I could.

I’ve got about 800 Euros behind on my gas bill.

A priest friend posted the following on his FB page:

TEN COUNSELS

FOR STAYING CATHOLIC

DURING A CALAMITOUS PONTIFICATE

1. Stay Calm

At the time when the boat is sinking, to become hysterical is very human, but this doesn’t solve even the smallest problem. It is only when we are calm that we can make fitting decisions for each situation, and avoid those that we will regret later.

And it’s damn fine advice.

I have the “stay calm” rule foremost in my mind at all times. I kept it in my brain this afternoon as I handed over my last 30 bucks at the grocery store. “Stay calm. You will be paid again soon, and meanwhile, you have everything the kitties need plus milk! AND toilet paper! Woot!” I think “Stay calm and count your current blessings” is perhaps the best possible advice for all perilous times.

Obviously, it’s not my very last 30 bucks ever. I’m still writing for Mike at the Remnant night and day, and stuff is going on all the time. I get more or less a constant stream of assignments. But no matter how fast I churn them out, it’s really just not quite enough to cover all the expenses. I’m getting the rent paid and the groceries in, but every month it’s a choice between the gas and the electric bill, and lately the electric’s been winning.

Every month I think I can just get on top of it and start making a dent in the Umbriagas backlog, but it’s just not stretching far enough. It’s almost-but-just-barely-not-quite-enough, and I’m slowly slipping behind a few feet every month.

Actually, what I really need is just one more casual or part time paying gig, and I’m working on that. In January I sold a painting and that was a big deal. A very big deal. As well as covering gas and groceries for that month, it has given me impetus for keeping ploughing on this odd course I’ve chosen. The whole point of quitting LifeSite was to be 1) more free to talk about the issue that I think is most pressing and in a more… ahem… forthright manner and 2) to get time to paint. So, that’s aaaaaalmost working. We’re almost there.

Anyway, that little bit of slack is what I’m working on tightening up, but in the meantime, I’m kind of worried that I’m going to turn up the heat tonight and nothing will happen. Italy’s pretty easygoing about these things and I’ve been able to throw a few hundred bucks to the national gas monopoly now and then to keep things from getting dire, but…

I thought pretty hard about dumping all this for a few months and just retreating to the hills, but I was convinced by a few friends who emailed and said there needs to be this kind of thing for other people. A lot of people, more and more all the time, are freaking out. They feel they’re stuck in an impossible position because the neoCatholic mythology is that the pope can do no wrong. The cognitive dissonance is cracking people up. There seem to be very few people out there writing regularly – who aren’t, you know, nuts – who get that it is actually OK to say no, this is wrong, this shouldn’t be happening. Popes shouldn’t act this way. And even fewer who can say why in a way that people can understand. So, that’s my excuse for not quitting blogging. You guys, in short.

So, if I’ve amused you, enlightened you, granted you emotional “permission” to think the things you already think or helped you not to freak out as much, or provided a voice you can relate to, or any of that stuff… think about throwing a few bucks in the tip jar.

One or two people have already been very generous and steadfast and have been making small donations monthly, which has impressed me mightily I can tell you! A friend has suggested that the solution to the financial woes could be to ask if there is anyone else out there who would be willing to commit to a regular small monthly payment. If we get ten of those the gap will be filled. If you’re interested, send me an email.

I’ve got people who know what they’re doing with computers and the innernet working on how to get a PP button on a WordPress blog. I tried to figure it out until my brain bled, but failed. So, until they get to that, here’s the link to my personal blog, Orwell’s Picnic, where my Paypal donate button is on the top of the sidebar to the left.

[Oh wait! this is a new Paypal thing. A link to “KeepHilaryinbiscuits” which will take you to the thing to click. I hope it works. I’m new to this kind of thing.]

And thanks.

All kidding aside, I do pray for y’all. I know it’s rough out there. And I know how good I’ve got it over here, temporary money troubles notwithstanding. The monks say Mass for “Hilary’s friends” at least once a month.

Hang in there.

HJMW