NanoWhat?

I'd like to officially mourn the passing of NANO. Nano was not a person, but an experience. Last year I Nano'd and this year I did not. But trust me, I will live to Nano again!

Nano-what?
Nano is short for National Novel Writers Month - which occurs November 1-30. See www.NanoWriMo.com

The goal is to write 50,000 words in the month of November, truly a fantastic personal and public event, not to mention challenge. Why 50,000? Theory says this will be roughly equal to a novel.

My personal quest... well I cheated a bit and wrote memoir instead of a novel, but I finished. Big question: Did my pal Nicole accomplish her Nano goal?

Despite my mourning of Nano passing me by, I am looking forward to www.NanoEdmo.org in March. Prepare to join me! Any takers?

Swimming with Scapulars

"Swimming with Scapulars"

True Confessions of A Young Catholic

By Mathew Lickona

I was surprised to find this book in the local library. It falls into the genre of spiritual memoir. One of my favorite things about "Swimming with Scapulars," is the fun size of the hardcover edition. If I lay my hand on top, the height of the book measures from my wrist to the tip of my middle finger. (I do have long fingers...) The book is 278 pages long and the width is slightly less than the measure from thumb to pinky, with my fingers spread apart.

I am a sucker for spiritual memoirs and found it fascinating to learn about the Catholic tradition of scapulars. Once this mystery was revealed mid-way through the book I lost a bit of interest. It is some good writing, but is not always light reading due to the various tangents seemingly meant to educate on topics moreso than to convey story.

"But however manifold the form, however much I praised and repented
and contemplated, I couldn't shake the feeling that it was all one grand
request. "Do this, please. I'm not really seeking first the kingdom of God, but
couldn't you add this one thing unto me just to get me started?" Like a child, I
sometimes viewed the mere fact that I was praying as a spiritual bargaining
chip: "Look, I'm giving you the beginning of my day. I'm offering you these
prayers. Can't you do this for me in return?"

- from Lickona's "Swimming with Scapulars" p.114

Procrastination

"Procrastinate now! Don't put it off!"

- Ellen Degeneres

SANITY

The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends -- if they're okay, then it's you.