Eva’s Friends

Evadig · Wednesday at 11:14 PM

Just a quick update to let you know I haven’t died yet…

Sunday I was in Los Angeles all day, and too tired to write, and tonight I am in a hotel in Las Vegas because we are flying home tomorrow. I will continue the Rome trip on Sunday

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Callender Girl said:
When will you know the results of the dispatcher trainee test?

I’m not sure. They had me do an observation at the dispatch center (very interesting and informative) but I haven’t heard back from them since.

Callender Girl said:
My trip to England is coming up fast. I doubt I will have as many adventures as you. But, I have convinced my sister that during free time in London we HAVE to tour Westminster Abbey. Since both her husband and father-in-law are also going on the trip, they can wander off elsewhere if they're not interested in accompanying us.

I hope you will get to see Westminster and it’s not closed or something! :fl

A few pictures:

LA Zoo: Meerkat

At the rental house: hummingbird in her nest

Flower at LA Zoo

Mom and baby

Some type of antelope

Zebra

Caiman

Downtown Los Angeles

Callender Girl · Thursday at 4:22 AM

Always enjoy your photos! For a split second, before I read the caption, I was wondering if there were meerkats in LA :lau

Evadig · Sunday at 7:39 PM

Ok, where did I leave off? The memory is quickly becoming blurred and details are being forgotten. Good thing I'm writing this down.

Day Six. We're staying at the monastery in Assisi. We got up early in the morning and had mass in a tiny crypt under the Franciscan monastery founded by St Francis. Our priest told me to lector; I tried to plead shyness, but the deacon sided with him, so I had to read. Everyone said I did well, and curiously enough, I enjoyed it. I am glad he made me read because it reminded me that things are often not as difficult as they appear to be.

Afterwards we visited the tomb of St Francis, which is in the lower basilica. The walls of the upper basilica are covered by paintings of Giotto, but many of them were damaged in an earthquake.

We then went to see the place where Blessed Carlo Acutis is buried. As you know, we had been scheduled to attend his canonization, which was postponed because of the Pope's funeral. We saw his mother as well, but we did not know it was her until later.

Afterwards, we split up and as usual I went to explore the city. Assisi is built on a hill and you will either walk up or down anywhere you go. I walked all the way to the fortifications at the very top. It was a steep hike and my legs were very tired when I finally reached the summit! To visit the tower cost eight euros (around fifteen dollars) so I didn't go in.

We had a traditional Assisi dinner in the basement of a restaurant. There was a window in the door, and I was wondering how it could be so light out at 9 pm. When I mentioned this to Jenny, she pointed out that the "light" was in fact coming from the kitchen! :oops:

As we finished eating, a terrible booming sound began floating down to us. Investigation proved it to be a drummer corps. The noise was deafening, but captivating. While watching the drummers some of us got gelato. It was a nice way to spend the evening.

Before I went to bed, I wandered into the chapel that was connected to the monastery. Only the dim red light of the sanctuary candle broke the blackness. It was so peaceful and quiet. I knelt on the stone floor and prayed, and hoped Jenny would take a long shower so I wouldn't have to leave. It was a bit of heaven... When I finally came up to the room, she asked if I hadn't been scared of the dark! No, indeed. I will always treasure that time with God in the dark, quiet chapel.

Now to present matters: I am back home, and somewhat bummed to discover that Tilly has been brooding on at least eight fertilized chicken eggs, and at least four are nicely developing. I am trying to rehome chickens, not hatch more. Oh, well. I am somewhat vainly hoping that if they do hatch, they will at least be hens...

Finnegan seems to be developing a distaste for coop life. He got out yesterday, and though we tempted him with choice canned food, he would not come back. My sister managed to catch him today, but I can't keep him locked up forever. He will need to go to a new home, where he can wander in and out to his heart's content.

Basilica of St Francis in the morning fog