[Joe 6-pack]

One of the monks noted my Louisiana license plate and remarked that I'd come a long way. Indeed I had.

[Joe 6-pack]

Dedicated to the Brothers and Sisters of New Skete who welcomed a wayfaring stranger.

[Kimmers]

This about the 5th time I have read this and I enjoy the mental journey every time....you are a gifted and humble writer my friend.

[xcamel]

One of the great hidden gems of what otherwise is a pretty dismal state.
Down the road is some of the best cheesecake (NewSkeet Nuns) that you will ever have in your life.

Enjoy your pup (if you're getting one). I used to raise Romanian White Shepherds, but the bloodlines were getting so poor, I gave up trying to get new stock.
The Monks provided a wealth of information and technique, for which I will be forever grateful.

[AnAmericanMother]

Still a splendid story.

NYer, ping the Catholics please!

[Faith65]

Thank you for sharing!

Dogs make life much sweeter!

[TheMom]

Wonderful story. Thanks for sharing.

[BnBlFlag]

A great story, Joe. Too bad you couldn’t have taken a puppy with you.

[TASMANIANRED]

Pinging lovers of beauty, Monasteries and fine animals.

[TASMANIANRED]

Wonderful job.

You were called there in more ways than one.

Had it not been for the winter storm your experience would have been different. You were blessed.

[Gator113]

I can not thank you enough for what you have done.

[SumProVita]

This is THE most beautiful thing I’ve read in a long time...

(Monks are awesome. Dogs are awesome. Monks and dogs....must be heaven. ;-) )

[IrishCatholic]

THANKS for the wonderful thread!

[Martin Tell]

Dear Joe,

Thanks so much for the great story and pictures.

The only question I have is why the monks were eating pork chops during the Nativity Fast. Not that they don't deserve them.

[kitkat]

Beautiful text, gorgeous pictures. Or maybe, beautiful picture, gorgeous text. I can’t decide.

[Auntie Mame]

Wow, wow, wow. Thank you so much for sharing this. Great writing, incredible pictures, a blessed day.

This just begs to be published. I don’t read magazines at all so don’t have any suggestions for marketing this, but with a bit of research with the latest Writer’s Market you might be able to pin down five or ten suitable periodicals for submission, if, indeed, you’re into that.

In any event, thank you for publishing it here.

[NYer]

You look like a member of the community - sans beard. Thank you for posting this beautiful journey. I live across the river from Troy but have never visited New Skete. Once we thaw out, I may just pack up the basset and take him for a stroll in Cambridge :-).

[NYer]

The New Skete community is famous for their cheesecakes! Check out the extensive catalog, linked in the above article. This may be all you need to complete your Christmas shopping.

Catholic Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[Red Reign]

Thanks Joe! This kind of post is right up my alley! The only complaint I have is that there weren’t more pictures! Seriously, I did not want those great pix to end. The one of the snow-covered chapel is especially nice, and I think it will make a great wallpaper for my desktop. Seeing the snow really makes me miss my Hoosier home, especially since it is 80 degrees (AGAIN) down here in the Sunshine State. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours.

[SuziQ]

What a lovely story! I'd never heard of the Monks and Nuns of New Skete. Are they Russian or Eastern Orthodox? I only ask because of the 'onion dome' design of the chapel.

Do they breed dogs for sale on the market, and do they only breed German Shepherds? From the pictures, they look like beautiful animals.

[SZonian]

Dog lover bump.

That was by far one of the best things I’ve read on FR.

Thanks for telling your tale (or is it tail?).

P.S. Will you add me to your doggieping list please?

FRegards,
SZ