Happy Fourth of July!

We have prayed for our nation today. I often pray for our nation. I pray for peace, justice and an equitably shared prosperity for my adoptive country. I became an American twelve years ago. I appreciate the United States in a more complex fashion as I go. I have become more aware of the challenges of our past, present and future. But I still trust in the words of Martin Luther King: "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."

A Fourth of July surprise from our chef, Bob Morano. Whipped cream with various berries and short cakes (not pictured). Yum!

Everybody was home this past week. Br. John is leaving today for a two-week visit to his family in Indiana.

We had several visitors this week. Last weekend, we hosted Gustavo, Janice and Omar Camps, a family of friends of Br. Josép. Gustavo is also collaborating on the preparation of a book for the centennial of our monastery church in October. He took lots of pictures to work from for the graphic presentation of the book.

During the week, we received an new Associate in the Holy Cross "family;" the Rev. Chip Graves of White Plains, NY.

Towards the end of the week, Br. Bede's niece Tracie visited with her husband Brandon, her two sons and one daughter. They were on a trip from Indiana to celebrate the high school graduation of their eldest son (and the end of confinement). They took Br. Bede for supper at his favorite Chinese restaurant in Woodstock after a three hour tour of the monastery with lots of questions from all five members of the family.

Visitors. From top left, clockwise: Br. Robert Leo chats with Gustavo's family (seated, Br. Josép, Omar, Janice and Gustavo) from Manhattan; The Rev. Chip Graves, from Grace Church, White Plains, NY, being received as Holy Cross Associate by Br. Josép (two pictures); Br. Bede enjoying the visit of his niece Tracie Lowe of Indiana, with her family; Tracie and Brandon; Br. Bede having a chuckle as his niece and nephew-in-law are absorbed in the "old books" room of our library.

On Tuesday morning, I took an early hike in Slabsides (the John Burroughs Sanctuary) with Sister Elizabeth, CMA, before the heat became too oppressive. I was struck by the many different mushrooms we encountered. Eventually, the heat relented in the second half of the week

Mushrooms. From left, clockwise: the view on the meadow and the river, from my cell; unidentified mushrooms - do you know their names - let me know (3 pictures).

The gardens continue to blossom gloriously. At night, the fireflies have their bio-electric ballet over the meadow. I look forward to sharing this gorgreous place with guests again starting in September.

Blossoms. From top left, clockwise: a stand of thistles on the upper parking log level; an arrangement of shasta daisies, day lilies and japanese lillies in the church (2 pictures); an arrangement of hydrangeas and astilbes in front of the Saint Augustine icon (2 pictures).

If you know an unvaccinated friend, let them know how your vaccination has opened up life for you. Be safe, be healthy.