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<DIV><B>From:</B> <A title=gerdean@cableone.net
href="mailto:gerdean@cableone.net">Gerdean</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Friday, October 08, 2004 10:52 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> SW TeaM Gathering</DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Greetings, ALL,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This is a long, friendly jabber.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Today I had the pleasure once again of stealing
into the South Valley, this time to take the check and the contract to
Stephanie, the lady at Canossian Spiritual Center, with which to secure February
18, 19 and 20 (with an option for the 21st) for the SW TeaM
February Gathering. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I'll be drumming up a formal announcement and
working on a Reservation Form in the next week or two, but let me just tell you
a bit about my jaunt today during the lunch hour.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>It is early autumn here. The temperature was
probably mid 70's, and utterly clear and gorgeous. Everything dazzles
in this sunlight. The city was typically congested. Maybe more than
usual because we are hosting many, many visitors for the International Balloon
Fiesta which is taking place now. So, to get away from the freeway, I took
the back road, down Broadway, and it gave me a chance to look at all the changes
the City has made and just to keep close to the streets and the
neighborhoods. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I checked out the proximity of downtown and the
airport to the center. Before I send out the Reservation Form, I will
create a good map and have accurate mileage, but suffice it for now to say that
the distance from the airport is not far. If you took a cab, you would
leave the airport by the back way, and come around the south side of University,
which becomes Rio Bravo, which is also the freeway turnoff. From
there you rather flutter like an autumn leaf into the huge expanse of simple,
quiet lowlands. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The Valley is the least sophisticated area of
Albuquerque. In fact, it isn't even in the city limits; it's in the
county. But it has all the charm that a city cannot sustain. After
you cross Prince, and Second Street, but before you come to Isleta, you
cross the Rio Grande. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>You probably all have a soft spot for some
geographic landmark that makes your heart swell. Well, mine surely must be
that river. The water level is frightfully low. But even
with all the sandbars, it is still beautiful. Lovely big
billowing cottonwoods on the bosque running along both sides, just beginning to
show clumps of yellow in with the green. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I turned south on Isleta, and wound down the road a
few miles, through what must be rightfully considered the local's home turf,
gawking all the while at everything my eyes could take in. The big new
mansions springing up, next to the humble, dusty adobes. The mountains for
a backdrop. The poco tiempo (slow time) of Old Mexico. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>And then there it is, not far past Gun Club Road --
the Canassian place, run by half a dozen nuns. It's all enclosed behind an
adobe wall, and it has a wrought iron gate entrance, with a gravel circle drive
around a central garden. Near the entrance there is also a very
nice labyrinth. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Here is the website where you can look at the
pictures and read about it: </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
href="http://www.geocities.com/fdccspirituality/">http://www.geocities.com/fdccspirituality/</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I usually find it by searching: new mexico catholic
retreat house</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>devoted to the care of profoundly handicapped
children</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I've been there three times now. I love
it. The first time I went there, I was not able to find anybody to talk to
so I meandered around by myself and went everywhere, in back, beside, in front,
around. It was wonderful. I stood there in the ... aura of the
Valley --- in that garden ... and just wept. I love the Valley.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>But then later, at another time, I went back and
saw inside, and it was even wonderful inside. here are little gardens
everywhere. I sat there by the little fountain, with a statue of Mary
over the water, surrounded by roses. Very pretty. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The "retreat house" is behind an adobe wall, and
sets away from the Sisters' Residence and the Administrative Offices. You
get there by going into Registration Area, which is quite quaint. It leads
into the dining room.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The dining room is wonderful! A LOT of round
tables, with plenty of chairs. Big enough to be generous and gracious but
not so big as to be industrial. And the tablecloths were pink! How
pretty! With lots of windows. It was very pretty and obviously clean
without being anticeptic. The kitchen was behind that but she didn't take
me there. Instead we went through a breezeway into the Conference
area.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>First we stopped at the chapel. <FONT
face=Arial size=2>The chapel is quite nice. Stephanie and I sat in it for
a while so as to "take a moment" and it ... well, it worked. It was a
lovely tranquil spot. Behind the altar is a semi-circular wall of
rock, like the old civilizations used. There was also a lecturn, good natural
light, interesting architecture and plenty of chairs.</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Next to that, the Conference Room appeared to be
about 40' by 60' and had one of those accordian dividers, in case
we wanted to separate into two groups. Here we have access to tables,
chairs, a podium, microphone, speakers stuff ... and all the windows to the rear
look out to this huge and beautiful field. (Can you tell I am a country
girl at heart?)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Across from the Conference Room is the Library,
which is also a lovely area. It has a sofa set up, as well as, I
think it was, three tables with chairs and of course, lots of books and an
ambiance suitable for conversing, counseling, healing or T/R'ing private
sessions. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Then there is an L-shaped hallway with rooms on
both sides of a very wide hallway, carpeted, with lots of natural light and
alcoves here, so it doesn't look like monotonous. At the far end
is the exit to the parking lot where folks will park their cars. And
midway along the east wing is what they call the Map Room, which appears to
be another excellent area for hanging out and being spiritually intimate.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have not yet seen the sleeping areas because they
were occupied when I was there. I might not be able to see them until
we get there in February, but I have every confidence they will also be
perfectly wonderful. Several of them have their own bath but that's
something I will want to study and put on the Registration Form.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Well, you could've gotten all this
information by looking at the website. I've talked more than enough,
but obviously I am very pleased with the location and am eager to share
it. It's very exciting to be hosting the first SW TeaM
Gathering. More later. Including MANY interesting options.
Space is limited. Those of you who have already responded are already
notated as having dibs. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Have a great weekend, ALL,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Gerdean </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
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