2/11/2025

February 11, 2025

D+96

1905 Pope Pius X publishes the encyclical Vehementer nos

In bed a bit after 9, awake at 3:02, and up at 3:15 to read more of "Two Sisters" from Dubliners. I lit my Kitty candle and remembered her and Father Matthew 'and all the faithful departed' in my life and all the liturgy celebrations.  17° outside, and a wind chill of 4°, so far, February seems much colder than January was, on average.  WINTER STORM WATCH: Heavy snow is possible tomorrow, between 4 and 9 inches.  I'll need to go shopping and do other outside errands today. 

Prednisone, day 296, 5 mg., day 7, Kevzara, day 7/14.  2.5 mg. at 5:15 a.m. & 4:20.  Others at 5:30 p.m.

Sick bay

Last year, at this time, I was experiencing severe pain in my shoulders and wrists, unable to lift my arms, lift my laptop, or type without pain  It took 3 months before the condition was diagnosed as polymyalgia rheumatica and relieved by prednisone.    

Homo hominis lupus.   Israel and Hams accuse each other of brutal treatment of their prisoners.  I believe both sides and neither side, like the rabbi hearing two disputants. "You're right," he tells one.  "You're right," he tells the other.  "But we can't both be right," they reply.  "You're right," said the rabbi.

Trump's intervention.  (1) He is threatening to cut aid to Jordan and Egypt if they refuse to accept huge numbers of Gazans as deportees.  The aid is money the U.S. has paid for decades as indirect support for Israel.  (2) He says Israel should cancel the ceasefire agreement if Hamas doesn't release the 3 hostages due to be released, and "All hell will break out."  Does this mean direct U.S. military intervention?  American aircraft dropping American bombs on Gaza? (3)  He says he doesn't envision the Gazans returning to Gaza after they leave for Jordan or Egypt.  No right of return = a second and larger Nakba.

Busy day before tomorrow's snowstorm.  First, to MinuteMan Press in Wauwatosa to drop off journal pages for 3-hole drilling.  Second, to St. Vincent de Paul in Port Washington to drop off Geri's donations.  Then to Walmart in Saukville for bird seed, suet, canvases, soups, and other food items, a new electric toothbrush, printer ink cartridges, etc.  Then to Costco in Grafton for gas, logs, and EVOO.  Then to MetroMarket in Mequon for ice, sourdough bread, cheese, potato chips, etc.  Then to Sendik's for bacon cheddar burgers, buns, and mashed potatoes.  Then home, pooped.

Anniversary thought.  My favorite quote from any papal encyclical is from Vehementer Nos:

It follows that the church is by essence an unequal society, that is, a society comprising two categories of persons, the pastors and the flock, those who occupy a rank in the different degrees of the hierarchy and the multitude of the faithful.  So distinct are these categories that with the pastoral body only rests the necessary right and authority for promoting the end  of the society and directing all its members toward that end; the one duty of the multitude is to allow themselves to be led, and, like a docile flock, to follow the pastors.

 

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