Dear Diary,
This morning, I woke to a crisp, chilly breeze that signaled the start of the autumn season. Sister Mary Claire and I layered up a bit for our walk down the gravel road to St. Mary’s, with Mini happily trotting alongside us, wagging her little bottom as she darted ahead. When we arrived, I handed out today’s Gospel reading, taken from Luke 7:11-17, while Mini greeted the parishioners, bringing smiles to their faces as always.
Father Leroy’s homily was particularly moving today. He spoke about the moment Jesus resurrected the widow’s only son, emphasizing how Christ’s compassion didn’t just bring life back to the young man but restored hope to the grieving mother. "When we show compassion to others," Father Leroy said, "we’re participating in that same life-giving work of Christ. We may not be able to perform miracles, but we can bring hope and healing through small acts of kindness and love. Just as Jesus said, 'Do not weep,' we too can be a source of comfort to those around us."
I reflected on how true that is—sometimes it’s the little things that breathe new life into someone's day.
After Mass, Judy invited Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and me up to the high house for lunch, and what a delightful time it was! Tom had gone out hunting, and we enjoyed pheasant sandwiches made from his successful outing. Judy laughed as she shared a funny story about her teenage years when she and her mother used to help prepare similar sandwiches for the soldiers passing through Pierre, South Dakota, during World War II.
She said the soldiers, always full of youthful energy and mischief, would tease her as they stood in line, hungry for a good meal. “They’d ask me with big grins on their faces, ‘Did you shoot this pheasant yourself, miss?’” Judy recalled, giggling. “I’d laugh and tell them, ‘Of course! I’ve got the best aim in the county!’ They never believed me, of course, but they sure loved the sandwiches!”
She remembered those moments fondly—how the soldiers, on their way to face unimaginable danger, still found time to joke with a small-town girl handing out sandwiches at the train depot. “Those boys had a spirit that lifted everyone’s hearts,” she said, “and I’ll never forget their smiles.”
Judy shared the depot recipe for Pheasant Sandwiches, the same one she used all those years ago:
This morning, I woke to a crisp, chilly breeze that signaled the start of the autumn season. Sister Mary Claire and I layered up a bit for our walk down the gravel road to St. Mary’s, with Mini happily trotting alongside us, wagging her little bottom as she darted ahead. When we arrived, I handed out today’s Gospel reading, taken from Luke 7:11-17, while Mini greeted the parishioners, bringing smiles to their faces as always.
Father Leroy’s homily was particularly moving today. He spoke about the moment Jesus resurrected the widow’s only son, emphasizing how Christ’s compassion didn’t just bring life back to the young man but restored hope to the grieving mother. "When we show compassion to others," Father Leroy said, "we’re participating in that same life-giving work of Christ. We may not be able to perform miracles, but we can bring hope and healing through small acts of kindness and love. Just as Jesus said, 'Do not weep,' we too can be a source of comfort to those around us."
I reflected on how true that is—sometimes it’s the little things that breathe new life into someone's day.
After Mass, Judy invited Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and me up to the high house for lunch, and what a delightful time it was! Tom had gone out hunting, and we enjoyed pheasant sandwiches made from his successful outing. Judy laughed as she shared a funny story about her teenage years when she and her mother used to help prepare similar sandwiches for the soldiers passing through Pierre, South Dakota, during World War II.
She said the soldiers, always full of youthful energy and mischief, would tease her as they stood in line, hungry for a good meal. “They’d ask me with big grins on their faces, ‘Did you shoot this pheasant yourself, miss?’” Judy recalled, giggling. “I’d laugh and tell them, ‘Of course! I’ve got the best aim in the county!’ They never believed me, of course, but they sure loved the sandwiches!”
She remembered those moments fondly—how the soldiers, on their way to face unimaginable danger, still found time to joke with a small-town girl handing out sandwiches at the train depot. “Those boys had a spirit that lifted everyone’s hearts,” she said, “and I’ll never forget their smiles.”
Judy shared the depot recipe for Pheasant Sandwiches, the same one she used all those years ago:
Judy's Pheasant Sandwich
2 cooked pheasant breasts, finely shredded
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
1 tablespoon finely chopped green onions
Salt and pepper to taste
Rye or whole grain bread, toasted
Lettuce and tomato for serving
Mix the shredded pheasant with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, thyme, green onions, salt, and pepper. Spread the mixture generously on the toasted bread, top with lettuce and tomato, and serve. They’re delicious and comforting, just like Judy remembered them.
As the afternoon faded into evening, Sister Mary Claire and I retreated to the prayer wagon, where Mini nestled in at my feet. The day had been full of laughter, memories, and stories that made me grateful for the people in my life. Before drifting off, I said a special prayer for those brave soldiers who boarded the trains all those years ago, many of whom never returned home.
Evening Prayer:
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
1 tablespoon finely chopped green onions
Salt and pepper to taste
Rye or whole grain bread, toasted
Lettuce and tomato for serving
Mix the shredded pheasant with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, thyme, green onions, salt, and pepper. Spread the mixture generously on the toasted bread, top with lettuce and tomato, and serve. They’re delicious and comforting, just like Judy remembered them.
As the afternoon faded into evening, Sister Mary Claire and I retreated to the prayer wagon, where Mini nestled in at my feet. The day had been full of laughter, memories, and stories that made me grateful for the people in my life. Before drifting off, I said a special prayer for those brave soldiers who boarded the trains all those years ago, many of whom never returned home.
Evening Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of this day, for the warmth of Judy’s friendship, and the joy of remembering those who sacrificed so much for us. I lift up in prayer all the soldiers who journeyed across the sea during the war—those who came home and those who did not. May they rest in Your eternal peace, knowing their bravery and service will never be forgotten. Amen.
Until tomorrow, dear diary.
Love,
Kathy
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