Garden blooms and flourishing old(er) monks

Since I became the Prior of our monastery over two years ago, I have introduced a few customs to enhance our community spirit (they also help me grasp where our community is as we evolve). One of those customs is that I invite a Brother to go out to lunch or supper with me around the time of their birthday. This is purely an exercise in holy leisure but it also guarantees that I hear all brothers in a relaxed one-to-one atmosphere and we get to know each other better. The birthday boy gets to choose where we go and the Prior picks up the tab (thank you Discretionary Account!).

Recently, I took Br. Robert Leo out to lunch for his 71st birthday. We went to a very good Italian trattoria in the Roundout, an area of Kingston. This past week, I took Br. Roy out to lunch for his 86th birthday. We went to a beer and cheese taproom in Rhinebeck. It was a slow day and we got to chat with the proprietor about the beers and the cheeses. We had a beer each and a taster of a third one. The cheeses came with jams, olives, almonds, and dried fruits. It all amounted to a satisfying lunch. This taproom is closed on Mondays so few monks have had a chance to try it out. We tend to know local eateries that are open on Mondays.

This Sunday, we celebrate Br. Rafael's 85th birthday. He came to the monastery for mass and dinner. I'll have to see if I can tempt him to a birthday outing later this month.

For mass, we had a good number of regular visitors from the region. There's about a dozen of them who come more often than not. From time to time, I try to exchange a few words with them after mass. Sunday is the only day that we monks don't have to scamper away to daily chapter right after mass.

This Sunday, I got to talk a bit longer with Greg O'Shea of Poughkeepsie and John Chichester of Ulster Park who were enjoying a cup of coffee near the refectory. It is good to have people who regularly come to pray and worship with us.

Visitors and Brothers. From top left, clockwise, John Chichester and Greg O'Shea, regular Sunday worshippers at the monastery; Brothers enjoying coffee and conversation aster Sunday mass; Br. Robert Hagler and Br. Rafael Campbell-Dixon on his birthday; from left, Br. Bob, Br. Roy, Br. Laurence, Br. Rafael, Br. Robert and Br. Bede; visitors John and Greg.

Outside, the trees are starting to lose leaves but the foliage color hasn't really started to turn yet. The garden still has a goodly amount of blooms. I know this won't last much longer so I enjoy them all the more on my walks. This past week, Br. Aidan led a retreat of garden volunteers. They were somewhat hampered by rain. But as usual, they got a good deal of stuff done in our gardens. God bless our volunteers!

This weekend I observed Br. Josép and Br. Rob bringing potted plants indoors in anticipation of colder nights that are sure to come eventually.

Flowers  inside and out. From top left, clockwise: the flowerbed in front of the Guest House rich in mums and asters (from both ends of the bed); garden blooms in front of St Augustine's icon; close-up; Br. Josép planted and cared for roses this season - these are huge and vibrant. They started in Lori's office and migrated to the pantry where Jamy works - sharing is caring.

I hope you also get to enjoy the outdoors a bit more while flowers are still around.