tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149199642024-03-07T16:09:35.404-08:00The PedalogueLeslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.comBlogger996125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-18360459951175185362017-12-18T14:21:00.002-08:002017-12-18T14:21:42.991-08:00X is for XMAS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecZenXYyboAA6qzADC79YHW82lpf47AacTGYnk3Kn9DuUqsi_V9RAq2W8kHIHM5rZ8AmBfnTziuiFyAkCYIbxu3GOMS0VMLcwEQVIfX6Tr6WYh48YO2pERVKZ6Evq7C5W7-vWbg/s1600/ABCW+21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="273" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecZenXYyboAA6qzADC79YHW82lpf47AacTGYnk3Kn9DuUqsi_V9RAq2W8kHIHM5rZ8AmBfnTziuiFyAkCYIbxu3GOMS0VMLcwEQVIfX6Tr6WYh48YO2pERVKZ6Evq7C5W7-vWbg/s200/ABCW+21.png" width="182" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>MERRY CHRISTMAS (XMAS) EVERYONE!</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I thought I'd put a link to the top 100 Xmas songs for 2017 so you could click on it and play anything your heart desires over the holidays.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here it is:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/top-christmas-songs-3245323">https://www.thoughtco.com/top-christmas-songs-3245323</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/top-christmas-songs-3245323" target="_blank">https://www.thoughtco.com/top-christmas-songs-3245323</a></div>
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This year, younger daughter and her husband plus one of my sisters will join me for Christmas dinner on the 25th. Everyone is contributing to the meal, so it should be interesting. </div>
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All I have to do is buy and cook the turkey! </div>
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I'm just hoping the younger ones will do the clean-up. </div>
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Have a wonderful and blessed time, everyone!</div>
Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-70759977588632611772017-12-11T17:26:00.000-08:002017-12-12T11:54:41.535-08:00W is for WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: #444444;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkn-s8kdrGExQOeeWdRu_GpkQK-YQS39kkwnZUZqGauNAuXMfi-RJmtp5qExoAKKkPnYRBjQ72ZPleXbUKy-rGEdIitE5-WuDbCNlsW8adHOljdYo-I8CE1L169bLGhiuU1NoLDQ/s1600/ABCW+21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="273" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkn-s8kdrGExQOeeWdRu_GpkQK-YQS39kkwnZUZqGauNAuXMfi-RJmtp5qExoAKKkPnYRBjQ72ZPleXbUKy-rGEdIitE5-WuDbCNlsW8adHOljdYo-I8CE1L169bLGhiuU1NoLDQ/s200/ABCW+21.png" width="182" /></b></a><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span data-iceapw="49" style="color: blue; font-family: "arial";"><b><i>The famous Christmas song Winter Wonderland was first published in 1934. The composer was Felix Bernard (1897-1944) and the lyricist was Richard B. Smith (1901-1935). Probably the most popular versions of this classic Christmas song, Winter Wonderland, were recorded to high acclaim by the Andrews Sisters and Perry Como.</i></b></span></div>
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<span data-iceapw="35" style="color: blue; font-family: "arial";"><b><i>The lyrics of Winter Wonderland have undoubtedly contributed to the magical vision of snow at Christmas together with the tradition of building snowmen and therefore turning fantasy into reality by creating a real Winter Wonderland.</i></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #000037; font-family: "arial";">I recall one year in elementary school, we had a "talent" show - not that anyone really had any talent in those years. But some kids took piano lessons or dance lessons so were in their glory. A friend and I wanted to participate and all we could do was sing - we were pretty good for 10-year-olds. So because the show was around Christmas, we decided to sing "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" with some actions along with it. Looking back, I don't think we were that good, but I'm glad we had the courage to get up and do it. I've always loved that song and it reminds me of that day we sang for our classmates and parents. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #000013; font-family: "arial";">Where I live, winter is usually rainy rather than snowy, but I think the last time we had snow at Christmas was in 2008 - and it was quite nice. However, we usually pray for sunshine and we are often blessed. Anyway, here's Amy Grant serenading you all with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcXSm51UI5M" target="_blank">Walking In A Winter Wonderland.</a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #000019; font-family: "arial";"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcXSm51UI5M" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcXSm51UI5M</a></span></b><br />
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Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-53800182104313862622017-12-04T11:34:00.002-08:002017-12-04T11:46:48.728-08:00V is for VITALITY<span style="color: #ff6600; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="color: #ff6600; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: blue;">Vitality</span> </span>refers to exuberant physical strength or mental power. Lately, my physical energy has felt drained, which in turn has felt like my mental energy is flushing away as well. It may have something to do with the time of year, as November is always such a dreary month and looking forward to Christmas is not as full of excitement as it used to be. It's been raining heavily a lot and the trails are muddy and slippery with rotting leaves. But sunlight today and the forecast is for more sun, so I'm sure my mood will pick up. You can see in the photo below it looks like Chernobyl...<br />
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Tutoring helps me to be in top mental form, and this year I have all boys! I have two new Grade 9s and I still have two Grade 11 boys and one Grade 12 boy. I work 10 hours a week as some of them come more than once a week. The province is in the process of changing the curriculums so I have a lot more to learn so that I can help my students. I need to read and study up on topics that have never been taught before. However, I do think that not only my education and experience helps, but also simply my maturity and having lived through many historical events, as well as keeping up with the news on the environment and politics. But, just like the kids, I am looking forward to vegging for a couple of weeks. <br />
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I'm stunned at the level of comprehension expected of students in this day and age. I'm also stunned by the topics studied, but then I guess kids at this age are more "aware" than we were in my prehistoric days. I do wonder, though, why kids in their early teens need to read books with themes about rape, sex, and murder. Ah well, it keeps my brain ticking along trying to keep up with them all while at the same time, I feel like one worn-out woman.<br />
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Continued thanks to Melody for continuing this ABC Wednesday meme. Her group of <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: blue;">vivacious</span></span>, <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: blue;">vigilant</span></span>, and <span style="color: #ff6600; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: blue;">valued</span> </span>helpers will <span style="color: #ff6600; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: blue;">visit</span> </span>each person's contribution and give <span style="color: #ff6600; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: blue;">valuable</span> </span>insight to you. If you haven't joined in yet, please do or consider starting with our next Round in about a month.<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>
Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-21516933254114234892017-11-27T23:28:00.001-08:002017-11-27T23:28:04.072-08:00U is for UNDER and UP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUYqc09PZTnh1BvRbhQJPpCH68VJV2T_Te6SQUBLiayUdujTCY2zhm16P5cN11QYJedhRQYeJXfPO0t-30LoeW2ezDW-GmhD1jOX7KN3MjMD9GFkth88Iabq33NcFM93-6SlIag/s1600/ABCW+21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="273" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUYqc09PZTnh1BvRbhQJPpCH68VJV2T_Te6SQUBLiayUdujTCY2zhm16P5cN11QYJedhRQYeJXfPO0t-30LoeW2ezDW-GmhD1jOX7KN3MjMD9GFkth88Iabq33NcFM93-6SlIag/s200/ABCW+21.png" width="182" /></a></div>
I had no idea what to post for this week's celebration of the letter <b><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">U</span></u></b>. It took a lot of looking through all my photos to come <b><span style="color: blue;">UP</span></b> with an idea. So I'm showing you a video of my photos honouring the words <b><span style="color: blue;">UP</span></b> and <b><span style="color: blue;">UNDER</span></b> - you'll see how it works. In each photo, I am standing <b><span style="color: blue;">UNDER</span></b> something and looking <b><span style="color: blue;">UP</span></b> - except in the case of the Burrard Street Bridge in Vancouver, I'm looking across and <b><span style="color: blue;">under</span></b> it AND the last photo where I'm <b><span style="color: blue;">up</span></b> in a plane looking out at the clouds over Greenland.<br />
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ENJOY! And have an <i><span style="color: blue;">unbelievable</span></i> final week of November. Only a bit over a month <i><span style="color: blue;">until</span></i> we enter into the year 2018! Where have the years gone? Thanks to Melody and her team for continuing to keep ABC Wednesday alive. <br />
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Oh...one more thing - when you see the photo of my looking <b><span style="color: blue;">UP</span></b> at one of the Liver Birds in Liverpool, England, please note that those birds are 18 feet tall with a wing span of 12 feet. So even though they look small in the photo, just imagine....<br />
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Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-8106073463888527542017-11-19T21:03:00.002-08:002017-11-19T21:03:40.360-08:00Happy Birthday Tegan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've written about my <b><i>Tegan</i></b> - yellow English Labrador - before, but <i>this</i> week is her 5th birthday and for a dog, it's a milestone! We are so bonded, especially since we've moved to <i>this</i> condo and it's just the <i>two</i> of us living together. She absolutely LOVES having company, especially the family and certain friends she's met here and her <i>tail</i> never stops wagging. <br />
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I <i>thought</i> I'd tell you about <i>two</i> incidents that have happened to her within the last <i>two</i> weeks. First, she nearly drowned in the river when she leapt in and grabbed a small buoy to bring back to shore. However, she couldn't make it for <i>two</i> reasons: first, the buoy was attached to a rope <i>that</i> was itself attached to a pipeline at the bottom of the river and wouldn't move. It was small enough for her to hold onto with her mouth but she - being a retriever - wanted to bring it ashore. The second reason was that the <i>tide</i> kept pulling her away from where we were screaming at her to come! come! come! And of course, being just a dog, didn't have the brains to let go of the buoy! A fisherman and his wife were on their boat and saw what was happening and came running out with a long stainless steel fishing stick of some kind with a barb on the end. The fisherman managed to hook it onto her collar and jerked it so she dropped the buoy and he pulled her in. Whew! I was ready to throw off my coat and boots to go in after her, but <i>thankfully</i>, she was rescued. She knew something was wrong because as you can see in the photo below, she was scared and couldn't even look me in the eyes.<br />
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The second incident was a happy one when I decided to take her to a new dog park about a half hour away from home. We were having a glorious walk in the woods and she was so happy to run around free and sniff every <i>tree</i>, bush, and leaf! I spotted a couple of yellow English Labs ahead of us so scurried to catch up to <i>them</i>. Of course <b><i>Tegan</i></b> beat me <i>there</i>, but the ladies were waiting to ask me where she had come from (breeder). It <i>turned</i> out <i>they</i> ALL - all <i>three</i> of the dogs - were from the same breeder - the male was 7 years old, the female 6 and <b><i>Tegan</i></b> is <i>turning</i> 5 on Friday. They may even have had the same mother and father! At the very least, <i>they</i> are all cousins and maybe even actual brothers and sisters (but not from the same litter). What a fantastic meeting - we chatted and continued to walk <i>together</i> for quite a ways until I lost <i>track</i> of them when I was chatting with someone else on the <i>trail</i>. Here are some photos of the 3 dogs.<br />
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<b><i>Tegan</i></b> is the smallest one with her pink <i>tongue </i>hanging out. And in the next photo, she's the one sitting prettily saying, Please.</div>
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So - one scary incident and one very happy incident - all within a few weeks of each other. <b><i>Tegan</i></b> is still my love bunny and even at 65 pounds, she loves to jump up on my lap (when permission is granted) and snuggle in with me on my big leather recliner. We love going on our daily walks, weather permitting, and visiting friends and family whenever we can. When I have to go out to work, she settles nicely in her very own lazy-boy (my late mother wouldn't mind her using it) and has a nap until I come home to feed us both our dinners. <br />
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<b><u>Here she is at just under 3 months old</u></b></div>
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<b><u>Here she is on her favourite trail now telling me to hurry up.</u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY, TEGAN</b></i></span><br />
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Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-78227460085729098452017-11-13T13:28:00.001-08:002017-11-13T13:28:57.426-08:00S is for SMILE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi everyone! Hope you all remembered "Remembrance Day" (as we here in Canada call it). I know it's a <i>service</i> of remembering those who gave the ultimate gift to us by fighting against evil in the past wars. However, I couldn't help but <b><i>smile</i></b> when recalling that so many men in my family were part of those who fought. My grandfathers (both of them) fought in World War 1, with my paternal grandfather passing away at the young age of about 50 from complications of the gas he inhaled at one of the battles. I remember that night so clearly as I was about 7 years old and in bed when <i>suddenly</i> the house came alive with <i>shouts</i> and <i>sirens</i> as the paramedics tried to <i>save</i> his life after <i>suffering</i> a massive heart attack. But I remembered my Grandpa with a <b><i>smile</i></b> on November 11th. I also remember my other Grandpa and the photo I have of him in uniform. My Dad and his <i>sister</i>, my Auntie Jo, were both in World War 2, my Dad as a flight trainer and pilot who monitored the east coast of Canada for German warships, U-boats and <i>submarines</i>. He didn't go overseas and never got injured but he also never discussed his experiences in the war until the year before he died. However, he focused on the happy times of flying through the clouds and goofing around during training periods. He lost a lot of his friends in those years. Here's my Dad at about 22 years old, proudly posing in his RCAF uniform.<br />
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I am also happy to being <b><i>smiling</i></b> broadly these days after having <i>some</i> dental work done. I had to get a bridge done but after 2 attempts, my dentist decided that for <i>some</i> reason, my mouth was not accepting the new types of glues. <i>So</i>, <i>she</i> had to do a <i>sort</i> of "old-fashioned" way of doing it. I'm very happy now as I have a great <b><i>smile</i></b> with <i>straight</i> teeth now!<br />
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Finally, I am <b><i>smiling</i></b> because I made a BIG decision and I'm proud of myself. <i>Some</i> of you know the background of my disastrous marriage almost 4 years ago and why I've been <i>separated</i> for almost 3 years. Well, I went to my lawyer and have now filed for divorce <b><u>and costs</u></b> if he contests my application. Hopefully, he will have learned that I'm not <i>someone</i> to trifle with and will <i>simply sign</i> the form - or else just ignore it. Because we've been <i>separated</i> for almost 3 years, the application will <i>simply</i> go through the courts and "he" will be informed that he's now divorced. But if he hasn't learned anything from me, he will try to get access to Tegan, my dog, and if he does, he will end up paying for my legal fees as well as his own. But then I know him - he's too cheap and will probably give up. <i>So</i> I will be divorced early in the new year - hopefully, January or February. Another fresh <i>start</i> for me!<br />
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Next year, 2018, I am planning a 6-week trip to England, Wales, and Ireland! I'm <b><i>smiling</i></b> all the time with anticipation because I am going to try to rent a cottage in North Yorkshire (near my friend Jill) and hire a car to learn to drive myself around. The car must be an automatic, though, because my brain won't work trying to <i>shift</i> gears AND <i>stay</i> on the proper side of the road. <br />
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<i>So</i> all in all, I'm feeling pretty good these days! I just knocked on my wooden desk - just to be on the <i>safe side</i>. LOL <br />
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Thanks, Melody, for keeping ABCW alive...not too many contributors - yet - but keep at it. I always post mine on Facebook, too, so if anyone is interested in joining in, they can always contact me. Have a great weekend everyone!<br />
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<br />Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-65543411442529081232017-11-06T11:45:00.002-08:002017-11-06T11:45:30.418-08:00R is for REMEMBRANCE DAY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">November is always a time of remembrance and <span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">respect</span>. We remember our Canadian Armed Forces for their participation in all wars since confederation (1867). Because of our ties with the British Empire, Canada joined forces in the Second Boer War, World War 1, and World War 2. Canada has also participated in multinational coalitions and fought in the Korean War, the Gulf War, the Kosovo War, and the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. As well, Canada has played an important role in peacekeeping operations worldwide and has sent more troops than any other country. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br />Along with remembering Canada's military forces for their sometimes heroic endeavours to keep our country and other countries democratic, we show our utmost respect to them on November 11 every year. We honour them for their specific actions and conduct and respect them for their dedication to freedom. Here is a poem I wrote about <span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">respect</span>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">RESPECT</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Respect is a blood-tinged soldier's cerise.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana";">It looks like privates positioned at ease.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana";">It sounds like everyone saying "Please."</span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana";">It smells like the cool crisp scent of autumn leaves.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana";">It tastes like the bread and wine we receive.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana";">It feels like reverberating vibrations of sound.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I would like to share <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span>this slideshow from the photos I took at the Remembrance Day service in my village of Ladner, British Columbia, Canada on November 11, 2014. I also dedicate this post to my father, a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force, who patrolled the east coast of Canada during World War Two keeping Canada safe from enemy forces that tried to cross the Atlantic in submarines, warships and German U-boats.</span></div>
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<tr><td align="center"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks to Melody and her radiant and ravishing group of revolutionaries for keeping ABC Wednesday alive. We refuse to restrain ourselves as we revere the ridiculous to the reflective to the romantic revelations of our contRibutoRs. Please take part in your area's services to rejoice in renowned reflections. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Respect is honoring the moral high ground.</i></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></td></tr>
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Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-71539495668541394322017-10-29T19:37:00.003-07:002017-10-29T19:37:31.915-07:00Q is for QUINCE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to one of the hardest letters of the alphabet - <b><span style="color: lime;">Q</span></b> as in <i><span style="color: lime;"><b>queen</b></span></i>, <b><i><span style="color: lime;">quarter</span></i></b>, <b><i><span style="color: lime;">quarantine</span></i></b>. This week, I'm showing you some photos of <b><i><span style="color: lime;"><u>quince</u></span></i></b>, a fruit that I'd never heard of before. I discovered it <b><i><span style="color: lime;">quite</span></i></b> by accident last month (September) when I took a drive out to Westham Island Herb Farm - a regular destination of mine. <br />
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I was able to get a parking spot right alongside the corn patch that left me only a short walk to the entrance. However, just as I got out of the car, a photo op presented itself. This (what I thought was an apple tree with one of the farm buildings behind.<br />
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I took another look and thought, "Oh it must be some type of pear." But later, as I was leaving, I noticed a little tag on the tree so I took a look and discovered it was a "<b><i><u><span style="color: lime;">bourgeot quince</span></u></i></b>." Once home, I looked it up online and discovered it's something like a cross between a sweet apple and a pear. Now I have never tasted a <i><b><span style="color: lime;">quince</span></b></i>, but it sure sounds delicious and from now on, I'll keep an eye out for them in the stores.<br />
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Apparently, most varieties of <b><i><span style="color: lime;">quince</span></i></b> grow in hotter climates, but the "bourgeot" is acclimatized to British Columbia's sometimes cold winters. If you are interested in reading more about the <b><i><span style="color: lime;">quince</span></i></b> here is a great <a href="https://www.bcliving.ca/quince-the-fruit-of-love" target="_blank">website</a> from the BC Living Magazine.<br />
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Have <b><i><span style="color: lime;">quintessentially</span></i></b> great week, everyone! Many thanks to Melody and her team of assistants for keeping ABC Wednesday alive.Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-65957904128786495112017-10-23T21:03:00.001-07:002017-10-23T21:03:27.725-07:00P is for PUMPKINS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxrB-hKYJnehP_XaHgFb0j0e72gJevmX0HQsrLDRjrhjI8fzIuQzPRRCkGO7mAuHlpOeFCFC4gVyioTFThd0tmaVAbGxVJ4NJdsvS5VXYUSz-svYBHOfEnCJM0l1_xBtQs8u3ig/s1600/ABCW+21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="273" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxrB-hKYJnehP_XaHgFb0j0e72gJevmX0HQsrLDRjrhjI8fzIuQzPRRCkGO7mAuHlpOeFCFC4gVyioTFThd0tmaVAbGxVJ4NJdsvS5VXYUSz-svYBHOfEnCJM0l1_xBtQs8u3ig/s200/ABCW+21.png" width="182" /></a></div>
Sorry I missed last week everyone, but it was a <i>particularly</i> busy time. Still is, but I figured I should try to <i>put</i> together a little something just so you don't forget about me! I decided to show you a few of my latest <i>photos</i> of <b><i>pumpkins</i></b> out at Westham Island Herb Farm near to where I live. I really enjoy going there in the fall to see their wonderful displays of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. A scarecrow greets everyone at the gate with a wheelbarrow full of <b><i>pumpkins</i></b> and the store is filled with all sorts or <b><i>pumpkins</i></b>, gourds, and flowers.<br />
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Tegan and I plodded out to the <b><i>pumpkin</i></b> field but it appeared that a lot had already been <i>picked</i>. But she did sit nicely so I could take her <i>picture</i> there.</div>
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Finally, this is their fabulous "<i>Produce Pickup</i>" truck!</div>
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So <b><i>pumpkin</i></b> season is upon us as Halloween grows ever closer. I won't be buying a <b><i>pumpkin</i></b> to carve as there aren't any children who go door to door in my condo development. But I just might buy a <b><i>pumpkin</i></b> <i>pie</i> for dessert when the kids come over for supper next weekend. Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-72959724604173890542017-10-08T21:23:00.002-07:002017-10-08T21:27:08.682-07:00N is for Neighborhood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How many of you remember the TV show "Mr. Roger's <b><i><span style="color: blue;">Neighborhood</span></i></b>"? It was a staple in our house from about 1980 to about 1990 for my two daughters. When Daddy arrived home from work about 5 pm, they would greet him with hugs and kisses and then off they'd go to watch the show while Daddy and Mommy would catch up on their days as we all waited for dinner to be ready.<br />
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Fred Rogers was born in 1928 and passed away in 2003 from stomach cancer - far too young! He was beloved by all children because of his gentle and soft-spoken personality. Did you know that he was a Presbyterian minister as well as being responsible for creating, hosting, and composing the theme music for this educational children's series? I know that whenever I sat down with the girls to watch, I was mesmerized by his voice and the way he spoke to the characters as though they were real life people.<br />
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Did you know that when Fred Rogers worked for NBC in the early 1950s, he didn't like the fact that commercial television relied so heavily on advertisements and merchandising? What did he do? He quit and went to work at a Pittsburgh public television station as a puppeteer on a children's show. Rogers began wearing his famous <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sneakers" title="Sneakers">sneakers</a> when he found them to be quieter than his work shoes as he moved about behind the set.<br />
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From Wikipedia, I found that Fred Rogers had a connection to Canada where it reads:<br />
"In 1963, Rogers moved to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto" title="Toronto">Toronto</a>, where he was contracted by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Broadcasting_Corporation" title="Canadian Broadcasting Corporation">Canadian Broadcasting Corporation</a> (CBC) to develop his debut in front of the camera, the 15-minute children's program <i>Misterogers</i>,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Williams_25-0"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Rogers#cite_note-Williams-25">[25]</a></sup> which though popular with children ran for just three seasons. Many of his famous set pieces—Trolley, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower" title="Eiffel Tower">Eiffel Tower</a>, the 'tree', and 'castle'—were created by CBC designers. While in Canada, Rogers brought his friend and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Understudy" title="Understudy">understudy</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernie_Coombs" title="Ernie Coombs">Ernie Coombs</a>, who would go on to create <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Dressup" title="Mr. Dressup">Mr. Dressup</a></i>, a very successful and long-running children's show in Canada, and similar in many ways to <i>Mister Rogers' Neighborhood</i>. <i>Mr. Dressup</i> also used some of the songs that would be featured on Rogers' later program. The two of them co-starred on <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butternut_Square" title="Butternut Square">Butternut Square</a></i> on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBC_Television" title="CBC Television">CBC TV</a> between October 19, 1964, and February 10, 1967.<br />
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In 1966, Rogers acquired the rights to his program from the CBC and moved the show to WQED in Pittsburgh, where he had worked on <i>The Children's Corner</i>. He developed the new show for the <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Educational_Network" title="Eastern Educational Network">Eastern Educational Network</a>. Stations that carried the program were limited but did include educational stations in Boston, Washington, D.C., and New York City."<br />
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Here is the famous "Neighborhood Trolley".<br />
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Click <a href="https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Mr.+Rogers+video+clips&&view=detail&mid=620DBB5362BD16E1E6CC620DBB5362BD16E1E6CC&FORM=VRDGAR" target="_blank">HERE</a> to view an episode of "Mr. Roger's <b><i><span style="color: blue;">Neighborhood</span></i></b>." You don't have to watch the entire thing, but be sure to listen to Fred Rogers sing the opening song about "won't you be my <i><span style="color: blue;">neighbor</span></i>."<br />
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Have a wonderful week, everyone. I must say I'm so glad to have you all as my ABCW <i><span style="color: blue;">neighbours</span></i>!Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-62634439380463840312017-10-02T09:35:00.001-07:002017-10-03T09:30:52.245-07:00M is for MOORS<br />
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As I've been so busy lately, please excuse this repeat from October, 2016. But I think the new contributors will enjoy it and the old ones might, too.<br />
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This week on ABC Wednesday, we're celebrating the letter <b><span style="color: blue;">M</span></b> as in <span style="color: blue;"><i>moss, mother, mist, mushroom, macadamia, melancholy, Manitoba, marching, mud, </i><span style="color: black;">and</span> <i>magnanimous</i></span>! I am focusing on the <b><i><span style="color: blue;">moors</span></i></b> of North Yorkshire where I spent a week visiting my dear friend Jill and her family and friends! It was the<i><span style="color: blue;"> most marvelous</span></i> week and I <i><span style="color: blue;">miss</span></i> them all very <i><span style="color: blue;">much</span></i> - the people and the <span style="color: blue;"><b><i>moors </i></b></span><span style="color: black;">and look forward to <i><span style="color: blue;">making</span></i> another visit some day.</span><br />
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For those who are not aware, the North York <i><span style="color: blue;">moors</span></i> contain one of the largest heather <i><span style="color: blue;">moorlands</span></i> in Great Britain covering an area of 554 square miles or 1,430 square kilometers. When the heather is in bloom, it a <i><span style="color: blue;">magnificent</span></i> sight to behold! But even when it's not blooming, if you go up to the highest point on the <i><span style="color: blue;">moors</span></i>, Chimney Banks, there are vast expanses of gently sloping hills and valleys with farms scattered throughout and sheep grazing on the hillsides. The coastline here along the eastern edge of Great Britain boasts of small towns and villages, some perched precariously on the edge of cliffs or hillsides. Whitby, Scarborough, and Robin Hood's Bay are all places I visited during my trip and <i><span style="color: blue;">made me</span></i> want to never leave!<br />
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If you're a fan of the TV show "Heartbeat," on Knowledge Network in British Columbia and <i><span style="color: blue;">maybe</span></i> on public networks elsewhere in the world, you will see the locations where the show was filmed. So now when every Saturday night at 8 pm, I settle down to continue watching the show, I can <i><span style="color: blue;">make</span></i> note of places I've seen with <i><span style="color: blue;">my</span></i> own two eyes - Beggar's Bridge, the high road along the top of the <i><span style="color: blue;">moors</span></i>, the cemetery at Egton where they filmed all the funeral scenes, the village of Goathland where the fictional "Aidensfield" is set and its train station where parts of the Harry Potter <i><span style="color: blue;">movies</span></i> were filmed, Scripps Garage and the "Aidensfield Pub" where Jill and I had a glass of wine one evening. <br />
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I truly believe I could happily <i><span style="color: blue;">move</span></i> into a small cottage in a small village in this area and spend <i><span style="color: blue;">much</span></i> time photographing the people and the scenery in all seasons. And I can picture myself finding spots along the beaches, hills, or valleys where I would take a notebook to do some creative writing. I know that I am fortunate to live in a country like Canada, on its west coast near the ocean with its spectacular scenery, but there is something about the <i><span style="color: blue;">moors</span></i> of North Yorkshire that continue to call <i><span style="color: blue;">me</span></i> during my waking hours and whisper to <i><span style="color: blue;">me</span></i> as I gently slip into dreamland. <br />
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I hope you enjoy <i><span style="color: blue;">my</span></i> photos of these <b><i><span style="color: blue;">moors</span></i></b> but I am sorry I don't have any from when the heather is in bloom. So here's one from Mr. Google so you can <i><span style="color: blue;">marvel</span></i> along with <i><span style="color: blue;">me</span></i>. I recognize this spot as it's quite near the village of Grosmont where I stayed with Jill. <br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">I dedicate this post to Jill for her friendship and hospitality and especially for the wine!</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFIMT6a74yhbQ_4XVRqEpcrn0PxBEQ-_OzrUooKUFJfcCYC12v69saKIPzZgxyB3ClxAAvCqr9C2ceuacUJtXuQoLJf2_Dy_9j5lZcJsMqigfJ7NbJ05tP5pTCGqiOjwa6TUOjg/s1600/north-york-moors-n-p-goathland-156733667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Turn up your sound and click for full screen to fully enjoy the video with its haunting music. With thanks to the <i><span style="color: blue;">merry</span></i> <span style="color: blue;"><i>Melody, </i></span><span style="color: black;">our new administrator</span> of ABCW, and to the <i><span style="color: blue;">matchless</span></i> team of assistants.</div>
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Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-55014831489432831072017-09-25T20:42:00.005-07:002017-09-25T20:43:42.817-07:00L is for Lounge Chairs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b> week here at ABC Wednesday! I thought I'd share with you a few photos I took at Whistler when I was there the last 3 days of August with my daughter. My camera was in hand all the time, and I spent a <i><span style="color: red;">lot</span></i> of time focusing on the perfect shots. Some of the ones I really <i><span style="color: red;">like</span></i> from the mini-vacation are of the chaises <i><span style="color: red;">longues</span></i> or <i><span style="color: red;">lounge</span></i> chairs that were scattered around the village. I tried sitting in one of them, but because they are made of metal, they weren't very comfortable for my back. But the chairs were okay. Most of these chaises <i><span style="color: red;">longues</span></i> were around the central <i><span style="color: red;">lagoon</span></i> that was surrounded by a beautiful and <i><span style="color: red;">lush</span></i> <i><span style="color: red;">lagoon</span></i> and greenery. Following are some shots of the <i><span style="color: red;">lagoon</span></i> and <i><span style="color: red;">loungers</span></i>.<br />
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Hope you <i><span style="color: red;">like</span></i> these shots as much as I do. I had a <i><span style="color: red;">lovely</span></i> time at Whistler and found that it had changed a <i><span style="color: red;">lot</span></i> since the <i><span style="color: red;">last</span></i> time I'd been there. Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-82392186604707270622017-09-18T22:12:00.001-07:002017-09-19T09:51:08.944-07:00K is for KIWIS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to K week at ABC Wednesday! I really had some trouble thinking about anything to show you, but I finally remembered something.</div>
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Last year, I visited Westham Island Herb Farm and discovered a<span style="color: #6aa84f;"> <b><i>kiwi</i></b></span> tree. There were so many <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i><b>kiwis</b></i></span> hanging off the branches, I wished that I could pick them. But instead of "stealing" them, I took a few photos and here's one that turned out quite nicely. You can even see their fuzzy outsides. I had had no idea that <b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">kiwis</span></i></b> would grow in our climate, but there you have it. They do! I'm also quite pleased that this photo made it into the middle of the top ten on a challenge in Red Bubble.</div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Kudos</span></i></b> to Melody and her team who have been successful in bringing a new ABC Wednesday to life! There has been a good turnout of contributors, including some new ones. <b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Keep</span></i></b> plugging ABCW to your friends and family and it will become THE best meme on the internet. Who knows? Someone might end up on Oprah one day.</div>
Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-67527490772965179232017-09-10T12:33:00.004-07:002017-09-10T12:33:58.805-07:00J is for JAY (bird)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to ABC Wednesday, Round 21, where this week we celebrate the letter <b><i><span style="color: blue;">J</span></i></b>. This letter could begin words like <i><span style="color: blue;">jam</span></i>, <i><span style="color: blue;">jar</span></i>, <i><span style="color: blue;">jump</span></i>, <i><span style="color: blue;">jealousy</span></i>, <i><span style="color: blue;">jonquil</span></i>, or names like <i><span style="color: blue;">Janet</span></i>, <i><span style="color: blue;">Jaclyn</span></i> (or <i><span style="color: blue;">Jacqueline</span></i>), <i><span style="color: blue;">John,</span></i> <i><span style="color: blue;">Jason</span></i>, or <i><span style="color: blue;">James</span></i>. <br />
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In August of this year, I took my Welsh visitors for a drive to Shannon Falls. We had a great time strolling upwards towards the stairs leading to the falls. We wandered through forest growths of cedars and beside the creek where the waterfall ends up and people were <i><span style="color: blue;">jumping</span></i> from rock to rock or <i><span style="color: blue;">just</span></i> simply cooling their feet in the frigid water.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: blue;">JANE</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue;">JUMPS</span></i></b></div>
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Then, on our <i><span style="color: blue;">journey</span></i> back to the car, as we were winding our way through the old forest growth, I <i><span style="color: blue;">just</span></i> happened to look up - I have no idea why - but there was a bird sitting on a branch immediately above my head! I quickly and quietly readied my Canon EOS Rebel T4i camera and started shooting. The bird didn't move. So I went in for a closer shot - and then closer - the bird didn't move. It was almost as though this bird was actually posing for me! I thought it was a blue jay, but on further research after returning home, I discovered it's a <b><i><span style="color: blue;">Stellar Jay</span></i></b>. <br />
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Apparently, <b>the <span style="color: blue;">blue</span> </b><i><span style="color: blue;"><b>jay</b></span></i><b> resides through most of eastern and central USA</b>, although western populations may be migratory. <b>It is predominantly blue with a white chest and underparts, and a blue crest. It has a black, U-shaped collar around its neck and a black border behind the crest.</b> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0wkK55iCEF_5w4wwB0YzY5rVfYBHwifJRb12xKqNaFSJmP6lurmy3E9CX9j7fjUSH9xGXClzU__jXc7iGH-smR4JRLkwTHmv89PYY4Iz2ph0kKq69XvltDWMEZwzfM4dU6hV9g/s1600/blue+jay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0wkK55iCEF_5w4wwB0YzY5rVfYBHwifJRb12xKqNaFSJmP6lurmy3E9CX9j7fjUSH9xGXClzU__jXc7iGH-smR4JRLkwTHmv89PYY4Iz2ph0kKq69XvltDWMEZwzfM4dU6hV9g/s200/blue+jay.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>The <i><span style="color: blue;">stellar</span></i> </b><i><span style="color: blue;"><b>jay</b></span></i><b>, however, is native to western North America, and has a black head and upper body. It is also known as the <i><span style="color: blue;">long-crested jay, mountain jay, and pine jay</span></i>. <u><i>It is the only <span style="color: blue;">crested jay</span> west of the Rocky Mountains.</i></u></b></div>
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Here he is in all his glory!</div>
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Isn't he gorgeous!</div>
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Hope you all have a <i><span style="color: blue;">jolly</span></i> week and we'll be back next week for the letter L as in Leslie! </div>
Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-91482215218164817132017-09-03T12:37:00.001-07:002017-09-03T12:37:37.009-07:00I is for IRISH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">May the sound of happy music, and the lilt of Irish laughter fill your heart with gladness!</span></i></b></div>
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On the last day of my holiday at Whistler, BC, my daughter and I decided to check out the <b><i><span style="color: lime;">Irish</span></i></b> pub located in the Pan Pacific Hotel (Mountainside). Long story short, I think it would be even better on a snowy winter's late afternoon after a day of skiing. There is an outside gas fireplace so people can gather around to warm their hands, feet, and cockles. I bet it would be lots of fun! We sat at the table on the right side under the green umbrella. There were no snow skis there - just lots of mountain bikes!</div>
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I tried out an <b><i><span style="color: lime;">Irish</span></i></b> cider with a pear flavour, which was excellent! However, after drinking about 1/2 of it, I could feel the bubbles in my toes, so had to stop before staggering my way back to where we were staying.</div>
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This was just a taste of what I have planned for next summer's travel - roughly two weeks in <b><i><span style="color: lime;">Ireland</span></i></b> with my Welsh friend Jane! I'm so looking forward to it as it is a country that I've not yet visited. I have a friend who was born and bred there and she has given me lots of <b><i><span style="color: lime;">ideas</span></i></b> of where and what to visit and has promised to pop over once I get a map of <b><i><span style="color: lime;">Ireland</span></i></b> so she can help me plan out the tour. Jane hasn't been there, either, even though she's just a ferry ride away!<div>
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Here's a website I found online - check out the very brief video to hear a lilting <b><i><span style="color: lime;">Irish</span></i></b> accent!</div>
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<a href="http://www.ireland.com/en-ca/" target="_blank">http://www.ireland.com/en-ca/</a> </div>
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Have a great week, everyone!</div>
Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-81599878487183193372017-08-28T14:20:00.000-07:002017-08-28T14:20:13.772-07:00H is for HOLIDAY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i>HI</i></b> everyone! I'm finally going away on a <b><i>HOLIDAY</i></b> this week! So if I don't get back to you please forgive me. This summer, I already had a "staycation" with good friend from Wales and we did lots of things around <i>here</i> and then I relaxed while they went off to Vancouver Island. But now it's my turn - instead of going thousands of miles away, I'm only going about a 2 1/2 drive to Whistler Village, a very popular resort (especially in winter for skiing). I'll be staying in the center of the village so if I get bored from reading and relaxing, will go out to do some people watching and photography.<br />
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As it's extremely expensive to stay in Whistler, this is a real treat. After tutoring one student for 9 years, her parents gave me 3 nights at their condo as a thank you gift! Pretty nice, eh? I'm taking my daughter for a Mom/Daughter bonding time and expect we will really enjoy it. I'll post photos for another post later in the round. The one major thing we're going to do is the Peak-to-Peak adventure. It's the world's highest and longest (4.4 kilometers) lift and I really hope to get some outstanding photos, not only from the gondola, but also from the spot where we land. <a href="http://www.hellobc.com/british-columbia/trip-idea/48-hours-in-whistler?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Trip%20Ideas%20-%20CA-BC&utm_term=things%20to%20do%20%2Bwhistler%20canada&utm_content=Things%20To%20Do%20-%20Whistler" target="_blank">Check out this site here to see what else there is to do at Whistler.</a><br />
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See you next week!Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-50797323081780369802017-08-23T15:32:00.001-07:002017-08-23T15:32:18.741-07:00Grouse Mountain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sorry to be late posting, but have just said <i><b>good-bye</b></i> to friends who have been visiting from Wales. The <b><i>grand</i></b> finale of their trip was a visit up <b><i>Grouse</i></b> Mountain to see the spectacular view of the city of Vancouver in both daylight and at sunset when the lights came on. <br />
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<span id="dscexpitem_1724984772_5"><span data-bm="91"><b><i>Grouse</i></b> Mountain is one of the North Shore Mountains of the Pacific Ranges in the District Municipality of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Exceeding 1,200 m in altitude at its peak, it is the site of an alpine ski area, <b><i>Grouse</i></b> Mountain Resort, which overlooks <b><i>Greater</i></b> Vancouver with four chairlifts servicing 26 runs. In the summer, <b><i>Grouse</i></b> Mountain Resort features lumberjack shows, a birds of prey wildlife demonstration, a scenic chairlift ride, and a 2.9 km hiking trail known as the <b><i>Grouse Grind</i></b>, as well as helicopter sightseeing. Year-round operations include a 100-seat mountaintop theatre and a wildlife refuge. Public access to the mountain top is by a Swiss <b><i>Garaventa</i></b> aerial tramway, or by the <i>Grouse Grind</i> hiking trail.</span></span><br />
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<span><span data-bm="91">We took in the lumberjack show, always a comical way of demonstrating what lumberjacks did in the olden days, a scenic chairlift ride to the peak of the mountain where we watched people paraglide (tandem-style with a professional) off the top of the mountain to soar over the treetops, watching the <b><i>grizzly</i></b> bears wander around their huge enclosure, </span></span><span><span data-bm="91">and a lovely dinner overlooking the city of Vancouver and the Burrard Inlet flowing into the <b><i>Georgia</i></b> Strait.</span></span></div>
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<b>carvings of lumberjacks</b> </div>
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Hope you take advantage of the views from the top of <b><i>Grouse</i></b> Mountain if you ever come for a visit. It is well worth it to spend at least half a day up the mountain.</div>
<br />Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-89572888796076414132017-08-13T22:16:00.002-07:002017-08-13T22:24:18.609-07:00F is for FARMS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week we celebrate the letter <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">F</span></b> as in <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">fun</span></i>, <span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>faith</i></span>, <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">feeble</span></i>, <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">fast</span></i>, <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">fabulous</span></i>, <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">fashion</span></i>, <span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>fisherman</i></span>, <span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>football</i></span>, and <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">furniture</span></i>. I'm going to show you some photos of the area where I live - only about 30 minutes <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">from</span></i> the third largest city in Canada - Vancouver. I bet you wouldn't think there is so much <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">farmland</span></i> around here, but there is! It began as a <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">fishing</span></i> and agricultural area and people have had to <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">fight</span></i> hard to maintain this aspect of our neighbourhood.<br />
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The village of Ladner is growing all the time with <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">families</span></i> <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">from</span></i> other areas moving into the new homes being built here. However, once outside the village limits, there are <span style="color: #cc0000;">farms</span> everywhere with dairy cattle, horse, goats, chickens, sheep, and other animals. There is also a bird sanctuary where you can go and walk amongst the ducks, geese, Sandhill cranes, owls, and swans. In November, the snow geese arrive and people <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">from</span></i> <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">far</span></i> and wide come to see them. Here are some of my photos of the <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">farmland</span></i> in my neighbourhood...hope you enjoy them.<br />
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Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-67835902965636715182017-08-09T12:27:00.002-07:002017-08-09T12:27:19.373-07:00E is for EXPLOSION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello and welcome to <b>E</b> week! Sorry to be late posting but I've had guests from Wales for the past week and we've been on the go <i>every</i> day! I took them this morning to pick up a rental car and they are off to see Vancouver Island for a week. Then they'll be back for a night and off for 3 nights at Whistler.<br />
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As soon as I arrived home after taking them for their rental car, I sat down to do my post - <b>E</b> is for <b>Explosion</b>. This comes from our day at Fort Langley where they put on a weapons demonstration. These weapons are from the early 1800s when the fur trappers were in the area. The fellow (below)who gave the talk told us all about the history of the gun, the powder used, how to load it and more! I'll be bringing more about the fort and other places we visited in future weeks.<br />
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<i>Preparing to FIRE!</i></div>
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Hope everyone's having a good summer so far. We actually have too much heat right now and smoke due to those fires, but it'd due to cool off a bit by the end of the week. Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-70566024831321095472017-08-01T08:41:00.002-07:002017-08-01T08:41:12.094-07:00D is for DEJA VU VINTAGE MARKET<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to ABC Wednesday and the letter <b>D</b>...as in <i>dentist</i>, <i>daiquiri</i>, <i>diamonds</i>, <i>dungeon</i>, <i>drink</i>, <i>Dracula</i>, and <i>dachshund</i>. Last week, when I wrote C is for Country, I mentioned that Wellbrook Winery hosted the "<b><i>Deja Vu Vintage Market</i></b>" this year. So I thought I'd bring you some images of the event. <br />
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I had to park way in the back field near the greenhouses and walk past the blueberry bushes in order to get to the grounds where the market was being held. I passed some antique John <i>Deere</i> tractors, an old, rusty tiller, and an antique thresher as I headed towards the tents. People were milling around outside the barn and I joined right in, camera in hand. There were many signs indicating that this was the "<b>Deja Vu Vintage Market</b>" and I came to understand that the people involved in the event (the vendors) seemed to know one another from other events they've held in the past.<br />
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There were so many fascinating things to see from antique suitcases, kitchen appliances, bicycles, old stools, pots, tools, and tables and ladders painted and shown in a different light (<i>décor-wise</i>), and in the barn were sterling silver <i>decorations</i> made from cream and sugar bowls, spoons, and small teapots. One of my favourite <i>displays</i> was the antique <i>doll</i> sitting in an antique carriage. I couldn't believe how life-like she appeared! Also, up in the hayloft was an antique buggy! <br />
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Outside again, I came upon some antique signs and naturally, my favourite was the one that said, "<i>The influence of a good teacher can never be erased.</i>" And just today, a young lady (now at age 22) who was in one of my Grade 4 classes and now works with my <i>daughter</i> phoned to tell me she's engaged! How precious it is to have a former student go out of her way to tell me about something special that's happening in her life!<br />
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But I <i>digress</i>. Also outside were wonderful floral displays, an old bus painted aqua blue in which the owner transports her hand-styled and hand-painted T-shirts. In my mind, I called it the "Aquabus." I hope you enjoy the photos and the sort of kitschy music that accompanies them. I tried to find something that sounded "vintage."<br />
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<br />Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-66197591749559519792017-07-24T21:58:00.001-07:002017-07-24T22:00:26.167-07:00C is for COUNTRY<br />
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Welcome to ABC Wednesday, Round 21 with Melody at the helm. This week I'd like to tell you a bit about the area where I live, just south of Vancouver, British <i>Columbia</i>, <i>Canada</i>. Although I am only about a 30-minute drive from the <i>city</i> (I think <i>Canadians</i> are about the only people who define distance by time) I am in the <i>countryside</i>. I have one friend (<b>shout out to Josie</b>) who spends a lot of time with another friend in Iowa (<b>shout out to Russell</b>) who <i>can't</i> believe I am so <i>close</i> to <i>cows</i>, <i>chickens</i>, and <i>corn</i> fields yet also <i>close</i> to specialty <i>coffee</i> shops and <i>cafes</i>, and someplace to purchase an ice-<i>cream</i> <i>cake</i>!<br />
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The village of Ladner is a <i>cute</i> little place where people <i>come</i> from all over the area, even from as far away as the north shore of Vancouver (it would take up to an hour and a half to get here) and I've even heard ladies exclaim, "I'm SO glad I heard of Ladner. It's so quaint! I love the <i>chic</i> little shops!"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeykN-6gFrcpk2GkE8UsXRyhE7xfABS0WIg9SdnLCDYdSrN1HUtzQh9Y6UcjbHyu5rd3glBhPvudIk8pk5lOJlzjCSK-y0EIhpUBy4f221oc3_kNRYr7eCQc3cXz-hTQvoh15zA/s1600/Easter+Brunch+cell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeykN-6gFrcpk2GkE8UsXRyhE7xfABS0WIg9SdnLCDYdSrN1HUtzQh9Y6UcjbHyu5rd3glBhPvudIk8pk5lOJlzjCSK-y0EIhpUBy4f221oc3_kNRYr7eCQc3cXz-hTQvoh15zA/s640/Easter+Brunch+cell.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
We have a market every other Sunday from June through to September - it's always <i>crowded</i>! In July, there's the Tour de Delta when riders even from other <i>countries</i> <i>come</i> to <i>compete</i>. As well, in July, Wellbrook Farm & Winery has their annual Summer Fest and this year also hosted the Deja Vu Vintage Market. In August, there is the antique <i>car</i> and quilt show that is also always <i>crowded</i>! We have many heritage buildings, too, including the Ladner United Church (dating back to 1925), the caretaker's cottage in Ladner Harbour Park (dating back to 1939) and<a href="http://www.kirklandhouse.ca/" target="_blank"> Kirkland House</a> out on Arthur Drive, which is a 100-year-old Edwardian farmhouse.<br />
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At the edge of the village, we have <a href="https://www.ehcanadatravel.com/british-columbia/mainland/delta/parks-trails/4932-ladner-harbour-park.html" target="_blank">Ladner Harbour Park </a>where fishermen and boaters moor their boats in the winter, and in summer, they fish or <i>cruise</i> around the waters here. A little further out in the <i>countryside</i> you'll find farms where you <i>can</i> pick your own strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries. You <i>can</i> stop at farms or roadside stands to purchase freshly picked vegetables like <i>corn</i>, squash, <i>carrots</i>, and potatoes. There is even another winery out on <a href="http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2013/10/16/vancouver-hidden-gem-alert-discovering-westham-island/" target="_blank">Westham Island</a>. Animals you <i>can</i> find easily are <i>cows</i>, horses, and goats plus on the outskirts of Westham Island is the <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g181787-d1459888-Reviews-George_C_Reifel_Migratory_Bird_Sanctuary-Delta_British_Columbia.html" target="_blank">Reifel Waterfowl Refuge</a> where you <i>can</i> walk amongst ducks, geese, <i>cranes</i> and other types of birds. In November, you <i>can</i> see the snow geese as they pause here on their journey further south. If you <i>click</i> on the link for the bird sanctuary, do <i>check</i> out the photos on the site! They are amazing! Here's a shot I took of a <i>crane</i> years ago.<br />
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Yes, living on the edge of both <i>city</i> and <i>country</i> has its benefits. If I want or need to go into the <i>city</i>, it's only about 30 minutes away. But I think, at heart, I'm a <i>country</i> girl who loves and appreciates the peace and tranquility that <i>comes</i> from living away from the hustle and bustle of the <i>city</i>. <br />
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I hope you enjoy a few of my own personal <i>country</i> living photos. Don't forget to turn up the sound, too.<br />
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Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-36118271907237321052017-07-18T10:51:00.003-07:002017-07-18T10:51:59.650-07:00B is for BARBARA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Yjxqs-SXrmZsKoJDSx41F5sPdCoXzkDUIJYJVyu4sXUZvrfp-xJhyiOysEn8YSTxqm_Ud3UGENhWzuRyhJVR2BjjZOTctsWCfrr4pSvB5ZRmnLmyUUnMGeTRvqwJfzmZEaqvsw/s1600/ABCW+21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="273" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Yjxqs-SXrmZsKoJDSx41F5sPdCoXzkDUIJYJVyu4sXUZvrfp-xJhyiOysEn8YSTxqm_Ud3UGENhWzuRyhJVR2BjjZOTctsWCfrr4pSvB5ZRmnLmyUUnMGeTRvqwJfzmZEaqvsw/s200/ABCW+21.png" width="181" /></a></div>
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<span class="sm">"The name <b><i>Barbara</i></b> [<a href="http://www.thinkbabynames.com/start/0/Ba">ba</a>r-b<a href="http://www.thinkbabynames.com/end/0/ara">ara</a>]</span><span style="color: #800517;">▼</span> as a girls' name is pronounced <i><b>BAR-bra</b></i>. It is of Latin origin, and the meaning of <b><i>Barbara</i></b> is "foreign woman." As an adjective, it was originally applied to anyone who did not speak Greek; it has the same root as "<i>barbarian</i>". In Roman Catholic custom, Saint <i>Barbara</i> is invoked as a protector against fire and lightning; she is patron saint of architects, stonemasons, and fortifications. <a href="http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Barbra"><span style="color: black;"><i>Barbra</i></span></a> is a spelling variant made familiar by singer/actress/film director <i>Barbra</i> Streisand. Many people may associate the name with the popular doll <a href="http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Barbie"><span style="color: black;"><i>Barbie</i></span></a>, which is a pet form. Other famous <i>Barbaras</i> are actress Barbara Stanwyck; writer Barbara Tuchman; First Lady Barbara Bush." <br />
(from http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Barbara)<br />
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<section><br /></section><section>I often wondered how I came to have the name <i>Barbara</i> as my second name. So I checked it out online. How popular is <i>Barbara</i>? Apparently, it's still somewhat popular nowadays, but <i>between</i> 1940 and 1949 it was <b>THE</b> most popular name. And I was <i>born</i> towards the end of that decade, so I guess my mother really liked the name, too. I have a cousin who is just a couple of years younger than me and her first name is <i>Barbara</i>!</section><section><br /></section><section>Since I absolutely adore flowers, I thought I'd check to see if there are any named "<b><i>Barbara</i></b>." I discovered the <span style="color: magenta;"><b>Clemetis Barbara</b></span>, which is gorgeous, so I thought I'd share it here.</section><section><br /></section><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2U7-mpxH0k5QIvu_4W89P-yWw-FG2zaBwCxUQm-w9qmmbKyUyeU1v_y0V6w3L9jVgYXTaJN6TNp29MOT0iNUMRC2wqg8uT5yXghKX_ccGilSMAEjAR9MPILuwoAy9fhSLo3CZ_Q/s1600/clemetis+barbara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2U7-mpxH0k5QIvu_4W89P-yWw-FG2zaBwCxUQm-w9qmmbKyUyeU1v_y0V6w3L9jVgYXTaJN6TNp29MOT0iNUMRC2wqg8uT5yXghKX_ccGilSMAEjAR9MPILuwoAy9fhSLo3CZ_Q/s400/clemetis+barbara.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<section><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="ProductDetailsTitle"><u><b>Clemetis Barbara</b></u></td></tr>
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<td width="30%">SKU</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap" id="product_code">361</td>
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<td width="30%">Weight</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap"><span id="product_weight">1.00</span> kgs</td>
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<tr><td class="ef" width="20%">Pot size when delivered</td><td class="ev">Sent out in Large 2 litre pots, (8 inches deep x 5 inches wide)</td></tr>
<tr><td class="ef" width="20%">Size when delivered</td><td class="ev">In most cases plants are around 1 metre high (depending on growth rate & time of year)</td></tr>
<tr><td class="ef" width="20%">Age when delivered</td><td class="ev">All our plants are at least 2 years old when sent out</td></tr>
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Colour</h3>
</td><td class="ev" nowrap="nowrap"><a href="http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/?cat=316">Deep pink</a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="ef" width="30%"><h3 style="color: #666666; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px;">
Pruning group</h3>
</td><td class="ev" nowrap="nowrap"><a href="http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/?cat=270">Prune Hard - Group 3</a></td></tr>
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Aspect</h3>
</td><td class="ev" nowrap="nowrap"><a href="http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/?cat=265">Sun or Part Shade</a></td></tr>
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Height</h3>
</td><td class="ev" nowrap="nowrap"><a href="http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/?cat=398">6 - 8ft (2 - 2.5m)</a></td></tr>
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Flowering Time</h3>
</td><td class="ev" nowrap="nowrap"><a href="http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/?cat=5599">June to September</a></td></tr>
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I'm glad I looked up the name <b><i>Barbara</i></b> because it makes me like it a <i>bit</i> more now, especially since there is a <i>beautiful</i> flower with the same name. I must see if I can find one for my patio - I'd put it in a <i>big</i> pot with a trellis on the wall so it could climb up.</div>
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Have you ever wondered what your name means? </div>
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Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-12204818147171711372017-07-11T12:49:00.004-07:002017-07-11T12:49:45.749-07:00A is for AIRPORT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhns-JISc0qWd0P_omQTBT8orstzOgPh0RF7b8BIh1pcborPuHmLS-BeuJoNlX_iTjNVJxbJUlhvFnXEW4BXQndzIh3wcZC6xHd12t7q3krnQEghXYotpF-sef8qprYC2qlrQsOtQ/s1600/ABCW+21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="273" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhns-JISc0qWd0P_omQTBT8orstzOgPh0RF7b8BIh1pcborPuHmLS-BeuJoNlX_iTjNVJxbJUlhvFnXEW4BXQndzIh3wcZC6xHd12t7q3krnQEghXYotpF-sef8qprYC2qlrQsOtQ/s200/ABCW+21.png" width="182" /></a></div>
Welcome to Round 21 of ABC Wednesday, originally created 10 years ago by Denise Nesbitt and administered by Roger and team. This is Number 1 of the hopefully new and improved format of ABCW to be administered by Melody and her team. We welcome all newcomers and hope you enjoy participating because you get to "meet" people from all over the world! I've been doing ABCW for 9 out of the 10 years and have made many friends through it.<br />
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So today, I'm going to tell you about the <b><i><span style="color: blue;">airport</span></i></b> where I live. Everyone loves an <b><i><span style="color: blue;">airport</span></i></b>, whether it's because you're leaving to go somewhere, whether it's because you're <i><span style="color: blue;">arriving</span></i> home, or because you are greeting visitors from <i><span style="color: blue;">afar</span></i>. Lots of people enjoy watching the planes take off and land, too. I will be meeting dear friends from Wales in about 3 weeks and am <i><span style="color: blue;">already</span></i> so excited to see them!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZe3Z_qzLv0laOiDOi-_npKrWgG_Y5rD9lbK4nhaXLouKMuf8zAvhwMpH90RyWlttGbgC-Uuri4WLU9KO5Bt6PDgs4XbvjsUEFiJcAFNByErk-FnNQbpRkniFee1ZJAZcUy54bVg/s1600/yvr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZe3Z_qzLv0laOiDOi-_npKrWgG_Y5rD9lbK4nhaXLouKMuf8zAvhwMpH90RyWlttGbgC-Uuri4WLU9KO5Bt6PDgs4XbvjsUEFiJcAFNByErk-FnNQbpRkniFee1ZJAZcUy54bVg/s640/yvr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The Vancouver International <span style="color: blue;"><b><i>AIRPORT </i></b></span><span style="color: black;">is</span><span style="color: black;"> </span>located about 7 1/2 miles south of the city of Vancouver in Richmond (where I grew up) and has a spectacular setting in the mountains. In 1927, Charles Lindburgh refused to include Vancouver in his North American tour because of the lack of a proper <em><span style="color: blue;">airport</span></em>. Two years later, the city purchased land on Sea Island (in Richmond), which replaced the original grass <em><span style="color: blue;">airstrip</span></em> at Minoru Park. During WW2, the <em><span style="color: blue;">airport</span></em> and its original terminal, now the South Terminal, were leased to the Federal government and operated by the Department of National Defence and the Department of Transport. The <em><span style="color: blue;">airport</span></em> was a base for RCAF training and the crews and their families were housed in a new town site on the island, named Burkeville <em><span style="color: blue;">after</span></em> Boeing president Stanley Burke. The present main terminal was completed in 1968, and has since been expanded to include separate domestic and international terminals. A north runway was completed in 1996. Since 2011, there has been an increase in flights between Vancouver and <em><span style="color: blue;">Asia</span></em>. <br />
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The <em><span style="color: blue;">airport</span></em> has a uniquely British Columbian theme with <em><span style="color: blue;">artwork</span></em> of Pacific Northwest Coast native <em><span style="color: blue;">art</span></em> featuring blues and greens to reflect the colours of the land, sea, and sky. There is a lot of glass, which reflects the natural light, and <em><span style="color: blue;">arriving</span></em> passengers walk <span style="color: blue;"><em>across</em></span> a platform featuring a large waterfall. The <em><span style="color: blue;">aboriginal</span></em> <em><span style="color: blue;">art</span></em> collections include totem poles, wooden sculptures, and Bill Reid's famous bronze sculpture called "The Spirit of Haida Gwaii, The Jade Canoe." When I departed from Vancouver last year, I saw they had installed a new <i><span style="color: blue;">aquarium</span></i> - full sized on a wall in the departure lounge and I could not help but take some photos of it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrJOFa0SOnQe8BIwxdAoAurbUBkgF7R_CmDigBK3iTKe3Z2hH8Bo5kTJsshFMBj2bi3GXgYzl3vOAgvAMmljeaAbi3hz88zdGEyz7fReEAJu-oVzW-ZNkz5OBfTWmMU8N5kDXnA/s1600/20160619_123000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrJOFa0SOnQe8BIwxdAoAurbUBkgF7R_CmDigBK3iTKe3Z2hH8Bo5kTJsshFMBj2bi3GXgYzl3vOAgvAMmljeaAbi3hz88zdGEyz7fReEAJu-oVzW-ZNkz5OBfTWmMU8N5kDXnA/s640/20160619_123000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrEe2iE6rSeKVW7RpnphnpSXBPfiG44r0jBSiM12njwfNYAlqT2CeFiKNtwmOynL8lXFgoRgr9qzlw7MNekZ-hYfrMpNsAQtwBt9THs85csDyFLLjl8NF2vwcNm6lQ2Sgquy1TQ/s1600/bill+wright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrEe2iE6rSeKVW7RpnphnpSXBPfiG44r0jBSiM12njwfNYAlqT2CeFiKNtwmOynL8lXFgoRgr9qzlw7MNekZ-hYfrMpNsAQtwBt9THs85csDyFLLjl8NF2vwcNm6lQ2Sgquy1TQ/s640/bill+wright.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7GZGsb_W3RBqNDxLY1YWlB3QSpDlrWIifd3p6de7IB_yEA72WMmYGMLXtUpOYjmXjbC0RHO7DOLJJO2f5l004qgcr7zgS6hxnq4T9ITXBAR8J_tVB_bqoctkfku0SsLl9ZNssw/s1600/owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7GZGsb_W3RBqNDxLY1YWlB3QSpDlrWIifd3p6de7IB_yEA72WMmYGMLXtUpOYjmXjbC0RHO7DOLJJO2f5l004qgcr7zgS6hxnq4T9ITXBAR8J_tVB_bqoctkfku0SsLl9ZNssw/s640/owl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This exhibit is an entire wall of a waterfall. It's <i><span style="color: blue;">amazing</span></i> to see when you <i><span style="color: blue;">arrive</span></i>.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxt02L-P3NmUHmMs2X8hdV2zgzT37DTTYmz9MWHAnGbfFAfBGwdbayXDx_nXdSqGh_RbAaTXom8Q6Uc4akM_fK9SzSsnaPouPhpnHVjXbcoqBZPAmZeTGIIG0-FEC6QMcqdGjpA/s1600/waterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="640" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxt02L-P3NmUHmMs2X8hdV2zgzT37DTTYmz9MWHAnGbfFAfBGwdbayXDx_nXdSqGh_RbAaTXom8Q6Uc4akM_fK9SzSsnaPouPhpnHVjXbcoqBZPAmZeTGIIG0-FEC6QMcqdGjpA/s640/waterfall.jpg" width="640" /></a>Finally, for a bit of humour, enjoy this photo of the "Running Man" trying not to miss his flight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwP0ObQgLEd_bDl4iX80MWjXKJuTQx_IauZDGKkRf3cpcuW61qNemHwd7PPeLWaA2Z_-QMVXCV62RM9-ybblzE2bo3sGVewvK34K2GVZNWMPjGstTaVHPlEeE_RmXyGlOB0eZHg/s1600/runningtraveller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="377" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwP0ObQgLEd_bDl4iX80MWjXKJuTQx_IauZDGKkRf3cpcuW61qNemHwd7PPeLWaA2Z_-QMVXCV62RM9-ybblzE2bo3sGVewvK34K2GVZNWMPjGstTaVHPlEeE_RmXyGlOB0eZHg/s640/runningtraveller.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>Many thanks to the awesome Melody for taking on such an adventure as ABC Wednesday. Also, thanks to her affable team who with assist and aid her by visiting all the contributions each week.</b></span></i>Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-88344805799441896172017-07-03T13:39:00.000-07:002017-07-03T13:39:00.415-07:00Z is for ZOO (Chester Zoo, England)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBw6e9pbQZmT-0mBCERHkh8i5AZDYUUnFf1eM5OpUBQhEmk-AeiWWJWLGMIfWsbmbf27uIDV-WOcqwbT_SHmXBRTipProhGgd9ZrOk1praFndUzhcqwqzlHagOYGuzTuao_BxRw/s1600/ABCW+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBw6e9pbQZmT-0mBCERHkh8i5AZDYUUnFf1eM5OpUBQhEmk-AeiWWJWLGMIfWsbmbf27uIDV-WOcqwbT_SHmXBRTipProhGgd9ZrOk1praFndUzhcqwqzlHagOYGuzTuao_BxRw/s200/ABCW+20.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Recently, I watched a BBC TV mini-series called "Our <i>Zoo</i>," the story of George Mottershead and his family who founded the Chester <i>Zoo</i> in the 1930s. At the turn of the century, when George's father took him to a <i>zoo</i>, he told his father that one day he would have a <i>zoo</i> with no bars! So, in 1930, with his family in tow, he bought Oakley House and 7 acres of land for 3,500 British Pounds and brought with him a group of animals from a <i>zoo</i> near Crewe. Thus began his struggle to get the <i>zoo</i> going amidst opposition of the townspeople and even the local clergy.<br />
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However, George persevered and finally opened his zoo in 1931 and in 1934 The North of England Zoological Society was born. After the second world war, the <i>zoo</i> grew very quickly and now it takes up 125 acres of land. One of the <i>zoo’s</i> slogans back then was, ‘Always building.’ George’s amazing energy, enthusiasm and skill earned him an OBE, and honorary Master of Science degree, and a term as President of the International Union of <i>Zoo</i> Directors.<br />
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Today, Chester <i>Zoo</i> is one of the top 15 zoos in the world, and highly respected for global conservation and research, as well as passionate campaigners for wildlife.<br />
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All this, because one little boy over 100 years ago cared so much about animals. <br />
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<b><u>Some interesting websites to see more about the Chester Zoo</u></b>:<br />
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<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29014122">http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29014122</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.chesterzoo.org/">http://www.chesterzoo.org/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2593529/Images-life-growing-daughter-owner-Britains-biggest-zoo.html">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2593529/Images-life-growing-daughter-owner-Britains-biggest-zoo.html</a> (This one has photos of George's little girl June playing with some of the zoo animals.)<br />
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And so we end Round 20 of the original ABC Wednesday, created by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt, administered by Mr. Roger Green, assisted by "moi" and a team of <i>zany</i> helpers who <i>zoomed</i> around each week making sure everyone had comments. We now turn the ship over to Melody and her new team of assistants and wish her the very best in continuing the tradition.<br />
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Be sure to check out the new ABC Wednesday <a href="https://abcwednesday.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">here</a>! </div>
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Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14919964.post-1850593370780295262017-06-26T21:10:00.002-07:002017-06-26T21:25:12.619-07:00Y is for YORK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday, I had dental surgery and I was trying to figure out a way to incorporate it with the letter Y. All I could come up with was "yucky." Luckily for you, that was all I could think of. So I resorted to my other plan to tell you about <b><i><span style="color: blue;">York</span></i></b>, England and to show you just a few shots I took there last summer. I stayed with <b>my dear friend Jill Ellis Marshall, to whom I dedicate this post</b>.<br />
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York is a historic walled city founded by the Romans in 71AD. It lies between the Ouse and Foss Rivers and one of the biggest attractions is York Minster. I won't bore you with details of its history, etc., because if you're interested, just go and check it out on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shambles" target="_blank">Shambles</a> is an ancient area in York with overhanging timber-framed buildings that date back to the 14th Century. This area was renowned for its open-air slaughterhouse and meat market. My shot below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjut0PTjeMA6PB05PWF1AD08RntSCzwgBPHj8XdheWgl-UOvDMYmLwx2iZ17VfM3TDA4-ZIzrdzWiC5ozUAERKN_WgEi9gsX-JRzFS-REyVVNkd_QqcyBy0sFPz7bZIovosAlB2xg/s1600/street+scene+York.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1189" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjut0PTjeMA6PB05PWF1AD08RntSCzwgBPHj8XdheWgl-UOvDMYmLwx2iZ17VfM3TDA4-ZIzrdzWiC5ozUAERKN_WgEi9gsX-JRzFS-REyVVNkd_QqcyBy0sFPz7bZIovosAlB2xg/s640/street+scene+York.jpg" width="474" /></a></div>
As we entered the Shambles at one end, we were greeted with a wonderful flower market and entertained by the local Town Crier. <br />
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After purchasing a few tea towels as an easy-to-pack souvenir at a tea towel stand, we began wandering down the main street of the Shambles to search for somewhere to have lunch. We decided on the Café Rouge where we were greeted with great welcomes and seated right at the center front window where we had a wonderful view of tourists passing by.<br />
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A street entertainer happened to come by to entertain the tourists even before our lunch arrived. The above shot is from Mr. Google but the one below is mine, taken from our table through the window.<br />
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I photographed the above busker right through the window from my seat at the table. I also shot the frontage of L'Occitane shop directly opposite of us.<br />
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When we left the café, I took a photo of the area above the restaurant, which was lined with absolutely gorgeous flower boxes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyeU-amyXCXc9MD3IbW7HfdFasmOucNfy0E49iV-PUVk1AlTQQLJogycoz0vKzQCHwt_otD4XIzftJB3P7Y0vl59PEeFqJcNCb1VSP3IavTrbN0M7Uq_XlEDsepRbv0nVq55uSA/s1600/flower+boxes+York.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyeU-amyXCXc9MD3IbW7HfdFasmOucNfy0E49iV-PUVk1AlTQQLJogycoz0vKzQCHwt_otD4XIzftJB3P7Y0vl59PEeFqJcNCb1VSP3IavTrbN0M7Uq_XlEDsepRbv0nVq55uSA/s640/flower+boxes+York.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
We wandered over to see York Minster, but the lines were horrendous. As I'd been inside before, we just walked to the garden next door where there was a Remembrance Ceremony going on to celebrate the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kohima" target="_blank">Battle of Kohima in 1944</a>. It is an annual event and just happened to be that day, so we felt quite honoured to be a small part of it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZorWx1K3LkoKfJ-9iL1F3ZuVEdDVOBFaGLyNHg2-pS9UanygvLA_htxcJEnxc5x01qa4WjDsAAVxeGAnYKIYXV5PcwWVjqvCQkUZiRcEsHyWyd1MSHskCyNsC-ZRPLawtk4Cmw/s1600/remembrance+service+York.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZorWx1K3LkoKfJ-9iL1F3ZuVEdDVOBFaGLyNHg2-pS9UanygvLA_htxcJEnxc5x01qa4WjDsAAVxeGAnYKIYXV5PcwWVjqvCQkUZiRcEsHyWyd1MSHskCyNsC-ZRPLawtk4Cmw/s640/remembrance+service+York.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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However, I did get a good shot at the front façade of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_Minster" target="_blank">Minster</a> and one of it peeking through the trees when we were in the park next door. It really is quite impressive!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6gvW-ZfjCIo76Q4y8jrNFZ8FMJ88puGG-KPCDH1Frxs6eK5yshqprHANWm9Qs6oCuftXnF4rYZXczzOA7e0sn27lOWCBzNG7OnZjsh3hZGSlqcuBgfsmRZnVpTlw-8zPl8WU2Q/s1600/York+Minster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6gvW-ZfjCIo76Q4y8jrNFZ8FMJ88puGG-KPCDH1Frxs6eK5yshqprHANWm9Qs6oCuftXnF4rYZXczzOA7e0sn27lOWCBzNG7OnZjsh3hZGSlqcuBgfsmRZnVpTlw-8zPl8WU2Q/s640/York+Minster.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_U0F3nrVGnhcwm1SH4Q358Y3lH4ynPhGs04dRpsUd398PdKJ4EwJJ6ABvsEjJucMeeJvN_X5o-G4BOrW20OU5_cB4qzSh0QBieKmEd__MW7Q_B-I-FZ-BNpniXz3iKtOF8C38Dg/s1600/Yorkminster+behind+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="1600" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_U0F3nrVGnhcwm1SH4Q358Y3lH4ynPhGs04dRpsUd398PdKJ4EwJJ6ABvsEjJucMeeJvN_X5o-G4BOrW20OU5_cB4qzSh0QBieKmEd__MW7Q_B-I-FZ-BNpniXz3iKtOF8C38Dg/s640/Yorkminster+behind+trees.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Then we headed over to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchant_Adventurers%27_Hall" target="_blank">Medieval Guild Hall</a> and poked around there to see the ancient wood beamed ceiling, the dining hall, and the stained glass windows. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lucKLoWhVJxvR7Ay-un1dbA-2iIIE_7ZLeSZLNtukxXJdxIfGUL2yaNOBJS0YiohgPLD8t0CVrEgKLha4vynvMsAXwxK0aP818j1TlJHdg7C_taMWLzaQPPM0t1Ln41RzqiXRA/s1600/Medieval+Guild+Hall+Dining+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lucKLoWhVJxvR7Ay-un1dbA-2iIIE_7ZLeSZLNtukxXJdxIfGUL2yaNOBJS0YiohgPLD8t0CVrEgKLha4vynvMsAXwxK0aP818j1TlJHdg7C_taMWLzaQPPM0t1Ln41RzqiXRA/s640/Medieval+Guild+Hall+Dining+Room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Finally, here are a few shots of some gardens thatI couldn't resist photographing. After all, I'm sure you've heard of the splendid English country gardens....well, these were right in a big city. The first two are the rose gardens in front of the Manor House located in front of the Guildhall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7cBu1mXw1HG7G5_rZmBKKttoI1EsSkSrRWGThcealfEKFAXGK9qwuyLaRAl8_PcA_hpQp6QB54l2ncAd1KnBv92kg4MyCzr7lZLKcGGVlDM6ue0ro2uVHELBWWGhQyglKyifOw/s1600/garden+outside+manor++02+merchant+hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="1600" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7cBu1mXw1HG7G5_rZmBKKttoI1EsSkSrRWGThcealfEKFAXGK9qwuyLaRAl8_PcA_hpQp6QB54l2ncAd1KnBv92kg4MyCzr7lZLKcGGVlDM6ue0ro2uVHELBWWGhQyglKyifOw/s640/garden+outside+manor++02+merchant+hall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXbZRWA38p4uRESg-TWcat0lR4yj34KSoUQpvTH_9PLeAxQ6jALNhhLzGNfXoLy8Ea9Wetz4xvOLawEkylj87w6VOY32Hq4cZs3PGrywqwSrDRezZEXOaPZsCO_bc9E707hPJqw/s1600/garden+outside+manor+York.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXbZRWA38p4uRESg-TWcat0lR4yj34KSoUQpvTH_9PLeAxQ6jALNhhLzGNfXoLy8Ea9Wetz4xvOLawEkylj87w6VOY32Hq4cZs3PGrywqwSrDRezZEXOaPZsCO_bc9E707hPJqw/s640/garden+outside+manor+York.jpg" width="640" /></a>You often see flowers growing up a rock or brick wall in England and York was no exception.</div>
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So there you have it. We did have some other adventures that I may write about in future posts, but I think you're probably tired of me raving on about England and Wales and my wonderfully memorable trip last year.<br />
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Don't forget that next week, the letter Z, is our last ABC Wednesday at this location. So do come back next week for a final farewell and more details on where to find it starting July 12!!! Leslie:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964698251137788839noreply@blogger.com14