What's up?

Often when Sunday and Wednesday roll around and it's time for a blog post I ask myself, What's going on around the monastery that I want to share? Or, in the favorite phrase of the pet parrot I bird-sit every morning, What's up?

If you were visiting us this week you would find us rather "laid back," I think. The days seem to be hovering around "average." We have our usual number of guests, especially on weekends, including a woman who was interested in our Benedicta Riepp program. Sisters attended the funeral service of the sister-in-law of one of our sisters and also attended the funeral of a longtime donor/supporter of the community. Summer vacation time has begun with a few sisters taking a week of vacation for some much-needed R&R and refreshment. Many are spending more time outdoors as our weather is sunny and in the 60s most days--with occasional rainy days and occasional 70 and 80 temps. Lots of flowers, bushes and the last of the trees are blooming still and the salt lick for our deer was placed in the apple orchard this week, so we're all ready for the doe and their new fawn.

Liturgically, Ascension Thursday and Pentecost are looming and then it's back to Ordinary Time, which will be welcomed after the many weeks of Easter and Lent.

And that's the news from Lake Wobegon.

Hyacinths always seem to get too heavy for their stems.