Where's Dorothy?

I take pride in the fact that I'm a moderate. Apparently, when it comes to states, I'm smack dab in the middle.

You're Kansas!
You like big sunflowers, wide open spaces, and your little dog too. Whether in black and white or in color, you take life a little slower than the rest of the world, and that works just fine. You get up early, go to bed early, and would really prefer it if the Late Show were on at about 6:30 in the evening. Just when you think that this all makes life a little boring, houses might start falling from the sky.

Take the State Quiz at the Blue Pyramid.
I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.

Thanks, Susan!
She's Alaska. Now, that's some kind of state.

Interview With God

From my inbox. This is cool.
Enjoy!

By George!

My blog is worth $4,516.32.
How much is your blog worth?

Combine my "A" in 8th grade math with the "worth" of this blog and, well, I'd be set...for about a week and a half.

Spotted this at Talmida's place, which is worth much more! Very fun. And, I'm glad to say my blog is not funding my retirement.

I got an A!

Fellow math whiz Susan turned me on to this quiz which asks the question: Could you pass 8th grade math? Two factors weighed heavily on me as I took this one: (1) Math has NEVER been a strong subject for me. Never; and (2) 8th grade was a LONG, LONG time ago.

In the end, courage conquered fear and I took the test.

Alert the media! This could be the first (and last) "A" I've ever had on a math test.

The result: 90%

Woo hoo!

For the record, I will not be taking any "Could you pass 9th grade math?" quizzes.

E-mail Confession

In the world of snail mail, it's pretty simple. The postal carrier drops cards, letters, bills and holiday catalogs (already!) through my mail slot. I can't miss them. And, if I do, they just stack up until I trip over them.

Email is a lot more complicated. First of all, while I only have one mail slot in my life, I have a bunch of electronic in-boxes: work, home (mine), home (ours), and a yahoo! mail box that I set up a billion years ago and still use from time to time. Each one requires me to log in and see what's arrived. I can't just walk by and see what's come through the slot. Once I'm there, I do more deleting of spam than reading actual mail. Bottom line: It can be a headache.

So, it's easy to see how I could forget another in-box of mine: The Cafeteria Catholic! As much as I love it, somedays it's enough for me to remember I have a blog, much less a blog with an in-box.

Today, I remembered I had forgotten this little blog-related mailbox of mine. I logged on. I had mail! Some of it, I'm ashamed to say, is very old.

• My apologies to frequent cafeteria diner MA01432 who sent me (long ago) some very interesting links about the priest shortage and some online course offerings that look amazing, and inquired about my reaction to World Youth Day. (Yes, it was that long ago.) Well, MA01432, I'm on it. Watch this space. I'll post something here soon!

• Dave at Catholic Report sent a note of thanks for highlighting his new blog. My pleasure, Dave! You have a great blog there. (I thought I put it on my blogroll, but I didn't. I will!)
  

• I see that Nathan has reclaimed administration of the Alliance for Moderate, Liberal and Progressive Blogs Webring. Many thanks, Nathan!
  

• Steve's reminder of the start of the Online Retreat reminds me to get back to the online retreat, which I haven't tended to this week.

• A more recent message comes from a cafeteria visitor who is considering converting to Cafeteria Catholicism. (The more the merrier!) Now that I've finally received your message, I'll provide a prompt personal response. Welcome!

Keep those email messages coming. I'll check in much more frequently.
I promise.

Am I forgiven?

Pictured In Plastic

Susan brought you Mr. Picassohead. I'm pleased to provide the opportunity to create your likeness in Legos. Yep, that's me. (And, yes, I look exactly like that!)

Reasonably Clever lived up to its name when it created the Mini-Mizer. Check it out here. Just a few clicks and an image capture and you're in business. There's even a Kid-Safe Mini-Mizer, which features "20% fewer objectionable parts."

I love the "mission" of Reasonably Clever:

Wasting your on-line working day in one form or another for over a decade.

Somebody has to do it. Besides, who says making virtual plastic toys is a waste?

Theology on Tap

Yesterday's Washington Post had an interesting column about how today's churches are helping people find faith outside the confines of the walls of a church. The article featured examples of church ministry that ranged from aviation to golf -- whatever it takes to integrate the church into members' (and potential members') lives.

Of course, the Catholic church is doing its thing. The column highlighted an activity that made me smile:

To reach twenty-somethings, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington sends clergy into bars. The program, called "Theology on Tap," was started several years ago by the Archdiocese of Chicago. Washington Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick is sometimes the featured guest and typically draws a standing-room-only crowd of more than 500 as he delivers a light sermon and fields questions, said archdiocese spokeswoman Susan Gibbs.

Where was this ministry when I was in college?

Cafe Picasso

I've spent more time reading other blogs lately than I have been writing in this one. I've especially enjoyed Susan's musings during a very exciting (and inspiring) time in her life.

One of her recent posts sent me off to create my own Mr. Picassohead. Pretty fun, mindless, and perhaps someday: priceless.

Retreat Treats

Keeping with the "retreat" theme for a moment -- I discovered I don't have to go far to enjoy the benefits of a retreat. Creighton University's Online Retreat is as close as my keyboard. Many thanks to Steve for enrolling a group of 30 or so to go through the process together. We started a few weeks ago, but you can start anytime!

One of the most pleasant treats of this retreat are the stunning photographs by Father Don Doll. The photo above is the "view" for week 3 of the retreat. Following a retreat suggestion, I've set is as wallpaper on my desktop this week. A bottle of wine for two by candelight in front of this sweeping vista -- Ahhh! -- that's a powerful reminder of our Creator.

To see more of Fr. Doll's amazing visual storytelling, visit Magis Productions, where his photos are available for purchase. Thank you, Father!