The Depth of "One Flesh"

After returning from church this morning I began reading "A Severe Mercy" by Sheldon Vanauken. The first 2 chapters brought me to tears. The literary display of this couples building of their love is some remarkable. Their love was made complete and full by a dying to self and a becoming more like the other that both of them under took and were very focused on during their short time together. It is a story of profound and true marriage love lived out by a couple who interestingly enough was initially set firmly against Christianity. I recommend it to anyone especially those married or engaged, or just those craving such a profound connection with another person (like me).

The light at the end of the tunnel

I'm going, or coming (depending on who and where you are), home today. Actually that is not entirely true. I am leaving this evening and have to overnight in Van. Lots of time for knitting and reading.

I believe that I am nearing the end of my time in Rupert. I'm not running away from anything (just to get that clear). I have had lots of time to read and reflect and contemplate where I am and where I want to go with my life. Now that I have done that re-evaluation and
learned a lot ad read a lot. I am ready to go back home and define my community and become rooted for the long term.... aka COMMITMENT (the continuously unpopular idea of our modern age).

More Must Read Book by Wendell Berry

Just to add to the list of absolutely amazing books by the very talented Wendell Berry. Here are some more you can read if you can't find "Sex, Economy, Freedom, and Community" or if you just really liked that one and are looking for more.

"Another turn of the crank is all about forestry and agriculture and people's right and wrong relationships to the land.... I know someone who that might apply to in a very practical sense!

Promised and Long Overdue

Ok, here goes:The Machine we flew down: a Bell 206L Long Ranger.

Full body shot....

Waiting for the pilot in Prince Rupert (while the weather was still good).

Featuring the full surround visibility. Despite popular opinion smaller aircraft especially helicopters are not particularly water proof and water leaks in when you are flying through heavy rain, hence the drain hole at my feet... to avoid a puddle.

In bad weather east of Port Hardy.

One of the Atlantic Salmon fish farms in a small bay.

This fish farm is especially full. We could see the fish jumping from the helicopter. If you look at the picture in a larger view you will see small white spots in the squares which are the splashes from the very active salmon.

Approaching Vancouver.

Thats it! Unfortunately the weather was not exactly conducive to picture taking.

The Lot of Land Stewardship

Another must read book if you care at all about the lot of the remaining natural spaces on earth. To peak your interest

"If in order to protect our forest land we designate it a commons or commonwealth separate from private ownership (side note by Marta: this is the current model that we have in BC), then who will care for it? The absentee timber companies who see no reason to care about local consequences? The same government agencies and agents who are failing at present to take good care of our public forests? It is credible that people inadequately skilled and inadequately motivated to care well for the land can be made to care well for it by public insistence that they do so? The answer is obvious: you cannot get good care in the use of land by demanding it from public officials. That you have the legal right to demand it does not at all improve the case.... Our present idea of conservation and of public stewardship are not enough. Duty is not enough. Sentiment is not enough. No mere law, divine or human, could conceivably be enough to protect the land while we are using it."

- Taken from an "Private Property and the Common Wealth" an essay by Wendell Berry from the collection "Another Turn of the Crank"

Please note: I am not intending for this to become a book review blog... I wanted to share this because Wendell Berry is much more articulate than I am.

Careers are Overrated

Think about it. Unless you love what you do and are seriously passionate about it. Do you really want to sell your life to some company for $20/hour, and a one night retirement party after which they all promptly forget about you and you are replaced in 3 weeks time.

Most people work the standard 5 days a week during daylight hours, that is 71% of your days for your whole of your working life (which also often are the years of the most abundant health, raising a family and self discovery and development.

I for one think that is stupid. (Please don't miss understand, that doesn't mean that I just want to sit on my butt all day doing nothing). I want to live, live a full life and find ways to provide for myself doing meaning things that I care about. I want my life and my work to become one, not because I am forced to work evenings and weekends, but because my work is my existence within and experience of my community.

A Night at Logging Camp

The North Coast Forest.









Well I had an awesome sleep last night after spending 2 hard bush days and one night in logging camp. My body is bruised and aching. The bush hiking is a definite workout. Slopes are 100% and covered in mossy and slimy logs.

You can kind of get an idea of what the hillside is like from this picture. You are usually hanging onto branches, roots, or saplings to pull yourself up. It is basically full body hiking. I had a few instances yesterday where I reached out to grab a branch to stable me only to discover that is was actually a leafless stock of devils club. It is beautiful hiking and the forest is full of birds.

Yesterday I even saw a humming bird stick his head out around the side of a tree to see what we were up to and then scoot off.

At the end of the day the helicopter picked us us from the top of the ridge. The view up there was incredible!