1.   If you knew the Marlins were playing the Reds, you’d be able to better guess where we were.
2    The best part of the Cincinnati Zoo is the Nocturnal House, without question, with the Insect House coming in a very close second. Although not all of us would have rated the latter as highly as I did.  Aardvarks, fascinating armadillos that were smaller than those you see, er, dead on the side of the road in Florida, and that scuttled about like very large bugs, various other odd creatures and the bowls of – yes – blood – in the vampire bat exhibit won’t soon be forgotten. The giant anteater, given its own joint, was also fascinating.  The smaller cat exhibits were, however, small, and I’m always surprised to still see roaming animals in small spaces in modern zoos. The gazelles were pretty pent up, as well.
3.     I didn’t go in it myself, but I hear that whoever is in charge of the men’s room at the Barnes and Noble at Newport on the Levee needs a good talking-to or worse. It apparently didn’t make the following item on the list any easier:
4.     Travel with a potty-trainer-in-progress is a challenge. Well met, for the most part, but a challenge nonetheless.
5.      Stardust (which Katie and I saw Saturday night when the men  headed over the river for the first game of our trip.)  was okay, definitely not a children’s movie, if the PG-13 rating didn’t make that clear enough. Jeffrey Overstreet sums it up:

These themes are awkwardly juxtaposed in a film that cannot decide whether it wants to be a quirky, comical tale a la The Princess Bride; an action-adventure along the lines of Willow; a dark, mystical fantasy like Ridley Scott’s Legend; or clash of CGI-powered wizards straight out of Harry Potter; or a costume party for legendary actors.

Worst part was Robert De Niro, both in terms of his acting which was hammy (so what else is new?)  and, as Jeffrey mentions, breaks the spell. (Ricky Gervais actually saying, “Is ‘e ‘avin’ a laugh?” did some instant spell-breaking too.), and the part of a secretely cross-dressing ship captain (yes). I suppose it was in the novel, but it was an element that just didn’t mesh with the rest of the film, even if you just took as a humorous aside. Because it wasn’t funny – it was painful.
6.    Sunday Mass, with all the music and a homily, can happen in 50 minutes. How? By the priest praying his parts. And not adding to them. Not a word. It can work. I saw it, Sunday morning.
7.    If the purpose of Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (something to which I am not reflexively opposed, unlike others) is to save time, how is that goal achieved when in takes at least two verses of the Communion hymn for all the EME’s to receive Communion before they even head out into the congregation? Not that this is the first time I’ve noted this. I note it practically every week. Just thought I’d mention it.
8.     Homily today: After some hemming and hawing about the Gospel, Hebrews was addressed, and the question was posed to the congregation: Who disciplines you? Do you discipline yourself or do you let God discipline you through the Scriptures and the teachings of Jesus through His Church? “Magisterium” was mentioned. 
9.     The Marlins were, unfortunately, owned.
 Some snaps. Katie took the photo of the lion, and I’m just very impressed with it – she wasn’t, you know, that close to the lion, but my she did a great job with my little camera. By the way, the lion had just finished about a minute and a half of serious roaring before he just stopped and flopped over. Show’s over, people. Now go away and leave me alone.


Skyline, but no chili.