Monochrome Monday

Looking back, it seems I've been remiss in contributing to Monochrome Mondays for about 6 months now. Ah well, most of you know I went through major back surgery and have recently become engaged. So hopefully you'll forgive me - I never forgot you all but have just been trying to recover from everything that's been going on.

Thanks, Aileni, for keeping this going. Hope you like my current contribution, actually taken by my fiance when we were at White Lake, near Shuswap Lake in central BC this past June.

Click here to see other contributions to Monochrome Mondays.

Y is for YACHT

Living as I do on the west coast of Canada, I see lots and lots of boats, especially sailboats gliding in the waters here. On any given day, you might see any number of boats as you drive along Pacific Avenue by English Bay. On windy days, especially, you'll see so many sailboats that you'll wonder how they manage to keep out of each other's way. Here's just one shot of the skyline of Vancouver with boats resting on a calm day.

I've never actually been on a sailboat in my entire life. We used to have a power boat that we'd use for water skiing or cruising on Shuswap Lake in the summers. And Lorne used to have his own sailboat, yellow, called "Daisy."

Here in my little village of Ladner, we actually have a Yacht Club! I went down to take a few photos of the boats moored in the little river harbour and realized that they weren't quite what I had in mind as a yacht. They're more like fishing boats, although there were a few sailboats, too.

If you can't afford to buy a boat, you can always rent one - or a kayak, through Kaymaran Adventure Tours right off the wharf in Ladner.

We've been talking about buying a sailboat some day in the near future. Since Lorne not only owned one in the past AND raced them, he knows everything possible about them. He even said he'd teach me to sail when I suggested my taking lessons.

However, sailboats can be very expensive. Lorne saw an old one, derelict, in the Steveston Yacht Club harbour and made an offer on it. He planned on restoring it to its former glory. But so far that deal hasn't come through. Then today, I found another one for sale. What do you think? Any real future for this one? (click to enlarge) They're only asking $7,000.00!!!

Actually, I think I must have champagne taste because this one (below) is more of what I have in mind when I think of sailing. (I stole this image off the web, but it's actually a sailboat sailing near Vancouver, BC. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to own a yacht!

Dream on, Leslie....

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Jazz Festival Lures Burbite to Inner City

Don't forget to click on the photos to enlarge them.
Saturday night, younger Daughter and I took the bus deep into the downtown area of Vancouver to see a bit of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. I probably wouldn't have gone had it not been for the fact that my fiance was working at the upper bar at the David Lam Park site. Having never been there before, I figured we could at least get a ride home. The bus was quite an experience for me, having lived in the 'burbs for most of my life and driving everywhere. Of course Daughter was horrified that I didn't even know which slot to put my fare and that I didn't know about the tickets the drivers give you as proof of payment. When I looked at her in awe after hearing the computer announce the next stop, she warned me not to look so much like a rube! So from then on, I sat quietly and enjoyed the view from up so high.















Once there, our first goal was to find my fiance and let him know we had arrived. On the walk to the upper bar (above photo, left, & notice the waterfall), I got a few shots of the stage and some of the surrounding area, including the skyscrapers that loomed over the park. (Note: just as I was posting this photo, I noticed Daughter in bottom right hand corner.) At one point, Daughter decided to fill out some sort of questionnaire on a computer "thingy," so I sat on the cement wall and watched people as they filed past on their way to one or another of the venues. It was amazing (to me) to see so many women who had "let themselves go" with grey or greying hair that was long and straggly and were wobbling along without wearing a bra. And a lot of the men looked like they were still in the "hippie era," too, with the same sort of look (sans bras of course).














Anyway, once we had "checked in," we wandered around the kiosks filling in forms for a free ipod, free music downloads, etc. and found a spot on a cement stair to listen to the music that was starting at 8 pm. Because my scrawny butt doesn't take well to sitting on hard surfaces, we decided to head down towards the water, False Creek. (Click on link to see better photos than mine of this celebrated area of Vancouver.) We could still hear the music, which was great by the way, but we were able to take a lot of photos of the sailboats, motorboats, and a paddlewheeler that happened by. We also got a bit goofy and took silly photos of each other. I'll save those ones for Facebook, but here are a couple of nice ones.

It was also fun to watch a young fellow who was throwing a ball into the water for his dog to chase. That dog never hesitated, but threw himself wholeheartedly into the water. As we had descended the steps to the seawall, I'd noticed a HUGE elephant ear plant so Daughter dutifully took my photo in front of it. Further down the steps, I noticed a cement sculpture with writing inside the circular top. It reads: "The Moon Circles the Earth and the Ocean Responds With the Tides." What an amazing sculpture!

When it started to get a bit dark, we decided to climb up to the bar for a drink. We stayed there for the rest of the evening until my fiance was finished working. But we did meet a couple of his friends who showed up and had a great conversation. After everyone except the workers had left, we were allowed to stay because we were "with the band" so to speak, and we went over to the ledge and got several good night shots. I even got one of my sweetie, but you'll notice it looks like a shadow or a double exposure - that's because I had the setting on my camera at "night" and it took a few seconds to take. He walked away before the picture was taken so all I got was this ghostly image of him! But I think it looks kind of neat.




















It was such a warm, clear evening and the lights reflecting in the water were mesmerizing. The moon was almost full and had a soft halo over it. And the lights went on in the skyscrapers.















My first foray into the jazz scene was pretty good, even though I wouldn't have considered the music they were playing last night to be what I call "jazz." Maybe some of you have heard of the Vancouver-based group - delhi 2 dublin. Click on the link to hear a bit of what we heard last night.

As we drove home, Daughter remarked how much she'd love to live in the city so close to all the action. For my part, I was quite content to return to the 'burbs to enjoy my garden and the peace and quiet. Next time I want a bit of "action," I know that I can easily make my way there via the public bus. And that's a taste of "my world" - a world I don't often see, being a "burbite."

For more worlds, click here.

Teacher as Student

Today I started Spanish lessons. I studied it for four years in the past, 2 years in high school and 2 years at university. But that was a long, long time ago.

Most of you know that I'm a semi-retired teacher who specializes in teaching French as a second language and that I currently tutor students who are having difficulty learning the language. Two of my students (both boys in Grade 8) decided that French was too hard so they have both signed up to study Spanish starting in September. Both of them said they'd heard that Spanish is so much easier. However, I tried to warn them that Spanish is only easier once you already know another Romance language and that they're going to have to do the same sorts of things in Spanish as they've been doing in French. But they told me they'd already signed up and it was a done deal.

Then I had a brainwave! I don't know of anyone in the area who tutors Spanish - so, I've decided to refresh my Spanish and be available as a Spanish tutor, too.

I made a deal with a Spanish teacher in the city because she wants to improve her French. So for two hours every Friday morning this summer we're going to get together for one hour of Spanish and one hour of French.

I was nervous today. But so was she.

We stumbled along, both of us laughing at our mistakes, helping each other out with vocabulary, verb conjugations, and pronunciation. We traded some materials that we can study from over the coming weeks and when we get together, we'll *try* to communicate in both languages.

Today, I told her (in Spanish and with her help) how I have come to be engaged to a man I met 40 years ago and she was agog, amazed, and delighted for us. She told me (in French with my help) about going to Mexico for a few months and meeting a wonderful man who makes films and just premiered his first short documentary.

It's nerve-wracking to be on the other side of the desk, so to speak, even though we sat together at a large square table. There were times when she was speaking that I realized my mind had gone blank and I had to ask her to repeat. But when the tables were turned and I was in charge, she was just as stressed as I had been.

When I left, I headed to "Collins Educational Supplies Store," an educational resource store where I've picked up lots of materials for teaching in the past. I managed to find several books and a Spanish/English dictionary that I'm sure I'll find extremely useful in the weeks and months to come.

Life just keeps on getting better and better, I think. Since retiring from full time teaching, I've travelled quite a bit and fallen in love and am engaged to marry a wonderful man. My little tutoring business is only going to expand now due to two young boys who thought French was too hard.

Next trip, Spain? or Mexico?

X is for Xavier

How many of you remember the Cabbage Patch Kids? They became popular in the 80's when my daughters were young. They each received their first Cabbage Patch doll when the older one was 7 1/2 and the younger one was 4.

The dolls were created by by Debbie Morehead and Xavier Roberts in 1978 and attracted the attention of toy manufacturer Coleco, who began mass-production in 1982. The Coleco Cabbage Patch Kids had large, round vinyl heads, (originally of a different, hard plastic), and soft fabric bodies, and were produced from 1982–1989. After Coleco went bankrupt, the Cabbage Patch Kids were later mass produced by other companies, including Hasbro, Mattel, Toys R Us, and currently Play Along.

My two daughters absolutely adored their Cabbage Patch Dolls and I can remember going to church craft fairs to buy clothing for their "babies." The younger daughter even had a Cabbage Patch ride-on car that looked a bit like a motorcycle.

Then Parker Brothers brought out a series of books about the Cabbage Patch Kids and I've kept two of them in my collection of children's books. One is entitled "The Great Escape" and the other is "Xavier's Fantastic Discovery." Obviously, the character in the second book is named after the creator of the Cabbage Patch Kids, Xavier Roberts. Click on his name to read a bit about him from Wikipedia. In the meantime, here's a photo of the cover of the book and two of its inside pages.
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It's Official...

Now that all the important people in my life have been given the big news, I can announce it to the world.

Lorne and I are officially engaged - ring and all.

Yes, it's been 3 weeks since he popped the question, ring in hand, and I gave him a resounding "YES!" It happened when we went away to White Lake and had the "Big Chill" weekend with his buddies and their wives. He asked me over dinner (alone) and then we went and celebrated the rest of the night with the group, champagne and all.

I know the next question is "When's the wedding?"

The answer is 2010...late in the year. After all, there is no rush, is there? I'd love to have a late fall wedding, either late November or early December. But we haven't even discussed it seriously just yet.

So it will be a while before I get to wear the wedding band.

In the meantime we're happy and are continuing to build a life together.

One of my daughters has already chosen my wedding gown for me - simple yet elegant in cream lace. So the next year and a bit will be given over to daydreaming about and planning the big event, with the help of my daughters.

And thanks to "Clarice" for getting the ball rolling. Don't ask how 'cuz she won't tell. *wink*

Be sure to click on the photos to enlarge them. (Thank God my hair is growing!)

W is for Westham Island

Westham Island is an island located near my little village of Ladner in British Columbia, Canada. It's accessible via the Westham Island Bridge, a partially single-lane, truss bridge.

Once over the bridge, you pass the Westham Island Rod and Gun Club, which was organized in 1925 by the farmers who lived on the island. "The objectives of the club were to conserve game birds, protect the property of its members, regulate shooting by nonresidents, and enforce the regulations of the Game Act. Regulation of gamebird hunting is largely done through the issuance of a limited number of permits. The club also contributed to the hiring of game wardens and stocking of gamebirds on the island."

The island is full of farms, one of the most famous of which is Bissett Farms. In 2003, the family opened a winery (Westham Island Estate Winery). In its first year, the winery won three medals in the Northwest Wines Summit in Oregon State and continues to this day to produce wines of the highest quality.

Continuing past the winery, the final destination on the island is the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. This is the winter home of the Lesser Snow Goose and one of Canada's top bird-watching sites in the heart of the Fraser River estuary. It consists of 850 acres of managed wetlands, natural marshes and low dikes and is a place where people go during any season. Stroll through the sanctuary to view varieties of birds, enjoy the quiet rural scenery, take photographs or paint, and even climb the tower that overlooks the estuary and Vancouver Island in the distance.

In the month of November, the snow geese in flocks of 20,000 or more gather here on their migratory path south. Thousands of people from all over the Lower Mainland converge on the village of Ladner where buses take them out to the Island. The snow geese come all the way from Wrangel Island that lies in the Arctic Ocean, north of Siberia, and belongs to Russia. Most of these birds stay in the Skagit Estuary in the state of Washington, just south of BC until April when they return to Wrangel Island.

I've taken my children and grandchildren out to Westham Island many many times to see the ducks and geese. I even took my girls strawberry picking so we could make jam. (I'll never forget how hot it was that day!) Speaking of which, I should check and see if the "U-pick" farms are open yet.

From wine to Wrangel Island snow geese, there's lots to see and do on Westham Island. If you're ever in the neighbourhood, stop by and I'll take you there.

(You might also like to take a look at a post I did last summer when I took my Welsh visitors to Westham Island. Just click here.)