Recently in blogs Category

I had some time this morning so I was catching up with some of my blog reading and came across this post at Faith & Family Live. I thought Lisa made a great comparison between family life and a good jazz band. She makes a number of points but my two favorite comparisons are these:

• Timeless - Jazz has been around for years, but the development of new instruments and sound techniques keeps it fresh and exciting. Since the dawn of time, families have had to learn to live with and love one another - things like parenting in the age of the Internet keep things evolving, but we tend to go back to tried and true rules for parenting - those things our parents taught us and were in turn taught by their parents.

• Backbone - Perhaps because my sons play bass and drums, I tend to watch those players in the Jazz band who provide the constancy and background rhythm for the music. Without a drummer to keep time, the band could easily stray off course. As families, we too have a backbone of support for all we do - a God whose love is unconditional and a Catholic faith that clearly lights the path for our world.

For someone who wishes they learned how to play a musical instrument, I love the idea of making beautiful music together with my family. It makes the day to day work seem more like a jam session. Pretty cool. Anyway, check out the whole post here.

There's a cool Catholic blog geared towards teens and the questions they have about life. Check it out at No Question Left Behind: Teens Helping Teens.

If you forgot to watch Danielle Bean on EWTN last Sunday (as I did,) you have another chance tonight. She'll be on at 8 pm (pacific time.)

Originally, this blog was supposed to be for both Brian and myself but it slowly evolved into my own outlet to post thoughts. That being the case, Brian started his own blog called Beggar for Christ. He said he doesn't have much free time to post but it's nice for him to have a place of his own. Check out his first post Forty Years with Humane Vitae.

This is for anyone who loves to write. I couldn't stop laughing.

FREELANCING 101

by Danielle Bean

Ten Easy Steps to Freelancing Success

1. Agree to a ridiculously short deadline in hopes of impressing Ms. Editor with a first-time assignment at a new magazine.

2. Panic.

3. For three days, suffer heart palpitations and draw a complete mental blank whenever coming within three feet of the computer.

4. The evening before the deadline, wait until husband asks, �Are you coming to bed?� before leaping off the couch and shouting, �What, are you crazy?... I have to work tonight!�

5. Sit at computer and re-arrange desktop icons. Drink a giant glass of Diet Coke. Take a bathroom break. Return to the computer and organize photos of kids at the lake.

6. Wait until husband goes to bed alone. Then, verrrrrry cautiously, with fear and loathing, open Microsoft Word. Sit in wonder at the sheer terror generated by the blank whiteness of a computer screen.

7. Take a deep breath, force eyelids open, and type. Type, and type, and type. Type while everyone else in house sleeps. Type with one hand while holding nursing baby. Type while eating giant bag of pretzels. Type while the cool evening air blows in through screened windows. Type while listening to the distant, comforting call of owls in the nearby woods. Type, and type, and type until�.

8. You are done�Yes, done! Check spelling, check word count, read-over twice and smile at your accomplishment. Refuse to look at the clock. Email article to Ms. Editor who is going to be oh-so-impressed with your quick and thorough work.

9. Immediately receive a reply: An automated �Out of Office� reply from Ms. Editor�s office: �Thank you for your email. I will be on vacation for the next two weeks. When I return, I will do my best to get back to you in a timely manner.� Stare at message in disbelief.

10. Go to bed. When husband awakens and asks, �How did your article turn out?� mumble �Fabulous� before collapsing on the pillow.