Summer treats

Spring and Fall are my favorite seasons in the Hudson Valley. But summer has its pluses too. At night, I love to look to the meadow and see the fireflies putting on their modest but fascinating pyrotechnic show. Barring close range lighting strikes, of which we got a damaging one a few weeks ago, I also love summer thunder storms (albeit from the protection of a building).

This week, friends invited me to an al fresco theater show at the Boscobel estate, in Cold Spring. A large tent, looking out on the Hudson River and West Point is the setting of plays throughout the summer. We got there early to picnic in the park and then saw a new adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice." It was a lot of fun. Live theater is such a special treat. And I've decided I'll need to read the novel soon to re-visit the joys of the play and discover the writing of Jane Austen.

Picnic at Boscobel with Gwyneth, Tim and Alison - the theater festival's tent is seen in the background

Throughout the week, the house has resonated with the sounds of flutes as pupils of Gary Schocker rehearsed and performed lots of lovely music. Sunday morning, they gave a concert in the church. Other guests (having been warned a the time of making their reservations for this week) seemed to enjoy it too.

This Saturday, we received a new Associate; James Ryan of Long Island, NY. He came up for the mass and stayed for the day. The weather was perfect for a visit.

Our newest Associate, James Ryan

This week-end, we had the visit of two Vedanta devotees. Swami Chidbrahmananda, a monk of the Ramakrishna Order, was interested in revisiting Christianity from his Vedanta experience. He was accompanied by his friend Santa Das who is leading youth camps with him this summer. They were on a break between two groups of young people visiting their camp.

Swami Chidbrahmananda, Br. Bernard, Santa Das

A few monks had an opportunity to have long conversations with each of them. I got to explore our respective concepts of God and to reflect on the Christian concepts of hell and sin. In shorthand, I believe sin is to experience my deliberate separation from God and that hell is becoming aware and experiencing where my life fell short of divine love when I will be in the evident presence of Absolute Love (God).

This Sunday, our Sisters from the Companions of Mary the Apostle visited us. Sr. Shane was with us for Mass and throughout the morning. Sr. Elizabeth joined us for dinner and an after-dinner game of Quirkle.
 

Bros. John and Enrique being inducted in the joys of Quirkle by our CMA Sisters

This past Monday, Br. Scott left for the South African part of his sabbatical. He will be living with our community in Grahamstown, enjoying their winter (Br. Scott does prefer cool weather). He will be back with us in September for a few weeks before heading back out for the British parts of his sabbatical.

This Saturday, Br. Robert Leo left on the first part of his sabbatical too. He will be visiting friends and family in New England and Pennsylvania and will be back for a few days in September before leaving for the English part of his sabbatical.

We will miss them both but are really happy for the opportunities these sabbaticals offer each of them.