Pondering the Blossoms and Birds

Meanwhile, I stayed inside and pondered the glory of the flowering apple tree and the wisteria which is coming into bud outside of my window, right over dear Cecil's grave. It's going to get warm for a few days and thank God this cottage is cool. I haven't shed all my winter coat yet, but am doing a fine job leaving all I can on the pillows and furniture.

On the Feast of the Doctora

Today the keeper was celebrating the Feast of St. Catherine of Siena, the great doctor of the Church who thought nothing of telling popes what she thought about their behavior and choices. I am sure that there were many who hid behind couches and curtains when they saw her approach, or sighed mightily before opening her letters. Today the keeper greeted her male friends in ecclesial public posts with warm and cordial words, hoping they would not be assailed by too many women of wisdom today. Perhaps a few, though.

Happy Birthday!

Another belated birthday greeting--this one  to our friends M and C who keep Hairy and Tom happy.

We wish them a very good year ahead with joy and adventure!

Happy 100th Birthday!

Yesterday the keeper forgot to post our posts. Too much flurry over new hair, I suppose. 

But we wanted to recognize that yesterday would have been the 100th birthday of her mother who has been whooping it up in heaven for the past nine years.  So, today we proclaim, "Happy Belated Birthday, Mary Elizabeth!"

Stephen, the Most Pastoral Stylist

The keeper left me again while the house was being cleaned. So much for bonding yesterday.

But she told me she was headed downtown to get a haircut and she hoped I would recognize her when she returned. She entrusted her straight wimpy hair to Stephen's capable hands and came back looking a whole lot better. I did recognize her too. I understand that the next time he is going to make it shorter, but this was a start. 

Plotting Le Voyage

So the keeper got home late and then instead of bonding with me, she invited two friends over for a dinner and a chance to keep plotting their Paris and maybe someplace else adventure.  All I know of Paris is what I have seen watching The Aristocats on DVD.  It seems pretty fun, with a variety of cats frolicking. After watching them plan, I have decided that their meetings are as much about eating and talking as planning. I did get some leftover chicken from the escalarole sauced dish she whipped up.  I am supposed to say, "Thank you, Paul J, for the recipe."

Outside my Window!

Outside the keeper's window is a lemon tree, fruiting abundantly.

Fleury

The colors are bright, the air is light with hints of eucalyptus!

The trumpet vines seem suspended in air.

Sigh

Not exactly a clear day today, but you all get the idea.

Visiting the Rose Garden

After her three hour presentation this morning, after lunch with the Instituto Hispano team and other friends who kept showing up, the keeper and Paul took a long walk to the Rose Garden and into town.

They traipsed up and down hills, getting caught up. There was a Mass, followed by dinner, and a lecture by a sociologist of religion on Vatican II. She will go to bed early tonight. A very full day.

Thank you for asking, I did fine with the pet sitter. 

Spring in Berkeley

Fields of flowers and colors and sunlight and warmth!

Belated Holy Thursday Reflection

Seen on a faculty member's office door.

Berserkely

She left me with a pet sitter yet again.

Something about teaching MDiv candidates and Jesuits hoping to be ordained in Berkeley.

I understand she had quite a reunion with her former intern, almost a doctora now, and her host, a respected liturgist and former colleague, where they gossiped and feasted at a fabulous chicken and escarole dinner with good Ignatian  scotch.

FutureChurch!

Easter Sunday ended back in Church where a lovely girl received First Communion and others entertained episcopal aspirations. I, Alice, stayed home while the keeper shared a wonderful and unexpected meal with dear friends, new and old.

Christos Aneste!

Alithos

Aneste!

Palm Sunday in the Neighborhood

No leashed ducks here, just beauty unleashed all over!

Palm Sunday at the Cathedral

She told me she tried to take other more meaningful photos of the procession and palms, but this participant was far more unusual! He even had a red leash.

First Full Moon of Spring

Easter is on its way!

To the Lake, at Last!

Can you see the mountain rising out of the clouds? 

The keeper left me early this morning to preside over a retreat at the Cathedral. She had been working on this for awhile and I heard her struggling like in the old days. She kept asking me why she keeps saying, "Yes" to these invitations. I had nothing to say that she would understand.  She came home to me and Cristina who was cleaning and keeping me company. She seemed much relieved that it was done. But she did mention that it seemed to be well received. I was hoping she would stay home with me, but no way, she was off to walk down to the lake. 

Others were also walking and taking the sun.

1

She went to Lyon Creek Park where Lyon Creek took on a Lenten hue.

And rested on the dock at the park.

Can We End Poverty in the Next Fifty Years?

The keeper is home now and she was talking about a War that began 50 years ago on a country called Poverty. When I asked her if we won it, she shook her head and said, " No". She told me that this is why she needs to go to her new office and focus on this with many people. This is why she is not home very much. I asked her if she would stay home with me when the war ended. She promised that she would do that, and get me a new kitten to keep me company until then.

At Resurrection in Tualitan

The Bishop of Portland addressed the gathering.

Clouds Heading South

The keeper left me with a sitter. She chased clouds all the way down I 5 to Portland where it is kind of sunny now.

A Visit to POC Second Floor

The keeper left me all day to spend most of it at a meeting at the Pastoral Outreach Center.

I asked her what it was she did at that meeting.  She said she listened to a lot of challenging presentations, some inspiring, some challenging in other ways.  She also multi-tasked. I suggested that it would be nice to add some treadmills and elliptical trainers at the back of these meeting rooms to keep the meeting goers in good  shape.  She thought that was a good idea. 

After, she had another meeting upstairs where she saw delightful people at work ---and  delightful Caitlin sorting seeds artfully for the new kitchen garden. This prompted me to remind her that she also has many seeds in the garage which need planting. She nodded and said, " Someday soon."

April Fooling

The keeper learned that there are some days in her new workplace which are considered high holy days by some longer term employees.