Manic Monday: Crunch time, and I'm not referring to apples or leaves

Well, I've reached that moment in September when I am officially overwhelmed by what I see on the calendar -- a total absence of white space. Just one event after another, many of them simultaneous.

September is my favorite month, because of the weather, because of birthdays, because it feels like the start of a new year, but it's quickly losing points for becoming one of the most-feared months in our family's rotation. There's no time to appreciate the beauty of September. Or to breathe.

That's a good introduction for this week's Manic Monday post because it will explain a lot, like the fact that there are no new photos to share (but some really nice old ones). Not that I haven't seen plenty worth sharing this past week -- soccer games, dance classes, and more. I just haven't had time to snap photos of anything.

Soundtrack: Devil Went Down to Georgia. Yes, by the Charlie Daniels Band. Noah loves this song and was demonstrating for us how he knows all the words, well, with a substitution for the one bad word. You gotta admit, that's some good fiddle playing there.

Bookshelf: I'm well into The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, and I will say this: Lewis was a GENIUS, which I already knew from some of his other works but this book just floored me. Originally published in 1941, it could have been written yesterday. It's that relevant to our times and our Church. Wow, what a powerful book. And a fast read. How had I not read this before now?

Viewfinder: Okay, this wasn't in my viewfinder this week, but it was just about one year ago. And, oh, how I wish I was there right now. At least once a day, every single day, I wish I could be back in Rome. I left a little piece of my heart in St. Peter's Square, I think.

One of my favorite spots: Ponte Sant'Angelo

I was so struck by the Coliseum's presence right there
in front of me as I walked down the street.

Piazza Navona, which felt like home by the end of 11 days.
I walked it every day on my way to and from Santa Croce University.

The view of St. Peter's from a bridge crossing the Tiber on the way to
Trastavere, my favorite neighborhood in Rome.

Thought for the week:

"You must never grow weary of doing what is right." 2 Thessalonians 3:13