June 6, 2013 Dear Friends, It feels as if the monsoon has begun. They date it by the dew point, but one can feel the humidity, and the increasing heat. This does not mean we will get rain. We can hope, of course, and pray. It would be so nice to have rain. The grass panics at the first drops

May 16, 2013 Dear Friends, A couple of quail have taken up residence outside my window. There are few things cuter than quail. Our Iris season is almost gone. Great gratitude to the hybridizers. Think of it: huge white ones with orange beards; yellow with white falls edged with more yellow; velvety, deep wine; pale blue; very dark purple; multi-colored

APRIL 19, 2013 All the news is from Boston, if it is not from Korea. Why do we hurt each other so? All the news pours into a monastery’s heart and runs out as prayer. We try. What else can we do but keep trying to love, and keep trying to rest in the sacrificial heart of Christ? A friend

March 19, 2013 Sisters who have been in town for appointments or shopping tell us that people they have never met stop them to ask what they think about the new pope. It seems kind of sad that we should be so happy about a man who is simple, loving, and gifted with a touch for the other. Very sad,

March 14, 2013 Well, it was quite a day. I was wondering why we had had no black smoke after the fourth scrutiny. I guess it was all wrapped up by then. But what were they thinking to wait a whole hour after the announcement, with the poor, soaking faithful in the square, and us hanging feverishly before our computers.

March 7, 2013 Dear Ones, I don’t know about you, but WE are having spring. The little potted Hawthorne is in bloom, and the ornamental pear in the garth is about to bloom. Its buds are fat and promising. The air is no longer slashing at our faces, but softly soothing them with balmy air. Yes, I am sure that

February 27, 2013 Happy almost March. Next year we will have 29 days in February. This year we will have an early Easter. This winter has been something else. Snow, cold and wind. Well, what do you expect? It’s winter after all. So the pope emeritus will continue to be addressed as Your Holiness. Even though he will wear brown

February 8, 2013 We are so sorry for the storm that is blasting its way across the country about to meet   the one that is barreling up the east coast. New York doesn’t need any more weather and New England doesn’t need any, period. We are in a bit of a pickle since our Altar Bread baker went down yesterday.

We are happy with the response to our new website. There are still some glitches to mend, but the work will be a joy. We want everything to be as clear and user-friendly as possible. I am making a LIST. (Ignore typos for the present. We will get to them.) On the wildlife front: our flock of sparrows is still