Getting To Know Me

In 1979 Ron and I decided it was time for a change and a move.

We picked Vancouver, British Columbia as the destination and the place to settle.

So in July of that year, after we had sold/gave away everything we owned

except for a camper van and our bicycles, we headed west.

We wanted to get to B.C by late August, so we had plenty of time.

Here are only a few photos of the trip out and after we settled.

Once on the west coast we wanted to bike the coastal route (parts of Washington, 

Oregon and into California) as much as we could.

We would park the van somewhere safe and head down the coast a ways.

Our friend Stephen was with us (we arranged to meet him in Alberta)

..... thus the third bike in the photo.

This was my first trip to the Rockies and I remember this day so well.

This was in Banff, Alberta and it was COLD up there!

Having lived all of my life at 'sea-level' I remember the 

adjustment to the altitude.

The above photo was Christmas 1979 in Vancouver.

We had found a 'flat' in the Kitsilano area near the city beaches.

This was our first Christmas away from Nova Scotia.

Oh, the cat on the right is Polo. She was the most wonderful cat.

She was shipped out after we were settled in.

Here we are on Kitsilano Beach with our then dog, Regan, an Afghan Hound 

who was shipped out along with Polo. They were inseparable. 

In the background is downtown Vancouver.

We felt we were in heaven. And in a lot of respects we were.

The west coast is quite different from the east coast in Canada.

Neither is better in any way while each has its own distinct identity

and way of life.

Living here for two years was exactly what we needed at the time.

We returned 'home' feeling renewed and ready to 'put down roots'.

May Look Normal

This is usually how Ron looks while walking through the park.

But occasionally he goes into this posture....

and begins to run down a 'runway' of sorts!

He always 'lands' very safely.....

pulls himself together and walks ahead as if nothing has happened.

Should I be worried?

All That Glitters......

Sitting on the opposite shore of the Northwest Arm 

watching this sailboat whip by the other day.

The 'S'-Word Rears Its Ugly Head

According to local legend, when one sees this many cones at the top of spruce trees,

and for that matter any evergreen that produces cones,

it is a sign that there will be an above average amount of the 'white stuff' this winter.

It is said that the accumulation level will reach up to the cones but not cover them....

leaving them accessible for wildlife during the cold winter months ahead 

here on the tundra!! lol

(That was a joke about us being on the tundra as it is much farther north.)

Nevertheless, we do not always see this many cones every fall

but when we do we take heed and prepare for lots of SNOW!!

There I said it!

Contemplative Monday

Today's quote is taken from 'Heart Advice, Weekly Quotes From Pema Chodron'.

CULTIVATING COMPASSION

"Compassion practice is daring.

It involves learning to relax and allowing ourselves to move gently 

toward what scares us.

The trick to doing this is to stay with emotional distress without tightening into aversion;

to let fear soften us rather than harden into resistance.

We cultivate bravery by making aspirations.

We make the wish that all beings, including ourselves and those we dislike,

be free of suffering and the root of suffering."

Eclectic Tastes

I was looking for something this week that was contemplative
in nature and yet not depressing but celebratory.

 This piece allowed me to reflect on my aunt Annabel's life
(who passed away this past Thursday)
and how she so loved living every day.

I also just got word that my uncle Gerald passed away
 last evening (Saturday). He was married to my father's sister.
'Gerry' had a zest for life that was inspirational to me.
He always found the positive in life.
I will forever be grateful to him for accepting
Ron and I from the start many years ago.
I will never forget the day Gerry took Ron and I to
his 'special' wild berry locations. We not only got
lots of berries (blueberries and raspberries)
but we got to know each other on a different level.
He will be missed.

Saturday Morning Post

A 'roller coaster' of a week......

Periwinkles everywhere along the Arm shore.

Waiting for his ship to come in?

A walk in the park.

Are you two looking down at me?

Dragonfly study...

loved Ron's shirt.....

Look at those eyes!

Two crows joy.

Always prepared.

Driving through a rain storm.

Ron visited his father's grave site while in Wolfville.

Walking down the path to the harbour.

Lots of signs.

Three horses along the canal in Gaspereaux Valley.

This past week is all 'water under the bridge' now.