The other day my daughter and her friend invited me to have lunch at a vegetarian restaurant «The Pantry» – one of the oldest of public eateries in the capital of Canada. It is a small room for ten tables with an open kitchen in an old public building in one of Ottawa’s central districts. The restaurant is interesting for many reasons: first of all, it operates only during week days and only during lunch time – form 11:30 to 15:00. Secondly, the modest menu is different every day – one complex lunch, plus you can order a sandwich, some dessert (a crepe with nut spread inside and fruits on top was wonderful!), tea, coffee. It is a very simple setting, like at grandma’s – cupboards, plates, books, souvenirs… The food was home made, literally. I talked to the eldest owner Caroline. Very nice, 84 year old Austrian woman, who speaks perfect Russian, remembers Russian songs, was married to a Moldovan. The younger owner and two of their helpers are just as nice. There is some resemblance between Ottawa’s «The Pantry» and Moscow’s «Lavka» – same atmosphere, organic food, friendly environment, regular clients. Maybe they are so similar because people on different continents do their work with soul and love? And a soul and love have no citizenship.

How not to thank Christian Orthodox and national traditions? For several years I’ve wanted to plunge for Orthodox Baptism, but each time I ended up in a geographical location where it was impossible to do. This year I was, again, away from any ice holes. Then I thought, how does snow differ from river water? Same substance… On the Baptism morning I went outside and washed myself with snow, head to toe. I received the greatest pleasure! I decided not to stop at that and now I do it every morning. The feelings of pleasure and happiness are hard to describe with words. It’s better if you try it yourself. I recommend!

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

I am writing the second part of my business novel. One of its guidelines shows the relations between two business people and, at the same time, a Man and a Woman. I wonder if the development of their love story will interest the reader. Is there a risk to switch the readers’ attention from the main subject?

What is your opinion?