In Nanaimo harbour, on the seafront walkway, is a three-sided sculpture that captures the imagination. It is by the artist A.G.J. Johnny and was installed in 1985. The descriptive plaque says: SWY-A-LANA. The eldest son of of the first man in (Snanimoch) Nanaimo. THE BEAR (Spa-Ach). Represents food and clothing to Swy-A-Lana. THE EAGLE (Yuqh-Will-La). […]
As I left the house to buy groceries today, I was dive-bombed many times by what I thought was a small bird. I wish you could have seen me as I bobbed and weaved and spun around as this little creature flew about me and the open space on the fourth floor of my building. […]
I have a terrible memory for names, dates, and even the course of my own life, but I have a remarkably good memory for embarrassing moments. A few years ago, I wrote about my experience in getting a police background check so that I could volunteer with a non-profit group. To cut a long story […]
Yesterday I went to Vancouver Island University in order to attend a course through Elder College. I had never been to the university before, and I arrived much too early so that I could find my way about. As I had time to spare, I walked around the campus for a while and discovered these […]
When we set out to go on our hike today, the weather report told us to expect clouds and occasional sunny breaks. While we were en route, though, we realized that we would be experiencing very different weather! We were at a higher elevation where there was wet snow, and slush bombs were falling from […]
A social media post this evening alerted me to the possibility of seeing the Aurora Borealis tonight. Having enjoyed this sight before, I looked forward to seeing the lights again. I don’t know how long one is supposed to wait up for this sighting, but I go to bed early these days, so perhaps I […]
While visiting Santa Cruz yesterday with my sister and niece, I noticed several lovely murals and sculptures. Here are two murals that I thought were outstanding.
This magical place is too glorious for words, so I will just show you some of the many photos and one of the videos I took when I was there today. Click the arrows to see the slide show.
Yesterday morning I took a stroll along Departure Bay Beach and was surprised to see some hardy folks actually swimming in those cold waters. The beach was busy with people enjoying the almost-spring weather and the lovely wide view. As always, I was particularly fascinated by the pleasing and sometimes intriguing driftwood shapes. I was […]
Today I spent an hour wandering around a shopping mall trying to find a jacket to wear while hiking or walking in the local parks this spring. I have coats for -40 C and for -10 C. I also have jackets for +10c and beyond but I need something for in-between. It should be a […]
“Black Frank” was the pirate persona adopted by Frank James Ney, a former mayor of Nanaimo. A statue in his honour is in a prominent location by the sea wall at Swy-a-Lana Lagoon. When I took these pictures I noticed that someone had given him a scarf to keep warm and a yellow smiley face […]
You may remember when my support for the nascent women’s movement inspired me to walk in protest marches and to crochet pussy hats. Well, my enthusiasm for both the women’s movement and crochet have not diminished. My skill in crochet, however, continues to leave something to be desired. I’m pretty good with toques (or beanies, […]
It is hard to admit failure, but I have to confess to something less than success in a history class. I have started taking classes in local history presented to seniors by a department of the regional university. It is called Elder College and it has all sorts of affordable courses presented both in-person and […]
After I moved into this apartment I decided that the grey wall-to-wall carpeting needed something extra; specifically, a dash of colour. So I ordered an 3′ x 5′ area rug that I thought would coordinate with the window pelmets (or valances) and really tie the room together as the famous designer, The Big Lebowski, once […]
This week’s hike with the Harbour City Newcomers was at Walley Creek Trail. It was a short but sweet walk, at first along a trail lined with aspen trees that were leaning in to reach for light. Then we enjoyed a surprise side-trek to an opening in the forest where trees had been harvested in […]
I have been intrigued to watch some of the yachts in the marina being prepared for winter. They are wrapped up like the most difficult to wrap Christmas gifts. That reminded me of the year my parents bought me a hula hoop, but that is another story. There is something very sweet about swaddling a […]
You know how it is when you try to do the right thing but it turns out to be the wrong thing? Well, maybe you don’t. You probably always do the right thing. But anyway, that’s what happened to me. Doing the wrong thing unintentionally, that is. Here’s what happened. In my apartment are a […]
Snowbird of Paradise 