Letters from Ascension Hermitage and Sanctuary

Mec and Piper ran and chased each other in a long afternoon playtime. If it's true that a tired dog is a good dog, these two should be great tonight! Actually, they are almost always very good doggies - happy, energetic best friends. Thea, Janie, and I sat on the steps and watched them - and yes, just watching their antics made us tired!  

Living in a house that was built in the mid-1800s is always interesting. Although our modern Sanctuary House has been added onto and "up graded," its heart remains an old farmhouse, and I often think of those who have lived here in the past. Some of them are buried not far from the house. Unfortunately, some of the grave markers are not in good condition, but among the strong ones is the marker for Sarah Hall. I believe she was the matriarch of her family, and I often think about her life here. You know, the important things - the trees, the sky, the mosquitoes in the Spring followed by the dragonflies in the Summer - those kinds of things. This year the grass around the graves has been cut, but in some years, there are many dandelions carpeting the grave area. . . so many that they were worth a poem: The Dandelions (for Mrs. Tubman L. Hall) Sarah Hall Died April 28, 1874 Aged sixty-eight Member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Today, yet another April 28, Eastertide, Your ...

We hope you are having a beautiful, peaceful day! Purple irises are the symbol of royalty, wisdom, and valued friendship . . . probably not much royalty here, but we'll be glad for wisdom and friendship! I also planted some blue irises, but they have yet to bloom. They are symbols of faith and hope, and we'd be grateful for those attributes too. Irises are named for the Greek mythological goddess Iris, the personification of the rainbow and a messenger between the gods and sometimes the gods and humans. And in Greek mythology Iris is the goddess who is the companion of female souls on their way to heaven. But all those things aside, I planted them and stenciled they on my stair wall because I like them!

 I found these little Star of Bethlehem flowers in a weedy area today - the plant is considered invasive in some states, but it isn't on the Maryland list of invasive plants. The tiny flowers close at night, but open in the sunlight. . . in my "weed patch" they are nearly hidden by tall clover and grass. The weed patch is also full of dandelions and other (soon to bloom, I hope!) wildflowers. It is an area set aside for bees.

The first iris of Spring - perfect timing for Easter Day! Many more blooms to come in Easter Week! Most of these irises were given to me when my friend Bill Asplen died in 2004 - they had been growing in his yard in Cambridge, Maryland. Bill's little American Eskimo dog Minnie also came to live with us then. Of course, she long ago rejoined Bill on the brighter side of death, but I think of them and their blessings especially at this time of year. I hope your day, and this coming week are filled with beauty and peace, and wonderful memories.  

 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia O sons and daughters,  the King of Heaven, the King of Glory has risen from the dead today. At first light on Sunday, the disciples made their way to the tomb. And Mary Magdalen, Mary, the mother of James and  Mary Salome came to prepare the body with oils. Blessed are those who have not seen and firmly believe. They shall have eternal life. For all these things, let us, humbly,  devoutly and gratefully, give thanks to God.     - from Gregorian Chant Experience          by Noirin Ni Riain [poem probably composed by Jean Tisserand (d.1494)]

And if you can't be in church, here are two things to watch . . . many more are online, of course. YouTube does have some good things! The Exsultet   Jesus Christ is risen today   (and really good thurifer, too!)  The Easter Vigil beginning at 8 p.m. tonight and the 11 a.m. service tomorrow will also be livestreamed from Christ Church Cathedral, Houston time . . . but beware, this uses a lot of data:  Livestream Services Page - Christ Church Cathedral - Houston, TX

 As many of you know, my little beagle Mec had spay surgery last week. The vet also found that she had a hernia, so he repaired that at the same time. After the surgery, Mec was supposed to wear an Elizabethan collar for about ten days - she not only discovered how to take the collar off but has left it really useless after six days. I'm trying to keep her mind occupied so that she doesn't lick the surgery incision - apparently, it's the thing now in veterinary surgery to use glue instead of stitches. I'd rather have to remove the stitches, but it wasn't my choice . . . Another directive for two weeks following the surgery is that Mec must go outside on a leash - no more running, jumping, chasing with the other dogs. Mec was very quiet and subdued for the first two days, but that quickly changed. After all, Mec felt fine and wanted to run and play! Unlike with the collar, though, I'm on the other end of the leash so we're keeping to that. Of course, Mec can...

  Palm Sunday Evensong This Sunday This Sunday at 5 p.m., we invite you to a service of Choral Evensong for Palm Sunday, led by our Cathedral choir under the direction of Canon Robert Simpson. Preceding the Evensong at 4:15 p.m., join us for an Organ recital with guest Organist Sunkyung Noh. The Evensong and Organ recital will be offered online via our service livestream page -  christchurchcathedral.org/ stream .

  My grandfather, Harvey Shepherd, and his four older brothers, Will, Frank, Harry, and Albert, followed their father Thomas Shepherd into the laundry business. That was, of course, in the day before many homes had washing machines, but even so advertising and innovative ideas were important to success. And in the Spring of 1927, my grandfather introduced a new plan for Easter. In 1927, Easter fell on April 17th, and it was on April 9th, exactly 98 years ago today, that the Shepherd's Laundry in Houston offered to dye Easter eggs for free with every load of laundry. The following ad ran in The Houston Chronicle. I have no idea if this brought in more laundry or how many dozens of eggs were dyed, but it was a creative suggestion! Most of the Thomas Shepherd grandsons also went into the laundry business, but not my father. He had worked in the laundry as a teenager and could always remove any stain from almost any material, but he was the black sheep on the laundry sign. That was pro...

Right on schedule, the male goldfinches are becoming more "golden" - now that the weather is warmer. We are expecting one more bout of cold weather, with night temperatures in the low 30s, early next week, but after that, non-stop Spring (I hope!). I have put the hummingbird feeders out but have seen no hummingbirds yet . . . after next week's cold nights, I am moving all of the plants that spent the Winter in the laundry room, back outside. And just in time too - my two tiny clematis vines are awake from their cold-weather nap and beginning to grow. They will soon need a fence post - or something - for support. All being well, they will grow enough this Summer to the live outside permanently. Nothing kills our wild clematis, but these two Comtesse de Bouchaud   little plants are much more delicate - hoping to see their rose-pink blooms this year or next . . . We hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

 These redbud blooms are bright and attractive to bees. I walked past the tree - there was a definite zzz sound and when I looked closely many, many bumblebees and other smaller bees were flying through the flowers. In a few days the blooms will be gone, blown into the wind; fortunately, there are brilliant yellow dandelions growing across our yard - another first food for bees. And yes, I hold the belief that dandelions are a blessing - food for bees, leaves that are great in salads and sandwiches for humans, and beauty for everyone! I know dandelions also make great tea and wine - every Spring I consider those possibilities . . . maybe this year?! 

"Yes, it's a chilly morning," Chaelie thought, "but we're so glad to have the screens back in the windows! I could stand here all day watching the squirrels and birds." We hope you are having a wonderful day too - maybe watching birds and squirrels - or whatever floats your boat!