Cometsgirl

Prior to July 29, 1974, the Episcopal church did not allow women to be ordained as priests.

My best friend and traveling partner is an Episcopal priest.

“The first women were ordained to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church on July 29, 1974. A group of eleven pioneering women, known as the Philadelphia Eleven, were ordained in an unauthorized, “irregular” ceremony at the Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia.”

While in Philadelphia a few days ago, we worshipped at the Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia. This historical market is on the church grounds.

Here we are.

The Church of the Advocate has not closed permanently, though it has suspended services in its main sanctuary due to severe ceiling disrepair and lost insurance coverage. Worship services and community outreach programs continue to operate elsewhere on the campus. 

The Sunday service of Morning Prayer was in the Parish Hall/basketball court.

Fifteen, including us, gathered for the service of Morning Prayer.

It was a beautiful service of scripture, prayers, and hymns.

Following the service we all walked over to the closed sanctuary for a tour and conversation about the church’s future.

The ordination of original eleven, was in this very space.

For me, it was remarkable to be in this space, and to be reminded of all I have seen in my life as an Episcopalian.

It’s been a joy and a honor to serve the Episcopal Church and to recall the many women priests with whom I have stood side by side during worship and in service to others.

Last year I traveled to the Brandywine Area of Pennsylvania to see an Emily Dickinson exhibit, The Earthen Door, Nature as Muse and Material.

I loved the Brandywine area of Pennsylvania so much! So here I am this day headed to Brandywine, and other somewhat nearby locales. Oh the things I’ll see, I’ll hear, and I’ll do.

My flight arrives this afternoon, while my traveling friend’s flight lands around midnight. I will entertain myself with my hotel room’s window view of one of the runways at the Philadelphia International Airport. I love planes.

Airborne as I write, it’s a beautiful day to soar.

Come along.

Traveling mercies.

I’m headed this day to Houston, TX for my granddaughter, Valerie’s college graduation.

I’m so proud of her!

I traveled to Houston every Spring and Fall for the four years she was at Rice. It’s been a JOY!

Watching her grow in confidence and knowledge; of presence and passion has been joyous.

She is full of joy.

She is honorable.

Fierce

Funny

Determined

I can’t wait to see what comes next in her life.

Look out world. Here she comes!

Yesterday was favorites day. Most everywhere we went was a favorite place from past travels to this area of Iceland.

Greeted by two sisters, breakfast was served in one of the prettiest dining rooms I’ve ever seen.

Overlooking the Varmá River, breakfast at Frost and Fire was served. It is fortunate we are staying here once again.

After breakfast, a stop in town for a second cappuccino and a bit of shopping.

Then a short drive down Route 1 to Urriðafoss, an unusual waterfall. It has more volume of water than anywhere else in Iceland.

I love this waterfall. The short walk from the parking area makes it easy to reach. There’s a well-maintained path where one can walk alongside the waterfall for a good while.

It’s nearby our hotel, an interesting bookstore, and a favorite restaurant.

On this visit the river held enormous chunks of snow-ice.

Nearby are two shops that feel so welcoming—a yarn shop above the building and a small shop below which sells pottery, jewelry and handmade soap. The woman who owns this shop makes everything herself.

Cold and hungry, we returned to Selfoss to have lunch at a favorite restaurant.

After lunch we drove down the road a short distance to the Bókakaffið a newish bookstore we found four years ago.

A review stated “Lovely little bookshop in Selfoss with a cozy atmosphere. You can get a cup of coffee and a wonderful waffle while reading one of the many secondhand books.”

To end the day, ice cream…

…and a fiery cloud!

Favorites make travel even more special than it already is.

I was in Akureyri for four days. I tried to find time to write each day about the day’s adventures, but my traveling friend and I were too busy having those adventures!

This morning began with a cappuccino at Bláa Kannan. It was delicious both in taste and art. It was the same small eatery where I had my first cappuccino when I arrived in Akureyri.

There are no words to describe the vastness of this place.

Then it was time to get on down the road for the second half of the trip. Destination, Hveragerdi.

The fields were full of Icelandic ponies.

The mountains were standing at attention as we drove past.

The rivers were flowing with all the mountains snow-melt.

It was a blustery and beautiful drive.

Eight hours later we had crossed from north to south Iceland.

Frost and Fire hotel. It’s situated on the Varmá river with the room overlooking the river. It’s our third time to stay here.

Pizza cooked in geothermal oven. Wonderful!

And to end this rather long day, there is always ice cream!

I’m pushed around these days. In wheelchairs. I’m so grateful there are wheelchair services in airports. I’m challenged by distance walking, and catching a ride is a blessing. The faster I’m pushed, the better I like it. Að þjóta

We landed in Keflavik at 6:00am.

A wheelchair service greeted me when I walked off the plane. Off we went!, with my friend trying to keep up. It paid off to be in a wheelchair when we went through customs. Long lines were avoided as we went to the front of the lines, showed our passports, grabbed our luggage, our rental car, and took off for Akureyri .

A short stop for coffee and a serving of Skyr to go… an amazing drive across the tundra to Akureyri!

The drive from Keflavik to Akureyri takes about 5 hours.

We made it in just 9 hours! They were very welcoming and accommodating. Bedtime was soon after check-in.

There was a signup in the front desk to be notified if the Northern Lights make an appearance.

No Northern lights. Rather, a sunrise.

Góðan daginn

We landed at 6am yesterday, Saturday. The descent was one of the most beautiful return to earth moments I’ve ever experienced.

Thank you, God, for answering my prayer for traveling mercies, kept safe under your wings of gold. Amen.

I’m headed to Iceland today. Jibbí

This is my seventh visit to Islandia. Imagine that. It says a lot about how much I love this place.

My traveling friend and I are meeting in Baltimore. We have eight or so hours until we will be on our way to Reykjavik.

Our trip plan is to spend half of our time in the north, and the other half in the south.

Cold temperatures are expected. My long johns are packed. I’m wearing winter boots. My puffy jacket is packed. And, my wool hat and fleece gloves are at the ready!

In the meantime, it was a beautiful day to fly.

The sights as we descended were green gorgeous.

We have about seven hours to wait before we take our seats in the chair in the sky.

Come along. Traveling mercies.

FYI, Jibbí means yay!

I’m headed home today, after having three joy-filled days.

My son always picks me up when I arrive. Our first stop is Feedstore BBQ. A wonderful array of meats and sides awaits as we make up our minds.

Of course I join the kid’s line for soft serve. I’m a kid at heart, right?

The next morning Georgia and Jack picked me up. We had breakfast plans.

We had a feast of food and conversation. Time with them, listening about their life, is the most special time I can imagine.

Note the size of our meals. 😳. No way could we consume it all.

Note the to-go boxes.

Sitting in my son and daughter-in-law’s backyard is always a quiet pleasure.

The next day we feasted once again. Georgia’s partner joined us for BBQ for all!

This day I’m on my way home, filled with days of joy and shared meals. Gathering around a table, sharing a meal, telling stories, stuffed with laughs and sustenance. It is enough.

Traveling mercies.

I’m headed to Texas this day, going to visit my grandkids, Jack and Georgia. I’m SO looking forward to being with them. And their parents, too.

Given the TSA issue at airports, we left six hours before my flight took-off. The concern was crowds at the airport. We’ve all seen the images on the news.

The crowds were there as I stepped through the doors of Hartsfield-Jackson. I dropped my bag off and started walking. And walking. Employees kept us in line. Literally.

There was so much switchbacking! The “high-end” screening services I have were closed due to the TSA situation. They have my sympathy

Half-way through my walk, Clear opened! More switchbacks. All in all, after about ninety minutes, and…

… I was on the other side. I might have jumped for joy, but I no longer jump.

Six hours later and I’m soon to take off, boosted by snacks passed out because they were on the flight before this one. Making room for this flight’s snacks, we jumped at the offer!

The grandkids and I are having breakfast together tomorrow. They are worth every step I’ve taken, and will take, to dine together! Let’s see what else we plan.

Traveling mercies.