14 September 1999

Hi Ju,  

Well here I am, sorting out various mundane problems like accommodation etc.   Tim and Liz have been up and have been unable to get the computer working.  Stuart will be up in the next few days to have a go.   

I've got the camera, a Mustek VDC - 300 and will take some photos over the next few days and send them to you on Thursday pm.   Because I am such a hands-on person I've begun getting to know the place by doing some stone rubbings.  I'd like to do a whole arch when I get some large paper or maybe material, if that's fine with you.  The rubbings on the wall give a presence of something happening.  

Did I send an image of my face mask? Anyway I will if I haven't. I am pressing clay into areas of a plaster cast of my face to make bits of folks. Maybe we can use them somewhere, maybe not. I'll find a use for them somewhere along the line.  

I am spending quite a lot of time just walking about, taking to staff and visitors. They call me the artist and have great expectations. 

Re-read the booklet, seems that theres a lot of change/evolution been going on. 

I was given a quote used around here from one of the staff . . . "O Beata Solitude O Sola Beatitudo" . . . something about solitude being positive?   I was talking to a local priest, who was visiting my B+B lady and he said there was a quote, but I don't know if it was just to this part of the Carthusians set-up.  He said it was something about the cross being still in a world that was revolving.  Very Zen to me!  

Anyway blessings from a sunny downtown Osmotherley, be in touch soon.  

Love

Rita