This past Wednesday was the summer equinox....or was it the solstice? I don't know...ANYWAY, there were plans to celebrate the longest day of the year by having a bonfire on the beach for night prayer....however, the wind was blowing around 50 mph, with wet, wet cold rain....so, the celebration was held in the Abbey Church, where we all sat and listened to the wind howling around us...it was very cool.
Anyway! Yesterday I worked my first morning shift by myself...I mixed up and baked 10 loaves of bread, a couple dozen scones and put the porridge on! All before morning prayers!!! I really really really liked the pattern of working in the morning, (while watching the clock) then putting work down, walking across to the abbey for prayers, and immediately returning to work. I would love to work this shift all the time, but it turns out the other cooks like this shift as well!!
Today I worked the 9:30-2:30 shift...I'm "in between" right now: just a couple of hours before I have to return for the dinner shift, 5-7. But I sang a blessing song at the end of the morning service today, so I had to meet the musician at 7:45!! Friday services are at 8:15 (instead of the usual 9:00) so we can all walk down to the jetty and say goodbye to all the guests who are leaving on the 9:00 ferry...it's kind of cute...especially NOW that I've actually gotten to know some of the guests over the course of the week. Last night's service was a communion service led by Graham Maule (he writes lots of beautiful texts that John Bell sets to music) and presided over by Steve Butler (not sure who he is yet). Anyway, they were both A-MAZ-ING!!!! They really PRAYED the prayers...they are both so gifted and inspiring. It was a pretty awesome service which featured a performance by one of the groups staying at the Macleod center this past week. Also, pretty darn cool.
So just to illustrate the craziness of life here (yes, it IS crazy on this wee little slice of heaven) this is what my today is/was: 7:45 meet with the Abbey musician; 8:15 morning service; 8:45 walk to the jetty and see off the guests; 9:20 MacLeod centre meeting; 10:00 Vollie meeting; 10:45 back to work through lunch until 3:00; 5-7 back to work the dinner shift; 7:30 a music "workshop" for staff and volunteers around chants; 8:15 staff choir rehearsal; 9:00 night service....then, I'm hoping we'll hit the pub. Yesterday I was through at 2:30 so I walked north to my favorite beach, "Traigh ban am Manach," "White strand of the monks." It's a lovely little beach that has captured my heart and feeds my soul. I sat on a rock and just stared out at the waves and the colors of the ocean. After just a few minutes, I was in a happier place...it was as if I hadn't even WORKED that day! It was just SOOOO good to "be." I highly recommend it. (as I've said before.)
So life goes on...we said goodbye to 5 vollies this week, which means one new roommate. This Wednesday we will say goodbye to 3 vollies, which will mean TWO new roommates!! We're having a little vollie "leaving service" in the ruins of the Nunnery...specifically, in what USED to be the chapter house. It's a lovely little "sunken" area with stone benches on all four sides....don't know what we'll do if it rains....probably go to the pub!!
Please know that I continue to think of all of you, and am really missing you....
think of me, and write if you get a chance. Sending love from Iona!
mary out.
5 comments:
Hey Mary-
I just read your whole post to Mom over the phone, and she was certainly happy to hear that you are doing so well.
Me too!
Sounds like you're pretty busy and that's good.
Love,
Paula
SEND ME THE SCONE RECIPE!!! I have the shortbread one but it's ALWAYS a good time to make scones!! The warm, sunny "beach" weather is continuing here but I'd rather have the rainy wind if I could still be on Iona!!
Hi Mary,
Phew!!! 10 Loaves of bread and scones and Porrige all by yourself! WOW!! I'll bet that kind of accomplishment feels really great! It sounds like you LIKE being so busy. It is wonderful that they are experiencing your awesome talent not only as a singer/player but also your prayerful spirit. So we are all missing you as you read through these posts of ours and can't wait for your next one!!
Summer on the main land is starting off with lots of sunny days--not too hot yet. Reagarding your solstice -- equinox dilemma always remember that equinox is equal night and day which occur in March and September and the solstice are longest day -- June and longest night December. So happy Summer solstice!!! (YUK now the days get shorter!!!) Enjoy and know that you are in my prayers.............
duckie
Hey Mare (Meer is pronounced the same way in Dutch and German and means "sea" therefore maybe you really were destined to be an island girl),
You really are working your fingers to the bone making scones and bread! Being a baker is not eay work. The closest I ever came was going to my grandmother's bakeries (Mueller bakeries) in the 60's and dipping my fingers into a big vat of frosting that was intended for donuts and cakes. Do they offer you all the scones and clotted cream you can eat? Dave loves all that howling wind and rain and misty morn type stuff but I have to say I'm cut out more for 72 degrees and sunny. Truthfully it sounds like you're really earning your room an board.....Raise a pint to the MacGeen's if you don't mind.
The choir (me included) miss you. Bring us back some scottish tunes please to serenade us! Corgi hugs, T
Your roomie can't get enough scones. Just returned from Nashville, where I got my fill of little biscuits. However, send her the scone recipe and I'll bug jojo until she makes some for all of us. (She is breathing over my shoulder as we speak - we are still at work).
PBC
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