Jerk, anyone?

Click to enlarge photos.

I went to White Rock this evening. My friend Colleen and I decided to check out the Caribbean Breeze Tapas Bar & Grill and go for a stroll along the boardwalk and out onto the pier. The food was great and my peach bellini even better! Yummy!




White Rock is a unique place just north of the Peace Arch border crossing at Blaine in the United States. The imposing white monument called the Peace Arch is a symbol of peace and friendship between Canada and the United States and was built in 1920. Painting by Nancy Ging. The tidal beaches in White Rock are perfect for sandcastle building and contests drew huge crowds in the past. However, in the 80's, drunken evening parties drove the event out of town.






You can read about White Rock's history at the White Rock Museum and Archives, located in a designated heritage Train station on the Promenade at West Beach. The train went by while we were eating and it's amazing how everyone stops to watch a train. Near the train station, one of the city's major features, the City Pier, marches out into Semiahmoo Bay. Stretching some 1,500 feet into the water, the pier was first constructed in 1914 as a landing dock for steamships, and has survived fires and a major overhaul to become a favourite haunt of sightseeing families and sunset-seeking couples.


From here you can look back to shore and identify the famous white boulder from which the town takes its name. This massive white 486-ton boulder was deposited by glacial action and its arrival on the shore is the source of many colourful First Nations' legends. Native legend has it that the rock marks the spot where the Transformers, emissaries of the Sagalie Tyee, the Creator, once passed. Another legend holds that the white rock marks the landing spot of a stone that was hurled across the Strait of Georgia by a young Indian chief. It was said that he and his bride moved there from Vancouver Island to make a home together.

Another impressive sight in White Rock is this humongous mural! Click HERE to take a look. I'd post it, but it's so big that you need to look at a moving photo of it. Seriously, take a look!




Another famous mural you'll see in White Rock is this one of whales. The 21 metre long whale mural was painted by Wyland, then a 28 year old California artist. The three life-size grey whales leaping through the blue sea is the fourth of 15 whale murals Wyland has planned to paint on buildings around the world, in order to help protect the whale.



We strolled along the pier before dinner to work up an appetite. Then when we got to the restaurant we couldn't decide what to have - so we ended up sharing a variety of tapas. I was hoping to have room for some Caribbean sweet potato pudding, but alas we were both too full! We came back to my place and sat outside on the patio drinking red wine until Colleen said she was exhausted and heading home. I sat out for another 45 minutes reading a new book until my eyes almost crossed from fatigue. Going to bed now.

ABC Wednesday - Welcome to the letter "D"

ABC Wednesday is brought to you today by the letter D.

I'm so glad you decided to come back and visit me at my Domicile again this week. There's so much more to show you! First of all, do park in my Driveway - there's lots of room beside my car.

The Doorbell is to the right of the Door but if I don't hear it, you might Dare to come around to the back patio where I might be Day-Dreaming on my chaise lounge.



















The first thing I'd like to show you is my most precious Decoration. My sister gave me this "gift" for Christmas a few years ago and I love it so much that I keep it out all year. I plug it in during the winter so I can enjoy its glittering beauty, but I always get comments on it even in the summer.

I'm glad you Decided to stay for Dinner this time. This is where I keep my Dishes. Would you like to help me set the table?















We'll sit in the Dining room tonight since we can look out into the garden as we enjoy our Dinner. I think we'll Dine on cold roast Duck with a Date chutney and Devilled eggs on the side.

"Would you put this Dish of Dill pickles on the table for me, please."


"Well, I'm full now!"









Come on into the other room and I'll show you a few more of my special things. Here is a book about Dolls that belonged to my mother. She was an avid Doll collector and even made a few herself. She also sewed the clothes for a precious baby doll. My sister has that doll now, even though I wanted it. (But I got the book!)

















These are the two Dolls that I inherited from my mother. The one on the left reminds me of my two Daughters as they both had such long blonde hair when they were younger. The Doll on the right is "Emily of New Moon," depicting a character from one of Lucy Maud Montgomery's famous series of books for girls. The stories about Emily are similar to Montgomery's earlier and more famous Anne of Green Gables series.









You might remember that I am a big Dog lover. The little black Scotty here is just like the one my mother had when she was a girl. One year, I couldn't figure out what to get Mom for Christmas and when I saw this Dog, I knew it was perfect. She used to tell us stories about Jock so I knew she'd love him. I put the tartan ribbon around his neck and carefully wrapped him up in a box. Mom, in the full throes of Alzheimers, was thrilled when she saw him and he always sat on the back of the sofa - until she passed away. Now I have the pleasure of keeping Jock safe. For companionship, I found a little Boxer puppy one day and I named him Bullet. I've had three Boxers in my life - one when I was a girl and two since then. Jock and Bullet get along famously.






I've saved the best story for last. As you know, I have two Delightful Daughters. I Distinctly remember the Saturday back in October of 1989 when my parents took the girls out for the Day. I wondered where they were going, but they only said that it was a secret. Both the girls got Dressed up in Dark skirts and their best white blouses and carefully did their hair. (Now that was unusual in itself!) So off they went, giving their Dad and me some time alone. I forgot all about their Day's outing with their grandparents until Christmas Day. Unbeknownst to us, the girls had arranged an appointment with a photographer to have a formal photograph taken of themselves so they could get it framed and give it to us as a Christmas present! They got their grandparents to go along with the secret since they needed an excuse to go out somewhere without us. None of them ever let the secret out of the bag. My Delicious Daughters also paid for the sitting all by themselves by saving their money!

Thank you for coming today! I really think we're getting to know each other better, Don't you? Please Do come again....maybe next time I'll show you my photos of Mount Etna.

To see more ABC Wednesday participants' entries, just click on the no-comment site ABC Wednesday here. However, if you'd like to participate, click here to sign into Mr. Linky and then others will come to see your post.

A Fashion Statement?

Today I got fitted for the back brace that I'll have to wear for three to four months after my surgery. It actually didn't feel quite as cumbersome as this photo makes it appear, although this is about the size. Mine sits a bit lower down, though. It has a hard plastic insert at the back that was heated and then inserted into the soft corset form. The specialist then pressed on my lower back to make the insert shape to my body. Standing up was okay and I could feel the support giving relief, but sitting down in it was rather uncomfortable.

I guess I'll get used to it. What alternative is there? *sigh*

It's also so tight that I won't be able to eat much while I have it on, so that might be a benefit! lol

Most people understand what herniated (or slipped) discs are and how painful they can be. I have two of those, but apparently, I have two other even more serious issues.

I looked up "Lumbar Spondylolisthesis" and this is what it said.

Normally, the bones of the spine (the vertebrae) stand neatly stacked on top of one another. Ligaments and joints support the spine. Spondylolisthesis alters the alignment of the spine. In this condition, one of the spine bones slips forward over the one below it. As the bone slips forward, the nearby tissues and nerves may become irritated and painful.

It can be congenital (present at birth) or the result of an injury or degeneration of the discs and facet joints.

So what does it feel like?

An ache in the low back and buttock areas is the most common complaint in patients with spondylolisthesis. Pain is usually worse when standing, walking, or bending backward and may be eased by resting or bending the spine forward. Leaning on a counter top, piece of furniture, or shopping cart are common ways to alleviate (reduce) the symptoms.
Spasm is also common in the low back muscles. The hamstring muscles on the back of the thighs may become tight.

Slippage can also cause nerve compression. Nerve compression is a result of

pressure on a nerve. As the spine slips forward, the nerves may be squeezed where they exit the spine. This condition also reduces space in the spinal canal where the vertebra has slipped. This can put extra pressure on the nerve tissues inside the canal. Nerve compression can cause symptoms where the nerve travels and may include numbness, tingling, slowed reflexes, and muscle weakness in the legs.

I guess I understand now why I can't stand in one spot for very long before experiencing severe pain. How long is the rehabilitation process?

After lumbar fusion surgery for spondylolisthesis, patients must normally wait four months before beginning a rehabilitation program. This delay is needed to give the fusion a chance to start healing. Patients typically need to attend therapy sessions for six to eight weeks and should expect full recovery to take at least 12 months.

My other big problem is "Spinal Stenosis." What does that mean?

Narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal pinches the nerves that go to the skin and muscles of the legs. Sometimes, the pinched nerves become inflamed, causing pain in the buttocks and/or legs.

The surgical procedure for lumbar spinal stenosis involves removing the bone and soft tissues of the spine that are pinching the nerves.

As far as I'm concerned, I've spent far too long in discomfort that has turned into pain that is affecting my whole life. I do not want to be an invalid. I do not want to have to use a cane or a walker. I do not want to live in a wheel chair.

What I do want is to get this over with so I can get on with living! I want to play with my precious grandchildren, go for long walks with friends, travel the world, and play tennis again. So bring it on, Doc! The sooner we get this done the better.

Now I wait. *sigh*

Photo Hunters - DARK

We moved to Ottawa, Ontario (our nation's capital) in July of 1986. It was a temporary move for my husband's job and we took advantage of all there was to see and do in such a climate. In the winter it's freezing cold and my husband made our entire back yard into a skating rink for our two daughters. I did a post on that here for ABC Wednesdays, "O is for Ottawa." I included this photo, but I really like it and it fits for Photo Hunters' "dark" theme today. These are my two girls, aged 11 and 7 1/2 at the time, skating outside on the rink in the dark. My husband put up floodlights so they could see well enough to skate, and it sure was fun watching them speed around their own private ice rink. Afterwards, they'd come in for hot chocolate and marshmallows before having a bath and going to bed. Sweet memories for me and for them, too, I imagine.

Click to enlarge if you like.

Click here to see early entries OR here for tnchick's site.

Work Ethics?

There's been some chat recently in my circle about the work ethics of the younger generation. Maybe the fact that we are tut-tutting what we see as their lack of work ethics is because they don't do things the same way we do/did. Maybe I'm getting old.

That said, when I was just starting out it never occurred to me to do anything BUT my job during the time I was being paid to do my job. As the work came to my in-basket, I faithfully completed the assignment and proofread it to make sure there were no typos or spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors. When I moved on to the teaching profession, I worked long hours preparing my lesson plans, marking students' papers, and evaluating their day-to-day and overall progress. I never had music playing in the background or plugged in a Walkman (the old-fashioned version of the Ipod). I didn't chat with co-workers about what I did last night or was planning for the weekend, drink coffee at my desk, waste time in the washroom except during breaks, or ever come to work hung over.

For a couple of years before I took early retirement, I became more and more disillusioned in the workplace. I have many friends who are still working and over the past little while, many have commented on how a lot of young people in the workplace today do not seem to have the same sort of work ethic that we older people do. Employees work with Ipods stuck in their ears only taking out one pod to answer a telephone call, personal cell phones in hand texting to friends, taking long coffee and lunch breaks, and complaining that they are overloaded with work. Finally, their work attire is so casual it borders on sloppy. During the winter, it's jeans and tops and in the summer it's shorts and spaghetti-strapped/bare stomached T's. Maybe it's just out West (here) where life tends to be so casual. Finally, let's not forget the gum-chewing, coffee slurping, and other not so attractive personal habits that can be viewed by co-workers.

Now, I'm not saying that everyone has become sloppy, but let's look at one day in the life of moi. One day as I was standing in line at one of the banks I frequent, I noticed that all the tellers looked like slobs. All were wearing ill-fitted and ragged jeans, so I thought maybe it was "Jeans Day." But no...one of the young male tellers looked as though he'd slept in his clothes, T-shirt and pants totally wrinkled and his hair was a mess. The women wore either sloppy T-shirts or tops that didn't cover all their "tops." I went across the street to my other (main) bank and was so impressed that I complimented them all. One of the male tellers was actually wearing a suit and the other was clad in neatly pressed pants and a shirt (no tie, but he looked very tidy). So in the case of banks, I think the outward impression connects to how the customer believes they handle their money. Appearing sloppy makes me think you're not being careful with my money. Conversely, appearing tidy makes me think you're handling my money carefully.

As one person said to me, "The supervisors are away on holidays, and I have no authority to tell these kids to put away their Ipods and cell phones and get to work." That must be so frustrating to a senior employee who has worked long hours and years and is also overloaded with work.

Once we baby-boomers are out of the work force, I dread to think how businesses will be run. I'm not saying employees need to go back to the times when we all wore suits. However, I do believe that young people need to understand the image they project when they come to work. Work is work and play is play. Give each 100% of your energy.

And now for your amusement...

Prepping for Back Surgery

I had an MRI on Friday, July 25th in preparation for my upcoming surgery. I thought it was going to be just like having a CT Scan, but there were some differences - not all pleasant.

MR imaging uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor or printed. I needed to have one in order that the surgeon could fully understand what he'd be facing with regard to my spine (the bones, nerves, and spinal cord) when he opens me up.

Two things to remember if you ever have to have an MRI. First, you must not have anything metallic on you. You even have to remove hearing aids and dentures because they can interfere with the magnetic field of the MRI unit and ruin them. Also, if you have any problem with claustrophobia, be sure to let them know as you might need a sedative. I don't have any problem with being in close spaces, but after having the MRI, I understand why some people actually freak out when having it done. I was given a "panic button" in case I felt the need to get out of there, but thankfully was able to manage the entire time without freaking out. However, about 3/4 of the way along, my heart did start to pound pretty fast and I had to concentrate on images in my head. I had to keep my eyes closed the entire time because the top of the tube was only about 4 inches from my face - and I was not able to move. Every once in a while, the technician would ask if I was all right, and I told him to just get it done as it would be a relief to get out!
So today I saw my surgeon, Dr. Yummy for those of you who recall my post on that appointment. Apparently, I need a triple fusion at L3, L4, and L5. What can I say? Let's get it done and over with! One question I did ask him was if I could play tennis again when I was all better. And he said, "Yes." YAY!!! Of all the sports that I've done in the past, that is the one that I really miss. Not that I was that good, but I could beat my husband one set out of three!

Monday morning I go to get fitted for my brace that I'll have to wear whenever I'm in an upright or standing position for heaven only knows how long. I guess I'll find out. Thankfully, it's covered in my extended benefit health plan - it costs over $300!!! Yikes!!! Thank God for MasterCard. Once I pay for it, I'll send in the paperwork to get the money back and pay it off. I found this photo of a lumbar back brace online and I assume it'll be something like this. I understand that it has a rigid back with a corset type sides and front that I cinch up from the front. I even got instructions on how to put it on all by myself. Yeah, right. Maybe I'll get some pornographic photos done of myself wearing the thing! Hah!

I'm on the cancellation list for the surgery and Dr. Yummy told me that he prioritizes his back patients and they get in pretty fast. However, the operating rooms are only working at 50% capacity because of the summer holidays. But who knows? Maybe it'll be over and done with before the end of August - I sure hope so. Fingers crossed. Toes, too.

I know I have to go through a horrid experience and suffer a lot of pain, but in the long run it's the right thing - and the only thing - to do so that I can get back on my feet and moving again. During those terrible moments, please remember to say to me, "Tennis dahling! Tennis!" And I'll go off in a morphine coma imagining myself leaping gracefully around the court in my cute little white skirt making fabulous shots with Dr. Yummy!

ABC Wednesday Round 3 - The Letter C

Gee, I thought of a whole bunch of C words this morning so raced around the house taking photos to prepare for your visit or social Call. I will pick you up in my Car,

and bring you over. You will notice that I don't have a garage, but rather a Carport. As we enter the house through the front door, you'll see my lovely entry Carpet.

Please have a seat in my favourite Chair, a beautiful wing chair that we bought in 1986 at Paramount Furniture in Richmond, BC. It cost us $650.00 then, which was half price so you can imagine its value now. However, I just had it reCovered two years ago in this lovely dragonfly pattern that my daughter helped me Choose.

Perhaps you will notice the pretty Cushion with irises on it. If you like, you may turn it over to its plain Cream side, or if you prefer just toss it on the Chesterfield (or sofa) with the other Cushions that I have received from my sister on various occasions.

Relax for a few moments while I make us some Coffee in my new Coffee Maker. I love the red trim because it goes with the other red bits of Colour in my kitchen.

Let's take our Coffee outside to the patio - it's lovely today, warm right now but will be getting much hotter this afternoon. We'll take advantage of my Covered patio and have a Chat while sitting on my patio Chairs.

Are you finished your Coffee? Come along then, and I'll show you a bit more of my Cosy home. As we pass through the family room (where I watch TV) you might notice that my Cacti need a drink. I thought I'd get some of this type of plant since even someone like Moi surely Couldn't kill them! However, it looks as though they might be on their way!

Here are some of the Catalogues that I often browse through. I purchase quite a bit from Sears and every January I pick up the latest Trafalgar catalogue to dream of my future travels. My daughter loves the Ikea catalogue so I always give it to her so she can dream of her future dream home.

Okay, let's go upstairs to see my "office" where I have my Computer and my Comfortable Computer Chair that has lumbar support. I really need to Clean and tidy this room one day! So please exCuse its Condition!

Behind the desk and to the left of the window sits my favourite and most Comfortable Chair! It was my mother's Chair when she was alive and my Dad gave it to me because he thought I'd be comfortable sitting in it with my bad back. It may be old-fashioned but trust me, when my back is aching, I can put my feet up, lay back to relax, and it isn't long before I'm sound asleep.

If the phone rings, I don't even have to get up but just reach over to answer. I have a handy dandy lamp so that I have enough light to read the daily newspaper or my book of the moment as well as do my daily Crossword puzzle.

Well, I'm so happy you Came for a visit. I hope you enjoyed our time together and that you will Come again. As you can see, I'm not finished my Crossword yet so I'll get back to that while you go visiting other ABC Wednesday participants Courtesy of Mrs. Nesbitt.

Butterflies Are Free

I know that some of you have been wondering how my date in Victoria went but have been too polite to enquire. Well....I must admit I'm disappointed. Don't get me wrong! I had a fantastic time and there was certainly a strong attraction there - on both sides. But...

*sigh*

First let me tell you what we did. First, we went to the Butterfly Gardens which is on the way from where the ferry docks to the city of Victoria. We had lots of fun with me trying to catch photos of butterflies in flight. Impossible! The tropical flowers were gorgeous, the birds were lively, and the chrysalises were fascinating. Then we went for a casual lunch down at the pier where the cruise ships dock before heading for Carr House, the actual house where the famous Emily Carr was born. We watched a 40-minute video about her life and works and now I want to ask Josie to go to the Vancouver Art Gallery again with me to look more closely at her paintings.

Since Carr House is just around the corner from where "he" was staying at his rental condo, I suggested we go there so I could see the view. "He" is on the 20th floor overlooking Beacon Hill Park and as the place faces south-east, there is also a view overlooking the water and Port Angeles at the tip of Washington state. We chatted for well over an hour before heading out to Victoria's Fisherman's Wharf.

We wandered all around the wharf admiring the houseboats, the views, the fishing boats, the variety of food services, and the local musician playing his guitar. Two fat harbour seals bobbed up and down waiting for people to feed them and I got several photos as we watched. Then we pondered whether or not to have fish 'n chips there, but decided instead to go where "he" suggested - a nice inn/pub/restaurant place that he knew. So we drove to the James Bay Inn for a lovely dinner.

The waitress was so cute because she sensed we were on a date (even though to her we were - well, shall we say - old!) She took us to a quiet corner table and was just perfect about suggesting things, checking to see that all was okay with us, and even commented when she brought the bill that she hoped we were enjoying our date!

"He" drove me back to the ferry and waited until I was out of sight before leaving. I know that because I looked back twice to wave and he was still there watching me. I thought there might be a message waiting for me when I got home but no...nothing. Even after a few hugs and a peck on the cheek, I still have not heard from him.

*sigh*

In retrospect, I knew that he was older than myself, but felt that it wasn't so much older that things were insurmountable. Maybe I need a more mature man to care for me after my having to take care of everyone else most of my life. I can be rather hyper at times and he seemed like such a calming influence - I felt SO comfortable with him.

Today after chatting with a friend, I started thinking about all the things he's done in his life and it occurred to me that it was quite a lot if he were still the age I "thought" he was. Since he has been in public life, I figured it'd be easy to check him out online. So I did.

Bummer!

Turns out he is WAY older than I am, to the point that he could be my father! He's a good-looking man, in good shape, and with a good mind and quick wit. He's educated and has had several lucrative careers, one in which he's still involved.

But...

*sigh*

What a shame. It's too bad that we're not closer in age, but being a widow young in life was bad enough, and I really feel that it would be pushing the envelope to get involved with someone that much older than myself. Now I do realize that even I could go out tomorrow and get hit by a bus, but what is the point in pursuing a relationship that I know will end sooner rather than later. I want to meet someone who is young enough to still have years ahead to share with me and enjoy traveling and getting involved in other activities.

The one good thing that came out of this was that I now know that there are still sparks and smoldering embers just waiting to burst into flame - for the right man. So as they say, butterflies are free and so am I...still.

Photo Hunters - Clouds

The theme for this week is CLOUDS and believe me, I've seen far too many of them lately. We had a terrible spring this year but finally, summer arrived with clear blue skies and the odd fluffy cumulus cloud, like those at the left. Unfortunately, the last few days have been overcast, windy, and cool. So I really didn't want to even think about clouds, but when I started going through my photo gallery, I discovered that I did indeed have a few that might work for today.

Here we have sunrise in Naples mid-November 2006 around 7:30 am. The sun was just coming up over the mountains and gave a sort of eerie look to the clouds. They seem to be ringed in light.

This is a typical late fall day in my neighbourhood. I took this shot last November at Steveston. All the fishing boats were in dock and although it was an overcast day, you can still see the reflection of the clouds and boats in the water.

Here are some storm clouds that started to come in one day while I was out walking on the dyke last November. It had been a beautiful sunny day when all of a sudden these black menacing clouds swiftly moved over the area. I was glad to catch the sun still trying to shine through the darkness before I quickly turned to head home before the rain hit.

And finally, this past Tuesday I was in Victoria to visit a friend. It was the first day we'd had rain after three solid weeks of hot summer weather. It stopped raining later in the day so we went down to the city's Fisherman's Wharf and strolled the boardwalk. All the fishing boats are in dock now, even though they should be out fishing for salmon, due to the collapse of salmon populations.

Check out tnchick's site to see other participants' photos or to become a participant yourself.