I saw a monk walking down the highway yesterday dressed in white and yellow robes, carrying a sign that read 'peace' in 5 different languages. He had a small drum that he was beating softly, possibly to the rythm of his footsteps. At first I thought I was dreaming, or actually, dying. I thought to myself 'this is it.' But I kept on driving, and eventually made it to where I was going, so I guess I wasn't dying after all. He's been a constant in my thoughts ever since though, and so I began to do some research and found out that he is in fact a monk walking for peace. He came to Toronto, Canada, and is walking the long and desolate highway north to where they are hosting the G8 Summit. What a beautiful sight to see, and yet if he were dressed in regular clothes and wasn't sporting the typical bald head of a monk, I would've thought he was crazy. I wish I could see him all the time as I feel that he would keep me in check during my daily routine. He's been spotted around Huntsville so I guess he made it to his destination, and apparently he will start a hunger fast and will only pray during the Summit, for peace, and for the environment. Strange, possibly, but admirable, absolutely!

Living in the small community where the G8 is being hosted is such a surreal experience, I have to admit. We're not used to seeing army trucks, RCMP officers wandering the streets, black SUV's with tinted windows etc. I have a few mixed emotions about it. It's exciting and you can tell there is a buzz around town about it, and yet it's also frightening, especially if you have children. Because we live in such a wooded area, (that is normally very peaceful) it brings an extra level of caution for security, and so many people I know who live on quiet cottage roads now have fatigued men running through their back yards and hiding in the bushes by their street signs. And on one level you know it's to keep you safe, but you have to ask yourself 'how do I know who is the 'good guys?' I can't help but think that maybe this was how World Wars were started; slowly at first, with almost unnoticeable shifts, which eventually grew and grew until it was evident that we were at war. And to top it all off, this afternoon we experienced our first-ever (to my knowledge) earthhquake. My first thought was possibly a bomb as an earthquake around here is just unheard of. And there have been several bomb threats already this week.. And once it was confirmed that it was in fact an earthquake, I started thinking of the irony of the G8 leaders coming here, and maybe there is just too much powerful energy in the air. And then I thought of my little monk again, and maybe his prayers were answered. After all you MUST make the environment a priority if in the middle of your Summit, if an earthquake rattles the earth beneath your feet.

So today is just the beginning, tomorrow will be hectic and then Friday; even worse. Thankfully I only work Mondays in the town of Huntsville so I need not worry about my personal safety, and extra traffic, and there's always the possiblity of a line of protesters that block the highways. Yes thankfully I'm home safe with my baby, and we had a lovely bike ride this afternoon, not feeling any effects of the earthquake, and tonight we will have a quiet evening making dinner and I am finally meeting a girlfriend for a drink at our bar on the lake, just down the street. But even though I'm out of Huntsville for the week, I'm still praying for those stuck in the chaos, and for those working to serve these leaders; a few of which I know.. and of course for my little monk, hoping he is safe and his message is heard.