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. (That sounds bad, doesn’t it? The baker in this case is the machine, not the person who bakes—who is also called the baker.) Today, our mechanic found the problem and Rita has emailed France to get the parts that had worn out. After all, it’s fourteen years old which is old for a machine. It has done us great service, and we are grateful for its faithful chugging along, year after year. When we have problems, they are usually in the batter. Flour needs to be of recent milling, not two months or more back.
Our likewise faithful Father Olaf has arrived for his annual retreat. He has ten country parishes in Germany, and one assistant priest. He needs the wide skies and the rolling hills and the mountains of Arizona. Wednesday he will give us a photo tour of his parishes.
Speaking of food, the stores are all dolled up for Valentines (and Christmas has just got over itself.) one can hardly take a step in Fry’s without bumping into a balloon or a bouquet. Not to mention stuffed animals.
Some dear friend gave us tea at Christmas—not just tea but TEA. Two kinds: green tea in seven flavors and black tea ditto. I am working my way through the green tea. The little boxes they come in can be saved for pins and paper clips and so forth. One is constantly in need of little boxes. And it would be a shame to clutter up the earth with paper that can be recycled so helpfully. The only trouble is that drinking Jasmine tea is like drinking perfume.
Happy Lent, dear ones. I read the most helpful article on keeping resolutions in the next to last issue of Scientific American Mind. It is the most practical thing on the subject I have ever come across. I started immediately. Let’s see how Lent will progress.
It has to be said: Today we had SNOW. I guess someone has us in empathy with our brothers and sisters on the east coast. It was very pretty but snow here never lasts. Now we have a bright blue sky with puffy clouds.
Vicki and Pam (who is our delegate) will be off to the Regional Meeting of Superiors on the 20th. It is being held at New Melleray Abbey in Dubuque, Iowa. We hope they will not be high-jacked by more WEATHER.
