Day:  40-degrees  |  Night:  22-degrees 
It's a chilly morning here in the Carondelet Garden in beautiful South Saint Louis.  The sun is shining brightly giving us the illusion it is much warmer than it actually is.  We are heading out the door to do some errands today.  

Today is also Wine Down Wednesday and the Christmas Extravaganza at The Hill Antique Mall.  We've been looking forward to going and visiting the makers' markets as well as seeing the antique Christmas decorations.  Dr. B is an avid Christmas ornament collector, and she is always on the lookout for another perfect piece to complement her collection.  It's always a fun evening and, as the name suggests, there's wine!  

We should see this abundant sunshine around all day with winds out of the WNW at 10 to 20 MPH.  A stunning day on the Southside.  I hope you get to get outside and soak up a bit of that Vitamin D.  Be good and kind to yourself today.  December is almost upon us.  Let's make this year the year that "Peace on Earth" is more than just a marketing slogan.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  62-degrees  |  Night:  27-degrees
Happy Birthday to the love of my life!  I am the most fortunate of old men.  I have spent the past 40 years with my best friend and someone I adore.  How lucky can one guy be?  Through ups and downs, curves and hills, we've been together through it all and came out the other side a bit stronger and more in love.  

We've had a couple of fires in the old fire pit the past few days.  Last night was no exception.  We always burn a Yule Log at the beginning of Advent.  The anticipation of the light coming into the world.  As we sit in quiet contemplation as the fire burns down to glowing embers it is a reminder that darkness is for now.  Only for now.  This is the season of waiting.  The season of darkness and anticipation.  We wait for the joy of the new season.  The season of birth and new life.  O Come!

We have cloudy skies over the Carondelet Garden this morning with occasional shower possible this afternoon.  Winds are out of the South at 15 to 25 MPH.  We could be in for some gusty winds later this afternoon. Please be careful if you are out and about!  Be good and kind to yourself and others this last Tuesday of November.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden! 

Day:  54-degrees  |  Night:  43-degrees
The Foxgloves were beautiful this Fall.  I needed a little color this morning, so I found this older photograph.  I just love the interior of this bud!  As Yogi Berra would say, "It's deja vu all over again!"  Last Monday morning I went to the Dentist for my bi-yearly checkup and cleaning.  I was given a "good boy!" and sent home.  I ate a scrambled egg and proceeded to break my back tooth.  Luckily, it already had a root canal so there has been no pain but back to the Dentist I go!  

It's been as good a weekend as we could have ever hoped for around here.  We've had so many people reach out with love and support.  Who knew a little Doodle Dog could bring about such love?  I knew we loved her, but so many other lives were also touched.  Such a blessing.  Thank you to everyone who offered their love and support!  We appreciate you more than words!

The skies above the Garden are partly cloudy this last Monday of November.  Winds are out of the South at 5 to 10 MPH.  It's going to be a pretty nice day here in the Southside of Saint Louis.  I hope you have a nice day wherever you are right now.  Be good to yourself today.  Be kind to yourself and those around you.  You'll get it all back tenfold and then some!  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  50-degrees  |  Night:  34-degrees
It's the First Sunday of Advent.  It's a time of waiting, preparation, anticipation, Hope and Mystery.  The darkness of our days is now longer than the light.  Now is the time for sitting with the darkness as we await the new light. The light of the new morning when the waiting, the anticipation is over, and a newness comes over us.  Until that moment, we wait.  We pray and meditate and hope for the coming day when love comes down.

It's been a difficult week here in the Carondelet Garden.  A time of change to be sure.  I miss my constant companion as I walk around outside checking on things.  I miss the routine my little Doodle Dog gave my day.  I miss so many things.  Yet, as I reflect on this past week, I realize how much that little girl taught me.  She taught me unconditional love.  She taught me that kindness and goodness can change things for the better.  She showed me that choosing to be happy is possible.  She changed me for the better.  She taught me that joy and love are stronger than anger and hatred. A long walk will make you feel better.  Every day is an adventure.  I learned a lot from a little Doodle Dog.  

It's a wee soft morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  The skies are cloudy with a bit of mist in the air.  Winds are out of the NW at 10 to 20 MPH.  I wish you joy and happiness this first Sunday of Advent.  May you wait for the light with love and hope.  Kindness and goodness can change things for the better.  A little Doodle Dog taught me that.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  53-degrees  |  Night:  44-degrees
Good morning from the Carondelet Garden.  It's Shop Small Saturday for this old gardener and Dr. B.  We are heading out on one of our favorite days of the year.  We shop small as much as we possibly can every time we need something but today is special.  There is a fun spirit in the air when you are supporting your neighbors and friends.  If you can, get out a show some love to one of your favorite South Saint Louis shops, makers, artists, or restaurants.  We have the absolute best here in Saint Louis!

The fog was crazy early this morning in the Carondelet Garden.  It's starting to lift now but that was intense!  Clouds are the rule over Carondelet this morning with rain showers moving in the afternoon.  Winds out of the SE at 5 to 10 MPH.  It's the perfect morning for a bit of shopping and greeting friends old and new.  A great day to cultivate a bit of kindness.  I hope you get a little kindness from those around you today!  You deserve it all!  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden!

Day:  54-degrees  |  Night:  29-degrees
It's Black Friday.  I never really liked that name.  I guess it's appropriate enough.  A lot of folks are out shopping for Christmas presents today.  I'm not one of them.  I prefer to buy most of my presents from local makers, artists, and shops in my little world of South Saint Louis.  It's a pleasure and a privilege getting to meet the person who made my rolling pin or the coasters under my glass of wine.  The wonderful kitchen wizard who makes my jam or the soap wizard who creates the most amazing bar of soap you've ever seen.  The candlemaker who goes the extra mile.  The wine merchant who knows my favorite Pinot Noir.  The list can go on and on.  I love shopping local.  If you can, give it a shot this holiday season.  

The skies are partly cloudy out in the Carondelet Garden this morning.  The streets are wet from the rains last night and more leaves have fallen.  Winds are out of the NNW at 5 to 10 MPH.  I have some music playing in the background, my coffee is in my mug, and the newspapers have arrived.  It's a quiet morning for this old gardener in South Saint Louis.  I wish you a little peace and quiet this holiday weekend.  Remember to take a little time for yourself.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  51-degrees  |  Night:  37-degrees
It's dark outside in the Carondelet Garden.  A wee soft rain is falling, and the light is just breaking through letting me know that the day is here.  It's been a difficult few days for this old gardener but I have to remember to count my blessings.  I have to remember to be thankful for the amazing people who are part of my life.  I have to remember that good things happen to me every day.  I can't allow grief and sorrow to overshadow the goodness and kindness that surrounds me.  

I went to pick up our Thanksgiving Ham on Monday.  An older gentleman was standing by the meat case going through things.  I was caught up in my own thoughts and worry that I didn't pay that much attention.  I picked up the things I needed and headed to the cashier of this small Grocer in Benton Park.  I was just about to walk out when I saw the gentleman in line with the butcher right behind him.  The butcher paid for the man's meat.  He took money out of his own pocket and paid for it because he saw the man trying to find the cheapest, smallest cut he could find because it was all the money he had.  You could see the look of relief on the older gentleman's face.  He thanked the butcher and said, "I'll pay you back!"  The butcher just looked at him, smiled and said, "Don't worry about it.  I'll get this back ten times over!  Happy Thanksgiving!"  I was so caught up in my world. and my own problems that I didn't notice.  Someone did and goodness and kindness won.  I learned a lesson this week.  Don't let anything get in the way of your ability to be good and kind to others.  Pay attention to the little things, because they mean a lot!

It's cloudy and rainy this morning here in South Saint Louis.  Showers are possible this afternoon with light and variable winds.  It's the perfect day to be thankful for the good things in your life.  Maybe this week or this month or this year weren't the best.  Maybe your little Doodle Dog went to heaven.  There will always be something to be thankful for.  Sometimes you just have to open your eyes and not let anything get in the way of your ability to see the goodness and kindness around you.  Sometimes you have to be that goodness and kindness in the world.  This super cool old couple wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Holly Doodle (December 17, 2018 - November 22, 2022)
She was our constant companion.  My gardening buddy and momma's best kitchen helper.  She was always so happy and healthy and ready for any adventure.  It's so hard to believe she's gone.  We were not ready to lose our little Doodle Dog.  

When we lost our last dog, we swore we couldn't do that again.  Then we retired and we just couldn't see our home without the patter of four little feet, so the little Doodle Dog came into our life as a little tiny fur ball of fluff in late February 2019.  From the beginning we knew this one was special. She was a loving, sweet, happy girl and easily adapted to everything.  She accompanied us to the nursing home from the time she was four months old until the Pandemic shut them down. She was always up for whatever happened whether it was car ride, a walk in the park, or just going through the drive-through at Starbucks for a puppacino. She loved her little life.

It seems her liver condition was something she was probably born with, and it was just a time bomb waiting to happen.  We are grateful it happened so quickly, and she didn't have to suffer needlessly.  It hurts so much right now but we wouldn't trade these past three and a half years for anything.  She was light and love and all things good.  She was the best little Doodle Dog.  We are so thankful for the time we had with her.  She was surely a blessing and a true gift.
  
Thank you so much to those of you who reached out and gave us such love and support these past few days.  In a world filled with hatred we have received so much kindness and love.  Remember to hug those around you a little tighter. Tell those you care about how much you love them today.  Make every moment count because you just never know.  Goodness and kindness can change things.  Holly Doodle sure changed us. 

Day:  60-degrees  |  Night:  33-degrees
This morning we are holding onto Hope.  It seems Hope and prayers are the only thing we have left right now.  My sweet little Doodle Dog came down sick last Saturday.  It hit quite hard and so suddenly.  We took her to the Veterinarian on Saturday morning, and it seemed like she was just having a reaction to the carpet cleaning we were doing.  A shot and some pills were going to do the trick.  They didn't.  She refused to eat all weekend.  Yesterday morning we returned to the Veterinarian.  It seems she has liver disease.  Undiagnosed and unknown.  It is probably genetic, and she's had it since birth, but it just manifested last weekend.  We won't know everything until after the rest of the tests are run today.  The doctors are not very encouraging.  But we hold onto HOPE.  HOPE and PRAYER and maybe a small miracle.  She will turn four in December.  We are not ready to lose her!  HOPE and PRAYER.

The sun is shining outside in the Garden this morning.  Winds are out of the SSW at 5 to 10 MPH.  We are praying.  We cling to hope this Tuesday.  We pray for the wisdom of those amazing Veterinarians who are trying so hard to help our little Doodle dog.  We pray for you and everyone who is struggling this week.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

Day:  55-degrees  |  Night:  29-degrees
It's still dark here in the Carondelet Garden.  It's quiet and the stars are out.  It's been another long night with a slightly better sick Doodle Dog.  We check in with the Vet today so we should know more.  Still drinking and getting around but not eating at all.  We are worried but hopeful things are on the upswing.  

Today is a Dental appointment for this old gardener.  Not my favorite thing to do but a necessity, nonetheless.  Sometimes it's hard to keep up with the ever-growing list of health-related appointment we have as we get older.  We have a central calendar in our kitchen where everything is meticulously organized because the list just seems to grow.  I think the little people come in at night and secretly add appointments to the calendar.  Just to mess with us.  That's my theory anyway.  

We should see some sunny skies in South Saint Louis today.  Much warmer temperatures with the winds out of the SW at 10 to 15 MPH.  A busy day ahead.  I wish you peace today.  The peace that passes all understanding.  Prayers and good vibes being sent your way as this Holiday season gets into full swing.  It can be a joyous occasion for many but for many others it can be a time of stress and guilt.  Be kind to yourself this week.  Take the time you need to do what is best for you.  Be good to yourself and others as you travel about this hectic travel season.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.