It Snowed ~ Skywatch Friday

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

I hope you're well. I'm doing great. Keeping super busy as I'm still in the throes of renovations and catching up on appointments, meeting with friends and getting things Christmas ready (which will take some time).  I'm trying to get ahead of things so I can hopefully enjoy a peaceful and relaxing Christmas. I'm in need of a good rest.  This year has been non-stop with this, that and the other and I haven't had a chance to have a vacation or just kick back and relax.

Anyway, I wanted to share that we had the first snowfall of the season today.  It was high on the mountains not down in the city.  It snowed more than once because the snow appeared lower down on the mountains as the day wore on.

I used AI to erase a telephone pole.

I made sure to dress for the day and I was quite comfortable as I went out and about.

It's been raining for several days but we had a bright and beautiful day when I went out on Monday. 

This is a new mini park on a very busy street.

I love all the flowers and the mural art.

Thanks for stopping by my Skywatch Friday post. I wish you a wonderful weekend.

It's News to Us ~ Tuesday 4

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Welcome once again to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we give you 4 questions to ponder and blog about each week.  The details of our lives are 'news'.

1. Do you or did you ever have a nickname? Care to share?

Yes, I've had several nicknames over the years. These were usually given to me by my maternal uncles and my maternal grandfather.  One I can share is 'jawbreaker eyes'.  My uncle called me that because back then I had very large, dark eyes.  He thought they resembled a popular candy made in those days called jawbreaker. The candy was round, large, very hard & tasted like liquorice if I recall correctly.  Sadly, my eyes are no longer so large.  The candy also seems to have disappeared from the marketplace. Update:  I did a google search and apparently they still make and sell this candy somewhere (probably the USA) and it comes in different flavours not just liquorice.

2.  Did you ever have a penpal or have you chatted online with someone you don't know in person?

Yes, I've had several pen pals over the years whom I've never met.  I've also chatted with several people on line that I've never met and likely never will.  The time I shared snail mail with a pen pal was when I was a young adult.  His name was Leczek and I 'met' him through a local friend who worked at the university when I was a student. I can't recall why I started corresponding with Leczek but I think my university friend thought it would be a good idea.  Leczek was Polish and lived in Poland with his wife and 2 children.  My memory is hazy but I think Leszek and his wife were both teachers.  I do remember that they were both deeply fascinated with Native Americans. 

This interest is what later made me back off from corresponding with Lezsek.  I was very uncomfortable with his views of Native Americans and his insistence on seeing them as historical, noble savages rather than the contemporary peoples they are today.   No matter what I shared with him, he and his wife refused to see Native Americans as contemporary beings with a rich history.  

In many parts of Europe, primarily Germany and Poland, there are people who romanticize Native Americans and emulate their way of life before and during early contact. They even have friendship clubs were they get together each summer to camp and recreate the lives they think Native Americans live/d including their way of dressing, dancing and so on.  They seem to have gotten their information from the writings of the Eastern German novelist, Karl May. 

Karl May never actually ever met a Native American and never travelled to America but he wrote many novels about the life of Native Americans as he imagined it to be.  He is well known and still today people believe whole heartedly in what he wrote. I met some of these people when I travelled to Germany and I when I visited the Karl May museum in Dresden, Germany.  Anyway, the correspondence with Leczek was interesting while it lasted as I also learned a bit about Poland and the life there as well as his family and how they lived.  I almost forgot that I currently have a friend who lives in Nottingham, England and we've corresponded by snail mail for several years.  We've never met in person but if I get to England there may be an opportunity to meet.  My friend's name is Joy and she's been going through a lot of trials over the past year when she lost her husband through a bitter divorce and she also lost 3 family members to health complications.

Tony is the last person I chatted with on line and whom I've never met.  He's from Nigeria and when I met him he owned a women's accessories shop selling things like shoes and handbags though I'm not sure if he still has it. Recently he got married and had a child so we haven't had an in-depth talk in some time and likely won't.  

Though I've enjoyed having these pen pals, it isn't likely that I'll be chatting with more strangers on line.  It's a lot of work to sift through their peoples intentions.  I no longer have an interest in doing that, nor do I have the time to do it. I almost forgot that I have another friend who I met on line when she lived in Spain. Enza is an Italian who has lived in Mallorca, the Netherlands & even New York City during the time I've known her.  Now that her children are grown she lives in Dubai, UAE.  She and I keep in touch by chat and voice messages, not usually through live phone calls due to the time differences and schedules. She is a dear friend though we've never met. We talk about meeting but so far we haven't done it. 

3. Do you read a  newspaper ? How do you keep up with the latest news?

I no longer read a physical newspaper but from time to time, I read some on line newspapers.  Mostly I catch 'breaking news' on Instagram (IG), You Tube and local news broadcasts. IG seems to be a good way to see what the latest breaking news especially since I no longer use the site formerly known as Twitter.  Since Elon Musk bought the company and called it X, I no longer follow.

4.  Is there any news in your life lately?

There isn't much news of interest to share.  I'm still in the middle of renovation chaos. It's primarily the bathrooms that are being partially renovated and a few minor changes in the kitchen and the open area of the condo.  I've learned to live with the chaos but I can't wait until everything is completed and some sense of order is restored.

I also want to update that the MRI test I had had several weeks ago didn't reveal anything of concern.  There was just one small issue that my doctor already knew about and which doesn't require any further follow up.  Thank you to those of you who remembered to pray for me when I mentioned it in this space prior to the MRI appointment.

A Week of Beauty - Skywatch Friday

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

This is just a short note to wish you a fantastic weekend whatever your plans.

Today I'm sharing a week of skies here in beautiful Vancouver. 

I've enjoyed  looking above. I hope you have too.

Thank you for stopping by my Skywatch Friday post today.

Bookish Questions ~ Tuesday 4

White washing the fence, Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer

Welcome to Tuesday 4 kept up in honor of it's founder Toni Taddeo.

   

Over 12,000 books, many once required reading in schools and including children's books have been banned.  Even Jane Eyre finds itself under scrutiny.

1.Do you think any book or series has  helped form your view on things...life, love, etc?

Many will say the Bible but how about more secular books that you feel have taught or influenced you?

I can't say that any book or series has influenced my view of things. I've had a good upbringing with what I feel was appropriate moral guidance on the key things in life. Whatever was taught at home was confirmed and enhanced at church. 

Books and the values they exemplify, often provide guidance too but a different type than what I got at home but I like to challenge my thinking and my knowledge beyond what is comfortable or immediately accessible through reading, film, travel, friends.  In terms of reading specifically, I would say that my most read genre is historical fiction.  Through these types of books I get interesting in further researching historical events rather than just reading the fictional version.

I also enjoy authors that focus on family relationships, love and forgiveness.  They give me a warm cosy feeling and a sense of comfort.  I also like books that teach me about other cultures. This interest dovetails well with my love of travel and learning about the people of other lands through their food, clothing, views on land and so on.  All these interests are confirmed through the reading of books.  The interests didn't originate with the reading of books. I hope that makes sense.

2.  What is your favorite book or book series and why is it a favorite?

I have too many favourite books and they are favourites for different reasons. Some of my most favourite books  are simply because the stories were so well written.  The authors evoked an emotional response with their masterful way with words.  Some that come to mind A Fine Balance & Family Matters by Rohinton Mistry, Tara Road by Maeve Binchy, The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher, Cutting for Stone by Abraham Vergese & The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini but these are by no means the only books I thoroughly enjoyed.

3. If your favorite book or book series was being cast for a TV/Movie series, who would play the main characters?

I have no idea.  Most of the books I like books are set in other countries with other nationalities as characters. To be believable, the movie or television series would need to hire some actors from those ethnicities and countries. The Binchy and Pilcher books are set in Ireland and Scotland respectively.  Both books were made into movies but I don't think they did the books justice.

4.  Are there any books you have read many times?

I tend not to read a book more than once.  I have so many books yet to read on my 'to read' list. However I have accidentally read a book more than once. One I re-read recently is Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. Surprisingly I didn't enjoy it that much on the 2nd reading though I did enjoy it the first time around. 

I had a similar experience with one book I read in university many years ago.  It is called The Invention of the World by Jack Hodgins, a writer from Vancouver Island. I made a point of reading it again many years later just because I enjoyed it so much the first time. Again, surprisingly, I was disappointed in the 2nd reading and I didn't finish it. I wondered why I had enjoyed it so much when I read it the first time?  Believe it or not, I want to try reading it for a 3rd time just to make sure whether I like it or not. If I don't, I guess it means my tastes have changed and I'm okay with that.

Mid-October Skies - Skywatch Friday

Hello friends and fellow bloggers, 

Happy Friday & Happy Weekend ahead to you all.

As we get farther away from summer, we begin to experience wetter days and cooler weather in my part of the world.

These photos were taken earlier this week just before a day of rain.  It only lasted a day.  At least this time around.

The last 3 photos above show the roads and sidewalks at the corner of Main Street & Broadway that have finally been repaired.  They were in a state of chaos while the subway was being built.  The only remaining item to fix on this corner is the completion of the new subway station on the corner.

The current state of the new station.

The new subway along the Broadway Corridor (east-west direction or west-east) is scheduled to open for passenger service in the autumn of 2027. For now it only stretched from Arbutus in the west to Clark Drive at Vancouver Community College (VCC) in the east. It really should have extended to the most westerly part of the city where the University of British Columbia (UBC) is located. I'm sure it will eventually be extended.

Thank you for visiting my Skywatch Friday post.

Ideals ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome to Toni's Tuesday 4... all about ideal situations.

1. What's your ideal road trip/vacation? 

Travelling a long distance by car, stopping here and there at key places.   This allows me to see as much beautiful scenery as possible.  If I'm on a road trip in my own country, I like to visit family and friends along the way too. 

If I'm in another country, I want to see as much of the scenery and sites as possible. I don't tend to spend too much time inside, such as in museums.  Instead, I usually tire myself out by walking about and seeing the natural beauty of a place, and trying to figure out how the locals live. I'll also spend some time in the shops to see what is being sold and compare prices. I do actually visit museums too.  I don't like to be inside one all day long but one does need to spend adequate time in a museum to see it properly.

I've discovered I like to be on the move when I go somewhere. My husband noticed that about me many years ago when I hadn't even noticed it about myself. He observed that I want to go, go, go and not stay in one place and he was right. I am happier that way. 

Long ago when I travelled, I'd always bring back souvenirs and trinkets for myself and for others but I don't do that anymore. It usually ends up being clutter. If I'm buying anything it tends to be something practical such as an item of clothing I'll wear while on holiday and maybe some jewellery.  Usually the jewellery is earrings that are made with materials from the place I'm visiting (examples, silver earrings from Taxco, Mexico and Bohemian Garnet earrings from Prague, Czech Republic). 

Besides seeing the natural beauty of a place, I like to relax in a good coffee shop or to change the pace, I love to spend an afternoon in a spa being pampered with a facial, a massage or a pedicure. I might have all three if the price is right. It's an indulgence that I often allow myself when on vacation.

I've been fortunate enough to travel a fair bit and I would love to go back to several places (Australia, Germany and Kenya) to experience the beautiful scenery and lovely people. But since I've travelled extensively in these places already, I'd like to experience new places, possibly Egypt, China, Japan, Great Britain and/or Southeastern Europe, specifically the Balkans.  I'm at the age where travel is getting physically difficult so the trip would have to be easier yet still allow me to see a lot. I've been searching on line for all of these places at the right price and time.  So far I haven't hit on quite the right ingredients for a trip.

2. What is your ideal evening out? 

Attending a live theatre event, concert or movie with a friend and stopping for coffee/snack/meal beforehand.

3. What is your ideal way to handle criticism? Brush it off? Take it personally? Reflect on it?

Probably reflect on it. Usually for a little too long analyzing what was said, whether it was warranted and how to action anything I might need to do.  I'm also getting much better at brushing off anything that doesn't warrant attention. I think that comes with age.  To be honest, I don't usually have to deal with criticism. Perhaps it's because I tend to avoid negative people.

4. What is your ideal day off?  

My ideal day off is spent enjoying a warm, sunny or even slightly breezy day by the waterfront taking a leisurely stroll to enjoy the sights, taking photos and indulging in a few snacks. If I'm alone, I'll have a book to enjoy reading while I sip some delicious coffee.  If I'm with a friend or a family member, we like to chat and catch up as well as enjoy taking photos and having some snacks while enjoying the scenery together. 

A Beautiful Autumn Day ~ Skywatch Friday October 9, 2026

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

Welcome to another Friday and start to the weekend and sharing beautiful skies on Skywatch Friday.

We've had some spectacular weather this week and the temperatures have reached warmer temperatures on one or two days.  I took the occasion to walk to various errands in the neighbourhood and to share a few photos of the neighbourhood. The autumn colours are in full display and one can really enjoy the colours when the sun shines. I find the light so beautiful at this time of year.

     

 

Thank you for stopping by and sharing a part of your day with me. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Routines ~ Tuesday 4

 Howdy! 

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.  They say having routines in your life keeps you mentally healthier than living a disorganized or haphazard life. Schedules have a profound effect on our well being. Belonging to clubs, organizations is good for us.  

According to research from UCLA  Health, "  a predictable daily routine supports mental health by reducing stress, lowering cognitive load, and creating a steady sense of personal control. "

It keeps sickness away too. People with good daily routines and habits live longer and decidedly healthier lives.  It promotes a feeling of productiveness and purpose.

Boredom contributes to sickness and cognitive decline in the elderly.

1. Do you have a daily routine for yourself and for your home?

Yes I do.  There are routine things to do every day and on a weekly basis which revolve around housekeeping and shopping.  I try to keep up with it all and I loosely follow the Fly Lady System in this regard which helps with having a schedule that works without being overly onerous.

2. What is your morning routine? How about your bedtime routine?

The morning routine includes washing my face, brushing teeth and sometimes doing the facial care after I've put the coffee pot on.  It takes me a long while to ease into the day and begin to feel that I can tackle whatever is on the list for the day.  I go out for appointments or errands several times a week.  In between having coffee, and perhaps a bite to eat, I will do any number of things before I shower, make the bed and get on with the day.  

After dinner and dishes are done it's time to wind down, pray, read, check email and socials & watch a variety of YT videos and other things on television before going to sleep.

3. Do you have a routine get together for a family meal or game/movie or pizza night?

No we don't have any of those routines for a variety of reasons. We go with the flow but each evening DH and I watch the late news together and share about our days.  Sometimes we watch You Tube videos about things of interest, including current happenings in Kenya.  He has very little free time at the moment so it's special to share this time together.

4. Any TV programs, clubs, organizational routines you never want to miss? Do you attend town meetings, choir practice?

We are not in any clubs. I'm only watching Y & R on a regular basis as I've done for several decades. If I don't watch it one day I go back and watch it within the 24 hour limit. If I miss more than one day I don't fret. It's easy enough to get back in the flow of the show once you have more time.  These days when I do watch movies or news shows they tend to be on You Tube or one of the streaming services.

I'm not sure what is meant by organizational routines and I don't attend any town halls or choir practice. In any case, I don't think we have many town halls here.

To be honest, I don't have a lot of free time or energy for activities that require attendance on specific dates and times on a weekly basis.  I already keep more than busy with all the things I currently do. Lest it sound like I don't do anything of interest, I'll share that my city always has something of interest on offer and I participate in as much of it as I can.  There are free things and paid things and I keep on a regular look out for all of it.  

The things I like to participate in include special events, library talks, classes at the local community centre and so on.  The kinds of things I enjoy and have participated in include talks by authors at the local library, special presentations at various community centers, festivals featuring different ethnic groups, free classes on cooking healthy, beading class, soap making class, gardening seminars, attending Christmas events like the annual Van Dusen Garden Light Display and so on. There is a lot that I've participated in over the years.  I've participated in an older ladies group where we did a great variety of things. Ladies would host an event and members would sign up. It was difficult to attend a lot of things because of overwhelming interest by others. Eventually I got 'booted' from the group for lack of attendance, lol.

I've also participated in the church Missions group from time to time because missions is a special interest of mine.  My specific interest is Africa but few of the churches here seem to focus on Africa,  instead they tend to focus on work in Asia because my city is considered a gateway to the Pacific and Asian countries.

We've been having some spectacular weather the last couple of days and the autumn light has been wonderful.

I captured these scenes on my walk to the local hospital for a visit to the ER.

All ended well. I'm being treated with ear drops and daily IV antibiotics for an ear infection. I haven't had one in years and years but all of a sudden I've had two of them a week apart. Not sure what that's all about but will follow up with the ENT specialist soon.