Showing posts with label zen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label zen. Show all posts

Kaiah: Our Gentle Dog Has Arrived

Kaiah is Finally Home Finally, finally, finally ! We've (... or rather, I ...) been waiting for such a long time to adopt a dog of our own. For the past month or so, I did a lot of research on the internet checking out all the local dog rescue organizations. The timing being around Montreal's moving bonanza period ..... end of June, early July, we figured that if we do want to have a dog, that this is the ideal time to adopt one. People move (change domicile) or move away for many different reasons. Some move out of the province for work for instance and decide to leave their pooch behind. Or some, move to another apartment in the area ....... where no dogs are allowed. For whatever reasons, the end result is that many dogs end up at the SPCA, local grass-root dog rescue organizations, etc. OR, worst ........... they are just cast out onto the streets ending up as strays.

Kaiah was found tied to a post at a busy intersection in Montreal North. Luckily, she was rescued by the SPCA where we adopted her. Judging by her behaviour, she must have had quite an ordeal ...... as she is very nervous and insecure. We even have to coax her to eat up at mealtime ! But underneath all that, we're sure that there is a very gentle, fun-loving, good-natured dog just waiting for us to show her the ropes to be herself. It's going to take time, we know. For the past 3 days we're battling the house-training dilemma ........ she's not quite clear on the subject. She is not all interested in doing her business outside. Oh yes, she loves to smell everything in the doggie park, but " thinks " doing her business in public is not for her. It's way more interesting to sneak off for a second or so and do it in the house. :-(( BIG TIME ! Or, maybe our house-training technique is all wrong. All we can say is it hasn't been easy showing Kaiah what we expect from her and she understanding that doing her business is strictly for outdoors. So, if anyone has some tips or comments on house-training a dog, please pass them along. We definitely want to hear about your experiences on this.

Lots more about Kaiah to come ........... Woof Woof !


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Bonne St. Jean !

Kinkaku Tree Peony

St. Jean Baptiste Day is Quebec's National Holiday.
As my 4 yr. old niece explained to me this morning, today is Quebec's birthday!


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Spring Flower Fever

Spring came early to Montreal this year. To top it off, we also had a relatively mild winter. So, our plants in the garden is having a wild time now ...... just happy happy and growing like I've never seen them do before !

Our front yard: no grass, just perennials, bulbs and shrubs.
Zen-gaylife Front Garden Spring 2010-1
Zen-gaylife Front Garden Spring 2010-3
Zen-gaylife Front Garden Spring 2010-2

In the backyard: our cercis tree and a species peony shrub.
Back Garden Species Peony

A Japanese tree peony and our Japanese inspired corner.
Zen-gaylife Back Garden Spring 2010-4 Zen-gaylife Back Garden Spring 2010-5

Closeup shot of the Japanese tree peony flower.
Japanese Tree Peony Blossom

Both Doug and I are thrilled with the garden so far this year. We're just wondering now, hehe, if we are to enjoy milder winters in the years to come, what new plants (that are not hardy for our zone 5b winters) we can now add to our garden. All plant suggestions are welcome. :-)

Hmmmm, this must be what it's like to garden in England !

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Just Daydreaming

A Zen Moment

This is an old photo that I had taken on the Big Island, Hawaii. I don't recall the exact location, but it was definitely north of the Hapuna Beach area. ( It may have been the North Kohala stretch of the scenic drive. ) We were driving along the western coast of the island and southward bound, returning to our Hapuna Beach accommodations. And we were lucky to find this little corner of paradise.

This is one of our most treasured memories of that trip !

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Part Of My Chinese-Canadian Heritage

I am the first generation of Canadian born Chinese in my family lineage. In my younger years, there have been countless situations when I found myself, in Montreal's Chinatown, listening to the elders chitchatting and exchanging their own coming to Canada stories. Though I had already heard so many different versions, I would usually prick up my ears and really become absorbed in the tales, soaking up every little detail. Even at a young age, I already knew that hardship, hunger, alienation by the host country, loneliness, lack of self respect, longing for family loved ones and the hope to return home one day were common threads to all these tales. The only difference was the specific people involved.

I found these beautiful photos in the Vancouver Public Library's archives. For those interested, there is also a timeline and details that document the Chinese labourers' contribution to the building of Canada from as early as the 19-th century. See complete photo gallery.

Hardship Bound
This is how my great-grand-father and grand-father came to Canada! Perhaps, my great-grand is in this photo?!... since we do not have a record of what he looks like. :((


I've Been Working On A Railroad
Both my great-grand-father and grand-father worked on building the railroad. (Canadian Pacific Railway Company)


Where Is The Gold Mountain
Washing For Gold


Work Like A Donkey
Logging


Yes Missy
If you're lucky, you can work as a domestic.


Three Men And A Dog
Alienation: Three Men And A Dog


Being a "visual" person, these photos added more "color" and definition to the images that I had created in my head after listening to these stories told by the elders.

If you liked the photos, please bookmark this post and share it with your friends. Or, just Digg it....... by the right of the title.

I think more people should know about the "coming of age" story of Chinese Canadians in this great land of ours.

I’d appreciate it. :)

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My Clematis "Yukikomachi" Is Alive . . . . Sweet!

Clematis "YUKIKOMACHI": Poetess of the SnowLast week, I was putzing around in the back garden weeding, staking plants and what-not, when I noticed this tender shoot. At first, I thought it was just another weed. Then, my gardener's instinct kicked in. NO WAY! Is that what I think it is? I couldn't believe my eyes. She's alive!
Last spring, I had ordered a much sought-after Japanese clematis from my favorite on-line supplier, Gardenimport.com. All was in good order when I received it in the mail. The packaging was very elaborate and the 2-stemmed plant was very well protected. There I was, all excited and already fantasizing what the blooms would look like. Two days after I planted it in the ground, a squirrel decided to dig it up. In the process, both miniscule stems were broken off. Needless to say, I was very upset. I sunk the root ball back in the ground and protected the planting area with nylon netting..... to keep those scoundrels away. I was hoping against all odds that maybe the roots would keep the plant going and perhaps, a stem might develop later in the summer. This poor plant had no leaves, nothing. I was desperate and I had to at least try that.

Then, weeks, months and seasons passed. Life went on and I had forgotten all about it.

It's quite incredible that the roots managed to keep the plant going all last summer and then having to brave the cold and snow of our past winter. And, it survived, coming back with 1 strong stem. Isn't Mother Nature wonderful!

I'm in no rush. This clematis can take all the time she needs to mature because the photo below shows what I have to look forward to. She's a keeper!


YUKIKOMACHI: white sepals with a pale lavender edge

Japanese Clematis "YUKIKOMACHI"
Photo source: Gardenimport.com

Yukikomachi is the Japanese name.
Poetess of the Snow is its English name. (so zen....)
This clematis was hybridized by Chieko Kurasawa of Japan.


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The Tradition of O-hanami

During the Heian period in Japan (794-1185), aristocrats organized celebrations under the flowering cherry trees. This led to the tradition of o-hanami: contemplating (mi) the blossoms (hana). The custom spread over the centuries, becoming popular with people from all walks of life. Since Japanese cherry trees are not very hardy and seldom bloom in our Montreal climate, the Montreal Botanical Garden uses flowering crabapples to create a similar tranquil, romantic and zen atmosphere. Every May the Montreal Botanical Garden organizes a picnic that takes place in their Japanese Garden and Pavillon. It's a popular social event that many Montrealers welcome with open arms....... since it also marks the arrival of blue skies and warm "t-shirt & shorts" temperatures for the coming months. This year, DJ and I went with friends and it was very enjoyable. We roamed around the grounds ooo-ing and ahh-ing the magnificent flowering crabapple trees that were in full bloom. These blooms came in shades of pink to pale yellows to shimmering white! And, some were fragrant.

japanese garden2
japanese
We picked a spot to enjoy the pre-ordered Bento box lunch. It was nice to relax, people watch and just soak in the atmosphere and enjoy the moment.

japanese garden5/ kimono dress

women in kimono dress

japanese garden/ bill & wolfgang
our friends, bill & wolfgang


All in all, we had a fabulous time. See you there next May.

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If you liked this story, please share it on Digg.
I’d appreciate it. :)

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forbidden colors ( kinjiki 禁色 ) by yukio mishima

i recently borrowed forbidden colors from my friend "m". she has a small collection of mishima's books, but this one really caught my eye. its original title in japanese is 禁色........ the characters 禁 means "forbidden" and 色 in this case means "erotic love".

when i googled mishima, i came upon this interesting video on youtube. click anywhere on the video screen to watch this clip.

Zen-gaylife: Mishima Interview on Youtube

to watch "the life and death of yukio mishima", click here.

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About Zen-gaylife

i'm just a regular guy, gay guy, happily married to a guy, wanting to find a new balance in my life. at 54 (2011), i want to keep things simple....... to lead a simple life and embrace happiness. this blog will focus on my quest and on the elements and inspirations that work for me and usually bring a smile to my face. as you read my blog, look for these "zen" moments and share in my experience. ;-))

Zen-gaylife Introduction Card
browse through the photos and read the stories. come join me on my journey.

Thanks for dropping by.
Ken

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