The wonders of the weekend :- )
Sunday afternoon was spent walking among the trees, which are still bare and brown:
Wake up earth! Wake up trees!
The swans know it's spring. They are nesting again :- )
And, this handsome drake is looking for a mate.
But, who is this? I've never seen a bird like it before. I think it might be a female Hooded Merganser. Does anyone know for sure?
I'm still so happy from the weekend. Z received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Friday, and I get holy chills whenever I reflect on it. The Mass was especially beautiful to me with our bishop as Celebrant. As Catholics we believe that in this Sacrament our baptism is confirmed, and our life in Christ is strengthened as we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. From the Catholic Encyclopedia:
Confimration imparts: an increase of sanctifying grace which makes the recipient a "perfect Christian" (over time!), and a special sacramental grace consisting in the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost and notably in the strength and courage to confess boldly the name of Christ.
L sat quietly through the whole thing! It was the first time he has ever sat through an entire Mass. Afterward, we went out to dinner at Z's favorite restaurant, and then went home and ate cake together while Z opened his gifts. S was his sponsor. Z took the name of St. Christopher, the Christ Bearer, as his own, and S gave him a gold St. Christopher medal. He also received a new Bible from his father and me, and money from his grandparents. It has been a beautiful journey for our family these last seven years, as God has brought us into full communion with His holy Church.
Saturday night was a rocking good time at Johnny D's! S and Z performed together in their rock ensemble from the music school. S sang, and Z played lead guitar. Here's a video of them playing a cover of Guns and Roses, Sweet Child O' Mine. Z's the one with the bright red hair all the way to the right. It's kind of a long video, and Z's guitar solo doesn't start until 3:50 minutes into it.
