weekends

hello everyone,

It continues to amaze me as I observe life in this different lane. The difference is that after being self-employed for nearly 20 years of mostly working every weekend now they are free. Trouble is free to do what? I am not accustomed to having to find something to do on the weekend. That part was set. During the week I was always busy getting everything else ready for the work weekend.

Now there is work during the week, and blank for the weekend. Today I did a bike ride with friend George. Rode to his home and took off my Paniers. Then we rode around the river stopping at his home for a bite to eat, pick up the Paniers and go to Frematle to do some shopping. Got home to find a notice in the mail box that a package was waiting for me at the post office. I unloaded and took off. Some of the smaller post offices will be open for a few hours on Saturdays. YES. got my vitamin order. Came home, shower and started set up for a major project.

I have had this gore tex rain jacket for near 20 years. The zipper went this past week. This is my winter riding keep warm jacket. Gotta have that zipper. I stopped past the Spotlight (fabric store in OZ) and with the help of the attendent bought a red zipper of proper length, thread and a seam ripper.

After the shower I got out Jenny's sewing machine and started the project. I ripped out one seam but that half of the zipper was still attached. Felt a bit frustrated and KNEW that in this project calm was of utmost importance. I went to bed for an hour.

I carefully ripped out the other side of the zipper and it came free. I left both pieces attached at the top end to be sure that all would be fitted properly. Good thing as they were in differently on either side. I ended up having to re pin one whole side because I had it facing the wrong direction. Got it all well and truly sewed in place. Some of it is a bit grunge but it will last hopefully another 20 years.

Cleaned out the Cast Iron tub and replaced the water, washed the bike dirty from the few rains that we have had. Read a book and part of another washed the cycling clothes and got them dry on the line. Oh, the weather today was super. Tim Winton is a famous Fremantle area author. There is one book of his that I read a while back with a title something like, "The Eye, That Sky" About a kid that is going through life realizing that if no one else is watching that big all blue orb of the sky is. Reason that I bring this up is the Perth Sky is often just one big blue dome. . . . like the orb of the eye. It watches. There is seldom a cloud to be seen. Just absolutely clear blue. The only other place that I have ever seen such blueness is around Salida Colorado in the spring time. The air in both places is so clean and clear it is like a fresh washed . . . . . . . . . glass with no water marks. Just the clear blue as far as the eye can behold in any and all directions.

Tomorrow is Wesak Celebration. That is the. . . THE celebration of Buddhism. Celebrates the birth, Enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. Which being the master that he was he did all on a full moon in May.

Here are some great URL's

http://www.thaicongenvancouver.org/visakhabucha.htm
http://www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/visakha_bucha_day.html
http://www.bswa.org

The last is the local Buddhist Society that I attend. On there you can hear our Abbot giving the latest talks on the Dhamma (word of the Buddha). Last night's talk was in my opinion one of the best that he has ever given. The Dalai Lama is due into Perth this Wednesday. Ajhan talked about the different factions of Buddhism. It is really worth taking the time to go on line and listen to this talk.

Well, enough for me. I am off to Wesak tomorrow to help out all day.

best wishes

peace

gene

may you all be well and happy