May I Fast For You? Send Me Your Petitions.

06/22/2015 / CAstfalk / 3 Comments

Some day I’m going to write about weight and weight loss and a slew of related issues. There’s even a novel along those themes that has been percolating in the back of my brain for a while. I’ve established the main characters and formulated an idea of what makes them tick.

I’m not going to write about either of those things just yet, but I would like to bring meaning to the ever-present fasting in my life by inviting you to send me your petitions. I’m not doing a bread and water fast or any kind of wacky diet, but losing weight requires a whole lot of fasting. Fasting from certain foods and portion sizes, obviously, but also fasting from enjoyable sedentary pursuits so that I can increase my activity, fasting from self-defeating thinking, fasting from bad habits and ineffective coping mechanisms, and fasting from instant gratification. Continue reading →

Stay With Me, A Prayer by St. Pio of Pietrelcina

06/21/2015 / CAstfalk / 4 Comments

I recently came across this prayer by St. Pio of Pietrelcina. It has no title, but it could be called “Stay With Me.” Stay With Me, my novel, is a traditional love story (eros) of a man and a woman, not primarily the story of God’s sacrificial love (agape). But it’s that erotic love that serves as the strong foundation of a lasting marriage, which prepares the husband and wife for eternal union with God, who is Love. It is that union for which St. Pio begs in this prayer.

Seven Quick Takes Friday

06/19/201506/25/2018 / CAstfalk / 10 Comments

Slacker Mom Edition

Since I’ve gone from one kid to four, I’ve slacked in a multitude of ways. Obviously, the number of small people for whose welfare I’m responsible for has something to do with it. There’s also the fact that we’ve got a mix of genders and ages, ratcheting up the variety of interests and activities. Not to mention I’m old and tired.

The fact is, you cannot parent two children the same way. They may have the same parents, genes, and home, but their birth order is different. In some ways, being the mom of one or two is a different animal than parenting three or more. (It’s also easier in my opinion.) The kids have built-in playmates and companions and demand less individual attention. The best analogy my weary brain can come up with is mom’s role shifting from instructor to conductor.

(Just to be clear, these are the MOTHERING areas in which I’ve slacked. I’ve slacked in many other ways as well, but I prefer to maintain an aura of mystique around at least some of my shortcomings.) Continue reading →

Relevant Fiction Reviews: Love, War, and Sacrifice

06/15/2015 / CAstfalk / 3 Comments

Occasionally, I’ll be sharing some of my reviews here, under Relevant Fiction Reviews. I don’t review every book I read. Not even close. So these are hand-picked selections that I either loved or struck a chord with me. Maybe some time I’ll even sneak in a little nonfiction. Three of my recent reviews follow, all very different books but with similar themes.

I read two novels in one weekend, both of which dealt with the suffering endured by Iraqi and Afghanistan war vets. Both are, at their essence, love stories. One was a romance, the other was literary fiction. In both, the protagonist struggles with PTSD and the age-old question of how a loving God can allow evil. In both, we learn God’s love can heal our hurts. (A longer version of my review of Wounded Healer will appear at CatholicFiction.net.) Continue reading →

Small Success Thursday

06/11/2015 / CAstfalk / 7 Comments

Why small success? Because that’s the only kind I know! Even the big ones come in small steps. Here’s my paltry offering for the week.

I sorted through the end-of-school-year stuff. When my school-aged children returned from their last day of school with bulging backpacks, I sorted through their, ahem, stuff. Instead of piling it all somewhere to deal with “later,” I immediately funneled their art tools, projects, notebooks, and supplies into either the trash, the recycling bin, or an appropriate drawer. Some stuff came home barely used, so that should cut down on needed supplies for next school year.

Continue reading →

When Does Itching Signify Danger?

06/08/201510/09/2018 / CAstfalk / 2 Comments

During the third trimester of my first pregnancy, the soles of my feet began to itch. In frustration, I would rub my bare feet over the claw feet of our dining room table during meals. I scrubbed them over bristling carpet. Finally, my husband bought me a foot massage tool that I could rub my feet over, offering some relief from the relentless itch.

I consulted my pregnancy books, which told me itching during pregnancy was normal. Dry skin, various rashes. Just another one of the many weird side effects of pregnancy. Labor was induced at 38 weeks due to pre-eclampsia, and I delivered a healthy, baby boy.

My second full-term pregnancy passed with nary an itch.

During my third full-term pregnancy, the itching came at night. On my hands and on my soles.

About Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy
Continue reading →

Favorite Picnic Recipes – Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Salad

06/05/2015 / CAstfalk / 4 Comments

It’s time to move eating outdoors! Here is an old favorite of hours. It’s got fresh veggies, protein, and a little zing. I think I found the original in a recipe magazine published by Taste of Home.

For more picnic recipes, visit the Meatless Friday Summer Picnic Linkup.

At no time has any table I’ve set looked anything like this.

Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Salad with Tomatoes, Cucumbers & Cilantro

2 15-oz. cans black-eyed peas, drained
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
4 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 jalapeño pepper, minced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
salt and pepper, to taste

Combine all ingredients in large serving bowl. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

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Why I Remain Catholic. . .

06/04/2015 / CAstfalk / Leave a comment

Over at Patheos, Elizabeth Scalia has put out a call to answer the question “Why Do YOU Remain a Catholic?” I’ve mulled over whether I have anything new to say or whether I should say anything at all.

I spent ten years being a public voice for the Church. In some ways, I’m happy to be done with that. For an introvert that dislikes controversy, it can be exhausting. I’m happy to care for my little family, write my little stories, and discover my little niche of readers. But the niggling desire to skip this exercise felt too much like a cowardly cop-out.