Another in our “Life in my Little Town series” I was lost, and no one was able to help me. I asked several bystanders where the TAFA booth was located, but no one knew—I received only puzzled looks and pity—people had other priorities. We were surrounded by perhaps 100 beautifully restored cars. While a few... Continue Reading →
On a recent visit to Victoria we stayed in a lovely historic three-bedroom house on Selkirk Street in the Gorge district of Victoria West. This charming neighbourhood has much in common with areas of the city such as Fairfield and Fernwood, areas we know well having stayed there over the years. Vic West is however... Continue Reading →
Eddie Cross has a long and distinguished career as an administrator, economist, politician, writer, and more recently a blogger in Zimbabwe. Introduced to me online by my friend, Chris Rose--a personal acquaintance of Mr. Cross—I find his social, economic, and political analysis not just historically interesting, but also instructive for our own experience here in... Continue Reading →
Good friends, Greetings from the fire-ravaged BC interior, and the unceded land of the original people of the Okanagan, the Syilx. Some of you are part of the Johnson book project (now at the publisher copy-editing stage!); others are local St. Stephen’s Summerland leaders. Some are members of the Social and Ecological Justice working group... Continue Reading →
"How to Pray While the World Burns" -- by Hila Ratzabi Go outside.Find a patch of grass, sand, dirt.Sit, kneel, place a hand or justA finger to the soft earth.Feel it pulse back. Open your palms and divineThe words creased between.Rub the specks of dirtBetween your fingers,See how they cling to skin,How they listen in... Continue Reading →
A re-post from Anne Lamott. She is the New York Times bestselling author of Help, Thanks, Wow; Small Victories; Stitches; Some Assembly Required; Grace (Eventually); Plan B; Traveling Mercies; Bird by Bird; Operating Instructions, and the forthcoming Hallelujah Anyway. Her blog was posted Sunday, August 20, 2023. “The harvest is past, The summer is ended,... Continue Reading →
The most recent news from Monday night, August 21 is encouraging. In a few words the centre remains evacuated and is not out of danger. That said however, while the fire perimeter has come to within a half kilometre of the farm, that line is being held. There has been some rain and more is... Continue Reading →
UPDATE: In a nutshell, photographs taken from the lakeside confirm that ninety percent of the camp infrastructure is destroyed. Camp was successfully and safely evacuated Thursday afternoon and there were no injuries sustained. A pastoral letter from Archbishop Lynne can be read here. Heard on CBC Radio Tuesday afternoon, Camp director, Ian Dixon said that... Continue Reading →
A guest blog from Michael Shapcott Located in Sorrento, BC the Sorrento Centre is on the traditional and unceded lands of the Secwépemc First Nation. Since time immemorial, the Secwepemc people have practised virtues of harmony and generosity. We are so grateful to be welcomed as their uninvited guests. Thanks to Executive Director, Michael Shapcott... Continue Reading →
The ladder caught me by surprise as the offertory music played—a bit longer than usual. Standing beside the altar I had an unique view of the lush green colours and various shapes which make up the fibre art installation, but it was the stark black ladder that drew me into the orchard scene, and the... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 