I'm Home!

Thanks be to God, I'm safe at home. Once again, I am a zombie. Tomorrow, I will open up Wounded Bird. Mimi

-------

All is done here --- Go to Wounded Bird to follow the adventures of Grandmere. Comments and blog closed today! Ann

Grandmere flying home

Fly back to the nest!! Mimi is headed home.

Good News

Yesterday we had a "fans of June" gathering in Leeds. There were a number of folk who would have liked to have come but distance made it impractical. However a group of eight met and June was delighted. We had lunch together and those who could stay on went for a curry in the evening: after all, you can't come to Leeds and not take advantage of Asian cuisine. Saintly Ramblings, Themethatisme, Goran (ALL THE WAY FROM STOCKHOLM) and Erika, together with various blogging widows were in attendance. This morning June went to choral Eucharist at Leeds Parish church and Goran came to St. Luke's where he was pressed into action to do the readings.

The D.P. clan said our goodbye's to June after lunch today and then this afternoon June rang.

Her purse has turned up!

She answered a knock on her hotel room door to be greeted by a man who introduced himself as a taxi driver. He had been cleaning out the cab and had found the purse (wallet) under one of the seats. All the cash was intact. She now plans a little spending spree at Manchester Airport's duty free.

"What a way to finish the trip!" she said.

Indeed.

So, safe journey June and bon voyage.

She flies a little before midday local time and has her train times sorted and a taxi booked.

Please pray for an uneventful and straightforward journey.

Sad news

Over at OCICBW, Maddie reports that Ian, beloved of Lisa, is gone after a long illness. He has closed comments. I know all of us send our love and deepest sympathies to Lisa.

Dispatch From Headingley Library

Yesterday was a long day, with lots of walking in cold weather and wind in York, a good day, but tiring. I was in town long enough to stay for Evensong at York Minster. The girls' and men's choirs sang. It was gorgeous!

I have decided that I am a church lady, but not the kind of church lady that goes around scolding people. I just love churches. I lit a candle for MadPriest's job search in a Roman Catholic church very near the Minster, St Wilfrid's. Roman Catholic candles are the most efficacious, don't you think?

Mrs DP and I had a lovely time together today at Saltaire. DP and his wife must be two of the kindest people in all England. They have been family for me while I've been here. We saw that church in the picture that DP posted below, but it was not open for us to go in.

Mrs DP told me a few secrets about her beloved, but, of course, it was all in confidence and nothing to be published here. He should encourage her to do the occasional guest post on his blog. She already has the subject for one post.

As busy as my time here has been, I've found my travels refreshing, despite catching a nasty English cold (which are the very worst kind!). Fortunately, the cold didn't slow me down, and I'm over the worst of it. I needed to get away from my other life for a bit and worry about new and different problems like finding the right platform for the train I want to catch.

Love and blessings,

Mimi

If it's Thursday....it must be Saltaire

Today June and Mrs. D.P. hit a historic site near to Bradford. It is the village Sir Titus Salt built for his mill workers. Sir Titus was a philanthropist and his village was forward looking in the Industrial Revolution. He was also a leading light in the Victorian temprance movement and so there was no pub!

It is a World Heritage Site and is worth a google search.

Wednesday Dispatch

Hi all,

Just taking a minute to report in. I have a new credit card, so all is well with the finances. I'm heading right to the train station from here, the library, where I get 1 hour free computer time, to go to York to visit the Minster and poke around there.

On the coach trip with the biddies yesterday, we passed breathtakingly beautiful countryside, through dales and moors. Whitby is a wonderful small fishing town and St. Hilda's is lovely.

I sat on the pier and wept a little, because Grandpère was not with me, and because the place was so beautiful. He would have adored Whitby. He's never known a fishing town or village that he didn't like. I sat on a bench on the pier and watched the waves roll in, which was soothing and healing. I'm getting all weepy and sentimental about places. I wept when I left the Yorkshire Moors with MadPriest and Mrs MadPriest. Image what MP thought of a weepy woman in the back of his car!

Madpriest said he would not write about our day, that he would leave it to me.

I finally talked to GP last night for the first time since I'm here! I feel much better after that call. We kept missing each other.

Thanks for all your prayers and concern about my misadventure with the wallet/purse.

Love,

Mimi

The Feast of the Annunciation of Our Lord

"Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection."

I'm going to guess that I gave away my copy of Marina Warner's "Alone of all her sex" about a decade or so ago. If you have it, please send it back to me.

Or, you could order it for yourself at amazon.com

Blessed feast, grandmere, to you and all yours.

June's visit to the vampires

Today June went on a coach trip to Whitby (location of the Dracular stories) with other seniors. Just got a text to say she really enjoyed herself and the countryside was lovely. So far the weather has been good: cold but sunny.

Oscar Romero

Keeping up with Mimi's posts on saints' days and icon shamelessly copied from Fran I Am.




And some of his speeches as shown in the movie Romero

Cuckoo

Don't blame me - blame my bird spotting friends:

A contestant, Sally,on 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' had reached the final plateau.

If she answered the next question correctly, she would win $1,000,000.. If she answered incorrectly, she would pocket only the $25,000 milestone money. And as she suspected the Million Dollar Question was no pushover.

It was, 'Which of the following species of birds does not build its own nest but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other birds?

Is it:
A) the condor
B) the buzzard
C) the cuckoo
D) the vulture

The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer.

She had used up her 50/50 Lifeline and her Ask the Audience Lifeline. All that remained was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline. She hoped she would not have to use it because........ Her friend was, well, a blonde.

But she had no alternative. She called her friend and gave her the question and the four choices. The blonde responded unhesitatingly:
'That's easy. The answer is C: the cuckoo.'

The contestant had to make a decision and make it fast. She considered employing a reverse strategy and giving any answer except the one that her friend had given her. And considering her friend was a blonde that would seem to be the logical thing to do. But her friend had responded with such confidence, such certitude, that the contestant could not help but be convinced.

Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, 'C: The cuckoo.'

'Is that your final answer?'

'Yes, that is my final answer.'

'That answer is absolutely correct! You are now a millionaire!'

Three days later, the contestant hosted a party for her family and friends, including the blonde who had helped her win the million dollars.

'Jeni, I just do not know how to thank you', said the contestant. 'How did you happen to know the right answer?'

'Oh, come on,' said the blonde 'Everybody knows that cuckoos don't build nests. They live in clocks.'

Caption Contest

The Meeting
Mimi and MP meeting on the moors. See note from Mrs. Mad Priest in an earlier post's comments.

Progress on the credit card

Still no news of the purse/wallet: as June said, an honest person would have handed it back by now. My feeling is that the cab's next passenger thought Christmas had come early.

However, June has varied her itinerary and headed off to Manchester today where there is an outpost of one of her credit card providers. It is reassuring to know that she should be back in business. It seems that all your advice to "shop 'till you drop" on British bargains has fallen on deaf ears. "I'm not much interested in shopping."

She remains concerned about the loss of her drivers licence, though. If I have understood this right (and I may not have) she thinks that she may need more than just her passport for identity on re-entering the States.

Is this right and if so what can you suggest?

Sunday Sermon: John 3.16

John 3.16

So today it is Mothering Sunday and I also have probably the most famous Gospel text known to Christians to preach on.

No pressure then.

I have a teaching colleague. I won’t tell you where he’s from except to say that he’s not from round here. I give him a lift home most evenings and it has become something of a nightmare because he keeps talking to me about Jesus and it’s really getting on my nerves. This has caused great hilarity amongst some of our other colleagues:

“Doesn’t he know you’re going to be ordained?”

“Yes, but that seems to make him worse.”

“This must be your lenten discipline.” (That was a Muslim friend)

“Look, I gave up chocolate, cake, alcohol, biscuits and second helpings. They were my choice. I didn’t choose this.”

“Maybe it’s Allah’s will for you at this time.” (She’s very sharp, that one.)

I’ve been trying to analyse why this is becoming such an issue for me and I have drawn the uncomfortable conclusion it is because our Christianities are so different. His is a very black and white, literalist approach with no scope for nuance, areas of grey or holy doubt, whereas I am very much at the radical end of liberal.

“I’ve given up Alcohol for lent.”

“You drink alcohol?”

What followed was a diatribe against the laxness of the west.

“It is to do with low standards: with fornication and homosexuality.”

“Now let me just stop you there …”

Can I stop on the M621 and ask him to get out between junctions? Would that seem too inhospitable? I try to bite my tongue, I really do, but sometimes I just can’t rise above it.

“… I’ve just read a very detailed biblical study of why the so-called traditional teaching on homosexuality is a gross misinterpretation of the various texts.”

Sounds of apoplectic gasping from the passenger seat.

“But it says in Leviticus and Romans …..”

“I know what it says, but that depends on whether you accept everything in the Bible as literally true, rather than seeking to understand the various types of holiness codes and laws to say nothing of the different genre, and whether you believe that we are the implied audience of the various passages rather than the people they were written to. We mustn’t assume that we are. Much of the Bible was written in a very specific religious and cultural climate which is not ours.” (Who’s on his soapbox now?) Note to self: triumphalism is not a nice characteristic in a trainee pastor ….. but it feels so good.

There is ominous silence for a while and I realise that I have been driving progressively faster.

There is a change of tack:

“What do you understand about the crucifixion?”

I explain the theology of the atonement.

“Not all will be saved.” He says. “People who do not confess Jesus will go to Hell. It says in John 3.16…”

And here we have it: one of the most misunderstood and misused texts in scripture. This single verse has provided motivation for some of the most destructive and unchristian impulses in those who call themselves Christian.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that all who believe in him may not perish but have everlasting life.”

Now some of you know that I am a blogger. There seems to be a recurring theme in this activity: every two or three months I seem to end up in strident cyber debate with some other Christian, usually from either the Anglican diocese of Sydney or U.S. Southern Baptists or Missouri Synod Lutherans. The “discussion” is usually about the nature of salvation and the fate of those who do not accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

I am clearly a masochist: here I am in my own car having the same discussion.

Taken literally this passage from John suggests that those who do not believe in the son will perish.

It is difficult to overestimate the damage that has been done by a literal interpretation of this text. It is difficult to overestimate the hurt, harm and abuse that have been encouraged by this passage. It shapes the way Christians throughout history have treated people of other faiths and cultures and the outcome of that has been conflict and violence and the crushing of indigenous culture and languages in the name of Christ.

And yet I can (just) remember in those far off heady days of my late-teenage post-conversion years, when I was a lot more evangelical than I am now, that this text was one I learnt by heart and which informed my attitude to other people. It didn’t matter who they were: they were either saved or they weren’t. Simple as.

My movement away from that stance happened gradually as I matured in my faith and God took me in directions and into experiences where I began to question the old certainties. I will always remember one particular joke a wise vicar told me.

A new arrival at the pearly gates was met by St. Peter and shown round Heaven. At one point they came to a very high wall.

“What’s behind there?” she asked.

“Keep your voice down” said St. Peter. “That’s where the Lutherans are. They think they’re the only ones here and we don’t want to upset them.”

Actually, it wasn’t the Lutherans in the original –just trying to be topical -. I’ll leave you to guess: suffice to say that it works with any Christian group.

I have a number of Muslim and Sikh friends. We often talk about religion and I’ve learnt a lot about them and from them. When other Christians berate me about mission and witness and how we must bring others to a saving knowledge of Jesus, I always think of them … and I always think that bringing them to Jesus sounds so simple but in reality is very far from it.

Of course it is never me who convicts and converts, it is the Holy Spirit. I know that and, yes, I sometimes wonder what the Holy Spirit makes of my witness by word and deed to anyone, not just Muslims and Sikhs.

But let me ask you two things:

• What does it take for someone – anyone to come to faith?
• What is it that we ask others to believe and accept as part of that act of faith?

You see I don’t think it matters whether you are Muslim or Sikh or Atheist or whatever: in order to come to faith you have to not only hear but to understand the Gospel, although if you come from a culture which is broadly Christian I suspect that it may be easier for you.

“How” I ask these other Christians “does a Muslim born and brought up in rural Saudi Arabia hear, let alone understand the Gospel? And yet you are telling me that God – my God, the God I believe in and follow – condemns to Hell a whole swathe of people for not following an injunction they could not possibly have known about. In terms of God’s justice, how does that work, then?”

“The Bible is clear.” I am told.

Right.

Taken literally John 3.16 becomes the foundation for the rejection of the “other” in society: the ones who are not like us. By that I don’t just mean race and religion, but gender, sexuality and even relates to cultural imperialism or the western sense of entitlement.

The irony here is that of the Gospel writers John was the one who was least likely to take a literalist approach to his writing and would most certainly have rejected that sort of literalist reading. The passage immediately before today’s Gospel reading is the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus. This is the same John who tells us that Jesus was amazed at Nicodemus when he understood Jesus’ comment about being born again in a literal way. If the life and teaching of Jesus gives us cause to be literal in our reading of Jesus’ words it is not John 3.16, but John 3.17 that we should look to: “God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”

Neither Jesus nor John was interested in establishing a belief system based on rejection by God. What they were very interested in was the question concerning how one came to have faith and the supplementary question about how one grows in one’s experience of God.

There seem to be a number of positions in the New Testament and the one I favour is “Believe and be baptised.” (Mark 16.16) but that raises other issues such as “Believe what?” or “Believe in what?”

So, I think my challenge to you this morning is to think of those Biblical passages which most closely represent to you what the life of faith is about. There are some around the room to help you on the various coloured cards. These were suggested by blogging friends when I did an on-line exercise in what the fundamentals of our faith are.

Now there may be more, but for me what we have here sums it up. In short: repent, believe, be saved by grace, show the change in your life but recognise that you are still vulnerable to temptation. Be open to the spirit, continue to repent and seek the strength of the Spirit to grow more into the likeness of the Saviour.

Hang on, though. Weren’t you concerned about the Muslim in rural Saudi Arabia who has no chance of hearing, let alone understanding the Gospel?

Yes. But we must leave that to God. My responsibility is not to put limits on the grace of God. My responsibility is not to go with John 3.16 without John 3.17. We may turn out, like the Christians behind the wall in Heaven in the joke, to be surprised by the extent of the grace of God, but it is most certainly not for us to second guess the mind of God on this. Remember, righteousness was ascribed to Abraham through his faith in God and he predated Jesus.

However, I’ll leave you with a tantalising insight into the theology of C.S. Lewis on this topic: a theology which has become known as the theology of the unknowing disciple.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with his writings, Lewis writes a series of what appear to be children’s adventure stories, set in the land of Narnia, the most famous of which is “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”. However, Lewis wasn’t simply a children’s writer but a perceptive theologian and the Narnia stories are a Christian allegory.

In “The Last Battle”, which is a story dealing with the end times and judgement, there is an exchange between Aslan the Lion, the Christian God figure, and Emeth, a follower of the God Tash, who is surprised to find himself on the right side of Aslan’s judgement. Emeth says to Aslan: “Alas, Lord, I am no son of thine, but a servant of Tash.” Aslan answered “Child, all the service thou hast done to Tash, I account as service done to me. If any man swears an oath to Tash and keeps the oath for the oath’s sake, it is by me that he has truly sworn, though he knew it not and it is I who reward him.” Emeth replied “Yet I have been seeking Tash all my days.” “Beloved”, said the Glorious one, “unless thy desire had been for me thou wouldst not have sought so long and so truly. For all find what they truly seek.”

It is my personal challenge during Lent to concentrate on my own walk with God. I look beyond that to my immediate family. I must also continue to take responsibility for my witness through word and deed but it is also my challenge to let God be God and to work his grace where he will. It is not for me to misuse his word in a theology of exclusion.

Dispatch From Leeds

Hi all,

Having a wonderful time and wish you were all here with me. Still no wallet or purse, but I haven't entirely given up, although if an honest person found it, I think it would have been turned in by now. I have no credit cards, but if I live frugally for the next week, I should be able to make it with the money that was not in the wallet/purse.

Today I went to church and heard Doorman-Priest preach, and a fine job he did of it. I wanted to applaud at the end, but I refrained, although he slipped and made a rather unkind reference to fundamentalists from the southern US. I've forgiven him.

I spent the day en famille with DP and his lovely wife and daughters. I'll write more later.

Yesterday, I spent a wonderful day on the moors with MadPriest and Mrs. MadPriest. We came close to missing each other, but we finally connected. Mrs MadPriest is a beautiful lady, and it was a pleasure to spend time with them and the three collies, although MadPriest's dog with a Greek name which I've forgotten, didn't seem to like me. I suppose MP had her trained against me. I'll tell you more about the day on the Moors later, too.

I am exhausted! The English folks are killing me with kindness.

I'll write again, and thanks for the prayers for the return of the wallet/purse.

Caption Contest

Mad Priest After Lunch With Grandmere Mimi.

Good Shepherd Sunday?

I think most of us expected something other than what the Revised Common Lectionary offers us for Lent IV (March 22). Here is an insightful sermon (for those who are still struggling with the propers...even in England!) It comes from a true FB friend of mine.

"I guess one could say this: Jesus is trying to make sense of his own impending death, which he didn't really understand and neither did anyone else. And we can't make sense of death. Why did Natasha Richardson die this week from a fall on the bunny slopes? Why did the son or brother or sister of someone we know have to die in the Middle East this week? Why did a teenager die in a car accident? Ever since Biblical times we've been trying to make sense of that which makes no sense. The one thing we can see through all today's readings is that God is with us in the good times and bad, the things we understand and the things we don't. God was with us when our homes were appreciating at 20 percent a year, and he's with us now as we all throw rocks at AIG and curse the darkness. The Valley of the Shadow of Death is a regular stop on our walk in faith. God offers ways to make sense of it: Look on a serpent on a pole and live, even while evil is all around you. Look at a savior on a pole and live, ditto. It's about trusting that God walks with us and is never far away and is always -- always! -- looking out for us, wanting to be in love with us, desiring our companionship and faithfulness. God is holding up God's end of the bargain and invites us to do the same.

There's a lovely poem by Denise Levertov:

The Avowal

As swimmers dare
to lie face to the sky
and water bears them;
as hawks rest upon air
and air sustains them;
so would I learn to attain
free fall and float
into Creator Spirit's deep embrace,
knowing no effort earns
that all-surrounding grace."

Btw, don't forget to have a blessing ready for the simnel cakes that may appear.

:)

Moors and Ruins

There are lots of scenic, secret places in Yorkshire.  Lots of ruins suitable for hiding.....something!  Like Rieveaulx Abbey....which houses the named saint of an old friend of ours, Prior Aelred:

Rievaulx Abbey, founded in 1132, was the first Cistercian abbey in the north of England. The abbey's greatest importance came during the rule of its third abbot, St Aelred (1147-67), when many of its surviving buildings were begun. Under Aelred, the community grew to 140 choir monks and perhaps 500 lay-brothers and lay servants.
When the abbey was suppressed in 1538, there were only 22 monks in residence, though they were supported by no fewer than 102 paid servants.

I'm sure Mimi will do fine despite the minor setbacks. Perhaps it's Maddy who should be worried!

Update

I have had a text from June. She has made it to York where she has been met by a well known madman (let the reader understand) who has kidnapped her and is driving her around the Yorkshire moors with his wife and dogs. There is no news as yet on the missing wallet, but, indomitable as ever, she is clearly not letting a little mishap get in the way of a good time.

OOPS

Lovely evening with June only marred by the realisation that she had lost her wallet. Hotel receptionists fabulous and police informed. Tom rung but not in and June on the phone to credit card companies. More updates as they come. Watch this space.

UFOs over London

The Telegraph reports that photos have been taken of UFOs over London. Perhaps we should tell them that it is just Grandmere doing some sightseeing from Leeds.

Leeds United

I am sure Mimi will be attending the premiere of The Damned United




Set in 1960s and 1970s England, THE DAMNED UNITED tells the confrontational and darkly humorous story of Brian Cloughs doomed 44 day tenure as manager of the reigning champions of English football Leeds United. Previously managed by his bitter rival Don Revie (Colm Meaney), and on the back of their most successful period ever as a football club, Leeds had an aggressive and cynical style of football - an anathema to the principled yet flamboyant Brian Clough, who had achieved astonishing success as manager of Hartlepool and Derby County building teams in his own vision with trusty lieutenant Peter Taylor. Taking the Leeds job without Taylor by his side, with a changing room full of Dons boys, would lead to an unheralded examination of Cloughs belligerence and brilliance over 44 days. This is that story. The story of The Damned United. Jim Broadbent plays Sam Longson, Derby Chairman. THE DAMNED UNITED was filmed in locations throughout Yorkshire, Leeds, Derbyshire and Spain.

Houston, we have contact...

As DP says, I'm here in Leeds. My only difficulty was at the Manchester Airport to find the train station and then a looong walk. I had a luggage cart, thank goodness.

Yesterday, I was like a zombie, but I slept well last night, and today I'm fine. I'll meet Doorman-Priest and his family this evening. They delivered flowers to my room, the dears. They have been magnificent.

I found the shopping street near the hotel and bought a cheap cell phone and some minutes. The SIM card for Dennis' cell phone would have cost as much as the cell phone. Good thing, because I can't make phone calls out from my hotel room. The hotel is lovely, thanks again to DP and Mrs DP for their recommendation.

I'm typing from the Headingley Library, which gives me an hour free! It's near my hotel.

I'll try to keep in touch.

Love to all

Grandmère Mimi

Mad Priest has some photos of Mimi's trip here and here and here.

March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph

"O God, who from the family of your servant David raised up Joseph to be the guardian of your incarnate Son and the spouse of his virgin mother: Give us grace to imitate his uprightness of life and his obedience to your commands."

As I look out my kitchen window I see the parking lot of the Tabernacle of Deliverance and Praise (formerly the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection). This evening there are young folks playing a game of ball that I do not recognize. Some of them are old enough to be young fathers, and some are young enough to be their children. I wonder which of them has the heart of Joseph, protecting the children from things in life that might ruin them, occupying and nourishing them with a kind of loving family that will help them know and hold the love of God.

The mission statement of the Tabernacle goes like this:

"Tabernacle of Deliverance and Praise Ministries shall build unto God a haven for shepherdless sheep, the spiritually ignorant, and those without hope and eternally lost. The Mission of this ministry shall be to build people of purpose, power, productivity and praise. We have the assignment to teach the uncompromised word of God so that purpose of self-worth is revealed. As an example of holiness, character and integrity, this church will inspire others to achieve excellence in every area of their lives, ministries and careers. This born again, Spirit filled church is to have an emphasis on building men and women with a God conscience and God-like faith so that they can function as husbands, wives, and parents in a manner that glorifies God and impacts this generation."

It will surprise some of you who know me from elsewhere in the blogosphere that I would lift up "TODAP", but, just sayin', they wouldn't be here if I didn't believe in what they are doing. It's where my former parish lived, too. God bless 'em, and Pastor Jerry, too.

Jet-lag sets in

Doorman Priest writes:

Had long chat on the phone and agreed I would go to the hotel. At 7.30 June rang to say would I mind not going as jet-lag had set in big time. She intends to do art gallery , museum and city centre walk tomorrow so I hope to catch up tomorrow evening.

Here is some advice for the suffering.

What say ye?

Touchdown

June will be arriving in Leeds anytime now. I hope to catch up with her this evening so watch this space.

Keeping an eye on Mimi's gov

Just in case Mimi does not find any Louisiana newspapers in the UK - here is an update on the latest about her beloved governor:

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is coming under fire for his frequent trips out of state to attend campaign fundraisers.

Jindal, who was mentioned as a possible Vice-Presidential candidate after less than one term in office, is often seen raising money for the GOP all over the United States.

Those frequents trips have drawn the ire of opponents and supporters.

Read it all here.

hmmm -- maybe he is off with Mimi???

IAN and LISA update

From OCICBW.

Keeping Mimi's prayer list going:

Ian had a very rough weekend and Lisa, again, thought she was losing him. But, again, Ian seems to have pulled through and continues to recover slowly.

The interesting news is that the consultants may have discovered the cause of Ian's illness and, as some of you have already pointed out, he should not be with us anymore. The fact that he is means that we have no right to be pessimistic but we should continue to pray with hopefulness. Lisa hasn't given up. The IT nurses haven't given up. Ian hasn't given up. So we won't give up either.

Go to Lisa's blog, RANTINGS, today and read her own update which has a lot more detail than this post.

One people, divided by a common language

Grandmere Mimi is going to have to learn a new dialect: British. The number of women who have come to grief over the definition of a rubber! Here 's some help:

AMERICAN	BRITISH
Airplane	Aeroplane
Aluminum	Aluminium
Apartment	Flat
Band-Aid	Elastoplast
Entree,	Starter
Eraser	Rubber
Expensive	Dear
Call (on the phone)	Ring
Checkers	Draughts
Hamburger Bun	Bap
Jail	Gaol
Jello	Jelly
Jelly	Jam
Napkin	Serviette
Nudist	Naturist
Sneakers	Trainers, Plimsolls,Pumps
Soccer	Football
Stroller	Pram, Pushchair
Suspenders	Braces
Sweater	Pullover, Jumper

"You, Me And The Bourgeoisie"

Enjoy! Bye!

St. Patrick's Day

Mimi will not be happy if we let this day go by without a little prayer.

"Almighty God, you have surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses: Grant that we, encouraged by the good example of your servant Patrick, may persevere in running the race that is set before us, until at last we may with him attain to your eternal joy."

And in this place, Grandmere would post something instructive about the good St. Patrick. Or, maybe...

"There’s one place in Louisiana that knows how to throw a parade…or is that stage a parade? At any rate, New Orleans has been throwing, staging…and producing parades (or whatever) since the days of the first Mardi Gras in the early 1800’s. But some of the BEST parades actually have nothing to do with Mardi Gras at all and nobody said the “Irish” didn’t know how to pitch a parade…especially in honor of St. Patrick’s Day? The Quarter really puts on the green for a weekend of partying and parading through the streets."

Prayers for the Traveler

From Beliefnet. We've got you covered!!

Jewish
May it be Your will, Lord my God, to lead me on the way of peace and guide and direct my steps in peace, so that You will bring me happily to my destination, safe and sound. Save me from danger on the way. Give me good grace, kindness and favor in both Your eyes and in the eyes of all whom I may meet. Hear this my prayer, for you are a God who hears to the heart's supplication and communion. Blessed are You, Lord our God, who hears prayer.

~~Tefilat HaDerekh, the Jewish prayer for travelers; according to some practices, recited just before the plane takes off, to extend the hope for safety to every plane in the sky

Orthodox Christian
Be mindful, O Lord, of those who travel by land, by sea, and by air; of the old and young, the sick, the suffering, the sorrowing, the afflicted, the captives, the needy and the poor; and upon them all send forth Thy mercies, for Thou art the Giver of all good things.

~~Orthodox Christian liturgy

Roman Catholic
O Almighty and merciful God, who has commissioned your angels to guide and protect us, may they be our companions from our setting out until our return. Clothe us with their invisible protection; keep from us all danger of collision, of fire, of explosion, of falling; and finally,having preserved us from all evil, and especially from sin, guide us to our heavenly home. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

~~Roman Catholic Prayer for Travelers

Islam
In the name of Allah! I have placed faith in Allah and I have put full trust in Allah. It is as Allah wills! There is no strength and no power save with Allah.

O Allah! Protect me and protect what is with me, and deliver me to my destination. By Allah I commence my journey; by Allah I seek to accomplish the purpose of my journey; and by Muhammad (s.a.w.) I have set out. O Allah, make me overcome all; and make easy for me all difficulties; and give me more of goodness than I hope for; and keep away all evil of which I am apprehensive for my health, O the most Merciful.

~~Muslim prayer for travelers

Mimi getting the best exchange rate

Bushed! - Truth and Reconciliation in the good ol' USof A

You can sign a very important petition to help Sen. Leahy establish a truth and reconciliation commission at "Bush Truth Commission."

Welcome

Welcome all those seeking news of Grandmere Mimi. She has flown the blog-coop. Hopefully she will send us email to post here. Otherwise we will try to provide stories, jokes and pictures in her inimitable style!!