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Today I went to my favourite place in Vancouver: Al Watan!

They've done some renos inside, and while they're nice, I kinda miss the sky-blue of previous days.

But the soul of the place - Khalid - is still there.  He's a good man, and I feel privileged to know him and visit him a few times a year.

Idleness And The Soul

St. Benedict of Nursia said that "Idleness is the enemy of the soul."

The reason idleness is the enemy of the soul is that without work or activity that engages the spirit, mind and body in a meaningful way, we become lazy and allow ourselves to fall prey to various vices.

I notice this to be the case in a few areas in my life.  For example, if I have more than a week off work I start to get itchy and antsy, looking for something to do.  And often times, instead of using this time to do something productive like staining a fence or touch-up paint the wall or put on that second coat of paint on the coffee table, I end up lying on the couch, lazying around, bored out of my mind.

Another example is in the winter time when I'm not as active as in the summer; same thing, unless I have a disciplined, directed activity, such as reading a chapter of a book or the Bible, or instead of praying,  I end up sleeping the afternoon away.

Spiritually speaking, idleness leads my mind into a destructive frame.  I start thinking negatively about just about everything: life, relationships, work, you name it.  Life loses meaning, hours bleed into days, and days into weeks of numbing no-sense existence.

St. Benedict's solution, as I've already alluded to, is to "be employed in manual labour at certain times, at others, in devout readings."

Winter's coming, and along with that, usually a certain kind of apathy and idleness.  Shorter days.  Darkness.  Cold weather.  Discomfort.

Hybernation has its pluses, like sleeping in on weekends, or watching a film on the couch, but if inattentive to the needs of the soul, winter can be weeks and weeks of paralyzing idleness.

How will I keep disciplined this winter?

Nicolle Flats Hike

Buffalo Pound and Nicolle Flats are a great place for hiking.

There are usually a lot of mosquitoes, but today there was a breeze that took care of that.  Actually, it was too windy; in places it was so windy that I couldn't hear what my hiking friends were saying.  Still, below are some pictures which show why this is such a special place.

Floor And Paint

I'm almost done with my guest suite downstairs.  Maybe 15% remains.  But what remains is significant, because I'm the one doing it: painting.

Last week the flooring was put in.  The picture below shows what it looks like.

The next picture shows the painting that's been completed.  Well, two coats.  One more to come.  I think it looks nice, the contrast between the flooring, the door (and frame), and the wall.

Now I will take a break and go to BC to visit family for 10 days.  Upon my return in September, finishing touches, and then rental.

Drywall, Cabinets, Countertops

So the downstairs suite is really starting to take shape.  Hard work, and lots of decision-making.

Financially I'm under budget - thanks Wade!

Next: flooring and painting.

 

Plumbing, Electrical, Insulation...

...are now all installed in my basement space.  Wade is excellent at keeping things on track.

Next up ... drywalling.

Cypress Hills

This is the 4th time in 5 years that I've gone hiking and camping at Cypress Hills.

Twice in 2013.

Once in in 2016.

And this year.

There's a reason I keep going back: the hiking.

I'm not a huge camper, and I only camp in the trip because it takes so long just to get there, but I have to say, every time I've camped here I've enjoyed it.

The weather was hot, smoking hot.  In Saturday's group hike I underestimated the effect the hot weather would have on our hikers.  We ran out of water.  People got cranky.

I also underestimated how larger groups impact group dynamics.  Faster hikers had no qualms leaving the rest of the group behind; and those in the back made little effort to keep up with the front walkers.  It was frustrating for me as the organizer.  It proves what I've been preaching, namely, that a group larger than 12 compromises the hike from a number of viewpoints, from group cohesion to skill level to route options, to name only 3.

I'm only including a few pictures of the 100+ I took.  My favourite is the last one, I took it around 10pm, when the last few traces of the sun were disappearing behind the tall forest trees.

Construction: Day 1

Before:

After:

It's unbelievable what one person - ONE PERSON - can accomplish in a day.  The framer framed my entire basement in 8 hours.  He has to come back tomorrow to finish a few things but essentially he completed the job.

Waiting For The Miracle (Leonard Cohen)

Baby, I've been waiting

I've been waiting night and day

I didn't see the time

I waited half my life away

There were lots of invitations

And I know you sent me some

But I was waiting

For the miracle, for the miracle to come

I know you really loved me

But, you see, my hands were tied

I know it must have hurt you

It must have hurt your pride

To have to stand beneath my window

With your bugle and your drum

And me I'm up there waiting

For the miracle, for the miracle to come

Ah I don't believe you'd like it

You wouldn't like it here

There ain't no entertainment

And the judgments are severe

The Maestro says it's Mozart

But it sounds like bubble gum

When you're waiting

For the miracle, for the miracle to come

Waiting for the miracle

There's nothing left to do

I haven't been this happy

Since the end of World War II

Nothing left to do

When you know that you've been taken

Nothing left to do

When you're begging for a crumb

Nothing left to do

When you've got to go on waiting
Waiting for the miracle to come

I dreamed about you, baby

It was just the other night

Most of you was naked

Ah but some of you was light

The sands of time were falling

From your fingers and your thumb

And you were waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come

Ah baby, let's get married

We've been alone too long

Let's be alone together

Let's see if we're that strong

yeah let's do something crazy

Something absolutely wrong

While we're waiting
For the miracle, for the miracle to come

Nothing left to do

When you know that you've been taken

Nothing left to do

When you're begging for a crumb

Nothing left to do

When you've got to go on waiting
Waiting for the miracle to come

When you've fallen on the highway

And you're lying in the rain

And they ask you how you're doing

Of course you'll say you can't complain --

If you're squeezed for information

That's when you've got to play it dumb:

You just say you're out there waiting

For the miracle, for the miracle to come

{Outro}

-----
Leonard Cohen
Waiting for the Miracle lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Blue Mountain

It was a rainy (miserable) day today but that didn't deter 6 of us from heading to Blue Mountain for a day of hiking.  The setting was hilly and miserably wet.  It (almost) reminded me of Vancouver weather.

Marco's Lentil Bolognese

In a large pot, heat oil or water over low-medium heat.  Add finely chopped:
* onions
* carrots
* celery
for 5-10 minutes, until onions are translucent

Add lentils, fry for 30-60 seconds

Add 1/2 glass of red wine (optional).  Turn heat to high until wine is evaporated

Add Passata (tomato sauce).  Optional: for richer taste, add half a cube of vegetable broth

Turn heat back down to low-medium, and cook for 20 minutes or until lentils are soft.  If sauce thickens, add water.

Serve with linguine.  Sprinkle with grana padano cheese and basil.

Serve with red wine. 

Marco Moves On

Just about a month ago Marco decided to move out.

He found a good deal on a house for rent, and since his wife Jana is arriving here in a few months' time, he felt it best to take advantage of the opportunity.

Actually, the house he'll be moving into is basically across the street.  We'll be neighbours now.

I'm at peace about his departure.  I'm ready for some solitude.  I yearn for it.  Particularly in the morning, before going to work, I'm ready to focus my energies on reading (devotions), prayer, and practising the guitar.  Of course, all of this, over a cup of coffee.

The time is right to begin finishing my basement now too.  I've found the right person to take charge of this project.  The aim is to complete the project by the end of August.  I'm also toying with the idea of renting the extra bedroom upstairs on airbnb from time to time.

The Hope Within

Today was a busy day, as we had the semi-annual memorial service at St. Ann's.

But afterwards, an interesting conversation came up at my coworker Carla's place.  A few of us were sitting around the table, and out of nowhere the unthinkable conversation about religion erupted: "Is there a God"?, we mused.  For the first time in a few years' a genuine conversation about such matters came up, and I have to say I found it so rich, interesting, and refreshing.

At the table were an Adventist, an ex-Mormom, a "progressive" (ex-United Church), an atheist (ex-Catholic), and me, a recent convert to the Catholic Church.  And each of us came at the question with our own experience and belief.

Not everyone appreciated the conversation, though.  Things got personal.  Feelings are hurt so easily.  Convictions are tested, as is patience and the ability to not take criticism personally.  It's so hard though, when one's deepest beliefs are challenged.  It's a hit to the very core.

I need more conversations like these.  And I need to practise expressing "the reason I have this hope within" (I. Peter 3:15) more.  With grace.  And understanding.

Hiking Elk Trail

One of the things that has given me great joy over the past year has been the regular hikes I've been able to plan with a local hiking group.

The people I meet along the way, the conversations, the traveling (getting there and back), the fresh air of God's beautiful creation, and the physical rigour of a good hike all add to the overall sense of fulfilment I get from these experiences.

Today a group of us went to PANP and hiked 28+ kms.  Before we began I suggested we do 20-22 kms, and the group gave me a resounding "No."  They felt that 15, maybe 20, max.  When we reached the 9 km mark and I suggested we turn around to make sure we keep the hike under 20, everyone was so energized that they insisted we continued.  So onward and forward we went.

Until the 14km mark.  That's when people said "Uhmmm....maybe we better turn around."

On the way back we caught just the outer edge of a small thunderstorm.  The contrast between the various shades of blue above us throughout the day was splendid - light blue and joyful in the morning when it was sunny, dark blue and ominous late afternoon when the rains came.  There were also lots of greys and browns still in the trees and the shrubs around us - winter has just finished,  spring has not completely arrived yet.

We live in a very beautiful place.  Below a few pictures other hikers took.

Thank you Lord for a wonderful day of hiking.  Thank you for the glory of your creation.

Summer Project

I met with Wade today, to discuss finishing my basement.  It's going to cost me about $30K, plus a 20% commission fee for him.  He's going to find all the contractors to do the work, and oversee everything to make sure it's done right, on time, and under budget.

We will save some money by doing some of the painting ourselves.

I can't build a full kitchen because of silly city bylaws.

I hope that once Jana arrives, Marco and Jana will move down.  Then I'll have the upstairs to myself.

Downtown In April

I've attending a conference downtown for the past few days, and while there I took the opportunity to take a few pictures.  Hard to believe this is April.  Please, summer, please, reveal yourself to us.  We're waiting!!!

Back To Basics

Away with annual fees and privileges, and back to free services.

Tennis: Aches And Pains

I played with Fred tonight, and since next week is Easter, I'm taking a break for a few weeks to let my body rest and recover from a busy winter of tennis.

I'm very glad I've taken up this game again, but my goodness, I'm feeling old and tired lately.  I ache every morning after I play, and it takes me almost a week to recover from a hitting session.

A few weeks ago I felt a tweak on my left knee after serving in a doubles match.  I continued playing,  but I felt it in the days afterwards, and now, every time I go out on the court I'm hesitant, afraid of doing in my ligaments again.

Taxes And Magic

I made my annual pilgrimage to Moose Jaw this weekend, to have my taxes done.  I'm getting a return.  Not quite the amount I got the previous 3 years, but a return is a return.

While in Moose Jaw, I met up with Andra.  We've been in touch for a few months now.  Mennonite background, converted to the Orthodox Church.  Kind, gentle, a woman of great, even heroic Christian character, but there was no magic for me.

Photogenic

For once a picture that turned out good on first attempt:

Spring Is (Almost) In The Air

I made my quarterly trip to the monastery again this past weekend.  The days are getting longer, the sun warmer, and the wind less biting.

Walking to the refectory on one of the mornings, the smell of fresh bread.

 I also took the opportunity to go for a few walks around the monastery.

I'm Loved

This was the "Welcome back" that awaited me this morning when I arrived at the office.

My smile says it all: it's a genuine "I feel loved" smile.

Jackie and Katie were behind it, as well as a few others.

I'm grateful and feel tremendously blessed.