Monday, May 05, 2008

Sono un blogger: two years at it...

This month marks the second anniversary of this blog. It has been a joy and a privilege. However, I've been thinking of soon pulling the plug and so if any reader wants to keep any of these photos, please save them now to your computers before it's too late.

In May of 2006 this blog was initiated with the idea of posting a few photos and the like for immediate family and close friends. The thought was that mutum est pictura poema (a picture is a silent poem) in the mundus imaginalis (the world of images).

Americans have always been readers of newspapers. Today, we are a people with a hyper-obsession for immediate, on the hour news. And so I think I might now create a news (gossip) blog (called "The Cardinal's Snuff Box") with all the Rome inside.

Meanwhile, to archive many of the thousands of photos I now have on disks, I hope to create a giant site with an index such as we see with "Dappled Photos." I'm thinking of calling this new site "Peregrinatio Sacra."

On another note, as many might know, Pius XII had a favorite goldfinch named Gretel. At the Port of Rome, Civitavecchia, I saw a nice goldfinch for just ten euro. My roommate assured me that if I got it he'd pay for the first batch of bird food. So vediamo un po'...and surely we will name it Gretel!

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

I encourage you to keep this going! Very helpful and enjoyable.

o{]:¬)

N. Trandem said...

Try this:
http://picasaweb.google.com/

Anonymous said...

Keep blogging.

Anonymous said...

don't quit. we rely on you!

Argent said...

Oh, no, please don't pull the plug. Please keep going, even if you have to go dormant for awhile. Having this blog to visit is like staying connected with the city that I consider my spiritual home.

Anonymous said...

+

No more Orbis Catholicus? :(

Anonymous said...

Even if it is an occasional post, don't pull the plug! It is such a wonderful way for me to stay in touch with Rome; it is always great to check out your blog!

Anonymous said...

This is a superb blog. Please keep it going!
Rufus Montgomery-Mortimer

Anonymous said...

John, keep the blog!

Anonymous said...

I do hope you can keep blogging, even on a reduced scale. Your blog is the best on happenings in Rome! New Zealand is a long way from Rome but your blog helps keep the connection strong! Best regards Michael Purdie

Anonymous said...

Please keep going whenever you can - you've probably no idea just how popular your blog is.

As it happens, I'm coming to Rome on Trinity Sunday, landing at around 10.30am, which probably means not getting to central Rome till about noon.

What are the chances of finding a Mass in Rome in the Old Rite at that time of day? Slim, I guess, but if anyone know the answer, it'll be you.

God bless

PeterHWright said...

I agree with the great Fr. Z and all the other commenters.

Please don't pull the plug on this wonderful blog.

Than you very much to JP for the fascinating posts. One can't always comment, but they are a joy to read.

If you want to take a break, O.K., but don't stop altogether !

Anonymous said...

This blog was one of the main factors in my decision to move to Rome and begin school there. Thank you so much!

Anonymous said...

http://www.fssp-roma.org/en/welcome.htm

6.30 pm Sunday Mass at FSSP San Gregorio on Via Lecossa near Ara Pacis.

Lefdawg said...

First off...don't pull the plug!
Secondly, I love this sentence: "On another note, as many might know, Pius XII had a favorite goldfinch named Gretel. " I love how you imply many would know such a strange and obscure fact! Haha! That's the John I know! You old (fill in the blank).

Christina said...

Wasn't that the bird that Sister Pascalina took with her when Cardinal Tisserant put her out after the repose of the Pope> or else he had a number of birds over the years.

John Paul Sonnen said...

yes, i think that was the bird! in the end, i think, there were five which she brought with her to the north american college as cardinal spellman took her in to work there until she started her pastor angelicus near rome.