L is for LIVING

Welcome to this week! We are celebrating the letter L and I decided to show you a little of where I live now.  I'm still living in the village of Ladner, just south of the big city of Vancouver, but in a condo which in itself feels like a village within a village.  I've met so many lovely people here, a lot with dogs that Tegan and I see out in the big back yard. 

So this is where we head right after breakfast, mid-afternoon, and before bedtime.  We still go to Ladner Harbour Park to play Frisbee or to take a stroll in the forest.  I "could" play Frisbee with Tegan here because it is certainly big enough, but she gets so excited she barks quite loudly!  And I don't want people complaining!  Here are a few more perspectives of the area.

And this is where those of us who gather to let our pups play can sit and chat or just simply enjoy the sense of being in our own garden.  You can just see Ladner's town clock to the top left of the photo beyond the Safeway (beige wall).  I love to wander around the edges of the garden here and take shots of things that take my fancy...like the following:

There are 4 buildings in this particular complex and from the front, the whole area doesn't look that appealing, but as you can see, once you get into the area (which is gated and locked), you get a whole different feel.  There is one area just outside and around the corner from my particular unit with a huge courtyard surrounded by gardens with small to large bushes, trees, flowers, hedges, and even a giant gazebo!  There are some chairs out there, but all residents are welcome to bring their own chairs to enjoy the comradery that can be found out there in the spring, summer, and fall.  Here are a few shots I've taken recently.  First, the blossoms on a tree that I'm unfamiliar with (I thought these might be apple blossoms, but maybe someone out there can help me out.)  The first two shots were taken a week ago, and the last just the other day.

Here are more lovely shots of parts of the courtyard.

Tegan and I seem to have a good routine going right now, and she quickly figured out which door is for the back garden and which door is the elevator.  She sits nicely to wait for the elevator and sits inside for the ride looking up at me with those big brown eyes.  Then she likes to take her leash in her mouth and walk ME to our front door.  We are very happy here and I feel as though I've begun the next phase of life.  And finally, of course, a shot of one lazy English Labrador with a pine cone and stick within easy reach in the lap of luxury.

 With thanks to our Lady Denise (Nesbitt), creator of ABC Wednesday, and to our Leader Roger, who keeps everything running smoothly.  Also, thanks to the lively team of helpers who lighten the load for everyone.

K is for KAYAKS

Another repeat as I'm still so over my head with details from my recent move.  Hope you enjoy this post from March 2014.

A kayak is a small boat with a covered deck that is used for paddling on open waters of lakes, bays, and oceans.  There are always kayaks around my neighbourhood and always lots that you can rent if you don't own one.  I'm a bit nervous about them because you have to know exactly what to do if you go over and find yourself hanging down into the water.  Also, I don't have great upper body strength for paddling, but I do have enough upper body strength to take photos people kayaking.  Here's one of a young boy paddling his kayak and later on, both he and his Dad went paddling past me together.

Then one day in September after I'd broken my ankle and was already tired of my four walls, a friend took me for a drive down to Harbour Park and settled me in a deck chair.  Trusty camera in hand, I spied a couple of yellow kayaks coming towards me.  Here's one shot I caught as they silently glided past me. 

It all looks so relaxing, doesn't it?  When my friend Jane from Wales visited me a few years ago, she rented a kayak and paddled all around the tributaries nearby.  She loved it!  Any of you kayak?  Anyone ever tried it?  I wish I could, but I think I'd be much safer on shore.

Hope you like the photos but most of all I hope you like the fact that Mrs. Nesbitt was very keen on creating ABC Wednesday many years ago and that it's still going strong!  And we must remember to be thankful for the kind-hearted Roger who took on administrative duties when ABCW became too large for one person to handle.  He and his team of kindred spirits keep things rolling along each week!  Have a killer week everyone and see you next week with the letter L.

J is for JOCK

Because I've been so busy with unpacking, sorting, organizing, etc. I decided to do a re-blog.  I went through my J's and found something that really touched me.  I'm sure you'll all enjoy reading it - even again, if you've been with me since 2009.

J is for JOCK

During the last few years of her life, my mother would go back in her mind to her early days. She told me all about Jock, the only dog she'd ever had and the only one she'd ever loved. I think she must have named him after her father, who was born in Scotland and whose name was John. Jock is a sort of familiar name for John. He was a black Scottish terrier and, considering the disdain Mom showed towards all other animals including other dogs, it was quite something to hear her go on about Jock.

When Christmas came around in the year 2000, I was sort of stumped as to what to get her for a gift. Mom had everything she needed and it seemed silly to buy her more ornaments, clothes, or bath products. I wanted to find something really original and special for her that year - I think because I knew her time was limited. She'd already been suffering from Alzheimer’s for some years already.

I must have wandered the malls (both indoor and outdoor), trendy little boutiques, department stores and Wal-Mart, and every little "off-the-beaten-track" store I found. One day I arrived at a card shop and thought I'd pop in and get her a special Christmas card to go with whatever I'd end up finding. As I gazed around the shop, my eyes landed on a shelf where lo and behold I found her gift!

 Sitting amongst a group of stuffed animals was a stuffed black Scottish terrier! Well, I just KNEW this was her Christmas present!

 When I arrived home, I had second thoughts. Buying your mother a stuffed animal for Christmas? How silly! But then, I thought "No! She's going to love it!"

I found a tartan ribbon that I put around the little black dog's neck in honour of my Mom's Scottish heritage, put him in a box with tissue paper, wrapped him all up with colourful paper and took him over.

My mother was absolutely thrilled with him! So much so, that she named him Jock after the dog she'd had as a young girl. From that day on, he sat on the back of the sofa right where she'd sit every day and she would talk to him as though he were real.

Today:
When Mom passed away in 2002, Jock came to live with me. Sadly, Tegan also loved him so much that, like the Velveteen Rabbit, he ended up at the Rainbow Bridge, where I'm sure my mother and her "real" Jock came to claim him.  

Joyous thanks to the just marvelous Denise Nesbitt who created ABC Wednesday and to the jovial Roger, our judicious administrator!

I is for INTERIOR

I have finally moved into my new condo, but am still in a mess.  However, so many people showed interest in the place, that I took a few (not great) photos for you.  As you can see, there are still boxes in the dining room (where I have no table or chairs yet) and lots of things are in disarray. 

My two Lazy Boy chairs are great in the bay window area with lots of light for reading.  I throw a blankie on one of them for Tegan to snuggle in, but plan on removing it if I have company, of course.  The previous owner had her TV above the gas fireplace, but I have so much artwork, that I have opted to have my small TV in the corner and either my big framed mirror or some art above the mantle.  I also have a BIG TV in my bedroom as it's so huge that I love to lie in bed and watch in there.  I realize now that my area rug is too small for the living room, so will get a larger one and put this fluffy one in my bedroom.  The hardwood floors are cold in the mornings!

I could almost get lost in my bedroom as it's so large that I'm using it not only as my bedroom, but also as my office.  Not a great shot, but you can get the idea.  The big TV is opposite the bed to the right.

This is the guest room slash library as I will keep all my books in here.  It's HUGE for a second bedroom in a condo!  And I'm planning to hang in here any artwork I have that is floral or bird related.  So many walls to cover.

The laundry room/closet - I've never used this type of stacking front load washer/dryer before, and I'm a bit nervous that I'm going to have water all over the floor.  But I guess I will just have to do laundry eventually.  Will let you know how I manage!

My kitchen is gorgeous!  Albeit small...but then I don't cook per se.  I nuke or stick something in the oven.  Scads of storage in all renovated cupboards with drawers AND shelves!

And the entry opens up into a huge foyer that leads to the kitchen, living/dining rooms and hallway to the bedrooms and two bathrooms.   Lots of storage, too!

This is only part of the deck outside the living room.  It stretches down past that bay window you see, which is where my desk is located.  There is actually a huge prefab shed at the end where I can put all my Xmas decorations and gardening stuff.  I'm going to put up hanging baskets as well as plant pots.

And, of course, my baby girl Tegan has settled in quite well.  She was pretty confused the first couple of days, but she already knows the route to the outdoor yard at the back of the complex and loves to run around in there.  I bought her a new bed because her crate wouldn't fit through the bedroom door.  She took to it right away and sleeps in it beside my dresser (on top of which is the TV).

Sorry for not being able to visit last week, but as you can see, I've been a tad busy.  When I get everything the way I want it,  I'll do better photos and post again.  In the meantime, thanks to the indomitable Roger, our administrator, and to Denise Nesbitt, the intrepid creator of ABC Wednesday.