"Empty Nest” Weekend

Technically, we’re not empty nesters, we're just adjusting to our son being away at college. However, I was curious what the first weekend would bring us. It was pretty much the same as any other weekend. The weekend's highlights...

Saturday:

1. Coffee and read the paper
2. Breakfast
3. Coffee
4. Coffee
5. Mow the lawn
6. Exercise
7. Lunch
8. Clean guns
9. Movie date with Colleen! (Okay, that’s different — first one in 19 years)
10. Dinner
11. Netflix and Hopsecutioner IPA

Sunday:

1. Coffee
2. Breakfast
3. Coffee
4. Mass
5. Coffee (I’m sensing a pattern.)
6. Dry fire practice
7. Phone call with son!
8. Mid-afternoon brunch and award winning Rocko’s Milk Stout at Spencer Devon Brewery (More to come on that.)
9. Another Netflix movie

In other words, just old married folk.  Wouldn’t have it any other way.

St. Augustine, Patron Saint of Brewers

August 28 is the Feast Day of St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the patron Saints of Brewers. Now considered a Doctor of the Church, Augustine led a life of debauchery until, through the ardent prayers of his mother, St. Monica, he converted to Christianity. He died in 430 A.D.

St. Augustine of Hippo is the patron of brewers because of his conversion from a former life of loose living, which included parties, entertainment, and worldly ambitions. His complete turnaround and conversion has been an inspiration to many who struggle with a particular vice or habit they long to break. 

This famous son of St. Monica was born in Africa and spent many years of his life in wicked living and in false beliefs. Though he was one of the most intelligent men who ever lived and though he had been brought up a Christian, his sins of impurity and his pride darkened his mind so much, that he could not see or understand the Divine Truth anymore. Through the prayers of his holy mother and the marvelous preaching of St. Ambrose, Augustine finally became convinced that Christianity was the one true religion. Yet he did not become a Christian then, because he thought he could never live a pure life. One day, however, he heard about two men who had suddenly been converted on reading the life of St. Antony, and he felt terrible ashamed of himself. "What are we doing?" he cried to his friend Alipius. "Unlearned people are taking Heaven by force, while we, with all our knowledge, are so cowardly that we keep rolling around in the mud of our sins!"

Full of bitter sorrow, Augustine flung himself out into the garden and cried out to God, "How long more, O Lord? Why does not this hour put an end to my sins?" Just then he heard a child singing, "Take up and read!" Thinking that God intended him to hear those words, he picked up the book of the Letters of St. Paul, and read the first passage his gaze fell on. It was just what Augustine needed, for in it, St. Paul says to put away all impurity and to live in imitation of Jesus. That did it! From then on, Augustine began a new life. 

He was baptized, became a priest, a bishop, a famous Catholic writer, Founder of religious priests, and one of the greatest saints that ever lived. 

 Today we'll raise a toast in honor St. Augustine and persistent, loving mothers too!

Catholic Online has more on St. Augustine's life, teachings and great influence on the Church.

Gun Shot at 73,000 fps

Just because it's cool...

... and pretty amazing. This does remind me of the time I was shooting facing the sun and was distracted by all the smoke and unburnt powder sparkling in the sun.

You have to love Adam's reaction too.

Another Beer Ordering Adventure

The availability of "good beer" is so ubiquitous these days, that when the options aren't there, it's somewhat shocking. This weekend we were out of town for the college drop-off and looking for dinner. There weren't a lot of non-fast food options in the town where we stayed, so we decided on a national "Neighborhood Grill and Bar" chain restaurant. When I asked about the beer selection, I was handed this...

Noticing my grimace, the waitress added that if I was looking for "those imported beers like Yuengling," they also had a "shandy beer" and Sam Adams Summer Ale. After driving for most of the day, I really wanted a beer, so I opted for Boston Lager. After she left, I saw on the food menu an announcement for Sam Adams Octoberfest. Now that would be worth ordering; it's my favorite Sam Adams variety. I called the waitress back and inquired, but she wasn't sure if they had it yet.

In the end, it turned out the Octoberfest had replaced the Summer Ale the night before. I got my beer, even if it was a little early in the season, and all was mostly right with the world.

Monday Morning

But it is now that much closer to Friday.

H/T.

A New Chapter

This weekend we moved our son into his college dorm and thus begins a new chapter in our lives. It's a time of immense pride for Colleen and I, but also somewhat bittersweet. For 18+ years we did our best to help him grow into a man, and now he begins a new time of growth and independence.

For me, it's scary and exciting at the same time. I am proud of the man he's become and am confident he will do well in college, and will go on to make great contributions to our word. I also know there are trials that lie in front of him, and I pray he will continue to show the steadfastness and determination he has exhibited thus far in his life.

As I think about the future days in this house, it'll be quieter, and our schedules less full, and I'll miss being able to ask about his day, or hear stories of his adventures. I already am keeping a list of things I want to say or ask the next time we talk.

But, rather than feel sad or worried, I feel excited for the future — his future. He had an amazing high school experience, marked with academic achievement and unselfish service to others. I am confident he will continue to excel and contribute to the world around him. It's that knowledge that will sustain us through the days and weeks ahead.

Congratulations son, go get 'em!

Defensive, Not Defenseless, Christians

Two stories came across the news feeds in recent weeks related to the fallout from increasingly frequent attacks on churches by violent thugs in this country.

"Preachers arming themselves following church massacre" reports on a training class for religious leaders. Clergy from various denomination are taking steps to better defend themselves and their congregations. The ministers received instruction not only shooting, but also about the legal concerns, planning and situational awareness.

Photo: WWLTV

In the second story, "Church opens gun range ministry ‘in the name of Jesus Christ’," tells about a church that is helping the members of its congregation to prepare. The Rocky Mount United Methodist Church in Alabama has set up a shooting range behind the church and formed a gun club which holds training classes.

I found these stories notable as they indicate an increased awareness, and acceptance, that attacks targeting Christians are happening. Just putting a "church" sign on a building doesn't ward off those with evil intent. While any states have laws forbidding church goers from having a means of self defense, some people are realizing the naiveté of those "gun free zones."

"Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others. The defense of the common good requires that an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm. For this reason, those who legitimately hold authority also have the right to use arms to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their responsibility."

--Catechism of the Catholic Church #2265

Fitness

I’ve debated about making this post for sometime. It’s a subject I’ve been excited about for several months, but also a bit more personal than the topics I usually write about. So here’s your warning, the old, (less) fat guy is going to talk about his weight and exercise routines.

It’s no secret that enjoying good beer, and the food that goes with it, is one of the simple pleasures in my life. Colleen is an amazing cook, and our family likes to experiment and experience new flavors. I’ve always tried to be cognizant of what, and how much I eat. However, I also lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle, sitting at a desk for most of my waking hours. As a result of the food and activity levels, I found my waistline slowly creeping up, or out, and my stamina decreasing. 

Something had to be done. Last April, as we left for our Florida vacation, I recall a conversation with Colleen in which I stated I was going to do something when we got back. (I certainly wasn’t going to start a diet during vacation!) At the time I didn’t know what or how, but exercise and weight loss was in my future. Coincidently, or by divine providence, while we were on vacation I received an email from a good friend telling me about a new iPhone fitness app he had developed, Lightning Fitness.

Lightning Fitness is based on a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) routine. Before I started the program, I did some research into HIIT and thought it would work in my life. In this iPhone app, you select a "workout pack" and a time period, and the app randomly generates a program for the day. The exercise routines are 12, 15 or 18 minutes long, and you do each individual activity for 30 seconds with a 15 second rest in between, during which there is a video demonstration of the next activity. Believe me that 30 seconds can seem longer than you think. And sometimes I wonder where the 15 seconds of rest went! There are add-on modules available for more variety in the daily routines. It seemed perfect for the busy, and lazy, person.

The exercises were surprisingly tough at first. "Why am I doing Burpees right after Mountain Climber?" But it got a little easier, and after just a week or so, I could see and feel a difference. I was less achy and stiff in the morning, I felt more flexible, and I was losing weight. Interestingly, after a couple months I noticed a difference at the shooting matches. I really felt like I was controlling the gun better. I was able to get in and out of positions more quickly and with less effort. I didn’t wear down as quickly. 

It’s obvious that the better shape you are in, the better you can do physical activities. I truly believe the regular exercise has had beneficial effects on my shooting hobby, and has helped provide a balance to my love of food and good beer. What was surprising was the relative speed at which the improvements came. I found myself regretting days I had to, or chose to, skip working out. I really enjoyed the added activity. Recently I’ve added a couple of the optional workout modules to Lightning Fit for additional benefits and variety. 

I was a distance runner in college, and even though it’s been decades, I still long for the enjoyment I got from running. I’ve actually tried to get back into running numerous times over the years, and have always given up due to pain or being too out of shape to enjoy it. I decided to try again and was shocked how easily (the slow and steady) running came. The months of HIIT had built up my leg and back muscles, and endurance, to the point I could actually feel good about the runs. I’m still slowly building my endurance, and I keep the running part down to a couple times a week; I have the same old weak knee joints I’ve had for years and don’t want to risk injury.

The initial weight loss progress I experienced slowed down after a couple months. In fact, I gained a few pounds back, likely from muscle mass, even as my waistline slimmed. My weight is still trending down, and I've had to switch to a new belt as my old one was too big. I didn’t realize how much so until I was at an IDPA match recently and had run out of holes in the belt, had to keep hitching my holster up before I shot!

I firmly believe I am healthier and in better shape than I have been for decades. I’m not getting any younger, but people often think I’m younger than I am, so the vanity motivation is there to maintain that illusion. Currently I’m doing the HIIT routines several times a week, along with a couple days devoted to running. I still have my weight loss goals to meet, but I can enjoy beer and good food with less guilt and fewer side affects. 

If you don’t have a regular exercise program, I encourage you to get one. If you have an iPhone, I'd suggest Lightning Fitness as a good option. Whether you want to be ready for when the SHTF, or the next shooting match, or enjoy an extra beer, it’ll certainly pay off in the end.