My goodness. How I've come to look forward to Tuesday mornings' Hodgepodge prompts! I hope you find them interesting, as well, and will want to play along sometime.
Thank you, Joyce!
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Ever played the game Farkle? Are you a risk taker? In games only or also in life?
No; I've never even heard of Farkle. I'm not even a little bit of a risk taker.
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What's your favorite thing about your yard or whatever outdoor space you may have?
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Having lived in the desert southwest so long, I'll say it's our trees. I get a ridiculous amount of pleasure watching them change with the seasons. Even in winter, there's beauty to be found.
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Tell us about the most interesting building you've seen or been in.
Not the building itself -- but what's inside Santa Fe's Loretto Chapel. Situated only an hour's drive from my hometown, that was a place my parents always took out-of-town visitors.
Given its media coverage, some of you may already be familiar with the legend surrounding the 'miraculous' staircase.
If not? In brief …
Back in 1870-something the Sisters of the Chapel needed a solution to their seating problem. They made a novena to St. Joseph, and on the ninth and final day of prayer, a man appeared at the Chapel with a donkey and a toolbox looking for work. Months later, the elegant circular staircase was completed. But the carpenter had disappeared without pay or thanks.
A magnificent structure, the staircase has two 360 degree turns and no visible means of support. It is said that the staircase was built without nails—only wooden pegs. Oh! And the wood used isn't even anywhere to be found in the American Southwest.
If you'd like, you can read more here.
Come call it a miracle. What do you think?
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In this current season of social distancing, what's something you've come to realize you take for granted in more ordinary times? Do you think you'll make a conscious effort to appreciate whatever that 'it' is, once normal life resumes?
Yes, absolutely! I didn't grow up in a time and place where hugging was a 'thing' -- but I've sure come to enjoy getting and giving them. I think Tom was a bit taken aback when we started attending our little church whose congregants are big huggers.
I love what one of the ladies at our (al fresco) Bible study 'concerns sharing' get-together remarked: "We may not be able to embrace, but we CAN engage."
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Share a favorite song with a springtime flower in the lyrics somewhere.
Tommy James' 1968
Crimson and Clover
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This makes me think of my blog buddies!
Socially distant, indeed ...
but certainly not dis-engaged.
Thank you!
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Be good... stay safe!
Hugs, Myra
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What an interesting story about the church. I'm going to read a little more. I've been to Sante Fe many times as my mom is from Albuquerque and we used to visit my grandparents there. I don't remember ever hearing about the church though. Going to ask my mom what she knows. Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joyce! Small world - our family used to visit downtown Albuquerque (Fedway) for its white sales and back-to-school clothes. What a big deal when WinRock shopping center was built!
DeleteLoved that story about the church staircase, Myra. Wow! And Southerners, as you've found out, do have a penchant for giving hugs, that's for sure. Boy, how I miss seeing folks at church!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I know, right? As a child, however, I used to get SO bored and unhappy having to go there.
Deleteyears since i heard crimson and clover, now i have it. that staircase is stunning. the building i most remember and will never forget is the House of Ringling in Sarasota, Ca da Zan, amazing, even bob loved it and was impressed and is the only house he has ever visited like that.
ReplyDeleteI love our trees, never heard of farkle and NEVER take risk.. other than right now waiting to see what shows up when i order from Amazon and we are leaving now to risk our lives going to bob's doctor appt
I recall when you shared photos of Ca da Zan on your blog … wow! Sad, all those years living in Florida I never took time to visit.
DeleteYou have such a lovely home, Myra. Oh and the church is beautiful too.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great day, friend.
Thanks, Linda. Our home's small and olden, but I love it.
DeleteI love the idea of being socially engaged, yet distant . I love the blogger relationships of people I've never met. Like you I love my trees. Only one now but I used to have 3. It's very relaxing for me to sit and watch the limbs and leaves blow in the breeze right outside my window. I had heard the story of the stairs before and do believe it to be a miracle. I have been a church where crutches lined the walls of the many people who had prayers answered and were able to walk again. That was as close as I ever been to a miracle.... many of them ...That was something to see! I love hugs and will be happy when I can once engage in one. Hope you stay well and enjoy each and every day!
ReplyDeleteNow that you mention it, I recall our youth group touring a small adobe church in Pojoaque where there were abandoned crutches ... a testimony, if you will. I believe!
DeleteI had heard of the staircase story. Something in the deep recesses of my mind. But I did not know it was in a church near you. How fortunate, and what a wonderful story.
ReplyDeleteSomething we take for granted? You and your readers may wish to check out my Blog post today. Perhaps we've all taken what I say there for granted.
I like my secluded garden and my (failed) attempts at growing fruit. Although we've been lucky with apples and pears; not so lucky with plums, cherries, figs, grapes and strawberries.
God bless you always, Mevely.
Great take on our hair, Victor. I chuckled throughout! Because I've trouble handling rejection - particularly that from my own soil, I've chosen to purchase my fruits and vegetables from those more knowledgeable.
DeleteHi Myra, Those deep conversations are really a treasure. I'm finding that there are fewer folk that I can have those with. I didn't grow up with huggers either and then in college my roommate scared the living daylights out of me with all her hugging. :) Enjoyed reading your answers. Have a great Wednesday!!
ReplyDeleteGiggling ... I can only imagine your face! Funny thing about blogging. I feel closer to some folks I may never meet than I do with those I happen to see every week.
DeleteI am so glad you mentioned the Loretto Chapel. We have been there several times and in fact, Santa Fe used to be one our family's favorite places to visit. Hugs, yes, so missed. We Southern gals need our hugs.
ReplyDeleteWow, small world! The last time I visited Santa Fe was 20 years ago this month. Sad how touristy and elite-ish it's become.
DeleteI did visit the Loretto Chapel! Very pretty indeed. I love your yard and trees. So green! I wonder what will be the new norm instead of hugs at church. Or eben handshakes. Maybe a handshake and then a hand washing station? Just kidding lol. I will miss that connection.
ReplyDeleteBetty
I was wondering if you hadn't been there, having lived in Santa Fe! LOL on the hand-washing stations at church … perhaps the baptismal font could do double duty?
DeleteThat's true about the trees. So much different than Arizona! That is a beautiful chapel. I can't wait to hug my loved ones again. I like your song choice. Love your random. What would do without each other???
ReplyDeleteI don't even want to consider that. How poor my life before I met y'all!
DeleteI think Farkle is a lot like Yahtzee. Fun. Love your view. The chapel does seem like a miracle and so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI like that quote of your friend - yes we can engage...
sandie
Thank you so much!
DeleteOh wow! That chapel is so pretty and I love the story. I'd call that a genuine miracle. I'd love your trees best, too. I love, love, love a shady yard.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it? Can't believe I didn't appreciate it until I grew up and moved away.
DeleteI never heard of farkle but I was a risk taker in my youth. That's how I know God truly does exist. Wildflowers by Tom Petty made me think of your flower in the lyrics song. The chapel is an amazing place. So unique. If I could see one place, I would love to see the Sydney Opera House, thanks for always stopping by. I am always running behind on my blog hops but I start ten things and by the time I remember I have accomplished half of those projects! I worry for lots of stuff but not what is happening. I Know it is all part of what is going to be the bigger picture in the USA I don't follow the crowd and I trust God more then anyone. Our SIL and daughter put together a Grilling Gazebo so we are all pretty happy. The good weather is great for outdoor time. If you have to be with someone, I will take my people anytime. We
ReplyDeletewe had some wonderful times recently. HUGS
Thank you for always reminding me of God's bigger picture. I hope you'll share photos of your new Grilling Gazebo; my Tom would love having something like that!
DeleteLordy lady, YES I always enjoy your retorts and answers. I say may times I wish I had thought of that. LOL
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of Farkle either.
I was fortunate on my first Med Cruise in the USMC to see the Parthenon, not a building anymore per se, but for a 17 yr old country boy it was fascinating just 'imagining, HOW?'.
I always enjoy your reader's comments. Old Victor makes me smile.
Thank you so much, Jack. Ya, Victor always keeps me on my toes -- mentally, that is.
DeleteFun post! Loved seeing the Loretto Chapel. I know there's less traveling to come, but I'd like one of those trips to include Santa Fe. Take good care, my friend.
ReplyDeleteI, too, would like to revisit Santa Fe … someday.
DeleteI remember seeing the Loretto Chapel when I was a child. The staircase is fascinating and the story about its construction is extremely intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI think I also recall that the staircase doesn't touch the ground.
And, like you, I have a passion for trees. They were definitely scarce in West Texas and Southern Calif.
Farkle?? That draws a blank. Never heard of it.
DeleteI was never a risk-taker...
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DeleteYou know, I don't recall hearing that about the staircase not touching the ground. Perhaps!
ReplyDeleteAll those visits, and here, I was a caricature of the pouty child being dragged along with her parents.