Thanks to a friend of a friend.....

Here's a picture of that beautiful sky above the Comox Glacier and Island mountains last week.

Thanks Michelle !

Fall. A time to Reflect.

With glum skies, persistent rains and cutting winds who can deny that the Fall season isn't upon us.

One cannot venture out of doors these days without noticing the abundance of fallen leaves beneath our feet.
Yesterday we spent the better part of the afternoon raking the front garden and wheelbarrowing away the vast multitude of leaves that had fallen on the lawn over the past few days.

Despite the extra work and the cooler temperatures I have to admit that I do like Autumn.

I also appreciate the fact that I'm living in a country where the Seasons are so clear and distinct. I like the variety and I like the challenge that each season has to offer.
Fall has its challenges too but for me more than anything else, Fall is a season of rest. It is a time to slow down, unwind and reflect.

And this I did.
I reflected upon one singular tenacious leaf on my Quansam tree which refused to fall to the ground despite the Autumn blasts.

I admired that leaf and it encouraged me to think about the spirit of tenacity that we as human beings are imbued with.

It is indeed commendable to be tenacious and to hold on to the worthwhile and enduring things of life and not to let go of them.

They are time proven, dependable and constant.

We ignore them at our peril and without them we run the risk of entering into a realm of darkness and uncertainty; a realm where there is much confusion and very little light.

For me then Fall is the season of reflection; it is a time to take stock and a time to look down the road ahead with new found hope and confidence.

Responding to beauty.

Had an e mail from a friend today , and she described her journey home from Comox along the Dyke Road yesterday afternoon. The time was around 4.45pm , and the sky above the Comox Glacier was ablaze with a beautiful red hue. She said it was quite breathtaking , and that a number of drivers had actually stopped to admire the view and to take photographs. My friend "also took a moment to be thankful for the beauty of the Comox Valley. "

Equally wonderful is our capacity to admire beauty and to take a break once in a while to respond to it and acknowledge it.

Helping Hands

We were very glad to see two new volunteers at Thursday's Sonshine Lunch Club. Margie Leighton and Duane Smith joined us on Thursday of last week. And on their first day , we served just over 200 clients , and yesterday's numbers were steady too.

Duane and Margie's ready smiles, kindness and willing service is appreciated by all.

Let it snow!

I checked out the Mt. Washington web cam the other day and to my delight I saw beautiful fresh white snow.
I could hardly restrain my excitement.
Time for me to retrieve my skiing tackle from the garage and get myself ready for the slopes.
We are so lucky living within spitting distance of a top notch ski facility like Mt. Washington.
Just think of it. It's right on our doorstep. We must be the envy of millions :)
So let's get with it. Swish! Swish!

Getting together to give thanks.

Last Friday night , the volunteers at the Thursday Sonshine Lunch Club met to show their appreciation to two valued workers at the soup kitchen, who are retiring this month. A lovely pot luck dinner was hosted at Gail and Bryce's home , followed by presentations to Brian and Shirley , who have given so many hours of their precious time at the Thursday Sonshine Club.

Volunteers contribute so much to the well being of any society , and yet .......

'Volunteers don't get paid, not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless.' ~Sherry Anderson

'Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.' ~Elizabeth Andrew

'We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.' ~Winston Churchill

Tried and tested

Today is a typical November day on the west coast, and on such a day , there's nothing like home made soup.

Last week , I tried a new recipe from the Thrifty Foods flyer. It 's a slow cooker Mulligatawny Soup. There are eighteen ingredients in all, which is rather a lot , but we found that we already had most items in the house anyway. The soup turned out deliciously and we had lots left over for freezing.

Could I tempt you to try it with a slice or two of garlic bread?

Here's a link to the recipe : Slow Cooker Mulligatawny Soup.

Turkey dinner and thankful clients

Sonshine Lunch Club.

On October 29th , 20 volunteers and the Masons served turkey dinner to over 200 clients. We served hot turkey, mashed potatoes, corn and peas, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce. The money for these items generously provided by the Masons. The parishioners of St. John the Divine provided, cookies, tarts, pies, squares, cake etc. for dessert. Many of the clients thanked us over and over again, saying their Thursday lunch was delicious..

Submitted by Joan Anslow