And Then This Afternoon

This afternoon we went home early.

Not part of the plan for today.

It snowed, hailed, lightning-ed, and thundered.

On top of that, a tractor trailer truck carrying a 

huge load of propane turned over and stopped traffic 

on I-5 for most of the day. It took only 90 minutes to get home.

There was no snow at home. 

Well, I Woke Up This Morning

And snow was the last thing I expected.

It was so bright I thought I had overslept.

It was very beautiful.

If only electoral politics reversed like this!

Moonlight! Take Two!

So how wild was that! 

I am so happy about this!

Pre Concert

The Seattle Pro Musica concert last night brought more hope to the bleak midwinter--

a selection of music promoting community, reconciliation, liberation.

I had a lovely pre-concert visit to the Sorrento.

In the Bleak Midwinter

Hope in the back yard.

After Sunset--Driving Home

Lady Alice would certainly agree with me that 

without her prodding or that of her feline predecessors  I am 

not a very faithful blogger.

Yes, come April, I will look for a new feline or two, 

and perhaps then the quality will improve here.

Friday Nightlights

The sun is setting a little later these days

and the new lighting helped light up the clear sky.

And the bright yellow crocuses lit up

the dark damp ground.

Reykjavik Advice Night

Tonight I was treated to a delicious dinner, a magnificent view, 

and travel tips from RS, one of the most experienced travelers I know. 

She  had just returned from the same Iceland.

Valentine Traffic Jam

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.

The traffic was crazy this morning. Who knows why? 

It was sunny, clear, calm, and crowded on several routes. 

So I had lots of  time to check out the Mountain from the road.

Hope waits

Taking advantage of the chilly sunny Sunday, I inspected 

the yard, finding much of interest, including the left back fence 

at a45 degree angle overcome by rot and rain.

I called Jesus to work on some new plans.

But the tree in front has quite a nest built up,

tulips and croci are venturing forth

and daphne weathers winter and waits to burst 

La Luna

Could she be any more bella? Really?

Respite with Friends

                             After a very long and dramatic day, no, make that a whole week,

it was so good to retreat to a dinner with friends.

After the storm

Thick wavy sheets of rain entertained us most of the day.

But when the torment dissipated, the sun came out and so did the eagles.

Wet Day at Dumas Bay

Today was the first of two days of teaching for Winter Quarter at Dumas Bay.

We meet down there because 

SU has no room for the students who come from near and far.

The classroom has very nice views.

O Bella Luna!

Tonight as I was leaving Kindred Hospital,

la luna was already making her way over the rooftops

and through the thin strands of clouds.

By the time I got home she was hovering over the lake

and pouring through the bare maple branches.

Snow!

and more snow! 

https://YouTube/lsZ4eGg_X8M

Snow Day!

A snowy little wonderland to the north,

But I am tempted to wrap Francis in a warm coat and hat!

Lost and Found at Liturgy Day--

This morning we had a morning of presentations and reflection on liturgy.

I met  Derrick after morning prayer in the church.  He was desperately looking for his hat.

The hat had special meaning for him. He was bereft when he couldn't find it.

After fidgeting and stressing, and going back and looking over and over for it, 

at the end of the morning one of the presenters held up a hat which had been found in the church.

I was so happy for him. He was ecstatic. I told him I would take a photo of him and the hat so he could describe it should he ever lose it again.

Candlemas Light

Today is Candlemas Day, 40 days after Christmas, when we  remember, that whether or not the groundhog saw its shadow, the light which can shatter all the darkness in us has already come into the world, and lives among us and in us, no matter how dim the times might seem.

And that light is in us and all around us.

Today from the 6th floor bathroom of the SU Library, the mountain shone bright.

Before the Candlemas liturgy tonight, the children's choir gathered at the 

font with the candles to be blessed and their bright voices filled the darkening space. 

And back home, the moon which is not yet full, but looks almost full here, 

illuminated the deep blue night.

At the Newman Center

Yesterday we had a focus group for a project at the Newman Center.

The chapel and the adoration chapel are both peaceful oases in 

the midst of so much activity.

I can see why students like it here.