Cucumbers

One of the best homilies I have given is probably my cucumber homily. Since then I receive a plethora of cucumbers each year from mid July through August. I love cucumbers, especially straight from the garden. It reminds me of home when Mom would grow cucumbers. I'd usually go out after her and pick all the ones she missed.

Straight 8's are probably my favorite. I'm not really a pickle guy so the fresher the better.

I generally don't use salt. The rust and debris of whatever I cut last on my pocket knife add good enough seasoning. 

Delicious. Just like home.

It's usually the simple things in life that draw us closer to God. Cucumbers help keep me a kid. What's your cucumber? 

Poverty and Virginity

Chasity and poverty of spirit are two indispensable virtues in the spiritual life.

           https://youtu.be/PGJqJs_GzgE         

 

Sons of Mary 2022

It is good when brothers dwell in unity. This week marked our 3rd annual priestly fraternal retreat in the Big Horns. Not all the brothers could make it, but we took what we could get. We call ourselves the Sons of Mary, taking seriously our Lord's final words to us as He hung upon the Cross: Behold your mother. Mary keeps us in the saddle of sonship. We live out of our baptismal identity as sons of the Father in order to serve well as priests of Jesus Christ. 

L to R: Fr. Clark Lenz, Fr. Hiep Nguyen, Fr. Robert Rodgers, Fr. Brian Hess, Fr. Bryce Lungren. 

My job was to make burgers on the first night. I think Bob was impressed. 

On our one full day together we took a hike looking for Hesse Peak. Do not follow where the path may lead. Go where there is no path and leave a trail.

The peak in the center was our destination. 

Our fearless leader Brian ensured us that all was safe. 

You ain't no cowboy if you hike instead of ride. Not sure Boone could have made it up here though. Beautiful.

On our way back to the cabin we swung by the James Saban lookout tower above Meadowlark Lake to eat our lunch. Cool.

Of course we had to get a little mountain surfing in on West Tensleep Lake while in the area.

We also took plenty of time to lounge.

Hiep was in charge of our main meal. With him at the helm I knew it would be good.

Sure enough.

Priestly fraternity is so necessary these days. It won't take time to find you so you have to take time to find it. Totally worth it. These men of God always inspire me to be a better priest. And more than that, to be a better son. 

Hay Season

In Wyoming, we spend the summer preparing for winter. We planted some grass/alfalfa back home, but probably won't get a crop until next year. In the meantime, our Good Father in Heaven provided once again. Jim and Sharron Oster near Alva, WY came through in our need. With plenty of grass this year they baled it instead of grazing it. However, no one wanted to pick it out of the field. So they turned to Fr. Bryce who will never turn down free grass. 

With White Horse ready for work, we ran up to the Black Hills last Saturday. 

Jim and Sharron's place runs right along Beaver Creek. Some of the nicest grass in the state. 

There's no hurry in this country. We just took our time picking bales. 

Thankfully Hank showed up to lend a hand. 

To get em stacked we gathered a crew. Joe's always eager to help ranch.

Jared and Baylie pitched in as well. 

Gotter done.

Having a stack of hay next to the corrals is like a having a shed full of firewood. It's hard to think about winter when it's in the upper 90's. But believe me, the old man will show up when you're least expecting him. Special thanks to Jim and Sharron for their generosity. We'll be back to get the rest. 

Surrender

Live as if the Kingdom of God is today!

           https://youtu.be/vdXXpFb8YZ8         

Knowing

 Prayer is getting knowing God personally.

           https://youtu.be/NibEnUMYOfU         

Faith

Just believe.

           https://youtu.be/VKhY4ONcLuE         

Brick Wall

It's hard to talk about faith to people who are not open in faith.

           https://youtu.be/MqanAMqb2jU         

Flat Iron

Second most tender piece of meat next to the tenderloin, flat iron steaks are gaining popularity. The steak has always been known, but because of the thick piece of gristle that runs through the middle, flat irons remained a farmer's cut. Recently, though, guys have been filleting the gristle out and making two nice steaks out of one.  

Weighing in just over a pound a piece, flat irons are a crowd pleaser. 

They come from the front shoulder blade of a cow. There is a ridge that runs down the outside of the blade and the flat iron is nestled just behind it. 

The gristle is pretty visible. I actually like the taste of it, but it does make it tougher. 

The best way to cut it out is to lay your knife right against the gristle and let it guide you.  

Wallah. 

There are many good cuts on a cow if you're willing to hunt for them. With summer knee deep, we'll take all the steaks we can get.

Prayer

Follow our Lord's example in good times and in bad. Pray.

           https://youtu.be/hum4pQPju7I         

 

Mission Montana

It was time that Gerry saw other parts of the US. So we headed north to Montana. With a wedding to preside at in Absarokee at the end of the week, we decided to make a run through western Montana, visit some friends, and see some sights. 

Just the three of us: Me, Gerry, and White Horse

After dinner in Bozeman with a couple buddies, our first stop was Helena to see Uncle Pud. 

We just wanted to relax but he put us to work changing water, moving fence, and oiling the racks on his '35 for the parade. 

We did get to take his new old Mercury for a spin though.

Go west young man, but only after a ranch breakfast in Avon. 

We stopped at Legendary Lodge in the Seeley Lake area to visit some friends. Beautiful.

Polson to see Fr. Kevin was Wednesday night's destination. Super fun, chill evening. Thanks for the steak, cigar, and whiskey partner. Keep up the Good work.

Glacier Park didn't let us in easily, but we kicked a little and made it. Super beautiful and fun time fishing. Fish won.

On to the next one... Great Falls to visit some more friends. 

Eventually we landed in Absarokee. With a little time on our hands, Gerry tried his hand on the Rosebud River near Fishtail. 

This time he won. Six fish he says, though no one was there to confirm or deny. 

Mission accomplished. 

Great fun. Congratulations to Tobias and Kaycee Cortner. We enjoyed the wedding and parties surrounding it. Thanks for the excuse to run through Montana. 1750 miles later and we're back where we started. Montana is beautiful. But hard to beat the dry, dusty prairies of Wyoming. 

Shoot for Heaven

Aim high and the things of this world will make sense.

           https://youtu.be/sMEa-QB0FWY