Book woman is reading again, and I will share a couple of titles for your consideration. First, however, an update of some recent pleasures.

We have had such a flurry of activity, and visitors, with highlights being a fireside on Sunday morning and family barbecue on Sunday evening.

For those of you who are not familiar with the term "fireside", this is used by Baha'is to denote a gathering of people who have come together to investigate the teachings of the Baha'i faith. Although the worldwide Baha'i community is now putting a great deal of effort into children's classes, youth and pre-youth activities, Ruhi institute courses and other methods of study, and devotional gatherings (we have one of these each month as well), there is still a need for opportunities for people who are interested in the Baha'i teachings to have a forum for their inquiries to find response. Accordingly, my husband and I decided to host, once a month, a Sunday brunch and fireside. These have now been occuring for several months. We started with one condition: we asked that our Baha'i friends attend with a friend who was investigating the faith, rather than just having all-Baha'i gatherings.

Let me tell you a story. Years ago, when we were still relatively newlywed and quite poor, I spent a lot of time at garage sales. It was an excellent way to dress our three pre-schoolers (and ourselves), find kitchen appliances, and sometimes furniture, and decorate. One day, Bernie accompanied me and spied a waffle iron. "Let's buy it," said he, and I agreed on one condition: that he would be the one who made the waffles! He did, and thus our waffle Sundays were born.

After we moved to this area in 2000, the waffle brunches faded for a while. We did not have much space and he did not have much time. However, one day we were remembering what fun they had been, and by this time we had moved into our new home here in Gatineau. It seemed a good time to re-institute the waffle breakfasts...and for Baha'is, the opportunity for firesides is always a pleasure. So Bernie bought himself a waffle iron (this time a very nice one) and our format became: 10 a.m. waffles (with all the accoutrements, and since we live in Québec, you can believe that the maple syrup is really good!) and at 11 a.m., a guest speaker on a topic of interest. From the beginning, there have been some friends who come regularly.

Last Sunday I invited Louise Profeit-LeBlanc to be our speaker. Enough can not be said about this talented woman, who embraced the Baha'i teachings during her time growng up in the Yukon. She is of Aboriginal background and is internationally renowned as a storyteller. She accepted to speak about the link between spiritual development and storytelling.

I invited a few friends, especially some whom I know are very interested in Native teachings, and word got out, spiralled...and on Sunday we welcomed almost thirty people for waffles and for Louise's exceptional talk. Bernie outdid himself with the breakfast! It was a hot summer day, so after breakfast we rearranged the furniture (the deck, which extends deep into the back yard, holds twice as many people as inside the house, and it was full). To afford some shade, we set up benches and chairs in the living room, and Louise stood tall and strong in the sunshine, addressing those who had remained outside along with those indoors.

I was particularly delighted because my sister Andrea, her husband Steve, their youngest son Mitchell, and granddaughter Mary Jane were able to come. They have been in the area for about ten days, visiting Steve's in-laws (Mom has cancer), and were able to drive over and spend the day with us. They had known Louise in the Yukon days, and also were pleased to see our cousin, Jack McLean (some of you may have read his books), who came along with our Buddhist friend, and poet, Damien. Friends from my teaching days arrived: Catherine, accompanied by her elderly mother, neighbour, and sister Frances; Judy, formerly the principal at the school where I taught but now a dear friend; Linda, a teacher who has become my dear friend as well and with whom I have shared many a fascinating conversation about the similarities and differences between our views (she is a Christian Scientist). Catherine had also invited other friends, Elaine and Gloria, one a First Nations lady and both of whom were known to Louise through a drama group. There was our new friend Pierre-Hughes from the former Aylmer, who pitched in and washed dishes (right at home! merci, Pierre) and our friend Debra, along with Belinda, who has been looking into the teachings of the Baha'i faith for some time now and who has frequently attended our gatherings: a blessing.

Our neighbour, Nathan, came along with his friend Leona, a woman from Africa of exquisite beauty and radiant smile; our friend Kathleen came along with Luis Eduardo, an angel of a man from Colombia. Our friend Bob ensured that Terrie, a new Baha'i from Ottawa, was able to join us.

Can you see how our home was filled with joy? The friends just kept arriving, enjoying breakfast, and at about 11:15, I introduced Louise and we opened with a Baha'i prayer for unity. Then Louise gave her talk: here are some highlights.

First, she told about her own journey, as a young girl in the Yukon who was fascinated by the different churches in town...and her Sundays were spent going to different services. She made us laugh several times (exclaiming about how she liked the snacks at one, the incense at the Catholic Church, the craft activities at another!) and then shared her own introduction, and eventual declaration of faith in Baha'u'llah, and the effect it has had on her life. It was a critical part of her honouring of her grandmother, who had raised her for many years and who had told her always to keep in her heart the central truths: there is only one God, there is only one religion, and we, as humanity, are One. Since these are also central teachings of Baha'u'llah, it was a good "fit".

She also shared a story from her traditions. She spoke of the aural tradition, the stories of the elders as guides, and shared one story which she reminded us would have been about four hours long if she were to tell it as it ought to be told. She gave us the "condensed version." It was a lovely story of a man who searches for joy and finds a bride who is the daughter of the Sun Chief, and who comes to earth with this being of light and love...but beyond that, I will not tell. It is not my story and I could not possibly do the story justice. Louise, even in the 'edited' version, brought the story alive with rich allusion and imagery.

We finished the morning with Louise quoting, from memory, this Hidden Word from Baha'u'llah.

O SON OF SPIRIT!

My first counsel is this: Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart, that thine may be a sovereignty ancient, imperishable and everlasting.

You can bet, we were full: of food, of spirit. Our guests gradually left, and in the early afternoon we relaxed with my sister and her family. Then we decided to have a swim in the Gatineau hills, and most of us piled into two vehicles and drove to Meech Lake, where we had a dip. We got back home in time to prepare supper together, and for the arrival of Bernie's sisters Joanne and Genny, along with our friends and neighbours, Bob and France, who are also Baha'is. France made a wonderful dessert...and we all ate a wonderful BBQ supper together. Andrea and her family had to leave around ten...and by midnight, I was asleep.

Monday evening was also full. I had invited my poetry group for a BBQ, so we enjoyed having poets rob mclennan, Amanda Earl, Jennifer Mulligan, and Pearl Pirie here for burgers and brownies! Pearl has posted about the event, complete with pictures, so I will just offer you her link.

And now, for your reading pleasure and edification:

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, and
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference,

both by Malcolm Gladwell

and both fascinating.

I am thinking about them both.

Perhaps our fireside was a little thing...but to me, it made a big difference.

Until next time, let me leave you with the wise words of Baha'u'llah, telling us one of the ways to think, and given the times in which we live, of critical value to me as a guide:

O SON OF SPIRIT!

The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not the knowledge of thy neighbour. Ponder this in thy heart how it behoveth they to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.