Very Uncommon And Overlooked Tree

Looking to plant a tree in your garden? Then, I truly recommend you consider a Fringe Tree (Chionanthus Virginicus).

When we planted ours 10 years ago, it was 3 feet tall. Today, it stands about 7 feet tall. It's a very slow grower which I find attractive because living in downtown Montreal, I don't want to find myself having to deal with a monster tree whose height can be problematic...... casting too much shade, sucking up all the moisture in the soil, getting tangled in utility wires, etc. This was the ideal choice for me. And even better, it's really not a fussy plant....... grows in average good soil and requires basically no maintenance throughout the year. But it likes to have lots of sun ! So, find a sunny spot in your garden/yard. Unfortunately, my Fringe Tree gets just enough sun in the backyard...... I'm sure it would prefer more.

It's a multi-stemmed tree and grows in a vase shape.

The flowers are like delicate fringes. It's enchanting fragrance is Jasmin-like.

Sorry for the horrible photos. Please use your imagination. :-)

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The Visitor Trailer

Oh no ! A reader just emailed to inform me that the film clips for my previous post were no longer available for viewing...... deleted from the server ! I'm just wondering what the story behind that is.

As a consolation prize, you'll have to watch the trailer instead.

Sorry guys !

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An Australian Jewel Of A Film

"The Visitor" is an Australian short 2002 independent film that is very well put together. The two principal actors Barry Otto and Nick Carpenter did a great job with it, though I must admit that I thought the latter was truly "spellbinding". I won't give away any more details....... you'll just have to watch it to find out for yourself. ( Warning: some male nudity. )

CLICK HERE - PART 1

CLICK HERE - PART 2

I totally enjoyed watching this short, however, I'm still not totally understanding the story. In my opinion, any film that leaves one thinking is a sign of a film that's well worth watching !

You're most welcome to share any thoughts you may have regarding the storyline.

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A Great Start For 2009

DJ Drew G Congrats to this talented musician/producer/DJ. He was chosen from a long list of DJs to spin at the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Dance for U.S. President Barack Obama. You can read about it in this interview ...... FYI, this link will take you to an adult gay site.

Besides being "superhot" in the music/circuit party arena, I think he is supersexy!

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Gay Wedding Anniversary

Recently, we celebrated Bill and Wolfgang's 1-st wedding anniversary. Luckily, the weather was perfect: summery hot and not a cloud in sight. Doug and I prepared a "all homemade from scratch" BBQ dinner served in our tiny back garden. It was a simple menu: gazpacho to start, BBQ ribs with 2 salads for main dish and Doug's lemon meringue pie for dessert. YUMMY!




Wedding highlights: they have been a loving and giving couple for over 35 years! Friends and family from Europe and USA attended the ceremony and partied with the couple till the wee hours of the morning.

CHEERS, BILL & WOLFGANG!
HAPPY 1-st ANNIVERSARY. WE WISH YOU BOTH MANY HAPPY YEARS TO COME.
LOVE,
Ken & Doug & Margarete

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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.


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. :((



Both my great-grand-father and grand-father worked on building the railroad. (Canadian Pacific Railway Company)



Washing For Gold



Logging



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



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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Happy Monday!

This is "Gold of Ophir", one of many named selections of Oriental Poppies (Turkish origins). Its brilliant orange blossoms are spectacular. Either partially double or fully double, its paper-thin petals are pleated and are silk-like to the touch. And believe it or not, the flower is around 4 to 5 inches across and stands on sturdy stems of 3 to 4 feet tall!

I've had this plant for a few years now...... and I've always wondered about its name. Its blossoms are orange..... there's no gold anywhere. Big mystery. Ponder. It was only while snapping these photos that I saw....... with the sun shining from behind the plant, there are patches of shimmering golds...... dappled here and there. How brilliant! Hence....... its name?!

FYI: Ophir is an unidentified region famous in Old Testament times for its fine gold. The geographic list of Genesis 10 apparently places it in Arabia, but in the time of Solomon (c. 920 bc), Ophir was thought of as being overseas. Gold, almug (or algum) wood (i.e., sandalwood), ivory, monkeys, and peacocks were procured there. Many areas of the Arabian Peninsula have been proposed as the site of Ophir; the principal alternative locations overseas are East Africa and India. (Britannica.com)

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LE CARTET: Brunch in Old Montreal

Recently, one lazy Saturday, our friend Margarete decided to treat us for brunch..... to thank us for driving her and her precious pooch, "Christie", to a groomer located off the island of Montreal. We walked around her stomping grounds a bit (Old Montreal) and stopped by LE CARTET, on rue McGill. It is a neighborhood "in" spot for both the gay and straight crowd.

You have a choice of outdoor cafe or "loft style" dining room.


Shelves full of goodies: an old-time "General Store" feel.

Upon ordering, the cute waiter brought us some freshly squeezed orange juice and some illy coffee........ with a very nice smile! :))

And the food did not disappoint either...... LOL


All kidding aside, the food was excellent. I particularly loved the homemade baked beans, herbed sausage and tasty smoked ham. Oh, did I mention the side dish of fresh fruits that came with my country meal? Margarete also enjoyed her 3 Minute Egg Deluxe Plate..... though she was unable to finish everything. Both DJ and I cleared off our pans with little difficulty and feeling so satisfied.

If I had to rate LE CARTET (food quality and presentation, service, ambience, cleanliness and location): 5 stars out of 5.

Off limits. Margarete is hogging the wall of chocolats.

All fuelled up, it was time to go for a walk and explore
Old Montreal!

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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.



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.

women in kimono dress

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.



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. ;-))


browse through the photos and read the stories. come join me on my journey.

Thanks for dropping by.
Ken

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