So I've Been Told

It must have been Sunday evening that I ran into our next door neighbor downstairs as I was taking Baxter out. Knowing that I am a photographer of sorts, he asked me if I'd been taking a lot of autumn photos. Well, we all know the answer to that question now, don't we? He added that the display this year was much better than last years, so how's that for good fortune for me? When I explained that I'd never experienced a true fall season, of course he was shocked. It's not that I have never seen fall leaves before, maybe twice, but never have I watched the actual day by day transformation and frankly, I am finding it thrilling, even if it means some ugly rainy days. I will remind myself of this fun sign I saw in a Robson Street shop window during the upcoming months.

It must have been Thursday morning, during a little break in the rain, that I got out early to pick up the dry cleaning and food for Baxter. Dark and dreary still, this brightened my morning.

There's a little corner on Davie called the rainbow corner with colorful chairs behind me and the painted street. Sadly though, there is this other side of Vancouver, also along Davie Street.

It is remarkable to me that people are allowed to do this, but as I was telling Bill yesterday afternoon, that whereas crime dominates the news in Orlando, the problem of affordable housing and its natural consequence, homelessness, dominate the news here.

Because, once I returned to the condo it still wasn't raining, I decided to brave it and walk to the library, hoping to buy some used books to read. Since we've been here, I have read a few books, one from Costco, one from Margie, another from the nearby thrift shop, and one from the library.

Because we will have to give everything away before returning to Orlando, I am loathe to spend the full price for a book, thus, the $3 price tag at the library suits me well. It wasn't long after beginning my walk that it began raining which does not stop film production, even though it is inconvenient. I came across some folks filming a Christmas themed movie.

That Santa on the light pole was super cute in person. Happy days, I found four new books for $15!

My hooded rain jacket worked beautifully I might add. I looked around the library a bit more, visiting this interesting exhibition on the third floor.

Although not pictured above, there were some great old black and white photos from long ago.

Bruce went to Seattle on that rainy day, not returning until 9PM, so he decided to work at home on Friday. I did some sewing, while he did some work. Let's go out to lunch honey because the rain has stopped. I'm learning that if you don't want to get wet, get out while you can! We went to the Templeton that I mentioned in my last post.

Super cute, it has been a diner since the 30's, beginning life as Adele's Cafe. It must have been in the 50's that a jukebox was added, although apparently it is temperamental as our little box didn't work during our visit.

The food was yummy, it was cozy, and we finished the meal with a little sundae.

Later on we went to a "cd release" party at the Wise Hall. Scott Smith, the husband of one of Bruce's co-workers, has multiple bands and is so darn talented. The Vancouver Sun did a big piece on him the day of the event.

Built in the 50's as a wedding venue/dance hall/whatever, gathering place, it is super retro inside with a balcony hidden by a lattice screen on three sides of the large room.

Although not far, in East Vancouver, we took a cab there as Bruce is not fond of night driving; the drivers are very chatty here which, of course, pleases me to no end. The band was terrific, and it is so great that we have the opportunity to mingle with the locals.

We stayed out late, at least for us, so when Bruce returned from a morning at the office Saturday, he snuggled up with you know who.

Baxter mostly spends his days sleeping and eating, resisting all efforts to take him along on walks.

Sunday dawned, while not quite sunny, at least the relentless rain of Saturday seemed to have stopped. Our walk to church was filled with marveling at the gorgeous colors everywhere you look, followed by lunch, and a stop at the Winners on Robson Street. Bruce, for the first time in his life is now sporting some snappy, colorful, striped socks. Can you believe, that not only has this man set up a camp on the street, but that there is a Five Guys here?

Oops, I almost forgot, I had Bruce take my picture in Nelson Park near the church so you could see my new glasses.

Then too, that is the new top and skirt I made, while the sweater is from Hudson Bay's.

Anyway, when we got home, I changed into some jeans and tennis shoes, convincing Bruce to head back out to see the leaves at Queen Elizabeth Park. From the balcony I could see that the city is just filled with color.

Taking the Sky Train, we walked the few blocks there, mostly uphill with Bruce asking, "how much further?" Reminding him that we had a lay about on Saturday, so getting out as much as possible on Sunday was a good thing, we carried on.  Once there, he agreed wholeheartedly. He's not one to take very many photos, but who can resist when it looks like this?

Today is bright and beautiful so another trip may very well be in my future! I took him to the bridge over looking the big garden. Oh my! I once had a calendar with a very similar photograph, never dreaming I'd be taking one years later.

Because darkness was approaching, which by the way, the days are sure getting shorter aren't they?, we decided to head back with Bruce leading the way. The last time I was there I had a heck of a time finding the way out.

Wait honey! Now that we are on the lower part, I've just got to see those trees up close. So did this young woman.

As I began yesterday's walk along the seawall, I overheard a woman talking on her phone, saying it truly is spectacular this year. Indeed, so I have been told now, twice.

Yours truly,

Gail

A Mix of Sun and Rain

Wind, too. As in crazy windy, resulting in many of the beautiful leaves falling prematurely, although they do look amazing on the ground, maybe even more so?

Tuesday morning, while talking to Pam, the rain was pouring down with huge gusty winds, and then, it wasn't. It was as if a spigot were turned off, with one side of the sky blue, the other stormy, and then they both were blue. Immediately taking Baxter down, I was anxious to see what the wind had wrought.

Looking at the steps above, I spoke too soon about Baxter bounding up the steps; these days he won't go near them! Taking advantage of the unexpected sunshine, I immediately grabbed my cart, headed downstairs, and was on my way to Nesters for some much needed grocery shopping. One of the girls there is super nice, allowing me to store my cart with her while I fill the traditional shopping cart with groceries. The hope is that they will all fit once I get to the register, and indeed they did, albeit to the very top! Then the challenge was lugging it home which proved to really be no problem. Of course my camera is always available, and seeing this lovely scene I pulled up short, stopping for a photograph just as the nice homeowner arrived. He agreed it was a pretty scene. Who wouldn't?

You've seen these trees from the balcony vantage point, here are the park trees from street level.

Because it remained sunny, I went out again after lunch to head to Hudsons Bay. The television folks were busy too following the lull in the rain.

Before long the director called action...

Because I'd already walked on Seymour earlier in the day, I decided to take Granville Street, never disappointing, as it has such variety that it is always entertaining. Speaking of entertainment, using Drake Street to get to Granville, lo and behold, more filming, this time at the Yale Saloon where we went to hear that band play.

Using this website, which lists all current filming locations, I discovered it was for a television program called Six. So before I even got to Granville, there was something happening!

Although I've yet to visit The Templeton, I must, because I both love their sign, and their motto, which includes the phrase, Snappy Service.

Granville is a mix of everything. Walking down either side of the street you might see something like this,

which I've seen quite a number of times, however, this is my first time seeing a woman with a pet duck, apparently used to attract attention to her fortune telling business.

Just below the man's phone is her cart  filled with, well, I'm not entirely sure to be honest with you, but I know it has something to do with fortune telling.

I was on my way to The Bay, as they call it here, to exchange some pants I'd purchased on Sunday. The Bay fills nearly an entire city block, and the area around it is crazy busy, as you would hope a downtown would be. My mission completed, I exited the W. Georgia side, taking my place with the mass of black-clad humanity. Yes, there is a lot of black around here. The transit station is just across the street so people are rushing to and fro, passing the First Nations man selling carved woodwork, the jewelry seller, and the hot dog truck. A young man has set up a microphone and amp, singing Oasis songs for all he's worth to the passing crowd, hoping for some change. A girl passes me in the crosswalk wearing a jaunty beret, short skirt, and knee high boots, a welcome relief from the leggings I see everyone wearing. The smell of marijuana is unmistakable as someone walks the street smoking a joint, a not uncommon occurrence. In the next crosswalk, a man is holding up a cardboard sign with neat lettering, not asking for money outright, instead the sign says, Smile if you Masturbate. He looked as if he needed money.

I cut back over, using Bruce's terminology, that would be making lefts and rights, to make my way back to the condo before dark. As I grew near, I heard the fireworks going off for the production, although I was not close enough to actually see them.

This bad guy was taking a break from being a bad guy on the stoop in front of our building.

Should you be wondering how they make smoke for the movies, here's how:

They are gone now, finishing the lot clean up in yesterday's pouring rain. I stayed in all day, aside from the potty break task. Sewing is keeping me busy; I made a knit top!!

Although it was easy, I'm thinking the sleeves should have the print going the same way as the front, but I suspect when I'm wearing it I'll have a sweater on, so there's that consolation. In super exciting news, I almost have a shirt for each day of the week.

So my wardrobe now consists of four pairs of pants/jeans, six shirts, three pullover sweaters, two rain jackets and one coat. Oh yeah, two skirts and some tights. I'm getting there!

In other exciting news on the home front, I baked some cookies yesterday afternoon using the convection oven, and I could not be happier with the results.

I'd read somewhere it wasn't great for baking so I'd not given it a chance heretofore, however, I'm now a convert, thinking that once I get a regular cookie sheet, they will be perfectly browned!
Bruce braved the rain last evening to attend an ongoing class at church, while I tidied up the kitchen. I walked out on the balcony thinking perhaps the rain had stopped and lo and behold, it had, with even the tiniest bit of blue and orange left in the sky. Although the forecast was for rain all night long, I believe that tiny bit of sunset was what kept the rain away long enough for me to pick up the dry cleaning and some food for Baxter this morning.

The respite was short but enough for the tasks to be completed.

Lord have mercy, this is going to get interesting...

yours truly,

Gail

Welcome to Vancouver!

Autumn!!

I've heard that phrase, welcome to Vancouver, several times in the last few days, most recently about ten minutes ago while I was taking Baxter downstairs for a potty break. One of the ladies who lives on our floor was referring to the rain which has been intermittent up until now. Here's the next ten days forecast. Yikes!!

We can't say that we weren't warned ahead of time because we were, but reality may just be setting in today. Life goes on as if it weren't raining though, because, well really, what else are you going to do? Before we get into the rainy photographs, let's do some pretty ones, shall we?

I'm not sure which trees I like the most, the burgundy, the reddish orange, or the yellow, because they are all pretty darn great to me. Bruce has been having some computer issues this past week so one day he came home early and we walked to Urban Fare, through David Lam Park, to get a few things for dinner.

 On another sunny day I took this shot, well I didn't need to tell you that, now did I?

I have no idea how we got so lucky to have such magnificent views every day. Seriously! Because it is hilly, looking across False Creek, the houses look as if they are stacked with beautiful changing leaves amongst the buildings.

You are already familiar with the scene below but doesn't it look wonderful with the added beauty of the orange and yellow trees?

However, when the clouds hang low with moisture, it looks more like this.

Yikes!! We've been told numerous times that last year it rained every day for nearly five months, with barely any sunshine at all, which has this Florida girl feeling a tad nervous. It was easy not to think about it much when it was sunny, but now? Well, I must, and will, somehow get used to it.

Friday I took advantage of the dry weather and took the SkyTrain to Fabricana again. I've now used the blouse pattern I bought there, three times, completing number three this morning. Fabric from DressSew.

I am in love with the Kwik Sew patterns and bought four while I was there.

That would be my backpack atop the pattern drawers, should you be wondering. Another exciting happening on Friday was that our glasses were ready to be picked up. Bruce walked from his office, meeting me there after I'd walked from home. In a moment you'll see how spiffy he looks. One of these days B will take my photograph and I'll show you mine. Mint green should you be wondering. Cute too!

Maybe it was Thursday that we began seeing the empty lot being, once again, transformed for a film shoot.

The fellow told Bruce it was for a reality show, however, this morning, when filming began, I discovered he was not so truthful afterall. There is a website called What's filming in Vancouver, where I discovered it was for a television show called Legends of Tomorrow. Seeing this kind of activity from the balcony is what prompted me to question the whole reality show thing.

Over the weekend, Saturday was gloomy, but we did have some fun nonetheless. Before leaving for our date, we had a balcony visitor that stayed for like twenty minutes!

I'm telling you, the seagulls here are huge, more like the size of a small chicken! The dreary weather does make the tree colors seem more intense. The park is looking wonderful.

I do so hope the read will stay long enough for the rest of the trees to turn yellow. Won't that be fantastic?

We are missing everyone, but it seems as if fond reminders of friends pop up regularly. I can't walk on Beatty Street without thinking of David and Cheryle. It didn't hurt that there was an original MINI next to the sign!

Surprisingly, we are no longer completely anonymous. We decided to head over to Earls for dinner Saturday night and once there, it was crowded, so after a bit, we were lucky to be able to sit at the bar. Our seats were the very same ones we'd had about two weeks ago, and the same held true for Will, a fellow we chatted with that time. He was in the same spot, and this time he had a friend with him named Kevin. It has been very rare that any of the Canadians we've met have engaged us in a political discussion, however, neither Kevin nor Will had any qualms about bringing up the subject. So, he recognized us right away, and it wasn't long before Joe, from the office, and his husband came over to greet us. Holy Cow! Anyway, Kevin works on a television show that we had never heard of, despite the fact that they are now filming their thirteenth season. Well, duh on me. Now you can see how spiffy Mr. Peck looks.

Sunday was sunny!! It is amazing that we get to church on time when we are walking, whereas at home, we were always cutting it close.

The film industry has used the church countless times for productions, including X-Files. The little blue triangle you see on the far wall is what they use for "Heritage" buildings. Following church we walked over to Hudsons Bay, walking along one of my favorite "autumn" streets, Hornby.

This section of Seymour was closed off due to a Halloween parade. Yup, apparantly they celebrate that on any given day. I love how you can see the sails from Canada Place at the end of the street.

This morning I donned my new rain jacket with the hood, making the 2 1/2 mile roundtrip to DressSew for some more fabric. I was telling Matt last week that my most pressing need is for garments, and since I have what I need to make them, I am going to try and improve my skills in that area. Sewing with knits is not something I've done, but tomorrow I'm going to give that a try. I also bought a coat pattern. Ambitious? Yes, but when I think that I made one when I was 17, surely I can do the same now. The beautiful trees along the way helped to dispel some of the gloom.

My Canadian postal service woes continue. Last week I walked to the post office to mail a birthday card to my sister Maureen, writing that I hoped it would not take forever to arrive. Well guess what? This morning, I checked our mailbox, which is ordinarily empty, btw, and found the card I'd sent to Maureen in there!!! Can you believe it? Nancy, another sister. also has an upcoming birthday so, after having some lunch, I set out in the rain, drizzly more than anything, and went back to the post office, such as it is. The woman I actually handed it to last week made some excuse why it was returned to me uncanceled. Here's hoping it works this time! As I was leaving the condo, the film set was making smoke.

Then, on my return, I came across this! Now I know what those black clad people look like up close.

Way back at the beginning of this post I said I ran into our neighbor while taking Baxter down again. As I exited the door, which is just off the left side of the above photograph, I was told to wait because they were just fixing to call action. The street was filled with smoke and those black clad guys.

Welcome to Vancouver, indeed.

yours truly,

Gail