Photo: Springtime in Central Massachusetts

To see photos of springtime in Central Massachusetts, please click on the link below:

 Pics of Central Massachusetts in Spring

It is Great to be Alive

I just returned from a lesiurely stroll through the 35-acre garden parklands where I have been working on our property. I slowly walked and delighted in the life that is teeming in the garden. Birds are chirping; squirrels frolick, flowers are closing up shop for the night. Everything seemed at ease and I took delight in my labors. Genesis 2 came to mind where God walked through his garden of creation and found it beautiful.

Tomorrow I will wake up early and finish work on the drain we are replacing. Water should flow much easier after replacing a corroded 1 inch pipe with a 3 inch indestructible PVC piping. Earlier today, I spread 3 truckloads of mulch onto the moist ground that captures a lot of rainfall. For several days I was ineffectively using a shovel until I found a pitchfork that made the job quadruple in speed.

This was a good weekend. I visited a monk-friend at St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer on Thursday and then went to see my mother in anticipation of Mother's Day. We had a nice visit with some private time. On Friday, two beautiful woman friends came to visit. We had a nice lunch at Passports, a restaurant with a sophisticated edge, and then spent some time sharing the good news of our lives.

Yesterday, I went to Scarborough, Maine to hear a concert performed by the Portland Community Chorus. I sang with them in Maine. I was delighted with their repertoire and efficiency. I also met two friends in Kennebunk, one in the morning and the other after the concert. I wanted to see several more friends but I too often run out of time. Today was leisurely. After the retreat ended, a college friend stopped by with his lovely mother and we spent some time talking about retreats. I proudly showed them my work in the gardens. She was very knowledgeable and affirmed the work I am doing. I talked with some good friends via Skype and by mobile phone. I like my friends.

Then after a silent dinner, I toured the gardens. I am resting well from a terrific couple of days. I am content. All is good.

Magical Evenings

As we gather for dinner each night at our retreat house this time of year, we are stunned to see the sunlight splay through the tree branches as it gets ready to set. The light seems magical. The green grass and the young green shoots on the trees appear juicy. We are mesmerized as we gaze out into the lawn. We don't deserve this goodness, but we are gracious recipients of this gift. Everything is coming alive. It reminds us of God's plan to bring all things to LIFE!

The moon tonight is a lightly gray, perfect orb in the sky with a shimmering glint on the bottom right side. The radiance that emits from that sliver excites us. It is such a marvel to behold. The whole moon is visible, but as a distinct and clear shadow. In ancient times the moon was another light source, but our modern world has minimized its effect on us. The solar world dominates, but the moon still fascinates. I enjoy just looking up into the heavens - day and night - and being thrilled by God's gifts to us. The beauty of this world fills me with wonder. I want to keep this feeling with me all the time.

The City of Sin

Lynn, Lynn, the city of sin, you don't come out the way you go in.

I formerly worked at Eastern Bank in Lynn, Massachusetts on Boston's North Shore. Though I live on the extreme North Shore on Boston, I haven't been to Lynn is years. In the 1990's in the midst of an economic recession, they city's main shopping areas were hard hit and many stores closed. Upon my return today, I was pleased to see a vibrant downtown with nearly full storefronts and remodeled contemporary signage.

As it is early spring, the trees were in blossom and the city looked vibrant and sparkling. Lynn has many attractive large civic buildings and some interesting architectural gems. With more attention to green spaces and public areas, I was pleased with the beauty of the city. The city is right on the ocean between Revere and Swampscott with Nahant and Marblehead close by. It looks like the city takes pride in itself. It made me feel good to visit again. I ate at the trendy Blue Ox restaurant on Oxford Street and was impressed with the quality of the food and the pleasant service of the wait staff.

I'm feeling chipper today

It is a very happy day for me. The wood chippers have arrived to clean up my Lenten project. They are chopping the gathered branches and wiping away the huge piles that I've assembled over the past two months. They mouths were agape when they saw the massive piles. They could not imagine that one man did all that work in two months. Better yet, they were amazed I did everything with a bow-saw and pruner. They said the manner in which I did it was crazy. And they were bewildered that a priest did all the work. They estimate that five truckloads of woodchips will be gathered today. Next I begin the process of taking those chips and lining them along the pathways. They have spent half the day working and are not quite halfway through their work.


I have to say the park looks beautiful. I'm very pleased. Photos will come soon.

Photo: Manhattan in early spring

To see photos of springtime in Manhattan, please click on the link below:

 Pics of Manhattan in Spring

Photo: Wild Turkeys

To see photos of wild turkeys that showed up on my lawn the other day, please click on the link below:

 Pics of wild turkeys