Retreat Postscript

Today is the day after...I've been on a high.  Yes, a high.  The two days at Saint Meinrad Archabbey each year are something I really look forward to.  Most years the weather is conducive to long walks and quiet.  But this year there was ice, sleet and snow, there was no walk around the lake or reflection at the Grotto.  You know, I did have time for quiet alone at the Abby Church, the guest house chapel and sitting quietly in the reading room watching the snow/sleet and thanking God for the Monks and their hospitality!  Thanks, too, to St. Benedict and his Rule.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

Sunset to Sunrise!

I have found when writing this post that sunrise and sunset are really treasured gifts.  It makes no difference whether it a sunrise or a sunset.  No difference because they are both glorious creations of God our Father.  And gratitude should be given at the beginning and the end of each day.

Sunrise and sunset

Beauty in reds and oranges

Glorious jewels

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

I'm joining for the first time Little Things Thursday.  Drop by by and visit!

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

Ash Wednesday

Be sure that you first preach by the way you live.  If you do not people will notice that you say one thing, but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head.  ~~St. Charles Borromeo

This Lent, as all that have gone before, is a journey to prepare us for the REAL celebration.  The celebration of our Redemption.  

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Cat Expression

Simba sits there watching.  Calmly staring without blinking at me.  What is he thinking?  Is he preparing to nap? Is he getting ready to scold me?  His sister is playing with  his favorite toy but  he is not deterred.  I continue to knit and he continues to stare.  This goes on for some time.  (Long enough to get a couple of pictures that are all the same pose.)  Then, just as suddenly as he took this pose, he rises, arches his back to stretch, meows, and leaps from the sofa and off he went.

Perhaps, I should consider this a lesson to me from the sage, Simba, a lesson in calm, peace and tranquility.  And maybe what he is saying to me with those eyes that look so very stern, "Hear what I am saying, be quiet and at peace.  Relax, life is good, remember what I say!!"

Simba is the sage

The cat that's full of wisdom

His eyes say, "listen."

Tranquility his

Calm and peace the lesson

He wants this for all

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

I'm joining for the first time Little Things Thursday.  Looks like fun.  Drop by for a visit!

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing all a Happy and Healthy 2015. My resolution for this new year is to remember daily the blessing I have been given and give thanks for them.  Blessings are never underrated!!!  Or at least they shouldn't be underrated.  

So I resolve to rise in the morning and thank God!  And I resolve to end my day thanking God for the day given me.

Best Wishes!!!!

Cathy