One of my favorite places to retreat from the craziness of daily life is the Our Lady of Consolation Shrine and Basilica in Carey, Ohio, a town about an hour southeast of Toledo.  I went there in July 2002 before my back surgery and again in October during my recuperation.  I thought you'd like to see a few photos I took during my last visit to the Shrine.

It was a brilliant fall day when I was standing in front of the church next to the mass schedule sign.  The church has two parts, the basement church and the main church. 

As you can see from this picture of the Sacred Heart statue, the basement church is nowhere near as ornate as the main church...

...yet it houses dozens of saints' relics displayed in various cases along one wall. 

The basement church also displays the many crutches, prostheses, medicines and other items left behind by pilgrims who were cured by the intercession of Our Lady of Consolation.  The sight takes your breath away.

Yes, as always, I lit a candle in front of the Sacred Heart statue for all my friends and family including all the friends of Bluejeans' Place!  (And you thought I forgot about you!  Sheeeesh!)