Monastery of Christ in the Desert

Today I journeyed the 13 miles down the muddy, single lane road to the Monastery of Christ in the Desert, arriving in time for Sext, the 1:00 p.m. prayer of the Daily Office. The monks chant all the liturgy, which is quite beautiful. While waiting for None, the 3:30 p.m. prayer, I sat to read - then fell asleep, and slept right through None. I guess that is what I needed - and that is OK. I awoke in time for Silent Prayer followed by Vespers at 5:20 p.m.


The landscape on the drive was stunning. The colors are magnificent. The greens are more vibrant due to the unusually wet spring they are having, and make the peach and pink hues of the sandstone cliffs stand out that much more. Absolutely incredible!

Tonight I am back at Ghost Ranch . . . and ready for it to stop raining (even though I know the earth is loving it). Not looking forward to tenting and packing up wet gear tomorrow.

A couple of random pictures and thoughts ------

I walked into the Ghost Ranch office yesterday and saw this on the desk.
Yes, a Warren Wilson water bottle that is not mine. Upon inquiring about it, I learned that Jim Layman, a current WWC volunteer, had given the water bottle to Don Mason, who is now a volunteer here at Ghost Ranch. Don had looked into volunteering at WWC, but for now has ended up here.

And, from whence has this blog, and all other things internet, taken place while Leah has been at Ghost Ranch? Right here in this back room of the library. I love it! I feel like Brer Rabbit in the Brair Patch - just throw me right into the library and surround me with books.. So many books, so little time! And the coolest thing is that the books are current. This is not an old, out-dated, stale, dusty library that houses books of dead theologians. NO! It's fabulous. I could just spend the rest of the summer here. ( I did inquire about discounts for clergy sabbaticals.) :o)