St. Barnabus Anglican Church, July 12,2026

What a delightful day to attend church. Sunshine and summer.  I drove the Jeep with Madigan to the little church on the hill enjoying seeing all the others on the street going to and from church.,  There’s an aliveness is their presence, I love the ladies in fetching frocks and bonnets.  Near St. Barnabus there’s are Asians, Ethiopians, and Latin American churches.  Lots of white tops and coloured skirts.  

Madigan became excited about a block from the church.  We’ve attended here since before he was born.  He was friend’s with Priest Emily’s dog Fritz. Today he was so well behaved.  Other days he’s fussed and growled in prayers.  None of that today. Hde did bark at the celebrant priest when during the peace the celebrant tried to pet him.  Madigan wasn’t sure of the long bear and great robe. Madigan was wagging his tail when he barked.  The priest said , ‘your dog is very discerning.”  

I loved seeing Martha and Bruce and Neil.  I love the wood in the church interior  and the high ceiling architecture.  A classic heritage building, the best  the Canadian Christian church with stained glass windows and polished wood.  I feel at home here.  I  took great comfort attending during Covid when we were all so alone except here in the heart of community.

John Marsh was the visitting celebrant.  He said he’d retired. He looked the part of a holy man, perhaps even a Druid.  His sermon was captivating and thought provoking.  He clarified the teachings of Paul regarding the teachings of Jesus and spirituality versus the teaching of the world or the flesh. He chose realistic examples of institutional goals as compared to the simple teachings of the Bible.  He described the gospel as revolutionary.  I felt like I was back at Regent College or Vancouver Theological College hearing the cutting edge ideas of theology.  He made it clear  why it’s so important today.  

Over coffee I expressed my concern that the head of the Church of England like our Prime Minister Carney were celebrating Muslim values.  Even the Pope has been pushing Islam despite the vast difference between the religion of the ‘servant king’ and the ‘Jehad King’.  

John Marsh is truly a brilliant man and a thoroughly entertaining speaker,  He spoke to the church and church attendance saying they were well and good but just as standing in a garage didn’t make one a car one must experience the transformative spirit of Jesus. It was the works that counted.  

I felt good after church. Inspired and uplifted. I like that this group of people gather each week to celebrate the One God, the Father almighty and one Lord Jesus Christ the only son of God.  

Normally in summer and fall I’m away camping, fishing or hunting.  I once told my pastor I was a ‘summer pagan, and winter Christian’ apologizing for my absences. My work takes me on travels as well so I attend other church’s then but love coming back to my Burnaby home church. It’s such a special place with the kindest of people.  I hope I’m able to attend next weekend as John Marsh will be the celebrant again.

Thank you Jesus! 

  

 

Journal - Saturday, July 11,26

It’s an overcast day.  Lovely weather.  Warm but not too hot,  Slight breeze.  I have the door open.  Just the screen door.  Last week with the sun out it was so hot that even with all the blinds closed it was 80 in the Thor.  Now it’s 77 and the A/C comes on occasionally. I have the front blind at Half mast and the awning is out.

I took the jeep in yesterday and they’re now waiting for a part again.  The warning light continues on.  I had to be there for 8 am and did some work but wasn’t into it.   I billed a few hours yesterday though with calls in the afternoon. 

I was fasting.  Thursday I’m a bit crazed by the work and figure I wind down on Saturday.  I finished reading a recent Clive Custer with the Oregon ship.  I watched a western I’d seen before,  I slept but poorly. Waking a couple of times to pee.  I’d been drinking lots of fluids fasting.

Today I had yogurt and boiled some soft boiled eggs. Enjoyed the meeting. Terry is at the IDAA in Chicago.  500 people there.  I enjoyed the meeting. I feel an outsider.  A couple had relapsed , One doing well.  

I enjoyed the visit to Dr. Ready, chiropractor.  I picked up laundry after. Then drove to the East African store where I bought 7 kg of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe green beans.  I also got some dates and stopped in a a shop where I bought some ground beef. They had a variety of sausages and I got 4 Tuscany. I think I’ll go back some days and get the Roumania.  I am also glad I bought the caraway seed edom. I also bought a litttle 2 quart crock pot.  I’m planning on making of chilli.  I will return to my making stew and curry too,  I’ll have enough for a meal and a left over meal or two.  A change from my focus on barbecuing.  I may be making a move to being healthier and less meat.  

I’m breaking even financially but not much more.  I talked to Dave and he hopes to get a couple of thousand for the boat and trailer and motor.  Entropy.

Thank you Jesus for Madigan and this day, this home, my life, my sobriety, my family and friends and work.  

Journal - Journey Jeep

I’m back at Journey Jeep.  The little A with a circle and exclamation mark continues to declare itself on my dash.  This is the 4th visit for that little light. The Jeep runs just fine.  The first time they brought in recall parts and next time did the replacements. Next time they did something else and last time put in a new battery trying to solve the computer glitch. They insist that there’s nothing concerning and now it appears it’s only the engine going off and on at stops signs I’ve noticed nothing in the car but am concerned about the light, a false alarm, if I”m going to be off road .  I took the Jeep up the east road of Harrison Lake and enjoyed being in the back woods.  It’s an amazing vehicle.

I would rather have the Friday off for other chores. I have to take Madigan into be groomed next Friday.  I have to take the Thor Motorcoach into Dams Ford for its maintenance check.  Everything is going well.  Victor has the Vespa and I’m hoping when he sells it I’ll bring down the Royal Bank loan for the Jeep.,  I ‘ve reduced it to a fraction and think they have to adjust the loan with next payment. Then I have to put money in the TFSA for eventually retirement. I don’t imagine any time soon.  I have a few books to write and frankly no great desire to be doing serious writing. I’ve book a psychopharmacology conference in Sept but thought of doing thee Harvard course.,

I’m kind of betwixt and between.  I’ve over weight and have to reduce my girth for health reasons.  My back hurts and I think the belly affects the spine so am hoping to reduce weight if only for that.  I’m fasting today.  Tomorrow I have an online meeting in the morning then a Chiropracter visit.

I really have to address the storage locker.  

I have yet to receive word on the rifle buy back  

I hope to go to church Sunday. It’s been too long. 

I have a child’s clothing card I have to send to Maizy.

I’m enjoying reading a thriller after reading a couple of Louis L’Amour westerns. It’s nice to read beach books .  I go for periods without ‘fun’ reading. I’m also reading Mystics of the Church by Evelyn Underhill and find myself less ‘escapist’ than I was in the past. My life is fairly stable and I’m moseying along concerned about pain and asking about my relationship with God.

I’m grateful to be sober.  

I don’t know about cross dressing., I certainly enjoy the theatre.  Sometimes I wonder if the road not taken - theatre- might have been ‘better’ than this ‘doctor bit is so far out’.  I have no regrets about family medicine and serving in hospitals as a psychiatrist and have enjoyed the consultation and diagnosics now virtual .  Psychopharmacology is not as challenging or stimulating as psychotherapy was.  I’m serving and glad to be paid to pay for my motorhome and jeep,.  It’s a good life. 

Thank you God for Christianity. Thank you God for our relationship. Thank you God for Madigan. Thank you God for Laura. Thank you God for family. Thank you God for friends., Thank you God for work. Thank you God for my fingers. Thank you good for air. Thank you God for coffee.  Thank you God for all your blessings ,

Thannk you God for this Apple IPad Pro.  Thank you for my iPhone,. Thank you for tech.  Thank you for my legs and mobility.  

I’ll make a trip to the post office . I picked up a load of laundry yesterday and groceries on Wednesday but I’ll have to pick up the laundry again on Saturday, The Merry Maids , Alina and Alyina came and changes the sheets and pillow cases.,  I have to clean the fridge or ask them to do it The problem is that I have so much food in it right now.  I could take a storage locker run to take things like the winter clothing and leather motorcycle jackets there for storage. 

It’s raining . I ‘d thought to take Madigan to a dog friendly beach where we could swim . He wades but I’d like to swim. 

Burnaby, Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Journal

I just wanted to say thankyou.  Thank you for Madigan., Thank you for family and friends. Thank you for Thor and Jeep. Thank you for Merry Maids.  Thank you for Journey Jeep. Thank you for North Road Vet. Thank you for coffee and cream and honey,.

Thank you for the overcast weather today.  The temperature is just right. Yesterday’s it was so hot I had. To keep the shades closed so the AC could manage the heat.  I am thank ful today is my men’s meeting.

I’m just grateful.  I would know God more fully and know my purpose and meaning today.  ODAAT.  

God is omniscient, omnipotent, omnitpotential.  God is you and me.  God is all.  God is love.  

Thank you for hope.  

Burnaby, July 7, 2026

I am grateful to be home.  I just saw Laura off in a yellow cab.  I’ve a clinic to attend today.  Madigan already pooped.  

It’s been a momentous week.  July 1 for Canada Day and July 4 for America’s 250th birthday.  I am excited that I was able to take the Thor Hurricane out of the BCRV 178 site , stop on the road and hitch the Jeep Wrangler to the back, then head out to Harrison Lake.  I had to stop for gas on the way and there were construction delays but I made the journey safely.  A 1 hour and 20 minute journey took 3 hours due to traffic but despite being tired I was able to back into site 17 with the help of staff.  

I loved the Hotsprings RV and Camping Park. It was right beside Glencoe where we often took the truck and adventurer camper.  Right down town on Lillooet street across the public minearl pool.  It rained all week but I barbecued dinners and we walked the dog round the lagoon park most days.  Laura or I took him for a couple of short walks .And we read.  I read a couple of Louis L’Amour westerns and a science fiction about an alien invasion.  At night we watched episodes of Blue Bloods or Cold Case.   I took care of some patients calls and work a a couple of days..  There were firecrackers on July 1 .  Not many.  

I dropped of the Vespa and carrier with Victor to sell. We had a couple of brunches in Chilliwack.  I was even able to attend an AA meeting in Agazzi, his friend Janey’s cake.  I enjoyed that her daughters and her looked so related.  When I commented, she replied ‘it’s the strong Scottish genes that carry through’.  I liked her immediately and appreciated why Victor did too.  Joie to vivre in recovery.  20 plus years.

I actually went into the lake as freezing as it was but didn’t do that twice. I stuck to the public hotsprings getting a half hour in the hotsprings most every day I was there.  My back was painful the week. I took ibuprofen and muscle relaxants and by the end of the week was doing better. Laura had a tooth ache which resolved with keflex.  Madigan was happy adn has taken to having us throw things so he can fetch them.  He’s still growling and snarling and wagging his tail.  

I asked Laura to join me in Palm Springs at Christmas.  So that made me decide I’d leave Vancouver early December to go to Palm Springs where I’d be for the Christmas holidays.  Then it’s Fountain of Youth and Algadones.  I think of going to San Diego perhaps from Palm Springs after Algadones. I might even catch LA on the way back or may just do Palm Spring , FOY and Algadones.  I’m aiming for 3 months.  

Moninder got her license approved so my supervision responsibilities reduced

I supposed I’ll have to write a book soon.  I took the laundry in when I got back. 

Now i have to

1. Take jeep in again because the warning light for transmission continues to show

2.  Arranged to have Madigan groomed and a vet visit

3.  Take the Thor into DAMS Ford Langley for annual service.  I aim for 6 months but annual it is so far

I am booked here for 2 weeks and thinking of going back to Harrison for 2 to 3 weeks in August. I’d thought to go to Nakusp but found the Harrison stay so enjoyable that I think that may do it.  Want to go swimming daily and would have the hot spring close.  

I really am thankful to God fro my 29 years of sobriety.  That’s a real milestone for me.  I hope to make church on the weekend I enjoyed the. MD2 and WCDIR meetings.  I haven’t had enough gratitude and my resentments and fears had returned last month, possibly with the cake anniversary. It seems that May and June are often challenging.  Now I need to spend more time on th lawn chair in the sun and walk Madigan more.  I need the exercise and must reduce the girth that hampers my back recovery.  

Thank you Jesus for Madigan. Thank you Jesus for Thor.  Thank you Jesus for the Jeep. Thank you for my in-laws , nephews and great nephews and great neice. Thank you for the god family and good children. Thank you for the clinic and patients and work. Thank you for the RV parks and the service maintenance folk.  Thank you for 

the grocery stores and food even if it so pricey, twice the costs again this year. Thank you I have the money to carry on Thank you for banks and credit and for my education and teachers and degrees.  Thank you for the colours.  Thank you for clean air,  Help us improve the nature of government and cut down on the reported corruption.  Help me to over come my character defects. Help me to be a better person today that I was yesterday.  Help me to know you more deeply and fully.  I’m enjoying reading Evelyn. Underhills Mystics of the church.   Thank you for awareness.  Thank you for all your blessings. Help me to know you be4tter and to be of service.

Thank you Lord Jesus. Thank you God .  Thank you Creator.  

I pray for my mother an father and brother and family and friends who have gone before.  Thank you for ice cream, chocolate and footwear.

Thank you God, Keep us safe and healthy this day.  Protect us from danger. 

Journal - Harrison Hot Springs

It’s been a cloudy week for a holiday.  The sunny days have been wonderful.  I love the Hot Springs RV park despite it being tight.  The owners are terrific and helped me back into this spot.  I have a great view of mountains.  From my window I can see the lake.   It’s right by the Minearl Hot Springs pool right beside Glencoe where we came with the camper.  

I was pleased to load up the Vespa on the bac of the jeep and tow the jeep behind the Thor Hurricane. With construction it was a long drive on Friday but a good feeling getting here.  There was a problem with the surge protector and shore cord being burnt out. I was however able to drive into Chilliwack and get replacements at O’Connor.  

On Saturday I was able to drive back to Chilliwack and leave the Vespa.  I’ve decided that the Jeep is enough. I’m also going to be glad to put more money on bringing down the loan debt at RBC for the Jeep.  I’m paying the loan on the Thor and the Jeep.  I’m also going to be putting money in the tax free savings account.I’m still working and saving for retirement. I feel poor though but thankful.  I have arrived at the optimum arrangement of motorhome and jeep for home and future travel. I work from different places with the Starlink.  I’m looking forwards to another winter in Southern California and Arizona. I have been blessed by my mood has been a bit self pitying, envious and resentful.  So I’ve certainly got character defects and work to do on them. 

I took my 29 year cake on the Wednesday night last week.  I remembered how as a family physician I sent only a few patients to see psychiatrists because they were difficult and a free drunks were trouble. The rest of the patients were a pleasure. Now here I am one of the difficult ones having spent a life time working with the difficulty annd feeling unappreciated. Looking back on my life I regret that I don’t see the positives as much as I could and still cling to thee memories of the trials. Meanwhile God has always been with me.

Lauras took a taxi to join me on Thursday night.  Madigan loves her company and that our gang expands from 2 to 3.  I don’t like that he still piddles to mark his territory and humps her leg at night.  He’s a good boy and I am blessed to have a dog and girl for company,  It’s easier, less lonely, more ful filled.  I’m less anxious with the two of them

I forgot to leave the Vespa keys with Victor so went for brunch with him again.  I signed the papers for the Vespa to be transferred and enjoyed Spanish omelettes at Victor’s favourite restaurant. I believe the fellow who owns it is a member of our club.  It’s good to be 29 years but still astonishing.  I’m living one day at a time and only bothered by the economics and security.

Meanwhile Facebook and X tell of the ‘replacement’ and invasion with the government waste and incompetence. I am disturbed by the Carney corruption and Bronfman scandal just an extension of the SNC Lavalin scandal.  Meanwhile Elon Musk audited the US and found USAid was giving money to Hamma and that there were some million dead people collecting money and voting.  I’m sure it’s worse in CAnada.  The billions spent in the Ukraine continues with the WEF NWO trying to align with Aetheist Communit China which is alligned in a monst unholy way with the Muslim Brotherhood.  Netanyahu and President Trump have fought Iran and continue to try to free the Iranian people Venezuela and Iran ‘s capacity to supply oil to China has been stopped so Xi Jinping can’t invade Taiwan.  So while the American’s fight for freedom Carney and the Laurentian elite continue to align us with Carney and his climate change yesterday news while Brookfield gets rich and the Muslim invasion continued.  Thankful the pushback increases.  We watched Citizen Vigilante last night .

I’ve been reading Louis L’Amour novels.  Comforting with the good guys wining against the bad guys. I miss that in the lack of moral compass in politics.  

I’m praying.  I’m still seething a few patients but this is mostly a holidays,  I’ve not had one for a while,  The only time off I’ve taken is the 4 day drive. South and the 5 day drive north.  I’m thinking of Palm Springs and FOY again this year,  In August I thought to go to Nakusp but I could just return here for a couple of weeks.  

The mineral springs public pool is open again and I’ve made it there for two soaks and I even survived a freezing water dip in the lake,.  I had ideas of daily swings in cold want but with the cloud and rain and the water so cold I haven’t performed well, I’ve enjoyed the couch and reading and watch Cold Cases on tv at night. I”ve been barbecuing for Laura Madigan and I.  We had fish and chips from the local corner shop. 

Life is Good.  Thank you Jesus, I’ve patients to see this morning.  

There’s a meeting at noon. I could make if I left here earlier and listened to the patient on the phone while I drove there. That’ s the plan. I attended two doctor on line meetings on the weekend and think I need tthis help because I’ve a bit of the RiD - restless irritab le and discontent.  Meanwhile I’ve got a thousand dollars from a rifle sale and my anxiety is about future financial insecurity, my continued work, and irritations like the techs not being able to solve the transmission hazard light being on, I have to get th Thor into the Ford dealer for maintenance and plan a hair cut for Madigan.  I just feel all of this as wearying.  It’s not at all strenuous but my pissy mood is feeling self pity and resentment.    I really must have more gratitude.  I must have more faith 

Thank you God for this day and for all your blessings.  Thank you Jesus. 

Journal - Journey Jeep Service

This is the third tine I’ve been at the Jeep Service for the little dash light that is a circle with an A inside and an exclamation beside. The first time they said that there was ‘recall’ that needed to be done and I brought it back when they had the part.  The light didn’t go out on the dashboard so I brought it back and now again the light hasn’t gone out.  This is the third tine and they’ve replaced the battery and checked everything so say that they expect it to be fine. Each time they’ve said that I can drive it without concern and this time I said I was going off reading in backcountry and they said it was fine and I didn’t need to worry about any damage.  Whatever problem was there has been fixed and now they’re just trying to fix the trouble like. Ryan the tech assist has been so helpful. He relays the information from the mechanic. Madigan and I like that his old cockerspaniel female comes to work and sleeps under his desk.  

I’m tired. I was able to talk with my patients so I got my work done. It’s stressful though.  I was at the clinic this week too and frankly I like my work from home with the quiet and routine. That’s been a little disrupted with the heat wave.  I cant sit at the office passenger seat because it’s too hot. I’m back hear at the table with the air conditioning fan on over my head.  I think I’ll have a nap My cake is tonight. George is giving it I share the night with Manny.  I share my experience, strength and hope. 

Madigan enjoyed the walk to Macdonald’s and the bacon bits. I had the egg sausage mc Muffin and hash browns.

Last night i dropped off the roaster with Rogina and Caroline and then drove to Davie Street pharmacy to pick up the rest of the prescription they’d only been able to half fill on the weekend. I’m delighted that I checked out that the Vespa could go on the back too the Jeep when I towed the Jeep with the Motorhome.  

I’m going to pick up Laura Thursday evening and we’ll be able to head out Friday . Very exciting.  Everything is a challenge.  We’re 10 days at Harrison Hot springs RV.  

Shane’s dog Hank has sun glasses. Madigan had a poop today.  These are the important events.

Thank you Jesus.