Yesterday Dave and I took Dave’s father to Moodus for a Tridentine Mass (old Latin style mass Pre-Vatican II). It was a really nice experience. The priest spoke in Latin an absolute “mile-a-minute” so following along in the booklet was impossible. But I’d been instructed before hand that I should just sit back, pray, and participate internally. That was superb advice. I was also given this link to read instructions for the mass, which was also a GREAT help. http://www.fisheaters.com/TLMinstructions.html

The mass seemed more reverent, the attendees dressed very nicely (no shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, etc.), it was very quiet (and there were several little children/babies present) and several of the women attendees wore head-coverings. I’ve never contemplated chapel veils before so I don’t have an opinion on that practice. I just noticed it.

Dave said he’d like to go again. He would like to attend a mass with a priest who maybe doesn’t speak Latin as if it were a race though. Dave also noted that it would be nice if the priest used a microphone, but that isn’t traditional so it probably doesn’t happen.

After mass, we drove down to Old Saybrook and took Dave’s father to Johnny Ad’s, a seafood shack with great clams. I had my usual clam strips and Dave had the whole bellies. I just can’t get my taste buds around those whole belly clams yet. I like the little tiny ones Dave gives me, but those big bellied ones—not my thing. This place also has pretty great Lobster Bisque. They are a little lean with the lobster meat, but that isn’t unusual.

We drove a little further to a public beach after dinner. I wore sandals so I got to walk along the beach with no shoes on for the first time in a long time. I even waded a little bit into the freezing cold ocean. There was a little boy out on the sand who ran up to me to inquire about crabs being present before he dipped his toes in the surf. He was cute. He kept saying he didn’t want his toes to be pinched by crabs.

So we had a nice day with Dave’s father. Next year, Dave will hopefully be a dad too. At least we keep praying that will be true.