October 25, 2007

Off to the monastery

Can safely graze

I've gone in search of sheep, real life sheep, to throw at my facebook friends. I'm tired of cheap imitations.

Tomorrow I will return for a four-day retreat at my favourite Benedictine monastery, a working sheep farm that includes two big barns, many hillside pastures, several guesthouses, and a chapel. I am looking forward to hiking through the woods, walking through the sheep pastures, and wandering through the barnyard. I'll go to services in the octagonal chapel, sitting in the same wooden pew I always choose, listening while Brother Tractor plays the harp and the other monks chant psalms. I'll climb the stone staircase into the crypt to light candles, to sit cross-legged on the stone floor and pray. I am looking forward to the quiet and peace that always comes with a trip to the monastery.

20 comments:

Linda said...

The scene in that picture is so idyllic, it doesn't even look real! Hope you have a great retreat!

Unknown said...

Have a peaceful time, but don't forget our date for some in-person sheep-throwing next week!

Phantom Scribbler said...

Laughing. I bet the real sheep are not so enthusiastic about teh throwing pastimes as we are!

Rana said...

Those sheep look heavy! (And gorgeous - I'm coveting their wool.)

ps - love the new avatar!

sheepish said...

Ooooooh, fuzzzzy.

Unknown said...

::clunk:: ::thwap::

Okay, (rubs head) I ge-e-e-e-e-et it. :) Tossing a lambchop back atcha.

Rev.Dulce said...

Tonight at our Festival we are having a "Mutton Bustin" contest. Who ever can stay on the longest - wins.

Having shown several sheep for 4-H, all I can say is that they are better to look at in the field than to shear. The only good thing is your hands are very soft after its done (all that lanolin).

Yankee T said...

I'm sure it will be wonderful.

Cathy said...

It does sound wonderful. Have a good time.

jackie said...

Hope you're having a lovely weekend-- when you get back, you'll find that I added you on Facebook so that I could join in the sheep-throwing!

Andromeda Jazmon said...

Blessings my friend.

Anonymous said...

Ohm....Always a trip with you!

Jess said...

The picture is lovely and the retreat sounds wonderful! I've always dreamed of staying somewhere like that :)

concretegodmother said...

Wow, jo(e)! What camera do you use? Your photos are always so incredibly vivid! I bow to your shooting skills!

Hope your weekend was fabulously relaxing!

Silver Creek Mom said...

Hope you had a great reteat. Mine is this coming weekend. IN Montreal. Abit of retail therapy and a walk around the city with my camera TO see what I can see.

Hugs

Silver Creek Mom said...

Oh and Twap. I threw a Sheep at you. ;)

Michelle said...

The wool for my current project comes from monastic sheep, I always feel like the peace and prayers come through when I knit...

Michael Campbell said...

From your blogs it seems you spent all summer playing in the woods. I'm glad you finally get to enjoy a retreat from that.

duopastorale said...

I love this post. It sounds like heaven to me. I love retreats in those communities.

By the way, it's a lovely photo and really looks like the English countryside!

jo(e) said...

Mike: In real life, it does actually look quite a bit like the English countryside. Except that everything is bigger. The sheep pastures are bigger, the barns are bigger, the roads are wider ....