L is for LIVING

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

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

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

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

Here are more lovely shots of parts of the courtyard.

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

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

K is for KAYAKS

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

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

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

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

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

J is for JOCK

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

J is for JOCK

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I is for INTERIOR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

H is for HOME

HELLO - it's me...anyone else love Adele as much as I do?  I have 2 of her 3 CDs and my grandchildren sing along with me to all her songs.  I was thinking of doing my entire post about Adele and her music, but then I thought about the word HOME - my new home to which I'll be moving this week (Wednesday, in fact).  This will be another new adventure for me and I'm so looking forward to living in this new place.

After all I've been through in the past several years, I've decided I love myself the way I am, and I hope and dream that the best is yet to come.  I'm ready to nest in what I just might refer to as my "tree house," snuggled in behind some evergreen trees with two bay windows where I can look out on the stars and moon on clear nights.  I'll be able to see the full moon when it appears and hope to get some decent shots of it right from my bedroom window.

Because Wednesday is moving day, I won't be able to visit everyone as quickly as I normally do.  My new internet provider isn't coming to set everything up until Friday, so until then, have a wonderful week and if I don't visit you this week, I'm hoping that next week I'll be able to do "I is for the Interior" with photos of the new place inside.

With HUGE thanks to Denise Nesbitt, the creator of ABC Wednesday, and to our honourable administrator Roger.  Also, thanks to the harmonious team of helpers who hunt you all down to give you their most heartening comments.

G is for GLAD

I'm feeling GLAD this week!  Only one more week until my big move...to a smaller (but not "too" small) condo.   Finally, after almost a year of planning, my daughter and her husband and the grandchildren will have their new home all to themselves, and I will have my new home all to myself!  We've been living together for 5 months now, and all parties are going to be relieved to have their own space!  (Daughter and hubby have bought my current house, by the way.)

I've gradually been packing up the things I don't use every day so, as the cupboards are becoming a bit bare, the living and dining rooms are getting a bit full and cluttered.  But that's okay because it's all for the good.  Daughter has had contractors over for estimates on renovating the downstairs powder room as well as getting painters' estimates for repainting the entire downstairs, stairway, and upper halls.

Here's a really messy corner! And below that, bags for the thrift store.

I'm the kind of person who doesn't do well in grubby and grimy surroundings so the next week or so are going to be a challenge for me.  I am trying to tell myself that all will turn out fine in the end, and remind myself to just breathe!  I also remind myself that I am grateful for being able to not only help my daughter out financially, but also that I can pay cash for my condo. 

I have not moved for almost 13 years, and it's been the longest I've ever lived anywhere in my life!  But I am sure that my new home will probably be my last - that is, until they have to either move me into the loony bin or cart me out toes first.  Let's hope that won't be for a long time yet, though.  I still have plenty of living to do!  And I can easily get used to that.

Watch out World!  Here I come, giddy with excitement!

F is for F Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald was born Sept. 24, 1896, in St. Paul Minnesota.  One of his claims to fame was his namesake (and second cousin three times removed on his father's side) Francis Scott Key who wrote the lyrics to the "Star-Spangled Banner."  After high school graduation, Fitzgerald attended Princeton University and decided to become a writer.  As a result, his academic studies suffered and he was put on probation.  He quit school and joined the army but never saw action in W.W. 1.  However, while he was in Camp Sheridan near Montgomery, Alabama, he met and fell in love with an 18-year-old girl named Zelda Sayre, whom he married in 1920.  They had one daughter, Frances Scott Fitzgerald, born in 1921.

Fitzgerald's first novel, This Side of Paradise, was largely autobiographical and dealt with love and greed.  Almost overnight, the 24-year-old Fitzgerald became one of the country's most promising writers.  He embraced his overnight celebrity and ended up becoming quite the playboy, although his second novel, The Beautiful and Damned, "helped to cement his status as one of the great chroniclers and satirists of the culture of wealth, extravagance and ambition that emerged during the affluent 1920s—what became known as the Jazz Age."

In 1924, Fitzgerald moved to France where he wrote what would become his greatest novel, The Great Gatsby."  In this book he critiques materialism, love, and the American Dream.  Even though the book was received well, it didn't really reach its true stature until the 1950's and 60's as "the definitive portrait of the "Roaring Twenties," as well as one of the greatest American novels ever written."

Fitzgerald's later years were a progressive decline into alcoholism and writer's block.  His wife suffered from mental illness and had to be hospitalized.  However, in 1934, Fitzgerald published his fourth novel, Tender is the Night, which was a commercial failure, yet has become one of the "great American novels."  He began work on a fifth novel, The Love of the Last Tycoon, but succumbed to a heart attack when he was only half finished in December, 1940.

Although Fitzgerald died believing himself to be a failure, his works, in particular The Great Gatsby, went on to become one of the greatest American novels and is now required reading for most high school students in the United States and Canada. 

And this is where I insert my personal note of having taught and still teach the novel The Great Gatsby. The first time I read it, I was overwhelmed at the way Fitzgerald has with words.  He describes so many things with such colourful (and I really do mean colourful) language.  There is the green light at the end of the dock of Daisy's place, the grey of the Valley of Ashes, the white clothes Daisy wears, along with gold, silver, blue, pink, red, and yellow.  In the latest movie version of the story, starring Leonardo dicaprio, the colours are brilliant and obvious. dicaprio states that he remembers "reading the book in high school and always thinking of Gatsby as this strong, stoic, suave, mysterious man who had everything under control.  But when I read it as an adult I realised he is a hollow man, a shell of a person trying to find meaning, who is not completely in touch with reality.  He’s a great tragedy and the story’s a great tragedy, too."

Personally, I'd like to go back to view the original movie that starred Robert Redford and Mia Farrow so that I can compare and contrast the two movies.  I saw it so long ago and remember not really liking it. However, now that I've dissected the book in order to help my students, I'd like to take a second look.

If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it.  If you haven't seen the movie, I highly recommend the latest version. 

With thanks to the fascinating Denise Nesbitt, the creator of ABC Wednesday, and to the faithful Roger, our administrator.   Also, fervent thanks to the formidable team of ABCWers who facilitate the commentaries by flying over to leave flashy thanks to everyone for participating.

E is for EXCITING

This week, ABC Wednesday is brought to you by the letter E as in , eggplant, email, east, ecology, and an excited elephant.

It's been an exciting few days lately.  Yesterday, I bought my first smart phone, an electronic device that I'm slowly learning.  And I mean slowly as in "tortoise and the hare" slowly!  I see everyone else typing with their thumbs but when I tried it, I almost dropped the phone!  So I'm just going to learn how to add my contacts, change the ring tone, read Facebook, and take a few photos for a while. 

My daughter helped me choose the phone and apparently, I got an excellent one - Samsung Galaxy S6, which is better than what she has!  So between daughter & son-in-law, as well as grandson, I should be able to learn things fairly quickly. Grandson is so excited to show me things.

The real reason I wanted to get one of these phones is that I'm going to be spending a bit over a month in the United Kingdom this June/July.  I want to be able to use it to communicate with friends as well as use the camera so I don't have to lug my big, heavy Canon EOS Rebel T4i with me.  I'm getting rather excited about my trip, but I have to put that excitement on the back burner for now. 

I am excited, though, about my upcoming move - to my new home not too far from where I live now.  My mind is busy planning furniture placements, picture hanging, how to get the dog acclimated.  I'm a very organized person, so I have everything all arranged re the movers and changing over utilities, etc.  I am already packing boxes and piling them in the living room in preparation.  I haven't moved for almost 13 years, so it's a good thing I got rid of a lot of things when I got rid of the "ex".  My new place is in this building - if you look behind the trees on the bottom level, you can just see the top of my windows. My suite goes from the middle bay window to the far right bay window and the balcony is the full length, totally private!  So no one below me to hear me playing with Tegan and only one suite beside me on the left there.  I can also go through the gate in my balcony to take the dog out and around to the back past a beautiful courtyard to beyond where there is a doggie play area.  As you can see, the building is set back from the street so it gives a feeling a space.  I park underground by going through the gate on the left and my spot is right near the elevator.  There's also an exercise room and a guest room downstairs.  It's perfect for me!

By the way, I'd like to thank everyone who commented on my post last week!  Everyone who posted had a lot to say and it was gratifying to have others reinforce that I had done nothing wrong.  So thanks for that, everyone!  It helped me to move on and forget the whole exasperating experience.

 

With thanks to the elegant Denise Nesbitt, the creator of ABC Wednesday, and to the energetic Roger, our administrator.  Also, don't forget that there is an enthusiastic group of ABCWers who elbow their way over to visit all the contributors so that they can leave encouraging and entertaining comments.  If you feel equipped to help ease the load for everyone, please contact Roger. 



D is for DUMPED

This past weekend, I was dumped!  On Facebook, that is.  Apparently, lots of people get "dumped" there, but this was rather devastating because it was personal.  However, I must say that I've decided that life is too short and I'm not going to get into a divisive war of words over it.  I intend to take the high road and act like a mature adult instead of taking the low road, which my supposed friend has done.

What happened, you wonder.  Well, she is a real estate agent and I thought we could work together to find a new house for me and my daughter & her family.  My friend was pissed that my daughter was able to sell her home privately - so she lost out on commission there.  Then after the family had been living with me for a few months, we all came to the conclusion that between the cost of housing and our realization that it would be better for us to live separately, my daughter and I worked something out so they can buy my house and I will buy a condo nearby.  So - no commission there. 

My friend was then supposed to help me find a condo.  She showed me one - and was duly pissed off again that I did not like it.  After that, the only communication with her was her telling me to do "drive-bys" to check places out and telling me that I would have to offer "over asking" in order to get something decent. 

I decided to go looking on my own.  I researched a nearby community and saw about 5 condos here in my own village without her.  One condo was way over my price point, but it sounded intriguing so I decided to call the real estate agent with the listing to take a look.  I was not expecting to like it as much as I did.  It was absolutely perfect!  So...what do I do? 

I threw a number out to the listing agent, expecting him to say "No, not enough."  However, he felt it was a very good offer and wanted to write it up immediately.  So, I did it.  Within 45 minutes, we had a deal.  I did not feel guilty because I felt my friend had not been working for me, but for herself.  I know she wouldn't have written an offer even at asking price; instead, she would've insisted on going over, and I refused to do that.  The deal I got was better than I know I would have got through my friend and I prepared myself to tell her.

I called her the very next morning and invited her to lunch - my treat.  We had not even started to eat when I told her I had news.  Her reaction was "What?  I'm sick! How could you do that?"  and promptly walked out!  She wouldn't listen to what happened nor did she hear me say that I was prepared to pay her for her services thus far.  She Facebook pm'd me later telling me what a "sad way to end a friendship" and that what I did was beyond comprehension.  She also said it wasn't about her commission, but later emailed me going on and on about exactly that. 

Then she dumped me on Facebook and put some nasty stuff on one of my son-in-law's posts, to which he responded when he should have simply ignored it.  Then she deleted her comment to make it look like my SIL had said something nasty about her.  Today her daughter saw it and she's now demanding explanations and using the worst curse words in her comments. 

I have deleted it all and am not commenting.  In my mind, I think how I could go to the agency where she works and report her unprofessional behaviour.  But I don't want to do that.  I am hoping that in a few weeks, she might decide that she overreacted and maybe there was good reason why I went ahead without her.  If she apologizes, I will accept her apology.  But sadly, the friendship we had is, I believe, destroyed for good.

In ending, I'd like to share a quote from the book "The Light Between Oceans" that I just finished the other day.  It's about the choices we make in life and how much easier it is to forgive.  Like the song says, "let it go..." and move on with life instead of dwelling in the misery of  hatred.

Sorry to be a downer this week, but I just had to get this off my chest.  With thanks to the darling Denise Nesbitt, creator of ABC Wednesday, and to the dashing Roger, our administrator.  Also, thanks to the dandy group of helpers who dauntlessly dash around to all the daily blogs and give decorous and deserving comments.  We can always use more helpers, so if you determine that you have a half hour or so a week, do contact Roger.