Yup, just this morning for the first time the swallows are back swooping over Phil’s Camino showing us that Spring is here! They always catch me off guard and it is such a great event in that way. Buddy Steven-O was writing to me about rhubarb, the plant, and I went out to My Rebecca’s garden to take a pic of her plants and show their robust growth. So, in the process of taking that little walk outside in my PJ’s I look up to see that the swallows have returned. Surprise surprise.
So, half an hour before I need to be geared up and walking on the trail. Who will come this AM? It’s always sort of a surprise situation and then maybe no one. But the trail is always ready for us, that I know.
OK, I am back to you. The weather turned cloudy and rainy since. I tried to get a hold of my friend the birder to get the exact species of these swallows that showed up. Didn’t answer his phone so he is probably out in search of a burrowing owl, I’m guessing.
Just listening to Angela, a friend of Annie’s talk about prayer and actually pray for folks calling in. She has a great way and very rich perspective. Rich is the word that keeps popping up. Maybe we will talk with her or about her in the near future.
One more thing that I want to get to and that is what Catherine and Dayna are up to. They left for Spain/France/St John on April 1st so they should be wrestling with the Pyrenees any second now. Am waiting for an email from them. Do they have my address? Hmm, good question.
OK, onward here coping with Good Friday. Man, just got the idea of wrestling with the Pyrenees on Good Friday. I better quit whining. Love, wherever you are and whatever you are doing, Felipe.
Hola Pilgrim Phil!
This is Farmer John Conway (recently renamed PilgrimFarmerJohn) from Iowa. As all things Camino go, there’s a fascinating connectivity with all pilgrims past, current and future. My life long USMC buddy and his wife are going on their Camino this spring. My wife Cathy and I were visiting them three years ago in Tulsa and on a rainy night with limited going out potential decided to watch, yes, The Way. It was just the strangest thing, but I knew, absolutely knew, before the movie was over that I was going to do that. Well, it’s just not possible for fully engaged active farmers to just take off for two months on the spur of the moment. But the planning did set in immediately. The first big decision was what day I wanted to be in Santiago. The Feastday of St. James, 25 July, seemed to be the unquestioned date. Everything was worked backwards from that date, up to and including when I would have to start emptying out my 900 head cattle feedlot. Long story short(end) is that it took 18 months to get all things lined up that needed to be lined up. With that much prolog, I would invite you to check out my blog at http://www.pilgrimfarmerjohn.blogspot and read as much or as little of it as you choose. I’d enjoy your company! I’ve heard many folks describe their Camino expereince as “life-changing”. I think in my case the appropriate title would be “life-affirming”. I walked for 70 days from LePuy, France to Finnesterre, Spain and ended the phyiscal journey on 29 July, 2013. As with you, the mental and spiritual journey are still in progress.
A Blessed Easter to you and family.
Dear PFJ ~ yes, like yourself I was kidnapped by the Camino and haven’t been the same since, never came back really. I did three years in Uncle Sam’s Miguided Children back in the 60’s. Am looking forward to checking out your blog. Stay tuned and keep in touch, Felipe.