Otter snoots

Love these little guys!

Only in NYC

Well, there might be maps like this for other cities but I don't know of any. Here are a few but there are lots more: New York Doughnut Map:Includes a brief history of doughnuts, and features 35 favorite New York doughnut shops. Grab one before you head out on a Doughnut Mission. New York Ramen Map: Features 33 of New York’s most interesting and delicious noodle shops, plus a special glossary and regional map of ramen in Japan. Grab one, go out and get slurping! New York Oyster Map: Written, researched and photographed by Julie Qiu of inahalfshell.com, it features 30 of New York’s freshest raw bars, plus a history of the beloved oyster in NYC, a list of tasting descriptors for aficionados, and more. Seafarers, take to your boats and get slurping!

Bed and Breakfast

From "Meanwhile in Canada"

Thinking about the breakfast at "Mrs.Bedford's Bed and Breakfast" we had during our first trip to the U.K. in 1971.The room rate was 1.25 PDS each which was about $2.50 CDN at the time if I remember correctly. We did have to share a bathroom but the breakfast was egg, bacon, saucage, tomato, toast, and of course tea.You couldn't get coffee. Her housekeeper told us she bought all the breakfast items from Harrod's.

Loved this material

Otters Fabric - Sea Otters Blue By Scrummy - Otters Cute Love Animals Holding Hands Cotton Fabric By The Yard With Spoonflower

I'm glad to see this in the Internet Archive

1926 Vancouver Morning Star by The Morning Star Publication date 1926-12-11 Topics vancouver, newspaper, history, anniversary, city of vancouver, photography, industry Collection opensource Language English Published in Vancouver and printed in San Francisco, this 'rotagravure' edition pictorial newspaper came out on December 11, 1926 in the year the city celebrated its 40th anniversary. The paper was subtitled 'British Columbia in Pictures' and due to the quality of the printing, the reproduction of photographs is excellent. The Morning Star was one of the city's early newspapers which was first published as an evening paper from 1924-1926, and then as a morning paper from 1926-1932. Bessie Lamb gives an excellent overview of Vancouver's early newspaper scene in her 1942 thesis, "The Origin and Development of Newspapers in Vancouver". The printing was done by Pacific Gravure Co., and it was compiled by Al Prather. This particular paper came from Mike Wagner's collection. The paper was originally staple bound, and this copy has had its cover laminated and the inner pages were bound with archival tape. There was some additional tape damage on the masthead and on the back page which has been retouched out of these scans. The edges of the page were also lightly retouched for consistency.

London Underground Graffiti

Well, doing a google search on this topic brought up all sorts of interesting things especially on the controversy over Banksy stuff. Cleaners did not know graffiti on a London Underground train was by world-renowned artist Banksy when they removed it, the BBC has been told. The piece, If You Don't Mask, You Don't Get, was painted inside a Circle Line service carriage. But by the time he unveiled the work on his Instagram account, it had been wiped away by Transport for London (TfL) cleaning crews. A TfL source said: "It was treated like any other graffiti on the network." "The job of the cleaners is to make sure the network is clean, especially given the current climate," they said. I thought I would post these three images. The middle one is Banksy and the others are commissioned artwork. You decide.

London's new Elizabeth Line

I have always marvelled at the London Tube and I guess it was the first subway we ever took.It's just so great to have so much wonderful artwork now.I don't recall any artwork in in 1971 unless you include the graffiti. I guess the idea of the artwork was to counter the graffiti and I hope it's working.

Little old Victoria making international news

This was in the Art Newspaper Daily:

"The Canadian premier John Horgan’s announcement that the troubled Royal British Columbia [BC] Museum in Victoria will be demolished and replaced by the most expensive museum in Canadian history has been met with criticism. Horgan announced the $789m museum upgrade on 17 May but offered few specifics, prompting derision and outrage from critics, including the British Columbia Liberal Party leader Kevin Falcon, who called the development a “billion dollar vanity project”. Falcon added that he promised to cancel plans for the new museum if he were ever elected premier. As the province slides into a post-pandemic depression and faces simultaneous healthcare and housing crises and rising inflation, Horgan admitted during a press conference on 20 May that the announcement “landed with a thud”. He added, “I very much regret that the jewel of our collective history, the Royal BC Museum, has become a political football. It certainly was not our intention to appear to be tone deaf to the challenges British Columbians are facing.” When asked why the museum was being demolished rather than renovated, Horgan cited seismic instability and hazardous materials like asbestos in the 1960s era building. In a statement, Horgan justified the almost $1bn in costs, contributed by some federal subsidies, by citing “high efficiency HVAC systems” and the incorporation of “mass timber construction”. The statement also promises 1,950 construction jobs and more than 1,050 associated jobs. The museum, which has always been a big draw for tourists, is now slated to close on 6 September and is expected to reopen in a new building in 2030. Local businesses are concerned about the impact this will have on tourism revenue. While the timing of Horgan’s announcement was unfortunate, proposals for the museum’s modernisation have been in effect for the past five years. The 135-year-old institution has been plagued by allegations of bullying and racism, and a public apology was issued last June, a few months after former chief executive Jack Lohman stepped down, followed by the museum's Indigenous collections curator Troy Sebastian. There was some hope for a new chapter to begin following the appointment of new chief executive Alicia Dubois in February, but the ill-timed announcement has once again stoked controversy. As for Queen Victoria, it would be hard to discern if she were amused or not. Her statue in front of the provincial legislature is still recovering from an attack by native rights and environmental activists last June, who splashed the likeness of the monarch with red paint and the words “land back” and “Lekwungen”, the name for local Indigenous people."

Burgers and beach walks yesterday

We started off walking on Spanish Banks in the morning and saw a wedding in progress. Then "Burgers and Beer" at the West Point Grey Lawn Bowling Club. Lots of chat about restaurants, old and new in Vancouver.

Then home to watch the ending innings of a baseball game that the Blue Jays lost. Just as well we didn't see the whole thing.

Lunch at The Sylvia Hotel yesterday

It was a warm day and we even saw people in swimming.I imagine the water was a bit chilly. We seem to remember they put the slide out on this long weekend but no slide so far. I see they are bringing back live music and also Sunday prime rib. The world is slowing getting back to normal :) LIVE MUSIC Live music is back in Sylvia’s Lounge! Every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 7pm – 9pm May 15th – The Lesley Branton Trio May 18th – Heather Soles & Miles Black May 19th – Tamami Maitland Duo May 22nd – Harris & DeBray, Roots & Blues May 25th – The ShineOlas, Folk, Blues & Roots May 26th – Mark Crissinger Solo , Blues & Acoustic May 29th – Alllegro Duo, Jazz Contemporary

I was able to post some of his work today for some reason

Art by Sam Friedman

This artist came up on "Artsy" and I was very attracted to his style. It might even motivate me to get painting again. I couldn't post examples of his work but his website is here and there are lots of artworks: https://www.samfriedman.com I was able to post this commercial product which gives you some idea of his work.

BIO Submitted by Library Street Collective Sam Friedman (b. 1984, Oneonta, New York) has produced paintings for the greater part of his life that concern themselves primarily with the formal concerns of paint, tools and surfaces as they relate to the scale of the human body; while occasionally touching down to get blessed, tainted - or both - by the non-linear narrative of life. Friedman’s paintings pilot a plane that takes us from the ethereal planes to the earthly plains, on a ride that is neither past or present, but rather timeless, accessible, and transformatively escapist. Related categories

An era of shortages

Kilts of all things. Now, if I had to guess what Scotland would run out of I guess it might be single malt.

"One top kilt rental firm has stated that Scotland could run out of kilts this summer with many suppliers already closing their books due to record demand. Due to the pandemic causing two years' worth of weddings to be postponed, this year, along with the newly planned ceremonies, is set to be a bumper year for marriages. And according to A1 Kilt Hire, the iconic Scottish ceremonial dress is now in short supply meaning the unthinkable could happen; Scotland may actually run out of kilts. David Dalrymple of A1 Kilt Hire said: “We have never seen such a high level of demand for kilt hire."

Starry Night

LEGO is doing some very cool stuff these days...just love this idea and perhaps they will do other famous paintings.

It would be wonderful if she got a Pulitzer Prize

Zoe Si...local lawyer turned cartoonist nominated for her cartoons in the New Yorker. I don't recall a Canadian winner for the Pulitzer Prize since Carol Shields who became the first Canadian to win the prize for fiction, for her novel The Stone Diaries in 1995. But I will never be as elated as when Alice Munro won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2013. https://www.csmonitor.com/Books/chapter-and-verse/2013/1010/5-reasons-Alice-Munro-was-awarded-the-Nobel-Prize-in-Literature Some examples of Zoe Si's work.

Happy Anniversary to us!

Too many years to count...

From "Vancouver is Awesome""

I picked squirrel and I see it got the most votes. How can anyone not smile when they see a squirrel scamper up a tree? I would have thought seagulls would have done better and crows worse. How can you not love these little guys!

What's your favourite urban wild animal? Raccoon 72 votes 18.23 % Coyote 39 votes 9.87 % Crow 117 votes 29.62 % Squirrel 136 votes 34.43 % Pigeon 11 votes 2.78 % Seagull 20 votes 5.06 % Total votes: 395

A new cat for Linda's grand daughter

I think she is quite lovely! From Linda's blog: "Last year when Lexie's cat Snowstorm passed away, they decided they would wait to get another cat. After many applications this gorgeous 9 month old girl, from Yorkton, Saskatchewan was looking for a home. First complete an application. Then get a phone call for a meet and greet. That went well, then a Zoom interview! When I got a cat you just showed up at the SPCA with your cheque book. Times have changed. It's great they really check out the homes these animals go to. Name the cat: PERSEPHONE Apparently Lexie is interested in Greek Mythology and thought this was a good name for her new cat. It's her cat, she gets to name her. She wasn't impressed with my nickname "Phoney". "

Old time Vancouver

Ah...memories. This came up on my FB page... "I discovered on entering the main east-west corridor, that they had added a wall full of large Fred Herzog prints. I thought that most appropriate as Fred worked most of his later life at UBC. Here is one photo that doesn't show up very often taken on the 700 block Granville near Robson called Man in a Black Hat. That's a 59 Pontiac the man is getting into and this photo was identified as taken in 1959." Photo by Scotty Henderson

What an amazing library in Rio, Brazil!

https://www.realgabinete.com.br/#RGPL

If we ever go on an Alaska cruise this will have to be on the itinary!

I'm just crazy about Dungeness crab From Linda's blog: "We did a private excursion to the world famous George Inlet Lodge Crab Fest. They picked us up in a van and we drove for about 30 minutes down US Hwy 1. We started out with a nice green salad with mandarin oranges and a lovely light citric dressing, Then they did an excellent presentation of how to crack a crab. We don't need a lesson, we've eaten and loved fresh crabs all our lives! Hot butter, beautiful Dungeness crab, whatever you wanted to drink and blueberry cheesecake for dessert. What a fabulous lunch in a pristine location!"

From "Original Middle-Aged Humour"...cats

Another sunset photo from John

I just love it...thanks, John! Taken from a B.C. ferry

Ah...libraries....again

I see libraries in California are allowing people to use their library card to access state parks for free. A win-win for everyone.

Normal view MARC view ISBD view California State Library Parks Pass Contributor(s): California State Library. Parks Pass Program Material type: TextText Description: 1 vehicle hangtag Content type: still image Media type: unmediated Carrier type: sheet ISBN: 9998457044 Other title: California library pass | [Sacramento, CA]: California State Library, Parks Pass Program Subject(s): Parks -- California | Outdoor recreation -- California | Camping -- California | Fishing -- California | Wildlife watching -- California

A wonderful Mother's Day

Richard took me out to The Bunny Cafe and we had such fun petting the rabbits.They were very friendly....much more so than the cats at Catfe and he brought lovely flowers, special candies, and teas. I was very spoiled. Thank you so much, Richard. Your are a very special son. I took lots of photos but I have misplaced my cable for uploading so these few will have to do for now.

Nintendo

Richard loved his Nintendo. I'm being treated for Mother's Day at a very special place. Photos to come Monday.... From Interesting Facts: "Nintendo was founded in 1889 to sell playing cards. Nintendo has been synonymous with video games since the 1980s, but its first century of operation was rather different. The company was actually founded, on September 23, 1889, to sell playing cards, long before a certain Italian plumber was born. Originally known as Nintendo Koppai by founder Fusajiro Yamauchi, the hand-painted hanafuda cards (“flower cards” in Japanese) that it manufactured became Japan’s most popular playing cards by the early 1900s. This largely remained the case into the mid-20th century, by which time the company had tried expanding into different markets — instant rice, a taxi service, even ballpoint pens. Most of these ventures didn’t last, and it wasn’t until the video game crash of 1983 that Nintendo truly became the company it is today." Well, of course I had to find images of these hand-painted cards...enjoy!

A very good end for the English Bay Barge

While I rather enjoyed having it around I realise it does need to be removed and so pleased to see that charities will profit as given the current economic downturn charities are suffering. "A plan is now underway to cut up and haul the iconic English Bay Barge off the shores of Sunset Beach, and you'll be able to own a piece of it. Drex from JACK 96.9 and Bob Kronbauer from Vancouver Is Awesome cooked up a plan to allow people to purchase their own piece of the thing. They have received a commitment from the owner of the barge, Sentry Marine Towing, that they will receive a piece of it which will be cut down into small chunks. Those chunks will then be numbered and made available for the public to purchase, with the proceeds going to charity."

Beloved People in History who should be hated

This was from "Bored Panda" and I found it rather interesting. I guess you can bring up dirt on just about everyone even Mother Theresa according to these folks.

https://www.boredpanda.com/historical-person-should-be-hated/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter