Jeez Louise

   Word for the day: EARTH:  the world, the substance of the land, Yesterday, we walked through the farmlands of Spain.  It was a meditation on my days on our dairy farm in Homedale, Idaho.  The poignant smells of manure, silage, the harvest.  My parents were hard workers, who sacrificed their lives for their children.  My dad farmed until 96, and is still going strong.  My mom died last year at 92, and this walk is one to learn more about her abiding faith and commitment to the Catholic Church.   Mom loved butterflies and her ministry included sending magnet butterflies 🦋 to families when they lost a loved one.  Mom has been with me in spirit, and I receive her encouragement and love nearly every day when one or more butterflies walk beside me on my journey! (Except of course in winter).   Our espresso machine at the hotel yesterday, had 4 spigots. As the cafe con leche poured out, my first thought was of getting up in the morning...

           The pilgrims at a break on our 24 km hike! Word for the day: JUSTICE!   God hears the cries of the poor, blessed are the poor!   The rest of today’s readings are also powerful and speak to justice and serving the poor and oppressed. “Reading 1  Sir 35:12-14, 16-18 The LORD is a God of justice,  who knows no favorites.  Though not unduly partial toward the weak,  yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.  The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan,  nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint.  The one who serves God willingly is heard;  his petition reaches the heavens.  The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds;  it does not rest till it reaches its goal,  nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds,  judges justly and affirms the right,  and the Lord will not delay. Responsorial Psalm  Ps 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23 R. (7a)   The Lord hears the cry ...

 Word for the day:  Gathering.  Whenever 2 or more are gathered in God’s name, there is ❤️ love.  So today, all the pilgrims gathered together in Lleida.  Now there are 25!  Tomorrow, we set out on a 24km walk ?, hike?, trek?, but most likely, a journey.  Today’s readings at Mass were powerful.  The gospel spoke of the tax collector and the Pharisee, Luke 18.  Moral of the story, those who exalt themselves shall be humbled and those who humble themselves shall be exalted. That pesky word, humility.  It’s the lesson I have been trying to learn my entire life.  And I’m a VERY SLOW LEARNER!   But each new experience helps me to become more humble.  I thought I had trained well for this walk!  But here comes God, saying, nope.  You need to humble yourself and accept that the Camino I had planned, is not the one God had in mind. So I return to this gathering of 26 pilgrims, to celebrate Mass at St Ignatius Church, rea...

Words for the day:  “Traveling Mercies”                      Traveling:  on the road to somewhere!                              Mercy:  showing compassion to others In Barcelona until tomorrow.  Then I put on my traveling 🧳 shoes and rejoin the group at Lleida.  The cough is nearly gone, and I have hopefully 🙏 regained my strength for the walk. I have been blessed to be able to travel this year!  Who would have believed I’d go on a road trip with my 98 year old dad!  (And 69 year old brother.  Our first stop 🛑 was the Monastery of St. Gertrude’s.             Here is the church overlooking the prairie!         The clouds and the expansion of the vista truly speak of the glory of the universe, no matter what you believe!  I have been blessed to have my little ...

 Word for the day:  Endurance!  Definition of endurance:   event pool that takes place over a long distance or otherwise demands great physical stamina.   I would say that is what this Camino has been for so many of the Pilgrims.   I have been out of the race for sometime.  I hope to join the group, along with 10 additional pilgrims, to complete the last 100 miles. Trying to get my energy back with a walk up Montjuic A great little sschoy up on the hill. Morning glories and of course butterflies 🦋 thanks Mom. The stamina of the other pilgrims has been amazing!  Making the trek with blisters, walking in the dark, and mustiness.   It they’ve mostly missed out on rain 🌧, so that’s good.                     Endurance:  site of 1992 Olympics!                             pretty cool antenna I am just hoping I will have...

 Word for the day:  HOME!  Mi Casa es tu Casa!- I   My daughter is such a wonderful host, that her place is beginning to feel like home.  I took the train back from Zaragoza to Barcelona today.  The European trains are so fast and slick and wonderful.  I think it’s interesting that in the US we are focusing on electric cars 🚘, but really do very little to support public transportation.  In Barcelona, the bikes are reserved for residents, so they use them for transportation.  They have reduced bus/transit prices to encourage folks to use public transportation. I always have found it ironic that California has been a leader in reducing emissions. Yet, they can’t even get a fast train between San Francisco and LA!   I believe we still are beholden to big oil.  They never seem to lose their profit margin.   Home is defined as a place where one lives permanently.  I like to define home as a place where one feels comfortable an...