A trip down Memory Lane

 

Yesterday my sister and I drove into Vancouver for a little trip down Memory Lane.

The house that Dad built in 1952-1953 has a bit more greenery,

but otherwise, has not changed.

My grandparents' house has not changed since it was built over 100 years ago.

Its days are numbered!

We also visited the area east of Main Street where many murals are painted.

Our final stop was on Commercial Drive which continues to reflect a rich cultural mix.

Another visit to Derek Doubleday Arboretum

 

My daily walks often take me to Derek Doubleday Arboretum on Fraser Highway. Yesterday morning I was thrilled to encounter a "round" of robins! There were at least two dozen red breasted robins hopping from tree to tree and happily announcing to the world that spring will soon arrive. At least I hope that was the message!

This small pond, surrounded by a colourful willow fence, was still frozen yesterday.

There are many trees in the park that are donated in memorium.

This one was obviously visited with much love on Valentines Day.

Nikomekl floods again!

 

This pathway leads down to connecting pathways along the Nikomekl River.

The river has reacted to a deluge of rain and expanded across the flood plain again.

The Parks Notebook sign reads:

Pick up the kids

after school.

Pick up milk on

the way home.

Pick up after

the dogs.

Thank you Reedi

 These words were sent to me by a dear young friend.

I am expressing my gratitude to her by posting them on this blog.

Look, the trees 

are turning

their own bodies

into pillars

of light,

are giving off the rich

fragrance of cinnamon

and fulfillment,

the long tapers

of cattails

are bursting and floating away over

the blue shoulders

of the ponds, 

and every pond

no matter what its

name is, is

nameless now.

Every year

everything

I have ever learned

in my lifetime

leads back to this: the fires

and the black river of loss

whose other side

is salvation

whose meaning

none of us will ever know.

To live in this world

you must be able

to do three things:

to love what is mortal

to hold it

against your bones knowing

your own life depends on it;

and, when the time comes to let it

go,

to let it go.

Mary Oliver - In Blackwater Woods

Morning walks

 

Morning walks have become a ritual...

...with black and white

replacing colour

on grey winter days.

Redundancy

This is the shocking impact of my new reality. 

I have been laid off...made redundant. 

The skills acquired over many years are no longer required. 

Happy New Year to all my loved ones!

The Nikomekl River is flooding the footpaths again.

Water on the right half of the photo is part of the flood plain.

The pathways are about a foot under water currently.

So...my daily walks are restricted to local sidewalks in and around the City.

The woodpecker was back today...digging bugs out of old wood.

Squirrels, tired of hiding nuts, are enjoying tasty snacks.

Geese can't seem to decide whether to head south or fly 

in practice formations all day long.

2020 was a confusing year for all creatures!

Wishing everyone a healthy and creative New Year!