KateP's musings

  Palm Sunday Date: 3-29-2026____________________ Today is Palm Sunday, the doorway into Holy Week. I keep thinking about how quickly the story turns: cheering crowds, palm branches in the air, a road turned into a carpet of welcome… and then, only days later, the weight of betrayal, suffering, and the cross. I often find it easy to celebrate my hopes but struggle to remain faithful when things get quiet, difficult, or unclear. As I picture Jesus entering Jerusalem, I notice the humility of it all: no display of power, just a steady choice to walk forward in love. I want to welcome him not just with words, but with the choices I make this week—how I speak, what I cling to, what I release, and where I’m willing to follow even when it’s uncomfortable. If there’s any part of me that wants a Savior without a cross, I’m asking for the courage to let that illusion go. I don't regularly go to church.    During chaotic or uncertain times, I go to church to find clarity. ...

I was up early but not as early as normal.  Preston was buried under a blanket and Vlad on the corner of the bed.  I got up and fed them and gave Preston his med.  I fed the fish and the others get fed  later.   I gave Preston his walk and he was cooperative and great about it.  The dawn was breaking into red and orange and it was lovely.  While on our walk I noticed that there was a new house being built where another long standing one was before.  I think it may have been anew condo site. When we got back I gathered everything I was taking back to the house with me.  The gifts that needed to be put into their bags, and envelopes.  I brought the outfit with me and my phone which is completely dead and I can’t find the adapter.  I really need to get a new phone! The babies were waiting on me at the door.  I didn’t go over last night for a tuck in.  I figured they would be hungry enough.  They were not warmin...

Sunday afternoon was great.  I went and did bingo while there was birthday party for a resident.  It was fun.  AFterwards I played telephone tag with Liz who couldn’t hear the phone.  She was cleaning.   By the time we actually talked I was home.  We made plans that i would stop by after church and show off my mani pedicure.  Later on she called back with a dinner invite.   I went to the 4:30 mass at St Mary’s.  It was great as I also ran into some very dear friends I knew growing up.  They were also in a youth group at another church.  So I sat with them.  After mass we visited with Mary’s father.  They moved to West Haven from the prospective former homes.  I said goodbye to them and headed to my sisters. They were both resting but had dinner cooking.  We spent time chatting about Liz’s trip and then she went into “MOM” mode.  She didn’t like the way I was dressed, whether or not my cleaning la...

I am sitting here with The Kratts brothers Wild Alaska Live on in the background.  Part of me is interested and some of it is waiting for the next load of laundry to finish.   I left here just around 1 chatted with Neighbor ChrisP before taking off for the cleaners to pick up some stuff I left there.  Then I went to the nursing home.  Maria was there doing some paperwork.  We chatted about the activities fo the day.  Reminded me to make sure everyone gets transported either to their room or to  the recreation room. I had about 17 residents playing and of course some of them were chatting and one woman complained incessantly that I was going too fast.  I was really really wishing the hour would go by faster. Despite that the others enjoyed themselves.  I did have a chance to talk to Chef Phil and he told me what the “atmosphere” in the labor force there.  I didn’t leave there until about 3:30. Once I left there I headed to my Si...

As i was finishing up feeding the cats this morning I walked into the living room and found what looked like a hairball on the window sill that landed on the floor.  Ick  I don’t know why they have so many hairballs.  There is two more around the house.  Cleaned one up in the office upstairs the other day. I let them downstairs already.  I actually am not sure if both went or just Sky.  I turned around after finishing cleaning up hairball number 2  and tiger was just sitting there. My other objectives today would include laundry and church and of course bingo.  I know you are surprised about the church but it's time I go back. Nothing is wrong but this is proactive.  I feel that when I don’t go to church for a long time my whole center seems off balance and things go wrong.  I want to prevent that from happening.  Considering I am also on the Ladies guild Board now.  I best do it. I talked with Mama Roberta Friday ...

It is nearly 5 in the afternoon and the sun has all but gone.   It clouded up around 2 this afternoon.   The temperatures dropped too.   I didn’t have a jacket with me the entire time I was out and I wished I had.    When I got home I closed the windows and turned the heat on. I made it to bingo early and started early as well.   I think it was Chloe who was waiting for me and eventually the other two girls came.   We had a good session but what seemed like a smaller than usual crowd. After bingo I headed to the Oreck store and dropped off the Oreck.   He also told me that I could trade that one in for a newer model and more updated one that could do both.   I stayed with repair.   I also got some bags and glass wiper.   It came to about $150.   It should be ready by tomorrow night. I have been craving ice cream for the last couple of days so I stopped at Adams and picked up a quart of ice cream.   Two flavors...

It was a beautiful day despite the chilly temps and snow flurries i missed. The baptism was held at St Rita's churh in hamden after the 11:30 mass.  There was also another baby there for his baptism.  All of madison's cousins were there as well.  I even got blown kiss from james.  He was my nephew adam's son. He was so cute.

I had a pretty nice Sunday despite my doubts as a furbaby Momma.  I went to mass and it was nice.   We had a deacon from the Lake Ontario Area as a representative from Christian Relief SErvices.  THere wasn’t a second collection for them but it was basically an update on their recent achievements After mass I went over to my sister’s and spent about an hour there.  I got to meet their guests Sam and his son.  Nelson had just gotten home from a Knight’s event (they were serving at another breakfast but at a different church).  By the time I left I garnered a dinner invitation. I was back home by 2 after grocery shopping and kitty food shopping.  I spent the next couple of hours watching TV and taking a nap before going back to Liz’s.  THe kittens were sleeping until 4 and they were pretty funny. I did chat with neighbors Chris & Chris.  Chris G starts a new job this week but it is starting off rather weird.  He is only ...

I woke up to a mess on the rug at the bottom of the stairs.  It didn’t look like “shit” but there was a mis-shot in the bathroom downstairs.  I am not sure which of the two of them did it but I think its in response to my tax prep frustration or the late night treat.  I tried to reassure them.  I have been keeping an eye on them today.  Some reason I Found what looks like food on the counter.  THey were sleeping when I got home from church and the breakfast.  THey came out when I found them.  Eventually Sky stayed downstairs and has been splitting his time between trying to catch a fly and sleeping on the chair.  Tiger roamed around here and went back upstairs. There was a three house fire about 7 minutes from here yesterday.  I heard the fire engines around 1 yesterday.  It was on the news (obviously.) No one was hurt but lots of damage. It was caused by a candle near combustible materials.  That’s one reason I don’t hav...

Dear Mom,     I can’t begin to tell you how the last two days have gone.  Last night was an amazing testament to you and your life and the impact you had on the lives you have touched.  There was close to 400 people that came through the greeting line.  Many from Mental Health services, your friends, family, the literary club, the knitwits.  Many of your children’s friends and peers came as well.  LT Governor Nancy Wyman paid her respects, and of course our dearest friends Senator Gayle Slossberg,  St Representatives James Maroney, and Kim Rose presented us with a memorial Citation from the CT General Assembly.  The funeral today was just beautiful.  The weather was perfect.  There were at least 100 people at the funeral services.  The Pall bearers did an awesome job from start to finish.  Adam and  Cousin Don C  did wonderful job at the readings and Father C even managed a few appropriate Railroad related p...

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day even with the wind.  I could enjoy days like this..  I am not one for sitting outside a lot .  I would have to have a sweater or long sleeves on and one of those big hats.   My intention this morning was to get up early and do some stuff like maybe laundry and replace the lightbulb in the bathroom all before Mom got up but only part of it got done.  I did get my jacket at Roberta’s. Bingo went well.  PJ was there and we had two volunteers.  The hour went pretty fast I thought as well.  There was a Eucharistic Service at 11 so we finished just before 11.  I was out the door and to Dunkin Doughnuts for more coffee before church. I went to the 11:30 mass.  I knew Liz would be serving as Eucharistic Minister there.I guess she didn’t know where she was going to be sitting.    She was able to sit with me.  After Mass we headed back here.  I don’t know how she got there before...

March 30, 2014 Dear Friends:     I hope you are warm where you are because its a really cold afternoon.  I had to put a couple of sweaters on just to be warm.  It is probably a relieve to some but for me not today.   Its funny I like rainy weekends because if you don’t have to go out you can do stuff that you want (well almost-laundry is a must but not my “want to do” activity)     Bingo went well.  Marney and Natalie were both there today.  They both did paperwork and I set up for bingo and chatted with the residents.  I did find out that this wonderful lady whom I have known for a number of years had passed away.  She was the only woman Veteran at the Nursing home.  When I got home I sent an email to the women in our club. i went to the 11:30 mass at St Mary’s and sat with Liz who was one of the Eucharistic ministers today.  A Eucharistic Ministers Are many volunteers who are taught the ways and ...

March 16, 2014 Dear Friends:     Good  Sunday to you.  It is just after 8.  Sunday Morning Baroque is playing on the computer.  I have a load of a laundry going and I have already had breakfast and have updated my Penpal  World blog   Today is going to be a long day or I should say a full day.  I will be leaving in a while for bingo and church and then our annual Carnival for the residents at West River Nursing home.  We have to be there at 1:30 and start it at 2 until 3 (I think).  I don’t know if I will be up for anything else after that.     I have to say I am feeling better than I was yesterday afternoon and i did get some sleep last night.  I am hoping it stays this way for the rest of the day.     I am having a concern.  I am beginning to think my eyes and glasses are going back to the way they were before I got the new lenses in them.  Some things seem a little blu...

March 5, 2014 Dear Friends:     Hope your Wednesday went well.  I had a pretty good day.  I wasn’t able to meet with Debra today because she was home with a sick kid.  So we will be meeting next next week.  She did offer a phone session but I would rather get the work done.     Nancy contacted me to watch Packy and Preston.   It will be for the first weekend of Spring.  She promised the pups would behave.  I told her I would do.  I do have to start checking my text message more often...she contacted me late yesterday afternoon.  I hope Preston is in better mood.     Work went well.  I noticed the morning went by quickly.  I am not sure what caused that either the work or my preoccupation with learning how to use the new system more.  It was mid morning when I realized that today was the most important day in the Catholic Faith (probably in the Christian Faith as well) ...

February 23, 2014 Dear Friends:     Hello from the tropics.  Well it is a heat wave of sorts.  Its been in the 50’s for most of the day  The sun shining for now but I did notice it getting cloudy for a short time.  It looks like we are going to get some precipitation over night after all (wheeee)     The morning activities went pretty well.  I had 15 residents playing bingo and a few of them won a couple of games each.  Unfortunately all they got was my undying love and gratitude.  There wasn’t any change to play with.  For the most part everyone played well together.       I did end up going to church late (I really don’t like that btw).  I was so late that I came in the middle of the homily from Father Aiden.   Then after the homily was the financial reports for the church.  I just don’t think that should have been reported during mass.  I am sure they have meeti...

January 26, 2014 Dear Friends:           Greetings on this chilly and cloudy Sunday!   It has been a really busy morning and some what emotional.   When I left here I was rather late getting to the nursing home but no one seemed to mind.   Angela was there and inundated with paper work from Natalie.   She brought me up to speed on some things.   I was quite surprised by some of the news (two staff members were suspended for arguing). I started bingo earlier than usual.   St Peter’s Episcopal Church was coming for their monthly service at 11 and so I wanted to be finished by then.   I stopped to talk to Claudia at the front desk and I really shouldn’t have.   I was really late for church. By the time I got to church Fr. Donahue was already giving the homily.   How could I be THAT late??? I finally sat day in the pew (legs were starting to bother me) and after communion I too...

January  19, 2014 Dear Friends     I finally went to sleep some time after 3 am Saturday and I know that Its all the coffee I had Friday.  I know at one point it was decaf but I went and added the regular.  I spent the time trying to clear out one mail box and updated the Java program that’s been waiting for me to do it for the past two days.  Mom had a rough time sleeping herself.  She had a nose bleed at one point.  I asked her how she slept when she got up around 9 and she isn’t feeling well.  We did not go to the lab after all.  I told her we would do it Monday.  She said she didn’t want me to lose more time.  I reminded her I have off.  We were not sure if the Lab is closed that day or not.  I tried to get an actual person but I couldn’t so we will just have to go over and see for ourselves. Mom spent the day as quietly as possible spent time on the computer and  I did some errands and picked u...