This and That Thursday

I was up at 5 AM mainly so I could have the dorm style bathroom to myself and out at 7 AM to spend a half an hour at my little beach watching the sunrise, and meditating while doing Qi Gong exercises movements. I knew no one else would be at my beach so early in the morning. Wading in the water, looking for shells and beach stones was a great way to start the day

After Mass, the priest called all those who would like to have their hands blessed to come forward. In my past experience, this was reserved for the artists taking the workshop. But if you think about it, everyone uses their hands for their work. So a blessing to do the best work you are able.

We spent the morning practicing Uncial, the hand we would letter the House Blessing. After lunch I wandered around the gardens. The dahlias were just starting to bloom so I was happy to at least get a glimpse of them. They won't be fully in bloom until later in August, and they are the show stoppers of the gardens.

When we returned to class, we made shell gold from sheets of loose leaf gold, gum Arabic, and water. It's called shell gold because the medieval artists made and kept the gold paint in a sea shell. We would use this paint as part of the gilding process.

I think the church doors had been painted since I was last on the island in 2015. I was happy to see the doors are a bright, TARDIS blue.

After dinner, a walk to unwind. I found an adorable stone kitty with a bird faucet handle. I also found a secluded spot on the opposite side of the causeway and my little beach to watch the sunset.