The Evacuation

Big White to the Rescue

The call for us to evacuate the house and pets we were sitting came early and was inevitable.

The Prime Minister of Canada had announced that all Canadians were to return home as soon as possible. Our homeowner was on her way back from Mexico.

We cleaned the house, fed the birds and left.

We boarded Big White, our twenty-three-foot recreational vehicle. Later that day, the homeowner returned to her townhouse.

Journal Bee

Our choice to keep a journal of our conduct and conditions during the Covid 19 pandemic is meant to help others get through being isolated in their homes. And, to save our marriage.

 We pulled away from the neighbourhood in Duncan and pulled into the parking lot of a local grocery store. 

Our RV fridge

Our habit, over the last 6 years of living in our bus between house sits, has been to create a 2-week menu and buy what we need to satisfy our appetites and cravings. We’ve chosen to limit our meat intake. Our bar-sized fridge has a small freezer and limited space.



While off the road, we called a friend living on Malcolm Island and asked how he and his family were doing. He reported that his wife and kids were in good health but he was taking many medications to support his recovery from recent heart surgery.

“But, don’t worry. Come here and stay on our property,” our friend said.

“That sounds great but we don’t want to be the ones to bring the virus to you and your family,” Frank said.

“I’m taking my condition seriously and would need you to isolate for two weeks.”

“We’ll think about your offer,” Frank said.

We got in touch with the Bere Point campsite on the island and they said it was closed. That sealed our decision.

Later that week, we reported our findings. We let him know that we would not be coming to Malcolm Island.

That evening we rested our heads on soft pillows, wrapped up in warm blankets and lulled ourselves to sleep to the low drone of our new diesel heater.

When we awoke the following morning, our Malcolm Island friend had left a text to say that his son had been diagnosed with the virus. He'd been doing work on Mount Caine and had contracted the virus there.

"At a time of another crisis, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá offered these words of counsel: “In a day such

as this, when the tempests of trials and tribulations have encompassed the world, and fear and trembling have agitated the planet, ye must rise above the horizon of firmness and steadfastness with illumined faces and radiant brows in such wise that, God willing, the gloom of fear and consternation may be entirely obliterated, and the light of assurance may dawn above the manifest horizon and shine resplendently.” 

(From letter of the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá'ís of the World, Naw-Rúz 177, 2020)

Bonnie Gets a Refresh

Bonnie the Birch

We adopted the paper birch sitting solitaire on Dogwood Street in Campbell River in the fall of 2012.

She had been neglected over the years and it showed. With the help of my husband Frank, our grandson Grayson and some beautiful friends, we cleaned the trash from around and under her, pulled the weeds, and provided her with fresh soil and water. We all breathed a sigh of relief. I felt happy energy emanating from our new comrade.

Later that year, we moved on from our lifestyle as apartment managers and began travel teaching looking for isolated Baha'is throughout western Canada and the Yukon. We also did house and pet sitting.

I thought of Bonnie the Birch often, a name we had assigned her. 

Then, in June 2019, we found ourselves back on Vancouver Island. I prepared a sign to place at Bonnie's base. On this day, we drove to be with her. She’d grown significantly along with her offspring. We pulled over and began to tend to her.

First, we removed all the discarded trash around her. Frank trimmed her lower branches, turned over the dry soil and pulled the weeds at her base. She brightened up significantly. The paper birch is famous for its white bark and small leaves. She’s such a beauty. 

Frank tends to Bonnie

A few folks came past and stopped to read the sign and glanced at the music notes on Big White.

If you happen to be travelling along Dogwood Street, just past building 301, keep her in mind.

Susan places Bonnie's sign

"Behold a beautiful garden full of flowers, shrubs, and trees. Each flower has a different charm, a peculiar beauty, its own delicious perfume and beautiful colour. The trees too, how varied are they in size, in growth, in foliage—and what different fruits they bear! Yet all these flowers, shrubs and trees spring from the self-same earth, the same sun shines upon them and the same clouds give them rain."  (Paris Talks) Addresses Given by Abdu'l-Baha in 1911  www.bahai.org/r/733601770

  

Big White with Bonnie

Confit de Canard

Duck Confit Salad

On February 16, 2019, we travelled from Kamloops, BC along Highway 97 east to Falkland. Frank stated that for all the decades he'd travelled that route, he'd never stopped in the small community. We took advantage of the opportunity and were fixed with a great adventure.

"What is duck confit?" I asked.

The lovely waitress explained it means duck meat cooked and seasoned with herbs in its own rendered fat.

"I'll have that," Frank said.

The charm of its presentation was worth it. The Ranch Cafe itself was filled with a cowboy and rancher appeal. Hanging lampshades in the shape of stagecoaches could be purchased if you're into that style. Also, scattered about where signs indicating life as a rancher is good for the heart and soul.

Ranch Cafe

The atmosphere was wholesome and upbeat. The waitress was efficient and very accommodating.

Outside the building were informative signs. One to advise you that your pet is not permitted on the balcony, another to supply it with water, one to warn the smokers to butt out and a fabulous take-your-breath-away painting of a horse-drawn chuckwagon.

Ranch Cafe

Ranch Cafe

After our meal, I chose to take a photo hanging on the wall inside the washroom. A drawing of a horse's head just above the toilet.

Frank found it rather entertaining.

Ranch Cafe

BLESSED IS THE SPOT

Braeburn Buns

Frank digging into the super-sized cinnamon bun

There are strange things done in the midnight sun.

Including the size of a cinnamon bun.

Let's stop at Braeburn, it'll be fun.

It's Mile 55 and we're pretty much done.

The path from Dawson City set a grueling pace.

The owner of the place was out of the race.

He'd seen one too many Yukon Quest.

When we queried his eclectic collection,

His eyes glazed over in rejection.

Have we offended you friend?

No. I'm at the end. I don't want to be here.

Pretend.

Our microwaved bun weighed nearly a ton.

We paid our mon-eeey!

I think it's worth it, Hon.

Another strange thing in this land of the midnight sun.

Braeburn Lodge - home of the world famous cinnamon bun

Music On Our Bus Goes 'Round

Frank taping music on Big White

Frank’s artistic flair is being fitted on Big White. He has handcrafted treble clefs, sharps, and musical notes on stanza bars to show the magic of harmony on the front face of our bus, and on both sides.

Each whole note, half note and quarter note that appear on the five staff lines represent “Allah’u’Abha”, “Shine Your Light on Me Baha’u’llah”, and the Baha’i unity song. He sketched each element on large sheets of Bristol board and delicately cut them out with a precision knife.

Ready to be painted permanently

Each project will be taped to a flat surface on the bus and painted on. It may seem time-consuming to some, however, it's very rewarding in a weird and wonderful way. What better than to cheer up oncoming traffic, those behind us perhaps in a ferry line up or the curious who are sharing parking lot space with us. We look forward to our encounters.

Testing the position

We’ll be heading out from Sicamous, BC, at the beginning of May 2018 – destination the Yukon Territory. Gives us a honk if you see us.

Shine your light on us, Baha’u’llah

Sicamous, BC - What You Can't See

On November 2, 2017, we were greeted at the door by the homeowner and introduced to his two cats. Over the years, we had driven past the Municipal District of Sicamous, British Columbia, on our way west to Salmon Arm and beyond, or on our travels east to Revelstoke and away. Today, we stopped and were given the opportunity to explore the area for the next five months. We are professional house and pet sitters.

What you can't see when you travel past and fast along the Trans-Canada Highway, are the goings on and the ambassadors of the town.

Dairy Cow Manure - Pungent!

Our first walk-about began by turning left at the end of the driveway and strolling casually along Sherlock Road. The overwhelming smell wafting around us originated from the manure being spread onto the field in front of the house.

We came upon a trail-head marker. The Parksville Estates Trailhead directs you down a wide path along the back of houses, beside a large treed area where you come upon a park.

It becomes obvious that the practice of burning garbage in the backyard is common in Sicamous.

Parksville Estates Pathway

We carried on through the park, stopped in briefly at the community arena and headed toward the shopping plaza. There we met several Sicamous ambassadors, including the lovely clerks at the Bargain Shop, other patients at the Sicamous Health Centre giving themselves up for blood samples, and the charming owner of the Painted Book Shop. The folks we met on our first excursion were kind and helpful. "Welcome to Sicamous", they said.

Later that day, we drove down to the Riverboat Dock and admired the storage of the resources offered to those who are interested in motoring along Mara Lake.

Riverboat Dock

Returning to town, we stopped at the promenade and enjoyed the serenity of the boardwalk.

Frank standing on the boardwalk

Blessed Is The Spot

Baha'i Blogging Challenge - Inspiration from the Universal House of Justice

Universal House of Justice, Haifa, Israel

On Wednesday, April 19, 2017, we received a message from the Universal House of Justice forwarded by email from our Baha’i friends located in several clusters across Canada.

The Ridvan message was inspiring.

We've been travelling across British Columbia and the Prairies for nearly three years and have witnessed how the friends are enveloped in the fundamentals of the Plan and how a large number of them are ‘acting on its requirements, and demonstrating rigour in the quality of their response.’

Along the way, we’ve met with believers who are reservoirs of knowledge and resources and with open hearts provided us with their experience and insight.

We take our inspiration from the Universal House of Justice 2017 Ridvan message and apply its objectives to our clear purpose, to meet as many isolated Baha'is as possible and to meet as many new friends as God's guidance allows.

Viewed aright, this year presents the single greatest worldwide opportunity there has ever been for connecting hearts to Bahá’u’lláh. ~ Universal House of Justice 2017 Ridvan Message

Baha'i Blogging Challenge - The Gift of Listening

The Golden Rule poster

Over the years we’ve learned that everyone has a story to tell. One of most respectful gestures we can provide is to listen. Some months ago, on our walk around the Central Alberta community, we met several people at the row of mailboxes. All of the folks in this area pick up their mail there and we made a serious effort to meet as many neighbours as we could, including the Canada Post delivery lady.

We’ve had some delightful conversations including how far some travel to attend church and how some unique religions, like the Two By Twos, are familiar in the area. We listened to their comments and secured a great deal about their tolerance of others and appreciation of their faith.

On occasion, we got to express that as Baha’is we are expected to acquire more knowledge about our Faith by searching truth for ourselves and to listen to others. 

“Religion is the outer expression of the divine reality. Therefore it must be living, vitalized, moving and progressive. If it be without motion and non-progressive it is without the divine life; it is dead.” – Abdu’l-Baha

Baha'i Blog Challenge - The Day of the Covenant

9-pointed star

It was our distinct pleasure to be asked by the Minister of the United Church in Sicamous, British Columbia to describe to the group gathered at the service today about the Baha’i Faith.

I described briefly that the Baha’i Faith is focused on unity and the purpose of sharing Baha’u’llah’s messages from God are to help guide the earth’s humans to enjoy the privileges of His gifts. 

“You might be pleased to know that today, The Day of the Covenant, is a commemoration of Baha’u’llah’s appointment of His eldest son, Abdu’l-Baha as His successor,” I added.

Later, when the congregation gathered for fellowship, my husband and I had the opportunity to share that Baha’is are committed to remaining united, rather than fragmenting into different sects.

We look forward to attending their service regularly and conducting a Devotional afterwards.

Life is good!

Baha'i Blogging Challenge - Bringing up the Topic of God

      

Treasure your gifts from God

We spent another hour with our friend who is living in the extended care wing of the local hospital. We are familiar now with some of the other patients being cared for and we’ve shared upbeat open-ended conversations with several of them. One discussion began with one of the aids while she was putting her patient’s hair into a ponytail. The three of us talked about long hair versus short hair and it drew a gathering of more women. I found myself thinking of Baha’u’llah’s words “…complete victory should be achieved through speech and utterance.” 

I said, "God’s provided you with a beautiful head of hair."

She smiled in agreement and described how she had inherited it from her father. We spent the next fifteen minutes talking about gifts from God. Our conversation was interrupted by the chime of the lunch bell. 

We continued to make a habit of chatting with the other occupants of the gentle care facility throughout our four-month stay in the community.

If he teaches because of God’s Will that God be known – and for that reason only – he will receive knowledge and wisdom, and his words will have effect – being made powerful by the Holy Spirit – and will take root in the souls of those who are in the right condition to receive them. – Abdu’l-Baha

Baha'i Blog Challenge - Strangers and Handshakes

Adopt-a- Neighbour

It was our great pleasure to meet two of our neighbours. We had uplifting conversations with both and received an invitation from one to join a local Citizens on Patrol group and asked by the other to drop by soon for a longer visit.

Our daily walks allow us to meet strangers along the way, accept and invite handshakes and most heartwarming, get to meet with them again.

At the COP meeting, we introduced ourselves and settled amongst a group of like-minded friends. We all wanted to be protected, some by linked fences and electronic security systems, others by fellow citizens who drive around and watch for suspicious goings-on in the neighbourhood. What came to mind was my satisfaction that God protects us all.

Later that week, we enjoyed coffee and cake with the other neighbour. He and his wife began the conversation with an introduction to their religion. We listened with open hearts and when they felt satisfied that we understood, we invited them to our home. They accepted. After they had settled in, we introduced ourselves as Baha'is and explained a few of Baha'u'llah's messages. Since then, we've been meeting with them and their friends at the close of their church service when they congregate at the back of their church for fellowship.

"O that I could travel, even though on foot and in the utmost poverty, to these regions, and, raising the call of 'Ya Baha'-u'l-Abha' in cities, villages, mountains, deserts and oceans, promote the divine teachings! This, alas, I cannot do. How intensely I deplore it! Please God, ye may achieve it."  (From a letter dated 23 May 2016 written by the Universal House of Justice to the Baha'is of the World)

Blessed Is The Spot

Baha'i Blog Challenge - Open Heart Conversation

Our excursions today included shopping for a few personal items, gathering the mail and visiting with a friend in the local assisted-living facility.

Our visit with the kindly gentleman was filled with talk of his family. He described all his adult children as determined go-getters and confessed that he could not take all the credit. He told us that his stay-at-home wife was the backbone of the group. After an hour, our visit was interrupted by a nurse who was scheduled to provide her patient with his bath.

We returned home satisfied that our first visit of many to come with this new friend was well received.

Out of the whole world He hath chosen for Himself the hearts of men—hearts which the hosts of revelation and of utterance can subdue.  (Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 279)

An open heart is well received

Baha'i Blog Challenge - Guidance, Encouragement and Support

Being a Homefront Pioneer became a very rewarding solution to our need to satisfy Abdu’l-Baha’s call to action. Our experience during our three-month volunteer assignment in Central Alberta included numerous telephone conversations and email exchanges with various members of the Alberta Baha’i Council. Each encounter was filled with guidance, encouragement and support. Although there is no manual for homefront pioneering, consultation with local Baha’is, groups, Local Spiritual Assemblies, the Cluster Coordinator, and Institute members and the Alberta Baha’i Council helped us manage our pioneer endeavours. 

The Consultation Look

We’ve summarised our first consultation this way:

• Make contact with the closest Baha'is in the cluster and find out from those friends what is needed in the area.

• Identify the Cluster Coordinator.

• Send all receipts related to our Homefront Pioneer assignment to the Alberta Baha’i Council Treasurer.

• Participate in whatever is already underway in the Cluster.

• Communicate with the Council through the liaison and assistant.

• Submit bi-weekly reports that include observations, barriers, recommendations and consultation information to the Alberta Baha’i Council.

• Enjoy yourself.

Beyond such considerations, a consultative spirit pervades the interactions of those engaged in social action, of whatever size and complexity, and the population they serve. This does not imply that formal mechanisms are necessarily in place for this purpose. It suggests, rather, that the aspirations of the people, their observations and ideas, are ever present and are consciously incorporated into plans and programmes.  (Universal House of Justice, Office of Social and Economic Development, Social Action, 26 November 2012, p. 14)

Reflections - Baha'i Blog Challenge

Neighbourhood Walkabouts

During our time as Homefront Pioneers in Rimbey, Alberta, our daily morning ritual with the five dogs and two cats began with releasing the animals from their overnight sleeping cages and sending them outside to relieve themselves. Our instruction from the homeowners was to go outdoors with them to keep them somewhat corralled.

As for the felines, herding cats is a common joke among owners so we let them be and set their water and food bowls on the picnic table. The little dogs returned to the house with enthusiasm and were rewarded with breakfast.

The large German Shepard was a bit wary of us in the beginning however, we soon developed a ‘friendship’ with her.

Friendly neighbours

After the pets were settled, Frank and I would head out with the big dog for our neighbourhood walkabout. If a neighbour happened to be outside we would speak with him or her. We thought this repeated pattern would allow us to be recognised as friendly neighbours.

[homefront pioneers] would yield greater effect if, drawing on the advice of institutions, [if] they were to direct their efforts to clusters, villages, and neighbourhoods within clusters that are the focus of systematic attention.  (adapted from a letter dated 23 May 2011 written by the Universal House of Justice to the Baha’is of the World, paragraphs 1 and 4)

Reflection - Baha'i Blog

April 6, 2017, began with examining the Fire Tablet. Our study and meditation extended for a long while with the continued learning of Ruhi Book 6, Teaching the Cause.

Later, we reviewed and discussed the 8 March 2017/8 Loftiness 173 letter from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Canada.

Afterward, we reviewed and discussed “Extracts from letters written by the Universal House of Justice regarding pioneering”, from a letter dated 23 May 2011 written by the Universal House of Justice to the Baha’is of the World, paragraphs 1 and 4.

We strongly believe that time dedicated to the Writings is a stretch well spent. The events fill us with great joy, confidence and guidance.

Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.  Tablets of Baha’ullah, Lawh-i-Maqsud

Baha'i Blog Challenge - Service

Lacome, AB Hospital

On Tuesday, April 4, we took a short drive to Lacombe, Alberta, a community approximately fourteen kilometres east of our Rimbey-based homefront pioneer assignment. We had volunteered to visit shut-ins who live in the extended daycare facility at the hospital.

We spent a respectful short time with our new friend and he and Frank exchanged opinions and impressions about their having lived in Saskatchewan years ago.

Their bond was cinched when the mention of Crib, a fascinating card game, came up in the conversation. We promised that our next visit with him would include a deck of cards and a game board. He acknowledged the plan with the nod of his head.

Bird on a Wire - Pinyon Jay

Back at home base, we were tasked with filling the various bird feeders with seeds for the majority of the Finches, sugar-enhanced water for the pleasure of the Woodpeckers, and suet, that hard animal fat sometimes used for cooking – in this case, used to feed the birds.

That evening we rested contentedly.

An act, however infinitesimal, is, when viewed in the mirror of the knowledge of God, mightier than a mountain. Every drop proffered in His path is as the sea in that mirror.  (Bahá’u’lláh, Quickeners of Mankind, p. 4)

Baha'i Blog Challenge

A Response to Abdu'l-Baha's Urging

A reflection of our Homefront Pioneers Experience

View from Township Road 422

On Monday, April 3, 2017, we arrived at our Homefront Pioneer destination. For three months we were housed in an isolated community thirty-five kilometres south-east of Rimbey, Alberta. We accepted an invitation to pioneer the area by the Alberta Baha'i Council.

We met several of the town’s people and introduced ourselves to them as newcomers. When one person asked, Why Rimbey? we shared that we were caring for a local couple’s home and pets. We added we were Baha’is who were hoping to learn about and participate in their community.

Later, at the dining table of the homeowners, we talked about the woman’s collection of protection idols such as her porcelain angels, voodoo dolls and gargoyles. She asked us how we felt about protection and how it was that we protected ourselves from the evils surrounding us. Frank took the opportunity to share with her that we are Baha’is and we protect ourselves with our Faith and prayers.

She asked, What is Baha’i?

Frank drew from his years of experience in the Faith and revealed to our listeners that Baha’is believe that we are now living in a new era where the most current prophet, Baha’u’llah, has provided to each of us messages that reveal the purpose of our lives in this time – to know and explore God’s spiritual virtues such as truthfulness, kindness, unity, love and justice. Our listeners came to the conclusion that if you are truthful, kind, loving and just, you are living a good life, a happy life.

Armed with the power of Thy name nothing can ever hurt me, and with Thy love in my heart all the world’s afflictions can in no wise alarm me. (Bahá’u’lláh, Prayers and Meditations by Bahá’u’lláh, p. 208)

Outlook, Saskatchewan - It's Outlook on the Library System

The sign at the front entrance to the public library in Outlook, says Wheatland Community Library, however, access to its Internet WIFI is restricted to the staff and students in the school in which it is housed. 

This public library in this town is private when it comes to accessing the World Wide Web.

Outlook is located approximately 94 kilometres south of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on Highway 219.

Frank and I stood in front of the librarian and explained to her that I’m a writer and most of my material is stored on my hard drive and on a web cloud. Also, I must verify my facts and most I can research on the Internet. “Do you have free WIFI?”

Bar with free WIFI, Outlook, SK

“No. There is no Internet access here in this library for the public. It is for the exclusive use of the school staff and the students. You can get WIFI at the café down the street or at the bar,” the librarian said.

I felt defeated. Frank and I have been on the road for three years now, visiting as many small towns and their senior centres and libraries as possible. Even if the library has restricted days and hours, they've always had a keen sense that it is in their interest to provide free Internet access to whoever comes through their doors.

Outlook, SK, Town Office

The good news is that my explanation to the Town Office Manager, Trent, resulted in my having access to their Internet WIFI and a comfortable chair at a table in the art centre. We left a thank you card with his staff to pass along to him on our way out.

Life is good.

Tugaske, Saskatchewan - It's Not a Temple

Masonic Temple/Lodge

According to Dorothy and Lynn of Tugaske, the Masonic Temple is now owned by a local artist who had the interior modified a bit from its previous life as a bank. We are standing together on the sidewalk across from the lodge in front of the Canada Post building.

“My mother used to work at that bank in the 1920s,” Dorothy says. “It’s not a temple, it’s a lodge. The Masons aren’t here anymore. They were kind of like the Kinsmen.”

Town Hall 1910

The building kitty-corner to it displays a shield inscribed with Town Hall 1910. It is also privately owned and in disrepair. Lynn reports that the new owners had made big promises but have left it rotting for years. They point out that the hotel is also vacant and the restaurant closed.

“You might also like to know that our church is abandoned now too. The roof was leaking and the repairs didn’t take, the heat was turned off and now small animals have taken it over. We meet in the community hall for services. The Pastor comes from Saskatoon every two weeks,” says Dorothy.

United Church - unused

The ladies excuse themselves saying that they’ve been standing too long and need to go home and rest.

My exploration of the town takes me across the dusty gravel street to Westbridgeford Meats Ltd. A woman is standing under the canopy. I ask if it is her business, she says yes and invites me in. The pungent odor of decaying meat fills my nostrils and makes my eyes water. She explains and that she once bred Jack Russell dogs and fed them ground meat and leftovers from her daily butchering. She now specializes as a dog food producer.

Westbridge Meats Ltd.

“We used to own the only grocery store in town with the meat rendering plant in the back. Some years ago, the whole thing burned down, we rebuilt the meat business and that’s all we do now,” she says.

The meat packing plant and the Co-op garage seem to be the only businesses holding the town in its location. Tugaske is 170 kilometers south of Saskatoon.

That same day, Frank met Dave, a guitar builder who often has international students stay in the town for seven weeks and learn how to build guitars. At the end of their stay, they return home with the guitar they have built. At the moment, one of his students is from Israel and another is from Chicago.

Later that day, we met Violet, the librarian. The library is a great resource for the locals who attend it on the three days of the week and the short hours it is open. Like many of the other towns we’ve visited this summer, the library is sometimes the only gathering place.