Friday 4 September 2015

Quietness



 Hello m’dears.

Two things ~

Firstly, my publisher has accepted A Day and a Life, which will be the last book in The Hawk and the Dove series. It’s scheduled to be out next summer – July, I think. So that’s good news.

Then secondly, if anyone is close by and interested, on Wednesday September 23rd I am offering a Quiet Day at Penhurst. Its title (taken from Desiderata) is Aridity and Disenchantment. All of us go through times when we are disappointed, weary and disillusioned, when prayer feels too difficult to persevere, and life seems pointless. How can we remain faithful and grow in our discipleship when such times come, especially if the aridity persists over months and years? This is what we shall be exploring in the beautiful setting of Penhurst Place, an ancient tiny manor house deep in the Sussex countryside. Details here.

I loved these photos we managed to capture of our cat Ted, above sitting quietly alongside the bodhisattva in the passageway (no mouse – he was just praying), and below luxuriating in a fluffy throw on the beanbag chair in Hebe’s peaceful room.


Peace to you. xx



10 comments:

Elizabeth @ The Garden Window said...

Delighted about the book news, as I am currently loving reading 'The Hour Before Dawn':-)
Very best wishes for the success of the Quiet Day; living in Wales has many advantages, but being able to easily access the rest of the Uk is not one of them....

Pen Wilcock said...

Oh, beautiful Wales! I'm glad you're enjoying the book. :0) xx

Anonymous said...

A blissed-out, luxuriating cat is one of the most delightful sights on this earth. <3 I'm sure God has a special place in His heart for them, and that cats will probably spend most of their time in the New Creation contentedly snoozing, lol.

I am booked in for the 23rd! The theme is very ... well, what I've been needing for some time. Penhurst is not that far from where I live. Looking forward to it very much. It will be a beautiful day.

Wonderful to hear about the book! I love the title. But the very last Hawk and Dove ...? *sob* :)

Blessings,

Philippa

P.S. Have you come across this book, by the way? 'The Artist's Rule', by Christine Valters Paintner, 'Nurturing your soul with monastic wisdom'. I've only just begun it, and it's quite wonderful, combining an artist's calling with Benedictine spirituality. I just wondered if it would be something up your street.

http://www.eden.co.uk/shop/the-artists-rule-4032554.html

Pen Wilcock said...

Oh, it will be so lovely to meet you, Philippa! The book looks lovely - as does the author's website, http://abbeyofthearts.com
xx

Anonymous said...

Wow this post brought tears to my eyes. Wish I could attend. Blessings to all who can.

DMW

Pen Wilcock said...

:0)

Yes, I wish you could, too. xx

MaryR said...

Another one who would like to attend! Your cat looks as comfy as ours does at this very moment, in exactly the same pose.

Have just finished reading 'The Clear Light of Day' and was so moved by the conversations between Jabez and Esme - and loved the lightning rod that is Ember. So well named! I wanted the book to continue, so many insights, so much love and clarity and tenderness. You did say in the conversation at the end that you were writing a sequel. Did that even happen as I would love to know how they coped together. Thank you, Pen, for a beautifully written book, to go with 'the Dove and the Hawk' novels.

Pen Wilcock said...

:0)

Too few people bought that book for the publisher to take forward the proposed sequel.

However - undeterred - I did not abandon the ideas I intended for the second book, and they emerged in similar but different form in my recently published "52 Original Wisdom Stories".

xx

Rapunzel said...

Oh, very tricky that, a sort of secret sequel. I highly approve!

Pen Wilcock said...

'secret sequel' Love it!

:0D

How's the house move going?

xx