The Very Hungry Seedpod

Last evening the keeper was watering while we watched.  She became quite excited when she thought she had discovered a new kind of seedpod.  Ha! She discovered what we have known for a while----and have been trying to communicate to her.  But she thought we were asking to come inside.  Inter-species communication is difficult! This creature is having an "all you can eat" orgy on the plants in the backyard.  Huge lacy holes everywhere.  If she were home more, she would have noticed this occurrence much earlier.

Path to Peace

Two of the mellowest cats ever trying to decide if this was a play date or simply a chance to bask in each other's presence. I, Alice, got bored watching this from the front porch. It was as exciting as watching paint, or the newly mopped kitchen floor, dry.  I went inside to nap.

A Visit From Hunter

Hunter, our slightly obese neighbor came for a visit yesterday.  We know he wouldn't hurt a flea, and that he is very mellow.  He took up a Buddha- like pose in the front yard last evening and seemed to enjoy absorbing the warmth of our concrete path.

SU Early Evening

We have no idea why the keeper cannot just stay home on her days off.  But she was out of here yesterday morning by 6:30 and didn't come home till quite late. She spent the day with her new students and from the loving way she gave us our very late dinner, we can tell it was a good beginning.  But we thought today we would have her all to ourselves, but she hooked up with the computer again working on some kind of talk and a retreat. So we could go outside and enjoy what she couldn't. Then, suddenly before we could ask for fresher food, she bolted out the door back to SU where she met her students again for a dinner debrief of their team-building day. Her report to us was that it was a transforming day for them and their trainer...and the big question was, "In May, who will you be on the other end of the web?" We have no idea what means. We didn't even try to answer, let alone care. We only pleaded for our late dinner. She told us that eating late was fashionable.  As if we cared.

The Stoplight Gospel

Earlier today the keeper was driving a busy road on her way to her ministry. She passed by the usual  beggars whom she has decided we need on every freeway entrance and exit, at every intersection of this slick part of the world.  They are disturbing icons who not only annoy us, but who wake us up.  It doesn't matter if they are needy or not.  They could be actors, but we still need them to shake the numbness and complaisance out of us. But today, after hearing a short, yet pointed homily on power, rank, privilege in the Reign of God, the keeper stopped at a light in a well known suburb and lo and behold she caught a great stare-down between a beggar holding a sign, such as the one above, and a nice looking couple in a white Lamborghini which cost more than our house. No one budged. and the light turned. Everyone roared off, including the keeper, and the beggar waved them all good bye. Who is first? Who is last? Who will open the door of the Kin-dom for us?

Spider Moon

The keeper finally returned home to feed us, and she was so frantic to get many things done she barely said hello. We think it is ironic that one of the things she was frantically racing to get done was reading and grading papers on a book about Sabbath rest! The only thing that could stop her in her tracks was the moon.  She stopped, carried us to the window, and sighed many times with awe. So, moonstruck she was into Sabbath time, at least for a few minutes.

Tasteful Gifts

Books and Fran's Salted Caramels.  What better gifts could there be? When the keeper went to purchase her gift this afternoon at Third Place Books, she was astounded by the numbers of people and the general buzz.  She finally asked the cashier what she was missing and learned they were all preparing for the arrival of the author of Fifty Shades of Grey.  She was trying to remember why this book sounded familiar and then the young man explained that it was an erotic novel set in Seattle. After the light went on, the keeper realized she lives a not so racy life.  Later she wondered if she should have bought that book for her friend instead of the detective novels from Africa.

Happy Birthday, Valerie and Katherine!

Today after a long day of class prep, the keeper joined MKD and the two autumnal equinox birthday graces at Azteca for dinner.  They checked out the I Pad version of the Worcester Inaugural event, gossiped about the latest higher education, ecclesiastical and political news, and had a great evening.

Happy Autumnal Equinox!

Fall it is! It seems like it all switched overnight---the temperature, at least. And it's dark at 8-ish. And the spider webs are beautiful but clogging all of our paths, and if you know the keeper, you know that she usually tries to apologize to each web she disrupts, and tries to place the remnants on a nearby branch. She also makes a suggestion that perhaps they should spin these intricate designs a little higher next time.  But her question remains: do they reuse any of the broken web or do they have to start all over?  The spiders aren't talking. She bought a book on spiders once, but must have loaned it out.

Hurrahing in Harvest

At last the keeper's bad gardening habits are being superseded by the urge for tomatoes to seize life and grow! She came home today bone tired after some long meetings, and also energized by a wonderful Holy Conversation group. But there was still time late this night to pluck the tomatoes off the vines. And they are a lovely little crop. The Asian pears will be next. However, we think the keeper is not used to the pace she has set for herself.  Perhaps she has volunteered for one too many wonderful projects. Maybe this will settle down by mid-October.

No Little Miss Muffett

Well, she wasn't sitting on a tuffet, nor was she eating curds and whey.  But right down beside her, sat down a spider, but our keeper was not frightened away. No, after her long walk, she became very busy at the computer. She was too busy doing all of the work that isn't part of her real work--she was preparing a class, a meeting, and a talk today.  She didn't have time to let even a large spider interrupt her.  No, she moved it to another location.

Late Summer Blossoms

 She also had a good time admiring all the flowers still blooming away as she headed to the Trail.

Back to Burke Gilman

After a week of hanging out at the fancy Boston athletic club, the keeper headed back to her old territory--and today decided to walk west on the Burke Gilman Trail.  It was quite beautiful, she said. Lots of birds, butterflies, and no hints of autumn. But after 90 minutes she returned to us dehydrated but healthy.  We were smarter and napped in the shade.

Back to Life as We Like It

So, folks, the keeper is back.  Some of you have seen her more than we have. She spent the day running around,  getting new license plates and going to her gym.  We, on the other hand, took advantage of a beautiful day after 7 days of house arrest. We are happy we did because late this afternoon she locked us back in and headed off to a golf tournament dinner for the cathedral Family Kitchen. It was the dinner she went to, we would hate to see her play golf in public with people she respects. She came back happy, and that is good. It means treats before bed.

Home, Sweet Home!

The flight from Boston arrived one half hour early, if you can believe it.  The keeper was very enchanted by the view of Mt Rainier as she headed into her home turf. We thought our faces would be the enchanting factor, but perhaps we are wrong. We hear that she tested the Light Rail from the airport and it was great, although the Seahawks fans took over the train.

Sunrise Logan

We hear that the keeper rose early before the dawn. She and Nancy needed to catch planes. Nancy was heading to El Paso to receive an award. The keeper was coming home to us, which is reward in itself. They got up at 3:30 after a minimum of sleep. We think the keeper will be awhile in returning, but we are hoping to see her this day. But we will not look excited. Really. This cat sit thing gets old. But we should be grateful for attention, we suppose. We wonder if the keeper will bring us gifts. A live lobster, perhaps?

And to All A Good Night

 

The ice sculptures which held the champagne bottles earlier in the evening had become drippy messes by the time the happy crowd dispersed into the night. 

Nancy and Larry

Nancy and Larry took one more photo op with their neighbor, Phil.

Grateful Remarks

Phil thanked and acknowledged each group of colleagues and friends and family---Holy Cross, Georgetown, Jesuit brothers, Pacific Northwest, and family.

More Connections

Haute Cuisine

The menu included delights from the Northwest and Northeast.

Inaugural Dinner

The dinner for 375 took place in the student dining hall which could have been the setting for Hogworts.

Among the Glitterati

The glitterati enjoyed refreshing G and T's at the outdoor reception for family and friends.

Inaugural Proclamation

The  Chair of the Board of Trustees officially inaugurated Phil, after which Phil gave an inaugural address. Phil referred to a fine poem written and read by Dr. Robert Cording about St. Ignatius: 

"He wept, they say, because he 'd suddenly feel

entirely empty, and utterly grateful, the door

of his heart, which was and was not his

at these moments, ...swung wide open, able now 

to receive and find room for all the world's 

orphaned outpourings and astonishments."

Inauguration Ceremony

 Lots of pomp, circumstance, reps from 150 colleges and universities, including SU, Gonzaga,Mount Holyoke, Smith, The Gregorian,  in a gym which must have reached 110 degrees. They did offer guests bottled water, thank God.

The Office

 Post-lunch the visitors decided to check out their friend's office.  His staff let them in after they promised not to break anything. Very tasteful space complete with lovely wood paneling, new leather chairs, two antechambers. They left notes, cards, and did not break anything.

Oregon Province

The Men from the Oregon Province posed with their brother, Father President.

Eyes Open!

At lunch Natch got out his camera and started shooting.  He stopped long enough to be photographed with his eyes open.

Lunch for Family and Friends

The Jesuit on the left of the Provincial is the Chaplain to the US House of Representatives. The keeper learned a great deal about the House and his ministry through lunch.

More Seattle Delegation

The Seattle Delegation

The Post Mass Reception

 After the Mass everyone swarmed the President to congratulate him. The crowd was ebullient.