Empty Nesters

There was a period in my life where I was not well for a significant amount of time. While there's no need to rehash all of that, there is one important thing that came out of that time that was to change my life in a good way. Bruce bought me a digital camera.

He had the notion that the camera would help heal me, not so much in the physical sense, but more as a distraction and if I were distracted enough, I would get eventually become myself again. It worked. I used that little pocket Panasonic every single day, whether my body felt good or not. Over time, I thought more about taking photographs than I did about how I was feeling, and the rest is history.

While thinking of that initial camera, I remembered how much I loved it and what great photos I was able to get with it, long before people began using phones for taking photographs. It was what you called a "point and shoot" camera, and I did plenty of that. I began selling my photographs taken with  my "baby camera",  and while other photographers looked down on me for using it, I was too naive to know the difference. Apparently, it was somewhat revolutionary in the sense that it was not a DSLR, a term I had not even heard of at the time. In other words, it didn't cost a whole lot!

These days, people are lauded for the photographs they take with their phone, which is basically a "point and shoot" that does more than take pictures. Funny how times have changed.

Something that I remembered in the last few days is how it came to be that I no longer have that camera. Back then, Baxter liked to take walks, and Jonathan used to call me every day to make sure I was alright. One day, while doing both of those things, I somehow dropped it on Pershing, the next street over from ours. Not that I noticed it, of course, but when I got home, I realized it was not in my pocket. Unable to find it, you can imagine how sad I felt. Never one to invest in expensive equipment, it was not the monetary loss so much as the mental loss--my "medicine" was gone, perhaps because I was getting better. In any case, I've had other cameras since, but none as beloved as that first one.

Isn't that always the way? What comes first sets the standard for the future doesn't it? Baxter was our very first dog. After my mom died, I wanted no part of taking care of another living thing. And then along came Baxter. Nearly thirteen years later, we are finally "empty nesters". Just me and Bruce. And while I hesitated before taking this photograph of Baxter's last hour with us, I'm now glad I did because there is just so much love here that I want to remember it forever.

Whereas other photographers have no qualms about photographing people at their most vulnerable, that has never been my strong suit. This time I've made an exception because, in the future, when our hearts are not nearly as heavy, this will be part of the precious memories we have of our sweet Baxie.

Perhaps, after reading all of the above, you are wondering how the two subjects tie together and I can't blame you for that. After writing my last post I was a mess and couldn't bear to stay in the condo by myself. Aha...now you get it, right?

With my backpack carrying my camera and lens, I set off in search of, well, whatever came my way, somewhat like I did all those years ago. We finally had a weather break after days and days of wet, windy, and just plain miserable weather. I am not one to squander that kind of opportunity. Taking the bus down to Denman Street, from there I walked into Stanley Park and was rewarded nearly immediately.  About a dozen Robins were flitting about. Now for some folks seeing an American Robin is no big deal, but for a Central Floridian,  it is a treat as they only come through our area once a year.

Not far from there, I watched a Northern Flickr dig away in the soggy ground. Never have I been so close before, as the only pair I'd seen in Orlando were very high up in a tree at the cemetery.

I began walking on the seawall and couldn't help but think of what it looked like in this area only two weeks before with the huge waves that I later learned were from, what around here is called. a King Tide.

Walking along I began hearing some horn music, a term I use loosely because it was not very good. Where in the world could that be coming from? Here's where:

Continuing my walk I came to Third Beach where the shoreline was littered with shells probably due to the big wind storm on Sunday.

Standing near this seagull with a starfish in his mouth was, for lack of a better term, really something. Apparently they keep them in their mouth for a period of time before eating them, sucking out the juices. Nature at work...

It was right about then that Bruce called to check on me. As we were chatting I noticed another bird I'd never seen and told him I'd have to call him right back. By the time I'd gotten my camera out of my backpack, the two birds had flown away, however, before long, I came across them again navigating the big rocks while searching for food.

Once I was home I went in search of identification and learned that this is a Black Oystercatcher. I love seeing new birds, that's for sure! Alissa and Jon gave me a beautiful handmade journal that will be getting used to keep track of my bird sightings, lest I forget, and we all know how forgetful I am!

Because there was no reason to hurry home, I kept going, further than I'd ever been. The people in the photo below give you a notion as to the size of the cliffs.

Finally, around the bend, the Lionsgate bridge came into sight.

One of the container ships from English Bay on the way to Coal Harbor. Was it only six months ago that I'd never heard these names, let alone know what they signified?

By now you've learned that I have a bit of a bridge phobia, but for some reason, this bridge does not bother me. Seeing how huge the pilings are makes me all the less afraid.

It was not long after this that Matt and Tom called and we had a lovely Facetime chat. I was able to show them the scene below while I sat on a bench to talk.

Unbelievable that there are actually fluffy clouds in the sky, so please discount what I'd written earlier about how they never occur here. Not only did they call, but they sent flowers on Friday,

as did David and Michelle. Such a sweet surprise.

Once I sat down I realized I was getting a wee bit tired and the lunch hour had long past. Looking to cut through the park, I took this muddy path which reminded me that there is yet a lot of park to explore with my camera, hoping it will work that same healing magic.

The phone just rang and it was Urban Animal Hospital calling. The young woman said she just wanted to let me know that "we got Baxter back". I'm not sure how else she could have phrased it, however, sadly, there is no getting Baxter back. He will, however, never be forgotten.

yours truly,

Gail

So This is Winter

Everyone I've talked to in Orlando is complaining about the recent cold weather. And who can blame them when you go from using the air conditioner one day because it is so hot and the next, it is freezing? No doubt, I'd be doing the same if  I were back home. Instead, here the winter weather, such as it is, means rain, and more rain.

After weeks of being in the 30's all day, it has warmed up a bit with the temperature hovering in the low 40's, both day and night. And although the days are incrementally getting longer, not by much. There is daylight, such as it is, for a mere eight hours a day. Of course we'll make up for it during the summer months, but that seems like a long ways away. With that in mind, we decided to un-decorate our Christmas tree, leaving it up for the cheerful lights. I'm calling it my "Whistler" tree these days.

The lights go on at 5:30 in the morning and stay that way until bedtime. Sort of like those seasonal disorder lights, only larger. :)

With the constant rainy days, for the most part, I've been staying in, doing domestic things. Being the cookie family that we are, I made more oatmeal cookies, now using my tried and true method of an upside down broiler pan as my cooling rack.

About mid-December, I decided that, although I do love my bird egg pajamas, after wearing them every single day for two months, a new pair might be nice. Purchasing the fabric, I put it aside until after Matt and Tom went back to London. In the interim I misplaced the buttons. How lost could they be around here? Well, after searching and searching, I walked to Dressew to find four new ones. Because the color is so different, I'd actually spent a fair amount of time picking out the first set so I wasn't wildly excited about doing it again, however, I had no choice.

It's funny how things work out though, because this time I found some I liked immediately and the price was right. The button card had a printed price of $8.00 for two buttons, probably because they are an unusual shape and texture. My kind of button, right? Well, Dressew, God bless them, charged only a loonie, which is the Canadian equivalent of a US dollar. Sold!

In other good news from that visit, I'd brought along a pattern for a knit dress that I'd been hoping to make. That's one thing that is making me crazy--having to wear pants all of the time due to the cold. If you know me at all, you will surely know that I am strictly a dress girl. Or, at least, most of the time. I like the simplicity of wearing a dress; nothing to match, slip it on and you are get to go. Laughing to myself just now as many of the colder days I've worn two shirts, sweater, leggings, pants, two pairs of socks, gloves, hat, and a coat. Not a shred of simplicity in all of that! Imagine what it must be like to dress for serious winter weather like they have in most of Canada?

Okay, back to Dressew--downstairs there was a sale going on with all of the fabric 50% off. The pattern called for double knit, and holy cow, did I find some double knit for $1.50/yard! Sturdy and somewhat thick, I bought some in both dark green and blue; the simple dress went together fast, which explains why clothing manufacturers use knit so often.

It would have gone together even faster had I not made a seriously stupid mistake while cutting it out. I won't bore you with the details, suffice it to say, I was able to recover, and wore the dress to church on Sunday. Comfy as can be. Of course it was raining when we went to church, and raining when we left church, but armed with our umbrellas, we did okay. Stopping at Joey on Burrard for lunch was my plan, having eaten a dish there when Matt and Tom were here, that I'd been craving ever since.

Arugula, daikon, crispy chicken, peanuts, and a peanut based dressing....heaven! From there we walked down Robson on our way to pick up a new water bowl for Baxter, crossing through Robson Square where most Sundays there is some sort of protest going on, and that day was no exception, in spite of the rain.

Saturday afternoon, we made another Wal Mart run, this time to one closer to us on the North Shore. Earlier, while Bruce was still at his office I was needlessly worried about the increasing fog, wondering how it would be on the Lions Gate bridge. Not horrible.

As we were putting the last of many bags in the back of the car to take home, Bruce asked me what time it was because it was pitch dark. Only 5:00 honey!

Matt's knitting spree for his Momma...

As I type, looking out the windows on the start of another grey day, I've got that pretty shawl over my shoulders to ward off the chill. Although I will say, the apartment stays super warm, no matter the outside temperature. In fact, the heat has only gone on once in the last month. Crazy, huh?

For probably four or more years, I'd been using a cute polka dot camera strap. Only a few weeks ago, I noticed that it was getting pretty darn grungy, and threw it out. Bummer! I had Bruce attach the Olympus blazed strap that came with my camera. Should you be wondering why I had Bruce do it, if you've ever put a camera strap on before, you'll understand. Anyway, the strap was stiff as a board, thick, scratchy, and just plain horrible. Sunday afternoon we found a few to choose from at London Drugs, but they were boring, and cost $40. Not for me. Instead why not try and make my own? It was super easy to remove the strap from the fake leather, but once I'd done that, Bruce had an idea on how to make it super sturdy. He's working on that concept below.

I used some leftover fabric from a skirt I made,

and it turned out to be very easy and looks cute too! The best parts though are that it folds easily to fit in my purse, and it is not scratchy on my neck. Overall, a big win.

Talking with my sister-in-law Judy yesterday, she explained the reason they spent a fortune on mailing us a package for Christmas. She was worried it would be hard for me being so far away. Cris thought of the gift which is one that will keep on giving--a digital photo frame that I filled with pretty pictures, as well as pictures of lots of you to remind me of home.

It's been a real joy to see your smiling faces slide by throughout my day. It must have been about 3:30 yesterday afternoon that I took the photo below,  unremarkable to you, but to me it was a welcome sight. Most of the fog had finally dissipated, and I could see the mountains once again. Plus, a break in the rain!

Meaning I could finally venture out comfortably to take a walk. Not a long walk, mind you, as darkness was merely an hour away, but I put on all of my cold gear, strolling along the seawall towards the Cambie Street bridge. Along the way, I saw something new, a seagull,  standing on all the rocks due to low tide, with something curious in his beak.

Unfortunately, I did not have my zoom lens, so it is not as dramatic as I'd like, but as a helpful fellow passing by explained to me, it is a starfish! Claiming it is a common sight around these parts, it is a first for me.

So, winter may be gray, rainy and chilly, but don't get me wrong, I'm merely describing how it is, rather than complaining. Or so, that's what I'm hoping to convey.

I signed up for it you know.

yours truly,

Gail