Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine, there's dancing, laughter & good red wine; at least I have always found it so, Benadicamus Domino! Hilaire Belloc
Please scroll all the way down to the fireside to enjoy music/video links!
I did this one a couple of weeks ago, under the guidance of my wise English Professor/Watercolour Artist friend. There was supposed to be a small vase in the foreground, but I didn't space out the drawing properly to include it. I was instructed to start all over again; instead, I stubbornly continued and just left the vase out all together.
I have a long way to go in attaining "an obedient spirit"...
In retrospect, I also think I should've painted the background a pale pink instead of warm orange. Oh well - live and learn!
I only just learned that Lou Rawls did the background vocals on one of my favourite Sam Cooke tunes, Bring It On Home To Me. No wonder I like that song so much - two of my favourite voices on one song! :)
I've posted a photo of Lou Rawls on the right, since the YouTube video below only has pics of Sam.
For information on Harvey's wake and funeral, click here.
Click here for Harvey's obituary as recorded in The Republican.
Please keep Harvey's soul in your prayers. I pray he will soon be enjoying a fine feast in heaven! :) God bless you, Harvey - I'm grateful you kept in touch over the years! Painting by John Zaccheo
Last night I woke up around 3:45 a.m. to the sound of a huge explosion. Looked out the balcony, but couldn't make out what it was or where it came from. Went back to bed and just lay there. A few minutes later, I saw the sky light up orange and heard the sound of another explosion. This time, when I rushed to the balcony, I saw a huge fireball evaporating in the sky, and then I saw the source of flames, about 3 miles south-west of our building. There were about 40 or 50 explosions in total.
It turns out a propane depot exploded. At present, there are no reports of any casualties, although at least two people were injured. Please pray that everyone's alright.
Update: One depot employee remains missing. Firefighter Bob Leek, District Chief died on the scene.
Update 2: A body recovered at the site on Tuesday may be that of the missing depot employee, Parmindar Saini. An autopsy is being conducted.
May their souls rest in peace...
Found the video below on YouTube. It's similar to the view I had last night from the balcony, although taken from much further away. At about 1:50 - 2:02 on the video clip, you can see the explosion that lit up the sky:
I just came across this great quote by Vincent Van Gogh, in Henri Nouwen's book The Way of the Heart:
"There may be a great fire in our soul, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passersby only see a wisp of smoke coming through the chimney, and go along their way. Look here, now what must be done? Must one tend the inner fire, have salt in oneself, wait patiently but with how much impatience for the hour when somebody will come and sit down - maybe to stay?
Let him who believes in God wait for the hour that will come sooner or later."
I've always loved the dream-like quality to the musical arrangement of this song. It is after all, a song about a dream - "For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her" by Simon & Garfunkel:
The Alberta Human Rights Commission has dismissed the complaint filed by the Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities against the Western Standard/Ezra Levant. Read Ezra's take on the decision here.
So says Barbara Nicolosi of the recently released film version of Brideshead Revisited. I like the Evelyn Waugh novel too much to watch what's apparently been done to it in this film adaptation. Very sad...
