I’M A GLOBAL VILLAGER

I completed an online survey and discovered the following ...

YOU ARE THE FOLLOWING TYPE OF DOER

THE GLOBAL VILLAGER

It can strike you anywhere; that sublime moment, that feeling of complete connection with your surroundings, the dissolution of border between yourself and nature. The Global Villager turns mundane activities into hallowed rites, and is equal parts shaman, poet, and conservationist. You have always found a certain peace in solitude, a connection with the land, and a beauty in simplicity. You are fascinated with animals and comforted by the seasonal cycle. You like to build things and bear witness to new growth; you are independent and tranquil and you have come to cherish your time alone with your thoughts. You are a journal-keeper and an improviser, and a studied mindfulness permeates everything that you do. Your example and your methods hold up a mirror to society and help its members better understand how to truly live.

Synergistic Counterpart: Your meditative lifestyle is a study in how a single individual fits into the larger puzzle of society. Because your focus tends to be analytical and introspective, the Social Cartographer, who shows us the big picture and creates the vocabulary we need to understand it, can provide a perspective that rises above the tree line, and puts your work into a more objective context.

Patron Saint: Henry David Thoreau

Anthem: “Every Grain of Sand,” Bob Dylan

Remembrance Day - my father - Edward Richard Unruh

Edward Richard Unruh - I honour my father today and his love for Canada, the country of his birth to parents who emigrated from Mennonite villages in Russian owned Ukraine during the 1800's. From within the Mennonite town of Hepburn, SK, which was predominantly pacifist by conviction, Dad stepped forward to join the Royal Canadian Air Force when I was a newborn. He returned home. My brothers and I were blessed to grow up with his influence in our lives. I am proud to remember my father and his comrades on the Remembrance Day and will forever be grateful for our freedoms that they preserved.

AMERICA - DON’T VOTE FOR A 70 PLUS CANDIDATE

I am 73 years old and I am advising Americans to think twice about voting for a presidential candidate who is 70 years and older.  Political correctness declares that age should not be an issue, but honestly, it is.  President Obama's hair colour is an indicator of the onerous burdens of the office. He took office at age 44. Imagine the cumulative affects of national governance on a president whose best years are 20-30 years behind him. Of course Trump, if elected, will never grey out because his present hair colour is simulated. That should not dupe anyone. This office requires grey matter. The synaptic gaps in Trump's brain are already too far apart for responsible information transmission. All other Republican candidates are 65 years and younger. Of the Democratic candidates, Bernie Sanders is 75, Jim Webb is almost 71 and Joe Biden who will soon declare his candidacy, is 74. Hillary will turn 70 before the presidential election and she gives evidence now that she should consider a position no loftier than co-host of The View.

Ruggieri and Janin - artistes extraordinaire de Luberon

Philippe & Anne-Marie

This husband and wife artistic team made such an impression on me in 2009 during our last trip to the Luberon area of France and particularly their home town of Bonnieux, that we have today driven from Lourmarin, our home base during this current trip, and we have found Anne-Marie Ruggieri in the studio that we visited six years ago. We learned today that they now have a second gallery in Bonnieux called Kelia Galerie. Philippe works in this latter one. Both of them are remarkable artists. Since our last visit they have both done many works in pastels which seem to compliment the subject matter of Anne-Marie’s landscapes and still lives, and Philippe’s nudes. The nudes are new subject matter since I last saw his work. After our 2009 trip, I wrote a blog post about them and I place the link to that here, ‘Artists Anne-Marie Ruggieri and Philippe Janin.’ They have a marvellous website with both French and English capabilities, called Janin et Ruggieri.

Today as we spent time with Anne Marie, we purchased one of their five art books, this one called 'Luberon, Le triangle d’Or.’



Bonnieux is several kilometres from Lourmarin up steeply curved and circuitous climbs, but we may go again to see how he is. They honour their country and the specific region so well by their impressionist work. I enjoy their paintings very much.

Christine had explained that we had been here 6 years earlier and visited this gallery, that I was an artist and that I liked their work. Anne Marie was so pleased.





She was so friendly and engaging with us and she said she would sign it for us and then she began to do a pen landscape sketch on the inside cover, at the bottom of which she signed her name and the date 29 Septembre 2015.




She told us that if we then went into the village to the other gallery, Philippe would also sign it.

























 Within minutes, someone came in to tell her that Philippe had fallen was hurt and had been taken to the hospital in Apt, and she was immediately visibly concerned. Our visit ended with our thanks to her and our expression of trust that her husband would be alright.












Then on Monday … we returned because Philippe communicated he could receive us. He was well, and had not been badly injured, and he was happy to visit with us.





In his gallery he signed our book and posed for photos with us.

Philippe Janin signing a book for Christine and Ron Unruh

Anne Marie Ruggieri and Ron

by Ron Unruh

Chicken Galantine - unbelievably good

Last evening, we dined at an outdoor bistro called 'Adieu Les Gens,' rather inconspicuously tucked away in Cloverdale. It is virtually a 'by invitation only' dining establishment. Featured last night was a Chicken Galantine, exquisitely prepared and presented by chef de cuisine Jeffroi and his fellow cusinier Gigi. This dish was chicken delicately deboned, and stuffed with pork and choritzo and olives and seasonings, enclosed within the rolled and tied meat. 

Enhancing the primary item was a flavourful assortment of sautéed vegetables and small potatoes. The 600-degree wood fired outdoor oven made this dish appealingly lovely to look at and to taste - out of this world. Made me think that I was in France. Made we want to fly there.  We hugged the proprietors and staff. Great establishment. We'll be back.