Pic(s) Of The Day - 12.31.15 - End Of The Year

Let's face it. I'm not as young as I used to be and I feel my energy level dropping. I fall asleep in a chair watching the telly. I end up dropping my phone and/or my glasses. I've determined that scrolling through Instagram or Facebook is hypnotizing and can put me to sleep.

If you've been following me for awhile, you know that I have gotten way behind with my posts. For the most part, I've been taking the picture(s) of the day and then playing catch up. Also, if you've been following me, you know that I attend St. Anne Catholic Church in Houston and typically once a month I help with a 5:00PM Mass.

I guess it was appropriate that the year ended with me back at church on the evening of 12/31/15, as an extraordinary minister for the 6:00PM Mass. Some people know that January 1 is recognized in the Roman Catholic Church as The Solemnity of Mary and is a holy day of obligation. New Year's Day is not a holy day of obligation.

I was quite content being at church on the evening of 12/31/15. It seems that toward the end of the year, the were numerous deaths within the families of my circle of friends. There were also many people who became ill. The prayer list has been long. So rather than makes plans to be out with the amateurs, I went home after Mass; after counting my blessings.

The Christmas decor was still up. This church is so beautiful on the inside, it really doesn't need much decor. And all through Mass, I kept staring at the poinsettias so I thought I would share that with you.

Pic Of The Day - 12.27.15 - Nativity

I made it back in time to fulfill my monthly obligation of assisting at the 5:00PM Mass at St. Anne. As usual, the church looked beautiful with all of the Christmas decor.

And let's not forget the reason for the season.

And, speaking of all things spiritual not really but it sounds good, my guardian angel was working overtime on the drive back to Houston from Ft. Worth. I know I drove through 3 of the 4 seasons and it wasn't pleasant.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 11.23.15 - Scenes From A Sunday

Pic(s) Of The Day - 03.22.15 - Scenes From A Sunday

I took some really great photos on Sunday and had to share all of them with you!

I was at a stop light and noticed this railing adorned with stickers. This is only a fraction of the stickers.

The perfect combination of blue sky, clouds and sunset. That is Greenway Plaza and The Galleria area skyline.

 

It was my Sunday to help at 5:00PM Mass at St. Anne's. Before the congregation arrived, the church was dark and peaceful.

 

Pic(s) Of The Day - 01.11.15 - (fill in the blank)

Sunday, like Saturday, which was life Friday, which was like Thursday, well you get the picture was gloomy. Not only was it gloomy, it was wet!

Because I had a meeting in the afternoon, I knew that I would not be able to make the 5:00PM Mass at St. Anne Catholic Church so I woke up extra early, waited for the rain to subside, walked The Calvinator and then made it to the 7:00AM Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.

I was a bit surprised that the Nativity scene was still up and all of the Christmas decorations but hey, I'm not complaining.

And then there is this collage of photos.

The only way I could get The Calvinator to pose was to offer him treats. This is his new haircut.

Things didn't work out like I wanted them to on the the previous day. He had a scheduled appointment at Dirty Hairy for a 12:00PM grooming but when we arrived, he wasn't on the books and he couldn't be worked in. That's OK for people with flexible schedules but I'm not one of those people anymore. Plus, the place isn't that convenient anymore because of the move.

Needless to say, I wasn't not please with the situation and it's the second time something similar has happened to me at that establishment. So...we trotted our happy asses out of the establishment and I sat in the car trying to figure out what my next move would be. I then remembered that in The Calvinator's new 'hood, there is a Petsmart so I called and they were able to work him in.

I think he looks adorable but the reaction I received would tell me otherwise. He really didn't want to have anything to do with me when I picked him up and when we arrived at his crib. He really needed a trim because his bangs were so long, he walked into a wall one day and into a car one night. Regardless of what HE thinks, I think he looks muy guapo.

The Final Pic(s) Of The Day for 2014 - 12.31.14 - New Year's Eve

In the Roman Catholic Church, January 1 is a holy day of obligation. It is the Solemnity of Mary.

And it seems that in 2014, I spent quite a bit of time praying for various reasons and people so I really did feel obligated to attend the vigil Mass at St. Anne. I approached the church from a different direction and decided to park in front of the church instead of the back parking lot.

The lights were just coming on and it the bell tower was glowing.

On Sunday, I didn't take a photo of the church decorated for Christmas. It really doesn't need much ornamentation.

And how did I spend the remainder of the evening? At home with The Calvinator. I didn't have any chilled champagne so I opened a bottle of pinot grigio, had some chicken enchilada hash and watched Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin on CNN ring in the new year.

Pic Of The Day - 11.16.14 - Ofrenda

Every year, St. Anne Catholic Church constructs an ofrenda to observe Dia de los Muertos.  This was the first opportunity I had to take a photo.

Pic Of The Day - 10.26.14 - Lighting

It was my Sunday to help at the 5:00PM Mass at St. Anne Catholic Church.  I always enjoy arriving early because the church is so peaceful.

I walked around the church before Mass started and there was something about this view that captured my eyes.

Pic Of The Day(s) - 10.04.14 - Blessing Of The Animals

 Saturday was the feast of St. Francis of Assisi and there was a blessing at St. Anne's.  I took The Calvinator and once again, he was very popular. Everyone wanted to talk to The Calvinator.

The service included hymns and prayers and dog treats.  Additionally, the priests walked to each individual animal and sprinkled them and their owner with holy water.  The Calvinator wasn't so sure about that part of the ceremony and even the priest commented on The Calvinator's stare.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 05.11.14 - The Crane! The Crane!

There is construction going on on the former site of Café Adobe.  It's directly across the street from St. Anne's.  It's been bothering me because the crane hovers over Westheimer.

Pic Of The Day - 04.27.14

There is always something so peaceful about being in St. Anne Catholic Church before Mass starts, before everyone starts coming in and before the lights are turned up.

Every fourth Sunday of the month, I assist with communion.  We have to get there early to receive our assignments.  Logistically it is easier for me to sit in the side chapel rather than sit in the pews.  When I sit in the side chapel, I have an obstructed view but this view more than makes up for it.

As I See It

I snapped this photo at St. Anne's waiting for the 5:00PM Mass to start.  I was in the side chapel and the lights had not yet been turned on.

Photo - January 1, 2012

St. Anne Catholic Church in Houston is a beautiful church. There is little need for decorating it with floral arrangements. I always like the flowers at Christmas. In the Roman Catholic faith, January 1 is The Feast of the Solemnity of Mary which in 2012 coincided with Sunday Mass.