Last week of July, last guests before our summer break

This past week, Br. Robert Sevensky was on retreat at Linwood Spiritual Center in Rhinecliff, NY. He's now back home, as is Br. Bob Pierson who was on a family visit and vacation in Iowa and Minnesota.

This week, our friend Christine Hales was at the monastery with her husband Michael. Christine taught an Icons retreat on "Color and Light in the Icon." Under her guidance, her 10 participants produced a beautiful icon of the Good Shepherd. At the end of the retreat, we admired their work and blessed the icons.

Icons retreat. From top left, clockwise: Christine Hales (center) and participants; the finished icons on display in front of the altar; Christine's own icons; Br. Aidan anointing and blessing each participant's icon; Brothers and guests admiring the icons.

We often have fewer guests the last week of July. It's as if guests guessed we were gearing down for a summer break. Hot and humid Hudson Valley summers may also dampen interest in staying at the Guest House. This past week was very wet but "mildly hot" for this time of summer. One thing I noted was that we got to meet several spouses of frequent visitors. It is a special pleasure to welcome these loved ones at the monastery for their first visit.

Guests and visitors. From top left, clockwise: Br. Bede was visited by long-time friends Rev. Ronald Clingenpeel; Br. Bernard with The Rev. Nana Ellis, from Reistertown, MD, who did research and wrote for a couple of weeks at the monastery; The Rev. Joy Perkett, from Essex, CT, with her husband Matt Nuss; The Rev. Brad Landry, from San Antonio, TX, with his wife Elizabeth.

We had a couple of feasts this week; St Mary Magdalene (transferred from last Sunday) and St James. I always think of my dad on his name day (Jacques is French for James) and I think of all the pilgrims celebrating the feast in Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Brothers. From left, clockwise: Br. Bob happy with my present of a recently multiplied African Violet (he's very good with flowering plants); Brothers chatting while waiting for the handbell to call us to dinner (Br. Robert James, Br. Josép and Br. Randy); Br. Bede in prayer in front of the tabernacle.

I may blog less during August and the first half of September. So I leave you with another lovely flower arrangement by Br. Robert James.

Black-eyed Susans and Blue Thistles in front of St Augustine's icon.

Have a blessed summer!