Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Lilly, Blogland & Lent

Lilly sends you her meows and thanks you so much for the lovely comments you left wishing her a happy birthday.  At 12 years old, she doesn't seem to be slowing down at all!

I've been away from blogland and it's because I didn't know what to do.  I'll explain.  There has been so many negative things written in blogland regarding American politics.  We are very lucky that we can think, write and share our opinions openly in this country.  But, I was finding so much was mean and degrading.  These items were written by people on both sides of the political fence.  As a result of this overload (added to by watching various news channels), I felt depressed.  I started out writing comments on blogs and then I stopped; I was not going to go there.  Luckily for me, I am not on Facebook.  It's not my kind of venue.

If I chose to write something in regard to our current political situation, I could easily share some very pertinent facts that has affected my own family in regard to immigration, discrimination, etc.  But, like I said above, I'm not going to venture there. I started Lilly My Cat to be a happy place where people can visit, maybe learn something, share something or leave with a good feeling.  One of the reasons I started my blog was because I had felt ostracized, outside the circle and totally ignored by a group of people I met when I moved to California.  I was hurt; like being a student in middle school when the in group doesn't want you around.  And, I was approaching 60 years of age. This memory has now been buried and my life is great.  I have nothing to complain about!

 I've met so many wonderful friends through my blog.  I truly believe people can be friends although they may have differing opinions.  Speaking of meeting people, this week is the second week of Lent for me as a Coptic Orthodox.  My dear Eastern Orthodox friends just began Lent this past Monday.  The parish I attend does not have a permanent church to worship.  We are currently renting a Greek church where we worship on Saturday morning.  This past Saturday, the Greek congregation was using their sanctuary and we held services upstairs.  After our services, we shared coffee with the other congregants.  It was a most blessed time of meeting new people (some who are converts to the Orthodox faith like me).  But, the thing that impressed me most was when the Greek priest said he would love to have us have services together during Holy Week and that our priest would be more than welcome to serve with him.  But, he added that it would be up to the bishops.  Do you know why this is?  Because, the Greek Orthodox Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church (Oriental Orthodox) are not in communion with each other.   It goes back to the Council of Chalcedon (Fourth Ecumenical Council)  held  in AD 451.  The discussion centered around the Copt's understanding of the nature of Christ.  From what I read today, a lot of this schism was fueled by politics at the time and by misunderstanding.  Maybe one day our churches can unite for communion.  Yet, what a blessed feeling it was to leave church on Saturday having the blessing of this very humble, kind and caring Greek priest. 
 
 
 It been a few years since I felt I wanted to fully participate in Great Lent.  And, I was so looking forward to Lent this year.  Everything has once again fallen in place and I feel I can worship at a place where I belong.  Reading, self reflection and prayer has of course helped me.  Yet, this is not something I accomplished on my own.  I have been so inspired by Elizabeth's blog.  She is a very talented writer and I learn so much from reading her blog.  It brings back the wonderful memories I had as member of the Orthodox Church of America back in Washington.  And, for me one of the most delightful things is to prepare Lenten food.  Pictured above is a vegan shepherd's pie made with a lentil filling.



 So in a nutshell, that's what been happening around here.  Life is good and my cup is more than1/2 full.  I'm sorry if I've bored you with all my stories.  I'm in the midst of setting up another blog but it needs some of the kinks removed :)  Thank you again dear friends for visiting today.

With my best wishes,

Pat






10 comments:

  1. thanks so much for your affirmation of my blog, which is really just a 'life of Elizabeth' blog and I really appreciate your care. I am glad for your finding a spiritual home and for that kind Greek priest too, how wonderful! I would love to hear about how to make that shepherd's pie, it looks so yummy!

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  2. Yes, the current universe as we know it can be really really overwhelming. I've started to consciously make myself concentrate as much as I can on things that happen every single day that are good to me or for me. Some days, it's a lot harder than others!

    I love the rituals of Lent, I have to say. And your vegetarian shepherd's pie looks amazing. I'm gonna have to look for a recipe like that.

    Hang in there! And remember you always have Lilly, who doesn't care one way or another about politics. ;-)

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  3. Beautiful photos of the sky, sea and palm trees, Pat. The vegan food looks delicious and I'm sure it tasted good. I'm in and out of blogland as time and circumstances permit. Sometimes I have something to share which I hope is uplifting and sometimes I take a break from the computer (and television world news, for that matter), which I'll be doing later this month. One needs to be informed, but sometimes one has to switch off and do something else that's relaxing such as craftwork or looking around at beautiful forms of nature. Once more thank you for praying for me in the past. I'm doing fairly well. I wish you much peace dear friend.

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  4. Good Morning Lovely Pat,
    You don't need to apologize for boring stories. We are here as bloggers because we want to be, to share in the simple joys of our everyday lives. I write about walking my dog most of the time, the only thing really changing is the weather. Boring? Maybe, but I love it, and it seems so do my visitors who enjoy the simple imagery from the countryside. Spring is coming soon, and it will be back to gardening. Thank goodness I will have something other than the grays of winter to photograph.
    Hugs to you,
    Andrea

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  5. I agree with you about all the political stuff on the blogs I read, I don't want to hear any more from either side, there's too much anger.
    That's not why I blog. I always enjoy your blog and think it's wonderful that your church has brought you peace and joy.

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  6. Pat, like you, I think of my blog as my happy place, but I am a political animal and it's very hard for me to restrain myself sometimes as I have plenty of views about the political events in both America and the UK. I just try to compartmentalise. On the other subject, I am having a different kind of Lent this year, a spiritual journey which I hope will lead me to a healthier place. It's lovely to join people of other denominations - at Christmas I went to a great carol service organised by the Anglican, Methodist and Pentecostal churches in my community. I'm not bored by your stories and I am glad that your cup is more than half full. Take care. x

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  7. Dear Pat,
    frankly said: I've turned off the TV and the radio as well and I try to concentrate on the beautiful things in life. I'm absolutely non-political, but I get upset with what's going on, and that's why I simply do not want to know about it any more. I'll go on with my life, making the best out of it and being kind to myself, to the people (human and feline) around me and to nature.
    I do not often write a comment, but I like reading your blogposts!
    Take care!
    marjan

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  8. Hello Pat, I found your blog on the Flashing Scissors blog. I enjoyed your post and the comments of your followers. I'm tired of hearing of evil and greed. I worship my God and leave others to worship theirs. I'm retired now so I'm a homebody most of the time. Sewing is my pastime for most of my time. I'm an animal lover as well. Look forward to seeing more of you.
    Blessing to you and yours.

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  9. I forgot to mention what a good photographer you are. Beautiful skylines.

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  10. My blog is my happy place to record my crafting and share it with others. I decided that for the most part it would be a politics free venue. I have found that very few of the blogs that I follow have any mention of the current political situation and that suits me just fine.

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