I was mistaken for a nun today . . . !

I often stop for a coffee in our local shopping centre after work as a way of re-charging my batteries before tackling the shopping and other chores. Being a 'regular' obviously the staff have got to know me a little.

The majority of the staff are Portuguese and are delightful; always ready to help carry someone's tray if they're elderly or disabled or are struggling with babies and toddlers. They always have a kind word and a smile for the disadvantaged folk one often finds sipping a cup of tea in these sorts of places; those from the local care-in-the-community homes etc. and . . . poor old dears like me, of course!

Coming straight from work, I'm usually dressed in what I think of as typical office wear; smart-ish (I hope) work dress or skirt and blouse and sensible court shoes.

Paying for my coffee we exchanged a few words, as usual. I was asked if I worked in the church. Some of the staff know that I do. I replied that I did. 'Are you a nun?' came the response. Resisting the urge to laugh out loud, I replied that no, I was not a nun but worked in the office.

Of course if nuns dressed like this . . .

or this . . .

or, again like this . . .

then we'd all know where we were, wouldn't we? Just a thought . . .

Excuse for a few piccies . . . !

Here's one of those brief random posts I was talking about . . .

Today is my day off and I paid a long-overdue visit to the garden centre to get some bedding plants and other bits and pieces.

Our local garden centre, like many others nowadays, is a day out in itself. It boasts 3 coffee shops, outdoor areas for garden ornaments, gardening accessories, compost etc.; a designated area for barbecues, garden furniture, hot-tubs etc.; a plethora of candles, smelly things, outdoor clothing, china and kitchen accessories; and . . . oh, yes, if you look hard enough you can also find plants!

I looked at my watch whilst having my coffee and found it was approaching midday and time for the Regina Caeli. Here's where I prayed today.

A few friends looked on with curiosity . . .

And I couldn't resist this shot. Wheelbarrows for the girlies . . .

So all I have to do now is get cracking and pot up the bedding and do a massive tidy up in the garden. I'll let you know how I get on . . .

Back again - maybe . . .

It's almost 5 months since I posted anything on this blog, and I'd more or less decided that my blogging days were over, at least for a long while but it seems that there have been several occasions recently when I've been thinking, 'Oh, I could have blogged about that'.

So, I thought I'd just make contact again with the blogosphere and see if anyone out there still remembers me . . .

I have always said that this is not a Catholic blog but rather a blog written by someone who happens to be a Catholic.

I started this blog originally as way of communicating and sharing news with friends and family, especially as we have a lot of family in far-flung parts and don't see much of them.

Looking back, I noticed that I was blogging more and more about my faith and religion-related items. I think this is probably related to the way I'm becoming increasingly 'engaged' with my faith and what is happening locally and universally in the Catholic Church.

Recently, I've joined a group of people praying the Angelus (or Regina Caeli) on Twitter. No, I haven't lost my marbles. It really does happen and is very prayerful and supportive to know that others are praying with you.

Interestingly, I looked back at some of my old posts and found that I have posted about the Angelus at least once a year for the past few years. If you click on the Angelus label underneath this post you'll see the posts in question. No great theological insights just my thoughts at that particular time.

I think I will try and post a bit more often again. This is not going to suddenly turn into a 'Catholic blog' after all but I reserve the right to post now and again on a 'Catholic' or 'Religious topic'

There will still, I hope, be room for quite random posts and of course for garden-related ones too, although the garden has been sadly neglected of late.

I think that's enough for now and I must go and get ready for the Regina Caeli . . .