And she brought me some lovely fragrant sweet peas from her garden! Always a good time together and we get to be very "left wing" without the husbands moderating our views. Out with Harper, in with Mulcair!
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Lunch at the Stanley Park Fish House
The Fish House closes at the end of the summer so thought it was a good place to go with Carol today. Food was excellent….I tried the calamari and Carol had the soup and salad special. I was very tempted by the soup….coconut seafood and I got a spoon and it was great but I did love my calamari. Elaine, you would have loved it too.
And she brought me some lovely fragrant sweet peas from her garden! Always a good time together and we get to be very "left wing" without the husbands moderating our views. Out with Harper, in with Mulcair!
And she brought me some lovely fragrant sweet peas from her garden! Always a good time together and we get to be very "left wing" without the husbands moderating our views. Out with Harper, in with Mulcair!
Very unusual site…a deer wandering through Vancouver
It seems there maybe are a few in Stanley Park but they hide pretty well. Certainly a different situation in Victoria where people talk about herds of them romping through the city.
http://www.vancouversun.com/Deer+wanders+through+downtown+Vancouver+with+photos+video/11231270/story.html
http://www.vancouversun.com/Deer+wanders+through+downtown+Vancouver+with+photos+video/11231270/story.html
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
West Vancouver Museum
We had a lovely time at the museum seeing the exhibit "From the Inside Out".
"Vancouver's distinct mid-century architecture thrived in tandem with a West Coast style of modernist visual art. Both practices were inspired by the rugged beauty of the local landscape…"
---including Ned Pratt, B.C. Binning, Fred Hollingsworth, Arthur Erickson, Bruno Freschi, Jack Shadbolt, Gordon Smith, Bill Reid and others."
We were very impressed with the exhibit and also with the volunteer who showed us around and told us about the bathroom where they always have something on display. We couldn't take photos in the exhibit.
The museum is in a rather nice old building.
Bathroom art:
"Vancouver's distinct mid-century architecture thrived in tandem with a West Coast style of modernist visual art. Both practices were inspired by the rugged beauty of the local landscape…"
---including Ned Pratt, B.C. Binning, Fred Hollingsworth, Arthur Erickson, Bruno Freschi, Jack Shadbolt, Gordon Smith, Bill Reid and others."
We were very impressed with the exhibit and also with the volunteer who showed us around and told us about the bathroom where they always have something on display. We couldn't take photos in the exhibit.
Bathroom art:
And then lunch at the Red Lion Bar and Grill…our favourite place in Dunderave.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Christmas in July
Great fun yesterday at the Artist Trading Card meeting. Penelope was telling us about all the neat things she does to encourage art and crafts with her two nieces who are 8 and 10. She's got them into ATC's and they're crazy about them. She's mailing some of ours and we'll be getting some of their efforts soon…very cool idea.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Itty Bitty Book Review: "Inside the O'Briens"
"Inside the O'Briens" by Lisa Genova
She wrote "Still Alice" which I couldn't get into but I look forward to seeing the film at some point. I might give it another try. This one is about Huntington's disease. Somehow it's quite uplifting rather than depressing and I loved this quote that I just had to share even though I'm in the middle of the book:
"Life is a near-death experience. Stumble around in giddy gratitude while you still can."
-Jen Sincero
She wrote "Still Alice" which I couldn't get into but I look forward to seeing the film at some point. I might give it another try. This one is about Huntington's disease. Somehow it's quite uplifting rather than depressing and I loved this quote that I just had to share even though I'm in the middle of the book:
"Life is a near-death experience. Stumble around in giddy gratitude while you still can."
-Jen Sincero
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Looking for a very special book….
I wanted to buy a very special book with the gift card Elaine included in my birthday goodies and I found it today on the best seller list:
The beginning of a review in the Toronto Star:
It’s a mighty trick to imbue Paris and the countryside of Provence in southern France with additional magic but Nina George has pulled it off. The German author’s novel The Little Paris Bookshop was originally published in 2013, but is only recently published in English. It became a bestseller in Germany and elsewhere in Europe and has been translated into more than 25 languages. It’s easy to see why.
The beginning of a review in the Toronto Star:
It’s a mighty trick to imbue Paris and the countryside of Provence in southern France with additional magic but Nina George has pulled it off. The German author’s novel The Little Paris Bookshop was originally published in 2013, but is only recently published in English. It became a bestseller in Germany and elsewhere in Europe and has been translated into more than 25 languages. It’s easy to see why.
If you are inclined to be a Francophile, you’ll likely savour this book. If you also love bookstores, fine food, good wine, dare to think about death and believe in the redemptive power of human love, you are quite likely in for a treat. (Oh . . . the experience of profound grief might also make you a candidate. Bring tissues.)
Can't wait for it to arrive!
And then there was still money left so I bought this book bag…newsprint, New York….one of my favourite cities and I love print newspapers so perfect. Thanks again, dear friend!
Friday, July 17, 2015
Another great sunset tonight….
Jim was golfing so we didn't go for an ocean swim today…a bit breezy anyway around swimming time.
What was different about tonight's sunset is the whole sky was lit up so I'm sure everyone saw the wonderful colours.
What was different about tonight's sunset is the whole sky was lit up so I'm sure everyone saw the wonderful colours.
Fireworks barge arrives today...
The first fireworks is a week Saturday but the preparations are beginning now along with the blue fences around the gardens which would be nice to do without…however. We aren't tired of the fireworks yet but many people in the neighbourhood could quite nicely do without it especially those with animals.
Yesterday evening, Jim got chatting to the old fellow we see all the time walking his Scotty dog. We figured the dog was pretty old because he's pretty slow. He's only 9 years old so I guess he has arthritis. The dog's name is Roadie and the fellow's name is Walter. The noise really bothers the dog so he takes him out of the area and he was a young child living in Dusseldorf during the massive bombing raid so he's not keen on the noise either.
Yesterday evening, Jim got chatting to the old fellow we see all the time walking his Scotty dog. We figured the dog was pretty old because he's pretty slow. He's only 9 years old so I guess he has arthritis. The dog's name is Roadie and the fellow's name is Walter. The noise really bothers the dog so he takes him out of the area and he was a young child living in Dusseldorf during the massive bombing raid so he's not keen on the noise either.
Itty Bitty Book Review: "The Golden Egg"
"The Golden Egg" by Donna Leon
You can always count on Donna Leon for a nice easy summer read and the bonus of reliving a bit of Venice and Italy. Leon is an American living in Venice and I find it interesting that she always manages to get in quite a bit about the corruption and tax avoidance that is rampant in that country. I guess they manage things a bit better than Greece but probably not much. I believe they are in trouble too.
Good news story just in case you missed it: "Disabled" cop waits for robbers but finds only kindness"
Picking up a digital version to post I see it's in all the major new media…
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/disabled-undercover-cop-waits-for-robbers-in-vancouver-but-only-finds-kindness
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/disabled-undercover-cop-waits-for-robbers-in-vancouver-but-only-finds-kindness
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
It's the most wonderful time of the year….
I went swimming in Second Beach Pool today….wonderful. Jim went into the ocean yesterday evening after our walk and it was lovely. I was feeling a bit tired. At Second Beach Pool they have a B.C. fruit and produce kiosk now all the time so I picked up the following:
This is in addition to picking up strawberries, red and green grapes, apricots, nectarines, bananas, green beans and radish at Kin's Farm Market the other day.
This is in addition to picking up strawberries, red and green grapes, apricots, nectarines, bananas, green beans and radish at Kin's Farm Market the other day.
End of an era…Raeside's last cartoon Friday in the Times-Colonist
We met Adrian a couple of times…he was quite a character. He was a friend of friends. Sign of the times with print newspapers that are struggling to keep alive as such. As an optimist, I think we shall still be getting our morning read for quite some time yet in print form.
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/jack-knox-raeside-draws-curtain-on-a-great-run-in-victoria-1.2001031?utm_source=Times+Colonist+Headline+News&utm_campaign=1a16bfed81-Times_Colonist_Headline_News_Friday_7_15_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b45247ac83-1a16bfed81-95851349
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/jack-knox-raeside-draws-curtain-on-a-great-run-in-victoria-1.2001031?utm_source=Times+Colonist+Headline+News&utm_campaign=1a16bfed81-Times_Colonist_Headline_News_Friday_7_15_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b45247ac83-1a16bfed81-95851349
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Itty Bitty Book Review: "The Goldfinch"
"The Goldfinch" by Donna Tartt
Well, it certainly kept your interest and even though I had pretty much had enough at around the 600 page mark I couldn't stop reading until the end. Pulitzer Prize winner? I have rather mixed feelings about it. Is it really much better than the Da Vinci Code which is a rip roaring plot as well? She throws in some jumble of "deeper meaning" in the end but I'm not sure it all adds up.
Well, it certainly kept your interest and even though I had pretty much had enough at around the 600 page mark I couldn't stop reading until the end. Pulitzer Prize winner? I have rather mixed feelings about it. Is it really much better than the Da Vinci Code which is a rip roaring plot as well? She throws in some jumble of "deeper meaning" in the end but I'm not sure it all adds up.
Red Sun sunflowers….perfect name for them.
Fern sent me these photos of some new type of sunflower she planted. They look great and I think I will do some sunflowers for my ATC meeting coming up this weekend.
Monday, July 13, 2015
A great birthday present for Jim….Happy Birthday!
Jim received a summary of his SFU Munro course evaluations today….well done, professor Sexton!
Please provide us with any comments about this course:
Respondent 01: This is the first time I have taken a course that analyzes fiction; while I am sure this was an excellent example of such a course, I am not sure I would take another.
Respondent 02: Jim is an outstanding prof. I am already eagerly awaiting the news of his next course. I haven't been as interested and involved for a while. Keep him on staff. Canvas is a superb addition and Jim used it very well and it really added to his lectures.
Respondent 03: This was a brilliant course. I do have a few suggestions: 1. Focus on 1 story for 1 or 2 classes so deeper analysis is possible. 2. More group discussion. 3. Dr. Sexton please let students finish their sentences.
Respondent 04: I enjoyed and learned a lot. The prof – James Sexton was knowledgeable, entertaining and likeable. I hope he will return and I would take another courses from him.
Respondent 05: Loved prof's passion. Presentation skills awesome. I think he really had fun presenting this class.
Respondent 06: Very knowledgeable, funny, good actor. Enjoyed his easy 'goingness.' Good teacher.
Respondent 07: I learned a great deal in this course. The professor on is extremely well read and learned on literature and presents his knowledge and ideas in an enthusiastic, eloquent and clear manner. I would definitely take another course offered by him, hopefully this fall.
Respondent 08: I liked every minute of that course. Great teaching, great knowledge. Thanks very much.
Respondent 09: The course was very interesting, I really enjoyed it. The more literature courses the better. How about one on Southern writers? Thanks.
Respondent 10: The instructor was very generous and willing to entertain new ideas/arguments and points of view. He's very good – don't let him go.
Respondent 01: This is the first time I have taken a course that analyzes fiction; while I am sure this was an excellent example of such a course, I am not sure I would take another.
Respondent 02: Jim is an outstanding prof. I am already eagerly awaiting the news of his next course. I haven't been as interested and involved for a while. Keep him on staff. Canvas is a superb addition and Jim used it very well and it really added to his lectures.
Respondent 03: This was a brilliant course. I do have a few suggestions: 1. Focus on 1 story for 1 or 2 classes so deeper analysis is possible. 2. More group discussion. 3. Dr. Sexton please let students finish their sentences.
Respondent 04: I enjoyed and learned a lot. The prof – James Sexton was knowledgeable, entertaining and likeable. I hope he will return and I would take another courses from him.
Respondent 05: Loved prof's passion. Presentation skills awesome. I think he really had fun presenting this class.
Respondent 06: Very knowledgeable, funny, good actor. Enjoyed his easy 'goingness.' Good teacher.
Respondent 07: I learned a great deal in this course. The professor on is extremely well read and learned on literature and presents his knowledge and ideas in an enthusiastic, eloquent and clear manner. I would definitely take another course offered by him, hopefully this fall.
Respondent 08: I liked every minute of that course. Great teaching, great knowledge. Thanks very much.
Respondent 09: The course was very interesting, I really enjoyed it. The more literature courses the better. How about one on Southern writers? Thanks.
Respondent 10: The instructor was very generous and willing to entertain new ideas/arguments and points of view. He's very good – don't let him go.
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Respondent 11: Very informative and interesting.
Respondent 12: Excellent teacher, appreciated comments from students. Has an amazing amount of knowledge of literature.
Respondent 13: Will miss the course – could have been longer – lots of Alice Munro stories to cover. Look forward to future courses by this instructor. Learned a lot about techniques to analyze literature as well as greater appreciation of Alice Munro.
Respondent 14: Good use of canvas.
Respondent 15: Lots of extra posted on the bulletin board – yay. Knowledgeable, personable instructor.
Respondent 16: James is knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Enjoyable class.
Respondent 17: Enjoyed the course very much. Learned so much about reading short stories – the layers of meaning. The complexity of story, the development of the characters within the limitations of length. Will apply this to future readings of short stories. Had not read much of Alice Munro before this course now fascinated by her short stories and will continue to read more.
Respondent 18: More by this instructor.
Respondent 19: The course got more interesting as it progressed. The accents and preferences to other literature fleshed out Munro's stories in a very interesting way.
Respondent 20: I loved it. Learned a lot. Would love to take future courses from this instructor.
Respondent 21: Very well prepared instructor and interesting discussion. Website 'extras' for each week much appreciated.
Respondent 22: I enjoyed this course and the instructor. However, many of us do not wish to have a seminar type session meeting in groups and talking about a point. Being seniors, many have health issues and it is too stressful to have to public speak, for instance. I hope to see him again. I liked the notes he put online and his computer skills.
Respondent 23: Dr. Sexton produced an excellent program and made it very easy for wide ranging participation by all the class. Clearly a lot of thought went into the instruction & he actually "bled" for us. (An unfortunate first class, but he bravely carried on!)
Respondent 12: Excellent teacher, appreciated comments from students. Has an amazing amount of knowledge of literature.
Respondent 13: Will miss the course – could have been longer – lots of Alice Munro stories to cover. Look forward to future courses by this instructor. Learned a lot about techniques to analyze literature as well as greater appreciation of Alice Munro.
Respondent 14: Good use of canvas.
Respondent 15: Lots of extra posted on the bulletin board – yay. Knowledgeable, personable instructor.
Respondent 16: James is knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Enjoyable class.
Respondent 17: Enjoyed the course very much. Learned so much about reading short stories – the layers of meaning. The complexity of story, the development of the characters within the limitations of length. Will apply this to future readings of short stories. Had not read much of Alice Munro before this course now fascinated by her short stories and will continue to read more.
Respondent 18: More by this instructor.
Respondent 19: The course got more interesting as it progressed. The accents and preferences to other literature fleshed out Munro's stories in a very interesting way.
Respondent 20: I loved it. Learned a lot. Would love to take future courses from this instructor.
Respondent 21: Very well prepared instructor and interesting discussion. Website 'extras' for each week much appreciated.
Respondent 22: I enjoyed this course and the instructor. However, many of us do not wish to have a seminar type session meeting in groups and talking about a point. Being seniors, many have health issues and it is too stressful to have to public speak, for instance. I hope to see him again. I liked the notes he put online and his computer skills.
Respondent 23: Dr. Sexton produced an excellent program and made it very easy for wide ranging participation by all the class. Clearly a lot of thought went into the instruction & he actually "bled" for us. (An unfortunate first class, but he bravely carried on!)
Sunday, July 12, 2015
"Bites" at The Wine Bar on Marinaside
We had dinner tonight with Richard and sat outside….great food and great wine. They have their "bites" on for 3 for $10 on Mondays and Sundays…a great deal. We have often gone to the Provence Marinaside for meals which is next door and a sister restaurant. Always a good time. Grace had a deadline so couldn't join us…next time, for sure.
Richard promoting Catfé
Richard promoting Catfé
Cat Café gets city hall green light...
Richard's friend, Michelle, has got her approval for opening "Catfé" in the International Villages site. This is great news for her and for us as we find it really easy to go there and love the free parking. There are other interesting stores and it's where we go to see movies. It will be opening in October and hope we haven't left for Palm Springs before it opens.
http://www.theprovince.com/life/feel+feline+Manager+excited+café+coming+soon+Vancouver/11207778/story.html
Saturday, July 11, 2015
A great day out with old friends….
We had a great day out with Donna and Neil and Linda and Cec going out for lunch at Bacchus Bistro at the Chaberton Winery in Langley. After we arrived at Linda and Cec's, Linda drove us all through scenic country roads and farms…amazing how much farmland there is so close to Vancouver. One tends to forget that. And we had the most amazing meal. Neil and Jim had boeuf bourguignon which was absolutely to die for served with scalloped potatoes which were also fabulous. Linda had raved about the mushroom omelette and Linda, Cec, and I had that….excellent. And Donna had a quiche…also excellent. I tasted everything and it matched up to some of the best meals we have had in France.
Washed down with some of their house red. We went into the tasting room afterwards and bought some wine to bring home…two reds and a white.
And then back to Linda and Cec's for fabulous blueberry pie that she made from blueberries bought at their favourite farm. Thanks so much, Linda and Cec! And it was great to meet their daughter, Cheryl, whose culinary talents are famous. Linda always points out she doesn't get them from her. Cec likes to comment when Linda suggests they go out somewhere different for dinner…"how about the kitchen?"
The six of us always have a wonderful time together and we had lots of laughs especially thanks to Linda, as usual.
Friday, July 10, 2015
Back to cloudy, cool typically west coast air….I think.
So glad we took advantage of the warmth and the sun yesterday although no one is going to complain about the cooler temps and possibility of some rain. Unfortunately, if it comes at all it won't be enough for our raging forest fires but the cooler weather will help.
John got some interesting photos during our "apocalypse"….
From John's blog:
uly 5th, 2015 — There was an apocalyptic look to the air the last few days while smoke from forest fires hung over Vancouver. Most of the pictures I’ve seen had the sky orangey red but last night at Spanish Banks to me it was more of a yellow green, sickly, jaundiced, the impression helped on by the sound of fog horns from ships hidden in the smog while they slipped into anchorages just offshore.
-John Denniston photos
John got some interesting photos during our "apocalypse"….
From John's blog:
uly 5th, 2015 — There was an apocalyptic look to the air the last few days while smoke from forest fires hung over Vancouver. Most of the pictures I’ve seen had the sky orangey red but last night at Spanish Banks to me it was more of a yellow green, sickly, jaundiced, the impression helped on by the sound of fog horns from ships hidden in the smog while they slipped into anchorages just offshore.
Thursday, July 09, 2015
First pastis of the season...
We had a wonderfully warm ocean swim and then it seemed perfect to have our first pastis of the season. It was definitely a south of France on the Mediterranean day...
And then to The Sylvia to split a salmon burger and enjoy some music and Red Truck Pale Ale….ah a wonderful local.
Do you think Jim looks comfy enough? We got our favourite perch…the sofa and overlooking the band and English Bay.
And then to The Sylvia to split a salmon burger and enjoy some music and Red Truck Pale Ale….ah a wonderful local.
Do you think Jim looks comfy enough? We got our favourite perch…the sofa and overlooking the band and English Bay.
A bit of blue sky today….
Well, our forest fire fog didn't come on little cat feet and wasn't the fog I loved as a kid. It was always so exciting in the autumn to wake up to a foggy day with the leaves turning and the excitement of Halloween looming.
It's nice to see a bit of brightness today and hope it will get even better as the day goes on rather than worse as what happened yesterday.
I always loved this poem.
Fog
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
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