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.

More Tennis

A month ago I wrote about my re-encounter with tennis in Penticton.

Since returning back to Saskatoon, I've done a bit of research on the tennis scene, and there are definitely some good possibilities of getting reengaged with the sport here.

The tennis world revolves around 2 places in town: Riverside, and Lakewood.  Riverside has 9 outdoor courts, whereas Lakewood has 6 indoor courts.  The problem is that in order to take advantage of all they offer, you have to get memberships in both, $250 a piece.  I'm not inclined to pay that much right now.  Maybe in the winter I'll feel different.

For now, though, I've joined a Monday night doubles league at Riverside.  We play from 7:30-10, co-ed, and I have to say that even though I prefer singles, playing doubles is helping me on a number of fronts, particularly fitness, positioning, and reading the play.  

I also enrolled in tennis lessons.  For the next 2 weeks I will be taking lessons twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday nights.  At $25 a pop, it seems a reasonable way for me to get back into it.  Tonight's my first lesson.

Potato Yield

I harvested a good half of my potatoes today.

I counted 22 potatoes.  Some of them XL - twice the size of a normal potato.  Potato plants are incredibly prolific: I planted 4 potato plants, and will yield in excess of 40 potatoes in 4 short months.

Ruth And Marty In Saskatoon

A month ago I wrote about the blessing of having a good friend in my life.

This month I'd like to write about two more friends who are very special to me, Ruth and Marty.  For the past week they have been visiting me here in Saskatoon - what a treat to have them here!

We've done a ton of stuff together over the last few days: cooking, going for walks, bbqs, lots of board games (!), watching tennis, a road trip to Regina, visiting a winery south of the city, and checking out various food joints.

The roots of our friendship go back a good 8 years.  Initially we played lots of soccer together - that's how we met.  After scrimmages we'd go out to the pub, and I noticed that I always had good conversations with both of them.  I appreciate their ability and interest in discussing not just ordinary topics of everyday life, but deeper topics too involving honest reflections relating to worldviews, geopolitics, faith, and the sciences.

I don't agree with them on everything, in fact, our points of view diverge on many fronts, but I find them both extremely open, gracious and engaging, three qualities that are must-haves in order for mutual learning and understanding to take place.  They are excellent conversation partners, and I always walk away enriched after one of our discussions.

Our friendship extends well beyond Canadian borders too, as I have the opportunity to visit them during the winter when they live in Mexico, and I'm in need of some hot weather.  Five of the last seven winters I have visited Mexico, and every time I've been there, they've been amazing hosts, offering me a place to lay my head, wonderful tours of Mexico City, and amazing meals.  Without fail, they've always offered superb hospitality.

One of our annual highlights the past few years has been attending the Abierto Mexicano de Tenis, held in Acapulco each year.  Our mutual interest in tennis has fostered further strengthening of friendship bonds, as we all love discussing the latest tennis news or gossip.

Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures during their visit here this past week.  This may be something I regret in the future, as I think having people coming to visit me here from other places is always a milestone of sorts that ought to be remembered in pictures.

Lord, thank you for blessing me with friends the likes of Ruth and Marty.  Please pour your blessings upon them both, protecting them, leading and guiding them towards your loving embrace.  I pray this through Christ my Lord.  Amen.

Gardening - An Update

So we're over halfway of this year's gardening season. In fact, I got my first mini-harvests already, of beans and carrots, primarily, although I did harvest a few potatoes and zucchini too.

Here's a lovely picture of my Asian lilly in full bloom.

I'm perhaps most proud of my basil!  Marco and I've tried it a number of times already on our pasta concoctions.

Daniela's Birthday

Today Daniela turns 34.

I sent her Greek coffee, along with a briki, a traditional Greek coffee pot used to make coffee on a stove top.

I think this is a good present.  During our time together first in Sudbury, then here in Saskatoon, I noticed that she gravitates towards eastern European and mediterranean culture in a number of ways, from manners of thinking and expressing herself, to food, drink, and clothing.

God of heaven and earth, I pray that you would accompany Daniela always, that you would encourage her and give her joy.  I pray these things through Christ my Lord, Amen.

Cochin

Yesterday on our way back from Meadow Lake we stopped in Cochin, a little town nestled between two lakes and at the bottom of a hill.  At the top of the hill was a lighthouse - of all things, in Saskatchewan! - with steps leading up to it from the parking lot below.

So we stopped, climbed up the 140-or-so steps and enjoyed the view from on top.  

We all look happy - I like both pics.