Pope Francis Praises the Sisters

During a 45-minute press conference with the media aboard the American Airlines flight that carried him back to Rome, Pope Francis talked about his impressions of the United States and the American people. He had especially warm words of praise for Catholic nuns in the US, saying "they've done marvelous things in education and health."

"The people love the sisters," Pope Francis said.

He jokingly added, "I don't know how much they love the priests, but they love the sisters."

Photo: Tony Gentile/Pool Photo via AP

Buon Viaggio, Pope Francis

"Dear friends, I embrace all of you in the Lord and I entrust you to the maternal care of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of the United States. I will pray for you and your families, and I ask you, please, to pray for me. May God bless you all. God bless America!"

Pope Francis in Philadelphia

During his homily at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Pope Francis cited Pope Leo XIII's words to the Philadelphia-born Katharine Drexel—canonized as a saint in 2000—at an 1887 audience: "What about you? What are you going to do?"

Photo: CJ Gunther, epa

Pope Francis at St. Patrick's Cathedral

"In a special way I would like to express my esteem and gratitude to the religious women of the United States. What would the Church be without you? Women of strength, fighters, with that spirit of courage which puts you on the front lines in the proclamation of the Gospel. To you, religious women, sisters and mothers of this people, I wish to say 'thank you', a big thank you... and to tell you that I love you very much."

Thank you, Pope Francis. We love them too.

Photo: CBS2

Pope Francis Addresses Congress

 "Let us remember the Golden Rule: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'"

National Public Lands Day at Mapleton Preserve

Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands will host its annual National Public Lands Day work session in the Mapleton Preserve on Saturday, September 26, 2015, from 2 to 4 pm. National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands invites the public to play a part and contribute to the restoration of the Mapleton Preserve, the former home of Princeton Nurseries and a significant historical site in Central New Jersey.

FPNL's focus this year is removing brush, vines, invasive saplings and shrubs, and collecting litter. Volunteers are asked to bring their own loppers, pruning shears, saws, rakes and shovels. Sturdy shoes, work gloves, long pants, long-sleeved shirts and hats are also recommended.

The entrance to the Mapleton Preserve/D&R Canal State Park is at 145 Mapleton Road in Kingston. For more information, visit the FPNL website or call 609-683-0483.

Pope Francis in Washington

"As the son of an immigrant family, I am happy to be a guest in this country, which was largely built by such families."

Welcome, Pope Francis

Pope Francis arriived at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington this afternoon for his first visit to the United States. After a short, private meeting with President Obama in the airport terminal, His Holiness got into the backseat of a black Fiat 500L, rolled down the window, waved to the crowd and rode off.

Another Monarch Passes Through

It seems as if there were a lot fewer butterflies in our area this summer. So this past week when we noticed this year's first Monarch visiting our Princeton Landing garden on its journey south, we were delighted. Ironically, it was the same day the Association had TruGreen spraying the community for the entire day. This not only made it difficult to spend time outside, but it also made it impossible to walk on the grass to photograph the Monarch. Luckily, the lantana plants on our deck and in our atrium brought the butterfly in close enough for pictures.

Two days later another Monarch passed through and was still feeding on our deck at sunset. Here are a couple of photos of our latest Monarch.

Downton Abbey Final Season

PBS has released a new Downton Abbey Season 6 trailer in advance of the final season, which premieres on ITV in the UK in just two days. The US premiere on Masterpiece isn't until Sunday, January 3, 2016. Hang in there.

Monarch Passes Through

This Monarch butterfly passed through our Princeton Landing garden today on its way south.

Lake Carnegie — 3:27 pm

B.D. Lenz at Halo Pub on Saturday

Contemporary jazz guitarist B.D. Lenz and his band will be performing at Halo Pub on Saturday, September 5, from 6 to 9 pm. This is a free outdoor event.

Halo Pub is located at 9 Hulfish Street in Princeton.

A New Visitor

It's early September so it's not surprising that butterflies would be showing up in our garden looking the worse for wear. Still we're happy to see this Giant Swallowtail because it's the first one we've spotted.