If, like me, you read “Misty of Chincoteague” as a child, you may have a soft spot for the famous wild ponies who live on the barrier islands off the Virginia shore.
This week, while I was on a clergy retreat in Ocean City, Maryland, I visited Assateague Island. The ponies were on my mind because at the tail end of December I read this news story about the ponies and “swamp cancer.” The disease comes in through their hooves because they spend a lot of time in salt marsh. Climate change is making the pathogens common to warmer waters move further up the coast.
I did see three ponies. I was surprised and happy to see how large they were, and how healthy looking.
I also walked long stretches of beach, hoping to spot a Snowy Owl. No luck. Oh well, I have something to keep looking for.
What a privilege and joy to have this time of renewal! I especially treasured it since next week I will dive into the revisions of my book. I’ll be going away to a monastery for a week to begin that process, so I can be steeped in silence and prayer. I appreciate your prayers of support.
May your time at the monastery be refreshing for your soul and may the words you’re writing flow in abundance!
Thank you Kathy! I’m so glad I could begin this revision process in a place so saturated with prayer and peace. Am now carrying on at home!