Another lovely evening

Donna came over from Vancouver with Christine yesterday and we had another enjoyable dinner at the Penny Farthing.

Passports

We renewed our passports today. It ended up being less hassle and took less time than we thought it might. Always glad to get stuff like that done. Not sure if or where we'll go travelling but we're good to go now.

A lovely evening

with Bronwen and Darryl.

Just back from an enjoyable dinner

...at The Penny Farthing. We were able to sit outside.

A lovely evening

...with Susan and Chris.

Lunch with Roger

We just got back from a nice lunch at Denny's with Roger. So glad we got a chance to see him.

Beautiful flowers for Mother's Day

Richard sent me a lovely bouquet of flowers for Mother's Day. They look like they're going to last a long time too. It will be fun to see how long. Thank you so much!

Lobster Museum

This would be a great place for me to visit being the crazy lobster loving person I am. https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/09/travel/virtual-lobster-museum-maine?utm_source=cnn_5+Good+Things+5%2F10%2F2025&utm_medium=email&bt_ee=H%2BHW0FLYdTXa4tMExG%2FY%2BqTqQbK12Dz53lCSecP5SQ1x5UrP6uyvGgQLAM1VoJ10&bt_ts=1746878554377

The National Animal of Scotland Is ....

From: Interesting Facts I was surprised I hadn't come across this before. It is most interesting. The National Animal of Scotland Is the Unicorn America has the eagle, England has the lion, and Scotland has the unicorn. And while the horned mythological creature may not actually exist, the traits it represents certainly do: Purity, independence, and an untamable spirit are all qualities Scotland has long cherished. Unicorns appeared on the country’s coat of arms starting in the 12th century, and were ​​officially adopted as Scotland’s national animal by King Robert I in the late 14th century. For many years, the coat of arms included two of the legendary beings, but in 1603 one was replaced by a lion to mark the Union of the Crowns. Fittingly for the then-newly united England and Scotland, folklore had long depicted the two creatures as butting heads to determine which one was truly the “king of beasts.” Scottish kings also displayed that fighting spirit, which may be why unicorns were generally depicted in Scottish heraldry as wearing gold chains — only the land’s mighty monarchs could tame them. Unicorns remain popular in Scotland to this day, with renditions found on palaces, universities, castles, and even Scotland’s oldest surviving wooden warshi

Canada has a new prime minister

Mark Carney's Liberal Party has won the Canadian election and will form the next government.It was a very close race but I don't think things will change.

Darcy's Utopia by Fay Weldon

I often felt I wanted to put this novel down but somehow it kept me reading. I'm not sure quite what to say about it so I'll post this review from Kirkus Reviews. "Another act of literary terrorism from British satirist and live-wire Weldon (The Cloning of Joanna May, 1989, etc.), only this time far more wide-ranging and rabidly polemic than even before. Weldon's subject now is Eleanor Darcy, the high priestess of Darcian Monetarism, a utopian ideology aimed at saving shabby old Thatcherian England from the ills of inflation by phasing out money altogether. The theory, ostensibly the brainchild of Eleanor's second husband (now in prison because of the chaos that ensued when the economic strategy was implemented for one morning only), really came from Eleanor herself, known in the press as Rasputin's Bride. And Eleanor, being interviewed in this novel by two journalists—trim Valerie, writing for the women's rag Aura, and Hugo, of the higher-toned Independent—has thoughts of a world of topics besides money: namechanging, a practice that will be encouraged in Darcy's utopia ("My advice to everyone is to change their names at once if they're the least unhappy with their lives"); sex, the source of all good in the world; Marxism and Catholicism, both palliatives; elocution and miscegenation, two waves of the future, and much more. Piecing together hints from the evasive Eleanor, Valerie concocts a personal biography for her magazine's readers, revealing that Eleanor, born with a caul and originally named Apricot (after the shade of her mother's nightie), is a bigamist, social-climber, and witch who wrecked the lives of the men who loved her. Hugo concentrates on the theoretical, and on Valerie, who becomes his mistress. During the time they're in contact with Eleanor, the two of them leave their spouses and children and shack up together in a Holiday Inn. Once their pieces are finished, though, the affair collapses—presumably a romantic utopia, given too little time. Nonetheless, Eleanor has changed their lives, and will change others, since Hugo starts a religion dedicated to her. An ideological mine-field, with Weldon-as-Eleanor birthing a wild idea a minute. Still, some shrapnel hits home, for what Weldon seems to be saying is that desperate, possibly lunatic measures are called for if we're to transform a desperately sick world."

A lovely dinner

We had a wonderful time with Bronwen and Darryl last night. We heard all about their wonderful place in Italy and saw pictures of it. It looked great and brought back memories of our time in Italy. We just might get there again. Darryl spoiled us with an Italian themed dinner. We were very impressed with the Bayview Estates where their condo is located. They have great views of the Blue Bridge and the city lights.

A lovely lunch

We had a lovely lunch with Tim and Anne today. Great to see them.

Itty Bitty Book Review

"Democracy" by Joan Didion I think "fragmented narrative" pretty much sums it up. I just couldn't really get into it. "Joan Didion's novel "Democracy" delves into the intricate search for identity faced by Inez Christian during the tumultuous 1960s and 1970s in America. This journey reaches its conclusion in 1975, just after the final withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam and Cambodia. Through a fragmented narrative, Didion, as the story's narrator, pieces together the life of Inez, endeavoring to provide meaning to her experiences."

What a train ride that would be!

We just loved travelling on the TGV trains in France and these latest ones look fantastic. Why would anyone fly when they could get to their destination on one of these? France unveils ‘incredible’ new high-speed TGV trains with double-decker dining car By Rosa Rahimi, CNN 3 minute read Published 7:03 AM EDT, Tue March 18, 2025 The first class carriage of new TGV INOUI train, pictured with lamps designed as part of a French-Japanese collaboration. The first class carriage of new TGV INOUI train, pictured with lamps designed as part of a French-Japanese collaboration. Yann Audic Editor’s note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter. Get news about destinations, plus the latest in aviation, food and drink, and where to stay. CNN — France’s national railway operator has unveiled its next-generation high-speed trains, equipped with stylish interiors that are already causing a stir online. Branded INOUI (a play on the French word “inouï,” meaning unprecedented or incredible), these will be the fifth generation of the country’s TGV intercity service that has been at the forefront of high-speed rail travel since their launch nearly 45 years ago. After undergoing more than a million kilometers (over 620,000 miles) of test journeys, the new trains — manufactured entirely in France — were unveiled earlier this month by SNCF Voyageurs, the French national passenger rail operator, and manufacturer Alstom. “45 years after the first TGV, we’re going to revolutionize high-speed travel once again,” Christophe Fanichet, CEO of SNCF Voyageurs, said in a press statement.

A great visit with Roger

Roger surprised us by being in town yesterday. We went to Denny's. Jim and I had their turkey dinner and Roger had the fish and chips. They looked pretty good...we'll have to give them a try another time. It was great to see him.

Another lovely lunch

We had lunch....a very long and enjoyable lunch at Fern's with Carole yesterday. Wonderful to see them both. We always enjoy Fern's view on the Gorge. Fern spoiled Jim by making paella...one of his very favourite meals.

A lovely lunch with Donna

Yesterday, Donna was in Victoria and we went to Oaks for lunch. It was great to see her and we all enjoyed our lunch

Robot pets

It seems kind of crazy but why not? By Neal Broverman on February 5, 2025 "Technology is often viewed as a contributor to our culture's epidemic of loneliness and isolation, but one company is trying to prove the opposite. Ageless Innovation's meowing "cats," wagging "dogs," and chirping "birds" have lifted the spirits of many seniors, with numerous state-sponsored programs funding the interactive, animatronic pets for veterans and those in hospice care. Three Washington, D.C. wards recently began distributing the Joy for All Companion Pets to residents 60 and older. Ted Fischer, CEO and co-founder of Ageless Innovation, tells Mashable that the comfort and contentment seniors receive from the robots is not just anecdotal."

Lobster bag

It's too pricey for me but I do love the idea of a lobster bag since I love lobster and will never forget all the lobster I ate when taking students on a trip to New Brunswick many years ago. "Not on your plate, but this Louis Vuitton lobster bag by Pharrell Williams deserves a spot in your closet. For $18,000, this crustacean clutch might just be the French luxury house’s wildest creation, literally!" by Neha Tandon Sharma As usual these days having trouble getting an image uploaded but my readers can always google it.

Itty Bitty Book review

"The Most Cunning Heart" by Catherine Graham Another one of my Christmas books from Jim. I really enjoyed it. "In the early 1990’s, Caitlin Maharg, grieving the loss of her parents, leaves everything she knows in Canada for Northern Ireland to pursue her love of poetry while living in a cottage by the Irish Sea. Feeling like a child again in a distant land still affected by the Troubles, she is haunted by the secrets her parents’ deaths unearthed. In her longing for emotional closeness, she befriends Andy Evans, a well-known poet with a roguish charm. Their attraction soon leads to a love affair. Flouting the paisley headscarf of respectability, she plunges into a relationship that gives her an entry to the literary world, but at a price. Filled with insights into grief, longing and creativity, The Most Cunning Heart is a novel about how a quiet heroine learns to navigate deception, love and loss."

Itty bitty book review: "The Girl Who Was Saturday Night" by Heather O'Neill

This was one of my Christmas books Jim gave me.I really enjoyed it and all the crazy characters. I know it's a bit lazy to just post a summary someone else made up but it was a rather complex story. Summary from Kirkus Reviews. "Nouschka Tremblay's family ties are stronger than most; when she was young, her father, Étienne, a folk singer, catapulted her and her twin brother, Nicolas, into the small but intense spotlight of Montreal media by using them as props on late-night TV shows to help promote his music and the cause of French-Canadian separatism. At the start of the book, though she is now 19, she and Nicolas still sleep in the same bed and are still embedded in Montreal’s consciousness. When Nicolas dropped out of high school, she followed—no matter how many bad choices she makes about men, no one else is worthy of her devotion—but now she is starting to regret it. When a documentarian starts filming her family to see what has come of the famous Tremblays, Nouschka starts to imagine a life beyond her family, first going back to school for her diploma and then getting married to a man her brother loathes. The story is delightfully bizarre, flush with the free-form vacuity of early adulthood, but what really shines here is O’Neill’s writing. The author (Lullabies for Little Criminals, 2006) stuns with the vivid descriptions and metaphors that are studded throughout the book, such as “[h]e looked at me some days like I was a hostage that no one was paying the ransom for” and “[The swan] held its wings in front of it, like a naked girl with only her socks on, holding her hands over her privates.” As Nouschka begins to see herself as a separate person, O’Neill’s writing grows ever more distinct and direct. This vigorous writing makes the book; the story is surprising and satisfying, but the real star is Nouschka and how she tells it."

Blue cheese potato chips

I love everything blue cheese so I'm sure I would love these.One of the most pleasureable things I've done in my life is buy 100 grams of Roquefort cheese at the morning market in Paris and eat it all on the way home. And probably the next best tastiest things were the baguette bread still warm from the oven and croissants baked that morning.They did survive the walk home.I didn't tell Jim about the cheese. #1 NEW Cashel Blue Cheese Irish Potato Chips https://food52.com/recipes/36712-blue-cheese-potato-chips?srsltid=AfmBOorj4SubrqsH3RbULBHZk77EZJPc339oOVZXqRTOrv2GkPzRdzx-

Burger and a pint

at Oaks last night. It's a great deal and we always enjoy it.

More crazy weather

From: Morning Brew "The deep South was blasted with its worst snowstorm in 130 years this week, creating a rare opportunity for a snowball fight in the French Quarter of New Orleans and an even rarer chance to skate on the street. The snow was so heavy that the city’s famous St. Louis Cathedral was barely visible after the Big Easy received 10 inches of snow. In all, 5–10 inches of snow fell across the Gulf Coast. The blizzard snarled roadways, closed airports, and was the cause of at least 11 deaths.—DL"

Another super lunch

We had lunch at the Blue Crab at the Coast Victoria yesterday. Great view and great lunch!

Lord Peter Wimsey in "Have His Carcase"

We enjoyed seeing the dramatization. YouTube seems to have lots of this kind of old stuff we haven't seen or seen so long ago we've forgotten it. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Preceded by The Five Red Herrings Followed by Murder Must Advertise Have His Carcase is a 1932 locked-room mystery by Dorothy L. Sayers, her seventh novel featuring Lord Peter Wimsey and the second in which Harriet Vane appears. It is also included in the 1987 BBC TV series. The book marks a stage in the long drawn out courting of Harriet Vane by Wimsey. Though working closely with him on solving the book's mystery, she still refuses to marry him.

Itty bitty book review: "Gaudy Night"

"Gaudy Night" by Dorothy Sayers I always enjoy a good mystery and this didn't disappoint...another one of my Christmas books from Jim. It was 557 pages and when I first picked it up I thought I don't think I want to read anything this long but I started and before I knew it I finished it. Now, what to choose next? I think I'll try "The Girl who was Saturday Night" by Heather O'Neill. I see it was a Giller Prize finalist.

California wine

This doesn't really surprise me. I think it has a lot to do with the weather of California being more consistent. "California Wines Beat French Rivals in a Blind Taste Test In a legendary event dubbed “The Judgment of Paris,” held on May 24, 1976, French wine experts preferred upstart California wines to the finest French ones in a taste test. An English wine shop owner staged the event to drum up business, and everyone assumed a French victory was a foregone conclusion. The nine experts swirled, sniffed, and sipped a variety of reds and whites, then tallied the number of points they awarded to each sample; shockingly, a cabernet sauvignon and a chardonnay from Napa Valley won out, proving that countries besides France could produce the world’s finest wines. A bottle of each winning wine is now in the Smithsonian collection."

Chef James made chicken cacciatori

It was a great meal and our friends, Darryl and Bronwen, enjoyed it very much. We had a lot of fun talking about old times. Bronwen still teaches at Camosun.

Another lovely visit with an old friend

Fern came over for tea yesterday and so nice to see her. And she brought some yummy home-made cookies!

Dinner at White Spot last night

It's simple food but usually never disappoints.

Alexa...who knew?

Just one of those names of things I never really thought about From: Interesting Facts "Egypt's Library of Alexandria, possibly built around the fourth century BCE, was reputed to hold the wealth of humankind's accumulated knowledge in the ancient world. That makes "Alexa" an inspired choice for the name of the voice-activated virtual assistant that debuted with the Amazon Echo smart speaker in 2014. Yet this was hardly the only name strongly considered by Alexa's developers — nor even the favored choice of the company founder who pushed to bring the project to life. "

Another good time with old friends

We saw Derek and Mary and all enjoyed a visit and a drink of sherry.

New Year's Day lunch

We went to the Penny Farthing and ran into our old neighbours, Chris and Susan, from Dewdney Street. So fun to see them and their cute little dog.