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Tuesday, July 14th, 2026 Thunder Bay, Ontario It was "brush and flush" time, a common expression on the bus. Close to midnight, enroute to Thunder Bay, we were on the longest route in the remote north. Though we drove on the "main drag" of Canada, the Trans Canada Highway, road travel is almost nil. There was, however, one busy open at this hour for the brush and flush routine, at Circle K, a convenience store. With one washroom it was an impossible task to be quick. The brus

Monday, July 13th, 2026 Serpent River, Ontario An overnight drive took us north to the small town of Serpent River, an indigenous community, and to be more specific, a roadside park where you have a natural waterslide in the river creating a fun white water experience. One of our boys, Suci, captured on his phone a young bear who slid off a smooth-faced rock, tossing it into the water, then who came out and shook off all the wetness. A mishap maybe, but charming nevertheless,

Sunday, July 12th, 2026 Centre Island, Toronto Lovely day! I mean the weather - perfect! Centre Island really is a piece of heaven, especially with the presence of Jagannatha deities. Every year Vandita, our decorator for the temple, makes it quite gorgeous. It is a temporary temple but each year she puts a totally new spin onto it. Very attractive. Visiting me to the island were two cousins of mine. Corry and Jeanette are in town and decided to catch me at this special place

Friday, July 11th, 2026 Centre Island, Toronto The procession began at Yonge and Edward Streets. Fairly smooth it was. Our Chinese friends brought their dragon, a white and silvery serpent of sorts. Our members of Bhakti Academy were all decked out in handsome and pretty attire, looking good and sounding good. I was their lead. At the front of that was our group of brahmachari celibates all in saffron. Their was power in their presence. And that's how it started, lest I menti

Friday, July 10th, 2026 Centre Island, Toronto Every year at the dawn of the Chariot Fest, meaning the day prior, a twelve hour kirtan takes place at the Toronto ashram temple. It attracts many people. I am the lucky one to kick-start the event and a half-hour time slot is what I'm given for taking the lead in the chant. The magical musical couple from the town just north of Toronto, Bolton, had agreed to come to participate. Mahadevananda plays guitar and Annapurnachandra, a

Thursday, July 9th, 2026 Russell, Ontario The other day I woke up to the sound of an owl. Just outside my window I found the noble creature perched on the maple tree. It was the first time in the fifty years since we moved into this old Gothic-looking church that one of these welcoming feathered friends made an appearance. The timing was good. It was hooting at 4 am and that began my day. I call it pleasant when you can touch nature. I asked our visiting monk from Orissa, Pad