Domestic Hermit
Blogging in the solitude of the domestic Church.
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Promise!
I know it has been a while so I promise I will post something today. Maybe about “Humble Francis” (grrr?!?!)? Or Doomsday Preppers? Or study?
Anyway, hope to post today sometime.
Quick Merton quote
I know I have not written for sometime (read: two months!). Things have been happening and moving but nothing I feel like sharing at the moment. So here is a quote from Thomas Merton that I came to mind during Mass on Sunday:
I need solitude for the true fulfillment which I seek – that of being ordinary.
That should really be linked with this memorial Merton quote:
For me to be a saint means to be myself. Therefore the problem of sanctity and salvation is in fact the problem of finding out who I am and of discovering my true self.
Round 3 Week 1
This week was the beginning of two two matches after the grading rounds. Both Mornington sides batted.
U17s (Home) vs Sorrento
The young Pubs made a staggering 3/261 off 45 overs. There was some lofty hitting from the openers. No 1 had a bat and made a respectable 3. Sorrento, to my counting, were short 3 players so most of the match there was only a sweeper on the leg-side making scoring easy. The day ended with a ramp shot!
U13s (Home) vs Mt Eliza
U13a made 9/153 off 40 overs. It looked like it was going to be a disaster after being 4/19 off 8. No 3 went in at 5 and steadied the ship. He batted for almost 20 overs for 26 in a partnership that took the side to 5/122!
Bring on next week!!
Round 2
Rather than a lengthy description of this week’s matches, I’ll just post the brief scores and a little personal commentary.
U17 (Home) vs Rosebud
Rosebud batted first and made 6/142. No 1 field in the outfield again. Rosebud were an extremely good batting side. But, as often happens, the spinners claimed some vital wickets towards the end to stop the runs.
Mornington, in response, made 5/113. No 1 did not get a bat and is “stat-less” for the first two rounds. Good effort by all but just not enough on the day.
U13a (Away) vs Frankston YCW
Frankston batted first and were all out for 48. No 3 took 1/5 of 2.3 overs. He has now taken 1/10 of 4.3 overs in the first two rounds.
In response Mornington made 2/97. No 3 did not get a bat. Luckly the rain stayed away and everyone enjoyed a nice morning of cricket.
Next two weeks are home games for both sides so maybe I can get a little sleep in on the weekend!!!
Round 1
Both the boys played their first match for the season. While both results were close they ended up on different sides of the equation.
No 1 played a T20 away with the U17s. It rained most of the day and play was stopped for about 10 minutes in the first innings. The pitch placement was a little strange with one boundary being about double the length of the other. No 1 fielded in the outfield most of the day. A number of dropped catches in the first 10 overs cost in the end.
The home-side was two players short so No 1 and a friend substituted. The end result was that the U17s lost by two runs after being ahead of the run rate most of the day. There was a collapse at the end – three wickets in one over. The weather did not help with constant rain!
No 3 played at home the next day. No rain! Bright sunny day. Again a T20 to start the season.
Maybe the fielding can best be described as a tale of missed chances. No 3 spent most of the day at Mid-Off. He said in the car on the way to the game that he was going to take a wicket with his first ball. We both had a little laugh – first game of U13s and he was not even sure he’d get a bowl. He did all he could to make that come true – tossed up leggie that got the top edge and went straight up. Alas, the catch was not taken. In fact, No 3 had two catches dropped and also had a stumping chance – of a wrong’un (!!) – missed. Yet he was happy with 0/5 of his two overs.
Again the chase started well. But a steady fall of wickets kept the pressure on. No 3 came in at Number 7 with 32 runs to get. A number of wickets fell around him but he kept a cool head and brought the side home. He made 15no.
It was a great way for No 3 to start the season. I think No 1 enjoyed himself. A good weekend of cricket all around!
Day 28 – the END!
I have decided to finish the 40 Days without FB early! My knee is sore and I have just about had enough of no Bejeweled. So, using the need to check local cricket news as an excuse, I am back on FB. I admit I have enjoyed not worrying about it and some of the good habits I have learned I can use in the future. Anyway, cricket season starts for real this Saturday!!!! (And, if you really need to know, I am going to post summaries of the boys’ games here.)
Day 27 – Knee problems
I would not normally blog two days in a row. In fact, I have been trying to not use the computer on consecutive days. Alas, the best laid plans and all that. Before going to cricket training last night I twisted my knee. It is sore now and I am finding moving about not easy. So I am sitting in front of the computer instead of doing housework. The house will have to wait today and hopefully tomorrow my knee will be a little better. I certainly hope so – there is Under 13s training tomorrow night and I was hoping of doing some Leg Spin drills with No 3.
Anyway, I have read a couple of blogs that I would not normally read – something that maybe I should not do again – and the local Catholic paper online – lovely pictures. Most of what passes for “discussion” in the blogosphere is marginally more than narcissism. There are some good personal posts. But these are not intended as discussion, or worse, evangelism. The internet is the place where even the most bizarre and far-fetched ideas will find an audience. And, with our consumer mentality, people feel they can mix and match between ideas. Further, I wonder what picture a non-Christian – or a non-Catholic – gets of the faith from the constant disagreements even from those who claim the same ground? With a few exceptions, new media is just another way of saying “Look at me! Join me!”. And, with St Paul, I should really say, “And I am the worst of all!”.
I am coming to realise that no matter how hard I try I do not align well with the mainstream. I know that I should not be disappointed at that but I am. I think all my life I have been on the outer and have tried my hardest to fit in. But I am just not that person! Maybe it is the knee but all that is depressing me.
Anyway, I am going to have a cup of tea and retreat into a book.
Day 26 (I think)
I admit I have lost count of how many days it has been!!!
Just thought I would do a quick post to share some really great news for us: No 3 (No 2 son) has been selected to play for the “upper” Under 13s side for his cricket club!!!! No one in the family was expecting it – but all hoping for it – so it came as quite a shock when they announced it yesterday after training. He is absolutely over the moon. He has trained really hard and has even put in time away from training to work on his bowling.
With No 1 playing for the Under 17s, I have considered setting up a bed at the club as we are there five nights a week.
Also, would you pray for a personal intention. I am not ready to share it but I am pretty certain that God is leading me personally down this path – my spiritual director has very much encouraged me to go down this path. Yet personal anxiety etc is stopping the process from proceeding.
Day 19 – the New is always Old!
I have been reading about the Hierachy of needs by American psychologist Abraham Maslow. Simply put as human beings progress in their development they move up the “pyramid” – from Deficiency Needs to Being Needs.
Now my point: how is that any different than what St Augustine says in The Confessions:
On account of all these, and such as these, is sin committed; while through an inordinate preference for these goods of a lower kind, the better and higher are neglected—even You, our Lord God, Your truth, and Your law. (2.5.10)
Ok, it might be a little different but the idea is the same: we are spiritually (psychologically) stunted by a chaotic striving for the lower goods (the Deficiency Needs, according to Maslow) thereby ignoring the higher good (the Being Needs). As I read I am struck again and again that most of the insights of modern psychology are there is St Augustine’s Confessions, alas using different language.
Anyway, just thought I would share that!
The Prayer to Our Mother of Good Counsel
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Disclaimer
All opinions expressed by the author of this blog are those of the author alone, and are in no way to be taken as the opinions of the Catholic Church. This blog is offered in the spirit of Canon 212 §3 of the Code of Canon Law. The author in all issues submits to the ultimate judgment of the living Magisterium.
