May is rolling by at a break neck pace, and the work at the Mary Theotokos Retreat Center is
moving right along!
Now that the inspectors have come through there is everything from doors to windows to fire exits plus much more to be completed before the next inspection.
We are extremely grateful that we found two excellent local carpenters to dive right in to these projects, and finish them faster than we ever expected.
Stuart Miles brings his entire shop in his trailer and sets up for work at dawn.
Even in the rain Stuart and his co-worker, Toby Lussier keep working, if it were a sunny day !
A set of fire escape stairs are installed from the second floor baloney down to the ground floor deck,..
with fine craftsmanship applied to every step.
Other projects include, fire rated interior doors, automatic door closers, putting a better face over visible new flexible heating pipe,
as well as out door additional porch egress points and many other jobs.
As this day draws to a close and these two professionals get more done in a week than I could in a month, we plan ahead for excavation projects, retaining walls, generator hook ups and window treatments. All enhancing this already beautiful facility in compliance with fire inspection codes.
But that wasn't the only change this past week.
What can you get for a wife, who has filled your life and this total new adventure with nothing but love and humor? A woman who already has everything? Well this Mother's mom got just what she needed;
two more pigs to take care of.
Well piglets really...
Let the pig farming begin!
These two lovely members of the MTRC family arrived the other day as a result of bartering with neighbors over various needs.
Here I am doing my St. Francis thing, and planning their names.
My daughters told me they were named Sugar and Cinnamon...
I was thinking more along the lines of naming them Bacon and Pork-chop.
Goats, turkeys, meat hens, there is talk of cows and also a horse!
E - I - E - I - Ooooh my aching back.
I am going to need a retreat soon!
So as each day grows longer and the work-a-day gets more packed with effort, we get the garden ready for planting, the orchard ready for growing, the machines gassed up and oiled and thank fully, we dive into summer saying good bye to frost and snow.
Even the chickens are happy to get out on the lawn again and are laying more eggs.
Now we begin planning ahead for our community garden work, religious celebrations, prayer groups, more retreats and even perhaps some theatre ministry work.
Another summer full of joy, love, prayer, work and fellowship at The Mary Theotokos Retreat Center
as we journey with so many visitors through Mary to Jesus; in the woods of Vermont.
Right now though I am off to check out the fishing holes on the river.
Vivo Cristo Rey,
from the MTRC in Newark, VT.
