These scenes were taken from a place called Ferguson Point in Stanley Park. Anyone who has been to the Teahouse Restaurant across the street will know how to find the point. This is the first time I've stopped at the point and I'm glad I did even though my visit was brief.
There were a lot of people out walking and cycling. When we get so few days of sunshine over the winter months everyone makes good use of them. I do hope they are all taking precautions as well. Recent reports from our head doctor are showing a trend downwards in our province. But the outbreaks are now happening in places that were largely unaffected by Covid in 2020.
I continue to take care and have only been out twice in 2021; once for groceries and once to the post office. I will make another post office run very soon to deal with purchase returns, and possibly make a stop at the pharmacy. Those will be my only outings in January.
It will likely be mid-summer up to late autumn before I am in line for a covid vaccination so I continue to be as careful as I can be. I am more concerned for my loved ones who live up country because the numbers are growing so big in the areas where they live. I will try not to fret too much and deal with my concerns through prayer. That's the best any of us can do.
As you can see by the photos, the sky was very clear today.
I saw some wispy, low lying clouds as I took the photo looking toward the building in West Vancouver.
Since I last wrote in this space, I've been super busy working on a personal project which is very labour intensive and approximately 2/3 to 3/4 complete. By the first or second week of February it will be completely done. Once it's done I will rest briefly before buckling down and getting rid of old papers and more digital files. I cannot get rid of excess files first out of fear I might inadvertently get rid of papers or digital files that I need for the project..
I haven't been as up to date with all the household routines during this period. It's mainly the dishes that I never quite seem caught up to doing. I was trying to get all the dishes done by hand and sinks washed and dried by the end of the day but it doesn't work if I have too many other things to work on and want them done quickly. I do continue to try my hand at new dishes or old dishes with a twist. I didn't take photos of all the dinners but here are a few.
First up is a sausage and chickpea in stewed tomatoes over steamed rice. It was very good and I will make it again. I made the chickpeas in my instant pot (pressure cooker) which I cooked for 12 minutes. That way they would be able to cook for awhile in the stew mixture without breaking apart from overcooking.
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| Chickpeas and sausage over steamed rice. |
The next dish is an Italian New Year's dish made of lentils and pasta. I think the Italians use smaller, round pasta but I could only find rigatoni at my local grocery.
Last but not least, is a dish of creamy chicken breast, seasoned roasted red potatoes and finely sliced sauteed kale with onions and garlic. It was my first time making the chicken with the sauce and it was quite good.
I haven't done a lot of reading but I did read this fascinating historical book on the life of Father Yungbluth (Youngblood), Oblate Missionary to the First Nations and Metis people of the Peace River District (PRD). The PRD is located in the northern part of two provinces, British Columbia and Alberta. I knew this father when I was younger or at least I met him at various funerals he officiated. He was already old at that time so I'm glad someone has set his story down for posterity. He was really a colourful character.
Kenyan Missions Update
In Kenyan missions, please pray for Pastor Jonah who was robbed as he alighted a bus Friday night (Kenyan time) after having travelled from the countryside. He had gone to attend court to aid a widow who is seeking a court sanctioned land grant. Many times villagers die intestate (without a will) and the land succession issues never get properly dealt with. It can create a lot of problems.
In this case, the widow's husband died without land title but I understand her husband didn't have recognized title either as it rested with his late father. The process is not yet finished but in about one month we hope it will all be successfully completed. We have been hiring legal help here and there and paying all the court filing fees because the woman is destitute. In the meantime, we also now need to buy a new phone for Jonah so he can continue to communicate and make financial transactions (This is how most Kenya villagers now do it. Most foreigners have a difficult time grasping this because they wonder how a villager can afford a smart phone. They pretty much need one because it is a lifeline to doing so many things, especially when you don't live close to a bank or a hospital).
As always we welcome your participation in these undertakings if you are led.
Keep well and enjoy your weekend.
Joining in with Skywatch Friday
