I had assumed that the security panel at the front gate could be linked to my phone so that I could buzz people in. When I asked my landlord about it, he confessed to not knowing how it worked and then chatted with another resident who happened to be nearby about outdated names on the […]
Little Free Libraries come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes they are in the boxes sold as kits by the Little Free Library organization. Sometimes they are in repurposed newspaper vending boxes. And sometimes people just leave books lying around for strangers to pick up. I have seen them in airport lounges, on garden walls, […]
When I moved in here on 10th, I thought I was being clever in arranging for the cable company to hook me up with TV and internet on the same day. I wasn’t clever enough, however, to realize that the technician would need access to the condo complex’s mechanical room. That requires a key that […]
You know what it is like when you visit a different country or culture, even if you speak the same language, there is so much you don’t understand? It is a moment, or a month, of realization that you are an outsider. When I first immigrated to Canada, I was bewildered by much that was […]
White wine has helped to soften the rough edges of moving from Edmonton, Alberta to Nanaimo, British Columbia. It was one heck of a two-day journey. Actually to be fair, the scenery was magnificent, and the vehicles (a U-Haul truck and my aging car) performed brilliantly. The trouble we had was entirely down to Rogers […]
For the second time in a week, I am thankful for the kindness of strangers. A few days ago, I wrote about the good person at Jiffy Lube who checked the oil in my car, the fluid levels, and the tire pressures and who assured me that I didn’t need his services. In addition, he […]
I can’t remember the last time I changed the oil in my car, but then again I haven’t driven it much lately. My biggest concern has been keeping the battery charged. A combination of Covid isolation, long winters, and increasing agoraphobia have meant that my car hasn’t been put through its paces for a very […]
To this outsider, the recent decision by the US Supreme Court that makes it possible for states to declare abortions illegal does not appear to have been decided based on law. Instead, the majority opinion began from personal and religious convictions and then extended to legal justifications. I say “justifications” because that’s what happens when […]
Today, I went through a time warp. I was reminded of an event about fifty years ago and was suddenly thrust into a subservient role that did not sit well with me. To an outsider, it might not have seemed like much at all. I had hired a plumber to come to the house and […]
Who would steal a Pride flag? And, why? I suppose some people steal things just because they can, or because they need something they can’t afford, or because they want something removed from sight. The last of these is probably the reason my Pride flag was stolen on Sunday night. Edmonton is quite supportive of […]
In Coombs, British Columbia, is a magical place. Butterfly World provides environments that replicate several natural habitats for butterflies, turtles, frogs, orchids, and insects. I tried to get as many pictures of the butterflies as I could, but they don’t sit still very much. When I was there, the beautiful Blue Morpho butterflies were mating. […]
Yesterday it rained relentlessly, but today the sun shone and I was once again able to enjoy the harbour in Nanaimo. With no apologies, here are more pictures of this lovely place. And, get ready for take-off.
A few days ago, some friends invited me along on a tour they were making of the studios of various artisans in the Duncan area. It was a delightful day meandering around the countryside, looking at some very interesting arts and crafts, and catching up with each other. I was presented with a lot of […]
Midnight Drive by Kenneth Price is available for pre-order at Amazon, Kobo, and Barnes and Noble, and will be released on June 1st. It is a gripping crime story that I would recommend even if I were not Ken’s mom.
I arrived in Nanaimo, British Columbia, yesterday and then had the best sleep I have had in many months. I think it must be the sea air. This morning I enjoyed a walk along the harbourfront. It was windy and cloudy, but very enjoyable even so. I saw a lot of people who look a […]
This week I have been trying, multiple times, to change the address and phone number on my Bank of America account. You’d think that would be fairly straightforward, wouldn’t you? First I tried to make the changes online, but could not enter any edited data. So, I tried the chat line. The chat person was […]
The major theme of this blog is “Living and Learning,” and this week I have been living with and learning more about Covid-19. I first started to feel under the weather on Wednesday afternoon. By Thursday morning I had a scratchy throat and brain fog. Later that day, the cough set in and continued for […]
This is a shameless promotion for my eldest son’s novel, coming out in a few weeks. More to follow.
When I was chatting with one of my singularly remarkable sisters who has recently become single, she said something that captured my attention. Normally, declarations that come with hesitations make me cautious, or even suspicious, but this one was instructive. After I asked her how she was feeling, she said: “I’m feeling hap. . . […]
Snowbird of Paradise 