“The Ham Lady” and the Art of Ham Curing

“The Ham Lady” and the Art of Ham Curing 1

Off the Beaten Path… in Princeton, Kentucky Spain is a country that is world-renowned for their pork products. Everything from air-dried cured ham, to their mouth-watering Prosciutto, have delighted travelers for ages. One need not travel to the Iberian Peninsula however to enjoy such culinary masterpieces. The age-old and time-tested art of … Read more

Five Ways Technology Is Taking Over Your Life

Five Ways Technology Is Taking Over Your Life 1

The proper use of technology is that it should be a means to serve us and make our lives easier. A key requirement is that we should be in control. We should not serve technology and allow our gadgets to control our lives, social skills or decisions. When this happens, it can … Read more

How to Create Monsters

How to Create Monsters 2

Imagine if police in a major city were to uncover a plot in which a serial killer was found to be planning to use the Internet to unleash a cult of followers who would also engage in serial killings. Imagine further, if police found as evidence an ice pick impaling a woman’s … Read more

When Saints Formed Children

When Saints Formed Children 2

“God made me to know, love, and serve Him in this world in order to be happy with Him in the next.” Thus does the child correctly answer the catechism question of why God made him. In consonance with this basic notion, Catholic education has traditionally meant fashioning the child’s whole personality … Read more

Sacred Art and Naturalism

Sacred Art and Naturalism 3

Upon entering the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, the first impression is one of vastness. The immense polished floor provides an open arena for the diverse performance of the filtering light. The length and height of the walls are enhanced by the tall, narrow arches. One row of arches opens to the … Read more

The Santa Fe Chill

The Santa Fe Chill

Contrary to what many artists claim, protesting against offensive art is never free publicity. Few things hurt the arts community more than when it produces works that lose touch with its supporting community. This is especially evident in the wave of artworks which many consider blasphemous. Nothing attacks the sensibilities of a … Read more

Expectations Fulfilled

Expectations Fulfilled 1

It is natural to have expectations when traveling. I, for one, use my expectations to gauge the success of a trip. That is why when returning from a recent trip to Portugal and Spain, I began reflecting on whether it had lived up to my expectations. However, to answer this question, I … Read more

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles

1997 – Last fall the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles exhibited a statue of Our Lady of Grace with a drain pipe through her womb and standing on a grate under which were human limbs in offensive positions. Promotional literature on the exhibit stated that “Robert Gober’s sterile Virgin Mary … Read more

The Castle of Valençay

The Castle of Valençay 2

Lordship,  Power,  Grandeur  and  Splendor The first impression of this castle, located in the Loire Valley, France, is one of enchantment. How marvelous! It is a collection of towers that rise gallantly in the air indicating lordship, power, grandeur and splendor. These are towers of a fortress-castle. The lack of windows shows … Read more