The Compline was perfect. We arrived a bit late because I turned a corner too fast and was stopped and questioned by police for driving heedlessly in the DTES. I said I couldn’t be late for a very important date and explained I was headed for a memorial compline and church starts on time. I offered to come to the police station after the service and they rolled their eyes and let us go. But the quiet and peace of the sanctuary evaporated the cloud of angst trailing in our wake. It was unforgettable but how special to be able to listen again today. Ps I think our obsession with decades etc has to do with our fingers and toes.
So glad you were up, not glad aboit why, but glad you were up and writing. This entry is what I needed to read at 730 this morning, the birthday of my dear man, dead these seven years. He would be 82 today. He loved -- loves? -- your writing. Tale care, Bill
2) I understand never re-reading work after it's out in the world. But in this case, surely you must be the expert on Mavis Gallant and a personal memoir book would have been in order, especially given all the fun side tracks?
3) Your AI artist is a much better Philip Surrey than Philip Surrey. I have never appreciated his appeal At. All. So garish and unpleasant. But your artist captures his forms with a very warm, agreeable palette. :)
Late to the chat, but just as grateful for this essay as for all the others. If Mavis has any knowledge of your endeavours since her departure, I expect she feels fortunate. Here’s to your restored good health ❤️
That August evening was my introduction to both the word and experience of compline, and a perfect reintroduction into Vancouver, after thirty years living elsewhere. The event itself was wondrous and made even more so by the accidentals: the man who came in from the street because he could, the sirens, the gulls, and the tent pitched right on the steps of the church set to face the corner. And the light….
Well, Slim, even in the throes of Covid you deliver something terrific. That August 2022 event was moving . Thanks to technology Toronto could join in. Please get better soon, oh, and congratulations on another bonny bunny book!
a feature of my posts is that they always include errors -- charming! April 18 should read February 18... duh...
The Compline was perfect. We arrived a bit late because I turned a corner too fast and was stopped and questioned by police for driving heedlessly in the DTES. I said I couldn’t be late for a very important date and explained I was headed for a memorial compline and church starts on time. I offered to come to the police station after the service and they rolled their eyes and let us go. But the quiet and peace of the sanctuary evaporated the cloud of angst trailing in our wake. It was unforgettable but how special to be able to listen again today. Ps I think our obsession with decades etc has to do with our fingers and toes.
I loved that August gathering! Especially the Gallant fragments put together by you, voiced by Gabrielle Rose to music by Veda Hille. So perfect.
Glad to hear you’ve given up the cigs; sorry about the Covid. Just getting over it myself. Bark bark.
Drivel, Bill? Never. I’m always delighted to find you in my inbox.
So glad you were up, not glad aboit why, but glad you were up and writing. This entry is what I needed to read at 730 this morning, the birthday of my dear man, dead these seven years. He would be 82 today. He loved -- loves? -- your writing. Tale care, Bill
1) Get well soon!
2) I understand never re-reading work after it's out in the world. But in this case, surely you must be the expert on Mavis Gallant and a personal memoir book would have been in order, especially given all the fun side tracks?
3) Your AI artist is a much better Philip Surrey than Philip Surrey. I have never appreciated his appeal At. All. So garish and unpleasant. But your artist captures his forms with a very warm, agreeable palette. :)
Late to the chat, but just as grateful for this essay as for all the others. If Mavis has any knowledge of your endeavours since her departure, I expect she feels fortunate. Here’s to your restored good health ❤️
Thank you for your 3am writing and I hope you get over Covid very soon.
That August evening was my introduction to both the word and experience of compline, and a perfect reintroduction into Vancouver, after thirty years living elsewhere. The event itself was wondrous and made even more so by the accidentals: the man who came in from the street because he could, the sirens, the gulls, and the tent pitched right on the steps of the church set to face the corner. And the light….
Well, Slim, even in the throes of Covid you deliver something terrific. That August 2022 event was moving . Thanks to technology Toronto could join in. Please get better soon, oh, and congratulations on another bonny bunny book!
also - honestly, I'm hopeless -- that's Archdeacon of Burrard, not Burred -- that was spell check playing a trick on me, as often happens.