When I saw it scribbled on a Lululemon bag I questioned why on earth is this advisable (like why would anyone want to scare themselves?) but in any case I actually did something that scares me last Sunday.
On a Wing & a Prayer
Considering I’m claustrophobic, don’t like small planes, have a fear of heights and am always up in the air about flying in general……I conquered my fears(temporarily perhaps) and embraced my private flight from Vancouver over to dinner in one of Vancouver Island’s best kept little secrets. It’s not the first time I’ve been on a small plane but like anything else what you tend to fear is fear itself. It helps to have an experienced pilot who is also a friend who previously ran a chartered airline business with a bigger plane to fly movie stars around. When he decided to downsize to a four seater he made sure the seats and headsets were very comfy. Luckily the flight was very smooth both ways.
The flight began at 5:00 p.m., lasted about one hour on the way over (as the pilot decided to take us a different route and fly between two huge rocks we refer to as “the lions.” Four of us enjoyed spectacular scenery along the way, a great dinner and another enjoyable flight at dusk which took less flying time to get back.
A pleasurable daily Dog Walk atRiver Walk in Palm Springs
a short walking distance from where we stayed in South Palm Canyonsomething to smile about – view from where I sat for lunch at Thai Smile – just chillin!
Giving thanks for the many ways God’s creatures’ enrich and bless our lives
My friends Cher & Trigger
I took my dog to church today for “blessing the animals.” He enjoyed the outing but I don’t think he’ll be begging to go back. People brought their dogs, a cat and someone brought a stuffed chicken.
Jia Jia with half of myfriendColleen
We are not religious but we can be spiritual. If we had to choose a religion I think we’d consider ourselves to be Foodists above everything else. Nevertheless a little churchgoing never hurt anyone and I have to give thanks to my furry little friends for keeping me safe and sane. I really believe we are of service to each otherand I can’t imagine life without them.
Tammy’s Terrific Trio
This world can sometimes be a terrible place but animals make it better. It’s a known fact that animals provide therapy and taking them to senior’s homes and prisons helps to calm people and make them happier.
Here is a little excerpt from a prayer called “Blessing the Animals”
Bless these creatures who come to us as a blessing
Fashioned of fur or feather or fin,
Formed of flesh that breathes with your own breath,
Bless them who can’t themselves
Around our hearts who twine themselves through our days
Who companion us in our labour
Who call us to come and play.
Bless them who will never be entirely tamed
And so remind us that you love what is wild,
That you rejoice in what lives close to the earth,
That your heart beats in the heart of those creatures
You have entrusted to our care.
Can you really envision a world without animals? I can’t!
I’m blessed to have Jia Jia & Jack (on occasion) in my life plus all the other neighbourhood animals that come around from time to time.
I met another Preast. Her name is Tammy (below) and she has a company called “Love on a Leash” which provides trusted dog care services with a DogSafe overnight and vacation care environment, first aid and daily walks (including group walks). You can visit her at: http://www.loveonaleash.ca/
At Tartine
AFTER that we went for coffee & dessert at TartineBakery on Davie St. They were so busy they didn’t even realize there were two dogs inside the cafe. Bless them!
AFTER that I met Mimi from Mélange Home Design and Décor. Her vision is to encapsulate a certain mixture of luxurious, vintage, and modern organic designs which I’ll be putting on this blog very soon. A sampling:
Teaser: how can you resist TOM FORD and especially these stylish coffee table Books?
I hope you had a magnificent weekend.
AFTER that, I walked home on a gorgeous summer Fall day.
THANKSGIVING is coming up very soooon! We have to give thanks all over again.
View from living room – house on Piers Island (Gulf Islands in the distance)
Spending the summer in Vancouver near the beach makes me feel like I don’t really need to escape. The weather has been perfect and with plenty of picturesque places to walk, run, rollerblade, ride a bike or just relax in a chaise lounge, why go anywhere else?
because I didn’t want my deck shoes to go to waste
But having said that, I just came back from spending three amazing days & nights on two little hidden gems. The first day/night was spent with a friend who lives on Prospect Lake where the water is warm enough to swim in and we watched a resident bald eagle at fairly close range. And we ate very well.
Prospect appies that houseguest Bill prepared – cordon bleu style. He even made homemade elderberry jelly. I don’t even know what an elderberry looks like but the jelly is superb, especially on homemade pecan smoked duck breast. Oh; he also made goat cheese filled siljans with roasted red pepper & garlic jelly…yeah!The bald next door neighbour is a member of the extra mile high club
The last two days/nights were spent on a friends oceanfront property on Piers Island which is a little island near Sydney, B.C. There are only about 40 permanent residents and about 123 ocean front lots. We took his boat from Canoe Cove and landed on his doorstep about a 15 minute ride dock to dock.
From dock to deck. On Piers we didn’t have far to go – to get to where we were going.
Soooo I can be an island girl as it turns out..at least for three days. A break from the city is a nice change and doing nothing but taking in the view, eating good food while taking in the view and walking the dogs while taking in the view is really as good as it gets.
Prospect View with a bowl of homemade soup
There were two dogs on Prospect and three on Piers and they were in doggie heaven. Piers has no cars so we could take them off leash through the trails. People leave boxes of unwanted stuff outside their places with notes attached that say “help yourself.” Someone left a bike and our friend was going to buy one so we ended up bringing him the one we found. At least I’m hoping it was meant to be taken (it was).
From the back of the house on Piers Island – to the trails that feel like you’re in the country
Many arty people who have little work studios and make jewellery and glass objects live there. More people tend to paint and make jam in these places. Come to think of it, the last time I went to Gabriola to visit a friend we overnighted on Saltspring, left with a bag of quince berries from a B+B we stayed at and went back to Gabriola to make quince jam…because that’s what you’re supposed to do in these quaint locations. Take it easy and make jam.
Bill made me a Nespresso Cappuccino Fantastico. Those machines are a great investment.
Tea Time on Prospect Lake
What is it about these small islands that brings out your artistic side?
Is it because you have more time on your hands or is it simply a better place to be?
– Only no time will tell –
I tried to load one more little thingfrom the wheel barrel to the boat….looks like I’ll have to wait until next time. Hope that time is soooon.
It’s been a long time since I’ve played piano (if that’s what you can call it) so imagine my joy to see this strategically placed pink piano on my walk over the bridge… just had to plant myself down for a few minutes, enjoy the view and try to come up with a tune.
Well at least I tried! I think the Red piano in Vegas performs better.
A majestic bald eagle sits on top of a totem pole in kitsilano overlooking the doggy beach on a morning run.This is what I LOVE about living where I live! This is what he was looking at. This is where I run.
