Me

Franny's latest post took me back to my childhood so I started looking at the old photos. Just thought I'd share a few with you.


Here I am (in middle) at San Luis Obispo in Sept '58 with my beloved hula hoop that just came into fashion. My younger sister Jackie and older sister Robin are with me.


This is Halloween 1958 - I was a gypsy and Jackie was an inmate from Alcatraz. She was the hit of the night wearing my Dad's soccer shirt and the hat he got in San Fran as a souvenir.


I grew a LOT in 6th grade, all the way to 5'6" (look at those legs!). Here I am fishing with my sister Jackie and cousin John. (I have no idea who the other girl is)

My sister Robin and I thought we were gorgeous in our new bathing suits! And I was happy I'd grown taller than her. I think I'm almost 15 here and sis is 18.

LADNER VILLAGE MARKET - July 23/06

Welcome to the Ladner Village Market, held every 2nd Sunday throughout the summer. People flock from miles around and we see lots of tourists here, too. Later on this summer we'll be having the annual antique car / quilt show along this same street. Stay tuned for photos of that.


The band welcomes everyone to the market. People can sit on park-style benches or stand to listen. Children dance to the beat.





This is just outside one of my favourite shops. Today I got a bargain! I bought a $110 Jones New York dressy top for just $25!!!




It was a beautiful day, hot, but with a good strong breeze to cool you off. You can just see the trees blowing a bit.





There is lots to look at/buy from all sorts of artisans - jewelry, photography, paintings, garden decorations, bronze sculptures...






fresh fruit, food and drink, home baking, jellies, jams...




flowers and plants...the lady in the apron is a friend who owns property on Westham Island where she and her husband have a nursery.







And of course there's the ever-popular original ice-cream truck!






Well, that's all I could get on one posting. Now I think I'll enjoy my shady patio and read the August issue of Oprah. Stay cool, everyone! Happy summer.

Side Effects of Neutering

Wha...? Huh...? Did you call me, Mommy?

"I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille."

Stubbing Toes

Yesterday, I stubbed my right baby toe on a table leg and saw stars! Today, I went for my pedicure and Lorie managed to get some of the bruising to go away - if you look closely, you can still see the purple bruise. I did this several years ago and actually managed to break one of my little toes. Isn't this the most painful thing you've ever experienced - those of you who have... You can't do anything but limp around for a few days 'cuz it has to heal itself.

Today is an inside day here in Greater Vancouver - lots of rain coming down. We need it, though, 'cuz it's been SO hot here lately and the lawns, gardens, and farmers need the moisture. It's actually a nice break from the heat. Stay cool, everyone!

25 Signs Showing You Might Be Canadian

1. You're not offended by the term "HOMO MILK".

2. You understand the phrase "Could you pass me a serviette, I just
dropped my poutine, on the chesterfield."

3. You eat chocolate bars, not candy bars

4. You drink Pop, not Soda.

5. You know what a Mickey and 2-4 mean

6. You don't care about the fuss with Cuba. It's a cheap place to go
for your holidays, with good cigars and no Americans.

7. You know that a pike is a type of fish, not part of a highway.

8. You drive on a highway, not a freeway.

9. You have Canadian Tire money in your kitchen drawers.

10. You know that Casey and Finnegan were not part of a Celtic musical group.

11. You get excited whenever an American television show mentions Canada.

12. You brag to Americans that: Shania Twain, Jim Carrey, Mike Myers and many more, are Canadians.

13. You know that the C.E.O. of American Airlines is a Canadian!

14. You know what a touque is.

15. You design your Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.

16. You know that the last letter of the English alphabet is always pronounced "Zed" not "Zee"

17. Your local newspaper covers the national news on 2 pages,but requires 6 pages for hockey.

18. You know that the four seasons mean: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road work.

19. You know that when it's 25 degrees outside, it's a warm day.

20. You understand the Labatt Blue commercials.

21. You know how to pronounce and spell "Saskatchewan". (Sas-KAT-chew-w'n)

22. You perk up when you hear the theme song from 'Hockey Night in Canada'.

23. You were in grade 12, not the 12th grade.

24. "Eh?" is a very important part of your vocabulary, and is more polite than,"Huh?"

25. You actually understand these jokes, and forward them to all of your Canadian friends!!!! and then you send them to your American friends just to confuse them...further (hee hee)

My Town Part 1

Just a couple of blocks away from the main drag of the village, is the Ladner Wharf where you can buy fresh salmon off the docks in the summer. At Christmas, there is a boat light parade along this tributary of the Fraser River and a choir singing carols after the annual Christmas parade through town.



This is a lovely view showing how close we are to real country living.






Finally, this is the entrance to my little neighbourhood in a more modern area of town. Y'all welcome any time!

My Town Part 2

Okay, after you pass a couple of outdoor shopping malls, one on each side of the street, you will come to the real and original village of Ladner.



This is the sign welcoming all from far and wide to the village market held every other Sunday all summer long. I've actually overheard people from North and West Vancouver commenting on how they'd heard of Ladner but had never come "down" and "isn't it quaint?" LOL





This is a bit of the main drag of the old village.









Here's our Village Clock. It's right outside some of my favourite shops - South Coast Casuals and Heritage House (where I'm having a wing chair recovered).








Okay, you absolutely cannot come to Ladner without trying the BEST Greek food in town. MMMMM.....YUMMY! You can eat inside or outside on the lovely patio of the Taverna Gorgona.



Around the corner and down one block you will find the Ladner Museum full of historical information about the beginnings of this rural community. My daughter used to be a docent here when she was in high school. It's the original building and it's extremely interesting to wander around.

FAMILY FOREVER

I was reading someone else's blog the other day where he wrote that he wasn't sure how he felt about his father, who had passed away a long time ago. I didn't respond, but it sure made me stop and remember how dysfunctional my family was/is. I'd always hated my Dad but now he's old and fragile and I think he probably did what he thought was right at the time. So I decided to forgive him - not to his face because he'd never believe he'd done anything wrong - but in my heart. It has helped a lot. God is gracious. He's forgiven me for a lot, too.

My older sister and I have not always been close, and since my Mom died four years ago, I have seen things in her that have not been attractive. However, she is my sister, my blood, and so I forgive her for her weaknesses and love her just for being my sister. In turn, I hope and pray that she loves me in the same way. She has been through hell lately (breast cancer) and is doing fine now. But there is always that cloud looming overhead, and so I took the opportunity of getting a photo of us together. It was a happy day celebrating a belated Father's Day and my "retirement" from teaching at her home. She's an awesome cook and hostess and is very generous to all her family.

Yes, it was a wonderful day. I just ignored my Dad's driving directions and comments about other drivers on the way to North Vancouver and concentrated instead on how beautiful the mountains are today; had a lovely chat with my Mom's best friend since Grade 1, now age 87; watched my Dad open his Father's Day gifts (and ignored his comments about how we shouldn't "bother" on the way home); felt the warmth of the sun and the cool of the shady patio; and ate a wondrous luncheon. I spent the afternoon in the company of those who love me the most even though we don't always get along. Yes, it was a wonderful day.

WHY WE LOVE CANADA

From Shelley Fralic's column in the Vancouver Sun, Saturday, July 1, 2006, I chose the following as my favourite reasons to love Canada:

1. McIntosh apple. That sweet crunch was brought to you by Ontario's Johnny (Appleseed) McIntosh, in 1796.

2. Paul Anka From Puppy Love to (You're) Having My Baby, the smooth Ottawa-born crooner has done it his way.

3. Bay Street Because Wall Street needs an evil twin.

4. Canadian Bacon Make fun if you will, as long as you serve it crisp.

5. Beer There are just some things we do better.

6. Maple Syrup Without which pancakes would just be a stack of fried flour.

7. Rideau Canal Ice, skates, twinkle lights, hot chocolate. Norman Rockwell lives.

8. Anne of Green Gables A multimillion-dollar industry, but still our pig-tailed P.E.I. scamp.

9. Bushes and Boulders Deserts, glaciers, sea shores, tropical forests, rivers, mountains, lakes, plains. Talk about having it all under one roof.

10. Michael J. Fox Dignity in the face of dbilitation.

11. William Shatner Earth to Captain Kirk: you rock our world.

12. EH. Say it loud. Say it proud.

13. The Rockies Because every country needs a backbone.

14. Steve Nash Here's to the little guy who made it in the basketball bigs.

15. Barenaked Ladies If we had a million dollars, we'd send them a thank-you note just for being sassy.

16. Blue $5, purple $10 No monochromatic greenbacks for us. Our money is funny.

17. Blame Canada Terrorists. Blackouts. Social liberalism. Thanks, South Park. It's fun to be the scapegoat.

18. Beaver Because, as a national symbol, the eagle is just so obvious.

19. Inukshuk Rock's best balancing act, and our ubiquitous answer to Stonehenge.

20. Jim Carrey Must be something in the water, because we breed the funniest comedians. Ever.

So...from Shelley's 139 reasons to love Canada (on our 139th birthday), these are my top 20. Hope you all enjoyed reading them.

If you have any more reasons to love Canada, by all means post them here.

ONWARD

IT'S OFFICIAL! I'M RETIRED! I love this photo of the cruise ship heading out from Vancouver under the Lion's Gate Bridge. I can envision myself onboard in August with a bunch of great (single) people heading for Alaska. (actually I'll be leaving from Seattle). After that, a trip to California to mix business with pleasure before settling down to writing that long-awaited book. Have an awesome summer everyone. What are your plans? Blog on..

The best retirement gift ever!

I removed the photo 'cuz who knows who's "out there."

I just had to share this with all my cyber-friends. My daughter invited me to dinner and presented me with a lovely leather-bound journal as a retirement gift. But the BEST gift was what she wrote on the card and it made me cry tears of joy. It reads:

To Mom,

You've spent your life teaching: me, Jaclyn, your students, your dogs even. And now, in retirement, you'll still be teaching. Your book will teach women to overcome adversity in the face of widowhood and how to embrace life and grow after a tragedy.

I am so proud of you! You continue to teach me to this very day.

Je t'aime, maman!

Jamie

Grade 7 Grad 2006

Here I am with my good friend and colleague Mary Beth at Grad night. I'll put up some more photos next week after the end-of-the-year Staff party. The evening's theme was "Hollywood" and they even had a "walk of fame" complete with red carpet, movie cameras, a giant Oscar, movie posters, etc. Tables were decorated with glittery gold fabric, feather boas and candles. It was a lovely evening and I'll always remember it. The kids seemed so grown up, especially the girls.

Retirement

There's nothing better than to be acknowledged for your work. Teaching is a calling, let's face it, because no one in their right mind would work 60-80 hours per week for the pay! Plus there can be lots of criticism from parents who think their little Johnny or Janie can do no wrong. But those few moments when you see a light bulb go on, a child gives you a hug, a homemade birthday card, or a little craft they made at Brownies or Cubs, or shyly puts a raggedly-wrapped Christmas gift on your desk and runs off - well, that makes it pretty special. And then at the end, your peers give you a great send-off with warm wishes for your new endeavours and a beautiful gift at a fabulous end-of-the-year Staff party. No matter how stressed I ever was, it was all worthwhile. I'll always have great memories of my many years teaching - kids and adults. On Thursday, June 22, 2006 my very first actual "class" (I have mostly been a specialist teacher) will "graduate" from Grade 7. There will be lots of emotion in me, I know, as I watch those kids cross the stage to receive their Bible from the Board Chair. I pray they will continue their life walk graciously and will sometimes remember me with kindness.

Poppies

Does anyone know if these are the kind of poppies that you get opium from? The plant showed up in my garden after having had a truckload of topsoil delivered - I think there must have been a seed or two in the soil, because I never had this type of poppy before. Each year in the past 3 years, there have been more and more flowers. The "green" actually looks like a thistle and is sort of prickly.

Javalinas

This is the book I bought while in Arizona last February. I read it to my Grade 4 class as an example of a take-off on "The Three Little Pigs" and the kids loved it. I highly recommend it as a great story as well as an educational insight into animals living in their own habitat.

My Hero

He had just saved her from a fire in her house, rescuing her by carrying her out of the house into her front yard, while he continued to fight the fire.

She is pregnant.

When he finally got done putting the fire out, he sat down to catch his breath and rest.

A photographer from the Charlotte, North Carolina newspaper, "The Observer," noticed her in the distance looking at the fireman.

He saw her walking straight toward the fireman and wondered what she was going to do.

As he raised his camera, she came up to the tired man who had saved her life and the lives of her babies, and kissed him, just as the photographer snapped this photograph.




And people say animals are dumb
Have a Wonderful Day!

CALLA LILIES - Beauties or Beasts???

The peonies are starting to droop but the lavendar just keep blooming! Notice all the calla lilies. This is part of the front garden.
The calla lilies keep growing like weeds! This is along the driveway.
Here's a big rhodo & MORE Callas by the patio.
More rhodos and callas...back garden.
and the other side of the house.
They do make lovely bouquets, though.
Don't you think?
And here's my fireman hero at the Ladner May Days Celebration :)

Metalxmonkey's birthday

We had a great time on Jaclyn's 26th birthday. She takes after her Mom in that she sure doesn't look her age (i.e. younger). After some time at home with prezzies, food, and cake the girls headed out for a fun night of karaoke. Wish I could have gone to get some shots from there! :)
Silver and Lavendar theme
A card from Robbie
Texting Trio
Robbie loves Paige
I hope she gets her wish.

Springtime Garden

Forgot to put in this photo of my weeping birch.


This is my Mother's Day bouquet that metalxmonkey cut from the garden and arranged for me. Isn't it beautiful?