I’ve had major lessons from My Sister Joyce, my spiritual advisor.  That’s a good thing.  But another good thing is a book that was given to me by Tim and Mary in Dubuque entitled Walk In A Relaxed Manner – Life Lessons From The Camino, written by a different Joyce.  Thanks Tim and Mary, this one has been on my radar and recommended by My Sister Joyce actually.

I hate to bring this up but the author, Joyce Rupp is also a Sister.  But I think that I will just refer to her as Joyce or Joyce Rupp to cut down on the confusion.

There are twenty five short chapters each representing twenty five lessons that she learned while walking the Camino.  It would a great project for me to comment on each of those but that’s not going to happen in the immediate future.  I’m about half way through the book and have enjoyed each and every chapter so far and am looking forward to reading more especially one’s entitled, ” Enter into the Hum of Humanity” and “Enjoy Existential Friendships”.   Yea, that’s what I am talking about!

So, just placing this particular book and perhaps this particular author on your radar.  The book could be a big help working on the “inner” Camino.  Yea, what is it that we are supposed to be learning as we walk?  Joyce Rupp can help with that.

OK, off to my day.  What is it that I am supposed to learn today as I walk my day?

Love you, Felipe.

Just got Wiley and myself fed for breakfast and he is off to participate in another day in the construction trade.  Here I am on the red couch blogging away on the upswing of my chemo cycle.  Is there life after Dubuque is the question at the moment.  Well of course there is and probably only a cup of coffee away from here.

Mary Margaret just checked in via email and sent a pic of me from two years ago when she, Kelly, Angela and I were in Carrion de Los Condes.  And I think the film crew was with us there at tapas.  That’s great because that is where we are on Phil’s Camino now, timely.  And it’s the same thing of getting each other down the trail and enjoying each other’s company there as now here at Phil’s Camino.

Last evening there was a great birthday party for Our Catherine.  My Rebecca made some fancy tapas for the occasion and we tried to drink all the wine in the world.  It was a gorgeous evening after a gorgeous day and we had to celebrate that also after the long darn winter.

OK, knowing that you are there reading these words is comforting for me.  Knowing that we are connected is a perfect world.  Come walk this afternoon at four if you are in the neighborhood.  Later, love, Felipe.

I am back in the Pacific Northwest for a week now after our great trip to the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival.  And I am happy to report that I am now able to spell both Julian and Dubuque correctly.  It is a jewel of a festival in a jewel of a city.  I only expect that well kept secret to spread.

Annie and I went on this particular trip to represent “Phil’s Camino” in the Heartland.  It is a real privilege to be able to meet with folks that are attracted by the film.  And also Annie and I seldom get a chance to work together directly.

There we so many great folks that we met at and around the festival.  I don’t even want to start mentioning names as I would enevevitably leave out people.  People took us out to dinner and get togethers.  Other people took us on tours where we met other great people and saw the sights.

I want to thank the sponsors and the board of the festival.  They did a great job with the big picture.  And all the staff and the volunteers that we worked with daily were a dream and Iowa nice.  And the people of Dubuque were there to say hello and how can we help you.

Also special mention of the staff and Sisters at the BVM ( Blessed Virgin Mary) Motherhouse for their graciousness.  It was such a moving experience to be there among good friends of my beloved Sister Joyce.  That visit was priceless.

So, back here to life at the ranch, navigating through the hurtles of ordinary life, another version of real life.  I am fortunate to be able to go on these trips with the film and hopefully be a part of a gift of inspiration to folks that need it.  That’s all very rewarding and fun and high.

Reading  Richard Rohr’s and Terry Hershey’s blog posts and then off to walk our Monday morning session at 0900.  The best to you on this Monday, love, Felipe.

So, if we were in Spain walking the Big Camino we would have just passed through the town of Carrion de Los Condes.  The weather is beautiful here and the air filled with the sweetness of spring.  So, come if you have a spare hour.  Here is our current schedule:

Monday 0900-1000

Tuesday 1600-1700

Thursday 0900-1000

Sunday 1600-1700

Looking forward to seeing you at some point, Love, Phil.