Daily Reflections
by Al Fritsch, S.J.

 

A series of written meditations and reflections

 

 

 

DAILY REFLECTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

        January, 2005

 

January  1  Fresh Beginnings       

January  2  Epiphany:  Manifestation

January  3  Plan an Annual Retreat          

January  4  Litany of the Earth   

January  5  Peacemaking Activities 

January  6  Are Some Birds in Decline?

January  7  Reasons for Living Simply 

January  8  Simple Living Techniques

January  9  Baptism: Starting on the Road       

January 10  Salt Less this Winter

January 11  Plan Travel Carefully 

January 12  A Winter 12-Veggie Soup

January 13  Start Small: Grassroots & Appropriate Technology

January 14  Seed-Buying Time

January 15  Eradicating Racist Residue        

January 16  Embracing Ordinary Time

January 17  Stay Busy:  Learn from Ben Franklin

January 18  Do and Encourage Daily Exercise

January 19  Redeeming Tobacco

January 20  Reuse the Underused

January 21  A Forest Pledge:  Hug Tree Day     

January 22  Car Care

January 23  Call of the Seasonal Calls        

January 24  Windpower for America

January 25  St. Paul's Day and Ecumenism

January 26  Saving the Hemlocks

January 27  Protect Wildlife      

January 28  Rural Experience

January 29  Activate Retirees

January 30  Beatitudes and Blessings    

January 31  Food First

 

                    February, 2005

 

February 1  Cabin Robin        

February 2  Light a Candle

February 3  Reasons for Composting     

February 4  Hospitality & Wildlife

February 5  Bucking our State Religion            

February 6  Light to the World

February 7  Waterfalls

February 8  Twelve Ways to Curb Fat

February 9  Ashes:  Sacred Time and Place

February 10  Eat Less Meat

February 11  Simplifying Life is Good News

February 12  Sacred Sites

February 13  Times of Trial and Temptation

February 14  Valentines Day and Prayer

February 15  Noise Pollution

February 16  A Sense of Hope

February 17  Exotic Species       

February 18  Knowing One's Age

February 19  Entrances & Signs

February 20  Present at the Transfiguration

February 21  Wood Utilization

February 22  Private Worship Space 

February 23  Public Worship Space

February 24  Privacy Screens and Noise Barriers

February 25  On Our Word

February 26  Rest for All;   Ultra-early Gardening

February 27  The Woman at the Well: A Gentle Confrontation

February 28  The Prayer for Global Restoration -- Pax Christi

 

                     March, 2005

 

March 1   Hidden Hope

March 2   Temporary Cold Frames

March 3   Eight Ways Individuals Can be Earthhealers

March 4   Eight Ways Groups can be Earthhealers

March 5   Gardening as Sacred

March 6   Faith is a Public Act

March 7   The Art of Pretending

March 8   Virtually Wild Ginseng

March 9   Create Tranquil Living Space

March 10  A Retreat Cabin

March 11  Why I Can't Retire

March 12  Plant More Trees

March 13  A New Spirit

March 14  Black Mountain Blues

March 15  The Future of Wind Power

March 16  Groundhog's Day revisited

March 17  Clover and St. Patrick

March 18  Baby Boomers and Generation Titles Age

March 19  Mercury Worries

March 20  Palm Sunday:  Hollow Shouts of Victory

March 21  Spring has Sprung

March 22  America's Inconsistent Drug Policy

March 23  Spy Wednesday

March 24  Protect Streams

March 25  Wounded Earth as Calvary

March 26  Tsunami

March 27  We are Easter People

March 28  Bless the Earth

March 29  Environmental Art   

March 30  My Conflict with Crows

March 31  Kentucky Heartwood

 

                      April, 2005

 

April 1   Who Are We Fooling?

April 2   Daylight Saving Time: Adjusting Clocks

April 3   St. Thomas and the Easter Event

           Pope John Paul II

April 4   The Pulls and Pushes of the Internet

April 5   Green Buildings

April 6   Spring Rains and Storm Water

April 7   World Health Day

April 8   Youth and ORVs

April 9   Pessimistic or Optimistic Ecoview

April 10  Road to Emmaus

April 11  Garden Week

April 12  Ducks and Jerry Waddle

April 13  Nursing Homes

April 14  Floods

April 15  Personal Health Care

April 16  Astronomy Day

April 17  The Sheep Gate

April 18  The Art of Listening

April 19  Spring Hikes

April 20  Downwind from a Potential Disaster

April 21  Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

April 22  Earth Day at Thirty-five

April 23  Waiting for a Catastrophe

April 24  Service for Others

April 25  National Turnoff TV Week

April 26  Let's Use the Car Less

April 27  Salt

April 28  The Sands of Dunkirk or Appalachia's Treasures

April 29  Observe Bird Day

April 30  ElderSpirit Community

 

                     May, 2005

 

May 1   Love:  The Unfinished Story

May 2   Herb and Wildflower Week

May 3   Be Kind to Animals Week

May 4   Wisdom of Heart

May 5   National Day of Prayer

May 6   Derby Day and Race Horses

May 7   Gambling

May 8   Ascension

May 9   Historic Preservation: Washington, KY

May 10  Pax Americana

May 11  Those Confusing Measurements

May 12  Lawn Mowers

May 13  National River Cleanup Week  

May 14  The Cry of the Poor and Prophetic Responses

May 15  Pentecost

May 16  Lead Paint

May 17  Direct Service versus Working for Justice 

May 18  Sustainability:  A Disputed Term

May 19  Green Energy

May 20  Farewell to Rainforests

May 21  Will the American Superpower Fall Like Rome?

May 22  The Trinity

May 23  Strawberry Moon

May 24  How to Become More Resource Conscious

May 25  Fidelity versus Success

May 26  Petroleum Shortages and Gas Prices

May 27  Rachel Carson

May 28  Shock or Negative Environmentalism

May 29  Body of Christ

May 30  Senior Moments

May 31  Threatened Seed and UCS Report

 

                     June, 2005

 

June 1   Camping Tips

June 2   Tailgate or Farmer's Markets

June 3   Family, Teacher's and Environment Day

June 4   National Trails Day

June 5   Matthew's Call

June 6   Nuclear Power Revisited

June 7   Six Reasons to Oppose Nuclear Power

June 8   Sightseeing with Others

June 9   Senior Citizen's Day: Celebrate the Centenarians

June 10  Separation of Church and State

June 11  The Virginia Declaration of Rights

June 12  To Be Apostles 

June 13  National Juggling Day

June 14  Celebrating Flag Day

June 15  The Gift of Peace

June 16  Intensive Gardening

June 17  Poisons

June 18  International Picnic Day

June 19  Jeremiah

June 20  Pharmaceuticals from Food Crops

June 21  Summer Solstice:  Cancer the Crab

June 22  Bites, Stings and Summer Insects

June 23  Environmental Sleepers

June 24  Eating Right: Constructing Dietary Guidelines

June 25  Custer's Last Stand and the American Indians

June 26  Hospitality:  A Christian Mandate

June 27  Helen Keller's Birthday

June 28  Blackberry Season

June 29  A World Grain Reserve

June 30  ASPI: Celebrating The Rockcastle River

                   July, 2005

July 1   Anglo-American Kinship    

July 2   Independence from Stuff Week

July 3   Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart

July 4   Declaration of Independence 1776

July 5   Tips to Taking it Easy

July 6   Water Plants During Dry Times

July 7   Keep Cool without Air Conditioning

July 8   Other Cooling Practices

July 9   National Ice Cream Day

July 10  The Parable of the Sower and Seed

July 11  Captive Nations Week

July 12  Discourage Insect Pests with Plants

July 13  Insect Pest Control by animals

July 14  France and Europe

July 15  Jogger's Lament

July 16  Summer Hikes

July 17  The Parable of the Weeds and Leniency

July 18  Space Week

July 19  Wildlife Controls

July 20  Light Pollution and Moon Day

July 21  Life is Terminal

July 22  Fight for the Landless

July 23  Skygazing and the Perseid Meteor Showers

July 24  The Kingdom of Heaven: A Priceless Treasure

July 25  Greet and Converse with Hispanics

July 26  Human Rights for All Including Terrorists

July 27  Environmental Building Materials

July 28  Air Travel

July 29  Medicinal Herbs

July 30  Corporate Accountability International 

July 31  Multiplication of the Loaves

 

                     August, 2005

 

August 1   Lammastide and Harvest Season

August 2   Keep Hydrated to Beat the Heat

August 3   Vacationer's Credo

August 4   Forgiving International Debts

August 5   High Summer Greenery

August 6   Hiroshima

August 7   The Storms of Insecurity

August 8   Senior Citizen "Greenhouse" Project

August 9   Downwind from Possible Disaster

August 10  Animals as Companions

August 11  American Ethnic Picture

August 12  American Ethnic Trends

August 13  Volunteering:  Giving and Receiving

August 14  Universalism and Exclusivity

August 15  Mary:  Female Model

August 16  Consider a Root Cellar/Tornado Shelter

August 17  Consider Planting Black Walnuts

August 18  Appropriate Technology Demonstration

August 19  World Youth day

August 20  Delving into the Minds of Terrorists

August 21  Keys of the Kingdom

August 22  Avoiding Exotic Pets

August 23  Learning Compact Fluorescent Facts

August 24  An Earthhealing Theology 

August 25  Must We Accept All Refugees?

August 26  Tomatoes

August 27  Diets to Avoid Cancer

August 28  Down to Earth Spirituality       

August 29  Leaving the Nest

August 30  Needing Rest

August 31  Relief Agencies

 

                   September, 2005

 

September 1   The Second World War Begins

September 2   Late Season Garden Tips

September 3   The Greenhouse Effect  

September 4   Fraternal Correction

September 5   Labor Day and Dignity of Work

September 6   Civility Eroded

September 7   All are Artists

September 8   International Literacy Day

September 9   What about all those Appliances?

September 10  Flea Markets and Yard Sales

September 11  Forgiveness Again and Again

September 12  Hispanic Heritage Week

September 13  Rebuild New Orleans as it Was?

September 14  Recycling Old Cell Phones

September 15  Cromer Ridge  

September 16  Selective Service for Men Only?

September 17  Citizens Henry and Monroe

September 18  Divine Generosity

September 19  Stormy Weather

September 20  International Day of Peace

September 21  World Gratitude Day

September 22  Covered Bridges

September 23  Native American Day

September 24  Hunting and Fishing Day

September 25  Our Responsibilities

September 26  Apples and Apples

September 27  Strip Mining Practices

September 28  Autumn Festivals

September 29  Teachers  -- a group worth celebrating

September 30  Birthdays Become Bittersweet

 

                  October, 2005

 

October 1    National Solar Home Tours

October 2    Forsaken Vineyard

October 3    Wine and Enjoyment

October 4    Bless Animals

October 5    Ramadan Begins

October 6    Know Your Salt Intake

October 7    World Court Day

October 8    Save Battlefields  

October 9    Come to the Banquet

October 10   Fire Prevention Week

October 11   Collect Autumn Leaves

October 12   Earth Science Week

October 13   Yom Kippur

October 14   Peace Corps

October 15   Harvesting Corn

October 16   Render to Caesar

October 17   World Food Day

October 18   Luke the Evangelist

October 19   North American Martyrs  

October 20   Wild Geese

October 21   Cuban Missile Crisis

October 22   Make a Difference Day

October 23   Love: The Unfinished Homily

October 24   Energy Star: Tips To Protect the Environment: Part One

October 25   Energy Star:  Part Two

October 26   Energy Star:  Part Three

October 27   Getting Outdoors in Shortened Daylight

October 28   Choose Snacks Wisely

October 29   Stock Market Crash

October 30   Practice What We Preach

October 31   Halloween and Patience

 

                November, 2005

 

November  1   All Saints Day

November  2   All Souls Day

November  3   Create Your Comfort Zone

November  4   Simplicity of Lifestyle Test

November  5   Assisting our Neighbors in Need

November  6   Awaiting the Expectant One

November  7   All Terrain Vehicles

November  8   Dorothy Day & Peter Maurin

November  9   Inventory Your Home for Chemicals

November 10   The Deer Problem

November 11   Veterans Day

November 12   Mary E. Fritsch   

November 13   Creative Fidelity

November 14   Closing Military Bases

November 15   America Recycles Day

November 16   International Week of Peace and Science

November 17   Use Less Stuff Day

November 18   ICE in Your Cell Phone

November 19   National Geography Awareness Week

November 20   Christ the King

November 21   National Family Week

November 22   An Autumn Message

November 23   Drive with Care

November 24   Thanksgiving for the Here and Now

November 25   Calorie Counter

November 26   Food Choices

November 27   Advent Celebrations

November 28   Lobby with and for the Poor

November 29   Inventory Personal Action Resources

November 30   The Winter Blahs

 

                    December, 2005

 

December 1   Franz Jaegerstaetter

December 2   Abolish the Death Penalty

December 3   American Bamboo

December 4   Make Straight the Way

December 5   Superlatives in States

December 6   Split Pea Soup

December 7   Fire Safety Day

December 8   Mary: Mother of the Earth

December 9   Kudzu: The Southern Menace

December 10  Further Reflections on Forgiveness

December 11  Announce a Year of Favor

December 12  World Peace Celebration

December 13  Urban Sprawl

December 14  Winter Birds and Halcyon Days

December 15  Basic Human Rights

December 16  Bad Reclamation Practice 

December 17  Wright Brothers Day

December 18  House of David

December 19  Walk to Work

December 20  Sacajawea Day: The Unappreciated

December 21  The Winter Solstice: Darkness and Light

December 22  Do Something Special at Christmas

December 23  Panic Buying

December 24  Professing Our Faith Through Deed

December 25  The Word Becomes Flesh and Dwells Among Us

December 26  Stephen's Ordeal

December 27  Insulated Window Shades

December 28  Teach Them to Pray

December 29  Count Your Blessings

December 30  United Farm Workers of America

December 31  A Healthy Looking Back

 

                 January, 2006

 

January 1   A Day of Peace

January 2   An Earthhealing Program Report                      

January 3   Preparing for an Ice Storm

January 4   Resilient Mountains

January 5   99 Ways to Prepare Apples

January 6   Needed:  Wise Men in the East

January 7   One Year and On-Line

January 8   Epiphany:  A Universal Celebration    

January 9   Hospice Programs

January 10  Shale Oil

January 11  Respect Planet Earth

January 12  Dress for Warmth: Wear Long Underwear

January 13  Stephen Foster Day  

January 14  Snow as Healer         

January 15  Samuel, Samuel

January 16  Racial Discrimination

January 17  Can we Impose Democracy?

January 18  The Cob House

January 19  Winter Garden Plans

January 20  Joe Davis

January 21  National Hug Day                

January 22  Jonah

January 23  Bookwriting      

January 24  National Hobby Month     

January 25  Explore Midlife Options

January 26  Small is Beautiful

January 27  Seven Ways to Combat Stress

January 28  Chinese New Year

January 29  He Spoke with Authority

January 30  Improving Gas Mileage

January 31  The Yurt

 

                  February, 2006

                     

February   1  Extolling Freedom

February   2  The 2006 Garden:  A Light

February   3  Bird Flu Pandemic?

February   4  Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs)

February   5  The Trials of Job

February   6  The Threat of Logging:  Bialowieza Forest

February   7  Charles Dickens and Compassion

February   8  Ongoing Education

February   9  Lightning

February  10  Jogging for Health

February  11  Inventor's Day:  New Uses of Our Hands

February  12  Healing by Jesus

February  13  Lincoln Memorial

February  14  Sts. Valentine, Cyril & Methodius

February  15  Vibrational Pollution: Use of Blasting Materials

February  16  Authentic Puzzles

February  17  Random Acts of Kindness Day

February  18  Faulty Product Complaints

February  19  Miracles and Forgiveness

February  20  Presidents' Day

February  21  Share Community Resources

February  22  St. Peter, Model for Us All

February  23  Peace & World Understanding Day

February  24  Fast for Others

February  25  Make a Persimmon Pie

February  26  Fast for Others 

February  27  Mardi Gras Celebration?   

February  28  Seed Savers Exchange

 

                    March, 2006

 

March  1  Remember We are Dust

March  2  American Camping Week

March  3  Natural Disasters and the Environment

March  4  Container Gardening

March  5  Temptations

March  6  Population Movement

March  7  Big Breakfasts

March  8  The Earth Healer:  Irene Dickinson

March  9  National Nutrition Month

March 10  Acid Rain 

March 11  Planting Fruit Trees

March 12  Mount Tabor and the Golden Moment

March 13  Lenten Suggestions for Good Samaritan Day

March 14  Must We Import Oil

March 15  Anxiety

March 16  Freedom of Information Day

March 17  The Luck of the Irish

March 18  March Madness

March 19  Moneychangers in the Temple

March 20  Protect Non-Smoker Rights

March 21  Alcohol Problems 

March 22  Drug Problems

March 23  Substance Abuse

March 24  Equipment to Address Noise Problems

March 25  To Incarnate

March 26  Nicodemus Comes by Night

March 27  Carbon Dioxide:  Friend or Foe

March 28  What would Jesus Do?

March 29  Refrigerate Conservatively

March 30  Repair It Yourself

March 31  Public Citizen

 

                             April, 2006

 

April  1   Foolishness and Credit Cards

April  2   Selflessness through Dying to Self

April  3   Rose Bouziane Nader

April  4   Ginseng Dreams

April  5   The Dignity of Gardening

April  6   Hospital Visits

April  7   World Health Requirements

April  8   Seniors and the Driving Privilege

April  9   Palm Sunday and the Messiah Complex

April 10   Pierre Teihard de Chardin

April 11   Open Letter concerning Religion and Science

April 12   Young People's Herb Garden

April 13   Holy Thursday and Washing Feet

April 14   Calvary's Cross Today

April 15   A Prayer for Restoring Damaged Lands

April 16   Easter Pascal Mystery

April 17   All Creation Gives Praise to God

April 18   Third World Day

April 19   The Nuclear Phoenix

April 20   Lotteries and Sanity   

April 21   John Muir and the Environmental Movement

April 22   Earth Day

April 23   Divine Mercy and Sun Day

April 24   Metamorphosis and Butterflies

April 25   Holocaust Remembrance Day

April 26   The American Interstate System               

April 27   Youth and the Work Ethic

April 28   Arbor and Bird Day

April 29   Bread for the World

April 30   Scripture and Fulfillment