09.12.2025 | Ordinary Friday

Sunny skies in the Garden this morning.  It's going to be pretty hot with highs in the mid 90s and winds light and variable.  A nice day but still very dry!

This lovely hummingbird has been a constant visitor to the Garden this year.  We have nicknamed her "Betty Bird" (I have no idea if this is a male or female, so my apologies in advance).  We call her Betty Bird after Dr. B's mom.  The little hummingbird visits on most days and flitters about the garden looking for a snack or possibly a quick drink from the bubbling fountain.  She was a welcome sight yesterday.  Our nation has become so angry and divided.  It seems to worsen every single day.  More violence and death.  More rhetoric and inflammatory actions from the people who should be leading us to a better way.  

I am an old man, and I'm frightened by the anger and division.  I've always believed that what was wrong with our nation could be overcome by what is so right about our nation.  I'm worried that may no longer be true.  I'm fighting so hard and trying to hang on to a bit of hope.  My faith is weak, and my hope is failing.  I'm clinging to love.  I'm holding on to love.  Love for my family.  Love for my friends.  Love for my neighbors.  Love for those I disagree with.  Love for those I don't really like but I'm trying to love them anyway.  In the end love is the only way to win.  It is all we have to fight the anger.  It is all we have to fight craziness.  It is all we have.  Love is all we have.  As the song says, "love is all we need."  

This morning I'm looking for Betty Bird. Searching for a bit of hope and faith and holding on to some love.  I'm still afraid.  I'm still angry.  I'm still frustrated.  But the hummingbird helps.  The Garden heals my weary soul.  A little grace in the form of a hummingbird to bolster hope on a Friday morning in September.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.