Patrick's Rapture Tea

My friend Patrick and I decided to have a little Rapture Watch tea party this morning on his very lovely porch. Patrick answered the door unshaven and in his bare feet--a sort of fitting fashion statement on the seriousness of this whole Rapture Thing.   He casually led me to our Rapture Watch Seats on his (RW) Porch, where we sipped very delicious hot green tea and discussed everything from the merits of being just old enough, to the price of land in Kentucky. To keep things relevant, we would take a quick reading on our Rapture Status and each time, we noted we were both still right there on the porch--alive and well.

After our tea, Patrick took me on a tour of his yard which is magnificently uncomplicated and peaceful.  Here are some postcards from the tour....

from a tiny garden

to the pink earth

to an invitation etched in green.

We ended our tour back on the porch as casually and nonchallantly as it began.  It was a perfect start to the so-called end of the world.  Patrick and I shared a laugh and said goodbye.  As I drove away, I thought about our Rapture Watch.  Indeed, we had found it.  We even took the tour....

Thank you, Patrick!

Mercy's Rapture

Deer One

I was walking with Artemis a few weeks ago.  Biscuit, now too lame to walk, stayed home. We were in the woods at the top of a long steep hill, away from people and other dogs--far from the road and off the trail, and alone.  There was a clearing to the left and we happened on this quiet memorial for Deer.  There was a shriveled apple wedged onto the lip of the vase.

I am struck by the simplicity of this marker--and how it so powerfully defied our solitude.  We were among the millions of untold tales of these quiet old woods.  I didn't need to know this particular tale of Deer--but I was grateful to be made aware that I was sharing this space with many.

Artie and I paused to pay homage.  She was curious about the apple but indifferent about its significance.  Clearly, she was quite at ease there. I suddenly felt a bit awkward.  I felt compelled to pay tribute, but beyond that I was at a loss.  I was oddly embarrassed by my own presence.

We eventually continued on with our walk that day but even now--several weeks later--I think about this spot.  I carry it with me, maybe as a lucky stone.

Rest in peace, Deer.
I like to believe in that idea.
Live in peace, Deer.
I like to hope that they do.

Gee, But It's Great to be Back Home....

While I was away at Libby's graduation, Mercy stayed with her friends at Gemini. Her first order of business after getting home was to.... 

run...

and run...

and run...

and...(pant pant)...run!

Dear Ellen,

Thinking of you.

Love,

       Alice

Seriously...

...I had been to the store, the gas station, and the post office before I looked down and saw my feet.

Love Triangle

Luke and Cody

It was love at first sight, times two. These two brothers are the kindest gentlemendogs I've met.  Luke (the lighter of the pair) is the handsome explorer-type, while Cody is the big flirt.  We've wasted no time falling deeply in love.

We walk to the field, Luke running slightly ahead while Cody follows just behind my left wrist.  We head into the field and find wild apple trees in bloom, a weathered and tired old barn, and a curly carpet of myrtle creeping through the woods, purple flowers covering the floor.  I look at the boys who are ambling just ahead of me, side by side they walk, touching shoulders, happy and contented.  As we head back through the yard to the house, Cody stops and looks at me as if to comment on our walk.  I imagine his voice is very matterafact, clear, and mature.  Yep, looks like a good day out there, Alice, he says. (I love that he calls me by name.)

Yesterday, like other days before, sirens sounded all through town as rescue cars surged down the street.  As the sirens began, the boys both stopped and turned to face the west, stretching their noses towards the sky while shutting their eyes, and then as if in prayer, they howled....and they howled.  Their mournful cries sent chills through me--it was such a beautiful sound.  I was spellbound by the uniformity of their ritual, and I couldn't interrupt to call them home.  It could have been a funny moment--the silliness of echoing an ambulance--but it's not what happened. Whatever they were doing together came from their ancient past, and I was being pulled into a holy resonance.

They are magnificent beings--such magnificent beings.  I am awestruck (and smitten).  And I can't stop thinking about them.  I might just go out tonight and howl at the moon...maybe they will hear me and send their echo.