How to Make Sure Your Comment Isn't Posted

Things change. I would say that old age makes one less willing to suffer fools. I've been blogging for almost twenty years and, in the beginning, I posted most comments. Ad hominem attacks galore made it past my moderation wall without censorship, especially if the one attacked was me. I'm pretty thick skinned. I was less obliging for insults against others.

The Danger of "the Tumultuous Torrent of Fugitive Ideas"

Stop and think!

I always enjoy reading Chronicles magazine. The article I read today described divisions in the political right. It isn't just the Dems who reflect chaos these days. The author made the point that language is being used on both sides of the aisle "less as an instrument of reasoning" and more as a justification for "tribal loyalty" with premises that "remain unexamined" resulting in "impoverished discourse in which both factions retain an appetite for shock and awe but very little for restraint, calibration, or discovery."

Wow! Too true!

What author Chloe Mastour describes isn't just evident in political disagreements. It seems to be the default position today in many areas and is particularly evident on social media. Many adopt fixed and unchangeable positions. No amount of reasoned argument can touch them. And sometimes those with opposite views, are equally fixed and unchangeable. 

No Religious Wars Here! Do the Research and Follow Your Conscience!

The more things change, the more they stay the same. 

One of the reasons I believe people advise not discussing politics or religion is that only rarely can people remain civil. In my own experience here on the blog in the comment section and in person (particularly with some traditionalists), I see a marked tendency to pull out the long swords and attack. "Die, heretic!"

Monday Morning Musings.

Beach buddy!

It's been a busy few weeks. I spent five days in April with my blogging partner, Susan, who lives in Florida. We met in North Carolina at her daughter's cabin in the woods, a great spot to appreciate the glory of God in His creation and revel in our friendship. We always laugh a lot when we're together. How can one not laugh at the insanity of the world?As one Catholic blogger says, "We laugh because we believe."  The long drive back to northern Virginia was grueling for this old lady, but the weather was beautiful, the woods and fields fresh and green. While the redbud and daffodils were finished, the dogwood put on a full bloom show all the way home. 

The Laugh of the Day: Of Silly Trolls and Tattletales!

Several trolls like to visit my blog and fly around like moths to a flame. They hate what I do and say, but can't stay away. Frankly, I find that puzzling. If you don't like someone's opinions and their posts, why do you waste your time reading them? Do you just like to fight? Really...get a life!

Thank you, Fr. Z!

A friend alerted me this morning that Fr. Z recommended my blog to his readers at What does the prayer really say? I read Father's column in The Wanderer and visit his site often so it was a thrill to see his post! He often makes me laugh, like his referring to the National Catholic Reporter as the "National Catholic Fishwrap." Amen!

Thank you, Father!