Pentecost and the Acension
June 2, 2006
Mild and sunny today

A society finch and a zebra finch.

A cagefull of finches

Here's how big the foxglove have grown. Three have flower stalks. I think
they will all be yellow. These grew from seeds dropped from last year's plants.
I though they would only produce flowers the second year, being bienniels.

Some red lettuce and a tomato plant

Poptart

OPERA!

Current books

The Quest of the Holy Grail, author unkown, part of Prose Lancelot.

King Arthur
by Norma Lorre Goodrich. The author believes King Arthur is an historical figure. She places his activities in Scotland, not in Glastonbury.

Idylls of the King
by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
A wonderful book!

We spotted these plants and animals on our way to church last Sunday, and spotted some later...

Pidgeon
Cows
Squirrel
Seagulls
Horses
Raccoon, deceased
Three deer
Goats

->> Later <<-
Mouse
Possum
Cats
Dogs
Finches
Guinea pig

Plants

Wild radish
Artichokes
Strawberry
Sticky Monkey Plant
Iceplant
Pampas Grass
Nastursium
Eucalyptus
Hemlock
Ferns
Redwood Trees
Oak Trees
Magic Carpet

RETREAT AT
MONASTERY OF THE LIVE-GIVING SPRING
Weekend of April 27, 2006

Father Demetrius talking about Panageia

This is a photo from their web site

AT HOME...

Lily, the new pup

Mr. Possum

Liturgy, around midnight

The candelabra

Pascha baskets waiting to be blessed before digging in!

Deacon Anthony

Dear Eddie

Our Pascha basket:
Jamon Serrano!

Cinnamon buns for the Shelbys

The Easter Sermon of
John Chrysostom
Pastor of Constantinople (~400 AD)

Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! Is there anyone who is a grateful servant? Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord! Are there any weary with fasting? Let them now receive their wages! If any have toiled from the first hour, let them receive their due reward; If any have come after the third hour, let him with gratitude join in the Feast! And he that arrived after the sixth hour, let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. And if any delayed until the ninth hour, let him not hesitate; but let him come too. And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid by reason of his delay. For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, as well as to him that toiled from the first. To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows. He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor. The deed He honors and the intention He commends. Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord! First and last alike receive your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together! Sober and slothful, celebrate the day! You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today for the Table is richly laden! Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one. Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith. Enjoy all the riches of His goodness! Let no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free. He has destroyed it by enduring it. He destroyed Hades when He descended into it. He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh. Isaiah foretold this when he said, "You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below." Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with. It was in an uproar because it is mocked. It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed. It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated. It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive. Hell took a body, and discovered God. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see. O death, where is thy sting? O Hades, where is thy victory? Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated! Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down! Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is Risen, and life is liberated! Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; for Christ having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!

Easter Table

Easter egg-shaped cake

Hot Cross Buns

St. Benedict
Monday, March 27, 2005
Weather: Cloudy- It's going to rain this afternoon

I decided to plant the rock rose along the fence instead of leaving it in
its pot on the patio.

The blossoms and buds are lovely.

Next to the aquarium I planted the foxglove that sprouted in pots from last
year's plants. I hope they grow tall and nicely frame the fish tank and add an
air of mystery.

Here's some rosemary blossoms, usually buzzing with honeybees.

I planted an assortment of lettuce seeds here, mostly black-seeded Simpson.

I found this small mushroom under the weeds. It's about 1 1/2 inches
in length. Order agaricales (gilled mushrooms)

Eddie brought me this garden ornament from Arizona. Thanks, Eddie!

Fish tank is still very cloudy. I replaced some of the water and removed the
rosemary branches from the top. Everyone is still alive it looks like.

Plants
Rock Rose
Foxglove
Lettuce
Geranium
Mushroom

Animals
Cats
Goldfish
Bluejay
Spiders
Dog

A scarf for somebody for Christmas

Music

This is what I've been listening to the past few days. It is beautiful.

Currently Reading...

Here's what they eat!

The rosemary bush and the potato vine. I estimate that three
quarters of the weeds have been pulled up. Question: shall I put up a
trellis to hide Mr. V's trash cans and collection of mops or should
I endure them, lest I offend?

I think I'll put pumpkins and sunflowers along the
fence here. Are those iris, I hope? That's a rock rose
in a pot next to the fish. I think I will put some foxglove
there and return the rock rose to the patio. It is full of plump
pink buds and white blossoms.

Here's the jasmine I am hoping will cover the trellis.
It's bushy and not viney. I want viney.

This is where I planted the chard yesterday. To the right is the potato vine.

The path is pretty much all cleared. I'm going to plant some of the
small groundcover from the front yard between the stones.
It will look nice and should prevent weed growth.

After last night's rain the water is very cloudy. You can't see even one
of the nineteen goldfish. The snails aren't moving much. Are they waiting for algae?

Plants
Chard- planted
Iris-sprouted
Rock Rose-blooming
Rosemary-blooming
Jasmine-blooming
Potato Vine-blooming
Pumpkin-not planted
Green Onions- harvested
Foxglove-in pots

Animals
Goldfish- 19/19 comets
Mystery snails- 3/3
Cats- everywhere present