Happy Birthday, Papa Francisco!

Today was Pope Francis' birthday. He is 77 now, and celebrated by having  little party with some homeless men. What a guy! He even let one of their dogs join the fun.  We didn't celebrate till later tonight by turning on all of our Christmas lights. But it started with fog and the keeper fleeing from us with a long list of errands and tasks. When she came home, we directed her gaze to Jesus cleaning the roof and the last of the leaves. She decided she still had time to light up the backyard. She started with the wisteria in  Kittyrood. Last year the squirrels ate half of the bulbs. And part of the wire. Then she started on the icicles. We told her it was too dark to continue. She stopped. But even without a deck, light is shining in our darkness. 

Bath

Cecil insisted on walking in the heavy showers. He was so wet, the hair dryer was needed, as well as two big towels. He smells clean though.

Home Sweet Cottage

We are all home together tonight, inside and warm, surrounded with too much of everything.

The keeper told us that it had been a mixed day...a moving story about children living in a small Tent City was a heart ripper, then she told us about seeing the movie Philomena, which was a true story---both a dangerous memory of unnecessary suffering and of laser sharp hope for the human spirit. She was happy about a spirited meeting with two friends,  and connecting with the warm and abundant community in Bellevue. When she got home after walking downtown in the late afternoon, she learned that a mentor died...he was ready, ripe old age, a great spirit, a Gaudete Spirit which will now fill heaven.  We thought that was quite a lot for one day ourselves. We didn't have much to report. 

Christmas Tree

So we didn't get to eat till later tonight because it was all about that tree.
But we basked in its light. This means that we should be making lists for Santa.
Sun, warmth and food with gravy would be at the top of  Cecil's list.
Moi, perhaps a personal assistant to cater to my every whim.
Cecil just told me that is what the keeper is supposed to do.
Oh. Maybe she needs an assistant then!

Back to Rosie's

This afternoon on her way back from meetings she stopped at Rosie's to pick out our tree. 

It's a great place and their trees are very fresh from Grays Harbor. She brought cedar garland home too! 

Feast of St. Lucy

Now that the Feast of Our Lady of  Guadalupe is done, the keeper decided to do some more lighting, in honor of St. Lucy. We just watched while she  stood on the bench and strung them along the front porch. It's looking better. In the next few days we will watch her light the back yard.

Juan Diego and the Roses in Bothell

Juan Diego also was well played in Bothell. Every year the obra becomes more polished and high tech!