My week at a writing retreat at St. Peter’s Abbey, Muenster, Saskatchewan ended yesterday, but I have to say, I wasn’t ready to leave. I had finished the writing that I came to do, so it wasn’t that I needed more time for that, but perhaps one more day — to read in the College library, listen to the bells, join in Abbey prayers, walk? But, in the words of the cliche, all good things must come to an end. And there’s always the road ahead.
Is there anything more enticing than a roadway between trees? Any kind of path, in fact, that pulls into distance, into the future?
And so I followed the highway to Saskatoon, away from the roadways and nearby rail line of the Abbey, and now I’m at my sister’s house, where the bed is decidedly more comfortable than the somewhat monkish one in the Scholastica building. Another sister lives in Warman, so I’m spending the weekend here, and so far it’s been lovely to catch up with both of them. There will be more of that catching up and seeing nieces and nephews and babies before I set out Monday for Calgary, where I’ll stay at my brother’s place, and then, D.V., my trusty steed, aka my red Escape (currently covered in prairie dust, though my brother-in-law has graciously offered to wash it this afternoon), will be turned westward and home.
Trusting that all will be well until then, let me thank you who came along via these posts. May whatever path you’re on open beautifully before you today!
Borrowing Bones 
Lovely post and photos, Dora. Happy safe journey. I love to see a path, a road ahead where one cannot see where it goes, perhaps with a bend around which one cannot see. Like life.
Exactly, that curve around the corner! Thank you Ruth.
Dora, I’m so glad this retreat worked out well for you! You’re a brave lady, doing this trip by yourself. Happy for you, too, that you have family to visit along the way! Safe travels! You are in my prayers. I’m looking forward to hearing about your experiences when you get back!
Thank you Colleen!
I have enjoyed following you on this journey and admire you for doing such a long trip on your own!
I especially enjoyed hearing about the Mennonite conference! My ancestors came in the mid 1800’s so their journey was a bit different, but it still resonated with me and I would love to hear more about the Mennonites and their “travels”.
Thanks so much! There have been a few articles about the commemorative train trip, if that’s what you mean, at Canadian Mennonite.
Enjoyed travelling with you virtually, Dora, as I’m pretty much stuck at home these days. Have enjoyed a lot of visits these past days here at home, with more to come in August. Children, grandchildren, nephews, cousins, and friends, all come to visit a special man and wish him Godspeed on his last journey.
Thinking of you both, each of you on a different but interlaced journey. Godspeed to H. and wishing you strength for the visits.
Sounds idyllic to be experiencing and participating in so many meaningful activities. Thanks for taking us along. I love long and winding paths into new spaces among the trees – literally more than figuratively. Your pictures of the tree lined paths are pretty.
Thanks Rose!
Sounds as if you had a wonderful time – and I hope you were truly blessed. Safe journey home. M xx
Thank you Maureen, I was truly blessed and I got home safely. Grateful!