It was a very nice smelling plant,
In Canada perhaps it could also be to get out and smell the spruce.
Managed to get out for two hikes last couple weeks, and it was nice as always to smell some of the sweet smells of the aromatic plants of the foothills and eastern slopes mountains.
I had maybe the best ski season in a while this year. The first few days going to Lake Louise I was a bit nervous, which is normal for me, but as the season went on and I returned for I think 4 or 5 weekend trips to ski and stay overnight at the hostel, I could feel that nervousness slipping away, and instead being replaced by anticipation, enjoyment and fun.
On the hill the amazing views, the feeling of flying through the air, the birds chirping in the spring, meeting sometimes people on the chairlift, even having fun in the terrain park on some easy rails and fun jumps. Sharing some runs with friends and family - could still improve at this though- it all added up to a really nice season.
On almost the last run of the year, going up the chair lift one seat behind some older teens and sitting with a life long patroler did stir up some challenging feelings. I've still got room to grow and to come to terms with myself and who I am and everything that has happened.
On my last run of the season I was able to stop in the terrain park at a small S rail, and join some other snowboarders who were hiking it (the chair had closed already) and after that many of the other staff and riders coming down on their last runs of the year, and extend my season a little by hiking it too, and kind of sharing some fun times with them. Even two little butterflies floated by to say hello as I was trying it. Maybe it was a little message from Dad and Aunty Alice.
Update on *memorising* the Quran, I've got through a good chunk so far - basically all of Early Meccan Group I (Nicola Sinais ordering) and now its time for frequent review to solidify it. Next is Early Meccan Group II, which should be a bit harder because those Surahs are about 20 versus long on average compared to group I, which was about 6. I am also less used to hearing these longer ones in recitation. The process kind of reminds me of how God forgave Adam and guided him by sending down special words to him. "Then Adam received words from his Lord, for He Relented towards him, He is the Relenting and the Merciful"
فَتَلَقَّىٰٓ ءَادَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ كَلِمَـٰتٍۢ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
I hope this will be the case for me, as well.
A note on the picture, I didn't have my phone on me on my that last weekend, so it is is from two weeks before. Its close to where the base of the old Summit Platter Poma used to be.
I will try to update on my progress as I go.
I'm using the Nicole Sinai order or Surahs, for now.
I believe he ranked them on Surah length, rhyme and structure.
https://corpuscoranicum.de/en/commentary
I still have a bunch of old trip journals and memories I need to upload too, and a few photos hopefully.
A nice few days at Lake Louise this winter, and some at Fernie around Christmas.
Nice to be feeling good on my skis. Good on the skis and good in the heart. It's all a journey!
