a political junkie.
Talk radio is no longer fun. The content is shrill and vitriolic, polluting my mind with negativity. It is not unlike what is going on in Washington with our leaders, made impotent due to their focus on their own position rather than the urgent needs of this country.
My core conservative beliefs have not changed, nor has my desire to stay informed. But I no longer believe in politics.
It all feels like junk. And nothing made that plainer than the last couple of weeks with the election and installation of Pope Francis.
News junkie and Catholic that I am I downloaded the Pope App on my phone so I could stay informed with the news of the conclave. I was able to watch, on my phone, the announcement of Habemus Papum – we have a pope!
Pope Francis
When I found out he was from Argentina, I whooped and hollered and pranced around in my basement office. I had dearly hoped for a pope from either South America or Africa where the Church is vibrant with growth. A new face, a new perspective, a breath of fresh air.
I got my wish. And now I can’t get enough of “Papa Francisco.”
Politicians failed to lead through their empty words. Pope Francis succeeds in leading through his example.
Whereas our political leaders blather endlessly, blaming and destroying each other while the serious problems of our country go unaddressed, Pope Francis seeks to uplift all of God’s Creation as the means for creating a better world.
Whereas our leaders are motivated by their own quest for power, the pontiff seeks to empower all people, especially the least among us: the poor, the handicapped, the disenfranchised. As one of the most powerful leaders in the world, he is doing his best to take the spotlight off of himself and shine it onto his flock.
The image of him stepping out of the pope mobile during the procession to his inaugural mass to kiss, caress and comfort a severely disabled man is unforgettable. He is a pastor, a shepherd. He seeks sincerely to emulate Jesus.
Holy Week will soon be upon us. Typically the Holy Thursday mass is celebrated in grandeur at either St. Peter’s Basilica or the Basilica of St. John Lateran. During the mass there is the ceremonial foot washing after the reading of John’s Gospel, chapter 13, verses 1-15: Jesus washes the feet of his disciples to demonstrate how they are to serve one another; the participants are priests and prominent lay people.
Pope Francis, in keeping with his own longstanding tradition, has opted to celebrate Holy Thursday mass at the Casal del Marmo prison for minors, a Rome juvenile detention facility where he will wash the feet of some of the young detainees.
Our political leaders, for the most part, appear take advantage of their powerful positions to better their own lives and to advance their celebrity status.
Pope Francis appears to be using his to advance the positions of the forgotten in our society.
No wonder I can’t get enough of “Papa Francisco!” His name, his actions truly spell hope. I pray I am not being led into a new delusional bubble but if the pontiff continues pointing to Christ, I can be free from delusion.
I am a recovering political junkie. My gaze is now turned towards the Vicar of Christ whose example fixes my eyes squarely on Jesus, the true solution to the desperate problems of our world.
In two weeks Christians around the world will celebrate Easter, the resurrection of our Lord. During the last several weeks, we have been preparing through the observance of Lent, a time of renewal, conversion and repentance. Service to others is a wonderful way to live out our renewal and Pope Francis leads the way. Here are some suggestions that best selling author Lisa Hendey suggested in honor of the new pontiff.
I found myself last night watching the reruns of the announcement of Pope Francis. I found myself filling up while watching the white smoke, listening to the ancient peeling bells, and witnessing the joys of tens of thousands.
It was such a beautiful moment, a moment of unity for Catholics and non-Catholics around the world. St. Peter’s Square was filled to overflowing with peoples of all ages, races and stations in life (and I’m willing to bet, various faiths as well).
The word “catholic” means universal and indeed yesterday, the world was “catholic,” united through television, radio and the internet with the crowds standing in the rain, waiting to great the new Pope.
Did you wish you were there? I sure did.
Now you can experience the moment for yourself, virtually, through the magic of podcasting.
Fr. Roderick Vonhögen, a priest from the Netherlands, has been using the new media (blogging, podcasting, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) since 2005 to take his listeners to key places and events around the world. His groundbreaking program, The Catholic Insider, was in Rome when Blessed John Paul II passed away and he was there in St. Peter’s Square when then-Pope Benedict XVI was announced to the world.
Now you can experience the anticipation, excitement, joy and emotion of “Habemus Papam!” with this enthusiastic priest whose joy is infectious. I found myself laughing, crying and pondering as I listened.
I felt like I was there.
Go and visit The Catholic Insider where you can listen to the podcast right from your computer. If you have an iPhone or iPod, you can go to iTunes and find The Catholic Insider.
Father Roderick also makes videos on the go. Here is the same report in a 7 minute video:
I listened in my car this morning on the way to work. What a way to begin the day!
CARDINAL JORGE MARIO BERGOGLIO: Bergoglio, 76, has spent nearly his entire career at home in Argentina, overseeing churches and shoe-leather priests. The archbishop of Buenos Aires reportedly got the second-most votes after Joseph Ratzinger in the 2005 papal election, and he has long specialized in the kind of pastoral work that some say is an essential skill for the next pope. In a lifetime of teaching and leading priests in Latin America, which has the largest share of the world’s Catholics, Bergoglio has shown a keen political sensibility as well as the kind of self-effacing humility that fellow cardinals value highly. Bergoglio is known for modernizing an Argentine church that had been among the most conservative in Latin America.
This is such an exciting choice! First impressions – humble, affable, sweet face, asked for our prayers. He will have mine.
I don’t normally use this blog to promote my music so directly but since one of my products was accepted for two print catalogs, I wanted to let you know.
I am pleased to announced that the Mary, Queen of Peace Meditation Guide & Sung Rosary is now available in the print catalogs of The Catholic Company and Leaflet Missal.
This means you do not have to order this booklet and CD online if you would prefer to call an 800 number.
Call 1-800-328-9582 and order product #26852
to get your copy of the Mary, Queen of Peace Meditation Guide & Sung Rosary.
If you have ordered the project and have been blessed by it, feel free to leave a review so that others can know about it too. During this special time of year with Lent, Easter, First Communion and Confirmation, the Mary, Queen of Peace Meditation Guide & Sung Rosary makes a great gift.
How did serving as one of the first nurses of the Civil War lead to Louisa May Alcott’s runaway best seller, Little Women? Children’s author Kathleen Krull explores this journey in a delightful picture book entitled Louisa May’s Battle: How the Civil War led to Little Women, published by Walker & Company, New York.
Making extensive use of Hospital Sketches plus quotes from Louisa’s journals, Krull tells the story of Louisa’s burning desire to participate in the historic war by means of serving as a nurse. She writes,
“ ‘I long to be a man,’ Louisa May Alcott scribbled one day, ‘but as I can’t fight, I will content myself with working for those who can.’ Coming from a family that was part of the Underground Railroad to shelter runaway slaves, she burned to help the war effort.”
Krull presents a very human Louisa, fighting her fears and…
Recently I posted a review for my monthly column on Catholicmom.com that was a sheer pleasure to write. For years I have longed for my lifelong friend from high school to write a book. Overcoming many odds (some of which you will find out about in the following review), Reg has finally done it, assembling her many award-winning columns into a collection. If you think that holiness is just for long-dead saints, read on.
Written by M. Regina Cram, Do Bad Guys Wear Socks? Living the Gospel in Everyday Life is a collection of her award-winning columns from the Catholic Transcript (of the diocese of Hartford, CT) and the Hartford Courant. Cram’s candor, laced with humor and free of self-indulgence and melodrama, makes this book a breath of fresh air.
I must insert a disclaimer here: Reg Cram is a lifelong friend but I had no idea she could write like this. The book grabbed me in an instant and never let go.
The season of Lent is a tradition in Christianity offering a time to turn back to God (also known as repentance). Once viewed from a strictly negative perspective (guilt over sins, giving up chocolate or some other treat during the 40 days before Easter), the very perception of Lent is being transformed into a great gift for the person who wishes to embark on the journey. For it is a journey of the heart to conversion and live-giving transformation.
I look forward to Lent despite the custom in our household to forgo meat for 40 days. I miss greasy cheeseburgers and juicy chicken sometimes but there’s something purifying about focusing on vegetables with a sprinkling of pasta and rice. The benefit of a gentler diet and less calories is a nice tradeoff.
The Transfiguration – from flickr, by fantartsy JJ *2013 year of LOVE!*
I am familiar with the cycle of readings for Lent as I used to plan music every Sunday for mass. It always struck me as hopeful to read during the second Sunday of Lent the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor in front of three of his disciples. I imagine I would have been babbling nonsense too like Peter were I seeing my teacher and master suddenly glorified in a heavenly body while a Voice from above exhorted me to “listen to Him.”
And that’s where conversion and transformation begins, with listening. Tuning into that small voice inside where Jesus dwells. But in order to hear, the noise needs to be turned down, the life made simpler.
It begins with listening and translates into action. I am asked to first dig down deep inside to that sacred place where He dwells; once fed I am asked to step out of myself so I can share that nourishing love with others.
The Church asks three things of the Lenten pilgrim: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. For me, prayer is carving out spaces in my busy day to just be still, to listen and then, to ponder. Fasting is, yes, giving up things, but in an effort to shed those extras that hold me back from listening to the Still, Soft Voice. And almsgiving? Carrying out those things that my Lord has instructed me to do during those times when I listen. Giving generously of time and treasure.
Today I was presented with a beautiful opportunity for almsgiving and I’d like to share it with you. It is being done through Catholicmom.com in partnership with Ave Maria Press:
The goal of this project is to provide spiritual support to expectant mothers. Catholicmom.com and Ave Maria Press hope to send 50 copies of A Catholic Mother’s Companion to Pregnancy—a week-by-week spiritual companion for pregnant women—to 20 pregnancy centers around the United States. Your donations will be used solely to help them achieve this goal.
Pregnancy can be a challenging time even in the most desirable circumstances. The expectant mothers whom this project seeks to support are often scared, lacking in financial resources, and needing guidance, love and care. They are courageous in their desire to resist societal pressure and bring their babies to term.
Sarah A. Reinhard, the author of A Catholic Mother’s Companion to Pregnancy is well acquainted with the needs of these women. She writes, “I used to volunteer in a pregnancy center. It broke my heart. After I had my own kids, women who seek help from pregnancy centers became an even more intimate part of my prayers. To share my book with them is the least I can do.”
By simply donating $10 or more, these women can receive spiritual guidance that will help them on their difficult journey.
I see this as a wonderful way to participate in the almsgiving that our Lord desires during this season of Lent.
Visit The Catholicmom.com Project if you would like to help send this wonderful book to women in need. The pregnancy centers offer material help and moral support. You can aid in providing needed spiritual support.
For the many thousands of you who have followed the lives and antics of this mother tuxedo cat and her five kittens online, you know that today is bittersweet. As one chat member dubbed it, it’s “Graduation Day.” Ripley and her kittens will be adopted out to their forever (aka “furever”) homes bringing joy into households in the Washington state area.
It may seem like a waste of time to foster kittens (and even more so to spend hours watching them online). The true mystery and beauty of life, however, lie in these little things. There are countless stories of kitty watchers (who call themselves “stalkers”) finding comfort from the grind of daily life: grief, pain, physical ailments and loneliness are assuaged for a time watching a family of kittens grow and thrive.
Foster dad John with Ash
There is something very touching about a grown man cradling a kitten in his hands, giving the little tummy the raspberries. 🙂
The commitment of time and resources is far more than anyone could imagine. Especially the emotional commitment.
It’s all very life-affirming. God, I’m sure, would approve.
So on this adoption day I wanted to share the customary goodbye video created by Cherry Martini on http://animoto.com:
The YouTube site contains the following description:
Click to Tweet & Share: A passion for birding brings joy in the midst of darkness (and unlocks a powerful memory) http://wp.me/p2D9hg-qF
Would you like to learn along with Susan how to live your life
Be as One 