I'm Late, I'm Late For A Very Important Date!

Today we start Chapter 3 in The Artist's Way...but I got caught up with wish work and I didn't remember to post my results from Week 2. So I'm late, but I had my date and did my work and now I have to share it with you so it becomes real.

I'll start by telling you that if I could have five other sorts of lives it would be: A veterinarian; a Samurai; an owner of a bed & breakfast; an ambassador to a foreign country; a lawyer. My crazy maker, is most likely me. Yeah, I know, it's disturbing when you realize yet again, you're your own worst enemy. My affirmation is, "If I start it, I need to finish it." For now, that's the only one I'll share.

And now, on to my second date. Perhaps there's a future there for me, after all two dates!

For the past five years I've lived in here, there's a spot I've wanted to visit. Every time I fly past it on the tree lined road I say, "I want to go in there." I have never done it. Why? Couldn't tell you.

Just down the country road from my house rests St. Vincent College and Abbey. It's the oldest Benedictine Abbey in the U.S. It's a beautiful campus in the rolling hills close to Latrobe. Back in the 1800's the monks used to run a grist mill where the farmers from all around the area came to have their corn and wheat ground.

The monks still make whole wheat flour that you can buy in the small general store. You can watch through the glass as they work. Very interesting.

Down stairs in the Grist Mill is a coffee shop. Small and quaint. Free Wi-Fi is the only sign of recent times. The students run it. Very efficiently I might add.

I decided to go and took along a book I'm working through and my camera. I'm always looking for an image or two. The sign? Well, that's nothing to do with my camera or me...that's the way I found it. I'm thinking the painter may have had way too much of the house brew.

Planters full to the brim with late summer glory. Quiet all around. Blue skies so clear and intense, it could break you heart as you consider the glory of it. Cool in the shade, too warm in the sun. That time of the year that makes you feel uncertain what to wear from minute to minute. Sweater on; sweater off; sweater on...

On the campus, is a major wet-lands and eco-system project. There is a retention system with massive square ponds stained the most beautiful sable brown. They work to clear mine run-off; the color is caused by iron in the water. Birds and wild life find safe haven in the protected area. Blue bird houses stand sentinel every so many feet. Salt licks for the deer and other creatures. Crickets, frogs, you name it.

And, then I started to notice some details close to my seat. What else would you expect to find at an Abbey but a pink bird feeder shaped like a church? For sure I wasn't there on a Sunday...the joint was empty.

I sat on the deck and watched a class on an excursion to discover the life there. I thought about asking the Brother if I could tag along, but just at the last minute I stopped myself as I know the Artist's Dates are supposed to be singular activities. Listening to the laughter and chatter as it wafted across the breeze was very soothing.

I considered that the trees and the environment know the season is about to shift as I looked up to see the green pods of the black walnuts hanging heavy and low....just a few more days I reckon, till they start dropping to the ground and the squirrels go crazy with their harvest.

And, then I finally got down to what I had come for. What it took me five years to get around to experiencing...
I slowly savored one of the nicest Chai Tea Lattes I've ever had. And, to think, it was waiting just around the corner from my house. What the heck took me so long?

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly