Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

This August has felt very much like last August: a huge, positively life-changing event is looming on the horizon and largely monopolising my attention. Even if there aren’t so many things to do day-by-day (although I still have plenty of hours of sewing to do), it’s hard to focus on other things. I have the schedule and descriptions of the ceremonies I will be doing next month at Zen Center, and it seems quite daunting – even if I know that once we start doing things, I will have a better sense of their dimensions.

I was immensely touched by the support I received for the GoFundMe – we hit the target on the morning I officially publicised it, and donations have still been coming in; anything above my target will be donated to Zen Center and especially the sewing room, where I have been helped through every step (I will be there again tonight after leading the 5:30 online group from City Center). I saw names I know from here, from my social media, from roams, and from Zen Center, all contributing.

It’s been largely pleasant weather in the city, which feels like an indulgence when so much of the world is scorched and parched. We had a hot day (80+ degrees) out of nowhere a couple of weeks ago, but otherwise more blue skies and sun than we might expect at this time of year.

My schedule has been lighter than usual as well, with my Within class on a summer break, and some other things being cancelled or not happening; it means at least that my to-do list is about as short as it’s ever been, and I am less behind on New Yorkers than usual.

Last weekend was especially nice. We ran some errands in Chinatown on Friday afternoon, then caught the bus down to Market St, mostly so that Ruth could pick up some things at Blick, but also to take a look at Jollibee’s on opening day. I am not sure there is anything I can eat on their menu, and the line was substantial, so we didn’t stop, but we were happy to know it was there. 

On Saturday I had a morning wedding in the Botanical Garden, so we made a family outing of it, and while I was busy in my robes, Ruth took Georgie off to see the dahlias, where I joined her later. 

Sunday we roamed around Lakeview, an under-rated part of the city, including a stop at the other major dahlia display in the city, at Sisterhood Gardens. Roaming will be one of the things I expect to be on hiatus in September, so I am making the most of these ones.