Not A Toaster

I talk about this occasionally but I don't think I've ever given a particularly satisfactory explanation, in part because I just don't think about it enough to have developed anything that concrete or interesting. In general I think of the abbey as something more akin to a commune or co-op than an actual monastery, and I think whatever belief system the monks have is something largely attuned to peaceful communal living and helping travelers in need, but not in relation to any particular deity.

One idea I've been working with is that the abbey is built into/around some enormous oak tree which acts as a focus of worship, such as it is, and a living metaphor for the kind of selflessness the monks should aspire to, Shel Silverstein's Giving Tree style. To that end I think the closest thing they have to a religious symbol would be an acorn.

the only thing that can tempt the Devil is an angel's wings...

close up

Yes, His Grace, Duke Douglas of Sealand is even older now. As each year passes, I am more sorry about starting this tradition of posting a semi-tasteful photo.