Once up at the monastery I got an ear-wigging for my weeding. The monk has asked me to weed a short stretch of gravel path during the work period and knowing no better having pulled all the significant weeds out of that bit I continued on my way helpfully pulling out all the bigger weeds on the next stretch too. That wasn't what I'd been asked to do of course. I should have taken the job more seriously, stuck to the bit I had been asked to weed and pulled up all the tiny weeds too. They were the insignificant problems that were going to become significant in another week or two if they didn't get attention.

From a posting on Little House In The Paddy.

Too bad I'm not there to see you.
As they will have mentioned, 'Mugo is away'.
Please leave a comment, send an email.
I'm sad we didn't meet, another time perhaps.
And while I'm at it, all you readers from afar.
Your presence is ever present, as it were.

I'll be back at Throssel late Sunday evening. Many thanks to all those who have housed, fed and transported me these past few days.

Last night Lancaster, tonight Preston and tomorrow Manchester. How I love to touch base there again, if but briefly.

Thanks to Do They Hurt blog for this link.
And thanks to animals; reminding us to play, to dare to be plain ridiculous and to remain dignified in the midst.

Commandment 10
You shall not covet your neighbour's blog ranking. Be content with your own content.

From Times On Line

Being content is a useful reminded, whatever ones endeavours. And contentment is not the same as complacent.

Thanks to my walking companion for pointing me to these commandments. Originally formulated for Christian bloggers however I feel they can apply across the board.

A dear member of the congregation in America is having hip replacement surgery on Thursday. Her immediate sangha sent out a request for Transfer of Merit, not only for the woman but also for all the animals she, day-in-day-out, takes care of. A great deal of goodwill and compassion is being extended all around. I thought to share part of the email. It paints a picture, one that several of you who are involved with animal care and rescue will recognise.

Sam, the diabetic orange cat, will go to a local animal hospital. Emma, deeply fearful/shy black cat, will be at home, hiding. Prince, small black feral cat renunciant, lives in a shed with screened porch and has not gone out to the world for eight years, except for brief before-breakfast-walks. Heathcliff, another feral cat, stops by the 'cafeteria' at least once a day. These animals will be fed by a local animal care person, who will also feed the feral cat colony at the downtown car wash where they are usually fed each evening.

Spare a thought....

Miles who is a regular blog reader and congregation member was here on Sunday for the Festival Ceremony. He reminded me of a comment he'd left in January with links to a three part series of short films. Here is his comment and links to the films.

Hope you are well and are having a good winter retreat.
I stumbled upon these films whilst browsing the net - a short but rather beautifully filmed three part documentary on Sojiji in 1959, just a few years before Rev. Master Jiyu arrived there.

There's an unusual and probably very much of-its-day shot of all the novice monks sitting around smoking together - and some very impressive ceremonial.

Great stuff!

In gassho,

Miles

Sojiji Part One, Part Two and Part Three

Thanks Miles for the links. And thank you to what ever good fortune and good luck and hard work and patience that has me connected to the internet at Throssel at a brisk 54.0 Mbps.