Monastery Visit

Filed Under Living Beautiful | 28 comments

Traveling another Serendipitous road… took me with a  friend up into the North East mountains of Utah.

Tucked up into the Rocky mountains we visited a Cistercian monastery. The tree lined entrance was breath taking.  A group of Monks who grow crops of alfalfa and barley; 7 times during the day gather for prayer and chanting. The reverence I felt the moment we left our car was amazing. Such a simple life they lead. The chants were lovely and uplifting but it was meeting Father “Joseph” that made my day.

This darling man touched my heart. He eluded to his age; approximately in his 80′s and he told us that Monks don’t get buried in caskets but only in what he was wearing that day. With the biggest smile told us his “bags were already packed” and he patted his robe.  Would you just look at that lovely smile and those twinkling eyes!

My  friend who had driven us up,  recently lost her job. He softly said that he knew she would be employed shortly but that he would also say a prayer on her behalf.  Neither of us were Catholic, but this man of God, was so simple and pure. He said something that I will never forget as we were leaving. We told him to have a great afternoon and then  he replied, “I always do, I haven’t had a bad one yet.”  and you know what? I am sure he hasn’t.

I asked him if I might take a picture of his hands and  he laughed softly at me saying that about 50 years ago he could’ve understood why I wanted to photograph them, but now he didn’t understand. I thought his hands were glorious. They brought to mind an excerp  of one of my favorite lyrics by Kenneth Cope.

His Hands…

his hands would serve his whole life though
showing man what hands might do
giving, ever giving, endlessly
each day was filled with selflessness
and i’ll not rest until i make up my hands what they could be
’til these hands become like those from galilee

Perhaps this post might have been better, had it been posted on Sunday, but I could not wait to share this delightful day with all my friends and dear ones. I sincerely loved visiting the Monks – (thanks so much Miss Pam) Please stop by and see what others at Its a Beautiful life and Hooked on Fridays have in store for you all. Also, a new party on Sunday … visit Ginger at Spiritual Sundays.

TTFN~~Claudia ♥ ♥

August 21, 2009 at 12:52 am | Living Beautiful | 28 comments

Plush Lush Pillows

Filed Under Living Beautiful | 26 comments

 

As far back as I can recall I have romanticized beds,

bed linens and simply bedroom decor.

The Bed~~ where at the end of a long day we bring our weary bodies to be refreshed.

 

 

Big fluffy textures beckon us to lay on them– to rest– to read– to relax…

 

Our senses enhanced by soft music , fragrant perfumed pillows and dimmed light, lull us to slumber

 

Satins, Velvets, Cottons and tassles become  friends

 

Don’t you think any guest would feel welcome in this retreat?

May the end of this week be a lovely one, where you can enjoy your Beautiful Life(visit Melissa) and as you can see I am definitely Hooked on Pillows and beds. Visit Julia at Hooked on Houses… and of course Beverly at How sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday.

Grab your favorite book and glass of ice tea and enjoy a soft day– at least for a moment.

TTFN~~ Claudia  ♥ ♥

 

August 14, 2009 at 12:07 am | Living Beautiful | 26 comments

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