Robin Down!

We were home alone for most of the afternoon and evening. It was very windy so we didn't
mind staying inside.  The keeper was busy cleaning.  We think if she had a house cleaner she would be happier. But she is stubborn.  After playing housekeeper she left us for some errands at SU.
She was detained on her way to the library by quite a scene---crow attacking a young robin, while older robins squawked and dive bombed the crow, the young robin crying out. Eventually two Safety and Security officers took over.  The little bird appeared to recuperate and the officers made the keeper and all of the other " helpful" bystanders go away so its mother could claim it. The officers stood by to harass the offending crow. When she passed by the area later, the baby had moved and all seemed still.  The officers said that two pigeons had been killed by crows in the morning.

Good Shepherd Evening

We couldn't wait for the keeper to come home and see that our wonderful young neighbor had mowed our lawn and moss and wildflowers.  She was planning on calling the lawn guys on Monday. She still needs to call them because there is much yard work to do. But, when she walked out of the garage tonight she smelled the ocean, seaweed and the fresh salty smell of cut grass. What a difference a lawnmower can make! Except, sweet Cecil has a harder time grazing.

Good Shepherd Sunday

We should really charge her for house-sitting.  We hear that it can bring in a good income.  Yes, we were home alone for most of today. Where was our keeper?  In church...In church...In church. We heard about the emotional morning with her friends at the Cathedral, and the wonderful choir with shepherd songs, and the surprise of high school students from Santa Ana. Kind of a Catholic ecclesiastical Glee post postlude. Then there was the incredible gathering in Bothell with some of the women of justice interviewing children about bullying.  Then the young adults in Bellevue were recruiting for an adolescent retreat and she heard that some of her people had found lawyers, scholarships, and work.  Then they planned the parenting events until the end of 2013.  We think that is impressive. She agreed.

Post-Gathering

The facilitators celebrated a very successful session by talking about it for a long time.  Then there was the late lunch.  Meanwhile we were at home hoping she would get home before dark so we could inspect our territory.
Eventually, we went out and chased birds. We are going to bed early tonight.

The Anti-Bullying Campaign

This morning the keeper left us early to pick up one of the facilitators of the Justice Circle.  She was a little groggy after an event last evening, but she did remember to feed us.  The group of 12 women are putting together an Anti Bullying campaign in Spanish. Their children are also discussing the same topic, and the keeper found the conversation absolutely fascinating. The kids covered every topic including the anti-gay stuff. While the women and kids were doing their thing, the men were studying the psalms.

Jose's Work

Jose tore down the old structure that holds the maple vines. It was rotted and falling into the neighbors' yard. Then he hand cut each piece and stained it, and gently took off all the vines from the old screen.  And he got it done before the vines started budding.  Little by little we get this house into shape.  But we are never done.

Apple Tree

Hi, everyone! Greetings from the house cats.  While the keeper was out running to meetings, to parties,  to her office, to wherever else it is she goes, we were watching the apple tree bloom, we were watching the tulips start popping, we were watching the crows trim our maple trees, dropping the long branches onto the lawn. Why do they do that, anyway?  We tried to tell her about it all, but she patted us on the head and gave us treats instead of listening.  We hope she treats the people she works with better than that.

Gardening

We had a busy day today.  The keeper spent the later afternoon into the evening in the yard, weeding.

Alice nursed her allergies (as you know, tree pollen is very high), and I sharpened my claws when I wasn't supervising. We find that gardening is very good therapy for the keeper as she ponders responses to recent ecclesiastical crises.  But we think the yard people need to come because the back lawn is moss.  And unless the keeper quits her day job she will never keep up with it all. If we had opposable thumbs or an I Phone we would call Gerardo Lopardo ourselves!

Good Day, Sunshine

 We actually got to spend the early evening out on the deck! The keeper came home after lots of First Communions, conversations, and a social work call.  We both sat with her as she and all of her East coast friends gossiped about the latest ecclesiastical crisis. Cecil discovered that catnip had grown miraculously in one of the hanging baskets which had been hauled out of the tool shed. We are excited to think that tomorrow we might get to spend most of the day in the yard, since the keeper is ready to tackle some garden chores.

Almost Ready!

We have been tending dozens of tomato plants from heirloom species .  They have now developed a second set of leaves so that means they are almost ready for planting.  Fair warning:  Anyone who lives near us might end up with some plants.

Earth Day Grazing

Cecil is part cow or perhaps horse. He would almost rather graze than eat his top of the line organic cat food. And it has to be outdoor grass.  The keeper tried to plant seeds and grow it inside to keep life simpler.  but no way.  Right now, since the lawn is high, he is having a very  grassy diet.

!Desastre!

Several weeks ago there was nothing out here.
Right now it is a disaster!!! We need to call the yard
people really soon! Tulips are showing up in the lawn
and in the pots on the front porch. Pretty soon we will
be declared a friendly neighborhood nuisance!

Face in the Door

Okay, we are not the kind of household that paid much attention to the Weekly World News or the tabloids except when certain people go down to the beach.  But today at the keeper's office after the justice circle ended, they were all sitting around evaluating the morning and the intern stopped suddenly, and said, " There's a face in the door!" So they stopped evaluating and stared at the closet door.  Then they started shooting pictures and decided that perhaps the image has a little Bell's Palsy.  There is also a rumor that ghosts of sisters wander the halls at night.  Perhaps given the recent and shocking news that the Vatican wants to reform the LCWR, the ghostly sisters are literally coming out of the woodwork.

Where She Went

We stayed behind but we understand that we would not have been happy at the dinner, other than for the salmon and dozens of the keeper's friends. But it was a little noisy and crowded--not cat friendly. But for a good cause--- Cabrini Ministries.  And she invited lovely " switched on" people, including Hairy and Tom's  keepers. In some ways the timing of this event was perfect given the recent ecclesiastical distresses of the past weeks. People needed to mingle and swap stories and ideas. The speaker did not babble on but  used the moment to conjure up some tenacity, dangerous memories and hopefully, money. However, she did not return home with either salmon or cake. Table Twelve was brilliant and cool, but not at the top of the cake food chain. That's okay with us.

Home Alone

We acknowledged her departure early today.  We ate. We slept. We tossed the toys. We waited for her return.  We hoped for an evening all together, kind of a family night.  But, alas, not to be. But she did leave us with another You Tube of Henri, who is our new soul brother: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M7ibPk37_U. If you watch it you may better understand our plight.

Non Anxious Presence

We have been home alone a lot. Yes, the keeper is everywhere but here.  And when she's here she is on the phone or at the computer.  She is preoccupied with ecclesiastical anxieties. We are trying to be non-anxious presences. As if she would notice. Thank God, a good friend sent us this wonderful You Tube video about Henri who helps us keep it all together.  Please feel free to watch it yourselves.  We think Henri really gets what our world is all about somedays: http://youtu.be/Q34z5dCmC4M.

Pink Blankets

The cherry trees are blanketing  the neighborhood. 

Scars

Yes, you can guess.  We spent most of our day home alone. She's back on the church circuit. We hear that she had nice visits with lots of people, and no one seemed to be talking about the referendum.  They were more into Divine Mercy. But she ended her rambling at the Cathedral  where she gratefully heard the words divine mercy maybe only three times, and then heard an incredibly powerful homily on the wounded Body of Christ was quite inspired. we were happy to welcome her back home.  She shared her halibut and ice cream.

Back to Normal

We gave her the bed back, and she gave us treats. She even let us stay out all afternoon while she took a long walk by the lake. It was a beautiful day.  And she is in very fine spirits, indeed.She should go there more often.

New Friends

The keeper also waved farewell to the oh so gifted Maeve. 

We understand that we would like her very much.

Farewell, JST

The students wanted the keeper to stay for their Easter Evening Prayer last evening.  It was lovely, with incense wafting down the hill, calling all to prayer, with tambourines, piano, song, and jasmine scented water sprinkled over all. The chapel was filled and they were very pleased.

Who is This?

Some discussion occurred about who this is.  One thought it was Mary.  Another, John.  The keeper was sure it wasn't Mary.  It came from El Salvador.

Resurrection

The Risen Christ from a Convent in Monserrat.  

Farmers Market

Everything is pretty organic, we hear.  But the rain came in torrents and lifted some stalls' umbrellas, carrying them away.  The keeper fled to Bryn Walker. Those clothes are organic too.

JST Chapel

Ah, Sweet Eucalyptus and More!

Meanwhile in Cloudy California

The keeper called to say hi. She says it smells like eucalyptus and the nasturtiums and trumpet vines and bougainvillea are blooming. She also said her lay M.Div students were great,and that she had a positive lunch with folks from the Instituto Hispano, time to read in the library, and a fantastic dinner at Mangia Mangia with three Jesuit scholars. Does not sound like she misses us very much at all. And thank you for asking about us, we are fine, living independently. We have her bed all to ourselves now. She may have to sleep in the den when she returns.

At Home With Our Easter Loot

Alice and I have been playing with our Easter loot, the catnip eggs from the Easter bassets. But without opposable thumbs we can't upload the photos we took. We will be pretty happy if this gets posted. Thank God for spellcheck! Maybe the keeper can help us upload them when she gets back.

Easter Monday on the Deck

What a day!  We all spent it outside on the deck!  The keeper had to plan two classes for her trip to CA and we got to lounge. She got a bit of a sunburn.  We were more sensible.

Sweet Sweet Easter Monday

Our first daphne opened up today. We have been waiting since February!

Easter Table

The table did not groan with sweets and dairy as did the Russian Easter print, but the guests had a lovely time with many other treats.  One guest got carried away and ate all the biscotti.  And we got to stay outside, which was fine with us. Well, we did have to come in and entertain them for awhile.

Easter Bath

Cecil was celebrating appropriately, waiting for the Easter Bassets' gifts.

Hail Thee Festival Day!

Happy Easter! The cherry tree just couldn't stop blossoming all Easter Sunday!

Holy Saturday on the Deck

We knew it couldn't last.  We knew we would have to come in.  But the sun felt so good we would have blossomed if we could have done so.

Finally!

The keeper has been too steeped in Easter to take our dictation.  But we would like to report that the flowering cherry finally started flowering when the sun came out on Holy Saturday. We thought it was going to be a no show this year.

First Full Moon of Spring

The keeper returned home from all the Good Friday events in time to let us out. We joined in her in admiring and sighing at the moon who ruled the sky last night.  Easter is soon upon us.

The Sacred Triduum

And so it began.  The Triduum doesn't really affect us much, other than some stupid bows on Sunday and some extra special food.  Last year there were rabbit ears.  We think we put a stop to that. However, the keeper gets into this liturgical season more than most normal people.  She came home from Tenebrae on Wednesday eve and she told us how the music was so piercing and beautiful that it took her (and no doubt a few others) to a ponder very deeply the state of the world soul. We are not sure what that meant but we were impressed. She almost missed Holy Thursday because of the horrible traffic on the freeways and all the side streets.  The state of her soul when she arrived at the Cathedral was not peaceful and receptive. But, liturgy does have transformative power, and when we saw her again late, she was very still.  We can't wait to see what transpires tonight.