Misadventures of the Monster Librarian

Every time we try to identify God, we are sure to identify what he is — what she is certainly not. And the genius of God to dwell where we would least likely look, within the depths of our own being, our own shallowness, our own darkness, our own humanity. --Martin Sheen My friend Pamerama was kind enough to share this great, On Being, podcast interview of Martin Sheen. I chose to read the podcast interview transcript instead, to I might better process Sheen's statements. I too am Catholic, but you don't need to be to enjoy. Sheen examines his return journey to faith and spirituality, and it's just wonderful. A great read before New Years revelry. Happiest New Years' Eve to you and yours! Be safe, be merry, be young tonight!

A reflection on some favorite Christmas movies, or Christmas scenes in movies, from years past. Merry Christmas!

Interesting article about improving your Facebook marketability.

This is so lovely. Exactly how I felt today after ChicagoBoy left. "Silence"   There is the sudden silence of the crowd above a player not moving on the field, and the silence of the orchid. The silence of the falling vase before it strikes the floor, the silence of the belt when it is not striking the child. The stillness of the cup and the water in it, the silence of the moon and the quiet of the day far from the roar of the sun. The silence when I hold you to my chest, the silence of the window above us, and the silence when you rise and turn away. And there is the silence of this morning which I have broken with my pen, a silence that had piled up all night like snow falling in the darkness of the house— the silence before I wrote a word and the poorer silence now.   Billy Collins

My bestie asked for some helpful hints about a visit to Universal Orlando, so here goes. I just went 2 weeks ago, so this is a recent, and December experience! It should be mentioned that I am NOT a big theme park person, but I did want to experience Wizarding World of Harry Potter. 1. As to telling you what order to do what ride, truly download the Orlando Universal Apps, there is one that specifically tells you how long the waits are. Even though we had Express Passes, the non-express pass folks never waited more than 20 minutes for anything. This is apparently a great time of year to go--Disney AND Universal in Jan., according to my sources. Also, I'm a big fan of just starting in the back and working my way forward so by the end of the day I'm close to the exit. 2. When it comes to Harry Potter, I agree with this article: http://fieldtripswithsue.com/ the-world-of-harry-potter/ 3. Go to Harry Potter part of the park first, it was the busiest section of the pa...

My brother A3 snapped this adorable photo of my niece and nephew holding hands and running through the park. And no, they're not twins, which is what is most often asked. Savannah Banana is 3.5 yrs now, Alex just over 1.5 yrs.; she's petite and he's brawny. So sweet. My dear hearts.  Just had to brag with some auntie love.

"When Death Comes" When death comes like the hungry bear in autumn; when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse to buy me, and snaps the purse shut; when death comes like the measles-pox; when death comes  like an iceberg between the shoulder blades, I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering: what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness? And therefore I look upon everything as a brotherhood and a sisterhood, and I look upon time as no more than an idea, and I consider eternity as another possibility, and I think of each life as a flower, as common as a field daisy, and as singular, and each name a comfortable music in the mouth tending as all music does, toward silence, and each body a lion of courage, and something precious to the earth. When it’s over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement. I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms. When it is over, I ...