Welcome to my Writing, Artsy-doodly, Camino, everday world
I love the BC ferry that runs between Vancouver and Vancouver Island, It has so many things going for it: first of all, I am usually setting out for a holiday and a visit with family and dear friends, second, it has wonderful seascapes and thirdly, at an hour and a half, it is a comfortable duration allowing a good look at the sea, explore the ship and if it is morning, time to get breakfast.
I just marvel at Susan Orlean’s sense of observation and then her skill in translating that into words in her book The Orchid Thief. Her subject matter was rich material: the orchids, the obsessed crazy people, the lush jungle and the barren subdivisions of Florida, but wow, did she ever nail it!
As I watched the Coronation, I reflected on how two of the people there, who lead very public lives of duty and service, are supported faithfully with love by their spouses: the King and the Governor General of Canada.
Yesterday I saw that there is a distinct pecking order in the land of birdwatching when it comes to geese.
So, was writing the book the achievement rather than the book in my hand or on my e-reader? Does getting to Santiago as the destination of the Camino overshadow all the kilometres and walking and the heart and effort that went into it?
Holy Week is a busy time in church-land and an even busier time in Spain. And I think one of the most wonderful times to be on the Camino.
The joy of hankering down for a good old book read. I am doing that now with Amor Towles book A Gentleman in Moscow.
I see that pilgrims are having a moment. And I am talking about Beyond the Camino de Santiago de Compostela!
Our winter activities, the outside ones, in Canada, in winter, involve slipping, sliding and if it works out well, gliding along on some natural white surface. That means snow or ice.
The novel, Pardon my Camino has so much: The Camino trail of course and all that is involved with backpacks, hostels and blisters plus plus, there are family and couple dynamics and a big financial hiccup, there are adventures, friends and friendship, spirituality, history, a gay romantic sub-plot, church, sex, food and wine, all woven around the themes of truth and forgiveness.