Cajun

We're in a bit of a transition at work, as Nicole and Kirstin are leaving us.  Nicole's moving to Ontario with her partner, to take on a business there, while Kirstin's moving to BC, as her husband took on a job there.

Tonight was Nicole's going away.  She'd always wanted to try the local cajun restaurant, so she planned her going away dinner to be held here.

Oblate Vows

Today I made my noviciate vows to become a Benedictine Oblate.  This means that going forward, I'm to incorporate the values of ora et labora (prayer and work) into my daily life.  Lectio divina, or spiritual readings, is also part of my commitment to living the Christian life according to the Benedictine tradition.

This new commitment goes very well together with my previous gospel commitments of balance, change (continuous conversion), moderation, simplicity, and stability (commitment).  See this post for previous thoughts I had about becoming an Oblate

Looking back at the influence the Benedictines have had on me, it goes back quite a bit back.  Here's a post from almost 10 years ago that I wrote while working on an assignment at Regent.  It wasn't the beginning of my journey - that came probably 20 years ago when I visited Westminster Abbey in Mission for Easter Sunrise services - but still, it does give insight into the Benedictine way of life.

2015's turning out to be quite a significant year: joining the Catholic Church in April, and now becoming an Oblate.  God's name be praised, always!

Train Bridge

I went north of town today to reacquaint myself with my 40D camera.  I really enjoyed taking some pictures of the city from top of the bridge.

It was a clear and sunny day.  Chilly, but gorgeous.

Salsa

Made salsa today, from my own garden tomatoes.  It's a great feeling, planting, growing, harvesting, and then enjoying the fruits of your labour.

Nasser Gone

My good housemante couldn't find lasting employment here in Saskatoon, so he flew back to Tehran to spend time with his family before returning next spring to try getting an engineering job again.

It's been good to have a housemate.  I've learned to be more flexible, more open to change and divergent opinions.  And surprisingly, having another person around the house has lifted my spirits.  I don't feel so lonely anymore.  Therefore, I've decided that the best thing to do is to find another housemate.  Earlier this week I put up an ad on kijiji and craigslist.  We'll see how things go....

Harvesting My Garden

Below is a picture of what will likely be the last bit of harvesting of this summer's work:

I still have a few tomatoes left on the vine, but the cold may very well get the best of them.  The days are still warm and sunny, maybe 10-12C, but the nights are a different story...

I've had to cover the garden with tarps for a few weeks now, as the nights are getting to nippy.  My zucchini plant is still going too, but not much is growing.  In fact, the leaves are getting mouldy from the cold.

My New Guitar

I look happy don't I!  It's because of my new guitar!  It's a Yamaha CPX 500 III, shaped like a "concert" guitar.

I have no ambitions of becoming the next Slash, Jesse Cook or Paco de Lucia. I do want to learn how to play some basic chords and accompany hymn singing, maybe at work.  Down the road, if I like playing enough, I may buy a classical guitar and take flamenco lessons.

But for now, I'd be happy to learn the C, D, F, and G chords!