Retreat in the Heat

I'm back, and feeling quite disoriented as I try to regain my footing in a world in which conversation and television predominate. My prayer this past week brought its challenges, and also some moments of incredible grace.

Miscellaneous:

Two hours of nonstop talk with Michelle, who came out to visit with me before the retreat started.   We barely came up for air!

Hot!  Lots of prayer in and around the pool.  

Full moon and stars ~ magnificent over the midnight countryside.

WASPS, Michelle!  Two trips to the drugstore for remedies for massive welts.  One of those brazen insects attacked me on my raft in the pool ~ such chutzpah!

A skunk, an owl, a doe and her twin fawns on my evening walks.  And, Wayne! ~ bluebirds.

Talking breakfast the last morning.  On either side of me at the table, Catholic women, one a retired teacher and one an attorney turned college development officer.  Across: three other women, all of them priests in the Episcopal Church.  The teacher, who is 76, said afterward that she'd never shared a meal with Presbyterians and Episcopalians before!  I'm glad she didn't wait any longer.

I was invited to do the readings at the final mass.  Much sadness in the air, due to illnesses and deaths among those very close to some of the priests.  But much joy as well, as a small community emerged from a week of sharing God's silence.

Pictures, soon, I hope.