Letters from Ascension Hermitage and Sanctuary

It's the feast of St. Michael and All Angels, and Michaelmas daisies are blooming everywhere around our house and in the yard and woods beyond. I would quote the entire hymn 282/283 that includes the line, "Send thine archangel Michael to our succor," but alas, The Church Pension Fund owns the copyright. The words were originally written by Rabanus Maurus (776-856), but The Hymnal version was written for the 1940 Hymnal, so a few more years before that's in the public domain if The Church Pension Fund does not renew the copyright. But instead, here is the collect from the Book of Common Prayer: E verlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen. And...

 A few days ago, my sweet beagle Bubbles left us for the Rainbow Bridge. Bubbles was almost 14 years old and had cancer, so her leaving was not a surprise. . . but typical of a beagle, she was eager for her special dinner treat the night before, and it was only in the morning that I knew we had come to the end.  Bubbles who rarely barked, did not go quietly with death - she whined and howled, demanding that I stay beside her. She struggled to stand up at one point and when she couldn't make her back legs cooperate, growled to herself - I guess that's how dogs say "damn!" And then she soon fell into a last deep, deep sleep. Bubbles was an extremely shy dog who was afraid of many things - thunder and lightning, of course, but other things as well: shadows, people, any unexpected noises, the world outside of our house, car horns, car doors, whistles, running water, anyone (human or canine) being near her when she ate, nail clippers, nail files, leashes, anything that fel...

This praying mantis is looking for a place to lay her eggs - perfect timing, near the end of September! She turned to look right at me, perhaps as curious about me as I was about her . . .  

Shanah tovah, everyone! 

This little spider was on a fence post this morning - a new spider to me! After I took the photo and looked up who he might be, I went back outside . . . but he had already left, looking for his own good website, no doubt! "The spinybacked orbweaver is a small harmless spider with six characteristic spines along the back of its abdomen. It can come in a variety of colors. The native range of this species is throughout the Southern United States, Central America and the Caribbean. The spiny backed orb weaver has also been introduced to Hawaii and has established a large population there."  USA Spiders Have a great day - discover something new and exciting! Free Bug Identifier

 Did you ever wonder if all siblings are alike? Well, wonder no more - they most certainly are not! I thought of this especially today when I read my sister Frances' blog. She and her husband are hiking in Scotland. Today's hike was from Stow on the Wold to Guiting Power, mostly along a small stream. When they stopped for coffee, her Fitbit recorded 21,500 steps but also included a message urging her "to get moving." Knowing my sister and brother-in-law, I'm sure they probably took that message to heart. Had I gotten that message, I suspect the Fitbit would now be resting in that small stream! And if you know me, you're right: I would not have been on a 10+ mile hike in the first place!

Added beauty at the end of Summer - and a favorite of the hummingbirds! The hummingbirds usually begin leaving the Eastern Shore of Maryland about mid-September. They will need to return to Mexico or Central America by late October or November.  They are the first birds at our feeders in the morning, just when there is enough light to see them, and they stay until almost dark. They have a long flight ahead so I'm always glad that they are well-fed before they leave. And yes, we'll be leaving our feeders up at least through mid-October for any who leave late or are passing through from farther north.  

  September's full moon - the Corn Moon or Harvest Moon - is definitely beautiful at night, but early this morning it was also beautiful in the dawning light. I hope your day will be filled with beauty and blessings as well!

Yesterday, when I went out to place the new stone on Emory Brindle's grave, I found a new grave marker - well at least the foot marker! I had moved Emory Brindle's foot marker under his headstone, since both were next to each other, when much to my surprise there was another foot marker. I have no idea who CHB was - none of the grave markers here have those initials, so I can only assume there is another grave with a now-missing headstone! These graves - and other nearby graves, some belonging to extended family members - were recorded years ago on Find a Grave , but the grave for CHB was not listed. This foot marker had been completely covered over by dirt and weeds. I won't be digging up our yard to search for graves, but I will tread as lightly as possible . . . you never really know who's buried nearby!  

This is the view from our laundry room window - and yes, if you look closely, you'll see that it is entirely covered by a large spider web! Not being a spider, I can't explain the advantage of this particular space, but on many mornings this time of year, it is site of a giant web. Usually, the web catches flies and other small insects, but one day the spider caught a horse fly - an insect considerably larger than the spider! On most days the web is gone by afternoon, only to reappear the next morning. . . creative industry on the part of the spider. May all of our days be filled with such creative industry!  

Beginning today and continuing through October 4th, many Episcopal parishes as well as groups and individuals will be joining in the ecumenical celebration of the Season of Creation. For those who may be interested, Episcopal News Service has sent out this article  Season of Creation  which includes many resources.  I am very glad to say that my online parish, Christ Church Cathedral  in Houston, will be keeping the Season of Creation, and we at Sanctuary House will also find ways to be mindful of the season as well.