Yesterday afternoon I had a chance to catch up with my friend, Karen - whose words of insight and encouragement are much appreciated and welcome. It's good to have someone exploring the contemplative life alongside you. She's helped me delve into Benedictine spirituality a little more, especially through the words of Joan Chittister - for which I will always be grateful. Plus she surprised me with an oh so sexy kitchen gadget for my travels, along with some chocolate goodness. It was a nice surprise.
In the evening I went out for the accustom all-can-eat sushi dinner with some cousins and friends, with the raw fish beating us in the end, and then three of us caught a late showing of A Very Long Engagement at the Uptown theaters. I enjoyed the move Amelie, so I liked seeing many of the same actors and actresses and the similar directorial style in this film. The movie was not as light as Amelie, but was still enjoyable to me in a broodier sort of way.
This morning, with the sun shining on us the past couple of days, my friend Coralee and I drove out to the Canadian Rocky mountains for a quick and easy cross-country trail by Kananaskis Village. Well, quick and easy for some - as on the downhills I quickly became acquainted with the Japanese proverb: Fall down seven times, stand up eight.
It was a gorgeous winter day to be out in the Kananaskis Valley. A picture perfect blue sky, the mountains crisp and clear, and the pine trees dusted with snow. The trail wasn't set well, and my skis didn't seem to be co-operating, but there was enough snow on the ground to make a go of it and have some fun. I had almost forgotten how crisp and clear the mountain air is. It almost breathes for you.
