A Reader Writes:
I was wondering if you had any advice for young Catholic women who feel called to marriage and family but haven’t met the right person yet? Did you do anything during your single years to prepare for your vocation?

I answered some questions about singles in this post from … YIKES! … almost two years ago. Tonight I am running short on time and brain power, so I will turn things over to my ever-helpful, wise, and insightful readers. It is Your Turn, after all.

are a beautiful thing to read.

Stealthily she stalks
Quietly she walks

Small spot of sun
in the damp dark woods.

Eyes open
Mouth closed
Barely breathing

So sure
she’ll catch
a robin.

(as he pulled a long-forgotten pair of his pants from the dryer)

Her: If you think those might need ironing, just put them …

Him: (arching one disbelieving eyebrow) Where?

Her: … in the garbage.

I took “chemistry” in high school, but my classes were never quite like that! Thanks to those who emailed me the heads up. Sorry for the inappropriate ad. I am blocking it, but it might take a day or so for the filter to kick in. Please be patient.

If he wakes you up with a whiffle ball bat swat to the head,

If he turns purple with rage when you refuse to pour him a cup of that special “soda” from the bottle of cooking oil,

If he makes you jump through all the “getting ready for a nap” hoops (retrieving his stuffed Elmo from the dust bunny jungle deep under the couch, pouring him a cup of juice only to dump it out and pour another one in the “right” cup this time, then kisses, pats, numerable tuck-ins with the “right” blankets, the noisemaker set on “rain forest,” the shades drawn, and the door left open just the right amount) but then gets up from the nap before your foot even hits the bottom step,

If he insists upon having his sneakers both on and off at the same time and threatens to burst your eardrums with his screeching when you fail to help him achieve this one small thing,

If he flavors your coffee with a generous spoonful of Rice Krispies,

He is 2.

But if he does all of these things and yet simply by pointing one pudgy finger in your direction and smiling “I yuv you. Bess you Mama!” he can turn you to mush. Total teary-eyed mommy mush,

You are helpless. And you are in trouble. Some of the very best kind.

I ask this, of course, because my baby happens to be a pajama-Houdini. He has been since birth. Even as a newborn, Daniel has always managed to kick loose his snaps and free his chubby little legs of any kind of pajamas I ever put on him. I am not exactly new at this baby thing, but I have never encountered this kind of problem before toddlerhood.

Recently, the problem has gotten more troublesome because Daniel is gaining new skills. He now almost completely removes his pajamas. Every night. This, combined with his usual twisting, flipping, and other acrobatics in the bed, make for some compromising situations. Like the other night when he cried and I found him completely entangled, strait jacket like, in a pair of fuzzy pajamas that were held on with just two remaining fastened snaps.

Which made me think: He could strangle himself with those pajamas. Which made me think: What on earth am I supposed to put on him at night? Which made me try a snap at the crotch T shirt and a pair of pants last night. But he kicked free of the pants. And it’s still too cold to put him to bed naked. And I am too old to be finding new things to worry about in the middle of the night.

that is touching my heart today. Who among us has not been touched by autism? Today let us pray for those brave and loving families we know who struggle against a largely “hidden handicap.”

How do I know that I am not the target demographic for the magazines my husband subscribes to? Coverlines like these give it away:

Upgrade Your Driveway

We Test Celestron’s Advanced Series Scopes

and … my personal favorite …

Why Hogs Are the New Deer: Pig Hunting Starter Kit