5 Quick Takes Saturday - Vol 4

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I am considering once again changing my blog template. I know, I know you are all thinking (my old readers, anyhow) "GAH! She is forever changing her blog template!" Well, I half-heartedly apologize for that. Honestly, I could no more keep the same look on my blog than wear the same outfit three times in one week. Just my feminine nature, I presume. What is especially tempting is that the website has a bunch of really cute, free blog templates AND it doesn't get rid of all your sidebar thingys! I wouldn't have to ditch all my junk! Ha ha, well I suppose you'll know whether or not I decide. Teehee, I might even decide before the end of this blog post! Ah, decisions, decisions... I am in an indicive mood, family beware!
(Here is the website, in the meantime)

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While at one of the several girl's clubs I belong too the other day, (this one is titled 'The Saint Faustina Club') our leader mentioned a tradition that her family has. At the begining of the year, each family member picks the name of a saint from a hat and that saint becomes their special patron for the year. All the club members did it as well, and I got Bl. Damien of Molokai, a truly amazing saint! Since he is my special patron of the year now, I shall most certainly do a post or two on his life.
My sister ended up with Saint Joseph the Worker, which I doubt is merely a 'coincidence', since St. Jospeh the Worker is one of my family's patron saints - not to mention his feast is also the anniversary of my sister's baptism!
I encourage you to pick your own patron saint for the year. Randomly write down a few saints names on slips of paper and then pick one, or leave a comment and I'd be happy to pick one for you.
All our patron saints, pray for us!

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In this same club, we are studying Ireland, and as part of our learning, we are putting on a small performance for our families. We divided into two groups and each group is decided to put on a skit. One group, Saint Brigid, and the other group, St. Dymphna. I am in the group for St. Dymphna and am playing the role of her father, King Damon. It is quite an interesting role. A bit of background on him: Damon was a pagan married to a devout Catholic woman whom he dearly loved. After she died, he went insane and tried to marry his daughter, Dymphna. She refused, fleeing the country with a priest and a few friends. Damon perused her to Belgium. When he caught up with her, he had the priest killed and then - when Dymphna again refused him - he killed her as well.
So that's who I get to play! I'm actually looking forward too it. This would be the third time I've played a guy (1st was St. Patrick, 2nd time was Angry Mob/St. Jude), so I'll be perfecting my 'guy stance' some more; aka: not standing with my hands folded/clasped, one leg slightly out, the other one slightly bent... no "girly" poses.
I also came up with this cool costume, and I actually look like a guy when I add the make-up beard. Kinda weird... but it's fun.

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The other day, some friends of mine and I were discussing how different actresses/singers look without make-up. Rephrase that - they were discussing, I was listening, as usual. I've seen pictures of some of these young ladies (Kiera Knightly for example) and it's amazing how you would never recognize them! Knightly especially I was shocked, she look like she was about 50 and she is oh what, 24-ish? It's really a shame. They don't look happy either, it's really sad. So they are popular, but at what price?
I was pleasantly surprised though when I looked up Liv Tyler (Arwen from the Lord of the Rings). She is very beautiful with make-up... but I'd say she is even prettier without it! She even looked happy... I know she's an actress, so you can't ever really be sure, but maybe. Hmmm, topic for a full post maybe.

-5-

Ok, something quick for the last quick take.. something funny... aha! Got it! Stay here and don't move while I find 'em...

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Now it's your turn! Below is a Mr. Linky List if you'd care to link to your own 5 Quick Takes Saturday post. Just two things though
(1) Make sure the URL you submit is to your post, not the URL of your blog. (2) Include a link back here.
Can't wait to see what you post!

A Quiet Little Woman: A Christmas Story, by Louisa May Alcott.

These past few weeks, the Theater Troupe I belong to has been preparing a short skit adapted from Lousia May Alcott's story A Quiet Little Woman. We performed it on Tuesday for a woman's group, who was celebrating their 50th anniversary. Here are some pictures (taken by my mother) from the performance.
The story is about an orphan girl named Patty, who just wants to find "luxury, pleasure, rest and comfort". Jane's brother and his wife later adopt Patty as a servant in their household. A year passes, without love for Patty from the family, and many letters from Miss Jane. Christmas comes around, and Aunt Jane and the Murrays all go out to see the Nutcracker. Jane is upset when she realizes that the Murrays left Patty at home and is irritated at their attitude towards her. On the way home, she reads the Murrays some of Patty's letters, and the Murrays all realize for the first time the little girl who had been thirsting for love and belonging in their home. The next day, Christmas Day, they all surprise her with a stocking filled with presents and - more importantly to Patty - a place in their hearts and homes. Aunt Jane also has a surprise for Patty; she is friends with the dancers from the Nutcracker who come to the house and do a little dance for them all.
The story ends with Patty thanking God for all that he has given her, and sharing with Aunt Jane that she doesn't want riches and pleasures anymore, her new family is all she could ever want.

Me, as Mrs. Maria Murrey. My mom overheard one lady say "That mom is a real witch!" *cries* Well, at least she meant the character and not me! And really, I don't think Mrs. Murray was a witch, she was just treating her servants the way she'd been taught.

"Oh I wish someone would come and adopt me... I am pale skinny, and very shy. With my crooked shoulder, I'm afraid no one will ever want me."

"Can't you make friends and fortunes for yourself?"
"How can I?"
"By cheerfully taking whatever comes your way.... and by wasting no time in dreaming about what may happen, but bravely making each day a comfort and pleasure to those around you."

"They are kind to me, yet no one loves me. ...no one notices anything but a servant girl."



"At home of course, where else would she be? Goodness, you didn't expect for us to bring her too!"
"I did! ...If the show wasn't about to begin, I'd go and get her myself."

"Oh hush, the Nutcracker is about to begin!"

"Patty is a dull, steady going girl who is suited for a servant but no more!"

"Now listen all of you... 'I am grateful, but oh! I'm so lonely.... I know I am not attractive, but my crooked shoulder is always being made fun of... I can't help that part of me."

"I think we all see Patty in a different way, now that Aunt Jane has read us her letters."
"I know that whatever we decide to do I want to change and make things better in the new year."

"Oh look, she is sleeping on the floor! What a pretty little sight, even if it is the kitchen floor."


"Is it really you? I was so afraid you wouldn't come, I cried myself to sleep!"

""For me? Oh, you all do care for me!"

"Christmas is the time for all sorts of pleasant miracles, and I have a surprise too..."

"...since you didn't get to see the performance last evening, they [the dancers] have agreed to come and do a little dance for you."

"Will you still be dreaming of friends that are to come for you someday with fortunes in their pockets?"
"No Ma'am, I feel as if I found my folks. I don't want any finer fortune than the love they've given me today."

The End.

From Left to right:
Mrs. Murray (me), my daughter Ella and my daughter Joan.

Mrs. Murray and Patty
(AKA me and my sister 'Yaviel'.)

This Advent and Christmas season, be sure to look around for those who want love, but have no one to give it to them. You don't need to look far and wide either, all to often, some of the people who want or need love the most are right under our noses.

Announcing the Upcoming Preformance of...

THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST

written by Thoedore Dubois

Directed by Simonetta Pacek

Sung by the Passion and Most Blessed Sacrament Choirs

Accompanied by a beautiful Orchestra

and

Preformed by the Little Flowers Catholic Dance and Theater Troupe

"The Seven Last Words of Christ" consists of Christ's 7 last phrases from the Cross (e.g.: "Father, why have you forsaken me?"). The work is a sacred, classical masterpiece, written for an orchestra, chorus, and vocal soloists. The Troupe will create a complimentary live theatrical setting for the musical work, with actors and visual effects. This is a lovely and moving, Lenten meditation.

For Tickets and more information, visit the Little Flowers Catholic Dance and Theater Troupe website.