Back from the Abbey

I spent Monday through Friday this last week at St. Gregory's Abbey. The idea was to have a retreat to renew my relationship with God, and maybe work through some of the stuff that's always sitting around needing to be worked through. My father has gone to this abbey for a week of retreat nearly every year for some time, and I thought I would try it myself. It turns out to be quite a nice place out in the country. There are seven monks, many little services every day, and lots of Psalms and chanting. I haven't spent much time reading Psalms— not usually my favorite— and it was neat to be immersed in them for a while. There's also a bit of wooded land, and a small lake with a couple of rowboats. I learned that before using a rowboat, its drain needs to be plugged. I didn't know they had drains that were left unplugged, but I suppose it would be a good measure against rainwater. Anyway, sitting out in the middle of the lake in a boat watching the reflection of trees in rippling water was pretty relaxing.

I took a few pictures, and I could post a couple if anyone is interested.

Two Nerdy Links

OK, so while I didn't have time to post often, (wait, that doesn't help much, does it?), I made notes in my ToDo list of interesting things to post, so that I wouldn't lose them in the meantime. I have a dozen or two dozen items there now. Here are some links that might appeal to readers who enjoy technical matters:

An internet joke.

A site that has some Palm software which I find very useful and nice: Florent Pillet I thought I would give them a polite recommendation to my tiny horde of readers.

More items will come, and for a more general audience.

The Whirlwind of Limbo

I am in the midst of a six-week period. It began when I moved back home, having graduated at two separate ceremonies and skipped a third. It will end when I flap my wings really hard and fly all the way over to Seattle, with perhaps just a little help from a commercial airline. In the meantime, I am sort of trying to take a break; I am reading more, and I don't have regimented wake-up times; but at the same time, I am pretty thoroughly swamped. I have a long todo list, with a lot of small tasks and a few that are larger, more daunting, but also more important. I am trying to arrange visits with some people I know before I go; I don't really feel like I have time to, but it's easier now than it will be when I live in Seattle, and I know there is value there. Also helping my sister paint the inside of her duplex, and working with a friend on a novel we're writing together, and also on his move from one apartment to a neighboring one.

On the upside, I will get to see a lot of friends, and I have read several quite enjoyable books; I now have an active interest in continuing the series that begins with The Diamond Throne by David Eddings, and the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (I've finished the prequel, the first book, and the second book), and the series that begins with His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik. I recommend all of those books to people who enjoy fantasy, and people who like historical fiction might also enjoy HIs Majesty's Dragon, depending on how much deviation they can appreciate. I'm pretty sure there were no dragons involved in the Napoleonic wars, but the book is placed in the historical framework of those wars, and there is more history there than I can appreciate without brushing up my knowledge.

Next week, I'm taking a retreat at a monastery a few hours away. I've never done it before, but I'm hoping to come back with a stronger relationship with God, and with my life generally more sorted out. Also, I am hoping to come back refreshed. :-)

Care for your bugs

James, age 4, was listening to a Bible story. His dad read,
"The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out
of the city, but his wife looked back and was turned to
salt." Concerned, James asked, "What happened to the flea?"

Excerpt from a GCFL funny.