The Future

Dean granulated today...With Distinction.  Oh happy day!
This will be the last post.  Everyone will be home by tomorrow and we can return to more conventional styles of communication.  But this has been fun.

Gadgets and Gizmos

Today, our microwave gave up the ghost.  For some time, there has been something wrong with the button that opens the door.  And today, that developed into a weird and dangerous situation, where the microwave would start when you opened the door.  Not good.  There is a sense of foreboding to this turn of events, because our appliances rarely break independently, but in twos or threes.  So, I am keeping an eye on the toaster and the kettle, fellow small appliances.  As Shakespeare would say, “Sorrows come not single spies, but in battalions”.

Our friends, Cam and Brenda, are coming down this Friday for a badminton workshop.  So, I am back in the kitchen, cooking up a storm.  Tomorrow, we attend Dean’s graduation.  The ceremony is in the morning and in the afternoon, there is a Math Dept. reception and in the evening we three are going out for dinner.  Bin4Burger – Dean’s choice.

A Religious Holiday

I had fully intended to go to church today, but Gayle (the woman we drive) called to say she had a bad cold and couldn't go.  So, I decided to take a Church Holiday.  And I accomplished so much!  Because I expect both Doug and Dean to be present at dinner, I organized a bean salad, a Greek salad, roasted some potatoes, marinated a couple of steaks and baked buns and a rhubarb crisp.  Add to that -taking the dog for two long walks, visiting my elderly neighbour, John's garden, planting a couple of perennials, and finishing a bit of ironing and I am vanquished!  The only thing remaining on my ToDo List is "read Life After Life" because it is due back at the library tomorrow. 
In the news:  Victoria has been named the 5th most boring city in Canada.  Dullsville-by-the-Water.

St lat! Sto lat!

After attending to a few errands, I prepared  a fruit plate, put on my "going-out" duds and headed up to Brentwood Bay for my Aunt Eleanor's 99th birthday party.  My cousin Janice organized the event, with relatives from as far as Calgary (including 5 great-grandchildren)showing up.  We met in the basement hall of Brentwood United Church, where Aunt E  attends.  Aunt Eleanor was in good spirits, apart from a case of laryngitis.  There were cold cuts, cheese, yummy buns, FRUIT PLATE, and lots of tempting sweets. And, of course, cake.  It was great to see everyone and we know we will meet again quite soon for cousin Lee's 70th birthday party.
Aunt Eleanor has out-lived two of her children!
In the news - not much.  There is a movement afoot (ha-ha) to reduce the speed limit in Victoria to 40k per hour.  This might be a problem for some people, who will go unnamed.

"You never can tell with bees" - Winnie-the-Pooh

For his birthday last year, Kim gave Doug a Mason bee house.  And, now - ta-dah - bees are making it their home.  Below it, on the fence, we have hung a planter of purple petunias.  This is akin to having Thrifty's move in down the street: unexpected, but you can't beat the convenience. The bees are very camera-shy, so a whimsical illustration shall have to do. 
Today was one of leisure (in contrast to that of the Pietraszeks & Gidneys). I picked up my new lenses, made a visit to Value Village and in the afternoon had tea and a three hour talk-a-thon with my friend, Anne.  We never run out of topics of conversation.
Nellie and I walked over to Pic-a-Flic and snagged Stories We Tell (Sarah Polley).  Me and my slippers and robe will settle in for an evening of tv.
In the news: Senategate carries on.

New Cosmology

I have been alternately back and forth to St. Aidans for lectures by Diarmuid O’Murchu and dashing out with Nell for walkies.  Quite a busy day.  The lectures are amazing – O’Murchu is lovely to listen to (Irish lilt) and he is so much more comprehensible in person.  It is hard to put it all in a nutshell – but, essentially, when Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God (a Greek translation), the Aramaic translation would be The Companionship of Empowerment.  Quite a different  and subversive concept (especially now).  It turns 2000 years of ecclesiastical theology on its head.  Hallelujah.
In the news:  Well, the Conservatives have come up with legislation for Supervised Injection Sites and it is full of road-blocking criteria.  And more locally: A Victoria mountain biker is recovering from a neck injury after riding into some wire strung up across  a bike trail.  Gee, the nerve, eh!
Our new neighbours have begun renovations on the top apartment in the Big House.  Dawn seems very nice and looks vaguely familiar.  Maybe, she was a library user.  When I get to know her better, I'll ask.  It might be intimidating as a conversation starter:  if she says no, she might fear I am judging her literacy; but, if she says yes, she might fear that I think she can't afford to buy books.  I'll wait.

On My Own

In the headlines, Christy Clarke is running in a byelection in West Kelowna.  More interesting, is the current anxiety in James Bay.  Apparently, a teenager is assaulting frail seniors by approaching them and pulling their hats down on their heads, thereby knocking their glasses off or coming up behind and throwing the back of their coats over their heads.  (I am not kidding about this).  He is skinny, with dark hair and dark eyebrows.
Doug has left for Comox and the boating trip.  So, I am on my own.  Tomorrow, I will spend the day at St. Aidans, attending three workshops given by Diarmuid O'Murchu...who is a priest from Ireland.  He is talking about Quantum Theology.  I have tried his book and let me tell you - it is not an easy read.  So, I am hopeful that it will help to hear him in person.  As well, I am a ticket-taker.
Well, Life is a little dull right now - not much to say (yawn).  I am going for walkies with Nell; then plant some perennials that I picked up at Thrifty's (25% off);  then, who knows.  Clean the bathrooms, perhaps.

Going, going, gone

Gidneys asked for some current events.  Well, Frank Leonard made disparaging remarks about Rob Ford and now he (Frank) is getting hate mail!  And, a car has crashed into Quadra Appliances for the third time in three years - they really should do something about that intersection.
Tomorrow, Doug and his Virus are going on a boating trip around the Texada Island area for three days.  So, I will be a bachelorette - envision baby-doll pyjamas and a Doris Day hair-do.   Dean has moved in with us for a month (until he takes off for Alberta), but he is presently absent, cat-sitting at Willows Beach.
Tonight, Doug and I are going to Lunds  to bid on a lamp for Kim.  She has plans for it in the store.  Speaking of which, take a look at the embossed stamp they are using for bags, business cards etc.  Classy, I think.

Monday's Child is Fair of Face

Today began like any other day, with coffee, no newspaper ( it's Monday), and Doug and I exchanging oohs and aahs about the weather.  The weather is perfection, by the way. 
Doug has a cold, sadly - probably contracted during an expensive visit to the dentist.  However, he is stoic and agreeable and we decided to make a trip to Marigolds.  As we drove along the highway, I inwardly commented on how really beautiful it is here.  Sometimes, I have wondered what on earth tourists find to do with themselves - we have no medieval buildings to explore or large monuments to photograph (unless you count the Emily Carr statue).  Well, I guess they come for the pristine farmland, violet coloured skies and air that tastes like gin.  (And to take in  Miniature World)
We blew the day planting all our purchases.  Tonight Doug is off to the pub with Jim.  And I am going to watch  Waking the Dead on the telly. 
If anyone is interested - I am reading Kate Atkinson's latest Life After Life.  Excellent

How It All Began

Debby ( knowing I was enviously pouring over her Ireland Blog and over Mary's Biking Blog) suggested that I spend my empty hours, posting the details of my life on a blog - the weather, what's on sale at Thrifty's, how the garden is growing, my breakfast.  That sounds like tweeting to me.  But, who cares.  I am taking up the challenge.  I will create a blog about life here on our little old Island.
Debby stretches for Saanich, Ed runs for Rangemont, Mary and Norman ride for Rocky Point.  And I shall  bore for British Columbia.