St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Fairview, PA

Everyone I met before the service welcomed me. Afterward, several introduced themselves and actually conversed. These people are serious about visitors. I was even invited to join the choir on a Sunday I visit. Hmmm. It is about an hour from home.

The service was Lessons and Carols with the traditional lessons separated by hymns all before the eucharist. The organist zipped the hymns right along. For the curious: Once in royal David's city, Creator of the stars of night, Lo, how a Rose, Prepare the way, O Zion, Tell out my soul, What child is this?, O come, all ye faithful then Love came down and Go tell it. This is the first parish I've attended that stands thru the entire eucharist like Christ Church does. 

St. Stephens resembles a protestant building. There are no stained glass windows, just glass ones. It is simple and quite beautiful.

These photos were taken with my 3GS iPhone.

Conneaut Lake's lights

The lights around Conneaut Lake, PA.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Westfield, NY - again

It is fun to go to a church where several people tell me I've been there before, they are happy to see me again and hope I will return! I was amazed anyone recognized me. They were much friendlier than the last time I attended, perhaps because I was with others then. The bulletin was interesting - included all four weeks of Advent which tied it all together nicely. The cushion used for kneeling didn't try to upset me which I appreciated. Those can be belligerent. The soloist sang well. It was a good experience and I will return, weather permitting. Unfortunately an hour and a half thru the snow belt is not conducive to regular attendance.

Waterfowl galore

The town end of Conneaut Lake has an unusually large number of ducks, geese, coots, etc. this year. They stretch from one side of the lake almost to the other. It's quite a sight. Yes, it was a gloomy day.

Embiggenable

St. John's Episcopal Church, Franklin, PA

St. John's has gorgeous windows - a full set of Louis Comfort Tiffany's. They are stunning. I didn't take any photos of them today. You can see some of them by scrolling down here or searching for them. When you are in western Pennsylvania, it is worth considerable effort to see them. Call the church and make an appointment. 

Meanwhile the liturgy was sung this morning. The priest sings well as did the soloist. Everything needed was in the very large bulletin - actually an 8 1/2 X 11 booklet. Good for visitors. The kneelers are the most comfortable I have ever encountered. Several people invited me to coffee hour and a few actually talked to me. That's how to make someone feel welcome.

Friday cat blogging

Jeri's cat

A couple of nights in the teens hardens the lake

If the temperature would stay below 25F for a week with little or no snow, the lake would be ideal for very wild iceboating. It is gorgeous at the moment - like glass. This is color photography.

I couldn't tell what this bird is. It is not a canada goose. I wondered if it is trapped in the ice. I hope not but it seemed to be struggling somehow.

The gulls are still with us.

Grace Church, Ridgway, PA

Grace Church is everything I've been told. It is beautiful in a different way from any other parish I've visited. Last week I visited St Mary's. This week there is a statue of St Mary. Like the others I've visited, Grace is a friendly parish. They were celebrating a birthday so I got lunch. It feels good to be told I'm welcome every time I want to make the 2:15 drive. 

Afterward I drove to the Cathedral of St Paul in Erie, PA for Lessons and Carols.  A 300 mile, almost 12 hour day and well worth it!

Stubborn bit of snow

Tim's New Box

St. Mary's Church, Lawrence Park, Erie, PA

It seems a bit odd to have St Mary's be an Episcopal church but this one is. Friendly people. Good sermon. It is good to kneel once again at the eucharist (at Epiphany too). Simple service with no procession, no acolyte. Same unknown chant tune as last week. I sorta know it now. Sorry I missed their deacon.

The church has seats for the clergy behind the altar. Not very Episcopal. Apparently it was part of the Methodist church before or was designed by Methodists who split.

Thanksgiving 2013

The sun shown thru the clouds when I left.

Later the sky cleared. Yes, it was a fog area and the fog seemed to have settled in the trees. The trees sparkled.

Still later there was sun to the north and snow to the south.

Sunset in Cranbury, NJ.

A feline scarf.

Tzaki.

Kippi.

Clouds on the way home.

The gulls are still with us. There were people sledding on the dam too but I didn't stop to take a photo.

Snow on barberry hedge

The heavy wet snow weighs down the barberry hedge.

The house from the crooked driveway.

I tromped a path to the barn for Tim to use to come to the cathouse. One of the doors is not all the way down so she can come and go.

Tim in her nest in the barn.

Tim

The beginning of the Thanksgiving 2013 snow

A chilly walk in new boots

I walked .97 mile in the 21° temperature in my new boots which are wonderful. No blisters. Even Symbicort isn't real helpful when it is this cold but I could breathe well enough. Kinda grey day, eh?

The bay has started to freeze.

Looking back toward the upper entrance to the bay. The above photo is of the right side of this closer to home.

The pond is also freezing. The barn is leftmost with my house "below" it. The next building to the right is the newest - the neighbors whose grandparents lived in the next visible building when I moved here.

The tracks were pristine. I only saw one set of rabbit tracks.

The dam is in the background between the two islands.

All are embiggenable.