seeds [cont'd]

I just started a class on the Gospels today, and one of the first assignments was to read through the book of Mark. Since this whole garden thing started, I've noticed more and more the amount of times the idea of seeds and planting is written about in the Bible--either in actuality or in imagery. My ears have become more attuned to any mention of seeds and planting than they've ever been. It's kind of like owning (or previously owning) a Suzuki Swift. Every time I pass another Swift, I notice it. It's not intentional; it just happens because I was associated with that type of car and immediately take notice of it. Yes. Reading about seeds and planting in the Bible is kind of like owning a Suzuki Swift.

Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."

Now I know there are scientific and biological reasons for plants growing and sprouting the way they do. Our beans and our onions are doing this, but my naivetée in the science of plant growth renders me astounded by the fact that actual plants are sprouting out of what were once tiny seeds. I sleep and rise night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; I know not how.

It seems that one of the current fashionable ideas about the kingdom of God is that it is 1) a present reality and 2) a future reality--that the kingdom of God is here now and is coming soon. It's a complicated theological idea, but one that, even in this short parable, seems to hold some truth: the kingdom of God is a present reality as it grows and ripens and will be a future reality when it reaches full maturity. The coinciding fashionable idea about the kingdom of God is that we are a part of it--that we are in this kingdom even now, and we are a part of its growth and maturity. There was a time when I thought I had all that figured out, but in a sense, I am relearning what this means--that it is more than simply doing what is right but in believing what is right. The "doing" is nothing without a solid foundation of faith. I think. But if there is no faith, than what is the point in doing? Right? All that to say, that this kingdom--this present and future reality--must grow out of something, just as seeds grow out of soil. Maybe faith is the soil from which this kingdom grows.

300,000

Today has been a momentous day! Swift has hit another milestone in her life: 300,000 kilometres. Good 'ol Swift. I still remember the day she hit the 200,000 mark back in October, 2005. It was like yesterday in my mind. *Sigh* They grow up so fast...

pillaged!

I knew something was amiss when I noticed my change-holder, expertly crafted from the finest popsicle sticks by one of the girls in Aroland, resting uneasily upside-down on the corner of a stack of picture frames I had sitting on my passenger seat.

Swift has been through a lot in the three years I've owned her. She's had her extremeties ripped off not once. Or twice. Three times. She was once kneed in the back by a teenager while he struggled to climb over her. She's been bumped and bruised several times in Northern Ontario, including a vicious attack by a six-year-old hockey-stick-wielding maniac. She's made it over the Rockies twice while at the hands of two adventure-seekers who refuse to stop her at the edge of a field, simply for the photographic opportunity.

But now, in her retirement years, I have decided she needs to spend the rest of her days in peace, commuting only minutes to work everyday with her evenings spent at the end of a calm, quiet, cul-de-sac. Or so I thought.

I stared at the overturned change-holder in wonder, thinking to myself in typical Steve Urkel fashion, Did I do that? But upon further reflection I realized that, no, I could not have unwittingly done something so obvious. Besides, if I did dump out the contents of my change-holder, would they not be glittering back at me from all over the seat and floor? One would think so, but they were, in fact, gone.

The next thing I noticed was the radio. Um, let me rephrase that...

The next thing I noticed was the lack of radio. It was gone. My sole reprieve from the insanity of BC driving ... gone -- expertly and unceremoniously removed from it's once permanent home in the console. And with it, my latest relaxant: The Verve: Urban Hymns. Gone.

Swift had been pillaged for all she was worth: six dollars in change and a CD Stereo system. Oh, Swift.

100k. settling. & leprechauns.

Apparently, I'm Irish. While staying with a family in Idaho a couple weeks ago, I was questioned by one of their son's girlfriends:

Her: Are you Irish?
Me: I sure am! Blah blah blah. Why do you ask?
Her: Because your ears are pointed. You look like a leprechaun!

It's been a good month.

Almost two months after leaving Nakina, I once again find myself and Swift in British Columbia. And I wonder if it is sad that Swift holds such a high pedestal in my life as to necessitate her mention here. But 100,000km after buying her two and a half years ago and a full 278,000km into her 10 year life, I almost think she deserves some kind of longevity medal. Seriously. Swift rocks. And this was her latest adventure as Jimmy and I once again made the cross-country trek, in reverse. And through the States this time, hence my recent discovery that I can easily pass off as a Leprechaun. ...though I'm still searching for that pot 'o gold.

At any rate, my pot 'o gold must exist in British Columbia, as that is where we traveled, following the rainbow in my mind. And while I have yet to even begin a trickle of financial windfall (a.k.a. a job), I have determined one thing: it's time for me to settle. This is it for me. A couple of days ago I was driving around Abbotsford, and without even thinking the words before they spewed out of my mouth, I said to myself: 'It's good to be back.' The jigsaw puzzle is coming together, piece by piece. And for anyone who knows me well, it may only be a matter of time before I begin the removal of pieces again, but hey. That could just be the Irish in me.

elusive bears

The drive from Nakina to Aroland and back generally consists of two things: trees and potholes. Lately, I’ve been adding bears to the list of sights to see. Bears are elusive creatures. For weeks now, I have been trying to get a decent picture of one in particular. It usually seems to be wandering close to the road, just past the railway tracks close to Aroland. Yet, whenever it rests its beady little eyes on my Swift, it takes off into the forest and out of sight. Dang thing. The other day I was driving a few teens from Nakina to Aroland when we spotted her. Jumping into action, the two boys advised me to honk my horn and drive up to the bear in an effort to ‘tree’ it. It worked! The bear ran only a few feet into the woods and began its ascent into the closest tree it could find. It would have been a great opportunity for a picture, had the weather cooperated. It didn’t. It rained.

And the one thing that I thought I had going for me turns out to be my downfall. I had long hoped to slowly creep up to a bear in my car. Swift is fairly bear-shaped. It’s got a rather large rear end and a beautiful sharpened front that sits close to the ground. With the potholes constantly shaking and jostling my car, she even moves like a bear. Surely she’s the perfect disguise. Alas, the creeping thing has yet to pan out. I can only imagine it has to do with colour. Swift is green. The bear probably mistakes her for some sort of sea-sick relative and runs in the opposite direction. My only hope is to find someone with a black Swift. With a gray interior. And standard, as bunny hops might help in the disguise. Yeah, that’s a hint, James.

two.

She's two years old now. Well, technically she's ten, but I've only really gotten to know her over the past two years. Happy Birthday, Swift! It's been a good year for her. She has continued to serve me faithfully, from daily commutes in the Lower Mainland of BC and a 4,000 km journey home for more daily commuting in Southern Ontario. This year has proved much less expensive than last year with my only expenses being oil changes, gas, insurance and two speeding tickets. But she's entering the terrible two's, and I'm worried she'll start acting up. I think she has bladder control issues....I noticed some yellow snow under her front end this morning. Oh, Swift.

mirrors. part two.

4:00 am, somewhere in Hamilton

I just watched somebody kick the passenger-side mirror off my car. Frick. Why me? Oh, Swift.

happy birthday swift!

It was a mere 12 months ago that she was born. Or should I say 'adopted'. Brought into the family. And was she ever a beaute! Beautiful, bright, sparkling eyes; silky smooth exterior; clean emissions; healthy sheen. That's my Swift! Instead of the once-a-year birthday-only gift giving, I opted for a much more extended and expensive show of appreciation. Here's how she all added up:

Purchased at 178,000km @ $1200.00

1) Engine Tune Up: $100.00
2) New Tires: $230.00
3) Five Oil Changes: $120.00
4) New Exhaust System: $300.00
5) New Windshield Wipers: $30.00
6) New Pair of Brakes: $80.00
7) New Headlights: $30.00
8) Re-attach passenger mirror: $1.50 (screws)
9) Re-attach driver's mirror: $1.50 (screws)
10) Pliers to remove old mirror screws: $2.00
11) Screwdriver to attach replacement mirrors: $15.00
12) Gas to keep 'er runnin': $1200.00
13) Insurance to keep 'er legal: $1200.00?
14) Tickets to stop me speedin': $530.00

Current Odometer: 216,000
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Total Mileage: 38,000 km
Total for all this TLC: $5040.00
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Cost / Kilometre: $7.55

Owning a car: priceless.

Happy Birthday Swift!

mirrors.

It happened one afternoon in late summer, 2005. My little Swift was perfectly parked parallel on the pavement on a little side street in Abbotsford. There were kids about. Kids with balls. Large, rubbery balls. In a moment of misjudgment, one of these large rubbery balls beelined towards my little Swift's passenger side mirror. Poor thing didn't see it coming, it was too busy looking backwards.

February, 2006. My little Swift was perfectly parked on the pavement behind the parish. There were kids about. Kids with, well, balls...different kinds of balls. In a moment of misjudgment and perceived courageousness, one of these kids decides it would be fun to even up the look of my car. Like it's twin, Mirror #2 was too busy looking backwards. It never saw him coming. Oh, Swift.