Basil pesto

My friends Jan & Bob had a surfeit of basil and brought a a whole bag to our eucharistic community this morning. I made off with most of it! I am busy stripping off the leaves to a heady aroma wafting up. Pesto was one of Bartzy's favorites. I know he is occupied with the delights and challenges of the spiritual world, and yet it is my hope that this evocative aroma reaches him and reminds him of the love we send. In the meantime I plan to freeze some of the pesto for his brother and sister.

Here is the recipe I am jumping off from - using walnuts instead of pine nuts for their Omega 3"s (???) Oh drat, it didn't work. Google "basil pesto walnuts". There is a conspiracy afoot at google, I fear. I am having to do fancy tricks (for me) to bypass the school's google account. Zounds!

Little Lost Lamb

My son Bartzy loved the Little Lost Lamb. He was my own little lost lamb, kicking up his heels and wandering off. I promised him I would follow him even to Hell if necessary to find him again. Fortunately, I never had to go that far. He was safe in the arms of the Good Shepherd all along.

Today I received in the mail a replacement copy of The Little Lost Lamb, which went missing after my move. How wonderful is that, to receive the book on the anniversary of the day that our Little Lost Lamb transitioned from the physical world into the spiritual world. We love you, Bartzy, our Little Lost Lamb who was Found!

Bartholomew

Eight years ago today Bartholomew took his leap into Grace. I have worried that this day would be very painful for me. I think of Bartzy every day, but anniversaries have a special punch to them. I lit a candle (not a Jahrzeit candle but a bigger one), and to my astonishment, every time I catch a glimpse of it, I feel joy thinking of Bart.

Just now I came away from seeing a neighbor who has been battling cancer (again) for the last year. Just a month ago she was "given" about a month to live, Chemo was doing nothing for her but tearing her down. Three weeks ago she started going to a doctor of Chinese medicine. Her well-being and stamina took a 180 degree turn in two days.

Somehow it all seems woven together. Keep walking on water with eyes fixed on Jesus.