Day 2, Funeral Trip

Friday, March 16:  Lunch on Friday was with my cousin Mary Jo, her husband Denny, her son Michael and daugher-in-law Angela (my recent visitor in California). Her husband, Paddy, was at work.  The two cousin's twice removed were also at lunch, i.e., the toddlers Paxton and Finnegan.  The temp today hit 82 according to the car thermometer so we ate outdoors at one of the very nice places in St. Paul.  Lunch for six was $82!!!  One can live cheaply here...

Everyone seems to be in good health (within limits of gluten intolerance) and definitely in good spirits.  I was very glad to have time to visit. Paxton and Finnegan were a kick too!  

Its about two hours from St. Paul to St. John's in Collegeville. I arrived at the hotel near the school about 4PM. (A Super 8 hotel in St. Joseph, Minnesota).  The first of the Farmers (Bernie and Sandy) arrived about 20 minutes after me.  We have had our lobby conversation and we headed to an early dinner since the wake started at 7PM. 

The Benedictines have a very formal 'Wake' process.  They held all the visitors in the nave of the Abbey while we mixed, mingled and socialized.  They then brought the casket into the nave, a prayer was said and we all entered the church in a procession following the casket. Interestingly, they put the visitors and family in the procession behind the casket and the celebrants with the rest of the Benedictine community at the end of the procession.  

Because the number of attendees was small, they put us in the choir seats 'behind' the altar.  Patrick was rolled in and the cover removed from the casket.  A ceremony of prayer and song was then performed, and they included handouts for the visitors so we could sing the refrains for each song while the beautiful male cantor voices sang the verses.  

After the ceremony, the monks hold a vigil in the church until the burial mass in the morning.  We talked with Father Hillary who had joined the farmers during our memorial weekend for Mary not quite two years ago.  Father Hillary was also instrumental in making the Farm happen in the 68-69 school year so he is an Uncle to the original program.  

The farmers, Steve, Tom O'C, Bernie, Sandy, myself and Linda who was in the 2nd year of the Farmer program (there were only two years) all assembled at the restaurant near the hotel.  We had a fine visit and toasted Patrick.  I did order a martini, his favorite drink but I cannot, for the life of me, remember the ingredients he preferred.  For one of the Minnesota Farmer visits before Mary died, she and I did the shopping for the fixings for his favorite. Do you think I can remember. Nope, not a clue. 

It was good to see the Farmers and very good to participate in the Vigil with the Benedictines.  All in all, a very good day. 

Ciao, 

Pat

A Quick Funeral Trip

Thursday, March 15:  Father Patrick, mentor to Mary's college group known as "The Farmers" died Tuesday evening.  I decided to attend the funeral activities a St. John's Abbey in Collegeville Minnesota.  Patrick was very, very special to Mary and I feel compelled to be there.  

Father Patrick is in the plaid shirt at the top of the stairs to the right in this 2006 picture taken at Cape Cod. 

Arrived Thursday afternoon and checked into the Hotel Minneapolis and it is wonderful. Its in an old bank building and they left the lobby area in place so you can see the granite columns, decorated walls and ceilings but it is now a hotel, not a bank.  It is a Marriott property and really focused on customer service and satisfaction. The room was very nicely done and appeared very clean.  Down everything on the bed. Nice, but--

I think I might have problems with down.  Woke up in not the best of shape with clogged nasal passages and throat as well.  When I woke up my head was on the mattress without any pillow support.  I had pushed it away while sleeping which is totally unlike me. Thus, my suspicion of a mild down allergy.  At home, my new duvet insert is down. I think I will try the synthetic queen comforter I already own and see if it makes a difference.  Mary had a really big down allergy so she never bought down items.  It makes an easy test using an old comforter.   

Dinner Thursday was with my sister, Sister Maureen, at a sports bar near her apartment on West 7th street.  She needs knee surgery and is planning on it this summer. That triggers another item for her, the possible move into the new Corondolet Village (CV) built as a joint project by the Order and by Presbyterian Homes.  It is a progressive care retirement center for the nuns and general population.  Getting in is a challenge but it may be that Maureen can move in soon.  

My sister is afraid of the move, not because of the new digs, they are great. Rather, she has a rather large collection of 'stuff' from any number of sources and the thought of moving scares her--especially given the knee surgery that will knock her out for 6-8 weeks.  The CV has many types of rooms: 1BR, 1BR+Office, 2BR with 1 or 2 baths.  My sister is a PC/Mac software guru for the Order so at a minimum she will need the 1BR, Bath and Office.  The office for her computer setup.  Maureen is 9 years older than I am so getting set up now for the next part of life is the right thing to do.  

A possible solution I came up with is that I rent a storage place for her.  She then only has to decide what goes directly into CV vs what goes into storage.  I then offered to come up for a couple weeks at a time to help her clear out the storage room.  Why would I do this? Because she has a lot of stuff from my Mom and Dad.  I may or may not want certain items.  She'll get an update on Monday as to availability of an apartment that works for her.   

Back to my wonderful space at the Hotel Minneapolis! 

Ciao

P

Just Two Years Ago

http://pat-los-gatos.blogspot.com/2010/03/nice-and-quiet-birthday.html

Pat

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Mary's Birthday

Wednesday the 7th is Mary's 65th birthday. Remembering the good times is very helpful. But it doesn't make the feelings of loss go away, it only makes them hurt a bit less.

I am moving on in life but I will never let go of the memories and love I have of Mary.

All Ways and Always will I love her.

P


Pat

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


Pat

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Beach Time

A recent post showed the lack of snow in the Sierra.  This post shows the coast taken on two different days this past week.  I had dinner and a concert in Pacifica on Saturday. I attended a conference in Half Moon Bay through early Wednesday afternoon so I headed down the coast before the sun set.  Enjoy the pictures!  


iPad users click here. 

Snowless Sierra Mountains

Normally, the Sierra are covered in 6 to 12 feet of snow at this time of year. As you can see from my driving trip last weekend, the snow is sparse and well below normals. In fact, many of the pictures below were taken on highway 4, which is normally closed to traffic as it is impossible to keep clear because of all the snow. Not true this year!


The real concern is drought. I'd hate to back to our old drought routine but it may be necessary. 


iPad users click here. 

Christmas In New York

Thought you'd like to see the light show Saks runs on its building in New York. 


Click here.  


Pat