Dancing at Alicia's and Jorge's Wedding Reception

Dancing at the Wedding Reception of Jorge and Alicia

Watch these people dance at the wedding reception  of Jorge Alvarado and Alicia.

Mirar estas bailar a la gente en la recepción de la boda de Jorge Alvarado y Alicia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyuGxPjxWjI

Is There a Cookie Monster in the House?

Who doesn't love cookies? 

...According to our extremely reliable sources... apparently very few people. It is interesting to note that some folks today do not *just* "love" cookies... they could easily be classified as being clinically obsessed with them. The particular class of creatures who are profoundly passionate for these tasty treats are oftentimes categorized as "cookie monsters". 

One might wonder just how many of these so-called "cookie monsters" are in existence today. For your information, the latest check of the census data for the United States showed a population of 320,540,380 persons. That same population clock showed that at that moment there were a mere 7,231,471,998 people living in this world at the time.  Now the best scientific guesstimate of this data available at this time means that there are close to 320 million people living in the United States ...and upwards of 7.1 billion people in the world that have this clinical obsession as observed by highly-skilled professionals though some of these creatures have already diagnosed themselves with having this particular condition. So, if you are not one of these self-confessed beasts and you are uncertain whether you have even met one yet ...you might be wondering where you might one find one of these cookie monsters. Truth be known... Monsters lurk everywhere! ...You might even have one in your immediate family ...or prowling about your kitchen or pantry right now. Heck... you could even have one hiding under the bed at this very moment.

"...Omm nom nom nom!" 

Some might wonder what it takes for one to be considered a "bona fide" "cookie monster ...or even if you yourself just might be deemed as one.  Please take the following short quiz to determine if you might have the CM (cookie monster) gene roaming around in your own DNA.

So... ask yourself (...and answer truthfully)...

1. Would you rather...

A) Shovel your sidewalks and driveway in the bitter cold after a significant snowfall? ...or

B) Savor a delicious cookie fresh from the oven??

2. Would you rather...

A) Run a marathon in the middle of winter while wearing shorts ? ...or

B) Sink your teeth into a cookie that was just awarded a blue ribbon at the State Fair?

3. Would you rather...

A) Write a 20 page term paper for an English Literature class the night before it is due? ...or

B)  Dig into a specially-prepared cookie the moment you finally break a long fast (e.g. Lent) ...during which you had abstained from all desserts?

4. Would you rather...

A) Rake a ton of huge, wet leaves from a large wooded lot? ...or

B) Enjoy your favorite cookie with a tall glass of cold milk, mug of hot chocolate or an exquisite cup of steaming coffee?

5. Would you rather... 

A) Collect enough fresh fertilizer from a local chicken farm for your half-acre garden and then painfully pluck out any and all of the remaining feathers? ...or

B) Relish the perfect cookie concoction?

6. Would you rather...

A) Prepare your annual tax return on the evening of April 15th knowing that you will definitely owe significant monies this year? ...or

B) Gobble-up a couple of the tasty treats from the nearest cookie jar? 

"...Omm nom nom nom!"

If you answered "B" for two or more of these questions... you just *might* be a cookie monster.

"...Omm nom nom nom!"

If you took a  moment right now and *googled* the words "cookie recipes" you will find that there are about 39,100,000 references to that (yes that is 39.1 million references) ...give or take a few. This data clearly indicates that there is a real hunger in this world for these tasty little treats ...or at least an strong indication that tens of millions of humans desire to satisfy their favorite cookie monster's cravings... even if that favorite cookie monster is growling within themselves. 

"...Omm nom nom nom!"

It seems that cookie jars no longer take a prominent place within our kitchens. After careful analysis, this phenomenon of the decreasing number of cookie jars can now finally be explained.  It turns out that worldwide cookie consumption is not decreasing ...in fact, just the opposite is true.  Hidden cameras in test kitchens in each continent have revealed that cookie monsters across the globe are no longer allowing "their" cookies to be around long enough to be stored in one of these jars, canisters or containers. Again, be advised that cookie monsters are lurking everywhere! Millions of hungry, impatient beasts no longer want to wait for cookies to be baked so they resort to feeding their habit by visiting a local bakery or simply going the route of purchasing store-bought packages of cookies. This packaging is cleverly marketed so that one is tempted to consume the treats right from the box or package. Cookies these days rarely remain around long enough in the packaging to even justify the task of putting them in cookie jars. See the photo of well-used cookie jar (below). The particular cookie jar shown in this photo was selected specifically for this cookie monster's home because ...well... with the camel's hump.... *more* cookies can be stored... even if for only a brief moment.

"...Omm nom nom nom!"  

Some people like their cookies hot ...others like them cold. A lot of afficianados want them soft ...and others want them crunchy. Some want them chewy ...while others want them crispy. There are individuals who want their cookies with icing ...and others want them plain. Some folks insist on only eating cookies "made from scratch" ...while others would be satisfied with store-bought cookie mixtures, ready to be baked.  There is that growing group of non-picky creatures who are more than satisfied to simply buy and consume cookies from a bakery or a store. Finally, there is a group of cookie connoisseurs who *completely* rely upon friends and family members to provide their required supply of cookies (...either voluntarily or otherwise). Any one individual within any of these groups could be categorized as "bona fide" cookie monsters.

"...Omm nom nom nom!"

Now that we have a better understanding of the psychological makeup of these creatures categorized as cookie monsters ...we now need to know how these creatures can be physically identified.  You should realize that long before Jim Henson gave a face to *The* Cookie Monster in the late 60's for the popular television program Sesame Street... there were already millions... if not billions... of folks around the world who could have been legitimately classified as cookie monsters. Obviously, not all those in this category have a blue fur coat like our loveable creature who endlessly sings,

♫♪"C is for Cookie... that's good enough for me"♪♫ 

...nevertheless they *are* indeed cookie monsters. Yes, cookie monsters are lurking everywhere! 

"...Omm nom nom nom...!"

Cookie monsters can appear in various physical forms.  Some might be young ...while others might be old.  Some might be boys ...while others might be girls. Some might be single ...while others might be married.  Some might be dear, sweet moms or others may be cute little kids ...but the most endearing of the species just might be those cookie monsters who also serve as dads. For some reason, lots of dads in this world feel the beast stirring within them more strongly than those creatures in any other group within the species.  It also seems that most dads enjoy playing the part of *The* Cookie Monster ...especially if it means that he will get his just share of the cookies.

"...Omm nom nom nom!"

Here's a little verse composed for my own children and godchildren many years ago. Those cookie-monsters-in-training were delighted when they heard this little rhyme ...especially whenever it was dramatized with a gravely voice by their favorite cookie monster ...who other times would wear his "Dad" or "Godfather" persona thus concealing for a while the fact that he truly is a certifiable cookie monster. Someday this little short little poem might even be put to song ...maybe someday when the dad's mouth is not filled with cookies.... 

(To be recited... with feelings).

   Feeling Blue

Me like cookies...

Me like them whole bunch!

Me like them for breakfast

...and even for lunch!

Me like them for supper

...and for snack-time too!

But Me like them most of all...

when Me feeling

...Blue!

(c) MDJones-All Rights Reserved

"...Omm nom nom nom!"

Don't you just wonder how often our little friend with blue-colored fur "feels blue"?

JUST REMEMBER...

"...Omm nom nom nom!"      "...Ahhhh!"

Time Waits For No Man... Nor For Any Lab

Our highly intelligent Chocolate Lab (Ruby the Wonder Dog) is so smart she knew the TIME had SPRANG FORWARD ONE HOUR this morning as she knew it was TIME for her master to get up so that someone would take her outside for her morning constitutional so that she would then be able to come back inside to enjoy her breakfast. Now... if *only* Ruby can learn to put away her toys and close doors behind her.

Baby Its Cold Outside_Sledding Adventure

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJgztmT_bqA

Joy must be contagious.  Casual observers walking by and witnessing so many young souls slip-sliding down a huge hill (on purpose) cannot help but feel the sheer happiness in the air.  Though the freezing temperature gave concern for hypothermia setting-in or the possibility of frostbite taking a few toes... the squeals and the laughter warmed heart and soul.  In the end, a mug of hot chocolate will re-warm the body to match the soul.

Baby Its Cold Outside_Sledding Adventure

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJgztmT_bqA

Joy must be contagious.  Casual observers walking by and witnessing so many young souls slip-sliding down a huge hill (on purpose) cannot help but feel the sheer happiness in the air.  Though the freezing temperature gave concern for hypothermia setting-in or the possibility of frostbite taking a few toes... the squeals and the laughter warmed heart and soul.  In the end, a mug of hot chocolate will re-warm the body to match the soul.

Trajineras de Xochimilco 2014

More than a half of a century ago, our 5th grade Social Studies book had a large article about the world-famous floating gardens near Mexico City. The book back then claimed that these floating gardens were one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.  It became a dream of that 5th grader to someday visit that very color-filled site. Though we have visited Mexico City several times before this, the dream finally came true when we visited Xochimilco Mexico (...not too far from Mexico City). It is as if there was a little Venice in Mexico.  The brightly colored trajineras (boats) each has female name and just about every Latina we know could have ridden in her own personal trajinera. Thought about each of them that day ...but of course, my favorite one carries the name of my own Princesa (Patricia).

Cucurrucucu at Xochimilco

On cold winter days like today it warms the soul to be thinking of places that do not worry about snow and ice.  Here is a clip from our visit to Xochimilco Mexico where the mariachis perform one of my favorite songs while we cruise through the famous floating gardens.

Have I told You lately that I love You? ♫ ♪♪ ♫

At Mass this Easter morn, the crucifix behind the altar at St. Lads caught my eye. As I remembered all that He did out of love for us ... for me... the words to this song were on my lips, "Have I told you lately that I love you?"

Were these words being sung to me by my Lord ...or was it I singing them out of love to Him? ...Certainly a duet is in order.
There are no other lyrics to this song ...just these nine words ...repeated in continual refrain.

Hope that you all are having a Blessed Easter.

Wild Rover - The Hooligans (+playlist)

THE WILD ROVER - Lyrics

I've been a wild rover for many a year
And I spent all my money on whiskey and beer,
And now I'm returning with gold in great store
And I never will play the wild rover no more.

Chorus:
And it's no, nay, never,
No nay never no more,
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more.

I went to an ale-house I used to frequent
And I told the landlady my money was spent.
I asked her for credit, she answered me "nay
Such a custom as yours I could have any day."

Chorus

I took from my pocket ten sovereigns bright
And the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight.
She said "I have whiskey and wines of the best
And the words that I spoke sure were only in jest."

Chorus

I'll go home to my parents, confess what I've done
And I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son.
And if they caress me as ofttimes before
Sure I never will play the wild rover no more.

Chorus

Episode 5 - Year of my Mid Life

Episode 5

YEAR OF MY MID LIFE

- ADDING SAINT LAWRENCE TO TEAM MDJ

Some of the best storytellers on the plains of Kansas in the mid 50s, especially when it came making the lives of the saints come alive, were the beautiful nuns teaching at Holy Family Catholic School in (rural) Eudora, Kansas.  Ranked as one of the best storytellers about the heroic saints was Sister Maria Goretti (...who likes spaghetti) .  This 5’ nun could hold her 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade students spellbound as she recounted the heroic deeds of many saints who had gone before us.  Most intriguing to the students were those ordinary men and women who were so dedicated to Christ and His message that they were willing to undergo martyrdom, dying for their faith.

Once upon a time, about 200 years after Christ died on the cross and then rose from the dead, most of His followers were called Christians and they were hated and despised by just about everyone.  This prejudice against the Christians was especially true for about the first 300 years where non Christians, especially the Romans, would hunt, torture and kill these Christians just for fun.

At one time, a man named Lawrence of Rome was one of the Romans who would join in the torturing and killing of the Christians. Lawrence took part in one torture which took a dreaded Christian and tied various parts of his body to horses and then the horses would be directed to tear the body apart, limb by limb.  (This part of the story was especially intriguing to the minds of second grade boys).

After one of these murders, Lawrence was so moved by the faith of the tortured Christian that he left that line of work and became a Christian himself.  Not only did he become a Christian but he was ordained as one of the deacons in Rome. One one day the Romans killed the other six deacons of the church in Rome but left Lawrence for the last since they thought that he controlled all the money in the Church.  The Romans wanted all of the treasurers of the Church but Lawrence said that it would take three days to gather all of that the Church had and so the Romans agreed.

Meanwhile, the wise Lawrence decided to take all the monies and precious items in the Church and distribute among the poor and destitute of the city. Then on the third day when the Romans were expecting to receive gold, silver, coins they questioned Lawrence as to where these treasures of the Church were. At that point, Lawrence paraded the poor, the  destitute in front of the Romans announcing that these (people) were the jewels, the real treasures of the Church.  

Whether the Romans just failed to see the truth of Lawrence’s proclamation or maybe they just lost their sense of humor (since they were expecting hoards of gold and other fine things) they decided to put Lawrence to a long-protracting, torturous death over a slow fire on an open grill.  (Again, the minds of 2nd grade boys quicken).  

It is said that Lawrence talked to his captors and torturers through this long, painful ordeal.  About halfway through his martyrdom, Lawrence turns to his tormentors and exclaimed, “Well, I am done cooking on this  side ...so now you can turn me over on the grill”

After they flipped his body to start the slow cooking on the other side, the torture continued for several hours and our saint continued to talk to his tormentors.  St. Lawrence’s last words was a prayer that God would  eventually convert all of Rome to Christianity.

Of course, this story of the martyrdom of St. Lawrence could be told so much better by Sister Maria Goretti (who likes spaghetti) to just about any audience.

Again, here is a saint who knew suffering.  He knew pain. He has experience. Not only that, this Saint can teach us all about adding a little humor to situations that seem insurmountable.  (With God all things are possible).  Surely this man of God would play a valuable role on Team MDJ in this Year of my Mid Life and will make a welcome addition to the roster of the Intercessors.

Prayer to Saint Lawrence

O glorious Saint Lawrence, Martyr and Deacon, who, being subjected to the most bitter torments, didst not lose thy faith nor thy constancy in confessing Jesus Christ, obtain in like manner for us such an active and solid faith, that we shall never be ashamed to be true followers of Jesus Christ, and fervent Christians in word and in deed.   Amen.