ROME 23/04 – Day 24: Rooms, blooms and tentacles

01615 was the sun’s rising and at 2003 will it set.  The Ave Maria is at 2015.

Today is the Feast of, among others, foundress of the Brigidines, S. Maria Elisabeth Hesselblad (+1957 whose tomb is just up the way.  I see their bell tower from my window.

Welcome registrant:

LSL

Today I had a chat with the manager of the place where I am staying in Rome about a couple of things.  First, the washing machine was not draining and needed maintenance and, next, my return next October.

I’ll have to start raising funds for October one of these days.   In the meantime, I also would remind the readership to pray for a more stable Roman solution which I and a couple of priests could use.  St. Joseph!  St. Philip!  Help us!

Meanwhile, my alstroemeria finally went the way of all flesh.  When I went out to the vegetable stand at the Campo de’ Fiori this morning, I got some fresh flowers, some of the same and also …

… freesia.  Is that how it is spelled?

They are so cheery and bright.

My somewhat cramped workspace.  I’ve turned the apartment TV into a monitor.

And as long as we are in still life mode.  I have a plan for the big peppers, beasts of things, heavy, that will probably but not necessarily involve sausages, in honor of friends in Chicago.  They are amazing… both, the friends and the peppers.

The flowers and the veg came at a discount because I’ve been frequenting those stands for decades now, which is nice.  I like supporting these family businesses.  It involves more stops, but that’s okay.  It’s worth every footstep and wave to old acquaintances along the way.

I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating.  As I walk around, I catch myself smiling.  For that… I cannot thank you enough.

Together with my regular list of the “Roman Sojourn” Donors (yesterday’s Mass was for your intention), the “24thers” are remembered in prayers at the the altar but also as I take care of daily things.  For example, today I note for the 24th (down since 2o22):

KC
DD (one of the faithful “200” when I was in serious, immediate need)
MH
PG
MM
MF
TB
DM (thanks muchly)
MT
DG
ML
PK

25thers.  Please don’t be irked if I don’t write about you tomorrow?

When I go through my mail and send out daily thank you notes (provided I have an address) I think, “Okay, that donation bought the vegetables today, that one bought the flowers, that one bought the morning coffee and rolls after Mass with the two newly ordained priests visiting Rome (I really like doing that), this one goes toward the electric bill back home, this one toward car insurance, etc. …”.  I try to think in concrete terms.   Also, there are those who will send a donation and a note, like the other day after I posted the photo of veg stand in the Campo, “For some of those beautiful little tomatoes.” Thanks WH. Or, for example, SAS sent: “With continued prayers for your strength restored… and a good bottle -or two- of wine”, which permitted a good bottle of Nebbiolo for the aforementioned sausages and peppers and a not great but not bad bourbon for the visit to the digs by The Great Roman™ (to whom the “Shave The Great Roman™” items were duly hand delivered, by the way).

Hence, when I go to the shops or pay bills or simply live life, you donors are with me every day.  A glimpse into how I am grateful for every one of you and have your backs in prayers, almsgiving and even, though it is hard to believe it, regular fasting.  Regarding almsgiving: I almost never give money in the street, but I will offer to buy something to eat.  Many of the beggars reject that out of hand.  Fewer immediately accept with urgency.  So, there are times when your donation may have fed someone truly in need of a meal.  I had some hard days in Rome waaaay back in the day and I have an eye for the hungry.

Meanwhile, in Astana, today Nepo and Ding played to a draw.  It was not a very flashy game.  Nepo leads by a full point and games are running out.

Use FATHERZ10 at checkout

Here’s a puzzle.

White to move.  White’s bishop is hanging.  There are connected pawns which are a threat, but that rook is really agile and your king is on the 1st rank.  What to do?  You have to keep time on your side and avoid getting forked or skewered.  Don’t let that rook get behind your pawns!  This was hard for me.  Many ways to go wrong.

Aren’t end games fascinating?  There must be a lesson for life and our own ends here.  Go to confession.

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

I’m an affiliate now of chess.com shop which is handled by House of Staunton.  Do me a favor and click over there and have a look around.

Meanwhile, the church of St. Bridget on the P.za Farnese.

After Mass I stopped at the grocery for a couple of things, like Aceto di Alcool which is great for cleaning stuff.  The water here is incredibly hard.  I can give the electric kettle or other implements a soak and they clear right up.  Drains, washing machine rinse, fridge shelves.  A little newsprint on glass windows… kiss your fancy sprays g’bye.

I also really appreciate being able in a pinch to get some fresh tentacle, don’t you?   Somewhere Cthulhu is missing a nephew.