Zoo Trip

Zoo 020
Originally uploaded by missouri_gal

Raja put on quite a show for us. He really knows how to please a crowd.

On the Ferry

On the Ferry
Originally uploaded by missouri_gal

Here's my birthday photo for 2011. Out to Kinder's, on the Golden Eagle Ferry. I love this place - it's just bar food, but the view from the deck is wonderful - not to mention the hummingbirds.

Gethsemani - Arrival

Gethsemani 032
Originally uploaded by missouri_gal

I flew into Louisville on a seering hot Friday, and within minutes was driving down to Trappist, KY, the home of the Abbey of Gethsemani - the oldest monastery in the US. My goal - to spend a four-day silent retreat and evaluate my life, backward and forward.

I came across the web page of the Abbey by Googling for something else - which is how I find all kinds of great stuff. It seemed perfect - no pressure, no activities, no talking. It's Catholic, but I found several blogs and reviews by people who, like me, are not members of that denomination. It's a completely open, loving facility.

I arrived at lunchtime, and found a note at the front desk that instructed retreatants to go have lunch, then come back to check in. I walked into the silent dining room and saw people eating in silence - one to a table - staring out the window into a lovely garden. In a way, the people in the dining room were also like a garden - each person very different, coming to the retreat with very different goals, thoughts, problems, lives.

Blumenhof Winery

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Originally uploaded by missouri_gal

We had a great anniversary out at Blumenhof Winery, which is just past Augusta in Warren County. It may technicall be in Dutzow.

This is our favorite winery, because it's small and fun, and the wine is great. It never gets as crowded as Montelle or Sugar Creek.

On the way back, we stopped by the new Nobleis Winery, and we'll definitely go back there.