Saturday opened with bright sunshine reflecting off the coating of snow that had fallen on Friday. The wet snow had frozen in place as the temperature dropped into the teens overnight, the coldest we have had all winter ... so far. As long as I have no place to go, that is certainly no problem. Even if I did have someplace to go, it would be no problem. In this day and age, many of us our well insulated from the rigors of winter and the elements. We who are fortunate enough to enjoy that status in life are truly blessed. Would that everyone could be so gifted.

I have reached the end of my book on the Fall of the Roman Empire. The last 40% of the book comprise the notes and references. We, or at least I, didn't think of Europe when I thought of the Roman Empire but as we have seen, the Empire encompassed most of Europe and small parts of Northern Africa and Eastern Asia. Through its expansion and conquest it brought civilization to all these places. It was an odd civilization in that there was a big empathies on refined language and a comfortable level of living for the rich ... and they were very rich. There was commerce and the rule of law. At the same time there was debauchery and the arena were people of all the classes were entertained by watching wild animals rip people apart and devour them.  As they became Christianized this aspect disappeared but still, the conquered  often were cruelly treated, killed and their leaders heads displayed on poles.

In any case, the Romans brought a modicum of civilization to the lands and peoples absorbed within the Empire and civilization spread beyond its borders. After the fall, much of that was lost as barbarians of every sort grabbed what they could. Some of the old literature as well as the Latin language survived in the monasteries and the seeds of civilization remained within many. We know little of the 6th century but by the 7th we have written records of cities and governments as well as commerce. There is even the record of our 42 great grandfather Bishop of Metz, Saint Arnulf and his birth on 13 Aug 582 AD. Even the Latin language was preserved and became the language of scholars. It was the only language used in universities extending even into Colonial days and beyond in America and of course is the official language of the Catholic Church to this day even though almost no Catholics understand it. And so, I conclude, as many have in the past, that The Roman Empire contributed much to our civilization and we move on from there ... and thank God we did..

Dan stopped by Saturday afternoon with a dual purpose. He brought my winnings from the Super bowl pool and he was going to shovel my driveway if needed. It didn't. When he got here the bright sun had melted about 85% of it and the rest was fast disappearing. So, we just had some talk before he was off to the gym and some exercise. That was followed by a call from Anne Marie, filling me in on their adventures in California, More on this later.

I started a new book, this one is a group of short science fiction stories. I was surprised when the main character of the first story bought a copy of "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" and quoted passages from it. Of course, the Decline and Fall was not the same version I just read. There have been several versions of that series of events over the years including one that required six volumes. But I find it amazing that after reading on the subject, the very next book I read, and a SiFi book at that, mentions the same thing.

This is a little something about making choices that I thought worthwhile.

I consider myself very fortunate that I have not lost my childhood curiosity. The strangest things grab my attention and I am compelled to know more. I am also very fortunate that I find myself in an age where I can simply "google" a subject and satisfy my curiosity. For instance, while listing to some classical music, I wondered how long this music has been with us. I was surprised to discovered that it has only been within the past 400 years that it has been around. Before that musicians have gathered together to play music for untold centuries but it has only been about 400 years ago that composers have written music for specific instruments to be played with other instruments to make concerts and then symphony music possible. Heck, that is very recent history.

Saturday evening there was a big party at the Zarzana home in Sonoma, California. It was Dale's Birthday but the main purpose was the Zazana family engagement party for Joelle and Anthony. Many friends and family members were there as well as friends of Joelle and California friends of Anthony. My daughter and Dom were there and even their next door neighbors Jack and Toddy flew out for the occasion. I am told that it was a glorious affair. On Sunday, they visited the winery where the wedding reception will take place. I am told that it is beautiful.

Sunday was a laid back day for me. I played Mahjong and read a lot. Later in the afternoon I had a little salami and cheese party for myself. Delightful. Of course it wasn't realy myself. I shared with Mikey and he enjoyed it also. With the food during the afternoon, a bowl of chicken noodle soup was more than enough for supper and then was supplemented with some snacks in the evening. It was a relaxing day.

This is a photo of Anthony and Joelle taken by my daughter at the winery where the wedding reception will take place. When I saw it, the only thing that came to mind was "Looking Into the Future"

Looking Into the Future

Where does it start?
Right here and right now.
What will it be?
Whatever love deems to allow.

Where will we go,
 And what will we see?
Wherever the winds blow
On our great Odyssey.

To invite God to go with us
Will provide a safe guide.
For with His assistance
Strife and disaster shan't abide.

And if God should demand
Our love for Him be first,
We know He returns it three fold
To give to each other ... no one shall thirst.

For we on your journey,
Are to each other.
Princess and prince,
Each crowned of the other.

Each to be respected no matter what,
Firmly on pedestals as tied with a suture.
And we in our love shall grow.
As together we go, without fear of the future.

Dedicated to Anthony and Joelle
Grandpa Don Plefka
14 February 2012

Plans for the wedding continue. Check out ...

Black Sterling Vineyard Estate-Wine Country with 6 Bedrooms!

Anne Marie is arrangeing for close family members from Chicagoland to stay there. Be sure to page through the photos. Her family and I plan to be there for an entire week. It is within site of the winery where the reception will be held. I am getting excited.

From Facebook ...

You need to just play around with things sometimes. Taking a moment from reading on tha iPad I just started opening things up and discovered there is the entire New Advent Catholic Library on it. The entire bible with commentaries and the Catholic Encyclopedia and much much more. All in a little tablet. Its like science fiction! I still have not been able to get my email to work on it, But ... Maybe I'll get some help with that (Tom?).

It was my intent to stay away from controversial subjects this week. But ...

I also came across a statement by Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago that raises an important point to those who like to point out that many Catholics practice birth control.  The Cardinal said on Tuesday, February 14, 2012  ...

"This is the first time in the history of the United States that a presidential administration has purposely tried to interfere in the internal working of the Catholic Church, playing one group off against another for political gain.  What isn’t always understood is that the Bishops of the Church make no attempt to speak for all Catholics; they never have. The Bishops speak for the Catholic and apostolic faith, and those who hold that faith gather around them.  Others disperse."

You see, the Catholic Church was never and never will be a democracy. We followers, need an organization that sets high standards. We may not always stand by them but we need them in the same way that teenagers need discipline but don't always know it. A parent is often overprotective and impinges on the freedom of their children. The children don't always see the love that influences their parents. The parents often don't understand that love sometimes can be stifling.

It was just before noon when my cleaning ladies arrived loaded down with equipment and supplies. Just lugging all that stuff around would tire me out but of course that is why I have them. It also saves me the effort of buying cleaning supplies and just making sure I have them.

I just felt so good about my new poem, Looking Into the Future, that I sent it out to several people without proper checking and tweaking.  My daughter pointed out a couple misspellings in the original of the poem and I noticed a few inconsistencies in the use of “you” and “we”. In making changes I also changed some of it to make it ‘flow’ off the tongue a little better. What you saw on this page is the revised version. The meaning has not changed.  I have to remember to let things like that 'age' a bit and to review them again before 'publishing'.  By the bye, Maybe some new readers don't know that this is not my first attempt at poetry and other stuff. Check out From My Pen.

A friend sent an email inviting me to join in on what would be, in normal circumstances, a good cause. However, it was being sponsored by Glenn Beck. I wrote back ... "It’s a good cause but …   I don’t follow Beck either. He is too much of a fanatic for me. For that reason I will not join in this campaign. It will get me on his mailing list and I do not wish to be identified with him, which would identify me with some of his extreme views."  The one thing I am fanatical about is not being a fanatic or associated with people who are.

By now you must know that I am a big fan of this girl ...

She has been given an amazing gift, her voice. I pray that she will keep that voice and her attitude into adulthood. Others have had such a gift and have squandered it or cut it short in misguided ways. May the pressures of life not spoil what she has and what she is.

Help stamp out cancer. Open your hearts to compassion and help defeat this insidious disease. I invite you to donate through either or both girls ... either way. please donate. This is not a competition any more than soldiers of the US are in competition with each other on the battle field. We are all on the same side in this campaign.

The links to Kelly's Page and to Ana's page are right here and at the top of this page.

Dear God,
I pray that You will guide someone to find a cure for cancer in 2012 .
In Jesus Name, Amen

There is plenty of time to contribute, but why wait? They can use your donation right now.

Thursday was another of many lazy days. The above normal temperatures continue and the sun shown brightly for most of the day. 50° in February in my gazebo but of course no where near enough to entice me to go outside. After lunch I made the usual Thursday trip to the grocery store. I stopped at the local liquor store to restock the VO Gold. A big truck was there with a ramp out the back disgorging crates of liquid merchandise and the name on the side caught my eye ... SWS. Just the letters but I knew it was Southern Wine & Spirits. I looked to see if Anthony was there even though I knew he wouldn't be. Yes he works for them in sunny California. Having successfully made my purchase, It was on to the Jewel Store where I selected my week's supply of victuals for Mikey and I. The stare was surprisingly empty and my visit there was quick and uneventful as was my journey home.

I played with my iPad's Mail features until I was blue in the face apparently to no avail. Well not exactly ... you will notice that I said I "played" with it. I have learned that you can't take these things seriously or your blood preasure will go sky high and you will get blue in the face. I just could not get my Comcast Mail to work. It seems that the iPad operating system and "POP" mail have compatibility issues. I found an App that supposedly would solve the problem and I ignored the customer ratings that said it did a poor job and spent $8.75 for it. It didn't help! In desperation (I wasn't realy desperate) I opend a gMail account and tried that. After all the welcoming emails to my computer I set up the account on the iPad and tried to send an email from my computer, It didn't work. For the second time, I decided to wait until I could get some expert help. (Tom?) I stopped playing and went on to other things.

I have friended Kindle on Facebook and while scanning the posts, of course using the iPad, I saw a post from Kindle tauting a book named "Ice Age". It sounded interesting so I simply clicked on the ad and then the "Deliver to iPad" button and immediately downloaded it. I will have it ready and waiting when I finish my current book. Miraculus!

Mikey has been staying in my bed all night. He started it this week. He sleeps on top of the extra pillow most of the night and when it starts to get light he burrows under the covers and lays with his back next to mine. He doesn't bother me and the bonus is that he doesn't get up before dawn and insist on going out. I have no idea what motivated this change after all these years but I like it ... so I accept it.

This Friday morning after getting out of bed just before 8 o'clock I went through my usual morning rituals. My little inspirational booklet, this one from 1984 revealed the following:

THE SECRET

I met God in the morning
When the day was at its best,
And His Presence came like sunrise.
Like a glory in my breast.

All day long the Presence lingered,
All day long He stayed with me,
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O'er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive there-.
Brought to us a peace and rest.

Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I too had loosed the moorings,
With the Presence left behind.

So, I think I know the secret,
Learned from many a troubled way:
You must seek Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day!

Ralph Spaulding Cushman

Yes, it works for me. Some people pray at night and maybe that works for them. Some pray all day and maybe that's the best. There are others who only pray in church. I think they are missing a lot of opportunities to become close with God. Besides, church is the place for communal prayer, not private prayer. Even Jesus when off alone when He realy needed to be close to the Father.

In any case, after I finished my coffee and conversation with God, as I have started to do, I picked up my iPad to give a quick scan to see what my Facebook friends are up to. To my surprise, the Mail icon had several red numbers on it. There, to my amazement, were several of thoes automatin emails that you always get when you open a new emai account. These, of course, were from Google giving hints on things you could do with the system including the uploading of your contact lists and such. I haven't dug into it yet but apparently I can now be in contact with the world by email through the iPad! It looks like I will not need that expert help. (Tom is off the hook!) Gloriouskies, Sandy!

Little Orphan Annie & Sandy

This is what my friend Frank Schober always said:

Frank doesn't keep in touch any more. I follow his daughter, a Facebook friend, so I know Frank is doing well. He has apparently found interests other than sending out email in the wee hours of the morning. It may be just as well because he used to get very upset over political matters. Things happen and our lives change. Old habits fade away and new ones develop. As I have just found out, it even happens with our pets. It should not startle us when it happens with our friends. We sometimes ask, What have I done? He or she doesn't call anymore. Well, it probably has nothing to do with us. Something in their life has changed. A new situation has developed and time and attention demands a change. We sometimes may need to step back and realize that we were never the center of that person's life. My idol, C.S. Lewis said, "A person who is right with God, is never offended." A person who has an honest and real grasp of life knows that everything is not about themselves.

This has been a great week. I become increasingly enamored with my iPad and all its features. Thanks kids. The idea of a device like this first caught my attention when I saw them used in science fiction movies at a time when they were science fiction. What a great idea ... everyone with his own personal communicator and reference device. The world and all its libraries at your beck and call. I thought that maybe it could actual happen in a hundred years or so. And now I have one! It is a wonderment. The amazing part about it is that most people don't even notice that is s a wonderment. New technology is taken for granted, even expected. When I was a kid, everyone looked up when the sound of an airplane was heard. It was not the usual and normal thing. How could those things fly? We were in awe of having black and white pictures sent through the airwaves to be shakily displayed in a television set in our own living room.

We seem to be loosing our sense of wonderment. (I like that word ... wonderment!) Let's face it, we're not in Kansas anymore. This is a new and magical world in which we now live. Maybe its because I delve into so much ancestry and the history that goes with it that I am more aware of the wonders of today's world. Or maybe its because I still retain my childhood curiosity. Or, then again, it may be because I have come to have a deeper faith in God and the spiritual side of life that I appreciate life and its mysteries more. Whatever it is, I am thriving in it all. Life is great!

Do I feel good? You bet your life I do! I am told that Anthony had my poem for him and Joelle copied, printed and framed, then gave it to Joelle for Valentine's Day. They want to have it read at their wedding and Anthony suggested that they read it every morning for the rest of their lives. WoW! Ego Boost! That is what keeps me flying up in the clouds. I am also buoyed up in the knowledge that my grandson recognizes the importance of the thoughts I tried to express.

Yes, it has been a great week ... another one ... and ...