Traveling east on Rte 5 (East Lake Rd) this weekend we came upon a sight that is only seen for about 2 weeks every spring. Some years I miss it entirely. Here it is: rows and rows of yellow weeds growing up between the grapevines throughout North East and the other lakeshore fields in this area. It really is quite the sight as they are a bright, shiny color and give the impression of a kind of raised carpet under the still empty structures on which the grapes will grow.

In another vein, signs of returning to what people call "normalcy" are showing up slowly but surely in our area, too. One of our greatly missed "normal" experiences is returning soon: our monthly Silent Peace Walks. We have held this event a number of times in the last year by walking around the monastery grounds, but it will be nice to be in the city of Erie again as we can more publicly proclaim the need for peace in our hearts, in our city, in our nation and in our world.