The picture is of revolutionaries Che Guevara & Fidel Castro.



We don't have cable or satellite. Not for any high ground moral reason - we just really don't watch much TV and paying for it would be a waste of money. But that leaves us with only CBC to watch. Which is actually great by us. The only show that our whole family watches is "Little Mosque on the Prairie". We love it - who knows why it appeals so much to us all.

But on Thursday nights they have "Doc Zone" which features a different documentary each week. Last night was about Fidel Castro. I missed the first little bit so I've still got so many questions but it explained a great deal to me. What a fascinating story - his revolution, his brutality, his ideals, his passion and his charisma. He made some horrendous mistakes through his life and yet still, millions love him. He was so interesting to watch in old clips. I'm not sure I could put a finger on what it is about him - but you find yourself wanting to like him. Maybe his passion spills over and even if you don't agree with him - you finding yourself wanting whatever it is that he's got. You want to feel that way about something!

He'd be on my list of people I'd like to meet. But he'd really have to get rid of that cigar first...

Larry Norman died on Sunday.

Most of you are probably wondering who the heck he was - briefly, he was an American musician. A pioneer of Christian rock'n'roll. He was hard hitting, poetic, counter-culture. Often an outside voice throughout his career. All reasons why I loved him.

In part of the letter he dictated just before he died he says:

I feel like a prize in a box of cracker jacks with God's hand reaching down to pick me up. I have been under medical care for months. My wounds are getting bigger. I have trouble breathing. I am ready to fly home.

I'm glad he found his wings. May he rest in peace.

Thanks for the memories.

What a week.

a very successful week.

We were able to be a part of a fund raising event for a young man named Cooter. No, that's not his real name - but now that I've met him - it suits. The event was held at Chawathil Hall - one of the many First Nation reserves that surround Hope. It was organized by our friends Mark & Lisa with the filling in of the cracks by us and a few other friends. We offered up home-made soup and buns, a silent auction, a 50/50 draw and then a loonie auction. We could hardly fit people in. What a great problem to have. At the end of the day we were able to present Cooter with $2900. It'll go a long way for him and his family. And you know, it was so much fun.

People from all walks of life - that wouldn't ever have opportunity to meet, talk, or spend time together. People able to give money yes - but more than that - they offered support and community just by showing up.

YOU ARE INVITED!!!!

To a Fundraiser for Jason "Cooter" Hughes. Cooter is a young (in his 20's) man who lives on the Chawathil Reserve and is battling cancer. We are holding a Soup & Bun lunch and Loonie Auction. $5.00 for homemade soup & buns and then of course loonies for tickets to win all kinds of stuff. All the proceeds will go to Cooter.

When: Sunday February 24
Chawathil Community Hall
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Should be fun and it's for a good cause. Hope to see you there.

We went to Langara College on Saturday to take in a few documentaries at the Codev World Community Film Festival. Their purpose in their own words...

Our theme reflects the urgent need to acknowledge and celebrate resistance and the fight for human rights in communities across the world. It is especially important at a time when we often feel swamped by waves of reaction and repression. The more we learn from other struggles, the more inspired we will be to create a different world.

These documentaries show communities and individuals around the globe working to create change. We at CoDevelopment Canada hope that these stories bring you hope and energy to stand up for your rights, to resist the forces that push you back, and to make a difference in your life and community.

We took the girls as well, even though they are probably a bit young to really grasp some of the ideas being discussed. But what it did do was allow them to see that there is more going on in the world than we see. That there are injustices that abound and that we must raise our voice in protest of.

The first film the girls and I saw was called "Radical Simplicity", which is also a book that I've now ordered from the library. It was essentially a challenge to consider the call to sustainability. The second film, both the girls and I really enjoyed. It was called "Me and my mosque" and was a film by a Canadian Moslem woman and her journey to bring women equality in her religion. It was very well done and fun to watch. Although, both my girls were outraged by the way many women are treated in some - not all though - Mosques. I enjoyed watching them be stirred at the thought of someone telling them they couldn't do something just because they were female. Reid saw a couple films about Fair Trade Coffee and War and Media. It made for great discussion all the way home!

I'm already looking forward to next year. The girls will be a little older and we can aspire to a little more.

Well....since you asked.

I have given great thought to whom I would vote for if I could take part in the current election in the States. I never even once for a second considered voting Republican. So that left me with two options: Hilary Clinton or Barack Obama. Both are brilliant, and both would be 'firsts' if elected.

All that said, I never clicked with Hilary. I'd really love to see a woman as President of the U.S. Would I ever. And actually, I think she'd do fine if she is the one to win the Democratic nomination. But there is something about her that I can't put my finger on, something that just doesn't work for me.

But my first choice would be Obama. Hands down. He's a powerful speaker. He's charismatic, he speaks with integrity, grace and authority. He stirs hope within me - that change is possible, it really could happen.

Yes We Can.
Yes, we can.

Super Tuesday!

It's a big voting day today in the United States. And more shockingly - I'm very very interested. On CBC's The National last night they said that 15% of Canadians would trade their vote in the next Canadian election to take part in this U.S. election. That is unheard of. I think I may even be one of them.

I'm sure Mr. McCain will win on the Republican side. But it is the Democratic race that has me enthralled. Imagine. A woman or a black man.

It is history just waiting to be written.

Simplicity, clarity, singleness:
these give our lives power and vividness and joy.
~Richard Holloway, Anglican Bishop