When Zarita called the other morning, after dropping off my library books, I'd intended to go to Dress Sew for one last time to not only see if there was anything more I wanted, but to say goodbye to some of the ladies who were nice to me. I am fully aware that may sound a little corny, but I can remember the first time I visited and was not only overwhelmed (a good thing) with my choices, but also being shocked at how rude much of the staff was. Or, at least that way my initial impression. Following that first visit I came home and looked the place up, finding many similar reviews online about the staff.
Over time, and after many, many, visits there, the staff thawed, I knew what I was doing, and things went swimmingly. I shall very much miss that store. As I was paying for my final purchase, the cashier, formerly super rude, asked me if I were on Facebook, writing down her name and asking me to connect. :)
Walking home along Seymour, I decided to take a few photos of the places we've frequented the most. For posterity. Here is the tiny liquor store where we bought copious amounts of wine from Wendy. We would be much poorer had we not found this place and the box wine they sell!
One day I asked Wendy about the guy who sits outside, day after day, with his hat on the ground for donations. Apparently when he gets enough change he immediately spends it in the store.
Just down the street you come to Nesters, on the corner of Seymour and Nelson.
Their tagline is, "where the locals shop!" While it is no Publix, I eventually became accustomed to the tiny space and even quit bitching when I had to pay $3.50 for a can of refried beans. That said, I won't mind a minute being back in a huge grocery store once again!
A little update from Spring as I walked past the park with what Matt identified as apple trees from my photographs of them in bloom.
Over on Richards Street is the place I've been taking Bruce's shirts for laundering. She had me at "My Favorite Drycleaner."
Although a language barrier prevented me from too much conversation with the proprietress, she was always pleasant and they did just fine.
Because I have so little packing to do, yesterday morning, under gray and chilly skies, I made what, I'm supposing, was my last trip to Stanley Park. Walking through the streets of the West End, I made some photographic observations.
Mostly the West End is made up of apartment buildings that don't much look like the ones at home, some being crazy old,
while others sporting very interesting balconies, look to have been built in the 60's-70's,
Almost all residential, apparently there were some small stores in the neighborhood and I bet they looked like the only remaining one I've seen.
Canadians love their Mounties!
Recently I read an article in the
Guardian about the influence of Instagram on design. I remember Jon boy first setting me up on Instagram, probably seven or eight years ago, telling me it was an app that let you take a photo and instantly upload it. In other words, stuff you came across that seemed worth sharing right away. Boy has that changed! Do you think that when Facebook bought it they expected it to become so popular? By design? In any case, there are Instagram influencers and a good deal of the spontaneity is a thing of the past. At first, when I watched this girl wheel a gold bicycle, with a baguette in the woven basket, my first thought was that it is rare to see someone planning a picnic in the flower gardens. Then it hit me as I watched her move the bicycle to strategic locations and take photographs. Call me a skeptic, but that's what I think was happening.
If I've learned one thing from all my trips to the gardens it is that contrast amongst the plant colors really makes a garden sing.
I said goodbye to the fellow who tends the roses, pictured here doing what he loves, and that is explaining all about how to care for roses. By the looks of things, he knows what he's talking about.
I wasn't home for too long when it was time to say goodbye to my friends, Dale and Jackie, who had invited me for tea in the garden. As I was walking there, it occurred to me that a wide shot of exactly where this garden is might be useful.
Years and years of work have turned this neglected spot to a little oasis in the city. I was floored, upon arriving, and saw the effort they'd gone to, setting a lovely table with heirloom pieces from their pasts.
Real silver, art-deco cups and saucers from Dale, a tablecloth that Jackie received as a wedding present, as well as some plates that once belonged to her Mother. Plus, they'd dressed up a bit, and I was wearing jeans!
They also began their friendship as strangers. Jackie had begun the work and Dale happened along and asked if she'd like some help? Day after day they work, with their reward being all the appreciative neighbors. In the few months that I've known them I've learned a lot and I continued to do so throughout the afternoon. That is until several hours later, we had a VERY unexpected interruption. Jackie exclaimed, there are baby skunks in the garden, not very far from where we were seated!
Naturally I jumped up, trying to photograph them, staying far enough away to keep from getting sprayed. Sadly, my efforts were not great because the four of them kept running in and out of the low plants.
Have you ever seen a skunk before? I hadn't, that's for sure. They were kind of cute. Jackie is worried that they are separated from their Mother leaving them vulnerable. Parting ways, they promised to keep me up to date on all of the garden news, including any future skunk sightings!
I needed to get home in order to get ready for yet another goodbye; this time it was Pina and Giovanni who picked us up at 6:30. Again we went to Granville Island, this time to The Sandbar.
We have so loved getting to know this wonderful couple.
We only hope that one day they will come to Orlando so we can show them a good time in our home town.
Waiting for the guys to bring the car around, I was delighted to see this in-progress colorful mural.
This is Bruce's last day in the office, a bittersweet occasion, that we marked at lunch with the gang. Actually, B called me in the middle of the morning and said my presence was requested. From the first day that we walked into the office, until this meet up, every single one of them have been so kind to me. Frankly, it is because they are so in love with Bruce and I just reap the rewards!
With my camera strap in the corner of the photo, you'd think this was my first gig. :(
Although we are physically leaving Vancouver, Bruce is not entirely leaving this group just yet as he has some small jobs beginning in the Fall. I am finishing this post around 5:45PM and I've not heard from him, so I suspect there are some sad goodbyes still in progress. 😢
Won't be long now...
your friend,
Gail
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