As usual we had a lovely Christmas. The tree we had this year was one our prettiest. We followed our usual pattern—Christmas in the morning, birthday at night.
I gave my wife a Dremel Versa, a copy of Ruth Gordon’s autobiography,a copy of John Fante’s novel, Ask the Dust (I thought she might like it because it’s been called one of the best novels about Los Angeles), and a new, leather band for her Fitbit.
She gave me several new shirts and a new raincoat (presumably she was tired of my old, ragged one), and a bottle of good Bourbon.
For Christmas dinner I had ordered a country ham and prepared sweet potatoes and green beans.
We made a birthday cake which was without doubt the best we have ever made—gingerbread layer cake with ermine frosting. The gingerbread was definitely for adult tastes, not as sweet as most cakes and seasoned with free ginger, ground ginger, pepper, and cayenne pepper. The frosting was the perfect accompaniment. These were so good I have to share them. I’ll post the recipes later.
For me this was probably the saddest Christmas since my dad died, sadder even than the Christmas that my mom died. It is a difficult time to be a Catholic. I will remain a Catholic until I die but I find it nearly impossible to be an observant Catholic. I don’t think it is any longer possible to doubt the complicity of the whole body of the clergy in the crimes that have been perpetrated for so many years.
I’m not a Donatist so I do not require perfection of the clergy but I don’t demand perfection, just sincere contrition, penance, and commitment to change as our tradition requires but I don’t even see that in evidence. I don’t trust myself to exchange a simple “Hello” with my parish priest without punching him in the nose.
“ I don’t think it is any longer possible to doubt the complicity of the whole body of the clergy in the crimes that have been perpetrated for so many years.â€
A rift that affects my wife and sister in law, and their parents.
I am genuinely sad for you and all my Catholic friends, most of whom feel similarly to you.
What bourbon?
I left the Church long ago and long before the current and ongoing crisis for reasons of disbelief. But if you need a home that is close to your beliefs, there is always the Orthodox Church. They will re-baptize you, but they have a pretty good claim to legitimacy despite the Great Schism.
When I was a boy, the teaching I got said that Orthodox sacraments were valid. Perhaps I misremember. The Orthodox do not reciprocate, so you might have to get remarried, too.
Michter’s Small Batch Kentucky Bourbon. It’s okay.
I have been looking for a good bourbon for some time. For years I drank Early Times but I’m convinced they’ve changed the formulation from what it used to be in search of a “lighter” spirit, more in tune with modern tastes but, unfortunately, less in tune with mine.
Thanks, I’ll see if my local drug pusher can get me a bottle. I just found a Texas bourbon called Devil’s River that makes an excellent rye.
So far among those I’ve tried I like Rowan’s Creek and its big brother Noah’s Mill from Willett’s Distillery the best.
Also tried Old Forester 1920 Prohibition style over Christmas. Has a chocolate flavor as opposed to the Devil’s River big vanilla scent. Was good.