GOD'S "OPEN HEART" IN THE HIGH DESERT

On the Way of the Cross at our Retreat House in Cortaro AR people put small rocks, and sometimes notes as they pray the way that Christ took to Calvary.  This one has small rocks in the shape of a rock.  I caught the message right away.  DO YOU?  It is the "open heart of God in Christ". Who would bother to make a Way of the Cross or do any kind of prayer if he or she did not believe that, despite the foolish and sinful things we might have done in our lives...God's heart is still "always open" to pardon us and love us.

Car "Washed in the Wash"

I do not know the story of this car which I discovered in a "desert wash" near Cortaro AR.  Washes are places where accumulating water from desert storms high up in the mountains can silently accumulate and suddenly whip across the road carrying whomever and "whatever" to unexpected oblivion.  For this reason the roads approaching where a wash crosses the road on a downgrade usually have signs similar to Railroad Crossings saying something like 'CAREFULL APPROACHING THE WAS".  And one had better!!

HISPANIC MEETING IN TUCSON, AR

My missionary group, the Redemptorists, have a very wonderful Retreat House off Highway 10 on the way from Tucson to Phoenix.  It is called Picture Rocks Retreat House.  Part of the complex, which is right in the Sajuaro National Preserve, is called Desert House of Prayer.  Since 1980 when I spent nearly three months there after my first 8 years in the Dominican Republic I have returned twice:  once in 2002 when I spent two months and last week.  I truly love the dry hot high desert air.  My "friends": the Cactus Wrens, Gambol Quail, Curved Billed Thrashers, Pyrolloxia (which are similar to Northern Cardinals) make it truly a birding paradise.  There are many interesting warblers, finches and sparrows that inhabit the "Washes".  I saw a Gray Warbler that I "think" is called "Gray Cheeked".  And I have still to identify various other birds. Below are some of my shots of the area around Ina Road which forks off  Interstate 10 about 20 miles from downtown Tucson.

'BIRDING WAY OF THE CROSS IN PICTURE ROCKS-CORTARO, AR

DESERT SHRUBS, FLOWERS, CACTUS IN PICTURE ROCKS- CORTARO, AR

Picture Rocks in Cortaro AR--Sajuaro Preserve

Desert Sunset in Arizona

The "Wash" at Picture Rocks Retreat House

MPH Sisters at Hispanic Meeting in Tucson, AR

COMMUNING WITH MY BROCCOLLI

THANKS TO KEVIN MURRAY

Last week my friend Fr.Kevin Murray was here.  Kevin works in Sarnelli House in Philadelphia which is a community of youth volunteers that live in community our Redemptorist life and go out to know, love, learn from and to serve the poor and needy in the Kensington section of Philadelphia near our Parish of the Visitation.  I took advantage of Kevin's presence here to put many marigold in my organic garden.  (We spent a good evening planting them.)  Marigold help keep away insects from the vegetable plants "without" the need for dangerous pesticides and herbicides. Thanks to Kevin I now have two rows of Leaf Lettuce, two of Redina "Red" leaf lettuce, two rows of carrots, two rows of broccolli, 16 nice Tomatoes plants which are a gift of the local Bruderhof community here in Ulster Park at "Maple Ridge".  Also my buddy John Affronti and Marty Roberge are seasoned garderners that have helped me a lot.  Marty suggested this nice sunny spot.  John spent a night helping me put in the fence and posts.  Yesterday John helped me adjust my two sprinklers so that they will cover the 30'  by  20' area that is the "Sylvester Feeley Abundant Life Garden"

MY FRIEND SKIP AND THE "SYL FEELEY ABUNDANT LIFE GARDEN"

I have given the name of "Syl Feeley Abundant Life Garden"  to this 30 ft by 20 ft plot that I will have seeded with spinach and lettuce tonight. Fr. Sylvester Feeley C.SS.R. was a wonderful Redemptorist confrere who greeted me as Superior of the Caribbean Missions in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and the US Virgin Islands when I arrived there in January of 1967.  Syl was called Padre Roberto  by people in PR and the Caribbean.  He was a great man.  Now, besides "honoring" him with my garden's name....I expect some of his "help from up, out or over there in Eternity.....Pray for the garden, Syl.
Here are Skip Doyle, our Redemptorist friend and the fencing we have just completed.

DAD OUTSIDE GUARDING MOM INSIDE HOPING FOR OFFSPRING

One of the most hopeful signs of spring these days are our Bald Eagles who have finally overcome the threats to their existence and have returned.....But I would never disturb them.

MY FRIEND BEN AT MAPLE RIDGE

In all my posts about beginning to learn something about organic vegetable gardening  I forgot to acknowledge the help that Ben, one of my friends from the Maple Ridge Bruderhof community gave me.  Ben and Tim sent over one of their tractors and a good strong tiller and opened up the 30 by 20 foot plot that I now and preparing to grow vegetables.  The Bruderhof Community which came to the United States back when it was clear that Adolf Hitler believed very much in war which the Bruderhof do not.  And so their community went first to England, then to Paraguay and then finally back to England and to the United States.  They live a very hard working, God loving and service filled life.  Two of them, Eam and Janet work in creating a spirit of forgiveness, most especially in very turbulent schools in the Bronx, NY.  The picture here is of one of their community meals where all the families eat together.  (On Saturdays they also invite me and others from the area to join them in a joyous, song filled and prayerful meal.
THANKS BEN!!!

TASTY "FUTURE OCCUPANTS" OF THE BIRDER'S GARDEN

THE GARDEN EXISTS IN MY IMAGINATION FIRST

Back in 1994 I spent a half year in Brazil and met Ruvem Alves, a most wonderful man, educator, story writer and "gardiner".  He was showing us his beautiful flower garden and said something I found quite profound, Long before my garden existed here in Sao Paulo it existed in my imagination".  I find that this is true of all dreams.  But, of course, without the effort, labor, hard work, heartache sometimes....the "garden remains in one's imagination"....Hopefull mine here at The Mount will soon exist in reality with what I plan to plant: SWISS CHARD, SPINACH, RADISHES, TOMATOES, BEANS OF SOME KIND, SUMMER SQUASH AND PEPPERS, BEETS, CUCUMBERS AND CARROTS.  My friend John Aponti from Esopus is helping me as I am just a novice.

I'D SAY THERE WERE MORE THAN A THOUSAND ROCKS HERE!!!

I may live "or die" regretting this.  But the salad bar at The Mount will be counting on me to produce some "produce" for the meals and to make this more than a personal hobby.  Wish me luck tomorrow!!

HUDSON RIVER "ORGANIC GARDENER"....TOO!!

I have a plot that is about 40 feet by 25 feet and have begun as an "Infant Organic Gardener"...what I think should be called the "Battle of the Rocks"...Anyone in the Ulster County Area that would like to help just give me a message here.  You would be "most welcome".. The "Battle" begins!!

THE "BIRDER" AT BOG MEADOW IN SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY

BOG MEADOW IN SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY

THE RISEN CHRIST "DRAWING ALL CREATION TO HIMSELF AND THE FATHER

This image of the Risen Christ is in our Redemptorist Church of St. Clements in Saratoga Springs, NY.  One thing that my study of Nature and the Planet and our Environment that has fascinated me is  what is the "relationship of God" of the "Blessed Trinity" to all that has been created, all living things,not just "human" beings.  What I have read makes me more convinced than ever that God is "related" to all that has been made.  The Bible, most especially the Book of Psalms is always saying that "the world reflects and makes visible the "glory and beauty of God".  I think this mosaic at St. Clements shows this.  Look and see how the arms of Christ, not not nailed to a Cross but reaching out in a "cruciform embrace"....Look how Christ embraces and hugs all that has been made.  I believe that Christ simply wanted, simply "wants" to bring all that has been made to both see, reflect and show the love of God for all of creation.....

NEAR THE ANCIENT OAK TREE IN THE APPLE ORCHARD

SPRING MIGRATION AND A MORE INCLUSIVE WORLD

DAY TO BE LIKE ADAM WITH CREATION

On Saturday, April 24th Joe, Gloria and myself did my SPRING MIGRATION AND A MORE INCLUSIVE WORLD day here at the Mount.  We must have walked at least three miles, although all I'd advertised was that...:"it would be an outdoors day".   We began next to our 200 year Oak Tree (more or less!) where we said the Morning Prayer of Praise.  Then we began to be like Adam in reverse.  By this I mean that we walked and tried to discover plants, trees, birds, insects and other creatures "by their proper names".   When we name someone or "any living thing" by their proper name we grow in respect for them and for all of creation.  I feel very sure that this is what the Genesis account of creation means to teach us with Adam getting the job  of naming all the animals, plants etc.  Adam learned to both RESPECT CREATION and to CONNECT TO CREATION.  Here are Joe and I next to our Purple Beech Tree which might just be 150 years old.

THE MANY LONG LEAFED ("NEEDLED") PINES IN NORTH CAROLINA

I have been doing my best to become a better "tree identifier" during my time down here in the Outer Banks. The most numerous pines are what you see here.  They have needles that are from 8 to 11 inches and many nearly six inch cones.  They grow, as do the Loblolly Pines to up to 110 feet.  (I learned that the Loblolly Pine is not too frequent here in the Outer Banks,  But in my trips to the home of my friend Evelyn Dabbs near Florence SC  there are many, many Loblolly Pines there.

SUNSET-2 ON THE OUTER BANKS AT COLLINGTON, NC

SUNSENT ON ABERMARLE SOUND-- COLLINGTON, NC

ORGANIC GARDENING ANYONE

THIS IS THE AREA WHERE I WANT TO BEGIN SOME "ORGANIC GARDENING" HERE AT MT. ST. ALPHONSUS.  THESE FIELDS WERE POTATOE FIELDS 50 YEARS AGO.  WE ALSO PLANTED AND HARVESTED TASTY STRAWBERRIES THERE.  DEPENDING ON WHAT I CAN LEARN MYSELF ABOUT ORGANIC GARDENING AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HERE IN OUR ESOPUS AREA THAT MIGHT OFFER TO "HELP ME"  WE COULD HAVE SOME GREAT CROPS HERE COME THIS JULY....THINK ABOUT IT!

OUR LADY OF THE MOUNT ALTAR

This is the place where we will celebrate Mass at 4 pm on this April 24th, 2010.  My Workshop, "Christ and Spring Migration" will be mostly outdoors because I want to show how ALL of God's Creation has to be included in our love and concern.  We daughters and sons of God have been named, since Adam got the job of being....Caretakers and Stewards of Creation

Spring Buds at the Mount

HERE ARE SOME OF THE BUDS THAT ARE BURSTING WITH LIFE AND BEAUTY HERE AT MT. ST. ALPHONSUS...ENJOY THEM!!!

More Magnolias from the Mount

MARVELOUS MAGNOLIAS OF THE MOUNT

We have four Magnolia Trees here at the Mount which are at least 70 years old.  And so they would have been planted somewheres around 1927.  Because of the high temperatures here in the Northeast this last week they reached full bloom yesterday, April 7th.  In earlier years they would bloom maybe at the beginning of May.  Ordinations to the Sub an Deaconate would happen here at the Mount close to the first Sunday after Easter (Low Sunday).  That Sunday had the Latin name of Domenicus in albis  (Sunday in White).  This allusion referred to the recently baptized adults at the Easter Vigil who would wear their white Baptismal garbs all during this week.

CHRIST IS RISEN TODAY

A HAPPY EASTER FROM THE HUDSON RIVER BIRDER

Well, what a day yesterday was.  I have seen a few Tree Swallows swooping over our 412 acres.  The Juncos are clicking like crazy and seem to have their lighter spring coats.  I saw an interesting stand off yesterday with an immature Red Tailed "accompanied" on a branch below by two Fish Crows.  they just "waited" till it took off and tore at her up and down till she or he made it to the next "resting spot".  One of the adult eagles was flying out towards the river yesterday afternoon.  One tree in our area where Eagles have nested was hit bit lighting a year and a half ago.  But I am sure that they will find another "appropiate" and "safe" place.  Thank God that the "eagles are back".  It is not such an extraordinary sight anymore to see them on our river.

Song sparrows, Field sparrows, lots of cardinals and off course American Robins are enjoying this early spring as are we all.  The "Peter, Peter" of our local Tufted Timouses is with us too.  OH YES!!!! And this is a very content and excited OH YES for me.  I saw two beautiful  Eastern Meadowlarks yesterday on our unmown fields at Pells.  The truth is that, as much as a patient birder as I am the only time I have seen Eastern Meadowlarks was years ago down in Columbia SC with a great now deceased birder, Mr. Robin Carter.  They are truly large and beautiful birds.  It was my "Easter Gift".
HAPPY EASTER ALL

...AND THE LAST SUPPER...JESUS BRINGS PASSOVER NEW MEANING

I hope this is alright.  Just below this animation on the Last Supper is a very wonderful animation that shows what the Passover was that Jesus was celebrating with his disciples.  Of course most Jewish people, even though they know that Christians share all the history of salvation and all of the Bible texts that they love and live, do not believe that Jesus was the Promised one or the Messiah... But at this Easter/ Passover time we all try to be in deeper contact with our COMMON GOD OF LOVE, MERCY AND KINDNESS.  Enjoy this You Tube clip on the Last Supper which features the song, "Always Knew That I'd be an Apostle"  from the play and move "Jesus Christ Super Star".

SPRINGTIME AND THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

meone said to me recently, "Your site doesn't always have birds, and you call it THE HUDSON RIVER BIRDER.   Well, yes, that's true.  But I am also a Roman Catholic priest and when springtime comes, sure I am excited about the birds.  Like for instance today was such a beautiful Good Friday.  It is warm.  There more robins than ever.  Yesterday, besides the many Eastern Wood Pewees I've been seeing I also heard a number of Phoebes.  And today, if I am not mistaken, I saw some Tree Swallows flying over towards the Pell Farm.  So, yes, I am the Hudson River Birder.  But springtime is also the time when we Christians believe that, just as the birds return North each April we celebrate the return of Christ to life after the sad mistake of his being condemned to death.  So I would like to share this very well done animated video on Passover.  It is a Jewish celebration.  But it explains a lot of what Jesus himself a Jew was trying to explain as he celebrated that very same Passover with his twelve apostles who were also very good and religious Jews.  ENJOY!!!

The Basin and the Towel for HOLY THURSDAY

ABOUT THE HUDSON RIVER WALKAWAY BRIDGE

I finally did the Hudson River Walkaway Bridge across the river from Highland to Pougkeepsie, NY.  It was a windy afternoon when our staff member at the Mount, Theresa and her friend Linda and I did the two mile jaunt which is supposedly the longest walkaway bridge in the country if not the world....
Here are some facts about it...from a New York Times article---(And I have added some of today's photos after the New York Times article...Enjoy!!)
The New York Times
Editorial
October 6, 2009
The View From 1889

The Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge, built in the late 19th century to link New York and New England to the coal beds of Pennsylvania and the West, is a marvel of Industrial Revolution engineering. It fills the sky over the Hudson River, a muscular lattice of trusses and struts on giant footings, a survivor from a long-gone era before bridge mediocrities like the Tappan Zee. Anyone who has ever gazed on it from the riverbank and wondered what it was like to walk across will now be able to find out. It has just been opened to the public as Walkway Over the Hudson, the latest example of the new kinds of infrastructure - for tourism and recreation - that are reshaping the Hudson Valley. The bridge was abandoned in the 1970s and sat for decades because it was too expensive to tear down. Volunteers made fitful efforts to repair it as a walkway, but the project took off only about five years ago with big infusions of ambition and money, including federal and state aid and a $2 million corporate grant. This year's 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's river trip helped push the $38 million project to completion.

The bridge is part of a bigger web of things to see and do up and down the Hudson River. There are trails and bike paths from both sides linking the nearby Mid-Hudson Bridge, downtown Poughkeepsie, and parks, historic homes and landmarks. To the many civic, environmental and historic organizations that look after the Hudson Valley - including Scenic Hudson, whose land acquisitions have given the region a wealth of public greenery - the bridge has two jobs: be lovely to look at (and from), and energize the economy.

The Henry Hudson anniversary sparked many plans for legacy projects, many of them - including land purchases as a bulwark against view-destroying sprawl - still unrealized. Maybe as the economic and aesthetic benefits of this once-dreamy, impractical vision - saving and fixing a big old bridge - become clearer, people will summon the will and means to dream even bigger.

THE HUDSON RIVER WALKAWAY BRIDGE FROM HIGHLAND TO POUGKEEPSIE, NY