Hard knocks and simple pleasures

I have learned what to call groups of finches; a treasury of goldfinches and a charm of house finches. I saw several treasuries lately! How rich is that? They are like sparkles of bright yellow swooping and rising as they go over our meadow. Below are illustrations of some of the birds I observed lately.

Birds of the Hudson Valley. From top left, clockwise: on osprey guarding its offspring a the top of an abandoned crane in Roundout (picture: Tim Sharpe); (all four other pictures from Cornell's Lab of Ornithology) male osprey; male house finch; goldfinch; dark-eyed junco.

*****

These past two weeks have been hard for me as I try to come to terms with my friend Bruno's suicide. We had known each other fifty-two years (yes we met as little boys in elementary school). He was a concert-level pianist, a music teacher and a choral director (including the children's choir of the Brussels opera - La Monnaie). Despite his struggle with depression in the last several years, I felt like he had several trump cards in his hand to build a new happiness. Friends and family tried to help him overcome the depression. But in the end, the latter won. I try to be a good listener to his close friends and relatives as we share our grief. I pray for him and all his loved ones and loving ones. I miss him and I'm sad/upset/angry at the waste of such a beautiful soul's life potential.

*****

Last weekend, Br. Josép, our Director of Associates, ran a successful first Associates' retreat on zoom. We also streamed several offices that weekend. On the first night, eight of us showed up at Br. Josép's shoulder to say hello and briefly catch-up with our Associates. Many have remarked how happy they were that it happened. The advantage of the on-line format is that people who live faraway from the monastery find it easier to participate.

*****

This past week I attended Carl McColman's online retreat on "The Spanish Mystics." Carl talked about Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross. I like Ignatius but the latter two are among my favorites Saints. Carl is a great retreat leader. You can find his retreat on The English Mystics on our YouTube page (you'll need to scroll down a bit to find the three videos).

*****

This past Friday I went kayaking on the Rondout with  my friends Tim Sharpe and Alison Quin (husband and wife team). They had heard I was having a tough time and decided to treat me to some nature therapy. We paddled from the Roundout boat launch to the Kingston Lighthouse (on the Hudson) and back. We saw the Clearwater sloop anchored on the Port Ewen side of the Roundout. It proudly sported a banner to support racial and climate justice. On an ancient crane perched on a half-sunk barge we spotted a couple of ospreys caring for their chicks (the latter only audible, not visible from below). This was a soul-boosting outing. We live in such a beautiful region.

Kayaking on the Roundout. From top left, clockwise: The Rev. Alison Quin and I getting ready to launch; me on the water (twice); me and Alison; a BLM sign under the old 9W bridge; a Racial and Climate Justice banner on the Clearwater sloop.

*****

On Friday night, we had the first meeting (and an in person meeting at that) of our informal book club (members of the extended community who can meet in person because we already live alongside each other). We discussed Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" which we had read in the month leading up to the meeting. I had never read Jane Austen and thoroughly enjoyed the book even though mightily annoyed by the world views of Georgian bourgeoisie. Luckily, Jane Austen keeps it witty and even amusing, at times. This book was Br. Aidan's suggestion.

We are meeting again in a month's time to discuss my suggestion: Colson Whitehead's "Nickel Boys." I have just started it. Don't give me spoilers!

*****

I leave you with pictures of my friend and the last musical clip he shared with me in February. He is playing Debussy's "Suite Bergamasque." He was rehearsing before a concert in February.

My friend Bruno and Jane Austen's book. From top left, clockwise: Bruno visiting his cousin in Barcelona; same; Bruno on the Camino de Compostella; cover of Jane Austen's most celebrated novel.

Summer blessings to you.