In these pandemic times, one is better off staying cozily at home than to venture out too much, unless you're one of the lucky ones who's snagged an appointment for a vaccine jab. With a lot of down time at home, we have turned to our hobbies to keep us engaged. In French, we used the word "passe-temps" (passing the time) before we adopted "hobby" as a French word. My family has been doing jigsaw puzzles and I caught Yanick starting one in the quiet of our Contemplative Days in Pilgrim Hall. I'm only good at doing the borders.
I'd rather read, which I have done a lot lately. My Irish friend Robert from Brussels sent me a copy of one of the latest literary sensations in France; "Yoga" by Emmanuel Carrère. My niece just started it too. So the three of us will connect transatlantically to discuss our reading. Many people have found ways to stay connected.
This week, we are in Contemplative Days for six days in a row (we usually do four). In the silence of these days, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of life profession of our eldest monk, Brother Will Brown (who is a sprightly 95-year old). He wrote on the community blackboard to thank us for our good wishes card in order not to break the silence. Br. Will is regularly one of the first in church for the offices.
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| Pandemic hobbies and an anniversary. From top left, clockwise: my elder brother Benoit and my niece Coline doing a puzzle of a Stockholm view; Yanick Savain starting a puzzle in pilgrimless Pilgrim Hall; Brother Will Brown in the 41st year of his living the Benedictine Vow (in his cell and in habit in the Statio ready to enter church for mass). |
The weather has remained wintery and very cold. We have had a number of snowfalls. Each time, I marvel at how beautiful the landscape is just after snowfall when every black branch and tree limb is overlined with white. Most days, I try to venture out for some walking. Sometimes, I am relegated to my patroling the stacks of the library to get my daily 10,000 steps in.
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| An "old-fashioned" winter. From top left, clockwise: Mother and child partially shelterd from the snowfall by the forelorn rosebush (at St Mary's House); the approach to the monastery; a view towards our cemetery from the Monastic Library; the overlined trees seen from the comfort of an enclosure hallway; the snowy meadow; ice floes on the Hudson; the Coast Guard faithfully keeping a channel open in the ice. |
Our intern, Renée Fishcer is a videographer. She works on two video projects here at the monastery. One is a short vocations video which Br. Josép will be able to use as our Vocations Minister. The other is a long form documentary on the monastery and its life. Last Sunday, I got my second shoot with Renée. This one to have me say in French my version of the Our Father praye which Renée has sometimes heard me use while we pray the Our Father together at mass.
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| Video shoot with Renée. From top left, clockwise: selfie of Br. Bernard and Renée Fisher; the videographer setting up; ready to shoot; and with a smile. |
I finally moved back in my own cell, named St Anselm, on the top floor of the enclosure. I had moved our to nearby St Cyril of Jerusalem for a few weeks to enable some maintenance work and refurbishment to take place. Many thanks to Br. Josép who helped me paint my cell in (what else but) green shades. I also needed a new duvet cover so I purchased something that will match the color scheme of the room. I am very happy with my green little eden. We need coziness in these days.
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| Study in contrast. From top, clockwise: northward view of the meadow and river covered in fresh snow; my new reversible flannel duvet cover and pillow case (thanks, May); the freshly painted cell before I moved back all my stuff into it (empty shelves are a bit sad). |
Stay safe, grab a jab if you can, wear your mask, save lives. There will be post-pandemic days. Yes there will!
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