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Friday, October 24th, 2025

Dundas, Ontario

My assistant, Nityananda, drove me to the town Dundas where autumn colours are in their prime and the inhabitants are relatively fine.  The particular purpose in visiting this place just over an hour’s drive from Toronto was to see an old friend, Michael Oesch, a walking partner from the past.  He is also a musician and filmmaker.  I recommend his documentary Walking the Wisdom of the Road which details various persons who experienced marathons on roads and trails in Canada.  He took a very spiritual approach to the art of pilgrimage.  I am in the film, and it was a pleasure working with him, especially when he concentrated on shooting in the province of Alberta and British Columbia in 2013.

Michael has an issue.  Going back to the Covid period, he took the vaccine for the virus, and in 36 hours, he received a severe reaction and has been physically suffering.  Last summer, he lost his power to walk.  Things looked grim then.  He is doing much better now, and is staying in a facility called St. Joseph’s.  He needs a wheelchair to get around, even inside.  We maneuvered around in the building and spent a good hour, especially in the chapel.  He is in good spirits and is not resentful.  He’s an optimist.  It is very encouraging. 

In our conversation, we also spoke about and acquaintance of ours, Dana Miesse from BC, who trekked the entire Trans Canada Trail, a distancer of 28,000 kilometres.  That’s impressive.  Occasionally, I talk to him.  He overcame a case of beaver fever, bad water, on his journey, and had to get hospitalized.  God bless him.   Walkers go through stuff.

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU

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