tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61965772011-07-07T13:43:32.422-07:00We can make a difference, one goat at a time...Lisanoreply@blogger.comBlogger2001100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-48007868895866700222007-06-16T22:31:00.000-07:002007-06-16T23:07:13.790-07:00

I have sometimes been asked and sometimes asked myself the question "what would you take if you had to leave your house suddenly because of a fire?. Yes my passport, yes my laptop - things that would make it easy to start again.But the one thing I would definitely take is my recipe book.You see, my life is contained in the small photograph album stuffed to overflowing with paper.My mom made me

Lisanoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-5061913598959280092007-06-16T13:36:00.001-07:002007-06-16T13:36:54.283-07:00

I want to beg you as much as you can, to be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-33825279785560588492007-06-11T10:57:00.001-07:002007-06-11T10:57:46.216-07:00

To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich, to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart, to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never, in a word to let the spiritual, unbidden and

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-11119343299700860992007-05-26T15:24:00.000-07:002007-05-26T15:28:05.956-07:00

A quick blog update from Scotland. Susan and I went to St. Andrew's today to look around. Here's me peeking 'round the pier at St. Andrew's harbour.

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-933638082996148572007-05-03T12:05:00.000-07:002007-05-03T12:06:14.394-07:00

A must see video.

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-51161832608860900622007-04-19T21:32:00.000-07:002007-04-19T21:33:05.260-07:00

1. go to www.google.com 2. click on "maps," above the search bar... 3. click on "get directions" 4. type "New York" in the first box (the "from" box) 5. type "Paris" in the second box (the "to" box) 6. click on "get directions" 6. scroll down to step #24

Lisanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-66020621931688223592007-04-16T19:35:00.000-07:002007-04-16T19:36:49.948-07:00

I really like these photos. Reminds me of summer times as a kid.More posts soon. How about some Cuba pictures?

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-69168493645234015352007-03-22T14:45:00.000-07:002007-03-22T15:42:45.546-07:00

It's kind of ironic to post to tell you that I'm not going to be posting for a while, as I've been super lame in the last couple of months, but I'm going to tell you anyway: the blog is going to be legimately silent for a week.Why?Because I'll be here:

Lisanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-36688150579875305522007-03-16T13:29:00.000-07:002007-03-16T13:30:37.411-07:00

This Desert LandJoseph BaylyI saidthis desert land is barrenvoid of life and beauty.I drive for milessee nothingonly sand and sagefeel nothingonly wind and heattaste nothingbut spit dried spit.He saidhave you ever driven in springthrough this same desertseen blossoms flowergorgeous wild?It's all a thing of timing.Seeds of beautyare there now hidden waiting fall of rainto bring them life.Lord send

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1172725868852831142007-02-28T21:05:00.000-08:002007-02-28T21:14:37.390-08:00

Dear Scottish Friends,I love each and every one of you and you are very wonderful. But I really wish that you'd never told me that "pants" is a naughty thing to say in public. I can still see you cringing when I told you about my 'fancy pants' that I'd brought specially from Canada to wear to Christmas dinner. I recall how you looked at me in horror when, upon falling on Dun I, I loudly

Lisanoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1171432255096737532007-02-13T21:49:00.000-08:002007-02-13T21:50:55.110-08:00

Thanks for the awesome birthday present, Shan! You rock!

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1168969130034773482007-01-16T09:35:00.000-08:002007-01-16T09:38:50.056-08:00

Apparently they're going to re-inflate the roof again in the next couple of days, so I thought I'd post an inflated and uninflated view of the dome.

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1168930700368008252007-01-15T22:55:00.000-08:002007-01-15T22:58:20.370-08:00

Kent, Karen and I in the fading light (oh the joys of self portraits! Misaligned photos and camera shadows in the face (see Bobbi's face in the last post)

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1168930505167060992007-01-15T22:50:00.000-08:002007-01-15T22:55:05.170-08:00

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1168930110414137812007-01-15T22:38:00.000-08:002007-01-15T22:48:30.430-08:00

Some moss - photo taken while hiking on Dec 27th on Mt. WorkAn unstitched panorama of the Vancouver skyline, taken from the Seawall on the south side of False Creek. Photos start from the west and end in the east. For anyone familar with Vancouver, look closely at the last picture. No BC Place Stadium roof!

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1168298204712466432007-01-08T15:01:00.000-08:002007-01-08T15:16:44.726-08:00

A belated Happy New Year to everyone. I have been hibernating.Posting a poem like this really is an act of faith at this time of year in this part of the world. Today the world is one colour: grey. I have memories of colours, memories even from this past weekend, but when it is grey outside, it is like my memories have become sepia toned and watered down. Maybe one day I will live someplace

Lisanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1166821681321871512006-12-22T13:05:00.000-08:002006-12-22T13:08:01.336-08:00

Howard ThurmanThere must be alwaysremaining in every life,some place for the singing of angels.Some place for thatwhich in itselfis breathless andbeautiful.Old burdens become lighterdeep and ancient woundslose much of their old hurting.Despite all the crassness of life,all the hardness andharsh discords,life is saved bythe singing of angels.Source: The Mood of Christmas, received from Inward/

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1166684615149058522006-12-20T22:37:00.000-08:002006-12-20T23:04:22.213-08:00

Mike tagged me with the 5 things-you-likely-don't-know about me meme. So with no further adieu:1. I used to be a magician's assistant. Yes, really. I did the trick where I got locked in a box and magically changed places with the magician. No, I won't tell you how.2. If I was only allowed to have one sweet thing in the world, I would without a doubt pick Purdy's dark chocolate covered

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1166640594466273792006-12-20T10:44:00.000-08:002006-12-20T10:49:54.483-08:00

It's killing me that there is free money over at Mike's and no one seems to be taking advantage of it.There are matching donations for the next 49 donors (was 50, but I took one of the spaces) to the (red)emption campaign. Your $10 becomes $20.I really like this campaign because I think most everyone has $10 bucks to give to AIDS work and I like that it's no strings attached, no consumerism

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1166321470093209982006-12-16T18:08:00.000-08:002006-12-16T18:11:10.106-08:00

I got to hang with some friends the other day. Here is a picture of me and their awesome daughter.

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1166077521115878712006-12-13T22:13:00.000-08:002006-12-13T22:31:11.593-08:00

Some of you may be aware of the Project (Red) campaign kicked off by Oprah et al about 2 months ago. It is essentially harnassing the power of consumerism to create some extra money for AIDS in Africa. Entirely worthy, but still focused on consumerism.Two friends of mine have started the [Red]emption Campaign. Rather than spend $210 so that Apple (or another company) can donate $10 to AIDS

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1166076694515928242006-12-13T21:58:00.000-08:002006-12-13T22:11:34.536-08:00

I'm getting a lot of hits these days from people looking for goats. More specifically, they're looking to purchase a goat on someone's behalf - someone who can actually use it. For those that remember, this blog started because of a goat campaign. You can flash back here to see the origins of the blog. We set a goal of 10 goats and ended up with 35 goats. We're not running a goat campaign

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1165906226508475092006-12-11T22:43:00.001-08:002006-12-11T22:50:26.523-08:00

I seek your presence, O Godnot because I have managed to see clearlyor been true in all things this day,not because I have succeeded in lovingor in reverencing those around me,but because I want to see with clarity,because I long to be trueand desire to love as I have been loved.Renew my inner sight,make fresh my longings to be trueand grant me the grace of loving this nightthat I may end the

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1165651029064872192006-12-08T23:35:00.000-08:002006-12-08T23:57:09.076-08:00

Back to more haiku writing to celebrate dinner at Nyala: it is a good thingto own and wear stretchy pantsno more food for daysokay, that was technically accurate (5:7:5), but lame. Let's try again:laughter salts the foodstories of a dremel fireI spit my beer outNope, still too light hearted for a stern and steady haiku but it does refer to a true story. One of my co-workers, a not particularly

Lisanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1165556275026114142006-12-07T21:33:00.000-08:002006-12-07T21:37:55.040-08:00

Here is a photo essay about diamond production, from earth to the jewelry shops. I've oft admired a sparkler, but the more I find out about who really pays for diamonds, the less pretty they seem. Distressing, really.

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1165367968124172152006-12-05T17:15:00.000-08:002006-12-05T17:21:34.476-08:00

I got these kick ass snowshoes on Saturday, so I had to get back on the mountain on Sunday to try them out. Here are two pics from Sunday: an artsy fartsy shot of the snow:Kent and Danny in front of Hollyburn Lodge:

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1165126370612042452006-12-02T22:05:00.000-08:002006-12-02T22:12:50.630-08:00

Huge new snowDr. Seuss treeThe view from underneathThe crew

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1165074522486178272006-12-02T07:44:00.000-08:002006-12-02T07:48:42.503-08:00

A Love Like That - HafizEvenAfterAll this timeThe sun never says to the earth,"You owe Me."Look What happensWith a love like that.It lights theWholeSky.Source: The Giftvia inward/outward

Lisanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1165040407302174872006-12-01T22:18:00.000-08:002006-12-01T22:20:07.316-08:00

"Perspective is a group sport" Go have a read what Milt has to say today. On World AIDs Day, it's even more pertinent.

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1164912793827300522006-11-30T10:51:00.000-08:002006-11-30T10:53:13.846-08:00

Weather is changing and the snow is slowly starting to melt. Here is a picture from a couple of days ago:

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1164868461192566132006-11-29T22:34:00.001-08:002006-11-29T22:39:23.903-08:00

I can't believe that we've now had snow on the ground for 5 days and it's snowing again. I'm really loving the snow. The weather forecast says its going to start raining, though, so that's no fun. Going snow shoeing for the first time out this season. Cypress has had about 150 cm of snow in the last week. Pictures to come.

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1164696551130666562006-11-27T22:47:00.000-08:002006-11-27T22:49:11.143-08:00

Okay, no more whining about it being cold. We've got no risk of anything except rosy cheeks. Ever wondered how long it takes exposed skin to freeze? here is a handy chart. Brrrrrrr!

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1164662174389647732006-11-27T13:14:00.000-08:002006-11-27T13:16:14.426-08:00

The view from my office window last week:

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1164651826697477782006-11-27T10:23:00.000-08:002006-11-27T10:30:52.696-08:00

My balcony at home:Thermometre at home:House on the way to work:Someone who is comfortable with the cold:Inner courtyard at the office:

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1164606277396581292006-11-26T21:32:00.000-08:002006-11-27T14:05:19.016-08:00

The boil water advisory is still in place, but I feel sure that tomorrow we'll be told it's now a boil snow advisory.[EDIT: the boil water advisory was lifted. No boil snow advisory is in place, but it's always a good idea to avoid yellow snow.]Argh. I had over a foot of snow on my car when I came back from the Island. It was too icy and snowy to even make it into the back alley, so I had to

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1164391117716794962006-11-24T09:58:00.000-08:002006-11-24T09:58:37.736-08:00

If someone has a mid-life crisis while playing hide & seek, does she automatically lose because she can't find herself?

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1164133149952994132006-11-21T10:17:00.000-08:002006-11-21T10:19:10.033-08:00

From an email I received this morning.A little test to do at your desk..... How smart is your right foot?This is so funny that it will boggle your mind. And you will keep trying it at least 50 more times to see if you can outsmart your foot. But you can't!!!While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles with it.Now, while doing this, draw the number "6"

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1164091538088551802006-11-20T22:30:00.000-08:002006-11-20T22:46:41.923-08:00

In response to an email from a customer telling a company that they were cancelling the hire of a marquee for their upcoming wedding, an employee of a New Zealand company sent an email with the following comments: "Thanks for your reply. Your wedding sounded cheap, nasty and tacky anyway, so we only ever considered you time wasters." The email goes on from there - definitely read it to see the

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1164049657235099242006-11-20T11:04:00.000-08:002006-11-20T11:07:37.253-08:00

I've recently been thinking about life and living it in both the boring and exciting moments. Today's quote from Inward/Outward is a good one: All Moments Are Key MomentsFrederick Buechner"Taking your children to school and kissing your wife goodbye. Eating lunch with a friend. Trying to do a decent day's work. Hearing the rain patter against the window. There is no event so commonplace but that

Lisanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1163575472577575842006-11-14T23:18:00.000-08:002006-11-14T23:24:32.576-08:00

Cold weather and rain down here has meant lots of snow up on the hills...not that I've seen it - the clouds haven't lifted off the mountains in over a week.Cypress is opening on Thursday! Maybe we'll hit the trails this weekend. [Felicity and Anne last March]

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1163574895881740782006-11-14T23:00:00.000-08:002006-11-14T23:14:55.896-08:00

As I was in the car this evening, I was listening to the Night Time Review, a program of CBC Radio One. Host Shelagh Rogers (my most favorite radio host - she's amazing!) was interviewing Canadian author Adam Gopnik about his new book Through the Children's Gate. While I only caught part of the interview, the bit that jumped out at me was the discussion about kids' made up words. Adam was

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1163463727648509112006-11-13T16:17:00.000-08:002006-11-13T16:22:07.663-08:00

I find this totally facinating, as people often say to me "you look just like my best friend/cousin/co-worker/favorite aunt". For a long time, I assumed I had a generic face. I've started to take these comments as compliments, as the person I'm normally compared to is someone that makes the commenter happy - so maybe something in me is sparking a happy memory?Or, maybe I just have dozens of

Lisanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1163230156317897812006-11-10T23:18:00.000-08:002006-11-11T11:55:59.626-08:00

It rains a lot in Vancouver - especially at this time of year and definitely right now. It's cleared up a bit tonight and I also glimpsed the first snow on the mountains this afternoon. Snow shoeing soon!A couple of people have asked for pictures of Vancouver. Here are a couple I have already, taken from my living room; one cloudy, one where you can see the mountains. Over the next while,

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1163032504069485642006-11-08T15:50:00.000-08:002006-11-08T16:35:42.116-08:00

Two important members of Potatoes of the Night. Soon to be married! Claire, if I email you this photo, can you photoshop it into sharp focus?

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1163029794845798852006-11-08T15:47:00.000-08:002006-11-08T15:49:54.866-08:00

You know what food starts with "f"? Well, lots of them. But the best of them all is french fry and the very, very best place in Vancouver to get that esteemed food stuff is Salade de Fruits. They're even better than the kebab shop, if that can be believed!

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1162946472972630572006-11-07T16:36:00.000-08:002006-11-07T16:41:13.006-08:00

The sun is just fading in one of the loveliest sunsets I've seen in Vancouver for a long time. My office faces north and I can see most of downtown and all of the mountains. The sky is full of blue black clouds and the sun is shining off all the glass on the downtown buildings. You could see the layers upon layers in the clouds. It's that incredible winter light - full and richly saturated.

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1162927202762647172006-11-07T10:48:00.000-08:002006-11-07T11:20:50.706-08:00

Sometimes I wonder if Vancouver is two totally separate places - one place of sparkling glass and lovely mountains in the sunshine, and another place where no buildings over two stories tall can be seen in the clouds and rain. Is it me that transforms (regresses?) in the rain or the city?In any event, the attached was taken in the Nunnery on the Isle of Iona. It is totally untouched - this was

Lisanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1162078022952265082006-10-28T16:23:00.000-07:002006-11-07T11:27:56.646-08:00

Today's pictures are some of the windows and doorways.(oops, this got caught in my draft folder when blogger wouldn't upload photos)

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1161982565864528442006-10-27T11:57:00.000-07:002006-10-27T13:56:05.970-07:00

Prizes to the first person who figures out where these places are (UK residents exempt!):

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1161906017409362682006-10-26T16:28:00.000-07:002006-10-26T17:28:53.366-07:00

I've uploaded my photos and will start trickling them out online (in large part so that Susan will keep reading my blog if it's updated regularly). It's interesting to see larger themes develop when you look at the photos as a whole. It turns out that I've got piles of photos of windows and door ways, moss and rocks. Textures and openings. I love them both.Here are some of the rock photos:

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1161835943386063242006-10-25T21:04:00.000-07:002006-10-25T21:12:23.406-07:00

I'm back in rainy Vancouver and am going to have a wee sleep before I start doing much of anything. In the meantime, enjoy (if that's the right word) this snap. It was taken in Glasgow at the very beginning of my time in Scotland:

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1154459504618582402006-08-01T11:59:00.000-07:002006-08-01T12:53:35.966-07:00

So beautiful. Movement, life, light, colour. Bobbi and I are dreaming of next year participating in the festival by having a Sophia Celebration. There was a tribute to Gaia at this year's festival. We thought it would be amazing to celebrate the feminine divine out of our own tradition. Maybe we'll make our lanterns in the shapes of doves?

Lisanoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1152565198125693542006-07-10T13:57:00.000-07:002006-07-10T22:02:15.603-07:00

.... was my registration number for my first triathlon. My best friend Shannon and I raced our first race yesterday in Chemanis. Swim, bike and run. At times, I thought I must be mad (particularly because I didn't really train and boy oh boy was I sucking wind - and water- during the swim). But crossing the finish line was awesome. I might even tri it again!

Lisanoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1145215973973601242006-04-16T12:32:00.000-07:002006-04-16T12:32:53.986-07:00

He is risen indeed!Happy Easter to all!

Lisanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1143335531741452412006-03-25T17:05:00.000-08:002006-03-25T17:18:20.036-08:00

This is such an amazing city. At the end of our walk, I saw a friend on the mountain - he had been rowing in the morning and was off for a cross country ski for the afternoon.To say that parts of today's climb were steep is an understatement. We summited Hollyburn Mountain and had 360 views at the top.Looking north to the LionsLooking over to the downhill trailsView over to the Sunshine Coast

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1143168295904493712006-03-23T18:44:00.001-08:002006-03-23T23:03:04.116-08:00

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1143168127448223622006-03-23T18:40:00.000-08:002006-03-23T23:00:48.403-08:00

Saturday - snowshoeing on Cypress Mountain with friendsSunday: walking on the dikes in RichmondMonday: playing hooky from work to enjoy the last of the sunny weather. Walking out at the water line on Jericho beach

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1141686567939396092006-03-06T15:07:00.000-08:002006-03-06T15:09:27.953-08:00

From Time Goes By:"Many years ago, in the 1970s, I produced hundreds of local television shows in New York City that were similar to what Regis and Kelly and The View are now - morning programs aimed primarily at women which, over time, covered a wide variety of topics.One of my favorite guests, when family issues were being discussed, was Eda LeShan. She was a family counselor who had once

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1141348988883548232006-03-02T17:19:00.000-08:002006-03-02T17:24:06.633-08:00

St. John Chrysostom - words concerning holy living and the fasts that we observe to help make us more holy:"Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works.If you see a poor man, take pity on him.If you see a friend being honoured, do not envy her.Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye and the ear and the feet and the handsand all the members of our bodies.Let the hands fast, by being

Lisanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1139112201945958882006-02-04T22:55:00.000-08:002006-02-04T22:58:17.743-08:00

I mucked around and now I've lost all my links and comments. Oops! The life of a technotard.Mind you, it might be blogger as well, as I keep "losing" my blog. Sometimes I can see it via the link and the rest of the time I'm getting an error message.Back to old fashion technology - the sewing machine. I'm making a quilt as a wedding present for a friend.

Lisanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1139092605818904002006-02-04T14:06:00.000-08:002006-02-04T19:59:08.203-08:00

More for me than for you. Places I've been. * indicate multiple visitsWorcherster, London*, Amersterdam, Haarlem, Berlin, Geneva*, Interlochen, Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, Venice, Rome, Finale Ligure, Nice, Paris, Bayeux, Dublin, Cashel, Cork, Kenmare, Dingle Pennisula, Auckand, Bay of Islands, Coromandel Pennisula, all over North and South Islands of New Zealand, Oahu*, Lisbon, Evora, Algarve,

Lisanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1139088134947241522006-02-04T12:52:00.000-08:002006-02-04T13:28:38.406-08:00

I'm joining everyone else....four jobs I've hadsales clerk at a uniform storecustoms officermagician's assistantlovely laundry ladyfour movies I could watch over and overSound of MusicWizard of OzBlue CrushSweet Home Alabamafour places I've livedVictoria, BCAuckland, NZPalmerston North, NZVancouver, BCfour tv shows I watch (on the one channel that my rabbit ears get)CSI (Vegas)CTV newsany of the

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1137200986326726962006-01-13T17:09:00.000-08:002006-01-13T17:09:46.326-08:00

....soon, I'll post a bit more about Scotland, New Years, happy things and the like.

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1135867250411769592005-12-29T06:38:00.000-08:002006-01-13T17:09:14.210-08:00

A quick post from Oban, Scotland to wish all and sundry a belated Merry Christmas and an upcoming Happy New Year.I've just spent the last 8 days on the Isle of Iona at the Abbey. I'll put the links in when I get home, but for now, google 'Iona Community Scotland' and you should get the link.I love Scotland. Small wonder given that I'm rooted here from a long, long time ago. It is the wildest

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1134628053888401182005-12-14T22:08:00.000-08:002005-12-14T22:27:33.903-08:00

Tonya tagged me with the Seven Things meme. She's prompted a brief blogging come back!Seven Things To Do Before I Die1. Take a year off and travel the globe; 2. Become fluent in a foreign language; 3. Get a tatoo; 4. Go parachuting; 5. Have a family; 6. Climb Mt. Kilamanjaro; and7. Paint a body of artwork.Seven Things I Can Not Do1. Math on the fly; 2. Get enthusiastic about going to

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1122442358573431092005-07-26T22:15:00.000-07:002005-07-26T22:32:38.576-07:00

I've had a number of conversations recently about living in the now. These conversations have peppered my path for a while now. I also have come across a quote that makes sense to me. In her book Dance of the Dissident Daughter, Sue Monk Kidd writes: "In the trek across the gorge, we often scan about for shortcuts. During that period, I often wished some wise woman who'd been there before me

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1121323290949137892005-07-13T22:45:00.000-07:002005-07-13T23:44:06.830-07:00

I met Connie last November at the Path workshop up at Linwood House. I admit that I barely know her, but I think (and hope) that she is a kindred spirit. She intrigues me. Living a life of profound authenticity and integrity, Connie has a way of getting straight to the nitty gritty, all the while opening my eyes wide to the wonder in amongst life which is often painful.I asked Connie to set me

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1120609126678493672005-07-05T17:09:00.000-07:002005-07-05T17:18:46.683-07:00

I've been thinking today about the difference between the meanings of the words naming and labeling. I was talking with some close friends this morning about a recent experience I had and was struggling to tell them about what had happened. Once I got it out, I realized that I could simply name my experience; that is, tell my version of what had happened and tell them the feelings I had felt

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1119324998157421292005-06-20T20:29:00.000-07:002005-06-20T20:36:38.163-07:00

I was born for the water. My mom tells me that I swam as naturally as I crawled; to this day, slipping into the water gives me freedom that the land doesn't. I am beautiful in the water; fluid, graceful and smooth. I'm those things on land as well, but magnified in the water.I've taken to swimming a couple times a week at Kit's pool. It is a 137m outdoor heated pool. Absolute bliss. Truly

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1118818338441952202005-06-14T23:48:00.000-07:002005-06-14T23:52:18.446-07:00

Oh, oh, such a long time. I am here, with ideas swirling in my head and heart. Sometimes they swirl with the force of a storm, sometimes like spring flowers in the wind. I was struck by an email I received from an acquaintance today. I had emailed her to thank her for her writing, as it had steadied some of my wobbly parts. In her reply, she said that she feels like a total waste on society.

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1111633553046331832005-03-23T18:58:00.000-08:002005-03-23T19:11:20.633-08:00

What would it be like to physically write the truth on your body? To carefully, with your most beautiful handwriting, write "gorgeous" on your jiggly belly? To boldly sketch the word "STRONG" on your thighs? To gently print "luscious" on your breasts?What would it be like to silence the lies and live in the truth? good and right and proper, that is what it would be."The glory of God is [hu]

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1111630098507371912005-03-23T18:07:00.000-08:002005-03-23T18:08:18.506-08:00

Beautiful, moving, haunting, inspiring, encouraging.secrets

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1111213545315110442005-03-18T22:24:00.000-08:002005-03-18T22:25:45.316-08:00

A new employee is hired at the Tickle Me Elmo factory and she reports for her first day promptly at 8:00 am .The next day at 8:45 am there is a knock at the Personnel Manager's door. The Foreman from the assembly line throws open the door and begins to rant about the new employee. He complains that she is incredibly slow and the whole line is backing up, putting the entire plant behind schedule.

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1111024555973653952005-03-16T17:54:00.000-08:002005-03-16T17:55:55.976-08:00

I'm going!The DanceShall We Dance, a recent movie production, is a beautiful story where someone heard the heart invitation to dance. The invite was to move out the place where heart and mind were disconnected and existed in the mundane, and to move to the place where the whole body – mind, body and spirit, were connected, alive and passionately participating in life. Perhaps it is the

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1109114644161379112005-02-22T15:17:00.000-08:002005-02-22T15:32:50.386-08:00

Is it counter intuitive that a divorce lawyer would be handing out info on preventing divorce and increasing conflict resolution skills? Nope. I will always have work plenty enough in today's world. But wouldn't it be great to be learning the skills, both within relationships and without that would grease the conflict wheels? You betcha. Here is some excerpts from a conflict resolution group

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1108949433452137042005-02-20T17:25:00.001-08:002005-02-20T17:30:33.453-08:00

The phrase "you must be born again" has become fraught with difficulties because it is so closely associated with that form of Christianity typified by American Fundamentalism. But the desire to distance oneself from one kind of Christianity or another shouldn't keep us from grasping the words of Jesus - we must be born, not only physically, but spiritually as well - we are more than just

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1108532119223018312005-02-15T21:33:00.000-08:002005-02-15T21:35:19.226-08:00

What a great phrase! Have some fun with this. You'll find the phrase "non-verbal leakage" about half way into the piece.

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1108015663652799642005-02-09T22:01:00.000-08:002005-02-09T22:07:43.653-08:00

The dismissal from tonight's Ash Wednesday service: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Go and join Christ in the world, healing and speaking words of freedom, revealing the sacred in the very midst of life. Thanks be to God!

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1107621089431054492005-02-05T07:56:00.000-08:002005-02-05T08:32:01.716-08:00

Yesterday found me starting the morning off a thousand feet in the air. Not figuratively, literally. I learned long ago that when an opportunity presents itself while traveling, and that opportunity is a bit expensive but only available at that particular locale, one should jump and grab it with both hands. So I awoke early and travelled out to the little dusty airfield 10 miles outside of

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1107125691040381102005-01-30T14:45:00.000-08:002005-01-30T14:54:51.040-08:00

Your thoughts please: this morning in Meeting for Worship (the Quaker service), we again held the silence for the entire time. I am noticing a difference between Meeting for Worship and traditional church services. It seems to me that at Meeting this morning, I was being worship, rather than doing worship. For in my present and my silence, in my anxiety and hopes, I was being worship. There

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1106675024422888862005-01-25T09:40:00.000-08:002005-01-25T09:43:44.423-08:00

Those of you that know me well know that I have an extremely active dream life. What do you make of this one???? Last night I dreamt that while I was scuba diving with a group of people, we had to wash our hair with cheddar cheese. I remember thinking at the time that it was going to get stuck in my hair but due to the salt water, it conditioned my hair beautifully.

Lisanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1106516056739306142005-01-23T13:25:00.000-08:002005-01-23T13:34:16.740-08:00

I attended my first Meeting for Worship this morning at the local Quaker Meeting. Silence was kept the entire time. In conversation with a Friend after worship, she told me that each meeting is different; last week, there was a lot of talking. For me, the Meeting was both restful and invigorating. I loved not following someone else's agenda for spirituality, but rather be responsive to what

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1105684254962762542005-01-13T22:28:00.000-08:002005-01-13T22:30:54.963-08:00

Jordon has an excellent post on some of Henri Nouwen's writing on intimacy and fear. Head over there for the full text. Here is a snippet: My own experience with people who I fear offers plenty of examples. Often I avoid them: I leave the house, move to a corner where I can remain unnoticed, or express myself in flat, non-committal sentences. Sometimes I create a false closeness with them. I

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1105683114249319132005-01-13T22:06:00.000-08:002005-01-14T07:57:26.260-08:00

A while ago, I promised to write on doing the daily work of peace in your life. Keep looking for that post. But as a small thought, I've realized that doing the daily work of peace in your life is to offer yourself peace too. Sometime in the last year, I realized that I'd missed a big part of the two greatest commandments. I've thought and studied on the love the Lord your God with all your

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1105316389076846292005-01-09T16:12:00.000-08:002005-01-09T16:24:22.313-08:00

There is nothing happier than the site of a bunch of grown men dressed in strange costumes leaping and dancing around exuberantly just for the sheer joy of making arses of themselves in public. Ah, God bless the Morris dancers and in particular, the Vancouver Morris Men. Today they were performing their Plough Sunday or "dark dances". I smiled all through the performance and continued to grin

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1104986863407271912005-01-05T20:24:00.001-08:002005-01-05T21:04:49.366-08:00

Happy New Years all. As a friend emailed today, New Years always starts with such promise. I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge that for many, this is an extraordinary tough start to this particular year. As an aside, I am proud that our government is matching all donations - that will go a long way to help. Andrea over at the Superhero blog (well worth a regular visit), talked about the

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1104985482286012592005-01-05T20:24:00.000-08:002005-01-05T20:24:42.286-08:00

I'm tucking this link here so I won't forget it. link

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1104475184230078912004-12-30T22:24:00.000-08:002004-12-30T22:44:30.746-08:00

I've been away for a couple of days and have been following the news of the tsumani almost exclusively by print media. 4,500. 7,000. 40,000. 70,000. As of today, the official death toll is approximately 117,000.00. I can't comprehend that number. That is more than one-third the population of my hometown Victoria. And these are tsumani deaths. Disease will increase these numbers

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1104019524985415452004-12-25T16:04:00.000-08:002004-12-25T16:05:24.986-08:00

Merry Christmas to my loved ones, far and near. Peace and blessings to all! Lisa

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1103818981174787552004-12-23T08:17:00.000-08:002004-12-23T08:23:01.173-08:00

As Mike said recently, England is often the source of all things cool. From the Guardian: One is small, shiny and plays thousands of your favourite songs when you carry it with you. The other is large, hairy, makes a bleating noise and would butt you if you tried to pick it up. But iPods and goats are the must-have Christmas gifts this year. And both, it seems, are in short supply. Oxfam

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1103270826695919452004-12-17T01:06:00.000-08:002004-12-17T00:07:06.696-08:00

Here it is, midnight. And I have glue all over my fingers because I was making my god daughter's Christmas gift and got bondo glue all over my hands. Then I can't figure out how to get it off (because of course, I haven't read the package). Turps, no. cream, no. shower, no. scrubbing, no. picking, yes, but very slow. I finally have to phone a friend at 11:30 pm because I have too much

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1103226713244727072004-12-16T11:50:00.000-08:002004-12-16T11:51:53.243-08:00

We're up to 6 goats and now a medical clinic. Thanks mom and dad! Hey reg, too bad they're not selling puppies. Keep 'em coming and let us know when you do. I've added a link on the side bar so that you can let us know you've participated.

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1103131929630373072004-12-15T09:16:00.000-08:002004-12-15T09:32:09.630-08:00

We are now up to five goats/goat equilavents. As you may have already noticed, this whole exercise is less about goats specifically and more about reminding ourselves to use our wealth generously in the lead up to the holiday season. How many amongst the readers are travellers? [Lisa raises her hand]. One of the major reasons I travel is to give myself a reality check that people live

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1102719671865830082004-12-10T14:55:00.000-08:002004-12-10T15:02:54.193-08:00

Four, count 'em 4 goats in two days. Thanks all! that's an awesome start. Feel free to spread the word, if you're so inclined. Some other options you might not have know about: piglets are $35 Canadian chickens are $50 Canadian And you can also participate in multiplying gifts - those gifts where your money is double, tripled or even 15 times multiplied I think you might find there is

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1102531380240520882004-12-08T10:33:00.000-08:002004-12-08T11:45:17.346-08:00

No, it's not the latest kid's party game. For those who spend in US dollars, the tune goes like this: goat, goat, goat, CHICKEN!. If you spend your resources in Canadian dollars, the tune goes like this: goat, goat, goat, CHICKEN!. Or perhaps the last word can be COW!, or maybe FISH!, or for those that can reach the high notes, BARN! However you want to sing the song, sing it loud, sing it

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1101610262098538992004-11-27T18:34:00.000-08:002004-11-27T18:59:53.593-08:00

Two phrases have been regularly popping into my head these days: "Doing the work of peace daily in your life" and "situating your story in the larger story". This post is about neither of those phrases. Stay tuned for something on those soon. Kind of just kidding. One thing I do know for sure about myself is that I am spiritual. I take a meta view of life. I believe that we are more than

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1100566627276935732004-11-15T16:33:00.001-08:002004-11-15T17:02:45.123-08:00

Thanks to the food poisoning/flu I had last week, I'm now down 5.6 lbs. Yes, that much. That's a helluva lot of yoghurt and porridge. And little else. It made for a not very fun weekend up at Whistler munching pepto bismal tablets and hoping my stomach would release the 25 lbs of pressure it had decided to take on. Watch for goats soon. I'll get my lazy ass in gear and put up the proper

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1100239357220007882004-11-11T22:01:00.000-08:002004-11-11T22:02:37.220-08:00

Looking for some interesting places to surf? Head on over here and expand your horizons.

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1100228482870864882004-11-11T18:45:00.000-08:002004-11-11T19:01:22.870-08:00

Pausing over night in Rabanel (or at least, that's where I think I was), I stayed at a refugio staffed by a hospitalera who also spoke English. I wasn't always around English speakers as a I walked the Camino, so it was a welcome respite to sit and speak freely. By this point, my blisters were so numerous that I had long since stopped counting them. Stopping was always such a joy, mixed with a

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196577.post-1100106913182361142004-11-10T09:13:00.000-08:002004-11-10T09:15:13.183-08:00

I'm feeling much better today. Don't know whether it was flu or food poisoining, but 15 hours of sleep later, my body is good. I went to the chiro yesterday morning and he made an interesting comment: "our bodies are wise". They know what to do to heal themselves. I'll second that. Back to work today. How can that become an "oh yeah!" rather than a "sigh"?

Lisanoreply@blogger.com0