Yesterday was a typical St. Patrick's Day in Ohio   . . . snow, wind and cold.  My daffodil stems are frozen.  I fear that they will not rebound.

And speaking of St. Patrick, remember my yearly visits to the nun I had in grades 2 and 8?  Her previous name was Sister Mary St. Patrick, until years ago when the Notre Dame sisters were able to use their given name, so she became Sister Marian Coughlin.  She passed away on March 14 at the age of 97.  I will be out of town or I would go to her memorial mass.

How can you adequately thank someone you've never met for a gift?  I "met" Jody from Wisconsin because of the You Tube videos of my home.  You can find the videos here and here.  We are very like-minded and I am gobsmacked by her generosity.  A surprise arrived in the mail recently.  My first Arnett Santa.  She had wanted to send it to me before Christmas but the artist who has them made was too overwhelmed with orders.  A gift I will treasure forever.  It is amazing the friends I have never met because of my blog.  Thank you Jody!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Sister Visit ~

The eighth grade class of 1966 has been visiting Sister Marian Coughlin since 2018, just missing a couple of the Covid years.  We had her as a teacher in 2nd grade and as a half day teacher in the 8th grade.  Back then, she was known as Sister Mary St. Patrick, but took her maiden name when Notre Dame nuns were able to do so.  She will soon be 97.  Still sharp as a tack but very hard of hearing, sad to say.  Back in the day she was this larger than life figure and she really is such a tiny little thing.  She was so excited about our visit.  One of our classmates also became a Notre Dame nun, so Sister Valerie is there for each visit, too.  I didn't get a picture, but it doesn't seem right that a nun can wear capri pants and sandals 😁

Yesterday's trip to Michigan was uneventful . . . the best kind.  I got most of my little Maria Barton sheep hooked but had not cut enough wool.  When finished it will be attached to a vintage picnic basket and used as a raffle prize at our guild's hook in.

Tomorrow.  ARGH!!!  I have a two day hooking class with Jenny Smallridge of the Wooly Horse.  She is going to be teaching her style of scrappy hooking.  Lots of alternative fibers to be used.  Have I even begun to pull wool for class?  Uh, no.  Somehow it will get done tonight.  I am not a fan of using anything other than wool for hooking (remember Saundra's challenge a few years ago?), but I am putting on my big girl panties and will use some!  I have chosen to hook her scrappy horse.  Sue from Vernon Junction is coming to class and will spend the night with me since I am only 35 minutes from the class venue and she is much farther.

MUST get busy!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

You Learn Something New Every Day ~

Did you know there is a difference between a "nun" and a "sister"?  Until yesterday, I did not.  According to Bing, the difference between a sister and a nun is mainly the type of vows they take and the lifestyle they lead.  A nun takes solemn vows, which are lifelong and unbreakable and lives in a monastery or convent, where she devotes herself to prayer and work.  A sister takes simple vows, which are renewable and can be dispensed, and often works outside the convent in various ministries, such as education, health care, or social service.

In the past I have shared visits with the Sister I had in both the 2nd and 8th grade.  Yesterday, 12 of us went and visited her once again.  She was so delighted to see us.  Sister Marian Coughlin of the Sisters of Notre Dame (back in the day she was known as Sr. Mary St. Patrick . . . and at some point in the past they had the opportunity to change their name and she took her maiden name) is still sharp as a tack going on 96. 

Also in the group was Sister Valerie, one of our classmates who began her journey to a life with God after the 8th grade and has been a Sister for many decades.  Having grown up in the era when Sisters were covered head to toe and the only thing visible was their face, it seemed so strange to see Sister Valerie in capri pants and sandals 😇

Here's hoping next year we can celebrate Sister Marian's 97th birthday!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

75th Jubilee ~

About a dozen members of the 1966 8th grade class of St. Joseph School took a little road trip to visit our 2nd and 8th grade teacher, Sister Marian Coughlin.  We knew her as Sister Mary St. Patrick, but at some point Notre Dame nuns were able to revert to their given name.  This is the third time we have visited in the last five years.  She just celebrated her 75th Jubilee (75 years of being a nun) and is turning 95 next month.  She doesn't hear too well but she is still sharp as a tack!

The guy behind her is the one who has organized our get togethers.  The lady to the right is Sister Valerie, who was one of our classmates, and just celebrated her 50th Jubilee.

If anyone would like to send Sister Marian a card (her birthday is July 19) I will be happy to send you her snail mail address.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs😊

Lauren

My Bags Aren't Packed ~ but I'm Ready to Go!

Greetings :)

Today is the day.  Grandson Jake, four pumpkin rolls and I are heading west to Las Vegas.  Thankfully we don't need to leave for the airport until 5:30 pm because I've waited until the last minute to pack.  Some things never change.

I snagged a group picture from Facebook of all of us that visited Sister Mary St. Patrick (nka Sister Marian Coughlin) and thought I would share.

I know some of you will find this hard to believe, but I really am a homebody and these back to back trips are about killing me.  Knowing this trip is to visit my #1 bad boy makes it all worthwhile.  I spoke with him the other night and he, too, is excited about our visit.

I figured I'd better post the last of the California pictures :)  I just have to share the flowers.  They were all so gorgeous and I've never seen so many roses.  They must love the weather there.  Well, in going through my pictures I realize I didn't take as many as I thought I did, but believe me, the roses were just wonderful.

 

 

I've never seen these before.  They had to be at least 10-12 feet tall.
 

Growing wild

Next to a house



The upper portion was covered in purple flowers

 

 

In the ladies room at the winery.  Just beautiful.

 

 

That's all folks.  Will tell you all about my trip upon my return.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Bus Trip ~

 

I am not a bus trip person.  I went on one about 20 years ago to Toronto to see Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon.  After that trip, I decided if I was going anywhere, it would not be by bus.  Well . . . never say never. 

 

A little background.  I finished 8th grade in 1966.  Catholic school for 8 years.  There were 50 of us in the 8th grade class, and mind you, no teacher's aid, no other teacher (music, art, etc) whatsoever.  My second and eighth grade teacher was a Sisters of Notre Dame nun, Sister Mary Saint Patrick.  She has since taken her maiden name and is now Sister Marian Coughlin.  A few of my former classmates got together to reminisce and discovered that Sister was still alive, living in the Notre Dame facility about an hour and a half from here and arranged a trip.  Surprisingly only one person from our class is deceased.  I believe 15 of us went to visit her yesterday.  I'd say that was a pretty good percentage, and there were three others who at the last minute could not make it.  We had heard that sister was very excited that we were coming.  She was waiting for us at the door when we arrived :)

 

The day was started by going to Mass.  Sister even did one of the readings.

 

She is just a tiny little thing.  We all remembered her as being much taller . . . or was it because we were just much shorter?

 

 

Sister is turning 90 in July and also celebrating her 70th year as a nun.  Her mind is still sharp as a tack and she remembered all of us.

 

This is one of our classmates from school, Caroline.  In 1966, at the age of 14, she went to the convent and has been a nun ever since.  She is now known as Sister Valerie, though we still called her Caroline (with her blessing).

Even though Sister uses a walker, she came to the bus to wish us a final farewell.  A few tears were seen streaming down her face.  What a heartwarming visit.

Off to bake pumpkin rolls.  Not one of my favorite things to do, but grandson Jake and I are leaving Wednesday evening to visit my son Bill in Las Vegas.  I'm not sure which Bill is looking forward to more, seeing me or getting pumpkin roll :)

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren