Food And Friends

Lunch with James, Paul, and Scott:

Dinner with Sanjit:

Infatuation

The day before Christmas I met up with a few friends - Clau, Mark, Hugh.  Clau had her family there - her mom, brother Manuelito, sister Tati, and Tati's daughter Sarah.

I remember one time a few years ago Clau said of her sister, tiene un cuerazo.  True enough, por Diós!

For a few days afterwards I could not concentrate for more than 5 minutes before she came to mind again.

I think the Latin specimen of women is superior to all others.  Words like femininity still have meaning in that part of the world.

Cypress Selfie

I took Derek and his neighbour-friends tobogganing at Cypress on Christmas Eve.  On my way back I stopped at the lookout and took a selfie.

Chinatown

Went to Melanie and Heinz's today for an evening of food, fun, and games.

Chinatown is still the game of choice for Melanie.  Derek is now at an age where he's getting into it also - great to see!  He loves money.  I wonder where that will take him.

Poor Heinz, he tries to deal fairly with Melanie - but she totally rips him off.

O Majesty! O Lowness!

O child, Creator of all!  How humbly you lie in the manger.  You who rule powerfully in heaven!  There the heaven of heavens cannot contain you; here, however, you are held in the narrowest of manger.  there, in the beginning of the world, you decorated the earth with green grasses that produced seed, with fruit-bearing trees that produced fruit, you ornamented the heavens with the sun, the moon, and the stars, the sky with winged birds, the waters with fish, you filled the land with reptiles, draft animals, and beasts; here, however, in the end of the world, you are wrapped in swaddling clothes!  O majesty!  O lowness!  O sublimity!  O humility!  O immense, eternal, and Ancient of Days!  O small, temporal infant whose life is not yet one day upon the earth!

- Adam of Dryburgh

Meeting The Wittenbergs

I saw James and Paul for lunch today.  My goodness, what a treat to see them and share a meal with them.  How I wish they we lived closer, all of us.

What I appreciate so much about them is our ability to converse on matters of the heart, soul, and intellect.  Relationships.  Providence.  Vocation.  Purpose.  Direction.

We had such a great time together, it reminded me of our university days together.  James and I have had similar times more recently at seminary, but having Paul part of the picture was fantastic.

Paul is a broken man.  Oh Lord, broken to pieces.

But Lord, you're upholding him by the palm of your hand.  Lord have mercy on your servant, have mercy, have mercy on him.  Amen.

West Coast Christmas

I finally arrived in Abbotsford this morning, after more than 14 hours on the road.  Normally it's a short 5 hour ordeal, but due to a mechanical problem with the plane at the Saskatoon airport my flight got delayed, impacting every other aspect of my journey westward.

After a 1 hour delay, we left Saskatoon, but upon arriving in Calgary, my flight to Abbotsford had just left.  It was the last flight of the day.

WestJet - to their credit - put me up at the airport hotel.  A nice enough hotel, except I only had 5 hours to sleep, before having to get up and getting onto the plane bound for Abbotsford.

I arrived in Abbotsford around 8am, totally destroyed.  Destroyed - there's a phrase I've taken up from Marco.  Once at mom and dad's I pretty much collapsed on the bed.  Exhausted.

In the evening I went to Vancouver to see some of my soccerino friends: Benja, Sanjit, Anoush, Marilu, and Sonia.  

A good evening of wine and conversation, but I'm coming down with a killer flu or something because I feel horrible.  Sore throat, totally energy-less, lethargic, congested, runny nose, and sneezing.

Someone suggested I make myself a hot toddy - hot water, lemon, and brandy.  I tried it out tonight, we'll see how it goes.

I'll be on the west coast until January 3rd.  Hopefully this cold will come and go.

Bluegrass

I went to the Bassment tonight with Eric to watch some bluegrass.

I discovered Eliza Doyle last month on my way to Regina, when the CBC did a spotlight on Saskatchewan talent.  Been listening to her ever since...

Never been into bluegrass, but I can see the appeal.  Don't know much about the industry, but it seems to me that it hasn't been corrupted by the incessant commercialism that so poisons mainstream music these days.

Doyle's very talented, with a unique music style.  Her lyrics were mostly about love and loss - but they were down to earth, unpretentious.  And she had a great sense of humour and wit about her.  She seemed real, genuine.  It made the entire evening very pleasant.

Eastbank Trails

I love these pictures.  They give a sort of depiction of how cold it was out today.  I shiver, just looking at them.

It was -21, minus 30 with windchill.  We hiked 10 kms.  And survived.

Below, dinner, after a rigorous day out in the cold.  Judging on the picture, one would think I'm actually a decent cook...

Solos In The Messiah

I like choirs much more than solos.  But in recent weeks I've been paying more attention to solos, and particularly in the Messiah, the solo below struck me immensely as I listened to Handel's Messiah tonight:

He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn;

the Lord shall have them in derision.

(Psalm 2:4)

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron;

thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

(Psalm 2:9)

When I heard it sung tonight at the annual Christmas performance I was struck at the forcefulness and power of a strong tenor.

4 Days With My Brother

Today marks the end of 4 amazing days with my brother Ted visiting me from the west coast.

He arrived here on Thursday, late in the afternoon.  I picked him up form the airport and made dinner for him.  Afterwards (after a bit of a rest), we went straight to the tennis club and played tennis until late in the evening.  Hitting the ball with him reminded me of days gone by; a time when we used to get together regularly and hit the ball.

On Friday I went to work as usual, but immediately after work Ted and I met up and hit the ball some more.

We played tennis on Saturday and today too, but in addition to playing tennis, I think one of the  highlights of the weekend was going for a walk with him early afternoon.  We went from my place down to Saskatchewan Crescent and then headed towards the Broadway St. bridge, before turning south, stopping at one of my favourite coffee places in the city, Museo.  The picture below was taken there.

This morning we also went to church together, St. Mary's.

I'm extremely grateful for Ted.  I feel privileged.  While here, we spent a lot of time together, but in addition to all the activities - tennis, going for walks, meals - we also had some meaningful conversations.  He's trying to sell his house.  He travels all over western Canada and the US for work.  His kids are growing up.  My work as a Spiritual Care provider.  My house.  To finish my basement suite or not.  Culture(s).  Faith.  Parents.  Marriage.  These are all themes we touched on, to greater and lesser extents.

Lord God, bless Ted and his family, according to your mercy and lovingkindness.  Amen.

Ted In Saskatoon?

I was texting back and forth with Ted earlier today and it seems that he's intent on visiting me here next week.

I'm feeling blessed...

47

Today I turned 47.  Happy birthday.  My coworkers made me feel very special by "decorating" my office.  I think I'm in the enviable position of being recognized by many staff members on this special day.  I mean enviable in the sense that people seem to go out of their way to wish me a happy birthday.  Somehow it seems that everyone knows when my birthday is.  I compare this with the many wonderful people who's birthday comes and goes without anyone making mention if it.

I need to be more conscientious of other people's special days...

I know that I'm a year older, and I don't like that, but somehow, every time someone comes up to me and says "Happy Birthday!", my heart is warmed.

Tomorrow Eric and I are going to Saboroso to eat some serious rodizio.

Dance Me To The End Of Love (Leonard Cohen)

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic till I'm gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Oh, let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone
Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon
Show me slowly what I only know the limits of
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the wedding now, dance me on and on
Dance me very tenderly and dance me very long
We're both of us beneath our love, we're both of us above
Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the children who are asking to be born
Dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn
Raise a tent of shelter now, though every thread is torn
Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic till I'm gathered safely in
Touch me with your naked hand or touch me with your glove
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

-----

Leonard Cohen

Dance me to the End of Love lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Last Hike Before Winter?

Today we conquered Blackstrap, covering about 12 kms.

A good group turned out, 13 in total.  The weather was cold and overcast so many of us kept our jackets and toques on the whole day, but that didn't dampen the warmth of conversation and laughter; a good group of people.

This may be our last hike before the real cold arrives.

Leonard

I'm devastated.

I've been searching for years for a musician whose music I can sink my music into.  Finally, earlier this year, I found him.  But today he died.

Composer of such gems as Hallelujah, Dance Me to the End of Love, and Take this Waltz, Leonard Cohen has - had - it all: the voice, the guitar, the mind, the intellect, the emotions, the sense of humour.  He had this brilliant ability to embrace the tensions of opposites in life: hope and despair, joy and sorrow, optimism and cynicism.  He could be both extremes at the same time.

His music was beyond categorization: pop, rock, soul, gospel, even country.  Of the typical categories, folk would probably describe him best, at least for me.

I heard someone describe his genre as "Truth".  Someone else categorized him as "Good".

Poet-singer?

Cohenesque?

Singer-songwriter?

Apparently when he was asked how to categorize his music, he replied with "Deeply agreeable to the heart."  That suffices, I think.

I will be listening for his music for the rest of my life I'm sure.  He was such a prolific writer, it will take me a good 2 years to even familiarize myself with his music, much less begin to understand and integrate it.

Lord have mercy on his soul.

What To Say

Earlier this year I was asked to speak on the topic of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID, aka Physician Assisted Suicide) at a church.  I did my best to prepare for the occasion, and actually, I over prepared - pages and pages of notes, quotes of important people, theories of personhood, stories of personal experience, and so on - only to change my mind completely on the way to the church and just speaking off-the-cuff.

Afterwards, a bunch of people came up to me and told me I did a great job.  One woman even asked if I could come and speak at a conference she and her group are organizing.  I took that day, and particularly the dropping of the script, as divine intervention.  God gave me the right words to use for the occasion.

Last month I got a call from a gentleman in charge of training deacons in the Regina diocese, and he asked if I would come and talk to his group about not only MAID but giving Spiritual Care to the elderly in general.  I hesitated but agreed.

Yesterday was "that day", the day I drove down to Regina and gave the presentation.  And unlike last time, this time I received no divine inspiration in the car.  It was a 3 hour session, and while overall I think things went well, I keep coming to the same conclusions: I'm not a good public speaker.

I don't know how to prioritize themes during preparation.  I don't know how to estimate the time it takes to cover a topic.  I'm terrified of blank looks, "dead air", irrelevant musings, hobby horses, and a dozen other issues that play with my mind before, during, and after giving a talk.  Like earlier this year, people came up to me afterwards and said "Great job".  But I'm never convinced they mean it.  I keep thinking they're just being polite.

I spend the night in Regina, and today had the opportunity to walk around Wascana Lake and park myself at a coffee shop to do some writing.  It was a beautiful day.

The Worst Day Of The Year

Halloween is by far the worst day of the year for me.

Not only are the Fall days getting shorter, the weather colder, and the grass and trees around us deader, it seems like the spiritual shadows and darkness are stronger too.

Neighbourhood displays and children's costumes are getting increasingly cynical and sinister.

Deep spiritual truths - the spirit world, the demonic, death and hell - are made light of and, even celebrated.  Halloween is the epitome of spiritual darkness.

Whenever I go to Mexico I feel uncomfortable with the painted faces and skulls that are so popular in their expression of the Catholic faith, but in that context it's not a denial of the spiritual realm, but a confirmation thereof.  All Saints Day - tomorrow - is after all, a day when we celebrate the lives of the saints that have gone before us.

Here, where I live in this cesspool that is secularism, Halloween is at best complete ignorance about the spiritual world, and at worst a glorification of the demonic.

Final Vows

I spent the weekend at the monastery in Muenster, where I enjoyed the usual hospitality and community I've come to appreciate.  Actually, I made my final vows as a Benedictine Oblate there today.  See here for my initial vows.

It was a meaningful day.  Particularly because in this day and age where we often times look and yearn for community and yet seem unable to find it, I feel blessed that this humble group of monks and oblates welcome me a few times a year, offering a space to stay and reflect, a few meals, the Mass, and opportunities to learn and share valuable life lessons.

As always, we had an educational session on the final day of our gathering, and today I had the opportunity to share my experience of walking the Camino de Santiago in 2012.  It's an experience I will always remember, and certainly love taking about.  

Essentially, I made the following points:

The concept of pilgrimage is common to all people.  We are all on a spiritual journey, and as Christians we believe our spiritual journey is towards God.  As St. Augustine said: "Our hearts are restless until they find you, Lord."

Pilgrimages are a good place for prayer.  In my case, I prayed the Jesus Prayer throughout my journey: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner."  During the walk, I prayed not only for myself but for friends and family.

Pilgrimages are a good time for discernment.  I was discerning primarily about 2 matters: vocation (work, career), and relationships.  As a result of my discernment process during I moved to Saskatchewan. 

Community is an important aim of the Camino.  Like Spiritual Care practitioners, pilgrims on the road became intimate strangers easily, sharing their struggles and burdens with each other.  The bonds of fraternity seemed more visible, even tangible.

Pilgrimages are opportunities to practise simplicity of living.  Jesus speaks often of "traveling light", as we cannot take our earthly possessions with us when our time on earth is complete.  Walking long distances brings this point home, as the greater the weight we carry, the greater the physical demand and burden.

Tennis Membership

I took the plunge today and bought a basic tennis membership at a local indoor tennis centre.

It cost $250, and thankfully, I have benefits at work that will cover this expense.

The summer season is over now and the indoor season has begun in full force.  At the tennis centre we play doubles every Monday night.  I'm getting to know a few players and could see myself finding a hitting partner or two over the next few months so that I can begin improving on my game by practising regularly.  My forehand and backhand are in horrible shape.

Funny, every time I grab the racket and start playing I think about my days at the "bubble" in Abbotsford, and hitting the ball against "Murph", "Klassen", and of course, my brother Ted.  These memories are overwhelmingly positive, which is perhaps why I'm keen to get back into the game.

An Evening Of Paint

I went painting with some coworkers tonight.  It was at a local pub where you can sign up and drop in for an evening of painting.  Christine, Jayci, and Carla came along, and together we spent 2.5 hours painting and drinking a few glasse of wine.

This Time To Chief Whitecap

Just over a week ago we trekked through 15cms of snow for 17 kms at Douglas Provincial Park.

Today we endured cold temps, rain, and a blistering wind while hiking from Diefenbaker to Chief Whitecap Park.  Here are a few pics taken during the hike.

We covered about 12 kms.

Afterwards we went to the Berry Barn and had a hearty brunch.

Hiking In The Snow

Since arriving in Saskatchewan 3.5 years ago I've heard people gently warn me that snow could come pretty much anytime of the year, even in the summer, and certainly in shoulder months like May and October.  I guess they were right...

As Marco said to me upon seeing the snow 2 days ago: "Wow.  Snow in October.  That leaves no room at all for interpretation.  Winter is here."

We covered around 17kms.  Except for a couple areas where we weren't protected by the trees and the wind cut through, we were able to stay warm.  Unfortunately the signage on the trail wasn't always good, so we ended up taking an unnecessary detour that cost us an extra 3kms.  I didn't mind, really, but it was a bit stressful for one of the other hikers.

As I hope the pictures show, the scenery is subtly beautiful.  The white snow, contrasted by the  grey clouds, lake, and bare trees. 

Bought My Tickets!!!

I know, it's early, but I did it anyways.  I bought my tickets to ... Mexico!

Feb. 17 - Mar. 6.

Over

I broke up with Daniela.  After doing so a heavy piano was lifted off my shoulders.

A number of factors contributed to this new failure in my relational record.

Maturity - I'm not sure if it was hers or mine.

Distance - geographical and emotional.

Outlook - on life, on the nature of God, on the world.

Attraction - something was missing.

I don't know what my problem is.  Or maybe I don't have a problem.

Final Harvest

This is it.  I harvested the last few vegetables still out in my garden.

Evenings are getting quite chilly, so unfortunately it was time.

This time of the year is always hard for me, especially now that the harvest is complete and my garden is empty, desolate again.  Six months of emptiness...

I left St. Francis out there though, to protect the garden.

I also began composting earlier this summer, so hopefully this means that come springtime, there'll be some nutrients that I can put back into the soil that has been so fruitful for me.

Thank you Lord for making things grow.  Thank you for the harvest.  Amen.

Marco's Tomato Sauce

It's harvest time, and a few days ago I watched my great housemate and gourmet cook Marco prepare a delicious tomato sauce.  With his permission, I took copious notes, and here is the result.  

This recipe is golden - tried and proven.

Yields: 5 jars of 250 ml

Ingredients:

* 3 pounds of tomatoes, evenly divided between grape, cherry, and “big juicy” tomatoes (tomatoes do not need to be peeled; grape and cherry tomatoes do not need to be cut into small pieces; larger tomatoes should be cut into 1-2 cm cubes approximately)

* 4 cloves garlic (cut to “minced” size)

* 1 large onion (cut to small squares)

* 1 large green pepper (cut to small squares)

* 2 carrots (cut to small squares)

* 4 teaspoons of olive oil

* a pinch of salt (1/4 teaspoon maximum)

* a pinch of sugar (1/4 teaspoon maximum)

* a pinch of baking soda (1/4 teaspoon maximum)

* optional: 1/4 cup white wine if sauce has no meat or with chicken; if the sauce has any other meat, use red wine

* optional: 1 fresh “habanero” or “chilli” pepper for more spicy flavour

Directions:

* heat olive oil in a large frying pan

* add garlic, onion, and carrots, turn stove to medium-high (level 6), stir occasionally for 3 minutes

* (optional: add “habanero” or “chilli” pepper after 1.5 minutes)

* add a pinch of salt, turn to low-medium (3), and stir for 10 minutes

* add green pepper, a pinch of sugar, turn stove to medium-high (7), stir occasionally for 3-5 minutes

* reduce heat to low-medium (3), cover frying pan with lid for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally

* (optional: add wine)

* add tomatoes, turn up heat to medium-high (7), and stir occasionally for 3 minutes

* lower heat to low-medium (3), cover, and stir occasionally for 10-15 minutes; try to “squeeze” or “squish” small tomatoes into the sauce

* turn up heat to medium (5), keep squeezing and squishing small tomatoes for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally

* taste sauce: if bitter/sour, add a pinch of baking soda and sugar to take away bitterness

* add salt and pepper to taste

* put sauce into glass jars and place in large pot of boiling water for 30 minutes

* take jars out of boiling water and place upside down on the counter (on a towel), and let jars dry; lids will “pop” into place as jars cool

Biking For Ears

Today Father Joe and I biked from Saskatoon to Chief Whitecap and back, a total of 50kms.

The purpose of our ride was to raise money and purchase assistive hearing devices for our residents.

Over the past few weeks I did some training runs, riding my bike to and from work, to  Wanuskewin, and a couple of rides to Beaver Creek and back.  Good thing I did, because the ride today was challenging.  The way back was particularly tough, with a blistering prairie wind sweeping across the 219.

Just before my arrival back at Queen's House where the ride began, it started to rain slightly.  But the thought of a burger feast waiting for me at the finish line motived me to push ahead right to the end.

So far we've raised about $1000.  We'll need another $500 or so to get the devices we need.

Hiking Danielson

Covered 16kms today.

Fall is on the way.

Moose Jaw Reunion

I drove to Moose Jaw today, to meet up with some of my ex coworkers there.  It's hard to believe that it's been almost 2.5 years since I moved away from there.  And what happiness that has brought!

The Emperor is still ruling the hen house he's created there.  It's incredible, really, how much damage one person can make.  And what's maybe even more incredible is that he's being allowed to continue his exercise in tyranny.

I feel for my coworkers.  They spent much more time there, invested much more energy in the place than I did, and now have to endure the rule of a nasty man who doesn't have the wellbeing of the organization in mind, much less the people that are part of it and help build it.  But alas, that's the past.  Well, it's my past.

While we did talk about some of the painful things going on there, we spent most of our time together reminiscing about the good times we shared together while I was there - and there were many.  Funny enough, many of the memories revolve around food!  The cafeteria, the Burger Shack, Rock Creek, Houstons, even the chinese restaurant on 4th Ave.

After eating dinner together I made my way to my favourite place in the city, Crescent Park, and went for a walk.  Overall, I'm grateful for my time in this lovely city.  I miss it.  It's quaint, quiet, out of the limelight and hidden from the world.  My idyllic view of peaceful small towns remains in tact.

Hiking Buffalo Pound

I love hiking!

Today a group of us went to Buffalo Pound and hiked +/-14kms.  What a gorgeous place to explore God's creation.

We met at 8:30am, and drove down in a caravan of 3 cars.  Once there we got on our gear and headed straight out on the trails.  Mosquitoes.   But we managed.  In the sun or wind they were not so noticeable.

After about 10 kms we took our lunch, by this time it was around 1:30pm.

We had a lot of fun - the conversation was great.  Lots of laughter.  One of the girls, Rachel, never met her before, had a great sense of humour and a gorgeously infectious laugh.

I'd like to come back a month from now and see the fall colours decorating the trees.