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Interest - education; geography; photography; travel; discernment; spiritual growth - growth in knowledge, wisdom & love

Entry for December 01, 2007: I've been swamped for quite a while and haven't attended to my blog. I'm less stressed now. I quit my job at Fontbonne University and still continue to teach at the University of Missouri at St. Louis. I now have time to workout three times a week and I have lunch with my wife at least twice a week. On Tuesday and Thursday, I get to sleep a couple hours longer than I did before. I really like my new schedule. I hope all is well with my 360 friends. I'll try to check my blog more often. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and are preparing for the year-end holidays of whatever type you might celebrate. With the decreasing value of the dollar compared to the Euro, we won't be planning any trips to Italy for a while. With dropping one of my jobs, our travel plans may be cut back for a while to short relatively local little jaunts. May you all be blessed.

Joe

Saturday December 1, 2007 - 10:19am (CST) Permanent Link | 3 Comments
Entry for August 14, 2007: The retreat was wonderful -- it usually is. I mostly listened to Fr. Buhler's talks and then rested in my room. I spent a lot of time napping with God. I'm 65, 100 lbs overweight, recovering from surgery, my knees give me a lot of pain, and I'm slightly asthmatic. So I took many naps with God. No talking, just being together. I think God wanted me to rest more than anything. I did a little spiritual reading and I spent time praying for my perceived needs, my family needs, world problems, and for the welfare of my friends. I offered prayers of gratitude too -- I have so much to be thankful for, including my 360 friends. As always, the sunrise on the Mississippi River was breathtaking.

Tuesday August 14, 2007 - 10:14am (CDT) Permanent Link | 2 Comments
retreat weekend August 09, 2007: I'll be leaving from work today to go on my annual three-day silent retreat with the Jesuits at White House Retreat. I'll keep all my 360 friends in my prayers. Today is expected to be the hottest day so far this summer (102 is expected with humidity). I'm afraid I won't be doing too much outside this year. Most of the time, except for going between buildings, I'll be in airconditioning: my room, the chapel, the dining room, and the lounge. This morning at 6:00 a.m. it was 84 degrees and humid. Keep us in your prayers, particularly the old ones -- at 65, I'm at about the median age for the group. The purpose of the retreat is to shut out the world and make myself available to God -- mostly listening, not asking or telling God things. It has always helped me get prepared to begin the school year. I start teaching on August 20.

Peace,

Joe

Thursday August 9, 2007 - 01:10pm (CDT) Permanent Link | 2 Comments
Released by the doctor August 04, 2007: Yesterday, I saw my surgeon for the second time since the surgery. He said all looks well and released me. I can lift 25 pounds this week, and 35 pounds the next and then 45 the next and then not worry about the weight of things. I rarely try to lift anything that heavy anyway. On August 9, I leave for a three-day spiritual retreat, as I have every August for about 25 years. I'll keep all of my friends in my prayers.

Saturday August 4, 2007 - 01:09am (CDT) Permanent Link | 4 Comments
Home from the Hospital July 15, 2007: Dear Friends,

I'm home now - they kept me overnight at the hospital. All went well. I's sore and exhausted, but that will improve with time. He told me to stay home from work for two weeks. I got up in the wee hours of the morning to go to the bathroom and to take my daily doses of medicine. I think I'll trundle off back to bed. Thanks for your prayers and positive thoughts.

Joe

Sunday July 15, 2007 - 03:33am (CDT) Permanent Link | 3 Comments