7 quick takes friday (vol. 6)

Below, find my random thoughts of the week. For more Friday “Quick Takes,” see Conversion Diary.

1. How I know for sure it’s spring: Earlier this week, I posted some photos of the kids and their neighbors jumping on a trampoline out back (in the neighbors’ yard just beyond our back fence). It was my first “how I know it’s spring” visual. Here’s another. Those of you who were with me back in January may have caught my post featuring our neighbor’s wooden yard crane. I couldn’t help but feel this crane was expressing our emerging feelings of being completely buried in winter. Seeing the crane now reminds me of how exhilarating it feels to finally shed the heaviness of winter. But as you can see, it’s collected a few nicks in the process — again, representing the feelings of many of us, I’ll bet.

2. How I know for sure it’s spring in Fargo:

Today

N/A | 39°
Rain Showers Likely
Fri

48° | 31°
Slight Chance Rain/Snow
Sat

48° | 31°
Slight Chance Rain/Snow

3. How I know for sure it’s soccer season (passenger’s side of my van at 8:30 p.m. this evening):

4. Why Elizabeth’s soccer practices will not take place at the Centennial Elementary soccer field this spring:

Yes, this used to be a very green, flat, beautiful soccer field. It’s hard to believe. Wish I had a “before” shot. It was dug up something fierce during the flood fight; the earth was needed to build dikes nearby.

5. My thoughts on singing sensation Susan Boyle.

6. What I’m most excited about this weekend: It’s huge. Elizabeth and 69 other young candidates will receive First Eucharist and be Confirmed into the Catholic Church. This evening, I took her out for cider at a local coffee shop to talk with her about her full initiation into the Church.

She’s chosen my mother as her sponsor, and St. Cecilia, patron saint of music, for her saint name. She will be Confirmed by Bishop Samuel Aquila as Cecilia, not Elizabeth. Though we don’t plan to retire her birth name (meaning: gift from God) anytime soon, we trust St. Cecilia will be with Elizabeth in a special way from here on out. More on St. Cecilia.

7. A mnemonic device Elizabeth used to help in preparing for the final two Sacraments of Initiation: “Wook poof,” or WUCKPFF. Hint: the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Anyone want to take a stab at what they stand for?

Wishing you a wonderful, warm, windless weekend!