The Sword of Lane.

The Prince of the Heavens, the leader of the Archangels, waged the first war against Lucifer, the angel of light who turned against God. St, Michael drove the angel turned devil called satan and banished it to hell. See that Sword of Lane, that’s the most powerful weapon against the devil. This age and time, we call it the Rosary.

Good to remember…

In my diary a decade ago today….

There’s nothing like a pre-dawn conversation with my Mommy. Who else could be so excited about my asking if she could shop a can opener for me? Thinking out loud she said “So that’s what I will buy,” meaning she really was making a list of what to put in my annual Christmas Forex box. LOL,

Mommy, could you include two washing machine nets, one for me and one for cousin-in-law Malou, and a hair brush for Kangkang.

Shucks, we can buy those things here but somehow, the big brown box brings us that fresh scent that is exclusively America, and there is that joy in opening the box, wondering why there are so many towels when Americans do not take baths as much. Oooops!

I U, Mommy.

Implosion!

Image from fb

Here’s a sixty peso take on what is currently happening now throughout the world, or many parts of it: AUTOCRACY IS IMPLODING!

Never have we seen such civil unrest occurring simultaneously as we do see in our monitors – from rallies in Nippon streets against a state funeral for Shinzo Abe, riots in Iran protesting the death of a young activist against morality police, to the unbelievable exodus en masse of Russians escaping Putin’s mobilization of civilians to fight in Ukraine.

The news from China has to come out yet but rumor has it, the Communist Party leader Xi is at the receiving end of a people who had had enough of repression.

It seems that the saturation point for the ‘dictatorship’ thing has finally come. The people are finally coming to terms that they can no longer be persuaded or compelled to obedience of something they do not believe in – one man’s absolute power.

A few hours ago, the British pound has come to an all time low against the US dollar. Perhaps a foreshadowing that despite the show of might after the death of its queen, the kingdom is not as formidable as it projects, and the monarchy outdated could not hold ground with a king unfit to rule. Chuck chuck chuck.

Despotism is imploding. Its a lesson that has been recorded throughout history. No one can impose an iron hand. The people will fight, even if it means their very lives.

When I Was A Child

When I Was A Child…

I loved reading so much,

When I was a child…

I remember…

How much I looked forward to weekends,

When my Mommy and my Daddy

Would come from a far away place—

called Olongapo City!

They would bring us,

My brothers and sisters,

Several comic books namely:

Archie. Jughead, Veronica and Betty,

DC Comics, Marvel Comics, and so on.

I read them all.

I suppose my reading

Brought me to faraway lands,

Introduced me to many peoples,

And I learned about various cultures!

Oh, I loved reading so much,

When I was a child…

I remember…

How much I looked forward to weekends,

When my Mommy and my Daddy

Would come from a far away place—

called Olongapo City!

Ah, there was one particular story

That truly saddened me;

That of Helen Keller,—

The blind, deaf and mute of a child.

Blessed this child though

Because unto her came

A teacher, Anne Sullivan,…

One who was selfless and loving,

One who patiently disciplined Helen…

To become the bright woman

That inspired little girls like me.

I’d like to believe

I also became the teacher Anne was…

Stern, firm, compassionate.

I hope my students,

All grown up now,

Are as beautiful and inspiring…

As Helen was.

I do loved reading so much,

When I was a child…

I remember…

How much I looked forward to weekends,

When my Mommy and my Daddy

Would come from a far away place—

called Olongapo City!

Positive Thoughts

Years ago, I was asked by a college mate to come up with a positive thought to share, so we could uplift the spirit of our friends. These are what I came up with.

1. If you see a feather floating, that’s your guardian angel saying he’s guarding you.

2. If you see a butterfly or a bee kissing a flower, it’s God’s way of reminding He loves you.

3. If you receive a hashtag #, that’s me missing you.

4. People undergo many challenges, the brave emerge victorious.

5. People with pure hearts do naturally devote themselves for the welfare of others.

6. People who has love in themselves wear the aura of beauty.

7, Family makes the heart warm.

8. Family gets us going with anything.

9. Family is our life.

10. Your thoughts create your emotion, so it’s always good to think good things,

11. Each new dimension in life presents extra life defining challenges, so good men who endure are tested and proven.

12. The cricket is a fascinating creature, that is why Pinocchio has Jiminy and Mulan has one, too, for a good luck charm.

13. Life is dull without music.

14. Laughter is essential to every day existence, so laugh even if you are by your own lonesome self,

15. Take time to pray to God, that is where you will succeed in any endeavor.

A Troubadour’s Song.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through all that you have made.

And first, my Lord, through Brother Sun,

who brings the day, the light you give to us through him.

How beautiful he is, how radiant in all his splendor.

Of you most high he bears the likeness.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through Sister Moon and Stars

in the heavens you made them

bright and precious and beautiful.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through Brother Wind and Air,

and fair and stormy,

all the weather’s moods by which you cherish

all that you have made.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through Sister Water.

She is so useful, lowly, precious and pure.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through Brother Fire,

through whom you brighten up the night.

How beautiful he is, how joyful.

Full of power and strength.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through Sister Earth our Mother,

who feeds us in her sovereignty

and produces various fruits,

colored flowers and herbs.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through those who grant pardon for love of you,

for those who endure sickness and trial,

may they endure in peace.

By you most high they will be crowned.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through Sister Death

from whose embrace no mortal can escape.

Happy are those she finds doing your will.

The second death they need not fear.

Praise and bless the Lord,

and give him thanks

and serve him with great humility.

This canticle was dictated by St. Francis of Assisi during his dying hours, much like the song of a troubadour. When he died at the age of 44, a lark was seen ascending to heaven.

Eugenia’s Inn – My Serenity Place.

Tough tiring day yesterday. Went to my old abode after two and a half long pandemic years. I was shocked I couldn’t see the bush-covered bungalow I call Eugenia’s Inn, so named after my Mommy. The inn was covered with vines and runners that reached the roof via the young mahoganies that grew tall in the front yard. The backyard was like a wild forest.

Brought two workers who trimmed the trees and did away with the wild weeds. By late afternoon, the dwelling place was neat and clean again.

I love this humble home – my serenity place. One day soon, I hope, I could turn this into a library cafe with an organic vegetable patch in the backyard and a rose garden in the front. I wish, I wish….

Sometimes, the gifts are also in the wrappings…

My younger daughter was off duty yesterday and I prodded her to come accompany me buy Christmas gifts. My elder daughter objected, it’s too early, the sales pitch ain’t on, everything is still expensive. My younger daughter defended me. The point is there is not much of a crowd yet and it is pleasurable to navigate the shoppers free malls at this time. So we did set out and had a good time choosing this and that item. Did we get to finish? Nope. Choosing a specific gift delightful to the recipient entails much deliberation. Ha ha ha. Thus, after a couple of hours choosing and picking and considering, my purchase was only good for nine people. My elder daughter was right, the goods are pricey and I exceeded my budget. Sigh.

Yet my younger daughter enjoyed the shopping experience. She even bought wrappers and ribbons and cards. And when we got home, she wrapped the gifts her self. Told her am not meticulous when it comes to wrappings because wrappings are not the gifts…But she quipped: the gifts are also in the wrappings. It’s the effort you put in creating a delightful piece of art that when the recipient receives your gift, she’d already feel happy.

I rest my case.

On this beautiful day our Lady was born.

The Christian world celebrates today the nativity of a Woman Who gave birth to the “Son of Man.” The Woman’s Name is Mary. In Hebrew, it is Myriam, in Aramaic, Maryam, and in Greek, Mariam or Maria. The name simply means beloved.

Why is Mary beloved?

Because Her ‘fiat’ provided the human image of the invisible God in the Person of Jesus, our Lord.

Our Lord, according to scientific validation of miracles of the Holy Hosts, has only 23 Chromosomes which, of course, came from His Mother Mary.

And our Lord’s favorite attribute to His Self – “Son of Man.”

Just fitting that we must be grateful to the gentle Woman Who gave birth to our Lord.

Totus Tuus, my Queen, my Mother.