THU 01 SEPT to FRI 30 SEPT 2022
THU 01 SEPT 2022
After helping M out (and for the past 6 days), I went to an occupational therapy appointment, my second. Took a lot of notes.
Went swimming for ~18 minutes. (10 BrS laps/7minutes); Water exercises (10 rondes de jambe); and then swam (10 BrS laps/~10 minutes); followed by Water exercises (~7 rondes de jambe). I travelled for my appointment and swimming on one Regional Transit ride, with 2 transfers. (Kept telling the young high school first year students to "Hold on (before the bus starts)."
After dinner, I attended choir practice, wearing 2 disposable masks and sitting in the audience seat in the hall.
Chatted with S, C, RD, MLG, E, I, JM, DD, and BG after the practice, over snacks. Gave MLG some numbers to contact for real estate.
Helped M out after I returned.
FRI 02 SEPT 2022
Helped M out most of the day and evening.
SAT 03 SEPT 2022
Prepared Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies for their building picnic. Enjoyed a good dinner with neighbors, including a couple, C and C, who worked in medical mission work, as well.
SUN 04 SEPT 2022
D, M, and I attended the 10.00 televised Mass from the Cathedral. Fr Steve Lowery from the Oratory celebrated the Mass, with Carole DiC lectoring, and Nathan S cantoring. The servers were the usual student who has served the 10.00 Sunday Mass for at least 3 years, and a young girl. Tom and Lynn B, and Nancy H served as Eucharistic Ministers.
The readings for the 23rd SUN in Ordinary Time were:
1st Reading- Wis 9:13-18b
2nd Reading- Phmn 9-10, 12-17
Gospel Reading- Lk 14:25-33
Fr Steve Lowery discussed the strong language ("hate" word, as opposed to love) in the opening of the Gospel reading. He mentioned the "hyperbole" of the language, and how in that time, "hatred" of one thing often indicated a "preference for the other." Fr SL also mentioned that the "intensity to what (Luke) is saying" still holds.
"The Foundation included Jesus's own suffering and death....
We are made for communion with God. We are to pick up our Cross daily, and to detach ourselves from our possessions. In Him we are capable of Love towards our brother, sister, spouses; (of escaping) Family Drama, Pain, and Hurt."
The 1st reading from Wisdom mentions "even things of Earth....(which we must separate ourselves from, to become close to God.
"(Beyond) Drama, we will find Abiding Peace, ....and we will be at Peace, as Jesus was as he was beaten, and as he was carrying the Cross, (because) he knew he would rise again.
"Satan wants us to think we must take reality into our own hands, Not God's....
"We are living with God's Self-Giving Love."
The Communion Hymn- Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord
Recessional Hymn- The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve
~~~~~
Prepared Pot Roast with M, and
Prepared Super Semi-Sweet Chocolate Fudgy Brownies for the arrival of the contingent tomorrow. D did his part by preparing leche plan.
MON 05 SEPT 2022
Lectored at the early 8.15 AM Mass, celebrating "the Blessing of Human Labor," by Fr. Steven Palsa. Fr Steven Palsa carefully chose the readings and responsorial psalm for today.
Reading 1-- Genesis 1:26 to 2:3 (Day 6 to Rest Day)
Rx Psalm 127- Lord, give success to the work of our hands.
Gospel- Matthew (" What are we going to eat,...drink, ... wear.")
Homily- Fr Steven Palsa mentioned in his Homily, "Seek first the Kingdom of God. Do not worry..." He also spoke about the history of Labor Day in Pittsburgh, and about a fiction book written in 1920 (R. U. R., by Karel Kapek, as noted by WA while we watched a recording of the homily), about robots which are overworked in the labor force, stressing that "we are not robots; that humans are made in the image of God."
It was nice to see Fr Steven again. Brian provided music ministry from the loft. Music included:
Entrance Hymn- Called to Labor in God's Vineyard
Entrance Hymn- Called to Labor in God's Vineyard
Lord Have Mercy- Chant
Acclamations- from Peter Latona's Mass for the Immaculate Conception
Recessional Hymn- God of Our Fathers
The Mass was celebrated for the souls of Richard and Barbara Fisher.
~~~~~
Helped M this morning. M and I had cheese pimiento sandwiches for breakfast, and WA is walking chez D and M to meet the Uncles and Aunties| Titos at Titas, D at C, from the Manila area, and A and G from the Alexandria area. After they arrived, we enjoyed lunch and then, when it started to rain, all of us but WA piled into the minivan-SUV and drove to Forbes Avenue for D and I to pick up a bunch of sandwiches from Primanti Brothers...5 Angus Steak and Cheese sandwiches. and one Tall Boy sandwich split by M and I-- a Joe, Dick, and Stanley. The fries were done well, and we were all pleased with the outcome. They went back to their Oakland Hilton hotel to call it a night.
TUE 06 SEPT 2022
I brought M to her medical eye appointment with Dr B in the South Hills. After the Aunties and Uncles checked out of their hotel, D and I retrieved Chinese fare from Bloomfield for all of us to enjoy. Wa was present for our family photos, and a Pinoy goodbye ensued, replete with teaware gifts.
WED 07 SEPT 2022
After some discussion, and communication with my insurance company, I sent missives to my doctors' offices and will communicate further tomorrow afternoon.
Had a District 8 Community Listening Session via Zoom before our Zoomed Bible Study with Fr Mike + 7 of us... 3 of us, Francisco, Laura, a new member, Diana (a former chorister), and Kathleen, an unknown quantity. We read and discussed the readings for the 24th SUN in Ordinary Time, Cycle C, Lectionary #132, this SUN the 11 SEPT 2022.
I read Reading 1 for the group-- Ex 32:7-11, 13-14
Diana read the Reading 2-- 1 Tm 1:12-17, and
Fr Mike read the Gospel Reading-- Lk 15:1-32
When we discussed the Gospel Reading I pointed out that a previous time we read this Gospel passage a few years ago, Fr Mike had shared some images from Art History (Rembrandt van Rijn's painting, "Return of the Prodigal Son."), which we discussed for some time.
Helped M out before heading home.
THU 08 SEPT 2022
A sad day in history.
This morning, a text string started by MFMA discussed vaious aspects of QE2, including:
BBC Radio News was reporting that Queen Elizabeth II was "resting comfortably" at Balmoral Castle, and as of 09.00h EDT, Charles and his wife Camilla were on the way there. The fact that an announcement was made (was) pretty serious. There have been 15 Prime Ministers (Winston Churchill to Liz Truss) under her watch! She was a teenager when WW2 broke out, and she spoke to the people via radio, then. --GMA
WA wrote: God save the Queen
We mean it, man
We love our Queen
God saves
At 13.45 MFMA reported that QE2 died.
WA wrote: London Bridge has fallen
CNBC-TV is continuous in D and M's living room. She is the British Isle's longest-running monarch. There have been 14 US Presidents in power whilst she ruled Britain. God Save the Queen.
Had a medical teleappointment (quite productive) before having dinner with LB at the delicious Tuscan Italian restaurant's patio. Went to 2nd choir practice of the season. Scrumptious banana nut cake iced with white buttercream for snacks, by JS. It was enjoyed right down to the plate
FRI 09 SEPT 2022
Right before lunch a neighbor, HD, stopped by regarding accessibility. No swimming today. Still helping M with medical stuff.
SAT 10 SEPT 2022
Brought Brownies to BB, as a thanks for helpful drinks hints.
Took care of household administrative (health) issues.
Watched Tootsie (1982)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084805/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
with M after dinner tonight. Never saw that one until tonight---had seen snippets of Mrs. Doubtfire with Robin Williams previously.
SUN 11 SEPT 2022
Attended the 10.00 televised Mass from Cathedral (via television, as usual during COVID)
with D and M. Fr Joshua Kibler from the Oratory celebrated the Mass for the 24th SUN in Ordinary Time, Cycle C, Lectionary #132, as we studied during Bible Study on WED. Mary McC lectored. Luke, Antonio, and a young girl were acolytes, and Audrey C was a Eucharistic Minister (Drew McC and Judi N were scheduled, as well). Music ministry was provided from the Beckerath and by cantor.
Fr Josh noted that the parable of the Prodigal Son is most often read with the other two parables (the Lost Sheep, and the Lost Coin/Talent). He stated, "God celebrates the return of 'Them.'...Don't you remember the harm 'They' did?"
He also discussed the 1st Reading (Exodus) in which Moses is the Executor of Justice. Moses asks the Lord, "Why...should your wrath blaze up against your own people?"
Fr Josh stated that Moses was acting as a (good) "elder son" (from the parable of the Prodigal Son), as a "channel of God's Mercy for the wayward younger brother(s)."
He talked about the 2nd Reading, as well: The reason Jesus arrived on the Earth was to save sinners.
In that reading, our (good) "older brother is Christ---We are recipients and instruments of Christ's Mercy for the world."
~~~
Acclamations- from Peter Latona's Mass of the Immaculate Conception
Communion hymn- Yes, I Shall Arise and Return to My Father
Recessional Hymn- There's a Wideness in God's Mercy
~~~~~
After lunch, ordered online items for delivery. Snacking time, then joined the Family Zoom session with gamelan-like attendance.
MON 12 SEPT 2022
Ran errands with M to bank, drugstore, and chapel. Made dinner from items left behind by k. Completed v6.2, logging details of M's program. Electronic notes to medical team members.
TUE 13 SEPT 2022
Left message for library re: M's new device and borrowing library materials. Ironed out issues later in the afternoonn with KM-W, my sometime mentor; but only after retrieving lobster and fruit at the fishmonger. D and M cooked up the shellfish, which WA and us 3 happily ate...complete with tomale, drawn butter, and lobster roll replete with sourdough bread and lemoned mayonnaise. Jo Koy's Easter Sunday was preempted by 3 episodes of College Championship Jeopardy 2022 and AA calling D re: the new addition to his little family, AJ, named after his Dad.
WED 14 SEPT 2022
Went to swim; my session in the pool was interrupted by swim team practice. Thus, I walked this evening to go grocery shopping at Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Squirrel Hill. Breakfast and other items. Carried them back on the bus. Ran into MG and her sister, Maria, on the way back on foot.
Zoomed Bible Study with Fr Mike D + 6 attendees: D, M, and I; Diana, Ebrahim, and Francisco. We read and discussed the Mass Readings for the 25th SUN in Ordinary Time, Cycle C, Lectionary #135. I was honored to read the first reading, Ebrahim read the 2nd Reading, and Fr Mike read the Gospel for us.
Reading 1- Am 8:4-7
Reading 2- 1 Tm 2:1-8
Gospel Reading- Lk 16:1-13 OR (Short Version:) Lk 16:10-13
Lively discussion ensued this evening!
THU 15 SEPT 2022
Went this morning with D to the Farmer's Market to retrieve items for dinner and beyond. Bicolor corn on the cob, green beans, large beefy heirloom tomatoes, massive blueberries---I fear I've forgotten something!
This evening's Choir practice was held in the loft. I remained double-masked and on a wing of the Loft for the duration of the practice session. Chatted at length with DD over snacks, provided by MD.
FRI 16 SEPT 2022
This afternoon I started to organize my travel items in a small bag.
Spoke with NMB re: profiles.
SAT 17 SEPT 2022
Zoom Yoga class was attended by us international wimmin..SCN facilitated the Zoom meeting, and 2 women were from Europe, one from Florida, and 2 of us (besides the instructor) were from Pittsburgh... All of us friends with the instructor.
Attended A Midsummer Night's Dream in Westinghouse Park----Jennifer Tober, the President and Executive Director of Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks spoke to me briefly ~45 minutes before the start of the program. I had a prime seat of the theatre in the round, thanks to a friendly fellow lawn chair seat holder, who invited me to sit next to her and before a large tree trunk. Kim was my seatmate on the other side, and we chatted about local theatre and museums. WA joined the audience in the 15.00 hour, and the play ended at ~ 16.15. What a pleasantly joyful, musical, and mirthful production of this comedy!
This evening I ordered coffee for M and I, for J O from her favorite purveyor.
SUN 18 SEPT 2022
D, M, and I attended the televised Mass at 10.00 from Cathedral. Fr Kris Stubna, concelebrating Catechetical Sunday with Fr Steven Palsa, assisted by Deacon Tom Berna. Altar servers were Tamika M, Seminarian Eric Pintar, and a teenaged black-spectacled youth. The cantor was Nathan S, and the lector was Alex DiC, who read the readings described for the 25th SUN in Ordinary Time (from Bible Study on Wednesday).
Fr Kris's Homily started off with a story of a merchant man who went to Poland to visit the wise Rabbi Hovitz Chaim. He went to the rabbi's apartment, which was full of books but plain of furniture. When he questioned the Rabbi as to why he had little furniture, the Rabbi asked him where his furniture was.
"I'm just passing through," said the man.
"So am I," replied the wise Rabbi.
(We are all just passing through this life, was the message of this story).
~~~
Scheduled Eucharistic Ministers were Deacon Tom, Judi N, and Drew McCa.
Music included:
Entrance Hymn- The Word of God
Penitential Act, Gloria, and Acclamations- from Mass of the Immaculate Conception- Peter Latona
Communion Hymn- All the Earth- Lucien Diess
Recessional Hymn- I Sing the Mighty Power of God
Lunch was followed by the Celebration of Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church of Pamela Shaw and the Convalidation of the Marriage of Pamela Shaw and Thomas Roncevic.
What a beautiful service! It is the first time I have been to a Mass celebrating the Conversion of a person And their Marriage Celebration to their spouse.
Fr Kris and Erica Gamerro provided the service, with various choristers and friends and family acting as Lectors, Sponsors, etc. Pam chose St Cecilia, and Miriam (who led the Hebrew women and children in the dancing after the crossing of the Red Sea), as patron saints.
~~~~
Before and after dinner I did some Spanish lessons.
After Mass and around lunchtime I ordered a delivery for J O for M.
Time for Family Zoom!
MON 19 SEPT 2022
Holly D, mi vecina, joined our clase de espanol via Zoom. WA attended, too, of course.
I had made an appointment earlier for a lunchtime appointment for my bivalent (omicron, BA.4 and BA.5 variants) COVID booster, and quadrivalent influenza vaccinations. After 2 people (who had arrived after me) received their vaccinations, I asked the pharmacist, R, administering them why---when I had registered at the counter with J as soon as I had arrived, half an hour before my appointed time... There was no good answer, but I finally received the vaccinations (with the COVID one in my dominant arm, and the flu shot in my other arm) 8 minutes after my appointment time.
J O received the delivery!
Longanisa for dinner. Great!
TUE 20 SEPT 2022
Purged some old files this morning. Added to a group of shoes and clothing for our friend, A. Took ~ 2 hours. Had brunch and then met up with a friend in South Oakland. Took care of some electronic correspondence for M and D before dinner (tocino atsaka mussels, in separate dishes). Will do more electronic correspondence after Final Jeopardy!
Went swimming for ~ 25 minutes; did ronde de jambe exercises at halftime and at the end (~20x total). There was an inconsolable child after leaving the swimming area; I sang a Beatles ballad and she quieted down. Her mom was thankful.
Helping D with health care questionnaires.
WED 21 SEPT 2022
Attended parts of a Pow Wow sponsored by the Museum and the University of Pittsburgh. Observed a Round Dance, Men's and Women's Traditional Dance, a Men's Traditional Dance, a Women's Traditional Dance; met coworker GeoFe on the way back. Gave away some shoes and clothing; had a visit with a friend in South Oakland---enjoyed a specialty waffle/gaufre before heading out to the Pow Wow. Made gratitude jewelry and a story pole ceremony. Bible Study this evening included the readings for 26th SUN in Ordinary Time, Cycle C, Lectionary 138:
Bible Study was facilitated by Fr Mike Darcy, with 7 of us present, including Diana, Laura D, Francisco, and a fairly new member EbrK, and K.
The Gospel reading was Luke's passage about the poor, dermatologically sick dude, Lazarus, and his rich neighbor, and the Afterlife. We discussed this at length, and near the end of the meeting I brought up Dante's Commedia: Paradiso, Inferno (and the possibility that this passage f Luke mentioned Purgatorio instead of the Inferno).
THU 22 SEPT 2022
Went with D on the First Day of Autumn/Fall to the Farmer's Market Downtown. Got squash, tomatoes, green beans, Silver white corn, various peppers (bell and sweet longs), and blueberries.
Sent a FAX regarding DME.
Choir practice included an hour of sectionals--men in the church, and women in the practice hall. Still sat in the audience seats, separate from my section and the rest of the choir.
JM convinced us to sign up for snacks! V and I signed up for next month.
FRI 23 SEPT 2022
Made morning phone calls. Sent some work and other emails. After lunch with D and M, had a short rest and then went grocery shopping at Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside. Lots of good food. M made adobo, at afritada, too, for several meals.
SAT 24 SEPT 2022
k and K with I and P arrived and spent some time at D and M's, as well as in the garden parklet (with me, too, at both locations). M and P share many limitations, and they bonded well.
SUN 25 SEPT 2022
It was the Pittsburgh Great Race this morning (5K, 10K), but there were no runners, and there was 2-way traffic by 11:00 near St Paul Cathedral. I was honored to be the lector for the noon Mass. Fr Reed Fry celebrated the Mass with Deacon Tom Berna. Ken provided music ministry from the Beckerath console, accompanied by the dulcet tones of Mia. Gerry G (who visited us in the sacristy before Mass) and one other Eucharistic Minister served at this Mass with the priest and the deacon. Tamika and Maren were acolytes, and Ted W was the sacristan. The Readings were for the 26th SUN in Ordinary Time, Cycle C, Lectionary 138. The music included:
Entrance Hymn- I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
Gloria, Alleluia, HolyX3, Acclamations, Amen, and the Lamb of God- from the Mass of the Immaculate Conception, by Peter Latona
Psalm 146- Richard Proulx
Communion Hymn- Be Mindful of Your Word- Andrew Motyka
Exposition Hymn- 162 O Salutaris Hostia:
https://hymnary.org/hymn/WORS2011/162
Deacon Tom Berna proclaimed the Gospel, and Fr Reed Fry delivered a homily that was clear and related the readings to the Refugee Day we were celebrating today.
This being the last Sunday of the month, we had afternoon Eucharistic Adoration after the Noon Mass until vespers at 17.00.
After Mass I went to Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside for groceries, fried fish dinner and ice cream.
WA came over and we enjoyed a meal that included coconut milk squash soup by M!
MON 26 SEPT 2022
Happy, Sweet New Year to all who celebrate Rosh Hashanah!
Dropped D and M off for D's appointment, then brought them to get flu shots while I vitamin-shopped for both our households. Sent a link to PS of photos. Paid bills. Prepared for NHI meeting tomorrow.
TUE 27 SEPT 2022
Morning meeting at work for NHIs. We did an interpretive activity I with H, A, each with a picture of a family dog, and a family mug. I brought M's watch for the Blind. We talked about tangible (sensible) and untangible aspects of our item in our small groups. Then our half of the room went on a tour of the Mineralogy Department, led by Travis Olds. We saw the SEM and the single-crystal XRD. He spoke about the sputtering method after I asked a question. Our group then went to visit the Hillman Hall of Gems and Minerals.
Right before dinner I went grocery shopping at Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside...mainly to get fried fish dinner for dinner.
WED 28 SEPT 2022
Our (WA, HD, and my) Spanish class was preempted due to technical issues. JAH said that her FL Gulf Coast home just got Category 4/5 shutters put on it, in preparation of Hurricane Ian. Took care of electronic and phone correspondence most of today. I went shopping in Bloomfield, grocery shopping at Friendship/Shadyside, and at Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside. Prepared for the Memorial of the Archangels tomorrow!
There was a Lector meeting at Cathedral, I sat near E, a new EEM. Also sat near A and C Di. Great meeting, and after it was over, I whisked off to D and M's for the Bible Study meeting.
THU 29 SEPT 2022
Morning work in front of the wall of order Lepidoptera. Great time there--asked Blaire M for a flashlight beforehand to talk about and demonstrate qualities of the insects. Discussed Monarchs, Monarch diet, biomimetics, migration, my experience observing a butterfly researcher at work in a grove on the Central California coast, the process of collecting insect specimens, where there are more specimens visible in our museum, and, to one group, my butterfly friend story!
Late morning brought me to the Snow House of the Inuit people, circa mid-century. We talked about the space, architecture, furnishings, and functionality of the items inside, as well as the people. Then we went to the outside of the snow house and spoke about the tracks in the snow and the outside of the snow house structure. Finally, we went to the case which displays the working sled dogs, and I explain where else there are descriptions/displays of sled dogs in Polar World. I took a photo selfie by JAH's and my favorite Polar World critter, had a warm and cold drink, discussed the experience with Blaire and spoke with Georgia and Carol in the office, and headed back in time to have M, WA, and CR with Diane and Lou as witnesses for a notarization of papers.
I scanned the document (also later today to result in a smaller file), spoke with JAH about Hurricane Ian on the west coast of Florida. JAH described the shuttering of her new-ish home on Tuesday with hurricane shutters: They are metal shutters that took 4 people (1 man and 3 women) one and a half hours to install on her home, using power screws. Wednesday the storm hit, and she was afraid that her roof would blow off, or that her home might flood. Sanibel Island is probably obliterated/no more, and we discussed the flash flooding in central Florida. She likened the experience here to the tsunami in Phuket---Tampa Bay had all the water sucked out of it, then was pummeled with the water.
All in all, she is grateful that she has power, as most of Sarasota has NO power. Her neighborhood is Level D, and she wondered about evacuation protocols. The last time she had evacuated the Florida west coast was during Hurricane Irma, and she noted that she has a small gasoline tank on her car, and that it would be a stressful experience, as there is no gas available on I-75. We spoke about how some people's belief systems don't allow them to consider facts gathered by the scientific method.
I went to the drugstore in North Oakland to pick up items for D and M, then headed to the Big Burrito restaurant to retrieve M, D, and my dinner. Choir practice followed, where I sat, as usual, double-masked in an auditorium seat. We practiced music up to and including for SUN 30 OCT 2022, 31 Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Returned to D and M's to find an email telling me that essentially, I needed to rescan and resend the document I sent earlier today, so I did.
FRI 30 SEPT 2022
In the afternoon I went to the fishmongers to get whole live lobster. The woman who helped me seemed to be a newbie. We cooked the lobster and corn...k and K and R arrived; for dinner we had many dishes including lobster and sweet corn.
posted by Grace @ 8/31/2022 10:11:00 PM
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