Although "hot and humid" may seem to sum up the weather during the long retreat, the changes in climate were much more subtle although sometimes abrupt. Twice while praying on the back porch there were hour long thunder storms, one during a meditation on the person who builds his/her house on sand and had it washed away-- most appropriate!!! There were crisp days, very humid days, rainy days, a typhoon, and days which seemed to have "all of the above."

Since Ignatius invites us to use the weather to enhance the prayer experience I became particularly attuned to the weather. So, using my break days and my camera, I endeavored to "capture" some of the moods of the weather around the retreat house. I will not comment on the pictures (the climate is obvious) except to say that the I was most taken with rain (rich in symbolism in the scriptures). Most striking were the torrential downpours which turned the world bright grey and let out a thunder of their own striking the various trees. I think the sixth picture captures that "mood" the best.