Sliding Otter Publications: The Writings of Dr. Joseph Langen
Blog Posts from Chats with My Muse (also available at www.slidingotter.wordpress.com)
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Fourth Seminary Reflection
Image courtesy of Pixabay I had completed one year of my seminary training and was gearing up for the next year. I had expected to be living in a religious community focused on prayer. That was no surprise. I was surprised by the isolation from the rest of the world with no radio, television or…
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My Grandfather’s Funeral
Image courtesy of Pixabay The school year proceeded about the same as the first one had. Advent arrived with preparation for Christmas. In the last week before Christmas, I was summoned for a phone call, not usually a good sign. My mother was on the phone and told me that my grandfather, her father, had…
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Third Seminary Reflection
Although I had not thought much about growing up, I was suddenly faced with the prospect of moving in that direction. I was starting to gain some competence in sports and had learned the value of practice and perseverance. I was finally starting to master something I could feel good about. I was also starting…
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Second Seminary Reflection
The Seminary introduced new ways of doing things. The biggest difference was the degree to which our time was scheduled compared to life at home. As time went on, I felt further removed from the outside world. Other than family visitors, we seldom encountered anyone who did not live in the seminary. There were no…
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Leaving Home
Image courtesy of Pixabay I left my home and life so far in September 1956. I stayed overnight with my grandparents and all the relatives who stopped by to wish me luck with my new adventure. The next day I rode with my family the several miles to Holy Cross Seminary. I debated about whether…
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Playing At Mass
At one point I realized that going to the seminary was not just a fantasy. But speaking of fantasy, I played being a priest saying Mass. My mother helped me with this fantasy and sewed vestments to wear while I practiced celebrating Mass. Several of my friends played along with my fantasy as well and…
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A Major Decision
Holy Cross Chapel I became quite involved with my duties as an altar boy. I got out of class for funerals which took place during school hours. As I mentioned earlier, I was also receiving tips for such special events as funerals. In the process I also became familiar with the assistant pastors in St.…
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Making a Contribution
As I moved to the upper grades, I started to think that there must be something of consequence I should be doing. At the time, I had no name for this feeling and could not have replied intelligently if someone asked me about it. I had a sense that I should be making some sort…
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Old Friends
Image Courtesy of Pixabay When I lived on Rainier Street, I saw an older woman sitting on her front porch. I walked past her house on the way home from school and said hello to her in passing. Over time I continued to greet her. I knew her as Mrs. Muckle. She invited me to…
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The Cat Lady
Cat Lady One day after school, my friend Gene and I spotted a kitten with the same markings as one which had gone missing from his house. We followed it down a side street and into the yard of a house several doors from the corner. We could not see where it went, so we…