It’s October 10, 2024 and I’ve wrapped up my busy summer season at Shavasana Gallery & Café (https://shavasana.ca/2024/10/07/end-of-summer-season-wrap-up-reflections-projections/). As seems to be the case during these last 4 or 5 years (of an 11-year journey on Mayne Island – Pandemic closures notwithstanding), I’ve created a seasonal rhythm which comprises of a rather intense (for me at least, as a lazy & easily distracted 69-year old) May thru October “busy season” at the Gallery Café, and then a slower Fall/Winter season where I can dedicate more time to my wife Cathy, my son Cameron & his family (including a soon-to-be 2-year-old Grandson), my Vancouver friends, and……..my creative process.

Everything I now refer to as my “Creative Process” (Mask Making: https://clayandbone.com/portfolio/ , The Accidental Curator podcast: https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/ , writing: https://clayandbone.com/category/words-stories-journals/ , or sequel to my “All Roads at Any Time” book: https://clayandbone.com/book-all-roads-at-any-time/ )pretty much happens during this slower season. Although I still produce the occasional mask and bang out 2 or 3 podcasts during this period, most of my creative energy has been focussed on writing – which was moving along quite well last November thru April with 10 short stories “in the hopper” for a Volume 2 of “All Roads at Any Time”…but then the busy season hit and everything was put on hold.

Sorry to be boring you with all these mundane details of my process, but part of this effort is designed to help me break through my current “post busy-season inertia”…I view this blog/journal post as a sketch before I recommence painting – a writing exercise, as it were, to get the keyboard fingers, the brain, and the focus working together.

Inertia can be defined as passivity, but I know that my problem runs deeper than that – it contains an active element of avoidance or procrastination. And now, combined with all the troubling & worrisome geo/politico/enviro issues besetting us in these times, and the plethora of devices giving us constant internet access, with countless media sources and their polarizing opinion factories, it’s no wonder that a fella might be feeling – if not neurotic, anxious or depressed – at least a little bit……off. 🤔 I know that it’s necessary to discard these toxic distractions, roll up the sleeves, break through the inertia, and get back to “Plan ABC”…my writing gig. And, although I truly enjoy writing – once I’m engaged in a particular story or blog article – the transition from “Frenetic Curator Barista” to deeply reflective wordsmith takes a little time and patience, and warm-up exercises, like writing this blog.

And it’s always a little strange writing on this Journal/Blog because I rarely know if I’m reaching anyone. It’s like busking on the shoulder of Hwy I up the Fraser Canyon, outside of Spuzzum, as the cars and Semis go whizzing by. I know that a number of you have “signed up”, but I don’t follow my stats (although WordPress sends me updates), nor do I spend time or energy actively promoting this website (SEO & such, unless I’ve just written a new short story – then perhaps a little social media flurry will follow). My Podcast is a little easier to track, because I see the number of people that have downloaded it whenever I access the Podbean host site…currently fluctuating between 50 – 100ish listeners (topping out at 161 with my Famous Empty Sky interview: https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/episode-3-famous-empty-sky-interview/) My book has been easier to track because I’m directly involved with “Sales & Distribution”…luckily, and unlike most authors, I have an Art Gallery Café (https://shavasana.ca/ ) where I can sell my book, plus an Amazon presence & a Bookstore ( https://booksonmayne.com/ ), and to-date, have sold about 160 copies. I have zero expectations and am happy with all of this, because I enjoy the process.👍😊

For the past 11 years – the length of time I’ve been commuting from Tsawassen Ferry Terminal to Mayne Island and back – I’ve been keeping a Journal. I usually write on the hour-and-a-half trip back, keeping a record of my weekend Shavasana Gallery & Café activities, and my entries usually start with “…on the ferry to Tsawassen”. To date, I’ve filled 4 notebooks, and have switched to WordDocs recently to save lugging books around and writing longhand. So, although I’m not currently on “the ferry to Tsawassen” (I’m at my neighbourhood Starbucks in Kitsilano sipping a Tall Dark) and this is not a WordDoc, and it’s no longer October 10th (it’s the 12th), I’m going to treat this blog like a stream-of-consciousness journal entry with some thoughts, feelings, observations & experiences – a “further on down the road” snapshot, since I last did a similar, journal-type entry in January ’22.( https://clayandbone.com/2022/01/17/well-that-didnt-happen/ )

I’ve noticed, lately, that when asked, “Hey, how you doin’?” I’ve found myself oft replying, “Well, it’s a little bit of “The Good, the Bad & the Ugly”. Life feels very complex these days and “Pretty good how ’bout you?”, doesn’t seem to cut it and even feels like a brush-off. (Maybe that’s why people have stopped asking!🤣) One thing I have learned is to always try and find gratitude, even when things seem “Bad or Ugly” (and this seems particularly germane today as it is now October 14 – Thanksgiving Day🙏) Despite this positive affirmation, we are still – seemingly – in a challenging, multi-polarized, historical moment, which calls out for help…and I feel at a loss to genuinely know what to do. Of course, my AA brethren would direct me to Reinhold Niebuhr’s “Serenity Prayer”, which begins: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change…”

Ok…I’m rambling, and here’s a peek into my “post-busy-season” brainfocus – it’s now October 17, I started this “exercise” a week ago and its taken me 7 days to write 7 paragraphs. No, I haven’t been sitting in front of a computer sweating over this piece for 7 days…I’ve been quite busy. Although I’m not enamoured of the preceding paragraph, I’m going to leave it in, because the purpose of this Journal/Blog was not to create a lengthy avoidance project and editing nightmare but to get back to the short story I started in April, called “Anarchist Ridge.”

Before that however, I do want to dedicate a little energy to my journalling process, and try and capture some of “The Good, the Bad & the Ugly.” of the past 6 months through a few photos I’ve taken. If you follow my Shavasana website, or Facebook account you may have seen some of these photos posted recently…and wow! look at that! It’s now October 23rd, and I’m just returning to this Journal post that I thought I was going to wrap up last week😆…yet again, I have been too busy to write, having spent the last 5 days travelling to and from Mayne Island and running Shavasana Art Gallery Café…ok, I think I am now officially blethering – combining tedium with insignificance in a particularly George Bathgate way…bring on some photos!

“The Office”

This is where I am currently sitting – the Starbucks at the corner of Balaclava & Broadway in Kitsilano – “my office”…I love the light, the good energy & the coffee

The Good – in no particular order

The Good Friends & Family:

An assortment of friends and family – this year was a little different because of visits from friends from my deep past, many of whom I hadn’t seen in decades: Best pal Herbie from Grade 1; my German friend Christiana whom I met in Crete in 1974; High School friends Eric & Kathy; and and old girlfriend Susan from the late 70’s.

The Good Music:

A fabulous year of jamming – summers on the porch, inside on the colder windier days. With a few performances thrown in for good measure: “Hrothgar & Heshedahl” on the porch & The Stones at BC Place Stadium with my son in June

The Good Neighbours:

Neighbours Justine, Billie and WT Collinson (the original colonist settler of Miner’s Bay, his first nations wife and 3 of their children) – with whom I share the magic & beauty of this 10 acre waterfront property on Miner’s Bay

The Generosity:

I am genuinely humbled by the kindness and generosity of my community – special thanks to Esnie & Joseph, Margaret & Andrea, Fil, Stephen & Joyce, Bill, Bob, Billie, Kathleen, Empty Sky & Jim, Gail, Katherine, Vicki & Harold, Allen & Kim, Keith & Alicia, Brenda, Dave & Kelly & Michael (and to those I have missed) for: Fruit of all kinds; decadent yummy treats from the market; salmon, venison, shrimp, corn, vegetables; Chicken Soup, bread & rice to tide me over while I had Covid; 3 books authored by Island Writers: Joseph Loh, Jeremy Borsos & John O’Brien; preserves – jams & chutneys; Bouquets galore; people who offer their assistance & time – babysitting Shavasana while I’m gone, fixing two lamps, constructive advice, car repairs…etc, etc; hand made cards – including a string of 17 very thoughtful, hand-made song-lyric cards, by Mary, to give away as mementos to guests; plus, arts & crafts, and – perhaps best of all – a set of knee pads from my landlord! (No, it’s not what you think – it’s to make gardening easier🤣)

The Beautiful

I woke up recently, aware of the many blessings in my life, some of which are included in this series of photos – the vistas, the flowers, the art in my Gallery, my beautiful & bright wife Cathy…and a few others which have given me joy this year but need a little ‘splainin’: my new book “All Roads at Any Time” displayed on the Ferry and in the Library; my son Cam, wife Nekita & Grandson Mateo at the Japanese Garden in winter; and the new pie shop in my neighbourhood – I like pie🥧😋

The Animal Friends…

I find that the arrival of animals of all varieties – mammal, amphibian, avian, and even insect – brings an element of joy and good energy into my life. Shavasana Gallery & Café is welcoming to all such creatures(well, with the exception of the last 3 major infestations of carpenter ants, caterpillars, and wasps!), and I’m especially delighted when friends – or strangers- show up with their dogs or cats…or frogs! (I always keep a good supply of treats for any of our furry friends) Cathy and I adopted a very small squirrel – Alvina – in Kitsilano, and fed her until she headed off, presumably to start her own family🙏

OK…that’s it for George’s treacly reflections on the pleasantries of life, all of which are moments plucked from the past 6 or 7 months. As I do this “Good, Bad & Ugly” overview, I’m struck by the much larger occurrence of things considered “Good” (for which I am grateful) vs “The Bad & The Ugly” (which follows) – this is a blessing for sure, however, I realize that I’m not including bad & ugly things which are occurring globally and which can (and do) have an impact on all of our mental and emotional well-being. Or, the situational and emotional events which happen to friends and family – which are hard to express in photos – yet can still impact our well-being if we are at all compassionate or empathetic. Anyways! Bring on the Bad & Ugly!

The Bad!

I realize that most of “The Bad” during this period was situational, subjective and transitory – and I feel lucky that it wasn’t “Badder”😊 – but it seems that a lot of the good is too, and that bad has the ability to arrive like and unwanted guest…and never leave: Petting a dog vs. terminal health diagnosis🤔…: A faithful kettle breaking at an inopportune moment; discovering a mysterious wound gushing blood while waiting for the Expo Line; the reliable Safari Van needing a tow off-island for expensive repairs; disruptive trail construction in front of Shavasana; Covid & self-isolation; unexpected high blood-pressure results; floor damage after frozen/burst pipes at Shavasana; urban blight in Kitsilano, as a nearby landlord evicts a tenant and the bailiff chucks his possessions onto the street; new trail signage, making access to my business a bit more awkward; and 2 large pallets of Spam at Costco…which allows me to stop and ponder for a moment that, no matter how bad my bads are, they can always be worse🤣

The Sad😢

Rena Chase, Lemar, Joseph Synn Kune Loh – very sad to see them all leave us this year, I will remember each of them for the particular joy they brought into my life, and the lives of others❤️❤️❤️

The Ugly:

Ugly, is bad baked in with stress, slathered with anxiety and sprinkled with longer-term negative significance. My neighbours Billie, Justine and Pat rent full time accommodation on this lovely 10-acre waterfront parcel in Miner’s Bay, Mayne Island, and this is where I’ve had my little biz – Shavasana Gallery & Café – for the past 11 years. It’s become a long labyrinthian story so I’m going to try and make it short. There are 4 owners of this property – 2 couples – who are not on good terms. One couple are supportive of we tenants and have no interest (currently) in selling. The other couple wish to sell their “Half/Undivided Interest” for $4 million…about 4 times the assessed value. In so doing, they have applied pressure on all parties involved (tenants and other owners). We are trying to remain optimistic and to fight the good fight but the wolves are at the door.🙏

Wait! there’s more!

The Weird, The Surprising & The Funny:

The weird:We (Mayne Island & Shavasana Gallery)had a visit this summer by a mystical wanderer, named Joseph, who travelled around in a beat-up grey car festooned with graffiti, assorted fabrics, branches & “found items”. He arrived at my place bearded & barefoot like a latter day Sadhu, and spoke in an almost imperceptible whisper (until I saw him chatting freely on his iPad Mini). I was OK with his presence, but others were not as welcoming and there was a sense that he was encouraged to “move on”…the final sightings of Joseph were at the Ferry Terminus (with someones’ boat on his roof) and then in Downtown Vancouver on Davie Street (pictured); The Surprising: recently a friend came into Shavasana and asked me if I knew that a fairly well-known island artist – Ian McLeod – had painted my image on a painting accompanied by 5 other Mayne Islanders – I hadn’t, so was surprised and delighted to see my stylized cartoonish red-head appear mid-right on the painting with Mike Nadeau, Al Sharma, Rudy Dearden & two other mystery islanders; The Funny: Despite everything & everybody, my sense of humour is intact, and for this I’m extremely grateful (not everybody is) I saw these two headlines recently – almost side by side – on my Guardian news App: “Earth’s Vital Signs show Humanity’s Future in Balance, say Climate Experts” (with possibility of Societal Collapse) next to, “No Matter How Hard he Tries, my Boyfriend Can’t Find my G-Spot”…please help me…I can’t decide which one to worry about more – but I do hope the boyfriend finds her G-Spot before societal collapse…that would be tragic🤣

Stay well, appreciate the good, tolerate the bad, and may your ugly be few and far between🙏

George