Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Canada Day ... eh?
July 1st is Canada Day. We celebrate it old-school here in Nelson. At 10:00 a.m. Lakeside Park opens its gates and people flood in for a day of celebration and fun, that culminates with fireworks over the lake at 10:00 p.m.
It feels like an old-fashioned small town event - with sand sculpting contests, kids games, food stands, a bandstand with non-stop live music, speeches from politicians, Mounties in red serge, bagpipes, square dancing,a fly-by from the 6 planes in the Nelson Flying Club and a sail-past from the 6 boats in that club. We also sing Oh Canada and then eat a huge cake (see before and after photos).
I met an American gent who just moved here from Idaho and we struck up a conversation over organic salmon burgers from our not-so-average lakeside food stand (see photo). He said he senses a quiet pride in Canadians, that they like to differentiate themselves from Americans and seem gentle. He's right. We both agreed that President Obama makes America proud again, strengthens our hopes for democracy and makes it easier for Americans to travel. We're going to meet up again sometime.
Last Canada Day was the first day Anna came to visit me in Nelson. Fireworks indeed... She's away today so I honour her with one of her recent canoe photos (Mr. Basketball).
Apologies to Aboriginal Canadians for what we've done these past 142 years, and let's hope to do better and keep it the true north strong and free together for another 142. Happy Birthday you.
It feels like an old-fashioned small town event - with sand sculpting contests, kids games, food stands, a bandstand with non-stop live music, speeches from politicians, Mounties in red serge, bagpipes, square dancing,a fly-by from the 6 planes in the Nelson Flying Club and a sail-past from the 6 boats in that club. We also sing Oh Canada and then eat a huge cake (see before and after photos).
I met an American gent who just moved here from Idaho and we struck up a conversation over organic salmon burgers from our not-so-average lakeside food stand (see photo). He said he senses a quiet pride in Canadians, that they like to differentiate themselves from Americans and seem gentle. He's right. We both agreed that President Obama makes America proud again, strengthens our hopes for democracy and makes it easier for Americans to travel. We're going to meet up again sometime.
Last Canada Day was the first day Anna came to visit me in Nelson. Fireworks indeed... She's away today so I honour her with one of her recent canoe photos (Mr. Basketball).
Apologies to Aboriginal Canadians for what we've done these past 142 years, and let's hope to do better and keep it the true north strong and free together for another 142. Happy Birthday you.
The good citizens of Nelson fill the park (click on any photo to see enlarged)
Rod and Jill decorate their snack bar rather nicely - great menu too!
Young and enthusiastic folk dancers
The cake unveiled!
City Councilor Bob Adams at the knife...
... and done
Kootenay Lake discovery - Anna on the camera
Saturday, June 27, 2009
New York is for... everyone
First, I AM sorry, Nova and Zee, that we didn't find time to arrange a blogger coffee visit. It won't happen again and I'm sure New York will. The only friend I looked up was Scott, who I spent years in an ashram life with. He came down from near Woodstock for the day and time melted like an ice cream cone on Wall Street in August.
I love the place. It's not just the endless familiar sites - anyone not heard of Broadway, Central Park, Greenwich Village, Times Square, The Empire State Building, Ellis Island, Harlem, and on and on...?
It's more the energy of the place. Crowded, everyone walking or taking the subway, towering buildings, movement and noise. And then a little closer you find people who talk to you, sometimes really interesting characters, sometimes just chatty, sometimes just friendly.
The arts? Best available. We did a Broadway play by Noel Coward, Blythe Spirit, The Met, The Guggenheim and more.
Food? Oh my God. Just browsing in Zabar's is enough reason to visit NY.
Architecture? Even a Lower Eastside tenement is a gem.
Here are a few snaps.
I bet you know this exact spot Nova - big nature in a big city
A photo I loved at Ellis Island - bath time was never so fun... or dirty
Anna's hair reaching for Ms Liberty (whose lookout is closed to visitors for security reason ironically)
New York's finest on Museum Mile night (free museums and street fair on 5th Ave)
I took this from the Empire State Building late at night - Times Square glow
I love the place. It's not just the endless familiar sites - anyone not heard of Broadway, Central Park, Greenwich Village, Times Square, The Empire State Building, Ellis Island, Harlem, and on and on...?
It's more the energy of the place. Crowded, everyone walking or taking the subway, towering buildings, movement and noise. And then a little closer you find people who talk to you, sometimes really interesting characters, sometimes just chatty, sometimes just friendly.
The arts? Best available. We did a Broadway play by Noel Coward, Blythe Spirit, The Met, The Guggenheim and more.
Food? Oh my God. Just browsing in Zabar's is enough reason to visit NY.
Architecture? Even a Lower Eastside tenement is a gem.
Here are a few snaps.
I bet you know this exact spot Nova - big nature in a big city
A photo I loved at Ellis Island - bath time was never so fun... or dirty
Anna's hair reaching for Ms Liberty (whose lookout is closed to visitors for security reason ironically)
New York's finest on Museum Mile night (free museums and street fair on 5th Ave)
I took this from the Empire State Building late at night - Times Square glowSaturday, June 20, 2009
Your lighten-up item for the day...
VTM, a television station in Belgium, recently used a flash mob dance stunt to announce their newest reality television program “Op zoek naar Maria”. They are prmomoting the program’s search for an an actress to play the leading role in the The Sound of Music.
As performance art, it's just plain fun and it has Julie Andrews's voice, which is a story in itself. Oh Julie!
Have a look and see what you think. (Thanks for this Michael R.)
As performance art, it's just plain fun and it has Julie Andrews's voice, which is a story in itself. Oh Julie!
Have a look and see what you think. (Thanks for this Michael R.)
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Gone fishing... but back
I'm here, although not blogging as much as in the past. Two big things have happened in recent weeks. My daughter returned from six months in South America and we've been picking her brain for stories, insights and experiences before she disappears into 'friend-land' or loses the immediacy of the experience. Above is a photo of her hanging out with kids in Bolivia.
Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay and Argentina - when do I get to go?
Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay and Argentina - when do I get to go?
AND! We snuck a quick trip to the Big Apple in June. I have 'hearted' New York since before the logo was created. There's something about the intensity of the day to day energy and society there... And then when you add the Met, the Guggenheim, Museum of Natural History, the music, the theatre, the Lower East Side, Central Park, buskers, bagels, knishes, the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, the $2.00 to anywhere subway... and echoes of Woody Allen and every 10th Hollywood film on every corner... Well, you get the picture.
Speaking of the picture, I'll post some sometime. (I watched for you Nova, but wasn't sure about contacting you...)
And speaking of posting something, I used Wordle to portray my resume in a creative way and here it is .
You can put any text in and see what comes up. It's interesting, although I don't expect to use this version of the CV in job applications.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Seasonal musings...
May morning
Ancient, but productive apple
Johny Jump Ups - gypsies showing up everywhere in the yard...It's been hot and summery here. Blossoms and multiple shades of green all around yet up the mountain slopes - still snow on top. It's a rich time of year in this little corner of planet earth.
I'm not entirely a news junkie and tend not to watch TV news much. But I read a national newspaper and a bunch of magazine, such as Harpers and The Walrus. I also listen to CBC radio 1 news and talk shows on our local co-op radio, which has a politically left bent. (I host a morning show every so often now too...)
All this is leading somewhere - really.
Here it is now. My advice to me:
- Follow the news, face the issues, learn about what's up and who's doing what to who, analyze it and decide what to do or not. Work for what's right. Stand up. Speak up. Feel the despair sometimes.
But.
- Look at the beauty and realize what a perfect state we are in. The beauty may be natural, it may be music, it may be an image, it may be a child, a lover, an old woman hobbling out of a store with a bag, a turn of phrase on a page. It is everywhere.
And for a final diversion in this ramble: here's Dan Mangen, an up and coming folk singer in BC, who is attending this year's War Child event in Nelson. (Be patient or push it to 1:30 when Dan really does start to sing.
I'm not entirely a news junkie and tend not to watch TV news much. But I read a national newspaper and a bunch of magazine, such as Harpers and The Walrus. I also listen to CBC radio 1 news and talk shows on our local co-op radio, which has a politically left bent. (I host a morning show every so often now too...)
All this is leading somewhere - really.
Here it is now. My advice to me:
- Follow the news, face the issues, learn about what's up and who's doing what to who, analyze it and decide what to do or not. Work for what's right. Stand up. Speak up. Feel the despair sometimes.
But.
- Look at the beauty and realize what a perfect state we are in. The beauty may be natural, it may be music, it may be an image, it may be a child, a lover, an old woman hobbling out of a store with a bag, a turn of phrase on a page. It is everywhere.
And for a final diversion in this ramble: here's Dan Mangen, an up and coming folk singer in BC, who is attending this year's War Child event in Nelson. (Be patient or push it to 1:30 when Dan really does start to sing.
Happy a fine summer each.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Happy Birthday Queeen Victoria!
For the foreign visitors to this blog, you may be interested to know that we celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday in Canada - we even get a long weekend (this one). This was a major celebration decades ago, with parades honouring the old gal and Canada's British heritage. Remember, we were on their side in 1776!
For most of us now, it's about getting the garden in and having some fun outside.
Anyhow, here is my first segue...
1. My great great great Grandfather Slessor was a stone mason and was commissioned by Queen Victoria to build Crathie Kirk, next to Balmoral Castle in Scotland. I not only visited the church a few years back (with me mom), but was able to see the archives with photos of the queen and my ancestor AND Charles, Camilla and kids attended church the morning we did. I'm not much for religion so was able to mostly rubberneck the whole time. That Andrew is a cutie... and Camilla and Charlie were touching hands now and then (awwwww).
Crathie Kirk
My second segue...
2. If you have 6 or 7 minutes free because it's a long weekend, or because you are the kind of person who gives yourself 6 or 7 minutes whenever you choose to... well have a look at this and see what you think..
For most of us now, it's about getting the garden in and having some fun outside.
Anyhow, here is my first segue...
1. My great great great Grandfather Slessor was a stone mason and was commissioned by Queen Victoria to build Crathie Kirk, next to Balmoral Castle in Scotland. I not only visited the church a few years back (with me mom), but was able to see the archives with photos of the queen and my ancestor AND Charles, Camilla and kids attended church the morning we did. I'm not much for religion so was able to mostly rubberneck the whole time. That Andrew is a cutie... and Camilla and Charlie were touching hands now and then (awwwww).
Crathie KirkMy second segue...
2. If you have 6 or 7 minutes free because it's a long weekend, or because you are the kind of person who gives yourself 6 or 7 minutes whenever you choose to... well have a look at this and see what you think..
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Women of the world unite (us all)...
Mom, Zoey et moi...I did call my mom today - okay, she called me, but the result was still lots of love over the phone. She's a brilliant and fine mother. In her mid-80s she's still healthy enough to golf two or three times a week, walk everywhere, swim in the lake in the summer and dance a little. Her mind is equally fit. Love you mom!
The video below helps us know that Mothers Day is more than Hallmark...
The video below helps us know that Mothers Day is more than Hallmark...
