A Few Farewells

We are on the ferry home.  The air has that sharp zing that you can only find on the coast and I am wearing a sweater for the first time in a week.  Driving out of the Okanagan and through the Fraser Pass, we strained to hear the words and music of Jack Layton's funeral - it was so infused with static that we could barely catch most of it.  (For the first time ever, I seriously considered Sirius Satellite Radio)
I was struck by how similar the words that were repeated - justice, compassion, gratitude -at the funeral also came up at Naramata around the weekly theme of Enough for All.
The dance was really crazy and fun.  Doug and I popped in for a final Sacred Pause.  And we were the only ones there!!  Normal people stayed at the dance.  It's hard to be hip all the time.
This morning at breakfast, there were hugs and goodbyes and promises to return next summer.  Who knows?  Maybe we will.

Wrap-up - Boo-hoo

This is the bittersweet last day.  A simultaneously lazy and charged week is drawing to a close.  Starting the day without a 3-hour vocal-percussive exercise, without a run and jump in the lake  will feel quite empty, I think.  And what about the return to planning and making meals?  Aargh.  I don't wanna go!
Maureen's group has recorded all their songs on a zipfile for future fame and fortune;  Doug participated in a "poker run" and treasure hunt, where he saw an osprey as he swam under its nest.  On the subject of birds Doug spotted 26 quail troop across our patio and we have been entertained by the molting peacocks that hang out here.
We imagined Kim celebrating her 30th birthday this evening with their friends and remembered the year we brought her and the boys to Naramata.
Watch for pictures of the closing ceremonies and dance ...yet to happen.

Set the clock of your heart..Awake

We begin each day, at the Sacred Pause, singing this chant: Set the clock of your heart Awake!.  Well, my clock ran into an electrical interruption and when it said 6am, I got up, plugged in the coffee, brushed my teeth and looked out the window:"Wow, it sure is dark", I said to myself.  That's because it was really 4 am!  Back to bed!
Doug's program took him to the Osoyoos/Skaha canal, where he walked and swam. Maureen's group is madly practicing stuff akin to Gladys knight and the Pips.  Harder than it sounds, I can tell you.   We heard real music last night at the Linnea Good concert in the Hall.  The swimming continued to be perfect.
It's almost dinner (every night something different and yummy).  Tonight, it's Butter Chicken.  We are preparing our palates with a Muscat Ottonel.

Sabbath!

Wednesday is Sabbath at Naramata, which is just one example of how Naramata Centre is no respecter of righteous religious rules.  It gives the day a whole new ( or maybe old?) meaning when you observe it  in the middle of the week.  Relax and rejoice is the order of the day.
Our programmes were abbreviated (only 1 1/2 hours), so we could attend the outdoor worship service at the waterfront, followed by a community barbecue lunch.  Yum.
Doug, who turned 23 yesterday,received a message from our children that there was a Mystery Gift to pick up at Hillside Wineries.  To his delight and surprise the winery presented him with a box of 6 assorted wines!  What amazing kids.
We've had a swim or two, walked to the Naramata market and tonight there is a community concert featuring Linnea Goode.  Over and Out.

Doug's Birthday

Doug's birthday was celebrated with winetasting, swimming and soaking up sun.  Maureen can now do a Pentecostal Breakdown, Doug walked the Kettle Valley and both of them bought three bottles of wonderful wine.  Life is mellow here -not much to report.  We are off to the beach for a campfire and singsong.  We have been in the water twice and aiming for a third dip

Finishing Monday

After our lunch today, we took the car for drive around Naramata, checking out the many orchards and resorts in the area.  On our return, we walked over to the Labyrinth, where Bev gave us an introduction to labyrinths and led us in a walk through the Naramata one (modeled after  Chartres built in the 1200s.)  We also saw the Healing House and the Sacred Garden (where there will be a “sacred weed” on Wednesday morning, but we are not participating – lots of opportunities at home for that activity.  This  cloudy, cool day, in the end, seems well spent.  Now, onto dinner, then “A Conversation the Matters” led by Janet Straumbouloupolis and then another Sacred Pause (15 minutes).   I feel like I am really giving my spiritual self a workout!

We are sad about Jack Layton.

First Day

This is Free Time.  Doug and I began the day with the "Sacred Pause" in the Chapel - a 15 minute, yoga-like spiritual exercise, which was a lovely start.  After a breakfast of Fritatta and other breakfasty things,we each went to our program.  Mine - Song, Rhythm and Your Body as Persussion was amazing.  Our leaders, Dawn and Karla, are two talented young women from Vancouver, who lead choirs, teach piano & do singing workshops and both sing in a group called The Shirleys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2CKTW1xNqo.  Our class of 18 is of mixed abilities (lucky for me), but after one class of 3 hours,we were singing in 5 part harmony and learning to snap, stomp and clap all at the smae time.  I felt like I was part of that Steve Martin routine!
Doug's more physical program- Stretch, Run, Swim, Rest was led by an IronMan participant and therefore more rigorous.   Doug is not "big on running". Swimming and stretching are ok though.
The weather is warm but overcast.  Do we attract clouds????