“Let us consider three typical examples:  the aeroplane, the wireless, and the contraceptive.  In a civilized community, in peace-time, anyone who can pay for them may use these things.  But it cannot strictly be said that when he does so he is exercising his own proper or individual power over Nature.  If I pay you to carry me, I am not therefore myself a strong man.  Any or all of the three things I have mentioned can be witheld from some men by other men–by those who sell, or those who allow the sale, or those who own the sources of producion, or those who make the goods.  What we call Man’s power is, in reality, a power possessed by some men which they may, or may not, allow other men to profit by.  Again, as regards the powers manifested in the aeroplane or the wireless, Man is as much the patient or subject as the possessor, since he is the target both for bombs and for propaganda.  And as regards contraceptives, there is a paradoxical, negative sense in which all possible future generations are the patients or subjects of a power wielded by those alread alive.  By contraception simply, they are denied existence; by contraception used as a means of selective breeding, they are, without their concurring voice, made to be what one generation, for its own reasons, may choose to prefer.  From this point of view, what we call Man’s power over Nature turns out to be a power exercied by some men over other men with Nature as its instrument.”

-C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man

Well, we knew Lucy was stubborn, but we attributed that to her being the oldest child of two oldest children.  But it appears it may actually be genetics, because Samantha has a stubborn streak, as well.  For example, we had burritos for dinner.  Samantha was in her high chair, happily eating rice until we all sat down to join her.  Then she got very upset.  We offered her different things, including pieces of tortilla, but nothing worked, so we took her out of the chair and Craig was holding her.  She still didn’t settle down, and we had the impression that she wanted what the rest of us had to eat.  So Craig rolled up a piece of tortilla to look like a burrito, and she grabbed it with both hands and munched away happily.  Here’s the evidence:

On further thought, I realized that the only reason we survived dinner last night was that we had red beans and rice, and she had sweet potato and rice.  I’m so not ready for this.

We also picked up some basil for tomorrow night’s dinner at the farmer’s market today.  It looks like something out of Harry Potter to me, or maybe something Craig and his brother could use to fight the zombies they have a sudden interest in.  I’m really looking forward to cooking with it. : )

Lucy gave us the synopsis of Samantha’s birth this morning.  It went more or less like this:

“We drove to that house, and Mommy pooped in the bathtub.  You (Mommy) did a good job.  And that was Samantha!”

And we laughed.

Later, I heard Craig doctoring Lucy’s scraped knees while I was feeding Samantha.  He said, among other things, and over her screams,

“You know, a lot of your pain is psychological.”

And I laughed.  Hard.  Never a dull moment here!

We told Lucy we were going to go to the doughnut shop with B-Bob and Mimi.  She says, with great enthusiasm,

“I can get a vitamin doughnut!”

I said, “Huh?”

The mystery has been solved.  Apparently the sprinkles on top of the doughnuts are “vitamins”.  Who knew!  I feel healthier already.

I really liked this prayer which Chris and Kelly shared with us from Compline in the Book of Common Prayer (Anglican).

“Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep.  Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.”

Lucy has had quite a bit to say on our little trip to Georgia and North Carolina.  Here are a couple of her latest statements:

[Just after Lucy woken up this morning]

Craig: I’m going to eat you!

Lucy: I don’t want to!  I don’t taste good!

I know I said a couple of quotes, but now I can’t remember the other one (two?) and neither can Craig.  If they come to us, I’ll add them on.  In the meantime, Lisa’s wedding was nice, although we didn’t stay long at the reception because the girls (and I) were tired, and they have done remarkably well in the car thus far.  Visiting with Chris and Kelly is always good, and we’re keeping busy perusing their books and discussing cooking, gardening, kids, world peace, and other important topics.  More to come, when it’s not so late and my brain is a little more functional.

Dad had some good news and some bad news.  He came home from the hospital Friday, and the chemo seems to be working well.  Mom says he looks good and he sounds good, and actually seems stronger than before he started the treatment.  But they also found that the cancer is in his bone marrow, which is not good, and they have planned two more treatments in his series, so that there will be eight instead of six.  I think that means he’ll be finished somewhere around Christmas.  The worst part of the chemo is supposed to be 7-10 days after the treatment, which is around July 23, so he’ll need extra prayers then.  Plus that is the day my brother is having his back surgery, so please keep him in your prayers, too.

Here are a few pictures of the girls and our visit to my parents in Texas.

Grandpa and Samantha.

Blowing bubbles in the backyard.

Uncle John assisting with the water table thingy.

Swimming.

Yes, that is a polar bear in her mouth.

Sunflowers from my parent’s front yard.

She got herself into the wagon, except for a tiny push from me when her second leg got stuck.  I fear we have a climber on our hands.

The whole family.

The news so far for my Dad is good.  He is in the hospital and they did one dose of chemo (apparently there are four doses in each round, and they expect to do six rounds total) and that went very well, so they expect him to handle the treatment pretty well.  Mom says he looks and sounds better than he has, so that’s good news, too.  He should be home Thursday or Friday, and then he gets a couple of weeks off before the next round of treatment.  Thank you so much for all the prayers, I know they are helping!

Since my dad starts his chemo tomorrow, I thought it would be a good time to start a novena for him. I picked St. Joseph, since Dad used to teach industrial arts and enjoyed carpentry until he got sick. Maybe in a few months he will be able to get back to his shop!

Here is the novena I’m doing, but I found several others, so if you want to pray any of them along with me I would love the company!

To you, blessed Joseph, 
we come with confidence in this our hour of need, 
trusting in your powerful protection. 
Your loving service to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God 
and your fatherly affection for the Child Jesus 
inspire us with faith 
in the power of your intercession before the throne of God.

We pray, first of all, for the Church: 
that it may be free from error and corruption, 
and be a shining light of universal love and justice.

We ask your intercession for our loved ones 
in their trials and adversities, 
that they may be inspired by the love, 
obedience, and affection of the Holy Family, 
and be to each other a mutual source 
of consolation and Christian fidelity.

We ask your intercession, also, 
for our special need(s)... 

(Mention your intention here...),

and to keep us all under your protection 
so that strengthened by your example and assistance, 
we may lead a holy life, 
die a happy death, 
and come to the possession of everlasting happiness in heaven.

Amen.