Take a walk with me through Holy Week.

Palm Sunday

Twenty-six years ago, I  stood on the Mount of Olives and experienced a Palm Sunday I will never forget. In 2000 during my very first trip to the Holy Land, our group followed the same path into the Old City that Jesus took for His triumphal entry. I can still hear the drums and flutes, and the echoes of “Hosanna In The Highest” as we walked. It was a moment of pure jubilation that I’ve  replayed in my mind a thousand times since. Feeling so grateful for that “God ordained” journey today.

Jesus’ Humble Entry

Jesus must fulfill Zechariah’s prophecy by entering into the city on a donkey.

Sunday morning at Mass we all received blessed palm branches. Many of the parishioners will weave the branches into crosses, but because these branches are blessed they should not be thrown in the trash. You can burn them or return them to the church, where they will be incinerated and used for the next Ash Wednesday service.

Monday of Holy Week

On this day, Jesus entered the temple and was enraged with the merchants, who were charging inflated rates and robbing Gentiles of the opportunity to pray and worship.

Tuesday of Holy Week

After a busy day of calling out the Pharisees (Matthew 23:13-35) and preaching on the Mount of Olives that evening, Jesus and his disciples walked to Bethany to stay the night.  Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive spikenard oil. Some of disciples were frustrated because they believed that this expensive oil could have been sold and the money used to give to the poor. Jesus understood the love and care Mary displayed and greatly appreciated her devotion.

Wednesday of Holy Week  is also referred to as spy Wednesday. Judas Iscariot spies on Jesus because he is secretly going to have Him arrested.

Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday is the first day of Triduum. Triduum means a period of three days. These three days are the most important days in the Christian liturgical year. On this day the Lord’s Supper took place, Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist and He washed the feet of His disciples.

Good Friday

Why do we refer to this dreadful day as Good Friday? Jesus, with His suffering and sacrifices, saved us from our sins. Though this was a tragic day, it will always be known as one of the greatest days in history. (Luke 23: 1-24)

There is no Mass on this day but some churches offer a service observing the Stations of the Cross. If possible observe a quiet time between twelve and three p.m. in remembrance of what our Lord endured for us.

Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday is a day to prepare for Easter. There is no morning Mass offered; it all takes place at night at the first Celebration of the Easter Vigil Mass. Each parish celebrates in its own way. The church is completely dark. The priest walks in with one candle. The Paschal candle is lit symbolizing Jesus is the light. The catechumens who have been preparing for their initiation into the Catholic church will walk in holding a single candle representing Jesus’ resurrection.

Easter Sunday

He is Risen!

My Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, let us feel the emptiness of the church on Good Friday – no Mass celebration because we need to go deeper into the suffering You endured. Restore in each of us a new joy  for Your glorious resurrection. May the catechumens be forever changed. Lord,  show a glimpse of what is to come. Let Your holy light be seen throughout the world. Amen.

The title could also read: me against Goliath.

Me Vs. AI:  Record-Breaking Heat and Mother Nature’s Beauty

AI

After doing all the research on my last Blog, I decided to try using AI. After googling AI so many options popped up; so I picked the third one down from the list. Copying and pasting my Blog to their site was a no brainer, but what happened next was unimaginable. The magic took place in seconds; while adjusting my eyes to the screen, the work was complete! It took less than a minute to spill out my changed diction.

The first thought that came to mind was, “Wow, this is unbelievable!” But when I read my Blog, it was perfection. Reading my new words over and over convinced me that I owned it. I was beaming with the lust of pride. But when I read it to Mike he went even deeper, “You don’t need an editor, use AI.”

The Secret

I made a conscious decision not to tell anyone that I cheated. The daily Bible verses mentioned in my video reminding everyone to read my Blog never mentioned a change. I kept this secret from my editor as well.

When my editor and I were reviewing the Blog, there were very few changes; a deleted comma here and there, but nothing significant. In the meantime I was overcome with grief in having to tell my editor that I no longer needed her services. “Dear Lord, I can’t do this to her, she is a personal friend. How, how Lord am I going to tell her?”

The Bubble Burst

I was still somewhere high in the atmosphere when I received a text message from my son Mikos. It read, “Did you use AI?” My reply, “Why?” Like a deflated balloon, my ego came crashing down. Will others know? Dear Lord, what doors have I opened?”  Later that week I called my confidants Jo, Helen and Sarah, and asked them to read the Blog. It was evident to them that they were not my words or style. Guilt set in.

Dinner

Over an enchilada dinner with my family, I asked Mikos what he really thought. “Well, Mom, are you perfect? Because the writing was too perfect.” In my mind I quickly responded, “Pretty near perfect!” I laughed it off. Then my daughter Sonja threw in her two cents worth, “You can use AI, but you need to guide it with your own words.” Again my inner thoughts, “Really, it was through the grace of God that I accomplished what I did.”

Anything that takes control over your thoughts is not healthy. So I decided that I will not be using AI for my Blog. The  main reason is because although I wrote it  all the additional words were amplified. They and hid my voice. So in a way my words were muffled with correct diction that did not come across as me.

Record-Breaking Heat

In 2025 the entire month of March was what we love about our state – the weather was in the mid 70’s. Not this year –  we are walking in sandals and putting on sunscreen and running our air conditioners!

Belen De Leon (local Los Angeles meteorologist) said the current high-pressure system is extending very high into the atmosphere, “more like something you’d see in the middle of the summer.”

“[The high-pressure system] is very tall. So, the taller and the stronger that high pressure system is, the more air it pushes down,” she said. “And, when air sinks, it warms and it compresses. When that air compresses, it heats up. Plus, we’ve got clear skies, wall-to-wall sunshine — that’s what causes the temperatures to climb so quickly during the day.”

De Leon said the biggest issue with this system is that it’s not budging. 

By Monica Garske  Published March 19, 2026

The Upside Of Scorching Heat: Roses and Humming Birds

Every morning I wake up to more roses! So many I’m running low on vases! Honestly, it’s like summer with a bumper crop of so many beautiful blooms.  Mike is using new, environmentally safe treatment to protect them from all aphids and other pests that attack our roses.

Our Blessed Mother Mary loves roses and in many of her apparitions she appears with roses. I, too, am a rose lover; nothing can compare to the scent of a rose. When the scent of roses fills a room,  it gives us a glimpse of what heaven has in store.

My yard is a quiet sanctuary for humming birds. This will be the third year that the same humming bird returns to the nest outside my kitchen’s Dutch doors. My cat Prudie is too up in years to attempt catching anything moving, so it’s a safe haven.

The Egg Shells

My Prayer

God is good, and so is my editor! May we be blessed with cooler weather, and do take time to smell the roses.

A Lenten Season Reflection: From Filet-O-Fish to Faith and Renovations

Welcome back to the blog! This week, I’m diving into a mix of personal stories, food adventures, and the spiritual journey of Lent. We’ll talk about the humble origins of the Filet-O-Fish sandwich, some recent fast-food escapades (both wins and disappointments), a little about the quirks of Southern California road trips, and a heartfelt update on my Lenten experience and home renovation challenges in Santa Barbara. So, pour yourself a cup of coffee and join me for a stroll through memory lane, a few culinary detours, and reflections on faith.

The Filet-O-Fish: More Than Just a Sandwich

Did you know the Filet-O-Fish sandwich dates back to 1962? I was ten when it came onto the scene, thanks to Lou Groen, a McDonald’s franchise owner in Cincinnati, Ohio. Here’s the story: His neighborhood was overwhelmingly Catholic—about 87%—so during Lent, when many abstain from meat, his Fridays were rough. Profits during that season dipped to around $75 a day. Being Catholic himself, Lou saw the problem firsthand and pitched a fish sandwich to Ray Kroc, McDonald’s CEO. Kroc wasn’t convinced at first and instead pushed another idea—the Hula Burger, a grilled pineapple and cheese sandwich. They decided on a contest: whichever sandwich sold better would make it to the menu. The Filet-O-Fish won, and the rest is fast-food history, with the sandwich officially joining the permanent menu in 1965.

The Filet-O-Fish has been my go-to over the years, especially during Lent. But, let me tell you, my recent experiences haven’t exactly been legendary. One afternoon, I suggested we grab a Filet-O-Fish for lunch. Sounds simple, right? Not when you have to wrestle with the McDonald’s app first. We ended up spending $21 for two sandwiches, which is a bit rich for fast food, only to find the sandwich disappointingly dry and light on tartar sauce—the true star of the show. We tried again last Friday, armed with the app and a clear plan, paying $2.99 each. This time, the sandwich was still missing that saucy sparkle I remember, lingering as a dry reminder that nostalgia doesn’t always match reality.

Fast Food Redemption on the Road

On a brighter note, our frequent trips to Santa Barbara have introduced us to some new favorites — Mesa Cafe for breakfast, where the generous portions keep us fueled for hours, is a standout. But our day trips aren’t without their quirks, especially when you’re juggling charging your electric car with road trip hunger and bathroom breaks.

Our experience with LA gas stations taught us a tough lesson: don’t count on public restrooms there. Instead, we opt for stops at Agoura Hills/Calabasas off-ramps—easy on, easy off, with friendly amenities. Since we don’t usually buy gas, we make sure to grab something small because, well, you gotta honor the hospitality somehow. I told Mike, “I’m done paying $20 just to use the restroom,” so we stopped at McDonald’s instead, ordering two cheeseburgers to go. And guess what? Those burgers turned out to be pure joy—ketchup oozing out, juicy patties, the kind of food experience that can make a fast-food stop feel like a small victory. Though I had this joyous food experience, I’m done with Filet-O-Fish sandwiches, even for $2.99 on Fridays. It’s not worth another disappointment.

Lent 2026: Fish on the Menu

Speaking of Lent, plenty of fast-food chains recognize the season with fish-forward menus. Del Taco offers crispy, beer-battered and shrimp tacos, Chick-fil-A jumps in with their own fish sandwiches, and Arby’s recently rolled out a Cajun Fish sandwich alongside their usual fish options. It’s nice to see these choices expanding, making it easier for folks sticking to Lenten traditions to find something tasty on the go.

Closer to home, we regularly support St. Norbert’s parish fish fry on Fridays during Lent. It’s only $12, delicious, and serves a wonderful cause—raising funds for eighth graders heading to Washington, D.C. After dinner, the Stations of the Cross service at 7 p.m. is a peaceful, reflective way to end the day. Lent, in all its forms—from fast food specials to community fellowship—feels like a season during which the sacred and the everyday intersect.

My Lent Journey: Wrestling with Grace

Honestly, Lent hasn’t been all smooth sailing for me. Discipline and love have been a challenge, and when I stumble, my instinct is to be hard on myself, like punching the air with oversized gloves. But Lent is also a time for reflection—towards myself, and toward God’s patient guidance. I want to draw from the well of His mercy, let Him speak to my soul, and recognize when I’m off course.

More than being convicted of my shortcomings, I crave the peace of a clear conscience and a straightened path. Lent is a pilgrimage, and I want to feel ever more deeply the holy presence that walks beside me.

Update from Santa Barbara: Renovation Realities and New Dreams

We didn’t plan, really, to invest in a renovation project in our twilight years, but here we are. Our Santa Barbara home has been under construction since last August, but it’s been a slow and costly journey. Permits in this coastal city come with unique rules designed to protect the environment and architecture. Our windows, initially installed, didn’t pass inspection due to new codes requiring stronger protection against Pacific moisture, meaning they had to be redone.

After a recent rainstorm, we discovered the roof needed replacement. Adding to this, plumbing and electrical systems required updating, none of which were in the original budget. Despite the delays and surprises, I have developed a new-found love for Santa Barbara. Though the atmosphere and wardrobe is relax and lay back, I like to dress up.  But If all goes well, Mike and I plan to make it our home, God willing.

A Prayer for the Journey

I leave you with my prayer for this journey:

Dear Lord, thank You for loving us unconditionally. It doesn’t matter where we are in our walk or how imperfect we feel—You take us as we are and say, “Come to me, and I will give you rest.” Thank You for meeting me when I stray and redirecting me to Your path. Forgive my transgressions and let me enter Your holy chambers with a pure and contrite heart. Amen.

How’s your Lent shaping up? Whether smooth or stormy, remember you’re not walking this road alone. I look forward to sharing more stories, reflections, and maybe even some recipes next week. Until then, may your days be blessed and your sandwiches delightfully saucy. Maybe not so much the recipes – after all I’m still the Reluctant Chef!