Where did May go? It's hard to believe this cloudy Wednesday morning is the final day and June begins tomorrow.  Where does the time go?  

It's a true Summer in Saint Louis weather day here in the Carondelet Garden.  It might rain.  There may be thunderstorms.  It may be cloudy.  The sun might come out later this afternoon.  Who knows what will happen.  It is so typical of South Saint Louis in the Summer.  

It's a day of meetings and planning that happens a couple of times a year.  It is amazing how much paperwork is involved in living life in general.  It seems to be even more complicated as I've retired.  Lots and lots of paperwork!  It's the price we pay for this amazing life we have.  

Here's to a hopeful, kindness-filled last day of May.  Be good to yourself today.  You deserve it!  Now to tackle the paperwork!  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

Sunny skies and low 90s here in South Saint Louis on the last Tuesday of May.  The mint is contained nicely in this pot because we know what happens if you let mint have its way!  Today is perfect for some mint iced tea.  

This week is about patience as I'm waiting for some relatively minor dental stuff next week.  Patience has always been one of those things I need to work on.  I want it and I want it yesterday.  I've gotten a bit better over the years, but it is still something I have to work on daily.  What I've begun to notice is that the mark of patience isn't really about enduring but hoping.  My impatience was and is about not having hope.  Patience tells me that I'm looking toward a future of God's choosing not mine.  It's a sign of longing, not so much to be released from the present but to anticipate the goodness yet to come.  A bit of an epiphany for this old gardener.  Patience is hope.  Simple, ordinary hope.  

I hope you stay cool and hydrated on this warm Tuesday in May.  My prayer today focuses on hope.  Hope is the word for us as Summer approaches.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

Acts 2:1-4
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

It is Pentecost Sunday here in the Carondelet Garden.  The Irises bloomed just in time, and I love the trinity of blooms.  Quite fitting for Pentecost, don't you think?  

It's a beautiful morning here in South Saint Louis.  The skies are blue and there is a slight breeze.  A picture-perfect beginning of the day.  Welcome Holy Spirit!

I've been thinking about joy lately.  It may seem a bit odd to say but if you want joy in your life you have to practice.  Like all great skills, joy takes practice.  As I'm getting older, I must relearn the abandon of enjoying the simple pleasures all over again.  You see that in the wee ones when they are first discovering the newness around them.  Have you ever witnessed a child when they first taste ice cream in the summer?  Such rapture! So much joy!  Practice joy is at the top of my "to-do" list this week.

Welcome Holy Spirit.  Create in me a new creation filled with joy and wonder.  A bit of faith, a dash of hope and heaping, helping of love surround us all.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

Happy Saturday in Paschaltide from the old gardener in South Saint Louis.  The Money Plant bloomed this year and it was pretty lovely.  Happy to continue a family tradition.

It's a quiet morning here in the garden.  Listening to New Standards on WNYC.  Getting ready to settle in to some newspapers and maybe have another cup of coffee.  Be good and be kind to yourself on this last Saturday in May.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

The peppers are in the Garden on this Friday in Paschaltide!  So excited for these little Jalapenos.  Fresh salsa coming to our little Southside bungalow in the next few months.  It's a beautiful morning here in Carondelet as the last Friday in May gets underway ushering in the Memorial Day weekend.  What are your plans for the weekend?

We will be trimming and pruning the Lilac bush on this sunny day.  As the vineyard master prunes the vines to produce more fruit, we will be pruning our lovely Lilac to produce more fragrant blossoms come next Spring.  Bear more fruit.  Bear mor blossoms.  As the Gospel of John says, "I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him.  I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another."

Love is sometimes difficult.  Sometimes practical.  Sometimes painful. Sometimes sacrificial.  The older I get the more I realize that I need God's help to love.  I am often challenged to show love as I can be an old curmudgeon sometimes.  Sometimes I simply don't feel like it.  Grumpy old man!  I know that I need to simply ask for help to love others and love myself.  Love is sometimes difficult.  Who do I need to learn to love today?  

It's a stunning, sunny Friday in Paschaltide.  Come Holy Spirit this Pentecost.  Love one another.  Love yourself. Not always easy. Always necessary. Amen.

It's our Japonica "Lily of the Valley" bush.  We had one for over 30 years and it died a few years back and we've finally been able to find the perfect replacement.  What a beauty!  It is a wonderful addition to the Carondelet Garden.  

Another beautiful day here in the Carondelet Garden.  Partly sunny skies and a light breeze.  We have definitely been able to enjoy these mornings outside amongst the beauty of creation.  

It is my daily ritual to read, pray and meditate in the early morning.  It sustains my life but often it doesn't really feel life changing.  Yet, somehow, simply and quietly, God finds me.  I am loved just the way I am in that moment.  A broken old man in a broken old world seeking faith, hope and love which always begins with forgiveness and reconnection.  Every day I begin again.  Every day I stumble and fail a bit, but somehow, I am still loved.  Remarkable!

As I've gotten older, I realize that each day is repetitive.  Again and again, I have to be forgiven.  Again and again, I have to believe.  Again and again, I have to pray and meditate and read.  Again, and again and again. Amen.

Welcome to Wednesday in Paschaltide!  Come Holy Spirit!  Pentecost is just around the corner.  Come Holy Spirit, Come!

The Irises are in bloom here in the side garden.  Love these gorgeous symbols of Saint Louis.  They just give a bit of sophistication to the garden this time of year.  

Last night was eighth grade graduation for our middle God-daughter.  We are so thankful for the chosen family who give us such delight and joy!  What a pleasure it is to watch her grow into this amazing, creative, beautiful person.  We can't wait to watch her change this world!

We are back at the work of the Garden today as we tackle those daily, ordinary chores that keeps things moving.  Time to pray and weed and meditate on the goodness of the earth.  The lettuce is ready so a fresh, Spring salad is on the menu.  Be good and kind to yourself and others as you make your way through this world today.  You are loved more than you know.  You are loved, just the way you are, right now!  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

Nothing can express the joy that I receive when I'm holding my newest Great Niece. Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!  She is beautiful and beloved.  Is there anything better than visiting a Farmer's Market on a stunning Spring Day and getting to hold a perfect bundle of joy?  I can't think of anything!  Simple. Ordinary. Pleasure.

It has been my guiding mantra this year to enjoy a simple, ordinary life.  I have come to believe that our lives are formed by our simple daily chores and activity.  The ordinariness of our daily routine.  We live in this busy culture where we are all judged by our "busy-ness."  The world is craving bigger, better, faster, more entertaining, dramatic and shocking.  As I've gotten older, I crave the other end of the spectrum.  I am cultivating a life with the simplicity needed to sustain a bit of faith, hope and love.  

Enjoy this Tuesday in Paschaltide.  Come Holy Spirit! I hope you have a simple, ordinary day and find the silence to do a bit of meditation or prayer.  Try to slow down and appreciate the beauty of creation all around you.  Be good and be kind to yourself today.  You deserve it!  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's a beautiful morning here in the Carondelet Garden in South Saint Louis.  My Snap Peas are a little behind this year.  Didn't get them into the ground as quickly as I should have.  But here they are doing their best.  Can't wait for the harvest.  I can eat these beans right off the vine they are so sweet!

It's Dentist teeth cleaning morning for the old Gardener.  Not my favorite activity but definitely a necessity.  Keep up the maintenance!  Take good care of the old body and it will take good care of you.  Mostly!  My mother-in-law always said getting old ain't for sissies.  In many ways she was right, but I wouldn't trade this time of life for anything.

A prayer of faith, hope and love for this last week of Paschaltide.  Be good to yourself.  Be kind to those you may meet along the way.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.