Saturday enjoyment

The snow continues to lightly fall here this morning. What a beautiful day it is here. Just had an enjoyable pipe smoke and reading of the Advent devotional I'm reading this year (Okay, I read it every year....) out in the Bonny. It's not too late to purchase and enjoy Advent and Christmas with Thomas Merton, A Redemptorist Pastoral Publication . For each day before Christmas, and for the 12 days of Christmas, there's a short Scripture reading, a reading from Merton, and a short prayer to end. From the back cover: "Thomas Merton, the renowned Cistercian monk, brings to us a fresh experience of the Advent and Christmas seasons, when we look to the coming of the Messiah who will make all things new again. In a spirit of monastic simplicity, Merton reveals the humble way in which we can invite the Savior into our hearts--without all the clutter, noise, and anxiety. Everyone searching for simple spiritual joy will want to spend Advent and Christmas with Thomas Merton." I've had this book since '02, and never tire of re-reading it and spending my Advent and Christmas with Fr. Louis. I heartily commend this little book to you, and pray that it may add to your joy this season, as it does to mine every year.

And thanks to my friend Mitch for the good tobacco i enjoyed a bit ago. He gave me some Peterson of Dublin Sunset Breeze a couple of months back, and I still have some. On the can: "Promising a unique smoking experience, this blend of first choice Virginia, Burley and Black Cavendish is crowned by a wonderful Amaretto aroma." Indeed it is! Very tasty! Very enjoyable.

It just occurred to me that if you're new to my blog, you may not know what the "Bonny" is. Before Shirley and I moved in to this house, someone enclosed the front porch and made a nice little room. It's a combination room for us--a library, music room, and small chapel (we have Morning Prayer and Eucharist out there Mon-Fri). It's full name is the Oratory of St. Bonaventure, which we call the "Bonny" for short. There's a window a/c unit, and a space heater out there. Since we haven't been out there yet today, the room is a bit chilly. I didn't stay out there long! But long enough to enjoy the pipe, my coffee, and Merton.

Get the book! You'll be glad.


Joyous Advent season to you,
fr francis