Calendar Class of July 29, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

At least once every summer I am sure to post a photo of these voluminous, dusky pink cumulus clouds that create a beautiful backdrop at sunset for the pavilion at School Section Lake Veterans' Park (it was built by WWI vets in the 1930s!). The fluffy clouds appeared yesterday evening at the end of a hot and humid day, the kind where you feel as though you are walking into a wet blanket every time you step outside the door. I happened to visit the garden center at Lowe's in the afternoon, where the cashier was taking refuge in a tiny air-conditioned cubicle, emerging only to process payments. "Don't worry, the heat never lasts too long," I said hopefully as I departed. "This is Michigan," he replied, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes and it'll change." How right he was: by that evening the girls and I went swimming after the sun went down as the temperature began to plummet. By morning, a thick fog rolled across the lake in eerie, swirling patterns and the air was cool. I encouraged the girls to get outside to soak up the coolness before it dissipated with the fog. Sure enough, by noon it was swelteringly hot once more. A Michigander once told me that those who live their lives in four season climates develop more resourcefulness and intelligence as the natural environment requires so much more adaptability from us. I have my doubts this is still true in our modern, technology dependent world, but it does make sense, and there is historical evidence for a challenging climate creating a spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship. I'm thinking specifically of the "Scottish Enlightenment" that was mentioned in Ryan Streeter's (Civitas Institute) recent talk at the Kirk Center about voluntary associations. I happened to find this brief article on the unique conditions that contributed to the genius fostered in Edinburgh in the 1760s and 1770s that some of you may be interested in reading (though I am aware that a few of my readers are actually experts on this subject!).

Liturgical: Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”

Sanctoral: Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (c. 1st century). Patron Saints of Siblings.

In its 2021 decree on combining veneration of Mary and Lazarus with Martha, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments said, “In the household of Bethany, the Lord Jesus experienced the family spirit and friendship of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, and for this reason the Gospel of John states that he loved them. Martha generously offered him hospitality, Mary listened attentively to his words and Lazarus promptly emerged from the tomb at the command of the one who humiliated death.”

Other Commemorations: Sts. Simplicius, Faustinus, Beatrice and Rufus, Martyrs (RM)

Human: 238 AD – Roman co-emperors Balbinus and Pupienus were murdered by the praetorians, dissatisfied with the increasing influence of the Senate. Their bodies were then desecrated and dragged along the roads of Rome. Gordian III became the next emperor.

The Spanish Armada was defeated by an English naval force off the coast of Gravelines, France – 1588

A pair of Winston Churchill’s wartime dentures sold at auction for approximately $23,750 – 2010

Natural: How to Get Rid of Earwigs (or "Pincher Bugs"); How to Kill Poison Ivy (And Keep It From Coming Back)

Italian: Carciofo (artichoke)

Quote: Nature soon takes over if the gardener is absent. 

- Penelope Hobhouse, English writer (b. 1929)