And the sun sets...
Posted: Saturday, 16 December 2006 |
(I have figured out how to get my photos shrunk down so I can stick them here on the blog. However, it's going to take some time to get them shrunk. Bear with me!)
The divine hour of Vespers approaches as the coals in the fire place glow a warm red and the sun begins to set behind the cloud-streaked horizon. Today began as a bright sunny day but soon the lawn danced with hail and rain pelted the windows. The electricity kept cutting off and we couldn't get our Christmas packages mailed because the Post Office computer kept shutting down. No bother, I've already resigned myself to them arriving back in America long after December 25th. But that's no bother either! Being Catholic I celebrate eight days of Christmas - and also forty days of Christmas Season! Christmas does not end in one mere day for me! The Catholic Church sure knows how to hang on to a holiday and party like mad until the darkest part of winter is past and the sun starts to show its face again for more then a few wimpy hours.
I can just make out the shapes of the sheep as they graze in the fields. Soon the field will be black even while the sky is light and the sheep will disapear into the shadows. I wonder what they do out there in the bitter rain and wind all night long??? Play chess?
I had to bank the coal fire tonight as I found black mold growing on the windows in our bedroom. I've kept the bedroom and bathroom closed off so that the downstairs would heat up but I guess that let the mold show its ugly self. I have the door open and the fire roaring - it's so hot that my plastic Virgin Mary statue is threatening to melt! My sweet Dominican Nuns sent me that miniature Mary statue back when I was attending University in Alaska. I was living in a small log cabin in the woods and the snow was falling thick. The days were long and dark and I was just beginning to feel sorry for myself when a cheerful package arrived from The Monastery of the Mother of God. I immediately perked up and greed lit my eyes for I knew that this package from a monastery full of nuns would contain my ultra favorite: CATHOLIC LOOT ! Yeah, baby! Nuns know how to spoil you with brightly colored Holy Cards, Saint medals, loving letters and a zillion other fascinating Holy objects small enough to be crammed in a box and shipped to Alaska.
And now that same plastic statue is chilling on a mantle in Orkney. I never imagined that I'd be here. I never pictured myself in this place! But I am so happy to be here. I think that Orkney was a fair trade for Alaska. And Erlend...he's just wonderful. I couldn't have wished for a better husband.
My first thought as I look up at the steaming statue of Mary is HOLY COW I'M HAVING A RELIGIOUS MOMENT!! But then I realize it's just the heat from the coal fire that's beginning to melt the plastic so I swiftly move it to a safer spot and sit down in the chair with my heart racing from fright. No, what I meant to say was that this wee statue sent to me one dark Christmas in Alaska keeps me ever mindful of humility. It silently points out to me day after day, "Michelle, you ain't all that!" In this cheap humble gift I see the invitation to lay down my pride and to live in love.
The sun sets and my voice chants Vespers from my leather prayer book. I soon find myself quoting the words of the Virgin Mary and I look up at the statue that keeps me reminded of the fact that instead of worrying about the faults and failings of others I can always work on improving Michelle...
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation.
For he has shown me such favour –
me, his lowly handmaiden.
Now all generations will call me blessed,
because the mighty one has done great things for me.
His name is holy,
his mercy lasts for generation after generation
for those who revere him..."
It's amazing what a cheap plastic statue can do to keep reminding me to toe the line. Maybe I should hide it behind a book...
The divine hour of Vespers approaches as the coals in the fire place glow a warm red and the sun begins to set behind the cloud-streaked horizon. Today began as a bright sunny day but soon the lawn danced with hail and rain pelted the windows. The electricity kept cutting off and we couldn't get our Christmas packages mailed because the Post Office computer kept shutting down. No bother, I've already resigned myself to them arriving back in America long after December 25th. But that's no bother either! Being Catholic I celebrate eight days of Christmas - and also forty days of Christmas Season! Christmas does not end in one mere day for me! The Catholic Church sure knows how to hang on to a holiday and party like mad until the darkest part of winter is past and the sun starts to show its face again for more then a few wimpy hours.
I can just make out the shapes of the sheep as they graze in the fields. Soon the field will be black even while the sky is light and the sheep will disapear into the shadows. I wonder what they do out there in the bitter rain and wind all night long??? Play chess?
I had to bank the coal fire tonight as I found black mold growing on the windows in our bedroom. I've kept the bedroom and bathroom closed off so that the downstairs would heat up but I guess that let the mold show its ugly self. I have the door open and the fire roaring - it's so hot that my plastic Virgin Mary statue is threatening to melt! My sweet Dominican Nuns sent me that miniature Mary statue back when I was attending University in Alaska. I was living in a small log cabin in the woods and the snow was falling thick. The days were long and dark and I was just beginning to feel sorry for myself when a cheerful package arrived from The Monastery of the Mother of God. I immediately perked up and greed lit my eyes for I knew that this package from a monastery full of nuns would contain my ultra favorite: CATHOLIC LOOT ! Yeah, baby! Nuns know how to spoil you with brightly colored Holy Cards, Saint medals, loving letters and a zillion other fascinating Holy objects small enough to be crammed in a box and shipped to Alaska.
And now that same plastic statue is chilling on a mantle in Orkney. I never imagined that I'd be here. I never pictured myself in this place! But I am so happy to be here. I think that Orkney was a fair trade for Alaska. And Erlend...he's just wonderful. I couldn't have wished for a better husband.
My first thought as I look up at the steaming statue of Mary is HOLY COW I'M HAVING A RELIGIOUS MOMENT!! But then I realize it's just the heat from the coal fire that's beginning to melt the plastic so I swiftly move it to a safer spot and sit down in the chair with my heart racing from fright. No, what I meant to say was that this wee statue sent to me one dark Christmas in Alaska keeps me ever mindful of humility. It silently points out to me day after day, "Michelle, you ain't all that!" In this cheap humble gift I see the invitation to lay down my pride and to live in love.
The sun sets and my voice chants Vespers from my leather prayer book. I soon find myself quoting the words of the Virgin Mary and I look up at the statue that keeps me reminded of the fact that instead of worrying about the faults and failings of others I can always work on improving Michelle...
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation.
For he has shown me such favour –
me, his lowly handmaiden.
Now all generations will call me blessed,
because the mighty one has done great things for me.
His name is holy,
his mercy lasts for generation after generation
for those who revere him..."
It's amazing what a cheap plastic statue can do to keep reminding me to toe the line. Maybe I should hide it behind a book...
Posted on Things Go Moo in the Night... at 16:35
So...I traded my quiet cabin in the Alaskan woods for the howling winds of Orkney and life on a farm. 
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