I shouldn't have to pay for something I find morally reprehensible.

Neither should you.

Dawn Eden was kind enough to point readers to this on-line petition to end tax-funded abortions. It only takes a second, so please go sign it.

I'll write more as soon as I can to let you know what's been going on. Short list: Lola's second birthday party, lots of time spent trying to get an interview with Bobby Schindler prior to the local Walk for LIfe (he was our keynote speaker), taking scads of pictures for THREE, count 'em, THREE photo essays in the paper, plus writing several articles, my husband trying to get his new job with Saint Joseph Communications going (pray, PLEASE!!!), etc., etc.

Back later! Or tomorrow or something...

--Sparki

You gotta read this!

A most excellent homily delivered on Ephiphany by a 30-year-old priest.

Also, please pray for the repose of Loanne E.

A long-time family friend (she and her husband and my parents have been best pals since the 1950s), Loanne died on Saturday and will be buried tomorrow. Her death was quite sudden, following an infection of her spleen. My parents had spent time with them during the holidays, just about three weeks ago and are quite devastated by the loss. Just after New Year's, they also attended the funeral of a former neighbor, Bill, whom they considered a good friend.

It's awfully tough to be entering the age when funerals are becoming common events on one's calendar, and it surely is making my parents think of their own mortality, so if you wouldn't mind saying a prayer for them, I'd appreciate it. My folks have been estranged from the Catholic Church since around the time of my birth.

--Sparki

Welcome home!

In case you missed the notice, Owen (of Luminous Miseries) and his family are to be welcomed into the Catholic Church this coming Sunday. Hearty congratulations and prayers of jubilation all around.

--sparki

Marriage vs. "Hook-Up"

Interview regarding what sounds like an interesting book here at Zenit.

--Sparki

My baby turned 2 today.

Or at least she will at the frightful hour of 10:48 tonight, when she's fast asleep. Only frightful because it was an awful labor, since she was almost 3 weeks early and didn't want to come out and I had a panicky "something's wrong" feeling that turned out to be she'd swallowed a very small amount meconium in utero but nobody noticed it because my water was runnng clear. She must of got it all, and it wasn't much, but it was a long night of frequent irrigation of her poor little tummy.

Short, non-bloody birth story here, if you are into that sort of thing.

She's so cute -- if you ask her where our baby is, she says, "All gone!" and beams up at you with this silly, "I'm growing up and you can't stop me" grin a mile wide...

siiiiiiiiigh

--sparki

Dude, doctors don't have rights!

The European Union may be banning medical professionals from refusing to perform abortions. Because, you know, the Right to Choose only applies if you are choosing to abort a baby. If you prefer the opposite option, you don't get a Right to Choose.

--Sparki