7/31/10
Holden is a place of rhythms, daily we gather to share meals, daily we gather to listen for God’s voice at vespers, daily I check the water plant, daily I check the hydroelectric generator. Weekly we celebrate communion, weekly I hike to Copper Basin to watch the basin change from snow, to last years dead grass, to this years flourish of grasses, sedges, and flowers in a period of three weeks. Through these rhythms I am learning to see how this place changes daily, weekly. I am working on seeing what is around me, paying attention to the 3 mule deer fawns, the two that are twins, and the one the bleats for its mother. I watch the creek each day to see the level and how the small fish-holding pools develop and disappear. This is what I was wanting in coming to Holden, to develop my awareness of the beauties of the world around me.
But these daily rhythms also quickly fill the day, and there are so many options of ways to fill the hours, there are sessions that range from exploring Handel’s Messiah, to analyzing the Israel-Palestine conflict, to discussing The Brothers K by David James Duncan, one of my three favorite books. There is always fishing (Which can be really good), I have discovered some great boulders to climb. Plus there are the spontaneous conversations with staff and guests that amaze and surprise me, and a fantastic sauna to wind down the day. So many options, and they are all good.
I don’t like feeling busy, especially here. But rainy days like today help me to slow down.
Bvl
